Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: No Interruptions Please.
Short interruptions (such as the few seconds it takes to silence that buzzing smart phone) have a surprisingly large effect on one's ability to accurately complete a task. Interruptions of just three seconds can double your chances for making errors.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, January 2013

Health Alert: American Health.
Americans have shorter life expectancy and higher rates of injury and disease than citizens of other industrialized countries. A 2011 report showed that the US ranked 50th in life expectancy. In most health issues (infant mortality, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, heart disease, chronic lung disease, disability, obesity, diabetes, drug-related deaths, homicides, injuries, and HIV/AIDS), the US is either at the bottom or near the bottom of the list of industrialized nations.
Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, January 2013

Diet: Diet Linked To Depression?
Though there is plenty of evidence for an association between diet and depression, and that fast food increases risk of depression (while the Mediterranean diet decreases it), most studies do not show causality. It is difficult to be sure if diet is responsible for depression. It's just as likely that depressed people simply make bad food choices.
BMC Medicine, January 2013

Exercise: Not At School!
In the 1920s, 97% of US college students were required to take Physical Education (PE); today, that number is at an all-time low of 39%. 34% of adolescents and teens ages 12-19 are overweight and 17% are obese. These rates have roughly doubled since 1980. The median PE budget for schools in the US is $764 per school year in K-12 and 61% of PE teachers report an annual budget of less than $1,000. Obesity will cost the US $344 billion in medical-related expenses by 2018, about 21% of the nation's total health-care spending.
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, January 2013

Chiropractic: Inflammation!
Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury and is part of the healing process. However, if proper care is not received, inflammation can hinder the healing process and may lead to scarring, improper motion, and additional pain. Signs of inflammation include: pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Chiropractic adjustments and care can reduce inflammation and pain naturally!

Wellness/Prevention: Obesity and Car Accident Fatalities.
An analysis of over 57,000 automobile collisions concluded obese drivers are 21-80% more likely to die after the accident, depending on the severity of their obesity. Two possible reasons for the increase include: vehicle design and safety features that are optimized for normal weight adults, and the greater likelihood of underlying health problems that accompany obesity.
British Medical Journal, January 2013

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Unaware?
Only 5% of Americans realize obesity raises cancer and respiratory disease risk! The majority of the public believes obesity to be the second most serious health issue in the country, after cancer. When asked whether their weight was normal, 50% said, "Yes." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 67% of American adults are either overweight or obese. This means many people are probably not completely aware of their own physical health.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, January 2013

Health Alert: Less Weight Counseling?
145 million adult Americans are overweight or obese, and while the number of overweight and obese Americans has increased, the amount of weight counseling offered by primary care physicians has decreased, especially for patients with high blood pressure and diabetes. Despite the current obesity epidemic, overweight patients seen in 2007-2008 had a 46% lower chance of receiving weight counseling than other patients, and counseling occurred in only 6.2% of doctor office visits. At the same time, the percentage of adults who were overweight or obese increased from 52% in 1995 to 63% in 2008.
Medical Care, January 2013

Diet: Sugary Drinks.
People who regularly consume sugary drinks are more susceptible to becoming obese or overweight. Annually, the average American consumes 100 lbs of sugar from drinks. Regularly drinking sugary beverages may amplify obesity in those genetically predisposed to being overweight.
New England Journal of Medicine, September 2012

Exercise: Walking.
Women who walked more than 3 hours a week were 43% less likely to suffer a stroke compared to those who didn't do any physical activity.
Stroke, January 2013

Chiropractic: Why Did You Wait?
Patients often wait before seeking Chiropractic care. They hope the problem will go away on its own or they try home remedies (drugs, ice, heat, other therapies, etc.) first. Injuries are almost always slower to recover when care is put off, so the longer you wait, the harder it may be to "fix" your problem. Optimum care should start right away. As you wait, muscles become tighter, muscles atrophy, muscles weaken, soft tissue adhesions form, proprioceptive function decreases in the joint, and fluid flow to and from the cells decreases. This usually results in the pain lasting longer.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1992

Wellness/Prevention: Alcohol and Calories.
Alcohol contains 7 kcal/g (second only to fat, which contains 9 kcal/g). A glass of wine has 178 calories and takes 38 minutes of brisk walking to burn off. A regular alcohol drinker may get up to 10% of their total calorie intake from alcohol.
World Cancer Research Fund, January 2013

Fibromyalgia (FM) Facts

What is Fibromyalgia Anyway?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disabling condition of the myofascia, or the fibrous connective tissues that surround muscles, that can include widespread musculoskeletal pain along with fatigue, sleep disturbance, memory changes, mood changes and more. Fibromyalgia is an epidemic diagnosis and continues to grow. The most affected group is women from the age of 30 to 50.

Studies show that FM amplifies or increases painful sensations by changing the way the brain processes pain signals. FM is NOT a psychological disorder that only people with a troubled past or present acquire. Nor is it due to being inactive or lazy.

What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

• Chronic muscle and joint pain, muscle stiffness, leg cramps
• Painful trigger points – small penny-sized tender spots scattered over the body in 18 specific target areas
• Unrefreshing sleep, insomnia, depression, anxiety
• Fatigue, sometimes overwhelming
• Increased sensitivity to drugs, chemicals, foods, light and/or sound, changes in temperature
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Numbness or tingling of arms, legs or feet
• Irritable bowel, irritable bladder

What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Most researchers believe fibromyalgia is caused by a combination of factors, which may include genetic predisposition, stress, trauma, and chemical or hormonal imbalances. A deficiency of the neurotransmitter serotonin, responsible for its calming, anti-anxiety properties, has been highly implicated, especially since women have lower serotonin levels than men, and patients given SSRI medication (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Zoloft, Cymbalta or Lyrica, have shown improvements in Fibromyalgia symptoms.

In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology established 2 criteria for diagnosing FM. The first is widespread pain lasting at least 3 months, and the second is the presence of at least 11 out of 18 positive tender points. Since then, less emphasis has been placed on the exact number of tender points, while ruling out other possible underlying conditions that might be causing the pain is now utilized. Treatment is best approached by a “team effort” combining the skills from multiple disciplines including a primary care doctor who “believes in FM” and is willing to work with chiropractors, and others. Exercising, pacing yourself, accepting your limitations, yoga, psychological counseling, nutritional counseling, and having strong family/friend support are all important in the management of FM.

What Treatments are Available for Fibromyalgia?
In addition to numerous drugs on the market, many people find relief using physical modalities to treat their symptoms. Traditional therapies like chiropractic manipulations, physical therapy and massage therapy have produced high levels of lasting success for many. In addition, new research is proving the benefits of acupuncture. Finally, new technology like class IV deep tissue laser therapy to treat the pain points can also be very effective.

Reprinted with permission from Think Teachers Magazine.

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Smoking and Anxiety.
The belief that smoking relieves stress is pervasive, but likely wrong. Smoking is actually anxiogenic (causes anxiety) and successful quitters usually experience a drop in anxiety.
British Journal of Psychiatry, January 2013

Health Alert: Stroke!
In males and females ages 5-14, the number of ischemic stroke hospitalizations increased 31% and 36%, respectively, from 1994 to 2007. For ages 15-34 the increase was 51% for males and 17% for females. For ages 35-44, the increase was 47% for men and 36% for females. The increase in obesity seems to be the primary cause.
CDC, February 2011

Diet: How Much Protein?
An estimator used for daily protein intake is 0.36 grams per 1 pound of body weight (or .8g/kg). For example, if you weigh 155lbs, you should consume 56 grams per day (155 * .36 = 56 grams/day). Note: If you are overweight to begin with, do not use this estimator for your current body weight because this will calculate a higher protein intake number than you really need.

Exercise: Aerobic or Resistance Training?
A study of 234 obese/overweight adults compared the effects of aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT) and both aerobic training and resistance training (AT/RT). Researches found the participants in the AT/RT group both increased lean mass (muscle) and decreased body fat, while the RT group did not decrease body fat, and the AT group did not increase lean mass. According to Leslie H. Willis, an exercise physiologist at Duke University Medical Center and the study's lead author, "If increasing muscle mass and strength is a goal, then resistance training is required. However, the majority of Americans could experience health benefits due to weight and fat loss. The best option in that case, given limited time for exercise, is to focus on aerobic training. When you lose fat, it is likely you are losing visceral fat, which is known to be associated with cardiovascular and other health benefits."
Journal of Applied Physiology, December 2012

Chiropractic: Pregnancy and Back Pain.
20% of women who suffer from severe back pain during pregnancy refrain from having more children out of fear their severe back pain would recur with another pregnancy.
Obstetrics & Gynecology, February 1998

Wellness/Prevention: How Are You Doing This Year?
Only 8% of people succeed in achieving their top New Year's Resolution.
Journal of Clinical Psychology, December 2012

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Neuroticism and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Many people experience traumatic events (such as the death of a loved one, witnessing violence, or physical assault) but only a small amount develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A decade long study of 1,000 random residents in southeastern Michigan found those who scored higher on a neuroticism scale (chronic anxiety, depression, and/or a tendency to overreact to everyday challenges and disappointments) were more likely to suffer from PTSD following a traumatic event.
Psychological Medicine, November 2012

Health Alert: High Fructose Corn Syrup and Type-2 Diabetes.
Researchers found a 20% higher proportion of the population has diabetes in countries with high use of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), like the United States, compared to countries that do not, like the United Kingdom. The United States has the highest consumption of HFCS at 55 lbs (~25 kg) per year per person. The United Kingdom consumes 1.1 lbs (~.5 kg) per year per person.
Global Public Health, November 2012

Diet: Food Advertising.
Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years. Food companies spend $10 billion a year marketing in the United States, and 98% of that is on foods high in fat, sugar, or sodium.
Journal of Pediatrics, November 2012

Exercise: Walk Much?
The more moderate physical activity (like brisk walking) you do, the better. Compared to doing nothing at all, seventy five minutes of vigorous walking per week was linked to living an extra 1.8 years. Walking briskly for 450 minutes or more per week was found to provide most people with a 4.5-year longer lifespan. The longer people spent each week being moderately active, the greater their longevity.
Heart, November 2012

Chiropractic: Keep Your Disks Healthy.
In normal healthy disks, the nerves (sinuvertebral) only sense pain on the periphery or outer regions of the disk. In grossly degenerated disks, nerves may penetrate into the center (nucleus) of the disk and be more vulnerable to degeneration and/or inflammation.
Lancet, 1997

Wellness/Prevention: Cell Phone Addiction.
Cell phone and instant messaging addictions are driven by materialism and impulsiveness and can be compared to consumption pathologies like compulsive buying and credit card misuse. Cell phones may be used as part of the conspicuous consumption ritual and may also act as a pacifier for the impulsive tendencies of the user. Impulsiveness plays an important role in both behavioral and substance addictions.
Journal of Behavioral Addictions, November 2012

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Vitamin D and Alzheimer's Disease.
Higher vitamin D dietary intake is associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Women who developed Alzheimer's disease had lower baseline vitamin D intakes (an average of 50.3 micrograms per week) than those who developed no dementia at all (an average of 59.0 micrograms per week).
Journals of Gerontology, December 2012

Health Alert: Pesticides and Food Allergies.
Dichlorophenols are chemical compounds commonly found in pesticides and used for tap water chlorination. A recent study of 10,438 Americans showed 24.4% had dichlorophenols in their urine. Researchers found those with dichlorophenols in their urine were more likely to suffer from food allergies. Further research is needed to determine whether or not dichlorophenol exposure is a cause of food allergies.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, December 2012

Diet: Risks of Obesity!
Being obese or overweight heightens the risk of diabetes, some cancers, high blood pressure, stroke, coronary heart disease, infertility, some forms of arthritis and respiratory problems.
British Medical Journal, December 2012

Exercise: Memory.
In this study, adults ages 50-85 years old (both with and without memory issues) looked at pictures of pleasant things. Afterwards, half rode a stationary bicycle for 6 minutes at 70% of their maximum capacity. An hour later, everyone took a surprise recall test on the images they viewed earlier. Outcomes revealed those adults in the group that rode the bike for 6 minutes were better able to remember the pictures they'd seen than the adults who did not, regardless if they suffered from memory issues.
UC Irvine, December 2012

Chiropractic: My Degeneration.
What causes the pain associated with spinal degenerative joint disease (DJD)? 1. The instability caused by disk degeneration. 2. The mechanical compression of nerve by bone, ligament, or the disk. 3. The chemical mediators of inflammation.
Spine, 1997

Wellness/Prevention: Essential Oils.
Essential oils, which form the basis of aromatherapy for stress relief, are reported to have a beneficial effect on heart rate and blood pressure following short-term exposure and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. After 45 minutes of exposure, blood pressure dropped by 2.1 mmHg and heart rate by 2.2 beats per minute (bpm). However, after 120 minutes, blood pressure rose by 2.2 mmHg above baseline, and heart rate by 1.7 bpm above baseline. Because of these results, researchers believe prolonged exposure to essential oils may be detrimental to the cardiovascular health of spa workers.
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, December 2012

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Multiple Media Use.
Media use among United States youth has increased 20% in the past decade, and the amount of time spent multitasking with media has spiked 120%. Using multiple forms of media at the same time (ie. playing a computer game while watching TV) has been linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cyberpsychology.
Behavior and Social Networking, December 2012

Health Alert: Cigarette Taxes.
According to a study conducted by Tobacco Control, the typical smoker averaged 16 cigarettes per day in 2001. Three years later, that number decreased to 14 cigarettes daily. The price for a pack of cigarettes increased from $3.96 in 2001 to $4.41 in 2004, mainly due to increased taxes on cigarettes. It's believed the two cigarettes per day decrease from 2001-2004 was due to the increased cost of smoking.
Tobacco Control, December 2012

Diet: Rice Bran.
The bioactive components in rice bran show anti-cancer activity, including the ability to inhibit cell proliferation, alter cell cycle progression, and initiate the programmed cell death (known as apoptosis) in malignant cells. Bioactive components of rice bran act not only within cancer cells but around the cells to create conditions in the surrounding tissues that promote the function of healthy cells while inhibiting the function of cancer cells. This tissue microenvironment activity includes controlling chronic inflammation, often a precursor for cancer. Rice bran may also promote an anti-cancer immune response and protect against cancer.
Advances in Nutrition, December 2012

Exercise: Want A Healthy Brain?
Physical exercise is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy brain. Scientists found that Growth Hormone (stimulated by exercise) increases the amount of stem cells that actively generate new nerve cells in the brain. Growth Hormone also slows and can even reverse the decline in new nerve cell formation normally seen as our bodies age.
University of Queensland, November 2012

Chiropractic: Bone Spurs?
Bone spurs (osteophytes) are bony projections that form off of bones in and along joints, and are often seen with arthritis. Bone spurs can limit joint motion and can cause joint pain. Bone spurs form when the body tries to increase the surface area of the joint to better distribute weight across a joint surface that has been damaged by arthritis. To slow formation and alleviate symptoms, it has been shown that joint motion improves nutrition to the tissue and maintains the health of the joint.
Spine, 1977

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep and Insulin Resistance.
High levels of insulin resistance can lead to the development of diabetes. Teenagers who normally sleep six hours a night can improve insulin resistance by 9% by simply sleeping one additional hour.
Sleep, October 2012

A Little Stress Is Healthy... A Lot Is Not!

We all experience stress at times in our lives, and it isn’t always bad. Under certain kinds of pressure, you can be motivated to do your best and perform better. Stress can come from your environment, your body and your thoughts. No one is immune to it, and everyone handles it differently. It can be positive, keeping us alert and helping us avoid danger… and it can be negative when facing continuous challenges without relief or relaxation to recover from it.

When you’re constantly running in emergency mode, your mind and body can pay the price. Even the commonplace stresses of modern life may be affecting your health without you even realizing it. Stress that is constant without any relief can lead to a negative stress reaction called distress. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including pain of any kind including headaches, neck and back pain, heart disease, digestive problems, sleep problems, depression, obesity, autoimmune diseases, skin conditions such as eczema, and others.

While unchecked stress is undeniably damaging, there are many ways to reduce its impact and mitigate the symptoms. Recognizing common stress symptoms can give you a jump on managing them. You may think that illness is to blame for that nagging headache or persistent backache, but it could very well be your body’s reaction to stress that is causing your pain. While you can’t completely eliminate stress from your life, you can control how much it affects you. To get your stress under control, first find out what is causing the stress in your life. Then look for ways to reduce the amount of stress you’re experiencing, and implement some healthy ways to relieve stress or reduce its harmful effects. It’s all about taking charge of the way you respond to stress -- taking charge of your emotions and thoughts, your schedule, and your environment.

Strategies to prevent and manage stress include learning how to relax, developing a positive attitude, regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, enjoying time with friends and social situations, massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments to release muscle tension and reduce irritation, mental health professional support, relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and deep breathing, and getting a night of good, restorative sleep.

Reprinted with permission from Think Teachers Magazine.

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Antidepressants.
Only a third of patients respond fully to antidepressant medications and there is no consensus on what to try next. In a study of 469 patients from the United Kingdom who did not fully respond to initial treatment, 235 patients again received the usual care (antidepressants) and 234 again received the usual care plus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to find patterns in thinking that cause negative thoughts leading to negative feelings and self-destructive behaviors. 46% of participants who received CBT as an adjunct to usual care saw improvements after 6 months compared to only 22% among those who solely used antidepressants. Those in the CBT group experienced less anxiety, were more likely to go into remission, and experienced fewer and milder symptoms than those in the other group.
The Lancet, December 2012

Health Alert: Childhood Obesity Rates Falling!
During the first decade of the 21st century, childhood obesity rates among children in lower income families in the United States have decreased (14.94% in 2010 vs. 15.21% in 2003).
The Journal of the American Medical Association, December 2012

Diet: Red Wine and Cancer.
Resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine, is thought to help prevent cancer. Lab models designed to identify any benefits from consuming the amount of resveratrol in 2 daily glasses of wine found a reduction in the rate of bowel tumors by around 50%.
University of Leicester, December 2012

Exercise: Good Vibrations.
Within 7 months of starting a poor diet, normal mice became obese, with significant damage to their immune and skeletal systems. Daily 15-minute treatments of low-intensity vibration, barely perceptible to human touch, helped restore the immune and skeletal systems of the mice towards those of mice fed a regular diet. If this effect translates to humans, it could have benefits for obese people suffering from immune problems related to their obesity.
The FASEB Journal, December 2012

Chiropractic: Quit Smoking!
Smokers suffering from spinal disorders and related back pain reported greater discomfort than those who stopped smoking during an 8 month treatment period. Patients who had never smoked and prior smokers reported significantly less back pain than current smokers and those who had quit smoking during their care.
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, December 2012

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep and Pain?
Sleep disorders lead to 253 million days of sick leave a year in the United States. 63.2 billion dollars are lost a year due to insomnia. A third of this is due to absence from work, while the other two thirds is due to a loss in productivity at work. 10% of the population suffers from insomnia. Sleep apnea affects 4-5% of the population.
University of Bergen, November 2012

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Anxious Parents?
Parents diagnosed with social anxiety disorder are more likely to exhibit less warmth and affection towards their children, criticize them more, and express doubts about their child's ability to complete a task. This can heighten anxiety in their child, and over time, can increase the chance their child will develop an advanced anxiety disorder of their own.
Child Psychiatry and Human Development, November 2012

Health Alert: Parental Math Skills and Medication Errors
Parents with poor math skills (3rd grade level or below) are 5 times more likely to measure the wrong dose of medication for their child than parents with math skills at the 6th grade level or greater. In a study of 289 parents, 27% had math skills at 3rd grade level or below.
Pediatrics, November 2012

Diet: Red and Processed Meat.
Meat consumption increases the risk of prostate cancer. Men who consumed the most red meat had a 30% increased risk of cancer. Processed red meat was associated with a 10% increased risk of prostate cancer with every 10 grams (about one-third of an ounce) of increased intake.
American Journal of Epidemiology, October 2009

Exercise: 5 Major Reasons.
Exercise helps control your weight preventing excess weight gain or maintaining weight loss, combats health conditions and diseases, improves mood, boosts energy, and promotes better sleep.
Mayo Clinic

Chiropractic: Spinal Degenerative Joint Disease and Pain.
There are several reasons spinal degeneration causes pain: 1. Mechanical compression of nerve by bone, ligament, or the disk. 2. Biochemical mediators of inflammation. 3. Mechanical nerve compression results in decreased blood flow and swelling, which causes lack of proper motion leading to fibrotic tissue formation.
Spine, 1989

Wellness/Prevention: Get Your Sleep!
Sleep disorders lead to 253 million days of sick leave a year in the United States. 63.2 billion dollars are lost a year due to insomnia. A third of this is due to absence from work, while the other two thirds is due to a loss in productivity at work. 10% of the population suffers from insomnia. Sleep apnea affects 4-5% of the population.
University of Bergen, November 2012