Is Mastitis Cause For Concern?

Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue which, although most common in breastfeeding women, may occur in women of any age, says Dr. Judy Hopkinson, a lactation physiologist at the USDA's Children's Nutrition Research Center.

Mastitis is usually caused by germs entering the breast through a crack or abrasion in the nipple. Swelling caused by mastitis generally resolves when the inflammation clears. Repeated episodes of mastitis in the same area might indicate that something is obstructing the flow of milk. This could be a cyst or possibly a tumor.

Although not common, breast cancer can and does occur in breastfeeding women. Suspicious symptoms include repeated mastitis in the same breast coupled with resistance to antibiotic therapy.

All women are advised to continue regular monthly breast self-examination - even when breastfeeding.

- From the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center Kids' Nutrition Q&A

Don't Ignore Your Snore

Snoring occurs when the muscles of the throat, tongue and soft palate relax during deep sleep. The tissue sags, narrowing the air passage and causing one to inhale more forcefully, which causes tissues to vibrate. The causes of snoring are many: cigarette smoking, obesity, nasal congestion, drinking alcohol, eating too close to bedtime, or physical characteristics like a deviated septum.

When snoring progresses to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the situation can become a health risk. In OSA, a person stops breathing completely for long periods of time, depriving the body of oxygen. "Patients with OSA have an increased risk of stroke and heart attack at night," says University of Texas-Houston otolaryngology and pediatrics professor Dr. Michael D. Poole, in the February issue of the UT Lifetime Health Letter. Dr. Poole says not everyone who snores will develop OSA, but those who do, need to seek medical help.

If your snoring is less serious, there are dozens of ways to treat it, either with over-the-counter therapies or lifestyle changes. Habit changes that can relieve snoring include: learning to sleep on your side; not eating heavy meals or drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime; not smoking; having fresh air in the bedroom, and a humidifier to moisten the air; losing excess weight; and sleeping with your head raised.

- From The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center

Don't Take a Vacation from Exercise

Just because you're leaving town for business or pleasure doesn't mean your physical fitness program has to suffer. There are many ways to keep exercising on the road, according to Dr. Scott Gordon, a postdoctoral fellow at The University of Texas-Houston Medical School.

Unfortunately, even a short trip away can take its toll. In the March issue of the UT Lifetime Health Letter, Dr. Gordon says aerobic capacity begins to decline after only a few days without exercise. For some people, a break in routine may cause them to stop exercising altogether, which leads to loss of muscle strength over time. Even if you can't perform your full fitness routine while traveling, every bit helps.

While many hotels and resorts have fitness centers, Dr. Gordon says it's not necessary to use them. Items like briefcases, phone books and water bottles can be pressed into service as exercise equipment. The hotel concierge can provide maps or directions for walkers and joggers, and stretching exercises can be done in the hotel room. During layovers and flight delays, stow your carry-on bag in a locker and take a walk through the airport. Even if you're packing light, running shoes, a jump rope and portable, water-filled dumbbells will fit easily into the suitcase.

- From The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center

Keeping Marathon Runners on the Road

By tracking marathon runners throughout their training, sports medicine experts hope to help them stay off the injured list.

An estimated 25 to 30 percent of people who train for a marathon never make it to the starting line because of an injury.

"If we can identify some risk factors beforehand, as well as what types of training techniques may predispose people to injury, we can help marathoners avoid injuries and finish the race," says Dr. Joe Chorley, an assistant professor of sports medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

The study is following members of a Houston-based marathon-training group.

- From Baylor College of Medicine

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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