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Archive for December, 2009

Laser Vision Surgery refers to the corrective surgical procedures used to treat various visual disorders. More popularly known as refractive surgery, these vision correction procedures have made significant advances from its humble beginnings as radial keratotomy or RK. RK was used in Japan in the early 60s and although it seemed promising enough, it didn’t fly as expected. The procedure underwent many steps, including experiments by Fyodoroy the Russian ophthalmologist until it was performed in the United States in the year 1978. Currently, there are many different options that have sprouted to cater to people who wish to lessen their dependence on glasses or lenses. In practically all cases, many patients choose to undergo laser vision correction surgery for cosmetic purposes.

Laser vision surgery is greatly beneficial to people who suffer from nearsightedness or myopia, farsightedness of hyperopia and astigmatism. You have myopia when objects from a distance are blurry, but objects that are near are clear. Farsightedness is the opposite. It’s when objects that are near look blurry while objects from a distance look so clear. In hyperopia, the eye is too short to focus well, thus causing the blurriness. Finally, astigmatism is when the objects seem distorted or skewed because the surface of the eye is misshaped. The eye has several focal points which causes the warped images. Laser surgery is not suited for presbyopia or those who cannot see objects up close. Older people, or those 40 to 45 years, are usually the victims of this disorder. Other factors to consider when undergoing laser vision surgery are certain medical conditions and other ocular diseases.

Laser vision surgery has come a long way in treating patients with the aforementioned disorders. Options now include photorefractive keratotomy or keratectomy (PRK), laser in situ keratomileusis and Lasik. PRK reshapes the cornea using a laser to remove a small tissue size from the underlying level of the cornea or the stroma. An advanced computer system tracks the position of the eye up to 4,000 times per second. In Lasik, a permanent flap is formed in the underlying layers of the cornea.

Many people prefer Lasik over PRK because Lasik is less painful and recovery time is much less. However, there are some conditions wherein PRK is the preferred treatment. It is essential, therefore, to have a thorough examination of the patient and a thorough consultation with an eye specialist to determine the procedure that will best suit the individual’s needs.

Choosing the right acid reflux medication for your needs isn’t always easy. After all, there are many causes and symptoms to consider. Furthermore, you need to find the right one that works for you. And that process just got more challenging as researchers have found that some heartburn drugs put users at a greater risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones begin to lose their density (bone mineral density or BMD), placing the sufferer at increased risk of a fracture or break. It’s a condition that typically occurs as we age when the body is less able to regenerate healthy new bone.

Although it may not look it, bone is actually living tissue that is constantly renewing itself. It’s made up of a hard outer shell that contains collagen, minerals and blood vessels, as well as a softer core of bone marrow.

Bones are kept healthy and renewed by a supply of proteins and minerals absorbed from the blood, including calcium.

Specifically, it is proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) among the commonly prescribed acid reflux medications that put people at a higher risk of osteoporosis, according to a 2008 Canadian study. Proton pump inhibitors are drugs that stop the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach in order to reduce damage caused by acid reflux or GERD.

The study examined 63,000 people aged fifty or older and looked into their medical records, prescription records, and other relevant elements. Among the group, 15,300 had fractures from osteoporosis, including those of the hip, spine, and wrist.

The participants in the study who had histories of fractures from osteoporosis were almost two times more likely to have used proton pump inhibitors for a minimum of seven years in comparison with other study participants. And sixty two percent of those participants in the study with hip fractures had used proton pump inhibitors for a minimum of five years. However, there was no evidence that the short-term use of proton pump inhibitors would increase the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.

It should be noted that it is not the proton pump inhibitors that actually cause the fractures.

The study showed only that there is a link between the acid reflux medication and fractures due to osteoporosis. The researchers believe that as the PPI’s block the stomach’s hydrochloric acid, the body’s ability to absorb calcium may be impaired, leading to – or worsening – osteoporosis. However, more study is required to either prove or disprove this hypothesis.

Though the precise link between the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and osteoporosis-related fractures has yet to be determined, there is enough evidence that should encourage you to discuss the risk of osteoporosis and related fractures with your doctor before starting to use proton pump inhibitors – especially over a longer period of time. Commonly prescribed PPI acid reflux medication includes: Prisolex, Aciphex, Nexium, Protonix, and Prevacid.

If you’re currently prescribed a PPI to control acid reflux it important to continue with your medication unless otherwise advised by a medical professional. If you have concerns over the long term use of PPI’s then raise your concerns at your next doctors visit.

When you speak with your doctor, you will need to work together to decide whether the benefits of taking PPIs outweigh the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. You may decide to take proton pump inhibitors as a temporary acid reflux medication while other potential life changes or drugs are decided upon.

Those who are most at risk of being effected by this issue are people who are taking or who are about to begin taking PPIs and either have osteoporosis or are at risk of the disease.

Less powerful acid reflux medication may be a better solution for these people. For example, histamine blockers (also known as H2 anatgonists) are able to effectively treat GERD and its related symptoms. Though they are often less effective than proton pump inhibitors, they are not linked to osteoporosis fractures when used over the long term.

Alternatively you may wish to do away with acid reflux medication altogether (don’t forget to speak to your doctor first). This approach is successful for many thousands of people who rely on nothing more than small changes in their diet and some simple home remedies to keep symptoms at bay.

One of the reasons coaching is so effective is that it supports the client to be guided by their own wisdom. An often overlooked source of wisdom is the sensations in the client’s body. Somatic coaching is about noticing and utilizing this source of wisdom.

Bodies Don’t Lie

Amazing repositories of memory and keen response, our bodies are always trying to tell us something, if only we will listen. After years of ignoring the messages, many of us experience this the hard way in the wake up call of illness. We can start now to tap into the every day messages. Somatic coaching is a valuable tool you can bring out with clients when the occasion is right.

A Different Kind of Feelings

When a client expresses a desire to make a change in thought or behavior, and strong feelings are causing resistance, help them to shift away from analytical thought and emotional feelings to body awareness. Here’s an 8-step process:

1. Start by telling your client you’d like to try an experiment that involves tapping into body wisdom. Ask their permission to proceed. Would you be willing to try an experiment right now that uses your body wisdom?

2. Then, ask them to describe the old behavior or thought. How would you describe in one sentence the old behavior/thought?

3. Ask them to articulate how they’d like to think and behave from now on. Well said. Now, how would you describe the new behavior/thought you want to have now?

4. Ask them to recall one recent and specific circumstance where they have had the habitual thought/behavior. (Usually, they’ve just described this to you in session which brought this exercise to mind for you.) Think again about the circumstances you told me about earlier today. Do you have it fully in mind again?

5. Then, ask them to tune into their body as they recall the situation. Have them report any felt feelings in their body. Ask brief probing questions to encourage a thorough description of sensations such as temperature, tension, contraction and the specific locations in their body where they feel them. (You might hear something like “a tight, cold, contracted feeling in my solar plexus.”) Now with that situation in mind, tell me what you notice right now in your body — what are the exact sensations? Where do you feel them? Is there anything else you notice?

6. Ask them to describe their posture. As you notice these feelings, describe your posture — how is your body holding these felt feelings?

7. Ask them to describe what their body wants to do to relieve that feeling. What would your body like to do right now to relieve or release this?

8. Encourage them to allow their body to respond. As they make the physical transformation, ask them to call to mind the new thoughts/behaviors they want now. Have them take a few deep breaths. When you’re ready, go ahead and let your body do what you’ve just described. As you let your body do that, imagine yourself having the new thoughts/behaviors you want. Take a few deep breaths. How do you feel now?

A Few Cautions:

- If your client has little body awareness this exercise might be a hard sell or produce more subtle results. Let go of attachment if it doesn’t seem to work well. Know when to let it go. Be sure you do not make the client wrong in any way.

- Keep the pace of your language slow and speak succinctly during this exercise. The focus is non-verbal.

- Check your own breathing and posture.

- Echo the client’s words back to them. Classic descriptions of felt feelings attached to unwanted thoughts are things like: “contracting in my belly” or “my shoulders are rounded in around my heart”. Those are tender and personal expressions that deserve reverance even if you’ve heard them before.

- It’s very important that you support the client to see the contrast between habitual body feelings attached to habitual thoughts and new desirable & released body feelings attached to new thoughts. They are usually opposites like contracted/expanded, cool/warm, closed/open, bent/straight, stuck/flowing, etc.).

- Do not overuse this exercise. Bring this tool out now and then when you have an intuitive hit that it fits the client and circumstances. Always ask permission.

- Do not use this as trauma therapy! Bodies hold powerful information, much of which is not coaching territory. Keep the use of this exercise to current thoughts/behaviors to transform and not to unlock historical core issues. When in doubt, don’t use it.

This process can be incredibly transformational in the moment, and if further exercised by the client, out of session, it can be a powerful manifestor of new, more integrated ways of being.

The astounding thing about somatic coaching is that you can do it on the telephone. This is because you are relying solely on the client’s own ability to tune into their own body and report feelings. No analysis is required!

Prostate cancer was first identified in 1853, and can only occur in men since prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. According to the survey of the American Cancer Society, this illness is most common in the United States, where it is the main cause of cancer related deaths, after lung cancer. This cancer is least common in South and East Asia.

Prostate cancer is a disease that comes into existence due to mutation of the cells of the prostate which begin to multiply uncontrollably. The prostate glands require androgenes, male hormones, to function properly. If caught in its early stage, prostate cancer can be cured in 90% of the cases.

Symptoms of prostate cancer vary, and sometimes do not clearly indicate cancer. The person with discomfort and disease has to undergo a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause of these occurrences. Nevertheless, many men having developed this illness will never find out about it, will not undergo any treatment, and will die of other causes as this disease is forming in the later part of life. The disease is typical of men over 50 years of age, thus many are apt to die of other causes while the cancer slowly advances and spreads to other parts of their body. Due to this factor the selection of the right treatment is at times difficult.

If a man experiences an urge or need to urinate frequently, especially at night, or if he is facing difficulty starting or holding back urine, if his urine has a disturbed or weak flow accompanied with a painful, burning feeling when urinating, there is a high probability of him developing prostate cancer. It affects a man’s sexual life as well.

In some cases a person with this disease will face problems of erection, and painful ejaculation. Cancer cells may spread, i.e., metastasize to other parts of the body, mainly to the lymph nodes, which help in destroying bacteria, and to the bones. Similarly with problems of the female reproductive system, men also feel pain, stiffness in the lower back, and upper thighs.

Diagnosis of the disease sometimes happens when an individual undergoes physical examination or screening blood tests. Particular of these tests is PSA, i.e., prostate specific antigen test. If a patient is suspected of having developed cancer, he will have biopsy, a test during which a piece of the prostate will be removed and examined under a microscope. Various other tests may be performed, like bone scans and X-rays to determine whether the cancer cells have spread elsewhere in the body.

Curing and treatment have various methods. One of these is chemotherapy, in which chemical substances are used for treating. Nowadays, catatonic drugs are used during chemotherapy. Besides, there are other ways of treatment which can be combined with each other, or with chemotherapy itself, these being surgery, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy.

After all, the outcome of the therapy depends on various factors, like for example the age and current health of the man, the extent of the spreading of the infected cells, and the appearance under the microscope, and the response of the cells while treatment all determine the result and outcome of prostate cancer disease.

The specific causes of prostate cancer are yet unknown. The risk of a man developing this disease depends on his age, genetics, race, lifestyle, which includes diet as well, and medication. According to surveys carried out in the United States, this cancer affects mainly black men, rather than white or Hispanic men. Surveys also show that daily use of anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, may decrease the risk of cancer.

Prevention of the disease has been proven to be possible by scientists. Taking dietary supplements, like vitamin E and selenium, may help prevent the disease from forming if taken daily. Still, a thousands of years old prevention has been proven helpful, namely the consumption of green tea. It is 100% safe and can be taken in any quantity.

It is crucial that every man has an early check-up of his health in identifying cancer at the beginning stage.

Action taken in time can save your life!

Bodywork is perfectly suited for reducing the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition typically appearing in young children, although teenagers and adults may also be affected. Someone with ADHD has difficulty controlling their behavior and/or paying attention. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States.

Symptoms

The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Symptoms begin over the course of many months, often with impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. A child who “can’t sit still” or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the inattentive daydreamer may be overlooked. The impulsive child who acts before thinking may be considered a “discipline problem,” while the child who is passive or sluggish may be viewed as unmotivated. Each of these children may have different types of ADHD.

All children are sometimes restless, sometimes act without thinking and sometimes daydream. When the child’s hyperactivity, distractibility, poor concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect performance in school, social relationships with other children, or behavior at home, ADHD may be suspected. Because the symptoms of ADHD vary so much, ADHD must be diagnosed by a professional. Primarily consisting of stimulants, pharmaceutical intervention is the first choice in treating ADHD. In an effort to control affected individuals, an increasing number of school age children are regularly medicated.

The Brain

The suggested etiology of ADHD consists of many proposed theories. Whether stemming from genetics, environment or trauma, most experts agree the brains of individuals with this condition function differently than those unaffected. Research scientists have learned a great deal about ADHD by using modern brain imaging technology. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers found that children with ADHD had 3 to 4 percent smaller brain volume in several regions, than age and gender matched controls. According to Jay Gordon, MD, a “deficiency in central nervous system dopamine probably causes many, if not most, of the problems associated with ADHD.” It is no surprise that the most popular medications for this condition increase dopamine levels within the brain.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Two structures comprise our nervous system, the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system assures proper functioning of involuntary actions, such as heart rate, dilation of blood vessels and our body’s secretion of chemicals. The autonomic nervous system has two sub-divisions, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic system provides us with adrenaline (the fight-or-flight response), while the parasympathetic is responsible for relaxation.

The sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system appears to be the predominant force in ADHD, overriding the balancing role of the parasympathetic system. Bodywork can be a critical component of ADHD recovery because it accesses and initiates the parasympathetic nervous system response.

Proof

At the Touch Research Institute in Florida, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of massage therapy on ADHD. Thirty ADHD diagnosed students aged 7 to 18 years participated in the study where one group received massage therapy for 20 minutes twice per week over the course of one month. The researchers reported that the ADHD students in the massage group demonstrated improved short-term mood state and longer-term classroom behavior.

Methods

While there is no specific ADHD massage technique, certain methods will have a greater effect than others. The important concept to grasp is that stimulating the parasympathetic relaxation response is desired when working with this population. Clues for the therapist indicating parasympathetic response are slowed breathing, reduced heart rate and increased digestive sounds.

Since many styles of bodywork initiate relaxation, the following five suggestions for ADHD are not all inclusive:

1. Swedish massage, particularly effleurage and other slow stroking movements have a sedating effect, leading to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.

2. Because they encourage stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, avoid fast and firm strokes, as well as percussive massage techniques.

3. Cranial-sacral therapy will free up any restrictions in the cranium or sacrum that could contribute to ADHD. Additionally, the movements used in this modality initiate the parasympathetic response.

4. Rooted in Osteopathic medicine, myofascial release bypasses the muscles by focusing on the fascia as one, large, connected system. Exceedingly gentle, the unwinding technique in myofascial release activates the parasympathetic system. Similar to cranial-sacral, this will free any restrictions inhibiting energy flow, leading to tension release.

5. Watsu is a deeply relaxing style of bodywork performed in a warm water pool. While specific training and equipment (a pool!) are needed to perform this therapy, it has been reputed to calm the uncalmable.

The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is controversial, as parents are refusing to accept the habitual medicating of their children. Many have posed the hypothesis that ADHD is a natural evolution of our brains to keep up with the speed at which technology powers our world. Living in a calm and peaceful environment is now an exception, rather than the norm. Bodyworkers have the ability to introduce calm and peace to a client, regardless of their environment. By focusing ADHD treatment on the parasympathetic nervous system, massage therapy can be a crucial component of therapy for this condition.

References:

Khilnani S, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S., Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Adolescence, 2003 Winter; 38(152):623-38.

Osborn, Karri, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families, Massage and Bodywork, June/July 2004.

Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families
Osborn, Karri, Sea of Calm: Water Therapy Touches Young Spirits, Massage and Bodywork, Feb/March 2003.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov, Attention Deficit Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health, 2/17/06.

http://www.realbodywork.com, The Nervous System, Sean Riehl, 2003.

http://www.drjaygordon.com, Attention Deficit Disorder, Gordon, MD, J., 2005.

Many people using eyeglasses or contacts everyday can now rely on the fast growing Lasik surgery. As usual, there are good and bad candidates for this surgery whose aim is to correct impaired vision. Hence, the question that raises the need for an accurate definition of good qualifications of Lasik patients.

In order to be considered as a good candidate of Lasik surgery, there are some rules you will need to abide by. First of all, you should be over eighteen years old. You should also a current and valid prescription for eyeglasses or contacts. You should not be affected by some diseases including eye diseases.

As already stated any Lasik patients should be adult and should in possession of a prescription for at least two years. Teenagers experience too many variations in their eyes making them a bad candidate for Lasik. Another criterion is a stable eyeglass or contact prescription not older than two years prior to the surgery. This precaution will make sure that the eyes are in a steady state otherwise it can seriously hinder the outcome of the surgery.

It is also a requirement that Lasik candidates should not have suffered from any eye condition. These include nearsightedness, astigmatism, farsightedness or a combination of any of these anomalies. Also, good candidates of Lasik should have an appropriate corneal thickness in order to help the creation of a correct flap to simulate the depth. Pupils should not expand over a range exceeding seven millimeters in the darkness. This is usually an indicator of the likes of halos or glare.

Furthermore it is required to any good candidates that any previous disease contracted in the past should not affect the patient. This includes any previous surgery related to the eyes or not that could hinder the outcome or the healing process of the surgery. A good candidate should not have any herpes infection in the eye because Lasik can bring about a similar problem. Good candidates should not experience any autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Hepatitis or Crohn’s disease.

Moreover, good candidates should not have any eye diseases for at least one year before the surgery is supposed to take place. Also, the cornea should not be scarred. Good candidates should not suffer from the dry eyes syndrome because it can be worse after the Lasik surgery. Pregnant women are prohibited to undergo the Lasik surgery due to the high fluctuations in their hormone levels. Patients suffering from the following diseases should not undergo the Lasik surgery: cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal disease, corneal thinning disorders or other pre-existing eye diseases.

You should always remind yourself that Lasik surgery is designed to help improve your vision. Therefore it may help to reduce the dependency on eyeglasses and contacts. You may experience the case in which your dependency on these tools. Some patients may have their problems sorted after the surgery but you should bear in mind that others are not as things can get worse. You should remember that this is not a perfect surgery. Statistics show that most patients experience an improved vision and others have an improvement factor of 20/40 or even better after the Lasik surgery.

You should also remember that surgery is not risk-free. Good candidates should fully understand those risks and have good expectations. Otherwise you are definitely not a good candidate of Lasik surgery. Good candidates should make sure they understand how the surgery works and the benefits before undergoing the surgery. Good candidates should also fully understand the risks before deciding to undergo the surgery.

Any patients intending to undergo the surgery should double check with their eye practitioner and have a good understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of the surgery.