Rehab and Community Care Medicine Winter 2016/17: Frontlines

All those dust balls piling up in your living room aren’t just unsightly—they’re also full of noxious chemicals from household products. Ten toxic chemicals appeared in 90 per cent of the dust samples across multiple studies, including a carcinogenic flame-retardant called TDIPP, which is found in furniture and baby products. Phthalates, a class of chemicals used in cosmetics and toys that causes respiratory problems in children, showed up in highest concentration.

According to Dr. Lowery, a British neuroscientist, getting dirty is good for you. Mycobacterium vaccae is a soil that stimulates serotonin production, which explains why those who garden tend to feel more relaxed and happier. Researchers in England also found that people who moved to within a half-mile of green space (such as parks, public gardens and green ways) experienced improvement in mental health that sustained for at least three years after they had relocated. That’s a green thumbs up, for sure!

Based on a new report from the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), only about half of seniors with high blood pressure have it under control. A major reason is due to people who are not following, and outright quitting, their medication regimen.

While noting that the study did not examine causes, CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden suggested that patients might not recognize the importance of taking their prescribed drugs. “Many people think they can tell if their blood pressure is high,” he said. “But it can be sky high and they feel perfectly fine until they have a heart attack or stroke.” Source: cdc.gov

Tackling a flight of stairs may make you younger. A recent study in Neurobiology of Aging found that for every flight that people regularly climb, their brains appeared .58 years younger than their chronological age in brain scans. Even people who managed only one or two flights daily still reaped benefits. While any kind of physical activity can help stave off the brain shrinkage that causes age-related cognitive decline, researchers say that stair climbing may be particularly effective because it’s an everyday activity.

Myths and misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease abound—what it is, who gets it, and how it affects the people who have it. These myths stand in the way of understanding the disease and helping those affected:

Reality: Familial Alzheimer’s disease accounts for less than 5% of all cases of Alzheimer’s diagnoses.

Reality: Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain. It most often occurs in people over 65, but can also affect people in their 40s and 50s.

Technology—usually in the form of a wristband or smartwatch—is marketed as an incentive to increase daily activity. They measure distances walked or run, calorie consumption and heart rates. However, a new study shows these trackers may not help users keep weight off in the long-term among overweight adults who have lost weight. In fact, those with fitness trackers gained back more weight than those without.

Clothesline. Since 1985, Clothesline, a program of the Canadian Diabetes Association in partnership with Value Village, has been accepting gently used clothing, electronics and small housewares to keep these reusable items from ending up in landfills. The program diverts over 51 million kilograms of clothing annually, resulting in 942 kWh of energy savings.

By sparing these goods from the landfill, the CDA reports a reduction of Canada’s carbon footprint by 130 million kilograms.

Have something to donate? Call 1-800-505-5525 to locate a donation drop box or schedule a free pick-up. Be sure to inquire about the next Clothesline vacation giveaway.