Too much boozing can lead to holiday heart syndrome #KeDezemberBoss

If you're planning on partying it up this holiday season with champers, wine and beer on tap, beware of a serious complication, known as "holiday heart syndrome" (HHS), which can cause palpitations and irregular heart arrhythmias.

 

Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics – SA's leading supplier of heart medication – describes HHS as a condition which typically occurs during the holidays when people who don't suffer from heart disease experience irregular heart rhythms following heavy alcohol consumption.

 

"The effect of alcohol on the heart generally depends on your age, health, the volume and the pattern of your drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption over time can increase your risk of stroke, weaken the heart muscle and render it less efficient at pumping blood to vital organs. Blood pressure also increases with each standard alcoholic drink, which contains roughly 10 – 16g of alcohol depending on the liquor of your choice.

 

"Holiday Heart Syndrome is typically associated with the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time and can cause acute cardiovascular effects such as heartbeat irregularities, shortness of breath and chest pain. The effects are reversible if you stop drinking or greatly reduce the amount you consume, but can be alarming when you first experience it," she says.

 

An association between the ingestion of acute alcohol and onset of cardiac arrhythmias has been well documented over the past few decades and was first reported in the 70s when Dr Philip Ettinger noticed an increase in cardiac rhythm disturbances in patients following heavy drinking over the holidays.

 

Most of the irregular heart rhythms associated with HHS are atrial in nature. Atrial fibrillation or AF (when you experience heart palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath) is the most common, but atrial flutter (a fast heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute) and ventricular ectopy (when your heart skips a beat) are also common.

 

Jennings says the mechanism of HHS isn't fully understood, but alcohol affects the conduction paths of the heart, which explains the onset of atrial fibrillation.

 

"When the heart develops a rhythm like atrial fibrillation, the atria stops contracting in unison, which decreases the amount of blood moving through the heart. This causes a drop in blood pressure that can result in dizziness and in response, the body increases its heart rate.

 

"Abstaining from alcohol for a while is usually the recommended treatment for HHS, but it's best to see a doctor who will check for a dangerous drop in blood pressure or signs of acute heart failure. It's better to always err on the side of caution, when it relates to the health of your heart," she advises.

 

So, what constitutes sensible drinking? According to the National Department of Health (NDoH), women should limit their alcohol intake to two drinks a day and men should preferably call it quits after the third glass.

 

It's equally important to keep tabs on the amount of alcohol you consume, which can vary from drink to drink. According to the Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA), the quantities of alcohol in popular liquors are as follows:

 

340ml malt beer (at a typical 5% alcohol by volume) contains 12g of alcohol340ml cider (at a typical 6% alcohol by volume) contains 16g of alcohol25ml tot of brandy, whisky, gin, cane or vodka (at a typical 43% alcohol by volume) contains 11g of alcohol120ml glass of wine (at a typical 12% alcohol by volume) contains 11g of alcohol). Based on a Swedish study, red wine and spirits tend to produce more episodes of arrhythmia than white wine.

 

To help your heart survive the festive season cheer, Jennings suggests the following:

 

"Limit your alcohol intake, especially if you have congenital heart disease or have an increased risk of heart disease as a result of obesity, smoking, high cholesterol or hypertension. Don't overeat during the holidays either and try to reduce your salt intake. Too much salt could cause water retention and an increase in blood pressure, putting you at greater risk of a heart attack.

 

"Lay low on coffee, energy drinks and fizzy drinks as they all contain caffeine which can act as a heart stimulant and cause AF. Avoid stress by exercising, meditating and getting enough sleep. Too much stress elevates cortisol levels in the body, which can increase your heart rate and blood pressure in the same way that caffeine does.

 

"Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. A sudden change in eating patterns and physical exertion (common during the summer holidays) can result in dehydration. When at a party be sure to eat something before taking alcohol and remember to drink enough water in between drinks since alcohol strips water from the body," she recommends.

 

For delicious heart-healthy festive season eats and treats, try any of the more than 100 recipes fromwww.cookingfromtheheart.co.za. They've each been given the Heart and Stroke Foundation of SA's stamp of approval and most are diabetic-friendly too.

Customer makes himself a meal as worker doses off at popular #restaurant

After finding the only employee at the South Carolina Waffle House asleep, one customer decided to help himself to assauge his early morning cravings. 

Alex Bowen let the entire Facebook world know that at 02:00 he had a really bad craving for a meal at the popular restaurant. 

To his surprise, Waffle House was empty and the only employee on shift was asleep. 

According to Bowen, he waited 10 minutes before he started making his own meal. He claims that he not only helped himself but he also had time to "scrape the grill" when he was done. 

Speaking to WIS-TV, Bowen said he made himself the best double Texas bacon cheesesteak melt with extra pickles.

"When I was done I cleaned the grill, collected my ill-gotten sandwich and rolled on out," he said. 

Bowen returned to the restaurant the next day and paid for his meal.

Waffle House responded to Bowen's actions and said they were impressed with his skills.But the restaurant chain said that they do not agree with the fact that he went behind the counter as customers aren't allowed there due to safety reasons. 

Waffle House also confirmed that the sleeping employee was suspended for a week. 

A proudly #Mzansi shoe 'spa' #CleanGripShoeLaundry

Clean Grip Shoe Laundry, founded by Luyanda Mehlomakhulu and Lebogang Mohlala, is a shoe-cleaning business that's changed the way your sneakers and shoes should be taken care of. This start-up business has created what is essentially a "spa" for your beloved shoe collection.

"It's not just about washing sneakers or washing footwear, it's a lifestyle and an art and not just anyone can do it," says Mohlala.

She says that the idea to start the business came from her own frustration with never knowing how to keep her sneakers clean. She'd chuck them into the washing machine or wash them with detergent and, although her shoes were clean, the colour and quality were often compromised.

"I approached Luyanda, who I knew knew a lot about sneakers, shoes and shoe fabrics. For a few years, Luyanda and I went around the country learning everything we needed to know about shoes, how to effectively clean them, how to get the colour back and how to cure creases. We eventually created a detergent formula.

A big part of the research was finding out how people in the kasi (township) were able to keep their shoes so immaculate, no matter how old they were. The pair learned the different techniques and also taught the shoe owners some of their own tricks. They then recruited some of the them who now work as sneaker technicians in the business.

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> > Some investors tried to take advantage of us, probably because they assumed we weren't that educated and wouldn't know what certain things meant.

After this they gathered the sneakers of their friends and family for a trial and error process, which Mohlala adds ruined quite a number of shoes and compromised a few relationships, but it eventually helped them to perfect their craft. Their services now include pick-up and delivery, shoe form correction, deodorising, colour restoration and even custom design elements such as changing your shoes' colour.

Overcoming challenges 

In April 2015 the two launched their business – a journey they say hasn't always been easy. One of the challenges they faced was gaining trust from their clientele.

"Being black and having a pick-up and delivery service proved to be very difficult in the beginning. People simply didn't trust that we would bring their shoes back. We've had customers who've asked if we could rather come wash shoes at their homes instead," says Mohlala. "We saw this as another element we could actually add to our business."

Another big challenge was financing their business. In the beginning the duo had an investor, but that fell through because they felt that they were being taken advantage of, which Mohlala attributes to both their age and their race.

"The deal fell through because we weren't seeing eye to eye. Because we are young and black, some investors tried to take advantage of us, probably because they assumed we weren't that educated and wouldn't know what certain things meant," says Mohlala.

Outside of the business, Mehlomakhulu is involved in property while Mohlala is a writer. They had to use the funds they accumulated from their respective jobs to essentially fund the business. Mohlala also notes that her father played a huge role in keeping the business afloat.

Stimulating growth

Having started with just the two of them washing and caring for the shoes, Clean Grip Shoe Laundry now employs five people – two delivery guys and three shoe technicians. In just under nine months, they've secured a partnership with Nike South Africa and have their sights set on even bigger things.

"We're definitely looking at franchising in the future," says Mohlala. "We've already received a couple of offers from the different provinces, but we're not ready yet. We believe that we need to grow further before we can sell our idea."

The pair says that they're also looking to patent and sell their formulation in retail outlets across South Africa and, eventually, throughout the world.

At least now you no longer have to painfully let go of that favourite sneaker that has seen you through the toughest of times. These young and brilliant business minds have proved that through belief in yourself and perseverance, great things can truly come to life.

MOHLALA'S TOP TIPS TO CARING FOR YOUR SNEAKERS:

Never immerse your shoes in water. "This expands or shrinks your shoe and changes the fit."Never leave your shoes in the sun. "This also expands the shoe, changes the colour and can unthread some of the stitches of the shoe because of the heat."Wipe away stains as quickly as you can. "Use baby wipes or a wet cloth to remove the stain and do this as soon as possible, otherwise it might stain your shoe forever, even if you bring it us.

©Destiny Mag

Four money mistakes that keep you in #debt #KeDezemberBoss

THE FOUR CARDINAL MONEY SINS

Not paying January's bills first

The December salary is usually paid early (around the 15th of the month), which means there are 40 days to the next pay-cheque! Most of our salaries are spent by the time the January bills and debit orders arrive and any New Year's resolution to settle your credit cards and overdraft will be broken.

So pay your January bills immediately, before you start spending – and welcome a 2018 that kicks off debt-free.

Paying the minimum balance

If you have a R10 000 credit card balance and only pay the minimum amount each month, it will take you nearly 20 years to pay off! That's because the minimum amount is only marginally higher than the interest charged. The only credit card bill you can afford is the one you can settle in full each month.

Buy now, pay later

Using a store card may be a tempting way to buy gifts for the family or treat yourself, but is it worth purchasing something that will take the whole of 2018 to pay off?

Forget the imported toys and designer shoes: instead, buy yourself a cappuccino and a bag of  delicious grapes for the family, and go home feeling virtuous (and solvent!).

Impulse spending

Credit cards and store cards make it very easy to buy stuff we don't really need. If you lack the self-discipline to use your credit card responsibly, rather don't have one. If you already possess one, cut it up or freeze it in water, so you have to wait for it to thaw before you use it – which gives you time to reconsider whether you truly require whatever you were considering buying.

Nomzamo Mbatha's ethnic elegance #DoItLuQuLuQu #OneTribe

(Copied from Nomzamo's Instagram)

"As you know, a couple of weeks ago, along with a school of people I highly respect, I was in Malawi at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. One of the most life changing experiences of my life. 

Last night we launched the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Agency DoItLuQuLuQu campaign. Honoured to have been selected as one of the ambassadors and High Level Influencers on the continent. Raising awareness about the plight of refugees and how we can all be a part of the change and revolution in transforming AFRICA to become #OneTribe @unhcrpartnershipsafrica @unhcrkenya @luquluqutribe"

Hidetoshi Kaneko appointed as new #Panasonic South Africa MD

Hidetoshi "Hide" Kaneko has recently been appointed as the Managing Director of Panasonic South Africa. As the former Vice President for Panasonic Corporation of North America, located in New Jersey, USA, this appointment draws on his considerable experience in logistics, manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, sales, marketing, after service and retail. It is this breadth and diversity of experience which has given Kaneko the uniquely holistic perspective which distinguishes his ability to grasp issues, develop strategies, and effect end-to-end solutions applied to the South African context.

Kaneko's three month tenure thus far has been nothing short of a shake-up. Kaneko has restructured Panasonic's internal departments to maximise efficiency, implemented a membership programme and revised Panasonic's marketing strategy. Most prominently, his tenure has seen the implementation of Panasonic's Finance initiative in order to make Panasonic's innovative products available to everyone. According to Kaneko, "We believe that all South Africans should have the opportunity to better their lives through Panasonic technology, and our newly-launched Finance Initiative makes this possible. Now everyone can gain access to innovative products for the betterment of their daily lives." 

Recently, Panasonic has claimed a spot in the top 10 Best Regarded Companies globally, according to the Forbes Global 2000 List of 2017. These companies were revaluated on numerous factors, including trustworthiness / honesty, social conduct, the company's perception as an employer and the performance of the company's product or service. Kaneko believes that this accolade is a reflection of the company's global ethos to create a better life and a better world for all members of society. "As a company, we have always been committed to the evolution of society and to the happiness of people around the globe. We have a responsibility to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of people across and throughout the world; we are very proud that these endeavours are recognised." 

2018 rings in 100 years of technological innovation for the organisation, and it is Kaneko's commitment to advancement and quest for zero defect that keeps Panasonic creating high-quality products that consumers love. Kaneko's vision for the next year is to continue to uphold Panasonic's core principles - contribution to society, fairness and honesty, co-operation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability and gratitude - in his endeavour to make Panasonic products easily accessible to the everyday South African consumer.

#MTN slashes data! #DataMustFall

Mobile network provider MTN will slash data rates down to 29 cents per megabyte on its lowest tariff.  

MTN SA CEO Godfrey Motsa said on Thursday that the network would be cutting data costs to 29c for its "Accidental users" who typically use less than 5MB per month, and those who use more can now expect to pay 60c out-of-bundle. 

"We have been investing heavily in our network infrastructure, because customers are the basis of our network," Motsa said. 

During the same announcement Jacqui O'Sullivan, head of corporate affairs executive at MTN SA, said that, from Friday, customers would be able to purchase 1GB data bundles through the network's cellphone app for R50 which will be valid for a week.  

Motsa added that MTN wants to drop data rates even further, but can only do this with more spectrum allocation. 

"We would like to see out-of-bundle data drop even further for our customers and every time we have the opportunity to engage with government we ask for more spectrum to be released, because we understand the positive impact that more spectrum allocation has on the SA GDP," Motsa said.

©Fin24