Tag: how

Flip a switch and shut down seizures? New research suggests how to turn off out-of-control signaling in the brain

The brain is a precision instrument. Its function depends on finely calibrated electrical activity triggering the release of chemical messages between neurons. But sometimes the brain’s careful balance is knocked out of control, as in epilepsy. Electroencephalography, or EEG, visualizes a brain’s electrical activity and can reveal how an epileptic seizure diverges from the predictable

How 10 Parents Give Their Kids Downtime

Wake up. Get dressed. Eat breakfast. School drop-off. Soccer for one kid. Gymnastics for the other. Dinner. Homework. Sleep. If this kind of super-regimented routine sounds familiar, well, that’s no surprise. Today, children under 12 have precipitously less free time than any generation before theirs, as unstructured play and moments of respite have taken a

How safe is vaping?

A survey of adolescents carried out by researchers at Coventry University has shown that than less than half of e-cigarette users knew that vape products contain nicotine or that they are addictive, raising the possibility that they could be a gateway to smoking normal cigarettes. Nicotine addiction is a real problem but the health issues

How caregivers can practice self-care

How caregivers can practice self-care Whether it’s for an ailing relative or a close friend, millions of Americans provide unpaid care for another person every day in the United States. Although it might be a noble and rewarding job, acting as a caregiver is hard work. It can lead to chronic stress and fatigue, which

Alcohol and breast-feeding: Is it safe and how does it affect baby?

What are the recommendations for alcohol consumption while breast-feeding? Moderate alcohol consumption is safe for mothers breast-feeding their infants. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as about one drink per day. At this level, research shows there are no known harmful effects to the infant. However, more than one drink per day is not recommended. Of

How to get in the vacation mind-set to ease your stress

How to get in the vacation mind-set to ease your stress – even if you aren’t going anywhere Three-quarters of Americans get some paid vacation time from work Research shows that time off reduces stress levels and makes people more productive when they return   But making the most of that time is difficult in a

Here's How to Get Rid of (& Prevent) Blisters

Whether you wear running shoes that are too tight or you like to dress up your favorite jeans with a pair of heels that hug your feet in all the wrong places, chances are, you know when a blister is brewing.  At first glance, these tiny fluid-filled bubbles look relatively harmless. But after a few

It’s hot outside: How to stay safe when thermometers rise

(HealthDay)—As much of the United States continues to swelter through 90-plus temperatures and high humidity, one emergency physician is offering advice on keeping safe. First, Dr. Robert Glatter said, it’s important to know that anyone can be a victim of heat stroke, but some people are at particular risk. “Heat stroke develops when the body

New research suggests how stimulant treatments for ADHD work

Stimulant medications are an effective treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In the classroom, parents and teachers say that medications like methylphenidate (MPH) can reduce symptoms and improve behavior. Although stimulants have been in use for decades to treat ADHD in school-aged children, just how they work hasn’t been clear. But the results of a new

It’s Hot Outside: How to Stay Safe When Thermometers Rise

FRIDAY, July 27, 2018 — As much of the United States continues to swelter through 90-plus temperatures and high humidity, one emergency physician is offering advice on keeping safe. First, Dr. Robert Glatter said, it’s important to know that anyone can be a victim of heat stroke, but some people are at particular risk. “Heat

How to Coexist (& Co-parent) With Your Kids’ Stepmother

My ex-husband and his new wife were a picture-perfect couple. So much so that they were photographed for the cover of Crain’s Chicago Business magazine. They were featured in an article about how stepparents are supposedly either relegated to support status or are simply invisible.  But his new wife wasn’t invisible. She posed with him

How much pain would YOU tolerate for booze?

How much pain would YOU tolerate for booze? Heavy drinkers will put up with uncomfortable electric shocks to get their alcohol fix, study finds Men who consume over 20 drinks a week will put up with the discomfort Alcohol activates areas of their brains associated with compulsive behaviours  There are an estimated 595,100 dependent drinkers