Posts by Dr. Youdeem
Vitamin D Supplement During Pregnancy May Reduce Gestational Diabetes Risk.
Past research has identified a relationship between deficient vitamin D levels and an increased risk for gestational diabetes. In a study involving nearly 5,000 pregnant women, researchers observed that participants with below-average vitamin D status who took a daily vitamin D supplement lowered their risk for gestational diabetes by 17%. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,…
Read MoreDepression and Anxiety Can Affect Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Among a group of 4,800 cardiac rehabilitation patients, researchers observed that those with moderate depression or anxiety were significantly more likely to quit cardiac rehabilitation than patients who experienced mild symptoms of the same disorders or those who didn’t have any symptoms. The findings suggest that clinicians should screen for depression and anxiety at the…
Read MorePrevent Painful Kidney Stones.
The National Kidney Foundation reports that about 10% of people will develop a kidney stone during their lifetime. To help prevent kidney stones, the foundation recommends the following: drink enough water, especially when exercising; pair oxalate-rich foods with calcium-rich foods; and cut back on dietary salt. National Kidney Foundation, September 2019
Read MoreNeck Angles, Muscles, Pain and Smartphone Use.
According to a new study in which researchers monitored neck muscle activity at various neck flexion angles while participants used their smartphone, bending the neck forward more than 15 degrees is associated with increased muscle activity in the neck. The findings suggest that individuals, especially those with neck pain, should limit neck flexion while using…
Read MoreSedentary Lifestyle Doubles Early Mortality Risk.
Following a two-decade study involving a group of 23,146 men and women, researchers concluded that participants who led a sedentary lifestyle were 2.7-times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and twice more likely to die from any cause than those who regularly exercised. World Congress of Cardiology, August 2019
Read MoreAdded Sugars Linked to Hypertension.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is common among seniors and is linked to a number of negative health outcomes. In a study that looked at the dietary intake of 128 older adults, researchers identified an association between higher added-sugar intake and elevated blood pressure readings. Nutrients, September 2019
Read MoreDon’t Let Children Wander Alone in Parking Lots.
Observations of 125 young children and their parents as they navigated a parking lot revealed that half of kids got out of the vehicle before an adult, 67% of children lacked proper supervision at some point during the walk, and nearly 90% walked beyond an arm’s reach of an adult. Researcher Dr. David Schwebel writes,…
Read MoreRisk Factors for Depression in Old Age.
Researchers monitored 11,553 seniors for four years and observed that 22.3% developed depressive symptoms during this time. Further analysis identified the following late-life risk factors for depression: inadequate sleep, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, arthritis, and chronic digestive disorders. The risk for depression was also slightly higher among women and those living in rural areas. BMJ…
Read MoreCaring for a Torn Nail.
Tearing a nail can be very painful. To treat a torn nail, the University of Wisconsin suggests the following: trim or file any sharp edges and trim off the detached part of a large tear, soak your finger or toe in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming, and apply a thin layer of petroleum…
Read MoreOffice Workers and Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Among a group of 400 office employees working at an insurance company, researchers observed that musculoskeletal complaints were quite common, particularly in the neck (57.2%), lower back (46.2%), shoulders (38.5%), and upper back (28.5%). Further analysis identified the following risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal pain: awkward posture, body mass index, job demand, upper arm use,…
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