Treating high blood pressure gives youth significant improvement in planning and problem-solving skills.

Planning, vigilance, problem solving, purposeful goal-directed behavior and working memory are all components of executive function. A small study of 22 youth with high blood pressure, or hypertension, (compared with 25 youth with normal blood pressure) has found that after one year of anti-hypertensive treatment, their ability to do executive functions significantly improved as their blood pressure normalized.

PositiveTip: It may be very important for you and your pediatrician to routinely monitor the blood pressure of children and teens in your home. Treatment could be vital for maintaining executive functions.

Rest is not always best: common knee pain improves with continued physical activity.

Knee pain caused by patellofemoral pain syndrome (also referred to as runner's knee, or chondromalacia) is a very common complaint. A small Dutch study has demonstrated marked improvement in pain and function following supervised strength, balance, and flexibility exercises with a physical therapist for 6 weeks and then home exercises for 3 months. At 3 months the exercise group reported 7% better pain recovery and 12% better recovery at one year compared to the usual care (avoiding pain-inducing activities and rest).

Cloudy vision? You might have a cataract.

Cataracts are cloudy areas over the lens of your eye. As people age, they become more at risk for developing cataracts. It’s important to get them treated right away so they don’t cause permanent vision damage. Cataracts can be both genetic and environmental. Exposure to smoke, toxins, radiation and sunlight can put you at risk for developing cataracts. If you have double vision, cloudy vision, trouble seeing at night, etc, see a doctor right away. Cataracts may develop slowly and painlessly so be especially aware of changes in vision.

Positive Tip: If you’re going outside, don’t forget your UV resistant sunglasses