Category Archives: Health
- November 20, 2008
- Why shouldn’t pregnant women dye their hair?
There are several studies that look at the relationship between maternal hair dyes and childhood diseases, including childhood brain tumors. Don’t expect ot find any information that praises the health benefits of hair dyeing, but you won’t find any evidence that it is particularly dangerous either.
Even though there are no studies linking hair dyes to [...]
- November 17, 2008
- Why do you have a “bionic” sense of smell when you are pregnant?
The journal Chemical Senses isn’t usually at the top of my reading list, but it certainly came in handy to answer this question. In 2004 it published an article entitled “A Longitudinal Descriptive Study of Self-Reported Abnormal Smell and Taste Perception in Pregnant Women.” The article described the “odor hedonics” of pregnancy. Say what? I [...]
- November 15, 2008
- When you are on antiretroviral therapy, can you transmit the virus to others?
Antiretroviral therapy for HIV does not prevent an infected person from passing on the virus to others. It can keep viral load down to undetectable levels, but HIV is still present in the body and can be transmitted to others through sexual contact, by sharing injecting equipment, or from mothers to their infants during pregnancy, [...]
- November 15, 2008
- Is it true that some people eat the placenta?
The closest thing that we found when looking for documentation of human placentophagia was that certain mammals do eat the placenta. Oh, and Billy’s friend Gail likes Polenta. But that really doesn’t have much to do with the answer.
The internet has many references to eating the placenta and recipes abound. It is unclear whether this [...]
- November 6, 2008
- Will eating extra protein help build muscle mass?
If you have ever spent any time in Venice, California, or in Leyner’s kitchen, you might have seen someone gorging himself on obscene amounts of egg whites prior to a workout.
Protein is a very important component of the diet, especially for athletes, but the amount of protein needed is often grossly overestimated. Eating tons [...]
- November 6, 2008
- Should you eat a lot of carbohydrates the night before a marathon?
If you plan to run the New York City Marathon this year, you should reserve your Saturday night for the annual marathon eve dinner at Tavern on the Green. You can be sure that it will be a carbohydrate-heavy meal since its sponsor is a pasta company. Most marathons have similar meals, but these pre-event [...]
- November 3, 2008
- Do animals masturbate?
Yes, animals masturbate, as anyone with a leg that has been vigorously humped by a randy Jack Russell terrier will readily attest. (I know, humping may also be a form of play and an expression of dominance, but it’s obviously sexual, and some dogs have orgasms doing it, so let’s be real about it.)
According to [...]
- November 2, 2008
- Do toads cause warts?
Poor poor toads. They seem to always take a backseat to frogs. Frogs get kissed and turn into princes and turn into princes and toads just get to cause warts. Well, here is some good news for toads. Toads do not cause warts. Toads do, however, produce a substance from the parotid gland behind the [...]
- November 1, 2008
- Are some people really tone deaf?
All you have to do is listen to Billy and his wife sing in the car and you will know that the answer is yes.
Tone deafness is the inability to recognize musical tones or reproduce them. It is also called amusia or dysmelodia. This can occur after a traumatic brain injury, but it can also [...]
- October 30, 2008
- What is the risk of getting HIV through body piercing or from a tattoo?
A risk of HIV transmission exists if non-sterile instruments are used. Instruments that are intended to penetrate the skin should be sterilized and used once, then disposed of or sterilized again.
- October 30, 2008
- Is a dog’s mouth clean?
Joel leyner propounded two axiomatic truths for the entirety of his son Mark’s childhood: 1. Someday every single person will possess his or her own helicopter and commute to work in it; and 2. A dog’s mouth is actually cleaner than a person’s. well, so much for fatherly wisdom. Although Leyner never really bought the [...]
- October 29, 2008
- What is the risk of getting HIV from kissing?
Transmission though kissing on the mouth carries virtually no risk; no evidence has been found that the virus is spread through saliva by kissing.
- October 29, 2008
- Are more babies conceived during a full moon?
It is not uncommon to hear this myth in the hospital. People seem to firmly believe that more babies are conceived when the moon is full and that more are born when the moon is full. Studies show absolutely no correlation between the moon and pregnancy. This is another one of those old wives’ tales [...]
- October 28, 2008
- How can people who inject drugs reduce their risk of contracting HIV?
People who inject drugs are at high risk because they can inject HIV directly into their blood stream. But there are certain steps they can take to reduce this risk:
Take drugs orally (i.e. change from injecting to non-injecting drug use).
Do not re-use or use the same needles, syringes, water or drug-preparation equipment with other people.
Use [...]
- October 28, 2008
- What is the risk of getting HIV from sharing razors with a person living with HIV?
Any kind of cut using a non-sterile object, such as a razor or knife, can transmit HIV. Sharing razors, knives or other sharp instruments with anyone is not advised, unless they are fully sterilized after each use.
- October 28, 2008
- Does standing on your head after sex increase your chances of becoming pregnant?
Getting pregnant can be tricky business for some. As couples are trying to conceive at older ages, the process has become more regimented, mechanical, and scientific. Temperatures are taken, ovulation kits are scattered across the bedroom, and books and books are piled on the bedside table. It’s a miracle that there is even time for [...]
- October 27, 2008
- What are the cancer symptoms?
Since prevention is one of the most important cancer-fighting tools, it is important that cancer be detected as early as possible before it spreads.
Telltale Signs of Cancer include: A lump or thickening in the breast or testicles; a change in a wart or mole; a skin sore or a persistent sore throat that doesn’t heal; [...]
- October 27, 2008
- You can get HIV AIDS from kissing?
You can get HIV AIDS from kissing?
Answer: No. HIV AIDS is acquired by unprotected sex, blood transfusion, exchange of needles. It is not also true that you get the disease from swimming in the pool.
- October 27, 2008
- You can get sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from toilet seats?
You can get sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from toilet seats?
Answer: No. Most organisms that cause STD’s will not survive for long on a toilet seat. Viruses such as those that causes herpes and hepatitis can survive, but a woman would have to make genital contact with the seat to become infected.
- October 27, 2008
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women?
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women?
Answer: No. Heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than 500,000 women each year compared to 43,000 for breast cancer. Many doctors say that women fear breast cancer more than heart disease.
- October 27, 2008
- Only ageing people suffer from heart disease?
Only ageing people suffer from heart disease?
Answer: No. It appears to be more prevalent among women aged 29-30 having a Metabolic syndrome (a condition indicated by too much weight around the mid-section, insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure).
- October 27, 2008
- You must get pap smear only when you reach 40?
You must get pap smear only when you reach 40?
Answer: No. Beginning 18 (or earlier if you are sexually active) you should have a yearly pap smear as a routine part of your health. Even if you are not sexually active, a pap smear provides very important information about the health of your reproductive system [...]
- October 27, 2008
- Breast self examination should be done each month during your period?
Breast self examination should be done each month during your period?
Answer: No. Your breasts change slightly each month in reaction to hormone levels during menstruations. The best time to examine tour breast is a day or two after your period ends.
- October 27, 2008
- When you feel a lump in your breast is it cancer?
When you feel a lump in your breast is it cancer?
Answer: No. Do not panic! This is a cause of great anxiety for many women when they start doing breast exams (see below diagram). Normal breast tissue can feel somewhat lumpy and uneven. The key is to get a feel for your breasts then notice [...]
- October 27, 2008
- All women ovulate on day 14 of their cycle?
All women ovulate on day 14 of their cycle?
Answer: No. Most women ovulate 14 days BEFORE they begin bleeding, rather than 14 days into their cycle. But every woman is different and you may ovulate sooner or later depending on health, stress, travel or other disruptions in your routine.
- October 27, 2008
- You can get pregnant as a result of sex during your period?
You can get pregnant as a result of sex during your period?
Answer: Yes. Ovulation doesn’t necessarily happen at the exact same time each time pregnancy can result if you have vagina-penile intercourse during your period and you ovulate very early your cycle.
- October 27, 2008
- All women’s normal menstrual cycle is 28 days?
All women’s normal menstrual cycle is 28 days?
Answer: No. A healthy menstrual cycle may vary from 21-35 days, and may vary within individuals.
- October 27, 2008
- Does male circumcision prevent HIV transmission?
Recent studies suggest that male circumcision can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV though sex. However, it is not 100% effective and circumcised men can still become infected. In addition, HIV-positive men who are circumcised can infect their sexual partners. Male circumcision should not replace other known methods of prevention, but be always considered as [...]
- October 27, 2008
- Can I have more than one STI at a time?
Yes, you can have more than one STI at the same time. Each infection requires its own treatment. You cannot become immune to STIs. You can catch the same infection over and over again. Many men and women do not see or feel any early symptoms when they first become infected with an STI, however, [...]
- October 27, 2008
- Can I tell someone has HIV just by looking at them?
No, you cannot tell if someone has HIV by just looking at them. A person infected with HIV may look healthy and feel good, but they can still pass the virus to you. A blood test is the only way a person can find out if he or she is infected with HIV.
- October 27, 2008
- Does HIV only affect men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs?
No. Anyone who has unprotected sex, uses un-sterilized injecting equipment, or has a transfusion with contaminated blood can become infected with HIV. Infants can be infected with HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, during labour or after delivery through breastfeeding. Worldwide, 90% of HIV cases are the result of sexual transmission, and 60–70% of HIV [...]
- October 27, 2008
- What is PEP?
Antiretroviral drugs can be prescribed within 72 hours of exposure to potentially HIV-infected blood or body fluids to prevent HIV sero conversion. This is called “post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection” (HIV-PEP). However HIV-PEP is not 100% effective, even when started very shortly after exposure, so it is vitally important to try to take every measure [...]
- October 27, 2008
- What should you do if you think you have exposed yourself to HIV?
If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, you should get immediately seek help from your local health authority to receive counselling and testing for HIV. You should take precautions to prevent transmitting HIV to others in case you are infected with HIV.
- October 27, 2008
- How can health-care workers help to prevent transmission in health-care settings?
Health-care workers should follow Universal Precautions which are infection-control guidelines developed to protect health workers and their patients from exposure to diseases spread by blood and certain body fluids.
Universal Precautions include:Careful handling and disposal of ’sharps’ (items that could cause cuts or puncture wounds, including needles, hypodermic needles, scalpel and other blades, knives, infusion sets, [...]
- October 27, 2008
- How can mother-to-child HIV transmission be prevented?
Transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her child can occur during pregnancy, during labour or after delivery through breastfeeding. The risk of mother-to-child transmission can be reduced by the following:
Treatment with antiretroviral drugs
Caesarian section
Avoiding breastfeeding, but only when replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe. If not, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended [...]
- October 27, 2008
- Is it safe for two HIV-positive individuals to engage in unprotected sex exclusively with each other?
No, it is not safe for two HIV-positive individuals to have unprotected sex with each other as re-infection with other types of HIV and the transmission of other STIs can occur. Use of condoms always is advised, even when both partners are HIV-positive.
