MyrtleBeachOnline.com: Vitality

De-stress this summer

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:40 EDT

Maybe summertime living was easy when George Gershwin penned the famous song of that name for the Broadway play "Porgy and Bess."

But so far, the summer of 2008 has been a time of stress for many people.

An unstable economy has sent investments on a downward spiral.

Have healthy fun on a trip

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:32 EDT

Before you jump in the car and head out on vacation this year, pack your cooler with healthful foods.

Grabbing a pizza or burger may be easier, but carrying your own snacks, drinks and sandwiches will be more nutritious and more economical, said Carol Gifford of AAA Carolinas.

"Then plan to stop at rest stops and/or parks along the route to have picnic meals and do some walking or brief hikes afterward," she said.

Perk up longevity with a daily cup of joe

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:24 EDT

Ever feel guilty when you drink that morning cup of joe? Well, here's a reason to enjoy your coffee instead.

A new study just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that those people who regularly indulge in their favorite coffee beverage may live longer than those who don't.

The authors of this study - the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study - reviewed data from two large ongoing studies that have followed health professionals more than 20 years, including their dietary habits. What they found was that people who drank at least five to seven cups of coffee per week had a significantly lower overall risk of dying from any cause compared to those who did not drink coffee; people who drank four to five cups per day or more seemed to have the strongest protection.

New health service in MB

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:32 EDT

Area residents with gastrointestinal problems now have access to a cutting-edge and potentially life-saving procedure right in their backyard.

Grand Strand Regional Medical Center recently joined the Medical University of South Carolina as the second hospital in the state to offer the Spyglass endoscopy, a high-technology system that will allow doctors to better find and diagnose problems in the bile duct.

Dr. Zoltan Devenyi, a gastroenterologist performing the surgery, said the Spyglass is new and still a rarity in the United States.

Dancers lose weight, gain fun

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:28 EDT

When 2001 Nightclub first opened decades ago, disco was the rage. As John Travolta demonstrated in the movie "Saturday Night Fever," it was a way for a guy to strut his stuff on the dance floor and attract the attention of the ladies.

Gerry Olivieri, who started his career as a 17-year-old DJ at New York's trendy Studio 54 and now is floor manager at 2001 Nightclub off Lake Arrowhead Road, sees a resurgence of that dancing phenomenon. Instead of the "Bus Stop," however, couples are filling the floor to do the tango, cha-cha and other ballroom dances.

Health authorities across the nation say those who've been inspired to trip the light fantastic by TV shows like "Dancing With the Stars" are reaping lots of physical rewards from the activity.

In hard economic times, depression is catching

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:48 EDT

By CHRISTINE STAPLETON

Cox News Service

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.| Unemployment scares me. And in this economy, just about everyone is a little jittery. It's one thing when you are 23 and don't have a mortgage, spouse and kids who need braces. It's quite another when you are mid-career, accustomed to $20 co-pays at the doctor's office and suddenly realize that without insurance your medications -- or, God forbid, your child's medications -- cost more than your mortgage.

'Brain fitness' market booming with aging Boomers

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:37 EDT

By MEGAN K. SCOTT

Associated Press Writer NEW YORK| Chester Santos has been training his brain for seven years.

At 32, he's not worried about losing his memory. He's taking advantage of a growing market in ``brain fitness'' spurred by aging baby boomers.

Put 'em up, slim down

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:32 EDT

Every three minutes, the whistle blows at Starr Fitness in Myrtle Beach.

It signals the end of a round in the boxing ring, but there's no fighting between personal trainer Peter Guthy and the three Myrtle Beach women working out. They get together several times a week for 90 minutes.

Guthy, a professional boxer who operates One Punch Workouts, sees his sport as use of the whole body.

IN BRIEF

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:18 EDT

CLASS

Newborn care covered

Georgetown Hospital System will hold "Handle With Care," a free baby care class, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet.

Walking while you work

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:18 EDT

1/83/8

If you can't walk to work, you might try walking at work. It doesn't take any extra time or require an immediate shower. But it does require some cash.

You can burn about an extra 100 calories an hour on one of Steelcase's new "Walkstations" - treadmills attached to height-adjustable computer work stations, designed to get you to walk a mile or two while you read your e-mail, pay bills or file motions online.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:18 EDT

InCare Hospice. 293-4614

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 803-749-4299

Low Vision. 651-3328

Group's clown needs a serious listener

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:18 EDT

Dear Dr. Brothers | I am part of a large crowd of co-workers and associated friends, mostly all in our late 20s. We are a very social group, and somehow I think I have gotten a reputation for being a joker whom no one seems to take very seriously. This is OK, but lately I have been feeling a little humiliated because I have some problems that I have tried to articulate, and my friends just laugh. They seem to think anything I talk about is a joke. So, what can I do about the important stuff?

K.G.

Dear K.G. | You seem to have made your bed, but now you are having trouble getting comfortable lying in it. I am not saying there is anything wrong with the path you have chosen to take with your friends - someone has to keep everyone entertained, right? You must have a talent for finding the humor in things, and the good nature to take some ribbing when the joke is on you. But I see exactly where you're coming from when you don't enjoy having everyone turn away each time the clown starts to cry. Now, what to do about it?

Satisfaction increases when patients know how long they have to wait

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:18 EDT

The first step to helping emergency room patients feel better could be ... no, not treating them or helping them control their pain, but telling them how long they'll have to wait. That's the finding of a recent national survey of more than 1.5 million patients in over 1,600 ERs.

The survey, conducted by health care consulting firm Press Ganey, found that although satisfaction decreased the longer a patient waited, consistent communication with ER staff helped people feel comfortable and cared for.

In 2007, the average ER visit lasted four hours and five minutes - five minutes longer than in the previous year. (In Virginia, the average wait was 30 minutes longer. In Maryland, it was 41 minutes longer. The wait time wasn't identified in D.C.)

A little exercise is better than none

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:17 EDT

So how much exercise do you actually need to be fit?

The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association suggest moderately intense cardiovascular exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week; or vigorous exercise 20 minutes a day, three days a week.

They also recommend eight to 10 strength training exercises each week, with each one done for eight to 12 repetitions.

Vegetarianism is beneficial, if you know what you're doing

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:17 EDT

Question | Is a vegetarian diet always best in terms of health and weight control?

Answer | The fact is that "a vegetarian diet contains the fundamentals for reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, stroke and obesity," said Joan Salge Blake, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., registered dietitian and nutrition professor at Boston University and author of "Nutrition & You" (Benjamin Cummings, 2007).

In general, "Vegetarians do not consume animal flesh, such as beef, pork, chicken, fish or seafood. Lacto-ovo vegetarians consume both milk and eggs, in addition to eating a plant-based diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Lacto vegetarians will eat milk products, such as cheese, milk and yogurt, in addition to their plant-based diet, but they do not eat eggs. Vegans consume no animal products whatsoever, which means no eggs, milk, butter or gelatin," explained Anne VanBeber, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., associate professor and chair of the department of nutritional sciences at Texas Christian University.

DR. ELIZABETH SMOOTS PRACTICAL PREVENTION Avoid food poisoning during the holiday

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:17 EDT

Planning a picnic or barbecue for the Fourth? Be sure to guard against foodborne illness. Each year during summer festivities, thousands of people contract food poisoning from bacteria, viruses and parasites in the environment. To learn where the dangers lurk and how to avoid them, try this quiz.

1. Foodborne illness is merely a nuisance. True or false?

2. Common sources of food poisoning include:

Cranberry products cut urinary tract infections

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:12 EDT

Question | I've recently had two urinary-tract infections, both of which went away with antibiotics. My mother gets them, too, and she suggested that I drink cranberry juice daily to prevent future problems. My husband says this is just an old wives' tale. Is there any evidence that cranberry juice might help?

Answer | Urinary-tract infections are common in women of all ages. They can affect any part of the urinary tract, but most occur in the bladder, causing frequent, urgent and painful urination. Other symptoms might include blood in the urine and lower-abdominal pressure or pain. Less often, the kidneys become infected, causing back pain, nausea, vomiting and high fever.

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria called Escherichia coli, or E. coli, which is abundant in human feces. E. coli can travel from the anus to the urethra when you move your bowels or have sexual intercourse. After gaining a foothold in the urethra, the bacteria can move up the urinary tract to the bladder or kidneys. Some strains of E. coli are particularly likely to cause infections because they are able to stick to the cells that line the urinary tract.

Be smart, stay cool

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:52 EDT

If anyone knows how to stay cool in the heat, it's Ballou Skinner.

The 72-year-old retired physics professor from Coastal Carolina University started a tennis group in 1995, and the eight men who meet near the marina in downtown Conway play for hours on two adjacent courts.

During the summer, the tennis courts are empty many days. The heat keeps others away, but not this group. Despite the scorching sun, the men only slow down during breaks between games.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:20 EDT

Al-Anon. 449-0187

Alcoholics Anonymous. 445-7119

ALS. 650-6106

HEALTH BUZZ

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:20 EDT

MARATHON

Time to prepare for annual race

A class starting at Pepper Geddings Recreation Center July 1 will help you prepare to run the Myrtle Beach Half-Marathon on Feb. 14.

DR. ELIZABETH SMOOTS PRACTICAL PREVENTION Pros, cons of alternative therapy

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:19 EDT

Dietary supplements. Meditation. Chiropractic manipulation. Acupuncture. These are just a few of the alternative approaches that are gaining popularity. What do they have in common? All take advantage of your body's innate ability to heal itself using the mind, body and spirit continuum. And many of the practices are quite promising.

Few, however, have been rigorously or extensively studied using scientific techniques. Hence, the name complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM - defined as products and practices that lie outside of conventional medicine.

Growing numbers of people are using CAM to prevent and treat disease. A nationwide government survey shows that nearly half of adults have tried CAM at some point in their lives, and 36 percent reported using it in the past year. Especially likely to turn to CAM are people with acute and chronic medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, back pain and depression, according to government data.

Grill your fish the right way and get better results

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:14 EDT

Grilling gives fish great flavor without the need for lots of added cooking fat. But this healthy method for cooking seafood can be stressful if you don't get the technique right.

The problem is that most fish has delicate flesh that tends to stick to the grates. What's even worse, the fish then falls apart when you try to flip it.

Success comes down to choosing the right fish and knowing how to prepare and maintain your grill.

Use sunscreen, attire to block sun's rays

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:14 EDT

You're all set for a day at the beach or on the boat. Snacks and beverages are packed, towels are tucked into your tote bag and you've got sunglasses and a book or two to browse.

Is your protective sunscreen in there, too? Hopefully it is. Your skin is something you really want to protect from sunburn, even moderate tanning.

"There is no such thing as a 'healthy tan,'" said Leslie Coker, a dermatologist and the mother of a 2-year-old daughter in Hampton, Va. "Tanning of the skin is a result of ultraviolet ray damage to the DNA of your skin cell. Sun damage is cumulative. A golden tan while you are young could mean skin cancer and a leathery hide when you are middle aged."

Sen. Kennedy's cancer a complex problem

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:14 EDT

Question | U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy's recent health problems made me start wondering about seizures. What are they? Are they often caused by the type of brain tumor - a glioma - from which he is suffering?

Answer | We were all saddened to hear of Kennedy's seizure and the subsequent diagnosis of a malignant glioma. This is a tumor that arises in the support tissue that helps keep brain cells together and functioning well. The term "malignant" means that the glioma probably has tentacles reaching into nearby brain tissue, making it tricky to remove surgically. A "benign" tumor usually has distinct borders and doesn't invade other tissues.

The location of Kennedy's tumor further complicates treatment. It's in the parietal lobe, the area of the brain that processes complex sensory information and spatial orientation. And the left parietal lobe, where the senator's tumor lies, is also responsible for various communication skills, such as understanding the meaning of words and certain reading and writing abilities. In general, the left half of the brain is the dominant side and controls sensation and movement on the right side of the body.

read this for a quick mid-life sexual esteem boost

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:51 EDT

By Joel Block, Ph.D.

LetLifeIn.com Studies have shown that people who have high self-esteem live longer, healthier lives, continue to enjoy sex throughout their lives, and are more optimistic about the future. At midlife, most of us suffer an occasional blow to our esteem. We look in the mirror and recoil at the image of our mother (or father) looking back at us.

DEALING WITH A BLOW TO THE ESTEEM

Richard Simmons has many secrets

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:46 EDT

By Kevin Pang

Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO| You know what he looks like. The sparkling tank top and barely there short-shorts. That hair. Perhaps you know he wasn't always in the greatest shape. A New Orleans boy in love with his hometown food (and it showed), he turned himself into America's loudest, dancingest, sweatiest, most-recognizable fitness icon.

Fetal ultrasound is a safe diagnostic tool

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:18 EDT

Question | I am pregnant with my first child. My doctor wants me to have an ultrasound in a few weeks. What happens during this test? Is it safe for my baby?

Answer | Ultrasound uses sound waves to create pictures of the fetus as it develops in the uterus. The ultrasound transducer, or probe, sends out high-pitched sound and then "listens" for the echoes that bounce back off the tissues in the body. A computer "translates" this information into ultrasound images, or sonograms, which can be seen on a video monitor.

During the test, you will lie on your back, and the doctor or ultrasound technician will squirt a clear gel onto your belly to help the transducer slide around easily. A picture will appear on a computer monitor, and the doctor or technician will move the transducer back and forth to see your baby from many different angles. The exam should not be painful.

HEALTH BUZZ

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:18 EDT

MURRELLS INLET

Services for uninsured

Uninsured women will have access to screening mammography, ultrasound and education during a series of breast health clinics offered by Georgetown Hospital System.

Cutting back on red meat can lower cancer risk

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:18 EDT

DR. ELIZABETH SMOOTS

If you're like most Americans, your daily menu contains a lot of meat. You might have sausage or bacon with breakfast. A hamburger makes a favorite lunch. And for a hearty dinner, there's steak or pork chops.

But the meat-and-potatoes mindset is slowly killing us. Convincing evidence has linked a diet high in red meat with colorectal cancer, according to a report from the American Institute for Cancer Research. Nearly 150,000 Americans are afflicted with this cancer each year, and more than 50,000 die from the disease.

Learn about Alzheimer's care

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:18 EDT

ASK DR. BROTHERS

Alzheimer's disease affects about 24 million people worldwide. Because of the nature of the disease, caregivers play a very important role, and it is essential for people to understand this role. This quiz will test your knowledge of Alzheimer's disease itself, as well as some of the challenges that caregivers face in dealing with this devastating disease.

Answer true or false for each question.