According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, shoulder pain is considered chronic when it lasts 6 months or more. Many Americans complain of pain in one or both shoulders. There are a variety of injuries, illnesses, and life experiences that can result in shoulder pain. The treatment options vary widely depending on the cause and source of the pain as well as your own preferences.

If you have persistent shoulder pain that will not go away, your doctor may schedule you for an MRI or another test to try to determine the cause of the pain. Muscle tears, inflamed joints, swelled tendons, fractured bones, and arthritis are common causes of the pain.

Modification of Physical Activity: Some shoulder pain occurs only during certain body movement, such as reaching overhead or lifting heavy objects. Your doctor may suggest that you modify your daily activities to avoid irritating the shoulder. Some activities such as kayaking, golf, weightlifting, or throwing may need to be reduced or eliminated from your lifestyle. This is the easiest solution for shoulder pain that occurs only during certain activities.

Medication: Some shoulder pain can be managed with medication. There are anti-inflammatory medications and short-term opiate medications that may curb pain when taken under your doctor’s supervision. Injections of corticosteroids directly to the area can also relieve shoulder pain for some chronic suffers.

Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can be successful in managing chronic shoulder pain. You can see a therapist as an outpatient. The best results are expected when the specific underlying cause of the pain is known and the patient can do the exercises on a daily basis. There are stretching activities that can loosen the muscles. Repetitive exercises can build strength. Heat and ice are often applied as part of the process as well.

Sports Medicine & Exercise: Shoulder pain can be prevented and managed through exercise and good posture. Many shoulder injuries occur while playing a sport or participating in other physical activities. A sports medicine specialist is trained to help athletes recover from injuries and prevent future injuries through exercise and other physical activity.

A good balance of exercises for flexibility and strength is required. Holding a position with the chest out, shoulders back, and shoulder blades and elbows pulled down toward your back pockets for 5 seconds at a time throughout the day can relieve and prevent some pain. Other exercises include overhead presses, rowing exercises, lateral pull downs, and bench presses. Consult with a doctor or trainer before beginning your exercise regimen.

Orthopedic Surgery: Most doctors will have patients try less invasive treatments before turning to surgery. In some cases, surgery is required for chronic shoulder pain. The surgery may be able to reverse existing damage through repair and resurfacing. In some cases, a shoulder replacement is required.

Don’t let chronic shoulder pain stop you from living your life. The Orthopedics & Spine center at Edward White Hospital can help your explore your options. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse at 1-888-243-3627 for a physician referral.

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September is National Cholesterol Education Month. Take this opportunity to find out more about your own cholesterol and see if you need to lower it. High cholesterol can affect anyone of any age. There are no symptoms, so you may not even realize you have it. You should get a blood test from your doctor at least every 5 years during your adult life. Children with risk factors such as obesity or heart disease should also be tested.

Cholesterol is necessary in proper levels for your body to function. Your body makes some, and your diet contributes the rest of the cholesterol in your body. When your levels are too high, it is a problem because the waxy substance that results sticks to your arteries and reduces blood and oxygen flow.

Knowing your numbers can help you make decisions about diet and exercise. Your LDL (low-density lipoproteins) level is the “bad” cholesterol. Your HDL (high-density lipoproteins) is the “good” cholesterol.

Your total cholesterol number (LDL + HDL + other lipid components) should be 200 or less, but here is the breakdown.

• LDL: Optimal is lower than 100 mg/dL; 100 – 129 is near optimal; 130 – 159 is borderline high; 160 – 189 mg/dL is high; 190 mg/dL or higher is considered at risk.
• HDL: Optimal is 60 mg/dL or higher; lower than 40 mg/dL in men or 50 mg/dL in women is considered risky.

Your triglycerides level is also an important factor. Optimal is 150 mg/dL or lower.

If any of your measurements are out of the optimal level, you should consult a doctor about lifestyle changes and possible medication. You can manage a healthy weight by increasing your fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and reducing dairy and meat. Exercise for 30 minutes or more 5 days a week, and do not smoke. If these strategies are not enough, talk to your doctor about medication that can help.

Edward White Hospital can help you measure and improve your cholesterol levels. You can learn more about cholesterol from our Health Library. Call Consult-A-Nurse at 1-888-243-3627 if you are ready to be tested.

Sources:
Edward White Hospital
What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
Prevention & Treatment of Cholesterol

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Stroke affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States each year. In fact, it is the number 3 cause of death in this country, and a leading cause of long-term disability. Stroke is caused by a blockage or constriction in the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, a stroke may occur.

Strokes are often associated with older people. However, nearly a quarter of all strokes occur in people younger than 65. Hospitalizations for stroke are on the rise, so everyone should know the signs.

Signs of Stroke

• Numbness that appears suddenly in your face, arm, or leg can be a sign of stroke. If it is isolated on one side of your body, it is likely a stroke.
• If you experience confusion of difficulty in your ability to understand, speak, or communicate, it may be a sign of a stroke.
• Loss of vision in one or both eyes is another sign.
• If you have difficulty walking due to dizziness or loss of balance and coordination, you may be having a stroke.
• A sudden and severe headache with no discernable trigger or cause may also be a sign.

Keep in mind that these symptoms can also appear with other ailments, so you need to see a doctor right away to determine if you have had a stroke. If the symptoms stop shortly after they begin, you may have had a mini-stroke, called transient ischemic attack. You still need to consult a doctor immediately as this can be a sign of a larger stroke to come.

The sooner you get help, the better chance you have of recovering from a stroke. A medication given within three hours of the onset of symptoms has a good chance of breaking up the clot.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. The Stroke Center at Edward White Hospital will care for you and get you on the road to recovery.

Sources:
American Stroke Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Prostate cancer is the number one cancer affecting males in the United States. Since September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, this is the perfect time to learn more about the disease. Prevention and screening are both important to protect your health or the health of someone you love.

Those at higher risk for prostate cancer include:

• Men over age 50
• African American men
• Men with a family history of prostate cancer
• Men with excessive testosterone levels, leading to enlarged prostate

Prostate cancer risk can be reduced with some changes to your lifestyle:

• Quit smoking.
• Eat a healthy diet, especially high in fruits and vegetables, to maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly; get your heart pumping at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes.
• Get folate from produce rather than folic acid from vitamin supplements.
• Limit your dairy and calcium intake.
• Get regular screenings.
• Consider medications that can manage your testosterone levels.

It is important that men over age 50, or those with a family history of prostate cancer, be screened for the disease. Early detection is critical for effective and successful treatment. Screening will involve a simple blood test, as well as a physical exam by your doctor.

If you have further questions, you can learn more about prostate cancer at Edward White Hospital. Need a physician referral? Just call our Consult-A-Nurse service at 1-888-243-3627.

Sources:
Prostate Cancer Prevention
Risk Factors

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