Skinny Jeans?

It is known to all that skinny jeans are not only meant for women. Many of the males in the society today, the teenagers in particular, are becoming obsessed in wearing tight jeans since it is in the current fashion trend. But little did they know that such of apparel bring some health hazards.

According to medical experts, there is an increase in injuries being caused by wearing of skinny or tight jeans.

For men, it is said that this particular type of denim pants is causing testicular torsion - a condition wherein the spermatic cord to a testicle is being twisted. Once the testicle being twisted, it cuts off the blood supply to pain, swelling, and worse; gangrenes of testicle. Aside from affecting the testicle, men who are fond of wearing skinny jeans could also experience a weak bladder, urinary tract infections, and low sperm coung.

Meanwhile, for women, wearing of skinny jeans could increase their chances to have a vaginal yest infection.
Apart from the aforementioned side effects of tight of fitted jeans, this particular style of pants is also found to reduce blood circulation in legs and thighs, which then results to augmentation of cellulite. It could also cause lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment that cause tingly sensation in the thighs. This condition happens when the wearer habitually put cellphone in the front pocket. Digestion proglem is another side effect of high waisted skinny jeans and pressure on the urethra for low rise skinny jeans.

Knowing all those negative effects of constantly wearing skinny or fitted jeans, would YOU still put style before your health?

Source : www.yahoo.com

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Contact Lenses

Do you wear contacts? 

Do you clean them as instructed by your eye doctor? 

No - do you really clean them?

Research shows that contact lens wearers' cleaning habits are horrendous. It has been compared to asking a child to clean their room and when you go to inspect, you have toys under the blankets, crammed in the closet and stuffed under the bed. "See mom, I cleaned  my room."

So as you go to inspect, what do you think you will find? That's where we find ourselves - at the crossroads of 'I want to see more clearly' and 'I am really a lazy person at the end of the day.'

Here are some personal stories :

When it comes to contact lens wearers, no one was more lazy than me. I wore Dailies. Let me give you that name again - Dailies. Dailies, as the name clearly says, are contacts that you wear for A DAY and then toss in the garbage. They come in bulk so you can wear ONE A DAY. Not only did I wear a pair more than one day, I would sleep in one pair and not change them for days and weeks. I'm not sure it gets any lazier than that.

What was really weird was when I would eventually change my contacts, magically, my vision drastically improved. Because I was not changing them or at the very least cleaning them, the longer I wore them, the worse the clarity was. Think of it this way, If you never clean your windows on the outside, the clarity will get foggier and foggier.

In a recent survey of more than 400 CLW's (the hip way to shorten Contact Lens Wearers), only 2% of them were cleaning their contacts as prescribed. That's an astounding discovery!

8 people were taking them time at night to properly care for their eyes. Some of the other rules that were bent or broken out of the 400 CLW's : 

-some swarm;

-some showered;

-some slept;

-some wore them longer than recommended

Also in this study, it was found that almost 1 out of 2 have never replaced their lens case. At the minimum, this cases need to be washed in warm, soapy water because it can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can case great harm to your eyes.

In another survey that will make you scratch head that happened in August of 2011, people turned to other items when they ran out of contact lens solution.

Let's see what people used for their 'solution' :

- beer;

- baby oil;

- coke;

- petroleum jelly;

- lemonade;

- fruit juice;

- and lastly - butter.

There are many people come in with ulcers, green goop, crusty eyes or in extreme cases - blindness.

Hopefully this has been a wake-up call to you if you are a contact lens wearer.

Hopefully, you will be more diligent when it comes to your contacts and cleaning, storing and changing them.

Maybe it's been a while since you last changed your contacts (GO DO IT RIGHT NOW!) or maybe it's been a while since you've updated your contact lens prescription. If so, don't be lazy anymore.

Source : www.okaloosaeyecare.com

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12 Confusing Foods

You heard that eggs can be high in cholesterol, so you dutifully switched to whole grains for breakfast. Next, you swapped out red meat for fish -- only to later learn that fish contain dangerous level of mercury... and eggs may not harm your heart after all.

"With all of the different reports and headlines, it's no wonder that many people get confused," says Angela Ginn, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and owner of Real Talk Real Food in Baltimore. To help you make sense of these and other health head-scratchers, we consulted our experts and sifted through the research.

Here, the new bottom line on 12 "Healthy" foods :

1. Coffee

Coffee is American's top source of antioxidants, serving up a hefty dose in each cup. It also contains magnesium and chromium, which help regulate blood sugar, which means it may protect against diabetes. What's more, coffee may stave off dementia, Parkinson's disease, and colon and endometrial cancers.

Bottom line : Go ahead, enjoy your morning brew - but if you're sensitive to caffeine, switch to decaf and skip the mid - afternoon mug.

2. Wine

Raise a glass of wine to your heart health. All types are beneficial in moderation, but red wine contains antioxidants called polyphenols that may be especially protective. These powerful antioxidants may also protect against breast cancer by lowering sex hormones levels.

Bottom line : One glass - preferably of red wine, is Okay - but that women who toss back more than one to two drinks a day are at greater risk for heart disease and certain cancers.

3. Potatoes

This starchy veggie has a bad rap among dieters, but that's because people tend to consume it in the form of greasy French fries, chips, and buttery mashed potatoes. When prepared the right way, potatoes are a nutritious food. One medium potato, for instance, delivers 5 grams of fiber and nearly 20 percent of your daily quota for heart-healthy potassium.

Bottom line : Skip the fried versions and opt for baked or boiled potatoes. For an even healthier  option, choose purple potatoes, which can help lower blood pressure naturally.

4. Cheese

Hold the cheese? There's no need if you eat in moderation. A one-ounce serving delivers 20 percent of all the bone-building calcium that you need in a day, as well as plenty of protein and phosphorus. The  problem is that many people eat much more than one serving in one sitting.

Bottom line : Watch your portion sizes - one serving of cheese is roughly the size of a pair of dice.

5. Fish

A favorite of nutrition experts, fish has recently come under fire as source of mercury, a toxic metal. Fish is a good source of omega - 3 fatty acids, which have been shown to lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends everyone consume two servings-especially the fatty kinds, like salmon, mackerel per week.

Bottom line : To minimize mercury exposure, eat a variety of fish. The FDA also advises that young children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and women trying to become pregnant steer clear of fish that contain the most mercury.

6. Chocolate

As if you needed another reason to love chocolate, it has some health benefits as well. People who eat the most chocolate are 37% less likely to develop heart disease than those who rarely eat it, according to researchers at University of Cambridge. Chocolate, especially the dark kind, contains heart-healthy antioxidants called falvonols.

Bottom line : In moderation, chocolate is a treat that you can enjoy guilt-free. Reach for the dark varieties for less sugar and a larger dose of antioxidants.

7. Red Meat

A diet high in red meat can pave the way for heart disease and certain cancers, like colon cancer, according to a slew of studies. That's because it's often high in saturated fat, which can clog arteries. But leaner cuts - combined with heart-healthy sides -- do have a place in a nutritious diet. In addition to protein, meat also contains zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

Bottom line : Go lean. Look for cuts with "loin" and "round" in the name - and limit yourself to 18 ounces a week.

8. Nuts

Ounce for ounce, nuts pack in more calories than most other snacks. But the surprising truth is that nuts are one of the best foods for weight loss, according to Harvard researchers. Nuts are loaded with protein and fiber, which can help you feel full for longer. One study in the journal Obesity  found that people who ate nuts at least twice a week were less likely to put on pounds over the long run than those who didn't.

Bottom line : The fat in most nuts in the heart-healthy unsaturated kind, but you still need to keep tabs on your portion. Keep it to one ounce - 23 almonds, 14 walnut halves, and 49 pistachios.

9. Beer

When it comes to alcohol, wine gets all of the glory. But beer may be just as healthy. A recent analysis of more than a dozen studies found that one or two beers can lower your risk of a cardiovascular event by up to 33% - which is roughly the same effect as red wine. The protective effect could be due to antioxidants called polyphenols in beer, as well as alcohol itself.

Bottom line : Cheers to your health! - but as with wine or any alcoholic beverage, it's best to limit your intake to about one drink per day.

10. Soy

When people think "health food", tofu usually makes the list. But then reports came out that compounds in soy called phytoestrogens have a hormone-like effect in the body, raising your risk of breast cancer. In healthy people and in reasonable amounts, that's not the case. One study showed that breast cancer survivors who ate soy regularly were less likely to have a recurrence than those who didn't.

Bottom line : Soy is an excellent low-fat source of protein. Help yourself to soymilk and tofu - but speak to your healthcare provider before considering higher-dose supplements, especially if breast cancer runs in your family.

11. Eggs

The news is, well, egg-scellent: Not only does research show that eating an egg a day doesn't increase for heart problems, but new research from the USDA also shows that they contains less cholesterols - 185mg in a large one - and more vitamin D than previously thought. Eggs are a good source of protein and the yolks also contain a number of nutrients, such as vitamins D and B12.

Bottom line : To keep your cholesterol in check, stick with one egg a day.

12. Margarine

Flash back two decades, and most households were spreading on the margarine instead of butter. But after it was discovered that some brands contain trans fats - the type that can lower "good" HDL cholesterol while raising "bad" LDL levels - the pendulum swung back toward butter. These days, manufacturers have changed their products. Now, many spreadable margarines are made from healthier vegetables oils like canola.

Bottom line : Avoid any product with the words "partially hydrogenated" on the ingredient list. Steer clear of stick margarine, which may still contain harmful trans fats - but spreadable tub margarine is a smart choice.

Source :  www.prevention.com

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The Truth Is...

The face of heart disease is changing. Once considered “a man’s disease,” the number of deaths from heart disease and stroke are now virtually the same for men and women in Canada. 

We hear the same messages day in, day out: Eat better. Eat different. Less processed. Move more. Work less. Sleep more. Worry less. Breathe deeper. At every turn, we’re bombarded with advice on how to be healthier and happier. 

Here are 8 prevention tips you can get :

1. Don't Smoke

Smoking contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that can lead to heart disease and stroke. Smokers have nearly double the risk of certain types of stroke. And women over 35 who smoke and use oral contraception (birth control pills) are at even greater risk of heart disease as well as blood clots and stroke.

The good news is that just 24 hours after quitting, your chance of heart attack decreases, and after one year, your risk of heart attack is half that of a smoker.

2. Lower Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol and triglycerides are fats found in your body and your bloodstream. They are naturally produced by your body, and they also come from the food you eat—especially from foods high in saturated and trans fats. High triglyceride levels may be a more serious risk factor for women than for men.

It’s important for you to know your actual cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to discuss with your doctor where your levels should be, and what treatment options are available for people who have high cholesterol. You can lower your triglyceride and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)-cholesterol with a healthy eating plan, including substituting unsaturated for saturated and trans fats, and lowering your fat intake overall.

3. Manage Your Weight

Being overweight can lead to other problems affecting your heart, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and diabetes.

Women who are “apple-shaped,” or who carry the most weight around their middle could be at a greater risk than women who are “pear-shaped,” or who have the most fat around their hips and thighs. Abdominal fat is especially dangerous because it releases high levels of hormones that disrupt metabolism, causes high concentrations of bad fats to travel to the liver faster and signals that fat is building up around other crucial organs. Measuring your waist and regularly checking your BMI (Body Mass Index) are good ways to monitor your risk of heart disease.

You can manage your weight with a combination of dietary changes and increased physical activity.

4. Keep Physically Active

You don’t need to make a big lifestyle change to get these benefits, instead you can build up to this goal slowly. Start by incorporating a 10-minute walk into your routine every other day. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator wherever possible.

Consult a physician before beginning any new activity if you have a heart condition, are 45 or older, or are between 35 and 45 and have risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

5. Monitor Your Blood Pressure

Monitoring and controlling your blood pressure can reduce your risk of stroke by up to 40 per cent, your risk of heart disease by 50 per cent and your risk of heart failure by up to 25 per cent.

Blood pressure is the measure of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels, called arteries. High blood pressure can damage blood vessel walls, causing weakening or scarring that promotes the build-up of plaque and the blocking of arteries.

It’s important to have your blood pressure tested by your doctor or pharmacist, and to discuss with them what your test numbers mean. If your healthcare provider feels you need to lower your blood pressure, they may recommend that you:

- Lower your salt intake
- Take blood pressure medication
- Achieve a healthier weight
- Increase physical activity
- Follow a low-fat diet

6. Reduce Stress

People who experience high stress levels, anxiety and depression may make lifestyle choices, such as avoiding exercise or eating poorly, that increase their risk of high blood cholesterol, increased blood pressure or atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries).

You can try lowering your stress levels by:
- Identifying the causes of stress in your life
- Being physically active -- physical activity can be a great stress-buster
- Sharing your feelings with friends, family or coworkers


7. Manage Your Diabetes

Diabetes plays a big role in determining a woman’s risk for heart disease and stroke.

If you have diabetes, you can manage your risk for heart disease and stroke by:
- Controlling your blood sugar and following the advice of your doctor
- Eating a balanced diet with less fat and more high-fibre foods and complex carbohydrates
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
- Being more physically active

8. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Drinking too much of any type of alcohol can increase your blood pressure and contribute to the development of heart disease and stroke.

You may have heard that alcohol – particularly red wine – is good for your heart.

There is some evidence that people who drink moderately have a somewhat lower risk of heart disease and stroke than those who do not drink or who drink excessively. However, if you really want to have an impact on your heart health, you’re better off eating a healthy diet, being physically active most days of the week and becoming smoke-free.

If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to one or two standard drinks a day; women should limit themselves to a weekly maximum of nine drinks.

One drink equals:
- 341 mL / 12 oz (1 bottle) of regular strength beer (5% alcohol)
- 142 mL / 5 oz wine (12% alcohol)
- 43 mL / 1 1/2 oz spirits (40% alcohol)

Because heart attack and stroke share many of the same root causes, many of your prevention efforts will give you double the health benefits by protecting you against both heart disease and stroke. Making lifestyle changes and taking action to improve your health can reduce your risk of these diseases by as much as 80 per cent! So, what are you waiting? Get healthy right now and enjoy your one and only life! 

Source : thehearttruth.ca

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