­T­he microwave oven is one of the great inventions of the 20th century — millions of homes in America have one. Just think about how many times you use a microwave every day. Microwaves heat food by causing water molecules in it to resonate at very high frequencies and eventually turn to steam which heats your food. While this can rapidly heat your food, what most people fail to realize is that it also causes a change in your food’s chemical structure.

A nightmare is a dream that can cause a strong negative emotional response from the sleeper, typically fear and/or horror. The dream may contain situation(s) of danger, discomfort, or psychological or physical terror. Sufferers are usually awoken in a state of distress, and may be unable to return to sleep for a prolonged period of time. The technique, used while patients are awake, is called scripting or dream mastery and is part of imagery rehearsal therapy, which Dr. Krakow helped develop. In your mind, with thinking and picturing, take a few minutes, close your eyes, and I want you to change the dream any way you wish,” said Dr. Krakow, founder of the P.T.S.D. Sleep Clinic at the Maimonides Sleep Arts and Sciences center here and a leading researcher of nightmares.The therapy is being used to treat a growing number of nightmare sufferers. In recent years, nightmares have increasingly been viewed as a distinct disorder, and researchers have produced a growing body of empirical evidence that this kind of cognitive therapy can help reduce their frequency and intensity, or even eliminate them.

The treatments are controversial. Some therapists, particularly Jungian analysts, take issue with changing nightmares’ content, arguing that dreams send crucial messages to the waking mind. Nightmares are important because they “bring up issues in bold print,” said Jane White-Lewis, a psychologist in Guilford, Conn., who has taught about dreams at the Carl Jung Institute in New York. From 4 to 8 percent of adults report experiencing nightmares, perhaps as often as once per week or more, according to sleep researchers But the rate is as high as 90 percent among groups like combat veterans and rape victims.

The results of a randomized controlled trial were published in a 2001 paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Of the subjects, 95 percent had moderate to severe P.T.S.D., 97 percent had experienced rape or other sexual assault, 77 percent reported life-threatening sexual assault and 58 percent reported repeated exposure to sexual abuse in childhood.

The treatment group, 88 women, participated in three sessions of imagery rehearsal therapy, while the control group, 80 women, was on a waiting list and continued with whatever treatment they had been undergoing. Of the 114 that completed follow-up at three or at three and six months, those in the treatment group had “significantly” reduced the nights per week with nightmares and the number of nightmares per week, the paper said. The control group showed small, “nonsignificant” improvement on the same measures. And symptoms of post-traumatic stress decreased in 65 percent of the treatment group, while they either remained unchanged or worsened in the control group, according to the findings.

So next time you have a nightmare just think of a happy thought. Changes all the images in the dream and you should be fine for the rest of the night. But until then don’t let the boogie man get you.

 Red bull is a heavily caffeinated energy drink spiked with additional stimulants, and when mixed with vodka or other liquor, it can diminish the awareness of drowsiness, feelings of un-coordination and intoxication. However, studies show the added caffeine only makes you think you are more in control. A new breed of high caffeine and high alcohol drinks are now on the market, like Joose and Four Loko, with double the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, and double the amount of alcohol as a beer. The drinks are currently being outlawed in Europe for kids under 12. There is no legal age limit to purchasing energy drinks, and about 30 percen of 12- to 17-year-olds admit to regular use.

Consuming these drinks with alcohol was now emerging as a cause of “elevated involvement in night-time risk-taking behavior”, according to the study which is published in the journal of Addictive Behaviors. The urban myth that coffee sobers people up does create a lot of problems. People drink more thinking they can just have coffee later. They are also more likely to drink right up until it’s time to leave because of that belief. The bottom line is that coffee targets one part of drunkenness - drowsiness. It does nothing for anything else. Very simply, it does nothing to remove alcohol from your blood, and that’s the only real way at this point to sober up.

Inactivity, snacking, and always sitting may all be risk factors of watchin g television. Watching TV may be unhealthier than other sedentary activities, says Peter Katzmarzyk, PhD, an exercise scientist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in Baton Rouge, La.

Studies show that television leads to an increase in the consumption of energy-dense, snack-type foods,” he says. “It’s a stimulus for poor dietary behavior, whereas some of the other types of sedentary behavior are less likely to stimulate poor snacking behaviors.” And because it burns so few calories—about the same as sleeping, hour for hour—watching TV tends to reduce a person’s overall energy output.

Technology has made people more sedentary in general. While there are still plenty of occupations that require people to be on their feet all day, more and more of us sit at desks, glued to computer screens. Instead of walking down the hall to speak with co-workers, we email them. 

Doctors recommend that people with desk jobs get up every so often and just stretch and walk around. Or prop up your monitor and stand while your talking on the phone.

Exercise is important for health, but avoiding prolonged periods of sitting is nearly as important. Get up every so often, go for a walk or do some kind of activity where you are standing and moving.

Biphasic sleeping, sleeping in two spurts during a 24 hour day, can refresh your brain making you ready to learn new things and help cognition. Historic artists, musicians and politicians would take naps on a regular basis. For example Leonardo Da Vinci would sleep every 4 hours, also known as polyphasic sleep. Did this help his innovations and ideas?

A study done by the University of California found that naps can dramtically increase brain power;

-Pulling an all nighter can decreasethe ability to cram new facts by 40 percent.

-Sleep is needed to clear the brains short term memory storage.

Some tips from the Sleep Doctor’s Guide to Napping included being awake for at least 8 hours before napping and making ure it is not after 3:30 because then it may affect your ability to go to sleep at night. Get comfortable and of course nap somewhere safe. (I really don’t think anyone would be napping in some shady alley.)                                                                                                          

So just try to find some time to nap. It’d be worth those couple of minutes you have to spare in your busy day.

They found that:

• People who drank three to six cups of tea per day had a 45% lower risk of death from heart disease than people who drank less than one cup of tea a day.
• Drinking more than six cups of tea a day was associated with a 36% lower risk of heart disease, compared to drinking less than one cup.
• People who drank more than two, but no more than four, cups of coffee a day had about a 20% lower risk of heart disease than people who drank more or less coffee or no coffee at all.
• Moderate coffee consumption was associated with a slight, but not statistically significant, reduction in death from heart disease, but neither coffee nor tea affected stroke risk.

In another study published the same year, drinking green tea was associated with improved blood vessel function and lower heart disease risk. Daily cups of coffee have been linked to a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease, liver cancer, gallstones and type 2 diabetes. In addition, green tea and white tea have been touted for their health benefits. The maximum recommended amount of coffee is four 8-ounce cups a day, although it depends on the individual in terms of body size, among other factors. Because caffeine has been shown to raise blood pressure, you should limit your intake if you have any blood pressure abnormalities. There is the strong suggestion that the antioxidants in tea — whether it’s black, green or white — have health benefits. Antioxidants can prevent inflammation of the blood vessels, and it has been linked to reduced risk for cancer. In terms of antioxidants, white tea has the most, followed by green tea, black tea and coffee.

Because the health benefits of tea has become more recognized by the public, some manufacturers are putting a small amount of it in a product, then adding ingredients that are bad for you, such as sugar. For instance, a Snapple Green Tea has 46 grams of sugar in it — the equivalent of about 11 sugar cubes. That’s more than twice as much sugar as you get in a Hershey chocolate bar, which as 22 grams of sugar. Just because the label says white tea doesn’t make it a healthy drink.

Since lead was removed from house paint and gasoline, levels went down significantly, but there is still lead in our drinking waterand soil. Human bones will also store lead the minute it is introduced into the body. 50 years ago the average blood levels of lead were about 40 micrograms per decileter. The government feels that 10 micrograms and under is safe and not toxic to the body.

A longitudinal study was conducted on about 14,000 adults, whome were part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Researchers found that a blood level of 2 mircrograms or more increase your chance of heart attack and stroke. In this experiment all other risk factors were controlled such as cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking. Risk of death also increased by 25 percent. High lead may also cause kidney failure.

Lead also has an effect on children that suffer from ADHD, a learning disability, or autism. The greatest dropoff in IQ scores happens to children with levels of lead from 1 to 10 micrograms.

TIPS TO TAKE OUT THE LEAD

1. Find out if you are lead toxic. Go take a blood test that can measure low levels of lead.

2. Leave your shoes outside. Shoes bring in soil and dust, which can carry lead. So just leave them outside.

3. Test your water for lead. You can find a home testing kit at any pharmacy.

4. Get a water filter.

5. Take vitamin C daily. It helps remove the toxins from your body.

6. Take vitamin D3 daily. It stop your bones from releasing toxins into your bloodstream.

Keep these tips in mind and you should have a pretty healthy summer.

“Well since I ate that lasagna, I’ve found a new place to dwell.  It’s down at the end of Reflux Street at the Heart Burn Hotel!” That’s right my friends, I’ve just received my key and I’m heading to my room right now! The funny thing is that I’m not alone. The place is packed! And with good reason too. Up to 10% of the U.S. population suffers from daily heartburn. This number escalates to 50% in pregnant women. No wonder this place is full. “Ah, here we are; room 112″. Now, to raid the mini bar and find out what this heartburn thing is all about.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn, or acid reflux disease, is a condition in which acid produced in the stomach enters the esophagus, leading to irritation and erosion of the esophagus. Now, I know you’re thinking, “That doesn’t sound right”, and you’re correct. The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), (located at the end of the esophagus where it meets the stomach), acts as a shut off valve and regulates the passage of food and air (gas) in and out of the stomach. The sphincter opens to allow food to enter the stomach or release gas (which comes out as a belch/burp), and closes once the process is complete. Dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter leads to heartburn. Stomach acid will leave the stomach and enter the esophagus if the sphincter does not close properly, or if it opens too often.

The average person may experience heartburn 1-2 times a month, but this amount varies based on the individual and their eating habits. If heartburn begins to occur more frequently, it could be indication of a more serious condition, gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD occurs the same way as acid reflux, the only difference is that it is chronic and can have more permanent complications such as pulmonary disease, hoarseness, esophageal ulcers, and possibly increase of risk of having cancer of the esophagus.

Causes of Heartburn

When it comes to heartburn or acid reflux, it’s all about the sphincter. Physically, malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter can be attributed to the occasional binge fest (too much food in the stomach itself), or excess pressure placed upon the stomach. This can be seen in cases of pregnancy and obesity. Just as important as the quantity of food in the stomach is the quality of that food. Certain foods, such as garlic, onions, citrus fruits and juices, and even tomatoes, have all been shown to relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Smoking is also a big contributor to acid reflux.

Symptoms & Treatment

Symptoms of acid reflux include vomiting, pain swallowing, nausea, chest pain, and major saliva production. Unless absolutely necessary, doctors usually recommend lifestyle changes as opposed to pharmaceutical treatments for acid reflux. These changes include alterations to the diet, such as no caffeine, chocolate, or peppermint in addition to an increase in exercise and weight loss. In some instances, adding a little sugar to cut of acidity of foods, such as with spaghetti sauce, has proven to reduce the chances of having heart burn after eating. Sleeping on the left side of the body is said to reduce acid reflux as well. In severe cases, doctors can prescribe proton pump inhibitors, alginic acid, gastric hydrogen receptors, or some good ole’ antacids (tum, tu, tum, tums). There are many different products available over the counter and by prescription to combat acid reflux. Whether medication is taken before or after eating or a change of diet is adapted to your daily lifestyle, be sure whatever the resolution is that it is discussed with your health care provider to ensure it is the best strategy for you and or your loved ones.

WHAT IT IS

Traveler’s Diarrhea (also known as TD), affects on average 50 percent of traveler’s each year. As the most common illness amongst travelers, it is contracted by tourists while on vacation or visiting foreign countries. Once believed to be caused by change in climate, an increase in sun exposure, or excessive consumption of spicy foods, recent studies have proven that TD is caused by a bacterial infection. Some of the most common strands of bacteria known to cause the illness are Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli (better known as E. coli). The bacteria can be contracted in a number of ways including:

• Using or drinking contaminated water including ice
• Consuming raw or undercooked foods
• Improper hand washing practices

CAUSE

When the bacterium enters the digestive system, it attacks the small intestines and causes an infection called Cholera. Once infected, the bacteria releases toxins into the upper intestine that causes an increase in the amount of fluid released into the intestines, thus producing severe diarrhea.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of TD include but are not limited to: abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, cramps, headache, nausea, vomiting, gas, fatigue, dry mouth, dehydration, bloody stools, consistent loose or watery bowel movements throughout the day (on average 5 or more), lack of energy, and fever. In some cases, individuals may develop a hemorrhoid.

These symptoms are typical of ordinary diarrhea that can be experienced in your home country. However, the difference between day to day diarrhea and TD essentially is in the root causes, length of the illness, and severity.

Ordinary cases of diarrhea are typically caused by indigestion and can last up to 4 days. Compared to TD, which is caused by a bacterial infection, the disease can last anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks. TD is typically more severe than ordinary diarrhea because the body remains dehydrated for a longer period of time which can be fatal.   

TREATMENT

If experiencing diarrhea, whether it be due to indigestion or TD, it is crucial to stay hydrated. Severe dehydration can lead to death. Replenish as much fluid into your body as you can. Drink mainly water and any clear fluids you can see through. Avoid caffeinated beverages including soda, soft drinks, and juices as they contain a lot of sugar. Over-the-counter rehydration drinks such as Pedialyte for children is good and can suffice for adult consumption. Be cautious of sport drinks as they also contain a lot of sugar. If consuming one, be sure to dilute it with water. Get as much rest as possible so that your body is able to recover.

Over-the-counter medications are also available and can help to slow the occurrence of rapid bowel movement (diarrhea) if it is mainly the only symptom you are experiencing.  Such products include anti -diarrheal medications (Lomotil), loperamide (Immodium), and indigestion medications such as Pepto Bismol. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms including fever, bloody stool, and or abdominal discomfort, antibiotics may be needed. In such instances, over-the-counter medications may be of little to no benefit and may cause constipation. For high risk patients including children, the elderly, and individuals who may have diabetes or cancer, be sure to seek medical attention as any medications taken to prevent diarrhea may interfere with medication you are currently taking.

PREVENTION

The best way to prevent contracting TD is to avoid contaminated water and food. Be advised that taking anti-diarrheal medications is not recommended for consumption to prevent TD as it can cause constipation. Dairy products and raw seafood are high risk foods for contamination. Be sure that the water you consume, even to brush your teeth is filtered because even it could be untreated. Take bottled beverages with you as you travel. Travel size portable water purifiers are sold and could come in handy. If unable to locate a purifier, water can be purified by adding iodine drops or chlorine tablets. Such supplies can be purchased in a local camping store. Eating dry foods such as bread or fruits that you peel yourself should also be fine. Good hand washing practices are also essential. Just keep in mind when traveling before you eat or drink something, if it isn’t well-cooked, boiled, or peeled, you shouldn’t eat. Remembering this could save you a lot of time, maintain your health, and help you to enjoy your trip.