Loudoun Investigator

Todd wanted to win the upcoming U.S. Cycling Race in Belgium, and he was prepared to do anything to give himself an edge – except take drugs. He asked for advice from a veteran bicycling racer. “Drink lots of caffeine carry coffee during the race,” he was told. “It’ll give you a kick.”

During the race, Todd gulped flasks of strong coffee. But he didn’t race well and had to stop often to urinate. Caffeine often acts as a diuretic, causing the body to eliminate water. He also ended up with other side effects from all that caffeine: an upset stomach, a bad headache, and body shakes.

He didn’t sleep well for a couple nights.

Many people, …

Seventeen-year-old Tito lived in Miami, a good guy except that sometimes he had a big mouth. At a basketball game one evening he got angry over a foul call and swore at another player. Then he threw a punch. The other boy rushed to his car, grabbed his gun, and pumped bullets until Tito lay dead on the ground. Tito’s murderer was a quiet, well-thought-of honor student who was planning to go to college in a few months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls violence a public health epidemic that kills 1 million people each year. But it’s not an epidemic to be cured in laboratories or government offices. Young people have a stake …

Snoring may seem like nothing more than mild irritation, but if your snoring is caused by sleep apnea, it can lead to even greater medical complications that can pose serious risks to your health – even greater than the risk of your spouse smothering you in the night with a pillow. According to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, people with severe sleep apnea are over 40{ea3f49c8ebf14f7c870341597977c2c9ff9f4663336e3f9966d9f2be64c01a30} more likely to die early than their peers.

While it’s important to remember that just because you snore does not automatically mean you have sleep apnea, the risks associated with sleep apnea are considerable enough that it is in your best interest to consult your doctor and find out for sure. And if you feel as if consulting with a doctor is too expensive, then perhaps a snoring mouthpiece such as the SnoreRX may help.

Here are some of the major problems caused by sleep apnea-related snoring: Read the rest of this entry »

I remember one birthday party I went to. I must have been 7 or 8 years old. Everybody was jumping around and singing, and there were presents everywhere. I was so excited, and I guess I got out of control. Next thing I knew I had spilled soda and knocked presents all over the floor. The other kids started making fun of me, saying I was always like that. I felt crummy.”

Ken, now 14, didn’t get diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) until two years ago. He used to be in trouble with teachers, had fights with other kids, and his grades were lousy. “School definitely wasn’t my favorite place to be.”

Ken’s story is …

Here’s a two-part quiz for you:

What’s the most popular snack food in the United States?

What’s the number-one drink of choice among teens?

The answers probably won’t surprise you. “Potato chips and soda,” says Ann Svendsen, Director of Nutrition Services at Duval County Public Schools. “And it’s not diet soda they’re drinking; they choose regular soda – with caffeine and sugar. In fact, a lot of our young people have potato chips and soda for breakfast,” she added.

Many teens think if they eat less food, they won’t gain weight, says Svendsen. “They look at the single can of soda and the small bag of chips and say, ‘But I’m not eating very much!’ They …

Ever since Angie broke up with Sam a few weeks ago, he’s been bothering her – following her around when she is going to class, calling her a couple of times a night, even showing up on her job, and walking around outside her house. Sometimes he tries to talk to her about getting back together with him; other times he’s just there. It’s starting to drive her crazy.

In the last few years, there has been a lot of publicity about stalking – from the woman in love with David Letterman who broke into his home repeatedly to the O.J. Simpson case. In the past, the police would get involved only if there was some physical …

Though some recent studies question whether even low levels of radon are a health threat to humans, most scientists think the radioactive gas – which is found in all buildings – is still a problem.

Major health organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Lung Association, agree that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year.

What is radon? You cannot see, taste, or smell it. It is a product of the natural decay of uranium, a radioactive element used to make nuclear energy. Uranium is found in granite, shale, and phosphate-bearing rocks. Small amounts are found throughout the earth’s crust.

Unlike other products of decay, radon is …

When Marcus borrowed $25 from Jimmy and didn’t pay him back, Jimmy threatened to pound Marcus’ face into the pavement. A few months ago, the two would have met after school to fight, witnessed by classmates who called for more blood. Recently, however, their high school started a conflict resolution program.

In a conflict resolution program, disputing students meet with a mediator who doesn’t take sides. Students agree to go along with the process in good faith, to keep the conversation confidential, and to listen to the other person’s side of the story without interrupting. Both students brainstorm possible solutions, agree on the idea they think will work best, and write and sign an agreement.…