A weekly round-up of news affecting your health
STRIKE FAST
Make sure you know the symptoms of a stroke and if it strikes don't delay calling an ambulance for fear of disrupting the family's festive plans.
That's the Christmas message from the National Stroke Foundation, which noted the marked increase in delays in getting patients to hospital over the holiday season.
"Too many people, particularly older Australians, ignore the signs or symptoms for fear of being a nuisance to their family and friends," says the foundation's Scott Stirling.
They make the mistake of lying down, phoning a relative or waiting to see their GP instead of calling an ambulance.
FAST is the simple acronym for the signs of stroke:
Face - has their mouth dropped?
Arms - can they raise both arms above their head?
Speech - is their speech slurred? Can they understand what you're saying?
Time - call triple 000 immediately.
PAVLOVA TOPPING TIP?
Black raspberries could be the new superfood, after showing greater health benefits than the better known raspberries or blackberries.
Berries contain antioxidants and their benefits are regularly hyped in various studies with the exotic goji or acai berries often making the headlines.
But a Polish study by the University of Krakow, published in Open Chemistry, found the amount of antioxidants in black raspberries was three times higher than raspberries or blackberries.
Antioxidants neutralise or 'mop up' molecules called free radicals that can harm our cells and are linked with conditions including arthritis and cancer.
CANCER SEARCH
Breast cancer was the common cancer searched online by Australians in 2015.
The disease also came ahead of searches for heart or kidney disease, says the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
People wanted to know about symptoms/signs, treatment and screening.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer.
SURGERY CUTS HEALTH RISKS
Weight-loss surgery can reduce the risk of heart attacks and diabetes as well as keep the fat off, according to a new study.
Involving about 8000 UK patients and spanning around four years, it compared weight, BMI and obesity-related illnesses of those who had bariatric surgery and those who hadn't.
The study, published in PLOS Medicine, found the surgery can significantly improve existing type 2 diabetes and reduce abnormally high blood pressure.
It also confirmed that the procedures stimulate dramatic and substantial weight loss which is sustained for at least four years.
If the UK's estimated 1.4 million morbidly obese people had the surgery, the researchers say it could prevent 80,000 cases of hypertension, 40,000 cases of type 2 diabetes, and 5,000 heart attacks over a four year period.
And 110,000 people with type 2 diabetes and 13,000 with hypertension could significantly improve their condition.
MORE IS NOT BETTER
If you're suffering a holiday hangover, don't be tempted to take more pain relievers than recommended.
People should be aware of the risks before reaching for the medicine cabinet, especially when there's still alcohol in your system, warns NPS MedicineWise.
Side effects and interactions can happen if pain relief is not taken as directed.
A common misconception is that if you take more than a recommended dose if you are feeling unwell, then the medicine will be more effective - but in fact, it could cause serious harm.
