Category Archives: K. SPECIAL GROUPS

Caffeine and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

One hundred years ago, German physician Alois Alzheimer described “eine eigenartige Erkrankung der Hirnrinde” (a peculiar disease of the cerebral cortex) in Auguste Deter, a 51-year-old woman who had severe memory, language, and behavior problems. His autopsy results revealed a dramatically shrunken brain and unusual abnormalities in and around brain cells (shown here in black).

What’s this got to do with caffeine? Continue reading Caffeine and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease →

Aromatherapy for pain during labor?

Many women want to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management during labor, and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management.

In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia, evaluated the evidence supporting the aromatherapy for pain management in labor. Continue reading Aromatherapy for pain during labor? →

Improving balance and mobility using Feldenkrais exercises

Feldenkrais method (Photo: Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, the developer) is an educational system designed to improve body movement and function. Its goal is to re-educate the nervous system and improve motor ability.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina, in Columbia report their experience in older adults. Continue reading Improving balance and mobility using Feldenkrais exercises →