Health Briefs Relays Doctors' Stories of Things They Shouldn't Have to Tell Us

Health Briefs has heard a number of stories from frustrated doctors who are constantly surprised by the level of misinformation that is rampant among the public.  Urban myths and old wives tales do not go away by themselves.  One doctor was dismayed when a teenaged patient came in saying she couldn't see.  It seems she enjoyed looking directly at the sun and now she has holes burned into the retina of both eyes.  Not looking directly into the sun?  Wearing sunglasses when out on a sunny day?  Aren't those things self-evident?  Wouldn't someone know that without having to be told?  Apparently not.

Health Briefs has learned of a high level of misinformation about things most of us thought were obvious.

The Health Briefs TV show has heard doctors say that some people still think "pulling out at the last second" is a viable way to avoid HIV/AIDS as well as pregnancy.  This, of course, is one of the oldest myths and one we thought had been put to rest in the 1960s.  Sadly, it hasn't, and nowadays this kind of behavior comes with risks far beyond just an unwanted pregnancy.  Then there's the idea that consuming vast quantities of fiber can cure a case constipation when, in reality, it can seriously compound the situation.  Doctors also tell of people who put off minor surgical procedures such as having a mole removed, but the resulting melanoma can be fatal if neglected.  And exercise alone is not enough to lose weight if one is simply going to overeat to compensate for the calories burned.  A good workout makes one feel hungry, and that's for a reason.  The body is trying to make up for what it lost, and that's no path to weight loss.

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Health Briefs and Understanding Lyme Disease

More than 300,000 people across the country were diagnosed with Lyme disease last year, according to the CDC. Health Briefs offers some help in trying to understand it.

Lyme disease can suck the energy from someone who has it.  It does not kill people, but it can harm joints, the heart and nervous system if not found and treated quickly. But it can be hard to find since most people don’t realize they have it.

Some of the initials symptoms include: a bull’s eye rash, fever, headache, fatigue, and nausea. Lyme disease is caused by bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi and people get it from the bites of infected deer ticks. It is in the same spirochete group of bacteria as syphilis. But it is treatable with antibiotics if found early on.

People with Lyme disease will feel overly tired and complain of symptoms which sound much like the flu. Encourage them to visit their doctor and be tested to Lyme. Keep in mind that some of those who are undergoing treatment for this disease may still feel lousy. Understanding and patience is appreciated.

To prevent tick bites, Health Briefs TV recommends wearing lightweight long pants tucked into socks when in wooded areas, wear a lightweight long sleeved shirt and use an insect repellent with DEET. Check all clothing, gear and the vehicle for ticks also. Take a shower when home. Check everyone for any unusual rashes or marks on their skin. Seek medical attention if the tell-tale rash is found.

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Health Briefs Reports That There Isn't Much That Will Successfully Tell Mosquitoes to Buzz Off

Health Briefs cautions carefree people to beware the ultimate summer-wrecker -- mosquitoes.  There are some 3,500 species of mosquito and while not all of them are waiting to land on an unsuspecting human and enjoy a blood meal, there are many who certainly are.  It's only the females that bite us, but there are so many of them that it may seem like they are all after us.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, the idea that eating certain kinds of food and wearing dark clothes will attract the little flying demons are myths.  Those with Type O blood and pregnant women don't need to fear that they are a preferred meal because that has been dispelled as a myth as well.

Health Briefs has found a CDC report dispelling many of the myths involving mosquitoes.

The Health Briefs TV show has learned the list of factors that do attract mosquitoes to bite one.  They prefer men over women, adults over children and overall, larger bodies over smaller ones.  Part of this may be because they are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide in our exhaled breath and a larger body will simply produce more of both.  Moreover, there is a certain chemistry in the sweat and other skin secretions of certain people that will attract a swarm of mosquitoes.  This is why at a crowded garden party, one or two unfortunate souls may find themselves the preferred buffet for the local mosquito population while others get away unscathed.  And unfortunately, the CDC also says that citronella and other natural repellants are ineffective as a repellant.  According to the scientists, the only thing that works is products containing DEET, to the dismay of health-conscious, environmentally responsible individuals.

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Health Briefs TV Offers Tips on How to Avoid Overeating

The holiday is over and no doubt, many of us have overindulged too much. Health Briefs TV offers some tips on how to get back to eating healthy and how to avoid overeating.

That heavenly cheeseburger or those luscious barbecue ribs are gone. The potato salad, the Key Lime pie, the cold beer – consumed with gusto. It’s back to normal for everyone now. Below are some suggestions about how to get back to eating healthy.

Drink plenty of water all day long. This helps fill us up so that we will not consume too much food and food which is not healthy.

Turn the lights off and light some candles. A study by the journal Psychological Reports found that people who dined in a relaxed environment with dimmed lights and quiet music ate about 175 calories less per meal than those in a fast food place.

Aromas are particularly helpful when wanting to eat less. The more flavorful the food the less we eat. So add some fresh herbs to food. Health Briefs TV encourages readers to spice up food.

Slow down when chewing food. The slower we eat, the less we eat as researchers found in a study. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietics learned that the more we chewed, the less we ate. Slow down and enjoy the flavor. It cuts calories.

Turn the TV off and leave digital devices away from the table. Mindless eating is one in which we pay no attention to what’s going down the hatch. Turn attention to the food in the fork or spoon instead of the TV show or text.

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Health Briefs and Why Dark Chocolate is Good for Us

There are many studies out explaining why dark chocolate is healthy. A small amount of it helps the heart, mind and soul. Health Briefs learns of a new study showing good results for those with diabetic artery leg problems.

The study which was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association explains how those dealing with artery issues in their legs are able to walk longer and farther when they consume some dark chocolate. The rich confection contains polyphenols which can ease the pain of peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to the study’s authors. PAD narrows arteries to the stomach, arms, legs and head and blood flow is reduced. This causes fatigue and cramping as well as pain when walking. The study, which included 14 men and six women between 60 and 78 years old who ate dark chocolate, walked farther and longer than those who did have any chocolate. HealthBriefs has reported on the other health benefits of dark chocolate previously. It contains antioxidants which help the body’s cells resist damage and flavanols that are good for heart health.  We do, however, caution readers to enjoy this healthy treat in moderation. Remember that what’s good for the body is good for the soul.

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Health Briefs Asks: Are We Overdosing on Caffeine?

The recommended daily amount of caffeine we should consume is between 200 to 300 milligrams per day. This is the equivalent of two to four cups of coffee. Health Briefs learns that we can easily overdose on caffeine in one day. Here’s how to cut back.

Caffeine asks as a stimulant in humans. It can be found in seeds, leaves and the fruit of plants such as coffee or kola nuts. But we are not ones to chew on kola nuts. Instead, we drink coffee by the pot, energy drinks by the giant can and spend too much money on specialty java at local coffee shops.  Nutritionists inform us that energy drinks can contain about 80 milligrams of caffeine in an eight-ounce can and the 16 ounce cans may contain up to 240 milligrams. Those extra large cups of coffee and have up to 300 milligrams of caffeine in them. All of this adds up to a monster caffeine overdose.

If one feels overly shaky, Health Briefs suggests drinking several large glasses of water to dilute the caffeine in the body. Stay away from foods with coffee flavoring.  People who feel tired and feel they need to wake up before driving or going to work should be mindful of how much caffeine they really need in order to be more alert. One eight ounce cup of coffee will do the job. One small can of an energy drink will also help the sleepy one wake up.

Parents of young adults should caution children that caffeine powders, energy drinks and excessive coffee drinking has adverse affects on their health. There is no logical reason why any teen should buy and take caffeine powder or drink more than one highly-caffeinated energy drink per day. A healthy lifestyle will circumvent any need for overdosing on caffeine. 

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Health Briefs and the ACP Guidelines for Annual Pelvic Exams

Recent news reports have mentioned that the American College of Physicians (ACP) have challenged the need for women for have annual pelvic exams when they are healthy and not pregnant. Health Briefs takes a look at their findings.

The ACP conducted studies between 1946 and 2014 that found that there were more risks when women had annual pelvic exams such as false positives for cancer and STDs. This creates unnecessary procedures and can result in physical and psychological harm for the patient. In a review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the journal of the American College of Physicians, the group also recommended guidelines for limiting the annual exam to visual inspection of the cervix when doing a Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus.

Health Briefs suggests women seek the advice of their regular gynecologist as a review of the family history should be taken into account. Regular screenings can find fibroids and tumors which may or may not be detrimental to the patient’s health.  If there is no family history of cancer, and if the patient is not pregnant, it is possible to skip the full annual exam. If there are questions, schedule a consultation with the doctor and do not rely on the word from those who answer the phone. It is the doctor whose education, knowledge and experience you trust.

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