health news

While a doctor's advice can encourage people to use car seats for children younger than four, there is less data on the effectiveness of counseling on motor vehicle restraint use for older kids and adults, according to a new study.

And there's no evidence that doctors can help prevent alcohol-related car crashes by warning patients about the risks of drunk driving, the study team found.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading killer of people between 3 and 33 years of age in the US, the researchers note in their study, which was commissioned by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

In 1996, the USPSTF issued a recommendation urging primary care doctors to counsel their patients about using seatbelts, booster seats and car seats to help prevent car crash injuries.

In order to ensure widespread and appropriate use of motor vehicle restraints by adults and children, the USPSTF concludes, a multi-pronged approach including legislation, counseling, community-based efforts, and enforcement is necessary.

SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, August 2007.

| Tags: Public Health and Safety, Work and Life Health |

Labels: Children's Health, Public Health

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Being exposed to alcohol before birth may lead to behavioral problems later on, U.S. researchers report.
Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure does not always lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, noted a team reporting in the August issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. In some cases, it can cause cognitive and behavioral problems without the facial features characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome.
In their study, researchers at San Diego State University (SDSU) examined 22 children and adolescents (ages 8 to 18 years) -- 13 with and 9 without histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. The participants were part of a larger study at the Center for Behavioral Teratology, SDSU.
The participants who were exposed to heavy alcohol before birth had altered responses in the frontal-striatal areas of the brain.
"Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause damage to the brain that results in significant problems with regulating behavior and optimal thinking and learning," Fryer said.

More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have more about disorders related to prenatal alcohol exposure.

| Tags: Children's Health, Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Women's Health |

Labels: Children's Health, Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Women's Health

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The hormone progesterone may help prevent preterm birth in some women, but it doesn't work for everyone.

A pair of studies in the Aug. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that progesterone didn't help prevent preterm birth for women carrying twins or triplets, but it was helpful in women carrying a single baby who also had a condition known as short cervix.

"There are a lot of things we try to prevent preterm birth, but few are effective. In women with a history of preterm delivery, preliminary studies have shown progesterone can reduce preterm birth and there are no birth defects associated with it. We don't have anything else to offer women with a history of preterm birth. And we haven't had really had anything to offer women with a short cervix up to this point. Unfortunately, it looks like with twins, we still don't have a lot to offer," Welch said.

| Tags: Children's Health, Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Women's Health |

Labels: Children's Health, Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Women's Health

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Episodes of transient amnesia, which frequently occur on awakening and are associated with other memory problems, may be a symptom of a distinct type of epilepsy. A British team describes this condition they call transient epileptic amnesia; in a study published in the Annals of Neurology.

Dr. Adam Z. J. Zeman, of the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, and colleagues recruited 50 patients over an 18-month period who had recurrent episodes of amnesia that were witnessed by another person; otherwise intact mental functioning; and evidence suggesting epilepsy, including EEG abnormalities, response to anticonvulsant therapy; or clinical features, such as hallucinations involving the sense of smell.

SOURCE: Annals of Neurology, June 2007.

| Tags: Children's Health, Eye and Vision, Sleeping Disorders |

Labels: Children's Health, Eye and Vision, Sleeping Disorders

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Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem that can lead to a number of serious health conditions, but it can be prevented, says one expert.

People get vitamin D from sun exposure, diet and supplements. Yet vitamin D deficiency is all too common.

In utero and in childhood, not getting enough vitamin D can cause growth retardation, skeletal deformities and increase the risk of future hip fractures. In adults, too little vitamin D can lead to or exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

Holick says that the current recommended adequate intake for vitamin D needs to be increased to 800 to 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D3 per day.

More information
The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements has more about vitamin D.

| Tags: Anxiety, Children's Health, Nutrition, Work and Life Health |

Labels: Anxiety, Cancer, Children's Health, Nutrition

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Before your child uses that new bicycle, the most important things to equip him or her with is a properly-fitted helmet and a basic knowledge of bicycle safety.

Here are suggestions, courtesy of the International Bicycle Fund:

- Always wear a bicycle helmet.
- Never bike in the road or on a busy street. Stay on the sidewalk.
- Stop and look for cars at any intersection before crossing.
- Although biking on the sidewalk, always ride in the same direction as traffic, and follow all road signs.
- Try to keep both hands on the bike handles at all times.
- Don't ride at night, and wear bright clothing -- even during daylight.

Sourse - HealthDay News

| Tags: Children's Health |

Labels: Children's Health

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Glucosamine and chondroitin are substances that occur naturally in the body. Taken as supplements, they can help relieve arthritic joint pain.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that's believed to help cartilage formation and repair, the Arthritis Foundation says. And chondroitin sulfate can help give cartilage elasticity.

But the supplements aren't recommended for everyone, the Arthritis Foundation says. Among those who should take great care or avoid them altogether:

Children, pregnant women, and women who may become pregnant.
Diabetics, who should be careful when taking these supplements, as the amino sugars can cause blood glucose levels to rise.
People who are taking blood-thinning medications, since these substances can trigger blood thinning.
People who are allergic to shellfish, from which these supplements often are extracted.

Sourse - Healthday News

| Tags: Arthritis |

Labels: Arthritis, Children's Health, Women's Health

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Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy) does not cause permanent changes to a person's sense of taste or smell, concludes an Austrian study of 65 patients.

"A number of case reports and a few systematic investigations of patients experiencing taste disorders after tonsillectomy have been published. However, based on the present results, taste loss after tonsillectomy seems to be a rare complication," a team at the University of Vienna wrote in the July issue of the journal Archives of Ophthalmology -- Head & Neck Surgery.

The patients rated their taste and smell on a scale of zero to 100 (zero = no taste and smell, and 100 = excellent taste and smell) before and after surgery.
The patients' self-reported scores declined from an average of 62.3 before surgery to 51.1 after surgery.

More information
There's more about tonsillectomy at the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

| Tags: Children's Health, Personality |

Labels: Children's Health, Personality

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It's a tip waiters and bartenders could do without.

A potent carcinogen rises quickly in restaurant and bar workers' urine after even brief exposures to secondhand smoke, a new U.S. study finds.

Concentrations of the cancer-causing toxin, called NNK, appear to rise steadily as bar workers' exposure continues, the researchers add.

NNK is "unsafe at any level," according to study lead author Michael Stark, a principal investigator in the health department of Multnomah County, Ore., which includes greater Portland.

"Even with a brief workplace exposure, we were able to detect increases in the level of NNK," Stark said. "On the average, there was a 6 percent increase per hour of work," he said.

Stark said he and his colleagues did the study because "there had been some prior research suggesting you could detect NNK in women and children in homes where workers had smoked."

Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Policy Research Program, Stark and his colleagues focused on 52 nonsmoking employees of bars and restaurants that allowed smoking. They compared NNK levels in the workers' urine with those of 32 workers in areas where laws prohibit smoking in such establishments.

But Stark pointed out that "this is workplace exposure that is completely avoidable."

| Tags: Addiction, Public Health and Safety, Smoking Cessation |

Labels: Addiction, Cancer, Children's Health, Public Health, Smoking Cessation, Women's Health

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Would-be moms often want to know how to trim their bellies after having children. But how actively do they seek tips for getting their bodies in great shape before getting pregnant?

Until recently, that part of the baby-making equation had been largely absent from the discussion. Increasingly, though, maternal health and prenatal-care experts are urging women to improve their health before conceiving.

The hope is that measures taken to bolster a woman's health prior to conception -- whether it's reaching an optimal weight, controlling a chronic disease or boosting overall nutritional health -- will improve the odds of having an uncomplicated pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Dr. Lorey H. Pollack, director of obstetrics and gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, N.Y., has some patients who are very informed and motivated to take better care of themselves before contemplating pregnancy. Others, though, come in pregnant and say, "By the way, I have diabetes; by the way, I have Lupus; by the way, I have high blood pressure, and they're kind of shocked to find out that's an issue when they're pregnant," he said.

Pollack blames the medical profession and the media for failing to get the word out.

But recommendations compiled by experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as more than 35 government, public and private partners may help to draw attention to the importance of preconception care.

Dr. Hani K. Atrash, associate director for program development at the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and co-author of the government report, said, "If a woman or couple has decided to conceive, then at least one pre-pregnancy visit is recommended, and the five most important things to do are":
- Take 400 micrograms of folic acid a day for at least three months before pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Consult with a health-care provider to manage any and all medical conditions, including, but not limited to, asthma, diabetes, oral health, obesity, or epilepsy, and maintain up-to-date vaccinations.
- Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about any over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are taking, including vitamins and dietary or herbal supplements.
- Avoid exposure to toxic substances or potentially infectious materials at work or at home, such as chemicals, or cat and rodent feces.
- Atrash was also co-editor of a special supplement of the Maternal and Child Health Journal, published last September, devoted entirely to the topic of preconception care.

"It's always easier to try to prevent a problem than to catch up with it later on," he reasoned.

More information
For more on preconception health, visit the American Pregnancy Association.

Sourse - HealthDay News

| Tags: Pregnancy, Relationships, Women's Health |

Labels: Asthma, Children's Health, Diabetes, Nutrition, Oral Care, Pregnancy, Public Health, Relationships, Women's Health

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Spitting up, medically called reflux, is common in babies after a feeding.

It's not vomiting, and occurs when food or liquid from the baby's stomach comes back up through the esophagus. It tends to happens after they've eaten too much, or when being burped.

Here are suggestions to help reduce spitting up, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
- Feed your baby in an upright position.
- When bottle feeding, stop to burp the infant every three to five minutes.
- Don't lay your baby down right after a feeding.
- Add rice cereal to your baby's formula, with your doctor's approval.
- Try feeding less milk more often.

Sourse - HealthDay News

| Tags: Children's Health, Digestive |

Labels: Children's Health, Digestive

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Planning for your summer vacation involves more than looking at brochures, packing, and traveling to your destination. You also need to protect your health, says Dr. Kathy Alvarez, a family medicine physician at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Forth Worth, Texas.

She offers the following advice for having a healthy vacation:

- Talk to you doctor about where you're going and whether you need any immunizations. This is especially important if you're traveling to other countries, but it's also a good idea for those traveling in their own countries.
- Be sure to bring all important health-related information and medical supplies. "Carry a list of the medications you're taking and any allergies you have, your doctor's name and phone number, and your health insurance information," Alvarez said in a prepared statement. "If you take daily doses of medication, pack a couple of extra days' worth just in case your plans change or your transportation home is delayed."
- Do your best to avoid germs in planes, taxis, when exchanging money, and in other travel-related settings and situations. Washing your hands as often as possible can reduce your risk of getting sick.
- Drink only bottled water, which should also be used to brush your teeth. Don't eat any food that's been washed or cooked in water, unless it's been boiled. Don't drink beverages with ice.
- Don't overeat. "Try to limit splurging to only one meal a day, and share high-fat and high-calorie dishes with a friend," Alvarez said. If possible, avoid buffets.
- Stay active on your holidays by planning outings that involve plenty of walking.

More information
The MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia offers more travel health tips.

Sourse - HealthDay News

| Tags: Children's Health, Digestive, Public Health and Safety |

Labels: Allergy, Children's Health, Digestive, Public Health

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Giving children antibiotics to ward off repeat urinary tract infections does not prevent the problem from returning and leads to infections that are resistant to the drugs, researchers said on Tuesday.

Preventive daily use of antimicrobials is often recommended in cases where children have already had a urinary tract infection and tests indicate they have a backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureter, which connect to the kidneys.

As many as 180,000 children in the United States have a urinary tract infection by the time they reach age 6, and up to 40 percent of those have the backflow problem which can cause a growth of bacteria in urine remaining in the tract.

| Tags: Children's Health |

Labels: Children's Health

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Women who have a male twin are less likely to marry and have children, perhaps because of being exposed to their brother’s testosterone for nine months in the womb, researchers reported on Monday.

A study of Finnish twins showed that women were 25 percent less likely to have children if their twin was a male. Those who did have children gave birth to an average of two fewer babies than women who had a twin sister.

Based on an analysis of 18th and 19th century data, researchers found women who had a male twin also were 15 percent less likely to get married, Virpi Lummaa of the University of Sheffield in Britain and Finland’s University of Turku and colleagues reported.

| Tags: Children's Health, Sexual Health, Women's Health |

Labels: Children's Health, Sexual Health, Women's Health

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Problems at school, home, or frustrations with friends can all lead to stress in children. Like adults, children need to learn healthy outlets for stress, and how to deal with their emotions.

Here are suggestions to help your child when she's stressed, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

Encourage her to talk to people she trusts -- if not you, then a teacher, counselor or relative.
Help her work out her stress, by biking or walking, listening to music, or writing in a journal.
Don't let her take stress out on herself.
Once she's calm, work with her to figure out a solution to the problem that's causing her stress.
Try to keep her feeling positive -- there are few problems that can't be solved, and stress is only temporary.

Sourse - HealthDay News

| Tags: Anxiety, Children's Health, Stress |

Labels: Anxiety, Children's Health, Stress

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A gene that is strongly associated with a risk of developing childhood onset asthma was identified by an international team of scientists, whose findings are published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

In a genetic study of more than 2,000 children, scientists from the University of Michigan and colleagues from London, France and Germany found genetic markers that dramatically increase a child's risk for asthma.

These markers are located on chromosome 17, and children with this marker had higher levels of a new gene called ORMDL3 in their blood, which occurs in higher amounts in children with asthma. The presence of the disease-associated version of ORMDL3 increases the risk of asthma by 60-70 percent, the study suggests.

"In terms of an asthma gene, there have been quite a few reports but not one that can be clearly reproduced in samples," said Goncalo Abecasis from University of Michigan School of Public Health.
"I think eventually it will lead to new therapies because it points to a specific biological molecular pathway. Once we understand the biology and we know the players, it's possible to target with specific drugs."

Sourse - Xinhua

| Tags: Allergy, Asthma, Children's Health |

Labels: Allergy, Asthma, Children's Health, Public Health

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A study in Australia has shown that changes occur in blood vessels in the eyes of heavier and obese children from as young as six, warning signs that might be linked to cardiovascular disease in later life.

Previously, these changes -- widening of veins and narrowing of arteries -- were only observed in the retinas of heavy teenagers and adults, and this is the first time that such troubling signs have been seen in children so young.

Writing in the International Journal of Obesity, the researchers called for extensive monitoring of these subtle blood vessel changes as they can be an early indication of risks such as hypertension and stroke when the children enter adulthood.

The retina is a thin layer of neural cells that lines the back of the eyeball.

The study involved 1,740 six-year-olds from 34 schools in Sydney.

After accounting for differences such as sex, ethnicity, length of the eyeball, birth weight and mean blood pressure, the researchers found unique changes in minute blood vessels in the retinas of children who were over the mean weight.

| Tags: Children's Health, Eye and Vision, Heart Health |

Labels: Children's Health, Eye and Vision, Heart Health

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The use of antibiotics in the first year of life is associated with an increased risk for asthma at age 7, a new study has found, and the reason may be that antibiotics destroy not only disease-causing microbes, but also those that are helpful to the developing immune system.

Antibiotic use had a greater impact on children who would otherwise be considered at lower risk — children who lived in rural areas and those whose mothers did not have asthma — than on those who were already at increased risk because of an urban environment or genetic predisposition.

Studies of antibiotic use and asthma have been complicated. Because antibiotics are used to treat respiratory illnesses, which are often precursors of asthma, it has been difficult to determine the effect of antibiotics alone. But this study, of 13,116 Canadian children, found that the risk of asthma increased even in children treated with antibiotics for nonrespiratory illnesses in the first year of life. The study appears in the June issue of Chest.

Anita Kozyrskyj, the lead author and an associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Manitoba, said the findings supported what scientists call the microflora hypothesis — that "you need good bacteria in your digestive tract for normal development of the immune system so that you don't end up with asthma," as she put it.

The researchers tracked medications by examining prescription records, and determined asthma status by treatment for asthma or any asthma drug use in the year following the seventh birthday. Six percent of the children developed asthma by age 7.

| Tags: Asthma, Children's Health |

Labels: Asthma, Children's Health, Digestive

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