I sometimes get muscle cramps so severe that I can’t use the stairs. I am into weight lifting, but never work the same muscle groups on back-to-back days. I get plenty of water and potassium. Any ideas what could cause this?
About 38% of people in Europe have some type of mental illness, a new study estimates. That’s a total of about 165 million people. And most do not get treatment, researchers said. The study was based on data from more than 30 countries. It included common illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Alcohol and drug dependence also was part of the study. But the sweep was even broader. The study also included conditions such as attention disorders, sleep problems and dementia. The authors said only about one-third of people get treatment. The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology released the study. The Associated Press wrote about it September 6.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that all children age 6 months and older should get a new flu shot this season — even if they had one last year. The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against the same three strains of influenza as last year’s vaccine. The vaccine’s protection from the flu only lasts for about 6 to 12 months. That’s because a person’s immunity drops by as much as 50% after vaccination. So it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year to keep your protection up to date. The journal Pediatrics published the new guideline online on September 1. HealthDay News wrote about it.
A small study found that people who ate potatoes twice a day had lower blood pressure without weight gain. The 18 people in the study were all overweight. They ate 6 to 8 purple potatoes twice a day for a month. The potatoes were baked in a microwave without toppings or oil. Blood pressure dropped by about 4%. Potatoes provide vitamins, fiber and potassium. But the way they are prepared may often counteract any health benefits. Scientists from the University of Scranton did the study. They reported the results August 31 at the American Chemical Society’s annual meeting. Several online news outlets, including MSNBC.com and the Irish Times, wrote about the study September 1.
My 9-year-old daughter is small for her age and below the growth chart norm. She had a bone test that said the age of her bones was 7 years. How can that be and what does it mean?
A doctors’ group says that women having a baby by cesarean section should wear inflating boots to reduce the risk of a blood clot. If the clot travels to the lungs, it can be deadly. Any surgery raises the risk of a type of clot called deep vein thrombosis. Women’s risk of deep-vein clots also increases during pregnancy. The boots or stockings inflate off and on to squeeze the lower legs. This helps to keep blood flowing and prevent clots. Many hospitals use them after other types of surgery. Now the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says they should be used for a C-section as well. The guidelines also urge doctors to assess women’s risk of clots and monitor them carefully during pregnancy. The Associated Press wrote about the new guidelines August 30.
Light sleepers may be more likely to develop high blood pressure, a new study suggests. Previous research has found a link between less sleep and risk of high blood pressure. The new study found that a shortage of deep sleep may be even more important. The study included 784 men, average age 75. When the study began, they did not have high blood pressure. Researchers gave them at-home sleep tests. The tests measured their sleep patterns, including non-rapid eye movement sleep. This is also known as slow-wave or deep sleep. About 3 years later, 243 men had developed high blood pressure. Men who got the least deep sleep were 83% more likely to develop the condition than those who got the most deep sleep. The link remained even after researchers adjusted their numbers based on other things that affect high blood pressure risk. These include age, race and obesity.
Teens and other children should not box, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. The group of children’s doctors has long opposed boxing for kids. But it released a revised policy statement August 29 because of new research. Concussion is the most common injury in boxing. And researchers now know more about the risks of that kind of brain injury. Multiple concussions can lead to permanent brain injury. Concussion also can occur in other sports, such as football. But the doctors noted that boxers actually get points for hitting opponents in the head. That’s not true in other sports. Concussion also can cause more damage to kids and teens than to adults, the doctors’ statement noted. That’s because their brains are still developing. They also take longer to heal.