Barb's Daily Dose

One Question Helps Diagnose Issues With Alcohol

I read this on a Medscape continuing education activity.  Here's one question that can help health care providers diagnose issues with alcohol abuse.  The question was devised by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

For women: "How many times in the past year have you had 4 or more drinks in a day?"

For men:  "How many times in the past year have you had 5 or more drinks in a day?"

The Secret to Health

Ok, here it is, the secret to health.  Are you ready?  Really, this is ground breaking research.  Ok, the secret to health for a 93% reduction in risk of diabetes, an 81% decreased risk of heart attack and a 50% lowered risk of stroke is to do the following 4 things:

1. Don't smoke
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Lose weight
4. Exercise

Rest Ministries

Our Featured Guest Today is:  Lisa Copen,

Founder of Rest Ministries

Rest Ministries, www.restministries.org , was founded by Lisa Copen in 1997 and has grown to reach thousands online through various program, daily devotionals, social networks and more.

They also have over 300 HopeKeepers groups in churches around the world and HopeKeepers Magazine.

In 2002 they began National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, www.invisibleillness.com , which ran Sept 14-20 2009 this year, featuring a 5-day free virtual conference with 20 live, and archived, seminars online.

For articles, encouragement, the weekly newsletter and more visit the web site www.restministries.org . Lisa also recently began Illness Twitters ww.illnesstwitters.ning.com to connect anyone who Twitters about health, ilness, or medical issues.

Whole Grains, Bran May Fight Hypertension in Men

New Findings Replicate Similar Data for Women, Experts Say

Submitted to Caring.com, by Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Aug. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Men, want to keep high blood pressure at bay? Try reaching for whole grains.

That's the message from a Harvard study that found that whole grain foods and foods high in bran bring a boost to heart health. Although this study is among men, data from the Women's Health Study found similar results, the researchers say.

"Whole grains as a part of a prudent, balanced diet may help promote cardiovascular health," said lead researcher Dr. Alan J. Flint, project director at Harvard School of Public Health of the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, on which the new analysis was based. "Higher intake of whole grains was associated with a lower risk of hypertension in our cohort of over 31,000 men," Flint said.

To continue reading this article, click here.

Marriage and Relationships: How Caregiving Couples Can Make It Work

Our Guest Writer today is Connie Matthiessen, Senior Editor of Caring.com

Jump to…

1. Get outside support
2. Keep romance alive.
3. Find ways to celebrate -- and recognize the silver linings.
4. Make sure you have backup plans.

Even the strongest relationships can be pushed to the brink when one or both members of a couple are caring for an elderly relative. Stress, lack of privacy, financial pressure, and simple exhaustion are common complaints of caregivers, as the results of Caring.com's recent caregiver survey make clear. Still, some couples find ways not only to cope with the challenges but to use the experience to strengthen their bonds.

How to Be an Optimist

Though there are undoubtedly people who are born with "The Happy Gene" and are natural optimists, I've seen many people choose to be optimistic and not give in to their negative self-talk. Here's what I use with my patients:

1. Imagine The Worst - Nothing squashes optimism like fear, except if you have a plan for what you're most afraid of. Instead of being overwhelmed by events or possible situations, I ask my patients to talk about the worst case scenario and then we work back from there imagining how they would cope with every single challenge to optimism. Once people have a blueprint for coping, it's much easier to feel safe and optimistic, that things will work out, no matter what.
2. Fake It Til You Make It - Optimism is all about confidence. Confidence that Life is Good, that you can handle whatever comes your way. But sometimes, people don't really feel that way for a variety of reasons. Until you can feel that way, train yourself to act, speak and interact with others with an optimistic, open, hopeful heart, because inevitably you will find that people react more positively to you.
3. Ignore Grumpy, Negative People - Don't give them any of your energy, or time. Save your energy for people who are positive and for experiences that fulfill you.

Questions of the Week

Question 1

Is there any other treatment for Lichen Sclerosus other than steroid creams?

Lichen Sclerosis is a chronic skin condition that can affect men and women. We don’t know what causes it.  It can cause a white patch of skin near the genitals or rectal area. Often there is intense itching and eventually the skin can become thicker and can tear easily.

Unfortunately right now, the best treatment for Lichen Sclerosis is steroid cream. I'd advise you to talk to your dermatologist or rheumatologist.  Many women find that they use a medium to high potency cream or ointment for a short time 2 times/day to get it under control and then can move to a lower dosage and use it 1-2 times/week.

Question 2

I am in my 21st week of pregnancy. When I check my breasts, milk comes out. Is this normal.  It's not unusual for a pregnant woman to already see some milk from her breasts.  It's normal and please don't worry.  I would advise you not to keep checking as any nipple stimulation can cause contractions and early labor.  It’s also perfectly normal not to see any milk, until after you deliver the baby.