UNHEALTHY HOLLYWOOD! Healthapalooza’s Annual Report

Healthapalooza’s Annual Report

UNHEALTHY HOLLYWOOD

by Sean Kenniff, MD

Hollywood has always been a good place for bad behavior. But 2009 was especially tragic for Tinseltown, as a lot of Hollywood’s best had their worst and last moments. In June, David Carradine died under bizarre sexual circumstances in a Bangkok Hotel. Soon thereafter the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, went into cardiac arrest after receiving a deadly cocktail of potent prescription drugs. Adam Michael Goldstein, better known as DJ AM, suffered a fatal drug overdose in August. And most recently 32 year-old actress Brittany Murphy died under questionable circumstances. Forget falling stars, 2009 was a meteor shower.

All year the staff at Healthapalooza.com follows celebrity news, gossip, and tabloid rumors to bring you our annual report “Unhealthy Hollywood.” The winner of each category is dishonored with a “Healthapaloozer” award—perhaps the only award in Hollywood nobody wants to win.

In the category for SCARIEST SKINNY the nominees are…

1.    Lindsay Lohan

2.    Mishka Barton

3.    Keira Knightly

The Healthapaloozer goes to Mishka Barton! According to the British tabloid The Daily Mail, the 5’9” Barton was a curvy size 12 last year. Now she appears sickly and skeletal. Barton denies having an eating disorder, and credits her dramatic weight loss to a new obsession with pilates.

Important Fact: The eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia, are the deadliest forms of mental illness. In women, anorexia raises the risk of death 12 times.

In the category for FRIGHTENINGLY FAT the nominees are…

1.    Kirstie Alley

2.    John Goodman

3.    Aretha Franklin

The Healthapaloozer goes to Aretha Franklin! Lately the “Queen of Soul” has been looking more like the “Dairy Queen of Soul.”

Important Fact: Being overweight or obese raises the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and many forms of cancer. There are more than 4 million Americans weighing over 300 pounds.  

In the category for MOST TOXIC BODY the nominees are…

1.    Amy Winehouse

2.    Artie Lange

3.    Courtney Love

The Healthapaloozer goes to Amy Winehouse! The singer claims she has been drug free since January 2009, but her erratic behavior is raising a lot of doubts. Winehouse was arrested two times in 2009 for alleged assaults, and in late December she collapsed and was treated at a hospital for “nervous exhaustion.” Amy, it looks like it might be time to say “Yes, Yes, Yes,” to rehab.

Important Fact: The most common addictions in the U.S. are to legal substances, namely alcohol and tobacco. In terms of dollar amounts, more cocaine is sold each year in the U.S. than Starbuck’s coffee.

In the category for MOST LIKELY TO CONTRACT AN STD the nominees are…

1.    George Michael

2.    Tiger Woods

3.    Warren Beatty

The Healthapaloozer goes to George Michael! Tiger Woods had at least 11 mistresses, and Warren Beatty is rumored to have slept with nearly 13-thousand women over his acting career, but singer George Michael appears to be the riskiest sex seeker. In 1998 the Grammy winning superstar was nabbed by police engaging in a “lewd act” in a public toilet, and he recently admitted to The Guardian that he smokes seven joints a day and engages in casual sex about twice a week with men other than his boyfriend.

Important Fact: Drug use increases the risk of contracting an STD. So does having sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or having sex with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of an STD.

In the category for MOST FROZEN FACE the nominees are…

1.    Joan Rivers

2.    Kenny Rogers

3.    Kathy Griffen

The Healthapaloozer goes to Joan Rivers! Joan Rivers clearly suffers from the “Frozen Face Syndrome.” With her facial muscles paralyzed by Botox, and skin stretched paper thin, the funny lady can hardly crack a smile.

Important Fact: Nearly 12 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in the U.S. in 2007. Two thirds of cosmetic surgery patients are repeat patients.

In the category for MOST DANGEROUS DIET the nominees are…

1.    Rihanna

2.    Britney Spears

3.    Miley Cyrus

The Healthapaloozer goes to Miley Cyrus! Sultry songstress Rihanna supposedly orders pizza, lasagna, and french fries before her concerts. Britney Spears reportedly kicked her junk food habit to slim down for her Circus tour. But Miley Cyrus is allegedly addicted to junk food. While staying at a hotel in December 2009 Life and Style reported Cyrus ordered seven burgers and cheese fries, and she washed it all down with an Oreo milkshake.

Important Fact: A study conducted in 2000 found junk food raises the risk of heart disease in TEENS!

In the category for UNHEALTHIEST MOVIE the nominees are…

1.    Taking Woodstock

2.    Paul Blart: Mall Cop

3.    The Hangover

And the Healthapaloozer goes to The Hangover! No doubt The Hangover was a comedy hit, but the bachelor party booze bonanza flick features almost every kind of unhealthy behavior—drugs, anonymous sex, over drinking, grand theft, taser demonstrations, and being punched by Mike Tyson.

Important Fact: Recently studies have found hangovers impair judgment and memory, and they are a leading cause of work absences and lost productivity. Another recent study found driving with a hangover is 4-times more dangerous than driving sober.

In the category for UNHEALTHIEST TELEVISION PROGRAM the nominees are…

1.    Rock of Love with Brett Michaels

2.    The Simpsons

3.    More to Love

And the Healthapaloozer goes to Rock of Love! Homer Simpson is a drunk-driving donut-eating dimwit who chokes his son, Bart, in fits of rage, but even he could not beat the unhealthy behaviors featured on VH1’s Rock of Love with Bret Michaels.  On the show chain-smoking boozed-up bimbos compete for the affection of Bret Michaels, the former frontman of the rock group Poison. 

Last but not least, the EVEL KNIEVEL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR DEATH DEFYING LIVING goes to…Artie Lange! Howard Stern’s hysterical sidekick, and author of the book, Too Fat to Fish, is dangerously fat, and has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse. He was recently hospitalized for undisclosed reasons. Get well, Artie, and stay well.

Carnal Knowledge: Things About Sex You Probably Don’t Know

Carnal Knowledge: Ten Things You Probably Don’t Know About Sex

By Sean Kenniff, MD

Despite the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s and recent scientific advancements, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding everyone’s favorite physical activity. And if you think you know everything about sex, think again. Take a look at these ten sex headlines you might have missed. 

SEX AND THE CITY

People living in New York City have twice the number of sex partners as the average American. NY’s Daily News took a look at the sex lives of the Sex and the City Characters to see how they compared to the real thing. In the 94 episodes of six seasons the four main characters managed to bed 94 men and one woman.  Samantha was the most prolific lover, shagging 41 men and 1 woman. Carrie hooked up with 18 men and so did Charlotte. Miranda bedded 17 men. When these fictitious sexual patterns were compared to similar groups of real NY City women, those numbers were right on target.

DIRTY WORDS

The word pornography is a combination of the Greek word for prostitute, or “porno”, and the word “graphia” which means writing. So literally pornography originated as writings about prostitutes.

BREAST IMPLANTS ARE LINKED TO SUICIDE

Several studies have documented an increased risk of suicide in women who have breast implants. A Swedish study published in 2007 found women with breast implants were nearly three times more likely to commit suicide compared to women without the implants. According to the study the increased suicide risk did not appear until 10-years after the breast augmentation surgery. But twenty years after the surgery the researchers found the rate of suicide in women with implants was six times the expected rate. Some studies have found women with breast implants also have triple the risk of dying from drugs or alcohol.

SIZE MATTERS

The largest medically verified human penis measured almost 14 inches. The shortest ever recorded was 0.39 inches long, or just about one centimeter. Today normal size is said to be between five and seven inches. Rorqual whales have the largest penises of any animal; 10-feet long, and 1-foot in diameter. But compared to body size the unassuming barnacle has the largest endowment, with a penis up to 42-times its own body length (below).

MINUTE MEN…AND WOMEN

A 2008 survey of U.S. and Canadian sex therapists say “satisfying sex” lasts anywhere from three-to-thirteen minutes. 7-to-13 minutes was declared “desirable”, whereas 1-2 minutes was deemed “too short”, and more than 14 minutes was deemed “too long”.

VIRGINITY GENES?

Genes may play an important role in determining the age at which a person first engages in sexual intercourse according to a 2009 study. Researchers from California State University in Fullerton studied 48 pairs of twins who were raised apart and found the age of virginity loss was roughly 33% due to genetic influences. Previous studies have found a gene, called DRD4, is associated with impulsiveness, increased risk-taking behavior and a lower age at first intercourse. June is often cited as the most common month for loss of virginity (all those proms and weddings).

RED WINE MAY BOOST A WOMAN’S LIBIDO

Doctors from the University of Florence in Italy say a glass or two of red wine may boost a woman’s level of sexual interest. They studied more than 800 normal women and found women who enjoyed drinking 1-2 glasses of red wine had higher levels of sexual desire compared to women who drank other forms of alcohol or those who abstained. It is possible compounds in red wine increase blood flow to key areas.

HANGING CHADS

In most men the left testicle hangs lower than the right testicle, and although the reason is not entirely clear it makes a lot of practical sense. The oval shape of the testes and their different heights may prevent them from banging into each other when men walk. Both testicles rise with physical exertion or sexual intercourse for the same reason. The cremaster muscle is responsible for this reflex. Plus being further apart may keep the testicles cooler which is important for sperm production.

300 ORGASMS A DAY!

Women suffering from a rare condition called Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome, or PSAS, can have 300 orgasms each day or more. The orgasms in women with PSAS are usually unrelated to sexual activity or sexual thoughts, and they often occur at inappropriate and embarrassing times. In fact the orgasms come so frequently they cease to be pleasurable. Brain abnormalities have been found in some cases, but the cause of most cases remains a mystery.

FERTILE STRIPPERS MAKE MORE MONEY

New Mexican psychologist Geoffrey Miller studied female strippers and found they earn more tips in the week before their period than any other time during the menstrual cycle. This is the time of peak fertility, and Miller theorizes pheromones are signaling the men and causing them to tip larger amounts. In fact during peak fertility exotic dancers made twice as much money as they did when they were menstruating. The same study also found women on ‘the pill’ did not experience the monetary increase during this most fertile time.  

The “I Do” Blues: Postnuptial Depression

THE “I DO” BLUES: Postnuptial Depression

By Sean Kenniff, MD

  A wedding is usually one of the most joyous days in a young couple’s life; a time to celebrate love and hope for a lifetime of happiness. But for some newlyweds the big day is soon followed by a big letdown. 

  “It should be described as the day the prince falls off his horse, and we change from girls into women,” one blogger writes. 

  “What begins the day after marriage? Misery,” replies another. 

  In many cases once the honeymoon is over, humdrum reality sets in, and that can leave unprepared couples coping with postnuptial depression-also called the ‘I Do Blues’. 

  “Building a happy, productive partnership is not easy.  The unrealistic expectations set up by our culture, media images of connubial bliss, romantic novels and song lyrics soon prove to be impossible to create, and reality then sets in,” says Dr. Tina Tessina.

  Dr. Tessina, better known as “Dr. Romance,” is a distinguished California psychotherapist and author of the book, Money Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage. She says both men and women are at risk of postnuptial depression, because their expectations are often out of step with day-to-day marital life. 

  “Any situation in which the expectations are unrealistic can be considered a ‘set up’ for disappointment, which some people experience as depression,” she says. 

  In the months leading up to the wedding day the bride and groom often become the gravitational center of activity for family and friends. Some couples, especially the brides-to-be, spend so much time planning a wedding that they often fail to plan a survival strategy for the days afterwards; and when the wedding day spotlight disappears, so can a sense of purpose.  

  “People who are emotionally resilient rise to this challenge and work together to solve the problems and improve the relationship.  Those who are not resilient sink into despair and depression, and stop trying,” Dr. Tessina says. 

Signs of postnuptial depression may include

• 1. Lack of energy
• 2. Emotional withdrawal
• 3. Lack of sexual intimacy
• 4. Feelings of hopelessness, or despair
• 5. Frequent crying
• 6. Sleeplessness

  Roughly half of all U.S. marriages end in divorce, so it is normal to have some reservations about the sustainability of a new marriage, or suitability of a new spouse. It’s also difficult for some to move from the ‘me’ mindset of being single, to the ‘we’ mindset of being married. Unfortunately few people want to talk about postnuptial depression for fear it might trigger some trouble-in-paradise rumors, but experts say couples should communicate their difficulties to each other, and a professional. Antidepressant medications can help in severe cases, but most cases of postnuptial depression can be treated effectively with psychological therapy.

  “Counseling will also help you handle situations more effectively,” Dr. Tessina says, “and help you not create more drama and dysfunction in the relationship. “ 

  The best way to avoid postnuptial depression is through careful planning and maintaining perspective. First try not to put overblown significance on the wedding day. Certainly it is an important day, but it is still just another day. Before the big day it may help to delegate wedding responsibilities wherever you can, think about having a less lavish reception, try to avoid obsessions or being a perfectionist, and talk to friends and family about your stress. 

  It’s important to remember loving relationships are like flowers; they blossom quickly, need constant care and change with the seasons. Just watch out for the thorns and expect bees. 

Sean Kenniff, MD is a neurologist, radio host, and television journalist in Miami, Florida. 

Tina B. Tessina, PhD, also known as ‘Dr.Romance’, is a licensed psychotherapist in Southern California with over 30 years of experience counseling couples and individuals. She is the author of thirteen books on relationships including Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Squabbling About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage. Dr. Tessina also writes the Dr. Romance blog, and is a Relationships Expert for Redbook Love Network, Divorce360.com, and she answers relationship questions at Yahoo! Personals. She can be reached by visiting her website  http://www.tinatessina.com

Birth Control Basics

  Roughly six out of every ten pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, according to the Institute of Medicine. Many experts think this high rate of unintended pregnancies results from a lack of knowledge about contraception. But it’s important to remember that no form of birth control is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. Here are the stats on effectiveness.

  Tubal ligation and vasectomy procedures are probably the most effective means of contraception, preventing pregnancy more than 99.5 percent of the time. Intrauterine devices, or IUDs, fail to prevent pregnancy in roughly 1 to 2 percent of women who use them for a year. For women injection of birth control hormones or implantation of hormones has just about the same effectiveness, but these hormones carry an increased risk of developing dangerous blood clots. So do oral contraceptives, and the pills are a bit less effective at preventing pregnancy. About 5 percent of women taking oral contraceptive for one year will conceive inadvertently. Typical condom use has an unintended pregnancy rate of about 14 percent per year, and the conception rate for women using the vaginal sponge and diaphragm is about 20 percent.

  The emergency birth control method ‘Plan-B’, which is often called the morning after pill, prevents pregnancy in roughly 75 percent of cases if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, but it is most effective if started within 24 hours. -Sean Kenniff, MD

What is Your Love Personality?

What is Your Love Personality?

by Sean Kenniff, MD 

   Finding your perfect mate may come down to ‘chemistry’ after all-the chemistry inside your brain according to a new relationship theory. Dr. Helen Fisher, a Rutgers University anthropologist, has studied brain responses to relationships for decades, and she says there are four distinct personality types based on your brain chemistry.

The Builder: Builders are fueled by the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin is the same neurotransmitter that is believed to be critical in alleviating depression. Builders are calm, orderly and managerial in their approach to love. Although they can be pleasingly social, sometimes they are criticized for being humdrum homebodies. Builders are reliable, stable and consistent, but they can be a bit predictable and lack some spontaneity.

The Explorer: Explorers are governed by the novelty-seeking brain chemical dopamine. Imbalances of dopamine have been connected to heightened impulsivity, risk-taking behaviors, drug addiction, delusions, and even schizophrenia. Driven by dopamine explorers constantly seek excitement in relationships. Sometimes they move from relationship to relationship once the monotony sets in. Explorers are highly spontaneous and often fun lovers, but they become bored easily and are often criticized for being flighty.

The Director: The male sex hormone testosterone is thought to predominate in the brains of directors, but both men and women can fall into this personality type. In studies testosterone has been associated with aggression and competitiveness. In relationships the testosterone-driven directors are focused, rational, daring and direct. They are logical lovers, but at times they can be coldly analytical, bossy and controlling.

The Negotiator: Negotiators are governed by the female hormone estrogen, but both men and women can fall into this category. Estrogen has been associated with mothering behaviors, emotional connectivity, and selfless reasonability. Negotiators are socially skilled, idealistic peacemakers and they often find themselves at the gravitational center of relationships. They are empathetic lovers, and willing to compromise on almost every issue. 

So what types make the best matches? 

Explorers: Explorers often want to date themselves and they should. The other personality types are often frustrated by the explorer’s flights of fancy, irrationality, and unwillingness to commit to long-term relationships. So explorers should seek other explorers to keep fueling the excitement. Explorers can sometimes ground themselves by dating builders, but they run into trouble by dating directors. The no-nonsense approach of the director leaves explorers feeling confined or trapped. 

Builders: Builders value loyalty, consistency, and thrive on routine. Dating another builder is the most common and it may be the most successful relationship strategy. Two builders together often form a stable family unit, guided by shared goals and teamwork. Builders can sometimes ground an explorer, but the builder’s love of routine can often clash with the explorer’s love of novelty.   

Negotiators and Directors: Directors often need a negotiator to temper their frank, methodical approach to romance, and negotiators often benefit from the stronger backbone of directors. However negotiators, given their pleasing nature, can suit just about other personality type. Directors, on the other hand, find it very difficult to date anyone without good negotiating and peacemaking skills.