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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Health Briefs on Preventing Heat Stroke

Heat strokes can affect anyone who is outside in the sun on a hot day working or on a practice field for a sport. Health Briefs reminds readers about how to prevent a heat stroke and what to do if someone suffers one.

The symptoms of heat stroke are: nausea, headache, dizziness, vomiting, skin is hot to the touch and possibly a change in behavior such as agitation. When someone exhibits these signs of heat stroke, there are specific steps to take before an emergency teams are called.

The National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA) issued new guidelines for coaches and adults who work with student athletes: cool the patient down before the medical response arrives.  If the patient’s core body temperature can be cooled down for at least 30 minutes before an ambulance arrives, the chances of saving that life improve greatly. The same rule should apply to anyone who seems to display symptoms of heat stroke.  The Health Briefs TV show encourages those who lead kids in summer athletic programs and school sports practices to start slowly when taking kids outside to practice when they have been indoors. Be aware of asking young athletes to don full uniform in the heat of the day. And always be sure there are plenty of cold drinks on hand from water to sports drinks to replenish fluids, vitamins and minerals lost to sweating. Be alert and safe summer training sessions. 

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Health Briefs on the Over Fortification of Food

Grocery store shelves are chock full of products touting how many vitamins and nutrients are in the products. But some health experts believe that over fortification can be harmful to children. Health Briefs takes a look into it.

The Environmental Work Group, an organization which found that nearly half of children eight years and younger, were consuming possibly dangerous amounts of vitamin A, zinc and niacin when they consume over fortified foods. Researchers found that of the approximately 2,550 products which were fortified 114 had 30% or more of the adult daily value for some vitamins and nutrients. This can cause liver damage, skeletal abnormalities and hair loss in some kids. While some additional vitamins and nutrients are healthy, adults caring for children should be aware of how many fortified foods they are giving to children every day. The Health Briefs TV show believes that a nutritious diet of whole grains, fresh fruit and produce is healthier for children of any age. If children are in need of extra vitamins and minerals in their daily diets, seek the advice of a pediatrician. There are other options which are better for children’s growing bodies such as vitamins and drinks.