Lifestyle « Weekly Gravy

Children of mothers who are often exposed to solvent chemicals in the workplace appear to have an increased risk of autism, a new study finds. The study of almost 1,000 families can’t prove cause and effect, but researchers report that mothers of autistic children had more frequent exposure to solvents than mothers of children without autism. Overall, moms exposed to solvents were 1.5 times more likely to have a child with autism. Exposure to other workplace chemicals seemed to have no effect on autism risk in offspring, the study found. The study “results are consistent with earlier reports that have identified solvents as a potential risk factor for [autism spectrum disorders],” said a team led by Erin McCanlies. She’s with the Health Effects Laboratory at the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. One autism expert who wasn’t involved in the study said it does give pause for thought. “The fact that there was a weak association between solvents and autism spectrum disorders is concerning and should not be dismissed,” said Dr. Andrew Adesman, who directs child and adolescent psychiatry at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. He stressed, though, that the association failed to reach statistical significance “when needed adjustments were made for this analysis.” On the other hand the study sample was relatively small, so a larger population might… read on >

He sings, he plays games — and Huggable the ‘social robot’ teddy bear could be good medicine for kids in the hospital. In a study of 50 children, aged 3 to 10 years, the plush bear boosted spirits, eased anxiety and even lowered perceived pain levels, say Boston Children’s Hospital researchers. “It’s exciting knowing what types of support we can provide kids who may feel isolated or scared about what they’re going through,” said study first author Deirdre Logan, a pediatric psychologist at the hospital. Logan noted that hospital staffers provide a lot of support to help kids feel comfortable, but they can’t be with every kid all the time. “Social robots create a more consistent presence throughout the day,” Logan said. “There may also be kids who don’t always want to talk to people, and respond better to having a robotic stuffed animal with them.” The robot is not designed to replace health care specialists, only to assist them, the study authors noted. Study co-author Cynthia Breazeal, founding director of the Personal Robots Group at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said, “Our group designs technologies with the mindset that they’re teammates … We want technology to support everyone who’s invested in the quality care of a child.” For the study, the researchers split the young patients into three groups: One used the robotic teddy; another… read on >

If you struggle with infertility, chances are you will be twice as likely to get treatment for the heartbreaking condition if you are white, college-educated or affluent. So claims a new study that analyzed data from more than 2,500 women aged 20 to 44 who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2016. Nearly 12.5% of the women — about 1 in 8 — reported infertility. Older age was associated with higher infertility rates, but race/ethnicity, education and income did not appear to be associated with infertility. However, the study found that certain women were much more likely to get infertility treatment. More than 80% of infertile women with a college degree or higher sought treatment, while only 33% of those with a high school degree or less did. More than two-thirds of infertile women with household incomes above $100,000 sought treatment, compared with one-third of women with household incomes of $25,000 or less. Only 39% of uninsured women with infertility sought treatment, compared with 65% of those with insurance, according to the researchers. “Our study highlights important unmet infertility needs at a national level,” said senior study author Dr. James Dupree, from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. “While infertility prevalence is equal among women of varying socioeconomic, education and racial and ethnic… read on >

A new study is sure to strike a chord with anyone who plays in a high school or college marching band. The researchers report that long, afternoon practices and playing on artificial turf put marching musicians at high risk of heat stroke. “People usually think of football players when they think of students struggling with heat issues, but high school and college marching bands also often practice in the heat of August and early September, and play on the same surfaces while wearing uniforms and carrying heavy equipment,” said study author Dawn Emerson. She is an assistant professor of health, sport and exercise sciences at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. For the study, Emerson’s team measured the core body temperatures of musicians in two unidentified college marching bands during rehearsals and football games over one season. Participants swallowed a capsule with sensors to get the measurements. A core body temperature of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit signifies heat stroke — the most severe form of exertional heat illness (EHI). It’s a leading cause of death among U.S. high school athletes. Average overall core temperature was significantly higher in one group: 101.1 degrees before activity for Band 2 versus 99.7 degrees for Band 1; and 101.8 degrees after activity for Band 2 versus 100.2 for Band 1. Maximum core temperature was 102.7 degrees in Band… read on >

Ever wonder how your diet habits — good or bad — compare to others? Annual surveys done by the International Food Information Council Foundation detail positive changes that people are making and where improvement is still needed. People are, in general, hungry for more food information and get it from sources as varied as dietitians and government websites, but most rely on friends and family. That could explain why nearly 80% of last year’s respondents said they were confused by information overload and, at times, contradictory advice. People want to eat healthier, but aren’t always sure what to do. Know-how seems to come with age, as those over age 50 were far more confident in their choices and get more of their information from reliable sources compared with younger people. Just over one-third of the respondents in the most recent survey follow a set eating pattern. Most popular is intermittent fasting. (This is usually done in one of two ways — either eating during an eight-hour span each day followed by 16 hours of fasting, or fasting on two days each week.) Sixteen percent of people adhere to a low-carb approach, such as the Keto and Paleo diets. These diets have their fans, but also their critics who cite the unhealthy side effects of eliminating entire food groups. Not surprisingly, as people cut down on… read on >

Many men need to do a better job of looking after their health, and it only takes a few simple steps, experts say. “It’s common for men to avoid going to the doctor until there’s a serious health concern,” said Dr. James Heckman, a primary care physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “Staying healthy may just be a matter of changing habits.” Those habits start with regular doctor visits. “Seeing your doctor regularly means that you have a baseline for important screenings,” Heckman said in a medical center news release. “This includes everything from cholesterol to cancer screenings and osteoporosis.” Then, make sure you’re eating right. A diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables can help lower the risk of certain cancers, including prostate cancer. “For good prostate health, eat your fruits and veggies,” Dr. Aria Olumi, chief of urologic surgery at Beth Israel, said in the news release. Don’t smoke. Along with harming your heart and lungs, smoking is linked with roughly half of all bladder cancers. “Bladder cancer risk factors like age, gender, race and family history can’t be controlled,” Olumi said. “But quitting smoking can definitely lower your risk.” Get enough sleep. That means at least seven hours a night. And remember that mental health is connected to physical health. Protect it. Mental illness affects both… read on >

A possible link between World Trade Center dust and prostate cancer in first responders has been found by researchers. Exposure to dust at the New York City site after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks triggered chronic inflammation in the responders’ prostates, which may have contributed to their cancer, according to the Mount Sinai Health researchers. They noted that inflammation has long been considered an important factor in prostate cancer. “Several years ago, I saw a first responder in his 40s who began having symptoms of prostatitis, a painful condition that involves inflammation of the prostate, soon after exposure to the World Trade Center dust,” said researcher Dr. William Oh, chief of the division of hematology and medical oncology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. “He ultimately developed a high-grade prostate cancer several years later. It suggested to me that there might be a link between his exposure and cancer, but I knew that I would need to examine it systematically,” Oh said in a Mount Sinai news release. The study included data from first responders and rats exposed to WTC dust. The researchers said it’s the first study to examine men who were exposed to WTC dust and later developed prostate cancer. Prostate cancer tissues from the first responders and the rats showed immune cell increases that indicate inflammation. The findings suggest that… read on >

Many parents think it couldn’t happen to their kids, but the number of children and teens admitted to children’s hospitals for thoughts of self-harm or suicide is alarming. Each year 4,600 young people between the ages of 10 and 24 take their own lives, and 157,000 are treated in emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent survey of high school students revealed that 16% have seriously considered suicide; 13% had developed a plan; and 8% had attempted suicide in the previous year. Childhood depression is real and devastating. Parents can take steps to try to prevent depression in their children and keep them emotionally healthy as they grow. Help them create a social network early on through new friendships; involvement in sports, afterschool activities or hobbies; and memberships in organizations with programs for young people. And, just as important, parents need to be alert to the early signs of depression. There are many warning signs parents should be aware of, according to the nonprofit Mental Health America, such as excessive fears, anxiety and irritability. Signs of Childhood Depression Doing poorly in school Loss of interest in friends and favorite activities Not eating or sleeping well Feeling sad, hopeless and/or angry Lack of self-esteem Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation Overreacting to criticism and having trouble… read on >

Carrot sticks are fine for a snack, but that’s far from the only way to get these tasty veggies into your diet. Carrots are naturally high in beta carotene, and they’re great for liver and skin health. These sweet root vegetables come in a wide range of colors, all of which are nutritious. When buying carrots, choose those that are firm and without cracks. Store them in the fridge for up to two weeks. Note: Baby carrots are no different than regular carrots except that they’ve been cut down to a small size, at a cost to consumers. Because carrots add great crunch to dishes, you can use them raw in many types of vegetable-based salads. They’re also a great addition to salad dressings, like this one reminiscent of the kind served in Asian restaurants. Try it over a simple salad as suggested or over steamed green beans or almost any vegetable to give it more zing. Best of all, it requires zero cooking. Baby Greens With Carrot Ginger Dressing 1 pound mixed baby greens 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced 1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons ginger, peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1/4 cup water, more as needed Arrange the greens, tomatoes… read on >

Face-lifts and hair transplants. Chin implants and forehead lifts and lip augmentation. Baby boomers hoping to retain their youth — and maybe get back into the dating scene — are seeking plastic surgery in ever-increasing numbers, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Nearly 50,000 more cosmetic procedures were performed on Americans 55 and older in 2018 than the year before, new statistics showed. “Older Americans are vibrant and living their lives to the fullest, and they want the way they look to reflect that,” said Dr. Alan Matarasso, president of the society. More than 4.2 million cosmetic procedures took place in 2018, including nearly 381,000 surgical procedures and 3.8 million minimally invasive ones. Among the specific procedures and techniques: Hair transplants went up 18%. Lip augmentation increased 5%. Liposuction and breast augmentation increased 4%. Botox injections and fillers went up 3%. Two-thirds of all face-lifts are performed on people 55 and older, along with roughly half of eyelid surgeries, forehead lifts and lip augmentations, the stats showed. These numbers reflect what is happening in the practice of Dr. Lyle Leipziger, a plastic surgeon in Great Neck, N.Y. “People are taking better care of themselves. They’re dieting. They’re exercising. They’re seeing their doctor for any medical indications,” said Leipziger, chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. “These… read on >