Injuries From Ocean Waves More Common Than Thought

Shallow surf can pose real risks, Delaware study finds

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

SUNDAY, June 23 (HealthDay News) -- A study out of Delaware suggests that injuries to beachgoers caused by ocean waves are more common and severe than previously suspected, and people need to be aware of the ocean's power -- even in shallow water.

To keep safe, it's important to swim at beaches with lifeguards, ask them about surf conditions and never turn your back to the waves, one study author suggested.

Over the past three summers, more than 1,100 ocean-wave-related injuries that required emergency room treatment were reported among Delaware beachgoers. The injuries ranged from sprains and strains to broken bones, blunt organ trauma and neck fractures. There were three deaths.

The most common types of injuries were broken collarbones, dislocated and separated shoulders, neck pain, and ankle and knee sprains.

The injuries occurred in an area called the surf zone, where many people play in the waves. This is the stretch of shoreline between the water's edge and where the waves break. In this area, waves can hit people and slam them into the sand. Most of the injuries in this study occurred in less than two feet of water.

"Historically, the magnitude of these injuries is largely underreported," study co-leader Paul Cowan, chief of emergency medicine at the Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, said in a University of Delaware news release. "This is the first study that documents and tracks the number of significant injuries occurring in the surf zone."

Lifeguards at three popular Delaware beach communities -- Bethany, Dewey and Rehoboth -- and several state park beaches provided researchers with information on beach conditions.

Although injuries to the neck and spinal cord accounted for less than 5 percent of all cases, these patients suffered some of the most complex and life-altering injuries, Cowan said.

Overall, the findings seemed to indicate "that a lot of these folks simply don't understand the power of the ocean, or they don't know how to swim in ocean waves and currents," study co-leader Wendy Carey, of the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, said in the news release.

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At-Home Drug Errors Common for Kids With Cancer, Research Shows

Study author says parents need more support, better awareness

By Steven Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, May 3 (HealthDay News) -- Children with cancer often have complex medication regimens -- sometimes as many as 20 drugs a day -- that they take at home, and mistakes are common, a new study finds.

Errors often occur when parents don't understand how to give the drugs, but mislabeled bottles and wrong prescriptions are also to blame, researchers say.

"Parents of children with cancer make many mistakes giving their children critical medicines, including chemotherapy at home," said lead researcher Dr. Kathleen Walsh, of the departments of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine in Worcester.

Injuries were often related to under-dosing pain medication, which was causing pain for the children, she said. "Sometimes parents wouldn't fill prescriptions, or give the proper dose," Walsh said.

"One thing that was surprising was the high rate of errors that go on," she added. "This high rate of errors calls us to remind doctors and parents that they need to be aware that home medication use is fraught with error, so they need to give the medicines exactly as they are told to do."

That's not to blame parents, Walsh noted. "Usually parents weren't aware they were making mistakes. They weren't aware that what they were doing could be dangerous or could decrease the effectiveness of the medications they were using," she said.

Parental "workarounds" to get kids to take medicines could make them less effective.

For example, one child wouldn't take a chemotherapy drug, so the parent sprinkled it on his dinner not realizing the drug doesn't work when taken with food, Walsh said.

"Another parent wasn't using a pill cutter, but using a knife to cut the medication and so the chemotherapy was crumbling and much of it was left on the table," she explained. "Parents didn't realize this was a mistake."

Walsh thinks parents need more support in how they use medications at home. "Parents need to understand you need to give medications exactly as prescribed and if you are going to change that in any way you need to tell the doctor," she said.

The report was published in the May print issue of Pediatrics.

Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, said that "when you are caught in the middle of the chaos and sadness of a sick child, it's not uncommon to see significant mistakes made when [parents are] giving medications to their children."

Many of the parents in the study were college educated, but no matter how well-educated the parents there are still many gaps in understanding how to administer chemotherapy at home, he said.

Lichtenfeld noted that these errors weren't always the parent's fault. "There were discrepancies between the labels on the drug and what the parents were supposed to do," he said. It's possible that the doctor changed the dose, but it was not reflected in the label from the pharmacy. This problem could be solved by better labeling, he added.

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Study: THIS Common Pre-Marathon Habit Could Cause Serious Side Effects

It's been a scary week for marathon runners; it feels weird to write anything marathon-related right now without addressing that first. But once we take a step back, we know that, ultimately, running is still good for us -- more likely to do our bodies good than to do them harm. Now, however, a new study shows a potential danger that many marathoners face every time they toe the line. And it's due to a common pre-race ritual -- one that I've definitely done, and you probably have, too!

So what should we NOT be doing before a race? Popping painkillers. Everyday OTCs like aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can cause serious side effects when paired with endurance sports, says the study, published today in the online journal BMJ Open -- serious enough to affect your performance, or even land you in the hospital.

When German researchers surveyed nearly 4,000 runners after a local marathon and half marathon, 49 percent of respondents said they'd popped pain meds beforehand in hopes of a pain-free race. But overall, the medicated runners were five times more likely to suffer complications during or after the event, including stomach cramps, cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal bleeds, blood in their urine, and joint and muscle pain.

Those who took medication were slightly less likely to drop out of the race due to muscle cramps -- but more likely to drop out because of GI distress (which, if you ask me, is worse than a little knee pain). Nine of them also ended up in the hospital for kidney failure, bleeding ulcers, or heart attacks, compared to none of the non-medicated runners. Taking more than the recommended dosage -- as 43 percent of ibuprofen users in the study did -- raised the risk of side effects significantly.

Painkillers prevent the formation of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances involved in the body's inflammatory process. But, the authors say, prostaglandins also protect the body under extreme stress (e.g. marathon running), and without them, we're at risk for more serious injury.

Bottom line? Use pain meds sparingly, and only when you really need them. And if you're relying on them to get through your workouts, talk to your doctor about a safer, longer-term solution. Stay safe out there, runners!

Do you ever pop pain meds before a run? Will this change your mind about it? Tweet us at @amandaemac and @SELFmagazine.

RELATED LINKS:

Image Credit: Arthur Belebeau

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Q&A With Common

The musician/actor talks about his latest film, his health, being a dad, and his work with children.

Hip-hop artist, television and film actor, author, businessman, philanthropist, father -- Lonnie Rashid Lynn, better known as Common, has taken on a wide range of roles since he first burst into the public eye with his first album, Can I Borrow a Dollar?, in 1992. The two-time Grammy winner has since released eight more albums, most recently 2011’s The Dreamer/The Believer, with a new album -- featuring Kanye West -- due out in the fall. He’s had roles in nearly 20 movies, including Smokin’ Aces, Street Kings, and Date Night, appeared in Gap and Microsoft ads, and read poetry at the White House.

Your Common Ground Foundation, originally launched in 2001, provides summer youth camp and mentoring for kids in the Chicago public schools. It’s been recognized by CNN Heroes and BET Hip Hop Awards. What was your inspiration for creating it?

"Growing up, I was always looking around and seeing that my friends had more difficult situations than I did. Nobody’s perfect, but I had a mother who was there and provided and cared, and a stepfather who was there for me, and a lot of my friends didn’t have that. I always wished I could give them that support. Once I was able to afford it and was blessed with the platform to do art and music and business, I wanted to utilize it to help others."

Do you have any standout memories from your work with the foundation?

"It’s funny, at first the kids don’t want to be out in a place where there’s no cell phones, no tech. A lot of them are closed off to being out in nature and developing in that environment. Watching them start opening up and communicating, and how the camp affects them, is great. I remember specifically one time when we were doing programs at the Chicago Lighthouse in Englewood, and this young lady’s grandmother asked if I could get on the phone. She just said thank you -- her granddaughter had lost her mom, and didn’t have a lot of direction, and the program finally gave her something that she was enthused about. That really touched me."

Your 2011 memoir, One Day It’ll All Make Sense, was co-written with your mother, and your mom plays a key role in your foundation. How do the two of you work together?

"My mother is a really important part of my life. She’s provided a lot for me, and she’s always encouraged me to do more and help out more. As a teacher and a principal, she has always wanted to be present in the lives of young people, so working with the foundation is like one of her callings. Working with her on the book was really great. It was natural -- just her talking about her love, and her ideas, and the surprises and different things about dealing with me. It was really enlightening for me -- I didn’t know it would be so much fun!"

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Gene May Boost Death Risk From Most Common Thyroid Cancer

FRIDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have pinpointed a genetic mutation that is strongly associated with an increased risk of death in people with thyroid cancer.

The investigators followed more than 1,800 patients after their initial treatment for papillary thyroid cancer, which accounts for 85 percent to 90 percent of all thyroid cancers.

After an average follow-up period of 33 months, 5 percent of those with the BRAF V600E mutation had died, compared with 1 percent of those without the mutation, according to the study in the April 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

However, the link between this mutation and increased risk of death was not independent of tumor characteristics, the study authors noted in a journal news release.

This, and the fact that the overall death rate from papillary thyroid cancer is low, means that it is unclear how to use these findings to reduce death risk in patients with this type of cancer, said Dr. Mingzhao Xing, of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues.

The overall five-year survival rate for patients with papillary thyroid cancer is 95 percent to 97 percent. It's a challenge to distinguish patients who require aggressive treatment in order to reduce their risk of death from patients who do not, the researchers explained.

Even so, the authors of an accompanying editorial pointed out that the study provided important insight.

According to the editorialists, Dr. Anne Cappola and Dr. Susan Mandel of the University of Pennsylvania, "Although these findings do not support widespread BRAF V600E testing, they do support the need for additional study of how BRAF testing can be used to improve the already excellent prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid cancer."

While the study found an association between the gene mutation and thyroid cancer survival, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

-- Robert Preidt
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, news release, April 9, 2013

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Common Asphalt Sealant May Raise Cancer Risks

Small study looked at coal-tar sealcoat and exposure to 'PAH' chemical compound

By Brenda Goodman

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Living near asphalt that's sealed with coal tar may raise the risk of getting cancer, a new study shows. The potential threat appears to be greatest for young children.

Coal tar, a byproduct of steel manufacturing, is a common ingredient in sealants that are used in the Eastern part of the United States to refresh worn parking lots and driveways.

"People like it because it makes the asphalt look like new. The striping shows up really clearly if you have a parking lot," said study author Barbara Mahler, a research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Austin, Texas.

The problem, she added, is that shiny black sealcoats are a concentrated source of cancer-causing chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs.

"When tires drive across it, it's the grinding action of the tires that breaks up the little particles and grinds it up to a dust, essentially," Mahler said.

That dust gets carried into homes on shoes and hands. It's also washed into the surrounding soil and waterways after a rain, she said.

Previous studies have found high levels of PAHs in dust vacuumed from homes that sit near sealcoat-covered asphalt, according to study background information.

For the new study, published recently in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, researchers compared the levels of PAHs in house dust swept from 23 ground-level apartments in Austin. About half of the apartments sat on parking lots that were coated with coal-tar sealants; the rest did not.

The researchers combined those levels with measurements of PAHs in soils sampled near parking lots with and without coal tar-based sealants in New Hampshire and Chicago.

Next, they plugged those numbers into models used by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess what is called excess cancer risk. They wanted to know how many people would get cancer because of their exposure to PAHs who would otherwise not be expected to.

Based on the models, for every million people who live near unsealed asphalt for 70 years, or roughly their whole lives, there would be three extra cases of cancer because of exposure to PAHs. Bare asphalt emits some PAHs, but at far lower levels than are found in sealcoat.

That risk is 38 times greater, however, for people living near asphalt sealed with coal tar, the study found. For every million people who spend 70 years living next to sealed pavement, researchers said they would expect about 110 cases of cancer because of the exposure to PAHs.

Most of that risk appears to accrue in childhood. The study found that 50 percent of the cancer risk from PAHs in sealcoated asphalt is acquired within the first six years of life. About 80 percent of a person's risk adds up before age 18.

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Common Asphalt Sealant May Raise Cancer Risks

Title: Common Asphalt Sealant May Raise Cancer Risks
Category: Health News
Created: 4/4/2013 12:35:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 4/5/2013 12:00:00 AM

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Experts Dispel Common Melanoma Myths

Think you're safe because your skin rarely burns?

By Mary Elizabeth Dallas

HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, June 7 (HealthDay News) -- As you head to the beach or pool, here are some sun-sense tips to keep in mind: Skin that tans is not invulnerable to cancer, and one application of sunscreen daily is not enough protection against the sun's harmful ultra-violet rays, according to skin cancer experts.

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, claims more than 9,000 lives in the United States every year. The rate has been rising over the past 30 years and it's now one of the most common cancers in people younger than 30 years old, particularly young women.

Although genetics can increase your risk of melanoma, the best way to prevent skin cancer is to reduce sun exposure by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen and simply staying out of the sun.

The Melanoma Research Alliance has teamed up with experts from the charitable initiative Stand Up to Cancer to clear up common myths about melanoma.

Myth: If your skin tans but doesn't burn, you cannot get skin cancer.

Fact: Sun exposure of all levels can contribute to cancer development. Even people who don't usually burn can get melanoma.

Myth: Tanning booths are safe because they are not "real sun."

Fact: Tanning beds are not safer than natural sun exposure. Most tanning beds utilize UVA rays, which penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin and may increase the risk of melanoma. They also use UVB rays, the cause of most sunburns. The World Health Organization classifies tanning beds as "carcinogenic to humans." Women who use tanning beds more than once a month are 55 percent more likely to develop melanoma, the U.S. National Cancer Institute reports.

Myth: One application of sunscreen daily is sufficient to protect against sun damage.

Fact: Sunscreen must be applied frequently throughout the day during sun exposure, particularly if it could be washed off by sweat or water.

Myth: "Adequate" use of sunscreen will prevent melanoma.

Fact: Although sunscreen can help prevent skin cancers, it only provides minimal protection. It's also important to limit sun exposure and cover up with protective clothing and gear.

Myth: If a spot that has been on your body for years changes but hasn't gotten much bigger, it can't become melanoma.

Fact: Many melanomas occur in pre-existing spots or moles. A doctor should evaluate all moles, lesions or spots that have changed. People with multiple moles should undergo routine full-body exams by a dermatologist.

Myth: Melanoma can only develop on body parts where the "sun can shine."

Fact: Some types of melanoma are not related to sun exposure and can occur in unexpected places, such as the vagina, the rectum, inside the mouth, the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands.

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Women May Have Natural Defense Against Common STD

'Trich' causes discomfort for some, but is symptomless in others

By Mary Elizabeth Dallas

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) -- Women appear to have a natural defense against the world's most common sexually transmitted infection, a new study says.

This natural protective barrier consists mainly of lactic acid bacteria -- called lactobacilli.

The finding appears online May 29 in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections.

The discovery could lead to new treatments for "trich," which affects an estimated 174 million women and men around the world each year, according to a journal news release.

Trich is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis or T. vaginalis. Symptoms of the infection include pain, irritation and discharge. About 50 percent of all people who have this condition, however, don't develop symptoms and are unaware that they are infected.

Researchers Augusto Simoes-Barbosa, of the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and colleagues examined how easily three different strains of T. vaginalis bound to vaginal cells. They repeated the process when nine different types of lactobacilli were also present.

In the vast majority of instances, lactobacilli prevented the parasite from binding to the cells. Some types of lactobacilli were better at preventing the parasite from binding to the cells than others, the study authors pointed out.

"This study reinforces the important role that our microbiomes play in health, infection and disease," they wrote. "Understanding the role that Lactobacillus plays in T. vaginalis infection/disease might reveal new therapeutic approaches, which include taking advantage of the natural probiotic activity of lactobacilli."

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Pain a Common Problem for People With COPD

Narcotic pain relievers frequently used by patients with chronic lung condition, study finds

By Alan Mozes

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, May 21 (HealthDay News) -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients experience a significant amount of pain, new research suggests.

Pain levels are nearly on par with the kind of discomfort experienced by many osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients, according to the study, which is scheduled for presentation Tuesday at the American Thoracic Society annual meeting in Philadelphia.

"Several studies have found high rates of pain medication use among COPD patients, and pain has also been an important determinant of overall health status and quality of life in COPD," study author Melissa Roberts, a senior research associate at the Lovelace Clinic Foundation in Albuquerque, N.M., said in a society news release.

The researchers analyzed data on nearly 8,000 COPD patients over the age of 40. Nearly 16,000 other men and women not diagnosed with COPD also were included in the study. All were enrolled between 2006 and 2010 in the same managed-care insurance system in the southwestern United States.

Pain levels among the participants were determined by reviewing diagnostic codes and pain medication prescriptions as noted in their medical records. COPD patients were found to have more chronic pain indicators and used more pain meds, including both long- and short-acting opioid (narcotic) drugs.

The pain experienced among COPD patients did not appear to be a direct function of their airflow obstruction.

"We found the prevalence of chronic pain among adults with chronic disease to be almost twice as high as among individuals without chronic disease," Roberts said. "Among those with chronic disease, individuals with COPD were similar to those with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in their experience of pain, but with even greater use of opioids."

Because this study is being presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

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Stress Disorder May Be Common Among ICU Patients on Ventilators

Title: Stress Disorder May Be Common Among ICU Patients on Ventilators
Category: Health News
Created: 3/1/2013 12:35:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 3/4/2013 12:00:00 AM

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Plastics Chemical BPA Common in 'Preemie' ICU: Study

Title: Plastics Chemical BPA Common in 'Preemie' ICU: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 2/22/2013 10:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 2/22/2013 12:00:00 AM

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High Blood Pressure in Kids May Be Less Common Than Thought

TUESDAY, Jan. 29 (HealthDay News) -- The number of U.S. kids with full-blown high blood pressure could be lower than previously thought, if new research findings are on the mark.

In a study of nearly 200,000 children aged 3 to 17 years, researchers found that only 0.3 percent met the standard for high blood pressure -- elevated readings at three consecutive doctor visits.

That stands in contrast to past studies, which have suggested that anywhere from 0.8 to 4.5 percent of American kids have high blood pressure.

But experts say the "correct" rate among U.S. kids is still unknown. And even if blood pressure is lower than earlier estimates, children should still have their blood pressure measured at routine checkups, said Dr. Stephen Daniels, an expert in pediatric high blood pressure who was not involved in the new study.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute both recommend that kids have yearly screenings for high blood pressure, starting at age 3.

"I don't think that should change," said Daniels, the chief pediatrician at Children's Hospital Colorado and head of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora. "I wouldn't want parents to get the message that their child doesn't need to have their blood pressure measured."

As for why the new figure is lower than past estimates, it's probably due to how the study was done, according to lead researcher Dr. Joan Lo, a research scientist with Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Oakland.

The children in her study were from three different U.S. states, and all were visiting the doctor for routine "well-child" visits. Past studies have mainly been done in schools, in a single city or region. And some of those studies were run in urban areas, with a high proportion of black and obese kids -- both of whom are at increased risk of elevated blood pressure, Daniels noted.

Still, the true rate of high blood pressure among U.S. children remains unclear, according to Daniels.

"This new study is narrow in its own way," he said, noting that the kids involved had health insurance and got routine check-ups. The group was racially diverse, but Daniels said they may have been better off -- financially and health-wise -- than a random sample of U.S. kids would be.

The findings, which appear in the February issue of the journal Pediatrics, are based on 199,513 children and teens enrolled in three large health plans.

Almost 11,000 of those kids had an elevated blood pressure reading at their first doctor visit during the study period. But after repeat tests at their next two visits, less than 4 percent of them were ultimately diagnosed with high blood pressure.

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Experts: Common Women's Condition Needs a New Name

Jan. 24, 2013 -- What’s in a name? If it’s polycystic ovary syndrome, a lot of confusion, says a panel of experts convened by the NIH -- and they’re calling for a change.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting about 1 in 10 women in the U.S. It’s also a major cause of infertility. But as doctors have learned more about the complex condition, they’ve changed the way it’s diagnosed. As a result, a woman doesn’t necessarily have to have polycystic ovaries to have PCOS.

What’s more, for many women, the consequences of the disease extend beyond the ovaries. Recent research suggests PCOS may set women up for a variety of long-term health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attacks, and perhaps some kinds of cancers.

The current name, experts say, doesn’t adequately reflect that.

“It does have a branding problem in the sense that people assume that it’s all about obesity; people assume that it’s all about diabetes; or people assume that it’s all about polycystic ovaries,” says Ricardo Azziz, MD, MPH, MBA, an obstetrician-gynecologist who specializes in PCOS. Azziz testified before the NIH panel. He’s also president of Georgia Regents University in Augusta.

Currently, no one medical specialty claims PCOS. That makes it tough to get funding for research. It’s also difficult to educate patients and doctors about the serious and sometime long-term consequences of the syndrome.

Women with PCOS don’t ovulate regularly. They also overproduce or are overly sensitive to male hormones, like testosterone. The result is a collection of symptoms that can seem unrelated. Those may include:

AcneExcess hair on the face or bodyThinning of hair on the scalpDifficulty getting pregnantObesityDepression or anxiety

Recent research has suggested that, at least for some women with PCOS, the hormone insulin may lie at the root of these problems. Some women with PCOS are resistant to insulin’s effects. That puts them at higher risk for problems like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and perhaps heart attacks and cancers of the reproductive organs.

“The current name focuses on only one of the criteria and actually doesn’t include a discussion about the metabolic syndrome and the metabolic consequences, the insulin resistance, and some of the other major issues that could be lifelong issues that people who have this disease or this series of diseases might have,” says panel member Timothy Johnson, MD. He is an obstetrician-gynecologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“Our hope was that a group or some group of people who are interested in the condition could come together very, very quickly and simply pick a name that is more inclusive,” Johnson says.

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How Men Can Avoid Common Mistakes After Divorce

Reviewed by Kimball Johnson, MD

Adapting to life after divorce is hard for guys under the best of circumstances. But you can make it easier on yourself, your ex, and your children if you avoid some of the most common mistakes.

Too many men seek out a new relationship before the dust has settled on their divorce, says psychologist Sam J. Buser, PhD, coauthor of The Guys-Only Guide to Getting Over Divorce. They rush into new relationships -- and often into new marriages -- within the first year.

"That's no doubt the biggest mistake," says Buser, who is based in Houston.

Buser says that men often jump into dating because they're lonely, vulnerable, and sad, and they're looking for someone to help them feel better.

"The relationships they start do not often work out in the long run," he says. "I advise my patients to wait at least two years. I've never had a man take me up on that advice, but I do try to slow them down."

He also advises men to date casually at first.

"Tell the woman you've just been through a tough divorce and that you're not ready for a committed relationship," he suggests. "Acknowledge that it is not the right time for that."

After a divorce, it's easy for guys to let themselves become isolated, especially if the ex gets custody of the kids. That's another big mistake. It can worsen feelings of depression, guilt, and loneliness, a potentially dangerous mix. Divorced men are twice as likely to commit suicide as married men. 

Divorced men are also more prone to alcohol problems, so be careful of starting down that road. 

"You don't have to drink every day to have a problem," Buser says. "Drinking a six pack is a binge."

Buser's advice: Connect with other guys. Call up old friends, join a softball team, a club, or a professional association.

"Expand your social and professional network to avoid isolation."

He also says that the aftermath of a divorce is great time to go back to school. It keeps you active, stimulates your mind, potentially advances your career, and gets you out of the house.

You've met someone new. You're excited and happy. Good for you. Just don't make the mistake of expecting your kids to be upbeat about it.

"The last thing the kids want to see is parents getting involved with someone else," says Gordon E. Finley, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in issues facing divorced men and an emeritus professor of psychology at Florida International University in Miami. "They are going to be unhappy. Date when you feel ready, but leave the kids out of it."

Buser agrees. "Focus on the other adult when starting a relationship," he says. "She can meet the kids when you know you are serious."

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Low Vitamin D More Common in Overweight Kids

By Rita Rubin
WebMD Health News

Dec. 24, 2012 -- Overweight and obese children and teens are more likely to have low vitamin D levels than kids with healthy weights, a new study suggests.

The study is published in Pediatrics.

Vitamin D is essential for bone health. Bone growth is high during childhood and adolescence. So it may be especially important to identify and treat vitamin D deficiency during that time, the researchers write.

Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to a variety of chronic conditions, such as:

High blood pressureType 1 diabetesMultiple sclerosis

 Previous research suggests that obesity may put you at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Researchers in the study analyzed data from more than 12,000 U.S. children and teens aged 6 to 18. The children were enrolled in the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

About 21% of the healthy-weight youngsters were deficient in vitamin D. That was also true for 29% of those who were overweight, 34% of those who were obese, and 49% of those who were severely obese.

Even after accounting for such factors as vitamin D supplementation and intake of milk, which is typically fortified with vitamin D, the rates of vitamin D deficiency were higher in Latinos and African-Americans. Among the severely obese youngsters, 27% of whites, 52% of Latinos, and 87% of African-Americans were deficient in vitamin D.

"The particularly high prevalence in severely obese and minority children suggests that targeted screening and treatment guidance is needed," the researchers conclude.

Researcher Christy Turer, MD, a pediatrician at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Medical Center in Dallas, says she and her colleagues already were routinely checking vitamin D levels in children at specialty clinics, such as weight management clinics. Those found to be deficient are prescribed high-dose vitamin D supplements, a pill taken weekly. After eight weeks of treatment, their levels are rechecked, and if they're near normal, she'll cut them back to monthly doses of vitamin D supplements.

Turer also recommends that vitamin-D-deficient patients drink low-fat milk. If they don't like to drink plain milk, she says they can add artificially sweetened flavors that add only 15 calories a serving.

"The reason that milk is important is it has not just vitamin D, but it has calcium," she says. Unsweetened soy milk and almond milk are also good sources of vitamin D and calcium, Turer says.

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