Here is a detailed report regarding toxins and air pollution in Guilford and surrounding areas:
http://www.scorecard.org/community/index.tcl?zip_code=06437&set_community_zipcode_cookie_p=t&x=0&y=0
Local Water Report
January 20, 2010 by
Here is a link to show how our water in Guilford and the Shoreline region is testing-you may be surprised!
http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyourwater/CT/CTWC—Shoreline-Region-Guilford-System/0608011/
Chronic Back Pain
January 20, 2010 by
Healthnotes Newswire (December 10, 2009)–As many people know, low back pain can seriously interfere with a person’s social and work life. A recent report published in the British Medical Journal suggests that though a third of people usually recover completely within 12 months, certain factors can delay chronic low back pain recovery.
Pain and disability affect recovery time
In this study, 406 people with recent onset of chronic (defined as at least three months) low back pain were followed for one year. Participants were interviewed to determine how their conditions improved on measures of pain intensity, disability, and ability to work. Factors associated with delayed recovery of chronic low back pain included:
• Previous sick leave from work due to low back pain
• High disability levels or high pain intensity levels at the onset of chronic back pain
• Low level of education in the person with back pain
• Greater perceived risk of persistent pain from the back pain sufferer
Other studies have shown both more and less time needed for complete recovery.
Tips for dealing with chronic low back pain
As much as 30% of the adult population may suffer from chronic low back pain. Fortunately, there are important steps people can take to keep their backs healthy or speed recovery:
• See a doctor. Don’t diagnose yourself. If you suffer from persistent back pain of any type see a primary care doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Some people may also seek the help of a chiropractic doctor for low back pain.
• Follow-up. It’s so important to follow-up with your doctor after your first visit and let him or her know how you are doing. Too often, people go to their doctor initially but don’t follow-up to let them know what is and isn’t working. Some people wrongly believe they just have to live with the pain. There is much a doctor can do such as adjust medications, refer you to physical therapy or other specialists, suggest regular exercises, or recommend complementary therapies such as massage. If your pain persists, check in with your doctor.
• Learn good posture. It is important to learn correct postures for sitting, standing, and lifting that help strengthen and support your back without adding strain. It’s also important to adjust standing, seating, or computer positioning in your work space to prevent or relieve back strain. Ask your employer if they have experts that can help improve your work space or working conditions to avoid injury.
• Ask about exercise. While you may not be able to exercise during episodes of acute back pain, for some types of injury, exercise may help. Ask your doctor for exercise recommendations that may help relieve and prevent back pain. Your doctor may also recommend a physical therapist who can teach you exercises to strengthen your back, arms, and legs and help relieve pain.
• Get plenty of sleep. Feeling tired can worsen pain of any type, so it is important to get plenty of sleep each night and to talk with your doctor if you are not sleeping well.
• Complementary therapies may ease back pain. Talk with your doctor about complementary therapies that can ease back pain such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, tai chi, or relaxation exercises.
(BMJ 2009;339:b3829doi:10.1136/bmj.b3829)
Soy and Breast Cancer
January 5, 2010 by
Soy linked to longer survival in Chinese women with breast cancer
JAMA 2009;302:2437-43 [PubMed Abstract]
Researchers studying the anticancer effects of soy have found a link
between high dietary intake and prolonged survival in Chinese women
with breast cancer. Women in the highest quarter of daily intake were
29% less likely to die (hazard ratio 0.71, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.92) and 32%
less likely to have a recurrence (0.68, 0.54 to 0.87) than women in the
lowest quarter. The inverse association with all cause mortality was
stronger for soy protein than for soy isoflavones and remained
significant through multiple adjustments for factors known to influence
survival including age, cancer stage, treatment, other dietary factors,
body mass index, menopausal status, and the hormone receptor status of
the tumour.
The 5042 participants lived in Shanghai and were recruited from the
Chinese cancer registry about six months after their cancer diagnosis.
They completed detailed food frequency questionnaires that measured
their daily intake of tofu, soy milk, soy beans, and other common soy
products.
Their mean daily intake was equivalent to 47 mg a day of isoflavones, a
much higher figure than would be expected for women outside China, says
an editorial (p 2483). Women in the US, for example, eat between 1 and
6 mg a day, usually as supplements, meat substitutes, and processed
foods. It is hard to say whether the associations reported here will
translate well to other populations. This study does show that soy is
safe, however. Soy has heterogeneous effects on oestrogen metabolism,
leading to fears that it might encourage the growth of breast tumours.
That now seems unlikely.
© 2009 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
Water Pollution
December 10, 2009 by
The NY Times has an ongoing series regarding water pollution, and how it may be affecting you locally. Here is the link:
http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-waters/polluters
