Head to Toe

New Laxative-Free Colonoscopy May Become Available

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Terri

For those of you nearing 50, you probably know it’s almost time for that very effective screening test for colon cancer, the colonoscopy. If horror stories of the “cleansing” preparation have turned you off, then you’ll be happy to hear about the new laxative-free colonoscopy that’s in the pipeline (no pun intended!).

It’s called a laxative-free computed tomographic colonography (CTC) or virtual colonoscopy. Rather than cleansing the colon the day before the procedure, patients will ingest a small amount of contrast agent a few times a day over 2 days with snacks. The volume of contrast agent is about the size of a ketchup packet. We can handle that, right?

The procedure is then similar to a virtual colonoscopy, in which x-rays create images of the colon and a computer combines all the images to form 3-D pictures of the colon. There’s no scope involved. Sigh.

“We observed with this laxative-free version we could identify patients who had one or more polyps 1 centimeter or greater in size and we could do that with a performance that was very similar to optical (traditional) colonoscopy and in a range that many people would consider acceptable for screening,” says study author Dr. Michael Zalis, director of CT Colonography at Massachusetts General Hospital. “We could detect 91% of these larger lesions in our study, while optical colonoscopy detected 95%.”

The fact that the laxative-free test was less successful finding growths smaller than 1 centimeter may not be cause for concern. According to Zalis, smaller lesions are clinically less important. “We can’t ignore them, but we know that the most important lesions to get are the advanced adenomas and 90% of them are 1 centimeter or larger.”

Researchers hope that people will find this method of test preparation more pleasant than the conventional cleansing route and will get screened, which only needs to happen every 10 years (if no polyps are found).

The study of 605 adults who had this type of colonoscopy was published yesterday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Results from this small study will need to be validated by a larger study.

 

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Head to Toe

Happy National Women’s Health Week!

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Terri

I hope you all enjoyed Mothers’ Day. I spent the weekend watching my daughter skate in a local ice show and I must say there’s no better way to spend the weekend than cheering on your offspring and her friends with fellow parents. It truly was a day of pride, smiles and celebration. Hats off to everyone involved with Northbrook on Ice!

Mother’s Day also kicked off National Women’s Health Week, a week-long observance from May 13-19 designed to promote women’s health. The theme for 2012 is “It’s Your Time.”

National Women’s Health Week reminds us to make our health a top priority by taking the following steps:

Visit your doctor for regular checkups and preventive screenings. Depending on your age, you may need a mammogram, colon cancer screening, bone density test, cholesterol and blood pressure screening and more. Check here to see what tests you need.

Get active. We here in the Midwest have no more excuses to cling to our couch. Spring has arrived and it’s gorgeous out there. Go walk your dog, get on a bike, or go to the health club. Memorial Day’s just around the corner. Need I say more?

Eat healthy. An easy way to start is to cut back on sugar. Sugar’s found not just in a candy bar but in bagels, breads, pastas and almost all processed foods. The average American consumes 150 pounds of sugar a year. As you reduce sugars, you’re going to have more energy and feel less depressed.

A few of my own suggestions to stay healthy:

Get enough vitamin D. The sunshine vitamin is so important for mood, yet many women are deficient. Ask your doctor what your blood level is. Recommendations call for concentrations between 30 and 60 ng/mL of blood. You need at least 50 ng/mL. Your body makes vitamin D from sun exposure (without sunscreen) and food sources like wild salmon, halibut and sardines. Fortified milk and orange juice have vitamin D2, but it’s not absorbed well. Your body needs vitamin D3. It’s hard to get enough through food sources, so find a supplement.

Eat healthy fats. Good fats are the omega-3 fatty acids found in wild salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, flax, hemp seeds and walnuts, and monounsaturated fats like olive oil and avocados. Limit the omega-6 fats such as corn oil, sunflower seed oil and safflower oil commonly found in salad dressings, cookies, crackers and other prepared foods. A good serving is a fistful of raw walnuts, a quarter of an avocado and 4 TBS a day of first pressed extra virgin olive oil.

Know your bone density. If you’re pre-menopausal or post-menopausal, you should have a baseline bone density test. It’s an easy, painless test that helps determine whether you have osteoporosis or are at risk for osteoporosis. There’s a lot we can do to improve our bone health. We can actually reverse the symptoms of low bone mass or osteoporosis.

Use sunscreen. Yes, you need 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure to help your body make vitamin D but after that, it’s time for sunscreen. Not only are you minimizing your risk for skin cancer but you’re protecting your greatest asset, your complexion! If you need color, and that includes me, then try sunless tanning or even better Tan Towels.

 

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Head to Toe

Krazy About Kale

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Debra

It used to be used only for its looks – that leafy, pretty, greenery that lined platters for entertaining. But now, Kale is making it into the mainstream of our daily diets and taking its place as the new superfood with health benefits that include fighting cancer and bone health.

One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and a whopping 1,020% of vitamin K.

Kale might be a powerhouse of nutrients but is also contains oxalates, naturally occurring substances that can interfere with the absorption of calcium. Avoid taking your calcium supplement at the same time you eat kale.

Our readers have sent many healthy recipes our way, but these two from health guru and yoga instructor Julie August seemed especially yummy. Try these as a way to incorporate this healthy food into your diet.

Kale Quinoa Salad

1 large bunch of kale, washed, center stem removed, and torn into bite size pieces

¼ to ½ cup sliced or slivered almonds toasted *

1 to 2 cup of cooked quinoa *

Dressing

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
¼ cup nama shoyu or soy sauce
½ clove of garlic or the equivalent of garlic powder
5 tablespoons of maple syrup
black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Mix the dressing ingredients together, and toss with the kale, quinoa, and almonds.

*the quantity of quinoa and almonds is varied depending on the size of the kale bunch. If you are using this dish as a vegetable side dish or salad, use less. Use more as a complete vegetarian meal.

Sesame Kale Chips

1 large bunch of kale, washed, center stem removed, and torn into bite size pieces

2 -3 tablespoons olive oil or olive oil spray

nutritional yeast*

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, optional

sea salt to taste

Spread the kale single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the kale, and toss until coated. If you toss on just washed kale, the water residue on the kale leaves will dilute the olive oil, and you can use less oil. Sprinkle the yeast, sesame seeds and sea salt over the prepared kale.

Place in a cool oven, and then turn the oven to 350. The chips should be dry and crispy in 10-20 minutes, depending on the speed of your oven pre-heat.

*nutritional yeast tastes a lot like parmesan cheese. It is high in B vitamins and essential amino acids and protein, yet is low in fat. You can buy it at your local health food store.

If you have a healthy recipe you love, please do share! You can send along your recipes to us in the comments area below and we’ll consider them for a future post on The Professional Hypochondriac.

 

 

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Head to Toe

Mid-Week News Roundup: Stories You Shouldn’t Miss

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Terri

Decisions, decisions. I couldn’t decide which of several news stories was most important today, so I decided to give a snapshot of what’s happening in women’s health as we speak.

Osteoporosis and Early Menopause

I often harp on how important it is to take calcium and Vitamin D for strong bones, and a recent study reinforces why you shouldn’t delay this daily regimen.

The study found that women who experienced menopause before age 47 years were almost twice as likely to develop osteoporosis later in life compared with those who underwent later menopause (published online in the BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. They also experienced a significantly increased risk for fragility fractures and death.

If you’re premenopausal, you need 1200-1500 mg of calcium and at least 1000 units of vitamin D-3 in your diet every day. Postmenopausal women need 1500-2000 mg of calcium and at least 1000 units of vitamin D-3 in their diet each day.

The best way to get calcium is through food – like yogurt, cheese, milk, leafy greens, chicken and fish — but usually you’ll need a supplement.

It’s really so easy to get calcium. My favorite supplement is Adora Calcium — chocolate discs in milk chocolate or dark chocolate. You can find them at Whole Foods, among other places. Get your calcium and chocolate fix at the same time!

Personalized Breast Screening Recommendations

You’ve probably heard about the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations of starting routine mammograms at age 50, followed by a repeat every other year. Despite the rationale behind it (more “harms” than benefits), many women still took issue with delaying breast screening until age 50.

Well, a new analysis suggests that women who have a close relative diagnosed with breast cancer, or those who have very dense breast tissue, should have their first mammogram at age 40 followed by screenings at least once every other year. These women face at least twice the average risk of developing breast cancer in their 40s. The researchers found that this elevated risk outweighs the risks of early screening, such as false positives and unnecessary biopsies.

The research is published May 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Your Sleep Affects Your Weight

A new study suggests that the amount of sleep you get affects your weight.

Researchers studied over a thousand pairs of twins and concluded that those who get plenty of sleep – at least 9 hours a night – had more control over their weight through lifestyle factors like diet and exercise. Those who slept less were more influenced by their genetic propensity to be overweight.

The new study, which appears in the journal SLEEP, suggests that “the amount of sleep you get has an effect on your gene expression,” says Michael Weissberg, M.D., a sleep specialist and professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, in Denver.

 

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Head to Toe

Mid-life Mantras for Waistline Management

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Terri

She’s done it again! My favorite nutritionist/guest blogger Victoria Shanta Retelny, RD, LDN, just gets it when it comes to understanding our changing bodies. Today Vicki gives us tips for staving off the belly bulge and health problems associated with mid-life. Vicki is a registered dietitian and author of The Essential Guide to Healthy Healing Foods (Alpha Books/Penguin, 2011).

As you enter mid-life, the 40s offer a new, exciting season in life – for some it’s a time of limitless opportunities for growth and change; for others it leads to a downward spiral of weight gain, health problems and repeated patterns that lead to unhappiness. Research shows that mid-life is the prime time to forecast future health status and set the prevention wheels in motion before health problems occur.

In a perfect world you’d be able to waltz into your 40’s on the same ticket as the previous decade – especially if you’re healthy and happy. The 40s throw you a couple of reality checks, however. The average 40-something American woman is in the throes of what I call a “midlife metabolic crisis.” With every birthday after age 30, metabolism slows down by 1% – even if your activity level stays the same. Research shows that we burn fewer calories to process the food we eat since our ability to use and transport oxygen decreases with age. Thus, our muscles become more dependent upon daily activity. [So the air you breathe at 40 is used very differently by your body than it was at 30].

So what is a “mid-life metabolic crisis”? Basically, it’s a calorie-burning slow down, in which extra pounds and unhealthy, waistline inches creep up. This may mean the silent beginnings of one or more age-related health problems: diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, even cognitive decline!

And just as we should be eating less, our palettes crave richer flavors as taste buds begin to fade. Thus, it takes more “flavor” – translation: more salt, fat and sugar added to foods to get the same level of sensory satisfaction. The outcome is a crisis of overindulgence, expanding waistlines and future health problems – unless you take action now.

Seven Eating Principles to Live By After Age 40

1. Pick “real food” first. Forego the processed foods and choose whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and low-fat dairy products. Real food will fuel your body on high-quality calories.

2. Start the day with breakfast. Never skip your first meal of the day as it really does get your metabolism humming along for the day.

3. Say farewell to all-nighters – your metabolism needs the sleep. Research shows that our bodies and hormones need shut-eye (at least 7 – 9 hours per night) to properly regulate metabolism and keep belly fat at bay.

4. Pair alcohol with food, always. Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach as it will result in eating (and drinking) excess calories, plus slow down your metabolism.

5. Savor special indulgences for more satisfaction. If you like chocolate or cake or cookies, have a small amount and savor it. Eating slowly and really tasting your favorite foods keeps you from feeling deprived and offers you a special time to enjoy these foods.

6. Give away your scale and invest in a tape measure. Weight can fluctuate as you build muscle and lose fat – and it won’t reflect well on the scale. Instead, measuring your waistline is a better indicator of overall health. For women, 35 inches or less is ideal; for men, it’s 40 inches or less. Think about how your clothes fit, too.

7. Build muscle reserves and tap into your fat savings with daily activity. Move regularly. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 minutes per week – that’s 30 minutes over 5 days or 20 minutes every day. Do both cardio and strength-training to rid your body of excess fat and gain muscle.

 

So start today by evolving your eating and exercise routines for a healthier YOU tomorrow!

 

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Looking Good

Extreme Measures to Look Skinny on Your Wedding Day

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Terri

This past weekend a story appeared in the New York Times about women going to great lengths to lose weight for their wedding day. Women are walking around town with nasogastric tubes, doing colonic cleanses and getting daily injections of hormones, all in an effort to slim down and look their best as they walk down the aisle.

What’s wrong with this picture? There is something so disturbing about going to these lengths to achieve rapid weight loss for cosmetic reasons alone. Granted, not everybody has the luxury of a long engagement or the discipline to lose weight the old-fashioned, eat-less move-more way. Many of these women only want to lose a small amount of weight (say, 20 pounds).

I think it’s time for a reality check. There’s no doubt that we want to look “perfect” on our wedding day, or any other milestone event. The desire to look good is nothing new. Crash diets have been around for years. But how far is too far? Do we really want to look like some artificially deflated, weakened, lesser version of ourselves in those pictures, only to return to our true selves weeks, if not months, later?

But how far is too far? Do we really want to look like some artificially deflated, weakened, lesser version of ourselves in those pictures, only to return to our true selves weeks, if not months, later?

There’s something inherently more vibrant about a woman who glows naturally on her wedding day with the knowledge that she’s been eating healthfully and exercising well. She might not be at her lowest weight ever, but she looks confident, and real. And guess what? People look better when they feel better.

I won’t even get into how this quest for skinny impacts young girls and teens whose perceptions of body image are still being formed. We can do better — in terms of liking ourselves the way we are, and maintaining our health every day of the year.

Readers, have you ever used extreme measures to lose weight for a big day?

 

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Head to Toe

Cellulite Treatment Called “Revolutionary”

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Terri

As we approach summer I don’t want to bring up an unpleasant topic – cellulite – but every professional hypochondriac really should know about a new, FDA approved, minimally invasive outpatient procedure to zap that fat in one treatment.

It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? The treatment is called Cellulaze by Cynosure and it received FDA approval for the elimination of cellulite in late January 2012. The Today Show featured the procedure yesterday. It’s been used in Europe since early 2011.

Let’s face it. Nearly 90% of women have cellulite, and your afflictedness can have little to do with your weight or level of fitness. Cellulite happens when the septae – fibrous bands of connective tissue under your skin – stiffen, causing the fat pockets they surround to bulge upward into the skin. Estrogen may be responsible for this stiffening, making the septae shrink and pull down on the skin creating that dimply, crater-like appearance. Have you ever seen a man with cellulite? Exactly.

Using a local anesthetic, the doctor inserts a tiny laser under the surface of the skin. The laser heats and melts the fat and cuts through the bands that pull the skin down to create the dippled effect. Finally, the laser heats the skin to enable the growth of new collagen which increases elasticity.

Within a few weeks, your cottage cheese thighs are a thing of the past, says Dr. Bruce Katz, a clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and director of the Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York City. You may notice improvement over the next 3 to 12 months. You may have some soreness and bruising, but many women can return to work the next day.

It’s too early to measure the long-term effects of Cellulaze, but results are said to last a year or more. Dr. Katz said the cellulite could come back if you gain weight or step exercising. But if you stay clear for two years then most likely you’ve zapped it for good.

The procedure isn’t cheap. It runs upwards of $2500 depending on the area you want to treat. But can you really put a price on smooth thighs?

For more information see http://www.cellulaze.com/.

 

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Must Haves

Going Nude….On Your Nails

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Debra

With spring just around the corner, many of us are due for a color change. After months of reds, burgundys and browns, it’s a good idea to start thinking about lightening up. But with all the fashion magazines touting neon pinks and yellows, what’s a girl to do with her hands? The answer might be to go nude.

Many of the popular brands are introducing colors that are barely there. You might have to try a few to find one that looks good with your skin tone.  Here are a few of our Professional Hypochondriac suggestions:

Topless & Barefoot
Essie

This creamy beige polish has a modern edge to it. I love the fact that it is a little chalky and not sheer. When I had this on, I couldn’t stop looking at my hands!

 

Skull and Glossbones
OPI

This a taupey gray in a matte finish without any pearl or shimmer. It’s a great option for those who find grays a little hard to wear. The color is subtle, but interesting.

 

Incognito
Dior Vernis

Incognito is a pinky peachy combination that gives a little pop to a perfect beige. The nail polish is a great choice hands down!

 

Wooden Shoe Want to Know
OPI

If you can’t quite bring yourself to go completely nude just yet, this option allows for a deep color in a rich neutral. It has beautiful purple undertones and just enough shimmer to draw a little attention.

Do you have a favorite color you’re switching to this spring? Please do share!

 

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Head to Toe

Arthritis of the Thumb? Really?

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Terri

Just when I thought I’d covered every possible area of joint wear and tear, I learn that orthopedic surgeons are seeing more and more patients, especially women, with debilitating arthritis of the thumb.

“It’s a real epidemic,” said hand surgeon Dr. Terry Light, chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation of Loyola University Medical Center.

Personally, I think this epidemic stems from all the texting we do, but is there any point casting blame for this problem?

Lori Giacone of Indian Head Park, IL, said that when she tried to do simple tasks such as pumping gas or turning a car key, she would feel a shooting pain “that almost took my breath away.”

Light performed surgery to relieve the pain, first on her right hand, and, five years later, on her left. Now, she’s pain free.

Arthritis of the thumb is a real epidemic, says hand surgeon Dr. Terry Light of Loyola University Medical Center.

The first line of treatment for less severe cases includes:

  • anti-inflammatory creams
  • custom-made splints that restrict movement
  • hand therapy and exercises
  • cortisone injections to diminish inflammation. But repeated injections can accelerate cartilage destruction, so the injections must be spaced out.

 

The thumb is critical to everything we do. If it’s not in working order, it’s painful to do many routine functions, such as writing, turning door knobs, using scissors, unscrewing jar tops, gardening and so much more.

Arthritis develops when ligaments connecting the thumb to the wrist stretch out. Because the joint no longer fits snugly, the smooth cartilage lining the surface of the joint wears away, leading to inflammation and pain. As arthritis progresses, the hand becomes less useful and the pain becomes constant.

Surgery is the final option. The surgeon removes part or all of the trapezium wrist bone in the part of the wrist that meets the thumb. This reduces the amount of surface for the thumb to rub against. “The goal is to relieve the pain,” Light said.

Giacone said that before surgery, her hand was almost useless because she could not move her thumb without excruciating pain. Now, each thumb has about 90 percent of the function that it had prior to being disabled by arthritis.

 

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Looking Good

Is It Time to Go Gray?

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Terri

When color touch-ups get to be a bit too much on the schedule and budget, many of us wonder when to do it – go gray, that is.

And, more important, how exactly do we transition from our current color to a more, shall we say, natural shade?

“Deciding whether to go gray is a very personal decision,” says Judy Rambert, vice president of education and research at Pivot Point International in Chicago. “It’s all about how you feel about your color when you look in the mirror. When you find yourself admiring various types of gray out there, it may be time.”

Actually, gray hair is in vogue. “We’re seeing much more gray and gray-looking hair,” says Rambert. “We’re even seeing more white blondes and platinum blondes on models.”

The transition to gray is the hardest part of the process and requires commitment and desire. “It will take you a good six months to a year to fully realize color-free hair, about a year if you have long hair,” says Rambert.

The transition to gray is the hardest part of the process and requires commitment and desire. It will take you a good six months to a year to fully realize color-free hair, about a year if you have long hair.

And during the transition, you won’t necessarily be at the salon less often. As your hair grows out it will require a professional’s eye to customize your hair color and reduce the contrast of your natural color and remaining color-treated hair.

If you’ve been coloring your hair and decide to go gray, you’ll have a straight line of demarcation. You can break up the line through highlighting – adding lighter tones in strands throughout hair – or low lighting – adding medium and darker tones in hair. Most often this will lead to less frequent color services in the future. You only need to touch up highlights or lowlights every 3 months.

You can also take things lighter with overall color. If you wear your hair short this is easier. You can bring your entire head to a new color close to the depth of your gray and begin the process from there, says Rambert. As the gray grows in, you can enhance the natural shade with a single-color treatment to impart silver tone and shine every 8 weeks or so.


Tips as You Transition to Gray

  • During this transition, it’s best to leave your hair color to the professionals.
  • Adjust your make up. The fairer you are, the more work it requires. You may need to bolden your make up, especially eye brows to offset your lighter hair.
  • Check out gray-enhancing shampoos on the market. These shampoos have a temporary color that leaves a tone. Stay away from blue-based shampoos; go toward violet-based or platinum for gray hair.
  • Consider shine-enhancing sprays to keep your hair looking healthy and shiny.
  • Visit your stylist every 6-7 weeks to keep your haircut looking stylish and ask for styling lessons and finishing product recommendations.

 

The good news is that going gray is not a permanent decision. If you decide it’s not for you, you can reach for the bottle at any time!

 

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