OCR Text |
Show Oo r n 7 c. Wednesday, February 24, 1Lj3 The Daily Herald Aromatherapy has a relaxing effect on us Mew It By ART CAREY Knight-Ridde- r does come with some risks Newspapers By MARY ESCH "You stink!" That's usually how Tanya, my lucky wife, greets me after I've spent several hours amusing myself in the garage. Into a house redolent o freshly baked whiskey cakes and chocolate chip cookies I bring my distinct bouquet of smells: gasoline, oil, grease and such pungent solvents as WD-4- 0 and Liquid Wrench. "Don't come near me until you've changed your clothes and taken a shower." That's the customary follow-ua command delivered with such volume and force that there's no mistaking Tanya's resolve and no dismissing the fact that smell has terrific power to attract and, as is so often the case after I've been dallying with my jeeps, repel. such as Ellen Some people Contrevo even think it has the power to heal. As everybody knows, Marcel Proust achieved literary immortality with his nose; he a sniffed a pastry and whole universe of memory and experience. All of us have favorite smells, and certain aromas can vividly recall special people, places and times of our lives. What would Thanksgiving be like without the fragrance of turkey and stuffing? Imagine Christmas without the smell of freshly cut balsam. Spring without the aroma of newly cut grass. Summer without the Jersey Shore smells of salt marshes, sea spray, boardwalk creosote and caramel popcorn? Our sense of smell is through the olfactory nerves to the limbic system, the primitive part of the brain responsible for memory, emotion and motivation. It is connected directly to the hypothalamus, the main switchboard that regulates the body's hormones and neurochemicals. The nose contains five million to 20 million cells. Unlike the receptors for seeing and hearing, the receptors for smelling are not tied to nerves but are nerves themselves nerves capable of regenerating themselves, says Charles J. Wysocki, a biopsychologist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in West Philadelphia. A nose can detect odors as faint as one part per trillion the equivalent of a drop the size of a pinhead equally distributed in an Olympic-siz- e swimming pool. .A trained nose is capable of distinguishing 10,000 different smells. Yet for all the power of the nose, among the five senses, it's definitely third-o- r Helen Keller, whose sense of smell was so fine that she could perceive an approaching rainstorm, called smell "the fallen angel" of the body's senses. The eyes are considered noble windows into the soul. The ears are dignified by the ability of music to alter mood and move the spirit. But the nose too often it's the laughingstock of the body's faculties. Not to Ellen Contrevo. Contrevo, 49, operates a hair salon in Philadelphia called Natural Cuts Ltd. She's also a professional "aromatherapist." It's not my habit to frequent hair salons. Bad for the image. Plus, I refuse to pay more than $ 10 for a haircut. That's why I usually get such my ears lowered by guys with in names as Vic and Tony places where you can read Field & Stream or watch professional wrestling while you wait. kind of Being an I worked up the guy, however, Much to Contrevo. visit to courage not a was she my disappointment, in a diaphanous flake drifting about flowered peasant dress. She was an alumna rational, of the neighborhoods in South Philly. and she didi. I so much take proselytize as lay out her case, it or leave it. "Aromatherapy is basically the skillful use of essential oils derived from such natural sources as roots, seeds, leaves, flowers, herbs, kuit and wood to enhance a person's physical and psychological These essential oils can be cither inhaled through the the olfactory system or applied to massage, body directly through facials body wraps, compresses, or baths." Aromatherapy has begun United in attracting adherents the (See AROMA, Page C6) p, hot-wir- ed smell-recept- fourth-strin- open-minde- down-to-eart- surgery technique may ease or g. d h, well-bein- g. ings are blocked, secretions build up and bacteria grow," Kennedy Associated Press Writer - said. "Chronic sinusitis is often difficult to diagnose," said Dr. Thomas Edwards, an allergist and assistant professor at Albany Medical College. "The symptoms can be vague ... malaise, fatigue, headaches, drip, cough. People may just live Constant ALBANY, N.Y. headaches, grogginess and "an overall yuck feeling" made the last three winters miserable for Ann Marie Pepe. But this year is different. Pepe is breathing freely and feeling "absolutely wonderful," thanks to a new surgical technique that does for sick sinuses what arthroscopic surgery does for ailing 1 al post-nas- with a smoldering infection The usual treatment is an antibiotic for 10 to 14 days, or as long as three to eight weeks for stub- knees. "It's such a miracle," says Pepe. "I'm becoming me again." Pepe suffered from chronic sinusitis, an infection or inflam- "1. . born infections, said Edwards, who also conducts clinical studies of drugs. Decongestants, antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays also may be prescribed. mation in the sinuses. It's a comBut sometimes sinusitis lingers mon ailment. The National Centreatment, or it keeps despite ter for Health Statistics lists sinus In such cases, said back. coming disease as the nation's most coma new type of surgery Edwards, mon chronic ailment, affecting offers hope of a cure. more than 33 million Americans. "I felt like I was carrying a In addition, sinus problems wall on my back," said brick seem to be increasing, said Dr. of Troy , describing the 43, Pepe, David Kennedy, a pioneer in disinusitis that used to debilitating agnosis and treatment of sinusitis. winter. all ail her Some say air pollution is to Last September, Pepe's doctor blame. Dr. Robert Ivker, author her to Dr. Steven referred p book "Sinus Suof the of the department of chief Parnes, rvival," calls sinusitis "Amerineck and head surgery at Albany ca's first environmental epidemMedical College. Parnes did suric." gery to enlarge the sinus openings Kennedy said a study in Finand restore natural drainage. land documented a rise in sinusiThat surgery used to be a tis related to air pollution. But the scarring procedure, reailment also can be triggered by bloody, cuts through the face or quiring colds, allergies, stress, cigarette the sinuses. But in reach gums to smoke, perfume and even changes in the weather, he said. (See SINUS, Page C6) "Membranes swell, sinus open self-hel- Some facts about chronic sinusitis ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -Sfacts about chronic sin- ome usitis: National Center for Health Statistics lists sinus disease as the nation's most common chronic ailment, affecting more than 33 million Americans. Definition: An infection or inflammation in the sinuses. Symptoms: Malaise, fa- tigue, headaches, drip, cough. Can be vague. post-nas- al Usual treatment: Anti- biotic for 10 to 14 days, or as long as three to eight weeks for stubborn infections. De- congestants, antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays also V may be prescribed. New technique: Endos- copic surgery that enlarges sinus opening and restores natural drainage. Using tiny tools, surgeon can whittle away obstructions with little disturbance to healthy tissues. Promise of chain-lette- AP Phoio If you have constant headaches and grogginess you may be one in 33 million Americans suffering National Center for from sinusitis, a condition focused in the area surrounding the nose, above. The ailment. chronic most nation's as the Health Statistics lists sinus disease diet too good to be true r American Heart Association never heard of it By RACHEL L. JONES Knight-Ridde- r Newspapers Among myriad weight-los- s schemes around, there's a chain-lettdiet. When I recently saw a copy of something billed as the American Heart Association Diet for Overweight Heart Patients, it rang a bell. One of my sisters had tried it in 1989, so it's been out for a er while. This diet claims to help you lose 10 to 17 pounds in one week. It promotes a curious daily meal plan: Monday: all fruit; Tuesday: all vegetables; Wednesday: fruit and vegetables; Thursday: bananas and skim milk; Friday: 10 to 20 ounces of beef, chicken or fish, and six tomatoes; Saturday: same amount of meat and vegetables: Sunday: brown rice, fruit juice and vegetables. Something called 3 Miracle Soup rounds out the diet, and you're supposed to drink lots of water each day. If fruits and vegetables are scarce in your meals, a diet plan T-- like this might seem like a good idea. But there are danger signs written all over it. Most notably, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association headquarters in Dallas says they never heard of it. And don't trust diets promising radical weight loss quickly. Tanya Bridges, president of the Detroit Dietetic Association, says that big weight loss is probably just fluids. Any diet containing 10 to 20 ounces of beef a day can't be Bridges says. With the imbalance of fruit and vegetables, she made that decision, and it is now MY decision to keep it that way. I feel that the people who adopted me have become victims w ith no rights in the matter. I want to warn others: If you think you can't be found, beware. You are mistaken. Adopted in Arlington Dear Arlington: Unfortunately, you are correct. Persist- ence will almost always make sealed record atany so-call-ed tainable. Justice Louis D. Brandeis made it clear that one of the most valued of ALL rights Is the right to be left alone. I agree with that concept. However, 1 know of no way to keep persistent people from making pests of Some people insist this diet really works, but you must check w ith a dietitian or your doctor before trying such an infonrial program. If there are no official logos, phone numbers or other information about the diet's creators, it's probably not legitimate. You'd be better off eating a balanced diet with the proper number of servings from the four food groups. N Ann Landers Ji:, Advice Columnist her tedious marriage. She wrote, "The only good thing that has happened in the last few years is that my husband has stopped bothering me in bed." the law. Dear Ann Landers: Well, you finally got mc. An offhand remark in your column compelled mc to write to you. I am inquiring about the woman who was complaining about ant to know w hat happens to human beings w hen they sign that marriage license. As soon as the ink is dry. tnc husband or wife becomes an albatross, someone to endure. Their opinions arc no longer as interesting, and their cold-bloode- d I w A BROKEN PREVENTING HEART: In recent years, we've in his life comment is This so typical of what I've heard all my life. It seems the majority of married people get sick of their spouses. And it's not just sex that it's everything. gets tiresome themselves unless they break and listless. heart-health- y, He didn't want his birth mother Dear Ann Landers: I am 27 and was adopted as an infant. Recently, my birth mother had an investigator locate me. He found all the necessary information in the Arlington. Va., courthouse. Through process of elimination, my birth mother learned my whereabouts in a week. I am deeply resentful that this information was allowed to be seen. I have written letters voicreceived ing n.y outrage and have no satisfaction. My birth mother seems to be a medical pleasant person, and the has she given me has knowledge been helpful. However, I did not want to be found, and it has caused a great deal of stress to me and my family. My birth mother continues to call me, and she wants very much to be a pan of my life, but this is NOT what I want. This may sound harsh, but I already have a loving family, and 1 want my life to remain the same as it's been for the last 27 years, without my birth mother in it. I understand that giving mc up for adoption caused her pain, but and no protein until the end of the week, you'd wind up feeling weak involvement in your life becomes annoying. I'm 29 and single. As someone who is still looking for a person to love and respect, someone w ith whom 1 can share the ups and downs of life, I think most married people take too much for granted. Human nature seems to get more and more unnatural. Please give me some insight. I have this uncontrollable urge to take six aspirins and craw I under K.S., Belvidere. 111. my desk. - Dear Bel.: There is no way you can hide from the foibles of human nature. I do hope, however, that you don't believe all marriages are miserable. Actually, there are some ery good ones around. Those good ones are not accidental. They are the products of a lot or hard work. While some people believe that good marriages are made in heaven. I can tell you the maintenance work must be done right dow n here. heard great news about aspirin's benefit in preventing cardiovascular disease. Harvard is launching a new study involving female nurses nationwide; they'll receive antioxidant vitamins like vitamins E and C, and low doses of aspirin, to study their effects on preventing cancer and heart disease in women. Aspirin isn't a magic bullet, though. There's still a lot to learn about it. (Rachel L. Jones is health and fitness columnist for the Detroit Free Press.) Stress reducers By RACHEL L. JONES Knight-Ridde- r Newspapers like this list of ways to minimize stress from the book "The Stress Solution" by Lyle H. Miller and Alma Dell Smith (Pocket Books. S22). See if they don't make sense to you. too. I Eat at least one hot. balanced meal per day . Get seven to eight hours of sleep at least four nights a week. Give and receive affection regularly. Exercise to the point of perspiration at least tw ice a week. Regularly attend club or social activities. Have one or more friends to confide in about personal matters. Limit yourself to three servings of coffee, tea or cola drinks per day. Take quiet lime for yourself during the day. Do something for fun at least once a week. Be optimistic! |