Mental Attitude: The Gambler's Fallacy.
The gambler's fallacy is described as a situation when one outcome may seem more likely based on previous results in a game of chance, such as thinking a coin-flip has a greater than 50/50 chance of landing "heads" if the previous four flips landed tail side up. An experiment involving patients with damage to the part of the brain called the insula found that they do not succumb to the gambler's fallacy. This finding suggests that people who are addicted to gambling may have hyperactive activity in this area of the brain and if future studies confirm this, it may lead to a possible treatment for gambling addiction.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, April 2014
Health Alert: Tamiflu & Relenza Not Effective for Flu.
The latest Cochrane Review reveals there is no solid evidence to support the effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza, commonly used medications to fight or prevent influenza symptoms. Dr. David Tovey, editor in chief at Cochrane, writes, "Initially thought to reduce hospitalizations and serious complications from influenza, the review highlights that Tamiflu is not proven to do this, and it also seems to lead to harmful effects that were not fully reported in the original publications. This shows the importance of ensuring that trial data are transparent and accessible." Similar results were found regarding Relenza.
Cochrane Systemic Review, April 2014
Diet: Junk Food Diets Prompt Laziness.
New animal-based research indicates that consistently eating processed foods may lead to obesity, inactivity, and feelings of lethargy. This appears contrary to some beliefs that laziness leads to obesity and suggests that a long-term pattern of eating junk food is to blame for obesity and its accompanying health problems. Lead researcher Dr. Aaron Blaisdell writes, “We are living in an environment with sedentary lifestyles, poor-quality diet, and highly processed foods that is very different from the one we are adapted to through human evolution. It is that difference that leads to many of the chronic diseases that we see today, such as obesity and diabetes."
Physiology and Behavior, April 2014
Exercise: Seeing Nature Helps Lower Blood Pressure!
Investigators have found that seeing nature-related imagery while riding a stationary bike can result in lower blood pressure post-exercise than working out without such stimuli.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, April 2014
Chiropractic: Chiropractic Effective for Back Pain During Pregnancy.
A new study confirms that chiropractic care to treat low back pain during pregnancy is both safe and effective. The study involved 115 pregnant patients with low back or pelvic pain who received chiropractic care. Fifty-two percent noticed improvements within one week of starting care. The percentage increased to 70% after one month and 85% after three months. Eighty-eight percent of patients reported improved back and pelvic pain post-delivery one year after the start of the study. These findings suggest that chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide women with lasting health benefits.
Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, April 2014
Wellness/Prevention: More Prevention Needed Regarding Teen Pregnancy.
Though births to teens ages 15 to 17 years of age have decreased in recent years, girls in the United States are still giving birth to an estimated 1,700 babies per week. Investigators for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 73% of teens in this age group (15-17 years old) have not yet had sex. However, they found that among the teens in this age group who are sexually active, 80% had not had any formal sex education before they had sex for the first time. CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden adds, "Efforts to prevent teen childbearing need to focus on evidence-based approaches to delaying sexual activity and increasing use of the most effective methods of contraception for those teens who are sexually active."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, May 19th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Working Memory Boosted by Green Tea.
Consuming green tea may enhance cognitive function, especially a person's working memory. Researchers found that study participants who consumed a beverage that included green tea extract showed increased connectivity between the right superior parietal lobule and the frontal cortex of the brain. This action correlated with enhanced performance on working memory tasks. This finding may lead to new treatment for disorders involving cognitive impairments, such as dementia.
Psychopharmacology, March 2014
Consuming green tea may enhance cognitive function, especially a person's working memory. Researchers found that study participants who consumed a beverage that included green tea extract showed increased connectivity between the right superior parietal lobule and the frontal cortex of the brain. This action correlated with enhanced performance on working memory tasks. This finding may lead to new treatment for disorders involving cognitive impairments, such as dementia.
Psychopharmacology, March 2014
Health Alert: Half the Population of the Americas at Risk for Insect-Borne Disease.
Approximately 50% of people living in the Western Hemisphere are at risk of one or more diseases carried by ticks, flies, mosquitoes, and other vectors. Some of these diseases include West Nile virus, Lyme disease, dengue fever, malaria, chagas, and schistosomiasis. Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) adds, “Our region has achieved many successes in controlling vector-borne diseases. However, this success is being threatened by the expansion of mosquitoes and other vectors into new habitats and by the emergence of insecticide and drug resistance. PAHO and its partners are today calling for stepped-up action in the fight against vector-borne diseases in the Americas."
Pan American Health Organization, April 2014
Approximately 50% of people living in the Western Hemisphere are at risk of one or more diseases carried by ticks, flies, mosquitoes, and other vectors. Some of these diseases include West Nile virus, Lyme disease, dengue fever, malaria, chagas, and schistosomiasis. Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) adds, “Our region has achieved many successes in controlling vector-borne diseases. However, this success is being threatened by the expansion of mosquitoes and other vectors into new habitats and by the emergence of insecticide and drug resistance. PAHO and its partners are today calling for stepped-up action in the fight against vector-borne diseases in the Americas."
Pan American Health Organization, April 2014
Diet: Eating Legumes Keeps Away Bad Cholesterol.
According to a new report, just one serving of legumes per day can reduce a person's low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The study found that people who ate 3/4 cups of non-oil-seed legumes each day experienced a 5% reduction of LDL cholesterol. Unfortunately, some participants experienced side effects from eating legumes such as bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and constipation. Co-author Dr. John Sievenpiper believes that the 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol correlates to a 5-6% risk reduction for major vascular events.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, April 2014
According to a new report, just one serving of legumes per day can reduce a person's low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The study found that people who ate 3/4 cups of non-oil-seed legumes each day experienced a 5% reduction of LDL cholesterol. Unfortunately, some participants experienced side effects from eating legumes such as bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and constipation. Co-author Dr. John Sievenpiper believes that the 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol correlates to a 5-6% risk reduction for major vascular events.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, April 2014
Exercise: Exercise Curtails COPD Hospitalization.
New research suggests that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who exercise at a moderate to vigorous level have a lower risk of hospital readmission within 30 days compared with those who are inactive. Researchers found that patients with COPD who exercised 150 minutes a week or more had a 34% lower risk of readmission within 30 days compared to those who were inactive. The finding suggests exercising three to five times a week will help improve COPD symptoms, physical functioning, and quality of life. Similar results published earlier in 2014 support this finding.
Annals of the American Thoracic Society, April 2014
New research suggests that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who exercise at a moderate to vigorous level have a lower risk of hospital readmission within 30 days compared with those who are inactive. Researchers found that patients with COPD who exercised 150 minutes a week or more had a 34% lower risk of readmission within 30 days compared to those who were inactive. The finding suggests exercising three to five times a week will help improve COPD symptoms, physical functioning, and quality of life. Similar results published earlier in 2014 support this finding.
Annals of the American Thoracic Society, April 2014
Chiropractic: Hand & Practice.
The word “Chiropractic” combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice) to describe a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy with an emphasis on spinal adjustment is central to chiropractic care. Chiropractic is based on the premise that the relationship between the body’s structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function (as coordinated by the nervous system) affects a person's health.
National Institutes of Health, February 2012
The word “Chiropractic” combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice) to describe a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy with an emphasis on spinal adjustment is central to chiropractic care. Chiropractic is based on the premise that the relationship between the body’s structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function (as coordinated by the nervous system) affects a person's health.
National Institutes of Health, February 2012
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Insufficiency Increases Fracture Risk.
Women with low blood levels of vitamin D over a five-year period had a greater risk of osteoporosis-related fracture over the following decade.
Osteoporosis International, April 2014
Women with low blood levels of vitamin D over a five-year period had a greater risk of osteoporosis-related fracture over the following decade.
Osteoporosis International, April 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, May 12th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Depression Common After Surviving Intensive Care.
A new report reveals that one-third of patients experience depression after leaving intensive care. Researchers note that this depression typically expressed itself as physical rather than psychological symptoms such as weakness, appetite change, and fatigue. Study leader Dr. James Jackson explains, "The physical symptoms of depression are often resistant to standard treatment with antidepressant drugs and we need to determine how best to enhance recovery with a new focus on physical and occupational rehabilitation."
Lancet Respiratory Medicine, April 2014
A new report reveals that one-third of patients experience depression after leaving intensive care. Researchers note that this depression typically expressed itself as physical rather than psychological symptoms such as weakness, appetite change, and fatigue. Study leader Dr. James Jackson explains, "The physical symptoms of depression are often resistant to standard treatment with antidepressant drugs and we need to determine how best to enhance recovery with a new focus on physical and occupational rehabilitation."
Lancet Respiratory Medicine, April 2014
Health Alert: Not in the Pool!
Experts warn that urinating in a swimming pool can pose a serious health risk. Researchers have found that uric acid in urine can generate volatile disinfection byproducts in the pool when it interacts with chlorine. The toxic compounds of concern are cyanogens chloride and trichloramine. Inhalation of cyanogens chloride can negatively affect the cardiovascular system, the pulmonary system, the central nervous system, and can potentially be fatal. Trichloramine is a compound linked to acute lung injury through exposure to chlorine-based disinfectants. The findings support the need to encourage proper pool hygiene.
Environmental Science & Technology, February 2014
Experts warn that urinating in a swimming pool can pose a serious health risk. Researchers have found that uric acid in urine can generate volatile disinfection byproducts in the pool when it interacts with chlorine. The toxic compounds of concern are cyanogens chloride and trichloramine. Inhalation of cyanogens chloride can negatively affect the cardiovascular system, the pulmonary system, the central nervous system, and can potentially be fatal. Trichloramine is a compound linked to acute lung injury through exposure to chlorine-based disinfectants. The findings support the need to encourage proper pool hygiene.
Environmental Science & Technology, February 2014
Diet: Drinking Milk Slows Knee Arthritis in Women.
New research suggests that osteoarthritis of the knee slows in women who regularly consume low-fat or fat-free milk compared with their peers who do not. Though the study found an association between milk intake and knee health, it did not prove cause-and effect. Further research is needed to determine the role of milk in the delay of osteoarthritis progression, but the findings do suggest the milk consumption plays an important role in bone health.
Arthritis Care & Research, April 2014
New research suggests that osteoarthritis of the knee slows in women who regularly consume low-fat or fat-free milk compared with their peers who do not. Though the study found an association between milk intake and knee health, it did not prove cause-and effect. Further research is needed to determine the role of milk in the delay of osteoarthritis progression, but the findings do suggest the milk consumption plays an important role in bone health.
Arthritis Care & Research, April 2014
Exercise: Over-Training Counterproductive.
Over-training occurs when you do not allow your body to adjust, adapt, and recuperate from the training regimen you take part in and can be detrimental to realizing your fitness goals. Signs of over-training include decreased performance, increased resting heart rate and blood pressure, increased muscle fatigue, gastro-intestinal problems, depression, irritability, apathy, and low self-esteem. Experts recommend starting slowly with your exercise routine and working with a trainer to assess your fitness level and determine a more personalized training program.
Butler University, January 2010
Over-training occurs when you do not allow your body to adjust, adapt, and recuperate from the training regimen you take part in and can be detrimental to realizing your fitness goals. Signs of over-training include decreased performance, increased resting heart rate and blood pressure, increased muscle fatigue, gastro-intestinal problems, depression, irritability, apathy, and low self-esteem. Experts recommend starting slowly with your exercise routine and working with a trainer to assess your fitness level and determine a more personalized training program.
Butler University, January 2010
Chiropractic: Chiropractic Care Improves Type I Diabetes.
A four-year-old child with type I diabetes was able to better control her blood sugar after undergoing two months of chiropractic care. The patient's hemoglobin A1C decreased from 7.2% to 6.5% and her insulin use decreased from 15 units to 11 units per day. This case study supports the optimizing effects of chiropractic care on function throughout the body.
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health, November 2013
A four-year-old child with type I diabetes was able to better control her blood sugar after undergoing two months of chiropractic care. The patient's hemoglobin A1C decreased from 7.2% to 6.5% and her insulin use decreased from 15 units to 11 units per day. This case study supports the optimizing effects of chiropractic care on function throughout the body.
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health, November 2013
Wellness/Prevention: Alcohol is a Leading Cause of Preventable Cancer Death.
Scientists from the Boston University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health report that alcohol consumption leads to about 1 in 28.6 cancer deaths in the United States, including 15% of all breast cancer deaths. Although heavy drinking is linked to the greatest risk for alcohol-related cancer death, even 1.5 drinks per day or less accounts for nearly 30% of all alcohol-related cancer fatalities. Lead study author Dr. Timothy Naimi adds, "The relationship between alcohol and cancer is strong, but is not widely appreciated by the public and remains underemphasized even by physicians… Alcohol is a big preventable cancer risk factor that has been hiding in plain sight."
American Journal of Public Health, April 2013
Scientists from the Boston University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health report that alcohol consumption leads to about 1 in 28.6 cancer deaths in the United States, including 15% of all breast cancer deaths. Although heavy drinking is linked to the greatest risk for alcohol-related cancer death, even 1.5 drinks per day or less accounts for nearly 30% of all alcohol-related cancer fatalities. Lead study author Dr. Timothy Naimi adds, "The relationship between alcohol and cancer is strong, but is not widely appreciated by the public and remains underemphasized even by physicians… Alcohol is a big preventable cancer risk factor that has been hiding in plain sight."
American Journal of Public Health, April 2013
Monday, May 5, 2014
Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, May 5th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Good News if You are Obsessive-Compulsive.
Research that involved questioning nearly 800 university students from sixteen countries shows that 94% of people experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, and/or impulses. These findings confirm that these thoughts are extremely common, which can reassure obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients that they are not that different from everyone else in this regard. Co-author Dr. Adam Radomsky explains, "This study shows that it's not the unwanted, intrusive thoughts that are the problem - it's what you make of those thoughts. And that's at the heart of our cognitive and behavioral interventions for helping people overcome OCD."
Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorder, April 2014
Research that involved questioning nearly 800 university students from sixteen countries shows that 94% of people experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, and/or impulses. These findings confirm that these thoughts are extremely common, which can reassure obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients that they are not that different from everyone else in this regard. Co-author Dr. Adam Radomsky explains, "This study shows that it's not the unwanted, intrusive thoughts that are the problem - it's what you make of those thoughts. And that's at the heart of our cognitive and behavioral interventions for helping people overcome OCD."
Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorder, April 2014
Health Alert: Drug-Resistant Germs Found on Cutting Boards!
Swiss scientists analyzed cutting boards from hospital cafeterias and private home kitchens after they were used to cut poultry but before the boards were washed. They found that 6.5% of hospital cutting boards and 3.5% of household cutting boards were contaminated with drug-resistant E. coli bacteria. This could pose a major health risk if the cutting boards are reused before being properly disinfected or if any food exposed to the cutting boards is not cooked at high enough temperatures to kill any bacterial contamination.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, April 2014
Swiss scientists analyzed cutting boards from hospital cafeterias and private home kitchens after they were used to cut poultry but before the boards were washed. They found that 6.5% of hospital cutting boards and 3.5% of household cutting boards were contaminated with drug-resistant E. coli bacteria. This could pose a major health risk if the cutting boards are reused before being properly disinfected or if any food exposed to the cutting boards is not cooked at high enough temperatures to kill any bacterial contamination.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, April 2014
Diet: Risk of Food Poisoning Higher in Restaurants.
Over the course of a decade in the United States (US), more people contracted food poisoning as a result of eating at a restaurant than eating at home. During this time, more than 1,600 restaurant-related food poisoning outbreaks sickened over 28,000 people while nine hundred food poisoning outbreaks were linked to homes, which affected over 13,000 individuals. Fortunately, the study found that food borne illness has decreased by 42% from 2002 to 2011.
Center for Science in the Public Interest, April 2014
Over the course of a decade in the United States (US), more people contracted food poisoning as a result of eating at a restaurant than eating at home. During this time, more than 1,600 restaurant-related food poisoning outbreaks sickened over 28,000 people while nine hundred food poisoning outbreaks were linked to homes, which affected over 13,000 individuals. Fortunately, the study found that food borne illness has decreased by 42% from 2002 to 2011.
Center for Science in the Public Interest, April 2014
Exercise: Does Specializing in One Sport Ensure Future Success?
Contrary to what some parents and coaches believe, researchers have found no evidence that athletes were more successful at earning a college scholarship or in starting a professional career if they only played one sport starting at a very young age. It appears that most of today's successful athletes enjoyed multiple sports as children and waited until their teens to focus on only one sport.
American Society of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, April 2014
Contrary to what some parents and coaches believe, researchers have found no evidence that athletes were more successful at earning a college scholarship or in starting a professional career if they only played one sport starting at a very young age. It appears that most of today's successful athletes enjoyed multiple sports as children and waited until their teens to focus on only one sport.
American Society of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, April 2014
Chiropractic: Increasing Reports of Pain Among College Students.
A comparison of survey data from Finnish university students taken in 2000 and 2012 shows an increasing trend of musculoskeletal complaints among that population. Researchers report that 29% of students reported dealing with neck and shoulder-related pain on a weekly basis in 2012 compared with 25% in 2000. Low back pain complaints increased from 10% to 14%, limb and joint pain increased from 7% to 8%, and temporomandibular joint pain increased from 4% to 5%.
European Journal of Pain, March 2014
A comparison of survey data from Finnish university students taken in 2000 and 2012 shows an increasing trend of musculoskeletal complaints among that population. Researchers report that 29% of students reported dealing with neck and shoulder-related pain on a weekly basis in 2012 compared with 25% in 2000. Low back pain complaints increased from 10% to 14%, limb and joint pain increased from 7% to 8%, and temporomandibular joint pain increased from 4% to 5%.
European Journal of Pain, March 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Better “Bedside Manner” Affects Patients' Health.
A review of 13 clinical trials has found that doctors who have been given training to improve their people skills have patients who respond more favorably in efforts to lose weight, lower their blood pressure, or manage their pain. Dr. Alan Christensen, a professor of psychology at the University of Iowa, adds, “It's important to be able to demonstrate that clinicians can learn to change how they interact with patients, and that it affects health outcomes."
PLOS ONE, April 2014
A review of 13 clinical trials has found that doctors who have been given training to improve their people skills have patients who respond more favorably in efforts to lose weight, lower their blood pressure, or manage their pain. Dr. Alan Christensen, a professor of psychology at the University of Iowa, adds, “It's important to be able to demonstrate that clinicians can learn to change how they interact with patients, and that it affects health outcomes."
PLOS ONE, April 2014
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