Fact or Fiction? The more weight a woman gains, the better; After all, she’s eating for two.

That is fiction.

The fact is gaining a lot of weight and eating for two is going to increase your chance for having diabetes, a large baby, a C-section, or hypertension. An average woman should gain about 25 pounds while pregnant.

Fact or Fiction? Don’t stand for long periods of time. Believe it or not…

That’s a Fact.

Standing for five hours or longer can increase the risk of prematurity. Every four hours, take a rest – and get your feet up.

Fact or Fiction? Flying in the first trimester causes miscarriages.

That’s Fiction.

Of course if you were to miscarry, you wouldn’t want to do it at 30,000 feet. You might want to check with your doctor before flying.

Fact or Fiction? Optimism and pessimism can affect our ability to fight infection and cancer.

That’s a fact.

It’s very important right now.  With so many people out of work, they’re stressed.

If you get the help you need, you’ll be able to stay healthy.  The new field of psychoneuroimmunology studies this phenomenon and show that when we are optimistic, our ability to fight disease improves.

You’ll be helping your mind and body during this tough time.

Fact or Fiction?  Sex is good for the heart.

That’s a fact.

Studies show sex aftr a heart attack enhances recovery.  One caveat.  Whether and when to start having sex again depends on your personal and family history and must be guided by your Doctor.

Fact or Fiction?  Single unstressed people live longer than married people.

That is fiction.

Although this is not true for everyone, studies show that happily married people have a better chance of living longer than do single people.

Fact or Fiction?  Only medicines can lower high blood pressure.

That is fiction.

Research shows that meditation, biofeedback and reducing stress may all play a role in lowering blood pressure.  However, you should not rely on these modalities alone.  Get your blood pressure checked before and after trying them and get regular checkups; Let the treatment be guided by your doctor.

Fact or Fiction?  Sleep or lack of it can affect your mood.

That’s a fact.

Too little sleep will make you jittery and irritable.  Too much may do the same.  These are not just emotional reactions; the amount of sleep you get can affect hormones and metabolism.  The “right” amount of sleep depends on your body.  For most people it’s around 7 hours per night; more when we’re young, less as we age.

Fact or Fiction?  Type One Diabetes affects only children and teens.

That is fiction.

Type One Diabetes can affect people of any age.  Some people used to call it juvenile onset diabetes but we no longer use that name because it affects so many age groups.  Type One Diabetics need early detection and treatment with insulin and other medicines to prevent problems.

Fact or Fiction?  Type Two Diabetes Affects Only Adults.

That is fiction.

Just like Type One, Type Two Diabetes affects people of all ages.  It used to be called adult onset but no more.  Some Type Two’s may be treated with diet and exercise, some may need oral medicines and some may need insulin.  Early detection and treatment can be life saving.

Fact or Fiction?  Type Two Diabetes is just a weaker form of Type One.

For the most part, that is fiction.

It may be a completely different disease for some.  In Type One, the body doesn’t make insulin.  In Type Two, it may make less of the hormone or the cells may resists insulin’s action.

Many type twos are overweight.  Losing weight may make the cells more receptive to insulin’s action, but we all need to be evaluated to see what the best treatment is for them.

Fact or Fiction?  Obesity plays a big role in Diabetes.

That is absolute fact.

Obesity is one major reason for diabetes reaching epidemic proportions.  Obese cells don’t respond to the body’s insulin as well.

If we could reduce obesity in kids and adults, we could reduce Diabetes and save lives.

Fact or Fiction?  Diabetes may one day be cured.

That is a hopeful fact.

Islet cell transplants, where we give insulin making cells to a patient, have shown promise but not an absolute cure.  Stem cells may be added to improve results.  And there may be other promising preventive and treatment approaches on the horizon.

We’ve made progress.  We need to make more.

Fact or Fiction?  Diabetes may be an example of the body attacking itself.

That may be fact.

Most experts believe that autoimmune phenomena, where the body attacks its own cells, may be part of the cause for some forms of Diabetes.  This may be more true in Type One than Type Two.  It may also be the reason that islet cell transplants don’t last forever.

It’s probably only one factor along with environment lifestyle and genetics.  But it gives us another way to look for preventive approaches and treatments.

Fact or Fiction?  Diabetics can influence how much medicine they need.

That is often fact.

Losing weight and exercising are two ways to affect how the body reacts to it’s own hormones and to medicines.

Some Diabetics can come off insulin.  Others can come off all medicines.  What’s true for one patient is not so for another.

Ask you Doctor what’s right for you.

Fact or Fiction?  Diabetes affects different ethnic groups differently.

That is fact.

Studies show Latinos and African Americans are most vulnerable to Diabetes.  They need to take extra care with early screening tests.

But the epidemic hits all ethnic groups and all age groups.  Everyone should get regular screening tests.  They quite simply could save your life.

Fact or Fiction?  Most allergies come from flowers and outside pollen.

That is fiction.

Most come from inside.  Dust, mold, and pet dander contribute.

Fact or Fiction?  The symptoms for the flu, colds and allergies may be similar.

That is fact.

All may cause sneezing, coughing and congestion.  The flu may cause aches and fever as well, while allergies may not.

Fact or Fiction?  Allergies can cause sinus problems.

That is fact.

Chronic allergies can cause changes in the linings of the sinuses, causing headaches and other symptoms.

Fact or Fiction?  All Allergy Medicines make you sleepy.

That is fiction.

Although older antihistamines do make you sleepy some of the newer ones may not.

Fact or Fiction?  Allergy Shots work right away.

That is fiction.

The shots work by creating blocking antibodies.  Although effective they may take up to a year to work.

Fact or Fiction?  Caffeine cause heart problems.

That is fiction.

There is no proof caffeine causes heart problems; though it may make some people irritable and it may worsen heart conditions for some.  Ask your doctor what’s right for you.

Fact or Fiction?  If sleepy, caffeine is the best way to boost energy.

That is fiction.

Caffeine gives a quick boost but dehydrates you.  Studies show the best way is water.

Fact or Fiction?  Caffeine may be addictive.

That is fact.

Quittin cold turkey causes symptoms such as headaches.  If you want to quit you should quit slowly.

Fact or Fiction?  Coffee contains more caffeine than tea and diet drinks.

That is fact.

Most coffee contains around 75-100 milligrams of caffeine per 8oz serving.  But you should realize soft drinks contain up to 50 milligrams and some teas 50-100 milligrams.

Fact or Fiction?  Most fertility problems are due to the woman.

That is fiction.

Fertility problems are due to the man 50% of the time.  Both partners should be checked.

Fact or Fiction?  Sperm count is the only way to check a man’s fertility.

That is fiction.

The count is part of the answer but motility and other factors play a role as well.  All factors should be checked by an expert.

Fact or Fiction?  All chocolate contains the same amount of fat.

That is fiction.

Some kinds, like cocoa, are very low in fat.

Fact or Fiction?  Chocolate can improve your mood and increase sex drive.

Most people say that’s a fact.

Studies show that chocolate increases serotonin which improves mood and may affect other hormones that increase sex drive.

Fact or Fiction?  Chocolate reduces heart disease.

That may be a fact.

Some studies show decreased risk, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous.

Fact or Fiction?  Chocolate causes acne.

That is fiction.

A lot of any fatty food may increase oil production which may increase the risk of acne, but in and of itself, it does not cause the problem.