healthyzone

Slippery Dics

2008-04-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

The problem with body aches is you normally know where it hurts, but you can only guess what the reason is. This is especially so when you experience backache, a symptom associated with a wide range of problems , including anything from muscle strain, ostearthiritis and problems of the spine.

While all of the above can cause backache, one of the common causes of back pain is a herniated disck, sometimes called a slipped disk or ruotured disk.

A Slipped disk
A herniated disk is a medical term for a condition where the spine experiences the degeneration of, or damage on, its shock absorbers, the soft, spongy disc between the bones that take the brunt of stress on our spine and nerves.

The condition can be caused by gradual, ageing-related degeneration where the dics loses its central fluid, making it less flexible and prone to tearing or rupturing. Sometimes, too much stress ot trauma to the spine can result in herniated disks too.

According to mayoClinic.com herniated disks are most common in the lower (lumbar) spine, but about 10% occur in the neck (cervicalspine).

Herniations in the lumbar spine are most common between 35 and 45 years of age. Cervical disk herniation is more common between 50 and 60 years old.

But, not all who have sliped disks feels the pain. If the affected disk does not press feels the pain. If the affected disk does not press againts one of your nerves, you may only have a slight lower back pain, or nothing at all. But if it presses againt your nerves, it may cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the area that the nerve travels.
Treatment, thus, seeks to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life of people suffering from slipped disks.

Screening for a sliped disk
A review of your medical history and a few simple physical tests may be all it takes to determine whether you have a herniated disk, wrote Dr S. Craig Humphreys and Dr Jason C. Eck in their article, clinical Evaluation and Treatment Option for Herniated Lumbar Disc.
"Usually, about 80% of patients complain of acute lower back pain, or buttock pain on one side with sciatica (rediating pain with or wihtout numbness) of one leg (pain going down the side of the thight and leg, involving the foot), " said Dr Siow Yew Siong, a spine surgeon practising in a malaysia private hospital.
The remaining 20% would have lower back pain with radiation into both buttocks without lower limb (legs) involvement, he added.
"History taking is the most important part of (dianosing the condition), and we can highly suspect a slipped disk from that, especially when the patient is young," said Dr Siow, who observed that there are more cases of slipped disks in those over the age of 30.

For further investigation, a straight-leg-raising-test and cross straight-leg-raising test can be done. In the former, the doctor will raise the symptomatic leg (with pain or numbness) while you are lying down and the latter involves raising the other leg (without symptoms). If these tests cause pain in your leg or back, it may indicate a herniated disk. Further tests like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and ICT (computerised tomography) scan may help your doctor confirm the diagnosis or locate the location of the injury.

Conservative treatment still first-line
Fortunately for herniated disks, surgery is not required most of the time to treat the condition.
"In most cases, if a patient's lower back and/or leg pain is going to resolve after a limbar herniated disc, it will do so within about six weeks. While waiting to see if the disc will heal on its own, several conservative treatment options can help reduce the back pain, leg pain and discomfort caused by the herniated disc," wrote spine-health.com in its own Overview of Lumbar Herniated Disc.
"Normally, when patients feel the migration of pain from the leg or foot to the back, it is a sign of improvement (healing)," Dr Siow said.
"We are very lucky as most of our patients can be treated by conservative treatments," said Dr Achim Luth, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon from Germany who performed a nucleoplasty procedure after a short lecture here at a private hospital.
Ninety percent of the time, patients can be helped by (conservative treatment such as) paravertebral injections, epidural injections with cortisone, medication and physiotherapy, he added.
For his patients, Dr Luth gives conservative treatment atry for eight to 10 weeks before more invasive treatment (surgical methods) such as microdiscectomy or nucleoplasty are considered. In his experience, only about 5% to 10% of his patients had needed microdiscectomy because they had severe weakness or loss of function as a result of the herniated disk.

"A microdisctectomy involves burning the tissue to release the pressure from the disk. It may result in scarring and patients may have what we call post0discectomy syndrome (presistent back pain)," he added.

In Dr. Siow's experience, about 70% of patients with slipped disks will recover irrespective of whether treatment is sought. The remaiming 30% will generally suffer from pain if not treated. There is one exception to the practise of the conservative-treatment-first approach, Dr Siow said.

"If the herniation is so severe that the patient is suffering weakness, loss of bowel or urinary control (the Cauda Equina Syndrome), then immediate surgery should be carried out so as to save nerve tissues and prevent irreversible damage."

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Steps 10, 11 and 12 to wholeness

2006-12-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Steps 10, 11 and 12 to wholeness

Good Vibrations
By JAGUAR SPEAKS

WE now arrive at the final three steps in our series. All that we have shared is applicable to everyone in Malaysia, as whether we want to admit it or not, we are all addicted to something.

I said earlier in this series that racial and religious intolerance is being inadvertently fostered in many areas of our lives, and only when we embrace our national vision as our way of life can we ever hope to be all that we could be. Lao Tzu told us generations ago: “When I let go of who I am, I can become who I am able to be.”

Robotic poser... controlling what others do means we are out of control ourselves. - AFP photo

Despite all I see written and said about understanding each other, I see no practical evidence of this, and tragically, I see no attempts to teach our children that all Malaysians are equal. It’s time we started identifying ourselves as Malaysians ONLY.

When we look at the steps towards transformation, we see that we have to: 1. Accept the reality of our situation; 2. Identify the root causes; 3. Let go of all attachments; 4. Forgive all, including ourselves; 5. Rebuild/redesign our goals/vision; 6. Set intentions; 7. Tell the Universe; 8. Give thanks; 9. Accept the gift of transformation.

When we are addicted to anything, we have to accept the reality of our situation – unless and until we acknowledge that, then we will get worse. Remember that until we acknowledge that we need to change, we will not.

We are all addicted at some level to believing that it is the other person who has to change and I AM OK. Well we are not! Our national level of consciousness is still negative while our immediate neighbours have moved into positive territory.

We are addicted to remaining negative and that is something we should all be ashamed of. As we end the year, we have to ask ourselves if 2007 will be a repeat of 2006 or will it be our year of transformation and becoming whole.

Let’s continue with the final steps to achieving wholeness.

Step 10. I am proud of the depth and strength of my character

I am completely honest and forthright with everyone and myself. This is important. We can project any image we want to others, but honesty, especially to ourselves, is essential if we are to be whole in every sense.

I am someone people want to be with. Yes, when people want to be with me, it’s because I have made myself into someone who makes others feel good and so they want to be with me.

I am someone I want to be with ? now this is getting to the bone of things. If I do not like my own company, who else will? Remember, addiction is a self-love issue or rather a lack of self-love issue.

I have shared before that the way to self-love is to stand in front of a mirror totally naked and say to your self: “I love you as you are.”

I am a “class act”. Now when I looked up the meaning of “class act”, I read that it is someone who shows impressive and stylish excellence. Do I? Do you?

I am me. I am who I am because of the promises I have made and kept. I am also who I am because of the promises I have made and broken to myself. We all have a public face and a private face. The public face is one thing, but it’s our private face that only we see that determines who we truly are.

We make promises to ourselves and when we break them we think we are the only one who knows. However, it’s the promises we break to ourselves that determine what happens the next time we start to become whole. If we have tried and failed, do we honestly know why we have failed?

The Prime Minister recently said he had asked himself 1,000 times why we are not succeeding. It’s easy – we talk, we promise, but we do not act.

Step 11. I delight in discovering what’s true, even if it calls for a big change

I am comfortable with the unfolding and evolving nature of truth. Truth evolves. What was true last year may not be true this year and if that is so, I have to evolve with it. Letting go of our beliefs as we find they no longer support us is a part of our becoming whole.

I have let go of dogma and beliefs. Many of the things we believe are someone else’s beliefs and many of those beliefs are out of alignment with the original teachings. All our religious traditions tell us to avoid believing and acting on what others tell us unless we check for ourselves. If we get agitated at getting an SMS from someone making accusations, and we rush to conclusions without checking, WE are out of alignment and we are addicted to the past.

I don’t push or proselytise: I let people live and believe as they wish. I have no right, no matter who I am, to tell others what to do. If by my life I encourage others to live a better life, then I am happy. I may suggest guides for living, but that’s all I should do. Controlling what others do means we are out of control ourselves, and that’s tragic.

I over-respond to events in order to stay in the flow. What do we mean by over respond? Over responding means we take corrective action to return to balance. When an aircraft goes off course, the pilot does not drift back; the pilot over responds to get back in the flow

Step 12. I have a life

I live where and how I want to. I may live in a rented room, but if it’s home, it’s where I want to be and I love being there. If being there gives me all I need, then that’s where I want to be. I have lived in big houses and single rooms and I have enjoyed them all.

People who love me, show it. When we love someone, we show it from our hearts and the love we show is pure as it is accepted as pure. The love I accept is the love I can share. When I attract love, I am whole.

I enjoy a rich range of activities and interests. At home, at work, with my friends, I take every opportunity to enjoy a varied range of activities and from those activities I learn and become a better person as I share with others.

I am proud of what I am accomplishing in life. My special friend who you will meet in our next column attended a training programme I facilitated in 2001 and I wrote that she would be a future star if properly guided. She has a vision and she has been guided to be proud of everything she is accomplishing in her life. If we can be like her and proud of everything we accomplish, we are whole.

I am enjoying my journey. Everything that happens to me happens at the right time, at the right place, for the right reason, and I enjoy it, even if it’s a bit uncomfortable that I enjoy it because it is my journey and I am becoming everything I wish to be.

Well that’s the 12 steps; keep this series, you or someone you love will need it sooner than you think.

I love Malaysia and I love every Malaysian regardless of race or religion. Sure, some may be out of alignment and need to control others, but I believe that every Malaysian is beautiful and an angel.

Happy New Year. I love you. Watch this space in 2007 for something new and exciting.

I believe in and support a Malaysian Malaysia – do you?

Jaguar Speaks (Hj Mohd Hazri Humphreys) is a global corporate and personal transformational healer dedicated to identifying and healing the root causes that hold organisations and people in negative consciousness. Join Jag on his journey around the galaxy. With jaws of life, he prowls the highways and byways, bringing love, life and healing to all humanity. The Jaguar is the bridge between the world’s cultures and religions, showing us that healing, be it personal, corporate, national or spiritual, comes only when we life a life of love and live as one. Visit Jag at http://www.cosmicevolution.org/CirclesofLifeJagGY.html and write to him at starhealth@thestar.com.my.

The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star disclaims all liability for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Living productively after retirement

2006-12-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

Living productively after retirement

By DR LOH WAH YUN

SO you are 55. And there you have it – the passport to the Golden Years. Eventually we will all move into this new phase after years of sweating and toiling to finance the car and house, and yes, unfortunately, our children’s’ new electronic gadgets and the ever-changing hand phones. It should be a moment of great celebration. For once, we are stripped off our work obligations and we have everything to live for.

And yet, when we come to the transition from one social position to another, each individual may react differently to the new scenario. While some may look forward to retirement, feeling satisfied that they have contributed to life, another may indulge in depression and loneliness and have less positive views on retirement.

Some experience the loss of value and the increase in boredom that invite anxiety and stress. If this is not managed properly, it may harm an individual’s mental and physical health.

The first step to a more fulfilled retirement is lining up activities to your benefit.

But everything comes down to one decision. How do you make this transition more meaningful and that the change makes you a happier and a more active person?

A lot of free time does not necessarily lead to contentment. Happy retirees report that they have been more active than passive, set themselves personal goals and kept a positive outlook on life. Some take up daily walks in the park with their partners and sometimes with the children and join adventure clubs to make their new life more exciting. All this helps to bond relationships and makes a person feel better about him or herself.

On the other hand, unhappy retirees deny having stress and try to reduce activity levels. They have no strategy for managing stress and are unwilling to face challenges. These do not only make the person feel miserable, but indirectly creates a barrier from people who are trying to help the person adjust to the new environment.

If we manage and plan in time, retirement can be bliss. Remember the forgotten dreams of wanting to paint or to learn how to cha-cha that you had to let go because you had to work?

How about the world trip and the dreams of taking great photos but you just could not find time to do so because you were caught up with your work? Now this is the best time to realise all those forgotten dreams!

After retirement, enrolling yourself to a dance class not only helps you by increasing your activity level but also opens more doors for communication with other people.

The first step to a more fulfilled retirement is lining up activities to your benefit. For instance, pick up dancing. Enrolling yourself to a dance class not only helps by increasing your activity level but also opens more doors for communication with other people.

Classes like dancing and drawing ease stress because it will help turn you away from the anxiety and stress of having more time to spend.

Besides that, it helps build a stronger, healthier body and gives your mind space to explore the artistic side of you. Group activities also make a person feel belonged because of the interaction and the communication shared.

If you have always loved to write, what about putting your whole life experience into a book? Everywhere you have been to, places you have visited and people you have met are all your writing sources.

You have endured the rough times and sailed through the good days, you have had the chance of being the husband, the wife, the father or your grandchild’s grandmother ? all these experiences are memories you can keep not only for yourself, but also for your family.

Why not maximise your time by penning your heart for your younger ones to see?

Writing down your life's experiences can be a worthy objective after you retire.

You can also consider channelling your experience and talent to become a tutor or a volunteer in schools or to senior groups. Weekly gatherings of cooking with your friends (you were once a good cook) or helping out at the construction of the new mosque or temple in your neighbourhood (you were a top-notch architect) can help optimise your time besides lending yourself to opportunities to help people.

There are many ways to make life after retirement more meaningful. If you give yourself some time to understand your needs, to understand what you can do to make yourself feel more relaxed and productive, you can help ease the mental stress you put upon yourself.

Retirement should not be viewed as a phase that limits all your former activities, but it should be the window to new adventures and forgotten dreams.

It is time for you to pick up your dancing shoes!

This article is contributed by The Star Health & Ageing Panel, which comprises a group of panellists who are not just opinion leaders in their respective fields of medical expertise, but have wide experience in medical health education for the public.

The members of the panel include: Datuk Prof Dr Tan Hui Meng, consultant urologist; Dr Yap Piang Kian, consultant endocrinologist; Datuk Dr Azhari Rosman, consultant cardiologist; A/Prof Dr Philip Poi, consultant geriatrician; Dr Hew Fen Lee, consultant endocrinologist; Prof Dr Low Wah Yun, psychologist; Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist; Dr Lee Moon Keen, consultant neurologist; Dr Ting Hoon Chin, consultant dermatologist; Assoc Prof Khoo Ee Ming, primary care physician. For more information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my

The Star Health & Ageing Advisory Panel provides this information for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care.

The Star Health & Ageing Advisory Panel disclaims any and all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use of the information obtained from this article.

To get more health care information plaease logon to http://healthy.maleisure.com

Vitamin C Introduce and Benefits

2006-12-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

What's Vitamin C

Vitamin C: An essential nutrient found mainly in fruits and vegetables. The body requires vitamin C to form and maintain bones, blood vessels, and skin.

Like other vitamins, vitamin C is an organic compound. An organic compound is a substance that (1) occurs in living things, or organisms (hence, the word "organic") and (2) contains the elements carbon and oxygen (hence, the word "compound," meaning combination of elements). Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid.

Type of Vitamin

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, one that cannot be stored by the body except in insignificant amounts. It must be replenished daily.

Purpose and Benefits

Vitamin C helps produce collagen, a protein needed to develop and maintain healthy teeth, bones, gums, cartilage, vertebrae discs, joint linings, skin and blood vessels. Vitamin C also does the following:

Promotes the healing of cuts, abrasions and wounds.
Helps fight infections.
Inhibits conversion of irritants in smog, tobacco smoke, and certain foods into cancer-causing substances.
Appears to dilate (widen, enlarge) blood vessels and thereby lessen the risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease.
Helps regulate cholesterol levels.
Prevents the development of scurvy, a disease characterized by weakness, fatigue, anemia, swollen joints, bleeding gums and loose teeth. Scurvy was common aboard ships in earlier times because crews traveled for long periods without eating fresh vegetables or fruit. Many sailors died of the disease. Scurvy is rare today.
Appears to lower the risk of developing cataracts, clouding of the lens of the eye that impairs vision.
May help protect diabetics against deterioration of nerves, eyes and kidneys.
May inhibit the development of colds and decrease the intensity of cold symptoms. (This is controversial.)
Aids iron absorption.
May reduce levels of lead in the blood.

Herbs Introduction

2006-09-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

THE HERBS INTRODUCTION
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CHAMOMILE
Relaxing, Replenishingsoothing, Calms the nervous system.

CINNAMON
Euphoric, Energizing, Warming, Helpful for Fatique and depression.

LEMON GRASS
Balancing, Calming, Soothing, Settles a restless spirit and relieves headdaches

BLACK PEPPER
Warming & Stimulating Eases arthritic & rheumatic discomfort by warming the area and stimulating circulation. Use to treat muscle pain & stiffness. Improve circulations.

ROSEMARY
Improves circulation, promote mental alertness, improves memory and concentration , relieves muscles aches, arthritic and rheumatic pain

JUNIPER BERRY
Relieves rheumatic, arthritic and gout pain. Use to minimize cellulite and water retention. Promotes better detoxification

LAVENDER
Balancing, Calming, soothing, Settles a restless spirit and relieves headaches

PINK ROSE TEA
Strengthen heart and liver functions, Rich in vitamin C, Improve blood circulation, Improve digestions,Prevents constipation, Aids slimming, Maintaining healthy complexion, Relieves menstrual cramps, Strengthen immune system, A tea that can be drink all day long

PEPPERMINT
Purifying, cooling, clearing, Relieves headaches and clears, respitory passages.

CLOVE
Relieves pain, antiseptic properties. Indigestion.

WHEAT BERRIES
Used as a heating elements and as a filler.

FLAX SEEDS
Used as a heating elements and as a filler.