Thursday June 19th / 2008

Thursday June 19th / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.


12:13: Thermography. Some of us have heard the word before, others have not. I think it’s time we explore just what thermography is.
Guest: Dr. Verna Hunt, Naturopath @ the Centre for Health & Wellbeing.

12:20: Our favourite local chiropractors are back in the house.
Guests: Dr. Kathryn Wheatley and Dr. Jim Lamontagne, Regent Health and Chiropractic Centre over on Locke Street.

12:35: Diabetes and foot care go hand in hand. Or, is that foot in foot?
Guest: Dr. Perry Mayer, Mayer Institute for Advanced Diabetic Foot care.

12:45: Rexall Pharmacy segment.
Guest: Hilton

Airplane & Travel Advice

Jet Lag:
Jet lag is caused when you travel through multiple time zones. These changes in time zones confuse your body’s 24-hour inner clock which throws off your circadian rhythms. Your circadian rhythms control the timing of the release of hormones and chemicals to let you know when you should be hungry, sleepy, ect. Symptoms of jet lag include fatigue, insomnia, disorientation, headaches and irregularity.

What to do on an airplane;
Exercise while airborne and upon arrival will help circulate your blood you will feel rejuvenated. Adjust your sleep time before you leave your trip to match your place of destination. Change your watch to match destination time. Meals high in protein will stimulate wakefulness. Carbohydrate rich foods promote sleep. Eat high-fiber foods to fight constipation and avoid fatty foods. Drinks lots of water !

Ear Pain while flying;
During airplane flights the ears are subjected to changes in the air pressure. The middle ear is connected with the upper part of the throat by the Eustachian tube. Its job is to equalize air pressure in the middle ear. People often have trouble during landing. If the Eustachian tube is blocked from cold or allergies the eardrum will be stretched inward, impairing hearing and causing pain during descent. If you can’t clear your ears on the ground, you should not fly. But if you have to fly or find yourself with ear pain once on board, there are some things you can do. Try yawning or swallowing to open up the Eustachian tube, try chewing gum. You can take a decongestant or nasal spray; you might try ear-plug devices called Earplanes which help regulate air pressure naturally. You can also try the Valsalva maneuver, hold your nose and blow out gently to equalize the pressure. Children Eustachian tubes don’t function as good as adults, use a pacifier or bottle for babies during takeoffs and landings. Older children won’t suffer as much as long as they don’t have a cold.

Deep Vein Thrombosis;
Sometimes referred to Economy Class Syndrome, in rare instances can occur during air travel due to inactivity. Blood flow slows down, especially in the lower legs, and clots can form. Sometimes there are no symptoms until several days later after a flight when DVT can be mistaken for a cramp. DVT can be easily avoided by using these simple tips; flex your legs frequently, at least every 30 minutes while seated. Try compression hose, but not elastic Support hose. Avoid sitting with your legs crossed for more than a few minutes. Drink lots of water. Avoid dehydrating beverages, such as alcohol & caffeine.

Motion Sickness;
Some airline passengers experience motion sickness. Motion sickness can occur when you lose visual contact with the earth’s horizon and you are subjected to motion such as turbulence or the plane turning. This can cause the inner ear to send conflicting information to the brain. Anxiety can also exaggerate the symptoms of motion sickness. Tips for dealing with motion are, try eating lightly before and during your flight. Sit at a window seat, don’t read. Open your air vent. Try eating ginger (cap form or peppermint (mint-flavoured candies).

Helpful hints;
• Don’t fly within 12 hours after dental work, because the change in cabin pressure can be painful
• Avoid eating empty calories
• Avoid alcohol
• Carry a summary of your health info., blood type, pre-existing health conditions
• Some researchers claim that bismuth subsahcylate ( pepto-bismol) can help prevent diarrhea caused by drinking contaminated water.

Nadine Janacek Blog Reporter Rexall #0202