FitSugar

Don't Drink Hand Sanitizers (Duh)

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

I am sure you all already know this...but it is such a bizarre story that I had to share. So I just read an article about a prison inmate being hospitalized for drinking hand sanitizer gel. Yes, it does contain alcohol, but not the same kind found in alcoholic beverages.

The other inmates reported that they saw the man drinking from a "gallon container of Purell hand sanitizer." When the man was questioned as to why he was drinking it, he pointed to the label which read "Active ingredient 63% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol)." He explained that this percentage was higher that that in vodka.

But this kind of alcohol won't get you drunk. It only takes a small amount of isopropyl to kill someone, by depressing the heart and central nervous system.

The doctors involved with this man are suggesting that the makers of these hand gels change their labels. I'd have to agree because we don't want to walk into a store one day to see that you're getting carded for Purell.

FDA Warning: Think Before You Botox

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:45:00 -0800

A while back, remember how Botox injections were approved to help with excessive sweating? Well you may want to put a hold on using Botox for anything, because the FDA has issued a warning against Botox, since 16 deaths have been reportedly caused by it.

In case you didn't know it, Botox is made from the botulinum toxin, and it's often injected into the face to relax muscles and make wrinkles disappear. In rare instances the toxin can spread to other parts of the body, causing the muscles used for breathing and swallowing to weaken and become paralyzed, potentially proving fatal.

If you're thinking about getting Botox injections for cosmetic reasons, talk to your doctor about the FDA warnings. If I were you, I'd learn to embrace my old age since it's undeniably better than dying trying to stop it.

Want to see a video about this? Then read more

Warning: Don't watch this if you have a thing against needles.

Source

4 Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Lately we have become so hyper-sensitive about sun exposure and the damaging effects it has on our health. Wearing sunscreen and using self-tanners can all help to prevent possible future outbreaks of skin cancer, but what about the sun exposure we've already had?

Unfortunately, there was probably a time when we weren't so careful. Previous sun exposure might cause skin cancer, so it's important for you (or a close friend) to check your skin. Look carefully at moles and beauty marks to see if they have any of these symptoms:

Fit's Tips: If you have any doubts about a specific mole, make an appointment with a dermatologist. They may perform a biopsy where they remove a portion of it and check for cancer. Since skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., it's better to be safe, so if they do find cancer cells or are unsure, they'll remove the entire mole. To protect yourself from future sun damage, check out these tips.

Source

How Many Days a Week Do You Work Out?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:38 -0800

I'm a bear if I don't exercise. I get moody and irritable and cranky. If I've gone too long without working out, my family is the first to know and it's not pretty. Luckily my husband knows the warning signs of exercise withdrawal, and shoos me out the door with sneakers in hand. To keep my sanity, I aim to exercise at least five days a week. What about you?

Trying to Lose Weight? Ask These Questions

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:26 -0800

Many of the people reading FitSugar have weight loss on the brain, but are your efforts really necessary? Are those extra pounds putting your health at risk, or are you just carrying around a little harmless fluff? WebMD outlined seven questions you should ask yourself to help decide if you really need to get serious about weight loss.

What is your lifestyle? "Regular physical activity and healthy eating are important," say experts who spoke with WebMD, not just for those trying to budge the scale. If you're not active and eat poorly, you should start making some changes for your overall health, not just because of a weight-loss goal.
What is your family history? If high cholesterol, "high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or another weight-related ailment" runs in your family then Web MD notes that "it's crucial to be mindful of your weight."
What is your weight history? If the pounds have been creeping up on you over the past several years, you need to watch out since "experts say your BMI should not increase dramatically, even as you age. Even moderate weight gain in adulthood can increase your risk of diabetes."

To see the other four questions read more.

How is your weight distributed? WebMD warns that if your body is "the so-called 'apple' shape," it can put your health at risk. So if this sounds like you, aim to whittle away your middle. If your weight is primarily in your thighs and butt, it's not as crucial to drop the pounds.
What is your waist size? The National Institutes of Health say that a "waist circumference of over 35 inches in women signifies a health risk, particularly those people with BMIs of 25 and 34.9 (the overweight category)." If you're not sure what your BMI is, check out Fit's Calculator to find out.
What is your health profile? "If your cholesterol and blood pressure levels are high and your BMI falls into the overweight or obese category, it's important to lose weight," writes WebMD. So make an appointment with your doc to get yours checked.
How do you feel? "If you're overweight and have joint problems, shortness of breath, or other health troubles that limit your day-to-day living," and interfere with being able to work, then experts quoted in the article suggest that melting away pounds would help improve the quality of your life.

Cool or NOT Cool?

FitSugar — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I recently took a trip to Canada to see the Body Worlds exhibit (a MUST see by the way), and happened to notice that they have these really bold messages on their cigarette packs. I've never seen anything like them! They're really graphic warnings meant to discourage people from smoking, and get this - they're government-funded!

These warnings aren't just on one brand of cigarettes - they're on EVERY brand. The government is hoping to encourage smokers to quit smoking. Here are some of the warnings:

Workout Warning Signs

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:30:00 -0700

In general all the blood, sweat, and tears are signs of a good workout - well maybe not blood, but you get the idea. There are, however, a few things that you should take as warning signs of something potentially more dangerous when working out. A few aches and pains are nothing, but here are signals that should raise a red flag:

Fainting
An unusually rapid heartbeat
Experiencing a severe headache
Having difficulty breathing
Chest pain, chest pressure, and/or chest tightness

If you suddenly experience any of the above during exercise then it's a good idea to consult your doctor immediately as they can be a sign of heart disease, asthma, or just that you drank too much coffee before hitting the gym. Regardless, there is no harm in getting it checked out.

Source

With Teen Obesity, Inactivity Is Only Part of the Problem

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:32:46 -0800

I panic every time I see another "exercise doesn't work!" story - until I read between the lines and learn once again that exercise is a good thing. On the heels of its conversation-starting cover story on the exercise "myth," Time is tackling a new study of teen obesity that claims inactivity is only partly to blame for heavier kids.

Obesity rates in teenagers have triple between 1976 and 2004, with lack of exercise the suspected culprit. But a new report published in Obesity Reviews says that physical activity levels among teens have actually stayed fairly steady. So does that mean that exercise doesn't matter? Hardly, so read more.

Unfortunately, this latest study only looked at activity levels, not eating habits, and the participants were self-reporting on their own habits, which can lead to unreliable data. These figures merely suggest that the increase in teen obesity can't be explained away by teens' lack of exercise, according to Dr. Youfa Wang, the lead author of the study. Here's more:

So does this mean that exercise isn't important in controlling weight? As tempting as that conclusion might be, Wang and other health experts say that's not exactly what the new data show. . . . While exercise may not contribute directly to weight loss, it is critical for maintaining a healthy weight, since it helps calibrate the balance between energy taken in and energy burned off. "The data is too gross, and too general, to assume that [exercise doesn't count]," warns Dr. Janet Walberg Rankin, a professor in the department of human nutrition, foods, and exercise at Virginia Tech. "We need to have a dual approach to weight involving both activity and diet. I would hate for people to take away from this study that activity has nothing to do with weight."

Phew! Thanks, doc. I also hope that's not what people take away from this study. In fact, to me, it says the opposite. If teen obesity is going up because teens have increased their calorie intake without increasing their activity levels, then that seems to say pretty clearly that exercise does make a difference. Do you agree?

5 Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:50:35 -0800

We don't always feel 100 percent all the time, and it's normal to feel a little nauseous, tired, or sniffly every once in a while. These are minor symptoms though, and usually go away on their own. But there are a few red flag signals our bodies flash to warn us of serious medical conditions, and they're symptoms you shouldn't pass off as nothing. WebMD spoke to the authors of Your Body's Red Light Warning Signals, and here are some symptoms that require a doctor's visit or emergency care.

Difficulty breathing. Tightness in the chest, wheezing, shallow breathing, or constantly coughing are all symptoms of asthma. If a person has these symptoms or full-on asthma attacks, and they're left untreated, the muscles used for breathing can get tired. That means the amount of oxygen getting into the lungs will decrease, while the levels of carbon dioxide increase. This has a drowsing effect on the brain, and the person may stop breathing, which could result in death.
Blood in your urine. When you go to the bathroom, you shouldn't see blood, and if you do, it could be a sign of kidney stones, bladder infections, or cancer of the kidney, urethra, or bladder. Even if you don't feel pain, call your doctor.

To see the other red flags keep reading

How Mo' Nique Lost the Weight and Why Some Don't Like It

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:30:47 -0800

Everywhere I look lately I'm seeing comedienne Mo'Nique. She's got a new late-night talk show on BET, is making the talk show rounds, and is creating some serious Oscar buzz for her standout performance as an abusive mother in Precious. Oh, and also, she's about 50 lbs. lighter.

The stand-up comic has spent a career embracing her big girl status, often telling fans: bigger is better. But on a recent appearance on the Oprah show Mo'Nique shared that slimming down was a matter of life and death.

In 2006, at 262 lbs, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and doctors warned that she was on a fast track to a short life. In late 2007, Mo'Nique made the decision to lose the weight. A decision, she says, that has alienated some of her fans who looked to her as a symbol that being big is OK. She still thinks that being big is beautiful, but says that being healthy and alive is even better.

To hear how Mo'Nique lost the weight, read more.

Mo'Nique shared with People that her plan is to lose a total of 65 lbs. and is about 20 lbs. away from reaching her goal. The main focus was to change her eating habits - she's cut out junk food like cake, cookies, and chips, and instead of red meat and fried foods, she eats fresh fish and drinks a gallon of water each day. She also hired trainer Erica Sammy to whip her into shape. They hit the gym together on weekday mornings doing a combination workout of cardio, stretching, and weight training.