FitSugar

Has a Workout Ever Moved You to Tears?

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:30:00 -0800

Exercise can do more than just benefit the body; it can also offer an emotional release as well as provide much-needed self time. A contestant on The Biggest Loser cries every time she sprints on the treadmill. I have had Pilates clients ball their eyes out as they rediscover their long lost deep abs post C-Section, or out of frustration over their pain. I'd be lying if I said I have never been moved to tears in a workout; some of the tears have been for the joy of movement and some have provided a much-needed release.

I am curious: has this ever happened to you?

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Another Reason to Exercise: Release Pent-Up Emotions

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

If you've ever been exercising and just wanted to break down in tears, you are not alone. This is because sometimes exercise may release a surprising slew of pent-up emotions.

Karol Ward, a therapist in private practice in New York City, weighs in on getting emotional while working out:

The body holds on to feelings, even if it seems the mind has dealt with them. So if a person has the opportunity to relax that area, whatever has been held there can come to the surface. The body wants to complete the emotional experience.

This may explain why some of us find a good hard workout at the gym a very liberating and stress releasing experience after a hardship in our lives. If you find yourself in tears, then it should not be anything to worry about (unless you are in pain of course). I will say, however, that I have not been moved (pun intended) to tears, but I would love to hear from anyone that has so share your stories in the comments section below.

Fit's Tip: Crying during exercise can be a great stress-reliever, but sometimes people need professional help outside of working out to deal with their own issues.

Source

5 Things About Crying

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Crying is an emotional release and if you feel the need to cry you should let it out. Here are a few facts about the act of crying. I thought they were interesting, so of course I wanted to share.

Emotional tears have a different chemical composition than tears caused by irritants, such as onions.
Crying in public was considered normal until the Industrial Revolution, when diligent unemotional workers were needed to operate machinery.
Men’s tear ducts are smaller than women’s tear ducts.
One major stress hormone released from the body via tears, prolactin, is found in much higher concentration in women's bodies than in men's. (This makes sense when you consider that the hormone is also implicated in the synthesis of breast milk).
In Japan, crying for emotional release is all the rage, or so reports the Independent. The Japanese call it the "crying boom" - everyone wants a bit of sadness in their lives. Instead of going to a karaoke bar after work to wind down, businesspeople watch weepy films (called "tear films") at these crying clubs. There is also a huge demand for sad TV dramas and books, each graded by its ability to induce tears.

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Stressed Out? It's Alright to Cry

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 15:45:00 -0700

I feel better after a good cry, do you? It is said that humans are the only animals that shed emotional tears. Crocodile tears just don’t really count now, do they?

Although still as yet unproven, scientists believe crying is an important stress release for a couple of reasons. One is that weeping, aka emotional crying, is probably a necessary biological action, since no human behavior has ever continuously evolved unless it somehow contributed to survival. Another is that tears might be a means of releasing toxins from the body, similar to sweating. Perhaps that is why so many folks feel better after a good cry. Not only is it emotionally liberating, it might just alter body chemistry a bit. In fact, emotional tears have a different chemical composition than tears caused by irritants, such as onions.

So if you feel stressed out and on the verge of tears, you should let them out. Find a place where you feel safe, and release the floodgates. It's alright to cry. Do you remember that song from the Free to Be You and Me soundtrack? Want to see the video of football great Rosey Grier singing it? Then read more

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And the NYC Marathon Winners Are . . .

FitSugar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:00:10 -0800

Although she has won the race three times, favorite Paula Radcliffe placed fourth in the New York Marathon. The first woman to cross the finish line was Derartu Tulu - the first Ethiopian woman to claim first place in the NYC Marathon in its 40-year history.

Tulu ran the course in two hours, 28 minutes, 52 seconds and was there to comfort Radcliffe as the world record holder limped across the finish line, holding her knee and crying in agony. Second place went to Russia's Ludmila Petrova , who ran the course in two hours and 29 minutes flat. Christelle Daunay, of France, came in third (2:29:16), nine seconds ahead of Radcliffe.

Tulu, who gave birth to her second daughter in 2006 and increased her brood by adopting four orphans, wasn't ready to quit racing. With two Olympic gold medals under her belt and a previous marathon win in London in 2001, Deratu ran with a calm confidence and proved that returning to the sport was well worth it.

For details on the men's race, read more.
Eritrean born American citizen Meb Keflezighi won the men's race in two hours, nine minutes, and 15 seconds. Filled with emotion on winning his first major marathon in his adopted country, Keflezighi said, "U.S.A. gave me all the opportunity in the world, education, sports, lifestyle.This is so special to me." Ryan Hall, considered the future of US distance running, came in fourth. In fact, six Americans finished in the top 10! Robert Cheruiyot, of Kenya, placed second (2:09:56) with Jaouad Gharib of Morroco coming in third, racing the course in two hours, 10 minutes, and 25 seconds. Hall finished the race in two hours, 10 minutes, 36 seconds.

Thinking of running the marathon in the Big Apple next year? The application for the lottery will be available Nov. 2. If you're not ready to commit to a marathon but still love to run, join the RunningSugar group.

Crying in infancy

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:55:47 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Crying in infancy is described as a loud, high-pitched sound made by infants in response to certain situations.

Infants have a cry reflex that is a normal response to some stimuli, such as pain or hunger. Older children and adults cry for emotional reasons such as pain, fear, sadness, or frustration. Premature infants may not have a cry reflex, so they must be monitored closely for signs of hunger and pain.

Information

WHY INFANTS CRY

A cry is the infant's first verbal communication and can be interpreted as a message of urgency or distress. The sound is is nature's way of ensuring that adults attend to the baby as quickly as possible, because few people can simply listen to a crying baby.

One common cause of crying is hunger. Another is pain caused by gas and or intestinal spasms after feedings. The pain develops if the baby has been fed too much or not burped enough.

Many infants between the ages of 3 weeks to 3 months develop an crying pattern associated with colic. Colic is a normal part of development that may be triggered by many factors. Colic usually occurs in the late afternoon or evening hours.

Discomfort, such as from a wet diaper, can also lead to crying. At times, infants may cry for no apparent reason, but in general crying is a response to something. It may just be that parents are unable to figure out what is bothering the infant at that time.

Crying is probably part of the normal development of the central nervous system. Many parents report the ability to hear a difference in tone between a cry for feeding and a cry caused by pain.

While almost everyone recognizes that infants cry for many reasons and that crying is a normal part of infancy, the stress and anxiety that parents experience in response to frequent or constant crying can be considerable.

After all, the sound is perceived as an alarm, and it is very frustrating not to be able to figure out what's wrong and soothe the baby. Parents, especially first-time parents, begin to question their ability to cope if the child frequently cannot be comforted.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A BABY IS CRYING

When unsure of why your baby is crying, try eliminating the sources that you can address:

Make sure the baby is breathing easy and there are pink and warm fingers, toes, and lips.
Check for swelling, redness, wetness, rashes, cold fingers and toes, twisted arms or legs, folded earlobes, or pinched fingers or toes.
Make sure the baby is not in pain.
Make sure the baby is not hungry.
Make sure you are feeding the child the proper amount and burping the baby correctly.
Check to see that your baby is not too cold or too hot.
Check to see whether the diaper needs to be changed.
Make sure there is not too much noise, too much light, too much wind, or inadequate stimulation and interaction.
Try using soft, gentle music for comfort.
Talk to your baby. The sound of your voice may be reassuring.
Change the infant's position.

Hold your baby close to your chest. Sometimes, infants need to experience familiar sensations like the sound of your voice in your chest, your heartbeat, the feel of your skin, the smell of your breath, the movement of your body, and the comfort of your hug. In the past, babies were held constantly and the absence of a parent meant danger from predators or abandonment. You cannot spoil a baby by holding him or her during infancy.

If the crying continues for longer than usual and your baby is not consoled by any of the means listed above, call a health care provider for advice.

Try to get adequate rest. Exhausted parents are less able to care for a baby. Use the resources of family, friends, or outside care givers to allow yourself time to recover your energy. This will also be helpful for your baby. It does not mean that you are a bad parent or are abandoning your child.

For most of human history, people raised their children with the aid of extended families, so there was less pressure on the parents than there is now. A baby's grandparents may be very helpful. Don't worry that they won't do everything the way you would. As long as they are taking safety precautions and comforting the baby when necessary, you may rest assured your child is well cared for during your break.

Call your health care provider immediately if your baby's crying is associated with any significant findings such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, breathing difficulty, or other signs of illness.

Review Date: 10/19/2007

Reviewed By: Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_002397

Crying - excessive (0-6 months)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:03:55 -0700

Overview

Alternative Names
Considerations
Common Causes
Home Care
Call your health care provider if
What to expect at your health care provider's office

Illustrations

Crying, excessive (0-6 months)

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Excessive crying (infants 0-6 months)

Considerations

Infants normally cry a total of 1 - 3 hours a day. It is perfectly normal for an infant to cry in an attempt to communicate hunger, thirst, discomfort, tiredness, or loneliness. It is also normal for a baby to have a fussy period in the evening.

However, if an infant cries too often it may suggest a disorder that requires treatment.

Common Causes

Boredom or loneliness
Discomfort or irritation from a wet or dirty diaper, excessive gas, or feeling cold
Hunger or thirst
Pain
Major illness
Minor illness
Medications
Infection (a likely cause if the crying is accompanied by irritability, lethargy, poor appetite, or fever -- consult your baby's health care provider)
Normal muscle jerks and twitches that disturb the sleep
Teething
Colic

Home Care

Follow the provider's treatment advice, which will depend on the cause.

If the infant seems constantly hungry despite short, frequent feedings, consult with a provider about normal growth and feeding times.

If crying is due to boredom or loneliness, it may be helpful to touch, hold, and talk to the infant more and place the infant within sight. Place baby-safe toys where the child can see them. If crying is due to sleep disturbance, wrap the baby firmly in a blanket before putting the infant to bed.

For excessive crying in infants due to cold, dress the infant warmly or adjust the temperature. Typically, if adults are cold, the baby is cold also.

Always check for possible causes of pain or discomfort in a crying baby. When cloth diapers are used, look for diaper pins that have become loose or loose threads that have become tightly wrapped around fingers or toes. Diaper rashes also can be uncomfortable.

Take your baby's temperature to check for fever. Check your baby head-to-toe for any injuries. Pay particular attention to the fingers, toes, and genitalia. It is not uncommon for a hair to get wrapped around part of your baby, creating a painful "hair tourniquet".

Call your health care provider if

Excessive crying remains unexplained and unresolved for more than 1 day, despite attempts at home treatment.
Excessive crying is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions like the following:

Is the child teething?
Is the child bored, lonely, hungry, thirsty?
Does the child seem to have a lot of gas (flatus)?
Are the parents nervous or anxious?
What other symptoms are also present?
- Is the child irritable?
- Is the child hard to arouse?
- Does the child have a poor appetite?
- Does the child have a fever?
- Is the child vomiting?

For bacterial infections, antibiotics may be prescribed. The provider will assess the infant's growth and development.

After seeing your provider, you may want to add a diagnosis related to excessive crying to your child's personal medical record.

Review Date: 11/23/2006

Reviewed By: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, JD, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003023

Colic and crying

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:53:28 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Symptoms
Signs and tests
Treatment
Expectations (prognosis)
Complications
Calling your health care provider
Prevention
References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Almost all babies go through a fussy period. When crying lasts for longer than about three hours a day and is not caused by a medical problem (such as a hernia or infection), it is called colic. This phenomenon occurs in almost all babies. The only thing that differs is the degree.

Alternative Names

Infantile colic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Colic usually strikes toward the end of a long day, when your baby is just about at the age when your sleep deprivation has really begun to set in. Your baby stops being the quiet, peaceful, miracle baby and begins screaming every evening. It is no wonder that parents can become frustrated, discouraged, and depressed.

The child with colic tends to be unusually sensitive to stimulation. Some babies experience greater discomfort from intestinal gas. Some cry from hunger, others from overfeeding. Some breastfed babies are intolerant of foods in their mothers' diets. Some bottle-fed babies are intolerant of the proteins in formula. Fear, frustration, or even excitement can lead to abdominal discomfort and colic. When other people around them are worried, anxious, or depressed, babies may cry more, which in turn makes those around them even more worried, anxious, or depressed.

About 20% of babies cry enough to meet the definition of colic. The timing varies, but colic usually affects babies beginning at about 3 weeks of age and peaking somewhere between 4-6 weeks of age.

Colic will not last forever! After about 6 weeks of age, it usually begins improving, slowly but surely, and is generally gone by 12 weeks of age. When colic is still going strong at 12 weeks, it's important to consider another diagnosis (such as reflux).

Symptoms

Colic frequently, but not always, begins at about the same time every day. For most infants the most intense fussiness is in the evening. The attack often begins suddenly. The legs may be drawn up and the belly distended. The hands may be clenched. The episode may last for minutes or hours. It often winds down when the baby is exhausted, or when gas or stool is passed.

In spite of apparent abdominal pain, colicky infants eat well and gain weight normally.

Signs and tests

Colic is usually diagnosed by the parent's description of the crying. A careful physical exam is wise to be sure the baby does not have a hernia, intussusception, a hair tourniquet, a hair in the eye, or another medical problem that needs attention. If the diagnosis isn't clear, further testing may be needed.

Treatment

Helping a child with colic is primarily a matter of experimentation and observation. If you can identify and eliminate a trigger for the colic, that is best. Even if you can't, learn which measures most comfort your baby.

POSSIBLE TRIGGERS

Foods - If you are breast-feeding, avoid stimulants such as caffeine and chocolate. Try eliminating dairy products and nuts for a few weeks, as these may be causing allergic reactions in the baby. Other foods may also irritate the baby.
Formula - Switching formulas is NOT helpful for most babies, but is very important for some.
Medicine - Some medicines mom may be taking can also lead to crying.
Feeding - If a bottle feeding takes less than 20 minutes, the hole in the nipple may be too large. Avoid overfeeding the infant or feeding too quickly.

People often hear that breastfeeding moms should avoid broccoli, cabbage, beans, and other gas-producing foods. However, there is not much evidence that these foods are a factor.

TIPS FOR COMFORTING THE BABY

Different children are comforted by different measures. Some prefer to be swaddled in a warm blanket; others prefer to be free. Try many different things, and pay attention to what seems to help, even just a little bit.

Holding your child is one of the most effective measures. The more hours held, even early in the day when they are not fussy, the less time they will be fussy in the evening. This will not spoil your child. Body carriers can be a great way to do this.
As babies cry, they swallow more air, creating more gas and perhaps more abdominal pain, which causes more crying. This vicious cycle can be difficult to break. Gentle rocking can be very calming. This is directly comforting and seems to help them pass gas. When you get tired, an infant swing is a good alternative for babies at least 3 weeks old with good head control.
Singing lullabies to your baby can be powerfully soothing. It is no accident that lullabies have developed in almost every culture.
Holding your child in an upright position may help. This aids gas movement and reduces heartburn. A warm towel or warm water bottle on the abdomen can help. Some babies prefer to lie on their tummies, while awake, while someone gives them a back rub. The gentle pressure on the abdomen may help. (To avoid SIDS, DO NOT put babies on their tummies to sleep.)
Some babies are only happy when they are sucking on something. A pacifier can seem like a miracle in these cases.
The concentration of breast milk changes during a feeding. The "foremilk" at the beginning is plentiful but low in calories and fat. The "hindmilk" at the end of emptying each breast is far richer. Sometimes you can reduce colic by allowing the baby to finish the first breast before offering the second. If the baby still seems uncomfortable or eating too much, then offering only one breast (as often as desired) over a 2-3 hour period might give the baby more hindmilk, which is richer and sometimes more soothing.
Some children seem to do best when they are riding in a car. If your child is one of these, you might try a device developed by a pediatrician to imitate car motion and sound. Alternatively, some kids do better with cheaper forms of white noise, such as a vacuum cleaner motor or the sound of a washing machine or dishwasher.
Simethicone drops, a defoaming agent that reduces intestinal gas, may help. It is not absorbed into the body and is therefore quite safe. Sometimes doctors will prescribe stronger medicines for severe colic (but this should only be done after a physical exam).

Take breaks. Each of you can take charge and relieve the other. Time for oneself is an important part of the new family dynamic. You will be able to pay more loving attention to your baby when you've had a chance to get refreshed.

Expectations (prognosis)

Colic is a benign condition that the baby usually outgrows at three to four months of age.

Complications

There are usually none.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have concerns. The most important thing to keep in mind is not to misdiagnose a serious condition and call it colic. If your baby's behavior or crying pattern changes suddenly or if the crying is associated with fever, forceful vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, or other abnormal activity or symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

Do not be afraid to seek help immediately if you feel overwhelmed and are afraid that you may hurt your baby.

Prevention

A fussy period is likely no matter what prevention techniques are undertaken. However, good feeding techniques (as advised by a lactation consultant, if you are breastfeeding), good burping, and early identification of possible allergies in the baby's or mother's diet may help prevent colic. Try different comfort techniques before colic develops to identify your baby's needs and desires. This can help stop the fussy period from becoming so intense.

References

Barr R. Colic and crying syndrome in infants. Pediatrics. 1998; 102(5): 1282-1286.

Garrison M, Christakis D. A systematic review of treatments for infant colic. Pediatrics. 2000; 106(1): 184-190.

Review Date: 7/26/2007

Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_000978

Crying in childhood

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:55:46 -0700

Overview

Information

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Information

Crying is an emotional response to a distressing experience or situation. Children cry for many reasons, and the degree of their distress depends on their developmental levels and previous experiences. Children cry in response to pain, fear, sadness, frustration, confusion, anger, and inability to express their feelings.

Crying is a normal response to distressing situations that a child is unable to resolve. When the child's coping skills are exhausted, crying is automatic and instinctual.

A growing child eventually learns to express feelings of frustration, anger, or confusion without crying. Parents may find it necessary to establish guidelines to help the child develop appropriate behaviors.

Praise the child's ability to delay or withhold crying until an appropriate time and place. Teach alternative behaviors to distressing situations. Encourage the child to "use their words" to explain what is upsetting them.

As a child develops additional coping and problem-solving skills, crying will become less frequent. As they mature, boys tend to cry less than girls. Many believe these are learned behaviors.

Review Date: 5/8/2008

Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_002396

PMDD: My Dirty Little Secret

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Three years ago I was diagnosed with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) - it's sort of like PMS on overdrive, except way worse. Before the diagnosis I was embarrassed at how unstable I felt as my period approached, especially when all of my girlfriends seemed to be handling their PMS symptoms in a manageable way.

My menstrual cycles were always preceded by feelings of severe depression, crying bouts, anxiety, fatigue, and extreme back pain that would disappear the day my period started. I decided that I could no longer live like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and had a conversation with my doctor. To my relief she confirmed that what I was going through was much more severe than PMS.

For those of you who might be suffering with PMDD, here are some tips I've learned from my doctor over the years to make life more bearable. You'll want to do everything on this list during the two weeks leading up to your period.

To see my tips, read more.

Keep a rigorous calendar of your cycle so you can anticipate when your symptoms will start. Knowing this time frame helps calm anxiety and allows you to take the necessary precautions to offset PMDD. It's also helpful to let those close to you anticipate these dates since they can help offer extra support during this time.
Exercise has been shown to help decrease symptoms of PMDD - go on more walks or bike rides leading up to your menstrual cycle.
Uncontrollable cravings and fatigue are signs of PMDD and can be offset by having a balanced diet of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Adjust your diet by reducing caffeine, salt, refined sugars, and high carb meals.
Take the herbal remedies chasteberry and L-tryptophan. In clinical trials, both have shown to help decrease the emotional effects of PMDD.

If these tips don't improve your PMDD, talk to your doctor about other options. I've also had great success taking Yaz, the only birth control pill approved to treat PMDD, but some health experts are not convinced that Yaz is as safe as it claims to be.

Many women have symptoms so severe that they go on short cycles of antidepressants each month or take oral contraceptives to help with hormone regulation.