Don't Set Yourself Up For Failure

by Jailyn R.

Would you continue to do something that you know will decrease the amount of years you will live? Ever seen a label that said, "No MSG"? How about realizing that there is less sugar on the label of your favorite ice cream? Believe it or not, this is cause for concern.

A relatively newer company is responsible for Senomyx. If you haven't heard about Senomyx think of a flavor enhancer like MSG (Monosodium Glutamate.)  The bad news doesn't stop there, but the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says they don't have to label it.  Senomyx is listed as an artificial flavor on food products.  Of course, consumers have been told to never to use processed foods especially anything that says artificial and/or natural flavors, which is where they hide aspartame and MSG.

This picture shows preservatives being adding to a tomato http://tomatotalk.earthfare.com/page/18/

Senomyx has contracted with Kraft, Nestle, Coca Cola, and Campbell Soup to place a chemical in their food products that masks bitter flavors by turning off bitter flavor receptors on the tongue and enhancing the salty and sweet flavor receptors. This allows for companies to tout claims of "less sugar" or "lower sodium" by reducing the actual sugar and/or salt by approximately half, but the foods will retain the same level of sweetness or saltiness when they touch the tongue by fooling your brain.

Our food has become so highly processed and because by FDA law, food companies can list spices and flavorings as natural or artificial flavors, unbelievably strange and disgusting things are being added to our food.

• Castoreum- is a food flavoring extracted from the castor sac scent glands of the male or female beaver, which are located near the anus. Where you'll find it? You won’t see this one on the food label because it’s generally listed as “natural flavoring.” It’s natural all right—naturally icky.
• Silicon dioxide- is what gets in your bathing suit and your hair at the beach. Where you’ll find it: Salts, soups, and coffee creamer.

• 

  https://www.teamearthfare.com/takethechallenge/lessons/artificial-preservatives

  Carmine- is a red food-coloring that comes from boiled cochineal bugs, which are a type of beetle. Where you’ll find it: Carmine can be found in ice cream, Skittles, Good n’ Plenty, lemonade, and grapefruit juice.
  
  

  These were just a couple of an examples of some of the items that they put in your everyday foods. My intention was not to gross you out it was to make  you aware because everything you eat may have a good presentation but may actually bad for you. Eat in moderation.

  
  

   For more info about the strange ingredients in common go to 
•  http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20588763_15,00.html

Sleep Paralysis (original poem)

by Jenna G.

The Boogieman, a clown, a vicious dog, werewolf, or hound.
Holding you at the throat
Or simply sitting at the edge of your bed.
It must be scary to wake up to something like that.
Or are you still dreaming?
You can't move,
Only your eyes wander
You struggle to get up,
And struggle to scream.
No one can hear your faint cries,
Because they are less than whispers.
But once that clown has you by the neck
You just lie there,
Letting them kill you.
But as you feel like your life is fading,
Your heart begins beating
Your fingers begin twitching
Your toes begin wiggling
The clown and scary monsters begin to fade away,
And you have a panic attck.
The next night you can't sleep
Insomnia
Your heart beats faster when the lights are out.
Anxienty
But when you begin to drift into a dream,
It's a whole new nightmare.


for more information about sleep paralysis visit: http://www.medicinenet.com/sleep_paralysis/article.htm

Health Science Explorers LOVE Chicago!

(2014 ASM Health Science Explores Participants)

Hey guys!~Chicago is very exciting in the summer...not only for our program, but for our city as a whole. This summer HSE (Health Science Explorers) traveled to some great places! Like Loyola University, Northwestern University, The Planetarium, a Farmers Market and the list goes on!

At our trip to Loyola University, HSE had the privilege to view the beautiful campus, meet wonderful inspiring students who lived on campus, and also chatted with the admissions office about scholarships, requirements, and programs avalible for incoming freshman. We loved Loyola, also HSE had the oppurtunity to examine human femurs bones which was pretty cool. Dr.Grauer, a forensic anthropologist, was our host for the bone lab.

(Photo credit: HSE Devonte W.)

"While learning about their personal health they are also tackling how nutrition, disease, and socio-economics can affect their families and communities"

The  quote from above explains the our trip to the farmers market. HSE met and interviewed more than fifteen farmers from Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. HSE asked questions like what made you become a farmer? Is farming a hobby? Can the food bought here be sold possibly in stores?  One Farmer explained the reason he participates in farmers market , because he love to make people happy, and also he only want to provide the BEST Foods for his customers. That was exactly what he did. Some foods sold there at the farmers markets are avalible in stores. Majority of the venders where family oriented . Visiting the Farmers market inspired hse to expand their brands , and hopefully one day one of our teens may join!

Living A Healthy Lifestyle

by Donesha M.

Living a healthy life consists of consuming a variety of healthy foods, being physically active, and taking care of your body.

                               

The Body

The digestive system breaks down and turns the food you eat into energy so that your body can function. The digestive system starts in the mouth. You break down the food with your teeth (chewing). The enzymes in your saliva helps to break down your food and turns them into smaller particles. Once the food is broken down, it is then able to travel down the esophagus and into the stomach. The stomach does three things: stores foods/liquids put into body, breaks down foods/liquids, and sends them off to the small intestine. Food usually stays in the stomach for about 2-3 hours. Carbs are stored for a short amount of time while fats and proteins are stored longer. The nutrients from the food are transported and absorbed throughout the body when the food is sent to the small intestine. If whatever you consume can not be absorbed, it is sent to the colon as waste material.                      

  

                                                                                                                            

 Eating Healthy

The things you put into your body determines how healthy of a life you live. Eating healthy is very important because the way you eat impacts your life and medical outcomes. Eating healthy includes eating the correct variations/proportions of foods to get the correct amount of calories your body needs to complete day to day activities. Eating foods like vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairies, and grains are good for you. Your body needs foods to complete day to day activities. Eating foods like vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairies, fibers and grains are good for you. Proteins give your body energy, endurance, build/fixes body tissue, produces hormones, and enzymes. Fibers ensures that your blood sugar is stable and you don’t want your blood sugar to be too high or too low.

Eating healthy could lead to a longer life. When you eat healthy and manage your habits, health issues pertaining to your eating habits will not be a problem. When you take advantage of what you eat, you have more control over medical outcomes, stress, weight gain and medical cost.

    

Dieting

Dieting to lose weight is not a bad idea, but your diets should always be balanced to insure that your taking proper care of your body. Switching adjustments to new foods too fast or too much could lead to a unhealthy unbalanced diet. The body can’t function properly when certain foods are cut off and cut on too fast. When your diet is consistent, losing weight would be a safe, stress free process. Dietary supplements are other ways to lose weight or replace foods to still get the nutrition needed.

Just An Idea…  Instead of always dieting and using supplements, eating healthy is a safe way to lose weight or get nutrients.  

Prevention

Living a healthy lifestyle could prevent medical conditions such as:

• Heart disease (caused by foods that are high in cholesterol.)    
• High blood pressure
• Type two diabetes

Heart Disease - Atherosclerosis is a condition where plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. When this happens, it becomes harder for blood to flow. This leads to a blood  clot, which could be the leading cause of a stroke or a heart attack. Atherosclerosis could be caused by high blood pressure, smoking, or high cholesterol.

(HBP) High Blood Pressure - also known as Hypertension, is the measurement of force of blood pushed against blood vessel walls.

Normal-Less than 120 over 80

Prehypertension-120-139 over 80-89

Stage 1 HBP-160-159 over 90-99

Stage 2 HBP- 160 & above over 90 & above

High blood pressure can be caused by being over-weight/obese, lack of physical activity, too much salt, too much alcohol, stress, or a family history of HBP.

Type Two Diabetes - (non-insulin dependent diabetes) affects 90%-95% of the 26 million Americans with diabetes (statistics from WebMD.) Either you pancreas can’t make enough insulin or the body does not collaborate with the insulin well (insulin resistance). When the body is insulin resistant, it stop the glucose from getting to the body cells. Type two diabetes could cause dehydration, a heart attack, stroke, and could lead to a diabetic coma.

Physical Activity

The are so many benefits when you live a physically active lifestyle. Being active can help to:

• Control your weight gain/lose
• Reduce risk for heart disease
• Reduce risk for type two diabetes
• Increase your ability to complete day to day activities
• Make bones/muscles stronger

Amount Of Physical Activity
Children/Adolescents- At least 1 hour or more of physical activity a day. Get out and play some soccer, basketball, a game of tag or run a race! 

Ages 18-64- 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity and muscle strengthening activity. 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity. Try some water aerobics, jogging, bike riding, tennis, basketball, mowing grass, etc.

Living a healthy lifestyle is very important. Get up and get active, manage your eating habits, and take a trip to the doctor. It never hurts to have a check-up here and there just to see where your health stands. Ask your doctor questions about your body, it never hurts to want to know things about what’s going on inside of you.

 
Take A RISK

Challenge yourself to make good choices about   your life!

 " We can make a commitment to promote vegetables and fruits and whole grains on every part of every menu. We can make portion sizes smaller and emphasize quality over quantity. And we can help create a culture - imagine this - where our kids ask for healthy options instead of resisting them."

-MICHELLE OBAMA

References

INFOGRAPHIC: THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM:

http://www.kidsdiscover.com/infographics/digestive-system-for-kids/

Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Digestive System: http://www.aspirus.org/ourServices/index.cfm?catID=1&subCatID=2&pageID=43

Harvard Health Publications Medical School: http://www.health.harvard.edu/plate/healthy-eating-plate

Center of Disease Control and Prevention:

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/index.html?s_cid=govD_dnpao_236

STD's In A Fetus!?!?! Part 2

by Kyra M.

Part 2

This post is to inform mothers or mothers to be on the risk the run when having a baby while being infected with an STD or STI. The chart below list multiple infections, treatment( if available) and effects. I hope that this chart will encourage people to be careful when having intercourse. 

A chart created by American Pregnancy Association list multiple STD’s their effect on the mother and child, and cure if there is one.

Bacterial STI’S – Infections that are curable
Infection	Risks (M=Mom; B=Baby)	Method of Transfer	Treatment
Gonorrhea	M – Can result in ectopic pregnancies and leads to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can cause infertility B – Premature birth, stillbirth, eye infections	Can transfer in the birth canal during delivery	M – Antibiotics approved by OB/GYNB – Antibiotics are given in the eyes to prevent infection
Chlamydia	M – Can result in ectopic pregnancies and leads to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can cause infertility B – Pneumonia, eye infections, blindness	Can transfer in the birth canal during delivery	M & B – Antibiotics approved by OB/GYN
Trichomoniasis	M – Can cause fallopian tube damage B – Premature birth, low birth weight	Can transfer in the birth canal during delivery	M & B – Antibiotics approved by OB/GYN
Bacterial Vaginosis	B – Premature birth, low birth weight	Can transfer in the birth canal during delivery	M & B – Antibiotics approved by OB/GYN
Syphilis	M – Miscarriage B – Stillbirth, congenital syphilis which can result in mental& physical problems	Can cross the placenta during pregnancy and can transfer in the birth canal during delivery	M & B – Antibiotics approved by OB/GYN can be given to prevent damage to the fetus

 

Viral STI’S – Infections that are not curable
Infection	Risks (M=Mom; B=Baby)	Method of Transfer	Treatment
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)	M – Can lead to genital cancer B – Warts can develop in the baby’s throat which will require surgery M & B – Warts in birth canal can cause complications during delivery	Can transfer in the birth canal during delivery, but very rare	M & B – Wart treatment can occur during pregnancy but has to be approved by OB/GYN
Hepatitis B	M – Can cause significant damage to the liver B – Unless treated within an hour of birth 90% of babies will be a carrier for life	Can transfer in the birth canal during delivery	B – No cure, but can be prevented with vaccinations
Herpes	M – Severe outbreak in the first trimester can result in miscarriage  B – Fetus is at higher risk if herpes is contracted during pregnancy, and can lead to neonatal herpes.	Can transfer in the birth canal during delivery and rarely can cross the placenta during pregnancy	M – No cure, but outbreaks can be treated with oral medication B – Treatment immediately following birth improves chances of a health baby
Human Immuno- deficiency Virus (HIV)	M & B – HIV can develop into AIDS, which is fatal	Can cross the placenta during pregnancy and can transfer in the birth canal during delivery. Also possible to transfer through breastfeeding	M – Antiviral medication is given to reduce symptoms during pregnancy B – Treatment during pregnancy greatly reduces the chance of transmission to the baby

STD'S In A Fetus?!?!? Part 1

by Kyra M.

Parenthood is something many  children dream about at a young age.  A healthy family is something I assume everyone would ask for. But no one imagines having their child admitted to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). But if it happens, and it happen pretty often, some admitted newborns are there because of something that could have been prevented, something that could have been controlled. Imagine walking through a NICU and seeing a child no more than 5 days old, with tubes and needles surrounding it. Imagine seeing that child have test after test run on them; imagine how sickly that very child would look. All because of STD’s.  A fetus or newborn baby can contract an STD, in multiple ways, all in which have to do with the mother.

A sexually transmitted disease or STD is passed on to someone once they have unprotected intercourse or oral sex with someone who is infected. You may be pondering how in fact does a fetus contract an STD that is in its mothers womb. Well the process is freakishly simple and not the slightest bit perplexing. Have you ever wanted to be a mother? Do you know anyone who is pregnant or attempting to conceive? Are you a female living with an STD? If you answered yes to any of these questions, continue to read and maybe you can protect your child or a child you know from a life damaging and/or threatening predicament.

19 million people in the United States are infected by an STD and/or STI each year. Some in which belong to women who are expecting. Each and everyday, at any given time a baby is born and brought into the world. It is said that no love conquers the love that a mother possesses for her child. Yet activities that a mother does, even before her pregnancy can drastically effect her unborn or newborn child.

A mother that has contracted an STD or STI puts her child at risk to also contract this same life threatening disease/infection; not only is the infant at risk for the disease but they can suffer from other complications. Just to think that a child who is in the womb can be infected or possibly killed by something they had no control over is extremely heart wrenching. It is imperative that everyone is aware of the drastic tolls STD’s or STI’S can take on the well-being of not only them but on a fetus or infant. According to the National Institute of Health, mothers who are infected by a STD's and/or STI's are at risk to have a miscarriage, preterm delivery, ectopic pregnancy (the embryo implants outside of the uterus), low birth weight, and birth defects (such as blindness, deafness, bone deformities and intellectual disability, stillbirth, infertility, and illness in the first month of life or death as a newborn.)

I, myself do not have an STD. But I feel like its important that everyone knows that STD's do NOT just affect them and them only.  While it is obvious that a mother can pass her STD to her child, I just wanted to be that little reminder. I feel like being born with an STD is a big disadvantage to any child. That forces them to live a life with adult problems when they are just a kid trying to do kid like things. I could not imagine all the treatment and doctor check-ups required when you have an STD. Not to mention that some STD's do cause death. Isn't ironic that a baby is born to start a life but can have that life ended early do to something preventable.  I've never really given this topic much thought, until I began to research and write more about it. I just knew I wanted to write about something that Neonatologist deal with. Then I started thinking, "Well, what are some of the reasons a baby would be in the NICU?"  And that's how I stumbled across this topic; but now that I have done my research and really gave it some thought, I see how serious this is. This problem only inspires me  to chase my neonatologist dream a little more.

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 29 July 2014.

"How Do Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs) Affect Pregnancy?" How Do Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs) Affect Pregnancy? Web. 29 July 2014.

"The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)." The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Web. 27 July 2014.

"Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 26 July 2014.

"Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Pregnancy | APA on STDs." American Pregnancy Association. Web. 29 July 2014.

  

Fast Food (original poem)

by Gonzalo H.

Don´t eat this, don´t eat that
this food has tons of fat
I mean just look at the nutrition facts
say bye bye to your lats

Don´t eat those, don´t eat these
come on eat your peas
those school lunches aren´t really free
health is wealth and tax returns are...
bones with a lot of meat

School may teach us the danger
of "incorrect" eating
but at lunch time all you see is diabetes
on a styrofoam tray
but CPS thinks that idea is cray.

Anxiety (original poem)

by Melanie R.

She cannot control it.
It's a monster inside of her.
She lies there at two in the morning
thinking back at what she's done
All of those embarrassing things
She just can't get over them.
They might be small, but they can really make her hate herself
For making a stupid move.
It eats her up,
It consumes her insides.
And before she knows it
it follows her around though the day.
It's a monster.
Standing in front of people
Her voice cracks
Her hands start to shake.
It's the things that don't matter.
But it keeps her from sleeping.
She can't do anything but sob
even at two in the morning
It's a monster
and it keeps finding her.

For more information about social anxiety, visit: http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/

Food Is Not Your Enemy!

by Cassie S.

(Image courtesy of stylefrizz.com)

A sickening feeling settled in her stomach when she stared down at her lunch. This would be my first meal of the day, she thought. However, she didn’t feel all that hungry, and pushed her lunch tray away. Her friends had concerned looks on their faces but didn’t act upon her actions. “I’m going to the bathroom,” she said and rose out of her seat.

She looked at herself in the mirror, and scanned her eyes over her reflection. What the mirror showed was a thin frame, but she thought otherwise. What she saw was a larger, rounder frame, a body that was too overweight to be considered beautiful. If I don’t eat, maybe I will become leaner and happier, she thought excitingly, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, she remembered the looks of her friends’ faces. I’ll have to hide this. No one can know.

This is a sign of an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits.

There are three major types: Anorexia nervosa (AN), Bulimia nervosa

(BN), and binge eating disorder (BED). Another category includes

EDNOS, “eating disorders not otherwise specified,” which do not meet the official criteria of AN, BN, or BED.1

Eating disorders can develop from numerous causes, ranging from psychological to biological to even cultural factors, yet most are rooted in an individual’s self-image and emotional stability. While psychological or biological factors may trigger it, behind every disorder is a broader cultural issue. Society’s messages about an ideal body are difficult to ignore.2

(Image courtesy of thehno.com)

According to the National Institute of Health, eating disorders primarily affect girls and women. However, men and boys can also be vulnerable, but they are not so often depicted in the media. Symptoms may be similar to those seen in females. Others may have muscle dysmorphia, a disorder characterized by an extreme concern with becoming more muscular. 3

Despite the complex emotional challenges eating disorders present for sufferers and their loved ones, recovery is possible. It is important to choose the level of care appropriate to the patients’ symptoms. Here are some options: psychotherapy, family counseling, medication, dietary consultation, peer support groups, residential treatment centers, outpatient treatment programs, and inpatient hospitalization.4

Don’t deny food, don’t follow popular beliefs from the media, build a positive body image, surround yourself with positive people, be a model of healthy self-esteem, and recognize the value you hold. Embrace yourself and the natural diversity of humans and celebrate your uniqueness!

For more information about eating disorders, please refer to these websites:

National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml

National Eating Disorders Association, http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

American Psychological Association, http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/eating.aspx

Sources:

1  Brownell, Kelly D., Dr., Kathy J. Hotelling, Dr., Michael R. Lowe, Dr., and Gina E. Rayfield, Dr. "Eating Disorders." Http://www.apa.org. American Psychological Association, Oct. 2011. Web. 26 July 2014. <http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/eating.aspx>.

2 Strada, Jennifer L. Eating Disorders. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2001. Print.

3 National Institute of Mental Health. (2007). "Eating disorders."

4 "Eating Disorder Treatment Options." Treatment Centers for Anorexia, Bulimia and Other Eating Disorders. Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, n.d. Web. 29 July 2014.