Health, wellness, beauty 2018_11_30_18

Health, Wellness &Beauty

a blank slate media/litmor publications special section • november 30, 2018

32 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 30, 2018

OUR TOWN

The skinny on improving skin care When I was in the sixth grade we would play a game called ‘pinch.’Two boys would pinch each other’s arm as hard as possible and the ďŹ rst one to say ‘give’ lost. I learned right away that I had really thin skin with many nerve endings and Terrance Bove, my classmate, had really thick skin and was apparently oblivious to pain.

A youngsters skin is usually healthy but as you age your skin will eventually become your enemy and will lose elasticity, produce sun spots, acne, hives, itchiness in the winter, become oily or worse yet suer from cancer.

I have had my fair share of all the above so I have developed a keen awareness of my skin and its problems. But I am not alone in being obsessed with skin.

When I was younger I did a lot of TV work to discuss the psychology of sports for ESPN, ABC, and Fox and Friends.

Whether you’re a man or a woman when you arrive at the

studio you ďŹ rst go to the green room and then are escorted into a makeup room whereupon a cosmetologist puts on gobs of makeup to cover up blemishes and get rid of the oily shine.

It is there that I learned to empathize with women who are forced to put on make-up every morning.

Novelists also write about skin. The most poignant and moving passage in the novel “Hawaii� by James Michener describes a scene where the central character who was a courageous Chinese woman would spend time each night slowly inspecting her body for any signs of leprosy.

I also recall an opening scene in a Dostoevsky novel where one of the brothers carefully inspects his face to see if there are any new pimples which will ruin his day. John Steinbeck started his masterpiece “The Grapes of Wrath� by describing a waitress who would keep inspecting a lump under the skin on her neck.

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town I have always been amazed at the skin tone of professional athletes. I was the team sport psychologist for the New York Power, a professional women’s soccer team and recall how heathy and glowing their skin was. The amount of exercise they did apparently cleansed their skin and made them look radiant.

When you have good skin you look really good so it behooves us to try our best to maintain its health.

Conversely, neglected skin

can cause big problems so here are 7 tips to follow: 1. Cover up: I have recently noticed that many of the ladies on the LPGA tour have taken to wearing long sleeve shirts to protect their skin. You can do the same when you are in the sun.

2. Wear a hat: When my father got to be very old he developed a nasty cancer on his head which he refused to have treated. This is a good lesson. When you go out of doors, bring a hat.

3. Sun Screen: Years ago no one seemed to worry about sunscreen but we know better now. It is interesting to watch a golf pro in the locker room get ready to play. They don’t just dab on sunscreen they literally bathe in the stu.

4. Hydration: There is differing opinions about hydration and skin health but my belief is that you ought to stay as hydrated as you can to maintain healthy skin and to ush out toxins.

5. Moisturize: The only way to cope with itchy dry skin is to systematically moisturize each day. The best way to do this is after you shower when the pores are still open. My good buddy dermatologist Robert Paltzik, M.D. said to avoid itchy skin use soap and hot water sparingly on your skin as you shower so that the skin’s natural oils stay put.

6. Visit your friendly dermatologist: It pays to get checked up by a dermatologist.

I visit mine monthly thanks to a childhood ďŹ lled with golf and sunburns.

7. White is better than tan: Everyone wants to have that tanned outdoorsy look but every dermatologist will tell you to rethink that attitude and begin to embrace the white look.

The sun is life-giving for the planet but too much of it creates big problems for the skin.

Skin is your biggest and most exposed organ so learn to protect it every day.

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A. It is vital for seniors to regularly have their feet examined by a professional. While we routinely check for and treat conditions such as painful corns and calluses (common among the aging), we also examine the feet of seniors for indications of what could be a more serious issue.

Certainly many foot ailments cause pain, and those issues tend to drive patients to schedule examinations. It’s important to note though, that pain is not the only indicator of underlying health problems. This is why we strongly urge the elderly population to schedule regular podiatric visits so that we can monitor any changes that would indicate to us another more serious problem. It’s even more crucial to schedule these visits if a person is unable to check their own feet for visual cues of a problem or if they are unable to feel for sensory cues due to numbness. As we age, our circulation diminishes which also hinders the ability to feel pain. This can cause an existing ailment to worsen because it’s not addressed in a timely fashion when it’s less serious. It’s imperative to take proper precautions to avoid

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 30, 2018 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

By Mark Schwartz, MD, FACS, ABPh, RPVI

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34 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 30, 2018

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Identifying and understanding dehydration

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ehydration is a simple condition to understand, but one that can lead to a host of complicated problems. Many people may be quick to associate dehydration with athletes, particularly those who exercise outdoors in warm climates. But dehydration can affect anyone at any time, which only highlights why men, women and even children should learn to identify signs of dehydration and what to do should it surface.

What is dehydration?

Dehydration happens when the loss of body fluids, namely water, exceeds the amount of fluids that is taken in. When a person is diagnosed as dehydrated, that typically means his or her body has lost so much fluid that is has begun to lose its ability to function normally.

Who is vulnerable to dehydration?

Anyone can suffer from dehydration, which can be especially dangerous to young children and older adults. The Mayo Clinic notes that older adults, who naturally have a lower volume of water in their bodies, may not feel thirsty until they are already dehydrated, so it’s important that aging men and women understand that thirst is not always the best indicator that they’re becoming dehydrated. Babies may become dehydrated when they get sick with an illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea. But even teens and otherwise healthy adults can suffer from dehydration.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

Symptoms of dehydration vary with age. Parents of babies and young children should be on the lookout for signs of dehydrations, as infants and even toddlers may not be able to communicate that something is wrong.

Signs of dehydration in infants and young children include dry mouth and tongue, a lack of tears when crying, sunken eyes and cheeks, and a sunken soft spot on the top of the skull. In addition, babies who produce no wet diapers for three hours may be suffering from dehydration. A sense of listlessness or irritability in infants and young children is another potential indicator of dehydration.

Adults who experience extreme thirst may be suffering from dehydration. Less frequent urination and a dark-colored urine when going to the bathroom also is symptomatic of dehydration. Fatigue, dizziness and confusion are some additional indicators of dehydration in adults.

Can dehydration be prevented?

Dehydration can affect anyone, but there are ways to prevent it, even among those people who are especially susceptible to dehydration, such as children and older adults.

Parents of babies who are vomiting or experiencing diarrhea should speak with their pediatricians and discuss the ways to prevent such children from becoming dehydrated. Breastfeeding more frequently and giving the baby a medicine such as Pedialyte® can prevent the occurrence of dehydration in babies who are sick. The Mayo Clinic recommends parents take a proactive approach to preventing dehydration in young children, meaning they should not wait until dehydration occurs or symptoms of dehydration present themselves before taking action.

Adults who want to prevent dehydration should drink plenty of fluids and include lots of fruits and vegetables in their diets. Such foods contain lots of water and can help the body avoid becoming dehydrated.

The Mayo Clinic recommends that athletes begin hydrating the day before engaging in strenuous exercise. A telltale sign of a well-hydrated body is clear, diluted urine. Athletes should replenish their fluids during exercise and continue doing so even after they finish working out or competing.

Older adults should make a concerted effort to drink more fluids when suffering from minor illnesses, which is when such men and women most commonly become dehydrated. Drink extra water when battling influenza, bronchitis or bladder infections, remembering that feelings of thirst often surface only after the body has become dehydrated.

Dehydration is a serious yet preventable threat to men, women and children.

Learn more at www.mayoclinic.org.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 30, 2018 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

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Seminars offering education and information are offered monthly at New York Bariatric Group, Mineola, NY to those individuals who are contemplating bariatric surgery.

Lose Weight, Gain Health and Happiness Obesity can lead to other illnesses from chronic to acute, some very severe and deadly, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, coronary vascular disease, heart attack, stroke, and even cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity and overweight together are the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, close behind tobacco use.

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Weight-loss surgery, known medically as bariatric surgery, is performed on patients who are approximately 100 pounds or more overweight and have been unsuccessful with diet and exercise programs, and weight-loss medications. Someone who is 60–80 pounds overweight may qualify if he or she has a medical condition related to obesity.

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40 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 30, 2018

Understanding panic disorder

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arious disorders can disrupt daily life and compromise people’s productivity while adversely affecting their happiness. Panic disorder is one such condition and can be especially problematic because of the seeming spontaneity of panic attacks.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America notes that roughly 3 percent of Americans experience panic disorder, or PD, in a given year. While that might seem like a small percentage, it still translates to nearly 10 million people, many of whom may benefit from taking the time to understand PD.

What is PD? The ADAA says panic disorder is diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous panic attacks. These people are preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack.

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort. Panic attacks peak within minutes and are characterized by a host of symptoms, not all of which must be present to qualify an incident as a panic attack. Attacks occur unexpectedly and may even cause sufferers to awake from sleep.

Can anyone have PD? No one is immune to PD, though some people are more likely to experience PD than others. The ADAA notes that panic disorder is twice as common in women than in men. While even children can have panic disorder and may experience panic-like symptoms, PD typically begins in adults age 20 or older.

What are the symptoms of a panic attack?

Various symptoms are associated with panic attacks.

But the ADAA notes that not all symptoms linked to panic attacks must be present to confirm an attack. In fact, some people may experience limited-symptom panic attacks, which are similar to full-blown panic attacks but consist of fewer than four symptoms. Men and women should never self-diagnose, and anyone who suspects he or she suffered a panic attack should consult a physician immediately. But if at least four of the following symptoms are present, a person may have suffered a full-blown panic attack.

• Palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate • Sweating • Trembling or shaking • Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering • Feelings of choking • Chest pain or discomfort • Nausea or abdominal distress • Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint • Chills or heat sensations • Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations) • Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself) • Fear of losing control or “going crazy” • Fear of dying People who have experienced panic attacks and have not been diagnosed with PD may feel as though they are dealing with a life-threatening issue, as the intensity of attack symptoms can mimic those of conditions such as heart disease, thyroid problems and other issues. Individuals who think they might have experienced a panic attack or those who suddenly exhibited any of the aforementioned symptoms are advised to exercise caution and report incidents to their physicians as soon as possible.

Is PD treatable?

The ADAA notes that PD is highly treatable and that people who suspect they have experienced panic attacks should not hesitate to report incidents to their physicians out of embarrassment or fear.

More information about panic disorder is available at www.adaa.org.

Did you know?

A

ccording to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States. Roughly 40

million adults in the United States, or 18 percent of the country’s population, has an anxiety disorder. Developing from a complex

set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events, anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Unfortunately, the ADAA notes that less than 40 percent of those suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment of anxiety disorders can be highly effective and can even help people deal with other disorders, as the ADAA says nearly one-half of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. People living with anxiety disorders who seek treatment may find they also are suffering from depression, compelling them to receive treatment for that disorder as well and further improving their quality of life.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 30, 2018 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

How to avoid foodborne poisoning N

umerous foodborne illness outbreaks of salmonella and E. coli have occurred across the United States and Canada in 2018.

And such outbreaks are not limited to North America. In May, more than 40 cases of hepatitis A were reported in six European Union countries, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP, utilizes injections to help the body heal itself naturally. According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, platelets are cells that circulate within the blood and bind together when they recognize damage. For example, when a person suffers a cut, the platelets bind to the damaged vessel, causing a clot. However, platelets also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors as well as cytokines, which are very important in the healing of injuries.

Doctors have learned that they can use these natural healing cells to do much more in the body, particularly to lessen pain and help the growth of reparative cells that will heal musculoskeletal injuries and soft tissue damage.

infection from salmonella strains and escherichia coli are some of the most notable contagions, other illnesses can occur as well, as evidenced by the EU hepatitis outbreak. Listeria and cyclospora are some other known foodborne illness pathogens. Through the first half of 2018, warnings and recalls have been issued by the CDC for shell eggs, romaine lettuce, dried coconut, chicken salad, kratom, raw sprouts, and frozen shredded coconut due to illness outbreaks.

The ramifications of food illnesses are significant. The Food and Drug Administration and the CDC reported that 121 people in 25 states became ill in April 2018 from eating romaine lettuce grown in the region of Yuma, Arizona. Forty-six of those individuals were hospitalized, including 10 who developed a type of kidney failure.

One person in California died from the sickness.

Increased reporting about foodborne illness outbreaks begs the question as to whether or not more can be done to reduce the spread of these harmful pathogens. Contamination can occur in various places as food makes its way to dinner tables. Long-term prevention of foodborne illness outbreaks involves the cooperation of many people in the production chain — all the way to the consumer, according to the CDC. • Production and harvesting needs to be safe and clean, with efforts to keep food products free of animal waste and sewage contamination.

• Inspection of processing plants can help ensure sanitary practices are in place.

• Pasteurization, irradiation, canning, and other steps can kill pathogens during food processing.

• People who package or prepare foods must properly wash their

Platelet power could heal injuries faster P rofessional athletes have access to various medical experts to keep their bodies in top form.

Should injury arise, doctors and specialists will take innovative steps to get professional athletes back on the field as quickly as possible. One tool in their medical arsenal that has evolved over the last several years is plateletrich plasma therapy, which is now available to the public.

When two or more people get the same illness from the same food or drink source, the event is called a foodborne disease outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While

Romaine lettuce has recently been linked to various instances of foodborne illnesses.

hands and clean facilities where food is handled.

• Food service workers should not go to work when they are ill.

• Foods need to be kept at proper temperatures during transport and when on display at stores.

• Consumers should be aware of expiration dates and employ proper food handling and cooking measures. These include thoroughly washing produce, and cooking poultry, meats and other foods to the recommended temperatures.

People who experience food poisoning should report each instance to the local or state health department. Identifying symptoms and location can help health officials track illnesses and look for similar exposures.

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While the exact mechanisms are still not precisely known, Columbia Pain Management says PRP contains concentrated growth factors and chemical cell signaling molecules essential for muscle repair. The Brooklyn-based rehabilitation and sports medicine center Physio Logic says it is possible to use PRP and adult stem cells to heal and even regenerate lost, damaged or aging tissue.

The process involves some lab time and an injection. Essentially a sample of a patient’s blood is extracted and placed in a centrifuge. This spins the

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blood to separate the components, namely red and white blood cells, platelets and plasma. Through centrifugation, the concentration of platelets can increase by five to 10 times the normal concentration.

According to data published in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, preparations for PRP are not standardized, so the concentration of blood matter may vary depending on the centrifugation process. PRP obtained from apheresis results in a more consistent platelet concentration, typically five times that of whole blood. Apheresis is a more expensive procedure that requires filtration of blood circulating from patient to machine. The platelet-rich serum is then placed in a syringe and injected directly into the site of injury.

The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York says several clinical studies have demonstrated that PRP injections have improved function and decreased pain in the elbow, wrist, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle tendonosis.

Early work is also showing promise for osteoarthritis. Also, because the injections are formed from the patients’ own blood, there is a minimal risk of side effects. However, it may take a few weeks before patients experience relief.

PRP may be a medicine-free way to treat various musculoskeletal injuries. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests those considering treatment with PRP to check their eligibility with their health insurance carrier, as it is not covered by all plans.

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42 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, November 30, 2018

Save money and still get in shape

The warning signs of a heart attack A

T

he costs of getting fit can sometimes seem formidable.

Men and women on tight budgets may feel that gym memberships, home exercise equipment or costly personal training sessions are simply beyond their means. Such concerns can have longterm negative impacts on individuals’ health, which only highlights the need to find ways to save when attempting to get in shape.

While there is no shortage of ways to spend money when trying to get back in shape, there are even more ways to save when adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Buy in bulk. Many professional fitness services, whether it’s gym memberships or personal training sessions, offer greater discounts to individuals willing to make bigger commitments. Men and women who commit to a 12-month gym membership instead of going month-tomonth can typically save a substantial amount of money each month by making such long-term commitments.

For example, a gym may charge $89 for a month-to-month membership, but only $69 per month for people who commit for a full year. That’s a savings of nearly 23 percent. Personal trainers also typically offer considerable discounts to clients who commit to a greater number of sessions than those who simply purchase one session at a time.

Join a gym at the right moment.

Many gyms capitalize on people’s New Year’s resolutions to get fit by offering steep discounts to men and women who sign up at the end of December or in January. Others may discount memberships in late winter when people want to get in shape before the return of beach season. Signing up during the

height of discount season or when gyms are offering special discounts, such as anniversary or holiday deals, can save you a lot of money over the course of the year.

Work out at home. If a gym membership is simply beyond your means, create your own workout area at home. Visit a nearby sporting goods store and purchase some weights and go for jogs around the neighborhood to meet your daily cardiovascular exercise goals. If space is limited at home, embrace yoga. Yoga provides both strength and balance training, and all you need is room for a yoga mat.

Investigate your health insurance.

Many health insurance providers offer gym membership rebates to their customers. If you have never had a gym membership in the past, you may not even know if your provider offers this benefit. Gym membership rebates typically require that policy holders visit their gyms ‘X’ number of times in a sixor 12-month span (i.e., 50 times in six months or 100 times in 12 months) in order to earn rebates. A $400 annual rebate on a gym membership that costs $69 per month cuts the yearly cost of that gym membership by nearly 50 percent. If your existing insurance plan does not offer such rebates, speak with your employer about including it when the time comes to renew the insurance offerings in the future.

Getting fit does not have to break the bank. Health-conscious men and women can find numerous ways to save on their journeys to living more active lifestyles.

n umbrella term that encompasses various conditions, cardiovascular disease, or CVD, is a formidable foe. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of 17.7 million people across the globe every year, accounting for 31 percent of all deaths worldwide.

warning sign of heart attack. The AHA notes that such discomfort or pain may occur in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

If CVD statistics are alarming, then it’s important to note that many premature deaths related to CVD can be prevented. While the WHO notes that four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, men and women who learn to recognize the warning signs of heart attack may be able to get help before things escalate.

In fact, the American Heart Association notes that many heart attacks begin slowly with mild pain or discomfort. By paying attention to their bodies and learning to recognize these warning signs, men and women may be able to get help before heart attacks claim their lives.

Additional signs: The AHA notes that some people suffering from a heart attack may break out in a cold sweat, experience nausea or begin to feel lightheaded.

Chest discomfort: Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back is a telltale sign of heart attack. The discomfort may feel like pressure in the chest, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

Discomfort in the upper body: Discomfort in areas of the upper body that are not the chest also may be a

Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath may be an early warning sign of heart problems. The AHA notes that this may or may not be accompanied by discomfort in the chest.

Are symptoms different for men and women?

Symptoms of heart attack tend to be different for men and women. While the most common symptom for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort, women are more likely than men to experience additional symptoms.

According to the AHA, women are more likely than men to experience shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and pain in their backs or jaws.

The AHA urges fast action by anyone who suspects they or a loved one are suffering a heart attack. Acting quickly can save lives and help men and women avoid joining the nearly 18 million people who succumb to cardiovascular disease each year.