Mental Attitude: Can You Identify Signs of Stress?
Chronic stress can have a negative effect on one’s mental and physical wellbeing. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, common signs of excessive exposure to stress include: not eating enough or overeating; feeling you have lost control of your life; forgetfulness; headaches; lack of energy and focus; trouble completing tasks; poor self-esteem; short temper; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; and aches and pains.
Department of Health & Human Services, January 2018
Health Alert: A Widely-Used Painkiller May Reduce Male Fertility.
In a new study involving 31 men, researchers found that those who took 1,200 mg of ibuprofen each day for 14 days experienced a short-term drop in their testosterone levels, which has been associated with lower fertility.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, January 2018
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Risk for Prostate Cancer.
The Mediterranean diet is characterized by the consumption of vegetables, fruit, fish, lean meats, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil. An analysis of data that involved 733 men with prostate cancer and 1,229 healthy men revealed that those who most closely followed the Mediterranean diet had a lower risk for being diagnosed with prostate cancer with aggressive and extensive tumors. Lead investigator Dr. Beatriz Pérez-Gómez notes, “This study adds important evidence to the scarce information regarding the association of diet with [prostate cancer], and highlights the relevance of focusing on global dietary patterns.”
Journal of Urology, August 2017
Exercise: Can the Effects of a Sedentary Lifestyle on the Heart Be Reversed?
Living a mostly sedentary lifestyle can result in stiffening of the heart muscles and a less efficient cardiovascular system. In this study, researchers found that exercising four to five times per week for about 30-minutes, plus warm-up and cool-down, can lead to an 18% improvement in maximum oxygen intake during exercise and a more than 25% improvement in the elasticity of the left ventricular muscle of the heart.
Circulation, January 2018
Chiropractic: Is Poor Pelvic Posture Common in Teens?
Using 3D digital technology to evaluate the pelvic posture of 32 adolescents, researchers found that the majority of teens exhibited abnormal pelvic and total body posture. This is concerning as postural changes, especially in the pelvis, can place added stress on the lower back, which can result in lower back pain.
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, December 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Choose a Nursing Home Wisely.
When choosing a nursing home for a loved one, it is important to find the right fit both personally and financially. The National Institute of Aging recommends the following: determine what’s most important for your loved one, such as nursing care, meals, physical therapy, hospice care, or special-care services; ask for recommendations from friends, relatives, healthcare providers, social workers, and religious groups; inquire about the cost of each facility and how many people live there; and meet with the facility director and nursing director of each facility on your list.
National Institute of Aging, January 2018