FitSugar

Fireworks and Your Delicate Ears

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:31:20 -0700

I'm ready to celebrate the Fourth of July, but must admit I am not a fan of the noise that accompanies fireworks - lovely as they may be. Those booming sounds can really damage the delicate structures in your ears; once they're damaged, they never regenerate and can't be repaired. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The loss is permanent and may cause impaired hearing or total loss of hearing down the road.

NIHL can be caused by one exposure to a loud noise such as an explosion, or by regular exposure over an extended period of time. If you continuously experience sounds over 85 decibels (dB) then a hearing aid may be in your future. Check out how some common sounds compare:

Rustling leaves: 10 dB
A whisper: 20 dB
Humming of a fridge: 40 dB
A conversation: 60 dB
Busy street traffic: 70 dB
Vacuum cleaner: 80 dB
Lawn mower: 90 dB
A large orchestra: 98 dB

To see how fireworks measure up read more.

Fireworks for spectators 800 feet away: 88 to 126 dB
Fireworks for spectators 10 feet away: 155 dB
Front row of a rock concert: 110 dB
Military jet takeoff: 140 dB
Motorcycles, firecrackers, small firearms: 120 to 150 dB

So when it comes to ear safety, it's best to enjoy a fireworks display from far away. If you're serious about preventing ear damage, pick up some foam or silicone earplugs. They sell them at most drug stores for less than $5. I know they're not exactly the most fashionable things to sport, but I'd rather wear these for 20 minutes than hearing aids for the rest of my life.

Love Fireworks? Invest in Earplugs

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Fourth of July means fireworks! I don't want to rain on your parade (since the Fourth is often celebrated with parades, too), but the loud pops and bangs of fireworks can cause serious hearing damage.

When the delicate structures in your ear called hair cells - sensory cells located in your inner ears responsible for converting sound energy into electrical signals - are damaged, they never regenerate and cannot be repaired. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The loss is permanent and may cause impaired hearing or total loss of hearing down the road.

NIHL can be cause by one exposure to a loud noise such as an explosion, or by regular exposure over an extended period of time. If you continuously experience sounds over 85 decibels then a hearing aid may be in your future. Check out how some common sounds compare:

Rustling leaves: 10 dB
A whisper: 20 dB
Humming of a fridge: 40 dB
A conversation: 60 dB
Busy street traffic: 70 dB
Vacuum cleaner: 80 dB
Lawn mower: 90 dB
A large orchestra: 98 dB

To see how fireworks compare read more.

So when it comes to ears safety, watching a public display from afar is your best bet. If you're serious about preventing ear damage, pick up some foam or silicone ear plugs. They sell them at most drug stores for less than $5. I know they're not exactly the most fashionable thing to sport, but I'd rather wear these for 20 minutes than lose my sense of hearing forever.

Source

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Hearing Problems

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Maybe you or someone close to you is thinking of quitting smoking. All I can say is: Go for it! Quitting smoking is a win-win situation; it puts more money in your pocket and more air in your lungs. Plus, it is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. No joke!

It turns out that there is yet another reason to give up smokes: It could affect your hearing. A recent study performed by Yale University found that teenagers who smoked, or who were exposed to smoke, had difficulty focusing and interpreting sounds amid other distractions. Brain scans show alterations in brain matter responsible for transmitting messages, so researchers believe that nicotine is responsible for creating changes in the structure of the brain matter.

If you are still looking for motivation, check out all these reasons to quit smoking. The list will surely make you think twice the next time you light up.

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Enjoy Fireworks - Save Your Ears

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I'm sure most of you are planning on catching a public fireworks show this 4th of July. Watching them can be really exciting, but did you know you can risk noise-induced hearing loss?

Here's how loud some common summer sounds are:

Having a conversation: 60 decibels
Mowing the lawn: 95
Riding a motorcycle: 110
Listening to a live concert: 120
Exploding your own firecrackers (which is NOT safe by the way): 150
Watching fireworks: 130 to 190, depending on how far away you are

10 seconds of a loud fireworks display may be just as dangerous for your ears as an hour of pushing the lawn mower. Some ears are more susceptible to damage than others, but once noise-induced hearing loss has occurred, it's permanent.

Did you know that noise-induced damage is the reason so many people have to wear hearing aids? You can prevent this pain and damage by wearing a pair of inexpensive ear plugs.

What should you do if you think you've suffered ear damage from noise? To find out read more

If your ears are ringing or there is a muffled sensation in your ears after seeing some fireworks, try to rest your ears and stay away from loud noises. Stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol, caffeine and cigarette smoke, which might decrease the flow of blood to the small blood vessels in your inner ear.

If you're still not hearing well after a few days, or your ears feel weird or are in pain, see an audiologist or doctor right away. Unfortunately permanent damage is irreversible, so if I were you, I'd wear those ear plugs! If you can't find earplugs, make some ear plugs with paper napkins, facial tissue or toilet paper - every little bit of muffling the noise helps.

Source

Hearing loss - infants

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:21:33 -0700

Illustrations

Hearing test

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Hearing loss is the total or partial inability to hear sound in one or both ears. This article focuses on hearing loss in infants.

Alternative Names

Deafness -- infants; Hearing impairment -- infants; Conductive hearing loss -- infants; Sensorineural hearing loss -- infants; Central hearing loss -- infants

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

About 2 - 3 infants out of every 1000 live births will have some degree of hearing loss at birth. Hearing loss can also develop in children who had normal hearing as infants. The loss can occur in one or both ears, and may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Profound hearing loss is what most people call deafness.

Some cases of hearing loss are progressive (they get worse over time). Other cases of hearing loss stay stable and do not get worse.

Risk factors for infant hearing loss include:

Family history of hearing loss
Infection with some viruses and bacteria
Low birth weight
Problems with the structure of the skull bones

There are four types of hearing loss:

Conductive hearing loss (CHL)
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)
Mixed hearing loss
Central hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss results from a problem in the outer or middle ear, such as wax buildup, rupture of the eardrum, or repeated infections. It is usually possible to treat conductive hearing loss with medication or surgery.

Causes of conductive hearing loss in infants include:

Abnormalities in the structure of the ear canal or middle ear
Buildup of ear wax
Ear infections (especially repeated infections)
Foreign objects in the ear
Injury
Rupture of the eardrum
Tumors

Sensorineural hearing loss results from a problem with the inner ear. The inner ear is responsible for sending signals to the auditory (hearing) nerve. There is no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. People with this type of hearing loss may benefit from hearing aids or a cochlear implant.

Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

Exposure to certain toxic chemicals or medications while in the womb or after birth
Genetic changes or conditions, such as Down syndrome
Infection before birth, including cytomegalovirus infection, or infection with German measles during the early stages of pregnancy
Infections after birth, such as bacterial meningitis
Problems with the structure of the inner ear

Mixed hearing loss is hearing loss that results from a combination of conductive and sensorineural problems. Causes of mixed hearing loss can include any combination of the above SNHL and CHL causes.

Central hearing loss results from damage to the auditory nerve itself, or the brain pathways that lead to the nerve. Central hearing loss is rare in infants and children.

Causes of central hearing loss include:

Diseases that affect the protective coating (myelin sheath) around nerve cells
Tumors

Symptoms

Signs of hearing loss in infants vary by age. For example:

A newborn baby with hearing loss may not startle when a loud noise sounds nearby.
Older infants, who should be responding to familiar voices, may show no reaction when spoken to.
Children should be using single words by 15 months, and simple 2-word sentences by age 2. If they do not reach these milestones, hearing loss since infancy may be the cause.

Some children may not be diagnosed until they are in school. This is true even if they were born with hearing loss. Inattention and falling behind in class work may be the result of an undiagnosed hearing loss problem.

Signs and tests

Hearing loss results in a baby's inability to hear sounds below a certain level. A baby with normal hearing will hear sounds below that level.

The health care provider will examine your child. The exam may show problems such as bone problems or signs of genetic changes that may cause hearing loss.

The doctor will use an instrument called an otoscope to see inside the baby's ears. This allows the doctor to see the eardrum and detect several problems that may cause conductive hearing loss.

Two common tests are used to screen newborn infants for hearing loss:

Auditory brain stem response (ABR) test. This test uses patches, called electrodes, to determine how the auditory nerve reacts to sound.
Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test. Microphones placed into the baby's ears detect nearby sounds. The sounds should echo in the ear canal. If there is no echo, it is a sign of hearing loss.

Older babies and young children can be taught to respond to sounds through play. These tests, known as visual response audiometry and play audiometry, can better determine the child's range of hearing.

Treatment

Over 30 states in the United States now have mandatory hearing screenings of newborns. Early treatment of hearing loss can allow many infants to develop normal language skills without delay. In infants born with hearing loss, treatments should start as early as possible, preferably by 6 months of age.

Treatment depends on the baby's overall health and cause of hearing loss. Treatment may include:

Speech therapy
Learning sign language
Cochlear implant (for those with profound sensorineural hearing loss)

Treating the cause of hearing loss may include:

Medications for infections
Ear tubes for repeated ear infections
Surgery to correct structural problems

Expectations (prognosis)

How well your baby does depends on the cause and severity of the hearing loss. Advances in hearing aid technology and speech therapy allow many children to develop normal language skills at the same age as their peers with normal hearing. Even infants with profound hearing loss will do well with the right combination of treatments.

If the baby has a disorder that affects more than hearing, the prognosis depends on the particular disorder and what other effects it has on the body.

Complications

Complications include:

Delays talking and being able to understand words
Delays in the ability to make friends
Emotional problems due to feelings of isolation
Falling behind in school
If hearing loss is the result of a disease or syndrome that affects other parts of the body, other complications, specific to that syndrome or disease, may also occur.

Children with cochlear implants may be at a higher risk for bacterial meningitis (inflammation around the brain, which may spread through the blood to the rest of the body). Vaccinations against several types of bacteria that cause meningitis are available, and may reduce the risk of the disease in a child with a cochlear implant. For guidelines, consult your health care provider.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your baby or young child displays signs of hearing loss, such as not reacting to loud noises, not making or mimicking noises, or not speaking at the expected age.

If your child has a cochlear implant, call your health care provider immediately if your child develops a fever, stiff neck, headache, or an ear infection.

Prevention

It is not possible to prevent all cases of hearing loss in infants.

Women who are planning to become pregnant should make sure they are current on all vaccinations.

Pregnant women should check with their doctor before taking any medications. If you are pregnant, avoid activities that can expose your baby to dangerous infections such as toxoplasmosis.

If you or your partner have a family history of hearing loss, you may want to obtain genetic counseling before becoming pregnant.

References

Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB, eds. Behrman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 17th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier;2004:2127-2135.

Cunningham M, Cox EO. Hearing Assessment in Infants and Children: Recommendations Beyond Neonatal Screening. Pediatrics. 2003;11(2):436-440.

Rakel RE. Rakel: Textbook of Family Medicine, 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier;2007:433-436.

Review Date: 3/3/2008

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_007322

Hearing loss

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:04:16 -0700

Overview

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

Illustrations

Ear anatomy

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Hearing loss is the total or partial inability to hear sound in one or both ears.

Alternative Names

Decreased hearing; Deafness; Loss of hearing

Considerations

Minor decreases in hearing are normal after age 20. Hearing problems usually come on gradually, and rarely end in complete deafness.

There are many causes of hearing loss. They can be divided into two main categories:

Conductive hearing loss (CHL) occurs because of some mechanical problem in the external or middle ear. The three tiny bones of the ear (ossicles) may fail to conduct sound to the cochlea, or the eardrum may fail to vibrate in response to sound. Fluid in the middle ear can cause CHL.
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) results from a dysfunction of the inner ear. It most often occurs when the tiny hair cells (called cilia) that transmit sound through the ear are injured. This type of hearing loss is sometimes called "nerve damage," although this is not accurate.

CHL is often reversible -- SNHL is not. People who have both forms of hearing loss are said to have mixed hearing loss.

Screening for hearing loss is now recommended for all newborns. In children, hearing problems may cause speech to develop slowly.

Ear infections are the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in children. Fluid may linger in the ear following an ear infection. Although this fluid can go unnoticed, it can cause significant hearing problems in children. Any fluid that stays longer than 8 - 12 weeks is cause for concern.

Preventing hearing loss is more effective than treating it after "the damage is done."

Common Causes

Genetic:

Osteogenesis imperfecta
Leopard syndrome (multiple lentigines)
Otosclerosis
Robinson type ectodermal dysplasia
Cockayne syndrome
Bjorn pili torti and deafness syndrome
Multiple synostosis syndrome
Hunter syndrome
Taybi oto-palato-digital syndrome
Hereditary nephritis
Mohr syndrome
Hurler syndrome
Waardenburg syndrome
Kartagener syndrome
Fronto-metaphyseal dysplasia syndrome
Morquio syndrome
Trisomy 13
Multiple lentigines syndrome
Treacher Collins syndrome
Stickler syndrome

Congenital:

Rubella syndrome
Congenital atresia of the external auditory canal
Congenital cytomegalovirus
Congenital perilymphatic fistula
Fetal methyl mercury effects
Fetal iodine deficiency effects

Infectious:

Traumatic:

Traumatic perforation of the eardrum
Skull fracture (temporal bone)
Acoustic trauma such as from explosions, fireworks, gunfire, rock concerts, and earphones
Barotrauma (differences in pressure)

Toxic:

Aminoglycoside antibiotics
Ethacrynic acid - oral
Aspirin
Chloroquine
Quinidine

Age-related:

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)

Occupational:

Any occupation with exposure to loud noises on a continuous day-to-day basis can result in hearing loss due to nerve end damage. Increased attention to conditions in the work environment has markedly decreased the likelihood of work-related hearing loss. See occupational hearing loss.

Other:

Temporary hearing loss can be caused by:

The build-up of wax in the ear canal
Foreign body lodged in the ear canal
Injury to the head
Allergy
Blocked Eustachian tubes
Scarred or perforated eardrum
Ear infections (chronic otitis externa, chronic otitis media, malignant otitis externa)
Reaction to medication such as aminoglycosides, chloroquine, quinidine

Home Care

Wax build-up can frequently be flushed out of the ear (gently) with ear syringes (available in drug stores) and warm water. Wax softeners (like Cerumenex) may be needed if the wax is hard and impacted.

Care should be taken when removing foreign bodies. Unless it is easy to get to, have your health care provider remove the object. Don't use sharp instruments to remove foreign bodies.

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if:

Hearing problems are persistent and unexplained
Hearing problems adversely affect lifestyle
Hearing problems go along with other symptoms such as ear pain

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The medical history will be obtained, and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting hearing loss in detail may include:

Is the hearing loss in both ears or one ear?
Is the hearing loss mild or severe?
Is all of the hearing lost (inability to hear any sound)?
Is there decreased hearing acuity (do words sound garbled)?
Is there decreased ability to understand speech?
Is there decreased ability to locate the source of a sound?
How long has the hearing loss been present?
Did it occur before age 30?
What other symptoms are also present?
Is there tinnitus (ringing or other sounds)?
Is there ear pain?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the ears.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Audiometry (an electronic hearing test )
Auditory response test
CT scan of the head (if a tumor or fracture is suspected)
X-ray of the head
Tympanometry
Caloric test
MRI of the ear (see MRI of the head)

A hearing aid or cochlear implant may be provided to improve hearing.

References

Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2005:443-444.

Review Date: 10/24/2007

Reviewed By: James L. Demetroulakos, M.D., F.A.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003044

Occupational hearing loss

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:54:04 -0700

Overview

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

Illustrations

Ear anatomy

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Occupational hearing loss is damage to the inner ear from noise or vibrations due to certain types of jobs or entertainment.

Alternative Names

Hearing loss - occupational

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Occupational hearing loss is a form of acoustic trauma caused by exposure to vibration or sound. Sound is heard as the ear converts vibration from sound waves into impulses in the nerves of the ear.

Sounds above 90 decibels (dB, a measurement of the loudness or strength of vibration of a sound), particularly if the sound is prolonged, may cause such intense vibration that the inner ear is damaged.

90 dB is about the loudness of a large truck about 5 yards away. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, and similar engines range around 85 to 90 dB.
100 dB is reached by some rock concerts.
120 dB is a jackhammer from 3 feet away.
130 dB is a jet engine from 100 feet away.

A general rule of thumb is that if you need to shout to be heard, the sound is in the range that can damage hearing.

Some jobs, such as construction, airline ground maintenance, farming, and jobs involving loud music or machinery, carry high risk for hearing loss. In the U.S., the maximum job noise exposure is regulated by law. Both the length of exposure and the decibel level are considered. If the sound is at or greater than the maximum levels recommended, protective measures are required.

Symptoms

The main symptom is partial or complete hearing loss. The hearing loss may get worse over time.

Signs and tests

A physical examination will not usually show any specific changes. Tests that may be performed include:

Audiology/audiometry may determine the extent of hearing loss.
A head x-ray or CT scan of the head may be used to rule out other causes of hearing loss, including other forms of acoustic trauma.

Treatment

The hearing loss may be permanent. The goal of treatment is to improve any remaining hearing and develop coping skills (such as lip reading).

Using a hearing aid may improve communication. Always protect the ear from further damage, for example, wear ear plugs in noisy areas.

Expectations (prognosis)

Hearing loss is often permanent in the affected ear. The loss may be progressive if measures are not taken to prevent further damage.

Complications

Hearing loss may progress to total deafness.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if hearing loss occurs, gets worse, or if other new symptoms develop.

Prevention

Protect your ears when you are exposed to loud noises. Wear protective ear plugs or earmuffs to protect against damage from loud equipment. Be aware of risks connected with recreation such as shooting a gun, driving snowmobiles, or other similar activities. Do not listen to loud music for long periods of time.

Review Date: 10/20/2006

Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001048

Age-related hearing loss

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:54:02 -0700

Overview

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

Illustrations

Ear anatomy

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Age-related hearing loss is the slow loss of the ability to hear high frequencies, which occurs as people get older.

Alternative Names

Hearing loss - age related; Presbycusis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis. It is unknown whether a specific cause such as noise trauma leads to presbycusis, but there appears to be a genetic predisposition.

Age-related hearing loss tends to occur in families. The disorder occurs in about 25% of people aged 65 to 75 and in 70 - 80% of those over age 75.

Symptoms

The loss of hearing occurs slowly over time. It usually starts with problems hearing high-frequency sounds, such as someone talking. It may be difficult to hear things in noisy areas.

Signs and tests

Your doctor may find wax in the ear that can be a contributing factor. Often the exam is unrevealing. Audiology or other testing determines the extent of hearing loss.

Treatment

There is no known cure for age-related hearing loss. Treatment is focused on functional improvement. Hearing aids, which provide amplification, may help. Developing skills such as lip reading and using visual cues may aid communication, but these may be difficult skills for older people to learn.

Expectations (prognosis)

Age-related hearing loss is progressive, which means it slowly gets worse. The disorder is not dangerous, but it leads to increasing difficulty with communication.

Complications

Deafness is a complication. Deafness-related complications include social isolation and the inability to hear fire alarms.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if hearing loss occurs or worsens.

Review Date: 11/6/2006

Reviewed By: Sandra W. Cohen, M.D. Private Practice specializing in geriatrics, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001045

Protect Your Ears: iPod Safety

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Who doesn't crank up the tunes occasionally for a rocking cardio session or to block annoying conversations on a morning commute? Unfortunately, dialing up the volume of your iPod can adversely affect your hearing.

We all know that prolonged listening to loud music can lead to hearing loss. Hearing experts say the maximum safe level for listening with ear buds or headphones is 85 decibels, but most people push the volume past competing ambient noise, which for NYC and DC is 80 decibels. This five-decibel window doesn't allow for much play when it comes to hearing your tunes. The European Union recommends a 100-decibel limit to MP3 players sold within its jurisdiction, with the purpose of decreasing associated hearing loss. But the US has no volume cap for music players, and recent tests found that many MP3 players crank all the way to 115 and 125 decibels. Hearing specialists recommend not only decreasing the volume but also the amount of time we all listen to our mighty iPods. Listening to one at maximum volume for only five minutes can begin deteriorating the delicate hair cells that line the inner ear, which decode sound waves into signals the brain interprets as sound.

I just set the volume lock on my iPod to about 80 percent of maximum volume, and I urge you to do the same with your MP3 player, whatever the brand. Easy listening might just mean hearing forever.

Source

Why Exercise Won't Help You Lose Weight . . . Sort Of

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:00:36 -0800

There have been a lot of reports in the last year confirming that contrary to popular belief, not all exercise leads to significant weight loss. If you want to shed pounds, it mostly comes down to diet. It’s no surprise that changing your diet can help you lose weight, but for decades, many people believed that exercise was the best pathway to a slimmer, fitter you.

Today the New York Times added to the news that exercise doesn’t significantly aid in weight loss by reporting the results of an exercise and obesity study. The study followed a group of 58 obese individual who underwent three months of supervised aerobic activity but didn’t change their diets at all. And while the group lost an average of seven pounds, many participants barely lost three.

I admit that when all of these studies started coming up I was a little shocked, but it turns out that high intensity workouts mainly burn carbs, not just fat.

To hear what type of exercise may maximize fat loss, read more.

The article explains: "'The message of our work is really simple,' although not agreeable to hear, said Edward Melanson, PhD, the lead author of the study. 'It all comes down to energy balance,' or, as you might have guessed, calories in and calories out. People 'are only burning 200 or 300 calories' in a typical 30-minute exercise session, Melanson points out. 'You replace that with one bottle of Gatorade.'"

Fat loss can be maximized, but it’s a matter of how you approach your workout. To do this, work out at a lower intensity in your fat-burning zone, which is 60 to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate. For most people this zone falls between 105-134 beats per minute. Melanson’s study also found that once weight is lost from reduced calorie intake, exercise might prevent it from coming back by resetting metabolic pathways that stop the body from wanting to store fat.

The research is interesting, but should not dissuade any of us from our fitness goals. The benefits of exercise reach far beyond weight loss - it helps the brain function better, reduces stress, creates a toned body, and is important for healthy heart function.