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September 2015 / $4.95

by the numbers

Seasonal Allergies Healthy pg. 45 Beauty

Five Makeup FOod & Brush Musts pg. 16 Why are Fitness kids so 3 Ways to Cook Living With Pears stressed? healthy pg. 37 pg. 32 Help for Hot Flashes Family & pg. 12 Parenting

Back-to-School MEN’S Routines Health pg. 23

Guys’ Guide to Menopause pg. 13 NIGHT Light TV host Seth Meyers stays up late—and stays healthy, too pg. 26 m ber 2015septe *

w eb md .co m SEPTEMBER 2015 Contents FEATURES

Pg. 26

Download WebMD Magazine Pg. for FREE on the App Store and 32 Google Play.

Night NOT ONLY

DO I GET Rider EIGHT

Staying up late is not for HOURS“ everyone, but funnyman Seth Meyers has made EVERY a career of it. And the NIGHT WITH key to his success? Sleep. MY NEW“ The late-night host and SCHEDULE, long-distance runner I GET THE approaches his gig like a SAME EIGHT marathon and explains how he gets those all- HOURS. important zzz’s and stays healthy and fit.

Heavy IN EVERY ISSUE Duty 5. Stress among kids today 5 is at an all-time high. EDITOR’S NOTE What’s making them so Pg. frazzled? Experts take a 49 look at the latest research TAKE 10 Get one degree closer and identify the top to actor and musician factors at play—and what Kevin Bacon. He parents can do. shares his footloose approach to fitness and food and how he stays sane on-set. 32 49

Cover photograph by Rodolfo Martinez/NBC SEPTEMBER 2015 2 W ebMD.COM Contents SEPTEMBER 2015

HEALTHY START HOT TOPICS: Is it possible to get a vaccine without a needle? What does caffeine do to your blood pressure? Should you become a pescetarian? Pg. Find out and get more news you can use.

06 LIVING HEALTHY WEBMD ON THE STREET: Our experts help an active high school student make the grade in and out of the classroom. • WOMEN’S HEALTH: Can Pg. hormone replacement therapy spare you from hot flashes and night sweats? Get the latest treatment info. • MEN’S HEALTH: Men, learn what 009 goes on during menopause—and how to help your partner. HEALTHY BEAUTY YOU ASKED: Help your teens study up on good skin care habits with our Pg. expert tips and product picks. • BEAUTY SMARTS: Brush up on five must- have makeup tools. • YOUR SMILE: From the first tooth to the first dental 0014 appointment, a guide to oral care for babies. Plus: Beauty 411, Aisle Do, and Dirty Secret

Pg. FAMILY & PARENTING TEEN HEALTH: Actor Abigail Breslin is still spreading sunshine—without any drama. • PREGNANCY: Is screening your genes before you conceive 0020 right for you? • KIDS’ HEALTH: Back to school equals more homework. Start with a good routine that lasts through the year. • BABY TALK: The do’s and don’ts of getting baby to bed. • PET HEALTH: Does your pup’s breath stink? It could be a sign of health problems. Pg.

FOOD & FITNESS 0037 IN SEASON: Put the perfect pear on a pedestal this season with three recipes that have the ripe stuff. • OFF THE MENU: Chef Bill Telepan cooks up meals that make a lot of New York City public school students happy—and healthier. • WORK IT OUT: Get out of the cycling studio and into the great outdoors with these bike adventures. • FITNESS CHALLENGE: Stay on the ball—literally. Pump up the intensity of your workout with three balance ball moves.

WEBMD CHECKUP September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month. • HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS: Pg. Stay healthy and happy as you age with these tips. • BY THE NUMBERS: We take a closer look at seasonal allergies. • LIVING WELL: Learn how to stay healthy after a 0043 prostate cancer diagnosis. • MY STORY: A reader gets real and shares her family’s journey with addiction. • HEALTH CHECK: Test your cholesterol smarts with our quiz.

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EDITOR IN CHIEF VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER NEW YORK Kristy Hammam SALES DEVELOPMENT Claudia Fern Robyn Mait Levine [email protected] EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 212-624-3728 Colleen Paretty ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Vanessa Cognard SENIOR EDITOR Patria Rodriguez Newsletters Sylvia Davis DIRECTOR, BUSINESS [email protected] OPERATIONS 212-417-9542 WEBMD.COM SENIOR DIRECTOR, Mathew Reynders The latest in EDITORIAL John Schaetzle Stephanie Snipes SENIOR DIRECTOR, MARKETING [email protected] Kathleen Cusack 212-624-3787 health and wellness WEBMD.COM ART DIRECTOR Noel Triplett SALES OPERATIONS ANALYST WEST COAST delivered to your inbox. Kisha Jackson Nicole Jones CHIEF MEDICAL EDITOR [email protected] Michael W. Smith, MD 213-718-5550 MEDICAL EDITORS ADVERTISING SALES Brunilda Nazario, MD; SOUTHEAST CHICAGO Courtney Cofield Hansa Bhargava, MD; Tracy Kennedy Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH WNP Media [email protected] [email protected] CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 312-416-9275 770-569-8188 Christina Boufis, Sonya Anna Novinger Collins, Heather Hatfield, [email protected] Jodi Helmer, Ayren Jackson- 312-416-9278 Cannady, Katherine Kam, Lauren Paige Kennedy, Shelley Levitt, Matt McMillen, Erin O’Donnell, Gina Shaw, Stephanie Watson

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CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUBSCRIPTIONS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS To manage your subscription, go to WebMD.com/magazine/subscribe. READERS Download WebMD Magazine on your iPad or Android device for free. Go to the App Store® (apple.com) or Google Play™ (googleplay.com). Comments? Questions? Go to CustomerCare.WebMD.com or “Contact Us” at the bottom of every page on WebMD.com. To subscribe visit webmd.com/newsletters WebMD Magazine is distributed to doctors’ offices throughout the U.S., online at WebMD.com, and by download from the App Store or Google Play.WebMD Magazine is not responsible for advertising claims. WebMD Magazine (ISSN 1553-9946), Vol. 11, No. 6, is published by WebMD, LLC and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of WebMD, LLC. All editorial content is reviewed by our board-certified physicians, is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions regarding a medical condition and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in WebMD Magazine. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. © 2015 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Newsletters_one-third_vertical revise 7.15.indd 1 7/30/15 2:59 PM EDITOR’S NOTE

A FITTING MAKEOVER WebMD’s fit initiative, developed in collaboration with Sanford Health to provide kids with tailored health information, has a new look. The fit program’s three age-specific websites (Juniors, Kids, Teens) have been revamped and are now more intuitive and easier to navigate, fully optimized for mobile, and feature a cleaner, fresh design. Kids can more easily find targeted activities, recipes, and games, as well as more videos than before. Parents can find more complementary content about Raising fit Kids in the Parenting channel at WebMD.com. Go to fit.webmd.com to see for yourself. Although New Year’s is the more traditional time to reassess goals or set new ones, I think the transition from summer to fall is the more natural one. Maybe that’s because of the sometimes Access Now! rude awakening to the heavily scheduled routine that kicks in when kids head back Download the free Digimarc to school. 1 Discover app, available at iTunes and Google Play. As the daylight hours get both shorter Look for this icon on pages and busier this year, my goal is to get an Open the app. Hold your device throughout early dinner on the table and go for a 2 4 to 7 inches away from the the magazine. family walk at least a few nights a week. activated icon (shown at right) to The change in season also provides a good scan it. Your phone will alert you reason to adjust my fitness routine. when Digimarc Discover recognizes It turns out switching things up a bit the image. can do more than just keep things inter- Your browser will open to display esting—it can also help prevent injury. 3 a webpage where you can access In our interview with comedian and WebMD articles, videos, slideshows, late-night host Seth Meyers (pg. 26), he and more content or download tells us about how he’s introducing cross- WebMD apps. training into his running regimen to help overcome knee pain. Our expert under- scores the importance of both varying workouts and strength training. We Want to Hear From You! Meyers also reveals how switching jobs Like WebMD! and getting married have helped him live facebook.com/webmd a healthier lifestyle. Whether it’s a life change or just a change in season that Tweet us! Download twitter.com/webmd motivates you, take some time to re- WebMD Magazine evaluate, especially when it comes to your for FREE Pin with us! health and wellness. on the pinterest.com/webmd/ App Store webmd-magazine and Google Play. Email the editors! webmdmagazine Kristy Hammam [email protected] Editor in Chief Subscribe to a newsletter! [email protected] webmd.com/newsletters MILLER GREGORY LEFT: TOP

W ebMD.COM 5 SEPTEMBER 2015 HEALTHY START HOTTOPICS! FACTS AND NEWS YOU CAN USE

September is National 5.8 Childhood Obesity MILLION Awareness Month. children live in More than 30% their grandparents’ of the nation’s homes, and more children are It’s National Food Safety than 2.5 million Education Month. Keep the grandparents take overweight or obese. refrigerator temperature at or on the responsibility Source: American College of Sports Medicine of caring for below 40°F to reduce the those kids. MOST U.S. ADULTS SUPPORT RAISING Source: AARP risk of foodborne illnesses. THE MINIMUM Source: USDA AGE FOR BUYING TOBACCO ALMOST PRODUCTS TO 21, INCLUDING SEVEN IN 90% 10 SMOKERS. Tweets might be OF Source: American Journal of able to predict TEENAGERS Preventive Medicine heart health. WHO ARE Communities SEXUALLY where people ACTIVE It’s California Wine Month. express sentiments USED BIRTH of anger, stress, CONTROL THE Vintners use about and fatigue on LAST TIME 2.8 pounds of grapes to make Twitter have THEY HAD higher risks of SEX. one bottle of wine. heart disease than Source: CDC Source: Wine Institute of California This back-to-school communities where season, double-check people express positive emotions the weight of your like excitement and child’s backpack. It optimism. Source: University should be less than of Pennsylvania 10% of his or her body weight. (For a student who weighs 100 Nearly 80% of Americans believe that alcohol is pounds, that means a very serious threat to safety on the roads. They’re more concerned about people driving drunk than no more than 10 driving under the influence of marijuana, pounds.) prescription painkillers, and antidepressants. Source: American Occupational

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PACI77/GETTY IMAGES; BILLY FOTO/THINKSTOCK; HENRIK SORENSEN/GETTY IMAGES; KE YU/GETTY IMAGES; INDEED/GETTY IMAGES; DEPOSIT PHOTOS/GLOW IMAGES; PETER DAZELEY/GETTY IMAGES; EXACTOSTOCK/IMAGES IMAGES; DAZELEY/GETTY PETER IMAGES; PHOTOS/GLOW DEPOSIT IMAGES; INDEED/GETTY IMAGES; YU/GETTY KE IMAGES; SORENSEN/GETTY HENRIK FOTO/THINKSTOCK; BILLY IMAGES; PACI77/GETTY LEFT: TOP FROM CLOCKWISE Therapy Association Source: Gallup

SEPTEMBER 2015 6 W ebMD.COM HEALTHY START

ON PURPOSE Whether you get it from your kids, your career, or volunteer work, a sense of meaning in life can protect your heart. Researchers analyzed studies that followed more than 137,000 people for about nine years. The studies tracked whether the people died, how they died, and whether they reported having a sense of purpose. During the study period, the more Energy Crisis purpose-driven people That canned caffeine jolt could give your blood pressure a jolt, too. were 23% less likely to die Twenty-five healthy young adults drank an energy drink one of any cause and 19% less likely to have a heart attack day and a placebo drink another day. Researchers took their blood or stroke, or to need bypass pressure before and after each drink. The energy drink gave everyone’s surgery or cardiac stenting. blood pressure a boost. But the people who weren’t used to drinking Source: Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai Roosevelt caffeine every day saw their blood pressure rise twice as much as the regular caffeine drinkers did. Read labels. Most people shouldn’t have more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. Source: Mayo Clinic

of Americans don’t eat the recommended five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables. 45% Source: Gallup

PARTING SHOT IMAGES DALY/GLOW ROBERT IMAGES; HAGIWARA/GETTY BRIAN IMAGES; SALMELA/GETTY MARTTI IMAGES; MALERAPASO/GETTY TOP: Vaccines help you avoid lots of contagious diseases and viruses. But how do you avoid needles? French researchers may have an answer. They have developed a way to prompt the skin’s surface to absorb a vaccine. They apply a liquid that painlessly removes a microscopic layer—thinner than a strand of hair—of mostly dead skin. When they apply the vaccine to the same spot, the skin absorbs it. The skin’s built-in immune system then responds to the vaccine. Source: Experimental Dermatology

W ebMD.COM 7 SEPTEMBER 2015 HEALTHY START JUMP START

What’s the No. 1 health issue facing kids today? Obesity? Too little sleep? Lack of exercise? Not exactly, says American Academy of Pediatrics President SAFE SEX? Dr. Sandra Hassink, The human papillomavirus who recently spoke to vaccine protects against WebMD. HPV, a sexually transmitted Instead, she infection (STI) that can said, it’s stress. The lead to genital warts and research supports her observation. several types of cancer. Childhood stress Critics worry the vaccine, and anxiety dis­ which doesn’t protect orders are alarmingly against other STIs, could common, setting in encourage unsafe sex. But early and persisting a study suggests people as kids grow into their who get vaccinated still college years and beyond. “Childhood play it safe. Researchers today is a much more compared the increase in stressful event than it STI rates in a large group Fish Tale has been in the past. of teenage girls before As a parent, I felt it. As and after vaccination with A pescetarian diet—that’s vegetarian plus a pediatrician, I feel that of a large group of fish—might cut your risk for colorectal cancer. it,” Hassink told us. unvaccinated girls over the A study that followed 77,000 people for seven We decided to find out why. We dove same period of time. The years found that vegetarians of any kind— into recent research increase in rates of STIs vegetarians who ate eggs and cheese, vegans, and tapped experts other than HPV was similar pescetarians, and part-time vegetarians—were to surface the top in both groups. stressors in kids’ Source: JAMA: The Journal of the all less likely to get colorectal cancers than lives. They range American Medical Association meat-eaters. When researchers broke down the from intense pressure risk by diet type, pescetarians had a whopping at school to media .com over-saturation­ to, 43% lower risk than meat-eaters. Vegetarians yes, lack of sleep and Hot Hits who didn’t eat fish had a 20% reduced risk. exercise. What’s trending on Researchers say that omega-3 fatty acids—the What can you do WebMD.com right now* to restore some so-called good fats in some fish—play a role. much-needed play Are chia seeds healthy? Source: JAMA Internal Medicine and spontaneity to The kettlebell workout your child’s life? Turn to page 32 to find Panic attack symptoms out. Then read the Benefits of yoga CALORIES results of our survey What causes vertigo? of parents and their IN A LARGE awareness of stress What is E. coli? BAKED POTATO. at WebMD.com. Birth control options COMPARE THAT The results might surprise you. Is HRT safe? WITH 539 IN A Medical marijuana TYPICAL LARGE Signs of binge eating ORDER OF FAST- disorder 278 Colleen Paretty FOOD FRIES. Editorial Director *as of Aug. 1, 2015 Source: Nutrition Data [email protected] TOP: ANDREW PINI/CORBIS; JERRY HAT/GETTY IMAGES HAT/GETTY JERRY PINI/CORBIS; ANDREW TOP:

W ebMD.COM 8 SEPTEMBER 2015 LIVING HEALTHY

Word Gains Learning new words may do wonders for your brain. A recent study suggests a rich vocabulary can ward off cognitive decline. To boost your word count, try these tips from Sharon Green, MEd, who teaches vocabulary enrichment at Niagara University in upstate New York. Read the news every day. Whether it’s your local newspaper or The New York Times digital edition, the more words you expose yourself to each day, the better. Don’t skip over words you don’t recognize. Use the context to decode the meaning. Or highlight the word and look it up in a dictionary when you’re done. Visit a vocab website. Vocabulary sites are packed with new words, challenges, games, and quizzes. You can even sign up to have a new “word of the day” delivered to your inbox. Leaf through a dictionary. Seriously, this can be fun. You may be surprised how many words jump out at you that you’re familiar with but don’t quite know the meaning of. Read the definition and—presto!—you’ve got it.—Kara Mayer Robinson

Photograph by Gu/Glow Images SEPTEMBER 2015 9 W ebMD.COM LIVING HEALTHY

HAIR DO’S CLASS “Finding the right frizz-fighting hair products often involves trial and error. Look for ingredients like argan oil, glycerin, silicone, and vitamin E. Apply a deep- conditioning treatment—dry hair tends to become frizzy. When drying hair, minimize rubbing. Use a microfiber towel to soak up ACT most of the water. For straight hair We pound the pavement to without a flat iron, ask your stylist if salon straightening treatments get expert answers to your are right for your hair. And make sure the product doesn’t contain pressing health questions. formaldehyde, which has been Photograph by Robert Houser linked to cancer.”

Mohiba K. Tareen, MD medical director, Tareen Dermatology, Roseville, Minn.

WATER WORKS “Your water needs are based on how much fluid you lose daily (through sweating, urine, and STRESS LESS bowel movements), your health, “One of the most effective ways the climate, and your activity level. to reduce stress is to look on the Healthy teens need about 9 to 13 bright side. Students who think cups daily to keep well hydrated. optimistically tend to earn higher If you drink enough, your urine will grades. Optimistic teen athletes be almost clear and you shouldn’t often perform better, are less feel thirsty. Drinking too much anxious, and are more confident. water is rare, but overdoing it By viewing experiences more could cause the level of salt in positively, teens can greatly reduce your blood to drop.” the stress they feel. They just need to incorporate positivity into their daily thinking routine, and in time it will become a habit.”

Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD WebMD director of nutrition

Sherrie Bourg Carter, PsyD psychologist specializing in women and stress, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

POWER UP

WEBMD ON THE STREET “The best snack before a game combines protein and slow- burning carbs. Peanut butter on Julia Galloway wheat bread or a banana with Greek yogurt will fuel your body High school student, 16 without filling you up. Energy bars San Ramon, Calif. are convenient, but watch out for those high in sugar and calories. To stay hydrated, drink water before The need to find a balance in life the game and every 15 minutes begins early, as Julia Galloway has while you play.” already discovered. A 16-year-old at Dougherty Valley High School heading into her junior year, she seeks expert advice on how to Want to be the next juggle her studies, a busy social WebMD on the Street life, annual family vacations (“I star? Tweet us your Michael W. Smith, MD health issues at WebMD chief medical editor love to travel,” she says), and, @WebMD. We might most of all, sports. She describes come to your city! herself as a “very active person,” TIME MACHINE and is a committed student athlete, playing on two teams for her “It’s definitely possible to balance school: ­volleyball in the fall and sports and school, as long as softball in the spring. She says, “I you’re super organized and you try very hard in school to maintain know how to plan your time. For my grades, and am very proud of example, if you have a big game what I have accomplished so far.” one week, do homework ahead of Still, she asks, “What’s the best the due date or study for tests in advance. Organizing your study way to balance sports and school?” time will help now, and it will give ­Pre-game, she wants to know about you good habits for college, when the healthiest snacks she can eat the workload gets tougher.” and how much water she needs (and if it’s possible to drink too much). She wants to look her best as well. “Is there an easy way or maybe a product to tame my frizzy hair and straighten it without a Hansa Bhargava, MD WebMD medical editor heated flat iron?” Overall, she wonders how she should manage stress in everyday life. For a high school teen, that may be the most important question of all—and the answer can help her through the new school year and beyond. —Colleen Paretty

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS SECTION ARE OF THE EXPERTS AND ARE NOT THE OPINIONS OF WEBMD. WEBMD DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC PRODUCT, SERVICE, OR TREATMENT. Get more women’s health tips! Sign up for the Women’s Health LIVING Daily newsletter at WebMD.com. HEALTHY LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5

WOMEN’S HEALTH Relief Map HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY CAN EASE MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS. FIRST, KNOW THE BASICS

By Sonya Collins

Many women say hot gynecology and obstetrics flashes and night at Johns Hopkins­ University sweats are the worst School of Medicine. “They menopause symptoms. They can target the bones to can interrupt your sleep and help prevent osteoporosis.” wreak serious havoc on your Meanwhile, SERMs can waking hours, too. The make sure estrogen bypasses sudden heat, which usually the breasts and the uterus to lasts from 30 seconds to 10 keep cancer risk low. minutes, can make your heart pound, leave you red Say no to custom- in the face and chest, and compounded hormones. wake you up drenched. If Some women want bioiden- you want relief, “hormone tical hormones, which are therapy is the most effective most like those your body treatment,” says JoAnn E. produces naturally. The Manson, MD, a professor of FDA has approved several women’s health at Harvard bioidentical hormones. Medical School. But many women mis- Hot flashes and other takenly believe they need to menopause symptoms go to custom-compounding happen when your ovaries pharmacies to get them, decrease hormone produc- Manson says. These drugs tion. They can start a few are not FDA approved, and years before your periods they don’t go through the stop, and last a few years has risks, too. Combined and keep estrogen away from same safety and efficacy after that. Prescription hor- estrogen and progesterone the parts it could hurt. testing required for their mones, usually a combina- therapy can raise your risk For example, “SERMs FDA-approved counterparts. tion of estrogen and proges- for breast cancer, stroke, can target the [part of the “You can be sure these terone, “replace” those your blood clots, and heart attack. brain that] controls hot products contain the body no longer makes. To minimize risks, take the flashes,” says Wen Shen, amount of hormone that’s lowest dose for the shortest MD, assistant professor of on the label,” she says. What are the benefits time you need to get relief. and risks? Besides relieving hot flashes SERMs may reduce risks. ? ASK YOUR DOCTOR and night sweats, studies One way around this is to 1. What lifestyle modifications can I make to reduce hot flashes or show that hormone therapy take estrogen along with a other symptoms before trying medications? can help prevent osteoporo- selective estrogen receptor 2. How do I identify my personal “triggers” for hot flashes? sis and reduce your chances modulator (SERM), which 3. Am I an appropriate candidate for hormone therapy? of breaking a bone. But it may reduce some of the risks 4. What are the pros and cons of a hormonal patch versus pills? that come with hormone 5. What are my options for nonhormonal therapy and alternative Reviewed by replacement therapy. The therapy for hot flashes? Brunilda Nazario, MD SERMs direct estrogen to 6. How long should I plan to use treatments for menopause WebMD Lead Medical Editor

parts of the body that need it symptoms? IMAGES DESHIMA/GLOW YU

W ebMD.COM 12 SEPTEMBER 2015 Get more men’s health tips! Sign up for the Living Better newsletter at WebMD.com. LIVING LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5 HEALTHY

MEN’S HEALTH Small Change? MENOPAUSE AFFECTS MEN—MAYBE MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT

By Colleen Oakley

Menopause isn’t just a and potential that may strike difficult time for your wife as sad,” says Gail women—it’s also hard for the Saltz, MD, author of The men who love them. If your Ripple Effect: How Better Sex spouse or partner is in the Can Lead to a Better Life. throes of “the change,” “Try to imagine yourself unpleasant symptoms like reaching some biologic hot flashes and mood swings milestone that changes your inevitably affect you and body—and how you might your relationship. In a recent feel about it. By standing in survey, 38% of men said their her shoes, you’ll be better wife’s night sweats and able to be supportive about insomnia related to meno- the changes.” pause affected intimacy and Talk about it. Many cited their partner’s lack of men are uncomfortable sleep or poor sleep as the discussing menopause, Saltz main reason. says, but try to talk about You may not be able ways you can help relieve to prevent hot flashes her symptoms as a team. (although you can kindly Ask how you can reduce turn down the thermostat her stress levels, encour- when she requests it), but age better sleep habits, or you can help the woman in start an exercise regimen your life get through this try- SEX ED to regulate its core tem- together. Some women may ing time—and preserve and perature,” says Rebecca need encouragement to see WHAT CAN YOU DO TO strengthen your relationship. KEEP THE SPARK ALIVE? Brightman, MD, OB/GYN, a doctor to look into various Know what to expect. REBECCA BRIGHTMAN, assistant clinical professor hormonal and nonhormonal MD, OB/GYN, HAS The average age of meno- SOME IDEAS. at Mount Sinai Hospital treatments. pause in the U.S. is 51, in New York City and a Keep up the romance. but many women start to Communicate. Maybe North American Menopause A woman still wants to develop symptoms in their sex is painful or Society-certified menopause feel desired and appreci- uncomfortable. Talk to early 40s. They can begin as her about what feels practitioner. Some women ated during this time, Saltz early as seven years before a good and what doesn’t. may also have vaginal bleed- says. Don’t avoid intimacy; woman’s final period and last ing at unexpected times, embrace it, as long as your five years or more after- Experiment with vaginal dryness, and pain partner feels comfortable. “A ward—that’s some 12 years lubricants. Many during sex. romantic dinner or holding over-the-counter of disruptive symptoms, like moisturizers help ease Be empathetic. Along hands on a walk can make a hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness. Try with the biological changes, big difference in her view of and insomnia. several till you find one the emotions surrounding both herself and the two of What causes them? you both like. menopause can be difficult. you as a couple.” “Changes in hormone levels For example, “even if no Be patient. Just because [like estrogen and proges- she may not want sex one wants more children, Reviewed by terone] during menopause menopause can still repre- Brunilda Nazario, MD now doesn’t mean she WebMD Lead Medical Editor

MATELLY/GLOW IMAGES MATELLY/GLOW can affect the body’s ability never will again. sent a certain loss of youth

SEPTEMBER 2015 13 W ebMD.COM Mask Appeal With fall’s perks—cooler temps and pumpkin treats—come its cons. Dry, flaky skin is a telltale sign that the temps are falling. To repair and prevent the damage, Jillian Wright, clinical esthetician and owner of Jillian Wright Clinical Skin Spa, suggests adding this soothing DIY face mask to your skin care routine once a week. Mix together with a spoon ½ teaspoon honey, ½ teaspoon pulverized oatmeal (just run the oats through a food processor), ½ teaspoon cocoa powder, and ½ teaspoon plain yogurt. Wash your face and neck area as usual. Apply a thin layer of the mixture and cover with a warm towel. Relax for 10 minutes before washing off. Rinse well and follow with your favorite hydrating moisturizer. Why it works: Oatmeal and yogurt are both soothing for the skin, while honey has antibacterial qualities and cocoa powder is a natural antioxidant.

Photograph by Exactostock/Glow Images SEPTEMBER 2015 14 W ebMD.COM HEALTHY BEAUTY

1

2 YOU ASKED Teen Scene TEACH YOUR KIDS GOOD SKIN CARE HABITS WITH THESE EXPERT TIPS AND PRODUCT PICKS

By Ayren Jackson-Cannady Scratch Off Clothes Call 1 AmLactin Ultra 4 SunGuard Laundry Hydrating Body Cream Aid ($3.99) “Before your ($14.99) “The itchy, bumpy college kids start to pack skin on your teen’s cheeks their clothes, pretreat their or arms may be something favorite items with this UV called keratosis pilaris, a protectant. One wash can condition also known as increase the SPF of a normal ‘chicken skin’ that affects white cotton shirt from 50% to 80% of adolescents. SPF 6 to 30, and it lasts Treat it with a gentle scrub up to 20 cycles.” 3 in the shower and a body cream like this, which Meet Matte contains rich humectants 5 Olay Fresh Effects and exfoliating emollients.” Dew Over Hydrating Gel ­Moisturizer ($14.99) “Check your teen’s products and Zit Stop 4 2 Clean & Clear have her use only those Continuous Control Acne that are oil-free or non- Cleanser ($6.59) “Made comedogenic­, like this with 10% benzoyl peroxide, nighttime gel cream that which kills acne-causing leaves skin refreshed and bacteria, this cleanser is shine-free. Many teen­agers a great start to any acne use products that make regimen. It can be used in their skin worse, and simply the shower once a day. cutting them out can make a But if your teen has sensitive huge improvement.” skin, using it every other day is ideal.” Under the Sun 6 CeraVe Facial Gentle Giant Moisturizing Lotion AM 3 Vanicream Sunscreen, ($12.99) “The most impor- SPF 50+ ($17.99) “If your tant bit of skin care advice 5 teen is worried about body I can offer a teenager is to breakouts with sunscreen, use a daily moisturizer have him try this. It’s hypo- sunscreen like this one, allergenic and fragrance-free with an SPF of at least 30, so even the most sensitive every day. Put it on first thing can use it without flaring up. in the morning as the first Bonus: This is great for teens layer of protection.” 6 with eczema.” Reviewed by Karyn Grossman, MD WebMD Skin Care Expert Rhonda Klein, MD assistant clinical THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS SECTION ARE OF professor in dermatology, THE EXPERTS AND ARE NOT THE OPINIONS OF WEBMD. WEBMD DOES Yale University NOT ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC PRODUCT, SERVICE, OR TREATMENT.

W ebMD.COM 15 SEPTEMBER 2015 Photograph by Ted Morrison HEALTHY BEAUTY

BEAUTY 411

Does argan oil work? While lots of anecdotal BEAUTY SMARTS claims highlight the benefits of argan oil (such as improving the appearance of acne and Brush Strokes wrinkles), currently no reliable clinical studies DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT MAKEUP TOOLS? prove that any are true. THE PROS SHARE FIVE MUST-HAVES But that isn’t to say the oil doesn’t work. By Liesa Goins Argan contains high levels of the antioxidant Just like carpenters a brush is dirty,” Kashuk Emmy shows, says vitamin E, and as an and mechanics, you says. “It’s like putting on cleansing at least every essential oil it acts as an emollient on the skin, need the right tools for the dirty clothes. The brushes other week should suffice. making it feel soft and job at hand, and applying pick up dead skin and oils “I use a natural soap, but smooth. In addition, the makeup is no exception. and can harbor bacteria any liquid soap will work,” high concentration of “You can’t do great makeup that cause breakouts and he says. linoleic acid, an essential without great brushes,” irritation. Plus, if your Here are Kashuk’s and fatty acid with anti- inflammatory properties, says Sonia Kashuk, a brushes are caked with Grayson’s picks for the may benefit people with celebrity makeup artist in makeup, they won’t work as five most useful makeup extra-dry skin. New York City. well as they do when they brushes. So is argan oil worth a But when you’re faced are fresh.” try? Yes, but only if you with a wall of brushes at Though makeup pros Foundation Brush already have relatively healthy skin that just the drugstore, figuring out differ on how they care for “You should always have a needs a little TLC, and which shapes and sizes their tools, they agree that good foundation brush,” you’re willing to pay you really need can be clean brushes work better Grayson says. Look for one premium prices—pure overwhelming. We asked and last longer. Kashuk with tapered ends that’s argan oil doesn’t come the pros to help narrow washes her brushes every flatter than it is fluffy. cheap.

down the options to five key morning with a gentle “When applying liquid —Fayne Frey, MD makeup tools. cleanser and lays them flat foundation, these brushes dermatologist, West Nyack, N.Y. Some tips first: Before on a towel to dry. Bruce allow you to reach the you pick up a brush, make Grayson, a Hollywood contours of the face around Reviewed by sure it’s clean. “I cannot makeup artist who has the eyes, mouth, and nose,” Mohiba K. Tareen, MD WebMD Skin Care Expert

CHUNG LEE CHUNG put makeup on my face if worked on the Oscar and he says. “You can control

SEPTEMBER 2015 16 W ebMD.COM HEALTHY BEAUTY

Dirty Secret the application and the that,” Kashuk says. The “I exfoliate my skin daily. amount that goes on to short, angled bristles can Am I scrubbing too much?” your skin better than with deposit pigment in the your fingers.” Look for stiff crease of the eyelid to add Exfoliation unclogs the synthetic bristles, Kashuk depth. “The angled shape fits pores, cleanses the skin, advises. These fibers can into the outer corner, mak- and promotes cell regenera- tion. These are all great for hold heavier products like SPONGE JOB ing it ideal for contouring,” the complexion—just don’t liquid and cream founda- MAKEUP SPONGES she says. And you can use overdo it! OFFER ANOTHER tion without absorbing OPTION FOR MAKEUP the brush to deposit high- You can exfoliate two the makeup. APPLICATION. lighting powder at the brow ways—mechanically and bone for added dimension. chemically. Mechanical refers to scrubbing or rub- Large Powder Brush Makeup artist Sonia Kashuk uses a slightly bing off dead, unwanted A large fluffy brush with a damp sponge to Pencil Brush skin. Chemical refers to rounded shape is useful for soften makeup and For the detail work, you products that lift dead skin dusting on loose powder— help it meld with the need a small brush with a so that simple washing whether it’s setting powder skin. For best results, pointed end. Also called a removes it. For mechanical exfoliation, which tends to or blush. “The fibers aren’t she suggests wetting concealer brush, a pencil the sponge, squeezing be more aggressive, once or packed too tightly, so they out excess water, then brush deposits color exactly twice a week will suffice. For can hold the powder and lightly dabbing it in where you want it. “The chemical exfoliation, with a easily release it when you your makeup. pointed end is great for product like retinol, you can swirl it on your skin,” covering blemishes because do it nightly. This approach tends to be more gradual but Grayson says. The bigger A makeup artist it holds on to concealer favorite is the is equally effective over time. size also helps evenly dis- BeautyBlender, but until you deposit it,” Everyone’s skin is dif- tribute powder. “A powder other options mimic Grayson says. The tiny size ferent, but if yours gets brush blends very well, so its egg-like shape. also makes this makeup raw, pink, or flaky after it’s great for blush,” he “It can roll over skin, brush a handy multitasker. polishing, then you are probably overdoing it. Over- explains. “The large brush blend into lines, “The short, stiff bristles are and stipple. It’s my exfoliating­ won’t be benefi- head doesn’t leave lines of favorite tool,” says great for applying gel, cake, cial for your complexion and demarcation, so you won’t makeup artist Bruce or pencil eyeliner exactly will only increase the risk of end up with obvious stripes Grayson. He uses it for where you want it on the irritation. Try cutting back of blush.” applying foundation lash line,” he says. The to see if the condition of your skin changes. and cream blush and round shape makes a pencil to roll powder under Shadow Blending Brush brush easier to manipulate Mary Lee Amerian, MD the eyes, as well as for dermatologist, Santa Monica A large, dome-shaped eye blending shadow than a flat brush and won’t Laser and Skin Care Center, shadow brush buffs makeup and concealer. leave harsh lines, he adds. Santa Monica, Calif. for a seamless application, Kashuk says. No matter how you apply shadow, the blending step is crucial to smooth harsh edges and AISLE DO humidity, so I just can’t manage the frizz or poufiness. Pureology Hydrate shampoo and create a soft, seamless PRODUCT PICK effect for a smoky eye or conditioner give my hair moisture and help Pureology Hydrate Shampoo tame my frizzy, heavy hair. The conditioner a daytime look. “You can and Conditioner ($54) is especially refreshing on my scalp—it has use this for all-over shadow a minty smell and creates a cooling sensa- EXPERT application, but I like to Audrey Kunin, MD tion. My scalp feels so clean after I use it. use this to blend.” dermatologist in Kansas City, Mo., and founder of “It’s also important that both these DermaDoctor Specialist Skin Care products are sulfate-free, so they avoid causing any further damage or dryness Angled Shadow Brush “I joke that my hair is like Roseanne to my color-treated hair. The products do “The majority of women Roseannadanna and just springs up contain fragrance and dyes, so they may emphasize their eyes for everywhere—I can’t control it. In Kansas not be right for someone with eczema or drama, and an angled City we have temperature extremes and high sensitivities.”

shadow brush helps with IMAGES EXACTOSTOCK/GLOW

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YOUR SMILE Baby Steps TIPS FOR PARENTS, FROM THEIR CHILD’S FIRST TOOTH TO THE FIRST DENTAL VISIT

By Jodi Helmer

Not long after the first Early appointments are teeth break through essential. The American your child’s gums, she’ll Academy of Pediatric Den- need more than an over-the- tistry recommends children counter pain reliever and lots have their first dental visit of snuggling. She needs her before their first birthday. first dental appointment. Toddlers may not get a “Your child’s primary cleaning, of course. Pediatric teeth are critically impor- dentists assess the health of tant for the development of their mouths and first teeth, the permanent teeth,” says and talk to parents about James R. Boynton, DDS, healthy habits. clinical associate professor Oral health is conta- of pediatric dentistry at the gious. Tooth decay is a University of Michigan. For bacterial infection. Several a lifetime of healthy and studies show that parents beautiful smiles, Boynton with untreated cavities and highlights four things to a history of tooth decay can know about caring for your pass bacteria to their chil- child’s teeth. dren. The transfer, accord- Tooth decay is ram- ing to Boynton, happens pant. Up to 42% of children via saliva, including sharing between the ages of 2 and 11 utensils, blowing on food, have decay in their “baby” sucking on a pacifier to clean teeth, making it the most it off, and even kissing. prevalent chronic disease in ASK YOUR PEDIATRIC DENTIST “The important message children. (Left untreated, Can I be present during the appointment? In most here is that parents should tooth decay can lead to infec- practices, parents are welcome to sit with their go to their dentist for a tion and other problems.) children during the exam, but some offices ask parents checkup and to address any The main reason? Boyn- to remain in the waiting room. Before booking an tooth decay issues to avoid ton cites a diet that includes appointment, ask about their policies. passing bacteria on to their a lot of sugar-sweetened How should I take care of my child’s teeth? Your children,” Boynton says. drinks. “One of the best dentist can make recommendations for brushing and New treatments are things you can do for your flossing, and make product suggestions. available. Fluoride is still child’s teeth is let them an effective weapon against drink tap water, which has How often should my child see the dentist? The tooth decay. What’s new is typical advice is every six months for a checkup and fluoride, to help protect cleaning. But some children may need more frequent how pediatric dentists can against decay,” he says. appointments, while others, including babies, can apply it. They use a small Children need to brush wait up to a year between visits. brush to “paint” a layer on a with a soft-bristled tooth- child’s teeth. Fluoride sup- brush at least twice a day. If Is thumb-sucking or a pacifier harmful? During plements are also available. an exam, the dentist can take a closer look at your your kids are too young to child’s teeth and see if her sucking habits are causing do a good job on their own, problems (and make recommendations to correct any Reviewed by Eric Yabu, DDS WebMD Oral Care Expert

JGI/GLOW IMAGES JGI/GLOW brush for them. damage, if needed).

SEPTEMBER 2015 18 W ebMD.COM PROMOTION

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WebMDHH_Sept_CC.indd 1 7/31/15 11:53 AM FAMILY & PARENTING

TEEN HEALTH No Drama Queen By Lauren Paige Kennedy

Abigail Breslin rocketed to stardom in 2006 in Little Miss Sunshine. Nearly a decade later, the native New Yorker, a professional actor since age 5, jumps from film to television with the campy fright-fest Scream Queens (created by American Horror Story and Glee mastermind Ryan Murphy) this fall. Breslin, 19, is an author as well—her first book, This May Sound Crazy, debuts next month.

Photograph by Noam Galai/Getty Images SEPTEMBER 2015 20 W ebMD.COM FAMILY& PARENTING You have grown up in the spotlight. What’s it like dealing with the pressure in Hollywood? It’s destructive. The focus is more on what an actress looks like and what she wears to a premiere than what she did in the movie. But you can’t focus on it too much. Don’t check your phone or Twitter comments. Let it go. I have social-media-free days.

Describe your health regimen. I believe in doing everything in modera- tion. That’s my thing. Deprive yourself of nothing. I’m allergic to gluten, which sounds like an actress-y thing to say, but I actually am. So I try to eat as healthy as I can. I also do a lot of [recumbent] cycling. And I love this 8 Minute Abs tape I do in my trailer, every single day. It works! “I believe in doing everything in moderation. That’s my thing. Deprive yourself of nothing.”

Do you still suffer from asthma? It’s mostly an allergies thing. It’s been better lately, but I still carry around my inhaler. Well, actually, I make my mom keep it in her bag anytime we go anywhere together!

Your Tumblr blog, Mixtapes & Winter Coats, inspired you to write a book. It’s got advice for teens, right? I started blogging when I was 16. About my emotions, guys, and important things in life like that…I want [other teenagers who] read it to see you’re not alone, even when you’re wondering when it’s OK to text your crush first, which is the most terrifying situation Fox’s ever. I’d tell my 14-year-old self not Scream to think guys are the most important Queens airs on Tuesdays thing in the world. I’d say that to my this fall. 17-year-old self, too!

Reviewed by Hansa Bhargava, MD WebMD Medical Editor

W ebMD.COM 21 SEPTEMBER 2015 Photograph by Greg Delman Watch What Is Amniocentesis?, a video at WebMD.com. FAMILY& LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5 PARENTING

PREGNANCY History Test YOU CAN NOW SCREEN YOUR GENES BEFORE YOU CONCEIVE. BUT SHOULD YOU?

By Rachel Reiff Ellis

What if you could from a genetic screening find out your odds of only help doctors more having a child with a accurately predict your genetic disorder before you chances of passing prob- even got pregnant? Modern lematic genes on to your genetic testing makes it children. possible. In the end, these tests To do a genetic car- aren’t right for everyone. rier screening, also called Here are a few things to preconception testing, consider before you make your doctor takes a small your decision. sample of your saliva or How might the results blood during a checkup. affect me? Will knowing She’ll send the samples to your chances of passing a lab for testing. The tests down a genetic disorder look closely at your DNA make you more or less anx- for genes that are linked ious during pregnancy? to certain diseases, usually How might the results cystic fibrosis, fragile X affect my family? Shar- syndrome, blood disorders ing (or not sharing) your such as sickle-cell disease, results with family mem- Tay-Sachs disease, and bers who may also be spinal muscular atrophy. affected by the information Newer tests, called could cause tension. expanded genetic carrier What will my next steps screenings, can also detect be? Think ahead about flawed genes for more than how you might handle news 400 other disorders, some regardless of your health results might mean for you. of your results. A genet- of which are rare and have history or background). You A test can’t tell you without ics counselor can help you few treatments. face this risk if a disorder a doubt whether your child examine the possibilities Your doctor will probably runs in your family or if will have a disorder before and your options. Ask your recommend a test for you you belong to an ethnic you’re pregnant. Results doctor for a referral. and your partner if either group that has a high of you is at a higher risk of risk of genetic diseases,­ being a carrier (although including Ashkenazi­ Jewish ? ASK YOUR DOCTOR some experts now advise (Tay-Sachs disease and 1. I am not sure of my family history. Should I get a genetic universal screening ­others), African (sickle-cell screening test? disease), and Mediterranean 2. What are the pros and cons of these tests? and Southeast Asian 3. Are the results 100% accurate? Reviewed by (thalassemia). 4. Is the test invasive or complicated? Traci C. Johnson, MD, FACOG Before you get the test, WebMD Pregnancy Expert 5. Can you refer me to a genetics counselor to help me review

EXACTOSTOCK/GLOW IMAGES EXACTOSTOCK/GLOW think about what the the results?

SEPTEMBER 2015 22 W ebMD.COM Get more kid tips! Sign up for the Parenting & Children’s Health FAMILY& newsletter at WebMD.com. PARENTING LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5

KIDS’ HEALTH Home Improvement NEED A LITTLE HOMEWORK HELP? GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS

By Gina Shaw

Summer’s gone, and room table, a child-sized your child probably table in the kitchen, or a feels just like you do—that desk in your child’s room. he’s not quite ready for all Let your child help you that schoolwork just yet. plan and set up her area You can both ease back into so it feels like she owns it. the homework routine with Whatever the space, make it these tips from Deborah well-lit and free of distrac- Linebarger, PhD, associate tions such as TV and toys. professor of education at Set a schedule. Home- the University of Iowa. work should be done at the Kick it off. Make a same time every day. Many fun production of back- kids need a break after to-school shopping. Even school for a snack and a if you don’t have your little running around first. official supply list yet, go It’s best to get homework pick out staples such as done as early as possible— pencils, erasers, and fold- when it drags on past ers. Take this opportunity dinner and toward bedtime, to talk with your child the work is likely to take about organization: “How longer and be sloppier. many folders do you think Break it down. Younger you’ll need? Where will kids may be given a week’s you keep your homework FOCUS POINTS worth of homework on assignments?” IF YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ATTENTION Monday to turn in by DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER, HE OR SHE HAS Ease back in. Your kids EXTRA CHALLENGES WITH HOMEWORK. THEY’LL Friday, while older children have probably been going NEED EVEN MORE SUPERVISION AND GUIDANCE, SAYS may have big responsibili- EDUCATION EXPERT DEBORAH LINEBARGER, PHD. to bed a bit later during ties like term papers and the summer months. Don’t “Start by breaking up homework into really bite-sized science projects. Talk with wait until the night before amounts,” Linebarger says. “For a younger child, that them about time manage- school starts to get back to may be only about 10-minute increments. Expand ment, help them break a structured bedtime rou- them slowly as they show they’re able to handle it.” large projects into smaller And expect that your child will need you to monitor his tine. About a week before homework closely to make sure he stays on task. steps, and make sure they the big day, start mov- start early. ing bedtime back toward When your child gets distracted—and she will— Encourage “peer its normal school-year encourage her to do something physical to get back on collaboration”—to a schedule. track. “Let her jump up and run around for five minutes, point. It may be helpful for or have him do 10 push-ups or 30 jumping jacks,” Give them space. Orga- Linebarger says. “Research shows that acute physical siblings close in age to do nize a dedicated homework activity right before a challenging mental task helps to homework together. The space with plenty of sup- control behavior.” older one may be proud plies, whether it’s the dining and happy to offer help And be sure to catch them being good. “Kids with ADHD to the younger one. But if often hear lots of criticism. When they manage to sit still Reviewed by they bicker more than they Hansa Bhargava, MD for that 10 minutes of homework, or come home with WebMD Medical Editor their homework folder in order, give them lots of praise cooperate, it’s time for

for making a great choice,” Linebarger says. neutral corners. IMAGES DELAHAYE/GETTY CATHERINE

W ebMD.COM 23 SEPTEMBER 2015 Watch Getting Baby to Sleep Tips, a video at FAMILY& WebMD.com. PARENTING LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5

BABY TALK Hush Hour CAN’T GET BABY TO BED? CREATE A SLEEP ROUTINE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE WITH THESE DO’S AND DON’TS

By Michele Cohen Marill

Does getting your baby age-old rituals let your baby to drift peacefully to know bedtime has arrived. sleep seem like an impossible Sticking to a nightly routine dream? Think of bedtime also helps parents feel more and naptime as a routine to relaxed, Mindell says. help your baby learn, says Don’t let your baby Kansas City, Mo., pediatri- become overtired. You cian Natasha Burgert, MD. might think keeping your Babies vary in their sleep baby awake longer will needs, and parents have help him fall asleep, but different styles and sched- the opposite is true. “We’ve ules as well, so “find a seen very clearly in our data pattern that’s comfortable that babies who go to bed for your family and stick to before 9 o’clock get much it,” Burgert says. These more sleep and sleep better,” expert do’s and don’ts will Mindell says. help all of you find slumber- Don’t be a slave to land soon enough. naptime. Babies thrive on Do start early with routine, including a regular good sleep habits. New- nap schedule, but sometimes borns are often wakeful life gets in the way. Don’t at night and sleepy dur- worry if your baby falls ing the day. Help them asleep in the car on the way adjust by dimming lights to an older child’s playdate, at night and exposing them NIGHT SHIFT they lower the risk of SIDS and that turns into his nap. to some morning sunlight, (sudden infant death syn- Just try to get on track the WANT A HAPPY, SLEEPY says Jodi A. Mindell, PhD, BABY? THE KEY IS drome). But avoid the risk next day. associate director of the CONSISTENCY, of strangulation and don’t Don’t rely on tricks. SAYS INFANT-SLEEP Sleep Disorders Center at EXPERT JODI A. attach the pacifier to your Drives around the block or The Children’s Hospital of MINDELL, PHD. baby with a cord or string. cranking up the baby swing Philadelphia and author of You don’t need to worry if don’t allow her to learn how Step 1: Keep a regular Sleeping Through the Night: bedtime every night. the pacifier falls out or your to fall asleep on her own, How Infants, Toddlers, and baby rejects it—in fact, don’t says Burgert. The advice Their Parents Can Get a Good Step 2: Create a bedtime force your baby to take a from the AAP: Put babies Night’s Sleep. By 6 to 8 weeks, routine. A song, a story, a pacifier if she doesn’t want it, to sleep on their backs on most babies have a more hug all work well. advises the American Acad- a firm mattress in a crib or consistent wake and sleep Step 3: Put your baby to emy of Pediatrics. If you are bassinet, with no stuffed cycle. By 3 to 6 months, they bed drowsy but awake. breastfeeding, wait about toys, pillows, or loose blan- usually transition to longer three or four weeks before kets. These items increase naps in the morning and Step 4: Check on your using a pacifier, to allow your the risk of SIDS. afternoon, she says. baby if he cries. Don’t baby to adjust to nursing. pick him up. Do give a pacifier. Do follow a bedtime Reviewed by Pacifiers can help a baby Step 5: Repeat step 4 routine. A bath, gentle Hansa Bhargava, MD WebMD Medical Editor

fall asleep, and studies show as necessary. cuddling, a lullaby—those IMAGES SEET/GLOW KEN

W ebMD.COM 24 SEPTEMBER 2015 FAMILY& PARENTING

PET HEALTH Smell Test YOUR PET’S BAD BREATH COULD BE A FLAG FOR LARGER HEALTH ISSUES

By Colleen Oakley

You’re a model dog COOL CATS owner. You take your DENTAL CARE FOR four-legged friend for long CATS IS EXTREMELY walks, play fetch, read labels IMPORTANT, SAYS CINDY HOULIHAN, on dog food, and never miss DVM, OF THE a veterinarian appointment. CAT PRACTICE IN BIRMINGHAM, MICH. But you’re probably not HERE ARE TIPS TO KEEP keeping up with your pet’s KITTY’S MOUTH FRESH. dental care. A recent survey See a vet twice a year. shows that while 57% of dog “Every cat should have owners admit their pet has a dental exam every bad breath, only 6% six months,” Houlihan schedule a cleaning to take says. “The earlier we detect and treat dental care of the problem. bone, and without dental says. “If you’re not brushing disease, the better Here’s why you should: the outcome.” radiographs a large per- your dog’s teeth at all, don’t Bad breath is more than centage of painful disease expect to start brushing all just a sign your pooch needs Look for signs of pain. processes can be missed.” teeth every day without fail. a good toothbrushing. He “One of the immediate If your dog has a history of You and your dog need to effects of dental might have a more seri- dental disease, see your vet develop a routine.” Hilden disease in cats is pain,” ous issue such as an oral Houlihan says. But more often. If you notice bad recommends using a reward- infection or gum disease. since cats hide their breath, make an appoint- based system. In fact, more than 75% of pain instinctually, most ment immediately. Look for signs. Remem- dogs develop gum disease caretakers do not know Set up an at-home ber, any odor from the their cat is in pain. by middle age, which can routine. “Discuss with your mouth, swelling of the face, Look for changes such affect more than their tooth as loss of appetite, lack veterinarian a complete at- drooling, bleeding from the health. of activity, sensitivity home dental wellness care mouth, discoloration of the To keep your dog’s mouth to touch, sitting on top plan that includes brushing teeth, chipped or broken in tip-top shape, follow these of his paws, or acting but may also include water teeth, or eating more slowly withdrawn and hiding. guidelines. additives, dental chews, spe- than usual are most likely See your vet for a den- Brush daily. Start early cialized diets, oral gels, and signs of a painful problem. tal exam. Visit your veteri- in your cat’s life, and rinses,” Hilden says. “When Schedule an appointment narian at least once per year be regular about it. it comes to keeping your with your dog’s vet right for a dental exam (under Try brushing sections dog’s mouth clean, a multi- away. Whatever you do, of the mouth—brush anesthesia, if necessary) faceted approach is often the don’t attempt to brush your the left side in the and complete dental X-rays. morning and the right most beneficial.” pet’s teeth after you notice a “Only a fraction of the tooth in the evening. When Brush as often as you problem, Hilden says, even if can be seen on the exam,” brushing, look at the can. Once given the go- it’s as simple as bad breath. says Andrea Hilden, DVM, teeth and gums and ahead by your veterinarian, report any redness, of Animal Care Center of begin a toothbrushing regi- swelling, bleeding, Green Valley in Arizona. and cracked or men (using a toothpaste cre- Reviewed by “The rest of the tooth is ated for dogs, not humans). Will Draper, DVM broken teeth to your WebMD Pet Health Expert

covered by the gums and veterinarian. “Make it attainable,” Hilden IMAGES BLANN/GETTY MICHAEL

W ebMD.COM 25 SEPTEMBER 2015 Night RIDER Funnyman Seth Meyers has spent a lot of time working into the wee hours of the morning. But the late-night host and long-distance runner swears that the key to his success is sleep. We catch up with the former SNL star about how he gets those all-important zzz’s and why he approaches his current gig like the marathons he runs

BY LAUREN PAIGE KENNEDY PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES WHITE/NBC

W ebMD.COM 26 SEPTEMBER 2015 SETH has plentyMEYERS to grin about.

The former Saturday Night Live fixture and current Late Night With Seth Meyers host enjoys what long-distance runners refer to as being “in the zone.” Now, with a good 18 months under his belt The New Hampshire native, 41, clearly does care about his health, so as Jimmy Fallon’s heir to NBC’s 12:35 a.m. talk don’t take him too seriously. Meyers ran track in high school and for show time slot, he’s fully hitting his stride. The years has continued to log 5-mile runs four or five times each week. You’ll jokes are flowing. His guests are bringing it. His spot him jogging on the West Side Highway’s pedestrian path along the banter with them never feels contrived. And he Hudson River, come rain, sleet, or shine. And while several of his old looks, well, really pleased to be there. So what’s SNL pals have garnered ample tabloid attention for legendary levels of the secret to Meyers’ success? partying, Meyers’ most addictive vice seems to be carrying around his “Sleep!” he jokes. “Not only do I get eight miniature greyhound, Frisbee, everywhere he goes. How’s that for being hours every night with my new schedule, I get a wild and crazy guy? the same eight hours. At SNL, everyone’s always Still, the comedian’s pivot in 2014 from SNL’s faux anchor on the “Week- a little bit sick. No one’s ever 100 percent—every- end Update” desk—as well as his role as the iconic sketch comedy show’s one’s got half a cough and a bit of congestion, head writer since 2006—to helming a nightly talkfest with roughly 250 especially in winter. Because nothing breaks original broadcasts to date was no cakewalk. “I take the responsibility to down the immune system at 3 a.m. on a Tuesday be healthy enough to do the show every night very seriously,” the host says. better than a Red Bull and some pizza. That’s a “Eating at the same time every day, sleeping enough—it all makes a dif- good way of telling your body: You can let me die ference. The thing is, doing ‘Weekend Update’—adrenaline can get you now. I don’t care about myself.” through that. But it can’t for Late Night. Not in the same way.”

WHAT KEEPS FUNNYMAN SETH MEYERS SMILING ALL THE TIME? SETH’S BEST HERE ARE A FEW OF HIS GET-HAPPY TIPS Get a dog. Meyers famously Find your drive. When comic Take laughter very seriously. Be with family. Meyers is dotes on his miniature legend Jerry Seinfeld asked “Being SNL’s head writer extremely close to his. “My greyhound, Frisbee. For him, Meyers to appear on his was such a formative time parents did an incredible puppy love is nothing new. online series, Comedians In in my life. I make nonsense job. They nipped in the bud According to animalfair.com, Cars Getting Coffee, Meyers for a living, so I have to be at a young age that you the comedian grew up in felt he’d died and gone to no-nonsense in my approach could be anything other than Bedford, N.H., with a “’giant heaven. “That was one of the to it. I get to do a comedy supportive or loving to a Pyrenees that was so big he greatest three hours of my show every day! The reward sibling because your brother could open the doors with life, getting to sit and have is the comedy for an hour; is also your best friend,” he his paws.” In addition, the coffee with Jerry, one of my the lead-up I take very says of actor Josh Meyers, Meyers clan always kept an heroes,” Meyers says. seriously.” 39, whom he’s interviewed

PHOTOGRAPH BY WILLIAMS+HIRAKAWA/CORBIS OUTLINE WILLIAMS+HIRAKAWA/CORBIS BY PHOTOGRAPH Old English sheepdog. on Late Night.

W ebMD.COM 28 SEPTEMBER 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 29 W ebMD.COM Read 10 Common Running Injuries, an article at WebMD.com. LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5 Knee That’s why Meyers approaches his still-new gig like a marathon rather than a sprint, or DEEP even an unpredictable mix of 400s, 800s, and Personal trainer Jeff the charity’s top earner, Perry Zimmerman, a 5Ks—perhaps a better metaphor for the weekly Halevy believes the soft-spoken 14-year-old rare-cancer survivor key to preventing unpredictable dash that is SNL. Meyers has run knee trouble starts whose own Team Perry NYC raised a whopping a few marathons, so he knows how to time his with strengthening the $879,134.21 this year alone. breath, endurance, and delivery. The show goes body’s core muscles. “She made almost $900,000; Team Seth made on only if the host is healthy enough to lead it. $15,000—a close second! I like to say we made Get strong before close to a million dollars, combined,” he quips. you go long. ON THE RUN “Strengthening “I was fairly sickly growing up,” Meyers admits connective tissues BEHIND THE SCENES ruefully. “I was that kid who always had strep, helps weather the While Meyers has no plans to return as emcee for bronchitis, and asthma. “Then I went to college, stress of running. So this year’s Emmy Awards (he hosted the show in and immediately my asthma got better. I grew train your entire body. 2014), he plans to tackle other big endeavors this The stronger you up around giant shedding dogs. It became clear are overall, the more fall. They include a third season of his Hulu ani- I shouldn’t be spending my youth around those power you’ll have.” mated series, The Awesomes, plus the launch of furry bastards.” He jokingly thanks his parents Documentary Now! a faux documentary show on for this, adding: “I still carry around my inhaler Increase stability, IFC that Meyers created with fellow SNL alumni in my bag, just in case. I actually had to use it mobility, and Fred Armisen and Bill Hader. symmetry. a few weeks ago. If you’ve ever had asthma, you “Runners require hip “It’s a different fake documentary every week, just feel safer having it with you.” symmetry,” Halevy with six episodes,” says Meyers of the show, Chronic respiratory problems and multiple- says. “To develop it, which premieres August 20 at 10 p.m. “Helen mile jaunts don’t often jog well together. Did I recommend doing Mirren is hosting it, which is hilarious. She does asthma hold back the performer’s athletic chin-ups which work the same kind of voice-over role Laura Linney the lat muscles that prowess? are under the armpit does on Masterpiece. Bill and Fred”—who star in “I ran track in high school, but I was never and lead to the the series—“are outstanding,” he adds. a good, competitive runner,” he says. “I lack hip. These muscles Between Late Night With Seth Meyers and his all hand-eye coordination. Running is the only create movement other projects, the comedian/comic book enthu- sport you can do where this is not required. But and stability.” Strong siast/writer/producer is clearly a busy man. And glutes and lower I’ve mostly maintained [a running schedule]. I occurs, “the body starts to move in suboptimal ways. It overcompensates abdominal muscles a happy one, too: He’s a newlywed. run during the brutal New York winter! You’re with adaptive strategies in order to deal with these restrictions. Knee about half of all cancer diagnoses. Research on are also important. Marriage is no joke for Meyers—unless, of running, you’re slipping—everything you’re pain is not necessarily injury. Pain is defined as the body’s anticipation many rare cancers is drastically underfunded, course, he has an opportunity to rib actor doing for your health you’re likely undoing with of threat. The body thinks it’s about to sustain structural damage, so the often leaving patients with limited or no treat- Build a better lower George Clooney about it. Turns out, both hand- your potential for extreme injury.” brain sends the body a pain signal. Runners are notorious—they get really ment options. body. Halevy is a some leading men married human rights law- fan of lunges and Turns out, this runner has recently been bat- good at training through pain. Minor pain then goes to true injury.” “It’s personal,” Meyers says of his involvement. step-ups because yers with a flair for fashion. Meyers wed attorney tling knee problems, diagnosed as iliotibial (IT) Meyers says he has a plan to do some cross-training so he can pound the “I went to college with [CFS co-founder] David “strengthening these Alexi Ashe in 2013 on Martha’s Vineyard. band syndrome. It’s a common sports injury pavement again soon. “I’ve reached the age when it’s not super smart to Linn. He married Jennifer Goodman Linn, who lower leg muscles “Married life is outstanding,” ­Meyers says. “I among runners and cyclists, caused by inflam- run and not cross-train anymore.” was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2006. She serves like bookends was very lucky to find such a wonderful, caring, mation and friction along the thick band of Halevy agrees with this last sentiment—but only if Meyers does the right loved spin class. David has helped raise some- opposite a strong and intelligent woman to spend my life with— corset and supports fibrous tissue that begins at the hip, runs along moves, which don’t include hitting a swimming pool or bike path. “If you thing like $100 million for Memorial Sloane the IT [the iliotibial and she’s crazy healthy. Most of my robustness the outer thigh, and attaches just below the want to run without pain, you must restore strength, stability, and mobil- Kettering Cancer Center with Cycle for Sur- band in the knee].” is due to her.” He adds proudly: “We have a knee. The band works with other muscles to pro- ity first.” (For tips, see “Knee Deep,” on the next page.) vival events—100% of which goes toward fund- smoothie every day. And let me be sure to say: vide stability to the knee during movement. But ing research for rare cancers. Jennifer passed Mix it up. “Remember, I’m the one who makes the smoothies, because if damaged, each time the knee is bent or the hip LIFE CYCLE away a few years ago. David keeps it going in her repetition is the she leaves for work earlier than I do. Which mother of injury,” is flexed, the band rubs against the bone, result- Even if the comedian does follow this advice and skips the outdoor bik- memory. And for me, it’s the most inspiring day Halevy says. “It’s so makes me the husband of the year.” ing in the deeply aching, increasingly intense ing, he’ll attempt a challenging spin class soon—or at least encourage his I have every year.” important for runners Ashe often jogs with her husband; they bike pain known as “runner’s knee.” fans to hop on recumbent bicycles for a great cause. That’s because Meyers Last March, Cycle for Survival held events to vary their speed together too. And let’s not forget the frequent Jeff Halevy, NBC fitness expert and trainer for has served as the public face for Cycle for Survival since 2009. The charity with Equinox gyms as its partner in 13 U.S. cities,­ and track work. Run a walking—or is it “carrying”?—of their first baby, first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” health raises money to help develop treatments for rare cancers. attracting some 21,500 riders, who together ped- 200m, a 400m, and Frisbee. an 800m; then do initiative, explains that when such inflammation According to NIH, a “rare cancer” is one that affects fewer than 200,000 aled hard (or hardly pedaled, depending on abil- some uphill repeats. Could this sweet dog be a trial run for kids? people in the United States. They include brain, pancreatic, ovarian, and ity) while earning money for the cause. Leading Create variability to “We are so nailing the dog thing right now,” Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD, CPT thyroid cancers; leukemia and lymphoma; all pediatric cancers; and many up to the big spin-out, Meyers teased a running prevent IT problems.” Meyers says. “If we do even half as well with WebMD Chief Medical Editor

others. When these rare cancer types are combined, they account for KIM/MANAGEMENT+ARTISTS+SYNDICATION SEBASTIAN BY PHOTOGRAPH joke on Late Night that he was competing­ against kids, we’ll be just fine.”

W ebMD.COM 30 SEPTEMBER 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 31 W ebMD.COM HEAVYDUTY Stress among kids of all ages is at an all-time high. Why? Experts explore what makes modern childhood more stressful than ever and how parents can ease the pressure

hen Valaree Busse neared the end of and you’re not included, it’s painful,” says her mother. eighth grade in St. Paul, Neb., the “Before all the social media, you didn’t see pictures of school guidance counselor called her everything people were doing without you.” and the rest of her classmates in for All this brewed up a perfect storm of stress that left “career cruising.” At ages 13 and 14, the the once happy-go-lucky Valaree frequently in tears. Wkids were asked to plan all of their coursework for the “Once she cried almost nonstop for three days. She next four years of high school. just said over and over, ‘I just feel so much pressure! “There’s a track for kids who don’t plan to attend I can’t be myself because I have to act mature.’ She college, one if you’re going to a two-year college, and won’t sleep at night because she’s worried about what one if you’re going to a four-year college,” says her someone will think of how she acted, and if it will wind mother, Janet. “They’re planning, as entering fresh- up on Facebook,” her mom says. “And she wants to be men, for the end of their high school career. Valaree a kid, but she has to think about what she’s doing four doesn’t know what she wants to do yet! A year ago, she years from now.” was going to major in dance. Now, she wants to go to Stress among kids is at an all-time high. Anxiety vet school, but she’s not sure if she wants to be a vet disorders affect one in eight children, according to tech or a veterinarian. But they’re telling them that if the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. they don’t start planning now, as a freshman, they’re Early-childhood stress continues to mount as kids going to be behind.” get older. The American Psychological Association’s Valaree’s social life only added to the pressure. Stress in America survey finds that high school stu- “When you see pictures on Facebook and Instagram dents report stress levels that top those of adults. More of your friends all out with a bunch of other people than half of college students have felt “overwhelming BY GINA SHAW Photography by Hugh Kretschmer Check out Kids and Stress, a special report at WebMD.com. LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5 TOOLS anxiety” within the past 12 months, guess wrong and those three activities up comments and images they think are Health conditions Family disruption according to the American College FOR PARENTS you thought were going to be great are going to go away, but of course nothing Chronic illnesses in children more “Family issues like parental illness, Health Association. As a parent, how can you make just overwhelming your child, you can ever really goes away once it’s on the than doubled between 1994 and 2006, deployment, or divorce can really And when WebMD asked American things better? Carrie Spindel, pull back. And it’s OK.” Internet,” Busse says. from 12.8% to 26.6%, with asthma, stress out kids,” Earls says. The divorce PhD, clinical assistant professor of Academy of Pediatrics president Sandra obesity, type 2 diabetes, and behav- rate has remained fairly stable over the child and adolescent psychiatry Hassink, MD, to name the single most ioral and learning problems topping past decade or so, with about 1.5 mil- at NYU School of Medicine, has Fewer healthy Too little sleep important health issue facing children these suggestions: outlets for stress School pressures and the lure of social the list. About 6.4 million children lion children each year living through today, she didn’t hesitate: “Stress. Remember recess? Your kids might not. media whittle away at an all-important in the U.S. have been diagnosed with their parents’ divorces. But few chil- I think childhood today is a much KEEP CONNECTED. The National Association for the Edu- stress remedy: sleep. According to the attention deficit hyperactivity disor- dren of the 1980s and 1990s endured more stressful event than it has been Make sure you have time cation of Young Children reports that National Sleep Foundation, about one- der, or ADHD—that’s about 2 million the anxiety of prolonged and frequent in the past. As a parent, I felt it. As a every day when you put your 7% of first-graders and 8% of third- third of parents report that homework more than just a decade ago. Missing parental deployments. Today, more pediatrician, I feel it.” phones and your devices away, graders never have recess. Since 2008, and after-school activities get in the school and play activities for doctor’s than 2 million American children have What drives all this stress? Research and you talk to your kids and they 20% of school systems have shortened way of their child’s sleep. And nearly appointments, dealing with side effects had a parent deploy to Iraq or Afghan- and kids’ health experts cite a number talk to you. recess time, by an average of 50 minutes three in four children ages 6 to 17 have from medications, and being unable to istan, and studies show that children of factors. per week. Physical education has also at least one electronic device in the do some of the things other children do from military families of all ages have TAKE IT EASY. been slashed—the majority of kids have bedroom, which can cut a night’s sleep can all be stressful. significantly more stress and anxiety See that your kids get regular P.E. twice a week or less. At the same by almost an hour. Research shows that than other children. Accelerated academic unstructured time at home when expectations they can engage in free play, rest, time, the use of electronic devices— even slight sleep deprivation affects Kindergarten, many parents and read, or do whatever they feel like which cut down on personal connection memory, judgment, and mood. Parental stress teachers say, is the new first grade. doing. All kids need breaks. and physical activity—is skyrocketing. The family is a child’s stress buffer. Thirty years ago, kindergarten was for When a family struggles and can’t finger painting and blocks; today’s kin- NAME STRESS AND Media saturation and KIDS ARE ALWAYS CONNECTED. play that role, a child feels it. “Just dergartners bring home regular home- NORMALIZE IT. exposure to adult content like we’re asking parents to pay atten- work. A report from the University of With little kids, Spindel calls it Thanks to the 24-hour media cycle and The use of electronic devices is tion to the kids, parents also need to Virginia found that time spent on early the “worry bully” or “Mr. Worry.” constant connectivity, kids are exposed pay attention to themselves,” Hassink literacy in kindergarten increased by Stress can make a child feel at much younger ages to terrifying news says. “We all know as parents you get like her body is out of control. skyrocketing. Yesterday’s nasty 25% since 1998, while time spent on stories like the Sandy Hook Elemen- in a zone where it’s just, ‘I need to do Explain to her that this is the art, music, and physical education tary School shootings and ISIS terror- the next 20 things.’ By simply spend- body’s response when we expect notes passed from hand to dropped dramatically. something scary to happen. And ism. And today’s young people see more ing some unstructured time with your when she learns to recognize than their share of violence and sexu- hand in class are today’s children, you can decrease stress and High-stakes testing those signs, she can do things like ality packaged as entertainment, often find energy for the next task.” “Our obsession with testing kids puts deep breathing to slow down the without their parents present, thanks bullying texts, gone viral with Like many parents, Busse and her an enormous amount of pressure on body’s stress reaction. to smartphones and tablets. Others are husband realized that the stress their children,” says Marian Earls, MD, a exposed to real violence, such as domes- daughter was under required a little developmental and behavioral pediatri- ASK YOUR tic abuse or gang violence at school. more help than they could give. Using cian in Greensboro, N.C., and member PEDIATRICIAN FOR Parents need to filter this informa- the employee assistance program of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ GUIDANCE. tion flow, Hassink says. “Look at the offered by his company, they found You might get a referral for Committee on Psychosocial Aspects content your child’s watching. Put it ONE Valaree a counselor whom she saw counseling if your child’s stress of Child and Family Health. “I’ve in context for them. Parents need to for several months. “She helped her seems persistent and overwhelm- seen third-graders coming in for help ing. The American Academy of be present, and be more aware of what sort out what’s important and what because their parents are noticing sleep Pediatrics tells its members to be their children are taking in.” isn’t important,” Busse says. “She problems, tearfulness, and reluctance open to talking with parents about CLICK. also got her started journaling, and I to go to school because of all the hype issues related to stress, and to ask Bullying and teasing think being able to write things down on performance and testing.” age-appropriate questions, from In the 1980s, if you weren’t invited to a has helped her a lot. She gave her the the time children are very young. birthday party, you heard about it, but tools she needed to be able to cope Overscheduling you didn’t see pictures of the fun you with the pressures she faces, and she’s Enrichment activities like sports, art, or TAKE CARE OF YOU. missed all over Instagram and Face- gotten better about telling us what music should help relieve stress, not add You need to get yourself in check book. Yesterday’s nasty notes passed she needs.” emotionally before you can take to it. “You have to understand your child from hand to hand in class are today’s care of your kids. When you and watch for their cues,” Hassink says. bullying texts, which have the capabil- decrease your own stress, you If your child starts a new sport or music increase your connection to your ity of going viral. lessons and becomes overwhelmed and All this has a long shelf life. “Kids use Reviewed by Hansa Bhargava, MD children. WebMD Medical Editor stressed, it may be too much. “If you apps like Yik Yak and Snapchat to put

W ebMD.COM 34 SEPTEMBER 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 35 W ebMD.COM Take Control of Your Allergies.

■ Helps you to control your allergy symptoms by showing you the trigger levels in your area before you start the day.

■ Prepares you for each day with personalized allergy and weather forecasts.

■ Includes: Timely Alerts, Allergy Forecast, Allergy 101, Personalized Content. FOOD & IN SEASON FITNESS Pear Up

By Erin O’Donnell

Recipes by Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Move over, apples! Pears are another fabulous fall fruit. They not only taste terrific when perfectly ripe, but one medium pear (skin included) provides 22% of an adult’s daily value for fiber. Pears contain flavonoids, plant compounds that appear to help prevent type 2 diabetes. Results from the long-term Nurses’ Health Study show that women who regularly ate a combination of pears and apples were less likely to develop the disease. Kalidas Shetty, PhD, professor of plant sciences at North Dakota State University, conducted preliminary studies showing that oligosaccharides, a type of carbohydrate in pears, may slow the rate at which the body digests sugars. Shetty is a true pear fan, in part because they’re filling: “I often eat two a day,” he says. “My trick is to eat one right before lunch, which prevents me from overeating.” Turn the page for more ways to enjoy this pear-fect fruit. FOOD STYLIST: DEBBIE WAHL DEBBIE STYLIST: FOOD

Photography by Dan Whipps SEPTEMBER 2015 37 W ebMD.COM FOOD & FITNESS

Pears are picked when mature and firm. They ripen after picking.

Top Filling This salad features succulent pears stuffed with tangy goat cheese, flavors that complement the peppery snap of watercress. Fill the pears a few hours in advance to give them a chance to chill before serving. The recipe calls for Bosc or red pears, but any type of firm, ripe pear will work.

Stuffed Pear and Watercress Salad Makes 8 servings As they ripen, Ingredients Bartlett pears turn from green to 2 oz goat cheese, softened yellow, a sign they 1 tbsp whole milk are ready to eat. Other pears, such 2 tbsp finely chopped chives as Anjou and Bosc, 8 dried apricots, finely chopped don’t change color (about 2 tbsp) when ripe. zest and juice of 1 fresh lemon 4 firm, ripe Bosc or red pears Quite a Pear 3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar Asian pears, a cousin of traditional 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil pears, are sometimes called “apple ¼ tsp sea salt pears” because of their crisp, apple- freshly ground black pepper like texture. Here the pear pairs nicely 8 cups watercress greens with jicama, a refreshing root vegeta- ¼ cup chopped, toasted walnuts ble with a sweet, slightly nutty flavor. Directions .com This dish makes a delectable supper 1. In a small bowl, thoroughly combine for early fall. goat cheese, milk, chives, apricots, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Cut pears in What’s half lengthwise and scoop out seeds Chicken Paillard Cooking! With Asian Pear Salad and core using a melon baller or Thousands of people turn Makes 6 servings spoon. Rub pears with lemon juice to WebMD.com for meal to prevent discoloration. Fill each inspiration every day. Ingredients pear half with cheese mixture, and Here are the most-clicked carefully place pear halves back recipes.* 6 (4-oz each) boneless, skinless together again. Chill 2 hours, or until chicken breasts the cheese is firm. Fruit Cream Crisp dash sea salt 2. In a large bowl, whisk together freshly ground pepper to taste vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. All-American Light ¼ cup canola oil Potato Salad Add watercress and toss to coat 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 1 tsp honey leaves. One-Bowl Better-for-You 3. Divide greens among 8 plates. Place Brownies 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce each pear half on top of greens. 2 tsp freshly grated ginger Garnish with walnuts to serve. Lemon Dill Chicken 1 tbsp olive oil 1 Asian pear, thinly sliced Per serving Summer Breezes ½ cup matchstick-cut jicama 183 calories, 3 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate, Smoothie ½ cup matchstick-cut carrots 13 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 3 mg cholesterol, 3 scallions, thinly sliced 3 g fiber, 11 g sugar, 115 mg sodium. Calories *as of June 1, 2015 5 cups arugula or mixed salad greens

from fat: 61% 2 oz blue cheese, crumbled WAHL DEBBIE STYLIST: FOOD

W ebMD.COM 38 SEPTEMBER 2015 Photography by Dan Whipps Craving more recipes? Sign up for The Daily Bite newsletter at WebMD.com. LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5

Berry Fragrant This dessert is a flavorful alternative to the same old apple crisp. In addition to bright fall flavors and a top-notch nutrient profile (including an impressive amount of fiber), it also smells irresistible as it bakes.

Harvest Pear-Cranberry Crisp Directions Makes 8 servings 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. In a large bowl, combine pears, Ingredients cranberries, lemon juice, cornstarch, 8 medium-sized ripe Bartlett or Anjou and ¼ cup brown sugar. Pour into pears, cored and chopped, with a 9-by-13 baking dish coated with peel intact cooking spray. ¾ cup fresh cranberries 3. Make topping: In a medium bowl, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice mix oats, wheat germ, flour, 1 tbsp cornstarch remaining brown sugar, cinnamon, ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar, nutmeg, and salt. Using a fork, divided combine these ingredients with the 1½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats chilled butter pieces and oil until ¼ cup wheat germ the mixture resembles coarse meal. ¼ cup whole wheat flour Gently stir in nuts. Sprinkle topping 1 tsp cinnamon evenly over fruit. Some pears have ½ tsp nutmeg natural brown 4. Bake until golden brown, 50–60 spots, called salt to taste minutes. Serve warm with vanilla russeting. These ¼ cup chilled unsalted butter, frozen yogurt (not included in marks don’t affect cut into pieces nutrient analysis). the taste. 2 tbsp canola oil ¼ cup chopped nuts Per serving 303 calories, 4 g protein, 52 g carbohydrate, 11 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 12 mg cholesterol, 7 g fiber, 31 g sugar, 66 mg sodium. Calories Directions from fat: 30% 1. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of waxed paper. Pound each piece to ¼- to ½-inch thickness with a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season To check pears for ripeness, gently press the neck near the with salt and pepper. stem. The flesh will yield to 2. Spray a large nonstick pan with pressure when ready to eat. cooking spray. Heat canola oil to medium high. Working in batches, sauté chicken until golden brown on both sides and cooked thoroughly, about 2–3 minutes per side. Cover and keep warm. 3. Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and olive oil. 4. In a large mixing bowl, combine pear, jicama, carrots, scallions, and greens. Toss with dressing. 5. Place a piece of chicken on each plate. Top with salad, garnish with blue cheese, and serve.

Per serving 312 calories, 30 g protein, 6 g carbohydrate, 18 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 75 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 302 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 51%

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD WebMD Lead Medical Editor

SEPTEMBER 2015 39 W ebMD.COM Check out Healthy Recipe Finder, a tool at FOOD & WebMD.com. FITNESS LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5

OFF THE MENU Bill Telepan CHEF/OWNER, TELEPAN NEW YORK CITY

By Matt McMillen

The menu may not be and concocted a vegetarian the same he serves at chili. He worked from a very Telepan, his Michelin- simple plan to improve the starred Manhattan students’ diets: “Find those restaurant, but chef Bill familiar things that kids like, Telepan’s dishes have made a make them from scratch, lot of New York City public and then expand their pal- school students happier— ates from there. and healthier. “My wife and daughter In 2008, Telepan, 49, love salads, so on Sundays, began to work with the city’s my one full day off, I’ll go Wellness in the Schools shopping and buy produce program, which encourages that we can cook all week, students to eat well and then I make big salads with stay fit. Since then he has lots of vegetables.” provided several healthy In addition to his free recipes, including the Texas Sunday, he makes a point to chicken chili he shares here. spend one night a week with Today, at the start of his family. He also takes time a new school year, the out of his long and busy day program reaches 30,000 to work out. kids in more than 50 “I do an hour a day if I schools in New York City can. I like running, Pilates, as well as in Kentucky and and strength training. I Florida. Telepan continues “At the beginning of the daughter Leah, 14, attends really believe it’s important.” to develop recipes. He also program, I went to a few of NYC public schools. sits on the WITS board of the meetings and said, I’m a To start, he enhanced the Reviewed by directors and hosts and chef, I can cook, how can I salad bar, designed a selec- Hansa Bhargava, MD WebMD Medical Editor plans fundraising efforts. help?” says Telepan, whose tion of good-for-you wraps,

Texas Chicken Chili Directions Makes 4 servings 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. In a bring to a simmer. Add large Dutch oven, heat oil chicken, bring back to a Ingredients on high heat to just before simmer, cover pot, and 2 oz vegetable oil smoking. Season chicken place in oven until tender, 4 skinless, boneless thighs with salt and place about 30–45 minutes. chicken thighs in pan and start to brown Remove chicken and set salt to taste (about 5 minutes). Turn aside. When cool, strip the 1 cup onion, minced thighs and brown on other meat into chunks and add 6 cloves garlic, minced side for an additional 3–5 back to sauce. Simmer 5 2 tbsp chili powder minutes. Remove thighs, more minutes and serve. 2 tsp ground cumin turn heat to medium-high, 2 tsp dried oregano and add onion and garlic Per serving 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and cook until tender, 304 calories, 18 g protein, 21 g and minced about 10 minutes. carbohydrate, 18 g fat (4 g 3 oz tomato paste 2. Add spices, jalapeño, and saturated fat), 57 mg cholesterol, 1 can tomatoes, puréed tomato paste and mix 6 g fiber, 10 g sugar, 560 mg

well. Add tomatoes and sodium. Calories from fat: 54% RESTAURANT TELEPAN KRIEGER; DANIEL TOP:

W ebMD.COM 40 SEPTEMBER 2015 Read Principles of Bicycle Safety, a Fitness & Exercise FOOD & guide at WebMD.com. FITNESS LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5

WORK IT OUT Joy Ride FEEL STUCK IN THE CYCLING STUDIO? SHIFT GEARS INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS

By Kara Mayer Robinson

Welcome to a gorgeous SPIN fall—the perfect time CYCLE­ ADD POWER TO YOUR to skip the spin studio and WORKOUTS WITH take your ride onto streets TIPS FROM EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST and trails. Outdoor cycling is SCOTT A. WEISS. one of the best cardio workouts you can get, plus it Get up. To burn 10% strengthens your lower body more energy, lift your (think thighs, hips, and behind off the seat and pedal out of the buttocks), and improves your saddle. Try it anytime, balance and equilibrium. anywhere. Bonus: You don’t need a special Standing up in the bike. If you already have saddle makes biking one, use it. If you’re in the an even more powerful weight-bearing market for a new bike, exercise, helping to choose one that gels with strengthen the bones in your fitness goals. “Road [or your legs. long-distance] biking builds greater endurance, while Go with the flow. Don’t just push the pedal mountain biking [or BMX] down hard. Pedal with strengthens more of your VO2 Max Bike Workout two minutes. Aim for five to fluidity. Push and pull core and upper body,” says Start with 10 to 15 minutes six sprints. As you get better, with your calf and shin exercise physiologist Scott of easy pedaling. Then you’ll need less recovery time muscles to keep those A. Weiss, DPT, who was part pedal fast for three minutes. between sprints. muscles working. of the U.S. Olympic sports Go back to light pedaling. Hill Training Find a Head up. Keep your medicine team in Beijing Repeat. Shoot for three to six nice slope (about a 6% to head up as you pedal— and Athens, Greece. speed intervals per workout. 10% grade). Start about 100 this helps bring more Before you put the pedal Do it on a flat, smooth road. yards before the hill. Pedal oxygen into your lungs. to the metal, make sure your Power Training Start faster as you get closer to “Think of a dog howling. To get full air into their bike is the right fit. “Most by pedaling in a low gear at the hill. When you reach the lungs, their chins are bike shops have experts who an easy pace. Then add a bottom of the hill, shift your usually up.” will help you get the right 10-second all-out sprint. As bike into a high gear, stand size bike and adjust it to fit you sprint, shift into a higher up in the saddle, and go fast Weigh in. The right your size and body type,” gear (or two). Work hard and to the top. Pedal back down positioning and weight is important. When says Weiss. He suggests these really go for the burn at the the hill in a low gear. Rest for you’re on your bike, bike workouts for a different end of your sprint. Return up to five minutes. Repeat try to put about 60% spin on your routine. to light pedaling for one to four to five times. of your weight on the saddle and 40% EXPERT TIP on your handlebars. “I always try something challenging. If I mountain bike, I take a trail or jump I never have before. If I am doing long distance, I always Reviewed by incorporate interval training or sprints into the workout. I force myself Brunilda Nazario, MD to work harder.”—Scott A. Weiss, DPT WebMD Lead Medical Editor DOUGAL WATERS/GETTY IMAGES WATERS/GETTY DOUGAL

W ebMD.COM 41 SEPTEMBER 2015 Read How to Exercise at Home, a Fitness & Exercise FOOD & guide at WebMD.com. FITNESS LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5

FITNESS CHALLENGE Roll Models Q “During a workout, should HAVE A BALL DURING YOUR NEXT WORKOUT WITH I do cardio or strength THESE BALANCING MOVES training first?”

By Jodi Helmer Rosie Molinary, 41, college professor, Davidson, N.C. Stability balls are a great workout companion. As the name suggests, they challenge your balance, one of the reasons celebrity fitness trainer Autumn Calabrese loves incorporating them into workouts for clients like Kendall Jenner and Brooke Burke. “When you do moves with the ball, you have to work harder to stay stable, which engages more muscles and burns more calories,” she explains. “It intensifies your workout.” Add these three moves to your routine at least three times per week, doing the entire circuit at least three times for best results. A “When it comes to organizing your workout, strength training to start has some benefits. As your workout progresses, your body fatigues and that can Supported Squats Stability Ball Alternating Front make it difficult to maintain Push-Ups Lunge With Rotation good form during strength 1. Place a stability ball training. Without proper between your back and 1. Lie down with your stom- 1. Stand with your feet form, you don’t get the full the wall, using your ach on top of the stability together and hold the benefit of the workout and weight to hold the ball ball, slowly leaning for- stability ball in front of you you increase the risk of against the wall. ward to place your hands at chest height. injuries. (This is true for 2. Stand with your feet hip- on the ground in front of 2. Step forward with your width apart, tighten your the ball. right foot as you bend cardio, too, but strength abs, and squeeze your 2. With your hands slightly both your front and your training tends to require shoulder blades together. wider than shoulder-width back legs into a 90-degree more focus.) If you plan to 3. Keeping your back apart, walk your hands angle. Your right knee do strength training before pressed into the ball, forward until your body should stay behind your cardio, remember to start slowly bend your knees is in a plank position and toes, and your left heel will and lower into a seated your shins are on top of be off the ground. your workout with a five- position. Your thighs the ball. Your body should 3. At the bottom of the minute warm-up. Increasing should be parallel to the be in a straight line from lunge, rotate the ball over your heart rate and ground, with your legs the top of your head to your right thigh, keeping warming up your muscles bent at a 90-degree the tips of your toes. your arms straight, your will help prepare your joints angle. 3. Tighten your abs, bend shoulders pressed down, 4. Press up through your your elbows, and lower and your abs in tight. and muscles.” heels and return to the yourself into a push-up. 4. Rotate back to center and starting position. 4. Lower your forehead as step the right foot back 5. Do 12 repetitions. close to the ground as in line with the left foot to possible, then drive up, return to the start position. pressing through your 5. Repeat this on the left Paul M. Gordon, PhD, MPH, Reviewed by hands to return to the side. professor and chair of the Michael W. Smith, MD, CPT start position. Continue to alternate Department of Health, Human WebMD Chief Medical Editor 6. Performance, and Recreation at

5. Do eight to 12 push-ups. sides for 12 reps. Baylor University, Waco, Texas LEE JASON

W ebMD.COM 42 SEPTEMBER 2015 CheckupTAKING CARE, LIVING WELL

September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month Leukemia is a blood cancer—the bone marrow produces marrow that doesn’t produce leukemia cells. Researchers leukemia cells in place of normal blood cells. Leukemia are also exploring targeted and biologic therapy. Targeted cells reproduce and they don’t die when they get old or drugs can shut down key functions of cancer cells without damaged, like normal cells do. This means the cancer hurting healthy cells, while biologic therapy stimulates cells can eventually outnumber normal blood cells, and the body’s immune system to fight the disease. the blood may not be able to carry oxygen to the tissues, Star of ABC’s Nashville Charles Esten, fight off infections, or control bleeding. along with his family, will lead the Leu- Today, more than 300,000 Americans live with leuke- kemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the mia. It is the most common cancer in children under 15, Night Walk in Nashville, Tenn., this but people who most often develop leukemia are older October. Esten’s 15-year-old daughter is a than 55. Treatment depends on the type of leukemia, childhood leukemia survivor. Metallica’s Robert ­Trujillo because different forms affect different kinds of blood and his wife Chloe hosted Fashion Rocks, a fashion cells—white cells, red cells, or platelets. show to benefit a young girl with leukemia,earlier ­ this TAYLOR HILL/GETTY IMAGES HILL/GETTY TAYLOR

Chemotherapy, radiation, a bone marrow transplant, a year. Marc Summers, who hosted Nickelodeon’s Double stem cell transplant, or a combination of two or more of Dare in the ’80s and ’90s and more recently Food Net- these are options for most types of leukemia. Stem cell work’s Unwrapped, has revealed he is in remission after transplants can help the body grow new healthy bone a five-year fight against leukemia.—Sonya Collins JGI/GLOW IMAGES; INSET: IMAGES; JGI/GLOW

SEPTEMBER 2015 43 W ebMD.COM Checkup

Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH, WebMD Medical Editor

HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS HEALTHY AGING LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE WITH THESE TIPS

By Matt McMillen

Stay in touch Stay active 1 Keep up with friends and 6 Exercise at age 40 may boost family to maintain good brain performance at 60. But mental health. keep moving at every age.

Relax Be forgiving 2 Meditation, deep breathing, 7 Let go of resentment and and yoga help reduce stress. anger. You’ll be happier and healthier. Think happy thoughts 3 Want to live to 100? Embrace Listen up positivity for better health 8 Save your hearing. If you and enhanced quality of life. can’t avoid loud noises, wear protection such as earplugs. Quit smoking 4 Dramatically improve Get your shots your health by kicking the 9 Diseases strike harder as habit now. Get help here: you age, so ask your doctor 1-800-QUIT-NOW. about the vaccines you need.

Create Save your skin 5 Arts and crafts may sharpen 10 Avoid prolonged sun your brain, so set up an exposure and cover up with easel, learn to sew, or take clothing and sunscreen to an art class. protect your skin.

EXPERT TIPS

Emily Briggs, MD, MPH Jack Chou, MD Len Horovitz, MD family physician, Briggs Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical pulmonologist and internal medicine New Braunfels, Texas; board member, Center, Baldwin Park, Calif.; board member, specialist, Lenox Hill Hospital, American Academy of Family Physicians American Academy of Family Physicians New York City

“Healthy lifestyle habits including “Mother was right: Eat your veggies. “Get seven hours sleep per night. healthy eating and daily physical A plant-based diet improves heart Naps are great if you don’t get activity can reduce the risk of dis- health and reduces diabetes risk. A enough sleep the night before. eases in the future. Use an accurate recent study shows that a Mediter- Less than six can lead to fatigue, pedometer to gauge your initial ranean diet can help stave off memory hypertension, and increased appe- activity level, then build up to greater loss. Eat at least five servings of fruits tite, which means more eating and activity as you are able.” and vegetables a day.” weight gain.” JGI/GLOW IMAGES JGI/GLOW

W ebMD.COM 44 SEPTEMBER 2015 Checkup

Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH, WebMD Medical Editor

BY THE NUMBERS FALL ALLERGIES FACTS AND STATS ABOUT TOP HEALTH ISSUES

By Heather Hatfield

MILLION50 16.9 adults in the U.S. are affected by all outdoor seasonal allergies 6.7 million about million million adults were diagnosed 35 children were diagnosed with seasonal allergies in people in the U.S. are allergic to pollen with seasonal allergies in the past year the past year

Out of the Americans who are allergic to pollen, the percentage who are allergic to 85% ragweed pollen, the of symptoms are reduced by most common 75% 10 a.m. allergy shots fall allergen to 3 p.m. Hours of the day ragweed pollen generally peaks

Ranking of Louisville,No. Ky., on the list of top 1five most difficult cities to live in for people with fall allergies 13.4 million 2 miles Visits to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and Distance ragweed pollen emergency rooms in the past year due to seasonal allergies can travel by air

Sources: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology ISTOCK

W ebMD.COM 45 SEPTEMBER 2015 Checkup

Reviewed by Stuart Bergman, MD, WebMD Men’s Health Expert

LIVING WELL PROSTATE CANCER HOW TO STAY HEALTHY AFTER A DIAGNOSIS

By Christina Boufis

“My dad died of prostate cancer at 54. My uncle had it at the same time, and I have several cousins who also have this disease,” says Daryl Ross Halencak of Crowell, Texas. With such a strong family history, Halencak began annual prostate cancer screenings at age 50. At 55, he was diagnosed with the disease. For men without a family history, screening for pros- tate cancer, which usually involves a rectal exam and a PSA blood test, is an indi- vidual matter, “something you should discuss with your doctor,” says H. Ballentine show that using tobacco fat,” Carter says. Maximize Stick to a healthy Carter, MD, professor of products can cause prostate whole foods like fruits and weight. “There’s very strong urology and oncology at cancer to become more vegetables, healthy grains, evidence that people who are the Johns Hopkins School aggressive, “either promot- and nuts. obese and overweight end of Medicine. If you’ve been ing recurrence of the disease Step it up. “Do as much up developing more aggres- diagnosed with prostate or its progression,” he says. exercise as you can—30 to 45 sive prostate cancer,” Carter cancer, how can you be as Rethink your diet. minutes a day,” Carter says. says. Eat nutritious foods healthy as possible? Carter Several studies suggest but Put on your sneakers and and exercise regularly. shares his top tips. do not prove a link between aim for 10,000 steps of brisk As for Halencak, the early Know your family his- prostate cancer and a diet walking, he advises. Or do diagnosis saved him, he says. tory. “There’s no question high in saturated fat, Carter other cardiovascular exercise He underwent surgery and that prostate cancer is one says. While more research such as swimming or using a is now cancer-free. He also of those diseases that has is needed, another recent rowing or elliptical machine. quit smoking, eats a lot of a strong relationship to study suggests that a diet Add strength training and vegetables, lifts weights, and family history,” Carter says. low in saturated fat may flexibility moves for maxi- exercises. “I have a positive “So if you have multiple reduce prostate cancer mum fitness. outlook,” he says. first-degree relatives—or if recurrence. Even though a prostate cancer occurred firm link may be lacking so at a young age in a family far, choosing healthy foods ? ASK YOUR DOCTOR member—that puts you at a makes sense. “Minimize 1. Should I be screened for prostate cancer? very high risk.” the foods that are not good 2. What treatments, if any, do I need? Stop smoking. “Quit for you, such as processed 3. How often should I be checked? fast,” Carter says. Studies foods, and animal and dairy 4. Should other family members be screened? COREY JENKINS/GLOW IMAGES JENKINS/GLOW COREY

W ebMD.COM 4648 SEPTEMBER 2015 Check out the Substance Abuse and Addiction Health Center at WebMD.com. Checkup LEARN HOW ON PAGE 5 Reviewed by Hansa Bhargava, MD, WebMD Medical Editor

MY STORY RECOVERY MODE A READER SHARES HER FAMILY’S JOURNEY WITH ADDICTION

By Anita Devlin WebMD.com community member

My son Mike was a to buy my medicine?” he really sweet kid, a star thought. But then he started lacrosse player in high taking more than the pre- school, popular and scribed dosage, which led handsome. We were always to his addiction because it very close. made him feel “normal.” In Mike had a few surgeries college he was doing heroin, related to sports injuries, too, but pills were his thing. and then I noticed his I realize now, I never behavior changing. He was really looked at my son. I fresh toward me and started would look past him, and hanging out with different blame his behavior on every- friends in high school, but one he spent time with. I just thought he was going I never believed addiction through teenage angst. was a disease, and when you At 18, he went off to col- really understand this, you lege, and when he’d come have a lot more compassion home to our house on Cape toward the addict. Cod, he’d always be agitated. In treatment, we started He used to be very family- opening up and talking oriented. But family was the to each other as a fam- last thing on his mind. ily. It was a very cleansing Then, his junior year, he MOM’S and he’d taken enough pain experience, though, sadly, came home and we had the MIND-SET pills to kill himself. it had to happen because of worst Christmas ever. Mike “The only people We took Mike to a rehab addiction. We wrote letters barely got out of bed and we can change are facility and enrolled him in to each other, and later fought with us the entire ourselves. That’s the big a young adult program. My Mike and I wrote a book, time. Just after he went struggle as a parent. But husband, daughter, and I S.O.B.E.R.*, where we each back to school, we got a an addict has to want to went there, too, for family tell our side. change to be successful phone call that Mike was in his recovery.” treatment. At first I was Today, Mike is 26 and missing. really angry and confused. sober. He’s a house manager I texted him and said, “I “Addiction is a family Later, we found out that and recovery advocate at a love you and I need to know disease. The family has even though Mike was transitional living house in you’re OK. Please text me to educate themselves popular and smart, he was Dallas. We’re very fortunate to change codependent back.” He texted: “Mom. No behavior.” very lonely on the inside. he had that moment of clar- one can help me.” He never felt right about ity where he said he needed In a moment of clarity, he “I didn’t want everyone himself. help. He says my text saved later called. “I’m an addict,” to know my family When he’d gone back to his life. Despite the miles he said. “I can’t stop doing wasn’t perfect. Now the high school after having his between us, we’re all even only thing I’m ashamed drugs. I need help.” “OK,” of is worrying more sports-related surgeries, closer as a family. I said. “We’re coming to about what people other kids asked if he had We have a great relation- get you.” He was in a motel would think than pain pills and if they could ship now and, I think, new- room, lying in the bathtub, helping my son.” get some. “Why do you want found respect for each other.

Photograph by Jesse Dittmar SEPTEMBER 2015 4947 W ebMD.COM Checkup

Reviewed by Hansa Bhargava, MD, WebMD Medical Editor health check QUIZ The Essential App 1. I’ve cut back on saturated fat Test Your from red meat, whole milk, and for People Living Cholesterol palm and coconut oils. with Chronic Pain. Yes No Smarts 2. I eat foods rich in plant sterols and stanols. Yes No

3. Nuts are a part of my daily diet. Yes No

4. Fish is on my plate at least twice a week. Yes No

Answers: 1. Yes. Saturated fat is a major dietary contributor to high cholesterol. Foods like red meat, coconut and palm oils, and whole-fat dairy directly raise LDL (unhealthy cholesterol) levels. If you struggle with high cholesterol, this unhealthy fat should make up no more than 6% of your daily calories (if you’re on a 2,000 calorie diet, that’s 11 to 13 grams of saturated fat). Cut back on red ■ Personal meat, use vegetable or olive oil to cook, and journal to lighten your milk to skim. 2. Yes. Sterols and easily log stanols are nature’s own cholesterol-lowering drugs, blocking the absorption of cholesterol pain levels, While healthy foods help in your intestines. The result? A potential triggers, keep your cholesterol level in cholesterol drop of up to 15 percent. Find check, a few tweaks to your daily them in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and and more. vegetable oils and in some fortified foods plate may not be enough to lower such as orange juice. 3. Yes. A handful of ■ Daily tips approved by your numbers. Marciavt and her nuts is a power snack that can also boost your husband skip fast foods and have healthy cholesterol levels. One study found WebMD doctors to help you that people who ate slightly more than 2 meet your goals. cut back on sweets, but a recent ounces of nuts daily lowered their total cho- doctor’s visit revealed “his choles- lesterol by about 5 percent, and their LDL cholesterol by more than 7 percent. Any type ■ terol increased by 40 points and Articles, slideshows, and of nut seemed to do the trick. 4. Yes. If you videos related to your his weight has increased as well.” have an affinity for seafood, you’ve gained condition. Worried about her husband’s some valuable protection against heart health, she says in the WebMD diet disease. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines boost levels of HDL (healthy choles- ■ Custom reports for better community, “I will do anything to terol), which helps sweep your arteries free of discussions with your doctor. help him but need some diet sug- cholesterol buildup. gestions, please.” Are you eating the right foods to keep your choles- Sources: American Heart Association, Cleveland A Better Day Starts Here. terol in a healthy range? Take this Clinic, Archives of Internal Medicine, WebMD quiz to find out. Cholesterol Management Health Center

? ASK your Doctor 1. What is my cholesterol goal? 2. Which types of foods should I avoid? Which should I eat more of? G etty I mages 3. Which foods can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol? 4. Do I need to lose weight? If so, how much? Brian Hagiwara/ Brian TAKE 10 10 QUESTIONS Kevin Bacon Actor, Musician In Cop Car, What’s your which exercise 1 opened in 6 routine? I theaters in hike, I lift August, you play a weights, I do calisthen- corrupt small-town ics. Sometimes I work sheriff. What with a trainer. I don’t attracted you to the work out for long role? I feel like this is a periods of time movie where you have because I’m just too to read between the bored by it. High- lines. It’s not about intensity, short periods what the guy says. of time are much more It’s about what the beneficial for me. director’s vision was for this character. And What’s your the idea that you can typical diet try to tell a story about 7 like? I balance someone without what I would actually saying, “This is consider really healthy why I am the way I eating with crap am.” It’s more about sometimes. Once in a the mystery of the while, I’ve just got to audience trying to have a hamburger. figure out who he is and how he got there. Do you have a favorite junk Your charac- 8 food splurge? ter threatens If I get off the 2 to shoot two train at West Fourth boys. As a Street [in New York], father, how do you there’s a little pizza prepare for such an Bacon’s joint with the best New upsetting moment in new movie, York slice, and I just a film? I want the kids Black Mass, can’t get off there and opens in to feel safe enough theaters on not have that slice. that I can do my work Sept. 18. and they can do theirs, What disease and we can be has touched colleagues in getting must love bad guys film, the time at which What do you 9 you most? this job done to the because they’re so you start gets later, do to relax Cancer has best of our ability. much fun.” But they’re and the time at which 5 when you’re been in my family. My Sometimes I’ll say, not always fun. They’re they call lunch gets shooting? I mother had cancer, “Just so you know, I’m fun if they’re well later, and the time at meditate. And I’m and my father had it. going to be getting written, interesting, which you go to bed addicted to a nap a kind of loud or I’m complex and have gets later in the course day, especially if I’m on You’ve been going to be looking been given some of a week. By the time a set. It’s 10 minutes, acting for scary in this moment.” depth. It’s the same you get to Friday, maybe 15. I have a 10 more than thing for a hero. you’ve completely whole protocol for it. I 35 years. In Black Mass, turned your clock put on eyeshades. I lie Any plans to retire? I about Last summer around. And then you on my back. I elevate guess there are a lot of 3 organized you worked have the weekend to my feet. I cross my people at this age who crime boss 4 on three turn it back around. hands over my chest feel like they want to be Whitey Bulger, you movies. How That’s one of the like a sarcophagus. on a beach, drinking play an FBI agent. Do do the long hours toughest things. So And [after that] I am beer with a fishing line. you prefer playing affect your health? you have to figure out good for the next— There’s no part of me good guys or bad Because of the length how to navigate that whatever it’s going to that pines for that. guys? People say, “You and structure of the and stay healthy. be—10 hours. —Stephanie Watson

W ebMD.COM 49 SEPTEMBER 2015 Photograph by Randall Slavin/August Images