Depressed women who are pregnant need to be aware of the risks involved with carrying a child and taking an antidepressant. The use of drugs (prescription or otherwise) should be avoided if at all possible, especially during pregnancy. Adding to a long list of potential dangers is a new study finding that pregnant women...
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Archive for August, 2010
Antidepressant Use Increases Miscarriage Risk
Sunlight Exposure Reduces Risk of MS
Two studies suggest that the amount of sunlight a pregnant woman gets and the amount of sunlight her subsequent child gets may both play a role in the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). The first study found that “Region of birth and low maternal exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) in the first trimester are...
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Cessation of Hormone Therapy = Less Breast Cancer
Research indicates that the reduction in the use of menopausal hormone therapy is largely responsible for the reduction in breast cancer for women over 50. “By collating individual data on the use of HT (menopausal hormone therapy) and breast cancer incidence, they also demonstrated that the decline in incidence was concentrated in women who...
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Overweight and Obese Children Eat Less
When conducting a study of eating habits in children, researchers were startled to find that obese and overweight children over 7 years old actually eat less than normal weight children. Once they reach 15 to 17 years old, obese and overweight children actually eat more than 250 calories a day less. Under age 7,...
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Vitamin D Supplements Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
In examining the relationship between vitamin D and breast cancer, researchers discovered that “Vitamin D and calcium intakes from food only and total combined intakes (food and supplements) were not associated with breast cancer risk, although the mean intake of vitamin D was low.” But vitamin D supplements (400 IU/ per day) showed a...
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Exercise Reduces Pain and Increases Function for Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Patients who suffer from fibromyalgia – characterized by pain in their body, joints and muscles – do have choices. One of those choices is exercise. “Accumulating 30 minutes of LPA (lifestyle physical activity) throughout the day produces clinically relevant changes in perceived physical function and pain in previously minimally active adults with FM (Fibromyalgia).”...
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Arthritis Impacted by Obesity and Inactivity
What is the best way to steer clear of arthritis? Researchers have found a link between obesity/inactivity and arthritis. A recent study states that people, particularly women, should “reduce obesity and increase physical activity to reduce the prevalence of arthritis and AAL (arthritis-attributable activity limitations).” Keep moving to stay healthy. Read Abstract
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Antidepressants Before Birth Impact Developing Children
Children whose mothers used antidepressants during their second and third terms of pregnancy were slower to learn to sit and walk. And while this impact may not appear to be too significant, it may be just the beginning of adverse side effects that could eventually manifest. Good rule of thumb: Don’t use drugs unless...
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Having a Purpose in Life Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s
Having a purpose in life can have a very significant positive impact on an older person’s mental health. Researchers found that “a person with a high score on the purpose in life measure was approximately 2.4 times more likely to remain free of AD (Alzheimer’s disease) than was a person with a low score.”...
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