Ways to Beat Stress

Had a rough day and need to find a way to relax? Here are a few stress busters to help give you relief.
-Get some exercise. Taking a long walk or a brisk run will help.
-Go to a bookstore and thumb through some books while enjoying a hot cup of cocoa.
-Find some of your favorite music to play, then dance and sing along.
-Visit a quiet place such as a museum or art gallery.
-With your feet propped up, enjoy some daydreaming.
-To help you get a good nights sleep, soak in a hot tub filled with chamomile.

Eat Your Veggies

New research shows that eating vegetables keeps your brain young and slows mental decline often associated with aging. In a study of almost 2,000 people, researchers found that older people who ate more than two servings of veggies a day appeared five years younger at the end of the six year study compared to those who ate few or no vegetables. Vitamin E-rich kale, spinach and collards ranked as the most beneficial vegetables. Vitamin E is a powerful free-radical fighting antioxidant.

Free Therapy for Depression

Numerous studies show that exercise is as effective in the fight with depression as medication or psychotherapy. Although exercise is a free, healthy and safe alternative, exercise is often a neglected method to managing depression.

Ask your doctor for a referral to an exercise physiologist who can address depression and a range of other chronic conditions. You can get fit and feel better at the same time. It's a two-fer bonus!

Labels Must Carry Warnings!

Canadian health authorities are following U.S. health officials suit demanding warnings on ADHD medications. The FDA requires that stimulant ADHD medications carry new warning information to alert parents and users to the risk of heart problems, sudden death and psychotic behavior. While some doctors believe the new warnings could slow the use of these medicines, others believe ADHD prescriptions are unnecessary and overused.

ADHD Drugs-It's All in the Family

If someone is in your household takes an ADHD medication, the likelihood of other family members taking ADHD drugs is quite high. A recently released Medco Health Solutions study confirmed what doctors have long known - ADD runs in the family.

Medco, a prescription benefits manager, based this study on an analysis of 107,000 prescription claims filed in 2005 of parents and their children ages 5-19. The study shows that parents of children taking ADHD drugs are nine times more likely to use ADHD drugs themselves. If a second child is present, that child is most likely on medication too.

Many doctors have long seen how ADHD runs in the family, and now these findings support the doctors beliefs. The study carries a few surprises as well. Adult ADHD medication use traditionally began after the child began taking ADHD medications. Parents, looking at their child's symptoms, realized they have the same symptoms and then sought treatment.

According to the study, out of nearly half of those taking ADHD medicine in 2005, the parent started taking medication first, followed by the child. Although ADHD is two to three times more common in males than females, in households where both parent and child are taking the drugs, 60% of the time Mom is on medication rather than Dad. Medco reported from 2000-2004 the use of drugs rose twice as fast among adults than children and had a higher rate among women than men.

The study also found that among children on medication, seven percent had a parent using the medicine. Also, if a twin is on an ADHD drug, there's a 25 percent chance the other is too. The statistics rose to 33 percent if both twins were male.

Experts believe ADHD symptoms become obvious when children reach 13 or are in middle and high school. For adults, the average age of starting medication is 43.