WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LIFESTYLE CENTER OF AMERICA (LCA)

In this new feature we will share one short testimonial each issue. This section is devoted to inspiring our readers with what can happen on a short program of intensive lifestyle change.

"My medical options were limited to frequent angioplasties, and large doses of medicines to control cholesterol and progressive coronary artery disease. After three weeks at LCA, my cholesterol dropped 44 points (21%), two medicines were discontinued and my tolerance for exercise increased substantially. Most importantly of all, I learned the 'why' and the 'how to' that are necessary for successful lifestyle change."

K.S., Oklahoma

You or your friends can be part of our growing list of success stories coming from our state of the art preventive medicine center. See details in Section IV.

SECTION II

SCIENCE/HEALTH ABSTRACTS

Tritium is used to make face watches glow in the dark. Those watches in plastic cases may be exposing the wearer to radioactivity. Plastic cases allow the radioactivity to pass through the case and enter the skin. (Lancet 343:116, January 8, 1994)

SECTION III

TRANSCRIPTS FROM THE WELLNESSWISE RADIO PROGRAM

(All scripts copyright 1995 and 1996 by David J. DeRose, MD, MPH)

OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

Your job may be may be making you short of breath. I'm Dr. David DeRose, in a moment we'll look at "Occupational Asthma" on WellnessWise.

Overall 15% of adult asthma cases may be related to work place exposures. And there are literally hundreds of substances that can cause the problem.

Many of these substances are not regulated. Even those with legal exposure limits can pose problems. When industry complies with regulatory limits--and a recent report suggests they usually do--asthma can still develop. There are at least two reasons for this, first --exposure limits are generally based on the toxic or irritating effects of the chemical and not on the lower levels that can contribute to asthma. Once a susceptible person's immune system has become allergically familiar with--or "sensitized to" a substance, repeated low level exposures can result in irreversible disease.

Second, workers may rarely be exposed to unusually high levels of a regulated substance. Such exposure may occur due to spills, fires, or other accidents. These high concentrations appear able to produce an asthmatic reaction in and of themselves.

Early on, occupational asthma may be reversible if the worker avoids further contact with the substance. Therefore, any breathing problems should be promptly evaluated.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Refs.: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. 43 number SS-1, "Surveillance for Occupational Asthma--Michigan and News Jersey, 1988-1992", pages 9-17, June 10, 1994.

Stuart Brooks in "Occupational and Environmental Asthma", chapter 29 in W.M. Rom's Environmental and Occupational Medicine, 2nd ed., p.393-446, 1992.

Is air pollution harming your lungs? I'm Dr. David DeRose. Asthma and Air Pollution in a moment on WellnessWise.

Asthma affects an estimated ten million Americans. The disease may range from a mild cough (that has never even been diagnosed as asthma), to a life-threatening disease where a person becomes unable to breathe.

Growing concerns with our environment and increasing numbers of asthma deaths, have prompted researchers to look more carefully at the relationship between air quality and asthma. It appears clear now that second hand tobacco smoke in the environment can worsen asthma. This is becoming less of a problem as more and more buildings become smoke free.

But what about air pollution other than cigarette smoke? There is growing evidence that indicates that common city air pollutants can worsen asthma. Recent research indicates that common vehicle exhaust by-products like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, as well as ozone, can markedly decrease the amount of allergen needed to trigger an asthma attack. In other words, a small amount of something that you are allergic to may not bother your asthma unless you are also exposed to these common pollutant gasses.

Moving to a less polluted area may make a dramatic difference if you have asthma.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Refs.: Stats from: Maxcy-Rosenau-Last Public Health and Preventive Medicine, 13th edition. 1992. Appleton & Lange; Norwalk, CT., p. 888-889.

Lisa M Casale, and Peter L Almenoff, "Asthma: countering the Inflammatory component", IM: Internal Medicine 15(9):23-34, September 1994.

J L Devalia, et al, "Effect of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide on airway response of mild asthmatic patients to allergen inhalation". 344: 1668-1670. Lancet, December 17, 1994.

SECTION III

FROM THE LIFESTYLE CENTER OF AMERICA

Call or e-mail today for information on special programs for reversing diabetes and high blood pressure, stopping smoking, optimizing your weight, preventing and treating heart disease (without more drugs or surgery), and a host of other specialized programs for other lifestyle- related conditions. Special pricing is still available for upcoming programs. For further details use the contact numbers below.

The Lifestyle Center of America (LCOA) is happy to sponsor the WellnessWise Electronic Journal. This e-newsletter provides a way for our Center to share its commitment to helping people deal with chronic disease without using drugs or surgery. Located midway between Oklahoma City and Dallas Texas, our state-of-the-art facilities feature structured residential lifestyle programs that can provide a turning point in your life.

More details are found on our website at: http://www.lifestylecenter.com/. A full program packet can be ordered on line or you can call our toll free program information hotline at 1-800-596-5480. Address e-mail inquiries to drderose@brightok.net.

SECTION IV

PARTING WORDS

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.

BACK ISSUES