Six Gym Behaviors that Seem Like Bullying but Are Not
Before you feel that you’ve been bullied at the gym, consider that the “bully” really isn’t, and that there’s just some misinterpretation going on. (more…)
Digital Dermoscopy: Mole Looks Very Different from Last Image
What happens when the latest mole image looks strikingly different than last year’s picture in a serial digital dermoscopy procedure?
I’ve been taking advantage of the technology of serial digital dermoscopy since 2011.
Recently an image taken of one of my moles (the “No. 2” mole) looked strikingly different from the image of it taken in 2011.
I discovered this when I was left alone in the dermoscopy room after the nurse photographed all of my moles.
I was told that the doctor was behind schedule and would be seeing me about the new images in about 20 minutes.
The nurse had left two large images up on the computer screen: No. 2 as it appeared in 2011, and how the mole looked just minutes ago after she had imaged it.
The image she had taken looked de-evolved; much less pigment, as though the mole was in the process of disintegrating.
It didn’t even have the same shape as the one depicted in the 2011 image.
At the bottom of the screen were six tiny images of “No. 2,” beginning with 2011 going through to 2016.
The first five images looked the same—but then that last image…it didn’t even look like the same mole.
How could it have been the same year after year, then suddenly between 2015 and 2016 undergo such a dramatic change?
The doctor came in and explained that the mole looked normal despite the de-evolvement. The reason it looked as it did was because, like many moles eventually, it was beginning to disappear.
She said this is why you don’t see a lot of moles on elderly people.
She pointed out something called melanophages in the 2011 image: tiny darker specks in the mole that indicated it was a relatively new mole back then.
She said that the mole probably first came into existence in around 2006. But that now, it was on its way out.
I found two things odd about this.
First, how is it that a mole begins to disappear after being in existence for only 10 or 11 years?
Second, how is it that it shows no signs of being “on its way out” in the 2011-12-13-14 and ’15 images, but then between 2015 and 2016, it rapidly begins the process of vanishing?
Right before I was about to ask her these questions, the computer screen went out; the doctor had to leave to get a nurse to reset it.
I waited quite a while, quite unnerved. I wondered if the nurse had accidentally photographed the wrong spot.
Turns out she did! The image was retaken, and the right mole was now on the screen, and the “mole analysis” gave it two scores in the normal range.
Lesson learned: If the latest image of a mole in your serial digital dermoscopy exam looks a lot different than the one taken at the previous exam, make sure it was the RIGHT mole that was photographed in the first place.
Whomever is taking the pictures is human and thus, subject to error and getting things mixed up.
Serial digital dermoscopy is an outstanding technology that uses a computer database to rate moles with a numerical value to indicate if they are in a normal range or “suspicious.”
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: cancer.gov
Thin and Active Is Healthier than Fat and Active
Skinny active beats fat active hands-down. Oddly, the comparison typically is sedentary-thin vs. fat-active.
This isn’t a fair comparison; it’s an apples to oranges comparison. (more…)
Does Ear Protection for Loud Noise Really Prevent Hearing Loss?
So just how effective IS protection (ear plugs, muffs) against hearing loss to loud noise?
People need to take seriously the idea of protecting their ears from hearing loss as vigilantly as they protect other functions of their body from damage.
“One of the easiest ways to reduce your risk for permanent hearing damage is to wear hearing protection at loud events and locations,” says Rivka Strom, AuD, CCC-A, chief audiologist at Central Hearing LLC in NY.
“While the intensity and duration of the sound is ultimately going to determine the amount of damage, the type of hearing protection you use can greatly reduce this risk!” explains Strom.
One in 10 Americans have enough hearing loss to disrupt their ability to decipher normal speech, and this statistic is not taken only from senior citizens.
Young adults are included.
Hearing loss is far more prevalent than most people realize, and one reason is because the symptoms of hearing loss are not like symptoms of other medical conditions.
Do you know the eight symptoms of hearing loss?
- “Honey, what was that?”
- “Come again?”
- “What?”
- “Talk louder; there’s too much noise in the room.”
- “Why do men mumble when they talk?”
- “She runs her words together; I can’t understand her.”
- “Kids these days don’t know how to speak clearly.”
- “Today’s TV shows have such poor sound quality.”
Denial is huge in the world of hearing loss.
Though aging is the most common cause of hearing loss, noise-induced loss is a very close second leading cause.
But hearing loss due to loud noise is preventable.
Hearing Protection: How Effective It Really Is
“Starting with traditional disposable earplugs [available at retailers], how much benefit you receive will depend on how well they are placed in the ear.
“Poorly secured or shallow insertion of earplugs may only give you 15 dB of noise reduction.
“A well-placed earplug that is sitting deep in the ear can provide up to 33 dB reduction.
“Earmuffs or over-the-ear ear protection may provide up to 25 dB noise reduction.” Some hunting supply sections may sell heavier-duty muffs that can go up to 29 dB.
“Custom ear protection, that is shaped exactly to your ear, may also provide up to 30 dB noise reduction,” continues Strom.
“For musicians who are worried about dangerous noise exposure, there are special filters that can be put in so they are able to hear the music clearly but at less damaging levels.”
What happens inside the ear when noise gets too loud?
The hair or nerve cells inside the ear become damaged and die.
New nerve cells to replace them do NOT exist. These nerve cells are not like skin cells that are continuously replenishing themselves.
It’s a set amount of nerve cells. If you lose any, you’re not getting them back.
You’ll never regret using ear protection in loud environments to protect yourself from hearing loss.
Dr. Strom is a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and has received several awards including Brooklyn College’s Excellence In Audiology Award.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Source: sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120625162911.htm
Muscle-Building Chest Workout: Tension Tubes (Resistance Bands)
Don’t underestimate the efficiency of tension bands for getting in a great chest workout in which you can actually build lean muscle mass and strength. (more…)
Fun Backward Pedaling Variations on the Elliptical Trainer
Let’s get fun & creative with all the pedaling variations you can do backwards on the elliptical trainer–for burning fat and for improving your cardio fitness. (more…)
Should Plus Size People Use Barbells or Machines?
If you’re obese or overweight and are wondering which is better, barbells or machines for fat loss, fitness and toning, I have the perfect answer for you. (more…)
What Sports Can Obese Kids Do Really Well?
An obese child does NOT need to sit on the sidelines while thinner kids participate in sports.
There are plenty of exciting sports that fat children can excel in or just plain gain loads of self-confidence. (more…)
Grueling Entire Body Workout: Uphill Tire Flipping
I’ll admit, I’ve never flipped a tire up a hill.
However, I’ve run up hills of all grades, and I’ve flipped a tire across a gymnasium.
Hefty Thighs Not Healthy: How to Lose Thigh Fat
“Fat acceptance” does not undo the fact that fat thighs are harmful to your health — as research now shows.
But you can get rid of the excess fat in your upper legs.
Get Rid of Harmful Fat Thighs
