Mental Health – Dr. Walt Larimore

28Nov 2019 by Walt Larimore

An Amazing Thanksgiving Proclamation — by the President of the United States of America

What a surprise it is, to those of us with modern sensitivities, to read this amazing Thanksgiving proclamation—especially since it was released by the President of the United States of America. I've reformatted it a bit, just to make it easier to read (no changes in the words, however). See if you don't agree that it is a wonderful prayer and blessing: (more…)

26Nov 2019 by Walt Larimore

Treat yourself well during the Thanksgiving holiday

General Health, Mental Health

The holidays can be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. So take care to avoid letting the stress of the season get you down during this Thanksgiving week. Here are some suggestions that may help: (more…)

14May 2012 by Walt Larimore

Study suggests mental ‘fog’ of menopause is real

Mental Health, Woman's Health

The memory blips and distractible moments that women say they experience during menopause may be as real as the hot flashes and poor sleep, a new study suggests. (more…)

09May 2012 by Walt Larimore

Exercise boosts kids’ academic ability

Children's Health, Mental Health, Obesity, Parenting

Promoting physical activity among young school kids can end up improving their academic performance, a new study suggests. (more…)

08May 2012 by Walt Larimore

Lack of sleep opens door to health problems

General Health, Heart Health, Mental Health, Obesity

In his column in the Los Angeles Times, Davis Lazarus writes that "according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 75 million Americans - more than one-quarter of the population - say they don't get enough sleep.” (more…)

06May 2012 by Walt Larimore

Fruits, veggies can be beauty tools, study says

Mental Health, Nutritional Health, Skin Health

The key to a rosy, healthy-looking complexion may be as simple as eating more fruits and vegetables, researchers say. (more…)

01May 2012 by Walt Larimore

Review: Antidepressants benefit people with all ranges of depression

Mental Health

Reuters reports that according to an analysis published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, antidepressants may benefit people suffering from depression, even those whose depression is just mild or moderate. (more…)

28Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Exercise helps adults sleep better

General Health, Mental Health

The New York Times reports, "According to the National Institutes of Health, more than half of adults ages 60 and over have trouble sleeping.” (more…)

28Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

FDA warns of mercury in imported skin creams

Mental Health, Skin Health

CBS reports that the Food and Drug Administration has warned that some "skin creams, soaps and lotions that are manufactured overseas and sold in some US shops might contain toxic amounts of mercury." (more…)

26Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

FDA cites misleading statements from inhalable caffeine manufacturer

Children's Health, Mental Health, Nutritional Health, Parenting

Bloomberg News reports that the FDA has cited Breathable Foods Inc. for placing misleading labels on canisters dispensing caffeine. According to Bloomberg, the FDA notes that the manufacturer describes its AeroShot Pure Energy inhaler as "breathable energy," and so "encourages consumers to breathe the caffeine mist into their lungs instead of spraying it on their tongues to be swallowed." (more…)

24Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Virginia governor signs bill requiring ultrasounds for women seeking abortions

Bioethics, Children's Health, Mental Health, Parenting, Woman's Health

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell recently signed a bill making abdominal ultrasounds mandatory for women seeking abortions. (more…)

20Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Trans fat consumption linked to stroke risk in women

Mental Health, Nutritional Health, Woman's Health

Medscape reports, "Postmenopausal women whose diet is high in trans fats, found in fried foods and packaged products, are at higher risk for certain types of ischemic stroke," according to research published in the Annals of Neurology. (more…)

19Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Study shows how marijuana clouds memory

Alternative Medicine, Mental Health

Scientists studying mice say they better understand how marijuana impairs working memory, the ability to momentarily retain and utilize information needed for comprehension and learning. (more…)

14Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

How concerned should you be about the statin warnings?

Heart Health, Mental Health, Nutritional Health

This morning I had a detailed post on the FDA warnings on statins. Let me explain why this will NOT change my prescribing habits. (more…)

14Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

FDA adds new safety warnings to statins

Heart Health, Mental Health, Nutritional Health

Coverage of the FDA's decision to add warnings to the labels of statins was widespread and presented the warnings as acknowledging a serious danger, while repeating that statins are still useful and effective medications. (more…)

13Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What’s best? Oral appliance or CPAP?

General Health, Heart Health, Mental Health

Surprise, surprise! An adjustable oral appliance was about as effective as continuous positive airway pressure. I was rather shocked by this study. But, it's good news for many patients. (more…)

12Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

“Cybercycle” improves cognitive function in older adults

Mental Health

The Wall Street Journal reports that according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, exercising on a cybercycle, which is a stationary bicycle that is installed with interactive virtual-reality displays or games, improved cognitive function in a study including 102 older adults. (more…)

11Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Sleep medications linked to increased death risk

General Health, Mental Health

ABC World News reported that a new study found "a link between sleeping" aids "and an increased risk of death." (more…)

11Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Omega-3 fatty acids related to brain health

Mental Health, Nutritional Health

A new study is suggesting that people with low levels of Omega 3 fatty acids have brains with less volume compared with people who have higher levels of the same fatty acids. (more…)

10Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Second-chance romances might not bring happiness

Mental Health

Contrary to fairy tale-like depictions in movies and books, reuniting with a former romantic partner is unlikely to make you happy, a new study shows. (more…)

02Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Study finds no link between suicide and antidepressants

Mental Health

In the past researchers have been worried about a possible link between antidepressants and suicide. Now comes a reassuring study saying, "It just ain't so." (more…)

27Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Survey: Marijuana use up among teens

Alternative Medicine, Children's Health, General Health, Mental Health, Parenting

The Washington Post reports, "New data compiled by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the insurance industry indicates that pot smoking is up among teens, and use is higher among high school kids than it has been in three decades.” (more…)

27Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Marijuana use before driving nearly doubles likelihood of causing crash

Alternative Medicine, General Health, Mental Health

The AP reports, "People who use marijuana before driving are nearly twice as likely to cause a car crash as those not under the influence of alcohol or drugs," according to a study published in BMJ. (more…)

26Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Overeating doubles risk of memory loss in seniors

General Health, Mental Health

ABC World News reported, "A new study ... shows that the more calories you eat the higher your risk for memory loss." (more…)

14Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Brain scans spot autism as early as 6 months of age

Children's Health, Mental Health, Parenting

This amazing information finally and completely debunks the delusion that vaccines at 12-18 months of age cause autism. (more…)

13Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

US college students likelier to abuse alcohol than other drugs

General Health, Mental Health

Reuters reports that US college students who seek substance abuse treatment are more likely to be abusing alcohol and less likely to be using other drugs, according to a report issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (more…)

09Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Smoking associated with faster cognitive decline in middle-aged men

Men's Health, Mental Health

The Los Angeles Times "Booster Shots" blog reports, "Middle-aged men who smoke suffered more rapid cognitive decline than peers who have never smoked or who have been ex-smokers for at least 10 years," according to a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. (more…)

07Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Blood test may someday help diagnose depression

Mental Health

HealthDay reported, "Depression can be a tough condition to diagnose accurately, but new research suggests that someday a blood test might help," according to a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. (more…)

06Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Sports Legacy Institute calls for limiting head blows

Children's Health, Mental Health, Parenting, Sports Medicine

The CNN "The Chart" blog reported that due to "concern ... that sub-concussive damage – the menacing smaller blows that add up during practices and games –" could harm adolescent brains, "the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI) Friday called for the adoption of a 'Hit Count' – similar to the 'Pitch Count' system used in baseball – for youth athletes participating in contact sports.” (more…)

06Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Head blows without concussion result in brain function changes

Children's Health, Mental Health, Parenting, Sports Medicine

The NPR "Shots" blog reported that according to a study to be published in the Journal of Biomechanics, "high school football players have changes in their brain function long before they have recognizable signs of a concussion." (more…)