Health ShortsFebruary 2004ADD-Not Caused by Sugar, Additives
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a neurological disorder that brings on a range of symptoms including hyperactivity, inattentiveness and poor impulse control. Although popular belief often links hyperactivity to sugar, food additives and allergies, there is no scientific evidence of such an association. ADD does run in families, however, especially through the male line. In individuals without a family history, possible causes may include a long and difficult labor, the umbilical cord being wrapped around the baby's neck and smoking, substance abuse or certain illnesses during pregnancy.
[SOURCE: Gayle Zieman, "Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults," Clinical Reference Systems, Annual 2001] Is It ADD or Bipolar Disorder?
Symptoms of attention deficit disorder are frequently similar to those of bipolar disorder (or manic depression), particularly in adults, and there is considerable overlap between the two illnesses. An adult with attention deficit disorder may have chronic problems with impulsive behavior, procrastination and money management. A person in the manic phase of bipolar disorder is more likely to have episodes of grandiosity, increased spending, hyper-religiosity or hyper-sexuality that are not consistent with that individual's usual personality.
[SOURCE: Hal Elliott, "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults: A Guide for the Primary Care Physician," Southern Medical Journal, July, 2002] Poor Sleep Also Affects Attention
Individuals who don't get enough good sleep often have short attention spans and exhibit symptoms such as restlessness, impatience, impulsive behavior and learning disabilities that can be easily mistaken for attention deficit disorder. One case report of three adults being treated for attention deficit disorder found that they actually suffered from obstructive sleep apnea. Persons with obstructive sleep apnea-usually loud snorers-have repeated sleep interruptions every night, often without knowing it, as they struggle to maintain normal breathing. About three percent of Americans, including children, have the disorder. It can be treated with weight reduction and a CPAP mask to maintain a steady supply of oxygen during sleep.
[SOURCE: Sohail Naseem, Bashir Chaudhary and Nancy Collop, "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults and Obstructive Sleep Apnea," Chest, January, 2001] Doctor, Nurse Still Know Best
Despite widespread use of the Internet, Americans still turn to their physicians and nurses as the best source of health information. In a recent survey conducted by Euro RSCG Tatham Partners, 74 percent of women and 65 percent of women ranked health professionals as their number one source of information about health and nutrition. Next came the Internet (68 percent of men and 65 percent of women), family and friends (63 percent of women and 51 percent of men), books (55 percent of women and 48 percent of men) and health/nutrition stores (43 percent of women and 33 percent of men).
[SOURCE: "Study Implicates Obesity as Major Killer," Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, November 22, 2003] Most Pleased with the Quality of Information They Get from Internet
Among Americans going online to get health information, the vast majority are pleased with the quality of the material they receive. Sixty-two percent of survey respondents rated the quality either 'excellent' or 'very good'; 32 percent thought the quality was 'good.' No one rated the information as 'poor.' When asked what they look for as a sign of reliability for an Internet site, 72 percent said sponsorship by a medical society. Other factors cited included recommendation by a doctor or other health care professional and sponsorship by a university, hospital or health maintenance organization. Among 512 randomly selected patients, 53.5 percent said they used the Internet-most commonly for information about nutrition or diet, drug side effects or complications of medical therapy. About 41 percent of those using the Internet sought information regarding alternative medicine or second opinions about medical conditions.
[SOURCE: "Patients' Use of the Internet for Medical Information," Medical Benefits, April 30, 2002] Patients Want Info from Their Doctor
The information patients most want is "from my doctor's office," survey respondents indicated. Yet it's estimated that fewer than two percent of doctors are set up to communicate with their patients through e-mail or a web site.
[SOURCE: Micaela Sullivan Fowler, "Consumer Health Information on the Internet," The Consumer Health Information Source Book, Edition 6, 2000] 5 Steps to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Based on a survey of about a thousand nutritionists, the American Dietetic Association recently developed a set of recommendations for parents who wish to prevent childhood obesity. As adapted into the "Quaker Oatmeal Strive for Five" program, these include: - Be a nutritional role model for your children by adopting healthy eating habits.
- Buy and use more whole-grain products, rich in fiber and nutrition.
- Eat a healthy breakfast and encourage your children to do the same. Studies show that breakfast eaters are more likely than others to maintain normal weight.
- Pay attention to portion sizes and avoid super-sized soft drinks, candy bars and fast-food items. Measure your progress in establishing better family eating habits.
[SOURCE: "Survey Helps Develop Program To Prevent Childhood Obesity," Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, November 22, 2003] High-Carb Diet Brings Weight Loss
Among those who are watching their weight, carbohydrates or "carbs" have become very unpopular, but a new study indicates that it's also possible to lose weight with a high-carb diet. In a study involving 34 overweight subjects who followed different regimens but were allowed to eat until they were no longer hungry, those who followed a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (60 percent carbohydrate, 20 percent fat, 20 percent protein) lost seven pounds without exercise and eleven pounds with moderate activity over three months. They also lost more body fat and had greater decrease in thigh size than subjects eating a typical American diet (45 percent carbohydrates, 40 percent fat). The latter did not lose any weight during the study period.
[SOURCE: Alison McCook, "Revenge of the High-Carb Diet-Ha! It Works, Too," Reuters Health, January 27, 2004; Archives of Internal Medicine, January 26, 2004] Millions and Millions Qualify as Obese
About 97 million Americans are now obese, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, roughly 30 pounds or more over ideal body weight. About 6 million Americans are considered severely obese. Obesity is responsible for an estimated 300,000 deaths each year in the United States.
[SOURCE: Doug Brunk, "High Obesity Rate Behind Bariatric Surgery Boom," Family Practice News, July 15, 2003] Be Alert for Depression after Weight Loss
The first 12 months after gastric surgery tend to be euphoric as patients see rapid weight loss and develop a new self image. The severe eating restriction that must be monitored for life can become increasingly difficult to follow, however, especially for those who might have turned to food for comfort in time of emotional stress. Dr. George W. Cowan, Jr., Professor of Surgery at the University of Tennessee, speaking at the annual meeting of the American College of Nutrition [November, 2003], said that physicians must be alert for depression that occurs in 25 to 30 percent of patients after gastric bypass surgery and to treat it promptly. Dr. Cowan also recommended 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), an amino acid that helps control sugar cravings for about 60 percent of patients. Because it causes drowsiness, 5-HT should be taken at night.
[SOURCE: Nicholas Mulcahy, "Depression Often Pops Bariatric Surgery Euphoria," Family Practice News, November 15, 2003] Treating Obesity Can Improve Health
Severe obesity is associated with numerous health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sleep disorders. Even a relatively small weight loss of 10 percent of body weight results in a 20 percent lower risk of heart disease. For obese patients with type 2 diabetes who undergo gastric bypass surgery, symptoms of diabetes improve within two to three months. One study showed that improvement was greater in those who had diabetes for five years or less and was less dramatic in those who had diabetes for 10 years or more.
[SOURCE: Tracy Martinez Owens, "Morbid Obesity: The Disease and Comorbidities," Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, April-June, 2003] Make Being Fit Part of Your Identity
Persons who remain physically active throughout life are generally better able to maintain a good body weight and stay healthy. Yet most Americans tend to quit exercising regularly about the time they start high school. Students become busier at that time with homework, and only relatively talented athletes tend to make school sports teams. A four-year study at the Children's Nutrition Research Center is looking at the attitudes of school children toward exercise. It's based on the hypothesis that people keep exercising over time because fitness becomes a part of their identity.
[SOURCE: "Study Tracks Children's Attitudes about Athletic Abilities," Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, November 22, 2003] | 
