The Dr. Oz Show
Airdate: February 28, 2012
Are You Normal or Nuts: Your Dreams, Quirks, and Anxieties Examined
- Psychologists and the audience gives their opinion of viewer behaviors: normal or nuts?
- Dr. Oz provides 30-second solutions for quirky body complaints.
- Could a parasite be the cause of your fatigue?
- Four preventions for parasites
- Dr. Oz shares fixes for weather-related health issues
- Three tips to reduce hidden home contaminates
Some adults haven't out grown childhood behaviors and we all have some behavior or anxiety that our family and friends say is a little weird. For some, these behaviors have become a concern – am I normal or nuts? Dr. Oz has invited three top psychologist to review viewers strange behaviors and determine if it's normal or crazy.
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Dr. Oz: Are You Normal or Nuts: Your Dreams, Quirks, and Anxieties Examined
Dr. Oz has assembled three of the nations top psychologists, each with a different specialty, to review viewers behaviors and determine if they are normal or...not so normal.
Dr. David Tolin, [clinical psychologist, founder and Director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at The Institute of Livin]g is an expert on obsessive compulsive behaviors. Dr. Tolin explains that compulsive behaviors is like a bully in the brain and person has to go through rituals to get through that talk in the brain.
Dr. Jennifer Harstein, PsyD, [child, adolescent and family psychologist and author of Princess Recovery: A How-to Guide to Raising Strong, Empowered Girls Who Can Create Their Own Happily Ever Afters], specializes in anxiety disorders. Dr. Harstein says anxiety is debilitating and she works with patients to conquer those fears.
Dr. Jeff Gardere, [psychologist and author of several books including Practical Parenting], is a relationship expert who helps people get back on track and function better in their lives.
Dr. Oz asked viewers to share their odd behaviors and the dream team reviewed the behavior and gave their professional opinion – normal or nuts.
Dr. Oz Normal or Nuts? Carrying a Blankie
Julie shared that she has been carrying the same blankie since she was 2 years old. She is now 37 and it still goes around with her. It's pieced together and parts have been cut off for friends.
Dr. Oz asked how Julie feels when she holds it. Julie says she feels peace and relaxation. She says she doesn't drink but the blanket helps to calm her. Her mother used to throw out the blanket and Julie would dumpster-dive to retrieve it.
The audience was polled and 89% thinks carrying a blankie as an adult is nuts.
The psychologists say it's normal.
Dr. Oz says if it brings her security and allows her to feel comfortable then it's OK. If it's self-soothing you're good to go, he says.
To understand how the blankie helps to sooth, Dr. Oz and Julie participated in a demonstration. They stood a little ways back from a chandelier-like stand with candles labeled with stressors in life. Both Dr. Oz and Julie held large blue pseudo-sling-shots that sends a burst of air toward the candles and, if aimed right, blow out the flame.
The sling-shots represented the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin that can help reduce feelings of stress. Julie's blanket provides self-soothing which releases those feel-good hormones and reduce stress. Dr. Oz explained that this emotional trait does not hold Julie back, in fact it's supportive, so more power to her.
Dr. Oz Normal or Nuts? Fear of Bridges and Tunnels
The next audience member shared that she has a big fear of driving over bridges or through tunnels. She gets anxious if knowing she'll have travel over and through them. In fact she had to prepare herself to come to the show because she would have to travel through a tunnel. Her heart races and she has experienced panic attacks before her travels.
The audience poll: 65% said this is normal.
The psychologists say this behavior is nuts, it's not normal. The behavior is a phobia.
Dr. Oz explained that her behavior is is holding her back that's the determinant if the behavior is normal or not. He showed a demonstration of panic with three beakers. The beakers with bubbling liquid representing the three days leading up to a stressful event.
The first day you may feel unease and a little stressed, the water is bubbling and a little steam is releasing. The second day brings a greater feeling of panic and some compulsive behavior – more bubbling and steam release is higher. On the third day and all out panic attack ensues and fear can take over – water is rapidly boiling and the steam is shooting out like a high pressure volcano. All that steam represents the fear and panic clouding your life which can paralyzes you from taking part in life.
Dr. Oz Tip to Reduce Panic #1: Breathe
Dr. Oz recommends controlled breathing when in a moment of panic. He said to visualize taking in a deep breath of your favorite flower, favorite scent. A big, deep, restorative breath. Next, exhale as if you are blowing out a candle.
Dr. Oz Tip to Reduce Panic #2: Rescue Remedy
Dr. Oz recommends using Bach Flower Rescue Remedy spray to support a reduction in the feelings of stress. He recommends two sprays under your tongue when stress creeps up. [Dr. Oz called Rescue Remedy a homeopathic but by definition it is not. Bach Flowers make their products in a way very similar to homeopathy by extracting oils from flowers and diluting them in water and alcohol. Technically, and according to the company, this is not a homeopathic product.
Dr. Oz Normal or Nuts? Intimate Dreams of Other Men
Michelle been with her husband for 16 years and says that sometimes she has sex dreams of being with other men and she wakes up feeling guilty and terrible.
Audience votes: 40% say she's nuts and 60% thinks that it's OK.
The experts say it's normal and not just a little normal but completely normal.
Dr. Oz explained that women have as many sex dreams as men. He challenged Michelle to think of what the dreams mean.
- Does it mean her husband doesn't take out the trash?
- Before bed, was she watching a movie with a sexy leading man?
- Did she have too many aphrodisiacs, such as wine and chocolate, before bed?
The dream means that her husband isn't taking out the trash, says Dr. Oz. He goes on, these dreams are unresolved emotional issues and she is fantasizing about things that can't happen as a way to get back at her husband. [Couldn't the dream just mean a healthy sexual appetite and the very normal fantasizing about being with someone else?]
Dr. Oz Tip To Track Dreams: Dream Diary
Dr. Oz recommends keeping a dream dairy at the bedside to help shed light on the dreams. He also said to not feel guilty about the dreams. Guilt doesn't heal, knowledge will light your path, says Dr. Oz.
Write down three major emotions you feel before going to bed. In the morning write down your dreams. This will help to clarify the emotions surrounding the dreams and if they point towards issues with your husband then talk with him about it.
Dr. Oz 30-Second Fixes for Body Quirks
Dr. Oz Fast Fix for Brain Freeze
It's a stabbing pain in the head from eating or drinking something cold. Dr. Oz showed a demonstration of how cold constricts vessels in the brain then dilate them. The dilated vessels expand and push against other parts of brain which causes messages of pain.
Dr. Oz recommends pushing your tongue onto the roof of your mouth, not against the teeth but the roof. The tongue is the warmest thing in your mouth and it's the strongest muscle in the body. [I don't think my tongue can lift as much weight as my bicep...but that's just me.]
Dr. Oz Fast Fix for Charley Horse
A charley horse short lived spasm in a muscle, often in the calf muscle. There are two main causes of charley horses. The first is dehydration and the second is an electrolyte imbalance of the main minerals sodium, potassium, and calcium. The instinct is to grab the muscle and rub it. Dr. Oz says you can stop them from happening with his quick fix.
Dr. Oz recommends to eat foods rich in minerals such as avocado, apricot, plums, tomatoes, and bananas. He also recommends drinking his elixir.
Ingredients
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup tomato juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tsp lemon juice
Pinch salt
Mix all the ingredients together, and enjoy.
Dr. Oz Fast Fix for Ear Popping
It happens when we go up in an elevator, an airplane, or travel in a tunnel – it's the tunnel again! The ears are trying to equalize with the pressure out side the ear drum. The most common fix is to open the mouth wide which opens the canal between the mouth and ear. Chewing gum can also provide the same movement and opening of the canal.
To equalize the pressure inside the ear with the outside air, Dr. Oz recommends holding the nose with the mouth closed and push the air as if you were pushing it into your ear. If one ear pops first then do the same thing with a finger in the ear that popped.
Dr. Oz Could a Parasite Be The Cause Of Fatigue?
This is new to Dr. Oz. You might think it only happens if you travel overseas but there is a growing incidence of parasites in the guts of American's. More than 40 million people have been infected by parasites causing inflammation, upset stomach and bowels and even fatigue?
Dr. Robynne Chutkan, MD, [contributor to Dr. Oz's blog] Georgetown Hospital gastroenterologist says that parasites could be a distinct possible reason for many cases of fatigue. Parasites can linger in the body for years undetected. She explained that 46% people with chronic fatigue issues have parasites.
The main sources of the parasites are contaminated drinking water, not washing hands enough, and foods from overseas. Dr. Chutkan says if a 10 foot snake could be found on a bunch of imported bananas in an Atlanta farmers then parasite can hitch a ride too.
There are many types of parasites that can infect the human body and they fall into two sizes: microscopic and visible to the naked eye.
Dr. Oz showed an animation of a parasitic larvae in meat and fish that enters the body when eaten. The larvae imbeds in the tissues of the intestines growing, in some cases, up to 50 feet long. These pests can live for 25 years in our intestines without any symptoms.
Here's where is gets really gross. Dr. Chutkan brought a video of an intestine infected with thousands of little white worms, called whip worm, that burrow into intestines and suck blood. These parasites eat up as much blood as possible and the host ends up with anemia and fatigue.
The most common varieties of the microscopic type are cryptosporidium and giardia. Dr. Chutkan explained that an outbreak of cryptosporidium in the water in Wisconsin infected as many as 400,000 people, several people died. Chlorine will not kill cryptosporidium in the water.
Giardia is highly prevalent in day care and nursing homes, in places where workers come in contact with feces on a regular basis. It's believed that as many as 20-30% of day care workers are infected with giardia but go without symptoms. The danger is that these infected workers can pass the infection along.
How can you tell if a parasite has invaded your body? Dr. Oz explains that a large percentage of people with chronic chronic conditions such as irritable bowel could be infected with parasite.
Dr. Oz Parasite Warning Signs
- Yellow stool
- Bloating
- Cramps fatigue
Symptoms can manifest within the first 2 weeks of infection but can linger for years.
Dr Oz: 4 Ways To Prevent Parasites
You may have them and not even know it. Dr. Chutkan says the biggest preventative is to wash your hands often and thoroughly and to wash your produce too.
Dr. Oz Parasite Prevention #1: Avoid excess acid reducers
Dr. Chutkan explained that acid protects the body from parasites and blocks the parasites from taking hold. Acid can also stop the growth of parasites.
Dr. Oz Parasite Prevention #2: Eat 2 cloves of garlic everyday
Garlic breath may not be great for your love life but it's wonderful for the intestinal tract. Garlic, explained Dr. Chutkan is a natural anti-microbial. Eat garlic raw or cooked in food or, says Dr. Chutkan, take 1000mg daily of garlic pills to support the health of the digestive tract and keep those pesky parasites from taking hold.
Dr. Oz Parasite Prevention #3: Wormwood tea
If you think parasites have already invaded the system, then Dr. Chutkan recommends wormwood tea. Make sure you make it with filtered water. Wormwood tea kills and paralyzes round worm and decreases the spread of eggs. Dr. Chutkan recommends drinking one brewed cup of wormwood tea per day or choose the liquid extract form and add to warm water.
Dr. Oz Parasite Prevention #4: Papaya seeds with honey
Dr. Chutkan explained that papaya seeds have been proven to remove parasites from the system in studies. Papaya seeds contain a natural enzyme that breaks down protein and thereby kills the parasites. She recommends mixing ¼ of of papaya seeds with 1 tablespoon of honey. Studies showed that the mix killed parasites in 75% of children treated. Dr. Oz said he would try this one if he thought he had parasites.
Dr. Oz Hidden Health Dangers from Weather
Weather effects a lot of things and Dr. Oz explained that heart attack risks go up when it's cold outside. Jim Cantore, meteorologist on The Weather Channel, joins Dr. Oz to discuss how the weather can impact our health. Mr. Cantor says we can physically feel the weather. His aunt says she feels weather changes in her knee and calls her nephew for a personal weather report.
Dr. Oz Hidden Health Danger #1: High Humidity → Headache
Humidity can impact headaches. Every season has humidity. When it's warm and humid, the body has to sweat to cool off. The more you sweat, the greater chance you can become dehydrated. With a demonstration, Dr. Oz showed how blood can thicken in humid weather.
Dr. Oz Fix for Dehydration: Drink coconut water 30 minutes before leaving house.
Dr. Oz Hidden Health Danger #2: Drop in Air Temp → Fake Allergy Attack
A sudden drop in temp can cause a fake allergy attack and it can happen in any season. A 10 to 20 degree drop in temperature in an hour is considered a sudden drop.
The cold air irritates the vessels and tissues lining the sinuses. Spasms of the muscles in the sinus passages cause further irritation. Mucus builds up in response to the inflammation causing congestion.
Dr. Oz says you will know the allergy attack is fake because a stuffy or runny nose will be the only symptom.
Dr. Oz Fix for a Fake Allergy Attack: Nasal spary or decongestant.
Dr. Oz recommends using a nasal spray or a decongestant to support the body through the sudden change in temperature. He says the nasal spray can be used everyday and before going outside into cold temperatures. Dr. Oz says a neti pot is the best tool to support the sinuses but the nasal spray is great for daily use too.
Dr. Oz Hidden Health Danger #3: Thunderstorms → Asthma Attacks
Air pressure drops and changes for at least 20 miles around a thunderstorm. Tthat's why animals can predict or change their behavior in response to oncoming storms because they feel the pressure change. Human often feel air pressure changes in their joints. Dr. Oz recommends closing windows in your house or car when there is an approaching thunderstorm.
Dr. Oz Fix to Open Airways: Stretch
Dr. Oz recommends to stretch your hands above your head, clasp hands together with palms up to stretch and open air passages.
Dr. Oz Bonus Tips! Hidden Health Hazards In Your Home
Dr. Oz shared three tips to stave off hidden health hazards in your home.
Dr. Oz Home Hazard Tip #1: Shower head
The shower head is a bacteria hot spot. Some bacteria is small enough to inhale. Dr. Oz recommends to remove the shower head and run it through the dishwasher once a month.
Dr. Oz Home Hazard Tip #2: Dish drying rack
Putting away damp dishes can provide a breeding ground for bacteria. Place dished 2 to 3 inches apart on a drying a rack and let them dry overnight. [In Colorado we can see humidity levels in the single digits. Some days it seems like the dishes are dry before they make it to the drying rack!]
Dr. Oz Home Hazard Tip #3: Purified Water
Contaminated water can create all kinds of health problems. Dr. Oz recommends the Clear2O® water purifier. He says it can purifier in under 35 seconds.
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If I have had a colonoscopy in the last 2 years wouldn't that show internal parasites? I would also like to know if the papya seed need to be crushed or eaten whole? Can't you just buy papya pills? thank you. S.M .
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Anonymous.
DeleteOn the colonoscopy, I would talk to your doctor and ask them if parasites would be visible. Keep in mind, there are some parasites that are visible and some that are not.
The show did not specify to crush or eat the papaya seeds whole. My guess is that crushing them could aid the body in utilizing the natural enzymes.
Papaya enzymes are sold in supplement form. I couldn't say if they would serve the same purpose as using the seeds. That would be a great question for a health practioner knowledgable in treating people with parasites.
I can say that the job of enzymes are to break down things in the body either in the digestive process or cleaning up material throughout the system.
where do you find papaya seeds on the web?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question. I did a search for papaya seeds online and there doesn't seem to be an easy place to get them. Perhaps your best source would be to buy a fresh papaya and eat the flesh as well as the seeds. Good luck!
DeleteSo basically, there is
ReplyDelete1. no place to get air-dried seeds.
2. if you eat 'fresh' seeds, do you crush them or eat them whole.
3. papaya in supplement form......serves the same purpose?
You are not helpful at all, heather. Why don't you be a little aggressive and get in touch with the Doctor on the show, Dr Robynne Chutkan, and find out.
Why even bother to be on this blog with no answers!
Thanks for your comment and criticism. And they say charm is a lost art. While I don't provide answers to everything, I try my best. I did look into contacting Dr. Chutkan and could not find any contact information.
DeleteUnfortunatly, as you may already be aware, many of the product recommendations provided on The Dr. Oz Show are not feasible for many people to find or to purchase. Papaya seeds fall into that category, unless you live in a tropical climate.
A little more searching did result in these parasite recommendations from WebMD:
Avoid simple carbohydrates, such as those found in refined foods, fruits, juices, dairy products, and all sugars, except honey.
Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects. Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
*Read the extract from that study as published on PubMed.gov http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17472487*
Eat more fiber, which may help get rid of worms.
Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacilus plantarum, Saccharomyces boulardii, and bifidobacteria, one to two times per day between meals) help keep your digestive tract healthy.
Digestive enzymes will help restore your intestinal tract to its normal state, which makes it inhospitable to parasites. Papain is an enzyme from the papaya plant that may help kill worms when taken 30 minutes before or after meals.
Vitamin C (250 - 500 mg two times a day) or, if well-tolerated, much higher doses of up to 6,000 mg per day in otherwise healthy adults -- supports the immune system. Lower vitamin C dose if diarrhea develops.
Zinc (20 - 30 mg per day) -- also helps support the immune system.
Read more: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/intestinal-parasites-000097.htm#ixzz1oSTw9PAa
I did find a listing on E-Bay for dried seeds but these are being sold by an individual and not a retailer so I, personally, would be hesitant to purchase them.
From available information, it looks like, again, buying fresh papaya and dry them yourself is an option or, as listed in the WebMD information above, look for a supplement form of papaya. There are many other recommendations out there for tips to rid the body of parasites.
I would encourage anyone concerned about a parasite infestation to contact a health care provider for support through the process.
these pesky things seem to cause all sorts of problems.food intolerance is high on the list a long with the bloating,pain in the tummy,fatigue.we have been at our wits end with our 21yr old.he has had this for years,we tried the seeds from the paw paw,and the first 5 days were wonderful!!! but soon went back to bloating/pain.so we thought may be more eggs had hatched so we kept going with the seeds/honey,slightly ok,then yesterday he was great again,but by the time evening came yep you guessed it.he doesn't eat some times as he enjoys not having the bloating,but you cant go on doing this so we are at a dead end yet again.we honestly don't know where to turn to next,he is trying to cope with going to uni and its just getting more and more worrying,i wish we could find the help we so deserve. marge
ReplyDeleteMarge, You might want to research Hulda Clark's Zapper and/or Bob Beck's Protocol. You can find many zappers on ebay for as little as $6.00. The basic idea is to kill them with a frequency- a lot like shattering a glass with frequency. There are several frequency-type treatments, Clark's is the most economical to try...painless and doesn't interfere with any conventional treatment. Good luck with your son.
ReplyDelete