South Africans have been focusing on Listeriosis – and being extra careful about what they put into their bodies.

But that may not be enough as officials have now alerted the public to three other diseases besides Listeriosis, namely Typhoid, Pertussis and Diphtheria. These three diseases also fall into category one of notifiable diseases – the same category as Listeriosis.

The ‘surge season’

Even though it is very important that we remain alert regarding Listeriosis, the City of Cape Town (COCT) Health Department and Alderman JP Smith say we should be aware of an increase in these other communicable diseases.

According to a statement released by the City, there is usually an increase in diarrhoea in summer, affecting children under five-years-old, but that seems to be less of a concern this season.

Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security; and Social Services reported that due to increased efforts and the diligence of health practitioners, there has been in recent years a decline in diarrhoea with dehydration and the number of diarrhoea-related deaths during the season.

“Sadly, this drop in diarrhoea cases was followed by an increase in pneumonia in this age group over the same period,” said Smith.

He added that health officials are now calling this period the “surge season”. In August 2017, health officials saw an increase in diphtheria and measles cases. Then they also noticed an increase in pertussis and typhoid

Smith said: “These diseases present a significant and costly challenge to the City. Not only are staff and resources under pressure, but the outbreak of any disease also puts lives and livelihoods at risk.”

The 3 other communicable diseases

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly infectious, bacterial disease. Back then, the disease was a danger to children, but it seems to be affecting adults these days as well. For more information about Pertussis, click here.

Typhoid is a disease people contract through faecal oral contamination, which could also result in death. Symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pains or cramps, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea. For more information about Typhoid, click here.

Diphtheria is also a highly infectious bacterial disease of the upper respiratory tract and occasionally, the skin. Should this disease affect the respiratory tract, it is classified as respiratory diphtheria, whereas if it affects the skin, it’s known as cutaneous diphtheria. Complications with this illness could result in severe breathing problems and organ damage, which may prove to be fatal. For more information about Diphtheria, click here.

Are you, or someone you know, suffering from any of these illnesses? Share your experience by emailing healthnews@health24.com and we may publish your story. Should you wish to remain anonymous, please include this in your mail.

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Stefni Herbert

Did your mother warn you not to stifle a sneeze? Now there’s actual evidence that it can lead to something serious – a ruptured throat.

English doctors recently reported that stifling a big sneeze can be hazardous for your health, based on the very unusual experience of a man who ruptured the back of his throat when he tried to stop a sneeze.

Injuries associated with trauma

In a case study published in the journal BMJ Case Reports, doctors described their initial confusion when the previously healthy man turned up in the emergency room of a Leicester hospital, complaining of swallowing difficulties and “a popping sensation” in his swollen neck.

The 34-year-old patient told them his problems started after he tried to stop a forceful sneeze by pinching his nose and closing his mouth. He eventually lost his voice and spent a week in the hospital.

Another physician described the episode as “exceedingly rare” and said the man’s injuries are more commonly associated with trauma.

“When you sneeze, air comes out of you at about 150 miles per hour,” said Dr Anthony Aymat, director for ear, nose and throat services at London’s University Hospital Lewisham, who was not involved in the case. “If you retain all that pressure, it could do a lot of damage and you could end up like the Michelin Man with air trapped in your body.”

‘Exceedingly rare occurrence’

While examining the sneeze-averse patient, doctors in Leicester heard “crackling in the neck” down to his ribcage, a sign that air bubbles had seeped into his chest. Worried about infection and other possible complications, they admitted him to the hospital, gave him a feeding tube and administered antibiotics, according to details published in BMJ Case Reports.

Dr Zi Yang Jiang, a head and neck surgeon at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, said he sees one or two cases arising from repressed sneezes each year, making them an “exceedingly rare” occurrence.

Jiang said it was bizarre that a single sneeze could generate enough force to cause the kind of physical damage that usually results from trauma, such as a gunshot wound to the neck. A collapsed lung is among the problems that retaining the air from an imminent sneeze can cause, he said.

“The whole point of sneezing is to get something out of your body, like viruses and bacteria, so if you stop that, those may end up in the wrong part of the body,” he said. Jiang said in most cases, the excess air is later absorbed by the body.

The English patient made a full recovery and was advised to avoid plugging his nose while sneezing in the future. Doctors recommend letting sneezes rip into a tissue instead.

“The safest thing to do – although it’s not socially acceptable – is just to sneeze loud,” Aymat said.

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Picking up the right habits is in the difference between success and “why is that guy always late?” Kick the bad habits, right now, with this four-step guide.

1. Screen

Skipping gym to binge on series? Browsing instead of buckling down? We get it; your body is hardwired to find patterns of behaviour.

According to the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, 40% of our activities are repeated every day. But there’s a glitch in the matrix: instant gratification.

A quick jog will get the endorphins flowing, but the TV is hitting the same dopamine centres. Your body doesn’t know the difference, but you do.

Read more: Cardio sessions may literally make your brain bigger

The trick here: write it down, says Warren Munitz, founder of Integrative Life Coaching. Get specific: figure out how each habit is affecting your life, then keep the good and kick the bad.

2. Substitute

Breaking the pattern ain’t easy – trust us, we’ve all been there. But you don’t have to go cold turkey, says motivational speaker Shoni Khangala. Leave that level of brute force to real addictions. You can still watch your favourite series, just start seeing them as a reward instead of a ritual.

Put in the time at the gym and checked off all your chores? Great, now watch as much Game of Thrones as you want. It’ll be tough in the beginning; you’re training your brain to ignore cravings.

Read more: Is Game of Thrones making you fat?

But you need to start expecting more from yourself, says Enabled Life founder De Wet Mans – that’s when the real growth starts happening.

Still struggling? Khangala suggests a Pavlovian approach. Craving a burger? Hunker down for a set of push-ups. Over time you’ll begin to associate the trigger with the healthier option.

3. Squad up

Waging war on your bad habits shouldn’t be a lonely experience. Your mates are your brothers-in-arms, and chances are they’re struggling with the same sins. Khangala says enlisting your friends will make the process easier and faster.

Studies have shown that simply telling friends and family about your goals will help you stay focused and, more importantly, achieve them.

Read more: How to set weight-loss goals

“I’ve been on many teams throughout my athletic career,” writes James Clear in his book Transform Your Habits. “You know what happens when you have friends, teammates and coaches expecting you to be at practice? You show up.”

4. Steer clear

If you’re trying to quit smoking or drinking, you wouldn’t go to a bar, right? All our habits have triggers, and many triggers can be avoided, says Khangala.

For example, if you’re missing out on sleep because you’re browsing Instagram for hours before bed, your phone is the smoking gun.

Keep it charging in another room. You’ll be less likely to start browsing in bed if it involves crawling out from the covers. Same goes for sitting on Facebook when you’re on a tight deadline. Use a website blocker plugin to stonewall your temptations.

^{This article was originally published on www.mh.co.za}

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Living with anxiety can leave your loved one feeling isolated or misunderstood. While words of encouragement may help ease the anxiety, you may find yourself saying something that could have the opposite effect.

Here are a few things those suffering with anxiety would rather not hear you say:

1. ‘Just relax’

Many people with anxiety will tell you just how often they hear these words from their friends or family members.

While it may be your attempt at getting your loved one to feel less anxious, telling them to relax implies that they are choosing to feel anxious. 

2. ‘It’s all in your head’

While there is truth in the statement, saying these words to a person suffering with anxiety disorder may prevent them from opening up further out of fear of being perceived as irrational.

People living with anxiety are prone to catastrophising, i.e. making a mountain out of a molehill, but rather than telling them about a pattern of thinking they cannot control in that moment, empathise and listen to whatever it is that is triggering their anxiety. 

3. ‘Other people are worse off’

This may be one of the worst things to say to a person living with anxiety or any other mental illness.

While many people say this in an effort to give a person struggling with a problem perspective, it often leaves a person struggling with anxiety feeling guilty for being unable to cope and ashamed of having a mental disorder.

4. ‘You just need a drink’

Yes, a glass of wine now and then may help alleviate stress levels, but suggesting alcohol as a crutch to relieve anxiety may encourage the use of substances to self-medicate. 

Rather than suggesting the use of substances to ease their anxiety, suggest going for a walk, playing sport or engaging in creative activities such as writing or drawing.

5. ‘Just get some medication’

Medication may seem like a quick fix, but it is better to ask your loved one if they have considered any of the various treatments available for their anxiety.

Different forms of treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), behavioural therapy and different medications are some of the options available for those struggling with anxiety disorder.

6. ‘But you look okay to me’

Whether it is anxiety disorder, depression or schizophrenia, mental illness has no physical manifestations. 

Saying this might make a person with anxiety feel as though they are being accused of making things up.

7. ‘Stop being lazy’

Anxiety disorder may lead to lack of sleep, which can leave sufferers feeling constantly tired.

Excessive worrying can also lead a person with anxiety to feel overwhelmed by an activity others have no problem with.

Rather than being critical, offer to help them with their tasks or help them break down their responsibilities into smaller, manageable segments.

8. ‘Don’t be such a Debbie Downer’

This is yet another insensitive comment people with anxiety often hear.

Few people are aware that although anxiety is not a mood disorder like depression is, it can affect the emotional state of a person struggling with it. At the core of anxiety disorder is the struggle to control negative thoughts that often lead to irritability, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, headaches, nausea and persistent tension – all of which can dampen an individual’s mood. 

If a friend or family member with chronic anxiety is feeling low, be the listening ear they need or simply be empathetic.

9. ‘I’m also stressed’

This usually precedes the “other people are worse off” comment. 

While your stress is valid, be aware than those struggling with chronic anxiety are not experiencing “just a moment of distress”. What may be just a momentary experience for you is something they struggle with on a constant basis. 

So, while you may be trying to demonstrate to your loved one that what they are experiencing is not unique, bear in mind that chronic anxiety is much harder to manage than plain stress.

Nyakallo Moleko