A weekly round-up of news affecting your health
MOZZIE MAYHEM
Drinking beer or wearing sweet floral perfumes can make you more of a target for mosquitoes, says an expert.
But switching on a fan and applying an insect repellent on all exposed skin areas can help protect you from the buzzing blood-suckers.
University of Sydney's medical entomologist Dr Cameron Webb says mosquitoes don't just cause itchy bites but can spread nasty viruses.
"A tropical insect repellent, especially one that contains diethyltoluamide (DEET) or picaridin will provide the longest lasting protection," he said.
"Repellents containing plant extracts such as citronella or tea tree oil, will need to be applied far more frequently to protect against bites."
GO H2O
Australians are being encouraged to say goodbye to their morning coffee hit and post-work bevvie for a month of nothing but water.
WaterAid is launching the first "Water Challenge" calling on people to drink only H2O for a month to raise money to help provide lifesaving safe water to the world's poorest communities.
People are asked to drink only water for 14 or 30 days in March, and take the original Walk for Water Challenge between March 14 and 20.
That involves setting your personal distance goal to walk or run.
Organisers say 10,000 steps is the average distance walked by the world's poorest women and children to collect water each day.
www.waterchallenge.org.au
SLEEPING TO AN EARLY GRAVE
Sleeping more than nine hours a night could contribute to an early death.
If it's combined with sitting too much and too much inactivity, a person is more than four times as likely to die as someone without those lifestyle habits, according to the University of Sydney study.
Too much sitting was equated to more than seven hours a day and too little exercise as less than 150 minutes a week.
"Our study shows that we should really be taking these behaviours together as seriously as we do other risk factors such as levels of drinking and unhealthy eating patterns," lead author Dr Melody Ding said.
BULLYING LINK TO DEPRESSION
Exposure to bullying as a child has been linked to psychiatric disorders that require treatment in adulthood.
It was particularly associated with depression in adulthood, according to the study of more than 5000 children in Finland.
Researchers found that being frequently bullied at age eight, or having been bullied and a bully, were each tied to a doubled risk of having psychiatric problems requiring treatment as a young adult.
They suggest preventing childhood bullying may help curb the need for later treatment.
LIBIDO BOOSTER UNSAFE
Australian men have been warned against using a herbal libido booster.
V-MAX Herbal Tablets pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken, says the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Advertised online as a panacea for erectile dysfunction and low male sex drive, the V-MAX Herbal Tablet was tested by TGA scientists and found to contain Sildenafil.
Sildenafil, commercially known as Viagra, is a prescription-only substance.
"V-MAX Herbal Tablets have not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy."
The TGA encouraged anyone with the tablets to dispose of them at their local pharmacy.
DEMENTIA SUPPORT
Two services have been launched to make life easier for people with dementia and their carers.
Alzheimers Australia Vic has developed an online service which includes counselling via email or video conference.
In 16 videos, experts and family carers share their experiences, offering tips on more effective communication, discuss changes in behaviour and offer information on residential care.
University of Wollongong researchers have developed an interactive website allowing users to map dementia-friendly places in their local area.
The maps currently focus on Kiama, south of Sydney, and Darwin, however it's hoped the service will be expanded to other local communities.
www.helpwithdementia.org.au.
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