A half-paralyzed face with a motionless, drooping side can be alarming at any age, but when it occurs in a child it can be especially devastating.
Fortunately, most cases of facial nerve paralysis (FNP) can be treated successfully, says Johns Hopkins Children’s Center plastic surgeon Rick Redett, M.D., who each year restores movement — and smiles — on the faces of dozens of children with nerve paralyses deemed irreversible.
FNP, which affects thousands of U.S. children and adults each year, can be present at birth (congenital) or can occur suddenly following an infection or injury to the head or face. Some cases of FNP are transient and resolve partly or completely within a few weeks or months but others are permanent. Even patients with permanent paralysis and those who don’t recover fully can and do get better but treatment should start promptly — no later than nine to 12 months after onset — to avoid progressive damage to the corresponding facial muscle.
“In acquired facial paralysis, early treatment is critical because once the paralyzed nerve stops sending signals to the muscle, muscle fibers begin to die, and the more fibers die, the harder it is to recover muscle movement later on,” says Redett, who is also the co-director of the Johns Hopkins Facial Paralysis and Pain Center.
Children with congenital nerve paralysis, which occurs in two out of 1,000 newborns, should undergo surgery around the time they are 4 or 5 years old, experts advise. However, Redett recommends that parents consult a specialist promptly after diagnosis to devise a treatment plan together.
Children with recent nerve paralysis are great candidates for a simple nerve repair, done by connecting the healthy and the damaged ends of the affected nerve. Those with more serious nerve damage or those with older paralyses need a cross-face nerve graft from the normal to the paralyzed side of the face, splicing the damaged and the healthy nerves together. Like an electric current in a wire, the healthy cells begin to flow inside the paralyzed nerve, slowly awakening it. The damaged nerve eventually begins to generate its own nerve cells that, in turn, fire off signals to the facial muscle prompting it to move.
Because nerve cells grow at a rate of about one inch per month, it takes between nine and 12 months for a patient to regain full or nearly full use of the paralyzed side. The approach, called facial nerve reanimation, can also involve harvesting a healthy nerve from another part of the child’s body — typically the legs — and connecting it to the damaged one. Patients with atrophied facial muscles — those with old paralyses or those who were born with it — will also need a muscle transplant about a year after the nerve transplant.
“While 100 percent recovery is not always possible, many children whose cases were deemed hopeless improve dramatically with surgery,” Redett says.
Most childhood cases of FNP stem from bacterial and viral infections, including ear infections, mumps, chicken pox or the cold sore virus (herpes simplex). Paralysis caused by infections is typically self-limiting and responds well to steroids, antibiotics or antiviral medications.
In very rare cases, facial paralysis can be the first sign of a serious neurologic disorder, brain hemorrhage or a brain tumor. Bell’s palsy, a type of facial nerve paralysis with undetermined cause, affects more than 60,000 people in the United States each year, many of them children.
2011年6月29日星期三
Meda Pays Medivir $45M for Full Rights to Cold Sore Therapy in U.S.
Swedish firm Meda is paying Medivir $45 million as part of a renegotiated marketing deal for the latter’s FDA-approved prescription cold sore therapy, Xerese™. Meda negotiated a license to market Xerese in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico back in February 2010, and launched the product in the U.S. in February this year, where it is available as a prescription treatment. Under terms of the original deal with Meda, Medivir earns a double-digit royalty on sales of the drug by Meda. The renegotiated agreement has essentially transferred all rights to the product to Meda in its designated territories, in return for the $45 million payment to Medivir and the waiver of royalty fees. The amendment will in addition trigger a payment to AstraZeneca, the patent originator, under agreed terms; Sweden-based Medivir was founded in 1988 as a spinout from AstraZeneca’s antiviral research unit.
The new deal in addition gives Meda exclusive rights to develop Xerese for the genital herpes indication in the U.S. If approved, Medivir would receive a $10 million milestone payment, and single digit royalties on U.S. sales. Meda will be responsible for developing the drug for the genital herpes indication.
The amendments to the Meda deal will have no impact on Medivir’s existing agreements for Xerclear™ (Xerese’s tradename in Europe) with GlaxoSmithKline, Daewoong Pharmaceuticals, and Luxemburg Pharmaceuticals. The firm says the cash earned from Meda will be used to progress its infectious disease R&D projects.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical negotiated an exclusive license to distribute Xerclear in China and Hong Kong earlier this month. Under terms of the deal, Daewoong will be responsible for conducting clinical studies required for regulatory approvals and for marketing, sales, and distribution of the drug. In return, Medivir will receive royalties on all product sales. Daewoong had previously inked a deal for Xerclear in South Korea and recently filed for registration of the drug with the South Korean authorities.
The new deal in addition gives Meda exclusive rights to develop Xerese for the genital herpes indication in the U.S. If approved, Medivir would receive a $10 million milestone payment, and single digit royalties on U.S. sales. Meda will be responsible for developing the drug for the genital herpes indication.
The amendments to the Meda deal will have no impact on Medivir’s existing agreements for Xerclear™ (Xerese’s tradename in Europe) with GlaxoSmithKline, Daewoong Pharmaceuticals, and Luxemburg Pharmaceuticals. The firm says the cash earned from Meda will be used to progress its infectious disease R&D projects.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical negotiated an exclusive license to distribute Xerclear in China and Hong Kong earlier this month. Under terms of the deal, Daewoong will be responsible for conducting clinical studies required for regulatory approvals and for marketing, sales, and distribution of the drug. In return, Medivir will receive royalties on all product sales. Daewoong had previously inked a deal for Xerclear in South Korea and recently filed for registration of the drug with the South Korean authorities.
2011年6月26日星期日
Issac Bailey | A warning about warning labels
The FDA is betting on the shock factor to convince roughly 45 million Americans to give up smoking.
Nice idea, but while fear is a great short-term motivator it can't be the bedrock of sustained lifestyle changes.
We've already proved that.
In September of 2001, this country pulled together across political and racial lines to combat the bogeyman that visited fear on us, not via shadows under our beds, but with hijacked airplanes.
Most of us were willing to endure anything in the immediate aftermath to make the fear subside. Now? We are more concerned about inconvenient airport patdowns than another terrorist attack, and are as politically polarized as we've ever been.
Some comprehensive sex education and health classes present color photos of the grotesque things that result from STDs, including cold sores in sensitive areas and deformed, ill-colored genitals. Students are usually grossed out - but later give in to the overwhelming force of teenage hormones.
Talk show hosts bring on medical professionals carrying disgusting see-through plastic bags of actual human fat during segments designed to spur more people to embrace dieting. It may cause some of the audience members to skip a burger later that day but doesn't stop them from gorging on junk food the next.
The list of failed scare tactics is long, including the shockumentary "The Living Hell" shown in some evangelical churches, like the one in which I grew up. Among other things, it includes a scene with an unrepentant motorcyclist's brain matter scattered on the pavement after an accident but before he could be "born again," relegating him to an eternity of hell fire, as a warning to all to choose what the filmmakers believe is the right path.
Drug dealers in this area have seen friends shot down in the street like dogs but are convinced they won't meet the same fate.
If scare tactics were successful, we would post a photo of a girl being raped and a young man being handcuffed on every keg and beer bottle sold near a college campus because alcohol abuse is the primary factor in most date rapes.
Or put a picture of a 700-pound man in bed, trapped by his own body and soiling himself on the wrapping of every McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder.
The Food and Drug Administration's new anti-smoking campaign that calls for gruesome new labels covering half the surface of cigarette packs in 2012 may earn a few headlines. And it may inspire columnists, such as those who write for thisnewspaper, to ponder their pros and cons.
But it won't work. Studies from other countries already using similar tactics have shown that smokers briefly think more about quitting or the dangers - then light up another cigarette any way.
Smokers already know the risks. They know they are increasing the chances that their lives will be taken too early and painfully. They may not know the number of people who die in the U.S. every year from smoking - about 450,000 - but they know it's a lot.
Fear doesn't motivate smokers for the same reason the death penalty doesn't curb crime.
There's too much lag time in between the events - smoking and death and a crime and an execution. Design a cigarette so powerful that after one puff, the smoker keels over or instantly gets cancer, now that would get their attention.
Short of that, unless a smoker commits to the belief that his life and the impact of his actions on those he loves are more important than a coffin stick, nothing will deter them.
Nice idea, but while fear is a great short-term motivator it can't be the bedrock of sustained lifestyle changes.
We've already proved that.
In September of 2001, this country pulled together across political and racial lines to combat the bogeyman that visited fear on us, not via shadows under our beds, but with hijacked airplanes.
Most of us were willing to endure anything in the immediate aftermath to make the fear subside. Now? We are more concerned about inconvenient airport patdowns than another terrorist attack, and are as politically polarized as we've ever been.
Some comprehensive sex education and health classes present color photos of the grotesque things that result from STDs, including cold sores in sensitive areas and deformed, ill-colored genitals. Students are usually grossed out - but later give in to the overwhelming force of teenage hormones.
Talk show hosts bring on medical professionals carrying disgusting see-through plastic bags of actual human fat during segments designed to spur more people to embrace dieting. It may cause some of the audience members to skip a burger later that day but doesn't stop them from gorging on junk food the next.
The list of failed scare tactics is long, including the shockumentary "The Living Hell" shown in some evangelical churches, like the one in which I grew up. Among other things, it includes a scene with an unrepentant motorcyclist's brain matter scattered on the pavement after an accident but before he could be "born again," relegating him to an eternity of hell fire, as a warning to all to choose what the filmmakers believe is the right path.
Drug dealers in this area have seen friends shot down in the street like dogs but are convinced they won't meet the same fate.
If scare tactics were successful, we would post a photo of a girl being raped and a young man being handcuffed on every keg and beer bottle sold near a college campus because alcohol abuse is the primary factor in most date rapes.
Or put a picture of a 700-pound man in bed, trapped by his own body and soiling himself on the wrapping of every McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder.
The Food and Drug Administration's new anti-smoking campaign that calls for gruesome new labels covering half the surface of cigarette packs in 2012 may earn a few headlines. And it may inspire columnists, such as those who write for thisnewspaper, to ponder their pros and cons.
But it won't work. Studies from other countries already using similar tactics have shown that smokers briefly think more about quitting or the dangers - then light up another cigarette any way.
Smokers already know the risks. They know they are increasing the chances that their lives will be taken too early and painfully. They may not know the number of people who die in the U.S. every year from smoking - about 450,000 - but they know it's a lot.
Fear doesn't motivate smokers for the same reason the death penalty doesn't curb crime.
There's too much lag time in between the events - smoking and death and a crime and an execution. Design a cigarette so powerful that after one puff, the smoker keels over or instantly gets cancer, now that would get their attention.
Short of that, unless a smoker commits to the belief that his life and the impact of his actions on those he loves are more important than a coffin stick, nothing will deter them.
Healing Herbals and Brilliant Brews
I was in college when I first stumbled across my "magic miracle drink." I had a vicious cold and was short on money. I couldn't afford to buy Lemsip, which is a cold therapy brand used in the U.K. It comes in pouches of powder that you mix with hot water, tastes delicious (although opinion varies), soothes a sore throat, comforts aching muscles and contains a decongestant. Until then, I had sworn by it. But on this occasion, my nose was running and my cupboard were bare.
I decided that I would have to make do with my own concoction. I sliced up a lemon and threw it into a mug. Then I remembered my boss at the Chinese take-out place I worked during high school. She would drink a steaming mug of grated ginger whenever she had a cold. I grabbed a bag of ginger tea from a long-forgotten herbal tea variety pack hiding at the back of the pantry. Adding a teaspoon of honey, I poured in the boiling water. I waited and stirred and waited again. Then I curled up in bed with the steaming mug warming my hands and took my first sip of this newly invented brew.
Little did I know that my concotion was not very new at all. In fact, it was ancient.
Ginger has been used as a herbal remeby for thousands of years. The ancient Chinese hailed its healing properties more than two thousand years ago, and ginger is still renowened for relieving indigestion as well as cold symptoms such as a sore throat, congestion and sinus pain. Lemon has antiviral properties, and honey has long been used to soothe dagger-throat. Combined, these elements make a cold remedy that is far healthier and tastier than store-bought powders, syrups and goos.
I decided that I would have to make do with my own concoction. I sliced up a lemon and threw it into a mug. Then I remembered my boss at the Chinese take-out place I worked during high school. She would drink a steaming mug of grated ginger whenever she had a cold. I grabbed a bag of ginger tea from a long-forgotten herbal tea variety pack hiding at the back of the pantry. Adding a teaspoon of honey, I poured in the boiling water. I waited and stirred and waited again. Then I curled up in bed with the steaming mug warming my hands and took my first sip of this newly invented brew.
Little did I know that my concotion was not very new at all. In fact, it was ancient.
Ginger has been used as a herbal remeby for thousands of years. The ancient Chinese hailed its healing properties more than two thousand years ago, and ginger is still renowened for relieving indigestion as well as cold symptoms such as a sore throat, congestion and sinus pain. Lemon has antiviral properties, and honey has long been used to soothe dagger-throat. Combined, these elements make a cold remedy that is far healthier and tastier than store-bought powders, syrups and goos.
2011年6月22日星期三
Pesky viruses still present in the summer
Don’t let the warm weather fool you – viruses are still frequent in the summer, according to an expert at Baylor College of Medicine.
“It’s important for people to continue to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette during the summer, because there are many viruses still present,” said Dr. Gail Demmler Harrison, professor of pediatrics-infectious disease at BCM and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Viruses present in warm weather include the summer cold virus, or rhinovirus, as well as enterovirus, which is related to the cold virus.
Enteroviruses can cause symptoms that are more complicated than the common cold, such as sore throat and diarrhea, and can even lead to viral meningitis and inflammation of the heart and liver, said Demmler Harrison.
Parents of babies and young children should also look out for hand, foot and mouth disease, caused by a type of enterovirus, and characterized by ulcers in the back of the throat and a rash on hands and feet.
“There’s no way to treat hand, foot and mouth disease. Just be sure to give your child enough fluids,” said Demmler Harrison.
Another year-round virus that can be present in the summer is adenovirus, which can cause respiratory problems. Parainfluenza is a virus that can cause croup, a loud cough; bronchiolitis, swelling and mucus in the small air passages in the lungs; and even bronchitis, inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs.
Each of these viruses is spread from person to person and can be dangerous in some cases, said Demmler Harrison.
These viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, but it’s important to get enough fluid and rest if you have any of these viruses. Someone with a weak immune system should consult their physician if they have symptoms of any of these viruses.
If you have any of these viruses, there are symptoms that indicate you should seek care immediately. These include having a high fever for more than three days, vomiting for more than 24 hours, diarrhea, severe headaches or chest pain.
“Most of these viruses are more inconvenient than serious, but it’s important to be aware of them and get plenty of fluid and rest if you get them,” said Demmler Harrison.
Those who are traveling in the summer should also be aware that flu season is geographically dependent, so be sure to check the status of the influenza virus at your destination.
“It’s important for people to continue to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette during the summer, because there are many viruses still present,” said Dr. Gail Demmler Harrison, professor of pediatrics-infectious disease at BCM and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Viruses present in warm weather include the summer cold virus, or rhinovirus, as well as enterovirus, which is related to the cold virus.
Enteroviruses can cause symptoms that are more complicated than the common cold, such as sore throat and diarrhea, and can even lead to viral meningitis and inflammation of the heart and liver, said Demmler Harrison.
Parents of babies and young children should also look out for hand, foot and mouth disease, caused by a type of enterovirus, and characterized by ulcers in the back of the throat and a rash on hands and feet.
“There’s no way to treat hand, foot and mouth disease. Just be sure to give your child enough fluids,” said Demmler Harrison.
Another year-round virus that can be present in the summer is adenovirus, which can cause respiratory problems. Parainfluenza is a virus that can cause croup, a loud cough; bronchiolitis, swelling and mucus in the small air passages in the lungs; and even bronchitis, inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs.
Each of these viruses is spread from person to person and can be dangerous in some cases, said Demmler Harrison.
These viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, but it’s important to get enough fluid and rest if you have any of these viruses. Someone with a weak immune system should consult their physician if they have symptoms of any of these viruses.
If you have any of these viruses, there are symptoms that indicate you should seek care immediately. These include having a high fever for more than three days, vomiting for more than 24 hours, diarrhea, severe headaches or chest pain.
“Most of these viruses are more inconvenient than serious, but it’s important to be aware of them and get plenty of fluid and rest if you get them,” said Demmler Harrison.
Those who are traveling in the summer should also be aware that flu season is geographically dependent, so be sure to check the status of the influenza virus at your destination.
TMC649128 enters Phase Ib Trial in Patients Chronically Infected with Genotype-1 Hepatitis C Virus
Medivir AB (sto:MVIRB)(omx:MVIR), the emerging research-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases, today announces the start of a phase Ib clinical trial with TMC649128 intended for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
TMC649128 is a nucleoside NS5B polymerase inhibitor developed in collaboration with Tibotec Pharmaceuticals. TMC649128 has demonstrated an attractive pre-clinical profile and displays in vitro activity across multiple HCV genotypes and a high genetic barrier to resistance. A clinical phase Ia double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled single-ascending dose trial to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers has now successfully been completed.
The TMC649128 phase Ib study that now is underway is a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial in genotype 1 HCV-infected patients to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of multiple ascending doses of TMC649128 given as monotherapy and in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
It is anticipated that TMC649128 will be used in combination with other HCV direct acting antiviral agents, given its high genetic barrier to resistance and antiviral activity across multiple HCV genotypes.
"We are delighted to see TMC649128, our first HCV nucleoside inhibitor, advance into clinical phase Ib studies in HCV patients", stated Bertil Samuelsson, CSO of Medivir. "The start of this phase Ib trial underscores our commitment to develop new and innovative treatments for hepatitis C infected patients. We view nucleoside inhibitors, such as TMC649128, and protease inhibitors, such as TMC435, as cornerstone components of future direct acting antiviral combinations for HCV therapy."
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infectious disease of the liver and is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and liver transplants. The WHO estimates that nearly 180 million people worldwide, or approximately 3% of the world's population, are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The CDC has reported that almost three million people in the United States are chronically infected with HCV.
About Medivir's Commitment to HCV
Medivir and Tibotec are also jointly developing the once daily protease inhibitor TMC435 for treatment of hepatitis C virus infections (HCV).
About Medivir
Medivir is an emerging research-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of high-value treatments for infectious diseases. Medivir has world class expertise in polymerase and protease drug targets and drug development. Medivir has a strong R&D portfolio and has recently launched its first product Xerese(TM)/Xerclear(R). Medivir's key pipeline asset, TMC435, a protease inhibitor, is in global phase 3 clinical development for Hepatitis C and is partnered with Tibotec Pharmaceuticals.
TMC649128 is a nucleoside NS5B polymerase inhibitor developed in collaboration with Tibotec Pharmaceuticals. TMC649128 has demonstrated an attractive pre-clinical profile and displays in vitro activity across multiple HCV genotypes and a high genetic barrier to resistance. A clinical phase Ia double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled single-ascending dose trial to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers has now successfully been completed.
The TMC649128 phase Ib study that now is underway is a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial in genotype 1 HCV-infected patients to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of multiple ascending doses of TMC649128 given as monotherapy and in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
It is anticipated that TMC649128 will be used in combination with other HCV direct acting antiviral agents, given its high genetic barrier to resistance and antiviral activity across multiple HCV genotypes.
"We are delighted to see TMC649128, our first HCV nucleoside inhibitor, advance into clinical phase Ib studies in HCV patients", stated Bertil Samuelsson, CSO of Medivir. "The start of this phase Ib trial underscores our commitment to develop new and innovative treatments for hepatitis C infected patients. We view nucleoside inhibitors, such as TMC649128, and protease inhibitors, such as TMC435, as cornerstone components of future direct acting antiviral combinations for HCV therapy."
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infectious disease of the liver and is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and liver transplants. The WHO estimates that nearly 180 million people worldwide, or approximately 3% of the world's population, are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The CDC has reported that almost three million people in the United States are chronically infected with HCV.
About Medivir's Commitment to HCV
Medivir and Tibotec are also jointly developing the once daily protease inhibitor TMC435 for treatment of hepatitis C virus infections (HCV).
About Medivir
Medivir is an emerging research-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of high-value treatments for infectious diseases. Medivir has world class expertise in polymerase and protease drug targets and drug development. Medivir has a strong R&D portfolio and has recently launched its first product Xerese(TM)/Xerclear(R). Medivir's key pipeline asset, TMC435, a protease inhibitor, is in global phase 3 clinical development for Hepatitis C and is partnered with Tibotec Pharmaceuticals.
2011年6月19日星期日
Labels going 'gluten free'
If you've have extra time to read labels at the grocery store, you may have noticed some saying "gluten free."
So what is gluten, and why would some people want to avoid it?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It's also in spelt, a type of wheat, as well as triticale, a cross between wheat and rye.
Gluten is a very large molecule formed by a long chain of amino acids, and it's what provides elasticity to bread dough. So, obviously, a lot of people actually do want it.
But some people - estimates say one in every 133 people, in fact - have trouble digesting this particular protein.
The condition, called celiac disease, varies in its severity, but some people have so much trouble that the villi lining the small intestine are damaged or destroyed. Villi are tiny but vital. They absorb nutrients. Without them, a person can become malnourished no matter how much nutritious food they consume.
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, part of the National Institutes of Health, symptoms of celiac disease vary widely from person to person. Some have no symptoms at all.
Children and infants are more likely to experience digestive symptoms, such as abdominal bloating and pain; chronic diarrhea; vomiting; constipation; pale, foul-smelling or fatty stools; and weight loss.
Adults with celiac disease are more likely to experience iron-deficiency anemia (unexplained by other causes); fatigue; bone or joint pain; arthritis; bone loss or osteoporosis; depression or anxiety; tingling numbness in the hands or feet; seizures; infertility or recurrent miscarriage; canker sores; or dermatitis herptiformis (an itchy skin rash).
As you might imagine, following a gluten-free diet isn't as easy as avoiding bread, crackers, cereal and baked goods. Many processed foods may contain wheat, barley or rye, too, including bouillon cubes, candy, potato chips, cold cuts, french fries, rice mixes, sauces, self-basting turkey, soups and vegetables in sauce among others. Many of those items are also produced gluten-free varieties, but they aren't always easy to find.
So whether you are looking to see if a food product is gluten free or looking at other nutrition information, be sure to read the label!
So what is gluten, and why would some people want to avoid it?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It's also in spelt, a type of wheat, as well as triticale, a cross between wheat and rye.
Gluten is a very large molecule formed by a long chain of amino acids, and it's what provides elasticity to bread dough. So, obviously, a lot of people actually do want it.
But some people - estimates say one in every 133 people, in fact - have trouble digesting this particular protein.
The condition, called celiac disease, varies in its severity, but some people have so much trouble that the villi lining the small intestine are damaged or destroyed. Villi are tiny but vital. They absorb nutrients. Without them, a person can become malnourished no matter how much nutritious food they consume.
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, part of the National Institutes of Health, symptoms of celiac disease vary widely from person to person. Some have no symptoms at all.
Children and infants are more likely to experience digestive symptoms, such as abdominal bloating and pain; chronic diarrhea; vomiting; constipation; pale, foul-smelling or fatty stools; and weight loss.
Adults with celiac disease are more likely to experience iron-deficiency anemia (unexplained by other causes); fatigue; bone or joint pain; arthritis; bone loss or osteoporosis; depression or anxiety; tingling numbness in the hands or feet; seizures; infertility or recurrent miscarriage; canker sores; or dermatitis herptiformis (an itchy skin rash).
As you might imagine, following a gluten-free diet isn't as easy as avoiding bread, crackers, cereal and baked goods. Many processed foods may contain wheat, barley or rye, too, including bouillon cubes, candy, potato chips, cold cuts, french fries, rice mixes, sauces, self-basting turkey, soups and vegetables in sauce among others. Many of those items are also produced gluten-free varieties, but they aren't always easy to find.
So whether you are looking to see if a food product is gluten free or looking at other nutrition information, be sure to read the label!
Battling the beast
Glenn Chenell has run every day for the last 2,342 days.
He is a marathon runner, but does not consider himself fast enough to be a marathon racer.
"My best days are long gone. It's all about finishing for me," he says.
But that is something he excels at.
Sunday he was one of 73 marathon runners to complete the Johnny Miles Marathon. While his time was far from near the top, he said he had a tough opponent to beat. It's the same adversary he faces every morning when he crawls out of bed and every time he decides whether to lace up his sneakers or not - the beast in his head.
"You have to beat yourself mentally to do this because the little guy in here says stay in the house, watch TV," he says, pointing to his head. "And that is the person you have to beat in the marathon, the same guy, and he's nasty. He can be nasty after 23 miles."
It's the same beast he battles whether he runs 10 miles or 100 miles.
"The beast in your head can beat you, but you've got to use the one in your heart to counteract it," he says. "If you don't beat it you quit."
The beast in his head came with the cramps and sore muscles around the 15th mile for him Sunday. It came with the heat of the sun and the cold of the rain that came with some parts of this year's race. Chenell knew going into the race he had under trained, but he didn't stop, just like he hasn't stopped since he first competed at the Johnny Miles event in 1983.
Slowly he made his way to the finish line to claim the prize he wanted - one more finish. Chenell has now completed 86 full marathons including 15 ultra marathons. His goal is to make it to 100.
Along the way he hopes that maybe he can inspire some others.
"People will come out to cheer the runners on and some will question the whole deal when a runner hobbles by in obvious pain, body wracked with cramps, under trained on the final loop hours after the winner has accepted his trophy - but that runner is beating the toughest foe he will ever face - himself."
He is a marathon runner, but does not consider himself fast enough to be a marathon racer.
"My best days are long gone. It's all about finishing for me," he says.
But that is something he excels at.
Sunday he was one of 73 marathon runners to complete the Johnny Miles Marathon. While his time was far from near the top, he said he had a tough opponent to beat. It's the same adversary he faces every morning when he crawls out of bed and every time he decides whether to lace up his sneakers or not - the beast in his head.
"You have to beat yourself mentally to do this because the little guy in here says stay in the house, watch TV," he says, pointing to his head. "And that is the person you have to beat in the marathon, the same guy, and he's nasty. He can be nasty after 23 miles."
It's the same beast he battles whether he runs 10 miles or 100 miles.
"The beast in your head can beat you, but you've got to use the one in your heart to counteract it," he says. "If you don't beat it you quit."
The beast in his head came with the cramps and sore muscles around the 15th mile for him Sunday. It came with the heat of the sun and the cold of the rain that came with some parts of this year's race. Chenell knew going into the race he had under trained, but he didn't stop, just like he hasn't stopped since he first competed at the Johnny Miles event in 1983.
Slowly he made his way to the finish line to claim the prize he wanted - one more finish. Chenell has now completed 86 full marathons including 15 ultra marathons. His goal is to make it to 100.
Along the way he hopes that maybe he can inspire some others.
"People will come out to cheer the runners on and some will question the whole deal when a runner hobbles by in obvious pain, body wracked with cramps, under trained on the final loop hours after the winner has accepted his trophy - but that runner is beating the toughest foe he will ever face - himself."
2011年6月14日星期二
Matrixx Faces More Legal Issues
FDA sent a sixth warning letter to Matrixx Initiatives Inc. regarding marketing claims made on Zicam.com and on product packaging. This current letter address claims about two of Matrixx Initiatives’s RapidMelts Vitamin C products that position the products as unapproved new drugs.
The other five warning letters are not the only legal problems Matrixx faced in the past, as earlier this month, Charles B. Hensley, the inventor of the zinc-based Zicam cold remedy, was arrested for federal charges of illegally importing and distributing the herbal-based Vira 38 product in the United States and using claims the product could prevent and treat bird flu.
According to the current warning letter, sent to company president and CEO William J. Hemelt, on June 3, 2011, FDA is now looking at claims that the Zicam Cold Remedy RapidMelts with Vitamin C & Echinacea and Zicam Cold Remedy RapidMelts with Vitamin C help consumers “Get over your cold faster," “Reduces duration and severity of a cold," and “[R]educes severity of cold symptoms: sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing and congestion"
FDA said the statements are in violation of sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) (21 U.S.C. §§ 331(d) and 355(a)). The RapidMelts Vitamin C products are also misbranded under section 502 of the Act (21 U.S.C. § 352).
FDA also noted packaging materials place product names in close proximity to the words “Cold Remedy." Further, website claims at issue include “Extra boost of Vitamin C in every RapidMelt,"“Extra boost of Vitamin C and Echinacea in every RapidMelt," “Reduces the duration of cold symptoms when taken at the first sign of a cold," and “Now, I always keep Zicam with me and know I’ve dodged another cold or two since. Zicam is a lot easier to take and carry than my individual zinc, Echinacea & vitamin C tablets."
FDA said these statements about the RapidMelts Vitamin C products are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in violation of section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Act (21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B)). Also, the statements say the products are intended to affect the structure or function of the body of man in violation of section 201(g)(1)(C) of the Act (21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(C)).
Although vitamin C and echinacea could be marketed separately as dietary supplements, in this case they are combined with other drug ingredients. Because drug and dietary ingredients are combined in a single dosage form, FDA said the combination becomes a “drug" under section 201(g) of the act (21 U.S.C. § 321(g)).
Because FDA considers the products as unapproved drugs, it said Matrixx is subject to the same adverse event reporting requirements for OTC drugs (760(b)(1) of the Act (21 U.S.C. § 379aa(b)(1))), which requires a manufacturer, packer or distributor whose name appears on the label to submit serious adverse event reports (AERs) to FDA. However, FDA inspections found Matrixx did not submit certain serious adverse event reports.
The other five warning letters are not the only legal problems Matrixx faced in the past, as earlier this month, Charles B. Hensley, the inventor of the zinc-based Zicam cold remedy, was arrested for federal charges of illegally importing and distributing the herbal-based Vira 38 product in the United States and using claims the product could prevent and treat bird flu.
According to the current warning letter, sent to company president and CEO William J. Hemelt, on June 3, 2011, FDA is now looking at claims that the Zicam Cold Remedy RapidMelts with Vitamin C & Echinacea and Zicam Cold Remedy RapidMelts with Vitamin C help consumers “Get over your cold faster," “Reduces duration and severity of a cold," and “[R]educes severity of cold symptoms: sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing and congestion"
FDA said the statements are in violation of sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) (21 U.S.C. §§ 331(d) and 355(a)). The RapidMelts Vitamin C products are also misbranded under section 502 of the Act (21 U.S.C. § 352).
FDA also noted packaging materials place product names in close proximity to the words “Cold Remedy." Further, website claims at issue include “Extra boost of Vitamin C in every RapidMelt,"“Extra boost of Vitamin C and Echinacea in every RapidMelt," “Reduces the duration of cold symptoms when taken at the first sign of a cold," and “Now, I always keep Zicam with me and know I’ve dodged another cold or two since. Zicam is a lot easier to take and carry than my individual zinc, Echinacea & vitamin C tablets."
FDA said these statements about the RapidMelts Vitamin C products are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in violation of section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Act (21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B)). Also, the statements say the products are intended to affect the structure or function of the body of man in violation of section 201(g)(1)(C) of the Act (21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(C)).
Although vitamin C and echinacea could be marketed separately as dietary supplements, in this case they are combined with other drug ingredients. Because drug and dietary ingredients are combined in a single dosage form, FDA said the combination becomes a “drug" under section 201(g) of the act (21 U.S.C. § 321(g)).
Because FDA considers the products as unapproved drugs, it said Matrixx is subject to the same adverse event reporting requirements for OTC drugs (760(b)(1) of the Act (21 U.S.C. § 379aa(b)(1))), which requires a manufacturer, packer or distributor whose name appears on the label to submit serious adverse event reports (AERs) to FDA. However, FDA inspections found Matrixx did not submit certain serious adverse event reports.
Why You Need to Avoid Catching a Summer Cold
Your beach bag is packed, your swimsuit beckons and your calendar is full of fun plans for barbecues and backyard parties. But if you’re stuck inside with a miserable cold, you’re probably wondering what the heck happened.
And to make things worse, summer colds often last longer and have a higher chance of recurring, according to Dr. Bruce Hirsch, attending physician for infectious diseases at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.
"The summer cold is really kind of tricky," Hirsch said, "probably because the viruses that cause it [can be] different than a winter cold. Something about it is awful and insidious."
And to make things worse, summer colds often last longer and have a higher chance of recurring, according to Dr. Bruce Hirsch, attending physician for infectious diseases at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.
"The summer cold is really kind of tricky," Hirsch said, "probably because the viruses that cause it [can be] different than a winter cold. Something about it is awful and insidious."
2011年6月12日星期日
Stoner Wins, Lorenzo Crashes in Wet British Grand Prix
Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner took over the MotoGP World Championship lead by winning the British Grand Prix on a cold, rainy day at Silverstone, while championship leader Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) crashed out of his first race in nearly two years. Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso was second and Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards a courageous third just nine days after fracturing his collarbone in Catalunya.
Stoner was pulling away on the ninth lap when Lorenzo high-sided out of third place while caught up in a battle with Dovizioso and San Carlo Honda Gresini's Marco Simoncelli. Lorenzo fell in the Abbey Corner right, his Yamaha YZR-M1 too badly damaged to continue. It was his first crash out of a race since Malaysia in 2009 on the worst day for Yamaha this year; three corners earlier, Lorenzo's teammate Ben Spies had crashed out of fifth. The Texan was taken to the medical center for a check-up.
Simoncelli wouldn't last long, crashing on the brakes on the 11th lap. It was his third crash in six races this year. The crash handed third to the recovering Edwards. Edwards had broken his collarbone during Friday practice in Spain, with surgery to plate it a day later.
Stoner continued to pull away, lapping through to tenth place to win his 27th MotoGP victory.
The margin of victory was 15.169 secs.
"That was torture," Stoner said. "For the last sort of ten laps, the last seven laps I was counting down and they took too long. My hands were freezing, I couldn't brake properly. I didn't understand what brake pressure I had."
Stoner said early in the race he was riding blind after being sprayed while making his way into the lead on the second of 20 laps. "I couldn't see where the wet patches were" for about five laps, he said. "I couldn't understand anywhere on the track where I needed to be. And after that, the water went away from the inside of my visor and I could actually pick my points and get a bit more confident and that's when my lap times started to drop and I started to feel more confident.
"Once we got a bit of a lead I felt a lot more relaxed and just tried to make sure we didn't crash in those conditions, because it was so easy."
Stoner's third consecutive win was the first time a Honda rider had won three races in a row since Rossi did it in 2003. It was also Stoner's fourth win in six races.
After six of 18 races, Stoner leads Lorenzo 116 to 98, with Dovizioso third at 83.
"I'm really happy about second position on the podium, because is very difficult for me to be fast like them in the practice, but we never give up," Dovizioso said.
"I knew the race can be like this, so I try to start fast as I can because I knew (Casey) Stoner was really good. But I tried to follow him, but especially I wanted to stay in front of all the riders because the conditions were very over the limit. There was a big wet patch and we lose control of the bike. So I'm really happy about my strategy and my feeling over the first few laps."
The 37-year-old Edwards was wet, cold, tired and sore, but happy to be back on the podium after almost missing the race.
"Nine days ago I was going home right after I crashed. I had all my flights changed and everything," he said. "I really don't know what to say. I had a good doctor and he did a great job.
"The collarbone wasn't the big issue. I separated my muscles from ribs and that's really what's hurting."
As for the conditions, "It was unbearable After ten, eleven laps, can we just throw the checkered flag? because we knew where we were going to finish." Edwards had a point. The order of the top eight didn't change for the final ten laps.
"It was hard, hard to keep the thing on two wheels. A little tricky in some of those sections."
Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden finished 5.504 secs. behind Edwards in fourth after coming under late pressure from Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista. Bautista closed the gap in the final laps, but Hayden responded with the fastest lap of the race on the 17th of 20.
Bautista equaled a career best fifth, one spot and 29 secs. in front of Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi. Having qualified 13th, Rossi patiently made his way through the field to salvage sixth.
Cardion AB Motoracing's Karel Abraham (Duc) equaled his best MotoGP finish in seventh.
LCR Honda MotoGP's Toni Elias had his best finish of the season by finishing eighth, though San Carlo Honda Gresini's Hiroshi Aoyama pressed him to the line.
Pramac Racing Team's Loris Capirossi (Duc) was the final rider on the lead lap. Stoner lapped the final two riders, Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP's Hector Barbera (Duc) and Pramac Racing Team's Randy de Puniet.
Off the start, Lorenzo led from Stoner, Dovizioso, Simoncelli, and Spies, with Hayden up to sixth. Then Lorenzo made a mistake on the first lap and let Dovi through, with Stoner pressing. Rossi was down in 12th.
Stoner took over at the front early on lap two as the gaps increased behind him. On the next lap Hayden ran off at Abbey, giving up fifth to Spies. Hayden would soon lose another spot to Edwards. The three Americans were together in the order.
Early on the fourth lap Simoncelli had a big moment that cost him third as the top four continued to pull away. Spies had Edwards behind him, with Hayden seventh in front of Bautista and Elias. Rossi wasn't making progress.
Simoncelli set the fastest lap on the fifth lap as Stoner pulled his largest gap to this point, 1.356 secs. The lead was solid, but not insurmountable, especially in these conditions.
Edwards passed Spies on the sixth lap as Hayden closed the gap with Bautista, and Abraham continued his march.
Stoner set a new fast lap on the seventh as his lead stretched to three secs., while Lorenzo was through on Simoncelli and hounding Dovizioso. Edwards was safely in fifth, at 15 secs., while Spies was temporarily safe from Hayden and Bautista.
Yamaha's race turned disastrous in the space of three corners. Spies crashed near the end of the eighth lap, handing sixth to Hayden, while Lorenzo high-sided out of third in the Abbey Corner right early on lap nine.
Simoncelli was the next to go, crashing out of turn one on the 10th lap, handing third to the recovering Edwards, while Hayden was now up to fourth and by himself. Bautista was fifth and Rossi was on the move in sixth, though lapping at about the same pace as Hayden.
Stoner was two secs. a lap faster than Dovizioso and streaming away while Edwards was alone in third. Hayden was in fourth, but Bautista was gaining speed and lapping a second faster than Hayden who was two secs. in front ending the 14th lap. Hayden responded with his fastest lap of the race on the 15th and doubled his lead on the Spaniard. The Kentuckian would further up the pace.
Hayden set the fastest lap of the race on the 17th, but with a gap of 4.5 secs. to Edwards, it was unlikely he could steal the podium from the Texan. And Edwards responded with his own best lap of the race on the 18th to secure the podium.
Stoner was pulling away on the ninth lap when Lorenzo high-sided out of third place while caught up in a battle with Dovizioso and San Carlo Honda Gresini's Marco Simoncelli. Lorenzo fell in the Abbey Corner right, his Yamaha YZR-M1 too badly damaged to continue. It was his first crash out of a race since Malaysia in 2009 on the worst day for Yamaha this year; three corners earlier, Lorenzo's teammate Ben Spies had crashed out of fifth. The Texan was taken to the medical center for a check-up.
Simoncelli wouldn't last long, crashing on the brakes on the 11th lap. It was his third crash in six races this year. The crash handed third to the recovering Edwards. Edwards had broken his collarbone during Friday practice in Spain, with surgery to plate it a day later.
Stoner continued to pull away, lapping through to tenth place to win his 27th MotoGP victory.
The margin of victory was 15.169 secs.
"That was torture," Stoner said. "For the last sort of ten laps, the last seven laps I was counting down and they took too long. My hands were freezing, I couldn't brake properly. I didn't understand what brake pressure I had."
Stoner said early in the race he was riding blind after being sprayed while making his way into the lead on the second of 20 laps. "I couldn't see where the wet patches were" for about five laps, he said. "I couldn't understand anywhere on the track where I needed to be. And after that, the water went away from the inside of my visor and I could actually pick my points and get a bit more confident and that's when my lap times started to drop and I started to feel more confident.
"Once we got a bit of a lead I felt a lot more relaxed and just tried to make sure we didn't crash in those conditions, because it was so easy."
Stoner's third consecutive win was the first time a Honda rider had won three races in a row since Rossi did it in 2003. It was also Stoner's fourth win in six races.
After six of 18 races, Stoner leads Lorenzo 116 to 98, with Dovizioso third at 83.
"I'm really happy about second position on the podium, because is very difficult for me to be fast like them in the practice, but we never give up," Dovizioso said.
"I knew the race can be like this, so I try to start fast as I can because I knew (Casey) Stoner was really good. But I tried to follow him, but especially I wanted to stay in front of all the riders because the conditions were very over the limit. There was a big wet patch and we lose control of the bike. So I'm really happy about my strategy and my feeling over the first few laps."
The 37-year-old Edwards was wet, cold, tired and sore, but happy to be back on the podium after almost missing the race.
"Nine days ago I was going home right after I crashed. I had all my flights changed and everything," he said. "I really don't know what to say. I had a good doctor and he did a great job.
"The collarbone wasn't the big issue. I separated my muscles from ribs and that's really what's hurting."
As for the conditions, "It was unbearable After ten, eleven laps, can we just throw the checkered flag? because we knew where we were going to finish." Edwards had a point. The order of the top eight didn't change for the final ten laps.
"It was hard, hard to keep the thing on two wheels. A little tricky in some of those sections."
Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden finished 5.504 secs. behind Edwards in fourth after coming under late pressure from Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista. Bautista closed the gap in the final laps, but Hayden responded with the fastest lap of the race on the 17th of 20.
Bautista equaled a career best fifth, one spot and 29 secs. in front of Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi. Having qualified 13th, Rossi patiently made his way through the field to salvage sixth.
Cardion AB Motoracing's Karel Abraham (Duc) equaled his best MotoGP finish in seventh.
LCR Honda MotoGP's Toni Elias had his best finish of the season by finishing eighth, though San Carlo Honda Gresini's Hiroshi Aoyama pressed him to the line.
Pramac Racing Team's Loris Capirossi (Duc) was the final rider on the lead lap. Stoner lapped the final two riders, Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP's Hector Barbera (Duc) and Pramac Racing Team's Randy de Puniet.
Off the start, Lorenzo led from Stoner, Dovizioso, Simoncelli, and Spies, with Hayden up to sixth. Then Lorenzo made a mistake on the first lap and let Dovi through, with Stoner pressing. Rossi was down in 12th.
Stoner took over at the front early on lap two as the gaps increased behind him. On the next lap Hayden ran off at Abbey, giving up fifth to Spies. Hayden would soon lose another spot to Edwards. The three Americans were together in the order.
Early on the fourth lap Simoncelli had a big moment that cost him third as the top four continued to pull away. Spies had Edwards behind him, with Hayden seventh in front of Bautista and Elias. Rossi wasn't making progress.
Simoncelli set the fastest lap on the fifth lap as Stoner pulled his largest gap to this point, 1.356 secs. The lead was solid, but not insurmountable, especially in these conditions.
Edwards passed Spies on the sixth lap as Hayden closed the gap with Bautista, and Abraham continued his march.
Stoner set a new fast lap on the seventh as his lead stretched to three secs., while Lorenzo was through on Simoncelli and hounding Dovizioso. Edwards was safely in fifth, at 15 secs., while Spies was temporarily safe from Hayden and Bautista.
Yamaha's race turned disastrous in the space of three corners. Spies crashed near the end of the eighth lap, handing sixth to Hayden, while Lorenzo high-sided out of third in the Abbey Corner right early on lap nine.
Simoncelli was the next to go, crashing out of turn one on the 10th lap, handing third to the recovering Edwards, while Hayden was now up to fourth and by himself. Bautista was fifth and Rossi was on the move in sixth, though lapping at about the same pace as Hayden.
Stoner was two secs. a lap faster than Dovizioso and streaming away while Edwards was alone in third. Hayden was in fourth, but Bautista was gaining speed and lapping a second faster than Hayden who was two secs. in front ending the 14th lap. Hayden responded with his fastest lap of the race on the 15th and doubled his lead on the Spaniard. The Kentuckian would further up the pace.
Hayden set the fastest lap of the race on the 17th, but with a gap of 4.5 secs. to Edwards, it was unlikely he could steal the podium from the Texan. And Edwards responded with his own best lap of the race on the 18th to secure the podium.
Stressed? Listen to your body!
Ever fall asleep thinking about a project at work and wake up the next day with a splitting headache and pain in your jaw? Or been on the go with the kids all day and ended up with stomach cramps and a bad case of the runs? Don't blame it on the weather or bad luck! It could be your body's way of saying you're too stressed out.
Headaches and stomach problems are among several seemingly mundane ailments that could signify you're under too much tension in your life, says Dr. Kenneth L. Savage Jr., an osteopathic physician at the University Community Hospital Physician Care Group in Tampa, Fla. "It's normal to have some level of stress," he says. "When it becomes abnormal -- or your body can't handle it -- that's when things start to happen."
In the worst-case scenario, stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart problems, mood disorders and other issues. But it can also be the source of more common health issues. Do any of these sound familiar?
Argh! My skin's so itchy!
A sudden outbreak of hives or a rash can be a sign of tension (assuming you haven't walked into a patch of poison ivy recently). Stress taxes your body by causing its energy to funnel away from the immune system, says Savage. This can lead to the abnormal release of inflammatory substances in your skin -- and suddenly, you're scratching away. Too much tension in your life can also worsen rashes you're already susceptible to, such as allergy-related dermatitis or the itchy scalp and greasy dandruff of seborrheic dermatitis.
Try: An outdoor walk or bike ride. "A little bit of sunlight and exercise can be healthy," says Savage. Moderate sun exposure provides your body with vitamin D, and it can improve your mood and well-being. Staying active also benefits your circulatory and immune systems.
Yuck! A cold sore!
Tingling on your lip, then an ugly, crusty red blister … you know it's another cold sore, and right before an important meeting at work too! Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. Although the initial infection comes through direct contact with someone who has the virus, recurrences can crop up when you're under stress because your immune system isn't strong enough to fight it off.
Try: Saying no once in a while. "Manage stress by controlling the source of the stress," says Savage. If your workload is weighing you down, talk to your boss about delegating some tasks. If all those school fundraisers are taking up too much time, remember that you don't have to volunteer for all of them.
Achoo! I'm sick again!
Sure, you're bound to catch a cold every so often -- especially when everyone in your office has the sniffles. But you're more likely to come down with a runny nose and scratchy throat when your body is already run down by an overactive schedule or lack of sleep.
Try: Getting your z's. Adequate sleep doesn't just make you feel refreshed in the morning; it also boosts your immunity and makes you less prone to picking up your coworkers' or kids' colds. Go to bed an hour earlier and see what a difference it makes.
Ugh! My stomach hurts!
How we care for our bodies while under stress can cause as many problems as the stress itself. If you're so busy shuttling the kids to dance class and baseball practice that you're skipping meals or grabbing fast food all the time, that's a formula for stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation.
Try: Planning ahead. Shop on Sunday for a week's worth of healthy meals, including dishes you can serve as leftovers the next day. Knowing you have the dinner situation under control is one less thing to stress out about. Keep fruit, plain yogurt and other nutritious snacks in the fridge so you can grab them and go.
Ow! My jaw's so sore!
Stress doesn't magically end at the end of the day. Going to bed with worries on your mind may lead you to clench or grind your teeth while you sleep -- a condition called bruxism. If you often wake up with an aching jaw, head or ear, or if your teeth seem worn or chipped, see your dentist. He may prescribe a mouth guard or suggest ways to keep your mouth relaxed at night.
Headaches and stomach problems are among several seemingly mundane ailments that could signify you're under too much tension in your life, says Dr. Kenneth L. Savage Jr., an osteopathic physician at the University Community Hospital Physician Care Group in Tampa, Fla. "It's normal to have some level of stress," he says. "When it becomes abnormal -- or your body can't handle it -- that's when things start to happen."
In the worst-case scenario, stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart problems, mood disorders and other issues. But it can also be the source of more common health issues. Do any of these sound familiar?
Argh! My skin's so itchy!
A sudden outbreak of hives or a rash can be a sign of tension (assuming you haven't walked into a patch of poison ivy recently). Stress taxes your body by causing its energy to funnel away from the immune system, says Savage. This can lead to the abnormal release of inflammatory substances in your skin -- and suddenly, you're scratching away. Too much tension in your life can also worsen rashes you're already susceptible to, such as allergy-related dermatitis or the itchy scalp and greasy dandruff of seborrheic dermatitis.
Try: An outdoor walk or bike ride. "A little bit of sunlight and exercise can be healthy," says Savage. Moderate sun exposure provides your body with vitamin D, and it can improve your mood and well-being. Staying active also benefits your circulatory and immune systems.
Yuck! A cold sore!
Tingling on your lip, then an ugly, crusty red blister … you know it's another cold sore, and right before an important meeting at work too! Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. Although the initial infection comes through direct contact with someone who has the virus, recurrences can crop up when you're under stress because your immune system isn't strong enough to fight it off.
Try: Saying no once in a while. "Manage stress by controlling the source of the stress," says Savage. If your workload is weighing you down, talk to your boss about delegating some tasks. If all those school fundraisers are taking up too much time, remember that you don't have to volunteer for all of them.
Achoo! I'm sick again!
Sure, you're bound to catch a cold every so often -- especially when everyone in your office has the sniffles. But you're more likely to come down with a runny nose and scratchy throat when your body is already run down by an overactive schedule or lack of sleep.
Try: Getting your z's. Adequate sleep doesn't just make you feel refreshed in the morning; it also boosts your immunity and makes you less prone to picking up your coworkers' or kids' colds. Go to bed an hour earlier and see what a difference it makes.
Ugh! My stomach hurts!
How we care for our bodies while under stress can cause as many problems as the stress itself. If you're so busy shuttling the kids to dance class and baseball practice that you're skipping meals or grabbing fast food all the time, that's a formula for stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation.
Try: Planning ahead. Shop on Sunday for a week's worth of healthy meals, including dishes you can serve as leftovers the next day. Knowing you have the dinner situation under control is one less thing to stress out about. Keep fruit, plain yogurt and other nutritious snacks in the fridge so you can grab them and go.
Ow! My jaw's so sore!
Stress doesn't magically end at the end of the day. Going to bed with worries on your mind may lead you to clench or grind your teeth while you sleep -- a condition called bruxism. If you often wake up with an aching jaw, head or ear, or if your teeth seem worn or chipped, see your dentist. He may prescribe a mouth guard or suggest ways to keep your mouth relaxed at night.
2011年6月8日星期三
Sore Throat May Bring Relief to Oil Market
There’s a popular saying to describe the importance of the U.S. to the world economy: “When America sneezes, the world catches a cold.”
This week, the American economy seems to have a least infected the Saudi Oil Minister, Ali Al-Naimi. Mr. Naimi, who decides production levels at the world’s largest oil exporter, told reporters at the start of the OPEC meeting in Vienna: “Don’t waste your time, go talk to someone else. I have a sore throat.”
Mr. Naimi has said little in public this week, but has apparently been doing a lot of talking in private in a series of behind-the-scenes meetings to convince other skeptical members of the group that OPEC should increase its oil production, perhaps by as much as 1.5 million barrels a day.
If his throat is sore from these pleas falling on deaf ears, it is in large part due to uncertainty about the strength of the world’s largest oil consumer–the U.S.
A stream of negative economic data in the past week has stoked fears that a previously robust U.S. economic recovery is faltering. If the U.S. stumbles, other OPEC members fear that oil demand could fall and prices follow it.
“We have to wait and see the behavior of inventories and demand at the end of the year” before changing oil production, said Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez. “Demand is an uncertainty. The recovery of the economy is an uncertainty,” he said.
Mr. Ramirez is one of the most intractable skeptics at Wednesday’s meeting, but there are signs that other members, notably Iran, may drop their previous opposition to allow a modest increase in production.
If so, oil consumers should be grateful for Mr. Naimi’s sore throat.
This week, the American economy seems to have a least infected the Saudi Oil Minister, Ali Al-Naimi. Mr. Naimi, who decides production levels at the world’s largest oil exporter, told reporters at the start of the OPEC meeting in Vienna: “Don’t waste your time, go talk to someone else. I have a sore throat.”
Mr. Naimi has said little in public this week, but has apparently been doing a lot of talking in private in a series of behind-the-scenes meetings to convince other skeptical members of the group that OPEC should increase its oil production, perhaps by as much as 1.5 million barrels a day.
If his throat is sore from these pleas falling on deaf ears, it is in large part due to uncertainty about the strength of the world’s largest oil consumer–the U.S.
A stream of negative economic data in the past week has stoked fears that a previously robust U.S. economic recovery is faltering. If the U.S. stumbles, other OPEC members fear that oil demand could fall and prices follow it.
“We have to wait and see the behavior of inventories and demand at the end of the year” before changing oil production, said Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez. “Demand is an uncertainty. The recovery of the economy is an uncertainty,” he said.
Mr. Ramirez is one of the most intractable skeptics at Wednesday’s meeting, but there are signs that other members, notably Iran, may drop their previous opposition to allow a modest increase in production.
If so, oil consumers should be grateful for Mr. Naimi’s sore throat.
Fraunhofer Develops 3D Herpes Model to Test Potential Treatments
Approximately 90 percent of people are carrying the herpes simplex virus, but the virus spends most of its time in a dormant state which has proven difficult to research. Now, scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB have developed a 3D herpes infection model which they are now using to study the virus’ dormant state. The investigators claim their research will aid in the testing of future cold sore treatments by reducing the need for animal testing.
From the press release:
To date the skin models used for drug testing and to detect the virus have been very simple and unable to simulate the dormancy state of the virus. “We have integrated a neuronal cell line into the certified skin model of the IGB and are able to detect this latency stage for the first time.”
Research on active ingredients can profit from the 3D herpes infection model of the researchers from IGB, a model that also enables improved study of infection mechanisms. This procedure might also be used to test new medications for shingles, which is also caused by a variant strain of the herpes virus.
From the press release:
To date the skin models used for drug testing and to detect the virus have been very simple and unable to simulate the dormancy state of the virus. “We have integrated a neuronal cell line into the certified skin model of the IGB and are able to detect this latency stage for the first time.”
Research on active ingredients can profit from the 3D herpes infection model of the researchers from IGB, a model that also enables improved study of infection mechanisms. This procedure might also be used to test new medications for shingles, which is also caused by a variant strain of the herpes virus.
2011年6月6日星期一
Health-giving plants freely available in the average garden
One famous comic book Gaulish village managed to protect itself from the ancient Romans thanks to a magic potion made from mistletoe. The plant is also used in holistic medicine to treat blood circulation ailments.
Many other plants and herbs have been used over the centuries as medicines and are freely available in many gardens. 'It's worth your while having a closer look in your garden to see if there's something you can use to make a medicinal tea with,' says gardening consultant Sven Goerlitz.
Right at the top of the list of medicinal plants is mint but due to the wide variety of species you must be careful which mint you choose.
'There are a few poisonous varieties as well as a few with very high levels of menthol that can cause stomach irritation,' warns Manfred Fischer from the German body and health care product manufacturer Kneipp-Werke.
One safe variety of mint is Mentha x piperita. 'Research on the plant has shown that its oil can ease digestive system complaints and improve gallbladder function.'
Another medicinal plant is the nettle. 'Some gardeners don't want it because it grows so exuberantly,' says Andrea Danitschek from a consumer group based in Munich.
'But if you cut off a few stems you can make a wonderful tea with them.' The first shoots of the season contain very high amounts of minerals and vitamins. 'Nettle tea is good for the kidneys and helps them filter the blood,' says Fischer.
Wild chamomile is another common plant found in many gardens. 'Made into a tea it can reduce inflammation and ease the cramp of a sore stomach. If applied to a wound it can also speed up healing time and the steam produced while cooking the plant can also ease the symptoms of a cold,' says Fischer.
The flowers of the Yarrow plant is even better at treating cramp and the leaves of the Ribwort Plantain can also help with a cold.
Other useful plants can be found in the kitchen. 'An underestimated herb with healing powers is thyme,' says Danitschek. Thanks to its anti-bacterial properties thyme can help with dealing with a cold.
Sage is another anti-inflammatory herb that will also ease cold symptoms. 'Sage tea is very often used to treat gastritis,' adds Fischer. It also helps to reduce perspiration and is often drunk by women going through the menopause.
A prerequisite to extracting the benefit from a herb, leaf or flower is choosing the right plant. 'That requires specialist knowledge,' warns Ursula Sellerberg from Germany's Pharmacists Association.
For example, Ribwort Plantain is difficult to discern from the Common Plantain. 'You should not walk through a park or forest carelessly picking plants as the risk of making a mistake is very high. Many plants are also under nature protection.'
A better method is to choose which plants you want and then grow them in your own garden. Dried leaves and flowers should be crushed just before making a tea with them.
'That will increase the surface area and the aroma will be stronger,' says Goerlitz. 'If you use fresh plants you will need to use between four and five times the amount,' adds Fischer.
You must use boiling water to make the infusion. 'That's the only way to guarantee that any germs that may be present are killed,' says Danitschek. Medicinal plants can be contaminated with bird excrement or salmonella bacteria.
'Depending on which plant you are using, the steeping time can be between five and ten minutes.'
Although herbal teas can be very beneficial their effects are limited. 'Herb tea is a gentle medicine that can support the healing process,' says Sellerberg. The quantity of plant extract in the tea is not of a very high concentration and its medicinal effects can only go so far.
The herbs and flowers used to make herbal teas can also be stored. They should be dry at the time of picking and can be dried further in an oven or by leaving them in the open air.
Many other plants and herbs have been used over the centuries as medicines and are freely available in many gardens. 'It's worth your while having a closer look in your garden to see if there's something you can use to make a medicinal tea with,' says gardening consultant Sven Goerlitz.
Right at the top of the list of medicinal plants is mint but due to the wide variety of species you must be careful which mint you choose.
'There are a few poisonous varieties as well as a few with very high levels of menthol that can cause stomach irritation,' warns Manfred Fischer from the German body and health care product manufacturer Kneipp-Werke.
One safe variety of mint is Mentha x piperita. 'Research on the plant has shown that its oil can ease digestive system complaints and improve gallbladder function.'
Another medicinal plant is the nettle. 'Some gardeners don't want it because it grows so exuberantly,' says Andrea Danitschek from a consumer group based in Munich.
'But if you cut off a few stems you can make a wonderful tea with them.' The first shoots of the season contain very high amounts of minerals and vitamins. 'Nettle tea is good for the kidneys and helps them filter the blood,' says Fischer.
Wild chamomile is another common plant found in many gardens. 'Made into a tea it can reduce inflammation and ease the cramp of a sore stomach. If applied to a wound it can also speed up healing time and the steam produced while cooking the plant can also ease the symptoms of a cold,' says Fischer.
The flowers of the Yarrow plant is even better at treating cramp and the leaves of the Ribwort Plantain can also help with a cold.
Other useful plants can be found in the kitchen. 'An underestimated herb with healing powers is thyme,' says Danitschek. Thanks to its anti-bacterial properties thyme can help with dealing with a cold.
Sage is another anti-inflammatory herb that will also ease cold symptoms. 'Sage tea is very often used to treat gastritis,' adds Fischer. It also helps to reduce perspiration and is often drunk by women going through the menopause.
A prerequisite to extracting the benefit from a herb, leaf or flower is choosing the right plant. 'That requires specialist knowledge,' warns Ursula Sellerberg from Germany's Pharmacists Association.
For example, Ribwort Plantain is difficult to discern from the Common Plantain. 'You should not walk through a park or forest carelessly picking plants as the risk of making a mistake is very high. Many plants are also under nature protection.'
A better method is to choose which plants you want and then grow them in your own garden. Dried leaves and flowers should be crushed just before making a tea with them.
'That will increase the surface area and the aroma will be stronger,' says Goerlitz. 'If you use fresh plants you will need to use between four and five times the amount,' adds Fischer.
You must use boiling water to make the infusion. 'That's the only way to guarantee that any germs that may be present are killed,' says Danitschek. Medicinal plants can be contaminated with bird excrement or salmonella bacteria.
'Depending on which plant you are using, the steeping time can be between five and ten minutes.'
Although herbal teas can be very beneficial their effects are limited. 'Herb tea is a gentle medicine that can support the healing process,' says Sellerberg. The quantity of plant extract in the tea is not of a very high concentration and its medicinal effects can only go so far.
The herbs and flowers used to make herbal teas can also be stored. They should be dry at the time of picking and can be dried further in an oven or by leaving them in the open air.
Editor's Choice China paper warns Google may pay price for hacking claims Four suspected U.S. cases of E.coli linked to Germany U.N. says climate talks will miss Kyoto deadline Gas to pass coal in 15 years, equal oil by 2035: IEA Hackers attack Nintendo's servers in United States Cancer costs put treatments out of reach for many Facebook blunder leads crowd to teen's birthday Comment: Activision’s brainy toys take over Video: Tiny eco-home demonstrates big energy savings Slideshow: Marijuana merchandise Follow Reuters Facebook Twitter RSS YouTube Read Missouri River flood levee breaches expected 5:43pm EDT Expert links samples from Casey Anthony's car to human decay 2:53pm EDT UPDATE 1-Cancer costs put treatments out of reach for many 1:46pm EDT Congressman Weiner admits online affairs | Video 7:49pm EDT China paper warns Google may pay price for hacking claims 7:42am EDT Discussed 79 150 economists back U.S. Republicans in debt fight 67 ”The world is getting warmer”: Romney 65 Moody’s sounds alarm over U.S. debt limit and deficits Watched Transsexual model takes Rio Transsexual model takes Rio Fri, Jun 3 2011 Latvian blondes prove they have more fun Latvian blondes prove they have more fun Thu, Jun 2 2011 Bodypainters apply their skill Bodypainters apply their skill Mon, Jul 19 2010 small business Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of flavored-water startup Hint Inc. and her husband and COO, Theo Goldin (L), at their company's office in San Francisco, California on March 30, 2011. REUTERS/Natalie Armstrong Beverage startup fights for shelf space Kara Goldin started her business, Hint, by adding fruit to water as an attempt to wean herself off soft drinks. With sales set to hit $30 million this year, her main challenge now is battling the big bottlers for shelf space. Full Article | Video Factbox: Hint Inc More Entrepreneur's Edge pitches Smokers show higher risk of leg artery disease
Women who smoke are much more likely than non-smokers to develop clogged arteries in the legs -- but quitting can lower those odds, according to a study published Monday.
The study, reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that female smokers were up to 17 times more likely than non-smokers to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD).
About 8 million Americans have PAD, which usually arises when atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries, restricts blood flow to the legs. The main symptom is leg pain or cramps during normal activities, like walking, though not everyone with the condition has symptoms.
People with PAD often have widespread atherosclerosis, including coronary heart disease -- where arteries feeding the heart become narrowed and stiff. For some, leg pain is the first symptom of wider problems.
Smoking has a well-established link to heart disease. But fewer studies have focused on PAD.
The good news from the current study is that women who kicked the habit appeared to lower their risk of PAD -- though they did not eliminate it.
"Our most important finding, in my view, is that smoking cessation substantially reduces this risk," said lead researcher Dr. David Conen, of the University Hospital Basel in Switzerland.
"We found a gradual decrease in risk with an increased duration of smoking abstinence, highlighting the importance of smoking cessation," Conen told Reuters Health in an email.
Compared with lifelong non-smokers, former smokers had three times the risk of developing PAD over 13 years.
But current smokers showed much higher odds: those who smoked fewer than 15 cigarettes a day had a nine-fold higher risk of PAD than lifelong non-smokers, while those who lit up more often had a 17-times higher risk.
"Clearly, our study adds one more reason to quit smoking as soon as possible," Conen said.
However, he added, "the fact that the risk of PAD does not get down to that of women who never smoked also emphasizes the importance that never starting smoking is at least as important."
The findings come from a long-running study of U.S. women who were age 45 or older and free of heart disease and other major health problems at the outset. Of nearly 40,000 women followed for 13 years, 178 were eventually diagnosed with PAD.
Among the heaviest smokers -- 15 or more cigarettes per day -- PAD was diagnosed at a rate of 1.6 cases for every 1,000 women each year. Among lifelong non-smokers, there were 0.1 cases for every 1,000 women each year.
When Conen's team accounted for other PAD risk factors, like older age, obesity and diabetes, smoking itself was still strongly linked to the disease.
The researchers also gained some clues as to why smoking might lead to PAD. Based on blood samples from a subgroup of women, high levels of certain inflammatory proteins accounted for some of the risk linked to smoking.
That, Conen's team says, suggests that smoking leads to PAD, in part, by spurring chronic inflammation in the blood vessels.
He suggested that doctors be careful to look for signs and symptoms of PAD in patients who smoke.
Besides leg pain during exercise, other signs include leg sores that don't heal, feelings of cold or numbness in the legs or feet, and hair loss or slowed hair growth on the legs.
Once PAD is diagnosed, treatment usually involves lifestyle changes to improve a person's overall cardiovascular health, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. People with PAD may also take aspirin or other medications to prevent blood clots.
In cases where leg pain is debilitating, doctors may prescribe medications that improve blood flow to the legs. Some people end up needing angioplasty or bypass surgery to take care of blockages in the leg arteries.
The study, reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that female smokers were up to 17 times more likely than non-smokers to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD).
About 8 million Americans have PAD, which usually arises when atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries, restricts blood flow to the legs. The main symptom is leg pain or cramps during normal activities, like walking, though not everyone with the condition has symptoms.
People with PAD often have widespread atherosclerosis, including coronary heart disease -- where arteries feeding the heart become narrowed and stiff. For some, leg pain is the first symptom of wider problems.
Smoking has a well-established link to heart disease. But fewer studies have focused on PAD.
The good news from the current study is that women who kicked the habit appeared to lower their risk of PAD -- though they did not eliminate it.
"Our most important finding, in my view, is that smoking cessation substantially reduces this risk," said lead researcher Dr. David Conen, of the University Hospital Basel in Switzerland.
"We found a gradual decrease in risk with an increased duration of smoking abstinence, highlighting the importance of smoking cessation," Conen told Reuters Health in an email.
Compared with lifelong non-smokers, former smokers had three times the risk of developing PAD over 13 years.
But current smokers showed much higher odds: those who smoked fewer than 15 cigarettes a day had a nine-fold higher risk of PAD than lifelong non-smokers, while those who lit up more often had a 17-times higher risk.
"Clearly, our study adds one more reason to quit smoking as soon as possible," Conen said.
However, he added, "the fact that the risk of PAD does not get down to that of women who never smoked also emphasizes the importance that never starting smoking is at least as important."
The findings come from a long-running study of U.S. women who were age 45 or older and free of heart disease and other major health problems at the outset. Of nearly 40,000 women followed for 13 years, 178 were eventually diagnosed with PAD.
Among the heaviest smokers -- 15 or more cigarettes per day -- PAD was diagnosed at a rate of 1.6 cases for every 1,000 women each year. Among lifelong non-smokers, there were 0.1 cases for every 1,000 women each year.
When Conen's team accounted for other PAD risk factors, like older age, obesity and diabetes, smoking itself was still strongly linked to the disease.
The researchers also gained some clues as to why smoking might lead to PAD. Based on blood samples from a subgroup of women, high levels of certain inflammatory proteins accounted for some of the risk linked to smoking.
That, Conen's team says, suggests that smoking leads to PAD, in part, by spurring chronic inflammation in the blood vessels.
He suggested that doctors be careful to look for signs and symptoms of PAD in patients who smoke.
Besides leg pain during exercise, other signs include leg sores that don't heal, feelings of cold or numbness in the legs or feet, and hair loss or slowed hair growth on the legs.
Once PAD is diagnosed, treatment usually involves lifestyle changes to improve a person's overall cardiovascular health, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. People with PAD may also take aspirin or other medications to prevent blood clots.
In cases where leg pain is debilitating, doctors may prescribe medications that improve blood flow to the legs. Some people end up needing angioplasty or bypass surgery to take care of blockages in the leg arteries.
2011年6月1日星期三
The hike up Mount Kilimanjaro is breathless in several ways
The climb has started. “Polle, polle” is the theme: “slower, slower” the guides will say. Our team of 16 climbers, one of five attempting the climb, has taken the message to heart. Hearing the horror stories of the failures of all the kids our age: The staggering statistic is that the group that fails most often on the climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro is men between the ages of 18-25. Though it is a little disappointing to leave for the summit without some of our teammates it is still exciting to move closer and closer to the daunting peaks in the sky.
The amazing things about this mountain are not limited to its great size. The mountain is a home to nearly every ecosystem. It is home to many families that came out to walk with us a bit on our climb. Some of the children who walk each day down the path that took us hours to climb, carried their back-packs and slowed down to talk to us.
The scenery going up the mountain was also a great distraction from the enduring step-pause-breath-step pattern we were employing. The needles on the pine trees we passed were so fine they looked like the bristles of a brush. When we passed into the rainforest area on the first day the greenery was so lush and diverse that I found myself tripping over rocks while I was distracted.
The feet and backs of many of us are sore at camp but the world around us keeps our minds and imaginations occupied between the games and stories that we share with our teammates. All in all, it was a great start to the end of our journey.
Day two of the climb, when we awake at around 6:30 the cold waiting for us outside the tent is bitter and biting. We make our way slowly to the mess tent, wiping a rough night’s sleep, for most of us, from our eyes. The air is already a little thin and it is tough for many of us to breath too easily in the few short steps to the tent.
We enjoy a breakfast of toast, pancakes (more like crepes) and fruit before packing up our day packs to move. Today’s walk would be the first real test: four hours uphill, short break for lunch and then another four hours to camp. By the time we finish the day two of our group members are sick, from the water that was not treated appropriately, one of our other group mates is feeling sick from the altitude and at the rate that we are going and the amount we are struggling right now is starting to put into perspective the task we have undertaken.
When we finally reach the camp we hear that the oldest of our coaches attempting the hike, and one of the players had been sick before the climb. Feverish, they both couldn’t eat and laid in bed just hoping to get through the night and maybe feel well enough to reach the next camp. One day at a time seems to be becoming more and more important.
The amazing things about this mountain are not limited to its great size. The mountain is a home to nearly every ecosystem. It is home to many families that came out to walk with us a bit on our climb. Some of the children who walk each day down the path that took us hours to climb, carried their back-packs and slowed down to talk to us.
The scenery going up the mountain was also a great distraction from the enduring step-pause-breath-step pattern we were employing. The needles on the pine trees we passed were so fine they looked like the bristles of a brush. When we passed into the rainforest area on the first day the greenery was so lush and diverse that I found myself tripping over rocks while I was distracted.
The feet and backs of many of us are sore at camp but the world around us keeps our minds and imaginations occupied between the games and stories that we share with our teammates. All in all, it was a great start to the end of our journey.
Day two of the climb, when we awake at around 6:30 the cold waiting for us outside the tent is bitter and biting. We make our way slowly to the mess tent, wiping a rough night’s sleep, for most of us, from our eyes. The air is already a little thin and it is tough for many of us to breath too easily in the few short steps to the tent.
We enjoy a breakfast of toast, pancakes (more like crepes) and fruit before packing up our day packs to move. Today’s walk would be the first real test: four hours uphill, short break for lunch and then another four hours to camp. By the time we finish the day two of our group members are sick, from the water that was not treated appropriately, one of our other group mates is feeling sick from the altitude and at the rate that we are going and the amount we are struggling right now is starting to put into perspective the task we have undertaken.
When we finally reach the camp we hear that the oldest of our coaches attempting the hike, and one of the players had been sick before the climb. Feverish, they both couldn’t eat and laid in bed just hoping to get through the night and maybe feel well enough to reach the next camp. One day at a time seems to be becoming more and more important.
The Time is Here to Watch Out for Sun Exposure
Despite some rain, typically Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of nicer weather activities when we can start to think about wearing our sunscreen diligently, slathering down our squirmy kids with it and maybe eating more of some fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables?
While we have always protected ourselves on the outside from the sun, there are studies now that provide us with new ways to enhance protection with what we eat. As an example, some red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene, a strong antioxidant, that protects skin from damaging ultraviolet rays.
Participants in one study on lycopene and sun exposure, published in The Journal of Nutrition, had 20 to 40 percent fewer sunburns when they ate tomato paste every day. Thankfully, we can expand out from tomato paste and receive some benefits of this concept. Start adding in extra servings of lycopene-rich foods into your family's meals routinely. Stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers are all good sources, especially since they are while cooked. Cooked sources of lycopene are believed to provide more benefit by being better absorbed. With jarred and canned products, be on the lookout for added dyes. Some food dyes have been suspected of links to ADHD, and in children this is a big concern.
Some may think that a tan looks good right now, but what they don't know is that the damage on skin from the sun's rays may take 15 years to appear. Most sun damage occurs during childhood. There is no safe or base tan. All UVA and UVB exposure compromises the collagen in the skin and risks hyperpigmentation, permanent darkening of the skin, or hypopigmentation, permanent white spots, not to mention the obvious risk of skin cancer.
If you try a tanning bed and don't get a burn from its exposure, it just means that you have received more UVA exposure, which has more of the aging effects instead of as much burning as from the UVB type.
There are other alternatives for tanning the skin without the harmful effects. Self-tanners have come a long way and are easy to use. Nearby, Bella Tanning in El Sobrante offers spray tans.
While we have always protected ourselves on the outside from the sun, there are studies now that provide us with new ways to enhance protection with what we eat. As an example, some red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene, a strong antioxidant, that protects skin from damaging ultraviolet rays.
Participants in one study on lycopene and sun exposure, published in The Journal of Nutrition, had 20 to 40 percent fewer sunburns when they ate tomato paste every day. Thankfully, we can expand out from tomato paste and receive some benefits of this concept. Start adding in extra servings of lycopene-rich foods into your family's meals routinely. Stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers are all good sources, especially since they are while cooked. Cooked sources of lycopene are believed to provide more benefit by being better absorbed. With jarred and canned products, be on the lookout for added dyes. Some food dyes have been suspected of links to ADHD, and in children this is a big concern.
Some may think that a tan looks good right now, but what they don't know is that the damage on skin from the sun's rays may take 15 years to appear. Most sun damage occurs during childhood. There is no safe or base tan. All UVA and UVB exposure compromises the collagen in the skin and risks hyperpigmentation, permanent darkening of the skin, or hypopigmentation, permanent white spots, not to mention the obvious risk of skin cancer.
If you try a tanning bed and don't get a burn from its exposure, it just means that you have received more UVA exposure, which has more of the aging effects instead of as much burning as from the UVB type.
There are other alternatives for tanning the skin without the harmful effects. Self-tanners have come a long way and are easy to use. Nearby, Bella Tanning in El Sobrante offers spray tans.
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