Researchers, doctors, clinicians and practitioners of clinical neuropsychology are looking for better ways to improve outcomes for adult who suffer childhood mental disorders. Unfortunately many people who suffer such issues in childhood will also suffer them in adulthood or may suffer a comorbid disorder. People growing up today with such illnesses have many more treatment options and will ultimately have better outcomes.
Neuropsychological testing is a big part of the improvement. ADD, dyslexia and other disorders become harder to treat if they are discovered later on. The best outcomes occur when the disease is diagnosed and treated early. New, better testing can put a child on the path to recovery before a given disorder has a chance to negatively impact them. That is why if you suspect there may be a problem you should not hesitate to have your child undergo a test.
It’s not just testing that has gotten better however, all treatments have improved. Smarter therapy methods, better medications and more sound treatment plans are all part of today’s clinical landscape. Even compared to as little as ten years ago the most common childhood diseases of today are much more treatable. No knows exactly what the outcome will be for people diagnosed today but it will certainly be better than for those who were diagnosed in the past.
Mental wellness and healthy living go together at a young age.
Children
healthy living, wellness
Many of us, at least the slightly older among us, probably remember our mother drinking while they were pregnant with our siblings. That all changed during the 1970s when the link between heavy drinking and FASD (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders) became apparent. That is what we owe the warning labels on alcohol to.
The conventional wisdom of the last 25 years has been no alcohol for pregnant women but now studies are showing moderate consumption of alcohol does not seem to pose any risks for pregnancy. Some medical groups have already started loosening their alcohol warnings for pregnant women, saying that moderation, not abstinence, is key.
Still the lack of data has many doctors preaching abstinence. Although there is no data 1 – 2 drinks in a week hurts a pregnant woman, why chance it? The few studies that are out have not found a link between pregnancy problems and light alcohol use, though the authors of those studies are quick to admit that, in theory, problems could occur later in a child’s development.
In short, drinking during pregnancy is a personal choice. There may be a risk, albeit a small one, from drinking at all but it is unknown. Remember, anything more than 2 drinks in one sitting is too much, no matter who you ask!
Make sure to maintain wellness and body health during pregnancy.
Children, Health, Women
body health, wellness
The media does love a good drug scare and this week’s boogeyman is bath salts. The drug has been attributed to a number of bizarre criminal incidents ranging from cannibalism to burglary. Bath salts were even features on AE’s Intervention.
Bath salts are typically the chemical MDVP or mephedrone. They are psychostimulants sold online or in head shops and are typically snorted, though they can be injected. The high most resembles meth in that it gives the user energy and euphoria but can also cause anxiety and paranoia. The drug is no doubt dangerous but it is by no means more dangerous than meth or PCP and is not a super drug, as it has been described as in the media. Arguably the scariest aspect of the drug is its availability considering it can be easily bought online and, in certain states, over the counter. The chemicals have been around for a while but only recent have come into use so little is known about their long term effects. However since the drugs they are related to have severely damaging long term effects it would not be surprising if bath salts did as well.
Many lawmakers are moving quickly to ban bath salts but the genie is out of the bottle. A ban in England simply caused the drug to go underground. It is still readily available in the UK. Be healthy and practice wellness, avoid bath salts!
Health
be healthy, wellness
An expose in today’s New York Times sheds light on something many people already knew. Kids around the country are using ADD drugs like Adderall, Ritalan, Vyvanse, and Concerta to study and stay on top of their many academic commitments. Kids as young as 8th graders are abusing the drugs with increasing regularity.
What makes the trend alarming to some is the type of student abusing such drugs. They are typically highly motivated, overachievers looking for an edge. The stimulants allow them to study harder, stay up later and not feel fatigued.
How do students get these drugs? Many fake symptoms to get a prescription. Other buy the drugs from students who are prescribed them. If you have a credit card you can also buy such drugs online. Regardless of how the drugs are procured it doesn’t seem like students are having trouble getting them.
Although many parents are worried about the drugs they are also the ones pushing their kids to get the grades and ultimately land an acceptance to an Ivy League school. Some parents even actively ask doctors for the pills because they want to give their kids an edge.
Clinicians say that many kids and parents are not aware of the dangers of the drugs as the rates of addiction for stimulants have also skyrocketed. Many view the drugs as more additive than benzodiazepines like Valium.
Check back weekly for news on wellness and healthy living.
Children, Doctors, Medicine
healthy living, wellness
Although the Obama administration has taken a more stringent view on medical marijuana than most expected many state initiatives in places like Washington, Colorado and New Jersey are paving the way for the practice. Some states may even go so far as to regulate the drug in the same way they do alcohol. What does the medical community say about Marijuana and wellness?
Since pot is illegal and highly regulated research on it is sorely lacking, especially in America. It’s a known secret many doctors will bring the issue up with patients suffering from AIDS related nausea, glaucoma, severe pain, or cancer. Some argue it should be legalized based solely on the fact that such patients report feeling relief from using marijuana. Still, certain long term health risks and addiction issues have not yet been firmly established.
On a state level a mix of compassion, cash strapped local government looking for revenue and a more liberal view of the drug are prevailing over doubts. Though it remains federally illegal 17 states allow medical marijuana on a state level with more states likely to ratify some form of the drug soon. Increase availability is sure to increase responses from the health and wellness professionals, state and local government and the population at large.
Natural Remedies
wellness
Continuing this week with exercises for your legs is something called the stiff-legged dumbbell deadlift. This is a compound exercise that mainly works your hamstrings but also hits your glutes and lower back. You’re going to need a flat, level surface to stand on and two dumbbells of the appropriate weight. Once you have those let’s begin the exercise!
- Hold each dumbbell in each hand by your side at arm’s length. Stand straight with your legs at about shoulder width apart. Keep your knees slightly bent and this will be your starting position.
- Now lower the dumbbells to over the top of your feet by bending your waist and keeping your back straight. Be sure to to keep your knees stationary as you do this. You should feel a stretching of your hamstrings. Exhale as you do this.
- Now bring up your torso by extending your hips and waist until you’re back at the starting position. Inhale as you do this.
- Repeat for as many reps and sets as recommended.
Tip: you can also use a barbell to do this exercise. In fact, this is the version I do. But if you have lower back problems I don’t recommend this exercise for you.
For healthy living and the sake of wellness, keep yourself hydrated!
Fitness, Fitness Tips
healthy living, wellness
Starting this week, I’ll be telling you about exercises that focus on the legs. We’ll start by working out your quadriceps – or simply, quads. The Exercise of the Week this time around is the barbell full squat. It’s a compound exercise that focuses mainly on your quads but also works your calves, glutes, hamstrings, and lower back to a lesser extent. It’s also known as the Olympic squat. You’re going to need a barbell with the appropriate weight and level ground to properly perform this exercise. With those in hand, let’s start the exercise!
- While standing, set the bar on the back of your shoulders just below the neck and hold the bar there with your hands.
- Keep your legs in a shoulder-width position. Keep your head up and keep your back straight. This is the starting position.
- Slowly lower yourself and the bar by bending your knees. Be sure to keep your head up and your back straight as you do this. Go all the way down until your hamstrings touch your calves. Inhale as you do this.
- Raise the bar and yourself by pushing up off the floor and straightening your legs. Exhale as you return to the starting position.
- Repeat for as many reps and sets as recommended.
This is an excellent exercise to do for leg strength so try it out! Remember, for the sake of wellness and body health be sure to hydrate!
Fitness, Fitness Tips
barbell, body health, leg exercises, wellness
Here is yet another entry to the Exercise of the Week series of blog posts! This time we have a compound exercise focusing on the lats called the chin-up. With this exercise you are going to need a stable chin-up bar and enough space to do it with. Thought it can work out your biceps, forearms, and other parts of your back, its main focus is on working out your lats. Now that the introductions are done let us get down to the exercise!
- Grab the chin-up bar with your palms facing you with a grip a little closer than shoulder-width.
- Your starting position is this: grip the bar at an appropriate width, arms fully extended while keeping your torso straight and sticking your chest out; this will help curve out your lats and ensure the right form for the exercise. Breathe in before you start.
- Pull your torso up until your head is at about the level of the bar and breathe out. Use your biceps to lift your body and keep your elbows close to your body. Be sure to only use your arms to perform this exercise and keep your straight.
- When at the top hold for a contracted second and then slowly lower yourself. Breathe in as you do this.
- Repeat this process in as many reps and sets as recommended.
This is both a fun and effective exercise to do so to it well for wellness‘ sake! Remember, for continued healthy living hydrate often!
Fitness, Fitness Tips, Health, Health Tips
healthy living, wellness
Hi guys! Sorry about the late Exercise of the Week last week but you know how it goes! Anyway, starting this week I will assist you in working out your back. Today I am showcasing the compound exercise known as the standing dumbbell upright row. This neat workout focuses on the area consisting of the back of the neck, the part in-between your shoulder blades, and leading down to the middle of your back right between your lats. You need to be very careful how much weight you use because using too much will lead to bad form and possibly even injury. So it’s best to start light and adjust accordingly. With that in mind, grab two dumbbells and let’s have at it!
- Hold each dumbbell in each hand with the palms facing your body. Be sure to grip them at about less than shoulder width apart and rest them on your thighs. Your arms should be extended fully with a slight bend at the elbows. Also make sure your back is straight. This will be the starting position.
- Now lift the dumbbells straight up and as close to your body as possible and exhale. You do this by letting your elbows do the work of lifting. Bring them up until they nearly touch your chin. Pause once you are at the top.
- Lower the dumbbells slowly back to the starting position and inhale.
- Repeat for as many repetitions and in as many sets as recommended.
You can also attach a straight/EZ bar to a low cable pulley to perform this exercise and the motions will be the same. Stay tuned next week for another exercise to work out your back. Remember, for continued healthy living and for the sake of wellness, keep yourself hydrated!
Fitness, Fitness Tips
exercises, Fitness, healthy living, wellness
Hey guys! This week we are focusing on an exercise called one-arm side laterals. This exercise is currently a part of my cycle on days I exercise my shoulders. One-arm side laterals are isolation exercises that focus squarely on your shoulders. What you are going to need is a single dumbbell of the appropriate weight and a way to balance yourself if need be, e.g. a bench or weight racks. But once you are prepared let us start the exercise:
- Hold the dumbbell in one hand with your arm by your side and your palm facing you Your free hand should be used to balance yourself by holding onto something sturdy. This is your starting position.
- With your torso straight, left the dumbbell to the side with a slight bend at the elbow. Continue going up until your arm is parallel to the floor – do not swing! Exhale as you perform this part of the exercise.
- Slowly lower the dumbbell down to the starting position at your side and inhale as you do it.
- Repeat for as many reps and in as many sets as recommended.
- Switch arms and repeat.
For overall healthy living and physique, this is an excellent exercise for your shoulders. Remember, for the sake of wellness, keep yourself hydrated!
Fitness, Fitness Tips, Health, Health Tips
deltoids, free weight, healthy living, shoulders, wellness
