There are so many people that I talk to, basically daily, that have been jaded about running and say that they are bad at it, so they don’t do it.  I used to be the exact same way, but when you think about it, that is a really strange statement, right?  I mean, our bodies are created to walk and run, since the days of cavemen; its how we have survived as beings for ages to run away from our enemies or to get food, etc. So, in essence, no one is a “bad” runner or isn’t “good” at it, we all just have our own ways of doing things; some people may need to work on breathing techniques, some people have different dis/abilities,  and most people just need to learn how to start right!

Don’t set yourself up for failure:
When I was younger, I used to decide to go running, strap on my shoes, get out there with my walkman (that weighed roughly 10lbs) and just go….for like .5miles then crap out.  Why?  Well, I didn’t really know what I was doing or how to pace myself, so I basically would sprint, not breathe well, feel like I was dying, then stop.  The next day feel sore and not do it again for a month.  I was setting myself up for failure, I just didn’t realize it.  Back then, there weren’t all of these cool things that we have now though like ipods, and non-dial up internet!  So, the first step is to decide that you just need your two legs to get running, and you actually want to do it, then we get some goodies and support to get you running.

What can I do for support to start out?
For starters, there is a program called “couch to 5K” where literally it works out a running program so get you up to a 5K from being someone who doesn’t run at all.  You walk/run in a series that isn’t too overwhelming and will allow you rest periods, and help you if you go to fast, to give recovery periods so you can figure out your own pace; it doesn’t focus on a fast pace, just doing it!  When I was younger, I used to feel really silly if I stopped and walked whilst running, like I was going to be judged for stopping…you know what?  You’re out there doing it, and can’t be worried about being judged; you aren’t doing it for anyone other than you!!  You can download the couch to 5K app to your favorite MP3 player, and it will give you cues as to when to walk and when to run during your workouts.  The web site outlines a workout plan that does the same, so wether you want to do the program yourself or have the cues on your MP3 player, you have options!

Now I’ve started, what can I do now?
If you want to take a different route (pun intended), and just stink at pacing yourself, as I do, get the Nike+ shoes and ipod sensor and if you don’t want to use Nike’s, you can get the shoelace sensor that works with your ipod to help pace you, tell you your distance, and you can set workouts for yourself, etc.  After a long workout or faster pace, you get a little “way to go” message from various athletes (Lance Armstrong, etc) as an extra pat on the back!

Also, do a little google search and look for running groups in your area.  There are always a ton on craisglist (within the US) or gumtree (good for mostly outside the US) and people are very honest with their level of running, and really just want someone to run with!  I’ll be honest, I run pretty fast by myself, but am happy as a clam to run at a slower pace just to run with someone and have some company…it makes it so much better and more enjoyable.  Plus, if you have a dog, get them going, they will love it, be exhausted, and you will see a bunch of health benefits for them too (like puppies that are tired, don’t have energy to CHEW!!)

Talk to other runners, find friends on facebook, and get the word out there that you are just starting…I am sure that you will find others to run with!

What if my problem is breathing?
Try going to yoga classes first OR get a beginners yoga DVD to do at home OR a beginners breathing DVD (meditation).  Sounds silly, but there are good ways to breathe and bad; some people tend to hyper ventilate (short quick deep breaths) and that doesn’t help to bring extra oxygen to your muscles and it only builds up CO2, and you are going to feel like crap and stop running.  Learning to slow your breath, and taking slower moderate to deep breaths during running will help to exhale excess CO2 and lower the build up of lactic acid, by allowing more oxygen to get to the cells that need it (in your muscles).

Those are the three major issues that most people face when starting to run, besides having the gumption to go out and do it!  I am not saying that you have to run, but I am just saying that you CAN run; everyone can, it is just getting started and doing it the right way that is key.  So, if you ever said that you wanted to start running, or have tried in the past and failed, give these options a try, and use your support systems, you will succeed, and you will feel great knowing that you use a form of exercise that you can do anywhere in the world at any time…no gym needed!!

If you want it, it is yours, just set yourself up for success!

Yours in Good Health
B

There is a lot of controversy that surrounds Vitamin D supplementation, mostly because Vitamin D helps your body to absorb and adhere calcium to your bones (you need one to have the other help), but the BEST source of vitamin D is from UV B exposure.  4 minutes of unexposed sunlight (for a light skinned person) gives about 1000IU of Vitamin D3  (the US RDA for the average person is around 600IU/day and 800IU/day for elderly and pregnant women and for EU/Australia it is closer to 200-400IU/day or 5-10 micrograms).  So what is the big controversy?  Some HCP’s tell patients to take up to 4000IU a day of Vitamin D, but do we really need high doses of Vitamin D and should we encourage supplementation.   There are health detriments to both too much Vitamin D and too little!

What is Vitamin D all about?
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, which means that it is stored in your fat, so unlike, for example, Vitamin C, you don’t just pee out the excess, your body stores all of the Vitamin D you ingest in your fat.  (Vitamin A, D, E, & K are all fat soluble FYI.) It is created in the skin after exposure to UVB rays, then transported to the liver and converted into calcidiol, then into calcitrol where it works as part of your immune system AND when circulating in the bloodstream it helps to regulate calcium and phosphate in the blood and assists in growth and remodeling of bone.  It also has some neurological functions as it helps in the growth and life cycles of cells, and decreases inflammation.  There have been studies that look at the role of Vitamin D and prevention of cancer, but the studies all seem to have conflicting outcomes and nothing really points at the specific role of Vitamin D.  Also, a study from The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology found that abnormal levels (high or low) are related to premature aging and abnormal cell functioning.

What can too much Vitamin D lead to?
Too much Vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia (too much circulating calcium) and in pregnant women, this can cause mental retardation and/or various deformities in the fetus.  Other signs of too much Vitamin D are anorexia, pruritus (itchy skin), nausea, vomiting, nervousness, muscle twitching, and calcifications in the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure.  It has been shown that 50,000IU/day of Vitamin D can cause these problems over the timeframe of a few months, but certain medical conditions could cause it to happen faster.

What about to little Vitamin D?
Most notably, Vitamin D deficiencies cause rickets in children, which causes deformities of the long bones and osteomalacia, which is a thinning of the bones which causes muscle weakness and easily broken bones.  Osteomalacia can also lead to chronic muscle/bone pain and is usually present only in adults.  There is a theory that low Vitamin D levels can lead to susceptibility of the flu virus.  Low levels of vitamin D can also be associated with cardiovascular disease, in the form of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and in a study from Johns Hopkins and Emory it showed that people with lower calcium levels had an 80% higher rate of PAD.

What foods have Vitamin D?
Mushrooms (besides UVB) are the only vegetarian friendly form of Vitamin D and will give you 14 IU per serving.
Cod Liver oil (1 tablespoon): 1360 IU
Salmon (3oz): 764 IU
Mackerel (3oz): 388 IU
Tuna (canned 3oz): 154 IU
Milk (fortified 1 cup) : 115-124 IU
OJ (fortified 1 cup): 100 IU
Yogurt (fortified 6 oz): 80 IU
Margarine (fortified 1 tablespoon): 60 IU
Sardines (2): 46 IU
Beef Liver (3.5 oz): 46 IU
Cereal (fortified 1 cup): 40 IU
Egg (whole – Vitamin D is in yolk): 25 IU
Swiss Cheese (1 oz): 6 IU

How does Sunblock effect its absorption?
First off, darker skinned people need 20-30 minutes more exposure time to sunlight to get the same amount of Vitamin D that light skinned people make in 4 minutes of exposure.  So, how does sunblock work on this end?  Well, most sunblocks claim to block 99% of UVB rays, which is what we need to make Vitamin D and what we need to prevent to stave off skin cancer….ugh!  What it actually does is decrease your ability to make Vitamin D by around 95%.  So, for light skinned people that need to be unexposed in the UVB rays for 4 minutes that are now wearing sunblock you need to increase that time to around 8 minutes, but the problem therein is for darker skinned people who have to spend around 20-30 minutes in the UVB rays to generate enough Vitamin D and with sunblock now need to spend closer to an hour in the sun to make the same amount of Vitamin D; this puts us at a higher risk for skin cancer.

There are detrimental health effects from too much and too little Vitamin D, its almost like being Goldilocks and finding the right amount and what is best for you.  The BEST way to absorb is from UVB light, and from food sources, as supplements aren’t usually absorbed as well for viable use by the body.  If you are worried about how much Vitamin D you have, or thinning bones (especially if you already have osteoporosis) talk to your HCP about you best plan of care and how much Vitamin D you need.  Also talk about sunlight exposure and risk of skin cancer….this problem is clearly multi faceted and no one seems to have the ‘right’ answer, so work with your HCP to find the best plan for you!

Yours in Good Health
B

I usually don’t take health tips from Mark Wahlberg (he has an amazing body…but I usually don’t listen to celebrities, in general, as a point of reference) although this time, I think he’s onto something !  Apparently, during training for his role in “The Fighter” he trained as a boxer to truly learn the role and he drank tons of AquaHydrate during his training and credits it with all of the benefits he had during training. Also many of the USA Olympic athletes drink this water when training and competing and are huge advocates.  They all can’t be wrong, can they?  They claim to have faster recovery times, better mental focus, and better sports performance.

What’s the deal?
AquaHydrate is a water that is super purified and is modified to change the pH to around 9 which makes the water very alkaline. Usually the pH of water is around 7.0 which is neutral (it changes a bit depending on where you live and what is present in it, it can range from 6.5-8.5 out of the tap).  It also has 72 trace and macro minerals present, which is the only water on the market able to claim that (that is calorie free), and it is one of the purest bottled waters on the market due to a rigorous purification process using pre and post filtration along with UV light sources to kill off bacteria and totally purify the water.

aquahydrate.com/the-water.php

What does a higher pH of water mean?
Really there are no health detriments, but if it was the water coming out of your tap, it would make your coffee taste a little bitter, and it also honestly has no health benefits either.  The alkalinity is quickly off-set by the acidity of our guts and then absorbed as any other water would be, but the company claims that it tastes better; the alkalinity gives the water a better “mouth feel”….that clearly is not scientific, but I’m a believer after tasting it!! So whilst there is no real science behind that, I will tell you that this water does taste refreshing, and I keep wanting to drink more!!   As far as the alkaline nature of the water decreasing recovery times, and medically speaking, they have a good basis for that; bicarbonate is the buffer for lactic acid, which is a waste product in muscles after stress (i.e. why your muscles feel sore) so having a alkaline fluid that has bicarbonate present, theoretically will, in fact, decrease recovery times and make you feel more energized after a hard workout.

Will it make you look like Mark Wahlberg?
Unfortunately it won’t give you that Mark Wahlberg body BUT I that for those of you who don’t regularly drink water, you might want to give it a try, I think you will like it and that might encourage you to drink more.  I have so many friends that only drink soda because “water tastes gross” so I am hoping that the AquaHydrate people are on the right track and it will encourage those soda drinkers to toss the soda and pick up some water!!  When you are dehydrated, your body suffers, and so does your workout; you tend to feel tired easier and you are more likely to quit early.  If you have good tasting water, with no calories, and vitamins and minerals that your body needs, you are kind of killing two birds with one stone, right?  You are replacing some of the vities and minerals lost through sweat (not all of them but small amounts) and you are rehydrating your body, which will allow you to work out harder and longer.

I love water and basically drink it exclusively, and I love to get extra vitamins and minerals in my diets whenever I can, so I am probably not the best judge, but I really do feel better after a bottle of AquaHydrate and a good workout. I am trying to get some non-water drinkers to hop on board and give it a go and tell me what they think…who’s with me???

I am normally a Brita girl at home, but I usually grab a bottle of water to bring with me to work or when running; from now on though, I am only grabbing AquaHydrate before my workouts and will encourage my clients to do the same!  Tell me what you think, and check out AquaHydrate!

Yours in Good Health
B

The CDC has linked a salmonella outbreak to some alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts (a mix of alfalfa, clover, and radish sprouts)from a farm in Illinois that were distributed to D.C., Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri.  The farm, specifically, was Tiny  Greens Organic Farm in illinois. And, while a majority of the affected sprouts were sent to the above listed states, there have been cases documented in MA, CT, WI, PA, CA, CO, GA, IA, HI, KY, SD, TN, TX, and VA (not all of these cases have been deemed from the Tiny Greens Organic Farm but the CDC is looking into it.)

*PS- the Tiny Greens Organic Farm stands behind the fact that they have no link to the outbreak but agrees with the recall. As well, I am not attacking their farm, hey just happen to be in the middle of the current investigation, as these outbreaks have occurred at numerous other farms in the past.

How do salmonella outbreaks occur with sprouts and why do they always seem to be a vegetable affected?
So, the salmonella can occur during the soaking period of farming the sprouts.  Before the raw seeds are sent to farmers, they are labeled for their germination strand and the process that they go through during processing, as legally required.    The the labeled seeds are sent to farms to be either sprouted or plants and grown.  During the sprouting process, salmonella can be in the water source and adhere to the veg whilst soaking, then infect the areas where the sprouts grow.  Also, of note, many of these outbreaks in the past are dervied from seeds that have been imported from outside the US where the requirements to process seeds may not be as strict.

How do I prevent this?
Washing the sprouts will wash off the bacteria, and if you are worried, soaking the alfalfa sprouts in an antibacterial soak (very cheap) such as Bacdyn  for 10 minutes.  This product is also useful if you want to eat uncooked fruits and veggies while abroad in places that you are unsure of the cleanliness of the water/food sources.  The antibacterial properties will help to wash off/soak off the bacteria and prevent E.Coli or Salmonella from adhering to the outside of the fruit/veg.

For Signs/symptoms/treatment of salmonella please read my earlier blog: salmonella and eggs

Are Sprouts worth the effort of washing them to eat them??
Yes!  Alfalfa sprouts are full of really good vitamins and nutrients such as manganese, folic acid, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, Vitamin A/B/C/E/K.  And, they are full of antioxidants!  Plus, alfalfa sprouts have been linked to helping with vision (much like carrots) along with boosting your immune system, it can also help decrease inflammation associated with arthritis, and lowers blood pressure.  So, wash them off and eat them up!!

There are always investigations by the CDC and FDA with each one of these outbreaks to find the strand of germination and to find a link with the source of the salmonella, so be sure that they are also looking at ways to further prevent these from happening.  But until it is completely eradicated, please be safe, and always wash (even pre-washed) sprouts, and try to keep an eye out for recalls by watching the news or checking in with the CDC about sprouts and different brands.

Yours in Good Health
B

So, as I was told 10 times today, by my mother, to dry my hair before I go outside because I “would catch my death” and it made me think of all the old wives tales that have been going around over the years that people truly live by, that really have no medical standing.

Going out with wet hair will make you sick:
There is no science behind this fact.  I mean, it makes you cold and it stinks because in the cold weather your hair tends to freeze and look crappy BUT it won’t make you sick, and it won’t kill you!!

Pulling out a gray/white hair will cause ten more to grow in its place:
This is so NOT true.  If it was true, then wouldn’t every guy who was about to bald pull out any graying hair and then have a full head of hair in a week?  It’s not a great idea to pull out your hair, but I wax so who am I to judge….just stick to getting a “color rinse” as my mom likes to say and live it up with new colors instead of pulling them out!

Lettuce can counteract drunkenness and bring on labor in young women:
Lettuce is a vegetable (specifically iceberg) that has a high amount of water property, so it can help with dehydration of being drunk, which is not necessarily better than drinking water….because I would imagine that you would have to eat a whole head of iceberg to equal an 8oz glass of water, which would make me throw up.  And, I guess if you are focused on eating lettuce you aren’t drinking…BUT there is no magic there, and I can find no scientific reason that it will sober you up!  Also, there is nothing in lettuce that would spur on labor….sex will do it, walking, bouncing, jumping, any sort of physical activity really, but no link to lettuce!

Mandrake makes people fertile, fall in love, and helps clairvoyants “see”:
So Mandrake is a root plant that is part of the nightshade family (toxic) that is filled with things that mess with humans bodies and brains.  It has properties of scopolamine (like what you take if you get sea sick), atropine (a natural hormone in the body), and various hallucinogenic derivatives.  So, I don’t know how many of you messed with hallucinogens in your younger years, but on shrooms or acid, you can fall in love with a rock or a feather as you would a human, so that part is bunk. Helping clairvoyants see?  I don’t know, I guess I cannot speak to that, but again any sort of hallucinogen can make people “see” stuff, and I think that a true clairvoyant should be able to “see” without the aid of drugs, right?  I’m coming off as snarky, but I really am not sure on this one.  And, as far as the fertility is concerned (or men) it really hasn’t been studied but I imagine that anything that is as toxic to humans as mandrake wouldn’t aid in fertility, but if it is some sort of mental block or stress as the reason why pregnancy isn’t occurring, maybe a different herbal stress reliever might do the trick?  Something a little less toxic and at least legal decriminalized in a few states should do it 😉

Mistletoe is an antidote to poison:
Mistletoe IS a poison to both canines and humans!!  It is sold as Iscador or Helixor in extract forms and is used in the EU as an aid for respiratory and circulatory ailments, and a few physicians in Switzerland and Germany use this treatment regularly.  In lab studies it showed that it killed certain (not specified which ones) tumor cells and supported a healthy immune system BUT in animal studies there were very poor outcomes.  Things can be very different in a controlled test tube versus what actually happens in a working body system!   It can cause GI upset, diarrhea, and slowed pulse when ingested, and it is usually considered a poisoning when people ingest it.  A few years ago Suzanne Somers decided to use it in lieu of chemotherapy for her cancer, but she also had surgery to remove the tumor, then took the herbal supplements.  So, no it isn’t an antidote to poison, but it may have some healing properties in the future….I would discuss this further with your HCP if you are looking for a different option for cancer treatment.

If you eat a watermelon seed, a watermelon will grow in your stomach:
Ok, so this is obviously not true  your stomach acids eat away at the seed just like anything else and you break it down and poop it out!!  But I did want to tell you about swallowing gum, it doesn’t stay in your stomach forever, or for 7 years as some people say, it does however slow your digestion because it is hard for your body to break down.  So, you do pass it, but it is not good to swallow your gum because your gut has to work so hard at breaking it down, it can cause an increase in stomach acids….over time that can lead to an ulcer or difficulty with digestion.

Any other old wives tales I may have missed that you guys are interested in???  Let me know and I will sort it out!!

Yours in Good Health
B

I know that sometimes as you are grocery shopping, you walk around and the traditionally grown fruits and veg sometimes look exactly the same the only difference appears to be an inflated price tag!!!  Is there really a difference with fruit and veg?  What do the labels mean on the meat I see at the store?

What is organic farming?
Organic farming practices are designed to promote soil and water conservation, and decrease pollution.  For example, instead of using a chemical weed killer to ward off weeds in crops, organic farmers use crop rotation and use mulch and manure to prevent the growth of weeds.  As well, instead of using chemical insecticides, organic farmers will use other insects and animals ( such as specific birds) to ward off the insects or disrupt their mating habits.  As well, instead of giving antibiotics and hormones to animals used for meat, they give them organic feed, allow them free grazing and  rotate areas for grazing (to prevent risk of disease), clean housing, and give a balanced diet (based on the animal type).  No growth hormones or antibiotics are allowed to be added to feed and given to the animals in by USDA organic standards.

What do the labels mean?
Now this is the important part, and what most people (including me) get tripped up on!!  So, any food manufacturer or farmer that labels and sells foods as organic must be USDA certified, and they have very specific requirements.  Foods that are labelled as 100% organic can carry the USDA seal; usually this consists of fruits and veg and other single ingredients BUT in certain cereals/crackers/baked goods/etc they use all organic ingredients and can also label as such and use the seal. Now, if you just see organic on the seal, it means that 95% of the ingredients are organic, anything less and they cannot use that term!  If a product contains, at a minimum 70%, organic ingredients then they can label as “made with organic ingredients”.   I always find it most confusing with meats, because at grocery stores they will label as “no hormones” “antibiotic free” and use those other clutch words that I look for BUT if they don’t have the seal, they are NOT organic!!

Are organic foods better for you?
There is nothing to say that the fruits and veg are ‘better’ for you…an apple is an apple and the fiber/nutrient content doesn’t change. The difference is the environmental factors and the price tag; so I understand how some people don’t really care about that.  But, for the meats and dairy, the health effects of the hormones and antibiotics are currently being studied but have already been associated with early puberty for children and are being studied with breast/colon/prostate cancer.

What to do?
I know that I have the ability to do what a lot of people don’t have time for and/or don’t want to do; I go to farms around where I live. I know the farmers and sometimes I even get to see the animals (I try not to because I tend to name them, love them, and then can’t eat them….so to allow me to eat, I just talk to the humans!) I like to know where my food comes from, and I know that they follow the USDA regulations.  But, they also sell the meat and veg at local co-ops and at farmers markets, so if I don’t have time to go all the way to the farm, I have places that I know sell what I want.  I know all the people at the co-ops and they are just as friendly as I am with the farmers, and they are in the know about EVERYTHING!!  They won’t sell stuff unless it is legit organic.

My point is, go find a co-op near you, or a farmers market, or an organic market….honestly, Whole Foods is a good back up, but its not always worth your whole paycheck and you don’t need to spend a trillion dollars to eat healthy, you just need to talk to people and find out the scoop.  Read labels, and don’t be fooled by them!  I don’t want to push my feelings on you, and I don’t always eat grains as 100% organic, I really try to, but if I am in a pinch and need to buy whatever is at the corner store, I do it!  But, my fruit/veg , meat, and dairy (especially the meat and dairy) is all organic.  I try to limit my exposure to hormones and antibiotics that I don’t need.  And, I think that it is important to do the same for your children (when you are pregnant and when they are out in the real world!) The more we limit bad stuff into our bodies, the better we will all be in the long run; I understand that going to farms isn’t always plausible, but try to find a co-op or somewhere that sells affordable organic foods, those places are out there, you just need to look!!

Yours in Good Health
B

I heard from someone about the coconut oil diet on New Years Eve….I had never heard of it before, and seeing as I am so obsessed with all things coconut, I had to look into it.  And, at this point I think that you all know my thoughts on “diets” but I really wanted to look into possible benefits that the coconut oil might have from a medical standpoint.

What’s the deal?
You add three tablespoons of coconut oil to your diet every day (one tablespoon contains 117 calories and 13.6grams of fat)  Some people just eat a tablespoon after meals OR just add it to their diet as a base for salad dressings or stir fry (anywhere that you would normally use an olive oil), and as a supplementation for their regular fats.  Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) unlike animal fats which are long chain triglycerides and the length of the chain denotes how your body will break it down.  MCTs are able to be broken down almost like carbohydrates by the body, and are rapidly broken down vs long chains which slow down digestion and tend to be stored in fat cells.

How does it work?
The theory is that you are eating fewer calories despite taking in more fat, which fat slows digestion and makes you feel full faster so you tend to eat less.  Some people have made statements that it regulates your thyroid gland (there is no legit science behind this) to increase your bodies temperature to burn calories.  Your body naturally will increase its temp as it works harder to burn calories, so that has nothing to do with coconut oil.  From what I have read and all of the science, really you are increasing your low calories fats and making yourself feel satiated faster by adding it to foods.

Is it good for you?
Honestly, it probably isn’t horrible BUT you are adding fats to your diet and as we all know saturated fats increased your cholesterol level and can lead to heart disease. And, coconut oil has higher saturated fats than lard AND butter!! So, this diet is a horrible disease if you are a woman in (or after menopause), if you have a family history of stroke or heart disease, or increased cholesterol (or family history).

Does it actually work?
People who use the coconut oil supplementation claim that they have more energy, feel better, and lose weight over time.  One staunch supporter claimed that he lost 20 lbs over six months with no other changes to his diet than adding coconut oil.  My issue is that many of the diets tend to promote colon cleansing and low carb diets as well, so no one can really say that the coconut oil is the source of their weight loss, most likely their lifestyle/diet changes.  There is no research to support the claims of the diet.   And, on a personal note, I have heard directly from people who have done it  that the coconut oil shooters three times a day make you want to throw up.

I stand by my previous statements that a healthy diet and regular exercise are the BEST way to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and the ONLY way that you will lose weight and keep it off!!  If you have a resolution to lose weight, maybe hire a personal trainer for a few sessions, go see a nutritionist, or email me with questions!  You know what to do, you just need to change your lifestyle and do it 🙂

Yours in Good Health
B

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects the life cycle of skin cells so they build up quickly, layering on top of each other, and it causes thick scaly skin, and or areas of dry, red, itchy patches.  It is a chronic disease and it has periods of latency (no problems at all )and then flare ups, which can have all sorts of different triggers. And, it can also be associated with arthritis, which can be super painful. There is no cure for psoriasis, unfortunately. The key is learning what are your triggers, what treatments work best with your lifestyle/beliefs, and how to live with this disease.

What are the symptoms?
– Red cracked skin that may have silvery patches
-dry, cracked skin that may bleed
-itching, burning, and soreness along these dry skin
-swollen joints
* they can range from small spots of these areas to large patches and can be on your scalp under your hair, and affect your hands and nails.

www.clivir.com

www.hardinmd.lib.iowa.edu

www.hardinmd.lib.iowa.edu

www.psoriasis.umich.edu

Ever heard of “tree man”? Well, what he suffers from is  verrucous carcinoma, and it is a slow growing squamous cell carcinoma that can not only grow on the skin of your face and hands but can manifest itself in your genitals as well.  Strangely, there have been more cases of the genital form lately, and people are hesitant to go to their HCP because they really don’t know what it is, and are worried that it might be an STD.  Honestly, I don’t really get that thinking…if I thought I had an STD my butt would be waiting to see the doors open at my HCP’s office to get treated!  But, I digress.  I want you to be aware of the various forms and signs of a verrucous carcinoma because it can be surgically removed and has a better response when treated early as opposed to waiting until you look like a tree.

www.thatsweird.net

www.accentu8dental.com.au

emedicine.medscape.com/article/1102225-overview

emedicine.com

msdlatinamerica.com

There are many times that you get a cramp or discomfort, and especially for women, it is easy to pass off and think that it isn’t a big deal.  Even if it lasts a couple of days….sometimes it really is nothing more than horrible menstrual cramps (ladies) or a pulled/strained muscle, but it can be something much more serious, like appendicitis.

Why is appendicitis a big deal?
Your appendix, when infected, can easily rupture when it is infected which can cause the infection to spill into your abdominal cavity and cause a very serious infection that can lead to death if it isn’t treated quickly.  If the appendix does not rupture, but stays infected, the infection can cause an abscess in the abdomen that also runs the risk of rupturing.  This rupture causes severe, excruciating pain and a  form of infection that is overwhelming to your body…basically, its NOT GOOD!!

What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis?
-Aching pain and tenderness from your belly button usually down the right side of your abdomen
-The aching pain can become more intense over time
-Rebound tenderness: if you push in on the lower right abdomen, then release, the sharp pain occurs upon release.
-Nausea and vomiting
-Loss of appetite
-Low-grade fever
-Abdominal bloating
-Diarrhea

Is there a cause?
Truly, what causes appendicitis is unknown but it is occurs many times after people have had a GI virus and the virus is thought to get trapped in the appendix, also if some food particles from the small intestines get trapped in the appendix, it can fester and cause an infectious process.

What will happen when I go to see my HCP?
The will draw blood looking for an increased white blood count (WBC) which shows that an infection is present, check a urine sample to rule out a urinary tract infection/bladder infection/kidney stone, and possibly perform a CT Scan to look for actual appendicitis through imaging your abdomen.  Most importantly HCP’s will do an abdominal assessment to look for a specific area of pain.  Also, ladies, please be aware that you will most likely have a pelvic exam to rule out that the pain is from an STD or PID (Pelvic inflammatory disease).  Depending on your symptoms, some HCP’s will not perform any or of imaging and send you directly for surgery.

What is the treatment?
Surgery!  If you have straight uncomplicated appendicitis, you can have laparoscopic surgery where 5 small holes are poked into your abdomen, the surgeon inserts a video camera and small surgical tools into your abdomen, and you can usually leave the day of surgery or stay overnight.  The benefit is faster healing.  But, due to other situations (like past abdominal surgeries or ruptured appendix) you may need to have open surgery in which the abdomen is opened through a 2-4in incision and it allows for full visualization of the abdominal cavity and allows the surgeon to wash out your belly when infection is present.  You usually are required to stay 2 days after surgery to ensure that you are passing gas and can eat without nausea, then you are free to go home.  At home, with either surgery, you need to assess incision sites for signs of infection (pus oozing from incision, redness, swelling, fever greater than 100.3, or trouble with nausea and vomiting/keeping food down) and call your HCP if you have any of these symptoms.
*If you have an abscess, you may have a drain placed and put on oral antibiotics, then come back in a week for your surgery.

What happens after I get home?
As stated above, look for signs of infection and call your HCP if you have them.  Also, limit exercise and heaving lifting for the first 10-14 days, but get up out of bed and walk around as much as you can.  When you feel tired, sleep- your body is healing from a major infection and surgery, and the best thing you can do is sleep and allow it to heal.  To prevent a pneumonia after surgery, getting up and walking around helps, but if you feel like you need to cough, do it!  It will be uncomfortable, but hold a pillow over your belly with both hands (pretty tightly as a splint) and cough; it will decrease the pain and allow you to clear your airways.  And talk to your HCP before returning to school/work/working out to make sure that they think it is OK too.

Pain:
You will have pain after your surgery and will be prescribed pain medication.  Try to take it as ordered, and if your pain is still present, even with the medication taken as prescribed, call your HCP to write you or something else. Also, the use of music can help to decrease your pain symptoms and guided imagery; basically distract yourself by meditating or thinking of things that make you feel happiest and best (for example, I think of being really warm on a beautiful beach in Bali, and I imagine everything down to the smells that I remember.)  It helps distract your brain from the pain that you are feeling, and it won’t take care of all of your pain, but can help you between doses of pain medication.

Appendicitis is something that can be easily missed by the patient, and it can make you very sick.  So please go to your HCP or ED if you have any of these signs and symptoms.  As stated on earlier blogs, sometimes women will actually have PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) or another STD that will present like appendicitis, so be ready for some questions that you might think are not appropriate, but trust me, they are!!  Get any pain in your abdomen checked out, but especially if it gets worse!

Yours in Good Health
B