THE DAILY WARM UP:

ONE JOKE: 

What do you call a chiropractor that loves their job? 👨‍⚕️ 

(Answer at bottom of email) 

ONE FACT: 

Eggplants contain nicotine.  However, it would take 20 lbs of eggplant to have as much nicotine as one cigarette. (Source)

ONE QUOTE:

“I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you.  That every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written.”

–Juansen Dizon

ONE GUESS…NAME THAT DISEASE: 

• Description:  A form of inflammatory viral liver disease that affects 58 million people worldwide. Spread through contact with infected blood, most commonly occurring through sharing needles/syringes or unsafe medical procedures such as unscreened blood transfusions.

• Signs and Symptoms: 40% of affected individuals do not know they are infected.  Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice.

• Diagnosis:  Antibody testing used to determine history of infection; RNA testing used to determine if active disease.  Because most cases are asymptomatic, routine screening is now recommended in the US.

• Prognosis: Can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks, to a serious, life-long (chronic) infection.  Most people develop the chronic form.  This disease is the leading cause of liver transplants and liver cancer.

• Treatment:  Antiviral medications can cure more than 95% of people and side effects are minimal.   

• Prevention: No vaccine available. 

*DISEASE ANSWER: Click here to find out!

HEALTHCARE HEADLINES…flex your knowledge at work:

• More Americans can now get insulin for $35 (CNN). 💉 

• Red Cross announces emergency blood shortage, calls on Americans to donate (ABC News). 🏥 

• F.D.A. issues first approval for mass drug imports to states from Canada (NYT).  Florida is the first state to get permission to import bargain medications from Canada, in an effort that could save the state $150M in the first year alone.  Other states are likely to follow suit. 💊 

• Sleep disruptions in 30s and 40s linked to memory, thinking problems a decade later, study finds (CNN). 🛌 

• Molecular jackhammers eradicate cancer cells by vibronic-driven action (Nature).  Researchers describe a way to destroy cancer cells using vibration from near-infrared light. 🔬 

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POTPOURRI…fun facts and conversation starters:

• Pictures: See the breathtaking geometry of snowflakes up close (Moss and Fog). ❄️ 

• Alabama mom is 1-in-a-million, delivering two babies, from two uteruses, in two days (NPR). 🍼 

• Ever wonder why urine is yellow?  Researchers say they’ve figured it out. (CBS News).  🟡 

• 10 facts about Americans and alcohol as “Dry January” begins (Pew Research).  A surprisingly high 38% of Americans don’t drink alcohol year round. 🍸️ 

• Flight cancellations in the US drip to the lowest rate in a decade last year (CNN).  Just 1.2% of the 16.3 million flights in the United States were canceled last year, down from 2.3% in 2022. 🛫 

FOCUS ON WELLNESS…simple tips with outsized impact for you and your patients:

• 23 fitness tips for the busiest people (The Guardian).  Some of our favorites from this list include: sit on the floor while watching TV, stand on one leg when you brush your teeth, master the sit-to-stand test, anytime neck strengthening, and keeping things in awkward places. 🏃‍♀️ 

• 11 Delicious and Dietitian-Approved Dark Chocolate Bars (Everyday Health). 🍫 

• 7 daily habits to boost your happiness (CNET). 😃 

• Can Mouth Taping Really Help You Sleep Better? (Everyday Health). 😴 

• Debunking the top 10 workout myths (Mayo Clinic). 🏋️ 

THANKS FOR READING!

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**JOKE ANSWER:  A crack addict. 😜