Can a Pill Cure Hangovers?

This appears to be a timely health related article and it is interesting.  See what you think. 
Dr. Press
 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16359700

SuperPainkiller Zohydro Feared to be 2012's New Addiction Pain Medication

I am not the only one saying it.  I see it everyday in my practice. Our country, our state and communities have a growing pain medication problem.  It destroys individuals, families and over-all productivity and safety of the community we live in.  This problem must be confronted and solved sooner rather then later, before it is to late.  I have also added some URLs to deal with this problem.  Dr. Press

http://www.huliq.com/10282/super-painkiller-zohydro-feared-be-2012-new-addiction-med


A major cause of the root problem:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/doctors-sued-for-creating-valium-addicts-6282542.html

Signs of over use and abuse of pain medications:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24572

Treatment:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-medication/pain-killer-addiction-treatment

20 Best Exercises Together in a Great Routine

These exercises are easy to do, without the cost of a gym membership, but the benefit of improved flexibility, stamina and strength.  Check it out.  Dr. Press 

http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/551492-2o-best-body-weight-exercises/?utm_source=articlebottom&utm_medium=1#slide-1

Healthy Resolutions mean a Healthier You

Simple healthy resolutions for 2012 :)  Dr. Press

http://www.happywink.org/newyearfestival/healthy-new-years-resolutions.html

Here are some guidelines for making obtainable health resolutions:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=57195

Heart Attacks Increase During the Holidays

A time of joy, traditions and family gatherings occurs during Christmas, Chanukah and New Year celebrations.  Why do heart attacks increase during these times?  They do and we should be prepared just in case.  Do you know CPR, the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or the universal sign of chocking (and how to remove the mechanical obstruction from the throat)?  Be prepared and be safe this holiday season.  Dr. Press 

http://dalje.com/en-lifestyle/why-heart-attacks-may-peak-on-christmas/404009

For Chocking:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-choking/FA00025

For Heart Attack:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-cpr/FA00061

Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs for Schools and Communities

This very recent study is an excellent paper on the need for health education for our children at an early age and throughout middle and high school years.  Obliviously, continued health education and implementing good health practices all of your life is wise and pays many dividends.  The article (PDF format) is thorough and detailed, but worth the read and application.  Dr. Press 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CHYQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.atpm.org%2Feducationforhealth%2FPDFS%2FInman_Evidence-Based-Health-Promotion-Programs-for-Schools-and-Communities_2011.pdf&ei=O2XzTrLWMaOSiQK4num3Dg&usg=AFQjCNG1IpHEIowS73KXgWoYc3k-Zd4Zxw&sig2=5KQ8hDVHptIhgjv4_czKUw

Eliminate the Chiropractic Profession? The Truth about Medicine's Attack on Chiropractic

This reads like a movie script but it really happened.  I hope it is enlightening:

"In October 1976, Chester Wilk, D.C. and four other chiropractors (one later dropped out) filed suit against the AMA. The Wilk suit also named many of the nation's other most prominenet medical groups as codefendants-groups such as the American Hospital Association, the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Physicians, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.

The suit claimed that the defendants had participated for years in an illegal conspiracy to destroy chiropractic. On August 24, 1987, after endless wrangling in the courts, U.S. District Court judge Susan Getzendanner ruled that the AMA and its officials were guilty, as charged, of attempting to eliminate the chiropractic profession.

In 1987 (1) , following 11 years of legal action, a federal appellate court judge ruled that the AMA had engaged in a “lengthy, systematic, successful and unlawful boycott” designed to restrict cooperation between MDs and chiropractors in order to eliminate the profession of chiropractic as a competitor in the United States health care system".

During the preceedings it was shown that the AMA attempted to:

1. •   Undermine Chiropractic schools
   •   Undercut insurance programs for Chiropractic patients
   •   Conceal evidence of the effectiveness of Chiropractic care
   •   Subvert government inquires into the effectiveness of Chiropractic
   •   Promote other activities that would control the monopoly that the AMA had on health care
       (This was upheld by the 7th United States Circuit Court of Appeals.)

The full text URL is below and makes for some very good reading concerning how the defendants ( the American Medical Association and others) had participated for years in an illegal conspiracy to destroy chiropractic. They ( the AMA) lost but you as the patient won.

http://www.chiro.org/Wilk/

Quick Facts about Chiropractic

Here are some quick facts about chiropractic, provided by the largest member chiropractic association in the world, American Chiropractic Association (ACA).  Dr. Press 

http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/Gen_Chiro_Info.pdf

Less Medical Costs Associated with Chiropractic Care for Back Pain

Here is a very good study by an insurance company, indicating 40% less in over-all medical costs when the patient is evaluated and treated for back pain by a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) verse a Doctor of Medicine (MD).  Dr. Press

http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/ABSTRACTS/Cost_of_Care_for_Common_Back_Pain.shtml

Research that Supports Chiropractic Treatment

This page contains only Peer Reviewed, or Evidenced Based research on Conditions that Chiropractors Treat

http://www.uschirodirectory.com/index.php/chiropractic-research

Risky Health Care - Just the Facts

Based upon my 25 years of chiropractic practice of evaluating, diagnosing and providing treatment for over 15,000 patients, I am qualified to make the following statement:  

The (deadly) truth about organized medicine is greater then all the lies, half-truths, and misconceptions propagated by organized medicine against the chiropractic health care profession.  

The excellent safety record of chiropractic as a whole is well established in the scientific literature.  So why then, is there a continuous chorus of (some not all) medical practitioners warning or persuading health care consumers (patients) about the exaggerated 'dangers' of chiropractic care. 

On far to many occasions, I have had a new patient enter my office, in fear, believing this may be their last day on earth.  But they had already tried the traditional medical practice of musculo-skeletal pain management.  They endured the side-effects, the ever decreasing quality of life and well verifiable potential risk of fatality with the medical treatments and medications they received.  So now, out of last resort and against what the medical practitioner warned, they sit in my exam room.   As is the case, with a very high majority of my patients, they benefit from the treatment.  But let me define 'benefit' further, as one or more of the following:

1.    Decreased pain levels (measured from 0 to 10 on a pain analog scale)

2.    Decreased  duration of pain (measured from 0 to 100% of the day).

3.    Increased flexibility, mobility and pain free daily living activities.

4. Decreased dependency on over the counter and prescription medications. 

5.    Increased productivity and work performance. 

6. Early return to gainful (occupational) activities and decreased temporary total disability. 

7.   Decreased over-all medical expenses, testing and hospitalization.

There are other benefits confirmed by research concerning chiropractic that could be mentioned, but I will reserve them for another blog.

The bottom line,  chiropractic is the most widely utilized and fastest growing form of drug-less, non-surgical health care.  It has an excellent continuous record of patient safety, benefit outcomes and satisfaction  rates in comparison to other types of medical care.

The facts, my opinions and statements addressed above, may not stop the few medical practitioners from continued dislike or fear mongering when considering chiropractic referral for their patient base. Are all doctors of chiropractic to be painted by the same brush or held accountable for an obscure few bad apple chiropractors? No, and neither should the few bad medical doctors be an example of medicine as a whole.  

The truth is clear and facts do not lie.  As a health care consumer, you have a choice.  Chiropractic care should be part of that choice and remain a vital part of your health care consideration for over-all wellness achievement.  Medical and chiropractic doctors should be increasingly working together for better individual, family and community health care. 

Do I want to start a war with my medical colleagues?  No, I just want to end it.  Because ultimately, you the patient benefits.  Dr. Press

“Medicine is now a high risk industry, like aviation.
But, the chance of dying in an aviation accident
is one in 2 million, while the risk of dying from a
medical accident is one in 200!”
––Dr. Leape of the Harvard Medical School of Public Health

A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000
B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000
C) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171 (or 1 per 6 MDs)
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Health Human Services
(these are “conservative” estimates) 

Fitness Key to Longevity (What a Shocker!)

This study is excellent.  Do you need any more solid evidence and reason to start a regular exercise and fitness program?  Dr. Press

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/ExerciseFitness/30027?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&eun=g401007d0r&userid=401007&email=drwaynepress@yahoo.com&mu_id=

Headache Common After Kids' Brain Injury

A small study, but conducted and reported well.  Our children can have persistent headaches and how they are treated matters.  I believe proper diagnosis and a drug-less approach is more superior for the following reasons:

1.  At an early age we can prevent dependency and possible addictive behaviors concerning pain medications.

2.  Prevent potentially life threatening side effects or injury to other organ systems.

3.  Introduce our children to safe and effective alternative treatments for pain management.

Another interesting fact is the following statement from the study: 

"Previous studies in adults have shown that persistent headache is more common after mild injury than after more severe injuries, suggesting that the pathophysiology underlying the different grades of injury may differ".

This well known and studied syndrome explains in part why when an adult in a minor impact vehicle accident (low amount of car body damage), may have persistent mild, moderate and even severe headache complaints.  I see this often in the care of auto accident patients. Dr. Press

Here is the article:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/HeadTrauma/30016?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&eun=g401007d0r&userid=401007&email=drwaynepress@yahoo.com&mu_id=

The Best of Medical Care

Miracle medical procedures do exist, at the hands of gifted surgeons and a wonderful Hospital staff.  The smile on Mom's face says it all.  Dr. Press 

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2011-12-02/Formerly-conjoined-toddlers-leave-US-hospital/51577782/1

Sweet Drinks may not be so Sweet

Very convincing scientific proof, based on three large studies.  Please consider this fact if you have hypertension, if it runs in your family or if you are borderline at risk.  Dr. Press

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASN/29591?utm_source=WC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Meeting_Roundup_ASN

Fish on the Brain

Great article about the benefits of adding fish to your diet at any age, not just in the elder years.  Dr. Press

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/RSNA/29957?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&eun=g401007d0r&userid=401007&email=drwaynepress@yahoo.com&mu_id=

Chest Pain - Heart Problem or Middle Back Problem

I found this of interest, because over the years of practice I have had individuals present or referred by a Cardiologist suffering from Chest Pain (Sternum and/or Anterior Rib Cage).  As the Case study indicates, Chest Pain may be a serious indicator of heart attack and/or cardiovascular disease and should be thoroughly ruled out.  However, as was the case with many of the patients with Non-Cardiac Chest Pain, chiropractic treatment was a safe and effective treatment option.  Dr. Press

 
Management of Non-cardiac Chest Pain With Chiropractic Care: A Case Report and Brief Review
Stephen R. Cooper, DC ; Mark T. Pfefer, RN, MS, DC
Topics in Integrative Health Care 2011, Vol. 2(3) ID: 2.3005

Objective: The purpose of this report is to discuss the outcome of a patient with non-cardiac chest pain treated with chiropractic spinal manipulation combined with instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

Introduction: Chest pain is the fourth most common presentation in emergency rooms in the United States. The direct and indirect costs of chest pain are high in terms of disability, medication, repeated hospital admissions and physician visits, and costly diagnostic procedures.

Clinical features: The case of a 45 year-old male presenting to a chiropractic clinic with complaints of chest pain is discussed. Although the source of this chest pain was likely non-cardiac, cardiac risk factors were present and were addressed as well.

Intervention and outcome: The patient was treated with manual thoracic spinal manipulation and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization with complete resolution of chest pain at 3 weeks and no chest pain at 1 month and 3 month follow-up visits. Conservative cardiac prevention approaches were encouraged with good outcome.

Conclusion: This case points out the promising role the combination of chiropractic manipulation and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization may have in the management of non-cardiac chest pain arising from musculoskeletal dysfunction.

Adverse Drug Reactions - a leading cause of Death

Due to Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) a serious complication may result.  

Serious is defined as causing  a hospitalization, prolonged or extended hospitalization, be permanently disabling, or results in death.  

ADRs lead to an additional $1.56 to $4 billion in direct hospital costs per year in the United States.

Over 1 0 0, 0 0 0 [One Hundred Thousand] people died in 1994 alone, due to ADRs.  That also translates to over 1,700,000 [ One Million Seven Hundred Thousand ] people to date who have died. 

Is this an acceptable standard in medical care?  Dr. Press

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/279/15/1200.full

Eating Canned Soup Suggested as a Health Risk

"High levels of bisphenol A (BPA), is a hormone-disrupting compound linked to health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity".  

In this small and poorly preformed study it suggests a link with canned soup.  Interesting, but not convincing information.  You decide.  Dr. Press

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57330301-10391704/bpa-levels-soar-after-eating-canned-soup-study/

Holiday Weight Management with Low Carb or Low Fat Diets

Weight management during the holidays is difficult for most people.  This article sheds light on the problem with certain types of calorie restriction.  Good article and read the comments by other readers as well.  Dr. Press

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/WCIR/29471?utm_source=WC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Meeting_Roundup_WCIR

Mental Disorders and Related Medication Use on the Raise

Does this concern you as much as it does me? Dr. Press

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2062634/One-American-women-medication-mental-disorder.html

Diabetes and Your Mouth

The relationship of diabetes and oral health are linked.  Good information.  Dr. Press

http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/articles/ara/2011/11/14/8060050101/index.xml

This article details just how common diabetes is and increasing prevalence. 

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/nov/15/diabetes-numbers-continue-to-climb-locally-and/

Fibromyalgia and Sleeping Habits Related

Sleep well and be healthy.  Dr. Press

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57325931-10391704/fibromyalgia-linked-to-poor-sleep-habits/

Fish Oil (or that big phrase, Omega 3 Fatty Acids) do they really have health benefits?

Here is a great straight forward , evidence based explanation of Fish oil health benefits.  Dr. Press

http://anaboliclabs.com/User/Document/Articles/Omega%203/2.%20Harris,%20n-3,%202004.pdf

Worried about Mercury in fish oil? Read this.  Dr. Press 

http://anaboliclabs.com/User/Document/Articles/Omega%203/1.%20Foran,%20n-3,%202003.pdf

Can Fish Oil help manage Insulin levels?  Dr. Press

http://anaboliclabs.com/User/Document/Articles/Omega%203/6.%20Carpentier,%20n-3,%202006.pdf

Many Infants At Risk In Unsafe Sleep Settings, Poll Shows

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome aka (SIDS) is believed to be preventable. 


Prevention is always the best medicine. 


Good information is in this article for new parents.  Please share.  Dr. Press


Example:  'The study found that 89 percent of parents believe that placing an infant on his back in a crib is a safe sleep position.'
 
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/237333.php

Abuse of painkillers reaches 'epidemic' levels in US

The rest of the world seems to know better about drug dependency.  So why is it a fast growing, deadly problem in America?  Dr. Press

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15548478

CDC-Report Shows High Rate of fatal Painkiller Overdoses.

The epidemic is real and growing.  As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I encourage all my patients not to become dependent on over the counter or prescription pain-relievers. If you have muscle, nerve or joint pain, try chiropractic care.  Dr. Press


http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2011/11/3/cdc-report-shows-high-rate-of-fatal-painkiller-overdoses.aspx

Chantix-suicide link has some calling smoking-cessation drug last resort

Just to try to stop smoking may kill you as well.  Before considering this method, consider all your options.  This article is very informative.  Dr. Press

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57317682-10391704/chantix-suicide-link-has-some-calling-smoking-cessation-drug-last-resort/

Cost of care for common back pain conditions initiated with chiropractic doctor vs medical doctor/doctor of osteopathy as first physician: experience of one Tennessee-based general health insurer.

Great study!

This recent study compares the costs for managing chronic low back pain between medical management and chiropractic management.  The study based in Tennessee, demonstrates cost savings based on the current utilization and reimbursement system.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21109053

Effects of a Managed Chiropractic Benefit on the Use of Specific Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures in the Treatment of Low Back and Neck Pain

Here is yet another study, with clear evidence of the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic services. 

Basically, the study confirms that for the treatment of low back and neck pain, the inclusion of a chiropractic benefit resulted in a reduction in the rates of surgery, advanced imaging, inpatient care, and plain-film radiographs. This effect was greater on a per-episode basis than on a per-patient basis.  Dr. Press

http://www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754%2805%2900240-X/abstract

Chiropractic Services in a Hospital Setting

A growing number of small and large hospitals currently or are considering providing chiropractic services.

This recent study demonstrates how evidence can be applied in a real-world enviornment in complex health care systems through the team-work of all health care providers. The results suggest that chiropractors can play a major role in initiating and steering this process to the benefit of patients and payers.  Dr. Press

 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21334541