by Specialdocs Consultants, LLC | Mar 13, 2017 | Nutrition, Patient News, Wellness
The dieting-overeating-weight regain cycle is almost inevitable, not because people fail diets but because diets fail people. It is important to understand that rebound overeating happens to almost everybody, and should not be viewed as an individual weakness or fault. The main reason diets do not work over the long term is they create deprivation and promote a loss of the internal signals for hunger and fullness that are necessary for normal eating. In fact, dieting sets in motion physiological and psychological factors that actually trigger overeating.
How does mindful eating address the dieter’s dilemma?
Mindful eating begins when you ask: Do you know when you are hungry? Do you eat when you are hungry? Do you eat what you are hungry for? Do you stop when you are full? If you answered “yes,” you’re in tune with your body’s natural hunger signals. If you replied “no,” you may be out of touch with your true hunger needs.
How do you teach people to change their eating habits of a lifetime and adopt mindful eating?
It begins with learning how to identify your physical hunger. If you experience symptoms such as headaches, weakness, shakiness, irritability and lightheadedness, you may have waited too long to eat, and unfortunately, are now at high risk for overeating. Instead, look for an empty or gnawing feeling. The Hunger Scale above is a tool to help you evaluate your internal state. Ideally, you would stay in the range of ‘hungry’ to ‘full’ so you don’t become ravenous or stuffed. As you consistently ask yourself, “Am I hungry?” you will become better able to recognize your body’s needs.
The next step is deciding what to eat when you are physically hungry. When people eliminate categories of food in pursuit of weight loss, they frequently experience deprivation that ultimately leads to overeating the very foods they tried to avoid. Instead, think of what will truly satisfy you and supports your body as you make the match. Also take into consideration what will best support your body’s needs. For instance, those with high cholesterol might choose sorbet instead of ice cream if they are craving a cold, sweet snack. Consider not just taste, but feel – do you crave hot, cold, crunchy, smooth, salty, sweet, spicy, etc? If you eat what you are hungry for when you are hungry, you will find a moment when your stomach feels satisfied.
Is this process effective for most people?
Absolutely. The key is to be consistent and keep accumulating attuned eating experiences day in and day out.
Will I lose weight by becoming a mindful eater?
If weight loss occurs, it will be a side effect. However, I urge people to not use weight as a measure of success or failure. Health is so much more than just numbers on the scale, and a positive relationship with food along with a focus on physical activity, good sleep habits and regular medical care are much more important.
Did You Know?
33 – 66 Percentage of dieters that regain more weight than they lost on their diets
What is ‘mindful’ or ‘attuned’ eating?
Attuned eating teaches people to reconnect with their natural, inner signals that guide them as to when, what and how much to eat…literally bringing harmony into their relationship with food and allowing them to experience the real joy of eating. Mindfulness means bringing awareness to the experience without judgment or distraction. It is a transformative process that takes some time before people are able to honor their natural cues for hunger and satiety.
The post Try a New Approach to Food in the New Year: Stop Dieting and Focus on Mindful Eating appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.
by Specialdocs Consultants, LLC | Aug 22, 2016 | Medical Tests, Patient News
As the Zika virus continues to make headlines daily, it is essential to know who is at risk, how it is transmitted and most importantly, to understand strategies for prevention. Following are the latest findings on Zika, according to experts at the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
How does Zika spread?
Most people get Zika from a mosquito bite, but it can also be passed through sexual contact, blood transfusion or during pregnancy to a fetus. Zika is spread primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which breed in areas with small pools of water, even as small as a coffee cup. When a mosquito bites a person with Zika, the virus travels from its gut to its salivary glands and is then injected into the next human it bites.
Who is at risk?
Almost no one is immune to the virus.
How serious is the Zika virus?
If Zika is transmitted to a fetus during pregnancy, it can cause microcephaly, a birth defect that is a sign of incomplete brain development. Babies with microcephaly have extremely small heads, and the nerves connecting the eyes and ears to the brain may be permanently damaged. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid traveling to destinations with outbreaks of the virus, and should take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. In addition, current research links Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells, to Zika; however, only a small proportion of people with recent Zika virus infection get GBS.
What parts of the US is Zika most likely to reach?
The Aedes aegypti mosquito is most common in Florida and along the Gulf Coast, but can travel much farther north in summer. In July, the first cases of Zika caused by mosquitoes in the U.S. (versus those cases acquired by people who traveled outside the country) were reported in the Miami area; in August several more were reported in Miami Beach. However, the CDC indicates clusters of cases are to be expected and does not signal the virus is spreading throughout the state. Experts say Zika is not as likely to spread in the U.S. as it did in Central and South America, because our living conditions are very different (air conditioning, closed windows in the summer and use of window screens) and tracking and treatment of infections is more effective.
What are the symptoms of Zika virus?
The illness is usually mild, lasting about a week with symptoms that include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Only one in five people infected with the virus exhibits symptoms.
What can I do to protect myself?
First, decrease your risk of being bitten by a mosquito:
- Use an EPA-approved insect repellant that contains DEET.
- Wear clothing that provides coverage, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Treat clothing with permethrin, an insecticide.
- At home, eliminate any areas of standing water outside that can provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, including small containers, even a birdbath. Keep in mind that mosquitoes do not travel far once hatched, and will bite whoever is in close proximity.
- If mosquitoes can reach where you are sleeping, put up a bed net.
Additionally:
- Prevent transmitting or receiving the virus by practicing safe sex (use a condom).
- When traveling, check travel advisories to identify areas with known cases of Zika, and avoid if possible. In the U.S., this now includes Miami-Dade County.
How is it treated? Is there a vaccine?
Considerable progress is being made in the development of a vaccine, but none is available yet, and health experts warn that it may take years before one is commercially available. Treatment today focuses on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration, and acetaminophen for fever and pain.
For more information, check our website for updates and/or visit https://www.cdc.gov/zika/whats-new.html
The post The Zika Virus: Prevention is the First Line of Defense appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.
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