Making Sense of the Senseless Violence

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Mass shootings and the accompanying carnage have now become a regular part of life in America. And mental health experts warn that this steady drumbeat of violence could have major consequences for the nation’s psyche.

There have been 355 mass shootings in the United States so far this year — defined as incidents in which four or more victims were shot, though not necessarily killed, according to ShootingTracker.com, a crowd-sourced website that monitors U.S. gun violence.

That amounts to more mass shootings than days passed this year, far more than any other nation on Earth. And most of these horrific episodes fail to make national headlines.

For example, Wednesday’s bloodbath in San Bernardino, Calif., that left 14 people dead and 21 wounded occurred just hours after a shooting in Savannah, Ga., in which four people were shot and one died.

But the psychological impact is starting to take a measurable toll, experts say.

“I think people are becoming more aware that these things are happening much more frequently,” said Russell Jones, a professor of psychology and director of the Stress and Coping Lab at Virginia Tech, the college that in 2007 experienced a mass shooting that left 32 dead and 17 wounded.

“The nation is going to become more anxious and more fearful and more uncertain as this goes on. It has a cascading effect,” he added.

On 20 separate days this year, there were at least four mass shootings somewhere in the nation. Acts of violence have become so common that people now know many of them by name — Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Columbine.

Many Americans have been left numb by the violence, and that’s a normal human reaction, said Jonathan Alpert, a New York City psychotherapist and author of “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days.”

“That’s how we protect ourselves from trauma,” Alpert said. “We put up defenses. We put up barriers. We disconnect.”

Some people will go into denial — desensitized by the brutality. But, many others will become emotionally overwhelmed by the gun violence, said Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“When denial starts to lift, it can be a very confusing and anxiety-provoking time because the rational part of one’s mind is struggling with the emotional part that doesn’t want to hear the truth,” Lieberman said.

Some people may become isolated homebodies as their world view continues to be shaken, said Jones, a fellow of the American Psychological Association.

“People can become very fearful and apprehensive,” he said. “Maybe the world isn’t fair. Maybe the world is totally unpredictable, and I’m at risk for some very bad things happening. They start avoiding people, places and things that remind them of bad things that have happened, or things that potentially could happen.”

Others might become angry and determined, and see the ongoing violence as a call to action — even if they aren’t exactly sure what they can do, said Michael Moore, assistant professor of psychology at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y.

“This is what spurs people to post on social media or sign online petitions. We want to feel that we are powerful, or useful, and can do something to prevent these terrible events,” Moore said. “These actions are aimed as much at making us feel better, changing the world inside of us, as they are at effecting change in our external world, which is less controllable and predictable.”

Samuel Gladding, a professor of counseling at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., agrees. “Those closest to the shootings are responding with an outpouring of altruistic acts,” he said. “In such communities there is more fear, but also more defiance and resolve to not let violence win.”

Those struggling to cope with these violent events would do well to remember that it’s still very unlikely that you or yours will become directly involved in a shooting, said Dr. Renee Binder, president of the American Psychiatric Association.

“It’s normal to react to it,” Binder said. “When that happens for most people, you do a reality check and consider that the chances of this happening to someone you love is still very rare.”

And there are steps people can take to cope and feel more in control, Alpert said. They include:

• maintaining structure and routine in your day, including a regular schedule for work, exercise and social activities.
• volunteering to help others.
• staying away from media sources that report hype, gossip and fear-mongering, and limiting exposure to even trusted sources of news.

Parents should reassure their children and let them know they are safe, Binder and Jones said.

“Create an open and supporting environment, where children know they can turn to you and ask questions,” Binder said.

More information

To learn more about the toll of trauma and violence, visit the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

---

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Could Probiotics Be a New Strategy For Weight Loss?

Photo: Getty Images

A probiotic blended into a milkshake may help protect against weight gain, according to a small recent study published in the journal Obesity.

But first, some important caveats: the study tested a commercial product called VSL#3, and was funded by VSL Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The sample size was small. Still, the findings add to growing evidence that probiotics and the gut microbiome may play a role in weight loss.

Past research has linked obesity and diabetes to imbalances in the microbiome, which is made up of trillions of bacteria living in the gut. What we eat can shift our bacterial communities for better or for worse, and probiotics (0ften called “good bacteria”) are being investigated for their potential to support beneficial colonies.

In the new study, Virginia Tech researchers studied 20 healthy men who went on a high-fat and high calorie diet for four weeks. Some men also drank a milkshake that contained VSL#3, a probiotic with multiple strains of bacteria including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum, while others consumed a placebo milkshake. The researchers found that the men who consumed the probiotic mix had lower body mass gain and fat accumulation than those who didn’t.

The researchers suggest that the probiotic supplement might work for a number of reasons, and though they cannot determine a mechanism from their findings, they have some ideas. Overeating can quickly change microbiome communities, which makes it harder for the body to absorb nutrients, they say. It’s possible that the VSL#3 helped alter the gut bacteria in way that influenced this system and led to less body fat accumulation. In addition, the researchers say that the probiotic may have reduced lipid absorption or impacted energy expenditure.

The study is not the first to suggest a connection between probiotics and slimming down. Two strains of probiotics, Lactobacillus and Bifodobacterium, have been highlighted as specifically beneficial to internal health. A small 2014 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, reported that overweight women consuming daily probiotics lost more weight that women taking placebo pills, though men did not experience the same benefit. (The study was sponsored by the Nestlé Research Center.)

Other studies that are not industry-funded have also found benefits from probiotics, like better blood pressure control and improved mood. The science isn’t yet definitive, and researchers are still uncertain about the best ways to consume probiotics or how to ensure they make it all the way to your gut, but plenty of research into the microbiome is ongoing.

Read more: You Asked: Should I Take Probiotics?

This article originally appeared on Time.com.

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You Probably Aren’t Taking This Hair-Care Step… But You Should Be

Photo: Giphy

Calling all mane addicts… You may be spending hours upon hours using conditioning masks and heat protectant, luxurious shampoos, and leave-ins to keep your hair in good condition, but you’re probably missing one crucial step: exfoliating your scalp. Sure, you cleanse it when you shampoo, but the oft neglected area happens to be the soil from which the grass on your head grows, so to speak, and it turns out that special attention needs to be paid.

We’ve all been told that it’s not good for your hair to wash it every day, but we’ve also learned that using too much dry shampoo can cause clogged hair follicles in your scalp, which in turn can attribute to hair loss and *gasp* bald spots. So what’s a girl to do? Exfoliate her scalp, that’s what.

We spoke with Anabel Kingsely of Philip Kingsley Hair, who specializes in scalp analysis to get the skinny on the hair-care step we’ve all been accidentally missing.

You’re probably wondering, why is scalp exfoliation so important? Firstly it cleanses, tones, and moisturizes the scalp to make it suppler, optimizing the condition of the skin. “Hair grows its best from a clean and healthy scalp environment,” said Kingsley. ” This can help support the growth of new hairs.”

But that’s not all. Scalp exfoliation also soothes the scalp and gently lifts away dead skin cells and flakes. This is important, because those dreaded flakies—they’re known to worsen or possibly trigger hair loss in certain individuals.

So, if you suffer from dandruff, according to Kingsley, weekly scalp exfoliation is vital. She explained that, “Dandruff causes excessive production and shedding of skin cells which can impact the growth and appearance of the hair.” She added that weekly use of an exfoliating scalp mask removes this accumulation of cells and helps to normalize skin cell turnover.

You’re probably wondering, does your hair type or dryness of your scalp influence how often you should exfoliate? Or perhaps how often you need to exfoliate if you use a ton of dry shampoo (guilty as charged)? According to Kingsley, the scalp should be exfoliated once a week, irrespective of your hair texture. HOWEVER, if you are someone who washes you hair less than four times a week, you should be exfoliating your scalp twice weekly.

And what if you already are experience hair loss? Will this help? “Research has proven that a flaky, itchy scalp can cause hair loss,” said Kingsley. “Therefore, weekly exfoliation can help promote normal, healthy hair growth as well as reduce excessive loss in those who suffer from dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis.”

Just to help you get on board, we picked out some of the best products on the market for you to buy so you can get your scalp in tiptop shape and grow gorgeous. Check ’em out!

1. Philip Kingsley Stimulating Scalp Mask ($30; philipkingsley.com)

2. Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask ($30; net-a-porter.com)

3. Aveda Invati Exfoliating Shampoo ($29; nordstrom.com)

4. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt ($51; saksfifthavenue.com)

5. Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner ($34; net-a-porter.com)

This article originally appeared on MIMIchatter.com.

 

More from MIMI:

When Should I Wash My Hair?

Products That Help Stimulate Hair Growth

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Trying to Make Sense of the Senseless Violence

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Mass shootings and the accompanying carnage have now become a regular part of life in America. And mental health experts warn that this steady drumbeat of violence could have major consequences for the nation’s psyche.

There have been 355 mass shootings in the United States so far this year — defined as incidents in which four or more victims were shot, though not necessarily killed, according to ShootingTracker.com, a crowd-sourced website that monitors U.S. gun violence.

That amounts to more mass shootings than days passed this year, far more than any other nation on Earth. And most of these horrific episodes fail to make national headlines.

For example, Wednesday’s bloodbath in San Bernardino, Calif., that left 14 people dead and 21 wounded occurred just hours after a shooting in Savannah, Ga., in which four people were shot and one died.

But the psychological impact is starting to take a measurable toll, experts say.

“I think people are becoming more aware that these things are happening much more frequently,” said Russell Jones, a professor of psychology and director of the Stress and Coping Lab at Virginia Tech, the college that in 2007 experienced a mass shooting that left 32 dead and 17 wounded.

“The nation is going to become more anxious and more fearful and more uncertain as this goes on. It has a cascading effect,” he added.

On 20 separate days this year, there were at least four mass shootings somewhere in the nation. Acts of violence have become so common that people now know many of them by name — Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Columbine.

Many Americans have been left numb by the violence, and that’s a normal human reaction, said Jonathan Alpert, a New York City psychotherapist and author of “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days.”

“That’s how we protect ourselves from trauma,” Alpert said. “We put up defenses. We put up barriers. We disconnect.”

Some people will go into denial — desensitized by the brutality. But, many others will become emotionally overwhelmed by the gun violence, said Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“When denial starts to lift, it can be a very confusing and anxiety-provoking time because the rational part of one’s mind is struggling with the emotional part that doesn’t want to hear the truth,” Lieberman said.

Some people may become isolated homebodies as their world view continues to be shaken, said Jones, a fellow of the American Psychological Association.

“People can become very fearful and apprehensive,” he said. “Maybe the world isn’t fair. Maybe the world is totally unpredictable, and I’m at risk for some very bad things happening. They start avoiding people, places and things that remind them of bad things that have happened, or things that potentially could happen.”

Others might become angry and determined, and see the ongoing violence as a call to action — even if they aren’t exactly sure what they can do, said Michael Moore, assistant professor of psychology at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y.

“This is what spurs people to post on social media or sign online petitions. We want to feel that we are powerful, or useful, and can do something to prevent these terrible events,” Moore said. “These actions are aimed as much at making us feel better, changing the world inside of us, as they are at effecting change in our external world, which is less controllable and predictable.”

Samuel Gladding, a professor of counseling at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., agrees. “Those closest to the shootings are responding with an outpouring of altruistic acts,” he said. “In such communities there is more fear, but also more defiance and resolve to not let violence win.”

Those struggling to cope with these violent events would do well to remember that it’s still very unlikely that you or yours will become directly involved in a shooting, said Dr. Renee Binder, president of the American Psychiatric Association.

“It’s normal to react to it,” Binder said. “When that happens for most people, you do a reality check and consider that the chances of this happening to someone you love is still very rare.”

And there are steps people can take to cope and feel more in control, Alpert said. They include:

• maintaining structure and routine in your day, including a regular schedule for work, exercise and social activities.
• volunteering to help others.
• staying away from media sources that report hype, gossip and fear-mongering, and limiting exposure to even trusted sources of news.

Parents should reassure their children and let them know they are safe, Binder and Jones said.

“Create an open and supporting environment, where children know they can turn to you and ask questions,” Binder said.

More information

To learn more about the toll of trauma and violence, visit the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

---

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More Americans Seek Treatment for Painkiller, Heroin Abuse

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More American teens and adults are seeking treatment for heroin and prescription painkiller abuse, a new U.S. government report reveals.

In 2013, heroin accounted for 19 percent of admissions to publicly funded substance-use treatment programs — up from 15 percent a decade earlier, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported.

And admissions related to narcotic painkillers, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, jumped from 3 percent to 9 percent between 2003 and 2013, the report says.

The report, released Thursday, reflects changing patterns of substance abuse in the United States among people 12 and older.

Although alcohol is still the main reason people seek treatment, the proportion of booze-related admissions decreased from 42 percent to 38 percent during the study period.

And overall, the report found that admissions for publicly funded substance-use treatment fell from nearly 1.9 million in 2003 to just under 1.7 million in 2013.

“Whether people are struggling with alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit substances, seeking help is a critical step toward achieving recovery,” SAMHSA Acting Administrator Kana Enomoto said in an agency news release.

Other highlights from the 2003-2013 study:

• Admissions for marijuana use rose slightly, from 16 percent to 17 percent.
• Treatment for methamphetamine/amphetamines ranged from 6 to 9 percent.
• Cocaine-related admissions (including crack use) declined from 14 percent in 2003 to 6 percent in 2013.
• Fifty-five percent of patients admitted for treatment in 2013 said they abused more than one substance.

The report underscores the toll heroin and narcotic painkillers have taken on communities across the country. A recent study from the Trust for America’s Health found these twin epidemics have caused overdose deaths to skyrocket among teens and young adults.

However, there is hope, Enomoto said.

“Time and again, research has demonstrated that treatment helps people with substance-use disorders to regain their lives,” Enomoto said in the news release. “As with other life-threatening conditions, this step can be the difference between life and death. We need to encourage people to seek help. Treatment works. People recover.”

Through grant programs, SAMHSA is trying to expand access to medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and support services in communities affected by heroin and prescription misuse, the agency said in the news release.

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more about prescription drug abuse.

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Too Few Americans Are Taking Needed Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs: CDC

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nearly half of American adults who should be taking cholesterol-lowering drugs don’t, federal government researchers report.

They also found that blacks and Hispanics were less likely than whites to take medications that lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.

“Nearly 800,000 people die in the U.S. each year from cardiovascular diseases — that’s one in every three deaths — and high cholesterol continues to be a major risk factor,” said Carla Mercado, a scientist in the division for heart disease and stroke prevention at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This study reveals opportunities to reduce existing [racial] disparities through targeted patient education and cholesterol management programs,” she said in a CDC news release.

The CDC study team analyzed national data from 2005 to 2014 and found that nearly 37 percent of U.S. adults — more than 78 million people aged 21 and older — were eligible to take cholesterol-lowering medications or were already taking them.

Among these people, 55.5 percent were taking cholesterol-lowering medication, almost 47 percent were making lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol, 37 percent were taking medication and making lifestyle changes, and 35.5 percent were doing neither.

The study included all types of cholesterol-lowering drugs, but nearly 90 percent of those on medication were taking a statin, the researchers noted.

Of the almost 41 percent of men eligible for or already on cholesterol medication, close to 53 percent were taking them. Among women, the figures were almost 33 percent and more than 58 percent, respectively.

Of the roughly 24 percent of Mexican-Americans eligible for or already on cholesterol medication, 47 percent were taking medications. The figures were 39.5 percent and 46 percent, respectively, among blacks, and more than 38 percent and 58 percent, respectively, among whites.

The lowest rate of taking recommended cholesterol medication (close to 6 percent) was among blacks who did not have a regular place for health care. The highest rate (80 percent) was among people who said they already adopted a heart-healthy lifestyle.

The study appears in the Dec. 4 issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

More information

The American Heart Association has more about cholesterol.

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Could an Obese Dad’s Sperm Pass Traits to His Kids?

By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A man’s weight may affect the function of important genes in his sperm in ways that could be passed on to his future children, a new, small study suggests.

Researchers found that sperm from normal weight and obese men differed in how some genes were turned “on” or “off.” And the differences were seen in gene regions linked to brain development and appetite control.

The Danish scientists said the findings may offer one biological explanation for why heavy dads often have heavy kids.

“At a basic level, most people know that overweight parents often have overweight kids,” said Anthony Comuzzie, a spokesman for the Obesity Society and a researcher at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, in San Antonio.

“That’s not all genetics, of course, but a good part of it is,” said Comuzzie, who was not involved in the new study.

However, he added, it may be more complicated than the set of genes you inherit. The current study tackled “epigenetics” — chemical mechanisms that determine whether a gene is active or dormant at certain times.

Research has shown that epigenetic patterns can be altered through behavior, including diet and exercise. And like genes, epigenetic patterns can be inherited.

Scientists are just beginning to understand how it works, but research in insects and rodents shows that parents’ epigenetic “marks” can affect the health of their offspring.

It all suggests that we inherit more than a “random mix of genes from our ancestors,” said lead researcher Romain Barres, an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark.

Instead, he said, people may also receive “a biological imprint of their [parent’s] behavior and lifestyle.”

For the study, published online Dec. 3 in the journal Cell Metabolism, Barres and colleagues analyzed sperm from 10 men who were obese and 13 men with a normal weight. The investigators found that the two groups showed different DNA methylation patterns in their sperm — including in gene regions linked to appetite control.

Comuzzie explained it this way: “You can have two genes that are structurally identical. But they will not function the same way if they have different DNA methylation patterns.”

To see whether obesity, per se, could be the reason for the differences, the researchers next studied a group of severely obese men undergoing weight-loss surgery. They found that the drop in weight post-surgery caused a “dramatic” change in DNA methylation in the men’s sperm.

“That finding is really intriguing,” Comuzzie said.

But a big unknown, he added, is what the epigenetic patterns in sperm ultimately mean for a man’s children.

“To what extent do these patterns get passed?” Comuzzie said. “Does the pattern get ‘reset’ in the zygote [fertilized egg]? We don’t know.”

“We have not investigated the offspring of the men we studied,” Barres said.

But his team is now working with a fertility clinic to study epigenetic differences in unused embryos, created with sperm from men of various weights. (In Denmark, fertility clinics must discard unused embryos after five years, and they can be used for research.)

For now, Comuzzie said, the findings suggest that it’s not only women who need to be conscious of their lifestyle and health going into pregnancy.

“Dad does matter, too,” he said.

Barres agreed. “Our results might help change pre-[pregnancy] behavior for parents-to-be,” he said.

More information

The March of Dimes has more on preparing for pregnancy.

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Another Downside to Diabetes: Tooth Loss

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The physical toll associated with type 2 diabetes includes tooth loss, a new study finds.

The risk of vision problems and amputations for people with diabetes is well-known. Now, research shows diabetics lose twice as many teeth on average as those without the disease.

Also, blacks with diabetes have a greater risk of tooth loss as they age, compared with white or Mexican Americans, the study found.

“We have more evidence that [poor] oral health is related to diabetes,” said lead researcher Bei Wu, a professor of nursing and global health at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

Gum disease is a common complication of diabetes. About half of U.S. adults have gum disease, and its prevalence is even higher among diabetics, Wu said.

“The ultimate consequence of gum disease is tooth loss,” she added.

Why diabetes is linked to tooth loss hasn’t been clear, Wu said. What is clear is that the relationship is bidirectional, the study authors explained. On the one hand, diabetes raises the odds for poor dental health, while deteriorating teeth and gums are linked to worse overall health in people with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that doctors refer their diabetic patients to a dentist, Wu said. “In reality, very few doctors are doing that,” she added.

Diabetic patients are normally referred to eye doctors, since diabetes is a major cause of vision loss. Foot exams are also recommended, because amputation resulting from poor circulation and nerve damage is a serious complication of diabetes.

“Foot care and eye care are on the top of their agenda, but dental care is not,” Wu said. “Diabetics need to have regular dental care.”

The report was published in the December issue of the journal Preventing Chronic Disease.

Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a spokesman for the American Dental Association, welcomed the findings. “This study sheds light on two important and timely health issues: the connection between dental health and overall health; and health disparities — the degree to which diseases can affect some racial/ethnic groups more severely than others.”

Regular dental visits and good home care of the teeth and gums are important for the management of diabetes, added Hewlett, who is also a professor at University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry.

Rates of diabetes, which steadily increased in the United States since the 1990s, have finally showed signs of slowing. This week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1.4 million new cases in 2014, compared to 1.7 million in 2009. In all, more than 22 million people are living with diabetes in the United States, most with type 2.

To assess trends in tooth loss, Wu and colleagues collected data on more than 37,000 people who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1971 through 2012.

Although tooth loss declined over the 40 years of the study, it remained more common among people with diabetes, Wu said.

Using an additional analysis, the researchers found that in 1999-2000, for example, people with diabetes were 34 percent less likely to have at least 21 teeth than those without the disease.

Wu said that the racial disparity in tooth loss might be due to the difficulty blacks traditionally have had in getting access to good dental care.

Earlier research has also indicated that diabetics don’t take care of their teeth as well as others, the authors said in background notes.

One previous study reported that adults with diabetes were less likely to have seen a dentist within the past 12 months than those without diabetes, Wu’s team said.

“Research has demonstrated that . . . they do not brush and floss as often as people without diabetes,” the authors wrote. “Our study findings highlight the need to improve dental self-care and knowledge of diabetes risks among people with diabetes, especially among non-Hispanic blacks, who had more tooth loss and lost teeth at a higher rate.”

More information

For more on type 2 diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association.

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Runner with Autism Graces the Latest Cover of Women’s Running

Photo: Women’s Running/Instagram

This summer, Women’s Running magazine made headlines for their decision to feature plus-sized model Erica Jean Schenk on their August cover. The magazine is once again proving that runners aren’t a one-size-fits-all group by making Kiley Lyall, a 24-year-old runner with autism, their January/February cover star.

As a two-time marathoner who raises money for her local hospital and the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Lyall’s entry stood out from more than 4,000 submissions in the magazine’s annual Cover Runner Contest. She’s now the first runner with autism to appear on the cover of a national fitness magazine.

RELATED: Your Guide to Running at Any Level

Lyall’s mother Kathleen urged her daughter to enter the contest, telling People that she hoped her daughter’s entry would inspire others to take up running. “Kiley’s been running for many years now, and people on the outside keep telling her how inspirational she is, and how she motivates them to want to run with all the struggles she goes through,” she said. “One of my friends said this would be a really cool thing to enter because Kiley makes them want to run. But we never thought anything would come of it.”

In her submission, Lyall, who along with moderate autism lives with epilepsy and cerebral palsy, said that running has made a huge impact on her life. “[It’s] literally helped my brain become healthier,” she said to Women’s Running. “My autism doesn’t take over my days anymore…when I run it relieves so much stress on my brain, allowing me to function much better through most days!”

Along with her cover, Lyall will receive a new running wardrobe and entries to three Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon races in 2016. Congratulations, Lyall, for being an inspiration to runners everywhere!

RELATED: 15 Running Tips You Need to Know

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4 Things to Know About the Procedure to Turn Breech Babies

Photo: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian West‘s pregnancies haven’t been without health hurdles. During her first, she was diagnosed with both placenta accreta (a rare complication in which the placenta embeds too deeply in the womb) and preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure). Now in the 37th week of her second pregnancy, the reality star revealed that this time around, her soon-to-arrive baby boy was breech. Key word: was.

“This weekend, I checked into the hospital and underwent a procedure called an external cephalic version (ECV), which is done to manually turn the baby from a breech position to a head-down position,” Kardashian West, 35, wrote in an update on her web site (as reported by People).

For the unfamiliar, a breech baby is one that’s positioned with it’s butt or feet to come out first through the vaginal canal, rather than the ideal position for birth: the head down, positioned toward mom’s back. Most babies settle into this position on their own within the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy.

But if the baby is still breech between weeks 36 and 38, doctors may recommend trying an ECV or a “version” to turn the fetus, explains Joanne Stone, MD, division director of maternal fetal medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “For many women, doing a version is a very reasonable alternative,” but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.

Here is everything you should know about the procedure.

RELATED: 10 Foods Pregnant Women Shouldn’t Eat

It doesn’t always work

Experts estimate that ECV is successful at turning the baby more than half of the time, but that doesn’t mean your problem is solved.

“Some babies will turn again even after a successful version,” Dr. Stone says. “There’s really no guarantee it’s going to be effective for any certain woman.”

Recent research suggests that women who attempt ECV may cut their chances of needing of a C-section in half. But even if the re-positioning is successful, there’s still a chance that a C-section will be necessary , says Dr. Stone. “We don’t know why entirely, but it could be that the baby still isn’t in a true head-down position.”

Version may be more successful if it is done as early as possible after the 36-week mark; the fetus is smaller then with more room to move in the uterus and is surrounded by more fluid, Dr. Stone explains. It may also be more likely to work for second or third children because it’s possible that women who’ve been pregnant before have more flexible abdominal muscles, allowing the baby the necessary room to roll.

For those women, the procedure can be quick. “Perhaps the woman’s abdominal muscles are really more relaxed, and it takes a few seconds,” says Dr. Stone. “In [Kardashian West’s] case, she’s had a baby before, but she also probably has pretty good abdominal muscles, which can make it a little more difficult to turn.”

In the majority of breech cases, planned C-sections are the necessary option. Breech babies have a higher risk of the umbilical cord getting pinched or the baby’s head and shoulders becoming wedged in the cervix, and a C-section can side steps these complications. While a vaginal birth isn’t impossible, a study last year out of the Netherlands found that the risk of death for breech babies delivered vaginally is 10 times higher.

RELATED: 15 Factors That Affect a Woman’s Fertility

ECV is not a safe option for all women

The mother must meet certain medical requirements before getting an ECV, Dr. Stone explains. And these rules may vary from hospital to hospital. “There have to be enough fluids to turn the baby, and the woman shouldn’t be in labor—details like these are really important,” she says. (ECVs are typically done near a delivery room where a C-section can be performed quickly in case a problem occurs.)

If the patient is pregnant with twins, has diabetes, or is overweight, ECV is usually not recommended.

It can be pretty painful

Kardashian West said the process “probably hurt more than childbirth.”

Not a surprising description, says Dr. Stone. “It involves actually physically turning the baby by placing hands on the woman’s uterus to almost help the baby do somersaults inside the uterus.”

Sometimes guided by an ultrasound, the doctors (it could be one, two, or even three, like in Kardashian West’s case) will put firm pressure on the abdomen so that the baby rolls into a head-down position.

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Although Kardashian West reportedly received no medication to ease the pain beforehand, it is in fact an option, Dr. Stone says. “It can be performed under epidural anesthesia, and having that anesthesia helps that just like it would during labor. It can make it relatively comfortable.”

Some women try to turn the baby on their own

Some try propping themselves up in an upside-down position with the hips elevated for short periods during the day, playing music near the abdomen, or acupuncture therapy, called moxibustion. However, the research is scant on whether any of these really work, says Dr. Stone.

“Everyone has there own anecdotal stories of trial and error when it comes to trying to turn a breech baby,” she says. “I had a patient whose second child was breech and she tried moxibustion, and the baby did turn. But who knows what the real reason for the turn was. People can certainly try things as long as they are not harmful.”

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