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Welcome to the Community Health newsletter, brought to you by McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital. Twice a month, Community Health brings to your mailbox timely medical news and health and wellness information that matter to you and your family. To visit the McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital Web site, >> click here.
Stress wreaks havoc on your stomachEveryone gets stressed. But many people who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—a group of conditions that includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—say their symptoms get worse when they’re frazzled. New research in the American Journal of Gastroenterology backs up that suspicion. Canadian researchers followed 552 bowel-disease patients for a year and found that participants ran more than a two-fold increased risk of symptoms flaring up when they were feeling really tense, perhaps because stress aggravates intestinal inflammation. IBD is marked by chronic inflammation in the intestines that can lead to stomach pain and diarrhea, among other symptoms. Stress doesn’t cause bowel disease, but it has long been suspected of triggering symptoms, so finding healthy ways to manage stress may ease IBD symptoms. Read more about IBD here. |
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Love sushi? Look out for mercuryIf you’re a big fan of the raw stuff, you’ll want to take note of a recent study that found that tuna sushi purchased in restaurants may have higher levels of mercury than the sushi available at your neighborhood supermarket. The findings—a combination of research from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and Rutgers University—are that grocery stores tend to sell sushi made from yellowfin tuna, which has less mercury than other species. Sushi from 54 restaurants and 15 supermarkets in New York, New Jersey and Colorado was tested and identified as bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna or one of three bluefin tuna species. All species tested exceeded or neared the limit of permissible mercury concentrations in the United States and other countries. But yellowfin tuna, more commonly found in grocery stores, had the least amount of mercury accumulation. Higher mercury levels were present in bigeye tuna and bluefin akami, which are more common restaurant fare. The United States doesn’t require sushi restaurants and retailers to disclose what kind of tuna they’re selling, so if you’re not sure what’s in your tuna roll, don’t be afraid to ask. |
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Is your exercise routine triggering asthma?If you find yourself huffing and puffing after playing basketball or running, you could be out of shape, or you could have what’s called exercise-induced asthma. Exercise—especially aerobic activity—can cause your airways to tighten and produce excess mucus. Exercise may be the only thing that triggers your asthma or it may be one of several others, such as pollen or pet dander. Exercise-induced asthma causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, exercise fatigue and poor athletic performance. These symptoms are similar to those experienced when you’re out of shape, but are more severe. They can occur during exercise or up to 15 minutes after you finish, and may be worsened by cold or dry air, air pollution, high pollen counts and respiratory infections. If you think you might have exercise-induced asthma, contact your healthcare provider. The condition can be treated and shouldn’t keep you from doing what you love. |
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Clinical trials: Your ticket to latest treatmentsAre you interested in taking part in a clinical trial, but afraid that you’ll be treated like a guinea pig? Don’t be. Clinical trials offer you a chance to take part in the testing of the latest drugs or medical devices out there—all while abiding by strict testing guidelines set forth by the Food and Drug Administration. If you’re interested in participating in a trial, consider asking your physician these questions to find out if you’re a good candidate:
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McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital
110 N. POPLAR ST. / OXFORD, OH 45056 / 513-523-2111 / www.mhmh.org
Community Health is designed to provide general health news and wellness information. This information is not designed to, nor should it, be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or nutrition or exercise program.
