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Extreme heat is a killer for outdoor sporting events – let’s plan accordingly to keep everyone safe

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Attending outdoor sporting events might be life-threatening. Among rising temperaturesevent organizers must exercise extreme caution – not only with athletes, but additionally with officials, spectators and volunteers.

The consequences of exposure to extreme heat include: dehydration up to heat stroke and even death. National Rugby League player Keith Titmuss died in 2020 from “exertional heat stroke” after an excessive pre-season training session. Scorching temperatures also disrupted 2019 Australian Open and wreak havoc in 2023 Sydney Marathon.

In Paris, 2024 Summer Olympics will proceed no air con within the athlete’s village. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, organizers selected alternative cooling measures akin to insulation, double glazing, fans and pumping cool water through the ground. The Australian Olympic Committee is not convinced purchase of portable air conditioners just in case. Athletes from poorer countries are expected to simply keep their curtains drawn.

The day before Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympics and other major sporting events in Queensland, the state government wants to prepare for extreme heat.
Our recent research this examines the health risks, strategies really useful to reduce heat exposure during sporting events, and who is responsible for ensuring these strategies are implemented. Here we provide practical suggestions for everyone interested. As the world warms, we’ll need them greater than ever.

Inside the Paris 2024 Olympics athletes’ village where there is no air con (7 News Australia)

What we did and what we found

We carried it out international review research published between 2010 and 2023 to determine the present state of data on this area.

We have refined our systematic approach in 40 peer-reviewed articles on heat during major sporting events. These were events held in large venues that attracted spectators from across the country and abroad. The recommendations covered six topics: planning, mitigation strategies, medicine, policy, education and research.

A consistent pattern of heat challenges emerged. The incidence of heat-related diseases increased with temperature. Certain groups of individuals were more sensitive to heat. Athletes participating in endurance events akin to long-distance running were at greater risk than athletes participating in brief-duration sports involving throwing (javelin, discus) or jumping (high jump, long jump). The diverse needs of individuals with multiple conditions and skills, including: Paralympic athletes also deserve special attention.

We have identified significant heat-related health risks to be considered before, during and after major sporting events. Individuals, coaches, officials and organizers all have a role to play.

Our findings could help inform evidence-based strategies to protect the health of those participating and competing in such events now and in the long run.

It’s not nearly athletes

Although athletes could prepare to compete in hot conditions using technologies akin to cooling vests or cold water immersion, viewers are less likely to intentionally prepare their bodies for extreme temperatures. But there are many things each of us can do.

We can drink loads of fluids, seek shade and use sun protection. Ideally, facility management will provide access to drinking water, shaded areas and cooling (mister, fans or air con). Everything requires careful planning and well-thought-out construction.

Organizers must determine what time each event will happen, what temperatures will trigger a heat policy (e.g., moving the event to a cooler time slot), whether policy changes ought to be made within the event of maximum heat (e.g., longer breaks or earlier breaks), and what measures ought to be implemented to protect activists, spectators and volunteers.

Top suggestions for viewers

Here are some practical suggestions you’ll be able to follow to reduce the danger of overheating when extreme heat occurs:

  1. consider where your seating area is and whether there might be shade or whether you might be directly exposed to the weather

  2. discover in case you can come and go or attend an event later within the day – if possible, avoid events scheduled for the most popular a part of the day

  3. wear light, loose clothing and a hat

  4. check in case you can bring your individual water bottle to the event and fill it up, and be certain you’re well hydrated before, during and after the event

  5. to avoid caffeine and alcohol as these drinks could cause more dehydration

  6. check what event organizers have planned for extreme weather conditions akin to heatwaves.

Warning for event organizers

Loads has modified since Australia hosted the Sydney Olympics on the turn of the century.

In 2024, there aren’t any excuses. All sports and sporting events must have a heat policy geared toward competitors, spectators and officials. Australian sports medicine Extreme heat policy is a good example.

For large sporting events, collaboration with health care ought to be a part of the planning process. They can then prepare for the potential of heat stroke occurring in many individuals.

During competitions, medical teams must have the abilities to recognize warning signs of heat-related illnesses, in addition to diagnose and treat them.

As extreme heat becomes more common world wide, sports organizations have to be prepared to change scheduled events (including time, location, scheduled breaks, etc.) as crucial.

Let’s be certain outdoor sporting events can proceed in a warming climate.

By working together, we will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

SEE: On my feed – Black women react with shock, resignation and anger to Donald Trump’s presidential victory – Essence

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“; } }); // Drag and scroll functionality const playlistContainer = document.getElementById(‘playlist’); let isDown = false; let startY; let scrollTop; playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mousedown’, (e) => { isDown = true; playlistContainer.classList.add(‘active’); startY = e.pageY – playlistContainer.offsetTop = playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mouseleave’; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mouseup’, () => { isDown = false; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); }); mousemove’, (e) => { if (!isDown) return; e.preventDefault(); const y = e.pageY – playlistContainer.offsetTop; const walk = (y – startY) * 3; .scrollTop = scrollTop – walk; }); } } if (” !== ‘efoc24’) { // Check DoubleVerify Quality Targeting signals before rendering the player if ( ‘unknown’ !== typeof PQ ) { PQ.cmd. push(function() { // If DVQT signals are not available after 500 ms, render the player anyway. const timeout_id = setTimeout( jwPlayerRender, 500 ); // Get “Authentic Direct” signals. PQ.getTargeting({ signals: [‘abs’] }, function(error, targetingData) { clearTimeout(timeout_id); jwPlayerRender(error? undefined: targetingData); }); }); } else { jwPlayerRender(); } function jwPlayerRender( dvqt_signals=”” ) { let jw_ad_tag ​​= {“client”:”googima”,”adscheduleid”:”G7hR9pQ2″,”schedule”:[{“tag”:”https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?correlator=&iu=/21698916284/ess/VideoNews&env=vp&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&sz=400×300%7C640x480%7C1000x1%7C1920x1080&description_url=__page-url__&tfcd=0&npa=0&vpmute=1&vpa=auto&vad_type=linear&url=__page-url__&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&v=XwtX3gTf&pmnd=0&pmxd=60000&ad_rule=1&cust_params=ttid%3DXwtX3gTf%26frnch%3D__item-franchise__%26environment%3Dproduction%26kwblock%3Ddis%2CAbb%2CWal%2CAir%2CCapOne%2CLincoln%2CCoca%2CUPS%2CVG%2CATTCric%2CTargetbos%2CEFOC_Tar.%2CToyota%2CTylenol%2CNationwide%2CDisney%2CAT%26T+2023%2CAT%26T+Dream%2CKISQALI+420491%2CHulu%2CGM%2Cattefoc%2Cattefoc3%2CBuick2%2CGMBuick2%2CHuluPMP%2CCokeBWIH”,”offset”:”pre”},{“tag”:”https://vid.springserve.com/vast/670880?url=https://www.essence.com/news/watch-in-my-feed-black-women-respond-with-shock-resignation-and-anger-to-donald-trumps-presidential-win/h=450&w=800&cb=2436″,”offset”:”50%”}]”offers”:{“bidders”:[{“id”:”jw-video-XwtX3gTf”,”name”:”jwdemand”,”publisherId”:”evcxFIDZ”,”siteId”:”WT5iFegj”,”placementId”:”24399785″}]”settings”:{“disableConsentManagementOnNoCmp”:true,”mediationLayerAdServer”:”dfp”,”floorPriceCents”:200,”floorPriceCurrency”:”usd”,”buckets”:[{“increment”:0.1,”max”:30,”min”:0},{“increment”:0.5,”max”:50,”min”:30}]}}}; // Configure ad tag on the fly… let additional_params = {}; // Input DVQT signals. if ( dvqt_signals && dvqt_signals.ABS.length > 0 ) { additional_params.ABS = dvqt_signals.ABS.join(“,”); } // Create a string of additional_parameters. let extra_params_str=””; for (enter additional_parameters) { let value = additional_parameters[key]; additional_params_str += `${key}=${value}`; if ( key !== Object.keys( additional_params .pop() ) { additional_params_str += ‘&’; } } // Update ad tag cust_params (must be URL encoded). if ( Object.keys( additional_parameters ). length > 0 ) { let ad_schedule = jw_ad_tag.schedule; if ( ‘undefined’ !== ad schedule type ) { for (let i = 0; i < ad_schedule. length; i++) { let ad_url = new URL(jw_ad_tag. schedule[i].label); let query_params = new URLSearchParams(ad_url.search); query_params.set("cust_params", query_params.get("cust_params") + `&${additional_params_str}`); ad_url.search = query_params.toString(); jw_ad_tag.schedule[i].tag = ad_url.toString(); } } } let playerId; if ("undefined" !== type jwplayerQueue) { playerId = 'jw-video-XwtX3gTf'; jwplayerQueue.push({ 'instanceId': 'playerInstance_XwtX3gTf', 'playerId': playerId, 'config': { pid: 't6KP9zcV', playlist: "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XwtX3gTf", autostart: !jw_ad_tag, repeat: true, mute: true, aspect ratio: "16:9", share: {sites: ["facebook", "twitter", "email", "linkedin"]}, cast: {}, float: {disibility: true}, autoPause: {viewability: true}, displaytitle: true, displaydescription: true, controls: true, related: {displayMode: 'shelfWidget'}, interactive: {} , ad: jw_ad_tag ​​​​} }); } // Load video. jQuery(window).trigger("jw:loadplayers"); function waitForJWPlayer(callback) { if (type jwplayer !== 'undefined') { callback(); } else { setTimeout(function() { waitForJWPlayer(callback); }, 500); } } waitForJWPlayer(function() { jwplayer(playerId).on('adsManager', function (adsManagerLoaded) { let adsManager = adsManagerLoaded.adsManager; let videoElement = document.getElementById(playerId ); let config = { anId: '929481' , campId: '640x360', ias_xps: "autoplay", // autoplay status ias_xbp: "2", // video destination type ias_xar: "1" // autoplay status }; // Start IAS integration googleImaVansAdapter .init(google, adsmanager, videoitem, config } } });

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Health and Wellness

Ketamine use is at an all-time high. 5 things worth knowing before the festival season

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You’re preparing for music festival season and considering your options – what artists you ought to see, who’s going, what outfits you will need, how you will get there, and maybe what substances you propose to take.

Have you heard about ketamineI’ve thought of trying it out and perhaps played around with it a couple of times. You could have friends who’ve tried it or use it frequently.

In fact, data released today suggests that ketamine consumption in Australia is at levels highest level of all time.

Here are five things it’s essential learn about ketamine (and other substances) to maintain you and your folks protected this party season.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine was developed in the Nineteen Sixties and is widely used as an anesthetic for humans and veterinary medicine. More recently, ketamine has been utilized in medicine in small doses for pain relief and as an antidepressant. A growing number (*5*)clinical trials are investigating whether it could be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy for substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Ketamine is used recreationally, often known as K, special vitamin K, vitamin K, kit kat or ket. It is commonly sold as a white powder that is inhaled, producing stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.

Taking an excessive amount of may cause unpleasant and disturbing effects called the “K-hole”. This happens when people feel disconnected from their body and surroundings, experiencing a sleep-like state (often known as dissociation).

Other effects include nausea, vomiting and in some cases convulsions. One study found that ketamine can irritate the bladder lining approximately every fourth People who used ketamine recreationally experienced urinary symptoms reminiscent of burning or stinging.

Why is ketamine consumption so high?

Ketamine continues to turn out to be the drug of alternative for many individuals in the party scene.

Australian National Drug Strategy 2022-2023 Household Survey estimated Over the past 12 months, 300,000 people in the community have used ketamine. That’s about triple the 2016 figure and is near estimates 400,000 people using MDMA.

Results from across Australia released today show that levels of ketamine released into sewage were at an all-time high, each in capital cities and in regional areas.

It is unclear why ketamine use is increasing. Perhaps this is since it is barely cheaper than other drugs reminiscent of cocaine. Perhaps the dissociative effects of ketamine are attracting the attention of those excited about altered states of consciousness. It might also be perceived as safer and more acceptable on account of its increasing medical use.

Is it ketamine or something else?

In Australia, the purity of ketamine varies greatly. What you purchase will likely contain other substances, so it’s difficult to know what you are getting and the way it would affect you.

Ketamine analogues are substances with a chemical structure much like ketamine, but producing different effects. Many of those analogues were found during drug checking (also often known as pill testing). These include CanKet and roofing (veterinary sedative).

These analogues may go slower (so people could also be tempted to take more). Their effects may last more than regular ketamine.

You might also have heard of “pink cocaine”, one in all several drugs linked to: recent death former One Direction singer Liam Payne. Pink cocaine is normally a mix of ketamine and MDMA, not cocaine. This too often known as tusi.

Worryingly, in Australia, strong opioid drugs called nitazines have also been detected in ketamine. They have also been detected in cocaine and MDMA.

Can ketamine result in addiction?

Regular use of ketamine can result in psychological addiction, where people feel a robust must use even in the event that they have already begun to experience harmful effects.

Although the numbers are relatively low, an increasing number young people in the UK are looking for treatment for using ketamine. In addition to liver and brain damage, chronic (long-term) ketamine use may result bladder damagewhich can require surgery.

Avoid using ketamine frequently and seek skilled help early in case you think you would like help along with your use.

How to remain protected

1. Check your drugs

In Australia, drug checking services can be found in some areas. These non-judgmental, friendly services can test your medicine when you wait, supplying you with necessary details about what is (or is not) in it. You can then resolve what you ought to do with it.

You can go to a hard and fast site reminiscent of CanTest in the Australian Capital Territory or Checkpoint in Queensland before the festival to check his drugs. Some festivals or events have such elements on-site servicesincluding this 12 months’s students on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

You also can look out for local drug alerts (for ketamine and other drugs on the market) posted on web sites like ours – TheKnow.org.au.

2. Start low, go slow

If you propose to take ketamine (or another drug), start with a small amount to feel the effects before taking more. Wait a couple of hours before re-administration.

3. Avoid mixing medications

Avoid using ketamine with other substances as they might interact and increase the risk of harm. Alcohol and ketamine in small doses it may cause nausea and vomiting, and in larger doses it may cause more serious effects reminiscent of stroke and cardiac arrest.

When mixed with ketamine, sedatives reminiscent of GHB, opioids, and benzodiazepines (for instance, Valium) may cause lack of consciousness, difficulty respiratory, and in some cases, death.

4. Tell your folks

If you propose to use ketamine, use it with people you are feeling protected with. Let others know what you took, and if possible, take a friend with you who doesn’t use. If you’re concerned about the effects of a drug, seek help.

Music festivals often have supporting teams of individuals with experience with drug use (e.g DanceWize). These peers can offer you advice on safer partying and drug use.

5. Be prepared

Because ketamine may contain opioids, everyone must be prepared to acknowledge the symptoms of an opioid overdose – disturbance or lack of consciousness, slow or difficult respiratory.

Naloxone can and does reverse the effects of an opioid overdose available freed from charge and and not using a prescription in some pharmacies in Australia.



This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Matcha is having a moment. What are the health benefits of this green tea drink?

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Matcha’s popularity has increased in recent months, resulting in reports of: global shortages and price increases.

If you are not crazy yet, matcha is a powdered version of green tea. On the cafe’s menu, chances are you’ll see a hot or iced matcha latte, and even a matcha-flavored cake or cookie. A fast Google appears countless recipes containing matcha, each sweet and spicy.

Retailers and cafe owners they suggested The predominant reasons for matcha’s popularity are its Instagrammable appearance and alleged health benefits.

But what are the health benefits of matcha? Here’s what the evidence says.

First of all, what is matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground powder of green tea leaves that come from the plant. It is the same plant from which green and black tea are produced. However, production process distinguishes matcha from green and black tea.

In the case of matcha, the tea is grown in the shade. After harvesting, the leaves are steamed and dried, and the stems are removed. The leaves are then fastidiously ground at a controlled temperature to acquire a powder.

The production process for green tea is simpler. Leaves are collected from unshaded plants, heated and dried. We then soak the dried leaves in hot water to make tea (whereas with matcha, the whole leaf is consumed).

In the case of black tea, the leaves are exposed to air after being picked, which results in oxidation. This turns the leaves black and offers the tea a different flavor.

In countries similar to Japan, matcha is traditionally whipped with water and served in a stone bowl.
Charlotte May/Pexels

Source of phytonutrients

Phytonutrients are chemical compounds present in plants which have a number of benefits for human health. Matcha comprises several.

Chlorophyll gives plants, amongst others, green color. There is some evidence that chlorophyll can have health benefits – amongst others anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-obesity – as a result of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that damage our cells.

Theanine has been shown to improve sleep AND reduce stress and anxiety. Only other known Mushrooms are a dietary source of theanine.

Caffeine is a phytonutrient that we all know well. In addition to increasing alertness, caffeine has also been shown to extend alertness antioxidant effect and a few protection against a range of chronic and neurodegenerative diseases. However, an excessive amount of caffeine can have negative unwanted effects.

Interestingly, the plants seem like shading during cultivation change the dietary composition leaf and should result in higher levels of these nutrients in matcha in comparison with green tea.

Another compound value mentioning are catechins, of which there are several differing types. Matcha powder similarly comprises more catechins than green tea. They are powerful antioxidants that have been shown have a protective effect against bacteria, viruses, allergies, inflammation and cancer. Catechins are also found in apples, blueberries and strawberries.

What are the real health benefits?

We know that matcha comprises a variety of phytonutrients, but does this translate into any noticeable health benefits?

A review published in 2023 identified only five experimental studies that gave people matcha. In these studies, participants received roughly 2–4 g of matcha per day (reminiscent of 1–2 teaspoons of matcha powder) in comparison with a placebo, in the form of a capsule, tea or food. Matcha reduces stress and anxiety and improves memory and cognitive functions. It had no effect on the mood.

AND newer study showed that 2 g of matcha in elderly people aged 60 to 85 improved sleep quality. However, in younger people aged 27 to 64, in one other study matcha had little effect on sleep.

AND research in individuals with obesity found no difference in weight reduction observed between the matcha group and the control group. This study didn’t randomize participants, and other people knew which group they were placed in.

One could hypothesize that, given that you’re going to eat the whole leaf and that levels of some nutrients could also be higher as a result of growing conditions, matcha can have more dietary benefits than green tea. However, to my knowledge, there has not been a direct comparison of the health effects of green tea versus matcha.

Matcha latte in a black cup on a brown table.
Matcha has gained popularity, but evidence of its health benefits is still limited.
Usanee/Shutterstock

There is a lot of evidence about the effects of green tea

Although a limited number of studies have examined matcha to this point and none have compared matcha to green tea, there is quite a bit of research on the health benefits of drinking green tea.

AND systematic review of 21 studies on green tea showed similar benefits to matcha in improving memory, in addition to evidence of improving mood.

There is also evidence that green tea provides other health benefits. Systematic reviews have shown that green tea results in: weight reduction in individuals with obesitylower level some types of cholesterolAND lowered blood pressure. Green tea can too reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

So for those who cannot reach for matcha right away, drinking green tea may be a good option to get your caffeine fix.

Although the evidence for green tea gives us some clues about the health benefits of matcha, we cannot ensure that they will probably be the same. Nevertheless, in case your local coffee shop has a large supply of matcha, there is nothing to say that you should not still enjoy matcha drinks.

However, it is best to save lots of the matcha croissant or cronut for special occasions. Adding matcha to foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat may negate any health benefits which may be attributed to matcha.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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