Mental Attitude: Stress Affects Women’s Recovery After a Heart Attack. Researchers analyzed data collected from 2,397 women and 1,175 men and found that women had more difficulty recovering from a heart attack than men, possibly due to the significantly higher levels of mental stress measured among the females in the study. The findings emphasize the need to consider how stress and other psychosocial factors can affect the recovery of patients following heart attack. American Heart Association, February 2015

Health Alert: Mercury Exposure May Be a Risk Factor for Autoimmune Diseases. Exposure to high levels of methylmercury is known to cause damage to the nervous system, and it can be particularly harmful to a developing fetus. Researchers now claim that even at levels considered to be safe, mercury exposure may be a risk factor for autoimmune disorders in women of childbearing age. They found that the higher the levels of mercury detected in women, the higher the levels of autoantibodies, proteins that are a characteristic of autoimmune diseases. Lead researcher Dr. Emily Somers explains, “The presence of autoantibodies doesn’t necessarily mean they will lead to an autoimmune disease. However, we know that autoantibodies are significant predictors of future autoimmune disease, and may predate the symptoms and diagnosis of an autoimmune disease by years.”

Environmental Health Perspectives, February 2015

Diet: Low Vitamin D Levels During Childhood Linked to Heart Risks. A multi-decade study found that low vitamin D levels during childhood are associated with a significantly higher risk for artery hardening in adulthood. The findings highlight the need to ensure children get adequate levels of vitamin D in their diet or through sun exposure.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, February 2015

Exercise: Why Should We Exercise? The Mayo Clinic lists seven benefits of exercise, which include the following: helps controls weight, helps combat chronic health conditions and diseases, improves mood, boosts energy levels, promotes better sleep, reduces stress, and it can even be fun! As a general rule, strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
Mayo Clinic, February 2015

Chiropractic: Resolution of Plantar Fasciitis Following Adjustments. In this case study, a 23-year-old woman with plantar fasciitis presented for chiropractic care. Her previous medical care included prescription orthotics, stretching, and Ibuprofen, all which failed
to resolve her heel pain and related symptoms. Her chiropractic treatment regimen consisted of adjustment to the spine and lower extremities, ultrasound therapy, taping of the foot, and neuromuscular re-education. Over the course of ten treatments, the patient noted improvements in both pain and function, supporting the benefits of multi-modal chiropractic management of plantar fasciitis. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, October 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Naps Improve Your Health. A new report claims that brief daytime naps can protect against the harmful health effects of a poor night’s sleep. The study included eleven healthy men and revealed that naps appear to return the hormones and proteins involved in stress response and immune function to more normal levels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lack of sleep can increase the risk of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression, and decreased sleep is also linked to reduced work productivity, as well as an increased risk of traffic and industrial accidents. Study author Dr. Brice Faraut adds, “Napping may offer a way to counter the damaging effects of sleep restriction by helping the immune and neuroendocrine systems to recover. The findings support the development of practical strategies for addressing chronically sleep- deprived populations, such as night and shift workers.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, February 2015

Quote: “You should never be surprised when someone treats you with respect, you should expect it.” ~ Sarah Dessen

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DAILY HEALTH UPDATE

Friday, February 27th, 2015 Courtesy of Aberdeen Chiropractic Office:

Mental Attitude: Childhood Neglect May Affect Brain Development. A new study finds that severe childhood neglect may cause structural changes to the brain, but early intervention may reverse such alterations. Researchers found that children who remained in institutional care exhibited structural changes in certain areas of the brain’s white matter which facilitate communication between different areas of the brain. However, they found that children who had been moved from institutional care to foster care had white matter similar to that of children who had never been in institutional care, suggesting that the movement to foster care reversed the white matter abnormalities. The researchers write, “Our findings have important implications for public health related to early prevention and intervention for children reared in conditions of severe neglect or adverse contexts more generally.” JAMA Pediatrics, January 2015

Health Alert: Chemical Exposure May Drive Earlier Menopause in Women. Researchers have discovered that women exposed to high levels of certain chemicals found in household items, personal care products, plastics, and the environment typically begin to experience menopause two to four years earlier than women with less exposure to these chemicals (which include PCBs, pesticides, phthalates, and furan). Senior study author Dr. Amber Cooper adds, “Many of these chemical exposures are beyond our control because they are in the soil, water, and air. But we can educate ourselves about our day-to-day chemical exposures and become more aware of the plastics and other household products we use.” The research team recommends further research to determine how much exposure is needed to impact female health.

PLOS ONE, January 2015

Diet: Oatmeal for Breakfast = Fullness & Lower Calorie Intake at Lunch. Your breakfast choice may affect how full you feel during the rest of the morning and how much you eat for lunch. Scientists from the New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital report that having oatmeal for breakfast results in greater fullness, less hunger, and fewer calories eaten during lunch compared with those eating a ready-to-eat cereal for breakfast. The researchers believe that the greater satiety effect of oatmeal cereal compared to sugared ready-to-eat cereal or water might be due to slower gastric emptying, as they found that oatmeal took longer to leave the stomach.

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, January 2015

Exercise: Elderly COPD Patients Benefit from Home-Based Rehabilitation with a Pedometer. A small-scale study found that older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) achieved greater improvements in physical function when they used a pedometer in conjunction with their home-based pulmonary rehabilitation. The researchers believe the pedometer helps to motivate patients to be more active when they have viewable feedback. Respiratory Medicine, January 2015

Chiropractic: More Sitting Time More Neck and Shoulder Pain. According to a study involving 118 males in blue-collar jobs across a variety of industries, those who spend nearly the whole workday sitting are nearly three times more likely to experience neck and shoulder pain than workers who spend more than half the workday on their feet.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, February 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Remember to Use Sunscreen. The use of sunscreen is vital in preventing sunburn and the future development of skin cancer. The Cleveland Clinic suggests wearing sunscreen if you spend several hours outdoors, have fair skin and burn easily, ski frequently, work in your garden, or sunbathe. The Cleveland Clinic, January 2015

Quote: “Life is so short. I would rather sing one song than interpret the thousand.” ~ Jack London

For More Information on Back Pain, Neck Pain, Headaches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Whiplash, and To Sign Up For Our Daily Health Update Emails, Go To:

http://www.aberdeenchiropracticblog.com

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.