Depression as hard on the heart as obesity and cholesterol
Depression poses a risk for cardiovascular diseases in men that is just as great as that posed by high cholesterol levels and obesity. This is according to a report recently published in the ‘Atherosclerosis’ journal by researchers from the Helmholtz Zentrum München, together with colleagues…
Antidepressant use increases hip fracture risk among elderly
Antidepressant use nearly doubles the risk of hip fracture among community-dwelling persons with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. The increased risk was highest at the beginning of antidepressant use and remained elevated even 4 years later. The…
Every Meal Triggers Inflammation
When we eat, we do not just take in nutrients – we also consume a significant quantity of bacteria. The body is faced with the challenge of simultaneously distributing the ingested glucose and fighting these bacteria. This triggers an inflammatory response that activates the immune…
Benzodiazepines and related drugs increase stroke risk among persons with Alzheimer’s disease
The use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like drugs was associated with a 20 per cent increased risk of stroke among persons with Alzheimer’s disease, shows a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland. Benzodiazepines were associated with a similar risk of stroke as benzodiazepine-like drugs.
Type 1 Diabetes Linked to Gut Inflammation, Bacteria Changes
People with Type 1 diabetes exhibit inflammation in the digestive tract and gut bacteria—a pattern that differs from individuals who do not have diabetes or those who have celiac disease, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &…
Play an instrument? You probably react faster, too
Researchers at UdeM’s audiology school find that musicians have faster reaction times than non-musicians – and that could have implications for the elderly.Could learning to play a musical instrument help the elderly react faster and stay alert?
Updated Classification System Captures Many More People at Risk for Heart Attack
New heart disease “staging” system focuses on those previously considered at low risk Experts at Johns Hopkins and New York’s Mount Sinai Health System have published a suggested new plan for a five-stage system of classifying the risk of heart attack in those with heart…
Legal or Not, Marijuana Can Increase the Risk of Developing Alcohol Use Disorders
Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) develop with time and in stages. Following the initiation of drinking, some people progress to problem drinking, and then develop a “cluster” of specific problems to comprise an AUD. However, not all stages of AUD development have been studied equally. This…
Daily Folic Acid Supplementation Remains Important for Prevention of Birth Defects
Despite the mandatory addition of folic acid to enriched grain products in the United States, many women still do not consume adequate amounts of this important vitamin, according to an editorial written by Laura E. Mitchell, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics…
1 in 5 young people lose sleep over social media
1 in 5 young people regularly wake up in the night to send or check messages on social media, according to new research published today in the Journal of Youth Studies. This night-time activity is making teenagers three times more likely to feel constantly tired…
Study unveils how stress may increase risk of heart disease and stroke
Heightened activity in the amygdala – a region of the brain involved in stress – is associated with a greater risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a study published in The Lancet that provides new insights into the possible mechanism by which stress…
Yoga may have health benefits for people with chronic non-specific lower back pain
A new systematic review, published in the Cochrane Library , suggests that yoga may lead to a reduction in pain and functional ability in people with chronic non-specific lower back pain over the short term, compared with no exercise. However, researchers advise that more…