<![CDATA[Mind and Body - Health.com]]>

]]> http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20568071,00.html <![CDATA[Poll: How much do you know about sunscreen?]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/1N6UpPYHIMY/0,,20572220,00.html

]]> http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20572220,00.html <![CDATA[How to Find the Best Doctors]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/utp1DbxI7GI/0,,20568095,00.html

"Finding a doctor before you get sick is especially important now that more insurance plans are requiring that PCPs serve as gatekeepers for our medical needs," says Trisha Torrey, author of You Bet Your Life: The Ten Mistakes Every Patient Makes. Your mission: To locate an MD with great experience; an organized, friendly office staff; and, most of all, the ability to collaborate well with you (it is, after all, your body and health). Here’s how.

Go to your network
Your social network, that is. Start by asking your friends and family (and any doctors you have and like) for the names of their favorite docs. This method may seem unscientific, but in one recent survey, doctors ranked getting a recommendation from family or friends as the most valuable way for you to choose a good physician. Consider also checking an online doctor-rating site, like vitals.com or zocdoc.com. Just keep in mind that opinions from others may be a good gauge of a doctor’s bedside manner (which is indeed important), but not necessarily a way to measure her medical ability. "Friends who have had only annual checkups don’t have as good a sense of their doctors’ medical competence, so see if you can ask someone who’s had health trouble," Torrey says. "If they felt well-served by the doctor, that’s a better bet."

That was true for Abby Gardner, 36, a New York City website editor: "Recently, I noticed a spot on my chest. My friend suggested I see her doctor, Dr. Henry Lee." Dr. Lee had found a melanoma on Gardner’s friend’s roommate, who raved about his care and professionalism. "He not only checked the spot, but also found a mole on my thigh that turned out to be was so glad to have a thorough doctor who caught it early."

If your friends don’t give you any good leads, contact your nearest academic medical center (a hospital linked to a medical school, also known as a teaching hospital) and ask for a referral. "Those centers are usually highly rated," says Lisa Rubenstein, MD, director of the VA/UCLA/RAND Center for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior.

Next Page: Do some research

Check out her credentials
There’s no need to limit yourself to doctors who graduated from the fanciest medical school around. What matters more, says Dr. Rubenstein: "the hospital where they did their residency, and where they practice." Two reasons why: A residency is where physicians get their on-the-job training, and the other MDs they practice with seem to affect their clinical style more than where they went to school. Look for a doctor who is board-certified and affiliated with a reputable hospital (your insurance company’s website will generally list credentials and affiliations), since, if you ever wind up being hospitalized, this will likely be the place you’ll go. "Academic hospitals generally do better in terms of safety and patient outcomes than unaffiliated community hospitals," says Dr. Rubenstein. Hospitalcompare.hhs.gov can help you assess the quality of hospitals in your area.

Vet the office
You can find out some key details about a prospective doctor just by calling her. Start with how you’re greeted. If the receptionist treats you poorly, it may be a sign that the practice isn’t respectful of patients in general, says Torrey. If the doctor and her staff are nice and professional, on the other hand, you will know that she runs a practice where patients are treated with respect.

Size her up in person
Once you’re finally face-to-face with the MD, do a gut check. Do you feel comfortable? Your health will benefit if you do: A recent study in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that patients who had empathetic, engaged physicians felt more supported and were better able to take charge of their own well-being. Last year, Brenda Avadian, of Los Angeles, went in search of a new primary care doctor because her last one was dismissive of her complaints of exhaustion. She vetted a prospective doc online, then set up an appointment. "After an hour, I decided to switch to him," says Avadian, 52, who works in the caregiving industry. "He really took time to listen to me." Her new doctor ordered a complete blood panel, and within a couple of days, Avadian had a diagnosis: Her thyroid was sluggish. "The problem could have gotten worse," she says. "It worked out because I found a doctor who really listens."

You may not get an hour with your prospective PCP the way Avadian did, but all you need is a few minutes to tell if she’s up to snuff. Dr. Rubenstein recommends that you bring three questions about your health issues, big or small, to your first appointment. As the doctor answers your queries, think to yourself: Does she explain things well? Does she consult with me and give me time to ask follow-up questions? A doctor who does these things—and makes you feel comfortable—just might be your perfect match. ]]> Getty Images http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20568095,00.html <![CDATA[What's Great About Grapefruit]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/-uFF8NAuSLM/0,,20564855,00.html

]]> http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20564855,00.html <![CDATA[9 Things to Stop Worrying About]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/WVdsKzY4V7w/0,,20443377,00.html

]]> http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20443377,00.html <![CDATA[How To Get Rid of Annoying Body Problems]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/fIG7LE7hOcY/0,,20568217,00.html

]]> http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20568217,00.html <![CDATA[20 Things That Can Ruin Your Smile]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/ArxV-0CEyVs/0,,20398266,00.html

]]> http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20398266,00.html <![CDATA[10 Secrets Your Doctor Wants You to Know]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/swRpdlEm_nQ/0,,20411977,00.html

But while you're an open book, your doc isn't—and that's a big mistake. You're left wondering what he's thinking when he raises an eyebrow or murmurs a cryptic "hmmm." Well, wonder no more. We asked top docs to spill the beans on how you can get the best possible care.

Don't think you've got every ailment out there
"A patient will say to me, ‘I saw that pill for toenail fungus—I want that pill.' And I'll say, ‘But you don't have toenail fungus.' Then they say, 'My toenails look just like the toenails in the picture!' Medicine is not like buying a new shirt because the new color is Concord purple and you want to have a purple shirt, too. I tell people, 'Be glad you don't have toenail fungus!'" —Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, president of Dermatology Consulting Services in High Point, North Carolina

Just spill it
"Every doctor has those 'By the way, doc' patients. They're the ones who, when I'm getting ready to leave the room, say something like, 'By the way, doc, I've been having burning when I'm urinating.' It's an important issue, but they wait until I'm on my way out to mention it. Tell me something like that right away." —Raul J. Seballos, MD, vice chairman of preventive medicine at the Cleveland Clinic

Forget what you saw on TV
"I hear a lot of, 'I want this test. I saw it on TV. ' You should get the test you need, but it may not be what you saw on television. Just because a TV personality and her best friend had CT scans of the heart doesn't mean you need one." —Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of the Women's Heart Center at the New York University Langone Medical Center and author of Dr. Nieca Goldberg's Complete Guide to Women's Health

Don't worry about your hairy legs
"I don't care if you haven't shaved, OK? Please do not apologize for the state of your toenails, your legs, or anything else. I am so not looking." —Katharine O'Connell White, MD, MPH, OB-GYN at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts

Next Page: Be honest about exercise

Be honest about how much (or how little!) you work out
"I sometimes ask patients: 'Are you physically active?' and they say to me, 'Yes, I'm really active.' Then they talk about how they drive their kids here and drive them there and pick them up. Being busy is not the same thing as being physically active. You have to actually move your body. With exercise, more is better, but anything is better than nothing. The minimum level of physical activity needed in order to actually see real health improvements is 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, every day." —Sharonne N. Hayes, MD, director of the Women's Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

Don't think of the spa as a medical facility
"I see a lot of intelligent people who have gone to spas to get fillers, or they get them in a friend's living room. It shocks me. These are medical procedures that should be done in a medical facility. There's a huge difference in terms of the sterility and the guidelines followed, and a lot of patients don't realize that." —Marta I. Rendon, MD, medical director and founder of the Dermatology and Aesthetic Center in Boca Raton, Florida

Get a second opinion—but not from your mom
"Please don't shop around for a second or third or fourth opinion until you hear the answer you want. I've had patients call and ask for my advice. Then they call back to say they talked to two or three other people, who may or may not be doctors, and those people said something else. We don't treat by consensus. What to do about your discharge or some other problem isn't a consensus decision. You're more than welcome to go somewhere to get a second opinion from a doctor, but people will say, 'Well, my mother said this.' That's great, but is your mom a nurse or a doctor?" —Katharine O'Connell White, MD, MPH

Don't shop for skin-care advice at the mall
" I know a lot of people who will spend $300 on skin-care products at Sephora, but they aren't willing to spend $30 in my office. I wish I could tell all of them: Don't take your skin-care advice from the 16-year-old behind the makeup counter at the mall—she's 16! Talk to your doctor." —Carolyn Jacob, MD, director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology

Know the facts
"I'm always so surprised that the average woman thinks contraceptive pills routinely cause cancer, strokes, heart attacks, or blood clots, for instance. The noncontraceptive health benefits of the Pill—such as uterine and ovarian cancer protection, acne prevention, less PMS and menstrual cramps, fewer ovarian cysts—far outweigh the risks for most women." —Suzanne Trupin, OB-GYN in private practice with Women's Health Practice in Champaign, Illinois, and clinical professor of OB-GYN at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Ask yourself: Is this a real emergency?
"I've been paged for a yeast infection at 8 p.m. on a Sunday evening. We've all had them. And, yes, they're miserable. But don't page the doctor at home in the evening about a yeast infection when you can call the office 12 hours later. On the flip side, if you are having a gyno emergency, I really do want you to call me. A real emergency would be heavy bleeding (filling more than one pad or tampon in an hour), severe pelvic pain that hasn't gotten any better with over-the-counter pain medication, and—if you've recently had surgery—any fever or concerns about what your surgical incision looks like." —Katharine O'Connell White, MD, MPH]]> Ericka McConnell http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20411977,00.html <![CDATA[Head-to-Toe Solutions for Stress]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/cLs0Kw6n4M0/0,,20306683,00.html

]]> http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306683,00.html <![CDATA[Natural Remedies for Pain, Sleep, PMS, and More]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/YtReZUMzJB0/0,,20410968,00.html

Seventeen pain-free years later, Steelsmith, 44, a doctor of Chinese and naturopathic medicine and author of Natural Choices for Women’s Health, is one of 90 million American women who regularly use supplements. “I really believe in this medicine,” she says. “It’s what my body needs.”

Which all-natural remedies are best for you? Health asked Steelsmith and other natural-medicine experts to identify safe and effective choices for women. Of course, as the word implies, any supplement is an add-on to a healthy lifestyle, not a substitute for eating well, exercising, or keeping your doctor’s appointments. Supplements are not cure-alls.

Next Page: Best for pain and PMS

Best for pain:
Bromelain
This enzyme, found in pineapple, helped Steelsmith resume her daily tasks with a lot less pain. Scientists think bromelain may actually break down protein in the blood, which explains its ability to curb pain-causing inflammation (and why it’s used as a meat tenderizer). Unlike over-the-counter and prescription pain drugs that come with stomach and heart risks, bromelain is considered safe. Take 200 to 400 milligrams a day when you’re hurting.

Boswellia
An herb long used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine, boswellia may be more effective than drugs like ibuprofen for reducing inflammation. The acid in the herb seems to block an enzyme that generates inflammatory chemicals. Biochemist Holly Phaneuf, PhD, formerly of the University of Utah and author of Herbs Demystified, says the herb may be useful for pain associated with osteoarthritis, a common disorder among people over 40 that destroys the cushioning in joints. Another target: asthma, which is often linked to inflammation. A typical dose is 450 to 1,200 mg a day.

Best for PMS:
Chasteberry tree
Compounds in the fruit of this tall, blue-violet plant appear to increase the production (or block the breakdown) of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate the hormone prolactin. Elevated levels of prolactin can lead to irritability, painful periods, and breast soreness. Two German studies confirm the effectiveness of chasteberry tree supplements. “It’s my favorite herb hands-down for PMS,” says Tieraona Low Dog, MD, director of education at the University of Arizona’s Program in Integrative Medicine. She recommends that you take 250 to 500 mg daily for three months. If your next period approaches with a vengeance once you quit, start taking it again.

Next Page: Best for depression and sleep

Best for “the blues”:
SAMe
A natural compound that your body makes by itself, SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) helps you produce feel-good brain chemicals. In supplement form, it works as well as antidepressants, according to a recent government report. “As soon as you get SAMe, your body just slurps it up,” says Hyla Cass, MD, author of Supplement Your Prescription: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Nutrition. Start with 400 mg a day, and build up to 800 to 1,200 mg until you start feeling better.

Best for tummy woes:
Peppermint
Dr. Low Dog highly recommends this age-old remedy for stomachaches and gas because it relaxes the muscles in your digestive tract, which reduces cramping and also helps expel gas. A research review found that peppermint-oil tablets may work as well as muscle-relaxing drugs in relieving the cramps and diarrhea linked to irritable bowel syndrome, a common problem for women. Take one tablet two to three times a day. Constipated? Don’t use peppermint; it might make the problem worse. Try adding more fiber to your diet and drinking more water.

Ginger
When you’re feeling green in the gills, this root-derived supplement can relieve nausea. Experts say it may block stomach-emptying signals and slow the production of a compound that makes you feel queasy. In several studies, ginger worked just as well on morning sickness as the motion sickness drug marketed as Dramamine—without the drowsiness. Take 1,000 mg daily for a few days.

Best for better sleep:
Valerian
Two-thirds of American women complain of frequent sleep problems; this herb may be just what many of them need. No one knows exactly how it works, but some studies show valerian helps to bring on sleep with no side effects. It isn’t addictive, either. Take 400 to 600 mg 45 minutes before bedtime, and make sure you don’t mix it with other sedatives like muscle relaxants or antihistamines.

Melatonin
Your body makes this hormone at nightfall—and makes less of it as you get older, which is one reason seniors often sleep less. Melatonin supplements are often suggested for re-establishing your sleep-wake cycle when you travel east across several time zones. And if you need to fall asleep faster, it may help; try taking 3 mg at bedtime.]]> http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20410968,00.html <![CDATA[How to Get Better Care at the ER]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/tXEetHqdaSc/0,,20479370,00.html

]]> http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20479370,00.html <![CDATA[Basil: The New Spa Secret]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/ojnqK8wTwas/0,,20307331,00.html

]]> http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307331,00.html <![CDATA[Secrets of the World's Healthiest Women]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/dwMsqnFWSz0/0,,20553273,00.html

The places we’re usually told to emulate are known as Blue Zones or Cold Spots. Blue Zones were pinpointed by explorer Dan Buettner and a team of longevity researchers and are described in his book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. They’re areas in Italy, Japan, Greece, California, and Costa Rica where the people have traditionally stayed healthy and active to age 100 or older. Similarly, Cold Spots, as identified by integrative medicine physician Daphne Miller, MD, author of The Jungle Effect, are five areas in Mexico, Iceland, Japan, Greece, and Cameroon with low rates of "Western" ailments like heart disease, depression, and certain cancers.

Now I’d like to eat my way to a long life, but I’m not about to start foraging for raw plants—I live in Brooklyn. I admire the vascular supremacy of Mediterranean folks, but I doubt I could completely replace butter with olive oil and chips with nuts. My kids would mutiny.

But it’s crucial that we all try, says David L. Katz, MD, founding director of the Yale Prevention Research Center: "The Centers for Disease Control has projected that one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050." Message received! So I took a look at a few key regions to see which habits we Americans could make our own.

French women stay slim with petite portions
According to the best seller French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano, the paradox of how French women consume butter and cream without gaining can be explained in two words: portion control. They have small amounts of fresh, quality food and antioxidant-rich wine, lingering over multiple courses and savoring every bite.

French women also tend to walk everywhere instead of attempting to get to the gym. "In France, they climb stairs. Many of the buildings are older and don’t have elevators," says Steven Jonas, MD, professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York and co-author of 30 Secrets of the World’s Healthiest Cuisines. Plus, the price of gas is a lot higher, so people are motivated to walk instead of drive. All of this adds up to French women having a low incidence of heart disease and obesity (12% compared to the U.S.’s 36%).

I admire the French "food is the focus" idea, in theory. If only I could while away the afternoon strolling from boulangerie to fromagerie. But as a working mother of two teenagers, I scramble to pull off a 30-minute meal. And that’s OK, Dr. Jonas says: "Even if it’s quick, a homemade meal with whole ingredients is better than going to a restaurant with huge portions and empty calories."

Next Page: Family is key

Scandinavians eat farm to table
The traditional Northern European food philosophy is to eat what you—or someone nearby—grew or gathered. The key words are local and fresh. Native plants include cruciferous vegetables, whole grains, and berries. Northerners eat omega-3-rich fatty fish, as well as elk and game birds, which tend to be leaner than farm-raised livestock.

The Nordic diet and way of life produces low rates of obesity (as low as 8%, depending on the country). Despite scarce sunlight, Icelandic and Scandinavian people actually suffer from depression less than Americans, possibly due to all those omega-3s.

In Scandinavia, there’s also a physical component to producing food. "They expend energy growing and gathering," explains Amy Lanou, PhD, a senior nutrition scientist for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C. "But that isn’t feasible in many regions in America." If backyard gardening isn’t possible for you, even a weekend apple- or berry-picking trip will connect you to your food and is a good workout to boot.

The Japanese value family connections
Okinawa, a Japanese island region, is known to have the highest concentration of centenarians (people aged 100 or older) in the world. Compared to Americans, they have an 80% lower rate of breast cancer death and less than half the rate of ovarian or colon cancer deaths. They also have much lower rates of dementia and a lower risk of heart disease.

How they do it: On Okinawa, they practice hara hachi bu, or eating until 80% full. A spiritual lifestyle that includes prayer and meditation seems to reduce stress—and possibly ailments related to it. Low cancer rates are believed to be due to a high-fiber plant-based diet of rice, soy, cruciferous and sea vegetables, fruit, omega-3-rich fatty fish, and only a tiny bit of dairy and meat.

Just as crucial is a sense of connection and community. "In Blue Zones like Okinawa, there is strong social support, family bonds, and a value placed on continuing to be active in society into your 80s, 90s, and 100s," Buettner says. "The sense of belonging matters for lowering stress, disease prevention, and longevity."

Good fats lead to longer lives in the Mediterranean
The much-heralded Mediterranean diet has been linked to a longer life and a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. As we’ve heard before, this diet includes good fats (olive oil, nuts, fish), lean proteins, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, and a moderate amount of wine. Of course, it’s all about knowing when to say basta—enough. "Eat like an Italian" doesn’t mean diving into a never-ending pasta bowl.

Buettner adds, "In Blue Zones like the island of Ikaria in Greece, you find extended families under one roof making family meals." What’s more, activity is a part of daily life—"not something to suffer through at the gym."

]]> Henrik Trygg/Corbis http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20553273,00.html <![CDATA[Surprising Health Benefits of Alternative Medicines]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/t1FZCSev2iU/0,,20419356,00.html

But natural remedies can tackle more than just beauty problems. Here you’ll find what kind of supplements can treat depression and when you need to take calcium. You’ll find strategies for fighting colds, cancer, and cramps, plus which natural remedies to avoid if you’re taking certain prescription drugs.]]> http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20419356,00.html <![CDATA[Relieve Stress For Better Health]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/7C6_K2HT3sg/0,,20419362,00.html

Learn how to stop multitasking and slow down. You’ll sleep better, ditch aches and pains, and may even get rid of tummy troubles. Plus, we’ve got tips on how to finally stop the stress eating and a few surprising reasons why a little bit of stress may in fact be good for you.]]> http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20419362,00.html <![CDATA[Live the Optimistic Life]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/Bj_9VF6M4DA/0,,20419368,00.html

We even have tips on what foods you should eat to feel happier and what kind of exercise can boost your mood. Plus, you’ll find secrets to happiness at any age so you can be a life-long optimist. Emphasis on long.]]> http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20419368,00.html <![CDATA[Better, Faster, Easier: How to Live the Dream]]> http://feeds.health.com/~r/health/mind-and-body/~3/sqDs8BcdDds/0,,20486914,00.html

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