Monday, November 20, 2006

News from Nutrition and Pain Management

News From Nutrition:

Fish Oil Tops Defibrillators in Preventing Cardiac Death: a recent report suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils is associated with reduced risk of fatal heart rhythms (arrythmias). Supplementation is estimated to reduce deaths by about 6.4%.

Promoting Stomach Health Naturally: statistics show tens of millions of Americans are infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) , the culprit in the majority of stoach ulcers. Nutritional and herbal agents can help support stomach health by relieving inflammation, promotion healing and defending against H. pylori. A combination of zinc and L-carnosine inhibits H. pylori. This complex is available as a supplement and is biochemically identical to the Japanese drug polaprenzinc used for ulcers. This combination enhances healing of the stomach lining due to its anti-inflammatory properties and promotes tissue repair and healing. Licorice extract also heals the stomach lining and blocks H. pylori growth. Cranberry may also retard H. pylori growth by preventing bacterial adhesion to the gastric cells, disrupting the H. pyloric membrane, inhibiting a bacterial enzyme and disrupting energy production as well as via its anti-oxidant properties.

Dr. Riggs’ Comment: Please check on the side effects of any nutritional supplement and its possible drug interactions, especially for licorice. Also, bismuth which is found in pepto bismol has been found to help kill off the H. pylori bacteria and aid in healing.

News from pain management:
Carpal Tunnel Pain: A recent study by the Mayo Clinic suggests the carpal tunnel syndrome disease process begins with a shearing injury. The resulting scar tissue from healing impedes the sliding motion of the tendon, compresses the median nerve, cuts off the nerve’s blood supply and eventually leads to the pressure buildup characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome. It results in the carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms of hand pain, numbness and tingling. The study may lead to new treatments for the syndrome.
Dr. Riggs’ comments: deep tissue myofascial release will often help mild to moderate cases that have been present for a short time. I personally feel the instrument assisted version of deep tissue work to release scar tissue adhesions gives my patients the best results. If the scar tissue can be reached with the deep tissue work, it generally will improve.

Pain Management: A recent evaluation by the University of Wisconsin shows Michigan and Virginia to be the better states for pain management. Texas was in the bottom category and got an average rating. The past 3 studies show Texas did not improve over several years.

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