Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 4-14-17

Health
PART I
Nighttime Eating Makes You Fat
Put this diet myth to bed. There's no con- clusive proof that late-night meals cause you to put on weight. What we do know is that too many calories cause weight gain, and many night eaters do tend to overeat and choose
high-calorie foods. Still, eating right before bedtime can lead to heart- burn and indigestion. So try to stick to regular -- and earlier -- meal- times.
Some Sugars Are Worse Than Others
Table sugar, agave, honey, and high-fructose corn syrup contribute calories (between 48 and 64 a tablespoon). So far, research shows that our bodies absorb added sugars like high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar in a similar way. In-
stead of avoiding one particular kind of sugar, try to limit added sugars of any kind, like those in soda, candy, and other sweets.
Coffee Isn't Good for You
This is a recently debunked diet myth. Coffee, when consumed in moderation (2 to 3 cups daily), is a safe part of a healthy diet and contributes an- tioxidant phytochemicals. In fact, research sug- gests coffee may help reduce the risk of type 2
diabetes, gallstones, Parkinson's disease, even some cancers. Keep cof- fee calories in check, though. Steer clear of trimmings like cream, sugar, and flavored syrups.
The Less Fat You Eat, the Better
Your body needs three nutrients to thrive: pro- tein, carbohydrates, and fats. Yes, fats! Good-for- you fats found in foods like nuts, seeds, fish, avocado, olives, and low-fat dairy give you energy, help rebuild cells, and produce needed hormones.
The fats to limit or avoid are saturated and trans fats, found in foods like butter, high-fat dairy, red meat, and many processed foods.
The Annual Exam
This is when your doctor finds out what’s going with you -- she talks with you about preventing diseases and any new things you’re feeling, and helps you manage health issues you know you have. She taps, rubs, pokes, and prods you. She comes at you with strange-looking in- struments. What’s your doctor trying to learn when she does some of those things?
Shine a Light in Your Eye
Your doctor does it to see if your pupils -- the dark cen- ter of each eye that control how much light gets in -- get smaller (constrict) when light is on them. They should stay round, and both eyes
should react to the light in about the same way. If any of these things are off, it may be a sign of problem. This test also can show changes in your eyes that might be a sign of high blood pressure, diabetes, or glaucoma.
Listen To Your Chest
He listens to make sure your heart has a regular rhythm -- no skipped beat or murmur, a “whooshing” sound. He’ll also listen to your lungs to see if your breathing is clear. And if you have asthma, he’ll make sure he does- n’t hear wheezing.
Take Your Blood Pressure
When the doctor or nurse wraps a cuff around your arm and tightens it, it’s to measure the force on your veins and arteries as your heart pumps blood. It’s im- portant to check because
there are often no other symptoms -- that’s why high blood pressure is sometimes called “the silent killer.” Managing your blood pressure is key to lowering your chance of a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
Have You Pee In A Cup
They test your urine to screen for things like urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, kidney stones or inflammation, dia- betes, or a problem with your bladder. For women, it
also shows if you’re pregnant. Your doctor may ask for a sample during a routine exam, or she may ask for one if you feel pain when you pee or have blood in your urine.
Push On Your Belly
Your doctor looks at your ab- domen -- the shape, the skin, the way it moves when you breathe -- to make sure everything is OK. He may also listen with a stethoscope to hear if your bowel is mak- ing different sounds because
of an illness. And he’ll push on your belly. Called palpa- tion, this gentle, hands-on exam checks for areas that are too firm, tender, or bigger than they should be.
Stick That Thing in Your Ear
It’s called an otoscope, and your doctor uses it to get a better view, especially if you have trouble hearing or your ear hurts. After all, it’s tight quarters in there. And dark, too. With it, your doctor can see an irritated eardrum, a
swollen ear canal, fluid that’s a sign of infection, extra wax that may be causing trouble, and other problems. He may also be able to tell if you have pressure issues by using it to send a little puff of air into the canal.
Look In Your Mouth
This can tell your doctor quite a bit about your health. For example, a white spot or growth on your tongue can be a sign of a condition that might become cancer -- more common in people who use tobacco. She’ll also look at the back of your throat and your tonsils, and get an idea of the condition of your teeth -- and your breath.
Take Your Blood
This is the best way to check for conditions that don’t cause any symptoms early on, like high cholesterol, diabetes, or kidney, liver, or thyroid disease. If your doctor finds any problems, you can start treatment and possibly prevent serious damage.
PAGE 8-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2017