What Medications Are Used To Treat Psychotic Disorders?
Anti-psychotics are a class of medication used to treat psychotic disorders. The anti-psychotics vary in their side effects, and some people have more trouble with certain side effects than with others. The doctor can change medications or dosages to help minimize unpleasant side effects. A drawback to some anti-psychotic medications is that the person's ability to tolerate the medication may change, limiting long-term use.
Most side effects of anti-psychotic medications are mild, and many go away after the first few weeks of treatment. Side effects may include:
* Drowsiness
* Rapid heartbeat
* Dizziness when changing positions
* Decrease in sexual interest or ability
* Problems with menstrual periods
* Skin rashes or sensitivity of the skin to the sun
* Weight gain
* Muscle spasms
* Restlessness and pacing
* Slowing down of movement and speech
* Shuffling walk
There are, however, a few serious side effects that are possible, especially with long-term use of anti-psychotic medications. These side effects include:
* Tardive dyskinesia: This is a movement disorder that results in unusual and uncontrollable movements, usually of the tongue and face (such as sticking out the tongue and smacking the lips), and sometimes jerking and twisting movements of other parts of the body.
* Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: This is a potentially fatal disorder characterized by severe muscle rigidity (stiffening), fever, sweating, high blood pressure, delirium and sometimes coma.
* Agranulocytosis: This is a condition marked by a decrease in the number of infection-fighting white blood cells. This condition can leave the person prone to infection. Agranulocytosis has been linked only to Clozaril. People taking Clozaril must have regular blood tests to closely monitor their white blood cell count.
If side effects are particularly troublesome, your doctor may change medications or dosages. The newer "atypical" anti-psychotic medications appear to be much better tolerated. In addition, other medications are available to help control some of these side effects.
How Is ADHD Treated?
Another group of medications called stimulants may be used for certain disorders, primarily attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The most commonly used stimulants include Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderal.
What Medications Are Used to Treat Children With Mental Disorders?
Many medications used to treat mental disorders in adults are also used to treat these illnesses in children. However, doctors often reduce the doses given.
Note: In October 2004, The FDA has determined that antidepressant medications increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders. If you have questions or concerns, discuss them with your health care provider. Learn more
Can Medications Cure Mental Disorders?
Medications for mental disorders do not cure the condition. Rather, they work to control many of the most troubling symptoms, often enabling people with mental disorders to return to normal or near-normal functioning. Reducing symptoms with medication can also enhance the effectiveness of other treatments, such as psychotherapy (a type of counseling).
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.
14.12.07
Mental Health: Medications Used to Treat Mental Disorders - 1
There are several different types of medications available to treat the various mental disorders. Some of the most commonly used are antidepressants, anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic and stimulant medications
What Medications Are Used To Treat Depression?
When treating depression, several medication options are available. Some of the most commonly used include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. Other options include older medications such as the tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which may be less tolerated and cause more side effects. Newer medications include Wellbutrin, trazodone (Desyrel), Effexor, and Remeron.
Your health care provider can determine which medication is right for you. Remember that medications usually take 4 to 6 weeks to become fully effective. And if one medication does not work, there are many others to try before giving up.
In some cases, a combination of antidepressants may be necessary. Sometimes an antidepressant combined with a different type of medication, such as a mood stabilizer (such as Lithium) or anti-anxiety drug, is the most effective treatment.
Side effects vary, depending on what type of antidepressant medication you are taking, and may improve once your body adjusts to the medication.
If you decide to stop taking your antidepressants, it is important that you gradually reduce the dose over a period of several weeks. Quitting antidepressants abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms. It is important to discuss quitting (or changing) medications with your health care provider first.
What Medications Are Used To Treat Anxiety Disorders?
Antidepressants, particularly the SSRIs, may also be effective in treating many types of anxiety disorders.
Other anti-anxiety medications include the benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Ativan and Xanax. These drugs do carry a risk of addiction so they are not as desirable for long term use. Other possible side effects include drowsiness, poor concentration and irritability.
What Medications Are Used To Treat Depression?
When treating depression, several medication options are available. Some of the most commonly used include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. Other options include older medications such as the tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which may be less tolerated and cause more side effects. Newer medications include Wellbutrin, trazodone (Desyrel), Effexor, and Remeron.
Your health care provider can determine which medication is right for you. Remember that medications usually take 4 to 6 weeks to become fully effective. And if one medication does not work, there are many others to try before giving up.
In some cases, a combination of antidepressants may be necessary. Sometimes an antidepressant combined with a different type of medication, such as a mood stabilizer (such as Lithium) or anti-anxiety drug, is the most effective treatment.
Side effects vary, depending on what type of antidepressant medication you are taking, and may improve once your body adjusts to the medication.
If you decide to stop taking your antidepressants, it is important that you gradually reduce the dose over a period of several weeks. Quitting antidepressants abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms. It is important to discuss quitting (or changing) medications with your health care provider first.
What Medications Are Used To Treat Anxiety Disorders?
Antidepressants, particularly the SSRIs, may also be effective in treating many types of anxiety disorders.
Other anti-anxiety medications include the benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Ativan and Xanax. These drugs do carry a risk of addiction so they are not as desirable for long term use. Other possible side effects include drowsiness, poor concentration and irritability.
Mental Health: Asperger's Syndrome - 2
How Is Asperger's Syndrome Diagnosed?
If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no tests for Asperger's syndrome, the doctor may use various tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to determine if there is a physical disorder causing the symptoms.
If no physical disorder is found, the child may be referred to a specialist in childhood development disorders, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, or another health professional who is specially trained to diagnose and treat Asperger's syndrome. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on the child's level of development, and the doctor's observation of the child's speech and behavior, including his or her play and ability to socialize with others. The doctor often seeks input from the child's parents, teachers and other adults who are familiar with the child's symptoms.
How Is Asperger's Syndrome Treated?
There currently is no cure for Asperger's syndrome, but treatment may improve functioning and reduce undesirable behaviors. Treatment may include a combination of the following:
* Special education: Education that is structured to meet the child's unique educational needs.
* Behavior modification: This includes strategies for supporting positive behavior and decreasing problem behavior by the child.
* Speech, physical or occupational therapy: These therapies are designed to increase the child's functional abilities.
* Medication: There are no medications to treat Asperger's syndrome itself, but medications may be used to treat specific symptoms, such as anxiety (nervousness), depression, hyperactivity and obsessive-compulsive behavior.
What Is the Outlook for People With Asperger's Syndrome?
Children with Asperger's syndrome are at risk for developing other mental illnesses, such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. But, there are various treatment options available for these conditions.
Because the level of intelligence often is average or higher than average, many people with Asperger's syndrome are able to function very well. They may, however, continue to have problems socializing with others through adulthood.
Can Asperger's Syndrome Be Prevented?
Asperger's syndrome cannot be prevented or cured. However, early diagnosis and treatment can improve function and quality of life.
If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no tests for Asperger's syndrome, the doctor may use various tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to determine if there is a physical disorder causing the symptoms.
If no physical disorder is found, the child may be referred to a specialist in childhood development disorders, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, or another health professional who is specially trained to diagnose and treat Asperger's syndrome. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on the child's level of development, and the doctor's observation of the child's speech and behavior, including his or her play and ability to socialize with others. The doctor often seeks input from the child's parents, teachers and other adults who are familiar with the child's symptoms.
How Is Asperger's Syndrome Treated?
There currently is no cure for Asperger's syndrome, but treatment may improve functioning and reduce undesirable behaviors. Treatment may include a combination of the following:
* Special education: Education that is structured to meet the child's unique educational needs.
* Behavior modification: This includes strategies for supporting positive behavior and decreasing problem behavior by the child.
* Speech, physical or occupational therapy: These therapies are designed to increase the child's functional abilities.
* Medication: There are no medications to treat Asperger's syndrome itself, but medications may be used to treat specific symptoms, such as anxiety (nervousness), depression, hyperactivity and obsessive-compulsive behavior.
What Is the Outlook for People With Asperger's Syndrome?
Children with Asperger's syndrome are at risk for developing other mental illnesses, such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. But, there are various treatment options available for these conditions.
Because the level of intelligence often is average or higher than average, many people with Asperger's syndrome are able to function very well. They may, however, continue to have problems socializing with others through adulthood.
Can Asperger's Syndrome Be Prevented?
Asperger's syndrome cannot be prevented or cured. However, early diagnosis and treatment can improve function and quality of life.
Autism Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and More - 3
How Is Autism Treated?
There currently is no cure for autism, but treatment may allow for relatively normal development in the child and reduce undesirable behaviors. Children with autism generally benefit most from a highly structured environment and the use of routines. Treatment for autism may include a combination of the following:
* Special education: Education is structured to meet the child's unique educational needs.
* Behavior modification: This includes strategies for supporting positive behavior and decreasing problem behavior by the child.
* Speech, physical, or occupational therapy: These therapies are designed to increase the child's functional abilities.
* Medication: There are no medications currently approved to treat autism, but medications may be used to treat specific symptoms, such as anxiety (nervousness), hyperactivity, and behavior that may result in injury. A recent study found that a drug often used to treat schizophrenia in adults, called Risperdal, might benefit children with autism.
In 2001, a major study showed that a promising new therapy, called secretin (a digestive hormone), does not treat autism.
What Is the Outlook for People With Autism?
The outlook varies depending on the severity of symptoms, the age at which treatment is started, and the availability of supportive resources for the child. Symptoms in many children improve with intervention or as the children age. Some people with autism are able to lead normal or near-normal lives. However, many children with autism do not develop enough functional and communication skills to live independently as adults. The outlook is better for children with higher levels of intelligence who are able to communicate with language.
What Austism Research Is Being Done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health, is studying brain abnormalities that may cause autism and is looking for genes that may increase the risk of autism. Researchers also are investigating possible biologic markers present at birth that can identify infants at risk for developing autism. Other studies are examining how different brain regions develop and function in relation to each other, and how alterations in these relationships may result in the signs and symptoms of autism. Researchers hope these studies will provide new clues about how autism develops and how brain abnormalities affect behavior.
Can Autism Be Prevented?
Autism cannot be prevented or cured. However, early diagnosis and intervention is critical and may help to maximize a child with autism's ability to speak, learn and function. It is very important that all children see a pediatrician regularly so that any signs of autism can be detected early. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.
There currently is no cure for autism, but treatment may allow for relatively normal development in the child and reduce undesirable behaviors. Children with autism generally benefit most from a highly structured environment and the use of routines. Treatment for autism may include a combination of the following:
* Special education: Education is structured to meet the child's unique educational needs.
* Behavior modification: This includes strategies for supporting positive behavior and decreasing problem behavior by the child.
* Speech, physical, or occupational therapy: These therapies are designed to increase the child's functional abilities.
* Medication: There are no medications currently approved to treat autism, but medications may be used to treat specific symptoms, such as anxiety (nervousness), hyperactivity, and behavior that may result in injury. A recent study found that a drug often used to treat schizophrenia in adults, called Risperdal, might benefit children with autism.
In 2001, a major study showed that a promising new therapy, called secretin (a digestive hormone), does not treat autism.
What Is the Outlook for People With Autism?
The outlook varies depending on the severity of symptoms, the age at which treatment is started, and the availability of supportive resources for the child. Symptoms in many children improve with intervention or as the children age. Some people with autism are able to lead normal or near-normal lives. However, many children with autism do not develop enough functional and communication skills to live independently as adults. The outlook is better for children with higher levels of intelligence who are able to communicate with language.
What Austism Research Is Being Done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health, is studying brain abnormalities that may cause autism and is looking for genes that may increase the risk of autism. Researchers also are investigating possible biologic markers present at birth that can identify infants at risk for developing autism. Other studies are examining how different brain regions develop and function in relation to each other, and how alterations in these relationships may result in the signs and symptoms of autism. Researchers hope these studies will provide new clues about how autism develops and how brain abnormalities affect behavior.
Can Autism Be Prevented?
Autism cannot be prevented or cured. However, early diagnosis and intervention is critical and may help to maximize a child with autism's ability to speak, learn and function. It is very important that all children see a pediatrician regularly so that any signs of autism can be detected early. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.
Autism Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and More - 2
What Causes Autism?
The exact cause of autism is not known, but research has pointed to several possible factors, including genetics (heredity), certain types of infections, and problems occurring at birth.
Recent studies strongly suggest that some people have a genetic predisposition to autism, meaning that a susceptibility to develop the condition may be passed on from parents to children. Researchers are looking for clues about which genes contribute to this increased vulnerability. In some children, environmental factors may also play a role. Studies of people with autism have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain, which suggest that autism results from a disruption of early brain development while still in utero.
Other theories suggest:
* The body's immune system may inappropriately produce antibodies that attack the brains of children causing autism.
* Abnormalities in brain structures cause autistic behavior.
* Children with autism have abnormal timing of the growth of their brains. Early in childhood, the brains of autistic children grow faster and larger than those of normal children. Later, when normal children's brains get bigger and better organized, autistic kids' brains grow more slowly.
Can Childhood Vaccines Cause Autism?
To date there is no convincing evidence that any vaccine can cause autism or any kind of behavioral disorder. A suspected link between the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism has been suggested by some parents of children with autism. Typically, symptoms of autism are first noted by parents as their child begins to have difficulty with delays in speaking after age one. The MMR vaccine is first given to children at 12 to 15 months of age. Therefore, autism cases with an apparent onset within a few weeks after the MMR vaccination may simply be an unrelated chance occurrence.
How Common Is Autism?
Autism affects an estimated 10 to 20 of every 10,000 people. It is about 4 times more common in boys as in girls.
How Is Autism Diagnosed?
If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no laboratory tests for autism, the doctor may use various tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to determine if there is a physical disorder causing the symptoms.
If no physical disorder is found, the child may be referred to a specialist in childhood development disorders, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, or another health professional who is specially trained to diagnose and treat autism. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on the child's level of development, and the doctor's observation of the child's speech and behavior, including his or her play and ability to socialize with others. The doctor often seeks input from the child's parents, teachers, and other adults who are familiar with the child's symptoms.
Subtypes of autism include:
* Autistic disorder
* Asperger’s syndrome
* Rett syndrome
* Childhood disintegrative disorder
* Pervasive developmental disorder
The exact cause of autism is not known, but research has pointed to several possible factors, including genetics (heredity), certain types of infections, and problems occurring at birth.
Recent studies strongly suggest that some people have a genetic predisposition to autism, meaning that a susceptibility to develop the condition may be passed on from parents to children. Researchers are looking for clues about which genes contribute to this increased vulnerability. In some children, environmental factors may also play a role. Studies of people with autism have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain, which suggest that autism results from a disruption of early brain development while still in utero.
Other theories suggest:
* The body's immune system may inappropriately produce antibodies that attack the brains of children causing autism.
* Abnormalities in brain structures cause autistic behavior.
* Children with autism have abnormal timing of the growth of their brains. Early in childhood, the brains of autistic children grow faster and larger than those of normal children. Later, when normal children's brains get bigger and better organized, autistic kids' brains grow more slowly.
Can Childhood Vaccines Cause Autism?
To date there is no convincing evidence that any vaccine can cause autism or any kind of behavioral disorder. A suspected link between the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism has been suggested by some parents of children with autism. Typically, symptoms of autism are first noted by parents as their child begins to have difficulty with delays in speaking after age one. The MMR vaccine is first given to children at 12 to 15 months of age. Therefore, autism cases with an apparent onset within a few weeks after the MMR vaccination may simply be an unrelated chance occurrence.
How Common Is Autism?
Autism affects an estimated 10 to 20 of every 10,000 people. It is about 4 times more common in boys as in girls.
How Is Autism Diagnosed?
If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no laboratory tests for autism, the doctor may use various tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to determine if there is a physical disorder causing the symptoms.
If no physical disorder is found, the child may be referred to a specialist in childhood development disorders, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, or another health professional who is specially trained to diagnose and treat autism. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on the child's level of development, and the doctor's observation of the child's speech and behavior, including his or her play and ability to socialize with others. The doctor often seeks input from the child's parents, teachers, and other adults who are familiar with the child's symptoms.
Subtypes of autism include:
* Autistic disorder
* Asperger’s syndrome
* Rett syndrome
* Childhood disintegrative disorder
* Pervasive developmental disorder
Autism Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and More - 1
Autism is a pervasive developmentaldisorder (PDD), a group of illnesses that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, most notably the ability to socialize or form relationships with others as well as the ability to communicate and to use imagination (including fantasy play). Children with autism and related disorders often are confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them.
In addition to problems with social interaction, imagination, and communication, children with autism also have a limited range of interests. Many children with autism (nearly 75%) also have mental retardation. In many cases, children with autism are unable to emotionally bond with their parents or other family members.
What Are the Symptoms of Autism?
Symptoms typically appear before a child is 3 years old and last throughout life. Children with autism can display a wide range of symptoms, which can vary in severity from mild to disabling. General symptoms that may be present to some degree in a child with autism include:
* Difficulty with verbal communication, including problems using and understanding language.
* Inability to participate in a conversation, even when the child has the ability to speak.
* Difficulty with non-verbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions.
* Difficulty with social interaction, including relating to people and to his or her surroundings.
* Inability to make friends and preferring to play alone.
* Unusual ways of playing with toys and other objects, such as only lining them up a certain way.
* Lack of imagination.
* Difficulty adjusting to changes in routine or familiar surroundings, or an unreasonable insistence on following routines in detail.
* Repetitive body movements, or patterns of behavior, such as hand flapping, spinning and head banging.
* Preoccupation with unusual objects or parts of objects.
People with a form of autism, called savantism, have exceptional skills in specific areas such as music, art, and numbers. People with savantism are able to perform these skills without lessons or practice.
What Are the Warning Signs That a Child May Have Autism?
Babies develop at their own pace, some more quickly than others. However, you should consider an evaluation for autism if any of the following apply:
* Your child does not babble or coo by 12 months of age.
* Your child does not gesture, such as point or wave, by 12 months of age.
* Your child does not say single words by 16 months.
* Your child does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone else says) by 24 months.
* Your child has lost any language or social skills (at any age).
In addition to problems with social interaction, imagination, and communication, children with autism also have a limited range of interests. Many children with autism (nearly 75%) also have mental retardation. In many cases, children with autism are unable to emotionally bond with their parents or other family members.
What Are the Symptoms of Autism?
Symptoms typically appear before a child is 3 years old and last throughout life. Children with autism can display a wide range of symptoms, which can vary in severity from mild to disabling. General symptoms that may be present to some degree in a child with autism include:
* Difficulty with verbal communication, including problems using and understanding language.
* Inability to participate in a conversation, even when the child has the ability to speak.
* Difficulty with non-verbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions.
* Difficulty with social interaction, including relating to people and to his or her surroundings.
* Inability to make friends and preferring to play alone.
* Unusual ways of playing with toys and other objects, such as only lining them up a certain way.
* Lack of imagination.
* Difficulty adjusting to changes in routine or familiar surroundings, or an unreasonable insistence on following routines in detail.
* Repetitive body movements, or patterns of behavior, such as hand flapping, spinning and head banging.
* Preoccupation with unusual objects or parts of objects.
People with a form of autism, called savantism, have exceptional skills in specific areas such as music, art, and numbers. People with savantism are able to perform these skills without lessons or practice.
What Are the Warning Signs That a Child May Have Autism?
Babies develop at their own pace, some more quickly than others. However, you should consider an evaluation for autism if any of the following apply:
* Your child does not babble or coo by 12 months of age.
* Your child does not gesture, such as point or wave, by 12 months of age.
* Your child does not say single words by 16 months.
* Your child does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone else says) by 24 months.
* Your child has lost any language or social skills (at any age).
Mental Health: Development Disorder - 3
How Are Pervasive Development Disorders Treated?
Because children with PDDs have a range of symptoms and abilities, a plan of therapy must be developed with the child's specific needs in mind. The treatment plan -- or more appropriately, a program of intervention -- will address the child's needs at home and at school. For that reason, intervention planning is a cooperative effort of the parents, healthcare providers, teachers and others who may be needed to provide services, such as counselors, social workers and occupational, physical or speech therapists. The plan aims to promote better socializing and communication, and reduce behaviors that can interfere with learning and functioning.
A plan of care for a child with a PDD may include:
* Special education: Education is structured to meet the child's unique educational needs.
* Behavior modification: This may include strategies for supporting positive behavior by the child.
* Speech, physical or occupational therapy: These therapies are designed to increase the child's functional abilities.
* Medication: There are no drugs to treat the PDDs themselves. Medications may be used, however, treating specific symptoms such as anxiety (nervousness), hyperactivity and behavior may result in injury.
What Research Is Being Done on Pervasive Development Disorders?
Most of the research being done on PDDs focuses on learning more about the causes of these disorders, specifically what is going on in the brain. The goal is to use this knowledge to develop better techniques for diagnosing and treating these disorders, ultimately leading to prevention and cure.
What Is the Outlook for People With Pervasive Development Disorders?
The outlook varies depending on the type and severity of the condition, the age at which treatment is started, and the availability of supportive resources for the child. Most children with PDDs will continue to have some problems with communication and socialization, but many can experience a significant increase in function.
Can Pervasive Development Disorders Be Prevented?
Until more is known about the causes of PDDs, it is not possible to prevent them. However, the sooner a child with symptoms begins treatment, the better he or she will do in the long run.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.
Because children with PDDs have a range of symptoms and abilities, a plan of therapy must be developed with the child's specific needs in mind. The treatment plan -- or more appropriately, a program of intervention -- will address the child's needs at home and at school. For that reason, intervention planning is a cooperative effort of the parents, healthcare providers, teachers and others who may be needed to provide services, such as counselors, social workers and occupational, physical or speech therapists. The plan aims to promote better socializing and communication, and reduce behaviors that can interfere with learning and functioning.
A plan of care for a child with a PDD may include:
* Special education: Education is structured to meet the child's unique educational needs.
* Behavior modification: This may include strategies for supporting positive behavior by the child.
* Speech, physical or occupational therapy: These therapies are designed to increase the child's functional abilities.
* Medication: There are no drugs to treat the PDDs themselves. Medications may be used, however, treating specific symptoms such as anxiety (nervousness), hyperactivity and behavior may result in injury.
What Research Is Being Done on Pervasive Development Disorders?
Most of the research being done on PDDs focuses on learning more about the causes of these disorders, specifically what is going on in the brain. The goal is to use this knowledge to develop better techniques for diagnosing and treating these disorders, ultimately leading to prevention and cure.
What Is the Outlook for People With Pervasive Development Disorders?
The outlook varies depending on the type and severity of the condition, the age at which treatment is started, and the availability of supportive resources for the child. Most children with PDDs will continue to have some problems with communication and socialization, but many can experience a significant increase in function.
Can Pervasive Development Disorders Be Prevented?
Until more is known about the causes of PDDs, it is not possible to prevent them. However, the sooner a child with symptoms begins treatment, the better he or she will do in the long run.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.
Mental Health: Development Disorder - 2
What Are the Symptoms of Pervasive Development Disorders?
The use of the word "pervasive" to describe these illnesses is somewhat misleading. The definition of pervasive is "to be present throughout," but children with PDDs generally do not have problems in all areas of functioning. Rather, most children with PDDs have specific problem areas and often function very well in other areas.
Children with PDDs, such as autism, can display a wide range of symptoms which can range in severity from mild to disabling. They also vary widely in their individual abilities, intelligence and behavior.
General symptoms that may be present to some degree in a child with a PDD include:
* Difficulty with verbal communication, including problems using and understanding language.
* Difficulty with non-verbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions.
* Difficulty with social interaction, including relating to people and to his or her surroundings.
* Unusual ways of playing with toys and other objects.
* Difficulty adjusting to changes in routine or familiar surroundings.
* Repetitive body movements or patterns of behavior, such as hand flapping, spinning and head banging.
* Changing response to sound. (The child may be very sensitive to some noises and seem to not hear others.)
* Temper tantrums
* Difficulty sleeping
* Aggressive behavior
* Fearfulness or anxiety (nervousness)
What Causes Pervasive Development Disorders?
The cause of these illnesses is not known, but researchers are looking for answers. Some studies suggest that PDDs are caused by a problem with the nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Studies currently in progress are examining the structure and function of the brain in people with autism for clues that may help us better understand these conditions, as well as how to treat and/or prevent them.
How Common Are Pervasive Development Disorders?
It is estimated that PDDs occur in about 5 to 15 children per 10,000 births. In general, PDDs are more common in boys than in girls, with the exception of Rett's syndrome, which occurs almost always in girls.
How Are Pervasive Development Disorders Diagnosed?
If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no laboratory tests to diagnose a PDD, the doctor may use various tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to determine if there is a physical disorder causing the symptoms.
If no physical disorder is found, the child may be referred to a specialist in childhood development disorders, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, or other health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat PDDs. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on the child's level of development, and the doctor's observation of the child's speech and behavior, including his or her play and ability to socialize with others. The doctor often seeks input from the child's parents, teachers and other adults who are familiar with the child's symptoms.
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The use of the word "pervasive" to describe these illnesses is somewhat misleading. The definition of pervasive is "to be present throughout," but children with PDDs generally do not have problems in all areas of functioning. Rather, most children with PDDs have specific problem areas and often function very well in other areas.
Children with PDDs, such as autism, can display a wide range of symptoms which can range in severity from mild to disabling. They also vary widely in their individual abilities, intelligence and behavior.
General symptoms that may be present to some degree in a child with a PDD include:
* Difficulty with verbal communication, including problems using and understanding language.
* Difficulty with non-verbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions.
* Difficulty with social interaction, including relating to people and to his or her surroundings.
* Unusual ways of playing with toys and other objects.
* Difficulty adjusting to changes in routine or familiar surroundings.
* Repetitive body movements or patterns of behavior, such as hand flapping, spinning and head banging.
* Changing response to sound. (The child may be very sensitive to some noises and seem to not hear others.)
* Temper tantrums
* Difficulty sleeping
* Aggressive behavior
* Fearfulness or anxiety (nervousness)
What Causes Pervasive Development Disorders?
The cause of these illnesses is not known, but researchers are looking for answers. Some studies suggest that PDDs are caused by a problem with the nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Studies currently in progress are examining the structure and function of the brain in people with autism for clues that may help us better understand these conditions, as well as how to treat and/or prevent them.
How Common Are Pervasive Development Disorders?
It is estimated that PDDs occur in about 5 to 15 children per 10,000 births. In general, PDDs are more common in boys than in girls, with the exception of Rett's syndrome, which occurs almost always in girls.
How Are Pervasive Development Disorders Diagnosed?
If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no laboratory tests to diagnose a PDD, the doctor may use various tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to determine if there is a physical disorder causing the symptoms.
If no physical disorder is found, the child may be referred to a specialist in childhood development disorders, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, or other health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat PDDs. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on the child's level of development, and the doctor's observation of the child's speech and behavior, including his or her play and ability to socialize with others. The doctor often seeks input from the child's parents, teachers and other adults who are familiar with the child's symptoms.
NEXT>> http://etc-life.blogspot.com/2007/12/mental-health-development-disorder-3.html
Mental Health: Development Disorder - 1
The term "pervasive development disorders" (PDDs) refers to a group of conditions that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, most notably the ability to socialize with others, to communicate and to use imagination. Children with these conditions often are confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them.
Because these conditions typically are identified in children around 3 years of age -- a critical period in a child's development -- they are called development disorders. Although the condition begins far earlier than 3 years of age, parents often do not notice a problem until the child is a toddler who is not walking, talking or developing as well as other children of the same age.
What Conditions Are Considered Pervasive Development Disorders?
There are five types of PDDs:
* Autism: Children with autism have problems with social interaction, pretend play and communication. They also have a limited range of activities and interests. Many (nearly 75%) of children with autism also have some degree of mental retardation.
* Asperger's syndrome: Like children with autism, children with Asperger's syndrome have difficulty with social interaction and communication, and have a narrow range of interests. However, children with Asperger's have average or above average intelligence, and develop normally in the areas of language and cognition (the mental processes related to thinking and learning). Children with Asperger's often also have difficulty concentrating and may have poor coordination.
* Childhood disintegrative disorder: Children with this rare condition begin their development normally in all areas, physical and mental. At some point, usually between 2 and 10 years of age, a child with this illness loses many of the skills he or she has developed. In addition to the loss of social and language skills, a child with disintegrative disorder may lose control of other functions, including bowel and bladder control.
* Rett's syndrome: Children with this very rare disorder have the symptoms associated with a PDD and also suffer problems with physical development. They generally suffer the loss of many motor or movement, skills -- such as walking and use of their hands -- and develop poor coordination. This condition has been linked to a defect on the X chromosome, so it almost always affects girls.
* Pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS): This category is used to refer to children who have significant problems with communication and play, and some difficulty interacting with others, but are too social to be considered autistic.
NEXT>> http://etc-life.blogspot.com/2007/12/mental-health-development-disorder-2.html
Because these conditions typically are identified in children around 3 years of age -- a critical period in a child's development -- they are called development disorders. Although the condition begins far earlier than 3 years of age, parents often do not notice a problem until the child is a toddler who is not walking, talking or developing as well as other children of the same age.
What Conditions Are Considered Pervasive Development Disorders?
There are five types of PDDs:
* Autism: Children with autism have problems with social interaction, pretend play and communication. They also have a limited range of activities and interests. Many (nearly 75%) of children with autism also have some degree of mental retardation.
* Asperger's syndrome: Like children with autism, children with Asperger's syndrome have difficulty with social interaction and communication, and have a narrow range of interests. However, children with Asperger's have average or above average intelligence, and develop normally in the areas of language and cognition (the mental processes related to thinking and learning). Children with Asperger's often also have difficulty concentrating and may have poor coordination.
* Childhood disintegrative disorder: Children with this rare condition begin their development normally in all areas, physical and mental. At some point, usually between 2 and 10 years of age, a child with this illness loses many of the skills he or she has developed. In addition to the loss of social and language skills, a child with disintegrative disorder may lose control of other functions, including bowel and bladder control.
* Rett's syndrome: Children with this very rare disorder have the symptoms associated with a PDD and also suffer problems with physical development. They generally suffer the loss of many motor or movement, skills -- such as walking and use of their hands -- and develop poor coordination. This condition has been linked to a defect on the X chromosome, so it almost always affects girls.
* Pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS): This category is used to refer to children who have significant problems with communication and play, and some difficulty interacting with others, but are too social to be considered autistic.
NEXT>> http://etc-life.blogspot.com/2007/12/mental-health-development-disorder-2.html
Mental Health: Asperger's Syndrome - 1
Asperger's syndrome, also called Asperger's disorder, is a type of pervasive development disorder (PDD). PDDs are a group of conditions that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, most notably the ability to socialize with others, to communicate and to use imagination.
Although Asperger's syndrome is similar in some ways to autism -- another, more severe type of PDD -- there are some important differences. Children with Asperger's syndrome typically function better than do those with autism. In addition, children with Asperger's syndrome generally have normal intelligence and near-normal language development, although they may develop problems communicating as they get older.
Asperger's syndrome was named for the Austrian doctor, Hans Asperger, who first described the disorder in 1944. However, Asperger's syndrome was not recognized as a unique disorder until much later.
What Are the Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome?
The symptoms of Asperger's syndrome vary and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
* Problems with social skills: Children with Asperger's syndrome generally have difficulty interacting with others and often are awkward in social situations. They generally do not make friends easily.
* Eccentric or repetitive behaviors: Children with this condition may develop odd, repetitive movements, such as hand wringing or finger twisting.
* Unusual preoccupations or rituals: A child with Asperger's syndrome may develop rituals that he or she refuses to alter, such as getting dressed in a specific order.
* Communication difficulties: People with Asperger's syndrome may not make eye contact when speaking with someone. They may have trouble using facial expressions and gestures, and understanding body language. They also tend to have problems understanding language in context.
* Limited range of interests: A child with Asperger's syndrome may develop an intense, almost obsessive, interest in a few areas, such as sports schedules, weather or maps.
* Coordination problems: The movements of children with Asperger's syndrome may seem clumsy or awkward.
* Skilled or talented: Many children with Asperger's syndrome are exceptionally talented or skilled in a particular area, such as music or math.
Although Asperger's syndrome is similar in some ways to autism -- another, more severe type of PDD -- there are some important differences. Children with Asperger's syndrome typically function better than do those with autism. In addition, children with Asperger's syndrome generally have normal intelligence and near-normal language development, although they may develop problems communicating as they get older.
Asperger's syndrome was named for the Austrian doctor, Hans Asperger, who first described the disorder in 1944. However, Asperger's syndrome was not recognized as a unique disorder until much later.
What Are the Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome?
The symptoms of Asperger's syndrome vary and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
* Problems with social skills: Children with Asperger's syndrome generally have difficulty interacting with others and often are awkward in social situations. They generally do not make friends easily.
* Eccentric or repetitive behaviors: Children with this condition may develop odd, repetitive movements, such as hand wringing or finger twisting.
* Unusual preoccupations or rituals: A child with Asperger's syndrome may develop rituals that he or she refuses to alter, such as getting dressed in a specific order.
* Communication difficulties: People with Asperger's syndrome may not make eye contact when speaking with someone. They may have trouble using facial expressions and gestures, and understanding body language. They also tend to have problems understanding language in context.
* Limited range of interests: A child with Asperger's syndrome may develop an intense, almost obsessive, interest in a few areas, such as sports schedules, weather or maps.
* Coordination problems: The movements of children with Asperger's syndrome may seem clumsy or awkward.
* Skilled or talented: Many children with Asperger's syndrome are exceptionally talented or skilled in a particular area, such as music or math.
2.12.07
Women Risk Risky Sex at Worst Time
Women Risk Risky Sex at Worst Time
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDNov. 7, 2007 -- Women are most attracted to sex with masculine, high-risk men during ovulation, when they are most likely to get pregnant, a Kinsey Institute study suggests.
Heather Rupp, PhD, a research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, studied 12 single heterosexual women aged 23 to 28. While hooked up to an fMRI machine that detects activity in different parts of the brain, the women looked at 256 photos of male faces.
Using a computer morphing program, researchers altered the photos to make the male faces look more or less masculine. The women were also given sexual risk information on the men that included their number of sexual partners and their typical condom-use patterns.
After viewing the faces and the information, the women were asked to rate how likely they were to have sex with the man in each photo.
But in this study, Rupp and colleagues weren't as much interested in who the women said they'd have sex with as in what happened inside their heads.
Around the time of ovulation, when the women were most likely to conceive after unprotected sex, the women's brains showed more activity in areas linked to reward and risk taking. Stimuli that arouse this area of the brain include drugs, alcohol, and gambling.
During ovulation, the women also had weaker brain responses in brain areas linked to inhibition and risk evaluation. And while women showed more activity in brain areas linked to decision-making and reward when looking at photos of high-risk men than when looking at photos of low-risk men, this activity was weaker during ovulation than it was later in the menstrual cycle.
At this week's annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Rupp suggested that during ovulation, women may be more likely to engage in risky sex and be more vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse than at other times.
"At ovulation, when is likely, women may prioritize fertilization and find masculine men more rewarding and less risky," Rupp suggested in her meeting presentation. "Towards the end of the menstrual cycle, when hormones are preparing for potential pregnancy, the priority may shift from mating to finding a low-risk, stable partner who can provide more parental investment and resources."
http://www.webmd.com/
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDNov. 7, 2007 -- Women are most attracted to sex with masculine, high-risk men during ovulation, when they are most likely to get pregnant, a Kinsey Institute study suggests.
Heather Rupp, PhD, a research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, studied 12 single heterosexual women aged 23 to 28. While hooked up to an fMRI machine that detects activity in different parts of the brain, the women looked at 256 photos of male faces.
Using a computer morphing program, researchers altered the photos to make the male faces look more or less masculine. The women were also given sexual risk information on the men that included their number of sexual partners and their typical condom-use patterns.
After viewing the faces and the information, the women were asked to rate how likely they were to have sex with the man in each photo.
But in this study, Rupp and colleagues weren't as much interested in who the women said they'd have sex with as in what happened inside their heads.
Around the time of ovulation, when the women were most likely to conceive after unprotected sex, the women's brains showed more activity in areas linked to reward and risk taking. Stimuli that arouse this area of the brain include drugs, alcohol, and gambling.
During ovulation, the women also had weaker brain responses in brain areas linked to inhibition and risk evaluation. And while women showed more activity in brain areas linked to decision-making and reward when looking at photos of high-risk men than when looking at photos of low-risk men, this activity was weaker during ovulation than it was later in the menstrual cycle.
At this week's annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Rupp suggested that during ovulation, women may be more likely to engage in risky sex and be more vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse than at other times.
"At ovulation, when is likely, women may prioritize fertilization and find masculine men more rewarding and less risky," Rupp suggested in her meeting presentation. "Towards the end of the menstrual cycle, when hormones are preparing for potential pregnancy, the priority may shift from mating to finding a low-risk, stable partner who can provide more parental investment and resources."
http://www.webmd.com/
Sleep Disorders Guide
Insomnia Medications
In some cases, doctors will prescribe medicines for the treatment of insomnia. All insomnia medications should be taken shortly before bed. Do not attempt to drive or perform other activities that require concentration after taking an insomnia medication as the medication will make you sleepy.
Medications should be used in combination with good sleep practices.
Medications Used to Treat InsomniaListed below are some medications commonly used to treat insomnia.
Ambien: The original version of Ambien works well at helping you get to sleep, but some people tended to wake up in the middle of the night. Ambien CR is an extended release version. It helps you get to sleep within 15 to 30 minutes, and the new extended release portion helps you stay asleep. You should not take Ambien or Ambien CR unless you are able to get a full night’s sleep – at least 7 to 8 hours. Lunesta: Lunesta also helps you fall asleep quickly, and studies show people sleep an average of 7 to 8 hours. Don’t take Lunesta unless you are able to get a full night’s sleep as it could cause grogginess. Rozerem: This is a new sleep medication that works differently than the others. It works by targeting the sleep-wake cycle, not by causing central nervous system depression. It is prescribed for people who have difficulty falling asleep. Rozerem can be prescribed for long-term use and the medication has shown no evidence of abuse and dependence.
Sonata: Of all the new sleeping pills, Sonata stays active in the body for the shortest amount of time. That means you can try to fall asleep on your own. Then, if you're still staring at the clock at 2 a.m., you can take it without feeling drowsy in the morning. However, if you tend to wake during the night, this might not be the best choice for you.
Benzodiazepines: These older sleeping pills (Halcion, Restoril, and others) are useful when you want an insomnia medication that stays in your system longer. For instance, they have been effectively used to treat sleep problems such as sleepwalking and night terrors. However, these drugs may cause you to feel sleepy during the day and can also cause dependence, meaning you may always need the drug to sleep.
Antidepressants: Insomnia is a common symptom of depression. Thus, some antidepressant drugs, such as trazodone (Desyrel), are particularly effective in treating sleeplessness and anxiety that's caused by depression.
Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids: Most of these sleeping pills are antihistamines. They generally work well but can cause some drowsiness the next day. They're safe enough to be sold without a prescription. However, if you're taking other drugs that also contain antihistamines -- like cold or allergy medications -- you could inadvertently take too much.
In March 2007, the FDA issued warnings for prescription sleep drugs, alerting patients that they can cause rare allergic reactions and complex sleep-related behaviors, including “sleep driving.”
The FDA’s warnings include the following drugs:
Ambien/Ambien CR
Butisol Sodium
Carbrital
Dalmane
Doral
Halcion
Lunesta
Placidyl
Prosom
Restoril
Rozerem
Seconal
Sonata
www.webmd.com
In some cases, doctors will prescribe medicines for the treatment of insomnia. All insomnia medications should be taken shortly before bed. Do not attempt to drive or perform other activities that require concentration after taking an insomnia medication as the medication will make you sleepy.
Medications should be used in combination with good sleep practices.
Medications Used to Treat InsomniaListed below are some medications commonly used to treat insomnia.
Ambien: The original version of Ambien works well at helping you get to sleep, but some people tended to wake up in the middle of the night. Ambien CR is an extended release version. It helps you get to sleep within 15 to 30 minutes, and the new extended release portion helps you stay asleep. You should not take Ambien or Ambien CR unless you are able to get a full night’s sleep – at least 7 to 8 hours. Lunesta: Lunesta also helps you fall asleep quickly, and studies show people sleep an average of 7 to 8 hours. Don’t take Lunesta unless you are able to get a full night’s sleep as it could cause grogginess. Rozerem: This is a new sleep medication that works differently than the others. It works by targeting the sleep-wake cycle, not by causing central nervous system depression. It is prescribed for people who have difficulty falling asleep. Rozerem can be prescribed for long-term use and the medication has shown no evidence of abuse and dependence.
Sonata: Of all the new sleeping pills, Sonata stays active in the body for the shortest amount of time. That means you can try to fall asleep on your own. Then, if you're still staring at the clock at 2 a.m., you can take it without feeling drowsy in the morning. However, if you tend to wake during the night, this might not be the best choice for you.
Benzodiazepines: These older sleeping pills (Halcion, Restoril, and others) are useful when you want an insomnia medication that stays in your system longer. For instance, they have been effectively used to treat sleep problems such as sleepwalking and night terrors. However, these drugs may cause you to feel sleepy during the day and can also cause dependence, meaning you may always need the drug to sleep.
Antidepressants: Insomnia is a common symptom of depression. Thus, some antidepressant drugs, such as trazodone (Desyrel), are particularly effective in treating sleeplessness and anxiety that's caused by depression.
Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids: Most of these sleeping pills are antihistamines. They generally work well but can cause some drowsiness the next day. They're safe enough to be sold without a prescription. However, if you're taking other drugs that also contain antihistamines -- like cold or allergy medications -- you could inadvertently take too much.
In March 2007, the FDA issued warnings for prescription sleep drugs, alerting patients that they can cause rare allergic reactions and complex sleep-related behaviors, including “sleep driving.”
The FDA’s warnings include the following drugs:
Ambien/Ambien CR
Butisol Sodium
Carbrital
Dalmane
Doral
Halcion
Lunesta
Placidyl
Prosom
Restoril
Rozerem
Seconal
Sonata
www.webmd.com
10 Tricks to Avoid Halloween Candy Temptations
Beware those empty calories in the Halloween candy jar.By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-FeatureReviewed by Louise Chang, MDHalloween unofficially marks the beginning of the holiday feasting season. And for anyone trying to watch his or her weight, the scariest part of Halloween is not ghosts and goblins but the ever-abundant Halloween candy. Sugar and mostly empty calories is what you get in candy, and the truth is that most of us don’t exercise enough to warrant those extra calories.
Those cute little fun-size candy bars seem harmless -- and they are, if you can limit your consumption. But that's easier said than done.
"All it takes is an additional 100 calories a day or the equivalent of one snack-sized chocolate bar and most adults will experience weight creep before they even know it," says Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
When your cupboards are loaded with candy and the kids come home with bags full of even more treats, it's hard to resist. Many people try to lessen the temptation at home by bringing their extra candy into work, thus setting a high-calorie trap for their co-workers.
"Don’t get sucked into the 'see food diet' mentality that makes you want to eat the candy simply because you see it and not because you are hungry," says Brian Wansink, PhD, a Cornell researcher and author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think. "We eat more of visible foods because it causes us to think about it more, and every time you see the candy bowl you have to decide whether ... you want a piece of candy or not.
"Simply thinking of food can make you hungry, so when you see or smell something associated with food, like the shiny foil-wrapped Kisses, it can actually make you salivate."
But there are ways to keep your hands out of the candy jar so you can avoid packing on some extra pounds even before the holiday season starts. Here are 10 expert tips to help you avoid the temptation of Halloween goodies, at home and at the office.
1.Buy candy you don’t love. If the candy in your pantry is stuff kids like but that you don’t enjoy, it will be easier to resist opening those bags and diving in. For most of us, that means anything but chocolate. "Sour candy, gummy-textured [candies], hard candies and the others that are not chocolate are lower in fat and calories and typically not the candy we overeat," says Sandon.
2.Out of sight, out of mind. Ask your co-workers to keep their candy jars and bowls inside their desks or stashed in a cabinet in the break room so you won’t be tempted every time you see it. If they want to keep candy on their desks, ask them to use a colored container with a lid so you can’t see inside.
3.Savor one piece of your favorite candy a day. Decide what time of day you most relish the sweet stuff, and save your special treat for that time. Then sit back and slowly savor the taste sensation. "It is so easy to pop a piece of candy into your mouth mindlessly and not get the full enjoyment you would get if you saved it and ate it when you know you will enjoy it the most," says Sandon. Indulge your sweet tooth on occasion, because denying yourself completely could lead to an all-out binge.
4.Chew gum. Sugarless gum gives your mouth a burst of sweet sensation for very few calories. "Studies have shown that gum chewing can also help [you] relieve stress, mentally focus on tasks, satisfy a sweet tooth, overcome the urge to eat candy, and help manage hunger pangs to hold you over until your next meal," says Sandon.
5.Replace the candy with better choices. Make the see-food diet work in your favor by putting out a bowl of colorful fruit or veggies in place of the candy.
6.Move the candy jar. Wansink and colleagues have done studies on how frequently people eat candy when it is within reach, out of sight, or requires them to get up to reach the jar. "If you have to get up to get a piece of candy, it is not always worth the effort, whereas when the candy is convenient, consumption is higher," says Wansink.
7.Count the empty wrappers. It's so easy to pop fun-size candy bars into your mouth that you can lose track of how quickly the calories are adding up. "If you keep the wrappers on your desk, it will remind you of how many you ate and hopefully inspire you to exercise moderation and stop after one or two," says Sandon.
8.Take a walking break. Getting away from your desk for a breath of fresh air can invigorate you and help you get over the mid-morning or mid-afternoon slumps that are often mistaken for hunger.
9.Manage your hunger. Eat breakfast before coming to work and plan for a few healthy snacks along with a satisfying lunch. Your preplanned meals with keep you feeling satisfied and make you less likely to raid the candy bowl.
10.Sip on a low-calorie beverage. Keep your hands and mouth busy by drinking a zero-calorie cup of hot tea (rich with disease-fighting antioxidants) or big glass of water. And light hot chocolate can satisfy your sweet tooth for few calories than most fun-size chocolate bars. www.webmd.com
Those cute little fun-size candy bars seem harmless -- and they are, if you can limit your consumption. But that's easier said than done.
"All it takes is an additional 100 calories a day or the equivalent of one snack-sized chocolate bar and most adults will experience weight creep before they even know it," says Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
When your cupboards are loaded with candy and the kids come home with bags full of even more treats, it's hard to resist. Many people try to lessen the temptation at home by bringing their extra candy into work, thus setting a high-calorie trap for their co-workers.
"Don’t get sucked into the 'see food diet' mentality that makes you want to eat the candy simply because you see it and not because you are hungry," says Brian Wansink, PhD, a Cornell researcher and author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think. "We eat more of visible foods because it causes us to think about it more, and every time you see the candy bowl you have to decide whether ... you want a piece of candy or not.
"Simply thinking of food can make you hungry, so when you see or smell something associated with food, like the shiny foil-wrapped Kisses, it can actually make you salivate."
But there are ways to keep your hands out of the candy jar so you can avoid packing on some extra pounds even before the holiday season starts. Here are 10 expert tips to help you avoid the temptation of Halloween goodies, at home and at the office.
1.Buy candy you don’t love. If the candy in your pantry is stuff kids like but that you don’t enjoy, it will be easier to resist opening those bags and diving in. For most of us, that means anything but chocolate. "Sour candy, gummy-textured [candies], hard candies and the others that are not chocolate are lower in fat and calories and typically not the candy we overeat," says Sandon.
2.Out of sight, out of mind. Ask your co-workers to keep their candy jars and bowls inside their desks or stashed in a cabinet in the break room so you won’t be tempted every time you see it. If they want to keep candy on their desks, ask them to use a colored container with a lid so you can’t see inside.
3.Savor one piece of your favorite candy a day. Decide what time of day you most relish the sweet stuff, and save your special treat for that time. Then sit back and slowly savor the taste sensation. "It is so easy to pop a piece of candy into your mouth mindlessly and not get the full enjoyment you would get if you saved it and ate it when you know you will enjoy it the most," says Sandon. Indulge your sweet tooth on occasion, because denying yourself completely could lead to an all-out binge.
4.Chew gum. Sugarless gum gives your mouth a burst of sweet sensation for very few calories. "Studies have shown that gum chewing can also help [you] relieve stress, mentally focus on tasks, satisfy a sweet tooth, overcome the urge to eat candy, and help manage hunger pangs to hold you over until your next meal," says Sandon.
5.Replace the candy with better choices. Make the see-food diet work in your favor by putting out a bowl of colorful fruit or veggies in place of the candy.
6.Move the candy jar. Wansink and colleagues have done studies on how frequently people eat candy when it is within reach, out of sight, or requires them to get up to reach the jar. "If you have to get up to get a piece of candy, it is not always worth the effort, whereas when the candy is convenient, consumption is higher," says Wansink.
7.Count the empty wrappers. It's so easy to pop fun-size candy bars into your mouth that you can lose track of how quickly the calories are adding up. "If you keep the wrappers on your desk, it will remind you of how many you ate and hopefully inspire you to exercise moderation and stop after one or two," says Sandon.
8.Take a walking break. Getting away from your desk for a breath of fresh air can invigorate you and help you get over the mid-morning or mid-afternoon slumps that are often mistaken for hunger.
9.Manage your hunger. Eat breakfast before coming to work and plan for a few healthy snacks along with a satisfying lunch. Your preplanned meals with keep you feeling satisfied and make you less likely to raid the candy bowl.
10.Sip on a low-calorie beverage. Keep your hands and mouth busy by drinking a zero-calorie cup of hot tea (rich with disease-fighting antioxidants) or big glass of water. And light hot chocolate can satisfy your sweet tooth for few calories than most fun-size chocolate bars. www.webmd.com
Cancer Health Center
Osteosarcoma/Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone - DescriptionWhat is osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the bone. It is the most common type of bone cancer. Osteosarcoma most often occurs in adolescents and young adults. In children and adolescents, tumors appear most often in the bones around the knee. The symptoms and chance for recovery in children and adolescents appear to be the same.
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of bone is a rare tumor of the bone. It may occur following radiation treatments. MFH is generally treated the same as osteosarcoma and appears to have a similar response to treatment.
Ewing’s sarcoma is another kind of bone cancer, but the cancer cells look different under a microscope than osteosarcoma cancer cells. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Ewing’s Family of Tumors Treatment for more information.)
If a patient has symptoms (such as pain and swelling of a bone or a bone region), a doctor may order x-rays and blood tests. If it is suspected that the problem is osteosarcoma, your doctor may recommend seeing a specialist called an orthopedic oncologist. The orthopedic oncologist may cut out a piece of tissue from the affected area. This is called a biopsy. The tissue will be looked at under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This test may be done in the hospital.
The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the size, location, type, and stage of the cancer (how far the cancer has spread), how long the patient had symptoms, how much of the cancer is taken out by surgery and/or killed by chemotherapy, and the patient’s age, blood and other test results, and general health.
www.webmd.com
Osteosarcoma is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the bone. It is the most common type of bone cancer. Osteosarcoma most often occurs in adolescents and young adults. In children and adolescents, tumors appear most often in the bones around the knee. The symptoms and chance for recovery in children and adolescents appear to be the same.
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of bone is a rare tumor of the bone. It may occur following radiation treatments. MFH is generally treated the same as osteosarcoma and appears to have a similar response to treatment.
Ewing’s sarcoma is another kind of bone cancer, but the cancer cells look different under a microscope than osteosarcoma cancer cells. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Ewing’s Family of Tumors Treatment for more information.)
If a patient has symptoms (such as pain and swelling of a bone or a bone region), a doctor may order x-rays and blood tests. If it is suspected that the problem is osteosarcoma, your doctor may recommend seeing a specialist called an orthopedic oncologist. The orthopedic oncologist may cut out a piece of tissue from the affected area. This is called a biopsy. The tissue will be looked at under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This test may be done in the hospital.
The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the size, location, type, and stage of the cancer (how far the cancer has spread), how long the patient had symptoms, how much of the cancer is taken out by surgery and/or killed by chemotherapy, and the patient’s age, blood and other test results, and general health.
www.webmd.com
5 Food Fixes for Flat Abs
WebMD Feature from "Prevention" Magazine
You can't down 3,000 calories a day and expect to lose your belly, but calories aren't the entire story. Certain foods seem to pack pounds on the midsection: Last fall, experts from the ongoing Framingham Nutrition Studies reported that women who ate almost 400 fewer daily calories but chose the least nutritious foods had a 2 1/2 times higher risk of abdominal obesity than those who ate that much more but made better choices. They also had dramatically higher risk of such serious health issues as type 2 diabetes and heart attacks, says Barbara Millen, DPH, the study's director of nutritional research. You don't have to "diet": Just fold these strategies into your life and watch ab flab pare down.
1. Eat fruits and vegetables. Especially orange ones. Women trimmed their waists by replacing refined grains like white bread and simple or added sugar with carbs from fruits and vegetables, according to the latest review from Copenhagen University Hospital.
Besides packing in the fiber, which keeps you feeling full longer, researchers suspect it's the rich antioxidants, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, that ward off ab fat. Carrots, cantaloupe, squash, and peaches are great sources of beta-carotene, while oranges, berries, and kiwi provide a good dose of C. To keep calories down, pick veggies, like bell peppers, before fruits, and choose fruits over juice.
2. Get more selenium. This cancer-fighting mineral is also linked to lower rates of abdominal obesity, according to a survey of more than 8,000 Americans. People with low blood levels of selenium and other antioxidants had bigger waistlines than those with higher levels.
Selenium is found in many foods, but it can be hard to know if you're getting the recommended 55 mcg a day because amounts vary based on the soil in which food is grown and the feed livestock consume. To meet your requirement, try a supplement or eat a varied diet. Also, opt for foods grown in different areas: such as grains from the Midwest, Vermont cheeses, and nuts from California.
3. Add some protein. Eating more protein keeps you full and boosts energy, which leads to overall weight loss and – for those over 40 – reduced ab fat in particular, according to findings from Skidmore College and Copenhagen University Hospital.
But studies show that eating high amounts of protein may stress the kidneys as they work to eliminate the excess, which can also cause calcium loss. Aim to get 25% of your calories from protein (if you eat 2,000 calories a day, that's 500 from protein). Just make lean choices such as low-fat yogurt, fat-free milk, fish, and poultry. Nuts are another great source but can be high in calories: Have just five 1-ounce servings a week (an ounce is about 24 almonds, 18 cashews, or 35 peanuts).
4. Drink a glass of wine a day. Don't start drinking wine just to fight ab fat, but if you enjoy a glass with dinner, it's a great benefit. Some studies even suggest that light to moderate drinking protects against female midsection weight gain, compared with teetotaling. Based on a review of data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, one 4-ounce glass of red or white wine most days a week (up to 20 a month) seems to be best.
5. Eat the right fats. Research from Spain shows it's easier to stay slim eating monounsaturated fats (such as olive oil) and omega-3s (found mostly in fish but also in flaxseed and walnut oils and tofu), while omega-6 fats (prevalent in cereals, corn oil, baked goods, and eggs) caused ab fat to pile on.
Fats that should be eliminated completely: trans fats, which have no nutritional value and are mostly found in calorie-dense baked goods and chips. In a Wake Forest University study, monkeys eating a typical American diet for 6 years gained the human equivalent of 10 pounds more when the fat they ate was all trans fat, compared with those eating monounsaturated fat. Worse, "30% more fat was added in the abdominal region, and they had early signs of diabetes," says researcher Kylie Kavanagh, DVM.
http://www.webmd.com
You can't down 3,000 calories a day and expect to lose your belly, but calories aren't the entire story. Certain foods seem to pack pounds on the midsection: Last fall, experts from the ongoing Framingham Nutrition Studies reported that women who ate almost 400 fewer daily calories but chose the least nutritious foods had a 2 1/2 times higher risk of abdominal obesity than those who ate that much more but made better choices. They also had dramatically higher risk of such serious health issues as type 2 diabetes and heart attacks, says Barbara Millen, DPH, the study's director of nutritional research. You don't have to "diet": Just fold these strategies into your life and watch ab flab pare down.
1. Eat fruits and vegetables. Especially orange ones. Women trimmed their waists by replacing refined grains like white bread and simple or added sugar with carbs from fruits and vegetables, according to the latest review from Copenhagen University Hospital.
Besides packing in the fiber, which keeps you feeling full longer, researchers suspect it's the rich antioxidants, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, that ward off ab fat. Carrots, cantaloupe, squash, and peaches are great sources of beta-carotene, while oranges, berries, and kiwi provide a good dose of C. To keep calories down, pick veggies, like bell peppers, before fruits, and choose fruits over juice.
2. Get more selenium. This cancer-fighting mineral is also linked to lower rates of abdominal obesity, according to a survey of more than 8,000 Americans. People with low blood levels of selenium and other antioxidants had bigger waistlines than those with higher levels.
Selenium is found in many foods, but it can be hard to know if you're getting the recommended 55 mcg a day because amounts vary based on the soil in which food is grown and the feed livestock consume. To meet your requirement, try a supplement or eat a varied diet. Also, opt for foods grown in different areas: such as grains from the Midwest, Vermont cheeses, and nuts from California.
3. Add some protein. Eating more protein keeps you full and boosts energy, which leads to overall weight loss and – for those over 40 – reduced ab fat in particular, according to findings from Skidmore College and Copenhagen University Hospital.
But studies show that eating high amounts of protein may stress the kidneys as they work to eliminate the excess, which can also cause calcium loss. Aim to get 25% of your calories from protein (if you eat 2,000 calories a day, that's 500 from protein). Just make lean choices such as low-fat yogurt, fat-free milk, fish, and poultry. Nuts are another great source but can be high in calories: Have just five 1-ounce servings a week (an ounce is about 24 almonds, 18 cashews, or 35 peanuts).
4. Drink a glass of wine a day. Don't start drinking wine just to fight ab fat, but if you enjoy a glass with dinner, it's a great benefit. Some studies even suggest that light to moderate drinking protects against female midsection weight gain, compared with teetotaling. Based on a review of data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, one 4-ounce glass of red or white wine most days a week (up to 20 a month) seems to be best.
5. Eat the right fats. Research from Spain shows it's easier to stay slim eating monounsaturated fats (such as olive oil) and omega-3s (found mostly in fish but also in flaxseed and walnut oils and tofu), while omega-6 fats (prevalent in cereals, corn oil, baked goods, and eggs) caused ab fat to pile on.
Fats that should be eliminated completely: trans fats, which have no nutritional value and are mostly found in calorie-dense baked goods and chips. In a Wake Forest University study, monkeys eating a typical American diet for 6 years gained the human equivalent of 10 pounds more when the fat they ate was all trans fat, compared with those eating monounsaturated fat. Worse, "30% more fat was added in the abdominal region, and they had early signs of diabetes," says researcher Kylie Kavanagh, DVM.
http://www.webmd.com
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