Tuesday, December 30, 2014

New Year’s Resolutions: Failing since Babylonian Times

We have been making and breaking New Year’s resolutions since Babylonian times. Historians noted that the Babylonians started the tradition during their New Year’s festival, which actually began in late March. At that time, the holiday was a religious festival celebrated over 11 days in which the Babylonians made various promises to their gods in order to be looked upon in good favor throughout the year. As part of the tradition, Babylonians vowed to return borrowed items that year – hence the beginnings of resolution-making.

The Romans later adopted that same ideology, making similar promises and offerings of good behavior to their god, Janus, who became the ancient symbol of resolutions.

The concept of New Year’s resolutions has evolved over the centuries but the premise of behavior change remains unchanged. A poll of resolution-makers for the now ending year showed that 47% of those resolutions were in the self-improvement or education related area; 38% were weight related; 34% money-related; and 31% relationship-related (note: the numbers exceed 100% because of multiple resolutions).

Regardless of the millions of resolutions that are made annually, almost all of them are broken before the first half of the year ends…most of them fail by the end of the first week! So, why do we make them?

One school of thought is that the resolution implies there is something wrong with each of us and we need to fix it. That type of thinking is degrading to our self-esteem and further indicates that we are inferior, inadequate or bad. Downgrading oneself is a demeaning activity and often fails to motivate change at all. In that regard, it is no wonder most resolutions fail. Yet, we still have it in our heads that we need to “fix” ourselves.

Attorney Anna Rappaport wrote an essay in 2011 published in the Ankara Bar Review that pointed out the New Year’s resolution can be successful if we look at accepting ourselves as we are and simply apply a lifestyle change every year. She recommended a 10-step process to create a solid plan for reaching your resolutions…one that does not involve suggesting in any way that there is anything wrong with you today:

1. Set a specific and measurable goal with a clear timeframe. So, if your plan is to quit smoking, set a goal as to when you will accomplish this. If you plan to drop weight, set a specific goal: 10 pounds by March 1st.

2. Set an inspirational goal. Think about what inspires you most. If you want to be healthier, perhaps find an activity that will help you accomplish that: climb Pike’s Peak, walk the Appalachian Trial, run a marathon, and so on. The more personally inspiring your goal, the more likely you will achieve it.

3. Set a realistic time frame. If you want to write a book, it may not be helpful to say you will complete it by Jan. 2nd. Be realistic; yet keep the timeline short enough that it continues to motivate you.

4. Write a clear vision to keep yourself motivated and inspired. Use visual aids to write out your vision: a drawing, a collage, a written paragraph…whatever will keep you inspired. For example, if you wish to run a marathon, perhaps develop a collage of running pictures, courses you wish to run, etc.

5. Make lists of your current skills and resources. You already possess many skills that will help you accomplish your goal…it will help you to write them down. Post them on your refrigerator or send automatic messages to your smart phone to keep reminding yourself that you CAN accomplish your goal.

6. Determine what skills or resources you need. Like No. 5, write out what you need and include a step-by-step plan to acquire these. If you desire to learn a new language, perhaps that means obtaining a tutor or enrolling in classes.

7. Get support. Tell a few close friends or family members who can keep you motivated. These are the ones who are more likely to help you celebrate the successes you achieve along the way. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon and your first step brings you to a successful 10K, your support system can help you celebrate. No, it’s not your final goal, but it is a piece you have picked up along the way.

8. Set achievable milestones. These will help you track your progress to your final goal. If you desire to write a book, perhaps set deadlines per chapter and take time to celebrate those milestones.

9. Create rewards which motivate you. When you achieve your milestones, you certainly must celebrate. If your plan is to lose 50 pounds this year and you lose 10 by March, you need to reward yourself appropriately: perhaps tickets to a play or a shopping trip. Make sure the reward is appropriate. For losing weight, you are not likely to continue losing weight if you celebrate with a chocolate fondue.

10. Revise as needed. Sometimes you find you have become stale and may need to revise the original plan. This is not a failure, just a redirection. Let’s say that you were working on the marathon training and an unexpected work or family project prohibits appropriate training. So, modify your goal and set your sights on a half marathon for this year.

Using this 10-step process, you will not only succeed in achieving your resolution, but you will not degrade yourself and set yourself up for failure.

Regardless if you make a resolution or not, I wish you a very happy and healthy New Year!

 

Works used for this article:

Origins of New Year’s resolutions. (2014). Caledon Enterprise (ON).

Poll – New Year’s Resolutions. (2013). Fort Worth Business Press, 25(3), 2.

Rappaport, A. (2011). The problem with New Year’s resolutions. Ankara Bar Review, 4(2), 195-200.

 

 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Mall Santas: The good, the bad, and the ugly

Santa Claus plays a vital role in the traditional Christmas holiday and for some Americans, it wouldn’t be Christmas without him.

But, how safe is it to visit Santa these days? While Santa does bring quite a bit of joy to kids of all ages, he can also be a source of problems – especially with the Mall Santas. Sitting on Santa’s lap can be both a physical and mental health concern.

The UGLY: In the United Kingdom, this year marks the fourth year that children are banned from sitting on Santa’s lap. The reason? The fear of sexual abuse. The move came in 2011 when holiday Santas were no longer required to pass a Criminal Records Bureau check. As a result, schools reacted and imposed the ban so that there is no room for potential sexual misconduct with children.

Apparently, the fear of inappropriate touching – intentional or unintentional – has taken precedence over a child’s wish to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

The BAD: Besides the potential for inappropriate sexual behavior on behalf of Father Christmas, sitting on Santa’s lap may also pose a threat to viral exposures. While no formal studies have proven this to be an issue, some people believe there may be a risk of catching a cold or the flu from a sick Santa Claus. Furthermore, if the suit is not cleaned regularly, it is hard to determine what germs could transfer from one child to another.

Based on the potential of transferring germs from person to person, those suffering from germophobia (i.e. mysophobia) may have a serious problem with the Santa’s lap-sitting tradition.

The GOOD: Despite the issues, there are many positives associated with the man in the red suit. In fact, a study performed in the late 1980s showed that people’s social interactions with Santa help to define, reinforce, and confirm their sense of self. The sense of self was highly dependent upon the person’s age:
  • Infants: no reaction
  • Children ages 3-5: experienced fear but submitted to their parents’ wishes to sit on Santa’s lap.
  •  Preschool girls: conformed to the ideal of “good little girls” to please Santa
  • School-age children: 1) some visited Santa mainly in order to please their parents; 2) some because they truly believed in Santa Claus; and 3) others to receive the free candy that was given away
  • Teenage boys: ridiculed Santa in order to look tough in the eyes of their peers
  • Teenage girls: validated and/or confirmed their status as young women by flirting with Santa
  • Adult men: basically ignored Santa as they were far more interested in less social interactions
  • Adult women: acknowledged Santa and often flirted as a simple gesture of participating in “just another social interaction”
  • Elderly: considered the Mall Santa as cheap entertainment


The point of the study is that Santa Claus plays a key role in psychological and social development of children and teens, and provides a means of displaying appropriate social behavior for adults.

Good, Bad or Ugly, the lesson here is that Santa Claus is an important and iconic figure in the holiday season. Sitting on Santa’s lap should be a personal choice by each person, or parent if the child is a minor. If you have young children, you need to decide the risk of sitting on Santa’s lap: Are you risking sexual harassment? How about catching a cold?

I firmly believe that the positive social role that Santa Claus plays far outweighs the potential risks mentioned above. However, if those concerns are weighing you down, you may want to find a “known” Santa for your child to visit – one who you know is not prone to sexual misconduct or does not have a cold.

Either way, it should be a parental decision to include Santa Claus and his ubiquitous lap in your holiday plans.



Works used for this article:

Hughes, M. (2011). Volunteer Father Christmases told children can no longer sit on their knee


Thompson, W. E. and Hickey, J. V. (1989). Myths, identity and social interaction: Encountering Santa Claus at the mall. Qualitative Sociology, 12(4), 371-389.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Dealing with Death

Dealing with the death of a loved one is always a difficult thing…but when that loved one was young, fit, and vibrant, it’s even harder.  On Nov. 2, this community lost a phenomenal individual: LeAnn Rhoades. She was a positive soul. She carried an energetic spirit. She had a contagious smile. She was my friend.

Dealing with her death, which came far too soon at the age of 39, I struggled with my own feelings of how to handle it. Aren’t people older than you supposed to die first? It wasn’t fair. It was plain wrong. The week immediately afterward, I simply walked around like a deer in the headlights saying “it’s wrong.” It wasn’t exactly the best way to deal with death…but it’s what I did.

The good news is that I am in the majority because most people do not handle death very well. According to the American Psychological Association, dealing with the loss of a loved one is one of the hardest challenges we will face. The grief is pretty intense and often places people in states of shock and confusion, which lead to prolonged periods of sadness or depression. Time is often the key because we, as humans, need to grieve to overcome the feelings and embrace the love and time you had with the individual who is now gone.

Mounds of research have shown that death invokes significant stress for those left behind.  In fact, some start to contemplate their own demise and sink into an emotional state identified as death anxiety. As death anxiety grows, the individual often struggles to function appropriately, negatively affecting their job, family and general living capabilities. Moving on with your life is a key part of your survival.

The American Psychological Association suggests five key ways to help you move on with your life:

1. Talk about it. Don’t keep your feelings bottled up as that will make the grief more intense. Talk about with family and friends and share the memories you have with your loved one. Yes, you’ll likely cry and laugh, but you need the release to begin to heal.

2. Accept your feelings. A myriad of emotions will pour out in times of high stress like death. Sadness, anger, frustration, and exhaustion are normal. Allow them to happen as you will fare better through the grieving process.

3. Take care of yourself. Eat, sleep, and exercise. Make sure you take care of yourself because a lack of food, sleep and physical activity will create additional stressors on your body that you do not need during this time period.

4. Reach out for help. For some, getting professional help for a short period of time will help. Sharing your story with an objective listener can be therapeutic and help you heal smoothly.

5. Celebrate your loved one. Hold a dinner in their honor, make a donation in their name, post a memorial to your Facebook page…any and all of these will keep the memory of your loved one alive. It will also help you remember the good times you had.

I am now in the celebrating LeAnn phase of my recovery. For me, LeAnn was my inspiration to become certified to teach Les Mills’ BodyPumpTM, a group fitness class. The Tuesday following her death, I dedicated my class routine in LeAnn’s memory – and 25 class participants got to see a little piece of LeAnn in me. That gift that LeAnn gave me will always be with me. And, for that, I am truly grateful.

For those who have recently lost a loved one, please know that you are not alone in your grief. Work through it by the aforementioned five suggestions. You will find that you will come out the other side with a fresh and renewed celebration of your deceased family member or friend. Ironically, you will end up seeing that person in many things that you do. YOU will carry that person’s spirit with you.



Works used for this article:

American Psychological Association. (2014). Grief: Coping with the loss of your loved one. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/grief.aspx

Sliter, M. T., Sinclair, R. R., Yuan, Z., and Mohr, C. D. (2014). Don’t fear the reaper: Trait death anxiety, mortality salience, and occupational health. Journal of Applied Psychology, 99(4), 759-769.


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Pumpkins, Costumes and Candy, Oh My!



Halloween is a great time for kids of all ages. For parents of young children, it’s a time to really think about guarding your child’s safety in numerous ways.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Youth Safety Lab has researched and suggested the following four safety tips while participating in the fun activities of the holiday.

1. Pumpkin Carving – It is important that if you plan to carve a pumpkin and insert candles inside that young children do not use sharp instruments or matches. While that seems like common sense, hundreds of injuries occur annually while pumpkin carving with stab wounds to the fingers and palms being the most common. According to the Somers Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Group in Carmel, NY, every year puncture wounds have caused significant damage to tendons, nerves or arteries simply from trying to carve a pumpkin.

For children, it is important to get them involved but keeping them away from the dangers. It might be best to have an older teen or adult carve the pumpkin and allow the younger ones to scoop out the seeds and pulp. Another suggestion is to paint or color the pumpkin rather than carving it. Many retail stores carry kits for painting or drawing on pumpkins as decorations rather than the traditional carving.

2. Halloween Costumes – Children should not wear any costume that restricts their vision or their breathing. This means full-face covering masks can be a safety hazard. Not only does this limit the child’s ability to see while walking in the dark but some of those significantly restrict breathing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that any accessories such as swords or wands should be short, soft and flexible. Children could easily swing these accessories and injure themselves or another child.

Also, make-up should be tested first on a small area on the skin to test for irritation. If the surface turns red or causes a rash, you do not want to use it on your child.

Furthermore, many costumes are not flame resistant – in fact many are highly flammable.  Recent research discovered that various dangerous chemicals have been discovered in both costumes and trick-or-treat bags. The study tested 106 Halloween related products from costumes to decorations and found lead, flame retardants, tin compounds and phthalates in these products. These chemicals are linked to asthma, reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities and cancer. The website www.healthystuff.org posted a list last week of the specific products that contain these dangerous chemicals.

3. Trick-or-Treating – It is highly recommended that children wear something reflective or even a light on their costume somewhere so that they are visible to drivers. Teach your children to look both ways before crossing the street; do not allow your child to just run from house to house without concern over traffic.

Avoid trick-or-treating alone as it is never safe. This particular holiday is a prevalent time for lurkers, stalkers and kidnappers. Make sure you stay with your child. Large groups are also a good idea for neighborhood trick-or-treating.

4. Candy – Always examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before allowing your child to consume their treats. Furthermore, eat only factory-wrapped treats and avoid homemade treats that were made by strangers. While healthy, fruit obtained from trick-or-treating should be thrown away. It is hard to tell if there were objects or something injected into the fruit; therefore, the safest thing to do is toss it.


Following these four safety tips should ensure and safe and fun holiday for you and your family. Enjoy and Happy Halloween!



Works used to compile this article:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Halloween Health and Safety Tips. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/

Chambers, J. (2014). Tips to keep children safe as they enjoy Halloween candy, costumes and trick or treating. Retrieved from http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/10/post_128.html

Consumer Reports. (2011). Safe Halloween pumpkin carving. Retrieved from http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/10/safe-halloween-pumpkin-carving/index.htm

HealthyStuff.org. (2014). Hidden dangerous chemicals in popular Halloween costumes and “Trick or Treat” bags. Retrieved from http://www.healthystuff.org/get-stuff.php?report=Hidden+Dangerous+Chemicals+in+Popular+Halloween+Costumes+and+%22Trick+or+Treat%22+Bags

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). Halloween food safety tips for parents. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm187021.htm


Friday, October 24, 2014

Why Get a Flu Shot?



Despite the fact that the influenza virus can kill, many people still opt out of the vaccination. The critical point here is that they would rather succumb to severe illness and possibly death than simply get their arm pricked with a needle.

Of course, there are some who are allergic to eggs, which the vaccine comprises, so for those people, it makes sense to opt out. For the rest, there is no good reason to refuse the immunization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, annual deaths from influenza have reached close to 49,000 people in recent years – most of which were 65 and older.

How does the vaccine work? The CDC explains the process on its website, but in brief, the vaccine causes the body to create antibodies for about two weeks after the inoculation. These antibodies then provide protection against the influenza virus that is included in the vaccine. There are two types of shots: trivalent and quadrivalent. The traditional shot is trivalent and protects against three strains: two influenza A viruses: H1N1 and H3N2, and one influenza B virus. The quadrivalent protects you from those three plus a second influenza B strain.

It is recommended that most people 18 and older receive the standard dose of the trivalent flu shot with people age 65 and older receiving a higher dose of the same vaccine. The quadrivalent flu shot is recommended for children and youth up through age 17. In particular, the quadrivalent nasal spray version is highly recommended for healthy children ages 2 through 8.

The point of the different vaccine for children is to provide far more assistance in their bodies, whose immune systems are still developing. Likewise, senior citizens need the extra protection because their immune systems are comprised simply through the aging process.

The best time to get vaccinated is now. The flu season typically begins in October and can run through May. The peak time for the virus is January and February. You want to make sure you are protected before the virus peaks in activity. The benefits of the vaccination are great:

1. It protects you from the flu but also protects those around you who may be more vulnerable to the influenza virus
2. Older adults who chronic health conditions and young children have far better protection from becoming seriously ill from the flu
3. The vaccine may make your illness milder if you do get sick
4. It will reduce your risk of the more serious outcomes from influenza such as hospitalization or death

Recent studies found that the vaccine reduced the risk of flu-related hospitalizations by 74% in children and 71% in adults. Also, the vaccine has been shown to reduce hospitalizations among those with diabetes and chronic lung disease by 79% and 52%, respectively.

You are encouraged to talk with your doctor about the influenza shot and which version is best for you. You could also reach out to the local health department, and some pharmacies offer the influenza vaccine as well. Regardless, get the vaccination. You won’t regret it.



People who should not be vaccinated

The biggest reason for not getting a flu shot is because of an egg allergy. However, there are other people who should not get the vaccine:

1. Children under 6 months old are far too young to handle the flu shot
2. People with life-threatening allergies to other ingredients in the vaccine such as gelatin or antibiotics

People who should not get the nasal spray vaccine:
1. Children under 2 years old
2. Adults 50 and older
3. People with severe allergies to the ingredients
4. Children or adolescents (2-17) who are on a long-term aspirin regimen
5. Pregnant women
6. People with suppressed immune systems
7. Children ages 2-4 who suffer from asthma
8. People who have taken influenza antiviral drugs within the previous 48 hours
9. People with severely compromised immune systems that require protective environments

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

E-cigarettes pique interest in Youth

The growing interest in e-cigarettes has had a profound impact on the youth population. A study in the Journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research found that more than 25% of youth who had never smoked in the past used e-cigarettes in 2013. According to the statistics on smoking rates among youth, this represents an increase from 79,000 youth smokers in 2011 to more than 263,000 in 2013.

What’s more staggering is that surveys of these youth indicate higher interests in trying conventional cigarettes after smoking the e-cigarettes. Because of the alarming rise in young e-cigarette users, concerns have cropped up about overall regulation of the e-cigarette market. Right now, only e-cigarettes that are marketed for therapeutic purposes are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

On April 25, the FDA proposed the regulation of all e-cigarettes, lumping them into the same category as other tobacco products. If the ruling goes through, the products would be subject to federal prohibition on sales to minors. Right now, sales can be made to minors unless the product is marketed as a therapeutic treatment. However, certain state and local laws do restrict sales to minors. It is not a federal mandate to do so.

While e-cigarettes have been touted as a “safe” way to smoke, their general make up, as noted in toxicology reports, show otherwise. E-cigarettes contain various cancer-causing agents such as diethylene glycol, a compound found in antifreeze and brake fluid. Diethylene glycol is also a poison as classified by the World Health Organization that can cause kidney damage, nerve dysfunction and respiratory failure. Also contained within the electronic sticks are particles of silver, iron, aluminum and silicate along with traces of tin, chromium and nickel. All of these elements have been known to cause respiratory distress and disease, according to the FDA.

As for the nicotine content, e-cigarettes do contain nicotine, but the delivery mechanism is different than traditional cigarettes because of the filtering mechanism. Regardless, the amount entering the body can be similar to regular filtered cigarettes. Furthermore, the toxicity of the smoke emitted from e-cigarettes (i.e. second-hand smoke) is still being tested.

The numerous unknowns of e-cigarettes have caused many countries in Europe to ban them. In the United States, it appears the objective is more regulation.

Research has indicated that the use of e-cigarettes will likely increase and potentially replace traditional cigarettes. The cost is 5-7 times cheaper than smoking a pack a day. Furthermore, the marketing has touted them to be safer and they are easier to use than regular cigarettes, which require a lighter or matches to get started. Time will tell if they are safer or simply another unhealthy practice.

For overall health, it is wise to not smoke at all – e-cigarettes or traditional ones. For information on smoking cessation, consult your primary care physician. You will be glad you did.


 
Works Used for this Post:

ChangeLab Solutions. (2014). Are e-cigarettes regulated by the FDA? Retrieved from http://changelabsolutions.org/tobacco-control/question/are-e-cigarettes-regulate

Cope, G. (2013). Are e-cigarettes an aid to smoking cessation? Practice Nursing, 24(9), 426-428.

Niaura, R. S., Glynn, T. J., and Abrams, D. B. (2014). Youth experimentation with e-cigarettes. Journal of the American Medical Association, 312(6), 641-642.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). Electronic Cigarettes. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm172906.htm

 

 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

An Office Window can improve your Health

Having a window office really does make a difference in your health.

A study that came out of Germany showed how exposure to light can influence both mood and sleep in office workers. The fascinating part of this study was that they recorded evidence of two visible light factors: illuminance and irradiance of blue spectral component. In general terms, blue light come from the sun’s ultra-violet rays. While most people understand that UV rays can be harmful and cause skin disorders such as cancer, they are also valuable to human health in other ways.

Daily light exposure during office hours does truly influence the amount of sleep a person obtains every night. Blue light reaching the eye during the day positively affected the quality of sleep as well as the amount of sleep. So, if you have an office window, you are likely getting at least 45 more minutes of sleep – and quality sleep – than your counterparts with interior offices.

Sleep health is far more important than people realize. In fact, it has become so important that public health professionals added it to their priority list in 2010 when studies consistently showed sleep disorders were on the rise. At that time, poor sleep was reported in more than 25 percent of the adult population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only 70 percent of adults got sufficient sleep (8 or more hours per night) during a 24-hour period.

However, what’s more important is that these sleepy people are more prone to infections, diabetes, low productivity and high risk of accidents of various types. Also, sleep disorders have been associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Light is an important element to the human body because it acts as a master clock. It tells your brain cells when it is daylight and when it is night simply by the amount of light that enters the eye. Natural light contains a higher intensity that than indoor lighting, allowing your body to be more alert and focused. That, in turns, allows your body to rest more soundly when it is darker.

Since natural sunlight and sleep are correlated, it stands to reason that we should be spending more time outdoors – especially when the sun is out. For those with an exterior window, you are lucky. The rest of us have to figure out how to get in regular daily doses of sunshine if we work inside.

The best way to maintain a healthy master clock is to get into bright sunlight during the day – around noon is best. The bright light apparently “anchors” your body’s rhythms so that you are more alert through the day and able to sleep more soundly at night. It only takes between 30 and 60 minutes to achieve the anchoring effect. The easiest way to soak in the sunlight is to get outside during your breaks – even short bouts of 15 minutes of natural light can help improve your health. Take your mid-day breaks outside and eat lunch outdoors.

Researcher Dan Pardi who works with the Behavioral Sciences Department at Stanford University discovered that if you get enough light every day, you will not only improve your mood and sleep, but your overall well-being.

There may be a quicker fix: If you’re in need of more sleep, ask your boss for a window office!


Works Used for this Article:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Sleep health. Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/objectiveslist.aspx?topicId=38

Hubalek, S., Brink, M., and Schierz, C. (2010). Office workers’ daily exposure to light and its influence on sleep quality and mood. Lighting Research & Technology, 42(1), 33-50.

Kitchel, E. (2000). The effects of blue light on ocular health. Retrieved from http://www.cclvi.org/contributions/effects1.htm

Pardi, D. (2014). How the cycles of light and darkness affect your health and wellbeing. Retrieved from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/01/19/sleep-light-exposure.aspx

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Are You Safe from Ebola?

With the Ebola scare littering the national news, it is important to understand the disease itself as well as the outbreak risks – especially here in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden, the virus can be stopped but not cured. The current crisis in Africa partially stems from a poor public health structure. That means there is not a solid method for containment of any such infectious disease. Because of this, the World Health Organization has declared this recent Ebola outbreak the worst in at least four decades since they have been tracking the disease.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe illness which is often fatal for humans. It is a viral infection that causes a sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. Further symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, kidney and liver impairment, and often internal and external bleeding.

It is transmitted through close contact with bodily fluids such as blood, sweat, saliva, and urine. Of interest, cultures where there are “laying of hands” on the deceased person can also promote the transmission of Ebola.

As most people know, two Americans who were on a mission trip to Africa at the time of the outbreak did contract the disease. It was decided that the best way to help them was to bring them back to the states in a highly quarantined manner in order to give them a fighting chance at survival. Ebola is not curable, but the CDC is using experimental serum treatments in an effort to repress the Ebola virus. If you’ve been watching the news, then you are well aware that the treatment seems to be effective – for now.

The real questions from the general public are: 1) How safe was it to bring Ebola into our country, and 2) Could it potentially spread?

The Safety Precautions:
The U.S. Department of State noted that this is the first time Ebola – a highly contagious disease – has been brought into the United States, so concerns are warranted. The transport of the two Americans from Liberia to the United States was a fast one. They were attended to by highly trained doctors and nurses during the flight, in which the couple was placed in separate Aeromedical Biological Containment Systems. This system prevents air flow outside of the system – keeping all bodily fluids from escaping and potentially infecting others.

The couple is being treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, also the location of the CDC. Again, the room in which they are quarantined is a much like a larger version of the Aeromedical Biological Containment System. Airflow does not extend outside the walls, and strict precautions and protection protocols prohibit any fluids from exiting the room on any of the medical personnel treating them. Highly trained doctors, nurses and staff will wear Haz-Mat –style protective gear, including oxygen tanks, to attend to the two people. To ensure the disease will not spread, the hospital issued this public statement:

"Emory University Hospital physicians, nurses and staff are highly trained in the specific and unique protocols and procedures necessary to treat and care for this type of patient. For this specially trained staff, these procedures are practiced on a regular basis throughout the year so we are fully prepared for this type of situation."


Potential Outbreak in the US:
It is highly unlikely that we will see an Ebola outbreak in the United States as a result of these two people being treated in Atlanta. So far, all measures have been successful in containing the disease within the containment room at Emory. Strict protocols and adherence to the CDC’s procedures will keep it this way. The fact that Emory University is closely connected to the CDC helps escalate the level of protections and overall security of our nation’s health.

Outside of this particular incidence, federal law prohibits infectious diseases to cross the border via human carriers. If someone might carry such a disease, CDC agents will examine the person(s) and detain them if there is a potential threat. The same is true of crossing state lines. The Public Health title of the Code of Federal Regulations allows for “inspection, fumigation, disinfection, sanitation, pest extermination and destruction of animals or articles believed to be sources of infection.”

CDC agents are routinely stationed at airports and transportation centers to thwart such threats. Right now, flights in and out of the affected areas are suspended in an effort to contain the virus and keep it from spreading further.

Therefore, safety for United States citizens is solid. At this time, Ebola is an unlikely threat on this side of the world.



Works used for this post:

Karimi, F. (2014). WHO: Ebola outbreak in West Africa an international health emergency. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/health/ebola-outbreak/.

World Health Organization. (2014). Ebola virus disease. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/.

Lane, S. (2014). Here’s why it’s safe to bring Ebola patients to the U.S. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2014/08/01/ebola-united-states-law/



Friday, July 25, 2014

How Safe Is “Natural” Hormone Replacement Therapy?

The quick and dirty answer to this question is: it’s not safe at all. In fact, no hormone replacement therapy is safe, yet, numerous pre-menopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women participate in such therapies regularly. Actually, so do many men; although, it’s far more common for women.
 
In the Women’s Health Initiative Study, a 15-year project performed in the 1990s studying nearly 70,000 post-menopausal women ages 50-79, discovered numerous health effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The therapy used the FDA approved traditional hormone replacement drugs, not “natural” therapies. The study showed significant increases in the risk of breast cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and venous thromboembolism (i.e. blood clotting).

Research from this study showed that older women who have long been through menopause – regardless of their initial health – were at risk for these serious health issues.

Hormone replacement therapy was originally touted to help women with menopausal symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, hot flashes, night sweats, and similar issues. While that is true and HRT did relieve those symptoms, the Women’s Health Initiative discovered the health risks far outweighed the benefits these benefits.

That brings us to what has been marketed as a safer alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapies. Known by several different names – bioidentical hormones or natural hormones – this therapy is not necessarily safer.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is controversial because of the mistaken belief that the hormones are personalized to the individual’s body make-up. That’s not necessarily true; and considering how recent these products were introduced, there are few studies on them. Individualization of hormone therapy has made “natural” therapies popular, but not necessarily safer.

A clinical review of BHRT published in 2011 in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine provided several specific discussion points for health practitioners in regard to these bioidentical hormones. Here are four critical points to consider:

1. Bioidentical hormones are not necessarily “natural.” Natural refers to the source of the hormones. Natural and bioidentical hormones both come from the same source of soy and plants but bioidentical hormones must be commercially processed.

2. The Food and Drug Administration has approved some bioidentical hormones, but custom compounded hormones are not subject to federal law. These custom hormones contain so many combinations that it would be difficult to monitor and test. Plus, custom compounded hormones will vary from batch to batch causing variations in the doses received and benefits earned.

3. There is no safe hormone therapy. All active ingredients are the same regardless of whether they are synthetic, bioidentical or custom compounded; therefore, the risks are the same. There is no such thing as a safe hormone therapy.

4. It is nearly impossible to accurately monitor hormone levels in those receiving individualized hormone therapy. Every woman is unique in how she processes hormones within her body, therefore, routine blood tests or salivary tests do not necessarily show adequate or accurate results. As an example, even the smallest of elements such as brushing your teeth can affect salivary test results. The journal noted that positive tracking is typically based upon symptom relief not laboratory results.

 
Some positive news can be said about hormone replacement therapies. Evidence from a 2008 study of conventional hormone replacement therapies in younger, menopausal women showed that the benefits did outweigh the risks when the therapy was used short-term. The study was performed in people younger than age 60 who had either been in pre-menopause or menopause.

The point here is that hormone replacement therapies – natural or conventional – can be effective if the individual is young, healthy, active and going through the menopausal process. After a certain point (i.e. post menopause), hormone replacement should be eliminated. If you are interested in hormone replacement therapies, you are encouraged to talk with your physician.

 

Works Used for this Post: 

Bosarge, P. M. and Freeman, S. (2009). Bioidentical hormones, compounding and evidence-based medicine: What women’s health practitioners need to know. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 5(6), 421-427.

Kuehn, B. M. (2008). FDA warns claims for pharmacy-made “bio-identical” hormones are misleading. Journal of the American Medical Association, 299(5), 512.

Sood, R., Shuster, L., Smith, R., Vincent, A., and Jatoi, A. (2011). Counseling postmenopausal women about bioidentical hormones: 10 discussion points for practicing physicians. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 24(2), 202-210.

Women’s Health Initiative. (2014). WHI Overview. Retrieved from https://www.whi.org/about/SitePages/About%20WHI.aspx

 

 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Occupational Hazard: Sitting increases your risk of cancer

If you’re female, you might want to consider a more physically active career to avoid a variety of cancers.
 
A meta-analysis of thousands of Europeans across seven different groups (five in England and two in Scotland) found that sitting occupations were linked to a greater risk of cancer mortality – but for women only, not for men. Another study in the Netherlands included nearly 130,000 people drew the same conclusion.

It is unclear how sitting can be linked to a greater risk for cancer, especially colon cancer. Yet, studies have suggested that sitting occupations may reduce lipoprotein lipase activity by up to 90% and significantly slow insulin action. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a gene that is responsible for producing an enzyme that plays a critical role in transporting and breaking down fats which then is used for energy or stored. Retarded insulin secretion can lessen the effects of metabolism. Both actions have been linked to obesity and related diseases.

Furthermore, sedentary behaviors and cancer may also involve adiposity (the state of being fat), inflammation (swelling), and sex-hormone related pathways (efficient use of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone). All of these elements can cause obesity and related health issues – including cancer.

It comes down to the same theme we’re all heard over and over: get moving to prevent illness and disease.

 If you work in a sitting occupation, consider adding the following to your daily routine as suggested by the Workplace Health and Safety sector of the Attorney General’s office in Queensland (Australia):

1. Use a height adjustable desk so that you can work standing or sitting

2. Move your printer, scanner and other office equipment so that you have to walk to them to use them

3. Standing during phone calls

4. Walk to your colleagues’ desks; don’t phone or email them

5. Hold standing or walking meetings

6. Eat lunch or snacks away from your desk

7. Take breaks regularly to stand, stretch or walk for a few minutes

8. Use the stairs, not the elevator

9. Walk during your lunchtime or breaks

10. Walk or bicycle to work, or park further away from the office and walk the rest of the way

 
Regardless of what you do, the point is to move more. It can reduce your risk of cancer.

 
Of interest, it is unclear why women who sit for their jobs are at a higher risk for cancers than men. It has been suggested that men who work in sedentary occupations are more likely to participate in physical activity outside the office than are women. There have been studies that suggest women who begin exercising before puberty can reduce their risk of cancers even if they end up with a sedentary occupation.

Research is very clear about one thing: physical activity in your daily routine can prevent diseases and keep you healthy.

 

Research used for this article:

Schonfeld, S. J., Neta, G., Sturgis, E. M., Pfeiffer, R. M., Hutchinson, A. A., Xu, L., Wheeler, W., Guenel, P., Rajaraman, P., de Bathaire, F., Ron, E., Tucker, M. A., Chanock, S. J., Siqurdson, A. J., and Brenner, A. V. (2012). Common genetic variants in sex hormone pathway genes and papillary thyroid cancer risk. Thyroid, 22(2), 151-156.

Simons, C., Hughes, L., van Engeland, M., Goldbohm, A., van den Brandt, P., and Weijenberg, M. (2013). Physical activity, occupational sitting time, and colorectal cancer risk in the Netherlands cohort study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 177(6), 514-530.

Stamatakis, E., Chau, J., Pedisic, Z., Bauman, A., Macniven, R., Coombs, N., and Hamer, M. (2013). Are sitting occupations associated with increased all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality risk? A pooled analysis of seven British population cohorts. PLoS One, 8(9), 1-10.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. (n.d.). Sedentary work – sit less and move more in your work day. Retrieved from http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/160089/sedentary-work-factsheet-ekka.pdf.