tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63656387574960734732024-03-12T21:16:57.010-05:00Visions of Life: A Journey Towards Health and WealthLagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-69680251219922070432013-10-31T03:24:00.000-05:002013-10-31T03:45:36.779-05:00Just Say NO To Candy<span class="byline">Written by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.</span><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="158" hspace="5" src="http://www.diseaseproof.com/uploads/image/JoelFuhrmanMD%281%29.jpg" vspace="5" width="180" />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><strong>Joel Fuhrman M.D</strong>. is a board-certified
family physician, NY Times best-selling author and nutritional
researcher who specializes in preventing and reversing disease through
nutritional and natural methods. Dr. Fuhrman is an internationally
recognized expert on nutrition and natural healing.</i><br />
<br />
My wife and I used to shudder at the mere thought of our
children going from house to house collecting candy, with the intention
of eating it. We decided we were not going to be part of the
candy-giving crowd, yet our kids wanted to be like everyone else. So we
had to come up with something that would excite our children and please
us. Fortunately, we did. It is possible to enjoy Halloween and make it a
healthy celebration as well. It’s fun to dress up, be silly or scary
and enjoy a unique annual event with our neighbors. As parents we must
protect our children from harm and give them the best opportunity in
life to have a happy and healthy future. Science suggests this candy
feast does the opposite.
<br />
Scientific studies document that eating candy increases a child’s risk of later life cancer,<sup><a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/success/daily-living-articles/article.aspx?id=just_say_no_to_candy#ref_1">1</a></sup> ADHD,<sup><a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/success/daily-living-articles/article.aspx?id=just_say_no_to_candy#ref_2">2</a></sup>
aggression, emotional and psychiatric diseases, and decreases
intelligence. It may even increase the likelihood of violent criminal
behavior,<sup><a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/success/daily-living-articles/article.aspx?id=just_say_no_to_candy#ref_3">3</a></sup> and will invariably result in eating patterns that can lead to a troubled and painful later life.<br />
Consider a recent study on children who were fed junk food. They were
tested as teens and it was found that they have lower IQ’s, reduced
attention span and smaller hippocampus on MRI. That means it permanently
damaged a part of their brain that is involved in learning and
performance.<sup><a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/success/daily-living-articles/article.aspx?id=just_say_no_to_candy#ref_4">4</a></sup><br />
Why is feeding toxic substances to our children celebrated with a holiday? Is it possible that:<br />
<ol>
<li>Parents are so addicted to sweets that they are in denial that candy damages the body?</li>
<li>Parents think that a moderate ingestion of toxic or harmful substances is not disease-causing?</li>
<li>Parents think that it is okay to take risks with their children’s
health because most diseases do not develop until later in adult life?</li>
<li>Parents feel that peer pressure to continue with the status quo is too hard to resist?</li>
</ol>
Many adults in our country are addicted to sweets, white flour
products and other junk food. Most are completely unaware that they are
addicted or worse deny it; this may eventually ruin their lives and
place them in a position of suffering later in life. People who are
addicted to a substance frequently lose the ability to think logically.
Instead of making decisions based on science and logic, they seek
denial, rationalizations and excuses that consciously and subconsciously
permit them to continue their preferred addiction. Food can be so
addicting that parents may subconsciously sacrifice the health of their
children by feeding them unhealthful foods. This allows parents to
delay their own change to a healthy diet and avoid dealing with and
facing the awareness of how dangerous, candy, junk food and fast food
are.<br />
Food dyes and food chemicals found in candy are also carcinogenic.
According to a recent report from the Center for Science in the Public
Interest, these man-made food dyes have dangerous health consequences,
including promoting cancer and hyperactivity in children.<sup><a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/success/daily-living-articles/article.aspx?id=just_say_no_to_candy#ref_1">1</a></sup>
This is why the nonprofit Washington, D.C.-based consumer-watchdog
group has asked the Food and Drug Administration to ban them. No matter
what our leaders in Washington do, you have a choice. You can choose to
ban these foods from your diet and not feed them to your children.<br />
For many, moderation is a myth. Eating junk food in moderation can be
compared to moderation with cigarettes, even an occasional smoke leads
many to want to smoke more. Toxic and harmful substances have varying
toxicities based on genetic factors, with varying degrees of damage
proportional to use and individual sensitivities. For many people, even
moderate or occasional use of addictive substances such as tobacco,
alcohol, doughnuts or candy can result in habitual use, sweet craving
and toxic hunger. Sadly, feeding this addictive behavior can lead to
serious diseases.<br />
Not just Halloween but most holidays in America send a psychological
message and teaching point to our children — the future leaders of our
society. It says that pleasure-seeking, self-abuse with alcohol, junk
food, and disease-causing substances that trigger addictive highs in the
brain are okay, normal and desired. Seeking to get high on dangerous
substances is not normal, it is a mass pathology. Highly processed candy
bars and doughnut holes did not exist hundreds of years ago and the
human body is not equipped to deal with such concentrated sources of
sugar and chemicals. Candy and sugar is the gate way drug, meaning that
for many, it leads to cravings and more brain stimulation with alcohol
and drugs. <br />
There are other ways to have fun with children besides feeding them
hurtful foods. Children are inherently intelligent and perceptive. If
they learn the dangers of consuming candy, they can also appreciate the
parental concern here as an expression of love; watchful for their
future. Now is the time to say no to this insanity and start modeling
good behavior. <br />
I hope you all have lots of fun on Halloween. There are ways to have a
happy and healthy Halloween — be creative, play games, think of tricks
and treats that are wholesome. Make a healthy dessert, such as a healthy
apple pie, berry cobbler or homemade mango ice cream from frozen
mangos and dried coconut. Give away super balls, silly putty, yo-yos,
gyroscopes, and other cheap gifts bought at the dollar store for kids or
in bulk from mail-order catalogues such as Oriental Trading. Grocery
stores are even a good source for your non-candy Halloween tricks. I
have seen kazoos, bubble soap, rubber worms and pencils. I hope
Halloween is a time when children’s fun, safety, and love come first. If
your children want to collect candy to be turned in for a prize or toy,
you can do an exchange to remove the candy from the local environment.
Let it be a time where we celebrate the gift that our children are to
our lives with a creative good time that does not involve deception,
self-abuse and addiction. I propose you have a family meeting and review
this information and establish the rules ahead of time. Make it fun and
socially impactful. This is a time of year to make a statement about
self-abuse with food. More information on keeping your children healthy
and disease-free can be found in my book, <a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/ChildBookReviews.aspx">Disease-Proof Your Child</a>. <br />
The holidays are a time for us to celebrate our family units, our
love for each other and spend time having fun together. Laughter,
entertainment, sports, art, music, storytelling, jokes and games are all
as healthy as eating kale. Enjoying life in healthy ways is good for
our body and soul. I wish you a happy and healthy Halloween.<br />
<a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/default.aspx"><img alt="Dr. Fuhrman, How to live, for life" border="0" src="http://www.drfuhrman.com/images/rebrand-images/images/logo-DF-header.gif" style="margin: 25px 0 0 204px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #19975d; font-size: medium;">About Dr. Fuhrman</span></b>
<br />
<strong>Joel Fuhrman M.D</strong>. is a board-certified
family physician, NY Times best-selling author and nutritional
researcher who specializes in preventing and reversing disease through
nutritional and natural methods. Dr. Fuhrman is an internationally
recognized expert on nutrition and natural healing, and has appeared on
hundreds of radio and television shows including The Dr. Oz Show, the
Today Show, Good Morning America, and Live with Kelly. Dr. Fuhrman’s own
hugely successful PBS television shows, <em>3 Steps to Incredible Health!</em> and <em>Dr. Fuhrman’s Immunity Solution!</em> bring nutritional science to homes all across America.<br />
Dr. Fuhrman’s #1 NY Times best-selling book, <em><strong>Eat to Live</strong> </em>(Little
Brown), originally published in 2003, has sold over 1,000,000 copies
and has been published in multiple foreign language editions. In October
2012, <em> <strong>Super Immunity</strong></em> (HarperOne) became a NY Times best seller and in January 2013, his latest book, <em><strong>The End of Diabetes</strong></em>
(HarperOne) also reached The NY Times list. In addition Dr. Fuhrman has
written several other popular books on nutritional science which
include<em>: <strong>Eat for Health</strong></em> (Gift of Health Press), <em><strong>Disease Proof Your Child</strong></em> (St. Martin's Griffin),<em> <strong>Fasting and Eating for Health</strong> </em>(St. Martin's Griffin), and the <em><strong>Nutritarian Handbook</strong> (</em>Gift of Health Press).<br />
<br />
<br />
For more information about Dr. Fuhrman and his programs, please visit <a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/ask/default.aspx">HERE. </a>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-42754303639348062062011-09-24T00:27:00.001-05:002011-09-24T00:30:57.424-05:00The Sad Truth About Kids and Cancer | Healthy Child Healthy World<div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div class="headline clearfix" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><h3 style="color: #1797d1; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The Sad Truth About Kids and Cancer</span></h3><h5 style="color: #746e67; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Necessary News</span></h5><h6 style="color: #746e67; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Monday, September 19, 2011</span></h6><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span id="sharethis_0" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a class="stbutton stico_default" href="http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/the_sad_truth_about_kids_and_cancer/" st_page="home" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: initial !important; background-image: url(http://w.sharethis.com/images/share-icon-16x16.png?CXNID=1000014.0NXC) !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: 0px 0px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 22px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px; text-decoration: none;" title="ShareThis via email, AIM, social bookmarking and networking sites, etc."><span class="stbuttontext" st_page="home" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">ShareThis</span></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><img alt="" class="left" height="284" src="http://healthychild.org/uploads/image/Kiwi.jpg" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="213" /><a href="http://healthychild.org/about/team/C134/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, Executive Director/CEO, Healthy Child Healthy World</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">“Kiwi had only been sick once; never on any sort of medication, not even Tylenol. All of that changed on Friday, July 31st, 2010 when we found ourselves in the Emergency Room because Kiwi’s left hand had begun to spasm periodically all that day. Our lives went from Kiwi never being in the hospital and only at the doctors once (but never on any medications), to being poked and prodded for hours in the ER. I had a very difficult time comprehending the next few days of my life. It started in the ER on a Friday night and moved slowly through the weekend, to an MRI on Sunday showing that my darling 22 month old daughter had a large tumor on the right side of her brain.” (Read the rest of <a href="http://www.followkiwi.org/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kiwi’s story</a>.)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your daughter has cancer.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">They are words no parent ever wants to hear, yet the sad fact is that <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">every sixty minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer and every six hours, a child will lose her battle to cancer</strong>. Cases of pediatric cancer have increased 30% over the last 30 years, to the point that cancer is now the nation’s leading cause of death by disease in children.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Meanwhile, little action is being taken to prevent exposures to carcinogens, the substances which are proven to cause cancer. Even dioxin, the single most potent carcinogen identified by scientists, is still not being addressed in the United States. Dioxin has been targeted for international phase-out by a treaty signed by over 170 nations across the world—but not us.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The Environmental Protection Agency is supposedly on the verge of taking action, but the way things are going in Washington, I’m not holding my breath.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">According to the <a href="http://chej.org/2011/08/chejs-statement-on-epa-plan-to-finalize-study-on-dioxin/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Center for Health, Environment, and Justice</a>, “For over 20 years, EPA’s study on dioxin has been delayed time after time. American families have been exposed to this poisonous chemical for far too long. Every American eats dioxins when they consume fatty foods, and every American has measurable levels of this chemical in their body.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And, <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">dioxin is just one of 240 substances currently recognized as “reasonably anticipated to cause cancer”</strong> by a report released in June by the US Department of Health and Human Services.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">At Healthy Child Healthy World, we believe it’s well beyond time to put our collective foot down and take aggressive action to prevent cancer. Throughout 2012, which is the 20th anniversary of our organization, we’ll be turning up the volume on this increasingly common—and tragic—issue.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Healthy Child began after five-year-old Colette Chuda died of a rare form of non-hereditary cancer linked to environmental factors; her parents, Jim and Nancy Chuda, turned their grief into action and formed Healthy Child Healthy World (formerly the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition) in 1992.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">It's been 20 years and we've seen little change. Now, we're ready for a revolution.</strong></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">We're inspired by the 46 mothers from across the country who will gather in Washington DC this week to shave their heads to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. By shaving their heads in solidarity with not only their children who have been diagnosed with cancer, but every child affected by cancer, the <a href="http://46mommas.com/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">46 Mommas</a> hope to raise $1 million. (To <a href="http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">locate</a> or<a href="http://www.stbaldricks.org/get_involved/event_organizer.php" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">organize</a> an event in your community, <a href="https://www.stbaldricks.org/get-involved/shavee/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">sign-up to shave</a>, <a href="https://www.stbaldricks.org/donate/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donate</a> or <a href="https://www.stbaldricks.org/get-involved/volunteer/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">volunteer</a>, visit <a href="http://www.stbaldricks.org/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.StBaldricks.org</a>.) Here’s a video from last year’s Shave for the Brave event in Los Angeles.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="224" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15010953?byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="398"></iframe></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">To the 46 Mommas: We are humbled by your action, and honor your commitment.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">To mothers everywhere: It’s time to stand up, get mad, and stop pediatric cancer in its tracks. <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Please <a href="http://healthychild.org/get-involved/newsletter/" style="color: #1797d1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">join us in this fight</a>, as we gear up for 2012.</strong></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Together, we can create a better world.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #437fba; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/the_sad_truth_about_kids_and_cancer/#ixzz1YqQTr8Bv" style="color: #003399; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/the_sad_truth_about_kids_and_cancer/#ixzz1YqQTr8Bv</a></span></span></div>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-75334105146095144342011-07-24T11:28:00.000-05:002011-07-24T11:28:45.012-05:00How to Stop Sugar Cravings<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<h2 style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #799a41; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">13 Ways to Fight Sugar Cravings</span></span></h2><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #799a41; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">A WebMD Article</span></span></div><div class="subhead_fmt" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px;"><br />
</div><div class="subhead_fmt" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px;">Sweet tooth raging out of control? Here's how to tame those sugar cravings.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Does that morning Danish leave you craving another treat two hours later? Do you grab a candy bar to cope with your afternoon slump -- and then reach for a cola to get out of your post-slump slump?</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">How can you stop sugar cravings once and for all? Here's expert advice.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If you’ve found that munching sugary snacks just makes you crave more sugary snacks, you’re not alone. Eating lots of simple carbohydrates -- without the backup of <a href="http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/good-protein-sources" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">proteins</a> or fats -- can quickly satisfy <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/top-10-ways-to-deal-with-hunger" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">hunger</a> and give your body a short-term energy boost, but they almost as quickly leave you famished again and craving more.</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div class="article_rdr" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="copyNormal" id="textArea" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><h3 style="clear: left; color: #799a41; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px;">Why Do We Crave Sugar?</h3><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">There are many reasons why we go for sweet things.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">That appetite may be hardwired. "Sweet is the first taste humans prefer from birth," says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a dietitian and American Dietetic Association (ADA) spokeswoman. Carbohydrates stimulate the release of the feel-good <a href="http://www.webmd.com/brain/picture-of-the-brain" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">brain</a> chemical serotonin. Sugar is a carbohydrate, but carbohydrates come in other forms, too, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The taste of sugar also releases endorphins that calm and relax us, and offer a natural "high," says Susan Moores, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">nutrition</a> consultant in St. Paul, Minn. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sweets just taste good, too. And that preference gets reinforced by rewarding ourselves with sweet treats, which can make you crave it even more. With all that going for it, why wouldn’t we crave sugar?</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The problem comes not when we indulge in a sweet treat now and then, but when we over-consume, something that’s easy to do when sugar is added to many processed foods, including breads, yogurt, juices, and sauces. And Americans do overconsume, averaging about 22 teaspoons of added sugars per day, according to the American Heart Association, which recommends limiting added sugars to about 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 for men.</div><h3 style="clear: left; color: #799a41; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px;">How to Stop Sugar Cravings: 8 Tips to Use Right Now</h3><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If you're craving sugar, here are some ways to tame those cravings.</div><ul style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Give in a little.</b> Eat a bit of what you’re craving, maybe a small cookie or a fun-size candy bar, suggests Kerry Neville, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and ADA spokeswoman. Enjoying a little of what you love can help you steer clear of feeling denied. Try to stick to a 150-calorie threshold, Neville says.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Combine foods.</b> If the idea of stopping at a cookie or a baby candy bar seems impossible, you can still fill yourself up and satisfy a sugar craving, too. "I like combining the craving food with a healthful one," Neville says. "I love chocolate, for example, so sometimes I’ll dip a banana in chocolate sauce and that gives me what I’m craving, or I mix some almonds with chocolate chips." As a beneficial bonus, you'll satisfy a craving and get healthy nutrients from those good-for-you foods.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Go cold turkey.</b> Cutting out all simple sugars works for some people, although "the initial 48 to 72 hours are tough," Gerbstadt says. Some people find that going cold turkey helps their cravings diminish after a few days; others find they may still crave sugar but over time are able to train their taste buds to be satisfied with less.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Grab some gum</b>. If you want to avoid giving in to a sugar craving completely, try chewing a stick of gum, says nutrition advisor Dave Grotto, RD, LDN. "Research has shown that chewing gum can reduce <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-facts-about-food-cravings" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">food cravings</a>," Grotto says.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Reach for fruit.</b> Keep fruit handy for when sugar cravings hit. You'll get fiber and nutrients along with some sweetness. And stock up on foods like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, says certified <a href="http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/tc/alcohol-and-drug-problems-topic-overview" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">addiction</a> specialist Judy Chambers, LCSW, CAS. "Have them handy so you reach for them instead of reaching for the old [sugary] something."</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Get up and go.</b> When a sugar craving hits, walk away. "Take a walk around the block or [do] something to change the scenery," to take your mind off the food you’re craving, Neville suggests.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Choose quality over quantity</b>. "If you need a sugar splurge, pick a wonderful, decadent sugary food," Moores says. But keep it small. For example, choose a perfect dark chocolate truffle instead of a king-sized candy bar, then "savor every bite -- slowly," Moores says. Grotto agrees. "Don’t swear off favorites -- you’ll only come back for greater portions. Learn to incorporate small amounts in the<a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">diet</a> but concentrate on filling your <a href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-stomach" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">stomach</a> with less sugary and [healthier] options."</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Eat regularly</b>. Waiting too long between meals may set you up to choose sugary, fatty foods that cut your hunger, Moores says. Instead, eating every three to five hours can help keep blood sugar stable and help you "avoid irrational eating behavior," Grotto says. Your best bets? "Choose protein, fiber-rich foods like whole grains and produce," Moores says.</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">But won't eating more often mean overeating? Not if you follow Neville's advice to break up your meals. For instance, have part of your <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/most-important-meal" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">breakfast</a> -- a slice of toast with peanut butter, perhaps -- and save some yogurt for a mid-morning snack. "Break up lunch the same way to help avoid a mid-afternoon slump," Neville says.</div></div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><h3 style="clear: left; color: #799a41; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px;">How to Stop Sugar Cravings: 5 Tips for the Long Term</h3><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">One of the best ways to manage sugar cravings is to stop them before they start. To help you do that:</div><ul style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Skip artificial sweeteners</b>. Artificial sweeteners may sound like a great idea, but "they don’t lessen cravings for sugar and haven’t demonstrated a positive effect on our <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-obesity" style="color: #3789b9; text-decoration: none;">obesity</a> epidemic," says Grotto, author of <i>101 Foods That Could Save Your Life</i>.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Reward yourself</b> for successfully managing sugar cravings. Your reward could be large or small. Remember why you’re working on it and then reward yourself for each successful step.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Slow down.</b> For one week, focus on your sugar cravings and think about what you’re eating, suggests Chambers. Diet mayhem often results from lack of planning. So slow down, plan, "and eat what you intend to eat, instead of eating when you’re desperate," Chambers says.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Get support.</b> Many people turn to sweet foods when they're stressed, depressed, or angry. But food doesn't solve emotional issues. Consider whether emotions are involved in your sugar cravings and whether you need help to find other solutions to those emotional problems.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://css.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/linksListTOC_bullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Mix it up.</b> You may need more than one strategy to thwart sugar cravings. One week you may find success with one tactic, and another week calls for an alternative approach. What’s important is to “have a ‘bag of tricks’ to try,” Gerbstadt tells WebMD. To tame sugar cravings, you really need to "figure out what works for you," Neville says.</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Lastly, go easy on yourself. It may take time to get a handle on your sugar cravings. "It’s difficult to shift any system -- whether it’s the world economy or your eating," Chambers says.</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div class="moduleSpacer_rdr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: url(http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/layout/shared/spacer.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: repeat repeat; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; height: 4px;"></div><div class="attribution_rdr" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; width: 494px;"><div class="pagination_fmt" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; clear: both; color: black; float: left; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px;"></div></div></span>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-67205986326482815212011-01-10T12:51:00.001-06:002011-01-10T12:53:33.647-06:00Help Emily Fight Against Cancer<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Cp8kws6UKT8/TSm5Pww6cHI/AAAAAAAAO38/7EUkH2ofYog/s400/1emily.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">Some of you may know Shannon from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1461118302"> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.couponmommyof3.com/">Coupon Mommy of 3.</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">This precious little girl is Shannon's 3 year old daughter Emily, who took ill on December 18, 2010. Symptomatically she looked like she had a bad stomach flu but several tests down the line the family received the shattering news that Emily has Stage IV cancer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">Read more about her story, with updates on the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emilys" style="color: #940f04; text-decoration: none;">Caring Bridge Site Page created just for Emily </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">by Shannon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">Please lift up this family in your prayers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">We believe the family will also need all the financial support they can get. So to help out, Shannon's friends Karen from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://themommytimes-scmomof2boys.blogspot.com/2011/01/lets-support-emily.html" style="color: #940f04; text-decoration: none;">Mommy Times</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">and Nancy from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.arizonamama-fancygrlnancy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #940f04; text-decoration: none;">Arizona Mama</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">have helped set up this</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://everything4emily.chipin.com/p/" style="color: #940f04; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">ChipIn account for Emily. </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #330000; font-style: italic;">(ChipIn is a Web-based service that simplifies the process of collecting money from groups of people. They make the process <span style="font-weight: bold;">quick, easy</span>, and<span style="font-weight: bold;"> secure</span>, and provide organizers with numerous ways to get the word out about their ChipIn event.</span>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">The last thing this family should worry about at this time is finances and I honestly believe if all my readers could chip in with a little we can help this family.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">(No contribution is too little. Every dollar counts at a time like this)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">You can click on the "<b>ChipIn</b>" button below to have your contribution pooled in out of your <i>paypal account.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><embed allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="color_scheme=blue&event_desc=Help%203%20yr%20old%20Emily%20fight%20Stage%20IV%20Cancer%2E%20Read%20her%20story%20at%20http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecaringbridge%2Eorg%2Fvisit%2Femilys&event_title=Everything4Emily" height="250" src="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/618c746feb889516" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="250" wmode="transparent"></embed></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><b><i>Please, take the time to share this information with others. Repost, e-mail, retweet.... This is a very troubling and heartbreaking time for this family. Their choices should not be made harder based on their ability to pay</i></b>.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Retweet: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">RT @ebmommy 3 year old Emily Needs Your Help http://bit.ly/eduwN9 #chipin #fightcancer #prayer #30daygive #give #sponsor #cancer #faith</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #063e3f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
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</span></span></span></div>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-88199768331437026802010-12-23T19:11:00.000-06:002010-12-23T19:11:33.347-06:00Toy Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers<h1 style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h1><div class="multartImgH" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></div><div class="clear" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Safety Measures</b></span><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the holiday season approaches, the<a href="http://life.familyeducation.com/recalls/" style="color: #001d85;">U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission</a>(CPSC) urges gift-givers to keep safety in mind when choosing toys for young children. The CPSC estimates that more than 120,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries each year.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Toys are an important part of holiday gift-giving, and CPSC is on the job 365 days a year to make sure toys are as safe as possible," said CPSC chairman Ann Brown. "CPSC's goal is to prevent deaths and injuries; unfortunately, each year some children are hurt by toys. By always reading labels and being safety conscious, parents and caregivers can help prevent toy-related injuries."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">CPSC requires labels to be on all toys marketed for children from three to six years old if the toys pose a choking hazard to children under age three. These labels tell consumers two critical things: that a toy is not safe for younger children and why it is not safe. Before CPSC issued these labeling requirements, it was more difficult for consumers to know that certain toys they bought for older children could be a danger to younger kids. CPSC has the most stringent toy-safety standards in the world, and toys on store shelves are safer because of the day-to-day compliance work by CPSC.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Choosing Appropriate Toys</b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Parents and gift-givers can help prevent toy-related injuries and deaths by always reading labels and being safety conscious. The following tips will help you choose appropriate toys this holiday season -- and all year round:<br />
</div><ul style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><li style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills, and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts which could pose a fatal choking hazard.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">For all children under age eight, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age eight.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other potential small parts.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you, and when appropriate, to the child.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Discard plastic wrappings on toys immediately, which can cause suffocation, before they become deadly playthings.</li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">By using common sense and these safety suggestions, holiday shoppers can make informed decisions when purchasing toys for children.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span><br />
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Read more on FamilyEducation:<a href="http://fun.familyeducation.com/toy-safety/safety/29700.html#ixzz18zGlTozQ" style="color: #003399;">http://fun.familyeducation.com/toy-safety/safety/29700.html#ixzz18zGlTozQ</a></span></span>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-74541996156649916382010-04-06T15:16:00.000-05:002010-04-06T15:16:49.633-05:00Flip-Flops, Flat Shoes Relieve Arthritic Knees<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Clogs, Stability Shoes Put More Stress on Knees Than Flat, Flexible Shoes and Flip-Flops, Study Finds</strong></span><br />
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<em>By Kathleen Doheny</em><br />
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<em>WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD</em><br />
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<em>March 29, 2010</em> -- If you have knee pain from arthritis, wearing flat, flexible shoes may reduce the stress on your joints and keep you more comfortable, according to new research.<br />
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In a comparison study that evaluated the force or "load" on arthritic knees while wearing clogs, athletic shoes with stability features, flat walking shoes, flip-flops, and going barefoot, the flat and flexible shoes won out, says study lead author Najia Shakoor, MD, an associate professor of internal medicine at Rush Medical College and an attending physician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.<br />
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Her study is published online in <em>Arthritis Care & Research.</em><br />
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''We know barefoot is good for your knee load from previous studies," Shakoor tells WebMD. ''Then we thought, do different shoes have different effects on the knee?" So they compared the four shoe types with going barefoot.<br />
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The surprise? "The shoes that we intuitively recommend to our patients [with knee arthritis] and thought might be best -- stability shoes and clogs -- were associated with the highest load."<br />
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<strong>Best Shoes for Knee Pain: Study</strong><br />
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Arthritis of the knee is common and a major source of disability and impaired quality of life, the researchers say. Shakoor's team evaluated 31 men and women who had knee arthritis, evaluating their gait as they wore:<br />
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<strong>Clogs </strong><br />
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<strong>An athletic shoe that promises to minimize inward rolling of the foot</strong> <br />
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<strong>Flat walking shoes </strong><br />
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<strong>Flip-flops </strong><br />
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<em>The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.</em><br />
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Shakoor measured what's known as a knee adduction moment, ''which measures the extent of the force upon your knee as you walk."<br />
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''Flat walking shoes, barefoot, and flip-flops were essentially the same in load on the knee," she says. "But clogs and stability shoes result in a 15% higher load."<br />
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''These are just initial studies, and it's too early to recommend [changes]," she says. "But several studies are suggesting that perhaps flat, flexible footwear may help decrease loads on the knee compared to footwear that is less flexible and has higher heels. Stability shoes have higher heels [than other athletic shoes]."<br />
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''We think it's the flatness and the flexibility that may provide the benefit."<br />
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And, she cautioned: "We are definitely not advocating flip-flops. A flat walking shoe would be better than a flip-flop for other reasons -- stability and the risk of falling."<br />
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Shakoor will continue her research. With Rush University and a podiatrist, she hopes to develop a walking shoe for people with knee arthritis. She says Rush will hold the patent.<br />
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<strong>Best Shoes for Knee Pain: Other Views</strong><br />
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''This finding [about the best shoes for knee pain] came as absolutely a surprise to me," says Jeffrey A. Ross, DPM, MD, a spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine, associate clinical professor of medicine, and chief of the diabetic foot clinic at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston.<br />
"I would have expected the running shoe to be the best, but it didn't turn out to be," he says.<br />
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But Ross says he wishes the researchers had studied more than one type of athletic shoe. Even with the new study results, he says, "I probably would still suggest [people with knee arthritis] wear a low-heel running shoe with a flexible sole."<br />
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For people with knee arthritis, the shoe should bend easily, he says, resulting in less stress on the forefoot.<br />
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A ''neutral'' athletic shoe -- one that does not offer motion control or stability features, may also work to reduce load on the knee, he says.<br />
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Choosing footwear for people with knee arthritis can be a trial-and-error experience, says James Christina, DPM, director of scientific affairs for the American Podiatric Medical Association. "A lot of foot doctors would say a cushioned shoe, rather than a stability shoe or a rigid control category of shoe," he says.<br />
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Christina says the APMA does not have shoe guidelines for people with knee arthritis.<br />
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The new study is a valid one, he says, but the shoe that works for one person with knee arthritis may not work for another person.<br />
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The foot specialists say that flip-flops, although they didn't increase the forces on the knee, aren't the best shoe type, especially for older adults with knee arthritis. As balance declines, flip-flops can be hazardous and increase the risk of falling, they say.Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-21483631109981468722010-03-16T12:14:00.000-05:002010-03-16T12:14:43.102-05:00Top 10 Ways to Control Your Blood Pressure1. Lose weight. Get your BMI (body mass index, a measurement of weight in relation to height) into the range of 18.5-24.9, and you will be doing your heart and blood pressure a favor. Think of it this way: Extra weight you carry around is like bricks in a backpack, putting pressure on every part of your body.<br />
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2. Eat plenty of whole grains. Have seven to eight servings per day of grains and grain products (these can include breakfast cereal, whole grain bread, rice, pasta, etc.)<br />
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3. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Having at least eight to 10 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables will ensure you get all the healthy antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber you need.<br />
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4. Dairy up. Consuming two to three servings daily of low-fat or nonfat diary foods will also help build strong bones and teeth, and enhance weight loss.<br />
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5. Limit meat, fish, and poultry to two servings a day. Move the meat off the center of your plate, and enjoy more grains and produce. When you do have meats, fish, and poultry, always chose lean varieties.<br />
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6. Go nuts. Incorporate four to five servings a week of nuts, seeds, and legumes into your diet. They provide plenty of protein and healthful fats.<br />
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7. Limit fats and oil to two to three servings per day. Fats are the most concentrated source of calories. Limiting them will help you control your weight.<br />
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8. Hold the salt. Limit your sodium intake to approximately 2,400 milligrams a day (a moderate level). This means eating fewer canned and processed foods, and more fresh foods.<br />
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9. Get off the couch. Exercising at least 30 minutes per day can significantly reduce blood pressure. Any form of physical activity, done most days of the week, will do the trick.<br />
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10. Drink in moderation. If you do it at all limit yourself to two drinks per day.Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-25746096805655070172010-03-05T23:12:00.001-06:002010-03-05T23:13:07.190-06:00New Study to Link Chemicals to Autism<em>Leading medical experts are increasingly confident that autism and other ailments are, in part, the result of the impact of environmental chemicals on the developing brain. </em><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chemicals and Our Endangered Children</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Larry Eason, Chair of the Board of Directors</span></span><br />
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<em>If prevention is, in fact, the best medicine, then we need to pay much closer attention to the role chemicals in the environment play in the rise of disease, related health care costs, and human suffering.</em><br />
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In yesterday's <em>New York Times</em>, Nicholas Kristof highlights the issue in his column <strong>"Do Toxins Cause Autism?"</strong><br />
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As a new parent I can tell you: that is an attention grabbing headline. But if you read the column, you will see that scientists and the medical community are paying attention to this area of inquiry for very real reasons. Policy makers and parents need to be paying attention, too -- parents because children are particularly vulnerable to toxic chemicals -- and policy makers because evidence that harmful chemicals are contributing to disease suggests prevention imperatives that need to be a part of the health care debate.<br />
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Policy makers and parents need to be paying attention, and soon they will be.<br />
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Right now the growth in awareness and concern about the connections between environmental toxins and childhood disease is steady but relatively incremental. But a convergence of factors is about to change that and supercharge the level of attention to the issue -- Kristof touches on a couple in his article.<br />
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The dramatic increase in incidents of diseases, like Autism, with no known cause has parents (and people thinking about becoming parents) exceptionally anxious and desperately searching for answers. For today's parent there is a new layer to responding to a child's unusual behavioral episodes: we wonder, "is this just normal behavior, or should I be concerned?" I hear a lot of that. I've thought it.<br />
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But parents aren't just worrying, they are also connecting -- online. Online readers know that the new reality is that new information -- accurate or not, sensational or measured, and responsible -- can get to just about everyone we know overnight. That's particularly true for parents.<br />
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And it is the new information that we are starting to get, and that we are about to get a lot more of, that, in combination with hyper-concern and hyper-connectivity will cause an explosion in awareness and hopefully bring action.<br />
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Kristof's piece refers to an article by Dr. Philip Landrigan, professor of pediatrics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and chair of the school's department of preventive medicine. Kristof writes:<br />
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The article cites "historically important, proof-of-concept studies that specifically link autism to environmental exposures experienced prenatally." It adds that the "likelihood is high" that many chemicals "have potential to cause injury to the developing brain and to produce neurodevelopmental disorders."<br />
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While his article is full of cautionary language, Dr. Landrigan told me that he is increasingly confident that autism and other ailments are, in part, the result of the impact of environmental chemicals on the brain as it is being formed.<br />
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"The crux of this is brain development" he said. "If babies are exposed in the womb or shortly after birth to chemicals that interfere with brain development, the consequences last a lifetime."<br />
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For parents, the questions and uncertainty are frustrating. But thanks to the National Children's Study we're about to get a lot more information in the next couple of years. Articles like Dr. Landrigan's suggest that suspicions about connections are going to turn into clear connections that require action. Here's a little information on the National Children's Study:<br />
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<em>The National Children's Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The goal of the Study is to improve the health and well-being of children.</em><br />
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<em>... The Study defines "environment" broadly, taking a number of natural and man-made environmental, biological, genetic, and psychosocial factors into account. By studying children through their different phases of growth and development, researchers will be better able to understand the role these factors have on health and disease. Findings from the Study will be made available as the research progresses, making potential benefits known to the public as soon as possible.</em><br />
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After I read Kristof's piece I reached out to Dr. Landrigan, a champion of the National Children's Study, to find out when we can expect to get useful, actionable information from the study. His response was two to three years.<br />
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As Kristof points out in his column, there's a lot of potential for sensationalizing the information -- that will be particularly true of information we learn about chemicals actually in the blood and tissue of our children that are found to contribute to disease.<br />
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Our goal at Healthy Child Healthy World will be to provide parents with concrete, realistic steps they can take to protect their children, born and unborn. That's our specialty.<br />
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In the meantime Kristof's final thoughts make a good deal of sense: Apply the precautionary principle to avoid unnecessary products that contain potentially harmful toxins.<br />
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And pay attention to and support the <a href="http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/Pages/default.aspx">National Children's Study.</a><br />
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<em>Larry Eason is Chair of the Board of Healthy Child Healthy World and Dr. Landrigan is a Founding Board Member and Co-Chair of the organization's Science Advisory Board. Healthy Child is working to inspire parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.</em><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/chemicals_and_our_endangered_children/#ixzz0hMy5uQ4S">http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/chemicals_and_our_endangered_children/#ixzz0hMy5uQ4S</a><br />
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<strong>What is the National Children's Study? </strong><br />
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The National Children’s Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The goal of the Study is to improve the health and well-being of children. <br />
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Watch this <a href="http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/about/overview/Pages/video.aspx">video</a> and learn more about the Study.<br />
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The Study defines “environment” broadly, taking a number of natural and man-made environmental, biological, genetic, and psychosocial factors into account. By studying children through their different phases of growth and development, researchers will be better able to understand the role these factors have on health and disease. Findings from the Study will be made available as the research progresses, making potential benefits known to the public as soon as possible.<br />
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Ultimately, the National Children’s Study will be one of the richest research efforts geared towards studying children’s health and development and will form the basis of child health guidance, interventions, and policy for generations to come. For more details on the Study, see the <a href="http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/about/overview/Pages/default.aspx">Study Overview</a>.<br />
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The National Children’s Study is led by a consortium of federal partners: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (including the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. <br />
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</div></div>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-26031641817554109702010-01-15T16:03:00.001-06:002010-01-15T16:04:57.430-06:00Massive Recall of Over 60 Million Over-The-Counter DrugsFollow the link for a complete list of items that are being recalled. The list covers both children and adult products and includes the package size, product type, lot number and UPC codes:<br />
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<a href="http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/">http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/</a>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-86903542177596380092009-12-11T15:51:00.000-06:002009-12-11T15:51:54.149-06:005 Natural Ways to Help Your Health<h3 class="article_subtitle">Want to improve the nation’s health care? Stay healthy.</h3>No matter how the laws change in Washington, D.C., preventive medicine experts say the single best way to improve the nation’s health is simple: Stay healthy.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Preventable illnesses like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and several leading forms of cancer make up a big chunk of health care spending, costing billions of dollars. They rob millions of Americans of years of life and blight the final years of others with sickness and disability.<br />
</div>It doesn’t have to be that way. Consider evidence from a 2009 study of 23,153 adults who took part in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Volunteers who followed four tenets of good health -- they didn’t smoke or get fat; they exercised and ate a healthy diet -- were 80% less likely to develop chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Their risk of developing type 2 diabetes was 92% lower than the risk of people who shunned the familiar health advice. Their odds of having a heart attack were 81% lower.<br />
“Results like these prove again and again that the most powerful tools we have to improve health are prevention,” says Wes Alles, PhD, director of the Stanford Health Improvement program at Stanford University. “Yet we still have trouble convincing people to make those healthy changes.” To craft your own health care reform program, here’s what Alles and other experts say you should do to get the biggest bang for your efforts:<br />
<h3>1. Be More Active and Exercise</h3>Exercise offers so many health benefits, it’s nothing short of a magic bullet. Something as simple as a brisk walk for half an hour a day dramatically reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and several forms of cancer, including colon cancer, one of the leading killers.<br />
“A lifetime of regular exercise improves brain function, allows people to be active and independent in their later years, and adds years to life,” says Steven Blair, PhD, professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina, who has helped shape federal exercise guidelines. “That addresses most of the leading chronic health threats we face.”<br />
A 2008 study by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston showed that regular exercise lowered the risk of dying prematurely by 30%.<br />
<h3>2. Maintain a Healthy Weight</h3>Easier said than done, according to findings from a new analysis of data from state health departments.<br />
Over the past five years, obesity rates climbed in nearly all states. Indeed, not a single state in the U.S. saw a decline.<br />
Losing weight and keeping it off is difficult. Yet studies show that losing weight just a few pounds if you’re overweight will improve your health. If your weight is normal, work to keep it there by reining in calories and exercising frequently. A healthy diet includes abundant fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A good diet limits refined sugars and saturated fats. One easy way to shed calories from your diet: drink water instead of sugary beverages. They account for more and more calories in the American diet.<br />
<div class="article_content"> <h3>3. Get Screened and Get Your Shots</h3>This year, with flu in the headlines, no one needs to be reminded that flu shots can dramatically reduce the risk of getting this seasonal bug and its potentially life-threatening complications. Yet only 42% of people 50 to 64 get yearly flu shots. Keeping up to date on all recommended vaccinations can prevent many deadly and debilitating illnesses.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Routine health screens are also lifesavers. Knowing and managing your cholesterol levels and blood pressure is crucial to reducing your risk of heart disease. Cancer screening tests have been shown to catch some forms of the disease early enough to eliminate them.<br />
</div>For the latest recommendations on what tests to get when, check out the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations at www.ahrq.gov.<br />
<h3>4. Don’t Smoke: Quitting Saves Lives</h3>A no-brainer. But lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death -- and between 80% and 90% of cases are directly caused by smoking, according to the National Cancer Institute.<br />
The good news: smoking rates <i>are</i> falling in the U.S. And thanks to a variety of new nicotine replacement therapies -- from patches to nasal sprays -- quitting is easier than ever. One recent analysis of studies found that nicotine replacements can almost double the odds that smokers will successfully quit. New medications to help smokers kick the habit are also available. Talk to your doctor about the best strategies for success.<br />
<h3>5. Find Joy From Family and Friends</h3>Enjoying life and maintaining a circle of supportive friends is a big part of good health. Indeed, having friendships may be second only to not smoking for preventing heart attacks. People with extensive social networks, according to research at the Uniformed Services University, are less likely to have calcification in their arteries, a sign of heart disease risk.<br />
One way to increase your happiness is to foster cheerful friends. “Happiness turns out to spread through social networks,” says James D. Fowler, PhD, an associate professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego. His research, which tracked the spread of happiness among friends and even friends of friends, found that a person is 15% more likely to be happy if a close contact is happy.<br />
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</div>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-37102328281538565692009-11-25T18:29:00.000-06:002009-11-25T18:29:21.882-06:00The Truth About TryptophanEvery year at Thanksgiving, most of us engage in an annual rite of passage: stuffing ourselves mercilessly with turkey, cranberry sauce, and pie. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday. But inevitably, in that hour between feeling so full you think you'll explode and gearing up for round two with the leftovers, your relatives can find you conked out on the couch.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Along comes Aunt Mildred with her armchair scientific explanation. You're tired, she tells you, because the turkey you just ate is laden with L-tryptophan. Tryptophan, she says, makes you tired.<br />
</div>So is your aunt right? Is the turkey really what's to blame for Thanksgiving sleepiness? The experts helped WebMD sort out the facts.<br />
<h3>What is L-Tryptophan?</h3>L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid. The body can't make it, so diet must supply tryptophan. Amino acids are building blocks of <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="31072" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80011198" href="http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/good-protein-sources" keywordid="28157" keywordsetid="7328" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/good-protein-sources">proteins</a>. Foods rich in tryptophan include, you guessed it, turkey. Tryptophan is also found in other poultry, meat, cheese, yogurt, fish, and eggs.<br />
Tryptophan is used by the body to make <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="66774" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="7C6D9D9F29E7450B" href="http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-126-NIACIN+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=3745&drugname=niacin+oral" keywordid="47529" keywordsetid="15168" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-126-NIACIN+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=3745&drugname=niacin+oral">niacin</a>, a B vitamin that is important for digestion, skin and nerves, and serotonin. Serotonin is a brain chemical that plays a large role in mood) and can help to create a feeling of well-being and relaxation. "When levels of serotonin are high, you're in a better mood, <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="491" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e800251e7" href="http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/default.htm" keywordid="24711" keywordsetid="6421" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/default.htm">sleep</a> better, and have a higher pain tolerance," says Elizabeth Somer, MA, RD, author of numerous <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="440" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80046694" href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm" keywordid="23350" keywordsetid="6013" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm">nutrition</a> books, including her latest, <i>Eat Your Way to Happiness</i>.<br />
Tryptophan is needed for the body to produce serotonin. Serotonin is used to make <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="27010" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001d633" href="http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview" keywordid="22791" keywordsetid="5859" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview">melatonin</a>, a hormone that helps to control your sleep and wake cycles.<br />
<h3>Turkey the Sleep Inducer?</h3>As it turns out, turkey contains no more of the amino acid tryptophan than other kinds of poultry. In fact, turkey actually has slightly less tryptophan than chicken, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, LDN, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman and author of <i>The Flexitarian Diet.</i><br />
Jackson Blatner says that if we're sleepy on Thanksgiving as a direct result of eating turkey, then eating other foods rich in tryptophan should have the same effect.<br />
"When is the last time someone ate a chicken breast at a summertime barbecue and thought they felt sluggish [because of it]?" she asks.<br />
Turkey is, indeed, a good source of tryptophan. Still, it's a myth that eating foods high in tryptophan boosts brain levels of tryptophan and therefore brain levels of serotonin, Somer says.<br />
Somer says that proteins like turkey, chicken, and fish, which are high in tryptophan, require assistance from foods high in carbohydrates to affect serotonin levels.<br />
"Tryptophan is quite high in milk and turkey, but that's not the food that will give you the serotonin boost," she says. It's a small, all-carbohydrate snack -- no more than 30 grams of carbohydrates -- in combination with the tryptophan stored in your body from food you've already eaten that will give you the biggest boost of serotonin, Somer says.<br />
A serotonin-boosting snack may include a few Fig Newtons, half of a small whole wheat bagel with honey drizzled over it, or a few cups of air-popped popcorn some time after you've eaten foods high in tryptophan. "Research shows that a light, 30 gram carbohydrate snack just before bed will actually help you sleep better," Somer says.<br />
<h3>Amino Acid Overload</h3>When you eat foods rich in tryptophan, as the food digests, amino acids - not just tryptophan - make their way into the bloodstream. This causes competition among the various amino acids to enter the brain.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">"Tryptophan, which is a bulky amino acid, would have to stand in line to get through the blood-brain barrier with a whole bunch of amino acids," Somer says. "It would be like standing in line when the Harry Potter movie comes out and you didn't get in line early enough. The chances of getting in [to see the movie] are pretty slim. That's what happens when you eat a protein-rich food. Tryptophan has to compete with all these other amino acids. It waits in line to get through the blood-brain barrier and very little of it makes it across."<br />
</div>The small, all-carbohydrate snack is tryptophan's ticket across the blood-brain barrier, where it can boost serotonin levels. So have your turkey, Somer says, because it will increase your store of tryptophan in the body, but count on the carbohydrates to help give you the mood boost or the restful sleep.<br />
"It's the all-carb snack that ends up being like a sneak preview of the [Harry Potter] movie, where no one else knows it's showing," she says.<br />
<h3>Too Much of a Sleepy Thing</h3>Is it possible to have too much tryptophan in the body? Not really, Somer says. "Except if you end up eating a lot of tryptophan, it means you're eating a lot of protein and Americans already eat a lot of protein. It's the only nutrient we get too much of," she says.<br />
"If you're getting even one serving of 3 ounces of meat, chicken, or fish; a couple of glasses of milk or yogurt; or if you're eating beans and rice, you will get all the amino acids you need and in there will be the tryptophan," Somer says.<br />
<h3>Thanksgiving Grogginess: Look Beyond the Turkey</h3>So if eating turkey isn't exactly the same as popping a sleeping pill, why the sudden grogginess as soon as our holiday feast is over?<br />
"It boils down to Thanksgiving being a time when people overeat," Jackson Blatner says. "When people overeat food, the digestion process takes a lot of energy. Don't incriminate the turkey that you ate," she says of post-Thanksgiving meal exhaustion, "incriminate the three plates of food that you piled high."<br />
And let's not forget that the holidays generally mean time off from work and with family. Many people feel more relaxed to begin with (family wars not withstanding). Add alcohol to the mix, and voila! Sleep!<br />
Speaking of sleep, Joyce Walsleban, PhD, associate professor at New York University's Sleep Disorders Center, suggests we all get plenty of it. "Coming up on the holidays and trying to get all the things done that one would normally be doing, you short cut your sleep and that's never helpful. By the time the holiday comes, everyone has gotten sick."<br />
At least then you'll have a good excuse to lay down and take a nap.Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-73010712558998454032009-11-12T23:34:00.000-06:002009-11-12T23:34:04.882-06:00Super Foods That Strengthen ImmunityOne of the best ways to keep your immune system strong and prevent colds and flu might surprise you: Shop your supermarket’s produce aisle.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Experts say a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you ward off infections like colds and flu. That’s because these super foods contain immune-boosting antioxidants.<br />
</div>What are antioxidants? They are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals. Many experts believe this damage plays a part in a number of chronic diseases, including hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), cancer, and arthritis. Free radicals can also interfere with your immune system. So fighting off damage with antioxidants helps keep your immune system strong, making you better able to ward off colds, flu, and other infections.<br />
<h3>Antioxidants for Immunity: Where to Find Them</h3>Adding more fruit and vegetables of any kind to your diet will improve your health. But some foods are higher in antioxidants than others. The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You’ll find them in colorful fruits and vegetables – especially those with purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow hues. To get the biggest benefits of antioxidants, eat these foods raw or lightly steamed; don’t overcook or boil.<br />
<b>Beta-carotene and other carotenoids:</b> Apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, green peppers, kale, mangoes, turnip and collard greens, nectarines, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, squash, spinach, sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon.<br />
<b>Vitamin C:</b> Berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, kale, kiwi, mangoes, nectarines, orange, papaya, red, green or yellow peppers, snow peas, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes.<br />
<b>Vitamin E:</b> Broccoli, carrots, chard, mustard and turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, and sunflower seeds.<br />
Other super foods that are rich in antioxidants include:<br />
<ul><li>Prunes</li>
<li>Apples</li>
<li>Raisins</li>
<li>All berries</li>
<li>Plums</li>
<li>Red grapes</li>
<li>Alfalfa sprouts</li>
<li>Onions</li>
<li>Eggplant</li>
<li>Beans</li>
</ul>Vitamins aren’t the only antioxidants in food. Other antioxidants that may help boost immunity include<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Zinc: Found in oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, seafood, whole grains, fortified cereals, and dairy products</li>
<li>Selenium: Found in Brazil nuts, tuna, beef, poultry and fortified breads, and other grain products<br />
</li>
</ul><h3>Antioxidant Super Foods: How Much Do You Need? <br />
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<i><b>Here are the RDAs for some antioxidants: </b></i><br />
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<b>Zinc:</b> 11 milligrams for men, 8 milligrams for women. If you are a strict vegetarian, you may require as much as 50% more dietary zinc. That’s because your body absorbs less zinc when you have a diet rich in plant-based foods.<br />
<b>Selenium:</b> 55 micrograms for men or women.<br />
<b>Beta-carotene:</b> There is no RDA for beta-carotene. But the Institute of Medicine says that if you get 3 milligrams to 6 milligrams of beta-carotene daily, your body will have the levels that may lower risk of chronic diseases.<br />
<b>Vitamin C:</b> 90 milligrams for men, 75 milligrams for women. Smokers should get extra vitamin C: 125 milligrams for men and 110 milligrams for women.<br />
<b>Vitamin E:</b> 15 milligrams for men and women.<br />
<h3>How Foods Boost Immunity</h3>Can’t you get antioxidants from taking a vitamin or a supplement? Yes, but you may be missing out on other nutrients that could strengthen the immune system. Foods contain many different nutrients that work together to promote health. For example, researchers delving into the mysteries of fruits and vegetables and the complex antioxidants they contain have discovered benefits of:<br />
<ul><li> <b>Quercetin:</b> a plant-based chemical (phytochemical) found in apples, onions, teas, red wines, and other foods. It fights inflammation and may help reduce allergies.</li>
<li> <b>Luteolin:</b> a flavonoid found in abundance in celery and green peppers. It also fights inflammation and one study showed it may help protect against inflammatory brain conditions like Alzheimer’s.</li>
<li> <b>Catechins:</b> a type of flavonoid found in tea. Catechins in tea may help reduce risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.</li>
</ul>If you can’t get enough antioxidants in your diet by eating fresh produce, some experts recommend taking a multivitamin that contains minerals, too. But be cautious about taking individual immune system supplements to boost immunity. With antioxidants, as with most anything, moderation is key. Vitamins A and E, for example, are stored in the body and eliminated slowly. Getting too much can be toxic.Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-62383653491857448292009-10-23T08:47:00.000-05:002009-10-23T08:47:08.724-05:00Teen Peer Pressure: Raising a Peer Pressure-Proof ChildLearn what kinds of peer pressure teens face, who’s most vulnerable, and how to help your son or daughter resist.<br />
Remember when your teenager took her first steps as a toddler? You hovered behind her -- back bent, arms spread -- prepared to catch her should she fall. Much as you might like, you can't shadow your adolescent as you did back then, being there to break her fall when she missteps.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">But, say experts, there are steps you can take to support your adolescent in the face of teen peer pressure. Follow them and you'll rest easier when your teen heads out of the house on a Friday night.<br />
</div><h3>Teen Peer Pressure: What's Being Pushed?</h3>So, just what high-risk behaviors might your adolescent feel pressured to engage in? Plenty, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which periodically conducts surveys on health-risk behaviors among youth. The latest survey results indicate that teen peer pressure is real. Many adolescents are engaging in behaviors that place their health at risk -- including cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, illegal drug use and sexual activity. And in all likelihood, their peers are pushing them to try these behaviors.<br />
Here are some of the survey's findings.<br />
<b>Smoking.</b> By the time adolescents are just 13, one in five has tried smoking.<br />
<b>Alcohol use.</b> Two-thirds of teens between the ages of 14 and 17 have tried alcohol. Of teen boys who have tried alcohol, 20% did so by the time they were 12. Episodic, or binge drinking, is also fairly common. Of the adolescents aged 12 to 17, one in four said they'd had five or more drinks consecutively within the past month. Almost a quarter of drinkers aged 16 to 21 admitted to driving after drinking.<br />
<b>Drug use.</b> Slightly more than 25% of adolescents aged 14 to 17 have used illegal drugs. One-third of young adult marijuana users aged 18 to 21 started using the drug by the time they turned 14.<br />
<b>Sex.</b> About one in every three kids aged 14 to 15 has had sexual intercourse. Of sexually active teens, almost 30% used no birth control during their last sexual encounter.<br />
Well-documented risky behaviors aren't the only ones teens may feel pressure to try. Health professionals who work with adolescents report other equally troubling behaviors that may not be as common, but are, nonetheless, on the rise. And they point to teen peer pressure as a culprit.<br />
Consider teens' ardent attempts to emulate unrealistic body ideals. "There's a lot of peer pressure to have your body look a very specific way," says Lauren Solotar, PhD, chief psychologist at May Institute in Massachusetts. While the desire to look "fit and thin" is more pronounced among girls, she notes that many boys as young as middle-school age are on the quest for "six-pack" abs. "It's scary, all the push and the pressure," Solotar says.<br />
Intentional self-injury, in some instances provoked by teen peer pressure, is also on the rise. "It's a method of coping with difficult emotions," says Alec L. Miller, PsyD, chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. "There seem to be some peers who are engaging in this behavior [slashing their arms], and persuading others to try it." For example, a survey conducted at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Massachusetts during the 2004-05 school year, based on the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey, revealed that 20% of high school students had intentionally hurt themselves within the past year.<br />
<h3>Identifying Vulnerable Teens</h3>When it comes to determining who will succumb easily to teen peer pressure, there's no single profile.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Some experts say those who are socially adrift are the most likely candidates. "Teens who are prone to social isolation, and have less of a cohesive sense of self, will do things to feel connected," Miller says.<br />
</div>But others say adolescents who seem like the least likely suspects are actually the most susceptible to teen peer pressure. "Popular kids tend to be the most vulnerable. They pay attention to what their peers value. And at 14 or 15, when their peers value experimenting with alcohol, they're going to be right there," says Joseph P. Allen, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia.<br />
<h3>Why Teens Fall Prey to Peer Pressure</h3>Kids' personal traits aside, many experts agree that simply being of middle-school age is one of the leading causes of peer pressure. "Developmentally, these kids really want to conform," Miller says.<br />
Headstrong children who have known few parental limits in their lives are increasingly vulnerable to peer pressure during the middle-school years. "I see young kids who are strong and willful who have gotten away with a lot," says Michelle M. Forcier, MD, head of adolescent medicine at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. "Then parents suddenly panic because the risk-taking behavior is now about more serious things."<br />
How society is set up also makes adolescents conducive to teen peer pressure, some experts say. "If you go back 40 or 50 years ago, adolescents were much more likely to be integrated with adults, to be more a part of adult society," Allen says. That has changed, he notes, and there's now a much stronger emphasis for teens to socialize with peers. "It's an independent youth culture, where values don't come from parents. There's no real connection to adult values," Allen concludes.<br />
<h3>Making Your Child Resilient to Teen Peer Pressure</h3>In spite of adolescents' vulnerability and the strong influence of peers, parents can exert a positive influence on their adolescents' decision-making processes, offering them ways to combat the effects of peer pressure. Experts explain how.<br />
<ul type="disc"><li> <b>Keep communication lines open</b> <br />
Talk to your kids -- and don't wait until they're teens. Healthcare professionals, counselors, and educators agree unanimously that open communication between parents and their children helps youth better manage teen peer pressure. "It's not too early to have an honest conversation about drugs, sex and other pressures when your child is in fifth grade," Miller says.<br />
<br />
Dialogue that starts early pays off in the long run. "The kids who weather the decision-making process are those who can talk to their parents, no matter what the issue, and who know that even if their parents don't approve of it, they will listen and help them make a decision that makes sense to them," Forcier says.<br />
<br />
Research supports this theory. Teens who report learning a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use drugs than those who say they haven't learned a lot about drugs from their parents. That's according to results of an annual, nationwide survey of teens in grades 6 through 12, conducted by Partnership for a Drug-Free America and reported by Tom Hedrick, senior communications officer and founding member of the association.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li> <b>Practice peer pressure scenarios</b> <br />
Teen peer pressure may come as a surprise to your child. Out of the blue, he may be offered a cigarette or a swig of alcohol, and he may have no idea how to respond. You can help prepare him for these scenarios. "Find a calm period, prior to or during early adolescence, and role play," Solotar suggests. "It's much easier to manage a situation if you've already thought it out."<br />
<br />
</li>
<li> <b>Listen to your teen's perspective</b> <br />
Express your personal opinions, but don't let them shut down communication, advises Forcier. "You want to make clear to your adolescent what you believe in. But if you shut down on certain topics, your kid won't come to you as a trusted adult," Forcier says. She offers the example of the parent who adamantly refuses to discuss birth control with her 15-year-old daughter. "These kids are the ones we often end up seeing for pregnancy tests," Forcier says.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li> <b>Keep inviting your kids into your life</b> <br />
"There is a natural break [between teens and their parents], and it should happen. But I tell parents to keep inviting kids to do things. Kids want their parents to maintain the relationship," Allen says. He warns that it may take some creativity and effort on the part of the parent. "You might have to find new ways to relate to your kid," he says. He suggests trying to find mutual, life-long interests to share with your adolescent, like playing tennis or cooking together.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li> <b>Think beyond punitive responses</b> <br />
A parent's initial reaction to an adolescent who comes home inebriated may be to punish. But, ultimately, that's not a solution to the real problem. "A punitive response doesn't get at what you need to change the behavior," Forcier says. "If a teen is 14 and she's drinking, there's probably a good reason for it. If you address it, maybe she won't need the alcohol."</li>
</ul>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-11115392041714993332009-10-14T17:16:00.001-05:002009-10-14T20:13:26.183-05:004 Weight-Loss Rules to Break<h2 class="list-tool-item">Eat five small meals a day</h2><b>Who breaks it</b> Renee Melton, R. D., director of nutrition services for the mobile weight-loss program Sensei."My schedule doesn't give me time to prepare healthy snacks, much less eat them, so I make sure I get what I need in three squares a day." <br />
<br />
<b>Why you can, too</b> The "graze, don't gorge" philosophy is based on the premise that having frequent small meals keeps your blood sugar steady, your metabolism ramped up, and your appetite in check. But some studies show a link between obesity and eating more than three times a day, most notably in women. More frequent noshing means more opportunities to overeat. Plus, says Melton, having to constantly think about what you're going to eat can be stressful, especially for emotional eaters. <br />
<br />
<b>Do it right</b> To keep hunger pangs from overriding your willpower throughout the day, eat fiber-rich foods at mealtimes—they make you feel fuller and take longer to digest. Shoot for 21 to 25 grams a day, starting with a high-fiber grain cereal like Kashi's GoLean with low-fat milk and fruit. For lunch and dinner, Melton says, fill half your plate with produce, a quarter with carbs, and the other quarter with lean protein.<br />
<h2 class="list-tool-item">Avoid white bread, rice, and pasta </h2><b>Who breaks it</b> Christine Avanti, clinical sports nutritionist and author of <i>Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads</i>. She was raised on homemade "white" pasta by her Italian immigrant grandparents. <br />
<br />
<b>Why you can, too</b> Carb lovers have long been warned against highly processed products because they're believed to cause a blood sugar spike. But research published in the <i>Journal of the American Dietetic Association</i> found that people on high-carb diets were slimmer than their pastaphobic counterparts even when they threw "bad" carbs like white bread into the mix of fiber-rich whole grains. <br />
<br />
<b>Do it right</b> Follow the U. S. Department of Agriculture recommendation of six ounces of carbs each day, and make sure at least half come from whole grains. Then measure out a serving of refined carbs, such as a cup of cooked white pasta, and dig in guilt-free. If a single cup isn't gonna do it for you, pair your pasta with filling protein, like a meaty red sauce made with extra-lean ground turkey.<br />
<h2 class="list-tool-item">Don't eat late at night </h2><b>Who breaks it</b> Ann G. Kulze, M. D., author of <i>Dr. Ann's 10-Step Diet: A Simple Plan for Permanent Weight Loss and Lifelong Vitality</i>. She sits down to dinner every night at 9 p.m. or later. <br />
<br />
<b>Why you can, too</b> "A calorie consumed at 9 p. m. isn't handled any differently by your body than one consumed at 9 a. m.," Kulze says. It's less about when you eat than how much you eat. A study published in the <i>European Journal of Clinical Nutrition</i> found that obese women were more likely than svelte women to eat meals late at night, but they were also more likely to eat more, period. And a study by the USDA showed that your metabolism hums along at the same rate no matter how you time your meals. And delaying dinner does have one undisputed advantage: It helps eliminate late-night snacking, one of the worst diet busters. <br />
<br />
<b>Do it right</b> One reason you're likely to stuff yourself late at night is that you're ravenous from not having eaten since lunchtime. A healthy snack in the late afternoon (around four if you're planning to eat at nine) can help you avoid this pitfall. Studies have found that the fat in nuts is particularly satisfying, so grab a 100-calorie pack of almonds when you're on the go. When you finally find the time for dinner, actually sit at a table, and nix the distractions. Scarfing a meal in the car or in front of the TV means you usually aren't paying attention to what—or how much—you're eating.<br />
<h2 class="list-tool-item">Skip dessert </h2><b>Who breaks it</b> Judith S. Stern, Sc. D., a professor of nutrition and internal medicine at the University of California, Davis. She has a "few bites of something decadent" when she dines out. <br />
<br />
<b>Why you can, too</b> We all discover a little more room beneath our waistbands when the dessert tray rolls by. Studies show that when you're offered a variety of foods, you never achieve what's known as taste-specific satiety; your appetite is stimulated anew as each novel flavor is introduced. Outsmart your taste buds by planning ahead. Stern's trick: She looks at the dessert menu along with the main menu, and if she decides to end the meal with, say, a dark-chocolate tart, she'll always choose a salad dressed in a little olive oil and vinegar to start and then have an appetizer as her entree. <br />
<br />
<b>Do it right</b> Desserts are unsurprisingly high in calories, and chain restaurants tend to serve enormous portions—an Applebee's chocolate chip cookie sundae has 1,620 calories and 73 grams of saturated fat! Order off the kid's menu or get something to share. Also consider sorbets and chocolate-dipped fruit, which satisfy a sweet tooth for fewer calories. Dining at home? Try the chocolate raspberry parfait Avanti prepares: Top a half cup of fat-free ricotta cheese with a teaspoon of cocoa powder and a quarter cup of fresh or frozen raspberries. "This snack offers just enough sweetness to calm a sugar craving," she says, "and it's packed with filling protein."Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-10859702115843487042009-10-02T13:25:00.001-05:002009-10-02T13:25:56.750-05:0015 Cancer Symptoms Women Ignore<h3>No. 1: Unexplained Weight Loss</h3>Many women would be delighted to <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="440" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80046694" href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm" keywordid="27466" keywordsetid="6789" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm">lose weight</a> without trying. But unexplained <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="29571" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001d084" href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/tc/healthy-weight-what-is-a-healthy-weight" keywordid="27492" keywordsetid="5333" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/diet/tc/healthy-weight-what-is-a-healthy-weight">weight</a> loss -- say 10 pounds in a month without an increase in <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="4" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8005041d" href="http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/default.htm" keywordid="27616" keywordsetid="7172" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/default.htm">exercise</a> or a decrease in food intake -- should be checked out, Mishori says.<br />
"Unexplained weight loss is cancer unless proven not," she says. It could, of course, turn out to be another condition, such as an overactive <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="70391" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8035e3b6" href="http://women.webmd.com/picture-of-the-thyroid" keywordid="58695" keywordsetid="25974" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://women.webmd.com/picture-of-the-thyroid">thyroid</a>.<br />
Expect your doctor to run tests to check the thyroid and perhaps order a CT scan of different organs. The doctor needs to "rule out the possibilities, one by one," Mishori says.<br />
<h3>No. 2: Bloating</h3><a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="29184" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001e673" href="http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/tc/gas-bloating-and-burping-topic-overview" keywordid="16897" keywordsetid="4523" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/tc/gas-bloating-and-burping-topic-overview">Bloating</a> is so common that many women just live with it. But it could point to <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="184" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80024752" href="http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/default.htm" keywordid="23506" keywordsetid="6055" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/default.htm">ovarian cancer</a>. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer include <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="7939" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e800079f8" href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/abdominal-pain" keywordid="28549" keywordsetid="7437" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/abdominal-pain">abdominal pain</a> or <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="77" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80033754" href="http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/default.htm" keywordid="23673" keywordsetid="6105" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/default.htm">pelvic pain</a>, feeling full quickly -- even when you haven't eaten much -- and urinary problems, such as having an urgent need to go to the bathroom.<br />
If the bloating occurs almost every day and persists for more than a few weeks, you should consult your physician. Expect your doctor to take a careful history and order a CT scan and blood tests, among others.<br />
<h3>No. 3: Breast Changes</h3>Most women know their breasts well, even if they don't do regular self-exams, and know to be on the lookout for lumps. But that's not the only breast symptom that could point to cancer. Redness and thickening of the <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="70837" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80396037" href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-the-skin" keywordid="60204" keywordsetid="26540" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-the-skin">skin</a> on the breast, which could indicate a very rare but aggressive form of breast cancer, inflammatory <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="31187" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="7B8361B3212040F2" href="http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/" keywordid="16991" keywordsetid="4559" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/">breast cancer</a>, also needs to be examined, Linden says. "If you have a rash that persists over weeks, you have to get it evaluated," she says.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Likewise, if the look of a nipple changes, or if you notice discharge (and aren’t <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="58948" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e802860a4" href="http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/breastfeeding-9/nursing-basics" keywordid="17014" keywordsetid="4567" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/breastfeeding-9/nursing-basics">breastfeeding</a>), see your doctor. "If it's outgoing normally and turns in," she says, that's not a good sign. "If your nipples are inverted chronically, no big deal." It's the change in appearance that could be a worrisome symptom.<br />
</div>If you have breast changes, expect your doctor to take a careful history, examine the breast, and order tests such as a mammogram, <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="43076" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001f05c" href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/doppler-ultrasound" keywordid="26001" keywordsetid="6716" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/doppler-ultrasound">ultrasound</a>, MRI, and perhaps a <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="70482" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e803824cf" href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-biopsy" keywordid="58686" keywordsetid="25966" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-biopsy">biopsy</a>.<br />
<h3>No. 4: Between-Period Bleeding or Other Unusual Bleeding</h3>''Premenopausal women tend to ignore between-period bleeding," Daly says. They also tend to ignore bleeding from the GI tract, mistakenly thinking it is from their period. But between-period bleeding, especially if you are typically regular, bears checking out, she says. So does bleeding after menopause, as it could be a symptom of <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="27477" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001de92" href="http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/endometrial-cancer-topic-overview" keywordid="19904" keywordsetid="5114" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/endometrial-cancer-topic-overview">endometrial cancer</a>. GI bleeding could be a symptom of colorectal cancer.<br />
Think about what's normal for you, says Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta. "If a woman never spots [between periods] and she spots, it's abnormal for her. For someone else, it might not be."<br />
"Endometrial cancer is a common gynecologic cancer," Saslow says. "At least three-quarters who get it have some abnormal bleeding as an early sign."<br />
Your doctor will take a careful history and, depending on the timing of the bleeding and other symptoms, probably order an ultrasound or biopsy.<br />
<h3>No. 5: Skin Changes</h3>Most of us know to look for any changes in <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="31329" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="3A94AF698F0143D4" href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/skin-conditions-moles-freckles-skin-tags" keywordid="22965" keywordsetid="5908" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/skin-conditions-moles-freckles-skin-tags">moles</a> -- a well-known sign of <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="134" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8002386b" href="http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/default.htm" keywordid="22787" keywordsetid="5857" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/default.htm">skin cancer</a>. But we should also watch for changes in skin pigmentation, Daly says.<br />
If you suddenly develop bleeding on your skin or excessive scaling, that should be checked, too, she says. It's difficult to say how long is too long to observe skin changes before you go to the doctor, but most experts say not longer than several weeks. <br />
<h3>No. 6: Difficulty Swallowing</h3>If you have difficulty swallowing, you may have already changed your <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="440" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80046694" href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm" keywordid="26979" keywordsetid="7074" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm">diet</a> so chewing isn't so difficult, perhaps turning to soups or liquid foods such as <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="52182" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8016fd0b" href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/protein-shakes" keywordid="28160" keywordsetid="7331" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/diet/protein-shakes">protein shakes</a>.<br />
But that difficulty could be a sign of a GI cancer, such as in the esophagus, says Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society.<br />
Expect your doctor to take a careful history and order tests such as a chest X-ray or exams of the GI tract.<br />
<h3>No. 7: Blood in the Wrong Place</h3>If you notice blood in your urine or your stool, don’t assume it's from a <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="31097" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001e324" href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hemorrhoids-topic-overview" keywordid="26718" keywordsetid="5359" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hemorrhoids-topic-overview">hemorrhoid</a>, says Mishori. "It could be <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="56" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80023286" href="http://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/default.htm" keywordid="26467" keywordsetid="6876" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/default.htm">colon cancer</a>."<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Expect your doctor to ask questions and perhaps order testing such as a colonoscopy, an exam of the <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="71842" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e803cd8fa" href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-colon" keywordid="60256" keywordsetid="26561" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-colon">colon</a> to look for cancer.<br />
</div>Seeing blood in the toilet bowl may actually be from the vagina if a woman is menstruating, Mishori says. But if not, it should be checked to rule out bladder or kidney cancer, she says.<br />
<a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="23486" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001e44e" href="http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/coughs-topic-overview" keywordid="28103" keywordsetid="4892" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/coughs-topic-overview">Coughing</a> up blood should be evaluated, too. One occasion of blood in the wrong place may not point to anything, Mishori says, but if it happens more than once, go see your doctor.<br />
<h3>No. 8: Gnawing Abdominal Pain and Depression</h3>Any woman who's got a pain in the <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="71693" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e803c7410" href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-abdomen" keywordid="60257" keywordsetid="26562" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-abdomen">abdomen</a> and is feeling depressed needs a checkup, says Lichtenfeld. Some researchers have found a link between <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="65" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80023197" href="http://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htm" keywordid="19021" keywordsetid="4951" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htm">depression</a> and <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="154" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e800e93a1" href="http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/default.htm" keywordid="23560" keywordsetid="6074" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/default.htm">pancreatic cancer</a>, but it's a poorly understood connection.<br />
<h3>No. 9: Indigestion</h3>Women who have been <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="507" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80042fa3" href="http://www.webmd.com/baby/default.htm" keywordid="28283" keywordsetid="6185" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/baby/default.htm">pregnant</a> may remember the indigestion that occurred as they gained weight. But indigestion for no apparent reason may be a red flag.<br />
It could be an early clue to cancer of the esophagus, <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="70401" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8035ee80" href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-stomach" keywordid="58693" keywordsetid="25971" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-stomach">stomach</a>, or throat.<br />
Expect your doctor to take a careful history and ask questions about the indigestion before deciding which tests to order, if any.<br />
<h3>No. 10: Mouth Changes</h3>Smokers should be especially alert for any white patches inside the mouth or white spots on the <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="70379" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8036685c" href="http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-tongue" keywordid="58699" keywordsetid="25978" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-tongue">tongue</a>, according to the American Cancer Society. Both can point to a precancerous condition called leukoplakia that can progress to oral cancer.<br />
Ask your dentist or doctor to take a look and decide what should be done next.<br />
<h3>No. 11: Pain</h3>As people age they seem to complain more of various aches and pains, but pain, as vague as it may be, can also be an early symptom of some cancers, although most pain complaints are not from cancer.<br />
Pain that persists and is unexplained needs to be checked out. Expect your physician to take a careful history, and based on that information decide what further testing, if any, is needed.<br />
<h3>No. 12: Changes in the Lymph Nodes</h3>If you notice a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck -- or anywhere else -- it could be worrisome, Linden says.<br />
"If you have a lymph node that gets progressively larger, and it's [been] longer than a month, see a doctor," she says. Your doctor will examine you and figure out any associated issues (such as infection) that could explain the lymph node enlargement.<br />
If there are none, your doctor will typically order a biopsy.<br />
<h3>No. 13: Fever</h3>If you have a <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="50014" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001e655" href="http://children.webmd.com/tc/fever-age-4-and-older-topic-overview" keywordid="26720" keywordsetid="7021" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://children.webmd.com/tc/fever-age-4-and-older-topic-overview">fever</a> that isn't explained by <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="521" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80022f49" href="http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/default.htm" keywordid="26667" keywordsetid="4824" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/default.htm">influenza</a> or other infection, it could point to cancer. Fevers more often occur after cancer has spread from its original site, but it can also point to early blood cancers such as <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="28683" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001df76" href="http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/leukemia-topic-overview" keywordid="22029" keywordsetid="5642" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/leukemia-topic-overview">leukemia</a> or <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="1522" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8000b24c" href="http://www.webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma" keywordid="26919" keywordsetid="7059" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma">lymphoma</a>, according to the American Cancer Society.<br />
<div xmlns:xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Other cancer symptoms can include jaundice, or a change in the color of your stool.<br />
</div>Expect your doctor to conduct a careful <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="70371" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80377b97" href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/annual-physical-examinations" keywordid="58674" keywordsetid="25959" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/annual-physical-examinations">physical exam</a> and take a medical history, and then order tests such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or other tests, depending on the findings.<br />
<h3>No. 14: Fatigue</h3><a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="22557" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001e577" href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/weakness-and-fatigue-topic-overview" keywordid="20222" keywordsetid="5183" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/weakness-and-fatigue-topic-overview">Fatigue</a> is another vague symptom that could point to cancer -- as well as a host of other problems. It can set in after the cancer has grown, but it may also occur early in certain cancers, such as leukemia or with some colon or stomach cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.<br />
<h3>No. 15: Persistent Cough</h3>Coughs are expected with colds, the flu, <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="492" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80022f86" href="http://www.webmd.com/allergies/default.htm" keywordid="16266" keywordsetid="4348" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/allergies/default.htm">allergies</a>, and sometimes are a side effect of <a chronic_id="" crosslinkid="31476" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="09D1C68D81D74991" href="http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx" keywordid="26921" keywordsetid="7054" object_type="" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx">medications</a>. But a very prolonged cough -- defined as lasting more than three or four weeks -- should not be ignored, Mishori says.<br />
You would expect your doctor to take a careful history, examine your throat, check out your lung functioning and perhaps order X-rays, especially if you are a smoker.<br />
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<div class="moduleSpacer_rdr"></div><div class="related_reading_rdr" id="rltd-p-1022" style="display: none;"><h4>4 Must-See Articles</h4><ul><li class="first"> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/health-care-reform-9/questions-answers" onclick="return sl(this,'','rltd-p-1022_1');">10 Questions to Ask About Health Reform</a> </li>
<li> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/slideshow-sun-damaged-skin" onclick="return sl(this,'','rltd-p-1022_2');">Slideshow: Melanoma and Other Reasons to Shun the Sun</a> </li>
<li> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/slideshow-shingles-pictures" onclick="return sl(this,'','rltd-p-1022_3');">Shingles: Recognize the Rash </a> </li>
<li class="last"> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-mouth-and-body-9/slideshow-teeth-gums" onclick="return sl(this,'','rltd-p-1022_4');">Slideshow: Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body</a> </li>
</ul></div><div class="left_fmt"></div>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-30232515662843300402009-09-18T17:37:00.002-05:002009-09-18T17:49:53.963-05:00Food & FitnessRan across this program on WebMD and wanted to share it with you:<br /><br /><h5><span style="font-size:130%;">With the WebMD <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/food-fitness-planner">Food & Fitness Planner</a> You Get:</span></h5> <ol><li><span>Weight, fitness and daily calorie recommendations based on your personal goals.</span></li><li><span>Access to food nutrition and fitness data information on more then 37,000 foods and over 650 activities, exercises and sports — all with tracking and personal calorie calculations.</span></li><li><span>Portion size guidelines based on common household objects to help you manage your serving sizes.</span></li><li><span>A printable planner to keep you on track throughout the day.</span></li></ol><br />It's been proven that people who plan their meals and exercise everyday are more successful in meeting their healthy eating and weight goals than those who don't create a plan.<br /><br /><p><strong>Meet your goals:</strong><br /> Step 1. Set your goal and calculate recommendations.<br /> Step 2. Plan your foods and activities.<br /> Step 3. Follow your personal plan.</p> <h2>Did You Know...</h2> <div class="eb_leftCol_fmt"> <h4>Portion Distortion</h4> <ul><li>Most restaurants serve 2-4 times the recommended serving sizes.</li><li>You could be adding more then 100 extra calories to you plate resulting in a weight gain of 10 or more pounds per year!</li><li>The WebMD Food & Fitness Planner contains the new WebMD Portion Size Plate to help you understand serving sizes and prevent overeating for lifelong success!</li></ul> </div> <div class="eb_rightCol_fmt"> <h4>Fitness Recommendations</h4> <ul><li>Lack of time is the reason most people don't exercise.</li><li>People usually don't think to count day-to-day activities (yard work, laundry, etc) as healthy calorie burners.</li><li>The WebMD Food & Fitness Planner will give you a personalized target heart rate calculation to help you achieve the greatest fitness benefits.</li></ul> </div> <div id="ContentPane14"><style type="text/css"> .esha_disclaimer_rdr { border-top:2px solid #dadada; clear:both; margin:20px 8px 0px 0px; padding:5px 0px 0px 5px; } .esha_disclaimer_rdr p { float:left; font-size:80%; line-height:42px; margin:0px; padding:0px; } .esha_disclaimer_rdr img { float:left; } </style><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Go to the <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/food-fitness-planner">Food and Fitness Planner</a> page and get started TODAY.</span><br /></div></div>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-66980423009939361532009-09-18T09:02:00.004-05:002009-09-18T09:12:07.190-05:00Have Sympathy for the Little PeopleHeeheehee! That's me! I am going to get swallowed up in this:<br /><br />I know, I know, this isn't a health post, but today, I need your help. I am trying to "collect" comments for a chance to <a href="http://lageansgoodies.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-is-heart-of-your-home.html">Win a Samsung Washer and Dryer </a>over at my <a href="http://lageansgoodies.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-is-heart-of-your-home.html">Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! </a>blog. If you have a minute, could you go <a href="http://lageansgoodies.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-is-heart-of-your-home.html">THERE </a>and leave me a comment.<br /><br />While you're <a href="http://lageansgoodies.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-is-heart-of-your-home.html">THERE</a>, take a look at the information on how <span style="font-style: italic;">YOU</span> can post and win a washer and dryer, too. If you decide to enter, let me know and I will comment for you, too.<br /><br />Thanks my Virtual Friends Forever.Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-41953232860830602212009-09-14T18:28:00.004-05:002009-09-14T18:39:43.805-05:00Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252969905_0"><br />Electrolux</span> and <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252969905_1">Kelly Ripa</span> Kick Off<br />"Text-a-Thon for a Cause" </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sq7O1BpEYBI/AAAAAAAAAww/XLHjRLQPJuM/s1600-h/168.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sq7O1BpEYBI/AAAAAAAAAww/XLHjRLQPJuM/s320/168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381466015123398674" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Electrolux and Kelly Ripa remain committed to raising money and awareness to support this worthy cause. Together, they are launching another exciting campaign that utilizes a form of communication that many of us use every day - texting! During September, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252969905_3">Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month</span>, Electrolux and Kelly are holding a "Text-a-Thon for a Cause" to help raise support for the <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252969905_4">Ovarian Cancer Research Fund</span> whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N0LLcK-4WWk&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/N0LLcK-4WWk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Throughout September, you can donate $5 to the cause by texting "KELLY" to 85944 from your mobile phones (standard text messaging rates apply) - or logging on to<br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102684210801&s=54806&e=001O-2UnSPid68RkbMJwtA6evgrfyX2wywPXQti23ntHeFBG1tTHPIHTzRqAflTe2YbJEdrW_p7ERgVwMhnR4pQ0bn3RfN_IdOv-mZlCuB_ZkhbgBsfbe3E_tU9FtjZjeS7"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252969905_5">www.kelly-confidential.com</span></a>. Also, every time you log on to the Web site, you'll be entered for a chance to win an amazing contribution to your home - a luxury <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252969905_6">front load washer and dryer</span> from Electrolux in Turquoise Sky, the color inspired by the teal ribbon of <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252969905_7">ovarian cancer awareness</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Also during September, visitors to Kelly Confidential can help spread awareness for this important cause by sending a virtual T-shirt to a friend. For every virtual t-shirt sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF. Fashion-forward Moms can also purchase a limited edition T-shirt designed by Ripa; 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will go to OCRF. </span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sq7T6TwuFnI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/2ks2t2Q1YCQ/s1600-h/169.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sq7T6TwuFnI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/2ks2t2Q1YCQ/s320/169.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381471603444815474" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sq7Tv31L-kI/AAAAAAAAAxI/p5b4kcB-vBY/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 146px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sq7Tv31L-kI/AAAAAAAAAxI/p5b4kcB-vBY/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381471424148666946" border="0" /></a></div>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-6161718206760206072009-09-11T17:21:00.002-05:002009-09-11T18:11:15.595-05:00Arthritis: Ankylosing SpondylitisA few months back, my son, Cody, started having some problems with his legs and feet. He came home from work on day and with the problems and was having a lot of trouble walking. He had some tests run and, after about 2 weeks, the doctor told us that he had a strained ligament in his knee. He gave him medication and told him to stay off of it for a week or so and see if that would fix it.<br /><br />It didn't.<br /><br />After a few weeks went by, the pain was mostly gone, with a few "flare ups" from time to time, mostly in his feet, but he still just couldn't walk right.<br /><br />Back to the doctor for more extensive tests. This time, a problem showed up with his blood work. They did more blood work, running a few other tests to confirm what they were seeing. After seeing all the blood work, they explained to us that Cody had an imbalance in his enzymes and said they wanted to send him to a Rheumatologist.<br /><br />Let me pause for a moment and tell you that I was scared to death. Cody is a very healthy, 19 year old, young man. He's never had anything beyond a cold his entire life. Plus, you parents know, we don't want anything to ever be wrong with our child. EVER.<br /><br />We made the appointment and met with the Rheumatologist a couple of weeks later. What a wonderful doctor. He checked Cody head to toe, he literally checked every single joint in Cody's 6 foot 3 inch body. He talked to us about some possibilites of what he thought was going on with Cody, saying that he had a lot of indicators that were leaning towards "Reactive Arthritis", a very treatment, low maintenance form of arthritis that generally flares up on occasion but rarely gives in major problems.<br /><br />However, he was concerned because Cody also had several indicators for Ankylosing Spondylitis, another form of arthritis that, as you will see in a moment, is not what you would want your child or anyone else to have.<br /><br />The doctor performed x-rays, which also indicated the presence of Ankylosing Spondylitis, he followed up with a more "probing" form of blood tests to see if the indicators were present there and we had to go home and wait.<br /><br />I was contacted two days later by the doctor himself who told me that the blood work also showed positive for Ankylosing Spondylitis.<br /><br />At this point, there aren't other tests that can say that it is absolutely Ankylosing Spondylitis. From here on out, all we can do is treat his symptoms as they develop and hope for the best.<br /><br />Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We don't want this to develop, but all indicators say that it is going to.<br /><br />Here is some information about it:<br /><br /><p>Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of <a href="http://arthritis.webmd.com/default.htm" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');">arthritis</a> that affects the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include pain and stiffness from the neck down to the lower back. The spine's bones (vertebrae) may grow or fuse together, resulting in a rigid spine. These changes may be mild or severe, and may lead to a stooped-over posture. Early diagnosis and treatment helps control pain and stiffness and may reduce or prevent significant deformity.</p> <h3>Who Is Affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis?</h3> <p>Spondylitis affects about 0.1 to 0.5% of the adult population. Although it can occur at any age, spondylitis most often affects men in their 20s and 30s. It is less common and generally milder in women and most common in Native Americans.</p> <h3>What Are the Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis?</h3> <p>The most common early symptoms of spondylitis include:</p> <ul><li> <b>Pain and stiffness.</b> Constant pain and stiffness in the low back, buttocks and hips that continue for more than three months. Spondylitis often starts around the sacroiliac joints, where the sacrum (the lowest major part of the spine) joins the ilium bone of the pelvis in the lower back region.</li><li> <b>Bony fusion.</b> Ankylosing spondylitis can cause an overgrowth of the bones, which may lead to abnormal joining of bones, called "bony fusion." Fusion affecting bones of the neck, back or hips may impair a person's ability to perform routine activities. Fusion of the ribs to the spine or breastbone may limit a person's ability to expand his or her chest when taking a deep breath.</li><li> <b>Pain in ligaments and tendons.</b> Spondylitis also may affect some of the ligaments and tendons that attach to bones. <a href="http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/arthritis-tendinitis" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');">Tendonitis</a> (inflammation of the tendon) may <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="31533" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="5583CA8C6D294070" href="http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-management-overview-facts" keywordid="32659" keywordsetid="8322" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-management-overview-facts">cause pain</a> and stiffness in the area behind or beneath the heel, such as the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle.</li></ul> <p> <img src="http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_and_medical_reference/joints_bones_and_muscles/arthritis_ankylosing_spondylitis_ankylosing_spondylitis.jpg" alt="" align="" border="0" /> </p> <p> </p> <p>Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease, which means symptoms may not be limited to the joints. People with the condition also may have <a href="http://children.webmd.com/tc/fever-age-4-and-older-topic-overview" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');">fever</a>, <a href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/weakness-and-fatigue-topic-overview" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');">fatigue</a> and loss of appetite. Eye inflammation (redness and pain) occurs in some people with spondylitis. In rare cases, lung and heart problems also may develop.</p> <h3>What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?</h3> <p>Although the cause of spondylitis is unknown, there is a strong genetic or family link. Most, but not all, people with spondylitis carry a gene called HLA-B27. Although people carrying this gene are more likely to develop spondylitis, more than 75% of these people never develop the disease.</p> <h3>How Is Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosed?</h3> <p>The diagnosis of spondylitis is based on several factors, including:</p> <ul><li>Symptoms</li><li>Findings on physical examination</li><li> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/arthritis-x-rays" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');"> X-rays</a> of the back and pelvis</li></ul> <h3>How Is Ankylosing Spondylitis Treated?</h3> <p>There is no cure for spondylitis, but there are treatments that can reduce discomfort and improve function. The goals of treatment are to reduce pain and stiffness, maintain a good posture, prevent deformity and preserve the ability to perform normal activities. When properly treated, people with ankylosing spondylitis may lead fairly normal lives. Under ideal circumstances, a team approach to treat spondylitis is recommended. Members of the treatment team typically include the patient, doctor, physical therapist and occupational therapist. In patients with severe deformities, osteotomy and fusion can be done.</p> <ul><li> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/pysical-occupational-therapy" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');"> <b>Physical and occupational therapy</b> </a> <b>.</b> Early intervention with physical and occupational therapy is important to maintain function and minimize deformity.</li><li> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/exercise-treat-arthritis" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');"> <b>Exercise</b> </a> <b>.</b> A program of daily exercise helps reduce stiffness, strengthen the muscles around the joints and prevent or minimize the risk of disability. Deep breathing exercises may help keep the chest cage flexible. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for people with ankylosing spondylitis.</li><li> <b>Medications.</b> Certain drugs help provide relief from pain and stiffness, and allow patients to perform their exercises with minimal discomfort. <a href="http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/anti-inflammatory-drugs" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');"> Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)</a> are the most commonly used drugs for spondylitis treatment. Many NSAIDs are currently available. In moderate to severe cases, other medications may be added to the treatment regimen. <a href="http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/modifying-medications" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');"> Disease modifying anitrheumatic drugs (DMARDs)</a> such as Azulfidine and Rheumatrex can be used when NSAIDs alone are not enough to reduce the inflammation, and help to prevent joint stiffness and pain. In addition, the relatively new drugs Enbrel and Remicade have been FDA approved for treating ankylosing spondylitis. A similar drug, Humira has also been shown to improve the pain and stiffness of ankylosing spondylitis.</li><li> <b>Surgery.</b> Artificial joint replacement surgery may be a treatment option for some people with advanced joint disease affecting the <a href="http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/hip-replacement-surgery" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');"> hips</a> or <a href="http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/knee-replacement-surgery" onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');"> knees</a>.<p>In addition, people with spondylitis are urged to not smoke or chew tobacco products because of the increased risk of lung problems and reduced ability to expand the rib cage. Certainly, all of the other reasons why doctors discourage smoking also apply here as well.</p> <p>People with spondylitis are encouraged to sleep on a firm mattress with the back straight. Placing large pillows under the head is discouraged, since it may promote neck fusion in the flexed position. Similarly, propping the legs up on pillows should be avoided because it may lead to hip or knee fusion in the bent position. Choose chairs, tables and other work surfaces that will help avoid slumping or stooping. Armchairs are preferred over chairs without arms.</p> <p>Since those with ankylosing spondylitis could easily hurt their rigid necks or backs, special care should be taken to avoid sudden impact, such as jumping or falling. </p> <p> </p> <p class="text8">Reviewed by the doctors at <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" href="http://www.webmd.com/click?url=http://www.clevelandclinic.org/arthritis/" directive="friendlyurl" chronic_id="" object_type="" path="/webmd/click?url=http://www.clevelandclinic.org/arthritis/">The Cleveland Clinic Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases</a></p></li></ul>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-36136950997041935952009-09-06T12:58:00.000-05:002009-09-06T13:02:12.987-05:007 in 10 U.S. Kids Have Low Vitamin DKids' Low D Means Heart Risk, Rickets, Weak Bones<br /><br />Seven out of 10 U.S. children have too-low vitamin D levels, putting them at risk of <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="503" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8002337e" href="http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/default.htm" keywordid="20803" keywordsetid="5338" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/default.htm">heart disease</a>, rickets, and weak bones. <p xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Nearly one in 10 kids -- 7.6 million American children -- are actually deficient in vitamin D. Low vitamin D is risky, but <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="70845" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80391a18" href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/vitamin-d-deficiency" keywordid="59981" keywordsetid="26358" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/vitamin-d-deficiency">vitamin D deficiency</a> is a serious health threat in which the body begins to reabsorb calcium from the skeleton.</p> <p>The new findings come in a study by Juhi Kumar, MD, MPH, of Montefiore Medical Center; Michal Melamed, MD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine; and colleagues.</p> <p>"We expected the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency would be high, but the magnitude of the problem nationwide was shocking," Kumar says in a news release.</p> <p>Rickets, a bone disease of infants caused by too little vitamin D, has been on the rise. It's not the first time: A U.S. epidemic of rickets at the end of the 1800s ended only when the U.S. fortified milk with vitamin D.</p> <p>It's now apparent that more must be done. People get vitamin D from foods like milk and fish, but it's hard to get enough from diet alone. The body makes its own vitamin D, but only when a person gets at least 10 minutes of direct sunshine a day, before putting on <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="68697" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="BAD5B40406CA4A89" href="http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-366-sunscreen+top.aspx" keywordid="49452" keywordsetid="17091" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-366-sunscreen+top.aspx">sunscreen</a>.</p> <p>Most people need regular vitamin D <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="30841" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8001cf05" href="http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/dietary-supplements-topic-overview" keywordid="24888" keywordsetid="6486" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/dietary-supplements-topic-overview">supplements</a>. Indeed, the Kumar study found that children who took vitamin D supplements were least likely to have low vitamin D levels. But only 4% of kids get these supplements.</p> <p>Some kids were at particularly high risk of low vitamin D levels:</p> <ul><li>Older children</li><li>Girls</li><li>African-American children</li><li>Mexican-American children</li><li>Obese children</li><li>Kids who drank milk less than once a week</li><li>Kids who spent more than four hours a day watching TV, playing video games, or using computers</li></ul> <p>Melamed noted that the widespread use of sunscreens keeps kids from getting vitamin D from sunlight.</p> <p>"It would be a good idea for parents to turn off the TV and send their kids outside," she says in the news release. Just 15 to 20 minutes a day should be enough. And unless they burn easily, don't put sunscreen on them until they've been out in the sun for 10 minutes, so they get the good stuff but not the sun damage."</p> <p>The Kumar study is an analysis of data gathered in the 2001 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of a nationally representative sample of 6,275 children aged 1 to 21.</p> <h3>Low Vitamin D, Future Heart Disease</h3> <p>Kids who have low vitamin D levels are at serious risk of heart disease in adulthood, find Johns Hopkins researcher Jared P. Reis, PhD, and colleagues.</p> <p>Reis' team analyzed data from 3,577 12- to 19-year-olds in the NHANES database.</p> <p>They found that even after controlling for all kinds of factors that affect heart disease risk -- <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="29521" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80008af3" href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-obesity" keywordid="23357" keywordsetid="6016" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-obesity">obesity</a>, <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="4" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e8005041d" href="http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/default.htm" keywordid="27616" keywordsetid="7172" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/default.htm">exercise</a> levels, race/ethnicity, age, gender, and socioeconomic status -- low vitamin D put kids at risk of heart disease as adults.</p> <p>Compared to the 25% of kids with the highest vitamin D levels, the 25% of kids with the lowest vitamin D levels had:</p> <ul><li>a 2.36-fold higher risk of high blood pressure</li><li>a 2.54-fold higher risk of high blood-fat levels</li><li>a 50% higher risk of low levels of good HDL cholesterol</li><li>a nearly fourfold higher risk of <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="31321" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="414E45CA6F564823" href="http://www.webmd.com/heart/metabolic-syndrome/" keywordid="22860" keywordsetid="5883" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/heart/metabolic-syndrome/">metabolic syndrome</a>, a set of risk factors for <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" chronic_id="" crosslinkid="520" directive="friendlyurl" externalid="091e9c5e80024621" href="http://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm" keywordid="19051" keywordsetid="4961" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm">diabetes</a> and heart disease.</li></ul> <p>Kids with low vitamin D levels were more likely to be obese, but even non-obese kids with low vitamin D had more risk factors for heart disease in the not-too-distant future.</p>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-31305578472995410992009-09-04T15:47:00.002-05:002009-09-04T15:50:32.706-05:0010 Surprising Health Benefits of Love<p>Lower Blood Pressure, Fewer Colds, Better Stress Management Are Just the Beginning</p><p>“I need somebody to love,” sang the Beatles, and they got it right. Love and health are intertwined in surprising ways. Humans are wired for connection, and when we cultivate good relationships, the rewards are immense. But we’re not necessarily talking about spine-tingling romance.</p> <p xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">“There’s no evidence that the intense, passionate stage of a new romance is beneficial to health,” says Harry Reis, PhD, co-editor of the <i>Encyclopedia of Human Relationships.</i> "People who fall in love say it feels wonderful and agonizing at the same time.” All those ups and downs can be a source of stress.</p> <p>It takes a calmer, more stable form of love to yield clear health benefits. “There is very nice evidence that people who participate in satisfying, long-term relationships fare better on a whole variety of health measures,” Reis tells WebMD.</p> <p>Most of the research in this area centers on marriage, but Reis believes many of the perks extend to other close relationships -- for example, with a partner, parent, or friend. The key is to “feel connected to other people, feel respected and valued by other people, and feel a sense of belonging,” he says. Here are 10 research-backed ways that love and health are linked:</p> <h3>1. Fewer Doctor’s Visits</h3> <p>The Health and Human Services Department reviewed a bounty of studies on marriage and health. One of the report’s most striking findings is that married people have fewer doctor’s visits and shorter average hospital stays.</p> <p>“Nobody quite knows why loving relationships are good for health,” Reis says. “The best logic for this is that human beings have been crafted by evolution to live in closely knit social groups. When that is not happening, the biological systems ... get overwhelmed.”</p> <p>Another theory is that people in good relationships take better care of themselves. A spouse may keep you honest in your oral hygiene. A best friend could motivate you to eat more whole grains. Over time, these good habits translate to fewer illnesses.</p> <h3>2. Less Depression & Substance Abuse</h3> <p>According to the Health and Human Services report, getting married and staying married reduces depression in both men and women. This finding is not surprising, Reis says, because social isolation is clearly linked to higher rates of depression. What’s interesting is that marriage also contributes to a decline in heavy drinking and drug abuse, especially among young adults.</p> <h3>3. Lower Blood Pressure</h3> <p>A happy marriage is good for your blood pressure. That’s the conclusion of a study in the <i>Annals of Behavioral Medicine</i>. Researchers found happily married people had the best blood pressure, followed by singles. Unhappily married participants fared the worst.</p> <p>Reis says this study illustrates a vital aspect of the way marriage affects health. “It’s marital quality and not the fact of marriage that makes a difference,” he tells WebMD. This supports the idea that other positive relationships can have similar benefits. In fact, singles with a strong social network also did well in the blood pressure study, though not as well as happily married people.</p><h3>4. Less Anxiety</h3> <p>When it comes to anxiety, a loving, stable relationship is superior to new romance. Researchers at the State University of New York at Stony Brook used functional MRI (fMRI) scans to look at the brains of people in love. They compared passionate new couples with strongly connected long-term couples. Both groups showed activation in a part of the brain associated with intense love.</p> <p xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">“It’s the dopamine-reward area, the same area that responds to cocaine or winning a lot of money,” says Arthur Aron, PhD, one of the study’s authors. But there were striking differences between the two groups in other parts of the brain. In long-term relationships, “you also have activation in the areas associated with bonding ... and less activation in the area that produces anxiety.” The study was presented at the 2008 conference of the Society for Neuroscience.</p> <h3>5. Natural Pain Control</h3> <p>The fMRI study reveals another big perk for long-term couples -- more activation in the part of the brain that keeps pain under control. A CDC report complements this finding. In a study of more than 127,000 adults, married people were less likely to complain of headaches and back pain.</p> <p>A small study published in <i>Psychological Science</i> adds to the intrigue. Researchers subjected 16 married women to the threat of an electric shock. When the women were holding their husband’s hand, they showed less response in the brain areas associated with stress. The happier the marriage, the greater the effect.</p> <h3>6. Better Stress Management</h3> <p>If love helps people cope with pain, what about other types of stress? Aron says there is evidence of a link between social support and stress management. “If you’re facing a stressor and you’ve got the support of someone who loves you, you can cope better,” he tells WebMD. If you lose your job, for example, it helps emotionally and financially if a partner is there to support you.</p> <h3>7. Fewer Colds</h3> <p>We’ve seen that loving relationships can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression -- a fact that may give the immune system a boost. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that people who exhibit positive emotions are less likely to get sick after exposure to cold or flu viruses. The study, published in <i>Psychosomatic Medicine,</i> compared people who were happy and calm with those who appeared anxious, hostile, or depressed.</p> <h3>8. Faster Healing</h3> <p>The power of a positive relationship may make flesh wounds heal faster. Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center gave married couples blister wounds. The wounds healed nearly twice as fast in spouses who interacted warmly compared with those who demonstrated a lot of hostility toward each other. The study was published in the <i>Archives of General Psychiatry</i>.</p><h3>9. Longer Life</h3> <p>A growing body of research indicates that married people live longer. One of the largest studies examines the effect of marriage on mortality during an eight-year period in the 1990s. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey, researchers found that people who had never been married were 58% more likely to die than married people.</p> <p xalan="http://xml.apache.org/xalan">Aron tells WebMD marriage contributes to longer life mostly through “mutual practical support, financial benefits, and children who provide support.”</p> <p>But Reis sees an emotional explanation. Marriage protects against death by warding off feelings of isolation. “Loneliness is associated with all-cause mortality -- dying for any reason,” he says. In other words, married people live longer because they feel loved and connected.</p> <h3>10. Happier Life</h3> <p>It may seem obvious that one of love’s greatest benefits is joy. But research is just beginning to reveal how strong this link can be. A study in the <i>Journal of Family Psychology</i> shows happiness depends more on the quality of family relationships than on the level of income. And so we have scientific evidence that, at least in some ways, the <a onclick="return sl(this,'','embd-lnk');" href="http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20080619/for-happiness-seek-family-not-fortune" directive="friendlyurl" chronic_id="" object_type="" path="/webmdhttp://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20080619/for-happiness-seek-family-not-fortune"> power of love trumps the power of money</a>.</p> <h3>Nurture Your Relationships</h3> <p>To foster a loving relationship that yields concrete benefits, Aron offers four tips:</p> <ul><li>If you are depressed or anxious, get treatment.</li><li>Brush up on communication skills and learn to handle conflict.</li><li>Do things that are challenging and exciting with your loved one on a regular basis.</li><li>Celebrate each other's successes.<br /></li></ul> <p>This last point is crucial, Aron tells WebMD. Although partners often provide support during a crisis, this support is even more beneficial during good times. As the proverb goes, <i>Shared sorrow is half sorrow; shared joy is double joy.</i></p>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-72543029679231519172009-09-01T23:08:00.002-05:002009-09-01T23:13:58.734-05:00Migraines, Headaches, and HormonesIt has been estimated that 70% of migraine sufferers are female. Of these female migraine sufferers, 60%-70% report that their migraines are related to their menstrual cycles -- hence the name, menstrual migraines.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What Is the Relationship Between Hormones and Headaches?</span><br /><br />Headaches in women, particularly migraines, have been related to changes in the levels of the female hormone estrogen during a woman's menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels drop immediately before the start of the menstrual flow.<br /><br />Premenstrual migraines regularly occur during or after the time when the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, decrease to their lowest levels.<br /><br />Migraine attacks typically disappear during pregnancy. In one study, 64% of women who described a menstrual link to their headaches noted that their headaches disappeared during pregnancy. However, some women have reported the initial onset of migraines during the first trimester of pregnancy, with disappearance of their headaches after the third month of pregnancy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What Triggers Hormonal Migraines in Women?</span><br /><br />Birth control pills as well as hormone replacement therapy during menopause have been recognized as migraine triggers in some women. As early as 1966, investigators noted that migraines can become more severe in women taking birth control pills, especially those containing high doses of estrogen.<br /><br />The frequency of side effects, such as headache, decreased in those who took birth control pills containing lower doses of estrogen and did not occur in those who took birth control pills containing progesterone.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What Are the Treatment Options for Menstrual Migraines?</span><br /><br />The medications of choice to stop a menstrual migraine are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).<br /><br />The NSAIDs most often used for menstrual migraines include:<br /><br /> * Orudis<br /> * Advil and Motrin<br /> * Nalfon<br /> * Naprosyn<br /> * Relafen<br /><br />NSAID treatment should be started two to three days before the menstrual period starts and continue til the period ends. Because the therapy is of short duration, the risk of gastrointestinal side effects is limited.<br /><br />For people who have severe menstrual migraines or who want to continue taking their birth control pills, doctors recommend taking a NSAID, starting on the l9th day of the cycle and continuing through the second day of the next cycle.<br /><br />Other medications that may be used are given by prescription only. They include:<br /><br /> * Small doses of ergotamine drugs (including Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Migranal)<br /> * Beta-blocker drugs such as propranolol<br /> * Anticonvulsants such as valproate (Depakote)<br /> * Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil<br /><br />These drugs should also be started two to three days pre-menses, and continued throughout the menstrual flow.<br /><br />Because fluid retention is often associated with menses, diuretics have been used to prevent menstrual migraine. Some doctors may recommend limiting salt-intake immediately before the start of menses.<br /><br />Lupron is a medication that affects hormone levels and is used only when all other treatment methods have been tried and have been unsuccessful.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What Are the Treatment Options for Menopausal Migraines?</span><br /><br />For people who need to continue post-menopausal estrogen supplements, the lowest dose of these agents should be used, on an uninterrupted basis. Instead of seven days off the drug, you should take it on a daily basis. By maintaining a steady dose of estrogen, the headaches may be prevented. An estrogen patch (such as Estraderm) may also be effective in stabilizing the levels of estrogen.<br />What Are the Treatment Options for Migraines During Pregnancy?<br /><br />During pregnancy, no treatment is recommended to treat migraines. Medication therapy used to treat migraines can affect the uterus and can cross the placenta and affect the baby, so these medications should be strictly avoided during pregnancy.<br /><br />A mild pain reliever can be used, such as Tylenol. It is important that pregnant women suffering from headaches discuss the safety of headache medications with their obstetricians and headache specialists before taking anything.Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-75631365905816763132009-08-18T18:27:00.007-05:002009-08-18T18:58:10.362-05:00Tribute Tuesday<span style="font-style:italic;">Tribute Tuesday is debuting here today. I had originally started this on my <a href="http://lageansgoodies.blogspot.com">Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!</a> blog but decided that, since charities are generally involved with a health issue, it would be best suited here. Enjoy!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tribute Tuesday: Charity Begins With You</span> - <br /><br />It's about<span style="font-style:italic;"> AWARENESS</span><br /><br />Tribute Tuesday is to honor charities, charitable groups and those who go above and beyond for their charities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Empty Cup Runneth Over</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">- Cindy Papale</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sos_kNJ4waI/AAAAAAAAArc/_mzRunCvLpg/s1600-h/Cindy+Papale.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sos_kNJ4waI/AAAAAAAAArc/_mzRunCvLpg/s320/Cindy+Papale.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371456871808418210" /></a><br /><br />After being diagnosed in July, 2000 with a stage I, left, multi-focal, invasive breast cancer, rather than have a pity party I would turn something so negative and life threatening as breast cancer into a positive. October is breast cancer month, which is the month not only everyone is made aware about the disease, but for some survivors, including my self it can be overwhelming. The possibility of whether my breast cancer could return is enough to frighten anyone. Even though I worked for a breast surgeon at the University of Miami for 11 years, I still went on to web sites to look up the type of cancer I had once diagnosed. I wondered whether I was doing the right thing because sometimes information on web sites either can be incorrect or obsolete. When I began to look up my type of cancer, I realized I was reading more than I wanted to know.<br /><br />It was very difficult for me to say the words breast cancer to anyone. The word cancer alone was even more frightening. Unless one hears those words from a physician that <span style="font-style:italic;">“your biopsy is positive for breast cancer,”</span> it is difficult for anyone to understand how they would react.<br /> <br />Approximately one year later I was invited as a guest speaker in Psychology classes at the University of Miami where I shared with many students my breast cancer experiences. There have been many times when I lectured that I had to hold back my tears. Just remembering all I had gone through was very emotional for me. However, I knew that I needed to be strong because I wanted very much to help educate other young women and men about breast cancer.<br /><br />As I began to speak, I noticed the interest in their faces and I realized they truly were interested in learning about breast cancer. I explained to them that self breast examination, awareness and early detection of breast cancer was critical for early diagnosis and cure. I encouraged them to be proactive, and if they felt something was wrong with their body to tell someone.<br /><br />Soon after I spoke in psychology classes at the University of Miami, my husband at the time asked if I would speak in his psychology high school class (11th and 12th graders). I thought about it for sometime before I agreed. Most teenagers seem to think that nothing bad can happen to them, as I did at that age. I was not sure they would really be interested because I thought they would find it difficult to relate to the experience.<br /><br />On the day of my talk I was extremely nervous. I wondered whether they would like me or even care about the subject of breast cancer. As I began speaking to the students I was thrilled how they opened up to me, which inspired me to continue speaking for the entire hour. I shared everything with them from how it felt to have a mammogram, to having a biopsy procedure, and the removal of my breast.<br /> <br />After my lecture I remember one young girl approached me and asked all kinds of questions, which she was embarrassed to ask in front of the other students. She also mentioned she could not even speak with her own mother about breast cancer. I was not surprised because I remember myself as a teenager never talking to my own mother. I was embarrassed and would rather speak with my friends never realizing they, too, knew just as much as I did about breast cancer, which was nothing.<br /><br />When I finished speaking I realized how little these students knew about breast cancer, I decided to make the commitment to developing and communicating understandable and accurate information in a book (which I did titled <a href="http:///www.theemptycuprunnethover.com">The Empty Cup Runneth Over</a>, published by Dorrance Publishing Company) to better help educate high school and college women and men about breast cancer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sos-uDYxN8I/AAAAAAAAArU/g2EntIMC7wA/s1600-h/Empty+Cup.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ujnVChxuGFM/Sos-uDYxN8I/AAAAAAAAArU/g2EntIMC7wA/s320/Empty+Cup.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371455941473548226" /></a><br /><br /><br />After more than six years of lecturing, I have found that students had many questions about what it feels like to have a mammogram, how are biopsies performed and does it hurt, how it feels when one is first diagnosed, what it feels like to have no breasts, how did I finally make the decision to have breast reconstruction, and most importantly, how to examine their own breasts. <br /><br />In many of the chapters in <a href="http://www.theemptycuprunnethover.com">The Empty Cup Runneth Over</a>, I navigate my story and share the interviews with several University of Miami cancer specialists who have contributed chapters in my book. There are other survivor stories and a nutrition chapter with delicious, healthy recipes that I personally have tried. <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.theemptycuprunnethover.com">The Empty Cup Runneth Over</a> (<a href="http://www.theemptycuprunnethover.com">www.theemptycuprunnethover.com</a>) is written in a dialogue that is easy and even humorous in many chapters. We feel it is important to begin educating high school and college students before they have to deal with breast cancer or other heath issues, either with a family member, or a friend. We know you will find it informative, but more so, hope it will inspire you to get to know and take care of your body. For a personal signed copy of <a href="http://www.theemptycuprunnethover.com">The Empty Cup Runneth Over</a> the University of Miami college campus book store in Coral Gables, Florida would be happy to contact me. The number to call is (305) 284-4101 and ask for Randi, and my book also is on AMAZON.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A portion of the proceeds from <a href="http://www.theemptycuprunnethover.com">The Empty Cup Runneth Over</a> will go towards <a href="http://www.kristylasch.org">The Kristy Lasch Miracle Foundation</a>. Kristy was diagnosed with breast cancer at 22 and lost her battle at age 26. Her dream was to create a foundation for women under 30 to help with medical-related expenses. Before Kristy passed away she began writing a journal. Her parents, Tom and Lynn Lasch found her journal and permitted me to share her story in my book <a href="http://www.theemptycuprunnethover.com">The Empty Cup Runneth Over</a>. I am also honored to be Board Member to the Foundation. For more information about Kristy please go to <a href="http://www.kristylasch.org">www.kristylasch.org</a></span><br /><br />Cindy can be found:<br />Website: <a href="http://www.theemptycuprunnethover.com">www.theemptycuprunnethover.com</a><br />Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/CindyPapale">@CindyPapale </a><br />Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Cindy-Papale/660878053">Cindy Papale</a>Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-35593098357309006212009-08-18T13:29:00.000-05:002009-08-18T13:30:45.771-05:00Chinese Herb May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis‘Thunder God Vine’ May Work as Natural Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms<br /><br />A Chinese herbal remedy may help ease symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis.<br /><br />A new study shows that the Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), also known as “lei gong teng” or "thunder god vine," helped decrease joint tenderness and pain in a small group of people treated with the medicinal plant.<br /><br />Those who took an extract of the herb's roots experienced greater improvement in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than those who took the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine.<br /><br />Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis also leads to joint damage and destruction. There is no cure for the condition, and currently available treatments are designed to ease the symptoms and disability caused by the disease.<br /><br />Although recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis treatment have led to a greater number of available therapies, many of those therapies come with side effects that prompt some users to discontinue treatment or seek complementary and alternative treatments.<br />Thunder God Vine for RA<br /><br />Researchers say thunder god vine has been used in China for centuries to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, and some small clinical trials have suggested that the Chinese herbal remedy may benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis.<br /><br />This study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, compared the benefits and side effects of treatment with thunder god vine and a conventional anti-inflammatory drug used in rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers randomly assigned 121 people with rheumatoid arthritis to take the 60 milligrams of the Chinese herbal extract three times a day or 1 gram of the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine twice a day for 24 weeks.<br /><br />Nearly half of the participants dropped out before the study was complete. But after 24 weeks of treatment, researchers found that a greater proportion of people in the Chinese herbal remedy group experienced at least 20% improvement on a standard measure of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than the other group.<br /><br />Researcher Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, MD, MHS, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues say the study was too short to show if thunder god vine also helped to slow the progression of joint destruction from rheumatoid arthritis. But if further studies confirm these results in larger numbers of people, thunder god vine may provide an affordable natural treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis.Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365638757496073473.post-16726629764399417682009-08-12T10:17:00.001-05:002009-08-12T10:21:55.996-05:00New Osteoporosis Drug Coming?2 Positive Studies Published on Experimental Drug Denosumab; FDA Panel Review This Week<br /><br />The experimental drug denosumab may be on its way to becoming the newest way to treat osteoporosis.<br /><br />Denosumab, a biological drug given by injection every six months, looks safe and effective, researchers report in today's advance online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.<br /><br />An FDA advisory panel will meet Aug. 13 to decide whether to recommend denosumab for FDA approval. The FDA often follows the advice of its advisory committees, but it doesn't have to.<br />Denosumab Studies<br /><br />Denosumab works differently than other osteoporosis drugs. It binds to a protein called RANKL, which cells called osteoclasts need to break down bone as part of the bone remodeling process.<br /><br />The idea behind denosumab is to slow the bone-breakdown process in people whose bones are already dangerously thin.<br /><br />WebMD first reported on denosumab in September 2008, when news about the drug's potential to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research in Montreal.<br /><br />Now, that trial's results have been published, along with a separate study in men with prostate cancer taking bone-weakening hormone therapy to treat their cancer.<br /><br />In both studies, patients got a shot of either denosumab or a placebo every six months for three years. And in both studies, fractures were rarer in patients taking denosumab.<br /><br />In the postmenopausal osteoporosis study, which included 7,800 women 60-90 years old with osteoporosis, new vertebral fractures occurred in 2.3% of patients taking denosumab, compared with 7.2% of patients taking the placebo.<br /><br />That's a difference of 68%, notes researcher Steven Cummings, MD, director of the San Francisco Coordinating Center at the California Pacific Medical Center and a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California at San Francisco.<br /><br />"It's more effective for reducing vertebral fractures than I expected ... 68% is a very powerful reduction," Cummings tells WebMD.<br /><br />In the prostate cancer study, which included more than 1,400 men with prostate cancer on bone-weakening hormone therapy, new vertebral fractures occurred in 1.5% of patients taking denosumab, compared with 3.9% of patients who got the placebo.<br /><br />"To see this very dramatic 62% decrease in vertebral fractures in three years in this relatively high-risk population of men is very impressive," researcher Matthew Smith, MD, PhD, tells WebMD. Smith is the director of genitourinary medical oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.<br />Denosumab's Side Effects<br /><br />Denosumab didn't show an increased risk of infection or cancer -- risks seen with other types of biologic drugs -- in either trial.<br /><br />Denosumab also wasn't linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw (sometimes called "jawbone death"), which has been reported with other osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates.<br /><br />But eczema and severe cases of a skin infection called cellulitis were more common in women taking denosumab in Cummings' study. The reason for that isn't clear.<br /><br />Denosumab's safety profile "appeared excellent" in the prostate cancer study, Smith says, adding that the study was the first large study of fracture prevention in men.<br /><br />"Previously, there had been no large studies to address that problem in men with prostate cancer, and frankly, not in men in any setting," Smith says.<br /><br />Both denosumab studies were sponsored by the drug's maker, Amgen. Smith and Cummings disclose working as consultants for Amgen, and several researchers on both studies are Amgen employees.<br />Other Opinions<br /><br />Denosumab "seems at least as efficacious as the currently approved alternatives," states an editorial published with the studies.<br /><br />But editorialist Sundeep Khosla, MD, of the Mayo Clinic's medical school in Rochester, Minn., notes that there haven't been any head-to-head trials comparing denosumab to other osteoporosis drugs for fracture prevention, that the drug's longer-term safety isn't known yet, and that cost could be an issue if denosumab is pricey. Khosla notes no conflicts of interest. <br /><br />Cummings says there are plans to follow the patients in his study for at least 10 years. He also hopes that patients will be more compliant about taking denosumab than other osteoporosis drugs. <br /><br />"It's as effective as any other treatment and can be given twice a year as a simple injection, like a flu shot" and can be given by a nurse or primary care doctor, Cummings says.<br /><br />Susan Bukata, MD, an osteoporosis specialist and associate professor of orthopaedics at New York's University of Rochester Medical Center, says denosumab would be "another option" for people who can't or won't take other osteoporosis drugs, such as people with kidney failure or gastrointestinal issues.<br /><br />"There's definitely a place for this drug," Bukata says. "I think still, the gold standard is we start on the pills, we start on the generics. But this is certainly a good second-line choice and for some patients ... this may be my first-line choice."<br /><br />Bukata wasn't involved in the denosumab trials. She discloses that she expects to soon work on a clinical trial of another Amgen drug.Lagean Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339501466903179629noreply@blogger.com8