Dizzy During Workouts? When to See a Doctor

By Dr. Roshini Raj

Dizziness is one of the trickiest symptoms of all because it can be caused by a variety of things, both worrisome and not. It may just be a sign that you’re dehydrated; make sure you drink enough H2O throughout the day (which means at least eight glasses) in addition to having water on hand during your workout to replace any fluids you sweat out. It could also be that you’re overdoing it. It’s great to push yourself a little in your gym sessions, but it’s not wise to go so hard that your head whirls. Try easing off a bit during workouts—going at a slower pace or doing fewer reps—to see if that solves the problem.

If you’re becoming dizzy even during light exercise, however, that’s a sign you need to see your doctor. Feeling the spins at the gym can be related to exercise-induced asthma. This typically causes shortness of breath or chest tightness as well, but if these symptoms are mild enough, you may not notice them. (You are working out, after all.) For that, your doctor can test your breathing strength and prescribe an inhaler to use before you hit the treadmill.

Finally, dizziness during a workout could signal an underlying heart problem, one of which is an abnormal rhythm, called an arrhythmia. There are a variety of types of arrhythmias—some make the heart beat too slowly or too fast, while others make the beats irregular. Arrhythmias can be caused by a structural problem, heart disease or even an electrolyte imbalance resulting from dehydration or poor diet. Sometimes exertion is the only time you get symptoms.

Depending on the type, arrhythmias are treated with prescription medications or surgery to implant a pacemaker. Another option is a procedure called catheter ablation, in […]

Stress-Proof Your Body

Tension can go straight to your head – and your back and your belly and… everywhere. Why panic? Dr. Roshini Raj joined TODAY to talk about the simple strategies that keep crazy days from wreaking havoc on your system.

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    The Gross Reason You Should Choose Your Exercise Undies Wisely

The Gross Reason You Should Choose Your Exercise Undies Wisely

By Dr. Roshini Raj

Is it a bad idea to wear thong underwear when I work out?
Honestly, it’s not great. Thongs can create a lot of friction and irritate the delicate skin in your nether regions as you‘re running, biking or doing any other repetitive movement. This can mean extra discomfort if you‘ve got hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins that can cause severe anal pain and itching (they’re common post-childbirth).

Thongs also make it easier for bacteria to travel from your backside to your front, increasing your risk of urinary tract infections; this is especially a problem when you‘re sweating because the added moisture provides a perfect environment for bacterial growth. It doesn’t help that these undies are often made from nonbreathable fabrics like spandex, which can trap moisture and make other issues, such as yeast infections, more likely.
This is not to say you should go commando whenever you‘re at the gym in less than ideal underpants—it’s good to have some fabric between you and your running shorts. But the smartest advice is to pack a pair of full-back cotton underwear in your gym bag, or invest in shorts or workout pants with built-in moisture-absorbing panties.

Originally published on Health.com

Probiotics: The New Beauty Superfood

Probiotics are great for your gut, but might they also be the next beauty and skincare miracle?

Possibly.

Listen in as Dr. Roshini Raj discusses how probiotics — both externally and internally — can benefit your skin, as well as other top beauty foods you can use to help improve your appearance.

 

 

Just this year, the American Academy of Dermatology called probiotics the new beauty breakthrough for 2014, whether used topically or internally.

 

 

What sorts of conditions can probiotics help with?

Studies have shown positive results with eczema, acne and rosacea, as well as for general skin health, including anti-aging benefits, decreased sensitivity to UV rays, and decreased skin inflammation (which is the root of all evil when it comes to your skin).

How do these topical products work? Certainly you can’t just crush up a probiotic supplement and apply it to your skin in a mask… or can you?

The process is a bit more complicated than that. Skincare products that contain probiotics have gone through a process in which the live bacteria has been centrifuged (basically stirred up and released all their good benefits) and then mixed with other elements that are good for your skin, like peptides. Then, this whole concoction is manifested as a cream, serum, moisturizer, cleanser, etc. Essentially, these products have all the benefits of probiotics, without applying live bacteria to the face or other skin areas.

Now, that’s not to say that you can’t use live bacteria to try to achieve the same result. Yogurt is always a great element for a homemade facial.

If you only take probiotic supplements internally, can you achieve the same results as using these topical products?

Studies have shown that yes, they both can have the same benefits, but also that […]

Your Body On Stress

Who isn’t stressed these days? Seriously, from two-year-olds applying to top notch pre-schools in NYC to retired grandparentsliving longer than expected, we’ve all got a lot on our plates. And as if the actual feeling of stress isn’t enough, its accompanied by a string of both annoying and painful physical effects, including pimples, hair loss, headaches, and stomach issues—the latter of which is by exacerbated by the sugar cravings brought on by said stress.

You know that exercise and a healthy diet will help, as will a solid 8 hours of sleep. But what else can you do to prevent all the terrible stuff that comes along with stress? A psychologist, a dermatologist, and a gastroenterologist weigh in on how and why your body freaks out under pressure and what you can do to remain cool, calm, and collected.

Body
“A stress response starts with the increased release of corticotrophin-releasing hormones,” says Dr. David Sack, psychiatrist and CEO of Promises Treatment Center in California. “There are positive and negative consequences in this increased release of cortisol. In short, it makes you resilient: your blood sugar stays up and you can tolerate stress, but chronic stress affects every organ in the body.” Norepinephrine released in the brain, heart, and blood vessels increases your blood pressure and makes your heart work harder, while an acute increase in epinephrine (essentially adrenalin) makes your heart rate go up.
There are two kinds of stress: acute stress, like the loss of a family member or a job, can be challenging, but your body responds and does recover. But chronic stress, checking emails at all hours and non-stop deadlines that force us to be continuously focused and attentive—actually does the most damage. (It even affects […]

HEALTHY HOLLYWOOD: CAMERON DIAZ’S GUT INSTINCT

No question, Cameron Diaz is one the most naturally stunning woman on the planet. She’s not overly made-up, dresses chic yet casual and seems like she could be every girl’s best friend and every guy’s gal next door fantasy.

At 42, she’s a self-confessed wellness junkie. The actress is diligent about exercise and her nutrition. She even wrote a book on health, entitled “The Body Book.”

One of her go-to tricks is getting a healthy dose of probiotics.

“When I take my probiotics regularly, I feel good, and I feel like I’m helping my body help itself,” Cameron writes in the book.

Probiotics is a big buzzword in the health & wellness industry. Probiotics provide an army of good bacteria that help fight off the bad bacteria in our gut. This, in turn, can lead to a better immune system, less digestive issues and even weight loss.

“They can also aid in digestion, provide nutrients and improve metabolism – they decrease gut inflammation, produce vitamins and help their absorption, and maintain the lining of the intestine,” explains celebrity health expert Dr. Roshini Raj, who is also a paid spokesperson for the probiotic beverage line, GoodBelly.

So, where can you find probiotics? They can be found in unpasteurized fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi or some yogurts.

“Just like the cells of our skin shed constantly, so do the cells of the intestinal lining, which is where the probiotics do their business,” adds Todd Beckham, co-founder of GoodBelly.

Folks interested in adding probiotics into their diet can also look into supplements and drinks enhanced with probiotics.

Another perk: probiotics do a body good on the inside and out.

“In terms of skin health, probiotics secrete anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory substances that help with conditions like acne, […]

Treating And Preventing Stretch Marks

Unfortunately, if you’ve received unwanted stretch marks from pregnancy, weight gain, or weight loss, it doesn’t look like there is any easy way to get rid of them.
Dr. Roshini Raj, medical editor of Health magazine, reveals there is no cure-all lotion or cream that will reliably erase the stretch marks that start out red or purple, then fade to white over time.
However, she does give some tips on prevention and (pricey) treatment.
While it’s virtually impossible to avoid skin stretching during pregnancy, she recommends staying hydrated and exercising regularly to improve circulation to your skin to maintain elasticity.
Although some women swear by them, there is no scientific evidence to back up the various belly rubs marketed toward pregnant women that help prevent stretch marks, but they do contain ingredients that help retain moisture.
The best, but unfortunately most expensive method of eliminating stretch marks is seeking the help of a board-certified dermatologist for micro-dermabrasion or a chemical peel.
The procedures slowly remove layers of scarred skin tissue, but can cost up to $600 a session and require about six treatments on any spot that needs work!
Sorry, ladies! Sounds like your best bet is to talk to your dermatologist to figure out the best plan that works for both your body and budget.

Originally published on Perez Hilton

6 Unusual Uses For Natural Probiotics

Natural probiotics are popping up everywhere. Here are 6 unusual places you might find them.

Okay, so we’re all familiar with the importance of natural probiotics for gut health (those Activia commercials make indigestion look so fun, don’t they?) – and word has it they’re also being used in a number of wild and wacky (but apparently effective) ways. Let’s explore them, shall we?
Here are 6 unusual uses for natural probiotics:
1. Cleaning your home
The idea behind natural probiotics in household cleaners is that our cleaning products tend to temporarily sterilize the area you’ve cleaned, but there’s nothing to prevent the pathogenic bacteria from sprouting up again. By using cleaning supplies that contain probiotics, you’re essentially giving your home a shot of “good” bacteria to protect it from the “bad.”
2. Healing cuts and scrapes
Natural probiotics may also come in handy for minor injuries, like small cuts and scrapes, to keep them infection-free and reduce inflammation.
3. Maintaining oral health
Bad breath is usually caused by a build-up of icky bacteria in your mouth, so it adds up that adding natural probiotics to your oral health routine – like probiotic-spiked mouthwash or toothpaste – could help stave off a case of the nasties. There’s even a case built on the potential benefits ofprobiotic chewing gum. For real.
4. Fighting nasal congestion
Also coming to a medicine cabinet near you: Natural probiotics may help treat sinus congestion and other sinus issues. One study found that a probiotic supplement helped decrease “bad” bacteria in nasal passages, while another found it helped to reduce hay fever symptoms.
5. Improving skin
“Probiotics” has become a big buzz word in the beauty biz (try saying thatfive times fast!), and using them topically has become known as the new frontier. “The American Academy of Dermatology has called probiotics one […]

Feel Great, Look Better, Save Time

Dr. Roshini Raj joined Working Mother Radio to share her tips on balance, healthy living and gorgeous skin and to talk about why she incorporated probiotics into her skin care line TULA.

 

To listen to the entire interview, click HERE

What Is Your Biological Age?

Dr. Roshini Raj of Health magazine looks the diet and daily habits of the TODAY anchors to help them determine their biological ages.

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