Posts by Dr. Youdeem
Illnesses Tied to Ticks and Mosquitoes Soaring in US.
Diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes in the United States (US) have more than tripled over the past decade from about 27,000 cases in 2004 to over 96,000 cases in 2016. Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds, “Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and chikungunya—a growing list of…
Read MoreMoney Worries Have Americans Anxious.
A nationwide poll of more than 1,000 adults revealed that 39% of respondents are more anxious than they were a year ago, with finances, safety, and health topping the list as sources of anxiety. American Psychiatric Association, May 2018
Read MoreFive Steps to Living Longer.
Americans can add a decade to their life expectancy with just a handful of healthy habits. The findings from two studies that followed the health habits and lifestyles of over 123,000 health professionals starting in the 1980s revealed that the five key factors for improving longevity include not smoking, eating healthy, exercising regularly, maintaining a…
Read MoreKeyboard Musicians Often Have Musculoskeletal Pain.
According to a recent research review, anywhere from 25.8% to 77% of keyboard musicians suffer from musculoskeletal pain in one or more body sites, with the wrists and hands being the most affected, followed by the neck and shoulders. Further analysis showed that playing for more than 60 minutes at a time without a break…
Read MoreSchool Kids Not Getting Enough Exercise.
University of South Carolina researchers report that among a group of 1,570 elementary school students, only 9.3% of girls and 10.4% of boys engaged more than the recommended 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, May 2018
Read MoreTeens Drinking Less Soda, But More Sport Drinks.
An analysis of data from surveys completed by teenagers in 2010 and 2015 found that while fewer adolescents are drinking soda, there has been a slight uptick in sugary sport drink consumption. The researchers note that most kids do not need such drinks even if they are physically active and would benefit from simply drinking…
Read MoreMarijuana and Tobacco Smoke Exposure Tied to Elevated ER Visit Risk.
Children from homes in which an adult smokes either tobacco or marijuana are 24% more likely to have visited an emergency room in the previous year and twice as likely to have been diagnosed with an ear infection. The researchers say the findings should not be a surprise, as second-hand smoke has been linked to…
Read MoreBody Weight and Dementia Risk.
While being overweight is linked to a number of poor health outcomes, being underweight in old age can have a detrimental effect on the brain. In this study, which looked at data from the Gothenburg Birth Cohort Studies, researchers found that seniors with a body mass index under 20 had a greater risk for dementia…
Read MoreBe Aware of Gluten in Medication.
Individuals who suffer from gluten intolerance or sensitivity must pay close attention to ingredients, as even a small amount of gluten can cause a reaction. Even over-the-counter and prescription meds can contain gluten. To avoid gluten in medications, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests: carefully read the ingredients on all your meds, talk to…
Read MoreOn-Call Work May Raise Risk for Back Pain and Other Problems.
On-call work requires being ready to work at any time, which can be very stressful for many individuals. A recent study investigated the association between on-call work and health issues among a sample of over 29,000 men and women from a variety of industries and found that being on-call increases the risk for the following…
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