Surprising Findings About Milk & Kids’ Weight

Parents are routinely advised to switch to low-fat milk for kids once they reach age two – or as early as 12 months old for children at risk for being overweight or with a family history of heart disease, obesity or high cholesterol. But is it possible that children who drink full-fat milk on a daily basis have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) – the ratio of height to weight – than youngsters who rarely consume milk? That’s the conclusion of a thesis presented recently at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

The study looked at the nutrition, bone mineralization and body composition of 120 healthy eight-year-olds in Sweden, and asked the children how often they consumed a variety of foods.

The researchers found that the full-fat milk drinkers weighed less, on average, than the infrequent milk-drinkers. The same failed to hold true for kids who drank low-fat or medium-fat milk. It’s true that the full-fat milk drinkers consumed more saturated fat than recommended, but they still had a lower BMI than kids with a lower fat intake.

The explanation? Researchers say they really don’t have the answer. One possibility: Kids who avoid full-fat milk may be consuming more sugary soft drinks, say the researchers. Or, the full-fat milk drinkers may be more likely to be eating other healthy foods.

Before making your decision about what kind of milk to serve your youngster, talk with your child’s pediatrician.

HOW PAIN, STRESS AND MEDICATION AFFECT SLEEP

The sensation of pain is very powerful and affects the normal process of sleep. When you’re in pain, it can be difficult to sleep due to the constant stimulation of your nervous system. Billions of dollars have been spent trying to control pain to allow someone to receive a normal night’s sleep. Significant numbers of individuals attempt to self-medicate or mix medications in an attempt to achieve sleep, which can have dangerous consequences.

When we sleep, our body breaks down various chemicals and forms a major sleep chemical known as serotonin. The activity of serotonin can be blocked by high levels of cortisol. Our bodies produce cortisol in direct relationship to the amount of stress we are under. Cortisol works as a very slow adrenaline and its presence will elevate the heart rate and mental alertness at all times of the day and night.

Prozac is a commonly prescribed anti-depressant drug that works by making your nerves more sensitive to serotonin. Many doctors will prescribe antidepressants long-term, which can lead to a hypersensitivity to serotonin. This is scientifically called serotonin syndrome, symptoms of which include changes in mental status (confusion, agitation, mania, anxiety, coma), cardiovascular dysfunction (irregular heartbeat, high or low blood pressure), gastrointestinal problems (nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, excessive appetite, cravings), movement problems (muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, restlessness, tremors, shaking, lack of coordination, shivering, seizures), dry mouth, unusual sweating and flu symptoms, just to mention a few. These symptoms will definitely not help you sleep; in fact, they will likely do just the opposite.

Source: Dr. David Ryan

Can You Spot the Warning Signs of Dyslexia?

Dyslexia or related learning disabilities (e.g., ADHD), often marked by reading difficulties, may affect as many as 15 percent of Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Challenges in the ability to hear individual sounds in words – known as phonemic awareness – are often at the root of this condition, which is the most common of all learning disabilities. Do you know the signs of dyslexia?

With October as National Dyslexia month, experts are encouraging parents to educate themselves about the warning sign for the condition. Early identification and intervention is key. Children with dyslexia who receive early reading instruction have fewer problems achieving grade-level reading than those who don’t receive help until 3^rd grade or later, according to the Massachusetts Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

Dyslexia warning signs, according to the International Dyslexia Association, include beginning to talk later than normal; poor reading comprehension and spelling; and challenges in learning to read, pronouncing or retrieving words or acquiring vocabulary; using grammar appropriately; differentiating sounds of letters, and putting ideas on paper. Children with dyslexia are likely to have several of the above characteristics.

Source: Healthcommunities

The Latest on Vitamins and Heart Attack Prevention

Taking supplements of folic acid and other B vitamins can lower homocysteine – an amino acid in the blood that, at elevated levels, is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. So scientists have been testing a popular hypothesis – that consuming B vitamins might offer protection against heart disease.

But a major review by the Cochrane Collaboration has shown that vitamin B supplements have no effect on preventing heart attacks or strokes. The review analyzed eight randomized clinical trials that included a total of 24,210 subjects who were at risk for heart disease or already had heart disease. The subjects took either B vitamins at varying dosages or a placebo. The B-vitamin supplements did not reduce the risk of developing heart attacks or strokes or of deaths associated with cardiovascular disease.

Of course, it’s important to get sufficient B vitamins through your diet. In addition, women who can become pregnant need at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects – for which a supplement is usually recommended. But there is no reason to take supplements of folic acid or other B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels.

Source: Healthcommunities

Smile Patrol

The chronic joint inflammation that characterizes RA may play a role in triggering gum disease, according to a study out of the University of Queensland, Australia. But breaking the cycle by reducing gum inflammation can actually ease the pain associated with this autoimmune disease. Take time to find out about the association between RA and periodontal problems – and what you can do to break the cycle.

Examining 65 rheumatoid arthritis patients for periodontal disease – including gingivitis (gum disease) and erosion of the bone that supports the teeth – researchers in Brisbane, Australia, found that study participants had deeper pocketing (gaps between gum and tooth that is a sign of periodontal disease) and had lost more teeth than a control group without the chronic autoimmune disease. In fact, some studies indicate that people with rheumatoid arthritis are eight times more likely to have gum disease than people without RA. And, unfortunately, once periodontal problems start, they may be more difficult for people with arthritis to take of: Flossing and brushing the teeth, for example, can be hard to do with painful hands and fingers.

The good news is that working with your dentist to treat the inflammation and infection that accompanies gum disease can reduce painful, swollen and stiff joints that are symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. “It was exciting to find that if we eliminated infection and inflammation in the gums, then patients with a severe kind of active rheumatoid arthritis reported improvement in the signs and symptoms of that disease,” says Nabil Bissada, D.D.S., head of Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine’s periodontics department, who worked with Ali Askari, M.D., chairman of the department of rheumatology at Cleveland’s University Hospital on another recent study. The investigators identified a microbe in inflamed gums that produces a toxin linked to joint inflammation. “It gives us a new intervention,” says Bissada enthusiastically.

Source: Healthcommunities

Feeling Down? Speak Up!

Over the past decade, research into the interplay of chronic pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and depression has revealed that there is a feedback loop – depression makes pain worse; arthritis pain makes depression worse. In addition, depression also increases the risk for functional problems in people with rheumatoid arthritis. According to researchers in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Manchester in the UK, among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, “a 10 percent reduction in ability to perform…valued activities is followed by a seven-fold increase in depression over the subsequent year.” Interestingly, the opposite is also true. “Depression,” they point out, “also precedes increases in disability, predicting poorer functional status, more disability days and more RA-related hospitalizations.” But this double association provides good news too, since making improvements in a person’s ability to move around and enjoy various activities can lessen depression; and lessening depression can make it easier for a person with rheumatoid arthritis to get around.

As the lead scientist of a recent Arthritis Foundation-funded study of depression, Mary Margaretten, M.D., says, “RA affects people both physically and psychologically. Given that having depressive symptoms along with another disease is known to worsen health outcomes, it is useful to figure out the cause(s) of depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.”

The bottom line? Make an effort to discuss both your mental outlook and your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms regularly with your health care providers and take steps to alleviate depression as soon as possible.

Source: Healthcommunities

Scientists Put Copper and Magnets to the Test

Trying to untangle the truth behind the oft-repeated claims that wearing a copper and/or magnetic bracelet can ease the joint pain associated with arthritis, researchers from the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York in the UK studied 45 people with arthritis who were 50 years of age or older. In this study, arthritis patients wore a wrist strap with a magnet (they had two different levels of magnetism), a demagnetized wrist strap, or a copper bracelet. Participants were then asked to rate their levels of arthritis pain over the course of the study. The result: The stiffness, pain, and lack of motion associated with arthritis were not reduced by the bracelets.

“It appears,” says Stewart Richmond, a research fellow at the University of York, “that any perceived benefit from wearing a magnetic or copper bracelet can be attributed to placebo effects.” The conjecture is that folks buy the bracelets when they are in a lot of pain, and as that pain eases over time they attribute the relief to the magic powers of the metal and magnet.

Source: Healthcommunities

Here’s Looking at You, Omega-3s

Omega-3 fats, the kind found in oily fish, have received a lot of attention for their heart benefits. Now, a new study from the National Eye Institute and George Washington University, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, links consumption of these fats to a reduced risk of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a chronic eye disease that affects more than 10 million Americans.

Of more than 1,800 people at moderate-to-high risk for advanced AMD, those who reported the highest omega-3 intake (mostly from seafood) were about 30% less likely to show a worsening of disease over a 12-year period than those with the lowest omega-3 intake. The association held true for the two types of macular degeneration – wet and dry. Omega-3 fats in fish may reduce inflammation associated with age-related macular degeneration, the authors note. Previous research has also linked omega-3s with reduced risk of AMD.

The study, however, does not prove that omega-3s caused the observed benefits (eating more omega-3s may be a marker of a healthier lifestyle in general), and the findings need to be confirmed. But this research offers one more reason, besides heart health, to eat fish – especially considering that current treatments for AMD are invasive, limited, and expensive, and can have serious side effects. Aim for at least two servings a week of fatty fish, such as wild salmon, sardines, and mackerel. The study did not look at the effects of fish oil supplements.

Source: Healthcommunities

Risky Food Business

A new report from the nonprofit watchdog group, Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), identifies leafy greens as the riskiest food regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), followed by eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts, and berries. The list does not include meat or poultry, which pose an even greater risk of foodborne illness such as food poisoning, but are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not the FDA. The FDA oversees produce (e.g., vegetables, fruits), eggs, dairy products (e.g., milk, milk products), seafood, and most packaged foods.

Between 1990 and 2006, the “FDA Top Ten” foods accounted for nearly 1,500 food poisoning outbreaks across the United States, involving almost 50,000 reported cases of illness – about 40% of all foodborne outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated foods. You may be surprised to know that Salmonella and E.coli, which caused many of these outbreaks, are not just a problem in burgers and chicken. Leafy greens accounted for 24% of the outbreaks (363 outbreaks and 13,568 illnesses), while berries, at the bottom of the list, sickened 4,000 people. And these numbers are “ only the tip of the iceberg,” as many more cases of foodborne illness go unreported.

What to do: Don’t give up these healthy foods, but do take care when handling, preparing, and storing them. Wash all produce well – leafy greens, in particular, including bagged spinach and salad mixes (not such a “convenience” anymore); cook foods, including seafood and eggs (as well as meat and poultry, of course) to proper temperature or otherwise done. Pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immunity or in frail health should especially avoid raw milk products, raw seafood (including raw oysters), raw sprouts, and runny eggs. While the real fix must come from government and industry, the responsibility for food safety still ultimately rests with consumers.

Source: Healthcommunities

2009 Worst Cities for Fall Allergies

In many areas of the United States, October not only brings beautiful changing leaves and cooler weather, but also brings fall allergies. Each fall the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America puts together a list of the top 10 most challenging places to live for people with seasonal allergies and allergy symptoms.

To determine the most difficult places to live for people with fall allergies, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation looks at the following factors: the city’s pollen and mold levels; how long peak allergy season usually lasts; the number of allergy medications used by patients, such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, and oral drugs; and the number of allergy specialists in the area.

Here is a list of the top 10 worst cities in the United States or fall allergy sufferers:

1. McAllen, Texas

2. Wichita, Kansas

3. Louisville, Kentucky

4. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

5. Jackson, Mississippi

6. Dayton, Ohio

7. Augusta, Georgia

8. Tulsa, Oklahoma

9. Knoxville, Tennessee

10. Little Rock, Arkansas

Source: Healthcommunities

Genes and Your Inhaler?

If your child has asthma, chances are, you are quite familiar with salmeterol and albuterol, two popular beta-agonist medications used for long- and short- term control of symptoms and exacerbations. But recently, British researchers discovered that these medications might not work effectively if your child carries two copies of a certain gene.

This asthma research, which was published in the October issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, included more than 1,000 Scottish children and young adults with asthma ranging in age from 3 to 22.

At the start of the asthma study, researchers took a DNA sample to test for copies of the Arg16 allele – which, in previous research, has been linked to an increased risk of asthma exacerbations in kids. They also looked at lung function, frequency of asthma attacks, and asthma medication use over the previous six months.

Researchers found a 30% increase in asthma exacerbations among young people who had more than one copy of Arg16. This risk was strongest in kids who were using the short-acting reliever inhaler albuterol (i.e., Ventolin HFA) or the long-acting medication salmeterol (Serevent Diskus) more than once a day.

These results don’t mean your child should stop taking his or her albuterol or salmeterol inhaler. Instead, if your child needs to use his or her inhaler frequently throughout the day to prevent asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, make an appointment with the doctor to discuss other asthma treatment options.

Source: Healthcommunities

Music to Your Heart

They say music can sooth the soul, but did you know it may also improve your heart health? Research presented at the 2009 European Society of Cardiology Congress in Barcelona, Spain suggests music therapy reduces blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety in patients with acute coronary syndrome – any of a collection of symptoms, such as chest pain, brought on by sudden reduced blood flow to the heart. Even more significantly, the researchers found that music therapy was also effective at reducing the incidence of future heart-related events, including the big one: sudden death.

All of the patients in the study had heart issues serious enough to necessitate revascularization, a surgical procedure designed to restore blood flow where it has been compromised or limited. That meant they were at risk for a future coronary event not only because of their heart health status, but also because the fear of a potential repeat surgery likely increased their stress and anxiety, which is never good for the heart.

And what type of music did the patients listen to during the study? Classical music appeared to be the general preference, but the lead author of the study emphasizes that music therapy may actually have a negative effect if patients are forced to listen to music they don’t like, suggesting that the type of music (within reason) is not as important as whether you enjoy listening to it and how it affects your overall mood and stress levels.

So, whether you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, heart disease or a related heart condition, are at risk for any of the above, or just want to keep your cardiovascular system in the best shape possible (why wouldn’t you?), charge up your iPod and let your favorite tunes lead you down the road to a lifetime of health and wellness.

Source: To Your Health

3 Ways to Curb Hunger

DRINK WATER

Simply put, drinking water makes you feel full, which makes you less likely to overeat or “cheat” between meals. In addition to the many health benefits of drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day, water is recommended as a weight-loss aid – experts suggest drinking a full glass of water before eating a meal if you’re trying to drop pounds. Fill up with water and there won’t be room to gorge.

CONTROL STRESS

Stress is a major contributor to binge eating; think about the last time you were in a stressful situation; was food one of the things you relied on to relax? Comfort eating is prevalent in our stressful society, and it’s a dangerous thing; in fact, it may be one of the major reasons the majority of Americans are overweight and suffering from weight-related health problems.

EAT REGULARLY

It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s true: The more frequently you eat small, well-rounded meals, the less prone you are to hunger pangs. Eating 4-6 meals and snacks throughout the day keeps your blood glucose levels stabilized and continually feeds the body with fuel, which can help you avoid those sudden urges to down an entire container of ice cream or bag of chips.

Source: To Your Health

Depression Poses Dilemma for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women suffering from depression face a dilemma: take an antidepressant that might pose a risk to the fetus or battle through the depressive symptoms that could harm the baby in other ways?

To help women in this predicament decide on a course of action, experts from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) teamed up to review existing data and make recommendations for managing depression during pregnancy.

Unfortunately, existing data are limited, given that pregnant women are rarely recruited for clinical trials. There is no data, for example, from the kind of randomized controlled trials considered the gold standard of research. Rather, much of our current information comes from large European observational studies that cannot control for factors other than medication use that may be affecting the pregnancies.

As many as 25% of all pregnant women suffer from depression; about 12.5% use an antidepressant at some point during pregnancy, according to the latest statistics. Although many antidepressants appear to be safe, studies have reported a slight increased risk of some fetal defects. Drug withdrawal and persistant pulmonary hypertension – a condition that can impair blood flow to the lungs – are other potential newborn problems.

Source: Healthcommunities

Antismoking Drug Not Linked to Risk of Self-harm or Depression

Last July, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued labeling requirements for Chantix and another antismoking drug, Zyban (bupropion), to include its strongest safety message, warning that people taking the drugs should be closely watched for signs of suicidal thoughts, hostility, and depressed mood. According to the FDA, 98 suicides and 188 suicide attempts had been reported among people taking Chantix since the drug was approved for sale in the United States in 2006. (Fourteen suicides and 17 suicide attempts had been reported in users of Zyban.)

Despite the FDA’s warning, few large-scale studies had been conducted to accurately assess the mental risks. Assessing risk is difficult because of the need to control for factors such as previous smoking habits and the presence of certain diseases. For example, people who smoke already have a two-to-threefold increased risk of suicide, since smoking is common among people with psychiatric illness, according to the researchers.

To clarify the risk, researchers from the University of Bristol and the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) compared the risk of self-harm among 80,660 patients, aged 18 to 95, who were prescribed a new course of any smoking-cessation product – Chantix, Zyban, or nicotine replacement products – between September 2006 and May 2008.

The researchers found “no clear evidence” that Chantix was associated with an increased risk of suicide or self-harm.
More studies are needed to further qualify the mental health risks associated with taking Chantix, but any risk should be weighed against the effectiveness of Chantix as an antismoking drug and the risks associated with continuing to smoke.

Source: Healthcommunities

The Claim Game

It happens 500,000 times a day: and insurance company denies a health claim. Here’s how to fight back when your insurer says no.

TO MAKE INSURERS PAY

When your claim is denied…

1. Don’t pay the bill.

2. Get a reason for the denial in writing.

3. Review and follow your plan’s rules.

…Make the easy fixes…

· Missing information? Fill it in.

· Coding mistake? Have your doctor fix it.

…And assess other reasons for the denial.

· Preexisting condition

· Lifetime-benefit cap

· Change of employer, so coverage was delayed

· No network facility or physician was available

· Drug wasn’t FDA-approved for your illness

· Treatment was deemed unnecessary or unproven

When preparing an appeal…

1. Check the back of your denial notice to see how long you have to file – it’s usually 180 days.

2. Gather objective evidence of medical necessity, such as test results and prior failed treatments.

3. Gather journal articles showing the treatment is safe, effective.

4. File the request in writing (certified mail, return receipt).

If you want help, seek out…

· A nonprofit patient advocate (your state’s insurance regulator or a disease association can suggest names).

· A lawyer if there’s a large sum of money at stake and you might end up in court.

Source: Caroline E. Mayer