Medical errors increase !

In the U.S., an estimated 795,000 people become permanently disabled or die every year due to misdiagnoses

Overall, medical conditions are misdiagnosed about 11% of the time, but the likelihood of misdiagnosis varies widely depending on the type of medical problem and the symptoms presented

Among strokes, a leading cause of disability in the U.S., misdiagnosis occurs more than 17.5% of the time

Among patients transferred to a hospital ICU or who died in the hospital, a missed or delayed diagnosis took place in 23% of cases, and 17% of the time the errors caused temporary or permanent harm or death

Compared to white men, ethnic minorities are 30% more likely to be misdiagnosed while women are at a 20% increased risk of misdiagnosis

 

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Optimists live longer !

Broken heart syndrome (stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy) is a real medical condition, triggered by acute, major stress or shock, such as the death of a loved one

Studies have shown that the loss of a loved one raises your own risk of sudden death, known as the “bereavement effect. ” There’s even evidence showing that spousal illness increases the partner’s mortality risk 

Having a positive outlook on life has been shown to be the most influential factor in longevity studies

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Avoid medications during pregnancy

Although most consumers believe that over-the-counter medications are safe and effective, recent data offers more evidence that acetaminophen during pregnancy increases your child's risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Using acetaminophen during pregnancy can also increase your child's risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Acetaminophen is found in over 600 medications that are commonly consumed, making it easy to cross the line between a safe dose and a harmful one 

Data show that children who are exposed to acetaminophen after birth to reduce fever and discomfort after vaccination may also have an increased risk of autistic disorder

I believe it's important to stay away from as many potential toxins as possible to protect the health of your child. Besides steering clear of alcohol, street drugs and unnecessary prescription drugs, consider avoiding plastic children's toys, using glass for food and beverage storage, installing a whole-house water filter, using only natural cleaning products and toiletries, and avoiding any products with "fragrance"
 

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Tips for falling asleep

To fall asleep faster, consider keeping a worry journal and/or gratitude journal to help empty your mind before bed and try counting backward from 300 by threes. Also avoid caffeine, alcohol and unhealthy fatty foods

One of the worst things you can do to help you fall asleep is to reach for a sleeping pill. Research shows these drugs really do not work and come with a laundry list of side effects 

Implementing a consistent breath practice can help improve your sleep by easing internal tensions and anxiety that might prevent you from falling asleep

More tips to fall asleep

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Are charred foods dangerous?

Acrylamide is created when carbohydrate-rich plant foods are cooked at high temperatures, whether baked, fried, roasted, grilled or toasted

Animal studies have shown that acrylamide increases the risk of several types of cancer, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers acrylamide a "probable human carcinogen" 

Acrylamide is found in 40% of calories consumed by the average American. The FDA recommends limiting acrylamide exposure by avoiding fried foods and toasting or cooking bread and potatoes to a light golden color rather than dark brown or blackened
 

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Restoring the balance

Your body is naturally asymmetrical. Balance is maintained through the integration of these system imbalances. When balanced integration fails, structural weaknesses and pain can develop

While walking barefoot outdoors on uneven terrain is a great way to ground, walking barefoot on hard, flat surfaces, such as tile or concrete, can cause problems, including bunions

Things like eyeglasses, LASIK surgery, dental implants and root canals can affect your sensory experience, and hence your gait and posture, which in turn can result in pain syndromes 

Dental work can affect your bite, which affects your cranial and cervical posture. If teeth are pulled and not replaced with an implant, your brain may not be able to determine where your center of gravity is, causing your body to overcompensate to one side or the other

LASIK eye surgery can trigger unexpected problems. One of the main problems is that if it fixes you into a set prescription that is wrong, it can lock in dysfunction. With glasses, you’re not locked into one prescription. You can change it and get new glasses if it turns out that your symmetry was off

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Is the Omega-3 Index test useful ?

The Omega-3 Index test measures the amount of EPA and DHA, the two long-chain omega-3s found in marine sources, in red blood cell membranes, expressed as a percentage of the total fatty acids in the membrane

Most Americans have an index of 4% to 5% of EPA/DHA in their red blood cell membranes, and the target is between 8% to 12%. To raise your index from 5% to 8%, you need roughly 1,000 mg to 1,200 mg of EPA/DHA per day

Higher omega-3 index has been linked to better health across the board, and appears to lower the risk of most, if not all, chronic diseases 

Another ratio commonly referred to is the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, but this ratio is not nearly as useful or important as the omega-3 index

EPA and DHA help thin the blood, lower the risk of stroke and heart attack, lower serum triglyceride levels, blood pressure and inflammation, add structural stability to the mitochondrial membrane and aid mitochondrial energy processes

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