Thursday, March 31, 2011

Rejection Pain

Breaking up can be hard to do, but it can also be physically painful.

Some people describe getting dumped like a "punch in the gut" and they may be closer to the truth than they thought.

Researchers have found that physical pain, like from being hit or maybe twisting an ankle, and the pain of rejection, like getting dumped, may actually "hurt" in the same way. It turns out that both of these things activate the same pain processing pathways in our brains.

Researchers used functional MRI's to examine volunteers. One group looked at pictures of their ex-partner and thought about the breakup, the other group experienced pain similar to that of picking up a hot cup of coffee. Surprisingly the same area of the brain responded in both cases. So, it seems like what most of us have felt from time to time, that rejection hurts, is actually true.

But besides simply being something interesting, this new finding gives researchers more insight into how social rejection could lead to more physical symptoms. And since some of us handle pain and or rejection better than others, it can also help us figure out how to treat both.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colon cancer affects thousands every year, but is preventable.

March is colorectal cancer awareness month and although we are at the end of the month it's still a good time to bring up some reminders about this disease, reminders that could save your life.

Every year nearly 150,000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer and unfortunately around 50,000 die from it. Some of these deaths could be prevented by an early diagnosis and that means screening, and in particular getting your colonoscopy.

The highest risk for colon cancer is in those older than fifty, those that smoke, are overweight and sedentary. Also, too much alcohol and red or processed meats can up your chances as well.

Your best ways to prevent colorectal cancer are to eat right and exercise regularly, quit smoking and limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day. But your other best bet is to get screened since that is the best way to detect early intestinal growths before they turn into cancer. That means for most of us the test we often joke about, the colonoscopy, starting at age 50. Again, detection is your best bet for fighting this still deadly disease.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Bed Wetting

There is some new information out about bed wetting and you might be surprised to hear just who it affects the most.

Bed wetting is pretty common in young kids, but it looks like boys are twice as likely to have this issue.

A new study published in the Journal Pediatrics found that about 7 out of 100 boys have issues with bed wetting, while only 3 out of 100 girls do.

It also turns out that bed wetting can be hereditary and passed down from a family member 40% of the time. Luckily, most kids outgrow this issue as they get older and by age 15, almost all children in the study had stopped wetting their beds at night.

For younger kids still having these nighttime issues, experts recommend using a bed wetting alarm. This device has a sensor in the underwear connected to an alarm placed near the child's head or on a wristband. It goes off when bed wetting occurs and this helps children train their bladders. Basic models cost around $50. If that doesn't work, there are medicines that can help, but like all medicines they can have some side effects.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Garden Zest For Life

Do you want a little more zest for life? Then maybe gardening is your answer.

Talk about perfect timing. We are getting close to early gardening time and since it looks like putting in a garden can help keep you healthy, you might want to think about getting into the habit.

Besides getting a bit of sunshine's vitamin D and sneaking in some exercise, it looks like gardening can also help you get some zest back into your life. A recent survey found that people aged 50 and above who gardened were more likely to have a greater outlook on life. As a matter of fact, gardeners had more overall life satisfaction and energy levels because of it. In addition, they also were planning ahead because of their gardening, with most of them agreeing with the statement "I have made plans for things I'll be doing a month or a year from now." This type of future planning helps keep depression at bay, especially as we get older and hit retirement. Plus, as an added benefit, gardeners also tended to eat more vegetables.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Acne & Depression

Acne is more than just a teenage nuisance, it can affect their overall life.

Remember back to your teen days and how devastating pimples were, especially the ones you got right before a date? Well, they still affect today's teens and in more ways than you might think.

This might not be anything new to any teenager, but researchers have confirmed that acne, low self esteem and depression tend to go together.

Besides just being one of those "things" we all have to make it through, acne has also been linked to greater rates of anxiety and depression. And those with hard to treat acne issues also had higher suicidal thoughts.

So besides being the scourge of teen years, acne can also lead to severe emotional problems. But the good news behind this is that acne is mostly treatable. There are a variety of over the counter and prescription medications that are very effective. And luckily most of us outgrown acne in our early twenties.

But for today's teenagers and their parents remember that no matter how bad acne is it's truly in the eye of the beholder. So if your teen thinks it needs treatment than it probably does.

Monday, March 21, 2011

How Soon After Birth Can Moms Get Pregnant

How soon can you get pregnant after giving birth. The answer may surprise you.

How about three weeks. That means if you aren't ready for another baby so soon, you should think about using birth control right after having a child, but you need to be careful with this medication as well.

Most women don't start ovulating until around six weeks after having a baby. Breastfeeding can delay that even more. But a new review just published in the Journal Obstetrics and Gynecology found that in some cases women started ovulating just three weeks after giving birth. That means they could get pregnant after just having delivered.

Experts say that means women, especially if they aren't breastfeeding, might need to start birth control sooner than they think. But they also need to be careful with this medication since combining birth control with normal post-pregnancy hormones can increase the risk of developing blood clots. This is especially true up until six weeks postpartum.

So, if you're pregnant your best bet is to talk with your doctor before you deliver to figure out if you need to start birth control soon after.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Postpartum Depression & Dads

Postpartum depression is something that doesn't just affect new mothers.

Turns out it also affects dads and issues with it even trickle down to the children.

Postpartum depression is known to affect some mothers after the birth of their child. But dads also get depressed. According to the findings of a new study, 7% of dads experience the same type of postpartum depression. And those fathers suffering from this also tend to spank their children more than other fathers. The concerning thing is that they more often spank children less than one-year-old, a time when they are more likely to get injured. This depression also tends to rob fathers of motivation they might otherwise have to read to their children, instead opting for less hands on time occupying activities like television or video games.

The concern from child experts is that fathers with postpartum depression are getting missed. The recommendation is that pediatricians talk with both mom and dad about this condition during child checkups so it can be more easily spotted and addressed.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Coffee Cutting Stroke Risk

That morning cup of coffee your drinking might do more for you than just wake you up. It could cut your risk of having a stroke.

Coffee might have gotten a bit of a bad rap in the past, but now it looks like one cup a day can help cut your risk of having a stroke.

A new study published in the American Heart Association Journal, researchers followed the coffee drinking habits of over 34 thousand Swedish women between the ages 49 and 83 for 10 years. Those who drank at least one cup a day had a 25% lower risk of stroke. An earlier study found similar results for men.

Researchers didn't look at whether the coffee was caffeinated or not, but most people in Sweden do drink the caffeinated kind. And they aren't sure what in the coffee cuts the risk of a stroke, but think it might be that it's reducing inflammation and improving your body's insulin sensitivity. In the meanwhile, while they search for more answers, they aren't recommending you start drinking now if you never have, but say that if your are drinking it already you may be doing yourself more good than you probably thought.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Cereal Influence, Cartoon Characters

When it comes to picking a morning cereal kids rarely choose the healthy ones.

Turns out it’s all in the picture, and manufacturers know this which is why they put popular cartoon characters on the boxes.

If you’ve ever been with a young child in the grocery store, you've experienced this firsthand. They want the cereal with their favorite cartoon character on it and they can be very loud about their choice. And if you’ve ever tasted the cereal they picked, you’ve probably been left trying to figure out why they even like it so much. It turns out that the cartoon character on the box influences their taste.

A study out of the University of Pennsylvania found that children thought a cereal tasted better if the box had a popular cartoon character compared to cereal from a plain box---even though both cartons contained the exact same cereal. So as your trying to figure out the best way to get your kids to eat healthier, remember that your fighting an uphill battle against the likes of Shrek or Dora. Maybe tossing the carton once you get home might help them chose the cereal you know is better for them.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Not Sleeping, Blame Technology

Not getting enough sleep? You might want to blame technology.

Happy National Sleep Awareness week. You probably know as well as anyone that we simply aren’t getting enough sleep. Part of the reason could be our computers, TVs and smartphones.

A recent survey found that 1 out of 3 of us get less than 7 hours of sleep per night. Since the recommended range is around 8 hours, that means plenty of us are nodding off during the day, having trouble concentrating on what we are doing and even having trouble driving. Another survey found that 95% of us also use some type of technology right before going to bed. This includes getting on the computer, watching TV, texting or talking on our smartphones.

The problem is that all this technology comes with bright screens that flood our eyes and brain with light right before we want to nod off. And since our bodies are made to nod off when it gets dark and wake up with the light it gets our body confused as to what it’s supposed to do.

So, your best bet is to save that last hour before bedtime for some quite, low light time. That’ll get you as ready as possible for some good shuteye.

Monday, March 7, 2011

We Don't Get Enough Sleep

Guess what? We don't sleep enough. And that is causing us all sorts of problems.

And as luck would have it this is national sleep awareness week, so it's a great time to bring a bit of attention to something that has plenty of us yawning all day long.

The truth of it is that we're pretty much a sleep deprived nation and many of us even have trouble with everyday tasks like driving because of it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just reported some startling statistics about our sleep habits. Turns out nearly 1/3 of us sleep less than seven hours a night. And since the general recommendation is for around eight hours a night, this lack of sleep is taking its tool. The CDC also found that about half of us spend the day having trouble concentrating, struggle to remember things, fall asleep during the day and even more alarming have difficulty driving.

It's no secret the solution is to get more sleep, but often times that's easier said than done. But time sleeping and how well you sleep are both important, so try to set yourself up for a good night. Most importantly no alcohol or caffeine four hours before bedtime, avoid late heavy meals and set up a sleep time pattern.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Early Hot Flashes, Fewer Health Risks

No woman looks forward to hot flashes, but when it comes to your health sooner might be better than later.

I don't think any woman looks forward to hot flashes, treating them mainly as “one” of those things you just have to make it through. But a new long running government study has found that menopause has its own health benefits. As a matter of fact, women that had hot flashes at the beginning of their menopause, instead of later on, had a lower risk for both heart attacks and even early death. Those women that never had hot flashes, or even those whose symptoms persisted later on after menopause started, also ended up having more heart problems.

Although high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity were more common in women with late hot flashes, researchers say that only accounted for part of their findings. For some reason they can't quite pinpoint, early hot flashes themselves seem to help protect women from heart problems.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

High School Athletes & Concussions

Are high school athletes suffering more concussions these days and why?

High school athletes are four times more likely to report a concussion today then they where just 10 years ago. And football players are the the ones out in front.

A new study from the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that both boys and girls are getting more concussions. Part of the reason is because there is more awareness of concussion signs and symptoms, so they tend to get reported more than before. But it's also because athletes today tend to be stronger and faster, so impacts are harder than before.

For boys, football was the riskiest, followed closely by lacrosse then soccer. For girls, it was soccer, then lacrosse and basketball.

But regardless of how and when it happens, any concussion needs to be taken very seriously. And avoiding them is something all schools, parents and athletes need to keep working on.