Review: Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are Associated with Abuse in Childhood or Adulthood!

"Häuser and colleagues found that sexual and physical abuse in both childhood and adulthood predicted greater odds of fibromyalgia (odds ratio point estimate range: 1.94–3.07). In their meta-analysis, Paras and colleagues found that rape survivors have especially high odds of fibromyalgia diagnosis (OR = 3.27). These risk factors are higher in fibromyalgia patients than those with rheumatoid arthritis, highlighting the specificity of the role of abuse and trauma in FM pathogenesis compared to a pain disorder with a known organic cause ."



Chronic Diffuse Pain and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders After Traumatic Stress: Pathophysiology Through a Polyvagal Perspective. Frontiers in medicine, Vol. 5 (2018) by Jacek Kolacz, Stephen W. Porges. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/14631678

Immune Response to Bacteria in the Eye: Cause of Glaucoma!

" Immune cells in the eye that developed in response to early exposure to bacteria are a key contributor to progressive vision loss from glaucoma, the second leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world, according to new research from Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and MIT." Read more...

New Understanding of Glaucoma - Autoimmune response spurs vision loss. Suzanne Day. Harvard Medical School. August 17, 2018.https://hms.harvard.edu/news/new-understanding-glaucoma

Insomnia Can Be a Sign of Mental Illness Like Depression and Anxiety!

"Have you ever found yourself tossing and turning more than usual at night because you’re anxious about a big test coming up, a move, a medical procedure, or some other event? Worrying can make it hard for the brain to relax, even at night, when it needs to relax in order for you to be able to fall asleep." Read more...

The Relationship Between Insomnia, Anxiety, and Depression: It’s Complicated. Katherine Lee. Everyday Health. 5/1/2018. https://www.everydayhealth.com/insomnia/relationship-between-insomnia-anxiety-depression-its-complicated/

PFAS Exposure Puts Some People More at Risk for Weight Gain!

"Exposure to  and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may be tied with weight gain in some people, according to a new study." Read more....

PFAS Exposure Tied to Weight Gain -But not in individuals receiving a healthy-lifestyle intervention. Kristen Monaco. MedPage Today. August 31, 2018. https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/environmentalhealth/74876?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2018-09-01&eun=g1252332d0r&pos=11&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202018-09-01&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Green Tea Can Counteract Bad Effects of a Western Diet!

"Green tea is one of the most commonly consumed beverages across the globe, largely due to its associated health benefits. New research offers yet another reason to drink this popular beverage, after finding that it could help to combat the negative health implications of a Western diet." Read more...

Green tea compound may reduce the harms of a Western diet. Honor Whiteman. Medical News Today. July 31,2017. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318720.php?sr

Diet is Important for Treating Depression!

"Just this week, I have seen three patients with depression requiring treatment. Treatment options include medications, therapy, and self-care. Self-care includes things like sleep, physical activity, and diet, and is just as important as meds and therapy — sometimes more so." Read more...

Diet and depression. Monique Tello, MD, MPH. February 22, 2018. Harvard Health Publishing.  https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/diet-and-depression-2018022213309?utm_content=buffer106a1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=buffer

Even the Fittest Athletes Can Not Always Outrun Cardiovascular Disease!

"Middle-aged adults are exercising more and living longer, but new research from the University of British Columbia suggests that even the fittest among them are not immune to cardiovascular disease—and they often don't have any symptoms. " Read more...

Even the fittest middle-aged athletes can't outrun cardiovascular risk factors. August 31, 2018 by Thandi Fletcher, University of British Columbia