Month: August 2021

A Closer Look into Back Pain

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Back Pain

For many people, back pain may come and go. However, it can be an agonizing ordeal that interferes with their daily lives and quality of life for others. If you experience debilitating chronic back pain, it can be not easy to lead a normal life. Specialists at Bayonne Pain Center of NJ treat back pain and other conditions through various interventions. Here are the causes of back pain and some treatment options you may want to consider.

Causes and symptoms

There are several causes of back pain, though the most common is an injury or strain. However, it can also occur due to medical conditions such as arthritis, scoliosis, and herniated discs. Other issues include poor posture, which can lead to pressure on the muscles in your back. There are various symptoms of back pain. However, it can manifest as discomfort in your lower back or spine area. Other times, the pain can radiate to your arm or legs, especially if there is a recent injury. The pain can worsen when you are standing or walking. Some symptoms can disappear with home treatment, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. However, it is important to consult a doctor for a comprehensive assessment, especially if the pain does not disappear within a few days.

Signs that you need to seek medical attention for your back pain

Quite often, back pain can improve with self-care. However, several signs can indicate a severe problem. Also, if the pain persists for several weeks or does not get better with rest, seek medical help. Another sign to watch out for is when the pain radiates to your knees, legs, and arms. Also, medical intervention is necessary if it makes you weak, numb, and feel irritations in your legs. For some people, back pain may lead to weight loss and bladder issues.

The risk factors

Seniors are likely to experience back pain more than young people. Also, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to excess weight, which can put pressure on the back. Medical conditions such as arthritis or cancer may accelerate back pain. Poor posture and lifting a heavy load is also a leading cause of back pain. Other risk factors include depression, anxiety, and unhealthy dietary habits such as smoking.

Preventing back pain

You can prevent back pain by making several changes to your lifestyle, such as incorporating workouts. Also, you can build your muscles through exercises which also help in strengthening your core. In addition, avoid situations that can cause a strain on your back, such as lifting weights and lousy posture. Lastly, stop smoking and observe good dietary habits.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your doctor will want to conduct a thorough assessment to establish if underlying factors are causing your back pain. First, your medical history is analyzed, and several tests are conducted. In addition, an X-ray will assess if the back pain is due to a problem with the spine. Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat arthritis, including pain medicine. In some cases, surgery may be a long-term treatment option.

If you experience back pain, it is vital to seek medical help for diagnosis and treatment. Contact the professionals at the Pain Center of NJ and get treated for back pain.

In Need of Dental Surgery? Here Are Five Common Types You Should Know

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Dental Surgery

Most people will agree that toothaches are the worst kind of pain anyone can ever undergo. The pain deters you from actions like smiling, speaking, and eating which become unbearable. When teeth problems escalate, dental surgery may be recommended by your dentist after diagnosis. Dental surgery refers to the surgery of teeth, gums, or jaws. It involves procedures that modify dentition artificially. Do you need to undergo Dental Surgery? Visit Dr. Hugo Artaza, one of the renowned Katy doctors of dental surgery, to discuss your treatment options.

Highlighted below are the most common types of dental surgery:

Cosmetic Surgery

Many people go for this surgery to alter their facial appearance, especially their smiles. Some of the processes include teeth whitening, dental veneers, and bonding. These are simple procedures that take a short time to be done. The general purpose of cosmetic dental surgeries is for aesthetics or beauty.

Extraction of Wisdom Teeth

 Wisdom teeth are the four molars that grow last. This happens between the ages of 17 and 25. Since they grow last, sometimes they lack enough room, grow close together, and become very painful. Oral infections and other dental problems may develop too. Also, the gums end up swelling. In this case, an extraction procedure is recommended. Surgical incisions are made at the gums facilitating teeth removal. The incisions are then closed. The procedure is simple, and the patient heals fast.

Placement of Dental implants

If your teeth have decayed due to smoking, alcoholism, oral cancer, poor oral hygiene, or other diseases, you require dental implants. The dental implants are made from titanium and its alloys; therefore, they are light. This process is a little complicated because the implant must be securely and delicately fused into the gum. Also, if you have been involved in an accident and end up losing your teeth, you’re in luck. Dental implants are an ideal replacement for you.

Root Canal

This surgery happens to be the most common type of dental surgery. A root canal treats toothaches and tooth sensitivity without having to extract the problematic teeth. The procedure involves the removal of the tooth pulp that contains blood vessels and nerve endings. After the process, you will hardly experience tooth sensitivity or toothache.

Reconstructive Surgery

Soft tissue injuries and fractures are the two types of injuries that require reconstructive surgery. Soft tissue injuries include cuts on the inside of the cheek, lips, tongue, soft and hard palate. Fractures affect the bone tissue in the mouth, jawbone, and teeth. In extreme cases, surgery is done to reconstruct the nasal cavity. You may experience this type of injury if you are a sporty person.

Contact a Dental Surgery Expert Today

You see, dental surgery is not as complicated as many people think. There are several surgical procedures you can undergo in place of tooth extraction. Root canal, for example, will kill the pain and ensure there will be no future issues with that particular tooth. Most importantly, your natural tooth will remain intact. Embrace better ways of dealing with your dental problems like dental surgery and make toothaches and sensitivity a thing of the past. Contact Artaza Dental for the most experienced and knowledgeable dentists and begin your dental health journey.

Feel Young and Relaxed Through Massage Therapy

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Massage Therapy

In this century, people of all ages have received massage therapy for relief from the stress of daily life, injuries, medical conditions, and to help maintain good health and wellness. Massage therapy is one of the oldest healing and pain-relieving arts from ancient times, according to history. If you are experiencing fatigue and want to improve blood circulation, enjoy massage therapy in Chatsworth at Gould Chiropractic and Laser Pain Center and achieve the best relaxing experience.

At Gould Chiropractic and Laser Pain Center, therapists have years of experience and training in handling all patients with complicated medical conditions to give them a relaxing and personal experience using massage to enhance their overall health. They offer all massage styles, including deep tissue, Swedish, acupressure techniques, healing, and therapeutic touch, to make sure you receive the best outcome. Visit or call their office today and schedule your therapy session.

An Overview of Massage Therapy

Massage has been used over the years to create pressures, movements, and techniques. Massage is a physical process that involves pressing or rubbing muscles and other soft tissues with hands and fingers. People embrace a different type of massage therapy depending on their condition or on the level of their injuries. The following are different types of massage that help you choose the type that favors you or suits your condition.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the most common massage therapy. Your therapist uses soft, long, kneading strokes and light, rhythmic, tapping strokes on the topmost layers of the muscles. The therapist combines all these with joint movements to get a good outcome. Swedish massage relieves muscle tension, makes you relax, and regain energy.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage aims at reaching painful points of the body and stiff muscles. Your therapist uses deliberate strokes which exert pressure on the muscles and tissues deep in your skin. It is most preferred for therapeutic purposes as it helps injured muscles and sprains relieve chronic tension.

Sports Massage

Sports massage aims at helping muscles that are more active during sports and helps the athlete in training — before, during, or after sports events. It promotes flexibility and helps to relieve muscle strains, and helps in healing after sports injuries.

Chair Massage

Chair massage helps your body in relaxing and relieves tensions brought by fatigue or strenuous jobs. It is done while fully clothed, and it targets your neck, arm, shoulders, and back.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

A lymphatic drainage massage improves lymph circulation in your body. Lymph circulates throughout the body collecting waste and taking it to the lymph nodes, and therefore the massage ensures that there is a smooth flow in your body.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage helps your body relax as they transmit heat deep into the body.

What Are the Health Benefits of Massage?

Many types of massage offer an array of benefits beyond simple relaxation. The benefits include:

  • Relieves back pain.
  • Helps lower headaches.
  • Osteoarthritis improvement.
  • Help reduce depression.

Enjoy a life full of relaxation and free from tension by experiencing the best massage therapy at Gould Chiropractic and Laser Pain Center. The team aims at helping you prevent and manage pain and keep your body tension-free and flexible. Call or make an online appointment today to schedule your massage therapy.

Top Reasons You Qualify for Regenerative Medicine

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Lupus

Regenerative medicine has opened the door for more effective treatment options for various conditions that bring pain, affect mobility, or interfere with someone’s active lifestyle. It involves replacing or regenerating injured or broken-down human tissues to restore their normal function. If you are dealing with Fayetteville lupus, you can benefit from regenerative medicine significantly.

The last thing you need is not to do what you used to because chronic pain is an issue you cannot find a solution to. Regenerative medicine has you covered, and it is a non-surgical solution that should get you back to a physically active life. However, how do you know you are a candidate for regenerative medicine? The following are some of the reasons that show you probably are:

1. Spine Arthritis

Treating spine arthritis might be pretty challenging, and it is not something that anyone should live with. Thankfully, various scientific sources have shown that this condition can be treated using stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma. Other joints such as the knees, hips, and shoulders can also benefit from this treatment.

2. Joint Problems

If you have injured or had an issue with your joint, your mobility becomes significantly affected, and the sooner you seek medical attention, the better. Your doctor might recommend surgery, especially if it is a severe injury. However, let us be realistic. No one wants to go through surgery, and that is where regenerative medicine comes in. A procedure such as stem cell therapy should help you recover and feel like yourself again.

3. Shoulder Pain, Tendinitis, Labrum, or Rotator Cuff Tears

Regenerative medicine and mainly stem cell therapy is effective if you are dealing with any of the above issues. These stem cells are grown in a lab and controlled to develop into specific cells that benefit the area that needs treatment. It is more like a targeted treatment option. A specialist implants the cells into the location of the body that needs repairing, and before you know it, you are back, feeling better within your body. Stem cells are primarily used to regenerate new cell growth and heal the impaired ones to improve the functioning of the affected area.

When You Want to Get Back to Exercise

Exercise plays a significant role in stress reduction and social activity. However, sometimes you may not get back to exercising sooner than you would like because you have undergone surgery with large surgical incisions that could cause significant tissue damage. When that happens, it could take weeks to months before you are ready to get back to optimal functioning. When you are not exercising, it might cause stress and a sense of isolation, mainly if you are athletically driven. Luckily, with minimally invasive procedures such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich-plasma injections, there is almost no damage to the soft tissues. You can return to your usual activities even a day after the procedure. Within weeks you can see significant improvements, and after a year, you can enjoy maximum effectiveness.

Regenerative medicine is all about allowing your body to enjoy it from the inside out. It will enable you to be more physically active and enjoy a pain-free life. If you have determined you are a candidate for regenerative medicine, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your doctor today.

The Different Diagnosis and Treatment Methods for Uterine Fibroids

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Uterine Fibroids

Most women develop fibroids at one point in life. These are abnormal non-cancerous growths that occur in your uterus. Fibroids range in size, from tiny ones that cannot be physically detected to significant growths that distort the uterus. In most cases, St. Louis uterine fibroids may not present any symptoms. However, if they do, symptoms may include heavy menstrual bleeding, constipation, and frequent urination. Fibroids are mostly detected during a pelvic examination or a prenatal ultrasound.

Diagnostic Tests for Uterine Fibroids

To confirm the presence of growth in your uterus, your specialist may order several tests that include:

Ultrasound

This test uses sound waves to produce images of your uterus to allow your doctor to map and measure fibroids. For a trans-abdominal ultrasound, your specialist will use a transducer over your lower abdomen as images appear on a monitor. Other times, your doctor may guide a tiny, lubricated device inside your vagina to detect tiny growths.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging involves powerful waves to produce more clear images of growths in the uterus. This test enables your doctor to identify the type, size, and location of fibroids and determine a suitable treatment option. The test is also used in women approaching menopause or those with a larger uterus.

What Is the Treatment for Uterine Fibroids?

The treatment options for fibroids range from medications to surgical procedures. Medications work by targeting hormones that facilitate your menstrual cycle. Examples of medications that your doctor may prescribe include:

  •         Gonadotropin- Releasing hormone agonists. These drugs shrink fibroids by blocking the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones. People under this medication are usually in a temporary menopause state. This means that you will not have your regular menstrual cycle. GnRH agonists also help improve anemia which is mostly a result of heavy menstrual bleeding. Your doctor may advise that you take these drugs for not more than six months, as your bones may become frail, a condition known as osteoporosis.
  •       Progestin- Releasing intrauterine device. If you experience heavy menstrual bleeding due to fibroids, your doctor may recommend using a progestin-releasing intrauterine device to minimize bleeding. While this may reduce heavy periods, an IUD shrinks but does not eliminate fibroids. This device may also prevent you from getting pregnant.

Your specialist may also prescribe non-hormonal medication such as tranexamic acid to ease heavy menstrual periods. These drugs should only be used during your menstrual cycle.

Radiofrequency Ablation

This is a less-invasive procedure that your doctor may recommend destroying uterine fibroids instead of surgically removing them. During treatment, your doctor uses a laparoscope as a guide to locate the fibroids. A device with multiple tiny needles is then used to heat the fibroid tissue, destroying it. It is normal to experience slight bruising after the procedure due to the small incisions made during the procedure. Symptoms also improve as the fibroids gradually shrink in the next three months to one year.

While, in most cases, fibroids are not linked with severe complications, it is still important to seek medical attention from your doctor at Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy for treatment to improve your general well-being.

How to Look Younger Than Your Age

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

General Dentist

Aging is inevitable and your skin shows the toll age is taking on you. There is no shame in wanting your skin to look a little plumper and wrinkle-free. Cosmetic companies develop various skincare regimens daily but give you less aid in maintaining a youthful face. Innovative solutions reverse aging effects on your skin. State-of-the-art technology at Ardsley General Dentist accurately diagnoses and provides better treatment to your face and restores your youthful glow. Here’s how to achieve wrinkle free-youthful skin:

1. Moisturize Your Face

All experts agree hydrated skin is younger-looking skin. Moisturizing your face locks in moisture and prevents it from drying. A good rule of thumb is to moisturize your face while it is damp to get extra moisture. Moisturizers that incorporate sunscreen with SPF-15 or higher are the best and prevent harmful sun rays during peak hours. Regardless of your skin type, moisturizing is vital.

2. Maintain a Good Dental Structure

Your smile is your greatest asset and its radiance melts even the strongest of hearts. Most people are self-conscious about their smiles, especially if they have missing or crooked teeth. Weak jawbones cause wrinkles and sunken holes in the face. Dental implants, bridges, and dentures fix this. You should not shy away from smiling while a quick visit to a dentist solves your problem. A good dental structure will give you a lifetime of healthy smiles.

3. Dermal Fillers

Fillers are fast gaining popularity in decreasing sunken areas and wrinkles on your face. Dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid to make the filling process faster. After a filling process, your face will show results in a couple of hours. Besides the aesthetic value, most fillers are made with a natural skin component like collagen, to make your glow as natural as possible in no time. Dermal fillers are a long-term value for slowing skin aging.

4. Getting Botox Injections

Skin is ever-aging and your facial skin ages with it. Seeing wrinkles on your face can be discouraging. Botox relaxes the muscles that create repeated expression lines on the face that develop into wrinkles and frown lines. Botox solves more than your aesthetic needs. It numbs the fibers around the head, therefore stopping chronic migraines.

5. Load Up on Supplements

Your skin becomes flabby as collagen and hyaluronic stores within your body are depleted when you age. You develop sunken areas and frown lines on your face that betray your age. Vitamins A, B, and zinc are vital in maintaining your youthful appearance. You need to replenish collagen and elastin in your body by eating foods rich in vitamins. Mangos and kale are significant sources of these nutrients. Over-the-counter supplements that contain alpha-lipoic acid and are FDA-approved also build up your vitamin supply and preserve your facial glow.

Your lifestyle plays a major role in reversing age effects on your skin. Modern technology has made it possible for you to have the skin you desire without having to practice regimens that exhaust you without retaining your exuberance. Dental Spas are your solution to a youthful face and the snowball effect is a pristine smile and healthy life.

When Should You Get a Root Canal?

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Root Canal

Your teeth contain a soft inner core that extends deep into the root and into your jawbone. When this core decays, the pulp in your teeth can become infected, inflamed, or even die. Such a situation might call for a root canal, a dental procedure that effectively eliminates the decay in the pulp and root. This article discusses the symptoms that could mean you need this procedure and why you should have your root canals in Houston.

1. Heat and Cold Sensitivity

If you experience sharp pain or dull ache every time you eat or drink something hot or cold, the nerves in your teeth could be infected or damaged. This might mean that you need an immediate root canal because teeth sensitivity is a serious problem and can tamper with your food intake. Consider scheduling a consultation with your dentist for a complete checkup.

2. Swollen Gums

Root canal procedures have proven to be significantly helpful in treating swollen gums along with other gum-related problems. You might need the treatment if you notice symptoms such as:

  •       A little pimple on your gum that is sensitive to the touch.
  •       Puss oozing from your gum (caused by infection).
  •       Gum swelling.
  •       Bad breath.
  •       An unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Gum problems only worsen with time, so you should see your dentist immediately if you notice these signs.

3. Persistent Tooth Pain

Another sign that you might need a root canal is experiencing severe pains deep in the bone of your tooth, jaw, or face. Persistent tooth pain is often a symptom of a serious infection, and early detection and treatment can improve the outcome of your dental problem and save your oral health. Also, a root canal could finally relieve your pain, allowing you to eat and sleep in peace.

4. Chipped Teeth

Your teeth could get chipped or cracked if you get injured in a contact sport, during an accident, or fight, and while chewing on hard substances. Broken or chipped teeth can be superficial, but they can also cause nerve damage, leading to pain and increased tooth sensitivity. Through a root canal procedure, your dentist can clean out the infection before fixing your tooth.

5. Discoloration

One of the reasons teeth get discolored is tooth tissue damage that severely destroys the tooth roots. Such damage manifests as teeth with a dark grey appearance. Similarly, an infection in the pulp of your tooth can lead to tooth discoloration and other problems. A root canal will drain any infection from the pulp or roots and fix any damage, clearing the discoloration in the process.

6. Loose Teeth

Severe tooth infections could cause your teeth to loosen. While there are many factors that could be behind this symptom, including pulpal necrosis (nerve death), you should see your dentist to rule out the viability of a root canal as a treatment.

Conclusion

Root canals go beyond the regular teeth cleanings to clear your teeth’ pulp, roots, and nerves of infection and decay. The result is healthy, clean, and white teeth. If you experience any of these symptoms, consider visiting your dentist as soon as possible. Ivis Hernandez, DDS, of Dental Design Studios, is highly skilled and experienced in this procedure. You can schedule a consultation with her by booking online or calling a Houston, Texas office.

Are You Experiencing Prolonged and Severe Back Pain?

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

lumbar spinal stenosis

In most cases, pain is an indicator of an injury of sorts. On the other hand, prolonged and severe cases are a more significant indicator of something more serious.

The human back, for example, is made up of the spine, which has 33 bones stacked vertically, one after the other. The spine is responsible for carrying the weight of the upper body, lifting, and carrying things. As a result, it is under constant pressure which might result in pain. Prolonged and severe back pain might be an indicator of something more severe such as stenosis, but do not worry, as there is an expert on lumbar spinal stenosis in Huntington.

What is lumbar spinal stenosis?

This is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows. This can result from injury, fracture, or degenerative conditions that diminish the space inside the opening of the spinal canal. In some patients, genetics may play a role in contributing to spinal stenosis.

The degenerative conditions that are most often responsible for causing lumbar spinal stenosis include:

  • Herniated disc
  • Degenerative spondylolisthesis
  • Bone spurs
  • Bulging disc
  • Thickened ligaments
  • Degenerative disc disease

These conditions cause changes that protrude into the spinal canal or cause misaligned vertebrae, which leads to nerve compression and inflammation.

Stenosis can cause pressure on your spinal cord and on the nerves that run through the spinal cord down towards your muscles. Stenosis usually occurs in the lower part of the human back.

Symptoms that Indicate Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

When the spinal nerves are compressed, you will experience symptoms such as:

  • Lower back pain.
  • Pain that radiates down your legs.
  • Leg cramping when you walk or stand.
  • Tingling or numbness in your buttocks and legs.
  • Leg weakness or fatigue.

Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis find that their leg pain feels better when they rest or bend forward compared to when they are standing up.

Treatment Offered for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

After reviewing your symptoms and performing an exam, Dr. Kakoulides orders an MRI or CT scan of your lower spine. The information provided by diagnostic imaging is essential for planning your treatment.

Depending on the severity of your nerve damage and symptoms, Dr. Kakoulides may initially treat lumbar spinal stenosis with nonsurgical options, such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and alternative therapies.

If your pain doesn’t improve, he may recommend an epidural steroid injection.

If you get worse, Dr. Kakoulides recommends surgery to decompress the nerves. He has extensive experience performing several decompression procedures, including:

Lumbar laminectomy

During the procedure, Dr. Kakoulides removes part of the bone and ligaments, effectively increasing the size of the spinal canal and eliminating pressure on the nerves.

Following a lumbar laminectomy, you may need to have a spinal fusion to restore spinal stability.

X-STOP® Interspinous Spacer

Using a minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Kakoulides places the X-STOP between two vertebrae. It safely increases the space between the two bones, enlarges the opening where nerves exit the spinal canal, decompresses the nerves, and relieves your pain.

If you need relief from lower back or leg pain, call George Kakoulides, MD, or schedule an appointment online and let him take your pain away.