Moms' smoking linked to psychiatric meds in kids

(Reuters Health) - Kids whose moms smoked while pregnant were more likely to end up on medications such as antidepressants, stimulants and drugs for addiction in a new study from Finland that hints at maternal smoking's effect on a baby's developing brain.

While the findings don't prove that cigarette smoking during pregnancy causes changes in kids' brains or behavior, they offer one more piece of evidence that should encourage women not to light up while pregnant, the researchers wrote in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The new study is "entirely consistent with a large and still-growing research literature on the effects of prenatal and secondhand smoke exposure on the mental health of children," said Dr. Michael Weitzman, who studies that topic at New York University Medical Center and was not involved in the new study.

"I found it very interesting and very important," Weitzman said.

The research, he added, is the first he knows of that looks specifically at use of psychiatric medications in kids whose moms had smoked.

That's important, the authors noted, because tracking medication prescriptions may pick up on more mild conditions than studies that only include kids who are hospitalized for mental illness, for example.

Mikael Ekblad of Turku University Hospital and colleagues used Finnish data for 175,000 kids born in the country between 1987 and 1989.

At that time, midwives had asked all new mothers if they smoked during pregnancy.

The researchers then matched those birth records to a nationwide database of prescription drugs covered by insurance between 1994 and 2007 -- when the kids were between five and 20 years old.

One in 11 kids was prescribed a psychiatric medication at some point during that period, including anti-anxiety drugs, antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants and drugs for addiction.

Of kids and teens whose moms didn't smoke during pregnancy, 8 percent were on at least one of those drugs during the study period.

That compared to 11 percent of those whose moms smoked less than 10 cigarettes a day, and close to 14 percent whose moms had lit up more than 10 times per day.

The link remained when researchers left out babies who were born early or very small -- other factors that could affect future mental health.

It also stuck when they looked at each class of drugs on its own, and was strongest for stimulant drugs that target attention problems and hyperactivity and drugs for addiction.

Weitzman said the finding that depression medications were also linked to smoking was a "new and intriguing" one that would have to be examined in future research.

The study did have its limitations. For example, Ekblad and colleagues couldn't take into account whether moms had been on psychotropic medications themselves, or if they used alcohol or illicit drugs during pregnancy.

They also didn't know which dads smoked while kids were in the womb -- or if either moms or dads smoked after the babies were born, when their brains would have been still developing.

Weitzman said that it's "so hard to disentangle" the effects of parents' smoking during pregnancy from smoking when kids are growing up.

After all, he said, kids who are exposed to one kind of secondhand smoke are often exposed to both.

"Very few women smoke just during pregnancy," he told Reuters Health.

Exactly how smoking could change a growing baby or child's brain is unclear.

The researchers said it's possible that nicotine could affect brain development, or that access to oxygen during pregnancy might be reduced when moms smoke.

Either way, "At the very least, parents need to be educated that they might be doing brain damage to their children" if they smoke during key times in development, Weitzman said.

He added that doctors should keep this in mind and look out for mental health problems in their young patients.

SOURCE: bit.ly/odEWLe American Journal of Epidemiology

Understanding Male Hypogonadism

Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough testosterone, the hormone that plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty.

You may be born with male hypogonadism, or it can develop later in life from injury or infection. The effects — and what you can do about them — depend on the cause and at what point in your life male hypogonadism occurs. Some types of male hypogonadism can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy.

Hypogonadism can begin during fetal development, before puberty or during adulthood. Signs and symptoms depend on when the condition develops.

Fetal development
If the body doesn't produce enough testosterone during fetal development, the result may be impaired growth of the external sex organs. Depending on when hypogonadism develops, and how much testosterone is present, a child who is genetically male may be born with:

·         Female genitals

·         Ambiguous genitals — genitals that are neither clearly male nor clearly female

·         Underdeveloped male genitals

Puberty
Male hypogonadism may delay puberty or cause incomplete or lack of normal development. It can cause:

·         Decreased development of muscle mass

·         Lack of deepening of the voice

·         Impaired growth of body hair

·         Impaired growth of the penis and testicles

·         Excessive growth of the arms and legs in relation to the trunk of the body

·         Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)

Adulthood
In adult males, hypogonadism may alter certain masculine physical characteristics and impair normal reproductive function. Signs and symptoms may include:

·         Erectile dysfunction

·         Infertility

·         Decrease in beard and body hair growth

·         Decrease in muscle mass

·         Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)

·         Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)

Hypogonadism can also cause mental and emotional changes. As testosterone decreases, some men may experience symptoms similar to those of menopause in women. These may include:

·         Fatigue

·         Decreased sex drive

·         Difficulty concentrating

·         Hot flashes

When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have any symptoms of male hypogonadism. Establishing the cause of hypogonadism is an important first step to getting appropriate treatment.

Causes

Male hypogonadism means the testicles don't produce enough of the male sex hormone testosterone. There are two basic types of hypogonadism:

·         Primary. This type of hypogonadism — also known as primary testicular failure — originates from a problem in the testicles.

·         Secondary. This type of hypogonadism indicates a problem in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland — parts of the brain that signal the testicles to produce testosterone. The hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which signals the pituitary gland to make follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone. Luteinizing hormone then signals the testes to produce testosterone.

Either type of hypogonadism may be caused by an inherited (congenital) trait or something that happens later in life (acquired), such as an injury or an infection.

Primary hypogonadism
Common causes of primary hypogonadism include:

·         Klinefelter syndrome. This condition results from a congenital abnormality of the sex chromosomes, X and Y. A male normally has one X and one Y chromosome. In Klinefelter syndrome, two or more X chromosomes are present in addition to one Y chromosome. The Y chromosome contains the genetic material that determines the sex of a child and related development. The extra X chromosome that occurs in Klinefelter syndrome causes abnormal development of the testicles, which in turn results in underproduction of testosterone.

·         Undescended testicles. Before birth, the testicles develop inside the abdomen and normally move down into their permanent place in the scrotum. Sometimes one or both of the testicles may not be descended at birth. This condition often corrects itself within the first few years of life without treatment. If not corrected in early childhood, it may lead to malfunction of the testicles and reduced production of testosterone.

·         Mumps orchitis. If a mumps infection involving the testicles in addition to the salivary glands (mumps orchitis) occurs during adolescence or adulthood, long-term testicular damage may occur. This may affect normal testicular function and testosterone production.

·         Hemochromatosis. Too much iron in the blood can cause testicular failure or pituitary gland dysfunction affecting testosterone production.

·         Injury to the testicles. Because they're situated outside the abdomen, the testicles are prone to injury. Damage to normally developed testicles can cause hypogonadism. Damage to one testicle may not impair total testosterone production.

·         Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer can interfere with testosterone and sperm production. The effects of both treatments often are temporary, but permanent infertility may occur. Although many men regain their fertility within a few months after treatment ends, preserving sperm before starting cancer therapy is an option that many men consider.

Secondary hypogonadism
In secondary hypogonadism, the testicles are normal but function improperly due to a problem with the pituitary or hypothalamus. A number of conditions can cause secondary hypogonadism, including:

·         Kallmann syndrome. Abnormal development of the hypothalamus — the area of the brain that controls the secretion of pituitary hormones — can cause hypogonadism. This abnormality is also associated with impaired development of the ability to smell (anosmia) and red-green color blindness.

·         Pituitary disorders. An abnormality in the pituitary gland can impair the release of hormones from the pituitary gland to the testicles, affecting normal testosterone production. A pituitary tumor or other type of brain tumor located near the pituitary gland may cause testosterone or other hormone deficiencies. Also, the treatment for a brain tumor, such as surgery or radiation therapy, may impair pituitary function and cause hypogonadism.

·         Inflammatory disease. Certain inflammatory diseases, such as sarcoidosis, histiocytosis and tuberculosis, involve the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and can affect testosterone production, causing hypogonadism.

·         HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS can cause low levels of testosterone by affecting the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the testes.

·         Medications. The use of certain drugs, such as opiate pain medications and some hormones, can affect testosterone production.

·         Obesity. Being significantly overweight at any age may be linked to hypogonadism.

·         Normal aging. Older men generally have lower testosterone levels than younger men do. As men age, there's a slow and continuous decrease in testosterone production. The rate at which testosterone declines varies greatly among men. As many as 30 percent of men older than 75 have a testosterone level that's below normal, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Whether treatment is necessary remains a matter of debate.

Complications

The complications of untreated hypogonadism differ depending on what age it first develops — during fetal development, puberty or adulthood.

Fetal development
A baby may be born with:

·         Ambiguous genitalia

·         Abnormal genitalia

Puberty
Pubertal development can be delayed or incomplete, resulting in:

·         Diminished or lack of beard and body hair

·         Impaired penis and testicle growth

·         Unproportional growth, usually increased length, of arms and legs compared with the trunk

·         Enlarged male breasts (gynecomastia)

Adulthood
Complications may include:

·         Infertility

·         Erectile dysfunction

·         Decreased sex drive

·         Fatigue

·         Muscle loss or weakness

·         Enlarged male breasts (gynecomastia)

·         Decreased beard and body hair growth

·         Osteoporosis

Say no to water between meals

Glugging water during meals severely hampers your stomach's digestive powers and causes insulin levels to fluctuate significantly, warns Microboitic counsellor Shonali Sabherwal

To know if you're drinking enough water, it is often said, just check if you are feeling thirsty. If you aren't, your fluid intake is likely to be just about right. But downing glasses of water along with your meals may not be the best time to quench your thirst.

Macrobiotic counsellor Shonali Sabherwal explains why you should not drink water during your meal. "Most Indians have water along with their meals. The usual theory is washing down the food while eating. People have no idea how wrong this practice is and how difficult this can be for their digestion. For those suffering with digestion problems, the ramifications are manifold. Our stomachs have a knack of knowing when you will eat and starts releasing digestive juices immediately. If you start drinking water at the same time, what you are actually doing is diluting the digestive juices being released to digest your food, thereby hindering them from breaking down food."

Research shows that sipping a little water during meals isn't a cause for concern but drinking a glass or two may interfere with digestion. It is best to drink fluids before and two hours after meals as this helps in absorption of nutrients, researchers have found.

Elaborating on what exactly happens inside you when you glug water during meals, Sabherwal says that it gets absorbed by the intestinal walls of the stomach. "This absorption continues till it becomes concentrated enough for the digestive juices to begin digesting your food. However, due to it getting mixed with water, this concentrated substance is now thicker than the food contents present in your stomach. So less gastric juice will be secreted to digest your food. The result is, undigested food leaks into your system as it gets absorbed through the stomach walls. This will also lead to acid reflux and heart burn." Drinking water with meals can also cause a surge in your insulin levels, almost like the way high glycemic food would affect you, Sabherwal cautions. "The more insulin is released in to your blood stream, the higher the chances of you storing fat in your body."

To avoid watering down your meals, Sabherwal suggests a few don'ts. "Make sure your food is not too salty as that would aggravate your thirst and trigger your need to down more water. Besides, eating in a hurry will cause you to gulp your food down. Most likely, you would feel the need to wash it down with water while you are at it. Instead, chew, chew and then chew some more. We secrete a lot of digestive juices (enzymes) while chewing, which makes our stomach's job easier."

5 Ways to break the ice with mum-in-law

Here's an incident that will grab the attention of all prospective daughter-in-laws.

UK resident Carolyn Bourne stated in an email to her son's fiancee Heidi Withers that she needed 'guidance from experts' because of her lack of manners. What manners? Apparently, Withers didn't wake up early enough while spending a weekend with her boyfriend's family and didn't write a 'thank you' letter to the would-be mother-in-law! The incident became an internet sensation after the letter went viral. Meeting prospective in-laws is a daunting task for any woman. But you can get it right. Here's how.

Don't try to be someone else
Your future mother-in-law is bound to be guarded as you are the 'new woman' in her son's life. She wants the best for him, so she'll definitely size you up. Avoid faking an accent or trying to be someone else.

Don't show you are nervous
Being nervous is natural. However, it helps if you appear confident with a good posture. Don't shy away from making eye contact with your mother-in-law.

Skip embarrassing incidents
As this is the first time you're meeting, avoid talking about family problems like property fights and narrating embarrassing incidents.

Wait and watch
Ameeta Shanghavi Shah, a relationship expert, says, "It's best to wait and watch. Be a listener rather than a talker. Don't be confrontational and avoid arguments. Ask questions so you can get to know your mother-inlaw better. Be warm, friendly, courteous and appreciative of the efforts of your hostess. If you think you are not comfortable with the line of questions, change the track of the conversation rather than being rude."

Dress right for the occasion
Wear something comfortable and not too revealing. A low-cut dress will immediately put an elderly person off, conservative or liberal. Basic etiquette can go a long way in making a good first impression according to clinical psychologist Dr Seema Hingorrany. "Don't be flashy or garish with your choice of clothes or make-up.Take something for your mother-in-law, she is bound to remember the courtesy," she says.

Winter skin makeover tips

Radiate beauty, glow and look youthful this winter. Don't let your skin get susceptible to a horde of dry skin diseases, or let it turn chap, scaly, flaky or even cracked.

To bring in the new season with hydrated and healthy skin, Dr Seema Malik of Eleganza Rejuvenation Clinic, Delhi, brings forth quick winter and party skin makeovers for you.

Get the glow in one day
Microderm Abrasion or skin polishing for revealing a new brighter layer of skin. This painless procedure involves sloughing off the outermost layer of dead skin cells which make your skin look pale and dull.

Glow in one week
Photo facials: Infra red light is passed over the dermis to increase the blood circulation and reduce pigmentation. It's a half-an-hour procedure with no side effects. You can see the results in 3 days' time. Instant glow and blush.

AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) facials: Such facials improve the action of the capillaries, skin texture and tighten pores inducing relaxation and calming the mind. Fruits are chosen according to the skin type, banana for dry skin and orange for oily skin, formulated with AHAs, which help the skin look smoother and healthier are used.

Oxy-facials: Detoxifying facials for those in the field job, facing dust and grime, or working on computers. This facial in essence gives oxygen to the skin.

Photo facial: Photo facial can be effectively applied, in order to improve jumbo follicles, and to eliminate dullness, skin infection and allergies, wrinkles, flaccid skin, hyper-pigmentation spots etc. It can also be used to treat sun damage and weathered areas on the neck, arms etc.

Anti-oxidant facials: This facial uses creams and masks enriched with free-radical fighting agents like vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E. Pollutants are first detached, and the skin is then deep cleansed This is recommended for people who travel a lot or have a field job.

Light peel facial: Mild chemical solution is used to peel off the topmost layer of the skin revealing younger-looking, brighter skin.

Guavas are the 'ultimate superfood'

A new study led by an Indian origin researcher has found that guavas are the 'ultimate superfood' with the highest concentration of antioxidants that protect against cell damage which ages skin and can cause cancer.

A series of tests conducted on Indian fruits, including Himalayan apples and pomegranates, bananas from the south and grapes from Maharashtra, found that the guava, the poor man's fruit in India, has the highest concentration of antioxidants as compared to all the other fruits.

According to scientists from India's National Institute in Hyderabad, the Indian plum, the custard apple and India's beloved mangoes, come after guavas in antioxidant richness.

The study found that while there is a presence of antioxidant concentrations of just under 500 milligrams per 100 grams in guavas, 330mg in plums and 135mg in pomegranates, apples have a quarter of the antioxidants in guavas and bananas merely have a tiny fraction with 30 mg per 100 grams.

Watermelons and pineapples were found to offer the least protection for the body's fight against free radicals, which can cause cell damage, whereas mangoes, despite a high fructose content, have 170 mg of antioxidants, which is more than three times that of papaya, and grapes were found to be three times more beneficial to the body than oranges.

"Guava is a rich source of antioxidants, a rich source of fibre. It's a poor mans fruit because they're quite cheap. A guava a day keeps a doctor away," the Telegraph quoted Dr Sreeramulu as saying.

The study will be published in the Food Research International journal.

10 Foods you can't live without

Yes that's right! Here's a list of healthy and nutritious foods that you simply cannot ignore. These foods are tasty, aid fitness, and should be consumed on a regular basis to ensure you eat a well-balanced, all-round healthy diet.

The vegetarians among you will need to find alternatives and substitutes for a few, but don't worry - there are plenty of plant based healthy foods in this list of 10 foods you can't ignore.

Lots of fish rich in Omega 3 - A fatty fish rich in Omega 3 is really important to get your ratio balance to 1:1 (Omega 3 : Omega 6). The top 5 fish for this purpose are - Mackeral, Trout, Herring, Tuna, and Salmon. Vegetarians should take Omega 3 supplements, if a fish oil supplement is a no no. Here is the low-down on the supplements.

Broccoli - The benefits of broccoli are many. This is one vegetable that is a tasty addition to your salad if cooked well and can be a fun addition to your daily dinner. And absorbent broccoli does a great job of soaking up fats and helping flush excess out of your system.

Eggs - This is one addition to the diet that even vegetarians should partake in. With healthy fats and proteins, eggs are great for a filling breakfast and if you eat these you won't need to eat again in a hurry. Eggs can be enjoyed in a spicy masala curry as well as a great dish for dinner, for those who cant stand to eat them along. Here are some recipes for unique ways to cook eggs.

Spinach - Another must have vegetable made popular by Popeye, this fictional character got it right! Spinach offers calcium and magnesium in plenty, pairs well with meat of any kind, can be sauteed, steamed, thrown into soups, or eaten raw, and provides roughage. As flexible as they come, this green vegetable has so much nutrition that it's hard to ignore.

Berries - So rich in antioxidants and so low in sugar, most berries are right up there with foods we should try to get out hands on as often as possible. These are the most nutritionally dense fruits you can eat. Read more about the best fruits here.

Nuts - Macadamia, almonds, pistas, most nuts are great because they are a great filler between meals, they actually keep you full, and they are rich in proteins and good fats. Keep some nuts handy on you and they will prevent you from reaching for that bag of chips. Read more about the best snacks to keep you full.

Tomatoes - Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? The fact is that tomatoes are loaded with nutrients that'll complete any breakfast, lunch or dinner - making each meal healthier and more filling. Tomatoes have lycopene and red orbs which are well known for their cancer-defending properties. They are full of Vitamin A and Vitamin K, which help in keeping your blood pressure levels under control.

A good steak or bacon now and then - Every once in a while it's good to have a good chunk of red meat. This is because red meat contains animal fats and proteins and on the whole makes for an extremely wholesome and satiating meal. And unless you are properly satiated with your food, you are not eating well. A nice rack of lamb will do very well too.

Dark chocolate - For that sweet tooth it is important to keep some dark chocolate handy. This will help you overcome the urge for reaching for some unhealthy, sweet dessert that it's best you say away from whether you are skinny, fat, or somewhere in between. Dark chocolate that contains at least 60% cocoa is good for heart and liver health.