Not Before Coffee » Health

Feel-Good Tanning May Be Addiction

Gayla — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I thought this article on tanning was very interesting. I used to think it was all in my head when I’d feel better both physically and mentally after tanning. Doesn’t it just suck that so many of those things that feel good are so darn bad for us?

Tanning’s effects may be more than skin deep.

A new study finds that frequent users of tanning beds experience "feel-good" effects similar to those of some addictive drugs.

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center say the ultraviolet (UV) light in tanning beds appears to trigger production of endorphins, brain chemicals linked to pain relief and euphoric feelings.

"We had previously shown that ultraviolet light has an effect on mood that tanners value," study lead author Dr. Mandeep Kaur said in a prepared statement. "Now, in this small study, we’ve shown that some tanners actually experience withdrawal symptoms when the ‘feel-good’ chemicals are blocked."

The study included eight frequent tanners (eight to 15 times a month) and eight infrequent tanners (no more than 12 times a year). The participants were given either a placebo or a drug (naltrexone) that blocks the effects of endorphins and other opioids. They then used both UV and non-UV tanning beds.

At higher doses of naltrextone (15 milligrams), frequent tanners showed a preference for UV tanning and four of the eight frequent tanners reported nausea or jitteriness. None of the infrequent tanners who took the drug reported these symptoms.

"The finding was unexpected and is consistent with the hypothesis that frequent tanning may be driven in part by a mild dependence on opioids, most likely endorphins. The nausea and jitteriness induced by the medication are consistent with symptoms of mild opiate withdrawal," senior researcher Dr. Steven Feldman, a professor of dermatology, said in a prepared statement.

The study appears in the April 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Allergies or Cold – Which Is It?

Gayla — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Although colds and allergies may share some of the same symptoms, they are very different diseases. Here’s why:

Cause. Colds are caused by viruses. Allergies are an immune system response caused by exposure to an allergen — something you’re allergic to — such as pollen or pet dander. Cold viruses are easily spread from person to person. You can’t "catch" an allergy from someone who has an allergy.
Duration. Cold symptoms can develop at any time and usually last from two to 14 days. In contrast, seasonal allergy symptoms start at the same time every year and may last for months.
Treatment. Treatment of a cold may include rest, pain relievers and over-the-counter cold remedies, such as decongestants. Treatment of seasonal allergies may include over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants.
Prevention. To help prevent colds, wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. To help prevent allergy symptoms, avoid exposure to known allergens.

More on the topic of Allerigies and the fact that this is the WORST Allergy Season in Years!

Howie Mandel OCD Struggle

Jody — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:37:59 +0000

While discussing his OCD addiction on Good Morning America with Robin today, Howie Mandel stated that when he wrote his book it was not to disclose his OCD. Howie told Robin while walking down the street he ran into a fan, which told him of their OCD addiction. In a short time the fan was saying how great it was, that someone like Howie was helping the people to understand those with OCD at last. At that moment He realized how he could help others with OCD by exposing himself to the world. The Book (Don’t Touch Me) gives a wonderful insight as to how people with OCD struggle through daily life.

After 30 years of marriage Howie’s wife and children have learned to live with the OCD. There are periods when the children are sick, that he stays in a house, behind the main house to escape the germs.

Touching other peoples hand is out of the question, he wears shoes without laces to avoid them becoming contaminate when touching the ground if they were to become untied, these are just a couple of the things Howie tries to avoid.

Howie was born in Ontario, Canada Nov. of 1955, to a young mother of 23, which was obsessed with keeping Howie germ free. When someone would touch his hands, as soon as they were gone she would wash them. If there were visitors that with a cold or sniffles that touch his crib, when they were gone the crib was washed also.

My mother didn’t fall far from the tree, one of Howie’s first memories of his grandmother “Bubbie” was her waxing the front walk so that their visitors would not tack dirt into her house.

Fr more on this subject click here: Good Morning America