Online doctors and nutrition programs- bust

The fruit juice diet, cutting carbs, only meat. These are a few of the tidbits of advice swarming around the internet for weight loss and diet plans. I was thrilled to finally the media finally raising an eyebrow about it.

The UK based Daily Mail covered the issues behind trendy online nutrition sites. They go as far as to critique several sites (although all UK based, they all sound familiar to US counterparts). Can you really expect to get a health reading without going to the doctor?

My firm belief (as is the view the Daily Mail article expresses) is NO. Even the most detailed sites that ask you to fill out hundreds of questions about family medical history and take into account your physical activity level can miss the mark completely. The only thing I do value from sites like these (detailed ones, at least) is that they ask for family history; which hopefully either brings past family illnesses to the front of your mind or involves you in conversation to discover potential dangers.

Last winter I finally gathered the guts to have an on going digestion issue looked at by a doctor. I had done a mild amount of studying up online, but in the end I realized no Google search was going to pop my CD drive out with a trial period of medication that I needed. What shocked me even more was the changes in Google search I witnessed.

Try typing in any medical condition, from headaches, to bladder control, a new feature pops up. Near the top of your search, Google categorizes information based on treatments, symptoms, cures, diagnosis, causes and more. All the sudden with one key phrase, Dr. Google can point you're naive mind in a potentially dangerous direction.

If you're looking for a diagnosis for illness, what may be lacking from your current lifestyle, or any type of medial assistance, SEE A DOCTOR. The interaction alone cannot be matched by a general online survey which will be immediately scored by a computer system and shot back to you. The human body is not a square peg that always fits into the same square hole.

Video: Exercise injuries

The more active you are, the greater ability you have to fight off illness, diseases and cancers. However, active lifestyles increase the odds that you may pull a muscle, or form a exercise related injury. Injuries can keep you off your feet for a few days up to a few weeks, depending on the extent of the ailment.

If you're not regularly stretching before and after workouts, you could be at a higher risk for muscle cramps later on. Check out my post on dealing with muscle cramps as well. Here's the videojug library on preventing injuries. The site does a good job of covering everything from cramping, sports prevention massage, increasing your flexibility to warming up and cooling down techniques.

Video: Alternative medicine

The interest in alternative medicine in America has risen significantly from a few decades ago. Techniques from Asian countries have moved their way to the west and proven that different methods of healing can help in cases of pain or suffering.

Alternative methods like meditation have brought many peace and serenity. The spreading of eastern medical ideas was proven by Oprah's acceptance of acupuncture a few weeks ago.

While there are few doctors in the states that can supply alternative means of medicine, there are several at home practices as well. The surge of yoga and pilates believers is a great example of the American embrace of eastern practices.

This video jug library of alternative medicine has great information on a few of the most common practices. Although not all of them are eastern related, the library offers great video chapters on chiropractic medicine, hypnosis, yoga, pilates and massage.

Here is another link to videojug looking at acupuncture treatment individually. I'd highly suggest checking it out if you have any curiosity in any of those fields, or if you are currently practicing, as videojug does a great job of incorporating basic introductions and additional in depth information.

Music To Your Health

An interesting article on one of my favorite blogs talked about the benefits of music on health. Surrounding yourself with music you find relaxing (no matter the type) has been "scientifically proven" to decrease pain and cause relaxation.

Although I've yet to see any evidence of those facts, the article does site that music has been known to relieve pain and calm fears after surgery and during cancer treatments. Personally, when I'm stressed out, I find that throwing on a good calm play list on my Ipod, my spirits are lifted and my head clears.

While a relaxed state of mind is sure to ease your spirits and relieve minor aches and pains- I'm not sure that I buy into the direct connection between music and feeling up lifted.

When do you feel your best? What music or any form of relaxation do you use?

Make your Posture Perfect

Posture is a very important aspect of our daily lives often fogotten about. Many different muscle and joint problems can be attributed to sitting up straight. Check out this great article with tons of tips on how to make your posture perfect!

Exercising to Harm

Picture this- It’s January 2^nd, you head to the gym for a typical workout, and it’s packed. Besides the New Years resolution crowd, you witness that just about everyone is going to town on every machine.

I’m no stranger to this either. When I slip on my workout routine, I’m more tempted to go in and go crazy, promising myself I’ll run many miles over my usual limit (which usually results in falling short, and exhausted).

We are all victim to working out too hard now and then. This article does a great job of setting some guidelines to keep in mind when pushing yourself during workouts.

A specific note from the article that I thought were great was the advice on weight lifting. I hope none of you ladies find that guy at the gym with the cutout shirt making horrendous moans while lifting one rep of twice his body weight. Working your muscles like the typical male gym rat is extremely dangerous.

The article points out in many occasions that even if you feel like you could do more, run to the point of no breath, do a few reps with a weight much too heavy, consider what you can do often- run at a slower pace longer, lift lighter weights for more reps and with correct technique.

Plus- check out my post on burst exercising. The value of working out in 15 minute increments proves to be valid!

Back Pain

90% of Americans have suffered with back pain at one point or another. Lower back pain is second (behind the common cold) in reasons for missing work as well. Millions of daily tasks can cause stress on our backs. Between poor posture during the day, and intra-abdominal disorders, taking care of our back has fallen as a low concern.

If you experience pain through your front, side or down your leg, it may be connected with your lower back pain (although some only feel pain in their back). The pain may become worse with movement, or with prolonged sitting like in a long car ride or at work.

To help with the pain, consider sleeping with a pillow between your knees on your side. The use of heat or cool therapy has also helped many with back issues. Most experts agree that a long rest period will help those with back related problems.

However, there are several methods of prevention to this extremely common threat. Exercising can be a real danger to back related problems. If you are using machines incorrectly or with poor posture, you’re putting your back at risk. Also, depending on your mattress, you could wake up feeling tight and tense in your back.

Abdominal crunches have been shown to decrease back pain. When they are performed correctly, they strengthen your stomach muscles which help your back as well. Stretching before or after any physical activity will be most helpful to your back. Consider stretching when you wake up if your back feels sore from the past night, or when you get up from sitting all day in the office.

Your back is your biggest muscle, yet most ignored. Take time to take care of it now and you’ll save yourself pain later on. Have you ever experienced severe back pain? What activities cause the most pain for you?

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Potassium For Cramping

Muscle cramping can be extremely painful and come on without warning. I’ve fallen victim to leg cramping when I use to swim, and when talking to my dad last, he told me about cramping so badly that it woke him up yelling with pain in the middle of the night. If you’ve experienced any sort of lengthy cramping during or after workouts, you’re probably in a situation much like me and my dad- lacking potassium.

Potassium is a mineral that helps with muscle contractions and maintaining electrolyte balance in cells. But for those who are already taking a multi-vitamin, (and especially if you dislike bananas like me and my dad) you should educate yourself on other ways to up your potassium intake.

A variety of foods contain potassium, and for those cramping up, it’s just a matter of finding ones you like and knowing which form is the best to consume it in. Broccoli, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, avocados and pomegranates all provide excellent sources of potassium. Other vegetables and meats provide a balanced amount as well. To obtain the maximum amount of potassium in these foods, steer away from cooking them, or cook them in a small amount of water for a short period of time.

Staying well hydrated and stretching regularly also helps control muscle cramping. During workouts, drink even when not thirsty (as that is a sign you are already dehydrated). Also, consider stretching when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed at night regardless of physical activity during the day. This can help loosen your muscles if you are prone to moving around often in the night.

Flip Flop Danger

Flip flops are a long time staple of warm summer days, but wearing them for extended periods of time can actually be harmful.

This article caught my eye when web surfing this morning. Someone telling me not to wear one of my many beloved pairs of flip flops? However, most flip flop fanatics can relate to some of the stories in the article. One woman slipped and broke her ankle; another took a spill at the supermarket. This seems pretty insignificant when you think about those small incidences.

But, in reality, our favorite summer shoes don’t nearly offer enough support for as often as we wear them. I knew an older woman who was involved in a pretty large fender bender because her summer shoe got stuck behind the gas petal. I’ve fallen victim to my flip flop sliding around under my foot providing inadequate support.

Most health related problems occur when woman replace their normal walking shoe with everyday flip flops. The amount of walking an average woman does in a day can be seriously over looked. When you realize that your day consists of running errands around town, and looking after the kids, flip flops are not your best choice. Running, driving, and wet areas can all be especially hazards for summer shoes.

The quoted foot doctor in the article also said problems with nerve endings, poor joint stability, tendinitis in the ankle, knee, hip and back, can all be explained by extensive flip flop usage.

Although this article may seem slightly far fetched, consider housing your feet in something a bit more stable when you’ve got a long day of moving ahead of you. There are plenty of cute summer shoes that hold your feet better for driving and making a quick trip to the grocery store!

Heat Injuries

Much of the summer’s hot days have passed us, but the end of August tends to provide enough long sunny days to keep heat related illnesses as an issue.

Heat stroke can occur when your body becomes overwhelmed with heat and is unable to properly cool itself. At this point, without medical attention, your body temperature continues to dangerously rise.

Be aware of the symptoms of heat stroke especially when outdoors with family members and friends. A person suffering from heat exhaustion may appear confused, have muscle cramping, or be sweating profusely. If conditions continue to worsen, the victim may experience heat stroke, and may feel faint, have a headache, and can become so dehydrated that sweating all together stops. To treat for someone with a heat illness, immediately call 911, bring the victim indoors or in shade. Remove excessive clothing and provide water.

Because the signs of heat illnesses can vary, it’s important to be extra observant when around friends and family in the sun. Make sure to stay hydrated, and limit sun exposure. When exercising out doors, be mindful of these signs and be understanding of your limits. Nothing is more dangerous than being out exercising alone in the middle of the day, far from your home without water or means of contacting someone for help if needed.