Health Updates

Health Updates

Courtesy of: www.chirotrust.org

“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” ~ Jimmy Dean

Mental Attitude: Parkinson’s Increases Brain Injury Risk.  Taiwanese researchers report that patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have a 63% higher risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI) than individuals without PD. According to researchers, the most common cause of TBI among PD patients is falling down. World Neurosurgery, February 2018 Health Alert: Obesity May Cause Sudden Cardiac Arrest Among Young People.  According to a new study, obesity and high blood pressure may play a greater role in sudden cardiac arrest in young people than once thought. An analysis of nearly 3,800 cases of sudden cardiac arrest among individuals under 34 years of age showed that nearly 60% had a high rate of heart disease risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. Lead researcher Dr. Sumeet Chugh adds, “One of the revelations of this study is that risk factors such as obesity may play a much larger role for the young who die from sudden cardiac arrest than previously known.” Circulation, December 2017 Diet: Eat Fiber, Cut Diabetes Risk!  Compared with adults who maintain a low-fiber diet, men who consume more than 38 grams of fiber per day and women who consume more than 25 grams of fiber per day are 20%-30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Journal of Nutrition, January 2018 Exercise: Light Exercise Increases Men's Lifespan.  In this study, researchers followed 1,181 older males for five years and found a relationship between greater amounts of physical activity and greater longevity—even with as little as ten minutes of low-intensity physical activity a day! Researcher Dr. Barbara Jefferis adds, “The finding that [low-intensity physical activity] is associated with lower risk of mortality is especially important among older men, as most of their daily physical activity is of light intensity.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, February 2018 Chiropractic: TMJ Dysfunction Resolves with Chiropractic Care.  In this case study, a 24-year-old female with facial pain and jaw clicking on the right side presented for chiropractic care. An examination revealed that the patient had a head shift to the right of 19 mm. Her treatment plan consisted of a combination of mirror posture exercises, traction, and spinal adjustments that corrected her head posture and resolved her symptoms within twelve weeks. The finding reveals the benefits of manual therapies and posture correction in the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, January 2018 Wellness/Prevention: Newer Breast MRI More Accurate.  Past research has shown that when a malignant tumor grows in the breast, it disrupts the movement of water molecules in the surrounding healthy tissue. Now, researchers claim that diffusion kurtosis imaging—a new type of MRI that maps the movement of water molecules in breast tissue—can detect 98% of breast cancers while reducing false-positive findings by 70%. Radiology, February 2018

“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” ~ Jim Rohn

Mental Attitude: Parkinson’s Patients at Increased Diabetes Risk.  Hungarian researchers report that Parkinson’s disease patients are 2.86-times more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than the general population. Neuroscience Review (Hungary), January 2018 Health Alert: Sedatives May Be America's Next Drug Crisis.  There’s a crisis brewing involving prescription sedatives such as alprazolam and diazepam. A new research review has found that prescriptions for these types of medications increased 67% between 1996 and 2013, with a resulting seven-fold increase in overdoses. Researcher Dr. Anna Lembke writes, “These are highly addictive and potentially lethal drugs, and many people don't know that… Sadly, most physicians are also unaware of this and blithely prescribe them without educating their patients about the risk of addiction.” New England Journal of Medicine, February 2018 Diet: Yogurt May Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.  After reviewing data from two published studies involving over 55,000 men and 18,000 women, researchers conclude that consuming more than two servings of yogurt per week can cut the risk of major coronary heart disease and stroke among individuals with high blood pressure by about 20%. American Journal of Hypertension, February 2018 Exercise: Physical Activity Promotes Better Sleep.  If you’re having trouble getting a good night’s rest, try moving more during your waking hours. A study involving 260 older adults found that those who engaged in more physical activity during the day—either through formal exercise, leisure activities, or household activities—were about 23%-45% less likely to have trouble sleeping. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, February 2018 Chiropractic: COPD Patients Have Increased Risk for Chronic Pain.  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult, and it is the third leading cause of death in the United States. An analysis of data from the European Health Interview Surveys for Spain concerning over 44,000 individuals revealed that patients with COPD have a 21%-38% elevated risk for migraines, chronic neck pain, and chronic low back pain. Clinical Journal of Pain, February 2018 Wellness/Prevention: Retina Scan Could Reveal Your Heart Attack Risk.  With the use of a retinal scanner that can look into the eye and deduce a patient’s age, their blood pressure, and whether or not they’re a smoker, researchers at Google claim they can identify individuals at risk for a heart attack or other cardiovascular events in the next five years with 70% accuracy. They hope that with improvements, their scanner can replace the current Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) tool that relies on a blood test to predict one’s heart attack and stroke risk with 72% accuracy. Nature Biomedical Engineering, February 2018 “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” ~ Robin Williams   Mental Attitude: Alcohol Abuse Triples Dementia Risk.  According to an analysis of data collected from French hospitals over a five-year period, patients with a diagnosed alcohol use disorder are ~3.35 times more likely to develop dementia than the general population. Lancet Public Health, February 2018 Health Alert: Single Dads Face Higher Mortality.  A study involving over 40,500 adults found that single fathers are three times more likely to experience an early death in comparison with single moms and partnered dads. The authors of the study speculate the increased mortality risk among single fathers may be due to a lack of social support, poor dietary habits, and an increased risk of alcohol abuse. The Lancet Public Health, February 2018 Diet: Carb-Restricted Diet May Benefit Patients with Fatty Liver Disease.  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver cells from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. In this study, researchers found that when participants with NAFLD adopted a low-carbohydrate diet, they experienced a reduction in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and an increase in the expression of genes involved in metabolism and fatty acid oxidation. Researcher Dr. Adil Mardinoglu adds, “A carbohydrate-restricted dietary intervention such as the one we used can be an efficient treatment strategy for a severe health problem.” Cell Metabolism, February 2018 Exercise: Music Makes Exercise More Enjoyable.  Using portable electroencephalogram monitoring, researchers monitored the brainwaves of participants while they listened to music, a podcast, or no sound at all during exercise. They discovered that music rearranged the brain’s electrical frequency, resulting in a decrease in focus but an increase in enjoyment when compared with listening to a podcast or nothing at all. Researcher Dr. Marcelo Bigliassi explains, “We showed that music has the potential to increase beta waves and elicit a more positive emotional state… This can be capitalized upon during other forms of exercise and render a given activity more pleasurable. People who struggle to engage in physical activity programs should select appropriate pieces of music to exercise and see the way it makes you feel.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, December 2017 Chiropractic: Risk Factors for Spinal Pain in Children.  According to the results of a five-year study, the following factors increase a child’s risk for developing non-specific spinal pain: watching TV for more than two hours per day, sitting in an uncomfortable desk, sleeping problems, and a family history of back pain. European Spine Journal, February 2018 Wellness/Prevention: Smoking Hurts Productivity…  Using data from the 2013 US National Health and Wellness Survey, researchers calculate that smokers earn between $1,327 and $1,839 less per year than non-smokers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, February 2018

“We see the world not as it is, but as we are.” ~ Stephen Covey

Mental Attitude: Acne Can Be Emotionally Devastating.  New research suggests that acne can throw some people into deep depression. An analysis of data concerning nearly two million patients found that those with acne had more than a 50% increased risk for developing clinical depression. British Journal of Dermatology, February 2018 Health Alert: Is Noise a Risk Factor for Heart Disease?  Everyday loud noises from traffic, construction, and raucous workplaces may increase one’s risk for heart disease. A review of data from past studies found that both people and animals exposed to frequent, loud noises had a greater risk for heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Though the study does not prove cause and effect, the authors believe that noise pollution should be considered a risk factor for heart disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, February 2018 Diet: A Compound in Kiwi May Prevent Fatty Liver Disease.  Past studies have shown that the children of mothers who eat a high-fat diet while pregnant have an elevated risk for obesity or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a new animal study, researchers have discovered that a compound called pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) found in kiwi, celery, and papaya can prevent the progression of NAFLD in mice whose mothers consumed a high-fat diet during their gestation. The findings suggest that PQQ could be a feasible candidate for the prevention of NAFLD either by diet or supplementation. Hepatology Communications, January 2018 Exercise: Setting Milestones for Exercise Motivation.  Because the drive to get in shape can wane over time, the American College of Sports Medicine offers the following recommendations to help you stay motivated: set specific goals; develop a realistic action plan; use environmental cues, such as placing a gym bag by the door or setting reminders on your phone; have fun; make exercise convenient; record your progress; build a support network with friends or family who can work out with you; reward yourself with flowers, a movie, or new exercise clothes; and believe in yourself. American College of Sports Medicine, February 2018 Chiropractic: Poor Balance Linked to Back Pain.  A recent research review found that chronic low back pain can impair an individual’s standing balance. The authors of the review conclude, “Results from balance assessments should be used to indicate areas of improvement and help guide the course of treatment...” Disability and Rehabilitation, January 2018 Wellness/Prevention: Keeping Drivers with Dementia Off the Road.  In this study, researchers analyzed data concerning nearly 137,000 older drivers in the United States who had been hospitalized after a crash and found that those in states with in-person license renewal laws were about 38% less likely to have dementia. Study co-author Dr. Steven Albert writes, "The results of our study point to age-based licensing requirements as an effective way to improve safety." Neurology, January 2018

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