IN BRIEF (Page 19)

Eye exam vital to children

Children whose eyes twitch should be taken to an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, the BVA German Professional Association of Ophthalmologists advises.

Sensitivity to light, avoiding eye contact, drooping eyelids and pupils that have gray-white discolorations are other symptoms that warrant a medical consultation.

Children should, strictly speaking, have their first eye exam between the ages of 2 1/2 and 3 1/2, as minor vision impairments often lead to permanent sight problems, the group says.

The development of an infant's eyesight in the time leading up to its first birthday is based on interaction between the eyes and brain. If treatable problems are ignored, the child never achieves full vision potential.

The likelihood of long-term vision problems is greatest when eyesight problems run in the family. In such cases, a baby's first vision test should be scheduled between the ages of 6 to 9 months old.

Stress main cause of aerophobia

People who are afraid of flying should try to pinpoint the cause of their fear, and also be aware stress is a main trigger of pre-flight anxiety.

"People who spend the time before a flight frantically getting ready, leaving themselves less than adequate time to plan and look forward to their trip, tend to take their worries aboard and become fearful," says psychologist Marc-Roman Trautmann, director of the German Center for the Study and Treatment of Aerophobia.

Vacation planning and preparation should as stress-free as possible. This is the only way to ensure a relaxing flight. Experts recommend audio entertainment as a distraction in order to avoid spending a flight in dread fear.

Simple exercises and relaxation techniques that act as a lightning rod in the reduction of anxiety should be performed before the flight. Trautmann advises against taking sedatives to reduce pre-flight anxiety.

Certain non-prescription drugs designed to reduce stress can actually have the opposite effect, the psychologist warns.

Risks of constipation in children

Parents whose children suffer from constipation should be aware the condition can sometimes necessitate a stay in hospital, says Germany's Green Cross.

Constipation that continues for more than two months is considered chronic. In 95 percent of cases, constipation in children has no organic cause. The most successful treatments are often those that include explaining bodily functions in a way that infants can understand, and allowing sufficient toilet training time.

Chronic problems generally result from acute constipation, which occurs, for example, when a baby is weaned from milk to solids, or when a child consumes insufficient fluids or roughage.

Constipation often causes children to suffer bellyaches, flatulence, loss of appetite, nausea, bedwetting, urinary tract infections and psychological problems.

A wee dram keeps arthritis at bay

Habitual imbibers of alcoholic beverages are less prone to rheumatoid arthritis and its often crippling effects than teetotalers, according to a Scandinavian study.

People of a moderate alcohol intake were found to be 40 percent less likely than occasional tipplers and 45 percent less likely than complete abstainers to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

The risk among those with a relatively high consumption, was apparently reduced 50 to 55 percent.

Perhaps the most surprising conclusion was that the biggest benefits to partakers of the cup that cheers are reaped by smokers whose genetic profile makes them vulnerable to the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects between 0.5 and one percent of people in the industrialized world, according to relevant statistics.

The disease is the result of the immune system attacking the joints, causing inflammation and damage to bone and cartilage.

A blend of environmental factors - especially smoking - and heredity are deemed the main causes of the disease.

The authors, led by Henrik Kaellberg of the Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, point out previous research stating that alcohol interferes with the inflammatory processes that trigger heart disease.

Rheumatologists advise their patients to kick the tobacco habit, but not to necessarily cease moderate alcohol consumption.

Agencies

(China Daily 06/11/2008 page19)