IS YOUR PAIN MEDICATION HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH?
"In high doses, one of our most-trusted, over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers – acetaminophen – can kill you. Acetaminophen overdose is the top cause of liver failure among Americans, and women are especially at risk." I am quoting from the article 'Pain Medications: Can You be Overdosing' by Diane Wedner, Lifescript Medical Detective.
If you're like me and you're taking over-the-counter pain medication like crazy you should read the full article. (click here). It scared the daylights out of me. I am in now in the process of finding ways to manage my migraines so I won't overdose on the pain relievers. I would rather do away with some awful habits to prevent sickness. That's a healthier alternative. Would you prefer to go through a liver transplant caused by pain reliever overdose.
There's really nothing wrong with pain relievers. Taken in moderation, it won't result to sickness or other health risks. But when you buy it over-the counter like vitamins and gobble them up regularly in high doses, then a health problem might be in the offing.
I don't want my simple sickness (migraine) to result to a serious liver health condition. I'm taking stock. I'm paying attention. I'm making changes. How about you?
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
In Sickness and in Health: PROTECT YOUR JOINTS
In Sickness and in Health: PROTECT YOUR JOINTS
Ever heard of osteoarthritis? Dictionary.com defines it as "the most common form of arthritis, usually occurring after middle age, marked by chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling." It's a degenerative joint disease that can cause immobility and extreme pain. It's a health problem. It's a sickness that can be prevented.
Don't you get scared when you see people who look like this?
I do. I get really scared. And that's why I read articles about it. About health. About sickness. And how they can be prevented.
Lifescript.com published "12 ways to Protect your joints" and here's a summary of their suggestions:
1. "Lighten your load" - extra weight causes extra stress to our joints and we become more prone to fractures and injury. A lot of sickness can be avoided when healthy weight is maintained. Shedding off those extra pounds can do wonders for our health.
2. "Get Moving" - a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of osteoarthritis. We need to be physically active to have stronger muscles and to lubricate our joints. Do some housework. Park a little further away. Go around the block. Take those stairs. Dance if you must. (Or you can). Anything that will get us moving-away from sickness and toward robust health.
3. "Strengthen your Core" - great abs is not only sexy. It has a lot of health benefits. Firm abs is equivalent to a firm core. It gives us stability and better control which mean less pressure on our joints. A firm core is one sure way of staying in good health.
4. Try Tai Chi - This is a form of Chinese Martial arts that requires slow circular and streching movements. The slow, repetitive movements make us more flexible and strong which, in turn, causes less stress on our joints. Search youtube for some simple tai chi moves if you're not up to spending for a CD. On the other hand, wouldn't you rather invest on your health rather than spend on medicine and hospital bills because of sickness.
5. Run Smart - our joints will certainly get more pounding if we prefer running to walking. But it can be done without getting yourself injured. Check out this link for some safe running tips.
6. Load up on fish - Lifescript suggests "at least two servings a week – 3.5 ounces cooked or 3/4 cup canned." 3.5 ounces is almost 100 grams. That's not much considering the health benefits. The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish helps in cartilage formation and reduces the risk of joint inflammation. I'm lucky I love fish.
7. Do not slouch - this is my biggest problem. I'm a sloucher. A big one. The chiropractor who treated me confirmed this. As I have slouched all my life, my neck bones and spinal chord are now misaligned. This causes my perennial headeaches, back pain, hip and knee pains. So, if you want to stay away from sickness and be healthy, be conscious of your posture. Slouching "strains our ligaments" while erect posture allows for "even distibution of our weight". Needless to say, when you stand and sit erect, there will be less pressure on the joints.
8. Minimize the use of stilletos - occasional high heels won't do much harm. But frequent use of shoes with very high heels puts a lot of pressure on knees and hips. In my younger days, I was a stilleto person. My health was put to risk and I have long ago switched to the comfortable flats. You don't need to hurt yourself to be stylish.
9. Go easy on the handbags - those heavy loads are hazardous to your health-to your "joints and wrists. I know that for a fact. Raid your handbags and carry only the essentials. If you must bring a heavy load, go for the backpack.
10. "Don't be a weekend warrior" - What's a weekend warrior? Someone who does no exercise on weekdays and tries to compensate on weekends. According to Lifescript, this is damaging to our health and suggests 30-minute exercises on non-weekends.
11. Avoid Processed Foods - Lifescript calls the fats in processed foods destructive. Do I need to say more? For obvious health reasons, the best way is to go natural.
12. Stop when you Have Joint Pain - Pain and swelling is a sign of too much stress. If you want to have healthy joints, give it some rest.
These are all very sensible reminders. If you're reading this, you'reprobably at that age where you're starting to feel the pressure on your joints. I hope we can influence the younger generation to take heed. Health is not like school exams and reports where we can cram and still, by sheer luck, pass. Avoiding sickness requires folowing the law of the harvest. You cannot harvest what you have not planted.
via Lifescript -
Ever heard of osteoarthritis? Dictionary.com defines it as "the most common form of arthritis, usually occurring after middle age, marked by chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling." It's a degenerative joint disease that can cause immobility and extreme pain. It's a health problem. It's a sickness that can be prevented.
Don't you get scared when you see people who look like this?
I do. I get really scared. And that's why I read articles about it. About health. About sickness. And how they can be prevented.
Lifescript.com published "12 ways to Protect your joints" and here's a summary of their suggestions:
1. "Lighten your load" - extra weight causes extra stress to our joints and we become more prone to fractures and injury. A lot of sickness can be avoided when healthy weight is maintained. Shedding off those extra pounds can do wonders for our health.
2. "Get Moving" - a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of osteoarthritis. We need to be physically active to have stronger muscles and to lubricate our joints. Do some housework. Park a little further away. Go around the block. Take those stairs. Dance if you must. (Or you can). Anything that will get us moving-away from sickness and toward robust health.
3. "Strengthen your Core" - great abs is not only sexy. It has a lot of health benefits. Firm abs is equivalent to a firm core. It gives us stability and better control which mean less pressure on our joints. A firm core is one sure way of staying in good health.
4. Try Tai Chi - This is a form of Chinese Martial arts that requires slow circular and streching movements. The slow, repetitive movements make us more flexible and strong which, in turn, causes less stress on our joints. Search youtube for some simple tai chi moves if you're not up to spending for a CD. On the other hand, wouldn't you rather invest on your health rather than spend on medicine and hospital bills because of sickness.
5. Run Smart - our joints will certainly get more pounding if we prefer running to walking. But it can be done without getting yourself injured. Check out this link for some safe running tips.
6. Load up on fish - Lifescript suggests "at least two servings a week – 3.5 ounces cooked or 3/4 cup canned." 3.5 ounces is almost 100 grams. That's not much considering the health benefits. The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish helps in cartilage formation and reduces the risk of joint inflammation. I'm lucky I love fish.
7. Do not slouch - this is my biggest problem. I'm a sloucher. A big one. The chiropractor who treated me confirmed this. As I have slouched all my life, my neck bones and spinal chord are now misaligned. This causes my perennial headeaches, back pain, hip and knee pains. So, if you want to stay away from sickness and be healthy, be conscious of your posture. Slouching "strains our ligaments" while erect posture allows for "even distibution of our weight". Needless to say, when you stand and sit erect, there will be less pressure on the joints.
8. Minimize the use of stilletos - occasional high heels won't do much harm. But frequent use of shoes with very high heels puts a lot of pressure on knees and hips. In my younger days, I was a stilleto person. My health was put to risk and I have long ago switched to the comfortable flats. You don't need to hurt yourself to be stylish.
9. Go easy on the handbags - those heavy loads are hazardous to your health-to your "joints and wrists. I know that for a fact. Raid your handbags and carry only the essentials. If you must bring a heavy load, go for the backpack.
10. "Don't be a weekend warrior" - What's a weekend warrior? Someone who does no exercise on weekdays and tries to compensate on weekends. According to Lifescript, this is damaging to our health and suggests 30-minute exercises on non-weekends.
11. Avoid Processed Foods - Lifescript calls the fats in processed foods destructive. Do I need to say more? For obvious health reasons, the best way is to go natural.
12. Stop when you Have Joint Pain - Pain and swelling is a sign of too much stress. If you want to have healthy joints, give it some rest.
These are all very sensible reminders. If you're reading this, you'reprobably at that age where you're starting to feel the pressure on your joints. I hope we can influence the younger generation to take heed. Health is not like school exams and reports where we can cram and still, by sheer luck, pass. Avoiding sickness requires folowing the law of the harvest. You cannot harvest what you have not planted.
via Lifescript -
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Hot Dogs Equal Cigarettes, Says Doctor's Group
First Posted: 7/28/11 10:19 AM ET Updated: 7/28/11 09:42 PM ET
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/28/hot-dogs-cigarettes_n_911431.html
A provocative new billboard outside the Indianapolis Speedway—home of the Indy 500—claims that hot dogs are just as bad as cigarettes when it comes to health effects. The Physician's Committee For Responsible Medicine, the group sponsoring the billboard, cites as justification for the billboard a study linking once-a-day hot dog consumption to a 22% increase in colorectal cancer.
Northern Virginia magazine noted that the group is closely affiliated with alternative medicine and veganism, casting doubt on its reputability. But it's hard to imagine the statement "you shouldn't eat a hot dog every day of your life" is all that controversial.
MY THOUGHTS
If this is true, then it goes the same for all foods loaded with preservatives. But it can't be as bad as cigarettes.
First Posted: 7/28/11 10:19 AM ET Updated: 7/28/11 09:42 PM ET
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/28/hot-dogs-cigarettes_n_911431.html
A provocative new billboard outside the Indianapolis Speedway—home of the Indy 500—claims that hot dogs are just as bad as cigarettes when it comes to health effects. The Physician's Committee For Responsible Medicine, the group sponsoring the billboard, cites as justification for the billboard a study linking once-a-day hot dog consumption to a 22% increase in colorectal cancer.
Northern Virginia magazine noted that the group is closely affiliated with alternative medicine and veganism, casting doubt on its reputability. But it's hard to imagine the statement "you shouldn't eat a hot dog every day of your life" is all that controversial.
MY THOUGHTS
If this is true, then it goes the same for all foods loaded with preservatives. But it can't be as bad as cigarettes.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
CAN YOU DRINK TOO MUCH WATER?
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DRINK TOO MUCH WATER?
From the article 'Can You Drink Too Much Water?'
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com Guide
Question: Can You Drink Too Much Water?
Answer: You've probably heard that it's important to 'drink plenty of fluids' or simply 'drink lots of water'. There are excellent reasons for drinking water, but have you ever wondered if it's possible to drink too much water. Here's what you need to know:
Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?
In a word, yes. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes can also suffer from water intoxication. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes. Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes.
It's Not How Much You Drink, It's How Fast You Drink It!
The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day! You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink over time as opposed to intaking an enormous volume at one time. As a general guideline, most adults need about three quarts of fluid each day. Much of that water comes from food, so 8-12 eight ounce glasses a day is a common recommended intake. You may need more water if the weather is very warm or very dry, if you are exercising, or if you are taking certain medications. The bottom line is this: it's possible to drink too much water, but unless you are running a marathon or an infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition.
MY THOUGHTS
Oh, well! Drink on. Most people can't even take in the recommended 8 glasses.
From the article 'Can You Drink Too Much Water?'
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com Guide
Question: Can You Drink Too Much Water?
Answer: You've probably heard that it's important to 'drink plenty of fluids' or simply 'drink lots of water'. There are excellent reasons for drinking water, but have you ever wondered if it's possible to drink too much water. Here's what you need to know:
Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?
In a word, yes. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes can also suffer from water intoxication. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes. Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes.
It's Not How Much You Drink, It's How Fast You Drink It!
The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day! You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink over time as opposed to intaking an enormous volume at one time. As a general guideline, most adults need about three quarts of fluid each day. Much of that water comes from food, so 8-12 eight ounce glasses a day is a common recommended intake. You may need more water if the weather is very warm or very dry, if you are exercising, or if you are taking certain medications. The bottom line is this: it's possible to drink too much water, but unless you are running a marathon or an infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition.
MY THOUGHTS
Oh, well! Drink on. Most people can't even take in the recommended 8 glasses.
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