Is Back Pain in Your Future?

Chiropractors know that many things cause low back pain (LBP), including various physical, psychological, and personal characteristics. The effects of work on LBP are often studied; however, little research has focused on previous experiences causing LBP later in life. A recent study in the American Journal of Public Health investigated whether psychological stress can cause LBP a decade later.

Approximately 600 people in Britain who first suffered back pain at age 32-33 were compared to over 5,000 others who did not suffer from back pain. Back-pain information was obtained twice: from a current questionnaire and another completed 10 years previously. Only those with no LBP at age 23, but with later onset, were considered. Psychological stress in patients at age 23 was based on factors including low socioeconomic status, poor grades in school, behavioral problems, and early parenthood.

Those who reported stress at age 23 were two-and-a-half times more likely than their peers to have LBP a decade later. Smoking a half a pack or more of cigarettes per day throughout the 10 years also increased incidence of LBP. Overall, 10 percent of people with no back pain when younger reported it 10 years later.

Many studies have shown that stress leads to back and neck pain. Even if you aren't dealing with back pain now, minimize stress as much as possible to avoid future occurrence. Exercise can aid in stress management. Your doctor of chiropractic can help outline a stress-management program suitable to your needs.

Reference: Power C, Frank J, Hertzman C, et al. Predictors of low back pain onset in a prospective British study. American Journal of Public Health 2001:91(10), pp. 1671-1678.

For more information on back pain, check out http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/backpain.html.

No Grain, No Pain

The percentage of people with asthma has increased steadily over the last half of the 20th century: a recent study showed that 35% of 12- to 14-year-olds in the United Kingdom experience allergy symptoms annually. This increase may be linked to environmental factors, including eating certain foods. Eating dietary cereals, such as such as wheat, rye, oats, and barley, can cause an allergic reaction to grass pollen. Providing cereals in the diets of infants, whose digestive systems are not fully mature, may increase the likelihood of grass pollen allergies later in life.

Between 1989 and 1999, the authors of a study in the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy studied more than 16,000 patients admitted to the allergy unit at their clinic in Spain. Of these, 250 patients with grass-pollen asthma and 250 asthma-free individuals were selected for the study. Patients or their parents were asked about the patients' diets as infants, including how long they were breast-fed only.

People who were fed cereals in the first three months after birth were six times more likely to later suffer from grass-pollen asthma than their peers who were breast-fed only. Regarding allergy sufferers, 84% of those with an early cereal diet were allergic to grass pollen, compared to only 15% of those who were breast-fed.

Don't feed your infant cereal-based foods for at least the first year of life. Breast milk is the best nutritional source for young infants, especially during their first six months of life. Breastfeeding provides a natural and safe food source for your baby, and other studies have shown that it reduces a child's risk for conditions like heart disease, digestive problems, developmental problems, and infections. For more information on the essentials of pediatric health, go to http://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/pediatrics/index.html.

Reference: Armentia A, Bañuelos C, Arranz ML, et al. Early introduction of cereals into children's diets as a risk-factor for grass pollen asthma. Clinical & Experimental Allergy 2001:31(8), pp. 1250-1255.

Too Many Americans Taking Diet Pills

Long-term weight loss depends on overall lifestyle changes: eating fewer calories and exercising more often. Yet many Americans turn to nonprescription weight loss pills or prescription diet pills because they require little effort to achieve weight loss. These products contain substances that reduce your appetite and stimulate calorie burning in your body. However, some research studies have reported negative side effects of these products, such as heart attacks; strokes; anxiety; sleeplessness; migraines; and seizures. Diet pills are of particular concern to those who have diabetes or high blood pressure.

Information from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was utilized in this two-year study, recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers questioned nearly 15,000 adults about weight-loss product use; physical characteristics; presence of diabetes; and various lifestyle choices.

Seven percent of the participants had used at least one nonprescription weight-loss product. The authors of the study suggest that this translates into over 17 million people in the U.S. using these products from 1996-1998. Young, obese women were much more likely to take diet pills - nearly a third had used a weight-loss product. Many diabetic women and women with a healthy weight also reported using the drugs, however.

Obesity rates in the U.S. are increasing, which may lead to an increase in the use of diet pills. If you are trying to lose weight for any reason, avoid taking diet pills. The Food and Drug Administration has taken steps to remove phenylpropanolamine (PPA), the active ingredient in Acutrim and Dexatrim, from all drug products. Sound nutrition and consistent, moderate exercise, although not as simple as popping a pill, are safer alternatives.

Reference: Blanck HM, Khan LK, Serdula MK. Use of nonprescription weight loss products: Results from a multistate survey. Journal of the American Medical Association 2001:286(8), pp. 930-935.

Deflate Your Risk of Ankle Injury

If you play basketball, you've probably suffered at least one ankle injury before while on the court. Ankle injuries are one of the most common injuries in basketball, accounting for over half of the time missed by players. A recent study evaluated injuries in amateur basketball games to determine the primary causes of ankle injury.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, evaluated possible links to basketball ankle injuries, including history of injury; use of ankle tape/ braces; type of shoes; lack of warmup; and position played. Over 10,000 players in one elite and three recreational indoor basketball competitions in Australia were observed; players injured during the study period were asked to complete a questionnaire about their injury. The odds of ankle injury were 1 per 250 games (per person), and nearly half prevented players from returning to competition for at least one week. The three primary risk factors discovered are listed below, with corresponding increased odds of injury:

air cells in shoes (four times more likely); history of previous ankle injury (five times more likely); and not stretching prior to the game (three times more likely). Always seek some form of treatment for an ankle injury (at a minimum, use an ice pack or other cold treatment), even if the injury seems minor. Over half of the injured players did not seek professional treatment, which made them more prone to future ankle injuries. Avoid shoes with air cells while on the court - they may decrease your foot stability. Also, use ankle tape and stretch adequately prior to your game.

Contact your doctor of chiropractic for more information. For all your questions about sports injuries, visit http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/sports.html.

Reference: McKay GD, Goldie PA, Payne WR, et al. Ankle injuries in basketball: Injury rate and risk factors. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2001:35, pp. 103-108.

Try the Natural Approach to Health Care

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen, effectively reduce pain and fever. Yet these drugs have been linked to peptic ulcers, which cause pain, bleeding, and perforation in the stomach. Few studies have reported on the risk for peptic ulcers related to the use of the NSAID acetaminophen, however, which is found in Tylenol. In addition, it is not known if several new NSAIDs approved for public use in the last decade are related to ulcers.

The authors of the study, which appeared in a recent issue of the journal Epidemiology, evaluated the risk of ulcer associated with the use of acetaminophen and several new NSAIDs. Researchers collected data on over 2,000 peptic ulcer patients and 11,500 of their healthy counterparts. Dosage and drug combinations, as well as overall drug use, were determined for the 40- to 79-year-old British subjects.

Acetaminophen use increased risk of peptic ulcer almost four times if more than two doses (or four pills) were taken daily. Risk was slight when less than that dosage was taken. Overall, NSAID use increased risk of ulcers fourfold at any dosage, but the drugs were most dangerous together: Combining NSAIDs and two doses or more of acetaminophen daily increased the risk for peptic ulcer 13.2 times.

Of course, these findings are based on a dosage of only four pills daily; many people take the recommended maximum dosage of eight pills per day. If you suffer from headaches, back pain, or other chronic conditions for which you take NSAIDs, never combine different drugs, and keep your dosages minimal, especially if you are having any sort of stomach problems. For more information on nonpharmaceutical approaches to managing pain, schedule an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic.

Reference: Rodríguez LAG, Hernández-Díaz S. Relative risk of upper gastrointestinal complications among users of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Epidemiology 2001:12(5), pp. 570-576.

Hair Dyes May Cause Arthritis

If you weren't born a platinum blonde (but are now), you may be interested to hear about the recently discovered association between hair dyes and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disabling condition in which the immune system attacks the body's cartilage, bone, and joints - leading to tissue damage and severe pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to have multiple origins, including insulin use and psychological stress, and is more likely in women than in men. A Swedish study recently published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases compared more than 400 rheumatoid arthritis patients with nearly 900 healthy individuals from 1980 to 1995.

Using hair dyes for more than 20 years doubled the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women. Other significant (and unusual) risk factors for women having the condition included matrimonial quarrels; tick-borne infections; regular exposure to horses; and smoking. In men, using a private water well and exposure to indoor mold were factors previously unknown to be linked to rheumatoid arthritis.

Many women use hair dyes regularly throughout their lives. Although researchers are unsure why dyes are linked to rheumatoid arthritis, until more information is available, you should consider showing off your natural hair color. Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about any health concerns you have, and visit http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/women.html.

Reference: Reckner Olsson A, Skogh T, Wingren G. Comorbidity and lifestyle, reproductive factors, and environmental exposures associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2001:60, pp. 934-939.

A Supplement for Sore Eyes

The leading cause of blindness and visual impairment among those 65 and older is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD occurs when light-sensing cells on the back of the eye malfunction and die off, causing a gradual loss of central (not peripheral) vision. There is no proven treatment to slow or prevent the progression of advanced AMD, but in its early stages some supplements may be effective.

The purpose of a recent study in the Archives of Ophthalmology was to determine the effectiveness of dietary antioxidants at preventing AMD. This study determined the effects of high daily doses of antioxidants (vitamin C - 500 milligrams; vitamin E - 400 IU; beta-carotene - 15 mg), zinc (80 mg), and the combined effects of zinc and antioxidants, on macular degeneration. Patients aged 55 to 80 were followed for approximately six years; all 3,500 individuals were considered to be at-risk for AMD.

Individuals at high risk for macular degeneration who took antioxidant supplements plus zinc for six years significantly lowered their risk for the condition, compared to those given a placebo (e.g., sugar pills). This group also showed a significant reduction in loss of visual clarity. Those given antioxidants or zinc alone reduced their chances for developing AMD, but by a smaller amount, and showed no change in visual acuity.

After age 55, schedule annual dilated eye examinations to determine your risk of AMD. If you are at a high risk for the condition, consider antioxidant and zinc supplementation. Red meat and shellfish contain high levels of zinc. Dietary antioxidants are concentrated in oranges; nuts and seeds; cantaloupe; broccoli; dark-green leafy vegetables; and sweet potatoes.

Reference: Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. Archives of Ophthalmology 2001:119(10), pp. 1417-1436.

Breathe Easier with Antioxidants

If you live in a metropolis, you are probably all-to-familiar with the brown cloud of pollution that envelops you. An estimated 130 million Americans reside in areas where atmospheric ozone - a major component of photochemical smog - consistently exceeds levels that people should not be exposed to even three days per year. Ozone gas exposure is an ever-present public health problem because it damages cells in the human body.

Besides moving to the country, how can you reduce your risk for ozone-induced lung injury? The authors of a recent study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine determined the effects of dietary antioxidants on lung function and inflammation resulting from ozone exposure. Thirty-one men and women, ages 18-35, were divided into a group given antioxidant supplements or a control group. The first group was given vitamin C supplements and blended carrot and tomato juices for two weeks. Controls received a placebo pill (e.g. sugar) and placebo drink that did not contain antioxidants. All individuals were then exposed to ozone gas, and lung function and tissue inflammation were measured.

Although antioxidants appeared to have no effect on the severity of lung inflammation, lung function was significantly better in the supplementation group than in the control group after ozone inhalation. Also, concentrations of vitamins in the blood remained significantly higher in the supplementation group during the experiment.

If you live in a polluted city, eat plenty of antioxidant-rich produce, such as strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, and winter squash. The vitamins in these foods provide numerous health benefits beyond their potential impact on lung function - from reducing risk of cancer to preventing sickness by boosting the immune system. To learn more about the benefits of vitamins and minerals, go to http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html.

Reference: Samet JM, Hatch GE, Horstman D, et al. Effect of antioxidant supplementation on ozone-induced lung injury in human subjects. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2001:164(5), pp. 819-825.