Don't drink water in plastic bottles left in cars

On the Ellen show, Sheryl Crow said that this is what caused her breast cancer. 

It has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels of dioxin in breast cancer tissue..

Sheryl Crow's oncologist told her: women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
The heat reacts with the chemicals in the plastic of the bottle which releases dioxin into the water. Dioxin is a toxin increasingly found in breast cancer tissue.
So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.

Pass this on to all the women in your life. This information is the kind we need to know that just might save us!
Use a stainless steel canteen or a glass bottle instead of plastic!

LET EVERYONE WHO HAS A WIFE / GIRLFRIEND / DAUGHTER KNOW PLEASE!

This information is also being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center ...
No plastic containers in microwaves.
No plastic water bottles in freezers.
No plastic wrap in microwaves.

Dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.
Dioxins are highly poisonous to cells in our bodies.
Don't freeze plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.
Recently the Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating food in the microwave using plastic containers.....
This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastic releases dioxin into the food.

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same result, but without the dioxin..
So, such things as TV dinners, instant soups, etc., should be removed from their containers and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's safer to use tempered glass, such as Pyrex, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the styrene foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons....

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Cling film, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave.
As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food.
Cover food with a paper towel instead.

Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep

You're not doomed to toss and turn every night. Consider simple tips for better sleep, from setting a sleep schedule to including physical activity in your daily routine.

By Mayo Clinic staff Feeling crabby lately? Or simply worn out? Perhaps the solution is better sleep.
Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night's sleep — from pressure at work and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as layoffs, relationship issues or illnesses. It's no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.
Although you might not be able to control all of the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep. Start with these simple sleep tips.

No. 1: Stick to a sleep schedule

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night. There's a caveat, though. If you don't fall asleep within about 15 minutes, get up and do something relaxing. Go back to bed when you're tired. If you agonize over falling asleep, you might find it even tougher to nod off.

No. 2: Pay attention to what you eat and drink

Don't go to bed either hungry or stuffed. Your discomfort might keep you up. Also limit how much you drink before bed, to prevent disruptive middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet.
Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too. The stimulating effects of nicotine and caffeine — which take hours to wear off — can wreak havoc with quality sleep. And even though alcohol might make you feel sleepy at first, it can disrupt sleep later in the night.

No. 3: Create a bedtime ritual

Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music — preferably with the lights dimmed. Relaxing activities can promote better sleep by easing the transition between wakefulness and drowsiness.
Be wary of using the TV or other electronic devices as part of your bedtime ritual. Some research suggests that screen time or other media use before bedtime interferes with sleep.

No. 4: Get comfortable

Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.
Your mattress and pillow can contribute to better sleep, too. Since the features of good bedding are subjective, choose what feels most comfortable to you. If you share your bed, make sure there's enough room for two. If you have children or pets, set limits on how often they sleep with you — or insist on separate sleeping quarters.

No. 5: Limit daytime naps

Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep — especially if you're struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality at night. If you choose to nap during the day, limit yourself to about 10 to 30 minutes and make it during the midafternoon.
If you work nights, you'll need to make an exception to the rules about daytime sleeping. In this case, keep your window coverings closed so that sunlight — which adjusts your internal clock — doesn't interrupt your daytime sleep.

No. 6: Include physical activity in your daily routine

Regular physical activity can promote better sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and to enjoy deeper sleep. Timing is important, though. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you might be too energized to fall asleep. If this seems to be an issue for you, exercise earlier in the day.

No. 7: Manage stress

When you have too much to do — and too much to think about — your sleep is likely to suffer. To help restore peace to your life, consider healthy ways to manage stress. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Give yourself permission to take a break when you need one. Share a good laugh with an old friend. Before bed, jot down what's on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

Know when to contact your doctor

Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep/HQ01387/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Eye injury: Tips to protect vision

An eye injury can damage vision and cause blindness. Find out how to prevent eye injuries at home and at work.

By Mayo Clinic staff An eye injury can happen just about anywhere — in the kitchen, on the job or even at the playground. All it takes is a flying champagne cork or a shooting rubber band. Take simple steps to reduce the risk of an eye injury and understand when to see a doctor.

What can you do to prevent an eye injury?

To prevent an eye injury, follow these safety tips:

• Wear protective eyewear during risky activities. Wear safety glasses with side shields anytime you might be exposed to flying particles, objects or dust. Wear goggles when exposed to chemicals — even if you're just a bystander. Protective eyewear counts during sports, too. Any sport featuring a ball, racket or flying object poses a potential risk of eye injury.
• Take caution with chemicals and cleaners. Carefully read the labels of chemicals and household cleaning supplies, such as bleach, before using them. Don't mix products. Keep all chemicals and sprays out of a child's reach.
• Supervise your child's use of tools. Pencils, scissors, forks and penknives can all cause serious eye injury. Keep in mind that common household items — such as paper clips, bungee cords, wire coat hangers, rubber bands and fishhooks — also can be dangerous.
• Avoid certain children's toys. Don't allow your child to play with nonpowder rifles, such as pellet guns or BB guns. Avoid projectile toys, such as darts, bows and arrows, and missile-firing toys.
• Be careful when cooking or using hot objects. Use grease shields to prevent the splattering of hot grease or oil. Avoid using a curling iron near your eyes.
• Eliminate hazards that may cause falls. Secure rugs and railings. Consider covering sharp furniture edges and corners with a cushioning material, especially if a child or elderly adult lives in your home.
• Forgo backyard fireworks. Leave fireworks to trained professionals.
• Take caution when opening a champagne bottle. Don't shake the bottle. Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and any bystanders. Firmly place your palm over the cork while removing the wire hood. Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle, grasp the cork and slowly twist the bottle until the cork is almost out of the neck. To prevent the cork from being discharged like a missile, maintain slight downward pressure on the cork just as it comes out of the bottle.
• Use car seats. Make sure your child is properly secured in a car seat and that the seat belt or shoulder belt fits tightly. Don't allow a child age 12 or younger to ride in the front seat. Store loose items in your trunk or secure them to the floor of your vehicle.

What are the signs and symptoms of an eye injury?

It's not always easy to identify an eye injury — especially in a child. Seek medical care immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms:

• Obvious pain or trouble seeing
• A cut or torn eyelid
• One eye not moving as well as the other eye
• One eye sticking out or seeming more prominent compared with the other
• An unusual pupil size or shape
• Blood in the white part of the eye
• An object on the eye or under the eyelid that can't easily be removed

What can you do if an eye injury occurs?

When an eye injury occurs, seek medical help from an ophthalmologist or another doctor as soon as possible — even if the injury seems minor. Delaying care could lead to permanent vision loss or blindness. In addition, take simple steps to prevent further damage. For example:

• Don't touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye
• Don't try to remove an object that appears stuck on the surface of the eye or an object that appears to have penetrated the eye
• Don't apply ointment or medication to the eye
• Flush out any chemicals the eye has been exposed to with plenty of clean water
• Gently place a shield or gauze patch over the eye until you can get medical attention

An accident can happen in the blink of an eye. Being prepared — both through prevention and quick action in case of an emergency — can help keep you and your loved ones seeing clearly.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eye-injury/MY01614/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Myths about Vision and Eyeglasses

Myths are those stories that have evolved in response to the great questions that concerned people in distant ages, when human thought was not able to verify objective truth (Can J Ophthalmol 2007;42:455-9). Some myths are firmly embedded within human consciousness. Perhaps one of the most universal experiences of childhood involves parental admonishments warning of dire outcomes as a result of unacceptable behavior. Ocular admonishments are particularly prevalent with stick playing leading to "putting one's eye out," voluntary eye crossing becoming "permanently stuck," and reading in the dark "ruining your eyes." The notion that how we use our eyes will determine eventual refractive outcome has long been held a popular truism but dismissed as a scientific fact by many eye care professionals (Br J Ophthalmol. 2001;85:509-10).

Myths about Vision and Eyeglasses
  ● "Although eyeglasses makes you see better, they cause vision to get worse over time.
Eyeglasses will need to be constantly changed with higher powered one."
  ● "Don't wear your glasses so often, you need to exercise your eyes!"
  ● "Overuse of the Eye' or 'use of eye' makes vision worse"
  ● "Sitting Too Close to the TV Is Bad for Your Eyes"
  ● "Reading in the Dark Will Damage Your Eyes"
  ● "Eye exercises can improve vision"
  ● "Over the counter reading glasses hurt the eye"
  ● "Wearing contact lenses will prevent nearsightedness from getting worse"
  ● "Eating carrots can improve vision"
  ● "Using night light in infant rooms will make then nearsighted"

The Facts
Before you start wearing glasses, you are accustomed to seeing a blurry world around you. Since this is all you have seen ever - you accept it as normal. When your vision is corrected with eyeglasses you start seeing a clear world. Now when you remove your eyeglasses after wearing them for several months - you are presented with the same blurry world as before. You feel you were able to get around without wearing glasses before but now when you remove glasses you see all blurry and cannot get around. In reality it is your perception that has changed. Now you know the difference between clear vision and blurry vision and do not accept the blurry world.

Of course it is possible that your eye power may also have increased as you age - but this increase would have happened regardless of whether you wore the glasses or not. When children become nearsighted (myopic), usually between the ages of 8 and 12, there is a natural progression in their myopia and a need for a stronger correction over the next few years. These children, as well as nearsighted adults, may believe that glasses have weakened their eyes when their lens prescription needs to be made strong. Glasses, however, do not weaken eyes; they are simply aids to improve vision. People who have been able to read easily close up without glasses may find that they cannot do so as they get older (past 40). When they begin to need stronger and stronger glasses, they may assume that wearing glasses has "ruined" their eyes. In actuality, they are experiencing a normal condition called presbyopia - the inability of the aging eye to focus on near objects.

Using you eyes for any length of time does not make them weaker. You may get tired and may even get a headache with long reading hours, but these symptoms have nothing to do with eyes getting weaker. Sitting closer than necessary to the television may give you a headache, but it will not damage your vision. Modern TVs do not emit harmful radiation, so eye damage due to radiation is also not an issue. As with sitting too close to the television, you may get a headache from reading in the dark, but it will not weaken your sight.

Although reading in dim light is unwise because it may cause your eyes to feel tired or uncomfortable, it can't hurt your eyes. There really is very little you can do that will permanently damage your eyes. Similarly, reading small print or reading extensively cannot cause damage to the eyes. This is true even for people who already have poor vision. Although using computers will not damage your eyes, fatigue, eye strain or dry eye may occur with prolonged use. The eyes are meant to be used!

Any eyeglass or contact lens of the right prescription will help you see comfortably. Contact lenses have a cosmetic advantage - but they do not offer any beneficial effects like preventing nearsightedness from getting worse. Usually people over the age 40 need reading glasses. Over-the-counter reading glasses may be fine if they allow you to read comfortably. These reading glasses do not hurt your eyes. Taller people can stretch their hands further, so if you are 6 feet plus in height, you may be able to get by without reading glasses till late 40s by holding the reading materials further from the eye.
There are no eye exercises that will help your eyes see better or that will prevent the nearsightedness from getting worse.

More about Eye Exercises or Visual training
Self-directed eye exercise programs to improve vision have been promoted since at least 1912. The programs advocate eye exercises, muscle relaxation techniques, biofeedback, eye patches, or eye massages alone or in combinations and may also recommend using under-corrected prescription lenses and nutritional supplements.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology task force on complementary therapy performed an assessment of the effectiveness on eye exercises and visual training in reducing myopia. Their conclusions were: There is level I evidence that visual training for control of accommodation has no effect on myopia. In other studies (level II/III evidence), an improvement in subjective visual acuity for patients with myopia who have undertaken visual training has been shown but no corresponding physiological cause for the improvement has been demonstrated. The improvements in myopic patients noted in these studies have been postulated to be due to improvements in interpreting blurred images, changes in mood or motivation, creation of an artificial contact lens by tear film changes, or a pinhole effect from miosis of the pupil.

No evidence was found that visual training has any effect on the progression of myopia. No evidence was found that visual training improves visual function for patients with hyperopia or astigmatism. No evidence was found that visual training improves vision lost through disease processes such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy.

REFERENCES: AAO Report , J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2005;42:82-88.

Carrots won't improve eyesight for someone eating normal healthy food. However, carrots are rich in beta carotene, which is converted into Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is important in maintaining normal vision, and worldwide, Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of blindness. Therefore in the developing world, where deficiency of vitamin A is possible, eating carrots may be good advice.

Fluorescent lighting does not damage your eyes. This myth may have developed because the original fluorescent lights produced an annoying flicker. This flicker was harmless. The modern fluorescent lamp neither flickers nor causes harm to the eyes.

  ● In the May 13, 1999, issue of the highly respected medical journal Nature, a group from the University of Pennsylvania has raised the alarm that the use of a night light in the rooms of infants may be a factor in the development of myopia (near sightedness). This is a very controversial issue.

Most of us spent our formative years reading at bedtime with poor light, listening to our mothers tell us we were going to ruin our eyes. Was mother was right? "Is your nearsightedness (refractive status) determined by some genetically predetermined mechanism or does the visual environment influence this process?" This nature versus nurture question is currently the focus of myopia research. While "myopes tend to beget myopes" heredity is not destiny and other factors are at work in determining refractive state of the eye. For centuries, the correlation of near work and myopia has been characterized by vision researchers. Epidemiological surveys have shown that myopia is more prevalent in individuals who spend more time reading or performing close work than those who spend more time not using their eyes at near. Myopia has been correlated with the amount of school work and level of educational attainment (Br J Ophthalmol. 2001;85:509-10). The process continues into the third decade of life with graduate students, microscopists, and military conscripts becoming more myopic with more near work. Showing correlation of near work and environmental influences (reading in dark) with myopia is relatively simple and there are many anecdotal studies (as well as numerous personal experience stories) testifying to such a correlation. Proving causation is much more difficult. To better understand and study the effect of visual environment on the developing eye, research in animal models is underway. Overall it seems environmental factors do play a role - how much? - we do not know as of yet. Therefore, listening to mother regarding the ill effects of reading in the dark and excessive near work may not be such a bad idea even though the ill effects may not be as ominous as she may make them out to be.

Cataract Myths
  ● "Vision improves in older people as they gain second sight"
  ● "A cataract is a new growth inside the eye"
  ● "Cataract has to become 'ripe' before it can be removed"
  ● "Cataract is removed using lasers"

The Facts
The "second sight" refers to ability of a person to see better, usually up-close, as they age. The reason for this "improved" vision is that the lens power changes due to increasing cataract. So actually second sight is due to the cataract having advanced.

A cataract is not a new growth in the eye, rather it is a term that means that the lens or its capsule (normally transparent) have now become less transparent due to the lens substance (fibres) becoming opaque. Any opacity of the lens is referred to as 'cataract'. Cataract is not a new growth in the eye or lens.

The concept of waiting for cataract to become 'ripe' before it can be removed is valid when the surgical procedure used is the one where a large incision is made and the lens is manually removed. Given the higher likelihood of potential complications with this earlier surgical procedure, it made sense to wait till the vision became really bad - and that meant waiting for the cataract to get advanced or 'ripe'. The modern surgical procedures use a very small incision (that usually closes without suturing) and an ultrasound (phacoemulsification) machine. Although the procedure is not without risks, it is very safe in experienced hands. Therefore if any patient complains of reduced vision that is interfering with their routine daily activities, then cataract surgery may be offered. At this point the cataract may not be far advanced or 'ripe'. The risks and benefits of the surgery have to be debated by each patient individually, since what is limitation of routine activity for one individual may not be considered as important by another individual.

Cataract is not removed with lasers. An ultrasound (phacoemulsification) machine is used to remove the cataract. Sometimes, several months after cataract surgery, the transparent membrane behind the intraocular lens may become hazy and reduce vision. A YAG laser is then used to make an opening in the capsule.

Glaucoma Myths
  ● "Glaucoma is a disease of old age"
  ● "I have 20/20 vision so I don't have glaucoma"
  ● "My eyes would hurt or feel different if I had glaucoma"
  ● "Canola oil causes glaucoma"

The Facts
Although it is true that the risk of developing glaucoma becomes higher with increasing age, younger people also may develop glaucoma especially if you are an African-American. Glaucoma affects the peripheral vision first. The central vision is affected when the glaucoma is far advanced. Therefore you may be able to read 20/20 (central vision) and still may have glaucoma. A peripheral field of vision test (using an automated field testing machine) is required to detect early glaucoma.

In general there are no symptoms (eyes do not hurt), which is why glaucoma is often referred to as the 'sneak thief of vision'. There is no evidence of Canola oil causing glaucoma.

http://www.agingeye.net/visionbasics/visionmyths.php