FitSugar

That Little Itch Could Be . . .

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:00:00 -0800

The relationship between itches and scratching just got a little more complicated. A new study on scratching (yes, scientists study actions as seemingly banal as scratching) revealed that the act of scratching actually reduces activity in the brain region associated with negative emotions and unpleasant memories. This could be why scratching that itch feels so good.

The sensation of an itch is rather physiologically complicated, as is the scratch that relieves it. An itch involves not just the skin but the spinal cord and brain, too. While scratching an itch is a reflex response (the action removes irritants), there is a lot of neurological activity happening to help you to hit the right spot. When you do hit the right spot, it feels great. The researchers were actually interested in why scratching inhibits or alleviates the itching sensation. It looks like they are one step closer to figuring out why the itch got scratched.

My question to you is, do you feel a little itchy after reading this post?

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Cookbook Review: Quick From Scratch Chicken Cookbook

FitSugar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0700

The latest book from Food & Wine, Quick from Scratch Chicken Cookbook ($25), might be dedicated entirely to chicken, but it is by no means boring. We all know that chicken is a wonderful lean protein, but cooking a boneless, skinless breast can become awfully dull. This cookbook is the antidote to monotonous chicken. With lovely photos accompanying every recipe, it is easy to become inspired flipping through its pages. Many of the recipes seem healthy, but the cookbook doesn't include any nutritional breakdown of the recipes, which is my only criticism of this book. Since chicken is such a versatile protein and can be cooked a variety of ways, the cookbook is organized around all the different cooking techniques making it easy to find recipes to try. Being summertime, I was drawn to the section devoted to grilling. I made the Tandoori chicken, and it was a hit. My girls loved it and it impresses dinner guests repeatedly. The major bonus is it's easy.

Check out the recipe when you read more.

Grilled Chicken Tandoori
Quick From Scratch Chicken Cookbook by Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 chicken (3 to 3 1/2 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
with skin removed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
1 1/4 teaspoons ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
3 tablespoons cooking oil

Directions

Light the grill. Using a sharp knife, cut shallow incisions in the chicken pieces at about 1/2-inch intervals. In a large, glass dish or stainless-steel pan, combine the lemon juice, water, salt, and turmeric. Add the chicken pieces and turn to coat. Let the chicken pieces marinate for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, and cayenne. Add to the chicken and lemon mixture; turn to coat. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
Grill the chicken over moderately high heat, basting with oil, for 10 minutes. Turn and cook, basting with the remaining oil, until just done, about 10 minutes longer for the breasts, 12 for the thighs and drumsticks.

Print recipe with images | without images
When I make this dish for my family, I omit the cayenne pepper - my daughters' young palates can't tolerate the heat - the end result is still quite tasty. You can also make kabobs with this recipe using four to five chicken breasts. If you're interested, pick up a copy of the cookbook from Amazon.

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Cat scratch disease

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:48:30 -0700

Illustrations

Cat scratch disease

Antibodies

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness caused by the bacteria bartonella. It is believed to be transmitted by cat scratches, bites, or exposure to cat saliva.

Alternative Names

CSD; Cat scratch fever; Bartonellosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae. The disease is spread through contact with an infected cat (a bite or scratch), or contact with cat saliva on broken skin or the white of the eye.

About 2 - 3 weeks after becoming infection, lymph nodes swelling (lymphadenopathy) occurs near the site of the scratch or bite.

Occasionally, an infected lymph node may form a tunnel (fistula) through the skin and drain. Cat scratch disease is a common causes of chronic lymph node swelling in children.

Symptoms

A person who has had contact with a cat may show common symptoms, including:

Bump (papule) or blister (pustule) at site of injury (usually the first sign)
Lymph node swelling near the scratch or bite
Fever (in some patients)
Fatigue
Overall discomfort (malaise)
Headache

Less common symptoms may include:

Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Enlarged spleen
Sore throat
Draining lymph nodes

Signs and tests

A scratch or injury and a history of contact with a cat indicates that cat scratch disease is a possible cause of the lymph node swelling. In some cases, physical examination also shows an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).

The disease often goes unrecognized because of the difficulty in testing. However, the Bartonella henselae IFA test is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of infection caused by this bacteria.

Other tests used in the diagnosis of cat scratch disease:

Lymph node biopsy to rule out other causes of swollen glands

Treatment

Generally, cat scratch disease is not serious. Medical treatment is not usually needed. However, in severe cases, treatment with antibiotics can be helpful.

In AIDS patients and in other people who have suppressed immune systems, cat scratch disease is more serious, and treatment with antibiotics is recommended.

Expectations (prognosis)

In children with normal immune systems, full recovery without treatment is the norm. In immunocompromised people, treatment with antibiotics generally leads to recovery.

Complications

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have enlarged lymph nodes and a history of exposure to a cat.

Prevention

Avoiding contact with cats prevents the disease. Where this is not reasonable, good hand-washing after playing with a cat, avoiding scratches and bites, and avoiding cat saliva will lessen the risk of infection.

Review Date: 8/6/2007

Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, MD., MSc., DTM., Prof. Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Dept. of Human Biology, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine, Stanford, CA. 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_001614

Cat scratch disease

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:37:31 -0700

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HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness associated with cat scratches, bites, or exposure to cat saliva, causing chronic swelling of the lymph nodes. Cat scratch disease is possibly the most common cause of chronic lymph node swelling in children.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_8989

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch When You Scratch Them?

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

'Tis the season for mosquitoes and annoying bug bites. If you love to play outside, trail run, hike, or camp, it's inevitable that you'll get your fair share of bites. They're just so itchy, and it seems that when you scratch them, the more they itch.

When the female mosquito stabs her needle-like proboscis into your skin to suck out your blood, she injects you with her saliva. This is filled with digestive enzymes and anticoagulants, and it helps her drink more quickly. Your body reacts to the saliva by producing histamine. This makes the blood vessels near the bite enlarge, and so a pink, swollen, and itchy bump appears.

Since the bite is so itchy, you can't help but scratch it. The problem is, this irritates the bite, which makes it inflamed, and causes it to itch more. The best thing to do is avoid scratching at all costs. Wash the area with soap and water, and apply an anti-itch cream, like Cortaid. I have found that applying an ice pack helps too.

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Allergy skin prick or scratch test

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:57 -0700

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HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

One of the most common methods of allergy testing is the scratch test or skin prick test. The test involves placing a small amount of the suspected allergy-causing substance (allergen) on the skin (usually the forearm, upper arm, or the back), and then scratching or pricking the skin so that the allergen is introduced under the skin surface. The skin is observed closely for signs of a reaction, which usually includes swelling and redness of the site. With this test, several suspected allergens can be tested at the same time. Results are usually obtained within about 20 minutes.

Review Date:
5/7/2007
Reviewed By:
Harvey Simon, M.D., Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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

Allergy skin prick or scratch test

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:29:37 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

One of the most common methods of allergy testing is the scratch test or skin prick test. The test involves placing a small amount of the suspected allergy-causing substance (allergen) on the skin (usually the forearm, upper arm, or the back), and then scratching or pricking the skin so that the allergen is introduced under the skin surface. The skin is observed closely for signs of a reaction, which usually includes swelling and redness of the site. With this test, several suspected allergens can be tested at the same time, and results are usually obtained within about 20 minutes.

Review Date: 7/17/2007

Reviewed By: Donald Accetta, MD, MPH, President, Allergy & Asthma Care, PC, Taunton, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_19344

When You're a Pro, What Does Time Off Mean?

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:00:49 -0700

Runner Kara Goucher made her marathon debut a year ago in the Big Apple, but she's skipping the New York Marathon this year. At the Nike Running Summit, she explained she wasn't planning on racing again until Boston because she's doing some planning of a different nature - family planning.

When you're an elite runner, skipping an event doesn't go unnoticed, making it difficult to keep it a secret that you're trying to get pregnant. Kara explained to me in a short but sweet interview that she's "taking a few months off to see what happens in her personal life."

But what does "time off" mean after running 120 miles a week? For Kara it means only running 30 miles a week, a number I would love to have as my hard-core weekly mileage. Although she does admit to getting a little softer now that she's only running a quarter of what she's used to, Kara's relationship with food hasn't changed, since she has always been "a healthy eater." Body fat is an issue for runners, but her attitude is pretty simple: "It is just weight and it will come off." Which is great since this runner, a proclaimed "queen of the 30-minute meal," is spending her newly found free time cooking, mostly Italian, and making sauces from scratch.

To see how Kara answered when I asked her if she could be an elite athlete in another sport, what would it be, just read more.

She admitted that this was a tough question, but that she has always leaned toward tennis. Kara finds the combination of individual strength and one-on-one competition quite compelling. Then there's the fashion side of things: "They wear cool outfits."

Kara's long-term goal: racing in the London Olympics in 2012 and bringing home the gold. Go Kara!

Reasons to Try Mountain Biking

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:47:34 -0700

Road biking was my first taste of exercising on wheels. I loved the smooth terrain, how fast I could speed along, and how much distance I could cover, which made for great sightseeing. I never gave much thought to trying mountain biking, until my hubby persuaded me to go with him. I tell you, it's a completely different feeling riding on a woodsy trail than it is riding on the road. Here are some reasons you should give it a try.

It's the perfect time of year - the air is chilly so you won't overheat, there are no bugs, the ground is less muddy, and the foliage is gorgeous. It's a great way to celebrate Fall.
It's a major calorie burner. An hour of mountain biking burns over 500 calories.
You can forget about doing endless squats and lunges because mountain biking will effectively tone your thighs and booty. Since you have to pedal hard up steep hills, you really feel the burn in your lower body.
Once you purchase a mountain bike, cycling shoes, and a helmet, the trails are usually free, so it's a great way to stay fit during a time when we're all pinching pennies. Visit a bike shop and purchase an old model that stores are trying to get rid of, or check out Craigslist if you're on a budget.

To see why else you should start mountain biking read more.

It's a great alternative for people who say that running hurts their knees or back.
Since you're biking through narrow trails, over roots and rocks, dodging tree limbs and holes, you really tune your sense of balance. It also requires more awareness and quick thinking, so boredom just isn't an issue.
It's a great form of exercise you can do with a friend or whole group. Not only is there safety in numbers, but your pals can suggest new places to ride.
It's hardcore. I feel so tough after a ride in the woods because mountain biking is so challenging. I come home with scratches from branches, bruises from falling (since I'm a beginner), and mud on my legs. Aside from strengthening my body, my inner self feels stronger.

Tell me, have you ever tried mountain biking?

Teri Hatcher and Friends Do the Nautica Malibu Tri

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:30:44 -0700

The Nautica Malibu Triathlon was held yesterday, and what makes this triathlon famous are the famous contestants that race it. Celebs often compete to raise money for the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Last year Jennifer Lopez competed, and training helped her lose some of her baby weight. This year Teri Hatcher competed to scratch a triathlon off her "bucket list."

She was joined by costar Felicty Huffman, who is a triathlon veteran, as is her husband William H. Macy, who also competed. Jeremy Piven, Mario Lopez, and 2007 Bachelor and Ironman athlete Andy Baldwin raced in the triathlon as well. The triathlon consisted of a 880-yard swim, an 18-mile bike ride, and a 4-mile run. Looks like everyone had fun and started their day with a great workout.

For shots of all these competitors, keep on reading.