Septyember 13, 2000 [Volume 1, Issue 22]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Back to Work with Chiropractic
• More on the Dangers of NSAIDs
• Oral Contraceptives Increase Stroke Risk?
• Staying Healthy by Eating Yogurt

Previous issues of To Your Health have mentioned the troubling statistic that eight of 10 people will suffer back pain at some point in their lifetime. If you think you can put up with the pain, take note of another disturbing statistic: Back pain is a leading cause of workplace health problems and sick leave from work.

More and more people are recognizing chiropractic as an effective method of managing back pain (and many other musculoskeletal conditions). If personal experience and research evidence haven't yet convinced you, maybe a recent study in the Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System will do the job. The study involved 103 workers referred for chiropractic treatment from four manufacturing companies in England. Patients completed a screening questionnaire at their initial visit, with subsequent questionnaires completed at visits 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.

Patients reported decreases in all outcome measures, including: pain intensity; disability in daily living, work and social activities; anxiety about the condition; depression; and attitudes about work activity making the problem worse. There was also evidence of patients' overall satisfaction with treatment and perceived self-improvement. Most impressive perhaps, all employees remained working or returned to work within eight chiropractic treatments.

You may not be able to avoid back pain, but there's certainly something you can do about it. Don't be part of the statistics. If you're suffering from back pain, schedule an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic. And for more information on back pain, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/backpain.html.

Reference:Blokland MP, Bolton JE, Gration J. Chiropractic treatment in workers with musculoskeletal complaints. Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System 2000: Vol. 8, pp17-23.

More on the Dangers of NSAIDs

Another day, another report of the potential dangers of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Millions of people take NSAIDs each year for a number of conditions, specifically to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. However, these analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits can be accompanied by dangerous side effects, particularly gastrointestinal complications.

How dangerous are NSAIDs? A British study in the journal Pain reviewed 49 randomized, controlled trials with data on gastric or duodenal ulcer, ulcer hemorrhage or perforation, and death attributable to NSAID (aspirin) use. The authors estimated that one in 1,200 patients taking NSAIDs for at least two months died from gastroduodenal complications. They also estimated that 2,000 people in the United Kingdom die each year from gastroduodenal lesions who would not have died if they were not taking NSAIDs.

The authors are quick to note that different NSAIDs are no doubt associated with different degrees or types of risk, and that these risks may be influenced by patient-related factors such as age or disease. However, they also note that their results "strongly" suggest that chronic oral NSAIDs pose a high risk of adverse effects and urge that "patients receive minimum effective doses for the minimum possible time."

Always ask your doctor about the potential risks of any medications you may be taking, and inquire about possible nonpharmaceutical alternatives to managing your condition. For more information on the dangers associated with drugs and other issues of consumer safety, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general/consumer.

Reference: Tramer MR, Moore RA, Reynolds DJM, et al. Quantitative estimation of rare adverse events which follow a biological progression: a new model applied to chronic NSAID use. Pain 2000: Vol. 85, pp169-82.

Oral Contraceptives Increase Stroke Risk?

Oral contraceptives (OCs) containing progestin and/or estrogen are the most popular reversible form of contraception in the United States. More than 10 million women in the U.S. use OCs, although safety concerns have existed since the products were introduced 40 years ago.

Previous research has raised the possibility that OC use may increase the risk of developing serious complications such as heart attack or stroke. This relationship was further evaluated in a literature review in the July 5, 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Analysis of 16 studies revealed that oral contraceptive use was associated with an increased risk of stroke. Smaller estrogen dosages were associated with a lower risk relative to higher estrogen doses, but elevated risk was noted regardless of dosage. These results were apparent even when considering other risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure and smoking status.

Despite their findings, the authors conclude that although there is a distinct risk associated with oral contraceptive use, "this additional risk appears to be outweighed by the health benefits of OC use in improved birth control." For more information on the benefits and risks associated with prescription birth control (and all medications), talk to your doctor.

Reference: Gillum LA, Mamidipudi SK, Johnston SC. Ischemic stroke risk with oral contraceptives: a meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association, July 5, 2000: Vol. 284, No. 1, pp72-8.

Staying Healthy by Eating Yogurt

Why eat yogurt? For starters, it's loaded with nutrients, including protein, calcium and riboflavin. Still not convinced? Consider the findings of a study that appeared in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition earlier this year.

Twenty-five healthy volunteers (aged 60-83) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Twelve subjects drank six ounces of low-fat, low-lactose milk twice a day for six weeks, while 13 subjects drank the same milk supplemented with a strain of lactic acid bacteria derived from yogurt (bifidobacterium lactis).

Results: Subjects who consumed milk supplemented with B lactis showed significantly improved levels of a biomarker for improved immunity compared with subjects who drank unsupplemented milk. The authors are encouraged that these improvements in immune function were noted after adopting a relatively short-term diet (six weeks), concluding that "Dietary B lactis appears to improve immune function in elderly subjects when delivered in a milk-based diet."

Your chiropractor can evaluate your current diet and outline a specific nutritional plan suitable to your needs.

Reference: Arunachalam K, Gill HS, Chandra RK. Enhancement of natural immune function by dietary consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019). European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000: Vol. 54, pp263-67.

For information on nutrition, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html

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