Tuesday, February 1, 2011
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Love is an energy. You can feed it to people, and they in turn feed it to others, and eventually it comes back.
Sleep problems, teen suicide may be linked
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters Life!) - Teenagers who thought about or attempted suicide were more likely to have suffered sleep disorders in earlier years, according to American researchers.
Idaho State University psychology professor Maria Wong, who worked on the study, said the finding should aid parents, educators and others in identifying teens at risk of harming themselves.
She said adolescents are more willing to talk about sleep problems than suicidal thoughts or attempts, giving adults an opening to discuss and monitor problems that may be more serious than simply a teen's trouble falling asleep.
"It's easier to broach the topic of sleep with patients, since it's easier to talk about a physical problem," said Wong, who worked with colleagues from the University of Michigan on the study, scheduled to be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
"It's easier for them to answer questions like, 'Did you sleep well last night?' and get into why they are not sleeping well and how they are feeling lately," Wong said.
The study tracked 280 boys and 112 girls from Michigan, beginning when they were ages 12 to 14 and ending when they were between 15 and 17.
Participants responded to such questions as whether they had nightmares, felt tired or otherwise had trouble sleeping. They also were asked about whether they had cut or otherwise hurt themselves.
Not all the adolescents with abnormal sleep had suicidal thoughts, but those aged 15 to 17 who had suicidal thoughts were more likely to have had sleep problems in earlier years.
Sixty percent of teens ages 15 to 17 who engaged in suicidal behavior had trouble sleeping at ages 12 to 14. Among those who only thought about suicide without acting on those thoughts, 47 percent had trouble sleeping in earlier years.
By comparison, only 26 percent of teens with no suicidal thoughts or behavior had trouble sleeping at ages 12 to 14.
Wong said the design of the research screened for factors such as depression, unlike past research in this area. It also adjusted for alcoholism and suicidal tendencies by parents.
Results from the study are consistent with previous findings in adults by researchers who found strong links between sleep problems and suicide.
Wong stressed that scientists did not prove that sleep problems caused suicidal tendencies among adolescents, only that the two things tend to occur together.
The experiment also did not demonstrate that suicidal thoughts or behavior cause sleep disorders.
She said she hopes to conduct further research to explain why there is a relationship between sleep problems and suicide in adolescence.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/eXlAb1 Journal of Psychiatric Research 2011.
Idaho State University psychology professor Maria Wong, who worked on the study, said the finding should aid parents, educators and others in identifying teens at risk of harming themselves.
She said adolescents are more willing to talk about sleep problems than suicidal thoughts or attempts, giving adults an opening to discuss and monitor problems that may be more serious than simply a teen's trouble falling asleep.
"It's easier to broach the topic of sleep with patients, since it's easier to talk about a physical problem," said Wong, who worked with colleagues from the University of Michigan on the study, scheduled to be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
"It's easier for them to answer questions like, 'Did you sleep well last night?' and get into why they are not sleeping well and how they are feeling lately," Wong said.
The study tracked 280 boys and 112 girls from Michigan, beginning when they were ages 12 to 14 and ending when they were between 15 and 17.
Participants responded to such questions as whether they had nightmares, felt tired or otherwise had trouble sleeping. They also were asked about whether they had cut or otherwise hurt themselves.
Not all the adolescents with abnormal sleep had suicidal thoughts, but those aged 15 to 17 who had suicidal thoughts were more likely to have had sleep problems in earlier years.
Sixty percent of teens ages 15 to 17 who engaged in suicidal behavior had trouble sleeping at ages 12 to 14. Among those who only thought about suicide without acting on those thoughts, 47 percent had trouble sleeping in earlier years.
By comparison, only 26 percent of teens with no suicidal thoughts or behavior had trouble sleeping at ages 12 to 14.
Wong said the design of the research screened for factors such as depression, unlike past research in this area. It also adjusted for alcoholism and suicidal tendencies by parents.
Results from the study are consistent with previous findings in adults by researchers who found strong links between sleep problems and suicide.
Wong stressed that scientists did not prove that sleep problems caused suicidal tendencies among adolescents, only that the two things tend to occur together.
The experiment also did not demonstrate that suicidal thoughts or behavior cause sleep disorders.
She said she hopes to conduct further research to explain why there is a relationship between sleep problems and suicide in adolescence.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/eXlAb1 Journal of Psychiatric Research 2011.
Which Is Worse: Doritos or Cheetos?
When you're looking for a salty, crunchy snack, which is the better choice: a bag of Doritos or a bag of Cheetos?
Though both are far from healthy options, "the smaller bag is the main reason to pick the Doritos," says Sarah-Jane Bedwell, R.D., of Nashville.
An even better choice? A bag of baked chips!
Though both are far from healthy options, "the smaller bag is the main reason to pick the Doritos," says Sarah-Jane Bedwell, R.D., of Nashville.
An even better choice? A bag of baked chips!
The overuse of antipsychotics
It's a form of drug abuse your own doctor won't tell you about--because odds are, he's guilty of it himself.
But this isn't about his drug problem... after all, he's not the one taking the meds.
You are--because a shocking number of patients are being given atypical antipsychotics off-label for conditions where there's little to no evidence they actually work.
A new study shows how quickly the market for these meds has grown: From 6.2 million prescriptions in 1995 to 16.7 million in 2008.
And while the bulk of the prescriptions early on were for approved uses, 9 million Americans now take these drugs off-label, according to the study in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety.
"Physicians want to prescribe and use the latest therapies--and even when those latest therapies don't necessarily offer a big advantage, there's still a tendency to think that the newest drugs must be better," Stanford University School of Medicine's Dr. Randall Stafford, who worked on the study, said in a statement.
That "tendency" adds up to big bucks: Atypical antipsychotics did a combined $10 billion in sales in the United States alone, and represent 5 percent of all prescription drug spending.
Expect that number to rise--because docs just can't seem to help themselves around these meds. Once approved for schizophrenia, atypical antipsychotics are now given for everything from bipolar disorder to autism.
One study last year even found a growing number of doctors giving these drugs to toddlers.
It's like an addiction--doctors are addicted to prescribing them.
But while these meds may not help your condition, they'll put you at risk for some of the worst side effects you can imagine: heart disease, diabetes, potentially deadly blood clots and more.
Dementia patients given these meds--as so many are in nursing homes these days--can even expect a shorter life.
It's shocking when you realize that you can't even trust your own doc to give you or a family member a med that's proven to work... but as this new study shows, you need to ask, ask, ask any time you get a new drug prescription.
And you can start with this simple question: What proof do you have that this drug will help me?
On a mission for your health,
Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls
But this isn't about his drug problem... after all, he's not the one taking the meds.
You are--because a shocking number of patients are being given atypical antipsychotics off-label for conditions where there's little to no evidence they actually work.
A new study shows how quickly the market for these meds has grown: From 6.2 million prescriptions in 1995 to 16.7 million in 2008.
And while the bulk of the prescriptions early on were for approved uses, 9 million Americans now take these drugs off-label, according to the study in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety.
"Physicians want to prescribe and use the latest therapies--and even when those latest therapies don't necessarily offer a big advantage, there's still a tendency to think that the newest drugs must be better," Stanford University School of Medicine's Dr. Randall Stafford, who worked on the study, said in a statement.
That "tendency" adds up to big bucks: Atypical antipsychotics did a combined $10 billion in sales in the United States alone, and represent 5 percent of all prescription drug spending.
Expect that number to rise--because docs just can't seem to help themselves around these meds. Once approved for schizophrenia, atypical antipsychotics are now given for everything from bipolar disorder to autism.
One study last year even found a growing number of doctors giving these drugs to toddlers.
It's like an addiction--doctors are addicted to prescribing them.
But while these meds may not help your condition, they'll put you at risk for some of the worst side effects you can imagine: heart disease, diabetes, potentially deadly blood clots and more.
Dementia patients given these meds--as so many are in nursing homes these days--can even expect a shorter life.
It's shocking when you realize that you can't even trust your own doc to give you or a family member a med that's proven to work... but as this new study shows, you need to ask, ask, ask any time you get a new drug prescription.
And you can start with this simple question: What proof do you have that this drug will help me?
On a mission for your health,
Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls
Drugged into violence
I know plenty of smokers who struggle with the crankies when they're trying to quit--but this is ridiculous.
One of the most common drugs given to smokers is actually turning them into raging monsters... and could even make them homicidal.
It's Chantix, and it tops a new list that you'll never see on Letterman: The Top Ten Meds Linked to Violence.
Researchers from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices examined data on 780,169 serious adverse side effects of all kinds caused by 484 meds during a five-year period, and isolated 1,937 cases of violence.
They found just 31 drugs were responsible for the lion's share of those incidents--79 percent, or 1,527 events, including 387 homicides and 404 physical assaults.
And the ten worst--the drugs most likely to turn a once-normal patient into a violent offender--include some of the most common and overused drugs on the market today... meds you or someone you know has almost certainly taken at some point.
It starts out with Chantix, the drug often given to smokers to help them quit despite a remarkably low long-term success rate. Researchers say it's 18 times more likely to be linked to violent episodes than other meds.
Going cold turkey might not put you in the best mood... but I've never heard of it leading to violence.
Number two on the list goes to Prozac, used by 40 million people around the world despite repeated studies that question whether it even works as an antidepressant.
It may not scare the blues away, but it can help scare off your friends: The researchers found that Prozac is 10.9 times more likely to lead to violence than other meds.
Paxil is right behind its fellow antidepressant--the researchers say it's 10.3 times more likely to be linked to violence than other drugs.
And if you want to know why children seem more aggressive than ever, maybe it's those legal stimulant drugs they're given. The researcher say that, as a class, amphetamines including common ADHD meds are 9.6 times more likely to be linked to violence than other drugs.
Rounding out the rest of the list is the malaria drug Lariam, ADHD med Strattera, the benzodiazepine Halcion, the SSRI Luvox, and two more antidepressants: Effexor and Pristiq.
If there's one trend here it's in those antidepressants, which make up half the list.
That's sad, because most people never needed these drugs in the first place. There are real treatments for depression that don't involve meds--and later this week, I'll have the latest word on one you might never expect: light.
For now, keep reading for more bad news on another class of overused meds.
One of the most common drugs given to smokers is actually turning them into raging monsters... and could even make them homicidal.
It's Chantix, and it tops a new list that you'll never see on Letterman: The Top Ten Meds Linked to Violence.
Researchers from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices examined data on 780,169 serious adverse side effects of all kinds caused by 484 meds during a five-year period, and isolated 1,937 cases of violence.
They found just 31 drugs were responsible for the lion's share of those incidents--79 percent, or 1,527 events, including 387 homicides and 404 physical assaults.
And the ten worst--the drugs most likely to turn a once-normal patient into a violent offender--include some of the most common and overused drugs on the market today... meds you or someone you know has almost certainly taken at some point.
It starts out with Chantix, the drug often given to smokers to help them quit despite a remarkably low long-term success rate. Researchers say it's 18 times more likely to be linked to violent episodes than other meds.
Going cold turkey might not put you in the best mood... but I've never heard of it leading to violence.
Number two on the list goes to Prozac, used by 40 million people around the world despite repeated studies that question whether it even works as an antidepressant.
It may not scare the blues away, but it can help scare off your friends: The researchers found that Prozac is 10.9 times more likely to lead to violence than other meds.
Paxil is right behind its fellow antidepressant--the researchers say it's 10.3 times more likely to be linked to violence than other drugs.
And if you want to know why children seem more aggressive than ever, maybe it's those legal stimulant drugs they're given. The researcher say that, as a class, amphetamines including common ADHD meds are 9.6 times more likely to be linked to violence than other drugs.
Rounding out the rest of the list is the malaria drug Lariam, ADHD med Strattera, the benzodiazepine Halcion, the SSRI Luvox, and two more antidepressants: Effexor and Pristiq.
If there's one trend here it's in those antidepressants, which make up half the list.
That's sad, because most people never needed these drugs in the first place. There are real treatments for depression that don't involve meds--and later this week, I'll have the latest word on one you might never expect: light.
For now, keep reading for more bad news on another class of overused meds.
Fish Oil Supplements Provide Numerous Benefits
For years, people with type 2 diabetes were advised to avoid fish oil supplements because of the negative effects on blood sugar control. However, a review of studies involving 823 patients with type 2 diabetes found that fish oil supplementation had no harmful effect on short- or long-term blood glucose control - and significantly lowered triglyceride levels. The subjects were given doses ranging from 3,000-18,000 mg per day.
Fish oil, which contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, is powerful medicine for disorders ranging from heart disease and depression to arthritis and autoimmune disorders. EPA is particularly beneficial for the cardiovascular system, as it relaxes the arteries, and lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels. EPA is also a natural anti-inflammatory. DHA enhances nerve cell communication and provides fuel for the neuron’s mitochondria - which keep your mind sharp and alert.
Recent research found that women with diabetes who took 3,000 mg of fish oil a day for two months had significant improvements in body fat and blood lipid levels. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to decrease the risk of type 1 diabetes in genetically at-risk children.
All of these health benefits make fish oil a top supplement for the prevention and treatment of numerous complications associated with diabetes.
I recommend that everyone, regardless of health status, take a minimum of 2 grams of high-quality fish oil per day. If your cholesterol and triglycerides are high, consider increasing this to 4 or more grams daily. For these larger doses, look for liquid or concentrated fish oil supplements. They beat taking handfuls of capsules.
Yours in good health,
Dr. Whitaker
Fish oil, which contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, is powerful medicine for disorders ranging from heart disease and depression to arthritis and autoimmune disorders. EPA is particularly beneficial for the cardiovascular system, as it relaxes the arteries, and lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels. EPA is also a natural anti-inflammatory. DHA enhances nerve cell communication and provides fuel for the neuron’s mitochondria - which keep your mind sharp and alert.
Recent research found that women with diabetes who took 3,000 mg of fish oil a day for two months had significant improvements in body fat and blood lipid levels. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to decrease the risk of type 1 diabetes in genetically at-risk children.
All of these health benefits make fish oil a top supplement for the prevention and treatment of numerous complications associated with diabetes.
I recommend that everyone, regardless of health status, take a minimum of 2 grams of high-quality fish oil per day. If your cholesterol and triglycerides are high, consider increasing this to 4 or more grams daily. For these larger doses, look for liquid or concentrated fish oil supplements. They beat taking handfuls of capsules.
Yours in good health,
Dr. Whitaker
3 Ways You Crave Sugar and How to Fight It
If you have a hard time falling asleep, have a muffin top around your waist and get terrible PMS, you may be a Hormonal Sugar Hunter.
"Low estrogen levels during PMS, perimenopause and menopause affect production of the 'happiness' brain chemical serotonin, along with other feel-good chemicals that, when deficient, can trigger sugar cravings, depression and sleep problems," says Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of the book Beat Sugar Addiction NOW! "You turn to sugar to cope, but that makes your blood sugar go up and down rapidly, which leads to even more exhaustion, irritability and mood swings."
If you answered true to at least three of these statements you’re a: Hormonal Sugar Hunter
“Low estrogen levels in PMS, peri-menopause and menopause affect the production of the 'happiness' brain chemical, serotonin, along with other feel-good chemicals that, when deficient, can trigger sugar cravings, depression, and sleep problems, too,” says Dr. Teitelbaum. “You turn to sugar to cope, but that makes your blood sugar go up and down rapidly, which leads to even more exhaustion, irritability and mood swings.” To get your hormones (and sugar addiction) under control, start by cutting out white flour and any other high sugar foods. Instead, strive to have protein with every meal, which will help control your blood sugar. Vitamin B6 (aim for 250 mg a day) can ease PMS, and taking magnesium before bed (250 mg) can help you fall asleep more easily, suggests Dr. Teitelbaum. To help revive your sex drive (especially if you’re already in the throes of menopause) try increasing hormone levels naturally by eating a handful of edamame each day. These soy beans contain a natural plant form of estrogen. For more tips, check out Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's new book, Beat Sugar Addiction NOW!
"Low estrogen levels during PMS, perimenopause and menopause affect production of the 'happiness' brain chemical serotonin, along with other feel-good chemicals that, when deficient, can trigger sugar cravings, depression and sleep problems," says Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of the book Beat Sugar Addiction NOW! "You turn to sugar to cope, but that makes your blood sugar go up and down rapidly, which leads to even more exhaustion, irritability and mood swings."
If you answered true to at least three of these statements you’re a: Hormonal Sugar Hunter
“Low estrogen levels in PMS, peri-menopause and menopause affect the production of the 'happiness' brain chemical, serotonin, along with other feel-good chemicals that, when deficient, can trigger sugar cravings, depression, and sleep problems, too,” says Dr. Teitelbaum. “You turn to sugar to cope, but that makes your blood sugar go up and down rapidly, which leads to even more exhaustion, irritability and mood swings.” To get your hormones (and sugar addiction) under control, start by cutting out white flour and any other high sugar foods. Instead, strive to have protein with every meal, which will help control your blood sugar. Vitamin B6 (aim for 250 mg a day) can ease PMS, and taking magnesium before bed (250 mg) can help you fall asleep more easily, suggests Dr. Teitelbaum. To help revive your sex drive (especially if you’re already in the throes of menopause) try increasing hormone levels naturally by eating a handful of edamame each day. These soy beans contain a natural plant form of estrogen. For more tips, check out Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's new book, Beat Sugar Addiction NOW!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)