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Health Notes
August, 2008 - Issue #46
Sedation Dentistry "Great News" for Millions of Americans
Nearly 30 percent of Americans are afraid of the dentist. Now, dentistry can be a positive experience. Sedation dentistry, sometimes referred to as "relaxation dentistry" or "sleep dentistry" (which is inaccurate, as sedated patients remain conscious) is achieved by a pill, not a needle. Patients are calm, feel little to no pain, and only vaguely remember details of the appointment. Because the patient is so relaxed, multiple treatments can be done at one time, if needed.
Resource: Dr. Bobby Irani of Valencia Dental Arts 799-9989

Shampoo Ingredients that Damage Hair Growth
Lauramide DEA is used in a shampoo to strip debris and add lather. It is also used in dishwashing detergent. If a person is experiencing hair loss or other scalp problems, it is advisable to avoid chemicals in shampoos such as: sodium laurel, laureate or laureth sulfate (SLS); sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); ammonium laurel, laureth sulfate or sulfeth; nitrosol diethelanolamine (DEA); cocamide DEA (cancer causing agent); alpha hydroxy acids; glycolic, lactic or malic acids; ethelene oxide; isopropyl alcohol; mineral oil; sodium chloride. There is evidence that these chemicals actually corrode the hair follicle and impair the ability of hair to grow. SLS seems to cause a dramatic decline in the hair growth cycle, prolonging the hair loss phase (normally three months) by a factor of eight.
Resource: Rhonda Pieracci, Hair Loss Treatment Center, 294-6880

Stretching Calves can Prevent Injury
Plantar heel pain is the most common injury reported by podiatrists in America. One way to prevent this injury is to stretch out the calf muscle. If not stretched out properly, it can create injuries to your thighs all the way down to your feet. Runners World magazine experts say that the best way to stretch your calves is to do toe lifts. To do toe lifts, stand upright and try to lift up your toes to your shins. Do this 10 times on each foot for three reps before and after each workout, and/or throughout the day.
Resource: Flo Mina of Runners Lane Inc. 260-3368

Ensure that your Shoes Fit Right
Running shoes should have about a half-inch of room at the end of the toe when standing. Make sure that the widest part of your foot is comfortably accommodated, and be sure that the shoes are supportive enough for the activities you expect to take part in.
Resource: Foot Solutions 702-0070

New Hope for Acne Sufferers
Aside from scarring, acne's main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem. Early and aggressive treatment is often advocated to lessen the overall impact. A new procedure attacks resistant, hard-to-treat active acne by combining light and a special light-activated solution, which targets and destroys acne activity. Levulan is recommended for individuals who suffer from moderate to severe acne. It is a photodynamic acne treatment where the photosensitizing agent is applied to the skin and activated by the use of Clearlight technology, which kills the acne-causing bacteria. This treatment also diminishes older acne scars, leaving the skin smoother.
Resource: Dr. Van Veloso of Infinity MedSpa 259-8100

Ankle Sprain
More than 25,000 people sprain their ankles every day, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Ankle sprains are caused by an unnatural twisting or force on the ankle bones of the foot, often resulting in one or more ligaments on the outside of the ankle to be stretched or torn. If not properly treated, ankle sprains could develop into long-term problems. Treatment includes resting the ankle and applying ice to reduce swelling, and physical therapy (for fast recovery). Compressive bandages also may be used to immobilize and support the injury. More serious ankle sprains, particularly in competitive athletes, may require surgery to repair and tighten the ligaments.
Resource: Dr. Tony Avakian of Valencia Foot & Ankle Center 288-2321

New Weight Loss Science
Acupuncture, Weight Loss and Cholesterol
Acupuncture is mainly helpful in weight loss because it increases patients' energy, making them want to exercise, and also alleviates the pain associated with a new exercise routine. Acupuncture helps if there is a metabolic condition that may result in weight gain. Acupuncture has more specifically been found to reduce weight and cholesterol levels by mobilizing energy stores. Chinese researchers tested the effect of acupuncture on weight loss and cholesterol compared to the effects of diet restriction. Subjects who received acupuncture lost twice as much weight as patients on diets. Additionally, acupuncture patients experienced decreases in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels.
Resource: Dr. Joseph Koh of New Hope Acupuncture Medical Group, Inc. 257-1233

Outpatient Gastric Banding may be a Solution
According to one source, only five percent of people who lose weight by diet maintain the weight loss during the year following the weight loss. Today, an outpatient gastric banding procedure is performed for those with Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher; BMI is the ratio of height to weight. This procedure is FDA approved for permanent weight reduction. With this weight loss procedure, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, gastric reflux disorder, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and other medical problems can be permanently resolved.
Resource: Medical Director Kevin Hayavi, MD of Beverly Hills Physicians 800-788-1416

Lose Weight One Change at a Time
It's easy to go on a diet, but it's hard to stay on one! True weight loss, the kind that lasts and accompanies real health, is about changing your life little by little, one step at a time. Start by simply trying to incorporate more vegetables and fruits in your diet. If you don't eat much of either, start by adding a serving or two. If you already eat some fruits and vegetables, increase your portion size a bit. Success comes when we slowly change our lives one manageable step at a time.
Resource: Felicia Oh of Flo Fitness 607-4797

10 Commandments of Healthy Eating: Thou Shall not Crash Diet
For your body to work normally, most women need to eat a minimum of 1,500 calories per day. If you exercise regularly, you need to eat 2,000 or more calories. When your caloric intake drops too low, as is the case in most crash diets, your body reacts harshly. First, it uses up your carbohydrate storage to provide you with the energy you need to get through the day. Once these are gone, your body panics. It goes into "starvation mode" and starts hoarding calories during the "dry spell" to make sure it can supply you with the energy it needs in the long-term. Your body starts breaking down the protein in your muscles to create energy. When you return to your ordinary diet, you gain weight because your metabolism is now slower than it was before to conserve your energy and fat stores.
Resource: Vish Hanoman of Valencia Executive Boxing 367-2444
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