WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Thursday, February 27th, 2020
Courtesy of: Michael Ellis D.C.
Health Alert: Headache Misdiagnosis in Kids. A review of studies regarding headaches in the pediatric population found that 40% of kids diagnosed with migraine headaches had previously been misdiagnosed with sinus headaches. Current Pain & Headache Reports, January 2020 Diet: Algae Can Help Digestion. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients who consumed a daily spoonful of a powdered form of the algae C. reinhardtii experienced improvements in bowel discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and bowel movements. Lead author Dr. Frank Fields writes, “I hope that this study helps destigmatize the thought of incorporating algae and algae-based products into your diet—it is a fantastic source of nutrition and we have now shown that this species of algae has additional benefits to animal and human health.” Journal of Functional Foods, February 2020 Exercise: Improve Your Hand Strength. The University of Southern California recommends the following exercises to improve flexibility, dexterity, and strength in the hands: squeeze a soft ball in your palm as hard as you can for a few seconds and repeat ten times; make a gentle fist and wrap your thumb across your fingers, hold for one minute, release, and repeat; warm up before exercise by using a heating pad or soaking your hands in warm water for five-to-ten minutes; place your hand flat on a table and gently lift one finger at a time, hold for a few seconds, and then lower; and stretch your wrists for 15-to-30 seconds, repeating two-to-four times. University of Southern California, January 2020 Chiropractic: Foot Orthotics and Kneecap Pain. In this study, researchers measured the immediate effects of foot orthoses on lower leg kinematics and angular impulses during level walking and stair ambulation in 42 individuals with persistent patellofemoral pain. The research team observed that orthoses use led to small but significant decreases in ankle inversion angles during walking, stair ascent, and stair decent. Foot orthotic use also resulted in decreased ankle eversion impulse during walking and decreased ankle dorsiflexion and eversion impulse during stair ascent and descent. Doctors of chiropractic will often recommend a foot orthotic to correct foot problems that may contribute to a patient’s ankle, knee, hip, or back pain. Gait Posture, January 2020 Mental Attitude: Speaking Two or More Languages May Delay Dementia. New research suggests that being bilingual may delay the onset of dementia by up to five years. Neuropsychology Review, February 2020 Wellness/Prevention: Asthma Associated with Low Vitamin D Levels? Compared to children with normal lung function, kids with asthma are more likely to have sub-optimal or poor vitamin D status. Further research is needed to determine if improving vitamin D levels through diet, supplementation, or sun exposure can benefit boys and girls with asthma. Northern Clinics of Istanbul, December 2019 Quote: “Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken.” ~ Albert Camus