Sunday, July 31, 2011
THOUGHT FOR TODAY...
Everyone has a talent hidden somewhere inside them. The trick is finding what your talent is.
FUN FACTS
* The Earth sees about 760 thunderstorms every hour, scientists have calculated. *
* The speed of a typical raindrop is 17 miles per hour. *
* Snowiest city in the U.S. : Blue canyon, California. *
* Rain contains vitamin B12. *
* Oak trees are struck by lightning more than any other tree. *
* Men are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than women! *
* The speed of a typical raindrop is 17 miles per hour. *
* Snowiest city in the U.S. : Blue canyon, California. *
* Rain contains vitamin B12. *
* Oak trees are struck by lightning more than any other tree. *
* Men are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than women! *
12 Ways to Protect Your Joints
Want to stay limber and pain-free as you get older? Then babying your joints is a must. If you suffer from osteoarthritis, the most common degenerative joint disease, you need to protect yourself. Learn how 12 joint-smart moves help relieve pain and keep you moving. Plus, how much do you know about osteoarthritis? Take our quiz to find out...
We power-walk to keep hearts strong and lift weights to build muscle, but most of us never think about our joints until they hurt.
More than 1 in 5 American adults have a painful degenerative joint disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most common is osteoarthritis, which develops when cartilage – the smooth tissue that covers and cushions bones where they meet – wears away, leaving bones to grind painfully against one another.
Age and genetics play a role in joint problems, but a sedentary lifestyle also makes a big difference.
"Joints like motion and exercise," says Heinz Hoenecke, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, Calif., and head team physician for the San Diego Padres.
Here are 12 joint-smart moves to remain pain-free even in your golden years.
1. Do lighten your load
Maintaining a healthy weight is the best way to protect joints, especially load-bearing, injury-prone knees and hips. Extra pounds mean extra stress and a higher risk of tears, fracture and osteoarthritis.
“The knee feels about four times your body weight with each step,’’ says Michael Dansinger, M.D., an obesity researcher at Tufts Medical Center and nutrition doctor for "The Biggest Loser."
If you’ve been promising to drop 10 pounds, start today. That’s enough to cut your risk of osteoarthritis by 50%, Dansinger says.
2. Do move!
Staying active is a must. Movement lubricates joints by stimulating the flow of synovial fluid. This gooey substance, which surrounds joints, facilitates mobility – like oil in a car engine – and nourishes cartilage.
Physical activity also strengthens muscles, which reduces stress on bone and cartilage inside the joint.
3. Do strengthen your core
Shaping your midsection means more than great abs; it also helps your joints – all the way to your toes.
“A lot of your power, strength and balance comes from the core," says Patrick McCulloch, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at the Methodist Center for Sports Medicine in Houston and physician for the Astros baseball team and Houston Ballet.
Strong core muscles offer more stability and control over movements. You’re much more likely to plant feet firmly, rotate shoulders properly or flex knees smoothly – and less likely to twist a joint, land hard or make other movements that’ll cause pain.
This is true not only when you’re exercising, but also doing routine tasks, such as hauling yourself out of bed or walking down stairs.
Yoga, Pilates and weight training three times a week all help increase core strength.
4. Do try tai chi
The Chinese martial art of tai chi has special features that help joints. A 2009 Tufts University study found that tai chi reduced pain and increased joint function in people with knee osteoarthritis.
The practice uses gentle, rhythmic movements to improve alignment, strength, coordination and flexibility, and relieve stress. Researchers believe the combination of physical and mental benefits may have potent effects on joint health.
5. Do run smart
Running is great for cardio health, but will racking up miles every year ruin knees? Not necessarily, experts say.
Although low-impact exercise is kinder to joints than the pounding of running, basketball, volleyball or kickboxing, a review of research, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association in 2006, found that moderate levels of running don’t increase risk of knee or hip osteoarthritis.
Still, injury is a possibility.
“If running is your thing, figure out a safe way to do it," McCulloch says. His tips:
If you’re new to the sport, start with short distances – 1-2 miles or 2-3 times a week and increasing distance by 10% a week. If you’re new to exercise, build your muscles first with low-impact activities.
Run on a trail or soft track, not pavement, to reduce impact.
Wear shoes designed for running, and replace them before the cushioning wears down (every 250-300 miles). Use running socks – which wick away sweat that can trigger blisters.
Try cross-training: Switch between running and a gentler sport – such as bicycling or swimming – to avoid joint injuries from overuse.
6. Do fill up on fish
The underlying cause of many joint problems is chronic low-level inflammation caused by microscopic tears in cartilage. Most people don’t feel these injuries, because cartilage has no nerve endings, but over time inflamed tissue weakens and breaks down.
“Prevention is key, and reducing inflammation is central to that,’’ says Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., a director of the University of Arizona’s Program in Integrative Medicine.
Omega-3 fatty acids are among nature’s most potent anti-inflammatory compounds. And fatty fish – salmon, herring, lake trout and tuna – are some of the richest sources. Fish are also high in protein, which helps your body form cartilage.
Eat at least two servings a week – 3.5 ounces cooked or 3/4 cup canned.
7. Don’t slouch
Your mother was right when she nagged you to sit up straight. Erect posture keeps weight evenly distributed over your body.
Slouching, on the other hand, pushes your (surprisingly heavy) head forward, increasing stress on joints. It’s a recipe for strained ligaments (the connective tissue in joints).
Try this: Get up from your chair and stand against a wall without adjusting your upper back and shoulders. Are the backs of your shoulders, head and butt touching the wall? If not, straighten up.
8. Don’t sashay in stilettos
High heels look sexy, but many studies show that wearing them too high, too often can hobble you.
High heels shift joint positions at the knee, hip and trunk in ways that hurt the lower back, according to a 2010 Iowa State University study. And as heels get higher, the load on the knees increases.
The conclusion: “The higher the heel, the greater the risk,’’ says Phil Martin, a kinesiology professor at Iowa State.
9. Do lose that heavy handbag
Many women find it convenient to take all their essentials wherever they go. But if you carry too much weight in a purse or tote bag, you’re punishing your finger joints and wrists.
“Don’t use small joints to carry big loads,’’ advises Susan Biali, M.D., author of Live a Life You Love: 7 Steps to a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate You (Beaufort Books).
There are better ways to haul your stuff: A well-designed backpack distributes the load across shoulders and upper back. If that’s not your style, use a shoulder bag, not a purse.
And whatever bag you carry, pack it only with things you really need.
10. Don’t be a weekend warrior
If you spend weekdays sitting at a desk, in the car or on the couch, don’t make up for it by running 15 miles or playing three straight tennis sets on weekends.
Weekend warriors increase the risk of knee and other joint injuries and face more painful problems down the road, according to The Nurse Practitioner, a journal for primary-care clinicians.
A 2003 study published in Canada’s BC Medical Journal found that people with sports injuries are at high risk of re-injury. And a 2007 study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that 10-20 years after tearing a major knee ligament, one of the most common knee injuries, you’d face a 50% chance of having arthritis in that joint.
If you can exercise or play sports only on the weekend, focus on moderate, low-impact activities – and try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on other days. For more intensive training, spread activities throughout the week.
11. Do avoid processed foods
Potato chips, cookies, commercial baked goods and other highly processed foods are generally made with oils high in destructive omega-6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation, and over time create joint pain.
To reduce your consumption, read package labels and avoid products made with corn, vegetable or safflower oils or shortening. Go easy on margarine and mayonnaise too. And make your own salad dressings with olive oil and vinegar. Try this easy All-Purpose Vinaigrette.
12. Don’t push through joint pain
Muscle soreness after exercise is often a sign of hard work, not injury. But with joints, pain always indicates too much stress.
“If a joint hurts or swells, it’s telling you it’s unhappy,” McCulloch says. “You should listen.’’
That’s a warning to stop what you’re doing and let the joint rest.
For more information, visit our new Arthritis Health Center.
Are You Bad to the Bone?
For years, you’ve been the first one on the tennis courts, the weekend hiker, the intrepid gardener on your knees for hours. While all those activities are great for you, they can also be hard on your joints.
We power-walk to keep hearts strong and lift weights to build muscle, but most of us never think about our joints until they hurt.
More than 1 in 5 American adults have a painful degenerative joint disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most common is osteoarthritis, which develops when cartilage – the smooth tissue that covers and cushions bones where they meet – wears away, leaving bones to grind painfully against one another.
Age and genetics play a role in joint problems, but a sedentary lifestyle also makes a big difference.
"Joints like motion and exercise," says Heinz Hoenecke, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, Calif., and head team physician for the San Diego Padres.
Here are 12 joint-smart moves to remain pain-free even in your golden years.
1. Do lighten your load
Maintaining a healthy weight is the best way to protect joints, especially load-bearing, injury-prone knees and hips. Extra pounds mean extra stress and a higher risk of tears, fracture and osteoarthritis.
“The knee feels about four times your body weight with each step,’’ says Michael Dansinger, M.D., an obesity researcher at Tufts Medical Center and nutrition doctor for "The Biggest Loser."
If you’ve been promising to drop 10 pounds, start today. That’s enough to cut your risk of osteoarthritis by 50%, Dansinger says.
2. Do move!
Staying active is a must. Movement lubricates joints by stimulating the flow of synovial fluid. This gooey substance, which surrounds joints, facilitates mobility – like oil in a car engine – and nourishes cartilage.
Physical activity also strengthens muscles, which reduces stress on bone and cartilage inside the joint.
3. Do strengthen your core
Shaping your midsection means more than great abs; it also helps your joints – all the way to your toes.
“A lot of your power, strength and balance comes from the core," says Patrick McCulloch, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at the Methodist Center for Sports Medicine in Houston and physician for the Astros baseball team and Houston Ballet.
Strong core muscles offer more stability and control over movements. You’re much more likely to plant feet firmly, rotate shoulders properly or flex knees smoothly – and less likely to twist a joint, land hard or make other movements that’ll cause pain.
This is true not only when you’re exercising, but also doing routine tasks, such as hauling yourself out of bed or walking down stairs.
Yoga, Pilates and weight training three times a week all help increase core strength.
4. Do try tai chi
The Chinese martial art of tai chi has special features that help joints. A 2009 Tufts University study found that tai chi reduced pain and increased joint function in people with knee osteoarthritis.
The practice uses gentle, rhythmic movements to improve alignment, strength, coordination and flexibility, and relieve stress. Researchers believe the combination of physical and mental benefits may have potent effects on joint health.
5. Do run smart
Running is great for cardio health, but will racking up miles every year ruin knees? Not necessarily, experts say.
Although low-impact exercise is kinder to joints than the pounding of running, basketball, volleyball or kickboxing, a review of research, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association in 2006, found that moderate levels of running don’t increase risk of knee or hip osteoarthritis.
Still, injury is a possibility.
“If running is your thing, figure out a safe way to do it," McCulloch says. His tips:
If you’re new to the sport, start with short distances – 1-2 miles or 2-3 times a week and increasing distance by 10% a week. If you’re new to exercise, build your muscles first with low-impact activities.
Run on a trail or soft track, not pavement, to reduce impact.
Wear shoes designed for running, and replace them before the cushioning wears down (every 250-300 miles). Use running socks – which wick away sweat that can trigger blisters.
Try cross-training: Switch between running and a gentler sport – such as bicycling or swimming – to avoid joint injuries from overuse.
6. Do fill up on fish
The underlying cause of many joint problems is chronic low-level inflammation caused by microscopic tears in cartilage. Most people don’t feel these injuries, because cartilage has no nerve endings, but over time inflamed tissue weakens and breaks down.
“Prevention is key, and reducing inflammation is central to that,’’ says Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., a director of the University of Arizona’s Program in Integrative Medicine.
Omega-3 fatty acids are among nature’s most potent anti-inflammatory compounds. And fatty fish – salmon, herring, lake trout and tuna – are some of the richest sources. Fish are also high in protein, which helps your body form cartilage.
Eat at least two servings a week – 3.5 ounces cooked or 3/4 cup canned.
7. Don’t slouch
Your mother was right when she nagged you to sit up straight. Erect posture keeps weight evenly distributed over your body.
Slouching, on the other hand, pushes your (surprisingly heavy) head forward, increasing stress on joints. It’s a recipe for strained ligaments (the connective tissue in joints).
Try this: Get up from your chair and stand against a wall without adjusting your upper back and shoulders. Are the backs of your shoulders, head and butt touching the wall? If not, straighten up.
8. Don’t sashay in stilettos
High heels look sexy, but many studies show that wearing them too high, too often can hobble you.
High heels shift joint positions at the knee, hip and trunk in ways that hurt the lower back, according to a 2010 Iowa State University study. And as heels get higher, the load on the knees increases.
The conclusion: “The higher the heel, the greater the risk,’’ says Phil Martin, a kinesiology professor at Iowa State.
9. Do lose that heavy handbag
Many women find it convenient to take all their essentials wherever they go. But if you carry too much weight in a purse or tote bag, you’re punishing your finger joints and wrists.
“Don’t use small joints to carry big loads,’’ advises Susan Biali, M.D., author of Live a Life You Love: 7 Steps to a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate You (Beaufort Books).
There are better ways to haul your stuff: A well-designed backpack distributes the load across shoulders and upper back. If that’s not your style, use a shoulder bag, not a purse.
And whatever bag you carry, pack it only with things you really need.
10. Don’t be a weekend warrior
If you spend weekdays sitting at a desk, in the car or on the couch, don’t make up for it by running 15 miles or playing three straight tennis sets on weekends.
Weekend warriors increase the risk of knee and other joint injuries and face more painful problems down the road, according to The Nurse Practitioner, a journal for primary-care clinicians.
A 2003 study published in Canada’s BC Medical Journal found that people with sports injuries are at high risk of re-injury. And a 2007 study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that 10-20 years after tearing a major knee ligament, one of the most common knee injuries, you’d face a 50% chance of having arthritis in that joint.
If you can exercise or play sports only on the weekend, focus on moderate, low-impact activities – and try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on other days. For more intensive training, spread activities throughout the week.
11. Do avoid processed foods
Potato chips, cookies, commercial baked goods and other highly processed foods are generally made with oils high in destructive omega-6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation, and over time create joint pain.
To reduce your consumption, read package labels and avoid products made with corn, vegetable or safflower oils or shortening. Go easy on margarine and mayonnaise too. And make your own salad dressings with olive oil and vinegar. Try this easy All-Purpose Vinaigrette.
12. Don’t push through joint pain
Muscle soreness after exercise is often a sign of hard work, not injury. But with joints, pain always indicates too much stress.
“If a joint hurts or swells, it’s telling you it’s unhappy,” McCulloch says. “You should listen.’’
That’s a warning to stop what you’re doing and let the joint rest.
For more information, visit our new Arthritis Health Center.
Are You Bad to the Bone?
For years, you’ve been the first one on the tennis courts, the weekend hiker, the intrepid gardener on your knees for hours. While all those activities are great for you, they can also be hard on your joints.
Nutrition Facts for Pomegranates
Pomegranates have anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect you against osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Pomegranate juice benefits your heart and arteries in a few different ways. It protects them by improving blood flow. It also prevents your arteries from hardening and becoming inflexible. This can help to protect you against a heart attack or stroke.
According to the results of one study in Clinical Cancer, pomegranates may help to slow down the growth of prostate tumors.
Pomegranate juice may help to lower the blood pressure of people who suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension).
Drinking pomegranate juice can help you to get rid of diarrhea.
Pomegranates may help protect your body from diabetes and cancer and may help to slow down the aging process..
Your Daily Recipe!
Pomegranate Fruit Salad
INGREDIENTS:
Recipe:
1 Pineapple, sliced into rounds
3 oranges, sliced into rounds
1 ripe mango, diced
Seeds from 1/2 pomegranate
fresh mint leaves
Dressing:
juice from half a lemon
1 tablespoon of honey
Pomegranate juice benefits your heart and arteries in a few different ways. It protects them by improving blood flow. It also prevents your arteries from hardening and becoming inflexible. This can help to protect you against a heart attack or stroke.
According to the results of one study in Clinical Cancer, pomegranates may help to slow down the growth of prostate tumors.
Pomegranate juice may help to lower the blood pressure of people who suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension).
Drinking pomegranate juice can help you to get rid of diarrhea.
Pomegranates may help protect your body from diabetes and cancer and may help to slow down the aging process..
Your Daily Recipe!
Pomegranate Fruit Salad
INGREDIENTS:
Recipe:
1 Pineapple, sliced into rounds
3 oranges, sliced into rounds
1 ripe mango, diced
Seeds from 1/2 pomegranate
fresh mint leaves
Dressing:
juice from half a lemon
1 tablespoon of honey
Aluminum: Poison in Your Food
One of my main interests is toxic metals in our environment and how they produce a slow degeneration of our nervous system. One of those metals is aluminum, the third most common element on earth.
We've known since 1911 that aluminum is toxic to the brain, but until recently, scientists assumed that aluminum was poorly absorbed in the GI tract and wasn't a significant problem. It became an issue after it began to be added to antacids in large amounts.
Research shows that certain food components, such as citrate and malate (organic acids), can increase the absorption of aluminum as much as six times the normal rate. This means that all citrus fruits, such as lemons, grapefruit, and oranges, dramatically increase the absorption of aluminum from the GI tract and increase its entry into the brain.
This is why I tell people not to put lemon in their tea — black tea (the type most people drink) has very high levels of aluminum, and the citrate from the lemon significantly increases absorption in the GI tract. (Green and white tea can improve your health in many ways. To learn more, read my report "Miracle Tea.")
Aluminum absorption is much higher in people with Alzheimer’s disease. It has been shown that adding aluminum to drinking water led to accumulations of the aluminum in the very same areas of the brain affected in Alzheimer’s disease.
Many studies found a significantly higher incidence of Alzheimer's dementia in areas where aluminum is added to public water systems. To learn more about what's in the water you're drinking, read my special report “Is Your Drinking Water Fit to Drink?"
Aluminum exposure is widespread. Until recently, the main food source containing aluminum was baking powder used in biscuits, pancakes, and most baked goods.
Some natural products, such as black tea, have very high aluminum levels. (Green tea has far less, and white tea has very little.) Sea salt also contains aluminum.
The No. 1 food source for aluminum is soy products. Soybeans naturally have very high aluminum levels, and Americans consume massive amounts. Soy is even found in the most commonly used baby formula.
A great number of processed foods, medications, and drinks are loaded with aluminum. And because aluminum is added to drinking water, our plant foods are accumulating (bioaccumulating) the aluminum, so that over time the levels will continue to rise, just as we have seen with fluoride. (Check out my report "Why Fluoride is Toxic"for details.)
It is important to check all labels on foods and medications. If you see aluminum, don’t buy it. Next week I will discuss natural ways to combat aluminum's toxicity.
We've known since 1911 that aluminum is toxic to the brain, but until recently, scientists assumed that aluminum was poorly absorbed in the GI tract and wasn't a significant problem. It became an issue after it began to be added to antacids in large amounts.
Research shows that certain food components, such as citrate and malate (organic acids), can increase the absorption of aluminum as much as six times the normal rate. This means that all citrus fruits, such as lemons, grapefruit, and oranges, dramatically increase the absorption of aluminum from the GI tract and increase its entry into the brain.
This is why I tell people not to put lemon in their tea — black tea (the type most people drink) has very high levels of aluminum, and the citrate from the lemon significantly increases absorption in the GI tract. (Green and white tea can improve your health in many ways. To learn more, read my report "Miracle Tea.")
Aluminum absorption is much higher in people with Alzheimer’s disease. It has been shown that adding aluminum to drinking water led to accumulations of the aluminum in the very same areas of the brain affected in Alzheimer’s disease.
Many studies found a significantly higher incidence of Alzheimer's dementia in areas where aluminum is added to public water systems. To learn more about what's in the water you're drinking, read my special report “Is Your Drinking Water Fit to Drink?"
Aluminum exposure is widespread. Until recently, the main food source containing aluminum was baking powder used in biscuits, pancakes, and most baked goods.
Some natural products, such as black tea, have very high aluminum levels. (Green tea has far less, and white tea has very little.) Sea salt also contains aluminum.
The No. 1 food source for aluminum is soy products. Soybeans naturally have very high aluminum levels, and Americans consume massive amounts. Soy is even found in the most commonly used baby formula.
A great number of processed foods, medications, and drinks are loaded with aluminum. And because aluminum is added to drinking water, our plant foods are accumulating (bioaccumulating) the aluminum, so that over time the levels will continue to rise, just as we have seen with fluoride. (Check out my report "Why Fluoride is Toxic"for details.)
It is important to check all labels on foods and medications. If you see aluminum, don’t buy it. Next week I will discuss natural ways to combat aluminum's toxicity.
Breastfeeding problems tied to moms' depression
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New moms who have particular difficulty breastfeeding may be at greater risk of postpartum depression, a new study suggests.
The findings, reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, do not prove that breastfeeding problems are the cause of depression symptoms. But researchers say that new mothers and their doctors should be aware that the two can go hand-in-hand.
The study found that of nearly 2,600 mothers who had ever breastfed, just less than eight percent screened positive for major depression two months after giving birth.
And that risk was higher among women who either had severe breast pain or generally "disliked" breastfeeding during their baby's first weeks of life.
Whether the breastfeeding difficulties are to blame is not clear, according to lead researcher Stephanie Watkins, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
A limit of the study, she told Reuters Health, is that there was no information on whether mothers had suffered depression during pregnancy.
So it could be that women who were already depressed had a tougher time with breastfeeding.
"Everything is harder when you're depressed," said Dr. Alison Stuebe, an obstetrician/gynecologist at UNC who also worked on the study. "It may be that some women were depressed during pregnancy, and that made breastfeeding harder."
On the other hand, she said in an interview, it's possible that underlying hormonal factors contribute to both breastfeeding issues and depression. Stuebe and her colleagues are doing further studies to look into that question.
Whatever the reasons for the connection, the researchers said the main message is that early breastfeeding problems could serve as a warning sign of postpartum depression in some women.
Both Watkins and Stuebe suggested that new moms talk with their doctor about any breastfeeding problems they are having. And doctors, they said, might think about screening those women for postpartum depression.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says there is not enough evidence to support routinely screening all new mothers for postpartum depression. (The major downside of any medical screening is that it can lead to over-diagnosis, and treatment of people who do not need it.)
On the other hand, ACOG also says that depression screening can benefit new mothers and their families, and "should be strongly considered."
Focusing screening on women with risk factors for postpartum depression could be the best route, Stuebe noted. "And our study suggests that this (breastfeeding difficulties) may be a risk factor," she said.
The findings are based on 2,586 U.S. women who took part in a larger study of infant feeding practices. All had breastfed and answered questions on their experiences with it in the first few weeks.
The women were then screened for depression when their babies were two months old.
Overall, women who screened positive were more likely to have had severe breast pain in the early weeks of breastfeeding. During week one, 35 percent did, versus 22 percent of women who did not screen positive for depression.
When the researchers accounted for other factors -- like women's age, education and race -- severe breast pain was linked to a doubling in the odds of postpartum depression.
Similarly, mothers who "disliked" breastfeeding in the first week were 42 percent more likely to later screen positive for postpartum depression, compared with women who said they liked it.
None of that means that women who dislike breastfeeding are destined for depression, Stuebe stressed.
But, she said, women and doctors should be aware that the two things can "run together" -- and that some women who feel breastfeeding is painful or too difficult may actually have depression.
According to ACOG, the so-called "baby blues" -- where mothers feel anxious, sad or irritable in the days after delivery -- are very common. True postpartum depression is less frequent, affecting about 10 percent of new mothers.
Some symptoms include strong feelings of sadness, anxiety or helplessness that do not improve after about a week and start to interfere with daily life.
As for treatment, some doctors might recommend an antidepressant medication (which is generally considered safe during breastfeeding). But support groups or other non-drug options may also help, according to ACOG.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/p1EV6I Obstetrics & Gynecology, August 2011.
The findings, reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, do not prove that breastfeeding problems are the cause of depression symptoms. But researchers say that new mothers and their doctors should be aware that the two can go hand-in-hand.
The study found that of nearly 2,600 mothers who had ever breastfed, just less than eight percent screened positive for major depression two months after giving birth.
And that risk was higher among women who either had severe breast pain or generally "disliked" breastfeeding during their baby's first weeks of life.
Whether the breastfeeding difficulties are to blame is not clear, according to lead researcher Stephanie Watkins, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
A limit of the study, she told Reuters Health, is that there was no information on whether mothers had suffered depression during pregnancy.
So it could be that women who were already depressed had a tougher time with breastfeeding.
"Everything is harder when you're depressed," said Dr. Alison Stuebe, an obstetrician/gynecologist at UNC who also worked on the study. "It may be that some women were depressed during pregnancy, and that made breastfeeding harder."
On the other hand, she said in an interview, it's possible that underlying hormonal factors contribute to both breastfeeding issues and depression. Stuebe and her colleagues are doing further studies to look into that question.
Whatever the reasons for the connection, the researchers said the main message is that early breastfeeding problems could serve as a warning sign of postpartum depression in some women.
Both Watkins and Stuebe suggested that new moms talk with their doctor about any breastfeeding problems they are having. And doctors, they said, might think about screening those women for postpartum depression.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says there is not enough evidence to support routinely screening all new mothers for postpartum depression. (The major downside of any medical screening is that it can lead to over-diagnosis, and treatment of people who do not need it.)
On the other hand, ACOG also says that depression screening can benefit new mothers and their families, and "should be strongly considered."
Focusing screening on women with risk factors for postpartum depression could be the best route, Stuebe noted. "And our study suggests that this (breastfeeding difficulties) may be a risk factor," she said.
The findings are based on 2,586 U.S. women who took part in a larger study of infant feeding practices. All had breastfed and answered questions on their experiences with it in the first few weeks.
The women were then screened for depression when their babies were two months old.
Overall, women who screened positive were more likely to have had severe breast pain in the early weeks of breastfeeding. During week one, 35 percent did, versus 22 percent of women who did not screen positive for depression.
When the researchers accounted for other factors -- like women's age, education and race -- severe breast pain was linked to a doubling in the odds of postpartum depression.
Similarly, mothers who "disliked" breastfeeding in the first week were 42 percent more likely to later screen positive for postpartum depression, compared with women who said they liked it.
None of that means that women who dislike breastfeeding are destined for depression, Stuebe stressed.
But, she said, women and doctors should be aware that the two things can "run together" -- and that some women who feel breastfeeding is painful or too difficult may actually have depression.
According to ACOG, the so-called "baby blues" -- where mothers feel anxious, sad or irritable in the days after delivery -- are very common. True postpartum depression is less frequent, affecting about 10 percent of new mothers.
Some symptoms include strong feelings of sadness, anxiety or helplessness that do not improve after about a week and start to interfere with daily life.
As for treatment, some doctors might recommend an antidepressant medication (which is generally considered safe during breastfeeding). But support groups or other non-drug options may also help, according to ACOG.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/p1EV6I Obstetrics & Gynecology, August 2011.
Get an Effective Natural Insect Repellent
Chemical-based insect repellents with DEET are useful for five-alarm bug situations, but what if you want something natural and milder for around home or the park? Several plant-based repellents work effectively on mosquitoes, ticks, head lice – even flies – and leave a scent that may please you, but disgusts biting pests...
Bug sprays can be a lifesaver in the summer. Their strong chemical odors and oily films repel biting insects – and people too!
But you can stay bite-free without unpleasant odor and sensation. Consider natural plant-based insect repellents instead. In many cases, they’re as effective as products with the chemical DEET, or diethyltoluamide, an oily fluid that repels biting bugs.
“To wear in the backyard swimming pool or to a local park, natural repellents work just fine,” says Alfred Scott Lea, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Texas’ Institute of Tropical Medicine in Galveston.
However, they may not be as effective in tropical countries where malaria and dengue fever are problems.
In those cases, “stick with a DEET-based repellent, which offers longer-lasting protection than natural insect repellents,” says Frederick Schaffer, M.D., a Charleston, S.C.-based allergist and immunologist and chief medical officer of United Allergy Labs, a San Antonio-based pharmaceutical company.
Most plant-based insect repellents haven’t undergone the safety testing that DEET-based repellents have, but are deemed safe because they’ve been around a long time, according to a 2011 study of plant-based insect repellents conducted at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania.
“Natural insect repellents are based on a variety of plant-based ingredients, such as oil of lemon eucalyptus, citronella, soybeans, Neem [tree] oil and even wild tomatoes,” says Jeffrey Band, M.D., an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and chief of infectious diseases at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., and director of the hospital’s Interhealth: Health Care for International Travelers.
Natural insect repellents can cost slightly more than those with DEET. For example, OFF Smooth and Dry Insect Repellent costs $4.79 for 4 ounces, while 4 ounces of Repel, which contains oil of lemon eucalyptus, is $5.99.
But if you’re not fond of chemicals, they’re worth considering. Read on to learn how to choose a natural insect repellent that discourages mosquitoes, ticks, flies, gnats and other pests.
Natural Insect Repellent #1: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Oil of lemon eucalyptus, which comes from leaves and twigs of an Australian tree, repels mosquitoes, ticks and flies.
“It’s the only plant-based insect repellent recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) if you’re traveling to an area where malaria and yellow fever are primary concerns,” Band says.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus and PMD, or para-Menthane-3,8-diol, its synthesized version, masks more than 340 different scents given off by human skin that insects use to locate targets, according to the Agricultural Research Service, the chief scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
PMD “provided high protection from a broad range of insects,” including mosquitoes that carry malaria and yellow fever, the London School study found.
In the study, Repel’s Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent provided 120 minutes of mosquito protection, while a repellent with 4.75% DEET (Off Skintastic for Kids) provided only 88 minutes of protection.
But before buying PMD, be careful: It’s easy to confuse oil of lemon eucalyptus with essential oil of lemon eucalyptus, which isn’t approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an insect repellent. The essential oil provides only an hour of protection and isn’t recommended for use in disease-endemic countries, Lea says.
Available in: Lotions, gels, sprays and towelette wipes
Look for: Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
Apply: Every 4-6 hours
Pros:
Long-lasting and effective against malaria and yellow fever
Won’t stain or melt synthetic fabrics
Cons:
Has a strong, distinctive odor that people love or hate
May irritate skin if applied more than twice a day, according to the EPA
Don’t use on children under 3, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises
Natural Insect Repellent #2: Soybean oil
Soybean oil is an effective repellent when combined with certain essential oils, like coconut and geranium, and other ingredients, such as glycerin, lecithin and vanillin. It repels mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks, midges and flies, which are disgusted by its smell.
A soybean oil “cocktail” can repel mosquitoes for up to seven hours and keep ticks at bay for two hours, the 2011 London School study found.
It also works for kids, according to a 2002 study by Chapel Hill Dermatology in North Carolina and the University of Florida. Researchers found that the soybean-based insect repellent BiteBlocker for Kids was more effective at repelling mosquitoes than a DEET-based insect repellent for children (which contains a lower concentration of the chemical).
In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ranked BiteBlocker the second-best natural insect repellent after Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent in a 2002.
Available in: Sprays and lotions
Look for: BiteBlocker (contains geranium, soybean and coconut oils); Buzz Away Extreme (soybean oil and a blend of essential oils)
Reapply: Every 3.5 hours
Pros:
Waterproof and sweat-proof
Won't stain or damage fabrics and can be applied to clothing for added protection
Cons:
Not EPA-approved
Natural Insect Repellent #3: Citronella oil
Citronella is one of the oldest and most widely used plant-based insect repellents. Derived from dried cultivated grasses, its strong smell repels mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks, midges and flies by masking the smell of human skin with a scent that is also unappealing to pests.
Available in: Sprays, lotions and oils
Look for: California Baby Citronella Bug Spray; Citronella Oil by Triple J Insect Repellent
Apply: At least every 2 hours
Pros:
As effective as DEET
Has a 50-year safety record, says the CDC
EPA-approved
Cons:
Evaporates quickly and must be reapplied often, London School researchers say
Strong odor may be offensive to some people
May irritate sensitive skin if applied more than twice daily, the EPA says
May stain some fabrics
Not recommended for children under 6 months old unless directed by a physician, the EPA says
Natural Insect Repellent #4: Neem oil
Neem oil, extracted from the seeds of the Indian Neem tree, is a well-documented “antifeeding” ingredient that disrupts molting and reproductive cycles of mosquitoes, head lice and fleas. Because the insects can’t feed or reproduce, they take off.
Unfortunately, there's not enough conclusive research as to whether or not Neem oil is an effective natural insect repellent.
Neem oil offered eight hours of protection from mosquitoes, according to a 2003 study conducted at Venezuela’s Instituto de Salud Publica, which recommended its use in countries with malaria and yellow fever.
Available in: Oils, lotions and sprays
Look for: Organix South Herbal Outdoor Spray Neem Protection; Natural Insect Repellent Pest-Off Body Oil with Neem Oil; Ark Naturals Neem Protect Spray.
Apply: Every 2-4 hours
Pros:
Neem oil is a common ingredient in skin moisturizers and soaps, according to the EPA (bonus!).
Because it’s a skin lubricant, it doesn’t need to be washed off after use, as other repellents do.
Cons:
Strong nutty or garlic scent that offends some people
Not waterproof and must be reapplied after swimming, rigorous exercise and sweating
Not EPA-approved
Not recommended for use in countries where insect-borne diseases are prevalent.
Natural Insect Repellent #5: BioUD (wild tomato)
This natural insect repellent is made with 2-undecanone, a substance derived from wild tomatoes, Lea says.
BioUD products offered the same protection as insect repellents with 98% DEET (among the most potent repellents on the market today) or 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to a 2009 North Carolina State University study. It kept mosquitoes away for 4.5 hours and ticks up to two hours.
Available in: Sprays and lotions
Look for: BioUD Insect & Tick Repellent Lotion 3.5 oz
Apply: Every two hours for ticks and every 4.5 hours for mosquitoes
Pros:
EPA-approved
Won’t damage synthetic fabrics
Cons:
“Not everyone likes the smell,” Lea says of undecanone, which has been likened to fruit, perfume and overheated plastic.
Not waterproof, so you need to reapply it after swimming, rigorous exercise and sweating.
Natural Insect Repellent #6: Essential oils
For short-term protection against biting pests in the U.S. and Western countries, where malaria and yellow fever aren’t endemic, some essential oils may offer short-term relief against biting bugs, reports the London School study.
“You may have to reapply essential oils more frequently than chemical-based ones, but they’re very powerful against mosquitoes, flies and ticks, smell nice and aren’t toxic to you or the environment,” says Reese Halter, Ph.D., a biologist, research scientist and professor of environmental sciences at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
The best essential oils for repelling insects include thyme, geraniol, peppermint, cedar, patchouli and clove, says the 2011 London study.
Clove oil is the clear winner, providing 100% protection for two to four hours, according to a 2005 study by Mahidol University in Bangkok on the bug-repelling efficacy of 38 essential oils. For maximum protection, consider using clove oil alone or with other oils.
“You can create your own natural insect repellent from essential cedar, rose, geranium or clove oils,” says Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., a Hawaii-based naturopath and physician who specializes in alternative medicine.
Here’s her recipe: Combine 10 to 25 drops of essential oil(s) with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sunflower oil or another vegetable oil, Halter says.
Available in: Oils only
Look for: Organic Infusions; iHerb; Young Living oils
Apply: Every two hours or more.
Pros:
Pleasant smell
Customizable to your preference
Cons:
Essential oils (except citronella) are not EPA-approved
Evaporate quickly and require continual reapplication
Not for use in countries where insect-borne disease is endemic
May stain clothing
May cause skin irritation, especially when skin is exposed to direct sunlight, according to the London School study
Ward off bugs safely
Many plant-based insect repellents can be toxic if not applied correctly, the London School says.
The CDC offers these application tips:
Choose repellents with around 30% active ingredients. Products with less than 10% may protect only for an hour. Those with 50% don’t offer much more protection.
Apply repellent only to exposed skin and never under clothing because it increases the risk of skin irritation. Instead, tuck pant legs into socks and wear long sleeves, Lea advises.
Don’t put on cuts, wounds or rashes, because bug sprays can worsen the irritation.
Don’t apply near eyes or mouth and use sparingly around ears.
Don’t spray directly on the face. Instead, apply on hands first and then rub on your face.
Wash hands after application to avoid accidental exposure to eyes.
Never let children apply insect repellent themselves. Instead, put some on your hands first and then gently spread on exposed skin, avoiding their hands, which often go into mouths.
Use just a thin layer of repellent to cover exposed skin. More isn’t necessarily better. If the insects are still biting you, apply more repellent.
After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
If you experience a rash, itching, swelling or other side effects, wash off repellent with mild soap and water and discontinue use.
What's Your Allergy IQ?
Ignorance may be bliss, but not when it comes to a stuffy, sneezy, scratchy problem like allergies. Maybe you suffer from seasonal allergies. Or perhaps the bed bugs really are biting. Do you know what’s making you itch?
Bug sprays can be a lifesaver in the summer. Their strong chemical odors and oily films repel biting insects – and people too!
But you can stay bite-free without unpleasant odor and sensation. Consider natural plant-based insect repellents instead. In many cases, they’re as effective as products with the chemical DEET, or diethyltoluamide, an oily fluid that repels biting bugs.
“To wear in the backyard swimming pool or to a local park, natural repellents work just fine,” says Alfred Scott Lea, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Texas’ Institute of Tropical Medicine in Galveston.
However, they may not be as effective in tropical countries where malaria and dengue fever are problems.
In those cases, “stick with a DEET-based repellent, which offers longer-lasting protection than natural insect repellents,” says Frederick Schaffer, M.D., a Charleston, S.C.-based allergist and immunologist and chief medical officer of United Allergy Labs, a San Antonio-based pharmaceutical company.
Most plant-based insect repellents haven’t undergone the safety testing that DEET-based repellents have, but are deemed safe because they’ve been around a long time, according to a 2011 study of plant-based insect repellents conducted at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania.
“Natural insect repellents are based on a variety of plant-based ingredients, such as oil of lemon eucalyptus, citronella, soybeans, Neem [tree] oil and even wild tomatoes,” says Jeffrey Band, M.D., an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and chief of infectious diseases at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., and director of the hospital’s Interhealth: Health Care for International Travelers.
Natural insect repellents can cost slightly more than those with DEET. For example, OFF Smooth and Dry Insect Repellent costs $4.79 for 4 ounces, while 4 ounces of Repel, which contains oil of lemon eucalyptus, is $5.99.
But if you’re not fond of chemicals, they’re worth considering. Read on to learn how to choose a natural insect repellent that discourages mosquitoes, ticks, flies, gnats and other pests.
Natural Insect Repellent #1: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Oil of lemon eucalyptus, which comes from leaves and twigs of an Australian tree, repels mosquitoes, ticks and flies.
“It’s the only plant-based insect repellent recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) if you’re traveling to an area where malaria and yellow fever are primary concerns,” Band says.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus and PMD, or para-Menthane-3,8-diol, its synthesized version, masks more than 340 different scents given off by human skin that insects use to locate targets, according to the Agricultural Research Service, the chief scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
PMD “provided high protection from a broad range of insects,” including mosquitoes that carry malaria and yellow fever, the London School study found.
In the study, Repel’s Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent provided 120 minutes of mosquito protection, while a repellent with 4.75% DEET (Off Skintastic for Kids) provided only 88 minutes of protection.
But before buying PMD, be careful: It’s easy to confuse oil of lemon eucalyptus with essential oil of lemon eucalyptus, which isn’t approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an insect repellent. The essential oil provides only an hour of protection and isn’t recommended for use in disease-endemic countries, Lea says.
Available in: Lotions, gels, sprays and towelette wipes
Look for: Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
Apply: Every 4-6 hours
Pros:
Long-lasting and effective against malaria and yellow fever
Won’t stain or melt synthetic fabrics
Cons:
Has a strong, distinctive odor that people love or hate
May irritate skin if applied more than twice a day, according to the EPA
Don’t use on children under 3, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises
Natural Insect Repellent #2: Soybean oil
Soybean oil is an effective repellent when combined with certain essential oils, like coconut and geranium, and other ingredients, such as glycerin, lecithin and vanillin. It repels mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks, midges and flies, which are disgusted by its smell.
A soybean oil “cocktail” can repel mosquitoes for up to seven hours and keep ticks at bay for two hours, the 2011 London School study found.
It also works for kids, according to a 2002 study by Chapel Hill Dermatology in North Carolina and the University of Florida. Researchers found that the soybean-based insect repellent BiteBlocker for Kids was more effective at repelling mosquitoes than a DEET-based insect repellent for children (which contains a lower concentration of the chemical).
In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ranked BiteBlocker the second-best natural insect repellent after Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent in a 2002.
Available in: Sprays and lotions
Look for: BiteBlocker (contains geranium, soybean and coconut oils); Buzz Away Extreme (soybean oil and a blend of essential oils)
Reapply: Every 3.5 hours
Pros:
Waterproof and sweat-proof
Won't stain or damage fabrics and can be applied to clothing for added protection
Cons:
Not EPA-approved
Natural Insect Repellent #3: Citronella oil
Citronella is one of the oldest and most widely used plant-based insect repellents. Derived from dried cultivated grasses, its strong smell repels mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks, midges and flies by masking the smell of human skin with a scent that is also unappealing to pests.
Available in: Sprays, lotions and oils
Look for: California Baby Citronella Bug Spray; Citronella Oil by Triple J Insect Repellent
Apply: At least every 2 hours
Pros:
As effective as DEET
Has a 50-year safety record, says the CDC
EPA-approved
Cons:
Evaporates quickly and must be reapplied often, London School researchers say
Strong odor may be offensive to some people
May irritate sensitive skin if applied more than twice daily, the EPA says
May stain some fabrics
Not recommended for children under 6 months old unless directed by a physician, the EPA says
Natural Insect Repellent #4: Neem oil
Neem oil, extracted from the seeds of the Indian Neem tree, is a well-documented “antifeeding” ingredient that disrupts molting and reproductive cycles of mosquitoes, head lice and fleas. Because the insects can’t feed or reproduce, they take off.
Unfortunately, there's not enough conclusive research as to whether or not Neem oil is an effective natural insect repellent.
Neem oil offered eight hours of protection from mosquitoes, according to a 2003 study conducted at Venezuela’s Instituto de Salud Publica, which recommended its use in countries with malaria and yellow fever.
Available in: Oils, lotions and sprays
Look for: Organix South Herbal Outdoor Spray Neem Protection; Natural Insect Repellent Pest-Off Body Oil with Neem Oil; Ark Naturals Neem Protect Spray.
Apply: Every 2-4 hours
Pros:
Neem oil is a common ingredient in skin moisturizers and soaps, according to the EPA (bonus!).
Because it’s a skin lubricant, it doesn’t need to be washed off after use, as other repellents do.
Cons:
Strong nutty or garlic scent that offends some people
Not waterproof and must be reapplied after swimming, rigorous exercise and sweating
Not EPA-approved
Not recommended for use in countries where insect-borne diseases are prevalent.
Natural Insect Repellent #5: BioUD (wild tomato)
This natural insect repellent is made with 2-undecanone, a substance derived from wild tomatoes, Lea says.
BioUD products offered the same protection as insect repellents with 98% DEET (among the most potent repellents on the market today) or 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to a 2009 North Carolina State University study. It kept mosquitoes away for 4.5 hours and ticks up to two hours.
Available in: Sprays and lotions
Look for: BioUD Insect & Tick Repellent Lotion 3.5 oz
Apply: Every two hours for ticks and every 4.5 hours for mosquitoes
Pros:
EPA-approved
Won’t damage synthetic fabrics
Cons:
“Not everyone likes the smell,” Lea says of undecanone, which has been likened to fruit, perfume and overheated plastic.
Not waterproof, so you need to reapply it after swimming, rigorous exercise and sweating.
Natural Insect Repellent #6: Essential oils
For short-term protection against biting pests in the U.S. and Western countries, where malaria and yellow fever aren’t endemic, some essential oils may offer short-term relief against biting bugs, reports the London School study.
“You may have to reapply essential oils more frequently than chemical-based ones, but they’re very powerful against mosquitoes, flies and ticks, smell nice and aren’t toxic to you or the environment,” says Reese Halter, Ph.D., a biologist, research scientist and professor of environmental sciences at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
The best essential oils for repelling insects include thyme, geraniol, peppermint, cedar, patchouli and clove, says the 2011 London study.
Clove oil is the clear winner, providing 100% protection for two to four hours, according to a 2005 study by Mahidol University in Bangkok on the bug-repelling efficacy of 38 essential oils. For maximum protection, consider using clove oil alone or with other oils.
“You can create your own natural insect repellent from essential cedar, rose, geranium or clove oils,” says Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., a Hawaii-based naturopath and physician who specializes in alternative medicine.
Here’s her recipe: Combine 10 to 25 drops of essential oil(s) with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sunflower oil or another vegetable oil, Halter says.
Available in: Oils only
Look for: Organic Infusions; iHerb; Young Living oils
Apply: Every two hours or more.
Pros:
Pleasant smell
Customizable to your preference
Cons:
Essential oils (except citronella) are not EPA-approved
Evaporate quickly and require continual reapplication
Not for use in countries where insect-borne disease is endemic
May stain clothing
May cause skin irritation, especially when skin is exposed to direct sunlight, according to the London School study
Ward off bugs safely
Many plant-based insect repellents can be toxic if not applied correctly, the London School says.
The CDC offers these application tips:
Choose repellents with around 30% active ingredients. Products with less than 10% may protect only for an hour. Those with 50% don’t offer much more protection.
Apply repellent only to exposed skin and never under clothing because it increases the risk of skin irritation. Instead, tuck pant legs into socks and wear long sleeves, Lea advises.
Don’t put on cuts, wounds or rashes, because bug sprays can worsen the irritation.
Don’t apply near eyes or mouth and use sparingly around ears.
Don’t spray directly on the face. Instead, apply on hands first and then rub on your face.
Wash hands after application to avoid accidental exposure to eyes.
Never let children apply insect repellent themselves. Instead, put some on your hands first and then gently spread on exposed skin, avoiding their hands, which often go into mouths.
Use just a thin layer of repellent to cover exposed skin. More isn’t necessarily better. If the insects are still biting you, apply more repellent.
After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
If you experience a rash, itching, swelling or other side effects, wash off repellent with mild soap and water and discontinue use.
What's Your Allergy IQ?
Ignorance may be bliss, but not when it comes to a stuffy, sneezy, scratchy problem like allergies. Maybe you suffer from seasonal allergies. Or perhaps the bed bugs really are biting. Do you know what’s making you itch?
Saturday, July 30, 2011
THOUGHT FOR TODAY...
Learn to hear what your inner voice is telling you, and your whole world changes.
FUN FACTS
* An earthquake on Dec. 16, 1811 caused parts of the Mississippi River to flow backwards. *
* The warmest temperature ever recorded on Antarctica was 3 degrees F. *
* The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% the world's oxygen supply.*
* If Manhattan had the same population density as Alaska, there would only be 15 people living there. *
* The names of the continents all end with the same letter with which they start, excluding the North and South infront of AmericA. *
* There are more than 50,000 earthquakes throughout the world every year!*
* The warmest temperature ever recorded on Antarctica was 3 degrees F. *
* The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% the world's oxygen supply.*
* If Manhattan had the same population density as Alaska, there would only be 15 people living there. *
* The names of the continents all end with the same letter with which they start, excluding the North and South infront of AmericA. *
* There are more than 50,000 earthquakes throughout the world every year!*
Nutrition Facts for Apricots
These sunny fruits are among the most favorite and most healthy foods of modern healthy life-style followers. Health benefits of apricots include numerous therapeutic properties of this natural remedy, such as its ability to treat constipation, various skin problems, strained muscles, earache, indigestion and many more. Apricots are rich in Vitamins A, B2, B3 and C, as well as with useful natural sugars.
Your Daily Recipe!
Apricot Stuffed Pork
INGREDIENTS:
>8 cloves, garlic
>10 apricot halves
>5 1/2 boneless pork shoulder roast
>Salt
>Freshly ground black pepper
>Crushed red pepper
>3 tablespoon(s) mirin (sweet rice wine) or sweet sherry
>2 tablespoon(s) soy sauce
>2 tablespoon(s) agave
>2 tablespoon(s) Dijon mustard
>2 tablespoon(s) toasted sesame oil
Your Daily Recipe!
Apricot Stuffed Pork
INGREDIENTS:
>8 cloves, garlic
>10 apricot halves
>5 1/2 boneless pork shoulder roast
>Salt
>Freshly ground black pepper
>Crushed red pepper
>3 tablespoon(s) mirin (sweet rice wine) or sweet sherry
>2 tablespoon(s) soy sauce
>2 tablespoon(s) agave
>2 tablespoon(s) Dijon mustard
>2 tablespoon(s) toasted sesame oil
Is Your Smartphone Taxing Your Eyes?
If you’re a smartphone user, chances are you already know what a recent study found: The tiny letter size is straining your eyes and giving you headaches.
Research appearing in the July issue of Optometry and Vision Science found that people using smartphones to browse the Internet and read text messages hold the devices closer to their eyes than they do when they read a book or newspaper. The effect? Device users’ eyes are having to work harder, HealthDay reports.
"The fact that people are holding the devices at close distances means that the eyes have to work that much harder to focus on the print and to have their eyes pointed in right direction," study co-author Dr. Mark Rosenfield, a professor at the SUNY State College of Optometry in New York City, tells HealthDay. "The fact that the eyes are having to work harder means that people may get symptoms such as headaches and eye strain."
The study involved experiments in which participants were asked to read text messages and Web pages using their smartphones. Researchers measured the distance between participants’ eyes and their devices, and measured font size.
Participants writing or sending text messages held their phones about 14 inches away on average, with some holding them as near as seven inches. Researchers note that the average reading distance for books, newspapers, and magazines is about 16 inches.
Eye experts concluded that considering the popularity of smartphones, people’s vision should be tested at closer distances, and device users should increase the font size.
-----------------------------------------------------
THURSDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- People reading text messages or browsing the Internet on their smartphones tend to hold the devices closer than they would a book or newspaper, forcing their eyes to work harder than usual, new research shows.
This closer distance -- plus the often tiny font sizes on smartphones -- could put added strain on people who already wear glasses or contact lenses, according to the study, which appears in the July issue of Optometry and Vision Science.
"The fact that people are holding the devices at close distances means that the eyes have to work that much harder to focus on the print and to have their eyes pointed in right direction," said study co-author Dr. Mark Rosenfield, a professor at the SUNY State College of Optometry in New York City. "The fact that the eyes are having to work harder means that people may get symptoms such as headaches and eye strain."
Texting and browsing the Web on smartphones can also result in dry eye, discomfort and blurred vision after prolonged use, the study authors point out. Previous studies have also found that up to 90 percent of people who use computers experience eye problems.
Rosenfield got the idea for the study while commuting to work on the train and noticing that people using smartphones seemed to be holding them very close to their eyes.
Given that more and more adults and children are using smartphones to write and receive messages or look up restaurant reviews, it made sense to measure exactly how close people were holding their phones.
The experiments were relatively simple ones. In the first, about 130 volunteers with an average age of 23.2 years were asked to hold their smartphone while reading an actual text message.
In a different experiment, 100 participants, whose average age 24.9, were next asked to hold their smartphone when reading a web page.
The researchers then measured the distance between the device and the eyes as well as the font size.
When reading printed text in newspapers, books and magazines, the average working distance is close to 16 inches from the eyes, but the study volunteers writing or sending text messages held their phones, on average, only about 14 inches away. In some people, it was as close as 7 inches, Rosenfield said.
When viewing a web page, the average working distance was 12.6 inches.
The font on text messages tended to be slightly larger (about 10 percent, on average) than newspaper print, but web-page font was only 80 percent the size of newspaper print and, in some cases, as small as 30 percent, Rosenfield said.
The findings hold messages for doctors and smartphone-users alike.
Given the ubiquitousness of these handheld devices, eye doctors might consider testing people's vision at closer distances and prescribing glasses for closer distances.
But there's a simple way for smartphone addicts to minimize eye strain: Increase the font size on your device, advised Dr. Scott MacRae, a professor of ophthalmology and of visual science at the University of Rochester Medical Center and an eye surgeon.
This is especially important for sustained reading, like reading a book on Kindle, he noted.
Font size on an e-book reader is usually pretty easy to do. For other handheld devices," MacRae said, "the problem is to figure out how to do it."
If you're a regular computer user, try using Verdana 12-point font, the only font designed specifically for computers, MacRae said.
The authors are now also assessing Kindles and IPads, but those results haven't been published.
More information
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has more on how to keep your eyes healthy.
SOURCES: Mark Rosenfield, D.O., Ph.D., professor, SUNY State College of Optometry, New York City; Scott MacRae, M.D., professor of ophthalmology and of visual science, University of Rochester Medical Center and refractory surgeon; July 2011 Optometry and Vision Science
Last Updated: July 22, 2011
Research appearing in the July issue of Optometry and Vision Science found that people using smartphones to browse the Internet and read text messages hold the devices closer to their eyes than they do when they read a book or newspaper. The effect? Device users’ eyes are having to work harder, HealthDay reports.
"The fact that people are holding the devices at close distances means that the eyes have to work that much harder to focus on the print and to have their eyes pointed in right direction," study co-author Dr. Mark Rosenfield, a professor at the SUNY State College of Optometry in New York City, tells HealthDay. "The fact that the eyes are having to work harder means that people may get symptoms such as headaches and eye strain."
The study involved experiments in which participants were asked to read text messages and Web pages using their smartphones. Researchers measured the distance between participants’ eyes and their devices, and measured font size.
Participants writing or sending text messages held their phones about 14 inches away on average, with some holding them as near as seven inches. Researchers note that the average reading distance for books, newspapers, and magazines is about 16 inches.
Eye experts concluded that considering the popularity of smartphones, people’s vision should be tested at closer distances, and device users should increase the font size.
-----------------------------------------------------
THURSDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- People reading text messages or browsing the Internet on their smartphones tend to hold the devices closer than they would a book or newspaper, forcing their eyes to work harder than usual, new research shows.
This closer distance -- plus the often tiny font sizes on smartphones -- could put added strain on people who already wear glasses or contact lenses, according to the study, which appears in the July issue of Optometry and Vision Science.
"The fact that people are holding the devices at close distances means that the eyes have to work that much harder to focus on the print and to have their eyes pointed in right direction," said study co-author Dr. Mark Rosenfield, a professor at the SUNY State College of Optometry in New York City. "The fact that the eyes are having to work harder means that people may get symptoms such as headaches and eye strain."
Texting and browsing the Web on smartphones can also result in dry eye, discomfort and blurred vision after prolonged use, the study authors point out. Previous studies have also found that up to 90 percent of people who use computers experience eye problems.
Rosenfield got the idea for the study while commuting to work on the train and noticing that people using smartphones seemed to be holding them very close to their eyes.
Given that more and more adults and children are using smartphones to write and receive messages or look up restaurant reviews, it made sense to measure exactly how close people were holding their phones.
The experiments were relatively simple ones. In the first, about 130 volunteers with an average age of 23.2 years were asked to hold their smartphone while reading an actual text message.
In a different experiment, 100 participants, whose average age 24.9, were next asked to hold their smartphone when reading a web page.
The researchers then measured the distance between the device and the eyes as well as the font size.
When reading printed text in newspapers, books and magazines, the average working distance is close to 16 inches from the eyes, but the study volunteers writing or sending text messages held their phones, on average, only about 14 inches away. In some people, it was as close as 7 inches, Rosenfield said.
When viewing a web page, the average working distance was 12.6 inches.
The font on text messages tended to be slightly larger (about 10 percent, on average) than newspaper print, but web-page font was only 80 percent the size of newspaper print and, in some cases, as small as 30 percent, Rosenfield said.
The findings hold messages for doctors and smartphone-users alike.
Given the ubiquitousness of these handheld devices, eye doctors might consider testing people's vision at closer distances and prescribing glasses for closer distances.
But there's a simple way for smartphone addicts to minimize eye strain: Increase the font size on your device, advised Dr. Scott MacRae, a professor of ophthalmology and of visual science at the University of Rochester Medical Center and an eye surgeon.
This is especially important for sustained reading, like reading a book on Kindle, he noted.
Font size on an e-book reader is usually pretty easy to do. For other handheld devices," MacRae said, "the problem is to figure out how to do it."
If you're a regular computer user, try using Verdana 12-point font, the only font designed specifically for computers, MacRae said.
The authors are now also assessing Kindles and IPads, but those results haven't been published.
More information
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has more on how to keep your eyes healthy.
SOURCES: Mark Rosenfield, D.O., Ph.D., professor, SUNY State College of Optometry, New York City; Scott MacRae, M.D., professor of ophthalmology and of visual science, University of Rochester Medical Center and refractory surgeon; July 2011 Optometry and Vision Science
Last Updated: July 22, 2011
Dizziness after concussion may mean longer recovery
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - It might make sense to pay particular attention to dizziness in young football players who suffer a blow to the head, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that of 107 high school football players who'd suffered a concussion on the field, those whose injury had immediately triggered dizziness were at greater risk of a prolonged recovery.
Of the 87 who'd had dizziness, 34 -- or 39 percent -- needed three weeks or more to get the medical OK to return to the sport. And their odds of a long recovery were seven times higher versus players who had not suffered dizziness.
"We believe that dizziness is an important factor in length of recovery," lead researcher Dr. Brian C. Lau, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, told Reuters Health by email.
He said that's largely because dizziness serves as a "proxy" for various problems that a head injury can cause -- such as difficulty with balance, spatial orientation and cognition (feeling like your brain is "foggy").
The study comes amid increased attention to concussions among high school athletes. One recent report found that such injuries have quadrupled in the past decade, with football players most likely to suffer them (see Reuters Health report, February 25, 2011).
If a person still recovering from a concussion suffers a repeat blow to the head, the effects can be serious -- including the so-called "second-impact syndrome," which can cause potentially fatal bleeding inside the skull and brain swelling.
Experts recommend that young athletes with a possible concussion be assessed right away on the field by an athletic trainer. And those later diagnosed with a concussion should wait for a doctor's OK before returning to play.
Yet athletes can feel pressure to return too quickly, Lau pointed out.
"If we can better predict which athletes will require a longer recovery time," he said, "we may be able to establish guidelines to mitigate the pressure to return quickly."
The current findings, published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, are based on 107 Pennsylvania high school football players who sustained a concussion on the field. All had their immediate symptoms evaluated by an athletic trainer or team doctor.
Those symptoms ran the gamut from headache, dizziness and vision and balance problems, to fatigue, confusion, amnesia and personality changes.
But overall, dizziness was the only symptom linked to the odds of a prolonged recovery (three weeks or more).
In all, 36 players had a prolonged recovery, nearly all of whom had dizziness as an initial symptom. Another 62 had a "rapid" recovery of one week or less.
It was surprising that no symptom other than dizziness was related to the odds of a long recovery, according to the researchers.
And Lau said that finding should be interpreted cautiously. More studies are needed, he said, to rule out a link between other concussion symptoms and recovery time -- and to verify that dizziness is, in fact, a good predictor of recovery speed.
He also pointed out that this study was limited to male high school football players. So the findings may not necessarily apply to all athletes.
For now, Lau advised that young athletes and parents not "ignore" any of the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and instead see a doctor.
"You are doing yourself and your team better by taking the time to fully recover," he said.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/okHat9 American Journal of Sports Medicine, online June 28, 2011.
Researchers found that of 107 high school football players who'd suffered a concussion on the field, those whose injury had immediately triggered dizziness were at greater risk of a prolonged recovery.
Of the 87 who'd had dizziness, 34 -- or 39 percent -- needed three weeks or more to get the medical OK to return to the sport. And their odds of a long recovery were seven times higher versus players who had not suffered dizziness.
"We believe that dizziness is an important factor in length of recovery," lead researcher Dr. Brian C. Lau, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, told Reuters Health by email.
He said that's largely because dizziness serves as a "proxy" for various problems that a head injury can cause -- such as difficulty with balance, spatial orientation and cognition (feeling like your brain is "foggy").
The study comes amid increased attention to concussions among high school athletes. One recent report found that such injuries have quadrupled in the past decade, with football players most likely to suffer them (see Reuters Health report, February 25, 2011).
If a person still recovering from a concussion suffers a repeat blow to the head, the effects can be serious -- including the so-called "second-impact syndrome," which can cause potentially fatal bleeding inside the skull and brain swelling.
Experts recommend that young athletes with a possible concussion be assessed right away on the field by an athletic trainer. And those later diagnosed with a concussion should wait for a doctor's OK before returning to play.
Yet athletes can feel pressure to return too quickly, Lau pointed out.
"If we can better predict which athletes will require a longer recovery time," he said, "we may be able to establish guidelines to mitigate the pressure to return quickly."
The current findings, published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, are based on 107 Pennsylvania high school football players who sustained a concussion on the field. All had their immediate symptoms evaluated by an athletic trainer or team doctor.
Those symptoms ran the gamut from headache, dizziness and vision and balance problems, to fatigue, confusion, amnesia and personality changes.
But overall, dizziness was the only symptom linked to the odds of a prolonged recovery (three weeks or more).
In all, 36 players had a prolonged recovery, nearly all of whom had dizziness as an initial symptom. Another 62 had a "rapid" recovery of one week or less.
It was surprising that no symptom other than dizziness was related to the odds of a long recovery, according to the researchers.
And Lau said that finding should be interpreted cautiously. More studies are needed, he said, to rule out a link between other concussion symptoms and recovery time -- and to verify that dizziness is, in fact, a good predictor of recovery speed.
He also pointed out that this study was limited to male high school football players. So the findings may not necessarily apply to all athletes.
For now, Lau advised that young athletes and parents not "ignore" any of the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and instead see a doctor.
"You are doing yourself and your team better by taking the time to fully recover," he said.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/okHat9 American Journal of Sports Medicine, online June 28, 2011.
Top Mistakes People Make with Antidepressant Medication
Americans prefer medication for depression, with 80% popping a pill for the condition, according to a recent Consumer Reports poll. But using antidepressants correctly will help your recovery, according to one Harvard-trained psychiatrist. Read on for his expert advice on the top mistakes people make with antidepressant medication…
Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S., with up 118 million prescriptions are written each year. Of these, more than 10% of women older than 18 take them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But treating depression is more complicated than just swallowing a little pill every day. Mistakes and misuse of antidepressants can hamper recovery for people with depression.
To find out the top blunders to avoid, we spoke with mood-disorder expert Michael Banov, M.D., a triple-board-certified, Harvard-educated psychiatrist and author of Taking Antidepressants: Your Comprehensive Guide to Starting, Staying On, and Safely Quitting (Sunrise River Press, 2010). Banov is also director of Northwest Behavioral Medicine and Northwest Behavioral Research Center in Atlanta, Ga, which tests new drugs to treat psychiatric disorders, including depression.
In this exclusive Lifescript interview, Banov discusses how to make the most of your antidepressant. Read on for his advice.
What’s the biggest mistake people make with antidepressants?
Taking medicine too early – before you’ve tried to pull yourself out of depression with other methods, such as counseling and lifestyle changes.
Exercise, for example, boosts serotonin and endorphins, which have an antidepressant effect. It has been shown to work well for mild to moderate depression, but it’s best when done with sufficient intensity. One 2005 study showed improvement with 35 minutes of fast walking five times a week, or 60 minutes three times a week.
You can make changes to your diet too. Fast food, refined sugars, soft drinks, white bread and unrefined carbohydrates have been associated with higher rates of mood disorders. So have deficiencies in Vitamin B, magnesium and omega-3 (as found in fish).
The herbal supplement St. John’s Wort can improve mood, although it can also interfere with other medications. Talk with a doctor before trying it.
Yoga has been shown to increase GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a brain neurotransmitter that improves mood and anxiety. Other nontraditional healing practices, such as meditation and acupuncture, may work for some.
For example, women may find hormonal supplements useful during menopause. For Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), light therapy may be helpful.
And let’s not forget psychotherapy. In moderate depressions, medication and therapy can be equally effective.
Can you wait too long to get on antidepressants?
The earlier you treat depression, with medicine or not, the better. But some people get angry, confused or concerned when antidepressants are recommended.
Women tend to be resistant because they fear weight gain or loss of sexual appetite. But not all antidepressants have these side effects.
Some types of depression may not get better without drugs. You need to stop the chemical changes in the brain. Situations such as not doing well at work, a broken relationship or loss of a family member will worsen depression.
How can delaying antidepressant treatment harm us?
A potential consequence of not seeking treatment is that it can get so bad that you may end up in the hospital or hurting yourself.
Untreated depression can cause physical changes that can impact physical and mental health – including depleting brain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephine and dopamine.
People with certain types of depressions absolutely need antidepressants immediately. For example, postpartum depression that turns into psychosis (hearing and seeing things that aren’t there) is a psychiatric emergency.
With other types of depression, it’s not as clear. People with melancholic depression – where you can’t sleep, aren't eating and lose weight – tend to need drugs more than people with other forms.
Obviously, you want to make sure the medication is safe, effective and the best for you. Your doctor should be able to answer questions and explain what you need and why.
Do other illnesses mimic depression?
Yes, another mistake people make is not checking for other medical reasons [for their blues].
Anyone diagnosed with depression should have a thorough physical examination to rule out viruses, thyroid disorders, diabetes, infections, autoimmune diseases, stroke, even some cancers. All can have depression-like symptoms.
Your doctor also should review prescription medicines you’re taking, as well as over-the-counter drugs and herbal products, because some can [mimic] depression.
Should I worry about side effects?
When starting an antidepressant medication, educate yourself and be open-minded. Understand what to expect. There may be mild, short-term side effects in the first few weeks.
Some people say the antidepressant makes them too drowsy or unable to sleep, that they feel agitated or nauseous, or have headaches.
If you’re concerned about side effects, call your doctor. A lowered dose or taking the drug at a different time of day may make the experience a lot better.
Also, understand that antidepressants don’t work immediately. Some people expect them to work within days, but it can take 4-6 weeks to feel their full effect.
And if one drug doesn’t work, consider taking another. There are 30 commonly used antidepressants on the market, and none has been shown conclusively to work better than another.
Patients often ask, ‘What’s the best medication to treat my depression?’ The answer is, ‘Whatever works best for you.’
What happens if I miss doses?
If you don’t take your antidepressant medication consistently from the beginning, you won’t get a good result. Over time, your depression will get worse. People who miss doses may experience withdrawal symptoms.
If you’re not going to take your medicine or choose to stop shortly after starting, tell your doctor. He or she will address concerns and offer alternatives.
What if I continue having good and bad days?
You may be having a partial response to the drug. If you have residual symptoms, your depression is more likely to return.
Many people feel so much better with medication that they dismiss such symptoms as just having a ‘little’ trouble sleeping or a ‘slight’ energy problem.
But ignoring these symptoms is a mistake. You need to be open with your doctor about any problem.
I advise patients to keep a mood chart or diary to track feelings. There’s also a free iPhone application called “Mood Reporter.”
Write down whether you’re having a good or bad day, rates of depression and sleep [patterns]. This will help you and your doctor monitor where you are [in the recovery process].
If the first antidepressant isn’t showing the desired improvement, there may be other options. Research funded by the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) has shown that those who didn’t do well with their first drug often did better when they switched to a second one.
Do I need to see a therapist if I’m taking an antidepressant?
Not all people need therapy, but everyone should do more than just take a pill. Most often, people do best with a combination of medication and non-drug treatment, such as lifestyle changes and therapy.
If you’re in therapy, continue it. If you’re not, take care of yourself with a good diet, exercise and stress reduction.
Don’t depend on medicine alone. You may feel so much better on the drug that you feel like you’ve found the answer. But you may find the depression eventually returns and even worsens if you don’t include other forms of treatment.
I’m feeling better. Can I stop taking the antidepressant?
Don’t make that mistake. The decision to stop taking medication must be made with your doctor and under their supervision.
Even if you feel better after a few months, the rate of depression returning is very high if you stop your antidepressant before 9-12 months.
Are antidepressants addictive?
No, but you can have withdrawal symptoms. Some antidepressants need to be gradually stopped so your body can adjust.
For most people, 4-6 weeks is needed to slowly and gradually wean off an antidepressant.
How do I know if I’m ready to stop my antidepressant?
The length of time someone needs to stay on antidepressants varies widely by person. The generally recommended time for antidepressant treatment for a single depression episode is 9-12 months.
Getting on antidepressants isn’t a life sentence, but if you have chronic depression – repeated episodes – you may need to stay on maintenance medication indefinitely, often at lowered doses.
Three good reasons to discontinue medication are:
You no longer need antidepressants to stay well.
The side effects outweigh the benefits.
The drug never really helped you get better.
For more information, visit our new Depression Health Center.
How Much Do You Know About Depression?
Despite all the progress in diagnosing and treating this disease, many people still are in the dark when it comes to understanding depression. How much do you really know?
Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S., with up 118 million prescriptions are written each year. Of these, more than 10% of women older than 18 take them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But treating depression is more complicated than just swallowing a little pill every day. Mistakes and misuse of antidepressants can hamper recovery for people with depression.
To find out the top blunders to avoid, we spoke with mood-disorder expert Michael Banov, M.D., a triple-board-certified, Harvard-educated psychiatrist and author of Taking Antidepressants: Your Comprehensive Guide to Starting, Staying On, and Safely Quitting (Sunrise River Press, 2010). Banov is also director of Northwest Behavioral Medicine and Northwest Behavioral Research Center in Atlanta, Ga, which tests new drugs to treat psychiatric disorders, including depression.
In this exclusive Lifescript interview, Banov discusses how to make the most of your antidepressant. Read on for his advice.
What’s the biggest mistake people make with antidepressants?
Taking medicine too early – before you’ve tried to pull yourself out of depression with other methods, such as counseling and lifestyle changes.
Exercise, for example, boosts serotonin and endorphins, which have an antidepressant effect. It has been shown to work well for mild to moderate depression, but it’s best when done with sufficient intensity. One 2005 study showed improvement with 35 minutes of fast walking five times a week, or 60 minutes three times a week.
You can make changes to your diet too. Fast food, refined sugars, soft drinks, white bread and unrefined carbohydrates have been associated with higher rates of mood disorders. So have deficiencies in Vitamin B, magnesium and omega-3 (as found in fish).
The herbal supplement St. John’s Wort can improve mood, although it can also interfere with other medications. Talk with a doctor before trying it.
Yoga has been shown to increase GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a brain neurotransmitter that improves mood and anxiety. Other nontraditional healing practices, such as meditation and acupuncture, may work for some.
For example, women may find hormonal supplements useful during menopause. For Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), light therapy may be helpful.
And let’s not forget psychotherapy. In moderate depressions, medication and therapy can be equally effective.
Can you wait too long to get on antidepressants?
The earlier you treat depression, with medicine or not, the better. But some people get angry, confused or concerned when antidepressants are recommended.
Women tend to be resistant because they fear weight gain or loss of sexual appetite. But not all antidepressants have these side effects.
Some types of depression may not get better without drugs. You need to stop the chemical changes in the brain. Situations such as not doing well at work, a broken relationship or loss of a family member will worsen depression.
How can delaying antidepressant treatment harm us?
A potential consequence of not seeking treatment is that it can get so bad that you may end up in the hospital or hurting yourself.
Untreated depression can cause physical changes that can impact physical and mental health – including depleting brain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephine and dopamine.
People with certain types of depressions absolutely need antidepressants immediately. For example, postpartum depression that turns into psychosis (hearing and seeing things that aren’t there) is a psychiatric emergency.
With other types of depression, it’s not as clear. People with melancholic depression – where you can’t sleep, aren't eating and lose weight – tend to need drugs more than people with other forms.
Obviously, you want to make sure the medication is safe, effective and the best for you. Your doctor should be able to answer questions and explain what you need and why.
Do other illnesses mimic depression?
Yes, another mistake people make is not checking for other medical reasons [for their blues].
Anyone diagnosed with depression should have a thorough physical examination to rule out viruses, thyroid disorders, diabetes, infections, autoimmune diseases, stroke, even some cancers. All can have depression-like symptoms.
Your doctor also should review prescription medicines you’re taking, as well as over-the-counter drugs and herbal products, because some can [mimic] depression.
Should I worry about side effects?
When starting an antidepressant medication, educate yourself and be open-minded. Understand what to expect. There may be mild, short-term side effects in the first few weeks.
Some people say the antidepressant makes them too drowsy or unable to sleep, that they feel agitated or nauseous, or have headaches.
If you’re concerned about side effects, call your doctor. A lowered dose or taking the drug at a different time of day may make the experience a lot better.
Also, understand that antidepressants don’t work immediately. Some people expect them to work within days, but it can take 4-6 weeks to feel their full effect.
And if one drug doesn’t work, consider taking another. There are 30 commonly used antidepressants on the market, and none has been shown conclusively to work better than another.
Patients often ask, ‘What’s the best medication to treat my depression?’ The answer is, ‘Whatever works best for you.’
What happens if I miss doses?
If you don’t take your antidepressant medication consistently from the beginning, you won’t get a good result. Over time, your depression will get worse. People who miss doses may experience withdrawal symptoms.
If you’re not going to take your medicine or choose to stop shortly after starting, tell your doctor. He or she will address concerns and offer alternatives.
What if I continue having good and bad days?
You may be having a partial response to the drug. If you have residual symptoms, your depression is more likely to return.
Many people feel so much better with medication that they dismiss such symptoms as just having a ‘little’ trouble sleeping or a ‘slight’ energy problem.
But ignoring these symptoms is a mistake. You need to be open with your doctor about any problem.
I advise patients to keep a mood chart or diary to track feelings. There’s also a free iPhone application called “Mood Reporter.”
Write down whether you’re having a good or bad day, rates of depression and sleep [patterns]. This will help you and your doctor monitor where you are [in the recovery process].
If the first antidepressant isn’t showing the desired improvement, there may be other options. Research funded by the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) has shown that those who didn’t do well with their first drug often did better when they switched to a second one.
Do I need to see a therapist if I’m taking an antidepressant?
Not all people need therapy, but everyone should do more than just take a pill. Most often, people do best with a combination of medication and non-drug treatment, such as lifestyle changes and therapy.
If you’re in therapy, continue it. If you’re not, take care of yourself with a good diet, exercise and stress reduction.
Don’t depend on medicine alone. You may feel so much better on the drug that you feel like you’ve found the answer. But you may find the depression eventually returns and even worsens if you don’t include other forms of treatment.
I’m feeling better. Can I stop taking the antidepressant?
Don’t make that mistake. The decision to stop taking medication must be made with your doctor and under their supervision.
Even if you feel better after a few months, the rate of depression returning is very high if you stop your antidepressant before 9-12 months.
Are antidepressants addictive?
No, but you can have withdrawal symptoms. Some antidepressants need to be gradually stopped so your body can adjust.
For most people, 4-6 weeks is needed to slowly and gradually wean off an antidepressant.
How do I know if I’m ready to stop my antidepressant?
The length of time someone needs to stay on antidepressants varies widely by person. The generally recommended time for antidepressant treatment for a single depression episode is 9-12 months.
Getting on antidepressants isn’t a life sentence, but if you have chronic depression – repeated episodes – you may need to stay on maintenance medication indefinitely, often at lowered doses.
Three good reasons to discontinue medication are:
You no longer need antidepressants to stay well.
The side effects outweigh the benefits.
The drug never really helped you get better.
For more information, visit our new Depression Health Center.
How Much Do You Know About Depression?
Despite all the progress in diagnosing and treating this disease, many people still are in the dark when it comes to understanding depression. How much do you really know?
Pitfalls of Prostate Tests
Question: What can you tell me about the current methods for testing for prostate cancer?
Dr. Brownstein's Answer:
Typically, after age 50, men are advised to get a yearly rectal exam and PSA test, which assesses the level of prostate- specific antigen, an enzyme secreted by the gland. If the manual rectal exam is abnormal or the PSA level is elevated, the patient will be referred to a urologist for a further workup. Prostate cancer can only be diagnosed by a biopsy of the prostate gland. It is the reading of these tissue samples that confirms whether the patient has a malignancy.
Unfortunately, there are many pitfalls involved with prostate testing. First, the PSA level can be elevated for a number of reasons besides cancer, including prostatitis, an inflammatory condition that can cause painful and difficult urination. Second, I am not 100 percent in support of the procedure to biopsy the prostate gland. The biopsy procedure removes samples of prostate tissue. But most times this biopsy is done “blindly,” meaning the tissue is taken from random parts of the gland.
Even if certain areas of the prostate are suspected of being abnormal, the biopsy procedure is still unreliable as to whether or not the urologist will get a sample of the diseased tissue. Also, the biopsy itself has the potential to spread cancer. If the majority of prostate cancers are slow-growing — only 3 percent of affected men die from it — it’s possible that a biopsy will cause the abnormal cancerous cells to be released from the gland. And some men develop chronic inflammation of the prostate after a biopsy.
The biopsy of the prostate gland should be undertaken only after careful consideration. I am not opposed to all prostate biopsies. But I feel too many are being done in an (often) haphazard manner. I don’t think this is good medicine.
The most basic tenet of medicine is that you need an accurate diagnosis in order to formulate an effective treatment plan. This leads to the following question: If you don’t do the biopsy, how can you diagnose prostate cancer? The answer is: You can’t.
That is where the PSA test comes into play. If the PSA level is elevated, it may signal prostate cancer. So does everyone need an annual PSA test? No.
In the U.K., PSA testing is not used widely. Yet a comparison of prostate cancer incidence in the United States and the U.K. found the intensive PSA screening in the United States resulted in dramatic increases in prostate cancer incidence without a significant change in mortality between the two countries.
This would indicate that PSA screening in the United States is not giving us what we hoped it would: a decrease in the mortality rate from prostate cancer. What mass PSA screening does is create a population of men who now have to undergo painful diagnoses and treatments without evidence of these therapies changing the final outcome.
Furthermore, looking at the annual age-adjusted cancer death rates among males from 1930 to 2005 (the latest year available) shows the death rate for prostate cancer has not gone down; it has increased. That means that over the last 75 years our therapies — radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal blockade, and surgery — have been ineffective for most people.
I believe that doctors are overusing the PSA testing to diagnose a relatively common illness (prostate cancer) that has a fairly low (3 percent) mortality rate. If we had better therapies to treat the advanced disease, I would be in favor of universal PSA screening. Until that day comes, I am against it.
That is not to say the PSA test doesn’t provide useful information. It does. If the PSA level is elevated or rising at an unduly high rate, that could be a message to the patient to improve his diet, exercise, and detoxify.
Dr. Brownstein's Answer:
Typically, after age 50, men are advised to get a yearly rectal exam and PSA test, which assesses the level of prostate- specific antigen, an enzyme secreted by the gland. If the manual rectal exam is abnormal or the PSA level is elevated, the patient will be referred to a urologist for a further workup. Prostate cancer can only be diagnosed by a biopsy of the prostate gland. It is the reading of these tissue samples that confirms whether the patient has a malignancy.
Unfortunately, there are many pitfalls involved with prostate testing. First, the PSA level can be elevated for a number of reasons besides cancer, including prostatitis, an inflammatory condition that can cause painful and difficult urination. Second, I am not 100 percent in support of the procedure to biopsy the prostate gland. The biopsy procedure removes samples of prostate tissue. But most times this biopsy is done “blindly,” meaning the tissue is taken from random parts of the gland.
Even if certain areas of the prostate are suspected of being abnormal, the biopsy procedure is still unreliable as to whether or not the urologist will get a sample of the diseased tissue. Also, the biopsy itself has the potential to spread cancer. If the majority of prostate cancers are slow-growing — only 3 percent of affected men die from it — it’s possible that a biopsy will cause the abnormal cancerous cells to be released from the gland. And some men develop chronic inflammation of the prostate after a biopsy.
The biopsy of the prostate gland should be undertaken only after careful consideration. I am not opposed to all prostate biopsies. But I feel too many are being done in an (often) haphazard manner. I don’t think this is good medicine.
The most basic tenet of medicine is that you need an accurate diagnosis in order to formulate an effective treatment plan. This leads to the following question: If you don’t do the biopsy, how can you diagnose prostate cancer? The answer is: You can’t.
That is where the PSA test comes into play. If the PSA level is elevated, it may signal prostate cancer. So does everyone need an annual PSA test? No.
In the U.K., PSA testing is not used widely. Yet a comparison of prostate cancer incidence in the United States and the U.K. found the intensive PSA screening in the United States resulted in dramatic increases in prostate cancer incidence without a significant change in mortality between the two countries.
This would indicate that PSA screening in the United States is not giving us what we hoped it would: a decrease in the mortality rate from prostate cancer. What mass PSA screening does is create a population of men who now have to undergo painful diagnoses and treatments without evidence of these therapies changing the final outcome.
Furthermore, looking at the annual age-adjusted cancer death rates among males from 1930 to 2005 (the latest year available) shows the death rate for prostate cancer has not gone down; it has increased. That means that over the last 75 years our therapies — radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal blockade, and surgery — have been ineffective for most people.
I believe that doctors are overusing the PSA testing to diagnose a relatively common illness (prostate cancer) that has a fairly low (3 percent) mortality rate. If we had better therapies to treat the advanced disease, I would be in favor of universal PSA screening. Until that day comes, I am against it.
That is not to say the PSA test doesn’t provide useful information. It does. If the PSA level is elevated or rising at an unduly high rate, that could be a message to the patient to improve his diet, exercise, and detoxify.
Friday, July 29, 2011
THOUGHT FOR TODAY...
A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently invites you to grow.
FUN FACTS
* The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher. *
* If you have three quarters, four dimes and four cents, you have $1.19. But you cannot make exact change for a dollar. *
* Dolly Parton once lost a Dolly Parton Look-Alike contest. *
* The National Anthem of Greece has 158 verses. *
* The highest point in Pennsylvania is lower than the lowest point in Colorado. *
* If you have three quarters, four dimes and four cents, you have $1.19. But you cannot make exact change for a dollar. *
* Dolly Parton once lost a Dolly Parton Look-Alike contest. *
* The National Anthem of Greece has 158 verses. *
* The highest point in Pennsylvania is lower than the lowest point in Colorado. *
Vein ID Scans May Cut Medical Errors
A New York City hospital has stopped asking many patients to dig out health insurance cards and fill in endless forms, instead identifying them by scanning the unique lattice of veins in their palm.
The new biometric technology employed by New York University's Langone Medical Center was expected to speed up patient check-ins and eliminate medical errors.
Studies have shown that hospital errors are behind as many as 98,000 deaths a year in the United States.
"The primary reason we actually got into this was patient safety," Bernard Birnbaum, the center's vice dean and chief of hospital operations, said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
The system also has the benefit of not requiring the patient be conscious at the time of check-in, as is sometimes the case in emergency rooms.
"The benefits so greatly outweighed the disadvantages it was a no-brainer to implement," Birnbaum said.
The scanners are made by the technology services company Fujitsu and exploit the principle that, as with fingerprints and iris patterns, no two individuals' palm-vein configurations are quite the same.
Using near-infrared waves, an image is taken of an individual's palm veins, which software then matches with the person's medical record. The initial set-up for a new patient takes about a minute, the hospital said, while subsequent scans only take about a second.
"We can then just ask one question: Has your insurance changed?" Birnbaum said. "If 'no', you don't have to fill out a single form."
Since some 250 scanners were installed at the hospital in early June at a cost of about $200,000, more than 25,000 patients have had their palm-vein patterns registered in the system, he said.
The hospital logs about 1.7 million patient visits in a typical year and is in the process of getting as many of them as possible to agree to inclusion in the system.
Registration into the new system is optional, but less than 1 percent of patients have demurred, Birnbaum said. The palm scan does not appear in the patient's medical records, nor are the scans stored as images but instead are converted into a unique numeric code.
Although the technology has appeared at other hospitals in the United States, this is its first appearance in the Northeast region, a Fujitsu spokesman said.
Since its introduction in 2007, the technology has also been used to identify customers at ATMs in Japan, to monitor the movements of employees at firms, and to replace cash or cards in the canteens of the Pinellas County school system in Florida.
The new biometric technology employed by New York University's Langone Medical Center was expected to speed up patient check-ins and eliminate medical errors.
Studies have shown that hospital errors are behind as many as 98,000 deaths a year in the United States.
"The primary reason we actually got into this was patient safety," Bernard Birnbaum, the center's vice dean and chief of hospital operations, said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
The system also has the benefit of not requiring the patient be conscious at the time of check-in, as is sometimes the case in emergency rooms.
"The benefits so greatly outweighed the disadvantages it was a no-brainer to implement," Birnbaum said.
The scanners are made by the technology services company Fujitsu and exploit the principle that, as with fingerprints and iris patterns, no two individuals' palm-vein configurations are quite the same.
Using near-infrared waves, an image is taken of an individual's palm veins, which software then matches with the person's medical record. The initial set-up for a new patient takes about a minute, the hospital said, while subsequent scans only take about a second.
"We can then just ask one question: Has your insurance changed?" Birnbaum said. "If 'no', you don't have to fill out a single form."
Since some 250 scanners were installed at the hospital in early June at a cost of about $200,000, more than 25,000 patients have had their palm-vein patterns registered in the system, he said.
The hospital logs about 1.7 million patient visits in a typical year and is in the process of getting as many of them as possible to agree to inclusion in the system.
Registration into the new system is optional, but less than 1 percent of patients have demurred, Birnbaum said. The palm scan does not appear in the patient's medical records, nor are the scans stored as images but instead are converted into a unique numeric code.
Although the technology has appeared at other hospitals in the United States, this is its first appearance in the Northeast region, a Fujitsu spokesman said.
Since its introduction in 2007, the technology has also been used to identify customers at ATMs in Japan, to monitor the movements of employees at firms, and to replace cash or cards in the canteens of the Pinellas County school system in Florida.
Drug Triples Lung Cancer Survival
The cancer drug Tarceva (erlotinib) almost triples the survival time of lung cancer patients with almost no negative effects, says a study published in Lancet Oncology. Patients who received the drug, which is widely available, survived an average of 13.1 months before their cancer recurred compared to only 4.6 months in a group that received chemotherapy.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of the disease, and Tarceva targets a specific gene mutation — EGFR — that occurs in about 30 percent of Asian NSCLC victims and 8 percent of Caucasian patients. The mutation is also more common in women and those who have never smoked.
The randomized phase 3 trial, which was partially funded by Roche, the company that manufactures Tarceva, involved 165 patients with advanced lung cancer who had the EGFR gene mutation. They were divided into two groups and one group was given Tarceva. The other group was given up to four cycles of two chemotherapy drugs — gemcitabine and carboplatin. In addition to tripling their survival time without a recurrence of their disease, those taking Tarceva had far fewer side effects than those undergoing chemotherapy, and the numbers of patients hospitalized due to side effects were also much lower.
As a result of their study at the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital in China, the researchers recommended that Tarceva be used as the first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have the genetic mutation. Currently, the drug is approved for use in lung cancer patients who fail to respond to initial chemotherapy treatment.
“This is a very important study [because] it shows that we can identify patients with a specific genetic marker and direct specific treatment toward them,” Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Oshsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La., told HealthDay.
While other studies had hinted that Tarceva extended survival rates, this was the first study to show that patients lived for more than a year without a recurrence of their cancer.
Tarceva costs about $30,000 a month, which is approximately the same as many forms of chemotherapy.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of the disease, and Tarceva targets a specific gene mutation — EGFR — that occurs in about 30 percent of Asian NSCLC victims and 8 percent of Caucasian patients. The mutation is also more common in women and those who have never smoked.
The randomized phase 3 trial, which was partially funded by Roche, the company that manufactures Tarceva, involved 165 patients with advanced lung cancer who had the EGFR gene mutation. They were divided into two groups and one group was given Tarceva. The other group was given up to four cycles of two chemotherapy drugs — gemcitabine and carboplatin. In addition to tripling their survival time without a recurrence of their disease, those taking Tarceva had far fewer side effects than those undergoing chemotherapy, and the numbers of patients hospitalized due to side effects were also much lower.
As a result of their study at the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital in China, the researchers recommended that Tarceva be used as the first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have the genetic mutation. Currently, the drug is approved for use in lung cancer patients who fail to respond to initial chemotherapy treatment.
“This is a very important study [because] it shows that we can identify patients with a specific genetic marker and direct specific treatment toward them,” Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Oshsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La., told HealthDay.
While other studies had hinted that Tarceva extended survival rates, this was the first study to show that patients lived for more than a year without a recurrence of their cancer.
Tarceva costs about $30,000 a month, which is approximately the same as many forms of chemotherapy.
Breast cancer more lethal in blacks, reason unknown
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - It is still a mystery why black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than whites, according to a new study that shows the racial disparity can't be chalked up to obesity differences.
As a group, black women in the U.S. tend to be heavier than whites and researchers had thought that might explain why only 78 percent survive five years after diagnosis, compared to 90 percent of white women.
"This has been an important question," said Susan M. Gapstur of the American Cancer Society, who wasn't involved in the new work.
Several studies have tied obesity to poorer survival after breast cancer, but only a few small ones have tested whether that relationship varies by race.
The new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is the most detailed and well-designed so far, Gapstur told Reuters Health.
Yani Lu of City of Hope in Duarte, California, and colleagues used data collected for an earlier breast cancer study on more than 4,500 women living in major American cities.
About a third of the women were black and the rest were white, and all were between 35 and 64 years old when they were diagnosed with breast cancer.
After more than eight years, 14 percent of the white women and a quarter of the black women had died of breast cancer.
The women had been interviewed about their weight five years before their cancer diagnosis and more than twice as many black women as white were obese (27 percent versus 12 percent).
Obese white women had a 46-percent higher chance of dying of breast cancer than their normal-weight white peers and the increased risk remained after taking other diseases and education into account.
But there was no such link for blacks.
The researchers did find a hint that extra poundage might be related to cancer death in black women with advanced disease, but Gapstur said those results would need to be replicated by additional studies in other groups.
"It was surprising that this study shows a positive relationship between obesity and breast cancer mortality in white women and not in black women," she said. "It raises important questions about other possible reasons."
While there aren't any bulletproof answers yet, researchers believe differences in tumor biology as well as health care access could be at play.
Last year, for instance, one study found that black and Hispanic women wait longer to get drug treatment after breast cancer surgery than whites.
Previous research has also found that black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancers at later stages than white women.
"We don't yet have a clear picture," Gapstur said.
Still, she added, the message to black breast cancer survivors is not that they shouldn't worry about their weight.
"It is always important to maintain a healthy weight, for a variety of reasons," she told Reuters Health.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/aaGhWR Journal of Clinical Oncology, online July 25, 2011.
As a group, black women in the U.S. tend to be heavier than whites and researchers had thought that might explain why only 78 percent survive five years after diagnosis, compared to 90 percent of white women.
"This has been an important question," said Susan M. Gapstur of the American Cancer Society, who wasn't involved in the new work.
Several studies have tied obesity to poorer survival after breast cancer, but only a few small ones have tested whether that relationship varies by race.
The new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is the most detailed and well-designed so far, Gapstur told Reuters Health.
Yani Lu of City of Hope in Duarte, California, and colleagues used data collected for an earlier breast cancer study on more than 4,500 women living in major American cities.
About a third of the women were black and the rest were white, and all were between 35 and 64 years old when they were diagnosed with breast cancer.
After more than eight years, 14 percent of the white women and a quarter of the black women had died of breast cancer.
The women had been interviewed about their weight five years before their cancer diagnosis and more than twice as many black women as white were obese (27 percent versus 12 percent).
Obese white women had a 46-percent higher chance of dying of breast cancer than their normal-weight white peers and the increased risk remained after taking other diseases and education into account.
But there was no such link for blacks.
The researchers did find a hint that extra poundage might be related to cancer death in black women with advanced disease, but Gapstur said those results would need to be replicated by additional studies in other groups.
"It was surprising that this study shows a positive relationship between obesity and breast cancer mortality in white women and not in black women," she said. "It raises important questions about other possible reasons."
While there aren't any bulletproof answers yet, researchers believe differences in tumor biology as well as health care access could be at play.
Last year, for instance, one study found that black and Hispanic women wait longer to get drug treatment after breast cancer surgery than whites.
Previous research has also found that black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancers at later stages than white women.
"We don't yet have a clear picture," Gapstur said.
Still, she added, the message to black breast cancer survivors is not that they shouldn't worry about their weight.
"It is always important to maintain a healthy weight, for a variety of reasons," she told Reuters Health.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/aaGhWR Journal of Clinical Oncology, online July 25, 2011.
What's the best exercise for heart health?
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A combination of weight training and aerobic exercise might be the best prescription for overweight people at risk for diabetes and heart disease, a new study suggests.
People doing only aerobic exercise dropped weight and inches off their waistlines -- so an aerobic-only program is also a good (and less time-consuming) option, researchers said. Those in the study who just lifted weights saw very little benefit in terms of heart health, although they did gain strength.
"Aerobic plus resistance is clearly the optimal program," said Dr. Timothy Church, who studies exercise and disease at Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.
The findings, he told Reuters Health, are in line with other recent research and physical activity guidelines that suggest mixing in a little resistance training with regular aerobic exercise.
Researchers led by Lori Bateman of the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina randomly assigned 196 overweight, sedentary adults to three different exercise programs.
One group did resistance training three days a week, working out on eight different weight machines to target upper and lower body muscles. A second group did two hours of aerobic training per week on gym machines -- the equivalent of about 12 miles of walking or jogging over the course of the week. The third group was assigned to do both the weight-training and aerobic-exercise programs.
More than one quarter of the exercisers dropped out of the study during the eight-month exercise programs and some others didn't have complete before-and-after health readings for researchers to compare.
In the end, Bateman and her colleagues analyzed the pre-exercise and post-exercise status of 86 participants.
On average, people in the weight-training group who completed the exercise program gained about 1.5 pounds and added a smidgen to their waistline, without changing any of their other heart or diabetes risk factors.
Those in the aerobic group lost an average of 3 pounds and half an inch from their waists.
Study participants who did both weight and aerobic training dropped about 4 pounds and 1 waistline inch. That group also saw a decrease in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom blood pressure reading) and in a "metabolic syndrome" score that reflects combined heart and diabetes risk factors.
However, statistical analyses showed that participants doing both aerobics and weight training didn't necessarily have better outcomes than those who just did aerobic training.
The researchers said it wasn't clear if the apparent marginal benefits of the combination regimen -- the 4-pound weight loss versus 3, for instance -- were due to the effects of weight training, or just more total time in the gym.
Resistance training builds muscle and bone, which can actually add weight to the body, although it is leaner, stronger body mass.
Both the aerobic-only group and the combined-exercise group also lowered their levels of triglycerides -- a type of fat in the blood.
Church, who wasn't involved in the new study, said that the number of drop-outs made the data harder to interpret, but that the trends are consistent with what other researchers have found. Previous studies have also shown that weight training by itself has a very minimal benefit for heart health, he said.
Because aerobic exercise alone seemed to be almost as good, if not as good, as aerobic and resistance training combined, Bateman said that "when you're weighing the time commitment that you're going to spend, if your overall goal is to...improve your diabetes and heart disease risks, our study would suggest that aerobic exercise is the best way to better those outcomes."
That said, "we're not trying to send a message that resistance training is not good for things like increasing lean body mass or increasing strength," she told Reuters Health.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/on9sNn American Journal of Cardiology, online July 7, 2011.
People doing only aerobic exercise dropped weight and inches off their waistlines -- so an aerobic-only program is also a good (and less time-consuming) option, researchers said. Those in the study who just lifted weights saw very little benefit in terms of heart health, although they did gain strength.
"Aerobic plus resistance is clearly the optimal program," said Dr. Timothy Church, who studies exercise and disease at Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.
The findings, he told Reuters Health, are in line with other recent research and physical activity guidelines that suggest mixing in a little resistance training with regular aerobic exercise.
Researchers led by Lori Bateman of the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina randomly assigned 196 overweight, sedentary adults to three different exercise programs.
One group did resistance training three days a week, working out on eight different weight machines to target upper and lower body muscles. A second group did two hours of aerobic training per week on gym machines -- the equivalent of about 12 miles of walking or jogging over the course of the week. The third group was assigned to do both the weight-training and aerobic-exercise programs.
More than one quarter of the exercisers dropped out of the study during the eight-month exercise programs and some others didn't have complete before-and-after health readings for researchers to compare.
In the end, Bateman and her colleagues analyzed the pre-exercise and post-exercise status of 86 participants.
On average, people in the weight-training group who completed the exercise program gained about 1.5 pounds and added a smidgen to their waistline, without changing any of their other heart or diabetes risk factors.
Those in the aerobic group lost an average of 3 pounds and half an inch from their waists.
Study participants who did both weight and aerobic training dropped about 4 pounds and 1 waistline inch. That group also saw a decrease in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom blood pressure reading) and in a "metabolic syndrome" score that reflects combined heart and diabetes risk factors.
However, statistical analyses showed that participants doing both aerobics and weight training didn't necessarily have better outcomes than those who just did aerobic training.
The researchers said it wasn't clear if the apparent marginal benefits of the combination regimen -- the 4-pound weight loss versus 3, for instance -- were due to the effects of weight training, or just more total time in the gym.
Resistance training builds muscle and bone, which can actually add weight to the body, although it is leaner, stronger body mass.
Both the aerobic-only group and the combined-exercise group also lowered their levels of triglycerides -- a type of fat in the blood.
Church, who wasn't involved in the new study, said that the number of drop-outs made the data harder to interpret, but that the trends are consistent with what other researchers have found. Previous studies have also shown that weight training by itself has a very minimal benefit for heart health, he said.
Because aerobic exercise alone seemed to be almost as good, if not as good, as aerobic and resistance training combined, Bateman said that "when you're weighing the time commitment that you're going to spend, if your overall goal is to...improve your diabetes and heart disease risks, our study would suggest that aerobic exercise is the best way to better those outcomes."
That said, "we're not trying to send a message that resistance training is not good for things like increasing lean body mass or increasing strength," she told Reuters Health.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/on9sNn American Journal of Cardiology, online July 7, 2011.
Top 10 Foods to Fight Inflammation
A fire roars inside you and you may not even know it. What’s worse: This out-of-control inflammation may lead to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and more. But dietary changes can help tame the flame. Read on for the 10 foods to start eating today, and check out an easy meal plan to incorporate these eats into your day. Plus, what’s your food cures IQ? Take our quiz to find out...
Low-level, chronic inflammation lies so far below the skin’s surface that you can’t see it or feel it.
It’s the result of an immune system in overdrive, damaging healthy tissue and leading to chronic illnesses. Ongoing inflammation can trigger heart disease, cancer and diabetes, but it also can exacerbate asthma, acne and obesity — even ruin your mood, says California-based registered dietitian Evelyn Tribole, author of The Ultimate Omega-3 Diet (McGraw-Hill).
Within two decades, more than one-third of Americans will have an inflammatory disorder, Tribole says. And most of it stems from an unhealthy diet.
Fight Fire with Food
The typical Western diet – high in processed foods, refined starches, added sugars and animal fats and low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids – fuels inflammation, according to a 2006 paper in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
But people in Greece, Italy and France have better eating habits and less chronic disease. In those Mediterranean countries, sweets, eggs and beef don’t star on the plate as often as in the U.S.
Their diet is naturally anti-inflammatory and includes low-fat and nonfat dairy foods, olive oil, potatoes, nuts, poultry, legumes, olives and wine, says Demosthenes Panagiotakos, a leading researcher on the Mediterranean diet and associate professor of Biostatistics & Epidemiology of Nutrition at Harokopio University of Athens, Greece.
So what does this mean for us in the West? Eat like a French, Italian or Greek woman — lots of fruits, veggies, green salads and fish — and drink red wine in moderation (up to 4 ounces daily for women and 8 ounces for men).
But lettuce and green beans alone won’t do it. To get a wide variety of nutrients, including fiber, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, chow down on fruits and vegetables of all kinds and colors.
And start at breakfast. If you wait until dinner to eat the 5-9 servings (a half cup each) recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you’ll be at the table a long time.
To get started on an anti-inflammatory path, consume more foods straight from the farm, fewer processed and fried foods or those loaded with butter, and use the 10 foods below in your meals:
1. Canola oil
We eat too little omega-3 and too much omega-6 fatty acids because of corn and soybean oils in margarine, candy, crackers and processed foods. That tips the balance of compounds involved in inflammation for the worse, Tribole says.
The fatty acids compete in the body for enzymes: Omega-3 fats yield anti-inflammatory compounds; omega-6 fats give us inflammation.
“It’s like a biological game of musical chairs, where there’s always a shortage,” Tribole explains. “In the case of fatty acids, the dominant fats win the enzyme.”
Diet fix: Limit highly processed foods (always a good idea). Dress your salad and sauté your meats and veggies in omega-3 rich canola oil. Eat other plant sources of omega-3 fats including walnuts and ground flaxseed.
2. Grass-fed beef
Humans are at the top of the food chain and the diet your food eats affects your inflammation levels.
Today, most cows are fed high-calorie corn and grain – high in inflammatory omega-6 – to fatten them quickly. But the meat from leaner cattle grazing on grass have higher levels of vital nutrients — vitamin E and omega-3s.
A 2004 study from California State University, Chico examined lipid composition of 36 cattle fed on grain, grass and a combination of both. The beef from grass-fed bovines was lower in saturated fatty acids and omega 6 and 40% higher in omega-3 fatty acids.
Diet fix: It may be more expensive, but worth it for your health to dine on grass-fed beef. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends no more that 18 ounces of lean beef weekly. More than that raises your colon cancer risk. Less is probably better – maybe two portions per week – because it frees your plate for even more disease-fighting foods.
3. Oily fish
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating omega-3 rich oily fish at least twice weekly because they decrease the risk of sudden cardiac death and slow growth of arterial plaque.
Diet fix: Choose salmon, tuna, trout, herring, sardines and mackerel for the most potent, anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. But pregnant women should avoid King mackerel because of its high mercury content.
4. Nuts
Nuts have long been linked with less coronary heart disease than other high-calorie foods.
A 2005 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology of more than 6,000 people found those who ate the most nuts and seeds had the lowest levels of inflammatory markers in their blood.
The high content of the amino acid arginine may be responsible for the inflammation-soothing effect of nuts.
Diet fix: Snack on some walnuts, pistachios or almonds. But measure a one-ounce serving (about one-fourth cup) to keep calories in check.
5. Cocoa
A number of studies have shown that cocoa can reduce the risk of heart disease.
When researchers in Spain gave 42 men and women skim milk mixed with cocoa powder twice daily for four weeks, participants had lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood compared to the four-week period in which they drank plain skim milk.
Another 2006 study from the University of California, Davis showed that drinking cocoa improved blood flow and decreased lipid levels in 32 post-menopausal women.
The beneficial ingredient is flavanols, which reduce inflammation and blood clotting. Cocoa has a rich concentration of them.
Diet fix: Enjoy a cup or two of steamy hot cocoa made with real cocoa and skim or low-fat milk to hold down the calories and saturated fats. And don’t think a chocolate bar carries the same health boost; the candy is high in saturated fat.
6. Cranberries
Laboratory studies suggest that cranberries may inhibit growth and proliferation of breast, colon, lung and prostate tumors. Researchers suspect that one protective mechanism is the anti-inflammatory action of this antioxidant-packed red berry. It’s also been shown to reduce the oxidation of low-density lipo-proteins (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) levels.
Diet fix: Toss dried cranberries into a green salad or your morning bowl of oatmeal.
7. Cherries
Diet fix: Enjoy a dessert or snack of fresh cherries in season and dried all year long.
When healthy men and women supplemented their diets with sweet Bing cherries for 28 days, several blood markers of inflammation decreased, according to a 2006 study in the Journal of Nutrition.
An earlier study also suggests that cherry consumption relieves arthritis symptoms.
Laboratory studies show the anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins – compounds responsible for the cherry’s rich red color – but researchers suspect there are many more anti-inflammatory chemicals in this juicy red fruit.
8. Grapes
The antioxidant resveratrol found in the skin of grapes (and red wine and peanuts) also fights inflammation and cancer. Drinking Concord grape juice may lower inflammatory markers in the blood of people with stable coronary artery disease, according to a double-bind study published in 2004 in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
Diet fix: Keep red grapes washed and at eye level in the refrigerator. (Fruit is healthier than juice because it has more fiber and less sugar.) Put them on the homework table when your kids come home from school.
9. Apples
If an apple a day really does keep the doctor away, it might be because of its high concentration of quercetin, a flavanoid also present in onions and tea.
In a 2008 University of Michigan study of more than 8,000 American adults, researchers found a link between apples, flavanoids and quercetin and decreased inflammation.
Diet fix: Toss diced apples into chicken salad or warm your family with a baked apple and a pinch of cinnamon.
10. Broccoli
This nutritional powerhouse contains many disease fighters, including beta-carotene, vitamin C and the B vitamin folate. It also has kaempferol, another flavanoid linked to decreased inflammation.
Diet fix: Toss steamed broccoli with whole-wheat pasta and pine nuts. For even more kaempferol, pick up some kale, green beans, leeks and tea.
A Daily Anti-Inflammation Eating Plan
Can’t figure out to get all these anti-inflammatory foods into your meals? Try the menu below:
Breakfast:
Oatmeal sprinkled with dried cranberries and cinnamon
Snack:
Grapes
Lunch:
Green salad loaded with fresh veggies, including broccoli, onions, a sprinkling of walnuts or almonds and fresh-cracked pepper and an olive or canola oil dressing
Top your salad with grilled chicken
Whole-grain bread or crackers
Unsweetened tea
Snack:
Cherries, walnuts
Dinner:
Sliced fresh tomato drizzled with olive oil
Grilled salmon with rosemary
Sauteed spinach with leeks and ginger
Brown rice
Unsweetened tea
Dessert:
Apple, sliced and sprinkled with cinnamon, cooked in the microwave or baked in the oven.
What’s Your Food Cures IQ?
In her groundbreaking book Food Cures, Joy Bauer reveals the foods that manage, treat and even cure common health concerns such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and more.
Low-level, chronic inflammation lies so far below the skin’s surface that you can’t see it or feel it.
It’s the result of an immune system in overdrive, damaging healthy tissue and leading to chronic illnesses. Ongoing inflammation can trigger heart disease, cancer and diabetes, but it also can exacerbate asthma, acne and obesity — even ruin your mood, says California-based registered dietitian Evelyn Tribole, author of The Ultimate Omega-3 Diet (McGraw-Hill).
Within two decades, more than one-third of Americans will have an inflammatory disorder, Tribole says. And most of it stems from an unhealthy diet.
Fight Fire with Food
The typical Western diet – high in processed foods, refined starches, added sugars and animal fats and low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids – fuels inflammation, according to a 2006 paper in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
But people in Greece, Italy and France have better eating habits and less chronic disease. In those Mediterranean countries, sweets, eggs and beef don’t star on the plate as often as in the U.S.
Their diet is naturally anti-inflammatory and includes low-fat and nonfat dairy foods, olive oil, potatoes, nuts, poultry, legumes, olives and wine, says Demosthenes Panagiotakos, a leading researcher on the Mediterranean diet and associate professor of Biostatistics & Epidemiology of Nutrition at Harokopio University of Athens, Greece.
So what does this mean for us in the West? Eat like a French, Italian or Greek woman — lots of fruits, veggies, green salads and fish — and drink red wine in moderation (up to 4 ounces daily for women and 8 ounces for men).
But lettuce and green beans alone won’t do it. To get a wide variety of nutrients, including fiber, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, chow down on fruits and vegetables of all kinds and colors.
And start at breakfast. If you wait until dinner to eat the 5-9 servings (a half cup each) recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you’ll be at the table a long time.
To get started on an anti-inflammatory path, consume more foods straight from the farm, fewer processed and fried foods or those loaded with butter, and use the 10 foods below in your meals:
1. Canola oil
We eat too little omega-3 and too much omega-6 fatty acids because of corn and soybean oils in margarine, candy, crackers and processed foods. That tips the balance of compounds involved in inflammation for the worse, Tribole says.
The fatty acids compete in the body for enzymes: Omega-3 fats yield anti-inflammatory compounds; omega-6 fats give us inflammation.
“It’s like a biological game of musical chairs, where there’s always a shortage,” Tribole explains. “In the case of fatty acids, the dominant fats win the enzyme.”
Diet fix: Limit highly processed foods (always a good idea). Dress your salad and sauté your meats and veggies in omega-3 rich canola oil. Eat other plant sources of omega-3 fats including walnuts and ground flaxseed.
2. Grass-fed beef
Humans are at the top of the food chain and the diet your food eats affects your inflammation levels.
Today, most cows are fed high-calorie corn and grain – high in inflammatory omega-6 – to fatten them quickly. But the meat from leaner cattle grazing on grass have higher levels of vital nutrients — vitamin E and omega-3s.
A 2004 study from California State University, Chico examined lipid composition of 36 cattle fed on grain, grass and a combination of both. The beef from grass-fed bovines was lower in saturated fatty acids and omega 6 and 40% higher in omega-3 fatty acids.
Diet fix: It may be more expensive, but worth it for your health to dine on grass-fed beef. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends no more that 18 ounces of lean beef weekly. More than that raises your colon cancer risk. Less is probably better – maybe two portions per week – because it frees your plate for even more disease-fighting foods.
3. Oily fish
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating omega-3 rich oily fish at least twice weekly because they decrease the risk of sudden cardiac death and slow growth of arterial plaque.
Diet fix: Choose salmon, tuna, trout, herring, sardines and mackerel for the most potent, anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. But pregnant women should avoid King mackerel because of its high mercury content.
4. Nuts
Nuts have long been linked with less coronary heart disease than other high-calorie foods.
A 2005 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology of more than 6,000 people found those who ate the most nuts and seeds had the lowest levels of inflammatory markers in their blood.
The high content of the amino acid arginine may be responsible for the inflammation-soothing effect of nuts.
Diet fix: Snack on some walnuts, pistachios or almonds. But measure a one-ounce serving (about one-fourth cup) to keep calories in check.
5. Cocoa
A number of studies have shown that cocoa can reduce the risk of heart disease.
When researchers in Spain gave 42 men and women skim milk mixed with cocoa powder twice daily for four weeks, participants had lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood compared to the four-week period in which they drank plain skim milk.
Another 2006 study from the University of California, Davis showed that drinking cocoa improved blood flow and decreased lipid levels in 32 post-menopausal women.
The beneficial ingredient is flavanols, which reduce inflammation and blood clotting. Cocoa has a rich concentration of them.
Diet fix: Enjoy a cup or two of steamy hot cocoa made with real cocoa and skim or low-fat milk to hold down the calories and saturated fats. And don’t think a chocolate bar carries the same health boost; the candy is high in saturated fat.
6. Cranberries
Laboratory studies suggest that cranberries may inhibit growth and proliferation of breast, colon, lung and prostate tumors. Researchers suspect that one protective mechanism is the anti-inflammatory action of this antioxidant-packed red berry. It’s also been shown to reduce the oxidation of low-density lipo-proteins (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) levels.
Diet fix: Toss dried cranberries into a green salad or your morning bowl of oatmeal.
7. Cherries
Diet fix: Enjoy a dessert or snack of fresh cherries in season and dried all year long.
When healthy men and women supplemented their diets with sweet Bing cherries for 28 days, several blood markers of inflammation decreased, according to a 2006 study in the Journal of Nutrition.
An earlier study also suggests that cherry consumption relieves arthritis symptoms.
Laboratory studies show the anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins – compounds responsible for the cherry’s rich red color – but researchers suspect there are many more anti-inflammatory chemicals in this juicy red fruit.
8. Grapes
The antioxidant resveratrol found in the skin of grapes (and red wine and peanuts) also fights inflammation and cancer. Drinking Concord grape juice may lower inflammatory markers in the blood of people with stable coronary artery disease, according to a double-bind study published in 2004 in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
Diet fix: Keep red grapes washed and at eye level in the refrigerator. (Fruit is healthier than juice because it has more fiber and less sugar.) Put them on the homework table when your kids come home from school.
9. Apples
If an apple a day really does keep the doctor away, it might be because of its high concentration of quercetin, a flavanoid also present in onions and tea.
In a 2008 University of Michigan study of more than 8,000 American adults, researchers found a link between apples, flavanoids and quercetin and decreased inflammation.
Diet fix: Toss diced apples into chicken salad or warm your family with a baked apple and a pinch of cinnamon.
10. Broccoli
This nutritional powerhouse contains many disease fighters, including beta-carotene, vitamin C and the B vitamin folate. It also has kaempferol, another flavanoid linked to decreased inflammation.
Diet fix: Toss steamed broccoli with whole-wheat pasta and pine nuts. For even more kaempferol, pick up some kale, green beans, leeks and tea.
A Daily Anti-Inflammation Eating Plan
Can’t figure out to get all these anti-inflammatory foods into your meals? Try the menu below:
Breakfast:
Oatmeal sprinkled with dried cranberries and cinnamon
Snack:
Grapes
Lunch:
Green salad loaded with fresh veggies, including broccoli, onions, a sprinkling of walnuts or almonds and fresh-cracked pepper and an olive or canola oil dressing
Top your salad with grilled chicken
Whole-grain bread or crackers
Unsweetened tea
Snack:
Cherries, walnuts
Dinner:
Sliced fresh tomato drizzled with olive oil
Grilled salmon with rosemary
Sauteed spinach with leeks and ginger
Brown rice
Unsweetened tea
Dessert:
Apple, sliced and sprinkled with cinnamon, cooked in the microwave or baked in the oven.
What’s Your Food Cures IQ?
In her groundbreaking book Food Cures, Joy Bauer reveals the foods that manage, treat and even cure common health concerns such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and more.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
FUN FACTS
* A snowflake can take up to a hour to fall from the cloud to the surface of the Earth. *
* During Bill Clinton's entire eight year presidency, he only sent two e-mails. One was to John Glenn when he was aboard the space shuttle, and the other was a test of the e-mail system. *
* Albert Einstein never knew how to drive a car. *
* The UK's best selling hiking magazine published faulty coordinates for descending Scotland's tallest peak (Ben Nevis), and recommended a route that leads climbers off the edge of a cliff. *
* The Mars Rover "Spirit" is powered by six small motors the size of "C" batteries. It has a top speed of 0.1 mph. *
* During Bill Clinton's entire eight year presidency, he only sent two e-mails. One was to John Glenn when he was aboard the space shuttle, and the other was a test of the e-mail system. *
* Albert Einstein never knew how to drive a car. *
* The UK's best selling hiking magazine published faulty coordinates for descending Scotland's tallest peak (Ben Nevis), and recommended a route that leads climbers off the edge of a cliff. *
* The Mars Rover "Spirit" is powered by six small motors the size of "C" batteries. It has a top speed of 0.1 mph. *
Tiny Breast Cancer Traces in Lymph Nodes Don't Signal Death Risk
Microscopic signs of breast cancer in the lymph nodes of women with early-stage disease don’t signal an increased risk of dying, according to a study that suggests testing for the tiny traces may be a needless expense.
The survival rate for women with no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes was 95 percent over five years, using a standard test, the researchers said. It remains the same even when more sensitive tests found minute signs of potential malignancy, according to a report in tomorrow’s Journal of the American Medical Association.
Doctors have long thought the existence of these so-called micro-metastases might raise the risk of death, the researchers said. Overturning that idea will likely change medical practice, said lead researcher Armando Giuliano, co-director of the breast center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
“If the lymph node is negative, the standard practice in this country is to do more intense stains,” or tests, to look more closely for disease, Giuliano said in a telephone interview. “It’s not helpful and there is greater expense.”
Researchers tracked the medical history of 3,904 women who had no easily identifiable cancer in their lymph nodes after being diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. All the women had a lumpectomy, surgery in which a tumor and some surrounding tissue is removed, and many received chemotherapy and radiation. The women and their doctors weren’t told the results of the more sensitive tests, so their treatment regimens didn’t differ.
“What I really want is for people not to be overtreated,” Giuliano said. “If you see these things and think they are bad, you tend to do more aggressive treatment. It will take effort to get people to change, but I think they will.”
The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was originally presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago in June.
The survival rate for women with no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes was 95 percent over five years, using a standard test, the researchers said. It remains the same even when more sensitive tests found minute signs of potential malignancy, according to a report in tomorrow’s Journal of the American Medical Association.
Doctors have long thought the existence of these so-called micro-metastases might raise the risk of death, the researchers said. Overturning that idea will likely change medical practice, said lead researcher Armando Giuliano, co-director of the breast center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
“If the lymph node is negative, the standard practice in this country is to do more intense stains,” or tests, to look more closely for disease, Giuliano said in a telephone interview. “It’s not helpful and there is greater expense.”
Researchers tracked the medical history of 3,904 women who had no easily identifiable cancer in their lymph nodes after being diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. All the women had a lumpectomy, surgery in which a tumor and some surrounding tissue is removed, and many received chemotherapy and radiation. The women and their doctors weren’t told the results of the more sensitive tests, so their treatment regimens didn’t differ.
“What I really want is for people not to be overtreated,” Giuliano said. “If you see these things and think they are bad, you tend to do more aggressive treatment. It will take effort to get people to change, but I think they will.”
The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was originally presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago in June.
Conquer Migraine Headaches Naturally
Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann admits she suffers from severe migraine headaches and, according to some reports, has been hospitalized three times as a result of their severity. She’s not alone. Of the 28 million Americans who have migraines, as many as 75 percent endure more than one headache a month, and 6.5 million experience migraines more than 15 days a month. Although migraines are often treated with powerful painkillers, recent studies have found that many simple treatments are powerful weapons against their debilitating symptoms.
Use these eight natural strategies to fight migraines:
• Vitamins: An Australian study found that safe and inexpensive B vitamins and folic acid significantly reduced symptoms associated with migraines. Researchers at Griffiths Genomics Research Center provided vitamin B supplements and folic acid to more than 50 long-term migraine sufferers. After six months, those treated showed a drastic improvement in symptoms.
People who have migraines often have high levels of the amino acid homocysteine, and researchers theorize that vitamin B supplements and folic acid reduce homocysteine which, in turn, reduces migraine symptoms.
• Magnesium. Studies have shown that people who have migraines tend to have lower levels of magnesium than those who are headache free. Dr. Russell Blaylock, author of the Blaylock Wellness Report, says that intravenous doses of magnesium can stop acute attacks in 80 percent of people. Oral magnesium supplements also prevent migraines but, Blaylock says, it may take as long as six months to get maximum benefits.
• Watch your diet. Many common foods, such as chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine, are known to provoke migraines. Food additives, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), sulfites, aspartame, nitrates, and nitrites also incite attacks. High amounts of glutamate in the brain are associated with migraines, and foods containing MSG can increase glutamate blood levels up to 50-fold.
• Banish triggers. Stress, smoking, and a lack of sleep can all trigger migraines as well as odors, such as perfumes and paint. Rain can also be a trigger, as well as estrogen fluctuation in women. While you can’t do anything about the weather and hormonal changes, forewarned is forearmed.
Use these eight natural strategies to fight migraines:
• Vitamins: An Australian study found that safe and inexpensive B vitamins and folic acid significantly reduced symptoms associated with migraines. Researchers at Griffiths Genomics Research Center provided vitamin B supplements and folic acid to more than 50 long-term migraine sufferers. After six months, those treated showed a drastic improvement in symptoms.
People who have migraines often have high levels of the amino acid homocysteine, and researchers theorize that vitamin B supplements and folic acid reduce homocysteine which, in turn, reduces migraine symptoms.
• Magnesium. Studies have shown that people who have migraines tend to have lower levels of magnesium than those who are headache free. Dr. Russell Blaylock, author of the Blaylock Wellness Report, says that intravenous doses of magnesium can stop acute attacks in 80 percent of people. Oral magnesium supplements also prevent migraines but, Blaylock says, it may take as long as six months to get maximum benefits.
• Watch your diet. Many common foods, such as chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine, are known to provoke migraines. Food additives, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), sulfites, aspartame, nitrates, and nitrites also incite attacks. High amounts of glutamate in the brain are associated with migraines, and foods containing MSG can increase glutamate blood levels up to 50-fold.
• Banish triggers. Stress, smoking, and a lack of sleep can all trigger migraines as well as odors, such as perfumes and paint. Rain can also be a trigger, as well as estrogen fluctuation in women. While you can’t do anything about the weather and hormonal changes, forewarned is forearmed.
Is Electron Nerve Stimulation Effective?
Question: Is the "Rebuilder," an electronic nerve stimulator, useful in treating diabetic neuropathy?
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
There is no evidence that the "Rebuilder" is effective for treating diabetic neuropathy (unusual or diminished nerve function).
There is good evidence, though, that tight blood sugar management is directly correlated with reduced complications caused by the condition. Unfortunately, once the neuropathy is established, many of the changes are not reversible, but I am optimistic many can see improvement over time with aggressive glucose management.
Diabetic patients develop microvascular disease that often manifests as neuropathy, vision loss, cardiovascular, and renal disorders. The best “treatment" is prevention accomplished by aggressive glucose management and the selective use of medications (such as aspirin, statins, ace inhibitors, etc). These steps will delay the onset of many complications that are difficult to treat or reverse once they are established.
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
There is no evidence that the "Rebuilder" is effective for treating diabetic neuropathy (unusual or diminished nerve function).
There is good evidence, though, that tight blood sugar management is directly correlated with reduced complications caused by the condition. Unfortunately, once the neuropathy is established, many of the changes are not reversible, but I am optimistic many can see improvement over time with aggressive glucose management.
Diabetic patients develop microvascular disease that often manifests as neuropathy, vision loss, cardiovascular, and renal disorders. The best “treatment" is prevention accomplished by aggressive glucose management and the selective use of medications (such as aspirin, statins, ace inhibitors, etc). These steps will delay the onset of many complications that are difficult to treat or reverse once they are established.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Question: I have sleep apnea and use a BiPAP machine. My sleep apnea has gotten better since I lost weight and quit smoking. Can sleep apnea be cured, or am I tied to the BiPAP machine for the remainder of my life?
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
Most sleep apnea patients will still need nocturnal oxygen supplementation indefinitely unless their weight loss has been extreme and the predisposing condition that caused the sleep apnea has been resolved or corrected.
Remember, the airway obstructs during sleep in sleep apnea, and recurring low oxygen readings for extended periods will leave many with a high risk of heart failure and recurring hypoxic brain damage (similar to multiple small strokes!).
Untreated sleep apnea will lead to premature sudden death, so you are ill-advised to stop the BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure) treatments until you have the improvement properly documented. Usually, a repeat sleep evaluation — or at least overnight continuous saturation sampling — will be recommended.
I congratulate you on modifying and possibly correcting your truly life-threatening condition. Smoking cessation WILL certainly improve your cardiovascular risk of heart attack and stroke, both of which are significantly elevated in all sleep apnea patients. Quitting smoking is a very important element in managing sleep apnea.
While some will improve with weight loss, or even with surgical correction, most sleep apnea patients will require BiPAP indefinitely.
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
Most sleep apnea patients will still need nocturnal oxygen supplementation indefinitely unless their weight loss has been extreme and the predisposing condition that caused the sleep apnea has been resolved or corrected.
Remember, the airway obstructs during sleep in sleep apnea, and recurring low oxygen readings for extended periods will leave many with a high risk of heart failure and recurring hypoxic brain damage (similar to multiple small strokes!).
Untreated sleep apnea will lead to premature sudden death, so you are ill-advised to stop the BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure) treatments until you have the improvement properly documented. Usually, a repeat sleep evaluation — or at least overnight continuous saturation sampling — will be recommended.
I congratulate you on modifying and possibly correcting your truly life-threatening condition. Smoking cessation WILL certainly improve your cardiovascular risk of heart attack and stroke, both of which are significantly elevated in all sleep apnea patients. Quitting smoking is a very important element in managing sleep apnea.
While some will improve with weight loss, or even with surgical correction, most sleep apnea patients will require BiPAP indefinitely.
Antibiotics beat cranberries to prevent UTIs: study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Antibiotics were better than cranberry capsules at preventing urinary tract infections in a new study of women in the Netherlands who suffered from recurring infections.
Women taking the drugs had fewer UTIs over the next year than those taking cranberry capsules, but they also built up resistance to the antibiotics - meaning that their bodies might not respond to the drugs if they needed them to treat another infection.
When it comes to antibiotics for UTIs, "there's a really important need here to look for alternatives and to reconsider both what we've done in terms of treatment and prophylaxis," said Betsy Foxman, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor who didn't participate in the new research.
Cranberries have long been thought to help prevent UTIs through "anecdotal evidence," she told Reuters Health, but doctors aren't sure how they might work, and more rigorous studies have shown mixed results on their effectiveness.
Up to three in ten women suffer from recurring UTIs at some point in their lives, the authors of the new study write in Archives of Internal Medicine. The infections often come with a strong urge to urinate frequently as well as a burning sensation during urination.
While they usually go away on their own, UTIs are treated with antibiotics to ease the symptoms and to prevent rare complications. Sometimes, doctors also prescribe an antibiotic to women who have already had a few UTIs to prevent another one, because "the longer you can go without having one, the more likely it is that you'll never have another one," Foxman explained.
In the new study, researchers led by Dr. Marielle Beerepoot of Amsterdam's Academic Medical Center randomly assigned 221 premenopausal women with at least three UTIs in the past year to take the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) or cranberry capsules each day.
After one year, women taking the antibiotic had reported an average of close to two UTIs, compared to four in the cranberry group. On average, women got their first new infection eight months after starting the drug treatment versus four months into taking cranberry capsules.
One woman taking the antibiotics had a serious reaction to the drugs.
Resistance to TMP-SMX -- and some similar antibiotics -- also shot up in the antibiotic group within one month.
That's important because resistant bacteria won't be killed off by many common antibiotics -- and the same bacteria that become resistant to UTI drugs can also cause more serious infections.
"My concern is this: UTI is one of the most common bacterial infections," Foxman said. "When you give antibiotics even for a short duration on a large scale, you definitely push towards antibiotic resistance."
When the drugs are given for prevention and not just for treatment, that risk of resistance increases, she said.
In women in the study taking antibiotics, resistance levels did return to normal a few months after they stopped taking the drugs.
Foxman said that women with recurrent UTIs should have a conversation with their doctor about preventing the infections, taking issues such as antibiotic resistance into consideration.
The question, she said, is "whether you feel like you're so miserable that you really need them or you want to go to alternatives first."
Taking vitamin C or making sure to urinate often enough might also help ward off UTIs, she added.
And, "certainly taking cranberry juice is not going to hurt you and it may help."
Bill Gurley, from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, told Reuters Health that one issue with these studies is that the cranberry doses used may be too low to be effective for UTI prevention. However, the best dose of the active ingredients in cranberries has yet to be figured out, he added in a commentary published with the study.
Both TMP-SMX and cranberry capsules start at about 25 cents per day.
The authors note that the cranberry capsules used in the study were provided by Springfield Nutraceuticals and that the rest of the study funding came from a national health research organization.
The take-home message of the study, Beerepoot told Reuters Health, "is that cranberries are less effective than the antibiotics, but antibiotic resistance is a big problem." Other studies have pointed to a possible benefit of cranberry juice or extract, she said -- without serious side effects.
"Maybe therefore cranberries can be an alternative for those women who don't want to take antibiotics" because of resistance worries, she said.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/fO01ME Archives of Internal Medicine, online July 25, 2011.
Women taking the drugs had fewer UTIs over the next year than those taking cranberry capsules, but they also built up resistance to the antibiotics - meaning that their bodies might not respond to the drugs if they needed them to treat another infection.
When it comes to antibiotics for UTIs, "there's a really important need here to look for alternatives and to reconsider both what we've done in terms of treatment and prophylaxis," said Betsy Foxman, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor who didn't participate in the new research.
Cranberries have long been thought to help prevent UTIs through "anecdotal evidence," she told Reuters Health, but doctors aren't sure how they might work, and more rigorous studies have shown mixed results on their effectiveness.
Up to three in ten women suffer from recurring UTIs at some point in their lives, the authors of the new study write in Archives of Internal Medicine. The infections often come with a strong urge to urinate frequently as well as a burning sensation during urination.
While they usually go away on their own, UTIs are treated with antibiotics to ease the symptoms and to prevent rare complications. Sometimes, doctors also prescribe an antibiotic to women who have already had a few UTIs to prevent another one, because "the longer you can go without having one, the more likely it is that you'll never have another one," Foxman explained.
In the new study, researchers led by Dr. Marielle Beerepoot of Amsterdam's Academic Medical Center randomly assigned 221 premenopausal women with at least three UTIs in the past year to take the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) or cranberry capsules each day.
After one year, women taking the antibiotic had reported an average of close to two UTIs, compared to four in the cranberry group. On average, women got their first new infection eight months after starting the drug treatment versus four months into taking cranberry capsules.
One woman taking the antibiotics had a serious reaction to the drugs.
Resistance to TMP-SMX -- and some similar antibiotics -- also shot up in the antibiotic group within one month.
That's important because resistant bacteria won't be killed off by many common antibiotics -- and the same bacteria that become resistant to UTI drugs can also cause more serious infections.
"My concern is this: UTI is one of the most common bacterial infections," Foxman said. "When you give antibiotics even for a short duration on a large scale, you definitely push towards antibiotic resistance."
When the drugs are given for prevention and not just for treatment, that risk of resistance increases, she said.
In women in the study taking antibiotics, resistance levels did return to normal a few months after they stopped taking the drugs.
Foxman said that women with recurrent UTIs should have a conversation with their doctor about preventing the infections, taking issues such as antibiotic resistance into consideration.
The question, she said, is "whether you feel like you're so miserable that you really need them or you want to go to alternatives first."
Taking vitamin C or making sure to urinate often enough might also help ward off UTIs, she added.
And, "certainly taking cranberry juice is not going to hurt you and it may help."
Bill Gurley, from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, told Reuters Health that one issue with these studies is that the cranberry doses used may be too low to be effective for UTI prevention. However, the best dose of the active ingredients in cranberries has yet to be figured out, he added in a commentary published with the study.
Both TMP-SMX and cranberry capsules start at about 25 cents per day.
The authors note that the cranberry capsules used in the study were provided by Springfield Nutraceuticals and that the rest of the study funding came from a national health research organization.
The take-home message of the study, Beerepoot told Reuters Health, "is that cranberries are less effective than the antibiotics, but antibiotic resistance is a big problem." Other studies have pointed to a possible benefit of cranberry juice or extract, she said -- without serious side effects.
"Maybe therefore cranberries can be an alternative for those women who don't want to take antibiotics" because of resistance worries, she said.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/fO01ME Archives of Internal Medicine, online July 25, 2011.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
FUN FACTS
* Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable. *
* Almonds are members of the peach family. *
* If the entire population of earth was reduced to exactly 100 people, 51% would be female, 49% male; 50% of the world's currency would be held by 6 people, one person would be nearly dead, one nearly born. *
* In 1920, Babe Ruth out-homered every American League team. *
* A Nigerian woman was caught entering the UK with 104 kg of snails in her baggage. *
* Almonds are members of the peach family. *
* If the entire population of earth was reduced to exactly 100 people, 51% would be female, 49% male; 50% of the world's currency would be held by 6 people, one person would be nearly dead, one nearly born. *
* In 1920, Babe Ruth out-homered every American League team. *
* A Nigerian woman was caught entering the UK with 104 kg of snails in her baggage. *
Nutrition Facts for Shallots
This vegetable deserves an award thanks to its active ingredient: fructo-oligosaccharides, a prebiotic that some researchers have chosen as the hottest in food and nutrition research. Prebiotics take centre stage for their potential to promote gut health by encouraging the growth and function of "good bacteria" that live in our digestive tract.
Emerging research is also revealing an important supporting role for flavonoids, antioxidants that are abundant in shallots. Preliminary research is investigating flavonoids for their preventive role in cancer and heart disease, but further research is still needed to support these potential benefits.
Recipe!
Roasted Butternut Squash and Shallot Soup
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large shallots, peeled and halved
1 (1/2-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons (1-inch) slices fresh chives
Cracked black pepper (optional)
Emerging research is also revealing an important supporting role for flavonoids, antioxidants that are abundant in shallots. Preliminary research is investigating flavonoids for their preventive role in cancer and heart disease, but further research is still needed to support these potential benefits.
Recipe!
Roasted Butternut Squash and Shallot Soup
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large shallots, peeled and halved
1 (1/2-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons (1-inch) slices fresh chives
Cracked black pepper (optional)
Going 'Unplugged' Akin to Addiction Withdrawal
When you go one day without surfing the web, does it feel like your hand has been chopped off?
That’s how one participant in a poll taken in the United Kingdom described such a day. About half the poll respondents said they would be “upset” if they couldn’t connect to the Internet for a short amount of time, and 40 percent said they would be “lonely” if they couldn’t connect for a whole day.
The poll surveyed 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and over 65 and was conducted by international consumer research firm Intersperience in a project entitled “Digital Selves.” People were questioned about their use of, and attitudes toward, the Internet, smartphones, and other digital devices.
The project challenged participants to get through a whole day without using technology, a feat considered by some to be as difficult as giving up cigarettes or drinking, according to a press release from Intersperience. One participant called the effort “my biggest nightmare,” while another said the experience was “like having my hand chopped off.”
Older people — those over 40 — coped more easily with being cut off from their wired connections, while younger people had the most difficulty, pollsters reported. Those who are younger tend to use more social media and text messaging, researchers noted.
“Online and digital technology is increasingly pervasive,” Paul Hudson, chief executive of Intersperience, said in the press release. “Our Digital Selves research shows how just dominant a role it now assumes, influencing our friendships, the way we communicate, the fabric of our family life, our work lives, our purchasing habits, and our dealings with organizations.”
That’s how one participant in a poll taken in the United Kingdom described such a day. About half the poll respondents said they would be “upset” if they couldn’t connect to the Internet for a short amount of time, and 40 percent said they would be “lonely” if they couldn’t connect for a whole day.
The poll surveyed 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and over 65 and was conducted by international consumer research firm Intersperience in a project entitled “Digital Selves.” People were questioned about their use of, and attitudes toward, the Internet, smartphones, and other digital devices.
The project challenged participants to get through a whole day without using technology, a feat considered by some to be as difficult as giving up cigarettes or drinking, according to a press release from Intersperience. One participant called the effort “my biggest nightmare,” while another said the experience was “like having my hand chopped off.”
Older people — those over 40 — coped more easily with being cut off from their wired connections, while younger people had the most difficulty, pollsters reported. Those who are younger tend to use more social media and text messaging, researchers noted.
“Online and digital technology is increasingly pervasive,” Paul Hudson, chief executive of Intersperience, said in the press release. “Our Digital Selves research shows how just dominant a role it now assumes, influencing our friendships, the way we communicate, the fabric of our family life, our work lives, our purchasing habits, and our dealings with organizations.”
Parents' stress tied to pollution's effect on kids
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children living in high-stress households are more vulnerable to lung damage from traffic pollution than children whose parents are less stressed out, according to the results of a new study.
"It makes sense," said Dr. Jane Clougherty from the University of Pittsburgh, who was not involved in this study. "The bodily wear and tear induced by...stress could make the individual more susceptible to the effects of traffic-related air pollution."
The researchers took measurements of several indicators of lung function in nearly 1,400 children living in southern California.
They also predicted the amount of traffic pollutants the children were exposed to by sampling almost 1,000 different sites around the area. In particular the researchers were looking for nitrogen oxides, which are formed when fuel is burned. Nitrogen oxides can damage lung tissue and make asthma worse, they explain in an article in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Six years earlier, the children's parents had filled out a questionnaire about their level of stress. The questions asked how often they felt able to handle personal problems or felt in control, for instance.
Air pollution levels varied widely depending on where the children lived, from six parts per billion of nitrogen oxides to 101 parts per billion.
For kids from high-stress homes, when the average amount of nitrogen oxides in the air went up by 22 parts per billion, their lung function got roughly five percent worse.
That same increase in pollutants around a child whose parents had a low level of stress made no difference to their lung function, however.
Dr. Talat Islam from the University of Southern California, the lead author of the study, said he expected that stress would lead to a bigger effect of pollution on kids, but he was surprised that increased air pollution had no effect on the kids from low-stress homes.
"We see the whole effect of traffic-related air pollution in those children who were exposed to higher stress," Islam told Reuters Health.
Islam's group did not test whether that decrease in lung function among these children had any effect on their health or comfort.
An earlier study by some of the same researchers found that children exposed to traffic-related air pollution and a high-stress home were 51 percent more likely to develop asthma than children exposed to the same pollutants, but in a low-stress environment (see Reuters Health report, July 21, 2009).
It's not clear what might underlie the links between pollution, a stressful household, and lung function, but Islam said that stress and pollutants are both tied to inflammation and tissue damage.
Clougherty said it's important for parents to consider -- if they have a choice -- their children's exposure to traffic and air pollution when deciding where to live, play and go to school.
But as the results indicate, she added, "the social environment might be equally, if not more, important to the child's health overall."
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/r5HbyE American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, online June 23, 2011.
"It makes sense," said Dr. Jane Clougherty from the University of Pittsburgh, who was not involved in this study. "The bodily wear and tear induced by...stress could make the individual more susceptible to the effects of traffic-related air pollution."
The researchers took measurements of several indicators of lung function in nearly 1,400 children living in southern California.
They also predicted the amount of traffic pollutants the children were exposed to by sampling almost 1,000 different sites around the area. In particular the researchers were looking for nitrogen oxides, which are formed when fuel is burned. Nitrogen oxides can damage lung tissue and make asthma worse, they explain in an article in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Six years earlier, the children's parents had filled out a questionnaire about their level of stress. The questions asked how often they felt able to handle personal problems or felt in control, for instance.
Air pollution levels varied widely depending on where the children lived, from six parts per billion of nitrogen oxides to 101 parts per billion.
For kids from high-stress homes, when the average amount of nitrogen oxides in the air went up by 22 parts per billion, their lung function got roughly five percent worse.
That same increase in pollutants around a child whose parents had a low level of stress made no difference to their lung function, however.
Dr. Talat Islam from the University of Southern California, the lead author of the study, said he expected that stress would lead to a bigger effect of pollution on kids, but he was surprised that increased air pollution had no effect on the kids from low-stress homes.
"We see the whole effect of traffic-related air pollution in those children who were exposed to higher stress," Islam told Reuters Health.
Islam's group did not test whether that decrease in lung function among these children had any effect on their health or comfort.
An earlier study by some of the same researchers found that children exposed to traffic-related air pollution and a high-stress home were 51 percent more likely to develop asthma than children exposed to the same pollutants, but in a low-stress environment (see Reuters Health report, July 21, 2009).
It's not clear what might underlie the links between pollution, a stressful household, and lung function, but Islam said that stress and pollutants are both tied to inflammation and tissue damage.
Clougherty said it's important for parents to consider -- if they have a choice -- their children's exposure to traffic and air pollution when deciding where to live, play and go to school.
But as the results indicate, she added, "the social environment might be equally, if not more, important to the child's health overall."
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/r5HbyE American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, online June 23, 2011.
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