DAILY HEALTH UPDATE: Monday, April 14, 2014 Dr. Jeff Allyn, Berkley Chiropractic Clinic

“Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

Mental Attitude: Alzheimer's Deaths Larger than Reported. A new report suggests that Alzheimer’s disease contributes to an estimated 500,000 deaths per year in the United States. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 83,494 Alzheimer’s deaths were reported in 2010, pointing to incorrect identification of the underlying cause of death. Study author Dr. Bryan D. James writes, "Death certificates often list the immediate cause of death, such as pneumonia, rather than listing dementia as an underlying cause… Determining the true effects of dementia in this country is important for raising public awareness and identifying research priorities regarding this epidemic." Neurology, March 2014

Health Alert: For Younger Prostate Cancer Patients, is Surgery a Better Option than Waiting? Among younger men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, mortality rates are over 40% lower for those who are treated surgically compared with those who follow watchful waiting (relying on changes in symptoms to determine if/when further treatment is needed). The authors of this study add that patients must assess the risks with the operation, such as incontinence and impotence, with what they may gain from having the surgery based on age, other diseases, and desires. New England Journal of Medicine, March 2014

Diet: Is Saturated Fat Really that Bad? For years, healthcare providers have recommended following a diet low in saturated fat to reduce the risk of heart disease. New research claims that such a diet does not curb heart disease or prolong life. According to Dr. James DiNicolantonio, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that reducing saturated fat consumption can decrease the risk of heart disease. He explains, "The increase in the prevalence of diabetes and obesity in the [United States] occurred with an increase in the consumption of refined carbohydrates, not saturated fat. There is no conclusive proof that a low-fat diet has any positive effects on health." Open Heart, March 2014

Exercise: Exercise Improves Brain Power. Recent research shows that aerobic exercise improves activity in certain areas of the brain as well as the connectivity of those structures. Researchers found that the more fit a person is, the stronger the connectivity in the brain and the better they are at multitasking, planning, prioritizing, and strategizing. American Association for the Advancement of Science, March 2013

Chiropractic: High Prevalence of Back Pain in High School Sports. Low back pain is a surprisingly common complaint among young athletes. A study from Finland analyzed 464 teenage athletes from a variety of sports and found that 54.9% experienced back pain during the previous year but only about a quarter sought treatment.  Journal of Sports Medicine, April 2014

Wellness/Prevention: New Smartphone Case Measures Vital Signs. Azoi, an American technology company, has just announced a smartphone case that measures blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels. This new health tracker is called Wello and works by using several sensors located in the case that attaches to your smartphone. Wello can also connect to other health and fitness devices, including pedometers and sleep monitors. Hamish Patel, CEO and founder of Azoi, says that Wello can help individuals monitor their vital signs, possibly allowing earlier detection of heart disease and other health problems.  American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine Technology Hub, March 2014

For More Information on Back Pain, Neck Pain, Headaches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Whiplash, and To Sign Up For Our Daily Health Update Emails, Go To:www.DrJeffAllynBlog.com or our website at:www.berkleychiropracticclinic.com 

(This information is brought to you in conjunction with Chiro-Trust.org, it is solely advisory and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.)