Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, April 28th, 2014

Mental Attitude: Facebook Photos Cause Anxiety and Eating Disorders.
A new report reveals that college women who spend more time on Facebook than their peers exhibit a higher frequency of appearance-focused behaviors and report more eating pathologies. The study's authors explain, "Facebook merges powerful peer influences with broader societal messages that focus on the importance of women's appearance into a single platform that women carry with them throughout the day. As researchers and clinicians attempt to understand and address risk factors for eating disorders, greater attention is needed to the emerging role of social media in young people's lives."
International Journal of Eating Disorders, March 2014

Health Alert: FDA Clears First Device to Prevent Migraines.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted STX-MED, a Belgian company, permission to begin marketing a headband-like, battery-powered device called Cefaly that can be worn to prevent migraines. The device is positioned in the center of the forehead and applies an electric current to the skin to stimulate branches of the trigeminal nerve, which has been associated with migraine headaches. Its developers believe it is in an important step in managing migraines.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, March 2014

Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Improve Children's Sleep.
A new study suggests that higher blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA in children are associated with better sleep, less bedtime resistance, less anxiety about sleep, and less waking during the night. According to the authors of the study, omega-3 blood levels in seven to nine-year-olds are alarmingly low which may lead to poor sleep and problems with both behavior and learning.
Journal of Sleep Research, March 2014

Exercise: Just Do It.
Regular physical activity/exercise is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health. It can help control your weight, lower your risk for heart disease, lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, lower your risk for some cancers, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve your mental health and mood, improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, and increase your chance of living longer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 2011

Chiropractic: Research Supports Chiropractic Care.
Commentary by Dr. Scott Halderman of the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine in response to an evidence report on the effectiveness of manual therapies, including spinal manipulation: "There was a time, not long ago, when there was little or no evidence to support the practice of manipulation that is the mainstay of chiropractic practice… There has, however, been a rapid growth in the number of clinical trials that have studied the effectiveness of manipulation, mobilization, and massage over the past 20 years and… there is now little dispute amongst knowledgeable scientists that manipulation is of value in the management of back pain, neck pain, and headaches that make up 90% or more of all patients who seek chiropractic care."
Chiropractic & Osteopathy, February 2010

Wellness/Prevention: TVs in Bedrooms Linked to Childhood Obesity.
A recent report reveals that children who have a televisions in their bedroom are much more likely to be overweight. Researchers hypothesize that bedroom televisions may disrupt a child's sleep pattern and past studies have shown that reduced sleep or poor sleep quality may be a cause of weight gain in children. The authors add that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against children having televisions in their bedroom.
JAMA Pediatrics, March 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, April 21st, 2014

Mental Attitude: Angry Outbursts Increase Heart Attack Risk!
Researchers at Harvard University report that heart attack risk increases nearly five times and stroke risk increases nearly three times in the two hours following at outburst of anger. Author Dr. Elizabeth Mostofsky adds, "Although the risk of experiencing an acute cardiovascular event with any single outburst of anger is relatively low, the risk can accumulate for people with frequent episodes of anger. This is particularly important for people who have higher risk due to other underlying risk factors or those who have already had a heart attack, stroke, or diabetes."
European Heart Journal, March 2014

Health Alert: Diarrheal Infection in Children Linked to Antibiotics.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of severe and potentially fatal pediatric diarrhea cases caused by Clostridium difficile infection (C. difficile) are linked to recent antibiotic treatments. Based on surveys of parents, 73% of children who suffered from a C. difficile infection were recently prescribed antibiotics to treat ear, sinus, or upper respiratory infections. Past studies have shown that at least half of upper respiratory infections do not require antibiotic treatment. The overuse of antibiotics places children at risk, as the antibiotics kill both bad and natural flora in the digestive system and create an imbalance that may allow a C. difficile infection to grow out of control and release toxins that inflame the gut. Dr. Tom Frieden, the Director of the CDC, writes, "When antibiotics are prescribed incorrectly, our children are needlessly put at risk for health problems including C. difficile infection and dangerous antibiotic resistant infections."
Pediatrics, March 2014

Diet: Eating Too Much Protein in Middle-Age Could be Harmful.
A new study suggests that a high protein diet (>1.2g protein per kg of body weight consumed per day) increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, and death among middle-aged adults. Lead author Dr. Valter Longo writes, "We studied simple organisms, mice, and humans, and provide convincing evidence that a high-protein diet - particularly if the proteins are derived from animals - is nearly as bad as smoking for your health."
Cell Metabolism, March 2014

Exercise: Exercising During Pregnancy Reduces Weight Gain & Associated Illnesses.
Research involving 963 pregnant women shows that moderately intense supervised exercise starting at the prenatal consultation helps women avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy while also reducing associated illnesses such as gestational diabetes and hypertension. The researchers state, "We wish to emphasize the importance of maintaining the health of pregnant women, as well as their children, by reaching an optimum weight; hence the importance of [physical exercise]."
Mayo Clinic Proceeding, December 2013

Chiropractic: More Cost-Effective.
Considering effectiveness and cost together, chiropractic care for low back and neck pain is highly cost-effective and represents a good value in comparison to other treatments, including medical care.
Mercer Health and Benefits, October 2009

Wellness/Prevention: Enjoy a Nap.
Taking an afternoon nap has been associated with benefits including improved alertness and performance, fewer accidents and mistakes, and a psychological boost to help one feel both relaxed and rejuvenated.
National Sleep Foundation, 2013

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, April 14th, 2014

Mental Attitude: Alzheimer's Deaths Larger than Reported. A new report suggests that Alzheimer’s disease contributes to an estimated 500,000 deaths per year in the United States. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 83,494 Alzheimer’s deaths were reported in 2010, pointing to incorrect identification of the underlying cause of death. Study author Dr. Bryan D. James writes, "Death certificates often list the immediate cause of death, such as pneumonia, rather than listing dementia as an underlying cause… Determining the true effects of dementia in this country is important for raising public awareness and identifying research priorities regarding this epidemic." Neurology, March 2014 Health Alert: For Younger Prostate Cancer Patients, is Surgery a Better Option than Waiting? Among younger men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, mortality rates are over 40% lower for those who are treated surgically compared with those who follow watchful waiting (relying on changes in symptoms to determine if/when further treatment is needed). The authors of this study add that patients must assess the risks with the operation, such as incontinence and impotence, with what they may gain from having the surgery based on age, other diseases, and desires. New England Journal of Medicine, March 2014 Diet: Is Saturated Fat Really that Bad? For years, healthcare providers have recommended following a diet low in saturated fat to reduce the risk of heart disease. New research claims that such a diet does not curb heart disease or prolong life. According to Dr. James DiNicolantonio, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that reducing saturated fat consumption can decrease the risk of heart disease. He explains, "The increase in the prevalence of diabetes and obesity in the [United States] occurred with an increase in the consumption of refined carbohydrates, not saturated fat. There is no conclusive proof that a low-fat diet has any positive effects on health." Open Heart, March 2014 Exercise: Exercise Improves Brain Power. Recent research shows that aerobic exercise improves activity in certain areas of the brain as well as the connectivity of those structures. Researchers found that the more fit a person is, the stronger the connectivity in the brain and the better they are at multitasking, planning, prioritizing, and strategizing. American Association for the Advancement of Science, March 2013 Chiropractic: High Prevalence of Back Pain in High School Sports. Low back pain is a surprisingly common complaint among young athletes. A study from Finland analyzed 464 teenage athletes from a variety of sports and found that 54.9% experienced back pain during the previous year but only about a quarter sought treatment. Journal of Sports Medicine, April 2014 Wellness/Prevention: New Smartphone Case Measures Vital Signs. Azoi, an American technology company, has just announced a smartphone case that measures blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels. This new health tracker is called Wello and works by using several sensors located in the case that attaches to your smartphone. Wello can also connect to other health and fitness devices, including pedometers and sleep monitors. Hamish Patel, CEO and founder of Azoi, says that Wello can help individuals monitor their vital signs, possibly allowing earlier detection of heart disease and other health problems. American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine Technology Hub, March 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, March 31st, 2014

Mental Attitude: Is Stress Contagious?
A new report finds that not only do babies pick up on their mother's stress but their bodies will also mimic physiological changes. Researchers found that when mothers were stressed and then reunited with their infant, the child quickly adopted his/her mother's stress response, including a corresponding change in heart rate. Lead author Dr. Sara Waters writes, "Before infants are verbal and able to express themselves fully, we can overlook how exquisitely attuned they are to the emotional tenor of their caregivers… Your infant may not be able to tell you that you seem stressed or ask you what is wrong, but our work shows that, as soon as she is in your arms, she is picking up on the bodily responses accompanying your emotional state and immediately begins to feel in her own body your own negative emotion."
Psychological Science, February 2014

Health Alert: Buckle Your Children Up!
Although child deaths resulting from motor vehicle crashes fell 43% in the United States between 2002 and 2011, car accidents still claim the lives of over 9,000 American children each year. Researchers working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that nearly a third of these deaths can be prevented if parents simply secured their children in age/size appropriate car seats. They point out that in states where car seats are required until ages 7-8, more children are put into car and booster seats and serious injury rates are 17% lower than in states without such laws.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 2014

Diet: No More Than 2-3 Cups Per Day…
Using current research on the over-consumption of caffeine as a guide, Dr. Laura Juliano, co-author of "Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda," recommends healthy adults limit caffeine consumption to no more than two to three cups of coffee per day (about 400 mg/day) and pregnant women to no more than half that amount. She also recommends people with health problems such as anxiety, insomnia, heart problems, or urinary incontinence limit or even eliminate caffeine consumption.
Journal of Caffeine Research, February 2014

Exercise: Sitting and Disability.
For the first time, a study has labeled sedentary activity as a risk factor for disability for people over age 60. Using data on over 2,000 adults over 60 years of age, researchers were shocked to discover that being sedentary is just as large a risk factor for disability as not exercising, and the risk of disability dramatically increases for each additional hour spent sitting at a computer or on the couch watching TV.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health, February 2014

Chiropractic: Acute Low Back Pain Treatment Comparison.
In this study, researchers compared the efficacy of spinal manipulation to diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), for the treatment of acute low back pain. Based on outcomes including self-rated physical disability, function, time missed from work, and rescue medication use during the following 12 weeks, spinal manipulation proved to be a significantly better treatment.
Spine, April 2013

Wellness/Prevention: Mammography Recommended for Women in Their 40s.
While the United States Preventive Services Task Force's 2009 guidelines recommend against routine mammograms for women in their 40s, new research shows that regular screenings would benefit this age group by helping doctors catch the disease when it can still be treated without extensive surgery or chemotherapy. Current statistics show that one in eight women will develop breast cancer, and if the disease is caught early enough, the five-year survival rate is 97%.
American Journal of Roentgenology, February 2014