Did you know that your mouth contains one of your body’s best defense systems against the cold and flu? Protecting and enhancing your oral health can go a long way towards helping to boost your immunities and prevent the spread of infection. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) colds are one of the most common causes of absenteeism with up to 22 million work and school days lost each year. Don’t let a cold or flu interrupt your life this year… fortify your front line and follow these healthy smile tips today!

1)     Gargle with warm crystal salt water.

In our dental offices, we offer a Himalayan crystal salt treatment that helps to reduce inflammation and restore the mouth’s important pH balance on a cellular level. Himalayan crystal salt is very pure, has 84 important trace minerals, and does not burden the body the way chemically processed table salt does. It is more ‘bioenergetic’ and pure than sea salt much of which is also industrially “cleaned.” At home, begin with a thorough daily brushing of your teeth, tongue and then gargle with a homemade crystal saltwater solution. If you can find Himalayan crystal salt in a health food store or online, that’s always preferable. Warm crystal salt water helps heal inflammation in the mouth, promotes sinus health and is soothing for sore throats as well.

2)     Brush three times a day.

Brushing your teeth and tongue three times a day, preferably with a mild non-detergent, chemical-free toothpaste and alcohol-free mouthrinse will help keep your mouth clean and healthy. An unhealthy oral environment, with decay and gum disease, has also been shown to compromise the proper function of your immune system and can make you more susceptible to respiratory infection. In many instances, this can reduce your protection against the common cold or flu.

3)     Change and sanitize your toothbrush

Your toothbrush is a veritable incubator of viruses and bacteria – some removed from your mouth during brushing, and some from the environment (especially your cosmetic or toiletries case). It is a good idea to change your toothbrush immediately after any illness. Regular sanitizing and also changing your toothbrush monthly will also help keep harmful germs at bay year-round.

4)     Eat an antioxidant rich diet.

Antioxidant rich foods such as lightly cooked or raw greens, plant-based foods and hormone-free meats will not only help keep you lean, but may also aid your body’s natural defense systems. When you do feel ill, you my want to try a mega-green fresh power juice or an antioxidant infused water.

5) Exercise and manage stress

Exercise helps to boost the immune system, helps improves circulation and helps reduce stress. Runners, for instance, may often have a very low incidence of gum disease. Healthy habits are especially important during the winter months. Try to get as much sleep and exercise as our full lives allow. Take time for yourself. Stress will help deteriorate your defenses and may quickly lead to illness.

6) Avoid smoking.

Smoking may irritate oral and nasal passageways, strangle blood circulation and may make you more susceptible to infection. Try to limit or avoid all types of smoking, including second hand smoke.

Dr. Gerald P. Curatola is a renowned aesthetic dentist and pioneer in the emerging field of rejuvenation dentistry, which improves patients’ overall health and appearance by integrating total wellness with cutting edge oral care and restorative procedures. In addition to his private practice, research, and work as a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, he is an internationally sought after speaker, author and expert who has been featured widely in print and broadcast media. For more information, go to DrGerry.net

The last moments of Abraham Biggs’ nineteen years of life were broadcast live via the Internet on Justin.tv. 

 Biggs, a Broward College student who reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder, had posted a suicide note on BodyBuilding.com before overdosing on a combination of opiates and benzodiazepine tranquilizers in front of his webcam. 

Just as shocking as Biggs’ decision to end his life publicly was the fact that strangers encouraged him to do it.  Some in the virtual audience texted entries like “lol” (for “laughing out loud”) and “hahahaha.”

Other viewers did contact the Web site, and police were eventually notified.  They found Biggs dead 12 hours later.

The lesson in this tragedy is the same whether we think about the lead actor in this made-for-the-Web reality drama or his viewers.  All were lost in a hall of mirrors that deprived them of real human connectedness.  When Biggs shared his overwhelming desperation with strangers, and when those strangers treated him without humanity, they were laced together—each and every one of them—in the peculiarly potent kind of depersonalization that today’s technology breeds. 

When we broadcast our life stories over and over again—whether on Justin.tv or Facebook or YouTube—we run the risk of slipping the bindings of our real feelings and experiences and becoming, in some small or greater way, actors in our own lives.   And as actors, some number of us will feel free to do and say things that are not a reflection of our true, deep character, but of the characters we have created for public dissemination.

Abraham Biggs may have committed suicide alone, without an audience.  But broadcasting his overdose may have made it seem just a little less real to him, a little like acting out his own death without having to really die, like an actor reading a script who stands up after the death scene and walks off the stage.  And those who watched and did nothing, or who watched and laughed out loud, or watched and egged Biggs on, might never have behaved that way were a person standing in front of them ready to end his life. 

While some may have believed Biggs was faking his death, I believe others were rendered inhuman by the fact that a camera turned the last pages of his life story into entertainment.

We are past due for major research into the psychological effects of the Internet on human emotion, behavior and relationships.  With tens of millions of Americans participating in online social networks and dating sites and photo sharing sites and (perhaps most toxic of all) Second Life, some percentage of users may be gradually disconnecting from themselves and others and reality.

Maybe it isn’t too big a leap to wonder whether that’s one reason Americans seem increasingly drawn into “bubbles” of fiction that eventually burst, causing real suffering.  Think about the near-delusional thinking that fueled the Internet stock bubble and the real estate bubble.  Think about the fact that our government is now injecting staggering amounts of capital into failed businesses to make them look like real businesses, in hopes that they will eventually become real businesses.

Biggs’ story is shocking because it captures the last minutes of a good and decent young man’s life.  It is all about private suffering turned inside out into a scripted, public spectacle in which the pain was meaningless to many of those made privy to it.  The Internet wrung the truth out of it. 

We’d better find out—and soon—how “connecting” through today’s technology may be disconnecting us from ourselves and from others.

Dr. Keith Ablow is a psychiatry correspondent for FOX News Channel and a New York Times bestselling author. His newest book, “Living the Truth: Transform Your Life through the Power of Insight and Honesty” has launched a new self-help movement. Check out Dr. Ablow’s website at livingthetruth.com or e-mail him at info@keithablow.com.

The holiday season is a stressful time of year, and this year many families are feeling the crunch, making it even harder for those who are limited in their resources for giving gifts to their loved ones. In an attempt to help ease the stress, many writers and bloggers have published articles aimed at helping people by giving them suggestions on everything from books to make-it-yourself holiday baskets.

Yes, I know that gifts are optional. But let’s be real, it doesn’t matter who you are, Christmas means presents — especially for kids. Now most families will try to make sure that they have something for their little ones, but parents will also feel the guilt of not being able to give something to each other.

Now, I thought about this scenario for a while and then told my wife I did not want any presents. Not because of the money, but because I am so sad about some of the current problems we are all facing.

I sat there and reflected on the sad state of affairs this holiday season, when just like in the movie, Moonstruck, she hit me on the side of my head and said, “Snap out of it!”

So then I began to think about the perfect gift for me this Christmas. And that’s when it came to me…the perfect gift for me would be something that would bring me joy, make me feel young, and last for a long, long time. Now I know what you’re thinking — but that’s not exactly what I had in mind. My perfect gift this year would be to reconnect with a long lost friend.

I told my wife that if she wanted to give me a great gift this year, it would be to find my best friend from high school. Now this guy was my buddy, who for all four years was always at my side, and with whom many of my fondest high school memories were shared. But somehow college, medical school, residencies and life in general had separated Joe and me for almost 30 years. Let’s face it — I had forgotten about Joe. But this Christmas season, while thinking about my perfect gift, I remembered him.

Three days later, my wife called me up and said, “I found him and it only cost me $9.95.” She had gone on the Internet and tracked him down through one of the many Web sites, that for a small fee, offer a lifetime of priceless memories. So she got his number and left a message, and for the next few hours, all of my kids waited around with me to see when Joe would call.

Later that evening, Joe called me back and for those 15 minutes of conversation with my old friend, I felt like I was in high school again.

Memories are good, but when you can make those memories a reality, they make you feel the way all holidays should make us feel: Great.

This past Thursday, Attorney General Mukasey was delivering an impassioned speech when (as news videos show) he began to hesitate, his words slowed, he shook slightly, his head went down and he crumpled to the ground.  He reportedly lost consciousness, but was awake a few moments later. This is known as a syncopal episode, which is a transient blackout usually accompanied by falling, and followed by a prompt recovery.

The most common cause of syncope by far is a faint caused by a slowing of the heart rate and insufficient blood flow to the back of the brain. This is also known as a vasovagal episode and is often brought on by stress or feeling hot, which appears to be what happened to Mukasey. 20-50% of adults experience at least one blackout in their lives, and the percentage increases to 75% over the age of 70. Mukasey is 67.     

He was brought to the hospital, and in fact 6 % of all hospital admissions are due to syncope. He was observed and monitored overnight, and tests (including stress test, CT and MRI of the brain) were all negative, confirming that this was likely a faint and not a stroke or heart arrhythmia. TIA or transient ischemic attack, (warning signs of a stroke that lead to an actual stroke 1/3 of the time), seemed more and more unlikely.

I think there are three important lessons in Mukasey’s sudden blackout. A man in good health, who exercises regularly, he returned to work the following day:

1) We in the media are sometimes too quick to jump to the worst possible conclusions. As soon as Mukasey blacked out, early news reports were speculating stroke, when in fact the most likely explanation was a faint.

2) Expert medical training is important to distinguish between benign and more concerning symptoms. A good neurologist takes a comprehensive history and conducts a comprehensive exam before ordering tests. A good neurologist could tell that Mukasey’s symptoms – despite appearing scary were likely benign.

3) At the same time, it is important that if you do black out, that you seek medical attention right away. A disturbing number of patients ignore a faint and refuse a workup. But a thorough syncopal work-up, such as the one Mukasey had, can sometimes show that a blackout is not due to a simple faint.

Dr. Marc Siegel is an internist and associate professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine. He is a FOX News Medical Contributor and writes a health column for LA Times, where he examines TV and movies for medical accuracy. Dr. Siegel is the author of “False Alarm: the Truth About the Epidemic of Fear” and “Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic”. Read more at www.doctorsiegel.com

Dear Yvonne,
My partner refers to me as his roommate in front of coworkers that don’t know he is gay. It bothers me. So how do I handle it?
-Unsigned

Dear Unsigned,
The next time this happens don’t address the situation until you have a chance to be alone with your partner and express how you feel. You don’t want to embarrass your lover for his insensitivity, no matter how well deserved. That will only compound your problem and make your partner more defensive than anything.

In addressing the issue in private, own your statement - meaning use “I” statements, like “I feel” or “I think”, as you’re not wrong in expressing yourself and won’t seem as attacking. Unless being gay puts his job at risk, your partner should be able to introduce you as his partner. You have every right to be bothered by that. And you may have to make a tough decision as far as if you can stay in a closeted relationship, should he choose not to come out. One way to compromise his issues with being out is to leave things more open, for example, “This is Jack” – without adding insult to injury with a label like ‘roommate.’

People these days are pretty savvy in putting together the pieces – and most don’t care. If a person inquires about the relationship exactly, however, then you can respond with an honest response.

 Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

The question always comes up, “When should a child be seen by a dermatologist, particularly for mole evaluations?”  Well, the answer is that any child that has multiple moles on his body at any age should go to a dermatologist. It’s important to assess the clinical aspects of the mole and see whether any of them have suspicious characteristics for which a biopsy or at least photographic documentation would be indicated. 

Most children develop these moles during adolescence so it’s a good idea to begin mole screenings in late adolescence or early 20s.  If there is a family history of skin cancer, particularly of melanoma, then immediate family should be evaluated at a young age.  If that is the case, screenings could start during mid-adolescence. Surveillance and screening are an important part of preventative medicine and can never be carried out at too young of an age.

Dermatologists remain the experts on skin disease, so it is always best for pediatrician or internists to refer their patients for evaluation of moles or other dermatologic problems such as eczema or acne to a board-certified dermatologist. 

If there is any suspicion a mole might have the possibility for changing into skin cancer, then either a biopsy or photographic documentation of this mole would be indicated.  Yearly follow-ups would then be appropriate to document any changes. 

The definitive answer is children with moles should be screened by dermatologists at a relatively young age.  Most moles evolve during adolescence and that is a good time to begin going in for yearly screenings. 

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.

Hi Dr. Yvonne,
I’m about to meet my girlfriend’s closest friends over Thanksgiving. I want to make a good impression. Any tips for a nervous guy?
-Brent

Dear Brent,
First and foremost, dote on her. The more attention you can lavish on her, the more she’ll be the envy of her friends – but in a good way. Since so many guys have trouble being ‘lovey’ in public, any time a guy gets affectionate (and I’m not talking about groping), it wins women over.

Furthermore, the more interest you show in them, and this means even little things, like buying a couple rounds of drinks or picking up the dinner tab or getting the hostess flowers for her fete, the more they’ll be impressed. More than anything, be yourself and let your genuine affections for your girlfriend shine through. Nothing makes women feel more confident about their girlfriends’ romantic relationships than knowing that she has a good guy who is putting her on a pedestal.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

During in the fall and early winter time in most 4-season regions of the US, we see an upswing in the number of individuals who suffer with a variety of respiratory and allergy symptoms as a result of greater exposure to pet cats and dogs.  Almost 70% of U.S. households have one or more domestic pets, equally divided between cats and dogs, accounting for 100 million pets.

Allergic owners suffer from reactions to their pet’s dander, skin flakes, saliva and urine. Hair or fur also can collect pollens, mold spores and other outdoor allergens. Americans love their pets and a recent Japanese study found that one in four patients with pet allergies continue to keep a pet despite allergy- and asthma-related problems.  In addition, the study indicated approximately 80 percent of the pet owners surveyed kept their pets inside the home most of the time. 

The presence of allergic dander in cats and dogs is not affected by length of hair or fur, and there are no truly “hypoallergenic breeds.” According to another study I conducted at The Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, the color of a cat’s hair may influence true allergic symptoms in people exposed to the dander. Preliminary data from a self-administered questionnaire of 400 households with pet cats indicated a significantly greater amount of allergy-related symptoms (such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itchy skin) with exposure to dark cat hair. As expected, the severity of allergy symptoms also was greater in owners who permitted their pet’s unlimited access to the bedroom.

Keeping animals outdoors is only a temporary solution since pet dander will eventually accumulate in the house, carried inside on clothing. Even the type of clothing worn can affect the transportation of pet dander.

Taking Control

Keeping pets out of the bedroom can reduce unnecessary suffering since people spend approximately one-third of each day in this room. The presence of cats and dogs on owners’ beds contributes greatly to the amount of airborne allergens in the home. Exposure to airborne allergens, which also are spread by air currents, can be reduced by restricting the pet’s presence in bedrooms, dens or living rooms with upholstered furniture.  

Because pet dander is quite light and buoyant, and floats freely in the indoor air, electrostatic or HEPA air cleaners can be a big help in removing unwanted allergenic particles, especially cat dander. The size of the space determines the size filter necessary, and units are available as tabletop models or can be adapted to central air conditioning systems. Placing a screen or filter over room vents may keep dander from traveling through the heating and air conditioning system. Bear in mind that it may take six months or more to completely rid the home of cat dander particles even after the pet is removed.

There are a variety of other measures that can be utilized to minimize contact with pet allergens:

• Get allergy tested and learn if you are really allergic to your pets!
• Avoid hugging and kissing pets if you are truly allergic to them.
• Remove litter boxes from direct contact with allergy sufferers and place them away from areas of air filtration intake vents in homes with central heating and air-conditioning.
• Wash hands after handling or touching a pet to help avoid spreading the dander.
• Consider placing plastic covers on the couch or other upholstered furniture (which may harbor pet allergens) where the pet sleeps or rests.
• Utilize washable mattress  (encasings) covers, pillow covers and bedding in 130 degree hot water
• Replace carpeting with tile, linoleum and hardwood or other solid-surface flooring.
• Wash your pet on a weekly basis. Recent studies have indicated that some significant reduction in the amount of pet allergens occurs with weekly washing of dogs and cats. This activity appears to reduce the amount of dander that causes allergy symptoms
• A non-allergic individual should brush the pet regularly, outside of the home.
• Speak with your pet’s veterinarian to get a well balanced diet for your pet. This change in diet may help to minimize hair loss for the pet and this can reduce dander indoors.
• Use a double or micro-filter bag and a HEPA filter in the vacuum to augment the filtration of the vacuum cleaner and, in turn, reduce the amount of pet allergen present in carpeting that leaks back into the room air. 
• Finally, for those allergy sufferers who want to keep their pets, look into the administration of allergy shots (immunotherapy) by your allergist/immunologist to reduce the unnecessary suffering associated with having a pet in the home.

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.  He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

Stopping at Starbucks for a morning Latte? Need that afternoon Ice Cappuccino to get you through the day? Whether you realize it or not, those early-morning and mid afternoon caffeine boosters may be adding on lots of extra calories and fat to your diet that are causing your waistline to expand. The good news is, you don’t have to cut out all of your favorite coffee drinks. Here’s a list of the best and worst options to satisfy your caffeine needs.
Tanya’s Tips:
1) Ask for skim milk. Nonfat milk has zero grams of fat and 80 calories per cup compared to 5 grams of fat and 120 calories in reduced fat milk. A lot of coffee houses use whole milk if you don’t request differently, adding 150 calories and 8 grams of fat.

2) Use sugar-free syrup. Two pumps of the regular syrups that are used in any of the flavored drinks contain about 40 calories vs. 20 calories for sugar-free syrups.

3) Skip the whip. Whipped cream adds about 120 calories and 12 grams of fat (most of which are saturated).

4) Pair your coffee with a high-fiber snack. Coffee alone, if made with nonfat milk, contains some protein, but has no fiber. Add Fiber-sure to your coffee for an extra 5 grams of fiber per teaspoon. Some high-fiber snacks are GNU Flavor and Fiber bars or 2-3 fiber crackers with peanut butter and sugar-free jelly. The combination of protein from the milk and fiber from the snack will keep you feeling full and satisfied throughout the day.

5) Don’t drink your calories, eat them. Studies reveal that your body does not register calories from fluids. Meaning that fluids don’t replace food—you will still end up eating as much, but now you have to add in the calories from your beverages. So think twice next time you order a Mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream. It’s practically a meal in itself and most likely won’t fill you up.
Here’s a list of the do’s and don’ts from some of your favorite coffee houses:
Starbucks: (nutritional counts are for a Grande sized coffee drink)

*F-Factor Best Sips

Starbucks:

Dunkin Donuts:

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being. For more information log onto The F-Factor Diet: Discover the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss

Today we heard the news that former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has accepted President-elect Barack Obama’s offer to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services. It seems to me that Obama is willing to hit the ground running and might make healthcare reform one of his top priorities.

I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Daschle years ago, and I left with the impression that he was quite knowledgeable in healthcare issues and indeed was very attentive to my concerns. But, as I said, that was many years ago.

So, what do we know so far about Senator Daschle’s credentials? Well, we can get an idea by looking at his voting record and some quotes from previous interviews.

Here’s what we know so far:

Senator Daschle supports a government-funded insurance program for the uninsured. Since 2004, he has been stipulating that everyone should have the same healthcare plan as members of Congress.

Another interesting concept that Senator Daschle likes is the creation of a Federal Health Board. Now, I’m not quite sure yet what he means by that, but it seems that this board could act as a federal clearinghouse for healthcare mandates.

With regard to his voting record, I give Senator Daschle a B+. He understands the national nursing shortage we are experiencing, and he has voted “yes” on allowing patients to sue HMOs and collect punitive damages. However, he voted “no” on limiting self-employment health deductions.

I’ll go on the record and say that when it comes to healthcare, I think that Daschle has demonstrated a balanced approach to his decisions. And, in the weeks to come, we should be getting a clearer picture of his immediate priorities.

Hopefully Senator Daschle and I will get the chance to have a one on one again soon. In the meantime, let’s all congratulate our new Secretary of Health and Human Services and wish him well―he’s got a big job ahead of him.

But let him not forget that it is important to evaluate all points of view and to maintain transparency in all aspects of healthcare reform. This is a change we must all expect.