TRANSCRIPTS FROM THE WELLNESSWISE RADIO PROGRAM

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

PUFFBALL MUSHROOMS

Can puffball mushrooms give you a natural high? I'm Dr. David DeRose and we'll find out in a moment on WellnessWise.

Recently eight teenagers were attending a party in the Midwestern U.S. No recreational drugs were being used. However the partyers were engaging in an unusual activity. They were inhaling and chewing on a species of puffball mushroom known as Lycoperdon perlatum.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on the incident. They didn't describe the motives for engaging in such an unusual pastime, but they did offer a telling insight: a related species of puffball is known to produce mind altering effects.

The young people who chewed and inhaled the puff balls got anything but high. Within one week of the party all of them were sick with a cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and fatigue. Five of the eight eventually required hospitalization and two of those had to be put on a breathing machine (or respirator). Fortunately within one month's time all had recovered.

The young adults had come down with Lycoperdonosis [pronounced LY KO PARE DUN OSIS], a rare respiratory illness caused by inhaling the spores of the puffball mushroom Lycoperdon. Puffballs grow in the autumn and can be edible then, but in the spring they form spores that can cause this severe respiratory illness.

Puffballs gathered in the fall may be a delicacy but once they form the dust-like spores--inhalation can be extremely dangerous. For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Ref.: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Respiratory Illness Associated with Inhalation of Mushroom Spores--Wisconsin, 1994. Vol. 43 No. 29, p525-6, July 29, 1994

See also The Encyclopedia of Mushrooms, Colin Dickinson and John Lucas, G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York 1979, p. 134

CHILDHOOD POISONING

Are your children or grandchildren at risk of poisoning? I'm Dr. David DeRose: some prevention tips in a moment on WellnessWise.

Childhood Poisoning is always a threat. However risks may increase when new or unfamiliar products find their way into the home.

Some may think that they can go a long way toward preventing poisoning by marking all such dangerous items with warning labels designed for children. However, research has shown these methods DO NOT work. The familiar Mr. Yuk series featured a "smiley-face" like character with a look of disgust rather than a smile. Studies showed that those labels did not deter children from playing with medication containers--and did not reduce the rate of childhood poisoning.

Therefore, keep any dangerous items inaccessible. This would include cleaning and hobby supplies as well as, cosmetics, car-care products, and medicines. A locked cabinet for all such items is ideal.

Try to only buy potentially harmful products if the containers have child-resistant caps. Store things in their original containers, and never put any dangerous liquids in a food container (such as paint thinner in a soft drink bottle).

By following a few simple practices you can better protect your child from poisoning. For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

References: "Patient Notes: Preventing Holiday Poisoning," inside back cover Postgraduate Medicine, 1993.

Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, US Preventive Services Task Force, Williams and Wilkins, p.323-324, 1989.

CHILDREN AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Avoid tragedy in your home. I'm Doctor David DeRose: Children and Prescription Drugs in a moment on WellnessWise.

Accidents are the leading cause of death in children. However, most childhood deaths and injuries are not just unavoidable accidents. They are often preventable tragedies. One good place to start a home prevention program is with the medicine cabinet.

Minimize the risk of medication mishaps with the following tips:

(1) Never try to get children to take medicine by calling it candy. They may later gain access to it--and help themselves to what they think is a treat.

(2) Keep medications in a locked or otherwise inaccessible cabinet.

(3) Limit medication availability by checking your medicine cabinet frequently. Flush expired drugs down the toilet.

(4) Keep the local poison control number on or near your phone where everyone can see it.

(5) Have syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal available. Ipecac induces vomiting -- Charcoal is a powerful poison antidote. Use these products, however, only if so instructed by a reputable professional.

Take a few moments today to help a serious risk to children and in your home.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Reference: "Patient Notes: Preventing Holiday Poisoning," inside back cover Postgraduate Medicine, 1993.

SECTION II

SCIENCE/HEALTH ABSTRACTS

Japanese women, who frequently consume soy products, are known to have fewer hot flashes and menopausal symptoms than other groups. A study from Australia revealed that simple soy flour decreased hot flashes and improved menopausal symptoms. Phytoestrogens, estrogen-like substances found in plants, are felt to be responsible for this reduction in symptoms.

The women in the study were instructed to consume 46 g. of debittered soy (or unbleached wheat) flour each day. They were encouraged to consume it raw in a drink or added to cereal. If the subjects could not tolerate it raw they were allowed to cook it or to make it into muffins. The researchers gave some women soy flour and the others whole wheat flour. The two flours looked alike and the study subjects were unaware of which flour they were given. Women using the soy flour reported a significant reduction in their hot flashes over a six week period, with a further reduction over a twelve week period. The wheat flour group also showed a reduction, but their reduction took longer (6 - 12 weeks) and was less pronounced than the soy flour group.

Soy contains genistein and daidzin which is converted to daidzein. Wheat contains zearalenone and enterolactones. Milling removes most of these phytoestrogens from the wheat.

Pelvic floor exercises may relieve vulvar vestibulitis, pain which occurs during sexual intercourse or the insertion of a tampon. The exercises are done twice a day. After 16 weeks of exercises the women in the study group reported an 83% reduction in pain. Vulvar vestibulitis is a very perplexing problem for many women and treatment is often ineffectual. (Journal of Reproductive Medicine 40:283-290, April 1995)

SECTION III

FROM THE LIFESTYLE CENTER OF AMERICA

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. Whether you have heart disease, high blood pressure, weight problems, diabetes, arthritis or a number of other chronic conditions, our structured residential lifestyle programs can provide a turning point in your life. More details are found on our website at . A full program packet can be ordered on line or you can call our toll free program information hotline at 1-800-596-5480.

SECTION IV

PARTING WORDS

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

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