Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Alexander Jimenez and PUSH as Rx Owner/Exercise Physiologist Daniel Alvarado discuss calisthenics or (gymnastic exercises to achieve bodily fitness and grace of movement.)
You�re not far off when thinking of calisthenics, in case you possess a mental picture of the military performing jumping jacks to cadence. The truth is , though, that calisthenics exercises are rooted much deeper in history, dating back all the way to ancient Greece. (More on that later.)
As it pertains to your own personal history, you likely first experienced work outs that were calisthenics in elementary school physical education class in the type of sit-ups, push ups, jumping jacks and other bodyweight exercises. Calisthenics, when performed actually help individuals serves at the same time as an aerobic type of exercise and gain muscle. Talk�about a timesaver.
Talking of that, with individuals�s time-crunched schedules, fitness plans seem to be largely focused on the best way to get the benefits of exercise in the least quantity of time. (That�s appropriate, one-minute workouts really are a thing.) Packing plenty of exercise, including plenty of bodyweight training, into a brief amount of time, is becoming fairly popular, as with PUSH-as-Rx �, CrossFit and programs like P90X�.
What I’d like to stress is that, as previously mentioned, this kind of workout is nothing new, although these workouts all attribute calisthenics to some amount. Actually, the American College of Sports Medicine reports that workplace wellness plans included calisthenics into worker breaks as far back as the 1960s. The purpose? To develop employees� mental and physical fitness. Sadly, the majority of our corporate structure today does not allow for extended time off in the centre of the day or week.
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What Exactly Are Calisthenics Workouts?
Simply put, the calisthenics definition is utilizing your bodyweight and gravity to do exercises (some of which are quite extreme) using good form. What�s wonderful is the fact that it could include various actions such as for instance gymnastics and does not require a gym membership, Pilates squats, lunges for great legs, crunches, walking, just to name a number of calisthenics work out thoughts and jumping.
A common term for calisthenics today is bodyweight training. Irrespective of what you call it, this sort of training could possibly be the core of an exercise plan or utilized in conjunction with other training programs, including cardio workouts, HIIT workouts (including my Burst training), marathon or triathlon training, weight training or all sorts of other exercise. Mixing it up is a great strategy to ensure that you happen to be working your muscles all and provides a more healthy approach to fitness.
Varieties Of Calisthenics Work Outs
There are lots of types of calisthenics work outs; push-ups and pull ups are most common. Pushups are one of my personal favorite calisthenics exercises due to the fact that they build strength in numerous regions of the body and can be done everywhere. Without lifting one weight it’s possible for you to attain great muscle growth.
Performing push-ups, for example, strengthens the muscles in your chest, shoulders and triceps while also strengthening your core. You could add variety by doing push ups or including a clap between each one. Among my favorites is the spiderman pushup, which works the obliques by bringing the knee up towards the arm as you lower into the push up.
Pull-ups are excellent for working your back and biceps. The most famous design is with the palms facing forwards; however, the chin up, palms facing towards you, is a great challenge, too. While you can do these using a pull-up bar in the gym, you can also perform them having a sturdy tree branch or find a bar in a nearby park. There are several options readily available for installation in doorways of your home, too.
A different type of calisthenics workout is the abdominal work out. For many, having a six-pack is the supreme target. While having a six pack may be wonderful, it�s about losing stomach fat for an overall more healthy body extremely more.
There are various ab exercises which you can do to contract the muscles and work towards strengthening them. The push ups mentioned previously can help do this if you focus on contracting the muscles while performing the push-up. There are lots of exercises that are amazing for the stomach area stomach exercises, like the board, and hip lifts � all of which joined with integrated into your routine or may be achieved with your body weight, making these kinds of exercises great for a calisthenics work out on their very own.
Cardio is excellent because it supplies an opportunity to burn off calories, for burning fat. Running and cycling are great cardio workouts, but you can select exercises that could easily be incorporated right into a daily routine wherever you’re, for example high jumps or conventional jumping jacks.
Jumping jacks are great because they get the heart pumping � not only offering fat-burning benefits, but keeps the heart healthy. The entire body motion combined with bound provides an excellent total cardio to the body. If you’re unable to bound at this time or demand to work up to it, you can do a low impact variation by stretching one leg at time as the arms go overhead in the traditional jumping jack sort.
Most bootcamp workouts provide calisthenics-specific exercises and may be found at your local health club or you can do one in your family room. Blast training may be ideal for this which is just another kind of calisthenics workout.
I have a burst training workout for beginners right on my website. The majority of the Burstfit workouts offer astounding strength advantages from muscle toning to cardio and also a mix of the two and don’t use any gear. They are also helpful for the beginner and also the advanced supplying adjustments for several exercises.
6 Top Benefits Of A Calisthenics Workout
1. You Can Do Calisthenics Anywhere
This type of training may be performed anywhere because calisthenics could be done using just your bodyweight. Just what a beautiful thing. (Read between the lines: No explanations!) You can do an entire routine in the privacy of your home, in the fitness center or in a closeby park. I done short work outs in the airport.
There are numerous ways to execute calisthenics exercises at different levels. By way of example, a push up can be performed on the knees for newcomers. Over time, you can work as much as the toes and eventually add in side knee tucks or claps. The choices are many and will build muscle and stamina.
2. Calisthenics Can Help Provide Improved�Coordination
The Journal of Sports Rehabilitation published a study investigating how calisthenics and Pilates impact a person�s coordination. The participants comprised healthy females ages 25 to 50. The results indicated that calisthenic exercises were more likely to improve coordination after 3 and 6 months of training compared to Pilates. Pilates is amazing, but you may gain more from calisthenics, when you�re looking to increase coordination -kind exercises.
3. You Gain All-Over Muscle Tone
Calisthenics offers the capability to build amazing muscle tone and also you can pretty much take it as far as you want. Ever notice how some men in the gym appear to own a little back and legs, although arms, enormous chest and shoulders? This could happen when using special weights which are targeting particular muscles; nonetheless, using your own bodyweight can permit you to focus on total body tone and specific muscle tissues in once.
Typically, when lifting your personal body weight, it demands focus and involvement of many more muscles to ensure proper form. That means that all of those muscles are getting work which will lead to a more evenly distributed physique.
4. Provides�Support For Fitness Goals�& Other Sports
Calisthenics-type exercises really are a safe option since it puts less strain on the muscles and joints of the body. It really is recognized as a �natural� type of training because you might be utilizing your own bodyweight to do the exercises. That is not an injury-free guarantee, but with suitable form and gradual increase in strength, it could undoubtedly give a safer alternative for a fruitful workout.
Calisthenics work outs are perfect for adding strength without adding bulk. This really is often needed to be efficient at other sports along with helping prevent harm. To be able to be more efficient at running while minimizing the risk of harm endurance runners commonly must reinforce the hips. A study analyzed athletes by increasing their strength training but decreasing their total volume of training. The group that raised their strength training resulted in improved performance through improved muscle growth.
Another study found that results enhanced by enhancing endurance as a result of improved neuromuscular efficiency. This occurs when the nervous system uses while stabilizing the body in all three planes of motion, the right muscles reduce or to produce force.
The National Academy of Sports Medicine shares that resistance training, in this situation utilizing your own body weight, can improve running economy a significant component for endurance athletes such as for instance Ironman sportsmen and ultra trail runners, without additional mass.
5. It�s Perfect For Beginners�To Advanced
Calisthenics is perfect for anyone starting a physical fitness plan or someone who’s improved, but wants a more shredded physique. A beginner can begin a good application that can supply amazing gains, particularly if consistent; yet, make sure to choose a program which offers adjustments so that you could have alternatives which are right for you personally and at your degree, by starting slow. Starting at a too-advanced degree gets you at an increased risk of harm.
In terms of frequency, I’d propose 3 to 4 days per week to begin. Over time, you are able to work time periods that are longer and more exercises into your training schedule. An advanced exerciser can cultivate amazing overall body tone, muscle growth and strength by performing more extreme editions of calisthenics.
By way of example, if strength is a focus, an advanced exerciser could work towards performing one-handed push-ups. This will make an extraordinary quantity of muscle and strength development in the entire body for the reason that it requires extra focus and numerous muscles groups to conduct this exercise nicely.
6. It�s An Option Even If�You�ve Got Health Problems
Calisthenics isn�t merely for people that are already in shape. Check with your physician to find if it�s right for you if you�re living with chronic disease. But in 2016, Turkish researchers published a study revealing that calisthenics is as safe and effective as even cycling for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Full-Body Calisthenics Workout
Consider a calisthenics workout a couple of times a week, in case you are looking to get excellent muscle tone. Create a routine that you can commit to doing in the event you would like to get results and remain consistent. Listed here is a great work out that you can try.
History Of Calisthenics
Calisthenics ‘s been around for a very long�time originating from the ancient Greek words k�los, which means �beauty, � and sth�nos, meaning �strength.� It’s understood to be �qualities of inertia� and using body weight to help grow the physique.
It may have already been named after the Greek historian, Callisthenes, who was tutored by Alexander the Great. Gymnastics and physical education programs were developed in the 19th century, in particular due to the Battle of the Systems, an attempt to learn the most effective type of exercise crossing to the 1920s in the 1830s.
Afterwards, calisthenics became connected with crowd-attracting road workouts, much like choreographed performances by well-trained individuals. These routines would occur in parks, in a contest style, particularly where there are resort areas with taverns, attracting on crowds with their amazing ability to hang their bodies using a lot as well as their developed muscles of practice. These competitions regularly had judges creating even more authenticity to the craft of calisthenic fitness.
Even today, The World Calisthenics Organization (WCO) based in Los Angeles, California, has a well known competition chain called Battle of the Pubs, adding to the the increasing popularity of worldwide competitions.
Calisthenics Precautions
Like all new exercises programs, please seek advice from your physician before performing these exercises. Begin slowly and work your way into more sophisticated moves with time. If anything causes injury or unusual discomfort, or if you are feeling dizzy or dehydrated, cease immediately and consult a physician.
Closing Thoughts On Calisthenics
Calisthenics is a fantastic method to start your fitness journey (or to dive deeper to the trail you�re already on). What�s great is it is possible to take it with you wherever you go, even when traveling. You may also get the children to join you. Consider preparing a laptop of workouts you prefer available today or take a look at a few of the truly amazing work out apps. Make fitness a priority in your lifetime and results will follow, particularly when combined using a wholesome eating plan.
Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Alexander Jimenez looks at the cervical spine and low back pain.
Low back pain and leg pain are the most common cause of disability worldwide. As such new research based treatment approaches are needed. This new randomized trial by BCP Non-profit and Cairo University tested the ability of the cervical Denneroll orthotic to improve cervical spine curvature and its consequent effect on low back and leg pain. Great short term results were found where patients receiving the cervical spine Denneroll improved with low back pain, leg pain, neurological outcomes and disability compared to a PT only interventional group.
When mid-afternoon fatigue sets in, it’s easy to reach for a cup of coffee or a sweet treat for a quick boost. Unfortunately, the energy boosting effects are short-lived and often lead to a crash later in the day.
Instead, experts say it�s best to opt for a snack that’s rich in protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates for a natural energy boost. Here are nine of the best options for energy-boosting snacks and meals that will keep you alert throughout the entire day.
Nuts. Almonds, pistachios, and other nuts contain important nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins which help convert food to energy. Pistachios have a powerful combination of protein, fiber and heart healthy monounsaturated fats, making them a great snack choice.
“Research shows that people with low magnesium levels tend to tire more quickly during exercise due to magnesium’s role in energy metabolism,” dietitian Rachel Berman says. A lack of B vitamins can cause fatigue, irritability and poor concentration. Berman suggests one serving, or about 23 nuts, to keep calories low.
Whole grains. “Thanks to fiber, whole grains help prevent the blood-sugar crashes that happen after consuming refined or simple carbohydrates,” says Berman. Whole-grain carbohydrates, like popcorn, are a great afternoon snack choice. The volume of popcorn also keeps you satisfied longer than chips or crackers. Try popping your own and adding herbs and spices, instead of butter and salt.
Nut butters. Peanut butter and almond butter can provide a great energy boost. They’re filled with health fats, protein and fiber, which help keep blood sugar levels stable. Berman says make sure you avoid brands with added sugars and stick to just a 2-tablespoon serving.
According to a study done at the University of Cambridge in England, protein also activates cells that help keep you awake. Researchers found that the cells responsible for our energy levels respond better to amino acids in proteins than in other nutrients.
Fish. Salmon is filled with omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients that can boost energy and mood. Berman says the nutrients found in fish have also been found to improve memory and reduce depression. The healthy fats found in fish like salmon also help lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, making them heart healthy choices.
Bananas. These sweet treats are a great source of fiber, B vitamins, and potassium � nutrients that promote sustained energy. Bananas make for a great pre- and post-workout snack. Berman suggests a banana with a cup of yogurt for an energizing snack with fiber and protein for sustained energy.
Kale. This leafy green contains the amino acid L-tyrosine, which is great for an energy boost. The leafy green also contains fiber and a number of antioxidants which help stabilize blood sugar, says Berman.
Oatmeal. A dish of this high-fiber, filling breakfast staple can provides lasting energy all day long. Dieticians recommend looking for breakfast foods that contain at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. Options can include: oatmeal, whole-grain breads or pancakes, high-fiber breakfast cereals and quinoa.
Hummus. Made of garbanzo beans, sesame-based tahini, olive oil, and lemon, hummus is full of nutrients that contribute to high energy levels. The fiber and protein in the beans help stabilize blood sugar and boost energy. Use hummus as a veggie dip or a sandwich spread for a great snack or healthy lunch.
Greek yogurt. Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt contains twice as much protein, making it a great breakfast or snack option. “The thick, indulgent texture is the perfect canvas for a variety of toppings that can make it even more substantial,” says dietitian Kari Kooi. Add fruit, nuts, or low-calorie granola to make it even more nutritious.
A new study found that gluten-free diets could increase cardiovascular risk in people without celiac disease. The study claims that gluten-free diets among people without celiac disease is not associated with risk of coronary heart disease, but such diets result in a low intake of whole grains, which are linked to cardiovascular benefits.
Researchers say that gluten-free diets among people without celiac disease should not be encouraged, as people could miss out on the benefits of whole grains.
Researchers say that gluten-free diets among people without celiac disease should not be encouraged. Image credit: iStock.com / Everyday Health
People with celiac disease, on the other hand, usually have to follow gluten-free diets because the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye can cause them to develop gastrointestinal issues.
Gluten-free diets should not be encouraged to people without celiac disease
The study was published in the BMJ on May 2, and researchers noted that cutting out gluten unless medically necessary can increase a person�s risk of cardiovascular problems. The researchers analyzed data from 64,714 women and 45,303 men who worked in the health industry, each of whom had no history of heart disease.
Subjects were asked to fill a detailed food questionnaire in 1986, and they were required to update it every four years until 2010. The scientists noted that they saw no significant association between gluten intake and heart disease risk.
�Long term dietary intake of gluten was not associated with risk of coronary heart disease. However, the avoidance of gluten may result in reduced consumption of beneficial whole grains, which may affect cardiovascular risk,� wrote the researchers on the study.
Gluten is a storage protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, and it is known to trigger inflammation and intestinal damage in people with celiac disease. According to the researchers, celiac disease is present in 0.7 percent of the U.S. population, and because it is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, patients are recommended to shift to a gluten-free diet.
Gluten is a storage protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, and it is known to trigger inflammation and intestinal damage in people with celiac disease. Image credit: Thankheavens.com.au
The study claims that currently many people reduce gluten in their diet because they believe that it will lead to general health benefits. A national survey showed that in 2013 nearly 30 percent of adults in the U.S. reported that they were cutting off or reducing their gluten intake. However, the researchers noted that despite the rising trend in gluten restriction, no study has linked gluten with the risk of coronary heart disease in people without celiac disease.
�Although people with and without celiac disease may avoid gluten owing to a symptomatic response to this dietary protein, these findings do not support the promotion of a gluten restricted diet with a goal of reducing coronary heart disease risk,� warned the researchers.
Researchers concluded their study saying that it found no evidence of gluten diets and coronary disease among male and female health professionals analyzed for more than 25 years and that further research is needed to investigate the link between gluten and cardiovascular problems, as their study was merely observational.
Seniors who have a good relationship with their adult children also have a reduced risk of developing dementia, according to a new UK research published Tuesday in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Carried out by a team of researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA), University College London (UCL), London Metropolitan University and the University of Nottingham, the study looked at the effect of positive social support on dementia risk.
The team analyzed data that followed 10,055 participants over a 10-year period, who were all dementia-free at the start of the study.
Participants were interviewed every two years and incidence of dementia was identified from self-reports by participants or information given by nominated friends and family.
The results showed that positive support — characterized by having a reliable, approachable and understanding relationship with partners, children, and family — reduced the risk of developing dementia.
However, negative social support — characterized by critical, unreliable and annoying behaviors — had a stronger but negative effect on health, and was linked with an increased risk in developing dementia.
Commenting on the findings Dr Mizanur Khondoker, one of the study’s authors, said, “It is well known that having a rich network of close relationships, including being married and having adult children, is related to a reduced risk of cognitive decline and developing dementia.”
“However, a relationship or social connection that does not work well can be a source of intense interpersonal stress, which may have a negative impact on both physical and mental health of older adults. It is not only the quantity of social connections, but the quality of those connections may be an important factor affecting older people’s cognitive health.”
UCL Prof Andrew Steptoe also added that, “Our results will add to the impetus underlying local and national efforts to help strengthen the social relationships of older people, many of whom are isolated and lonely.”
Prices for generic topical steroids to treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are on the rise, and many seniors may pay more for generic medications than the brand-name versions, a U.S. study finds.
Researchers compared average out-of-pocket patient costs as well as spending by Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program for people 65 and older, for several commonly prescribed topical corticosteroids that have been used for decades to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin conditions.
Medicare Part D, the drug benefit program, spent $2.3 billion on topical steroids between 2011 and 2015, the study found. During that period, spending surged 227 percent while the number of prescriptions increased just 37 percent.
If doctors had prescribed the cheapest version when a variety of similarly effective options were available, Medicare could have saved $944.8 million, the researchers calculate.
Patients could have saved a lot too; seniors’ annual out-of-pocket spending for topical steroids grew from $41.4 million to $101.8 million, 146 percent, during the study period.
“Patients often have difficulty paying for their medications and many patients on Medicare are retired and on fixed incomes,” said senior study author Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, a dermatology researcher at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
“Paying extra for their medications may mean going without other medications or sometimes food,” Mostaghimi said by email.
Generics accounted for almost 98 percent of total spending on topical steroids during the study period, the researchers report in JAMA Dermatology.
In theory, generic drugs are supposed to come on the market after brand-name versions lose U.S. patent protection and help lower prices by increasing competition. The study of topical steroid costs, however, offers one look at a much more complex and confusing reality.
For the study, researchers examined costs for drugs grouped based on potency, or how much medication is blended into the ointments and creams. They sorted drugs into five classes, with one being the most potent and five being the weakest potency.
Costs grew at the slowest rate, 23 percent, for the weakest steroids, the study found. By contrast, costs rose the most, 604 percent overall, for the most potent group of steroids.
Within that group of most potent steroids, the steepest increase in average user costs was for clobetasol propionate (Temovate), which is used to treat itching and inflammation from skin issues caused by allergic reactions, eczema and psoriasis. During the study, user costs for this drug climbed by more than 605 percent.
Limitations of the study include the lack of data on certain drug manufacturer rebates that might help lower costs, the authors note. Researchers also didn’t know if doctors had certain clinical reasons for choosing specific versions of similar medicines.
Still, the study illustrates something doctors already see all the time: that these costs often take a toll on patients, said Dr. Joslyn Kirby, author of an accompanying editorial and a dermatology researcher at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
One challenge for doctors is that they can’t always see what different steroids of similar potency cost when they prescribe the drugs, because that’s not in electronic medical records, Kirby said by email.
“I ask my patients to contact me and let me know if the medication I prescribed during the appointment is too expensive when they go to the pharmacy,” Kirby added. “I need my patients to know that it’s ok to tell me that something is too expensive, because I can work with our staff to find an alternative or a solution.”
On the market for a new fitness tracker? On April 12, Garmin released its newest wearable, the Vivosmart 3 ($140; amazon.com), the update to its Vivosmart HR+ fitness tracker that was released almost a year ago.
The Vivosmart 3 comes with a few new features that make it useful not only for cardio fanatics, but also your run-of-the-mill gymgoer. As a self-proclaimed cardio hater (sorry, but you�ll never catch me “just going for a jog”), I decided to put the Vivosmart 3�s features to the test. Here�s what I thought.
The look:
Fitbit diehards may have a run for their money when they see how slim (and Fitbit-like) Garmin�s newest model looks. According to Garmin, this wearable is �a master of subtlety.� The touchscreen is smaller than the tracker’s previous versions, so it doesn�t look like a clunky brick on your arm. Plus, the display isn�t perpetually lit up�the screen only brightens when you tap or lift your wrist slightly to check the time. Other features include the traditional watch-buckle band and two color options: black or a grayish-purple.
New standout features:
Garmin has always offered step and mileage counting in its fitness trackers, but now you can also use the device to long your strength-training workouts. A rep-counting feature can be turned on to track your reps and sets and record them in the Garmin Connect app.
The Vivosmart 3 can also track your VO2 max�the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use at any given moment�and translate that data into your �fitness age.� For challenge-loving exercisers, it�s an easy way to notice changes in your athletic ability over time.
The coolest new feature, in my opinion, is the device�s ability to track your stress levels. The Vivosmart 3 uses your heart rate variability to estimate how stressed you are on a four-level scale. If it turns out you�re feeling the pressure, the watch can help you calm down with a breathing exercise. Set the duration (1 to 5 minutes) and hit start; the watch then commands you to breathe in and out in counts of four.
Features like sleep tracking, a heart rate monitor, a 5-day battery life, and a waterproof shell have been passed down to this latest installment.
The bottom line:
This watch provides all the features you’d expect�smartphone notifications, heart rate and step tracking, and other fitness tracking features�but it�s the new abilities that really make the Vivosmart stand out. I love to lift (and hate cardio), and now, there’s finally a watch that can help me achieve my goals in the gym. I’m also a fan of the stress-level indicator. The streamlined design makes the watch much more attractive than its predecessors, and is something I’m not embarrassed to wear all day.
At $10 less than Fitbit�s newest wearable, the vivosmart 3 could be a top fitness-tracking contender. I give it an A+ in my cardio-loathing book.
Undetected or “silent” seizures may contribute to some symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, such as confusion, a small study suggests.
The seizures occur in the hippocampus — a part of the brain involved in the consolidation of memories. Researchers suspect that treating these seizures could help manage Alzheimer’s or possibly slow it down.
“While it is not surprising to find dysfunction in brain networks in Alzheimer’s disease, our novel finding that networks involved in memory function can become silently epileptic could lead to opportunities to target that dysfunction with new or existing drugs to reduce symptoms or potentially alter the course of the disease,” said study senior author Dr. Andrew Cole.
Cole directs the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Epilepsy Service.
“We now have to study more individuals to validate this finding and understand how prevalent it is in Alzheimer’s patients, whether it occurs in other neurodegenerative disorders and how it responds to treatment,” he said in a hospital news release.
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Prevalence of Seizures to Alzheimer’s Symptoms
The study involved only two women. They were both in their 60s with symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The women had bouts of confusion or asked the same questions repeatedly.
Brain images and cerebrospinal fluid tests suggested they had Alzheimer’s, but swings in the women’s symptoms were much more dramatic than usual.
Neither of the women had a history of seizures. Normally, a test called an EEG conducted from the scalp can detect abnormal electrical activity in the brain of people who have seizures. But, in these two women, no such abnormalities were found, the researchers said. Since the hippocampus is a key part of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and also a common source of seizures in people with epilepsy, the researchers honed in on that part of the brain and conducted additional tests.
Electrodes were placed on both sides of the women’s brains through a naturally occurring opening at the base of the skull. Their brain activity was monitored for 24 to 72 hours.
The study found the women had seizure-like activity in the hippocampus. One woman had frequent surges of electrical activity usually associated with seizures that were not picked up by the scalp EEG. Three seizures occurred during sleep. None of these episodes caused any noticeable symptoms. Anti-seizure drugs eliminated the seizure-like activity. In the year that followed, the woman only had one incident of confusion, which occurred when she missed doses of her medicine.
The other woman also had frequent spikes in electrical activity in the hippocampus during sleep. This patient was also treated with anti-seizure medication but the treatment was discontinued due to unwanted mood-related side effects.
“Our findings confirmed the presence of serious dysfunction of the neuronal networks affected by Alzheimer’s disease and confirmed our hypothesis that epileptic phenomena are an important component of that disturbance,” said Cole. But, he added, more study is needed. The researchers hope to develop a way to detect these silent seizures without using the minimally invasive electrodes in the brain.
SOURCE: Massachusetts General Hospital, news release, May 1, 2017
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Headache and Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, it’s common for auto injury symptoms to manifest within the first 24 hours following the incident. Neck pain and headaches are some of the most prevalent symptoms associated with whiplash and other auto injuries. Due to the sudden back-and-forth jolt of the head from the impact of a car wreck, the complex structures surrounding the cervical spine or neck can become damaged or injured.
Is it possible to have a small stroke and not even realize it?
Yes, according to new research that found about 35 percent of Americans experience symptoms of a warning stroke. Yet only about 3 percent get immediate medical attention.
Most adults who had at least one sign of a “mini” stroke — a temporary blockage also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — waited or rested until symptoms had faded instead of calling 911 right away, according to the research from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA).
“Ignoring any stroke sign could be a deadly mistake,” said ASA chair Dr. Mitch Elkind, in a news release from the organization.
“Only a formal medical diagnosis with brain imaging can determine whether you’re having a TIA or a stroke. If you or someone you know experiences a stroke warning sign that comes on suddenly — whether it goes away or not — call 911 right away to improve chances of an accurate diagnosis, treatment and recovery,” he said.
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Determining the Early Signs of a Stroke
An ischemic stroke occurs when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain. People who experience this type of stroke may be treated immediately with a special clot-busting drug. A device called a stent retriever may also be used to remove the clot and help prevent long-term disability.
A TIA precedes about 15 percent of strokes. People who have a TIA are at greater risk for a stroke within three months, the experts said.
The American Stroke Association uses the acronym F.A.S.T. to help people remember the most common stroke signs:
Face drooping.
Arm weakness.
Speech difficulty.
Time to call 911.
Other sudden warnings signs of stroke include:
Confusion.
Trouble speaking or understanding.
Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body.
Vision loss in one or both eyes.
Trouble walking.
Dizziness.
Loss of balance or coordination.
Unexplained severe headache.
The survey of more than 2,000 adults found that those who suddenly experienced trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or numbness or weakness in their face or a limb, were most likely to call 911. The most common symptom was a sudden, severe headache. About 1 in 5 people experienced this symptom, according to the study.
The researchers noted that 77 percent of those polled were not familiar with a TIA. More than half of the participants said they would dial 911 if they thought they or someone else had symptoms of a TIA but only 3 percent of those who did have these warning signs actually made the call.
People who’ve had a stroke or TIA must work with their doctor to make lifestyle adjustments and follow a treatment regimen to help prevent another event, the researchers said.
“Officially, about 5 million Americans, or 2.3 percent, have had a self-reported, physician-diagnosed TIA,” said Elkind. “But as this survey suggests, we suspect the true prevalence is higher because many people who experience symptoms consistent with a TIA fail to report it.”
SOURCE: American Stroke Association, news release, May 1, 2017
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Headache and Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, it’s common for auto injury symptoms to manifest within the first 24 hours following the incident. Neck pain and headaches are some of the most prevalent symptoms associated with whiplash and other auto injuries. Due to the sudden back-and-forth jolt of the head from the impact of a car wreck, the complex structures surrounding the cervical spine or neck can become damaged or injured.
Patients who go straight home from the hospital following hip or knee replacement surgery recover as well as, or better than, those who first go to a rehabilitation center, new research indicates.
And that includes those who live alone without family or friends, one of three studies shows.
“We can say with confidence that recovering independently at home does not put patients at increased risk for complications or hardship, and the vast majority of patients were satisfied,” said that study’s co-author, Dr. William Hozack. He is an orthopaedic surgery professor with the Rothman Institute at the Thomas Jefferson University Medical School in Philadelphia.
Hozack noted that while in the past it was “not uncommon for patients to enter a rehabilitation facility in order to receive additional physical therapy,” most patients today do not end up going to a secondary facility. In fact, roughly 90 percent of Hozack’s joint replacement patients are discharged directly home following surgery, he said. “Considerable evidence has now shown that most patients do just as well at home,” he noted.
Hozack and his colleagues are scheduled to present their findings in San Diego at a meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
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Home Recovery Following Surgery
Two other studies being presented at the meeting also found that recovering at home may be the better option.
One study found that patients who are discharged directly home following a total knee replacement face a lower risk for complications and hospital readmission than those who first go to an inpatient rehab facility. The study was led by Dr. Alexander McLawhorn, an orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
McLawhorn was also part of a second Hospital for Special Surgery study, led by Michael Fu. That study found that hip replacement patients admitted to an inpatient facility rather than being sent home faced a higher risk for respiratory, wound and urinary complications, and a higher risk for hospital readmission and death.
Dr. Claudette Lajam is chief orthopaedic safety officer with NYU Langone Orthopaedics in New York City. She was not involved with the studies, but agrees that home recovery is the best option for most patients.
“The home setting is the single best way to get people back into their routines as quickly as possible after surgery,” she said. “In some cases, this cannot be done,” Lajam acknowledged. “Some patients live in settings that are inaccessible, [such as] a 5th-floor walk-up apartment where the patient would need to go downstairs to let the visiting nurse and therapist in the door.” For some patients, anxiety about the recovery process could also pose a challenge, she added. But “being in an institutional setting after surgery only reinforces the idea that the patient is ‘sick,’ ” Lajam added. “We have learned that this type of thinking slows down recovery. We want our total joint patients to start using their new joints as quickly as possible, and staying in bed at a nursing facility is not the way to do this.”
Hozack and his colleagues set out to see whether patients who live alone fare as well as those who live with others. All 769 patients enrolled in the study by Hozack’s team went home following either a total hip replacement or a total knee replacement. Of those, 138 lived alone (about 18 percent). Once home, all were assessed on multiple levels, including functionality (ability to move); pain levels; hospital readmissions; emergency department visits; unscheduled doctor visits; dependency on assisted-walking devices; and time before returning to work or being able to drive again.
Hozack’s team observed no differences by any measure. And while those who lived with others indicated relatively higher satisfaction levels at the two-week mark, by the three-month point there was no appreciable difference between the two groups.
“We feel that giving patients back their independence early on is the best way to promote a safe and effective recovery,” said Hozack. His team concluded that single-household patients who go straight home can expect to fare as well as those who have live-in support.
A recent Mayo Clinic study calculated that between 2000 and 2010, the number of Americans who underwent hip replacement surgery more than doubled, rising from just under 140,000 to more than 310,000 per year.
Meanwhile, AAOS figures indicate that in 2010 more than 650,000 knee replacement procedures were performed, with about 90 percent involving total knee replacement. AAOS estimates from 2014 show that 4.7 million Americans now live with an artificial knee and 2.5 million have an artificial hip.
Findings presented at meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
SOURCES: William J. Hozack, M.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University Medical School, Philadelphia; Claudette Lajam, M.D. assistant professor and chief orthopedic safety officer, NYU Langone Orthopedics, New York City; March 14-18, 2017 presentations, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting, San Diego
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