Eating disorders on the rise
A recent study found that symptoms worsened for people with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders during lockdown. With concern over empty grocery shelves, 62 per cent of people with anorexia experienced more severe restriction and food fears. And, 30 per cent of those with bulimia/binge-eating disorder reported more episodes and a greater urge to binge. Some of the facts are sobering:
• 10 per cent of those with eating disorders lose their lives as a result.
• Eating disorders are second only to opioid overdose as the deadliest mental illnesses.
• About 26 per cent of people with eating disorders attempt suicide.
Source: International Journal for Eating Disorders
Sustainability in dentistry
Reducing CO2 emissions, plastics use, waste generation and other environmental impacts are major challenges in dental care. The upcoming publication of a FDI Sustainability Code of Practice will provide guide-lines and objectives for achieving a sustainable procurement and supply procedure, which will be signed by co-signatories across the supply chain. The project will also equip dentists with tools and resources to help them improve sustainability while informing the general public about improved oral health and making environmentally informed decisions.
Source: fdiworlddental.org
Sperm study reveals link to mood
Can you inherit stress? Scientists say that for mice, the sperm of mice resilient to stress helps pass that resiliency on to their offspring and can cause molecular changes depending on circumstances. These findings might help us better understand the complex factors involved in developing a mood disorder.
Source: The Journal of Neuroscience
Just trying to cope?
Studies show online alcohol sales jumped 243 per cent according to Nielsen and cigarette smoking made a comeback. One in four remote workers reported going to work impaired this year and that drug overdoses increased as people felt stressed and isolated. Many treatment programs were disrupted with 40 per cent of adults struggling with a mental health illness or substance use during the pandemic. Of note, women are more likely than men to indicate less than ideal mental states (with 30 per cent describing their current mental health as either fair or poor, compared to 20 per cent of men). Younger Canadians had the most negative feelings and nearly one in four Canadians (23 per cent) have felt that they would be better off dead or thought of injuring themselves. Coping mechanisms used according to researchers included:
• Alcohol and cannabis. Half have increased their cannabis usage (50 per cent) and alcohol consumption (44 per cent).•Screen time. Almost three-quarters have increased their social media usage (72 per cent) and two-thirds have increased their television consumption (67 per cent).
• Pornography. More than one in three (40 per cent) have increased their pornography consumption.
• Gambling. More than half (53 per cent) have increased their gambling.
• Overeating. Almost three-quarters (70 per cent) have increased their excess consumption of food.
• Prescription medication.
One in four (25 per cent) respondents reported an increase in the use of prescription medicine since the start of the pandemic, particularly in younger Canadians.
Source: Field Trip Health Ltd.
Baseline pupil size
Those with larger pupils demonstrated higher intelligence, as measured by tests of reasoning, attention and memory according to a study from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Source: scientificamerican.com
Spotlight on…
Canadian Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (CNETS)
Called the “secret cancer,” neuroendocrine cancer’s symptoms (diarrhea, fatigue and skin rashes) mimic many other illnesses, so it is challenging to identify. CNETS’ goal is to educate and increase awareness so professionals can identify and catch tumours earlier leading to greater survivability for patients.
Often misdiagnosed, NET patients often suffer through the progression of the disease for five to ten years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
An advocate for all NET cancer patients, CNETS provides online and in-person support, as well as patient and caregiver education. While funding is limited, it also hopes to support more research to encourage more timely diagnostics and treatment. CNETS is the only Canadian charitable organization supporting the neuroendocrine cancer patient community.
cnets.ca
