HealthyLife Articles

Tag: behavior

  • Do You Live With A Sleepwalker?

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Young women sleepwalking.

    If you or a family member sleepwalks, you may know the signs well. It often involves doing some of the following during sleep:

    *  Sitting up

    *  Walking around

    *  Talking

    *  Getting food or eating

    When a person is sleepwalking, it can be confusing or even frightening for others in the house. They look like they’re awake. They may say or do things that don’t make sense. But the person won’t remember saying or doing anything when they wake up.

    Sleepwalking happens during deep sleep. This is often early in the night. It can happen to children and adults.

    Is it dangerous?

    Many people feel alarmed when a family member starts sleepwalking. Sleepwalking itself isn’t usually dangerous. The best thing to do is to make sure the sleepwalker can’t get hurt. Here’s how to do it:

    *  Keep the home – and especially their room – picked up. Make sure things like electrical cords are out of the way. Have children pick up their toys, books or other objects.

    *  Keep exterior doors locked. If you can, use extra locks that are difficult to open, such as a chain lock or a dead bolt.

    *  Close and lock all windows at night.

    *  Never yell at or shake someone who is sleepwalking. Instead, guide them safely back to their bed.

    *  Consider putting a gate across stairways. Use gates that are designed for this purpose.

    How to avoid it

    Some people may be more prone to sleepwalking. However, there are ways to lower the chances of it happening. They include:

    *  Don’t drink alcohol.

    *  If you are taking anti-depressant medicine, talk to your doctor about it. Some of these medicines can cause sleep problems. There may be a different medicine that works for you.

    *  Go to bed at the same time every night.

    *  Make sleep a priority. Adults should get at least seven hours. Children often need much more than this. Ask a doctor how much sleep you or your child should get.

    Seeing a doctor

    If sleepwalking happens a lot, talk to a doctor. There is no test for sleepwalking. But your doctor can check for other sleep problems or health conditions that may be causing sleep problems.

    Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Signs Of Childhood Anxiety

    FAMILY LIFE

    Young boy laying on floor with hands on top of head.

    It’s normal for kids to experience short-lived fears, such as fear of storms, the dark, animals, or strangers. But, for some kids, fear and worry become excessive and may impact their well-being.

    Being alert for signs of anxiety in your child can help you identify it early and provide immediate support.

    What is childhood anxiety?

    When a child does not outgrow normal childhood fears, or those fears begin to interfere with daily life, they may have an anxiety disorder.

    *  Separation anxiety: fear of being apart from parents

    *  Phobias: extreme fear of a specific situation or thing, such as an animal or activity

    *  Social anxiety: fear of situations surrounded by other people, such as at school

    *  General anxiety: fear of the future and general worry about what might happen

    *  Panic disorder: recurrent attacks of intense fear combined with sweating, dizziness, increased heart rate, and shaking

    Symptoms

    Anxiety can show up in many different ways and often starts with subtle behaviors you may not identify as fear.

    Knowing when something is a problem and not just a childhood “phase” can be challenging. Watch for these common symptoms:

    *  Trouble sleeping

    *  Recurrent tummy aches or other physical complaints

    *  Becoming clingy towards parents or caregivers

    *  Avoidance of specific situations

    *  Difficulty focusing

    *  Trouble sitting still/being fidgety

    *  Emotional outbursts

    *  Mood swings

    When to seek help

    Anxiety is unlikely to go away on its own. If you notice any of the symptoms or have concerns about your child’s mental health, talk to your doctor right away.

    Common treatments include:

    *  Behavior therapy that may include both child and family therapy

    *  Extra support at school

    *  Training for parents to aid their child in managing anxiety

    *  Lifestyle supports such as a healthy diet, adequate sleep, physical activity, and social support

    *  Medication in some cases

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Dementias

    Brain & Nervous System

    Dementias are brain diseases. They result in a decline of all areas of mental ability. This includes learning, memory, problem solving, behaviors, and language.

    Signs & Symptoms

    Symptoms of most forms of dementia usually appear slowly over time. However, with a certain form, multi- infarct dementia, the onset of symptoms can be sudden. Symptoms of dementia include:

    *  Poor memory of recent events, etc.

    *  Making up stories to explain memory loss

    *  Getting lost in familiar settings

    *  Not being able to finish tasks

    *  Decreased energy

    *  Social withdrawal or depression

    *  General confusion

    *  Behaviors that are paranoid, anxious, irritating, childlike, or rigid

    *  No interest in personal hygiene, grooming, or dressing oneself

    *  Unclear speech

    Causes & Care

    Primary or True Dementias

    The origin of the dementia is in the brain itself. Examples of this type are:

    *  Alzheimer’s disease. This is the most common type of dementia.

    *  Multi-infarct dementia. This is due to blocked blood vessels in the brain. Often the cause is a stroke.

    *  Parkinson’s disease

    *  Pick’s disease. This is like Alzheimer’s disease, but has different changes in the brain.

    *  Huntington’s disease. This is an inherited disease. Dementia symptoms usually start in middle age. Facial tics and other uncontrolled movements also occur.

    *  Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. This is caused by a virus that lies dormant in the body for years. When the virus is activated, the dementia progresses quickly.

    *  Multiple sclerosis. With this, scar tissue in the brain can prevent the normal travel of nerve impulses used for mental function. Dementia with multiple sclerosis is rare, though, and may occur with the end stage of this disease.

    Secondary Dementias

    *  Depression

    *  Alcohol problems

    *  Reactions to certain medicines

    *  Poor nutrition. Lack of vitamin B12.

    *  Hypothyroidism

    *  Dehydration

    *  Head injuries

    *  Infections, such as HIV which causes AIDS or syphilis

    *  Brain tumors

    {Note: A recent study found that older Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are nearly two times as likely to have dementia than their peers who do not have PTSD.}

    Dementias need medical diagnosis and treatment. When another condition, such as depression, is the cause and is treated with success, the dementia can be cured. For others, such as Alzheimer’s disease, there is no cure. The goal of treatment is to treat symptoms and provide safety and comfort.

    Self-Care

    The person with dementia needs to:

    *  Follow a simple daily routine

    *  Limit activities

    *  Wear an ID tag

    *  Be kept in a safe environment

    *  Have labels put on objects

    *  Eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids

    *  Have regular sensory stimulation, like touching, exercising, etc.

    Caretakers should:

    *  Assume a non-combative approach to difficult behaviors. Steer the person into another activity.

    *  Give medicines as advised by the person’s doctor and report and review medicines with the doctor and/or pharmacist.

    *  Get home care, respite care, hospital, or nursing home care, if needed.

    When to Seek Medical Care

    Contact Doctor When:

    *  You are unable to care for someone with dementia or he or she is too agitated or hostile to control.

    *  A medical evaluation is needed for a person with symptoms of dementia.

    Get Immediate Care When:

    Any of the “Stroke Warning Signs” are present.

    Delirium

    Delirium is mental confusion, behavior changes, etc. that develop in a matter of hours to a day or so. Delirium is a symptom of another condition, such as:

    *  A high fever

    *  Pneumonia or other infection

    *  Diabetes

    *  Substance abuse or withdrawal

    *  Misuse or withdrawal of certain medicines

    Immediate medical care is needed for delirium so the cause can be found and treated.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 4 Warning Signs Of Teen Depression

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of teen girl depressed.

    Withdrawn. Irritable. Sleepy. This could describe almost any teenager, but these are also symptoms of teen depression.

    Teen depression sometimes gets overlooked because it doesn’t always look like depression in adults. For example, sadness is a core feature of most depression and what most people associate with depression, according to Dr. Ken Duckworth, medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Many teens also experience other symptoms-parents might miss these warning signs.

    1.Sleep disturbance.“Many adolescents sleep until noon on a Saturday, but if you notice a change in their sleep or their sleep is irregular even more than before, that’s something to worry about,” Dr. Duckworth says.

    2.Social changes.“Adolescents are typically very focused on social connections,” he says. “If they’re not interested in their social network and they want to quit sports, pay attention to that.”

    3.Physical symptoms.Some teens demonstrate their emotional distress through physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach aches, weakness, and body aches.

    4.Substance abuse.Some depressed teens use drugs and alcohol to change how they’re feeling. Abusing drugs and alcohol also increases the risk for depression or worsening depression.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Breaking Bad Habits

    WELL-BEING

    Close-up image of a person breaking a cigarette in half.

    Bad habits may be hard to change, but it can be done. Smoking, for example, can be stopped. So can alcohol abuse.

    If you could only … but why don’t you? Scientists at the NIH study what happens in your brain as habits form. They come about through repetition. Brushing your teeth in the morning is a good habit. Reaching for a cigarette-bad habit.

    Habits trigger pleasure centers in your brain. First, focus on becoming more aware of your bad habits. Then try these strategies to counteract them:

    *  Avoid tempting situations. If you don’t buy candy bars, it won’t be as easy to eat one.

    *  Prepare mentally. Think about how you want to handle it and mentally practice what you plan.

    *  Enlist support. Ask friends, family, and coworkers to support your efforts to change.

    *  Replace unhealthy bad habits with healthy ones. Exercise or try a new hobby.

    *  Reward yourself for small steps.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Change Your Food Cravings To Healthy

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of man eating dinner.

    Food cravings can be hard to ignore. Many people find they want to eat healthier, but simply can’t get over their cravings for unhealthy foods. There are ways to overcome food cravings and change them into good habits. It takes time and practice, but it’s well worth the effort. Everyone has setbacks when they are trying to change unhealthy habits. If you slip up, start again tomorrow. Don’t give up – believe you can do it!

    If you’re hoping to overcome cravings and give your body healthier foods, try these tips:

    *Accept you have cravings and want to change.Everyone craves certain foods sometimes, and this is normal. Tell yourself it’s okay to have cravings, and that you’re going to find ways to handle them better – starting today.

    *Avoid shopping while hungry.This is often when people buy those items they crave the most. Go shopping after you’ve eaten a healthy meal.

    *Avoid the temptation.Stay away from the places or things that cause you to eat unhealthy foods, like fast food restaurants or regular afternoon trips to the bakery.

    *Take it slow.Focus on one change at a time. For instance, if you always crave something sweet in the afternoon, think about one way you could change that food. You could have your favorite fruit washed and ready to eat.

    *Focus on your eating.Think about what you are eating. If you have healthy foods ready to eat, you are less likely to grab whatever is easiest, like what’s in vending machines or fast food.

    *Look for healthier substitutes.Instead of a whole chocolate bar, eat one small piece. Purchase small, individual servings of treats so you’re less tempted to eat larger portions.

    *Eat more protein.Healthy proteins like lean meats, beans and lentils, small portions of nuts and low-fat dairy foods can help control your hunger.

    *Look for ways to relieve stress.Many people crave unhealthy foods when they are stressed. Try walking, deep breathing, relaxing music or other non-food comfort tools.

    *Drink more water and get enough sleep.Both of these healthy habits can help you feel less hungry and less likely to reach for unhealthy foods.

    Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Turn Awareness Into Action

    WELL-BEING

    Image of 2 women holding a sign with the word "Prevent" written.

    Breast cancer screening guidelines vary with different health groups. The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force advises women ages  50-74 to get a mammogram every 2 years.

    Women ages 40-49 and 74+ should discuss their breast cancer risk and the pros and cons of breast cancer screening with their doctors or health care providers. Women at a high risk for breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about breast cancer screening and prevention.

    Many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.

    Your doctor can help you decide if you should take medication to help prevent breast cancer and if you should seek genetic counseling.

    Even though you cannot control breast cancer risk factors such as aging and inheriting certain breast cancer gene mutations, you can take action to help prevent breast cancer.

    *  If you have babies, breast-feed them.

    *  Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking hormone therapy using estrogen and progestin for menopausal symptoms. Taking both estrogen and progestin for more than five years increases breast cancer risk.

    *  Lose weight if you are overweight, especially if you have reached menopause.

    *  Limit alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the greater the risk.

    *  Be physically active. Strenuous exercise for more than four hours a week may help lower breast cancer risk.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Video Warfare

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of two kids playing video games.

    Children learn from video games, say Iowa State University psychology professors. So parents may want to shop smart when choosing games for their children. Even if the content is unrealistic or cartoonish, kids learn good behaviors (playing drums) or bad behaviors (aggressive tactics) by practicing.

    Professors Craig Anderson and Doug Gentile-leading experts on the effects of video games on young people and authors of the book Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents, say, “Parents and researchers initially believed that what mattered most about violent games was how realistic and bloody they were. Our research now suggests that what matters most is whether you have to harm other characters to advance in the game.”

    Follow their advice to parents before making a video game purchase for children:

    *  Play the game, have someone else demonstrate it for you, or look at clips from the game on the game’s website.

    *  Then ask yourself the following questions: Does the game involve some characters trying to harm others? Does this happen frequently, more than once or twice in 30 minutes? Is the harm rewarded in any way? Is the harm portrayed as humorous? Are nonviolent solutions absent or less “fun” than the violent ones? Are realistic consequences of violence absent from the game?

    Two or more yes answers should cause parents to think carefully about the lessons being taught before purchasing that game for children. Some sports and fun music games may be better choices than warfare games.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine