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Lower Back Pain and Seven Herbal Remedies

December 6, 2010 by drburt

Billions of dollars spent every year in U.S. alone on a treatment of lower back. Even more money lost on a productivity. Elderly people are more prone to have lower back pain due to the loss of elasticity of soft tissue surrounding the spine. Younger generation is too busy at work and often times experience lower back pain as well due to prolonged sitting at their desks. There many different pills, supplements, pain relievers, and many other substances that can help relief the pain.

However, many people choose not to take pain relief medicine that contains chemicals and artificial ingredients. Instead, lower back sufferers choose herbal and home remedies. From doctor’s point of view it is not a solution to a sprain/strain injury, or overuse injury. However, these remedies can provide some temporary relief and there are no side effects, unlike NSAIDs. Below is the list of some herbal treatments that can provide lower back pain relief.

1. Combination of concoction of turmeric, some ginger and garlic in a small amount warm water can be used for massaging the painful area. Ginger’s aroma will penetrate a skin layer and will help to relax the muscles of the effected area. This method can be used every day, and it is totally safe without any side effects.

2. Boiling ginger and drinking its juice is a good relief for back pain and sore throat. Keeping it hot and steaming will both help. The warm water that goes to your body helps alleviate lower back pain.

3. Vegetables must be an important part of your diet. Sulty and fatty foods must be avoided at all times. Lower back pain relief can only be achieved by proper monitoring of your diet and daily activities. When in pain, it is always recommended to first try home remedies before taking all sorts of pain killers. If both failed, contact your local Chiropractor.

4. Get into soft diet. Constipation can contribute to lower back pain. Make sure you detoxify daily by eating food rich in fiber. It is one good treatment for lower back pain relief. Here is a list:

Legumes & Lentils: Dried beans, peas and other legumes including baked beans, kidney beans, split peas, dried limas, garbanzos, lentils, pinto beans and black beans. Green beans, snap beans, pole beans, lima beans and broad beans. Dried fruit such as figs, apricots and dates. Fruits like raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, cherries, plums, pears, apples, kiwi fruit, guava, banana. Pears contain more fiber than prunes.Vegetables like Fresh or frozen green peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Sweet corn, beet root, baked potato with the skin, carrot. Greens vegetables including spinach, beet greens, kale, collards, Swiss chard and turnip greens. Nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts, peanuts, pistachios, and walnuts (Nuts are also high in fat content, read calories in nuts.). But pistachios are the lowest in calories and fat of all nuts, and a one-ounce serving has three grams of fiber. Whole wheat and barley products Rye, oats, buckwheat and cornmeal. Coconut (this is also high in saturated fat).

5. Chamomile and licorice can be boiled together to make tea. You can drink it while it’s still hot. The warm water and the natural scent these herbs produce can help tired and painful muscles to relax and be re-energized.

6. Red pepper is often avoided due to its flavor. However, if you can help it, include red pepper especially cayenne to your diet. It has an ingredient called capsaicin that is best to relax muscles. Meanwhile, there are creams that include this kind of ingredient for lower back pain relief.

7. Another effective lower back pain relief is to hydrate yourself. Make sure you drink 8 to 10 glasses of pure water everyday. Herbs like mint cool the body. You may also drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

Unless you have been involved in an accident or strenuous workout, common lower back pain can be treated with warm water and herbal treatments. Stress related back pain only needs to be relaxed and you will feel results in a few minutes.

If pains persist, make sure to make an appointment with your doctor. For herbal lower back pain relief also, you need not be consulted with a doctor, however, if you choose to take over the counter medicines, make sure you check with your medical doctor on what is best in relieving the pain.

Will this article make you reconsider your own health choices? Post a comment below or share your thoughts through Facebook, Twitter or comment section below to join the conversation.

Runners, NSAIDs, Pain Medications and Misery at the Hospital

December 3, 2010 by drburt

This is a recap story written by Christie Aschwanden in Runner’s World. I will try to use a lighter language for a better reading digestion.

Stephanie Ehret won a 24-hours track run with an excellent timing. However, she was celebrating her victory in Phoenix E.R., constantly vomiting unknown substance. Stephanie was nauseous, had fever and she had feeling at that moment that these were the last moments of her life. Doctors have diagnosed her with – rhabdomylysis, which is a potentially deadly precursor to kidney failure. Part of this diagnosis was severe dehydration after the race. After all, it was not 2 or 3 hours race it was 24 hours. In addition to the strenuous demand on a system, Stephanie has taken 12 ibuprofen pills, which were the result of her being in E.R.

Proper dosage of OTC (over-the-counter) pain medication can be helpful to a runner who had fresh sprain/strain of an ankle. Tylenol can reduce the pain and NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen can reduce swelling during acute stage of healing. Stephanie Ehret treated this Ibuprofen like ”vitamin I”, not realizing the side effects of its usage during intense competitive run. Experts confirmed that taking ibuprofen even during 10K run could be extremely dangerous. NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandins; it is a hormone that helps normalize blood flow to the kidneys. When you combine the effect of NSAIDs, competitive run and dehydration, kidneys would be the first organ to feel the overload.

NSAIDs will raise a blood pressure, and when we combine it with usual increase of blood pressure during cardiovascular exercise, all of sudden a person has two things that increase blood pressure. An individual with already increased blood pressure can have a risk of a heart attack. The reason for this heart attack is that NSAIDs inhibit the function of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) that protects the heart. COX also protects the stomach lining from digestive acids. Individuals whose COX is blocked could experience nausea, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding and cramps. COX inhibition could also be the cause of electrolyte imbalance during marathon. Study proves that increased dosage of ibuprofen during race does not reduce inflammation or pain tolerance. In a contrary, runners who use this ibuprofen had more inflammation at the end of the race. Also takers and none takers of ibuprofen did not notice increase or reduction in amount of pain during the race.

Pain and inflammation is a warning sign that our body communicates to us that there is something wrong the part of the body that is hurting. Pain and inflammation are just the symptoms. An individual must find the cause of this problem. Taking NSAIDs or OTC pain medications is not a solution to a problem. One must address the total biomechanical and musculoskeletal component of the body before competing on races of such level. Body is just like a vehicle, it needs a constant maintenance. However, many fail to maintain their bodies. Two good posts come to mind that I have written in the past: Chiropractic Rehabilitation and 4 Stages of Soft Tissue Healing and 13 Facts of Chiropractic and Wellness Care. Every serious athlete must treat their bodies with respect.

Since her last misery, Stepahnie Ehret shares her experience with other racers. If she sees them downing vitamin I, she tells them about her ER visit. “That’s usually enough to change their habits,” she says.

Image provided by Sheffield Tiger

Have you had a similar experience or known somebody who has? Will this article make you reconsider your own health choices? Post a comment below or share your thoughts through Facebook, Twitter or comment section below to join the conversation.

Vitamin D Supplementation and Your Health

December 1, 2010 by drburt

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This Vitamin is produced by our bodies from cholesterol via process that is activated by action of ultraviolet B rays from the sun on our skin. The following factors are taken into consideration when figuring out how much of Vitamin is our body producing: skin color, age, amount and time sun exposure, and geographic location. This important vitamin can play an important role in influences of control of cell cycles, brain, muscles, pancreas, cardiovascular and immune system, intestines and bones. Its primary functions are to maintain normal blood concentration of phosphorus and calcium and to support bone health.

Forms of Vitamin D Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)

There are two types of vitamin D. Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) with half life of 15 hours and Calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) with half life of 15 days.Naturally occurring form of vitamin D; made by the skin upon sun exposure; found in foods and most supplements Calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) Prehormone made directly from cholecalciferol in the liver; low biologic activity, but major form circulating in the bloodstream; concentrations measured by typical blood test for vitamin D deficiency Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) Activated form made from calcidiol in the kidneys and tissues; the most potent steroid hormone in the body Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) Made in the laboratory by radiating fungus; not naturally occurring in the body; used in prescription vitamin D (Drisdol), available in 50,000-IU capsules

Deficiency, Blood Concentrations, and Toxicity

People who live in northern parts of the world where sun exposure is limited are at risk. Failure to get at least 15 minutes a day of direct sun light, being dark skinned, olderly or overweight is a risk factor as well. Conditions such as rickets or osteomalacia, musculoskeletal and periodontal pain are associated with severe vitamin D deficiency. Conditions such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, insomnia, vision problems, and burning sensation in a mouth or throat are signs of mild deficiency of vitamin D. Specific blood test needs to be done in order to detect the level of this vitamin in the body.

Disease Prevention Cancer

Vitamin D decreases cell proliferation and increases cell differentiation, stops the growth of new blood vessels, and has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Many studies have suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of cancer, with the strongest evidence for colorectal cancer.

Heart Disease

Several studies are providing evidence that the protective effect of vitamin D on the heart could be via the renin-angiotensin hormone system, through the suppression of inflammation, or directly on the cells of the heart and blood-vessel walls..

Fractures and Falls

Vitamin D is known to help the body absorb calcium, and it plays a role in bone health. Also, vitamin D receptors are located on the fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are the first to respond in a fall. It is theorized that vitamin D may increase muscle strength, thereby preventing falls. Many studies have shown an association between low vitamin D concentrations and an increased risk of fractures and falls in older adults.

Autoimmune Diseases and Influenza

Since vitamin D has a role in regulating the immune system and a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it has been theorized that vitamin D deficiency could contribute to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroid disease. Scientists have suggested that vitamin D deficiency in the winter months may be the seasonal stimulus that triggers influenza outbreaks in the winter. Numerous trials have evaluated the association between vitamin D and immune-system diseases.

Type 2 Diabetes and Depression

Some studies have shown that vitamin D may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but few studies have examined the effect of vitamin D on depression. A trial of nondiabetic patients aged 65 years and older found that those who received 700 IU of vitamin D (plus calcium) had a smaller rise in fasting plasma glucose over 3 years versus those who received placebo. A Norwegian trial of overweight subjects showed that those receiving a high dose of vitamin D (20,000 or 40,000 IU weekly) had a significant improvement in depressive symptom scale scores after 1 year versus those receiving placebo. These results need to be replicated in order to determine a correlation between vitamin D and the risk of diabetes or depression.

Dosing

Only a few foods are a good source of vitamin D. These include fortified dairy products and breakfast cereals, fatty fish, beef liver, and egg yolks. Besides increasing sun exposure, the best way to get additional vitamin D is through supplementation. Traditional multivitamins contain about 400 IU of vitamin D, but many multivitamins now contain 800 to 1,000 IU. A variety of options are available for individual vitamin D supplements, including capsules, chewable tablets, liquids, and drops. Cod liver oil is a good source of vitamin D, but in large doses there is a risk of vitamin A toxicity.

Since vitamin D is fat soluble, it should be taken with a snack or meal containing fat. In general, 100 IU of vitamin D daily can raise blood concentrations 1 ng/mL after 2 to 3 months Once the desired blood concentration is achieved, most people can maintain it with 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. Even though dosages up to 10,000 IU daily do not cause toxicity, it generally is not recommended to take more than 2,000 IU daily in supplement form without the advice of a health care provider. Individuals at high risk for deficiency should have a vitamin D blood test first; a dosage of up to 3,000 to 4,000 IU may be required to restore blood concentrations.

Drug Interactions

Vitamin D supplements may interact with several types of medications. Corticosteroids can reduce calcium absorption, which results in impaired vitamin D metabolism.

Conclusion

As the number of people with vitamin D deficiency continues to increase, the importance of this hormone in overall health and the prevention of chronic diseases is at the forefront of research. The best evidence for the possible role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer comes from colorectal cancer studies. Evidence also is strong for the potential role of vitamin D in preventing fractures and falls. At this time, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of vitamin D in protecting against heart disease, autoimmune diseases, influenza, diabetes, and depression.

This Post was based on information from US Pharmacist.

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