Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, January 26th, 2015

Mental Attitude: Are You Pre-Wired to Be Bilingual?
Some brains appear to be pre-wired to acquire a second language, according investigators who analyzed MRI scans of native English speakers who were asked to study Chinese vocabulary for six weeks. The pre-study MRI scans of those who were most successful at learning Chinese revealed a greater number of neural connections in the areas of the brain associated with some thinking and language skills. Study co-author Dr. Ping Li adds that, "[The brain] becomes more connected and integrated after learning [but] the brain networks of the more successful learners are better connected even before learning takes place." It's not yet clear what percentage of people are pre-wired to excel at learning a second language, and it's not known if training can improve this type of brain wiring.
Journal of Neurolinguistics, May 2014

Health Alert: Over 16 Million Children Live in States Where They Can Buy e-Cigarettes Legally!
While 28 states have enacted laws forbidding the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS, which include e-cigarettes) to minors during the previous two years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 10 states in the United States still lack laws prohibiting the sale of ENDS to children. According to Dr. Tim McAfee, director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, "While ENDS may have the potential to benefit established adult smokers if used as a complete substitute for all smoked tobacco products, ENDS should not be used by youth and adult non-tobacco users because of the harmful effects of nicotine and other risk exposures, as well as the risk for progression to other forms of tobacco use."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 2014

Diet: Folic Acid Vital Before and During Pregnancy to Reduce Risk of Small Gestational Age.
Women who take folic acid prior to conception appear to be less likely to have babies that are small for their gestational age, which can cause an array of health complications. Folic acid is a B vitamin that is already highly recommended for women of a childbearing age, as it reduces the risk of a child developing neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. The study found that the highest rates of small gestational age occurred among babies whose mothers had not taken folic acid before conception or during pregnancy.
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, November 2014

Exercise: Older Individuals Who Diet Without Exercising Lose Muscle Mass.
A past study revealed that when older individuals diet without exercising, they tend to lose lean muscle while older dieters who are physically active don't experience any muscle loss. This is important as older people tend to lose muscle mass as they age which may interfere with their ability to perform daily activities.
Journal of Applied Physiology, September 2008

Chiropractic: Technology Use Can Increase Risk of Neck Pain.
Experts are concerned that the increasing prevalence of technology may result in more pain among frequent users. Dr. Kenneth Hansray recently studied the issue of poor posture and how it affects the body, especially when using a cell phone or smart device. When the neck is in a neutral position, the head weighs about 12 pounds (~5.4 kg). Dr. Hansray found that when the head is tilted 15 degrees forward, stress on the neck increases to 27 pounds (~12.2 kg), at 45 degrees it increases to 49 pounds (~22.2 kg), and at 60 degrees it increases to 60 pounds (~27.2 kg). He adds, "When you have such aggressive stressors on the neck, you get wear and tear on the spine… You can develop tears within the disk, or even get a slipped or herniated disk." The take-home message is to watch your posture and make changes regarding how you use your technology to avoid pain. If you do suffer from problems, your chiropractor can help by addressing posture, giving you specific exercises, and providing therapy to reduce your pain.
Surgical Technology International, November 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Keep Your Feet Happy & Healthy.
Because they are your body's foundation, it is very important to take care of your feet to avoid pain and maintain their function. The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends the following for keeping your feet happy: moisturize daily, stretch and/or massage daily, get a pedicure, and wear comfortable shoes.
American Podiatric Medical Association, December 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, January 19th, 2015

Mental Attitude: Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Tobacco Increases ADHD Risk.
Children whose mothers drink or smoke during pregnancy are roughly 50-250% more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than children who receive no alcohol or tobacco exposure while in utero. More specifically, if a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy, her child's risk for ADHD is 1.55 times greater than if she doesn't drink. If she smokes, her child will have a 2.65-fold greater risk for ADHD.
Psychiatry Research, January 2015

Health Alert: Obesity Tied to Half a Million Cancers Worldwide.
A new report indicates that obesity is associated with nearly 500,000 new cancer cases worldwide every year, and almost two-thirds of obesity-related cancers occur in North America and Europe. Study leader Dr. Melina Arnold explains, "Our findings add support for a global effort to address the rising trends in obesity. The global prevalence of obesity in adults has doubled since 1980. If this trend continues, it will certainly boost the future burden of cancer, particularly in South America and North Africa, where the largest increases in the rate of obesity have been seen over the last 30 years."
The Lancet Oncology, November 2014

Diet: Calorie Counts Will Be Mandatory for Chain Restaurants.
The Food and Drug Administration has announced that new rules under the Affordable Care Act that will require many restaurant chains to post calorie counts on their menu if they have more than 20 locations. While listing calorie counts on menus won’t solve the obesity epidemic, it may help consumers make healthier food choices when they dine out.
Food and Drug Administration, November 2014

Exercise: Some Women May Not Benefit from Exercise as Easily as Men.
Researchers at the University of Missouri claim that certain exercises that benefit obese men may not benefit obese women. The team found that obese men achieved cardiovascular improvement after aerobic exercise training, while women failed to experience any benefit when measuring heart rate recovery and blood pressure. Researcher Dr. Jill Kanaley adds, "When you exercise, you want your blood pressure to rise, but you don't want it to get too high. Your blood pressure should return to normal relatively quickly after the end of your workout. In our study, the recovery rate for women was not as rapid as for men. After the men trained, they got an even better recovery time, whereas women's time stayed about the same." The research indicates that certain exercises may not be enough for women, and the researchers recommend that healthcare providers keep this in mind when developing targeted exercise interventions for obese women.
Metabolism, April 2012

Chiropractic: Resolution of Urinary Incontinence Following Chiropractic Care.
A recent case study documented the effectiveness of chiropractic care for a patient suffering from urinary incontinence. The case involved a 63-year-old woman with a recent history of urinary incontinence and spinal pain. She received chiropractic treatment in addition to exercises and traction. During the course of 22 visits, she experienced complete resolution of urinary incontinence, improvements in spinal alignment, and near resolution of spinal pain.
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, August 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Americans Not Receiving Dementia Screening.
More than 50% of Americans with dementia appear to never have undergone screening of their thinking and memory skills, according to a new study. Dementia affects one in eight people over the age of 65 in the United States and one in three individuals over the age of 80. Despite this rate of dementia, there are no established guidelines for screening. This finding is important as early evaluation and identification of individuals with dementia may help them receive care sooner in the course of the disease. The author of the study adds that with an early diagnosis of dementia, families can watch loved ones for problems, help them with daily tasks, and make plans for care. Dr. Gayatri Devi, a neurologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City explains, "Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for maintaining quality of life in this debilitating condition… There are economic benefits to society as well."
Neurology, November 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, January 12th, 2015

Mental Attitude: Blood Sugar Control and Dementia Risk. An analysis involving 1,342 elderly patients indicates that those with poorly controlled blood sugar are 3-5 times more likely to develop either dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, December 2014 Health Alert: Riding Adult-Sized ATVs Can Be Deadly for Youth. Riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) poses a high-risk for injury or death to children and teens. Dr. Mary Aitken, a professor of pediatrics and public health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, writes, "Finding a more effective way to communicate the risks of these vehicles to parents and youth is key. But in the meantime, a combination of strategies including training exposure, improving vehicle design to improve safety, and improving enforcement of existing policies may help." Pediatrics, January 2015 Diet: Popular Heartburn Drugs May Upset Your Gut Flora. According to a new study, heartburn medications such as Prilosec and Nexium may disrupt the population of an individual's gut bacteria, potentially increasing his or her risk for infections and other problems for up to one month after they cease using such drugs. Among longtime users, these medications have also been connected to vitamin deficiencies, bone fractures, and pneumonia. Patients should talk with their healthcare provider regarding the necessity of these medications and justify their continued use. Microbiome, November 2014 Exercise: Is 30 Minutes of Daily Exercise Effective as One Hour of Exercise? Thirty minutes of daily exercise can be as effective for weight loss and improvement in body mass as 60 minutes of exercise, according to research published in 2012. The study involved moderately overweight men who either worked out hard enough to produce a light sweat for either 30 minutes or one hour daily over a 13-week period. On average, the men who exercised 30 minutes a day lost close to eight pounds during the three month study, while those who exercised for 60 minutes only lost about six pounds in the same time span. Researcher Dr. Mads Rosenkilde explains, "Participants exercising 30 minutes per day burned more calories than they should relative to the training program we set for them. In fact we can see that exercising for a whole hour instead of a half does not provide any additional loss in either body weight or fat. The men who exercised the most lost too little relative to the energy they burned by running, biking, or rowing. [Thirty] minutes of concentrated exercise give equally good results on the scale." American Journal of Physiology, August 2012 Chiropractic: Chiropractic and Rehabilitation for Radiculopathy. A new case study demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of chiropractic care in the management of intervertebral disk bulges with radiculopathy. A 45-year-old woman with low back and right leg pain consistent with L4 nerve root entrapment received ten treatments of skilled spinal and extremity manipulation followed by exercise and myofascial therapy for an additional 12 visits. After treatment, she reported significant improvement in back and leg pain. The results suggest chiropractic care can be an effective and safe tool in management of such conditions. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, November 2014 Wellness/Prevention: Parents Need to Help in the Prevention of Teen Concussions. Experts recommend that parents play an active role in protecting their children from sport-related concussions. Several steps can be taken to help reduce the risk of concussion such as making sure their teen has the right protective gear, voicing concern that coaches need to be appropriately trained and have sideline concussion protocols, and ensuring that schools have a health professional at games to determine if an athlete has a concussion. Parents and teens should also know the signs of a concussion, which include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, headache, slowed thinking, memory loss, insomnia or excessive sleep, mood swings, and sensitivity to noise and/or light. If a child has any of these symptoms after a head injury, they should see a doctor immediately. American Migraine Foundation, November 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, January 5th, 2015

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” ~ Ernest Hemingway Mental Attitude: Full-Day Preschool Increases Readiness for Kindergarten. Children who attend preschool full-time score better in areas such as language, math, socio-emotional development, physical health, literacy, and cognitive development when compared with kids who attend preschool for half the day. Lead author Dr. Arthur J. Reynolds writes, "Full-day preschool appears to be a promising strategy for school readiness… In addition to increased educational enrichment, full-day preschool benefits parents by providing children with a continually enriched environment throughout the day, thereby freeing parental time to pursue career and educational opportunities." JAMA, November 2014 Health Alert: ER Visits on the Rise in the US. The number of emergency room visits in the United States (US) has risen from approximately 130 million in 2010 to an estimated 140 million in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 30% of visits were for injuries, with the highest rates among individuals 75 years of age and older. Dr. Michael Gerardi, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, adds, "Given that our nation's population is aging, and emergency departments have a critical role as the front line of responding to disasters and infectious disease outbreaks in America… we need to prepare for increased numbers of patients." American College of Emergency Physicians, November 2014 Diet: Get Kids Cooking to Promote Healthy Eating. According to a new report, getting kids involved in cooking may make them more likely to choose healthier foods. The study found that cooking programs and classes for children seem to positively influence children’s food preferences and behaviors. Cooking education programs teach children about healthy foods and how to prepare them. These programs also stress the importance of eating five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. If parents are unable to enroll their kids in a cooking class, then they can achieve similar benefits by simply having their children help them while they prepare meals at home in their own kitchen. Preventing Chronic Disease: Public Health Research, Practice and Policy, November 2014 Exercise: Lowers Hypertension Risk. Using data from treadmill stress tests and blood pressure measurements from over 57,000 older men and women, researchers determined that individuals who are in good physical shape have at least a 20% lower risk for hypertension than those who are out of shape. JAMA, December 2014 Chiropractic: Why Does Your Back Hurt? The American Chiropractic Association offers the following explanation on what causes back pain: "The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements—for example, picking up a pencil from the floor— can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss." ACA, December 2014 Wellness/Prevention: Simple Breath Test May Help Detect Type 1 Diabetes Earlier in Children. Researchers claim to have identified a chemical marker for type 1 diabetes that could pave the way for early diagnosis in children by using a simple breath test. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs when a severe lack of insulin causes the body to break down fats for energy. This process leads to an elevation of ketones in the blood, which can lead to diabetic coma or even death. In the study, researchers found the sweet smelling ketones disposed of through the breath may be used as an early indicator of ketone build-up in the blood. Researcher Dr. Gus Hancock adds, "After clinical trials, we hope that this will be used by people with type 1 diabetes to test whether or not they are heading for DKA when they are not feeling well." Journal of Breath Research, November 2014