A: Chiropractic Medicine is a natural health care method and is the largest drugless and non-surgical medical profession in the United States. Chiropractic medicine deals mainly with the spine and natural methods of restoring the equilibrium to the body.

Q: How Does Chiropractic Medicine Work?

A: Chiropractic medicine is used to correct structural distortions of the body. These distortions are known as subluxations. Localized subluxations are usually centered around the joints of the back, spine and neck and can include the following problems:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Spasms

Chiropractic medicine works to realign and readjust the joints so that the body and the nervous system is in proper alignment and working order.

Q: Is Chiropractic Medicine Safe?

A: Chiropractic medicine has one main approach to healthcare in that it takes nothing out of the body, nor puts anything into the body to be effective. Chiropractic medicine has one of the lowest malpractice rates of all healthcare professions.

Q: What Should I Expect At The First Appointment?

A: The initial visit will begin with a consultation. A case history will be taken and you will have a discussion with the Chiropractor about your present condition. Next, the Chiropractor will perform an examination to evaluate the cause of the problem. This will include a series of physical tests and specialized evaluations of spinal movement and posture. If needed, x-rays or tests may be recommended to provide further information.

After completion of the analysis, the Chiropractor should be able to explain your problem and map out the appropriate plan of action for you. If it is needed, you may be referred to another health care provider for more evaluation or treatment. Chiropractic medicine works with a variety of other medical treatments as necessary.

Q: What about Ongoing Treatment?

A: Your Chiropractor will discuss a plan of care with you which considers many factors including the following:

• Health habits
• Stress and activity levels
• Lifestyle
• Work environment
• Dietary and exercise patterns

Following your consultation and examination, a care program will be created to suit your specific needs. This program will center around chiropractic medicine and its use in relieving nerve irritation, pressure and pain.

Q: Are There Insurance Issues?

A: Chiropractic medicine is one of the most cost effective types of care. Because of this fact many health care plans provide coverage for chiropractic medical care. Check with your benefits manager.

Q: What Should I Expect From Treatment?

A: As with all types of medical care, patients respond to chiropractic medicine at different rates and with different results. Some points to consider:

• Children tend to respond more quickly to treatment
• Most people use chiropractic medicine as preventative treatment
• More serious alignment issues take longer to treat

Most people feel a gradual, progressive relief of symptoms. A general rule is that the longer your spine has been out of alignment, the more extensive the treatment will need to be and the longer the recovery time.

Sometimes, a weak immune system or plain bad luck might be to blame. But it’s more likely that we unknowingly have a few chinks that make it easy for a virus and its accompanying misery to spread in our office. So, it’s always beneficial to avoid the downtime with some carefully thought out precautions.

Virus infections ebb and flow with the seasons. During cold weather, number of viruses increase. The normal amount of mucus we carry in our nasal passages also dries up making it easier for viruses to enter through our nasal opening. We also tend to spend more time indoors during the winter months thus increasing our chances of contact with someone who is sick. Modern day work pressures also preclude people from taking sick leave. A day spent in bed could mean a sale lost or a backlog of work the following day.

Did you know that every time a sick person exhales, respiratory viruses come out with the breath extending about three feet in a cloud around the person? The ‘viral aerosol’ is not the only agent. Research at University of Virginia Health System in 2006 showed that people infected with rhinovirus, the cause of half of all colds, can contaminate common objects, such as light switches. This can and does can infect others.

To make matters worse, you have actually been infected a day or two before you actually show the sniffles and the sneezes. In other words, the co-worker who hovered over your desk the other day or borrowed your pen could be sick but not have symptoms yet.

So what can you do to create the armor of immunity around you? Unfortunately, not much. Some precautions are of course well advised.

1. Keep your desk, your workstation and surroundings clean. Wipe it personally with a disinfecting wipes if need be.
2. If you eat at your desk, think that the bacteria also might be doing the same.
3. Wash before you drink from coffee mugs and glasses.
4. Consider trying the old method of using a paper towel as a protective barrier for your hand when you use door handles especially the ones in the bathrooms.
5. Keep a hand sanitizer at your desk and use it throughout the day.
6. Get your annual flu shot.
7. The more sleep deprived you are, the more vulnerable is your immune system. So get a good night’s sleep.
8. Be mindful of any allergies you have.
9. Look after your general health through proper diet and regular exercise.
10. If you are sick, don’t go to office…spare the others.

These steps are not meant to turn you into a walking hypochondriac but just to allay some of the most common routes for infection. Of course, no matter how careful you are you won’t be able to ward off every cold that comes calling…but aren’t precautions better than the cure!

Image: Flickr.com

Blood pressure (BP) disorder is generally of two types.

Primary BP, also known as primary/essential hypertension, is hereditary. About 89 per cent of BP patients fall under this category.

Secondary BP, also known as secondary hypertension, originates from multiple causes.

- Kidney, endocrine and thyroid disorders.
- Oral contraceptives.
- Certain drugs like stimulants, diet pills and some pills used for cold and allergy symptoms do also raise BP.
- Pregnancy and obesity.  If you are 30 per cent or more over your ideal body weight then you are a prime candidate for blood pressure.
- Sodium (salt) sensitivity.
- And of course the oldest reason…physical inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle causes obesity and results in high BP.

The Signs of Blood Pressure

The symptoms range from unexplained and severe headaches, nausea, changes in vision, light-headedness or dizziness, chest pain or shortness of breath on exertion.

But you can control your blood pressure…

Blood pressure can be controlled by a variety of actions steps mostly focusing on diet and exercise. These are just some of the main ones -

• Choose foods low in calories and fat.

• Cut down on butter, margarine, fatty/red meats, poultry skin, whole milk, cheese, fried foods, ice-cream, cakes, pastries and snacks.

• Choose baked, broiled or poached chicken, fish, and lean cuts of meat.

• Opt for skimmed milk, low-sodium cheese, fresh/frozen/fruit or vegetables (without butter, cream, cheese sauces), plain rice and pasta.

• Walk for at least 35 minutes every day. If you can, do jog for 10 minutes and practice yoga.

• Consuming ½–2 tsp of herbs like dandelion, Rauwolfia (Indian snake root) and hawthorn with water, on empty stomach, two or three times a day helps control BP. These herbs are not recommended for kids though.

Here are some specific food-related remedies…

• Drink at least 10–12 glasses of water daily. Increase it to 14 glasses in summer. Kids should drink 6–7 glasses generally, increasing it to 9 in summer.

• Have lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Include a salad in every meal. Sprouts absorb extra salt from your system.

• Green leafy vegetables contain lots of sodium. Leech them before cooking to wash away most of the salt.

• Instead of common salt, go for readily available low-sodium salts. Do not consume more than 2 tsp of salt in a day.

• Obese persons should cut down on sugar intake too. BP patients should not consume more than 4 tsp in a day.

• Avoid canned food, vegetables and soups.

• Stay away from fried food, pickles, processed food and baking soda.

• Physical medicine therapies using water are very beneficial for BP alleviation. These include hot baths (to promote sweating), constitutional hydrotherapy and foot baths (alternating between hot and cold water).

• One of the oldest stress management techniques is to treat yourself periodically to a gentle, full body massage.

One of the best advices I have ever heard to combat this silent stalker had its roots in a quote,

‘One way to get high blood pressure is to go mountain climbing over molehills.’

Remember, blood pressure is a subtle but serious ailment. If you have blood pressure, get it down and keep it down!

Image:Flickr.com

‘Let’s have a cup of coffee’, so goes the popular office dialogue. All of have slurped and shared talk over the cup of mocha. For some it is just a brew, but for others it is sustenance. A way to take them through the day (and the night). How many of us know that a few ‘harmless’ cups of coffee can lead to caffeine dependence and slowly into full blown addiction.

The chemistry of caffeine…

Caffeine is a bitter white plant alkaloid that acts as a psychoactive stimulant drug and is a mild diuretic hastening urine production. Of course we know its action as a stimulant getting rid of our drowsiness and restoring alertness, albeit temporarily. A stimulant and addictive, caffeine is also a mood altering chemical. It affects our nervous system and heart. A normal dose of caffeine is generally considered to be 100 mg, which is approximately the amount in a cup of coffee.

The world’s primary source of caffeine is the coffee seed (bean) of the coffee plant, from which coffee is brewed. Tea is another source of caffeine but it usually contains half the amount of caffeine as in coffee. Caffeine is also introduced into colas and other soft drinks (and now alarmingly - energy drinks) as an additive to impart a pleasing taste. So, three of our most popular drinks have caffeine as a natural or an artificial ingredient.

The biology of caffeine…

The effect of caffeine as a nervous system inhibitor is similar to that of nicotine and alcohol. Caffeine stimulation increases the secretion of adrenalin which increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to muscles, decreases blood flow to the skin and organs, and causes the liver to release glucose. Increased levels of the hormone dopamine are also released. Dopamine in normal flow controls cognition, motor activity, motivation and reward.

Say hello to caffeine intoxication…

Caffeine in normal amounts is not harmful. Its effects are transitory and it does not have a negative effect on concentration or higher brain functions. In practice, positive effects of caffeine on Type II diabetes mellitus have been noted. It is also a part of many over the counter headache pills. Furthermore, it is quickly flushed out from the brain and our bodies.

Statistically though, more than half of all American adults consume more than three cups of caffeine every day, which takes this benign stimulant into the definition of a ‘drug’.

As with all stimulants, sustained exposure leads to developing degrees of tolerance and dependence. Caffeine addiction is just a few cups away.

Intoxication or ‘jitters’ can set in with over consumption of caffeine. The prescribed threshold according to web sources is about 300 milligrams, dependent on body weight and level of caffeine tolerance. Remember, a cup of coffee normally contains 100 milligrams of the substance.

According to medical journals, the symptoms of intoxication mirror those from other stimulants. There is a noticeable restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushing of the face, increased urination, gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, a rambling flow of thought and speech, irritability, irregular or rapid heartbeat, and muscular agitation. Sleep deprivation is another common indication.

Caffeine is far and away the most widely used stimulant in the world in fact more so than marijuana. Over stressed a lot of us drink it to ward off sleep…drinking too much of it could be warding off health. The choice between a salubrious cup of morning coffee and the extreme unrest of caffeine intoxication is ours to make.

Source: Wikipedia
NY Times
Image: Flikr.com

Claustrophobia - A Phobia or a Disease?
Claustrophobia is among the most ‘popular’ phobias of its kind. It is simply an extreme fear of being enclosed or trapped in small spaces. A person dealing with claustrophobia experiences anxiety and has difficulty breathing in enclosed spaces. He or she may even have a full-fledged panic attack. Many of us may be claustrophobic without knowing it. The good news is that claustrophobia is curable.

The main cause of claustrophobia is often a past traumatic experience involving a temporary or permanent confined environment. Herein, the mind makes a psychological connection that small spaces mean danger. It can lead to a panic attack, and this response becomes data in the brain, establishing an association between being trapped and out of control or experiencing anxiety.

Do you have any of the symptoms?

Breathlessness, excessive sweating, palpitation, nausea or a parched dry mouth, lightheadedness, nausea, fainting, hyper-ventilation and shaking are some symptoms. Other symptoms are a deep-seated fear of dying, losing one’s mind or losing control, being detached from reality or having a full-blown panic attack, and an inability to think or speak clearly. However, like most phobias it can be treated.

Some commonly followed treatments include -

• Psycho-education

This involves educating the individual about the meaning and causes of claustrophobia, and clarifying negative emotions such as fear, anxiety and phobia. Deep-seated notions involved in relating fear to cramped spaces are addressed, and the patient is encouraged to talk about the problem. Once the patient realizes what triggered off claustrophobia, remedial measures can be taken.

• Past life therapy

This is a new-age technique, wherein the counselor takes the patient into a past life experience to delve into the present condition of claustrophobia. Sometimes, a traumatic experience in a past life can be carried into the present. Once that is addressed, the patient discovers that the cramped phobia is gone forever.

• Learn to breathe again

This technique makes the individual change the fast breathing pattern to a slow one. Hyperventilation is sometimes brought about by anxiety triggers. The ensuing event is an increase in anxiety levels beyond normal. This can be tackled by teaching patients a slow breathing technique to face the anxiety-provoking situations effectively.

• Cognitive therapy

Our response to situations depends on the way we interpret them. A misjudgment or a wrong perspective can lead to distress. Applying cognitive techniques means to think things through and apply a semblance of logic and rationality to our responses. Cognitive therapy brings about behavioral changes which help us to deal with situations causing psychological suffering.

• Stuff out the ignorance

Didn’t Ralph Waldo Emerson say, “Fear always springs from ignorance?” Applying knowledge and being noetic about imaginary fears helps the most in defeating phobias.

Most persons with spine, neck and other related issues will seek the advice or care of a medical professional during their lifetime. One such professional is the chiropractor. There may be concerns as to if a doctor of chiropractic medicine is a real doctor. To address this you should look into how a Chiropractor obtains their degree and to what standards they must adhere to.

As a general definition, chiropractic medicine is a health care approach which focuses on relationships between the body and how it functions, mainly with the spine. The primary treatment is to perform adjustments to the spine or other areas with a goal of realignment of the body’s internal support system allowing the body to use its natural ability to heal itself.

Qualifications

For a person to practice chiropractic medicine, in the United States, they must meet the following requirements:

• Practitioners must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree (D.C.) from an accredited college certified by the Council on Chiropractic Education, which itself is certified by the U.S. Department of Education
• For admission into a chiropractic college, students must earn a minimum of 90 semester hours (about 3 years) of undergraduate credits mainly in the sciences.
• General chiropractic training requires a four year academic program which provides for both class work and direct experience with patients.
• Students usually take classes in biomedical sciences, public health and research methods.
• Specialized fields in chiropractic care require a 2-3 year residency of training.

Education

As a part of the education for chiropractic medicine students must master undergraduate requirements in core sciences such as

• Chemistry
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Physics

Once in a certified graduate program, students continue their education in the following science fields:

• Pathology
• Biochemistry
• Orthopedics
• Neurology
• Examination procedure
• X-ray interpretation
• Differential diagnosis

It is in the graduate program where students acquire knowledge of the philosophy and practice of health care medicine. Classes in technique are used to help students refine their technical skills with adjustment procedures; with clinical internships used to perfect these technical skills.

There are both national and state exams which must be passed before any student can begin a practice of chiropractic medicine.

Regulation

The practice of chiropractic medicine is regulated by the individual states and District of Columbia. The scope of practice for chiropractic medicine differs for each state in regards to the following:

· Laboratory tests

· Diagnostic procedures

· Dispensing or sale of dietary supplements

· Use of other therapies such as acupuncture or homeopathy

Most states maintain a requirement for chiropractors to earn a number of annual continuing educational credits to maintain certification.

Insurance

Insurance payments for chiropractic medicine are becoming more common in the U.S. today.

• Chiropractic medicine is covered by many health maintenance organizations (HMO’s) and private health care plans
• Workers’ Compensation insurance in every state covers chiropractic care
• Practitioners can bill Medicare
• Many states cover this type of care under Medicaid

It is best to check with your insurance provider before scheduling treatment.

If you still have questions about chiropractic medicine, it is best to seek out a local practitioner for guidance and answers to any concerns you may have.

Pramlintide is currently prescribed for diabetics to be taken in combination with insulin to control blood sugar levels. The drug has been approved by the FDA as a prescription medicine for diabetics. Dr. Christian Weyer, of Amylin Pharmaceuticals in San Diego, California, and colleagues in support their findings say that past research had also linked pramlintide to weight loss.

Pramlintide (Symlin) is an injectable synthetic analogue of human amylin, a peptide hormone that is naturally secreted with insulin in response to meals. It is approved for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Their official research objective read - ‘To assess long-term weight loss efficacy and safety of pramlintide used at different dosing regimens and in conjunction with lifestyle intervention.’

Dr. Weyer and his team carried out controlled experiments to test the drug’s potential for affecting weight loss. Weyer’s group assessed different pramlintide dosing regimens among nondiabetic obese subjects (about 70 percent female) involved in a lifestyle altering weight-loss program. In addition to changing diet, physical activity and behavior, the 411 mostly middle-aged and otherwise healthy participants were earmarked for injection dosages of 120, 240 or 360 micrograms pramlintide 2- or 3-times daily or were injected a placebo as a control.

After 4 months, 240 participants remained in the study. Those taking pramlintide had lost from 3.8 to 6.1 kilograms (about 8.4 to 13.4 pounds). By contrast, the placebo group lost 2.8 kg (about 6.2 pounds) on an average.

The researchers offered these 240 participants the opportunity to continue their respective treatments through the entire duration of 12 months. Of the 146 who opted and finished the annual treatment, those taking pramlintide generally maintained or continued to lose weight, while the placebo group largely regained their weight.

Their were a few side effects reported, the most common being nausea, found in about 29 percent of participants during the initial 4-month study period. However, this generally subsided over time and less than 10 percent of pramlintide users reported nausea during extended use.

These findings support the potential of pramlintide in treating obesity, the investigators note. That’s a bit of good news for now but being early days, larger, longer-term studies must confirm the safety and efficacy of pramlintide as an alternative weight loss medication.

Source: Reuters
Image: Flickr.com

Vitamins as antioxidants

Antioxidants are the bulwark against free radicals.  They act on free radicals in our body and neutralize them before they can damage our healthy cells. Friends of the skin as important oxidants are Vitamins A, C and E. For skincare antioxidants are vital for skin’s glow, growth and maintenance; not only that but they also forestall dry, cracked skin and premature ageing. They play a part in wound-healing and halting skin cancer are some of the other benefits of such vitamins. They are also helpful in controlling other skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, acne, sunburns, blackheads, easily bruised skin, and sagging skin.

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B Complex comprises of Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, B12, folate, pantothenate, inositol, biotin, and choline. Because these vitamins aid in cell growth, they are essential as wound sanative for sunburns, bruises, infections and acne. Further help is rendered for metabolism and improvement in circulation.

The Minerals

Iodine, silicone, sulfur and zinc are three of the most crucial minerals that help in maintaining skin’s luster.

- Iodine aids in healing skin infections by increasing oxygen consumption and the metabolic rate of the skin. It is also a catalyst against premature wrinkling.
- Silicone is also important in fighting ageing because it aids in collagen formation. When collagen breaks down and isn’t manufactured as quickly, the skin wrinkles and sags.
- Sulfur keeps the skin clear, smooth and young. Dry scalp, rashes, eczema and acne are often due to deficiencies of sulfur.
- Zinc aids in skin rejuvenation by promoting cell growth and also in immunity. Of course, zinc is also an important mineral for hair growth.

Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are found in mono and poly-unsaturated fats and are essential for beautiful skin. Unfortunately, the body cannot manufacture them and so they have to be obtained from food and supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids soften skin and help heal eczema, psoriasis and wounds. They increase HDL (good) cholesterol. Fish is one of the richest sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Another of its class, Omega-6 Fatty Acids, also known as gamma linolenic acid, promotes nourished and moisturized skin. Any deficiencies in these fatty acids and you get dry, flaky, scaly skin, eczema, inflammatory skin conditions and slow healing.

Water and Fiber

And last, there’s nothing like good ol’ aqua for good skin. From metabolism to cooling, water is responsible for starting every biochemical process. Water also flushes out wastes and toxins out of the body via the urinary tract and this eases the burden on the skin to excrete them. Fiber is important for overall health. Along with water, fiber helps keep the system clean. Fiber also helps to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Good sources of fiber are whole grains, vegetables, oatmeal and nuts.

A balanced meal should combine these effective ingredients in the proper proportions. This is just a brief primer on the subject of nutrition. Today, lifestyle advocates are promoting popping pills as supplements. As a concerned stakeholder in your own health, you would do a whole lot better with a proper diet with all the right stuff.

Image:Flickr.com

For both men and women, it is important to watch for changes in weight with advancing age. Weight gain is a direct spin-off from our lifestyle and habits. And if we don’t mind our habits we won’t be able to mind our pounds.

Because of the way we are wired, men and women gain weight in different ways and in different areas. Julie Schwartz, a dietitian at the Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta, U.S) explains,

“Most women will really gain weight in their hips and thighs. Men more around the mid-section of their abdomen. Then as women age and their hormones change, the tendency is to start depositing more in the mid-section as well as their hips.”

Weight gain is not only about tipping the scales or worrying about the bum hugging jeans. The portents could be far more serious. A recent study by Harvard University and the National Institutes of Health found that women with larger waists, those measuring 35 inches or more, are at greater risk for cancer or heart disease than women with smaller waists.

For men, the bad number for waist size is 40 inches. According to the researchers, in 2004, more than 50 percent of the U.S. population had an abdominal measurement that was on the other side of the measurement.

So as individuals how do we stop ourselves from breasting the tape?

The guideword for all our cures - Exercise!

As Julie Schwartz says,

“Cardio is good, but strength training is important. With strength training you are constantly maintaining or maybe even adding a little bit of muscle weight. You are also putting a little bit of stress on your bones which helps aid and maintain bone density.”

This is especially important for women as with advancing age, women tend to lose calcium density more than men. Their momentum towards osteoporosis is swifter.

Men and women can also make some alterations in their eating habits as diet is the second pillar to fight age. Eating smaller meals but spreading them out more often and getting plenty of fluids helps boost metabolism.

Their is no panacea that can do away with our wrinkles and white hairs. Nopes, not even plastic surgeries and magic creams. But at least we can delay the inevitable time when our broad minds and your narrow waist change places.

Source: CNN
Image: Flickr.com

Chiropractic care is a health care approach which deals with the relationship between the body structure and the body function. While there are a variety of approaches used in treatment, chiropractic care mainly is about performing adjustments to the spine and other parts of the body. This is done with the goal of correcting the spinal alignment in support of the body’s natural healing abilities.

Similarities to Other Medical Care

Chiropractic care has many similarities to other forms of medical care and health care. While there are differences in the methods used, the similarities include the following:

• Practitioners are required, in the US, UK and New Zealand, to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited institution.
• Side effects and risks involved depend on the type of treatment used.
• People seeking relief from back and neck pain, as well as headaches, visit both chiropractors and medical doctors
• Providing all professionals who deal with your health a complete picture of how you are managing your health is essential.
• Doctors of chiropractic care will take a health history and perform a physical exam.
• Chiropractors use x-rays and other modern methods used by all other physicians.
• Chiropractic care will usually involve follow-up office visits
• Many HMO’s and private insurance companies cover chiropractic care as part of regular medical treatment

Differences to Other Medical Care

While there are many things which practitioners of chiropractic care have in common with medical practitioners, there are at least three distinct differences between the two types of medical practice. Differences of chiropractic care to other care include the following:

• Chiropractic care requires only 90 semester hours (roughly 3 years) of study after obtaining a four year degree as opposed to a MD who is required to study and intern for at least five.
• Chiropractic care deals with a more holistic approach to medicine
• Regulations for chiropractic practice vary with each state as to the ability to perform laboratory tests, dispense supplements, and diagnostic procedures.

Although both chiropractic care and basic medical care have different methods and procedures it is a good idea to check into a doctors back-round and ask questions just as you would a medical doctor or dentist. Such issues as the following should be satisfied before proceeding with treatment:

• Years of practice – are they just out of school
• Level of experience with your type of condition – find out if the doctor has treated other patients with your type of problem
• Level of education – there should be ongoing education
• Referrals and References – there should be no problem getting these
• Issues or complaints against the doctor – a bad doctor is a bad doctor
• How long have they been practicing in this specific location – if it is less than two years find out why.

After satisfying your concerns, get to know your chiropractor just as you would any other doctor or medical professional.