Chronic pain can keep kids from being social and active, leading to anxiety and depression, a child psychiatrist says. Unfortunately, this can turn into a vicious cycle — worsening depression and anxiety can also worsen pain perception. Between 5% and 20% of children live with chronic pain. It usually takes the form of bone and…  read on >

Infants with chronic serious sleep problems may be at increased risk for anxiety and emotional disorders later in childhood, according to a new study from Australia. “Persistent disturbed sleep during infancy may be an early indicator of a child’s heightened susceptibility to later mental health difficulties — in particular, anxiety problems,” said researcher Fallon Cook…  read on >

Taller and thinner girls are more likely to develop the often painful condition known as endometriosis, according to the results of a six-decade study. The findings could lead to earlier detection and treatment of the common gynecological disease, the researchers said. In endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows…  read on >

Your morning cup of coffee may help your focus and problem-solving skills, but it won’t kick-start your creativity, a new study says. “In Western cultures, caffeine is stereotypically associated with creative occupations and lifestyles, from writers and their coffee to programmers and their energy drinks, and there’s more than a kernel of truth to these…  read on >