Can long-distance travel be deadly?

Labor Day is right around the corner, and if you’ve got travel plans you’re in very good company. Camping trips and beach visits are great ways to celebrate these last relaxing days of summer… assuming you’re not traveling far, that is.

In a recently-published review of over a dozen previous studies, researchers found that long-distance travel can raise your risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by as much as three-fold. What’s worse, risk increases according to the duration of your trip—up 18 percent for every two hours of any kind of travel, and a whopping 26 percent for every two hours of air travel…even if you’re otherwise healthy.
So what exactly is VTE… and why is it so deadly?

Venous thromboembolism is a disorder comprised of two very serious conditions: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. DVT is marked by abnormal clot formation in the deepest veins in your body—and most typically those in your legs or pelvis. A pulmonary embolism, on the other hand, occurs when this clot becomes dislodged and travels to your lungs—blocking the pulmonary artery, which results in difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate… and sometimes even sudden death.

Needless to say, these are both frightening (and very dangerous) conditions—and as this research shows, travelers are at especially high risk. But luckily, you don’t have to cancel your vacation plans this year in order to properly protect yourself. If you’re traveling far, stay well hydrated and make sure you take the time to move around and stretch your legs whenever you get the chance—both of these simple precautions can help to reduce your risk of VTE.

Quality natural supplements can also help—especially if your clotting risk is higher than most. (Cancer patients, stroke patients, women on birth control, and people recovering from major surgery fall into this category.) In my practice, I use a Tibetan-based formula for this very purpose with excellent results—studies show that this formula can significantly reduce abnormal clotting factors and boost circulation in patients with peripheral artery disease. (In fact, it’s so powerful that it’s been registered as a medicine in Europe for over three decades now—for more information, check out my free health report, Overcoming Cardiovascular Disease.)

Perhaps the most important precaution you can take, however, is familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of VTE. This knowledge can save your life, should you ever find yourself on the wrong side of these scary statistics. Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in your leg are red flags that a blood clot may have formed—and sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and a bloody cough are all warning signs that it may have traveled to your lungs.

If you suspect VTE during or after your next long trip, be sure to seek medical attention immediately. Quick intervention (and proper prevention) is the only way to ensure that you’re alive and healthy enough to enjoy many more vacations… and all of the long-distance travel they might require… for years to come.


SOURCE: Chandra D, Parisini E, Mozaffarian D. “Travel and Risk for Venous Thromboembolism.”Ann Intern Med. 2009 Jul 6. [Epub ahead of print]

Seven tips to avoid heat stroke this summer!

It’s one of the most frustrating—and ultimately, dangerous—catch 22’s of the summer. On the one hand, regular exercise is critical—even a simple 30 minute walk every day can have a major impact on your health—and this season’s long days are virtually tailor-made for spending extra time outdoors.

Trouble is, even a short walk can be a challenge in the thick of the summer… when temperatures and humidity are soaring, and the sun is blazing.

It’s an undeniable fact that exercising in hot weather can put extra stress on your heart and lungs. Both the exercise itself and the temperature of the air increase your body temperature—and in order to reduce that heat, more blood circulates through your skin. This in turn leaves less blood for your muscles, which increases your heart rate. And if the humidity is high, your body faces added stress because sweat doesn't readily evaporate from your skin—a factor that can push your body temperature even higher.

Under normal conditions, your skin, blood vessels, and perspiration level will adjust to the heat… but these natural cooling systems may fail if you're exposed to high temperatures and humidity for too long. The result may be more benign heat-related symptoms, like cramps… or illnesses that can be far more severe, like heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

So what can you do to keep yourself safe and active for the remainder of the hot summer months? To avoid heat-related illnesses, just keep these basic precautions in mind:

• Take it slow. If you're used to exercising indoors or in cooler weather, take it easy at first. As your body adapts to the heat, gradually increase the length and intensity of your workouts. If you have a chronic medical condition or take medication, ask your doctor if you need to take additional precautions.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Your body's ability to sweat and cool down depends on adequate re-hydration. Drink plenty of water while you're working out—even if you don't feel thirsty. If you're planning to exercise intensely or for longer than one hour, consider sports drinks instead. These drinks can replace the sodium, chloride, potassium, and electrolytes that are lost through sweating. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol, which actually promote fluid loss.
• Dress appropriately. Lightweight, loose fitting clothing promotes sweat evaporation and cooling by letting more air pass over your body. Avoid dark colors, which can absorb the heat. A light-colored hat can limit your exposure to the sun.
• Avoid midday sun. Exercise in the morning or evening—when it's likely to be cooler outdoors—rather than the middle of the day. If possible, exercise in the shade or in a pool.
• Wear sunscreen. Sunburn decreases your body's ability to cool itself.
• Have a backup plan. If you're concerned about the heat or humidity, stay indoors. Work out at the gym, walk laps inside a mall or climb stairs inside an air-conditioned building.

Ultimately, the most important advice I can offer is to watch for signs of distress: weakness, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, and rapid heartbeat are just a few symptoms to look out for. Always stop exercising immediately at the first hint of a heat-related illness… get yourself out of the heat… and of course, make sure you drink plenty of water.

Are you chronically dehydrated?

Believe it or not, the simple answer to that question is probably yes—in fact, most of us function in a chronic state of dehydration. Whether it’s because of your busy schedule or simply not having fresh, clean water on hand when you need it, chances are more than good that you simply don’t drink enough fluids.

What’s worse, as your body gets used to this chronic dehydration, you lose your sensitivity to water deprivation and don’t get thirsty when you need to. And that’s a real problem… because as you may know, water comprises over half of your body mass—in the form of intracellular fluid, interstitial fluids, cerebrospinal fluid, and more. These fluids unite your various organs and physiological systems into one coherent organism, allowing for many of your body’s most critical communications.

Of your body’s fluids, it’s safe to say that none is more life-sustaining than blood itself. It’s your body’s vehicle for delivering nutrients, oxygen, and vital components to your tissues through the arterial and capillary system. The same blood is also used to carry carbon dioxide, byproducts, and waste products through the venous system—thereby discharging them through the lungs by exhalation, or through sweat, stool, or urine.
So what does this have to do with your water intake?  Well, water comprises roughly 83 percent of your blood volume—a significant portion by any standard. So it’s easy to see why dehydration is such a problem for your health: Attempting to function without enough water is similar to running a car without enough oil to lubricate its system.

And what happens to a car that isn’t lubricated? It heats up and the engine can crack and get damaged. The same process happens in the body when you’re not well hydrated… often because you’re too busy and your system is running too fast and too long without a break. Add in the extra demand for water that comes with spiking August temperatures, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for disaster.

Luckily, the solution is simple: Drink more water—just be wary of where it comes from.

It’s easy to assume that bottled water is the wisest choice—but a recent U.S. Congressional report revealed that this is far from the case. In reality, there’s less oversight of the quality of bottled water than plain old tap water—a fact that might come as a major shock to anyone spending top dollar on a supposedly safe, clean way to hydrate. Water quality tests for bottled products are not required by the FDA—and in the past several years, bottled water has been recalled due to contamination with arsenic, bromate, cleaning compounds, mold and bacteria.

Unfortunately, that’s not the only concern that comes with bottled water—the potential health-related and environmental risks of its plastic packaging are something to consider, too. (Check out my video on this topic here.)

In the end, water from the tap is probably your safest—not to mention cheapest—bet. (Consumed out of a glass, of course!) If, however, you’re still worried about potential contaminants lurking in your water, you can always consider one of the many home filtration systems available on the market today—while they can be expensive, it may be worth your peace of mind.

Finally, regular detox programs (including safe, gentle chelation in both the fall and the spring) can help you to ensure that your body stays hydrated and healthy throughout the seasons.

How Does Drinking Water Fight Disease?

Depending on your gender, water comprises between 50 and 60 percent of your entire body—and in Chinese Medicine, it is considered the body's essential lubricant, allowing for communication between vital organs and facilitating proper flow.

Unfortunately, the majority of people are chronically dehydrated—a reflection of our fast-paced lives, and a contributing factor to the growing epidemics of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other inflammatory conditions. To stay healthy it is crucial that you drink enough water daily, as opposed to carbonated beverages, which only contribute to dehydration.

Take some time out to protect your heart this summer

Summer is a perfect time to relax, have fun and enjoy nature—full of family barbecues, trips to the beach, and lots of time spent in the great outdoors. But it’s also an important season to take stock of your heart health.
In Chinese Medicine, summer relates to the fire element—and in terms of your body, this season emphasizes your heart and circulation. As daylight increases, your energy and activities will naturally expand, reaching further away from your core—and that’s where a strong, healthy heart and circulatory system come into play. After all, they’re your pump, and the vehicle you rely on to get nutrients and information to every part of your body.

So what can you do this season to make sure your heart stays strong? For starters, you can take advantage of the abundant fresh produce that’s always at your fingertips this year—not to mention the opportunities for outdoor exercise that spring up at every turn. But if nothing else, make sure that you schedule that vacation—and take plenty of time to recharge your batteries every single chance you get.

Chronic inflammation has been receiving widespread attention in mainstream medicine for several years now—and most especially where your heart health is concerned. Inflammation represents heat. We know from basic physics that heat is a manifestation of an increase in kinetic movement—and when you live a high-pace lifestyle with no time to relax, “cool”, re-hydrate and lubricate your body, your “engine” is going to heat up.

The problem here is that heat—and the inflammation it causes—degrades your body through wear, tear, and oxidative stress. This is one of the primary mechanisms of the aging process—and of degenerative diseases, including heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

Slowing down and making sure that you allow your body to cool, regulate, and regenerate is a necessary preventative measure for a long and healthy life. Drink lots of fresh clean water. Take time to eat mindfully. Get adequate sleep and enjoy regular exercise (especially walking) whenever you can. And of course, meditation and relaxation can work wonders in keeping your heart (and your entire body) as strong and active as it can be.

Heart-nourishing, inflammation-fighting supplements can also make a critical difference. Cardiovascular and circulatory conditions are a big focus in my clinical practice—and for my patients, I use a Tibetan-based herbal formula that embraces the principles of both Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine for a unique, natural, and very effective approach to fighting heart disease and circulatory issues.

Its traditional applications are to cool and regulate the movement of “wind” and to enhance the movement of bile. In other words, it regulates the inflammatory process and naturally thins the blood—and its benefits against anything from peripheral artery disease to multiple sclerosis are well-documented, and the subject of numerous published clinical trials.

The genius of this ancient herbal formulation never ceases to amaze me. In my practice, I find that patients who use this formula on an ongoing basis enjoy gradual, gentle, and sustained benefits. And compared to any single agent drug or supplement (which may give rapid—but short-lived, and often side effect-ridden—benefits) the advantages of this type of treatment are truly undeniable.

You can find out more about this powerful formula by reading my health report, Overcoming Cardiovascular Disease, available for free here. In the meantime, I hope you’ll take full advantage of the many wonderful health-boosting opportunities the season has to offer—and by all means, make time for that summer vacation!