Health Alert: Long-Term Hypertension Damages Brain Vessels.
A review of brain imaging and periodic blood pressure readings of 1,686 adults during mid and late life revealed that the longer an individual was hypertensive, the more likely they were to develop cerebral small blood vessel disease, which could increase the risk for stroke and dementia.
American Heart Association, July 2020
Diet: Plant-Based Diets Lower Blood Pressure.
An analysis of data from 41 studies showed that adopting a diet featuring ample servings of fruits and vegetables (DASH, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Vegan, Nordic, etc.) can lead to a reduction in blood pressure associated with a 14% lower risk for stroke and a 9% decreased risk for heart attack.
Journal of Hypertension, July 2020
Exercise: Breathing Exercises Benefit Sleep Apnea Patients.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an elevated risk for heart failure, heart disease, and stroke. New research suggests that performing at-home breathing exercises for six weeks can lead to significant improvements in respiratory and cardiovascular function among older adults with OSA.
Experimental Physiology, July 2020
Chiropractic: Cervicothoracic Junction Hypermobility and Neck Pain?
Among a group of 42 neck pain patients with cervicothoracic junction hypermobility, researchers observed that manipulative therapy applied to the thoracic spine and mobilization therapy targeting the cervicothoracic junction both resulted in improvements in neck pain and cervical range of motion. Doctors of chiropractic often use several forms of manual therapy, including spinal manipulation and mobilization, in the management of neck pain.
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, August 2020
Mental Attitude: Is It Sleep Trouble or ADHD?
The result of a recent experiment found that children with a sleep disorder may experience troubles with impulse control at levels that could suggest the presence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The researchers conclude, “This further adds to the discussion on overdiagnosis of ADHD due to behavioral presentations of underlying sleep disorders.”
Journal of Attention Disorders, July 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Less Smoking and Drinking Reduces Hip Fractures.
Hip fracture rates in the United States have fallen substantially since the 1970s, and according to researchers, much of this improvement may be due to significant drops in heavy drinking and smoking among the general population.
JAMA Internal Medicine, July 2020