| Salmonella | Salmonella are microscopic bacteria that can cause food-borne illness. They are most closely associated with poultry and eggs, but were recently detected in jars of peanut butter. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramping in humans. Infections typically last one week and don't require treatment unless the symptoms linger. To prevent encountering salmonella in meat and poultry, these items must be cooked to a predetermined temperature, and cooks should be careful not to cross-contaminate their cooking area—wash cutting boards and knives with bleach after cutting raw meat. |
| Satiety | Satiety refers to the feeling of fullness you experience after eating. Certain foods will keep you fuller for longer periods of time, and not just because they're high in calories. Foods that contain water (like oatmeal), air (like popcorn), and fiber (like vegetables or whole grains) will fill your stomach and keep you satisfied. If you're trying to lose weight, paying attention to which low-calorie foods keep you satiated will go a long way towards cutting calories without feeling like you're starving. |
| Serotonin | Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that communicates messages between neurons and other cells in the body. It's known to be calming when present in moderate levels, and plays a role in stress, as well as depression, sexuality, and appetite. In the body, serotonin is synthesized by the amino acid known as tryptophan,one of our bodies' protein building blocks. Eating a well-balanced and varied diet, based on complex carbohydrates--whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes--will help the body synthesize serotonin levels, though it's not advised to try and reduce stress by increasing serotonin levels with food. |
| Sleep Apnea | What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea occurs when you regularly stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. It can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of times in an hour that your breathing stops (apnea) or becomes very slow (hypopnea). Apnea episodes may occur from 5 to 50 times an hour. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea. This topic focuses on obstructive sleep apnea, which is also called OSA or simply sleep apnea. What causes obstructive sleep apnea?
A blockage or narrowing of the airways in your nose, mouth, or throat generally causes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This usually occurs when the throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially block the airway. Sleep apnea can also occur if you have bone deformities or larger than normal tissues in your nose, mouth, or throat. For example, you may have large tonsils. During the day when you are awake and standing up, this may not cause problems. However, when you lie down at night, your tonsils can press down on your airway, narrowing it and causing sleep apnea. Other factors that make sleep apnea more likely include being obese, using certain medicines or alcohol before bed, and sleeping on your back. |
| Sleepwalking | Although sleepwalking may be thought of as a Hollywood invention, it is in fact a real phenomenon that affects anywhere from one to 15 percent of the population. Sleepwalking typically occurs during deep sleep, is more common in children than adults, and can include a wide range of activities that happen while the person is asleep, such as walking, talking, or sitting up in bed and looking around. There are several different causes of sleepwalking in children, including lack of sleep or anxiety, but it is more likely to happen when children are sleep-deprived. |
