HEALTH: “Crypto” and your local pool July 31, 2008

By Sree Sreenivasan, technology reporter

Just when you thought your swimming pool was safer than the beach, there’s something new to worry about. WSJ’s Anna Prior has a piece about a parasite that’s affecting public pools across the country:

Rising infections from a chlorine-resistant parasite called Cryptosporidium are forcing pools and water parks across the country to take new measures — from ultraviolet-light water treatments to tighter swimming restrictions — to keep their water clean.

The parasite — commonly called crypto — is found in human and animal feces and is easily transmitted through water. When ingested, crypto can cause an illness of up to two weeks, with symptoms that include long bouts of diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches and low-grade fevers.

Read the article to get the full story. And here are some tips on how to keep safe, from WSJ and HealthySwimming.org:

KEEPING CRYPTO OUT

Here’s how to avoid spreading and getting the parasite:

• Avoid swallowing pool water or getting it into your mouth

• Do not swim if you have diarrhea

• Take a thorough cleansing shower with soap before swimming

• Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers

• Take children on frequent bathroom breaks or check diapers often

• Change diapers in a bathroom, not at poolside, and thoroughly clean diaper-changing area

Note: For more information, check out the CDC’s healthyswimming.org site.

FOOD: Calories in restaurant menus July 30, 2008

By Sree Sreenivasan, technology reporter

My wife and I were in an Applebee’s recently, our first trip to the chain restaurant. It was also the first time we’d been to any chain since the NYC law went into effect forcing chains to list calorie counts on their menus. Gotta say it does make a difference to see the counts right next to the items themselves (680 calories for one appetizer; 1,300 for one entree).

We ended up not ordering what we’d originally wanted (I went with a grilled piece of tilapia – Cajun Lime Tilapia – “a grilled Cajun-seasoned tilapia fillet flavored with lime juice and topped with a black bean & corn salsa. Served on a bed of rice pilaf with a side of seasonal vegetables” – just 310 calories.)

A recent WSJ article took a deep look at the menu/calorie question. From Melinda Beck’s “Health Journal” column, “On The Table: The Calories Lurking in Restaurant Food”:

It’s no mystery why Americans are getting fatter. We’re expending less energy to work, play, travel and acquire food. And we’re taking more calories in. And how!

New York City’s recent law requiring chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menus has revealed some intriguing — and appalling — information. Some observations:

Studies have shown that even dietitians often underestimate how many calories dishes contain, and no wonder. Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken packs 1,290 calories. Pizzeria Uno’s Individual Chicago Classic (serves one) has 2,310. Who could eat another bite after an appetizer like T.G.I. Friday’s Jack Daniel’s Sampler at 2,330? Bear in mind that to maintain their present weight, most men should consume from 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day; most women from 1,500 to 1,800, depending on activity level and size.

Read the full story, watch a video and take an interactive quiz – How Calorie Savvy Are You?

HEALTH: 10 tips for a good night’s sleep – without pills February 5, 2008

by Sree Sreenivasan, technology reporter

Since we are a morning show – very early morning show, to be precise, everyone on TINY appreciates the need for a good night’s sleep. We also want you all to get a good night’s sleep so you can wake up nice and early to watch us.

So here are some tips from LifeHack.org (a productivity blog, not to be confused with LifeHacker.com, another good productivity blog) for getting a good night’s sleep without pills (three of 10 tips):

1. Have the room slightly cooler. I prefer this to a hot room. I prefer to turn off the heat and allow the coolness to circulate in and out of the windows. If I get cold, I wear warmer clothes. It also saves on the bills as you’re not going to require the heat all night long.
2. Sleep in silence. I find sleeping with no music or TV on more easy and restful. I guess others are different, but sleep with no distractions is best for a clearer mind.
3. Avoid alcohol before bedtime. It’s a depressant; although it may make it easier to fall asleep, it causes you to wake up during the night. As alcohol is digested your body goes into withdrawal from the alcohol, causing nighttime awakenings and often nightmares for some people.

Read the rest of the tips. The only thing I’d add to #2 above: make sure your TV is tuned to WNBC-4 when you turn it off, so that we are the first thing you see when you turn it back on in the morning .

Father First, Teammate Second May 11, 2007

Otis Livingston, Sports Anchor

How could Utah Jazz point guard Derek Fisher, who scored just five points and had three assists in 9:31 of play, be voted the player of the game by his teammates?

It’s quite easy when you think of the day and days leading up to Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-final between the Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors. Fisher was dealt a gut-wrenching blow last Wednesday when he found out one of his 10-month-old twin daughters had a rare cancer known as retinoblastoma in her left eye. About 200 to 300 children are diagnosed with the condition each year.

Fisher practiced with his team while dealing with the news and trying to figure out the next step. He missed Game 1 in Salt Lake City on Saturday. He then flew to New York on Monday to prepare for his daughter Tatum’s surgery at Presbyterian Hospital Wednesday morning. I can only imagine the anxiety both Fisher and his wife were experiencing while their little girl endured an all day surgery.

Thankfully, the surgery was successful and the Fishers flew back to Salt Lake City Wednesday evening. They took a charter flight and as his wife and daughter went home, Fisher received a police escort to Energy Solutions Arena. He arrived after the 3rd quarter began. The scene as he entered the game brought tears to my eyes. The powder blue covered sellout crowd gave him a rousing standing ovation. The players on his former team Golden State stood and gave him an ovation. His teammates embraced him. Fisher was then immediately thrust into one of the biggest basketball games of the year.

His stats weren’t impressive, although he did force a key steal in the fourth quarter and nailed a big 3-pointer in overtime. How Fisher played on the court wasn’t the story. In fact, he hit bigger shots in bigger moments as a member of the 3-time World Champion Lakers. What’s impressive is what Derek Fisher the father has persevered through in the last week. He inspired his teammates both on the court and off. His player of the game selection was never in doubt.

Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness March 7, 2007

Rob Morrison, Anchor

I just finished taping an interview with Melanie Bloom which will air tomorrow (Thurs.) morning. It’s always great to see her, unfortunately, when we do see her here, it’s usually because she’s marking a tragic anniversary.

It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since her husband, NBC newsman David Bloom passed away from deep-vein thrombosis while covering the invasion of Iraq. Since then, Melanie has become a passionate national spokeswoman for DVT Awareness and March is DVT Awareness Month.

Link to her coalition’s website here.

The best news Melanie delivered today is that their three daughters are happy and healthy and growing into wonderful young ladies. She says she hopes she can help “save just one life,” but clearly she is making a difference for many, many more people than that.

Before You Light Up, Watch This… December 13, 2006

Meredith Menz, Segment Producer

If you remember the Reynaldo anti-smoking ads from a few months ago, the NYC Health Department has done its job. Reynaldo Martinez suffers from throat cancer due to a lifetime of smoking and must communicate through an electronic device held up to his neck. That robotic voice was hard to tune out—and 15,000 New Yorker called the Health Department with questions about how to quit smoking, compared to 5,000 calls the previous year. This morning on Today in New York, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R Frieden unveiled the Health Department’s brand new anti-smoking ad. With quick flashes of diseased vital organs caused by smoking, the new ad brings the same shock value to stop you from lighting up.

Check out NYC Health Department’s new anti-smoking ad and Rob Morrison’s interview with Health Commissioner, Dr. Thomas Frieden by clicking here