FitSugar

PVC Shower Curtains = Bad For Your Health

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Air pollution affects our health, but most of us think about the air outside being polluted - not the air in our homes. There are many silent culprits polluting our air from odorless radon to stinky off-gassing PVCs (polyvinyl chloride). It seems that PVCs are in just about everything from household items like vinyl flooring, vinyl shower curtains, and children’s toys to beauty products like perfumes, nail polish, and lotions. Plus PVC is very difficult to recycle and never breaks down.

Since many "plastic" shower curtains are made from PVC which off-gasses plasticizers that are potential hormone disruptors. Plus, they are easier to throw away than to clean once they become covered with mildew. These plastic/PVC shower curtains never breakdown and they are difficult to recycle. On so many levels, plastic shower curtains are just plain bad news.

A simple way to improve the quality of air in your house is to replace vinyl shower curtains with cloth ones made of organic cotton or hemp. Of course you should use a nylon liner in stead of a plastic one. You can easily wash both a cloth shower curtain and the nylon liner, so they will be around in your bathroom for a long time, rather than clogging up landfills. Plus hemp is naturally mildew resistant and sturdy, there's a reason sailors made ropes out of the fiber. Some hemp curtains are so thick, they don't even require a liner!

The only downside that I can see is that hemp curtains only come in "natural" and "white" - not so fashionable. Since the green revolution has begun, I think we will start seeing fun colors in these shower curtains.

And you, what kind of shower curtain do you have? Let me know in the comments section below.

Get in Gear: Eco-Friendly Mats

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Who wants to do their Downward Facing Dog on PVC (polyvinyl chloride)? It's a toxic plastic that's used to make many sticky mats. According to Greenpeace, PVC products that are being disposed of within a few years of use, are causing serious waste problems since these and other plastics don't biodegrade quickly. In response to this growing PVC crisis, many manufacturers are beginning to make environmentally friendly mats using natural fibers like jute, cotton, and rubber.

Not only are these mats biodegradable, and free of hazardous chemicals, but their makers say they provide more traction. Other mats made of plastic take a few washings and hours of practice to get rid of the chemical sheen, not to mention the stinky smell.

Since practicing yoga and Pilates is doing good for you, why not use a mat that does good for the environment as well? By choosing environmentally friendly products, you are doing your part to support the movement toward a healthier, sustainable planet. Here are some of my favorites:

Saka Studio Eco Yoga Mat	Cotton Rug
The Original Eco Yoga Mat	Jute Yoga Mat
prAna E.C.O. Sticky Mat	Natural Jute and PER Yoga Mat

Recession Proof Your Workout: Inflatable Kayak

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:01:18 -0700

While kayaking will keep you cool in the Summer, buying one of these boats won't exactly help your pocketbook. Kayaks cost anywhere between $400 and $2,000 - not including the paddle. Here's a much cheaper way to paddle along in the water. For $100, you can get this Coleman 2-Person Touring Kayak, and it comes with two aluminum paddles.

Although it's made with durable 26 gauge PVC, I still wouldn't take this kayak over roaring rapids, but it'll do a great job keeping you afloat on a calm lake or river. Paddling will strengthen and tone your upper body and core and will also increase flexibility in your hamstrings. The best part is you can always fall overboard into the crisp water to cool off. Another great feature of an inflatable kayak is it's lightweight and can be deflated, so it's easily packable for camping trips. If you plan on kayaking alone, then go for the 1-Person Kayak ($80) instead.

Ectopic heartbeat

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:54:29 -0700

Illustrations

Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Ectopic heartbeat is an irregularity of the heart rate and heart rhythm involving extra or skipped heartbeats.

Alternative Names

PVB (premature ventricular beat); Premature ventricular contraction; Premature beats; PVC (premature ventricular contraction); Extrasystole

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Ectopic heartbeats are small variations in an otherwise normal heartbeat that causes an irregular pulse. They may occur without an obvious cause and are usually harmless.

Sometimes they are associated with chemical (electrolyte) problems in the blood, which need treatment. They can also happen with ischemia caused by a decrease in blood supply to the heart.

Ectopic beats may be caused or made worse by excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, certain medications such as stimulants, and some illicit drugs.

Ectopic beats are rare in children who do not have congenital heart disease. Most extra heartbeats in children are premature atrial contractions (PACs), which are almost always benign.

In adults, ectopic beats are common. Their causes should be investigated even if it turns out that no treatment is needed.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Feeling your heart beat (palpitations)
Feeling like your heart stopped or skipped a beat
Feeling of occasional, forceful beats

Note: There may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests

A physical examination may show an occasional, irregular pulse, but if the ectopic beats do not occur frequently, your doctor may not detect them during a physical exam.

Blood pressure is usually normal.

The following tests may be done:

Continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring (Holter monitor or patient-activated recording device)
Coronary angiography
ECG
Echocardiogram

Treatment

Most ectopic heartbeats do not require treatment. The condition is treated if your symptoms are severe or if they extra beats occur very frequently.

An underlying cause, if discovered, may also require treatment.

Expectations (prognosis)

Ectopic heartbeats are generally benign, requiring no treatment. Occasionally, they may indicate an increased risk for other cardiac arrhythmias.

Complications

Ventricular tachycardia (occasionally)
Other arrhythmias (occasionally)

Note: There usually are no complications.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have persistent palpitations, or palpitations with chest pain or other symptoms.

Also call your health care provider if you have this condition and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment.

Prevention

Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may reduce the risk and frequency of ectopic heartbeats in certain people. Exercise often helps those who are inactive.

References

Olgin JE. Approach to the Patient with Suspected Arrhythmias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap. 61.

Toth PP, Shammas NW, Dippel EJ, Foreman B. Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:chap. 39.

Review Date: 6/7/2008

Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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.

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How to Pack It: Your Lunch and Plastics

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

There are plenty of reasons to avoid using so much plastic, both environmental and health wise. For instance, marine researchers have shown that plastic debris outweighs zooplankton in remote parts of the Pacific. Health wise, phthalates, a chemical added to normally rigid PVC to make soft products, are potential hormone disruptors and may increase infertility in men.

When it comes to packing lunch, most of us use plastic wrap, plastic baggies, and/or plastic containers to transport our food. First off we should all be packing our food in reusable containers to avoid adding excess plastic to landfills. I like to use pyrex containers since they are glass and microwaveable, but let's face it that is just impractical for little kids. Pyrex is too heavy, plus it's breakable. When shopping for reusable food containers, avoid plastics with the following number inside the recycling symbol: #3 (PVC), #6 (Polystyrene), and #7 (Polycarbonate). These chemicals are no good for our bodies or the planet!

Ideal Bite has some great suggestions for non-plastic food containers if you brown bag your lunch.

Source

Inflatable Kayak: Cheap and a Great Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Kayaking is great exercise to do in the summer and early fall. Not only does it completely work your upper body, but you're near water so if you get overheated, you can always jump in. While cooling off, you can tread water, which will work your lower body. A complete body workout!

Kayaks can be rather pricey though, so if you don't want to spend a large chunk of change, check out the Coleman 2-Person Inflatable Touring Kayak.

This kayak comes with two 86" aluminum paddles, and is made out of tough 22 gauge PVC. It can hold two people comfortably (I love the back rests), or a capacity of 395 lbs. This little kayak also comes with a cargo net attached for storing sunscreen, water bottles and anything else little you may need.

It inflates easily (you'll need to buy a separate air pump) and grows to about 11' x 36' long. Plus it only weighs 22 lbs so it's great to pack along if you are camping near a lake. Order it from CampersLand on sale for $69.99.

Fit's Tips: My safety warning - This isn't a real kayak, so it's definitely not as durable or easy to steer. This should only be used for fun and short excursions on calm lakes.

Celebrity Signed Yoga Mats Auctioned for Skin Cancer Research

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Well designed props make a yoga practice better. A slippery yoga mat can just about ruin the calming affects of your down dog. Maybe a patented, smartly designed yoga mat signed by a celebrity would make your practice stellar? Well here's an opportunity to find out.

YogaForce will be auctioning off two of their uniquely designed yoga mats, each signed by a celebrity, on eBay to benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation. Tobey Maguire singed one of these fancy yet durable mats, and Jennifer Garner signed the other.

The mats are printed with a grid to give you visual guidance on your alignment, plus there is a built in carrying strap. You just roll up the mat, and sling the strap around your shoulder and you are good to go. It weighs only 4 pounds. The mat is sturdy and since it is made from recycled PVC it will last forever and never end up in a landfill. Which is great because if a celeb signs your yoga mat you will want to practice on it forever. Another thing I love about these mats, they are not one bit slippy.

The eBay auction begins May 8th, so mark your calendars. You can always buy a mat directly from YogaForce for $82.

So help your yoga practice and help prevent skin cancer since the entire proceeds go towards the Skin Cancer Foundation, at the same time. You know I like multi-tasking!!!

Eco-Friendly Folding Mat

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:30:00 -0700

Crescent Moon came out with the innovative earth-friendly ECOmat for Pilates and yoga. It's made from patented TPE foam, so it contains no PVC, latex, rubber, or toxic materials.

Not only that, but it folds up. It sounds a bit odd, but the patterned grooves are said to provide superior traction. And the folds are fully enforced to prevent the absorption of sweat, so it's easy to keep clean.

It only weighs 2.8 lbs, and because it folds, it could be a great mat to travel with. You can get one for 49.99 in blue or green on the Crescent Moon website.

BodyBolster

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:15:00 -0800

I just came across the BodyBolster. It's a foam roller, gym ball, and Pilates reformer all rolled into one.

It can be used with your exercise routine, to rehabilitate injuries, or for workplace health. It provides active support because it's filled with air - it molds to your body, encouraging healthy joint movement.

It's made with Torflex, a soft, latex-free medical grade PVC, which gives it a malleability and a comfortable skin-like feel. What makes the BodyBolster unique is its adjustability - a valve allows you to deflate it with a squeeze, and with another twist of the valve it self inflates - there’s no need to blow it up!

Here are some ways you can use the BodyBolster: For back support while sitting at your desk or in the car, use as padding to make stretches more comfortable, add to exercises to make them more challenging, or use as a physical therapy tool.

For $44, the BodyBolster comes with a DVD user guide demonstrating: 13 neck and back release exercises, 11 core strength and stability exercises, 13 stretches for the whole body, and 10 seated back and neck stretches.

Check out their website to see videos on how the BodyBolster is used for rehabilitation, for stretching and strengthening, and at work.