Posts by Dr. Youdeem
Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
In this study, researchers compared the health history of 8,760 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 26,280 children without ASD. They found the following risk factors associated with ASD: maternal mental illness, epilepsy, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, infection, or asthma; assisted fertility; hyperemesis, younger maternal age; labor complications; low birth weight; infant…
Read MoreADHD and Smoking…
Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who become smokers tend to try their first cigarette at a younger age than their peers without ADHD. Additionally, the data show that smokers with ADHD smoke more cigarettes per day and have a more difficult time quitting. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, March 2018
Read MoreKeep Cholesterol in Check.
Because blood sugar and blood pressure can influence cholesterol levels, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following: if you smoke, quit; lose excess weight; exercise daily; and eat a low-fat diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. American Diabetes Association, March 2018
Read MoreNeck Pain Common with Migraines.
According to a new study that monitored the status of 391 migraine patients for 18 months, 42.5% of participants experienced neck pain in conjunction with migraine episodes. In a third of these patients, neck pain triggered their migraine and the rest reported that neck pain manifested once their headache was underway. The authors of the…
Read MoreFitness Trackers May Help Patient Keep Fit After Cardiac Rehab.
Heart patients typically do well when enrolled in a cardiac rehab program, but they usually revert to unhealthy lifestyles once they are discharged from care. A new study suggests that virtual coaches and fitness trackers could keep these patients active, even after cardiac rehab ends. In the study, investigators found that a twelve-week mobile health…
Read MoreCarotenoid-Rich Foods Can Reduce Inflammation.
New research shows that increasing the amount of carotenoid-rich foods in the diet can help reduce inflammation in the body within six weeks. Foods rich in carotenoids include carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, and tomatoes. Nutrition Research, February 2018
Read MoreChild Obesity Levels Not Improving As Once Thought.
Data from an ongoing health and nutrition study indicates that almost 14% of preschool children were mildly obese in 2015-2016, up 5% from 2013-2014. Additionally, researchers found no evidence of any sustained improvements in childhood obesity rates at any age. Instead, their long-range view suggests a continued upward trend. The findings confirm the need for…
Read MoreDementia and Veterans.
A review of data from six published studies involving military veterans has found that those with a previous diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder have a significantly higher risk for developing dementia. Psychological Medicine, March 2018
Read MoreColonoscopy Saves Lives.
An analysis of the health histories of over 25,000 veterans revealed that colonoscopy screening cuts the risk of colorectal cancer mortality by as much as 61%. Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Andrew Chan writes, “I am not surprised… The results confirm an already substantial body of data supporting that colonoscopy is associated with a substantial reduction…
Read MoreNeck and Back Pain Are a Global Burden.
A review of data from two studies found that in 2015, neck and low back pain ranked as the fourth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years worldwide just after ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infection. The review also notes that in 2015, over 500 million people worldwide suffered from low back pain…
Read More