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Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Experts warn not to dry bedding outside this summer — here's why
Drying your sheets outside on a bright sunny day seems like the natural thing to do. However, this cause problems for some sleepers, particularly those prone to allergies. According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, around 25.7% of adults suffered from seasonal allergies in 2021. While we recommend drying your bed sheets and pillow covers in the sun to get rid of dust mites and bacteria, this can also sometimes trigger allergy symptoms. We reached out to medical and cleaning experts to find out why this happens and what other effective alternatives are. Here's what they had to say… "It's well known that grass, tree and weed pollen can cling on to the bedsheets, particularly if these are made from cotton," says Dr. Elena Salagean, allergy consultant at Holistic Allergy. These can cause what experts call 'seasonal allergic rhinitis' or, simply put, pollen allergy or hay fever. But why does pollen aggravate or cause allergic reactions? Studies show that this is because our bodies mistakes pollen for a harmful substance and release a defensive response that can irritate our airways. This can result in various allergic symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing or red, watery eyes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Even if we take precautions such as loading up on antihistamines or not going outside when the pollen count (defined as the amount of pollen in the air measured in grains per cubic meter) is high, we could still get exposed in other ways, like by drying bedsheets outside. "On a high pollen count day, bedding left outside can soak up high number of pollen particles, which you then bring indoors and breathe in at night. This can make your hay fever worse," explains Dr. Salagean. Tumble drying is the leading alternative recommended by experts to avoid pollen contamination. "You can use a tumble dryer with a good lint filter or dry them on an indoor clothes airer, ideally in a well ventilated room," says Dr. Hussain Ahmad, health practitioner at UK-based Click2Pharmacy. However, if you're drying sheets indoors, it's a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier as this can keep the moisture at bay, which can otherwise lead to mold or mildew growth. If you still prefer to dry outside, especially if it's a particularly bright sunny day, Dr. Salagean says that you can leave your sheets out for a few hours early in the afternoon. "This might just reduce the amount of pollen you bring back into the house. Even on a high pollen count day, the pollen levels tend to peak in early morning or late afternoon or early evening," she explains. The first step to get rid of allergens from your bedroom is to wash your bedding regularly. "Washing your bedding once a week at 60°C kills off dust mites and removes pollen or pet dander that might have settled on the fabric," says Dr. Ahmad. For a thorough cleanse, make sure to avoid overloading your machine, which is one of the most common washing mistakes to make. Apart from its sleep benefits, a warm shower before bed can also help prevent your allergies from getting triggered. "A quick shower before bed helps by rinsing off any allergens from your skin or hair, so you're not transferring them to your pillow," says Dr. Ahmad. This is important since your pillow and bedding are in direct contact with your skin and nose, which means an easy way for pollen to get into your system. As already mentioned, during high pollen count days, pollen levels can peak in the morning and evening. Closing your windows early in the evening can prevent pollen from getting into your clean bedroom and contaminating the environment hours before you're ready to sleep. This also depends on the season, as pollen levels tend to spike in spring and summer. Using an air purifier is an efficient way to trap microscopic particles like pollen which can cause irritations and allergies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air purifiers with HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air) can remove around 99.97% of dust mites, pollen and other particles up with a size of 0.3 microns. "You could even leave it on high power for 30 minutes - one hour before going to bed so it recirculates more of the air," recommends Dr. Salagean. Snuggling up with your furry friend might be the most comforting thing, but it can result in severe consequences for your allergies. While you might do everything to keep pollen out of your house, your pets could be an indirect source of still getting exposed to these nasty particles. "Keep pets out of the bedroom as they can also bring in pollen on their coats especially if they go outside," says Dr. Salagean. Yes, carpets and rugs might give you the perfect cottage-core aesthetic this summer but if you're prone to allergies, we would advise against it. "The fewer soft furnishings and clutter you have, the less dust there is to settle. If you can, swap carpets for hard flooring, which doesn't trap allergens like carpets do," says Dr. Ahmad. Can't do without them? Clean them regularly using one of the best vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter. Your pillows, sheets, blankets or duvets are in direct contact with your skin and so while you can maintain them to be clean and free of particles, prevention is always better than cure. Thanks to modern manufacturing methods, we're now able to access bedding crafted from soft hypoallergenic materials like cotton, bamboo, kapok and memory foam which are resistant to dust mites, pollen and other common allergens.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Can Waist-To-Hip Ratio Predict Heart Disease? What Women 50+ Should Know
You've likely heard about the importance of keeping your weight in a healthy range to protect your heart. But the number on the scale may not be telling the full story. Your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) could be an even more revealing measure when it comes to cardiovascular risk, especially for women over 50. But what exactly is WHR, how do you calculate it and what numbers should you be aiming for? We spoke with healthcare experts to break it all down, including what your WHR says about your heart health and what to do if your number is high. Waist-to-hip ratio is a measurement comparing the circumference of your waist to that of your hips. 'It's a simple way of looking at how fat is distributed on your body,' explains Hussain Ahmad, MUDr/MD, consultant practitioner for Click2Pharmacy. More specifically, it determines whether a person carries more fat around the abdomen or the lower body. While body mass index (BMI) estimates overall body fat, WHR provides insight into where that fat is stored. So, how does this relate to your heart? 'People with more fat around the waist tend to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those who carry more weight around their hips and thighs,' says Dr. Ahmad. 'That's because belly fat, especially the kind that builds up around internal organs (visceral fat) is more strongly linked to heart issues.' Increased visceral fat surrounds vital organs, producing inflammatory compounds that negatively impact heart function. This, Dr. Ahmad continues, can lead to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance. According to the American Heart Association, carrying more abdominal fat, even with a healthy BMI, can increase your risk of cardiovascular issues. Moreover, a 2023 study in JAMA Network Open found that WHR may be a better predictor of future health issues, including cardiovascular health, than BMI. This is especially important for postmenopausal women, who tend to shift fat storage to the abdomen due to hormonal changes. WHR offers a more targeted look at your metabolic health risk. The good news is you don't need any fancy tools to calculate your WHR. 'You can take a measuring tape horizontally around the abdomen,' says Richard Frank, MD, MHSA, chief medical officer at Vida Health. 'The tape must be snug, but not so tight that it compresses the skin, and parallel to the floor.' Here's how to do it: Measure your waist at its narrowest point, usually just above your belly button. Measure your hips at their widest point, typically around the fullest part of your buttocks. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. For example: 32' waist ÷ 40' hips = 0.80 WHR. 'A WHR greater than 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men increases metabolic risk,' says Dr. Frank. 'Women naturally have higher fat storage around the hips, so the threshold for a high WHR is lower for women.' While WHR is helpful, it's not the only number that matters. 'It does provide a better insight into fat distribution than using BMI alone, however, it should not be used in isolation,' says Pamela Walters, MD, medical director at Eulas Clinics. 'Other critical risk factors include blood pressure, blood sugar levels, whether you smoke, how active you are, cholesterol levels and so on.' Dr. Walters also notes that stress and mental health conditions, such as depression, are also associated with heart disease. 'Addressing both physical and mental health together leads to better outcomes across the board,' she says. (You can see more risk factors for heart disease in women here.) Additionally, WHR has its limitations. First, it doesn't account for overall body composition or muscle mass. This means two people with the same ratio and similar body shapes could have very different health profiles. It also can't distinguish between visceral fat and subcutaneous fat (the kind just under the skin). 'WHR is a useful tool, but like BMI, it's just one part of the picture,' says Dr. Ahmad. If your WHR is higher than ideal, don't panic. There are small, sustainable lifestyle changes that can help reduce abdominal fat and improve your heart health overall. What you eat and when can play a big role. 'Increasing fiber intake and balanced macronutrients, staying hydrated and decreasing late-night eating can improve WHR and help decrease visceral fat,' advises Dr. Frank. Other tips he shares include adding strength training to your workout routine, managing stress and getting proper sleep. 'Overall, consistency with dietary and lifestyle changes is crucial,' says Dr. Frank. He cites several medical conditions that can affect your WHR, including thyroid conditions, PCOS, menopause and Cushing's disease. 'However, management is the same with or without these conditions as well as treating underlying conditions,' he adds. While WHR may not be a perfect predictor, it does offer important insight into how your body stores fat and how that might impact your cardiovascular system. More simple metrics for understanding heart health: Average Resting Heart Rate by Age: What's Normal, What's Not and How to Improve Your Reading What Is Normal Blood Pressure by Age? Doctors Reveal When a Reading Is Safe—And When It's Dangerous How to Check Heart Rate Naturally: Understanding Your Beats Per Minute This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
