Healing News

TK MEDS 2DAY-DOC

Are your clients concerned about inflating their cell phone bills with too much texting? Some of those messages could come from an unexpected and welcome source. Doctors at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center have adopted modern technology to notify patients of appointments and tests, or to remind them to take their medications.

Nonadherence ranks as a key reason for failure among all age groups to take daily meds. Johns Hopkins pediatrician Delphine Robotham, M.D., cites several studies that show improved compliance among patients when they’re prompted by text messages. SMS therapy, as it’s called, is convenient and discreet without disrupting meetings or classes. She notes that chronic conditions that require daily testing and/or medication, such as diabetes, asthma, tuberculosis and HIV, benefit the most from these electronic reminders. However, researchers caution that texting should not replace direct communication between physician and patient.

Beating the Blues

Moms and dads have another good reason to shuffle their teenagers off to bed early. In the March issue of Sleep, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society published findings indicating that adolescents who comply with earlier bedtimes established by their parents are less likely to suffer from depression and thoughts of suicide.

The research centered on findings from National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, in which 15,659 adolescents in grades 7 to 12 participated. It found that teenagers who slumber five hours or fewer a night run an increased risk of depression, according to lead author James E. Gangwisch, M.D., professor at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Additionally, lack of shut-eye may lead to inappropriate responses to negative stimuli; mood swings that negatively affect relationships and the ability to cope with stressful situations; impaired judgment; decreased powers of concentration; and compromised impulse control.

Lopsided Labeling

Making a choice between fettuccini alfredo or a salad with low-calorie dressing might seem obvious for diners watching their weight. But researchers from Tufts University caution that consumers should be aware of deceptive labeling.

As part of a study published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, scientists measured the calories in 29 typical restaurant foods that claimed to contain fewer than 500 calories per serving. However, the results turned up 18% more calories in the dishes than their official counts stated. Furthermore, when establishments included side dishes for free, the calorie content of the meal nearly doubled. Researchers also evaluated 10 frozen supermarket meals; these items contained 8% more calories than the numbers listed on their labels.