Mirror Athlete Blog Articles

January 25, 2008

How Does One Deal With Osteoporosis Onset

Filed under: Chronic Pain,Dare to Walk,Exercise,Prevention,Women's Health,body activity,disability,disease,how to,osteoporosis,pain — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Marc Woodard @ 06:16

Question & Answer “Osteoporosis Onset”

Q.  Last year my mother was cleaning the house and slipped on a door mat and fell.  Unfortunately, she fractured her hip and had to be immobilized for awhile to allow healing.  The doctor diagnosed her with the beginning onset of osteoporosis.  Although I don’t consider my mother elderly at 64 years of age, I guess it is quite common for women to receive this type of diagnosis.  Is their anything my mother can do to strengthen her bone density so the condition does not worsen?

 A.  You are correct with your statement “quite common for women,” (women have a 1 in 4 chance of acquiring osteoporosis by age 60).  This is basically due to the fact women have 30% less bone density then their counter part.  Also, after a woman goes through menopause, estrogen levels drop drastically further contributing to bone density loss.  Nutritional experts highly recommend good sources of calcium, i.e., milk, yogurt, cheese, soy, almonds, etc.  Calcium supplements prescribed (1500-2000mg/day), may benefit  persons with osteoporosis.  Absorption is also an issue, as we age our bodies lack the ability to absorb the nutrients maximally.  Other nutrients vital to maintain strong and healthy bones…vitamin D, K, magnesium and zinc.

Highly recommended:  Physical exercise.  Loading up the bone structure with resistive workouts strengthens bone and builds bone density.  At a minimum, all adults should strive to go on walks every other day, make it a habit, your bones will love you for it.  Ask a doctor if supplementation, or exercise is right for you.  See our healthy home banner above.  The Wellness Wholesale Company has excellent “NATURAL” supplement scientifically formulated to assist osteoporosis prevention & maintenance.   Please feel free to read my personal testimonial on that web page with regard to the high absorption qualty of these premium wellness products

Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2008 Copyright, All rights reserved.  Mirror Athlete Enterprises Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com, Sign up for your free eNewsletter.

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January 18, 2008

How to Manage Acute Back Pain

Filed under: Dare to Walk,Exercise,Feet,Fitness,Prevention,back,body activity,how to,pain,posture — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Marc Woodard @ 17:51

The most common muscular skeletal disorders involving the low back are muscular ligaments, muscle and tendons. Human studies have shown low back pain, regardless of severity will account for more sick leave and disability than any other single medical condition. Nearly 80% of adults will experience back pain some time in their lives. Through time the discs begin to loss elasticity and is indicative of an acute low back event with a rapid onset and short course of pain. This pain center may not be triggered again for years [“a weak point once an event has occurred”]. Overstretching of the muscles during work can become overstretched and torn, resulting in localized pain, stiffness, and inflammation, also bruising around the muscle. A Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) [muscle-tendon relationship] is a result of overuse on the body due to some short/long term repetitive activity, e.g., shoveling, raking, running, picking up items, etc. Poor posture puts force and strain on the lower back, “focus on proper back posture!”

  Acute low back pain touches almost every American at some point in their life. Low back medical conditions and diseases we are most familiar with: Degenerative discs (wear & tear on the discs between vertebraes), herniated discs, (swollen, and irritated “overblown” discs between the vertebrae), spinal stenosis (narrowing of vertebrae canal presenting sciatica pain & numbness down the legs, etc.). These conditions share a relationship with acute back pain. Continued aggravation of the pain center can create long lasting bouts of recurrent episodes where the damage typically is permanent and chronic. A chronic low back condition typically involves overstretched, or torn ligaments and, or misalignment of posture brought about by a sudden impact, such as a car accident, fall, or long term RSI, or CTD activities. If your acute low back pain condition appears more frequent and severe lately…. “Pay Attention!” The acute to chronic crossover condition has longer recuperative periods and if the low back ligaments are stretched, or worse, become torn, surgical procedures “may likely” be necessary to limit long-term immobilization and pain. “Don’t Go There!” Read the following Recommends: Also visit our Site Pain Store for product use ideals.

Recommendations: · 1) If acute low back pain occurs, use ice no more then 20 minutes every 2 hours (to reduce swelling) and take medications as prescribed. 2) Maintain Ideal Body Wt (“IBW” see our site Fitness calculator-to determine your IBW). 3) Exercise (e.g., biking, walking, not less then 3/week @ 20-30min/day). 4) Proper nutrition (reduce fats in your diet and total calorie consumption/day). 5) Quality foot inserts (“Posture Control Insoles at our “Pain Store”). · 1) If acute back pain becomes “Intolerable” long-term chronic pain [consult your physician]. 2) “Tens Therapy” electro muscular-stimulation at our site “Pain Store,” can provide significant relief. 3) Do you need surgery? Ask your doctor about Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). This technology may provide new hope for you. Web search for more [Tens, Pain & SCS]. Reports show: 84% of SCS recipient’s quality of life improved significantly. (Neuromodulation. 2001 Apr;4(2):59-66). 4) Acclaimed success for acute to chronic back pain conditions: Acupuncture – “May also reduce chances of chronic back pain from occurring.” (Patel M, Gutzwiller f, Paccaud F, Marazzi A., Inter J Epidern 1989;18:900-906).

 Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing, www.mirrorathlete.com, Sign up for FREE Monthly eNewsletter.

January 14, 2008

Alzheimer’s Disease and Aluminum a Major Contributor?

Filed under: Blood,Consumer Safety,Mental Health,Nutrition,Prevention,Product Toxins,Treatment,blood chemistry,disability,disease,mind — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Marc Woodard @ 19:00

Why is Alzheimer’s disease the 4th leading cause of death among our elderly, only behind heart disease, cancer and stroke?  The World Health Organization to include many other research teams has determined there’s an overwhelming correlation with chemical pollution and the elderly.  Research strongly suggests the common denominator to Alzheimer’s disease is aluminum.  Aluminum happens to be the 3d most common element we are exposed to in our environment on a daily basis.  Some consumers are more exposed and susceptible to aluminum, or have no knowledge of the potential health risk through exposure.  This simply is due to the unknown properties of aluminum and how it is being introduced into our food chain and everyday use products.  Autopsies have found high concentrations of aluminum in the brain matter of deceased Alzheimer’s patients.  Studies show us you are 3 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s through the use of arousal anti-perspirants containing aluminum.  Also, municipal water that is treated with alum (aluminum sulfate).  Both entrants into the body are absorbed easily through consumption and may be easily absorbed by the brain through the nasal cavity (Public health reports, Natural health, University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter).

Concerned about metal particulates from frying pans where the tephlon stick surface has become scratched and aluminum exposed, I immediately began my kitchen inspection.  “Off topic, it’s a noteworthy thought to keep in the back of your head…manufacturers of tephlon (M3 and Dupont research) show no conclusive proof that tephon puts your health at risk.”  However, there is much research suggesting when you get into varying chemical sealant composites to bind-bond-seal the aluminum or copper cookware as “THE” protective “HEAT” barrier, this may present other known & unknown health risks.  With regard to local municipalities, how does one find out “how much” alum “aluminum” is added to our water?  And why is this necessary?   The amount necessary to reduce algae and turbidity creating crystal clear drinking water from our city utilities dictates the amount of aluminum sulfate required.  If you drink city water, you are ingesting alum.  Due to the unanswered link between Alzheimer’s and aluminum, (some scientists) are urging the use of ferric sulfate, or calcium sulfate in municipal water as opposed to aluminum sulfate to accomplish the job.

Recommendations:  I personally searched for old home products “deodorants” with the ingredient aluminum contained within the product.  I couldn’t find any, I converted my entire home over to clean green household products that can be found at my website.  The medical research correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and aluminum is so convincing a prudent person would remove “all” product and cooking utensils (pots and pans), cosmetics, to include aerosols made of, or containing aluminum. If you see the word alum (aluminum), seriously consider removing the product from your home.  Off Topic, but relevant [in general], if “ANY” product has the words, “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN” WHY?  If the product is not good for your children, it certainly can’t be good for you.  If you drink beverages made from aluminum cans, I highly recommend you switch to bottles.  I’m not sure how to advice you with the drinking water…there are far too many variable pertaining to concentration.  Contact your local municipality and ask about aluminum sulfate in your drinking water you decide…is bottled water any better?  We’ll cover this issue as a future topic.

 Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2008 Copyright.  All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @ www.mirrorathlete.com, Sign up for FREE Monthly eNewsletter.
 

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