Long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to physical changes in the brain, learning and memory problems and even depression, according to scientists.

Studies with mice have revealed that pollution exposure can lead to changes in the hippocampus of the brain, which is responsible for learning and memory.  Mice that were exposed to pollution over a 10 month period took longer to learn information from their surroundings and were less likely to remember what they had learned.

The mice also showed higher levels of anxiety and more depressive-like behaviors than mice who had been kept in clean air.

Researchers speculate that this may be due to the fact that air pollution exposure can decrease the number of signal receptors in the brain and lead to reduced cell complexity.

The researchers expressed concern over what these findings could mean for humans.

“The results suggest prolonged exposure to polluted air can have visible, negative effects on the brain, which can lead to a variety of health problems,” said Laura Fonken, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in neuroscience at Ohio State University.

“This could have important and troubling implications for people who live and work in polluted urban areas around the world.”

Previous research has indicated that air pollution exposure similar in concentration to that found in urban areas causes widespread inflammation in the body and can be linked to high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

The inflammation can even be observed in certain areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, which is particularly susceptible to damage.

The study was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

People with metabolic syndrome are at a significantly increased risk of developing kidney disease, according to a new study.

In a review of 11 studies involving 30,416 people, Cleveland researchers found that people with metabolic syndrome have a 55 percent increased risk of developing kidney problems indicative of kidney disease.

“Primary care physicians may need to consider using metabolic syndrome as a marker to identify patients at higher risk of developing kidney disease,” said Sankar Navaneethan, MD, study researcher.

Metabolic syndrome is made up of a group of medical disorders, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat in the waist or abdomen, low good cholesterol and higher levels of fatty acids.

A person is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome when they exhibit three or more of the above characteristics.

The risk of a person developing kidney disease increases with each symptom of metabolic syndrome that a person has. Metabolic syndrome also increases the risk of other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and premature death.

Metabolic syndrome can be prevented or managed through eating a healthy diet, exercising and losing weight.

The study was published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

It used to be called impotence. But thanks to the proliferation of drug industry advertisements that now threaten to overwhelm our television programs, today we know it as erectile dysfunction, or, more discreetly, simply as E.D. Whatever you want to call it, though, it’s the man’s inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient to satisfy him or his partner during intercourse.

When it occurs in young men, it’s usually just a matter of momentary anxiety. In middle-aged men, it’s often caused by stress, guilt, or overwork. In fact, most men experience it at some point in their lives by age forty, though usually only briefly, and they are not psychologically affected by it.

But it gets more common with age, and for some men – as many as 30 million of them according to the drug companies – it occurs frequently and causes serious emotional and relationship problems.

In many cases, E.D. is due to the deterioration of the blood vessels that carry blood into the penis. A host of things can cause this deterioration, including nicotine, which narrows the blood vessels, excessive alcohol, and certain prescription drugs, notably antidepressants. Some physical problems can contribute to the deterioration, too, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

If you have difficulty getting an erection, get help. Discuss it with your partner, and consult your doctor, who will help you find the cause of your E.D. Treatment will, of course, depend on the cause. Though there are a number of mechanical devices that can help men get a better erection, including splints, rings, and pumps, it’s the E.D. drugs that have revolutionized the treatment of this problem. They work well for most men, and if one drug doesn’t work for you, try one of the others – but always work with a doctor’s guidance since the drugs can have significant side effects.

As a doctor, I get a lot of health questions both in my practice and in my email inbox. Today, I found one that I felt was particularly compelling that I’d like to share with you all:

Hi, Dr. Manny, can you please tell me some natural remedies for stress? – Shideh

The thing is, in today’s day and age, with America undergoing so many difficult times due to high unemployment rates, terroristic threats and a shifting moral compass, more and more people are suffering from negative stress. Negative stress takes a toll on our daily lives and our health and can lead to high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, anxiety and depression, among other problems, so I feel this question is very appropriate.

Rest assured, there are many things you can do before you run out to get a pill. Here’s a list of some of the most effective natural stress reducers.

Passionflower

While passionflower has long been considered a “folk remedy” for anxiety and insomnia, a few studies have shown that the herb may actually be comparable in effectiveness to benzodiazepine drugs, which are used to treat stress. Though not proven, it is believed that passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This lowers the activity of some brain cells, making you feel more relaxed.

Passionflower is available in a variety of forms, including infusions, teas, liquid extracts and tinctures. It is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or nursing. Consult your doctor before adding it to your diet, especially if you are taking other medications.

Massage

This is kind of a no-brainer, right? Everybody loves a massage. But did you know that it’s been used as a stress reliever for thousands of years? Historically, the Chinese used massage to open blocked energy channels in order to improve health and Hippocrates, the “father of western medicine,” used friction for physical healing treatments. Today, we use massage to relax tense muscles, reduce pain and improve circulation, which can all do wonders for the mind.

Meditation

Meditation, or mindfulness, only takes 15-30 minutes a day, which is doable even in a packed schedule. It’s also incredibly affordable, considering the only tool you need is your own mind. Just give yourself some silent time to let your thoughts run free or just focus on your breathing. That small amount of peace in your day can help you deal with or even release stress.

Exercise

Whether it’s yoga, tai chi or running, exercise works much in the same way as meditation because it gives you time to be alone with your thoughts (or an opportunity to let them go). However, exercise also has the added benefit of releasing endorphins into the brain, which improves your mood. It also prevents obesity and other health problems, giving you less to be stressed about.

Organize your life

Organization offers a sense of control and peace of mind, and there’s a number of ways you can improve in this regard. If you’re the kind of person who’s always running around, it can help to make lists to help yourself remember everything. If you’re the kind of person who feels edgy in their own house, tidy up. Studies have shown the mere sight of clutter can put us on edge.

Eat Healthy

It’s actually been proven that junk food can make us depressed (not to mention fat) so clean up your diet. Healthy foods like whole grains and protein can improve your mood and give you long-lasting energy to tackle everything that comes your way during the day. Foods that are especially effective for stress-busting include blueberries, salmon and almonds, according to scientists.

Also, put down that extra cup of coffee. While studies have shown that some coffee during the day can offer health benefits, too much caffeine will make you jittery and anxious, and eventually lead to a crash.

Limit internet and cell phone use

Disconnect, disconnect, disconnect. Part of the problem with reducing stress in today’s world is that we are never truly able to shield ourselves from it. By turning away from the internet and shutting off our cell phones, we can at least block some of the channels from which stress can reach us. Doing this also allows us to live in the moment and appreciate it.

It is particularly important to cut off electronic use before sleep, which can cut down on insomnia-related problems.

B Vitamins

B vitamins are known to promote proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, as well as help induce relaxation and fight fatigue. In fact, indicators of B deficiency include irritability, depression and apathy, so to stave off those symptoms, increase your intake of foods rich in B vitamins. B vitamins are typically found in the germ and bran of cereal grains, as well as beans, peas, nuts, liver, eggs and dairy products.

Aromatherapy

In some cases, inhaling certain scents has been shown to have immediate stress relief effects by raising mood, reducing anxiety and aiding focus and concentration. Experts say it’s because the smells can stimulate the limbic system, which in turn releases chemicals that affect the brain, promoting feelings of relaxation, calmness, love and excitement. Popular oils for stress relief and mental fatigue include lavender, cypress and rosemary.

Sleep

Sleep is the most important natural stress reducer of them all. Too little sleep leaves us cranky, irritable and on edge. Too much sleep can leave us sluggish and depressed. Try to find the right balance that allows you to feel well-rested and ready for the day. Promote better sleep by establishing bedtime rituals that signal to your brain that it’s time to fall asleep, avoid exercise in the three hours before sleep or take a warm bath. Certain foods can also promote sleep, such as carbohydrates, bananas, peanuts, figs and dairy. These contain tryptophans, a precursor for creating melatonin. However, avoid having a large meal close to bedtime, because it may result in indigestion, reflux or heartburn.

Feel free to send me any of your health-related questions at askdrmanny@gmail.com.

Thanks to television programs and movies, college tends to evoke images of partying, poor diets, substance abuse and last-minute cramming for exams – in other words, not the healthiest environment.

However, a new study suggests that going to college may actually be good for you, and not just in terms of knowledge and learning.

Forget the freshman 15 for a moment.  Forget the irregular sleep schedules.

Researchers say that young adults who go to college – particularly women – have lower blood pressure than those who do not, the BBC News reported.

The results of a study conducted by Professor Eric Loucks at Brown University showed that, on average, women with low education (12 years or less) had a blood pressure 3.26 mmHg higher than those with a high level of education (17 years or more).  For men, education discrepancies indicated a 2.26 mmHg difference in blood pressure.

Hypertension, of course, is linked with increased risks of heart attack and kidney failure.

Researchers speculated that the results could possibly be due to better opportunities that college graduates have over high school graduates.

“Low educational attainment has been demonstrated to predispose individuals to high strain jobs, characterised by high levels of demand and low levels of control, which have been associated with elevated blood pressure,” Loucks wrote.

The study was published in BMC Health.

Click here to read more from BBC News.

Death rates are falling among people with high blood pressure – but are still much higher than those without, according to researchers.

Results from two national health surveys show that death rates have fallen from 18.8 deaths for every 1000 people to 14.3 among those suffering from hypertension.  This is still 57 percent higher than those who do not have high blood pressure, who boast a considerably lower 9.1 mortality rate.

Men who have high blood pressure were more likely to die than women (7.7 death rate compared to 1.9), though their death rate fell more sharply over the time periods studied.  Women, however, were more likely to suffer from additional complications related to high blood pressure.

“Compared with hypertensive men, women gained more weight, were more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and were less likely to quit smoking,” said Earl Ford, M.D., M.P.H., study author and medical officer with the U.S. Public Health Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a press release.

Ford recommends that hypertension patients focus on lowering their blood pressure, as well as stop smoking, control their weight as best they can, have their lipid levels measured (and if needed, be treated), and get tested for diabetes.

The study was published in the journal Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.