Posts by Dr. Youdeem
Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by decreased exposure to daylight, which makes it more common in winter months. Common symptoms include feeling down, having low energy, sleeping a lot, and craving sweet or starchy foods. To help manage SAD, the National Sleep Foundation suggests the following: expose yourself to more…
Read MoreHeel Posture Plays Role in Back Pain.
A recent study set out to investigate the influence of calcaneal (heel) position on the pelvic and trunk alignment of ten healthy subjects. Using 3-D motion analysis, the researchers found that calcaneal inversion (commonly seen among those with a high arch) can affect the alignment of the pelvic and trunk, increasing the risk for back…
Read MoreStaying Fit Cuts Diabetes Risk.
Japanese researchers followed 7,804 adult males for over 20 years and found that those with higher fitness levels throughout the course of the study had up to a 53% lower risk for developing diabetes in comparison with participants who led mostly sedentary lives. Journal of Epidemiology, December 2017
Read MoreDrinking Soda During Pregnancy May Boost Odds of Asthma in Kids.
Children are more likely to develop asthma if their moms consumed sugary drinks during their pregnancy. An analysis of data on 1,068 mother-child pairs from a long-term study revealed that expectant mothers who drink two or more sugary beverages per day are up to 63% more likely to have a son or daughter with asthma…
Read MoreTraffic Pollution Poses Health Risks to Unborn Babies.
Air pollution caused by road traffic is having a detrimental impact on the health of unborn babies in London. In a new study, researchers found a link between increases in fine particulate matter from road traffic and a 2-6% increased risk of low birth weight and a 1-3% increased risk of being small for gestational…
Read MoreRheumatic Diseases Increase Dementia Risk.
Using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, researchers report that patients with either Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, or psoriatic arthritis have an elevated risk for developing dementia. The research team is unsure why patients with rheumatic diseases have a higher risk for dementia but suggest that increased inflammation may be…
Read MorePreventing Norovirus Infection.
Every year, the highly-contagious norovirus causes up to 21 million illnesses, about 70,000 hospitalizations, and up to 800 deaths in the United States alone. This virus in known to cause vomiting and diarrhea, and often lurks in confined areas. To help protect yourself from the norovirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the…
Read MoreImproving Thoracic Posture Improves Lung Function.
This case study involved the non-surgical treatment of a 33-year-old male patient with straight back syndrome (lack of normal curve of the spine) using spinal traction and postural correction. After 16 weeks, the patient experienced a ten-degree improvement in thoracic spine curvature, a reduction in back pain, improved breathing, and a greater than two liter…
Read MoreExercise Can Change Gut Microbes.
Researchers have discovered the first definitive evidence that exercise can change gut microbial composition independent of diet. In the study, researchers followed 18 lean and 14 obese sedentary adults for six weeks while they maintained their normal diet. A comparison of pre- and post-study fecal samples revealed increases in concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, which…
Read MoreToo Much Takeout Food Bad for Kids’ Health.
In a new study, researchers monitored the eating habits and health of more than 1,900 children and found that those who regularly consumed takeout food typically had higher levels of body fat and blood cholesterol than those who usually ate meals prepared at home. Archives of Disease in Childhood, December 2017
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