When you have a backache, it can make you feel helpless. It may be hard to move, and even the simplest of tasks can seem impossible. Reaching out, sitting down, lifting up—every motion can hurt.

To prevent backaches from slowing you down, it’s important that you take good care of your spine. Here are some general guidelines to follow.

• Keep moving. If you sometimes have back troubles, you may be tempted just to sit on the couch, but that isn’t the best approach. Exercise is good for your back. Some optimal choices are lifting weights, which can strengthen your back muscles, and abdominal moves that work your core. When your core muscles are well developed, your back has more support. If you don’t want the strain of high-impact aerobic exercise, try walking, cycling, or swimming.

• Lift with care. If you need to lift a heavy object, remember to use your legs. Bend at the knees, keep your spine straight, and use both hands. This strategy should take the pressure off your back.

• Stay centered. When carrying a backpack, be sure to balance it evenly on your back, between your shoulder blades. If you just flop it over one shoulder, you’ll get off balance and you can hurt your spine. Also, make sure to wear the pack up high, close to your shoulders—not bouncing against your lower back.

• Mix it up. If you perform repetitive motions, at work or at play, try to vary your activities. If you sit at a desk all day, periodically get up and stretch and walk around. If you play golf or tennis, add other exercises to your routine so you don’t overuse one muscle group.

• Do a safety check. If you take a fall, you can easily hurt your back or other parts of your body. In your home, move wires, low furniture, or clutter that you can trip over. Be sure stairways have handrails, and keep hallways well lit. Outside, keep sidewalks clear of leaves or loose gravel.

• Sit up straight! Your mom was right—slouching when you sit or stand is bad for your spine. Practice good posture by keeping your head and neck in alignment. If you find yourself hunched over your computer keyboard, make sure your chair and monitor are at the right height.

If you hurt your back or experience pain, you may need to take it easy for a while. Be careful, and talk to your doctor about what exercises are safe for you. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help, or your doctor may prescribe stronger medications for you. If your condition is chronic, physical therapy may also be beneficial. A physical therapist can help you learn stretches and other exercises that will increase your strength and flexibility.

To learn more about spine health contact Edward White Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-877-442-2362. Serving St. Petersburg and all of Tampa Bay, we’re here to help protect your health.

Sources:
Edward White Hospital
Spine Universe

Related Posts:
Arthritis-Friendly Exercise
How Physical Therapy Can Benefit You
Who Benefits from Spinal Surgery?

You breathe oxygen every day, and you know how important it is for your body. However, did you also know that it can help wounds heal?

For many years, hyperbaric oxygen therapy helped deep-sea divers who were suffering from the bends. Since then, researchers discovered that this strategy could also help increase blood oxygen levels, which can speed up wound recovery.

Each year, approximately 5 million people in the United States suffer from chronic wounds. These can be caused by circulatory problems, diabetes, and other medical issues. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help wounds heal more effectively and reduce the risk of amputation.

If you were to require this treatment, you would breathe 100 percent oxygen while relaxing in an enclosed chamber. In this chamber, the air would be pressurized to greater than normal level for a limited period of time. During the therapy, your blood plasma would become saturated, carrying an increased amount of oxygen to your tissues. This kicks your wound-healing capabilities into overdrive, making them function more efficiently. The therapy increases your immune and healing response, while halting the growth of bacteria and other harmful organisms.

Here are some of the benefits that hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers:

• Healing wounds from diabetes
• Reducing damage from radiation therapy
• Boosting defense against bacteria
• Decreasing swelling in the brain and spinal cord after injuries
• Preserving damaged tissue from infections, injuries, and burns
• Treating gangrene
• Healing bone, sinus, and brain infections
• Reversing the effects of embolisms (gas bubbles in the blood vessels)

At Edward White Hospital, we use the Sigma Plus Monoplace Hyperbaric System for treatments. This system offers a spacious patient environment, so you can be comfortable during your therapy sessions. The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine is a comprehensive outpatient center, and it is nationally accredited, the only such facility in St. Petersburg.

To learn more about wound management and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, contact Edward White Hospital. Visit us online or call the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at 727-328-6214. Serving St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, we want to help you heal.

Sources:
Edward White Hospital
American Cancer Society
National Institutes of Health

Related Posts:
What Do You Know about Diabetes?
HBOT Helps Prostate Cancer Patient Heal

By Alicia Verity, MSPH of iTriagehealth.com

Making a significant, lasting change in behavior is not a simple process. It involves a substantial commitment of your time, effort, and emotion.  Below are some tips to make you successful.

1. Be careful with absolutes.  If your goal is to quit a serious addiction such as tobacco or alcohol an absolute is necessary.  Your goal should be to never smoke or drink again. However, if your goal is to lose weight, set yourself up with a reasonable goal with incremental sub-goals.  If you enjoy chocolate, don’t expect that you will never taste chocolate again; it is better to accommodate a small portion in your restricted calorie intake and savor it.

Want to read our other tips? Visit www.itriagehealth.com!

OK, ladies. When was the last time you had a Pap test? We all know how important mammograms are for protecting breast health. But did you know that a simple Pap test can help you maintain cervical health?

Most doctors agree that women should start getting Pap tests when they are 21 or within three years of their first sexual activity, whichever comes first. After that, it’s a good idea to schedule the tests every two or three years, based on what your doctor feels is right for you.

During a Pap test, your doctor scrapes a cell sample from inside your cervix. While this procedure isn’t painful, it can seem uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it’s quick! This sample is then analyzed in a laboratory, and your doctor will discuss any abnormal findings with you.

A Pap test is an important screening test for cervical cancer, a condition that affects approximately 12,000 American women each year. Another important screening test is for human papillomavirus (HPV). Most cervical cancer is caused by an HPV infection, so detecting the virus is a critical step in keeping your cervix healthy. In many cases, your body will fight the virus on its own, but in other cases, you may need to be treated.

Some doctors also recommend an HPV vaccine for girls age 11 and 12 or for other young women who are not yet sexually active. Talk to your doctor and decide if this vaccine is right for younger patients in your family.

What other ways can you protect your cervical health? Here are some guidelines.

· If you are sexually active, always use condoms. These help prevent the spread of all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you have an STD, such as HIV, chlamydia, or gonorrhea, you have a higher chance of being affected by HPV.

· Some research has indicated that younger cells are more susceptible to HPV, so being sexually active before age 18 can increase your risk.

· Smoking has been linked to cancer in many ways. It may cause changes in precancerous cervical cells, which can eventually lead to cervical cancer. Do yourself a favor and don’t smoke.

Since January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, this is a good time to learn about the risks you may have and the screenings you need. Research all the options for yourself and those you care for.

To learn more about cervical cancer and how to prevent it, contact Edward White Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-877-442-2362 for a physician referral. Serving St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, we’re here to answer all your questions.

Sources:

Edward White Hospital

The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology

National Cancer Institute

Related Post:

Lung Health 101

By Alicia Verity, MSPH

We are getting healthy here at Healthagen.  This week we all rolled up our sleeves and got our flu shots.  Prior to the scheduled event we had lots of questions, myths and concerns floating around the office so we thought we would re-visit the idea of vaccine safety.

Want to read more? Visit www.itriagehealth.com for more!

You know how it feels. You’re achy and you have a fever. All you want to do is sleep.

This time of year, you may be susceptible to cold and flu. Those illnesses can hinder work and other activities for a few days, and the flu can become quite serious. Another related concern is pneumonia, and its symptoms can often mimic cold and flu. So pay careful attention to your body.

Pneumonia is an inflammation of your lungs, brought on by infection from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. While some cases can be very mild, other cases can be severe, and they are particularly worrisome for infants, people older than 65, women who are pregnant, or patients who have a chronic illness.

Keep an eye out for these general symptoms:

• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Shaking chills or sweating
• Headache and muscle aches
• General fatigue
• Chest pain when you breathe

If you have a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or a fever of 102 degrees or higher, don’t hesitate to get medical attention. Also, people who are at the greatest risk for pneumonia, specifically older patients or those with serious illnesses, may have very mild symptoms. If your immune system is compromised, it is critical that you get treatment right away, since pneumonia can be a life-threatening condition for you.

To prevent pneumonia, follow these guidelines:

• Get an annual flu shot, since pneumonia can develop from the flu.
• Talk to your doctor about a pneumonia vaccination. It may be warranted if you are in a high-risk category.
• If you smoke, try to stop. This habit can damage your lungs and their natural defenses against infection.
• Wash your hands frequently. This can help prevent the spread of bacteria that causes flu and pneumonia.
• If your immune system is compromised, try to avoid people who have cold, flu, or other sicknesses. Explain that you can easily get seriously ill.

In many cases, pneumonia can be diagnosed by an x-ray. It can then be treated with antibiotics and other medications. In some instances, especially if fluid has accumulated in your lungs or if you have other medical conditions, you’ll require hospitalization.

To learn more about pneumonia and its risks, contact Edward White Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-877-442-2362. Serving St. Petersburg and all of Tampa Bay, we’re here to help you stay healthy.

Sources:

Edward White Hospital

National Institutes of Health

Related Posts:

Lung Health 101

Diagnostic Imaging 101