Summer Cycling Routines

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Use the Tour de France as an inspiration to start a summer cycling routine.Training at a variety of “tempos” and terrains will optimize your workout.Rest is particularly important between workouts when you’re cycling.

“From a strength standpoint, cycling is preferable to running as a cardiovascular workout. “

Watching the Tour de France can be a serious buzzkill for a guy trying to get in shape. Cyclists are among the most physically fit athletes in the world, and watching those guys go up a hill can be enough to make a guy trying in vain to get in shape to throw in the towel.

But if you can’t beat ‘em, as they say, join ‘em. Cycling is an amazing way to get in shape, and the benefits start showing soon. Instead of letting the Tour de France discourage you, use the physical fitness of the cyclists as an inspiration, and introduce cycling to your summer workout routines.

Cycling is a great way to not only improve your conditioning this summer, but also to enhance your physique. Some of the best benefits you’ll see with cycling training are the body’s enhanced utilization of oxygen, increased muscular strength and power in the legs, improved ability to buffer lactic acid buildup, and decreased body-fat percentage. From a strength standpoint, cycling is preferable to running as a cardiovascular workout, since you will be constantly working against resistance. That said, there are some important things you should consider when coming up with a summer cycling routine that will help you maximize your training.

One of the most important factors to consider when putting together your bike workout is variety. If you’re doing the same workout day in and day out, your body is going to adapt to it very quickly and you will stop showing results. By changing it up on a frequent basis, you will keep your body guessing as you work your muscles on a variety of levels at the same time.

Including one or two “tempo” sessions will help you build a good base for your summer cycling routine. In these workouts, you will be riding at a constant, fairly high intensity for 20 to 25 minutes. The idea here is to help your body grow accustomed to tolerating lactic acid so that when you do decide to push harder, you will not fatigue as quickly. These workouts will also help to push up your relative speed, thereby increasing your performance.

One session per week should be dedicated to a longer-duration workout, as this will help you build cardiovascular endurance. Not only is this good for proper health, but it will also give your body a break from the very high intensity workouts. Aim to cycle continuously, at a comfortable pace, for about 45 minutes to an hour. There is no need to overdo it during these sessions, unless you are training for an endurance event. Excessive endurance training will lead to issues with recovery and will take time away from other workouts you should be concentrating on.

Finally, adding one or two sessions of sprint training is a smart move, as these are what will really bump up your fitness level. Aim to go 30 seconds to a minute at a very hard pace, and then take a rest period for two to three times the duration of the sprint interval. Repeat this process 6 to 12 more times before starting your cooldown.

The next factor to consider when putting together your summer cycling routine is rest. Rest is absolutely critical if you hope to see progress, because if you don’t allow recuperation to take place, each session will only tear down your muscle fibers.

Along with scheduling days off, take into account any cross-training activities you participate in, such as weightlifting or other sports. If those are highly demanding physically, you will again need to scale back slightly on the cycling workouts so you do not overtrain.

Eating right is an essential component of any summer cycling routine… Next Page >>

‘Don’t use paracetamol for fever’

A respected scientific group has recommended not using paracetamol and several other drugs to reduce flu-related fever, saying they may increase the risk of death.

The position of the Wellington-based Medical Research Institute contradicts the established advice of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation to use drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to lower a high temperature caused by influenza. Aspirin should not be given to children or teenagers with viral infections.

However, the ministry said last night it expected to change its recommendations following a review.

A high fever makes the sufferer feel terrible, but the institute, led by respiratory physician Professor Richard Beasley, says there is strong evidence the high temperature that can be caused by influenza helps the body to control the virus.

In a letter published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, Professor Beasley and colleagues say there is insufficient evidence to support the use of the fever-reducing “antipyretic” medicines to treat fever from influenza.

“The limited evidence that does exist [from animal studies] suggests that the administration of antipyretics may have the potential to increase the severity of influenza illness and the risk of mortality.”

Institute programme director Dr Kyle Perrin said: “Although there isn’t a huge amount of data … we would say there’s no benefit of treating a fever with paracetamol and there’s potential harm in terms of making the illness worse or longer. So our recommendation would be not to treat a fever, but to use paracetamol as a pain reliever … If you’ve got a headache or sore muscles it’s reasonable to take it; it’s very effective and safe in that setting.”

But Dr Perrin did not call for health authorities to change their position.

“We don’t think there’s enough evidence yet to make a firm stand either way.”

He also said that although parents were often concerned about their child having a convulsion from a high fever, they were probably not harmful.

“Most of the data in this area suggests that the risk of febrile convulsions isn’t lowered by the use of paracetamol or other antipyretics. It seems that the febrile convulsion itself is to do with the infectious illness rather than the fever per se.”

Dr Darren Hunt, the ministry’s acting director of public health, said clinical practice was tending towards using medicines, if needed, to treat pain rather than fever. The ministry was likely to change its influenza advice to reflect this.

Fever in pregnancy, however, was a special case: paracetamol was recommended because it was important for the baby to reduce high temperatures.

FEVER TREATMENT

Ministry of Health advice for influenza treatment at home:

“Take drugs that relieve pain and fever, eg, paracetamol or ibuprofen. Aspirin-type medications should not be used for children and young people.”

Medical Research Institute:

“… there is an insufficient evidence base to support the use of antipyretics [fever reducers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin] in the treatment of fever from influenza infection.”

Gene technique to stretch diseased arteries gives hope for heart health

Auckland gene scientists have come up with a way to put new stretch into hardened, old arteries, an important advance that points the way to a radical new treatment for heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease, mainly heart disease and strokes, is New Zealand’s biggest killer, accounting for around 40 per cent of deaths.

Associate Professor Mervyn Merrilees, of Auckland University, and colleagues in a six-country collaboration have treated arteries in an animal trial to make them more elastic and resistant to build-ups of cholesterol.

Their technique involves manipulating a gene called V3 which is present in humans and other mammals. By inserting it via a virus into blood vessel cells, the gene, which normally produces little V3 protein, is made to produce a lot.

The cells, injected into a neck artery, led to the formation of a new arterial lining rich in elastin, a protein which gives blood vessels, skin and other tissues their stretchiness.

As people age, they lose elastin. Along with the deposition of LDL or “bad” cholesterol, this contributes to arteries developing inflamed lesions that can crack, leading to little lumps breaking off. This in turn can cause the blockages that produce heart attacks and a type of stroke.

People at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease are advised to reduce bad cholesterol intake, to exercise and are typically prescribed a cholesterol-lowering statin medicine.

But Professor Merrilees and his colleagues are developing their discoveries with the hope of producing a new form of treatment for cardiovascular disease, possibly within a decade.

“There’s no reason to believe it won’t work [in humans],” he said yesterday. “We feel fairly confident that the same principles apply to humans as they do to other animals.”

A United States Government health organisation last week approved a grant for laboratory experiments with V3 using human tissue.

“They plan to take the human saphenous vein [from the leg] that is used in bypass operations, to soak it with V3 protein, to see if we can get them to switch on the deposition of elastic fibres.”

The technology has obvious potential for cosmetic surgery, including helping to remove wrinkles, but the researchers are not pursuing that, preferring to focus on killers such as cardiovascular disease.

Another angle being developed by Professor Merrilees is to try to increase the elastin content of skin grown in the lab which, starting with their own skin cells, could help burns patients or those with ulcers that don’t heal.

GENE POWER

The gene – V3, present in humans and other mammals.

* Normally produces little V3 protein.

Gene inserted into a virus, and the virus into blood vessel cells from animals.

* Now produces a great deal of V3 protein.

Neck artery cells scraped internally by angioplasty.

* The experimental cells are injected into the artery.

* New arterial lining develops on scraped area.

* New lining is rich in elastin, a stretchy component in blood vessels and other tissues. Lining now resistant to deposition of cholesterol.

NZ brewer to follow Aussies on health alerts

A major New Zealand brewer will introduce health warnings on its drinks after Australia’s liquor industry announced a similar move yesterday.

Lion Nathan expects to start voluntarily putting health warnings on its products in about six weeks’ time, but DB Breweries has rejected the action as ineffective.

DrinkWise Australia, a group funded by the Australian alcohol industry, said about 80 per cent of alcohol products in the country including beer, wine and spirits would carry warnings.

But Professor Doug Sellman, director of the National Addiction Centre, slammed the new labelling as cunning “Clayton’s warnings”.

He said the Australian messages, such as “kids and alcohol don’t mix”, were essentially meaningless.

Mr Sellman said more truthful warnings would be “alcohol causes cancer”, “alcohol can cause brain damage” and “alcohol can make people aggressive”.

Even accurate health warnings were unlikely to have an impact without more meaningful government action, he said.

“At the moment if you say, ‘Alcohol causes cancer’, people don’t even see it.

“And it was the same with tobacco. It wasn’t until the price went up and it became a much less normal thing to do, then people started thinking much more clearly about the health issues.”

Neil Hinton, corporate affairs director for Lion, rejected the notion that the moves were cynically self-serving.

“The point that we’re making is that we’re prepared to do our bit on it … you must ask the question of what would ever be enough?

“Probably prohibition would still have them upset. I think the reasonable man would look at that and say this is a good, responsible step from a good, responsible industry.”

He said DrinkWise Australia had picked up Lion’s own initiative that was announced in February, and New Zealand warnings would be similar to those in Australia.

The corporate manager of DB Breweries, Mark Campbell, said the company would wait to see whether warnings were introduced under an Alcohol Reform Bill to be considered by Parliament.

But the brewer was unlikely to introduce the health warnings on its own accord, he said.

“We’re not of the view that it’s going to change anything … the reality is it has been debated for many years, whether alcohol labelling is going to make a difference.

“But we’re realistic that it may well be something that we have to comply with down the track, and really don’t have any major concerns about doing so.”

New Zealand Winegrowers said they were reviewing their stance on “social policy issues”, and Independent Liquor could not be reached for comment.

Last week Netherlands-based professor Peter Anderson, one of the world’s leading public health experts, told an alcohol-harm conference in Wellington that alcoholic products should carry health warning labels, just as tobacco products do.

Crown researchers offer bosses test for synthetic cannabis

Employers will be able to test staff for synthetic cannabis use but those behind the testing admit creative chemistry will mean identifying users could be a game of cat and mouse.

Environment Science and Research (ESR) announced yesterday it had developed a method to enable testing of the synthetic cannabinoids found in “legal highs” such as Kronic.

The move was immediately slammed as “advertorial” for ESR’s services by Matt Bowden, who imports the chemicals used to make Kronic.

Mr Bowden said while employers had the right to identify staff stoned at work, the tests would ensnare others.

“Testing urine to find out what good, hardworking employees have been doing in the weekend? Don’t take the piss.”

The ESR also released a list of the synthetic cannabinoids found in each of the 41 products it recently screened.

Eleven varieties of cannabinoids were found and 10 of the products screened contained an elaborate cocktail of four or more. Two compounds have yet to be identified.

The same screening led to the recall of Kronic Pineapple Express and Cosmic Corner’s Juicy Puff Super Strength after they were found to contain the prescription sedative phenazepam.

Little is known about the health effects of the chemicals or what effect their combination may have.

The products all contained JWH-018 or JWH-073 cannabinoids, which enabled ESR to develop a test for JWH chemicals metabolised in the body.

Dr Keith Bedford, ESR’s general manager of forensic research, admitted testing would need to be constantly developed to keep up with the ever-changing nature of compounds used.

“It’s a real challenge. And we’ve seen in the New Zealand party drug scene over several years a continuing rolling process of new substances appearing.”

Last Friday, eight of the most popular synthetic cannabis products were banned across Australia after action from the Federal Government.

Mr Bowden would not comment on whether Kronic would develop new blends of their products to skirt the Australian ban or workplace testing.

“Australia is a country where millions of people use recreational drugs, and so millions of people are being penalised.

“Those people do deserve a safe alternative, I think. We’ll just wait and see what happens over there.”

Mr Bowden said publicising the screening results risked more “backyard cooks” trying to manufacture synthetic cannabis from home.

“Some consumers might go to the internet and start trying to buy these chemicals, and they probably won’t have a lot of information of dosage. So there’s potential for disaster there.”

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said ESR’s screening validated the Government’s move to regulate the industry.

“The information today is a further validation of the strong steps the Government is taking,” he said, “and a further condemnation of an irresponsible industry.”

DOZENS OF CHOICES

One synthetic cannabinoid:

Tai High – New Super Strength Gold, Burn Apple Incense, Tokearoa High, High Dro, Dust FTP, 127 Is Illusion Maximum Strength, Not Pot – Rhino Strength Ganja Gang Delta, Ismoke, Puff The Magic Dragon, Dream 1.25 London Underground, Jungle Juice Wizard, Zohan, Kronic Potent Incense, Amsterdam Cafe Havana Special, Is Illusion 125, Is Illusion 125 High Strength Blend, Space Choc Nova Premium Grade, Space Strawberry Wrap Premium Grade, Space Grape Impact Premium Grade, Spice Gold

Two synthetic cannabinoids:

Lazy J, Tai High Afghan Kush, Electric Puha Ganja Guru Delta, Kronic Tropical Explosion, Kronic Purple Haze, Juicy Puff Super Strength (plus two as yet unidentified).

Three synthetic cannabinoids:

Aroma Wicked 1.5 Strength, Aroma Wicked Strength, Space V2 Herbal Incense

Four synthetic cannabinoids:

Puff The Philosophers Stone, Puff Super Strength, Kronic Pineapple Express, Marley Extra Strength 1.5, Kronic Skunk, Euphoric Blends Citrus Haze

Five synthetic cannabinoids:

Euphoric Blends White Rhino, Euphoric Blends Big Bang, Euphoric Blends Bubble Gum, Spice Diamond

Does Gluten Feed Yeast Cells?

This is such a common question because most Candida Diet websites will tell you to avoid all glutenous grains.

I’ll explain why you may want to avoid gluten while on a yeast eliminating diet but it’s not for the reason you may think.

Gluten does not feed yeast cells. Gluten is a protein and yeast cells do not feed on protein, but sugars. However, there are still some reasons that glutenous grains should be avoided.

Although, gluten may not be feeding the yeast, wheat products contain carbs that are quickly broken down by the body. In fact, saliva begins breaking down starch as you chew. It is this aspect that feeds Candida, not the gluten. Whole wheat products are better because they contain carbs that haven’t been broken down and refined, so they take longer to be broken down into sugars by the body. But, even whole wheat may not be suitable for some which brings me to my next point.

Because gluten is a protein, it can be recognized by your immune system as a threat. This can occur in various degrees in people from severe reactions like exists in celiacs to mild cases that are hardly noticeable. If you are gluten sensitive at all it means that when you eat glutenous grains, it causes inflammation in your digestive tract. This inflammation overworks your immune system preventing it from properly eliminating real threats like Candida albicans overgrowth. It also prevents your digestive system from working as efficiantly as it should.

I recommend that if you are at all sensitive to gluten that you cut out wheat and other glutenous grains from your diet. You can usually tell by how your body reacts to eating gluten. When you eat wheat do you get mucus in your throat? Does your stomach carry on? Do you get cramps or bloating? Do bowel movements become irregular? If any of these symptoms occur, then avoid it.

If you digest gluten without any problems then you can have some whole grain products, but they should make up a very small part of your diet. However, avoid any products that contain processed wheat or glutenous grain products as they will be quickly converted to sugar and will in turn feed the yeast.

I think most websites and Candida diet programs adopt the better safe than sorry mentality when it comes to glutenous grains. If you are unsure of your tolerance of gluten then this is probably good advice, however, if you have never had a problem digesting gluten, then some whole grains could be included in your yeast eliminating diet.

Looking for an effective, comprehensive Candida diet program? I recommend Yeast Infection No More. This program has stood the test of time, has a very low refund rate and offers a no risk 60 day money back guarantee. Linda Allen and her staff are always standing by to answer questions and to help you be successful on the program. This program addresses yeast sensitivity and allergy as well. Click Here to try it now.

A Simple Guide to Baby Supplies

Overwhelmed with lists of what you should buy for your new baby? Here's what you really need.

When you're pregnant, it's a delight to browse the baby stores for those adorable outfits, colorful playthings, and stylish strollers. You might be tempted to scoop up lots of baby gear all at once, but so much shopping can be overwhelming, not to mention expensive.

Relax. Realistically, you'll have plenty of time before your baby needs sippy cups, a high chair, or a potty. In the early months, your baby requires only a few essentials. For example, you can't take your baby from the hospital unless you have an infant car seat. And once you get home, your baby will need diapers, clothing, and a safe place to sleep.

As you prepare to welcome your baby home, make sure you have these important items on hand. 

This one's a biggie. Every state requires parents to have a proper car seat before they can leave the hospital with their baby. Your baby must be in a rear-facing seat until he or she is age 2. If you borrow a car seat, make sure it's not damaged and has not been recalled.

If you're not sure how to install a car seat properly, ask your pediatrician where you can find expert help, says Benjamin S. Danielson, MD, medical director of the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic at Seattle Children's Hospital. He says his hospital recommends a car seat-fitting specialist to parents. You can also call your local AAA chapter to find out whether it runs a car seat safety inspection station near your home. Many fire stations and police stations offer free car seat inspection on a drop-in basis, too.

A stable bassinet or crib offers your newborn a safe, comfortable place to sleep. If you start with a bassinet or cradle, follow the manufacturer's instructions on safe use, taking into account the weight and size of your baby.

As for cribs, look for one with slats that are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and make sure the mattress fits snugly into the crib so your baby can't slip into any gaps on the sides. Avoid headboards and footboards with cut-outs, which could trap a baby's head.

While it's tempting to spruce it up with stuffed animals, pillows, or heavy quilts, these things can impair your baby's breathing or pose a suffocation hazard.

Some doctors even caution against using any blankets in the crib. As an alternative, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using baby sleeper clothing -- no covers needed.

My WebMD: Inspiring Others With Sickle Cell Anemia

Amanda Jackson tells her story of growing up with this blood disorder and then learning to help others.

My parents first knew something was wrong with me when I was 3 months old. I was constantly in pain, constantly crying. They thought I had rheumatic fever or polio. The townspeople would come over and sit by my bed and pray.

After seeing local doctors, I was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia when I was 6. It's a disease that makes your red blood cells grow in a crescent shape, which means they can block blood vessels and stop oxygen from getting to the cells. That causes pain and anemia and can hurt your muscles, joints, bones, and organs. 

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The symptoms of anemia vary according to the type of anemia, the underlying cause, and any underlying health problems. Anemia may be associated with other medical conditions such as hemorrhage, ulcers, menstrual problems, or cancer -- and specific symptoms of those conditions may be noticed first. The body also has a remarkable ability to compensate for early anemia. If your anemia is mild or developed over a long period of time, you may not notice any symptoms. Symptoms common to many types of...

Read the Understanding Anemia -- Symptoms article > >

They told my mother it was a fatal disease (even though, as I later learned, it's not and treatment is available), and that I would only live to be 10. My mother just said, "Lord, let my little girl live." It was very challenging for my parents. They had other children they also had to take care of. (Eventually they had 16 children altogether.)

When I had an attack, what we call a crisis, the pain was so intense my arms and legs would draw up. They couldn't stretch. Everything was hurting. I had crises about every three months; I could stay home on bed rest, but if the pain was too much, my parents would take me to the hospital so I could get painkillers.

I didn't want to be in the hospital, but I saw it as something I had to do to get back to school. As I got older, the attacks happened less often, maybe once a year. But my mother raised me to be normal, not to say, "Oh, I have this condition" or "I'm sick." Still, I didn't go to college. I was tired of school, tired of being absent.

Instead, I went to work at Baxter Laboratory, which was in our town. They were so good to me. When I had to go to the hospital, they would drive me and send me flowers. And then I ended up getting married, moving to Chicago, and having two children -- despite the fact that my doctor said I could never get pregnant. I just always prayed that I would be blessed with having a normal life, and I did.

Today, I'm 61, have seven grandchildren, and my own children are 34 and 36. They carry the gene for sickle cell anemia but don't have the disease. I still have crises about three or four times a year, but I watch my diet -- I don't eat a lot of meat or sugar. And I try not to overdo things. If I get too tired or anxious, I have a crisis. It's like tiptoeing around a monster and not wanting to alert it.

But I'm pretty active; I walk a lot. I lead women's retreats and conventions for churches. And I talk a lot to teens with sickle cell. I try to inspire them to have a life. I tell them not to worry about what they've missed, just look for what's coming next. I never gave up. I had no self-pity.

Does Your Cat Need Well Visits?

Most people don't take their kitties in for regular checkups. But they can be crucial for your cat's health.By Christina Boufis
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

Although people in the United States keep more cats than dogs as pets -- 82 million vs. 72 million -- cats see a veterinarian only about half as frequently as their canine counterparts do.

Why is that?

"I think people sometimes don't go [to the vet] because they think their cat's shots aren't due. But cats should be seen at least once a year," says veterinarian Brian Collins, DVM, lecturer at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine's Companion Animal Hospital. "I like to check them every six months if possible."

What happens during a well-cat visit? Probably the most important thing is the "nose to tail" physical exam, says Collins. During the appointment, which can last from 15 to 30 minutes, your veterinarian will check all over your cat's body, looking for signs of disease or anything unusual. For example, he will examine the cat's ears for parasites, such as ear mites. He'll look at the eyes for general retinal health, peer inside your cat's mouth to look for signs of tartar or gum disease, listen to the cat's heart and lungs, and survey the skin for any lesions or bumps. "Basically, we're just looking to see if everything is normal," explains Collins.

The vet will also weigh the cat and assign a body conditioning number from 1 to 9 (or 1 to 5 depending on the scale your vet uses). "The higher the number, the fatter the cat," Collins says. Ideally, you want your cat to score in the middle range, or a 5 on the 1 to 9 scale, which means the cat is at the appropriate weight. "The problems we tend to see most with cats are obesity and dental disease," explains Collins, who notes that obesity is usually more of a problem with older, indoor cats.

Will your cat get vaccinations during the visit? That depends partly on age, Collins says. Kittens usually receive a series of vaccinations for distemper, upper respiratory disease, and rabies. But cats are not necessarily routinely vaccinated for other infectious diseases, such as feline leukemia. "It sort of depends on the lifestyle of the cat," Collins says. Even cats that go outdoors are not necessarily at greater risk for the disease. "They have to have pretty much direct prolonged contact with other cats to get leukemia," explains Collins.

Note, however, that outdoor cats are at a higher risk of disease in general, including viral and parasitic infections, and indoor cats that occasionally get outdoors are often unprotected from infectious diseases as well.

Vaccines for other diseases can vary from annually to every three years, depending on the type of vaccine and your vet's philosophy, says Collins. "When we're trying to determine what vaccinations a cat gets, we always look at each one as an individual rather than as one recommendation for all cats."

Why Do You Always Get Lost?

Some people lose their way all the time; others have an innate sense of direction. The difference lies in their brains.

Jessica Levin never gets lost. "I have a weirdly good sense of direction," says the 33-year-old president of a marketing company in Edison, N.J. "If I've been to a place before, even 10 or 20 years earlier, I can go back and know how to get around."

People like Levin don't have an innate sense of direction. What they do have is outstanding recognition and spatial memory: that is, the parts of the memory that record aspects of their environment and where those aspects are in relation to each other.

Bob Woodruff After Traumatic Brain Injury

Every so often, ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff feels a rock "emerge" from his face “like a zit," he says. But it's not a pimple; it's a not-so-subtle reminder of what he has been through over the past four years. On Jan. 29, 2006, a mere 27 days after he was tapped to succeed Peter Jennings as the co-anchor of ABC World News Tonight, Woodruff was nearly killed when a roadside bomb struck his vehicle while on assignment near Taji, Iraq. The details of the attack are still murky, but an improvised...

Read the Bob Woodruff After Traumatic Brain Injury article > >

The hippocampus, a structure in the brain that is also important for other types of memory, contains special neurons called grid cells and place cells that seem to create a cellular map of the places you've been and the routes you've taken. (One study, found that the hippocampi of experienced London taxi drivers were significantly bigger than those of regular folks.)

Place cells identify where you are, while grid cells remind you of the spatial relationship of this place to other places you've been, according to S. Ausim Azizi, MD, PhD, who chairs the department of neurology at Temple University School of Medicine.

Your brain can find your way using either or both of these aspects of spatial memory, Azizi explains. However, although we all rely on both kinds of memory, individuals' brains may tend to use one over the other. "Some people are really good at navigating by objects in the environment, the function of object memory," Azizi says. For example, they'll say, "I go to the gas station and make a right turn." People who tend to rely on spatial memory, on the other hand, might say, "I'll go 50 yards to the north, then 50 yards to the east."

You can improve your way-finding ability specifically by practicing the skill, according to Azizi. "The more you get out and go places, the better," he says. Physical exercise improves the blood flow to the brain, while mental exercise, such as doing puzzles or learning a new language, stimulates the development of new nerve cells and connections in your brain.

Perhaps Levin has such a superb sense of direction because of those grid cells, or it may be that her brain integrates both kinds of navigation better than most people's. In any case, it serves her well.

"It's eliminated some fights on long car trips, for sure," she says. "We never have to pull over and ask for directions."

You don't have to spend your life as a wanderer. Science shows you can improve your spatial memory.

Train the brain.  Azizi says the best way to improve your spatial memory is to engage in activities that specifically involve both objects and coordinates. Practice combining these two skills by looking at a landmark and then locating it on a map.

Work out. "Exercise increases blood flow to active areas of the body, including the brain," Azizi says. Many studies have found increased volume in the hippocampi of older adults who increase their aerobic exercise, and one study showed that exercise could improve spatial memory.

Eat right. A study of grade school children found that eating oatmeal for breakfast improved spatial memory specifically. Numerous studies have shown that eating foods rich in antioxidants improves blood flow to the brain, which enhances memory skills.

Childbirth: The Stages of Delivery

It's perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous about giving birth, but knowing what to expect during each stage can make delivery go that much smoother.By Christina Boufis
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

Unlike in the movies, labor and delivery isn't always scripted. No one knows exactly what triggers labor, though hormones are suspected to play a role. And though labor is divided into three stages, each woman may not go through it the same way. For first-time moms, labor can last 12 to 24 hours on average. For some women it will be faster and for others slower. Here's what you need to know.

What to expect: This stage of labor is the longest and can range from 12 to 20 hours for women having their first baby. Labor begins when you have uterine contractions -- which may be mild at first, occurring every 15 or 20 minutes -- and when your cervix begins slowly dilating and effacing (thinning). It ends when your cervix is dilated 3 or 4 centimeters (about 1 to 1 1/2 inches).

Contractions last anywhere from 30 to 70 seconds and can feel like a backache or menstrual cramps. As labor progresses, contractions become more regular, frequent, and intense, increasing to every seven to 10 minutes, then every five to seven minutes.

What to watch for: You may notice a "bloody show," pink or brown-tinged mucus -- a normal discharge as your cervix opens. This discharge may happen days before or at the start of labor.

The rupturing of amniotic membranes can occur spontaneously in stage one labor or later in the process and feel like an obvious gush or just a feeling of wetness -- or your water may not break until a doctor does this for you, says Tiffany A. Moore-Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, FACOG, director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Division at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

How to manage: It's good to call your doctor when you begin contractions, but you may not need to go to the hospital yet. Healthy, first-time moms can usually go through this stage of labor at home, says Moore-Simas. When should you go to the hospital? "When you're contracting every five minutes, that's a good time to come in," says Moore-Simas. "If you're leaking fluid, that might [also] be the time to come in."

Meanwhile, rest and make yourself as comfortable as possible, perhaps by listening to music or soaking in a warm bath.

What to expect: At this stage, contractions are stronger and more painful, occurring about three minutes apart and lasting approximately 45 to 60 seconds. Your cervix is dilating much more rapidly, about 1.2 centimeters an hour, says Moore-Simas.

When your cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters, you are in "transition stage," the last part of stage one labor; contractions now come approximately every two to three minutes and last for a minute or more. You may feel nauseous and have increased back pain.

High-Sodium, Low-Potassium Diet Linked to Heart Risk

Study Suggests Increased Risk of Death From Heart Disease From High-Sodium, Low-Potassium Intake

July 11, 2011 -- A diet high in sodium and low in potassium increases the risk of death from heart disease and other causes, according to a new study.

"Americans who eat a diet high in sodium and low in potassium have a 50% increased risk of death from any cause and about about twice the risk of death from heart disease," says researcher Elena V. Kuklina, MD, PhD. She is a nutritional epidemiologist with the CDC division for heart disease and stroke prevention.

Morton Satin, vice president of science and research for the Salt Institute, disagrees with the study. "It's highly flawed and reveals more of this dogmatic anti-salt agenda."

Research about sodium and heart disease has produced conflicting results. Studies have shown that high sodium intake or low potassium intake is linked with a higher risk for high blood pressure, the researchers write. The link is stronger for potassium.

However, the research about a link between intake of sodium and potassium and getting or dying from cardiovascular disease has been less consistent.

The researchers decided to focus on the sodium-potassium ratio. Recent research has suggested the ratio may be more important in explaining the risk for high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease than either alone.

The study is published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Kuklina and her colleagues followed 12,267 U.S. adults. They participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1988 to 1994. They answered questions about their diet and had physical exams.

None of those studied was on a reduced salt diet at the start. Anyone with a history of heart problems or stroke was excluded.

The researchers followed them for nearly 15 years. "Using death certificate data, we looked to see if they died and from what causes," Kuklina says.

During the follow-up, 2,270 people died, including 1,268 from cardiovascular disease.

A higher sodium-potassium ratio was associated with an increased risk of death from heart disease as well as other causes.

A sodium intake of 1,500 milligrams a day maximum and potassium intake of 4,700 milligrams a day is considered adequate under the Dietary Guidelines.

Higher sodium intake was linked to an increased risk of death from any cause. Those in the highest sodium group ''had a 73% higher risk of death from all causes," compared to those in the lowest sodium group, Kuklina says. Those in the highest group took in more than 5,000 milligrams a day. Those in the lowest consumed 2,176 milligrams a day.

Those who consumed 4,069 milligrams of potassium a day had a 49% lower risk of death from all causes compared to those who took in 1,793 milligrams a day, she says. The higher the potassium intake, the lower the risk of death from heart disease.

The researchers did not find a significant link between sodium intake and cardiovascular disease death by itself, they say. However, they do not think this undermines the relationship between sodium and high blood pressure, which they say is ''well established." 

When they looked at the sodium-potassium ratio, they found those who had the worst ratio -- the highest sodium and lowest potassium -- had twice the risk of death from heart disease and a 50% increased risk of death from any cause during the follow-up.

Taking Your Dog on a Road Trip

Expert tips for traveling by car with your favorite canine companion.

It wouldn't be a family car trip without Fido, but if you want everyone who's along for the ride -- two-legged and four-legged -- to have fun, you need to do some prep work.

"People just jump in the car and think they are prepared," says animal behaviorist Kristen Collins, MS, CPDT, with the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center. "But preparation needs to start as far in advance as you know you are going on a trip."

Acclimate your pooch to the car in the weeks leading up to your trip. Collins recommends taking your dog on short car rides around town. It will help him get used to the doggy seat belt or carrier -- a must for safe travels -- and it will reveal any tendencies to get overly nervous or carsick. Ask your vet about motion sickness and sedation medications. If your dog gets in your vehicle only for dreaded trips to the vet, take him somewhere fun, like a park where he can run, Collins says. That way, he'll begin to associate getting in the car with receiving a reward.

Many dogs, Collins says, only feel comfortable eliminating at home, so it's also essential to train your dog to go to the bathroom in unfamiliar places. "The poor dog could be near exploding because it doesn't feel right to go elsewhere," she says.

Before you leave on vacation, spend a few weeks developing a potty cue. Whenever your dog is on the verge of eliminating, say a phrase like, "Time to go!" Then, when he's done, praise him and give him a treat. By the time you hit the road, saying your cue should get him to do his business on demand.

Research where you will stay along your route. Not every hotel is dog-friendly. If you reserve online, don't take a web site's word for it; pick up the phone. "You don't want to show up in the middle of the night and find they don't accept pets," says A. Chea Hall, DVM, of the Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital in Beaverton, Ore. "You need to sit down and plan where you will be each night."

Most dogs are like their humans -- they can't go too long without a potty break. Plan to stop every few hours. Look for places where your dog can get some relief but also enjoy some exercise, which will help your pet relax in the car. So will chew toys. 

Stick to your dog's feeding schedule. If he eats at 8 a.m., feed him then. And keep plenty of bottled water handy. Another rule of the road: Dogs should not be left alone in the car. Cold and hot weather can be deadly to animals. If you absolutely have to leave your dog for a short while, park somewhere where he can see you, and crack a window so he can get some fresh air.

Finally, make sure your dog's head stays in the car window. You want to make sure everyone arrives in one piece.

Make sure you don't leave home without these dog travel essentials:

Medical and vaccine records, in the event an emergency trip to the vet is neededPet tags with your cell phone number in case he gets lostFavorite toys that will help your dog feel at homeYour dog's meds, if applicableFood, bowl, and scooperLeash  should always be worn out of the carDoggie harness or travel seat

Which Birthing Style Is for You?

How to find a class that matches your personal philosophy of pregnancy and delivery.

Are childbirth classes for everyone?  Two Columbia University childbirth experts -- Mary Lake Polan, MD, PhD, MPH, an adjunct professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, and Jeanne M. Coulehan, CNM, MPH, clinical practice manager and midwife in the division of maternal-fetal medicine -- offer a resounding "yes." But the thing to know, they say, is that "one size doesn't fit all." Childbirth classes vary in duration, curriculum, and approach, so do your homework before class begins. Find a class and instructor that match your personal philosophy of pregnancy and delivery, especially when it comes to the use of pain medications or medical intervention.

Polan favors a comprehensive approach, which many classes offer. They cover the gamut, from pregnancy to labor and delivery and beyond. "The more you know about what's going on, the better you're able to not be frightened and to deal with the pain," Polan says. You also need to know about alternatives for pain relief or what happens if a problem suddenly develops during labor. "Everybody should go to a childbirth class, even if you know you're having a cesarean," Coulehan adds. (Yes, there are childbirth classes tailored for this kind of delivery.)

Where should you begin? You can start with your obstetrician, midwife, or hospital for suggestions. Or ask friends and family members or search online for classes in your area.

As you hunt for options, remember this: "The goal is to have a healthy baby, not to have a peak experience," says Polan. Labor and delivery may seem endless when you're in it. But it's really only a day in this lengthy parenting affair.

Lamaze was one of the pioneers in childbirth education. Today, it remains the most widely used approach in the United States.

"With Lamaze, you're taught breathing exercises to help you breathe through the pain and not tense up," Polan says. You also learn other relaxation and distraction techniques, massage and communication skills, and positioning for labor and birth. And your childbirth partner or coach learns ways to support you throughout labor.

Use of medication and medical intervention isn't considered verboten in Lamaze. Instead, you're informed about your range of options. "It's important not to feel that you're a failure if you decide you want pain medicine," says Polan.

In addition to guidance on labor and birth, Lamaze provides information about a healthy lifestyle, early postpartum care, and breastfeeding.

The Bradley approach strongly encourages the active involvement of the baby's father. "Getting pregnant is a couple's event, and I think having a baby is, too," Polan says. "So it's helpful if your husband or significant other understands what's happening and can coach you through it." There's plenty of opportunity for labor rehearsals.

Men Have Higher Cancer Death Rates Than Women

Study Suggests Diagnosis of Cancer Is More Frequent for Men

July 12, 2011 -- Men are more likely than women to die of cancer in the U.S., a new study shows.

"Our research suggests that the main factor driving greater frequency of cancer deaths in men is the greater frequency of cancer diagnosis, rather than poorer survival once the cancer occurs," says study researcher Michael B. Cook, PhD, BsC, of the National Cancer Institute.

The study is published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

Cook says that if investigators "can identify the causes of these gender differences in cancer incidence, then we can take preventative actions to reduce the cancer burden in both men and women."

Cook and his research team analyzed U.S. data from a large database that contained statistics on 36 cancers by age and sex for the period of 1977 to 2006.

For "the vast majority" of the cancers, rates were higher among men than women, the researchers write.

The highest male-to-female death rate ratios were 5.51 men for every woman for lip cancer, 5.37 to 1 for cancer of the larynx, and 4.47 to 1 for cancer of the hypopharynx (a type of throat cancer).

The male-female death rate ratio for cancer of the esophagus was 4.08 to 1, and 3.36 to 1 for urinary bladder cancer.

Many cancers with the highest overall death rates also showed greater death risk for men than women. The male-female ratios for lung cancer were 2.31 to 1, for colorectal cancer 1.42 to 1, and 1.37 to 1 for pancreatic cancer.

For leukemia, the male-female ratio was 1.75 to 1, and for liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer the ratio was 2.23 to 1.

Researchers analyzed the five-year survival rate of people with many types of cancer. Men had poorer survival than women for most, but the researchers say they could not assign a "singular root cause."

However, differences in screening of people without symptoms, the presence of other illnesses or health care behaviors, and differences in the behavior of the cancer may be factors in the higher male-to-female death rate for cancer, according to the researchers.

Three cancers had a higher death rate in women than men: gallbladder cancer, anal cancer, and cancer of the peritoneum, omentum, and mesentery.

Cook tells WebMD in an email that the reason for the difference in mortality rates is "not clear cut."

"For many cancer sites, male and female incidence rates have changed disproportionately over time, and this implies that the root cause of sex differences in cancer incidence rates, and by extension cancer mortality rates, are sex differences in tobacco smoking and viral infections, anti-oxidative capacity and hormones and metal toxicity."

The researchers state that future studies should focus on the factors responsible for greater rates of diagnosis of cancer among men.

Leaky Gut Syndrome: What Is It?

What you should know if you think you have leaky gut syndrome.

"Leaky gut syndrome" is said to have symptoms including bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, and aches and pains. But it's something of a medical mystery.

“From an MD’s standpoint, it’s a very gray area,” says gastroenterologist Donald Kirby, MD, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic. “Physicians don’t know enough about the gut, which is our biggest immune system organ.”

Diverticulosis

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"Leaky gut syndrome" isn't a diagnosis taught in medical school. Instead, "leaky gut really means you’ve got a diagnosis that still needs to be made,” Kirby says. “You hope that your doctor is a good-enough Sherlock Holmes, but sometimes it is very hard to make a diagnosis.”

“We don’t know a lot but we know that it exists,” says Linda A. Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist and director of the Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center. “In the absence of evidence, we don’t know what it means or what therapies can directly address it.”

A possible cause of leaky gut is increased intestinal permeability or intestinal hyperpermeability.

That could happen when tight junctions in the gut, which control what passes through the lining of the small intestine, don't work properly. That could let substances leak into the bloodstream.

People with celiac disease and Crohn’s disease experience this. “Molecules can get across in some cases, such as Crohn’s, but we don’t know all the causes,” Lee says. Whether hyperpermeability is more of a contributing factor or a consequence is unclear.

But why or how this would happen in someone without those conditions is not clear.

Little is known about other causes of leaky gut that aren't linked to certain types of drugs, radiation therapy, or food allergies.

Leaky gut symptoms aren't unique. They're shared by other problems, too. And tests often fail to uncover a definite cause of the problem. That can leave people without a diagnosis and, therefore, untreated.

It’s crucial, Kirby says, to find a doctor who will take time with you and take your concerns seriously.

“You may have leaky gut and we may be able to treat what causes it,” Kirby says. “If you have something going on, it is incumbent upon the medical community to listen to you.”

Unfortunately, Lee says, not all doctors make the effort to get at the root of the problem, and that’s what frequently sends patients to alternative practitioners.

“Often, the reason they have resorted to alternative medicine is because of what they have been told and how they have been treated by other practitioners,” Lee says.  “We need to listen.”

The Make-Up of Make-Up: Decoding Lip Balm

WebMD's guide to the history of, ingredients in, and uses for lip balm.By Shelley Levitt
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

History of Lip Balm

Around the turn of the 20th century, Charles Browne Fleet, MD, began selling a handmade "chap-stick" from his storefront pharmacy in Lynchburg, Va.  

How Lip Balms Work

The purpose of all lip balms -- even those called salves or butters -- is to protect the lips. They contain a moisturizing ingredient that forms an occlusive film on the lips, which prevents water loss, says cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson, vice president of Cosmetech Laboratories in Fairfield, N.J.

Lip Balm Ingredients

The most common occlusive ingredient is petroleum jelly. Natural lip balms use petroleum-based moisturizers, shea butter, or sunflower oil instead.

Lip Balms with Lanolin

Lanolin, a thick emollient derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep, helps heal parched, peeling lips.

Wax in Lip Balms

The addition of waxes to help lip balm adhere to lips was an important innovation. Lip balm in a tin or pot has less wax than twist-up balms, but it's just as therapeutic, Wilson says.

Lip Balms with Camphor and Menthol

Camphor and menthol in medicated lip balms act as a mild topical anesthesia to soothe irritated lips. They're also the ingredients that give lip balm its cool tingle.

Sunscreen for the Lips

Some balms contain sun protection as high as SPF 30 and antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10. Other common ingredients are vitamins C and E, which neutralize free radicals that damage the skin's collagen and elastin.

Antiaging Lip Balms

Antiaging formulas add ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (a humectant that hydrates skin by pulling water from the environment, absorbing up to 100 times its weight), atelocollagen (a moisturizer), and dipalmitoyl hydro-xyproline (a line filler), to help plump lips and reduce the furrows around the perimeter.  

Tinted Lip Balms

The wax that's essential to give lip balm its structure keeps even tinted versions from having the shine of a lip gloss or the color saturation of a lipstick. 

Lip Balm Uses

The portable and inexpensive product is often used for other purposes like softening dry elbows, knees, and cuticles; grooming unruly eyebrows; and -- in a pinch -- freeing a stuck zipper.

Lip Balm Tip

Reed Cromwell IV, director of product development for Anastasia Beverly Hills, offers this makeup artist's tip:

"When you're using a bold lipstick or bright gloss, lining the border of your lips with lip balm will keep the color from bleeding into the fine lines around your mouth. Use a lip brush to apply the balm just a slight bit beyond your natural lip line."

Going Back to Work After Baby

The transition back to work isn't always easy. Here's how to get ready -- even before your baby is born.By Linda Formichelli
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

The nursery is painted and the cabinets are stocked with newborn-size onesies. Now, it's time to think about how you'll get back to work after the baby's here. Linda Glass, an executive coach and career strategist, mom, and former director of Global Talent Strategies for Starbucks, shares her top four tips for transitioning back to the office.

Call for help. Arranging reliable care for your baby can help you get back into the work mind-set while feeling reassured that your baby is being well cared for in your absence. Ask any candidates for referrals, and use Facebook to ask your local mom friends whether they've used the person or service and what their experiences have been. And start the search early, says Glass. "You can always get a car seat last minute, but a decision on what type of care you'll need for your child takes some research and time."

Start slow. Jumping from maternity leave to full-time work can be a shock, so if possible, ask your employer to let you start off with a part-time schedule for as long as you feel your workplace culture will allow -- from a few weeks to a couple of months, says Glass. Alternatively, you can find out if your boss will be willing to let you schedule your first day back later in the week, say, on a Thursday. That way, you have only two days of work and then you get the weekend with your baby. "You're not diving into the deep end with the schedule, but easing yourself back into it," Glass says.

Write it down. Before going back to the office, write down your family's priorities and take a look at the big picture. Where can you compromise? For example, how important is it for you to have the house sparkling clean? To eat home-cooked dinners every night? "There are so many needs and only so much time, so it's about using the hours most effectively," says Glass.

Connect with the boss. To help get your head back in the game, schedule time with your boss a few weeks before your return to familiarize yourself with projects you'll be working on, says Glass. Also, ask your boss whether she has any concerns about your return so you can reassure her that you're ready to get back to work. Some bosses worry that you won't be able to focus on work, that you'll be arriving late or leaving early, or that you'll soon quit to stay at home with your baby.

What Can I Do About Morning Sickness?

Our baby expert gives helpful hints for dealing with pregnancy nausea.

In every issue of WebMD the Magazine, we ask our experts to answer readers' questions about a wide range of topics. In our July-August 2011 issue, Hansa Bhargava, MD, a pediatrician, answered a question about dealing with morning sickness during pregnancy.

A: So-called morning sickness affects about three-quarters of all pregnant women in their first trimester -- and, unfortunately, most women who get it have it all or much of the day, not just in the morning.

Women with multiples are more at risk than women carrying a single baby, and those who've had feelings of nausea in one pregnancy are more likely to suffer them again in a subsequent pregnancy. But for most pregnant women, the nausea and vomiting stop around the end of the third month of pregnancy.

In the meantime, you can try eating small meals throughout the day so your stomach is never empty and keeping simple snacks such as crackers by your bed to nibble on before you get up in the morning. Say no to dishes that are steaming hot -- they give off stronger smells than cold or room-temperature foods. And stay clear of fatty foods, which take longer than carbohydrates to digest, as well as spicy, acidic, and fried foods, which can upset your stomach.

Try to drink plenty of fluids, since dehydration can also make you feel ill. And call your doctor if you are vomiting constantly, cannot keep liquids down, feel dizzy when you stand up, or are urinating infrequently. ?These are all signs of dehydration that require medical attention.

Smoking in Pregnancy Raises Birth Defect Risk

Study Provides 'Encyclopedic' Evidence of Link Between Birth Defects and Smoking During PregnancyBy Brenda Goodman
WebMD Health News

July 11, 2011 -- Babies born to moms who smoke are more likely to have certain birth defects compared to infants with mothers who don't smoke during pregnancy, a large new study shows.

The study, a fresh look at 50 years of research, is the first scientific review of studies that have looked at the connection between smoking and birth defects. It includes information on nearly 12 million infants, including 173,000 that were born with malformed bodies.

"This is a seminal paper," says Michael Katz, MD, senior vice president of research and global programs for the March of Dimes and a professor emeritus at Columbia University.

Katz says previous studies have revealed piecemeal links between maternal smoking and birth defects, particularly the risk for cleft lips and cleft palates. But none has ever revealed such a comprehensive picture of the harms smoking is likely to cause.

"This is an encyclopedic review," Katz tells WebMD.

Experts have long suspected that smoking cigarettes was unhealthy for mother and baby. Indeed, cigarette labels already include the federally mandated warning that "smoking during pregnancy can harm your baby."

The new study shows how smoking is associated with increases in specific risks.

For the review, researchers culled 50 years of research on smoking and birth defects, narrowing their focus to just 172 studies.

They extracted data from those studies and pooled the numbers to create a big-picture look at birth defects related to cigarette smoking.

Babies born to mothers who smoked had roughly 20% to 30% higher odds of having shortened or missing arms and legs, cleft lips and cleft palates, and abnormally shaped heads or faces compared to babies born to nonsmoking mothers.

"These defects last a lifetime," says study researcher Allan Hackshaw, deputy director of the University College London Cancer Center in the U.K. "They can be fixed to some extent, but they're visible on the baby and infants and more or less for life."

Maternal smoking was associated with a 27% excess risk of gastrointestinal abnormalities, including problems with the throat, esophagus, colon, intestine, bile ducts, gall bladder, and liver.

Additionally, infants born to smokers had 50% higher odds of being born with their intestines hanging outside the body and a 20% increased risk of being born with a blocked or closed anus.

Smoking accounted for a 9% increased risk of heart defects and a 13% higher risk that baby boys would be born with undescended testes.

The study is published in Human Reproduction Update.

Cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals. Researchers don't fully understand how that toxic mixture may cause birth defects.

But they have some suspicions.

Part of the problem may be that the baby isn't getting enough oxygen when mom smokes.

Nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, causes blood vessels to constrict, which may choke off the supply of oxygen to the fetus.

And carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that's present in high levels in cigarette smoke, binds more strongly to hemoglobin -- the molecule that ferries oxygen through the blood -- than oxygen itself, lowering the amount available to the baby.

"It personally absolute stuns me that some people still smoke during pregnancy," Hackshaw says.

Studies show 14% of women in the U.S. smoke while pregnant. That number jumps to 20% expectant mothers under age 25.

"The advice has to be 'don't smoke'," says Katz.

Though smoking is a tough habit to kick, he says many women do successfully quit after they find out they're pregnant.

"The motivation is much stronger in pregnant women than in the population at large," he says. "It's less difficult to persuade people who are pregnant to stop smoking than anyone else."

Is It Safe to Have Sex During Pregnancy?

Indeed it is, says our expert, as long as you take certain precautions.

In every issue of WebMD the Magazine, we ask our experts to answer readers' questions about a wide range of topics. In our July-August 2011 issue, Sarah McMoyler, RN, a WebMD pregnancy expert, answered a question about sex during pregnancy.

A:  Yes, it is safe to have sex unless your pregnancy is high-risk -- for example, if you have placenta previa (when the placenta blocks the cervix), your doctor has placed a cerclage or surgical stitch to keep your cervix closed, or you are in preterm labor. Your baby is in a protected environment inside the amniotic sac and is buoyant from the amniotic fluid. Also, your cervix is blocked by a mucus plug, so there’s no risk of the penis “bumping” the baby.

The main issues around sex for expectant women are usually desire and/or comfort. Some women feel voluptuous and enjoy their growing breasts and new curves; others take awhile to come to terms with the dramatic physical changes their bodies are undergoing. A pregnant woman’s partner can help her feel more attractive and receptive to romance by reassuring her that she looks beautiful and her body is exciting.

That said, pregnant women shouldn’t spend too much time flat on their back. So consider lying on your side, getting on your hands and knees, or being on top during intercourse. If a woman doesn’t feel like having intercourse at all, there are other options for connecting with each other: Exchange foot massages, cuddle, or take a bath. Just have fun -- the baby is coming soon!

Nutrition for Seniors

Your dietary needs change as you age. Do you know what should be on your grocery list?

Eating well is an essential part of a healthy life, and the older you get, the more important it becomes to make good food choices. It helps keep your body strong, your mind sharp, and your energy level up. Here's a quick guide to the types of healthy foods that should always be on your shopping list.

Fruits and vegetables. Look for the most colorful produce, says Diane Stadler, PhD, RD, a research assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. "The darker the red, the deeper the green, the more yellow, the more orange -- they're the foods that have function." That means they're loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. Stadler recommends blueberries, red raspberries, and dark cherries as ideal fruits, and she says you can't miss with any of the dark leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, or Swiss chard. And you can have them all year because, when it comes to nutrients, frozen is just as good as fresh.

Caregiving Support Assessment

Things to Consider Select the number (on a scale of 1-3) that best describes your situation for each item or issue. You can total your scores if you wish to get a big picture of the situation. Lower scores indicate less manageable situations -- situations requiring additional support beyond the primary caregiver -- and higher scores indicate situations that may be more readily managed. For the care recipient and caregiver: _____ (1) There are no community support services available ___...

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Dairy. "This is an incredibly important food group for people as they get older," Stadler says. "Calcium needs are high and they stay high, and you can't get any other foods with as much calcium as dairy." Milk, for example, gives you nearly all the calcium you need in three 8-ounce servings. Dairy's also a great source of vitamin D -- it's essential for healthy bones, but people of a certain age are often deficient in D. Stick to low-fat or nonfat milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Whole grains. These powerhouse foods are pantry essentials. A good source of B vitamins, they are also loaded with some of the best-for-you fiber available. A recent study found the fiber in whole grains is better protection against cardiovascular disease, infections, and respiratory ailments than fiber from any other source. And whole-grain foods are much more widely available now. "There's a whole variety beyond oatmeal and whole wheat, such as quinoa, which is incredibly high in protein."

Meat. "If you choose it, choose wisely," Stadler says. Focus on lean meats such as skinless chicken and turkey breasts, which supply protein and vitamin B-12 without heart-clogging fats. "If you can see a layer of fat, it is saturated fat and associated with bad cholesterol," she says. You want to avoid that as well as gargantuan proportions. Stadler recommends visualizing a deck of cards when choosing a portion of meat. If there's more than that on your plate, she says, box it up or take it off your plate before you start to eat to avoid temptation.

Fish. Oily fish like salmon provide an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight the bad cholesterol that tends to build up as we get older. Stadler says just two servings of fatty fish per week are enough to meet your requirements for this healthy fat. Canned salmon is a good choice because it is often packed with some edible fish bones, adding a calcium boost. If you don't eat fish at home, order it when you go out. "That's a perfect opportunity to meet the recommendations," she says.

Take the Plunge: Get into Swimming

Low in impact and high in results, swimming tops the charts when it comes to exercise.By Jodi Helmer
WebMD the Magazine - FeatureReviewed by Pamela Peeke, MD, FACP, MPH

When she stepped into the pool in January 2009, Makeda Pennycooke didn't know how to swim. The 38-year-old executive pastor from Charlotte, N.C., had signed up for lessons in hopes of getting a workout and conquering her fear of the water.

During her first lesson, Pennycooke learned it was going to take some practice before she could swim a lap. "I was really discouraged at first because I felt like I wasn't getting it," she says, "but after two months of lessons, it started to come together and I realized that I loved swimming."

Hitting the water has long topped lists of best workouts because it's a low-impact exercise that puts minimal stress on the joints and a heart-pumping cardiovascular workout that builds endurance and helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  A 155-pound woman burns about 223 calories in 30 minutes. Plus the resistance of the water forces your body to work harder to complete each movement, toning your biceps, triceps, back, chest, stomach, and leg muscles as you swim.

"Swimming isn't about perfect strokes -- at least not at first," says Jane Katz, EdD, professor of health and physical education at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, and author of Swimming for Total Fitness: A Progressive Aerobic Program. "New swimmers should just focus on getting into the water and moving."

Not all swimming workouts are the same. How you structure your water routine and the strokes you choose make a difference. Beginners often prefer the backstroke and sidestroke, which are less difficult and don't require breathing out underwater. More experienced swimmers who want a demanding exercise session favor the butterfly and freestyle strokes, Katz says.

The trickiest part of learning to swim is mastering the art of breathing. Katz suggests practicing in the shallow end: Put your face underwater and exhale through your nose and mouth, lift your face out of the water and inhale, go back under water and exhale. Keep practicing until it feels comfortable.

Pennycooke's lessons lasted 30 minutes, and each week she was stronger, faster, and more confident in the pool. "The first time our class swam 10 laps, I was one of the last to finish, but I didn't care because I felt such a massive sense of accomplishment," she recalls. "To go from a nonswimmer to a swimmer is a huge item checked off my bucket list."

To ensure your workout goes swimmingly, swim expert Jane Katz, EdD, suggests stocking up on a few essentials:

Swim cap. A fitted cap keeps your hair in place, reduces drag in the water, and helps protect your hair from pool chemicals like chlorine. Beginners should stick with the more comfortable silicone caps, while competitive swimmers favor thinner, tighter latex caps.

Goggles. Protect your eyes from irritation and inflammation while seeing more clearly underwater. Transparent lenses are best for indoor swimming, and polarized lenses with UV protection are essential outdoors.

Sunscreen. If you're swimming outdoors, sunscreen is a must. The sun reflects off the water, increasing your risk of sunburn. "Apply waterproof sunscreen before you get in the water," says Katz.

Water bottle. Your body still sweats while you're in the pool. Katz advises taking regular breaks from swimming laps to hydrate, just as if you were at the gym.

The Honest Way to Get Your Kids to Eat Veggies

Forget hiding vegetables in baked goods. If you prepare veggies right (like in our Roasted Chard recipe), your kids will love them.

Way at the top of my list of kitchen pet peeves is fake food (such as carcinogenic add-ins and synthetic dyes). Also up there is the way some parents lie and sneak to get their kids to eat healthy food. I think it's one of the worst things we can do to our children.

The problem? Anything based on lying doesn't help kids develop a healthy and long-lasting relationship with food.

Instead, it seems to do the opposite, for three big reasons. First, if you put a cup of spinach in the brownie mix, the amount of nutrients your children will get from one serving is insignificant. Second, this switcheroo may encourage your kids to eat a few extra brownies to get to the spinach, thinking they are getting more servings of vegetables. And third, when they leave your house, there will be no spinach in brownies, so they will not know about good food's nutritional benefits and how to cook and eat delicious greens.

I get that parents are tired, and it's enticing to believe that grinding up carrots and veggies into your pasta sauce is "working." But believe me, there are ways to get kids to eat vegetables without hiding them. And it requires far less effort than the grind-and-sneak method -- and will teach your children about health, nutrition, cooking, and agriculture, all in one fell swoop. Here are some easy tips.

Start serving veggies to your kids with every lunch and dinner while they are young.Offer all kinds of vegetables. If they spit out the spinach, try Romaine lettuce, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, green beans, cucumbers, asparagus, red bell peppers, and so on.Don't overcook or "mushify" your veggies. And avoid canned vegetables. Kids like crunch and a good taste. Just like adults.Make sure you model eating and enjoying vegetables.

Yes, children will eat this! When you roast chard and salt it, it is similar in flavor to a crunchy chip. 

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

4 cups Swiss chard, tough ribs removed and chopped into ½-inch strips
(about 1 to 2 heads)

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

dash of kosher salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.

2. Lay chopped chard out over one to two rimmed baking sheets. Do not overpack chard or it will steam and take longer to cook to crispiness.

3. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil until the chard is lightly coated. Sprinkle with kosher salt.

4. Roast for 5 to 7 minutes, or until several pieces are crispy.

For an extra zip, splash with balsamic vinegar at the end.

Per serving: 17 calories, 1 g protein, 1 g fat, 1 g fiber, 101 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 50%.

Deadliest Psychiatric Disorder: Anorexia

SixFold Higher Death Rate With Anorexia -- 18-Fold if Diagnosed in 20s

July 12, 2011 -- Anorexia is the most lethal psychiatric disorder, carrying a sixfold increased risk of death -- four times the death risk from major depression.

The odds are even worse for people first diagnosed with anorexia in their 20s. They have 18 times the death risk of healthy people their age, according to an analysis of the medical literature by Jon Arcelus, MD, PhD, of the University of Leicester, England, and colleagues.

The study found anorexia to carry twice the death risk of schizophrenia and three times the death risk of bipolar disorder. Although anorexia is by far the deadliest eating disorder, death rates are also higher than normal in people with bulimia and "eating disorder not otherwise specified" (EDNOS, a common diagnosis for people with a mixture of atypical anorexia and atypical bulimia).

"Mortality rates in individuals with eating disorders are high not only for those with anorexia but also for those with EDNOS and bulimia, which highlights the seriousness of these conditions," Arcelus and colleagues conclude in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

The Arcelus study is based on analysis of data collected in 36 different studies published between 1966 and 2010. After adjusting death rates for sample size, the researchers calculate:

5.1 deaths per 1,000 people with anorexia per year. Anorexia increased death risk 5.86-fold.1.7 deaths per 1,000 people with bulimia per year. Bulimia increased death risk 1.93-fold.3.3 deaths per 1,000 people with EDNOS per year. EDNOS increased death risk 1.92-fold.

Bulimia and EDNOS carry significant risk. But Arcelus and colleagues note that people with anorexia often become bulimic, but then are at high risk of relapsing into anorexia, increasing their death risk.

Suicide is a particular risk. One in five anorexia deaths is due to suicide.

The findings show anorexia to be the most deadly psychiatric diagnosis. The anorexia mortality rate of 5.86 is dramatically higher than:

Schizophrenia, which increases death risk 2.8-fold in males and 2.5-fold in females.Bipolar disorder, which increases death risk 1.9-fold in males and 2.1-fold in females.Major depression, which increases death risk 1.5-fold in males and 1.6-fold in females.

People with anorexia often suffer from other psychiatric disorders. However, there wasn't enough consistent data for Arcelus and colleagues to tease out which disorders made anorexia most risky.

Age, however, plays a major role. Anorexia increases death risk:

Threefold when diagnosed before age 15.Tenfold when diagnosed at ages 15 to 19.18-fold when diagnosed at ages 20 to 29.Sixfold when diagnosed at ages 30 and older.

8 Healthy Facts About Apricots

Small and sweet, the golden-hued apricot is delicious raw or cooked. Try it in our Apricot Stuffed Pork Tenderloin recipe.By Chloe Thompson
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

Apricot Origins

Apricots originated in Asia more than 4,000 years ago, migrating to Persia and the Mediterranean before Spanish explorers brought them to the United States.

Frozen Pizzas: Which Taste Best?

That's amore: Americans spend a staggering $39.8 billion on fresh and frozen pizza each year. How does a store-bought frozen pie, popped in the oven or microwaved at home, stack up in terms of taste and texture? To find out, the culinary experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute conducted a taste test of 14 national brands of frozen vegetable and pepperoni pizzas — six veggie and eight pepperoni varieties. Check out our reviews of the good and not so good before taking...

Read the Frozen Pizzas: Which Taste Best? article > >

Apricot Calories

One apricot has only 17 calories.

Apricots and Fertility

In China, apricots were called "moons of the faithful" and were thought to enhance women's fertility.

Apricot Season

Fresh apricots are available year-round throughout North America. From May through August, varieties come primarily from California and Washington. The rest of the year they're likely from South America.

Apricot Vitamins

Apricots are an excellent source of vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and potassium.

Apricot Family

The fruit is a member of the Rosaceae or rose family and is closely related to similar-looking peaches and plums.

Apricot's Name

In Latin, the apricot is called "praecocquum," which means "early-ripening peach."

Apricot Selection

To select ripe apricots, look for fruit with a rich, orange color -- not pale yellow or green -- that's a little soft to the touch.

Healthy Recipe:  Apricot-Stuffed Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Makes 8 servings

ingredients

2 1-lb pork tenderloins

1 cup (about 7 oz) dried apricots, diced

1 tbsp grated orange rind

½ cup crumbled goat cheese**

3 tbsp fresh thyme, divided

¼ cup chopped walnuts, toasted

½ tsp salt

fresh ground pepper

cooking spray

2 tbsp apricot jam

 ¼ cup orange juice

1 tsp mustard

**can substitute blue or feta cheese

Directions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat and spray grill rack with cooking spray.

2. Slice pork in half lengthwise but not all the way through to create a flat piece of meat. Lightly pound pork to ½-inch thickness. 

3. Combine apricots, orange rind, cheese, nuts, and 2 tbsp thyme for stuffing. Distribute stuffing on each piece of pork and roll up jelly-roll style lengthwise.

4. Secure stuffed pork with kitchen twine, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and coat with cooking spray.

5. Combine apricot jam, orange juice, mustard, and thyme to baste pork.

6. Grill pork for 25 to 30 minutes, basting occasionally with apricot sauce and turning once. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, discard twine, and slice.

Per serving: 252 calories, 27 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate, 11 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 84 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 286 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 37%.

Expert Answers to Your Curly Hair Questions

Wrangle your ringlets and keep them in tip-top shape with our experts' product picks.By Ayren Jackson-Cannady
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

In each issue of WebMD the Magazine, our experts answer your questions about skin care, beauty, makeup, hair care, and more. In our July-August 2011 issue, Cindy Augustine, 33, a  freelance writer and editor in New York City, asked for tips on dealing with curly hair. For help, we turned to Michelle Breyer, president of NaturallyCurly.com, and Ron Robinson, cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat.com. Here's what they had to say:

Michelle Breyer's Top Picks:

The key to defined curls without the crunch is product selection and application. Pick a styling cream such as Paul Mitchell Express Style Fast Form ($17.50) and disperse it into damp hair in sections, making sure to put a little more on the ends than at the roots. Don't forget the underside of your curls -- if they're not coated in product, your risk of puffiness and frizz is greater.

After you've applied product, air-dry your tresses or use a blow dryer with a diffuser nozzle. If you still have a bit of crunch, rub a pea-size dab of John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème ($5.99) between your hands and run them through your hair from roots to ends to break up the crinkly texture.

Curly and kinky hair types love natural butters and oils like shea butter, jojoba, avocado, coconut milk, aloe vera, and honey because they instantly boost moisture. In addition, mixing the right products can be a great way to reduce frizz. Combining a moisturizing leave-in conditioner like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk ($9.99) with a defining mousse like Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse ($2.99) can foil frizz all day long.

 Ron Robinson's Top Picks:

The crunchiness you have after using some hair products might be due to the polymers in the formula that provide hold and structure to curls, which means you may be treating your hair with the wrong product. The biggest mistake is not understanding there are different types of coils -- loose, tight, kinky, wavy. Applying products designed for a curl type other than your own may leave your tresses feeling crispy.

Generally, women with fine, curly hair may require a little more firmness to maintain their curls; those with thick, curly hair may not need as much hold. Across the board, however, curly hair needs a ton of moisture. Look for ingredients like argan, jojoba, and macadamia oils, all natural emollients that hydrate hair.  

Shampoo and conditioner are just as important to the styling process. I recommend John Frieda Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Shampoo and Conditioner ($6.49 each), which contain silk proteins and olive oil that moisturize and detangle strands, prepping them for easy styling.

For a leave-in conditioner, I like Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner ($16.99), which is pumped with jojoba oil, proteins, and amino acids that work to hydrate and protect the hair. For a gel, try Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($22) with wheat protein, amino acids, and vitamin A, which work together to protect the hair from frizz-inducing humidity.

Skin Allergies May Protect Against Cancer

Breast, Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Rates Lower in Contact Allergy Sufferers

July 12, 2011 -- There may be an upside to contact skin allergies.

New research suggests that people who develop itchy rashes when their skin comes into contact with certain metals or chemicals have a lower risk for certain cancers.

Investigators say the findings support the idea that allergies may trigger the immune system to kill cancer cells before they do damage -- a theory known as the immunosurveillance hypothesis.

Contact allergies are delayed reactions to metals like nickel or cobalt or to chemicals, such as those found in plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, perfumes, and hair dyes.

Earlier research suggests that people who suffer from other types of allergies may have a lower risk for certain cancers, but the new study is among the first to look specifically at contact skin allergies.

The findings do not prove that contact allergies have a direct impact on cancer risk, but they do suggest an association, researcher Kaare Engkilde, PhD, of Denmark’s National Allergy Research Center, tells WebMD.

“These allergies haven’t really gotten much attention in research, but it looks like they may have a more systemic effect than we had previously thought,” he says.

Using Danish health registries, Engkilde and his research team were able to follow nearly 17,000 adults in that country who were tested for contact skin allergies between 1984 and 2008.

About one in three (35%) had positive reactions to at least one allergen. Women were more likely than men to have a contact allergy, with 41% testing positive, compared to 26% of men.

Using a national cancer registry, the researchers were able to determine the study participants’ long-term risk for 15 different malignancies.

When the researchers compared the allergy and cancer data sets, they found that people with contact skin allergies had lower rates of breast and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Women with skin allergies had slightly lower rates of brain cancer, but this was not seen in men.

People with contact skin allergies had higher rates of bladder cancer, which could explain the suspected link between hair dyes and the cancer, Engkilde says.

“This is speculative, but it could be that higher levels of chemical metabolites that accumulate in the blood could cause bladder cancer,” he says.

Unlike other common allergies, such as those to pollen and home dust mites, contact skin allergies stimulate the production of natural killer T (NKT) cells.

Engkilde says these NKT cells may target and kill nascent cancer cells, but he adds that more research is needed to prove the connection.

William Chambers, PhD, of the American Cancer Society (ACS) tells WebMD that the notion that an activated immune system can protect against cancer was first raised nearly 100 years ago.

Chambers is director of clinical cancer research and immunology for ACS.

“There is now wide acceptance among immunologists that cell-mediated immunity plays a role in certain cancers,” he says.

He adds that a better understanding of the association could have implications for the prevention and treatment of malignancy.

Pregnancy Changes: Your Baby, Your Body

A trimester-by-trimester look at how you and your baby are growing.

Congratulations, you're pregnant! And you're probably curious and a little anxious about what's going to happen with your body and your baby over the next nine months. Here are some highlights.

For most women, especially first-time moms, it's almost impossible for anyone to tell they're pregnant during the first trimester. As a brand-new expectant mother, you're not showing much, if at all, and the only telltale outward sign might be that smile you just can't suppress.

But inside, both your baby and your body are already working at top speed, like the Apple factory before a new iPad launches. During the next 13 weeks, your baby will:

Grow from a tiny cluster of cells called a blastocyst (about the size of the head of a carpenter's nail) at week three of pregnancy to about 3 inches long (think the length of your car key) by week 12.Develop pigment in her eyes (still hidden behind sealed lids), form a tiny tongue with taste buds, and build a full four-chambered heart beating at about 180 beats per minute.Form all of her major organs and body systems -- a critical time of structural development. The period between eight and 10 weeks' gestation is perhaps the single most crucial time for fetal development, says Annette Perez-Delboy, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

Meanwhile, there's a lot going on with you, too:

Your heart is rerouting much of its effort toward baby's temporary digs, your uterus. By the end of the first trimester, a significant amount of your cardiac output goes to the uterus.Your uterus is expanding from the size of a closed fist at conception to about the size of a small melon at 13 to 14 weeks.You may be noticing some of the first physical signs of pregnancy: breasts that are sore or tingle at the slightest touch, skin that's drier or oilier than usual, and "morning sickness" -- which may or may not restrict itself to the morning hours. As many as 70% to 80% of pregnant women have it, but not feeling morning sickness doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the baby.

Doctors often call this the "honeymoon trimester." Many women have put the nausea, sore breasts, and fatigue of the first trimester in the rear-view mirror. You're big enough to proudly show off a growing belly but not yet so ungainly that turning over in bed requires help.

During this trimester, your baby will:

Triple in length -- more or less -- from about 6 inches at week 14 or 15 to about 14 inches at 27 weeks. At the start of this trimester, she'll be about the size of a peach. By the end, she'll be more like an eggplant.Begin to hear the cacophony of sounds inside your uterus -- your pounding heart, swooshing blood as it rushes through your veins, and the gurgles of your stomach digesting lunch.Develop fine, downy hair called lanugo, which usually shows up first around the eyebrows and upper lip.

You're changing, too -- inside and out:

Most pregnant women begin to "show" during the second trimester. You likely gained less than 5 pounds during your first trimester, but now the number on the scale is edging relentlessly upward. As your second trimester proceeds, you'll gain an average of 1 to 2 pounds per week.Your internal organs will relocate to accommodate your growing uterus. Your rib cage will move upward by as much as 2 inches.Delivered right to your inbox, get pictures and facts on
what to expect each week of your pregnancy.

The Top 7 Summer Health Hazards

Beach days and BBQ dinners are great, but here's what you need to know to stay safe in summer, too.

Ryan Stanton, MD, doesn't want to meet you this summer. The Lexington, Ky., emergency room physician knows that when the weather starts heating up, so do a host of health hazards that can quickly turn a festive day at the beach into a disaster. He tells WebMD the Magazine about what brings summer revelers into his emergency room most often -- and how you can enjoy the warm weather while escaping the same fate.

Every homeowner loves the sight of a pristine, neatly mowed yard. But in their haste to get that lawn in shape, some people forget to take precautions. "In the warmer months we see lots of mower injuries -- toes, hands, and fingers getting caught in blades, and things like rocks and sticks getting flung out of them," says Stanton. "People start tinkering with the mower and reach under it to unclog it, and forget there's a spinning blade there. Those are hideous injuries."

They're also hard to repair, because not only can whirling blades cause complex lacerations and fractures, but they can bury contaminants like grass and dirt in the wound. To be safe:

Wear closed-toed shoes -- preferably with a steel toe -- when you mow, along with goggles or sunglasses, gloves, and long pants that will protect you from flying debris.Keep kids away from the push mower and off the riding mower. Riding mowers are not just another ride-on toy.Get a professional to service your mower or learn how to do it properly. Important: Disconnect the spark plug to prevent it from accidentally starting. Turning a push mower's blade manually can ignite the engine.

Stanton has lost track of how many boating accidents he's seen as an ER doctor. "People's biggest mistake by far is drinking and boating. People get out there and drink alcohol all day in the sun, and you end up with the same accidents you have with driving -- with the added risks of falling out of boats, getting hit by propellers, and drowning."

It's also easy to get lax about life jackets. "Kids need to have them on all the time," he says. "Even if having them under the seat fulfills the law, in an accident, chances are anyone who doesn't know how to swim won't be able to get to them in time."

When you are going to be out on a boat or at the beach with a child, basic lifesaving skills are a must, not a luxury. "The courses are easy, usually just one day or half a day," Stanton says. "There's no mouth-to-mouth [resuscitation] anymore if you are not trained -- just chest compressions."

You can find first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and other emergency lifesaving courses near you with the American Heart Association's ECC (Emergency Cardiovascular Care) Class Connector tool online at americanheart.org.

PET Scans May Help With Alzheimer's Diagnosis

Studies Show PET Scans May Be Useful Tool in Detecting Alzheimer's

July 11, 2011 -- A special type of positron emission tomography (PET) scan may help detect the plaques in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease, two new studies show.

The studies are published in the Archives of Neurology.

The special PET scans use radioactive tracers to highlight amyloid protein plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. They may allow doctors to diagnose Alzheimer's earlier -- even before any symptoms appear. But many people with amyloid plaques in their brain don't have Alzheimer's disease.

A progressive brain disease that leads to a decline in memory and other cognitive abilities,Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease in 2011, a figure that includes one in eight Americans older than 65.

One study shows that PET imaging using florbetapir F 18 as a tracer was able to distinguish between 68 people with suspected Alzheimer's disease, 60 people who showed signs of mild cognitive impairment, and 82 healthy older people with no signs of cognitive impatient.  

The other study looked at PET scans using fluorine 18-labeled flutemetamol tracer among seven people with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a progressive condition that causes dementia and often mimics Alzheimer's disease. These study participants had undergone brain tissue biopsies during a procedure to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus. Biopsy results correlated with those seen via PET scans.

"What you see on the scans directly reflects the amount of amyloid protein in the brain," says Adam S. Fleischer, MD, a neurologist from Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix. Fleischer is a researcher on the florbetapir F 18 study.

It is not always that straightforward, he says. Up to one-third of people older than 65 will have amyloid protein in their brains and no cognitive impairment, he says.

"It is not clear how amyloid imaging in the brain will predict whether or not you will develop Alzheimer's disease," Fleischer says. "If you have amyloid in your brain and dementia, it's highly or most likely that your memory problems are from Alzheimer's disease."

Highly likely does not mean 100%, he says.

The tests may ultimately help rule out Alzheimer's disease, instead of rule it in, Fleischer says.

"If you don't have amyloid protein in your brain, even if you have dementia, it's not Alzheimer's disease," he says. "It's a slam dunk."

Many drug companies are working on drugs that target amyloid plaques in the brain, and the only way to determine if these drugs are effective is with this screening technology, he says.

"Before we had to wait for symptoms, but now we can see if there is evidence that these drugs are removing amyloid," he says.

Dementia is a late stage of Alzheimer's disease, he says. "The pathology starts in the brain 10 to 20 years before symptoms," he says. "We need ways to identify early Alzheimer's disease in living patients and that is where amyloid imaging comes into play."

Teenage Birth Rates Are Down

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