Health/Fitness « Weekly Gravy

Young children with autism are more than twice as likely to have sleep problems than typical kids or those with other developmental delays, a new study reports. Several factors profoundly affect the sleep of 2- to 5-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), said lead researcher Dr. Ann Reynolds. They are more likely to resist their bedtime, have trouble getting to sleep, suffer from anxiety regarding sleep, wake up in the middle of the night, and experience night terrors. “It was very clear that kids with features of autism have more sleep issues,” said Reynolds, an associate professor of developmental pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora. “For almost all categories, there was a difference between ASD kids and the general population.” It was already known that kids with autism struggle with sleep. Studies have consistently found that more than half of them and possibly as many as 4 in 5 have at least one chronic sleep problem, according to Autism Speaks. Reynolds and her team decided to delve deeper into the issue, to see which sleep problems appeared to be more affected by the symptoms of autism. They also wanted to compare kids with ASD to average children and to those who have other disorders that cause developmental delay. Researchers recruited almost 2,000 children between the ages of 2 and 5… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Taking care of a significant wound helps prevent infection and minimize scaring, the Nemours Foundation says. The foundation suggests how to care for a wound at home: Keep the wound covered with a clean dressing until it stops producing fluid. Wait an average of four days after surgery before showering. Ask your doctor for a specific time to wait. Do not soak in the bathtub or swim until your next doctor visit. Don’t let pets get close to a wound. Do not pick or scratch a scab.

For nutrient-dense foods that are low in calories, it’s hard to beat berries. But it’s also hard to pay what they cost out of season. Frozen berries are a healthy freezer staple that taste as good as fresh, and are a lot more budget-friendly. Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and cranberries (they’re not just for cranberry sauce) are all superfoods — low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins and powerful antioxidants, which give them their brilliant colors. Berries defrost in minutes and make a great topping for yogurt and oatmeal, and the perfect base for smoothies (toss them into the blender without defrosting). They’re also excellent for making sweet treats, like these fast raspberry chocolate fudge pops, a lower-sugar version of the frosty indulgence. If you don’t have a set of ice-pop molds, almost any shape of silicone mold with a half-cup capacity will work. Or simply use small paper cups. Raspberry Fudge Pops 2 cups water 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup Stevia or other sugar-free sweetener 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup frozen raspberries, divided 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, optional In a large saucepan, combine water, cocoa powder and both sweeteners. Stir with a large whisk to dissolve the cocoa as you bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer two to three minutes until smooth… read on >

Bouncing around at a trampoline park can be great fun, but a new study warns it can also be an invitation to sprains, strains and broken bones. Nationwide, more than 100,000 emergency room visits were related to trampoline injuries in 2014, according to the latest data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Injuries that occur at a jump park are typically more severe than those that happen on a home trampoline. “Emergency room visits, hospitalizations and surgical interventions are not uncommon in children and adults due to jump park-related injuries,” said lead researcher Dr. Ryan Voskuil, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Tennessee Health Center in Chattanooga. Several factors contribute to the danger, Voskuil said. Jump park trampolines have a stronger bounce than home ones, he noted, and parks place obstacles around the trampolines to make the experience more exciting. Trampolines at parks also are interconnected and can have different slopes. Finally, many people jumping at the same time increases the chance of collisions. “Similar to a skateboard park or bicycle park, these parks incorporate games, obstacles and various geometric configurations,” Voskuil said. “It’s just like any sport you participate in, except I think, it’s substantially more dangerous.” For the study, his team looked at 439 trampoline injuries reported over two years. While more injuries occurred on home trampolines (66 percent), more than… read on >

Forget the mellow slacker image — pot smoking might actually make men more potent. Men who’ve smoked marijuana appear to have significantly higher sperm concentrations than those who’ve never given it a try, a new study reports. There’s also a potential link between pot use and testosterone, said senior researcher Dr. Jorge Chavarro. He’s an associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. “With increasing use of marijuana, there was a positive association with serum testosterone levels,” Chavarro said. “More marijuana, higher testosterone levels.” Couples shouldn’t start smoking pot to improve their chances of conception, however. This was an observational study, and it’s entirely possible that the link between pot and male fertility might run in the opposite direction, Chavarro said. “We know that men with higher testosterone levels tend to engage in risk-tasking behaviors. The higher your testosterone, the more likely you are to do risky stuff,” like frequent pot smoking, Chavarro said. Chavarro and his team set out to study the possible effects of pot smoking on male reproduction by observing 662 men enrolled at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center in Boston between 2000 and 2017. Semen samples were taken from all of the men, and 317 provided blood samples that were analyzed for reproductive hormones. The men also filled out a questionnaire… read on >

Two out of every three people will experience a shoulder injury or problem at some point in their lives. One reason: When it comes to training, the anterior, or front, deltoid muscle gets almost all the attention, while the medial and posterior deltoids get the cold shoulder. For a study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise, scientists from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse evaluated popular shoulder exercises to see which were most effective. Popular Deltoid Strength-Training Exercises Barbell upright row Battling ropes Bent-arm lateral raise, great for the medial deltoids Cable diagonal raises Dips Dumbbell front raise Dumbbell shoulder press, tops in training for the anterior deltoids Push-ups Seated rear lateral raise, excellent for the posterior deltoids 45-degree incline row, excellent for the medial and posterior deltoids While no single exercise can work all three parts, start building a shoulder workout with two that target most of the muscles. Build up to three sets of eight to 15 reps each. At first, you may only be able to lift very light dumbbells, but with consistency, you’ll develop strength over time. When you can complete three full sets, it’s time to increase your weight. For the seated rear lateral raise, sit on the edge of a bench, feet flat on the floor, a dumbbell next to each foot. Bend over to bring your torso… read on >

(HealthDay News) — More than 160,000 people died in the United States of an unintended injury in 2016, the National Safety Council says. Unintended injury often happens when you least expect it, the council warns, such as while you’re on vacation, doing chores at home or driving across town. Here is the agency’s list of the top causes of unintentional injury and death: Poisoning. Motor vehicle crash. Falling. Choking or suffocation. Drowning. Fires and burns. Weather-related injury.

The benefits of eating fewer calories may go far beyond losing weight. Three decades of animal studies have found that eating fewer calories can extend lifespan and reduce the risk of chronic diseases and even some cancers. And some, though not all, of these benefits are starting to be seen in men and women taking part in clinical trials. For instance, in moderately overweight people, restricting calories by 25 percent over two years improved blood pressure and cholesterol counts, and resulted in weight loss. Participants also had a 47 percent drop in levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation linked to heart disease. A second study done by researchers from the same institutions focused on calorie restriction to see if it affected other important aspects of life like mood, sleep and sex. Not surprisingly, the participants who ate 25 percent fewer calories lost weight — about 15 pounds on average. What was surprising? Their mood significantly improved, and they experienced more vigor, less tension and better overall health. They also had an improved sex drive, better relationships and even greater sleep quality. Keep in mind that safe calorie restriction means reducing intake without depriving yourself of essential nutrients. So every calorie has to be carefully chosen. This is especially important if you’re already at a healthy weight without any fat stores to burn. Make… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Cold, dry winter weather can wreak havoc on your hands, triggering rashes, dry patches and irritation. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests how to prevent a rash on your hands: Wear task-appropriate gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals, such as dyes and detergents. Wear insulated gloves or mittens in cold weather. Wash your hands without irritating them by using warm water and a mild cleanser, such as a beauty bar or moisturizing liquid. Apply moisturizer to your hands often and generously.

(HealthDay News) — Dry eye occurs when the amount of tears you produce fails to keep the surface of the eye adequately lubricated, the National Eye Institute says. The risk of developing dry eye increases with age, and more women than men have the condition. Dry eye can create scratchy or stinging feelings, dryness, discharge, pain and redness. The institute mentions these common causes of dry eye: Medications including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and medications for anxiety, Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure. Advancing age. Rosacea (an inflammatory skin disease) and blepharitis (an inflammatory eyelid disease). Windy, smoky or dry environments. Seasonal allergies. Prolonged periods of screen time.