Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Blood Tests Explained, Hazardous Toy Recalls, and Sleep's Impact on Cardiac Health in Pregnancy

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Blood Tests Explained, Hazardous Toy Recalls, and Sleep's Impact on Cardiac Health in Pregnancy · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  Hello everyone, and welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow, where we bring you the latest health and medical news from around the world.
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  I'm your host, Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, and today we have a range of fascinating topics to discuss.
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  Let's start with a common question many people have before a medical appointment: how to
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  prepare for a blood test.
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  Blood tests are a routine part of many medical check-ups, and they can provide valuable
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  information about your health.
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  They help identify deficiencies in vitamins or minerals, check for immune system problems, or
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  detect signs of infection.
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  Blood tests also assess whether organs like the liver, heart, or kidneys are functioning
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  correctly.
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  Doctors typically order blood tests for three main reasons: screening, diagnostics, or
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  monitoring.
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  Screening tests are done based on age, risk factors, or the last time you were checked,
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  even if you do not have specific symptoms.
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  These can include tests for cholesterol, glucose, HIV, or hepatitis C, for example.
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  Diagnostic blood tests are chosen based on symptoms you have communicated to your
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  physician.
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  These tests help rule in or rule out diseases that might be causing those symptoms.
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  Monitoring tests are for patients who already have a diagnosis.
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  These are used to ensure that treatments are working and to check for any side effects.
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  So, what should you expect when you go for a blood draw?
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  A technician will take you to a private area, confirm your name and date of birth, and then
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  seat you in a chair.
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  They'll place a tight band around your upper arm to make your veins more accessible, clean
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  the area, and insert a small needle to collect the blood.
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  It's common to need several vials depending on the tests ordered.
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  Before the blood test, if you feel anxious about needles, it's important to discuss your
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  concerns with your healthcare provider.
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  They can help you manage your anxiety.
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  If fasting is required, which is not always the case, make sure to avoid eating or drinking
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  anything other than plain water for eight to twelve hours before the test.
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  Drinking plenty of water before your appointment is crucial as it helps your veins
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  become more accessible, making the blood draw easier.
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  If fasting is not required, it's a good idea to have a light meal to avoid feeling lightheaded
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  during the procedure.
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  If you do feel dizzy, let the technician know so they can assist you.
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  Dress in a way that allows easy access to your arm, and if it's chilly, layering can help you
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  stay warm.
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  Arrive on time for your appointment and bring a photo ID and insurance card.
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  If you're fasting, consider bringing a snack or drink for after the test.
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  Remember, a blood test usually takes just a few minutes and is generally not painful.
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  If you find comfort in having a friend or relative with you, feel free to bring them
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  along, or use headphones to listen to music during the procedure.
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  Being prepared can help reduce anxiety and make the experience more pleasant.
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  Health Canada has issued a recall for a series of plush toys due to a choking hazard, urging
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  Canadian families to inspect any stuffed animals that might have been gifted this
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  holiday season.
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  The toys in question are identified as the Mother and Baby Plush Toys, which include a
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  range of animals like pandas, elephants, lions, tigers, and giraffes.
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  These toys have been flagged because their hard plastic eyes can become detached, posing a
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  choking risk to young children.
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  The toys, manufactured in China, do not meet Canadian safety standards.
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  The specific toys affected by this recall have a universal product code of eight one four zero
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  two dash three nine nine eight six and an item number of P two seven three five eight five.
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  Health Canada advises that while there have been no reported injuries in Canada so far, the
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  potential danger remains significant, especially for families with small children who
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  might put the loose parts in their mouths.
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  Chantia Sales, the importer of these toys, has distributed one hundred and twenty units since
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  May of twenty twenty-three.
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  Health Canada is advising consumers to return the recalled products to the point of purchase
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  or to contact Chantia Sales directly for further instructions.
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  Ensuring these toys are removed from households will help prevent any potential accidents that
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  could arise from this defect.
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  It's crucial for parents and guardians to remain vigilant about toy safety, especially
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  during the holiday season when many new toys enter the home.
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  Checking for small parts that could easily detach and pose a choking hazard is an
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  essential part of keeping young children safe.
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  This recall serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety standards and
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  the role they play in protecting our children.
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  Today, we're going to delve into a complex and sensitive topic that has been stirring debates
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  across various countries: the legalization of assisted dying.
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  Recently, the British Parliament has advanced a bill that could legalize assisted dying under
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  specific circumstances, and this has prompted a lot of discussion and analysis.
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  A contributing writer for MedPage Today, Joel Zivot, who is an associate professor of
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  anesthesiology and surgery at Emory University, offers a perspective that Britain should
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  proceed with caution, taking lessons from other countries, particularly Canada.
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  The bill, known as the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, would allow terminally ill adults in
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  England and Wales, who have a prognosis of no more than six months to live, to seek assisted
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  dying.
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  This would require the approval of two doctors and a judge, and the medication would have to
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  be self-administered.
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  The proposal is modeled after the assisted-dying laws in Oregon, but there are
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  already discussions drawing comparisons with Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying, or MAID,
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  program.
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  Canada's experience with MAID, which was legalized following a Supreme Court decision in
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  2015, offers a cautionary tale.
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  Since its inception, the program has expanded significantly, with the number of assisted
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  deaths increasing from just over one thousand in 2016 to more than fifteen thousand in 2023.
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  The law has evolved to allow MAID for any grievous and irremediable medical condition,
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  and discussions are ongoing about extending it to include mental health conditions.
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  One of the significant concerns raised by Zivot is the rapid expansion and accessibility of the
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  MAID program in Canada, which he describes as the fastest-growing assisted-dying program
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  globally.
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  This has sparked debates about the potential for misuse and the ethical implications,
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  particularly when it comes to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled, or
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  those suffering from mental health issues.
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  Zivot also highlights the ethical concerns surrounding the process of MAID in Canada.
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  He notes that the majority of assisted suicides are conducted using a combination of anesthetic
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  agents and paralytics, which may lead to death through muscle paralysis and asphyxiation.
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  This raises questions about the dignity and nature of death under the program, drawing
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  uncomfortable parallels with methods used in lethal injections for capital punishment in the
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  United States.
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  As Britain considers this new legislation, Zivot urges caution.
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  He emphasizes the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring that
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  assisted suicide does not become a default solution for those facing loneliness, fear, or
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  inadequate resources.
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  The potential for a slippery slope, where laws become more relaxed over time, is a real
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  concern that needs to be addressed.
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  Ultimately, the debate over assisted dying touches on profound ethical questions about the
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  value of life, autonomy, and the role of medicine in society.
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  As Britain moves forward with this discussion, it must balance compassion with rigorous
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  safeguards to ensure that any legislation enacted truly serves the best interests of
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  those it aims to help.
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  Today we're exploring an important health issue that affects many women during and after
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  pregnancy: the impact of insufficient sleep on long-term heart health.
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  According to a recent analysis published in JAMA Network Open, sleeping less than seven
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  hours per night during and after pregnancy may be linked to a higher risk of developing
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  metabolic syndrome.
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  Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease,
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  stroke, and diabetes.
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  It includes hypertension, insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia.
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  The study found that women who reported sleeping fewer than seven hours a night had a
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  greater likelihood of developing new-onset metabolic syndrome.
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  Dr.
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  Minjee Kim from Northwestern University and her colleagues conducted this research as a
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  secondary analysis of data from two cohort studies.
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  They examined sleep duration data from nearly four thousand women, two to seven years after
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  their first pregnancy.
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  The findings highlighted that those who consistently slept less than seven hours a
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  night were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome.
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  Interestingly, the study revealed that sleeping even less—under six hours per night—posed an
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  even higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome.
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  This underscores the critical role that sleep plays in maintaining cardiometabolic health
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  during this pivotal stage in a woman's life.
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  The research also pointed out disparities in sleep patterns among different demographic
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  groups.
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  Unmarried women and Black women were more likely to experience persistent short sleep
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  compared to their married and white counterparts.
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  This suggests that social and structural factors may contribute significantly to sleep
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  duration and the associated health outcomes.
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  Dr.
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  Kim emphasized that these findings highlight the need for interventions aimed at improving
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  sleep health, particularly in populations at greater risk.
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  Addressing sleep health could help reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, which remains
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  the leading cause of mortality among women in the United States.
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  The study called for future research to identify modifiable factors and develop
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  practical interventions to promote better sleep health.
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  Such efforts could be crucial in mitigating adverse health outcomes and promoting health
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  equity among women during and after pregnancy.
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  In today's digital age, it's not uncommon for teenagers to spend a significant amount of time
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  on their phones.
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  Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are among the most popular, with a
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  recent Pew Research Center survey revealing that nearly half of teens aged thirteen to
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  seventeen are online almost constantly.
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  This level of engagement raises concerns about the impact on their physical and mental
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  well-being, especially as many head into holiday breaks where screen time might increase
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  even further.
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  So, how much time should kids be allowed to spend online?
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  Well, the answer isn't straightforward.
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  It largely depends on what they're doing during their screen time.
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  Dr.
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  Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association, points out
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  that the risks associated with social media use vary widely.
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  A teen spending hours reading about current events and messaging friends may face less risk
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  compared to one exposed to harmful content, even for a short duration.
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  To manage your teen's phone use effectively, it's essential to understand their online
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  activities.
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  Melissa Greenberg, a clinical psychologist, suggests parents inquire about how social media
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  makes their teens feel.
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  Are they compulsively checking likes and comments or engaging in unhealthy comparisons?
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  Encouragingly, social media can also serve as a supportive community, especially for teens who
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  might feel isolated, such as those identifying as LGBTQ+.
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  Based on these insights, parents can set appropriate time limits collaboratively with
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  their teens.
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  This approach not only addresses social media use but can also be applied to other aspects of
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  life, teaching valuable time management skills.
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  For example, one teen decided to limit their social media use to an hour per day, balancing
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  their need for community with the potential pitfalls of excessive scrolling.
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  It's also important to consider what else teens could be doing with their time.
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  Ensuring they get enough sleep, engage in physical activities, and focus on tasks like
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  homework without distractions is crucial.
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  Dr.
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  Prinstein emphasizes that sleep is vital for cognitive and emotional health, recommending
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  teens be off their phones by nine p.m.
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  on school nights.
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  Encouraging participation in sports or other extracurricular activities can help teens stay
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  active and reduce screen time.
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  Additionally, fostering offline interactions with friends and family can develop essential
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  relationship skills that social media might not support.
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  Creating phone-free zones or times within the family can set a positive example and encourage
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  healthier habits.
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  Ultimately, while many teens are spending a significant portion of their lives online,
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  parents play a pivotal role in guiding them towards a balanced lifestyle.
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  By understanding their online behaviors and setting thoughtful boundaries, families can
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  ensure that screen time doesn't overshadow other important aspects of life.
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  Today, we're diving into an intriguing topic that's gaining attention: the concept of food
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  noise and how some people are turning to weight-loss medications to help manage it.
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  Food noise refers to the relentless, internal chatter about food that some individuals
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  experience, making it challenging to make healthy nutritional decisions.
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  This phenomenon has become a topic of conversation, especially online, as more people
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  who take popular weight-loss and diabetes medications report that these drugs seem to
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  quiet the noise.
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  Savannah Mendoza, for example, used to spend most of her paychecks on food delivery apps and
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  fast food drive-thrus, trying to satisfy a compulsive craving.
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  She describes this feeling as an "insatiable itch" and found relief after starting a
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  medication called tirzepatide.
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  This drug, along with semaglutide, is known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or
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  GLP-1.
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  These medications work by signaling to your body that you have eaten, triggering insulin
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  release, and slowing food movement through your stomach.
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  They are primarily prescribed for type 2 diabetes under brand names like Ozempic and
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  Mounjaro, and their twin versions, Wegovy and Zepbound, have also helped many people manage
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  their weight.
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  For Savannah, the medication has brought peace by reducing the food noise she experienced
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  constantly.
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  She notes that a side effect is feeling somewhat bloated and not hungry, which
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  contributes to the reduction in food noise.
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  Similarly, Summer Kessel, who has been using tirzepatide, describes her prior experience as
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  being a "bottomless pit" always thinking about what to eat next.
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  After her first injection, she felt a sense of relief from the constant mental chatter about
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  food.
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  The science behind food noise is still emerging, but experts like Dr.
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  Michael Lowe from Drexel University propose that it might be linked to what he calls
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  "hedonic hunger"—an intense desire for food-based pleasure beyond physical hunger.
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  This concept is being explored in clinical trials of weight-loss medications and
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  highlights how these drugs may address the underlying physiological and psychological
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  aspects of appetite.
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  The environment plays a significant role in food noise.
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  With fast-food outlets everywhere and the ease of access to unhealthy foods, it's no wonder
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  that many people struggle with this issue.
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  For some, like Jackson LeMay, the introduction of GLP-1 medications has been transformative.
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  Jackson lost a significant amount of weight and found that the medication helped shift his
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  focus from living to eat to eating to live.
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  While GLP-1 medications are not the only solution for food noise, they offer a promising
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  option for those struggling with this issue.
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  Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes, can also be
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  effective.
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  However, these medications have shown significant benefits in reducing food noise and
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  helping people achieve healthier eating patterns without the constant mental struggle.
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  As we conclude today's episode, it's clear that food noise is a real and challenging issue for
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  many people.
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  The emergence of GLP-1 medications offers hope for those seeking relief, but it's also
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  important to consider a holistic approach that includes lifestyle modifications and
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  psychological support.
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  Thank you for joining us on Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  We'll keep bringing you the latest in health and medical news.
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  Until next time, stay healthy and informed!