FitSugar

Are You at Risk For Meniere's Disease?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:00:00 PST

If you've ever had a little too much to drink, you probably experienced that dizzy sensation where you feel like the room is spinning, know as vertigo in medical-ese. Unfortunately, people diagnosed with Meniere's disease don't have to drink in order to experience such debilitating dizzy spells. Vertigo episodes occur out of the blue, with no apparent cause, in some cases lasting up to eight hours. Aside from dizziness, this disease may also cause ringing in the ear (tinnitus), hearing loss, sweating, uncontrollable eye movements, and vomiting.

Sounds unbearable. To find out if you're at risk for Meniere's disease

read more. Meniere's is a disorder of the inner ear that usually occurs in men and women in their 30s. Scientists aren't sure what causes this disease, but it may be related to any of these reasons: middle ear or respiratory infections, stress, fatigue, syphilis, Lyme disease, a history of allergies, smoking, alcohol use, or head injury. Although Meniere's is not contagious, it may be genetic. Unfortunately, there's no known cure for Meniere's disease, but a person can help prevent dizzy episodes by lowering the endolymphatic pressure in her inner ear. To do this, medication may help, as well as stress reduction and a low-sodium, no caffeine, no alcohol diet. If symptoms become severe and the person can't work or drive, surgery may be necessary. If these symptoms sound familiar, it's best to get tested by your doctor. Source

Altuzarra Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:27:47 PST

Just when we thought we couldn't swoon any more over Joseph Altuzarra's creations, the designer sent us on a dizzying trip around the world via brightly hued Moroccan-chic knitwear, chunky fringe, plush shearling, and quirky coin embellishments. From 1940s Parisian silhouettes to ultra-tailored naval coats and equestrian-inspired jodhpurs, to the whimsical markings of a visit to a Marrakesh marketplace, this collection was all about mixing it up. The result? A sultry blend of super-structured jackets, pants, and fur-lined outerwear paired perfectly with eclectic fringe-laden skirts, Indian-braid schoolboy sweaters, and coin-infused cocktail dresses. Slick, tasseled, patent-leather ankle boots and knee-high riding boots completed each look - a fitting accessorized finish for the well-traveled style setter who knows where she's going next.

Trends: Global traveler, fringe, coin embellishments, equestrian-inspired silhouettes, fur-trimmed collars, quirky updates on the Fair Isle print.
Colors: Earthy brown, black, navy, ivory, gold, and bright pops of Moroccan oranges and reds.
Key Piece: The vibrant coin-sashed orange dress embodied Altuzarra's worldly take on his Fall '12 lineup.
Accessories: Chunky cummerbund belts, patent-leather ankle boots, and knee-high riding boots, complete with slick tasseled add-ons.
Who Would Wear It: The downtown cool girl with a flair for spontaneity, like Kate Bosworth, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Olsen.

No Headphones? 5 Ways to Entertain Yourself on the Treadmill

Leta Shy — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:44:44 PST

I love running on the treadmill, but let's be honest: it's not the most entertaining workout. I usually distract myself from counting down the minutes with a good playlist, audiobook, or tuning in to the gym's TVs. When I forget to take my running headphones, however, I have to entertain myself in an entirely different way. Here are some ways to keep yourself entertained (not to mention motivated!) when you can't do your normal headphones-on, tune-everything-out routine.

Change up your intervals: You should be doing this anyway once you've mastered your current workout, but if you're used to going through the motions, now's the time to change your intervals or the speed of your high-intensity runs.
Take a fit test: See how fast you can run in a set period - say, five minutes - without stopping (make sure you don't overdo it, though - stay at a level where you don't feel short of breath, lightheaded, or dizzy). Doing a fit test regularly is a good way to gauge your progress if you've been running regularly and if it's time to pick up the pace. Plus you may be surprised by just how fast you can really go!

Read on for more.

Tops Are Making a Resurgence, But You Won't Recognize Them!

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:34:57 PST

Everything old is new again - just with a different spin on them. Tops, the classic toys that have occupied tots for hundreds of years received a 21st century makeover with the introduction of Beyblades. Using a "launcher," or a rip cord, the tops then spin on the floor or in an arena where they battle to see which can spin the longest. The sleeper-hit holiday toy of the season, Beyblades were one of the most requested toys among kindergarten to fifth-grade boys last month.

Now Hasbro is set to put a decidedly girlie spin (pun intended) on the age-old toy. In March, the company (which also distributes Beyblades) will expand the FurReal Friends line with the introduction of Dizzy Dancers ($9) - a collection of "twirling, dancing pets." Using the familiar rip cord (now called a Dizzy Cord), the stuffed animal-topped toys can be launched to spin their way around the home. The cute characters are interchangeable, so they can be mixed and matched to create custom pets. Each package will also come with a "Twistin' Tricks Card" to teach lil ones new ways to spin.

Similar to Lego's recent launch of girl-friendly Lego Friends, how do you feel about female versions of popular toys?

Brad Pitt Takes a Morning Meeting While Celebrating His Oscar Nomination

Allie Merriam — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:02:11 PST

Brad Pitt had help with his umbrella yesterday at the Beverly Hills Hotel in LA. He was there for a very early morning meeting around the time that he found out about his Oscar nomination in the best actor category for his role in Moneyball! There was more great news in store for Brad because two of his films, Moneyball and The Tree of Life, are up for best picture as well. This means we have yet another Brad and Angelina red-carpet sighting to look forward to when they attend the ceremony on Feb. 26.

In response to the great news from the Academy, Brad said, "This is an extraordinary honor. I am dizzy with joy . . . and caffeine. Considering both films, Moneyball and The Tree of Life, nearly didn’t make it to the screen, this is especially sweet . . . My congratulations to all the nominees - pancakes for everyone." Also, find out how other stars reacted to their Oscar nominations.

From the Community: Exercises to Avoid Later in Pregnancy

OnSugar — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:31:42 PST

Recently, OnSugar blogger Coach Lark Says offered advice on how to work out while you're pregnant and in your first trimester. Here's a follow-up post with more advice on exercises to avoid in your second and third trimesters.

In my last post, I went over the benefits to exercising while pregnant and listed some basic guidelines.

In the second and third trimester, you should limit or avoid altogether:

Supine (back lying) exercises, especially exercises where the legs are not moving. These can cause some circulatory problems with blood returning back to your heart from your uterus.

Two more exercises to limit in your second and third trimesters after the break.

The Consequences of Overtraining, and How to Prevent Them

Leta Shy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:20:20 PST

We may want to push ourselves to meet new goals, but there can be a fine line between pushing ourselves to the limit and overtraining. And research has shown that more and more of us are actually pushing ourselves past what is healthy for our bodies when we train.

Serious athletes are trained to exert their bodies to their max point, and many recreational exercisers, from the grunting guy straining to lift too much at your gym to your friend who always complains she feels dizzy after a workout, may think they should do the same, all the time. The problem is that recreational athletes may lack the knowledge to know when their bodies are telling them to rest, which makes them perform worse - and, as a consequence, just want to train even more to start seeing results. That can lead to a vicious, painful, and exhausting never-ending cycle of overuse injuries, constant fatigue, and worsening athletic performance.

When it comes to your own workout, don't be that person. Read on for some important tips for preventing those unpleasant consequences of overtraining

How to Prevent a Bad Running Day

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:56:02 PST

Some days I slip on my sports bra and sneaks and I feel so light and strong - like I could keep going and going. Other days it seems like my legs are trudging through mud. What gives? We can't prevent bad running days entirely, but here are a few things you can do in order to have more good days than bad.

Get enough sleep the night before. Hit the hay early enough so you get seven to nine hours of shut-eye.
Make sure you're hydrated. Not drinking the appropriate amount of water before and during your workout can lead to dizziness, headaches, decreased energy and performance, dry mouth, and cramps. A few hours before running, drink about 15 to 20 ounces. Drink another eight to 10 ounces 10 to 15 minutes before heading out.
Eat before your run. Remember that food is fuel. If you're not working out for five or so hours, enjoy a meal that contains protein, fat, and carbs. Several hours before a run, eat a meal that's under 500 calories. Thirty to 90 minutes before you head out, enjoy a carb-loaded low-fat snack. If you're working out first thing in the a.m., fuel up with easily digestible carbs that are low in fiber. Getting too much fiber can cause major cramps during your run.
Hit the ladies room. There's no need to carry unnecessary weight with you, so if you can relieve yourself before your run, you'll feel much lighter and will be less likely to experience belly aches.

See more tips after the break!

Cover Your Floors in Kaleidoscope Motifs

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:00:14 PST

There's nothing like an exuberant rug to give a room high-impact design. These psychedelic styles have a delightfully dizzying effect that almost gives them a three-dimensional appearance. I like the idea of layering them with super traditional pieces, like a leather chesterfield sofa. I've rounded up some of my favorite examples on the market right now in a range of prices to suit every budget.

This Lourdes Sánchez Bull's-Eye Rug ($130-$750, top row, center) looks especially cool when positioned under a focal piece of furniture - it creates an illusion of a frame of rays.

The shapes in this Flutter Pattern Rug ($80-$1,300, bottom, left) look like they might start to move at any second, truly capturing the effect of a kaleidoscope. The multitude of colors makes it easy to incorporate brightly colored accessories like teal, magenta, and mustard.

The octagonal pattern in this FIGUR Rug ($450, bottom, right) is almost a spinoff of a more traditional chain-link motif - only much more adventurous! These sultry, '70s colors would look amazing in a walk-in closet.

Click on each rug for more information or to buy directly!

5 Reasons You Need More Sleep

Shape — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:14:00 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Whether you admit you need help nodding off or are still in denial about the major suitcases under your eyes, chances are you could use an intervention: a full two-thirds of Americans say they have trouble getting enough shut-eye at least once a week. That’s pretty harrowing, considering that sleep is absolutely essential for health and normal functioning. If you need a reason to hit the sack early read on. You’ll be surprised how much skipped sleep impacts your well-being.

You'll Live Longer
Chronic insomniacs are more likely to suffer a heart attack than those who sleep well, according to new research in the journal Circulation. Other studies have linked lack of sleep to a higher risk of dying from a stroke and developing breast cancer.

See even more benefits of sleep after the break!