Body Fitness | Disabilities and Disorders

Exercises for Spinal Cord Injuries

May 30, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Even if you have suffered from a spinal cord injury it is important to do some kind of exercise. The kinds of exercises you can do will depend largely on where your injury was, but even those who have no mobility in their arms, can still perform breathing exercises and shoulder exercises. It is important to remember that you should always talk to your doctor before you start any kind of exercise program.

If you start doing some breathing exercises it will help to strengthen your lungs. Stronger lungs mean that you will have an easier time taking a deeper breath when you need to. You can also increase your shoulder strength by doing shoulder shrugs. Doing 10 or more at a time a few times a day will help to increase your strength.

Some of the exercises you may need to do might take some equipment or a trip to the physical therapist. The equipment can be expensive, and if you are able to drive, the modifications to a vehicle are very expensive. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of an accident, you may want to seek out some legal aid. A Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorney may be able to help you get the financial compensation you are entitled to, and that may help to provide you with everything you now need for everyday life.

If your injury allows you more movement you can also use exercise bands to work your biceps and other parts of your arms, and even going to the gym if you want to use some of the equipment.

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Disabilities

The Secrets of Fragile X Syndrome

December 30, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Since Fragile X Syndrome can affect different individuals within the same family in a wide range of symptoms, unless there is at least one member with a profoundly obvious disability, this genetic condition can actually go entirely unnoticed.
All of the genetic conditions are related in the fact that they are all caused by one common gene known as the FMR1 gene. Since often the males tend to have more disabling and visible effects of this genetic condition, a family with only girls may not be diagnosed until later in life when difficulties in childbearing becomes an issue.

The most common complication of a condition with the FMR1 gene is known as Fragile X Syndrome and can be defined by a mental impairment. However, whether or not that impairment is severe enough to merit further testing is often the reason why many live for years with this condition, some indeed forever, without knowing that this genetic disorder has affected them

Physical Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome

Although these can vary as well, the most profound physical symptoms are most often seen in males with the same symptoms greatly reduced but present in females as well.

-The main physical features can include long faces and prominent ears. The ears can often be larger, wider and longer than is average and may actually protrude more noticeably away from the head.
-Larger head circumference in breadth and length
-Macroorchidism or enlarged testicles

Behavioral Characteristics

Behavioral symptoms can of course vary but are most commonly displayed as:

-Sweet and affectionate personalities
-Strong desire for social interactions
-Great sense of humor
-Impulsive and easily distracted
-Short attention spans
-Difficulty staying focused on tasks

There is a blood test available to test for this genetic condition. If you suspect a family member may have this genetic condition, be prepared to have all members of your family tested.

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Disabilities Tagged With: FMR1, Fragile X syndrome, Genetic disorder, Symptom

Children with General Anxiety Disorder

December 27, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Children, like adults, can be subject to anxiety disorders, especially if it is a trait that runs in other immediate family members. Signs of general anxiety disorder can present in children just as it does in adults. However, some of the signs can be startling to adults who see them which can sometimes lead to an misdiagnosis, or an equally as harmful over diagnosis.

Signs that a child may be suffering from a general anxiety disorder can be:

-Excessive Anxiety
-Restlessness
-Sleep Disturbance
-Muscle Tension
-Fatigue
-Difficulty Concentrating

Successful Treatment

Successful treatment for this disorder begins at home with family and loved ones who can extend compassion and understanding. Some therapies for children with general anxiety disorder can include learning to recognize the underlying symptoms of the anxiety. They can be taught to effectively ‘coach’ themselves through the more difficult times with positive self talk. They can also carry away coping skills for dealing with high anxiety triggers and situations.

It can be crucial for parents and siblings to take part in the home side continuation of therapy by helping direct the child suffering from this disorder through one or more series of coping strategies. This can greatly reduce the anxiety and isolation that some children will feel. Knowing other family members are readily available to help them cope can be an astounding positive with lasting effects.

Continuing Positive Outlook

It is of utmost importance to retain a continued positive outlook in the diagnosis and treatment of general anxiety disorder in children. Staying up to date on treatments and keeping an open mind on all aspects of medicinal and behavioral modification will enable your child to also retain a positive outlook on their own continued treatment as well as remain mentally and emotionally prepared for all aspects of future possibilities

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Disabilities Tagged With: Anxiety, Anxiety disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, Sleep disorder

Recognizing the signs of OCD in Children

December 15, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

OCD is an anxiety disorder that many children and adults suffer from. Many people think of someone with OCD as the person who washes their hands all the time, but it goes much deeper than that. A child with OCD will usually be constantly worrying about something, and try to control this anxiety by behaving a certain way over and over again.

The behaviors associated with OCD can often be so time consuming that it is difficult to function normally in everyday life. Because they are so consuming it is important to learn the early signs so they can get help.

Some of the most common characteristics of a child with OCD are a intense fear of dirt, and a fear of contamination. They may also show a need for symmetry and order. A child with OCD may become anxious if certain tasks are not performed in the same way every time they are done. Other common signs of OCD are rituals. These can pertain to grooming, brushing their teeth, and hand washing. Rituals can also be checking, and rechecking appliances to make sure they are turned off, or checking a door over and over again to make sure that it is locked.

It can sometimes be difficult to see the signs of OCD because suffers tend to become very adept at hiding the behaviors. A parent often needs to recognize certain behaviors as signs of a problem. If a child hands are chapped from to much washing, or papers from school that have holes in them from an eraser they may be suffering from anxiety. Other signs may be a constant fear of illness, or an excessive amount of time spent getting ready for bed, and getting ready for school.

If you see any of these signs it is important to call their doctor and have your child screened for OCD.

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Disabilities Tagged With: Anxiety, Behavior, Child, Obsessive–compulsive disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

November 24, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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Even kids in school today have heard the term ADD or ADHD. If a child can’t focus or follow directions, kids may say that the classmate has ADD. Many professionals have lamented the fact that the learning disability has been overdiagnosed, and kids are put on medications they shouldn’t be taking.

So what exactly is ADD or ADHD? ADD stand for attention deficit disorder, and ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Both conditions are usually diagnosed in childhood, with symptoms that are noticeable before seven years of age.

There are many common misconceptions about the disorder. For instance, not all kids are hyperactive who have the condition, especially girls. Children who do not have the overactive component have ADD and often act dreamy and seem to not be paying attention.

Another common misconception is that the children cannot focus. However, kids — and adults — with the condition can often be hyperfocused on something they are interested in and enjoy. But if they are bored with the task at hand, it won’t get done.

ADD and ADHD are lifelong disabilities that don’t disappear with age. There are various options for treatment. While many parents believe medication is the best option, other therapies to try might be behavior modification, consistent exercise and good nutrition. Sometimes a child can have a strong adverse reaction to medication, or it may help them focus in school, but cause them to be depressed, lose their appetite and have trouble sleeping.

ADD and ADHD surface in varying degrees, from children who are very disruptive because they can’t sit still or focus to those who are dreamy and inattentive or must have trouble switching from task to task.

Three major symptoms of the learning disorders are being impulsive, inability to focus and hyperactivity. If a child exhibits all three symptoms, there is a high probability that the child suffers from the learning disorder.

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Health Tips Tagged With: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Child

Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy

November 15, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy in infants and children is usually made over a period of time. During this time, the development of the infant and child is closely observed so a definitive diagnosis can be made. Cerebral palsy is a medical condition caused by brain damage.

Usually, parents will notice that their infant is not reaching certain milestones in their development. Often, the baby will not suck properly and is not alert. Their little arms and legs may tremble, and sometimes, the whole body may seize up. The infant may seem highly irritable and abnormally fussy compared to others the same age.

As the baby develops, other indications may surface, usually in the muscles and posture. The child may hold his or her hand in tight fists, for example. The child may crawl and walk later than other children, as well as talk.

If a baby is slow to develop, physicians will make sure first that the child does not suffer from some other condition, such as muscular dystrophy or a tumor. Since cerebral palsy does not worsen, physicians will use that to make a determination.

Tests for the condition include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging – tests that show images of the brain so that the doctor can view damaged areas. Blood tests and an ultrasound of the brain may also be ordered. The child might also take intelligence tests depending on the age. Usually, a definitive diagnosis will not be made until the child is 4 or 5 years old.

If you suspect your child may have cerebral palsy, discuss the issue with the pediatrician. The pediatrician can discuss the diagnostic process and will ask the appropriate questions. The mother will probably need to think carefully about her pregnancy because cerebral palsy usually occurs while the baby is in the womb.

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Health Tips Tagged With: Cerebral palsy, Child, Infant

Down Syndrome

November 12, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Many myths surround the disorder of Down syndrome — a medical condition afflicting one out of approximately 750 newborns. In the United States, about 400,000 individuals have Down syndrome — a disability that delays both physical and mental development.

What is true about the disability is that people with the condition have an extra copy of chromosome 21, giving them 47 chromosomes instead of 46. Scientists do not why this occurs, but they do know that women 35 years and older are at a higher risk of having a Down syndrome baby.

Children with the condition usually have low muscle tone when they are infants and children. Generally, this improves as the infant grows, although the baby will not reach milestones, such as holding the head up and crawling, at the same time as peers. Kids with Down syndrome grow slower than other children, and will have delayed speech and will take longer to learn skills such as feeding and dressing themselves.

Children with Down syndrome usually have slanted eyes, flat profiles and tongues that protrude.

Mentally, these children are affected in varying degrees, although most will have some intellectual disability. But they can learn and should be taught how to care for themselves. They can go to school and work and live meaningful lives.

Individuals with Down syndrome have a life expectancy of 60 years of age.

Scientists continue to try to identify the genes on the 21st chromosome that contribute to the symptoms of Down syndrome in the hope of finding therapies that can help individuals with the condition.

Prenatal screening can detect if an infant has Down syndrome. Once the infant is born,a genetic workup will be taken to confirm the diagnosis. There are many support groups to help parents with raising a child with Down syndrome and helping to provide an environment where the child can thrive.

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Health Tips Tagged With: downsyndrome, Infant, United States

Eating Disorders

October 28, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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An eating disorder is an extreme way of eating or dealing with food. Many times, eating disorders stem from weight and body issues. An eating disorder can start out just like any addiction–in small quantities at first, and then more and more as time goes on. If you are in Nashville drug treatment or any other treatment programs, you are getting the help you need. If, however, you don’t recognize that there is a problem, evaluate your eating habits and ask friends and family for their opinions. Anorexia nervosa is a disorder in which a person refuses to eat out of fear of gaining weight. A person suffering from anorexia will often not eat or will eat very small amounts of food. Gaining an ounce is cause for concern. Some people with anorexia lose weight by excessively dieting and exercising. Others lose weight by taking laxatives or other diuretics. People with bulimia nervosa will often eat large amounts of food and feel out of control about their eating. After binge eating, these people will often compensate for the extra food by throwing it up, or excessively exercising or fasting. Binge-eating disorder is a condition where a person indulges in binge eating. However, unlike bulimia, people with binge-eating disorder will not purge their food, which often leads to them being overweight or obese. People in this category will often feel guilty and shamed about their out-of-control eating habits. Anyone with an eating disorder should seek treatment immediately before the symptoms turn worse. Eating disorders have killed people before, and they do not discriminate based on race, age, or sex. If you know someone who may have an eating problem, try to confront the person about it. The individual may not realize what her or she is doing and may need to get professional help for the problem

Filed Under: Addiction, Body Fitness, Disabilities Tagged With: Anorexia nervosa, Binge eating, Bulimia nervosa, Eating, Eating disorder, Food, Health, Mental Health

Teens and Prescription Medication Safety

October 22, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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There are many different ways for people of all ages to abuse prescription drugs. Recent studies show that as many as 1 out of 5 teens have abused prescription medication by loaning a prescribed drug to a friend or borrowing a drug from someone they know. A study published recently in the “Journal of Adolescent Health” based its conclusions on a survey of nearly 600 kids across the country between the ages of 12 and 17.

With more and more teens getting prescriptions to battle disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder, the pool of available drugs to share or swap with friends is fairly deep. There are many concerns associated with this type of prescription drug abuse, according to doctors, including the potential for side effects, addiction and withdrawal symptoms. For example, a stimulant like Adderall may be prescribed for a teen diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Some of the side effects with Adderall include increased heart rate and blood pressure. When prescribed by a doctor, the side effects are explained to the patient and family, who immediately report any issues to the doctor. However, when the drug is given away, there is usually no knowledge or concern about side effects.

Parents can take a number of measures to reduce the potential of teen prescription drug abuse, experts say. Perhaps most important is that parents should store and maintain control of any prescription drugs, giving out only daily doses. In addition, parents should take some time to explain the risks associated with prescription medication – the potential side effects their children should be aware of and the potential dangers faced by someone else taking a drug that isn’t prescribed to them by a doctor. This information should be shared with any relative who looks after the teen in addition to the parents.

Filed Under: Addiction, Body Fitness, Disabilities, Drugs Tagged With: Adderall, Adolescence, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Health, Oxycodone, Prescription drug, Substance abuse, United States

What is a Dual Diagnosis?

October 9, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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Addictions can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, sex, or religion. Some people may have a higher tolerance for a substance than others may have, making it difficult to know which substances will be addictive and which won’t. In some people, other factors elevate the risk of addiction. Often, people may not even know they had a risk factor until they begin to work with a residential drug treatment center. As they undergo treatment, their counselor may make a dual diagnosis.

A dual diagnosis occurs when a person has two issues working in conjunction. The two conditions, called comorbid conditions, may feed off each other, complicating recovery. When this happens, the staff at the residential drug treatment center must work to overcome both problems in order to help patients recover from the addiction.

One of the most common dual diagnoses occurs when patients suffer from an addiction and a mood disorder. The mood disorder may be depression or bi-polar disorder, among other problems. Prior to entering rehab, the patient may have used illegal drugs or alcohol to mask the symptoms of the underlying problem.

As far back as 1990, studies have indicated that one-third of patients suffering from depression also have an addiction disorder at some point in time. Men who struggle with alcoholism may be three times more likely to suffer from a depressive disorder than those who do not. With such high numbers, it only makes sense for rehab centers to treat both problems.

In addition to counseling patients to teach them how to cope with depression without relying on a substance, rehab centers may also recommend the use of an anti-depressant medication. This type of medication may help the patient suppress the triggers that contribute to the substance abuse.

Whether or not a person has a dual diagnosis, a rehab center may be the best place to go to break an addiction.

Filed Under: Addiction, Body Fitness, Disabilities Tagged With: Addictions, Centers and Counseling Services, Drug rehabilitation, Health, Major depressive disorder, Mood disorder, Substance abuse, Substance dependence