I was just kindly notified by Amazon.com that it's "TV Week." That means DVDs of all the most popular serial TV shows, which are rarely worth watching more than once, are now on sale at cut-rate prices. The timing seems atrocious. After all, it's Spring: the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the days are long. There are bike rides to be taken and gardening chores to do. Why would anyone want to be sitting on their ass indoors watching a recording of a sitcom or TV drama? Everyone know what they should be doing this time of year: sitting on their ass indoors watching the NBA Playoffs!
But seriously: none of us should really be watching anything. We should be out doing things. I'd love to be out playing basketball, but I only have one move, the "fade-away airball." But I don't let that stop me from getting some calories burned. I mean, do I really need to stay off my bike so I can watch the "Orlando Magic?"
If you are somewhat addicted to watching playoff basketball, like I am, try this exercise:
1. Look at the physiques of the players- preferably the ones that are NOT from Europe, where apparently razor blades are not in common use.
2. Then strip down to your underwear, and look at YOUR physique in a full-length mirror. Don't pull your underwear up over your gut- be honest with yourself.
3. If you notice a large discrepancy, it's time to turn off the TV and go get more exercise.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until the NBA season is over and you are on your way to looking like LeBron James (or Serena Williams if you are a woman).
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
DOES HILLARY WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES?
You bet she does. So does Obama. You can't be on your feet or on some bus all day wearing high heels or cowboy boots. Well, you can, but your feet will hurt severely. Like the Governor of Colorado. He wears cowboy boots all the time and I know that dude has got some sore feet at night. Why do I mention this? Because it's time for a
SHOE UPDATE: YOU DON'T HAVE TO WEAR CROCS
As I was dropping some serious cash in "The Walking Store" over the weekend, I realized I may be pushing Crocs too hard as the perfect shoe. In fact, there are a number of brands that make shoes that are good for your feet. Most of these shoes have the same key factors I mentioned with respect to Crocs:
1. Good arch support
2. A heel slightly higher than the forefoot (1/4 to 1/2 inch or so)
3. Plenty of room for the toes up front, or a "wide toe box"
4. Good padding
I met an extremely knowledgeable foot surgeon at a sports medicine conference, and she told me that she thought perfect shoe for preventing foot pain already existed- and it wasn't my beloved Croc. She thought it was the "Dansko clog." And she knows more about feet than I do.
My brother swears by Ecco shoes, or at least he used to. I got a pair once in Amsterdam and somehow I lost them, but I remember they were pretty comfortable. The pair I got at the mall this weekend were "Mephisto" brand, and as I examined them closely I was shocked- they had all the features I admire so much in my Crocs, at only 6 times the price! Unlike my Crocs, however, they are not too hideous to wear at work.
BOTTOM LINE: Buy some Crocs first, so your feet will know what they are supposed to feel like. Then take them to the mall so you can use them as a "starting point" from which to explore buying more comfortable shoes. If you have a brand you swear by, leave a comment so I can discuss it here!
READER QUESTION OF THE WEEK: WHEN SHOULD I GO TO THE E.R.?
This is a very, very tough question to answer. It's probably much easier to discuss when you SHOULDN'T go to the E.R. But in either case, we often don't really know who should and who shouldn't go to the E.R. until they have gone to the E.R. already and been diagnosed , and in that case we're using hindsight.
In reality, it will take me all year to answer this question. However, let's start with some general rules and work toward the specifics over the next 12 months.
RULE #1: Unless you are a doctor, no reasonable doctor expects you to know when or when not to go to the E.R. So don't feel bad about it if you do go.
RULE #2: If you don't have HEALTH INSURANCE, you may have to go to the E.R. for many of your health care needs. By definition in this country, if you don't have health insurance, you probably don't have a regular doctor. So what are your options? A free or sliding-scale clinic, if you happen to live in one of the relatively few cities that has one; or perhaps a drop-in Urgent Care clinic, which is a type of clinic that is rapidly growing (largely due to how many people in this country don't have insurance).
RULE #3: THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: If you think something is going seriously wrong with your health, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL, and it's not something that can wait until the next day, you NEED TO go to the E.R. If it's during clinic hours you can certainly call you're doctor's office first for an appointment or advice, and if it's evening there may be an Urgent Care clinic you can go to. But if it's at night or early morning, the E.R. is usually the only place to go.
RULE #4: IF YOU'RE bleeding and it's not minor, go to the E.R. "Minor" means bleeding that is not internal, and bleeding that you can stop relatively easily.
RULE #5: IF YOU'RE HAVING A HARD TIME BREATHING, go to the E.R.
RULE #6: If you've overdosed on a drug or medication, OR if you're contemplating suicide, go to the E.R.
RULE #7: RULE #3 is the most important. Read that one again.
More later. Dr. Tofuhead has a lot to think about regarding this question, but that's a good start.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
LOOKING GOOD: OBAMA, NURSES, THE HORNETS, AND AVOCADOS
It's been an exciting Tuesday. The celebration of Cinco de Mayo continues, Nurse's Week just started, the NBA Playoffs are as dramatic as ever, the Democratic contest may finally be drawing to a close, and I'm going to talk about avocados!
In California, many of the most authentic taco/burrito restaurants pile on the avocados or guacamole at no extra charge- it's considered essential, like cheese. In Colorado and most other states I've been to, avocado/guacamole always costs extra when you add it to your Mexican dish. I guess I can't blame these restaurants; it's hard to grow avocados in all but the warmest climates, and it can't be cheap to truck avocados out to Colorado. These precious commodities often go for $3 apiece in the markets here! But it's rare that I'm not willing to pay precious extra cash for the unbelievably great taste and texture of avocado.
FOOD OF THE DAY: AVOCADOS
Avocados appear in a few different varieties in supermarkets: California, Florida, Mexico, and Hawaii all supply them in huge numbers, and the different varieties vary in size and skin color. To me, they all taste about the same; and their nutrient content does not vary much between avocado types. If you want them cheap, get them from a Mexican supermarket if you have one near you. If you live in California, Hawaii, or Florida, you can even grow them at home!
People seem tremendously confused about whether avocados are "fattening" or not. The truth is that they CAN be; they are relatively high in fat and calories, and some of this fat is saturated. However, most of the fat in avocados is unsaturated fat, similar to what is found in nuts and fish. This kind of fat does have abundant calories, but it tends to have a GOOD effect on your blood cholesterol. In a later blog, we'll discuss different types of fats and how they affect the different types of cholesterol in your blood.
AVOCADOS: BENEFITS
-Delicious, filling, and versatile, they can really liven up salads, fish dishes, sandwiches, and Mexican food.
-Tremendously high in fiber; a single avocado has a full 50% of the fiber you need in a day.
-A good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and some of the B vitamins.
-Packed with unsaturated vegetable fats which can have a favorable effect on your blood cholesterol and potentially reduce inflammation.
AVOCADOS: DRAWBACKS
-Not really a "low-calorie" choice if you are watching calories. A single whole avocado has 300-350 calories.
-Not a ton of saturated fat, but some. An avocado has about 3 grams of saturated fat, more than most plant foods.
-Can be expensive if you're not shopping at a Mexican grocery store.
-Don't keep well once you cut them open. If you eat half and avocado, plan on eating the other half the next day.
PEOPLE OF THE YEAR: NURSES
Do you know anyone who is a nurse? If you do, send them a card or at least give them a hug this week. This week is Nurse's Week, and nurses deserve more recognition than any mere week can give them. Nurses, with few exceptions, work their ASSES OFF, and they are truly the ones who keep the health care system going. Did you know that in hospitals and clinics, it's the nurses that provide the vast majority of the patient care? Without attentive nurses, few doctors would be able to handle the crushing load of patient health problems and questions that arise in an average clinic day. Without caring nurses checking medications, allergies, and vital signs constantly, few patients would make it out of the hospital alive. When my patients survive a life-threatening illness and hospitalization, and come into clinic talking about the wonderful care they received when they were ill, more often than not it's the great nurses they remember. And as a doctor with a busy practice and a ton of stress, I certainly know who I can count on to boost my morale and keep a smile on my face when times are tough: the nurses on my team. So do yourself and our society a favor: take a moment to appreciate NURSES!
In California, many of the most authentic taco/burrito restaurants pile on the avocados or guacamole at no extra charge- it's considered essential, like cheese. In Colorado and most other states I've been to, avocado/guacamole always costs extra when you add it to your Mexican dish. I guess I can't blame these restaurants; it's hard to grow avocados in all but the warmest climates, and it can't be cheap to truck avocados out to Colorado. These precious commodities often go for $3 apiece in the markets here! But it's rare that I'm not willing to pay precious extra cash for the unbelievably great taste and texture of avocado.
FOOD OF THE DAY: AVOCADOS
Avocados appear in a few different varieties in supermarkets: California, Florida, Mexico, and Hawaii all supply them in huge numbers, and the different varieties vary in size and skin color. To me, they all taste about the same; and their nutrient content does not vary much between avocado types. If you want them cheap, get them from a Mexican supermarket if you have one near you. If you live in California, Hawaii, or Florida, you can even grow them at home!
People seem tremendously confused about whether avocados are "fattening" or not. The truth is that they CAN be; they are relatively high in fat and calories, and some of this fat is saturated. However, most of the fat in avocados is unsaturated fat, similar to what is found in nuts and fish. This kind of fat does have abundant calories, but it tends to have a GOOD effect on your blood cholesterol. In a later blog, we'll discuss different types of fats and how they affect the different types of cholesterol in your blood.
AVOCADOS: BENEFITS
-Delicious, filling, and versatile, they can really liven up salads, fish dishes, sandwiches, and Mexican food.
-Tremendously high in fiber; a single avocado has a full 50% of the fiber you need in a day.
-A good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and some of the B vitamins.
-Packed with unsaturated vegetable fats which can have a favorable effect on your blood cholesterol and potentially reduce inflammation.
AVOCADOS: DRAWBACKS
-Not really a "low-calorie" choice if you are watching calories. A single whole avocado has 300-350 calories.
-Not a ton of saturated fat, but some. An avocado has about 3 grams of saturated fat, more than most plant foods.
-Can be expensive if you're not shopping at a Mexican grocery store.
-Don't keep well once you cut them open. If you eat half and avocado, plan on eating the other half the next day.
PEOPLE OF THE YEAR: NURSES
Do you know anyone who is a nurse? If you do, send them a card or at least give them a hug this week. This week is Nurse's Week, and nurses deserve more recognition than any mere week can give them. Nurses, with few exceptions, work their ASSES OFF, and they are truly the ones who keep the health care system going. Did you know that in hospitals and clinics, it's the nurses that provide the vast majority of the patient care? Without attentive nurses, few doctors would be able to handle the crushing load of patient health problems and questions that arise in an average clinic day. Without caring nurses checking medications, allergies, and vital signs constantly, few patients would make it out of the hospital alive. When my patients survive a life-threatening illness and hospitalization, and come into clinic talking about the wonderful care they received when they were ill, more often than not it's the great nurses they remember. And as a doctor with a busy practice and a ton of stress, I certainly know who I can count on to boost my morale and keep a smile on my face when times are tough: the nurses on my team. So do yourself and our society a favor: take a moment to appreciate NURSES!
Monday, May 5, 2008
MEDICAL MARIJUANA: FACT OR FICTION?
Hello and happy Monday! There have been loads of exciting new reader questions, and some great ideas for product reviews, so this promises to be an informative and action-packed week on Dr. Tofuheads' Truth in Medicine! I am also working on a new addition, which will be book, web site, and newsletter reviews. That way I can help my readers get an inside look on good sources of health information, and sources to avoid.
Also: It's Cinco de Mayo! It's time to dust off those dried pinto beans that have been sitting in your pantry and actually cook them for a change! (See last week for instructions)....I'll keep the Cinco de Mayo tradition by focusing on Mexican food all week. If there is any food Dr. Tofuhead can't get enough of, it's Mexican food!
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: PEDOMETER
What is a pedometer? Basically, it's just a step-counter. It's a small device that costs 7-20 bucks and clips onto your belt. As you walk, each step shakes a small bead inside the device and it counts the number of steps you take, with remarkable accuracy. You can then use your total step count to determine how far you walk in a day; most people take 2500-3000 steps to walk a mile.
Why get one of these things? Because knowing your step count gives yor a sense of how much activity you get in a day, and it tends to encourage people to do more. In a recent large study, just having a pedometer, with no particular guidance on what to do with it, led people to get more exercise and lose more weight compared to those who did not have the device. There is likely a psychological effect, in which getting a higher number on the pedometer gives people a sense of reward; therefore they are motivated to get more steps. I personally find it fascinating how many steps you can take just running errands and being at work, especially if you find yourself using the stairs more, and taking walks at lunch.
Perhaps you're already hardcore about exercise, and counting your steps sounds like a joke. But if you don't get as much exercise as you would like, consider getting a step-counter. It may motivate you to go for a walk or a hike instead of sitting on the sofa with a beer. It worked for Dr. Tofuhead!
READER QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA, AND IS THERE SUCH THING AS MEDICAL LSD?
I often get patients asking me for medical marijuana, which in Colorado requires some paperwork and registering as an official "marijuana patient" with the state. More often than not, patients don't even know why they want medical marijuana, and it turns out that most of them just want to see if they can score their recreational marijuana legally. Naturally, those folks are not getting jack from Dr. Tofuhead, except maybe a little "education."
Medical marijuana is so tied up in the politics of government regulation, and state jurisdiction vs. federal jurisdiction, that it can be hard to even find medical facts about the plant itself. Many states have legalized medical marijuana use in some way; but the Federal Government can still bust any marijuana user in any state, regardless of the medical facts. Unfortunately, the facts are few and far between. That's because marijuana is criminalized, and doing research on its effects and uses is an administrative nightmare. We just haven't studied this potentially useful herb as much as we need to.For the time being, it has been proven, at least controversially, that marijuana helps a small subset of patients. Those include patients on chemotherapy suffering from nausea and poor appetite, those with cancer with the same symptoms, and those with HIV Wasting Syndrome. The latter occurs with advanced AIDs, in which patients have relentless nausea and find it so difficult to eat that they literally waste away and die. The role of medical marijuana in neurologic syndromes that cause chronic pain and muscle spasm is less clear, but some patients with neurologic problems swear by marijuana. I tend to think there is a lot of potential in this area, but we really need more research.
Bottom line: if you have a serious condition that causes unintended weight loss and nausea, you might benefit from medical marijuana. As long as the drug remains illegal at the federal level, however, you will have a hard time finding a doctor who will recommend this herb for any other medical problem. And don't whip out your prescription dime bag if federal law enforcement personnel are around!
AS FOR MEDICAL LSD: there is no health condition that I know of that has been treated with LSD, though it has been researched as an adjunct to therapy in psychiatric patients. This research largely occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, before the laws regarding use of LSD were so strict. LSD is still used as a research tool in studying the distribution and role of serotonin receptors, but this research is done on animals or in test tubes. It's possible that this drug is studied more in other countries, but I don't know enough to comment on that.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
SUNDAY-DON'T READ THIS BLOG
Whoa! It is amusing to have my brilliant brother Randy doing the illustrations to this blog- it allows me to be shocked by my own posts when I see the associated images. Today's post was foiled by a loss of internet connection for the entire day, and by the fact that I forgot to buy my intended "food of the day" when I went to the supermarket. You see, I never post information on a food unless I have the actual food in my hand. I want to do my homework. When I'm talking about pasta, I want pasta to be there to defend itself if need be. So now it's 11 PM, and the only food in my hand is water. And water is saying, "I'm so perfect there is nothing you can say about me that hasn't already been said, except that no one drinks as much of me as they should." So this is going to be it for Sunday's blog, but we'll be back tomorrow.
Randy in "imaging:" Can you come up with some images for today that will help readers understand what a "Laker" is?
Saturday, May 3, 2008
UTAH MOVES TO THE SECOND ROUND AND YOU CAN HAVE WINE WITH YOUR ANTIBIOTICS!
I don't know why I'm a fan of the Utah Jazz- maybe because they always go farther in the playoffs than my team, the Denver Nuggets. Maybe it's because the coach, Jerry Sloan, has been around longer than a bacterial colony in your underarm hair!
For this lovely Saturday, I'm going to use the blog to address 2 Reader Concerns. I'm eating so crappy lately that I feel guilty even trying to bring you "FOOD OF THE DAY." You probably already know about huge cups of coffee, grilled cheese sandwiches, tacos piled high with meat and cheese, massive bowls of ice cream, and the other things I've been eating.
READER QUESTION OF THE DAY: CAN I HAVE A BIT OF ALCOHOL WITH MY ANTIBIOTICS?
Answer: Probably! There is only one antibiotic I know that really does NOT mix well with even small amounts of antibiotics: That's FLAGYL, generically known as METRONIDAZOLE. This is a tremendously useful antibiotic, and it's used for giardia infections, bacterial vaginal infections, gallbladder and colon infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and some skin infections. But it is NOT one of the common antibiotics your doctor will give you for strep throat, normal urinary tract infections, ear infections, sinusitis, and pneumonia.
MOST antibiotics can make your stomach crampy and uncomfortable, and cause bloating and diarrhea. These effects may be worse if you drink alcohol. And with HIGH doses of alcohol (more than 2-3 drinks), antibiotics can cause liver inflammation, and they can work less effectively.
SUMMARY:
-If you're on an antibiotic other than FLAGYL, it's ok to have a drink now and then. Just don't go on a bender.
-If you have a glass of wine or a beer while on an antibiotic, the antibiotic will still work to fight your infection.
-Even if you are on FLAGYL, a drink won't kill you. It will just give you projectile vomiting.
-Remember: always finish the full course of an antibiotic your doctor gives you. Don't stop it early so that you can go on a drinking binge, or you'll end up with a hangover AND a recurrent infection!
READER POINT OF THE DAY: COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES!
My friend V.T. has the best job ever- she gets to hang out in Antarctica with penguins. She also knows how to eat healthy!
She made a very solid point yesterday- that NOT ALL CARBS ARE THE SAME! This is true, in that COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES, the kind found in whole grains, are more nutrient rich, and less easily converted into fat, than the simple carbs in white rice and baking flour. And most baked goods, and even pastas, CAN be made with whole wheat flour. You can get pizza dough, bread, tortillas, pasta noodles, and many other wheat products made with WHOLE WHEAT rather than white, processed flour.
ADVANTAGES OF WHOLE WHEAT:
-more fiber than processed flour
-retains some of the protein found in the wheat kernel
-retains more vitamins and minerals than processed flour
-longer carbohydrate chains in the wheat take WORK for your body to process; therefore the carbs are PARTIALLY burned up in the process of digesting and storing energy
DISADVANTAGES OF WHOLE WHEAT:
-The carbs in whole wheat, like ALL CARBS, can still be turned into fat. If you eat 500 calories of processed flour, OR 500 calories of whole wheat flour, then you go into hibernation and only burn off 100 of those calories, your body will still store most of the leftover calories in the form of fat. But there will be more carbs left over to turn into fat from the processed flour.
-You will NOT lose weight by switching from processed flour to whole wheat flour, UNLESS your are burning off more calories per day than you are eating.
-If you are allergic to wheat gluten, you will tolerate whole wheat even less than you will processed wheat flour. There may be more WHEAT GLUTEN in whole wheat flour than in processed white flour, depending on the brand.
-The taste is thicker and "wheatier." I'm a big fan of whole wheat bread and pizza dough, but I admit: I personally have trouble enjoying whole wheat pasta and tortillas. It's an acquired taste!
That's all for today: I'm going birdwatching!
For this lovely Saturday, I'm going to use the blog to address 2 Reader Concerns. I'm eating so crappy lately that I feel guilty even trying to bring you "FOOD OF THE DAY." You probably already know about huge cups of coffee, grilled cheese sandwiches, tacos piled high with meat and cheese, massive bowls of ice cream, and the other things I've been eating.
READER QUESTION OF THE DAY: CAN I HAVE A BIT OF ALCOHOL WITH MY ANTIBIOTICS?
Answer: Probably! There is only one antibiotic I know that really does NOT mix well with even small amounts of antibiotics: That's FLAGYL, generically known as METRONIDAZOLE. This is a tremendously useful antibiotic, and it's used for giardia infections, bacterial vaginal infections, gallbladder and colon infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and some skin infections. But it is NOT one of the common antibiotics your doctor will give you for strep throat, normal urinary tract infections, ear infections, sinusitis, and pneumonia.
MOST antibiotics can make your stomach crampy and uncomfortable, and cause bloating and diarrhea. These effects may be worse if you drink alcohol. And with HIGH doses of alcohol (more than 2-3 drinks), antibiotics can cause liver inflammation, and they can work less effectively.
SUMMARY:
-If you're on an antibiotic other than FLAGYL, it's ok to have a drink now and then. Just don't go on a bender.
-If you have a glass of wine or a beer while on an antibiotic, the antibiotic will still work to fight your infection.
-Even if you are on FLAGYL, a drink won't kill you. It will just give you projectile vomiting.
-Remember: always finish the full course of an antibiotic your doctor gives you. Don't stop it early so that you can go on a drinking binge, or you'll end up with a hangover AND a recurrent infection!
READER POINT OF THE DAY: COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES!
My friend V.T. has the best job ever- she gets to hang out in Antarctica with penguins. She also knows how to eat healthy!
She made a very solid point yesterday- that NOT ALL CARBS ARE THE SAME! This is true, in that COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES, the kind found in whole grains, are more nutrient rich, and less easily converted into fat, than the simple carbs in white rice and baking flour. And most baked goods, and even pastas, CAN be made with whole wheat flour. You can get pizza dough, bread, tortillas, pasta noodles, and many other wheat products made with WHOLE WHEAT rather than white, processed flour.
ADVANTAGES OF WHOLE WHEAT:-more fiber than processed flour
-retains some of the protein found in the wheat kernel
-retains more vitamins and minerals than processed flour
-longer carbohydrate chains in the wheat take WORK for your body to process; therefore the carbs are PARTIALLY burned up in the process of digesting and storing energy
DISADVANTAGES OF WHOLE WHEAT:
-The carbs in whole wheat, like ALL CARBS, can still be turned into fat. If you eat 500 calories of processed flour, OR 500 calories of whole wheat flour, then you go into hibernation and only burn off 100 of those calories, your body will still store most of the leftover calories in the form of fat. But there will be more carbs left over to turn into fat from the processed flour.
-You will NOT lose weight by switching from processed flour to whole wheat flour, UNLESS your are burning off more calories per day than you are eating.
-If you are allergic to wheat gluten, you will tolerate whole wheat even less than you will processed wheat flour. There may be more WHEAT GLUTEN in whole wheat flour than in processed white flour, depending on the brand.
-The taste is thicker and "wheatier." I'm a big fan of whole wheat bread and pizza dough, but I admit: I personally have trouble enjoying whole wheat pasta and tortillas. It's an acquired taste!
That's all for today: I'm going birdwatching!
Friday, May 2, 2008
SCRAPE YOUR TONGUE
Did you know that in other countries, "common wisdom" about health and disease is sometimes completely different than our own? For example, in Scandanavia, "tongue pain" is considered one of the classic symptoms of a common cold. And in India, scraping your tongue is a routine oral hygeine activity- like brushing teeth and flossing.
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: TONGUE SCRAPER
A tongue scraper is a thin strip of metal, bent into a "U" shape with a little rubber handle on each end. It is designed so that, using both hands, you insert the metal strip to the back of the tongue and scrape forward, scraping all the crap off the top of your tongue. If you do this, you will be amazed- a relatively massive amount of white, brown, and yellow paste will come off your tongue.
Why scrape your tongue? Because like the teeth and gums, the tongue builds up alot of plaque. Plaque is a mortar made of undigested food particles and bacteria- bacteria that can lead to bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and throat infections. Don't you want that bacterial mortar out of your mouth? Sure you do! It is so easy to scrape your tongue, and the best part is that you don't have to do it every day- 1-2 times per week is fine.
Where do you get a tongue scraper? I got mine in a health food store in L.A. 10 years ago. You can buy them online, and some Whole Foods stores have them. Check the bath and cosmetics section of your local food co-op or health food store; most of them have these things.
GUIDELINES FOR USING A TONGUE SCRAPER:
1. Don't scrape too hard. If your tongue bleeds, this is not dangerous and it will stop quickly, but it means you're scraping too hard.
2. Rinse the plaque off the scraper with hot water, and you may need to push some of the thick junk off the scraper with your hand.
3. Periodically sterilize your scraper by wiping it down with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
4. Use your tongue scraper a couple times per week. If you have a cold, you will notice the plaque builds up faster, so you can use it daily if you want.
5. Unfortunately, you still need to brush and floss, even if you are scraping your tongue religiously.
MEDICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY: HOW OFTEN DO I NEED A "PHYSICAL?"
Answer: you don't really need a physical, but that's kind of a lame answer. Let me qualify this. You DO need to have some blood work done, and have your blood pressure checked, at least every 2-5 years- and this is USUALLY done in the context of a "physical." But the physical itself, in which the doctor does a comprehensive exam of your body, is a waste of time for most people. The exception is those who are senior citizens, people with diabetes, and people with heart disease- those for whom the physical exam is an important part of monitoring their chronic health conditions.
MY ADVICE: Get yourself a regular primary care doctor (an "Internist" or "Family Practitioner") and ask them to check routine blood work and your blood pressure every 2-3 years. I think "every 5 years" is too liberal- you're likely just to not go at all. They will also be able to give you any recommended vaccines or booster shots. And if you are a woman, PLEASE: get a pap smear and breast exam every 2 years, no exceptions! These tests, unlike much of the "physical," are really worth doing because they really do detect cancers that can kill you.
Any other questions? Leave a comment today!
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: TONGUE SCRAPER
A tongue scraper is a thin strip of metal, bent into a "U" shape with a little rubber handle on each end. It is designed so that, using both hands, you insert the metal strip to the back of the tongue and scrape forward, scraping all the crap off the top of your tongue. If you do this, you will be amazed- a relatively massive amount of white, brown, and yellow paste will come off your tongue.
Why scrape your tongue? Because like the teeth and gums, the tongue builds up alot of plaque. Plaque is a mortar made of undigested food particles and bacteria- bacteria that can lead to bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and throat infections. Don't you want that bacterial mortar out of your mouth? Sure you do! It is so easy to scrape your tongue, and the best part is that you don't have to do it every day- 1-2 times per week is fine.
Where do you get a tongue scraper? I got mine in a health food store in L.A. 10 years ago. You can buy them online, and some Whole Foods stores have them. Check the bath and cosmetics section of your local food co-op or health food store; most of them have these things.
GUIDELINES FOR USING A TONGUE SCRAPER:1. Don't scrape too hard. If your tongue bleeds, this is not dangerous and it will stop quickly, but it means you're scraping too hard.
2. Rinse the plaque off the scraper with hot water, and you may need to push some of the thick junk off the scraper with your hand.
3. Periodically sterilize your scraper by wiping it down with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
4. Use your tongue scraper a couple times per week. If you have a cold, you will notice the plaque builds up faster, so you can use it daily if you want.
5. Unfortunately, you still need to brush and floss, even if you are scraping your tongue religiously.
MEDICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY: HOW OFTEN DO I NEED A "PHYSICAL?"
Answer: you don't really need a physical, but that's kind of a lame answer. Let me qualify this. You DO need to have some blood work done, and have your blood pressure checked, at least every 2-5 years- and this is USUALLY done in the context of a "physical." But the physical itself, in which the doctor does a comprehensive exam of your body, is a waste of time for most people. The exception is those who are senior citizens, people with diabetes, and people with heart disease- those for whom the physical exam is an important part of monitoring their chronic health conditions.
MY ADVICE: Get yourself a regular primary care doctor (an "Internist" or "Family Practitioner") and ask them to check routine blood work and your blood pressure every 2-3 years. I think "every 5 years" is too liberal- you're likely just to not go at all. They will also be able to give you any recommended vaccines or booster shots. And if you are a woman, PLEASE: get a pap smear and breast exam every 2 years, no exceptions! These tests, unlike much of the "physical," are really worth doing because they really do detect cancers that can kill you.
Any other questions? Leave a comment today!
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