The American College of Physicians recently released its guidelines for diagnosing and treating lower back pain. These guidelines are the result of a long and intensive review of research on lower back pain. I have translated them from “doctorese” for you benefit.

1. Treating professionals should take a good history and do a thorough physical exam. The purpose of that exam is to identify which of three categories of back pain you have. The three groups are back pain with no specific cause, back pain with radiculopathy or spinal stenosis, or back pain with some other specific cause.

2. If you are in the first (non-specific) group, your doctor should not order routine imaging tests like x- rays or MRI’s.

3. If your back pain is accompanied by worsening neurological deficits or evidence of some serious underlying medical condition, then the doctor should order diagnostic and imaging tests.

4. If you have lower back pain and radiculopathy, then MRI’s or CT scans should be ordered only if you are a candidate for and epidural injection or surgery.

5. Your doctor should give you evidence-based information on low back pain. This information should include the expected course of their pain, advice to remain active, and a review of possible self-care alternatives.

6. Your doctor should consider medications that have been shown to be effective, and should use them along with self-care options. Medication should be accompanied by an assessment of your pain levels, and you should be advised of all the pros and cons of the medications. Recommended started medications for most people are an NSAID or acetaminophen.

7. If improvement is not seen with this program, your doctor should consider recommending other pain management alternatives. For chronic back pain, this include relaxation, acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, exercise, and spinal manipulation.

It’s to your advantage to be an informed patient and know these guidelines. They tell you what information your doctor should be getting from you, and what issues should be addressed directly with you as you and your doctor develop your treatment plan.

These guidelines are a summary of those approved by the American Pain Society. They were released in October 2007, and have been published a number of places, including the Annals of Internal Medicine. Consider printing a copy of this article and keeping it for reference, and to discuss with your doctor if you have any questions.

Barry Hughes, Ph.D. is a psychologist and publisher of Chronic Pain Alternatives, which provides “Resources and Information for People with Chronic Pain.” He has built this site using Site Build It!, the easiest way to translate your passion onto the Web.
 

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Human tendency is always to have doubts and suspicion about one thing or the other. Regarding diabetes people have lots of doubts and suspicion, and these doubts generate different myths. It is necessary to understand what are those myths and why one should not believe in them. This article is all about those myths and how incorrect and irrelevant are they. Read it to believe it.

Diabetes simply can be defined as a diesease in which a body is unable to produce or utilize insulin to convert sugar, starch, etc., into energy.

Diabetes Myth no. 1:

A person suffering from diabetes should never exercise

This is not a sin but a crime to spread such rumors. In fact, it is always advised to a diabetic patient to do mild exercise regularly, this will help them to recover completely and even fast. The complications caused to different Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is controlled through doing proper exercises. However, patient should also remember that this has to be started slowly. That is to say patient should do brisk walk, simple exercise, etc., and gradually start some other exercises, but that too should not be dangerous or risky. It is also found that patient who complains of kidney problems or any kind of eye infection should restrict from exercise, but starts once again when these problems are over.

Diabetes Myth no. 2:

Diabetes is contagious.

This again is a crime, as this not only creates problem to the patient but also to the people around him. In fact this rumor makes many diabetic patients unwilling to socialize with normal people, as they feel inferior. Hence, one should know it very clearly that diabetes is not at all contagious and does not spread from one person to another by sleeping, eating, sitting together, etc. Diabetes is a hereditary disaese as there are some genetic causes for it. Diabetes is also very commom among fat people and people who ignores exercise like anything. But whatever may be the cause of diabetes, it is still not communicable or contagious.

Diabetes Myth no. 3

Daibetes causes cough and cold

This is completely incorrect. Diabetes neither is communicable nor spread cough and cold.

Diabetes Myth no 4:

Diabetes may cause brain hemorrhage

Now this is also a very wrong thought, as it creates nothing but much more stress and confusion among the patients. When a diabetic patient keeps fasts, he may complain of a severe headache and extreme weakness. All these symptoms let people to assume that it is due and diabetes which gradually will result in brain hemorrhage. However, it is not at all correct and should not be believed. It is also found that children suffering from diabetes may suffer severe headache when they fast, and thus may effect their brain slightly, still it will never cause a brain hemorrhage.

Diabetes Myth no 5:

Say no to fruits

It is not correct. People suffering from disease, in fact should take various fruits, which are healthy. However, all fruits may not sound healthy, so patient should consult the doctor and dietician to know what all is suitable for a diabetic patient.

Diabetes Myth no 6:

Diabetic patient should never touch sweet and sugar content-food

It is a very common and wrong notion that a diabetic patient should strictly avoid sweets and other sugar containing foods. It is true that they should not take excess sweets, sugar, etc. However, a balanced diet including a sweet dessert or sweets is always acceptable. It is also said that if a diabetic patient do exercise, take balanced diet food, they can take one sugar candy every night. Here one should also remember that it is not his excess eating of sugar candies that caused diabetes, but because of his unhealthy practices, also lack of exercises and genetic reasons that cause diabetes.

Dr John Anne is a herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on Herbs and Alternative health. For more helpful information read about Diabetes Myths at Diabetes Treatment Website. Also read about Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

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Just about anyplace you go, you can see expanding waistlines. Stand in front of a mirror and ask yourself if you need to lose some weight? There is no question that losing weight can be difficult. It is much easier to eat whatever you want and not worry about getting exercise. After all, it’s no big deal. It is only a couple of pounds. Many of us feel that way, but read on to learn a few more things that go along with being overweight. Obesity is at epidemic levels in the United States, and with the spread of Western culture it is fast becoming a global problem. It is estimated that over 300 million people are overweight, worldwide; and that number is rising. The good news is there are ways to take the weight off, and start to reduce the world’s waistline.
Being overweight is not just unattractive; it is also hazardous to your health. Awareness of these health issues can help in understanding why it is important to maintain a healthy weight. After all, if you know what being overweight can do to your health, then you have more reasons to maintain an ideal weight

Here are nine major diseases, and one irreversible condition, that are caused or exacerbated by being overweight:

1. Diabetes

2. Stroke

3. Complications in pregnancy

4. Arthritis

5. Fatty liver disease

6. Hypertension (high blood pressure)

7. Heart disease

8. Gout

9. Cancer

10. DEATH

There are many other conditions which are related to obesity, but this list makes the point. Death is a big one. Nobody wants to die and be remembered for being fat. The reality is it takes just as much work to eat garbage as it does to eat healthy. Yet, so many people have conditioned themselves to think eating garbage is more enjoyable. Compare the enjoyment of eating a bag of potato chips to suffering anything on the list above, and you will feel your mindset changing.

The above list focuses on physical conditions, but losing weight has positive psychological effects, as well. Self-esteem and self-image go hand in hand. You will notice positive changes in how you (and others) think about yourself.

Losing weight goes a long way in aiding the prevention and control of these diseases. Apart from quitting smoking, losing weight is the best thing you can do to improve your overall health. This article is not designed to scare you, but rather to make you aware of some of the other concerns associated with being overweight. Knowing this could be the motivation you need to start towards your ideal weight.

About the Author
Michael Oksa is the co-author of “121 Tips To Help You Lose Weight And Keep It Off”. He believes in helping people achieve their weight loss goals and provides these tips free of charge at www.how-to-diet.net

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Diabetes statistics are increasing every year. Diabetes is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the nation and the numbers are growing. Diabetes is the cause of many problems in the nation and millions of people suffer from diabetes.
Over 20% of people under the age group of 20 have been diagnosed with diabetes. One in every 500 children has diabetes. This is almost 200,000 children suffering with diabetes.

Over 20 million people over the age of 20 have been diagnosed with diabetes. Almost 11 million men and almost 10 million women have diabetes.

As a major leader in causes of deaths, the diabetes statistics are thought to be even lower than they should. Diabetes is a major result of major physical problems to the body, resulting in death. Over 200,000 people die each year as a result of diabetes. People with diabetes have a chance of having a stroke or heart disease 2-4 times higher than someone without diabetes. Over 60% of people with diabetes die each year from heart disease and stroke. Diabetics are known to have higher blood pressure than others; over 70% of people with diabetes have high blood pressure.

Diabetes also is known to cause blindness and nerve damage. Over 20,000 people a year are blinded by diabetes and almost 100,000 people suffer from lower limb extremity amputations each year. Diabetes statistics show diabetes is a leading cause of nervous system damage to almost 60-70% of people with nervous system problems. Not all cases end in amputations.

Diabetes statistics in periodontal gum disease figures are rising also. Over 1/3 of diabetics have severe gum problems and disease.

Diabetes is known cause major problems with pregnancies, in fact, 15-20% of cases have spontaneous abortions. If a woman does get pregnant with diabetes the risk is higher for birth defects in the babies also.

Diabetes statistics show that diabetes is a leading disease in the United States. Over 130 billion U.S. dollars are spent each year on the disease. The disease is a major problem among Americans.

About the Author
Learn more about diabetes by visiting Info on Diabetes. We cover all topics ranging from normal blood sugar levels to insulin inhaler.

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Millions of Americans have diabetes but at least one-third of them don’t know it and are in danger of suffering from complications like myocardial infarction (damage of the heart muscle), stroke, renal failure and blindness.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by persistent thirst, excessive urination, weight loss and too much sugar in the blood and urine. Women are more likely to get the disease after 40, especially if they are overweight. But diabetes can strike anyone - young and old alike - as long as the conditions are right.

The Greeks observed that its victims urinated more often than normal people do, and gave the disease its name which means “to run through.” In the 17th century, the word mellitus (sweet) was added to distinguish the disorder from diabetes insipidus which is associated with the malfunctioning of the pituitary gland.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus: the insulin-dependent or type I diabetes and non-insulin-dependent or type II. The first one is caused by lack of insulin which is produced in the pancreas. Normally, food-sugars and starches (carbohydrates) are changed into the sugar glucose, the body’s prime source of energy which is carried by the blood throughout the body. This is stored in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscles for later use.

For the storage and recoversion of glucose, insulin is needed. This regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. If the body produces too little insulin, sugar accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to diabetes.

Because the patient can’t make use of previously stored glycogen unless he or she has insulin, the diabetic uses stored body fat. This explains why diabetics lose weight even though they eat a lot.

Type I diabetes can occur at any age but usually begins at childhood - the reason why it’s called juvenile diabetes. This accounts for about 10 percent of cases, according to Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii in “The Best Medicine.”

Type II diabetes is the scourge of overweight people over 35. Millions of people have it but aren’t aware of it since it begins slowly and there may be no symptoms. Others may experience the following: thirst, frequent urination, decreased libido, blurred vision, headache, itching, loose teeth, infection, abscessed gums, weakness and fatigue.

Unlike type I diabetes which is caused by the severe lack of insulin, the person with type II diabetes may have enough insulin but this is not used properly by the body.

“The basic problem is insufficient insulin and relative sensitivity to it. There is a risk of severe visual, circulatory, and nerve complications, though not as great as in type I,” Butler and Rayner added.

For type I diabetes, Butler and Rayner said the replacement of insulin is often necessary while type II can be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Since many obese diabetics have more insulin than non-diabetics, the trick is to lose fat so their bodies can use insulin. One good way to prevent diabetes is to say in shape. To keep fit, take Phenocal - a safe, natural, and effective weight loss supplement that boosts your metabolism, suppresses your appetite, reduces food cravings, and increases energy levels to give you the body you want. Visit http://www.phenocal.com for details.

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com

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