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Washington (dpa) – Three decades ago, political scientist Francis Fukuyama argued that the more a country's people feel they can lean on each other, the better chance its businesses and economy have of thriving. Now, a newly published survey conducted in 25 countries suggests there is indeed at least a correlation between trust and economic prosperity. "Trust tends to be higher in the high-income countries surveyed than in the middle-income ones," reports the Pew Research Center, which carried out the polling.  Residents of Sweden, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Australia – the five highest scorers in the survey, countries with high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita – came out of it seemingly much more confident they can rely on each other than counterparts in less well-to-do Turkey, Kenya, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico, the five lowest-ranked. In Sweden, 83% of people said they mostly trust others, the highest percentage recorded. The lowest was in Turkey, where only 14% feel they can trust those around them. The US saw a near-even split, with 55% deeming themselves trusting and 44% not so much. "Within mostly high-income countries, we also see gaps in trust by education, income and age," Pew explained, with the better-off and those who spent longer in formal education more inclined to be trusting than those who left school earlier. Some countries have seen rising social trust in recent years, with Indonesia charting a 12 percentage point increase to 53% since Pew’s 2024 survey, leaving the giant Southeast Asian archipelago with the most trusting society outside the high-income nations surveyed. But in India, the world's most populous country, only 38% reported themselves as mostly trusting others – even if that was a seven point increase on last year. Germany and Sweden have also seen rises since the survey was last conducted in those countries in 2020, but in France the opposite proved to be the case with a drop of six percentage points recorded by Pew. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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London (PA Media/dpa) – Consuming a high number of energy drinks may lead to a stroke, doctors have suggested. The drinks, which contain high levels of caffeine and other ingredients, could push up blood pressure, which is known to increase the risk of stroke, they said. Doctors from the UK's Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust told of how they treated a normally fit and healthy man in his 50s for a stroke, which caused sudden weakness on his left side as well as unsteadiness and issues with swallowing and speech. An MRI scan confirmed he had suffered an ischaemic type of stroke, where small blood vessels become blocked. At the point of him being admitted to hospital, his blood pressure reading was very high at 254/150mmHg. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) advises that normal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. High blood pressure is considered to be 135/85 or higher if the reading was taken at home, or 140/90mmHg or higher if the reading was taken at a pharmacy, GP surgery or clinic. Writing in the journal BMJ Case Reports, the doctors explained how the man was started on drugs in hospital to lower his blood pressure, which did work temporarily. But once back home, his blood pressure continued to rise and stayed high despite him being given extra drugs to control it. Medics questioned the man at one of his appointments and discovered he had been drinking an average of eight cans of energy drinks a day. Each drink contained 160mg caffeine per 16 fluid ounces. This added up to a daily intake of 1200-1300mg of caffeine when the recommended maximum daily intake is 400mg, the doctors wrote. Once he stopped consuming the drinks, his blood pressure returned to normal and blood pressure lowering drugs were no longer needed. In fact, just one week after stopping the drinks, his average blood pressure readings were around 120 to 130mmHg/80mmHg. “It was therefore thought to be likely that the patient’s consumption of highly potent energy drinks was, at least in part, a contributive factor to his secondary hypertension (high blood pressure) and in turn his stroke,” the doctors wrote. “As our case and discussion illustrate, it is possible that both acute and chronic intake of energy drinks may increase cardiovascular disease and stroke risk.” The doctors stressed that evidence overall is not conclusive, but research on the topic is accumulating. They suggested that increasing the” regulation of energy drink sales and advertising campaigns (which are often targeted at younger ages) could be beneficial to the future cerebrovascular and cardiovascular health of our society”. “Additionally, healthcare professionals should consider specific questioning related to energy drink consumption in young patients presenting with stroke or unexplained hypertension,” they said. In reflecting on his experience, the patient said he still had symptoms eight years later. He said: “I obviously wasn’t aware of the dangers drinking energy drinks were causing to myself, (I) have been left with numbness (in my) left hand side hand and fingers, foot and toes even after eight years.” Discussing the findings, the article said the average energy drink contains around 80mg of caffeine per 250ml, compared with 30mg in tea and 90mg in coffee, but in some cases can contain up to 500mg in a single serving. “This declared amount is the ‘pure caffeine’, but other energy drink ingredients contain ‘hidden caffeine’— for example, guarana is thought to contain caffeine at twice the concentration of a coffee bean. “The hypothesis is that the interaction of these other ingredients, including taurine, guarana, ginseng and glucuronolactone, potentiates the effects of caffeine heightening stroke cardiovascular disease risk through numerous mechanisms”. These include raising blood pressure. A spokesman for the industry-funded British Soft Drinks Association said: “The European Food Safety Authority confirms the safety of energy drinks ingredients and therefore does not provide any scientific justification to treat energy drinks differently than the main contributors to daily caffeine intake in all age groups, i.e. tea, coffee, chocolate and other non-alcoholic beverages. “Food regulations dictate that drinks with an added caffeine content of more than 150 mg/litre must include the following: ‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women’ followed by a quantitative indication of the product’s caffeine content. This approach has been adopted universally across the EU and UK.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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In the league of monogomy, humans sit somewhere between beavers and white-handed gibbons, with about 66% of siblings being full siblings, a Cambridge study has found. What does this say about how we form families, and how unusual are we among other mammals? Cambridge (dpa) – Modern humans belong to a small minority of monogamous mammals and, in terms of partner fidelity, rank between the Eurasian beaver and the white-handed gibbon. That's the conclusion of evolutionary anthropologist Mark Dyble of the University of Cambridge from a comparison with 34 other mammal species. He examined the offspring of these species for the ratio of full siblings to half siblings, that is, those sharing only one parent. For humans the share of full siblings averages about 66%. For comparison, the world leader in monogamy, the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus), topping the chart at 100% monogamous. The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) stands at 85%, and the Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) and the Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) each at just under 80%. Humans rank just below the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber, 73%) and just above the white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar, just under 64%), Dyble wrote in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. The large majority of mammals are non-monogamous and include the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and the European badger (Meles meles), each with roughly 20% full siblings. The tail end of the list includes the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) at 4%, the orca (Orcinus orca) at 3%, and various macaque species at roughly 1% to 2%. At the very bottom stands the Soay sheep, where full siblings account for just 0.6%. "Monogamy is the dominant mating pattern in our species," Dyble said in a statement from his university. The vast majority of other mammals take a far more promiscuous approach to mating, he said, noting that only 9% of mammal species are monogamous. To determine a species’ monogamy level, Dyble compared sibling data from genetic studies across mammals. While somewhat coarse given the patchy data, he said it was the most direct and concrete method. Monogamy applies to humans even in societies where men have multiple wives or women have multiple husbands, it said. There is huge cultural diversity in human mating and marriage practices, Dyble said. But even the extremes in this spectrum are above what we see in most non-monogamous species, he added. By contrast, our closest relatives, the great apes, show strong promiscuity. In the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) full siblings account for around 6%, and in the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) just 4%, similar to dolphins. A high-ranking monogamous non-human primate is the moustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax) of the Amazon. In this callitrichid species, full siblings make up 78% of offspring. Dyble argues that human monogamy favoured the development of large kin networks. That was the first step towards the creation of large societies and networks of cultural exchange, which in turn were crucial to human success. The following information is not intended for publication dpa waw yyzz n1 kll coh

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London (PA Media/dpa) – A surgeon in the UK has issued a warning over burns caused by people using steam inhalation as a remedy for coughs and colds. Jeremy Yarrow, a consultant surgeon at the NHS Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, said he and his colleagues see too many children and adults every winter with burns caused by water boiled to create steam for coughs and colds. He said the practice is dangerous because bowls of hot water can spill suddenly, causing serious injuries to areas including the face, chest, stomach and legs. The resulting injuries sometimes require long-term treatment or surgery, with children being particularly vulnerable. “Every year, we at the Welsh Burns Centre unfortunately see too many children and adults with burns sustained from boiling water linked to inhaling steam,” he said. “Many of the injuries have required admission to hospital and some have gone on to require surgery and skin grafting. “The injuries I see can often involve burns around the thighs, lower abdomen and genital areas, with children at a much higher risk due to their thinner skin and lack of awareness of the danger. “Unfortunately, these injuries have the potential to be truly life-changing and can cause lifelong disfigurement and scarring.” Professor Dr Aidan Fowler, national director of patient safety at NHS England, said: “It’s crucial to remember that not all ‘DIY hacks’ are helpful, particularly as using bowls of boiling water to relieve coughs and colds can go wrong very quickly – and could lead to severe burns. “If you are congested, you should drink plenty of fluids and rest. You could also try sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running to breathe in steam to ease a blocked nose but, if you’re in discomfort, please come forward and speak with your local pharmacist.” Yarrow said using steam inhalation to cure ailments has not been proven to be effective and urged people to seek safer treatments. A Cochrane medical review into the practice also found no clear benefits for using steam inhalation for treating such illnesses. Yarrow said: “Although inhaling steam is sometimes thought to be useful as a remedy for common colds and chest infections, evidence of the effectiveness is weak and theories that the steam loosens mucus, opens nasal passages or slows the replication of viruses are just unproven. “I urge the public to not use inhaling steam as a remedy for the treatment of illnesses such as the common cold and respiratory infections but instead use over-the-counter remedies or those prescribed to them.” He said people should act quickly if they do get burned. “Should the worst happen and a burn injury occur, quick action can reduce the potential for long-term injury or scarring,” he said. “Remembering the ‘3Cs’ in such an event can make all the difference. “They are: cool the burn with running cold tap water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and jewellery (unless it is melted or firmly stuck to the wound), call for help – 999, 111 or your GP for advice, and cover loosely with clingfilm or a sterile, non-fluffy dressing.” People are also being reminded to take care when using hot water bottles as they can also lead to burns and scalds. Janine Evans, an advanced practitioner occupational therapist, said: “Despite safety warnings over the last few years, we are continuing to see a rise in hot water bottle scald injuries every year. “There are, however, a few simple steps that can prevent painful injuries. “Always check the manufacturing date stamped on your hot water bottle – the year of manufacture will be in the centre of the date daisy found on the neck or collar. “If it’s more than two years old, replace it – even if it looks fine. The rubber perishes over time. “And never used freshly boiled water – always allow it to cool for at least five minutes before filling your hot water bottle.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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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

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)