Study Ties Autism Risk to Prenatal Exposure to Asthma Drugs

By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Children whose mothers took certain asthma drugs during pregnancy may have a slightly increased risk of autism, a new study suggests.

The study, published online Jan. 6 in Pediatrics, found a connection between autism risk and prenatal exposure to drugs called beta-agonists. They are most often used to control asthma, and include inhaled medications such as albuterol, salmeterol (Serevent) and formoterol (Foradil).

Researchers said the findings do not prove cause and effect, and stressed that women with asthma should not simply abandon their medication during pregnancy.

“Uncontrolled asthma in pregnancy has been associated with poor birth outcomes, such as preterm birth, low birth weight and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit,” said lead researcher Nicole Gidaya, of Drexel University, in Philadelphia.

What’s more, preterm delivery and low birth weight have been tied to an increased autism risk.

Geraldine Dawson, director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development at Duke University, in Durham, N.C., made the same point.

Taking beta-agonists during pregnancy has both potential benefits and potential risks for the developing fetus, said Dawson, who wrote an editorial published with the study.

“It’s important for a woman taking these drugs to talk with her physician and make an individual decision based on her unique circumstances,” Dawson said.

Researchers are still trying to understand the precise causes of autism spectrum disorders, which affect an estimated one in 68 children in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Beta-agonists come in both short-acting forms — which are used to treat asthma attacks — and long-acting forms, which are taken regularly to help prevent attacks. Gidaya said her study did not differentiate between the two.

Scientists generally agree, though, that autism arises from a combination of genetic vulnerability and certain environmental exposures. Many genes have been linked to autism risk, and the list of environmental suspects is growing.

Birth complications — especially ones that cause oxygen deprivation — are among them, according to the advocacy group Autism Speaks. So are prenatal exposures to certain infections, air pollution and some medications, such as the anti-seizure drug valproic acid, the group said.

According to Gidaya, it’s plausible that beta-agonists could affect fetal brain development in a way that raises the risk of autism. Given to pregnant lab rats, the drugs can affect fetal nerve cell development.

For the new study, Gidaya’s team combed through Denmark’s system of national databases to find information on 5,200 children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The researchers compared them with 52,000 children of the same age without autism.

Overall, just under 4 percent of children with autism had been exposed to a beta-agonist, versus just under 3 percent of other kids.

When the researchers controlled for other factors — including mothers’ asthma, parents’ age and birth complications — children exposed to beta-agonists in the womb were still 30 percent more likely to develop autism.

But while that number might sound big, it is actually a “modest” increase in autism risk, Dawson said.

Plus, there are other factors the researchers could not account for, such as exposure to pollutants, Gidaya said.

According to Dawson, more research is needed to confirm the link between beta-agonists and autism.

If the drugs are a risk factor, Gidaya said, studying the biology behind it could help researchers gain a better understanding of how autism arises.

More information

Autism Speaks has more on environmental risk factors for autism.

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Ab and core workout by Emily Skye

 

Sculpt rock hard abs with fitness IT girl Emily Skye's exclusive workout for WH&F.

This is a fantastic ab and core workout you really can do anywhere. By doing the workout in a circuit format, you also get the added benefit of a fantastic fat burning session. High-intensity circuits are by far the best way to burn fat as you have the effects of burning fat well after the workout is complete. This particular workout is a basic five-exercise circuit. The beauty of these workouts is that they are easy to construct and require minimal preparation. I do at least two sessions like this a week. I’ll simply choose five exercises, decide how many reps of each exercise I’m going to complete and how long a rest I’ll take at the completion of the five exercises.
It’s a really simple way to create your own effective workouts.

The rules: complete each exercise one after the other with as little rest in between exercises as possible. When all five exercises are complete, rest for 60 seconds. Repeat this process again five times.

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Butterfly kicks

Targets // Abs

1.     Lie on a mat.
2.     Keep your tummy tight throughout the exercise.
3.     Keep your legs straight and slightly above the ground. Kick them up and down in a controlled motion.
4. One up and down kick is one rep.
Reps: 20

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Leg lowers

Targets // Abs

1.     Lie on a mat.
2.     Start with your legs straight up with your feet facing upward.
3.     Slowly lower your legs to the ground while keeping them straight.
4.     When your heels are slightly off the ground. Return your legs upwards and start again.
Reps: 12

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Modified burpees

Targets // Abs, Glutes

 

 

1.     Squat down from standing and set yourself up like you are going to do a push-up.
2.     Keep your back straight and tummy tight so that you don’t sag in the middle.
3.     Bring your feet back up towards your chest so that you can stand back up.
Reps: 12

 

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Plank rope climb

Targets // Abs, glutes

 

 

1.     Start in a push-up position.
2.     Keep your back straight and tummy tight.
3.     Take turns in pulling your knees upwards and out to the side.
4.     One rep is complete when both left and right knees have been raised.
Reps: 10

 

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V-ups

Targets // Abs

 

1.     Lie on a mat.
2.     Place your hand on the ground for balance if required.
3.     Under control, raise your knees to your chest and lower back to ground level.
4.     Keep your tummy engaged throughout.
Reps: 10

Don't forget to complement your workouts with a healthy eating regime to maximise your results!

 

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Conquer the Weight Room: 5 Machines You Should Know How to Use

Photo: Getty Images

Let’s face it: there are few things in this world more terrifying than walking into your gym’s weight room. It’s usually pretty scarce of female allies, it often wreaks of a not-so-appealing bro-stench (some mix of body spray and B.O.), and (worst of all) it’s filled to the brim with mysterious machines you have no idea how to use.

Sure, you could probably figure it out if you tried, but if you’ve never been trained to use the equipment at your gym, it can be incredibly intimidating. What if you accidentally sit backwards on the machine, totally embarrassing yourself? Or worse, what if you use too much weight and hurt yourself? These are genuine (and totally reasonable) fears.

To help move past your gym-fright, Curtis Williams, Under Armour sponsored trainer and owner of Training Camp NYC, gave us a crash course in the top 5 pieces of weight-lifting at the gym. Stick to his tips and you’ll be master of the machines in no time.

RELATED: 4 Reasons Women Shouldn’t Fear the Weight Room 

For all these machines, start with around 15 pounds on each side. Rather than increasing weight too quickly, focus on perfecting your form. When it comes to reps, if you’re trying to build endurance, go for 15-20 and 1-4 sets. If you want to focus on strength, stick with the same number of sets, but 8-12 reps.

 Smith machine

Photo: Courtesy of Precor

First things first: let’s get those legs nice and toned. Williams says the Smith Machine is a great starting point because it forces you to learn how to stabilize through both feet—an important foundation for lifting. Here’s how to conquer this beast:

1. Start with no weight on both sides and focus on getting comfortable under the bar itself, with your hands supporting the bar on either side of your head.
2. Place your feet hip-width apart.
3. Now squat! Bend your knees as close to 90 degrees as you can, driving your tailbone towards the floor. Engage your core to protect lower back. You should feel the burn in your quads and hamstrings
4. While you move through your reps, focus on good posture: keep your spine aligned and perpendicular to the floor.

RELATED: 16 Ways to Lose Weight Fast

Cable Fly Machine

Photo: Courtesy of Precor

This machine should be your new go-to for strengthening your chest muscles. Plus,  since you have to stabilize through your core the entire time—it doubles as a great ab workout, Williams says. Win, win!

1. Stand between the two handles, grabbing one in each hand, arms wide. Your elbows should be slightly bent so there’s no strain on your joints.
2. Engage your core, and bend your knees slightly.
3. Now bring your arms in, like you’re trying to touch your fists to your chest.
4. Hint: if your hips are moving, your core isn’t engaged, you’re using too much weight, or both. Make sure your motion is controlled in both direction—the weight shouldn’t be so heavy that it yanks your arms back.

Plate-loaded seated row machine

Photo: Courtesy of Precor

Williams recommends using this machine to strengthen your back because it’s very versatile. With just a quick grip adjustment on the handles, you can transition between targeting your lower or upper back. Plus, it’s a surefire way to fix your posture after spending long hours slumping over your phone or computer.

1. Get in a comfortable, seated position with your chest against the cushion. (You will be straddling the seat.)
2. Pick either the high-grip (making fists horizontal) or the close grip (with fists in a vertical position). The high-grip targets the upper back, with the close grip targeting the lower back.
3. Pull each side individually, and alternate between left and right. That’s one rep.
4. Make sure you stay balanced on both sides, and your posture is never compromised.

RELATED: 10-Minute Moves for Strength, Speed, and Agility

Seated shoulder press machine

Photo: Courtesy of Precor

This machine is great for weight-room beginners because it’s incredibly simple and manageable—even if you’ve never done a shoulder press in your life. Follow Williams’ steps to look like a total pro:

1. Find a comfortable, seated position on the machine (pictured).
2. Make sure your elbows are level with earlobes.
3. Grip the hand holds comfortably, and press up until your arms are fully extended.
4. Bring your arms back down and make sure the movement is controlled.

RELATED: 5 Killer Push-Up Variations for Seriously Sculpted Arms

Incline ab bench

Last, but certainly not least, let’s get to toning your favorite area: abs. Sure, you could knock out a ton of core work on the ground, but you could also take it to the next level with an incline ab bench. Manipulating the angle of the bench creates an added challenge. You can also use a medicine ball to increase resistance to boost your sculpting potential. But for just the basics, follow these tips:

1. Climb onto the bench insert your legs into the padded areas on either side of the handles, hooking your legs on the padded rests and leaning back.
2. Face your chin forward to protect the back of your neck. And use your core muscles to sit up with your hands across your chest.
3. Start with a slight incline, and re-adjust the bench higher if that’s too easy. For even more of a challenge, keep your elbows wide and hands behind your head.

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LGBT Immigrants Often Faced Persecution in Homeland: Study

TUESDAY, Jan. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people seeking asylum in the United States and Canada report suffering persecution and abuse in their homelands, a small study reveals.

The severe verbal, physical and sexual abuse often began in childhood, the study found. Perpetrators included parents and caregivers, peers and school staff, the Rutgers University researchers said.

The study included 26 interviews with people who obtained refuge or asylum in the United States or Canada on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. They came from Barbados, Belarus, Jamaica, Iran, Kenya, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Trinidad, Uganda, Ukraine and Venezuela.

The study supports previous research showing that LGBT children and teens are at high risk for abuse that contributes to mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.

“The findings suggest that compared to what we already know about LGBT youth in the U.S., children and youth in these countries have fewer support system resources, which impacts their resiliency,” study author Edward Alessi, an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., said in a university news release.

“Also, unlike youth in the U.S. and Canada who can choose to move to a more tolerant region, moving to another part of the country does not help because of laws and policies that make escaping severe homophobia and transphobia difficult,” he added.

Many study participants had ongoing conflicts with family members. All but four said they suffered abuse from peers and/or school staff. The abuse began in primary school and continued through high school. Some of the participants switched schools, while others eventually dropped out, the study found.

“When victimization occurred at the hands of peers or teachers, some participants could not rely on their parents to protect them. Many parents believed that participants had brought the abuse upon themselves because of their gender non-conformity. Additionally, they had nowhere to turn since parents and family members perpetrated the abuse as well,” Alessi said.

Despite the abuse, the study participants showed high levels of resilience.

“To deal with their situations during childhood and adolescence, many immersed themselves in their studies and therefore excelled academically. Furthermore, seeking refuge or asylum should be considered an act of resilience in and of itself,” Alessi said.

The study was published recently in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about LGBT health.

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Try Home Remedies for Child’s Cough or Cold

TUESDAY, Jan. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Instead of turning to over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, parents should consider treating their children with home remedies, says a leading group of U.S. pediatricians.

Like all medications, even cold and could remedies available without a prescription can cause serious side effects in young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions.

Because of the risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2008 recommended that children younger than 4 years old never be treated with over-the-counter cough and cold medicines.

Children between 4 and 6 years old should only take these remedies under the direction of their doctor, the academy said in a news release. But children older than 6 can safely take over-the-counter drugs if the dosage instructions on the package are followed correctly.

There are safer, more convenient and less costly ways to provide sick kids with some relief from such symptoms as a stuffy nose and coughing, the academy advised. Some of its suggestions include:

• Runny nose: Grab a tissue. A runny nose can be stopped by suctioning it or blowing it. Although antihistamines are useful in treating nasal allergies, they don’t help relieve cold symptoms. The good news is that runny noses help the body get rid of the nasty viruses that make kids sick.
• Stuffy nose: No medication can remove dried mucus or pus from the nose, but nasal washes can help. Saline nose spray or drops may loosen up mucus so that kids can blow their nose more easily. Saline solution can be made at home by adding 2 milliliters (mL) (0.4 teaspoon) of table salt to 240 mL (8 ounces) of warm tap water. If saline isn’t available, a few drops of warm water in each nostril also works. This can be repeated until the nose becomes clear. Very sticky mucus can also be removed with a wet cotton swab. If the air is dry, using a humidifier or running a warm shower can keep kids’ mucus from drying up.
• Coughing: Children under 3 months old should be seen by their doctor. Babies between 3 months and 1 year with a cough can be given one to three teaspoons (5 to 15 mL) of warm, clear fluids, such as water or apple juice, four times daily. Children younger than 1 year should not consume honey, but kids older than 12 months can take up to one teaspoon of honey as needed to thin their mucus and loosen their cough. If honey isn’t available, corn syrup could also help. However, research shows that honey reduces the frequency and severity of nighttime coughing better than corn syrup.
• Coughing spasm: Exposure to warm mist from a shower can help ease bouts of coughing.

Kids with coughs or colds may not always need treatment, the academy noted. If children aren’t bothered by their symptoms and continue to play and sleep normally, over-the-counter or home remedies aren’t necessary. These treatments are only helpful if illness is making children very uncomfortable and preventing them from sleeping.

Parents should also remember that fevers help the body fight viruses and should only be treated if they reach 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and the child is uncomfortable. High fevers and pain may be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), the academy says.

More information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides more tips on the safe use of cough and cold remedies.

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Suppository Eases Vaginal Dryness in Small Study

TUESDAY, Jan. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For postmenopausal women, suppositories containing the hormone DHEA may reduce vaginal dryness, discomfort and pain during sex without raising overall estrogen levels, researchers report.

DHEA is an anti-aging hormone produced by both women and men. In supplement form, it is used to improve thinking skills in older people. But DHEA is also a hormonal precursor of estrogen and testosterone, so some women who have low levels of certain hormones take it to improve well-being and sexuality, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

“Although this medication is considered ‘hormonal,’ the mechanism appears to be primarily local with minimal side effects beyond vaginal discharge from the suppository,” said Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

Generally, without hormonal treatment after menopause, vaginal tissues shrink and produce less moisture, leading to discomfort during sex, and vaginal and urinary problems, according to background information in the study.

In this phase 3 clinical trial, 325 women who used the DHEA suppository daily saw significant improvements in vaginal dryness after 12 weeks, compared to 157 women using a placebo.

“Its action seems to be entirely within [vaginal] cells, and no significant amount of sex hormone gets released into the circulation,” Pinkerton said in a society news release.

“That means that intravaginal DHEA avoids the raised hormone levels that might stimulate breast tissue or the lining of the uterus, which are concerns for women at risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers, or cancer recurrence, in these organs,” she said.

The findings were published online Jan. 5 in the journal Menopause, a NAMS publication.

One woman’s health expert noted that DHEA may be a better option than estrogen treatments for some women.

“Intravaginal DHEA is a good alternative to estrogen creams in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy that manifests as vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler, an urology specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

“Intravaginal DHEA does not increase a woman’s exposure to the effects of estrogen that concern many women, like endometrial hyperplasia [thickening of the lining of the uterus that can raise the risk for cancer] and breast cancer risk,” Kavaler added.

More information

The U.S. Office on Women’s Health has more about menopause.

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Here’s What Happens When You Give Up Drinking for New Year’s

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Taking a month off drinking is an increasingly common New Year’s resolution, though it remains unknown how successful people are at staying sober for a month, or what distinguishes people who can keep it up compared to those who can’t, according to a new study.

Researchers of the new report, published in the journal Health Psychology, looked at 857 British men and women who pledged to partake in a “Dry January,” and stay sober for the month. The researchers wanted to better understand what makes a person successful at staying sober for 31 days, and how the month-long sobriety affects future drinking behavior.

The men and women in the study filled out three questionnaires: one at the start, one a month later, and one six months later. Overall, 64% of the people completed the Dry January, with a pretty even split of men and women. The people who successfully completed the month were more likely to report at the beginning of the month that they consume fewer drinks, are less often drunk, and score lower on a Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) compared to other people participating. They were also more likely to have significantly higher drink refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) scores at baseline.

In general, participating in Dry January was associated with significantly fewer drinking days per week, fewer drinks per drinking day, and a lower frequency in drunkenness six months later. Interestingly, the researchers noted that even people who did not finish the month experienced positive changes in behavior. In general, few of the men and women experienced rebound effects, the study authors note. Most of the people staying sober for the month reported reductions in their overall alcohol consumption.

The study has limitations since the people involved voluntarily chose to participate in Dry January, and therefore may not be representative of the general public. Still, the researchers believe their findings add value. “Taken together, these findings suggest that abstinence challenges such as Dry January can lead to changes toward healthier drinking and health-enhancing beliefs about alcohol, and are unlikely to result in undesirable rebound effects,” they conclude.

Read more: Here’s What Happens When You Drink Red Wine Every Night

This article originally appeared on Time.com.

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9 Kick-Ass Fitness Quotes You Can Wear

It’s January, so if you weren’t already regularly hitting the gym (or running trail, pool, or yoga studio…), then you probably are at least thinking of doing it now. Let Health‘s January/February cover star, Cassey Ho—also known by her YouTube username, Blogilates—inspire you to sweat. These Blogilates Designs tops feature motivational phrases that will make you excited to get dressed to go work out. (And if you’re looking for a way to kickstart your 2016, Cassey and Health have teamed up to bring you 30 days of fat-burning workouts with this Total Body Challenge.)

See something you like? Use the code HEALTH at checkout for an exclusive 15% discount.

Sore Today, Strong Tomorrow ($14)

Eat Meticulous, Train Ridiculous ($10)

Dream, Believe, Achieve ($21.50)

 

I Don’t Sweat, I Sparkle ($22)

 

OK, But First Pilates ($22)

 

Waffles: Pancakes With Abs ($25)

 

Donut Ever Give Up ($25)

Eat, Sleep, Pilates, Repeat ($22)

 

Train Like a Beast, Look Like a Beauty ($10)

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Equinox’s New Campaign Puts a Provocative Spin on New Year’s Resolutions

With the majority of us looking at the New Year as a fresh start in some capacity of our lives, it’s always helpful to get some encouragement from an outside source. Whether it be family, friends or co-workers, we can always use a little championing now and then.

RELATED: Body Positivity Yields Some Really Shocking Results

Equinox is going bold with their New Year’s cheerleading routine, promoting a movement that wants to celebrate every hard-won, challenging, fearless moment in your life. Their Commit to Something campaign is edgy and fierce, complete with glossy, provocative photos shot by famed photographer Steven Klein.

Proving they’re about more than just fitness, the empowering images include Lydia Hearst as a mom breastfeeding in public and Bianca Van Damme (yes, that would be the daughter of Jean-Claude) as a passionate activist.

RELATED: The Most Body-Positive Celeb Moments of 2015

“It is the responsibility of advertising to communicate modern times and social issues,” says Klein in a statement. “This campaign addresses today’s issues and social commentaries, which is a powerful approach instead of portraying people as superficial objects with no narrative.”

And if the hair looks particularly on point, Chris McMillan is responsible. So, you know, it’s to be expected.

RELATED: Beauty Blogger Jaclyn Hill Shares Emotional Plea on YouTube

So whether your goal this year is to tackle a personal health challenge, stand for something you believe in, or pave your own way to better future, Equinox has your back.

This article originally appeared on MIMIchatter.com.

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