Kids' temper sign of mental health problem

For the new study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, researchers developed the new questionnaire, the Multidimensional Assessment of Preschool Disruptive Behavior (MAP-DB), to ask parents of almost 1,500 diverse preschoolers, age three to five, to answer questions about their child's behaviour.

In this new study, researchers have given parents and professionals a new tool to know when to worry about young children's misbehaviour.

Researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine have developed an easy-to-administer questionnaire specifically designed to distinguish the typical misbehaviour of early childhood from more concerning misbehaviour.

The results allowed researchers to rate children along a continuum of behaviour from typical to atypical, rather than focusing only on extreme behaviour.This will also enable early identification and treatment of emerging mental health problems, key to preventing young children struggling with their behaviour from spiralling downward into chronic mental health problems.


In a surprising key finding, the study also debunks the common belief that temper tantrums are rampant among young children.

Although temper tantrums among preschoolers are common, they are not particularly frequent, the research shows.

Less than 10 percent of young children have a daily tantrum. That pattern is similar for girls and boys, poor and non-poor children and Hispanic, white and African-American children.


"It gives a measurable indicator to tell us when tantrums are frequent enough that a child may be struggling. Perhaps for the first time, we have a tangible way to help parents, doctors and teachers know when the frequency and type of tantrums may be an indication of a deeper problem," he said.

Until recently, the only diagnostic tools available for preschool behaviour problems were those geared to older children and teens with more severe, aggressive behaviour.

More recently, there has been emphasis on measures developed specifically for preschool children.


The study has been published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

Children 'need more teaching on cancer causes

Children are not aware of what causes cancer, with a small number believing they can get it from behaving badly, suggests a poll by Macmillan Cancer Support.

The survey of 500 children aged between nine to 16-years-old found that 97% do not know that sunburn can cause cancer - although 91% do know smoking causes it.

The charity says the results suggest children are less informed about cancer.

School teachers need to educate children on cancer, it adds.

The children who responded to the poll also do not know what it means to have cancer.

One in five think it is always fatal, while more than half say they do not know what it is.

And 4% even think cancer can be caught from someone else..

Frightening

Despite this, during poll, only two-thirds of the children know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, though more than half say the word 'cancer' makes them feel frightened.

Katherine Donnelly from Macmillan Cancer Support said many people, including teachers, think that young children should be avoided from talking about cancer.

"In many ways, it's still a bit of a taboo subject. Not all teachers feel confident about talking about it or know where to get the facts and figures from.

"The results showed that as children got older there was a slight increase in the number of those that had been taught about cancer, but not a hugely significant number."

Miss Donnelly added: "As cancer affects more and more people, the chances of children knowing someone with the condition grows - be that their grandparent, parent or friend. This can be really distressing and they may feel too worried to ask questions.

"Just over a quarter of children have been taught about cancer at school and this needs to improve."

The charity has produced an information pack called Talking About Cancer to allow teachers to plan lessons around the subject.

......................

How Alcohol Affects Your Body

HYDRATION

Alcohol depresses the production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which helps keep you hydrated. Dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalances (characterized by nausea, dizziness and diarrhea) and headaches.

BREASTS

According to a 2009 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, one alcoholic drink a day can increase the risk of breast cancer. Researchers believe alcohol boosts risk of breast cancer by increasing estrogen levels, a well known risk factor for breast cancer. Other theories: alcohol reduces the liver’s ability to clear cell-damaging toxins and depletes the body of cancer-protective antioxidants, such as folate and vitamin C.

STOMACH

Alcohol causes stomach cells to produce excessive amounts of gastric acid, which can irritate the stomach. 

PANCREAS

Heavy alcohol use is the common cause of pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas and a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

LIVER

Drinking excessively causes the liver to accumulate fat (fatty liver) and become inflamed (hepatitis). It also leads to cirrhosis, a condition in which liver cells are so damaged they can’t regenerate, and liver failure.
Take note: having as few as 3 drinks at once can cause liver damage if mixed with certain medications—including acetaminophen and statin drugs used to treat high cholesterol. If you take any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it’s safe to consume alcohol.

BRAIN

Moderate alcohol consumption may ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. As we age, brain cells die, leading to gaps that slow nerve transmission within the brain and between the brain and the rest of the body. Moderate drinking appears to somehow prevent these “potholes.” (Scientists aren’t sure why.)

In high doses, alcohol kills brain cells, leading to brain damage that may manifest itself as permanent memory loss. Heavy drinking may even change the brain in ways that contribute to strained personal relationships. In a study in the November 2009 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, alcoholics registered decreased activity in parts of the brain responsible for recognizing people’s facial emotions, which may contribute to miscommunication and conflict, say researchers.

HEART

Drinking in moderation may protect the heart by raising “good” HDL cholesterol, decreasing inflammation and “thinning the blood” (preventing clots that can cause heart attack and stroke). Moderate drinking also increases estrogen, which protects the heart—a benefit particularly helpful to postmenopausal women whose reduced estrogen levels increase their risk of heart disease.

BLOOD PRESSURE

Drinking even in moderate amounts (particularly on an empty stomach) has been linked to high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

BONES

Moderate alcohol consumption may boost bone density and reduce risk of bone fractures, possibly by raising levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which help to keep bones strong. Wine and beer may be more beneficial than liquor because they contain compounds (e.g., resveratrol in wine and silicon, a trace mineral, in beer) that may also contribute to bone density, according to a 2009 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Excessive alcohol intake may increase risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures by accelerating the rate of bone deterioration. Alcohol, a diuretic, also flushes calcium—a mineral essential for strong, dense bones—from the body.