The Wellness Concierge®: HealthWire for September 24, 2003

CANCER PATIENTS AT INCREASED RISK FOR BLOOD CLOTS: As if flying alone wasn't enough of a risk factor. Now research indicates that individuals being treated for cancer (with chemo-, radio- or hormone therapy or who have wounds from surgical procedures) are at greater risk of blood clots. Worse than that, a UK study has found that a high percentage of surveyed oncologists were unaware of the increased risks that such treatment posed. The result: Many physicians did not advise patients of the risk nor did they prescribe needed medications such as Heparin. Given to patients in the early stages of cancer, the anti-clotting agent not only reduces the risk of clotting, but it can also lessen chemotherapy's side effects and extend the life of some patients. (FYI: The FDA has not approved Heparin's use for cancer treatment but trials are underway.)

STUDY SAYS CALCIUM CAN MINIMIZE MONTEZUMA'S REVENGE: Ingesting high doses of calcium (from food or supplements) can help relieve the symptoms and shorten the duration of diarrhea that accompanies that bane of travel, Montezuma's Revenge.

PROPOSAL WOULD FUND CABIN DECONTAMINATION TRAINING: Concerned about the possible effects of a terrorist-generated, in-flight viral outbreak, a current Senate proposal includes a measure that would allocate over $8 million to review cabin cabin decontamination procedures. The funding would also include special flight crew training for handling a natural or planned viral threat.

AVIS OFFERS ENHANCEMENTS FOR DISABLED DRIVERS: Avis has rolled out its "Access" program targeted to aid an estimated 54 million Americans who have mobility, hearing or visual impairments. Canadian and American residents can avail themselves of complimentary rental-car service options that include: transfer boards; swivel seats; spinner knobs; and panoramic mirrors.

Drivers with special needs can call Avis' dedicated, 24-hour, toll-free number (888-TRY-HARDER, 888-879-4273 or via special TTY/TDD access for the hearing impaired) to ensure that needed services are available at a designated location.

The program is scheduled to launch in flights of 20 cities covering the top 100 markets by year's end.

SARS: As the high flu season (October to March) nears, Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to ensure that SARS does not return. If you're traveling to HK, you'll be required to fill out health forms and your temperature will be taken. ...The World Health Organization recently reminded global healthcare specialists about the need for continued vigilance in SARS prevention. The decline in recorded cases, experts agree, does not mean countries won't see a resurgence in the years ahead.

Most of the roughly half-million people estimated to become infected with West Nile virus this year will show no symptoms while about 20 percent will experience symptoms such as fever, headache, and nausea for three to five days. If that sounds bad, pray that you're not one of those (1 in 150) who will experience more severe, neurological symptoms. ...A Yonkers woman is the first known case of West Nile Virus in the Westchester, New York, area. (September 20)

Malaria continues to be a significant domestic and global health concern. ...Palm Beach County, Florida, has reported eight confirmed cases of malaria, raising concern among both the locals and scientists who track the disease globally. A CDC researcher deemed the outbreak "unusual" and officials noted that the outbreak has been confined to a 9-square-mile area near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North.

DON'T LIKE GETTING SICK? MAKE SURE YOU WASH UP! In the age of SARS and the Norwalk virus, does anyone need reminding about the importance of proper hygiene in preventing disease and germ transmission? It seems they do. Everybody says they wash up but an August 2003 study of over 6,000 travelers in restrooms at six airports proves otherwise.

A Wirthlin Worldwide study revealed a sizable number of travelers (almost one-third of Americans observed in public restrooms) do not wash their hands after visiting a restroom--a place that's awash in germ-ridden surfaces even if you don't go near the actual facilities. With an overall average of 78 percent of travelers washing up, there's still a sizable 20+ percent who need a remedial course in good hygiene.

Leading by Example: When the 'Fear Factor' Works Unsurprisingly, Toronto, still recovering from SARS's impact this spring, racked up the highest number of handwashers--96 percent. In the U.S., 81 percent of DFW travelers lathered up while the numbers fell to 74 percent at O'Hare, SFO, and Miami Dade Intl. JFK travelers were at the bottom of the pack, with only 71 percent hitting the taps (Ewwww).

Hand-Washing How-Tos: Hand washing after a restroom visit, after handling money, raw food, garbage or touching a pet, and after sneezing or coughing, should be a no-brainer. And if your life involves lots of handshaking or touching others (even if it's only their apparel), you've really got to make an extra effort to wash up. (And don't forget to hit the water before and after inserting contact lenses, when you're particularly at risk of transmitting germs to the delicate eye area.)

It's all about soap and water (hotter is better but even cold will do and if you're really lacking amenities, hot water alone will definitely help). Lather up your palms, wrists, fingers (and don't forget your fingernails).

TIP: Don't negate the benefits of hand washing by touching the faucet knobs or the restroom door handles--the same ones that are touched by unwashed hands--with your just-cleaned hands. Use a clean paper towel or your own sleeve if needed.

If you're obese and heading for a high-altitude area, take care. New research indicates that people who are obese are at higher risk for developing altitude sickness (aka acute mountain sickness) even as they drive into a high-altitude town.

Scientists suggest that travelers take a more leisurely drive to reach higher 'tudes and possibly take medication before they hit the road. (The study was small but there's already been numerous anecdotal data to support the concern about increased risk.)

Outbreaks in hotels, hospitals, and cruise ships have been the primary targets of ongoing investigations into the source of infection. Now, however, new studies indicate that you may be more at risk closer to home. EPA-backed research reportedly found a connection between in-home plumbing and several cases of Legionnaires': Bacteria strains in plumbing and patients matched and water faucets tested positive for bacteria in several instances.

TIP: If you're in a high-risk group (asthmatics, smokers, seniors, individuals with weakened immune systems or respiratory problems, for example) for catching Legionnaires', consider raising the temperature of your hot water to above 120 degrees (Scientists believe that lower temperatures, between 77 and 108 degrees F., provide a welcome breeding ground for Legionella bacteria.) or flushing the hot water system periodically.

If you or others in your household develop symptoms, get your water tested. And don't be surprised if testing turns up Legionella bacteria. OSHA notes that the stagnant, warm, water and rust and scale that are characteristics of water heater contents can "also promote the growth of Legionella."

NECESSITY PROMPTS CREATIVE SEAT SOLUTION: Writer-turned-inventor and frequent flyer Arnold Jonas admits that his own discomfort (He struggled uncomfortably for years to alleviate circulation problems stemming from the combination of his girth and tight airline seating.) led to the development of his patented "anti-DVT" airplane seat.

Doctors seem to be impressed by Jonas' NewSit but the airlines remain unmoved.◄

LONGER NIGHTS, SWEETER DREAMS? Sheraton says it plans to install 110,000 new beds in 200 North American properties by the end of 2004. The custom-designed "Sweet Sleeper Beds" feature a high-coil count, 11.5-inch thick Sealy Posturepedic® Plush Top mattress. An estimated 50,000 beds will be in place at Sheraton by the end of 2003 with new beds also scheduled for London and Latin American properties.

IN-ROOM YOGA: Even yoga devotees are reluctant to travel with large, bulky gear such as mats and blocks. To the rescue comes boutique hotel chain, Kimpton and co-partner, Yoga Site. Kimpton's new "Strike a Pose" program includes a free basket of yoga equipment (mat, block and strap) for in-room use during your stay.

For those who need motivation or simply like to work out with music and an instructor, there's a free, 24/7 Yoga TV channel that features The All-Day Yoga workout. Top instructors such as Rodney Yee (A.M. Yoga for Beginners) and Patricia Walden (P.M. Yoga for Beginners) are showcased.◄

SAVORY, SAFE, AND TOTABLE ROAD FOOD: If you prepare your own take-along in-flight food, check out Rachael Ray's recipe for Tuna Pan Bagnat. The FoodTV host ($40 a Day and 30 Minute Meals) and author uses fresh tuna but we suspect that you could substitute a great canned version (think olive oil not water-packed) without sacrificing the taste. It's a quick and easy sandwich that not only doesn't contain anything that will spoil but also gets better as it rests. (How many packable foods meet those criteria?)

CHICAGO CHAIN ADDS FOOD-SAFETY LABELING: The 13-unit, Chicago-based Francesca Restaurants has added food-safety labels to its take-out products. The initiative, part of a program undertaken by ConAgra Foods and the American Dietetic Association (ADA), reflects consumers' interest in learning proper handling and re-heating techniques to prevent food-borne illnesses.

With some 20 percent of all meals either delivered or carried out, according to the National Restaurant Association, there's a sizable risk for problems with leftovers. "Each of these carry-out meals poses a potential food safety hazard for customers if they are not promptly eaten and/or handled correctly," notes Carolyn O’Neil, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the ADA/ConAgra Foods Home Food Safety program.

Want to be safe, not sick? Heed health experts advice. And remember, the clock on exposure starts ticking from the time you are first served the food until you get it re-refrigerate it. If you've lingered over your meal and you have a long drive home, you could exceed the two-hour limit. So either keep a small cooler or forget about doggie bags for extended meals and long drives.

FAST-FOOD CHAINS EXPAND 'HEALTHY' OFFERINGS: The big names continue to garner PR for their self-proclaimed forays into "healthy" foods. I'll suspend most of my cynicism for now and just give you the details.

►Burger King is offering new grilled chicken sandwiches (five grams of fat, 350 calories) that include grilled vegetable toppings.

► Bob Greene, an exercise physiologist and fitness expert who gained fame as Oprah's personal trainer, has teamed up with McDonald’s to test market a “Go Active Meal,” an adult version of its Happy Meal, in Indiana. The new combo includes bottled water or (note the “or”) a medium fountain drink, a salad, and two non-food items, a clip-on pedometer and 10-page booklet with Greene’s exercise tips.

Let’s get real. If you’re in McDonald’s, how likely is it that 1) you’ll read and follow Greene’s fitness tips; 2) use the pedometer and up your walking and most important, 3) not order those fat- and calorie-laden burgers and fries and sugar-laden drinks and deserts while you’re there?

I don’t doubt that Greene’s good intentions are genuine (With his books, clients, and the Oprah connection, he doesn’t need the money or the PR.)—and I’d like to believe that such promos will actually motivate folks. I just think it takes more than pedometers and bottled water to recast McDonald’s as a serious player in the healthy food market. If I’m a chocoholic (and I am), I don’t hang out at Teuscher’s or Godiva. Unless you've got extraordinary willpower, for anyone trying to embrace healthier food choices, it's still a good idea to bypass the Golden Arches.

AMERICAN TESTS FOOD KIOSKS: American announced on Monday (September 22) that it will sell at-the-gate meals for selected flights (Miami and St. Louis) departing from JFK.

The test program, which runs through late October, includes $7 breakfast selections (sandwiches, pastries, yogurt, and beverages) and $10 lunch and dinner options (gourmet-style sandwiches, salads, snacks, and beverages). The carrier is also testing meal sales for some routes through San Juan, Puerto Rico.

American says customer surveys will help determine the fate of the tests. So speak your mind now while your input may yet influence AA's future selections.

TEATIME FOR GROWNUPS: Searching for truly superior bottled ice tea? Turned off by the ubiquitous over-sugared, poor-quality bottled-iced tea "brews" that populate delis and food stores? Take heart. Ito En now offers six "flavors" of bottled green tea under the Teas' Tea brand that are sure to please true tea connoisseurs who value a fresh-brewed taste and unsweetened beverages. (Even my intense sweet tooth could find no fault with the zero-sugar, zero-calorie brews.)

I sampled all six at one of Manhattan's Gourmet Garage stores this summer and was so impressed that I bought a few bottles--and I brew my own ice tea daily when it's hot! Whether you prefer light or hearty, crisp or toasty, there's a brew for you. I'm partial to the Green White, Green Jasmine, and Golden Oolong but you'll find just as many fans for the Green Genmai, Green Hoji, and Pure Green versions.

For more info and availability: 888-TEASTEA or teastea@itoen.com; ITO EN Tea Store (NYC): 212-988-7111.

If you've never tried green tea or have been put off by the taste of some brands, sampling Teas' Tea could convince you that regularly drinking health-enhancing green teas is a true and tasteful alternative to downing sugary beverages.

TIP: Make sure your bottles are served ice cold to fully enjoy the flavor.◄

Schedule Annual Medical Check-Up & Preventive Testing: There's a lull (Doctors are finished with the back-to-school/college crowd and not yet bogged down with cold-weather complaints.) at most primary care physicians' offices now, which means you're more likely to snare appointments at times that work for you. If you haven't completed age-appropriate annual check-ups and tests, get on the phone and set them up before the end of the year. It's physically and fiscally sound.

►Get Your Blood Pressure Checked: The guidelines were recently revised (downward) and you may now fall into a risk category that requires monitoring and/or medication. Undiagnosed and untreated high blood pressure remains a serious health threat. Prompt and appropriate treatment of high blood pressure can help prevent heart problems as well as life-threatening strokes and heart attacks.

If you keep a pre-packed medical kit and/or a stash of travel-health items, do a quarterly check and get ready for fall and the sooner-than-we'd-like arrival of cold, flu, and sniffle season.

►Toss that tired, tattered, and germ-laden toothbrush. Buy several backups and keep one or two extras packed. Once you've recovered from a cold or flu, ditch the one you were using while you were sick.

►Check the expiration dates on any prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as any vitamins or supplements. Replace as needed.

►Check your supply of conventional and homeopathic cold, flu, and allergy remedies to make sure they haven't expired. Stock up on replacement items so you're not caught short as cold/flu season approaches.

►If you're prone to getting them, make sure you have fever blister and cold sore remedies.

►Up your comfort level: Pack a good hand lotion or cream and lip balm to prevent dryness and chapping. Keeping skin smooth isn't just self-pampering. Preventing cracked, peeling skin reduces your chances of infection.

Add special facial tissues that contain soothing ingredients such as aloe. They're lifesavers and well worth the extra cost. (You can use them nonstop and your nose will still remain soft with none of that mirror-avoiding redness.)

Aside from good hygiene, there's nothing like a strong immune system to reduce your risk of catching whatever is flying around. If you tend to get a lot of colds, try taking immune-boosting herbs such as Siberian ginseng, echinacea, and astragalus. (To learn more about the power of herbs, consult a certified herbalist or read Herbal Defense by Robyn Landis and Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa.)◄

Keeping up with a seemingly endless array of new products is time-consuming. E-mails touting the latest gadgets arrive 24/7 from around the globe and I'm an admittedly receptive audience. But it's worth it when I find something I believe can help a traveler on the go.

In addition to the product reviews included in the monthly HealthWire columns, I'm now adding products on the fly as I review them. If you're looking for something specific, check the Products page regularly or e-mail me and let me know what you're searching for.

Products are grouped by category (exercise/fitness, jet lag, DVT, stress, etc.) and items are included in multiple categories, where applicable. If you don't find an item in one place, you're likely to land on it elsewhere.

The Products page is also great resource for those seeking gifts for road warriors--and a good starting point if you want to drop hints about your favorites and create your own wishlist.

If you've used the products, I welcome your feedback and questions. And if you've got something you'd like to recommend, drop me a note. Just do me one favor: Let me know if you're a traveler or if you're someone who is working on behalf of the product (PR, manufacturer, etc.). I'm open to all suggestions but I have a thing about folks who are paid to pitch posing as unbiased purchasers. (FYI: I don't respond to product pitch e-mails that don't include a name and contact info. I don't have a staff to vet products so if I can't reach a real person, I can't consider a product for inclusion.)

FYI: These listings are my personal selections. No manufacturer or supplier has paid to be listed and I have no financial investment in, or financial relationship with, any noted company or product.

LIGHT UP FOR SAFETY: As the days get shorter, you’re more likely to find yourself traversing darkened or dimly lit streets, parking lots, and stairwells (exterior and interior) at hotels and other venues. If you don’t already tote one, purchase a mini-flashlight for easy navigating and accident prevention.

Call me prepared (or paranoid) but I’m never

—and that includes daily elevator trips and subway rides—without my Mini Maglite® 2-Cell AAA (left) flashlight. The slender model is about 5 inches and just shy of two ounces with batteries. (There's a smaller, keychain-size Solitaire model that's under four inches and is less than an ounce.)

My mini-flashlight is obviously great in emergencies such as blackouts, but it’s even more useful in daily life on and off the road. I became a fan years ago after some nasty bruising, stumbling, and falling while entering darkened hotel rooms (and making middle-of-the-night trips to the loo when I was clearly more asleep than awake).

TIP: To be useful, a mini-flashlight has to be instantly—and easily—accessible. Select a model that’s small and light enough to fit into a trouser or jacket pocket (having to search around in a handbag, briefcase, or computer bag defeats the purpose). Even a keychain-size version (Some have a powerful range.) can prove useful when you suddenly need more light. (Am I the only one who is constantly looking for something in an oversized bag or messy car trunk?)

Resources: Travel and catalog merchants offer a variety of sized-to-carry flashlights: Magellan’s (800-962-4943); Sharper Image (800-344-5555); Zelco (800 431-2486) features portable lighting with unusual shapes and sleek, contemporary design.

IN-FLIGHT RELAXATION & STRESS REDUCTION: E-Z-FLIGHT CD

A lot of flyers are loathe to admit that travel (and especially flying) is an anxiety- and stress-inducing experience. Those that aren't in denial often take favorite music CDs or MP3 songs and plug in to tune out and relax.

Others (especially folks who don't regularly listen to music or who have a hard time quieting the nonstop "chatter" of their thoughts) require more help in directing their mind and body to relax and de-stress. To the rescue comes the E-Z-Flight Passenger In-Flight Experience CD, a guided imagery and visualization tool created by mental health counselor Ruth M. Cann. As a mental health professional and the wife of a commercial airline pilot, Cann truly knows how travel-related stress and anxiety can adversely affect frequent flyers. That's what prompted her to produce the CD that's specifically targeted to stressed-out road warriors.

A background of ocean sounds accompanies the soothing music and commentary sections (which some of you may have heard on Delta's in-flight radio programming). Musical tastes are inherently personal, but I'm one of many who is always lulled by the sound of breaking waves, which is what my ears and brain focused on during my trial test of the E-Z Flight CD.

TIP: The benefits of—and response to—relaxation tapes and CDs is highly subjective. Some folks swear by their favorites and wouldn't travel without them while many folks can't tolerate what is often dubbed as "new age-y" music and chat. Given the different types of folks who are snapping up such CDs, however, and the positive feedback, it's clear that many travelers are finding solace and calm in different versions of these products. My take: You never know what will work for you. So stay open and experiment to find one that works for you. You could be pleasantly surprised, as many skeptical flyers have been.

♥The Wellness Concierge® Also Recommends: The first time I listened to Calendua: A Suite for Pythagorean Tuning Forks (a gift from a musician friend), I thought John Beaulieu's (a composer, musician, music educator, and naturopathic doctor) self-dubbed healing music was perhaps the most out-there series of compositions I'd ever heard. And that's something given my affection for unusual music. (My current mix includes CDs that feature chanting Tibetan monks, Balinese gongs, and a variety of metal and crystal "singing" bowls. And those are the more commonplace selections.)

Truthfully, I can't listen to some tracks (Sound affects us all differently.) but others remain favorites and I've purchased a dozen of this CD as gifts. I don't know why or how these unusual selections work but I find myself calmed and quieted in tense times. I've even found myself nodding off at the keyboard after prolonged listening while I'm online. Despite my initial doubt, Calendula remains on my personal top-ten playlist--a reminder that you've got to give new material a chance to show its stuff. (You can hear selected cuts at Amazon.com.)

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THE LYMGYM LEG EXERCISER

This inflatable, in-flight leg exerciser (left) is approved by the Aviation Health Institute as an effective way to reduce the risk of DVT. Using it in flight can help reduce leg swelling and discomfort from prolonged sitting while flying or driving.

SPECIAL COMPRESSION SOCKS

The medical debate over the value of wearing specially made compression socks continues. One study indicates that they do not aid in preventing DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) but makers cite other medical studies and recommendations that contend that they do make a difference. However, there's also the comfort factor and many road warriors swear by them as a way of preventing tired, swollen feet—a plus even if they don't thwart DVT (Hey, you should be up and moving or flexing your feet in your seat anyway. And if you are predisposed to blood clots, you need to consult with a medical professional to determine what medications you may need to fly safely and other actions to take to lower your risk of developing DVT while traveling.)

TIP: Not all socks are created equal, so spend some time upfront checking out the levels of compression offered and other essential details. (For reference, a regular pair of socks might have a compression rate of around 8mmGH while top-of-the-line, specially designed compression styles have a compression rate of in excess of 20mmHG at the ankle and reducing to the knee.)

Resources: There are a number of products from UK suppliers (VeinGuard.com and TravelSafeSocks.com, for example). You can also purchase various models from U.S. catalog suppliers such as Magellan's and Christine Columbus. TravelSox takes phone, fax, and online orders.◄

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*Information is compiled from medical and scientific journals and related professional publications, which have vetted the research data that they present.