Lower back pain can be extremely painful and hard to deal with. Many people have to deal with lower back pain some time in their lives and lower back pain is the single most reason for sick leave and disability.
The lower back or lumber region is made up of five vertebrae and in between these vertebrae lie the disks. The disks provide cushioning to the back and prevent the vertebrae from rubbing together while protecting the spinal cord. Nerves go out from the spinal cord through openings in the vertebrae, providing muscles with sensory and motor planning messages. The back is further stabilized by a number of back muscles and ligaments and tendons.
The reason for having lower back pain is varied. The disks lose moisture and flexibility over time and due to shrinking cause the vertebrae to rub together. Also osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis or simply overworked muscles can cause lower back pain. For many people however, a slipped disk or herniated disk is the cause of all their lower back pain misery.
A slipped disk or a ruptured or herniated disk is something you’ll have to learn how to live with. This condition can be diagnosed with an MRI. A disk that slips or is herniated will press on some nerves in the back causing pain ranging from a nagging pain in the back of one or both legs (sciatic nerve) to excruciating pain in the lower back.
Once you know you have a slipped or herniated disk, you’ll be able to tell when a bad case of lower back pain is coming. Shortly before the extreme back pain, you’ll notice some slight tingling sensations in either you lower back or in your legs.
This condition can be helped by a visit to the chiropractor or by physical therapy, but many people suffering from lower back pain simply don’t have the insurance to pay for it or they don’t believe in chiropractors.
Here are some steps you can perform yourself to help alleviate the pain associated with lower back pain:
- When you feel something shooting in your back, make sure you move your pelvis/hips backward to help move the disk back into place
- Lay flat on your stomach with your shoulders lifted up slightly (either on the floor or on your bed) for 10 minutes
- Sitting on the edge of your bed, with your legs hanging from the edge, lay down slowly and stay laying down for 3-5 minutes to stretch your back
- With your knees and hands on the floor, lift up one arm and opposing leg (left arm and right leg) alternatively for 10 repetitions
The slipped or herniated disk will become inflamed and increase the pressure on the nerves. It is therefore important to take a pain reliever that is also anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen. Take 2 tablets of ibuprofen 3 times daily for a number of days until the inflammation goes down. In addition, you should treat the affected area with an ice pack and a heat pack alternatively for a few times daily.
November 14th, 2010 in
lower back | tags:
back pain |
No Comments
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs, in which the bronchi (the airways) are reversibly narrowed. About 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma and asthma affects approximately 6-7% of the world’s population. Asthma causes the smooth muscle in the bronchi to constrict, making it more difficult to breathe.
Asthma is considered a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, however the airway obstruction in asthma is reversible. Also, in asthma only the bronchi are affected and not the alveoli. Asthma may interfere with daily activities, such as walking, getting up and down the steps or any activity that requires strength and endurance. Asthma symptoms may be seasonal and be connected to very specific trigger factors, which often differ between patients.
Asthma symptoms vary from patient to patient and fall on a spectrum from mild to severe. There exist two asthma states: chronic asthma (steady-state) and the acute asthma (attack), each state has different signs and symptoms.
Chronic asthma (steady-state) is characterized by these signs and symptoms:
- shortness of breath (only at exertion)
- nighttime coughing
- a frequent throat-clearing cough
- wheezing (not always present)
Symptoms may be present during certain parts of the day, may gradually decrease or get worse.
Acute asthma (attack) symptoms are:
- shortness of breath (sometimes even when resting)
- wheezing
- tightness in chest
The symptoms of an asthma attack may be so severe that they become life threatening. Asthma attacks are often treated with a rescue inhaler containing short-acting beta-2 agonists. Long-term treatment of asthma include inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-2 agonists and even monoclonal antibodies such as omalizumab and mepolizumab. The best way to take care of asthma in the long run is to identify and prevent exposure to trigger factors (see below), lower emotional and physical stress and by using prescription medicine (as discussed by you and your doctor).
Asthma Causes
Asthma has both genetic and environmental causes (triggers). Many asthma patients have family members who have lung conditions. Environmental trigger factors include bad air quality (often found in urban areas), high ozone levels in the atmosphere, other air pollutants including cigarette smoke, allergens such as pollen, mold, dust, dust mites, pet dander or rapid temperature changes. In addition, asthma can also be triggered by exersise. Recently, some researchers have suggested that the rise in asthma prevalence can be connected to the rise in acetaminophen pain killer use.
Additional Asthma Causes
Some studies have suggested that asthma may be linked to GERD, Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease. It may be possible that the chronic aspiration of gastric acid results in a worsening of inflammation in the lungs. To establish a relationship between GERD and the presence of asthma, pH esophageal monitoring has to be performed.
Natural Remedies That May Help Asthma Symptoms
Although no natural asthma remedy exists, supplements, vitamins and herbal extracts are available that could help reduce the severity of asthma symptoms:
- Vitamin C: low levels of vitamin C have been linked to decreased lung function. Taking vitamin C may improve lung function and protect against exercise-induced asthma
- Vitamin B: In particular vitamin B-complex is able to help the body cope with the effects of stress and could therefore be beneficial to asthma
- Green Lipped Mussel (Perna canaliculus): Endemic to New-Zealand, this bi-valve mollusc (in extract form) is able to inhibit the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, which is responsible for the formation of leukotrienes. This may help curb the inflammatory processes
Eneli, I., Sadri, K., Camargo, C. and Barr, R.G. (2005). Acetaminophen and the risk of asthma: the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic evidence. Chest 127: 604–12.
More Reading
- health tip:soy foods may help asthma sufferers – recent research shows that the isoflavones in soyfoods may help asthma sufferers. a study done at the northwestern university feinberg school of medicine in chicago examined the effects of… >>> enjoy this appetizer. …
February 3rd, 2010 in
lung disorders | tags:
asthma |
1 Comment
Migraine, often referred to as migraine headache, is a neurological condition that affects more women than men (3:1). The word migraine comes from a French term, which is a derivative of an old Greek term “hemikrania“, meaning “half” and “skull”.
Millions of people suffer from migraine headaches, which are often referred to as migraine attacks. It is important to differentiate migraine attacks from regular headaches and cluster headaches. Migraines have the following main symptoms (lasting 4-72 hours):
- a pulsating headache (usually on one side of the head)
- nausea or vomiting
- increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- headache is preceded by the appearance of an “aura” in 30% of sufferers, which is the unusual sensation of a visual, olfactory or other sensory experience
Migraines seem to be linked to fluctuating hormone levels, as evidenced by 75% of adult patients being women. Migraine headaches can either be less frequent or more frequent during pregnancy.
Migraines are often treated with traditional over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, acetaminophen (paracetamol) or analgesics containing a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine.
How to prevent a migraine attack?
Migraine headaches seem to be triggered by certain factors, which can differ from person to person. These trigger factors include allergies, bright lights or sounds, fluctuating hormone levels, emotional or physical stress, changes in sleep patterns, alcohol, smoking and food ingredients (see next).
What not to eat?
The following food items are considered migraine triggers:
- Gluten: Several studies have found that gluten elimination from the diet can prevent or eliminate a migraine attack in a number of patients. For people who have celiac disease, migraines may be caused by a gluten sensitivity
- MSG: Mono-Sodium Glutamate has often been reported as a migraine trigger
- Tyramine: tyramine is found primarily in fermented food (aged cheeses, smoked meat, beer, wine)
Herbal treatments for migraines
Some migraine sufferers may not want to take painkillers or products containing caffeine (for example if you have high blood pressure). Migraine relief may come from these herbal remedies:
- Feverfew
- Passionflower
- Lemon balm
- Chamomille
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- niacin (a B vitamin)
References
Lay, C.L. and Broner, S.W. (2009). Migraine in women. Neurol. Clin 27: 503–511.
Gabrielli, M., Cremonini, F., Fiore, G. et al. (2003) Association between migraine and Celiac disease: results from a preliminary case-control and therapeutic study. Am J Gastroenterol 98:625-9.
