Happy 2010 everyone!
Like every other year, many of you have set New Year's Resolutions for yourself. Two common ones seen here at the clinic is to 1) Lose Weight and 2) Quit Smoking.
First off, if you've tried to do this in the past and were unsuccessful, don't despair! If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.......and believe me, you will eventually get it right. Sometimes though, people just need a helping hand: support from friends and family members, advice from a professional or health care practitioner who is knowledgeable in these areas and can guide you through tough times is a must.
Failures should be looked upon as learning opportunities. It's what I tell all my patients. Don't beat yourself up about past failures. LEARN from them! Why were you unsuccessful in previous attempts? Make a list and work on solutions to those obstacles because these obstacles will be present this time around as well.
Obesity in a recently published report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine now ranks as the biggest health risk in North America, ahead of smoking! Who would have thought? It appears that the anti-smoking campaign this past decade has been making a considerable impact. Smoking rates have declined 18.5% in the U.S. between 1993 to 2008, however we've seen obesity rates increase by 85% over the same time frame. It should be noted that approximately 20,500 Canadians died of lung cancer in 2009 and 85% of that was due to smoking. I often tell smokers that they need to be aware that smoking increases the risks of ALL cancers - the smoke and the toxins pass through your entire body - the liver, kidneys, bowels - not just your lungs.
Diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and even things like low libido and erectile dysfunction can be attributed to one being overweight. My patients know that I'm not a fan of fad diets. I don't even like that word - 'diet'. It sends the wrong message. Diets too often implies that we'll be eating a certain way for a set period of time. But what happens when you go off the diet? Can you sustain this way of eating? The end goal isn't all about losing weight, it's about what kind of weight you've lost (ie. fat instead of muscle) and how you feel (ie. more energy). Often times, people find other health concerns are diminished when they lose weight (ie. back pain).
So make 2010 a good year.....the year you finally quit smoking and get your weight under control. Do this for yourself and for your loved ones!
Yours in health,
Ian Koo, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need"
FYI: 2010 is the year of the nurse. To all my friends and colleagues who are nurses, have an especially good year. We appreciate the job you're doing!
Showing posts with label Smoking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smoking. Show all posts
Why are some people colder than others?
Do you know someone that's always cold? A co-worker that's usually bundled up or a family member that's always turning up the thermostat.
And my guess is that it's likely someone of the fairer sex. Why is it that women tend to feel this way?
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, let me just say that a lot of factors can affect why one person feels colder than another. Diet, age, fitness level, stress level and the quantity and quality of our sleep all affect this to some degree. The human body has a core temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius and this stays fairly constant. It is our extremities (the hands and feet) that has a more pronounced effect on how cold we feel. When the temperature dips, the body will draw blood back to the vital organs leaving the hands and feet more vulnerable to the cold.
Now why do women feel the change in temperature more so than men? There are several factors, but hormones play a major role. Women's temperatures vary with their menstrual cycle. You will be familiar with this if you've ever tracked your basal body temperature (BBT) for fertility or contraception reasons. Temperatures rise sharply just before ovulation and will remain high for the post-ovulatory phase of your period til your menses. As a side note, birth control pills can elevate one's core body temperature, so I would hypothesize that women coming off the pill will experience a temporary cold state.
More specific reason why someone might feel cold:
Yours in health,
Ian Koo, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need"
And my guess is that it's likely someone of the fairer sex. Why is it that women tend to feel this way?
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, let me just say that a lot of factors can affect why one person feels colder than another. Diet, age, fitness level, stress level and the quantity and quality of our sleep all affect this to some degree. The human body has a core temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius and this stays fairly constant. It is our extremities (the hands and feet) that has a more pronounced effect on how cold we feel. When the temperature dips, the body will draw blood back to the vital organs leaving the hands and feet more vulnerable to the cold.
Now why do women feel the change in temperature more so than men? There are several factors, but hormones play a major role. Women's temperatures vary with their menstrual cycle. You will be familiar with this if you've ever tracked your basal body temperature (BBT) for fertility or contraception reasons. Temperatures rise sharply just before ovulation and will remain high for the post-ovulatory phase of your period til your menses. As a side note, birth control pills can elevate one's core body temperature, so I would hypothesize that women coming off the pill will experience a temporary cold state.
More specific reason why someone might feel cold:
- Iron Deficiency: Women and vegetarians are also more susceptible to this
- Poor circulation as this decreases blood flow to the extremities. Smokers need to wary of this. Get up and get active as physically active individuals have increased ciruclation.
- Hypothyroid: An underactive thyroid will lead to lower body temperatures.
- Your typical environment dictates your perception of how cold or hot a new environment it. For example, if your home thermostat is set a balmy 25 degrees celcius, you will tend to feel colder at work where the thermostat is usually 21 degrees.
- Chronic stress and poor sleep make us more sensitive to changes in temperature.
Yours in health,
Ian Koo, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need"
"Third-hand smoke" exposure coined by researchers
Hello and happy new year folks! Around this time, many people are setting resolutions and the two most vocalized goals are quitting smoking and losing weight. I've heard a number of people tell me that they want to quit smoking, not only for their own health, but for the health of those around them. We've all heard about the toxic effects of second-hand smoke, but what about third-hand smoke. Researchers in the January edition of the journal Pediatrics have coined this term, referring to the toxic substances that linger on furniture and smokers themselves well after they've finished their cigarettes/cigars. I have always groups this into the category of second-hand smoke, but third-hand smoke it is from now on.
Third-hand smoke contains heavy metals and chemicals found in paint thinners and chemical weapons such as hydrogen cyanide, butane, toluene, arsenic, lead, carbon monoxide and even radioactive polonium-210. These residual toxins are especially harmful to children because first off, they are smaller and still growing. Secondly, children tend to play, crawl, touch, lick and breathe near surfaces contaminated by third-hand smoke. Cigarette smoke and toxins affect more than just the lungs. People associate smoking with lung cancer, but it affects many other facets of health including increasing the risks of other types of cancers, nerve damage and much more.
So please smoke outdoors if you have little ones and loved ones in your home. Of course, you can always make this the year you kick the habit. The benefits, better health and more money in your pocket. There are certainly tricks or techniques your naturopathic doctor can use to help you through this difficult process so don't be afraid to ask and to get support.
Yours in health,
Ian Koo, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need"
Third-hand smoke contains heavy metals and chemicals found in paint thinners and chemical weapons such as hydrogen cyanide, butane, toluene, arsenic, lead, carbon monoxide and even radioactive polonium-210. These residual toxins are especially harmful to children because first off, they are smaller and still growing. Secondly, children tend to play, crawl, touch, lick and breathe near surfaces contaminated by third-hand smoke. Cigarette smoke and toxins affect more than just the lungs. People associate smoking with lung cancer, but it affects many other facets of health including increasing the risks of other types of cancers, nerve damage and much more.
So please smoke outdoors if you have little ones and loved ones in your home. Of course, you can always make this the year you kick the habit. The benefits, better health and more money in your pocket. There are certainly tricks or techniques your naturopathic doctor can use to help you through this difficult process so don't be afraid to ask and to get support.
Yours in health,
Ian Koo, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need"
Cigarette addiction: One might be enough to hook you
Today's issue in the Journal of Neuroscience shows us why some people are more easily hooked on cigarettes versus others. Granted, this research was performed on mice, but I believe it's not a far stretch to extrapolate some of this to humans.
Dr. Laviolette, a professor at the University of Western Ontario explains that in "the early phase of tobacco exposure, many individuals find nicotine highly unpleasant and aversive, whereas others may become rapidly dependent on nicotine and find it highly rewarding,"
People are unique and this research sheds light as to why some people can become addicted so easily to nicotine due to a genetic vulnerability. I'm sure that this applies to other substances as well and it also implies that medicines & treatment plans given to patients should be tailored to fit the uniqueness of the individual. A cookie cutter approach will not work with everyone.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Ian Koo, ND
Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need."
Dr. Laviolette, a professor at the University of Western Ontario explains that in "the early phase of tobacco exposure, many individuals find nicotine highly unpleasant and aversive, whereas others may become rapidly dependent on nicotine and find it highly rewarding,"
People are unique and this research sheds light as to why some people can become addicted so easily to nicotine due to a genetic vulnerability. I'm sure that this applies to other substances as well and it also implies that medicines & treatment plans given to patients should be tailored to fit the uniqueness of the individual. A cookie cutter approach will not work with everyone.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Ian Koo, ND
Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need."
Updates: Ontario bans smoking in cars; Episiotomy troubles for pregnant women
Ontario bans smoking in cars
Ontario has joined the growing list of provinces to ban smoking in cars when a child (those under the age of 16) is present. British Columbia and Nova Scotia have already outlawed the practice while Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are considering a similar ban. People caught breaking the law will face a fine of $250
Episiotomy Increases Risk in Subsequent Deliveries
Episiotomies are routinely performed on women during labour in order to prevent severe perineal tearing. Researchers have found this practice increases the risk of both moderate and severe perineal lacerations when a woman has her second baby.
Ontario has joined the growing list of provinces to ban smoking in cars when a child (those under the age of 16) is present. British Columbia and Nova Scotia have already outlawed the practice while Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are considering a similar ban. People caught breaking the law will face a fine of $250
Episiotomy Increases Risk in Subsequent Deliveries
Episiotomies are routinely performed on women during labour in order to prevent severe perineal tearing. Researchers have found this practice increases the risk of both moderate and severe perineal lacerations when a woman has her second baby.
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