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Get up-to-date with these latest research findings.

of your health THIS WON’T GEL They are durable and long-lasting — no wonder women love gel manicures.

But a note of caution: Frequent manicures of this nature can cause nail thinning, brittleness, peeling and cracking.

The UV light used to ‘cure’ the gel is a risk factor for skin cancer, while photo damage from the UV light can cause cosmetic changes in the skin surrounding the nails.

“Any manicure left in place for an extended period of time is not a good

idea because you are not seeing what is going on underneath the nail polish,” said Dr Chris Adigun, an assistant professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine in New York City.

That means problems occurring under the nail, such as an infection, could be left undetected and lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Dr Adigun suggested that women with recurring nail problems should use traditional nail polish instead of the gel type. They should also rehydrate their nails with a moisturising product such as petroleum jelly.

Eyeball this

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WELLNESS FOR ALL

PHOTOS: Getty Images, Istockphoto

Here’s an app to bring some cheer to glaucoma patients: MyEyeDrops. The app which can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play, allows users to select their medication — with accompanying photographs — from a list. They can then set alerts to remind themselves to apply the correct number of

drops to the correct eye.

Many glaucoma patients are on lifelong medication, but many often forget to apply their eye drops, according to a 2011 survey by the Singapore National Eye Centre, which developed the app.

The app’s other features include showing users the correct way of putting eye drops by way of a video; allowing them to listen to instructions through an audio function; and allowing multiple users and caregivers to be alerted.

Fashionable perils Even Carrie Bradshaw could not escape the perils of wearing high heels. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who played the iconic character in Sex and the City, has been reported as having said that her feet have been mangled, no thanks to the years of wearing high heels on the set of the TV series. Her revelation serves as a sobering reminder of the (fashionable) health hazards. Here are four top dangers:

HIGH HEELS Teetering about on 15-cm stilettos for a prolonged period of time can cause more than just discomfort.

It can also lead to posture problems, increase the risk of strain injuries, muscle fatigue and foot deformity. FLIP-FLOPS These beach sandals, which offers no arch support or heel cushioning, force you to ‘adapt’ the way you walk. Thus, you may end up having joint pain, shin splints and orthopaedic problems. TIGHT JEANS They may be a fashionista’s favourite but

skin-tight denim and other close-fitting trousers can cause nerve compression, resulting in tingling or numb thighs. For men, such tight trousers can cause overheating of the testes, and lead to a lowered sperm count and fertility problems.

LET’S MOVE IT, MOVE IT

BRA Wearing the wrong bra size can lead to health problems

such as back, neck and breast pain, breathing difficulties, poor posture, skin irritation, circulation problems and even irritable bowel syndrome.

Bra

high heels

tight jeans

flipflops

getting a good night’s If you have problems it, e solution: Just move sleep, here’s a pill-fre ht or lig er eth wh e, cis er ex move it! People who d, day or right before be e th in rly ea s, ou or at vig e cis er ex n’t le who do sleep better than peop the US National Sleep ll by all, according to a po ).

SF (N n tio Founda ters of exercisers said More than three quar good or fairly good, s very their sleep quality wa half of non-exercisers. er ov t jus th wi compared that for problem ds fin ll po e lin on e Th meditation, yoga and e, cis er sleepers, regular ex her cises helped a lot. Ot deep-breathing exer the at up g kin wa e ges, lik simple lifestyle chan nd wi taking time to un same time every day, ing a white-noise us d before bedtime, an machine helped too. tter report exercising “People who sleep be ep o exercise tend to sle more, and people wh t tan sis ew Buman, as better,” said Mr Matth d wellness at Arizona an e cis er professor of ex NSF poll task force State University and for that life is very busy member. “We know sleep gh ou en not getting many people. They’re ng enough exercise.” getti and they’re also not ISSUE 4

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IN THE KNOW

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Affairs of the heart

rt, try not to get all If you don’t want a broken hea ss and disasters can raise stressed up. Prolonged stre t affect blood pressure, “fight or flight” hormones tha in ways that make heart gs thin blood sugar and other say. They also provoke trouble more likely, doctors spur heart-harming anger and helplessness and g too much, reported kin behaviors like eating or drin the Associated Press. otions with “We’re starting to connect em said Dr Nieca cardiovascular risk markers,” U Langone Goldberg, a cardiologist at NY Medical Center. which have found She was referring to studies ms among American higher rates of cardiac proble stress disorder atic war veterans with post-traum Orleans, US New in ims (PTSD), hurricane vict ntry’s cou ir the with ing ppl and Greeks gra financial turmoil. a term reserved for “Twenty years ago PTSD was to realise now that e com e hav combat veterans. We re common disorder,” PTSD is actually a much mo diologist at the Greater said Dr Ramin Ebrahimi, a car ter.

Los Angeles VA Medical Cen suffer trauma such It can happen to those who point or in a serious as being raped, robbed at gun accident, he added.

No stress for a

healthy heart

stress

provokes anger and helplessness and spur heart-harming behaviors

Meat lovers, beware Want to live longer? Then you might want to eat less of sausages, ham and bacon. The salt and chemicals used to preserve such processed meats may damage your health.

A study of half a million people across Europe concluded that diets high in processed meats were linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer and early deaths, reported the BBC. Despite the sobering findings, there is still hope yet for meat lovers. Ms Tracy Parker, a heart health dietitian with the British Heart Foundation, said red meat can still be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Her advice: “Opting for leaner cuts and using healthier cooking methods such as grilling will help to keep your heart healthy. If you eat lots of processed meat, try to vary your diet with other protein choices such as chicken, fish or lentils.”

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WELLNESS FOR ALL

The blind can now see again — at least partially — thanks to the “bionic eye”. The Argus II system is designed to help patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) — a rare genetic disorder that damages and kills light-processing cells in the retina.

The “bionic eye” includes a small video camera and a transmitter mounted on a pair of glasses. It also has a video processing unit and an implanted retinal prosthesis that replaces the function of degenerated cells in the retina.

While Argus II does not restore vision to patients, it may allow them to detect light and dark in the environment, helping them in identifying the location or movement of objects or people.

Argus II, which is already available in several European countries for €73,000 (about S$117,920), was given the FDA’s stamp of approval in earlier this year.

The bionic eye is here, FOR REAL Party with a difference

Here’s a healthy way to mark your birthday, graduation, wedding anniversary or even divorce: Throw a yoga or pole-dancing party.

Gyms in the United States are offering such fitness parties — where guests and host work up a sweat — reported Reuters.

At Crunch, a national fitness chain in New York, pole-dancing parties are among the most-requested fitness parties — mostly attended by young women in their 20s and 30s.

Crunch fitness instructor Courtney Alexander said her private pole dancing parties are much like her group fitness pole dancing classes, except with more giggling.

And heading for a fitness class instead of after-work drinks is a growing trend for women in work-related situations, said fitness and yoga instructor Magen Banwart.

At business conferences, historically driven by parties, dinners and cocktail hours, more time and money is being spent on healthy events.

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