Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes: The Impact of Hypertension Treatment

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Wellness/Prevention: Blood Pressure Program Could Save Millions of Lives Globally.

Experts have sounded a clarion call for action in the battle against uncontrolled high blood pressure, asserting that treating just half of the individuals afflicted could avert a staggering 10 million heart attacks and strokes worldwide within the next decade. In a concerted effort to stem the tide of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pan American Health Organization have launched a groundbreaking initiative known as the Global Standardized Hypertension Treatment Project.

This ambitious program aims to mobilize resources and expertise on a global scale, leveraging standardized protocols and best practices to optimize hypertension treatment outcomes across diverse populations. By streamlining approaches to diagnosis, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications, the project seeks to empower individuals worldwide to take control of their blood pressure and mitigate their risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the CDC, emphasizes the urgency of the endeavor, asserting that hypertension represents a formidable foe in the fight against cardiovascular disease. He underscores the imperative for swift and decisive action, stressing that the question is not whether treatment of hypertension should be undertaken on a global scale, but rather how rapidly and effectively effective programs can be established.

As the Lancet highlighted in February 2015, the launch of the Global Standardized Hypertension Treatment Project heralds a new chapter in the global health landscape, one marked by collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to saving lives. By uniting efforts on a global scale, stakeholders stand poised to achieve unprecedented gains in the prevention and control of hypertension, forging a path toward a healthier, more resilient future for generations to come.

Quote: “Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.” ~ Sarah Dessen

The Interplay of Pain and Mobility in Elderly Fall Risk

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Chiropractic: Chronic Pain May Increase Fall Risk for Seniors!

The ramifications of falls among elderly individuals extend far beyond the physical injury itself, often encroaching upon independence and diminishing overall quality of life. Traditionally, impaired motor function has been pinpointed as a primary risk factor for falls among the elderly. However, a recent report published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research in March 2015 has unveiled a startling revelation: older adults with ostensibly normal motor function are not immune to the perils of falls, particularly when grappling with chronic musculoskeletal pain across multiple body sites.

This finding challenges conventional wisdom and underscores the intricate interplay between pain and mobility in the context of fall risk among the elderly. Chronic musculoskeletal pain, pervasive among aging populations, introduces a formidable obstacle to mobility and stability, predisposing individuals to the hazards of falls despite outwardly intact motor function.

The implications of this report reverberate throughout the realms of geriatric healthcare and fall prevention. Healthcare providers must adopt a holistic approach to fall risk assessment, incorporating not only measures of motor function but also comprehensive evaluations of pain and musculoskeletal health. By identifying and addressing chronic pain as a modifiable risk factor, clinicians can mitigate the likelihood of falls and safeguard the independence and well-being of elderly patients.

Furthermore, this research underscores the imperative for multidisciplinary interventions aimed at enhancing mobility, managing pain, and fortifying musculoskeletal health among aging populations. Through targeted strategies encompassing physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle modifications, healthcare professionals can empower older adults to navigate their golden years with confidence and vitality, minimizing the specter of falls and preserving their autonomy and quality of life.

Mental Attitude: Money is the Top Stressor in the United States.

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What is CST and how can it help?

Mental Attitude: Money is the Top Stressor in the United States.

Despite the ongoing economic recovery and an overall decline in stress levels, money worries continue to plague Americans. A new survey reveals that 64% of adults believe finances to be a significant source of stress, ranking higher than three other major sources of stress: work (60%), family responsibilities (47%), and health concerns (46%). Dr. Norman Anderson of the American Psychological Association explains, “Money is a very important component of establishing a secure life. When people are financially challenged, it makes sense that their stress level would go up.” American Psychological Association, February 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Reducing Work-Family Conflict Can Improve Sleep.

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Wellness/Prevention: Reducing Work-Family Conflict Can Improve Sleep.

A study involving hundreds of managers and employees at a firm in the United States found that employees enrolled in a program to reduce work-family conflicts reported improved sleep quality. The program, which lasted three months, included discussion groups, role-playing, and games. Managers were also trained to be supportive of employees’ family demands. Lead investigator Dr. Orfeu Buxton writes, “Work can be a calling and inspirational, as well as a paycheck, but work should not be detrimental to health. It is possible to mitigate some of the deleterious effects of work by reducing work-family conflict, and improving sleep.” Sleep Health, January 2015

Health Alert: Chemical Exposure May Drive Earlier Menopause in Women.

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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: Soda Consumption May Prompt Early Puberty in Girls.

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Diet: Soda Consumption May Prompt Early Puberty in Girls.

Harvard researchers report that girls who consume a lot of sugary drinks may enter puberty earlier than girls who do not consume such beverages. The female participants in their study who drank more than 1.5 servings of sugary drinks per day began having periods 2.7 months earlier than those who drank two or less sugary drinks per week. Study author Dr. Jenny Carwile adds, “Starting periods early is a risk factor for depression during adolescence and breast cancer during adulthood. Thus, our findings have implications beyond just starting menstruation early.” While this study does prove that drinking sugary drinks causes early puberty, the researchers add that there is no good reason for anyone to drink sugar-sweetened drinks or sodas regularly at any age. Human Reproduction, January 2015

CranioSacral Technique is especially good at treating headaches.

Diet: Green Tea & Exercise = Weight Loss.

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Diet: Green Tea & Exercise = Weight Loss.

Green tea extract may aid in weight loss, according to a new study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Researchers found that recreationally active participants who took a green tea extract capsule every day for four weeks experienced a body fat reduction of 1.63% compared with a placebo group. They also noted a 10.9% increase in exercise performance among those taking the green tea extract during the four-week study. Lead researcher Dr. Dustin Roberts writes, “In essence, our study showed that the use of a green tea extract could potentially help people to lose weight, if combined with exercise. However, we recognize that a larger scale study is now required.”
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, January 2015

Depression Associated with Inflammation in the Brain.

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Mental Attitude: Depression Associated with Inflammation in the Brain. According to a new study, clinical depression is associated with a 30% increase of inflammation in the brain. The researchers’ findings are based on brain PET scans comparing 20 patients with depression and 20 healthy control patients. They did not find any support to suggest inflammation increases the risk for depression and thus conclude that depression is more likely to contribute to inflammation in the body.

JAMA Psychiatry, January 2015

Chiropractic: Back Pain Is #1 Ailment Among Golfers!

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Chiropractic: Back Pain Is #1 Ailment Among Golfers!

With Golf season in FULL SWING (Yep, we went there) this becomes worth noting.

Those who want to keep their golf game strong should focus on maintaining a healthy back. A recent study noted that low back pain accounts for 54% of all golf-related ailments. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, December 2014

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    Health Alert: Many Public Defibrillators Failing Over Past Decade.

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    Photo by Edgar Martu00ednez on Pexels.com

    Health Alert: Many Public Defibrillators Failing Over Past Decade.

    The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that there have been 72,000 reports of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) devices failing since 2005. AEDs are portable devices that are usually found in public places that are designed to save lives by automatically detecting potentially deadly heart rhythms and delivering an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. Based on the findings, the FDA plans to strengthen its approval process by inspecting manufacturing facilities and having manufactures file annual reports on device performance.

    Food and Drug Administration, January 2015