Protect Your Eyes

Sight and sound are the two of the most dramatically affected senses when we age. According to a recent journal article addressing the physiology of aging, all sensory organs are affected when we age but the ears and eyes seem to be prone to the most reduction of ability.

From a physical standpoint, vision reduction is caused by the decline in elasticity of the eye’s lens, which means it struggles to focus incoming light and images. Hearing loss comes from a decline of sensory nerve cells in the ear. Both vision and hearing can affect stability and are both contributed to increased falls in older people. While both are important, the loss of sight might be prevented, depending on your behaviors.

Harvard Health identified six common vision problems, particularly among women, that occur when we age.

1. Presbyopia: This is a condition where the eye loses its ability to focus. General aging is the root cause of such a problem. Oftentimes, this is treated easily with bifocals, trifocals or reading glasses.

2. Cataracts: This condition occurs when proteins collect on the lens causing cloudy vision. Causes can be genetic, but also include diabetes, smoking and excessive exposure to the sun. The most common treatment is the surgical removal of the cataract.

3. Glaucoma: This occurs when fluid builds up behind the eyes and causes additional pressure and damages the optic nerve. General aging is a common cause, but it has also been linked to diabetes and heart disease. Medicated drops and/or surgery may be required as treatments.

4. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): This disease occurs when the macula (part of your eye) is damaged. The macula provides you with clear vision and its damage is often related to age or genetics. Smoking has also been linked to AMD.

5. Floaters: These are small specks or threads that “float” in your field of vision. It is caused when the vitreous humor (gel-like substances in your eye) shrink and create strands of collagen which float around within the eyeball. Surgery can remove them, but most people learn to live with them. They are typically not a sign of anything serious, except in very rare cases.

6. Dry Eye: This is when your eye cannot create enough tears for lubrication. It is often associated with hormonal changes in women, but can also be prompted by medications such as blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, and smoky or dry air. Effective treatments include eye drops, but sometimes surgery is necessary.

Tips to preserve your vision:

1. Wear sunglasses to prevent cataracts

2. Eat plenty of vegetables, especially those high in beta carotene such as carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes.

3. Eat plenty of omega-3 fatty acids such as fish and flaxseeds

4. Don’t smoke, or quit if you already do smoke. This significantly reduces your risks of cataracts and AMD.

5. Try not to stare at your computer or TV screen. Looking away can give your eyes a break and reduce strain.

6. Get your eyes checked at least annually.

 

References

Common vision problems in women. (2013). Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 20(6), 4-5.

Ennis, J. (2013). The physiology of ageing. Practice Nurse, 43(3), 38-42.

The Newest Addiction: Candy Crush Saga

Okay, I’ll admit it. I play Candy Crush. Yes, I probably play it daily. Yes, I’ve purchased my “tickets” to the next level. Yes, I’ve bought extra moves to finish a level. Yes, I’m addicted. But, how bad is this addiction? Is it really as harmful as alcohol or drugs?

While the game was just launched in April 2012, there are no formal academic studies that suggest this is a major addiction. But, just this month, the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail reported that it has been affecting a significant number of people every day – especially women – from financial, personal, and health perspectives.

Looking at this more closely, apparently several people have reported serious back injuries from bending over their electronic device playing Candy Crush, the game which can be played on any mobile device such as an iPad, iPhone, and Android. It can also be played on your computer. The game comprises a board of various colored “candy” in which you must line up three, four or five of the same types in a row in order to clear it from the board. The more you clear, the more points you score. Then, there are more challenging levels that include fruit, chocolate squares, balloon bombs, and other obstacles that keep you from lining up your candies and clearing the next level.

According to research from the Daily Mail, 700 million games of Candy Crush are played daily on various mobile devices, and the largest demographic playing the game are women between ages 25 and 55. (Yup, I fall into that category.) Researchers at the International Gaming Research Unit (IGRU) at Nottingham Trent University noted that the game appeals to this audience because it’s not violent yet it involves thought and full attention, and of course, is colorful and enjoyable.

While the game is free to download and play through the first 30 or so levels, it does charge a small fee of 99 cents to continue for another 20 levels, then another 99 cents for 20 more and so on up to over 400 levels. Plus, there are extra premiums such as a lollipop hammer that can be purchased to help clear that level faster. 

While each premium costs about 99 cents, the money can truly add up for the Candy Crush addict.

ThinkGaming noted that its Candy Crush app pulls in close to $850,000 in American dollars daily. In the UK, the Office of Fair Trading has voiced their concern that this is a highly exploitative move against young users of the mobile app. A quick search of the US’s Federal Trade Commission showed there were no indications of exploitation with this game. In fact, a search of the site revealed nothing, indicating that the FTC is not concerned about fair practices with this app.

Regardless, the effects of the Candy Crush addiction mimic those of gambling. The IGRU noted that even when people do not spend money for level advancements or premiums, Candy Crush introduces users to the concepts of gambling, mainly because of the consistent, repetitive behaviors applied to the game. Some addicts have indicated they play the game for hours at a time, putting their health, job, and family at risk.

Online gaming has been studied for several years with results showing that excessive gaming points to underlying psychological issues in individuals. The same issue can be said for gambling. Candy Crush has both of these elements: online gaming and gambling. It could lead to job loss, bankruptcy, poor health, unresponsiveness to family needs, and a plethora of other issues.

While Candy Crush is currently not on the radar for US public health professionals, it certainly may be in the future. The game was designed to be a habit, according to psychologists. It becomes easy to play anywhere: at the breakfast table, at Starbucks, on the bus ride to work, on your lunch break, during your coffee break, and so on. Then, you have those who will likely be playing it while driving! It apparently becomes hard to tear away from. That in itself becomes a danger.

At one point, there were rumors of a Candy Crush Rehabilitation Center located in the UK. The center still has a Facebook page, but the center does not exist. Yet, the question remains: should it? Online gaming is highly addictive. Your health and life could be at risk if you become obsessive, addicted.

For all you Candy Crush players out there: Be careful. You might want to set a time limit for game playing. You might want to consider just enjoying the freebees and avoid forking out money just to play 20 more levels. (Those are my choices.) Or, you might want to simply consider discarding it from your phone. It’s your life and your health; choose wisely.

References:

CNET. (2013). Candy Crush: You play, you’re hooked. Now what? Retrieved from http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/candy-crush-play-hooked-now-165651854.html.

Foster, J. (2013). How women blow £400,000 a day playing Candy Crush, the most addictive online game ever. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2463636/How-women-blow-400-000-day-playing-Candy-Crush-addictive-online-game-ever.html.

Kuss, D. J., Louws, J., and Wiers, R. W. (2012). Online gaming addiction? Motives predict addictive play behavior in massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 15, 480-485.

Lunau, K. (2013). We want candy. Lots of it. Candy Crush Saga is not just a video game, it’s a compulsive daily addiction. MacLean’s 126(27), 63.

Shedding is good for your health

In researching strange facts about the human body, I stumbled on one that I knew about but wasn’t sure it was widespread knowledge. Humans – you and I – actually shed our skin. Now, our shedding is not done in the same manner as snake sheds its skin, which typically comes off in one large piece. Could you imagine how that would look on the streets?

No, our shedding is less obvious but has a great purpose. It is actually a protective measure against diseases. We shed about 600,000 particles of skin every hour, which works out to be about 1.5 pounds of skin per year, or 105 pounds of skin by the time you reach age 70!

In brief, our skin is actually food to various fungi, bacteria, parasites and worms. If we didn’t shed it, we would succumb to a host of infections from these creatures. While the idea that we shed quite a bit of skin may sound a bit disgusting, that shedding really does provide a solid protection against a plethora of diseases. Of course, there will always be unusual cases such as athlete’s foot, which is a skin problem related to a lack of shed particles. However, take comfort in knowing that because of the shedding activity over our entire body, we are not prone to acquiring “athlete’s foot” over our entire being.

Another health benefit of shed skin cells is that it helps reduce indoor air pollution. A study in Environmental Science and Technology found that the oil in those shed skin cells actually reduces levels of ozone, which is a pollutant that irritates the eyes, nose and throat. According to scientists from the American Chemical Society, the oils contain cholesterol and “squalene” – an element that plays a central role “in oxidation chemistry within indoor environments.” Basically, this means it removes toxins from our breathing environment. A recent study on the positive effects of squalene found that it had the potential to reduce indoor ozone levels by up to 15%.

For those suffering from asthma and other breathing disorders, this can be an amazing benefit for our dead skin cells. However, there may be greater uses for squalene as researchers continue its quest to find out its best clinical uses. Squalene is actually found in more places than just the human skin. It is widely known as a derivative of shark liver and has been known to relieve pain from arthritis and joint inflammation. Recent studies have found that it also helps fight disease by boosting the immune system.

Squalene is more common that you think as it is found in olive oil, palm oil, rice bran, and wheat germ. The most common concentrations today are found in supplemental products, which are not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration. Regardless, studies have found that, in some people, it can stimulate the immune system to work more effectively.

Before you think you have found a quick fix for combating diseases, do your research. Talk with your primary care physician before embarking on a daily regimen of squalene. Remember, more research is underway to determine its long-term effects and potential benefits for human beings.

References

Discovery Fit and Health. (2013). 16 unusual facts about the human body. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/16-unusual-facts-about-the-human-body.htm.

Lifetime Health. (2012). What is squalene. Retrieved from http://www.lifetimehealth.com/health-news/64/squalene.html.

Monitor Social Media to Combat Sexual Harassment

With school back in session, we again enter the domain of potential student-to-student violence and bullying at school. As a parent, you know that oftentimes, your child will not report such issues to you or to their teachers…or any authority for that matter. Yet, there may be a way to discover it yourself or at least find key signs that something is amiss at school.

Studies over the prior school year have shown that social media may be a way to not only monitor your child’s friends and activities but to alert you to significant problems such as sexual harassment, violence, and cyberbullying, as well as suicide plans and attempts.

A study in the current issue of the American Journal of Health Behavior found that up to half of 7^th and 8^th graders who are victims of sexual harassment and/or in-school violence will post it on a social networking site. Furthermore, close to 40% of students who perform the violent acts will also brag about it on social networks.

A national survey found that 56% of girls and 40% of boys in grades 7^th through 12^th experience some sort of sexual harassment in the school environment. And, the prevalence of sexual harassment increases throughout middle school and into high school.

In addition, when an adolescent feels the situation has exacerbated beyond their control, there may be increased social network site activities, some of which may point toward suicide plans and/or attempts. One study found that youth who may be under significant duress may copy a celebrity’s act of suicide. According to that same study, national suicide rates spike following incidents where a celebrity takes his or her own life.

Monitoring your child’s Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace accounts (or any other online social network) is a valuable tool to ensure the safety of your child. If your child is being abused at school, National Association of School Psychologists suggests looking for the following elements in their communications conversations:

1    1. The use of the words ‘hey babe,’ ‘hot stuff,’ ‘homo’ or ‘fag’ can be considered sexual harassment even if it was written as a “joke.”

2    2. Posting words such as ‘upset,’ or ‘anxious’ or ‘embarrassed’ may be signs of some issue occurring in school.

3    3. Using words such as ‘unclean’ or ‘dirty’ may also be words that indicate a sexual violation had occurred.

What you should never do if you happen to spot such elements:

1    1.  Refrain from implying or even outright stating that the child was responsible for being harassed such as pointing out their clothing or mannerism.

2    2. Avoid using statement such as “if you had told us earlier, we could have stopped it before it got to this point” as they will typically create more anxiety and stress.

3    3. Do not downplay the issue with such remarks as “Just ignore it and it will go away.” This sounds as if you do not care or do not want to take the time to adequately handle the situation.

What you should do if you spot signs of potential harassment or distress in your child’s social media accounts:

1    1.  Listen to your child’s story without commentary. Help them understand that this is not their fault and that you can help them handle their feelings. Be supportive, not reactive.

2    2. Take an active approach to helping your child be more assertive through role-playing. An example would be telling your child to use statement such as “I do not like it when you touch me.”

3    3. Develop a safety plan, especially if the action occurs on their route to school or class, such as changing that route, modifying their schedule, or assigning a friend to accompany your child through an area deemed risky by your child.

4    4. Confront the school. This can be done by talking with your child’s teacher, the school principal or even the school board. Title IX of the federal law requires schools to have a written sexual discrimination policy which includes sexual harassment behaviors. Make sure this policy exists and that it is being followed and enforced.

References:

Landry, M., Gonzales, F. A., Wood, S., and Vyas, A. (2013). New media use and sexual behavior among Latino adolescents. American Journal of Health Behavior, 37(3), 422-430.

Mumford, E. A., Okamoto, J., Taylor, B. G., and Stein, N. (2013). Middle school sexual harassment, violence and social networks. American Journal of Health Behavior, 37(6), 769-779.

Won, H.-H., Myung, W., Song, G.-Y., Lee, W.-H., Kim, J.-W., Carroll, B. J., and Kim, D. K. (2013). Predicting national suicide numbers with social media data. PLoS ONE, 8(4), e61809, 1-6.

Young, E. L., Allen, M., and Ashbaker, B. Y. (2004). Sexual harassment. Helping Children at Home and School II: Handout for Families and Educators, Supplement 99-102. National Association of School Psychologists. Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/educators/Sexual%20Harassment.pdf.

Cold weather could be your friend

Now that summer is officially over and the colder weather is upon us, most people think about grabbing the cat, the dog, their significant other and hunkering down under a pile of blankets until it ends sometime around April.

Surprisingly enough, several studies have discovered that the cold can actually be healthy. A study done last year found that “brown fat,” which is found naturally in parts of the body, can burn off other more unwanted fat. In fact, the study discovered that simply being cold activates the brown fat and could potentially cause your body to burn calories. Apparently, the brown fats help to warm the body by burning fuel (i.e. calories in the form of unwanted fats).

Also, cold weather can build closer relationships. A 2012 study found that people tend to reach out to others by phone while buried under the covers just to chat. The research discovered that phone bills skyrocket during the colder months, but so do closer relationships. Regular contact with other people is a human need, one that also promotes mental, spiritual and physical health and well being.

Furthermore, when the cold comes in, the bugs go away. This particularly applies to mosquitoes. West Nile virus cases were on the rise in 2012 and were also prevalent this past summer. Spread by the biting mosquitoes, West Nile tends to go away during the colder months because freezing or below-freezing temperatures kill off these pesky bugs as well as Lyme disease carrying ticks. Toward that end, the cold is protecting you against some serious diseases.

In addition, cold weather reduces overall inflammation and pain. A 2011 study discovered that a treatment known as cryotherapy did more to aid in athlete recovery than just plain rest. The same would be true of those who have routine inflammation – often aggravated by heat and humidity. The colder weather should relieve that pain – at least for a few months. So enjoy it while you can!

Cold weather may also allow us to escape from the ubiquitous notion of trying to fit into that bikini for yet one more summer. With the pressure off, enjoy a few foods that you might have forgotten through the summer. But don’t binge and be careful of consuming too many of those wonderful comfort foods like macaroni and cheese or meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Yet, just remember that the New Year also comes during winter and it brings you the opportunity to have a do-over!

Finally, but perhaps it’s a stretch, researchers suggested in Psychology Today that if we didn’t have cold weather, we wouldn’t appreciate the warmer days. According to these researchers, people who live where the climate never changes end up taking the warm weather for granted, implying that the frigid cold makes you love the sunny spring and summer days even more. I’m not sure about that, but I do know that those who live in the mild climate of San Diego, California never seem to complain. You can make the call on this suggestion.

Just remember, while you may not like the cold, you have to admit that at least one of these elements listed here applies to you. Hold onto it for dear life until spring breaks through sometime in March or April.


References:
 Kolata, G. (2012). Brown fat, triggered by cold or exercise, may yield a key to weight control. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/health/brown-fat-burns-ordinary-fat-study-finds.html?_r=0

Phithakkitnukoon, S., Leong, T. W., Smoreda, Z., and Oliver, P. (2012). Weather effects on mobile social interactions: A case study of mobile phone users in Lisbon, Portugal. PLoS One, 7(10), e45745.