That's Fit

Aren't we all dying to be told to eat some bread....lots of bread? Unfortunately...I recently dealt with a pretty disgusting reason to chow down on some firm crusted French bread. Ick, ack and yuck! There was a hair stuck in my throat, and I was going nuts! I know........gross! But it was true. Fortunately that's about the grossest thing I've dealt with in a while, so I suppose I should feel pretty lucky? Hmmm.

Anyway. I complained about it to some friends, and they too had experienced the same thing at some point. Very annoying. So I Googled the question and fortunately found an answer. Dr. Khaghn recommended drinking milk to break down the hair (which could take up to three weeks!) Or ... eating some bread which had a good chance of grabbing on to the hair and dragging it down. I chose the latter, and thank goodness it worked. (Now it's probably stuck in my stomach.)

So! If you ever are violated by a hair that won't go away ... find some milk and bread. If you ever want a great excuse to devour some white flour .. chow down on some hair!

The incidence of throat cancer -- also known as esophageal adenocarcinoma -- is on the rise. So is obesity. And it seems the two are linked. Actually, it's the increasing intake of total and refined carbohydrates and the subsequent climb of obesity rates that are connected with the disease.

While these measures do not necessarily reflect individual risk for throat cancer, researchers say that overall, this cancer is "strongly correlated" with high carbohydrate consumption. This cancer is also associated with gastoesophageal relflux (GERD) which happens to also be linked with obesity and high carb intake.

Interestingly, researchers found a decrease in rates of squamous cell cancer of the esophagus which is more affected by smoking. Does that mean people are smoking less. Could be.

How good are you doing at avoiding cancer? Take this AOL Body cancer quiz and find out.

For many people--myself included--sore throats are a common occurrence when the snow flies. But instead of reaching for over-the-counter cold medicine and pain relievers, why not try a natural remedy first? Fitsugar recently came up with a long list of things to try:

• Gargle several times a day with warm salt water
• Or, try warm water with a pinch of cayenne pepper. It sounds painful but apparently it will numb the pain
• For the ultimate home remedy, try combining a teaspoon of apple-cider vinegar with a teaspoon of honey, a pinch of cayenne pepper and a few squeezes of lemon. Drink four times a day.
  
• Drinking tea with honey can help a scratchy throat and a cough.
  
• Cold food helps too. Try a Popsicle.
  
• A humidifier will help keep a dry throat moist.
  

Want more tips? Click here, or feel free to share your own.

Here in Florida, we're dealing with some nasty forest fires that are filling our air with smoke. In fact, I believe the nearest actual fire to me is about 20 miles away, but I literally have ashes falling on my head as I step outside, and the smoke is so thick you can't see more than a couple of blocks away. If you're in a similar situation I have one suggestion for you. Stay inside as much as possible!

My son has asthma, and we are allowing him exposure to the elements as little as possible. If you care for someone with respiratory issues, keep them inside as well. It's startling to walk outside and have to squint to see. I personally don't have any particular health concerns, but as I briefly walked to my car from a friends house I grew an instant headache and sore throat.

Pay attention. No exercising outdoors. Keep your windows rolled up, and if you have asthma or care for someone with it......keep that albuterol handy. Take care.

Sore throats are almost as common as the "common cold," and most of the time drinking lots of fluids and waiting it out is the best treatment. But not all sore throats are created equal, with streptococcal infections (a.k.a. "strep throat") not being something laying on the couch will cure. Left untreated, strep throat can evolve into something much more serious like rheumatic fever -- which can permanently damage heart valves and other organs.

So what to look for when figuring if it's a the regular harmless variety or something more serious? Visiting your doctor is the safest bet, but these are the symptoms to look for:

• (Obviously) A sore throat
• Redness of the throat, with white patches
• Fever
• Pain and/or difficulty swallowing
• Nausea/loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Rash
• Generalized malaise

If at all in doubt, head to doctor as soon as possible. Even though it's been around forever and is fairly easy to treat these days with antibiotics, strep throat is nothing to mess with.

Coughs happen to everybody, all the time. With colds and viruses being passed around everyday, everywhere we go, how do you know when you might have something serious?

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there are several symptoms to watch for regarding a suspicious cough: it has lasted for more than three weeks, it includes green or yellow phlegm (or blood of course), or it comes with a fever or night sweats, wheezing when you breathe, or unexpected weight loss. Seek medical help as soon as possible if you're at all unsure -- most of us can tell if it's just a scratchy throat vs something more serious, but you should never take chances with your health.

In a recent poll, 8 out of 10 people suffering from heartburn stated that they're kept up at night at least once a week by their symptoms. This is a problem not only because of the obvious sleep deprivation, but also because when you're lying down your stomach acid can do more damage and increase your risk of getting cancer.

If you suffer from nighttime heartburn read this article for ideas you can start this evening to reduce your chances of suffering through symptoms tonight. It includes tips on everything from when to workout, how much and when to eat, and how to position yourself when you do finally hit the sack.

Even though we can shoot ourselves to the moon, delve into the deepest oceans and climb the highest mountains, there is still no cure for the common cold. Sometimes it feels like one of the most groggy feelings you can get. For kids, it can put them on the back burner while they miss school or other activities.

That's why St. Luke's Children's Hospital offered up these helpful suggestions to make it a little bit easier to tolerate while the cold (or respiratory infection, which is a little more drastic) runs its course. After you take them to the doctor, HealthDay says cough syrup is a good place to start, but warm beverages will also help a lot in easing the congestion.

If a dry cough is involved, try a humidifier. The reason is to get some moisture in the room, because dry air makes a cough worse. Speaking of aggravating a cold, they warn that too much activity can be counterproductive. And of course, the age-old tips of getting rest and consuming fluid go for children too. You can find more information on kids and coughs here and here.