Health/Fitness « Weekly Gravy

When it comes to staying trim, timing may be everything. That’s according to new research that found adults who routinely engaged in moderate-to-vigorous exercise early in the morning were less likely to be overweight or obese than those who worked out later in the day. “For individuals who exercise regularly, their body mass index [BMI] is 2 units lower and waist circumference is 1.5 inches shorter if they exercise in the early morning than in other times of day,” said study author Tongyu Ma, an assistant professor of exercise physiology at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H. BMI and waist circumference are considered two key measures of obesity risk. The upshot, said Ma, is that a “morning workout is a promising tool for weight management.” To explore the question, investigators tracked obesity status among nearly 5,300 adult men and women. All were enrolled in the ongoing U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, either between 2003 to 2004 or between 2005 to 2006. Each of the participants wore a hip accelerometer whenever they were awake for somewhere between four to seven consecutive days, including at least one day over the weekend. Based on activity routines, they were then categorized into one of three exercise groups: morning (642 participants), midday (2,456) or evening (2,187). In turn, waist circumferences were measured and BMI scores were calculated. BMI… read on > read on >

Playing sports can offer a lot of benefits for kids, but it’s also important to help protect them from injuries. Parents and coaches can make a big difference in helping kids play safely, according to Nemours Kids Health. The medical organization suggests starting with proper equipment. Use it, but also make sure the safety gear is the right size, fits well and is right for the sport. That includes helmets for baseball, softball, bike riding and hockey, as well as for inline skating or riding scooters and skateboards. Ask your child’s coach about the appropriate helmets, shoes, mouth guards, athletic cups and supporters, and padding, Nemours advised. Also ask about protective eyewear for racquet sports, field hockey, lacrosse, basketball, softball and baseball. This might include shatterproof glasses. Make sure protective equipment is approved by the organizations that oversee the sports. That means bike helmets with safety certification from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and hockey masks approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), for example. Take good care of this equipment so it holds up and continues working. Kids also need safe playing surfaces, including playing fields that are not full of holes and ruts that are a tripping hazard. High-impact sports, like basketball and running, should be done on surfaces like tracks and wooden basketball courts,… read on > read on >

Millions of Americans suffer from arthritis, and many reach for medication to ease their joint pain and inflammation. The options might seem overwhelming, though. Here, the Arthritis Foundation offers some suggestions for meds that can be purchased at a local drug store or filled with a doctor’s prescription, whether your pain is caused by normal wear and tear (osteoarthritis) or inflammatory disease. Over-the-counter meds Some of the best over-the-counter (OTC) medications for controlling arthritis pain are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen and acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin), better known by brand names like Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Aleve or Anacin. Ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While those are pills, it’s also possible to get an NSAID in topical form, like diclofenac gel (Voltaren). Other OTC creams for arthritis contain salicylate, capsaicin, camphor or menthol as the active ingredient. While acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often used to treat osteoarthritis, NSAIDs are typically used for both inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis, according to the foundation. Acetaminophen offers only limited help with inflammatory arthritis because it doesn’t control the disease or prevent joint damage, the foundation says. Diclofenac gel and topical capsaicin might also be used in combination with oral medications to relieve pain. Only limited evidence supports using topical salicylate, camphor or menthol to treat osteoarthritis pain. A doctor or pharmacist can offer more information on these medications. How long… read on > read on >

When an earthquake struck the center of Morocco earlier this month, killing nearly 3,000 and injuring thousands more, no one was expecting it. That sudden rapid shaking of ground as the rocks underneath the earth shift can happen anywhere, but higher-risk areas in the United States include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington and the entire Mississippi River Valley. In their aftermath, earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides and avalanches.That’s why the best time to prepare for such a disaster is before it happens, according to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA offers some tips for preparing for an earthquake. Start preparing by creating an emergency plan that includes an out-of-state contact, FEMA suggests. Know where your family will meet if you get separated. Have a supply kit that includes enough food and water for several days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher and a whistle, FEMA advises. Supplies can be expensive, so it’s fine to slowly build them up. Make your home a safer place in the event of an earthquake by securing heavy items, such as bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions and items that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable items on low shelves. Fix any structural problems at home that could collapse if there was an earthquake, FEMA recommends. Get earthquake insurance, if you can. Standard homeowner’s insurance does… read on > read on >

Over 3 million American children now take medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but new research shows medication errors have spiked nearly 300% in the past two decades for these kids. The increase in ADHD medication errors parallels the increase in ADHD diagnoses, said study co-author Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “Because therapeutic errors are preventable, more attention should be given to patient and caregiver education, and development of improved child-resistant medication dispensing and tracking systems,” Smith suggested. “Another strategy may be a transition from pill bottles to unit-dose packaging, like blister packs, which may aid in remembering whether a medication has already been taken or given.” About 10% of American children had an ADHD diagnosis in 2019, Smith said, making it one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. The study, which researched errors reported through poison control centers from 2000 to 2021, found that about 54% of these mistakes happened when someone was accidentally given or took their medication twice. In about 13% of cases, someone inadvertently took or was given someone else’s medication, Smith said, and in about 13% of cases, the wrong medication was taken or given. A very large number of these mishaps, about 93%, happened at home. In two-thirds of cases, they involved kids aged 6… read on > read on >

Low-carb diets may be all the rage, but they’re not for kids with diabetes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). In a new report, the AAP says that low-carbohydrate diets cannot be recommended for children or teenagers with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. That’s because there’s little evidence they’re helpful, but there are concerns about restricting kids’ diets to that degree. Instead, the AAP encourages families to focus on cutting out “bad” carbs: sugary drinks, sweets and other processed foods that are low in nutrients. Just as important, kids should get enough healthy carbs, including vegetables, beans and fiber-rich grains. The “keto” diet and similar ones popular among adults can put very strict limits on carbs, with a ceiling as low as 20 grams per day — equivalent to a half-cup of white rice. A big concern is that low-carb diets will shortchange kids on nutrients during critical periods of development, said Amy Reed, a pediatric dietitian with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Reed, who was not involved in the AAP report, said she agrees with its recommendations. “The focus should be on healthy eating, rather than restriction,” said Reed, who is also a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Diabetes exists in different forms: Type 1 diabetes arises from an immune system attack on the pancreatic cells that… read on > read on >

Cannabinoid products may interfere with some prescription medications, so people who use them should add these to the list of supplements they tell their doctors about. This interference could have serious health consequences, according to Penn State Health, which offered some additional advice as legal medical and recreational cannabis becomes more common. “Whether it’s recreational cannabis, prescribed cannabinoid or medical marijuana, it’s important your doctor knows you’re using it,” said Kent Vrana, head of the pharmacology department at Penn State College of Medicine. “A problem in Pennsylvania is that you can get a medical marijuana card without any involvement by your [primary care physician], meaning your doctor may have no idea you’re using if you don’t say something,” Vrana said in a college news release. It’s possible that over-the-counter cannabidiol, better known as CBD, could benefit millions of people because of its medicinal properties without the high feeling, Penn State Health said. Recreational marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which makes users high. THC is sometimes present in CBD products. CBD has been proven safe and effective in the treatment of seizure disorders and may be useful for treating some cancers, Vrana said, but science on the substance is still limited. Prescription CBD is considered safe when used as directed. But other marketed products, such as oils, lotions or gummies, may not be approved by the U.S.… read on > read on >

Dark patches or freckle-like spots on the face are melasma, and it’s possible both to prevent them and make them less noticeable, according to a skin expert. Dr. Rebecca Kazin, a Rockville, Md., dermatologist, offers some tips for dealing with these patches, which are caused by sun exposure, pregnancy, stress, certain medications and sometimes a medical condition. “While melasma may go away on its own, it can persist for years,” Kazin said in a news release from the American Academy of Dermatology. “Although melasma is not harmful, people often want to treat it.” A dermatologist can create an individualized treatment plan using different therapies to address each patient’s concerns, she said. Melanocytes, the cells that give skin its color, are more active in darker complexions, so melasma can be more noticeable with darker skin tones. Kazin and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend protecting the skin from the sun. Seek shade when outdoors. Wear sun-protective clothing, including a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection. Choosing clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label can offer even more protection. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on all skin not covered by clothing whenever you’re outdoors, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, more often if you have been… read on > read on >

Any head injury — even a mild one — raises a person’s risk of later having an ischemic stroke. Having multiple injuries increases that risk, even more so than the severity of a single traumatic brain injury (TBI), researchers report. “Our study found that those who experience two or more head injuries, including even mild head injuries, are at higher risk of subsequent ischemic stroke,” said study author Dr. Holly Elser, a neurology resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. “The findings underscore the importance of public health interventions to reduce the risk of head injury, as well as measures aimed at stroke prevention among individuals with a prior head injury.” An ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, is caused by a blockage in the vessels that supply blood to the brain. TBIs can be mild, moderate or severe. To study the connection with stroke, the researchers analyzed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study of more than 12,800 U.S. adults. The diverse group had not had a head injury or stroke when the study began in 1987. More than 2,100 of those people did experience a head injury during the following 30-year time period, about 73% of which were mild. More than 140 had an ischemic stroke. The investigators found that those who had a head… read on > read on >

For decades, sick people have been taking essentially worthless over-the-counter cold remedies to clear their stuffy noses, a key advisory panel for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. The panel voted unanimously that nonprescription oral medications containing phenylephrine — including Sudafed PE, Vicks Sinex and Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion — don’t do anything to ease congestion. The committee’s ruling could prompt the FDA to pull all oral decongestants containing phenylephrine from store shelves, leaving cold sufferers with limited options to relieve their misery. “I feel this drug in this oral dose should have been removed from the market a long time ago,” said Jennifer Schwartzott, the patient representative on the panel, the Associated Press reported. “Patients require and deserve medications that treat their symptoms safely and effectively, and I don’t believe that this medication does that.” Phenylephrine has been available in cold remedies since the 1970s, and can be taken as a liquid, pill or nasal spray. Tuesday’s decision does not include the nasal spray version. Medications with phenylephrine took on more prominence after the highly effective decongestant pseudoephedrine became harder to purchase in 2005, as part of legislation aimed at combatting the meth epidemic. More than 242 million bottles or packages of phenylephrine-containing cold remedies were sold in 2022, compared with about 51 million cold products containing pseudoephedrine, FDA briefing documents for… read on > read on >