Having a family pet is a favorable idea considered by many. While parents of young children are worried about bacteria and germs being an issue, there are also other factors to consider. Many studies, like ‘The Power of Pets’ published in the News in Health, have shown how pets play a very important role in a child’s development. They explain how pets have been observed to lower cortisol levels as well as lower blood pressure. They also pointed out that studies have found pets to lower the feeling of loneliness, increase social support as well, and boost your mood.

A new study shows a favorable result for families who wish to have pets, especially dogs, as they not only passively help your kid’s health, but they can also have an active effect on them.

New research suggests that having a family dog might lower a baby's chances of getting eczema later in life. This study, published on June 4th in the journal Allergy, indicates that being around dogs could actually change how a child's genes react to eczema, by calming down skin inflammation.

How Does Eczema Affect Kids?

Researchers explained that while we know genes play a role in eczema risk and that dogs might be protective, this is the first study to show how this happens at a very basic level. Eczema happens when something irritates the skin, causing it to become dry, itchy, and inflamed. We know some people are born more likely to get eczema, but exactly how their genes and their surroundings work together to either increase or decrease this risk hasn't been clear.

How Was The Research Conducted?

The researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of data from 16 previously conducted studies. Their goal was to identify interactions between 24 specific genetic variants already known to be linked to eczema and a list of 18 environmental factors that could potentially influence a baby's susceptibility to the condition later in life.

which included over 25,000 people, narrowed down the environmental factors to seven key ones: antibiotic use, owning a cat, owning a dog, breastfeeding, having an older sibling, smoking, and hygiene.

Dogs, Genes, and Inflammation

The team then applied these findings to data from another 254,000 people to see which genes and environmental factors had the biggest impact on eczema risk. This second look found that a baby's exposure to dogs affects the interleukin-7 gene. This gene is involved in making a type of immune protein that helps control inflammation. Lab tests showed that being around dogs interacts with a gene variation that might otherwise cause eczema, essentially reducing skin inflammation by changing how interleukin-7 proteins work in human skin cells.

The experts explained that their research aims to answer common questions parents ask, like "Why does my child have eczema?" and "What can I do to protect my baby?" While these findings are exciting, the researchers also stressed that more studies are needed to confirm what they found in the lab and to better understand exactly how dogs might affect human genes in this way. Researchers believes these findings give us a chance to tackle the rise of allergic diseases and protect future generations.

Have you ever felt a sudden, sharp pain when you stretch? It can be really uncomfortable, whether you're stretching in the morning, during the day, or at night. Muscle cramps are a common occurrence, not just for athletes, but also for others. Sometimes it can be just as simple as stretching your legs or arms, that causes you to have sudden and sharp pain.

So why do these things happen? And how does one prevent this discomfort from taking place? A doctor named Doctor Sood, a Board-Certified MD, practicing Germantown, MD office, who shares health tips on TikTok, explained why this happens. That painful feeling is actually a muscle spasm.

Common Reasons for Muscle Cramps

These involuntary muscle tightening can be quite intense. While they often go away on their own, understanding why they happen can help you prevent them. Doctor Sood points out several common reasons for these muscle spasms.

• Not drinking enough water (dehydration)
• Using your muscles too much
• Tired muscles
• Poor blood flow
• Pinched nerves
• Lack of important minerals like magnesium, calcium, or potassium

When you don't have enough of these minerals, your muscles can't hold onto fluids properly, which makes you more likely to get cramps.

When to Be Concerned About Cramps

While muscle cramps are often harmless and caused by simple things like dehydration or tired muscles, it's really important to pay attention if they become frequent, unusually painful, or seem out of the ordinary for you. In some less common situations, persistent muscle spasms can actually be a clue that your body is experiencing a more serious underlying health problem.

Therefore, if you notice that you're getting cramps very often, or if they're particularly severe, accompanied by other unusual symptoms, or simply don't resolve with typical remedies like stretching and hydration, it's a very good idea to consult with your doctor.

Treating and Preventing Muscle Cramps

To really get rid of cramps, the best thing is to find out why they're happening. This might mean a visit to your doctor to understand the main reason. If you're in pain, you could try a pain reliever like ibuprofen, but always talk to your doctor first before taking any medicine.

Drink plenty of fluids

Make sure to drink lots of water and sports drinks all day long. These help your body get back the fluids and important minerals, like electrolytes, that your muscles need to work properly. Staying hydrated is key to avoiding cramps.

Use heat

Putting heat on the cramped area can really help. A hot shower, a warm bath, or a heating pad can relax tight muscles, get your blood flowing better, and ease the discomfort. This makes your muscles less likely to cramp when you stretch.

Stretch softly

If you feel a cramp, keep stretching gently and slowly. This gentle movement can help the muscle spasm go away by slowly making the muscle longer. Doing regular, gentle stretches also makes your muscles more flexible and improves blood flow, which helps stop future cramps during your day.

Diabetes is known for its impact on blood sugar but one of the first and often overlooked warning signs may appear right in front of your eyes—literally. Changes in vision might be the first sign that there is something amiss, even ahead of the official diagnosis of diabetes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that an estimated 30.3 million adults in the United States have diabetes, and nearly 90% of them have Type 2 diabetes—a condition in which your body becomes resistant to insulin and has difficulty regulating normal blood sugar levels. While the disease is usually linked to complications such as neuropathy or kidney disease, your eyes may be the first organ to exhibit signs of suffering.

The eye is a sensitive organ covered in a close network of blood vessels, particularly in the retina—the thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye that facilitates vision. High blood sugar levels over time can hurt these small blood vessels, making them become inflamed, leaky, or clogged. That's called diabetic retinopathy, and it's one of the first—and possibly most destructive—complications of diabetes.

Over one-third of working-age population with diabetes already have signs of diabetic eye disease, and it is still a major cause of blindness among this group. Many are also unaware they have it—until their eyesight is already compromised.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy often progresses painlessly and without any signs, at least in its early stages. That's why regular eye exams are so important—despite your vision appearing completely normal.

If left uncontrolled, diabetic retinopathy may result in impaired or even complete vision loss. Worse, the damage tends to be permanent. Early detection and therapy can slow or even prevent progression, but the secret is to be vigilant and preventive.

Early Warning Signs of Diabetes In Your Eyes You Can't Ignore

Floaters

Tiny specks, cobwebs, or worm-like forms floating in your line of sight are usually harmless. But a sudden proliferation of floaters—particularly if there's blurred or obscured vision—may indicate bleeding into the retina, a symptom of diabetic retinopathy.

Dark Spots

Any dimming of vision or blind spots, especially in the central visual field, are warning signs. These "blockages of vision" can indicate swelling of the retina or hemorrhaging—and need to be seen by an ophthalmologist right away.

Blurred Vision

Changes in blood sugar levels can disrupt your eye's ability to focus, causing fleeting or ongoing blurring. This can make it harder to read, drive, or identify faces and can continue to get worse if left unchecked.

Vision Loss or Shadows

Partial blindness, i.e., reduced peripheral vision or inability to see in dim light, can be a sign of advanced retinopathy or retinal detachment. Vision can even black out for a short time—a warning of extreme vascular damage.

If you have any of these symptoms, even if you don't have diabetes, it is important to consult an eye care professional immediately.

What Causes Diabetic Eye Damage?

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood glucose levels start damaging the tiny blood vessels of the retina—the light-sensitive nerve tissue at the back of the eye. The vessels can become clogged, leak fluid or blood, or cause new and fragile, abnormal vessels to grow through a process known as neovascularization. This cascade can result in swelling, inflammation, scarring, and, eventually, retinal and optic nerve damage. In bad cases, the retina can come loose or fluid will pool in the macula (the retina's center portion), producing a condition called macular edema. These issues can lead to permanent loss of vision if left untreated.

Even though any diabetic is susceptible to developing diabetic retinopathy, there are some populations that are particularly at risk. These include those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, especially those with poorly managed blood glucose levels. Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes and individuals who have had diabetes for longer than five to ten years have a higher risk of retinal complications. Those with coexisting conditions like high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol are at even greater risk, as these issues can accelerate the damage to blood vessels in the eyes. Research indicates that up to 75% of people with Type 1 diabetes will develop some form of retinopathy, while approximately 50% of individuals with Type 2 diabetes show signs—often within the first decade following diagnosis.

Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Cured?

Regrettably, diabetic retinopathy has no cure. The condition can be prevented from worsening if intervention is made early. Thanks to the advancements in medical technology, a number of treatment avenues can be employed. Anti-VEGF injections are usually used to prevent abnormal vessels from growing on the retina. Laser therapy is also an effective method that involves destroying leaking vessels and preventing vision loss. In more serious instances, vitrectomy surgery might be necessary to eliminate scarring tissue or blood within the eye. Most importantly, the most important thing is to control diabetes properly—adhering to healthy blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol can go a long way in preventing serious eye complications in the long run.

Protect Your Vision with These 3 Non-Negotiable Steps

If you’ve noticed floaters, blurriness, or dark spots, don’t dismiss them. These could be more than visual annoyances—they might be early cries for help from your body. Although it's clear that preventive care, lifestyle changes, and monitoring are your best weapons against diabetes-related blindness.

1. Prioritize Lifestyle Interventions

Exercise, proper diet, and weight control are important. Include low-impact activity such as walking, yoga, or swimming. Follow a diet with high fiber, antioxidants, and whole grains and reduce saturated fats and refined carbohydrates.

2. Monitor Blood Sugar and A1C Levels

Regular blood sugar checks and routine monitoring of A1C levels (which measure average glucose over three months) can help you detect and correct abnormal trends. Aim for an A1C below 7%, or as recommended by your healthcare provider.

3. Don’t Skip Eye Exams

Your diabetes care regimen should include a dilated eye exam once a year. These tests alone can detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy. More frequent examinations may be warranted if risks or symptoms rise.

Your vision is not simply a measure of how well you see—it's literally a window to your overall health. In some cases, eye problems might be the first sign that you have diabetes. That's why receiving regular eye exams—even in the absence of obvious symptoms—is a key component of preventive care.

A new study has found that teenagers who are "night owls"—meaning they prefer to stay up late and wake up later—tend to act more on impulse, sometimes in ways that aren't good for them. This is different from "early bird" teens who like to go to bed and wake up early. These new findings will be shared at an upcoming big meeting for sleep doctors, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

Impulsivity Not Linked to Body Clocks

You might think that acting on impulse has something to do with a teen's internal body clock, which tells them when to sleep and wake up. This clock is managed by a hormone called melatonin. However, this study found something surprising: the teens' impulsivity wasn't connected to their melatonin levels at all.

Instead, how impulsive a teen was seemed to be linked to whether they said they preferred staying up late. Experts noted there was no strong connection between melatonin levels and impulsivity, suggesting that other psychological or behavioral factors might be influencing both a teen's impulsiveness and their desire to be a night owl, apart from their body's internal clock.

How the Study Was Done and What They Saw

For this study, researchers looked at information from 210 teenagers. The teens filled out questionnaires to describe how impulsive they were and what their preferred sleep habits were. They also gave saliva samples to check their melatonin levels and wore a special wristband for a week to keep track of their sleep.

The study showed that teens who liked staying up late were more likely to act without thinking, especially when they were feeling negative emotions. These teens also tended to give up easily on tough tasks instead of trying to stick with them.

Why This Matters and What Parents Can Do

Acting on impulse can lead to serious problems, like using alcohol or drugs. Because of this, the researchers believe that parents might be able to help their teens by encouraging them to go to bed and wake up at more regular times.

This research is set to be shared at the AASM meeting. It's good to remember that information shared at these types of meetings is usually considered early findings until it's officially reviewed and published in a medical journal.

Why Do Teens Need More Sleep?

The Canadian Paediatric Society explains that teens need extra sleep because they're going through a period of really fast physical, mental, and emotional growth. Your body and brain are doing a lot of work!

You might think a little less sleep isn't a big deal, but medical research proves otherwise. Teens who regularly don't get enough sleep are more likely to struggle in school. Why? Being tired messes with your memory, concentration, and most importantly, your motivation (your drive to achieve goals).

Over-tired teens are also more likely to be in car crashes and other accidents because sleepiness slows down your reaction times. Research also shows that not getting enough sleep can affect your mood. Simply put, teens who don't get enough sleep are more likely to experience depression, which is a serious health issue.

Tips to Help You Get More Sleep

If you're constantly feeling sleepy, there are several things you can try to improve your rest. Start by creating a relaxing bedtime routine, making sure your room is cool, dark, and quiet, and always falling asleep in your bed rather than in front of the TV. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep each night, with many teens needing 9 or 10, and try to go to bed and wake up around the same time daily, even on weekends (staying within 2-4 hours of your weekday wake-up). Expose yourself to morning light right after waking and exercise daily, but avoid intense workouts close to bedtime.