Poison Pills
With prescription drug use by adults on the rise, poisonings in children has increased, according a recent study in Pediatrics. Children ages 5 years and under were the group most frequently treated in the ER for accidental ingestion. The drugs most commonly linked to the poisonings were those used to treat diabetes, high cholesterol, pain, cardiovascular diseases, glaucoma, and migraines.
Bone Builders
Building strong bones in childhood reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis in later years. To increase bone strength, encourage kids to:
- Eat foods high in calcium and vitamin D, including milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, and beans.
- Stay active by running, walking, or dancing.
- Participate in weight-bearing exercises such as swimming and biking.
Gene-ius Therapy
While asthma is typically considered an inflammatory or allergic disease, researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered 20–30% of childhood asthma is actually linked to an over-active gene. Researchers are now working to develop new therapies to treat the genetically-based disease.
Restless Legs
Kids that complain of pain or a “creepy crawly” feeling in their legs at night may have restless leg syndrome. RLS is thought to affect as much as 10% of the population and is sometimes linked to an iron deficiency in children.
Shake It Off
Exercise helps children deal with stress, says a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. When exposed to common, everyday stressors, inactive children experienced dramatic increases in the stress-hormone cortisol, whereas active kids’ cortisol levels stayed the same or rose only slightly.
Booze Clues
On-screen smoking has declined, but according to a study of the top 100 box-office releases from 1996–2009, alcohol appearances climbed from 80 to 145 instances per year in movies rated PG-13 and under. Experts worry the trend could lead to an increase in teenage drinking.
