Note to media: To reach the media contacts for any of these health news tips, call the Office of News and Publications at 214-648-3404.

WITH KIDS, EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK

Winter vacation’s over. Are your kids back on their sleep schedule?

Probably not. But there’s hope. Dr. John Herman, a pediatric sleep expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says most parents then make a common mistake: They tell the child to go to bed earlier in order to get up early the next morning.

“Some kids may go right to sleep,” he says, “but most will lie there staring at the ceiling.”

Don’t send the child to bed earlier, Herman says; just “have him or her get up earlier. They’ll come home that first day a little tired, but most will be ready for bed earlier the next night.” The routine may take several days to a week, he says, but it’s effective.

Media Contact: Ann Harrell

DON’T STARVE YOURSELF AFTER HOLIDAY INDULGING

Often, after holiday overeating, we tend to starve ourselves in January to lose those extra pounds. However, that’s exactly what not to do, says Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

“The body needs food every day,” she says. “If you put on a few extra pounds over the holidays, they’re probably fat. Starving yourself leads to losing muscle mass in addition to body fat, which results in a slower metabolism.”

To get back on track, Sandon suggests the following:

• Stock your pantry with healthier options such as fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat yogurt and milk, lean meats, dry cereal, and almonds or walnuts for snacking.
• Take gift baskets of cheeses and chocolates and cookies to the office to share.
• Keep a food journal, making food choices tangible actions, not just thoughts.
• Set one or two initial goals, such as switching from 2 percent to 1 percent milk.

Media Contact: Donna Steph Hansard

POST-HOLIDAY SLUMP? DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF

Now that the holidays are over are you feeling a letdown? If so, you’re not alone, says Dr. Madhukar Trivedi of UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Trivedi, an associate professor of psychiatry and an expert in mood disorders, says most people suffer from post-holiday blahs. He has some suggestions to recover from the malaise:

• Set realistic resolutions. If you aim too high, you’ll just frustrate yourself.
• Don’t dwell on things that went wrong – think, instead, of what went well.
• Do something nice for yourself. After all, you’ve been doing for others.
• Exercise. It’s been shown that exercise makes people feel better.

If after trying these tips you still feel out-of-sorts, you should make an appointment to talk with a specialist, such as your family physician or a counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

Media Contact: Ann Harrell

KEY TO TREATING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IS EARLY DETECTION

More than 70 million Americans experience the nagging pains and physical limitations of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is among the most debilitating forms of the disease, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints, and making even the simplest things — opening a jar, taking a walk, climbing stairs – difficult to manage.

But, through early detection and aggressive treatment, many of the 2.1 million people afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis still can enjoy a productive life.

“The individual has to take the first step by making the decision to come in and be evaluated,” says Dr. David Karp, chief of rheumatic diseases at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. “People should see a physician if discomfort in their bones, joints or muscles lasts more than a few weeks or interferes with their daily routine.

“In many cases, a visit to a rheumatologist is needed to confirm the diagnosis and design customized treatment that, for example, can prevent or limit long-term disability.”

According to the Arthritis Foundation, rheumatoid arthritis affects mostly women. The onset is usually in middle age, but it can occur when people are in their 20s and 30s.

“Rheumatoid arthritis is similar to other autoimmune or inflammatory conditions like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis,” says Karp, “People quickly can become disabled, stop working and be unable to care for themselves or their families.”

Media Contact: Scott Maier

HELP MAY BE ON THE WAY FOR CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA

For millions of students with asthma and allergies, making an “A” can be difficult if they’re focused on wheezing and sneezing. But, a new screening program – the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology study – conducted by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas could improve both the health and test scores of children nationwide.

Asthma accounts for more than 10 million lost school days annually and is the leading cause of absenteeism attributed to chronic conditions, the American Lung Association reports.

“One of the key problems in treating asthma in children is identifying whether they have a problem,” says Dr. Rebecca Gruchalla, chief of allergy and immunology at UT Southwestern. The survey of children in kindergarten through sixth grade is designed to help parents find out whether their children need some type of intervention/treatment for asthma and allergies.

“Unless partnerships are established in the community, asthma will continue to go unrecognized,” Gruchalla says. “Many children with the disease will continue to receive inadequate treatment, and thus they will continue to sleep poorly, miss school and miss out on childhood activities because of breathing problems.”

Media Contact: Barbara Bedrick

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