DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am mom to two energetic boys, ages 5 and 8. A neighbor commented that my children must have ADHD. What is ADHD exactly and how do I tell the difference between a kid who just has a ton of energy and one who has a problem that needs to be addressed? Do I need an evaluation? Are there things that put a child at risk for ADHD?

ANSWER: Awareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, has grown significantly over the past 20 years. The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has grown substantially, too. There isn’t one test that can diagnose ADHD definitively, but there are criteria that health care providers can use to identify this disorder.

Some people use the term ADHD casually for any child who can sustain high levels of activity for a long time or one who has trouble focusing on a task for long. But not all high-energy children have ADHD so it’s wise to be cautious about labeling children with excess enthusiasm and children who may have trouble focusing, as having ADHD.

ADHD is a chronic condition that involves problems with inattention or distraction, and/or hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. But it’s helpful to remember that most healthy people are occasionally inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive.

For example, it is normal for preschoolers to have short attention spans and be unable to stick with one activity. Even in older children and teens, attention spans can vary throughout the day. Young children also are naturally energetic. They often have plenty of energy left long after their parents are worn out. And some children simply enjoy a higher level of activity than others. Children should never be classified as having ADHD just because they are different from their friends or siblings.

A critical distinction between typical childhood behaviors and those of ADHD is that ADHD symptoms consistently and significantly disrupt daily life and relationships. Children with ADHD don’t have it only in one environment. If a child has significant problems at school but is fine at home — or the other way around — something other than ADHD is going on. Two other key characteristics of ADHD behaviors are that they begin when a child is young (before age 12), and they last more than six months.

Children who have a parent or sibling with ADHD tend to have a higher risk of developing the disorder than children who don’t have that family history. The same is true of children who experience a complex medical condition early in life. For example, children who were born prematurely tend to develop ADHD more often than other children.

Following are questions to ask when considering the possibility of ADHD. Is the child often easily distracted? Is he constantly on the move? Does he or she fail to think before acting, to the point that it raises safety concerns? And most crucial: Do issues with inattention, distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity significantly impair daily life?

If the answers to these questions are yes, then an evaluation with the child’s primary care provider is in order. Assessing a child for ADHD involves several steps. The first is a medical exam to rule out other possible concerns, such as hearing or vision problems, or learning, language or other developmental disorders.

The health care provider also will talk with the child and the parents about the child’s symptoms. Other family members, teachers, coaches or child care providers may be asked to fill out questionnaires about behaviors they regularly see in the child. This can give a more complete picture of the child’s condition overall. Based on the information gathered, ADHD is diagnosed using guidelines developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association.

If you’re concerned a child’s behaviors could signal ADHD, make an appointment for an evaluation. If ADHD is diagnosed, treatment can help control symptoms, making it easier for a child to manage and enjoy daily life. —Dr. Michael Zaccariello, Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Diagnosing ADHD appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I recently read an article that said giving children certain supplements, such as omega-3, can help them do better in school. Are omega-3 supplements safe for kids? What are the risks and benefits?

ANSWER: The evidence on this topic is mixed. In healthy school-age children, taking an omega-3 supplement seems to have little effect on cognitive ability and school performance. In children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, there appears to be more benefit. In general, few side effects are associated with taking an omega-3 supplement. But, as with all supplements, talk with your child’s health care provider before your child begins taking an omega-3 supplement to make sure it’s a good choice.

Omega-3 fatty acids are substances the body needs for a wide variety of functions, from muscle activity to cell growth. But your body can’t make omega-3 fatty acids on its own. It gets them through the food you eat or a dietary supplement. Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish, such as salmon, trout and mackerel, and shellfish, such as oysters, crabs and mussels. Fish oil is a common dietary supplement people use to increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Some nuts, seeds and vegetable oils also contain a form of omega-3 fatty acids.

Because they play a role in brain development and brain function, particularly learning and memory, it’s been suggested that increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids that school-age children get can improve performance in school.

Results from clinical research studies looking at the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive ability have varied significantly. Some have shown no difference in school performance when healthy children take an omega-3 supplement. Others have noted some improvement in reading, learning and memory. The effects were most notable in children who had low literacy rates and those who were malnourished.

In school-age children diagnosed with ADHD, the evidence for taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to help ease ADHD symptoms also varied. Overall, though, those study results appear to indicate that when children in this population regularly take an omega-3 supplement, they reduce their symptoms and improve school performance. It’s important to note, however, that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids alone did not lead to positive results. Improvement was seen only in children who already had been taking a stimulant medication to treat ADHD and then added the omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

Dietary supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids — the most common is fish oil — generally are considered safe. Side effects of taking fish oil can include a fishy aftertaste, bad breath, indigestion, nausea, loose stools and a rash. Taking fish oil in high doses may increase a person’s risk of bleeding and could increase the risk of stroke. Generally, the risk of health problems associated with taking this supplement is low.

If you’re interested in having your child take an omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplement, make an appointment to talk to your child’s health care provider first. He or she can review your child’s medical history, current medications and overall health, and, based on those factors, discuss with you in more detail the potential benefits and risks for your child associated with using this supplement. —Dr. Brent Bauer, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Omega-3 supplements for children — what does the research show? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: As the mom of an elementary schoolboy, I hear a lot of talk about ADHD. But what is it exactly? How do you tell the difference between a kid who just has a ton of energy and one who has a problem that needs to be addressed? Are there things that put a child at risk for ADHD?

ANSWER: Awareness of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, has grown significantly over the past 20 years. The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has grown substantially, too. But it’s wise to be cautious about labeling all high-energy children, or children who have some difficulty focusing, with ADHD. There isn’t one test that can diagnose ADHD definitively, but there are criteria that health care providers can use to identify this disorder.

ADHD is a chronic condition that involves problems with inattention or distraction, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Some people use the term ADHD casually for any child who has trouble focusing on a task for long or one who can sustain high levels of activity for a long time. But it’s helpful to recognize that most healthy people are occasionally inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive.

For example, it’s normal for preschoolers to have short attention spans and be unable to stick with one activity. Even in older children and teens, attention span can vary throughout the day. Young children also are naturally energetic. They often have plenty of energy left long after their parents are worn out. And some children simply enjoy a higher level of activity than others. Children should never be classified as having ADHD just because they’re different from their friends or siblings.

A critical distinction between typical childhood behaviors and those of ADHD is that ADHD symptoms consistently and significantly disrupt daily life and relationships. Children with ADHD don’t have it only in one environment. If a child has significant problems at school but is fine at home — or the other way around — something other than ADHD is going on. Two other key characteristics of ADHD behaviors are that they begin when a child is young (before age 12), and they last more than six months.

Children who have a parent or sibling with ADHD tend to have a higher risk of developing the disorder than children who don’t have that family history. The same is true of children who experience a complex medical condition early in life. For example, children who were born prematurely tend to develop ADHD more often than other children.

Following are questions to ask when considering the possibility of ADHD. Is the child often easily distracted? Is he constantly on the move? Does she fail to think before acting, to the point that it raises safety concerns? And most crucial: Do issues with inattention, distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity significantly impair daily life?

If the answers to these questions are yes, then an evaluation with the child’s primary care provider is in order. Assessing a child for ADHD involves several steps. The first is a medical exam to rule out other possible concerns, such as hearing or vision problems, or learning, language or other developmental disorders.

The health care provider also will talk with the child and the parents about the child’s symptoms. Other family members, teachers, coaches or child care providers may be asked to fill out questionnaires about behaviors they regularly see in the child. This can give a more complete picture of the child’s condition overall. Based on the information gathered, ADHD is diagnosed using guidelines developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association.

If you’re concerned a child’s behaviors could signal ADHD, make an appointment for an evaluation. If ADHD is diagnosed, treatment can help control symptoms, making it easier for a child to manage and enjoy daily life. — Dr. Michael Zaccariello, Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: High energy, lack of focus don’t necessarily mean your child has ADHD appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ANSWER: Awareness of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, has grown significantly over the past 20 years. The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has grown substantially, too. But it’s wise to be cautious about labeling all high-energy children, or children who have some difficulty focusing, with ADHD. There isn’t one test that can diagnose ADHD definitively, but there are criteria that health care providers can use to identify this disorder.

ADHD is a chronic condition that involves problems with inattention or distraction, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Some people use the term ADHD casually for any child who has trouble focusing on a task for long or one who can sustain high levels of activity for a long time. But it’s helpful to recognize that most healthy people are occasionally inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive.

For example, it’s normal for preschoolers to have short attention spans and be unable to stick with one activity. Even in older children and teens, attention span can vary throughout the day. Young children also are naturally energetic. They often have plenty of energy left long after their parents are worn out. And some children simply enjoy a higher level of activity than others. Children should never be classified as having ADHD just because they’re different from their friends or siblings.

A critical distinction between typical childhood behaviors and those of ADHD is that ADHD symptoms consistently and significantly disrupt daily life and relationships. Children with ADHD don’t have it only in one environment. If a child has significant problems at school but is fine at home — or the other way around — something other than ADHD is going on. Two other key characteristics of ADHD behaviors are that they begin when a child is young (before age 12), and they last more than six months.

Children who have a parent or sibling with ADHD tend to have a higher risk of developing the disorder than children who don’t have that family history. The same is true of children who experience a complex medical condition early in life. For example, children who were born prematurely tend to develop ADHD more often than other children.

Following are questions to ask when considering the possibility of ADHD. Is the child often easily distracted? Is he constantly on the move? Does she fail to think before acting, to the point that it raises safety concerns? And most crucial: Do issues with inattention, distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity significantly impair daily life?

If the answers to these questions are yes, then an evaluation with the child’s primary care provider is in order. Assessing a child for ADHD involves several steps. The first is a medical exam to rule out other possible concerns, such as hearing or vision problems, or learning, language or other developmental disorders.

The health care provider also will talk with the child and the parents about the child’s symptoms. Other family members, teachers, coaches or child care providers may be asked to fill out questionnaires about behaviors they regularly see in the child. This can give a more complete picture of the child’s condition overall. Based on the information gathered, ADHD is diagnosed using guidelines developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association.

If you’re concerned a child’s behaviors could signal ADHD, make an appointment for an evaluation. If ADHD is diagnosed, treatment can help control symptoms, making it easier for a child to manage and enjoy daily life. — Dr. Michael Zaccariello, Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: High energy, lack of focus don’t necessarily mean your child has ADHD appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Mollie Luhman, a living kidney donor, and Dr. Mark Stegall, a surgeon at Mayo Clinic who helped perform the transplant, will share their story. Also on the program, Dr. Michael Zaccariello, a psychologist at Mayo Clinic, will help explain why attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is on the rise. And Dr. Donald Hensrud, a preventive medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss nutrition do’s and don’ts.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Living donor kidney transplant appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Organ donation often is referred to as the gift of life. In the U.S., 100,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Unfortunately, many may never get the call saying that a suitable donor organ has been found. It's estimated that every day in the U.S., 20 patients die because of the lack of donor organs. While organ donation is often thought of as something done after death, living donation is possible with some organs including kidney and liver.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Mollie Luhman, a living kidney donor, and Dr. Mark Stegall, a surgeon at Mayo Clinic who helped perform the transplant, will share their story. Also on the program, Dr. Michael Zaccariello, a psychologist at Mayo Clinic, will help explain why attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is on the rise. And Dr. Donald Hensrud, a preventive medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss nutrition do’s and don’ts.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Miss the show?  Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Organ donation story / ADHD on the rise / nutrition do’s and don’ts appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ANSWER: The evidence on this topic is mixed. In healthy school-age children, taking an omega-3 supplement seems to have little effect on cognitive ability and school performance. In children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, there appears to be more benefit. In general, few side effects are associated with taking an omega-3 supplement. But, as with all supplements, talk with your child’s health care provider before your child begins taking an omega-3 supplement to make sure it’s a good choice.

Omega-3 fatty acids are substances the body needs for a wide variety of functions, from muscle activity to cell growth. But your body can’t make omega-3 fatty acids on its own. It gets them through the food you eat or a dietary supplement. Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish, such as salmon, trout and mackerel, and shellfish, such as oysters, crabs and mussels. Fish oil is a common dietary supplement people use to increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Some nuts, seeds and vegetable oils also contain a form of omega-3 fatty acids.

Because they play a role in brain development and brain function, particularly learning and memory, it’s been suggested that increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids that school-age children get can improve performance in school.

Results from clinical research studies looking at the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive ability have varied significantly. Some have shown no difference in school performance when healthy children take an omega-3 supplement. Others have noted some improvement in reading, learning and memory. The effects were most notable in children who had low literacy rates and those who were malnourished.

In school-age children diagnosed with ADHD, the evidence for taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to help ease ADHD symptoms also varied. Overall, though, those study results appear to indicate that when children in this population regularly take an omega-3 supplement, they reduce their symptoms and improve school performance. It’s important to note, however, that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids alone did not lead to positive results. Improvement was only seen in children who already had been taking a stimulant medication to treat ADHD and then added the omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

Dietary supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids — the most common is fish oil — generally are considered safe. Side effects of taking fish oil can include a fishy aftertaste, bad breath, indigestion, nausea, loose stools and a rash. Taking fish oil in high doses may increase a person’s risk of bleeding and could increase the risk of stroke. Generally, the risk of health problems associated with taking this supplement is low.

If you’re interested in having your child take an omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplement, make an appointment to talk to your child’s health care provider first. He or she can review your child’s medical history, current medications and overall health, and, based on those factors, discuss with you in more detail the potential benefits and risks for your child associated with using this supplement. — Dr. Brent Bauer, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Omega-3 supplements for children — what does the research show? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Martha Hartz, the division chair of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology in the Mayo Clinic Children's Center, will discuss treatment of pediatric asthma and allergies. Also on the program, Dr. Rachel Lynch, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic, will discuss attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. And Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a psychologist at Mayo Clinic, will explain why hoarding disorder is difficult to treat.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Pediatric asthma and allergies appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Martha Hartz, the division chair of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology in the Mayo Clinic Children's Center, will discuss treatment of pediatric asthma and allergies. Also on the program, Dr. Rachel Lynch, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic, will discuss attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. And Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a psychologist at Mayo Clinic, will explain why hoarding disorder is difficult to treat.

Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Pediatric asthma and allergies / ADHD / hoarding disorder appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Alzheimer's genes: Are you at risk?
Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, genetic risk factors are just one of the factors involved in getting Alzheimer's disease. Find out more about your risk and whether genetic testing might be right for you.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Can you get genital herpes from a toilet seat?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection spread by skin-to-skin contact. It's nearly impossible to get the infection through contact with toilets, towels or other objects used by an infected person. Learn more from Dr. James Steckelberg, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert.

Do food additives cause hyperactivity?
While there's no solid evidence that food additives, such as artificial colors, artificial sweeteners and preservatives, cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the topic of their possible effects is controversial. Learn more from Dr. David Agerter, a Mayo Clinic family medicine specialist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Hammertoe and mallet toe
Blepharoplasty
Pacemakers
COPD

HEALTHY RECIPES
Broccoli with garlic and lemon
Artichoke dip
Zesty tomato soup
Halibut with tomato basil salsa

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Time your lotions right
Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing for the most benefit. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on the skin. Immediately moisturize your skin with an oil or a cream to trap water in the surface cells.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

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The post Housecall: Understanding — and avoiding — the common cold appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.