John's story: A lighter look at life after losing your prostate
So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men.
There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate.
For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure.
But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes).
A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access.
The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested.
Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised.
The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area.
So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition.
Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category.
The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway".
The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis.
At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants.
Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing.
The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job.
Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty).
Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week.
As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels.
Recovery takes time, but does happen.
The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding.
Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum.
Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good.
Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends.
While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent.
Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area.
There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris.
So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men.
There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate.
For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure.
But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes).
A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access.
The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested.
Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised.
The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area.
So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition.
Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category.
The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway".
The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis.
At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants.
Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing.
The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job.
Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty).
Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week.
As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels.
Recovery takes time, but does happen.
The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding.
Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum.
Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good.
Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends.
While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent.
Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area.
There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris.
So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men.
There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate.
For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure.
But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes).
A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access.
The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested.
Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised.
The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area.
So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition.
Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category.
The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway".
The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis.
At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants.
Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing.
The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job.
Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty).
Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week.
As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels.
Recovery takes time, but does happen.
The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding.
Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum.
Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good.
Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends.
While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent.
Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area.
There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/
Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by The Senior reader John Morris.
So, I have recently joined the ranks of prostate-free men.
There are a couple of downsides and quite a few upsides. To start with, at my regular health check-ups, there will be no need for the doctor to digitally examine my prostate.
For some reason in the past, I seemed to annually get the doctor with exceptionally large hands for this procedure.
But I digress, the beginning of this story was a couple of years ago when a slightly elevated PSA score had me sent off for the least elegant procedure a man can do (and yes, I know that women are clear leaders in the Inelegant Procedure Stakes).
A biopsy where multiple core samples are taken from the area just behind the testes - it is done under a general anaesthetic so that the biopsy recipient is not awake or aware of the awkward positioning required for access.
The initial results were good, and so this was followed by a lengthy and indulgent holiday in France, whereupon our return, I thought it wise to have my bloods tested.
Having consumed by body weight of croissants, cheese and baguettes, my concern was the cholesterol score might be somewhat raised.
The tests came back surprisingly clear in the cholesterol score, but not so fortuitous in the prostate area.
So once again, I enjoyed the delights of a digital examination, followed by multiple scans, another biopsy, and then a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Accordingly, I joined the ranks of the many thousands of men with this condition.
Interestingly, when telling male friends of this diagnosis, every single one had a friend or colleague also with prostate cancer, or had had it themselves! Interestingly, this is a "good" cancer to get and given the successful treatment and recovery statistics, it definitely falls into this category.
The main problems with prostate cancer are twofold. One is the location - it is basically intertwined with the launch pad for sexual function and, as such, can interfere with said function in a variety of ways, ranging from "not very much" to "it wasn't getting much use anyway".
The second problem is incontinence - again, the results vary widely and often this is related to how much you exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor pre-prostatectomy. Full disclosure - I didn't even realise I had a pelvic floor prior to my diagnosis.
At one end of the incontinence scale is being as dry as the Sahara Desert and at the other end is doing a reasonable impression of a sprinkler in your pants.
Be aware that once you look up "Incontinence" online, your social media will be flooded (excuse the pun) with ads for Depends and other adult incontinence products. In my case, I have a stronger empathy with women who, after childbirth, report mini leaks when laughing or sneezing.
The operation itself is an unusual experience as it is robotic and known as a Radical Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgeons are in the same room but nowhere near you as they sit at computer screens showing them their little magnified robotic pincers as they go about the job.
Waking up is not your gentle ease-back-into-the-world experience you might think, it comes with an overpowering urge to pee, even though your bladder is empty (it is confused post op and doesn't know it is empty).
Then you notice the medieval torture device known in medical circles as a catheter, exiting your manhood, which given its condition should probably be renamed your infanthood for the next week.
As a constant companion it is fairly noticeable with most movements being somewhat restricted and, accordingly, when it is removed, this is normally accompanied with beams of heavenly light and the Hallelujah chorus sung by angels.
Recovery takes time, but does happen.
The seven to eight torso wounds from the operation gradually healed and the post-op shuffle with catheter in place gives way to tentative walking and then regular striding.
Erectile function for most men moves from a memory to a reality and your recent exercise strengthened pelvic floor ensures leakage is at a minimum.
Considering the worst potential outcome, the experience and results for the vast majority of men who experience prostate cancer are pretty good.
Life post op can be relatively close to normal, and you join an ever-expanding cohort of prostate-free men and, so long as you have a self-deprecating sense of humour, quite a few stories to tell family and friends.
While there is not much you can do to prevent prostate cancer, rest assured that while most men die with it, very few men die of it, and the treatment success rates are incredibly good, with the ten-year survival rate being 98 per cent.
Do yourself a favour and take steps to ensure you identify any potential cancer early with regular check-ups - and PSA tests are invaluable tools in this area.
There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease. To find one near you, visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/
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The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Older you are, the better you are: the sport where age is an advantage
Getting dolled up in neoprene and diving underwater is like Tai Chi of the sea for David King, 70, and Andrea Parke, 64, who say age is an advantage with this sport. The couple, known as the "Old'n'Bold Freedivers", are part of a movement slowly growing in popularity and gaining widespread attention for its calming properties and health benefits. "For most people, freediving is more akin to Tai Chi, involving relaxation, mindfulness and self-awareness. A sense of freedom and being at one with the ocean is what drives many people to take it up," said David. Read more from The Senior: Freediving is a form of diving underwater without the use of breathing apparatus like scuba gear, instead relying on breath-holding to reach the depths. David and Andrea aren't doing it to win world records, but the pair from Porarlington in Victoria can dive to a depth of 16 to 18 metres and comfortably hold their breaths from around 40 seconds to one minute 40 seconds. David, a reformed smoker and asthmatic, said freediving "gave him a reason" to get over his asthma while the pain he gets from scoliosis is eased. "Being in the water is pure heaven as I'm weightless and feel no discomfort," he told The Senior. "Being older and having a slower metabolism actually helps with freediving, and we're beginning to see a growing number of people in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s enjoying." The pair said many people had misconceptions about freediving and confused it with scuba (which can result in greater risk of Decompression Sickness DCS as you age), while "daredevil" is a label far from reality, they said, due to the amount of safety protocols around dives. David said you don't need to dive to extreme depths or hold your breath for extreme periods of time to enjoy yourself, though some physical fitness and needed - it's not a sport for "couch potatoes". "A lot of people - especially older people - who take up freediving come from other sports like running, swimming, tennis, cricket, basketball," added Andrea. "Some of them find they can't continue with those sports as they get older because of the impact on their bones and joints, so they're looking for something more gentle that doesn't entail physical impact or contact. "It's like a form of meditation. We learn to relax before we hold our breath, and while we're we holding our breath. We don't panic when we feel the urge to breathe because we know we've got plenty of oxygen left in our bodies." Focusing his time on exploring the depths of the sea with just his breath has been life-changing for David, helping him become "a much calmer and more centred person" and changing the whole outlook on life. "You can't ... dive with a whale shark or a manta ray or a giant black stingray and not be changed in some way by that experience," David said. And as for the freediving "scene"? Andrea has never known a sport more welcoming. "It doesn't matter who you are, what your disabilities are, or where you come from, it only matters that you're one of us: a freediver," she said. "It doesn't even matter how 'good' or 'bad' you are, because if you're good you can always have a bad day and if you're not good you can always improve. And if you're not actually a freediver, you're still welcome because we hope you might become a freediver." The pair recommended getting a health check with your doctor first if over 60 and keen to start diving. Find them on YouTube @oldnboldfreedivingadvent-DK68 Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Getting dolled up in neoprene and diving underwater is like Tai Chi of the sea for David King, 70, and Andrea Parke, 64, who say age is an advantage with this sport. The couple, known as the "Old'n'Bold Freedivers", are part of a movement slowly growing in popularity and gaining widespread attention for its calming properties and health benefits. "For most people, freediving is more akin to Tai Chi, involving relaxation, mindfulness and self-awareness. A sense of freedom and being at one with the ocean is what drives many people to take it up," said David. Read more from The Senior: Freediving is a form of diving underwater without the use of breathing apparatus like scuba gear, instead relying on breath-holding to reach the depths. David and Andrea aren't doing it to win world records, but the pair from Porarlington in Victoria can dive to a depth of 16 to 18 metres and comfortably hold their breaths from around 40 seconds to one minute 40 seconds. David, a reformed smoker and asthmatic, said freediving "gave him a reason" to get over his asthma while the pain he gets from scoliosis is eased. "Being in the water is pure heaven as I'm weightless and feel no discomfort," he told The Senior. "Being older and having a slower metabolism actually helps with freediving, and we're beginning to see a growing number of people in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s enjoying." The pair said many people had misconceptions about freediving and confused it with scuba (which can result in greater risk of Decompression Sickness DCS as you age), while "daredevil" is a label far from reality, they said, due to the amount of safety protocols around dives. David said you don't need to dive to extreme depths or hold your breath for extreme periods of time to enjoy yourself, though some physical fitness and needed - it's not a sport for "couch potatoes". "A lot of people - especially older people - who take up freediving come from other sports like running, swimming, tennis, cricket, basketball," added Andrea. "Some of them find they can't continue with those sports as they get older because of the impact on their bones and joints, so they're looking for something more gentle that doesn't entail physical impact or contact. "It's like a form of meditation. We learn to relax before we hold our breath, and while we're we holding our breath. We don't panic when we feel the urge to breathe because we know we've got plenty of oxygen left in our bodies." Focusing his time on exploring the depths of the sea with just his breath has been life-changing for David, helping him become "a much calmer and more centred person" and changing the whole outlook on life. "You can't ... dive with a whale shark or a manta ray or a giant black stingray and not be changed in some way by that experience," David said. And as for the freediving "scene"? Andrea has never known a sport more welcoming. "It doesn't matter who you are, what your disabilities are, or where you come from, it only matters that you're one of us: a freediver," she said. "It doesn't even matter how 'good' or 'bad' you are, because if you're good you can always have a bad day and if you're not good you can always improve. And if you're not actually a freediver, you're still welcome because we hope you might become a freediver." The pair recommended getting a health check with your doctor first if over 60 and keen to start diving. Find them on YouTube @oldnboldfreedivingadvent-DK68 Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Getting dolled up in neoprene and diving underwater is like Tai Chi of the sea for David King, 70, and Andrea Parke, 64, who say age is an advantage with this sport. The couple, known as the "Old'n'Bold Freedivers", are part of a movement slowly growing in popularity and gaining widespread attention for its calming properties and health benefits. "For most people, freediving is more akin to Tai Chi, involving relaxation, mindfulness and self-awareness. A sense of freedom and being at one with the ocean is what drives many people to take it up," said David. Read more from The Senior: Freediving is a form of diving underwater without the use of breathing apparatus like scuba gear, instead relying on breath-holding to reach the depths. David and Andrea aren't doing it to win world records, but the pair from Porarlington in Victoria can dive to a depth of 16 to 18 metres and comfortably hold their breaths from around 40 seconds to one minute 40 seconds. David, a reformed smoker and asthmatic, said freediving "gave him a reason" to get over his asthma while the pain he gets from scoliosis is eased. "Being in the water is pure heaven as I'm weightless and feel no discomfort," he told The Senior. "Being older and having a slower metabolism actually helps with freediving, and we're beginning to see a growing number of people in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s enjoying." The pair said many people had misconceptions about freediving and confused it with scuba (which can result in greater risk of Decompression Sickness DCS as you age), while "daredevil" is a label far from reality, they said, due to the amount of safety protocols around dives. David said you don't need to dive to extreme depths or hold your breath for extreme periods of time to enjoy yourself, though some physical fitness and needed - it's not a sport for "couch potatoes". "A lot of people - especially older people - who take up freediving come from other sports like running, swimming, tennis, cricket, basketball," added Andrea. "Some of them find they can't continue with those sports as they get older because of the impact on their bones and joints, so they're looking for something more gentle that doesn't entail physical impact or contact. "It's like a form of meditation. We learn to relax before we hold our breath, and while we're we holding our breath. We don't panic when we feel the urge to breathe because we know we've got plenty of oxygen left in our bodies." Focusing his time on exploring the depths of the sea with just his breath has been life-changing for David, helping him become "a much calmer and more centred person" and changing the whole outlook on life. "You can't ... dive with a whale shark or a manta ray or a giant black stingray and not be changed in some way by that experience," David said. And as for the freediving "scene"? Andrea has never known a sport more welcoming. "It doesn't matter who you are, what your disabilities are, or where you come from, it only matters that you're one of us: a freediver," she said. "It doesn't even matter how 'good' or 'bad' you are, because if you're good you can always have a bad day and if you're not good you can always improve. And if you're not actually a freediver, you're still welcome because we hope you might become a freediver." The pair recommended getting a health check with your doctor first if over 60 and keen to start diving. Find them on YouTube @oldnboldfreedivingadvent-DK68 Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Getting dolled up in neoprene and diving underwater is like Tai Chi of the sea for David King, 70, and Andrea Parke, 64, who say age is an advantage with this sport. The couple, known as the "Old'n'Bold Freedivers", are part of a movement slowly growing in popularity and gaining widespread attention for its calming properties and health benefits. "For most people, freediving is more akin to Tai Chi, involving relaxation, mindfulness and self-awareness. A sense of freedom and being at one with the ocean is what drives many people to take it up," said David. Read more from The Senior: Freediving is a form of diving underwater without the use of breathing apparatus like scuba gear, instead relying on breath-holding to reach the depths. David and Andrea aren't doing it to win world records, but the pair from Porarlington in Victoria can dive to a depth of 16 to 18 metres and comfortably hold their breaths from around 40 seconds to one minute 40 seconds. David, a reformed smoker and asthmatic, said freediving "gave him a reason" to get over his asthma while the pain he gets from scoliosis is eased. "Being in the water is pure heaven as I'm weightless and feel no discomfort," he told The Senior. "Being older and having a slower metabolism actually helps with freediving, and we're beginning to see a growing number of people in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s enjoying." The pair said many people had misconceptions about freediving and confused it with scuba (which can result in greater risk of Decompression Sickness DCS as you age), while "daredevil" is a label far from reality, they said, due to the amount of safety protocols around dives. David said you don't need to dive to extreme depths or hold your breath for extreme periods of time to enjoy yourself, though some physical fitness and needed - it's not a sport for "couch potatoes". "A lot of people - especially older people - who take up freediving come from other sports like running, swimming, tennis, cricket, basketball," added Andrea. "Some of them find they can't continue with those sports as they get older because of the impact on their bones and joints, so they're looking for something more gentle that doesn't entail physical impact or contact. "It's like a form of meditation. We learn to relax before we hold our breath, and while we're we holding our breath. We don't panic when we feel the urge to breathe because we know we've got plenty of oxygen left in our bodies." Focusing his time on exploring the depths of the sea with just his breath has been life-changing for David, helping him become "a much calmer and more centred person" and changing the whole outlook on life. "You can't ... dive with a whale shark or a manta ray or a giant black stingray and not be changed in some way by that experience," David said. And as for the freediving "scene"? Andrea has never known a sport more welcoming. "It doesn't matter who you are, what your disabilities are, or where you come from, it only matters that you're one of us: a freediver," she said. "It doesn't even matter how 'good' or 'bad' you are, because if you're good you can always have a bad day and if you're not good you can always improve. And if you're not actually a freediver, you're still welcome because we hope you might become a freediver." The pair recommended getting a health check with your doctor first if over 60 and keen to start diving. Find them on YouTube @oldnboldfreedivingadvent-DK68 Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
How could housework and AI help us live healthier and longer lives?
Have you been putting off doing the weeding or giving the windows a good scrub? This expert's advice may have you reaching for the gardening gloves or Windex. University of South Australia sports scientist Grant Tomlinson has studied the benefits of regular exercise on healthy ageing for years and says applying a little elbow grease may help you live longer. While the benefits of cardiovascular fitness are well known, Professor Tomlinson said it's just as important to maintain muscle strength. Read more from The Senior He said chores like moving things around the house, mowing the lawn, gardening, wringing out wet washing, carrying groceries, or hanging washing on the line could yield numerous health benefits. "When we typically think of fitness, you know, like muscle fitness, we do think of smelly, sweaty people in the gym, pushing lots of weights with veins popping out of their forehead and bloodshot eyes and sweat dripping off their forehead," he said. "That's not necessarily the truth.... doing those everyday household chores can provide enough resistance to help keep you on the right track, particularly as you get older, when we tend to be less physically active." Keeping the muscles active can help with daily tasks and reduce the risk of falls because stronger muscles help a person to reposition the body if they slip or stumble, he said. Maintaining muscle strength can also reduce the risk of cognitive decline, as well as the development of diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. While housework is a good way to maintain muscle strength, especially for those who have not been maintaining a regular exercise routine, Professor Tomlinson also recommends other strength exercises like lifting weights, riding a bike or squats. He said older adults should aim for three sessions of resistance or muscle and bone strengthening exercise a week. Professor Tomlinson will talk about the benefits of regular exercise for healthy ageing at an upcoming exhibition at the University of South Australia's Museum of Discovery (MOD). Also speaking during the panel discussion will be Lyndsey Collins-Praino, who is at the forefront of exciting research that could one day see AI used to identify signs of dementia and Parkinson's disease long before symptoms appear. The neuroscientist believes clues that a person is at risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Parkinson's can be found in the body. Proteins found in blood, saliva and tears, and information from brain scans could help scientists identify these diseases early enough to slow their progression, or possibly even stop it altogether, she said. She said symptoms associated with dementia and Parkinson's do not start until the diseases are well advanced and irreversible. "If we can tell who might be at risk... we can involve them in clinical trials early, we can have better monitoring of them, we can intervene earlier when problems do start to occur, and potentially even be able to stop that conversion [progression of the disease.] That's the ultimate hope," she said. Associate Professor Collins-Praino and her team are looking at ways AI can be utilised to identify people who are predisposed to developing these diseases. "We're using the latest technologies, things like AI, to help us to pick out biological patterns that help us to predict risk of things like dementia and Parkinson's." She said there are a number of known lifestyle factors that could reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 40 per cent, including improved diet, exercise, and reduced alcohol intake. If scientists can determine that a person is at risk of developing these conditions, lifestyle changes and potentially drug treatments could stop them from developing the disease before it's too late. The panel discussion will take place as part of the university's Forever exhibition, The exhibition draws on the expertise of over 30 researchers and experts in neuroscience, exercise science, sociology, anthropology and physics to explore the relationship between time, memory and aging. Do You Want To Live Forever?; Museum of Discovery, University of South Australia, 6-7.30pm, August 14. Details: Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Have you been putting off doing the weeding or giving the windows a good scrub? This expert's advice may have you reaching for the gardening gloves or Windex. University of South Australia sports scientist Grant Tomlinson has studied the benefits of regular exercise on healthy ageing for years and says applying a little elbow grease may help you live longer. While the benefits of cardiovascular fitness are well known, Professor Tomlinson said it's just as important to maintain muscle strength. Read more from The Senior He said chores like moving things around the house, mowing the lawn, gardening, wringing out wet washing, carrying groceries, or hanging washing on the line could yield numerous health benefits. "When we typically think of fitness, you know, like muscle fitness, we do think of smelly, sweaty people in the gym, pushing lots of weights with veins popping out of their forehead and bloodshot eyes and sweat dripping off their forehead," he said. "That's not necessarily the truth.... doing those everyday household chores can provide enough resistance to help keep you on the right track, particularly as you get older, when we tend to be less physically active." Keeping the muscles active can help with daily tasks and reduce the risk of falls because stronger muscles help a person to reposition the body if they slip or stumble, he said. Maintaining muscle strength can also reduce the risk of cognitive decline, as well as the development of diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. While housework is a good way to maintain muscle strength, especially for those who have not been maintaining a regular exercise routine, Professor Tomlinson also recommends other strength exercises like lifting weights, riding a bike or squats. He said older adults should aim for three sessions of resistance or muscle and bone strengthening exercise a week. Professor Tomlinson will talk about the benefits of regular exercise for healthy ageing at an upcoming exhibition at the University of South Australia's Museum of Discovery (MOD). Also speaking during the panel discussion will be Lyndsey Collins-Praino, who is at the forefront of exciting research that could one day see AI used to identify signs of dementia and Parkinson's disease long before symptoms appear. The neuroscientist believes clues that a person is at risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Parkinson's can be found in the body. Proteins found in blood, saliva and tears, and information from brain scans could help scientists identify these diseases early enough to slow their progression, or possibly even stop it altogether, she said. She said symptoms associated with dementia and Parkinson's do not start until the diseases are well advanced and irreversible. "If we can tell who might be at risk... we can involve them in clinical trials early, we can have better monitoring of them, we can intervene earlier when problems do start to occur, and potentially even be able to stop that conversion [progression of the disease.] That's the ultimate hope," she said. Associate Professor Collins-Praino and her team are looking at ways AI can be utilised to identify people who are predisposed to developing these diseases. "We're using the latest technologies, things like AI, to help us to pick out biological patterns that help us to predict risk of things like dementia and Parkinson's." She said there are a number of known lifestyle factors that could reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 40 per cent, including improved diet, exercise, and reduced alcohol intake. If scientists can determine that a person is at risk of developing these conditions, lifestyle changes and potentially drug treatments could stop them from developing the disease before it's too late. The panel discussion will take place as part of the university's Forever exhibition, The exhibition draws on the expertise of over 30 researchers and experts in neuroscience, exercise science, sociology, anthropology and physics to explore the relationship between time, memory and aging. Do You Want To Live Forever?; Museum of Discovery, University of South Australia, 6-7.30pm, August 14. Details: Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Have you been putting off doing the weeding or giving the windows a good scrub? This expert's advice may have you reaching for the gardening gloves or Windex. University of South Australia sports scientist Grant Tomlinson has studied the benefits of regular exercise on healthy ageing for years and says applying a little elbow grease may help you live longer. While the benefits of cardiovascular fitness are well known, Professor Tomlinson said it's just as important to maintain muscle strength. Read more from The Senior He said chores like moving things around the house, mowing the lawn, gardening, wringing out wet washing, carrying groceries, or hanging washing on the line could yield numerous health benefits. "When we typically think of fitness, you know, like muscle fitness, we do think of smelly, sweaty people in the gym, pushing lots of weights with veins popping out of their forehead and bloodshot eyes and sweat dripping off their forehead," he said. "That's not necessarily the truth.... doing those everyday household chores can provide enough resistance to help keep you on the right track, particularly as you get older, when we tend to be less physically active." Keeping the muscles active can help with daily tasks and reduce the risk of falls because stronger muscles help a person to reposition the body if they slip or stumble, he said. Maintaining muscle strength can also reduce the risk of cognitive decline, as well as the development of diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. While housework is a good way to maintain muscle strength, especially for those who have not been maintaining a regular exercise routine, Professor Tomlinson also recommends other strength exercises like lifting weights, riding a bike or squats. He said older adults should aim for three sessions of resistance or muscle and bone strengthening exercise a week. Professor Tomlinson will talk about the benefits of regular exercise for healthy ageing at an upcoming exhibition at the University of South Australia's Museum of Discovery (MOD). Also speaking during the panel discussion will be Lyndsey Collins-Praino, who is at the forefront of exciting research that could one day see AI used to identify signs of dementia and Parkinson's disease long before symptoms appear. The neuroscientist believes clues that a person is at risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Parkinson's can be found in the body. Proteins found in blood, saliva and tears, and information from brain scans could help scientists identify these diseases early enough to slow their progression, or possibly even stop it altogether, she said. She said symptoms associated with dementia and Parkinson's do not start until the diseases are well advanced and irreversible. "If we can tell who might be at risk... we can involve them in clinical trials early, we can have better monitoring of them, we can intervene earlier when problems do start to occur, and potentially even be able to stop that conversion [progression of the disease.] That's the ultimate hope," she said. Associate Professor Collins-Praino and her team are looking at ways AI can be utilised to identify people who are predisposed to developing these diseases. "We're using the latest technologies, things like AI, to help us to pick out biological patterns that help us to predict risk of things like dementia and Parkinson's." She said there are a number of known lifestyle factors that could reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 40 per cent, including improved diet, exercise, and reduced alcohol intake. If scientists can determine that a person is at risk of developing these conditions, lifestyle changes and potentially drug treatments could stop them from developing the disease before it's too late. The panel discussion will take place as part of the university's Forever exhibition, The exhibition draws on the expertise of over 30 researchers and experts in neuroscience, exercise science, sociology, anthropology and physics to explore the relationship between time, memory and aging. Do You Want To Live Forever?; Museum of Discovery, University of South Australia, 6-7.30pm, August 14. Details: Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Have you been putting off doing the weeding or giving the windows a good scrub? This expert's advice may have you reaching for the gardening gloves or Windex. University of South Australia sports scientist Grant Tomlinson has studied the benefits of regular exercise on healthy ageing for years and says applying a little elbow grease may help you live longer. While the benefits of cardiovascular fitness are well known, Professor Tomlinson said it's just as important to maintain muscle strength. Read more from The Senior He said chores like moving things around the house, mowing the lawn, gardening, wringing out wet washing, carrying groceries, or hanging washing on the line could yield numerous health benefits. "When we typically think of fitness, you know, like muscle fitness, we do think of smelly, sweaty people in the gym, pushing lots of weights with veins popping out of their forehead and bloodshot eyes and sweat dripping off their forehead," he said. "That's not necessarily the truth.... doing those everyday household chores can provide enough resistance to help keep you on the right track, particularly as you get older, when we tend to be less physically active." Keeping the muscles active can help with daily tasks and reduce the risk of falls because stronger muscles help a person to reposition the body if they slip or stumble, he said. Maintaining muscle strength can also reduce the risk of cognitive decline, as well as the development of diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. While housework is a good way to maintain muscle strength, especially for those who have not been maintaining a regular exercise routine, Professor Tomlinson also recommends other strength exercises like lifting weights, riding a bike or squats. He said older adults should aim for three sessions of resistance or muscle and bone strengthening exercise a week. Professor Tomlinson will talk about the benefits of regular exercise for healthy ageing at an upcoming exhibition at the University of South Australia's Museum of Discovery (MOD). Also speaking during the panel discussion will be Lyndsey Collins-Praino, who is at the forefront of exciting research that could one day see AI used to identify signs of dementia and Parkinson's disease long before symptoms appear. The neuroscientist believes clues that a person is at risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Parkinson's can be found in the body. Proteins found in blood, saliva and tears, and information from brain scans could help scientists identify these diseases early enough to slow their progression, or possibly even stop it altogether, she said. She said symptoms associated with dementia and Parkinson's do not start until the diseases are well advanced and irreversible. "If we can tell who might be at risk... we can involve them in clinical trials early, we can have better monitoring of them, we can intervene earlier when problems do start to occur, and potentially even be able to stop that conversion [progression of the disease.] That's the ultimate hope," she said. Associate Professor Collins-Praino and her team are looking at ways AI can be utilised to identify people who are predisposed to developing these diseases. "We're using the latest technologies, things like AI, to help us to pick out biological patterns that help us to predict risk of things like dementia and Parkinson's." She said there are a number of known lifestyle factors that could reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 40 per cent, including improved diet, exercise, and reduced alcohol intake. If scientists can determine that a person is at risk of developing these conditions, lifestyle changes and potentially drug treatments could stop them from developing the disease before it's too late. The panel discussion will take place as part of the university's Forever exhibition, The exhibition draws on the expertise of over 30 researchers and experts in neuroscience, exercise science, sociology, anthropology and physics to explore the relationship between time, memory and aging. Do You Want To Live Forever?; Museum of Discovery, University of South Australia, 6-7.30pm, August 14. Details: Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
02-07-2025
- The Advertiser
What a load of IBS: new research shows tummy troubles could be in the mind
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects around one in five people, according to the government's Health Direct website, but scientists now believe the mind has a lot to do with it. Shane Hodge, a former connoiseur of cheese and chocolate milkshakes, has been living with debilitating IBS symptoms for seven years since being hospitalised for food poisoning. He agrees with the new research from the University of Melbourne, and said stress, paranoia and anxiety make his IBS worse. "You're stressed and embarrassed about 'what if you poo your pants'? ... my life was a misery," the 66-year-old said. "Your head is linked to your tummy and backside, and causing great disruption in the force ...once you've had a few bad episodes of that fear, it really stuffs up your life." Read more from The Senior: IBS is a chronic and often debilitating condition, with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and unpredictable bowel movements. Mr Hodge said he became "like a GPS" in knowing where all the closest public toilets were around town as panic would often consume him. He's now using a daily probiotic from Qiara which he said "calmed" his gut symptoms and anxiety, though he still needs to keep the cheese to an absolute minimum. A recent 6-month study from University of Melbourne found only 75 per cent of study participants were able to reduce or manage IBS symptoms through a low FODMAP diet (which restricts trigger foods like onions, garlic, apples, milk and wheat). But the study also found psychological traits like "gut-specific anxiety, personal control and perceptions of illness" might also play a role in symptoms, said Associate Professor Jessica Biesiekierski. She explained in IBS, communication between the gut and the brain can become "oversensitive to normal signals", which can cause symptoms of IBS. "Stress can make it worse. Understanding this helps guide treatments that can calm these signals and improve symptoms," Professor Biesiekierski said. The research team is now launching a world-first international clinical trial to see if a type of brain-training - exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - makes a difference. "CBT helps people with IBS retrain how their brain responds to gut symptoms and feared foods, reducing anxiety and avoidance through gradual exposure," said Professor Biesiekierski. "Unlike the low FODMAP diet, which works by avoiding trigger foods, CBT can help patients reduce fear and avoidance by gradually reintroducing those same foods." The trial will be a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Karolinska Institute. Around 200 participants will take part in 12 weeks of treatment entirely online from their own homes. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects around one in five people, according to the government's Health Direct website, but scientists now believe the mind has a lot to do with it. Shane Hodge, a former connoiseur of cheese and chocolate milkshakes, has been living with debilitating IBS symptoms for seven years since being hospitalised for food poisoning. He agrees with the new research from the University of Melbourne, and said stress, paranoia and anxiety make his IBS worse. "You're stressed and embarrassed about 'what if you poo your pants'? ... my life was a misery," the 66-year-old said. "Your head is linked to your tummy and backside, and causing great disruption in the force ...once you've had a few bad episodes of that fear, it really stuffs up your life." Read more from The Senior: IBS is a chronic and often debilitating condition, with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and unpredictable bowel movements. Mr Hodge said he became "like a GPS" in knowing where all the closest public toilets were around town as panic would often consume him. He's now using a daily probiotic from Qiara which he said "calmed" his gut symptoms and anxiety, though he still needs to keep the cheese to an absolute minimum. A recent 6-month study from University of Melbourne found only 75 per cent of study participants were able to reduce or manage IBS symptoms through a low FODMAP diet (which restricts trigger foods like onions, garlic, apples, milk and wheat). But the study also found psychological traits like "gut-specific anxiety, personal control and perceptions of illness" might also play a role in symptoms, said Associate Professor Jessica Biesiekierski. She explained in IBS, communication between the gut and the brain can become "oversensitive to normal signals", which can cause symptoms of IBS. "Stress can make it worse. Understanding this helps guide treatments that can calm these signals and improve symptoms," Professor Biesiekierski said. The research team is now launching a world-first international clinical trial to see if a type of brain-training - exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - makes a difference. "CBT helps people with IBS retrain how their brain responds to gut symptoms and feared foods, reducing anxiety and avoidance through gradual exposure," said Professor Biesiekierski. "Unlike the low FODMAP diet, which works by avoiding trigger foods, CBT can help patients reduce fear and avoidance by gradually reintroducing those same foods." The trial will be a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Karolinska Institute. Around 200 participants will take part in 12 weeks of treatment entirely online from their own homes. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects around one in five people, according to the government's Health Direct website, but scientists now believe the mind has a lot to do with it. Shane Hodge, a former connoiseur of cheese and chocolate milkshakes, has been living with debilitating IBS symptoms for seven years since being hospitalised for food poisoning. He agrees with the new research from the University of Melbourne, and said stress, paranoia and anxiety make his IBS worse. "You're stressed and embarrassed about 'what if you poo your pants'? ... my life was a misery," the 66-year-old said. "Your head is linked to your tummy and backside, and causing great disruption in the force ...once you've had a few bad episodes of that fear, it really stuffs up your life." Read more from The Senior: IBS is a chronic and often debilitating condition, with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and unpredictable bowel movements. Mr Hodge said he became "like a GPS" in knowing where all the closest public toilets were around town as panic would often consume him. He's now using a daily probiotic from Qiara which he said "calmed" his gut symptoms and anxiety, though he still needs to keep the cheese to an absolute minimum. A recent 6-month study from University of Melbourne found only 75 per cent of study participants were able to reduce or manage IBS symptoms through a low FODMAP diet (which restricts trigger foods like onions, garlic, apples, milk and wheat). But the study also found psychological traits like "gut-specific anxiety, personal control and perceptions of illness" might also play a role in symptoms, said Associate Professor Jessica Biesiekierski. She explained in IBS, communication between the gut and the brain can become "oversensitive to normal signals", which can cause symptoms of IBS. "Stress can make it worse. Understanding this helps guide treatments that can calm these signals and improve symptoms," Professor Biesiekierski said. The research team is now launching a world-first international clinical trial to see if a type of brain-training - exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - makes a difference. "CBT helps people with IBS retrain how their brain responds to gut symptoms and feared foods, reducing anxiety and avoidance through gradual exposure," said Professor Biesiekierski. "Unlike the low FODMAP diet, which works by avoiding trigger foods, CBT can help patients reduce fear and avoidance by gradually reintroducing those same foods." The trial will be a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Karolinska Institute. Around 200 participants will take part in 12 weeks of treatment entirely online from their own homes. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects around one in five people, according to the government's Health Direct website, but scientists now believe the mind has a lot to do with it. Shane Hodge, a former connoiseur of cheese and chocolate milkshakes, has been living with debilitating IBS symptoms for seven years since being hospitalised for food poisoning. He agrees with the new research from the University of Melbourne, and said stress, paranoia and anxiety make his IBS worse. "You're stressed and embarrassed about 'what if you poo your pants'? ... my life was a misery," the 66-year-old said. "Your head is linked to your tummy and backside, and causing great disruption in the force ...once you've had a few bad episodes of that fear, it really stuffs up your life." Read more from The Senior: IBS is a chronic and often debilitating condition, with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and unpredictable bowel movements. Mr Hodge said he became "like a GPS" in knowing where all the closest public toilets were around town as panic would often consume him. He's now using a daily probiotic from Qiara which he said "calmed" his gut symptoms and anxiety, though he still needs to keep the cheese to an absolute minimum. A recent 6-month study from University of Melbourne found only 75 per cent of study participants were able to reduce or manage IBS symptoms through a low FODMAP diet (which restricts trigger foods like onions, garlic, apples, milk and wheat). But the study also found psychological traits like "gut-specific anxiety, personal control and perceptions of illness" might also play a role in symptoms, said Associate Professor Jessica Biesiekierski. She explained in IBS, communication between the gut and the brain can become "oversensitive to normal signals", which can cause symptoms of IBS. "Stress can make it worse. Understanding this helps guide treatments that can calm these signals and improve symptoms," Professor Biesiekierski said. The research team is now launching a world-first international clinical trial to see if a type of brain-training - exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - makes a difference. "CBT helps people with IBS retrain how their brain responds to gut symptoms and feared foods, reducing anxiety and avoidance through gradual exposure," said Professor Biesiekierski. "Unlike the low FODMAP diet, which works by avoiding trigger foods, CBT can help patients reduce fear and avoidance by gradually reintroducing those same foods." The trial will be a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Karolinska Institute. Around 200 participants will take part in 12 weeks of treatment entirely online from their own homes. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
