Several years ago I attended the VIP opening of Planet Hollywood Nashville with my best friend, Christian Dickens. I was approached by a beautiful, tall, slender woman dressed all in white, topped with a large brim hat trimmed in red fringe. I vividly recall the most striking physical attribute of this woman was her closely shaved head. As this woman extended her hand to me, all I could think about was how beautiful she was—not that she had no hair or even why she had no hair. Then this lovely creature said to me, “Has anyone told you—you are the best dressed man here this evening. And by the way, who are you?” I knew I was in trouble when I heard Mr. Dickens sigh in embarrassment as I introduced myself and quipped, “And who are you?”
It doesn’t seem to matter if you are a guy or a gal—hair loss can be a touchy subject for anyone who notices that his or her hair is thinning or receding. I guess the importance we place on hair has biblical roots, most notably, Samson and Delilah. Do we view hair as representing our strength, sexiness, or popularity? When I noticed my hair thinning, a friend suggested I use Rogaine®; this suggestion caused me to question my insecurities about hair loss. Ironically, my hair loss seems to bother my friends more than it does me. Maybe I am secure enough to know that hair loss will not make me any less of a person
The average scalp has about 100,000 hairs, and on average sheds between 50 and 100 hairs per day. Gradual thinning of the hair is a normal part of the aging process. Our hair goes through cycles of growth and rest, and of course, these cycles vary and are individualized. The typical growth phase of scalp hair lasts between two and three years; hair grows approximately ½ inch per month. The typical resting phase lasts about three or four months. At the end of the resting phase, the hair strand falls out and the cycle repeats itself.
It is important to discuss hair loss early with your healthcare provider, because early treatment usually has the best results. Proper nutrition is important in maintaining healthy hair; inadequate amounts of protein and iron can cause hair loss, so use caution if considering fad diets. Certain medications used to treat arthritis, depression, gout, birth control, and other medical conditions may contribute to hair loss. Hormonal changes and imbalances may also cause temporary hair loss; sometimes this can be associated with pregnancy, the discontinuation of oral contraceptives, menopause, or having an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. Hair loss may be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or lupus. Nothing will replace regular check-ups; therefore, it is imperative not to change or discontinue any medications or treatments without consulting your healthcare provider.
Other things besides health problems and medicine can damage hair and lead to hair loss: over-styling, the use of excessive heat, and the incorrect application of chemicals used to tint, dye, bleach, or perm hair.
Who was the woman with the shaved head and the white hat trimmed in red fringe? Well, it proves that hair doesn’t make the woman or the man—it’s the beauty inside that makes us sexy and appealing. Demi Moore was filming GI Jane at the time and sported her new “do” for the world to see. The beauty of self confidence will add more to your appearance than comb-overs, wigs, or toupees. So take yourself seriously by being confident.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Throw Rugs and Rodeos
When I was a boy I had a dream of being a professional rodeo cowboy sitting in the saddle on a bucking bronco whose only mission was to toss me as high into the air as he possibly could and then stomp, bite, and kick me once I was down. Thank God for a mother who knew best; thankfully, she was able to talk me out of that wild-haired idea and dreams of the rodeo. Through the twists and turns of life I became a nurse, and I have days when the adrenalin rush equals that of riding a bucking bronco; I have the same body aches and pains as a rodeo cowboy.
This reminds me of my pony named Dolly, who was always trying to figure out a way to get back to the barn without me on her back. One day as I was riding Dolly, she was able to make a sudden change in direction and the saddle (with me in it) did a 180 degree turn so that I was under the pony instead of on her. Dolly dragged me a bit more than a mile on a gravel road all the way back to the barn. I had not much more than a scratch or two, but a whole bunch of hurt pride. I can remember countless times I was thrown and stomped by a horse, with little more than the breath knocked out of me and some bruising of my pride.
Why is it when we are younger, falling seems to do little more than bruise our egos? So, I asked one of the smartest people I know, Dr. Roman WesoĊowski, who is a physicist; he compared our bodies to steel bridges. “A new bridge with a fresh build and brand new parts is much stronger and can withstand harder shocks, whereas older bridges' materials wear off, get corroded, and therefore, their strength is compromised.”
The other day in conversation I heard someone say that falls did not have as significant an impact on society as breast cancer. I believe awareness of all illnesses and safety issues are important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2005 (the most recent year numbers are available), 186,467 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. When comparing that number to the number of falls in 2005, there were 1.8 million Americans ages 65 and older who were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal falls, with nearly 450,000 people requiring hospitalization, which cost over $19 billion. That total is expected to reach $55 billion by 2020 and does not include the $200 million cost of fatal falls.
One in three adults, 65 and older, fall each year (CDC); of those who fall, 20% to 30% suffer moderate to severe injuries, making it harder for them to get around or live independently and increasing their chances of an early death. Within this age group, falls are the leading cause of injury related deaths. Older adults are hospitalized for fall related injuries 5 times more often than they are for injuries from other causes.
So, how can we protect ourselves and those closest to us from falling? Studies have shown that simple balancing exercises, such as Tai Chi, may reduce falls by as much as 60%. Look around the home and remove any physical hazards that could cause a fall, such as unsecured throw rugs, books, newspapers, and other clutter in walkways. It is important to have proper lighting, particularly on pathways and routes to the bathroom at night. Installing handrails on stairways and grab bars in bathrooms can also be helpful in preventing falls.
Don’t let trip rugs and clutter become the bucking bronco in a day at the rodeo. Nothing is worse than realizing you have injured more than your ego, because of something you could have prevented.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
This reminds me of my pony named Dolly, who was always trying to figure out a way to get back to the barn without me on her back. One day as I was riding Dolly, she was able to make a sudden change in direction and the saddle (with me in it) did a 180 degree turn so that I was under the pony instead of on her. Dolly dragged me a bit more than a mile on a gravel road all the way back to the barn. I had not much more than a scratch or two, but a whole bunch of hurt pride. I can remember countless times I was thrown and stomped by a horse, with little more than the breath knocked out of me and some bruising of my pride.
Why is it when we are younger, falling seems to do little more than bruise our egos? So, I asked one of the smartest people I know, Dr. Roman WesoĊowski, who is a physicist; he compared our bodies to steel bridges. “A new bridge with a fresh build and brand new parts is much stronger and can withstand harder shocks, whereas older bridges' materials wear off, get corroded, and therefore, their strength is compromised.”
The other day in conversation I heard someone say that falls did not have as significant an impact on society as breast cancer. I believe awareness of all illnesses and safety issues are important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2005 (the most recent year numbers are available), 186,467 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. When comparing that number to the number of falls in 2005, there were 1.8 million Americans ages 65 and older who were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal falls, with nearly 450,000 people requiring hospitalization, which cost over $19 billion. That total is expected to reach $55 billion by 2020 and does not include the $200 million cost of fatal falls.
One in three adults, 65 and older, fall each year (CDC); of those who fall, 20% to 30% suffer moderate to severe injuries, making it harder for them to get around or live independently and increasing their chances of an early death. Within this age group, falls are the leading cause of injury related deaths. Older adults are hospitalized for fall related injuries 5 times more often than they are for injuries from other causes.
So, how can we protect ourselves and those closest to us from falling? Studies have shown that simple balancing exercises, such as Tai Chi, may reduce falls by as much as 60%. Look around the home and remove any physical hazards that could cause a fall, such as unsecured throw rugs, books, newspapers, and other clutter in walkways. It is important to have proper lighting, particularly on pathways and routes to the bathroom at night. Installing handrails on stairways and grab bars in bathrooms can also be helpful in preventing falls.
Don’t let trip rugs and clutter become the bucking bronco in a day at the rodeo. Nothing is worse than realizing you have injured more than your ego, because of something you could have prevented.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
Monday, March 15, 2010
Would You Wrestle An Alligator?
Would you jump in a pen and wrestle a half crazed alligator? Probably not! Well, March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. The sad thing is that in 60% of the cases, colorectal cancer is preventable with routine screenings.
So, who is at risk for colorectal cancer? You are considered to be at average risk if you are 50 years old or older with no other risk factors. Men have an average lifetime risk of colorectal cancer of about one in seventeen; whereas, women’s risk is about one in nineteen. People at higher risk are those with a close family member such as a parent, sibling, or child who has had the disease, or those who have had colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps. Race also plays a significant role. Blacks are more likely than any other racial group to develop colorectal cancer and have lower survival rates. Most healthcare providers agree that if you’re black, screening should start at age 45 instead of 50.
It is thought that a high fat, low fiber diet can increase your likelihood of colorectal cancer. Obesity, diabetes, and heavy alcohol intake can also increase your risk. A sedentary lifestyle can also put you at higher risk, as well as the good health nemesis—smoking! It has also been shown that people of Ashkenazi ancestry (Jews of Eastern European descent) are more likely to develop colorectal cancer. In 2006 in Poland, it was found that men were more likely to have larger polyps at a younger age; the study’s authors recommended that screening begin at age 40 for men.
Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer usually do not appear until the disease has progressed to the advanced stages, which also reduces your chance of a cure. When polyps and early stage cancers are found and removed before symptoms are noticed, you increase your five year survival rate by 90%. The following are symptoms: a change in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation; narrow, pencil-thin stools; rectal bleeding or blood in your stools; persistent abdominal pain, gas, cramps, or discomfort; the feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely; or unexplained weight loss. These symptoms could have many different meanings to your health, so you should seek the advice of your healthcare provider if you experience any of the above symptoms.
You might have a chance of taking that half crazed alligator by the tail and smacking him on the nose a time or two and escaping with a few minor scratches, but why take the risk? You could also never get tested for colorectal cancer and never contract the disease. However, I personally wouldn’t take my chances with either. Getting bitten in either case could mean a lot of pain and suffering that could have been prevented by using a little common sense. Be proactive, know your risks, don’t play the odds, and get tested—it may save your life.
Because of the importance of this topic and an overwhelming positive response, this column is being repeated.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
So, who is at risk for colorectal cancer? You are considered to be at average risk if you are 50 years old or older with no other risk factors. Men have an average lifetime risk of colorectal cancer of about one in seventeen; whereas, women’s risk is about one in nineteen. People at higher risk are those with a close family member such as a parent, sibling, or child who has had the disease, or those who have had colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps. Race also plays a significant role. Blacks are more likely than any other racial group to develop colorectal cancer and have lower survival rates. Most healthcare providers agree that if you’re black, screening should start at age 45 instead of 50.
It is thought that a high fat, low fiber diet can increase your likelihood of colorectal cancer. Obesity, diabetes, and heavy alcohol intake can also increase your risk. A sedentary lifestyle can also put you at higher risk, as well as the good health nemesis—smoking! It has also been shown that people of Ashkenazi ancestry (Jews of Eastern European descent) are more likely to develop colorectal cancer. In 2006 in Poland, it was found that men were more likely to have larger polyps at a younger age; the study’s authors recommended that screening begin at age 40 for men.
Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer usually do not appear until the disease has progressed to the advanced stages, which also reduces your chance of a cure. When polyps and early stage cancers are found and removed before symptoms are noticed, you increase your five year survival rate by 90%. The following are symptoms: a change in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation; narrow, pencil-thin stools; rectal bleeding or blood in your stools; persistent abdominal pain, gas, cramps, or discomfort; the feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely; or unexplained weight loss. These symptoms could have many different meanings to your health, so you should seek the advice of your healthcare provider if you experience any of the above symptoms.
You might have a chance of taking that half crazed alligator by the tail and smacking him on the nose a time or two and escaping with a few minor scratches, but why take the risk? You could also never get tested for colorectal cancer and never contract the disease. However, I personally wouldn’t take my chances with either. Getting bitten in either case could mean a lot of pain and suffering that could have been prevented by using a little common sense. Be proactive, know your risks, don’t play the odds, and get tested—it may save your life.
Because of the importance of this topic and an overwhelming positive response, this column is being repeated.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
Sunday, March 7, 2010
It's All Natural
It seems that every time I turn on the radio or television, I hear the claim “It’s all natural” as if all natural is always good for us. The other day I went into one of those bath and body stores to purchase shaving cream, when the sales clerk approached me with the hope of selling a new and improved shaving cream and aftershave combo pack. I explained that I was happy with my current brand of shaving cream and had used it for years with great success, without breakouts to my sensitive skin, when she exclaimed, “Sir, it’s all natural.” I quipped, “Well, poison ivy is all natural—but I won’t be rubbing it on my face.”
Radio and television ads seem to be obsessed with “all natural” from skin care products to alternatives for Viagra® and Prozac®. Our obsession with natural is fueled by the appeal to be “wholesome,” “green,” “organic,” and yes, “all natural.” Is it possible that our fixation on natural has led us to falsely believe that “all natural” is better for us, without questioning whether or not it’s safe? Belladonna (Solanum) sap, mercury, and arsenic are a few examples of “all natural,” or should I say—naturally deadly.
With all the hype surrounding the legalization of marijuana (for medicinal purposes), some proponents say it is “harmless and good for you” because it’s an “all natural” herb that can have health benefits. I heard a report of a woman who claimed it was safe to breastfeed while smoking marijuana, because it’s “natural.” Another person argued that marijuana is safe because there are no known cases of anyone overdosing on it. Maybe those opinions are proof that marijuana is bad for you, because those people seem to have smoked from the same wacky pipe. I question beliefs such as the following: hot smoke in your lungs is okay, and something that can cause anxiety, depression, and psychosis without killing you cannot be bad as long as it’s all natural.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued dietary supplement alerts and information about many all natural ingredients, including these common products: aristolochic acid, silver (colloidal silver), ephedrine, kava, red yeast rice, and St. John’s wort. As reported by the FDA, St. John’s wort may interfere with prescription medications used to treat medical conditions such as heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and oral contraceptives. Red yeast rice may cause permanent kidney impairment, especially when used with antibiotics, medications for high cholesterol, and drugs used to treat fungal and HIV infections. These are only two examples of all natural products that may cause harm.
If you are considering using any dietary supplement or all natural products, first gather information from reliable sources such as the FDA (www.fda.gov), National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (www.nccam.nih.gov), and my favorite consumer health source, the Preston Medical Library at library@utmck.edu or call 865-305-9525. These are free community resources available to you no matter where you live. I encourage you to take advantage of them whenever possible.
Don’t get me wrong—I am a strong proponent of natural alternatives such as acupuncture, massage, and herbs. However, just because something is natural and organic doesn’t mean that it is safe to use in every situation. Please discuss any herbs, dietary supplements, or alternative medicine with your healthcare provider. Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
Radio and television ads seem to be obsessed with “all natural” from skin care products to alternatives for Viagra® and Prozac®. Our obsession with natural is fueled by the appeal to be “wholesome,” “green,” “organic,” and yes, “all natural.” Is it possible that our fixation on natural has led us to falsely believe that “all natural” is better for us, without questioning whether or not it’s safe? Belladonna (Solanum) sap, mercury, and arsenic are a few examples of “all natural,” or should I say—naturally deadly.
With all the hype surrounding the legalization of marijuana (for medicinal purposes), some proponents say it is “harmless and good for you” because it’s an “all natural” herb that can have health benefits. I heard a report of a woman who claimed it was safe to breastfeed while smoking marijuana, because it’s “natural.” Another person argued that marijuana is safe because there are no known cases of anyone overdosing on it. Maybe those opinions are proof that marijuana is bad for you, because those people seem to have smoked from the same wacky pipe. I question beliefs such as the following: hot smoke in your lungs is okay, and something that can cause anxiety, depression, and psychosis without killing you cannot be bad as long as it’s all natural.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued dietary supplement alerts and information about many all natural ingredients, including these common products: aristolochic acid, silver (colloidal silver), ephedrine, kava, red yeast rice, and St. John’s wort. As reported by the FDA, St. John’s wort may interfere with prescription medications used to treat medical conditions such as heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and oral contraceptives. Red yeast rice may cause permanent kidney impairment, especially when used with antibiotics, medications for high cholesterol, and drugs used to treat fungal and HIV infections. These are only two examples of all natural products that may cause harm.
If you are considering using any dietary supplement or all natural products, first gather information from reliable sources such as the FDA (www.fda.gov), National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (www.nccam.nih.gov), and my favorite consumer health source, the Preston Medical Library at library@utmck.edu or call 865-305-9525. These are free community resources available to you no matter where you live. I encourage you to take advantage of them whenever possible.
Don’t get me wrong—I am a strong proponent of natural alternatives such as acupuncture, massage, and herbs. However, just because something is natural and organic doesn’t mean that it is safe to use in every situation. Please discuss any herbs, dietary supplements, or alternative medicine with your healthcare provider. Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
