what the health SPRING 2011
too much of a good thing “addicted” to tattoos, internet, and sex
In Every Issue Wingman Workout, pg. 26
4 Editor’s Letter 5 Fit Facts 6 Check This Out / Pillows 7 Book Review / Sleep for Success 8 How To / Prevent a UTI 9 Myth vs. Fact / Marijuana 10 Personal Story / Erica Hewins 38 Amateur Chef 41 Get Out of Town / Greek Peak 42 Personal Column / Leah Rocketto 43 In Your Face
Get Well 12 All Natural 13 Too Much Tech? 15 A is for Adderall 16 Imported Medicine
Eat Smart 17 18 20 21 22 24
Feed Your Need Travel Light Sweet Swaps What’s Up With Carrots, Doc? Curb Your Cravings Cuckoo for Coconuts / Quick Fix
Feel Great
PHOTOGRAPH BY NICOLE SILVER
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WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
25 26 27 28 29 30
X-Treme Exercise Wingman Workout In or Out? The Fight Starts Now Healthy Aging Creatine Controversy
PHOTOGRAPH BY HANNAH MCDONALD
31 / Biting Back
After the bed bug outbreak of last summer, WTH looked at the pests in Syracuse and uncovered tips on how to deal with them. Many landlords start leases in June, so don’t walk into your house off-campus unprepared.
34 / Diagnosis? Debatable
Medical professionals define behavioral addiction as a strong tendency or compulsion beyond an individual’s control that can come with harmful consequences to health, mental state, or social life. WTH examines three college conventions that borderline addictions: internet, tattoo, and sex.
Biting Back, pg. 31
PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN BERKOWITZ
A is For Adderall, pg. 15
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR KATHLEEN CORLETT
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ike most students in early March, I have spring fever. Snow sat on my porch steps for far too long this semester, and I can only think of warmer temperatures. When I close my eyes, I see flowered dresses and green grass. And spring break. This year, I need to pack a suitcase to do a little traveling… to England. While the countryside of Bath and streets of London may not be the sunniest, most tropical spots on the globe, I’m ready for my first oceancrossing adventure. My passport arrived in December and sits on my desk as a constant reminder. I feel like Sandra Bullock in While You Were Sleeping, carrying her passport so that she could leave the country on a whim if she dared. (Try not to judge me too much for the romantic comedies I watch.) For those of us escaping Syracuse, perhaps even the country, What the Health delivers. We tell how to get the best sleep to make up for what you’ve been missing (p. 6 & 7), share health practices from the Eastern world (p. 16), and survey students about staying fit abroad while indulging in foreign delights (p. 18 & 19). And if you call Syracuse home or plan to stay on campus, step back from Facebook (p. 35) and enjoy Central New York. Find food for your lifestyle near campus (p. 17) or recruit a pal to run outside or lift at the gym (p. 26 & 27).
what the health EDITOR IN CHIEF Kathleen Corlett MANAGING EDITOR Brittney Davies ART DIRECTOR Cristina Alan SENIOR EDITORS Sarah Jane Capper, Yelena Galstyan, Kate Morin, Meredith Popolo, Heather Rinder, Rebecca Toback ASSISTANT EDITORS Kathleen Kim, Valentina Palladino COPY EDITORS Kathleen Corlett, Hannah Doolin, Kate Morin, Valentina Palladino, Meredith Popolo, Samantha Quisgard, Heather Rinder
Whatever your pleasure, may WTH offer some light vacation reading for you this spring. Enjoy your well-deserved break, and safe travels.
Kathleen Corlett Editor in Chief
Check out
what the health on the Web!
FACT CHECKERS Yelena Galstyan, Nina Keehan, Tress Klassen, Julie Kosin, Natalie Maneval, Brianna Quaglia, Samantha Quisgard, Sarah Schmalbruch, Rakele Shapiro, Nikelle Snader, Rebecca Toback, Tory Wolk, Kelly Vesty WRITERS Jennifer Anne Altoff, Avery Bowser, Devon Braunstein, Marina Charny, Ashley Collman, Brittney Davies, Casie Fieldman, Erica Fisher, Arielle Franklin, Brittany Fuino, Yelena Galstyan, Karen Hor, Liyana Abdul Kadir, Tress Klassen, Julie Kosin, Alex Lee, Melissa Lyons, Natalie Maneval, Claire McFarland, Alyssa Miron, Valentina Palladino, Meredith Popolo, Barbara Prendergast, Samantha Quisgard, Leah Rocketto, Katherine Salisbury, Alicia Smith, Lauren Stefaniak, Lauren Teng, Rachel Tipovski, Victoria Troxler ONLINE EDITOR Marcy Franklin PR DIRECTOR Megan Corbet PHOTOGRAPHERS Dan Berkowitz, Samantha Dolph, Erica Fisher, Darra Markland, Hannah McDonald, Nicole Silver DESIGNERS Dan Berkowitz, Ashley Calarco, Kathleen Corlett, Samantha Dolph, Pamela Masin, Kate Morin, Kayley Noonan,Valentina Palladino, Kaitlin Santana, Andrea Streeter, Anita Suhka, Michelle Weaver, Allison Werner
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WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
17 percent of the U.S. population suffers from a clinical episode of depression at some time in their lives
Fit Facts
More than 150 medications interact dangerously with alcohol
55 percent of driving fatalities due to tiredness occur under the age of 25
Students gain an average 3 to 10 pounds during their first 2 years of college
Chewing excess gum with Sorbitol as the main ingredient (found in Trident, Dentyne, Stride, and 5) can cause chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dangerously excessive weight loss
1 in 4 acts of vaginal intercourse is protected by a condom in the U.S.
Teens who smoke cigarettes are 50 percent more likely to have frequent headaches
More than 3,300,000 students between ages 18 and 24 drive under the influence of alcohol
72 percent of men are unhappy with a part of their physical appearance
Girls who listen to personal music devices are 80 percent more likely to have impaired hearing than those who don’t
Compiled by Victoria Troxler spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Check This Out
The Perfect Pillow Words by Melissa Lyons
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etting a good night’s sleep isn’t always as easy as it sounds. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults in the United States reported getting under seven hours of sleep per night. Discomfort while sleeping contributes to the effectiveness of your sleep, says Dr. David A. Klapper, a certified specialist in sleep medicine in New York City and Westchester, N.Y. Lying in a comfortable position and getting the proper physical support can save you from tension and hassle in the morning. This brings us to one of the most overlooked but highly demanded products, the pillow. In a survey of ten students on the Syracuse University campus, eight say they use traditional pillows, but What the Health takes a look at the other contestants in this pillow fight.
Traditional Pillow Description: Fit inside standard pillow case Where to Buy: Walmart Price: $8 Benefits: Ideal for side and back sleepers
Neck Pillow Description: Supports neck while sitting (often used for travel) Where to Buy: Walmart Price: $13 Benefits: Provides neck support
Husband Pillow Description: Designed with a high back portion and extended pieces resembling arms on both sides; used for reading, while on laptop, or watching television Where to Buy: Target Price: $13.49 Benefits: Provides back support; offers good posture
Contour Pillow
Description: Shaped and designed to support your neck and spine; available in Tempur-Pedic brands Where to Buy: Overstock.com Price: $36.99 Benefits: Shapes to your form; provides good neck support
Body Pillow
Description: Extends the length of the body (about 5 feet); ideal for people who sleep on their sides Where to Buy: Walmart Price: $12 Benefits: Offers full-body support; helps with spinal alignment and circulation
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“I normally sleep with a regular featherstuffed pillow from Target, and that costs only $10. However, I do like the contour ones and wish I had one.” –Christina Jones, a broadcast journalism major “I think that neck pillows are great support for traveling but don’t really have much use when sleeping in a bed.” –Safa Browne, a business management and newspaper journalism major “They’re amazing for reading and for watching a movie on the floor. They’re also not bad as support for other pillows, but I can’t sleep on one; it hurts my neck.” –Jake Levy, a broadcast journalism major
“The contour pillows provided more support when I used them, but I definitely remember them being pricey in comparison to the ones you buy at Walmart or Target.” –Kayla Burgos, a first-year graduate student studying media management
“I don’t usually use a body pillow because I think it takes up a lot of room on the bed, but I do think that sleeping with one gives adults comfort that they use to get from stuffed animals.” –Safa Browne
Book Review
Catch More Z’s to Earn More A’s Words by Meredith Popolo
Balancing five classes, a job, and a handful of extracirculars might seem like a nightmare. You exhaust yourself with endless hours of studying, but when the alarm clock buzzes at 7 a.m., you awake with an F in Slumber 101. In his new book, Sleep for Success: Everything You Must Know About Sleep but Are Too Tired to Ask, Cornell University psychology professor Dr. James Maas gives a crash course in sleeping. Based on his research tracking sleep habits of 450 students over the past year, he answers your shuteye questions, such as why you sometimes wake up with a jerk (not the person sleeping next to you) and what are the best and worst late-night bites. Maas includes two surveys to evaluate your sleeping habits and shares tips on how to sleep your way to success. (Get your mind out of the gutter!) Sleep tight tonight with these four functional finds:
Get your 40 winks
If you rely on an alarm clock to wake up, you need more sleep. College students lose the most sleep out of any age group in the U.S., says Maas, and while most collegeaged students should get nine hours of sleep per night, the average snoozes for only six. Nabbing more than six hours helps memory retention, but it takes eight hours to fully incorporate learned material. After 17 to 19 hours without sleep, brain activity is similar to someone with a blood alcohol content of .05, says Maas.
Early to bed, early to rise
Between midterms and keggers, you lose track of the time, not to mention your bedtime. Hitting the pillow at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your internal clock, reducing the amount of sleep you need to reach peak productivity. Many college students use the weekends to catch up on shuteye, but it can make it harder to fall asleep at your usual time. Come Monday morning, you are off your schedule and fading fast. “You have kids in the classroom, but their brains are still on their pillows,” says Maas.
Eat right, sleep tight
In order to reap the benefits of a good night’s sleep, your slumber must be restful and restorative. That six-pack of beer or Nacho Supreme you housed before bedtime reduces the quality of your rest by kicking your digestive system into overdrive. “You’ll find it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep, leaving you tired in the morning,” says Maas. Instead, opt for protein-packed snacks like an apple with peanut butter.
Cat nap
Lost sleep must be made up over time. “You can’t repay years of sleep debt by one good night of sleep any more than you can compensate for years of overeating by a oneday diet,” says Maas. While nocturnal sleep trumps naps, a 15- to 20-minute doze can help you get through the day, says Maas, who coined the term “power nap.” Any longer than that and you will wake up feeling groggy, he warns. After straying from your normal sleep schedule, it is difficult to get back on track. But your body will thank you.
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How To
How to
Prevent a UTI Words by Lauren Stefaniak // Photography by Darra Markland
Running to the bathroom to answer recurrent urges to pee hinders day-to-day activities. Stinging and sharp pain make those trips worse. According to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, one in five women will develop a urinary tract infection during her lifetime. There are simple ways to prevent the infection, from peeing more often to changing underwear material. What the Health gives you the low down.
Drink cranberry juice
Don’t hold it!
A compound in cranberries prevents the attachment of UTI-causing bacteria to the lining of the bladder, says Dr. Kay Stearns Bruening, chairperson of Syracuse University’s Department of Nutrition Science and Dietetics. Cranberry juice makes your bladder lining slippery, allowing bacteria to pass over it and out of the body, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Dried or powdered cranberries, available in capsules, deliver the same compound to the urinary tract in a low or no-calorie way, says Bruening.
Holding in urine when you need to pee is a likely cause of UTIs, according to WebMD. Be sure to frequently urinate so bacteria don’t form on the bladder lining and cause a UTI. It’s also important to wipe front to back, especially after a bowel movement. This helps ensure that bacteria around the anus don’t get into the urethra.
Let it breathe “Wear cotton or other breathable panties,” says Bruening. Bacteria has a tendency to form in dark, moist places. By wearing cotton or other breathable material, the air that gets trapped between your urethra and clothing stays dry, says the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Try avoiding tight-fitting jeans, nylon underwear, and wet bathing suits.
Urinate after sex Skip the bubble bath Opt for a shower or plain bath over one with suds. Frequent bubble baths can irritate the vaginal area, allowing bacteria to form, according to TeensHealth. Stay away from other irritating products, such as hygiene sprays or douches, and regularly change your tampons or pads during your period. This significantly reduces the bacteria that causes UTIs.
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Sexual intercourse often introduces the bacteria responsible for the infection into the urethra, Bruening says. “They then migrate upward and in hours or days, the infection develops,” she says. WebMD suggests urinating within 15 minutes after sex. This is especially important if spermicides, liquids that stop the sperm from moving, or diaphrams, barriers that seal the walls of the vagina, were used, says TeensHealth. This goes for guys, too. Keeping the tip of the penis clean, particularly if you’re uncircumcised, helps eliminate bacteria that get trapped under the foreskin that can cause infection.
Myth Mythvs. vs.Fact Fact
MYTH VS. FACT
Marijuana Myths Words by Liyana Abdul Kadir
Marijuana is addictive MYTH
F
or some people, marijuana can be both psychologically and physically addictive. For others, it may not be. A psychological dependence on marijuana is known as statedependent learning, which affects people who use marijuana to relax, socialize, and manage their emotions. “Psychological addiction is a learned state in which one develops the belief that they need marijuana (or another drug) to function and interact,” says Dr. Dessa Bergen-Cico, a professor in the department of health and wellness at Syracuse University. “A physical dependence on marijuana arises when physical symptoms or signs of withdrawal are present.” One of the key indicators of physical dependence on marijuana is the inability to sleep without smoking. “Withdrawal from marijuana produces the opposite effect on your central nervous system opposite effect as alcohol or cocaine.”
You can overdose on MYTH marijuana or spice
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moking often causes negative health effects, especially when pained with underlying health problems such as heart palpitations or paranoia. But, overdosing on marijuana (or its legal synthetic form, spice) is virtually impossible. “You can drink enough alcohol to kill yourself,” says Susan Scholl, professor of addictions in the department of health and wellness. “But it is not really possible to smoke enough marijuana or spice in a given time period to kill yourself unless it is ‘laced’ with another substance.”
Marijuana kills brain cells MYTH
B
rain cells die from a series of daily activities, including aging. Marijuana affects the connection between nerve cells, inhibiting neural communications, but does not kill them. “There is no solid scientific evidence that marijuana use actually kills brain cells; it does, however, disrupt the normal communication between nerve cells and can destroy connections within the brain,” Bergen-Cico says.
Marijuana is a gateway drug MYTH
T
he “gateway drug” theory states that the use of a mild drug, such as marijuana, can lead to the use of more dangerous hard drugs. “The way gateway research has been conducted is flawed, and you cannot conclude that marijuana is a gateway drug,” Bergen-Cico says. The research is based on the history of 100 heroin addicts to see what percentage of them used marijuana more than other drugs. “The percentage of people who smoke marijuana and go on to use heroin is a very small percent,” Bergen-Cico says, “whereas among people who use heroin the percentage who have used marijuana at some point in their lives is very large. It is important to know the difference between these two types of analysis.”
Marijuana makes you a better MYTH driver
M
arijuana impacts the part of brain that affects judgment and perception. It hinders the ability to judge speed, distance, and time. “There may also be a phenomenon known as state-dependent learning at work, in which a person who has driven while high believes that he/she is a better driver when under the influence compared to their sober/straight driving,” Scholl says. No data supports that smoking marijuana makes you a better driver.
Smoking marijuana is worse MYTH than smoking cigarettes
“I
t is hard to compare a legal drug to an illegal drug,” says Scholl. It depends on how much tobacco and marijuana you are using. There are about 36 carcinogens in marijuana and 43 carcinogens in cigarettes, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, usually, there is no filter when you smoke marijuana, so you inhale all of the cancercausing chemicals. Smoking any substance is damaging to the lungs. “College students who smoke anything regularly are more prone to upper-respiratory infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia,” Scholl says.
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Personal Story
STRONGER than a SCAR
Erica Hewins beats thyroid cancer
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As told to Erica Fisher // Photography by Erica Fisher
hile sitting in the back of a driver’s education class last summer, absorbed in my own boredom, I felt it. I cannot quite remember whether I meant to put my head in my hands or scratch an itch, but there it was: a massive lump on the front of my neck. I told my parents when I got home, and they made a doctor’s appointment. I sat in the oncologist’s office with my mom and step-dad when I received the news: there was a high probability that I had thyroid cancer, a malignant tumor that affects the production of iodine. The doctor said the lump needed to be removed immediately.
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Personal Personal Story Story
While the doctor spoke, all I could hear was static. His words were blurred by my fear and shock. I was afraid the tumor was getting bigger as we spoke, and I was even more frightened the surgery would go wrong. To prep for surgery, I wasn’t allowed to take medications such as Advil and I couldn’t eat anything after midnight the day before. The doctors said thyroid cancer is one of the most curable cancers, but it is most common in women around the ages of 30 to 50— not 18, not my age. ‘Cancer is cancer,’ I thought, ‘no matter how curable it may be.’ Different types of thyroid cancer exist, but I was diagnosed with papillary cancer. Papillary cancer begins in the follicular cells—the cells that make the hormones in the thyroid. These cells affect heart rate, body temperature, and energy levels. Luckily, the doctors caught it before it sread to other parts of my body. To be safe, the doctors removed my entire thyroid and conducted iodine radiation treatments to kill whatever cancer remained. The radiation is generally delivered from a machine outside the body, and is emitted from a beam. It kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA. When the DNA is damaged beyond repair, the cells stop dividing and die. The broken-down cells are eliminated by the body’s natural process. The hospital discharged me 24 hours after my surgery, and allowed me to eat right away. (Note to self: hospital food is worse than dining hall food). When I returned home, I made a few changes in my lifestyle. I stopped doing hot yoga and other fitness classes, even working out in the gym. I was afraid it might affect the tumor, even though my doctors assured
me it wouldn’t. Multiple doctor visits each week meant less time with friends. Even when I was with them, the fear of relapse was distracting. I remember countless games of Scrabble with my grandma, my nurse for a few weeks. I watched movies, ate ice cream with my boyfriend, Seth, and cared for the two hermit crabs, Jaws and Esteban, my friends bought me as a get-well present. Even though I tired easily, and it hurt to my move my neck in the beginning weeks, I tried not to miss out on too much. In fact, it was one of the best summers I’ve had. Now that surgery left me without a thyroid to produce the hormones I need, I take an iodine pill every day. A bigger hassle, though, is taking care of the red scar on my neck from surgery. I avoid exposing it to sunlight because it burns and makes the scar permanently red. When I go outside I have to wear a scarf to shield it from sunburn — but luckily, in Syracuse I’d wear one anyway. wth
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Get Well
All Natural
WTH pinpoints four locations for alternative healing in Syracuse Words by Claire McFarland
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or college students with deadlines, final exams, and job interviews, the pressure can mount. Large amounts of stress can take a toll on your health by negatively affecting sleep, eating habits, and relationships. Try these natural health alternatives for a happier and healthier body, mind, and spirit. Reiki: Hands-on technique to relaxation This Japanese stress-reduction and relaxation technique balances the energies in your body and addresses physical, emotional, and mental imbalances. Reiki is an ancient handshealing technique that uses the “life force energy” to heal, says Suzanne Maule, a third-level certified Reiki instructor who practices in a volunteer group at Crouse Hospital. Maule says Reiki involves the hovering hands above certain energy points to transfer positive energy to the patient’s body. Justin Bernstein, a junior environmental biology major at SUNY ESF, has received two formal treatments from Maule. “College students could definitely benefit from Reiki,” Bernstein says, “It’s a huge stress reliever.” Maule also taught Bernstein how to practice the technique on himself. Where to go: • The Life Center for Well-Being 302 Parsons Dr., Syracuse, N.Y. (315) 468-5060, www.lifecenterforwellbeing.com • Reiki Therapy with Sue 400 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, N.Y. (315) 396-9900 Acupuncture: A stress-reduction wonder With the simple prick of a needle, the connective tissue in and around a joint can loosen up. Acupuncturists administer their quick and painless treatment by spinning thin needles into certain pressure points in the body, decreasing pain and encouraging the body to heal itself. Once several needles have been inserted into a specific area, the pressure from them relieves tension. Acupuncture has also been shown to reduce anxiety and even cure addiction among patients. Where to go: • Life Source Acupuncture 5700 W. Genesee St., Camillus, N.Y. (315) 423-8614, www.lifesourceacupuncture.com
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Massage: The benefits are more than skin deep Massage does much more than relax your muscles, according to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The study evaluated the effects of massage on blood-hormone levels in the body and brain. It found that those who received light massage experienced increases in oxytocin, a hormone associated with contentment. The study also found that receiving massages twice a month could improve a person’s overall happiness and peace. “Massage is absolutely effective for stressed students,” says Angela Wart, a licensed massage therapist who practices in Syracuse. “I treat many of them.” Wart encourages patients to find the massage style that fits them best. She administers many types of massage, such as Lomi-Lomi, a fast-paced traditional Hawaiian massage; Thai Poultice Massage, which involves a hot pack filled with tensionrelieving herbs; and Asian Hot Stone Massage, which targets pressure points in the muscles. Where to go: • SpaZend 719 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, N.Y. (315) 424-3772, www.spazend.com Yoga: Healing through mind, body, and spirit Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you to relax and manage stress and anxiety, according to a 2010 Mayo Clinic study on modern forms of relaxation. The core components of most yoga classes are poses—a series of movements designed to improve strength, flexibility, and breathing. CNY Yoga Center in Syracuse offers a variety of classes for people of all levels. Yogis, or yoga students, can practice Vinyasa, a series of postures that correlate to the speed of the breath; Dharma Yoga, which concentrates on balance and core strengthening; or hot Dharma Yoga, which takes place in a heated room to help loosen the muscles and achieve a deeper stretch in each pose. Where to go: • CNY Yoga Center 719 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, N.Y. (315) 425-9642, www.cnyyogacenter.com
Get Well
too much tech? WTH examines the effects of laptops and cellphones on your health Words by Julie Kosin // Photography by Samantha Dolph
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hen Alex Ptachick wakes up in the morning, she immediately checks her cell phone. Throughout the day, the newspaper and online journalism major sends and receives about 1,500 text messages. She spends up to seven hours a day on her laptop taking notes in class, Facebook chatting, Skyping with her boyfriend, and watching TV. Between classes, she gets the latest news on her iPad and listens to music on her iPod.
Today, technology makes Ptachick’s life easier, but it might make it more difficult in the future. In recent years, rapid advances in technology have led to a rise in studies about its dangers. Possible consequences range from the annoying (headaches brought on by staring at a computer screen too long) to the downright terrifying (possible brain tumors caused by cell phone use). What the Health separates rumor from fact.
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Get Well
Eye Strains and Headaches Computer use can lead to computer vision syndrome, which causes blurred vision, eyestrain, eye twitches, headaches, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain, according to the Pennsylvania Optometric Association’s website. Dr. Kenneth Savitski, an optometrist in northeastern Pennsylvania, says he sees this problem in 90 percent of his patients who work a regular eight-hour day on a computer. To save your eyes, Dr. Savitski suggests taking a break from staring at the screen every 20 minutes. Another trick he recommends: Take a few seconds to focus on something across the room or out a window, then look back down at the screen quickly. Repeat a few times. This helps your eyes refocus and relax. A clean computer screen and a privacy filter (which makes content on the screen invisible to anyone not directly in front of it) over your screen helps reduce glare, he says. VERDICT: High Risk
Muscle and Joint Stress Computer and laptop use can lead to serious effects on the body, according to Dr. Paul Blackledge, a chiropractor in northeastern Pennsylvania. He sees patients daily who suffer from neck, shoulder, back, and wrist pain and headaches caused by long-term computer use. He says sitting at a computer for multiple hours in a row can cause you to hunch, leading to posture problems and headaches. He stresses the importance of a proper workspace: a chair with lumbar support to keep the curve in the lower back, a monitor screen at eye level directly in front of the chair to prevent you from hunching and twisting for a better view, and a cushion in front of the keyboard and mouse to keep your wrists up, preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. VERDICT: High Risk
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WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
Brain Tumor and Cancer While some people fear that radiation from cell phones causes cancer, no definite proof of this exists. A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in May 2010 had conflicting conclusions: There was no overall connection between cell phone use and brain tumors, except in a small number of subjects categorized as “heavy users.” Walter Hall, a professor of neurosurgery at Upstate Medical University, disagrees. He believes cell phone radiation is not linked with brain tumors. “Somebody will come down with a brain tumor, because brain tumors occurred in humans even when cell phones didn’t exist, and the person will say, ‘The tumor occurred on the side I use my cell phone,’” Hall says. “But it was really just that person’s destiny to get a tumor on that side of his head anyway.” Hall believes worries about cell phone radiation come from early forms of radiation therapy that actually caused cancer. But radiation therapy technology has improved and now poses “an extremely low cancer risk,” even though it delivers much higher doses of radiation than cell phones. VERDICT: No Risk
Infertility The jury is still out on whether laptops cause infertility. In 2004, researchers at the State University of New York at Stony Brook measured the scrotal temperatures of 29 men sitting with a laptop on their laps for one hour and men sitting in the same position without the laptop. While both groups’ scrotal temperatures rose, only the laptop users saw a significant change. The higher temperatures could lead to a drop in sperm production, but not everyone agrees. Dr. Robert Kiltz, founder of the Central New York Fertility Center, believes men who keep laptops on their laps for more than an hour might have an increased risk for sperm abnormalities, but he doesn’t see it as a major concern. “Theories seem to direct our outcomes, so if you worry about it, it’s more likely to be a factor,” he says. He doesn’t think laptops cause female infertility. VERDICT: Slight Risk
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Get Well
is for
One month into her first semester at Syracuse University, Katie* abused prescription drugs for the first time. The College of Arts and Sciences sophomore was nervous about her upcoming exam, and a friend had recommended Adderall to help her study. After taking two pills, she set to work. The next four hours passed quickly, and she had written 10 pages of detailed notes with ease. “Once I sat down, I just couldn’t stop writing,” she says. When she settled into bed at 2 a.m., she still felt wide-awake. She pulled out her BlackBerry and Googled song lyrics for the next three hours. “It was so weird, like what was the point of that?” she says, laughing. “All I know is that I couldn’t stop. Once you start doing something you just get so focused you can do it forever.” Katie’s experience is common, due to the growing trend of nonmedical Adderall use at a university level. College students between the ages of 18 and 22 were two times more likely than non-students of the same ages to use Adderall without a medical reason, according to a 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Despite the drug’s popularity, it poses serious dangers when misused. Adderall is a stimulant drug that is prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which occurs in individuals who are dopamine deficient. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter that sends messages from the brain, affects processes that control movement, emotions, and the ability to experience pleasure and pain. This deficiency makes it hard for people to focus, but the amphetamines in Adderall replace the dopamine to help increase the individual’s ability to concentrate. Those without a medical need for the drug can still feel its effects, which include
Adderall
Increased numbers of SU students turn to this study drug Words by Avery Bowser // Photography by Dan Berkowitz an intense alertness and ability to concentrate. Dr. Tibor Palfai, a professor of psychology at SU, says the effects are stronger for individuals who take Adderall for nonmedical purposes than for those with a legitimate medical reason to take it. “When Adderall is taken as prescribed, its absorption rate varies to give you long lasting, less intense results,” he says. “But when taken in large doses, the individual will experience more powerful effects.” A growing number of college students are using Adderall as a study aid. Sarah*, a psychology major, has noticed the drug’s overwhelming popularity. “I honestly can’t think of a single one of my friends who hasn’t tried it,” she says, “It’s very mainstream.” Dr. Tanya Gesek, a professor of psychology at SU, is also well aware of this booming trend. “Adderall is by far the most-sold medicine on campus,” she says. “Health Services even came to us because they were receiving a great number of medical requests, disproportionate to national averages. They were disturbed by this, and wanted our input.” As a result, the psychology clinic and Health Services teamed up in 2009 to create a system for distinguishing students with actual needs from those who intend to abuse the drug. SU students exhibiting ADHD symptoms must undergo a series of formal evaluations, including clinical standardized interviews and completing checklists of their symptoms. The student’s parent or guardian must fill out a checklist as well,
to confirm the student’s symptoms. The staff then compares the lists to see if the responses match up. Gesek supervises these evaluations and, confident of their effectiveness, says that the evaluations are in line with “the best ADHD testing practices.” In addition to preventing Adderall abuse, the evaluations will help students avoid dangerous side effects, such as an upset stomach, stunted growth, increased blood pressure, heart problems, and dependency. “It’s unfortunate that students feel the need to go to these extremes to do well in school,” Gesek says, “But I understand that these actions are the results of intense pressures from competition in school and the economy.” As for Katie, she plans on finding a new way to deal with the pressures of school. “Adderall is convenient for studying, because it works so well,” she says. “But it’s kind of like an easy way out. I don’t take it anymore because I know that I’m capable of doing well on my own, and because I’m scared of all those health risks. It’s definitely not worth it.” wth *Indicates that names have been changed
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Get Well
Imported Medicine Learning from the practices of the Eastern world Words by Lauren Teng East meets west at the Prime Meridian, 3,500 miles away from Syracuse. But that doesn’t mean the health practices and benefits of the eastern world are far from reach. The western world has traditionally depended on allopathic medicine, which uses drugs and surgery to remedy illness, according to the Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary. In recent years, however, the west has turned to eastern practices to supplement or even replace traditional western medicine. Local doctors regularly refer patients to the meditation and stressreduction courses that the Zen Center of Syracuse provides, says Jikyo Bonnie Shoultz, the Buddhist chaplain at Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel and liaison with the center. These practices promote mindfulness and a connection between the mind, body, and spirit. They allow you to evaluate and release repetitive negative behavior, Shoultz says the type of thinking that causes stress and related health issues. What the Health suggests three Eastern medicine practices to try for yourself. Turn your world upside down A traditional yoga practice in India, inversions involve putting your head below your heart. “See the world through your heart,” says Dwight Stevenson, an instructor at CNY Yoga Center. Reversing the flow of your blood and energy gives your heart a break from pumping against gravity and busts through blockages that cause headaches and sickness. The practice can help with digestion, skin and hair health, and stress, says Stevenson, who has completed 200- and 500hour certification programs with Dharma Mittra Yoga in New York City. Inversions can either calm or re-energize, Stevenson says. Closing your eyes and turning your attention inward while inverted can soothe, whereas taking a few minutes to do a handstand can give your brain a reinvigorating hit of fresh blood and oxygen. Even if you’re a yoga novice, you can try inversions: Do a handstand against the wall, a forward bend, downward dog (like the mountain climber stretch), or lie down and lift your legs straight up in the air at a 90 degree angle. These exercises aren’t for everyone. Yoga Journal, a monthly magazine, advises against inversions if you are pregnant, menstruating, or have high blood pressure or a heart condition. If you have low blood pressure, don’t do inversions as isolated practices or at the start of exercising.
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Adventures in Chinese cupping Aaron Frank wasn’t sure what he was in for when he let his cousin’s girlfriend, a midwife trained in the ancient healing art, treat a shoulder he injured in hockey months before. “It freaked me out at first because it looked like she set my arm on fire, but it actually felt nice,” says Frank, a television, radio, and film major. The “cups” are glass spheres of varying sizes, each with one circular opening. The person cupping (a trained holistic-health practitioner or chiropractor) lights a flame in the cup’s opening and then removes the flame, creating a vacuum. He then suctions the cup to a specific area on a person’s back or limbs, targeting the injury or illness. The process forces blood to rise to the surface of the skin, where it pools. Once the cup is removed, the blood may remain in a visible and raised red circle for a few days as the body begins to reabsorb it. During this reabsorbing process, the body reads the blood as foreign and kick-starts its defense system. Cupping can treat chronic pain, the common cold, bronchitis, and digestion disorders, according to the book, The Art of Cupping. It’s worked so well for Frank that he’s learned how to perform the technique himself and has used it on his dad about five times in the past year.
WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
No need for needles If needles make you squeamish, fret not. Acupressure works the same as acupuncture, sans any poking, and you can do it yourself. It works like this: Qi is the East Asian concept of energy that runs through the body and corresponds to different organ and body systems. When Qi is blocked at certain points, called acupressure points, you become ill or achy. By using fingers, elbows, and even feet to do what acupuncturists do with needles, you or a trained professional can massage and break through the blockages. Repairing the flow of Qi treats the source of sickness or pain, as well as the symptoms. Don’t be afraid to find blockages and acupressure points yourself, says Dr. Howard Walsdorf of University Chiropractic and Natural Health in Syracuse. He advises pressing into areas where bones meet, especially on the face, with your fingers to find blockages. Find the spots that feel tender to the light press of your fingers and massage them until they are relieved, Walsdorf says. wth
Eat Smart
feed your
Need Need
WTH picks four meal options for special diets on campus Words by Arielle Franklin // Photo courtesy Flickr.com
Gluten-Free Meal What Is It? Gluten-Free Covered Burrito
Burrito with rice, black beans, cheese, salsa, cabbage, sour cream, topped w/ red & green sauce, and baked to perfection ($10 or w/ chicken $12)
Where Can You Get It?
Alto Cinco; 526 Westcott St. Syracuse, NY 13210; (315) 849-4215 Approx. 5 mins from campus; next to the Westcott Theater
Why Should You Eat It? Dr. Sudha Raj, a nutrition professor at Syracuse University, says the vegetables supply antioxidants and phytochemicals, which benefit your heart and blood stream. Add chicken for a good source of protein, she suggests.
Kosher Meal What Is It? Chicken Fajita
Vegetarian Meal What Is It? Loaded Tofu Scramble
Tofu Scramble with any of the five following items: onions, garlic, green peppers, red peppers, spinach, black olives, kalamata olives, mushrooms, banana peppers, pine nuts, and tomatoes. The following items count as 2 items in the scramble: pesto, seitan, vegan cheese, and roasted red peppers. Served with a side of toast ($7.00)
Where Can You Get It?
Strong Hearts Café; 719 E. Genesee St. Syracuse, NY 13210; (315) 478-0000 Approx. 3 mins from campus; around the corner from the Syracuse Stage
Why Should You Eat It? Choose this meal to satisfy a
craving for something substantial and healthy while staying within the limits of a vegetarian diet. With the abundance of options, this meal accommodates all tastes and preferences while providing high levels of antioxidants and protein, Dr. Raj says.
Kosher Chicken with a corn tortilla and sautéed vegetables (one “meal” on your SU Meal Plan)
Raw Meal
Where Can You Get It?
What Is It? Sashimi
On campus; across the street from the Life Sciences Building
Where Can You Get It?
Shaw Dining Hall; 775 Comstock Ave. Syracuse, NY 13210; (315) 443-2383
Why Should You Eat It? When eating kosher, it’s often difficult to find permissible poultry, especially on a university campus. But Shaw Dining Hall—which offers the campus’ only kosher option—serves up chicken fajitas high in protein from its combination of chicken, beans, and rice, Raj says.
15 pieces of thinly sliced a salad and soup ($19.99)
fresh
fish;
served
with
Komachi; 727 S Crouse Ave. #2 Syracuse, NY 13210; (315) 476-2400 Approx. 1 min from campus; around the corner from Bruegger’s
Why Should You Eat It? In “rawism,” all foods remain in
their most natural states and are not cooked over 115 degrees. For the brave raw foodists at Syracuse University, this Sashimi plate contains high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil, Dr. Raj says. spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Eat EatSmart Smart
Travel L i g h t Cultural cuisine without the extra baggage
Words by Valentina Palladino
E
xperiencing foreign foods without gaining weight worries many students planning to study abroad. “Everything from the foods you’re consuming, to the amount you eat, to the timing is different,” says Brigitta Stoner, a jewelry and metalsmithing major at Syracuse University who studied in Florence. But it’s not impossible to stay healthy abroad. If students learn to balance their new food experiences and routines, they should have no problem staying healthy, says Leigh Gantner, a registered nutritionist and a professor of nutrition science and dietetics at SU. “Try as many new foods as possible, just not too much of anything,” she adds. Here, What the Health talks to five students who trotted the globe and returned with great tips on how to indulge in foreign cuisines without packing on the extra pounds.
Australia The land down under is all about grilling. “Australians mainly put sausage and meat on the barbecue,” says Jen Alberts, an advertising major who studied in Brisbane. But don’t overindulge on meat, she says—try the barbecued veggie burgers, too. When possible, cook for yourself using fresh fruits and veggies. Her biggest tip for students who want to stay healthy is to constantly explore. Jen’s Indulgence: Tim Tams, Australian biscuits made with two layers of chocolate malt cookies separated by a creamy filling
Spain Spanish food revolves around social interaction. “In Madrid they have tapas, what we would call appetizers,” says Anna Oliva, a psychology major who studied in Madrid. “Friends will get together between lunch and dinner for tapas and to chat.” Oliva recommends balancing your carbs with protein and vegetables, since bread is at every meal. Also, eat out in moderation and never forgo meals with host families. “They know a lot about the culture’s diet,” Oliva explains. “You’re almost ensured a healthy meal when you eat with them.” Anna’s Indulgence: Spanish ham, comparable to cold-cut ham in America, but not smoked; it’s cured for longer than a year to give it a deeper flavor than prosciutto
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WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
Eat Smart
England Although English foods like fish and chips and meat pies are common, London’s dining scene encompasses many cultures. Italian, Greek, Chinese, Thai, and Indian restaurants sit on every corner. Sarah Zuckerman, a biology major who studied in London, says staying healthy depends on self-control. “It’s like coming to college as a freshman and wanting to eat everything in the dining hall for the first time,” she says. “Pace yourself, there’s plenty of time to taste it all.” Londoners go to the supermarket many times a week to stock up on frozen foods or foods you can freeze and thaw later. Sarah’s Indulgence: Cadbury Chocolate (different from the Cadbury brand in the U.S.)
Chile Segovia Spelbrink, a Spanish and international relations major who studied in Chile, believes people have the wrong idea about Chilean food. “Americans think it’s like the Tex-Mex food we’re used to, but it’s different,” she says. Chileans have a huge lunch, often consisting of hot dogs like the completo—a hot dog covered in tomatoes, guacamole, and mayonnaise. But don’t get too discouraged; Chileans love fresh vegetables like avocados and tomatoes, and often eat a simple breakfast of yogurt and fruit. Spelbrink recommends walking as much as possible and being upfront with your host family about food preferences. “They never tried to push any food on me once I told them what I preferred,” she says. Segovia’s Indulgence: Terremoto El Hoyo, a Chilean wine drink
Italy It’s easy to go overboard in Florence with carbs, cheeses, and candies, says Brigitta Stoner. Most meals consist of two or three courses, and host-family portion sizes may be more generous than those served at restaurants. Avoid overindulging on pizza and gelato, and take advantage of fresh, authentic Italian ingredients. After returning from Florence, Stoner says she didn’t gain a pound. “I ate more than normal, but I walked everywhere,” she says. “Stay active and do what you normally do at home to stay healthy.” Brigitta’s Indulgence: Schiacciata, traditional focaccia bread of Tuscany spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Eat Smart
These three healthy takes on classic desserts will make your taste buds and your waistline thank you, without sacrificing any deliciousness. Words by Casey Fieldman
Chili’s Molten Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream Warm, rich chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge.
Starbucks Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Friendly’s Strawberry Shortcake Sundae
Calories: 320 | Fat: 19g
Three scoops of Vanilla ice cream with chunks of vanilla pound cake & strawberry topping Calories: 580 | Fat: 27g
Calories: 1270 | Fat: 62g
Healthy Alternative: Fudge Cookies à la Mode
Healthy Alternative: Light Chocolate Chip Cookie
Healthy Alternative: Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients: ½ cup rolled oats (slow cooking)
Ingredients:
Ingredients (makes 12 servings):
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 1⁄3 cup Bisquick mix
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
½ cup Skim Milk
¼ tsp. baking soda
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 Tbsp. Sugar
1⁄8 tsp. salt
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
4 Tbsp. (½ stick) unsalted butter
¼ tsp. salt
4 cups Strawberries, sliced
2⁄3 cup light-brown sugar, packed
¼ tsp. baking soda
3 Tbsp. agave nectar
4 large eggs
Fat-free Redi-whip whipped cream (optional)
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
Breyers CarbSmart vanilla ice cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup plain low-fat yogurt
Directions:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped, or ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¼ cup canola oil
1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Breyers Carb-Smart vanilla ice cream
Directions: 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Com- bine the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt in a food processor, pulse until the oats are finely ground. Set aside. 2 Mix the butter, sugar, and agave nectar until light and fluffy with whisk or electric mixer. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until the mixture is smooth and glossy. 3 Gradually add the flour mixture and mix to combine. 4 Stir in chocolate. 5 Drop tablespoons of the dough onto greased baking sheets 2 inches apart (12 cookies per sheet). 6 Put the sheets to the refrigerator and chill the cookies until solid (about 30 minutes) 7 Bake until lightly golden around edges (12 to 14 minutes). Remove, let cool, and serve with ½ cup ice cream. Per cookie: 100 calories, 3.5g of fat Per ½ cup ice cream: 90 calories, 6g of fat
2 tsp. vanilla extract ¾ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions: 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking sheet with cooking spray. 2 Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally. Don’t let the bottom of the bowl touch the water. 3 Whisk the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda in a separate medium bowl. 4 In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and brown sugar until smooth. Add yogurt, oil, and vanilla and whisk to combine. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture until blended. Finally, add the flour mix and stir until just moistened. 5 Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes. Per cookie: 100 calories, 3.5 grams of fat Recipe adapted from www.foodnetwork.com
Recipe adapted from www.foodnetwork.com
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WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
2 Mix Bisquick, milk, sugar, and butter together. 3 Put golf ball sized spoonfuls on an ungreased cooking sheet. 4 Bake 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. 5 Layer one slice crumbled shortcake, 1⁄3 cup strawberries, and ½ cup ice cream. Top with whipped cream, if desired. Per piece of shortcake: 146.3 calories, 5.2g of fat Per ½ cup ice cream: 90 calories, 6g of fat Recipe adapted from www.bisquick.com wth
Eat Smart
Carrots, What’s up with
Doc?
Marketing campaign urges trading in candy for carrots at a Syracuse high school Words by Devon Braunstein // Artwork by Michelle Weaver
A
s the second period bell rings, the 1,640 students of FayettevilleManlius (F-M) High School scurry to their next class. Stomachs growling, students glance at their watches—lunch is still hours away. With minimal time left until the start of their next class, students rush to the vending machines for a quick snack. Their eyes are drawn to a new sight: an orange vending machine selling what looks like junk food, but actually holds packages of baby carrots. Last September, an alliance of carrot growers launched a $25 million advertising and marketing campaign promoting baby carrots as a hip snack, starting in Syracuse. By using vibrant packaging mimicking junk food and action-packed promotional videos, the campaign hopes to gain the attention of typical junk food lovers. Bolthouse Farms, a major carrot growing and processing company, initiated the campaign, teaming up with Crispin Porter and Bogusky (CP+B), the agency behind advertisements for Burger King and Domino’s. The campaign advises consumers to “Eat ‘Em Like Junk Food,” and CP+B intends to “reposition carrots more as a snack and less as a vegetable,” says Andy Nathan, account
director for the carrots campaign at CP+B and F-M alumnus. “They’re crunchy, neon, poppable, dippable—they are junk food.” As part of the campaign, an all-carrot vending machine was installed in the cafeteria of F-M High School and Mason High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a twomonth test run selling 3 oz. bags of carrots for 50 cents. One day after its installation in F-M High School, the vending machine sold out. After it was replenished, it sold out again in a single afternoon. “There were students clamoring to be the first to buy a bag,” says Ray Kilmer, F-M High School principal. Kilmer says the carrots have been particularly popular at F-M because of their appeal to students on the go and their low prices. “I think students in general, not just unique to our school, want to eat healthy,” Kilmer says. “But because of their busy lifestyles, they need that ease, accessibility, and convenience.” The baby carrot campaign plans to expand to different locations, including other schools and businesses. “I see the value in putting a healthier option around campus instead of just having options like potato chips,” says Seth Crockett, a television,
radio, and film major at Syracuse University. International relations major Soo Ah Kim believes installing carrot vending machines in student residences would be a good idea. “For those freshmen who don’t want to gain the freshman fifteen, it would be good to have one carrot vending machine in each dorm,” Kim says. “My friends are often up late doing homework but they can’t find healthy things to eat at night. They look for a healthier snack but it’s just not available, so they stick to junk food,” she says. But other SU students feel ambivalent about the success of such a limited vending machine due to the food options SU already offers. “It’s pretty wild, but unnecessary,” says Jonathan Foust, a computer engineering major, who feels the salad bar in the dining hall meets his vegetable needs. “I wouldn’t walk up to a machine and say, ‘I need a bag of baby carrots.’” Nathan says so far, the campaign is working and is seeping into our culture. The campaign’s concept made its way onto “Saturday Night Live,” the front page of The New York Times, and “Chelsea Lately.” “We’re not saying we are anti-junk food,” Nathan says. “We just think carrots are as much junk food as everything else—and they’re fun.” wth
spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Eat Smart
Curb Your Cravings Understand the science behind why you want the salty and sweet Words by Samantha Quisgard // Photography by Darra Markland
I
t’s 1 a.m. and you wander into the kitchen looking for chocolate cake, ice cream, chips, or a hamburger. Whatever it is, you’re craving food, and the desire just won’t go away. No matter how hard you try to resist, you simply need to eat it. Though we often blame our stomachs for cravings, our brains are truly at fault. There is a reason why you crave the foods you do. When your body is hungry and needs an energy boost, the stomach sends a signal to your brain, giving you the urge to eat. Once this hunger is satisfied, your fat cells produce leptin, the chemical that tells your body you are full. Stress disrupts this system, causing many of us to turn to food. The hormone cortisol accompanies high levels of stress and blocks the effect of leptin on the brain, preventing your body from getting that full feeling. Because your body thinks it hasn’t eaten, you get the urge for a quick fix from sugar or fat—explaining why chocolate cake and greasy chips are at the top of your list while studying for midterms. Cortisol can affect serotonin and dopamine levels— the chemicals that regulate your mood. “Chronic stress and depression can lead to high cortisol levels and lower serotonin levels. Lower serotonin levels appear to be correlated with intakes of carbs,” says Randall Jorgensen, a psychology professor at Syracuse University. Thus, we turn to comfort foods from our past when we need a mood booster. Some studies show the type of food you’re craving may indicate an underlying mood, says Dr. Jacqueline Odom of the Beaumont Weight Control Center in Michigan. Craving crunchy foods may imply that you have unexpressed anger you’re unsure how to release.
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WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
If you’re hungry for sweets, it may mean that you’re not getting enough kind words from those around you. Turning to dairy could signal a momentary lack of nurturing, and choosing starchy foods to munch on could suggest you want more protection and support in your life. “Cravings have to do with a learned association: once you eat a food and have a good experience, you tend to associate that good feeling with that good food,” says Sapna Doshi, a fourth year clinical psychology Ph.D. student at Drexel University. While there are no definitive answers to why you crave what you do, there are ways to try to prevent giving into them. Dr. Meghan Butryn, a research professor at Drexel, suggests four ways to deal with cravings. First, decrease your access. If you have a tendency to crave ice cream, don’t keep a pint of Ben and Jerry’s in your freezer. Making foods less accessible will force you to pause before obtaining the food, and perhaps encourage you to decide on an alternative food or activity. Next, Butryn suggests creating a “coping card,” or an index card filled with motivational quotes and suggestions that will help you to respond to the craving in a positive way. She also suggests short distractions such as taking a walk or calling a friend for support. Finally, Butryn recommends “urge surfing”: developing mindfulness by sitting back and watching the ups and downs of your cravings as they rise and subside like a wave. If you still can’t stop dreaming about the chocolate cake in your kitchen, give in to your craving—but not completely. Treat yourself to a small portion and be sure to eat it slowly. Take your time to enjoy the food as opposed to scarfing it down before you hit the kitchen table. This way, you’ll be much less likely to head back for the rest of the cake. wth
Eat Smart Syracuse University addictions professor, Dessa Bergen-Cico, guides WTH through
The Anatomy of a Craving 1
6
Twenty minutes later your blood sugar drops and your brain’s levels of serotonin and dopamine decrease leaving you tired and slightly depressed.
5
The cake is gone, insulin fills your bloodstream, and your blood sugar spikes.
4
You’re stressed and unhappy and want a rapid way to cope, so the image of a comfort food like chocolate cake enters your brain.
2
3
Your brain is primed from experience to know the cake is high in cocoa, fat, and sugar which will increase your brain’s dopamine levels and elevate your mood.
Memories surface in your brain of the good feelings you got last time you ate cake or similar sweets.
You take the first bite and immediately your “feel good” chemical (dopamine) levels rise reinforcing you to crave eating more of the cake, so you take another bite, and another.
spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Eat Smart
Cuck for Coconuts
Words by Rachel Tipovski
What: Coconut Water Top Selling Brands: Zico, Vita Coco, O.N.E Health Perk: “The levels of potassium in coconut water give your body a surge of natural energy before a workout, as well as prevent muscle cramping during one,” says Sarah Short, a nutrition professor at Syracuse University. It’s also naturally fat-free and filled with electrolytes. Negative note: This thirst quencher contains as much sodium as most servings of potato chips.
C
oconut water made a name for itself when celebrities like Madonna, Demi Moore, and Matthew McConaughey started publicly drinking it. Rumors link the drink to health benefits ranging from curing a hangover to providing the body with more energy than the average sports drink. Not to be confused with coconut milk, coconut water is the clear liquid found in young coconuts. This drink gained popularity in the Caribbean and South East Asia years ago, but only recently made a big splash in the United States with sales jumping from $4 million to $20 million in 2009, according to Forbes.
QUICK FIX
Cutting sodium from your staple food Words by Alyssa Miron
Y
ou need to leave your dorm room in 15 minutes to avoid tardiness in your four-hour science lab, and you listen to your stomach grumble. With little time, you look for a quick fix. Ramen Noodles are calling your name. Though they are a quick and easy-to-make meal, Ramen Noodles aren’t the healthiest items in your pantry. In the Maruchan brand, available on Syracuse University’s campus, one serving packs in 1.17 grams of sodium. Maureen Thompson, a professor of public health at SU, says 2.3 grams of sodium should be most college students’ daily limit—and students are already reaching more than half a day’s worth of sodium in just the one bowl. The seasoning packet in Ramen noodles makes the soup unhealthy, containing the sodium and fat, Thompson says. “Too much sodium can cause water retention which may lead to high blood pressure, worsening of heart disease, and increased risk for stroke,” Thompson says. A majority of the sodium we consume comes from processed meals. Used in prepackaged foods, high sodium inhibits the growth of bacteria, prevents spoiling, increases flavor, and reduces perception of dryness, Thompson says. These side effects are easy to avoid by substituting high sodium snacks with lower ones. For a healthier option, serve up a bowl of Thai Kitchen noodles. Any of the company’s five flavors of Instant Rice Noodle Soup contain a fraction of the amount of sodium found in Ramen noodles. One package of the Thai Ginger flavored instant noodles contains only .51 grams of sodium— less than half the content in Ramen—and international relations major Anneli Lambeth swears, “The Thai Ginger Instant Noodles taste just like Cup Of Noodles.” A four pack of Thai Kitchen Instant Soups costs $4.36 and is available at Wegmans, Price Chopper, Walgreens, and Target.
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WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
Feel Great
treme Exercise The DVD trend that sculpts in 90 days Words by Alicia Smith
While Jasmine Sale lived with her boyfriend for the summer, the couple put on a little “happy weight.” Both wanted to do a workout to gain some muscle definition. “I want to be able to pick up something and have people say, ‘Wow I can see her muscle,’” says Sale, a social work major. So they tried P90X. P90X is one of Beachbody’s DVD workout programs created by personal trainer Tony Horton—an enthusiastic 52-year-old with the body of a college-aged bodybuilder. The program promises to get users “absolutely ripped in just 90 days!” by following a 12-DVD regimen. An instruction booklet guides users through the various 60-minute workouts, including a plyometrics workout, yoga, and exercises that target the chest, back, abdominals, and other muscle groups. P90X relies on the premise of “muscle confusion,” which according to the program’s website, “accelerates the results process by constantly introducing new moves and routines so our body never plateaus.” The muscles are worked in multiple ways and directions. If you are using a weight machine, you are moving the muscle and joint through a full range of motion, but at one angle and in isolation, says Sandy Bargainnier, the physical education program coordinator at Syracuse University. “If you are using something like P90X, you are still going to work the same muscle group but you will work it in a different way—at a deeper level and at different angles which is what we do in our daily life,” she adds. Jes Zurell, a graduate student in The Goldring Arts Journalism program and certified personal trainer, says P90X is one
of the best workout DVDs out there. “It addresses weight training—something that cardio addicts never do out of fear they’ll bulk up,” Zurell says. Bargainnier agrees the program could be good for athletes, but discourages use for those who are really out of shape. She says the program is not a good starting point. “I would never do the plyometric portion of P90X with the general population.” P90X recognizes that a full figure transformation requires, in addition to exercise, a proper diet. A booklet detailing several meal plans accompanies the workout DVDs. “P90X is a great way to work out, but if you’re still drinking beer every weekend or even just eating too many ‘healthy’ calories, your pudge is not going to shrink,” Zurell says. Sale, who currently follows the “portion control plan” likes it because she can eat the same foods, but just adds more protein. Despite the tempting glamorous results broadcasted on the program’s infomercials, many find the workouts are too difficult, or slow to show results and are turned off to exercise. Some of Sale’s friends have tried to join her with her workouts, but find that the daily 60-minute commitment is too much. Sale, however, continues to find the time to do P90X everyday. The ultimate question is, are the “three easy payments of $39.95” plus shipping and handling worth it? “I’d recommend P90X, but don’t expect miracles,” Zurell says. “It’s better than wasting your time on a treadmill, but you’ve got to do the rest.” wth
spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Feature Feel Great
WINGMAN WORKOUT Tag-teaming can up your game at the gym
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Words by Brittany Fuino // Photography by Nicole Silver
“I have to wake up early to cram for this exam.” “I’ll work out twice as hard tomorrow!” “Was that a sneeze? I should probably skip the gym today…”
S
ound familiar? While it’s easy to find excuses to skip a sweat session, it’s much harder when someone is counting on you to exercise with them, says Donna Acox, a nutrition professor and registered dietitian at Syracuse University. In fact, a 2001 study conducted at Ohio State University showed college men and women rely on social support to get to the gym each day. Men tended to use the buddy system to work out, while women were more likely to seek motivation from their families. Even Marine Nick Breuning, a supply chain and marketing major, counts on a work out buddy to get him moving from time to time. “If someone isn’t right there telling me to go, I might put it off until later or not go at all,” he says. People tend to choose friends based on similar interests, which means fit guys have fit friends who encourage each other to be active. Men are generally more active than women, so this snowball effect is more common among guys, according to the OSU study. Breuning thinks the reason guys are more likely to work out with friends is
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WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
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because they often need spotters for lifting weights, while girls tend to do more cardio and can hop on the treadmill or the elliptical by themselves. A wingman may push you to work out longer or harder than you would flying solo. Naima Aguayo-Pohl, a communication sciences and disorders major, goes on frequent three- to five-mile jogs with her mother when she’s home. At school, she sweats up a storm to fast-paced techno beats and hip hop remixes in a weekly spin class with a room full of other women. At home, AguayoPohl counts on her mom as a reliable work out partner more than her friends, who don’t share her same level of dedication to fitness. If the idea of sharing your gym time with a pesky sibling gives you a headache and the pressure of making a pact with a friend feels more like a marriage proposal, find a happy medium and join a fitness class. You won’t need to rely on a flaky gym buddy to keep you company, and being part of a group dynamic may give you the same social boost to keep you coming back for more. wth
Feel Great
In or Out?
The benefits and drawbacks of being a gym rat or a mountain cat Words by Katherine Salisbury // Photography by Nicole Silver
H
arsh winters force many workout routines indoors, but the second the sun starts to thaw Syracuse, some students lace up to break a sweat outdoors. Whether exercising on windy trails or in a gym, both have their benefits. The key is to find something you enjoy and can do every day, from running and biking to lifting and kayaking, says Tim Neal, assistant director of athletics for sports medicine at Syracuse University. While all exercise is effective, hitting the gym is the easier of the two options, Neal says. A gym provides stability, independent of weather factors that could make it difficult to work out. Weight machines, stretching pads, cardio machines, and other people work as motivators at the gym. If you find yourself slacking, look over at the person running next to you as inspiration to keep going. Talking to friends or watching TV can act as helpful distractions when exercising indoors on a machine, Neal says. It’s also easier to track your progress. Mileage, pace, and calories burned are all available on the machine’s screen.
Especially when recovering from an injury, it’s best to start indoors. Machines in gyms are padded, softening the impact on your muscles and ligaments, Neal says. People with sore muscles, bad knees, or other injuries should train inside. Denny Kellington, assistant athletic trainer at SU, believes it’s harder to exercise outdoors, especially if you’re just starting out. “Depending on if you have the stamina or strength to exercise outside, it might be hard,” he explains. He suggests starting indoors to get used to the running motions and lifting exercises, and then going outdoors to sweat. “Exercising outdoors is better for you,” Kellington says. “The air quality is more pure, you recruit different muscles, and you use your own body weight to move.” Indoor air levels are estimated between two and five times more polluted than outdoor air, depending on ventilation in the room, according to studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency. Household products, such as air fresheners or damp carpets, increase indoor air pollution. While air conditioning can be
more comfortable than the sweltering sun, the gym’s air quality might not be worth it. Tina Vidum, author of Outdoor Fitness, describes outdoor exercise as invigorating. “Fresh air, natural light, natural terrain, views, vistas—multi-directional movement on all types of terrain is not only a blast, it recruits more muscle fiber, burns more fat and calories, and trains the brain with the body,” she said in an interview with FitCommerce, an online health and wellness publication. Exercising in nature, even for just five minutes, helps improve or maintain mental health. Researchers at the University of Essex tracked 1,252 participants and found that people walking past lakes or green areas had an increase in their mood and self esteem. Whatever your preference, switch it up once in a while. Don’t get stuck in a routine, because your body will exert less effort when it is used to doing something every day, Kellington says. Try the stair master one day, and run up a steep hill the next. Each exercise yields different results, but they all beat doing nothing. wth
spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Feel Great
Fight Starts The
Now
I
n one corner of the ring sits your brain. In the opposing corner, ready to take you down, is memory decline. Let’s get ready to rumble. Memory loss may seem lightyears away to a college student, but according to the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan your brain function begins its steady free-fall as early as your mid-20s. In fact, mental decline occurs at the same rate in a 25-year-old as it occurs in a 70-year-old. Number games and doodling become key weapons for both young and old adults. Studies conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association reveal that engaging in cognitive training several times a week significantly wards off memory loss and can even improve brain function for up to two years. Ian Robertson, a professor of psychology at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and author of “Stay Sharp,” studies the effects of cognitive stimulation, like that of Sudoku, on the brain. Robertson argues that certain types of brain stimulation can improve cognitive function. The connections within the brain necessary for mental performance tend to weaken when the brain does not get enough exercise, but can be strengthened with repeated use. The potential threat of early memory decline has received attention throughout the Syracuse University community as well. “I recently learned in psychology class that people start to lose their memory as early as their 20s,” says Stephen Glennon, a health and exercise science major. “I figured that I would get ahead of the game and start doing Sudoku every now and then.” Doodling may also benefit the brain, according to a recent study by Jackie Andrade, a professor of psychology at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. Her study tested doodling and its power to improve memory and concentration. After listening to a brief auditory message, participants took a surprise quiz to recall information mentioned in the message. Compared with subjects who did not doodle while listening, doodlers scored 29 percent
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Battling memory decline with daily mental exercise Words by Alex Lee // Artwork by Kayley Noonan
better. Andrade’s results provide strong evidence that doodling while working can be helpful because it maintains concentration during boring tasks. Train your brain now and prepare it for the battle against memory decline. Exercise your brain using the resources around you. Take a stab at the daily newspaper’s Sudoku or crossword puzzles. Doodle your heart out during biology class. As Robertson puts it, “There is an element of truth to the ‘mental muscle’ model of the brain—use it or lose it.” wth
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Feel Great
Healthy Aging WTH examines college habits and their long-term effects Words by Natalie Maneval
Hunching over textbooks at the library, drinking soda at breakfast, and dancing too close to speakers at a frat have consequences long after your years on the Hill. So you don’t ache like an “old man” or “old woman” sooner than necessary, What the Health breaks down three health hitches and how to avoid them.
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Bad Posture & Back Pain
Weak Bones
hether it’s because of slouching over at our desks or falling asleep in class, students are prone to developing bad posture. Even lifting a heavy backpack consistently over a long period of time can lead to back pain down the road. A backpack should never weigh more than 15 percent of your body weight, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association. Over-the-shoulder bags tend to put stress on one side of the body, which can also lead to back pain. “Your posture may push you to be unbalanced on the right or left leg, so your muscle from a leg is going to need to compensate and you are going to use the muscle much more than you should,” says Stefan Keslacy, a professor of exercise science at Syracuse University. To curb the caveman hunch, exercise regularly, but with resistant exercises such as running, says Keslacy. Carry the heaviest items in your backpack closest to your back. Strengthen the muscles between your shoulder blades by placing you hands on your chest and your elbows out to the side, and then squeezing and retracting your shoulder muscles.
ollege diets typically lack calcium, which can lead to brittle bones later in life. One in 10 Americans are at risk for developing osteoporosis and other bone diseases, which can be prevented with enough calcium. We only have until about age 30 to get calcium into our bones, says Dr. Sarah Short, a nutrition and dietetics professor at Syracuse University. A 300-person study conducted by researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel showed that a calcium-rich diet could also lead to greater weight loss. Those who consumed more calcium through different milk and dairy products lost more weight.
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Hearing Loss
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aybe you couldn’t hear the warning: a study on iPod safety found the music devices can damage hearing. Audiologists from Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and other institutions found that a person can listen to an iPod at 70 percent of the full volume for 4.5 hours with Apple’s ear buds without damaging hearing. However, listening to an iPod for more than five minutes a day on full volume with the given headphones can lead to hearing damage. The findings suggest individuals listen to their iPod in quiet environments where a person will be less tempted to crank up the volume to unsafe levels.
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Feel Great
Creatine Controversy Lack of regulation on this supplement leads to dire consequences Words by Karen Hor
Two years ago, Tae Kim’s high school football coach warned him about the dangers of taking anabolic steroids. Heeding his advice, Kim and his teammates swayed between whey protein and creatine pills instead. Kim, an interior design major, consumed 20 to 30 grams of creatine per day and saw substantial results within two weeks, he says. “I became more toned and my drive to work out increased, Kim says. “It became a habit instead of a chore.” Creatine is a naturally-occurring amino acid made in the liver and kidneys. Creatine supplementation claims to increase muscle power, transferring energy to help the muscle contract. On average, a 154-pound person needs 2 grams of creatine daily, which can be found in meat, milk or fish, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. While creatine ranked one of the most common muscle-building supplements by Forbes in 2007, many experts claim supplementation isn’t necessary to build muscle. Only lifting weights will increase muscle mass, says Dr. Sarah Short, a nutrition science and dietetics professor at Syracuse University. “The only thing you gain from the creatine supplement is water weight,” she says. Creatine only swells muscle cells because the substance helps to retain water, and therefore, falls flat in enhanced athletic performance promises, Short explains. Some experts say taking too much creatine just means you’ll have to “pee out” the excess water weight. “When you take these supplements, your body is going to react and say, ‘I guess I’ll shut down on my own.’ The possibility of dehydration is high,” Short says. The supplement’s directions recommend drinking several cups of water both before and after
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taking the pill for this reason. Kim became lazy with his supplement routine in high school and took the creatine pills without drinking any liquids. “I started seeing black spots on my skin. I got pissed off at people for no reason. I lost my appetite. I felt sick, immobile, and dizzy,” he says. After the scare, Kim drank more than 10 cups of water daily. This supplement escapes the scrutiny of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the FDA charges manufacturers with the responsibility to ensure that their supplements are safe for consumption, so creatine continues to be mass-produced and sold to the public without inspection. The use of creatine is hotly debated. In 2009, a 15-year-old Ohioan high school football player Lennard Burke, Jr. was suspended for 10 days for using the supplement and faced expulsion if he continued to take it. At the same time, many professional sports leagues—including Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, and the National Basketball Association—let the supplement slide because it is not federally banned. The International Olympic Committee also tolerates the substance, deeming it a food, not a drug. While the National Collegiate Athletic Association allows athletes to take creatine, it forbids coaches and trainers from instructing them to do so. Two years later, Kim continues to take the supplement in an effort to bulk up, despite the previous alarms. “Yeah, you’ll get bigger,” he says. “It’s a good jump start, but in the long run it’s not healthy at all.” Kim vows to stop taking creatine after he finishes the last 14 pills in his bottle. wth
Feature
Biting Back
Dealing with Creepy Crawlers at Syracuse
Words by Marina Charny // Photography by Hannah McDonald
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n late August 2010, Mark Rossano, a graduate student pursuing his MBA in finance at Syracuse University, was rearranging his bed in his new room on Lancaster Avenue, when a small, red insect ran over his hand. He killed it immediately. Two more followed. He lifted his mattress and that’s when he saw them: bedbugs, crawling all over the bottom of his bed. He checked his roommates’ beds and found them there, too. Rossano made a run for it. He checked into a hotel that night and threw out his clothes. Bedbugs are small, red insects mostly stow away in corners and crevices of box springs, but can also live in mattresses and in carpets and rugs. They carry 28 different pathogens, but none have been known to transfer to humans. A bedbug will bite a human at
least three consecutive times as it crawls up the body which may cause an allergic reaction, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Over the past few years, the number of bedbug infestations soared. New York City residents reportedly filed 537 complaints in 2004, 889 in 2007, and 11,000 just last year. In 2009, several large Manhattan clothing stores, movie theaters, and even five-star hotels temporarily closed because of infestations. Various churches and homeless shelters in Syracuse faced infestations, according to the Onondaga Health Department. Residents reported incidents in the Syracuse University area along Clarendon, Madison, and East Genesee streets, among others. Darya Rotblat, director of Off-Campus and Commuter Services, receives an average of five reports a year from students with bedbugs. She advises students first to confirm that the insects they’ve discovered are actually what they think they are. “Sometimes students discover fleas and think they’re bedbugs,” she says. “They leave the same bites, but fleas can jump.” She doesn’t suggest moving out immediately because the bugs will likely come, too. “That’s how they end up spreading so quickly across the United spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Feature
PHOTO CREDIT: FLICKR.COM
» In the time of the bed bug outbreaks, an artist who calls himself Samuel Mark turned abandoned mattresses and couches in New York City’s East Village into his canvas for large spray-painted insects.
States,” she says. Furthermore, students should wait to take legal action until landlords have a chance to remedy the issue. A new bill passed by the Senate last June requires landlords to disclose upfront any past bedbug infestations to prospective tenants. While most counties in the area have approved the bill, Syracuse has not yet passed it, and Rossano’s old house on Lancaster has been resettled. However, that information can still be accessed at the city’s health department, which has all the information on the history of any house available for rent. Luckily, bedbugs can be treated and even prevented. “They’re not as small as people think,” Rossano says. “They’re like little cockroaches, except they suck your blood for five minutes.” Once you find them, they can be killed by extreme heat or extreme cold. Individual pieces of furniture must be taken out of the house before it is chemically sprayed. A typical spray costs around $1,200, depending on the by size of the home and severity of the infestation, says Rotblat. The process usually takes about three months—a succession of three sprayings. Furniture and personal garments can be placed in tractor-trailers called “vaults” that are heated for 24 hours, killing bedbugs and their eggs. Rossano’s roommates placed their contaminated furniture into storage units in Syracuse, allowing the Syracuse winter to kill them off. If your house is infested, check everywhere. “Bedbugs will hide in any place where they can cling onto things,” Rossano says. If you are moving into a new house and discover them, they were probably already there. However, if you discover bedbugs in the middle of the semester, it’s likely that you have brought them in, Rotblat adds. Keep your room clean and clutter-free, she suggests. It is a good idea to vacuum frequently, and to vacuum your mattress, especially in the corners. You can even buy a special plastic mattress cover that encases a mattress completely, specifically to prevent bedbugs. “Picking up a mattress off the side of the street is probably not the best idea,” Rotblat says. If you suspect your bed is infested, check by using light-colored sheets. Bedbugs leave trails of blood behind as they move, and you will discover the trails the following morning. Most importantly, bedbugs should be dealt with in a mature and rational manner, Rotblat says. wth
Keep yourself informed: www.bedbugger.com and www.bedbugregistry.com
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Feature
What to watch out for when you’re moving in: • Waste—Bedbugs leave skins, bloodstains, feces, and other dead bedbugs behind as they travel. Check for any of these signs around your mattress, box spring, or linens. • Dark Spots and Corners—Bedbugs can hide in furniture, behind curtains, under loose floorboards or ceiling tiles, and even in shoes. • Carpets—Leave double-sided carpet tape around your bed. If you have bedbugs, you will discover some stuck to the tape. • Nocturnal Activity—Check for movement in your sheets with a flashlight an hour or so before dawn. This is the time when bedbugs are most active and easiest to detect. • Bites—Bedbug bites are small and red. If multiple unidentified bites start to appear on your body, check for bedbugs.
Pest-free Products Words by Brittney Davies
With bedbugs creepin’ and crawlin’ across America, somebody needed to take charge. Pest-control websites amped up product lines, and start-up ventures introduced an array of detection and prevention devices. Your bedding Plastic mattress covers, the most recommended bedbug product, inexpensively lock out the pests. Protect-A-Bed ALLERZIP (available on multiple websites, including thebedbugstore. com), boasts “100 percent bedbug proof” material and a patented “Bug-Lock” zipper system (sizes and prices vary). Pillow covers and laundry bags designed for bedbug infestations might also help. Take them prisoner Climbups trap bedbugs in a pitfall once they climb in. They won’t die, but you’ll know if you need to call the exterminator. BedBug Central’s “Bed Bug Beacon” ($49) and NightWatch Bed Bug Monitor ($450) emit carbon dioxide to simulate the breathing of a sleeping human. This detects the presence of bedbugs at any stage, then keeps track of the extermination process. Bed bags Bedbugs spreading via hotels is a huge concern among travelers, and an array of solutions are popping up. The PackTite ($300, packtite.com), a locker-like box, heats luggage to 120 degrees, enough to kill bugs or eggs picked up at a hotel. Spray them silly A spray might ease your mind, but only an extermination will rid you of the problem completely. Rest Easy Bed Bug Spray ($9.99, Bed Bath and Beyond) claims to kill and repel bugs with its organic formula. Use it on mattresses, curtains, furniture, and other fabric surfaces. spring 2011 // WHAT THE HEALTH
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Feature
DIAGNOSIS? d e b a t a b l e.
Experts question the legitimacy of these three emerging addictions
Photography by Nicole Silver
I
t’s a thin line between a habit and an addiction. While experts medically diagnose and classify some fixations as “addictions,” others are only dubbed an addiction by mainstream culture. What the Health explores the ins and outs of three so-called addictions and questions whether or not they are real. Most of the following conditions fall in the category of behavioral addictions—when an individual’s habits turn into dependencies that cannot be managed with self-discipline. Often it depends on the individual and how much of a negative impact his or her habit has. One thing is for sure—addictions pose a risk to those who become dependent and often lose control of their lives. Read on to learn out what experts and students have to say on the hot topics of tattoo, sex, and Internet “addiction.”
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Feature
Words by Barbara Prendergast
T
he Internet revolutionized communication among college students: social networking sites, Skype, e-mail, instant messaging, and even old-fashioned browsing are more popular and time-consuming than ever. Seventy percent of college students visited social networking sites once a day or more, with 32 percent visiting three or more times a day, according to a 2009 study conducted by College Board. Is this excessive Internet use a sign of addiction, or just an activity of pleasure that is coincidently linked with technology? Mental health professionals are still puzzled by this question. In 1995, Ivan Goldberg, M.D., called the emergence of the web presence as a distinct disorder “Internet Addiction Disorder.” However, others believe its impact isn’t clear enough to study any problematic effects on society. If formally considered an addiction, excessive Internet use falls under the behavioral addiction category. “People who are prone to behavioral addictions have a tendency of low levels of neurotransmitters that regulate mood, and the novelty of being online stimulates the release of dopamine, a mood enhancer,” says Dessa BergenCico, a professor in the department of health and wellness at Syracuse University. Internet addicts gain a feeling of excitement and often use it to self-medicate their stress, anxiety, or
even to ease a sense of isolation in real life, BergenCico says. In the case of social networking sites, college students interact with others in a low rejection, low risk way that boosts their confidence. For example, if someone updates their Facebook status and a friend “likes” it, that person is receiving positive feedback and attention, which makes him or her feel good. The psychological capacity of the Internet is limited because the virtual world has little depth, Bergen-Cico explains, and building relationships with others needs more person-to-person interaction. Symptoms of unhealthy Internet use include feelings of restlessness, irritability, or depression, as well as neglecting responsibilities and constantly “logging on” to procrastinate. One too many tweets can quickly turn into a problem if left unmonitored. Jessica Dysart, a magazine journalism major at Syracuse University says she spends way too much time on Facebook. “I would get much better grades if it wasn’t so distracting,” she says. Bergen-Cico suggests keeping a timer or using a buddy system to monitor each other. The Internet contains just as many tools to procrastinate as it does to enable research, so its misuse can be damaging academically. The Internet should never replace real person-to-person interaction. wth
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Feel Great Feature
Words by Tress Klassen
T
hinking about getting inked? That’s no surprise. Studies reveal that tattoo popularity is on the rise. Since Life reported on the number of Americans with tattoos in 1936, the number of Americans with at least one tattoo has almost tripled, rising to 16 percent of the population. More than a third of Americans ages 18 to 29 get tattoos, according to a 2006 study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Look at the celebrities that flaunt body artwork-Rihanna, David Beckham, and Megan Fox, for example, sport multiple tattoos. In an interview with starpulse.
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com, Megan Fox says, “They’re definitely addictive. I don’t have any that I truly regret yet, but I’m sure I will at some point. I’m trying to refrain from going forward for that reason.” But experts would beg to differ with Fox’s choice of words; without scientific evidence, researchers aren’t convinced that multiple tattoos mean “addiction.” Professor Clinton Sanders, a sociology professor at the University of Connecticut and co-author of Customizing the Body: The Art and Culture of Tattooing says the term “addiction” is too strong. “Since liking to get tattooed or shopping for shoes or playing the slots are not characterized by physical withdrawal and increased tolerance…they are not appropriate issues to pathologize with pseudo-medical terms,” Sanders writes. Jerome Koch, a professor of sociology, anthropology, and social work at Texas Tech University, agrees with Sanders’ view. “Addiction is a clinical term and I think it’s over-used. In order for tattoos to become ‘addictive,’ the one getting them would have to suffer adverse consequences in their lives,” she says. DJ Rose, a tattoo artist at Halo Tattoo in Syracuse since it opened in 1997, would agree. “It’s obviously not physically addictive,” says Rose, “but what is addicting is the feeling you get from manifesting your inward feelings outwardly.” One tattooed student provides a different perspective than the experts. Alyssa Moyer, a psychology student at Syracuse University, feels that getting tattoos can be addictive. Moyer received her three tattoos in rapid succession: December 2008, January 2009, and then April 2009. She thinks that people get them as a means of self-expression. Moyer, herself, still wants more. “If I didn’t have to think about my career or goals, I would tattoo my whole body,” she says. “I love the feeling of adding something new to my body and of seeing it everyday.” Scientists hold firm, claiming that tattoos cannot be addictive. Rather, they use the term “collecting” when referring to people with multiple tattoos—people who others might view as “addicts.” “Certainly some people who get inked join the tattoo community and become collectors of tattoos,” Sanders says. “Does that make them ‘addicts’ any more than someone who collects anime posters or Frazetta drawings?” wth
Feature
Words by Ashley Collman
W
e all know someone who likes to have sex, a lot. Not just the occasional hook-up every now and then, but a person who makes sex the goal each weekend. They’re one of the girls who cheers, “To getting laid!” before taking the last pre-game shot, or the fraternity brother who has a different girl stumble out of his room every morning. Their questionable sexual behavior makes you wonder if they’re addicted to sex — or if that’s even possible. It is possible. Dateline NBC estimated that nearly 16 million Americans suffered from it in 2004. Those addicted to sex become dependent on it, and in many ways, obsessed with it. Sex occupies most of their thoughts and they plan it, says Professor Joseph Fanelli, who teaches “Human Sexuality” at Syracuse University. But “sex addiction” is not universally accepted by the experts, and therefore it’s left out of the mental disorders listed in the DSM-IV, the standard book in the psychology field Psychologists haven’t reached a consensus on how to define sex addiction, Fanelli says. Experts in the field debate whether to categorize sex as an addiction, compulsion, impulsivity, or dependency. The problem is that sex addiction doesn’t strictly resemble any one of these exclusively.
Sex addiction is often compared to substance addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, and food, as well as behavioral addictions, such as gambling and shopping. The effects that these substances or habits create are similar to those achieved through sex. “It’s mood altering. Often, addicts will sacrifice family or friends, sometimes work… they sacrifice their own health, and certainly values, to maintain this kind of sexual behavior. For many it does create somewhat of a high,” Fanelli says. Though sex addiction resembles other addictions, there are certain differences that set it apart. There are no physiological withdrawals from sex similar to those experienced by substance abusers when they try to quit. Also, sex addicts usually don’t need to abstain from sex to free themselves from the addiction. To compare your college buddy’s sex life to Tiger Woods for its multitude of casual girlfriends or boyfriends may be a stretch, Fanelli says. It’s rash to diagnose a college student with sex addiction because an interest in sex is normal. “Unless it’s out of control, you can’t pathologize something that is really a normal drive and kind of a natural developmental experience with a diagnosis— it’s not that simple,” he says. He also acknowledges that men are more likely to exhibit hyper-sexuality. Dan Kaplan, a magazine and history major, would agree. He considers the excessive promiscuity to more part of the “college experience” than “addiction.” “When you’re a freshman, it’s a fun time,” he says. “you don’t really have as many responsibilities yet and you can go out and party without any real consequences.” But people grow up and out of this phase to the point that getting laid every weekend just isn’t in the cards anymore. John Townsend, a professor of anthropology at SU who studies sexuality, says men are different than women because they are more likely than women to desire a variety of sex partners. Townsend studied college athletes a few years ago and found that men with high status (star athletes and rock musicians) tend to have sexual relations with a lot of their fans. “The case of Tiger Woods is certainly not unique,” he adds. He wouldn’t, however, define Woods or the other athletes as having an addiction. Most men experience sexual desire several times a day, but they have learned to moderate and control their desires. “[Tiger] can moderate if he has to; he doesn’t have to run off the golf course and get laid,” Townsend says. It’s when people cannot control destructive cravings that the term addiction comes into play. wth
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Amateur Chef
neDish
Wonders Words and Photos by Jennifer Anne Altoff
Three no-fuss meals to try at home without kitchen cleanup Eating healthy doesn’t have to be a chore or leave your kitchen or dorm looking like the aftermath of a good party. Follow these simple recipes to create an easy, healthy, delicious meal—without the mess. (Add variety by trying some of the scrumptious substitutes.)
Breakfast: Apple and Peanut Butter Oatmeal Ingredients:
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½ cup instant oatmeal ½ apple 1 cup water or milk ½ tsp. cinnamon 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
What to do:
Substitute: Rolled oats, quinoa (“Rolled or steel-cut oats are closer to the natural oat grain than instant oats,” says Ruth Sullivan, a nutritionist at Syracuse University. “Instant oats can lose 1 to 2 grams of protein and fiber per serving.”)
Substitute: Soy, almond, or hemp milk Substitute: Almond butter, cashew butter, or coconut butter
1. Chop ¼ apple into bite-size pieces and the other ¼ into thin slices 2. Microwave chopped apple bits in a dash of water for one minute, or until soft 3. Add oats and water or milk, then microwave for 1½ minutes 4. Stir in (or drizzle on top) peanut butter 5. Sprinkle cinnamon on top 6. Fan apple slices around your bowl for perfect presentation
WHAT THE HEALTH // spring 2011
Amateur Chef
Snack: Pear and Banana Yogurt Mess Ingredients:
1 small banana 1 small pear ½ cup yogurt ½ Tbsp. honey Cinnamon
Substitute: Greek-style yogurt (“Greek yogurt contains about double the protein as traditional yogurt,” Sullivan says, to keep you full longer.)
What to do:
1. Slice banana and pear 2. Layer 1⁄3 banana on bottom of the bowl 3. Add yogurt 4. Layer the remaining bananas and pear on top of the yogurt 5. Sprinkle cinnamon and drizzle honey 6. Mix everything together and enjoy
Dinner: Cheesy Chickpeas
and Brown Rice
Substitute: Black or kidney beans, tofu
Substitute: Quinoa or whole-wheat pasta
Ingredients:
½ cup chickpeas 1 cup brown rice 2 cups spinach ½ tomato 1 Tbsp. butter ¼ cup grated cheese Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper
Substitute: Cooking spray (Less calories!)
Substitute: Broccoli, green beans, asparagus (microwave times will vary) Substitute: Nutritional yeast (“Nutritional yeast is a supplement most often used by vegetarians and vegans because it’s a good source of vitamin B12 and protein, which can be lacking in these diets,” Sullivan says. “It is usually described as “nutty” and “cheesy” in flavor.”)
What to do:
1. Wash spinach and pat dry, then combine with tomato and 1 Tbsp. butter in a microwave-safe bowl 2. Microwave for 45 seconds, or until the spinach is slightly wilted 3. Add in brown rice and chickpeas, then ½ Tbsp. butter and spices (roughly ¼ tsp of each) 4. Microwave for 2 minutes or until hot 5. Add ½ Tbsp. butter and sprinkle on cheese 6. Microwave for 30-45 seconds or until cheese is melted
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Get Out of Town
Five Parks for Any Occasion WTH explores what nature has to offer within 20 minutes from campus Words by Yelena Galstyan // Photos courtesy nyparks.com
Central New York has hundreds of parks with countless opportunities to explore nature, let loose, and experience new sights. The sun’s out, the flowers are blooming, and nature is springing to life. There’s no better time to take a short trip to enjoy these natural treasures. Check out these five parks within 20 minutes of Syracuse University to unwind from the everyday grind.
For hiking and sightseeing: Clark Reservation State Park Naturalists consider Clark Reservation a geologic wonderland and a botanist’s paradise. The park features rugged cliffs, woodlands, meadows, a wetland, and a basin lake carved out by glaciers centuries ago. The nature center offers guided nature walks every weekend, and hikers can chose from a total of five trails. For a real adventure, try the Cliff Trail, with a ledge 175 feet above the water. Hold on tight, though—its cliffs can be very steep. Address: 6105 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, NY 13078 Phone number: (315) 492-1590 Minutes away: 13
For a scenic walk around the lake: Green Lakes State Park Green Lakes State Park features two glacial lakes surrounded by luscious forest. Run your toes through the sandy beach or make the 25-minute walk around Green Lake, which looks green in the sunlight. If you’re feeling adventurous, explore the smaller Round Lake with less-traveled trails. “I can’t imagine living in Syracuse without Green Lakes,” says Bob Wilson, a professor of geography at SU. “When you visit it, you feel like you’re far from the city of Syracuse.” In addition to its 10 miles of trails, the park also features an 18-hole golf course. Address: 7900 Green Lakes Rd., Fayetteville, NY 13066 Phone number: (315) 637-6111 Minutes away: 20
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Get Out of Town For a picnic: Mill Run Park Tucked in the town of Manlius, Mill Run Park has pavilions, a playground, and plenty of open space. It’s ideal for a picnic or an outside get-together. The park is located on the edge of a creek—a great place to dip your feet in and catch frogs or crayfish. When you’re done exploring the lower section of the park, hike up the trails and experience its woody atmosphere. Address: Mill Street, Manlius, NY 13104 Phone number: (315) 682-9171 Minutes away: 20
For running and biking: Onondaga Lake Park Onondaga Lake Park consists of seven miles of shoreline and provides Central New York with free family fun from dawn to dusk. It also hosts special events (such as Relay for Life), sport competitions, and festivals. Wilson recommends starting your walk, jog, or bike ride in the parking lot and following the trail around the northwestern part of the lake. The park features miles of bike and running trails, as well as a playground and a visitor center with free Internet. Get out of Bird Library and do some work in a new environment—after going for a run, that is. Address: 106 Lake Drive, Liverpool, NY 13088 Phone number: (315) 453-6712 Minutes away: 12
For canoeing or kayaking: Beaver Lake Nature Center Beaver Lake Nature Center contains a diverse, natural environment, says Emily Dengler, an employee at the park. Home to more than 200 species of birds and 800 plant varieties, it offers a rich mix of habitats. Dengler says her favorite attraction is the bog trail, where you can see amazing aquatic life such as pitcher plants, water snakes, and turtles. Its nine miles of walking trails lead you through a bog to a meadow to lush wooded land. In March, the park is known for maple sugaring. You can go on a tour and even tap your own trees. If you’re in the mood to get out on the water, the nature center provides $8 canoe and kayak rentals on its beautiful glacial lake. Address: 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 Phone number: (315) 638-2519 Minutes away: 20
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Personal Column
My Gut Feeling
A simple stomach ache turned serious Words by Leah Rocketto
I
t’s the last week of freshman year, and I’m lying on the floor of a bathroom stall. As I lift my head, I see the contents of my supper swimming in the toilet bowl, along with a little blood. My boyfriend holds my hand while the EMTs ask me a million questions. “What’s your name?” Leah Rocketto. “Are you on any medications?” Birth control. “Has this happened before?” Too many times. For the last four months, I have spent too many nights clutching my stomach and praying for the pain to go away. I eat toast before every meal—the only food that doesn’t irritate me. But lately, my stomach can’t even handle basic bread and butter. I don’t know what has taken over my body, but I know I want to stop it. The EMTs place me on the stretcher. As they pull me into the ambulance and drive toward the hospital, I don’t think about the sharp knife-stabbing pain in my stomach. All I can think about is my upcoming Spanish final. How do you say, “I feel like death” en Español? Two months later I’m on another stretcher. This time, I’m wheeled into the operating room for an endoscopy. Once the anesthesia kicks in, the doctor sticks a camera down my throat to take some snapshots of my stomach. Maybe this procedure—the fifth one we’ve tired—will give him an answer. After a few weeks, I get an answer: Gastroparesis. Also known as delayed gastric emptying, this condition occurs when the vagus nerve, which controls movement of food through your body, is damaged. Because of this, food lingers in the stomach for a long time and ferments. This causes the food in the stomach (a bezoar) to disintegrate or harden, which blocks food from moving to the small intestine. Gastroparesis could have been caused by a number of things: stomach surgery, medications, or metabolic disorder. In my case, it was a misdiagnosed stomach bug. I ask my doctor how we can fix it. She tells me we can’t. In fact, she adds, it may get worse. Due to my disappearing stomach lining, I’ll have trouble absorbing nutrients. The blockage, she adds, will make me feel full and nauseous, leading to vomiting. There are some steps I can take to make it better, but it’s a chronic condition that can’t be cured. She suggests avoiding acidic and spicy food, which can agitate the stomach. This means no more orange juice in the
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morning. No more salsa when I’m craving a spicy snack. No more spaghetti sauce, which, as an Italian, is basically a death sentence. She suggests eating six small meals a day because my stomach can’t handle large meals and prescribes several medications, including Nexium to heal the stomach lining and prevent further disintegration, and Culturelle to regulate my digestive system. “Great,” I say dramatically to myself. “My life is over.” Now, as a senior, I realize that my life was—and is—far from over. Granted, it hasn’t been the easiest life. I use a pill organizer to keep track of the eight pills I take daily. I take vitamin D and iron supplements because the lack of stomach lining prevents me from properly absorbing nutrients. I fill my book bag with tiny meals of veggies and crackers or fruit and nuts to maintain my six-meals-a-day diet. I have to research restaurant menus ahead of time to make sure they have something I can eat, which often means eating plain pasta at Olive Garden or the most boring burger at Red Robin. I suffer from stomach pains if I give in to the spaghetti sauce at family functions or that sudden salsa craving. It’s annoying to be so cautious about what I eat. But just because I can’t have the carefree diet of a college student, that doesn’t mean I can’t have a carefree life. wth
In Your Face
What the Health asked six students: What are college students addicted to most? “Tobacco and coffee” -Varsty Muhammad 2nd-year Ph.D. student Early childhood Education Major
“Cigarettes.” -Jeremy Whipple
Senior Aerospace engineering major
“Eating junk food while studying, even when you’re not even hungry. Bad habit.”
“Cyber games. Drugs. Sex.” -Wenke Tang
1st Year Ph.D. student Civil engineering major
-Stang Disayanon
Sophomore Television, radio, and film major
“Text messaging and drinking.” -Catherine Varanko
Junior History and anthropology major
“Alcohol.” -Vincent Manging
Junior Wildlife science major
interviews by Brianna Quaglia
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