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Archives for February 2012

How to Take a Healthier Shower

February 6, 2012 by

healthier showerWhile we don’t consider taking a shower an unhealthy activity, there are a few steps you can take to make your shower healthier and even more invigorating.

When you take a shower, the steam and hot water open the pores of your skin, so anything you use on it is absorbed into your skin. Following are a few tips to reduce the toxin load of your shower.

Filter your water.

Municipal water systems add chlorine to the water during the treatment process, and a certain amount of chlorine remains in the water. Many places have hard water, meaning the water contains minerals. Adding a home water filter reduces chlorine and other chemicals at the point water enters your home. If you prefer not to buy a whole house water filter, you can buy a filter for your shower head to reduce the chlorine, chemicals, and minerals you inhale and absorb.

Use organic or natural soap and shampoo.

If you read the ingredients of your soap and shampoo, you’ll find ingredients you can’t pronounce, and some of these are bad for your skin, such as sodium laureth sulfate. Why not try some goat’s milk or natural bath products? A Google search will bring up many websites for organic soaps and shampoos, and once you try them, you won’t return to the chemical-laden cleansers.

A side note: Several companies also sell natural toothpaste or tooth soap. You’ll be amazed at how clean your mouth feels without the chemicals in your regular toothpaste.

Leave the door open.

The chemicals in your water or in your cleansers give off fumes that become concentrated if you leave the bathroom door closed. Opening the door allows the steam and fumes to disperse outside the bathroom, giving you cleaner air to breathe.

Don’t flush the toilet right before you shower.

Flushing spews bacteria into the air, and those bacteria can linger in the bathroom if you shower right after flushing—especially if you leave the door closed. You can flush with the lid down, or wait to flush after your shower.

Change loofahs and washcloths regularly.

Be sure to let bath poufs, washcloths, and loofahs dry completely between showers. Bacteria thrive in moist environments, so do what you can to ensure that the entire washcloth surface is exposed to air. Change your bath accessories regularly—at least every few weeks—to reduce bacterial contamination.

Do you have any tips for a healthier shower?

 

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , ,

What is a Breast MRI and How is it Done?

February 3, 2012 by

Unlike a mammogram, which uses x-rays to create images of the breast, breast MRI uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed 3-dimensional images of the breast tissue. Before the test, you may need to have a contrast solution (dye) injected into your arm through an intravenous line. The solution will help any potentially cancerous breast tissue show up more clearly.

Cancers need to increase their blood supply in order to grow. On a breast MRI, the contrast tends to become more concentrated in areas of cancer growth, showing up as white areas on an otherwise dark background. This helps the radiologist determine which areas could possibly be cancerous. More tests may be needed after breast MRI to confirm whether or not any suspicious areas are actually cancer.

For the breast MRI, you lie on your stomach on a padded platform with cushioned openings for your breasts. Each opening is surrounded by a breast coil, which is a signal receiver that works with the MRI unit to create the images. The platform then slides into the center of the tube-shaped MRI machine. You won’t feel the magnetic field and radio waves around you, but you will hear a loud thumping sound. You will need to be very still during the test, which takes around 30 to 45 minutes.

Because the technology uses strong magnets, it is essential that you remove anything metal — jewelry, snaps, belts, earrings, zippers, etc. — before the test. The technologist also will ask you if you have any metal implanted in your body, such as a pacemaker or artificial joint.

Where to have breast MRI?

It’s important to have breast MRI done at a facility with:

  • MRI equipment designed specifically for imaging the breasts. Not all imaging centers have this; instead, many have MRIs used for scanning the head, chest, or abdomen.
  • The ability to perform MRI-guided breast biopsy. If the breast MRI reveals an abnormality, you’ll want to have an MRI-guided breast biopsy (a procedure to remove any suspicious tissue for examination) right away. Otherwise, you’ll need to have a breast MRI again at another facility that offers an immediate MRI-guided breast biopsy.

See the MRI at The Charleston Breast Center Below

 

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dining Out on Daniel Island

February 1, 2012 by

Daniel Island offers a wide variety of wonderful restaurants and eateries that cater to every taste. Following is just a small sample of the gourmet delights that await you.

Ali Baba

186 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 500, 843-377-8666

http://www.alibabacharleston.com/

According to their website, Ali Baba Mediterranean Deli & Catering gives the people of Charleston an opportunity to enjoy delicious cuisine from the Mediterranean region. Featured on the menu are Shawerma, Kebobs, Gyros, and Stuffed Grape Leaves. While many of the dishes contain lamb, beef, or chicken, Ali Baba has an extensive vegetarian menu, including a Grilled Veggie Pita, Tyropita (cheese puffs), and Greek Salad.

Et Cetera Gourmet Food Shoppe

245 Seven Farms Drive, 843-377-8510

http://www.etceteragourmet.com/

This amazing family-owned gourmet food shop offers hand painted chocolates, imported cheeses, homemade pastas and sauces, maple products, various types of meats, and artisan breads. It also serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. The menu includes fresh, crisp salads such as a Smoked Chicken Caesar Salad, Sicilian Tuna Salad, and a delicious Pear and Apple Salad.

Sandwiches come on a baguette or multi-grain sliced bread, or you can choose to have a wrap. Some of the delightful choices include Eggplant Florentine, Pork Barbeque, and Mediterranean Turkey Melt.

Queen Anne’s Revenge

160 Fairchild Street, 843-216-6868

http://www.qarevenge.com/

If you want a truly gourmet dining experience, look no further than Queen Anne’s Revenge, Daniel Island’s original restaurant. The menu includes prime rib and steaks, fresh seafood, pasta, and delectable burgers. The kids will love the children’s menu. In addition to delicious cuisine, diners may choose craft ales, a wide selection of wines, and unique handmade cocktails.

What makes Queen Anne’s Revenge a truly magical place is its collection of historic pirate artifacts in its on-site museum. Treasures include weapons, grenades, booty chests, coins, and authentic art. The museum also features a re-creation of a ship’s hull and a custom model of the Queen Anne’s Revenge.

Vespa Pizzeria

224 Seven Farms Drive, 843-881-0101

http://vespapizzeria.com/

According to the website, Vespa Pizzeria uses traditional cooking methods to create the most authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas in the Charleston area. They use only locally sourced produce and hormone free meats. Pizzas are cooked in an Italian Mugiani wood-fired oven—the same type of oven that has been used in Italy for centuries. In addition to Prosciutto, Shrimp, and Margherita pizza, you’ll find plenty of salads, sandwiches, and pasta on the menu.

The owners have a passion for running their business as a sustainable venture, and to that end, they use recycled Vespa tires and recycled butcher-block dining tables as part of the décor.

Sermet’s Courtyard

115 River Landing Drive, 843-471-1777

http://sermetscourtyard.com/2101.html

Located just one block from the river, Sermet’s Courtyard is a beautiful place to enjoy a delicious meal with your family and friends. Each course is a Mediterranean delight, from Baked Artichoke Torta to Stuffed Breaded Eggplant and Shrimp Couscous. Sermet’s makes its own mozzarella cheese, dipping oil, vinaigrettes, and sauces and sells only locally made desserts.

Sermet’s opens for dinner every night at 5 pm, and reservations are recommended. During the non-winter months, Sermet’s has live music in its courtyard, and publishes a schedule on its website and Facebook page.

Have you tried any of these restaurants, and if so, which was your favorite?

 

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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