dr. mallika marshall local company (buzzer) hey, you're a lucky guy. (bell) you know, luck doesn't play any role in slot machines. the odds of winning are the same every time you play. (buzzer) if you lose money, just keep playing. you'll win it back. (bell) don't chase your losses. set a limit on the time and money you want to spend. learn more about gambling and how to keep it fun. visit the gamesense info center at the plainridge park casino. (buzzer) yoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyo >>> concussions a major issue not just pro athletes, new way to test for brain injuries. >> as dr. mallika marshall reports a local company has made identifying a concussion easier. >> from that moment on. >> taylor twellman thinks back to that day in 2008 when he suffered a blow to the head that ended his career. >> post concussion syndrome has been a huge part of my life, it's something i deal with to this day. >> why cording to the centers for disease control, up to had million concussi

dr. mallika marshall is here. we don't want people to worry. >> you mentioned it is polycystic ovary syndrome which callan -- causes imbalance of oh -- hormones. this is common, affecting over -- up to 8% of women. researchers have found a connection between this and autism. they are rent a 59% chance of risking autism in these instances. this doesn't show a possible causes autism. that as perks -- experts think there's a host of things that contribute to autism. i don't want women with pco west -- pcos to think that she will automatically have autistic children or if she has autistic children that it's her fault.>>> let's talk about adhd numbers as well. >> we are singing those numbers rise. between 2003 and 2011 the number of diagnoses of adhd rose by 43%. even more among black and hispanic children and girls which is a surprise because adhd is more common among boys. possible explanations are better recognition of systems, especially subtle ones, more pressures on teenagers in school, a greater attention to min

dr. mallika marshall take as closer look. >>> stationed in japan, i want to use this occasion to say to you dr. liti, also i want to use the occasion to thank you guys a good, merry christmas, happy new year to family and all the friends living in boston. so one more time, merry christmas and happy new year to >>> in health news if you are having a christmas cookie with that glass of sweet wine to night, a hormone in your liver may be to blame, researchers of the hormone you may be less likely to eat sugar and drink alcohol, more research is needed to determine how mood also affects those cravings. >> who is eating cookies and drinking wine. >> i think many people. >> are you going to do that tonight. >> let's not make this about me, if you want to do that, that's okay liam. >>> it's possible to get a new prescription for your glasses without leaving the house. >> do it yourself exams are connivent but are they shortchanging patients, dr. look. >> for many of us eye exams are a must every year, but now some patients are skipping the trip logging on instead. >> hess i tan at first, but once

dr. mallika marshall wbz news. again not to text and drive. >> kenya text and walk? the startling -- can you text and walk? the startling rise of injuries while walking.>>> why is this criminal so dangerous. --?>> -- >>> behind the baton, he becomes a kennedy center

dr. mallika marshall has tips to help protect you from that dry, flaky skin. >>> and a wild site in a road island bay, a humpback whale caught having fun. >>> the temps continue to drop, the roads are slick, take your time, please, we will have moreover the next 90 minute >>> now at 5:00 a captured teen who successfully argued he was too a flu in to go to jail for a deadly drunk driving crash, police caught up with 18-year- old ethan couch in mexico, his appearance altered. >> tonight police believe that disappearance. apprehended ethan couch and his mother tonya in puerto viarta, the 18-year-old tried to disguise himself, his blond hair dyed brown when he was caught. the pair disappeared after couch missed a meeting with his probation officer. they planned to disappear that they even had something that was almost i can't kin to going a away party before they left town. >> ethan couch was given probation and no jail time two years ago after killing four crash. during the trial, a psychologist testified that the teen suffered from "affluenza" suggests his parents' wealth left him without a

dr. mallika marshall takes a closer look. >> reporter: many patients take a drug called abilify to treat schizophrenia and other conditions. there could soon be a smart pill. hidden inside of it is a center signal to a patch on the patient's arm. it then verifies that the medication was taken through the mobile phone. the information can also be sent to the doctor and family members who might be concerned that the patient is in taking their meds.>> having a system like this, it gets them to be compliant. i don't have to admitted to -- add medicine or increase the dose to get them to take the medicine.>> i have problem with this focusing on a mental health drug first.>> reporter: [ name indiscernible ] was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her early 30s after an episode. >> rapid speech, not sleeping, great spiritual visions. >> reporter: she is concerned that using an mental health drug to introduce this new technology sends the wrong >> it is further stigmatizing people with mental health that they cannot be accountable for their own health and well- being. >> reporter: she says 50% of

dr. mallika marshall take as closer look. >>> some "star wars" fans, religion, and then there are these people who turned their religion like "star wars," the pastor dressed as hans solo and he says there are a lot of same layerities between the biblical christmas story and "star wars" epic. there you go. complete with dancing storm troopers as well. >>> let's talk about the weather today, this is crazy. >> absolutely, a friend of mine was testing, i'm hearing frogs, i seen frogs hopping around, everybody has to go back to bed, we'll take a quick check at the seven day forecast of 3 today, worcester is tied at record temperature, boston at tomorrow much cooler, mainly dry, rain at night into sunday morning, sunday afternoon is going to be balmy again, tuesday. >> keep an eye on that. merry christmas to my family, waiting for you guys to

dr. mallika marshall takes a closer look. >> we are going to go back.>> i signed up for three so i'm going back.>> reporter: this is what therapy sounds like for new york city actress abigail. she decided to have a once a week phone call and online assignments and forgo traditional therapy. she is part of a new wave of people trying out online therapy. its lower cost, convenient and one can keep anonymity. it provides real really for people suffering from depression and social anxiety. >> a have an optional phone call and they can interact only by email were taxed -- text if they choose. it is a better fit for many people. >> reporter: not online -- all some use licensed therapists and others use coaches and turning listeners. this has some mental health experts concerned. >> the potential harm is that the patient is thinking of coaches as mental health professionals. >> reporter: abigail says calls and texts from her coach in the online assignments help her better manage the nervous butterflies that could paralyze her onstage. >> the way i feel about my career and social anxiety in genera

dr. mallika marshall wbz news. >>> still ahead this morning, update on the lunch lady fired for giving away a free meal. >>> the reason chipotle is keeping its doors closed. >>> and the big announcement ron earth downey junior has been -- robert downey junior has been waiting to hear for 20 years. praised as one of america's best mayors who governed as a pragmatist. bernie sanders than any other member. cracked the gridlock with john mccain to strengthen veterans' healthcare. bernie sanders. a consistent, principled, and effective leader. building a future to believe in. sanders: i'm bernie sanders . >>> welcome back, checking our top stories on this christmas morning, new overnight, a mother and daughter charged with a hoax in hair hill. this was a huge search operation including dive teams a police helicopter, it lasted for several hours, christmas eve night, 92-year-old holly fowler and 23-year-old daughter christine will be charged with false report. they are going to be arraigned on upon day. >>> also a lockdown is lifted at a local prison after reports a shots fired outside. police an

dr. mallika marshall advice on how to avoid that headache. i'm not encouraging people to go out there. >> we need to say that first. >> if you are going to drink dark liquors contain more chemicals which can make your hangover worse. and dehydration is your biggest enemy, so for every drink you consume drink a glass of water and plenty of it before you go to bed. there are three things that can lead a rapid absorption, first empty stomach so eat before you drink and then continue smacking along the way. bubblely beverages like champagne or boar or mixing alcohol with carbonated water can also enhance the effects of alcohol and you may want to avoid using diet soda as a mixer because of the artificial sweeteners. information particularly the bubblely part. what should you do if you wake up feeling miserable in the morning, people talk about the hair of the dog, have another drink? but that could be a sign that you actually have a drinking problem. that is one of the warning signs much so instead of. >> not encouraging that. >> best thing to do

dr. mallika marshall with more on this. >> with today are talking about ibuprofen which is an anti- inflammatory medication taken by millions of americans for headaches, arthritis, back pain, many people can't take it it can cause stomach upset and bleeding ulcers, it's a skin patch that delivers i would you proven locally over 12 hours bypassing the stomach altogether hoping the patch will be on the market in two years, as far as i know there aren't any patches that have anti-inflammatories built in. >> it seems like a good idea. the old saying goes. >> an apple day keeps the doctor away, there is another fruit we should be buying. >> the almighty pear, right? not to say pears may help protect against excessive weight gain, researchers found who eight pears were 35% less likely to be obese compared to non-pears eaters even though the number of calories or how active they were didn't really differ. the theory is that pears are full of fiber and pack a real nutritious punch with few calories, i am going to go home and buy pears. >> it's because pears are no good. >> pears are delicious. >> what?

dr. mallika marshall is here to put this into some kind of perspective for moms to be. >>> and generous done ors back at it, the growing trend of jewelry going to jewelry. >>> they will trudge in the rain and snow, a big gang of wild turkeys, one mailman's daily to meant that might make you laugh. plan -- torment might make you laugh. pholiday season's just like football season... you got your big games... ...and regular games. get it all at a great price... ...and the holiday season is won. everything in one place. anncr: when the attacks come here... ...the person behind this desk will have to protect your family. will he be impulsive and reckless, like donald trump? will he have voted to dramatically weaken like ted cruz? will he have skipped crucial national security hearings and votes just to campaign, like marco rubio? 27 generals and admirals support jeb bush. because jeb has the experience and knowledge to protect your family. right to rise usa is responsible for the content of this message. pholiday season's just you got your big games... ...and regular games. get it all at a great

dr. mallika marshall, wbz news. >> wow, what a nice family. >>> still ahead this morning, a frightening find, we'll tell yes, a cobra was stowing away. >>> welcome back, we've heard about a cobra on a ship. a crew aboard a cargo ship found this venomous cobra on board, snake experts from the bronx zoo were called to capture the 18-inch snake, the snake is dehydrated and recovering at the zoo. agents believe the cobra was sunning it itself on top of a cargo container over seas when he was loaded on board. no wonder he was dehydrated. >>> top story -- i know that wasn't funny. >>> on this saturday morning, chilly out there this morning, diff epstein joining me today, >>> good morning, everybody, thanks for being with us, i'm kerry connolly along with dave epstein. show everybody what you did just to get ready what is that? gets you going if. >> gets me going. >> a little shake. >> shake, rattle and roll. >>> a little chilly out there. different than we've felt over the past several days. briefly like winter, actually a 2 area, you might see a flurry here this morning, but that is it, folks, if