Reader’s Digest International — August 2017

22 | Auggust• 2017

More Support for Simply

Monitoring Prostate Cancer

When non-aggressive cancer is

discovered in the prostate, one

option is ‘active surveillance’

(AS). As long as the tumour stays

harmless, the patient doesn’t

undergo radiation or surgery – or

suffer any of their side effects, which

can include bladder problems

and impotence. A recent study of

82,429 men aged 50-69 showed no

significant difference in the mortality

rate a decade after diagnosis

between those who chose AS and

those who received treatment.

Don’t Bring ‘Super Bacteria’

Home with You

Planning an overseas trip? If you

end up with dreaded traveller’s

diarrhoea, you may want

to steer clear of taking

antibiotics for it. A

Finnish study found

that antibiotics

increase your

chances of getting

colonised by

bacteria that

produce extended-

spectrum beta-

NEWS FROM THE

WorldofMedicine

lactamase (ESBL), an intestinal

bacteria that’s resistant to penicillins

and other antibiotics. Children and

the elderly are most at risk for getting

sick from ESBL. Instead, soothe your

stomach by drinking a lot of water

and taking an antimotility medication

such as Imodium.

Cocoa and Coffee Combo

Boosts Mood and Energy

Drinking mocha lattes has been

found to improve attention spans.

Researchers from Clark University

in the US measured the mood and

cognitive performance of 24 people

after they drank caffeine dissolved

in water; cocoa; both substances

combined; or a placebo. The best

results came from the blend: cocoa

increases cerebral blood flow,

improving cognition

and attention, but

also lessens the

anxiety-producing

effects of the

caffeine while

supplementing

its attention-

enhancing

powers. So

drink up.

HEALTH

PHOTO: ADAM VOORHES