Mental Attitude: Could Type AB Blood Be a Risk Factor for Dementia?
Individuals with blood type AB appear to be more likely to develop the thinking and memory problems that lead to dementia, according to a new study involving over 30,000 participants. However, because more studies are needed to confirm their findings, the researchers advise people with type AB blood not to be overly worried and that instead they (including those with other blood types) should focus on living a healthy lifestyle by not smoking, exercising on a regular basis, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, and controlling their blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
American Academy of Neurology, September 2014
Health Alert: Smoke-Free Homes Have Doubled!
The results of a recent study indicate that the national prevalence of smoke-free homes in the United States (US) has increased from 43% in the early 1990s to 83% at the start of the current decade. The authors of the study hypothesize that the increase in smoke-free homes may be a byproduct of state and local laws prohibiting smoking in public places and places of work, as well as a result of the overall decline in smoking in the US.
MMWR, September 2014
Diet: Eat More Fruit to Reduce Heart Disease Risk.
A study including 450,000 participants in China revealed that eating fruit every day lowers an individual’s risk for cardiovascular problems by up to 40%. The authors recommend adding fruit to your cereal, keeping an apple with you for a snack, or having fruit for dessert as ways to increase your daily fruit intake.
European Heart Journal, September 2014
Exercise: Exercise Curbs Nightly Trips to the Bathroom for Men.
If you’re a male and you have to get up in the middle of the night to urinate, you may want to engage in more activity during the day. Compared to men who were inactive, those who were physically active for one or more hours per week were 13% less likely to have nocturia and 34% less likely to have severe nocturia. Nocturia is a common lower urinary tract symptom in men that can be caused by an enlarged prostate, overproduction of urine, low bladder capacity, and sleep problems. Nocturia becomes more common with age and is believed to occur in more than 50% of men 45 and older.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, September 2014
Chiropractic: Walk More to Reduce Neck Pain Risk.
Workers who are mostly sedentary can lower their risk for neck pain by simply walking an extra half mile per day. Researchers followed 367 office workers for one year and monitored how many steps they took each day via a pedometer. The scientists followed up with participants on a monthly basis to see if they had experienced any musculoskeletal pain in the preceding 30 days. Overall, 16% of participants experienced neck pain during the course of the study but those who took more steps were less likely to report neck pain. The researchers conclude that taking an extra 1,000 steps each day could reduce a person’s risk for neck pain by 14%.
European Spine Journal, September 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Tips to Prevent Children from Falling Out a Window.
A young child can fall from an open window in a moment’s notice, so it’s vital for parents and caregivers to take measures now to help prevent such a tragedy. The National Safety Council recommends always supervising young children, keeping windows locked when children are near, making sure a child can’t reach an open window, teaching your child to stay away from windows and patio doors, keeping furniture that a child could climb on away from windows, and remembering that a screen will not prevent a child from falling out a window.
National Safety Council, April 2009