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Alpha Omega 3 Fatty Acids and ADHD
By Tess Thompson
ADHD, commonly associate with children, is one of the most
difficult conditions to be identified. With the advancement in the
knowledge of this condition, it is now possible for the doctors and
the clinicians to diagnose this condition more precisely. However,
there is no single test and the experts are working towards
identifying a conclusive test for ADHD. For ADHD treatment, doctors
use a combination of medicines and behavior therapy. Nowadays, many
parents are beginning to prefer natural medicines for ADHD
treatment for their children.
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There are many possible causes that have been linked to the
occurrence of ADHD. One of such possible reasons is low level of
long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the body, especially
omega-3 fatty acids. LoxBox Home Lox Maker These fatty acids are called essential fatty
acids since the human body cannot synthesize these and hence have
to be taken in through the diet.
Experts have linked this with different behavioral disorders
including ADHD. Some clinical studies have also concluded that low
levels of omega-3 fatty acids are linked to the occurrence of ADHD Resource for Omega-3.
Though the exact mechanism of this relation is not clear, it is
postulated that these fatty acids, especially DHA, are a component
of the membranes and hence these are crucial for maintenance of
structural and functional integrity of the brain and central
nervous system. Experts opine that at the time of birth, the brain
weight is 70% of an adult brain, 15% brain growth happens during
pregnancy and the rest 15% grows during the preschool years.
Hence, it is important that pregnant and nursing women consume the
required amount of omega-3 fatty acids. It is also proposed that
intake of these fatty acids during preschool years may have a
beneficial effect in prevention of ADHD.
Scientists have conducted clinical trials with supplementation of
omega-3 fatty acids in the diet to study its benefits on
neurological conditions including ADHD. The sources of omega-3
fatty acids used in these studies were flax oil, olive oil and fish
oil. All of these studies reported that supplementation of omega-3
fatty acids in the diet resulted in an improvement in the ADHD
condition. One clinical study compared the relative benefits of
olive oil, flax oil and fish oil. It was reported that fish oil was
most effective of these three options studied.
Though larger trials are now needed to establish the optimum
formulation and the dosages of omega-3 fatty acids required, given
the relative safety and general health benefits, these offer a
complimentary approach to the established treatments. Omega-3 fatty
acids offer promising benefits of being one of the natural remedies
for ADHD.
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What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. Chinese Herbs Direct - 10-30% savings on Chinese herbs, formulas and teas. In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.
Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn’s disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Crohn’s disease can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s disease may also be called ileitis or enteritis.
Depression Can Increase Diabetes Risk
Poor mood may lead to less exercise, worsening diet, researchers suspect
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Depression appears to raise the odds
for diabetes in older people, researchers report.
"Older adults who report high levels of depressive symptoms are more likely to
develop diabetes over time than older adults who have lower depressive
symptoms," said lead researcher Mercedes R. Carnethon, assistant professor of
preventive medicine, at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern
University.
"We need to carefully evaluate older adults for depressive symptoms, and they
need to be taken seriously because of the potential impact," she added.
However, whether treating depression reduces the risk for developing diabetes
isn't known, Carnethon said.
Her team published the findings in the April 23 issue of the Archives of
Internal Medicine.
In the study, Carnethon's group collected data on almost 4,700 people 65 years
of age and older who were not diabetic when the study began in 1989.
Over the following 10 years, participants were evaluated for symptoms of
depression linked to changes in mood, irritability, calorie intake, concentration
and sleep.
The researchers scored symptoms of depression on a scale of zero to 30, with
scores of eight or higher indicating high levels of symptoms. When the study
began, the average symptom score was 4.5. In addition, one-fifth of the people
had a score of eight or higher.
During the 10 years of follow-up, half the people saw their scores increase by at
least five points. In all, 234 study participants developed diabetes. The rate of
diabetes was higher among those with a score of eight or more compared with
those whose scores were below eight, Carnethon's team found.
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Carnethon believes the link between depression and diabetes has several causes.
"One is behavioral," she said. "Individuals who are depressed may be less likely
to engage in healthy physical activities that would protect against the
development of diabetes. They may be less likely to sleep well, have healthy
diets, all of which are risk factors for developing diabetes," she said.
There could also be biological factors at play. These include increased levels of
blood markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein, which has been
linked to both diabetes and depression, Carnethon said.
Another expert said more research is needed.
"This paper extends earlier findings of a relationship between depressive
symptoms and increased risk of developing diabetes, by demonstrating that
individuals with worsening depression or with persistent depression are also at
increased risk of developing diabetes," said Lana Watkins, an associate professor
in the department of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center in Durham,
N.C.
However, Watkins said the link remains unclear.
"In order to identify conclusively whether depression increases diabetes risk
through excessive caloric consumption and/or through sedentary behavior,
better measures of these two factors are needed," Watkins said.
For more information on depression and diabetes, visit the
American Diabetes Association.
Courtesy of:
SOURCES: Mercedes R. Carnethon, Ph.D., assistant professor, preventive
medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago; Lana
Watkins, Ph.D., associate professor, department of psychiatry, Duke University
Medical Center, Durham, N.C.; April 23, 2007, Archives of Internal
Medicine.
Bone Pain and Causes
Injury, Overuse, and Fatigue
Fractures, or broken bones, are the most common orthopedic injury
in the U.S. A fracture occurs when a bone can't sustain the
pressure placed on it, either because the bone itself is weak (as
occurs in a disease like osteoporosis or in certain cancers) or
because pressure on the bone is too great (as occurs in a trauma or
sports injury). A fractured limb will be swollen, bruised, tender,
and immobile. Pain is often severe, depending on the nature of the
break. In a closed or simple fracture, the broken bone remains
beneath the skin and surrounding tissue is not damaged. NicheMedia, LLC In an open
fracture, one or both ends of the bone may protrude through the
skin. If the bone has moved out of alignment, the fracture is
displaced. A fracture is confirmed by X ray. Since fractured bone
begins to heal immediately, it is important for bone to be
repositioned quickly, a process that may require a local anesthetic
or surgery. The bone is set and immobilized, usually in a cast;
full recovery may take a number of weeks or even months (children's
bones heal more quickly).
Though their outer layer is hard, bones are nonetheless susceptible
to bruising. A bone bruise usually refers to damage of the
periosteum, the sensitive tissue covering the bone. Usually
symptoms resolve within a few days or weeks.
Injuries to joints (the point at which two bones meet) are also
common, especially in knees and elbows, our most exposed joints.
Joint pain often manifests itself in aching, swelling and
stiffness; Joint Health: Ease Joint Pain with Glucosamine! CLICK NOW! an injured joint may not work at all. Such injuries
often occur due to repetitive activity such as years of running or
playing tennis. FIZZ SAMPLER Knee pain is often due to strained or torn
ligaments (the tough tissue that binds together ends of bone and
prevents excessive movement). Elbow pain may occur due to torn or
strained tendons (the fibrous tissue that joins muscle to bone or
to other muscle). To diagnose the problem, a doctor will test for
range of motion, draw fluid from the affected joint, and X ray the
area. Treatment of knee and elbow injuries includes immobilization,
applying ice and later heat, and restricting activities until the
injury is healed. Aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and
inflammation, but surgery may also be needed.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint, characterized by swelling,
stiffness, and redness. Joint Health: Ease Joint Pain With Emu Oil and MSM! CLICK NOW! It is triggered when the cartilage
surrounding a joint breaks down, eventually eroding and causing
bone to rub against bone, at which point it can become quite
painful.
The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (also known
as degenerative arthritis), and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis results from the natural aging process and general
wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most severe
type of inflammatory joint disease, in which the body's own immune
system turns against joints and surrounding tissue, causing a great
deal of damage that leads to stiffness and deformity. Other types
of arthritis include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (Still's
disease); infective arthritis, caused by the invasion of bacteria
into the joints; ankylosing spondylitis, an arthritis of the spine;
and gout, caused when the waste product uric acid accumulates in
joints, causing inflammation.
Early warning signs of arthritis include pain, tenderness or
swelling in one or more joints; stiffness upon waking, or symptoms
that disappear and then return. Methods used for diagnoses depend
on the type of symptom, and include X rays, analysis of joint
fluid, and blood tests. Treatment includes antibiotics for
infective arthritis, and anti-inflammatory drugs for osteo and
rheumatoid arthritis. Daily exercise like walking or swimming can
help maintain joint mobility. In cases where function is severely
threatened, surgery to replace or rebuild damaged joints may be
necessary.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition caused by the aging process in which
the bones weaken and lose density, becoming thin, brittle, and
susceptible to fractures. Though osteoporosis may affect both men
and women, it is far more common in women, who experience a rapid
decline in estrogen (the protective hormone that blocks or slows
bone loss) at menopause. Osteoporosis itself does not cause pain
and there are usually no immediate symptoms. The first sign is
often an injury and bone fracture (usually occurring above the
wrist or at the top of the thigh bone) that would not have occurred
in a younger adult. Spontaneous fracture of one more vertebrae may also occur, leading to height loss and posture change. iMed
Pain associated with osteoporosis may range from mild to severe. It can be short term, easing as a fracture heals, or ongoing (chronic)
resulting from such problems as compression of spinal nerves and
permanent changes in posture that in turn may affect the rest of
the body. In cases of severe osteoporosis with multiple spine
fractures, pain control may need to become part of daily life.
Though lost bone tissue is not easily replaced, further bone loss
can be minimized by preventive measures including regular,
weight-bearing exercise and strength training, as well as adequate
calcium intake. In post-menopausal women, hormone replacement
therapy may compensate for reduced estrogen production, helping to
reduce osteoporosis-related injury and possibly prevent the disease
itself.
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