Cut Your Risk of Dying from Colon Cancer As Much As 90%!
Five Solutions for Your Aching Back -- Natural Ways to Undo Back Pain
The Hidden Truth About Bypass Surgery
ESPN Tells Viewers that Real Men Take Care of Themselves -- Tools for Men's Good Health in New Ad Campaign
CUT YOUR RISK OF DYING FROM COLON CANCER AS MUCH AS 90%!
Impossible? Not anymore! Dr. Samuel Meyers of New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine has developed an easy-to-follow program that involves no drugs, no surgery, no supplements and no strenuous exercise. Yet it's been shown to prevent nine out of 10 cases of deadly colon cancer from ever occurring.
What's the catch? There isn't one. In fact, you'll be stunned by how simple this state-of-the-science program is.
Learn more...
FIVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR ACHING BACK
Who hasn't suffered a backache -- particularly as the years tick by? Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, with four out of five of us experiencing it at some point in our lives. Often people with back pain do need to see a doctor, but if you know your twinges and creaks are the result of overdoing it -- perhaps a more vigorous than usual game of racquetball, an overzealous day of yard work, toting around a growing grandchild or simply the aches and pains of age -- there are some safe and effective measures that can provide soothing relief.
For advice, I went to Thomas H. Reece, DO, ND, one of just a few practitioners with dual degrees in Naturopathic and Osteopathic Medicine. Former medical director of the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Reece now practices at the Preventive Medical Center of Marin in California. He told me that serious back problems usually involve pain that travels down the leg, producing numbness and a decrease in muscle strength (this may show up as a drop foot or you may simply notice that you are tripping on one foot). This kind of problem requires appropriate diagnosis and care and Dr. Reece strongly advises against any attempts at self-treatment. He reiterated that relatively simple or straightforward backaches respond well to simple, straightforward home care.
EASY FIXES FOR A COMMON PROBLEM
Lay around a while. In the initial stages of back pain from a strained muscle, nothing is quite as simple and effective as ice and rest. It may be beneficial to stay in bed (or at least rest from normal activity) for a day or two after such a strain, but longer bed rest may do more harm than good, leading to further stiffness and weakness. It's best to return to some activity, such as walking on level ground, as soon as possible. Taking magnesium malate, enzymes and homeopathic arnica may help ease the pain of a strain.
Dr. Reece recommends: If back pain is severe (you can't move or you experience the serious symptoms noted above) or a seemingly simple strain persists for more than three days, see your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Bend and stretch. A study at the University of Oxford in the UK demonstrated that a three-week rehabilitation program was nearly as effective as spinal fusion surgery in overcoming certain types of back pain. Daily exercises were carefully tailored to suit individual ability, and consisted of muscle stretching and strengthening, endurance, low-impact aerobic exercise (e.g., walking or swimming), and spine stabilization exercises for deep abdominal muscles. Specific activities included walking on a treadmill, stationary cycling, step-ups and abdominal-strengthening exercises using a gym ball.
Dr. Reece recommends: A lack of exercise lies at the root of many back problems, with muscle weakness and stiffness opening the door to injury. If you suffer from chronic or periodic back pain, Dr. Reece advises that you begin any new workout under the watchful eye of a physical therapist. He said that a toning exercise program may be more appropriate for this purpose than a stretching program.
Dr. Reece recommends: Perform Qigong over Tai Chi... yoga or Pilates could also be beneficial if the instructor tailors the program to your specific needs.
Water works wonders. Daily sessions of hydrotherapy were part of the rehabilitation program at the University of Oxford. Hot compresses relax muscles and increase blood flow to painful areas, while cold compresses reduce inflammation. With back strains, always use cold only during the first 48 to 72 hours, then alternate cold with hot.
Dr. Reece recommends: Apply alternate cold and hot packs to strained or sore areas of the back, using cold first. Use each for two to five minutes, for a total of 20 to 30 minutes, ending with cold. Instant cold and hot packs are widely available in drugstores or you can use moistened towels.
Supplemental solutions. Conventional drugs for back pain have many possible side effects. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen can lead to gastrointestinal problems or bleeding problems for some individuals... pain-relieving opioids are potentially addictive... and muscle relaxants are associated with dizziness and drowsiness.
There are some natural solutions, however. Enzymes such as bromelain and herbs such as curcumin are known to have a natural anti-inflammatory impact. Also, supplements such as fish oil may help reduce inflammation and soothe back discomfort. A study published in Surgical Neurology suggested that fish oil supplements are as effective as certain NSAIDs in relieving back and neck pain, with fewer side effects, though the study authors acknowledge that further research needs to be done.
Dr. Reece recommends: Magnesium supplements, in the form of magnesium malate. This natural muscle relaxant doesn't provide the powerful pain relief of a pharmaceutical agent, but it certainly has fewer side effects.
Basics of body mechanics. Many back problems stem from poor body mechanics or posture -- for example, lifting objects incorrectly or sitting hunched over a computer all day. Good body mechanics mean that you are standing, sitting and moving without putting undue stress on any muscles or joints.
Dr. Reece recommends: To lift an object properly, hold it close to you... bend your knees, squat... and lift it straight up, without twisting. Always use proper posture. (For more on proper body mechanics, see Daily Health News, April 24, 2008.)
BACK TO NORMAL
Before resorting to complicated, high-tech solutions for back pain, consider going the natural route. The truth is that most episodes of acute pain from back strain resolve on their own and low-tech, side-effect-free options work for many people.
Source(s):
Thomas H. Reece, DO, ND, one of only a few practitioners with dual degrees in Naturopathic and Osteopathic Medicine. Former medical director of the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Reece now practices at the Preventive Medical Center of Marin in California. He is a specialist in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.
THE HIDDEN TRUTH ABOUT BYPASS SURGERY
Research shows that the majority of bypass, angioplasty and stent patients don't live a day longer than folks who skip it... Meaning that over 800,000 Americans every year are risking their lives for nothing -- suffering hideous post-surgical pain and risking serious complications, for zero benefit. Even worse, according to Dr. Michael Ozner, MD, FACC, FAHA, medical director at the Center for Prevention & Wellness, Baptist Health South Florida, bypass surgery has been found to quadruple your stroke risk. What are the options?
Read on...
ESPN TELLS VIEWERS THAT REAL MEN TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES
The latest statistics released this spring by the National Center for Health Statistics show that white women will live five years longer than white men, and black women have a six-year advantage over black men. There are lots of theories on what's behind the disparity, but one of the main ones is simply that men don't take care of themselves as well -- specifically as it relates to preventive health, including medical screenings and regular checkups. Research shows the average Joe doesn't visit the doctor as often as the average JoAnne.
SAYING IT STRAIGHT
Now ESPN, a force with great influence over many men, has made a commitment to push them to be more proactive about their health. The sports network has launched an ad campaign featuring its own personalities who share "stats" on good and bad cholesterol and blood pressure. They urge viewers to visit AHRQ.gov/realmen (a site developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) to take a health quiz, check out the list of preventive tests and screenings that should be done at what ages, and learn other information important for their health and well-being.
I called AHRQ to find out what motivated the ad campaign. "Women are already connected to the system and tend to pay more attention to preventive medicine, in general," Allan Lazar, director of the AHRQ Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer, told me. Since women typically take charge of family health, the general trend has been for health organizations to try to reach men sideways, through the women in their lives. This campaign tackles the topic head-on. "Going directly at men with the message to take responsibility for their own health and well-being is the right thing to do," Lazar said.
TOOLKIT FOR HEALTH
The site was clearly designed to grab a guy's attention by providing information on top health risks, including heart disease and high blood pressure, and educating them on ways to lead a healthy life. Many men don't like to talk about such matters, so I am all for anything that can be done to help deliver the message that real men do talk about their health... and eat salads. Kudos to ESPN for realizing the power of its voice to educate viewers.
Source(s):
Allan Lazar, director, AHRQ Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer, Rockville, Maryland.