Mental Attitude: Genes May Increase Risk of Cerebral Palsy. New research suggests that genes may play a role in cerebral palsy
(CP), a disease that affects an individual's ability to move and alters both their balance and posture. Researchers found that if one child
in a family has CP, full-siblings who are born later have a six to nine times increased risk for the disease, and half-siblings have up to a three times increased risk. Children born to parents with CP are 6.5 times more likely to have the condition compared with those
born to parents without cerebral palsy. British Medical Journal, July 2014
Health Alert: A Busier ER is Better. The next time you are in need of emergency room (ER) care to survive a life-threatening
condition or injury, you may want to seek the busiest ER in town instead of a slower one. An analysis of data on over 17 million
emergency patients found that the overall risk of death was 10% lower among those who went to busier emergency rooms. The
researchers add that the death rates for sepsis and lung failure patients were over 20% lower among those who went to busier
emergency rooms and heart attack patients were more likely to survive if they went to the busiest local ER.
Annals of Emergency Medicine, July 2014
Diet: Probiotics May Help Lower High Blood Pressure. Regular intake of probiotics, such as those found in certain yogurts or
supplements, may have the potential to lower high blood pressure. A study involving 543 adults with either normal or elevated blood
pressure found that probiotic consumption resulted in an average decrease of systolic blood pressure of 3.6 mmHg and a 2.4 mmHg
decrease in diastolic blood pressure. The authors of the study also note that probiotics with multiple types of bacteria lowered blood
pressure more than those with a single type of bacteria. Hypertension, July 2014
Exercise: Exercise May Help Depressed Smokers Quit. It's estimated that 40% of people with depression are smokers, and
depressed smokers smoke twice as many cigarettes as other smokers. A new study finds that even a simple exercise routine consisting of a daily walk can help a depressed smoker kick their habit. Researchers speculate that exercise protects against the withdrawal symptoms that may force an individual to reach for a cigarette; however, more research is needed to determine the precise physiological mechanisms involved. Concordia University, July 2014
Chiropractic: How Does Chronic Back Pain Increase Fall Risk? German researchers believe they've found a possible explanation
for the link between back pain and the risk of falling down. When asymptomatic and chronic back pain subjects walked,
measurements showed a consistent gait among participants in both groups. When subjects were asked to perform a mental task while
walking, the researchers observed that chronic back pain patients walked in a less-consistent manner that may make them more prone to lose balance or their footing and fall down. The researchers speculate that chronic pain interferes with the brain's ability to coordinate multiple tasks, thereby increasing a person's risk of falling. Experimental Brain Research, July 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Keep Your Young Adult Safe on the Road. The AAA auto club claims that the summertime is the deadliest
time for teenage drivers and their passengers. To keep your young driver safe during summer months, point out the bad behaviors of
other drivers, follow safe driving practices while you are behind the wheel, and give teens a car curfew. Jane McCormack, Trauma
Program Manager at Stony Brook Medicine, adds, "The number one thing parents can do to help keep their teen drivers safe is get
involved and stay involved… Just because a teen has completed driver's education training and has received a license does not mean he or she is road ready." Stony Brook University, July 2014
Quote: “Art is the proper task of life.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
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