Dementia Does Not Have to Happen
A Lancet Commission, after a careful review of epidemiological data, reported that 35% of all dementia is "potentially modifiable". The modifiable risk factors can be separated into early-, mid-, and late-life prevention as follows: Early life: poor education (8%) Mid-life: hearing loss (9%), hypertension (2%), obesity (1%) Late-life: smoking (5%), depression (4%), physical inactivity (3%), social isolation…
Read MoreIndividuals with High-Risks Often Don’t Recognize Them
Research in Canada found many high-risk patients do not recognize a need to change their lifestyle--especially with hypertension, diabetes, and alcohol use. The risk factors most likely to encourage change to improve health were: smoking, obesity, sedentary living, high stress and low fruit and vegetable intake. Those younger in age, female, educated and with higher household…
Read MoreOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
AICR estimates nearly 81,400 women--or one-third of US breast cancer cases could be prevented by 3 simple steps. Get to and stay at your healthy weight. Fit activity into your day--at least 30 minutes. Avoid alcohol--even small amounts increase risk. Download and print this infographic, then place it at your work, church, or club to help others…
Read MoreZika Update
The WHO has declared a global public health emergency because of the Zika virus. While known for more than 50 years, its possible association with thousands of suspected cases of microcephaly (congenital brain damage) in babies has triggered current concerns. Symptoms are usually mild and self-limited. PositiveTip: To minimize Zika risk (1) avoid unnecessary travel to infected…
Read MoreModifiable Risk Factors for Back Pain
Brief exposures to a variety of modifiable physical (handling heavy loads or awkward positioning, moving live people or animals, moderate to intense activity, sexual activity, and slipping/tripping/falling) and psychosocial (alcohol use, distraction, fatigue) factors increases risk for acute back pain. All physical triggers were significantly associated with increased risks, with manual tasks involving awkward positioning, objects not close…
Read MoreEbola Prevention
Ebola: the word strikes fear in many minds. The virus must remain wet to survive. There are no vaccines available. What can you do? PostiveTip: If you might be exposed to this virus take these precautions: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based cleaners. Don't have contact with infected people, or items that…
Read MoreFlu Shots are Evil? Really?
Recently we published a PositiveTip dealing with how to protect yourself from influenza. Later the same day, I received a scorching email message from a very zealous, but misguided health enthusiast. I will share just a part it (without any edits): “There is not one ingredient in the ‘flu’ coctail of toxins that would help…
Read MoreProtect Yourself from the Flu
Flu season is here! Although there are no guarantees that you will never get the flu, here are some PositiveTips that will help:
Read MoreMore West Nile Virus Cases This Year
The CDC is urging people to take steps to protect themselves from West Nile virus. It is making a comeback this year with 241 cases, including 4 deaths. Most cases have been in Texas, Mississippi, and Oakahoma. There are no medications to treat it, nor any vaccines to prevent it. The best way to prevent…
Read MoreCranberries May Really Help
Cranberry juice has long been considered a folk remedy, but its effectiveness has been questioned. A new meta-analysis of 13 trials including 1616 participants shows that cranberry users were at 38% lower risk of urinary-tract infections (UTIs)--especially in women with recurrent UTIs. Those consuming a serving of cranberry products or drinking cranberry juice more than…
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