2013 health & medicine

HEALTH AND MEDICINE GUIDE22 FEBRUARY 27, 2013 The Daily News2

Preventing falls:Seniors at risk for headtrauma and fractures

Among older adults, fallsare the leading cause ofinjury deaths. They are alsoone of the most common rea-sons seniors visit the emer-gency rooms for trauma eachyear. Falls are largely pre-ventable.

More than one-third ofadults aged 65 or older falleach year in the UnitedStates, according to theCenters for Disease Controland Prevention (CDC). Manyof these falls lead to seriousinjuries, such as head trau-ma, hip fractures, other frac-tures, and bruising. Due tothe nature of bones becom-ing more brittle as a personages, falls that would beminor for someone youngercan be dangerous to olderadults. Most fractures experi-enced by older adults are dueto falls.

The risk for injury increas-es the older a person is, sayexperts. And falls can alsocontribute to early death.The key to reducing injury isto prevent falls and ready thebody should a fall occur.

* Exercise regularly, asmuch as is possible for yourlevel of health. Low-impactactivities, such as Tai Chiand yoga can improve bal-ance, flexibility and strength.

* Ask your doctor to reviewyour medications to see ifany side effects are loss ofbalance, vertigo or some-thing that can compromisemobility. Some medicinesmay also contribute to fragilebones.

* Improve the lighting inyour home. Illuminate stair-

cases and entryways. Placenight lights in bathrooms orhallways for ease of travelingin dim light.

* Most falls occur in thebathroom and kitchen. In thebathroom, place grab barsthat make it easier to enterand exit the shower. Considerusing a seat in the shower ifyou become lightheaded orfeel unbalanced.

* Have your vision checkedby a professional every yearto ensure your prescriptionis unchanged. If your glassesor contact lenses are addingdifficulty to walking proper-ly, address this with your eyedoctor.

* Look around the homeand identify potential fallhazards, such as unsecuredrugs or cluttered furniture.Remove the hazards.

* Use an assistance deviceif you feel unsteady. A caneor walker can provide a littlemore balance, if needed.

* Wear shoes or slipperswith nonslip soles for bettertraction.

* Ask for help with tasksthat involve climbing, heacylifting or standing on a stoolor ladder.

* Sit on the edge of the bedfor a few minutes beforestanding up. This will enableyour blood pressure to equal-ize and prevent dizzinesswhile standing.

* Limit alcohol consump-tion, especially if it caninterfere with medicationyou are taking.

* Eat a balanced diet andtake a calcium supplement tohelp strengthen bones.

Reliability, expertise, andquality are hallmarks of theLSU Bogalusa Medical Center(BMC), which has continuouslyserved the Northshore for morethan 100 years. The only full-service hospital in a 30-mileradius, BMC is a vital resourcefor the region.

Fully accredited by The JointCommission, this 98-bed acutecare hospital also operates pri-mary and specialty outpatientclinics and an inpatient acutepsychiatric unit, which pro-vides services to patients fromthroughout Louisiana.

The hospital announced,(with the collaboration of theBCMC Foundation) that wehave secured funding for a $7.5million Emergency Depart-ment expansion. The Emer-gency Department medical andprofessional staff is now pro-viding emergent and non-emer-gent care to over 30,000 patientsannually and has outgrown itspresent 9 beds. The project willalmost double the numbers ofbeds to care for our continuallygrowing emergency depart-ment needs.

In partnership with the LSUSchool of Medicine, BMC spon-sors the Rural Family MedicineResidency Program, and also

partners with the Departmentsof Cardiology, Pediatrics andPathology.

All BMC’s primary care, pedi-atric and family practice clinicshave recognition status asNational Committee forQuality Assurance medicalhomes, indicating they providequality, comprehensive, pri-mary healthcare, ongoing pre-ventive and early interventionhealthcare and coordinatedaccess to specialty care whenneeded.

BMC’s commitment to excel-lence is obvious — for five yearseQHealth Solutions, Louis-iana’s Medicare quality im-provement organization, hasrecognized BMC for their supe-rior inpatient healthcare.

BMC participates in the LSUDisease Management Program,which manages chronic dis-eases according to nationallyaccepted guidelines. This yearBMC received the LSU ClinicalLead Awards in Asthma,Smoking Cessation and WeightManagement and ClinicalExcellence Awards in Emer-gency Department Through-put, Asthma Care, CancerScreening, HIV Care, andSmoking Cessation. BMC is anirreplaceable northshore asset.

HEALTH AND MEDICINE GUIDEThe Daily News FEBRUARY 27, 2013 33

LSUBMC: A commitment to excellence

Riverside Medical Centeroffers quality health care inFranklinton and for residentsin eastern Washington Par-ish.

Some of the services offeredby Riverside include:

INFUSION:One of the busiest depart-

ments in the hospital, special-ly trained nurses administerInfusion. These nurses offer:IV Therapy, Injections, Cen-tral Lines, Peripheral Insert-ed Central Catheters (PICC),Port-A-Cath Catheter Care,and Blood Platelet Infusions.

CARDIOLOGY:Cardiac Stress Testing,

Bubble Studies, Echocard-iograms, Athletic screeningfor local athletes to determineheart abnormalities. Electro-cardiograms and Stress Echo-cardiograms, EEG’s (Neuro-diagnostic) Testing, SleepStudies with mask fitting,patient education and follow-up evaluation with a BoardCertified Sleep physician,Pulmonary Function Testing,Ventilator and Airway man-agement Arterial Blood GasAnalysis with Co-oximetry,Aerosol and Oxygen Therapyand Patient Education.

EMERGENCY DEPART-MENT:

Available 24 hours a day,seven days a week staffedwith a Board CertifiedPhysician and speciallytrained nurses and other per-sonnel. This department hasa patient monitoring systemwith the capability of moni-toring invasive lines, carbondioxide and performs a 12-lead EKG with the touch of abutton. This system isportable and, if necessary,may be transferred with thepatient. The Glidescopeassists with difficult intuba-tions and saves precious min-utes in the resuscitation

process.

LABORATORY:The Laboratory Depart-

ment at Riverside MedicalCenter is a full service labproviding service 24 hours aday, seven days a week.

RADIOLOGY:GE Slice Lightspeed CT

Scans 1.5 T MRI Scans (avail-able 6 days a week), GEDigital Radiography, DigitalFluoroscopy, Dual HeadNuclear Medicine Scans, FullField Digital Mammography,and Lunar Dexa Scans(aids inthe detection of osteoporosis),GE PACS Digital Radio-

graphic Viewing System, andNeurostar TeleradiographySystem and ESI injections.

REHABILITATION —PHYSICAL, OCCUPATION-AL AND SPEECH THERA-PY:

The staff are all licensedand trained in their respec-tive rehab fields.

SURGERY:Inpatient and Outpatient

procedures are performed atRiverside Medical Center.

Please call 795-4142 with anyquestions you may haveregarding these services.


Caring, quality medical care provided at Fair City’sRiverside Medical Center

Is it safe to say the generalpublic is obsessed with beau-ty? It could very well be.Individuals will go to greatlengths to look good and feelgood about themselves. Thosewho experience health issues,such as urinary incontinence,may wonder how they cankeep up appearances whilemanaging their condition.

Obsession With BeautyPeople have long been infat-

uated with all that is beauti-ful. Magazine covers broad-cast the thinnest, prettiest --and thusly the most popular --each and every issue.According to a 2006Consumer Perception studycommissioned by theAmerican Academy ofCosmetic Surgery, 83 percentof people are of firm beliefthat personal appearance isimportant for success in pro-fessional life.

Celebrities go to painstak-ing measures to remainattractive, often undergoingsurgeries to correct perceivedflaws. A few years ago, twen-ty-something television starHeidi Montag underwent aseries of cosmetic surgeryprocedures -- 10 in one day -- to"maintain her looks," as thestar said. Tattoo artist andcelebrity Kat Von D hasrecently transformed herlook through plastic surgery,while many others admit toprocedures ranging fromBotox(R) to extreme exerciseroutines to look their best.Non-celebrities are alsoundergoing procedures toimprove their looks.

On a less permanent level,men and women may spend agood deal of money to main-tain a fashionable wardrobeto put their best foot forward.Individuals often do not pur-chase clothes because theirolder clothing has worn out,but to continually look theirbest and freshen their appear-

ances. Women will don make-up before leaving the house.Both men and women maydye their hair to hide the gray.Although people may argueotherwise, the majority of

individuals are concernedwith looking their best. Agood physical appearanceboosts one's self-esteem.

What should a person dowhen a physical or medical

condition can compromisetheir self-image?

How Health Can AffectSelf-Esteem

Urinary incontinence and

bladder issues can compro-mise a person's life and causeembarrassment and evenaffect one's appearance.According to OBGYN.net,


Feeling confident by regaining bladder control

SEE BLADDER CONTROL, PAGE 10

Family members never hadto fret if they were feelingunder the weather at grand-ma's house -- she always had amiracle solution. Perhapshomespun love and affectiondid much to heal a bruised ego,but it was the traditional reme-dies found in grandma's medi-cine cabinet that were mosteffective in healing rashes,insect bites, athlete's foot, sun-burn, and poison ivy.

What ever happened to those"old fashioned" medicines thatgrandma relied upon? Productscontaining steroids, antibi-otics, perfumes, preservatives,and artificial colors seem to bepopular today. However, thereare some products available atpharmacies and online thathave been used by generationsof people to successfully treatirritations of the skin. These

products are safe, effective andmany of them cost less than thenewer items du jour.

Not Fancy, But FunctionalOne such product, Columbia

Antiseptic Powder, is producedby a small, family owned com-pany and has been on the mar-ket since the 1870's. A companyspokesperson said the formulais original and unchanged in134 years! This product hasbeen used by doctors andhealth care professionals -- aswell as regular folks -- to treatfungal infections like athlete'sfoot and jock itch, as well aspoison ivy, diaper rash, insectbites, and chafing.

The "secret" is an ingredientcalled carbolic acid. This com-bines with the other activeingredients in ColumbiaAntiseptic Powder to form a

very effective medicine."While other companies put

their money into promotionsand advertising, we prefer tospend more on the qualityingredients we put into theproduct," says Eric Brooks, acustomer service representa-tive.

Baby Care BasicOriginally used to treat dia-

per rash, Columbia powderhas been described by a cus-tomer this way: "Nothingclears up diaper rash fasterthan Columbia. When usedeveryday on a baby's diapers,diaper rash never occurs." Butthe product works well on somany other skin irritations.

Everyday HealingThe powder works well for

life's everyday bumps and

bruises. Active people of alltypes can enjoy the powder'ssoothing effect on overworkedareas of the body. Athletes havelong relied on the powder toreduce inflammation on soreand tired feet and limbs. Agreat item to have along oncamping trips and hikes, thepowder is hypoallergenic and itwill help keep one dry and com-fortable under the most strenu-ous conditions.

"My family has usedColumbia Antiseptic Powderfor well over 50 years ... thankyou again (F.C. Sturtevant Co.)for having a product that istruly the best on the market,"says Elizabeth Hilton of Kent,Ohio.

Ideal for Sensitive Skin"Just about everyone at one

time or another has skin thatreacts to something," saysretired physician RichardKline. "It could be the environ-ment, exposure to certainchemicals or plants, excessiveexercise or just plain allergies.Columbia Antiseptic Powderoffers safe, effective and fast-acting relief for all of these sit-uations."

A Medicine For Your PetsAs Well

Columbia Veterinary Anti-septic Powder was originallymade to treat collar galls on


140 years of ... good old fashioned first aid

Then and now:A century-old remedy for skin irritations stillworks well today against problems like diaper rash and ath-lete's foot.

SEE OLD FASHIONED, PAGE 12

For the millions of peoplewho rely on prescription med-ications every day, the daywhen a drug faces generic com-petition is one many circle ontheir calendars. That's becausegeneric prescriptions are oftensignificantly less expensivethan brand name medications,and consumers are able to savesubstantial amounts of moneyonce a brand name drug facesgeneric competition.

But many men and womencurrently taking a brand nameprescription might be quick to

point out that, while genericmedications cost less, brandname prescriptions often risein price in the months beforethey face generic competition.Such was the findings of a 2011study from the AARP PublicPolicy Institute that examinedthe 217 brand name drugs mostcommonly used by people inMedicare. Prices of drugs fac-ing generic competition in 2010rose by an average of nearly 14percent in 2009, an increasethat was nearly twice theamount of all other drugs. So

while drugs might be moreaffordable once they can be pur-chased generically, consumerscan expect brand name drugmanufacturers to drasticallyincrease their prices in themonths prior to facing genericcompetition, as the manufac-turers are, in a way, looking forone last big revenue scorebefore their patents expire.

That's a troublesome realityfor anyone taking a brandname prescription, but espe-cially so for older men andwomen living on fixed incomes.

Though drug manufacturersaren't likely to change theirpractices, there are still waysmen and women can reduceprescription medication costs.

* Ask for generics. If thereare generic alternatives tobrand name medications avail-able, always ask a physician forthose medications instead oftheir more expensive brandname counterparts. Don't justassume a physician will pre-scribe generics. Sometimesdoctors prescribe brand namemedications despite the avail-

ability of cheaper and equallyeffective generic medications.

* "Test drive" a drug first.Just because a doctor pre-scribes a drug doesn't mean thepatient will respond to thatdrug. Many men and womenfind they are too sensitive to agiven medication and stop tak-ing it after just a few days.Unfortunately, they paid for afull prescription and cannotreturn the pills they don't planto use. Individuals who have a


How to reduce prescription medication costs

SEE PRESCRIPTIONS, PAGE 9

Anyone who has ever suf-fered back pain, whether thatpain is mild, moderate orsevere, understands just howunpleasant it can be. Back paincan make life extremely diffi-cult, affecting everything a per-son does, including perform-ance at work, time spent withthe kids or even sleeping atnight.

For those with back pain, chi-ropractic care might be the bestway to relieve that pain. A non-surgical treatment of the disor-ders of the nervous systemand/or musculoskeletal sys-tem, chiropractic medicinefocuses on spinal manipulationand the treatment of the struc-tures surrounding the spine.Understanding chiropracticcare can help men and womendealing with pain better deter-mine if it's for them.

What conditions do chiro-practors treat?

A chiropractor can treat anumber of conditions, but mosttreatments focus on a handfulof common and often painfulconditions. Those conditionsinclude:

- joint pain in the arms andlegs

- mid- and lower back pain- neck pain- headaches

What do chiropractic treat-ments entail?

Many people with lower backpain find such pain so unbear-able that they seek the help of achiropractor. Despite that,many more people remainwary of visiting a chiropractorfor myriad reasons. But chiro-practors can effectively treat

pain in a number of ways.A chiropractic treatment is

commonly referred to as aspinal manipulation. During atreatment, the chiropractorwill move a joint beyond itsusual range of motion. Thejoint might be moved throughtwisting, pulling or pushing,but it won't be moved beyondthe range of motion it'sdesigned to move. Those beingtreated for the first time shouldexpect to hear some popping orcracking during the treatment.The goal of a spinal manipula-tion is to improve functionalitywhile reducing nerve irritabili-ty and restoring range ofmotion in the back.

In addition to spinal manipu-lation, a chiropractor might tryother types of treatments,including:

- ultrasound

- the application of heat or ice- certain strength and condi-

tioning exercises- relaxation therapy

Are there side effects tochiropractic treatments?

Perhaps the reason some peo-ple are hesitant to visit a chiro-practor is the fear that, shouldsomething go awry, the backcould be irreparably damaged.Those fears were common dur-ing the early years of chiro-practic treatments, but nowmany medical doctors willwork in tandem with a chiro-practor to ensure patients aregetting the correct and mosteffective treatments.

That said, there are somepotential side effects to chiro-practic treatments. Once thespine has been adjusted, somepeople might feel minor pain ordiscomfort, and headaches andfatigue are possible as well.However, such side effects typi-cally subside within a day ofreceiving treatment.

In some instances, a herniat-ed disc might result after anadjustment is used to treat neckor back pain. Should that occur,a patient will likely experience

pain, weakness and numbnessin the buttocks and down thelegs. Bladder and bowel controlmight be affected as well.However, such instances arerare.

Will an adjustment bepainful?

Despite the cracking and pop-ping sounds it causes, a spinaladjustment is typically notpainful. Of course, men andwomen who visit a chiroprac-tor are often experiencing sig-nificant pain already, and themovement necessary duringthe treatment might provepainful. However, chiroprac-tors can take steps to make thetreatment easier on the patientif he or she is struggling withsevere back pain. For instance,a chiropractor might use a droptable during treatment. Parts ofthe drop table will drop slightlywhen the chiropractor pressesdown on the patient's back.This makes the adjustmentsmore gentle. Another tool usedto make adjustments morecomfortable is a hand-held toolcalled an activator. Manypatients, however, do not needeither option.


Chiropractic treatments can help relieve pain

A chiropractor can help treat a host of ailments, including jointpain in the arms and legs and mid- and lower back pain.

history of sensitivity to med-ications should "test drive" adrug first, ordering just a fewpills or asking a physician forsamples to see how well thebody handles them. This won'tnecessarily matter for peoplewith flat-dollar copayments(you will essentially have to paytwo copayments if the drugproves effective), but thosewithout such a plan can savethemselves some money ifmedication does not work out.

* Buy in bulk. Men andwomen who have been taking acertain medication for a longtime and expect to keep takingit might want to consider buy-ing the medicine in bulk. Thiscan save money; just make surepills purchased won't surpasstheir expiration date before youtake them.

* Inquire about combinationmedications. Sometimes med-ications used to treat the same

condition can be purchased ascombination pills. This willonly require one prescriptioninstead of two.

On a similar note, men andwomen taking medications fortwo different conditions might

also be able to take just onemedication that treats bothconditions. For instance, someblood pressure medicationshave proven effective at treat-ing other conditions as well.But don't experiment on your

own. Consult your physicianabout your medications andask if any of them can be usedto effectively serve double-dutyand save you money.

* Look for programs thatoffer relief. There are programs

that offer some relief withregards to paying for prescrip-tion medications. Discuss suchplans with a physician to deter-mine your eligibility, whichmight be determined by yourage or current prescriptions.


PRESCRIPTIONS: Check with pharmacist regarding generic drugsFROM PAGE 7

urinary incontinence, or theinability to properly holdurine, affects 15 to 40 percentof women over the age of 60.Many times, urinary dysfunc-tion is brought about by pastpregnancies, surgery to thepelvic region or loss of mus-cle function. Men may experi-ence changes to the urinarysystem due to an enlargedprostate or prostate cancer.Health problems, such as obe-sity, constipation, and even achronic cough can contributeto incontinence or the occa-sional leakage of urine, saysThe Mayo Clinic.

Individuals with bladderproblems may resort toabsorbent pads to controlurine leakage. This can affectwardrobe choices, likerestricting wearing a bathing

suit to swim or lounge, orlimit thin or light-coloreditems.

Furthermore, even whiletaking measures to hide blad-der issues by pads and cloth-ing, odor can still be an issue.As a result, many sufferersavoid personal contact orsocialization for fear of hav-ing an accident or being"found out."

Rashes and irritation canoccur from the exposure ofthe skin to frequent moisture,as is often the case whenwearing absorbent pads.Individuals may be embar-rassed by these side effectsand the ointments or otherremedies needed.

Improving the SituationInstead of accepting that

bladder issues have become apermanent part of life where

management strategies arethe only solution, both menand women can take renewedsteps to improve their healthand feelings of adequacy.Supplementation with theright products can produceprofound effects that can vast-ly improve issues concerningurinary incontinence.

BetterMAN and Better-WOMAN supplements arecomprised from proprietaryblends of herbs that work inconcert with TraditionalChinese Medicine (TCM)practices. While targeting uri-nary and pelvic health, thesesupplements affect many sys-tems of the body to promotecomprehensive body health.In a recent study of 45American women betweenthe ages 34 to 74, an over-whelming majority of womenreported noticeable improve-ments after just 2 months oftaking BetterWOMAN. Somewomen even started to noticeimprovements within 10 days.

Researchers at two of thelargest medical hospitals inChina compiled data on 5,000men who had taken theBetterMAN formula between1988 and 1997. Patients rangedin age from 35 to 65. After tak-ing BetterMAN for the courseof treatment, 95 percent of

patients reported variousdegrees of improvement inurinary control, prostatehealth and stamina.

The efficacy of these sup-plements means that thou-

sands of men and women canexperience renewed confi-dence and feelings of self-esteem. Eliminating theworry of urine leakage andother urinary issues canmean increased interest insocial activities, fosteringrelationships, choosing cloth-ing based on desire instead ofpracticality, and a host ofother benefits.

BetterMAN and Better-WOMAN are available at afraction of the cost of tradi-tional incontinence items,like pads and diapers. Theyalso work beyond the issues ofbladder control to promotegeneral health and well-being. Learn more aboutthem by visiting www.BetterWomanNow.com orwww.BetterManNow.com.For a consultation, call 888-832-9879.


BLADDER CONTROL: Help is available

Better bladder control helps a person to feel and look moreattractive.

FROM PAGE 5

Just as the body changes with age,so do the needs of the skin. Whileacne and breakouts may have beenthe bane of existence as an adoles-cent, wrinkles and dark spots are con-cerns as we age.

The U.S. National Library ofMedicine says that skin changes areone of the most noticeable signs ofaging. Sagging skin and wrinkles aretwo of the more common problemsmen and women encounter as theyage.

As people get older, connective tis-

sues in the skin that promote strengthand elasticity have a tendency ofbreaking down. Furthermore, theblood vessels of the dermis becomemore fragile, which can lead to bruis-ing. Also, sebaceous glands may pro-duce less oil, making the skin lessable to moisturize itself. As a result,the skin thins out.

It is important to note thesechanges so that people can be proac-tive in their approach to skincare asthey age. There are certain strategiesto put in place that can make the dif-

ference in the appearance and healthof the skin. While none of these arethe magic "fountain of youth," they goa long way to promoting a moreyouthful appearance.

* Address dryness. If the skin isitchy or uncomfortable, or if you findthat there is extra flaking, lack ofmoisture could be a problem.Moisturizer should be the staple of askincare regimen. Experiment withmoisturizers until you find the onethat is the best match for your skin.

* Use sun protection. The sun isone of the single biggest contributorsto unhealthy skin and prematuresigns of aging. Always wear sun pro-tection products when going out inthe sun, even on overcast days.

* Don't tug or be rough on theskin. The skin becomes more delicateand prone to injury as a person ages.Therefore, unnecessary roughness


Protecting skin as it ages

SEE SKIN, PAGE 12

while washing and drying canbreak capillaries or mar theskin in other ways. Be deli-cate, using cotton to wipeaway makeup and avoidcleansers that have roughexcoriators or other sub-stances that can be rough onthe skin.

* Revise makeup shadesand products as needed. Asskincare needs change, itpays to go with the flow interms of the products you useand buy. What may have beenflattering a few years ago maynot be flattering now. Thinkabout neutral or rosy shadesin the types of foundationsand blushers you select.Avoid anything that is toodramatic or drastic.

* Drink plenty of water.Dehydration can increase therisk of injury with regards tothe skin, making it more sus-ceptible to dryness and otherissues. Be sure to always stayhydrated by consumingenough water to ward off feel-ings of thirst.

* Experiment with afacial. Facials can help pro-mote blood flow to the skinand improve the appearanceof youth and vitality. In addi-tion, a facial massage can feelinvigorating. Check with aspa near you to see if theyoffer facial services. Talkwith the staff about yourskincare needs and ask forrecommendations on theproducts that may work foryou.

the horse of the companyfounder, Francis CraytonSturtevant. It is still producedthe same way, using the bestnatural ingredients and proud-

ly manufactured in the U.S.There are thousands of grate-ful pups and hounds who nolonger suffer from hot spotsafter using this product. It isalso very effective in treatingyour horse for thrush.

To learn more, check outtheir web site at: www.fcsturtevant.com.


SKIN: Facials and other skincare services help improve appearance of youthFROM PAGE 11

OLD FASHIONED: Many old remedies stillavailable at pharmacies

FROM PAGE 6

Millions of people regularlytake one or more vitamin sup-plements daily. Many perceivevitamins as the way to combatnutritional deficiency from apoor or inadequate diet. Withso many in the population lead-ing busy lives, processed, con-venience foods have become thego-to items at the grocery store.Because these foods may not benutritionally sound, the beliefremains that supplements canfix the problem.

Research by the Centers forDisease Control and Preven-tion's National Center forHealthy Statistics found thatmore than half of allAmericans take a vitamin sup-plement daily. According to asurvey by Ipsos Reid for HealthCanada, 71 percent ofCanadians use natural healthproducts, with vitamins, at 57percent, topping the list of sup-plements used.

There even are nutritionaltesting companies that willdraw blood and determine vita-min deficiencies, like Nutri-Chem in Ottowa. The right vita-min mix is then created andpersonalized.

While vitamins can havetheir benefits, many health pro-fessionals say that the best wayto get necessary vitamins isthrough the foods you eat.Furthermore, inexperiencedpeople are simply taking theirown cocktail of vitamins, andmay be taking too much.

There is the perception thattaking a certain amount can bebeneficial, so that must meanthat taking more of the vitaminwill have double or triple thebenefits. What many people donot realize is that vitamins --although they are naturallyforming in food -- can carry sideeffects like any other medica-tion. Taking too much of a cer-tain supplement can lead to tox-icity or different side effects.Even in moderate doses, therecan be some side effects to vita-mins as well.

Vitamin A: There is particu-lar concern over vitamin A.Taking high doses of antioxi-dant supplements such as vita-min A might do more harmthan good. Some researchshows that taking high doses of

vitamin A supplements mightincrease the chance of deathfrom all causes and possiblyother serious side effects. It canalso make liver disease worseand increase the risk of osteo-porosis and hip fracture.

B complex vitamins: B com-plexes or groups of various Bvitamins put together in thecapsule are some of the morepopular vitamins bought.Vitamin B deficiencies can leadto lack of energy and feelings of

stress and anxiety and maycontribute to difficulty withsleep. There is no magic num-ber in terms of milligrams of Bvitamins; however, taking too


Too much of a good thing?

SEE SUPPLEMENTS, PAGE 14

much can result in constipa-tion, stomach upset, swelling,and even acne associated withB-12. Many people do not real-ize that some B vitamins can

cause drowsiness, so it's impor-tant not to drive until you deter-mine the effects of the vita-mins.

Vitamin C:People rely heavi-ly on vitamin C to boost theimmune system and promote

good health. It is reported thatvitamin C is largely water-solu-ble, so toxicity is rare. But sideeffects can include diarrhea,nausea and possible dentaldecalcification.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D has

been touted as the wonder sup-plement in the past year.Taking vitamin D3, "the sun-shine vitamin" can help regu-late mood, improve sleep, regu-late the circadian rhythm,among other things. Too much

may cause nausea and vomit-ing, bone weakness, hypercal-cemia -- an excessive amount ofcalcium in the bloodstream,kidney stones and organ calcifi-cation.

Calcium: Calcium and vita-min D work together in the for-mation of strong bones. Again,too much of this supplementcan lead to excessive amountsof calcium in the blood. Otherside effects may include consti-pation and stomach upset,including excessive gas. Mentaland mood changes, headaches,increased thirst, and other sideeffects are serious.

Vitamin E: Toxicity fromthis vitamin may include gas-tric distress, fatigue, easy bruis-ing and bleeding, muscle weak-ness, and diarrhea.

In addition to vitamins, othernutritional supplements havethe potential to interact withmedications being taken. St.John's Wort, for example, canaffect cholesterol levels and theeffectiveness of cholesterol-lowering drugs. It also mayhave contraindications withother medicines.

Although vitamins and sup-plements are sold over thecounter, that doesn't makethem any safer than regulatedmedications. Individualsshould always consult with adoctor before beginning supple-ments to find out the properdosage and what vitamins maybe beneficial or harmful.


SUPPLEMENTS: Consult with your doctor before adding supplementsFROM PAGE 13

Belly fat is often consideredmore of a cosmetic issue than ahealth issue. But few outside ofthe medical or fitness commu-nities may know that belly fat isnot only unsightly butunhealthy as well. Excessivebelly fat can increase a person'srisk of developing type 2 dia-betes, heart disease, high bloodpressure, and even certain can-cers, including breast cancerand colon cancer.

So while many people maywant to reduce their belly fatfor cosmetic purposes, they canalso use improving their over-all health as a motivating factorwhen attempting to trim theirwaistlines. The following are afew healthy ways to reducebelly fat.

* Adopt a healthy diet. Bellyfat is often the first victim whenmen and women adopt ahealthy diet and begin to loseweight. Researcher KristenHairston, MD, an assistant pro-fessor of endocrinology andmetabolism at Wake ForestSchool of Medicine, found thatpeople who ate 10 grams of sol-uble fiber per day but made noother changes to their diet builtup less fat over time than oth-ers. In addition to fiber, youshould include fruits, vegeta-bles and lean proteins in yourdiet. These foods will help youfeel more full, which will curbyour hunger and, as a result,reduce your caloric intake.

* Get some rest. A goodnight's sleep, which is at leastseven hours of sleep eachnight, has been shown toreduce fat over an extendedperiod of time. Though theexact relationship betweensleep and belly fat is unknown,a lack of sleep can force menand women to look to sugarybeverages or snacks to providea boost during the day. Suchdrinks and snacks can causeweight gain, especially amongthose people who routinely failto get a good night's sleep.

* Get off the couch and exer-cise. Exercise is another effec-tive way to reduce belly fat.Numerous studies have shownthe positive effect that daily,vigorous exercise can have onoverall health. For example, a

study conducted by researchersat Duke University found that30 minutes of vigorous aerobicexercise, which includes jog-ging or working out on a cardio-vascular machine, such as anelliptical or a treadmill, four

times per week can reduce fatand slow down the buildup offat over time. Those who wantto reduce belly fat will likelyneed to emphasize vigorousexercise. While those hoping toprevent the buildup of belly fat

should know that studies haveshown, when coupled with ahealthy diet, moderate activity,which includes anything thatraises your heart rate, threetimes per week may be enoughto slow down fat buildup.


Healthy ways to banish belly fat

2013 health & medicine

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