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Health Column | Annapolis June 2009

By Jackie Janosik Buan

Catch some Zs or Catch a Cold

Do you get the sniffles more easily when you don't get enough sleep? Researchers behind a new Carnegie Mellon University study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine are betting the answer to that question is, yes. They found that people who sleep fewer than seven hours a night experience the common cold almost three times more often than habitual eight-hour sleepers. But the quality of sleep is even more important than length of sleep. Those who wake up periodically or have trouble falling asleep are five times more likely to develop the cold virus symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and sore throat. "Although sleep's relationship with the immune system is well-documented, this is the first evidence that even relatively minor sleep disturbances can influence the body's reaction to cold viruses," said Sheldon Cohen, lead author of the study. "It provides yet another reason why people should make time in their schedules to get a complete night of rest."

And according to the good news from a University of Maryland sleep study, most of us are getting about eight hours of sleep. In fact, Americans ages 18 to 64 actually get as much shuteye today as they did 40 years ago – and possibly more. These findings counter annual polls conducted by the nonprofit National Sleep Foundation that show we get only seven hours or less nightly.
For certain, nothing beats a good night’s rest. It’s essential for our physical and emotional well-being. Prior studies have linked a lack of sleep or poor quality sleep on a regular basis to an increased risk of heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and depression – medical conditions more chronic than the common cold.

Getting up in the middle of the night? Take note of these helpful hints from the University of Maryland Sleep Disorders Center: “If you cannot get back to sleep within 15 to 20 minutes, then do not remain in the bed "trying hard" to sleep. Get out of bed. Leave the bedroom. Read, have a light snack, do some quiet activity, or take a bath. You will generally find that you can get back to sleep 20 minutes or so later. Do not perform challenging or engaging activity, such as office work or housework. Do not watch television.” Sleep tight.

http://www.umm.edu/sleep/index.htm
http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2009/January/jan12_coldstudy.shtml
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23674820/
http://www.livescience.com/health/080317-sleep-more.html

Trouble Afoot for Flip-Flop Season

“Summertime, and the living is easy.” For many, summer is the time to kick off the pumps and sneakers and slip on a pair of flip-flops every lazy hazy day between June and September. But flip-flop wearers may find life not so easy by summer’s end. The flat, flimsy slip-ons with the V-shape straps can cause major foot problems and injuries because they offer little, if any, support. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), podiatrists see an increase in all sorts of foot problems from mid-summer to early-fall – everything from arch and heel pain, lacerations, toenail injuries, irritation between the toes, ankle sprains, and foot fractures to a common muscular-skeletal disorder called plantar fasciitis, which produces pain from the heel to the ball of the foot.

When considering the human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments, it’s no wonder so many things can go wrong by exposing those toes! Foot pain, consequently, can trigger other ailments. A recent study presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting found that people who favor flip-flops as their primary footwear option may experience lower leg pain and a change in their stride. "Flip-flops are very common, and this study began with the observation that most people appear to be wearing them beyond their structural limit," said Justin F. Shroyer, lead author on the study. "Flip-flops are not designed for prolonged use or for walking long distances." He also offers this advice: Flip-flops should be replaced often, despite the fact that many wearers claim they are most comfortable when "broken in." And for anyone with lower-leg or foot problems, he recommends limiting their usage and choosing a pair with more support, even though they tend to be more expensive.

Can’t imagine a summer without a pair of beloved flip-flops? The APMA maintains shoe recommendations on its website (go to www.apma.org and search for “seal of acceptance” footwear products). Shoe lines such as Crocs, Chaco, and Ecco are featuring summer footwear with the simple flip-flop design, but with some added arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption. They may cost more than the spongy flip-flops at the drugstore, but it could save you the expense of pain and doctor bills. It sure would make for a cruel summer having to endure what Jimmy Buffet sings in his famed verse: “I blew out my flip-flop. Stepped on a pop top. Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home.”

http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/RecommendedProducts/SealofAcceptance/ProductsbyCategory.aspx

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/206_feet.html

http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home_Page&CONTENTID=10104&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm

Say So Long to Fillings and Dentures…Regrow New Teeth?

Tooth regeneration. Whoa, that sounds like something off the pages of a sci-fi novel. But in real life a group of scientists say they've discovered the “tooth fairy gene” (officially called the Ctip2 gene) that may someday allow them to use stem cells to grow new teeth – in the lab, that is, not in your mouth.

According to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it was found that Ctip2, also involved in the immune system and in the development of skin and nerves, governs the production of tooth enamel. In fact, said lead scientist Chrissa Kioussi of Oregon State University, "It's not unusual for a gene to have multiple functions, but before this we didn't know what regulated the production of tooth enamel...one of the hardest coatings found in nature. It evolved to give carnivores the tough and long-lasting teeth they needed to survive."

With this new genetic information and by understanding exactly what triggers a new tooth to grow in the first place, the scientists think it may be possible to use tooth stem cells (found abundantly in both wisdom and baby teeth) to stimulate the growth of new enamel. Some researchers are already having success growing a living root from scratch and closing in on a treatment for periodontal disease with tooth regeneration. The tooth, some say, could become the first complex organ to be completely regenerated from stem cells. “A lot of work would still be needed to bring this to human applications, but it should work. It could be really cool, a whole new approach to dental health," said Kioussi.

It all sounds so 22nd century. Best to hold off on the candy for now and keep those choppers from wearing out. From Familydoctor.org, here are some helpful things you can do:
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss your teeth at least once a day.
• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.
• Ask your doctor if your medicines have side effects that might damage your teeth. (For example, some medicines may cause you to have a dry mouth.)
• Look inside your mouth regularly for sores that don't heal, irritated gums, or other changes.
• See your dentist regularly.

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/2009/Feb09/tooth.html
http://dentistry.usc.edu/usc_dentistry_headlines_reader.aspx?id=2462
http://www.pnas.org/content/current
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/Research/ResearchResults/NewsReleases/CurrentNewsReleases/GeneNetwork.htm
http://www.pnas.org/content/103/49/18627.abstract?sid=f9d3f52b-4f49-4e8a-a448-452d0f129554

That New Couch Smells Too New

Imagine it’s the long-awaited day when the furniture store’s delivery truck pulls up and that brand-new couch is finally placed in the family room. It looks lovely and smells so new, but what happens if it provokes an allergic reaction with symptoms of watery eyes, runny nose, burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat, headaches and fatigue? If possible, send it back to the manufacturer, or at least let it air out for a few weeks in a well ventilated space. The culprit could be formaldehyde, a carcinogen and preservative commonly used in paints, varnishes, glues, textiles and pressed-wood products. It’s hard to determine how long a new piece of furniture containing harmful chemicals continues to emit gases after the strong fumes have dissipated. But going forward, don’t be afraid to ask about the formaldehyde content of building materials, cabinetry and furniture before purchasing.

For consumers finding themselves increasingly sensitized to indoor air pollutants, it is possible to find furniture that uses only sustainable wood frames, pure latex foam and wool batting! Surf the Internet for all-natural furniture or try the lists of products that have been certified by impartial nonprofit testers, Greenguard (www.greenguard.org) and Green Seal (www.greenseal.org).


http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/725.html
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html
http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm

Tags: flip flops tooth enamel sleep

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