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Short sleep duration linked to
subclinical atherosclerosis
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WHO releases list of 10 threats
to global health
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4000 middle age adults were studied. Adults who sleep less
than 6 hours a night were likely to get narrowing of the carotid artery
(main blood vessel to the brain).
Reference - Journal
of American college of cardiology – 2018
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Air pollution and climate change, non-communicable
disease, threat of global influenza pandemic, drought and conflicts,
anti-microbial resistance, Ebola and high thread pathogens, weak
primary care, vaccine hesitancy, dengue and HIV infections.
Reference. WHO
bulletin 2018
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Mediterranean diet named as top
diet in 2019
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Dietary fibre with whole grains
associated with lower disease risk.
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The Mediterranean diet low in red meat, sugars, saturated
fats and high in nuts, legumes and fish with a splash of olive oil has
been chosen the best diet pushing DASH diet to the second place.
Reference. US news and world reports.
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Including whole grains in the diet reduce the risk for
cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Ref. Lancet – Jan
2019
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New lipid guidelines addresses
non statin therapy and personalized risk assessment
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Calcium and vitamin D
supplements did not prevent fractures in elders
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|
The American heart association has released updated
guidelines for cholesterol management.
Reference.
Circulation – Nov 2018.
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In 33 studies involving more than 50,000 adults older than
50 years supplements of calcium and vitamin D over 5 years did not
reduce the risk for fractures.
Reference. JAMA 2018.
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Does Acetaminophen(
Paracetamol)
exposure during pregnancy lead to Autism in children?
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Vitamin D and Omega 3 fail to
prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer.
|
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Some studies have shown consumption of paracetomol for more than 28 days during
pregnancy can lead to Autism in children later in life.
Reference. Journal of Paediatrics
2018
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26,000 men and women above the age of 50 were randomized
to receive vitamin D, Omega 3 supplements and placebo. The study was
conducted over a period of 5 years. The supplement did not reduce the
risk for heart attacks or cancer.
Reference. New
England Journal of Medicine 2018.
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Guidelines for physical activity
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Coffee consumption with some
health benefits
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Children between 3 to 5 should be
active throughout the day.
Children between 6 to 17 at least 1 hour per day aerobic
plus muscle strengthening
Adults – 3 to 5 hours per week including strength training
for 2 days a week
Older adults should include balance training.
Reference. JAMA 2017.
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Regular coffee or decaffeinated had the same benefit.
Low heart attacks, cancer and type 2 diabetes
Consumption during pregnancy leads to fetal
loss and low birth weight babies.
Post-menopausal can lead to osteoporosis.
Reference. BMJ 2017
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Olive oil is
associated with lower stroke risk.
|
|
Viewing TV before bed
time with violent content affects children’s
sleep.
|
|
7600 subjects were followed up for 5 years. All were more than 55
years of age. There was a 41% reduction in stroke in those who consumed olive oil.
Reference -
Neurology. June 16 2007, Physicians first watch.
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Those children who watched TV, Video, Computer games after 7 PM
reported more sleep disturbances.
Reference -
Pediatric Journal Watch – 28 June 2011
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|
Vegetarian high fiber
diet lead to lower risk for diverticular disease (large intestine
disease).
|
|
Smoking is associated
with bladder cancer.
|
|
According to BMJ, 47000 subjects were followed up for 12 years. One
third were vegetarian. 30% lower risk of diverticular disease was seen
in vegetarians.
Reference-
BMJ. July 2011-343.
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Current smokers had 4 fold and ex smokers
had 2 fold increased incidence of bladder cancer. This is true for
women and has been shown in a 10 year study of 4,50,000
women between the age of 50 and 71.
Reference- JAMA
2011 306(7).
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|
Excessive red meat
connected with kidney cancer.
|
|
Spirituality reduces
depression. Now proved.
|
|
It is not clear whether the red meat itself or the microwave cooking
is responsible for kidney cancer in subjects who consume excessive red
meat. A 19% higher incidence was seen in these subjects.
Reference-
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2011.
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|
In a 10 year study, it has been shown that spirituality reduces
depression both in parents and their children.
Reference-
Journal watch Psychiatry. Sep 19 2011
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|
Vit -E associated with increased prostate cancer.
|
|
Just a few drinks a
week increases breast cancer risks
|
|
Men who received Vit-E 400 IU had a 17%
increased incidence of prostate cancer.
Reference: JAMA –
2011-306.
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A 15% increase in the incidence of breast cancer was seen in women
who consumed 3 to 6 glasses of wine per week.
Reference- JAMA.
2011-306(17).
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|
Yoga and stretch
exercises both have equal benefit in low back ache
|
|
Adverse Drug Events
(Side effects of drugs) causes frequent hospitalization in elders.
|
|
The improvement in symptoms and mobility was seen for several months
in both forms of treatment.
Reference-
Archives of Internal Medicine. Vol. 171. Dec-2011.
|
|
1.5% of all emergency admissions in
hospital is related to drugs like anti diabetic drugs, anti clotting drugs etc. in elders.
Reference-Journal
watch hospital medicine. Nov 23 2011
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Long term health risk
after gastroenteritis from contaminated drinking water.
|
|
Bystander Cardio
Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
|
|
Acute gastroenteritis due to E-colli was
associated with increased long term risk for high blood pressure, heart
and kidney complications according to a BMJ study. About 2000 adults
were tracked for 8 years after an episode of gastroenteritis in Canada.
The E-colli toxin has possible receptors in
kidney which might explain the long term outcome.
Reference -
BMJ-2010;341;C020.
|
Chest compression alone is as good as CPR with artificial breathing.
Since artificial breathing is not required, it will encourage bystander
to undertake chest compression without concern. Several lives can be
saved by adopting only chest compression.
Reference -
NEJM-2010-July
|
|
Kidney denervation
lowers blood pressure in uncontrolled hypertension.
|
|
Rice intake as risk
for development of diabetes.
|
|
Catheter based denervation (removing the nerve supply) of the kidney
dramatically lowers blood pressure in uncontrolled hypertension. This
was studied in 100 patients who had poor control of blood pressure
(more than 160/100) in spite of taking 3 drugs.
Reference - The Lancet - Vol
376, issue 9756, Dec-2010.
|
|
Substituting brown rice for white rice lowers the risk for diabetes.
Reference
–Archives of Internal medicine.2010 - June
|
|
Almost quarter of
bowel cancers could be avoided by lifestyle changes.
|
|
Pesticide and
attention deficit/hyperactive disorder.
|
|
Making simple lifestyle changes decreases colorectal (large
intestine) cancer risks. According to a BMJ study, 55,000 middle aged
DANES were studied for 10 years. The lifestyle changes recommended were
:- not smoking, daily exercise for at least 30 minutes, avoid heavy
drinking, eating a healthy diet and waist circumference control less
than 40 inches for man and less than 35 inches for woman.
Reference:
BMJ-2010; 341; C5504.
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Children are exposed to orgonophosphorus
pesticides primarily found in food and drinking water. These pesticides
are harmful to the development of brain. A study in 1138 children shows
a possible link between attention deficit /
hyperactive disorder to pesticide exposure.
Reference:
Pediatrics. June-2010.
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|
How much exercise is
required to prevent weight gain in middle aged women?
|
|
Kidney donation is
safe.
|
|
34,000 women were studied and it was found that 1 hour of moderate
exercise is required daily to prevent weight gain.
Reference: JAMA –
2010.
|
|
80,000 live donors were studied for more than 10 years and were
compared with healthy controls. There was no difference in the long
term death or complication rate.
Reference: JAMA.
Mar-2010.
|
|
Pipe and cigar smoking
– are they better?
|
|
Population based
benefit of salt reduction.
|
|
There is no safe dose of tobacco. It is harmful in any form. Both
pipe and cigar smoking can lead to reduced lung function.
Reference:Annals of internal medicine,
Feb-2010.
|
|
Daily intake of 3 grams of less salt could lower the annual cardiac
risk and strokes. It can prevent 60,000 to 1,20,000 cases of heart
attacks, 32,000 to 62,000 cases of strokes and 40,000 to 90,000 deaths.
This has been estimated in the US population. Even reduction by 1 gram
of salt could prevent 15,000 to 32,000 deaths.
Reference:
NEJEM. Jan-2010.
|
|
BP lowering drugs and
prevention of heart disease and strokes.
|
|
Poor sleep in adults
leads to high BP.
|
|
Reduction in BP of 10mm systolic and 5mm diastolic with any group of
drugs reduces the risk of heart attacks & strokes by 22% and 41%.
This was shown in a meta analysis of 147
randomized trials involving 4,64,000 patients
in U.K.
Reference - BMJ,
May-2009.
|
Looks like a well known fact but proved
only now.
Reference:
Archives of Internal Medicine
|
|
Risk scores to
identify people at risk for diabetes who might benefit by intervention.
|
|
Anti
oxidant
supplements (vitamin-c, vitamin-e) blunts the effect of exercise.
|
|
Family history of diabetes, hypertension, older ages more than 55,
black race, smoker, large waist circumference, short stature, rapid
resting pulse and over weight.
People with the above scores have 50% chance of getting diabetes in
next 10 years.
Reference –
Annals of internal medicine – June-2009.
|
|
Regular exercise increases insulin sensitivity and decreases the
risk of diabetes. If anti oxidant supplement
are given (Vitamin-C, Vitamin-E) it blunts the benefit of exercise.
Whereas diet rich in fruits and vegetable lowers the risk of diabetes.
Reference –Proc Nata Aca Sci – USA May 2009.
|
|
Components of
Mediterranean Diet which reduces mortality (increase life span)
|
|
Watching television in
childhood leads to high chance of asthma
|
|
A.
Lower intake of meat
B.
High consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts
and mono-saturated fats (Olive oil)
C.
Moderate consumption of alcohol.
Reference – BMJ, June-2009.
|
|
Young children exposed to television more than 2 hours per day had
twice the chance of Asthma compared to other children.
Reference: Thorax
Pediatric March 2009
|
|
Benefit of red yeast
rice
|
|
Moderate alcohol
consumption leads to higher cancer risk in women.
|
|
Treatment option for those patients who cannot tolerate statins
(Cholesterol lowering drugs) Red yeast rice contains naturally
occurring lovastatin which lower cholesterol.
Reference –
Annals of internal medicine – June-2009.
|
|
No level of alcohol is safe in women from the stand point of cancer.
Even low to moderate consumption is associated with increased risk of
several cancers
Reference
–Journal of National Cancer institute – Feb 2009.
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