Back pain

Back pain (also known "dorsalgia") is pain felt in the back that may originate from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.
The pain may be have a sudden onset or it can be a chronic pain, it can be felt constantly or intermittently, stay in one place or refer or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may be felt in the neck (and might radiate into the arm and hand), in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling.
Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent complaints. In the U.S., acute low back pain (also called lumbago) is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits. About nine out of ten adults experience back pain at some point in their life, and five out of ten working adults have back pain every year.
The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain. Large nerves that originate in the spine and go to the legs and arms can make pain radiate to the extremities.

Back pain can be a sign of a serious medical problem, although this is not most frequently the underlying cause:
Typical warning signs of a potentially life-threatening problem are bowel and/or bladder incontinence or progressive weakness in the legs. Patients with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
Severe back pain (such as pain that is bad enough to interrupt sleep) that occurs with other signs of severe illness (e.g. fever, unexplained weight loss) may also indicate a serious underlying medical condition, such as cancer.
Back pain that occurs after a trauma, such as a car accident or fall, should also be promptly evaluated by a medical professional to check for a fracture or other injury.
Back pain in individuals with medical conditions that put them at high risk for a spinal fracture, such as osteoporosis or multiple myeloma, also warrants prompt medical attention.
In general, however, back pain does not usually require immediate medical intervention. The vast majority of episodes of back pain are self-limiting and non-progressive. Most back pain syndromes are due to inflammation, especially in the acute phase, which typically lasts for two weeks to three months.
A few observational studies suggest that two common diagnoses of back pain, lumbar disc herniation or degenerative disc disease may not be more prevalent among those in pain than among the general population and that the mechanisms by which these conditions might cause pain are not known. Other studies suggest that for as many as 85% of cases, no physiological cause for the pain has been able to be specifically identified.
A few studies suggest that psychosocial factors such as on-the-job stress and dysfunctional family relationships may correlate more closely with back pain than structural abnormalities revealed in x-rays and other medical imaging scans.

Transient back pain is likely one of the first symptoms of influenza.
Muscle strains (pulled muscles) are commonly identified as the cause of back pain, as are muscle imbalances. Pain from such an injury often remains as long as the muscle imbalances persist. The muscle imbalances cause a mechanical problem with the skeleton, building up pressure at points along the spine, which causes the pain.
Another cause of acute low back pain is a Meniscoid Occlusion. The more mobile regions of the spine have invaginations of the synovial membrane that act as a cushion to help the bones move over each other smoothly. The synovial membrane is well supplied with blood and nerves. When it becomes pinched or trapped it can cause sudden severe pain. The pinching causes the membrane to become inflamed, causing greater pressure and ongoing pain. Symptoms include severe low back pain that may be accompanied by muscle spasm, pain with walking, concentration of pain to one side, and no radiculopathy (radiating pain down buttock and leg). Relief should be felt with flexion (bending forward), exacerbated with extension (bending backward).
When back pain lasts more than three months, or if there is more radicular pain (sciatica) than back pain, a more specific diagnosis can usually be made. There are several common causes of back pain: for adults under age 50, these include spinal disc herniation and degenerative disc disease or isthmic spondylolisthesis; in adults over age 50, common causes also include osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and spinal stenosis,trauma, cancer, infection, fractures, and inflammatory disease. Non-anatomical factors can also contribute to or cause back pain, such as stress, repressed anger, or depression. Even if there is an anatomical cause for the pain, if depression is present it should also be treated concurrently.
New attention has been focused on non-discogenic back pain, where patients have normal or near-normal MRI and CT scans. One of the newer investigations looks into the role of the dorsal ramus in patient's pain that have normal radiographic evidence. See Posterior Rami Syndrome.

Treatment
The management goals when treating back pain are to achieve maximal reduction in pain intensity as rapidly as possible; to restore the individual's ability to function in everyday activities; to help the patient cope with residual pain; to assess for side-effects of therapy; and to facilitate the patient's passage through the legal and socioeconomic impediments to recovery. For many, the goal is to keep the pain to a manageable level to progress with rehabilitation, which then can lead to long term pain relief. Also, for some people the goal is to use non-surgical therapies to manage the pain and avoid major surgery, while for others surgery may be the quickest way to feel better.
Not all treatments work for all conditions or for all individuals with the same condition, and many find that they need to try several treatment options to determine what works best for them. The present stage of the condition (acute or chronic) is also a determining factor in the choice of treatment. Only a minority of back pain patients (most estimates are 1% - 10%) require surgery.

Conservative treatment
Heat therapy is useful for back spasms or other conditions. A meta-analysis of studies by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded that heat therapy can reduce symptoms of acute and sub-acute low-back pain. Some patients find that moist heat works best (e.g. a hot bath or whirlpool) or continuous low-level heat (e.g. a heat wrap that stays warm for 4 to 6 hours). Cold therapy (e.g. ice or cold pack application) may be effective at relieving back pain in some cases.
Medications, such as muscle relaxants, narcotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs/NSAIAs) or paracetamol (acetaminophen). A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials by the Cochrane Collaboration found that injection therapy, usually with corticosteroids, does not appear to help regardless of whether the injection is facet joint, epidural or a local injection. Accordingly, a study of intramuscular corticosteroids found no benefit.Herbal analgesics may also be effective.
Exercises can be an effective approach, particularly when done under supervision of a professional such as a physical therapist. Generally, some form of consistent stretching and exercise is believed to be an essential component of most back treatment programs. However, one study found that exercise is also effective for chronic back pain, but not for acute pain. Another study found that back-mobilizing exercises in acute settings are less effective than continuation of ordinary activities as tolerated.
Physical therapy and exercise, including stretching and strengthening (with specific focus on the muscles which support the spine), often learned with the help of a health professional, such as a physical therapist. Physical therapy, when part of a 'back school', can improve back pain.
Massage therapy, especially from an experienced therapist, may help. Acupressure or pressure point massage may be more beneficial than classic (Swedish) massage.
Body Awareness Therapy such as the Feldenkrais Method has been studied in relation to Fibromyalgia and chronic pain and studies have indicated positive effects. Organized exercise programs using these therapies have been developed.
Manipulation, as provided by an appropriately trained and qualified chiropractor, osteopath, physical therapist, or a physiatrist. Studies of the effect of manipulation suggest that this approach has a small benefit similar to other therapies and superior to sham.
Acupuncture has a small benefit for chronic back pain. The Cochrane Collaboration concluded that "for chronic low-back pain, acupuncture is more effective for pain relief and functional improvement than no treatment or sham treatment immediately after treatment and in the short-term only. Acupuncture is not more effective than other conventional and alternative treatments.". More recently, a randomized controlled trial found a small benefit after 1 to 2 years.
Education, and attitude adjustment to focus on psychological or emotional causes - respondent-cognitive therapy and progressive relaxation therapy can reduce chronic pain.
Most people will benefit from assessing any ergonomic or postural factors that may contribute to their back pain, such as improper lifting technique, poor posture, or poor support from their mattress or office chair, etc. Although this recommendation has not been tested, this intervention is a part of many 'back schools' which do help.

Surgery
Surgery may sometimes be appropriate for patients with:
Lumbar disc herniation or degenerative disc disease
Spinal stenosis from lumbar disc herniation, degenerative joint disease, or spondylolisthesis
Scoliosis
Compression fracture

Treatments with uncertain or doubtful benefit
Injections, such as epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, or prolotherapy have limited, if any, benefit.
Chemonucleolysis, injection of the enzyme chymopapain (derived from the papaya fruit tree) directly into the herniated disc. The purpose and result of this procedure is for the injected enzyme to decompose the prolapsed nucleus pulpous that is affecting the surrounding nerve root(s), which ultimately is the cause of the back and / or leg pain.
Cold compression therapy is advocated for a strained back or chronic back pain and is postulated to reduce pain and inflammation, especially after strenuous exercise such as golf, gardening, or lifting. However, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded "The evidence for the application of cold treatment to low-back pain is even more limited, with only three poor quality studies located. No conclusions can be drawn about the use of cold for low-back pain"
Bed rest is rarely recommended as it can exacerbate symptoms, and when necessary is usually limited to one or two days. Prolonged bed rest or inactivity is actually counterproductive, as the resulting stiffness leads to more pain.
Electrotherapy, such as a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) has been proposed. Two randomized controlled trials found conflicting results. This has led the Cochrane Collaboration to conclude that there is inconsistent evidence to support use of TENS. In addition, spinal cord stimulation, where an electrical device is used to interrupt the pain signals being sent to the brain and has been studied for various underlying causes of back pain.
Inversion therapy is useful for temporary back relief due to the traction method or spreading of the back vertebres through (in this case) gravity. The patient hangs in an upside down position for a period of time from ankles or knees until this separation occurs. The effect can be achieved without a complete vertical hang ( 90 degree) and noticeable benefits can be observed at angles as low as 10 to 45 degrees.

World's oldest man turns 112

The world's oldest man celebrated his 112th birthday with two bashes at his home in southern Japan on Tuesday, then declared that he wants to live forever.
Tomoji Tanabe held his first celebration on receiving 100,000 yen ($870) and flowers from the local mayor, and the second when he was joined later by his children.
"I want to live forever. I don't want to die," Tanabe was quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency.
Tanabe, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest living male in June 2006, is "extremely healthy," said an official at his hometown of Miyakonojo, about 900 km (560 miles) southwest of Tokyo on the island of Kyushu.
Tanabe, whose meals mainly consist of vegetables, said the key to longevity was not drinking alcohol.
Instead, he drinks milk every day and takes walks on his own in the area around his house, where he lives with his son.
The Japanese are among the world's longest-lived people, with the number of those aged 100 or older expected to reach a record of more than 32,000 by the end of the month.
Japanese women have topped the world's longevity ranking for 22 years, while their male compatriots rank second after Icelandic men.

Health Benefits of Muscle Building

Everyone knows that muscle is much more attractive than fat. So when you lose weight, you want to build more muscle and not just diet to lose fat. But there are other health benefits to building muscle mass that should motivate you to hit the gym.
First of all, when you build muscle, you automatically reduce your percentage of body fat. And, you look better too. Muscle mass is approximately half as big as the mass of fat deposits.
That means that while five pounds of fat is approximately the size of three grapefruits, five pounds of muscle is more like three tangerines. Therefore, if you are exercising to lose weight, don’t be surprised if you actually gain weight. This is not a bad thing! It means you are building muscle mass, and you will look much slimmer than before.
Other health benefits of building muscle mass include burning calories more quickly. Muscles use energy, fat just stores it. So when you have more muscles, you will burn more energy and maintain a healthy body weight more easily.
You do not have to build a lot of muscle mass to reap the benefits. Studies show that building only five pounds of muscle mass will make you healthier and more able to fight off disease. It doesn’t take long to build muscle mass, either. Just thirty minutes three times a week is enough to reach your goals.
Lifting weights is the obvious way to build muscle mass, but swimming, running, or even walking will build muscle mass as well.

Learn the Best Way To Gain Muscle

Some individuals have an extremely hard time gaining weight and muscle mass. Millions of frustrated people search endlessly for the best way to gain muscle and increase their body mass. Diet, exercise, and supplements are the most popular methods used to aid in gaining muscle and adding weight. Individuals looking for the best way to gain muscle will benefit greatly by following a sensible diet and weight training regimen designed to stimulate the body by consuming the proper foods and building muscle tissue.
You must increase your caloric intake significantly if you want to gain weight. A diet consisting of plenty of protein and fats will give your body no choice but to gain weight. The goal is to give your body enough calories to build muscle, but not so many to cause a large gain in body fat. The best way to gain muscle is to force your body to gain mass by increasing the amount of food you consume and promoting muscle growth by training with heavy weights.


Weight training is the quickest way to build muscle mass. Weight training stimulates growth while the increased caloric intake provides fuel for the body to use in building muscle tissue. If you fail to consume the proper foods while training with weights, you will lose muscle rather than build upon it. You will gain muscle mass more quickly if you use free-weight exercises and lifting heavy weights. Your body will respond to this by building muscle.
Your body can be forced to gain weight and muscle if you eat correctly and train properly. The best way to gain muscle is to give your body the fuel and the stimulation it requires to increase your muscle mass.

Fitness Training Programs

Physical fitness is the state of the human body when it is in perfect health. Being fit is very important to stay alert both physically and mentally and also to ward off certain diseases that attack as the body ages. Fitness programs are schedules that allow a person to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. There may be many reasons for taking up a fitness program: to gain strength, to lose weight, to lose body fat, to fight certain disabilities, or just to become more fit.
Fitness training is for making the body stronger and fitter. There are many kinds of fitness training programs: cardiovascular training, strength training, flexibility training, nutrition, and weight management. All these can be incorporated into a single fitness program for having a healthy body weight, improved level of strength, improved co-ordination and a resilient body. Each of these depends on the kind of body we have and it’s potential. There is no ideal fitness training program. They are normally custom designed as per individual requirements and capabilities.
Fitness training increases metabolism, strength, flexibility and muscle tone, as well as decreasing stress levels in the body. There are also sports-specific fitness training programs like soccer fitness training, football fitness training, swimming fitness training, golf fitness training and so on. There are also fitness training programs for kids.
A fitness trainer should be able to design the right kind of fitness program. It should cover all relevant aspects like: strength, flexibility, aerobic and anaerobic endurance, agility, and speed. These days, there are many professional fitness training centers that have sophisticated equipment to suit all kinds of people and their fitness needs. These centers have professional and medical specialists who would be able to offer advice about the best kind of fitness program. They provide customized workout routines, nutrition plans, personal trainers, and expert guidance to make the results last.

Men Health Diet Tips

When it comes to a men health diet, it's important that you know exactly what you're ingesting. While deep fried chicken fingers have all of the protein you'd expect to get out of boneless, skinless chicken breast, because it's covered in batter and deep fried it isn't a healthy choice. If you love chicken wings, it's also important to know that in many cases they aren't baked, they're deep fried. While they don't have the obnoxious breading that chicken fingers tend to have, they aren't much healthier. Instead of ordering in a dozen buffalo wings from your favorite pizza place, buy your own frozen wings at the grocery store, cover them in your favorite sauce and bake them. By baking instead of deep frying, you're saving yourself a ton of added fat and calories.
Another men health diet tip is to replace regular head lettuce salads with mixed spring greens or spinach. While head lettuce has almost no nutritional value, spinach and mixed greens are super foods that are packed with all the vitamins you could ever hope for in a tasty salad base. When you top it off with fresh sliced vegetables, you've got yourself a healthy meal that tastes great. It's important to remember that when it comes to salads, the base isn't just a vehicle for the dressing. Choose vinaigrettes over creamy dressings, and when possible try those salad sprays that have only a couple of calories per serving.
When you're on a men health diet, it doesn't need to be a terrible experience. Healthy foods don't have to taste bland and horrible, you just need to know which tasty foods are good for you to eat. Nowadays there are plenty of sweets that can satisfy your cravings without pushing you over your daily caloric limits. Choose items with reduced sugar and fat, and always remember to eat in moderation.

Want lots of kids? Pick a woman six years your junior

INTERESTING!!!

LONDON - To have the most children, men should find a partner six years younger and women a mate four years older, Austrian researchers said Wednesday.
The researchers tried to use evolution to explain why men often prefer younger women and what typically drives women's desire for older men, said their leader, Vienna University anthropologist Martin Fieder.
While it is no surprise to hear that men pick younger women to bolster their reproductive fitness and that women choose older partners for security, the study is the first to quantify the age difference that results in the most children, he said.
"Nobody has shown before this has consequences for the number of offspring," Fieder said in a telephone interview. "We have shown for the first time this is the case."
The researchers wanted to find the most beneficial ages for both men and women to have the most offspring, so looked at the data with that in mind and came out with different numbers for each.
Writing in the Royal Society's Biology Letters on Wednesday, the researchers said they collected information from Swedish national registries to track the number of births and age of parents going back 55 years.
The researchers looked at men and women who did not change their partners between the birth of their first and last child and found the age differences among couples that produced the most offspring.
For both men and women, having a partner of the optimal age meant having an average of 2.2 children compared with 2.1 children when they picked partners of the same age -- a significant number in evolutionary terms that accumulates over time, Fieder said.
The findings are the result of a statistical analysis and do not mean that every man can find a woman six years younger and that every women would find a man four years older.
"It was a very systemic pattern," Fieder said. "We don't think it is random."
The study of couples during their typical child-bearing years also showed that both men and women who changed partners usually chose a person younger than the one they had before for their second one, Fieder said.
The finding regarding men was expected but that women also traded in for a younger partner was surprising, said Fieder.
He suggested that because women are older when finding a second partner, they look for a younger, more fertile man.