Health Archives - Page 9 of 18

Dr Art Hister – ASA Use and Blindness

Here’s yet another reason to be cautious about jumping on the ASA bandwagon. A study has linked the regular use of ASA with a higher risk of age-related macular degeneration or AMD, a very debilitating form of eye disease in which the central part of the retina, the macula, is gradually destroyed, which leads to progressive inability to see.

In this European study, people who took ASA regularly had roughly double the risk of “wet” AMD, the most serious form of the condition, compared to people who weren’t taking ASA.

Now, for many people, the benefits of taking ASA may – probably do – still outweigh the risks, but the key thing to remember is that there is no formula for this and the best thing to do (it should be mandatory, I think) is that anyone taking ASA regularly sit down and have a good discussion with their primary care doctor about the balance between the risks and benefits of ASA for their particular unique situation.

Dr Art Hister – Watching TV can be good for you

TV gets a very bad rap when it comes to assigning blame for our evident problems with obesity. Study after study has concluded that people who watch TV weigh way more than non-TV watchers. The former do less exercise, and they also tend to have much worse diets.

But two very key questions that remain unanswered by most of these studies are these: is it the TV watching that leads to the poorer health habits? Or do people with poor health habits choose to watch more TV?

And second, are all TV watchers equally at risk?

Well, seems to me that if there were no TV around, people who want to sit and eat fatty snacks would find other ways to fulfill their needs so I have long tended to absolve TV of much of the blame for why we’re fat and lazy (and yes, perhaps my views are coloured by the fact that I work on TV).

But there is a bit of evidence now to point to in order to back up what I believe: A European study published in the International Journal of Public Health has concluded that “news junkies” (mostly from TV, but also those who follow news on radio and in the press), tend to have healthier diets (specifically, they adhere more closely to a Mediterranean diet) than do people who are not avid news followers, which translates into eating more fruit and more fresh fish while consuming less meat.

In other words, TV viewing can actually improve health outcomes, which is why if you’re not doing it already, you should make a resolution to never – never, never – miss another episode of Health Headlines with Dr. Art Hister on Global TV.

Just suggesting this for your health, of course.

Dr Art Hister – Exercise makes you better

I know you’re probably sick of hearing by now about how you need to exercise more in order to prevent so many conditions, especially, of course, cardiovascular problems like heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.

In fact, exercise is such an effective “preventer” of illness, if it came in the form of a pill, everyone would be lining up to get more than their fair share to swallow.

But what’s so amazing about the benefits of exercise to me is that it’s not only the best weapon we have to fight off many conditions, it’s an effective tool to make a person feel better even after they’ve become sick with such conditions, and the latest evidence of that comes from a Spanish study presented at the recent American Stroke Association meeting.

In this study which involved 159 patients, the researchers concluded that the higher the level of fitness in a stroke victim, the better their chances of surviving the stroke with less damage.

That is, if you are unlucky enough to suffer a stroke, the wee bit of good news is that the more fit you were to begin with, the more effectively the anti-clotting drugs that prevent stroke damage if given shortly after a stroke will work on you.

Dr. Art Hister – Cell Phones and Stress

In this medical business, for every person who thinks some new finding is a “yin”, there’s another one who thinks it’s really a “yang”.

Take this recent report about cell phone use from a group of British psychologists which was presented at a meeting of the British Psychological Society.

In this study based on testing more than 100 study subjects, the researchers reported that although most people who use cell phones start off using them appropriately (for some reason, they concluded that most people start using cell phones for business purposes; try telling that to any 10- or 12-year-old texting her friends endlessly; but that’s a small quibble about the findings), most people soon end up being governed by their cell phones, that is, they compulsively check their phones for messages, and the end up exhibiting stress-related symptoms as a consequence of needing to be in touch all the time.

That, I suggest, is the yin interpretation of these findings.

The yang comes from an American psychologist who was asked to critique these findings and who said that she didn’t really see that compulsively checking a cell phone was a bad thing.

First, not only is it likely, she said, that it’s basically people who are pre-destined to be more stressed who are also those who end up allowing their cell phones to govern their lives (that’s certainly true) but also, she said, the great thing about checking a cell phone regularly means that we’re more “in touch” with the world. Although if you ask me, anyone who needs to check their cell phone or email every 5 minutes – and there are so many people who do exactly that or equally annoying, those that set their cell phones to beep as a new message comes through– are not really in “touch” so much as they are being tackled. She says that we can also multi-task more which is just plain wrong, as anyone who has ever been behind a driver talking on a cell phone and trying to drive at the same time know that this can’t be done well, folks.

Goal-setting—How to set and reach your goals

A study in 2007 by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol showed that 78% of those who set New Year’s resolutions fail, and those who succeed have 5 traits in common.* Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

Goals—specifics vs. generalities

Businesses set goals to achieve growth or profitability over time, and competitive athletes set training goals so they’re ready for important competitions. Individuals may have big picture goals, such as eating healthier or becoming more active, but how can you make sure you actually get there?

Setting goals that are specific gives you a long-term vision and short-term motivation. When you set goals that are clearly defined it lets you set milestones and see your progress, giving you the self-confidence to carry on and achieve your objectives.

How to set personal health goals

Think about what your end goal is, and then put it into specific terms. For example, if you want overall health, what does that mean to you? Does it mean you can run five kilometres non-stop, or does it mean you reach a particular measurement such as a lower BMI? Whatever your final goal is, write it down in a journal.

What is a reasonable amount of time to achieve this goal? For health goals, you should check with your doctor or London Drugs personal care pharmacist for guidance. Note in your journal the date by which you want to accomplish your goal.
Set milestones between today (or your start date) and the date you want to achieve the goal. For example, if running five kilometres is your goal, and you’ve given yourself two months to do it, break the five killometres into smaller increments over that time period. That may mean you want to run one kilometre after one and a half weeks, two after three weeks, etc.
There are certain things you know you’ll need to start doing to achieve your goals, and certain things you’ll need to stop doing to be successful. For example, to achieve your five kilometre goal you’ll need to start running on a regular basis. That may mean you’ll need to stop doing other things to make this happen, such as swapping TV watching time in the evening to run. You may also need to change what you’re eating to allow your body to literally fuel your goal. Break down the time between your milestones even further to create a step-by-step blueprint to reach your end goal.
Reward yourself along the way! When you reach milestones, celebrate them. You could buy yourself new running shoes after you run your first full mile, or treat yourself to a deep tissue massage.
Join social groups to help you stay motivated. You could download an app to track and share your results with others who have the same goals. Share your goals with your friends and family and let them know about your success and challenges along the way. Ask their help if you need it—like changing family pizza night to a family swimming night.
Be flexible. Sometimes life can get in the way of achieving your goals. Don’t give up—just re-work your plan to allow for a new schedule. Your goals are important, and worth pursuing. Stay strong and you’ll realize them!

* Blame It on the Brain: The latest neuroscience research suggests spreading resolutions out over time is the best approach, Wall Street Journal, December 26, 2009

Where to start with diet and exercise

When you decide you want to make changes in your lifestyle, it can be confusing to know where to start. Nutrition advice and opinions from friends, the news or the Internet can be confusing. And reading about the benefits of anaerobic vs. aerobic exercise, or strength training vs. cardio can seem overwhelming. The easiest place to start is with Canada’s Food and Physical Activity Guides.

Included in the package you receive when you take a London Drugs Nutrition Clinic are two simple guides to point you in the right direction. Canada’s Food Guide breaks down the quantities of different food groups you need in order to get the essential amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to help reduce your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions. It also addresses the specific food needs of children, women of childbearing age and individuals over 50. On the back you’ll find tips about reading nutrition labels and how to eat (not just what to eat.)

Canada’s Physical Activity Guide, published by the Public Health Agency of Canada, is an even simpler guide. It focuses on one thought—sit less, move more. It follows with suggestions for how to do this, breaking activities into endurance, flexibility and strength. Everyday activities such as strolling or dusting count, as do swimming or jogging at the other end of the exertion spectrum. Fun activities like dancing or playing hockey are also covered. The key is to start slowly and build from there. Try taking one flight of stairs at work instead of the elevator all the way, or walk to the corner store instead of driving.

Both guides are included in the package you receive when you register for a London Drugs Nutrition Clinic.

Where will YOU start?

You can get the best advice by making an appointment with your family doctor, or registering for a Nutrition Clinic at London Drugs. Download the schedule and store information at https://blog.londondrugs.com/2011/12/london-drugs-nutrition-clinics.html, and call to book your one-on-one consultation for a nominal fee.

Also, take part in our conversation by following us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LondonDrugs. We have daily topics that we’d love your thoughts on.

Watch for next week’s article, “Goal-setting—How to set and reach your goals“

What is BMI and why is it important?

As mentioned in last week’s article, many people tie the number on a bathroom scale to what a healthy weight is. But that’s not the real story.

A standard bathroom scale weight reading doesn’t take into account your body composition, so determining your BMI (Body Mass Index) is an important measurement. It determines the amount of body fat as a percentage of total body mass (weight.) Excessive body fat can put you at a greater risk for health problems such as

high blood pressure
heart disease
High LDL counts (the “bad” cholesterol)
type 2 Diabetes
Osteoarthritis
Sleep apnea

BMI—Body Mass Index Calculation

Body mass index is calculated by dividing an individual’s weight in kilograms by his or her height in meters squared.

Example: If you convert a weight of 145lbs to kilograms (66) and height of 5’7″ to metres (1.7) the formula would be 66/(1.7×1.7)=20.8*. Then you would look at the standard BMI chart to see where that measurements falls:

<18.50 is considered underweight (risk of other clinical problems)
18.50-24.99 is considered average
25.00-29.99 is considered pre-obese (increased health risks)
30.00-34.99 is considered obese class I (moderate health risks)
35.00-39.99 is considered obese class II (severe health risks)
≥40.00 is considered obese class III (very severe health risks)

However, you can book a London Drugs Nutrition Clinic and get a much more accurate reading of your body composition, as well as important information on healthy eating and physical activity based on Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines.

Distribution of BMI Categories by Sex, Ages 18-79, 2007-2009

The Canadian Health Measures Survey from Statistics Canada looked at the average BMI distribution for the Canadian population back in 2007–2009 with the following findings.

What is YOUR BMI?

The most accurate way to determine your own BMI is to make an appointment with your family doctor, or register for a Nutrition Clinic at London Drugs. You can download the schedule and store information here, and call to book your one-on-one consultation for a nominal fee.

Also, take part in our conversation by following us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LondonDrugs. We have daily topics that we’d love your thoughts on.

Watch for next week’s article, “Where to Start with Diet and Exercise“

* Because several factors can influence the above calculation, such as body proportion and composition, family health history, etc. it’s best to have a full analysis done by a professional, one part of which would include a BMI measurement.

Dr Art Hister – ASA Use and Blindness

Dr Art Hister – Watching TV can be good for you

Dr Art Hister – Exercise makes you better

Dr. Art Hister – Cell Phones and Stress