(HealthDay News) — PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is a relatively new treatment for pain, the American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine says. It has shown promise, the association says, for treating ailments including osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip and spine; rotator cuff tears; chronic plantar fasciitis; and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The association explains how the therapy works: Doctors draw a sample of the patient’s blood and place it in a centrifuge where it will be spun at high speeds to separate the platelets from other blood components. The concentrated platelets are then injected back into the point of injury to jump-start the healing process. The platelets initiate repair and attract the critical assistance of stem cells. The injections take about 2 hours and can be done in a doctor’s office. Up to three PRP injections may be given within six months. Improvement may be seen within a few weeks. Ultrasound and MRI images have shown tissue repair after PRP therapy.
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Foods That Can Lead to Obesity in Kids
When it comes to so-called good foods and bad foods, it’s pretty easy to separate a green salad from a piece of pie. But some healthy foods can become less beneficial for you simply because of the way you cook them. Researchers analyzed three years of eating patterns of kids between the ages of 7 and 13 who gained excess weight in that time, and identified the foods most likely to get the blame. Fat-based spreads like butter, desserts, candy and sugary beverages and processed meats were on the list. But so were poultry and fish when breaded and battered, and potatoes cooked in oil — from French fries to chips. In these cases, the cooking methods undermined the value of otherwise healthful foods, and not just the chicken and fish. The researchers pointed out that when boiled or mashed without any fat, potatoes are satisfying, yet not associated with unwanted weight gain. Of course, if you leave off the coatings, chicken and fish won’t lead to excess pounds either. Note: Baking, poached and light sauteing are tasty alternatives, especially when you add herbs to increase flavor. The researchers also singled out whole grains and high-fiber cereals as good foods that don’t promote overweight. These happen to also be high in fiber, which is important for children as well as adults — and many kids… read on >
Alcohol May Be Sabotaging Your Diet
Alcohol. It’s a fixture at New Year’s parties, but it’s also is a calorie guzzler — one drink can eat up 10 percent or more of a dieter’s daily allotment, depending on how fanciful the beverage is. And there are other ways booze can undermine your wellness efforts. The calories in every gram of alcohol have no nutritional value, so you’re also missing out on the vitamins and minerals you get from food calories. What’s more, heavy drinking can affect your metabolism and lead your body to store fat, hampering muscle development, the American Council on Exercise reports. Despite its initial feel-good effect, alcohol is actually a depressant, negatively affecting brain function, balance and hand-eye coordination. It can leave you feeling sluggish while ramping up your appetite, causing you to eat hundreds of unwanted calories, often unhealthful “bar food.” But the news isn’t all bad. As with most consumption, it comes down to moderation — that’s a max of one drink a day for women and two for men. To avoid overdoing it on booze: Know the standard drink sizes so you can account for the correct number of calories. Never drink on an empty stomach — food helps to slow down alcohol’s effects. Have a sip of water between sips of alcohol to make the drink last longer. Set daily and weekly goals for… read on >
Keep Your Skin Glowing With Good Health in 2019
One of your New Year’s resolutions should be to be good to your skin, and dermatologists have 10 ways to help. “All the stresses and excesses of the holidays can leave your skin in bad shape, which makes you feel low, too,” said Dr. Megan Rogge, an assistant professor of dermatology the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. “At the start of a new year, we all want to look great,” she added in a university news release. “The good news is that with a little extra time and effort, or sometimes just breaking bad habits, you can change your skin condition for the better.” Here’s how: Chill out: Stress can cause many skin problems and make some worse. So try to relax. “Acne, psoriasis, eczema, and certain types of hair loss all get worse when you’re feeling stressed. Unfortunately, these are the four most common complaints of my patients,” Rogge said. Yoga or meditation can help you decompress, but even simple breathing exercises can make a difference, she said.” Give your diet a makeover: A healthy diet not only helps control weight, it also will make your skin look better. Dr. Rajani Katta, a clinical professor of dermatology at UT, urges her patients “to eat more foods rich in antioxidants, especially fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, since they’ve been shown to help… read on >
Health Tip: Nail Changes to Take Seriously
(HealthDay News) — A change in your nails may be no cause for concern, but certain changes should be taken seriously, the American Academy of Dermatology says. The academy suggests visiting a dermatologist at the first sign of: A dark streak. This could be a sign of melanoma skin cancer. A nail lifting up. This could be a sign of a fungal infection, psoriasis, injury from an aggressive manicure or injury from cleaning under your nails. Redness and swelling around a nail. You probably have an infection. Greenish black color. You probably have an infection. Pitting nails. These may be triggered by psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or alopecia. Yellow nails. These could be a sign of lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Deep grooves or gaps. These could be triggered by chemotherapy, an injury or major stress. Curved nails. These can be hereditary or a sign of lung, heart, liver or stomach disease.
Can You Predict Your Common Cold Risk?
How highly you rate your health could predict how likely you are to catch a cold — and, even more important, how healthy you’ll be in later years. Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh asked 360 healthy adults to rate their health as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor — and then exposed them to a virus that causes the common cold. Overall, about one-third developed colds. While none said “poor” and only a few said “fair,” those who rated their health as “fair,” “good” or even “very good” were more than twice as likely to develop a cold as those who described it as “excellent.” What makes people give themselves a high health rating independent of indicators like their medical records or a doctor evaluation? Such factors include following positive lifestyle habits like regular exercise, having a strong social network and feeling a high level of emotional well-being. People who fit the bill are less likely to get sick and more likely to live longer, the researchers found. Conversely, people who think of their health as poor tend to have a poor health trajectory as they age. On the subject of warding off the common cold, a separate study done at Carnegie Mellon along with researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that just one extra hour of sleep can… read on >
Dial Down the Stress
Stress and uncertainty plague many Americans, but there are a number of steps you can take to cope, a psychiatrist suggests. “In this day and age of ‘digital’ perfection, the stress of daily living can take a toll on our health, causing anxiety and depression, leading to relationship difficulties, problems at work, and the feeling that you have little control over your life,” said Dr. Smita Agarkar. She is chief at the Crisis Stabilization Unit at Gracie Square Hospital in New York City. “The good news is that there are many effective ways to manage and reduce stress,” she added. Be mindful or aware of your feelings. Try to be compassionate towards yourself, accept the current situation, and let it go. There are many exercises for mindfulness. Keep a stress diary. It can help you identify when and why stress strikes, so that you can focus your efforts on managing stress, according to Agarkar. Regular exercise helps improve your ability to fight stress. After stressful events, eat healthful, well-balanced meals and get enough rest and sleep. Don’t turn to drugs, alcohol or compulsive behaviors, such as eating, to combat stress. Set limits and learn to say no to things that cause you stress. Make time for hobbies, interests and relaxation, and spend time with people you enjoy. Consider joining a support group. If stress and… read on >
Ring in the New Year Resolved to Improve Your Health
If you’re thinking about making some health-related resolutions for 2019, the American Medical Association (AMA) has some suggestions. “This is the perfect time of year for each of us to consider our personal goals, and how we can make positive health choices in the coming year,” said AMA President Dr. Barbara McAneny. “We encourage everyone to prioritize their long-term health by making small lifestyle changes now that can have a lasting effect in improving their health,” she added in an AMA news release. The association offers some tips that can make a big difference in your health: Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes: Take a self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. If you’re at risk, the website lists steps that can help you prevent or delay development of the blood sugar disease. Get regular exercise: Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity. Know your blood pressure: Get high blood pressure under control to help prevent heart attack or stroke. Eat a healthy diet: Cut down on processed foods, especially those with added salt and sugar, as well as sugar-sweetened beverages. Drink more water. Help prevent antibiotic resistance: If you’re prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed. Remember: Antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses, including those that cause colds and flu. Limit alcohol and tobacco:… read on >
Good Sleep Helps Kids Become Slimmer, Healthier Teens: Study
Regular bedtimes and adequate sleep during childhood may contribute toward a healthy weight in the teen years, a new study finds. The study included nearly 2,200 kids in 20 U.S. cities. One-third of them had consistent, age-appropriate bedtimes between ages 5 and 9, according to their mothers. Compared to that group, those who had no bedtime routine at age 9 got less sleep and had a higher body mass index (an estimate of body fat based on height and weight) at age 15, according to the Penn State study. “Parenting practices in childhood affect physical health and BMI in the teenage years. Developing a proper routine in childhood is crucial for the future health of the child,” study co-author Orfeu Buxton said in a university news release. Buxton is director of the Sleep, Health and Society Collaboratory at Penn State. “We think sleep affects physical and mental health, and the ability to learn,” he added. The findings highlight the importance of educating parents about children’s bedtimes. Several factors should determine bedtimes. They include what time the child must get ready for school, how long it takes to get there and the school’s start time, according to the researchers. “Giving children the time frame to get the appropriate amount of sleep is paramount,” Buxton said. Bedtime should be set to give the child an adequate amount… read on >
Health Tip: Nail Changes to Take Seriously
(HealthDay News) — A change in your nails may be no cause for concern, but certain changes should be taken seriously, the American Academy of Dermatology says. The academy suggests visiting a dermatologist at the first sign of: A dark streak. This could be a sign of melanoma skin cancer. A nail lifting up. This could be a sign of a fungal infection, psoriasis, injury from an aggressive manicure or injury from cleaning under your nails. Redness and swelling around a nail. You probably have an infection. Greenish black color. You probably have an infection. Pitting nails. These may be triggered by psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or alopecia. Yellow nails. These could be a sign of lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Deep grooves or gaps. These could be triggered by chemotherapy, an injury or major stress. Curved nails. These can be hereditary or a sign of lung, heart, liver or stomach disease.