my medical blog

E xposure to antidepressants during pregnancy does not impact a baby’s risk for autism or attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after birth. In an update to a 2014 study, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital examined data from nearly 3000 children with autis m or  ADHD-related disorders  in order to eliminate or explain the risk for pregnant mothers on antidepressants. The prior study, which was published in Molecular Psychiatry, found that the increased risk for autism or ADHD was likely related to the severity of the mother’s depression, rather than antidepressant exposure. That study authors added that a mother’s depression was a known risk factor for several neuropsychiatric disorders. Using a similar cohort, the updated research found that the incidence of autism and ADHD increased among children whose mothers had taken antidepressants prior to becoming pregnant. However, antidepressant use during pregnancy was not linked t...

Psoriasis   is a chronic (long-lasting) disease. It develops when a person’s immune system sends faulty signals that tell skin cells to grow too quickly. New skin cells form in days rather than weeks. The body does not shed these excess skin cells. The skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin, causing patches of psoriasis to appear.  Psoriasis may look contagious, but it's not. You cannot get psoriasis from touching someone who has it. To get psoriasis, a person must inherit the genes that cause it. Types of psoriasis If you have psoriasis, you will have one or more of these types: (Plaque  (also called  psoriasis vulgaris Guttate (Inverse  (also called flexural psoriasis or intertriginous psoriasis Pustular (Erythrodermic  (also called exfoliative psoriasis Some people get more than one type. Sometimes a person gets one type of psoriasis, and then the type of psoriasis changes.

Hypertension strikes 90% of individuals in their lifetimes, causes 7.6 million premature deaths globally on an annual basis, and leads to a loss of 92 million disability-adjusted life years. The  Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension  and Mediterranean diets complement pharmacotherapy to prevent cardiac outcomes in both the general and hypertensive populations. Hypertension’s diet-driven etiology includes vitamin deficiencies, high salt and alcohol consumption, and low fruit, vegetable, dairy food, and oily fish consumption. A multitude of studies has focused on dietary supplements and nutraceuticals—generally antioxidants with highly positive tolerability and safety profiles. Now, a team of researchers has reviewed the available research on nutraceuticals’ effects on blood pressure in a new study published online in the  British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology . The study collated English-language randomized, controlled trials and meta-analyses published between 199...

No matter how much time you put in at the gym or how thoughtfully you nourish your body, everyone suffers from body-image issues from time to time. When you need a little boost of self-esteem (and who doesn't), here are 9 of our favorite quotes and mantras. (Each quote is a separate image so, if you find one you really like, you can right click it to open in a new window and print it out.) Be sure to "Pin" this page to revisit when you need to be reminded that you're good enough as you are (right now) no matter what! " When life throws you curves, embrace them! " Whether you're curvy or thin or somewhere in between, embrace the body you have right now. Chicken legs or thunder thighs, your legs and feet take you where you want to go. Skinny arms or bat wings, your arms let you hug your kids. Love your body, it's your home! " Happiness isn't size specific . " Many people discover that after losing weight they're about as happy...

3. Limit food and beverage intake before bed.  As you lie down to sleep, acids in the stomach level out, making heartburn and indigestion more likely to occur. Also, your metabolism increases slightly to digest food, which can also raise your energy level. Stop eating at least three hours before your scheduled bedtime. If you must snack on something, keep it small, and avoid high-fat foods, which take longer to digest. Instead, have a granola bar, some toast, or a small bowl of cereal, but keep your portion small. Say no to stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, which can raise blood pressure and energy levels. Alcohol may be a depressant, but after its sedative effects wear off, your sleep patterns will suffer. 4. Consider a natural approach.  Certain herbal teas can help you relax and fall asleep. Chamomile is a popular herb that slows the nervous system and promotes relaxation, for example. As always, consult your health care provider, use herbs and other supplements only...

As a college student, I had my fair share of sleepless nights. But as I matured (and learned from the adverse affects I suffered because of those late nights), I began to realize that at the core of a healthy, long life is good sleep. Surprisingly, what we hear about health usually revolves around exercise and nutrition; the truth about sleep—one of the most important factors to attaining vitality—is often left out of the mix. Losing sleep is certainly not something to be taken lightly. An occasional night of tossing and turning is normal, but continued patterns of this behavior can cause real problems in your ability to function normally. Research shows that inadequate sleep can have disastrous effects on your weight loss efforts, impair your concentration, and even mimic the symptoms of impaired glucose tolerance (which can lead to diabetes and hypertension). Your mood also suffers when you don’t get enough shut-eye, causing you to become disoriented on the job, fatigued behind the...