To Your HealthTYH Archives

October 21, 2003 [Volume 4, Issue 22]

 

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In this issue of To Your Health:

Your Best Bet for Evaluating Back Pain

According to the National Institutes of Health, Americans spend approximately $50 billion a year on medical costs and remedies for low back pain. For many, these costs are an unwelcome but necessary financial burden; however, according to a recent study, people may be able to save money right at the pain evaluation phase - without sacrificing the quality of their health care.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to radiographs (X-rays) for the purpose of diagnosing low back pain. Three hundred eighty patients who had been ordered by a physician to have their low-back pain evaluated received either an MRI or an X-ray; outcomes for all participants were nearly identical, regardless of which type of diagnostic evaluation they recieved. The study also indicated that, on average, an MRI cost $321 more than an X-ray, and suggested that the use of MRI may offer little added benefit, and could even increase the number of unnecessary surgical interventions.

For chiropractors, X-rays are a standard method of imaging the spine and evaluating and diagnosing a variety of health problems, not the least of which is back pain. For those who think new always means better (particularly when it comes to health care), take heed of the results of this study - in this case, X-ray imaging is just as effective as (and less expensive than) MRI in finding out what's causing your back pain and getting you on the road to recovery.

Reference: Jarvik JG, Hollingworth W, Martin B, et al. Rapid magnetic resonance imaging vs. radiographs for patients with low back pain. Journal of the American Medical Association, June 4, 2003: Volume 289, Number 21, p.2810-18.

To learn more about the many benefits of regular chiropractic care, visit www.chiroweb.com.

Take It Outside ... for Baby's Sake

What do asthma, ear infections, respiratory tract irritation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have in common? They're all possible consequences of infant exposure to secondhand smoke.

A new study shows that the only way to truly protect infants from tobacco smoke is to ban it entirely from the home. Researchers from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom measured infant smoke exposure by testing the urine samples of infants living in homes where they were exposed to tobacco smoke. The study revealed that infants exposed to smoke had traces of cotinine, a smoking-related chemical, in their bloodstream; the higher the cotinine level, the greater the exposure. Various preventative measures used to protect infants from smoke exposure, including opening windows and not smoking in the same room, only resulted in a slight decrease in smoke exposure.

Now may be the time to kick your smoking habit altogether - if not for your own health, then for the health of your child. As this study indicates, the only way to prevent your baby from being exposed to the harmful effects of secondhand tobacco smoke is to enact a 100 percent ban of smoking in your home. If you still aren't convinced, or don't have a child, remember, quitting smoking has many personal health benefits, including decreased blood pressure; improved circulation; decreased risk of heart attack and cancer; and an improved sense of taste and smell.

Before you take that next puff, think about the effects it will have on you and your child. If you can't quit on your own, your doctor can help get you on a program that will work for you.

Reference: Blackburn C, Spencer N, Bonas S, et al. Effect of strategies to reduce exposure of infants to environmental tobacco smoke in the home: cross-sectional survey. British Medical Journal, Aug. 2, 2003: Volume 327, pp.257.

To learn more about pediatric health, go to www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/pediatrics.

Terminating Teen Obesity: Say "Hasta" to Pasta

According to the American Obesity Association, approximately 15 percent of children ages 12-19 are obese; moreover, the risk for developing type 2 diabetes becomes greater after puberty, according to a new study published in the August issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. To determine the "effect of dietary composition on body weight and diabetes risk factors ... in adolescents," researchers studied 16 teens over a period of one year, comparing those who followed a low-carbohydrate eating plan to those on a low-fat diet.

According to the study, teens who decreased their daily carbohydrate intake lost significantly more weight than those who stuck to low-fat diets only. Furthermore, subjects in the low-carb group did not regain the weight for six to 12 months following the initial weight loss. Researchers noted that the low-carb plan also reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels more effectively than the low-fat alternative; insulin-resistance level increases were substantially less in the low-carb group than the low-fat group.

This is all positive news, although the researchers note that their findings are preliminary, and more research is needed. However, the important points to remember are that it's important that your child get on the road to health and wellness early, and you should always talk to your doctor before starting your child on any specialized eating plan for weight loss.

Reference: Ebbeling CB, Leidig MM, Sinclair KB, et al. A reduced glycemic-load diet in the treatment of adolescent obesity. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine August 2003: Volume 157, Number 8, pp.773-79.

For more information on the fundamentals of sound nutrition, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.

Is Your Heart in It?

Hypertension, the medical term for high blood pressure, is a primary cause of heart attacks and strokes. Statistics show that approximately 50 million U.S. adults suffer from high blood pressure - 140/90 mm Hg or higher. In fact, statistics show that most people will develop hypertension at some point in their lives, since the risk increases with age.

However, it appears that making certain lifestyle changes can help combat the onset of high blood pressure. A study published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that people who adopt various lifestyle changes, including losing weight; reducing sodium intake; increasing exercise; limiting alcohol intake; and consuming a reduced-fat diet - also known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), which is rich in fruits and vegetables; whole grains; poultry; fish; nuts; and low-fat dairy - can successfully lower their blood pressure.

Is it time for a change? If you're at high risk for (or already suffer from) hypertension, there's no better time than now. Talk to your chiropractor about simple lifestyle changes that can keep your blood pressure low and your spirits soaring!

Reference: Writing group of the PREMIER Collaborative Research Group. Effects of comprehensive lifestyle modification on blood pressure control. Journal of the American Medical Association, April 23/30, 2003: Volume 289, Number 16, pp.2083-2093.

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