Chiropractors in accidents

Chiropractic care after any accident's have supported many. Many visit a professional surgeon or orthopedist or neurologist after an accident for their initial treatment. Nobody visits a chiropractor soon after their accident. Visit to chiropractic care center starts when all other treatment fails (with medicine) or for those who have no severe injuries and have only pain. However this is because they have not gained confidence over chiropractic care.

People believe that chiropractors treat blindly which may cause more problems and pain. We can't blame them because spine or leg is very important for a human being for without that we can't do anything much. But the fact is chiropractors do use x-rays to diagnose where the problem is exactly and go ahead treating it with their manipulative skills and not with medicine or surgery. They are also trained professionals with proper certification.

When we think of the benefits of chiropractic care,
1. They are painless of treating a problem. They are relatively painless when done in a proper way.
2. It is a non invasive method of treatment. There is no need of prolonged hospitalization, no surgery or blood loss.
3. No medicines needed to be taken. No worries about the drugs side-effects or interaction with other medicines etc.
4. It relieves joint pressure which is caused by gases like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon di oxide.
5. The manipulation is relaxing and soothing, though a kind of fear and discomfort is felt during the procedure which vanishes within minutes after the procedure.
6. It relieves the tension caused in the particular area.
7. They improve blood circulation.
8. They increase the joints range of motion.
9. The improved blood circulation also lowers your blood pressure.
10.They relieve pain to greater extent.

Arthritis, back pain and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, dysmenorrhea, asthma and migraine are some problems that are commonly treated by chiropractic care. Those visited chiropractic care will never regret for what they have done. Give a try if you or anybody in your family have any chronic pain in musculo-skeletal system and see the results. Visit chiropractors, enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care and be pain free.

Identifying COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease commonly called as COPD is a dreadful disease of the respiratory system. It is a combination of four lung diseases which includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis and asthma. It is not a communicable disease but it is an irreversible disease. It is said to be the fourth most common cause of deaths in United States and it affects over 25% of adult population.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF COPD: The clinical manifestation ranges from pink puffers to blue bloaters. The pink puffer is due to emphysema and the blue bloater is due to chronic bronchitis. The pink puffer state is due to redder complexion and the blue bloater state is due to cyanosis of the lips, nail and skin caused by increased carbon dioxide and decreased oxygenation to the lungs.

SIGN: The signs of COPD include,
1. On inspection, a typical COPD patient will
a. have a barrel chest (due to emphysema),
b. use their accessory muscles for breathing (sternocleidomastoid),
c. cyanosis,
d. Clubbing of fingers,
e. dyspnea,
f. shortness of breath,
g. tachypnea,
h. pursed lip breathing,
i. muscle wasting,
j. distended neck veins.
2. On percussion, the lung will sound dull or hyper-resonance instead of being resonant due to excessive mucus production and collection in the lungs.
3. On palpation, there can be,
a. palpable cervical lymph nodes (chronic bronchitis)
b. deviation of trachea (rarely)
c. asymmetrical chest wall movements (due to obstruction)
d. decreases tactile fremitus (emphysema)
4. On auscultation, you can identify a number of things like,
a. Wheezing and crackles (asthma)
b. cardiac dysrhythmias
c. tachycardia (due to increased effort to breath)
d. rales and rhonchi (due to congestion)
e. diminished breath sounds
f. prolonged expiration

X-rays show hyperinflation and congestion.

Arterial blood gas (ABG) will indicate respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia.

Pulmonary function test (PFT) will indicate decreased vital capacity, increased residual volume and slightly increased total lung capacity.

SYMPTOMS: A symptom is what the patient experiences and complaints due to a particular disease. The common symptoms are,
a. chronic cough
b. presence of sputum in cough
c. exertional dypnea
d. orthopnea
e. wheezing
f. tachypnea
g. shortness of breath
h. weight loss
i. fatigue
j. anorexia

Above are the classical signs and symptoms of COPD which are exhibited slowly as age increases. Avoid smoking, air pollution and occupational exposure to radiations/chemicals and avoid COPD!

Foods for COPD

Any factor that interferes with normal breathing quite naturally induces anxiety, depression and changes in behaviour. Those with COPD find the slightest exertion exhausting and most of them find eating as a difficult task to be performed. They are fatigued by their constant shortness of breath which makes them anorexic and irritable when they look at food. They need some realistic goals to be set in order to cope up with the disease which includes the change in dietary pattern as well.

DIETARY TIPS FOR COPING WITH COPD:
1. The COPD patients have secretions in their lungs which should be brought out to improve breathing. A fluid intake upto 3000 ml per day is highly recommended unless there is no contraindication. This increased fluid intake will dilute the thick secretions.

2. They commonly have productive cough and bring out sputum. Protein is lost from the body through sputum. Protein should be supplemented more, either in the form of semi-solids or liquids.

3. Juices rich in viamin C can be given to fight infection.

4. Gas producing foods, spicy foods and extremely hot and cold foods should be avoided.

5. A diet rich in calories and protein is very good.

6. Take small frequent feeds. This avoids exertion and also prevents the stomach pushing the diaphragm which interferes with lung expansion.

7. Takefood in fowler's position (sitting upright). This aids easy breathing and make you eat quite comfortably.

8. Keep the room free of any powerful or bad odor. This will promote a good sense to eat. Any strong odor may irritate the respiratory tract.

9. Serve food attractively. Family members make sure you serve the food in a apealing way that the smell and sight causes good appetite to them.

10. Take food that you like and avoid food that you dislike.

11. Breathing through mouth will cause dryness and make the tongue get coated. Drink frequent fluids and clean your tongue which will improve your appetite.

12. Antioxidents from fresh vegetables and fruits is good. They help to repair damaged cells. The vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidents include all green, yellow and orange vegetables also berries, cherries, prunes, oranges, plums and grapes.

13. Recent researchers have proved red wine is good for lungs. It's said to have protective factor for lungs and also reverses certain condition that supresses immune system.

14. Red bell peppers are believed to loosen thick secretion and give a relief after the secretions are brought out.

15. Ginger and garlic can be added in making regular diet which improves the blood circulation to the lungs.

16. Fish oils and supplemental omega-2 fatty acids have been beneficial for persons with COPD though the exact mechanism of action is unknown.

17. Avoiding fatty foods is good in COPD because patiets with COPD already are obese with more abdominal fat which interferes with breathing.

18. Take food when you are more relaxed.

19. Take your main meal at the early part of the day which will keep you active through out the day.

20. Do not lie down as soon as you eat.

21. Take more fluids and semisolids than solids which will need more of your effort for chewing and digestion.

22. Restrict sodium intake which will cause fluid retention.

23. Take high fiber diet which helps to move food along the digestive tract, better controls blood glucose levels, and reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood.

24. If you are one cooking at home, cook something that is easy to do. Conserve your energy. Store extra food in the freezer and eat them when you feel tired.

25. Cut vegetables and fruits into smaller pieces and eat them slowly.

I hope these tips will be useful to you. Try to enjoy your food with the family everyday. Plan a dinner out atleast once every week.

Asthma

Asthma is a reversible obstructive airway disease that affects 17% of the American population. Although asthma can be fatal, more often it is just disruptive and affects day to day activities. Asthma can begin at any age, but in most cases it develops in childhood. Children usually develop allergic asthma which they outgrow by adolescence.

The common symptoms of asthma are cough, dyspnea and wheezing. These symptoms are manifested because of the narrowing of the airways. The symptoms and treatment of asthma depend upon the degree of airway narrowing. Asthma attacks frequently occur at night. The cause is not completely understood, but may be related to circardian variations, which influence the airway receptor thresholds. An asthmatic attack usually starts suddenly with coughing and a tight sensation in the chest. These symptoms are followed by slow, laborious, wheezy breathing. Generally expiration is always much more strenuous and prolonged than inspiration. This makes the asthmatics to sit upright and use every accessory muscle of respiration.

Obstructed air flow causes dyspnea. The cough at first is dry but soon it becomes forceful. Sputum, consisting of thin mucus containing small, round, gelatinous masses is coughed up with much difficulty. Later signs may include cyanosis (bluish discoloration) secondary to severe hypoxia, and symptoms of carbon dioxide retention, including sweating, tachycardia, and a widened pulse pressure. The symptoms of asthma may last from 30 minutes to several hours.

Other possible reactions that may accompany asthma include eczema, rashes, and temporary edema. The symptoms may occur periodically after exposure to a specific allergen, some medications, physical exertion, and emotional excitement.

Asthma symptoms can be reversed either spontaneously or by medical therapy. They can be effectively treated or controlled by medication therapy. There are five categories of medications that are used to treat asthma namely beta agonists, methylxanthines, anticholinergics, corticosteroids and mast cell inhibitors.

Beta Agonists:
Beta agonists are the initial medications used in the treatment of asthma because they dilate bronchial smooth muscles. They can also increase the ciliary movements and decrease the chemical mediators of anaphylaxis. The most commonly used beta adrenergic agents are epinephrine, albuterol, isoproterenol, metaproterenol and terbutaline. These medications are administered parenterally or by inhalation. Inhalation route is the best route of choice because it directly acts on the bronchioles and has only a few side effects.

Methylxanthines:
Methylxanthines, like aminophylline and theophylline are used in the treatment of asthme because of their bronchodilating effects. They relax the bronchial smooth muscles, increase movement of mucus in the airways and increase the contraction of diaphragm. Aminophylline is the IV form of theophylline and is administered intravenously. Theophylline is given orally.

Methylxanthines are not used in acute attacks because they are slow acting compared to beta agonists. There are several factors like tobacco smoking, heart failure, chronic liver disease, oral contraceptives, erythromycin and cimetidine which interfere with the metabolism of methylxanthines, particularly theophylline. Physician should be notified if any of the above mentioned condition exists before taking theophylline. Aminophylline should be administered very slowly, because giving them rapidly may cause tachycardia or cardiac dysrhythmias.

Anticholinergics:
Anticholinergic like atropine is not used in the routine treatment of asthma because of their systemic side effects such as dryness of the mouth, urinary hesitancy, blurred vision, palpitation and flushing. Atropine methylnitrate and ipratropium bromide have shown excellent bronchodilator effects with minimal side effects.They are administered by inhalation. Anticholinergics are particularly beneficial to asthmatics who are not candidates for beta agonists and methylxanthines because of underlying cardiac disease.

Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of asthma. These medicines can be administered intravenously (hydrocortisone), orally (prednisone), or by inhalation (dexamethasone, beclomethasone). The mechanism of action is not clear but they are thought to reduce inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Prolonged use of corticosteroids can result in serious side effects like peptic ulcers, osteoporosis, adrenal suppression, steroid myopathy and cataracts.

Inhaled corticosteroids are effective in the treatment of asthmatics with steroid dependent asthma. The advantage of this method of administration is the reduced side effects on other body systems. Throat irritation, coughing, dry mouth, hoarseness, and fungal infection of the mouth and pharynx may occur. Rinsing and gargling the mouth immediately after using inhaled corticosteroids will decrease the incidence of fungal infection. Any redness or presence of white patches in the mouth should be reported.

Mast cell inhibitors: Cromolyn sodium, a mast cell inhibitor is an integral part of the treatment of asthma. It is administered by inhalation. It prevents the release of chemical mediators of anaphylaxis, thereby resulting in bronchodilation and a decrease in airway inflammation. Cromolyn sodium is the most beneficial between attacks or while the asthma is in remission. It may result in the reduction of use of other medications and overall improvement in symptoms.

Status asthmaticus (severe and persistent asthma) is a medical emergency. The treatment is usually on an emergency room setting, and the person will be treated initially with beta agonists and corticosteroids. Oxygen therapy may be initiated for those who have dyspnea, cyanosis and hypoxemia.

These are the symptoms and treatment available for asthma. Identifying the early symptom and taking appropriate action will prevent emergencies.