Children with ADHD: Health, self-esteem, and a playful sense of enthusiasm

As parents, we want our children to be happy — and to grow into happy, successful adults with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD).

So we do our best to provide them with comfortable homes, fun toys, good clothes, memorable vacations, and other nice things. And we balance that by signing them up for lots of ADD-friendly sports like swimming and other extracurricular activities, hoping to instill an appreciation of discipline and hard work.
There's nothing wrong with nice things or with hard work in the classroom or on the playing field. Indeed, exercise is vital for kids.

But when we try to set the stage for lifelong happiness, we should remember what research has shown: that what matters most in encouraging good ADHD health is helping children develop happiness-promoting traits, such as optimism, self-esteem, and a playful sense of enthusiasm.

How do we do this? It's easier than you might imagine. First and foremost, children need something I call "connection," which they get in the form of unconditional love from adults.

Connection gives children the confidence to try new things and to seek out new experiences. Once a child feels connected to important adults in his life, it is a short step to developing a can-do attitude, which, as we all know, is a defense against depression and despair at any age. Good ADHD Health emerges.
Play and practice are two other ingredients of lifelong happiness. It's been said that "the work of childhood is play" — and that is true. I'm not just talking about structured games and events. Children need time to engage in unstructured play, with others and on their own. Play hones the imagination and teaches problem-solving skills. It teaches children to tolerate frustration. And, of course, it is fun. Your keenest childhood memories probably involve playing. I know mine do. (When it comes to electronic play, however, it's best to set limits. An hour or less a day of TV or computer games means there's more time for experiences that are richer in imagination - and exercise.)
Children who play learn that doing something repeatedly helps them get better at it; in other words, that practice leads to mastery. (Did you learn to ride a bike on the first try?) Practice lets children learn to accept help and to benefit from good teachers and coaches. Mastering a skill begets confidence, leadership, initiative, and an enduring admiration for hard work.
Mastery usually leads to recognition from a larger group (friends and family), which, in turn, reinforces the sense of connection. We all know what happens when a child masters something new after long practice. We hear his cries of "I did it!" and "Wow." Few feelings are better — for a child or his parent.

Let me close by saying something about self-esteem. Some well-meaning parents seem to think that the way to boost our children's self-esteem is to shower them with praise. Not so. Self-esteem is rooted in mastery. If you want your child to have high self-regard, do not go out of your way to offer praise. Instead, make sure your child has opportunities to develop mastery. If your child displays an aptitude for cooking, for example, invite him to plan a special family dinner and then help you in the kitchen.

Next time you find yourself wondering whether to sign your child up for yet another activity, take a deep breath. Some free time might be exactly what she needs to be happy - both now and after she grows up and leaves home.

 

By  Edward Hallowell, M.D.

 

Medical Tests Every Man Needs

Medical screening tests are a great way to keep on top of your health. Think of them as basic maintenance, just like checking the oil and tire pressure to keep your car safe on the highway. To keep it simple, we've compiled a list of the most important medical tests every man should have along with what age to start and how often to repeat. Here's to routine maintenance for your health.

1. Cholesterol screening/lipoprotein profile

Cholesterol is a type of fatty protein in your blood that can build up in your arteries, so knowing how much cholesterol is present is a good predictor of your risk for heart disease. There are two kinds of cholesterol: HDL, or high-density lipoproteins, and LDL, or low-density lipoproteins. Confusingly enough, HDL is "good" and protects against heart disease, while LDL is "bad" and poses a risk to your heart.

Your total cholesterol reading combines the measures of both and is used as an overall reading; 220 is the magic number that you want to stay beneath. In addition, the profile measures triglycerides, which are fats in the blood that can also block arteries; you want them below 150 milligrams per deciliter.

What it is: A blood test for cholesterol, measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl); usually measures triglycerides at the same time

 When to start: Age 20

How often: Every five years. If testing reveals your levels are high, your doctor will recommend retesting every six months to one year. If you have risk factors for heart disease in your family, the regular cholesterol test may not be specific enough; ask your doctor for an additional test called the lipoprotein subfraction test. It's more sensitive and checks the size of the cholesterol particles as well as the amount.

2. Blood pressure check

It seems simple, but checking your blood pressure regularly is one of the most important things you can do to protect your present and future health. One in every five adults, totaling 50 million people, has elevated blood pressure, also known as hypertension. When your blood pressure readings are higher than the cutoff of 140/90, it puts stress on your heart, leaving you at risk for heart attack and stroke. Many experts believe 120/80 is a healthier target to shoot for.

What it is: A physical reading using an arm cuff

When to start: Any age; best to begin during childhood

How often: Once a year if readings are normal; your doctor will recommend every six months if readings are high or if you're taking medication to control hypertension.
 

3. Diabetes screening

To check your risk for diabetes, doctors check your tolerance for glucose absorption, which means how readily your body digests sugar.

What it is: A blood draw performed after drinking a sugary drink; a fasting glucose tolerance test requires you not to eat for nine hours prior to the test.

When to start: At age 45 if you have no risk factors or symptoms. If you're significantly overweight, have high blood pressure, or have other risk factors for diabetes, such as family history of the disease, it's a good idea to get tested younger. If your insurance doesn't cover it, free testing is available at most major chain drugstores.

How often: Every three years.

 

4. Bone density test

The loss of bone strength, called osteoporosis, afflicts nearly 10 million people every year, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Surveys show that men see osteoporosis as a "woman's disease," but this is a misconception. After age 50, 6 percent of all men will break a hip and 5 percent will have a vertebral fracture as a result of osteoporosis. As we age, minerals such as calcium begin to leach from bones, weakening them and leading to osteoporosis, which literally means "porous bone."

What it is: A specialized X-ray called a DXA (dual-energy X-ray) screens your spine, hips, and wrists as you lie on a table.

When to start: At age 65, everyone should have a DXA. But men who have risk factors for bone loss, such as being thin, taking corticosteroids, or having a history of fractures, should talk to their doctor about being screened now.

5. Vitamin D test

Recently, doctors have realized that vitamin D is a key nutrient that helps maintain strong bones and protect against cancer, infection, and other health conditions. For example, a study last year found that men with low levels of vitamin D had a higher incidence of heart attack. Most men have no idea if they're D-deficient or not, though a simple blood test can tell. If you live in a northern climate, work indoors, or don't drink a lot of milk, chances are your vitamin D level is low. If so, your doctor will recommend taking a vitamin D supplement.

What it is: A blood test, often done along with the cholesterol and lipid panel, to check the level of vitamin D in your blood. You want your reading to be between 30 and 80 nanograms per milliliter, though some experts argue that 50 nanograms should be the lowest level considered normal. Many experts recommend the 25(OH)D3 test as providing the more accurate measurement.

When to start: Age 40; sooner if you have signs or risk factors for osteoporosis. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at synthesizing vitamin D from the sun, so after the age of 40 it's more likely that you'll become D-deficient. Also, if you have any signs of low bone density, such as a fracture, your doctor will want to test your vitamin D along with your bone density.

How often: Although vitamin D testing isn't yet required or listed on the official schedule of recommended tests, more and more doctors are recommending it as an annual test after age 45.

6. Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy

 

Colorectal cancer, which is cancer of the lower part of the intestines, is curable in 90 percent of all cases -- as long as it's caught early. And screening tests that look inside the colon, called colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy, are the secret to catching it early.

Unfortunately, this still isn't happening as often as it should. Currently, 39 percent of cases are already stage III or IV when discovered. This test is considered so lifesaving that news anchor Katie Couric allowed hers to be presented on live TV as an educational campaign to raise awareness after her husband died of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer for men, after lung and prostate cancer, so it's important to take it seriously.

 What it is: An examination of your colon using a tiny scope and camera, which are inserted through the rectum. A colonoscopy can see the whole colon, while a sigmoidoscopy can see only the sigmoid, or lower section of the colon.

 

When to start: Age 50 for those with no risk factors. If, however, you have a first-degree family member who's had colon cancer before the age of 50, begin colonoscopy screening when you're ten years younger than the age at which your family member was diagnosed. If a family member was diagnosed at 45, for example, you should have your first screening at 35.

How often: Flexible sigmoidoscopies should be repeated every five years, and a colonoscopy should be repeated every ten years. A computerized imaging technique called virtual colonoscopy is gaining popularity at some medical centers, but many doctors still consider it experimental and some insurers, including Medicare, don't cover it

 

 

The Fruit That Really Does Keep the Doctor Away

Crisp, comforting and delicious, apples have remarkable health benefits, fighting everything from dental problems to diabetes, heart disease, at least 8 types of cancer, and possibly even Alzheimer’s.

One of the latest discoveries is that eating at least 2 servings a week of whole fruit—particularly apples, blueberries, or grapes—trims risk for type 2 diabetes by up to 23 percent, compared to people who eat less than one serving per month, according to new data from three long-running studies that include 187,382 participants. The research was published in British Medical Journal. The scientists also report that cutting out three servings of fruit juice and eating whole fruit instead would cut diabetes danger by 7 percent.

Other studies reveal the apple's long list of impressive health perks, reports Courtenay Smith, executive editor of Reader’s Digest and editor of the bestseller Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal.

In fact, apples may be one of the best healing foods, but also carry a risk you should be aware of. “Because apples are vulnerable to worms and other pests, conventionally grown fruit can be high in pesticides because it’s sprayed several times,” cautions Smith, who recommends either buying organic or washing the fruit thoroughly before eating.

 Protection Against Cardiovascular Disease

An apple snack soaked with tangerine juice lowers cardiovascular risk in children, according to researchers at Universitat de València and other centers. The study included 48 obese kids ages 9 to 15 who followed a low-calorie diet for 4 weeks. Eating the apple/tangerine snack improved the kids’ blood pressure, lipid levels and antioxidant defenses, while also reducing inflammatory markers linked to heart risk.

Lower Risk for Stroke
Contrary to the popular belief that the healthiest fruits and veggies are brightly colored, a large Dutch study found that eating white produce (in amounts equal to one medium or large apple) reduces stroke risk by 52 percent, compared to people who eat smaller amounts. Although the researchers looked at a variety of white produce, apples, pears and applesauce were the ones most commonly eaten by the 20,069 participants. There was no link between eating foods of other colors and rates of stroke, according to the study, published in Stroke.

 Whiter, Healthier Teeth

“Apples are often called ‘nature’s toothbrushes,’ because they help clean and brighten teeth,” says Smith. “The crisp, abrasive texture stimulates the gums and removes debris from your teeth, while the mildly acidic flavor increases saliva flow to rinse away plaque.” A 2012 study reported that men who ate high-fiber fruits (particularly apples and bananas) were at lower risk for tooth loss and progression of gum disease. The study tracked 625 men for 15 years.

 Help You Stay Slim

“Studies out of Washington State and Brazil show that people who eat 3 apples or pears a day lose weight,” Smith reports. “These fruits are low in calories (80 for a medium apple) and loaded with water and fiber, so they fill you up. They’re also digested slowly, so  you feel satisfied longer.”

 May Prevent 8 Types of Cancer

A 2011 scientific review reports that people who eat one or more apples daily have significantly lower risk of oral cancer and cancers of the voice box (larynx), breast, esophagus, colon, kidney, prostate and ovary, compared to those who nosh on the fruit less often. The study included more than 6,000 people and this pattern held true even when the participants’ age, calorie intake, diet, smoking, and weight were taken into account.

“In lab studies out of Germany, there’s evidence that when fiber in apples ferments in the colon, it produces cancer fighting compounds,” says Smith. “Other lab studies show that procyanidins—natural compounds found in apple skins—trigger cancer cell death.”

 Help Head off a Heart Attack

The same scientific review also reported that women who ate as little as 71 grams of apple daily (about half of a small apple) were 43 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease—the leading killer of Americans—than were women who didn’t eat the fruit at all. A study of elderly men found similar benefits to eating an average of 69 grams of apple daily, versus little or no apple consumption.

 May Help Ward off Alzheimer’s

Animal studies suggest that apple juice may have a variety of positive effects on brain health, including reducing age-related memory and cognitive impairment. What’s more, in animals, daily consumption of apple juice appears to protect against brain changes and damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease, though it is not yet known if tasty drink has the same effect on the human brain.

U.S Begins Government Shutdown Because Budget Deadline Has passed

The US government began a partial shutdown on Tuesday for the first time in 17 years, putting up potentially 1 million workers on unpaid leave, closing national parks and stalling medical research projects. Federal agencies were directed to cut back services after lawmakers could not break a political stalemate especially on Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act in the budget legislation they sent up to Senate.

After House Republicans floated a late offer to break the logjam, Senate Majority Leader  Harry Reid rejected the idea, saying Democrats would not enter into formal negotiations on spending "with a gun to our head" in the form of government shutdowns.
In the hours leading up to the deadline, the Democratic-controlled Senate repeatedly stripped measures passed by the House that tied temporary funding  for government operations to delaying or scaling back the Affordable Care Act healthcare overhaul known as Obamacare.
Shortly after midnight, President Barack Obama tweeted: "The Affordable Care Act is moving forward. You can't shut it down."
Obama in a letter blamed the House of Representatives for the stalemate and said he would keep working to get Congress to reopen the government and restart vital services.
This shutdown was completely preventable. It should not have happened. "And the House of Representatives can end it as soon as it follows the Senate's lead, and funds your work in the United States Government without trying to attach highly controversial and partisan measures in the process.
The Senate on Tuesday morning voted 54-46 to reject the request for formal negotiations to end the impasse.
The last shutdown was in 1995 and 1996 and cost taxpayers $1.4 billion, according to congressional researchers