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Written by Tina Rideout
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Thursday, 08 May 2008 10:42 |
Healthy Sleep Routine Sets the Tone for the Next Day
(ARA) – Sleep helps our body recover from stressful daytime activities. It is also the healthy habit we most often neglect. Better sleep should be a priority along with healthy evening practices to set the tone for a good day to come.
It is usually easy for people to establish and maintain morning routines: bathing; packing a briefcase, purse or gym bag; and preparing snacks or a meal for the workday. However, evenings can be a time when we seek a release from scheduled duties. But it is vital to create thoughtful nighttime routines, starting with rituals that promote healthy sleep. To turn crucial evening hours into healthful days, consider the following tips:
“Recent studies link sleep deprivation to increased levels of a chemical that stimulates appetite,” says medical reporter and national health magazine contributing editor, Lisa Drayer, M.A., R.D. “People who sleep too little probably lack energy for exercise and this, combined with an overactive appetite, can be problematic for your health.” Thus, a regular snooze schedule - even on weekends - along with moderate daily exercise can help promote a healthy body weight.
Additionally, Drayer advises against dinners with a high fat content, as heavy meals can cause the digestive system to continue “working” hard when the rest of the body prepares for sleep. Although she recommends avoiding caffeine and large meals at least two hours before turning out the lights, Drayer permits the following sleep- and figure-friendly snacks: an apple, a small serving of pretzels or hot oatmeal, 1/2 cup frozen yogurt or low-fat ice cream, as well as berries with fat-free whipped topping.
Personal care at night also impacts the quality of our days. Plaque germs increase while the mouth is at rest, so it’s important to practice good oral care before you slip into slumber. In addition to brushing and flossing, consider adding a toothpaste and oral rinse like Crest Pro-Health Night to your evening routine. Crest Pro-Health Night toothpaste protects all these areas dentists check most even while you sleep: cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity, tartar, whitening and it freshens breath. And Crest Pro-Health Night oral rinse kills 99 percent of germs without the burn of alcohol for a healthier mouth that’s cleaner in the morning.
Finally, creating an environment that is conducive to healthy sleep is essential. Many researchers suggest wearing loose-fitting clothing, keeping the room temperature cool and turning off all potentially distracting items, like the television or radio, which may cause you to have difficulty falling and staying asleep.
Choices that promote healthier sleep equate to healthful days, which is something we all need.
To learn more about Crest Pro-Health Night and for other dental health information, visit www.crestprohealth.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Written by Tina Rideout
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 12:12 |
Chronic snoring cures
During normal breathing, air passes through the throat on its way to the lungs. The air travels past the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue. When a person is awake, the muscles in the back of the throat tighten to hold these structures in place preventing them from collapsing into the airway. During sleep, these structures can fall into the airway causing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is characterized by loud snroing and distrubed or interruped sleep patterns. Sleep apnea can have serious consequences including cardiac problems. Frequently patients will awaken in the morning with a headache. If they become sleep deprived they may feel sleeppy all day, and may fall asleep while driving in the car.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a sleep study. During a sleep study, the patient's breathing patterns, heart rhythim and brain waves are monitored.
If it is found that sleep apnea is present, most doctors recommend the use of CPAP. CPAP is a breathing device worn during sleep to help keep the airway open. In some situations surgery is recommended. The uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with or without tonsillectomy are surgical procedurs designed to open the airway. In rare situations, a tracheostomy is necessary. These are procedures designed to circumvent this sleep related collapse of these structures.
For more information visit: Melarol Sleep Relief
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 May 2008 12:48 )
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Breathe Easy this Allergy Season |
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Written by Tina Rideout
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 12:14 |
Breathe Easy this Allergy Season
(ARA) – For the millions of Americans who suffer from asthma and allergies, a dust-free home may be just what the doctor ordered. As allergy season approaches, it is a good time to put dusting on top of your cleaning checklist. Here are some tips for allergy-proofing your home from board-certified physician and author of “Allergies & Asthma for Dummies,” Dr. William E. Berger:
“House dust is one of the most prevalent – and unavoidable – allergy triggers in any home,” says Dr. Berger. “Since you can’t control the allergens outside your home, dusting is just one of the several easy steps you can take to allergy-proof the inside.”
Don’t Sleep on It
You are not the only one who loves your bed; so do dust mites. In fact, an average bed contains 2 million dust mites, which means it’s possible to breathe in significant amounts of allergens while sleeping. However, a few simple steps can be taken to ensure those mites are not sleeping in your bed.
* Cover all mattresses and pillows with zippered, dust-proof covers. Choose a material, like plastic, vinyl or fabrics, with pores too small to allow dust mites through.
* Wash bed sheets and blankets every week in hot water – at least 130 degrees F – to kill dust mites.
Don’t Sit on It
Dusting furniture alone will not eliminate dust and pet dander. Some products, such as feather dusters or dusting cloths, simply stir up dust in the air instead of eliminating the allergens within dust and pet dander.
* Use a product that contains allergen trappers. Pledge Furniture Polish removes up to 84 percent of allergens from dust mites and pet dander found in dust.
* If you have severe allergies, avoid furniture made from upholstery. Instead choose wood, plastic, vinyl or leather furniture; these materials are easier to clean than fabric.
Don’t Touch it
Certain places in the home can be a breeding ground for dust mites and pet dander. Making smart choices when picking furniture and household accessories can make a difference for allergy sufferers.
* Pet dander is more easily collected in carpeting and thick rugs. To help make allergy-proofing easier, choose bare floors over carpeting where you can use cleaning products to pick up and remove allergens from pet dander. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter at least once a week is an alternative option.
* Allergy sufferers should avoid curtains and instead opt for shades or blinds that are easy to clean.
Go to www.pledge.com to learn more about allergen-reducing Pledge products and for more tips on reducing allergens in your home.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Certain Omega-3s May Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk |
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Written by Tina Rideout
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 11:55 |
Certain Omega-3s May Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk
BETHESDA, Md.--Men with high intakes of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may have a reduced risk of prostate cancer, according to researchers from the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute (Am J Clin Nutr, 80, 1:204-16, 2004). Increased dietary intake of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), however, may increase the risk of advanced prostate cancer.
Researchers evaluated the association between dietary intake of ALA, EPA, DHA, linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) and prostate cancer risk in a cohort of 47,866 men between 40 and 75 years of age who were free from prostate cancer at the start of the study. After 14 years of follow-up, 2,965 subjects developed prostate cancer--448 of which developed advanced prostate cancer.
The researchers found men with the highest intake of EPA and DHA combined had an 11-percent reduced risk of developing prostate cancer and a 26-percent reduced risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. Researchers also found while dietary intake of ALA was unrelated to the total risk of prostate cancer, its consumption significantly increased the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. Specifically, non-animal ALA doubled the risk and ALA from meat and dairy sources increased the risk by approximately 50 percent.
For more information visit: Prostate Health
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