The anorexic mom who wears the same cloths as her 7-yr-old daughter

Standing side-by-side in matching outfits, you'd be forgiven for mistaking Rebecca and Maisy Jones as sisters. But, in fact, this is a picture of a 26-year-old woman and her seven-year-old daughter. After suffering from anorexia half her life, Rebecca's tiny frame fits easily into clothes designed for seven to eight year olds. Weighing just five stone, the young mother weighs less than her daughter, despite standing eight inches taller.

"Wearing the same clothes as Maisy gives me a sense of pride. It's wrong, but it makes me feel good. I don't think I'm thin - I always see myself as bigger."

The medical secretary survives on soup, toast and energy drinks – even though doctors have warned her the lack of nutrients could kill her. At the same time she encourages 5st 9lb Maisy to enjoy chocolate and cupcakes.

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Pupils who shout out in class achieve better results than their counterparts

Impulsive children who find it irresistible to shout out in class score higher in tests than their peers, who seem to be better behaved and quiet, state researchers.

A Durham University study that looked at 12,000 primary school pupils in England found children who "blurt out" responses perform better in maths and English.

"Although it may seem disruptive, blurting out of answers clearly helps these pupils to learn," the BBC quoted study co-author Christine Merrell as saying.

The study, carried out by the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) at Durham University, compared English and maths test results with monitoring reports of pupils' behaviour.

The study of children at 556 schools found those pupils who showed "impulsive" behaviour, such as being unable to resist shouting out to teachers in class, were more likely to achieve higher test results.

The findings run against the model of quiet, assiduous pupils - and it raises questions about how the enthusiasm of such demanding and noisy behaviour could be managed and controlled in a school.

The study looked at a full range of pupils in state and independent schools - including those who were considered "inattentive" or who had symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder).

The researchers found that among this group, those who called out performed better in tests than similar children who remained quiet in class.

Children who were considered well behaved and able to pay attention were more likely to be higher achievers than those who were inattentive.

But within this attentive group there was also the same pattern, with those who were not self-conscious about shouting out responses in class being more likely to have higher attainment.

Peter Tymms, head of Durham University's school of education and lead author of the research, said that among children with ADHD symptoms, those who got excited and shouted out seemed to be more "cognitively engaged and as a result learn more".

"Perhaps those children also benefit from receiving additional feedback and attention from their teacher," suggested Prof Tymms.

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What is Restless Leg Syndrome? Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

A lot of us may not consider restless leg syndrome (RLS) as a serious condition, but for those who are affected, it is a different story. Restless leg syndrome, or Willis-Ekburn disease, is a condition that is neurological in origin. It is the irresistible need to move a certain body part just to cope with stress, anxiety, pain or other external factors. It usually affects the legs, hence the name, but it could also affect the arms, the trunk area and even phantom body parts. Phantom body parts are those limbs that have been amputated, but the amputee still feels as if that certain limb is still there.

The real cause of this syndrome is not known. However, genetics has been found to play a great part in the passing on of the disease. People who exhibit signs and symptoms of restless leg syndrome at a young age usually get it from their parents. Other related factors would be pregnancy, kidney conditions, iron deficiency, Parkinson's disease and other neurologic conditions.

Spotting restless leg syndrome is easy. The following would be the most common signs and symptoms of RLS: cramps, pain, tingling, and/or itchy sensation in the legs. Some patients even refer to it as an "itch that can neither be placed nor scratched."

In diagnosing restless leg syndrome, not a lot of lab work is needed. The patient would not need to have xrays or other imaging tests done because they would not show any abnormal results related to the disease. Blood exams may be done to check for dopamine and iron levels. It has be found that patients with this syndrome usually show a decrease in the level of dopamine and/or iron, thus some restless leg syndrome treatments target the correction of those abnormalities.

The most accurate way to diagnose the disease though, would be through the criteria set by the National Institutes of Health. These four conditions should be met before giving out the diagnosis. One would be that the patient should have a very strong need to move his legs or limbs. Next would be that the symptoms worsen during periods of inactivity. Third would be that the symptoms are relieved by movement. And lastly, symptoms worsen at night.

Treatment for restless leg syndrome varies from person to person and depends on the underlying cause of the condition. For example, if it has been found that low dopamine levels may have cause your leg's jerky movements, then your doctor may prescribe you with medication that would help return them to normal levels. If the underlying cause of RLS would be stress, then your doctor may give you sedatives and might advise you to use some relaxation techniques to combat the stress. Some of these techniques would be deep breathing exercises, meditation and yoga.

Though restless leg syndrome does not have any serious implications to one's health, it could really become bothersome since your involuntary movements might keep you up at night and deprive you from the rest that you need. If you observe yourself to be exhibiting the behaviors mentioned above, and if you feel that you have met the four criterion set by the NIH, you should go and consult your doctor.

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What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease? Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

GERD, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition wherein the contents of the stomach are being regurgitated back up the esophagus. Because of the acidity of the contents of the stomach, the lining of the esophagus can become injured or inflamed. Even though GERD is a life-long condition, there are certain measures that can relieve and minimize its symptoms.

The reflux or the regurgitation of the stomach's contents back into the esophagus is very common among people. In normal people, this isn't a problem. The reflux usually happens when a person is in an upright position, and gravity encourages the return of the stomach's content back to the stomach. Another protective mechanism of the body, is through swallowing. Every time we swallow, the regurgitated liquid is sent back to the stomach. Plus the saliva we swallow helps neutralize any acidic liquid that remains in the esophagus. However, for people with GERD, the acid stays in the esophagus for longer periods of time and the reflux also happens more frequently.

GERD can be due to multiple factors. Some people produce abnormally large amounts of acid, while others problems with their lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter is responsible for preventing the reflux of liquid back to the esophagus. Slow or delayed emptying of the stomach can also cause GERD. Pregnancy can also make a woman more susceptible to the disorder because of the hormonal and anatomical changes the body undergoes. Some antihypertensive and anticholinergic medications can also puts a person at risk for developing GERD.

Common GERD symptoms include heartburn and regurgitation. Heartburn, which is often mistaken as chest pain, is the identifying symptom of GERD. People describe it as a burning pain that occurs in the middle part of the chest. Usually it starts in the upper middle quadrant of the abdomen and may even radiate to the neck and back. Some patients describe it a sharp pain that is similar to angina or cardiac pain. Heartburn occurs when the acidic content of the stomach stimulates the nerves in the esophagus. It often occurs after meals and when a person is lying down. The occurrence of heartburn is usually periodic. Sometimes it could frequently occur for weeks to months, and then occur less frequently or may even be absent for the next succeeding weeks.

The regurgitation of acidic stomach liquid in the mouth is also another common GERD symptom. The liquid usually stays in the esophagus and only a small amount is regurgitated but in some patients, large amounts are refluxed. Sometimes, the liquid may even contain food. Usually, these leave an acidic taste in the mouth. Nausea is another GERD symptom. It is an uncommon symptom, but it can also occur frequently in some patients. It could even be severe enough that it can lead to vomiting.

The management for GERD symptoms requires discipline and commitment. Changes in diet and eating habits are necessary to prevent and lessen the occurrence of GERD symptoms. Smaller meals will help lessen stomach distention and prevent its contents from refluxing. Taking your dinner early and elevating your upper body when you sleep will also help prevent the symptoms from appearance at night and when you wake up. You should also avoid fatty foods, chocolates, carbonated drinks, caffeine, acidic food, citrus juices, spicy food and peppermint because these types of food promote acid reflux. Likewise, avoiding alcoholic drinks and smoking cessation will also help minimize the symptoms. Chewing gum after meals is encouraged as this helps stimulate the production of saliva that you can swallow. There are also a lot medications that can help manage GERD symptoms, so it is important that you consult your doctor about which drug to take.

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Lower Abdominal Pain and Probable Diagnosis

Also known as abdominal cramps, it is mostly associated with the digestive parts of the body. Although there can be a large number of causes, the distinct areas of pain provide a series of clues on the possible causes of lower abdominal pain. Furthermore, depending on the type of pain felt, the seriousness and urgency for medical help can be determined. This means that thorough assessment is needed with some tests to accurately determine the cause.

Lower abdominal pain usually starts below the umbilicus. Some may also refer to it as pelvic pain. The discomfort can be caused by a lot of factors and may be chronic or acute. The pelvis can also be used as a point of reference and the pain can be localized in the left or the right area. The pain can last from a short intermittent span to a long period of time. There can be a multitude of reasons for the abdominal pain a person might feel and it consists of some form of infections, sexually transmitted diseases, lymphomas, diabetes, kidney stones, menstrual cramps, vaginitis, tumors, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, appendicitis, and bowel disorders. And though these types of causes may present themselves in particular areas of the lower abdomen, there can still be several diagnostic exams to be performed to determine the actual problem.

Lower abdominal pain is mostly experienced by women because the pain is present during menstruation. The intensity of the cramps may vary depending on the amount of pain that an individual can manage. Also, there are several usual culprits of pelvic pain in women. One is inflammation of the bladder or cystitis. Due to the anatomical position of the female urinary system, women are commonly predisposed to infection more so than men. Another cause can be from kidney stones, wherein the pain is usually located on the flank area and are usually described as sharp and knife-like pain. This can be due to the stones moving and damaging the urinary tract and the bladder. Pain can also come from the fallopian tubes, uterus, or the ovary. This type of pain can be located centrally on the pelvis. Dysmenorrhoea during menstruation is another cause of lower abdominal pain. Ovarian cysts can also cause pain, they can be experienced bilaterally or only on either side of the pelvic region. Endometriosis results to pain in the uterus similar to the ones caused by fibroids. Pelvic inflammatory disease can also cause pain on the central area of the pelvis and may radiate at the sides. And lastly, ectopic pregnancy can also cause pain that may be usually felt on the fallopian tube areas, near the flank region.

Pain on the lower left area can be located on the left of the umbilicus. This area consists of the left urinary bladder, descending large intestine, left kidney, sigmoid colon, fallopian tube, and several nerves. Tumors, stones, and aneurysms can cause the pain in these areas. Bowel obstruction can be another cause of the pain, and this can be caused by inflammation of the colon or a mass of tissue. Chron's disease and diverticulitis causes inflammation of the colon and both can also cause pain on the left lower abdomen. Hernias can also be a factor. And one common cause is an infection of the left kidney which is directly located in the left flank area.

Pain on the right lower abdomen is usually suspected in appendicitis cases. The pain can sometimes radiate to the other side of the abdomen. Cancer of the large intestine can be another reason and inflammatory bowel diseases. Intussusceptions of the bowel can also lead to a sharp pain and at times may be similar to pains caused by an infection on the right side of the kidney. Lymphomas are another culprit.

The range of pain may range from just tenderness to severe pain. And depending on the cause, it may be steady. However, in most cases, it is intermittent. Additionally, the pain can be felt during strenuous activities like jogging or running. Cramps may be persistent during or before bowel movement. The pain on the reproductive area may come during intercourse. The characteristics of lower abdominal pain can greatly vary according to its cause and although the type and area of pain can give clues to what the causes are, an in-depth diagnostic study may be necessary for a more accurate diagnosis.

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How is depression diagnosed and treated?

Depression is a medical condition. It is not just on one's mind. It is not an imaginary illness. It is a real disorder that requires diagnosis. Hence, a person who suspects himself or herself of being depressed must undergo a depression test to confirm the existence of the said disorder. Eventually, depression is like any other illness that demands treatment.

Medical practitioners and mental health experts usually conduct several depression tests to diagnose whether a patient is suffering from depression or is merely experiencing other medical diseases that manifest symptoms similar to that of depression. Physical, laboratory and other examinations are included during a patient's evaluation aside from the depression test. However, the primary tool to diagnose depression is through the symptoms experienced by the affected person.

Mental health professionals generally devise an assessment tool for depression. This tool is consists of questions that pertain to the symptoms of depression. It attempts to elicit what symptoms are experienced by the person seeking for mental health assistance. A person who manifests or experiences five or more of the symptoms for two weeks or longer is considered depressed. The following symptoms of depression are included in the tool used for depression test:

1. Loss of appetite that results to weight loss
2. Over eating that results to weight gain
3. Insomnia or difficult of sleeping during sleeping hours
4. Hypersomnia or oversleeping during waking hours
5. Feeling of worthlessness
6. Feeling of helplessness
7. Feeling of hopelessness
8. Feeling of too much guilt
9. Lack of energy or always feeling tired
10. Loses interest on previously enjoyed activities
11. Problem on concentration or focus
12. Difficulty of making decisions or remembering trivial details
13. Frequent suicidal thoughts
14. Restless, aggressive or irritable

The abovementioned symptoms are to be evaluated during the depression test. However, other medical conditions must be ruled out first through other diagnostic examinations.

The other tests conducted to ensure that the patient is not suffering from other diseases include blood tests, CT scan or MRI, electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram. The blood tests are done to verify that the symptoms manifested by the patient are not caused by anemia or thyroid hormone imbalance. Another component of the depression tests are radiology examinations such as CT scan and MRI. These are used to confirm presence of brain tumor. Furthermore, electrocardiogram is used to test existence of any cardiac condition that might have caused the symptoms or the depressive disorder itself. Lastly, electroencephalogram is utilized to assess variation or abnormalities in the brain activity of the affected person. All of these diagnostic examinations are done together with the depression test. But then again, these examinations are intended for ruling out other medical conditions, not exactly to diagnose depression per se.

Indeed, depression is a serious illness. It can cause functional and social disabilities to the affected person. In fact, it is one of the most common causes of death these days. Therefore, as early as possible, a person suspected for depression must submit himself/herself for depression test and treatment. Depression test is a reliable examination to diagnose depression. However, the result of a depression test must be analyzed by a medical or mental health expert to ensure that the diagnosis is accurate.

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What causes Sweaty Palms and How you can naturally Cure it

Sweaty palms is not a new phenomenon and recent estimates have shown that nearly 1 percent of people the world over suffer from this problem. It is a kind of skin condition that is known as hyperhidrosis where you cannot stop your hands from sweating. It is also known as palmar hyperhidrosis. Earlier, medical science had blamed the cause of sweaty palms on psychosomatic illness, which has been challenged by recent research on the subject in the last few decades.

Imbalance of the sympathetic nervous system:
Primarily, perspiration of the palms can be attributed to anxiety during a social interaction or a social situation. The reasons for sweating are more physiological than anything else and happen when the nervous system becomes very hyperactive in some individuals. The nervous system in a human being is very complex and sympathetic as well and it makes up what is known as a flight or fight response.

Sweaty palms can come about from such a situation where a large number of chemicals are released like adrenalin which in turn increases the rate of heartbeat and constricts blood vessels. It results in sweating. The entire situation changes the balance of the sympathetic nervous system and leads to sweaty palms. You can return to normalcy with medication as it takes stock of the imbalance.

Recent developments in treatment based on research carried out in the past decade have made it possible for people to get rid of the problem. Your best bet would be to consult your doctor who can suggest some injections which can cure the sweaty glands problem. Injections by doctors can block off the sweat glands, but there is no guarantee about side effects impairing your health later on.

Natural cure:
Drugs and medication are known to come with side effects as the problem moves to some other part of the body. In order to stop excessive hand sweating, many people have gone in for over the counter drugs and medication only to find the problem surfacing elsewhere on the body. The best way to get out of the sweaty mess is to check out natural methods like avoiding caffeine from your daily diet.

Natural methods are devoid of side effects as many people coast to coast have vouched in recent years. Place your sweaty hands in a small bath of water through which an electric charge is passed. Hyperhidrosis treatment can be done at home without any side effects. Among the natural applications that you can use, iodine is the best.

You can eat foods rich in iodine like beef, turkey, onion, broccoli, liver and a variety of veggies and meats. Some natural formulations use extracts of these foods to make pills which you can pop in from time to time to get rid of the sticky mess on your hands. You can also preserve the used tea bags after they are boiled. Hold them in your hands for half an hour for your palms to take in the tannic acid released by them.

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