Health Alert: One-in-Fifty Young Kids Is Severely Obese.
After falling from 2.1% in 2010 to 1.8% in 2016, the rate of severe obesity among young children in the United States has risen to 2%. The finding is alarming as being overweight early in life often leads to poor lifestyle choices in adolescence and young adulthood that not only increase the risk for chronic disease but also diagnosis at younger ages.
Pediatrics, December 2023 Diet: Is an Inflammatory Diet Linked to Stroke?
Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report that a pro-inflammatory diet—an eating pattern characterized by a high intake of sugar, polysaturated vegetable oils, trans fats, dairy products, feed lot-raised meat, red meat, processed meat, alcohol, refined grains, and artificial food additives—is associated with up to an 87% elevated risk for stroke.
BMC Public Health, January 2024 Exercise: Is Exercise Linked to Better Math Scores?
Northeastern University researchers note that among 218 grade-school students, those with higher physical fitness scores were more likely to also perform better on arithmetic assessments.
Psychology of Sport and Exercise, January 2024 Chiropractic: Non-Invasive Interventions for Myofascial Pain Syndrome.
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic condition characterized by pain and tenderness in specific areas of muscles and the connective tissue surrounding muscles. A systematic review that included 40 studies found that manual therapy, laser therapy, shock wave therapy, and ultrasound therapy are effective, non-invasive treatment options for reducing pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and pain-related disability in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. These therapies are often utilized by doctors of chiropractic when managing myofascial pain syndrome and other musculoskeletal disorders.
International Journal of Surgery, November 2023 Mental Attitude: Mood Disorders Common Among Caregivers of Stroke Survivors.
Questionnaires completed by 301 caregivers of stroke patients revealed that between 17% and 28% of such individuals experienced high levels of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The findings highlight the necessity for strong support systems for family members caring for stroke survivors.
Neurology, December 2023 Wellness/Prevention: How to Tackle Dandruff.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that dandruff isn't a sign of poor hygiene and can have myriad causes such as oily skin, improper hair care habits, and certain medical conditions. Before consulting a professional, the Academy recommends the following for mild cases: use a specially formulated shampoo for persistent dandruff that contains ingredients such as zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or coal tar; if one shampoo proves ineffective, alternate between shampoos with different active ingredients; and try changing the frequency in which you wash your hair.
American Academy of Dermatology, December 2023 Check out this month's pain relief updates here! |
