Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Herniated Disk and Back Pain




The disk at the back spinal column divides the skeletal structures. Disk does not compose blood vessels or nerves like other elements of the skeletal structure. Instead, disks are made up of fat, water, and tissues that connect to the skeletal structure. During all hours of the day, the disks leak water, which is caused from forces of gravity. For instance, when we sit it is a gravity force in action, which one might think that it takes little effort to sit, but contrary to the notion, it is adding a lot of weight to the spine and disk.

The disk restores water that has leaked out during the day, yet the water is restored at slower paces. Fat and water is balanced in the disk, yet when it is not it causes a person to shrink height. Fat and water inside disks are thick, yet when a person starts aging, the substances begin to thin. When fat and water begins to thin, it can lead to osteoarthritis. Thinning water and fat of the disk is also the leading cause of back pain, especially at the lower region.



Disks exterior are covered by “Annulus Fibrosis.” Sometimes the connective tissues lead to abnormal thickening, which scars the tissue. Usually injury follows, then infection, and moves to restrained oxygen intake. Surgery is often the result. The inner area of the disk is shielded by “Nucleus Pulposis.” The pulp makes up the hub of the disk, which is polished and soft. The disks make up the primary supporting force that regulates the spinal column, bones, muscles, etc.



When the disk is not protecting the spinal structures it is often dehydrated, pressured, or deformed. The disk has strength that combines with flexibility to withstand high loads of pressure, yet when that flexibility and strength is interrupted, it can result to herniated disk slips, or other injuries.

Slipped disks in medical terms are known as HNP. (Herniated Nucleus Pulposa) As outlined the intervertebral disks are ruptured, which interrupts the nucleus pulposa. In medical terms, slipped disks can include L4, L5, which is Lumbrosacral and C5-7, which is Cervical. L4 is a single area of the spinal column and disks, which defines the numerical disk ruptured.

Slipped disks are caused from accidents, trauma, strain of the back and neck, lifting heavy objects, disk degeneration, weak ligaments, and congenital deformity of the bones. Disk degeneration is outlined in this article.


Symptoms:
Lumbrosacral will show apparent symptoms, such as acute lower back pain, which radiates to the buttocks and down to the leg. The person will feel weak, numb, or tingling that stretches to the leg and foot. Ambulation also causes pain.







If cervical disk problems are present, the patient will feel stiffness around the neck. As well, the symptoms will make the patient feel weak, numb, and he/she will feel tingling around the hands. Neck pain often generates pain, extending it to the arms and onto the hands, which cause weakness to the upper region of the body. The weakness often targets the triceps and biceps, which become atrophy. The lumbar is affected also, which the patient will find it difficult to straighten the back.

What happens when a disk is slipped and/or broken the annulus fibrosis reacts by pushing its substance into the hollow spacing between the spinal column. The spinal column is made up of nerves, which travel to various parts of the body, including the brain. These nerves are affected when the disk is slipped. Learn more about the Central Nerve System (CNS) to relate to slipped disks. First, understand how the joints and connective tissues can cause back pain.

Hemophilia and Back Pain



Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder, which is inherited. Hemophilia disorders include Hemophilia A, which is the common disorder that emerges from deficiencies. Hemophilia B also emerges from deficiencies. The disorder causes back pain, spontaneous GI bleeding, large spreads of bruising, bleeding joints, muscles, soft tissues, etc. Pain of the joints, swelling, and limited range of movement (ROM) is also a symptom that emerges from hemophilia. Recurrent hemorrhaging of joints also occurs, which causes back pain, as well as pain to spread out over the entire body.



Hemophilia is inherited from carries, such as sisters or mothers. The disorder is spread to x-links of male traits largely. The physical traits are explored by medical experts, which order HCT tests, PT, PTT tests, and so on. The doctor monitors the patient while testing occurs, searching for decreases in HCT and Hgb, as well as prolonged coagulation. VIII is considered a diagnostic emerging from hemophilia A. often the factors are missing.



If the patient tests positive from test results, management is setup. The patient is limited to activities, and is assigned cold compression to eliminate pain. Corticosteroid is prescribed, which makes up Solu-Cortef, or HSS. (Hydrocortisone sodium succinate)



Motrin is giving to the patient to reduce pain, as well as colace, or docusate sodium, which is a stool softener. Since the disorder can lead to complications, such as shock, melena, ankylosis, AHF (Sensitization to the antihemolytic factor), GI bleeding, hematuria, hematemesis, and so on, doctors will monitor the patient in an effort to intervene and avert further complications.



What to avoid:

Patients are recommended to avoid sport contact, blowing nose, straining during defecating, coughing, lifting, etc. This sounds crazy, since it is a natural action in life, yet each action can complicate, or irritate the disorder. Aspirin and injected intramuscular aids should also be avoided. Since the patient is assessed for hematuria, bleeding, hemorrhaging, hematomas, melana, etc, avoiding the elements can help you reduce pain and symptoms emerging from hemophilia.



In addition, the patient must learn strategies to avoid pressuring the joints. Canes and/or crutches can help you keep weight off the weight bearing joints and/or muscles.


If you experience pain after taking your medication, you can use cold compressors to reduce the agony. Back pain makes a person feel miserable. The pain often affects the mental and emotional health, which you should learn stress reduction tactics to minimize stress. Learning methods to reduce pain is one way you can reduce stress.



NOTE: When visiting your dentist make sure you tell him/her that you were diagnosed with hemophilia (IF applicable), since failing to do so can lead to problems, such as hemorrhaging.


It is amazing that many medical disorders and disease can cause back pain, yet the fact is anytime the skeletal system is interrupted, back pain can emerge. Back pain often occurs from hemophilia, especially when the joints spacing is hemorrhaging.


Hemophilia occurs primarily in males, which bleeding starts immediately after a minor injury occurs. The bleeding causes a variety of problems, which leads to pain and suffering over the entire body.



If you were diagnosed with hemophilia, it is wise to follow your doctor’s advice and maintain your health. Basic stretch exercises can help you promote a healthier system as well. Learn the steps to promote good health. Men specifically find it difficult to visit the doctor and adhere to advise, however you can live healthier if you follow instructions wisely.



After considering hemophilia, we see that the disorder can lead to back pain. In addition to this disorder, people experience back pain from Cushing’s syndrome, or in medical terms Hypercortisolism.

Heart Rate Monitors




Heart rate monitors used to be exclusively operated by physicians and nurses alone but that was soon rectified with today’s multi-tasking generation. Every person seemed to want to know about everything that was related to them and that of course included monitoring their own heartbeats.



What is a Heart Monitor

Also known as a cardiac monitor, a heart monitor is a piece of electronic equipment that can be used to track or observe heart functions continuously. It allows people to place a numerical value on their healthiness based on their heart rate and have a target heart rate to work for. The more complex versions of the heart monitor allow physicians to see any signs of deterioration or improvement and make the necessary adjustments immediately.



Types of Heart Monitors

Today, heart monitors are produced by the millions and designed to cater specific types of individuals. Some heart monitors are primarily designed for weight loss programs while others are meant for the use of athletes or fitness programs. Some are wireless or come as a built-in feature of exercise equipment like a treadmill or an exercise bike. It can be strapped to your wrist or of considerable size. It may or may not emit any electromagnetic waves, depending on its purpose. A fetal heart monitor, for instance, must not produce any waves at all as this may affect the health of the baby.



Factors on Selecting the Best Heart Monitor for You



ECG-Accurate Monitors with Chest Straps – Heart monitors that come with chest straps are more often not the most accurate of heart monitors. The chest strap is strapped around your chest, a few centimeters below your breast. It contains a device that’s able to detect electrical activity of your heart and transmit it to the brain of the machine – just like an ECG. The results are shown on the display monitor, which most of the times is attached to your wrist like a watch. Others however prefer results to be transmitted through audio messages via earphones.



Upon choosing heart monitors with chest straps, you need to remember to keep the strap constantly connected to your body lest you want the heart monitor to produce inaccurate readings.



Lastly, the only alternative against buying heart monitors with chest straps are the ones that rely on pulses on your fingertips. These however do not provide readings as accurate as those with chest straps.



Heart Monitor Features – Basic and lower end models tend to display only your heart rate and maybe the elapsed exercise time as well. This of course does not provide sufficient information if you want to know exactly how much you need to improve before you can be qualified as a completely healthy individual. Higher end models will naturally offer a wider range of features – for a price. Examples of such features are – but not limited to – heart rate zone alarms, timers and number of calories burned. It may also allow users to set pre-programmed workouts along with a targeted heart rate.



Ease of Use – Lastly, you must purchase a heart rate monitor that you will have no problems of using. What good would a high end heart monitor do if it takes you an hour to operate it? Are the numbers and words appearing in the heart rate monitor readable? Can it be used in no-light situations? Are buttons well-labeled and ergonomically positioned?



To Buy or Not to Buy a Heart Monitor

Heart monitors can be especially costly, more so if you are intent on purchasing higher-end models. If you have a limited budget, you should ask yourself whether or not you truly need to buy a heart monitor. You can of course purchase one of the lower-end models but low quality heart monitors can lead to inaccurate results and that sort of defeats the purpose of buying one.



If you are intent on purchasing a heart monitor, you need to ask yourself another question: do you need to make a solo purchase or is it alright with you to use the heart monitor that comes as a built-in feature of a treadmill? Lastly, you should remember as well that you can always pay your doctor regular visits and have him monitor your heart rate for you.