It's pretty common to know your cholesterol numbers, but how about your kids?
There is a new recommendation to get cholesterol checked at a younger age than you'd probably think. How about as early as 9?
Although that might be a bit of a surprise for most parents, guidelines just released by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute call for cholesterol screening of children between the ages of 9 and 11. This recommendation is also being endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. And because cholesterol naturally dips a bit during puberty, but can rise right after, they also recommend children get retested between 17 and 21.
The panel of experts that came up with the recommendations is also suggesting diabetes screening every two years for certain children. In particular, starting at age 9, those that are overweight or have a family history of type 2 diabetes should get tested regularly tested for this disease.
The reason behind these new recommendations are because of the increasing number of children with what used to be adult-only problems, high cholesterol and blood sugars. And since around 10% of the 4th graders already have high cholesterol, if we wait until they are in their 20s it can already start taking its toll on their body.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Importance Of Vitamin D For Spinal Surgery
Before a big spinal surgery you have plenty of things to think about, but you might also need to pay attention to your vitamin D level.
It's because going into surgery, many patients are low in vitamin D and this vitamin is important to get the bone to heal.
We've talked before about how many people are low in vitamin D, especially here in Colorado. And we also have found that vitamin D plays a role in keeping our risk of getting cancer, diabetes and even multiple sclerosis low. But for spinal surgery patients, vitamin D's role in keeping our bones strong and healthy becomes even more important after surgery, when the bone is in its healing phase.
The problem is, according to this newest study, that many spinal surgery patients researchers examined were low in vitamin D before the surgery. These researchers found over half of them had low levels and one quarter were severely deficient. So, for your overall health, and particularly your bone health after surgery, make sure you get enough vitamin D in your diet. That means eating fortified foods, like milk and cereal, or vitamin D rich foods like eggs and saltwater fish, or taking a supplement. For most of us, we want to get 600 to 800 international units every day.
It's because going into surgery, many patients are low in vitamin D and this vitamin is important to get the bone to heal.
We've talked before about how many people are low in vitamin D, especially here in Colorado. And we also have found that vitamin D plays a role in keeping our risk of getting cancer, diabetes and even multiple sclerosis low. But for spinal surgery patients, vitamin D's role in keeping our bones strong and healthy becomes even more important after surgery, when the bone is in its healing phase.
The problem is, according to this newest study, that many spinal surgery patients researchers examined were low in vitamin D before the surgery. These researchers found over half of them had low levels and one quarter were severely deficient. So, for your overall health, and particularly your bone health after surgery, make sure you get enough vitamin D in your diet. That means eating fortified foods, like milk and cereal, or vitamin D rich foods like eggs and saltwater fish, or taking a supplement. For most of us, we want to get 600 to 800 international units every day.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Air Fresheners & Allergies
They might make your house or work space smell great, but they could also be causing you health problems.
We're talking about air fresheners and scented candles. Both are causing a rise in the allergic reactions around the country. And since they tend to be used more often this time of year, they can cause more problems for more people.
We've all seen then and most of us have used scented candles and air fresheners to get that seasonal smell into our homes or offices. The reason they spread a good smell around is because they emit VOC, volatile organic compounds. Those are chemicals from an unseen gas or vapor these products put out that float around in the air. It's those chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction. According to a new study, around 1 in 3 of us have reported adverse reactions to these types of scented problems. Oftentimes these reactions mean sneezing, coughing and runny nose; typical allergy symptoms.
This doesn't mean you need to get rid of these products, it just means you need to be aware that if someone starts having allergic type reactions in your home or office, look to see if these products are in place. If so, then you might want to consider putting them aside, at least while the affected person is around.
We're talking about air fresheners and scented candles. Both are causing a rise in the allergic reactions around the country. And since they tend to be used more often this time of year, they can cause more problems for more people.
We've all seen then and most of us have used scented candles and air fresheners to get that seasonal smell into our homes or offices. The reason they spread a good smell around is because they emit VOC, volatile organic compounds. Those are chemicals from an unseen gas or vapor these products put out that float around in the air. It's those chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction. According to a new study, around 1 in 3 of us have reported adverse reactions to these types of scented problems. Oftentimes these reactions mean sneezing, coughing and runny nose; typical allergy symptoms.
This doesn't mean you need to get rid of these products, it just means you need to be aware that if someone starts having allergic type reactions in your home or office, look to see if these products are in place. If so, then you might want to consider putting them aside, at least while the affected person is around.
Sitting & Cancer
We all know that exercise can help keep you healthy. But did you know that sitting too long can take a heavy toll?
The amount we sit during the day could be increasing our chances of getting cancer.
And to make matters worse, all that sitting around, at home and work, might also wipe out any benefit we get from exercising.
Experts think we sit a little over 15 hours a day. Between driving to and from work, sitting at a desk, then sitting at home either in front of the TV or computer, we spend the good part of our day just sitting.
The government recommends 150 minutes a week of exercise. This can help keep us healthy by keeping our weight, blood pressure and blood sugar levels under control. But even if you do exercise this much, too much sitting around can make it seem like you don't. Being sedentary by sitting the amount most of us do can not only raise your risk of cancer but a recent study found it might also cut years off your life.
So what can you do? The best step is to keep exercising, or start a program if you aren't. Then take a look at how much you sit during the day. And change what you can. Getting a standing desk can help. Taking as many breaks as you can during the day and getting up and walking around can help too. The important part is to realize it's the little things that count. And those little things might just keep you around a bit longer.
The amount we sit during the day could be increasing our chances of getting cancer.
And to make matters worse, all that sitting around, at home and work, might also wipe out any benefit we get from exercising.
Experts think we sit a little over 15 hours a day. Between driving to and from work, sitting at a desk, then sitting at home either in front of the TV or computer, we spend the good part of our day just sitting.
The government recommends 150 minutes a week of exercise. This can help keep us healthy by keeping our weight, blood pressure and blood sugar levels under control. But even if you do exercise this much, too much sitting around can make it seem like you don't. Being sedentary by sitting the amount most of us do can not only raise your risk of cancer but a recent study found it might also cut years off your life.
So what can you do? The best step is to keep exercising, or start a program if you aren't. Then take a look at how much you sit during the day. And change what you can. Getting a standing desk can help. Taking as many breaks as you can during the day and getting up and walking around can help too. The important part is to realize it's the little things that count. And those little things might just keep you around a bit longer.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Lack Of Sleep & Premature Births
Sleeping while pregnant can sometimes be tough. But now we know it's also important to the child's health.
It turns out that lack of sleep might lead to a premature delivery. Many pregnant women have trouble getting a good night's sleep. Sometimes it's because they are excited and anxious about the new baby and have trouble falling asleep. Other times it's because they need to constantly get up to use the bathroom or suffer from leg cramps. Often times it's just because they simply can't get comfortable and nod off.
According to a new study out of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, pregnant women with sleep problems during their 1st and 3rd trimesters ended up also being more likely to have a premature delivery. Although unsure why this is happening, experts think it might have to do with the stress not sleeping puts on the body and how the pregnancy reacts to that.
But whatever the reason, this study shows the importance of sleep to both the mother to be and the unborn child. Plus it makes it a subject both patient and doctor should bring up during prenatal visits. Hopefully that way a solution can be found that can get mom to be a little more shut eye while waiting for the baby to come.
It turns out that lack of sleep might lead to a premature delivery. Many pregnant women have trouble getting a good night's sleep. Sometimes it's because they are excited and anxious about the new baby and have trouble falling asleep. Other times it's because they need to constantly get up to use the bathroom or suffer from leg cramps. Often times it's just because they simply can't get comfortable and nod off.
According to a new study out of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, pregnant women with sleep problems during their 1st and 3rd trimesters ended up also being more likely to have a premature delivery. Although unsure why this is happening, experts think it might have to do with the stress not sleeping puts on the body and how the pregnancy reacts to that.
But whatever the reason, this study shows the importance of sleep to both the mother to be and the unborn child. Plus it makes it a subject both patient and doctor should bring up during prenatal visits. Hopefully that way a solution can be found that can get mom to be a little more shut eye while waiting for the baby to come.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Live Longer, Be Happy
Want the secret to living longer? Be happy.
It's a little more complicated than just this; but happy people do tend to live longer.
A new study, just released in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found a connection between happiness and long life. Researchers found that people reporting feeling the happiest also cut their risk of dying by 35% when they were compared against those who ended up being the least happy. This study looked at nearly 4,000 adults, aged 52-79 and followed them for 5 years. And regardless of their overall health, how educated they were, whether they were married, and how wealthy they were, the happiest were the least likely to die during that 5-year period.
Although experts can't say why they got these results, they do point out that other studies are finding out that positive outlooks can benefit overall health. As a side note giving us a glimpse into how we work as humans, the researchers in this study also found out that overall, most of us tend to be less happy when we wake up and most happy around 7 p.m.
So, as the saying goes, to get healthy, "Don't Worry, Be Happy."
It's a little more complicated than just this; but happy people do tend to live longer.
A new study, just released in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found a connection between happiness and long life. Researchers found that people reporting feeling the happiest also cut their risk of dying by 35% when they were compared against those who ended up being the least happy. This study looked at nearly 4,000 adults, aged 52-79 and followed them for 5 years. And regardless of their overall health, how educated they were, whether they were married, and how wealthy they were, the happiest were the least likely to die during that 5-year period.
Although experts can't say why they got these results, they do point out that other studies are finding out that positive outlooks can benefit overall health. As a side note giving us a glimpse into how we work as humans, the researchers in this study also found out that overall, most of us tend to be less happy when we wake up and most happy around 7 p.m.
So, as the saying goes, to get healthy, "Don't Worry, Be Happy."
Soft Drinks & Marketing To Kids
Soft drink manufacturers are advertising as much as ever. But it's who they are marketing to that has experts concerned.
It seems like soft drink markers are marketing more and more to kids. So are the makers of other sugar-laden drinks.
A report from Yale University has found that children's exposure to ads touting full calorie sodas doubled over the last few years. This includes ads targeted to teenagers.
This same group also saw 18% more TV ads and nearly 50 % more radio ads for energy drinks last year alone. And since energy drinks also can have as many calories and added sugar as a normal soda, this is worrying experts---especially since children are having an obesity epidemic.
From a parent's perspective, the main thing to do with this news is to simply realize what kids are being exposed to these days. And since they are seeing even more ads for these sugar laden drinks, realize that they will be looking for them more often.
And that can help them pack on unwanted pounds, pounds that will be hard to remove later in life.
It seems like soft drink markers are marketing more and more to kids. So are the makers of other sugar-laden drinks.
A report from Yale University has found that children's exposure to ads touting full calorie sodas doubled over the last few years. This includes ads targeted to teenagers.
This same group also saw 18% more TV ads and nearly 50 % more radio ads for energy drinks last year alone. And since energy drinks also can have as many calories and added sugar as a normal soda, this is worrying experts---especially since children are having an obesity epidemic.
From a parent's perspective, the main thing to do with this news is to simply realize what kids are being exposed to these days. And since they are seeing even more ads for these sugar laden drinks, realize that they will be looking for them more often.
And that can help them pack on unwanted pounds, pounds that will be hard to remove later in life.
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