The holiday seasons mean parties, and parties mean drinking — as in "drinking in the New Year." We asked Gregory Collins, MD, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center, to set the record straight on myths about drinking. Myth No. 1: Drinking Perks You Up at Parties. Only partially true. Alcohol is a brain depressant that first acts by shutting off "executive functions" like judgment, mood control and natural inhibitions. Some people experience this as elation and…

Q: My 14-year-old daughter seems to lean to one side, and her shoulders are uneven. What might be causing this? A: Your daughter should see a physician to be evaluated for possible scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. You mention two of the signs of scoliosis; others include one shoulder blade protruding farther than the other, an uneven waist and a raised hip. Girls at greater risk About 2 percent of children develop some degree of scoliosis between ages 10 and 16. Girls are four times…

Q: My grandson went through two operations as a baby for a congenital heart problem. He is now 15 and having palpitations. Should we be concerned? A: Your grandson has reached the age when heart rhythm abnormalities begin to appear in young people who had congenital heart surgery as infants. He should be seen by a congenital heart specialist because "arrhythmias" can be dangerous. Congenital heart disease – abnormal formation of the heart or major blood vessels – interferes with the…

Are you trying to manage your arthritis symptoms better? Or, do you want more information about the disorder? Visit the listing below to learn more about arthritis. By M. Elaine Husni, M.D., M.P.H., Vice Chair, Cleveland Clinic Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Treatment Center, Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute. Myth: All joint pain is arthritis. Fact: Other conditions, such as tendonitis, bursitis or other soft-tissue injuries also cause joint pain. Evaluation by a rheumatologist will…

ADHD is often misunderstood. From who is affected by ADHD, to the best treatment options, parents usually have many questions. Learn more about the disorder by viewing the information below. ADHD Versus ADD Q: My daughter can't seem to focus in school, but is well-behaved and not 'hyper' at all. She couldn't have ADHD, could she? A: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common developmental disorders, yet few people realize there are three types: Predominantly…

Plan Ahead and You'll Rest Easy The type of mattress you sleep on plays a key role in the health of your spine. But one style does not fit all when it comes to mattresses. Your body weight, shape and personal preference determine whether an innerspring or a foam mattress will be most comfortable for you. Whatever your choice, your mattress should be in optimal condition. If not, you won't regret investing in a new one. Clues that you may need a new mattress include: morning pain or…

Countdown to Quitting If you feel emotionally and mentally prepared to quit smoking — and you're quitting for yourself, and not to please someone else — you'll be taking a giant step toward healthy living. Experts from Cleveland Clinic's Tobacco Treatment Center say there is no one "right way" to stop smoking or chewing tobacco; the right way is whatever works for you. But before you crumple up your last cigarette pack, plan ahead. How to Quit There are many proven methods for…

When you picture a weight room, men pumping iron may be the first image that comes to mind. However, strength training should also be a key component of women's workout routines, especially as they age and work to stay fit. Women need a combination of cardiovascular exercise and weight training. Cardio exercise is best for the heart and for weight control, and strength training is best for the bones and for muscle mass. No Fears Over Bulking Up Women will not gain excess bulk like men's…

Tips on Sleep Posture, Pillow Placement and More We don't often think about our spines when we're lying in bed. But our sleep posture can determine our spine wellness – and whether or not we experience back pain. So when we turn in for the night, it's wise to remember these tips from the Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health: Keep your spine in a neutral position. You can accomplish this by changing from an innerspring mattress (shown below) to a foam mattress, altering your sleep…

All the Sleep Terms you Need to Know Cataplexy: A symptom of cataplexy includes a loss of muscle tone that leads to feelings of weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control. Central sleep apnea: This is a sleep disorder in which the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. Chronotherapy: This is a behavioral technique in which bedtime is systematically adjusted. It is used in cases when the patient’s sleep-wake pattern is out-of-synch with the external…

Sleep problems can be caused by various factors. Although causes might differ, the end result of all sleep disorders is that the body's natural cycle of slumber and daytime wakefulness is disrupted or exaggerated. Factors That Can Cause Sleep Problems Are: Physical (such as ulcers) Medical (such as asthma) Psychiatric (such as depression and anxiety disorders) Environmental (such as alcohol) Short-term or acute insomnia can be caused by life stresses (job loss or change, death of…

Why Age Affects Our Sleep More than half of men and women over the age of 65 complain of at least one sleep problem. Many older people experience insomnia and other sleep difficulties on a regular basis. As we get older, our sleep patterns change. However, good restorative sleep is essential to our physical health and emotional well-being. General changes in sleep patterns caused by aging include: More time spent in light sleep. More disrupted night-time sleep. A higher number of…

Sleep Disorders A sleep disorder is broadly defined as a physical or psychological problem that impairs your ability to sleep or causes increased sleepiness during non-sleeping hours. Everyone can experience problems with sleep from time to time. However, you might have a sleep disorder if: You experience difficulty sleeping regularly. You are often tired during the day even though you slept for at least seven hours the night before. You have a reduced or impaired ability to perform…

A good night’s sleep is something that everyone wants. Learn how to get a full night’s rest by separating fact from fiction. View the common misconceptions listed below: Myth: Health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and depression have no relation to the amount and quality of a person’s sleep. Fact: More and more scientific studies are showing correlations between poor quality sleep and/or insufficient sleep with a variety of diseases. Interrupted sleep can negatively…

If you find yourself lying awake at night, there are different lifestyle and behavioral treatments that can help. Visit the listing below and learn more about what adjustments you can make in your life for a better night’s sleep. Relaxation Training. Relaxation training methods such as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), deep breathing techniques, imagery and self-hypnosis might help some people deal with sleep disorders. PMR involves helping the individual to sequentially tense and relax…

Getting a good night’s sleep may seem impossible when you’re tossing and turning. However, you have to remember that your body wants to fall asleep. You only need to give it the proper means to do so. With a little preparation, you can give your body all it needs to get ready for a satisfying sleep. Follow these tips during the day and right before bed so you will surely sleep the night away. 7 Daytime Sleep Tips Follow these 7 tips throughout your daily activities so you can achieve a good…

Without adequate sleep, mental and physical health can suffer.There are more than 100 million Americans of all ages who are not getting adequate sleep. Inadequate sleep can have negative consequences on school and work performance, interpersonal relationships, health and safety.How Much Sleep is Necessary?Experts generally recommend that adults sleep at least 7 ½ to 8 hours per night, although some people require more and some less.A National Sleep Foundation poll found that adults (age 18-54)…

Over the first year of life, your baby will sleep and nap a lot – from 12 to as many as 18 hours a day. The amount of sleep an infant gets at any one stretch of time is mostly ruled by hunger. Newborns will wake up and want to be fed about every three to four hours at first. Sleeping Milestones Do not let your newborn sleep longer than five hours at a time in the first five to six weeks. Then, you can keep the following general milestones in mind: 4 months old: Most babies begin to show…

Make sure to maintain the health of your eyes. Visit the listing below for treatment options and answers to your questions. Note: This is not a complete listing and inclusion does not imply endorsement by Cleveland Clinic. Remember to always follow the advice of your doctor and healthcare team. Eye Health Resources National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health 2020 Vision Place Bethesda, MD 20892-3655 301.496.5248 American Foundation for the Blind 2 Penn Plaza,…

During an eye appointment several types of eye tests may be performed. In addition to a complete eye examination, your doctor may want to order one of the following special tests. Applanation tonometry: A test that helps doctors diagnose glaucoma by measuring the amount of pressure needed to flatten a portion of the cornea. This is done by taking a thin strip of paper stained with the dye fluorescein. This dye stains the front of the eye and enables a better examination by the doctor. The…