1 in 7 Alzheimer’s Cases Could Be Prevented with Exercise

General Posted by anthony Date April 17, 2013

A team of researchers from the Ontario Brain Institute reviewed 871 research articles on exercise and AlzheimerÛªs conducted over the last 50 years. They then closely examined the 45 most comprehensive studies, pooling the data for their analysis.
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They found that more than one out of every seven cases of AlzheimerÛªs disease could be prevented by increasing the amount of physical activity an individual performs. The research finds that as little as 30 minutes of light exercise can lower the risk of an individual developing AlzheimerÛªs.

In 2011, approximately 15% of older adults (65 y+) in Ontario were living with some form of cognitive impairment or dementia, an estimated 60%-70% of whom had AlzheimerÛªs disease.

Within older adults with AlzheimerÛªs disease, regular physical activity improved quality of life

(QOL), activities of daily living (ADL), and decreased the occurrence of depression. In older adults without AlzheimerÛªs disease, those who were very physically active were almost 40% less likely to develop AlzheimerÛªs disease as those who were inactive.åÊ

At the population level, it was observed that more than 1 in 7 cases of AlzheimerÛªs disease

could be prevented if everyone who is currently inactive were to become physically active at a level consistent with current activity recommendations.åÊ

Not much more to say right!

Redesigning the Human Body

General Posted by anthony Date April 16, 2013

Please include attribution to InsuranceQuotes.org with this graphic.

Telemedicine Saves Travel and Time for Patients with Parkinson Disease (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date April 15, 2013

[embed_youtube”420″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/7m4maPJmzO4″]

Even with Weight Gain, Quitting Smoking Still Better for Your Health

General Posted by anthony Date April 15, 2013

Among adults without diabetes, quitting smoking, compared with continuing smoking, was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease despite subsequent weight gain, according to a study appearing in the March 13 issue of JAMA.

ÛÏCigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Smoking cessation substantially reduces the risks of CVD; however, quitting smoking is associated with a small number of adverse health consequences, weight gain being one of smokersÛª major concerns,Û according to background information in the article.åÊ

The average weight gain varies between 6.6 lbs. and 13.2 lbs. in North America and happens within 6 months after smoking cessation. Obesity is also a risk factor for CVD. One would think then that weight gain following smoking cessation might lessen the benefits of quitting smoking.

Carole Clair, M.D., M.Sc., of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and colleagues conducted a study to assess the association between 4-year weight gain following smoking cessation and CVD event rate among adults with and without diabetes. The study included data from the Framingham Offspring Study collected from 1984 through 2011. At each 4-year examination, self-reported smoking status was assessed and categorized as smoker, recent quitter (ä_ 4 years), long-term quitter (>4 years), and nonsmoker. The primary outcome measure was the incidence over 6 years of total CVD events, comprising coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular events, peripheral artery disease, and congestive heart failure.

Weight gain occurred over 4 years in participants without and with diabetes. Among participants without diabetes, recent quitters gained significantly more weight (median [midpoint], 5.9 lbs.) than long-term quitters (1.9 lbs.), smokers (1.9 lbs.), and nonsmokers (3 lbs.). Among patients with diabetes, recent quitters also gained significantly more weight (7.9 lbs.) than smokers (1.9 lbs.), long-term quitters (0.0 lbs., and nonsmokers (1.1 lbs.).

Compared with smokers, recent quitters had a 53 percent lower risk for CVD and long-term quitters had a 54 percent lower risk for CVD.

ÛÏIn conclusion, among adults without diabetes, quitting smoking was associated with a lower risk of CVD compared with continuing smoking. This supports a net cardiovascular benefit of smoking cessation, despite subsequent weight gain,Û the authors write.

Telemedicine Saves Travel and Time for Patients with Parkinson Disease

General Posted by anthony Date April 12, 2013

Wonder if Michael use telemedicine?

A randomized clinical trial of 20 patients with Parkinson disease by E. Ray Dorsey, M.D., M.B.A.., of Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, and colleagues suggests that telemedicine visits could save patients, on average, 100 miles of travel and three hours of time.

The 7-month study at patients’ homes and outpatient clinics at two academic medical centers sought to examine the feasibility, effectiveness and economic benefits of using web-based videoconferencing (telemedicine) to provide specialty care to patients with Parkinson disease at their homes.

The 20 patients were assigned to telemedicine (n=9) or in-person care (n=11). While patients in the telemedicine group saved miles of travel and hours of time, “the change in quality of life did not differ for those randomly assigned to telemedicine compared with those randomly assigned to in-person care (4.0-point improvement vs. 6.4-point improvement ).

“Larger studies are needed to determine whether the clinical benefits are indeed comparable to those of in-person care and whether the results observed are generalizable,” the researchers conclude.

As it becomes harder to get around in the advanced stages of the disease this may be something to think about.