Posts by Dr. Youdeem
Improved Screening and Treatment Reduces Breast Cancer Deaths.
Due to improvements in screening and treatment, researchers report that the survival rate of breast cancer patients rose about 32% between 2000 and 2012. Lead researcher Dr. Sylvia Plevritis explains, “Mammography is an important contributor to the reduction in breast cancer mortality… But the overall benefit is greater largely because of the advances in treatment.”…
Read MoreDo Lower Extremity Injuries Increase Low Back Pain Risk?
Each year, about one in twelve soldiers will experience an episode of acute lower back pain (LBP). A recent study found that a previous injury to the lower extremities increases a soldier’s risk for developing LBP by about 70%. They authors of the study conclude, “These findings suggest that a potential second order effect of…
Read MoreSet Goals When Using Activity Monitors.
In a new study, researchers followed 400 healthy adults for six months and found that when people used activity monitors without a specific goal in mind, their activity declined and their heart health failed to improve. Researcher Dr. Luke Burchill notes, “When paired with activity goals—such as 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day or 150…
Read MoreMediterranean Diet May Keep Older Adults from Becoming Frail.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of past studies examining associations between adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and the development of frailty revealed that people who consumed a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts were less than half as likely to become frail over a four-decade period than seniors who consumed a more…
Read MoreHearing Loss May Lead to Other Problems.
After reviewing health data concerning 3,777 older adults for 25 years, a team of French scientists reports that that seniors with self-reported hearing loss have an increased risk for disability, depression, and dementia. However, the investigators did not observe these associations among those who wore a hearing aid. The researchers conclude, “These results highlight the…
Read MoreSense of Purpose Protects the Brain.
A review of data from the Health and Retirement Study indicates that seniors who feel their life has purpose have a 30% reduced risk for developing dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, January 2018
Read MoreChoose 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,…
Read MoreIs 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…
Read MoreCan 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…
Read MoreMediterranean 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…
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