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Though they often dread social events, many introverts find they’re not as bad as feared and some have learned to fake an outgoing personality to get through the experience. In the business world, socializing is a key to success, said Erik Helzer, who led a team that examined the psychological implications for both introverts and extroverts. Helzer is an assistant professor of management and organization at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in Baltimore. “We’re told, ‘You ought to do this. It will help your career,’” he said in a university news release. “But that doesn’t mean we look forward to it. In fact, many people do not.” For the study, Helzer and colleagues asked 146 university students to spend 30 minutes interacting with strangers in a cocktail party environment. Many predicted the experience would be mentally draining and that they would feel worse, not better, after socializing. Not surprisingly, this was especially true for more introverted participants. When asked how they felt after socializing, more of the extroverts reported significant increases in positive feelings after socializing, which was not unexpected. But many of the introverts did, too, the study found. Overall, 40 percent of all participants predicted they would feel worse after socializing, but instead felt significantly better about it after it was over. Researchers also had participants rate each other’s social skills. Overall,… read on >

New parents worry about a lot of things, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says one thing they can cross off that list is concern about giving high-allergy foods too early in life. In fact, the pediatric group says it’s likely better to introduce foods like peanut butter when kids are around 6 months of age. “There’s no reason to restrict early introduction to allergenic foods,” said a co-author of a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Dr. Frank Greer. He’s a professor emeritus of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Although experts had advised parents in the past to avoid highly allergenic foods early in life, more recent research has suggested that early exposure to these foods might be a better option. In addition to freeing up parents to let their youngsters try peanut butter or ground peanut products at an early age, the report also said that moms don’t need to restrict their diets during pregnancy and breastfeeding to try to prevent allergies. The report recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first three to four months of life to help protect against the allergic skin condition eczema. Breastfeeding past three or four months (even if it’s not done exclusively) may also offer some protection against wheezing for the first two years of life, and against asthma for an… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Patients who have high triglycerides and take cholesterol-lowering statins to lower their risk for heart attack or stroke can cut that risk by another 30 percent by adding a high-dose omega-3 fatty acid pill, investigators report. The prescription drug, called Vascepa, is not to be confused with over-the-counter dietary omega-3 (often fish oil) supplements. Such supplements typically contain far lower doses of the critical omega-3 fatty acid called EPA and have not undergone a rigorous safety and effectiveness review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Since 2012, the FDA has approved Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) for patients whose triglyceride fat levels exceed 500 milligrams per deciliter of blood. Now, an updated analysis of research first released last September suggests Vascepa markedly reduces a patient’s lifetime risk of dying from heart disease; experiencing a nonlethal heart attack or stroke, or needing heart surgery or hospitalization for a heart complication. “We found a 30 percent reduction in total ischemic events,” said lead author Dr. Deepak Bhatt, referring to any number of serious heart problems caused by restricted blood flow. “That is a very large degree of clinical benefit.” Among 1,000 patients who take Vascepa for five years, nearly 160 serious heart problems would be prevented, he noted. That includes 12 cardiovascular-related deaths, 42 heart attacks, 14 strokes, 76 coronary artery bypasses and 16 hospitalizations… read on >

Millions of aging Americans worried about heart attacks and strokes have for years popped a low-dose aspirin each day, thinking the blood thinner might lower their risk. But new guidelines issued Sunday by two cardiology groups say that, for most adults, the practice may no longer be warranted. The new heart health guidelines were issued jointly by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). The two groups agree that for older adults at low risk — no history of heart attack, stroke or cardiac surgeries — the risk of bleeding that comes with daily low-dose aspirin is now thought to outweigh any heart benefit. “Clinicians should be very selective in prescribing aspirin for people without known cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Roger Blumenthal, co-chair of the 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, said in a statement. “It’s much more important to optimize lifestyle habits and control blood pressure and cholesterol as opposed to recommending aspirin,” said Blumenthal. He’s a professor of cardiology at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. The bottom line, according to Blumenthal: “Aspirin should be limited to people at the highest risk of cardiovascular disease and a very low risk of bleeding.” Why the change? The AHA and ACC say that the most up-to-date research shows that even at a low dose (typically 81 milligrams), the… read on >

People who’ve already had a heart attack or stroke can cut their odds for another one in half if they regularly take cholesterol-lowering statins. Yet new research found that only about 6 percent of patients take these drugs as prescribed by their doctor. “Very few patients were optimally compliant. We found that the less compliant you were, the worse you did,” said the study’s lead author, Heidi May, an epidemiologist from Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Murray, Utah. Why are so many people skipping this potentially lifesaving medication? May said the study wasn’t designed to tease out exactly why people didn’t take their medicine as they should. But she said it’s possible that patients may not understand how helpful statins can be. Not only do they lower cholesterol, they also help reduce inflammation in the body, she said. May said she doesn’t think it’s a lack of education, at least not initially. “Our institution does educate when people are discharged, but patients are given a lot of information. This study emphasizes the need for continued education to take medications as prescribed,” she said. Researchers also don’t think cost is an issue, because the medicines are now generic and relatively cheap — about $10 for a 90-day supply. But concern about side effects may be an issue for some. If that’s one of your concerns,… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Overeating on a regular basis can lead to weight gain. About 25 percent of adults eat 1,300 calories weekly from food they buy or get free at work, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says. The academy recommends limiting these workplace snacks: French fries. Pizza. Cookies and brownies. Soft drinks. Potato chips.

You’ll find plenty of nutrient-enriched flavored waters on grocery shelves, but are they any better for your diet than a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon? Many drinks promise health benefits, from more energy and better exercise performance to a stronger immune system. The latest fad is alkaline water, with claims that its manipulated pH has health benefits. But none of the claims of enhanced water products have been substantiated with serious research. In fact, Coca-Cola, parent company of Vitaminwater, voluntarily agreed in 2016 to remove claims from its labels to end a lawsuit brought by the Center for Science in the Public Interest seven years earlier. Drilling down into what’s inside the bottle brings up other concerns. Some products contain unnecessary nutrients. For example, most people who perform average amounts of exercise don’t need to replace electrolytes the way athletes do, and don’t need enhanced “sports” waters and other drinks, but there’s no science to support that either. Other products contain excessive amounts of some nutrients. Among 46 drinks tested in one study, most had at least one nutrient in excess of the daily required amount. Yet other than vitamin D, most Americans aren’t lacking in vitamins, and getting an abundance of certain nutrients can pose health risks. Of greater concern, whether you’re limiting calories to lose weight or want to eat… read on >

No type of bullying is acceptable, but cyberbullying can be harder for parents to spot because it takes place via cellphone, computer or tablet, often through social media. Cyberbullying can be a hateful text message or post of embarrassing pictures, videos and even fake profiles of the victim. Victims are often bullied in person, too, and have a harder time escaping it. But unlike facing a bully at school, cyberbullying can happen 24/7, even when your child is home with you. Messages and images can be posted anonymously and spread in no time. And it can be difficult or even impossible to find the culprit. The consequences of being cyberbullied are far-reaching. Young victims are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, skip school, lose self-esteem and develop health problems. What can parents do? The website Stopbullying.gov recommends being proactive — talk with your kids about cyberbullying, including why they should never bully others, and encourage them to tell you about any incident right away. Friending or following your kids on social media may help you know if they become the victims of unwanted postings. More tips for parents: Teach kids not to share anything that could hurt or embarrass them or others to avoid retaliation. Regularly check your kids’ social network pages to look for signs of bullying behavior, such as mean images of… read on >

Drowning can be swift and silent, making it a leading cause of accidental death among children. To help parents protect their kids in and around the water, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its water safety recommendations. Drowning is the third-leading cause of accidental injury-related death among 5- to 19-year-olds. Nearly 1,000 children in the United States died from drowning in 2017, and 8,700 were seen at hospital emergency departments after a drowning event, according to the AAP. Toddlers and teens are at highest risk. “Drowning is the single leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4,” said Dr. Sarah Denny, lead author of the updated policy statement. “Many of these deaths occur when children are not expected to be swimming or when they have unanticipated access to water. Toddlers are naturally curious; that’s why we must implement other strategies, such as pool fencing and door locks,” she added in an AAP news release. But little kids aren’t the only ones at high risk. Nearly 370 young people between 10 and 19 years of age drown each year in the United States. “Adolescents can be overconfident in their swimming abilities and are more likely to combine alcohol use with swimming — compounding their risk significantly. Children of color, especially African American teens, are especially at risk,” Denny said. The policy… read on >

Autism exacts a heavy toll on the families of teens who struggle with the disorder, but the fight to get treatment and services is even harder among minorities who live in poverty, new research suggests. “We must understand that many families parenting teens on the autism spectrum are also struggling to make ends meet while trying to navigate complex systems of care and get the help their children need,” said report author Paul Shattuck. He is program director of the Autism Institute’s Life Outcomes Program at Drexel University in Philadelphia. “We cannot assume that programs developed to help relatively affluent families will work for financially disadvantaged families,” Shattuck said in a university news release. The transition from school to young adulthood can be especially challenging. “Inadequate preparation during the last few years of high school can hinder success on many fronts: physical health and mental health, employment, continued education, friendships and integration into community life,” Shattuck said. The report found that black teens with autism are more likely than other teens with autism to have difficulties in several areas, including communication, self-care, adaptive behaviors and independently getting places outside of the home. “Students do not always receive transition planning, or sometimes it begins too late in high school to allow for adequate preparation,” Shattuck explained. “Community-based help is not always available after high school and… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Hate Those Stressful Office Parties? Just Fake It, Study Suggests

Exposing Baby to Foods Early May Help Prevent Allergies

Prescription Fish Oil Pill Lowers Heart Attack Risk in Those Already on Statins

Docs Back Away From Low-Dose Aspirin for Heart Attack Prevention

Despite Big Heart Benefits, Far Too Many Skip Statins

Health Tip: Eat Healthier at Work

Are Enhanced Waters Better for Your Health?

How to Keep Your Kids Safe From Cyberbullying

How to Protect Your Kids From Drowning

Burden of Autism in Teens Weighs Heaviest on Minorities, Poor