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The first rule of afternoon napping is an alarm clock: If you don't want to feel groggy afterwards, you need to limit the duration. Here are seven questions and answers about the most important break of the day. Berlin (dpa) – You might take one after your early shift, during your lunch break while working from home, or at the weekend. Many people swear by afternoon naps. What are their benefits and how can you get the most out of daytime snoozes? Two experts answer some pertinent questions: 1. Is taking afternoon naps healthy? "Yes, but only if they're power naps," says Markus Specht, who heads a centre for sleep medicine in Germany. In other words, short naps of about 10 to 30 minutes – also called catnaps – that end before you enter deep sleep. Studies in Mediterranean countries, where siestas are historically common, have shown that people there are less prone to cardiovascular diseases, obesity and strokes than non-siesta cultures are. "What's more, studies of people in the US showed their risk for these conditions decreased when they started taking afternoon naps and hadn't previously," says Dr Simone Koch, a physician, hormone expert and biohacker who investigates how healthier behaviours can optimize natural bodily processes. 2. When's the best time for a power nap? Ideally, you should lie down and close your eyes for 15 to 20 minutes after lunch, between 1 and 2 pm, advises Specht. "That's when your body experiences a natural energy slump and slips more easily into rest mode," he says. It's important to keep the nap short so as not to sink into deep sleep, so "be sure to set an alarm!" 3. What happens in your brain when you power-nap? When you close your eyes and simply wait for what comes next, your brain goes into a meditative state. Your brain waves are in what's known as an alpha rhythm, and your consciousness is idle. "You can imagine it to be a bit like a screen saver for your mind that tidies up in the background and then restarts the system," Specht says. "That's why you feel so refreshed after a successful power nap." 4. Why do you sometimes feel groggy after an afternoon nap? Usually because you let what should have been a power nap last too long, allowing your body to enter the deep sleep phase. "Your brain's then ready to sleep for six more hours," says Specht. "If you're abruptly awakened, you feel downright disoriented." On top of that, you don't become really alert again until evening, and therefore have trouble falling asleep at bedtime. Koch adds: "People with very low blood pressure often need quite a long time to get into gear again. So for them, even power naps may be disadvantageous." And they're hardly alone, as not everyone's made for afternoon naps. If they throw your day out of kilter by making you sluggish instead of refreshed, it's best to avoid them. 5. Can afternoon naps be counterproductive? Yes, as noted above. If you regularly end up falling fast asleep, you'll disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle. Yielding too early in the day to the build-up of "sleep pressure" – ie. an increase in the concentration of various neurochemicals and hormones in the brain that allow your body to sleep – makes it harder to fall asleep at night. And having trouble sleeping at night can be extremely stressful for both mind and body. It can set a vicious circle in motion, leading to a bad case of insomnia requiring medical treatment. Babies, the ill and elderly are an exception though, according to Specht, noting that "at an advanced age the body produces less melatonin [known as the "sleep hormone"] at night, which reduces nighttime sleep, so napping during the day can be very restorative." 6. Can an afternoon nap make up for a sleepless night? If you hardly slept a wink, let alone 40, after a wild party, due to heartbreak, intrusive thoughts or whatever, it's best to stay awake until evening. Similar advice is given to head off jet lag. While a power nap can work wonders in these cases too, Specht says, you risk lying wide awake in bed when nighttime comes. 7. What are the immediate, and long-term, effects of power-napping? A proper power nap has effects that are felt at once, says Koch. "As soon as you get up again, you're more alert, receptive and able to concentrate." If you make them a lifelong practice, you can reap their benefits into old age. There's even evidence that regular napping can significantly delay the onset of age-related diseases as well as frailty. "I'm personally convinced that power naps not only make you physically and mentally fitter, but also strengthen your mental health in the long term," Specht says. In short, regular power-napping can make you more alert, less stressed and better able to meet the day's challenges with equanimity. And every power nap helps, even though for many people they're only possible at the weekend. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn osf yyzz a3 bzl sw ob

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Berlin (dpa) – People who get tattoos could be increasing their risk of skin cancer, according to a team of epidemiologists and toxicologists warning about the risk factor for melanoma. Researchers at Sweden's Lund University surveyed almost 3,000 people who had been diagnosed with the disease and around 8,500 cancer-free counterparts. "Of the participants who had melanoma, 22% were tattooed, compared with 20% in the control group. But when we took lifestyle factors that might distort the association into account, we saw a 29% increased relative risk among tattooed individuals," said Lund's Emelie Rietz Liljedahl. The findings – which were controlled for factors including sun exposure, sun bed use and skin type – led the researchers to conclude that "tattoos may be a risk factor for cutaneous melanoma (CM)." Published in the European Journal of Epidemiology in November, the research is the latest in a growing body of studies looking to shed light on long-suspected links between tattoos and skin cancer. "The results need to be verified in additional epidemiologic studies before causality can be inferred," the team added, explaining that they carried out the research due to the coincidence of a sharp rise in "the incidence of cutaneous melanoma" with the "rapidly growing tattoo trend." "Repeated reports of the presence of carcinogenic chemicals, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines and heavy metals in tattoo ink justifies the investigation of CM risk in relation to tattooing," they said. "When tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body perceives it as a foreign substance, which means the immune system is activated," the team explained, warning that some of the colourants can break down into "harmful chemicals that may cause cancer" – particularly if the person goes sunbathing after getting tattooed. "We therefore need to clarify if there is a link between tattoo ink and skin cancer," said Christel Nielsen, associate professor and researcher in epidemiology at Lund. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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Brussels (dpa) – A so-called forever chemical or PFAS linked to toxic effects on organs and reproduction is present at "high levels" in everyday cereal products sold across Europe, according to new research. PAN Europe, which campaigns against pesticides containing PFAS, said that the first study of its kind, testing 66 cereal items sold in 16 countries, showed "average concentrations" of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to be 107 times those found in tap water. "Levels of TFA exceeded the default maximum residue limit for reprotoxic or hormone-disrupting substances in 81.8% of the samples," said Angeliki Lysimachou, PAN Europe’s head of science and policy. The items included not just breakfast cereals but also sweets, pasta, croissants, bread and flour and were tested at the Institut Dr. Wagner near Graz in Austria. Three of the five products with the highest level of the contaminant were found in Ireland, including the popular breakfast cereal Weetabix, a Nestlé brand and one sold by local supermarket chain SuperValu. Other brands to feature in the top 10 were Belgian biscuit Speculoos and bread Boulot d’Abbaye. "The origin of the flour could not be known for the majority of products, as this information is generally lacking in the packaging of industrial cereal-based products," PAN Europe explained in its December 4 report, giving an insight into food industry and commodity supply chains. "As food authorities do not monitor TFA in foods, this is the first study of its kind at the EU level," according to PAN Europe, which previously found the chemical in wine and tap water. "Our findings underscore the urgent need for an immediate ban of PFAS pesticides to stop further contamination of the food chain," said PAN Europe's Salomé Roynel. Additional weight could come from across the Atlantic, with the December 5 publication by the American Medical Association (AMA) of research warning about the dangers of forever chemicals – sometimes called PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. "Exposure to single and mixtures of PFAS was associated with higher odds of ED [endocrine disruption] among women," warned the Harvard Medical School-led research team. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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Frailty isn’t an inevitable part of ageing. A doctor explains exactly what the main symptoms are and how it's diagnosed and treated. London (PA Media/dpa) – Frailty refers to a person’s mental and physical resilience, or their ability to bounce back and recover from events like illness and injury. “Frailty is regarded as a syndrome, and a syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that helps recognise frailty which includes things like being slower,” says Dr Nasrin Razzaq, GP lead for personalised care. “Generally, when we start thinking about frailty clinically, we are thinking about the over-65s and to do with the way the body’s ageing, and the physiological things that are changing in the body. However, frailty can exist under 65.” Razzaq adds that being able to diagnose frailty enables healthcare professionals to think about a patient more holistically. “I often use the example of if a 35-year-old woman with a UTI comes with a GP, they are likely to be given three days of antibiotics and general advice and be set on their way,” says Razzaq. “However, if an 85-year-old with frailty comes in with an UTI that is very different, in terms of their illness and they are likely to take longer to recover. “The beauty of having that sort of label or understanding that somebody has frailty is that it prompts healthcare professionals to think about the patient in a more holistic way.” Spotting the signs of frailty early can help increase someone’s quality of life. “The aim of all of the work that we do with frailty is to try and maintain people’s independence in their own home, because that’s what most people want,” says Razzaq. What are some key signs of frailty to look out for? 1. Slow walking speed Taking longer than usual to walk a certain distance is seen as one of the major signs of frailty. “Being able to recognise frailty includes things like being slower, what we call ‘gait speed’, and you can measure that,” explains Razzaq. “One of the ways that we measure it is something called a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, where we have a stopwatch and get a person to stand up, walk three metres, turn around and walk back again. “We time that and if it’s in double digits, so more than 10 seconds, then it means they’ve slowed down a little bit. Less than 10 seconds is considered normal, slightly more is considered mild frail and more than 15 seconds is moderate frail.” 2. Weakness This can be seen as reduced grip strength or general muscle weakness. “One of the other symptoms of frailty is weakness or lack of muscle strength,” says Razzaq. “We’ve got instruments that we can measure grip strength with.” 3. Tiredness “Feeling tired all the time is also a common presentation that GPs often see,” says Razzaq. “Being tired isn’t in itself a symptom of frailty, but if it’s associated with things like muscle weakness or slowing down, then we will start thinking, is this person frail?” 4. Weight loss “Weight loss is another one,” says Razzaq. “People can lose a significant percentage of their weight loss just because they’re frail. It’s important that doctors make sure that it’s not cancer or anything else more serious, but once that has been excluded we may suggest that it’s part of frailty. “This is often to do with muscle weakness, or what we call sarcopenia (losing muscle mass) as that has an impact on the actual weight on the scales.” 5. Taking longer to recover from illnesses Many patients with frailty find that it takes longer to bounce back from illnesses. “Patients will sometimes say I had a cough and instead of it taking three or four days to recover, it takes a week or two weeks,” says Razzaq. What should you do if you start presenting with these symptoms? “Your first port of call should be your GP,” says Razzaq. “When I talk about the GP, I don’t necessarily mean just your doctor. Now we have primary care teams, clinical pharmacists and care coordinators who have all been trained on what to do if somebody presents with these symptoms and is worried about frailty.” What assessments are used to diagnose frailty? “The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is probably the classic one and then there’s also something called the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, which looks at the different components of a person,” says Razzaq. “The aim is to holistically assess the patient, and we also do cognitive assessments. “Then we also do functional assessments, for example getting them to stand with a broom and then squat to see how far they can bend down or getting them to lean forward. Sometimes we also do bone health screenings for things like osteoporosis.” Is it reversible? The earlier you recognise the signs of frailty, the better. “Frailty is not an inevitable part of getting older. There’s an element of reversibility at the early stages, what we call pre-frail or mild frail,” says Razzaq. “If we can build up the muscle mass, improve the diabetes control, improve renal function then that frailty can shift back to pre-frail or no frailty.” The scale goes from fit, to mild frail, to moderate frail, to severe frail. “The aim is to recognise which part of that continuum a patient is on, and then to offer the services or the care that’s required for that particular cohort,” says Razzaq. How is frailty treated and managed? “The management or treatment of frailty is to develop a personalised care plan,” says Razzaq. “The first part of a care plan is to just explore what’s important to that person. We ask them about what matters to them most, so that might be being able to walk around a park every day, for example. “Then we start matching interventions to their needs. So, we look at the results of their assessments and think about if they require strength and balance exercises or swimming sessions, for example. You can get exercise on prescription now, which helps meet a lot of patients’ physical and social needs.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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Sarcopenia is a disease that affects your muscle mass and strength, and is common amongst older people. London (PA Media/dpa) – As we age, many people notice small changes that make them feel a little weaker or slower – but they often don’t realise the cause is sarcopenia. We spoke to Lucy Macdonald, physiotherapist based in Surrey at Restart Physio, who explained exactly what sarcopenia is and shared some tips on how to stay strong later in life. What is sarcopenia? “Age-related sarcopenia is the process by which muscles get weaker as you get older,” explains Macdonald. This condition is caused by a combination of factors, including the natural ageing process, physical inactivity and changes to hormonal levels. “There are some factors, like hormonal changes, that people can’t do anything about. For example, decreasing levels of testosterone in men and women as they get older can be a factor,” says Macdonald. “However, we are in control of our activity levels. “A lot of people will reduce their activity levels, in part just because of general lifestyle but also sometimes because of fear of injury, and actually these things can significantly contribute to muscle wasting as well.” She highlights that she usually sees sarcopenia in patients who are in two particular phases of life. “The first one would be people in their late 40s because around that age people’s lives tend to be very busy,” says Macdonald. “They’ve got busy careers and often have caring responsibilities for kids and older relatives. So, in terms of the amount of time they have to stay active, that’s quite a sort of crunch point. “Then sarcopenia is also very prevalent in the early 60s age range. At this age, people are thinking of retiring which is another turning point as some people will have a really active retirement and some will do considerably less.” What are some symptoms that might suggest you have sarcopenia? “Finding it difficult to get out of a chair or to go up and down stairs easily are two key indicators,” says Macdonald. “If you start to notice that you’re struggling a bit to get that power to do these things without using your upper body, I would seek professional advice about this.” How can sarcopenia impact your daily life? “Day-to-day things like carrying your shopping or playing with the grandkids might become difficult,” says Macdonald. “So many things involve physical activity and if you haven’t got the muscle strength to do it you’re going to start to enjoy these activities less. “It could also become painful to do things. Sarcopenia is considered to be a significant contributing factor to joint pain which can really affect people’s quality of life.” Can you slow down the progression of sarcopenia or prevent it? “The best thing to do to slow down the progression of sarcopenia or to prevent it is strength work,” says Macdonald. “A physio can give you specific exercises to strengthen your muscles in relation to the things that you want to be able to achieve. “For example, if you wanted to be able to take your grandchildren to the park, then a physio can help you strengthen the muscles that are involved in that.” What are your top tips for building and maintaining muscle later in life? Try sit and stand exercises “When you’ve just got out of bed in the morning, try sitting on the edge of your bed and standing up and sitting down again in a controlled way, and repeat that 30 times,” says Macdonald. “Sit to stand is basically a squat and you can progress by adding a bit of weight to this exercise or try doing it on a lower surface, such as a sofa.” Wall press ups “Lean as much of your body weight as you can against your hands on a wall, and then just gently bend and straighten your elbows,” recommends Macdonald. Introduce weights under the guidance of a professional “Slowly introduce some lifting exercises under the guidance of either a physio or a personal trainer,” recommends Macdonald. “They will help you learn a bit more about your own body and how important strength is, and will also provide some encouragement.” Increase the weight gradually “If you suddenly launch into doing weights, you will probably get injured,” warns Macdonald. “By overloading them, you’ll get tears in the muscle which can be very painful and you’ll end up weaker, rather than stronger. So, you want to start low and increase the weight gradually.” Join a group “There’s lots of groups out there where you can go and do resistance training and use weights in a group setting,” says Macdonald. “The advantage of doing exercise in a group is that you’re more likely to stick to it.” Don’t be afraid “Try to not let fear get in the way of getting strong,” advises Macdonald. “Although fear of injury is very normal, fear often ends up increasing the likelihood of getting injured because if you don’t use it, you lose it.” Remember that losing strength isn’t inevitable “Just because it’s harder to be strong as we get older doesn’t mean that it’s not possible,” says Macdonald. “I’ve seen some incredibly strong older people, so there’s full potential to be strong later in life. You have control over it, so getting weaker and weaker as you age is not an inevitable thing.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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Pulling files out of the cupboard, holding a heavy pan – for some people with weak or aching wrists, these tasks are difficult or even impossible. What's to blame and how should we all be taking care of these vital joints? Berlin (dpa) – It may be difficult for you – perhaps even painful – to do things like pulling folders out of a filing cabinet, holding a heavy pan with one hand or unscrewing a bottle top. Why are your wrists so weak? And what can you do to remedy the problem? Using your smartphone and a computer mouse less frequently can help spare your wrists, as "repetitive motions can overstrain them, causing inflammation of the tendon sheaths and pain," says Dr Tim Tobias Lögters, head of the wrist surgery division of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU). Lögters estimates that roughly half of all wrist problems after age 40 are due to injuries, and the majority of the rest to disease. What causes wrist problems for people aged 40 and over? There are a number of possible causes of wrist pain and dysfunction besides inflamed tendons. "For one thing, people over 40 can suffer from constricted nerve canals, often experiencing tingling in their fingers, especially at night," says Lögters. The affected areas are the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger. A cyst in the wrist joint capsule is a further possible cause. "How clearly they can be seen varies, with sizes ranging from that of a millet grain to a pea or plum pit," Lögters says. Known as ganglion cysts, they can arise when pressure on the joint causes excess joint fluid – aka synovial fluid – to protrude from the capsule. Another common cause of wrist pain is wear and tear on the joint over time, leading to osteoarthritis. Moving the wrist is then often painful. "In cases of a fracture, pain is typically felt when the wrist is at rest too," Lögters says. What should you do following a wrist injury? It's important to have acute pain along with any other problems checked by a medical specialist – an orthopaedist or trauma surgeon – according to Lögters, warning that "apparently minor injuries can also result in structural damage, for example to ligaments. Sometimes symptoms don't appear until years later." This is why, he says, it's a good idea to see a specialist even if a wrist injury doesn't cause acute pain. While it's OK to immobilize an injured wrist for up to two weeks, this is "by no means a long-term solution," Lögters says. On the contrary, movement can help to strengthen the surrounding muscles, tendons, joint and even bone structure, he notes, all of which is important for the wrist's suppleness. What can you do to help prevent wrist problems? Lögters recommends eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise focused particularly on functional, holistic fitness. "By strengthening your neck and back muscles, you'll also do your wrists good," he says, "because a strong musculature can also help strengthen nerve pathways." The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn mod yyzz a3 tsn rid ob

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London (dpa) – Joggers, cyclists and other people doing outdoor workouts may be losing out on health benefits, lower cancer risk and added life expectancy if they exercise in polluted city air, new research suggests. Using health data covering 1.5 million people across several countries, a team of scientists, including from University College London (UCL) and City University of Hong Kong, has found that the effects of regular exercise appear to be reduced among people living in high-pollution areas. The usual "protective effect" that running offers from the risk of death from cancer and heart disease is diminished when the level of fine particulate matter in the air topped 25 micrograms per cubic metre, the researchers said. The implications of the findings will be sobering to millions of joggers worldwide, since almost half the world’s population lives in places where levels of fine particulate matter are this high or higher. "Our study shows that toxic air can to some extent block the benefits of exercise, although not eliminate them," said Andrew Steptoe of UCL, who warned that the findings provide "further evidence of the damage that fine particle pollution can do to our health." In their paper on the subject, published in the journal BMC Medicine in November, the team warned that many people live in cities where the pollution level exceeds 35 micrograms, or even reaches 50 or more. When the air is that clogged with tiny particles, the health benefits of outdoor exercise are "less evident," they warned. However, the research shows that going for a run in the park "remains beneficial even in polluted environments," according to Po-Wen Ku of National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan. At the same time, the gains brought about by such exercise could be enhanced by improving urban air quality. Some 4 million people die prematurely every year as a result of prolonged exposure to outdoor air pollution, according to the World Health Organization. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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Berlin (dpa) – Bird flu is spreading across North America and Europe, and some pet owners are growing concerned as they hear reports that millions of chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys have been culled worldwide in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. Avian influenza is highly contagious for domestic poultry and, while the public health risk for humans is low, the situation is different for some pets. Budgies kept at home are safe from infection, but in theory any mammal can also become infected with the virus. Free-roaming cats are particularly at risk, as they are most likely to come into contact with infected birds or their droppings, especially if they are regularly near livestock holdings experiencing outbreaks. What symptoms are possible in cats? In the event of infection, cats may develop heavy discharge from the eyes and nose, as well as neurological abnormalities such as tremors, seizures or impaired coordination, says biologist Sabrina Karl of the animal welfare foundation Four Paws. Respiratory problems such as coughing, sneezing or laboured breathing are also possible. General signs of illness are common too, such as fever, loss of appetite and lethargy. If you think there's a risk your cat could encounter infected droppings or catch an infected bird, you may want to keep them from roaming freely in areas where infections have been reported. If the outbreak is in your area, you may also want to keep your shoes away from your cat, just in case you've stepped on bird droppings carrying the infection. Karl recommends storing them out of animals’ reach and disinfecting them thoroughly. How do I know bird flu is in my area? Various health bodies are keeping maps updated with the latest outbreaks. The CDC'smap of the US , the APHA'smap of the UK and the FLI's map of infections in Europe are among those where you can check where bird flu is spreading. Can dogs also become ill? "There are no typical symptoms in dogs documented so far in connection with avian influenza," says Karl. If unusual behavioural changes or health problems occur, owners should take them seriously and seek veterinary advice in any case. Animal welfare experts are recommending that people in areas close to outbreaks keep their dog on a lead when walking in the countryside. Anyone who finds a dead bird should keep their pet away, not touch the carcass and notify a local authority such as a vet. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn jub yyzz n1 tsn/nhr

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The festive season can be hard for many older adults. London (PA Media/dpa) – New heartbreaking statistics from Age UK have shone a much-needed light on the worrying extent of loneliness and social isolation amongst the older generation in the UK this Christmas. As part of its A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight campaign, Age UK has revealed that one in two (6.3 million) say they no longer experience the joy they once felt during the festive season. The charity also estimates that 1.5 million older people will eat Christmas dinner alone, and 670,000 won’t see or speak to anyone at all on Christmas Day. These findings are based on data from Yonder’s online and telephone survey of 2,659 UK adults aged 65+ and were weighted to be representative of the UK population. In light of these concerning figures, we spoke with Ruth Lowe, head of loneliness services at Age UK, about why this time of year can be especially difficult for some older adults. She has also outlined six subtle signs that might indicate someone may be feeling lonely and has offered some practical suggestions on how to support them. Why is this time of year particularly tough for some older adults? “Loneliness and social isolation are big issues for older people all year round, but we know that the winter and the festive period are particularly tough,” says Lowe. “Winter is difficult because it gets darker earlier and is so much colder, which it can make it harder for older people to get out and about. Lots of services also close down over the festive period. “In addition, Christmas is also a time when we’re surrounded by images in the media of family and friends being happy together and for someone who doesn’t have that, it can just increase that feeling of invisibility and being completely alone.” The older generation also often struggle to ask for help. “We do often hear from a lot of older people that they feel ashamed or embarrassed about their feelings of loneliness, and obviously they absolutely shouldn’t,” says Lowe. “I think younger people often feel more comfortable to talk about their mental health and how they’re feeling, and older people often feel that this is something that they don’t want to burden other people with.” Here are six subtle signs of loneliness loved ones can look out for… Changes in behaviour and mood “One of the first things to look out for is changes in behaviour or mood,” highlights Lowe. “If you know that person well and you notice that they are being more emotional or angry or just behaving differently, that can be a sign that they might be experiencing loneliness.” Negative self talk “Talking quite negatively about themselves in a way that they haven’t before might also indicate loneliness, because loneliness can really start to chip away at someone’s self worth and make them feel quite worthless,” says Lowe. Withdrawing “Withdrawing from things they once enjoyed and saying things like ‘people won’t want me there, I don’t want to go’ might indicate that they are feeling lonely,” says Lowe. Self neglect “People feel quite low when they are lonely, so they might begin to stop taking care of themselves or their homes,” says Lowe. “You might see changes in their appearance or in their surroundings.” Substance misuse “Some people who feel lonely may even start misusing drugs or alcohol,” says Lowe. Lengthy chats or phone calls “Simple things like trying to extend conversations or spend more time with you on the phone, or when you do see them not wanting to let you go, could indicate that they’re really craving that connection and trying to hold onto that,” says Lowe. Here are some tips on how to help… Start a conversation about it “If you do notice any changes and have concerns, just ask them about how they’re feeling and let them know you’re always there to listen and to talk,” advises Lowe. “You don’t have to ask them outright if they’re lonely, but just letting somebody know that there is someone there who is able to listen can make a huge difference.” Choose your setting wisely “Try and have this conversation in a time and space that you know the person will feel comfortable in,” recommends Lowe. “Try and do it when you’ve got the time to properly talk about it in case they do want to open up to you there and then.” Be patient “Be prepared for the fact that they might not feel ready to open up on the first conversation,” says Lowe. “Give them lots of time and patience.” Let them lead “You could try to say something like, ‘oh I noticed you’ve seemed a little different recently, is there anything you’d like to talk about?'” suggests Lowe. “Let the conversation be led by them and let them talk about it at their own pace.” Be reassuring “If you are worried about a loved one reassure them that you are there for them and there are lots of people who feel the same way,” says Lowe. “Help them understand that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. “Letting them know that you care, that their feelings are valid and they’re important to you can really make a huge difference to someone experiencing loneliness.” Try to minimise your reaction “If they do open up, try not to lean into pity or embarrassment because sometimes our reactions can cause someone else to close up,” says Lowe. Signpost helpful services “Age UK provides a wide range of local services such as festive lunches over the Christmas period,” says Lowe. “There are also national services available such as the Silver Line Helpline (0800 4 70 80 90), which is free to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Christmas Day, for any older person that needs to talk. “In addition, you could let your loved one know that they could also speak to their carer, GP or another friend. It’s just about letting them know there’s people out there who care and want to help.” The following information is not intended for publication dpa pa arw

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Tokyo (dpa) – It seems that parents fretting about a surly or withdrawn or plain obnoxious teenager could do worse than keep a dog around the house. That's because doing so "has beneficial effects, especially for adolescents, and these effects may be mediated through symbiosis with microorganisms," said Takefumi Kikusui of Azabu University in Japan. Teens who spend time with dogs tend to be more sociable and have better mental health than others – and the reason is in part down to apparent changes to the range of microbes in and on the adolescents brought about by having a hound around. "A family dog can change the microbiome in ways that support mental health, empathy and prosocial behaviour," the researchers said. And while previous work, including by Kikusui, has found dog owners to generally report better well-being than others, the mechanisms behind such differences remain unclear. Kikusui said that his past efforts had found that teens in dog-keeping households had different saliva microbiota compared to peers who did not have a dog at home. And while still more work on the subject is needed, the latest findings – published in the journal iScience in December – suggest a human-dog symbiosis that is likely down to "thousands of years of human-canine coexistence." "The most interesting finding from this study is that bacteria promoting prosociality, or empathy, were discovered in the microbiomes of adolescent children who keep dogs," Kikusui said, after running supplementary tests to see how the same bacteria affected mice as well as teenagers. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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