ON THE BOX

Binnelanders’ ROELIEN in mortal danger

Dramatic events are unfolding on Binnelanders.

Roelien (Sarahann Doherty) develops something called HELLP syndrome, an uncommon but life-threatening pregnancy complication.

The chances of her dying are 7-35 per cent and the chances of her baby dying are 40 per cent.

This syndrome may develop when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure. The exact cause is unknown but it seems something goes seriously wrong with the blood coagulation mechanism. The liver could also fail.

In an emergency doctors try to remove the baby as quickly as possible then administer plasma transfusions to the mother.

25 %
That’s the percentage of South African women who suffer from depression after the birth of their babies.

It’s a lot higher than the 10-18 per cent in European countries.

Watch Binnelanders to find out which character has to deal with it.

Women who feel distant or angry towards their babies, who feel tired and worthless or think that “something is just not right” need counselling, support and understanding.

Ecstasy messes with LEANDRÉ’S head

There’s more drama on Binnelanders when Leandré (Ricci Niekerk) swallows an Ecstasy or “e” tablet.

The party pill was withdrawn from the market in 1986 because it can cause brain damage.

It can make you feel euphoric, sensual and energetic, cause your body temperature and blood pressure to rise and your heartbeat to accelerate and make you sweat more.

If you’re dancing it can quickly lead to dehydration. Ecstasy use can, even years later, lead to serious depression, memory loss, anxiety and paranoia.

40 poisonous snake species are waiting for the new SURVIVORS

South African Survivor series has just been filmed in Malaysia, which crawls with snakes.

Will a contestant be bitten?

There are at least 40 species of poisonous snakes in Malaysia. The four most dangerous land snakes are the Malayan pit viper, the Asian common cobra, the shore pit viper and Wagler’s pit viper.

Some of the snakes are greyish and inconspicuous but others are brightly coloured with exotic dark rings around their bodies.

According to Professor Nget Hong Tan of the medical faculty at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, cobra and sea snake poisons produce signs of paralysis within 15 minutes, followed by breathing problems, while viper poison usually causes problems with blood clotting.

911 If you’re bitten by a snake: (anywhere in the world)

• Remain calm! You’re unlikely to die within the first four hours.
• Try to move as little as possible; especially avoid moving the body part that was bitten.
• Don’t cut around the area where you were bitten or try to suck out the poison.
• Place a wide bandage firmly over the area where you were bitten. Use any rag you can lay your hands on. Don’t block off the blood supply with a tourniquet.
• All snakebite victims must be taken to a hospital for treatment and the possible administration of a specific antiserum.

Click here to empower yourself with more lifesaving tips.

This information originally appeared in the first edition of Pulse magazine. Buy the latest copy, on newsstand now, for more fascinating stories in the world of health and wellness.