Mental Attitude: Autism Risk May Be Mostly Genetic. While autism is believed to be caused by an interaction of genetics and
other factors, investigators have not reached an agreement on how much of an influence genes have on a child's risk for developing
autism. A new study claims that about 52.4% of autism cases can be traced back to both common and rare inherited gene variations.
The study's lead author, Dr. Joseph D. Buxbaum, writes, "We show very clearly that inherited common variants comprise the bulk of
the risk that sets up susceptibility to autism." Nature Genetics, July 2014
Health Alert: ADHD in Children Linked to Nicotine Use During Pregnancy? According to a new report, women who smoke
during pregnancy increase the risk of their child developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by as much as 83%. The study also hints at the possibility that nicotine-replacement products used during pregnancy can pose a similar risk. Co-author Dr. Timothy Wilens adds, "If at all possible, try not to smoke when conceiving. If you think you've conceived and you're smoking, it's best to come off cigarettes as quickly as possible. If you need to use nicotine-replacement therapy, use it for as short a time as possible."
Pediatrics, August 2014
Diet: Many Kids Eat Fruits & Veggies Daily. More than 75% of American children eat fruit daily and nearly 92% consume
vegetables every day, according to a new health survey. The report did not address whether kids ate enough vegetables and fruit to
meet dietary guidelines but experts are encouraged by the findings. It's recommended that parents make fruits and vegetables a part of
every meal and that starting these practices early can shape a child’s future taste preferences. NCHS Data Brief, July 2014
Exercise: Injuries on the Increase Among High School Lacrosse Players. Currently, over 170,000 high school students in the
United States play lacrosse. A new study indicates that lacrosse players are facing an increasing number of injuries during games and practice. Although the authors of the study don't speculate on the underlying cause for the increase in injury reports, the majority of the injuries are classified as sprains and strains, and 22% are listed as concussions. Researchers offer several tips for reducing the number of lacrosse injuries such as following the rules of the game, limiting contact among players, recognizing symptoms of a
concussion and seeking immediate medical attention, making sure all equipment and gear is properly fitted, warming-up before games and practice, staying hydrated, and having an emergency action plan for sports injuries.
American Journal of Sports Medicine, July 2014
Chiropractic: Hip Arthritis Responds to Chiropractic. A 70-year-old female presented for chiropractic treatment for left hip pain
that she had been suffering from for approximately one year. She also reported a history of falls, poor balance, muscle pain, and hip
arthritis. After 12 weeks of treatment that included spinal manipulation, mobilization, and passive stretching, her range of motion increased, her balanced improved, her disability decreased, and she rated the overall change in her condition as “very much
improved.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, March 2011
Wellness/Prevention: Good Schools May Be Beneficial for a Teen's Health. Lower-income teens who applied to and were
randomly chosen to attend better performing high schools appear to take fewer health risks than their peers who applied for the same
schools but were not chosen. These risks include carrying a weapon, binge-drink, and having multiple sex partners. Study author Dr. Kelli Komro writes, "The findings emphasize the importance of high-performing schools for both academic and health outcomes, which provides even greater imperative to enhance the academic performance of all schools." Pediatrics, July 2014
Quote: “It was always the becoming he dreamed of, never the being.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
To Receive The “Weekly Health Update” (every Monday) and other information from 30-A Medical,
click the 'Subscribe' button below:
(A mobile version of this site is available for access via your smartphone so you can get your Weekly Health Updates on the go.)
