Archive for August, 2010

Have You Ever Wondered What Causes Sciatica?

August 31st, 2010 -- Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Are you looking for sciatic pain relief?

This video explains some of the common causes of sciatica.  A skeleton is used to illustrate how and why pain is triggered.  There’s also a discussion of piriformis syndrome and how it relates to sciatica.

Click here for the video.

Yoga For Sciatic Pain Relief

August 30th, 2010 -- Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Yoga is a good way to get sciatic pain relief without putting undue stress on joints or muscles.

With yoga, forward bending can agrivate the sciatic nerve and trigger pain.  This video recommends that you sit with your legs out in front of you and exercise in a very specific way to avoid pain.

The video also describes and illustrates a number of yogic poses that focus on pain relief for sciatica.  It’s part one of two and well worth the watch.

Is allergy serum considered a part of medical service or is it considered prescription drug?

August 22nd, 2010 -- Posted in Allergy | 1 Comment »

My insurance plan has different coverages for medical service and for prescription drug. My allergy serum is concocted by my allergist, so is it in the "medical service" category or "prescription drug" category?

Thanks!

It should be considered a compounded prescription drug.

What is allergic asthma and is it normal for it to last 4 weeks?

August 22nd, 2010 -- Posted in Asthma | 1 Comment »

I have been diagnosed with allergic asthma. But I have 4 weeks now with the feeling of short breath. The doctor gave me Pulmicort, (budesonide). I have been on it for 2 weeks and I don’t feel completely good, just a little better but not a huge difference. Sometimes I have sputum and sometimes I dont have. I have a wheezing sound but only when I exhale fast. Is it normal for this to last this long? How much longer should I expect this to last?

Hello, I am Respiratory Therapy student in Butte College. Allergic asthma is always triggered by smoking, exacerbation acnes, pollen, dust, pets…etc. allergic asthmas can be stopped quickly by immunotheraphy (allergic shot). u felt SOB because of the bronchonpasm. Pulmicort (Budesonide) is a corticosteroid, a short acting Beta 2 agonist bronchodilator, can last up to 8-12 hours. Usually,Beta Adrenergic Bronchodilator and corticosteroid are giving together to bring the additive effect. Your DR. should give you the Symbicort (Budesonide + Formoteral).

Here is how it work:

lets say if you have allergic asthma with bronchospasm, of course it always comes with dyspnea (short of breath). you take the Symbicort (2 puff DPI). Formoteral is a bronchiodilator open ur airway and reduce the bronchospasm in 15 mins, so you can breath better. In the meantime, it allows better deposition and penetration of Budesonide (corticosteriod) in the airway to reduce & prevent the further airway inflammation.

Auscultation in asthma is always have wheezing appear in the expiatory phase and indicates a mild asthma attack.

Talk to your DR if the Symbicort works for u & follow the regiment.

Stretching Is A Good Way To Get Sciatic Pain Relief

August 22nd, 2010 -- Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Stretching is a good way to get sciatic pain relief  if done properly.  This video shows an exercise called the Piriformis Stretch.  The Piriformis is a small muscle that runs from the tail bone out to the hip joint.  This muscle is often implicated in Sciatica which is inflammation of the Sciatic nerve.

Watch the video here.

Sciatic Pain Relief - Lower Back Pain Exercises That Help

August 21st, 2010 -- Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Health practitioners stress that daily exercises help with sciatic pain relief and are crucial for preventing repeat bouts of the condition.

Aerobic exercise will increase circulation and stimulate the flow of nutrients to all parts of the body. It will especially stimulate the flow of nutrients to the spinal area. Strengthening exercises will help with posture alignment and properly support the back. Sciatica symptoms and recurrences can be prevented by stretching exercises. If a person's back is loose and flexible, it is less likely to have back injuries and muscle spasms.

An exercise that addresses all three issues of sciatica is Pilates. Pilates is a routine of exercises that works all the major muscles of the body and emphasizes the "core". The "core' is a term that is used to describe the the abdomen and the back muscles which support the torso. These exercises are done either on a specific machine or as a specific routine on a mat. The creator of Pilates, Joseph H. Pilates, believed that the quality of the movements should be stressed rather than the quantity. Each of the movements is performed an average of five repetitions and done along with proper breathing. The pilates routine can be modified to fit limitations that a individual may have. Since the movements need to be done precisely it is important to find a certified Pilates instructor. It is also important to note that a trained instructor will be trained in anatomy, rehab techniques and the mechanics of the body. He or she will also know the methods that were created by Joseph H. Pilates.

Another series of lower back pain exercises for sciatica relief can be found through the practice of yoga. Yoga strengthens and stretches the muscles. It will also increase the circulation. The study of yoga encompasses areas of the spiritual and the physical being. However, there is one area, asanas (also known as the physical yoga postures), that can help to relieve sciatica symptoms. Private yoga consultations are recommended for sciatica sufferers over yoga routines on tapes, DVDs and general classes. A yoga therapist that is experienced can create a personalized program and of specific yoga positions and breathing exercises for relief of sciatica pain. The instructor will also be able to tell if any modifications need to be made throughout the course of the program.

One can also get sciatic pain relief from Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that uses gentle flowing movements that strengthen the muscles and increase circulation. Anyone that is able to walk can do this form of exercise. The movements that are used will increase flexibility in the muscles and joints. It will also improve posture and balance. In many cases, it will reduce the pain that caused the inflammation and other lower back pain causes.

What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

August 12th, 2010 -- Posted in Allergy | 1 Comment »

I was diagnosed with a cashew nut allergy as a small child will I still be allergic? I’ve never tried the nut. Is there any way for completely curing the allergies?

A food allergy describes a reaction to food that is immune mediated - characteristic features are rash, difficulty breathing, eczema, swelling, itching - usually around the mouth and throat. Food intolerance describes a physical reaction to food that is not immune mediated - feaures may be similar to those of food allergy, and include vomiting, ulceration, abodminal pain, diarrhoea, bloating, and it is thought that some food intolerance may be associated with features such as arthritis, seizures, migraine etc.
One way of finding out if you’re allergic to cashew nuts is to try and persuade your GP to do a RAST test for cashew nut protein. Some allergies can be cured by hyposensitisation, which involves desensitisation to the allergen by sequential administration of increasing doses of the offending substance. This should only be done in specialist clinics, and is not advised for life threatening allergy or peanut allergy.

How can I start running with my exercise-induced asthma?

August 12th, 2010 -- Posted in Asthma | 3 Comments »

I have exercise-induced asthma. I take Advair twice a day and a rescue inhaler immediately before exercise (as prescribed by my doctor). I want to start running and rejoin a sports team I had to quit. Any advice? I have a gym at my disposal.

Basically if anyone has suggested training routines, little tips about breathing, etc. that’d be great. I know nothing basically. I really want to get back into shape!

I have exercise induced asthma as well. I take it pre-run as well and I carry it with me. I run about 5 miles on average a day and I take very big inhales in and hold it and let it go. Its taken me a while to get a system that works. You really just want to think mentally, about your breathing..listen to how you breath, are you fast, puffy etc. Slow it up and take big inhales ever so often and slow exhales out. Its all about mentality.