Health/Fitness « Weekly Gravy

Some parents may be reluctant to give their kids powerful stimulants to treat the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but a new review shows the medications bring significant benefits. In addition to helping kids calm down and concentrate in school, the review also found that the drugs help children avoid a lot of long-term negative consequences associated with ADHD, including depression, substance abuse and even driving problems. “Treating ADHD can help children avert some of the serious complications associated with ADHD,” said study author Dr. Joseph Biederman. He’s chief of clinical and research programs in pediatric psychopharmacology and adult ADHD at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston. Specifically, the study suggested that early use of ADHD stimulant medications was linked to a lower risk of: Major depression Anxiety Oppositional defiant disorder Conduct disorder Bipolar disorder Smoking Substance abuse Driving problems, such as car accidents Poor performance in school Although the current study can’t prove a definitive cause-and-effect relationship, Dr. Alan Geller, a psychiatrist from Gracie Square Hospital in New York City who treats children and adolescents, said it makes sense that treating ADHD symptoms can help prevent other problems. “A hyperactive child who interrupts and disrupts class is annoying. They end up getting marginalized, which can lead to substance abuse or conduct disorders, or depression and anxiety if they’re constantly frustrated,” he explained. Geller said adults… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Skin that is too oily can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The academy says the key to healthy skin is maintaining its natural moisture without excess oil. To control oily skin, the AAD recommends: Wash your face every morning, evening and after exercise. Choose skin care products labeled “oil free” and “noncomedogenic.” Never use oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers. Apply moisturizer and use a daily foaming face wash. Avoid touching your face repeatedly. Use blotting paper.

Financial rewards for quitting smoking do help smokers — including pregnant women — kick the habit and remain smoke-free, a new study confirms. “Rewards, such as money or vouchers, have been used to encourage smokers to quit, and to reward them if they stay stopped. Such schemes have been used in workplaces, in clinics and hospitals, and within community programs,” said study lead author Dr. Caitlin Notley. She’s with Norwich Medical School of the University of East Anglia in England. “We wanted to know whether these schemes actually work long term, as previously it was thought that perhaps incentives only worked for the time that they were given. We found that they do help people stay smoke-free, even after the incentive scheme ends,” Notley said in a university news release. For the new study, the investigators analyzed 33 randomized controlled trials. The studies included more than 21,600 people in eight countries and looked at whether financial incentives — such as cash payments, vouchers or the return of money deposited by participants — helped people quit smoking. Ten trials focused on pregnant smokers. There was significant variation in the amount of incentives used in the trials, ranging from zero (self-deposits) to between $45 and $1,185. The researchers found that after six months or more, people who received financial rewards were about 50% more likely to have… read on >

Sunglasses need to be more than just fashion accessories, an eye expert advises. “Think of sunglasses as sunscreen for your eyes,” said Dr. Dianna Seldomridge, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Your eyes need protection from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, just like your skin,” she explained. “Make sure your eyes are protected year-round. Harmful UV rays are present even on cloudy days.” You should choose sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. You may be confused by labels that say the sunglasses provide 100% protection from UVA/UVB radiation, while others offer 100% UV 400 protection. Both will block 100% of the sun’s harmful radiation, the academy said in a news release. If you’re skeptical of the UV protection label on sunglasses, take them to an optical shop or an ophthalmologist’s office, Seldomridge suggested. Most have a UV light meter that can test the sunglasses’ UV-blocking ability. Consider buying oversized or wraparound-style sunglasses. The more coverage they provide, the better they protect your eyes, she said. An important note: Dark lenses don’t block more UV rays than lighter lenses. And you don’t have to pay a lot to get sunglasses that provide good eye protection, Seldomridge said. Less expensive ones marked as 100% UV-blocking can be just as effective as those that cost more. Consider… read on >

The start of school is just around the corner, but a leading pediatricians’ group warns that many kids entering kindergarten lack the skills they need to succeed in class. To help parents get their young ones ready to start school, the American Academy of Pediatrics has just released a report on what helps boost success as well as what factors may hinder kids’ school experience. “We’ve kind of focused on the acquisition of pre-academic skills, but that’s not what’s most important,” said report author Dr. P. Gail Williams. She’s an executive committee member of the AAP’s Council on Early Childhood. What is important, she said, is that parents “instill in children a love of learning, enjoyment of books, early literacy, appropriate play, learning to self-regulate, and interact with peers and adults.” Kids who love to learn and are resilient have a better chance at doing well in school both academically and socially. Williams said that parents should start teaching children these skills from birth. “In early brain development, neural connections are made on the basis of early experiences and relationships with parents, siblings and community members,” she said. And, don’t worry, she’s not recommending drilling your kids with flashcards. “Do things you enjoy with your children. Play with your kids. Read with your kids,” she suggested. One example, she said, is preparing dinner. “Talk to… read on >

— (HealthDay News) Even with long-term treatment, HIV can still be found in the cerebrospinal fluid of some people with the AIDS-causing virus, a new study reports. And these patients are at increased risk of having thinking problems, the researchers say. “It is difficult to target infections that lurk in the brain, and HIV is probably not an exception to the rule,” said study senior author Dr. John Mellors, chief of infectious diseases at the University of Pittsburgh. “We have our work cut out for us in the quest for an HIV cure, but knowing is half the battle, so I’m cautiously optimistic,” he said in a university news release. Researchers analyzed cerebrospinal fluid from 69 people with HIV who had been on anti-HIV therapy for an average of nine years. The study found that nearly half the participants had cells harboring HIV. Of those who had HIV-harboring cells in their cerebrospinal fluid, 30% met criteria for thinking problems (cognitive impairment), compared with 11% of those without HIV-harboring cells in their cerebrospinal fluid. The findings may help explain why people with well-controlled HIV can have memory and concentration problems and difficulty completing complex tasks, according to the researchers. They also said that the results show that the brain is an important reservoir for HIV, a challenge that needs to be considered in clinical trials of… read on >

The rotator cuff refers to a group of four distinct muscles and tendons that connect to each shoulder and stabilize the humerus, the upper arm bone. These muscles are engaged when you move your shoulder, and work together to give you the needed range of motion to toss a ball or reach for an object on a high shelf. Baseball pitchers and other athletes aren’t the only people who experience rotator cuff injuries. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that nearly 2 million Americans see a doctor about a rotator cuff problem every year. Strengthening this group of muscles can help enhance the stability of this important joint and help you avoid injury. Alternating arm and leg lifts: Position yourself on all fours. Your arms are straight, with hands directly below your shoulders and your knees directly below your hips. Tighten your core muscles and simultaneously extend your left leg and your right arm straight out so that they’re both parallel to the floor. With control, lower them, and repeat 10 to 15 times. Then repeat the sequence with your right leg and left arm. Stability ball pushups: Take pushups to another level by doing them with your hands on a stability ball. From the same position on all fours, place your hands on the ball, shoulder width apart, with your upper arms pressed… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Stress is a normal physical and emotional reaction to changes in life. However, long-term stress can contribute to digestive issues, headaches, sleep disorders and other health problems. Relaxation techniques can help release tension and counteract stress, says the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). These techniques incorporate breathing and pleasing thoughts, to help calm both mind and body. The NCCIH recommends trying relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery, progressive relaxation, meditation and yoga.

(HealthDay News) — Tanning beds and sun lamps can cause serious long-term skin damage, says the American Cancer Society. Indoor tanning exposes the skin to ultraviolet (UV) rays — the cause of most skin cancer. A tan is the body’s response to injury from UV rays. Every time you tan, your risk of the deadly skin cancer melanoma increases. Although indoor tanning may seem safe because UV exposure can be controlled, it really isn’t, the society says. Prolonged outdoor tanning isn’t recommended either. To protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays, the ACS encourages you to cover up, use sunscreen and limit your time in the sun.

Losing weight is one thing, but keeping it off is another. Now, a new study suggests that exercising at the same time each day is key. The research, on 375 adults who maintained a weight loss of 30 or more pounds for at least a year, showed that consistent timing of exercise was linked with higher physical activity levels overall. The most common time to exercise? Early morning. “As long as you’re consistent, the time of day doesn’t seem to really matter. The best time to exercise is when you can exercise,” said study author Dale Bond. He’s a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School in Providence, R.I. “Our speculation … is that in order to maintain a large weight loss over a long period of time, behavioral consistence is key,” Bond added. “But in terms of higher physical activity levels, it might be that exercising at the same time each day fosters a habit. You don’t have to think about it — it’s like brushing your teeth. You just do it.” Nearly half of American adults surveyed between 2013 and 2016 said they’d tried to lose weight during the prior year, according to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. But 2010 research indicated that only about one in six Americans who has ever been overweight or obese… read on >