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Brexit has thrown the United Kingdom into political and economic uncertainty, but it might have actually triggered a psychotic break in one man, a new report suggests. The 2016 Brexit referendum started the process of the U.K. leaving the European Union. Three weeks after the referendum, a middle-aged man was taken by paramedics to the hospital in an acute psychotic state. He was confused, agitated and had disordered thoughts and speech. He was hearing voices and was delusional and paranoid, believing people were spying on him and planning to kill him, and radio/TV discussions were targeting him. Since the referendum, his wife said, the man had found it difficult to cope with the politics around him and became increasingly worried and had difficulty sleeping. Although he took drugs to deal with his anxiety and agitation, he got worse. After two weeks in the hospital, he was sent home on tranquilizers and antipsychotic drugs. He made a full recovery and has had no further episodes as of his last checkup in June. There was no history of mental illness in his family. But before the referendum, he had experienced work and family pressures, the report noted. It was published Oct. 1 in the journal BMJ Case Reports. And the man had experienced a psychotic episode 13 years earlier, following work stress. That episode had been much… read on >

Chronic migraine headaches plagued Adam Pressley from childhood, and by his 30s they had become a near-daily occurrence. Pressley, 31, had tried everything to stop them: blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, seizure medications, and even quarterly injections of Botox. Then his doctor suggested something surprising, saying plastic surgery could potentially relieve nerve pressure that was contributing to the headaches. “I kind of thought it was crazy, a plastic surgery procedure that could help people with their migraines,” said Pressley, who lives in Clarksville, Tenn. “I was both skeptical and happy at the same time.” The use of nerve-releasing plastic surgery to treat migraine has been around for a couple of decades, and the procedure is becoming more common and more effective, said Dr. Salam Kassis, a plastic surgeon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. Clinical research now indicates that about half of the people who undergo surgery to release entrapped nerves will experience complete relief from migraines, and another 40% will have fewer and less severe headaches, he said. “Over the last 20 years, our percentages have improved dramatically. The success rate is even better than it was a decade ago,” Kassis said. Not all headache experts are sold on the procedure, however. “Certainly, there are some cases where this might be helpful, but it’s not something I generally recommend in my practice,” said… read on >

Scientists are learning more about why keeping off lost weight is so hard — and a pair of studies suggest it’s more than a question of sheer willpower. A Dartmouth University study published in Cognitive Neuroscience used brain imaging tests to show that some people have an imbalance between the executive control and reward systems of the brain. This disconnect means you may not have enough natural control over the impulse to reach for food when you’re stressed or even when you’re happy. It also seems more likely to be the case in people who are chronic dieters. The other study was done by the University of Michigan and the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and published in the journal Obesity. It found that the body’s internal protection against starvation encourages eating specifically so that you’ll regain any lost weight — and at a rate of 100 calories a day for every kilogram or 2.2 pounds dropped. Since that’s much more than the average person would naturally burn off, the end result is weight gain. This doesn’t mean your weight loss efforts are doomed, but you will need to make a strong effort to overcome these forces. It will likely take a combination of healthy lifestyle habits and a commitment to practicing mindfulness to squash the emotional urges to eat.… read on >

Feel bad about feeling bad? Don’t. Studies done at the University of California, Berkeley, have found that acknowledging a blue mood — and not berating yourself for it — can help you work through it more easily. It turns out that accepting negative emotions is better for your long-term mental health than constantly passing judgment on yourself, which can cause your feelings of negativity to snowball. Putting pressure on yourself to feel upbeat can make you feel even more downbeat, according to the research. It turns out that the people who let feelings like sadness, disappointment and even resentment run their course had fewer mood disorder symptoms than people who judged themselves for having them or who tried to bury them. Accepting negative emotions seems to help you better cope with your stressors. There’s one important caveat, however. While it helps to acknowledge the normalness of negative emotions and not think you can — or need — to feel happy 24/7, it’s also important not to ignore a persistent and deep blue mood, and other signs that could signal depression. Symptoms of depression include a loss of interest in things that you used to enjoy, and deep feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness that last for three or more months. Unlike a blue mood, depression needs treatment, such as counseling, medication or both. Other Key Signs… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Backpacks are a practical way for people to carry books and other supplies. They are designed to distribute the weight of these items among the body’s muscles, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. But when used incorrectly, backpacks can harm muscles and joints. To prevent injury when using a backpack, the academy suggests: Always use both shoulder straps. Tighten the straps to keep the load closer to the back. Organize items so that heavy things are low and toward the bag’s center. Only carry items that are required for the day. Lift properly by bending at the knees when picking up a backpack. Consider using a crossbody bag as an alternative.

(HealthDay News) — Fitting regular exercise into your daily schedule can improve your health and fitness, and reduce your risk for disease, says MedlinePlus. From yoga to weightlifting, there are many types of exercise to choose from. To make the most of workouts, MedlinePlus suggests: Choose activities that work many different parts of the body. Choose activities that you enjoy. Exercise safely with proper equipment. Listen to your body. Don’t overdo it. Give yourself challenging, but realistic goals.

Most dogs and owners share an unbreakable emotional bond. But can they also share expanding waistlines? Yes, said Danish researchers, who found that Fido is twice as likely to be heavy or obese if his owner is as well. Why? “Based on our findings, it seems that the way owners give their dog treats is related to the owner’s weight,” explained study author Dr. Charlotte Bjornvad, a professor in companion animal internal medicine at the University of Copenhagen. “Trim and overweight owners both give their dogs treats,” she noted. But “there seems to be two ways to use treats.” Some offer treats to reinforce training or coax more activity, explained Bjornvad. But others share treats as a “hang out” indulgence. Danish people have a specific name for it: “hygge.” Roughly translated as “cozy,” the term refers to enjoying mutual relaxation, inactivity and snacking, either alone or with friends and pets. Based on a dog-rearing questionnaire completed by 268 owners in Denmark, the study team concluded that overweight and obese owners are more likely to offer their dogs “hygge treats” than trim owners. (One-fifth of the dogs were either heavy or obese.) It may also be that overweight owners “spend more time relaxing, and therefore they give more treats during relaxation,” added Bjornvad, though her team did not test that theory. But is the “hygge” affect… read on >

A tuberculosis vaccine commonly used in other parts of the world might reduce a person’s risk of developing lung cancer if given early in childhood, a six-decade-long study reports. The Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is the only vaccine approved for preventing tuberculosis (TB) — a potentially fatal infectious disease that typically attacks the lungs. Because TB risk is low in the United States, the vaccine isn’t often given to American children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the new study suggests the vaccine may have some positive side effects. “BCG-vaccinated participants had a significant 2.5-fold lower rate of lung cancer,” said study senior author Dr. Naomi Aronson, director of infectious diseases at Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Md. She said lower lung cancer rates persisted in those who received the vaccine no matter where they lived, and whether they smoked, drank alcohol or had tuberculosis. Aronson said BCG affects the immune system somehow and may provide even more benefit in the lungs. The initial study was conducted in 3,000 American Indian and Alaska Native children in the 1930s. If the findings are confirmed in different groups, Aronson said the use of BCG vaccine in childhood “might be considered for risk reduction for lung cancer over a lifetime.” Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, interim chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, reviewed… read on >

There’s no doubt that eating a lot of sugar isn’t good for your health. What’s more, sugar can trigger a chemical reaction that has you craving more and more. Just think about the last time you ate a cookie — were you able to stop at one? Or three? Or 10? But Harvard researcher David Ludwig says when it comes to carbs, Americans eat more refined grains and potatoes than sugar, and these starchy foods, which also include white bread and white rice, raise blood sugar and insulin levels, increasing the risk of chronic medical conditions while setting the body on the path to weight gain. This isn’t to say that sugary foods are any better for you than starchy ones. Instead, the goal is to cut back on processed carbohydrates in favor of whole ones — fruits, vegetables, legumes and minimally processed grains — and to add in some healthful fats like nuts, avocado and olive oil. Cutting back can be hard, but a study published in the journal Appetite found that replacing even small amounts of carbs — fewer than 10% — with healthy fats at a meal keeps you satisfied for hours longer and keeps blood sugar on a more even keel. Participants ate a rebalanced breakfast, switching from a meal that had 55% calories from carbohydrates, 18% calories from protein and… read on >

You’ve signed up for your first fitness event and you’ve mapped out your training schedule for success. Now add mental preparation to the plan. It’s essential because the very physical training that gets your body into shape for competition can dull your mental motivation and even bore your muscles, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. So, build in some variety. Instead of your usual stretching, take a yoga class once a week. If you weight train with free weights, try resistance bands. If cycling is your typical cardio, try a rowing or cross country ski machine. Next, add mental exercises, starting with visualization. Take a few minutes each day to run through the event in your mind, from picturing yourself full of energy at the starting line to working with focus during the event to sailing through to the finish. Try to see the image in as much detail as possible — your clothes, the air temperature, the balloons at the starting line. Draw on all your senses to experience the moment. This not only motivates you, but also tamps down any nervousness you might have. Be your own booster squad. Use positive words to encourage yourself, and remind yourself of past accomplishments as you resist focusing on any doubts. Think about the fun element of the activity, why you love the sport,… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Did Brexit Vote Drive Man to Psychotic Episode?

‘Nerve-Release’ Surgery Helped Ease One Man’s Tough Migraines

Why Maintaining Weight Loss Demands More Than Willpower

How to Wait Out a Blue Mood

Health Tip: Preventing Backpack Injuries

Health Tip: Making the Most of Workouts

Overweight Dog, Overweight Owner?

Childhood TB Shot May Offer Long-Term Protection from Lung Cancer

How to Rebalance Your Carb Intake

How to Get Ready Mentally for Your First Competition