Amy Wilkinson

They have a <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19924304/poach-eggs-perfectly/" id="a1709139-bf8d-3943-aae8-96b2b93ee4d2"> poached egg </a> that sits in a cauliflower puree that is so decadent and divine, she says. But you feel virtuous because its literally one egg. The portion is small, but you know its rich, especially if youre eating a kilo of bread next. (For the record, she slathers that kilo of bread with the restaurants signature flavored butters, varieties like lemon and buckwheat.) I also love their green salad. Its so beautifully dressedIm against overdressing salads, putting a lot of heavy, creamy, cheesy things on them.

While buckwheat butters and saucy eggs may have to wait a bit, the cookbook author and executive producer and host of Top Chef and Taste the Nation has hardly resorted to boxed mac n cheese or Top Ramen during self-isolation. In fact, Padma has found that her casual approach to cookingdishes like roasted fennel salad and fish curry, which shes been sharing via her popular Instagram videosis particularly well-suited for this moment.

Im very fluid with my cooking. Im not a formally trained chef, she says. But because Ive been judging people for over a dozen years on television, I was afraid people wouldnt be down with me doing this kind of ad hoc cooking [in my videos]. Ill say, Normally we use red onions in this, but Im using shallots because thats all I have, and I think thats useful information for viewers.

The professional food world is dominated by men, she continues. But most of the actual cooking of food in the world is done by women. And we women have always had to make do with whatever we can. Were a little bit like waterwe find our way because weve had to.

Aexae top, aexae.com; Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendetpants, aliceandolivia.com; Ash shoes, ash.com; Jennifer Fisher earrings, jenniferfisherjewelry.com; Padmas own neck-laces and watch

Finding her way in the food world is what helped land Padma her break. Born in India and raised in New York and L.A., she spent the years after college working as a model and an actress. Her first movie role necessitated she gain 20 pounds, and afterward, Padma wanted to get back to her pre-movie size while cooking the recipes she loved. She refashioned those dishes into low-fat versions (this was the 90s, when fat was the enemy), and Easy Exotic: A Models Low-Fat Recipes From Around the World was born.

To be sure, Padmas version of healthy has evolved over the years. Nowadays, she likes to split her plate into halves: 50 percent fruits and vegetables; 50 percent simple carbs, starch, and lean protein. <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a32885402/padma-lakshmi-diet/" id="bfa339b1-027d-3b2f-aa47-2568a015b6b7"> While she tries to eat largely plant-based when shes not filming </a> , she does allow herself some chicken, fish, ground turkey, and veal, with the occasional slice of bacon thrown in. (Her devotion to leafy greens is evident today: Shes clad in an emerald-hued tee that reads More Vegetables.)

i have midnight nacho night with krishna probably once or twice a week

The 49-year-old starts each morning with a cup of very strong masala chai. She drinks 7 to 10 cups a day, and though she recently stopped doctoring her tea with sugar and honey, she still enjoys a splash of milk. For breakfast, she eats a cup of cottage cheese with a toasted English muffin and almost a whole pint of blackberries or blueberries. (Gotta get that 50 percent somehow!) If shes craving something richer, shell opt for an egg-in-a-hole topped with pickled jalapeos or hot sauce. For lunch, she often eats leftovers from the night before. We cook one fresh meal a day in our home, and thats usually dinner, she says. I purposely cook extra so I will have enough for lunch.

Around 4:00, Padma prepares a snack of apples and peanut butter or tomatoes and chips for her 10-year-old daughter, Krishna. Ill probably eat at least half that plate because its just sitting there, she says. Dinners between 6:30 and 8:00a lasagna, perhaps, or lentils and rice in a sauted vegetable curry with yogurt raita. Padma isnt big on desserts (she indulges in a hunk of chilled dark chocolate from time to time) but does admit to being a nighttime snacker. I have midnight nacho night with Krishna probably once or twice a week, she says.

This is all, of course, when shes not in production on Top Chef, which aired its 17th season this spring. While working on the Bravo competition series, Padma may sample and judge more than 30 dishes an episode at the start of the season, eating upward of 7,000 to 8,000 calories a day. Shes long been open about her fluctuating weight during taping, but more recently shes been focusing on how these periods of plenty affect her overall health. A few years ago, at the urging of a relative in the medical field who reminded her that diabetes runs in their family, she enlisted a doctor to monitor her weight and blood work before and after each season.

My parents are diabetic, she says. And though Padma isnt, her doc did prescribe a preventive medication to regulate blood-sugar levels while shes filming. Those chefs are cooking to win, so theyre putting in as much lard and butter and salt as they can.

Once shes packed up and gone home, Padma returns to her regularly scheduled programming of <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19496692/mindful-eating-tips-for-weight-loss/" id="566eb86c-c7dd-3d4b-a37b-0f791b6e36e9"> mindful eating </a> , but its exercise, she says, that does the heavy lifting in getting her body to where she wants it to be.

Ideally, she works out at least five times a week for 90 minutes, but like most of us, shes had to tweak her routine with gyms and studios closed. Her primary cardio is now <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/g32853891/best-jump-ropes/" id="436dfa05-d2d9-3f2e-a4e8-4f67e3b022b9"> jumping rope </a> . She does 2,000 strokes every day, which takes about 35 minutes. (FYI, she stops after every 100 strokes to take a water break.) When it comes to strength, she FaceTimes her Pilates instructor from <a href="https://www.thespacepilates.com/" id="4a055672-6168-3bf8-aa3e-56f002e05693"> The Space </a> for twice-weekly mat sessions.

I started going to Pilates a few years ago, because my chiropractor recommended it for my back, says Padma, who was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 13, then fractured her hip and shattered her arm in a car accident when she was 14. Pilates changed my body. It made me strong in places I didnt know I needed to be. I have a butt now that I didnt have during my modeling career!

She also added physical therapy sessions due to a recent back injury. Shes initially sheepish about revealing the particulars but admits one of those Instagram popular posture correctors is to blame. She was wearing the corrector for long hours while sitting and writing and the compression on her spine actually resulted in a herniated disc.

Pre-COVID-19, Padma protected her back by working with her trainer Tony to safely lift weightsyour classic squats, lunges, and dumbbell curlstwo or three times a week at her local New York Sports Club. (Its refreshingly anti-celeb to hear Padma sing the praises of her neighborhood gym.)

Hes there to watch my form, and he spends most of his time telling me not to do something, she says. After an hour with Tony, Padma continued on her own with 30 minutes of cardio on the elliptical, treadmill, or slide board (that slick mat that mimics speed skating). On alternate days, shed hit the ring with her coach Dell at Mendez Boxing for an hour, and once all warm, head to The Space for spine-friendly reformer work.

im shocked that a health professional didnt say, this is weird your cramps are above and beyond what they should be

For Padma, pain management has been something of a theme in life. In addition to scoliosis and the car accident, she started getting excruciating cramps when she was a teen. Because of her moms similar history, Padma never questioned it; painful periods were just part of a womans life, she reasoned. It wasnt until she was 36 years old that she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to that which lines the uterus begins growing on the outside of it. Padmas stage 4 endo necessi-tated laparoscopic excision surgery to remove the invasive tissue.

At first, I was relieved, Padma recalls of the weeks following the procedure. It wasnt until a year after the surgery that I started getting really pissed. Like, Wait a minute, I lost a week of my life every month of every year since I was 13 because of this shit, and I could have had this operation at 20 rather than 36? Im shocked that a health professional didnt say, This is weird. Your cramps are above and beyond what they should be.

That anger spurred Padma to cofound the Endometriosis Foundation of America alongside her endometriosis specialist Tamer Seckin, MD. The foundation works to bring awareness of the disease and in 2009 partnered with Massachusetts Institute of Technology to launch a gynepathology research facility, the first of its kind, devoted solely to investigating womens reproductive issues, including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

The foundation is one of a handful of advocacy projects Padma champions. Shes also an ambassador for the American Civil Liberties Union and is working with the James Beard Foundation on its pandemic restaurant-relief efforts. Padma fears for the future of her favorite restaurantsboth the high-profile spots that operate on surprisingly tight margins and the smaller local joints she featured on the first season of her Hulu food show Taste the Nation, which explores the immigrant roots of American cuisine.

i can never fully know what it is like to walk in the shoes of another minority, but i can use my own experience as a starting point to offer a platform to those who havent had it and most deservedly should

The concept for her new show came to Padma after the 2016 election, when immigration rights were under attack. I was always self-referring to my own immigrant story, and I kind of got sick of talking about myself, says Padma. I started trying to find and understand the stories of other immigrants, to prove my political points. Taste the Nation is about exploring American food and how it evolves, and using food to get into a community. Because for so many of us in America, other people are deciding our narrative. Other people are telling our story in a more amplified way than were able to because we all dont have access to that megaphone.

Padma has also been using that powerful megaphone of herssocial media, specificallyto help amplify the voices of Black Lives Matter, whether through sharing an inspiring message or calling out racism in the food industry.

I can never fully know what it is like to walk in the shoes of another minority, but I can use my own experience as a starting point to offer a platform to those who havent had it and most deservedly should, she says. The only good that can come from this period of deep struggle and pain in America is a greater understanding of each other. We need every voice to play a part in making our country more inclusive.

A greater appreciation for and understanding of the cultures that shape us is something Padma is working to instill in her daughter, who is half white and half Indian. Im trying to think through the practice of cooking with Krishna, says Padma, who is writing a childrens book loosely based on this idea. I want to pass down more than just heritage and culturealso how to live ethically, and be kind and fair and detail-oriented. There are metaphors for life that you can find in the act of cooking.

Its clear that for Padma, food isnt just about sustenance. Its about vitality. And joy. And love. And power. It helps us understand the world around us, while making that world just a bit smaller and easier to digest. And that might be the healthiest food philosophy weve heard yet.

Padma Lakshmi on the cover of Women's Health's September 2020 Issue

Photographed by Tyler Joe Styled by Ann Wang Hair: Jeanie Syfu/Atelier Management Makeup: Bob Scott/The Wall Group

This article appears in the September 2020 issue of Womens Health. Become a WH Stronger member now.

Padma Lakshmi Is Stronger Now Than She's Ever Been

To hear Padma Lakshmi recount the last restaurant meal she ate before lockdown is an almost spiritual experience. It was lunch at the French caf La Mercerie in New Yorks SoHo neighborhood. Padmas a creature of habit, she tells me, so she ordered the same thing she always does.

Padma Lakshmi’s Idea Of “Healthy” Doesn’t Look Like It Used To

This month, Padma continues to expand her food empire as the executive producer and host of the Hulu series Taste the Nation, which highlights the immigrant roots of American cuisine. The idea for the show came to Padma in 2016, after she partnered with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on immigration rights.

I was doing a lot of advocacy work, and I was always referring to my own immigrant story, and I kind of got sick of talking about myself, says Padma, who immigrated to the U.S. from India at the age of 4. I started trying to find and understand the stories of other immigrants. This show allows me to get on my soap box without being overtly political and to humanize people that don't get air time on major television in our country.

Each episode looks at a different culinary experiencefrom chop suey to pokewhile also digging into the deep cultural roots behind them.

The biggest takeaway for me is that people tend to connect with their culture through food, especially when they're very removed from their native culture, says Padma, who connects with her own Indian roots in the deeply personal episode Dont Mind If I Dosa. It became a rich vehicle for talking about larger issues.

Given the concept of her new showand her years spent globe-trottingit should come as no surprise that Padma takes great pleasure in regularly cooking dishes from all over the world. But she does adhere to one underlying nutritional philosophy, at least when she's not filming: She divides her plate in two, with half consisting of fruits and vegetables and the other half consisting of simple carbs, starches, and lean protein like chicken, fish, ground turkey, or veal. (Oh yeah, she leaves room for the occasional slice of bacon, too.)

What does Padma's diet look like on a daily basis? Heres what a typical 24 hours of food looks like for her.

Padma kicks off her day with a cup of masala chai, which she buys in bulk from an Indian store in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, New York. She recently gave up doctoring her tea with sweeteners like sugar or honey, but still enjoys a splash of milk. (As the day wears on, shell sip anywhere between seven to 10 cups!)

For breakfast, Padma eats a cup of <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a30297418/is-cottage-cheese-keto/" id="a24fefc3-e3e0-3bff-a3aa-ea27aaf6e1b8"> cottage cheese </a> (she also loves yogurtthere's actually an entire yogurt section in her fridge) with a toasted English muffin and nearly a pint of blackberries or blueberries. Or, sometimes, shell nosh on an egg-in-a-hole instead. Its literally cutting a hole in a piece of bread, toasting it in the frying pan, and dropping an egg into it. I'll eat that with pickled jalapeos or some kind of hot sauce. Yum.

After a workout (her go-to sweat sesh during self-isolation has been <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/g32853891/best-jump-ropes/" id="436dfa05-d2d9-3f2e-a4e8-4f67e3b022b9"> jumping rope </a> ), Padma eats a lunch of leftovers from the night before. We cook one fresh meal a day in our home and that's usually for dinner, she says. I purposely cook extra so that I will have enough for lunch. If youve been following her , youve probably seen her make some of these dishes, which include chipotle chicken and rice or black-eyed peas over polenta.

Around four or 4:30, Padma whips up a snack for her 10-year-old daughter Krishnausually something like apples and peanut butter or tomatoes and chips. I probably eat at least half that plate because it's just sitting there, she says.

Another quick eat: A PB&amp;J sandwich made with hot pepper jam. Spicy.

Padmas home-cooked dinner usually hits the table around seven o'clock. It might be a lasagna one night and lentils and rice in a sauted vegetable curry with an Indian yogurt sauce called raita the next, she says. If shes going to an event later in the evening, she treat her daughter to delivery pizza, instead (or at least she did in the pre-COVID days).

Unlike her daughter, Padma isnt a big dessert person. Shell nibble on a hunk of chilled dark chocolate from time to time, but she typically prefers the sweet zing of fruits like blackberries, watermelon, pomegranates, and tangerines. I think the best rule of thumb is to eat foods as close to nature as possible, she says.

That said, she does admit to a case of the late-night munchies. I have my midnight nacho night with Krishna probably once or twice a week, she says. (In her "Fridge Tours" video above, she even explains that she considers her cheese drawer a "pizza, quesadilla, and nachos drawer"). I can also take down a bag of Lays potato chips before the first commercial break of whatever show I'm watching, she says. Proof, once again, that Padma + food + TV = a winning combo.

While <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a32145849/padma-lakshmi-instagram-clapback-no-bra/" id="9c1451fe-37fc-3ef9-acc0-66197cf1bd8b"> Padma Lakshmi </a> is probably best known as the host and judge of the long-running Bravo competition series Top Chef, the 49-year-old has been a food pro for the better part of two decades. (Seriously, so much rsum envy!) She published her first cookbook, Easy Exotic: A Models Low-Fat Recipes From Around the World, back in 1999, and two years lat...

Here's What Padma Lakshmi’s Plant-Based Diet Looks Like On A Typical Day

Until that workout, I hadnt picked up a kettlebell in months. It had been my primary form of exercise for six yearsI even got certified to teach itbut I was starting to burn out, so I swapped in a less intense Pilates practice. Now I was ready to ease back into the swing of things (key word: ease).

I began with a 30-pounder and did one-minute intervals of swings, squats, and presses, eventually moving up to 45 pounds. Id worked with that weight beforebut again, it had been awhile. I left the gym hobbling (oh, my hammies!) but otherwise fine.

The soreness lingered but wasnt bad enough for me to cancel Saturday <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a28482911/what-is-pilates-good-for/" id="e629494f-89d8-3e2c-aaee-8106676722a9"> Pilates </a> . A stretch might be good, I told myself. But I woke up the next day to my unfortunate bathroom sitch.

I was vaguely aware of the condition known as rhabdomyolysis , in which injured muscle tissue breaks down and releases its contents into the bloodstream, potentially damaging the kidneys. But I figured there was no way my 25-minute kettlebell sesh could have been intense enough to cause that level of harm. Yet I found myself Googling that thing when you work out too hard (who can remember the word rhabdomyolysis?). One of the first symptoms I came across: dark, brownish-colored urine.

After some initial testing at urgent care, I was referred to the ER, where doctors measured my creatine kinase (CK)an enzyme found in your muscles that, when elevated, may indicate damage. I learned just how injured I was: A healthy adults CK level falls between 22 and 198 U/L (units per liter); mine was a whopping 90,000 U/L.

\"The tipping point is different for everyone, which is why its key to be in tune with your body.\"

When I was told I would have to be admitted for at least a day, it was a strange pill to swallow. I wasnt suffering from any other symptoms, like dehydration, nausea, or faintness. Yet I spent the night in the hospital spooning an IV bag to flush my kidneys fast enough to avoid damage. (Renal failure can be one of the more serious side effects of rhabdo.)

I was told to take six weeks off from exercising. When I did venture to my first hardcore class ( <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a31404945/jennifer-aniston-arms-back-workout/" id="035e833a-a96f-39c8-ae6f-3d59dc1dcaac"> boxing </a> ), I sneaked a peek at my pee for days afterward, just to make sure everything seemed A-OK. Fast-forward a year later, and Im healthy as ever.

I get it: You feel a sense of pride when you fight through the so-sore feels. But youll come back stronger if you take a day off when

FYI, exercise-induced rhabdo isnt terribly commonabout 12,000 cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S., according to a study in BMJ Open Sport &amp; Exercise Medicine. But <a href="https://weillcornell.org/tscutler" id="0bdff524-b825-3115-adab-1c0f4d0edbd3"> Todd Cutler, MD </a> , an internist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, says nurses in his ER noticed an uptick in rhabdo cases that coincided with the recent rise in popularity of high-intensity cycling classes.

Its not typically an exercise newbie who gets injured, either; its often a healthy, relatively fit person who pushes themselves to extremes the first time they try a new workout (or when they return after an absence). It makes sense, given my experience. If you werent fit in the first place, you wouldnt have been able to do the exercise, says Dr. Cutler. In other words, my underlying health allowed me to reach the point of overexertion.

Theres a fine line between pushing yourself (which nets you gains) and going overboard (which leads to injury). The tipping point is different for everyone, which is why its key to be in tune with your body. (Hamstrings feel as if theyre under a blowtorch? Put down the weight!) If youre trying something new or going back to working out after a hiatus, ease into it, advises <a href="https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1013353556/lauren-e-borowski" id="e924c78f-eb50-3782-a32b-ebc7781ea0a0"> Lauren Borowski, MD </a> , a sports medicine specialist at NYU Langone Center for Womens Sports Health.

My new mantra: Match workouts to current ability (no matter your past experience). And <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/g30626595/active-recovery/" id="c52bfb15-05cb-3438-afb9-3815436a85ba"> rest days are clutch </a> . Take them. The kettlebell will still be there tomorrow.

This article appears in the June 2020 issue of Womens Health .

'I Got Rhabodomyolysis From A Kettlebell Workout'

I could tell something was off one morning last summer when I went to the bathroom and saw what appeared to be grainy bourbon swirling around in my toilet bowl. (Sorry if Ive forever ruined your fave whiskey for ya!) Startling, oh yes. Thinking back, I had been nursing achy hamstrings following a <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a20702565/kettlebell-workout/" id="fdaf9615-3f97-3a1c-ad09-a7b90d3a6178"> kettlebell workout </a> a few days prior. And since my pee certainly hinted...

'I Got Rhabodomyolysis From A Kettlebell Workout Even Though I'm An Experienced Exerciser'

Headaches, especially when experienced regularly and severely, arent just distractingthey can be downright debilitating. And if it feels like you suffer from them more often than, say, your BF or husband, its not your imagination: Women experience headaches (specifically migrainesthose terrible headaches often accompanied by sensitivity to light, nausea, and fatigue) at a rate three times higher than men, according to the <a href="https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/women-and-migraine/" id="d6db0bd9-b16c-34d6-a0ba-e6d6d688505e"> American Migraine Foundation </a> . Doctors arent entirely sure why this is the case, but they do think our hormones have something to do with it.

For migraine sufferers, there are two types of medicinal therapies, according to Dr. Lawrence Newman, MD, professor of neurology and director of the Headache Division at NYU Langone Health. We divide them into the preventative agents, things that are given on a daily basis to prevent future headaches, and acute medications, things that you take when you're actually in the midst of a migraine to short circuit the attack, he says.

<h1> Frequent migraine sufferers are often on a regimen of both preventive and acute medications. </h1>

Acute medications for mild headaches include over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol). For more severe headaches and migraines, a prescription drug from the triptan family (something like Imitrex, for example) is usually needed to help relieve co-symptoms like light sensitivity and nausea. (According to Dr. Newman, while ibuprofen and naproxen may help relieve a migraine, acetaminophen will not.)

Whether youre suffering from a mild headache and looking for relief sans medication, or are wrestling with a particularly potent migraine and want to give your prescription a boost, there are plenty of DIY remedies to try.

Ahead, a handful of tactics to help relieve the pain and discomfort of a headache.

When treating his patients, Dr. Newman recommends the S.E.E.D.S. approachan acronym that stands for Sleep, Eat, Exercise, Drink, and Stress. Preventing migraines is all about maintaining a consistent routine, which *starts* with maintaining a regular sleep schedule. That means on the weekends, you can't sleep until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, says Dr. Newman. Too little or too much sleep can also be a trigger. Most people should aim for between seven and eight hours of sleep a night, he says.

Your diet also plays a big role in headache hygiene. Dr. Newman recommends avoiding foods that trigger your headachesthings like sugar substitutes or aged cheeses, for example. We also want them to eat regular meals, he says. It's best if you eat three nice protein-based meals per day. And be sure to keep healthy snacks, like almonds and raisins, on hand to ensure youre getting plenty of fuel throughout the day.

We want people with migraine to get aerobic exercise, at least three days a week, for at least 30 minutes at a time, says Dr. Newman. The research bears this out: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3236524/" id="45929349-9212-3900-a443-3169e7906265"> One study </a> found that exercises ability to prevent migraines was on par with relaxation techniques and daily use of the drug topiramate. And, of course, exercise also releases endorphins, which is the bodys natural painkiller.

Much like your diet, this point is two-fold, says Dr. Newman: First, avoid or limit drinking alcohol, and keep caffeinated beverages to no more than two cups a day to stave off headaches. Second, be sure to stay hydrated by gulping five to seven cups of water each day. (Dehydration is also a known migraine trigger.)

This ones probably no surprise, but stress can bring on headaches, so Dr. Newman prescribes some me time to all of his patients. I tell them, man or woman, some time has to be for yourself, he says. Whether it's going to the gym, walking around the block, reading a book, or talking to friends. Whatever gives you that ahhhhhh feeling is all right for stress reduction.

There are some good studies suggesting that relatively high doses of vitamin B2, which is riboflavin, can work as a prevention of migraine, says Dr. Newman. If you take a standard multivitamin, there's about 16 milligrams of vitamin B2 in there. For migraine prevention, patients need anywhere from 200 to 400 milligrams per day of vitamin B2. But before you gobble down extra B2, be sure to talk to your physician.

Magnesium, in a 200 to 300 milligrams per day dose, is another supplement used as a migraine preventative. Magnesium can have side effects, however, like diarrhea, and Dr. Newman says those with heart conditions also need to be careful. Once again, check in with your doc.

<h1> 8. If not, theres always CoQ10. </h1>

One more supplement worth investigating is Coenzyme Q10, says Dr. Newman. It's a supplement that's been shown to work around the 300 milligrams a day mark.

Ginger is another natural remedy effective in headache treatment. A <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ITPOH_zYPR6OY4pyBYW5v_IL1zONsWyLt0sNlYRZq_8/edit" id="8b44d573-978b-3449-abf6-32a95f7a249c"> 2014 study </a> found that migraine patients who took ginger powder got the same level of relief as those who took the drug sumatriptan. And, as you may already know, ginger is also great for upset stomachs (hence all that ginger ale your mom gave you when you were sick as a kid), so it may also relieve some of the co-symptoms of migraine, like nausea and vomiting.

Acupuncture, the ancient Chinese alternative medicine involving the insertion of needles into specific parts of the body, has had a mixed reputation in the medical community. But a <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3/abstract" id="b6961f8d-9fd2-319d-a75e-e71dcf743f28"> 2016 review </a> of 22 clinical trials turned up promising findings.

According to the studys authors, If people have six days with migraine per month on average before starting treatment, this would be reduced to five days in people receiving only usual care, to four days in those receiving fake acupuncture or a prophylactic drug, and to three and a half days in those receiving true acupuncture. In short, pokes arent necessarily just for creeps on Facebook!

It may sound like something out of science fiction, but biofeedbacka technique that enables you to control some of your bodys responseshas been shown to reduce headache severity and frequency, according to the <a href="https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/biofeedback-and-relaxation-training-for-headaches/" id="90b7585a-84f4-39c8-a222-448c5bf7a61b"> American Migraine Foundation </a> .

Biofeedback is a biggie, says Dr. Newman. There are exercises you can do to prevent the headache, as well as exercises you learn to do when a headache comes on to try and lessen the severity of headaches and hopefully avoid some medications or allow you to take fewer medications. There are a number of different techniques that fall under this umbrellaeverything from personal monitoring devices to yoga. Your doctor can help you figure out which one is right for you.

Massage is another non-pharmacological therapy that may ease headaches, says Dr. Newman. Rubbing the shoulders and neck could be beneficial, but definitely dont get a scalp or head massage during the throes of a migrainethat will hurt, not help!

Depending on your preference, a cold compress or warm washcloth can lessen the ache. Ice packs kind of numb the nerves, says Dr. Newman, while cautioning that it probably wont alleviate your pain completely.

Verging into more woo-woo territory for headache relief is aromatherapy. While essential oils may not be for everybody, a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27106030" id="c50c1c87-a660-3784-a131-a784f2c967a3"> 2016 study </a> did find that peppermint oil had some positive effect on tension headaches. (Plus it will leave you smelling minty fresha bonus!).

Conversely, some smells can actually trigger a migraine, so be careful about using heavily scented soaps or cleaning products and ask your partner to go light on the fragrance.

Bottomline, says Dr. Newman: Just because [therapies are] not pharmacologic doesn't mean they're not capable of working. On the flip side, if the nonpharmacologic therapies are not working, it doesn't mean that there are not other options. Things are always changing, meaning don't give up if you haven't found something that's working. There are doctors who specialize in headache, and they are willing to try whatever it takes to help a patient with migraine.

Youre at your desk doing work, or sitting on the couch reading a book, or playing with your kids in the backyard, when it strikes: that nasty headache. Forget what you were trying to dothat throbbing pain in your noggin has other ideas.

15 Ways To Get Rid Of A Headache Naturally, According To A Doctor

But I wasnt really fazed by it, Longendyke, now 31, recalls. I assumed it would clear up.

When she got her hair cut in January 2014, her hairdresser, Molly Louismet, noticed the silver-dollar-size lesion right away. I asked, Did you hurt yourself? says Louismet. Her client explained that the mark appeared out of nowhere, had been there for a few weeks, and wasnt healing. The last set off alarm bells for Louismet. Even though she wasnt sure what the patch was, she advised Longendyke to make a derm appointment stat, just in case.

Longendyke was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.

Its a dang good thing she did: Longendyke was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. If caught early, basal cell is very treatable. In Longendykes case, that meant undergoing an outpatient surgical procedure to remove it.

Scalp cancers can be quite serious, though: Melanoma on the scalp typically has a worse prognosis than on other parts of the body, several studies have found. Part of that is due to its typically late diagnosis, but melanomas on the scalp may also just be more aggressive.

For Longendyke, whos been in the clear for six years, her only souvenir of the ordeal is a small bald spot tucked under the rest of her hair. She credits Louismet with giving her the push she needed to see a doctor about it. Molly and I have a wonderful relationship, and her suggestion helped break the seal to schedule that dermatologist appointment.

Longendykes story isnt as uncommon as you may think. More than half of the hairstylists who participated in a study last year in Atlanta said they had referred a client to a derm for a suspect mole, per the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. It makes total sense: Beauticians you see every few months are more intimately familiar with your skin (especially areas you cant peep without the help of a mirror or yogi-master-level contortion) than someone you go to once a year.

Sure, if you scan a beauty-school curriculum, you likely wont find a class called How to Spot Cancer 101. But a number of programs, sponsored by orgs like the Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons, have popped up to train stylists (and in many cases, manicurists, facialists, and massage therapists too) on skin-cancer warning signs. A lot of hairdressers have been in a position where they found something but didnt know if they should say something, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New Yorks Medical Dermatology &amp; Cosmetic Surgery Center.

You dont have to sit back and wait for your stylist to take the lead, thoughask her outright to do some surveillance for you. It doesnt have to be awkward: Just casually tell your stylist, If you see something on my scalp, please let me know, says board-certified dermatologist Antoanella Calame, MD, owner of the online training program Eyes on Cancer (which Louismet signed up for at the recommendation of her salon owner after she helped discover Longendykes carcinoma).

The best time to have your stylist take a closer look is when your hair is wet, adds Calame, since wet hair is easier to part and puts more of your skin on display.

Since receiving her certification in 2018, Louismet has raised concerns with three clientsone of whom had coincidentally just returned from the dermatologist for treatment of the very mole Louismet noticed. (Good job, girl!) The course left her feeling better informed and even more empowered to be on the lookout. I want to know what Im looking for on their neck, scalp, and ears, she says. There are so many opportunities to help your clients beyond just their hair.

Even with a formal certification, its important to keep in mind that stylists can only flag suspicious spotsthey cant (and shouldnt) play doctor. If the hairdresser sees anything theyre questioning, then its best to speak to a board-certified dermatologist and have them evaluate the spot, says Dr. Garshick. Sometimes theyll choose to monitor it, or theyll take a little sample of it to test just to make sure everything is okay.

For Longendyke, who continues to get her hair cut by Louismet, the stylists willingness to see something and say something was transformative. I dont know where I would have ended up if she hadnt pushed me to get it checked. Talk about a life-changing haircut.

So your go-to stylist hasnt been certified through a cancer-detection program. No sweat. She can still help you keep your scalp healthy by watching for the melanoma ABCDEs (and you could use a refresher too, huh?). If youve got a spot with any of these characteristics, youll want to see a derm right away, because early detection is everything.

<ul><li> ASYMMETRY: The two halves of the mole dont look the same. </li><li> BORDER: The area has jagged or uneven sides. </li><li> COLOR: The spot has multiplehues (tan, dark brown, or even purple or red). </li><li> DIAMETER: Its larger than a pencil eraser(about 14 inch across). </li><li> EVOLVING: The area has grown or changed color, o r is crusty or bleeding. </li></ul>

This article appears in the May 2020 issue of Womens Health, available April 21. <a href="https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/subscribe/womenshealthmag/262559?source=edit" id="236ee23e-cc10-37c7-a429-0dccfbcbccfc"> Subscribe now </a> .

Beauty Pros Are Helping Spot Clients' Skin Cancers

Crusty and gross. Thats how Aly Longendyke describes the itchy patch of skin she discovered above her left ear in late 2013. Twenty-five years old at the time, the Minneapolis native had long dealt with a dry scalp (thank you, Midwestern winters!), so she figured dandruff shampoo would do the trick. Except the spot didnt go away, and it even bled a little.

You Should Ask Your Hair Stylist To Check Your Scalp For Odd-Looking Moles At Your Next Appointment

The neti pot (also known as a nasal saline irrigation system) is a decongestant technique that dates back centuries, with roots in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2778074/" id="5ed66083-0c9f-3980-ab35-c493867c3f77"> Ayurvedic medicine </a> . And while its become a pretty popular method in recent years for removing mucus, it can also be a bit intimidating. You want me to put that spout WHERE now?

But if you can get past the weird sensation of water squirting up your nose, using a neti pot can be beneficial for both short-term conditions (think: <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19900267/how-to-prevent-a-cold/" id="ec1bdb24-2215-3f39-a267-b9b99219e6be"> colds </a> , <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/g19922804/foods-that-fight-cold-and-flu/" id="ba3d494e-f200-374a-a483-0d4adb56d0dc"> flus </a> , and <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19955602/sinus-infections/" id="dd4beefc-07cc-319a-a2a7-04df87f5ada6"> sinus infections </a> ) or more long-term nasal conditions, says <a href="https://weillcornell.org/anpearlman" id="7866e364-8380-36cb-a60b-99d973230c54"> Aaron Pearlman </a> , MD, an otolaryngologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian.

If you have an acute nasal issue, sinus irrigation can be helpful in just mechanically removing that mucus, so you can breathe a little bit better after you do it, Dr. Pearlman says. In the chronic setting, for those people who have the persistent dysfunction of the way their nasal mucosal lining works, those people benefit from daily use over time, letting the nasal lining sort of reestablish normal function.

Neti curious yet? If so, heres what you need to know about nasal saline irrigation and whether it might work for you during cold and flu seasonor even year-round.

A neti pot resembles a dainty tea pot, with a bulbous body that holds saline solution, and a spout that pours liquid into your nose. When you put the spout up to your nostril, tilt your head to the side and pour, the force of the liquid entering your nostril pushes the mucus through your nasal passage and out the other nostrilor in some cases, through your mouth (yeah, not the most appetizing). Your nose should immediately feel less stuffy after using a neti pot, if done correctly. (More on that in a bit.)

The neti pot is actually just one of the ways you can perform nasal saline irrigation. Theres also a bulb syringe or, Dr. Pearlmans preferred method, a bottle. (The squeeze bottle provides more forceand therefore may unclog your nasal cavities betterthan a neti pot.)

Whichever method you choose, youll want to follow the directions on the box closely, including using a hygienic saline solution. Dr. Pearlman recommends picking up the pre-packaged mixes available at drug stores since they can be more gentle on the nose than a regular salt-water concoction youd mix up in your kitchen.

They have salt and sodium bicarbonate already mixed together, and the sodium bicarbonate buffers the salinity to some degree, he says. Sometimes if you dont have that bicarbonate in there, it burns a little bit.

And when you mix the solution, dont use just any old tap wateryou need to use either distilled water or boiled water that has cooled to a lukewarm temperature. This is because normal tap water (or even water that has been through a filter) can have small amounts of bacteria or protozoa. When swallowed, bacteria are usually killed by stomach acids, according to the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe" id="8bb6ae95-6f71-30ba-a4c5-78cd2b3e2c22"> Food and Drug Administration </a> , but they can be harmful in the nasal passages, particularly if you're <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a31473784/who-is-most-at-risk-coronavirus-immunocompromised/" id="b563ad54-0021-3adb-af21-e0f09903df98"> immunocompromised </a> .

<h1> What are the benefits of using a neti pot...and are they proven? </h1>

If you have a cold, the flu, or a sinus infection, a neti pot can be a quick and safe way to remove mucus from your nose. Dr. Pearlman doesnt necessarily recommend trading in your tissues or decongestant in favor of nasal irrigation, but he says that those methods can complement one another.

For instance, if that snot is just too far back in your nose for you to expel into a tissue (sorry for the visual!), a neti pot could be a good option for getting the gunk out. Alternately, he says, if you are someone who doesnt like to use OTC drugs, you may want to try a neti pot first before reaching for a decongestant, as its a more natural option.

If you have a more long-term ailment like chronic rhinosinusitis (12 or more weeks of nasal congestion and pressure), saline irrigation has been shown to help treat symptoms, according to a study in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lary.24066" id="bde112ee-5490-3b57-a76a-869aa913e34c"> The Laryngoscope </a> .

All that said, if you are immunocompromised, youll want to check in with your doctor before starting any sort of neti pot regimen, as the problems in your nasal passages could be a sign of something more serious going on.

<h1> Are there risks to using a neti pot? How can you avoid them? </h1>

No doubt, youve probably seen one or two scary headlines about nasal irrigationincluding one in which <a href="https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712%2818%2934525-9/pdf" id="a72b1227-f588-3d63-aef5-4b1593cc0460"> a woman died from a brain infection called Balamuthia mandrillaris after using a neti pot </a> . These instances are rare, says Dr. Pearlman, but they do underline how important hygienic use is with nasal irrigation methods. In most cases that hit the news or scientific reports, the individual was using a neti pot with tap or other potentially dirty water, allowing harmful bacteria into their system.

Another dangerous bacteria, Naegleria fowleri, is also found in water and can make its way to the brain through the nasal passage, causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Of the 145 known Americans who have contracted the brain-eating ameba, only four have survived, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/illness.html" id="6a1f7940-d941-33cc-a298-7ae5aeb9e063"> CDC </a> . (Of these infections, two were linked to neti pot use.)

The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/illness.html" id="2e76b774-8e75-36af-aeee-fb06fbfb25a5"> symptoms of PAM </a> are similar to the symptoms of bacterial meningitis (meaning its pretty hard to diagnose) and include fever, nausea, vomiting, and a severe headache. Later and more severe symptoms include stiff neck, seizures, and hallucinations. But if diagnosed early enough, PAM can be treated with a drug called Miltefosine.

To avoid dangerous germs like Naegleria fowleri, its important to not only mix your saline solution using sterile water (again, either distilled or boiled!) but to also keep your nasal irrigation system clean by following the instructions on the label. If youre using a bottle, Dr. Pearlman recommends replacing it every six to eight weeks.

And, of course, it probably goes without saying, but you shouldnt share your neti pot, bulb, or bottle with *anyone* else.

Beyond those scary infections, there are one or two much more mild adverse reactions you could experience using a neti pot. Because your ear, nose, and throat are all interconnected, you may accidentally get water in your ear while using a neti pot. This can cause some temporary hearing loss, which should clear up once the water is gone.

<h1> Give it to me straight: Do neti pot benefits actually outweigh the dangers? </h1>

The bottom line, says Dr. Pearlman, is that if youre using your neti pot as indicated, the risks should be low and you may benefit from adding nasal irrigation to your wellness practice.

I dont think everybody in the country needs to be doing saline irrigation because not everyone has nasal complaints, he says. But I think if you are the type of person who is stuffy and chronically congested, saline rinsing on a daily basis is a safe, easy, and effective thing to try.

<h1> So, how do you do use a neti pot without making a complete mess? </h1>

Good question! You probably wont want to wear your fanciest top the first time you use a neti pot. But if you follow a few simple instructions, you can hopefully avoid unwanted water works:

<ol><li> Fill your neti pot with the (hygienically made) saline solution. </li><li> Tilt your head sideways over a sink or tub. </li><li> Breathe through your mouth (not your nose!). </li><li> Put the spout up to the top nostril and begin pouring. The saline (and some gross gunk) should run out your bottom nostril. (If you find the liquid goes into your ear instead, try repositioning your head or using a squeeze bottle instead of a neti pot.) </li><li> Switch the tilt of your head so you can repeat the process on your other nostril. </li><li> Be sure to clean your neti pot thoroughly after use, following the instructions on the box. </li></ol>

And with that, hopefully your schnoz will feel less clogged.

Decongestants. Antihistamines. Humidifiers. Chances are, if youve ever suffered through a stuffy nose, youve tried just about every medicine or tool in the hopes of clearing those nasal passages and breathing easy again. Everything except, perhaps, a neti pot.

Wait, How Does A Neti Pot Work Exactly? A Doctor Explains Nasal Irrigation Methods

Ive been in morning TV for most of my 25-year career, which meant waking as early as 3:30 a.m. For my new show, I have to be in the studio by 6:30 or 6:45. I practiced the call time when Moses was 3 days old to smooth out our routine.

Tamron Hall Brushes Her Teeth In The Shower

After reading up on the news, I spend 30 minutes changing Mosess diaper, feeding him, and having our talk and music time. He likes the Spotify playlist Music Box Lullabies, and he is into hip-hop but also loves his Ariana Grande.

I know this is controversial: I brush my teeth in the shower. After that, I start my skin regimen. Ive masked every day since I was 27. Im in love with minences probiotic mask. Sometimes Ill walk the dog with the mask and sunglasses on and scare my neighbors.

My dad was in the military and taught me to pick out my outfits for the week, down to my underwear, on Sunday night. Its one less thing to think about first thing.

Im a coffee person. Nespresso, one cup. And I love <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a25140582/how-to-make-a-protein-shake/" id="75c12cc9-e6b6-349b-a4c0-c494334bb8e1"> making a protein shake </a> .

I do transcendental <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a24750828/meditation-for-beginners/" id="d82736fa-4c2c-3300-a041-b289caf4d024"> meditation </a> at the studio. My friend and I started four years ago when we needed something to get that inner peace we all hope to have.

This article originally appeared in the September 2019 issue of Women's Health.

Former Today show host Tamron Hall is busy nurturing two bouncing babies: her adorable infant son, Moses, and a daytime talk show called (what else) Tamron Hall that's premiering across the country on different channels in national syndication on September 9. Both necessitate an early alarm and a no-frills plan that gets the 48-year-old anchor, producer, and journalist out the door and in front of the camera in no time.

Tamron Hall's Morning Prep Before Her Talk Show Is Crazy-Efficient

It's a sad day for former footballer Tim Tebow and his fiancee, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters: According to an Instagram post from the South African beauty queen, her 13-year-old sister, Franje, died on May 4.

"My little Princess, Angel on Earth, biggest joy and baby sister, Franje, passed away earlier today," Demi-Leigh wrote in the caption. "Our hearts are aching beyond measure but I am grateful knowing shes forever relieved of the pain she experienced on earth. Shes laughing, running and playing in heaven just like we always hoped she would on earth."

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxDaSYaBiVY/" id="548c21a3-be32-371e-a360-6fd653bf7c39"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxDaSYaBiVY/" id="e4943553-db34-3b6b-aa02-f4532495651e"> My little Princess, Angel on Earth, biggest joy and baby sister, Franje, passed away earlier today. Our hearts are aching beyond measure but I am grateful knowing shes forever relieved of the pain she experienced on earth. Shes laughing, running and playing in heaven just like we always hoped she would on earth . Shes free ! Thank you for all your prayers, love and support. Lief jou vir altyd my Sussa en eendag sal ons weer bymekaar wees! </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/demileighnp/" id="c29577b7-285f-3436-a25f-164913ecf6e4"> Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters </a> (@demileighnp) on May 4, 2019 at 1:01pm PDT

It was Franje who helped bring Demi-Leigh and Tim together in the first place. Franje was born with a condition called cerebellar agenesis and was invited to a celebration sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

"[Demi-Leigh's] sister has special needs, so we invited them to <a href="https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/night-to-shine" id="dee03033-d11a-37da-ab0f-d752fc54e143"> Night to Shine </a> in South Africa," Tim explained to Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb during an appearance on <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/tim-tebow-reveals-sweet-story-how-he-met-his-girlfriend-t138152" id="6bc2373c-d0bf-34a8-adfe-233a6485c430"> Today </a> . "We kind of met and started talking through that and haven't stopped."

Tim, who proposed to Demi-Leigh in January, also posted a heartfelt remembrance of Franje, writing, "Our loss but heavens gain. So grateful for the hope we have of being reunited with the ones we love through our Heavenly Father. Mr &amp; Mrs Peters and @demileighnp we are praying for you and love you so much."

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEAu27noYb/" id="885c8682-0933-3ea5-af2f-87fb8407d4b3"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEAu27noYb/" id="b2b099aa-2668-381a-a1a3-053f9f585bd2"> Our loss but heavens gain. So grateful for the hope we have of being reunited with the ones we love through our Heavenly Father. Mr &amp; Mrs Peters and @demileighnp we are praying for you and love you so much. </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timtebow/" id="48bff9f7-cbfd-3ccd-a212-bb737aadbaa7"> Tim Tebow </a> (@timtebow) on May 4, 2019 at 6:37pm PDT

According to the <a href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/cerebellar-agenesis/" id="52c22040-873c-39bf-ad54-f51ab7ebc577"> National Organization for Rare Diseases </a> (NORD), cerebellar agenesis is a condition in which the brain develops without a cerebellum. The cerebellum not only controls muscular activity (like movement of the muscles, the trunk and limbs, the tongue, and the eye muscles) but also plays a part in "learning, memory, language, and behavior," per the NORD.

Experts say there isn't one uniform cause of the condition-but it is often found in premature babies with a very low birth weight. Cerebellar agenesis can also be acquired through "cerebellar destruction caused by hemorrhage, lack of or diminished blood flow, or other factors," per the NORD.

Symptoms also vary and can be mild to severe and often include impaired motor function, delayed walking, difficulty speaking, and rapid/involuntary eye movements. While cerebellar agenesis tends to affect both males and females at similar rates, it isn't currently known how many people suffer from cerebellar agenesis. There's also no cure for cerebellar agenesis, but treatment can help specific symptoms of individuals with the condition.

We'll be keeping Demi-Leigh and Tim in our thoughts.

Sister Of Tim Tebow's Fiancée, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Dies Suddenly At 13

Would a Dr. Pimple Popper post by any other name smell as sweet? That's the question in the latest video posted to the Instagram of Sandra Lee, MD, which finds the dermatologist wrestling not with a pimple but with a big, goopy cyst.

"Just call me the Cyst Whisperer," she says in the caption before adding, "Jk Im still #drpimplepopper #cyst #cystwhisperer."

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxK_Xj_httP/" id="573590ff-3917-3a6c-a0d3-61f3595d21b2"> View this post on Instagram </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxK_Xj_httP/" id="b378092b-9f50-30ca-a37c-0d99598735dd"> Just call me the Cyst Whisperer ... jk Im still #drpimplepopper #cyst #cystwhisperer </a> A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drpimplepopper/" id="b70ba417-84e9-3663-a0b8-13cdff5b2b07"> Sandra Lee, MD, FAAD, FAACS </a> (@drpimplepopper) on May 7, 2019 at 11:46am PDT

The clip in question finds Dr. Pimple Popper precariously close to a patient's eye, methodically squeezing a cyst on his lid.

"You have a little one growing...up here, just like the one you have on your cheek," she tells the patient. When he replies, "Why?" her answer is signature Dr. Pimple Popper sassy.

"Cause you're cute!" she says, while more white goop oozes from the wound. "They like you."

Dr. Pimple Popper next takes a pair of scissors and clips along the area, saying that she wants to make sure to get the little sac in there. Then she grabs a blackhead extractor and, as you could probably guess, EVEN MORE comes out. (Seriously, this cyst is never ending!) With the help of her trusty scissors, she finally extracts the last bit of pesky discharge. Success!

While she may not officially be known as the Cyst Whisperer, Dr. Pimple Popper sure knows how to show a cyst who's boss!

Dr. Pimple Popper Squeezes A Very Goopy Cyst

Dr. Pimple Popper Just Removed a Never-Ending Cyst From a Patient's Eyelid

In the new Netflix film <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81028570" id="45d36194-2b83-34c4-a301-b730a932ac5a"> Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile </a> , director Joe Berlinger tells the twisted tale of Ted Bundy (played by Zac Efron), a prolific serial killer who <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a27334594/ted-bundy-trial/" id="4ff6d5da-eb16-3c7f-a880-8213a7eca96b"> confessed to murdering </a> at least 30 women during the 1970s.

If you've listened to or watched any of the myriad true-crime podcasts or documentaries (including Berlinger's Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes) that detail the case, you know Bundy's modus operandi-how he'd curry sympathy with women (often by appearing injured and sporting a cast) only to lure them into his Volkswagen Beetle, killing and sexually assaulting them.

But another disturbing (and totally confusing) detail of Bundy's life that isn't as widely discussed is the fact that, while studying psychology at the University of Washington, Bundy worked at Seattle's Suicide Hotline Crisis Center. Yep, that's right: Ted Bundy helped save lives. (It was at the center that he met and befriended an ex-cop named Ann Rule, who would later go on to write one of the seminal true-crime books about Bundy, The Stranger Beside Me.)

Why would a man hellbent on death and destruction work at a suicide hotline? According to clinical and forensic psychologist <a href="http://www.turnerforensicpsychology.com/" id="7488a496-9fad-3b1e-a3c1-2831d3fc6290"> Darrel Turner </a> , PhD, it's all owing to Bundy's psychopathic nature.

<h1> So, what exactly is a psychopath? </h1>

A psychopath, says Turner, is someone who preys on other people to get what they want, and Ted Bundy is basically the text-book definition of a "prototypical" psychopath.

"I say 'prototypical' because its not like one-size-fits all for psychopathy," Turner explains. "There are certain traits that we tend to see: a lack of empathy and being out for ones own interest even though the interests of other people get trampled under foot. But with Bundy, we do see a lot of the other traits of psychopathy, like the pathological lying and the being very superficially charming."

<h1> Is psychopathy a mental illness? </h1>

Technically, no. In the U.S., health care workers use something called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, for short) to diagnose mental disorders, and psychopathy is not its own diagnosis.

However, according to Turner, it often falls under the umbrella of antisocial personality disorder, which is in the manual. "It is so widely recognized that when you say that someones a psychopath, that means something above and beyond antisocial personality disorder and people recognize what youre talking about," Turner says.

<h1> Was Ted Bundy ever diagnosed with a mental illness? </h1>

Turner says it's unlikely. "Im not aware that he was ever evaluated for competency or sanity-I dont think he ever went that route in terms of the defense," he says. "They dont just diagnose people for the sake of diagnosing them because someone's got to pay for it."

But, says Turner, given the wealth of information out there about Bundy-largely from interviews he gave before his death by execution in 1989-he feels confident diagnosing him as a psychopath. "No one would argue that," he says. However, any other diagnoses, without examining Bundy or the people who knew him best, would be pure conjecture.

<h1> So if psychopaths have no empathy, why would Bundy work at a suicide hotline helping people? </h1>

Turner points to a few reasons. For one, Bundy was a psychology major, so he may have just been doing it for bonus points at school. "It could be as boring and unsexy as that," Turner says. But he goes on to offer a few more explanations that play right into Bundy's psychopathic nature.

"Im not surprised that he worked at a suicide hotline," he continues. "Psychopaths will very often put themselves in a position to, in a weird way, learn what normal people are like so they can blend in better by faking emotions that they learn from other people." Turner says that Bundy's work there would have given him insight into what people need to hear and feel in order to be persuaded.

"As someone who made a life study of manipulating other people, I think that it makes sense that he would get a job like that."

Alternately, psychopaths tend to have a god complex, so putting people's lives in his hands would have fed right into that need. "Theres this grandiose sense of self that comes along with psychopathy," Turner says. "This sense that you are someone special and that you are a powerful person and a need to feel powerful and a need to feel control, and so I think that working at a suicide hotline satisfied that need in Bundy, as well."

Wait, so does all this mean that working at a suicide hotline may have made Bundy a more skilled serial killer?

"Its absolutely a possibility," says Turner.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, starring Zac Efron and Lily Collins, is streaming now on Netflix.

Amy Wilkinson

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