Mental Attitude: Sepsis May Increase Dementia Risk.
Using data on nearly 12,000 patients from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000, researchers found that a previous diagnosis of sepsis increases dementia risk 2.27 times among females and 3.17 times among males.
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, July 2015
Health Alert: Many Americans Wait Too Long to Get Healthcare.
A new report notes that some people must wait several months before receiving the healthcare services they need, potentially endangering their health. Experts from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) add that poor management of human resources in healthcare institutions is one of the main reasons patients are unable to get faster care. Three strategies offered by experts at the IOM include: better monitoring of staff resources to meet demand, focusing on patient preferences when scheduling appointments, and providing alternatives to office visits with a doctor, such as telephone consultations with non-physician clinicians.
Institute of Medicine, June 2015
Diet: Sugary Drink Consumption Contributing to Over 180,000 Worldwide Deaths Annually.
Sugary drink consumption in the United States (US) has increased dramatically over the last three decades. Currently, around 50% of the population drinks these types of beverages on a daily basis. Researchers report that in 2010, sugary drink consumption was responsible for around 184,450 deaths worldwide, with 133,000 deaths from diabetes, 45,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease, and 6,450 deaths from cancer. Senior author Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian adds, “Many countries in the world have a significant number of deaths occurring from a single dietary factor: sugar-sweetened beverages. It should be a global priority to substantially reduce or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages from the diet. There are no health benefits from sugar-sweetened beverages, and the potential impact of reducing consumption is saving tens of thousands of deaths each year.”
Circulation, June 2015
Exercise: Drink Water Responsibly When Exercising to Avoid Health Risks.
Experts say that keeping hydrated during exercise is important, but drinking too much water can be hazardous and in some case, can even result in death. Newly published guidelines recommend that drinking when thirsty is the healthiest way for athletes to keep hydrated, reducing the risk of exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH). Excess water intake can lead to EAH, whereby the kidneys are unable to excrete the excess water in the body completely. As a result, the sodium in the body becomes diluted, causing dangerous swelling in cells.
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, July 2015
Chiropractic: Overuse Injuries Common Among High School Girls.
Compared with young male athletes, young females appear to face a far greater risk for repetitive motion injuries. Researchers observed that the highest overuse injury rate was among girls who ran track, followed by girls who played field hockey and lacrosse. Overall, investigators found that the most overuse injuries involved the lower leg followed by knee and shoulder injuries. The researchers advised that all high school athletes play more than just a single sport, and parents should encourage their children to get the rest and foods they need to stay healthy.
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, June 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is important for strong and healthy bones, making sure your muscles, heart, lungs, and brain work well and that your body can fight infection. To ensure that you’re getting enough vitamin D, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises the following: get some sun, but avoid sunburn; eat vitamin D-fortified foods such as milk, cereals, and some forms of orange juice and cheese; eat naturally vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, mushrooms, cheese, beef liver, and egg yolks; and take a vitamin D supplement.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, July 2015