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When Is Pain, Just Pain, And Not Something Serious?

Paying attention to how we feel and being aware of new symptoms, aches, and pains is one of the most important ways we can help protect ourselves from serious medical conditions; through early detection!

These symptoms below should not be ignored, and should be considered red flags.

Chest pain – chest pain is serious and requires immediate medical attention.  Pain or lingering tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath can be an indicator of a heart attack. Call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Severe headache with no known cause –  These types of headaches are usually migraines, however, it can also be a symptom of a brain aneurysm or a burst blood vessel.

Throbbing tooth – this pain can be caused by a damaged tooth nerve, and if not looked after in a timely manner, the bacteria in your mouth can spread to the nerve, which can spread the bacteria throughout your body.

Seeing flashes of light – these unexplained bright spots or flashes of lights can be a sign of a detached retina, which can quickly lead to permanent loss of vision.

Swollen Legs – This can mean fluid is accumulating and it can be a sign of heart failure; and if it is accompanied by pain, or tenderness in the back of your lower leg, it can be an indication of deep-vein thrombosis (blood clot).  Call 911 immediately.

Persistent fever – A fever indicates that your body has some type of infection, a high fever indicates a more serious infection, such as meningitis.

Sharp pain in your side or pelvis area – Pelvic pain can be a sign of appendicitis, kidney infection, ovarian cysts or even a hernia, all of which require emergency surgery.

Sudden confusion, trouble seeing, dizziness – Call 911, you may be having a stroke. Additional stroke symptoms are:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.

Back pain with tingling toes  – this can be a sign of sciatica, a herniated disc, or a slipped disc. Without proper medical attention, you risk permanent nerve damage.

When you see or feel something different or just feel ‘off’, don’t just dismiss it. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right. Call your doctor or healthcare practitioner to discuss your symptoms.

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The Movember Movement – How to Get Involved

imThe Movember Foundation is uniquely placed to address the crisis at a global level. We’re funding ground-breaking programs all over the world, engaging with men where they are, to understand what works best, to help make change happen sooner.

The state of men’s health is in crisis. Men experience worse longer-term health than women and die on average six years earlier. Prostate cancer rates will double in the next 15 years. Testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50. Three quarters of suicides are men. Poor mental health leads to half a million men taking their own life every year. That’s one every minute.

Fundraising:

The Movember Foundation encourages men, (known as Mo Bros) and women (known as Mo Sistas) to participate in awareness and fundraising activities year-round for men’s health. There are always opportunities to be involved in events such as marathons, networking and community events etc. The Foundation encourages the Movember community to think of fun and disruptive ways to raise funds for men’s health.

The Movember Campaign:

The annual Movember campaign, held in November, is the primary fundraising campaign for the organization. During the month of ‘Movember’, we ask Mo Bros to grow a moustache and effectively become walking, talking billboards for men’s health, sparking both private and public conversations. Mo Sistas also participate in raising funds during Movember. They support the Mo Bros in their lives, whether it’s for their father, brother, son or partner, Mo Sistas are champions of  men’s health.

The rules:

  1. Once registered at Movember.com each Mo Bro must begin the 1st of Movember with a clean Shaven face.
  2. For the entire month of Movember each Mo Bro must grow and groom a moustache.
  3. Don’t fake it. No beards, no goatees and no fake moustaches.
  4. Use the power of the moustache to create conversation and raise funds for men’s health.
  5. Each Mo Bro must conduct himself like a true gentleman.

Funds Support:

Funds raised go towards supporting innovative world-class men’s health programs supporting our four key areas: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity. To date, the Movember Foundation has funded 1,000 men’s health projects.

Prostate and Testicular Cancer: We invest in research and health services that contribute to less men dying from prostate and testicular cancer and to improve the quality of life for those that live with the disease, both physically and mentally.

Poor Mental Health: Mental health is an integral part of health. We invest in programs that help men and boys stay mentally healthy.

Physical Inactivity: We invest in projects that encourage men to be physically active and get them to move more.

For more information about this event or how you can get involved, please contact the Movember Foundation.

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Which Injury do you have – Traumatic or Cumulative?

wrist-pain1There are two types of injuries: acute/traumatic and chronic/cumulative.  Acute injuries occur suddenly, such as a sprained ankle, pulled muscle, or broken bone.  Chronic injuries relate to tissue damage that occurs over time as a result of repetitive strain,  such as tennis elbow from playing tennis or shin splits from running.

Symptoms of an acute injury:

  • Sudden, severe pain
  • Injured area is swelling and is tender to the touch
  • Unable to bear weight on the affect area, or restriction on normal movement
  • A bone is visibly out of place

Symptoms of a chronic injury:

  • Pain during the activity or event
  • A constant dull ache
  • Swelling

Strategies to prevent injuries:

  • Don’t twist your knees when you stretch
  • When jumping, land with your knees slightly bent
  • Do warmup exercises before your activity
  • Always stretch before and after any activity and ensure all joints have full range of motion
  • Do cool down exercises after your activity or workout
  • Wear shoes that fit properly and are specific for your activity
  • Use proper form to reduce your risk of “overuse” injuries
  • Learn how to use your equipment correctly
  • Wear protective gear, such as helmets, protective pads, etc.
  • Don’t participate when you’re injured
  • Watch for signs of fatigue or over training – know your body’s limitations
  • Hire a professional and take a few lessons to ensure proper body alignment
  • Improper technique can take a toll on your body
  • Don’t take on too much physical activity too quickly

If you suffer an injury, use the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method of treatment as soon as possible to help relieve pain, swelling and promote healing.

  • Rest. Rest and protect the injured or sore area.
  • Ice. Cold will reduce pain and swelling. Apply an ice or cold pack right away to prevent or minimize swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day. After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply heat to the area that hurts.
  • Compression. Compression, or wrapping the injured area with an elastic bandage will help decrease swelling. Make sure that the bandage  is not too tight.
  • Elevation. Elevate the injured area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help minimize swelling.

If your symptoms increase or last more than a few days, contact your health care practitioner.

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Medical Myths That Just Won’t Die

common-medical-myths-300x200Medical myths are beliefs that in some cases are based on fact, but most are simply misunderstood concepts about our bodies.

Medical Myth #1 Stress Is The Reason For Having Grey Hair:

Many people believe that stress causes our hair go grey.  Stress does increases the number of free radical molecules that attack healthy cells and this increase does produce stress hormones in the body. That said, there is currently no scientific evidence that proves stress makes our hair turn grey.  A persons genetic “makeup” is the reason for having grey hair.

Medical Myth #2 Eggs Are Bad For You:
The most recent studies have showed that eating six eggs a day for six weeks had no significant effect on cholesterol levels.  What we do know is that eggs are a complete protein source.

Medical Myth #3 Antioxidants Are Good For You:

The belief is that antioxidants increase free radicals formed by oxygen, and can slow aging, reduce cancer risk and prolong life.

Oxidation which is the formation of free radicals by oxygen is what kills cancer cells. Oxidation is your body’s response to abnormal cells which occur naturally in our bodies.  Ingesting too many antioxidants may actually suppress your body’s ability to respond to these abnormal cells.

Medical Myth #4 Cracking Your Knuckles Will Give You Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of cartilage in your joints, and is caused by age and general wear and tear.  Cracking your joints, specifically your knuckles, will not cause arthritis.

 Medical Myth #5 Feed A Cold, Starve A Fever:

This myth has been around for years. The truth is don’t deny your body the nutrients it needs. If you feel like eating and can keep food down, eat.  Remember to keep the meals simple and easy to digest.

Medical Myth #6 Microwaving Kills The Nutrients In Food:

Numerous studies found that microwaving food often retains more nutrients than conventional cooking. That’s because the cooking time is shorter and you’re less likely to use water.

When microwaving food, use a microwave-safe container to avoid releasing chemicals into your food.

Medical Myth #7 Reading In The Dark Will Damage Your Eyes:

Reading in dim light can cause eye strain,  which can lead to sore eyes, headaches and blurred vision. However, eye strain is a short-term problem and will have no lasting effects.

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More Hepatitis Viruses – C, D, E, & G

hepititasLets start with a quick over view of the hepatitis viruses:

Hepatitis A is an acute illness that never becomes chronic. This virus is transmitted through direct contact with feces or indirect fecal contamination of food or water.

Hepatitis B is an acute illness for most individuals, however, approximately 8%  of infected patients go on to develop chronic  hepatitis B. This virus is transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated needles,  and infected blood/body fluids.

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus that affects the liver. The virus spreads through contaminated blood or body fluids of an infected person.  Hepatitis C isn’t spread through food, water, or by casual contact.  Patients with chronic hepatitis C are at risk for developing cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Symptoms:

  • Loss of appetite/ Nausea
  • Fever
  • Weakness / Tiredness
  • Aching in the abdomen
  • Dark urine/ light-colored stools
  • Jaundice

There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C and treatment of chronic hepatitis C, is usually by injections of interferon, as well as a “cocktail” of other medications.

Hepatitis D:

The hepatitis D virus can’t be contracted on its own. It can only develop in people who are already infected with  the hepatitis B virus. Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B will provide protection against hepatitis D since hepatitis B must be present in order for hepatitis D virus to survive. The symptoms for hepatitis D are similar to those of hepatitis B.

Hepatitis D can be acute or chronic and is transmitted through exposure to the bodily fluids of an infected person. There’s currently no cure or vaccine for hepatitis D.

Hepatitis E:

Hepatitis E is a viral hepatitis that is found in countries that lack clean water and sanitation. The hepatitis E virus is a short-term, acute version of hepatitis, which is transmitted through indirect fecal contamination of food or water. The symptoms of hepatitis E resemble those of hepatitis A

Hepatitis E is not known to cause chronic infection, and most people with hepatitis E go on to a full recovery.

Hepatitis G:

The hepatitis G virus was recently discovered (resembles the hepatitis C virus), but more investigation and research is needed.

Ff you suffer from any of the symptoms we have listed, or travel etc. please contact your doctor or healthcare practitioner.

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Hepatitis B

hepititas Hepatitis B is not spread through causal contact such as hugging or kissing, and unlike hepatitis A, is not found in food or water. Hepatitis B is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver, and is spread through contact with infected blood and body fluids.

Most people infected with Hepatitis B are not aware they have been infected with the virus because symptoms don’t appear right away, and can take up to six months to appear. During this “active phase”  you can spread the virus to other people.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of hepatitis B can range from mild to severe.

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Fever
  • Joint pain
  • Nausea, vomiting & loss of appetite
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

Treatment:

When a person is first infected with the hepatitis B virus, this is called “acute hepatitis B”.  If you are diagnosed with acute hepatitis B, you may not need treatment.  Most people with a strong immune system will recover and rid the virus on their own without any problems.

However, if the virus remains in the blood for more than six months, then a person is diagnosed as having “chronic hepatitis B”.   If you are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, you may require treatment, such as  antiviral medications to reduce the risk of liver disease and prevent you from passing the infection to others.

Hepatitis B is treatable. If you think you may be infected with hepatitis B, it is important to find out if you have the virus, and a simple blood test can diagnose this virus.

Prevention:

  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing needles/syringes, and other drug related equipment
  • Practice safe sex
  • Avoid dental, medical or cosmetic procedure unless you are certain that the equipment is sterile
  • Wear latex gloves if you are likely to be in contact with someone’s blood or bodily fluids
  • Don’t share personal items like razors, nail clippers or toothbrushes

If you know you’ve been exposed to hepatitis B, contact your doctor or healthcare practitioner immediately.

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Hepatitis A

hepititasHepatitis A virus causes inflammation of the liver and is easily spread from person to person, through food and water. You can only get hepatitis A once; after that your body builds up a defense against the virus.

The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of an infected person. It is spread when a person eats food or drinks water that has come in contact with infected stool; this can happen when a person with hepatitis A doesn’t wash their hands well after using the bathroom and then prepares food. It can also happen when a food item is contaminated by raw sewage.

What are the symptoms?

After you have been exposed to the virus, it can take 2 to 7 weeks before you see any signs of it. Symptoms usually last for 2 months but may last longer.

Symptoms:

  • Feeling very tired
  • Nausea
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Pain on the right side of the belly, and sore muscles
  • Yellowish skin, dark urine, and clay-colored stools

Treatment:

Hepatitis A usually goes away within a few months on its own, in most cases.

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Slow down your lifestyle by cutting back on daily activities until all of your energy returns
  • Update your doctor so they can keep track of your medications and and your symptoms

Prevention:

  • Get vaccinated
  • Practice good hygiene habits
  • Don’t eat raw or under cooked shellfish
  • Don’t eat or drink anything that you think may have been prepared in unclean conditions. This includes  raw foods, such as unpeeled fruits or vegetables, ice cubes and drink bottled water.

If you plan to travel to a part of the world where sanitation is poor or where hepatitis A is a known problem ask your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare practitioner about getting the hepatitis A vaccine, or a combination hepatitis A and B vaccine.

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How Good Is Your Posture?

imageWhat is good posture?

The definition of posture is how you hold your body when standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture involves training your body to stand, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement or weight-bearing activities.

So how do you improve your posture? Making small changes everyday can lead to major postural changes which will help keep you healthy and promote good posture.

A healthy back has three natural curves:

  • An inward or forward curve at the neck (cervical curve)
  • An outward or backward curve at the upper back (thoracic curve)
  • An inward curve at the lower back (lumbar curve)

Good posture helps maintain these natural curves, while poor posture can stress or pull muscles and cause pain.

Tips for improving your posture while standing :

  • Stand straight and tall with your shoulders back.
  • Keep your head level and in line with your body.
  • Pull in your abdomen.
  • Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.
  • Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet.
  • When standing, distribute body weight evenly to the front, back, and sides of the feet.
  • Avoid regularly wearing high heels, which throw your spine out of alignment, and leads to low back pain.
  • If you use a bag with a single shoulder strap, choose a strap that is long enough to place over your head and rest on the opposite side from the bag. This helps distribute the weight of the bag evenly and prevents distorting your posture.  The better solution is to wear a back pack or bag with two straps to distribute your body weight evenly on both hips.

Tips for improving your posture while sitting:

  • Adjust the height of your chair so your feet rest flat on the floor and your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  • Don’t cross your legs. Your ankles should be in front of your knees.
  • All three normal back curves should be present while sitting, if not, place a rolled towel or small pillow behind your lower back.
  • Keep your upper back and neck comfortably straight.
  • Keep your shoulders relaxed — not elevated, rounded or pulled backward.
  • Sit up with your back straight and your shoulders back. Your buttocks should touch the back of your chair.
  • When sitting in a chair that rolls or pivots, don’t twist at the waist while sitting; rather turn your whole body.
  • When standing up from the sitting position, move to the front of the seat of your chair. Stand up by straightening your legs. Avoid bending forward at your waist.

Little changes to your posture matter. Bad sitting habits—from slouching to crossing your legs—can lead to serious injuries and chronic pain.  Regular exercise will help the body stay healthy, while specific strengthening exercises will help your core muscles stay strong; which will improve your posture.

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10 Read Worthy Health Blogs

blogThe great thing about the internet is that there is so much information to choose from for any given topic… the worst thing about the internet is that there is so much information to choose from for any given topic. Diversified Health has complied a list of 10 health relate blogs that offer useful information, and engaging blogs that will make your life a little bit easier.

Breaking Muscle.com – This blog is all about fitness and nutritional advice.  Breaking Muscle is a team of experienced professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive strength & conditioning and mind body wellness programs. They provide information from expert coaches and scientific research – no fads just the real deal.

Examine.com/blog –  Examine.com is an independent and unbiased encyclopedia on supplementation and nutrition.

Tiny Buddha.com – Daily wisdom quotes, tips to live out loud and find happiness, and stories about applying wisdom to real life.  Providing simple wisdom for complex lives.

Blog.TED.com –  TED is a nonprofit organization that believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. They are building a clearinghouse of knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

Tabata Times.com –  This site has the latest and greatest CrossFit workouts, tips, and inspiration. Tabata Times has grown to become the largest independent media voice covering the sport of  CrossFit.

The Kitchn.com – The Kitchn is a daily food magazine on the Web celebrating life in the the kitchen through home cooking and kitchen intelligence. This is a site for people who care about the quality of their food, and how it affects the health of themselves and the planet.

Authority Nutrition.com – Welcome to Authority Nutrition, a site that helps people make informed decisions about their health based on the best scientific evidence available.

Precision Nutrition.com/blog  – Precision Nutrition helps people transform their lives through expert coaching, ongoing support, and guided mentorship.

The Atlantic.com/author/james-hamblin – James Hamblin, MD, is a senior Health editor at The Atlantic. If you find yourself getting confused about the latest health trends, this is the Blog for you.

My Fitness Pal.com – MyFitnessPal is a free, comprehensive nutrition and fitness system that makes it easy for you to attain your fitness goals and live healthier. Take advantage of MyFitnessPal’s precise, personalized & powerful tools, like our vast meal database of over 4 million foods, and incredibly simple food & exercise trackers.

These blogs are a great resource; some are full of practical information, others are a place to find an interesting fact,  an inspirational section, or just a giggle. Enjoy!!

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When To Take Your Vitamins

time-to-take-supplements-350x286Some vitamins and supplements can interfere with certain medications resulting in serious side effects. Some of these medications include blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and certain cancer therapies.  If you are taking any medications, check with your physician before taking any supplements.

Everything from bottled water to breakfast cereals seems to have added vitamins and minerals in it.  Remember that if you eat a fortified cereal at breakfast, grab an energy bar for a lunch, and eat enriched pasta for dinner, and take a daily supplement, you could easily be over the recommended daily intake for vitmains and minerals.

If you opt to take multivitamins, choose one that provides no more than 100 percent of the daily value of each nutrient.

Vitamins come in two varieties: water soluble ( Vitamins B and C) and fat soluble (Vitamins such as A, D, E and K). Vitamins are grouped according to how they are dissolved and stored in your body.  Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in your body’s fatty tissue and liver and are used as needed by your body,  while water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored in your body.

Here are a few rules on taking vitamins:

  • Calcium should be taken at night; as it acts as a natural muscle relaxant, promoting quality sleep.
  •  Magnesium has a calming effect, and is best taken in the evening and with food, which aids in absorption.
  • Some vitamins can enhance the absorption of other nutrients. Vitamin C, helps enhance iron absorption.
  • Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are more easily absorbed when taken with a meal that contains fats.
  • Zinc is best taken 1 – 2 hours  either before or after a meal.
  • Iron is best absorbed if taken on an empty stomach and should not be taken with calcium, zinc, or vitamin E, which may interfere with proper absorption.
  • Fish oil is best consumed alongside other fat-soluble vitamins, and with a meal, where the fat content aids in absorption.  Fish oil should never be taken prior to physical activity
  • As a general rule, supplements should be taken with water, and never taken with coffee and tea.  The caffeine or tannin content may interfere with nutrient absorption.

Be aware that vitamins and minerals can affect the absorption and effectiveness of many medications, so always check with your doctor or health care provider.

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