More than one out of 10 U.S. kids now have been diagnosed with ADHD, reflecting a dramatic surge in recent years.

That’s the conclusion of a new study at George Washington University, which found that roughly 5.8 million children aged five to 17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD, which is characterized by social and behavioral problems, as well as challenges in school.

The researchers said they found surprising spikes in ADHD diagnoses among girls, Hispanics and older kids. One possible explanation for the jump in diagnoses for girls, according to one of the scientists, is a greater recognition of ADHD symptoms (e.g. withdrawn, internalizing) that in the past hadn’t been considered a sign of the condition,

While white children continue to make up the majority of cases, diagnosis rates climbed much more for black and Hispanic children.

Over the study period, diagnoses among Hispanic children spiked 83 percent, and for blacks, 58 percent. Previous research raised concerns that children from minority groups may have been underdiagnosed in the past.

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Sourced from: Reuters Health, More than one in 10 U.S, kids have ADHD as diagnosis rates surge

People with diabetes who have foot complications, such as infections that are slow to heal, may be at greater risk for cognitive decline, according to a study at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.

So-called “diabetic foot” can be one of the more severe effects of diabetes. High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage, resulting in loss of feeling in the feet, and foot injuries, such as cuts or blisters, may go unnoticed. Such injuries can lead to ulcers and infections, and, in severe cases, amputation.

The new research involved 99 diabetes patients with diabetic foot. Researchers assessed their cognitive abilities through a series of tests conducted before and after the development of diabetic foot – and the results were compared with those of diabetes patients without foot problems.

The cognitive abilities of members of both groups were similar before some developed diabetic foot. But patients who developed the condition showed reduced concentration, poorer memory, learning problems, slower cognitive and psycho-motor responses, reduced inhibition and decreased verbal fluency than those who did not develop diabetic foot.

The researchers said the findings demonstate that “diabetic foot” refers not only to a physical condition but also can involve mental and memory changes as well.

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Sourced from: Medical News Today, “Diabetic foot” increases risk of cognitive impairment

For the second day in a row, residents of Beijing suffered through smog so thick it closed schools and shut down roads and factories.

Late Monday, the Chinese government issued a “red alert” for air pollution for the first time, as the polluted air over the city reached what’s considered a hazardous level. That alert continued in the city for a second day Wednesday. The alert included alarms in the subways that sounded like bombing raid warnings as the city’s 20 million residents were told to take precautions to protect their health.

Today the state-run network CCTV sent out a tweet with the following advice: “Smile and try to be positive (hopefully there will be less smog tomorrow).”

Other suggestions from the Beijing-based broadcaster included not going outside unless absolutely necessary, blowing your nose, drinking more tea, smoking less and even wiping down your skin after spending time outdoors.

Because of industrial coal burning, Chinese cities regularly have air quality rated among the worst in the world. Late in November, a pollution cloud hung over parts of Beijing filled with a concentration of fine, particulate matter that reached 40 times the exposure limit recommended by the World Health Organization.

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Sourced from: New York Times, Smog So Thick, Beijing Comes to a Standstill