TheState.com: Health and Fitness

Local health news, May 16

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:14 EDT

Charity walks fill weekend calendar

Charity walk traffic jams occur several times each year in the Midlands, and Saturday is one of those days.

There’s a National Alliance on Mental Illness walk on the Cayce-West Columbia Riverwalk, an autism-awareness walk at Finlay Park and a cystic fibrosis walk at Saluda Shoals Park, all starting at 9 a.m.

Here are the details:

• The NAMI Mid-Carolina chapter’s annual 5K walk begins at the West Columbia amphitheater. Register at www.midcarolinanamiwalks.org or call (803) 206-2916 for more information. NAMI Mid-Carolina offers free mental health programs and support services.

Eaten alive: Hilton Head man recovers from flesh-eating infection

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:18 EDT

By most accounts, Barry Ginn should be dead. Fortunately, the Hilton Head Island resident has several guardian angels watching out for him.

Ginn survived a rare bacterial infection that attacks soft tissue and muscle, often leading to amputation and, in some cases, death.

In February, Ginn had severe pain in his shoulder and a fever. He thought he had torn his rotator cuff again and went to the doctor.

Instead, he learned — nearly too late — that bacteria was ravaging his body, eating him from the inside out.

To save him, three doctors removed most of Ginn’s upper shoulder and a large portion of his upper arm. He underwent nine surgeries in four days.

New blood-tracking system working in SC hospitals

Tue, 08 May 2012 06:39 EDT

When you’re in the hospital, a worker taking a sample of your blood must double-check it against nine- or 10-digit numbers.

The numbers can start running together in even the sharpest mind. It’s a mistake waiting to happen, and mislabeling of blood samples does happen, way too often.

But a new procedure called The Final Check has produced incredibly promising results in several South Carolina hospitals. When the labels are put on the blood vial at bedside, the person taking the blood checks the last three numbers on the patient’s medical records bracelet against the last three numbers on the vial’s label, saying each number out loud.

If the numbers don’t match, the sample is destroyed and everyone in the blood labeling and storage process is notified immediately to prevent further complications.

Sounds simple, and it’s simply effective.

Grade-schoolers enthusiastically belly up to the bar, salad bar that is

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:07 EDT

The pint-sized ambassadors of lettuce pronounced the new salad bar at Satchel Ford Elementary School “delicious” and “cool.”

At least one in this enthusiastic cafeteria crowd Tuesday even promised to “make people love salad, one noggin at a time.”

But, psst, it won’t be that easy, given that the previous salad offerings — pre-packaged, sour-smelling and with the occasional chunk of ice nestled alongside the greens — “used to be gross,” confided third-grader Ellie Hedgepath, 9. “It was just a sour taste,” said fifth-grader Ruth Emmon Tyson, 10, wrinkling her nose at the memory of the school’s former salad days.

But the new bar unveiled Tuesday — part of a childhood obesity awareness effort sponsored by HBO, Whole Kids Foundation and GLOBALTAP — ignited a wave of enthusiasm among students, who stocked plates not only with lettuce but kid-friendly orange slices, cherry tomatoes and other fixings.

“The only salad I’ve liked before was Caesar’s salad,” said fourth-grader Bernie McIlnay, 9, “but I like this salad.”

Local health news

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:04 EDT

Another SC-based program helps patients improve their health and record fewer hospital admissions during the first year of a new health care model.

Medical home successes adding up

With each new test effort, the effectiveness of patient-centered medical homes gains more evidence.

The latest results come from Mackey Family Practice in Lancaster and Indian Land, where once again patients improved their health and had fewer hospital admissions during the first year of the new health care model.

A patient-centered medical home puts the primary care provider in charge of coordinating all services. Those include checkups, tests, referrals to other providers and follow-up for urgent care, emergency services and hospitalizations. The goal is to ensure that all of the patients’ problems are addressed in a cost-effective manner.

12 tips for kicking the refined sugar habit

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:04 EDT

There has been even more information in the news lately about how bad sugar is for you. Dr. Sanjay Gupta was interviewed by “60 Minutes,” along with several other experts, who linked sugar consumption to everything from the obvious (such as weight gain) to serious diseases like cancer and heart disease.

I don’t know of anyone who thinks that sugar is actually good for you, yet we average 130 pounds of sugar per person per year in the U.S. The question is, why do we eat sugary foods and drinks when we know it’s bad for us? One researcher said the desire for fructose is wired into us because in nature, anything with fructose in it isn’t poisonous. Another researcher demonstrated with MRI scans how your brain releases dopamine when you eat something sweet. Your body rewards you when you eat sugar by making you feel good.

But because of both its addicting properties and that it’s in almost everything in the store, sugar — and corn syrup and other forms of sugar — can be hard to leave behind.

But it’s more than possible. Here are some tips if you’d like to explore that possibility.

1. Get properly motivated

Lifestyle changes may keep cancer from returning

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:10 EDT

A cancer diagnosis often inspires people to exercise and eat healthier. Now the experts say there’s strong evidence that both habits may help prevent the disease from coming back.

New guidelines issued Thursday by the American Cancer Society urge doctors to talk to their cancer patients about eating right, exercising and slimming down if they’re too heavy.

That’s not something most doctors do, said Dr. Omer Kucuk, an Emory University oncologist who has researched the effect of nutrition on prostate cancer. They’re focused on surgery, chemotherapy or other treatments for their patients, he added.

“Usually the last thing on their mind is to talk about diet and exercise,” Kucuk said.

Cancer society officials have long encouraged healthy eating and exercise as a way to prevent certain cancers. They and others have tried to spread that gospel to cancer survivors as well. Indeed, the cancer society has a certification program for fitness professionals who work with cancer survivors.

SC House panel OKs educating parents on HPV

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:00 EDT

A House panel has advanced a plan to encourage S.C. parents to get their middle school children vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cancer.

Tuesday, the House’s full Medical, Military and Municipal Affairs Committee approved a bill requiring the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control to provide educational brochures about the human papillomavirus, known as HPV, to parents of male and female students entering the seventh grade.

In the brochures, parents would be encouraged – but not required – to take their students to a physician for a series of vaccines that can prevent the virus. The vaccine is covered by some private insurance plans, the state’s insurance plan as well as through a federal program that covers children insured through Medicaid.

“There is a growing need for this type of prevention,” said Rep. Terry Alexander, D-Florence, during Tuesday’s meeting. “It’s cheaper to prevent than to (care for) someone who has this particular disease.”

HPV is the nation’s most common sexually transmitted infection, which most sexually active people will get at some time in their lives, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus, which can have no outward symptoms, is a leading cause of cervical cancer.

S.C. political briefs: HPV bill moves forward

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:26 EDT

Bill would offer free cervical cancer vaccine

Seventh-grade students in South Carolina could get a free vaccine to prevent a sexually transmitted, cancer-causing virus under a bill advanced Thursday by a House panel.

The measure provides the option to students who are entering the seventh grade. Informational brochures on the vaccine for human papillomavirus, known as HPV, would be provided to parents of sixth-graders.

State Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Bamberg, said his bill is about saving lives and money. The cost of providing the vaccine would be far less than taxpayers paying later through Medicaid and emergency room visits to treat cervical cancer, he said. “We save ourselves so much money in the long run.”

Similar legislation received a walloping in the House in 2007. It required girls entering seventh grade in public and private schools to get the vaccine, unless parents signed a form opting out. Following a campaign against it led by the S.C. Baptist Association and a group that advocates abstinence, the main sponsor moved to kill her own bill, and it was defeated unanimously.

Justices split on health care law

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:53 EDT

A clearly divided Supreme Court cast serious doubts on the Obama administration’s signature health care law Tuesday, emboldening the Republicans who now are eagerly campaigning to kill it.

Audio: Hear audio from this week's arguments before the court

Day 1:

Day 2:

Transcripts: Read the arguments

Sex-changing treatment for kids on the rise

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:37 EST

A small but growing number of teens and even younger children who think they were born the wrong sex are getting support from parents and from doctors who give them sex-changing treatments, according to reports in the medical journal Pediatrics.

It’s an issue that raises ethical questions, and some experts urge caution in treating children with puberty-blocking drugs and hormones.

An 8-year-old second-grader in Los Angeles is a typical patient. Born a girl, the child announced at 18 months, “I a boy” and has stuck with that belief. The family was shocked but now refers to the child as a boy and is watching for the first signs of puberty to begin treatment, his mother told The Associated Press.

Pediatricians need to know these kids exist and deserve treatment, said Dr. Norman Spack, author of one of three reports published Monday and director of one of the nation’s first gender identity medical clinics, at Children’s Hospital Boston.

“If you open the doors, these are the kids who come. They’re out there. They’re in your practices,” Spack said in an interview.

House votes to drop words 'mentally retarded' from state law

Tue, 24 May 2011 13:17 EDT

South Carolina is one step closer to becoming more politically correct.

S.C. House members Tuesday approved a measure, by a 110-0 vote, to replace the term "mentally retarded" with "persons with intellectual disability" in state code.

The bill already has passed the state Senate. After one more procedural vote in the House, it heads to Gov. Nikki Haley's desk for her signature or veto.

Shaw hosting family expo

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:33 EDT

Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter will host a family wellness and resiliency expo from 3-7 p.m. Friday at its Airman and Family Readiness Center.

The expo will create a wellness plan for families of military personnel who are being deployed, and show which agencies can provide assistance during extended deployments. The expo will help participants deal with such subjects as parenting and support groups.

The event is open to all Shaw active-duty, Guard and reserve service members as well as Department of Defense civilians and retired members and their families.

Special guests include Keisha Bolden, department of employment workforce representative, the Highhills Elementary school choir and many other representatives from base and local agencies.

Jeff Wilkinson

Weight loss show filming in Hilton Head

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:06 EDT

A TV series set to run on the A&E Network that follows individuals struggling with weight problems has started filming at Hilton Head Health, a weight loss treatment center.

The show’s working title is "I’m Heavy" and will chronicle participants through a six-month weight-loss program, then track their results as they return to their jobs and families, said Emily Spitale, publicity director for the network.

It is scheduled to premiere in 2011.

Health Calendar: Jan. 19, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:11 EST

BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED

The recent cold weather, coming on the heels of the holiday season, has left the state's blood supply drastically low, according to the American Red Cross.

Type O negative and type B negative blood supplies have dropped to emergency levels. And donations of all blood types are needed, the Red Cross says.

To help, call the Red Cross at (800) 448-3543 or go to http://redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood at your nearest donation center.

SHINGLES VACCINATION

FAQ, resources on Midlands swine flu vaccines

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:37 EST

Parents in most Midland school districts already have received permission forms for in-school swine flu inoculations Here are some frequently asked questions about the vaccine, flu clinics and progress in various school districts: Check back for daily updates. If you have a question, share in the comment section below, and we’ll try to find an answer.

Where can I get a swine flu vaccine?

First, check with your healthcare provider to see if they have vaccine available and plan to offer shots or mist vaccine to their patients. They are probably your most convenient option.

If that doesn’t work, try searching online. The first stop for public clinics is scdhec.gov/flu/clinics.asp. As of Monday, no public clinics in Richland or Lexington were offering H1N1, or swine flu, shots for the public. The Kershaw and Sumter county clinics are offering swine flu shots for high-risk groups — pregnant women, healthcare workers, anyone age 6 months through 25 years, people ages 25-64 with underlying health problems such as asthma or diabetes and anyone who cares for children younger than 6 months. Call (866) 411-5767 to reserve a time slot at the Kershaw or Sumter clinics.

Another Web site that compiles local vaccine clinic information is thecarolinascenter.org/fcf. The only place listed locally with vaccine available is Reliant Hospice in Columbia. They only have the swine flu mist, but they are expecting to be able to offer shots soon. Call (803) 798-1102 for information.

Swine flu vaccinations in schools, by the numbers

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:22 EST

More schoolchildren in the Midlands are opting to get the swine flu vaccine than state health officials predicted, a sampling from the first two weeks of shots shows.

The percentages, mostly from elementary schools, could change as middle and high schools get their chances in local districts.

District 5 of Lexington and Richland counties began its vaccinations this week. Richland 1 is expected to start soon, and Lexington 3 has delayed its shots until Dec. 1 because of vaccine is in short supply.

As the massive statewide effort rolls on, here are a few numbers to consider:

Number of students in S.C. public schools: More than 700,000

S.C. swine-flu status less severe than other states'

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:06 EDT

South Carolina is one of only two states where the swine flu outbreak isn't considered widespread, but that doesn't mean we're in much better shape than the other states.

The virus outbreak in South Carolina is considered regional, the next-to-worst classification, and the numbers of flulike illnesses in some areas of the state are still above the national average. (Hawaii is the other state in regional status, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

State-by-state numbers used in the national H1N1 report don't provide an apples-to-apples comparison. South Carolina takes a somewhat conservative approach to interpreting data from doctors' practices and emergency rooms, said state epidemiologist Dr. Jerry Gibson.

The federal classification is based on reports from eight health regions in South Carolina. Fewer people are showing up at doctors' offices with flulike symptoms in some areas, especially the Upstate and Savannah River regions. That outweighs the high incidence of flulike symptoms in the Midlands and along the coast.

With a few tweaks in the way the state is divided into regions, South Carolina could be back in the widespread category. Even without those tweaks, a few more people showing up at doctors' offices rather than staying home with flu symptoms could change the state's status.

Schools work on flu shot plans

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:50 EDT

Local districts are fine-tuning plans to offer swine flu inoculations in public schools, and students could begin bringing home information letters and permission forms in the next two weeks, district officials said.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is beginning to stockpile vaccine - both injectable and the nasal mist - for use in schools, according to spokesman Thom Berry. But the launch date for the school vaccine program - once optimistically set at Oct. 26 - could be pushed back.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that production of the vaccine is running about 25 percent behind projections, in part because of efforts to ensure the safety of the product.

Local districts say the more realistic starting dates would be either Nov. 2 or Nov. 9.

With some vaccine already arriving at county health centers and private physician practices, parents have to decide whether to rush to get their children shots at one of those locations or wait for the convenience of the school programs.

Doctors urge calm after student's death

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:07 EDT

It was, as Laurence Manning Academy headmaster Spencer Jordan said, "the worst phone call that anyone can ever receive."

After closing his Clarendon County school for the week Wednesday because so many children were absent with flu symptoms, Jordan learned one of his students - fifth-grader Ashlie Pipkin - had died en route to a Columbia hospital. She had been diagnosed Tuesday with pneumonia at Sumter's Tuomey Regional Medical Center, and a rapid test had indicated she had the flu.

"It was the most sickening and heartfelt sorrow I've ever felt in my life. My heart goes out to her family," Jordan said Thursday, after visiting with Ashlie's family in Sumter County.

Parents and coaches expressed shock and sadness Thursday at the death of the vibrant 11-year-old, a standout on the softball field. But medical professionals are urging parents to remain calm, stressing the H1N1 flu is not a great threat to otherwise healthy children.

"That case (Wednesday) was very unusual. ... She did have some underlying asthma issues, and that put her at higher risk for complications," said Dr. Anna-Kathryn Rye, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Palmetto Health Richland.

Three good ways to find support

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:21 EST

We all need support, particularly when we are ill, suffering a loss or lonely. Having a support system is crucial. Here’s how to build one:

■Reach out to neighbors and others in your community. ■Join a club. ■Find a place of worship that nurtures your heart and soul.

Keeping the ski beat

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:18 EST

KACTUSBUNCH HEADPHONE BEANIE

$40, store.burton.com

Rad music is probably the only thing that could make a good day of skiing or boarding better. And think of the playlist opportunities. You could play “Wipe Out” whenever you wipe out or “State Trooper” when the ski patrol is on your tail for some heinous choice you and your friend made.

Choose cabbage to lower your cancer risk

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:24 EST

When it comes to cabbage, think pink. Cabbage contains indoles, a chemical that can rid the body of excess estrogen, lowering a woman’s risk for breast cancer. In ancient cultures, cabbage was considered a medicine. More recently the National Cancer Institute has found that consuming cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage, may prevent a variety of cancers.

Podcast to listen to: “Fitness Rocks”

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:19 EST

Podcast to listen to: “Fitness Rocks,” Link: fitnessrocks.org

Although its title implies “fitness tips,” this show really delves into wellness and prevention issues.

Here’s a doctor, Monte Ladner, we all can relate to. He takes oftenconfusing medical and fitness research and makes sense of it.

But we would like to have heard more from Ladner’s interview with a psychologist speaking on job stress. The podcast seems kind of slapped together, as if the doc had another job. Oh, you mean he does?

Warm hands, good run

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:25 EST

For years runners braving the cold had to make do with gloves designed for skiing, hiking or general cold weather use.

But for the past few years, running-shoe makers have ramped up production of runningspecific gloves that warm hands at the cold start of a run and attempt to adapt as hands heat up a few miles later.

“We found that the No. 1 thing a runner wants in the winter is warm, dry hands,” said Lou Fliszar, vice president of sales for Manzella, a maker of sports gloves.

Company research led to a line of running gloves made of materials that Manzella claims will wick water and block wind.

Handy camping stove

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:01 EST

Primus Etapower Stove, $75, www.sierratradingpost.com.

This is a stove that bridges the gap between car camping and backpacking.

The stove nests into the pot and the lid works as a frying pan.

It comes with a case to keep it all together and to separate cooking items from other gear.

It runs on isobutane/propane canisters.

RECIPE: Hot cocoa comfort

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:06 EST

Is there joy in a steaming cup of hot cocoa made with chocolate soy milk? Try this recipe.

Healthy hot cocoa

4 servings
2 cups light chocolate soy milk
2 cups water
3 tablespoons Swiss mocha coffee drink mix
1 teaspoon vanilla
Marshmallows or a dollop of whipped cream
(optional garnishes)

Combine milk and water in medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until mixture is very hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and stir in coffee drink mix and vanilla. Ladle into mugs and serve warm with marshmallows and whipped cream, if desired.

Per serving: 108 calories (11 percent from fat), 1 gram total fat (no saturated fat), no cholesterol, 21 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams protein, 86 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber.

KANSAS CITY STAR

How to practice deep breathing

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:11 EST

DEEP BREATHING is a great way for many people to relax, therapists say. Here are some techniques to help you get started:

Get in position. Try sitting up straight, with your back well supported and your shoulders relaxed, or lying on a comfortable surface.

Position your hands. If you’re a beginner, place one hand on your chest and one on your stomach to help check if you are breathing correctly. Later, you may want to rest your hands on your knees.

Breathe in through your nose. Take a deep breath, aiming to fill up your stomach like a balloon. Your chest should expand only slightly. Breathe out through your mouth. Pause for a few seconds before gradually letting your stomach deflate. Some people like to count to five or 10 as they exhale.

Don’t overdo it. Stop deep breathing if you feel dizzy, nauseous or develop a headache. You may want to start with just five or 10 breaths per session, or a minute or two total. Eventually, many people like to spend about 10 or 20 minutes on the exercise.

Finding the right hiking boot

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:08 EST

Not all hiking boots are the same.

And finding boots designed for a specific type of hiking can go a long way toward making the experience pleasurable.

Here are some brief guidelines to the types of hiking boots available.

Trail shoes: Made for hiking in dry weather and on well-established paths. High quality trail shoes are best suited for day-hikes and carrying a light day pack.

Trail hikers: Designed for sturdiness, trail hikers are good for tackling inclines and muddy paths. Higher-cut waterproof boots offer further support and protection from unexpected surprises on a trail, such as protruding limbs and rocks.

Online Adventure site of the week: Dirtbag Diaries

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:02 EST

(www.dirtbagdiaries.com)

When Fitz Cahall found himself lost and despondent, he turned to stories to soothe his savage breast — stories of the road, of people who defied the odds, of extreme sports and extreme individuals.

Interspersed with the vignettes are musical interludes featuring obscure — but well-chosen — licks from alternative bands.

Getting organized for the holidays

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:15 EST

Braving the malls between now and the New Year can be a true test of strength and endurance that can drain both your physical and mental health.

With the current state of the economy, your bank account is probably already drained.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends you create and stick to a realistic budget.

Include the cost of holiday travel, wrappings, postage, decorations and anything relating to the holiday season that costs money in the budget.

Start by sitting down in the comfort of your own home and listing all the people you need to get gifts for along with a few ideas for possible presents.

Divorced? How to help yourself through holidays

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:04 EST

You've read the headlines "Suicide rate higher among the divorced" and "More depression during the holidays" suggesting that the holidays are a difficult time for the divorced. Maybe.

But no one is immune to the stress of holiday shopping, gift wrapping, food preparation and 48 people in your house. Who wouldn't reach for a little eggnog? Why are the holidays a problem? There are at least three problems with the holidays that make this a difficult time for everyone:

-- Expectations.

People begin before November to plan for the Christmas holidays and to anticipate who will be where. A lot of planning, and often money, go into the anticipated celebration and "it better be perfect" (we think) since a lot of trouble has gone into the preparation.

-- Exhaustion.

Raleigh boy may have died during ‘choking game'

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:39 EST

RALEIGH -- It's called a game, but Kris Marceno's apparent attempt to get high by choking himself ended up deadly.

The Enloe High School sophomore, 15, died at his home on Nov. 2 from accidental asphyxiation, his family said.

His death has schools, churches and communities talking about the “choking game.”

In the “choking game,” some children and young teens choke themselves or each other to experience the euphoric high that precedes blacking out, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC has identified at least 82 “choking game” fatalities nationwide between 1995 and 2007. Three N.C. youths are believed to have died from the practice 2000 through 2007, according to state medical examiner records.

Not all exercises are designed with women in mind

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:29 EST

IF YOU HATE SIT-UPS, you’re in luck.

They’re one of the top five exercises women should completely avoid, says personal trainer Kristal Richardson. The other ones to avoid are the ones you’re doing wrong, says Richardson, a Bloomington, Ill., native and “professional figure competitor” — a division of bodybuilding that emphasizes tone, symmetry and lean muscle.

So while women can tackle the same workouts as men, their joints are generally looser than a man’s and “poor form and too much weight can lead to stiff joints or even damage.”

Here are five exercises that Richardson says women should avoid.

1. Don’t do sit-ups: Richardson says that if you lock your hands behind your head, it can cause a torque in the spine, which ultimately leads to neck pain. Remember sit-ups are different from “crunches.” When you do a sit-up, you bring your torso up 90 degrees, so that your back is off the floor. A crunch has a limited range of motion; you raise your torso about 45 degrees and your lower back will still be on the floor. Instead, try bicycle crunches, which are considered one of the most effective abdominal workouts. Lie on your back, place your hands next to your ears and start a pedaling motion with your legs, lifting the left shoulder to the right knee and vice versa. Try three sets of 10.

Eggs-actly what you need

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:39 EDT

LIKE HUMPTY DUMPTY, THE common egg has had a great fall.

And, despite their best efforts, nutrition experts are having a hard time putting the “incredible, edible egg” back together again.

In the 1940s, egg consumption in the United States reached a high of more than 400 per person per year. By the early 1990s, consumption had fallen to 235, and a lot of those eggs were hidden in cakes, cookies and other prepared baked goods and packaged products, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The primary reason? Scientific studies in the early 1970s linked high cholesterol to heart disease. Now experts are urging us to reconsider the egg.

“Thirty years of research has never linked eggs to heart disease,” says Neva Cochran, a nutrition communications consultant and columnist for Women’s World and Maximum Fitness magazines.

Just Jump!

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:18 EST

Whether you want to train like an athlete or just get in shape, there’s a very efficient and inexpensive way to do it: the jump-rope.

Using the adult’s version of this kid’s toy is conditioning perfection, says Andy Walshe, who advises athletes sponsored by Red Bull energy drink. “Jumping rope is a complete and total workout. It’s a quick and easy way to increase your cardiovascular fitness. It works your arms, shoulders, upper and lower body, plus gives strong training in your timing and coordination.” Before joining Red Bull, Walshe worked with U.S. ski and snowboard team champs like Shaun White, Bode Miller and Ted Ligety for a decade as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. The athletes he works with are often on the road competing, and the jump-rope is something he highly recommends.

“It can be done anywhere. It’s great for travelers. The jump-rope provides a really dynamic workout that can be tailored for the most beginning beginner to the most advanced athlete,” Walshe says. He advises starting with the basics: Begin by taking off and landing with both feet, one jump for each revolution of the rope, and don’t try to jump for an extended period of time. “Break it up with stretching and walking, so you allow the body to adapt to what it’s trying to do,” Walshe says.

Once you master the basics, your first goal should be to increase the number of jumps you do in a time period. Athletes using the jump-rope for training should strive to be able to jump for about 20 minutes at an easy, relaxed pace. The progression in jump-rope workouts is simple, according to Walshe: “Start slow and work up to a higher level. When it gets easy, start increasing the physical difficulty of the jumps. For more advanced workouts, do one-legged jumps, hopping left leg, right leg, left leg, right leg. Then go to periods of single-leg jumping for one to two minutes, first on one leg, then the other. Then incorporate lateral jumps, when you jump left and right so that you’re landing at an angle, three feet apart from side to side (two feet for those who are smaller).”

With the rope, there is always another workout level. Run or jog while jumping. Lift your knees so you are doing high-knee, quick-feet jogging. Walshe also suggests spinning the rope backward, which is great conditioning for timing, and crossing your hands as the rope spins.

Poor S.C. women win drug-test case

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:54 EDT

Published on: 03/22/2001

Drug-testing pregnant women and giving the results to police without the women's consent is unconstitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The decision concludes an eight-year battle waged by 10 low-income South Carolina women.

The decision does not resolve the debate over what is the best way to handle pregnant drug-users: treatment or prosecution. But it does guarantee that all women - be they sober or drug users - are protected by the Fourth Amendment. That amendment forbids illegal searches and seizures without a warrant or the person's consent.

Furnishing tainted urine from pregnant drug users to police, to use as evidence, constitutes an illegal search, the court ruled. "I trusted these people," one plaintiff, Missy Nicholson, 39, of Charleston, said of hospital staff. "They just outright lied to me. It was so sneaky and underhanded."

Pregnant drug-users such as Nicholson, who sought prenatal care at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston between 1989 and 1994, had their urine used as evidence against them without either a warrant or their consent. Attorney General Charlie Condon was Charleston County solicitor at the time and devised the policy. He now is running for governor.