March 2000 To Your Health Newsletter
Vol. 3, No. 3


Not Safe Enough?

Technology and research advancements have taken surgery to a new level as we enter the 21st century. However, the dangers associated with such invasive procedures remain a discomforting reality, a fact emphasized by a recent study that appeared in the journal Surgery. Researchers examining data from 15,000 hospital discharges in Utah and Colorado in 1992 found that three percent of patients undergoing an operation or child delivery experienced an adverse event, and that 5.6% of those patients died as a result. Most distressing perhaps is some of the specific data on such events:

· Technique-related complications accounted for nearly 25% of all adverse surgical events;
· Drug-related errors, diagnostic errors, and errors in therapy of choice accounted for 12% of these events; and
· Fifty-four percent of these complications were considered "preventable."

Doctors always warn patients that surgical procedures carry a certain risk independent of the condition or injury being treated, but these results seem to suggest that the surgeons could be doing more to reduce the risk. If you or a loved one is considering surgery or has been advised to undergo a surgical procedure, make sure you get a second opinion and investigate nonsurgical alternatives. Your doctor of chiropractic can provide you with information on conservative care that may be as effective as (and definitely safer than) going under the knife.

Gawande AA, Thomas EJ, Zinner MJ, et al. The incidence and nature of surgical adverse events in Colorado and Utah in 1992. Surgery 1999: Vol. 126, No. 1, pp66-75.--


More than Low Back Care?

Far too many people still believe that chiropractic care isn't necessary unless they're suffering excruciating low back pain. The millions who do receive regular adjustments know that chiropractic can resolve their back pain, and more and more may also be learning about the potential nonmusculoskeletal benefits.

Take as an example the patients in a recent study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Twenty consecutive patients from each of 87 Swedish chiropractor's offices (1,504 total patients) completed questionnaires within two weeks of previous treatment. The questionnaires documented numerous reported improvements in nonmusculoskeletal symptoms, including:

· easier to breathe (98 patients); · improved digestive function (92 patients);
· clearer/better/sharper vision (49 patients);
· improved circulation (34 patients);
· less ringing in the ears (10 patients);
· acne/eczema better (8 patients);
· dysmennorhea (painful menstruation)
  better (7 patients); and
· asthma/allergies better (6 patients).

The number of spinal areas adjusted was also related to the number of positive reactions. Fifteen percent of patients reported positive reactions after having a single area adjusted; 35% of patients reported positive reactions after having four areas adjusted. Overall, 23% of chiropractic patients reported experiencing positive changes in symptoms that were not musculoskeletal in nature.

Have you experienced nonmusculoskeletal benefits following chiropractic care, and if so, have you told your doctor of chiropractic? Always report any reactions (good or bad) you experience during or following an adjustment.

Leboeuf-Yde C, Axen I, Ahlefeldt G, et al. The types and frequencies of improved nonmusculoskeletal symptoms reported after chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Nov./Dec. 1999: Vol. 22, No. 9, pp559-64.
--


Reduce Sodium Intake, Reduce Heart Disease

Almost everything we eat contains at least a little sodium, although many foods, especially the processed variety, contain way too much. Our bodies only need about 500 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day; although current dietary recommendations allow for 2,000 - 4,000 mg (1-2 teaspoons of salt), statistics show that the average adult consumes almost double that amount.

Limiting your sodium intake can reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, especially if you're overweight, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers estimated dietary sodium intake in 2,688 overweight subjects and 6,797 nonoverweight subjects, then assessed incidence of and/or death from cardiovascular disease over 19 years of follow-up. 

Results: Among overweight participants, a relatively small increase in sodium intake was associated with substantial increases in disease risk: 32% higher risk of stroke; 44% higher risk of heart disease; 61% higher risk of death from heart disease; and a 39% higher risk of death from all causes. Dietary sodium intake was not significantly associated with cardiovascular disease risk in nonoverweight participants,

If you already have high blood pressure or a developing heart condition, restricting your sodium intake is even more imperative. Your doctor can give you more information on sodium and provide nutritional guidelines suitable to your specific needs.

He J, Ogden LG, Vupputuri S, et al. Dietary sodium intake and subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease in overweight adults. Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec. 1, 1999: Vol. 282, No. 21, pp2027-34.
--


Exercise Reduces Diabetes Risk in Postmenopausal Women 

The natural changes associated with menopause can be accompanied by added risk for  osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes. Fortunately, evidence also suggests that consistent exercise may be one of the ways to reduce the risk of developing these debilitating, chronic conditions. (See "Maintain Strong Bones with Exercise" in the Sept. 1999 issue of To Your Health, and "Keep Your Heart Healthy with Resistance Training" in the Aug. 1999 issue.)

A study in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that exercise may also help prevent diabetes in postmenopausal women. Nearly 100,000 women (aged 55-69 years of age) completed a diet and lifestyle questionnaire in January 1986, and subsequent questionnaires mailed, completed and returned over the next 12 years documented new diagnoses of diabetes.

For the 41,836 women who completed all questionnaires, greater leisure-time physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of type II (adult) diabetes. This association was stronger with increasing levels of activity, such that the most active women had approximately half the risk as the least active women in the study. These results were maintained even after the authors considered other potential factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, hormone replacement therapy, and family history of the disease.

Folsom AR, Kushi LH, Hong CP. Physical activity and incident diabetes mellitus in postmenopausal women. American Journal of Public Health, Jan. 2000: Vol. 90, No. 1, pp134-38.

Find more information on women's health at http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/women.html --

Watching and Learning

Who's teaching your children these days? Are you teaching them? As parents, you can exert more influence over their lives than anyone else, and your children will learn from the good examples you provide - as well as the bad ones.

If you don't believe that, consider a recent study that examined the potential for health-risk behaviors to be transmitted from parents to offspring. More than 300 children and their parents participated in the study, which focused on five specific negative health behaviors:

· poor eating habits;
· excessive drinking;
· smoking;
· inadequate sleep; and
· physical inactivity.

The authors selected families from a rural eight-county area in North Central Iowa from 1989-1994. Families chosen had at least two children in 1989: one child in seventh grade (the focus child of the study), and a sibling within four years of age of the seventh grader. Results are presented below:

1) Parents behaviors significantly influenced the health-risk behaviors of their children.
 
2) This influence occurred in two ways: by transmitting (teaching) specific behaviors
and by sharing the health-risk lifestyle with them.

3) Fathers' specific negative behaviors seemed to affect only boys.

4) Mothers' specific negative behaviors seemed to affect only girls.

If you think your kids don't listen or learn from anything you say or do, you're not giving yourself or them enough credit. Your children are watching and learning from you, so point them in the direction of health and wellness -- chances are they'll follow.

Wickrama KAS, Conger RD, Wallace LE, et al. The intergenerational transmission of health-risk behaviors: adolescent lifestyles and gender moderating effects. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Sept. 1999: Vol. 40, pp258-72.
--


Fighting Prostate Cancer with Vitamins

Prostate cancer strikes nearly a quarter of a million men each year, making it the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer. Evidence suggests that male hormones may contribute to the development of this disease as we age. Studies of dietary antioxidants have provided encouraging data on the prevention of prostate cancer, an observation supported by a study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

In the study, various antioxidants, were applied to cell cultures to evaluate their effect on cell growth and other characteristics. Vitamins C and E decreased cancerous activity on a cellular level, especially when high doses were administered; other antioxidants included in the study were not as effective in suppressing cancer growth.

These findings add to considerable evidence promoting antioxidants as cancer-fighting agents. Where can you find good sources of vitamin C and E? Look no further than the produce section of your local grocery store: fruits and leafy green vegetables contain significant amounts of these powerful antioxidants. Your chiropractor can tell you more about what foods to eat (and what foods to avoid) to ward off disease.

Ripple MO, Henry WF, Schwarze SR, et al. Effect of antioxidants on androgen-induced AP-1 and NF-kB DNA-binding activity in prostate carcinoma cells. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, July 1999: Vol. 91, No. 14, pp1227-32.

Additional information on the benefits of vitamins and minerals can be found at http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html
--


Swatting Away the Tennis Injury Bug

Tracking down a ball on the baseline, lunging at a passing shot, straining to reach a lob - almost every aspect of tennis involves a certain amount of risk. Even the repetitive motions of serving and hitting ground strokes can cause painful injury, turning you from active participant to unhappy spectator.

According to an article in the Journal of Sports Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, stretching and strengthening exercises can help minimize your risk of sustaining a tennis-related injury. The authors present various techniques in a photographic format with text explanations. Included is a review of easy exercises you can perform at home or in the gym, such as:

· torso stretch;
· pelvic tilt;
· hamstring stretch;
· lumbar extension;
· side bend;
· shoulder rotation;
· knee flexion;
· hip extension; and
· scapular retraction

You're probably familiar with some of these techniques already, but your chiropractic can give you more specific information and outline an exercise program to maximize health and reduce your risk of injury.

Baron SH, Washington KW. Tennis injuries: lower the risk through stretching and strengthening. Journal of Sports Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 1999: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp164-70.

For more information on sports and fitness, go to http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/sports.html
--


Arterial Disease Linked to Back Pain

Atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries, can lead to high blood pressure, chest pain, heart attack or stroke. Evidence suggests that insufficient blood circulation associated with atherosclerosis may contribute to another serious condition: erosion/degeneration of the discs in your spine.

Speaking of spines, a study published in a journal by the same name investigated whether atherosclerotic lesions in the abdominal aorta were more advanced in patients with low back pain (LBP) vs. those without pain. From 1991-1993, 29 patients (21-58 years of age) were evaluated with a diagnostic procedure called CT discography.

Results showed that 55% of LBP patients had atherosclerotic damage visible on CT scan, compared with only 21% of patients without LBP. This difference was further emphasized when examining a specific group of patients (50 years of age or younger): 48% of LBP patients had aortic damage vs. only 8% of patients without low back pain.

Atherosclerosis is so common that many people assume it's a normal consequence of aging, but don't be fooled: overwhelming research suggests that diet and lifestyle can play a major role in preventing this disease. Your chiropractor can provide you with more information on low back pain, atherosclerosis, and how you can avoid both.

Kurunlahti M, Tervonen O, Vanharanta H, et al. Association of atherosclerosis with low back pain and the degree of disc degeneration. Spine, October 15, 1999: Vol. 24, No. 20, pp2080-84.

For additional information on back pain, go to http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/backpain.html