Kids' Concussion Recovery Varies by Symptom Severity: Study

Identifying which factors lead to longer recoveries may improve treatment

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- Children with more severe concussion symptoms take longer to recover from their head injury than those with milder symptoms, a new study finds.

Most children recover from sports-related concussions within a few days, but some continue to have symptoms for a month or longer. The reasons for this have been unclear. The authors of this study sought to identify risk factors that might be associated with longer recovery times.

The researchers analyzed data from 182 children who were seen at a sports concussion clinic within three weeks of their injury. The patients completed the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), which uses a 0-6 scale to assess the severity of 22 symptoms. The higher the number, the more severe the symptoms.

The investigators found that the total score on the PCSS was independently associated with the length of time that patients had concussion symptoms. The higher the score, the more likely a child would have symptoms for longer than 28 days, according to the study published April 25 in The Journal of Pediatrics.

Identifying risk factors for prolonged recovery from concussion will enable doctors to provide the best treatment for patients, said the researchers from Boston Children's Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Some of the symptoms included on the PCSS questionnaire include headache, vomiting, balance problems, sleeping more or less than usual, sensitivity to light or noise, fatigue, numbness, problems with memory or concentration, and visual problems.

"Parents, physicians and caregivers of athletes who suffer from a high-degree of symptoms after a sports-related concussion should start preparing for the possibility of a prolonged recovery," study author Dr. William Meehan said in a journal news release.

Some previous studies found that younger patients and those with memory loss had longer recovery times after suffering a concussion. But this study did not find that age or amnesia are risk factors for prolonged recovery time, the investigators pointed out in the news release.

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discouraged

Today i just started this app i have been trying for a long time to lose weight but it was always a struggle im hoping this app will help me but i feel so discouraged..its hard to get away from the junk food :/

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What to Order This Week: Wendy's

Wendy's may have updated their logo, but that's not the only change this fast food restaurant chain has made. The brand once best-known for their square burgers has gone fresh and healthy, lightening up their menus with new salad entrees and delicious, multigrain flatbreads. Oh, did you know that Wendy's also launched a new mobile app? It also has new menu innovations including the addition of premium salad entrees and fresh flatbreads. Plus, Wendy's mobile nutrition app (available at the iTunes store and Google Play) makes it easier than ever to personalize your meal based on your desired number of calories -- regardless of whether you want a Frosty or a Hamburger Jr. But, I'm inclined to recommend some of the freshest, newest meals on Wendy's menu.

Apple Pecan Chicken Salad: A blend of fresh lettuce and spring mix salad greens, topped with real blue cheese crumbles, U.S. grown, hand-picked Granny Smith and sweet red apple pieces, roasted pecans, cayenne pepper, dried Ocean Spray cranberries and warm grilled chicken. This salad comes with all natural dressing, and it's entree-sized portion comes in at 570 calories and provides a whopping 37 grams of protein and 6 grams of filling fiber.Berry Almond Chicken Salad: Featuring fresh summer produce, Wendy's Berry Almond Chicken Salad -- which won't be in stores till June and will only be around for the season --  is packed with plump, tangy blueberries and hand-cut California strawberries atop a blend of 11 kinds of field greens. A warm grilled chicken breast, shredded Asiago cheese and California almonds roasted with sea salt round out this robust salad. It's topped with a fat-free raspberry vinaigrette dressing. An entree-sized portion of this flavorful salad supplies three servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit and has 360 calories, while a half-size portion provides two servings of vegetables and a half serving of fruit at 230 calories (but both counts are without dressing).Smoky Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Flatbread: Grilled, all-white meat chicken breast, spring mix, tomatoes and smoky honey mustard sauce are all wrapped up in a five-grain toasted flatbread makes for an amazing sammy. This flatbread is full of flavor yet comes in at just 370 calories and provides 22 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. (Confession: It was also the office's favorite.)

What's your favorite thing to order at Wendy's? Tweet me at @sarahjaneRD and @SELFMagazine!

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Beyonce's Hot H&M Ad, Take a Pilates Class This Weekend for Charity and More!

Our fave lady Beyonce looks stunning in her new H&M beachwear ad, to say the least. Check it out to drool over the swimsuits and hear her summery new tune "Standing on the Sun." [People]

This Saturday, April 27, Pilates studios around the world are participating in Pilates Gives Back to raise money for charities. Get your stretch on while doing good -- it's the best of both worlds! [Mind Body Online]

If you've ever wondered how long a McDonald's burger can last, we've got the answer -- and it's pretty gross. David Whipple still has a McDonald's hamburger he bought in July 1999, and it looks almost as good as new. [Fox News]

A new study suggests that you may be able to "catch" depressive thoughts from your friends. The good news is that healthy thinking is also contagious, so surround yourself with positive people to give your brain a boost! [CNN]

Image Credit: Courtesy of H&M

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Tummy Time and Infant Development

What is tummy time and why is it important to your infant's development? Our experts weigh in.

During tummy time, your baby lays on her belly to play while you supervise. Since your baby sleeps on her back to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), she needs to spend some of her awake time on her stomach to develop physically and mentally.

On her tummy, your baby lifts her head, which strengthens her neck and upper back muscles.

Being able to move her head reduces your baby’s risk of SIDS because she can move away from anything smothering her. Strong muscles let your baby roll over, sit, and crawl.

Tummy time also gives your little one a different view of the world.

Babies need to learn how to support their heads when they are still, says Tanya Altmann, MD, a pediatrician in California. “They also need to be able to turn their head in response to what's happening around them and hold their heads steady when they're moved."

Spending time on her stomach also helps your baby's head become round instead of developing flat spots on the back of her head.

Tummy time can begin right after birth, says Chris Tolcher, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician in California, or definitely by the time your baby is a month old.

For the first few weeks, you may want to delay tummy time until her umbilical cord stump falls off. As long as your baby is comfortable, though, you can safely let her play on her stomach right away.

You may be surprised to see that “even a newborn can start to turn [her] head side to side," says Laura Jana, MD, a Nebraska pediatrician.

Remember: Never let your baby sleep on her tummy, because even one time increases her risk of SIDS. When you put your baby on her tummy, always place her on a smooth, flat surface with no loose items (toys, blankets, pillows) close to her, which might block her airway, Tolcher says.

Some pediatricians suggest having your baby play on her stomach five or 10 minutes a couple times a day. Others say you don't have to worry about a set amount of time. There’s no set guideline.

"I usually recommend starting to offer tummy time at least once per day," says Scott Cohen, MD, FAAP, an attending pediatrician at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He suggests leaving your baby on her tummy as long as she accepts it -- whether that’s 15 seconds or 15 minutes.

It's time to pick your baby up if she starts crying or fussing.

Some babies initially resist tummy time because they don't have good control and find it hard to lift their heads. But the more practice your baby gets, the better she’ll like it, says Cohen, who is also the author of Eat, Sleep, Poop.

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Kourtney Kardashian and son Mason shopping in London

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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I'm a 14 yr old with anorexia trying to eat more is this enough?

This is my lunch is this enough? I would be having more turkey but I ran out and I'll be having more when my mum gets home because she getting more.

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Motorcycle Deaths Continue to Climb: Report

WEDNESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- An estimated 5,000 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads in 2012, an increase of about 9 percent from the previous year, a new report shows.

Last year's number of motorcyclist deaths is near an all-time high, and motorcyclists remain one of the few roadway user groups where no progress has been seen over the past decade, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report noted.

"In my state [Oregon], an improving economy and a longer window of nice weather meant there were more riders and riding days. The fatality increase is disheartening. Every motorcyclist deserves to arrive at their destination safely. These numbers represent real people -- they are family, friends and neighbors," Troy Costales, GHSA's immediate past chairman and head of Oregon's highway safety program, said in a GHSA news release.

The projected number of motorcyclist deaths for 2012 is based on state-by-state data for the first nine months of the year. Similar projections in previous years mirrored the final numbers.

Comparing the first nine months of 2011 and 2012, the report found that motorcyclist deaths increased in 34 states last year, decreased in 16 states and remained the same in the District of Columbia. Increases were seen in every region of the country and were quite high in many states. For example, motorcyclist deaths rose 32 percent in Oregon and 29 percent in Indiana.

With the economy improving, more people have disposable income for buying and riding motorcycles, the report noted. At the same time, high gas prices lead to more people buying fuel-efficient vehicles such as motorcycles.

The report also found a decrease in the number of states with laws that require all riders to wear helmets. That number is currently 19, down from 26 in 1997.

"All of the trends with motorcyclist deaths are really going in the wrong direction. This report is an urgent reminder that we must do more to address a problem that will only get worse with increased ridership. We are talking about 5,000 tragedies a year with no sign of progress," GHSA chairman Kendell Poole, director of Tennessee's highway safety program, said in the news release.

"The good news is that we know how to prevent crashes and the resulting injuries and fatalities involving motorcycle riders and their passengers. There are effective strategies that, when implemented, can make a difference," he added.

The report outlined a number of ways to reduce motorcyclist deaths. These include: increasing helmet use; reducing speeding and impaired riding; providing rider training to all who need or want it; ensuring proper licensing of riders; and encouraging all drivers to share the road with motorcyclists.

-- Robert Preidt
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: Governors Highway Safety Association, news release, April 24, 2013

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Summer nails

Nail Enamel, £10, Paul & Joe Beaute www.paul-joe-beaute.com available in store at Harrods, Knightsbridge Fenwick, New Bond Street, Selfridges, from Asos.com and beautybay.com

Paul & Joe bring you five pop shades of summer nail enamel from their Beach Baby 2013 collection. We tested the coral colour, Rio 035, and it was as beautiful on our paws as it was in the cute retro-style bottle. After only one coat of Rio, nails were covered evenly without any transparency. At £10 the nail enamel guarantees quality, durability and most importantly, it will match your swimwear!

By Lisa JC

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U.S. Doctors' Group Labels Obesity a Disease

Advocates say AMA's move will boost resources to fight weight-gain epidemic, but others question decision

By Steven Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- In an effort to focus greater attention on the weight-gain epidemic plaguing the United States, the American Medical Association has now classified obesity as a disease.

The decision will hopefully pave the way for more attention by doctors on obesity and its dangerous complications, and may even increase insurance coverage for treatments, experts said.

"Recognizing obesity as a disease will help change the way the medical community tackles this complex issue that affects approximately one in three Americans," AMA board member Dr. Patrice Harris said in a statement Tuesday. "The AMA is committed to improving health outcomes and is working to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, which are often linked to obesity."

One expert thinks the AMA's decision, approved Tuesday at the group's annual meeting, could lead to greater coverage by insurance companies of treatments for obesity.

"We already treat obesity as a chronic illness," said Dr. Esa Matius Davis, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. "But this decision will bring more resources into the picture because it will, hopefully, allow for more insurance coverage and that really has been the issue of getting people the help that they need," she said.

Treatments for obesity -- including drugs, nutritional counseling and surgery, if needed -- often don't get reimbursed by insurance companies, Davis said. That means many patients aren't getting the care they need because they can't afford to pay the out-of-pocket costs, she said.

If insurance covered these services "it would increase referrals and treatment and that would be a huge step in the right direction," Davis said.

Right now, Davis gets insurance coverage for her obese patients by diagnosing them with high blood pressure or high cholesterol or diabetes, or other obesity-related conditions. But, that still leaves many obese patients out in the cold, she said.

The Obesity Society, which calls itself the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity, applauded the AMA's decision. "The passage of a new American Medical Association policy classifying obesity as a disease reinforces the science behind obesity prevention and treatment," Theodore Kyle, advocacy chair, said in a statement.

"This vital recognition of obesity as a disease can help to ensure more resources are dedicated to needed research, prevention and treatment; encourage health care professionals to recognize obesity treatment as a needed and respected vocation; and, reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by the millions affected," he said.

Kyle said the AMA has now joined a number of organizations that have previously made this classification, including the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Social Security Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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Our Favorite Hair Products Under $20

Ladies, we feel you -- we know that managing our manes can be tedious at times. But with the right product, you can transform your "blah" hair into some seriously lustrous locks -- or whatever resulting look you're going after.

Want streaky, colored strands? We've got you covered. Or, if parched locks are your problem, try this week-long treatment that will literally transform your tresses.

We've tried, tested and approved all of these amazingly helpful budget hair buys. Now get shopping!

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cutting back

HI !
yesterday , I've wemt to my dietitian and I've gained ! ( Happy me )
anyways , she have gave me a weight to reach and it is so close that i can reach it really soon

so , how couldi start cutting back ? can i drop to 2500 then 2000 ? just how ? my appointment with her is after 21 days :(

btw, she gave me ensure again ! that LOTS OF IT , so i can use it still right ? 

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Drop 10 Success Story: "I Haven't Felt This Good About Myself in a Long Time."

Tori Bachan, 21, of Brooklyn, New York, shed 10 pounds in five weeks (and counting!) with SELF's Drop 10 plan this spring. "I am so proud of all of the hard work I have been putting in and the results I continue to see on a daily basis," she says.

HER MOTIVATION

With her college graduation on the horizon, Bachan wanted to embrace a healthy lifestyle, but getting to the gym regularly and maintaining healthy eating habits--especially with her job as a music industry professional, which requires her to be on the road a lot--was a struggle. Instead of reaching for nutritious options, Bachan found herself in college dining halls or fast food joints, where healthy choices were harder to find.

THE PAYOFF

Courtesy of Drop 10, Bachan has a slew of new favorite healthy foods on her go-to menu. She keeps an eye out for Drop 10 superfoods when she's eating on the road, and when she's not traveling, she cooks more often rather than dining out. "I've been experimenting with quinoa," she says. "I make a breakfast quinoa with cut-up apples and cinnamon that tastes like apple pie in the morning--I'm obsessed." In general, her days are simply easier and more joyful. "The amount of energy I have now is insane. Plus, my confidence has skyrocketed. I feel better in my clothes, and it shows."

Now it's your turn: Sign up for the Drop 10 plan now and be on your way to losing two pounds a week!

If you shed pounds on our plan, we want to hear from you! Email us at eatright@self.com with the subject line "Drop 10 Success" and your story could be featured in the magazine or on Self.com.

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new at this counting calories

So im new to this app i have been struggling with my weight since i was a kid..i didn't mind being a little over weight but after i graduated high school i kinda gained more than i thought..i gain 40 pounds and i just couldn't stop eating..i really wanna lose weight but doing diet pills made me sick and i never could remember to write down all my calories..today im started this app in hope to finally be able to lose these pounds i gained but i still feel so discouraged..i need some help starting this the right way

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Air Pollution May Speed Hardening of Arteries

TUESDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term exposure to air pollution may speed up the process of atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries, a new study suggests.

Although this exposure to higher concentrations of air pollution could increase people's risk for heart attacks and stroke, the researchers noted that reductions in air pollution could have the opposite effect.

The study involved nearly 5,400 people between the ages of 45 and 84 in six different U.S. cities who did not have heart disease. The researchers examined the air pollution levels at each of their homes, and then compared the levels to ultrasound measurements of their blood vessels taken at least three years apart.

After taking other risk factors, such as smoking, into account, the researchers found that, on average, the thickness of the carotid artery increased by 0.014 millimeters each year.

Thickening of the inner two layers of this key blood vessel, which supplies blood to the head, neck and brain, occurred more quickly following exposure to higher concentrations of fine particulate air pollution. The researchers said the thickness of the carotid artery is an indicator of how much atherosclerosis is present in the arteries throughout the body.

"Our findings help us to understand how it is that exposures to air pollution may cause the increases in heart attacks and strokes observed by other studies," study leader Sara Adar, the John Searle Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, said in a news release.

On the other hand, the study revealed that reductions in fine particulate air pollution can help slow the thickening of the carotid artery.

"Linking these findings with other results from the same population suggests that persons living in a more polluted part of town may have a 2 percent higher risk of stroke as compared to people in a less polluted part of the same metropolitan area," Adar said in the news release.

"If confirmed by future analyses ... these findings will help to explain associations between long-term [small particle] concentrations and clinical cardiovascular events," the study's authors wrote.

In response to the findings, Nino Kuenzli, of the University of Basel in Switzerland, said in a news release that the study "further supports an old request to policy makers -- namely that clean air standards ought to comply at least with the science-based levels proposed by the World Health Organization."

The study was published online April 23 in the journal PLoS Medicine.

-- Mary Elizabeth Dallas
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: PLoS Medicine, news release, April 23, 2013

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