Sound Medicine -- August 23, 2003

Hosts Barbara Lewis and Dr. Steve Bogdewic talk to physicians and researchers about:

Self-Sabotage of Diet and Exercise

Miscarriage

The CPR Mannequin

Real Media | Windows Media

Self-Sabotage of Diet and Exercise

Everyone knows we should exercise frequently and eat healthy food. Although it's common knowledge, many people exercise rarely and eat unhealthily. Why do we fail to lose weight, and give exercise a low priority? Dr. Lynette Menefee is an assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. As a psychologist, she counsels people on how to change their behavior. She is co-author of The Ten Hidden Barriers to Weight Loss and Exercise.

Many people are not truly prepared to start a diet and exercise program; they don't plan for accommodating proper diet and exercise into their lifestyle. For example, our society often uses food as a reward or a way of celebrating. Some people find relief in certain foods during stressful situations. Furthermore, our fast paced world encourages us to favor foods that are quick and easy to prepare, which are often unhealthy.

Dr. Menefee says people should set realistic weight-loss goals, and understand the emotional reasons behind overeating. They should also realize that healthy food does require time to prepare.

Resources:

Dr. Menefee's organization, OnTrack Solutions, offers advice on how to change your outlook on healthy eating and exercise.

The National Institutes of Health supply an abundance of resources related to exercise, diet, and fitness.

WebMD answers some frequently asked questions about exercise and lists some guidelines for getting started.

Miscarriage

For the more than 800,000 women who experience a miscarriage each year in the U.S., there are questions about why it occurs and could it have been prevented. With today's diagnostic tools, medical information and genetic testing, many questions can be answered. Dr. Henry Lerner, an obstetrician and gynecologist practicing in Newton, Massachusetts, is author of Miscarriage: Why it Happens and How Best to Reduce Your Risks.

Miscarriage is one of the most common personal tragedies, occurring in 1 out of every 5 pregnancies. It can be caused by chromosomes combining incorrectly when egg and sperm meet, or if a woman's hormones or a chemical imbalance or an autoimmune disorder cause her body to reject the fetus.

There are not many specific things that can be done to prevent miscarriage, and it is not caused by anxiety or stress. However, pregnant women should try to be in good general health and avoid alcohol. Miscarriage evaluation is usually only conducted if a woman has had several miscarriages. The evaluation usually consists of a chromosome test on the mother and father, an x-ray of the mother's uterus, and tests to determine if the mother has sufficient hormone levels to support the fetus. Often, the living and working conditions of mother and father are also investigated.

Resources:

Dr. Lerner offers some detailed advice on steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of miscarriage.

Read a transcript of Dr. Lerner answering readers' questions about miscarriage.

Peruse a compilation of miscarriage related resources, including news on current research and advice on coping, at the Web site for the National Institutes of Health.

The CPR Mannequin

A new first aid invention called Indy Mak is an economical alternative to the expensive mannequins that are commonly used to teach CPR to children. Created by Gayle McGinnis, Indy Mak has its roots in Indianapolis but is making its way around the world. Ms. McGinnis is program development manager for the Indianapolis chapter of the American Red Cross. She is also a part-time first aid instructor with the department of Physical Education at IUPUI.

Indy Mak is built with various household items: an empty gallon milk jug, duct tape, a two liter soda bottle, a plastic baggie and newspaper. Paper templates for the face and chest are provided by the Red Cross. The "face" is applied to the milk carton, and the "lungs" are put on the two liter bottle with duct tape and a minimum of assembly.

Like its pricey counterparts, Indy Mak can be used as an individual CPR mannequin whose chest compresses, and baggie "lungs" inflate. However, Ms. McGinnis' invention makes CPR training much more accessible to children, as Indy Mak costs almost nothing to build, while traditional CPR mannequins can cost as much as $1000.

Resources:

Read an IUPUI news release about Indy Mak.

The American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis Web site has links to resources for CPR training, safety tips, and health related current events.

Is there a medical topic you'd like us to cover? Reach us by email: soundmed@iu.edu
or by phone:
(317) 274-4848.

"It's boring." "It's tiring." "I am too busy." If you are looking for excuses not to exercise, you will find many. What is the most popular excuse people give to get out of exercising?

Find out!

How many people live to be 100 or even reach their 90s? A few years ago, there were very few. Now, many more Americans are living longer and healthier lives than ever before. What is the reason for the increase in people's life span?

Find out!

• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States - 8th leading cause of death for men and 19th for women.

• More than 29,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year.

• In 2000, suicide outnumbered homicides by 5 to 3 and deaths due to HIV/AIDS by 2:1.

• 60 percent of all people who kill themselves do so with a firearm, accounting for more than 18,000 deaths each year in the US.

• More men than women die by suicide; the ratio being 4:1. 73% of all suicide deaths and 80% of all firearms suicide deaths are white males.

• In 2000, suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young people between the ages 15 to 24. 75-80 percent of college students who commit suicide are males.

• 95 percent of college students who commit suicide suffer from mental illness, usually depression. Substance abuse, anxiety, impulsivity, rage, hopelessness and desperation increase the risk.

• Contrary to popular belief, suicides are not more frequent during the holidays, though the rates are highest in April, and during the summer months.

Sources:

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention answers some frequently asked questions.
Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health.