Does Your Child Have Symptoms of ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects a child's ability to perform in school and form relationships.

The disorder is characterized by primary traits including inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

The agency offers this list of classic symptoms of ADHD:

• Carelessness in school work
• Losing personal items and those needed for school.
• Problems paying attention for long periods.
• Difficulty listening and following instructions, and problems with organization.
• Acting forgetful, and getting frequently distracted.
• Difficulty sitting still or performing quiet activities.
• Talking excessively, often out of turn.

Understanding Pre-Diabetes

Before some people develop full-blown diabetes, their blood sugar is above normal, but not high enough to qualify for a diagnosis of diabetes.

This condition is called pre-diabetes, the American Diabetes Association says.

Normally, a person's blood sugar (glucose) is 100 mg/dl or below. When it rises to between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl, a person has pre-diabetes. Once a blood test determines that blood sugar is 126 mg/dl or higher, diabetes is diagnosed, the ADA says.

If you have pre-diabetes, you should discuss with your doctor making lifestyle changes including modest weight loss and getting regular exercise. This can help prevent pre-diabetes from turning into the full-blown disease.

Controlling Asthma

Medication used to control asthma may be used every day, without the fear of becoming addicted, the American Academy of Family Physicians says.

So-called controller medications help prevent inflammation, so users feel better and breathe easier. The academy says the following people may be candidates for a daily controller medication:

• People who have chest tightness, wheezing or bouts of coughing more than once per week.
• People whose asthma wakes them up or keeps them up at night.
• People who have frequent asthma attacks.
• People who need a quick-relief medication daily to stop asthma attacks.

What's Ketoacidosis?

Hyperglycemia, the medical name for high blood sugar, affects just about every person with diabetes at one time or another, the American Diabetes Association says.

Left untreated, hyperglycemia can trigger a condition called ketoacidosis, sometimes called diabetic coma. This occurs when there isn't enough insulin for the body to process blood sugar, so it begins to process fats for fuel instead.

That's when toxic waste products called ketones are produced. When the body can't expel ketones fast enough through the urine, they start to build up, possibly leading to ketoacidosis.

This condition needs immediate treatment. Symptoms include difficulty catching your breath, fruity scent to the breath, vomiting, nausea and dry mouth.

Exercise can help reduce blood sugar and prevent ketoacidosis. But if your blood sugar rises above 240 mg/dl, you should check your urine for ketones. If you detect ketones, do not exercise and seek immediate medical attention, the ADA warns.

Don't Ignore Diabetes

Dealing with diabetes can be a tough pill to swallow, and denial is common, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) says. But ignoring doctor's orders can have enormous health consequences.

Regular testing can help you control your blood sugar and avoid diabetes complications, the association says. You should also stick to a healthy diet (with a dietitian's help) and make lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking and drinking. Remember, too, to check your feet for any sores or other abnormalities, says the ADA.

"Denial is human," the association says, when you get bad news about your health. But acknowledging that you have diabetes and dealing with the consequences can help you stay healthy -- now and in the future.