Social Media Explosion: Are We Hurting or Helping Ourselves?

It’s no surprise that the use of social media is exploding in our country. Every teen and young adult seems to have their head focused on their phone, checking out their Facebook page, Tweeting, posting on Instagram, and so on. We want to stay connected with the news, loved ones, and life happenings in general.

What may be more surprising is the significant growth of social media users over the age of 65. A Pew Research Center 2013-2014 survey found that Facebook is the biggest winner of the social media assemblage with 56% of seniors ages 65+ “Facebooking” today.

Key notes from the survey found that multi-platform use (using two or more social media sites) experienced an increase of adult users from 42% in 2013 to 52% in 2014. For the youth, ages 18-29, Instagram saw a significant increase is users whereas roughly half of that population now uses the site. Many of these individuals – youth and older adults alike – are finding the smart phone apps so convenient that this is likely a main cause of the exponential increase in social medial use.

Along with the user growth with cell phones social media apps comes a significant reduction in health. These health issues are not what you would expect. Earlier reports of cell phone use reported the exposure to radiofrequency fields that are emitted when the phone is actually used close to your body (i.e. using it as an actual phone). These health issues revolve around the physical dangers of simply using the phone for play.

Responding to Facebook posts, texting, or posting Instagram photos actually creates spinal misalignment. Looking down at the phone puts extra pressure on the spine, according to a study published in the Surgical Technology International journal. For example, tilting your head downward even by 15 degrees exerts almost 30 pounds of pressure on the spine.  Most people lean much further when on their phone apps, perhaps even up to 60 degrees, which exerts 60 pounds onto the spine. In its neutral position, the head and neck only exert 10-12 pounds of pressure onto the spine.

Thus, when people walk around face down into their phones, they might as well be dragging a 60-pound weight around their necks.

A second overuse of cell phone apps injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, or what has now been coined “cellphone elbow.” Overusing the tendons in the arms and fingers can cause inflammation, pain and numbness.

A third health concern is eye damage. Most people understand this is a significant issue from TV screens or computer screens, but cell phone screens? Oh yes. Several studies over the years have found that blue light from personal electronic devices have been linked to macular degeneration, cataracts and higher cancer risk. In addition, looking at your lighted phone in a dark room can be harmful to the eyes, causing overall vision damage.

Another issue in the increase use of social media by adults is they are endangering the lives of their children and grandchildren. According to a graduate student from Yale University, who is developing a paper on the topic, parents are busy posting, tweeting, pinning, and doing other social media activities that children they are watching are getting injured. He found that when AT&T rolled out their new 3G network several years ago, injuries to children more than doubled at the local hospitals. Apparently, the children were not closely supervised by their guardians and were getting injured.

It’s important to stay connected, and if social media is convenient, go for it. The key is to keep it to a minimum. Adopt the same attitude as you would foods: “all in moderation.” Keep your health, put the phone down now and then!



Works used for this article:

Dallas, K. (2014). 4 unexpected health risks of smartphone use. Retrieved from http://national.deseretnews.com/article/2841/4-unexpected-health-risks-of-smartphone-use.html

Duggan, M., Ellison, N. B., Lampe, C., Lenhart, A., and Madden, M. (2015). Social media update 2014. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/01/09/social-media-update-2014/

Hansraj, K. K. (n.d.) Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by poster and position of the head. Surgical Technology International, XXV. Available online at https://cbsminnesota.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/spine-study.pdf

Kohli, S. (2014). Are parents on iPhones endangering their kids? Retrieved from http://qz.com/#295483/are-parents-on-iphones-endangering-their-kids/

World Health Organization. (2013). What are the health risks associated with mobile phones and their base stations? Retrieved from http://www.who.int/features/qa/30/en/

 

 

 

Don't Pet the Armadillos!

Here’s a new thought: Leprosy returns to the United States.

A recent leprosy outbreak in Florida has people scratching their heads a bit. Most people hear about leprosy (also known as Hansen’s Disease) when they read the Bible. You don’t really think about it as a significant disease of today, but guess again.

In Florida, nine cases of leprosy have been reported so far this year. According to the Florida Department of Health, the culprit is actually the armadillo. Floridians view the armadillo much like Pennsylvanians view the possum: a nuisance rodent. Most Pennsylvanians wouldn’t consider approaching the possum for a quick “pat on the head” but some people in Florida do just that with their armadillo residents. They reach out, pet the animals, and go about their way.

Unfortunately, that touch could potentially transfer leprosy from the armadillo to the unsuspecting human. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, armadillos are natural carriers of leprosy (Who knew?). The good news is that the risk is low. Adolescents and those older than age 30 are at greatest risk, but only if they physically touch the armadillo.

Hansen’s disease is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the skin, nerves and mucous membranes. Some of the symptoms include skin lesions, thickening of the skin, numbness, pain, and potential blindness. Unlike in Biblical times, leprosy is now treatable. The treatment includes between 6 months to two years of antibiotics, so the disease is a tough one to kick.

Of interest, leprosy has affected close to two million people worldwide, especially in high infection countries such as Brazil, Angola, India, Nepal and Tanzania. The disease can spread from person to person if the infected individual is not being treated.

In Pennsylvania, the biggest risk of petting the ubiquitous possum is rabies. Like leprosy, rabies is not a walk in the park either. Early symptoms include weakness, fever or headache. Later symptoms include cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. Progressive symptoms could also involve delirium, hallucinations and insomnia. Death is imminent once clinical signs are rabies appear. Early treatment includes a tetanus shot, if you have not had a rabies vaccine within the past ten years. For those who have never been vaccinated, vaccination is given. The best protection against rabies is getting vaccinated and keeping the vaccine current.

That’s the key difference between leprosy and rabies: rabies has a prevention vaccine while leprosy does not.

The point here: if you live in Pennsylvania, get a rabies vaccine. If you vacation in Florida, don’t pet the armadillos.

Works used for this article

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Leprosy. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/exposure/armadillos.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Rabies. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/index.html

Miller, K. (2015). Florida is facing a leprosy outbreak. You’ll never guess what may be the cute culprit. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/health/florida-is-facing-a-leprosy-outbreak-youll-never-124760030587.html

 

Use THRIVE to reduce sexual violence against children

A recent report released June 5 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that sexual violence against children is on the rise – particularly in seven countries. The United States was not among that list, but that does not mean our children are free from that type of violence.

In the report, the CDC found that in most countries more than 25% of females and more than 10% of males reported experiencing childhood sexual violence. In about half of the countries, more than 10% of women reported unwanted penetrative sexual encounters. Interestingly, many of those children who sought services (which were very few) did not receive them. What’s wrong with this picture?

The countries in the report were Cambodia, Haiti, Kenya, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. All of the abuse cases were reported between 2007 and 2013, thus, the data is very new. The biggest concern here is not only that the children were sexually abused, but that services were not provided to assist them at the time of the incident  – even when they were sought out.

In the United States, the statistics are very similar. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center reported that more than 20% of all children are sexually abused before the age of 8 while 24.7% of girls and 16% of boys are sexually abused before age 18. In addition, 14% of those children were under age 6 at the time of the encounter; and about 40% of the time, the abuser was a family member.

While the CDC’s recent report doesn’t include the US statistics, the agency does recognize that children is just about every country are sexually abused.

As a result of the recent CDC report, a new strategy was developed to help countries such as those researched by the CDC reduce violence against children. The THRIVES strategy is a group of actions that reflects  evidence-based practices to help reduce and potentially eliminate violence against children. This strategy includes:

T = Training in parenting. This will assist parents in how to reduce violence in the home and to also recognize potential abuse in your child.

H = Household economic strengthening. This area provides economic security that will reduce various acts of violence prompted by economic pressures that may occur in the home.

R = Reduced violence through protective policies. Creating laws and regulations with accompanying strict punishments can assist with violence reduction.

I = Improved services. Offer services to all who need them, no one should be turned away.

V = Values and norms that protect children. The idea here is to change attitudes that promote violence against children. This includes a paradigm shift in attitudes, values and beliefs in particular as they relate to children.

E = Education and life skills. This includes family education as well as in-school academic knowledge that builds life skills and empowers children to prevent date violence and rape, particular against girls.

S = Surveillance and evaluation. To ensure other policies and procedures are in place and working effectively, it is important to monitor and evaluate them on a regular basis.

 

While the strategies were specifically developed for those aforementioned countries, they are certainly applicable for families in the United States. If you suspect abuse of a family member or neighbor, you should report it to the police.

 

Works used for this article:

National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2015). Sexual violence against children. Retrieved from http://www.nsvrc.org/projects/lifespan/sexual-violence-against-children

Prevalence of sexual violence against children and use of social services in seven countries – 2007-2013. (June 5, 2015). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly, 64(21), 565-569. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6421a1.htm?s_cid=mm6421a1_w

If Your Hair Could Talk

There’s a completely different world out there when it comes to drug testing. I recently had an experience where I needed to have a drug test as part of the hiring process for a part time job. Naïve as I am in this particular world, I thought that most everyone in the testing center was doing the same thing as I was doing, however, most of them were there for DUI testing, random drug tests as part of their probation, or court-ordered for a plethora of reasons.

From a public health standpoint, drug testing is important…and not just for alcohol abuse most commonly found in DUI incidents, but for various reasons of public and health safety. What was most interesting was learning from the testing site about the various kinds of drug tests that some people must endure. This includes the traditional urine analysis and blood tests, but also sweat tests, saliva tests and a rather new technique known as the hair follicle test.

Hair follicle testing is a hair screening that uses a small sample of hair strands to identify specific drugs that have been in the person’s body over 90 days. Who knew our hair could contain so much historical data on our personal habits?

The hair sample is cut close to the scalp, with at least 1.5 inches in length. Because they need multiple strands about the width of a pinky finger, several small strands are cut from various places on the head; thus, recipients do not come out with what might be considered a butchered haircut. Of interest, if the person’s head hair isn’t at least that long (such as in bald men), they can use chest hair or even pubic hair if necessary.

Drugs found through the follicles in your hair include cocaine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamines, and phencyclidine. When there is suspicion for one of these drugs, the federal government actually mandates this type of test. Of interest, our hair can tell us an interesting story about our drug use. After a substance is ingested, metabolites are produced by the body as the drug circulates through the body. In essence, they enter and actually nourish the hair follicle, which then becomes part of the chemical make-up of your hair.

Every single hair on your body regenerates every 7 years, so it is impossible to go beyond that time frame for drug samples. The standard period of time used for hair follicle testing is 90 days because the likelihood of losing your hair from breakage or cutting is less likely.

The hair follicle test was discovered by accident in 1966-67 as a researcher was looking into tissue regeneration in rats. It was found that the properties of hair follicles contained significant information on cell properties. They are rather new, not even 50 years old yet.

The key in the public health world is that we are truly trying to keep you safe from harming yourself and others. Drugs and alcohol are elements that should not be part of your regular regime. Get caught and you may be subject to testing. It may be easy to trick someone with a urine test, but it’s much harder to tamper with your hair follicles.

 

Works used for t his article:

 

I Passed My Drug Test. (n.d.). Hair Follicle Drug Testing FAQ. Retrieved from http://www.ipassedmydrugtest.com/hair_drug_test_FAQ.asp.

Plikus, M. V. (2014). At the dawn of hair research – testing the limits of hair follicle regeneration. Experimental Dermatology, 23(5), 314-315.

There's a New BUG in Town

Now that summer is peeking over the horizon, those who live in the Northeast are preparing for flea and tick season. Most of us are aware of deer ticks and the potential for Lyme disease. But, there’s a new bug in town that may be just as deadly as its sister. This one is known as Powassan Virus

The disease is relatively new and was discovered in Powassan, Canada in 1958 when a 5-year-old boy died from encephalitis caused by the Powassan virus. While very few cases have been reported in the past, the incident rate is slowly rising with most of the cases coming out of Minnesota and New York. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 17 reported cases of the disease from 2004 to 2013 in New York and 20 from Minnesota over the same time span. Pennsylvania reported only 1 case.

That doesn’t really tell the whole story. Those numbers only represent those that were tested and reported. Cases of Powassan virus are often mistaken for other health issues. The Powassan virus can act like Lyme Disease but it can also cause two very distinct diseases: encephalitis and meningitis. Both illnesses cause inflammation in the head and brain: encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain itself and meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Both are deadly.

There are various strains of encephalitis, but the one closely connected to Powassan is TBE – Tickborne Encephalitis. The Powassan virus is not always caused by TBE but the virus is often not tested for either. Of interest, the focal areas of TBE are Europe and Asia with an average of 8,500 cases reported annually. For the most part, it is travelers who are at greatest risk of bringing TBE back to the states, if they are infected.

While human cases of Powassan are low, there have been more cases of the virus discovered in at least 38 other mammals including rodents, woodchucks, skunks, dogs, and cats.

A blood or spinal fluid test would be able to determine if the virus was in the body. This test must specifically look for antibodies that the immune system would make in order to detect viral activity. Lyme disease is very different from Powassan in that there is a treatment. Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that antibiotics can effectively treat. Powassan is a flavivirus similar to West Nile or Dengue fever and does not have a cure or treatment regime.

The North American Powassan virus is being classified as coming from a newly evolved subtype of the deer tick. According to the Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, a journal focused on infectious diseases, the Powassan virus is specific to three tick species: Ixodes cookei, I. marxi and I. spinipalpus. To the general population, the names are useless, but for those in the field, this provides crucial information to track and monitor the potential spread of Powassan-carrying ticks. As it appears that the disease incidence is slowly rising, it is critical to stop the spread of the culprit ticks.

One of the keys to keep the Powassan virus at bay is through routine monitoring and tracking. If we can avoid spreading the disease, we can keep the incidence rates low.

Those at high risk for Powassan are those who live in wooded areas, particularly the same locations as you might encounter ticks and Lyme disease. What makes this virus so deadly is that it often doesn’t come with symptoms. The person simply just develops encephalitis or meningitis after as long as a one-month incubation period.

The best way to reduce infection is to avoid contact with ticks – much like you would to reduce your risk of contracting Lyme Disease. Treating skin and clothing with insect repellents while in heavily wooded areas are recommended as well.

If you find a tick on your skin, remove it quickly before it has a chance to bite. After being in the woods, it is best to do a full body check before you walk into your home. Check all pets and equipment as well. Then, shower within two hours after being outdoors.

If you have been or believe you have been bit by a tick, consult your healthcare provider immediately. While it may not be Lyme disease or Powassan virus, you certainly want to make sure.



Works used for this article:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Powassan virus. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/powassan/index.html

EI Khoury, M. Y., Camargo, J. F., and Wormser, G. P. (2013). Changing epidemiology of Powassan encephalitis in North America suggest the emergence of the deer tick virus subtype. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 11(10), 983-985.

El Khoury, M. Y., Camargo, J. F., White, J. L., Backenson, B. P., Dupuis II, A. P., Escuyer, K. L., Kramer, L., St. George, K., Chatterjee, D., Prusinski, M., Wormser, G. P., and Wong, S. J. (2013). Potential role of deer tick virus in Powassan encephalitis cases in Lyme Disease-endemic areas of New York, USA. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 19(12), 1926-1933.

 

 

Head Transplants: Frankenstein or Science Fiction?

While public health is more aligned with population well-being, professionals are keeping a watchful eye on the recent talk of the first-ever human head transplant that has been in the news lately.

For those who may not have been paying attention to the medical news lately, reports from various reputable sources have found that Italian surgeon Dr. Sergio Canavero plans to conduct the world’s first human head transplant within the next two years. He actually has his patient set and ready to go. The donor body has yet to be identified.

Canavero first proposed the idea two years ago as a means of extending people’s lives whose bodies have been riddled with illnesses, cancers, or other incurable medical disorders. The first patient willing to have his head transplanted onto a new body is Valery Spiridonov, a 30-year-old Russian who suffers from Werdnig-Hoffman disease, a genetic disorder that causes his muscles to deteriorate. A donor body will be attached to Spiridonov’s head through spinal cord fusion, a process that has had some success in animals.

The first successful animal head transplant took place in 1970 where the head of a monkey was transplanted onto the body of another primate. The monkey lived for nine days before the body rejected the new organ. However, in the 1970s, there were few processes and medications that helped to keep transplanted organs from being rejected. Since then, the invention of drugs that assist with the acceptance of transplants, such as with lungs and hearts, can reduce the risk of rejection significantly.

For a head to be transplanted onto a new body, the spinal cord of the donor body will have to be fused onto the spinal cord of the recipient’s head. The process was described in a recent issue of the journal Surgical Neurology International.

What are the consequences for society if we are able to successfully transplant heads? Are we moving closer to the Frankenstein movies of the past or the upcoming science-fiction movies that haven’t yet been created?

Looking at the progression of organ transplantation, the field has brought forth tremendous challenges, the biggest one being a shortage of organs. As most people are aware, there is an organ transplant waiting list for various operations: liver, kidney, lung, eyes, heart and so on. Then, another big concern is the issue of organ trafficking and transplant tourism. In some cases, organ donation was no longer a voluntary notion but one of coercion and profit-making. That brought up the issue of organ trafficking. In Germany in 2012, a significant number of patient records were tampered with to increase the number of organs that could be used for transplants. In other words, people were donating organs that they had no intentions of giving up.

Earlier, organ trafficking involved the forced removal of organs from people, mainly those in prison who were to be executed. The practice was very common in China. It wasn’t until 2001 when the public became aware of the unethical removal of executed prisoners’ bodies.  Chinese authorities claim that the organ harvesting took place after the execution with permission, but these official statements are still questioned today. It was later discovered that some Chinese hospitals were actually taking organs from living people without permission and under torturous conditions.

What about head transplants? Could this possibly happen to someone’s head? When a donor (with or without consent) provides a kidney, lung or part of a liver, that person can still live and breathe. When a head is removed from a person’s body, death is eminent. The ethical nature of head transplantation could become a huge human rights concern if we aren’t careful in how we handle it.

The ethics of the head transplantation project that will likely take place a few short years from now must be investigated now before human head trafficking occurs much like other organ harvests of the past. Bioethical committees in many countries are now looking into the potential concerns that will likely follow a successful head transplant.


Works used to create this article:

30-year-old Russian man volunteers for world’s first human head transplant. (April 13, 2015). Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/292306.php

Thomson, H. (Feb. 25, 2015). First human head transplant could happen in two years. Retrieved from http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22530103.700-first-human-head-transplant-could-happen-in-two-years.html

Trey, T., Caplan, A. L., and Lavee, J. (2013). Transplant ethics under scrutiny – responsibilities of all medical professionals. Croatian Medical Journal, 54(1), 71-74.

 

 

Sick or Hospitalized? What happens to your pet?

It’s no secret that pets are wonderful for people of all ages, especially as we age. They keep us grounded, providing stress relief, loneliness support, and regular activity. But, what happens if you live alone and end up sick or in the hospital? What do you do with your pet?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 36.5% of households own a dog, 30.4% own a cat, 3.1% have birds, and 1.5% have horses. In most cases, that ownership expands to one or more pets in the same house.

Research shows that about 30% of people age 65 and older live alone, with most of those being women. Most of them do not care to live with their adult children as this is often viewed as a sign of dependence. The key is that they prefer to stay as independent as possible. Because living alone – at any age – can promote periods of loneliness, pets have become excellent companions.

Older adults find that owning a pet has various psychological, physical and social health benefits. As part of the companionship aspect, pets prevent depression and mental stress. One particular study even found that seniors with pets had fewer doctor visits than those without pets. They also provide exercise – dogs need walked and cats need to play. Furthermore, the social benefit occurs especially among dog owners as walking a dog promotes conversation with other dog walkers and strangers who just want to pet your puppy. For older adults, regular conversation and interaction with people is necessary for enhanced mental well-being.

Okay, so we know pets are great for your health, but what happens to those same pets if the senior who owns them becomes sick, hospitalized, or dies? What then? Many people don’t consider the possibility and family members end up scrambling to take care of their loved ones furry companion. The Michigan State University School of Law discovered back in 2000 that about one quarter of pet owners will include their pets in their wills. For those famous pets, such as those formerly owned by actors and actresses, they will truly be taken care of simply because they have the money to ensure that it does. For the rest of us, it’s not really a given even if the pet is listed in the will.

The University’s School of Law also said that in most cases where money is left in a will to take care of the pets, the act cannot be carried out because there is no legal entity to serve as the beneficiary to enforce that gift. The animal usually ends up in a shelter or euthanized.

To make sure your companion is taken care of through your illness, hospitalization, or death, the Humane Society of the United States suggests taking several actions now to ensure your furry friend(s) is well cared for.

1. Find at least two responsible friends or family members who will agree to serve as a temporary emergency caregiver. Write down feeding instructions, veterinarian information, and any relevant details that they should know about your pet.

2. Carry a wallet-size card with the names and phone numbers of these emergency caregivers. This way, if you are hospitalized or unable to make the calls yourself, this card will be handy. Keep it with your medication listing or medical alert information so it will be easily visible. Yes, you could even create a bracelet much like the medical condition bracelets that people often wear.

3. Place the same information on the inside of both your front and back doors in case you die or are incapacitated at home and are rushed to the hospital.

4. Draw up a formal agreement with your long-term pet caregivers and have it notarized. Check annually that they are still able to fulfill that agreement. Remember, circumstances change and one of your caregivers may have relocated to a place that does not allow pets. Always keep that agreement updated.


Keep in mind that if you do nothing for your pet’s future, do not assume that your pet will be re-homed through a local shelter.  Shelters are already overcrowded with homeless animals. You may run the risk of euthanasia if you do not have alternative arrangements. There are some organizations nationwide that offer “pet retirement homes” or “sanctuaries” but these are rare. They often require a fee or donation to reserve a place for your pet.

One more thing to bear in mind: your pet has been used to personal attention and affection. Being placed in a facility – even a retirement pet home – is like confinement or institutionalization. They truly do not want to be caged any more than you would want to be confined. Your best option is to arrange for a family member or friend to take your pets in the event of an emergency and/or death. Don’t wait until you’re already ill or gone…work on it now so that your furry companions will be able to spend the rest of their lives in a happy home.

 

Works used for this article:

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2012). U.S. pet ownership statistics. Retrieved from https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Statistics/Pages/Market-research-statistics-US-pet-ownership.aspx.

Beyer, G. W. (2000). Pet Animals: What happens when their humans die? Retrieved from https://www.animallaw.info/article/wills-trusts-pet-animals-what-happens-when-their-humans-die

Hara, S. (2007). Managing the dyad between independence and dependence: Case studies of the American elderly and their lives with pets. International Journal of Japanese Society, 16(1), 100-114.

Humane Society of the United States. (n.d.) Providing for your pet’s future without you. Retrieved from https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/bringing-a-dog-home/providing-pets-future/

Do You Suffer from Exploding Head Syndrome?

Last week, I stumbled across a Yahoo! article that made me do a double-take: Exploding Head Syndrome.

Exploding what??

You may have run across it as well, yet, I wasn’t sure if this was scientific or a bunch of bunk. I did a little digging and discovered that “Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS)” actually exists. Research published last year in Cephalalgia, a journal published by the International Headache Society, looked into EHS as a significant and common occurrence among people when they move from sleep to awake and vice versa.

Of interest, this really isn’t a new phenomenon as it was discovered in medical literature dating as far back as 1890. It was described as a loud noise or pistol-shot in the brain. At the time, it was considered a significant disorder usually which occurred because the individual was suffering from another mental health disorder such as depression, compulsions or anxiety.

Thanks to modern science and research, we have learned that EHS is a benign disorder that occurs when people move from sleeping to waking or waking to sleeping. There is no pain involved; however, the violent boom can be terrifying and often described by individuals as pain.

Researchers found that explosion comes from the auditory neurons shutting down at once – basically crashing at once with a loud bang. Because of the extreme loudness in the head, people often mistake it for a seizure or a brain aneurysm. It is far more common in females than males. As reported in Cephalalgia, 61% of those suffering from EHS have been female ranging in age from 12 to 84. So, it can happen at just about any age; however, it is far more common among those in their 50s.

The American Sleep Association notes that EHS is not dangerous, but it does affect your ability to have a good night’s sleep. EHS is still associated with many mental disorders and some antidepressant drugs can eliminate the phenomenon. However, it has been noted that most often the main culprit is stress. The American Sleep Association strongly recommends that anyone suffering from poor sleep habits, not just EHS, consider stress-reducing techniques such as reading, yoga, music or a relaxing bath before bedtime.

Although it is not a significant health concern, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine strongly recommends that if your EHS is chronic (meaning that you have heard these noises regularly), that you may have something more serious such as another sleep disorder, a medical condition, mental health issue or substance abuse.

It is important to talk with your doctor about your EHS should it become a regular annoyance or if it significantly affects your ability to sleep.



Works used for this article:
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2014). Exploding head syndrome – overview and facts. Retrieved from http://www.sleepeducation.com/sleep-disorders-by-category/parasomnias/exploding-head-syndrome/overview-facts

American Sleep Association. (2015). Exploding head syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.sleepassociation.org/patients-general-public/exploding-head-syndrome/.

Birch, J. (2015). Exploding head syndrome: The weird sleep phenomenon that’s way more common than you thought. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/health/exploding-head-syndrome-the-weird-sleep-115029839587.html.

Frese, A., Summer, O., and Evers, S. (2014). Exploding head syndrome: Six new cases and review of the literature. Cephalalgia, 34(10), 823-827.

 

Look left FIRST, then right…

One of the most annoying actions I have seen lately is the carelessness of drivers. I’m not referring to the speeders, the stop-sign runners or even the DUI offenders. I’m also not referring to the youth of today who may seem out of control when groups pile into one car for a joy ride through town. I’m referring to a simple rule that most of us seem to have forgotten: looking both ways before crossing the street!

The key here is “looking.” When you come to an intersection, the Pennsylvania Driving Manual states that you need to make sure the intersection is clear before proceeding. What it doesn’t say is how to do that. While it should be common sense, this simple act is not that simple for some people. The proper etiquette is to look left first, then right, then left. Regardless of which way you are turning (left or right) or going straight, you should always look to your left first because that direction displays the lane of traffic closest to you at that intersection. Once you look left, you need to look to your right – the lane farthest away from you – to check for oncoming traffic. Then, you look left again to double-check that the lane is still clear. After you established that it is safe, that you will not hit any person or another moving vehicle, you can continue on your way.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been nearly run into as a pedestrian, cyclist, or motor vehicle because someone did not look before pulling out at an intersection (usually a stop sign; sometimes out of a driveway). Just to ascertain that I wasn’t a personal target, I conducted an informal observation of my street intersection and found that nearly every vehicle pulled up to the stop sign, looked RIGHT only and then pulled out. Oh, and if they looked left at all, it was as they were pulling out…sometimes in front of other cars, pedestrians, or cyclists.

This is not a phenomenon unique to Pennsylvania roads…I’ve seen it many places in my travels across about half of our states. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4,743 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2012 and another 76,000 were injured. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration stated that the number of pedestrian deaths by motor vehicle represents a 6 percent increase over the prior year. NHTSA revealed that 89 percent of those fatalities occurred in normal weather conditions with a large percentage being children.

It is also important to note that 52 percent of those car-pedestrian accidents were unrelated to alcohol (by either the pedestrian or driver), indicating other reasons for the collisions such as drivers or pedestrians simply not paying attention (i.e. not “looking”).

Whatever happened to looking both ways before you cross the road? We still teach our kindergarteners how to look left, right and then left again before crossing the street; why don’t we retain that through our adulthood? And, why don’t we use that same logic when operating a motor vehicle?

The old adage “look left, then right, then left again” actually is better because when you are crossing a two-way street, the lane closest to you will be coming from your left. So, you should look left first, then check the right side (the lane furthest from you) and re-look to your left before crossing the street.

The same is true if you’re in a car: look left toward the traffic that is in the lane closest to you, then right, then left again.

The point here is safety.

 

Works used for this article:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Pedestrian safety. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/Pedestrian_safety/

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. (2014). Traffic Safety Facts 2012 Data. Retrieved from http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811888.pdf.

TXT's and ZZZZ's

Mobile phones have been blamed for numerous health and safety issues: talking while driving, texting while driving, texting while walking, cell phones and radiation dangers, and the list goes on. Well, we can add another one to the list this year: texting and sleep deprivation.

A 2014 study published in the Family Community Health journal found that mobile phones interfere with adolescent sleep simply by their keeping the electronic device in the bedroom through the night. According to the study, 63 percent of the adolescents surveyed took their phones to bed with them and 57 percent kept it on during the night. Furthermore, more than one-third of them texted after going to bed and almost 10 percent were awakened by incoming text messages.

The point these researchers are making is that mobile phones, while very useful, can be detrimental to your sleep health more than any other type of device. Televisions, video games, and computers typically are not turned back on to trigger an awakening, according to the study. Mobile phones will often buzz, ring, light up, or vibrate to jolt a sleeper awake.

A solid night’s sleep is important to overall well-being. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists several key reasons why sleep is one of the key ingredients to positive health:

1. It offers a rest cycle for the brain. Sleep affects alertness and mood, which helps you survive your daily activities. Without rest, the molecular balance in the brain doesn’t have time to regenerate. Proper sleep offers your brain improved reasoning and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, sleep deprivation causes an impairment similar to being drunk with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent – which is illegal for driving.

2. It affects growth and stress hormones. A lack of sleep increases your risk of obesity, heart disease and infections. According to the NIH, when you sleep, your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure rise and fall – all key elements that are critical for cardiovascular health. Your body releases hormones to help repair cells that provide increased energy.

3. It affects your immune system. Sleep helps your body regenerate to boost its immunity to infections and diseases. It has also been shown to increase the efficiency of vaccinations.


A good night’s sleep is critical for health. Adults need between 7 and 9 hours; babies need about 16 hours, children need at least 10 hours, and teens should get at least 9 hours.

The Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project discovered that 78 percent of all teens (12-17) now have a cell phone, and almost half of those own smartphones. Considering the recent study, it would appear that half of the nation’s teens are at risk for sleep deprivation simply because they take their cell phones to bed with them.

Parents: here are four important recommendations to help your teen get proper sleep:

·         Make sleep a priority. Make sure that your teen goes to sleep at an appropriate to so they gain that 9 hours of needed sleep

·         Make the bedroom a sleep haven. Keep the room cool, quiet and dark.

·         Keep the cell phone out of the “sleep haven.” When a teen spends daytime hours in the bedroom, the phone is fine. But, when it’s time for sleep, keep the cell phone somewhere else.

·         Keep your teen’s evening activities calm to avoid worry or stress. Make sure homework is completed long before bedtime, and high stress exercises should be completed at least an hour before bedtime.

 

Teens who sleep well are not only healthier but often perform better at school, sports, and other activities. So, keep the cell phone out of the bedroom at night…for your health!

 

Works used for this article:

Adachi-Mejia, A. M., Edward, P. M., Gilbert-Diamond, D., Greenough, G. P., and Olson, A. L. (2014). TXT me, I’m only sleeping. Adolescents with mobile phones in their bedroom. Family & Community Health, 37(4), 252-257.

Madden, M., Lenhart, A., Duggan, M., Cortesi, S., and Gasser, U. (2013). Teens and technology 2013. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media/Files/Reports/2013/PIP_TeensandTechnology2013.pdf

National Institutes of Health. (2013). The benefits of slumber. Why you need a good night’s sleep. Retrieved from http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/apr2013/feature1.

National Sleep Foundation. (2014). Teens and sleep. Retrieved from http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep

 

Obsessing about Healthy Eating could be Problematic

Eating disorders have just taken an interesting twist. We all understand the concepts of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating, and obsessive overeating, but did you know there are those with an unhealthy obsession with eating healthy?

Although the condition has recently been recognized as a new eating disorder, it is fast becoming a health concern for people with what has been coined “orthorexia nervosa.” The term means ortho means “right or correct” and the term orexis means appetite. Together, the term signifies a fixation on correct eating behaviors and was first identified by Dr. Steven Bratman who suffers from the disorder himself.  Bratman is a holistic physician practicing in Ft. Collins, Colorado, who is author of the book, Health Food Junkies, and “Alternative Medicine Sourcebook: A Realistic Evaluation of Alternative Healing Methods.”

Basically, these are individuals who have a preoccupation with healthy foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. These are considered “good” foods. Everything else is classified as “bad.” Furthermore, if they happen to give in to something they deem unhealthy, perhaps a cup of coffee (caffeine), they self-punish with exceptionally stricter eating, fasts and exercise.

Who would think that eating healthy would pose health risks? The issue lies not in the foods they are eating, but in what they are not eating couple with what they are thinking. A very restrictive diet coupled with an obsession with food can lead to a lack of poor nutrient balance. In addition, it can lead to the consumption of far fewer calories than what would be needed for daily survival. The human body’s needs vary based on gender, age, weight and height. Once you determine your basal metabolic rate (BMR), you can determine how many calories you need if you simply slept all day. In general, those calories are about 1200 for women and 1800 for men. With orthorexia, a person could literally eat vegetables all day and not consume 500 calories. That puts the body at a dangerous risk for disease and sickness.

Recent scientific studies have found several common characteristics among those with this condition. They believe that being overweight is a sign of weakness, they disapprove of people who do not eat like they do, they believe the most people can be blamed for their own diseases for what they consume, and they spend a significant amount of time preparing their meals.

This type of behavior is not considered a weight loss type of regime. It is an intense phobia about eating only “pure” food. Anything else is off limits, permanently. What’s interesting about the characteristics of someone with orthorexia is that their food intake is far more important than their personal values, interpersonal relationships, careers, family, and friends. Therefore, besides the potential of consuming too few calories to survive, they have also placed themselves into social isolation because of it.

Psychiatrists have developed a test to determine a diagnosis. Many of the questions revolve around your thoughts and feelings about food, diet, and life in general. It seems to fine to be concerned about your dietary intake, most of us do. However, it is not healthy to be obsessed with it. Bratman stresses that a healthy diet and being concerned about your foods is not an issue. It only becomes an issue when you add the following:

1. it is taking up an inordinate amount of time and attention in your life
2. deviating from the diet causes extreme guilt and punishment
3. it causes you to avoid others and become socially isolated

Our world is consumed with the concept of “health” foods. We have low-fat, no-fat, low-carb, no sugar, caffeine-free, and so on. Couple that with the society’s fixation on being thin and it is very easy to fall victim to the orthorexia mindset, especially if you are already vulnerable through low self-esteem.

If you think you might be a victim on orthorexia nervosa, you might want to talk with your doctor or a psychologist about the condition.

 

Works used for this article:
Bratman, S. (1997). Health Food Junkie. Obsession with dietary perfection can sometimes do more harm than good, says one who has been there. Retrieved from http://www.beyondveg.com/bratman-s/hfj/hf-junkie-1a.shtml

Bratman, S. (2015). What is orthorexia? Retrieved from http://www.orthorexia.com/

Brytek-Matera, A. (2012). Orthorexia nervosa – an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or disturbed eating habit? Archives of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, 14(1), 55-60.

Collins, S. (2014). Approximately how many calories do you need to survive? Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/300423-approximately-many-calories-survive/

Kratina, K. (n.d.). Orthorexia nervosa. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/orthorexia-nervosa

Varga, M., Konkoly Thege, B., Dukay-Szabo, S., Tury, F., and van Furth, E. F. (2014). When eating healthy is not healthy: orthorexia nervosa and its measurement with the ORTO-15 in Hungary. BMC Psychiatry, 14(1), 1-23.

 

 

Smoking Bans Do Work - At Least in the US

In 2013, Time Magazine took a look at the smoking bans across the world to determine if they actually reduced smoking overall. Here’s a quick timeline of what they discovered:

• 2004: Ireland becomes the first country to ban smoking in the workplace. The following year, research discovered a 17% drop in respiratory issues throughout Ireland. SUCCESS!

• 2005: Italy banned smoking in all public places. Smoking rates dropped by about 4%, incidences of heart attacks decreased and cigarette sales dropped by 5.5%. SUCCESS!

• 2006: China made a move to reduce smoking for the Beijing Olympics. In 2011, a nationwide smoking ban in public places commenced. Reports found that 2012 smoking rates were 30% higher than in 1990. However, it is noted that more than one-third of the world’s smokers are Chinese. FAILURE!

• 2008: India banned smoking in the workplace with lawbreakers being charged a $4.50 fine. In 2013, reports claim that violations of the law are rampant. FAILURE!

• 2013: Russia banned smoking in most public venues and banned cigarette advertising from the streets. It’s too early to tell if the ban has been effective. The law is expected to reduce smoking by 15% by 2020. In fact, lawmakers in the country wanted to take it further by banning women under the age of 40 from smoking at all. That law did not pass. UNKNOWN.

Today, the United States does not have a nationwide smoking ban. The smoking laws are left to state and local governments. However, that doesn’t mean that the tobacco issue isn’t lying dormant at the federal level. In what public health officials consider their “Bible,” Healthy People 2020, the government has set forth 20 specific objectives to reduce the use of tobacco in the nation. So far, it seems to be working.

According to the Healthy People 2020 document, the proportion of smoking adults (ages 18 and older) dropped from 24% in 1997 to 18.2% in 2012. Furthermore, the percentage of youth smokers (grades 9-12) also dropped from 43.4% in 1997 to 22.4% in 2012.

The news gets even better: both children and nonsmoking adults who were exposed to second-hand smoke both dropped over the past five years. In fact, the reduction in exposure dipped below the original targeted numbers!

Also, the number of states with laws banning smoking in restaurants and at worksites increased from 2 in 2002 to 34 in 2013. Furthermore, the number of states banning smoking in bars went from 1 in 2002 to 28 in 2013. As of 2013, all but 14 states have banned smoking in at least one of three locations: private workplaces, restaurants or bars. Those 14 states with no statewide ban are California, Alaska, Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Connecticut and Missouri. It is important to note that individual cities and communities may have smoking bans.

In Pennsylvania, the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 prohibits smoking in only 1 location: public places or workplaces. The law does not prevent smoking in restaurants or bars – however, individual owners may have applied the law to their establishment. As you know, many of the restaurants and bars in Meadville are smoke-free – thanks to the health-mindedness of their owners. In addition, individual municipalities may have smoking bans. Check your local municipal laws for details on smoking bans.

So, do smoking bans help? Based on the numbers from the tobacco use tracking in the United States – it sure does.

As a result, we are all just a little healthier thanks to cleaner air and cleaner lungs.

 

Works used for this article:

Balmforth, T. (2014). No smoking in Russia? Tough new antitobacco rules come to the land of cigarettes. Retrieved from http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-new-antismoking-law-land-of-cigarettes/25438520.html

HealthyPeople.gov. (2015). Tobacco use. Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/tobacco-use/national-snapshot

Katz, A. (2013). Do national smoking bans actually work? Retrieved from http://world.time.com/2013/06/03/do-national-smoking-bans-actually-work/

A Golden Opportunity: Strength-Training at 50+

I asked a handful of people ages 50 and older to name their biggest health concerns as they aged. The top answer was, by far, gaining weight, but another response high on the list was losing muscle strength.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) touts that physical activity is essential for healthy aging: to stop weight gain and reduce muscle loss. But, how much should you do? What specifically should you be doing? Can you do the same thing at age 60 that you did at age 50?

Frankly, the CDC claims that if you are 65 or older and generally fit, there should be no limitations on what you can do. National standards say that older adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly and muscle-strengthening activities twice a week that includes legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms. That muscle-strengthening might include weight lifting, resistance bands, body weight exercising and yoga.

We’ve heard the same thing for every adult person. I was looking for far more specific workouts for seniors, so I went to a different source: personal trainers.

According to Certified Personal Trainer Mike Vaughn, American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM) and National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) certified, there really is not one-size-fits-all regime for seniors. “It all depends on what they were doing their entire life.” He explained that if the person was sedentary from day 1, then they need to start off as a beginner. “I would personally work with them on the things that will improve their quality of life such as motions needed for daily living.”

Vaughn, also a Golden Gloves Boxer, said that more seniors end up injuring themselves simply from bending down to pick up the morning newspaper. “That’s because those muscles to bend down lose their ability to manage their environment.” Those muscles no longer have elasticity; they do not have the strength to continue bending and straightening.

But, if a senior has been relatively active, there really is no difference in weight training from the senior to the younger adult. “If you’ve been active throughout your life, then we work on things specific for them such as strengthening their legs so they can better chase after their grandchildren.”

Muscle break down does naturally occur no matter how active you have been. It’s very much related to hormones and body changes as well as diet. However, exercise does help the body keep its elasticity far longer.

“It’s hard to get started,” Vaughn said, noting that working out with someone can be helpful. That “someone” should be a personal trainer especially for someone who has never set foot in a gym before. Oftentimes when an older adult comes into the gym, they think they can do far more than they are capable at first. They overdo it and never return.

The thing about working with a personal trainer is that you build a rapport with one – one who is specifically there for you. Not only does it help you with the appropriate weights and exercises, but that person keeps your accountable. They get to know you and work to achieve your life goals through health. My personal trainer spent my first session discussing my goals. Although I am not a senior citizen, trainers do not discriminate. They build a comfortable environment for you to reach your goals.

Another Certified Personal Trainer, Stephan Swanson, BS in Exercise Science from Florida State University and is ACSM and NCSF certified, noted that he spends the first hour talking with his client to understand their health history such as injuries, medications and goals. He mentioned that some medications interfere with a person’s ability to increase their heart rate. “That’s important to know when you’re working with someone.”

Swanson’s first client was an 85-year-old woman who simply needed the strength to get out of bed and put the dishes into the overhead cupboards. After a while, she was truly able to do that and more. Regardless of the goal, trainers make working out fun, not work.

“It’s often more rewarding to work with the older population because you plant the seed for them that says ‘it’s never too late to start’ and its gives them hope,” Vaughn stated. “It’s all about quality of life.”

So how do you get started?

First, talk to your physician about your plans. Adults aged 60 and older should never start a workout program without the medical advice of your physician. He/she can provide you with a realistic plan that will work with both a personal trainer and the group fitness classes to improve your overall health.

Second, I highly recommend finding a trainer for at least a few sessions. This will get your program started off on the right foot. You will have less chance of injury and an increased rate of returning to the gym and obtaining your goals.

Third, try some group fitness classes such as Silver Sneakers. Those programs are tailored for the aging adult, adopting functional strength training for daily living into the workout – which is far better than just plain bench pressing or squatting heavy weights. Plus, you’ll be with numerous individuals working alongside you for similar goals. It’s a great way to make new friends!

As Vaughn said: “This is a golden opportunity to spend the rest of your life being active and feeling good about it all.”
 

 

Works used for this article:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). How much physical activity do older adults need. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/olderadults.html

 

 

 

Arsenic: How much is too much?

Consumer Reports recently published an article (albeit more of a warning) revealing that dangerous levels of arsenic were found in 60 rice varieties that they tested. They cautioned parents about feeding their children and infants too much rice or too many rice products as it could be toxic.

From the national public health view, the arsenic levels in rice are not currently a major concern. Arsenic is a nationally occurring substance found in water, air, soil and foods. It is a substance that the Food and Drug Administration has been monitoring for decades in our food and water supply.

There are two types of arsenic: organic and inorganic. The latter is the most toxic form of the substance; however, the total arsenic content includes both inorganic and organic together. Of interest, arsenic, while naturally occurring, can also be placed into the environment by manmade means such as pesticides. Unlike many other plants, rice can easily absorb arsenic – both naturally occurring as well as manmade.

According to the FDA’s 2013 report on total arsenic levels in food products, “the amount of detectable arsenic is too low in the rice and rice product samples to cause any immediate or short-term adverse health effects.” The report tested 1,100 types of rice and rice products including rice beverages, rice cereals, brown rice, white rice, and basmati rice. It is noted that wild rice (which was tested when it was contained within a rice product) is not actually rice but a grain that comes from a grass.

In the rice tested, the average level of arsenic was shown to be between 2.6 and 7.2 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per serving– considered very low. Instant white rice came out on the low end with brown rice on the high end. Rice products (such as cereals and beverages) were even lower from 0.1 to 6.6 micrograms per serving.

But, what is considered high? Interestingly, there is no federal limit for arsenic in rice and rice products. Research suggests that level be set at 1 microgram, but there has been no movement to make that a standard number. Regulations for safe arsenic levels in foods are basically non-existent across the country and even the world. In fact, neither the World Health Organization nor European Union has set regulations for arsenic levels in rice. The only exception is China, where rice is a dietary staple.

In contrast, there is a safe level of arsenic content posted for drinking water: .010 parts per million (or 10 parts per billion).  That regulation went into full effect in January 2006.

The Consumer Reports story indicates that certain rice products contain levels of inorganic arsenic high enough that should be of concern for human consumption – especially if consumed as a regular part of the diet. Consumer Reports food safety experts were most concerned with baby and infant foods that contain rice, such as infant rice cereal. According to Consumer Reports, babies should eat no more than one serving of infant rice cereal per day and that other grains should be substituted in their daily diets.

The FDA states that a mix of grains is necessary for a healthy diet regardless of age: infants, toddlers, and adults alike. They further noted that parents should “consider other options than rice cereal for a child’s first solid food” even though they did not connect arsenic levels in foods to their comment.

Arsenic is a poison and has been linked to various poor health outcomes such as lung cancer, lung disease, liver cancer, cardiovascular disease, and potentially diabetes. Studies on arsenic ingestion indicate that existing water threshold levels may still be high enough to cause adverse health effects. Without food thresholds, the risks of significant health problems will only grow.

Regardless of the level of arsenic, it is important to realize that it does exist in rice and rice products. Consumer Reports has a few suggestions that may help you lower your arsenic intake when consuming rice products. First, it recommends rinsing your raw rice before cooking it. This process will help remove residue, including arsenic, from your rice. Second, the report suggests cooking your rice in more water than required (6 cups water to 1 cup rice) and drain the excess afterward. Research has shown that both rinsing and using more water than will be absorbed will remove 30% of the rice’s inorganic arsenic content.

Some of the rice that Consumer Reports tested included Basmati, Quinoa, Buckwheat, White rice, Brown rice, and Millet. Here are the results, which may help you with your next grocery store trip:

·         Basmati Rice (specifically from California): lowest in arsenic content

·         White Rice (specifically from Texas): highest in arsenic content

·         Brown Rice: high in arsenic content

·         Quinoa & Buckwheat: low in arsenic

·         Millet: less arsenic than rice

 

Works used for this article:

Consumer Reports. (2014). How much arsenic is in your rice? Consumer Reports’ new data and guidelines are important for everyone but especially for gluten avoiders. Retrieved from http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/01/how-much-arsenic-is-in-your-rice/index.htm

Munera-Picazo, S., Ramfrez-Gandolfo, A., Burlo, F., and Carbonell-Barrachina, A. A. (2014). Inorganic and total arsenic contents in rice-based foods for children with celiac disease. Journal of Food Science, 79(1), T122-T128. DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12310

Sebastien, S. (2014). Time to revisit arsenic regulations: comparing drinking water and rice. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 182-192. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-465

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). Arsenic in drinking water. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/arsenic/index.cfm

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2013). FDA statement on testing and analysis of arsenic in rice and rice products. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm367263.htm

 

 

Dr. Pepper: A Treatment for ADHD?

New research has found the Dr. Pepper may be a good option to help children with ADHD focus.

Parents of children with ADHD may have known for years that soda can help curb behaviors in ADHD children…a quick search of the internet shows a plethora of parent’s blogs touting how beneficial Dr. Pepper has been for their ADHD child. However, are their views valid?

According to various doctors, it’s not necessarily the “Dr. Pepper” that helps but more likely the caffeine. Caffeine acts as a stimulant when introduced to the body. In children with ADHD, that stimulant tends to act as a behavioral control. What is interesting about the brand Dr. Pepper is that it is one of the most caffeine-rich drinks available on the market. It contains up to 10 teaspoons of sugar, as well as phosphoric acid, a compound that interferes with the absorption of calcium, magnesium and zinc – minerals that children with ADHD need the most.

So perhaps there is a bit more behind Dr. Pepper than any other caffeine-enriched beverage for ADHD children. Still, it appears that the largest benefit comes from the caffeine that is contained in Dr. Pepper.

Caffeine and its effects have been well studied and documented over the centuries. One researcher found that mythology describes how modern man first came to observe the effects of caffeine when his goat herd ate a coffee bush and became energized, not sleeping all night. As bizarre as that seems, most of us know that caffeine works as a pick-me-up for most people. It operates slightly differently in people with ADHD.

In the mid-1970s through about the mid-1990s, researchers discovered some connection with caffeine and tobacco consumption as methods of treating ADHD but were ruled out as poor approaches. Later research suggests that some forms of caffeine and nicotine may actually provide partial remediation of ADHD symptoms because they can compensate the body for lower levels of mental arousal to enhance performance – i.e. focus, in individuals with ADHD. Conventional treatments already capitalize on the use of psychostimulant medications to improve focus…so why not caffeine and nicotine?

A pharmacological study of caffeine use specifically to treat ADHD failed significantly in effect. While it may have provided some relief, the results were not significant enough to tout its use as a regular treatment option. It has been determined that prescription drugs meant for ADHD treatments provide far more relief and behavior control than caffeine; however, it was noted that caffeine is better than no treatment at all. Furthermore, caffeine may be the best option for adults with mild to moderate ADHD – especially for those who refuse to take traditionally prescribed ADHD medications.

ADHD affects approximately 5 percent of school-age children worldwide and characteristics include hyperactivity, impulsivity and in attention. These impairments cause not only behavioral issues in the family and social arena, but can reduce academic achievements that carry over into adulthood. That obviously leads to a lower quality of life.

If you have or suspect your child suffers from ADHD, you should reach out to your primary care physician. They can properly assess and diagnose you or your child and offer an appropriate course of treatment. That treatment may or may not include pharmaceuticals because each ADHD diagnosis is different. For some, a change in diet is the key. And, perhaps that diet may lead to a regime of Dr. Pepper!



Works used for this article:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/guidelines.html.

Ioannidis, K., Chamberlain, S. R., and Muller, U. (2014). Ostracising caffeine from the pharmacological arsenal for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder – was this a correct decision? A literature review. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(9), 830-836.

Prasad, V., Brogan, E., Mulvaney, C., Grainge, M., Stanton, W., and Sayal, K. (2013). How effective are drug treatments for children with ADHD at improving on-task behavior and academic achievement in the school classroom? A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 22, 203-216.

Walker, L. R., Abraham, A. A., and Tercyak, K. P. (2010). Adolescent caffeine use, ADHD, and cigarette smoking. Children’s Health Care, 39(1), 73-90. Doi 10.1080/02739610903455186

Wilson, L. (2009). Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders. Retrieved from http://drlwilson.com/articles/attention_deficit.htm