Health Wrap Parkinsons
When it comes to stress, we all handle it differently.
There’s no question that stress triggers the release of cortisol, the stress hormone--which can suppress the immune system. And maybe that same stress can trigger other parts of the immune system and cause a rise in a person’s lipid levels.
Now, new research in the latest issue of Health Psychology found stress can raise a person’s cholesterol levels. The research found individuals vary widely in their cholesterol response to stress.
Levels were drawn after subjected completed two mentally stressful tasks. Individuals with larger initial stress responses had--two years later--substantially greater rises in cholesterol than those with small stress responses.
One theory may be that stress encourages the body to produce more energy in the form of metabolic fuels – fatty acids and glucose. These substances require the liver to produce and secrete more LDL, or bad cholesterol.
Controlling stress may be a way to help keep cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease, at bay.
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Could Parkinson’s disease be related to being smarter, more educated, and having more career goals?
According to researchers at the mayo clinic, a person's education and career path could affect their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a potentially fatal movement disorder characterized by tremors, stiffness and balance problems.
Having nine or more years of schooling roughly doubled the odds of having Parkinson’s. Of all the careers studied, medical doctors had the highest odds of having Parkinson’s disease.
They were more than three times as likely to have parkinson's as construction workers, who had the lowest odds. Mechanics and production workers also had low odds of Parkinson’s.
The findings on education were similar for men and women.
Still, the physician authors say no one should alter their life's plans due to this study.
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Americans are using over the counter and prescription pain killers in dangerous amounts, according to new research supported by the American Gastroenterological association.
The problem: many aren’t aware of the potential side effects. Of the more than 800 people in the study who used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, like advil and naproxen, more than half were not aware of the possible dangers.
In the study, nearly one in five had previously experienced side effects including stomach pain, internal bleeding and ulcers. Still, nearly a third using these medicines believed they were not at risk for any side effects associated with painkiller use.
Everyday more than 36 million people take over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDS for pain relief, headaches and arthritis, with nearly 25 percent exceeding the recommended dosage, putting them especially at risk for side effects.
All medications, including over the counter drugs, need to be respected and not overused or abused, because all of them can potentially cause problems.
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