Stress in Pregnancy Leads to Asthma in Offspring–Study

April 8, 2010

Stress and asthma are two different types of disorders; however, they have something in common, especially when the health of pregnant women is being discussed. Pregnant women who experience high levels of stress are more likely to have offspring who are prone to asthma, a recent study suggests.

Stress Can Have A Profound Effect On Pregnant Mothers

Stress can have a negative on the health of everyone; however it can have serious consequences on pregnant women. Among the negative consequences of stress for children born under these conditions include learning and attention disorders, slow development, depression symptoms, and possibly even autism. Stress during pregnancy can definitely lead to a wide array of developmental and emotional disorders for their offspring. However, the effects of stress are quite hard to exactly ascertain, because this may also be influenced by other factors, which includes genetics.

Stressed-Out Pregnant Women Are More Likely To Raise Asthmatic Kids

Stress is defined as the physical and emotion strain that’s primarily caused by the  individual’s response to different external pressures from the outside world. The most common symptoms of stress include irritability, difficulty concentrating, tension, anxiety, a racing heartbeat and chronic headaches. Stress makes life hard for everyone, especially pregnant women. A recent study conducted by the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital concluded that heightened levels of stress may reduce cord blood cytokine production in infants of pregnant mothers, which may be linked with increased asthma risks for the infants in their later stages of life.

Urban, Minority Women Are At Greater Risk Of Raising Asthmatic Infants

Asthma is defined as a chronic lung disorder, which leads to episodes of difficulty in breathing. Asthma leads to the constriction and tightening of the airways and muscles, as well as the swelling and irritation of the airways in the lungs, thereby causing difficulty or shortness of breathing. The Harvard Medical School study also concludes that urban, minority women are more likely to experience higher levels of stress, as well as face higher risks of raising children who are prone to asthma and other developmental disorders. Asthma is more common in poor, disadvantaged communities and targets more ethnic minorities as well. Researchers state that 71 percent of the ethnic minorities affected were black, 19 percent were Latino, and 69 percent of these individuals also had annual incomes of less than $15,000. Highly-stressed mothers tended to much older, and are also more likely to have asthma, which makes them extra prone to giving birth to underweight and asthmatic children.

Pregnancy is a very special and extra sensitive period. A stressful pregnancy heightens the risk of an infant to develop asthma and other life-threatening disorders. The Harvard research team agrees that they don’t fully comprehend the role of stress in asthma. However, they point to studies done on animals, which suggest that prenatal stress and anxiety can alter the infant’s immune system inside the womb.

Stress: Don’t Let It Grind You Down

March 27, 2010

People who are stressed by daily problems or trouble at work seem to be more likely to grind their teeth at night. Researchers writing in BioMed Central’s open access journal Head & Face Medicine studied the causes of ‘sleep bruxism’, gnashing teeth during the night, finding that it was especially common in those who try to cope with stress by escaping from difficult situations.

Maria Giraki, from Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany, worked with a team of researchers to study the condition in 69 people, of whom 48 were ‘bruxers’. She said, “Bruxing can lead to abrasive tooth wear, looseness and sensitivity of teeth, and growth and pain in the muscles responsible for chewing. Its causes are still relatively unknown, but stress has been implicated. We aimed to investigate whether different stress-factors, and different coping strategies, were more or less associated with these bruxism symptoms.”

Tooth grinding was measured by thin plates that were placed in trial participants mouths’ overnight, while stress and coping techniques were assessed by three questionnaires. Bruxing was not associated with age, sex or education level, but was more common in people who claimed to experience daily stress and trouble at work.

More about this article from sciencedaily.com

Asthma UK Comment On Research Linking Pre-natal Stress And Asthma Development In Young Children

March 26, 2010

Pregnancy-related Stress

A director of Research at Asthma UK, Leanne Metcalf, stated that there is now a strong and growing affirmation which suggests that a pregnant mother undergoing significant levels of stress before the conception of her child may have increased risk of developing asthma later on in life.

Social stressors such as difficulty in managing finances, work-related stress, issues with spouses, and many other stressors may have certain effects on the fetus during pre-conception. Although, family history is also an important risk factor in the development of asthma, the development of asthma has now been theorized as not strictly genetic in origin.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a respiratory disorder that has the ability to exacerbate and go into remissions and is characterized by repeating episodes of difficulty of breathing caused by occlusion of the bronchi, vigorous coughing and production of thick mucoid respiratory secretions. The episodes are in part precipitated by inhalation of allergens or pollutants, bacterial or viral infections, cold, humid air, excessive physical activity and emotional stressors.

Certain allergens such as dust, pollen or animal dander increase the risk of developing asthma in children but a mother’s stress levels during pre-conception can also have consequences to a child or infant’s flourishing immune system. Recent studies also do suggest that the association of both stress and allergen exposure even during pregnancy may intensify the effects on the immune system of an infant.

What the Studies Say

Researchers conducting a study on pregnant mothers in Boston took blood samples of fetal cord blood in pregnant mothers while exposed to relatively high levels of stress and exposure to certain allergens. They soon discovered that mothers who experienced high levels of stress have increased levels of immunoglobulin E, which is primarily responsible for the development of symptoms in asthma, that intensified effects of allergen exposure on the offspring’s immune response at birth even though the child was exposed to lower levels of allergen after birth.

According to Dr. Wright, one of the doctors heading and conducting the research in Boston, the research adds to a developing framework of knowledge and evidence that links maternal stressors such as issues of finances, marital relationships, or other factors that provide significant amounts of stress, to the development of a child’s immune system, even during pregnancy. While these findings are important, Dr. Wright noted that only continuing follow-up with these children is the only way for them to know if indeed the observations that they initially gathered really do provide increased risks in the development of asthma in children.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms

According to Asthma UK, a child is sent to the hospital in the United Kingdom at least every 19 minutes. Causes have been suggested but clear cut evidence of these causes is pretty much primarily unknown. Studies like the ones held in Boston prove to be very important as they provide researchers and health practitioners with valuable information regarding factors promoting the development of asthma.

This, in turn, will provide measures that can be done to prevent the development of asthma and advance newer and better ways to alleviate symptoms in the child having an asthma attack, ultimately preventing its progression to more severe forms.

Stress And Anxiety Among Teens

March 22, 2010

A lot of people may not notice, but teenagers are some of the most stressed individuals in the world. Teens suffer from a lot of peer pressure and their bodies also change a lot during this stage, which aggravates the process. It is important that parents and guardians spend more time trying to help their kids get over the stages and to encourage them to go through the challenges to make them balanced and successful individuals. Here are some tips.

About Stress and Anxiety

Stress among teenagers can be triggered by various situations, such as natural changes in the body. Menstruation can lead to hormonal changes among young teenage girls, leading to behavioral changes, mood swings and irritability. You will find that teenage girls get very impatient and irritable for no obvious reason. The guys also experience huge changes in their body which might lead to sexual confusion and the like. This is the time when people have to try and determine their identity, thereby going in groups or isolating themselves from the public.

Added Anxiety

Stressed teenagers usually experience a lot of stress from trying to belong to others around them. Others might even try going with bad companies and gangs just to try and prove themselves in school and society. Others will indulge in habitual drugs to try and forget their problems or ensure that their friends do not shun them for not being “cool”. Teens also have to deal with school pressure and other tasks assigned to them in the home. Their relationship with other people, especially their parents may be hindered because of the anxiety and confusion.

Symptoms of Stress

You can immediately find out whether or not a teenager is anxious or stressed by the way he or she acts or responds. Teens may have restless sleep or find it hard to sleep at night. They might only get 4 hours or less sleep leading to red or tired eyes, eye bags and sleepiness during the day. Other teenagers may also display an aggressive behavior or try to withdraw from social activities. Teenagers may not talk as much or try to be quiet most of the time because of the stress.

Other teens may show drug intake symptoms if they are taking addictive substances. Others may also go home drunk or sleep too much during the day. Failing grades are another sign of teen pressure because they can no longer balance work and social life properly. Your teenager may also start becoming irritable and impatient because of the added stress.

How to Deal

First and foremost, parents have to encourage their child to maintain the good relationship through conversation. Always try to find time to sit down and talk to your child. If your teen seems withdrawn, you can set casual meetings like eating dinner together to find out more about the things that your teen is going through. You should assure your child that you are around to help and support. It is also wise to talk to other people about your child’s behavior such as a psychiatrist and your child’s guidance counselor to ask for tips on how to keep your child on track.

Sleep-deprived teenagers ‘more likely to suffer depression’

March 22, 2010

Sleep is one of the most basic needs to ensure that a person gets mental acuity and physical strength and stamina. It is vital that teenagers get enough rest and sleep each night to prevent illness and depression. Teenagers go through a lot of stress during this part of their lives, which is why they have to learn how to unwind and de-stress once in a while. There are ways on how you can help your teen sleep better. Here are some guidelines.

Benefits of Sleep for Teens

Teenagers need to sleep enough each night to improve their mental, emotional and physical condition. Teenagers have to deal with a lot of things like physical changes in their body, social stress, peer pressure and identity crisis. They also have to manage school activities and try to get good grades. Sleep can help teens enhance their performance and make them strong and independent individuals who can think for themselves and make the right decisions that will be beneficial for the long term.

Studies show that teenagers who sleep adequately each night are less likely to get involved in drugs or crime. Teenagers who sleep well also get better grades or are more active in school sports and extracurricular activities. Young individuals also do not get pressured easily by friends and in most cases, are leaders in their own groups.

How Much is Enough?

Teenagers still need to grow and strengthen their bodies, thereby needing anywhere between 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Experts also recommend that teenagers try to grab a quick nap lasting 30 to 60 minutes at midday to recondition their body and fuel it further to accomplish different tasks for the day. Some research show that teenagers, on the average, only need about 7.4 hours of rest each night. This depends on the body of the person, the pattern of sleeping and other health needs. Athletes and other physically active teenagers will need more to recuperate faster.

Things to Watch Out For

Teenagers who are deprived of sleep are much more prone to developing stress and depression after just a few weeks or months. There are also several other symptoms that are caused by lack of sleep. Teens may find it very hard to sleep at night or find it very hard to wake up in the morning. The teens may also develop breathing problems during sleep or snore a lot. Teens get easily irritated or bored. They might fall asleep in class or during social gatherings. Oversleeping might be done during the weekend. Teens who lack sleep also have a hard time concentrating or remembering things. They do not do so well in sports or cannot stay awake during quizzes or exams. Teens also have a high risk for injury and car accidents because they easily fall asleep behind the wheel.

Things to Do

Teens can try to balance their lifestyle by exercising to help tire themselves out and sleep better at night. They should also eat healthily and drink a lot of water to rid their body of toxins and other free radicals and wastes. Teenagers should forge strong relationships with family and the right friends in school to avoid peer pressure. They should also indulge in hobbies and other activities that will help them relax. They can be referred to a doctor for medications if serious problems occur.

Measuring Stress – Existing Tools

March 19, 2010

You can measure a lot of things, but stress may not have an accurate tool. However, there are several ways on how you can gauge the level of your stress. You can also check out the categories to find out if you are at risk for developing further problems like depression or developing illness from the stress. It is important that you discover the problems early so that you can find the right means to reducing it before things get worse. Here are tips.

The Stress Assessment

Stress assessment tests are described as questionnaires that can be filled up to provide a full idea of the individuals present stress level. The stress level may be categorized anywhere between low and high. A number of questionnaires are made by top agencies and well-known health institutions. These may be available in a multiple choice format, essay format or yes or no format, depending on the case and the source. Questions are asked covering the person’s feelings, current condition and other symptoms and factors.

Stress Meters

There are actually stress meters available which are described as a glass tube that is linked to a plastic card. This measures the temperature of the individual to know the current stress level. Stress meters may be held just below the finger or taped to it to provide the right temperature reading and the probable stress level. There is a manual provided with the stress meter to guide the person how to interpret the readings show on the device.

Using Biodots

Biodots are described as plastic squares or circles that can accurately measure the temperature inside the body. People usually peel off the biodots from the paper then stick these to the skin just between the thumb and the forefinger. The biodot will change colors based on the current level of stress that the person is going through. Red color usually shows high stress level, while blue or green usually presents a relaxed condition.

Stress Exams

Individuals can also check themselves independently to know the mental and physical symptoms of stress. A number of symptoms that may be displayed include high pulse, shallow breathing, profuse sweating and fast heartbeats. Individuals who go through a lot of stress can check if they are tensed in some muscles like the forehead and shoulders, then relax these accordingly to get rid of tension soreness.

Individuals who are going through a lot of stress might also present symptoms and conditions like having a fever, feeling tired or drowsy all the time, not showing interest in activities and work, not focusing or concentrating well, having a hard time remembering things or getting irritable or angry easily.

The Pros

Some professionals are also well-trained to measure the symptoms of the person and indicate if they need help and which type. Mild stress can easily be treated with exercise, sleep and good nutrition, moderate stress will require social interaction and other de-stressing methods, while severe stress will need medications or psychotherapy, depending on the case and the response of the individual to treatment.

Sleep Disorders Linked to Children’s Behavior Problems

March 18, 2010

Science Daily recently reported in this article that certain sleep disorders are linked to behavior issues in kids. The study showed that children with sleep disordered breathing such as snoring or sleep apnea and who were also overweight, did not sleep enough, or had another sleep problem such as insomnia, were more likely to have behavior issues. More than half of the participants with sleep disordered breathing who were studied were either overweight or at risk for being overweight (see this post about the link between sleep and obesity). In addition 36% were identified as “short sleepers” and almost half had another sleep problem diagnosed in addition to the snoring or sleep apnea. “Forty-seven percent had a history of behavioral problems and 23 percent had a reported diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” Researchers were surprised that the strongest predictor of behavior problems was not the severity of the sleep apnea or snoring, but the presence of another sleep problem such as insomnia.

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More about this article from babysleepsite.com

Childhood Insomnia – An Overlooked Condition

March 16, 2010

Insomnia is a very common disorder that affects most adults who are experiencing extreme stress . Sometimes it can be occasional, lasting for a few nights to weeks, and becomes worse until it becomes a chronic condition. Whatever the severity, one thing’s for sure: the person with the condition suffers with all the effects that sleep deprivation brings about.

One misconception about insomnia is that only adults experience it. The truth is, a condition such as childhood insomnia also exists. In fact, child insomnia is actually one of the most commonly overlooked conditions that children suffer.

Facing Child Insomnia

Facing this kind of problem in the family can be burdensome for you as a parent. If your child is restless every night and always wakes up irritated and unrefreshed, then your kid may be facing the condition of child insomnia, and may feel just as depressed as adult sufferers.

Although it can be hard to pinpoint the cause of adult sleeplessness, in the case of child insomnia there are several pinpointed reasons that may be the culprit why your child could not go to sleep.

Read more about Children’s Insomnia from learn-about-insomnia.com

Stress During Pregnancy And Its Effects

March 16, 2010

Stress during pregnancy is an unnatural side-effect of modern day society.

Stress, an emotion that puts a demand for action on your system, is designed in nature as a fight or flight response. For example, you see a tiger, you become stressed, and you either fight or you run.

The emotion of stress is not meant to be experienced for an extended period of time, especially during pregnancy. This article will detail the background and effects of stress during pregnancy.

More about Clinical Studies on Stress During Pregnancy from newmomsforum.com

What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep?

January 12, 2010

I’m delighted to announce that ‘pzizz sleep’ is now available on the iTunes Store :

http://itunes.com/app/pzizzsleep

As a “thank you” to our existing customers, we are pricing it at $2.99 / £1.79 until 14th December, at which time we are increasing our prices to $9.99 per app. It’s simply not worth trying to compete with all the ‘one track’ apps at $2.99.

pzizz is a quality product, and our prices need to reflect that. I know that this will upset some people, but for those who want a ‘one track’ app I suggest they download and listen to the free MP3 samples from http://www.pzizz.com and “pretend” they’re using what other companies have the cheek to call an “app”!

In our mind, an “app” should do more than display a graphic and play a single soundtrack, but this is exactly what everyone else is selling.

pzizz does so much more than this, and our new price will reflect this fact (but still be less than the cost of a CD which only play single soundtracks!)

So, if you’re interested in putting the best sleep app possible on your iPhone at a ridiculously low price, grab it now!

Best wishes, happy pzizzing – and sleep well, everyone…

edward