News From the World of Medicine

WHEN NOT TO SWITCH ON AN ELECTRIC FAN

When the temperature soars past 35°C, an electric fan may not prevent problems like heat exhaustion, according to the World Health Organization. In fact, it could actually add to heat stress by blowing warm air over your skin. However, an Annals of Internal Medicine study found evidence that fans are counterproductive only when the air is very hot and dry, such as in arid conditions, but can help lower core temperatures and heart strain in hot, humid weather. During the vast majority of heatwaves, switching on a fan does still help.

BUYING-SHOPPING DISORDER: AN EMERGING DIAGNOSIS

To what extent do you experience irresistible impulses to buy items you don’t necessarily need? To what extent do you experience emotional distress because of buying behaviours? These are the type of questions on the newly created Excessive Buying

Rating Scale (EBRS).

“Our level of spending lies along a continuum,” explains Australian clinical psychologist, Mike Kyrios. “Most people are somewhere around the middle.” The group at the top tends to see their buying habits lead to distressing effects, such as family discord, work impairment and financial problems. They often use buying to chase an emotional high or to escape from negative feelings, Kyrios says. That’s why a diagnosis called ‘buying-shopping disorder’ is in the works: to help identify people who are suffering and develop treatments for improving their lives.

ERRATIC SLEEP-WAKE PATTERNS AND HEART HEALTH

In a study of the effects of sleep timing, participants aged over 45 without a usual bedtime and wake time were nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease, compared with people who more or less stuck to a schedule – even on weekends. Harmful disturbances to the body’s circadian rhythm may help to explain this link.