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.
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. The information, below, was taken from Chapter 2 (A Medical Overview) in the book Natural Medicine for Arthritis by Glenn S. Rothfeld M.D. and Suzanne LeVert.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a degenerative condition. It begins with inflammation of the synovial membrane and progresses to the erosion of cartilage. Eventually, the joint cavity is destroyed, the bones rub together and erode, and the joint may be fused.
Arthritis Risk Factor Quiz
Answer yes or no to the following questions:
1. Have you always maintained a healthy weight?
2. Does any form of arthritis run in the family?
3. Have you sustained a traumatic or repetitive strain injury to any of your joints?
4. Have you been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, such as lupus?
5. Do you exercise on a regular basis?
6. Do you eat a varied diet rather than a few of the same foods over and over again?
7. Do you have any allergies or food sensitivities?
8. Are you taking any medications on a regular basis, particulary for high blood pressure?
How did you do? Your answers may indicate that you may well be at risk for developing arthritis or for making a minor condition worse. Let’s see what your answers might mean to the future of your health.
Excess Weight. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a condition that can be triggered or exacerbated by the added stress and strain to the joints caused by carrying too much weight. When someone with osteoarthritis or, in fact, any type of arthritis, is overweight, he or she places an additional burden on joints already made vulnerable by disease. Maintaining a healthy weight, therefore, can help you to both prevent the onset of arthritis and limit the number and intensity of flare-ups if you already suffer from the disease.
Heredity. It has long been observed that arthritis tends to run in families. That is, if your parents, grandparents, or siblings suffer from one type of arthritis, you may have a greater risk of developing the disease than someone without a family history. Indeed, genetics—the study of the principles and mechanics of heredity—may well provide the biggest clue to the mystery of arthritis so far uncovered. Several years ago, scientists discovered that some common arthritic diseases are associated with the presence of certain genetic markers known as human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). Most people with rheumatoid arthritis, for example, carry the genetic marker HLA-DR4, while those with ankylosing spondylitis carry HLA-B27. The presence of these markers may indicate that the affected individual has a greater risk of developing arthritis than someone without the marker.
However, it must be stressed that having a family history of arthritis or even having one of the genetic markers that indicate a predisposition to the disease, does not mean that you are doomed to develop it. In fact, researchers believe that genetics and some other trigger—such as an infection, allergy, injury, exposure to chemicals, or an autoimmune response—must work together in order to stimulate the arthritic process. Avoiding or limiting your exposure to these triggers may well prevent you from developing arthritis, no matter how strong your family history of arthritis is.
Trauma and Injury. Several different types of arthritis appear to be triggered or exacerbated by trauma or injury, either to the joint itself or to the surrounding ligaments, bursae, muscles, and tendons. Worth special mention are repetitive strain injuries, caused by performing the same movement over and over again, such as typing at a computer console or lifting heavy packages on a loading dock. Over time, such injuries may cause constant low-grade inflammatory reactions that end up permanently damaging joints.
Infections. Infectious arthritis occurs as a complication of a disease caused by a virus, bacterium, fungus, or other agent. In most cases, it results in a case of acute arthritis that dissipates once the infection is treated. Among the most common infectious triggers are the sexually transmitted chlamydial disease and gonorrhea, as well as Salmonella and Shigella, two bacteria known to cause gastrointestinal disorders. As far as chronic arthritis goes, the most common infectious trigger is Lyme disease, carried by deer ticks. Protecting yourself from exposure to these infectious agents is one way to help cut down your risk of developing arthritis or avoid flare-ups should you already have the disease.
Exercise. Exercise—perhaps the single most important factor in maintaining the health of our joints, bones, and supporting structures—is often the most neglected aspect of our daily lives. As well as helping the heart, brain, and other internal organs stay healthy and fit, exercise has special advantages as far as the joints are concerned. By moving your joints daily, you’ll keep them fully mobile and supple. Joint movement also helps to transport essential nutrients and waste products to and from your cartilage. Weight-bearing exercises help to strengthen your muscles, providing your joints with extra support, as well as help to reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis, a disease characterized by thinning bones and often associated with arthritis.
Varied Diet. Food allergies and sensitivities may be more common than we realize. By eating a varied diet, rich with vitamins and minerals, you’ll stand a greater chance of providing your body with all the raw ingredients it needs to be healthy. If your diet is deficient in one or more essential nutrients, however, you may be putting your joints at risk for deterioration and pain. In addition, eating too much sugar, drinking too much alcohol, and consuming too much caffeine may also have an impact on the health of your joints and your body in general.
Allergies or Food Sensitivities. The link between allergies, particularly those caused by the foods we eat, and arthritis remains the subject of intense investigation by scientists around the world. Allergies result from an overstimulated immune system, the same body system implicated in the process of arthritis. If you suffer from allergies, then you may be at increased risk of developing arthritis or of provoking flare-ups should you already have the disease. Furthermore, you may be eating foods that, unbeknownst to you, exacerbate your condition. Foods of the nightshade family, such as eggplant and tomatoes, are among those most closely linked to arthritis.
Medications. In rare cases, it appears that some medications may trigger the onset of certain arthritic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and gout. In most cases, the arthritic symptoms disappear once the person stops taking the offending medication. If you take any of the following medications and suffer from symptoms of arthritis, check with your doctor to make sure you are not experiencing a drug reaction:
Isoniazid and ethambutol (used to treat tuberculosis)
Hydralazine (used to treat high blood pressure)
Procainamide (for heart rhythm problems)
Chlorpromazine (used for a variety of problems, including migraine headache and nausea)
Aspirin (if taken on a regular basis, may cause buildup of uric acid, leading to gout)
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. Many thanks to the USAA Educational Foundation for their assistance in developing it.
Some of the changes you experience as you get older can affect your ability to drive safely. The good news is that people who keep track of changes in their eyesight, physical fitness and reflexes may be able to adjust their driving habits so they stay safe on the road.
The following questions will help you decide if physical changes have affected your driving skills. Helpful tips about coping with these changes are also provided so that you can remain a safe driver for as long as possible.
1. How is your eyesight?
Do you have trouble…
• Reading signs easily?
• Recognizing someone you know from across the street?
• Seeing street markings, other cars, and people walking – especially at dawn, dusk and at night?
• Handling headlight glare at night?
If you said “Yes” to any of these questions, you should…
• Make sure you always wear your glasses and that the prescription is current.
• Keep your windshield, mirrors and headlights clean.
• Make sure that your headlights are working and aimed correctly.
• Sit high enough in your seat so you can see the road for at least 10 feet in front of your vehicle.
• If you are 60 or older, see an eye doctor every year.
2. Do you have control of your vehicle?
Loss of strength, coordination and flexibility can make it hard to control your vehicle.
Do you have trouble…
• Looking over your shoulder to change lanes?
• Moving your foot from the gas to the brake pedal?
• Turning the steering wheel?
• Walking less than a block a day?
• Going up or down stairs because you have pain in your knees, legs or ankles?
If you said “Yes” to any of these questions, you should…
• Check with your doctor about physical therapy, medicine, stretching exercises, or a walking or fitness program.
• Know that an automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, and other special equipment can make it easier for you to drive your vehicle and use the foot pedals.
• Reduce your driver’s side blind spot by moving your mirrors.
• Watch for flashing lights of emergency vehicles.
• Listen for sounds outside your vehicle.
3. Does driving make you feel nervous, scared or overwhelmed?
Do you…
• Feel confused by traffic signs, and people and cars in traffic?
• Take medicine that makes you sleepy?
• Get dizzy, or have seizures or losses of consciousness?
• React slowly to normal driving situations?
If you said “Yes” to any of these questions, you should…
• Ask your doctor if your health or side effects from your medicine can affect your driving.
• Take routes that you know.
• Try to drive during the day (avoid rush hour).
• Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you.
• Always scan the road while you are driving so that you are ready for any problems and can plan your actions.
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 adapted from Caring for People with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Manual for Facility Staff (2nd edition), by Lisa P. Gwyther, 2001. Published by the American Health Care Association (1201 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005) and the Alzheimer’s Association (919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60611).
Alzheimer’s disease develops slowly and causes changes in the brain long before there are obvious changes in a person’s memory, thinking, use of words or behavior. Stages and changes the person will go through are outlined below.
Common Changes in Mild AD
• Loses spark or zest for life – does not start anything
• Loses recent memory without a change in appearance or casual conversation.
• Loses judgment about money.
• Has difficulty with new learning and making new memories.
• Has trouble finding words – may substitute or make up words that sound like or mean something like the forgotten word.
• May stop talking to avoid making mistakes.
• Has shorter attention span and less motivation to stay with an activity.
• Easily loses way going to familiar places.
• Resists change or new things.
• Has trouble organizing and thinking logically.
• Asks repetitive questions.
• Withdraws, loses interest, is irritable, not as sensitive to others’ feelings, uncharacteristically angry when tired.
• Won’t make decisions. For example, when asked what she wants to eat, says “I’ll have what she is having.”
• Takes longer to do routine chores and becomes upset if rushed or if something unexpected happens.
• Forgets to pay, pays too much, or forgets how to pay – may hand the checkout person a wallet.
• Forgets to eat, eats only one kind of food, or eats constantly.
• Loses or misplaces things or forgets where things go, such as putting clothes in the dishwasher.
• Constantly checks, searches or hoards things of no value.
Common Changes in Moderate AD
• Changes in behavior, concern for appearance, hygiene, and sleep become more noticeable.
• Mixes up identity of people, such as thinking a son is a brother or that a wife is a stranger.
• Poor judgment creates safety issues when left alone – may wander and risk exposure, poisoning, falls or self-neglect.
• Has trouble recognizing familiar people and own objects; may take things that belong to others.
• Continuously repeats stories, favorite words, statements, or motions like tearing tissues.
• Has restless, repetitive movements in late afternoon or evening, such as pacing, trying doorknobs, fingering draperies.
• Cannot organize thoughts or follow logical explanations.
• Has trouble following written notes or completing tasks.
• Makes up stories to fill in gaps in memory. For example might say, “Mama will come for me when she gets off work.”
• May be able to read but cannot formulate the correct response to a written request.
• May accuse, threaten, curse, fidget or behave inappropriately, such as kicking, hitting, biting, screaming or grabbing.
• May become sloppy or forget manners.
• May see, hear, smell, or taste things that are not there.
• May accuse spouse of an affair or family members of stealing.
• Naps frequently or awakens at night believing it is time to go to work.
• Has more difficulty positioning the body to use the toilet or sit in a chair.
• May think mirror image is following him or television story is happening to her.
• Needs help finding the toilet, using the shower, remembering to drink, and dressing for the weather or occasion.
• Exhibits inappropriate sexual behavior, such as mistaking another individual for a spouse.
Common Changes in Severe AD
• Doesn’t recognize self or close family.
• Speaks in gibberish, is mute, or is difficult to understand.
• May refuse to eat, chokes, or forgets to swallow.
• May repetitively cry out, pat or touch everything.
• Loses control of bowel and bladder.
• Loses weight and skin becomes thin and tears easily.
• May look uncomfortable or cry out when transferred or touched.
• Forgets how to walk or is too unsteady or weak to stand alone.
• May have seizures, frequent infections, falls.
• May groan, scream or mumble loudly.
• Sleeps more.
• Needs total assistance for all activities of daily living.
Article Source: from the Rodale Book – Disease Free At 60 Plus
(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.)
Once it was just a ho-hum over-the-counter ache-and-pain remedy. But in less than a decade, aspirin has been transformed into a superstar drug, touted for its tantalizing promise of preventing heart attacks, fending off recurrent strokes, and possibly deterring digestive cancers. But before you rush to your medicine cabinet, you should realize that researchers still have a lot of questions about this powerful and potentially toxic “wonder” drug.
Can it help some people prevent the three big killers? Probably. Is it for everyone? Nobody knows yet. Most researchers are cautious, but some advocates say that the existing evidence is compelling enough for broad recommendations.
“The real controversy with aspirin has been whether someone who isn’t at high risk for these diseases should take it. In my estimation the medical establishment has been a bit too conservative about aspirin,” says Tim Byers, M.D., professor of preventive medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. “The risks of low doses of aspirin are fairly minimal, and the benefits may be high. I know I’m going to start taking aspirin regularly when I reach age 50. I think it’s a reasonable choice to make for most people who are 50 and above.”
It’s Not Just for Headaches Anymore
Ironically, when it was first developed 100 years ago, aspirin was rarely used because doctors feared that it would weaken the heart. Now many physicians and scientists consider it to be a simple, cheap deterrent to cardiovascular disease.
In the landmark Physicians’ Health Study, for instance, 22,000 healthy male doctors up to age 84 took either a standard 325-milligram aspirin or a placebo every other day. (A placebo is a look-alike tablet that has no medical effects.) After five years, those who had been taking the aspirin instead of the placebo had a 44 percent lower risk of suffering a first heart attack.
When the results of 25 similar studies of people who had previous heart attacks and strokes were pooled together, researchers found that those who took aspirin regularly had a 32 percent lower rate of subsequent nonfatal heart attacks. They also had 27 percent fewer nonfatal strokes and had a 15 percent reduction in death from cardiovascular diseases.
“I think what we know for sure right now is that in healthy people aspirin will prevent a first heart attack,” says Charles Hennekens, M.D., Dr.P.H., professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “If you’ve had a prior heart attack, stroke, or unstable angina?the kind that occurs even when you’re not exerting yourself?we know conclusively that aspirin will prevent a recurrence of all of those events and lower the death rate.”
But whether aspirin reduces the probability of a first stroke is still questionable because researchers simply don’t have enough information yet, Dr. Hennekens says.
Researchers do know that aspirin protects the heart in a couple ways, says W. Steven Pray, R.Ph., Ph.D., professor of nonprescription products at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and a columnist for U.S. Pharmacist magazine. First, the drug prevents blood platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots. Second, it may suppress the secretion of chemicals in the blood that contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries, Dr. Pray says.
If you are having a heart attack, taking a 325-milligram aspirin while you’re waiting for the paramedics to arrive may reduce the severity of the attack and save your life, Dr. Hennekens says.
“The benefits of aspirin are enormous in that situation,” Dr. Hennekens says. “If it’s a heart attack, aspirin will reduce the death rate by 23 percent if it is taken within 24 hours of onset and continued daily for 30 days. That alone could save 10,000 lives in the United States a year.”
Can an Aspirin a Day Keep Cancer Away?
Researchers also are excited about aspirin’s potential to squelch digestive tumors.
In an analysis of 662,000 white men and women, American Cancer Society researchers found that those people who took aspirin 16 or more times a month for a year had 40 percent lower rates of esophageal, stomach, colon, and rectal cancer than those who didn’t use the drug.
Harvard University researchers found a 37 percent reduction of colon cancer risk after 10 years of regular aspirin use among 90,000 nurses up to age 72. The most effective dose appeared to be four to six aspirin tablets a week. A similar Harvard study of 48,000 male health professionals up to age 75 found that men taking two or more aspirin a week had a lower risk of colon cancer by 32 percent.
Other studies have shown that at least in animals and in people with a rare genetic predisposition to polyps, aspirin helps block the formation of precancerous polyps in the colon, says Michael Thun, M.D., director of analytic epidemiology at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta.
How aspirin protects the digestive tract isn’t clear. The drug may inhibit the production of prostaglandins, hormonelike substances that may cause cancer cells to grow more rapidly. Another possibility is that aspirin boosts the body’s immune system so that the body is better able to fight off tumors.
More studies are needed, however, before researchers can endorse aspirin as a preventive measure for digestive cancers, Dr. Thun says.
Making It Work for You
Because researchers do suggest such a wide range of doses varying from 81 milligrams every other day (one chewable tablet) to 325 milligrams daily (one regular aspirin), consult your doctor before you begin taking aspirin routinely, Dr. Hennekens says. Your doctor will help you determine if taking the drug is a worthwhile step for you, and he can recommend a proper dosage.
Here are some other suggestions from medical experts.
Scope out your medicine cabinet. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking aspirin with any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, Dr. Pray says. Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs, for instance, add to the adverse effects of aspirin.
Sit up. After age 60, it often becomes harder to swallow aspirin and other tablets. Stand or sit up when swallowing your aspirin. Take the drug with an 8-ounce glass of water at least an hour before bedtime or lying down, says Jacob Karsh, M.D., a rheumatologist and professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada.
Munch on something. Aspirin is less likely to cause stomach pain, nausea, or other digestive upsets if you take it with food, Dr. Byers says. So have the drug with meals or during a snack.
Protect your stomach. Some aspirins are easier on your digestive tract because they have special coatings that allow them to pass through the stomach and digest in your small intestine, Dr. Byers says. Look for brands that are buffered or enteric-coated.
Go beyond aspirin. As promising as aspirin appears to be in preventing these diseases, it still needs your help, Dr. Hennekens says. Lifestyle changes such as low-fat eating, getting regular exercise, and not smoking can have more impact than any drug on your risk of disease.
Article Source: from the Rodale Book – Symptoms, Their Causes & Cures
(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.)
The windows sparkle, the walls are washed and the back porch is clean. Spring has sprung and your annual cleaning is done. You snuggle under the covers for a much-deserved and long-awaited night of sleep, ready to admire and enjoy the results of your toil and trouble in the light of a new day. But when morning breaks, you ache all over.
Overexertion is one of the more common reasons for total-body achiness. Viral infections, arthritis or other diseases could be responsible, in the absence of excessive activity, doctors say.
Anytime you do something strenuous that you’re not accustomed to doing (spring cleaning, an unusually hard workout, sack-race at the family reunion) you’re bound to be sore the next day. But don’t be surprised if the aches don’t hit until two or three days after the exertion, says Clayton W. Kersting, M.D., a family physician in Newport, Washington. Muscle soreness may take its time in appearing.
That’s especially true if a fall or an accident jars the whole body, according to Anne Simons, M.D., an assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of California in San Francisco and coauthor of Before You Call the Doctor. “And the soreness could grow progressively worse for a couple of days before it gets better,” she says.
Outside of exertion or physical damage, viral infections (from a cold or flu to pneumonia) can make you feel as if you’ve constructed your house the day before, not just cleaned it. Invasion of your body by a virus sets off inflammation as your immune system attempts to fight back, causing the soreness in your muscles, Dr. Kersting explains.
Bites from ticks carrying Lyme disease can cause aching joints all over the body. While the threat from those little buggers has abated somewhat, it still is a problem, Dr. Kersting says. You’ll get a tip-off to Lyme disease because a “bull’s-eye” rash or a reddening of the skin may appear at the site of the bite or anywhere on the body. (A trip to the woods a few weeks before the achiness struck is another clue.)
Several other diseases target the joints and transfer soreness into the muscles to which they’re connected, giving you a total-body achiness. Connective tissue or autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or (in rare cases) lupus might be the culprits, according to David R. Rudy, M.D., a professor of family medicine and chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School. “There are all degrees of severity with these problems,” he says, “and mild forms could be mistaken for something else.”
Rheumatoid arthritis pain typically is worse in the morning after you’ve risen from a night’s worth of stillness, but it improves once you begin to move around for 30 to 60 minutes, Dr. Rudy notes. Wear-and-tear arthritis (called osteoarthritis) is usually worse toward the end of the day.
Symptom Relief
Achiness from overactivity and most infections clear up with time. More stubborn causes require more determined treatment. Here’s how to feel a bit better no matter what is causing the problem.
Go soak yourself. Twenty to 30 minutes of heat three times a day provides soothing, relaxing relief for total-body aches, Dr. Kersting says. Saunas, Jacuzzis, hot showers and long immersions in a tub filled with hot water all make you feel better. Dry heat from an electric blanket or chemical heat from one of those over-the-counter salves also feels good, Dr. Kersting says. (Warning: don’t use an electric blanket or heating pad at the same time you use salves. You could be severely burned.)
Take a load off. If an accident or a viral illness is causing your aches, just take it easy for a couple of days until you feel well enough to resume your regular activities, Dr. Simons says.
Take a tablet. Aspirin or other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen offer temporary reprieves from mild achiness, according to Dr. Simons, but they won’t eliminate it unless the source is an inflammation. For more discomforting aches, your doctor will be able to prescribe more potent drugs. Doctors prescribe antibiotics for Lyme disease and infections, and anti-inflammatories for connective tissue aches.
Move it. For aches related to overexertion or arthritis, mild exercises and stretching will make your body feel better. “Don’t give into the aches,” Dr. Rudy says. Choose exercises, such as swimming or light weight training, that take your muscles and joints through their full ranges of motion without overstretching the joints.
(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.)
Home teeth whitening has become a very popular alternative for people who want to get their radiant smiles back. Since in-office whitening can be quite expensive and time-consuming, more and more people have started to recognize why whitening their teeth at home is more practical than undergoing in-office bleaching sessions. It is also more convenient for those who want to keep up with their busy schedules because it allows them to utilize their extra time for do-it-yourself procedures.
If you think that teeth whitening procedures at home are more attractive than in-office dental bleaching, you should know all the ins and outs about home teeth whitening first. Once you have weighed all the pros and cons between these two methods, you will feel more confident about the method that you chose to use.
If your teeth have started to darken during the past years, you should blame nothing else but your diet and your age. Liquids from the beverages you drink are also absorbed by your teeth, which can affect its color. If you love drinking tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks, you are more susceptible to discolored teeth. Of course smoking can lead to yellowish tobacco stains on teeth.
Even if you do not smoke or drink too much coffee, tea, and the likes, you will also need effective home teeth whitening methods at some point in your life. As you continue aging, your teeth’s enamel will become more transparent and look thinner, which will make your teeth look dark and tarnished.
If you have been experiencing problems with your teeth’s color, you should start considering some effective teeth whitening methods that you can do at home. Home teeth whiteners usually work with the help of peroxide, their active ingredient. Peroxide has the capability to stay on your teeth, form some bubbles on enamel, and lift away all the stains that have clung to your precious set of teeth. Once you apply more peroxide into your teeth during your home teeth whitening rituals, your teeth will also become whiter and cleaner.
If you want to get the best results from at-home whitening, you should remember some important things. Here are some of the most important things you should remember in order to maximize every teeth whitening session you perform at your home.
The first thing you should remember is to brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains natural polishing agents and oxygenating toothpaste before bleaching your teeth. This will allow you to counteract the sensitivity your teeth will feel after bleaching them.
Once you have finished bleaching your teeth, do not forget to gargle by using an oxygenating oral rinse. This will enhance the effect of the peroxide you applied on your teeth. Watch the video, below, for more home teeth whitening tips and advice.
(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.)
Stretching both before and after exercise is key to any fitness program. Stretching prior to exercise warms up your body making it less prone to accidents and injuries. Stretching exercises increase joint and muscle flexibility making for a better workout. During the warm-up period, stretches should be held between 15 and 30 seconds.
Stretching following exercise relieves muscle tightness, improves flexibility and cools down the body. After a workout, your body will be able to stretch even further than it did prior to your exercise program. During the cool-down period, stretches should be held between 30 seconds and one minute. It is during these longer stretches that flexibility increases the most.
It is important to breathe normally as you stretch and avoid holding your breath. Concentrate on the stretch itself and on your breathing, relaxing the rest of your body. A mild tension should be felt but no discomfort. Avoid bouncing.
When standing during a stretching exercise, you can hold onto a steady object such as a chair to maintain balance and proper posture. If you prefer not to hold onto anything, keeping your eyes focused on a point of interest such as a painting will help to maintain the proper balance and posture.
One of the great things about stretching is that it can be done anywhere and anytime. Stretching exercises are not limited to exercising alone. They can be done in any environment whether working, shopping or going about your daily routine.
Here are some of the benefits of stretching exercises:
o They are calming and relaxing
o Provides a sense of peace and well-being
o Lengthens your muscles
o Helps to prevent accidents and injuries
o Improves tissue flexibility and elasticity
o Increases blood flow
o Makes muscles more supple
o Helps with balance and coordination
o Improves range of motion
o Improves circulation
o Improves posture
o Reduces stress
Stretching both before and after your fitness program is important in maintaining a healthy body. Stretching at other times of the day is a great way to limber up, relax and reduce stress. For peak fitness, be sure to include stretching in your daily routine.
Sharon B. Gilbert, Ph.D. is an avid researcher and writer particularly interested in the areas of women’s health, meditation, metaphysics, organic foods and cooking, and natural health remedies. For further information or to contact the author, please visit http://www.Healthylifestylesfortoday.com Copyright 2006.
