Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2018 i Prevention

WHEN I WAS 5, my mother took me to the first real doctor appointment that I remember. Dr. Troiano was tall (naturally) with lots of hair (sign of the times). He was a joke teller, too. “What’s black and white and red all over?” I thought about it and replied, “An embarrassed zebra!” (at least I’m told I said that). He said, “Close,” but his answer was “a newspaper.” I admit I didn’t get it till years later, but I loved him all the same. It was the beginning of a series of warm relationships between my primary doctors and me. Things are different now. There used to actually be time to talk to my doctor at each appointment. I saw the same physician for every checkup until she expanded…

Going up a staircase can help blood pressure go down. That’s the finding of a new study published in Menopause, which found that stair-climbing can effectively lower blood pressure. Researchers recruited postmenopausal women and had them climb 192 steps—the equivalent of approximately 16 staircases—two to five times a day, four times a week. In 12 weeks, systolic blood pressure decreased by an average of 7 mm Hg and diastolic by around 3 mm Hg. In addition to lowering blood pressure, stair-climbing also led to a reduction in arterial stiffness (a heart risk factor) and an increase in leg strength.…

Leaky gut syndrome Reported symptoms include headache, brain fog, numbness or tingling, skin rash, and digestive problems. some holistic doctors maintain that a leaky gut—in which toxins from the gut flow into the bloodstream due to a permeable intestinal lining—afflicts many people because of poor diet and an unhealthy microbiome. according to cleveland clinic gastroenterologist abdullah shatnawei, however, a leaky gut shouldn’t be diagnosed on its own but considered as part of an underlying condition. “diseases like crohn’s and celiac can cause inflammation and other gastrointestinal issues,” says shatnawei, “which could potentially lead to a ‘leaky gut.’” Morgellons disease This rarely diagnosed condition is characterized by what appear to be threadlike filaments of various colors underneath or protruding from the skin. sufferers also report a crawling sensation. however, a large…

1 In a jar, combine 2 tbsp each extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. $1.15 2 Add 1 tsp each dijon mustard and honey. $0.14 3 Add 1 clove garlic, minced, and a pinch of salt and pepper. cap and shake until combined. $0.05 4 Toss 8 cups arugula with ⅓ cup coarsely chopped almonds. $3.40 5 Add ¾ cup blueberries and 2 oz crumbled herbed goat cheese. drizzle with vinaigrette and serve. $4.05 Total: $8.79 NUTRITION (per serving): 206 cal, 6 g pro, 11 g carb, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugars (1 g added sugars), 17 g fat, 3.5 g sat fat, 15 mg chol, 132 mg sodium Fish Fights Cancer Omega-3 fatty acids, touted for supporting a healthy brain and heart, may also prevent and fight…

AS SODA sales continue to fall in the US and consumers look for healthier alternatives, plant-infused drinks are the latest trendy beverages to compete for shelf space. Manufacturers claim they pack a punch of protein, antioxidants, and other nutrients. But do these “healthy” drinks—which aren’t regulated by the FDA—actually deliver? We examined three of them to find out. Aloe Vera Juice THE CLAIM: Aloe vera gel is a popular topical remedy for burns and skin conditions, thanks to its anti-inflammatory qualities. But aloe-based drink manufacturers claim the juice can help clear acne, aid digestion, and provide antioxidants. Since it contains anthraquinone, a natural laxative, it’s peddled as a constipation treatment. THE EVIDENCE: It contains the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, as well as folic acid, calcium, potassium, and other…

#1 YOU’LL SOAK UP SUNSHINE A recent study in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology confirmed what we all know instinctively: Stretching your legs in the fresh air feels easier and is more enjoyable than slogging it out in a stuffy gym. Women who walked outside also had a greater lift in mood than when they exercised for the same duration on a treadmill, and were more likely to stick with exercise in the future because it felt like a perk instead of a punishment. NO. 2 ACHES AND PAINS CAN’T CATCH YOU Just an hour of walking per week—even if it’s broken up into three 20-minute sessions—can keep us feeling younger and more mobile, according to a study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. “walking not…

“It’s our job to help you. You don’t need to apologize for not shaving your legs or gaining weight. But we would like you to be honest with us—whether it’s answering questions about your sexual practices or admitting you didn’t take the medication we prescribed during the last appointment. We need the truth to treat you best.”—Jennifer Caudle, a family physician and an associate professor at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine “I make mistakes and will try to let you know and make it right when I do so. I also try to ‘walk my talk.’ But words can hurt me, too. Please remember that before you berate us or our staff.”—Jennifer Caudle “We see [getting a second opinion] as a positive and constructive thing to do. Most of…

THE OTHER OPIOID CRISIS Thanks for publishing this article. I appreciate the light you are shining on what can be a very challenging situation for patients. Kristen Silvia, MD / Scarborough, ME This [article] is beautifully done and a real credit to the conversation. Thank you so much for it. Terri A. Lewis, PhD / Silver Point, TN I am thankful that someone has finally taken the time to see me, and so many others, who use this medicine as prescribed and are honest with our doctors. It scares me to know that the government can tell my doctor what is best for me. There’s a preconceived notion that all users will become addicted or are looking for a high. That’s not true. It’s what works for me, and it’s…

Highly processed foods and fast foods may accelerate bone aging. Researchers at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City studied the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)—compounds found in heat-processed, dried, pasteurized, smoked, or fried foods—on the spines of mice for 18 months. A high-AGE diet was linked to spinal bone loss and increased risk of fracture. The research helps illuminate the link between diet and bone health, but more is needed to see how AGEs affect people.…

Scientists have more evidence that exercise improves brain health. A new study from the University of Texas Southwestern’s O’Donnell Brain Institute in Dallas suggests that the lower a person’s fitness level, the faster the deterioration of vital brain nerve fibers, potentially resulting in cognitive decline, including memory issues characteristic of dementia. The O’Donnell Brain Institute is now conducting a 5-year clinical trial at six medical centers around the country to determine just how much aerobic exercise is needed for cognitive benefits. 28 PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS WHO PREFER TO EXERCISE OUTDOORS…

WHY YOU NEED IT the wall sit develops the leg strength and endurance you need to walk farther and faster while toning your entire lower body. even those struggling with knee, hip, or back pain often find it doable, as it places very little stress on the joints. A healthy burn in your quadriceps (front of thighs) will inform you it’s working. the best thing about this exercise is that you can do it anywhere you find a wall. HOW TO DO IT 1 Stand with back against wall with feet a bit more than hip-width apart. Extend arms forward. 2 Press spine firmly into wall; shoulders, upper back, and back of head should be flat against wall. Walk feet out, sliding your back down wall until thighs are nearly…

JO-ANNE D’ADDESIO and Maureen Carter met after their adult kids connected on a dating website. But the two women soon discovered they had more in common than anyone would have suspected. D’ADDESIO: Do you believe in fate? I do. There’s too much about my friendship with Maureen to be a coincidence. It started when my daughter, Sara, got a job as a teacher in Middletown, NY, an hour from our home. She went online to meet people. CARTER: My son Brett was living at home with us in Washingtonville, NY. One Sunday around Thanksgiving in 2011, he took our golden retriever, Colby, and went to meet someone for coffee. D’ADDESIO: Sara told me [Brett] had this adorable dog. They went for a walk and talked for hours. After that, she…

Doctors have been reluctant to prescribe hormone therapy for postmenopausal women with migraine. That’s because of research widely publicized in the 1990s, which found that estrogen in oral contraceptives slightly increased stroke risk in women who had migraine with aura (visual disturbances that can precede the headaches). But last year, the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) released data showing that women with migraine who used hormone therapy did not have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Still, JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director of the NAMS and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Virginia, says that women with menopausal symptoms and migraine need to be evaluated carefully before hormone therapy, with clinicians considering their individual risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Fluctuations in estrogen levels…

She Shows Up Late. OUR ADVICE: Book the first appointment in the morning or the first one after lunch, when offices tend to be on schedule, says Wible. “Your doctor is probably fresher at these times, too,” she says, noting that one study found that gastroenterologists are 20% more likely to detect colon polyps before 11:00 AM than later in the day. Avoid Monday appointments because docs are still managing lab results and patient messages that came in over the weekend. She Rushes the Appointment. OUR ADVICE: Ask how long your appointment will be when you’re booking it, says Adler. If the receptionist says you have only the “standard” 10-minute slot and you think you’ll need more time, let her know you’ll need another visit to address the remainder of…

Julie Pitts spent most of her life thinking she was a fairly normal drinker. At 47, the former furniture designer recalls drinking frequently in college but says she “never did the blackout thing.” After graduating, Pitts moved from New Hampshire to Boston, where she and her friends would go bar-hopping, making like Sex and the City characters, downing cosmos in their Jimmy Choo shoes. While she didn’t consider her drinking a problem, Pitts admits that she used alcohol to fit in. “I was always a social drinker,” she says. Once she was married and had two children, Pitts cut back to a glass of wine or two with weekend dinners or at neighborhood get-togethers. But when her older daughter started kindergarten, Pitts returned to her job at a furniture dealership…

Joining forces with others can help you achieve fitness or weight loss goals more easily. University of Connecticut researchers tracked 130 couples for 6 months. one member of the couple either followed the Weight Watchers program or was asked to read and follow advice on healthy eating, exercise, and weight control strategies. Both groups lost weight, and researchers discovered a “ripple effect” in which the other member of the couple also dropped pounds—despite not actively trying. Walkers also benefit from the buddy approach. a review of 18 studies on walking in groups concluded that group walkers were more likely to stick with their walking routines and to report that their overall quality of life improved, compared with those who strolled alone. Researchers think the social support that group workouts provide…

KIDNEY STONES are solid masses formed from substances in the urine that become concentrated and eventually crystallize. Small stones (less than 5 mm in diameter) may be present without symptoms, but larger ones (more than 10 mm in diameter) typically cause sharp pain in the back and side or in the lower abdomen that can radiate into the groin. Kidney stone symptoms can also include nausea, vomiting, restlessness, blood in the urine, and sometimes fever. The prevalence of kidney stones has been increasing, and now nearly 1 in 11 people in the United States gets them at least once in their lifetime. Formerly considered predominantly a male disorder, these stones now affect women in almost equal numbers. Genetics, dehydration, and diets high in fat and sodium can all play a…

YOUR HAIR takes a bigger beating in the summer months than it does the rest of the year. Blame the sun’s stronger UV rays and chlorinated pool water, which can weaken strands and make them more susceptible to breakage. But eating the right foods may actually help ward off some of the damage. “Your hair is as healthy as what you eat,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Chicago. “Certain nutrients can help make it shinier, thicker, and less prone to breakage.” These six picks help give your hair body and luster. Broccoli This superfood keeps strands healthy with the aid of vitamin C, which may promote hair follicle growth, according to Korean lab studies. Broccoli is loaded with C: 1 cup, chopped, contains about as…

CLEANSER WHY YOU WANT IT Going to sleep without a good facial cleanse can clog pores and prevent skin from recovering from the day’s oxidative stress. But experts say it’s also important to wash your face in the am. Overnight, bacteria from your saliva, oils from your hair, and allergens from your pillow transfer to your face. Another reason: “You need to remove any residue from the products you used the night before because it could interfere with the absorption and action of your daytime products,” says Jessica Wu, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. WHAT TO LOOK FOR For oily or acne-prone skin, Wu recommends a gel cleanser. OUR PICK: Garnier SkinActive Refreshing Facial Cleanser, ($9, drugstores). “A gel cleanser rinses off cleaner than other formulations and removes excess oil…

THERE ARE NOW about 115,000 people on the waiting list for organ donations—including those seeking a heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, and/or liver. Visit RegisterMe.org to become a registered donor, and consider becoming a living donor as well. Although most living donors give a kidney—we can live full lives with just one—a growing number offer part of their livers. “The liver is made up of multiple lobes, including two primary large ones,” says Tom Nealon, CEO of the American Liver Foundation, “making the surgery very doable.” Both livers can grow back to full size within a few months. For more information on living donation, visit TransplantLiving.org. The need is pressing. Nealon says that while most people support the idea of organ donation, only half are registered donors. Another factor: Blood supply…

Do we have a health care crisis on our hands? Primary care doctors used to be our trusted friends, our confidants, our saviors. A warm relationship with our doctor was seen as a cornerstone of good health care and even our own health. Today, that relationship is in jeopardy. Does this mean our health care is compromised? Not necessarily. But it does mean that the way we think about our health, combined with a changing health care system, may be creating a less-personalized level of care. According to an exclusive Prevention survey, half of Americans go to the doctor only when they’re sick (rather than for checkups or routine tests), and 1 in 5 of us didn’t visit a doctor at all in the past 12 months. In addition, some…

Older respondents are about 25% more likely to get regular checkups and screenings than younger adults. Go to cdc.gov/prevention to see what tests you need by age and gender. Younger respondents are more than twice as likely to use at-home medical tests, such as those for urinary tract infections or strep throat. Ask your doctor whether she’d accept the findings of these tests and prescribe a medication to you based on the results or if an office visit is required. Almost half (47%) of those under 40 think searching for symptoms online does more harm than good, compared with 39% of older patients. If you want to search, make sure you do your research on reputable sites. Skip Google and head to cdc.gov and university-based hospital websites. Twice as many…