Mental Attitude: COPD and Depression…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult, and it is a leading cause of death in the United States. Among a group of 556 COPD patients, researchers found that more than half (57.2%) suffered from depression, which previous research has associated with both reduced quality of life and increased mortality risk.
Cureus, July 2018
Health Alert: Evidence Lacking for Statin Use in Healthy Seniors?
In this study, researchers analyzed data concerning nearly 47,000 elderly adults with no history of heart disease and found that statins were not associated with a reduced risk of heart disease or death from any cause in healthy people in this age group.
BMJ, September 2018
Diet: Should Expectant Mothers Take Fish Oil Supplements?
According to a new study, taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy can lead to healthier growth in the first six years of a child’s life. In the study, researchers monitored 736 women who took either fish oil or olive oil supplements in the third trimester of their pregnancy until one week after giving birth. They observed that children whose mothers took fish oil had higher total mass, higher lean mass, and higher bone mineral content at age six than the children whose moms consumed an olive oil supplement.
BMJ, September 2018
Exercise: Walking Linked to Lower Heart Failure Among Women.
Among a group of over 137,000 middle-aged and older women, researchers identified an association between walking and a lower risk for developing heart failure.
Heart Failure, September 2018
Chiropractic: Strategies to Reduce Work-Related Back Pain.
No matter if you work at a desk or operate heavy machinery, back pain can make it difficult to perform your job. To help avoid back pain at work, experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend the following: maintain good posture; when lifting heavy objects, lift with your legs, use your core muscles, and avoid twisting; when available, use a lifting device; alternate physically demanding tasks with less demanding ones; limit or avoid carrying heavy brief cases, purses, or bags; change positions often; and walk and stretch periodically.
Mayo Clinic, September 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Avoid Lawnmower Injuries.
Lawnmower injuries can range from cuts and burns to broken bones and amputations. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand recommends the following to help stay safe when operating a mower: read the mower’s manual before use; make sure to keep the mower in good working order with sharp blades, and make sure the mower has protection over hot and sharp parts; clear potential hazards, such as stones, toys, and debris, before mowing; wear goggles, hearing protection, gloves, and long pants while mowing; wear sturdy, close-toed shoes while mowing; don’t drink alcohol before or during mowing; don’t remove safety devices or guards from mowing equipment; never insert hands or feet into the mower to remove grass or debris; never lift a mower by the bottom, as the blades can cut fingers even if the mower is off; never cut grass while it is wet or damp; never allow children under age twelve to operate a push mower or those under 16 to drive a riding mower; keep children off the lawn while mowing; and never have a passenger on a riding mower.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand, September 2018