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Has pain become a constant unwanted visitor in your life?

When your doctor asks you, “Where does it hurt,” are you tempted to say, “Everywhere!”

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, often linked with Vitamin B12 deficiency (National Institutes of Health), is a condition which causes sufferers to feel chronic pain in various parts of the body at all times. According to the American College of Rheumatology, symptoms of fibromyalgia include severe pain in at least 11 points of the body which doctors access in order to diagnose fibromyalgia.

These 9 pairs of pressure points on your body are are used by physicians to determine a fibromyalgia diagnosis:

• Pain on either side of the back of the neck could indicate fibromyalgia; neck pain might also be caused by sleeping in an awkward position or by rheumatoid arthritis.
• The front of the neck is another hot spot for fibromyalgia pain; potential sufferers may feel pain above the collarbone and adjacent to the larynx
• .Tender spots below the bend of your elbows towards the outside of your forearms are typical for fibromyalgia patients; tendonitis or repetitive motions may also cause elbow pain.
• Fibromyalgia patients often feel pain in the lower hip areas, close to the buttock muscles, while arthritis patients typically experience pain at the joints of the hips.

• Approximately 25% of all adults experience lower back pain. Individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia feel their back pain at the lowest point where the spine adjoins with the buttock muscles.
• Most people experience upper back pain every once in a while as a result of stress or injury; people with fibromyalgia experience extreme discomfort at the points where the shoulder blades connect with the back muscles.
• Above the upper back area, where the shoulders meet the lower neck, are some more troublesome tender spots for fibromyalgia patients.
• Fibromyalgia patients who suffer from knee aches tend to feel tenderness in the inner knee pad areas.
• Soreness in the chest area, on either side of the sternum, is another telltale sign that somebody might  require fibromyalgia treatment.

Sources:

Health.com, American College of Rheumatology, National Institutes of Health

A study published by the European Journal of Neurology revealed evidence linking adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a form of dementia which is similar to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.  According  to research collected by scientists in Argentina, adults with ADHD have a threefold chance of developing dementia with lewy bodies (DLB) in their old age.

Similar to Parkinson’s disease, dementia with lewy bodies occurs when bits of protein remnants develop inside the nerve cells, interrupting the flow of brain activity.

• Argentinian researchers studied 251 Alzheimer’s patients, 109 DLB patients, and a control group of 149 healthy senior citizens.
• 48% of  lewy body dementia  patients had ADHD previously in their adulthood.
• 15% of senior citizens with Alzheimer’s have never suffered from adult ADHD.
• 10% of dementia cases among the elderly are attributed to dementia with lewy bodies, although they are often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
• Symptoms of dementia with lewy bodies include realistic hallucinations, fluctuations in mental and physical skills, and spastic movements similar to those in Parkinson’s patients.

Can aerobics cure Alzheimer’s disease?

Scientists have long suspected a correlation between the neurotransmitter activity witnessed in adult patients with ADHD and that of senior citizens suffering dementia with lewy bodies.

Dr. Angel Golimstok, author of the Januarry European Journal of Neurology report, says,“We believe that our study is the first of its kind to examine the clinical association between adult ADHD symptoms and DLB and that it has established a clear link between the two conditions.”

For more info on dementia with lewy bodies see the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website.

Sources:

Health.com

There’s no running away from old age, but you might be able to run it off; that’s what scientists are saying about reducing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

A study, published in 2011 by the National Academy of Sciences, proves that aerobic exercise may reverse the shrinking of the hippocampus, the part of our brain essential for memory retention and learning, in our old age.

Conducted by Arthur Kramer, director of the Beckman Institute and professor of neuroscience at the University of Illinois, this surprising research also concludes that memory can be improved through regular aerobic exercise.

Aerobic exercise is defined by the National Institute of Health (NIH) as any activity which includes “repetitive movement of large muscle groups” and gets its power source from fresh supplies of oxygen.

The study followed 120 American senior citizens between the ages of 50-80. Half of the participants were assigned an aerobic exercise regimen 3 times per week aimed at helping them reach their target high rate; the other half were given instruction in yoga and other stretching exercises. MRI scanning of both groups revealed the following results:

• Over the course of one year, the senior citizens who did regular aerobic exercise 3 times per week increased the size of their hippocampus by 2%.
• The group who practiced stretching and muscle toning but did not reach their target heart rate showed a decrease in hippocampus size by 1.4%.

These findings overwhelmingly prove that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can be reduced or reversed by an aerobic exercise fitness regimen, even into old age.

Sources:

Huffington Post, National Institute of Health

We all know we’re supposed to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day, but are you getting all five colors?

Not all vegetables were created equal; the same goes for the wide variety of fruits. Some can prevent Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease and premature blindness. The only way to be sure you’re getting maximum vitamins is to include groups from all 5 hues.

1. Seeing red? Fruits like tomatoes, watermelon, red peppers and pink grapefruit a phytochemical called lycopene, which many scientists believe is beneficial for preventing prostate and breast cancer.
2. Orange foods are high in alpha and beta carotene, which your body needs to produce vitamin A.  Fruits like cantaloupe, tangerines and apricots have powerful antioxidants for killing  free radicals which threaten our immune system; yams, carrots and pumpkins are also good for your eyes and bones.  Now orange you glad you know that?
3. Feeling yellow? Many yellow and green veggies  like wax beans, artichokes and corn contain lutein and zeaxanthin, phytochemicals which prevent you from going blind in your old age.
4. Go for the green when shopping for vegetables; broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and green cabbage help to rid your body of cancer-causing toxins.
5. Berry-licious shades of  purple, red and blue mean the presence of brain-boosting and heart-healthy antioxidants; deep purple eggplants, berries, radishes and plums will keep your clock ticking.

Wanna read more about foods that are good for boosting memory?

Sources:

Eating Well

Education experts are raving over the Apple iPad, but not for its ability to help kids with their homework or influence secondary language fluency; in the spotlight today is the way Apple’s new iPad touchscreen device is revolutionizing the way we teach children with autism.

Even small children like 3-year-old Hudson Holmquist, diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, are learning to utilize the iPad as a means of communicating with the outside world. Gone are the hourly meltdowns which resulted from Hudson’s frustration at not being able to ask for something or say, “I feel sad.”

Says mom Laura, “The iPad has given us our family back.”

Autism, B12 and Your Child

Approximately 1/110 children born in the US are autistic, according the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Below are 5 basic skills which autistic children learn by playing games and puzzles on their iPad:

1. Social skills
2. Fine motor skills
3. Language and communication skills
4. Sensory skills
5. Stress reduction

Mark Coppin, the Assistive Technology Director at the Anne Carlsen Center in Jamestown, North Dakota  says that the iPad is used in their special education programs for autistic children; the hands-on design of the iPad interface is much simpler for autistic children to use than a keyboard and monitor.

Thinking of purchasing an iPad? You can save money by ordering here:Apple iPad 2

Here are 10 popular iTunes apps which are marketed towards parents and educators of children with autism:

1. Proloquo2Go Highly recommended for kids and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental disabilities, apraxia, ALS, stroke or traumatic brain injury, this app-turned-AAC device utilizes colorful stick-figure illustrations and features an up-to-date vocabulary, text-to-speech voices and automatic conjugations.
2. Grace This innovative app allows special-needs children to communicate through complete sentences by linking together colorful images and symbols in this fully customizable application.
3. iCommunicateCreate pictures, flashcards, storyboards, routines, visual schedules and record custom audio in any language with this versatile program; incorporates pictures from your camera or Google images. Helps to teach social skills for children with autism.
4. First Then Visual ScheduleEase transitioning for children with developmental delays such as Autism Spectrum Disorders by introducing this easy-to-customize scheduler into your special-needs curriculum.
5. iConverse An inexpensive program designed for iPhone and iPod touch, this app functions as a picture exchange communication system (PECS) for autistic children and autistic adults alike, as well as others with communicative disabilities.
6. AutismExpress This free app displays basic facial expressions in a way which is comical and instructional; excellent for children who have difficulty understanding emotions.
7. stories2learn Illustrate your own social stories for children with autism,  using pictures, text and audio with this customizable program geared towards enriching the curricula of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
8. MyTalk MobileThe MyTalk Mobile is an AAC device for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch; it also boasts the “My Talk Workspace,” which saves all info on a backup file in case of device crashing.
9. TapToTalkMake your own AAC albums with this app, currently including a library of 2,000 pics. Children can tap on each image to hear fun audio.
10. iComm Children who have cerebral palsy or autism will appreciate this fundamental communication system; iComm is an affordable alternative to many of the pricier communication devices.

Sources:

Fox News

Huffington Post

GadgetsDNA.com

We’ve all heard of overeaters binging themselves into a state of depression- a vicious circle which is difficult to get out of. But eating for happiness?

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is linked with depression

Vitamin B12 is essential for many aspects of brain development, such as myelination (the production of a protective layer around the brain) and the distributing of neurotransmitters to and from the brain. So it comes as no surprise that the Mayo Clinic suggests eating foods rich in vitamin B-12 as a means of preventing the onset of clinical depression.

“Eat to live, don’t live to eat.”

That’s a great motto if you happen to be an android. The fact is, eating is a sensual experience which we were meant to enjoy. (Why else would we have taste buds?) The key to good nutrition is finding foods you love that will love you right back.

Male depression is on the rise. Is it the recession or “Manpression?“

Here are some yummy appetizers and entrées which are naturally high in vitamin B-12:

• Fish tacos- Made popular by Rubio’s, the fish tacos is a tasty fusion of Cal-Mex and seafood cuisine.  Take a soft flour tortilla, add some fiery mango salsa, a dab of sour cream and a grilled fish fillet (hint: salmon is high in B-12).  It’s a wrap!

• Are you a Sushi lover? Then you’re going to love this- sushi and sashimi recipes typically include such high-in-B12 ingredients as roe (fish eggs), octopus, crab, shrimp, and mackerel. Pass the soy sauce!

• New England clam chowder– just the name elicits images of salty sea breezes, sailboats and clam bakes. Don’t have any recipes handy? Here is a list of variations on this classic soup recipe.

• Lean cuts of lamb are high in vitamin B-12 and a popular staple of many Middle Eastern cuisines. Here is a flavorful Lamb Moussaka recipe, as featured in epicurious.
• Tuna casserole is one of America’s fave comfort foods and it’s simple to make- combine canned tuna, cooked broad noodles, and a can of concentrated mushroom soup. Top it with some fried onions and pop it in the oven for 30 minutes. Tuna is high in B-12 and omega-3 fatty acids.

• Hamburgers barbecued with low-fat ground beef chuck are a great source of vitamin B-12. Serve it up on whole-grain buns with a side of oven roasted root veggies for a healthy upgrade from the typical artery-clogging burgers ‘n fries.

Sources:

Newsmax

HealthAliciousNess.com

At least 1.5 million Americans have lupus, an autoimmune disorder which affects all parts of the body, including the joints, skin and organs. Not to be confused with HIV, lupus is a noncontagious condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s healthy cells.

Sufferers of any autoimmune disease are recommended to boost their metabolism with vitamin supplements such as vitamin B12.

Here are 6 famous people who have lupus:

1) Lady Gaga, though not currently exhibiting any of the symptoms, told Larry King that she has tested “borderline positive” for lupus.  According to the Lupus Foundation of America and The American College of Rheumatology, a positive diagnosis of lupus may takes years and a battery of tests to determine.  Lady Gaga’s aunt Joanne died of lupus at the age of 19.

2) Toni Braxton. upon being diagnosed with lupus, tweeted to her fans, “Lupus medication actually causes most women to gain weight. But we’re still fabulous! I’m going to work it on out.” The drugs she referred to, Corticosteroids, are a form of steroid medication.

3) Musician Seal bears the mark of a skin-related form of lupus on his face; his scars are a result of discoid lupus, which causes extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet light and hair loss.

4) Cori Broadus, daughter of  rapper celebrity Snoop Dogg, first started showing the signs of lupus at the age of 6. She is able to do all the same things other kids her age do, like sports and secular activities, thanks to lupus medication.

5) Ball player Tim Raines first experienced the symptoms of lupus in 1999 when he began to feel fatigue and swelling in the knees during a game.  It turned out that lupus was attacking his kidneys; radiation therapy was prescribed and he was able to continue his career in sports until retiring in 2002.

6) Charles Kuralt died of heart disease only weeks after being diagnosed with lupus. More common in females, lupus in male patients is often undiagnosed.

7) Novelist Flannery O’ Connor passed away at the age of 39 when the removal of a tumor triggered a pre-existing condition of lupus. Her father also suffered from lupus. Close relatives of lupus carriers have a 5% chance of developing the condition themselves.

More can be learned about lupus at the Lupus Foundation of America.

Sources:

Health.com

Ever wonder what that rumbling in your tummy really means? Some say that it’s hunger growling for more food. But it could be the battle cry of bacteria as they fight it out for life or death in your digestive tract.

Yes, there’s a lot more action going on in your stomach than you probably realize. About 100 trillion microbes reside in your belly. Some of these are “good” bacteria- the kind that keep house by helping you digest food, utilize vitamins such as vitamin B12, boost your immunity, even protect you from the common cold. These beneficial bacteria are the ones you want living in your body.

But you share a common enemy- “bad” bacteria which constantly try to weaken the defenses, leading to such illnesses as autoimmune disorder, depression, allergies or Crohn’s Disease.

So how can you win the war?

1) Support the troops

Intestinal bacteria thrive on prebiotics, high-fiber foods such as artichokes, bananas, barley, flax seed and onions. These nutrients are essential for preventing irritable bowel syndrome, aiding calcium absorption, and decreasing diarrhea caused by antibiotics.

2) Recruit more soldiers

You can add to the number of good bugs by ingesting them in the form of probiotics, live microorganisms which are found in certain food products. Not all probiotics are the same, though; there are different strains to meet different health needs.  For example, Lactobacillus casei, which is found in some yogurts, has been proven to prevent ear infections and gastrointestinal infections in children. For irritable bowels, Bifidobacterium infantis has been proven helpful.

3) Maintain your defenses

Antibiotics might be good at killing infections, but they also kill off your beneficial bacteria. Doctors are hesitant to prescribe antibiotics for that reason, as a correlation exists between high antibiotic usage and weakened immune systems. In fact, Stanford University recently reported that taking two rounds of antibiotics within six months of each other may result in a deficiency in beneficial bacteria. Heartburn medicine has also been found to interfere with healthy microorganism production.

If you must take antibiotics, just make a point of supplementing the ratio of good bugs by taking probiotic pills, eating a healthy diet of greens and legumes and completing your antibiotic prescription, so that you won’t need to repeat it again.

Sources:

O Magazine

More men are battling with depression these days; medical experts attribute it to the recession, or “Mancession,” as it’s been dubbed, the insinuation being that the failing economy has had a much deeper impact on the emotional health of men compared to women.

According to the British Journal of Psychiatry, symptoms of male clinical depression are expected to increase over coming years, as many men have been forced to make significant changes in their lifestyles and are having difficulty dealing with depression.

• A growing number of men are becoming stay-at-home-dads, or “house moms,” a position unheard of in previous generations. While some are able to transition well to a home environment, most men find the change unsettling.
• Many employees who have been laid off have created home-based businesses as a last resort to unemployment. One of the challenges of working at home for many is the separation of “office time” and leisure time.

Depression has often been associated with women, most likely because of hormonal imbalances which occur during PMS and menopause. Men who succumb to depression are unequipped to deal with their feelings of helplessness on their own.

Symptoms of male depression include:

• tendency to project blame onto others
• preoccupation with receiving praise and recognition
• unresolved anger issues
• Uncharacteristically aggressive behavior
• Refusal to relinquish control
• Difficulty getting enough sleep
• Nervousness
• Tendency to self medicate

Statistics prove that 80% of all suicides in the US are committed by men; individuals who are suffering any of the symptoms described are urged to seek professional help immediately.

Valuable resources are available online for men to connect with others. A few web site worth reading are:

MenGetDepression.com

Live Science: Dads Get Postpartum Depression, Too

Sources:

British Journal of Psychiatry

Fox News

Midlife Passages

Ah, breakfast time: morning paper sitting on the coffee table, steaming plate of whole wheat French toast on the breakfast bar and relaxed, easy conversation with your kids before they go happily marching off to school. Sound too good to be true?

It is.

These days it’s more like a brown-bagged breakfast burrito in the car, a quick news update on the radio and a “have a nice day” text message between red lights. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for quasi-nutritious food fodder; whether rushing through the drive-through or dropping by for a power brunch it’s good to know you have options on the road.

Here are some nutritious menu items at your nearest fast food chains that are worth a second glance:

1) Cosi’s Spinach Florentine Breakfast Wrap: fluffy omelet, iron-rich spinach and warm tortilla. No plate, no fork, no problem.

2) Starbucks’ Protein Artisan Snack Plate has it all: juicy grapes and apple wedges, boiled egg and cheese slices, and a multi-grain muesli roll with peanut butter spread. All that and fresh coffee, too.

3) Jamba Juice’s Ideal Meal menu offers a complete breakfast in one batch of vitamin-rich goodness; the Berry Topper is a pureed concoction of strawberries, non-fat yogurt and blueberries, sprinkled with organic pumpkin flaxseed granola and banana slices.

4) Going to Denny’s? Nix the artery-clogging bacon plate in lieu of some scrambled egg whites, chicken sausage and wheat pancakes with sugarless syrup.

5) Surprisingly, McDonald’s breakfast menu features some healthy fast food breakfast options. Their Fruit and Maple Oatmeal has 290 calories, only 4.5 grams of fat and comes topped with fiber-rich raisins, cranberries and chopped red and green apples. And no, you don’t get fries with that.

Sources:

Health.com

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