The High Price of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders are conditions that affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. Previous studies have shown that women are more likely to suffer musculoskeletal disorders than men, but scientists have disputed these results, based on the belief that women are more likely than men to admit they are in pain, and therefore more likely to seek treatment.

A group of U.S. researchers attempted to settle the dispute by reviewing more than 50 articles on musculoskeletal disorders in both men and women. They found that women were indeed more than twice as likely as men to develop musculoskeletal disorders in the upper body - specifically, disorders of the neck, shoulders, arms and hands.

Regardless of gender, if you suffer from pain, it's time to see your chiropractor! A doctor of chiropractic can diagnose your current condition and offer treatments to relieve pain and improve your general well-being. For more information on the benefits of chiropractic click here.

Reference: Treaster DE, Burr D. Gender differences in prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics April 2004;47(5):495-526.

Cough Syrups Don't Reduce Cough Symptoms

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are one of the most common reasons parents bring their children to the doctor. A frequent symptom of a URI in children is coughing, which can make children - and their parents - miserable over time. Most of the time, a doctor will simply recommend an over-the-counter or prescription cough syrup. But as this study shows, cough medicines don't always do what they're supposed to.

Researchers examined 100 children with URIs and divided them into three groups. The first group received a syrup containing dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in cough syrups. The second group received a syrup containing another common ingredient, diphenhydramine. The third group received a placebo syrup that was identical in appearance to the other two syrups, but had no ingredients intended to improve cough symptoms. Parents were asked to rate the children's symptoms of coughing and other factors over a 24-hour period.

When the researchers compared the parents' ratings, they found that the medicated cough syrups were no better than placebo in preventing coughs or improving children's sleep. In fact, children given the placebo syrup coughed less frequently than children given syrups containing either active ingredient. As this study suggests, cough medicines appear no better than placebo at reducing children's coughs. While this doesn't mean that medicated cough syrups aren't any good, ask your doctor about these study results and investigate more effective alternatives. A substantial body of research suggests that many commonly prescribed medications are ineffective and/or associated with dangerous side-effects.

To learn more click here.

References: Paul IM, Yoder KE, Crowell KR, et al. Effect of dextromethorphan,diphenhydramine, and placebo on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for couching children and their parents. Pediatrics July 2004;114(1):e85-90.

Calcium: The Key to a Happy Colon

Calcium has been shown to have many positive benefits, including helping to build strong bones and teeth, aiding in weight loss, and now, staving off intestinal polyps, according to research published in a recent issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Researchers studied just over 900 patients assigned randomly to receive 1,200 mg/day of calcium carbonate or placebo. Follow-up colonoscopies were administered to each patient, approximately one and four years after the initial presence of colorectal polyps was assessed.

Results: Researchers found that polyps occurred less frequently among the calcium group than the placebo group, and that calcium reduced the risk of all polyps by 14 percent and advanced polyps by 35 percent. The authors also suggest that intakes over 1,200 mg of calcium a day may be necessary to maximize its benefits, and that dietary fiber and dietary fat may also play a role.

Still not convinced about the value of calcium? Well, guess what? It also helps regulate heart function and lower cholesterol. So don't delay! Be kind to your colon, and start your calcium regimen today. Good food sources include dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, cereal products, beans, and fruits. If finding the time to get proper calcium intake from food seems to be a problem, a daily multivitamin is a good alternative.

A comprehensive listing of vitamins and minerals, including brief summaries, recommended daily intake, and common food sources can be found at click here.

Lower Extremity Injuries: Know the Risks

It's been estimated that sports-related injuries cost up to $1 billion annually worldwide. In the U.S. alone, between 3 million and 5 million sports-related injuries occur each year; most are injuries to the ankle, knee and lower leg - a region generally termed the "lower extremity."

What increases the risk of suffering a lower extremity injury, and how can you prevent or reduce the risk of getting hurt? Researchers set out to answer these questions by reviewing several previous studies and found approximately 20 factors that can contribute to lower extremity injuries. Among the most common factors are age; history of previous injury; body size (including the size of a person's limb); muscle strength; the type of shoe being used while performing an activity; whether the person is using any type of ankle wrap or bracing; and playing surface. All of these factors can determine, positively or negatively, the degree to which a person might sustain a lower extremity injury while playing sports.

Few practitioners know how to diagnose and treat lower extremity injuries better than doctors of chiropractic. If you suspect you have an injury, or if you're involved in an organized sport or other type of regular physical activity and want more information on preventing injuries from occurring, schedule an appointment with a DC. Your chiropractor can create an exercise plan that maximizes your fitness level while minimizing the risk of injury.

For more information on exercise and physical fitness click here.

Reference: Murphy DF, Connolly DAJ, Beynnon BD. Risk factors for lower extremity injury: a review of the literature. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2003;37:13-29.

Laboring Over Low Back Pain

As if pregnancy isn't challenging enough with its emotional ups and downs, weight gain, etc., recent evidence suggests that low back pain (LBP) is a major factor as well. A 36-question survey of 950 pregnant women revealed that 70 percent of respondents experienced LBP at some point during their terms.

Anonymous surveys were distributed to pregnant women participating in prenatal classes throughout New Haven County, Conn., over a period of 18 months. The surveys found that LBP was more common among younger pregnant women and those with a history of LBP both during and independent of previous pregnancies. Survey respondents also indicated that LBP had negatively affected sleep patterns and some daily activities. Of the women who reported LBP to their doctors, only 25 percent received treatment recommendations. These results show that LBP is prevalent during pregnancy; sadly, it seems that few of these patients' primary care providers did much to help.

Pregnancy notwithstanding, LBP can be disruptive if left untreated. Don't let LBP take the joy out of your pregnancy.Your doctor of chiropractic can recommend a safe and gentle treatment plan.

For more on women's health click here.

References: Wang SM, Dezinno P, Maranets I, et al. Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. Obstet Gynecol July 2004;104(1):65-70.

How to Prevent Cancer: Let Us Count the Ways

As scary as it sounds, some scientists estimate that up to one-third of all American women will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. It was the second leading cause of death in American women in 2000, and the leading cause of death for American women between the ages of 40 and 79.

In 1997, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) published a series of 14 guidelines to help reduce cancer rates worldwide.Researchers at the Mayo Clinic examined the effect the AICR guidelines has had on cancer prevention by condensing the 14 recommendations into nine that were considered relevant to Western populations, then measuring those recommendations against a population of more than 29,000 women (ages 55-69) over a 12-year period. The study found that women who adopted at least six of the nine recommendations were 35 percent less likely to get cancer and 43 percent less likely to die from cancer than women who followed zero or one recommendation.

Among the AICR's recommendations, people should: have a maximum BMI (body mass index) of 25 and limit adult weight gain to no more than 11 pounds; engage in daily moderate and weekly vigorous physical activity; eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day; eat seven or more portions of complex carbohydrates (such as grains and cereals) each day; limit intake of processed foods and refined sugars; limit alcoholic drinks to one (for women) or two (for men) daily; limit red meat intake to no more than 3 ounces daily; limit intake of fatty foods, particularly those derived from animals; limit intake of salted foods and use of salt in cooking; and eliminate tobacco use.

For more information on health and nutrition click here.

Reference: Cerhan JR, Potter JD, Gilmore JME, et al. Adherence to the AICR cancer prevention recommendations and subsequent morbidity and mortality in the Iowa Women's Health Study Cohort. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention July 2004;13(7):1114-20.