This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. Content source for this article was provided by the American Heart Association. Managing blood pressure is just one of seven steps you can take to make a difference in your health. The other steps include: control cholesterol, reduce blood sugar, stop smoking, lose weight, get active and eat better. Click HERE to be linked to the original article.
High blood pressure is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. When your blood pressure stays within healthy ranges, you reduce the strain on your heart, arteries, and kidneys which keeps you healthier longer.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, means the blood running through your arteries flows with too much force and puts pressure on your arteries, stretching them past their healthy limit and causing microscopic tears. Our body then kicks into injury-healing mode to repair these tears with scar tissue. But unfortunately, the scar tissue traps plaque and white blood cells which can form into blockages, blood clots, and hardened, weakened arteries.
By keeping your blood pressure in the healthy range, you are:
1. Reducing your risk of overstretched or injured blood vessel walls
2. Reducing your risk of blockages which also protects your heart and brain
3. Protecting your entire body so that your tissue receives regular supplies of blood that is rich in the oxygen it needs.
What is the Cost of High Blood Pressure?
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you. It’s sometimes called “the silent killer” because it has no symptoms. Approximately 90% of all Americans will develop hypertension over their lifetime and one in three adults has high blood pressure, yet, many people don’t even know they have it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure kills people and wreaks havoc on many lives by causing heart disease and stroke.
Blockages and blood clots mean less blood can get to our vital organs, and without blood, the tissue dies. That’s why high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and even heart failure.
What Can I Do to Reduce My Blood Pressure?
Good news! High blood pressure is manageable. Whether your blood pressure is high or normal (normal is less than 120 mm Hg systolic AND less than 80 mm Hg diastolic or
In addition, these changes may reduce your blood pressure without the use of prescription medications:
• eating a heart-healthy diet, which includes reducing sodium;
• enjoying regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight;
• managing stress; limiting alcohol; avoiding tobacco smoke.
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. Content source for this article was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Click HERE to be linked to the original article.
Studies have shown that these five steps will help you quit and quit for good. You have the best chances of quitting if you use them together.
1. Get Ready
• Set a quit date.
• Change your environment.
• Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
• Don’t let people smoke in your home.
• Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.
• Once you quit, don’t smoke—NOT EVEN A PUFF!
2. Get Support and Encouragement
Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. You can get support in many ways:
• Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you are going to quit and want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out where you can see them.
• Talk to your health care provider (e.g., doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking cessation coach or counselor).
• Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. Counseling doubles your chances of success.
• The more help you have, the better your chances are of quitting. Free programs are available at local hospitals and health centers. Call your local health department for information about programs in your area.
• Telephone counseling is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors
• Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.
• When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.
• Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.
• Plan something enjoyable to do every day.
• Drink a lot of water and other fluids.
4. Get Medication and Use It CorrectlyMedications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved seven medications to help you quit smoking:
o Bupropion SR—Available by prescription.
o Nicotine gum—Available over-the-counter.
o Nicotine inhaler—Available by prescription.
o Nicotine nasal spray—Available by prescription.
o Nicotine patch—Available by prescription and over-the-counter.
o Nicotine lozenge—Available over-the-counter.
o Varenicline tartrate—Available by prescription.
• Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package.
• All of these medications will at least double your chances of quitting and quitting for good.
• Nearly everyone who is trying to quit can benefit from using a medication. However, if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, nursing, younger than 18 years of age, smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or other health care provider before taking medications.
• For information on FDA-approved medications, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. To find out more about prescriptions, contact your health care provider.
5. Be Prepared for Relapse or Difficult Situations
Most relapses occur within the first 3 months after quitting. Don’t be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. The following are some difficult situations you may encounter:
• Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.
• Other smokers: Being around smoking can make you want to smoke.
• Weight gain: Many smokers will gain some weight when they quit, usually less than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don’t let weight gain distract you from your main goal—quitting smoking. Some quit-smoking medications may help delay weight gain.
• Bad mood or depression: There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking. Some smoking cessation medications also lessen depression.
If you are having problems with any of these situations, talk to your doctor or other health care provider.
For more information on quitting, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.smokefree.gov
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. Content source for this article was provided by the Acupuncture Massage College. Click HERE to be linked to the original article.
Oriental medicine is a holistic approach, which is based on the treatment of all bodily systems. Acupuncture benefits the improvement of physical health conditions as well as affective disorders and instills a feeling of increased mental clarity.
Acupuncture works directly with the body’s energy or qi, as acupuncture practitioners believe that all illnesses are a result of the natural flow of energy through the body becoming stuck, depleted or weakened and thus making the individual susceptible to illness. Acupuncture benefits the rebalance of qi through treatment of specific acupoints related to symptoms or illness present. Treatment is effective in removing these energy obstructions.
Through clinical trials, acupuncture has been proven effective in treating various medical conditions and its use has been expanded into conventional medicine practices.
Although best known for the control of pain, acupuncture benefits a wide variety of disorders. Respiratory disorders such as sinusitis, common cold, bronchitis and asthma can be effectively treated with acupuncture.
Conjunctivitis, (pink eye), nearsightedness and cataracts are a few of the eye disorders acupuncture benefits. Toothache can be reduced through acupuncture. Neurological and musculoskeletal disorders including paralysis following stroke, frozen shoulder or Tennis elbow, sciatica and osteoarthritis are also treatable with acupuncture.
With certain health conditions, acupuncture can be effective enough to reduce or eliminate the need to take drugs to control pain or symptoms. Additional benefits of acupuncture are faster recovery from injuries, decreased symptoms of stress and improved circulation.
Acupuncture benefits the strengthening of the immune system function, which through treatment is better able to withstand colds, minor infections, and flu.
Post-surgical nausea and vomiting can also be reduced through acupuncture. Many post-surgical patients find that acupuncture treatment is effective in increasing energy, and brings a sense of vitality. It also benefits the individual through a sense of restoring a sense of “normal self” after surgery or illness.
Multiple emotional or psychological disorders can be treated by acupuncture, which benefits addictions, phobias, obsessive behavior, eating disorders, and anxiety. Acupuncture can also be beneficial when used alongside conventional medicine treatments for both acute and chronic disease.
Often used as a form of preventative medicine, acupuncture is beneficial in preventing illness from occurring. Many people receive acupuncture without suffering from any particular malady or ailment. Treatment strengthens general constitution, and can correct a feeling of being unwell although there is no physical disorder, imbalance or illness in the traditional Western medicine sense.
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. Content source for this article was provided by WebMD Health News. It was written by Bill Hendrick and reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD. Click HERE to be linked to the original article.
Many Americans may be unaware of the active ingredients and potential side effects of popular over-the-counter pain relievers, according to a new study.
Tylenol contains acetaminophen, Bayer contains aspirin, Advil and Motrin contain ibuprofen, and Aleve contains naproxen sodium. But many people know little about the ingredients in their pain relievers, the study suggests.
This is alarming, says Michael Wolf, PhD, MPH, a study researcher and an associate professor of medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Acetaminophen and the Liver
Acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol, is found in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription medications.
But ignorance about which medications contain acetaminophen may be why acetaminophen overdose has become the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States, according to the study, which was financed by Tylenol’s manufacturer, McNeil Consumer Healthcare.
People Aren’t Aware of Ingredients in Pain Drugs
The researchers say in the study that of the 45 adults in Atlanta and Chicago who were questioned:
31% knew that Tylenol contains acetaminophen.
75% knew Bayer contains aspirin.
47% knew Motrin contains ibuprofen.
19% knew Aleve’s active ingredient is naproxen sodium.
19% knew Advil contains ibuprofen.
Because acetaminophen is sold over the counter, many people consider it safe, not realizing that taking too much of the drug can be dangerous and lead to liver damage.
That’s one reason why researchers say a universal icon for acetaminophen should be developed that would appear on all medicine labels containing the ingredient.
“It’s incredibly alarming,” says Wolf, who has worked as a paid consultant for McNeil Consumer Healthcare. “People may unintentionally misuse these medicines to a point where they cause severe liver damage.”
He says it’s easy “to exceed the safe limit if people don’t realize how much acetaminophen they are taking” and because Tylenol and other products with acetaminophen are sold over the counter, no doctors or pharmacies are monitoring how much people are taking.
Jennifer King, MPH, also of the Feinberg School of Medicine and study co-author, says many people do not realize they may be taking acetaminophen simultaneously in multiple medications.
Many People Don’t Read Labels
Only 41% of people surveyed said they read labels to determine the ingredients they contained.
“When you have pain, you aren’t paying attention to what’s in a medicine, you just want relief,” King says. “People think, ‘If I can buy it without a prescription, it can’t be harmful.’”
But they’re wrong, because exceeding the maximum dose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage, she says.
Also, sometimes it’s hard to read labels, because on some drugs, acetaminophen is called APAP.
“It’s confusing, so even if a person is looking for acetaminophen on the label, she wouldn’t know APAP is the same ingredient in her Tylenol,” King says.
Consumers surveyed also said they would like to see more clear warnings about potential liver damage on packages.
The researchers interviewed 45 people in six focus groups in Chicago and Atlanta to evaluate consumer knowledge and attention to product information on labels. They say 44% of the people, all English speakers, had limited literacy, reading at or below the sixth-grade level. The researchers focused on acetaminophen because overdosing on the drug has surpassed viral hepatitis as the leading cause of acute liver failure and contributes to more than 30,000 hospitalizations a year.
One-half to two-thirds of such overdoses are unintentional, which the study authors say is likely caused by “poor understanding of medication labeling or failure to recognize the consequences of exceeding the recommended maximum daily dosage.”
The study is published in the May 2011 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. Content source for this article was provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Department of Health and Human Services. Click HERE to be linked to the original article.
People often combine foods. For example, chocolate and peanut butter might be considered a tasty combination. But eating chocolate and taking certain drugs might carry risks. In fact, eating chocolate and taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as Nardil (phenelzine) or Parnate (tranylcypromine), could be dangerous.
MAO inhibitors treat depression. Someone who eats an excessive amount of chocolate after taking an MAO inhibitor may experience a sharp rise in blood pressure.
Other foods that should be avoided when taking MAO inhibitors: aged cheese, sausage, bologna, pepperoni, and salami. These foods can also cause elevated blood pressure when taken with these medications.
There are three main types of drug interactions:
Drugs with food and beverages
Drugs with dietary supplements
Drugs with other drugs
“Consumers should learn about the warnings for their medications and talk with their health care professionals about how to lower the risk of interactions,” says Shiew-Mei Huang, Ph.D., deputy director of the Office of Clinical Pharmacology in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
Drugs with Food and Beverages
Consequences of drug interactions with food and beverages may include delayed, decreased, or enhanced absorption of a medication. Food can affect the bioavailability (the degree and rate at which a drug is absorbed into someone’s system), metabolism, and excretion of certain medications.
Examples of drug interactions with food and beverages …
Alcohol: If you are taking any sort of medication, it’s recommended that you avoid alcohol, which can increase or decrease the effect of many drugs.
Grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice is often mentioned as a product that can interact negatively with drugs, but the actual number of drugs the juice can interact with is less well-known. Grapefruit juice shouldn’t be taken with certain blood pressure-lowering drugs or cyclosporine for the prevention of organ transplant rejection. That’s because grapefruit juice can cause higher levels of those medicines in your body, making it more likely that you will have side effects from the medicine. The juice can also interact to cause higher blood levels of the anti-anxiety medicine Buspar (buspirone); the anti-malaria drugs Quinerva or Quinite (quinine); and Halcion (triazolam), a medication used to treat insomnia.
Licorice: This would appear to be a fairly harmless snack food. However, for someone taking Lanoxin (digoxin), some forms of licorice may increase the risk for Lanoxin toxicity. Lanoxin is used to treat congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Licorice may also reduce the effects of blood pressure drugs or diuretic (urine-producing) drugs, including Hydrodiuril (hydrochlorothiazide) and Aldactone (spironolactone).
Chocolate: MAO inhibitors are just one category of drugs that shouldn’t be consumed with excessive amounts of chocolate. The caffeine in chocolate can also interact with stimulant drugs such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), increasing their effect, or by decreasing the effect of sedative-hypnotics such as Ambien (zolpidem).
Drugs with Dietary Supplements
Research has shown that 50 percent or more of American adults use dietary supplements on a regular basis, according to congressional testimony by the Office of Dietary Supplements in the National Institutes of Health.
The law defines dietary supplements in part as products taken by mouth that contain a “dietary ingredient.” Dietary ingredients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs or botanicals, as well as other substances that can be used to supplement the diet.
Examples of drug interactions with dietary supplements …
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): This herb is considered an inducer of liver enzymes, which means it can reduce the concentration of medications in the blood. St. John’s Wort can reduce the blood level of medications such as Lanoxin, the cholesterol-lowering drugs Mevacor and Altocor (lovastatin), and the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil).
Vitamin E: Taking vitamin E with a blood-thinning medication such as Coumadin can increase anti-clotting activity and may cause an increased risk of bleeding.
Ginseng: This herb can interfere with the bleeding effects of Coumadin. In addition, ginseng can enhance the bleeding effects of heparin, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen. Combining ginseng with MAO inhibitors such as Nardil or Parnate may cause headache, trouble sleeping, nervousness, and hyperactivity.
Ginkgo Biloba: High doses of the herb Ginkgo biloba could decrease the effectiveness of anticonvulsant therapy in patients taking the following medications to control seizures: Tegretol, Equetro or Carbatrol (carbamazepine), and Depakote (valproic acid).
Drugs with Other Drugs
Two out of every three patients who visit a doctor leave with at least one prescription for medication, according to a 2007 report on medication safety issued by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Close to 40 percent of the U.S. population receive prescriptions for four or more medications. And the rate of adverse drug reactions increases dramatically after a patient is on four or more medications.
Drug-drug interactions have led to adverse events and withdrawals of drugs from the market, according to an article on drug interactions co-authored by Shiew-Mei Huang, Ph.D., deputy director of FDA’s Office of Clinical Pharmacology. The paper was published in the June 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
However, market withdrawal of a drug is a fairly drastic measure. More often, FDA will issue an alert warning the public and health care providers about risks as the result of drug interactions.
Examples of drug interactions with other drugs …
Cordarone (amiodarone): FDA issued an alert in August 2008, warning patients about taking Cordarone to correct abnormal rhythms of the heart and the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor (Simvastatin). Patients taking Zocor in doses higher than 20 mg while also taking Cordarone run the risk of developing a rare condition of muscle injury called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure or death. “Cordarone also can inhibit or reduce the effect of the blood thinner Coumadin (warfarin),” said Huang. “So if you’re using Cordarone, you may need to reduce the amount of Coumadin you’re taking.”
Lanoxin (digoxin): “Lanoxin has a narrow therapeutic range. So other drugs, such as Norvir (ritonvair), can elevate the level of Lanoxin,” says Huang. “And an increased level of Lanoxin can cause irregular heart rhythms.” Norvir is a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Antihistamines: Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines are drugs that temporarily relieve a runny nose, or reduce sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy watery eyes. If you are taking sedatives, tranquilizers, or a prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression, you should check with a doctor or pharmacist before you start using antihistimines. Some antihistamines can increase the depressant effects (such as sleepiness) of a sedative or tranquilizer. The sedating effect of some antihistamines combined with a sedating antidepressant could strongly affect your concentration level. Operating a car or any other machinery could be particularly dangerous if your ability to focus is impaired. Antihistamines taken in conjunction with blood pressure medication may cause a person’s blood pressure to increase and may also speed up the heart rate.
Tips to Avoid Problems
There are lots of things you can do to take prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications in a safe and responsible manner.
Always read drug labels carefully.
Learn about the warnings for all the drugs you take.
Keep medications in their original containers so that you can easily identify them.
Ask your doctor what you need to avoid when you are prescribed a new medication. Ask about food, beverages, dietary supplements, and other drugs.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking an OTC drug if you are taking any prescription medications.
Use one pharmacy for all of your drug needs.
Keep all of your health care professionals informed about everything that you take.
Keep a record of all prescription drugs, OTC drugs, and dietary supplements (including herbs) that you take. Try to keep this list with you at all times, but especially when you go on any medical appointment.
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. Content source for this article was provided by: MayoClinic.com. Click HERE to be linked to the Mayo Clinic website and the original article.
Your oral health is more important than you may realize. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums may affect your general health.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Did you know that your oral health can offer clues about your overall health? Or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Understand the intimate connection between oral health and overall health and what you can do to protect yourself.
What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?
Your mouth is teeming with bacteria — most of them harmless. Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and cause oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, dental procedures, medications, or treatments that reduce saliva flow, disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth or breach the mouth’s normal protective barriers may make it easier for bacteria to enter your bloodstream.
What conditions may be linked to oral health?
Your oral health may affect, be affected by or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:
Endocarditis. Gum disease and dental procedures that cut your gums may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If you have a weak immune system or a damaged heart valve, this can cause infection in other parts of the body — such as an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).
Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria, possibly due to chronic inflammation from periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease.
Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. In addition, people who have inadequate blood sugar control may develop more-frequent and severe infections of the gums and the bone that holds teeth in place, and they may lose more teeth than do people who have good blood sugar control.
HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — may be associated with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
Alzheimer’s disease. Tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
Other conditions. Other conditions that may be linked to oral health include Sjogren’s syndrome — an immune system disorder — and eating disorders.
Be sure to tell your dentist if you’re taking any medications or have had any changes in your overall health — especially if you’ve had any recent illnesses or you have a chronic condition.
How can I protect my oral health?
To protect your oral health, resolve to practice good oral hygiene every day. For example:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
Floss daily.
Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
Schedule regular dental checkups.
Also, watch for signs and symptoms of oral disease and contact your dentist as soon as a problem arises. Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. Content source for this article was provided by: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Click HERE for additional information.
Research has shown that strengthening exercises are both safe and effective for women and men of all ages, including those who are not in perfect health. In fact, people with health concerns—including heart disease or arthritis—often benefit the most from an exercise program that includes lifting weights a few times each week.
Strength training, particularly in conjunction with regular aerobic exercise, can also have a profound impact on a person’s mental and emotional health.
Benefits of Strength Training
There are numerous benefits to strength training regularly, particularly as you grow older. It can be very powerful in reducing the signs and symptoms of numerous diseases and chronic conditions, among them:
Scientific research has shown that exercise can slow the physiological aging clock. While aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, or swimming, has many excellent health benefits—it maintains the heart and lungs and increases cardiovascular fitness and endurance—it does not make your muscles strong. Strength training does. Studies have shown that lifting weights two or three times a week increases strength by building muscle mass and bone density.
One 12-month study conducted on postmenopausal women at Tufts University demonstrated 1% gains in hip and spine bone density, 75% increases in strength and 13% increases in dynamic balance with just two days per week of progressive strength training. The control group had losses in bone, strength, and balance. Strength training programs can also have a profound effect on reducing risk for falls, which translates to fewer fractures.
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. It appeared on www.WebMD and was reviewed by Jonathan L Gelfand, MD on February 20, 2010. WebMD has created an organization that fulfills the promise of health information on the Internet. It provides credible information, supportive communities, and in-depth reference material about health subjects that matter to its users. It is a source for original and timely health information as well as material from well-known content providers. The article source can be found HERE.
Sun-sensitizing drugs are drugs that have side effects when people taking them are exposed to the sun. Some reactions are caused by exposure to the sun’s UVB or “short” waves, but most are caused by UVA or “long” wave exposure.
There are two main types of sun-sensitizing drug reactions. They are:
1. Photoallergy. In this case, problems occur when skin is exposed to the sun after certain medicines are applied to the skin’s surface. The ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun causes a structural change in the drug. This, in turn, causes the production of antibodies that are responsible for the sun-sensitivity reaction. The reaction usually includes an eczema-type rash, which often occurs a few days after exposure. The rash can also spread to parts of the body that were not exposed to the sun.
2. Phototoxicity. This is the most common type of sun-sensitivity drug reaction. It can occur when skin is exposed to the sun after certain medications are injected, taken orally, or applied to the skin. The drug absorbs the UV light, then releases it into the skin, causing cell death. Within a few days, symptoms appear on the exposed areas of the body. In some people, symptoms can persist up to 20 years after the medication is stopped. Among the most common phototoxic drugs are the tetracycline family, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen), and Cordarone (a heart medication).
It’s important to note that not every person who uses these drugs has a reaction. If it does happen, it can be a one-time occurrence, or it can happen each time the drug is taken and sun exposure occurs. People with HIV are among the most likely group to experience sun sensitivity to drugs.
Sun-sensitizing drugs can aggravate existing skin conditions, including eczema and herpes, and may inflame scar tissue. Sun exposure can also worsen or even precipitate autoimmune disorders, such as lupus.
Can sunscreen help? Absolutely. It will lessen the impact of sun exposure. But some ingredients in sunscreens are potentially photosensitizing, so in rare circumstances, it could worsen symptoms.
There are dozens of medications and over-the-counter drugs that can cause sun sensitivity. Some of the most common include:
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. It was written by Dr. Larry Smith who sees his mission today as one of living and promoting the tremendous benefits of chiropractic, health and fitness for the whole family. He uses his diversified life experiences to help his patients reach their maximum healing potential. He actively speaks in the community about health, healing and fitness and strongly encourages every person to take charge and responsibility for his or her own health. Article Source can be found HERE.
Many seniors are unaware of the outstanding benefits that are possible through regular chiropractic care. I have compiled a list of seven of the most frequent benefits that chiropractic care provides for seniors.
1. Pain Relief
Chiropractic care is one of the most effective and safest forms of health care to treat pain due to spinal related conditions. Chiropractic is so effective because most causes of spinal disorders are related to abnormalities of the spine and the surrounding soft tissue structures. Doctors of chiropractic are specifically trained to identify and treat subluxations (misalignments of the vertebrae) and their subsequent effect on the central nervous system. Anti inflammatory medication and pain relievers merely mask the symptoms and have many undesirable side effects.
2. Increased Range of Motion of the Spine and Extremities
Chiropractic care has been shown repeatedly to increase not only the range of motion of the spine but also in the extremities. Increasing a person’s range of motion can positively and drastically affect lives in many ways. For some, an increased range of motion means being able to bend down to pick up their grandchildren. For others, it means they can garden without pain or get an extra 40 yards of distance out of their driver on the golf course. In many cases, an increase in range of motion immediately follows chiropractic adjustments. This is one of the reasons why many top professional sporting teams have team chiropractors.
3. Increased Balance and Coordination
Many problems in balance and coordination in the aging population have been shown to come from injury or degenerative changes to the cervical spine (neck region). Structures known as mechanoreceptors are located in the posterior (back) joints of the cervical spine and are responsible for providing the brain with essential information important for balance and coordination.
Mechanoreceptors in cervical posterior joints provide major input regarding the position of the head in relation to the body. With aging, mild defects impair mechanoreceptors function and results in a loss of proprioception (sense of body awareness). With decreased proprioception, body positioning in space is impaired and the patient becomes reliant on vision to know the location of a limb. To compensate for the loss of proprioception (sense of body awareness) in the legs, the feet are kept wider apart than usual. Steps become irregular and uneven in length. As impairment increases, the patient becomes unable to compensate. With severe loss of proprioception, the patient is unable to get up from a chair or rise after a fall without assistance.
Studies have shown that chiropractic care can help restore balance and coordination by stimulating the joint receptors (mechanoreceptors) in the cervical spine. This stimulation is thought to restore or normalize joint receptor functioning which leads to improvements in balance and coordination. (Caranasos, MD, Isreal, MD. Gait Disorders in the Elderly. Hospital Practice. 1991; June 15:67-94.Guyton, MD. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 9th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia 1996; 714.)
4. Decreased Joint Degeneration
A subluxated (misaligned) spine is much like a misaligned wheel on an automobile. This misalignment will cause the spine (and the wheel) to wear out prematurely. Since all moving parts will eventually wear down over time, it is very important to get your spine aligned periodically. Chiropractic care decreases spinal degeneration and other arthritic changes by normalizing the spinal alignment and reducing spinal stress.
5. Increased Health and Well-Being
We commonly ask our patients what changes they notice once they are put of pain. Here are some regular responses we hear every day:
I feel great!
I can sleep through the night!
Now I can play in the garden!
I have so much energy!
Life is worth living now!
Yes, chiropractic is far more than mere pain relief. Feeling good, staying healthy and doing the things that make us happy are what keeps us looking forward to each new day. Regular chiropractic care increase the quality of life and increase health and well being.
6. Decreased Incidence of Falling
Injuries due to falling are extremely common in the elderly population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are responsible for 90% of the 850,000 bone fractures which occur annually among Americans past the age of 65. Chiropractors reduce the risk of falls by normalizing the mechanoreceptors of the cervical spine by administering chiropractic adjustments. They also prescribe stretching and exercise programs to increase strength, flexibility, mobility, balance and coordination.
7. Keeps Seniors Out of Nursing Homes
While studying at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, I had the opportunity of meeting the president Dr. Ian Coulter. Dr. Coulter was involved with many research projects studying the benefits of chiropractic care and exercise.
In 1996, he published an interesting study in the Journal, “Topics of Clinical Chiropractic” called “Chiropractic care for the Elderly.” The key points he noted in this study were:
• 44% of those who used chiropractic care reported having arthritis compared with 66% in the non-chiropractic care group
• those who used chiropractic care were more likely to do strenuous levels of exercise
• at three years follow-up, less than 5% of those who used chiropractic care lived in a nursing home while a staggering 48% of those who did not use chiropractic care did live in a nursing home
• at three years follow-up, only 26% of those who used chiropractic care were hospitalized compared with 48% of those in the non-chiropractic group
There is no need for seniors to suffer needlessly. Chiropractic provides amazing benefits and has an outstanding record of safety and effectiveness. Ask your family and friends for a chiropractor that they recommend. Take action now and make an appointment to see if chiropractic can help you!
This article is provided by the National Consumer Alliance as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing educational information. It was written by Samuel A. Mielcarski, DPT, and originally posted on July 14, 2009 at www.advanceweb.com. Mr. Mielcarski is an expert in the field of rehabilitation with over 13 years of clinical experience. He is currently licensed as a physical therapist in Georgia and Florida and practices physical therapy in the Atlanta GA, region. He can be reached via his website at www.DrSamPT.com.
Seniors often report feeling frustrated when unable to function as well as they used to. A common complaint is that daily tasks seem to take much longer due to a decline in mental and physical faculties. As such, it’s not uncommon for seniors to experience depression. If this condition is treated with anti-depressant medications, it can often compound problems due to the neurotoxic side effects of these drugs. However, meditation, instead of medication, might provide a better solution.
There have been several hundred studies completed that show the wide variety of health benefits meditation can have on one’s physiological, psychological and sociological well-being. Long-term meditation practice is associated with altered resting electroencephalogram patterns, suggestive of long lasting changes in brain activity. Meditation practice has also been shown to produce changes in the brain’s physical structure. Magnetic resonance imaging has shown that brain regions associated with attention, interoception and sensory processing (including the prefrontal cortex and right anterior insula) were thicker in meditation participants than in matched controls. Between-group differences in prefrontal cortical thickness were most pronounced in older participants, which suggests that meditation might offset age-related cortical thinning.
Some of the proven health benefits of meditation:
* Improved mental and physical health: decreased levels of stress and tension, decline in hospitalization as well as need for out-patient medical care, decreased rates of disease, decreased overall health care costs, reduced use of alcohol and other drugs, improved cardiovascular health, reduced complaints of physical ailments, enhanced energy, strength and overall feelings of well-being, improved vegetative functioning, improved quality of sleep, decreased pain levels, looking and feeling younger and increased longevity.
* Improved cognitive functioning: improved intelligence, better creativity, enhanced learning ability, improved memory, improved reaction time, higher levels of moral reasoning, improved academic achievement, greater orderliness of brain functioning and improvements in self-actualization.
* Improved social behavior: improved self-confidence, decreased anxiety, improved family life, improved relationships at home and at work, better social tolerance, improved job performance and increased job satisfaction.
So, what exactly is Meditation?
The word meditation is derived from two Latin words: meditari (to think, to dwell upon, to exercise the mind) and mederi (to heal). Its Sanskrit derivation ‘medha’ means wisdom. In a sense, meditation means “a cessation of the thought process”-a state of consciousness where the mind is free of scattered thoughts and various patterns. The observer (one who is doing meditation) realizes that all the activity of the mind is reduced to one.
A simpler view of meditation is one of increased awareness. Therefore, whatever is done with awareness is by definition meditation. This could be breathing, watching the ocean, exercising, listening to music, etc. So, in essence, meditation encompasses more than just some technique, but rather is a way of life. So, the “practice” of meditation may be viewed as the practice of living and being with increased awareness.
What meditation is NOT:
Meditation is not contemplation, as this involves thinking about something, which engages the mind actively in reflecting on a certain idea or topic. However, meditation is really about going beyond thought. Meditation is not a religion. Although prayer would be considered a form of meditation, to practice meditation one doesn’t need to belong to a certain faith or hold certain religious beliefs. Meditation is not hypnosis. In hypnosis, a suggestion is made to the mind, and there is an attempt to program, manipulate or control the content of the mind. However in meditation, one simply observes the mind and lets it become quiet and calm, thus exploring and experiencing deeper levels of being.
Why does meditation work?
Simply put meditation = stress reduction = health production. When the body is allowed to release stress and relax, it can then operate better and heal itself. When the body remains in a sympathetic state (stressed state), an unfavorable healing environment is created within the body and healing is delayed or impaired. Conversely, meditation can help to drive a favorable healing response within the body. The important thing to realize is that the healing power is in the body, not the meditation. The meditation just provides a means to unlock the body’s healing potential.
Types of meditation:
There are various types of meditation, often classified as active or passive. Some methods of meditation may require the body to be absolutely still or to be moved with controlled deliberation, while other types allow the body to be moved freely. Examples of some meditations include: mantra meditations, which often involve the conscious repetition of certain sounds that appeal to the mind in order to achieve a meditative state. The word “mantra” literally means “revealed sound” or a combination of sounds that develop spontaneously. Mantras are not the same as religious chants, although they sometimes may sound like one. A popular mantra meditation is making the sound “om” or “ohm”.
Focused meditations involve a steady gaze performed on any one particular object, such as a picture or statue. This type of meditation is often part of yoga practices and helps to unite the mind-body connection. Vipassana or insight meditations use self-observation to enhance the ability to see things as they really are so that one can identify his or her own true nature. This type of meditation allows one to get better in tune with the body, mind and spirit. There are many other forms of meditation as well.
