Facts and trivia of left-handers
On the occasion of International Left-Handers Day
today, we look at some interesting facts and trivia associated with people who
are sinistral
Though left-handedness was looked down upon and lefties were often told to use their right hand for their day-to-day functioning in olden days, things have changed now. Case in point, celebrating International Left-Handers Day across the globe on August 13. The day is dedicated to create awareness of the inconveniences faced by left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world.
What makes a person lefty?
Researchers believe that 40 specific genes contribute to left-handedness. Scientists also state that 75% chance of a newborn being left-handed is linked to the environment/ lifestyle around the mother during her pregnancy. humans aren't alone... Studies have shown that certain species of animals and birds like kangaroos and the sulphur-crusted cockatoo (right) use their left hand/claw to eat.
TRIVIA
- Studies suggest that left-handed people use the right side of their brain more. This is probably why they are more innovative, creative and inclined towards art, dance and music.
- As compared to right-handers, they tend to chew food in the left side of their mouth.
- Babies who are born premature are usually left-handed.
- Unfortunately, they are more susceptible to have allergies and migraine attacks. They are also likely to suffer from insomnia, dyslexia and speech impediments like stammering and stuttering.
- More than 2,500 left-handers are injured every year because of using equipment meant for right-handed people.
13.08.2015
Mothers of IVF babies at increased
risk of digestive disease
Women who give birth to babies using in-vitro
fertilisation (IVF) are at increased risk of a chronic digestive disease, says
a new study.
The researchers from Turkey compared two groups of women who had given birth to their first child at least one year earlier and found that those who had had IVF were three-times more likely to be diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), than those who had conceived naturally.
GORD is a common condition in which acid from the stomach travels up into the oesophagus and causes heartburn, regurgitation and pain when swallowing.
The most common cause of GORD is a weakening of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) (the ring of muscle at the end of the oesophagus), allowing the stomach acid to leak up into the oesophagus and damage the lining.
For the study the researchers compared 156 first time mothers who conceived using IVF with an age-matched control group of women who had conceived naturally.
The prevalence of GORD at the time of data collection was found to be 13.5 percent in the group of women who had received IVF compared with just 4.5 percent in the group of women who had conceived naturally.
The reasons why women who have IVF might be more prone to developing GORD are not clear.
However, the study authors proposed a number of possibilities, including medications taken during IVF, psychological causes associated with fertility issues (such as stress, depression and anxiety), and the possibility that women who undergo IVF may spend long periods of time lying down for fear of miscarriage.
"These are very interesting findings," said Oliver Pech, head of gastroenterology and Interventional Endoscopy at the St. John of God Hospital in Regensburg in Germany and Associate Editor of the UEG Journal where the study was published.
"We really need to investigate how we might prevent the development of GORD in all pregnant women, but particularly in those who receive IVF treatment," Pech noted.
13.08.2015
Knowing is not enough; we must
apply. Willing is not enough; we must do
Johann van Goethe
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