A healthy diet that includes fruit rich in vitamin C and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids could help control asthma symptoms in your teenager. But, how will you convince your teenager to eat these healthy foods? In a study, involving 2000 twelfth grade students from around the U.S. and Canada, 86 percent didn't eat their five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables everyday.

The study lasted about a year, during which time the researchers asked... more

If multiple family members of your chosen child have developed melanoma, then other family members, including your chosen child, should have regular exams as melanoma seems to run in families. A person with numerous dysplastic nevi also should be examined regularly. An infant born with a congenital nevi or giant hairy nevi may have an increased risk of malignant melanoma, those bigger than the open palm of an adult pose the greatest risk.

Moles are growths... more

This headline caught my attention, because I’m a believer in the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (especially mild HBOT), but also because I have had Bells Palsy.

What is Bells Palsy?

Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial paralysis resulting from damage or trauma to one of the two facial nerves. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Generally, Bell's palsy affects only one of the paired facial nerves and one side of the face, however,... more

Advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Wednesday June 27, 2007 that all 11 to 18 year olds be vaccinated against potentially deadly bacterial meningitis with their routine vaccinations. Only one shot is required and they say you cannot contract the disease from the vaccination.... more

Really bad news for those of you who have children with allergies, if you happen to be a cat lover like me. Unexpected findings from a European study suggest that if you have allergies, being exposed to cat dander may affect your ability breathe, even if you are not allergic cats.

The study was conducted by Susan Chinn, a professor of medical statistics at the Imperial College in London, and colleagues from 20 European centers. Researchers anticipated a higher bronchial airway... more

The Papworth method is a diaphragmatic breathing technique for asthma sufferers, that incorporates both breathing and relaxation, introduced by physiotherapists in the 1960s for people with asthma and dysfunctional breathing. The cycle of breathlessness and wheezing resulting from an asthma attack is often accompanied by anxiety. The Papworth method helps to reduce asthma symptoms and the anxiety that arises from hyperventilating, which tends to improve... more

Dr. Paul C. Nathan and colleagues of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto did a survey involving 8,522 adult survivors of childhood cancer. The purpose of the survey was to determine if the survivors had received the recommended cancer follow-up health care. The average age of the survivors was 31.4 years at the time of the survey and 6.8 years at the time of their cancer diagnosis.

It is so important for cancer survivors to be diligent in scheduling recommended... more

Two different moms have contacted me about neuropsychological evaluations in the last couple of days…so I started thinking about when it’s appropriate to seek a neuropsychological evaluation and when other assessments or approaches will work.

First you have to know what a neuropsychologist does. This specialization combines the fields of psychology and neurology. Neuropsychologists are generally called upon to do in-depth testing of the cognitive function of people who have neurological impairments of some sort, like brain damage or an organic brain... more

Dear Rabbit,

My precious daughter, were you too young, when you came to live with us, to remember why you couldn’t stay with your mom and dad? Seven years old is quite young, and you hadn’t lived with your parents for two years prior to coming to our family, so perhaps you don’t remember what it was like.

I hesitate to remind you, because I hate to reopen an old wound and cause you pain. However, I feel that I must, in an effort to save you before it is too late. You may think that I am being silly and overreacting; because you know,... more

Normally I learn a great deal from the Schwab Learning website and the weekly e-newsletter. But this week’s edition (in the words of fellow Blogger Sandra) is “horse hockey!”

The article entitled Controversial Treatments for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder caught my eye. But before long I realized that the author’s contention was that there were a number of “unproven” interventions for ADHD and because these studies had... more