Gluten-Free Christmas Wish

WOW! My Christmas came early this year, when Disneyland (gotta love the Mouse!) actually replaced a fast food restaurant (Mc D) with-get this- a DELICIOUS BAKERY called Babycakes NYC that is completely GLUTEN-FREE and vegan, to boot! While perhaps this bakery belongs in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasy Land, it is actually located in Downtown Disney. What a wonderful addition for all the patrons who have celiac disease (remember, it's 1 in 100 Americans!) or are gluten-intolerant, as well as those who have opted for a vegan diet.

Looking at the Babycakes NYC website will definitely stir up your appetite, as you drool over delicious appearing donuts, cupcakes and assorted pastries. This is an ideal time to remind everyone, though, that "vegan, gluten-free, and organic" do not equate with LOW CALORIE! Babycakes offers TREATS AND SWEETS, which are DESSERTS and should be enjoyed in appropriate portions.

BOTTOM LINE: Cheers to Disney for welcoming a delicious bakery for their health-conscious (and/or special health needs) Disneyphiles!

Caffeine, Alcohol and Peppermints, Oh My!

As if the cough last week weren't enough, are you now plagued with with heartburn? Yes, in our commercial-literate world, we may call it GERD (Gastro-Esophageal-Reflux Disease), but heartburn is still a great descriptor. December is often a very tough month for health! We are fully into cough and cold season, and at the same time, we are frantically running around in crowded public areas...touching the same escalator handrail, doors, etc. as the sneezing, coughing folks ahead of us. In addition, we are meeting old friends for our annual "catch up" coffee, drinks or meals, and burning the candle at both ends.

Caffeine, alcohol, and peppermints (did someone say candy canes?) abound, and ALL THREE of these have one common side effect in the body- they loosen the sphincter between the esophagus (food tube) and stomach that is supposed to function to keep acid down south in the stomach. Instead, these substances allow it to relax, and acid can slosh back up into the esophagus, and voila- HEARTBURN FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

What to do? Okay, first things first, stop the burn by popping a few antacid tablets. Not enough relief? Add in an OTC acid relief product like cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac) or even the next level up of acid blockers such as omeprazole (Prilosec). Still no relief? Time to see your doctor! Of course, it SHOULD go without saying that you need to STOP THE OFFENDING CAUSE (yes, the coffee, drinks and mints) if your symptoms are persisting beyond the occasional event!

I'd be remiss if I didn't add NICOTINE to the the list of irritants for GERD, by the way, so here is my chance to beg you to make QUITTING SMOKING your number one New Year's Resolution!

BOTTOM LINE: Caffeine, alcohol, peppermints and nicotine all cause HEARTBURN- watch out for the symptoms and recognize the cause!

Hospice at the Holidays?

Okay, I know what you're thinking...why talk about HOSPICE at the holidays? Isn't that kind of depressing? While Hospice care can be a tough subject, I actually ALWAYS think of Hospice at the holidays, for several reasons.

1. I believe everyone who works at Hospice is an ANGEL. Period.

2. Hospice provides a tremendous service that is a beautiful gift not only for the patients themselves, but for the families, too. Their job every day is to help with the physical and emotional needs of people passing from this life on to the next, and they are comfortable with this transition in a way most of us are not. Their confidence and capabilities are amazing.

3. Holidays are especially tough for families who have lost someone in the past year, so remember to reach out in a special way to your family and friends in this situation.

4. One of my favorite gifts is our local Hospice's ANGEL. Each year, a local artist designs a new angel ornament, and these can be purchased on line and sent directly to your loved ones. Hospice benefits from the profits, your recipient gets a lovely angel, and everyone benefits!

BOTTOM LINE: Thinking of Hospice at the Holidays is fully in keeping with the peace and goodwill of the season. Please reach out to anyone you know who has lost a loved one in 2010.

Christmas Gift of HEALTH!

'Tis the season of giving, and many of us are trying to find the perfect gifts for our friends and families. Before you choose gift baskets loaded with wine, chocolate, and other delicious goodies, though, stop and think. Is this the right gift for your friend who is struggling with her weight? What about your mother-in-law who has high cholesterol and "borderline" diabetes? Well, maybe not, but hey, it's the holidays, right? Doesn't everyone deserve a little treat? And they LOVE chocolate...

Well, yes, I agree that everyone deserves a treat, but is it really a treat if we're giving them something that works against their health goals? If your friend is fit and healthy, knock yourself out with edible treats with a clear conscience. BUT... if they are NOT, why not focus on gifts that encourage health? Mind you, I'm not suggesting sticking a bow on a bag of carrots, either. How about fun workout socks or a new top? Buy matching pedometers for you and a buddy or two for some friendly competition or at least mutual encouragement. How about a gift certificate for a massage or manicure or pedicure? Or a new healthy cookbook? Or-gasp- a plain old BOOK book-by your favorite author? Need a suggestion? Try ANY of Jeff Abbott's thrillers! Out of money (and who isn't?) Make a gift certificate for a outing to a park or walk around the lake or a bike ride. Be creative!

BOTTOM LINE: Think twice before sending out edible treats to ALL your friends and family this year, and show you really care by giving gifts that promote physical, mental or spiritual health! Happy Holidays!

FDA Warning: Cough Medication DANGER!

Yesterday the FDA issued a warning regarding a medication that has frankly NEVER been on my radar as a dangerous drug- Tessalon (benzonatate). Sadly, there have been five deaths reported in children under the age of 2 after accidental ingestion of this medication, which is a gel capsule and looks like candy or a bath bead.

Is the medication safe for adults? Yes. Tessalon perles are indicated for cough suppression in patients over the age of 10. In my practice, I have found that the drug has a high variability in effectiveness, but rarely has any side effects. Many patients love this drug because it works well to suppress their cough without making them feel goofy or sedated, like the stronger narcotic cough syrups tend to do.

I think the real take home message here is that ALL medications, ESPECIALLY those that "look pretty", need to be in CHILD-PROOF containers AND put away out of reach from little hands. There are far more accidental poisonings from common over the counter medications and vitamins, and ALL PILLS should be stored behind locked cabinets when you've got children in your home (living there or visiting!)

BOTTOM LINE: Please have a special, truly CHILD-PROOF medicine storage area in your home, and realize kids always have and always will stick things in their mouths without thinking!

Too Scared to FLY?

Do you have travel plans for the holidays? Any fear of flying? If you do, you are not alone. Many people, especially since 9/11, are very nervous flyers. I know that I never had any issues about flying until I became a mother, at which point suddenly I was emotionally convinced I would die in a plane crash and orphan my child (despite my brain telling me the statistics say otherwise.)

So, what can you do? Well, there are many choices, but suffering in silence should not be one of them. First off, arm yourself with the facts that you are over thirty times more likely to have a fatal car accident than die in a plane crash. Most of the fear is not rational, however, so if the facts don't calm you, keep looking.

Plan ahead- create a diversion packet for yourself with an engaging book, music, or DVD. Get noise-canceling headphones (or at least good earplugs). It's amazing how when you can close your eyes and not hear the plane noises, you can relax much more easily.

Avoid stimulants like caffeine and decongestants- no need to ramp up your heart rate before you even get on the plane!

If you have the luxury of time before you travel, consider biofeedback, hypnosis, or meditation training.

I mentioned yesterday that you might want to talk with your doctor. What can she offer? We have several choices, actually. For long flights, I will frequently prescribe a "sleeping pill" such as Ambien or Lunesta. Some patients do very well with medicines that simply control your heart rate, such as metoprolol (a beta-blocker). Others with more intense anxiety respond well to a rapid and short acting sedative such as Xanax.

Bottom Line: Fear of flying is common- plan ahead and talk to your doctor if you would like to consider a medication to lesson your stress.

Flying Somewhere this Holiday?

As the holidays are upon us and travel plans are ramping up, I thought I’d share some health-related flying tips. With all the emphasis on flu these days, I’d be remiss not to start with the basic advice that you should NOT fly if you have a fever or a productive cough (or other flu symptoms such as headache, sore throat, and body aches.) That being said, there are many times that you may need to fly when you have mild cold or allergy symptoms, and there are a few tricks that may be helpful.

The one time that I actually recommend OTC products such as nose sprays like Afrin is if you have a stuffy head/nose/ears and need to fly. Make sure to put it in ziplock bag for security, but then use it when you are seated on the plane to reduce ear discomfort upon takeoff. Gum, mints or any beverage will help clear your ears as well.

I also suggest sucking on the zinc lozenges- any variety- I happen to like the ones combined with vitamin C. Zinc oral dissolvable products have been shown to reduce acquisition of respiratory viruses. Unfortunately, simply taking a zinc supplement that you swallow has not been shown to provide equal benefit.

If you have no contraindication to taking aspirin, a baby aspirin taken the day of your flight will reduce your risk for blood clots that can occur with prolonged sitting. Try to get up every hour or two and walk to the bathroom- that will help, too.
Nervous about flying? Talk to your doctor about a short-acting mild sedative or sleep aid (if the flight is long enough.) No need for embarrassment, as fear of flying is very common. I’d estimate I get this request close to once per week (and more often this time of year!)

Should you wear a mask? I suppose if either YOU have a cough or your seatmate does, that is reasonable.

BOTTOM LINE: If your travel plans include flying, create your own "flying first aid" kit to take with you!