It seems every year there is always a new trend when it comes to someone’s skin tone. Pale is in, tan is in, and everything in between. Unfortunately, being tan has had a long-term influence on many people, particularly teenagers, and this trend needs to end. It seems that many girls know some of the risks behind going tanning but continue to go anyway. It is time that we end the obsession with constantly having a golden glow. It seems pointless to me to crave such an unnatural tan knowing it could shave years off one’s life. So, with all the different facts people hear about the risks of going tanning I strongly believe its time that society understands the science behind all these risks.

With tanning packages that offer people a “discount” when it comes to getting their bronze glow it’s time to reevaluate what people are really paying for. The answer is easy. People, mostly white females under the age of thirty, are paying a lot of money to contribute to their own increase in having skin cancer. As if there weren’t enough things in the world that could be harmful to one’s health, this trend is at the top of the list. So, tanning is not just a financial commitment but it is also a time commitment. Many consumers of tanning salons lay in the bed daily for between 2-15 minutes. Researchers share that even a few minutes in this tanning bed is equivalent lying in the sun at the equator with its rays being three times as strong. With this intense amount of UV rays directly on someone’s skin and approximately 28 million users in the United States its no wonder that there has been an increase in skin cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer strongly states that going indoor tanning is “carcinogenic” to a human’s life.

The strong UV rays that are in these beds contribute to two different types of skin cancer. The first one is squamous cell carcinoma and is mostly diagnosed in people under the age of 30. Between the years 1981 and 2006 there was a 145% increase in these diagnoses. The second type of cancer that is the most rare but the deadliest is melanoma. This cancer inhabits skin cells and travels throughout the body extremely quickly. It is very important for people to be able to recognize the signs that melanoma could be forming. SkinCancer.org identifies the “ABCDEs” of the beginning of melanoma. “A” stands for asymmetry. This means the mole or freckle is uneven and if there were to be an imaginary line drawn through it the two sides would not be even. “B” is to check the borders of the mark. If the borders are uneven, it can indicate that melanoma is a possible diagnosis. “C” associates to always check the color and make sure it is even and not oddly colored in one place. “D” shows the importance behind the diameter of the mark. Healthy skin marks are usually flat and within ¼ of an inch. Melanoma marks can be identified because of their larger size that is greater than ¼ of an inch. Finally, the “E” represents any type of evolvement of the mark from its location to its flatness on the skin. All of these indications are very important in order to prevent the spread of melanoma.

Works Cited

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3440095/

http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma#panel1-1

Being away at school has made me realize many things and one of them is that I miss my dog a lot. It sounds pathetic and people who don’t own a pet may call me crazy but I can guarantee many of you who own dogs or cats would agree with me. If you do own a dog, you fall into the statistic that 62% of American households have at least one pet. Animals are used to help people in many ways outside of the home environment. Their use in occupational and speech therapy, along with physical rehabilitation programs sparks the question of whether or not a pet can have a positive effect on a person’s health. Research shows that there is a lot of information that cannot be fully proved but there are many studies done that focus on this argument.

A study was conducted that involved a comparison of heart rates and blood pressures during stressful situations between pet-owners and non-pet-owners. First, the participants in the study that owned a pet had a lower resting heartbeat prior to the experiment even beginning. Later in the experiment, when the participants began a math task the pet owners were less likely to have spikes in their heart rate and blood pressure and if it did spike it returned to normal more quickly. In addition to having overall better reactions to the study, when a pet was in the room pet-owners had fewer math errors.

It can be argued and then supported by many researchers that having a pet does indeed improve the overall health of its owner. With the chore of having to walk a dog, dog owners do show signs of having healthier hearts because of that added cardio and exercise that comes with taking care of a dog. I strongly believe that having a pet increases the happiness of a person. Studies have proven that in the lives of single people, owning a pet can decrease depression and improve a person’s mood. In general, people feel relaxed around their pets and feel very comfortable. So, if I were you I would certainly invest in getting a dog if you don’t already have one; it will help your health more than you think!

Works Cited

http://center4research.org/healthy-living-prevention/pets-and-health-the-impact-of-companion-animals/

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articleid=1201

College students have the tendency to think they are invincible. I sometimes think I can manage a long list of tasks and nine times out of ten I find myself overwhelmed and yearning to go to sleep but knowing that is no longer an option. Researchers prove that sleep deprivation, especially among college students, can be very harmful to our health and academic performance. Most college students get between 6 and 6.9 hours of sleep a night and that is not nearly enough. Due to the excess amount of involvement; such a extracurricular activities, a heavy course load and for some a part-time job it seems that most college students are overworked and frankly exhausted. Depriving oneself of a good night’s sleep has more than just an effect on the following day. It can have a long-term effect on one’s health, mood, GPA and overall safety.

A study was conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama in which sleep deprived college students were studied. The researchers speak about how it is very necessary to get a healthy amount of sleep because it is necessary to restore energy levels. With restored energy levels; a student is less likely to get ill, gain weight, have a decrease in his or her academic performance and avoid situations that involve the chance to drive when extremely tired. The study also infers that 60% of college students admit they are sleep deprived. In college, students unfortunately do not consider their own health a priority and this lack of sleep can help contribute to the infamous freshmen fifteen. Researchers say, students who presently get less than five hours of sleep a night are 50% more likely to become obese down the road.

Some students who experience difficulty falling asleep at night could be suffering from a sleeping disorder. Before running to the doctor, one should attempt to create a sleeping ritual in which they try their best to habitually go to sleep at the same time every night. If this attempt does not work, it probably would be a good idea to check in with a doctor and get some help. With this study to back it up, it is very important that college students recognize the importance of going to bed. It really could be the difference in a student getting an A or fighting off the flu.

Works Cited

 https://www.uhs.uga.edu/sleep/

http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/26445205/study

Every contact lense wearer understands the horrible moment that is filled with confusion when you wake up from a nap and you feel like your contact lenses are in your brain. Having worn contacts for about six years now, I’ve had this feeling a lot more than I would have liked to. I have had many issues regarding eye infections or overall discomfort when wearing contact lenses. I actually am very tired of the routine of wearing contact lenses that I am seriously considering pursuing the LASIK surgery when my prescription becomes more regular as I get older. In this blog, I will first address my experience with contacts and explain the science of why I am considering this surgery in such a serious way. Then, I will continue to explain the risks and what actually happens during this surgery.

My sophomore year high school I was at lacrosse practice on a very windy day. I felt something blow into my eye but figured I could just blink a few times and it would disappear. Unfortunately, my eye quickly became very irritated and red. When I came home, as usual, I took my contacts out before I went to bed. I woke up the next morning still with a very irritated right eye. I became very sensitive to sunlight and it seemed that my eye endlessly teared. After going to the eye doctor, it has seemed that whatever blew into my ended up infecting my cornea in my right eye. With this type of infection, usually eye drops help to cure it but it was still very difficult for me to even keep my open because of the sensitivity to light and the endless water that came tearing out.

This infection eventually went away but it was not the first time I experienced irritation due to wearing my contact lenses. I ended up switching from long-term contact lenses to daily ones. My parents, doctor and I all agreed that having a fresh pair of lenses would help prevent my sensitive eyes from any more infections. Now, although I have not had any recent issues with contact lenses; I am still intrigued by the LASIK surgery.

With my intentions of having this surgery eventually during my lifetime; I decided to do a little more research. The procedure consists of this: an instrument called a microkeratome or femtosecond laser is used to create a thin flap in the cornea. The cornea is then peeled back and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped using another laser (Web MD). This reshaping method corrects vision defects and if done correctly, gives the patient the ability to see clearly when they wake up from the recovery. It sometimes takes patients a few days post-operation to fully regain their vision but that is very common. Not all patients are eligible for this surgery. There are many pre operation tests that indicate whether one is a good candidate. If one is not deemed eligible, unfortunately they cannot receive the surgery.

Works Cited

http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/lasik.htm

The past decade, consumers can notice that the car industry is taking a big turn in the direction of being environmentally friendly. Its difficult with so many people driving cars to offer a buyer an eco-friendly, affordable and not to mention stylish vehicle. However, many car industries, if they haven’t already, are looking into developing hydrogen cars. Hydrogen cars function off of what is called a Hydrogen fuel cell. These cells convert chemical energy stored by hydrogen fuel into electricity. Similar to batteries, Hydrogen cells are electromagnetic cells that with the presence of pure Hydrogen can b

e used as fuel. Fuel cells are also intriguing to environmentalists everywhere because once used they give off water and heat. Both water and heat can be used in other ways and give off a minimal environmental impact. Unlike gasoline, Hydrogen cars are safer because their exhaust disperses rapidly in the air opposed to gasoline-based cars.

The concept of fuel cells were first thought of by William Grove in 1839; however, it wasn’t until 1932 when Francis Bacon created the first successful fuel cell. That began the future of the implementation of fuel cells in transportation methods everywhere.

A study was released in which there was an announcement was made that Toyota is in the midst of creating and perfecting their first Hydrogen car. Although some car companies also are working on it, Toyota has a reputable reputation when it comes to price, style, and customer satisfaction. The only issue that consumers might encounter when looking to invest in a Toyota Hydrogen car would be that the cost is about 40% more than a normal vehicle. Consumers might also become hesitant when they realize that there are indeed still environmental concerns when it comes to producing these fuel cells. Despite these minor hesitations that consumers might have; Toyota offers a quick charge battery option that most Hydrogen cars don’t offer. So, in closing, keep an eye out for one of these Hydrogen cars. Who knows maybe with a few tries, inventors can create a foolproof environmentally friendly car that everyone can afford.

Works Cited

http://sepuplhs.org/high/hydrogen/hydrogen.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/12/02/toyota-set-to-take-on-tesla-with-its-own-electric-car/2/

Every person knows at least one person who has been or still is being affected by an eating disorder. Unfortunately, we live in a society that idolizes having the perfect body. This body is something most girls cannot attain, but try so hard to do so. So, what exactly is the definition of an eating disorder? According to WEB.MD an eating disorder is considered a life-threatening condition that affects a person’s emotional & physical health. In extreme cases, it is best for a person to seek professional help no matter how severe the disorder may seem. In the U.S. alone, 20 million women and approximately 10 million men suffer from an eating disorder. Unfortunately, many are not reported due to the person possessing what is called “body dissatisfaction”. This also co-exists with an eating disorder because it entails that a person is not satisfied with themselves; especially their body.

There are many health consequences that come with self-starvation. Well, most importantly it creates an abnormally slow heartbeat and low blood pressure. This causes the heart to change and can severely increase a person’s risk of heart failure. Additionally, the person has a decrease in her bone density as well as muscle loss and dehydration. Being severely dehydrated can lead to kidney failure as well as increase a person’s fatigue levels.
A study was released by NationalEatingDisorders.org  in which terrifying statistics were released concerning how young these body image issues start. It has been researched that beginning at the age of 6, girls start to feel concerned about their weight. Along with that, at the elementary level between 40-60% of girls felt that they were getting too fat. Depression has the tendency to co-occur with an eating disorder. Unfortunately, Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate among all psychological disorders. This study also reveals that 35-57% OF adult girls participate in extreme diets and 33% of men perform unhealthy weight control habits such as skipping meals and using laxatives. (Smolak)

I find it sickening that people with perfectly healthy bodies choose to do this to themselves. It’s hard to watch someone you love and see so much future potential disappear just because a picture was uploaded and she didn’t look like a stick figure. People, especially women, are supposed to be built differently. Everyone was created differently for a reason and that was to embrace the way we are. Comparison is the root of all evil. Yeah its probably a good idea to have a salad, but if a slice of pizza will make you feel better than by all means have it!

Works Cited
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-facts-eating-disorders
Smolak, L. (2011). Body image development in childhood. In T. Cash & L. Smolak (Eds.),

Injuries in sports are difficult for fans to watch and even more difficult for a player to suffer. It’s a moment that can silence a stadium filled with 107,000 people. It’s sickening how a player could be down for a period of time on the field and if he is able to get up or even wiggle his toes in the slightest way fans and coaches claim he is “okay”. In reality, this player could be out for the rest of the season, his career or sometimes even affected by this injury for the rest of his life. I think besides a twisted ankle or a broken finger, concussions are the biggest and most serious injury in football. It has been proven that just because a concussion doesn’t give obvious symptoms such as bleeding or swelling that many players decide to play through this injury. I was a competitive athlete in high school and knew many people who decided to push through what they called a “minor” injury. I became curious and now decided to do a little more research as to what exactly happens to the human brain during a concussion and how the body heals it.

In the U.S. every year there are approximately 2.5 million medical emergencies that involve a head injury. Within this large number of head injuries one third of them are children. Its frightening for both a child and a parent to allow a young child to participate in a game that is known for the rough and extremely physical intensity that surrounds the game of football. Concussions unfortunately occur all the time in football and many people involved in the sport such as coaches, players and fans are determined to increase the awareness of the symptoms of the serious injury that does not get taken seriously enough. There was a study done in which NCAA division 1 athletes were compared with non-athletic males to see the effects of playing football on a human brain. The comparisons resulted in a clear difference between the hippocampal volume in each brain. The volume is in the middle of the brain and has a great effect on memory and sporadical reasoning in humans. The researchers found that the football players had a significantly shrunken hippocampal volume. It also could be argued that the longer an athlete plays football, the smaller the volume is. Researchers are still unsure if any long-term effects are in a place

A big factor of taking a concussion seriously is for the player to self diagnose himself in order to prevent the injury that is present from getting more serious. A concussion is not just a “bruise on the brain” but the brain hits the skull in such a powerful way that it can alter a person’s life forever. The damaged brain cells sometimes can never be recovered. The NFL has instituted a concussion protocol program that is the beginning of monitoring head injuries under a more serious light. Although this system is not 100% guaranteed to remove all concussed players out of the game it certainly is a good start.

Works Cited

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/f/football/head_injuries/index.html

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/coroner-orders-examination-brain-ohio-state-player-kosta-karageorge-n259111

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/pdf/football_fact_sheet_coaches-a.pdf

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-generation-loses-consciousness-and-grows-more-conscious-of-headbanging/

People have all had their days when they have been out in the sun for way too long. I have very fair skin, blonde hair and light blue eyes so I definitely can relate to getting a horrible sunburn. I realized a few years ago as I became more familiar with the risk of being out in the sun how much I needed to start truly taking care of my skin.

Below is a list of situations that could increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. According to Cancer.org

– Had skin cancer before

-Have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma

-Have many moles, irregular moles, or large moles

-Have freckles and burn before tanning

-Have fair skin, blue or green eyes, or blond, red, or light brown hair

-Live or vacation at high altitudes (the strength of UV rays increases the higher up you are)

-Live or vacation in tropical or subtropical climates

-Work indoors all week and then get intense sun exposure on weekends

-Spend a lot of time outdoors

-Have certain autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or “lupus”)

-Have a medical condition that weakens your immune system

-Have had an organ transplant

-Take medicines that lower or suppress your immune system

-Take medicines that make your skin more sensitive to sunlight

(Cancer.com)

By following this list of risks people can definitely become more careful and monitor their exposure to the sun. It is very important to know what type of skin tone you have. According to skincancer.org there are six different types of skin tones. A Type 1 person has a very fair skin tone and easily burns in the sun. This person should always be wearing an SPF of at least 30. Unfortunately this person has a very high risk of melanoma. Similarly, a Type 2 person is still very fair but can develop a tan gradually. Still, an SPF of 30 should always be worn to prevent melanoma. Type 3 people can sometimes tan but if out in the sun for too long without protection they increase their somewhat mild risk for melanoma. Type 4 and Type 5 people tan very easily, rarely burn and have a low risk of developing melanoma. However, they should still protect their skin by using an SPF of at least 15. Finally, the last type is type 6. Type 6 being very dark colored run the risk of developing what is called acral lentinous melanoma which is very common especially in type 6 people. Although the skin might not actually be visibly red or burned, it is still being damaged by the sun.

In closing, taking care of our skin is so important when it comes to being healthy. There are so many risks that can simply be prevented by hanging in the shade for a little or putting on sunscreen. So please, Penn Staters wear a hat to the next football game! Your face will thank you later.

Sources:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skincancerpreventionandearlydetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-sun-damage

http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/are-you-at-risk/skin-types-and-at-risk-groups

Earlier in this blogging period I posted about the risks of falling asleep in contact lenses. Many of us do wear contacts and I was requested to do a follow up blog on the comparison between daily contact lenses and extended wear contact lenses. For clarification, daily contact lenses are not slept in and extended wear lenses have the ability to be worn for longer periods of time and it is approved to sleep in them. As a contact lenses user myself, I never liked the idea of sleeping in your contacts but despite my opinion did a little more research.

The reason extended contact lenses are approved to wear is because they are made totally differently than daily ones. A thinner material called silicone hydrogel is used to make them and allows the eye to “breathe” better by allowing more oxygen to go to the cornea. Patients’ eligibility for extended wear contacts will be determined by their eye doctor. Some maximums for overnight contacts are seven days while others can go up to 30. Recently in the US, more and more eye doctors are not prescribing extended wear contact lenses because there are many risks.

When people sleep in their contacts, they are depriving their eyes of oxygen that is essential to maintain the health of the eye. When a person’s eyes are deprived of oxygen, the risk of eye infection increases dramatically. Basically, the less oxygen to the eye the less ability to fight off infections. Even though eye infections are common, they should still be taken seriously. Today, most doctors recommend daily wear contacts simply because they are safer and cleaner. The eye gets more oxygen from having a solid 6-9 hours a day without the lenses in. Although daily lenses appear to be safer; hygiene of lenses is key to maintaining healthy eyes. The Huffington Post shows many mistakes that daily contact users do when taking care of their eyes.

In conclusion, no one wants an eye infection. Eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of the body and definitely one of the most important parts. Wearing extended wear contact lenses increases one’s risk for an infection so that is why it is best to wear daily ones and remember good hygiene with them.

Sources:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/extended.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/26/contact-lens-hygiene-questions-answers-eye-health_n_3950593.html

As Penn Staters, the majority of our student body is a football fan. We stand on our feet for hours on end cheering on our favorite guys in blue and white. It sometimes can be very difficult to realize the strenuous damage that is being done to every player on the field while we stand and yell “We Are”. More recently, concussions have been the biggest topic of conversation across all different sports programs. From high school sports all the way to the professional level, supervisors are going to extreme levels to make sure their players are safe. Although they are not 100% preventable, it is extremely important for one to recognize if he or she has symptoms of having a concussion.

The definition of a concussion is a complex pathopsychological process that affects the brain and can cause trauma to the brain. Symptoms of a concussion range from headaches to nausea and can have alternatives like completely blacking out. There can be two ways of the actual concussion to occur. First, the brain should shift from impact and go through the cerebral spinal fluid and hit the front or back of the skull. Another way would be for the brain tissue that surrounds the brain to become strained. There are many ways to test for a concussion if symptoms are developed. Pre and post reaction tests are becoming a requirement to play a sport at a contact level so that it will be easier to notice a change within the tests. It has been proven that if an athlete has a concussion and does not fully recover he or she is putting themselves at a much higher risk of getting another concussion.

An very recent example of symptoms of a concussion being mishandled as reported by the New York Times is the situation that surrounds Univeristy of Michigan’s head football coach Brady Hoke regarding his actions when his quarterback Shane Morris went down. Morris was very slow to get up and was obviously not okay. Instead of giving the quarterback a spot of the bench to get checked out; he was put back in the game a short time later. Statistics show that football players receive 900-1500 blows to the head a season and have a 75% chance of having a concussion. It is so important that these injuries be looked at as serious by both the athlete and the coach. If an athlete recovers fully from a concussion, the chances of his or her brain from having severe damage is shockingly decreased.

Sources:

http://www.concussiontreatment.com/concussionfacts.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/23/sports/ncaafootball/study-finds-many-athletes-are-still-taught-little-about-concussions.html?_r=0

I have been wearing contact lenses since I was twelve years old and even now, six years later, there are nights when I simply fall asleep in them. I wake up the next morning in a fog, my eyes are irritated and it almost feels like my contacts have rolled back into my brain. It takes a few blinks for me to relocate them and as soon as I do, I can’t get them out fast enough. If I can, the following day I try my best to simply wear my eye glasses because it seems significantly more comfortable. I always wonder how dangerous it truly is to the health of my eyes to fall asleep in my contacts.

According to Livestrong magazine, many eye issues arise after sleeping in contact lenses. When people are asleep obviously their eyes are closed. When an eye is closed it prevents the flow of oxygen to the eye and when a contact is also in there the cornea has a significantly lower amount of exposure to oxygen. Also, the fresh tear flow is prevented by a contact which reduces the amount of the natural cleaning process the eye does which can result in infection. It is easier to have something get stuck between the eye and the contact, have blurred vision, bloodshot eyes and itching when sleeping with contact lenses. Although most of these problems are short term, excessive sleeping in contacts can lead to long term and more serious problems such as a scratched cornea, abnormal blood vessel growth, and extreme cases of conjunctivitis (pink eye).

In closing, sleeping in your contacts is a very unhealthy and dangerous habit to develop. It takes less than 30 seconds to take your contacts out and put them in a fresh saline solution. This simple process can save someone the maintenance of going to countless doctor visits and the pain that would be felt. Not only would this simple process save time, but it could potentially save your vision and your health.

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/258553-problems-from-sleeping-with-contact-lenses/

http://www.aclens.com/sleeping-in-lenses.asp

I’m uncertain about most of you, but one of the things I miss most when I am away at school is my dog at home. It sounds extremely pathetic, but I feel like I am generally happier when I am with my pet and its comforting to know that your pet is your biggest fan. So what causes this unbreakable bond between an owner and a pet? An article was written and published in a Health Magazine about a man who suffers from bipolar disorder and the impact having his therapeutic dog with him at all times has.

Ashenden and his dog Bella are the ultimate dynamic duo; Bella comes to work with him and is always by his side. The man claims that having Bella with him helps him to keep his temper even despite when his depression flairs up, she provides him with constant companionship and requires him to be extremely active. A dog requires a lot of attention and the owner claims that when he is required to walk and tend to Bella multiple times a day it helps him escape his own problems and focus on her.

As seen in the example by Health Magazine, there is evidence to prove that animals increase people’s happiness and generally their well being. Therapeutic animals are even recognized by National Institute of Mental Health. Many organizations like the American Humane Society and the Delta Society work to provide people struggling with depression or mental illnesses which I think is a wonderful thing.

Sources:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/pet-therapy-and-depression.aspx

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/the-health-benefits-of-pets.htm

Many people, especially athletes, drink the popular sports drink Gatorade. I myself, even feel refreshed and revitalized after I drink Gatorade. Being that Gatorade is used by many athletes and sponsors many professional and collegiate sports teams it can be viewed as healthy and beneficial to these athletes. I decided to look into Gatorade’s reputation of being good for someone and I found many surprising answers. Most people are aware that Gatorade helps to replenish electrolytes lost during a workout but there is so much more behind this product. With a variety of different flavors, Gatorade has the potential to be liked by many people. However, despite the popularity I discovered many health risks that come from this beverage. In one standard bottle of Gatorade there is approximately 200 calories and 56 grams of sugar; which is an extremely large amount. Health risks that come from drinking Gatorade include weight gain, hyponatremia, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. A lot of these risks are caused because most people do not burn off the amount of calories they drink in Gatorade. If anything one could be drinking more Gatorade than the calories they are burning which directly counteracts it. Hyponatremia or also known as the over-hydration of cells which can cause very low sodium levels. With Gatorade, there is also a wide variety of different products or referred to as “series” which claim to specialize at a pre or post workout function. An example of this is the G2 series that has a significant lower amount of calories and sugar than the original series. In conclusion, the verdict on whether or not Gatorade is good for you is all up to you. Drinking the product in moderation and in a way that shadows the intensity of your workout can definitely be a big factor as an effort to avoid the health risks addressed previously.

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/68710-effects-much-gatorade/

http://wywnutrition.com/negative-effects-gatorade-2/

Picture:

http://www.exacttarget.com/blog/winfromwithin-with-gatorade/

I can guarantee that when most of us left home to come to Penn State one of our family members awkwardly state “don’t gain the freshmen fifteen”. Although it has been proven that many people gain weight during their first year at college, there are many ways to avoid it. I also believe a big factor of people gaining weight is that they no longer participate in high school sports so the lack of exercise from that can also contribute to it. There are four main reasons, established by The Huffington Post, that are the reasons for the freshmen fifteen. Lack of exercise, over-eating, stress and the large consumptions of alcohol all are huge factors in this problem.

Despite all the factors that can contribute to gaining this weight there are many simple life changes that can prevent this gain and actually make the person healthier. These options aren’t a major dramatic change but can definitely help people. It helps to build a routine; that way it builds the sense of forming a habit. Next, by exercising and eating right a person’s immune system would be stronger and that would reduce one’s risk of getting sick. Finally, working out releases endorphins that can prevent people from becoming extremely stressed or depressed.

With all these great things that exercise offers there are some minor risks. Overdoing the standard exercise can make a person more prone for injury. Everyone will be fine as long as they take everything in moderation and not expect to run a marathon the first day. So in closing, yes the freshmen fifteen is a possibility but by taking care of your body in simple ways it is very easy to avoid.

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kayla-hedman/fit-over-fat-collegeexercise_b_4603895.html

In today’s society, there is always a new fad especially when it comes to losing weight. Everyone is always looking to lose weight and to lose it almost immediately without a lot of effort. Detoxes have become very popular in today’s health world because it seems to be the fastest way to get desired results. The definition of the word “detox” is the removal of toxins from the body.

The toxins that inhabit the human body fall into two main categories; environmental and metabolic. Environmental toxins are carried into the body from outside sources such as air, water and the food we eat. Metabolic toxins are already inside of our body. It is with these toxins that we ask ourselves, how do we remove these toxins in a healthy way? There are indeed ways to use a detox to one’s benefit and to misuse it causing more harm then good.

Harmful ways of detoxing include fasting. By not eating people deprive themselves of the nutrients that are necessary to maintain a healthy balance. In addition to fasting, following the new fad or “quick fix” of dieting can also lead to harming one’s body. There may be results seen faster but most of the weight lost is simply water weight. This weight will be regained just as fast as it was lost once a person is off the detox according to Every Day Roots.

Despite these minor problems, there are other healthy alternatives to truly detox one’s body. For starters, establishing healthy eating habits is the most effective because that already reduces the amount of toxins entering the body. Another option is to keep the air you breathe healthy. This means using more environmentally friendly cleaning products that will limit the amount of toxins you breathe in. Finally, exercise is one of the best options and most effective. It does more than help you to lose weight; it also helps to live a more stress free life.

Sources:

http://everydayroots.com/breaking-down-detox

There are many long lived tales concerning people who have red hair. The most common on that I personally have heard is the claim that redheads “don’t have a soul”. We can all agree that this is a little dramatic and frankly very untrue because someone’s hair color does not determine whether or not a soul is existent. Although there is not correlation between having a soul and having red hair, there is some proof that people with red hair are more likely to feel pain than other people. Dr. Edwin Liem at the University of Louisville in Kentucky conducted a study in which he found out that redheads are more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.

Similarly, it also has been experimented that redheads need more anesthesia when going under for surgeries. An 18 year old girl who was going under anesthesia for the common wisdom teeth surgery said that when her dental hygienist came into the room to prep her for the surgery she was greeted with “Oh, you’re a redhead” which left a confusing look on her face. It had seemed that the hygienist was familiar with the old tale about redheads but the actual doctor wasn’t. That being said, there were not any unusual precautions taken with the patient for her surgery. Unfortunately, the patient did wake up in the middle of her surgery which was extremely shocking to the medical staff.

There must be logical reasoning to this tale of redheads feeling more pain people thought. It has been stated that in the late 1990s, scientists researched specific traits that were found in redheads. This research had found that there is a mutation in the Melanocortin-1 receptor gene (MC1R) that produces pheomelanin which is a hormone that has the ability to produce the red hair, light skin, and freckles. Its this protein that creates the redheads’ ability to feel more pain. So yes, redheads do in fact have the tendency to feel more pain over other hair color types.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainManagement/dentists-tread-gingerly-redheads/story?id=8293620

It is easy to admit, everyone loves the look of having a nice tan. What used to be a rare luxury in the summertime has now become one of the most harmful obsessions for humans, especially young girls. With very busy social lives that entail many events that girls think they would look significantly better at if they were tan, year round tanning is becoming extremely deadly.

There are many options for young girls to achieve their goal of having this bronze glow. Sunless tanning lotions, spray tans and going to tanning salons seem to be the most popular methods especially when the summer days have ended. It has been proven that consumers who use sunless tanning lotions and spray tans are less likely to lay out in the sun and more likely to take better care of their skin. However, within this amount of girls it has been proven that approximately 2.5% have admitted that in addition to using tanning lotions they also go to tanning salons. Nonetheless, using sunless and UV-free products is a much healthier way to achieve the bronze look that everyone wants.
Unfortunately, tanning salons are still in business because of this continuing trend. According to the FDA, exposing your skin to UV rays, both indoors and outdoors, poses an extreme high risk for one to develop skin cancer. People who use tanning beds before the age of thirty-five increase their chances of developing skin cancer by 75%. Attempts to end the accessibility to the tanning salons at such a young age have been made, like having to be eighteen to be in one, but girls are still finding their way into them. Using tanning beds is extremely dangerous because people become more likely to develop melanoma which is the deadliest kind of skin cancer.

In addition to being more vulnerable to skin cancer, premature aging as well as eye damage can occur, which can lead to a surplus of long-term health issues.

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/20/spray.tan.tanning.bed/

It seems that everywhere in society we hear that a product is good for you and then a few months later it turns out that the current “fad” actually poses many health risks. There has always been endless controversy surrounding the question of whether or not a daily glass of red wine a day is healthy for someone. Well, according to Fit Day Journal the verdict that has been made is that having a daily glass of red win is in fact healthy.
There is a variety of reasons why it is beneficial for someone to have red wine, in moderation of course. Primarily, it has been proven that red wine helps the heart in more ways than it hurts it. Red wine contains an antioxidant, resveratrol, that has been known to prevent saturated fat as well as cardiovascular disease. Along with this antioxidant, there are flavonoids and sapponins present that can prevent the forming of blood clots. The heart is one of the most important organs in the body but is also extremely fragile. As humans, if we can make the smallest change to make it work better then that is amazing. Although these health consultants encourage this small portion of wine, they also advise people to be cautious with their intake to make sure alcoholism does not develop.
In addition to a glass of red wine being beneficial to the heart, it also has been proven to prevent cancer as well as degenerative diseases such as type II diabetes. IN conclusion, one can support the claim that having a daily glass of red wine does in fact improve your health. That being said, moderation is always key when it comes to the new “fad” so people are encouraged to be mindful of their intake and to know their limit.

Sources:

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/4-health-benefits-of-red-wine.html#b

http://img2.timeinc.net/health/images/gallery/condition-centers/wine-memory-400×400.jpg

Hi everyone I am Colleen Hannan and I am from Hillsborough, New Jersey. I am currently in the Division of Undergraduate Studies but plan to be a Supply Chain Management major once I am allowed to declare during my sophomore year. Similarly to most people in the class, I took this class because I needed to fulfill part of my science class requirements but also because I never had a love for science. After taking a chemistry class during high school I vowed never to involve myself with science and that is why I do not plan to be any type of a science major. When deciding on a college, I knew I wanted a school with a good academic reputation but also a school where I could cheer a team on and that’s what sold Penn State for me. The link and picture I posted both show my excitement for the home football games.