Category Archives: K. SPECIAL GROUPS

Ginger, Nausea/Vomiting, Pregnancy

Treating pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting with ginger

The available evidence suggests, “Ginger may be an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.”

Researchers from the University of Naples in Italy came to this conclusion based on their review of the medical literature, and the results of 6 well-designed clinical studies of 675 pregnant women.

Continue reading Treating pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting with ginger →

Asthma/Allergy, Infants, Pre, Pro, Synbiotics

A prebiotic reduces the incidence of atopic dermatitis in high-risk infants

For the first time prebiotics lowered the risk atopic dermatitis in a high-risk population of infants.

More than 200 infants at risk for atopy (an allergy involving an inherited immunoglobulin of the IgE type) took part in the study. Those on bottle-feeding were randomly assigned to a prebiotic formula (a mixture of galacto- and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides) or maltodextrine as placebo.

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Elderly, Tai Chi

Tai chi lowers the risk of falls in the elderly

Here’s why this is important.

  • Deaths from falls increase dramatically with age
  • Falls account for 70% of accidental deaths in people over 74 years old
  • Associated with significant illnesses
  • More than 90% of hip fractures occur as a result of falls — in people over 70 years of age
  • One-third of community-dwelling elderly people and 60% of nursing home residents fall each year

Here’s evidence that tai chi helps.

Continue reading Tai chi lowers the risk of falls in the elderly →

Aromatherapy, Autism, Children, Lavender, Massage, Sleep (Insomnia)

Might aromatherapy massage improve sleep in children with autism?

In an earlier post it was concluded that lavender oil treatments might be helpful for treating insomnia in adults. Children with autism often have sleep difficulties. But this latest study suggests it does not appear that their sleep patterns are altered by this treatment.

Here are the details of the study. Do you agree with the conclusions?
Continue reading Might aromatherapy massage improve sleep in children with autism? →

Breastfeeding

Fighting obesity starts with your baby’s diet

“What you feed your baby and toddler could be the key to controlling their waistline as they grow through childhood and into adulthood,” according to the University of Michigan.

Here are the highlights of the article.

  • Breastfeeding protects against obesity risk later in life
  • Seek help from a pediatrician or a lactation consultant if difficulty develops
  • Begin solid food no sooner than four to six months of age
  • A child?s first flavor experience should be something healthy
  • The more a child tastes a particular food, the more they’ll like it
  • Don’t make sweets their first experience with solid food
  • Encourage eating a wide variety of foods

Before childbirth?

  • Nursing moms should be vigilant about the foods they eat
  • Women who drank carrot juice through pregnancy had infants who enjoyed pureed carrots more at four months of age than those children whose mothers did not drink carrot juice during pregnancy.

There’s more good information here, here, and here.

Drawing: Richmond Health Services

9/11/06 19:20 JR

Alzheimer's Dementia, Cancer, Elderly, Quercetin

A good summer for curry

Two studies published this summer showed positive health effects of curry. One looked at brain function, the other at the colon.

First, the brain.

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were compared among 1010 elderly Asians, aged 60 to 93 years. The MMSE is used to determine the extent of dementia in adults. The results of the test were then compared to categories of curry consumption: “often” (more than once a month), “occasionally” (once or more in 6 months but less than once a month), and “never or rarely.”

And the results.

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Camphor, Children, Cough, Epilepsy/Seizures, Eucalyptus, H. CHEMICALS, Headache/Migraine, Menthol, Nausea/Vomiting

Recall of a camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol patch product

It’s called WellPatch Cough & Cold Soothing Vapor Pads.

It was intended to be applied to the throat or chest of children two years of age and older so they could inhale the vapors. Unfortunately, it was easy for the munchkins to remove the patch and place it in their mouths.

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Alzheimer's Dementia, Anxiety (Panic)/Depression, Elderly

The value of art therapy in Alzheimer’s disease

I go to the nursing home to visit my mother who is 90 and has Alzheimer’s disease. I walk into the lounge where the patients sit. Titanic is playing on the TV. Nobody looks interested. Most are sleeping — or maybe they’re sedated.

That night, as I’m reading, voil?, the value of art therapy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease becomes clear.

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Asthma/Allergy, Children, Cough, Diet-Nutrition, Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Dust mites, dietary fats, and asthma in children

What is the value in avoiding dust mites and increasing omega-3 fatty acids in a child’s diet — especially in children at high risk of developing asthma because of a family history? Lots of research has gone on down under to answer this question. It’s part of the CAPS trial (Childhood Asthma Prevention Study).

Here’s what we learned

Continue reading Dust mites, dietary fats, and asthma in children →