DAILY HEALTH UPDATE | Tuesday | November 10, 2015
Courtesy of: Dr. Darren Taylor
Mental Attitude: Non-Invasive Magnetic Therapy Offers Promise for Stroke Victims. Severe strokes can often lead to a loss of movement in the arm on the stroke-affected side of the body. A new study involving 30 stroke patients has found transcranial magnetic stimulation of the undamaged side of the brain can lead to positive effects on arm movement. Co-author Dr. Rachael Harrington concludes, "These findings offer promise that these patients may be able to gain function, independence, and a better quality of life." Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience in Chicago, October 2015
Health Alert: High Blood Pressure Condition During Pregnancy Associated with Newborn Heart Defects. Babies born to moms with a pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia may have a heightened risk for a heart defect. Approximately 2-8% of pregnant women develop pre-eclampsia, which is marked by high blood pressure and other signs that a woman's organs, such as the kidneys and liver, are not functioning properly. Overall, the researchers found infants born to moms with pre-eclampsia had a higher prevalence of "critical" heart defects (just over 0.1% versus roughly 0.07% among babies whose mothers did not have pre-eclampsia). They stress the risk is still very low, but the results suggest that pre-eclampsia and congenital heart defects share some underlying biological causes. Journal of the American Medical Association, October 2015
Diet: Watch Your Salt Intake. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 1,500mg of sodium per day. They also warn against consuming too much of the following foods that can be packed with sodium: rolls, bread, deli meats, cheeses, sauces, poultry, canned soup, and fast food. Checking product labels, reducing consumption of processed foods, and increasing intake of whole foods such as fruits and vegetables are all strategies that can help reduce your sodium intake. American Heart Association, October 2015
Exercise: Keep Moving to Keep Your Joints Healthy. Synovial fluid makes up about 80% of the volume of cartilage, and this fluid is needed to support weight and lubricate joint surfaces. When less synovial fluid is present in cartilage, it can result in a reduction in cartilage thickness and an increase in friction, bone degradation, and joint pain. Researchers found synovial fluid naturally leaks out of cartilage but is reabsorbed with motion. Their finding suggests increased movement/exercise can benefit joint health by stimulating the cartilage to reabsorb synovial fluid, thus lubricating the joint. American Vacuum Society (AVS) 62nd Symposium, October 2015
Chiropractic: Less Costly for Spinal Care. Chiropractors have long suggested their approach to managing spinal pain is less costly than traditional medical treatment. A new study suggests they may be correct. A systematic research review comparing costs for patients with spinal pain who received chiropractic care and care from other healthcare providers revealed that overall healthcare costs were lower for those who received chiropractic treatment. BMC Health Services Research, October 2015
Wellness/Prevention: The Number of Moles on Your Arm May Predict Skin Cancer Risk. Between 20% and 40% of melanomas develop from pre-existing moles, and the risk is thought to increase slightly with each additional mole on the body. However, conducting a total body count in a doctor's office can be time-consuming. The results of a new study show the mole count on the right arm can be predictive of the total number of moles on a person's entire body. Researchers found women with more than seven moles on their right arm had a nine-fold increased risk of having more than 50 moles on their body. Those with more than 11 moles on their right arm were more likely to have more than 100 moles on their body, putting them at a higher risk for melanoma. Lead author Dr. Simone Ribero writes, "The findings could have a significant impact for primary care, allowing [primary care doctors] to more accurately estimate the total number of moles in a patient extremely quickly via an easily accessible body part. This would mean that more patients at risk of melanoma can be identified and monitored." British Journal of Dermatology, October 2015
Quote: “Whether you live to be 50 or 100 makes no difference, if you made no difference in the world.” - Jarod Kintz