Halloween is just a few days away and that means plenty of excited kids running around. With all the kids running around with sugar induced excitement, they won't be thinking much about staying safe, so that's where you come in.
Start by making sure their costumes are safe. If it's too long, that could cause tripping. Then look at the label to see if it's made of flame retardant material. Some decorations still use candles. That along with a costume that's not flame retardant can spell trouble.
If your children are wearing a mask, teach them to take it off while walking in between houses so they can see where they go---then they can put it on just before ringing the doorbell.
Also, send them with an adult or responsible older sibling, and have them carry flashlights with fresh batteries so drivers can easily see them.
Of course, kids do all this for one reason---candy! But remind them to not eat any of it before they get home. When they do get to the house, take a look at it to make sure none of it has been tampered with. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
But most importantly, especially for the kid in all of us, get out there and have fun, but keep it safe.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Kids' Eyesight & Getting Outside
There might be a new way to help keep your children's eyesight sharp. And it means getting them outside.
For a variety of reasons it looks like being outdoors more can mean better eyesight for your kids.
Children and the outdoors tend to go hand in hand. But they don't seem to spend as much time outside playing around as we did when we were growing up. With video games, TV shows and computers it's sometimes tough to get them to play with low tech devices like jumping ropes, bicycles and swing sets.
But getting them outdoors can mean more than just getting them out of your hair for a minute or two. It can also mean them having better eyesight.
Researchers out of England have found that outdoor play could prevent nearsightedness in children. In their study they found out that children with myopia, the medical term for nearsightedness, also spent nearly 4 hours less per week outside than those kids with better eyesight. It didn't seem to matter what they were doing when they were out there, just being out in the sun helped them. And for each additional hour they spent outside, they dropped their chances of having vision problems by another 2 percent.
Scientists think this outdoors eyesight connection could have to do with how UV light interacts with the eye or even the fact that when outside children tend to look more into the distance then up close. Regardless of the reason, this simple step can not only get kids off the computer or video game for a while and improve their eyesight at the same time.
For a variety of reasons it looks like being outdoors more can mean better eyesight for your kids.
Children and the outdoors tend to go hand in hand. But they don't seem to spend as much time outside playing around as we did when we were growing up. With video games, TV shows and computers it's sometimes tough to get them to play with low tech devices like jumping ropes, bicycles and swing sets.
But getting them outdoors can mean more than just getting them out of your hair for a minute or two. It can also mean them having better eyesight.
Researchers out of England have found that outdoor play could prevent nearsightedness in children. In their study they found out that children with myopia, the medical term for nearsightedness, also spent nearly 4 hours less per week outside than those kids with better eyesight. It didn't seem to matter what they were doing when they were out there, just being out in the sun helped them. And for each additional hour they spent outside, they dropped their chances of having vision problems by another 2 percent.
Scientists think this outdoors eyesight connection could have to do with how UV light interacts with the eye or even the fact that when outside children tend to look more into the distance then up close. Regardless of the reason, this simple step can not only get kids off the computer or video game for a while and improve their eyesight at the same time.
Alzheimer's GPS Device
When a loved one has Alzheimer's, it can be tough to keep track of them. But now a new device is helping out.
A company is putting a GPS tracker in something everyone wears, a shoe. And this hi-tech shoe should help keep track of them even if they wander off.
When a loved one suffers from Alzheimer's, they don't always know where they are or even where they want to go. So oftentimes they wander off. This can create a lot of heart ache and headaches for the family members taking care of them, not to mention be dangerous for the person involved. There are tracking devices already implanted in watches, bracelets and other pieces of jewelry. The problem is that oftentimes if an Alzheimer's patient doesn't recognize the watch as their own once they take it off. But the company making this shoe, and their medical experts, feel that since shoes are changed all the time this won't be as much of an issue.
And being a hi-tech device, there are all sorts of things you can do with it to help out. You can set it so that if an Alzheimer's patient wonders outside a certain area---let's say the yard or neighborhood---the shoe will notify you. And you can then track them down and bring them home, keeping them safe and you relieved.
The cost is expected to be around 300 dollars and the shoes should be released this month by the footwear firm Aetrex Worldwide.
A company is putting a GPS tracker in something everyone wears, a shoe. And this hi-tech shoe should help keep track of them even if they wander off.
When a loved one suffers from Alzheimer's, they don't always know where they are or even where they want to go. So oftentimes they wander off. This can create a lot of heart ache and headaches for the family members taking care of them, not to mention be dangerous for the person involved. There are tracking devices already implanted in watches, bracelets and other pieces of jewelry. The problem is that oftentimes if an Alzheimer's patient doesn't recognize the watch as their own once they take it off. But the company making this shoe, and their medical experts, feel that since shoes are changed all the time this won't be as much of an issue.
And being a hi-tech device, there are all sorts of things you can do with it to help out. You can set it so that if an Alzheimer's patient wonders outside a certain area---let's say the yard or neighborhood---the shoe will notify you. And you can then track them down and bring them home, keeping them safe and you relieved.
The cost is expected to be around 300 dollars and the shoes should be released this month by the footwear firm Aetrex Worldwide.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Premature Babies & Autism
In addition to other health risks, premature babies may also be at a much higher risk of developing autism.
I'm not sure anyone knows exactly why, but premature and low-weight babies could have a greater chance of developing autism. But knowing this might help get them treatment early on.
A new study, just appearing in the Journal Pediatrics followed 862 infants born in the 1980s, researchers watched them until they turned 21. They were all born premature and at low weights. 5% of them ended up developing autism. That's a 5 times greater risk than most infants have, since only 1% of infants in the general population end up with this disorder.
So, why is there a bigger risk with preemies and low-birth weight babies? Although no one knows for sure, we do know that premature and low-birth weight babies have other developmental issues. And these other developmental issues can hide their autism until much later in life. But knowing they are at a higher risk of developing autism means we can look more closely for it. And finding it earlier can mean earlier treatment, making it more likely to be successful.
I'm not sure anyone knows exactly why, but premature and low-weight babies could have a greater chance of developing autism. But knowing this might help get them treatment early on.
A new study, just appearing in the Journal Pediatrics followed 862 infants born in the 1980s, researchers watched them until they turned 21. They were all born premature and at low weights. 5% of them ended up developing autism. That's a 5 times greater risk than most infants have, since only 1% of infants in the general population end up with this disorder.
So, why is there a bigger risk with preemies and low-birth weight babies? Although no one knows for sure, we do know that premature and low-birth weight babies have other developmental issues. And these other developmental issues can hide their autism until much later in life. But knowing they are at a higher risk of developing autism means we can look more closely for it. And finding it earlier can mean earlier treatment, making it more likely to be successful.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Hair Stylists & Skin Cancer
They say only your hairdresser knows for sure. But what your hairdresser knows may save your life.
Think about it for a second. Who else gets that close of a look at your scalp. Now, in addition to helping you look good, they might also be looking for signs of skin cancer. A new study, just published in the medical journal Archives of Dermatology, has found that many more hair professionals are looking for signs of skin cancer while cutting or coloring your hair. And when they find something suspicious they have been recommending visits to a doctor to get that lesion checked out, saving lives in the process. According to this study, nearly 40% of these hair professionals already look at the scalp and some included the neck and face skin as well. Although they are looking for lesions, not many have been trained in what to look for. But experts feel that getting them trained in the ABC & Ds of skin cancer can help find more cases and probably save more lives.
Those ABC & Ds suspicious for skin cancer mean:
A for asymmetric shape, moles with irregular shapes or patterns.
B for irregular border.
C for growths with multiple colors or uneven spread of the colors.
D for diameter larger than 1/4 inch; about the diameter of a pencil eraser.
So, in the near future, as you get your hair done you might also be getting that all important skin check for your scalp.
Think about it for a second. Who else gets that close of a look at your scalp. Now, in addition to helping you look good, they might also be looking for signs of skin cancer. A new study, just published in the medical journal Archives of Dermatology, has found that many more hair professionals are looking for signs of skin cancer while cutting or coloring your hair. And when they find something suspicious they have been recommending visits to a doctor to get that lesion checked out, saving lives in the process. According to this study, nearly 40% of these hair professionals already look at the scalp and some included the neck and face skin as well. Although they are looking for lesions, not many have been trained in what to look for. But experts feel that getting them trained in the ABC & Ds of skin cancer can help find more cases and probably save more lives.
Those ABC & Ds suspicious for skin cancer mean:
A for asymmetric shape, moles with irregular shapes or patterns.
B for irregular border.
C for growths with multiple colors or uneven spread of the colors.
D for diameter larger than 1/4 inch; about the diameter of a pencil eraser.
So, in the near future, as you get your hair done you might also be getting that all important skin check for your scalp.
New ADHD Recommendations
When it comes to ADHD, new recommendations are out and researchers want it looked for earlier and longer.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has put out new recommendations for diagnosing and treating ADHD. They want it looked into earlier and for treatment to include non-medicine approaches as the first step.
Up until now, experts have concentrated on evaluating kids from 6-12 for Attention Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD. But since ADHD problems, including behavioral issues and lack of an attention span, can show up earlier, they want evaluations to start at age 4 and for those evaluations to continue until age 18.
Once diagnosed with ADHD, these guidelines also call for behavioral interventions as the first step in treatment for preschool children. This includes getting family members involved in the overall treatment. For older children, elementary school age and adolescents, they still recommend medication, but alongside behavioral treatments.
The important step is that ADHD is treated with a team approach this means involving the child, their parents, doctor, therapist and even teachers. This more robust approach should help them better control their symptoms and when needed medication can add to this treatment plan.
The main change with these guidelines is the earlier and later age of diagnosis and the concentrating on behavioral treatment instead of just medication.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has put out new recommendations for diagnosing and treating ADHD. They want it looked into earlier and for treatment to include non-medicine approaches as the first step.
Up until now, experts have concentrated on evaluating kids from 6-12 for Attention Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD. But since ADHD problems, including behavioral issues and lack of an attention span, can show up earlier, they want evaluations to start at age 4 and for those evaluations to continue until age 18.
Once diagnosed with ADHD, these guidelines also call for behavioral interventions as the first step in treatment for preschool children. This includes getting family members involved in the overall treatment. For older children, elementary school age and adolescents, they still recommend medication, but alongside behavioral treatments.
The important step is that ADHD is treated with a team approach this means involving the child, their parents, doctor, therapist and even teachers. This more robust approach should help them better control their symptoms and when needed medication can add to this treatment plan.
The main change with these guidelines is the earlier and later age of diagnosis and the concentrating on behavioral treatment instead of just medication.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Working Odd Hours & Your Health
Although 8-5 is still the norm, more of us are working odd hours. But what do those odd hours do to your health?
It seems like shift work, or even just working odd hours can cause your stress hormone to go up and that can take its toll on your health, especially if you are young.
According to a new Dutch study, doing shift work or working odd hours can cause a rise in the levels the stress hormone cortisol in your blood stream. Researchers involved in this study found that long term levels of cortisol were much higher in shift workers than regular day workers. This was even more pronounced in younger workers, those under 40.
This becomes important to your health because the hormone we are talking about, cortisol, can cause a rise in your blood pressure, increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes and contribute to an obesity problem. And if you are having a constant increase in this stress hormone over the years as you work those odd hours, then your health could be taking a hit as well.
So, what can you do? First off recognize that shift work, or working odd hours, might be causing this issue. Then take steps to reduce the impact from this stress hormone. This includes eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies, along with foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. It also means being a regular exerciser, one of the best methods to not only reduce your levels of stress hormones, but also your overall levels of stress as well. And doing what you can to relax both during and outside of work, especially if you work odd hours -- this can go a long way to keeping you healthy in spite of when you clock in for the day.
It seems like shift work, or even just working odd hours can cause your stress hormone to go up and that can take its toll on your health, especially if you are young.
According to a new Dutch study, doing shift work or working odd hours can cause a rise in the levels the stress hormone cortisol in your blood stream. Researchers involved in this study found that long term levels of cortisol were much higher in shift workers than regular day workers. This was even more pronounced in younger workers, those under 40.
This becomes important to your health because the hormone we are talking about, cortisol, can cause a rise in your blood pressure, increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes and contribute to an obesity problem. And if you are having a constant increase in this stress hormone over the years as you work those odd hours, then your health could be taking a hit as well.
So, what can you do? First off recognize that shift work, or working odd hours, might be causing this issue. Then take steps to reduce the impact from this stress hormone. This includes eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies, along with foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. It also means being a regular exerciser, one of the best methods to not only reduce your levels of stress hormones, but also your overall levels of stress as well. And doing what you can to relax both during and outside of work, especially if you work odd hours -- this can go a long way to keeping you healthy in spite of when you clock in for the day.
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