AWARD-WINNING TIP: DON'T LET SOUND OF MOVIES HURT HEARING
This month's Academy Awards will tout motion pictures galore, but there's something far less entertaining that movies may produce:
Hearing loss.
Doctors say that despite warnings in recent years about the damaging effects of theatres' booming sound systems, many cinemas still blare high-decibel soundtracks.
"You're not going to lose your hearing from going to one movie, but it adds up over the years," says Dr. Ravi N. Samy, assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. And that means hearing loss, which affects more than 20 million people in the United States
Because hair cells inside the ear damaged by high-volume noise can't repair themselves, the damage is permanent, even for youngsters. The rule of thumb is that if you can't hold a normal conversation over the noise, it's too loud, Dr. Samy says. Lawn mowers, car stereos, rifles and pistols, power tools, and radio earphones can also be culprits.Media Contact: Steve O'Brien
SAVE LIVES: MAKE IT YOUR COMMUNITY'S GOAL TO LEARN CPR
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurs unexpectedly in nearly a half million people each year in the U.S., yet less than 25 percent of Americans know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
"EMS and 911 systems have matured significantly," says Dr. Paul Pepe, chairman of emergency medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, "but it is still physically impossible for 911 responders to routinely get to calls within the four or five minutes that it takes for permanent brain damage to occur."
As a result, he says, bystanders' lack of CPR knowledge has become most communities' weak link in the chain of survival.
One effective method of increasing community knowledge of life-saving techniques is to organize training classes for your neighborhood, work, school or other community group, Dr. Pepe says.
For more information about CPR training, contact the American Heart Association (AHA) at 1-800-AHA-USA-1 or visit the Web site at http://www.americanheart.org. AHA also offers information in the use of automated external defibrillators " devices that shock an ineffectively beating heart back into normal rhythm.Media Contact: Rachel Horton
WOMEN: DON'T PUT UNBORN AT RISK -- GET CHECKED FOR STDS
The number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is on the rise " including almost 2 million pregnant women each year who often don't realize they're infected.
For that reason, early testing and prenatal care is of utmost importance, says Dr. Jeanne Sheffield, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "Because a lot of STDs are asymptomatic, women may have an STD and not know it."
STDs can have serious consequences, including causing cervical and other cancers, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in pregnant women, as well as early onset of labor and premature rupture of the membranes surrounding the baby. Harmful effects on the baby can include stillbirth, low birth weight, neurological damage, congenital abnormalities, acute hepatitis, meningitis and liver disease.
Pregnant women should be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis, she says. Treatment can significantly decrease risks to unborn babies.Media Contact: Donna Steph Hansard
THE STRAIGHT STUFF ON TAUT HAIR " DO IT LESS OR LOSE IT
Are you constantly rolling, straightening or pulling your hair into the perfect style? If so, you could be at risk for permanent hair loss, says Dr. Amit Pandya, associate professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
"When you apply traction to the hair, especially with rollers, rubber bands or other hair accessories that stay in a long time, it causes too much stress on the hair root," he says. "Over time, hair will stop growing, especially on the edges of the hairline."
Straightening is also damaging because of the heat or chemicals used. Straightening weakens hair's structure and makes mid-shaft breakage more likely. The solution? Don't be a slave to fashion - straighten or roll your hair less frequently, and avoid wearing tightly held styles.Media Contact: Staishy Bostick Siem
FINDING FIBER WHEN BEANS " AN EXCELLENT SOURCE " WON'T DO
Beans are a great source of fiber, but some avoid them because of unpleasant side effects.
"To avoid some of the effects of going high fiber, slowly add one to two servings of fruits or cooked vegetables to your daily diet, aiming for nine servings of fruits and vegetables or 20-30 grams of fiber per day," says Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition and registered dietitian at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
High-fiber foods include berries, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, figs, oranges, apples and pears. Also: bran muffins, brown rice, multi-grain cereals and oatmeal. "Getting the recommended serving of fiber actually improves gastrointestinal function, and can also aid in weight loss and help to lower total cholesterol."
And, advises Ms. Sandon: "Don't count beans out. To lessen their effect, rinse them thoroughly with running water and include a variety of other high-fiber foods in your diet." Media Contact: Amy Shields
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