Doctors Not Advising Patients of Abnormal Test Results

A recent study in the June 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine has shown that patients who visit their primary care physician for routine screening and/or blood tests are most often not notified of the results, good or bad.

Surprisingly, this study noted that it was "relatively common", for medical staff to fail to follow up with their patients and to inform them of their test results.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Lawrence P. Casalino, who is also an Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Outcomes and Effectiveness Research in the public health department at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, acknowledge that:

"If you're a patient, it's often assumed that no news is good news. But the bottom line is that is not always the case, and patients should not passively go along with that."

In order to conduct the study, the researchers assessed the medical records of 5,434 people who were aged between 50 and 69 years. Their focus was primarily on those patients who had had abnormal results on one of 11 blood tests or one of three screening tests at primary care facilities in the Midwest and on the West Coast, during the previous year. Next, they scanned through 176 surveys that were completed by physicians that were designed to assess test result management procedures at each of the facilities.

The study revealed that in 135 cases either the patient was either not informed of an abnormal test result or the facility did not document any communication with the patient about the results in their file.

In addition, the study proved that most of the primary care facilities did not even follow their own protocol for test processing, and most facilities did not even have a defined policy on how to communicate test results to their patients.

Whilst the research did not indicate any dissimilarity in test failure rates between facilities that relied on paper records and those that relied on electronic filings, facilities that actually used a record keeping method of both paper and electronic filings had the highest failure rates.

Obviously, medical facilities and practices that had a better test result communication protocol also had lower failure rates in the study.

"Yet even in the best doctor's office it is possible, and, actually, not uncommon, for test results one way or another to get overlooked. A good relationship with your doctor is a valuable thing to have, but in this case it isn't enough. You still need to be told whether your tests were normal or not. And if you don't get the result you're waiting for, you really should call the doctor's office and ask for it," Casalino said.

President of the, not for profit, National Patient Safety Foundation, Diane Pinakiewicz, explained that the results of the study demonstrated a perfect example of a patients safety concerns in "an imperfect system with any number of opportunities for things to go wrong or fall through the cracks."

"In the past, 10 or 15 years ago, if you didn't hear back about diagnostic test results, you probably simply assumed everything was OK. But the culture of medicine is changing. The patient of today is very different, and physicians and clinicians are also different. We know a lot more today about the safety importance of making sure physicians go through the entire continuum, from taking a sample to delivering results to patients. And physicians understand that transparency is important, and a patient's right to know is important," said Pinakiewicz.

Regardless, Pinakiewicz points out that keeping proactive vigilance over their medical records is extremely important for patients to do. Patients should routinely request copies of their medical records from both their primary care doctor and from any specialist or laboratory, especially if the patient is going to change health insurance carriers, or if they are going to relocate from a hospital stay to outpatient treatment instead. She explained that:

"Patients should not accept it when a physician or clinician says they will let you know if something is wrong. Patients should ask for their test results on a consistent basis, whether or not the results are of concern, because, if you ask for them 100 percent of the time, there is no question you will always stay informed."

Photo Credit: SarahMcD

Health Secrets of Drinking Red Wine

Holistic Doctors and other health professionals have been touting drinking red wine in moderation for optimal health for many years. Recently, however, scientists have uncovered the secret behind the health benefits of red wine.

Their research has pinpointed a polyphenol called Resveratrol, which is a compound that is found in grapevines that are used for red wines, grape seed pills and grape seed extracts. Resveratrol is natural antioxidant that works to fight off cell damage in the body that is caused by free radicals from sun exposure and air pollution.

It seems that previously, researchers were unaware of exactly how polyphenols worked in the body. They did know, however, that as a person's body ages, their cell's DNA becomes damaged. The damage that is caused can force the body's cells to activate the wrong genes, which could, in effect, harm the cells and the body. Resveratrol appeared to act as a body's ally in repairing damages in to a body's cells.

The researchers now believe to understand how a compound such as Resveratrol works. Co-author of a research study that will make its first appearance in the September issue of the journal 'Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research', and an associate professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Queensland in Australia, Lindsay Brown, has said:

"The breadth of benefits is remarkable - cancer prevention, protection of the heart and brain from damage, reducing age-related diseases, such as inflammation, reversing diabetes and obesity, and many more."

The researchers agree that the possible methods of how Resveratrol actually works are as follows:

* Resveratrol consumed in relatively high doses may prevent cancer by increasing the body's process of apoptosis, aka programmed cell death.

* Resveratrol consumed in lower doses actually improves a person's cardiac health by increasing cell protection and reducing cell damage.

* Resveratrol helps to improve blood supply to cells.

* Resveratrol works to remove oxidants that are very active in the body.

The scientists and researchers have not stopped their study of red wine just yet; they are also studying how a person's body actually absorbs the Resveratrol compound into their blood stream, especially in light of the fact that Resveratrol is largely inactivated in both the gut and the liver.

Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Queensland, Stephen Taylor, explained in a journal news release:

"Most of the Resveratrol in imbibed red wine does not reach the circulation. Interestingly, absorption via the mucous membranes in the mouth can result in up to around 100 times the blood levels, if done slowly rather than simply gulping it down."

It appears that the Romans knew many thousands of years ago, that drinking red wine was most beneficial to the health of their people. This is proven in one Rome's famous quotes: "In Vino Sanitas", which translates into meaning "In Wine There is Health".

It seems that the French people have also understood the benefits of wine for many centuries. French red wines provided a more superior health benefit due to their higher levels of antioxidants, when compared against German red wines in a recent study. This finding seems to accumulate towards what is known as the 'French Paradox'; research indicates that in certain areas of France where the local diet is considerably higher in fat, people who drank a glass of red wine with their meals were less likely die of a heart attack than their American counterparts.

Previous studies conducted on the health benefits of red wine have shown that antioxidants that are present in the wine itself are help to prevent the oxidation process whereby reactive particles called "free radicals" cause damage to the body's healthy cells. These same studies have also proven that Resveratrol has blood thinning properties that effectively prevent blood clots from forming and thereby preventing heart attacks, myocardial infarction and strokes. Since Resveratrol also regulates nitric oxide, which is the gas that helps smooth muscles to relax (by relaxing the smooth muscles blood is able to flow more smoothly) it also helps to prevent future heart attacks from occurring.

It is never too late to start enjoying a glass of red wine with dinner every night, in order to maximize Resveratrol's health benefits.

Keep in mind though, that moderation is the key. Do not over drink as this will have the opposite effect.

If drinking red wine is not your thing, then you can always obtain the antioxidant power of Resveratrol by taking it supplemental pill form.

To date, there have been no recorded negative side effects for anyone who has either drank pure red wine or who have consumed it in the pill form.

Photo Credit: faeryboots

Laughing Your Way To Health

People who laugh more are happier, healthier people.

In 1977, Joel Goodman founded The Humor Project, an organization that is focused on the positive power of humor. Since then, The Humor Project has helped over 500,000 businesspeople bring laughter and humor into their business lives.

Goodman says, "Humor fit right into my work. Organizations run better, and people solve problems more creatively when they don't take things too seriously. When you look for humor, you find it. You enjoy life more - and become more productive."

Humor, and laughter in particular, is highly contagious! Start smiling and everyone around you will also start smiling. Laughing helps to strengthen bonds between people and also sparks healthy physical changes within a person's body. Laughter helps strengthen the immune system, eases pain, boosts the body's energy levels, and helps protect against the damaging effects of stress.

Since laughter is such a wonderful remedy for any type of pain or stress, it works quickly to help bring a person's mind and body back in balance. Having a good laugh can help inspire and focus your mind. It also forces the mind to think more positively.

In fact, a study was conducted of a group of medical students that were followed for 25 years. By the time they reached the age of 50, 14% whom had been rated as 'hostile' had died, whilst only 2% whom had been rated 'easygoing' had died.

When they are only a few weeks old, babies start smiling. By nine weeks, they start laughing. By four months of age, a healthy, happy baby will actually laugh several times per hour. They will continue to laugh like this until adults tell them to 'grow up'.

Sadly, there are some adults who live out days or weeks without ever laughing; some adults even need help in remembering how to laugh again.

Amazingly, when a person does laugh 100 hearty laughs, they are using enough muscles in their body to provide them with the equivalent of 10 minutes on a rowing machine. Laughter is definitely the best medicine for people who are unable to exercise or who are on bed rest.

Another upside to laughter is that it stimulates respiration which increases the oxygen content in the blood which, in turn, helps the body to run more smoothly. It also reduces blood pressure and helps the body to relax quicker. After a really good laugh, the body is left in a relaxed state for 45 minutes.

A great benefit of laughter is that it triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body's natural feel good chemicals. Endorphins work to promote a sense of wellbeing whilst also working to relieve pain.

There are social benefits to laughter and humor. When you laugh with another person, you are subconsciously creating a very positive bond with each other. Such a bond helps to safeguard against disagreements and stress between the two of you and will help you to forget any resentments or judgments against each other.

Life can throw many challenges in your path and depending on how you deal with them, these challenges can either bring you down into a slump or they can uplift you instead. When you take yourself too seriously it is very difficult to be able to think outside of the box and overcome your challenge; but when have a good sense of humor and can laugh at yourself, you are more than capable of finding a great solution to any problem that may arise in your life.

There are many ways to incorporate laughter into your daily life. Goodman suggests the following:

Laugh at yourself and people will laugh with you.

Smile more. The start of every laugh truly begins with a smile. Plus, smiling is as contagious as laughing is. Smile when you greet other people and practicing smiling while you speak.

Keep a gratitude journal. At the end of each day write down 5 things that you are grateful for in your life. By doing this you will be able to keep your life in perspective and not dwell on negative thoughts or situations.

Choose your friends wisely. Friends who are playful and fun and that have a great sense of humor are the best types of friends to really have. These are the friends that will be able to pick you up whenever you are feeling down. Plus, since laughter is contagious, your group of friends will seem to have a never-ending laugh-fest.

Laugh at a bad situation. Instead of complaining about a bad situation, try to find the humor or irony in it and laugh at it. Not only will this help improve your mood but it will also help you to find a better outcome to the situation.

Photo Credit: JasonDGreat

The Importance of Being Pesticide Free

In order to live a completely holistic lifestyle, one must purge themselves from any and all toxins that currently exist in their lives. When considering this fact, most people automatically assume that they should rid themselves of negative thought forms. While, negative thought forms are truly a form of a toxin, there is another toxin that most people never think about: Pesticides.

A truly holistic approach to health encourages a person's body to naturally heal itself. Such an ability can sometimes by hindered by the choices that they make, such as exposing themselves to outside toxins in their lifestyle. However, if a person's body is not hampered by toxins, it will be able to function properly and will therefore be better apt at healing any illness that may attempt to thwart the body.

Today, the constant use of pesticides by the agricultural and commercial community has caused those toxins to seep into our lifestyle and into our bodies. It is because of this that there is such a widespread outbreak of illness and diseases. Simply put, our bodies have so much toxic build up in them that they are not able to fight off any illness that comes our way. Other toxins have been proven to be the root of some of the world's most common, dangerous diseases, such as cancer, birth defects and Parkinson's Disease. All of these are reportedly caused by insect repellents and herbicides that are all laden with chemical pesticides.

The Toxics Information Project has reported that every year nearly 10,400 people in the USA die from cancers that have a direct correlation to pesticides. The report also stated that over $38 billion is lost every year due to cancer related deaths in terms of lost production, income, and medical expenses.

Children are more susceptible to the dangerous effects of toxins due to their smaller organ size and under developed immune systems. The National Cancer Institute conducted a study in 1987 that illustrated that children who lived in homes that were routinely treated with pesticides were nearly 4 times more at risk of developing leukemia than children who lived in homes that were not treated with pesticides.

The U.S. Atlantic Coast Childhood Brain Cancer Study issued a report in February 2009in which it cited possible links with pre-birth pesticide exposure. Children whose parents used pesticides for lawn and garden care were twice as likely to develop brain cancer.

A great example of this is RoundUp a commercially available weed killer that is commonly used in most households in the USA. The pesticide in this weed killer have been linked to birth defects, an increased risk for developing non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is also considered a hormone disruptor. It seems that RoundUp inhibits the production of the adrenal hormone which is vital for proper brain development and has also been associated with an increase in Attention Deficit Disorders.

The University of Southern California Children's Health Study discovered that, "Asthma risk linked with herbicides was greater than that linked with any other factor."

Dr. Meriel Watts identified 98 pesticides in the book "Pesticides and Breast Cancer: A Wake Up Call," that are associated with breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 192,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone.

Even though Dr. Watts has said that, "Scientifically it is impossible to prove that a particular pesticide does or does not cause breast cancer," she does recommend that "a precautionary approach to chemicals for which there is evidence of a link with breast cancer, ensuring their replacement with safer alternatives."

Pesticides and other such chemicals are stored inside fat tissue and are able to move into the bloodstream and be carried to every organ throughout the body. If a toxin is not excreted by the body it will be sent back through the body via the bloodstream, re-exposing the bodily organs again.

In order to purge ourselves of such pesticides, it is recommended to do a natural detoxification using certain cleansing herbs. Such herbs are Milk Thistle, Dandelion root, N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC), Artichoke, Phospholipids (lecithin), Turmeric (olena root), Burdock root, Red clover. Foods that are rich in fiber and low in refined sugar and fat, and that are pesticide free are also beneficial.

Remember that "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." To avoid the possibility of disease and illness, reduce your use of pesticides and instead use earth and health friend pest control alternatives.

Photo Credit: andypowe11

10 Best Kept Secrets of Allergies

These days it seems that allergies of all kinds are becoming more and more common in America. However, here are 10 facts that you should know about allergies:

1. Black Eye Syndrome.

As odd as it sounds, some allergies have the potential of giving you a shiner. This happens during a bout of hay fever when pressure from nasal congestion can be so intense that it can cause the blood vessels in the face to become constricted. This prevents the blood from flowing freely and it may start to accumulate under the eyes. When blood begins to drain down towards the heart it has a bluish tint, which, when trapped, causes the appearance of an allergic black eye.

2. Any bodily organ can be affected by allergies.

Most hay fever sufferers know that their allergy will cause them to have dry, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sore, itchy throat. Sometimes their skin will break out into hives or they will feel their intestines cramp. For other allergy sufferers, their respiratory systems are attacked and asthma is induced. In rare cases, an allergy cell called the eosinophil actually attacks the esophagus and heart.

3. It is not the pet hair, it's the pet dander.

The particles of pet dander, which is simply a pet's dead skin, as well as their saliva and urine, become trapped in their hair. The pet's hair then becomes airborne where it is inhaled or contact with your skin occurs and allergic reaction takes place.

4. Peanut allergies are not clearly understood.

People who have developed peanut allergies in the USA have doubled over the past 10 years and affects nearly 2% of the country's population. One theory as to why this is is because most peanut products are manufactured by dry roasting. Other countries that do not dry roast their peanuts have a lower peanut allergy ratio.

5. Food Allergies attack African-American boys more than the rest of the country's population.

A study of 8,200 participants conducted in March 2009 demonstrated that food allergies are highest among African-Americans, males and children. African-American boys are therefore four times more likely than other children to develop a food allergy.

6. Food allergies stem from 8 sources.

Nearly 90% of all food allergies are a result of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, soy, fish, shellfish, and wheat. Some of these allergies are more prominent amongst children whilst others can trigger lifelong allergic reactions.

7. Weight may affect the severity of an allergic reaction.

For years there has been controversy surrounding the possibility that allergies are more prone to attack overweight and obese people. Allergies to foods can even contribute to obesity. The Diabetes medical journal published a study in 2007 that found that a diet that was high in sugar, high in fat, but low in fiber, actually caused inflammation (which is an immune response). This resulted in an increase in the body's insulin resistance and triggers the body to store more fat.

8. Your jewelry may be an allergy instigator.

The biggest cause of dermatitis (allergic reaction that is seen on the skin) is often caused by nickel. This is often seen after your skin has come into contact with bracelets, earrings, or pendants, that all have a high nickel content. Other secret places where nickel hides are detergent, buttons, zippers, nail polish and commercially produced make up.

9. There is no such thing as an alcohol allergy.

People who have some sort of reaction when they drink alcohol are actually allergic to the other ingredients, such as wheat or a preservative, which is found in the alcohol. These can all cause a person to break out in a rash on their face and chest. However, most people actually have an intolerance to alcohol rather than allergy to an ingredient in the alcohol. This simply means that they are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than other people.

10. Where you live can affect what allergies you have.

In 2008 the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., released a report listing which cities across the US have the highest pollen scores and therefore the highest allergy risks. Factors that were taken into consideration include pollen scores, the per capita number of allergy medications used as well as the per capita number of allergy specialists.

To find out if your city made this list you can visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America website.

Photo Credit: Dan4th

How To Be Sun Smart

Summer is officially here and that means long, hot summer days out in the warm sunshine. But that sunshine can come at a hefty price - sun burns and skin cancer.

In America there is a rising epidemic of skin cancer. With this comes the need to increase our sun protection strategies. In order to protect your skin this summer, there are a few things you should know about the sun's rays and its effects on our skin.

Everyone is familiar with the basic rules of skin cancer prevention: apply a high SPF rated broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. But did you know that you should also check for any suspicious looking moles every three months and see a dermatologist annually for a skin cancer screening? If you are a high risk candidate for breast or ovarian cancer, you are also at high risk for having skin cancer too.

It has been estimated that in about ten year's time, melanoma will be diagnosed more often than any other type of cancer.

However, this can be avoided if people can understand how they are at risk and learn about the different types of protection methods that are available to them. An easy way to remember all of this is by memorizing the acronym, AWARE. If every human being follows the methods listed under this acronym then the rate of skin cancer can and will be slowed down.

A - Avoid unprotected exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM, which are the peak UV hours.

W - Wear sun protective clothing and try to stay out of direct sunlight. Such clothing should always include a shirt, sunglass and a hat with a 3 inch brim.

A - Apply SPF 30 or higher broad spectrum sunscreen to any part of your skin that is exposed, at least 20 minutes before venturing outside. The sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours whilst under the sun's rays.

R - Routinely check your skin for any suspicious looking moles or skin discoloration and discuss them with your doctor or dermatologist.

E - Express the need for proper sun protection to both your family and friends.

Other, more natural, ways to prevent skin cancer is to maintain a healthy weight, keep physically fit and be sure to eating a lot of foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as the more colorful, organic, fruits and vegetables.

There are four major points to consider when choosing a sunscreen. First make sure that you select a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Of these the better protection will be with the sunscreen that includes around 5% or more of zinc oxide (also called micronized zinc) or titanium dioxide, or Parsol 1789 (also called avobenzone) amongst the list of active ingredients.

Secondly, try to choose a sunscreen that has an SPF rating of 30 or higher. SPF 30 is the minimum level that is recommended by dermatologists.

Thirdly, choose a sunscreen that will accommodate your activity level, such as water sports equals using a waterproof sunscreen.

Fourth, make sure that the sunscreen you choose feels comfortable on your skin. Test the sunscreen out by applying a tiny amount to an exposed area of skin. Wait a few minutes before deciding. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a sunscreen that is designed as hypoallergenic or for babies.

Before venturing outside this summer, always check your city's local UV index as it is able to predict the level of ultraviolet radiation that you could be exposed to. It is basically a computer model that is utilized in most countries around the world that factors in a multitude of variables that help determine the next day's maximum UV level and peak UV hours. Such variables include the ozone, latitude and elevation, time of year and the time of day.

The ranges of the UV index are listed below:

UV Range less than 2 is quite low and therefore no protection is required.

UV Range 3 to 5 is considered a moderate UV level which requires some form of sun protection. It is best to avoid the sun when it is highest in the sky and apply sunscreen on all exposed skin.

UV Range 6 to 7 is quite high and sun protection is very strongly advised. Stay out of the sun's rays when the sun is highest in the sky and be sure to wear adequate sun protective clothing, sunglass and hat. Don't forget to apply sunscreen as well.

UV Range 8 to 10 is very high and requires extra sun protection. Follow the steps above, making sure to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.

UV Range 11 is extreme and outside activities should be avoided.


Photo Credit: bradfordnotbradley

How To Live An Holistic Lifestyle

Most people shy away from any mention of a holistic lifestyle, simply because they are unsure what exactly it means. Living holistically, means that a person is living their life in a way that is both natural to them and the world in which they live.

People who live holistically often eat organic foods, keep their mind and body active, and practice forms of stress relief such as yoga.

Everyone understands that their body, mind and soul are interconnected. What happens to one part of you will ultimately affect the other two parts as well. For example, depression is often felt in the body in the way of aches and pains, but is more predominate in the mind.

Therefore, living a holistic lifestyle means that all parts of the self are taken care of. This is a very simple concept that most people have forgotten about, partly because of the fast pace of living in today's world. The way of life for most people evolves into a hurried dash to get to work or to run another errand, grabbing a quick bite to eat along the way (usually junk food), being so rushed that there is no time to exercise or go to the gym, and then pretty soon the stress of all this starts to pile up until the body, mind and soul can no longer handle it. This is the point where most illness will start to set in.

Your digestive system will start to cause you concerns, if you continue to eat unhealthy food. Foods that are commercially processed often cause a person to be slower in the body, mind and soul, since most of the original nutrients in the food have been processed out.

This is the time when most people would pay a visit to their doctor. In today's fast paced society, most doctors will treat a problem by prescribing a pill of some sort.

Whenever possible, it is best to see a holistic doctor instead. Holistic doctors will try to treat the cause of the health issue rather than just prescribe a pill to help deal with a symptom of the problem.

However, if you are living a holistic lifestyle, then you may never need to see either a regular doctor or a holistic doctor. By making a few simple changes to your current lifestyle you can cure almost any ailment.

One of the best ways to live holistically is to eat holistically! This means avoid eating foods that are processed, full of grease, or are high fat, high sugar foods. These types of foods contain fewer nutrients than our body needs and more calories than we need as well.

Instead, eating more vegetables for both their antioxidant and protein qualities is a much better dietary choice. Unprocessed grains, organic nuts and fruits are other wonderful eating choices. Foods that contain a higher level of nutrients and vitamins cause our bodies to work hard in breaking down the food and absorbing the nutrients and vitamins. These then are passed into the cells of our bodies.

Another fun aspect to living holistically is to incorporate an exercise regime into your daily life. Exercising can be anything that causes your heart to beat faster, such as cardiovascular or strength training. Evening going for a bike ride or run with your dog is a great way to exercise holistically!

Living a holistic lifestyle would not be complete without adequate stress management. Each person's stress management relief technique is as unique as they are. Some people find that practicing Yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi to be great stress busters. Whilst other people prefer curling up with a good book, meditating or taking a long soak in a hot tub.

The last aspect to living a holistic lifestyle is to keep your soul as happy and healthy as can be. This sounds quirky, but it isn't. Practice random acts of kindness and you will quickly see how happy your soul can become. These acts can be as simple as smiling at someone on the subway or holding a door open for someone else. Volunteering at a nursing home, soup kitchen or child daycare can also be beneficial to your soul. Even donating your old clothes to your local homeless shelter can be considered as an act of kindness.

The basic premise here is that whenever you do something nice for someone else, you will feel better about yourself as well.

Living a holistic lifestyle means that you are committed to living a meaningful life to the best of your abilities. This does not necessarily equate to having millions of dollars or a fancy car. But, rather living your life to make sure that your body, mind and soul are happy and healthy.

Photo Credit: D Sharon Pruitt

The Top 5 'Germiest' Places in the World

Recently TripAdvisor.com, one of the largest online travel communities, revealed the top 5 'germiest' attractions throughout the world today, according to their editors and other world travelers.

TripAdvisor.com initiated a poll on their website where out of more than 4,600 travelers who took part in the poll, 34 percent of them actually stated that they had become more aware of germs and washed and disinfected their hands more frequently whilst traveling abroad since the outbreak of the swine flu.

Furthermore, a glance over TripAdvisor.com's forums has shown an increase of the words 'germs', 'sanitizer', and 'disease' by up to 97 percent, 182 percent, and 112 percent, respectively, between March and May of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Here is TripAdvisor.com's list of the top 5 'germiest' tourist attractions:

1. The Blarney Stone, Blarney, Ireland

An old Irish legend says that anyone who kisses the Blarney Stone, which is simply a block of stone that has been built into Ireland's Blarney Castle, will be bestowed with eloquent speech. However, the luck of the Irish might not be with you when you consider that nearly 400,000 lips from all over the world kiss the Blarney stone every year.

One TripAdvisor traveler commented, "[You] have to bend over backwards, and kiss the stone upside down (imagine the germs on the stone from everyone doing that!)"

2. Wall of Gum, Seattle, Washington

It has been said that the people who live and visit Seattle, are among the most eclectic in the world. Staying true to that statement, a very eclectic tradition sprung up at Seattle's Market Theatre in Post Alley during the 1990's: a massive wall of gum!

Whilst waiting in line at the Market Theatre, visitors started to stick their gum to the wall. This soon turned into a very colorful display with some people molding shapes and faces out of their gum before placing them on the wall.

One TripAdvisor traveler reminds everyone: "Don't forget to contribute to the gum wall!"

3. Oscar Wilde's Tomb, Paris, France

Like most literary greats, Oscar Wilde's fan base continues to increase, even in these modern times. In fact, many of his adorning fans have shown their love and respect by placing lipstick kisses all over his tomb. Oscar Wilde's tomb in the Pere-Lachaise cemetery in Paris now has hundreds of lipstick prints all over it.

Just as with the Blarney Stone, hundreds of fans have stopped by Oscar Wilde's grave to give him one last good-bye kiss, and have left their germs behind! Every year hundreds more will continue to do the same. Perhaps buying a first edition book written by Oscar Wilde would be a better interpretation of a person's adoration for the famous author and playwright?

As one TripAdvisor traveler puts it: "The tombstone of Oscar Wilde is...well, wild, excuse the pun."

4. St. Mark's Square, Venice, Italy

Venice's St. Mark's Square has been used as a background drop for many major movie features. All because of the thousands of pigeons who inhabit the square! However, these pigeons are hungry! So hungry, in fact, that they flock together waiting for a kind visitor to drop a morsel of food for them to steal. Some pigeons are not that well mannered and will fly at a visitor in an attempt to steal their food right out of their hands! Most pigeons are tame enough that visitors to the square are able to touch and hold the pigeons. Whilst most visitors find this type of bird behavior to be quite cute, some of the pigeons can leave dirty little gifts on tourist shoulders and heads.

One of TripAdvisor's forum members recalls a recent trip to St. Mark's Square: "I know it does seem a little bit disgusting, but it's so totally hilarious to see your friend/partner/dad being attacked by birds!"

5. Forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theater (Handprints and Footprints), Hollywood, California

All Hollywood enthusiasts know about the most famous landmark in Hollywood, California - the star walk! Here lie the handprints and, sometimes, footprints of the biggest Hollywood legends and stars in history. However, before you rush to place your hands inside the handprint of your favorite movie star, think first about how many other people before you have placed their own hands inside that handprint!

One TripAdvisor traveler said, "You couldn't help comparing your feet and hands, too [with those of the stars]."

Photo Credit: keepwaddling1

Stress Eating During the Recession

Everyone in America today feels the stress of the current economic downturn. News about the recession is all over the television, newspapers and even amongst the office workers standing around the water cooler at work. Everyone is talking about it!

There is no doubt about it; these are very stressful times for everyone. However, each person responds differently to stress. Most people, women especially, turn to their favorite food to comfort them.

Most of these foods are associated with a happy time in a person's life, such as their childhood, like Grandmother's apple pie that they would eat whenever they visited their Grandmother.

Most comfort foods are high caloric and high carbohydrate items. Research conducted at California State University at San Francisco, shows that there when a person's stress levels are increased, so does their craving for carbohydrate rich food.

The research indicated that stress actually causes a person's body to produce more adrenaline and cortisol. Most people understand that adrenaline is the rush of energy that they get when something exhilarating happens to them. Adrenaline causes the heart to race, in turn burning up energy quicker. Cortisol, on the other hand, sends energy to the body's muscles. Under normal circumstances, once the cortisol has reached a person's brain, the body stops producing cortisol. In a stressful situation, the body does not stop producing cortisol and that is when a person starts to crave carbohydrate dense food in order to replenish their energy.

However, a recession is a long term event and people are under stress for days, weeks and even months at a time. People are constantly concerned about losing their money, losing their jobs and homes. When money is tight, people turn to comfort food to help them feel better.

In fact, in a recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C., it was found that more than half of America's population actually eats a lot more whenever they are feeling stressed.

Fast food restaurants have seen an increase in their profit margin since the recession began, whilst fine dining restaurants have had a decline. This is simply due to the fact that during these tough times, fast food is cheap food! Eating cheaply, helps a person to subconsciously feel better about their eating decisions.

Sadly, eating more will ultimately result in more weight gain which will actually increase a person's individual stress levels.

"You don't have power over the financial markets, but you have complete autonomy when it comes to your eating," says Heather Bauer, R.D., of New York City.

Even though the high calorie foods will increase your mood for a little while, the excess weight gain and potential health risks will only lead to greater stress down the road.

Most dieticians and nutritionists suggest that people, who are stress eaters, first acknowledge the true cause of their stress. By doing this most people will come a to realization that their stress is not warranted.

Secondly, stress eaters should try to substitute their stress eating habits for healthy ones. Devising a do-able strategy is the best bet to eliminate stress eating.

Excising is a great habit to get into! It does not have to be strenuous, if you do not want it to be. Taking a walk outdoors is a very natural stress buster. Plus, walking is free and does not require any special equipment or clothing so it will not add to your money woes.

Make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Whenever a candy is craved, grab a piece of juicy fruit instead. The sweetness of the fruit will satisfy your sweet tooth without adding any unwanted calories.

Get in at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Studies have shown that a good eight hours of sleep a night can contribute to being more alert and happy during the day. Just what you need to keep your head out of the fridge!

Make time for yourself. Even though these are stressful times when everyone is pinching their pennies, it is even more important to take time out for yourself. Read a good book or take a soak in the tub. Whatever you do, make sure the end result is a refreshed and relaxed you.

If you find yourself out of work or with too much time on your hands, volunteer. By helping out the less fortunate in your community, you will not only feel better about your own circumstances, but it will also look good on your resume.

Photo Credit: net_efekt