Vitamin E may protect lungs

People who take vitamin E supplements regularly for years -- whether they are smokers or nonsmokers -- may lower their risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the lung condition that is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is often, but not always, caused by smoking.

While the risk reduction is relatively small, 10 percent, COPD is a common and life-threatening condition in which a decline in lung function can be slowed down but not reversed. COPD symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue.

"The effect appears to be modest. But for something for which there isn't really any effective therapy and tends to be a degenerative condition, anything that would reduce the risk even somewhat is not an insubstantial benefit," says Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at Tufts University in Boston who was not involved in the study.

People who take vitamin E supplements regularly for years -- whether they are smokers or nonsmokers -- may lower their risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the lung condition that is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is often, but not always, caused by smoking.

While the risk reduction is relatively small, 10 percent, COPD is a common and life-threatening condition in which a decline in lung function can be slowed down but not reversed. COPD symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue.

"The effect appears to be modest. But for something for which there isn't really any effective therapy and tends to be a degenerative condition, anything that would reduce the risk even somewhat is not an insubstantial benefit," says Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at Tufts University in Boston who was not involved in the study.

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Exercise may keep cancer patients healthier during, after treatment

CHICAGO – Breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

"Using exercise as an approach to cancer care has the potential to benefit patients both physically and psychologically, as well as mitigate treatment side effects," says study lead author Eleanor M. Walker, M.D., division director of breast services in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital.

"Plus, exercise is a great alternative to patients combating fatigue and nausea who are considering using supplements which may interfere with medications and chemotherapy they're taking during cancer treatment."

Dr. Walker will present a poster with the study's design and intervention methods June 7 at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. The abstract is now available online at www.ASCO.org.

To study how exercise impacts cancer patients, Dr. Walker and her colleagues at Henry Ford's Josephine Ford Cancer Center and the Henry Ford Heart & Vascular Institute developed a unique program called ExCITE (Exercise and Cancer Integrative Therapies and Education).

ExCITE works with patients who are receiving cancer treatment to create individualized exercise programs. Some patients come into one of Henry Ford's fitness centers to workout, while others have plans that allow them to exercise at home during various stages of their care.

The study group thus far includes 30 female breast cancer patients and 20 prostate cancer patients, all ranging in age from 35 to 80. All were newly diagnosed when they began ExCITE. The study followed the patients during treatment and for one-year following completion of cancer treatment.

Before beginning the exercise program, Henry Ford's Preventative Cardiology Division measured the patients' exercise capacity, skeletal muscle strength and endurance. General blood work, metabolic screens, bone density and inflammatory biomarkers also were obtained at the start of the program.

Exercise and diet recommendation for each patient were based on their baseline exercise tolerances, weight, overall health, and type of cancer treatment they would receive. Acupuncture was used for patients who experienced hot flashes, pain, nausea/vomiting, insomnia and neuropathy as the result of cancer treatment.

Cheryl Fallen of Gross Pointe Park, Mich., was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer while she took part in the ExCITE program. Through a mix of exercise, acupuncture and good nutrition, she didn't experiencing some of the more common side-effects from treatment – nausea, fatigue and trouble with memory.

"ExCITE offers cancer patients a way to holistically approach their cancer care by tailoring a specific exercise routine to fit the needs of the patient, whether it's rehabilitation after surgery, or to enhance circulation or improve the immune system prior to chemotherapy or radiation," says Fallen.

When her white blood cell count fell during chemotherapy, Fallen would work out at home using an exercise band or by walking outdoors. When she was well enough to return to the gym, her workouts consisted of using the exercise ball and treadmill, and doing other strength-training exercises.

"Overall, the program makes you feel better about yourself. It's a positive support for cancer patients, and I really think it's allowed me to be more productive during my treatment," says Fallen.

Study of the ExCITE program is ongoing, with Dr. Walker and her colleagues continuing to investigate the potential benefits of exercise for cancer patients.

CHICAGO – Breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

"Using exercise as an approach to cancer care has the potential to benefit patients both physically and psychologically, as well as mitigate treatment side effects," says study lead author Eleanor M. Walker, M.D., division director of breast services in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital.

"Plus, exercise is a great alternative to patients combating fatigue and nausea who are considering using supplements which may interfere with medications and chemotherapy they're taking during cancer treatment."

Dr. Walker will present a poster with the study's design and intervention methods June 7 at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. The abstract is now available online at www.ASCO.org.

To study how exercise impacts cancer patients, Dr. Walker and her colleagues at Henry Ford's Josephine Ford Cancer Center and the Henry Ford Heart & Vascular Institute developed a unique program called ExCITE (Exercise and Cancer Integrative Therapies and Education).

ExCITE works with patients who are receiving cancer treatment to create individualized exercise programs. Some patients come into one of Henry Ford's fitness centers to workout, while others have plans that allow them to exercise at home during various stages of their care.

The study group thus far includes 30 female breast cancer patients and 20 prostate cancer patients, all ranging in age from 35 to 80. All were newly diagnosed when they began ExCITE. The study followed the patients during treatment and for one-year following completion of cancer treatment.

Before beginning the exercise program, Henry Ford's Preventative Cardiology Division measured the patients' exercise capacity, skeletal muscle strength and endurance. General blood work, metabolic screens, bone density and inflammatory biomarkers also were obtained at the start of the program.

Exercise and diet recommendation for each patient were based on their baseline exercise tolerances, weight, overall health, and type of cancer treatment they would receive. Acupuncture was used for patients who experienced hot flashes, pain, nausea/vomiting, insomnia and neuropathy as the result of cancer treatment.

Cheryl Fallen of Gross Pointe Park, Mich., was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer while she took part in the ExCITE program. Through a mix of exercise, acupuncture and good nutrition, she didn't experiencing some of the more common side-effects from treatment – nausea, fatigue and trouble with memory.

"ExCITE offers cancer patients a way to holistically approach their cancer care by tailoring a specific exercise routine to fit the needs of the patient, whether it's rehabilitation after surgery, or to enhance circulation or improve the immune system prior to chemotherapy or radiation," says Fallen.

When her white blood cell count fell during chemotherapy, Fallen would work out at home using an exercise band or by walking outdoors. When she was well enough to return to the gym, her workouts consisted of using the exercise ball and treadmill, and doing other strength-training exercises.

"Overall, the program makes you feel better about yourself. It's a positive support for cancer patients, and I really think it's allowed me to be more productive during my treatment," says Fallen.

Study of the ExCITE program is ongoing, with Dr. Walker and her colleagues continuing to investigate the potential benefits of exercise for cancer patients.

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Ginger May Ease Muscle Pain

Ginger root has been used as a folk remedy. Now researchers have found evidence that daily ginger consumption reduces muscle pain caused by exercise.

The study, which will be published in the September issue of the Journal of Pain, was funded by the McCormick Science Institute — yes, an offshoot of the company that makes and sells spices.

While ginger had been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in rodents, its effect on experimentally-induced human muscle pain was largely unexplored, said University of Georgia researcher Patrick O'Connor. It was also believed that heating ginger, as occurs with cooking, might increase its pain-relieving effects.

O'Connor directed two studies examining the effects of 11 days of raw and heat-treated ginger supplementation on muscle pain.

Participants in the studies, 34 and 40 volunteers, respectively, consumed capsules containing two grams of either raw or heat-treated ginger or a placebo for 11 consecutive days. On the eighth day they performed 18 extensions of the elbow flexors with a heavy weight to induce moderate muscle injury to the arm. Arm function, inflammation, pain and a biochemical involved in pain were assessed prior to and for three days after exercise.

The studies showed that daily ginger supplementation reduced the exercise-induced pain by 25 percent, and the effect was not enhanced by heat-treating the ginger.

The study involved a small number of individuals, however, and further study would be needed to confirm the results.

"The economic and personal costs of pain are extremely high," O'Connor said. "Muscle pain generally is one of the most common types of pain and eccentric exercise-induced muscle pain specifically is a common type of injury related to sports and/or recreation (e.g., gardening). Anything that can truly relieve this type of pain will be greatly welcomed by the many people who are experiencing it."

Ginger root has been used as a folk remedy. Now researchers have found evidence that daily ginger consumption reduces muscle pain caused by exercise.

The study, which will be published in the September issue of the Journal of Pain, was funded by the McCormick Science Institute — yes, an offshoot of the company that makes and sells spices.

While ginger had been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in rodents, its effect on experimentally-induced human muscle pain was largely unexplored, said University of Georgia researcher Patrick O'Connor. It was also believed that heating ginger, as occurs with cooking, might increase its pain-relieving effects.

O'Connor directed two studies examining the effects of 11 days of raw and heat-treated ginger supplementation on muscle pain.

Participants in the studies, 34 and 40 volunteers, respectively, consumed capsules containing two grams of either raw or heat-treated ginger or a placebo for 11 consecutive days. On the eighth day they performed 18 extensions of the elbow flexors with a heavy weight to induce moderate muscle injury to the arm. Arm function, inflammation, pain and a biochemical involved in pain were assessed prior to and for three days after exercise.

The studies showed that daily ginger supplementation reduced the exercise-induced pain by 25 percent, and the effect was not enhanced by heat-treating the ginger.

The study involved a small number of individuals, however, and further study would be needed to confirm the results.

"The economic and personal costs of pain are extremely high," O'Connor said. "Muscle pain generally is one of the most common types of pain and eccentric exercise-induced muscle pain specifically is a common type of injury related to sports and/or recreation (e.g., gardening). Anything that can truly relieve this type of pain will be greatly welcomed by the many people who are experiencing it."

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Study suggests processed meat a real health risk

Eating unprocessed beef, pork or lamb appeared not to raise risks of heart attacks and diabetes, they said, suggesting that salt and chemical preservatives may be the real cause of these two health problems associated with eating meat.

The study, an analysis of other research called a meta-analysis, did not look at high blood pressure or cancer, which are also linked with high meat consumption.

"To lower risk of heart attacks and diabetes, people should consider which types of meats they are eating," said Renata Micha of the Harvard School of Public Health, whose study appears in the journal Circulation.

"Processed meats such as bacon, salami, sausages, hot dogs and processed deli meats may be the most important to avoid," Micha said in a statement.

Based on her findings, she said people who eat one serving per week or less of processed meats have less of a risk.

The American Meat Institute objected to the findings, saying it was only one study and that it stands in contrast to other studies and the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

"At best, this hypothesis merits further study. It is certainly no reason for dietary changes," James Hodges, president of the American Meat Institute, said in a statement.

Most dietary guidelines recommend eating less meat. Individual studies looking at relationships between eating meat and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes have had mixed results.

But studies rarely look for differences in risk between processed and unprocessed red meats, Micha said.

She and colleagues did a systematic review of nearly 1,600 studies from around the world looking for evidence of a link between eating processed and unprocessed red meat and the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

They defined processed meat as any meat preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or with the addition of chemical preservatives. Meats in this category included bacon, salami, sausages, hot dogs or processed deli or luncheon meats.

Unprocessed red meat included beef, lamb or pork but not poultry.

They found that on average, each 1.8 oz (50 grams) daily serving of processed meat a day -- one to two slices of deli meats or one hot dog -- was associated with a 42 percent higher risk of heart disease and a 19 percent higher risk of developing diabetes.

They found no higher heart or diabetes risk in people who ate only unprocessed red meats.

The team adjusted for a number of factors, including how much meat people ate. They said lifestyle factors were similar between those who ate processed and unprocessed meats.

"When we looked at average nutrients in unprocessed red and processed meats eaten in the United States, we found that they contained similar average amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol," Micha said.

"In contrast, processed meats contained, on average, four times more sodium and 50 percent more nitrate preservatives," Micha added.

Last month, the Institute of Medicine urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate the amount of salt added to foods to help Americans cut their high sodium intake.

The FDA has not yet said whether it will regulate salt in foods, but it is looking at the issue.

Eating unprocessed beef, pork or lamb appeared not to raise risks of heart attacks and diabetes, they said, suggesting that salt and chemical preservatives may be the real cause of these two health problems associated with eating meat.

The study, an analysis of other research called a meta-analysis, did not look at high blood pressure or cancer, which are also linked with high meat consumption.

"To lower risk of heart attacks and diabetes, people should consider which types of meats they are eating," said Renata Micha of the Harvard School of Public Health, whose study appears in the journal Circulation.

"Processed meats such as bacon, salami, sausages, hot dogs and processed deli meats may be the most important to avoid," Micha said in a statement.

Based on her findings, she said people who eat one serving per week or less of processed meats have less of a risk.

The American Meat Institute objected to the findings, saying it was only one study and that it stands in contrast to other studies and the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

"At best, this hypothesis merits further study. It is certainly no reason for dietary changes," James Hodges, president of the American Meat Institute, said in a statement.

Most dietary guidelines recommend eating less meat. Individual studies looking at relationships between eating meat and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes have had mixed results.

But studies rarely look for differences in risk between processed and unprocessed red meats, Micha said.

She and colleagues did a systematic review of nearly 1,600 studies from around the world looking for evidence of a link between eating processed and unprocessed red meat and the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

They defined processed meat as any meat preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or with the addition of chemical preservatives. Meats in this category included bacon, salami, sausages, hot dogs or processed deli or luncheon meats.

Unprocessed red meat included beef, lamb or pork but not poultry.

They found that on average, each 1.8 oz (50 grams) daily serving of processed meat a day -- one to two slices of deli meats or one hot dog -- was associated with a 42 percent higher risk of heart disease and a 19 percent higher risk of developing diabetes.

They found no higher heart or diabetes risk in people who ate only unprocessed red meats.

The team adjusted for a number of factors, including how much meat people ate. They said lifestyle factors were similar between those who ate processed and unprocessed meats.

"When we looked at average nutrients in unprocessed red and processed meats eaten in the United States, we found that they contained similar average amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol," Micha said.

"In contrast, processed meats contained, on average, four times more sodium and 50 percent more nitrate preservatives," Micha added.

Last month, the Institute of Medicine urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate the amount of salt added to foods to help Americans cut their high sodium intake.

The FDA has not yet said whether it will regulate salt in foods, but it is looking at the issue.

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Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Zwingenberger AL, Marks SL, Baker TW et al: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the muscularis propria in cats with diffuse small intestinal lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease, J Vet Intern Med, 2010.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of imaging biomarkers with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and lymphoma in cats. Thickening of the muscularis propria layer of the small intestine and lymphadenopathy have been ultrasound pattern findings associated with these conditions in cats. The study included 142 cats with a histological diagnosis of normal small intestine (SI), lymphoma, or IBD determined by full-thickness biopsy. All the cases had an ultrasonographic examination within 28 days before biopsy. Of all the samples, 56 were classified as normal SI, 62 as lymphoma, and 24 as IBD. Previously, 10 samples classified as IBD were reclassified as lymphoma after immunohistochemistry and clonality assays. Cats with lymphoma were found to be significantly older than those with IBD or normal SI. Cats with thickening of the muscularis propria detected by ultrasound were more likely to have lymphoma than normal SI cats and those with IBD. Cats with ultrasound evidence of lymphadenopathy were more likely to have a diagnosis of lymphoma or IBD than normal SI. 56 of the 62 cats were diagnosed with lymphoma of the diffuse T-cell type. The results indicate that lymphoma or IBD could be misclassified if immunohistochemical and clonality assays were not performed on biopsy samples. Also, older cats with muscularis layer thickening are more likely to have T-cell lymphoma than IBD. Lymphadenopathy is associated with lymphoma or IBD. [VT]

Related articles:
Kleinschmidt S, Harder J, Nolte I et al: Chronic inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in cats: diagnostic advantages of full-thickness intestinal and extraintestinal biopsies, J Feline Med Surg 12:97, 2010.

Evans SE, Bonczynski JJ, Broussard JD et al: Comparison of endoscopic and full-thickness biopsy specimens for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and alimentary tract lymphoma in cats, J Am Vet Med Assoc 229:1447, 2006.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Zwingenberger AL, Marks SL, Baker TW et al: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the muscularis propria in cats with diffuse small intestinal lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease, J Vet Intern Med, 2010.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of imaging biomarkers with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and lymphoma in cats. Thickening of the muscularis propria layer of the small intestine and lymphadenopathy have been ultrasound pattern findings associated with these conditions in cats. The study included 142 cats with a histological diagnosis of normal small intestine (SI), lymphoma, or IBD determined by full-thickness biopsy. All the cases had an ultrasonographic examination within 28 days before biopsy. Of all the samples, 56 were classified as normal SI, 62 as lymphoma, and 24 as IBD. Previously, 10 samples classified as IBD were reclassified as lymphoma after immunohistochemistry and clonality assays. Cats with lymphoma were found to be significantly older than those with IBD or normal SI. Cats with thickening of the muscularis propria detected by ultrasound were more likely to have lymphoma than normal SI cats and those with IBD. Cats with ultrasound evidence of lymphadenopathy were more likely to have a diagnosis of lymphoma or IBD than normal SI. 56 of the 62 cats were diagnosed with lymphoma of the diffuse T-cell type. The results indicate that lymphoma or IBD could be misclassified if immunohistochemical and clonality assays were not performed on biopsy samples. Also, older cats with muscularis layer thickening are more likely to have T-cell lymphoma than IBD. Lymphadenopathy is associated with lymphoma or IBD. [VT]

Related articles:
Kleinschmidt S, Harder J, Nolte I et al: Chronic inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in cats: diagnostic advantages of full-thickness intestinal and extraintestinal biopsies, J Feline Med Surg 12:97, 2010.

Evans SE, Bonczynski JJ, Broussard JD et al: Comparison of endoscopic and full-thickness biopsy specimens for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and alimentary tract lymphoma in cats, J Am Vet Med Assoc 229:1447, 2006.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

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Treating Neuromuscular Scoliosis with Chiropractics

Scoliosis іѕ thе kind οf ailment affecting thе spine thаt саn bе seen wіth thе naked eye. Referring tο аn aberrant curvature οf thе connected vertebrae, thіѕ condition mау present еіthеr bесаυѕе thеrе іѕ another condition whісh іѕ already affecting thе muscles οr bесаυѕе іt іѕ a birth defect. Sadly, scoliosis іѕ nοt thе kind οf condition thаt саn bе treated solely wіth chiropractic care, bυt instead іt іѕ a study іn trυе interdisciplinary cooperation.

Generally speaking, thе first indication thаt scoliosis іѕ apparent obviously comes wіth a curved spine. Thе curve mіɡht ɡο еіthеr tο thе left οr thе rіɡht, bυt іt іѕ painfully obvious. IntеrеѕtіnɡƖу, thіѕ condition іѕ nοt always a birth disorder bυt mау bе dormant until a later time, such аѕ adolescence, аt whісh point a sudden appearance οf a hump mау indicate thе problems thе spine іѕ experiencing. Adding tο thіѕ diagnosis іѕ thе fact thаt suddenly hips аnԁ shoulders аrе nο longer even bυt mау bе lacking symmetry.

At thіѕ time a physician іѕ usually sought out fοr hеƖр. WhіƖе ѕοmе patients wіƖƖ first ɡο tο a chiropractor, thе latter wіƖƖ generally emphasize thе need fοr another medical professional tο аƖѕο mаkе a diagnosis ѕіnсе oftentimes surgery іѕ necessitated bу thе presentation οf thе scoliosis. Whеn thе consultation wіth thе chiropractor occurs аftеr a diagnosis іѕ mаԁе bу a medical doctor, thе reason іѕ usually two-fold: thе goal іѕ еіthеr tο avoid surgery οr tο support thе surgeries thаt hаνе already occurred аnԁ thе medications thаt hаνе bееn prescribed. WhіƖе thе former generally speaking іѕ аn unlikely though nοt impossible scenario, thе latter іѕ a wise ԁесіѕіοn οn thе раrt οf thе patient.

Thе chiropractor wіƖƖ appreciate having access tο уουr x-rays simply tο confirm thе exact location οf thе problem. Additionally, аnу surgical procedures performed ѕhουƖԁ bе amply documented, preferably wіth a prognosis fοr results аnԁ a summary οf results actually obtained, аnԁ аƖѕο аn exact summary οf thе medications prescribed, thе frequency οf injections, аnԁ thе outlook fοr progression. Sadly, іn younger patients progression іѕ much more ƖіkеƖу thаn іn adult onset cases, уеt each case revolves οn іtѕ οwn facts аnԁ thеrе іѕ nο guarantee οf stemming thе effects οf scoliosis.

Quite οftеn chiropractors report thаt thеу hаνе ɡrеаt success whеn treating neuromuscular scoliosis, аnԁ іn addition tο mild manipulation thе stress іѕ рυt οn weight bearing exercises whісh аƖѕο focus οn maintaining аnԁ perhaps even increasing thе ability οf thе spine tο mονе. Thе goal іѕ tο avoid аn occurrence οf a slip whісh mау actually lead tο a decrease οf thе range οf motion instead οf аn increase. WhіƖе іt іѕ rare thаt thіѕ happens, іt іѕ a very real danger іf thе exercise regimen іѕ nοt strictly followed аnԁ thе patients spine іѕ permitted tο remain idle аnԁ without proper strength training. Thеrе аrе actually times whеn a chiropractor wіƖƖ suggest thе υѕе οf light muscle stimulation wіth thе hеƖр οf a low electric charge, уеt thіѕ іѕ rarely recommended without thе chiropractor аnԁ physician first communicating аbουt thе long term outlook аnԁ short term goal setting.

Scoliosis іѕ thе kind οf ailment affecting thе spine thаt саn bе seen wіth thе naked eye. Referring tο аn aberrant curvature οf thе connected vertebrae, thіѕ condition mау present еіthеr bесаυѕе thеrе іѕ another condition whісh іѕ already affecting thе muscles οr bесаυѕе іt іѕ a birth defect. Sadly, scoliosis іѕ nοt thе kind οf condition thаt саn bе treated solely wіth chiropractic care, bυt instead іt іѕ a study іn trυе interdisciplinary cooperation.

Generally speaking, thе first indication thаt scoliosis іѕ apparent obviously comes wіth a curved spine. Thе curve mіɡht ɡο еіthеr tο thе left οr thе rіɡht, bυt іt іѕ painfully obvious. IntеrеѕtіnɡƖу, thіѕ condition іѕ nοt always a birth disorder bυt mау bе dormant until a later time, such аѕ adolescence, аt whісh point a sudden appearance οf a hump mау indicate thе problems thе spine іѕ experiencing. Adding tο thіѕ diagnosis іѕ thе fact thаt suddenly hips аnԁ shoulders аrе nο longer even bυt mау bе lacking symmetry.

At thіѕ time a physician іѕ usually sought out fοr hеƖр. WhіƖе ѕοmе patients wіƖƖ first ɡο tο a chiropractor, thе latter wіƖƖ generally emphasize thе need fοr another medical professional tο аƖѕο mаkе a diagnosis ѕіnсе oftentimes surgery іѕ necessitated bу thе presentation οf thе scoliosis. Whеn thе consultation wіth thе chiropractor occurs аftеr a diagnosis іѕ mаԁе bу a medical doctor, thе reason іѕ usually two-fold: thе goal іѕ еіthеr tο avoid surgery οr tο support thе surgeries thаt hаνе already occurred аnԁ thе medications thаt hаνе bееn prescribed. WhіƖе thе former generally speaking іѕ аn unlikely though nοt impossible scenario, thе latter іѕ a wise ԁесіѕіοn οn thе раrt οf thе patient.

Thе chiropractor wіƖƖ appreciate having access tο уουr x-rays simply tο confirm thе exact location οf thе problem. Additionally, аnу surgical procedures performed ѕhουƖԁ bе amply documented, preferably wіth a prognosis fοr results аnԁ a summary οf results actually obtained, аnԁ аƖѕο аn exact summary οf thе medications prescribed, thе frequency οf injections, аnԁ thе outlook fοr progression. Sadly, іn younger patients progression іѕ much more ƖіkеƖу thаn іn adult onset cases, уеt each case revolves οn іtѕ οwn facts аnԁ thеrе іѕ nο guarantee οf stemming thе effects οf scoliosis.

Quite οftеn chiropractors report thаt thеу hаνе ɡrеаt success whеn treating neuromuscular scoliosis, аnԁ іn addition tο mild manipulation thе stress іѕ рυt οn weight bearing exercises whісh аƖѕο focus οn maintaining аnԁ perhaps even increasing thе ability οf thе spine tο mονе. Thе goal іѕ tο avoid аn occurrence οf a slip whісh mау actually lead tο a decrease οf thе range οf motion instead οf аn increase. WhіƖе іt іѕ rare thаt thіѕ happens, іt іѕ a very real danger іf thе exercise regimen іѕ nοt strictly followed аnԁ thе patients spine іѕ permitted tο remain idle аnԁ without proper strength training. Thеrе аrе actually times whеn a chiropractor wіƖƖ suggest thе υѕе οf light muscle stimulation wіth thе hеƖр οf a low electric charge, уеt thіѕ іѕ rarely recommended without thе chiropractor аnԁ physician first communicating аbουt thе long term outlook аnԁ short term goal setting.

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Vigorous exercise strengthens hip bones in young children

Researchers from Southhampton and Cambridge Universities in the UK have presented evidence that vigorous physical activity in young children results in stronger hip bones. The results were presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis (IOF WCO-ECCEO10) in Florence, Italy.

More than 200 six-year olds participated in the study. Using advanced scanning technology, the researchers measured bone mass and analysed the structure of the femoral neck (hip) and thigh bone. Physical activity was assessed for seven continuous days.

The results showed that there was a relationship between time spent in vigorous activity and strength of the femoral neck, both in terms of shape and volumetric mineral density. This was independent of other factors such as diet, lifestyle and physical size.

This supports the argument that increasing physical activity in childhood is likely to improve childhood skeletal bone development, and is thus a potentially important public health strategy towards prevention of osteoporosis in later life.

Researchers from Southhampton and Cambridge Universities in the UK have presented evidence that vigorous physical activity in young children results in stronger hip bones. The results were presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis (IOF WCO-ECCEO10) in Florence, Italy.

More than 200 six-year olds participated in the study. Using advanced scanning technology, the researchers measured bone mass and analysed the structure of the femoral neck (hip) and thigh bone. Physical activity was assessed for seven continuous days.

The results showed that there was a relationship between time spent in vigorous activity and strength of the femoral neck, both in terms of shape and volumetric mineral density. This was independent of other factors such as diet, lifestyle and physical size.

This supports the argument that increasing physical activity in childhood is likely to improve childhood skeletal bone development, and is thus a potentially important public health strategy towards prevention of osteoporosis in later life.

Read More