WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Tuesday, November 19th, 2019
Courtesy of: Michael Ellis D.C.
Mental Attitude: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Kids with ADHD. The results of a pilot study involving a small group of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed that increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids via supplementation led to improvements in the kids’ ability to maintain attention in class. Journal of Attention Disorders, November 2019 Health Alert: Many Americans Admit to Drowsy Driving. Questionnaires completed by over 2,000 American adults revealed that 45% have fought to stay awake while behind the wheel. This finding is concerning because drowsy driving causes an average of 328,000 crashes a year. American Academy of Sleep Medicine president Dr. Kelly Carden writes, “Driving while drowsy is similar to drunk driving with regards to the delays in reaction time and impairment in decisionmaking… Drowsy driving can be deadly, yet it is 100% preventable.” American Academy of Sleep Medicine, September 2019 Diet: Fruits and Veggies May Protect Against Depression and Anxiety. Results from the Global School-based Student Health Survey suggest that consuming less than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day is associated with an increased risk for anxiety and depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, October 2019 Exercise: People Have More Free Time for Exercise than They Think. According to a recent analysis of data from the American Time Use Survey, the average American adult has about 4.5 hours of free time each day. However, most of that time is spent looking at screens (such as televisions, phones, or other devices) and not engaged in physical activity. Researcher Dr. Deborah Cohen explains, “Increasing the public's awareness of how they actually use their time and creating messages that encourage Americans to reduce their screen time may help people to become more physically active… These findings suggest getting Americans to devote at least 20 or 30 minutes each day to physical activity is feasible.” Preventing Chronic Disease, October 2019 Chiropractic: Smoking and Musculoskeletal Pain. Using data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stanford University researchers report that smokers are two-to-three times more likely than non-smokers to have spinal pain, headaches, and extremity pain. Pain Medicine, October 2019 Wellness/Prevention: Warning Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced by heating devices, such as furnaces, boilers, and stoves. When these devices are improperly vented, carbon monoxide can build up in enclosed areas and lead to potentially fatal poisoning. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include the following: having a headache, feeling tired, having shortness of breath, feeling nauseated, feeling dizzy, and experiencing flu-like symptoms without a fever. The commission adds that if you have these symptoms with no apparent cause, leave the premises immediately and seek prompt medical attention. Consumer Product Safety Commission, October 2019 Quote: “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” ~ Albert Einstein