FROM THE EDITOR'S KEYBOARD

NEW HABITS FOR A NEW YEAR

As a cross country skier, it has not been too difficult for me to make the best of what some would call "the bad weather" that recently engulfed the U.S. Northeast.

I grew up in the American Midwest, and early on developed an enjoyment for winter sports. Even if that hadn't been the case, I think I would still find a special beauty immediately following a fresh snowfall.

Part of the enchantment of new fallen snow is its ability to cover all the grays and browns of a drab winter's day with a fresh coating of white. It is that magical quality of snow that I find many patients long for in their lives. Their life has moved into its winter. No longer are they the seemingly invincible and immortal youths of yesteryear. Their bad habits have caught up to them and they long to start over again.

Unfortunately we can't always get a completely new start. But we can make major changes in our lifestyles and see the benefits--sometimes, in a relatively short time. We may be like the heart disease patient who couldn't walk across the health center's small parking lot without experiencing chest pain. Three weeks later, on a totally new lifestyle he was walking seven or eight miles a day without discomfort.

Not all the changes are that dramatic, but we can start today to live a healthier lifestyle. Perhaps such thoughts are especially appropriate with New Year's resolutions just around the corner.

When I think of habits, I cannot help but think about cigarette smoking. Don't misunderstand me--I'm not one who delights in railing on smokers. I really have great compassion for them. You see, I've sat at their bedsides when they were dying with heart disease and cancer. I've put tubes down their windpipes and hooked them up to breathing machines when in the throes of emphysema. The real tragedy is that most smokers wanted to quit long before those tragic results occurred.

This issue of WEJ is dedicated to those who really want to stop smoking themselves or have friends or loved ones who want to make that big step at this time of year. We share the following insights not to add fuel for nagging but as a resource to affirm those smokers that really want to "break free." The final script of the four deals with the problem of smoking in young people.

So whether you want to stop smoking, lose weight, improve your diabetes control, or accomplish any of a thousand other things...take advantage of resources you have right at hand. Perhaps it is as simple as making a decision to change a destructive lifestyle habit. Perhaps it will involve taking advantage of an exercise program or a stop smoking program at a local hospital or wellness center. Maybe the change will involve a more intense process. But it is not too early to start planning for 1996 now.

Yes, just as the winter snow, and the coming New Year carry messages of newness, cleanness and a fresh start, even in the midst of the holiday busy-ness we can start formulating decisions for a healthier 1996 and a healthier life to come.

--DJD

Note: As a special encouragement to those who need help in stopping smoking, Living Springs is offering added incentives for those who want to quit during the beginning months of the year (see the information below in our "Parting Words" section).

CONSIDERATIONS FOR A NEW SECTION

Because of your interest in health, many of you are often "on the lookout" for quality health products. Others of you offer such products or services and would like our readership to be aware of them. Consequently, we are examining the possibility of a "health resource network" section for the newsletter in 1996. I'd appreciate your feedback.

COMING UP IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

** Are left handed individuals more likely to die sooner than their right handed friends and neighbors? ** A surprising risk for pregnant women. ** How should the average person relate to diabetes?

......and more

SECTION II

TRANSCRIPTS FROM THE WELLNESSWISE RADIO PROGRAM

(all scripts copyright 1995 by David J. DeRose, MD, MPH)

NICOTINE AND ADDICTION

Many Americans are drug addicts and don't even know it. I'm Dr. David DeRose. In a moment you'll learn more on WellnessWise.

Are you a drug addict? If you are one of the 46 million Americans who smoke cigarettes--there's a good chance you are. Over 95% of those who smoke socially become nicotine addicts. The 1988 Surgeon General's Report revealed that nicotine is 6-8 times more addictive than alcohol. And when compared to other drugs, nicotine is as addictive as crack cocaine.

Even though tobacco companies talk about making sure smokers remain "free to smoke." Most smokers are really not free at all. Over two thirds of them wish they could kick the habit permanently. But most smokers who try to break free of their tobacco slavery fall back into their old habit.

What are some of the reasons why tobacco is so addictive?

1. Nicotine affects the chemistry of the brain. It acts primarily as a stimulant but it also releases chemicals that give a feeling of reward or pleasure. 2. Nicotine works fast. It gives the brain a "hit" within seven seconds of the first puff. 3. A smoker smokes more frequently than most other daily activities. The familiar hand-to-mouth routine of a smoker is repeated typically 300-600 times per day.

The best way to prevent addiction is never to have the first puff. If you're already a smoker your odds of success in quitting actually increase every time your try.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

References: (1) The Breathe Free Plan to Stop Smoking, program script--night number 2. (2) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 43(50) 925-930 Cigarette Smoking Among Adults--United States 1993

CAFFEINE, NICOTINE AND ADDICTION

Are you trying to stop smoking? I'm Dr. David DeRose. In a moment I'll have an often overlooked key to success on WellnessWise.

Have you ever tried to stop smoking and failed? If so, caffeine may have been partly to blame.

Why might caffeine undermine your efforts to stop smoking?

1. The continued use of caffeine increases the intensity of nicotine withdrawal. Your body's elimination of caffeine slows when you quit smoking. If you keep using the same amount of caffeine, the increased blood caffeine levels increase tobacco withdrawal symptoms.

2. Caffeine has been called "bad habit glue." Research has demonstrated that smokers who stop smoking but continue drinking coffee have a higher relapse rate than smokers who have stopped but do not use coffee.

3. Caffeine containing beverages-- particularly coffee-- are often behaviorally linked with smoking. It is almost inconceivable for many smokers to have a cup of coffee and not have a cigarette. Consequently, the most successful option is to do away with the caffeinated or even decaffeinated beverages that you associate with smoking.

Caffeine definitely doesn't make it easier to be a successful non smoker. Besides, caffeine is also a psychoactive drug that can produce dependency. The next time you try to quit smoking --why not break free of the caffeine addiction as well?

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Reference: The Breathe Free Plan to Stop Smoking, program scripts

SECOND HAND SMOKE AND CHILDREN

It has grabbed the attention of the American public and it's shaping public health policy. I'm Dr. David DeRose. "Second Hand Smoke" in a moment on WellnessWise.

Probably nothing has put pressure on smokers and the smoking industry more than the realization that smoking affects nonsmokers in the area. But it is infants and children that are subjected to the highest risk from second hand smoke--and the statistics are more sobering than most Americans realize.

For example, children whose parents smoke as few as 10 cigarettes per day are more likely to develop asthma, and if they do develop that disease it is more likely to be severe. Estimates are that up to 26,000 new cases of childhood asthma develop each year from this cause alone. Children of active smokers also have more coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections and sinus problems.

For children younger than 18 months old there is special risk. In this age group second hand smoke causes--each year--upwards of 200,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia. As many as 15,000 of these cases require hospitalization. Furthermore, the risk of sudden infant death is doubled.

Perhaps most frightening is the statistic that infants exposed to tobacco smoke are two times more likely to die of SIDS--the sudden infant death syndrome."

So, if you're looking for more motivation to stop smoking, just think of the children. For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

SMOKING STATISTICS

How are Americans doing at controlling our largest preventable risk factor? I'm Dr. David DeRose. "Smoking and Health" in a moment on WellnessWise.

Estimates are that 400,000 Americans die prematurely each year due to cigarette smoking. Despite this tragic statistic there is still much to be encouraged about. Percentagewise there are far fewer smokers today compared to 20 years ago. In 1965, 42% of the US adult population smoked. This figure fell to 25% in 1990.

One major factor in the decline has no doubt been a growing realization of the health risks of smoking. In 1964 the Surgeon General issued his landmark report linking smoking with ill health and death.

However, if you share with me a desire to prevent some of those 400,000 annual smoking-related deaths, there are still causes for concern. On a percentage basis, the number of smokers in our country has remained virtually unchanged since 1990. All told, 46 million Americans still smoke.

Of even more concern is an increase in the number of high school students who smoke. In the last two years for which statistics are available--smoking increased among high school seniors from 17.2% to 19.0%.

Since statistics indicate that nearly 70% of adult smokers want to quit for good, it seems safe to conclude that most young people who smoke will later regret the decision. With the majority of current adult smokers being dissatisfied with the habit, we could also argue that encouraging young people not to smoke is not depriving them of one of life's joys. If we want to decrease the carnage of tobacco, it is not enough to help adult smokers to quit. The statistics indicate we must find better ways of helping our young people say "no" to cigarettes--before they become addicted.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Reference: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 43(50) 925-930; Cigarette Smoking Among Adults--United States 1993

SECTION III

SCIENCE/HEALTH ABSTRACTS

Phylis Austin, an experienced medical research librarian and author, continues to allow us to reprint portions of back issues of her bimonthly "Science/Health Abstracts." Send e-mail to WEJ for information on obtaining current subscriptions to "Science/Health Abstracts."

The following abstracts are taken from: "Science Health Abstracts" Volume 10, Numbers 4-5; copyright 1991 by Phylis A. Austin.

TOBACCO USE/PROSTATE CANCER

Women who consume foods high in sugar content, or who have a sweet tooth, are more likely to suffer from premenstrual syndrome. (Journal of Reproductive Medicine 36(2)131-136. February, 1991)

SECTION IV

PARTING WORDS

NEW YEAR'S SPECIAL

To help smokers get off to a good start in 1996: get a 15% discount when you mention "WellnessWise" and enroll in any Living Springs Stop Smoking Week with beginning dates between December 31 and February 25.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

The sponsors for WEJ include Living Springs and The WellnessWise radio broadcast.

For 15 years, Living Springs Lifestyle Center has helped people attain a higher level of personal health and fitness. The Center offers residential health programs of various lengths including our popular seven day live-in lifestyle change program. Past participants have found Living Springs to be the answer for such things as stopping smoking, losing weight, improving diabetes, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, and decreasing arthritic pains. Living Springs is located on 70 beautiful wooded acres surprisingly within only a one hour drive of midtown Manhattan. Further information about Living Springs is available in a free information packet that can be obtained by calling 1-800-SAY-WELL or by sending your "snail address" to me via E-mail.

The WellnessWise Radio Program airs daily (Monday through Friday). Each day it features a 90 second preventive medicine broadcast along with a 30 second commercial slot for local or national sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Audio tapes feature 20-40 programs each. They are available to purchase. (E-mail address: docderose@aol.com).

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

We continue to distribute The WellnessWise Electronic Journal free of charge via Internet E-mail to all subscribers. Please address subscription requests and any other correspondence to the address below.

Send all requests to: