Is Your Commute Killing You?
Is driving hazardous to your health? Studies show that sitting in traffic can contribute to high blood pressure, muscle tension, spine and neck problems, accelerated heart rate and short-term memory loss. The exposure to pollution particles on the road can shorten lives by months and even years. If gas prices aren’t enough to re-think your commute, the health risks certainly are!
And, ever wonder what makes up that “new car smell”? Turns out what you actually smell are the unstable materials in the plastic, glue and carpet that emit toxic fumes like benzene and formaldehyde. So if you’re driving a new automobile, make sure to keep the windows cracked and get plenty of ventilation!
Tod, 51, developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from the long hours he spent behind the wheel and on airplanes racking up frequent flyer miles. DVT is a blood clot that forms in the leg due to poor circulation. If it dislodges, it is carried through the blood stream to the lungs and can cause a pulmonary embolism. To avoid DVT, doctors suggest changing positions and stretching frequently to prevent blood from pooling in the legs. Regular exercise can also help to offset the deleterious effects of long commutes.
Toxic Mold
Sheila, 44, was exposed to toxic mold at her place of work, she suffered from a mystifying array of symptoms: vertigo, chronic fatigue, nose bleeds, vision problems and memory loss.
Mold spores cause a fungal infection and the only way to treat it is to physically remove oneself from the source. Experts suggest keeping indoor humidity levels below 40 percent and maintaining adequate ventilation can help to keep mold at bay.
Preventing Mold
• Maintain adequate ventilation
• Keep indoor humidity levels below 40%
• Use air conditioner/ dehumidifier during humid months
• Don't carpet moist areas like bathrooms or basements
Colorful Mood
Then, can color really change your mood? Barbara Clare, a color expert and instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, explains how different colors affect humans both physically and psychologically. The Doctors sent cameras to the streets to test her color theories.
Save Thousands on Healthcare Costs
Speaking of color, we could all use a little more green in our pocket, right? In the last seven years, health insurance premiums have skyrocketed. Heidi, 32, and Dwayne, 41, turned to The Doctors to help them stretch their family health care dollars. 
Dr. Robert Hendrick, author of the book My Healthcare is Killing Me, offers solutions to lower medical costs. He advocates adopting a consumer mentality with health care: Negotiate, shop around, compare prices; research different providers, prescription drugs, pharmacies and procedures.
Ask Our Doctors? | Show Page |Talk About the Show
OAD 10/15/08
