Vineland Chiropractor Daily Health Update

The following Vineland Health Update has been put together for you by the team at Back Pain Relief Center. One Way the Brain Changes with Age… Investigators found that the visual cortex—the region of the brain that receives information from the eyes—is more active in young adults than in middle-aged and older adults during memory-related tasks. However, they found that middle-aged and older adults had more activity in the region of the brain called the prefrontal cortex—an area of the brain that plays a role in emotions and behaviors—during this time.

Researcher Dr. Natasha Rajah explains, “When you meet someone for the first time, it is likely that young adults are paying attention to where and when they met this person, and they can remember this information. But middle-aged and older adults focus more on the social-emotional relevance of the person they met—were they pleasant, whether they reminded them of other people they know, and so on—and this change in focus negatively impacts their ability to remember more objective features.” NeuroImage, June 2016

Health Alert In Vineland

Common Surgeries Increase the Risk of Opioid Dependence. An analysis of data collected from over 18 million patients indicates that those who undergo surgery have an elevated risk of becoming dependent on opioid painkillers such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl. For example, the researchers found that patients who had knee surgery were five times more likely to become chronic opioid users than patients who pursued nonsurgical options. Study author Dr. Eric Sun cautions that this doesn’t mean patients shouldn’t have surgery when it’s warranted; however, he states that a patient’s team of healthcare providers should work to find other methods of controlling pain to reduce the need for opioids whenever possible. JAMA Internal Medicine, July 2016

Diet:

Diet Diversity Reduced Diabetes Risk. University of Cambridge researchers reviewed dietary info from over 23,000 adults and found that those who consumed a greater variety of foods fruits, vegetables, and dairy products in their diet had a significantly lower risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over the following decade. PLOS Medicine, July 2016

Exercise:

Pedal to Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Bicycling may lower an individual’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes. In this study, which included more than 50,000 men and women, researchers found that those who bike to work or regularly cycle for fun were less likely to develop diabetes than those who seldom or never ride a bike. Additionally, the more time the participants spent cycling, the lower their risk for type 2 diabetes. Study leader Dr. Martin Rasmussen adds, “Because cycling can be included in everyday activities, it may be appealing to a large part of the population. This includes people who, due to lack of time, would not otherwise have the resources to engage in physical activity.” PLOS Medicine, July 2016

Chiropractic:

How Diabetes May Affect the Carpal Tunnel… Type 2 diabetes is a known risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but there has been debate in regards to how it increases the risk for CTS symptoms. In this study, a team of researchers used ultrasonography to analyze the carpal tunnels of 63 diabetics, both with and without CTS symptoms and found those with confirmed CTS had significant swelling of the median nerve. Such swelling could increase pressure within the carpal tunnel and generate the pain, numbness, and tingling symptoms associated with the condition. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, June 2016

Wellness/Prevention:

Be Careful with Foot Ulcers. Foot ulcers most commonly develop under the big toe or on the balls of the feet. Individuals with diabetes tend to be at a higher risk of foot ulcers due to reduced blood circulation. To care for a foot ulcer, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following: see your healthcare provider about an ulcer, even if it doesn’t hurt, to prevent possible infection and serious complications; get rest and stay off your feet; use a brace, cast, or special shoe if recommended by your doctor; keep your blood sugar under control; continue to care for your foot after the ulcer has healed, and wear special shoes that offer better protection. American Diabetes Association, July 2016

“A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.”~ Napoleon Hill

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Dr. Ray Marquez DC has been practicing chiropractic for 17 years and has two clinics on the east coast, one in Vineland NJ, the other in Murrells Inlet SC. Back Pain Relief Center facilities are designed to relieve your pain in as few visits as possible. We like to keep things simple, quick, and efficient for all our patients. We understand that you are busy, and this is why we operate a walk-in style policy, meaning you come in at your convenience, not ours.