Side Effects of Tylenol PM

Side effects of Tylenol PM
by Nicole Evans M.D.

Tylenol PM is a popular over-the-counter medication. The labeled indicated use for Tylenol PM is for the relief of insomnia that is accompanied by minor pain.

The two active ingredients in Tylenol PM are Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). The acetaminophen provides pain relief while the diphenhydramine induces sleepiness. The side effects of Tylenol PM can result from either or both of these medicinally active agents.

The side effects of Tylenol PM that result from the acetaminophen component can affect the skin, liver, kidneys, blood and even the endocrine system. The frequency of these Tylenol side effects is not defined but include: rash, anemia, low neutrophil count, low leukocyte count and pancytopenia (low white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets).

Tylenol PM use can also result in increased bilirubin and/or alkaline phosphatase levels, high ammonia levels, kidney damage with chronic high doses of Tylenol and increased blood sugar levels.

Perhaps the most important potential adverse effect of Tylenol PM is liver toxicity. An acute overdose of Tylenol PM can result in liver failure and death. The dose of acetaminophen should never be more than 4 grams a day.

In addition, chronic daily dosing in adults has resulted in liver damage in some people. It is known that consuming 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day may increase the risk of liver damage from Tylenol.

Additionally, individuals with the inherited condition known as G6PD deficiency should use caution when taking medications that contain acetaminophen.

The other active ingredient in Tylenol PM, diphenhydramine, is commonly known as Benadryl. Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine that is quite sedating, unlike the later generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec and Claritin.

Common side effects of Benadryl include sedation, sleepiness, dizziness, difficulty performing coordinated movements, epigastric distress (stomach ache), and thickening of mucus secretions from the respiratory tract.

Importantly, when giving Benadryl to children by mouth and using a concomitant topical preparation that contains Benadryl there is a risk of diphenhydramine toxicity. The symptoms of Benadryl toxicity include: dilated pupils, flushed face, hallucinations, ataxic gait, and urinary retention.

In children, there is also the risk of diminished mental alertness, as well as risk of a paradoxical reaction that may cause excitation in young pediatric patients.

There are certain medical conditions that require a patient consult their physician before self-treating with over-the-counter Benadryl preparations. These conditions include glaucoma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or difficulty urinating due to prostatic hypertrophy.

Tylenol PM is a commonly used over-the-counter medication that is associated with numerous side effects. For safety, individuals should always discuss the use of Tylenol PM with their healthcare provider.

Source: Lexi-Comp Online. Accessed Mar 27, 2010.

For a natural, safe and healthy lifestyle, try Chiropractic Care: www.NKYChiropractor.com

Real Housewives of Atlanta Use the Zerona!

Real Housewives of Atlanta Use Zerona Non-Surgical Fat Reduction

Get rid of belly fat with this surgery free liposuction alternative.

It's no secret that many of the Real Housewives turn to their plastic surgeon for a little work now and then, and the ladies of Atlanta are no exception. Earlier this season, Nene Leakes went under the knife for rhinoplasty, liposuction, breast reduction and a breast lift. On last night's episode, Kim Zolciak opted to avoid the operating room and went under the laser for Zerona, the popular non-surgical fat reducing treatment.

Zerona treatments are simple. Patients lie under rotating low level laser lights for 40 minutes, spending 20 minutes each on their stomach and then their back. A treatment cycle is 6 sessions spread over two weeks, and within a couple of weeks patients can expect to see around 3.5 total inches lost.

Earlier this year, the Zerona device received FDA market clearance in the U.S. for circumferential reduction of the waist, hips, and thighs. It works by opening a small pore in the fat cells causing them to empty their contents. The fat is flushed out of the body naturally, but patients are encouraged to drink the proper amount of water to help aid the process. Zerona has a systemic effect, meaning that inches are lost all over the body rather than in one specific area so it's not the precise sculpting of liposuction procedures.

One benefit of the treatment that patients love is there is zero downtime. Patients can go back to their normal activities immediately and it's pain free. In the clinical investigation, those treated lost an average of 3.65 inches total across their waist, hips, and thighs in as little as two weeks.

Many doctors offer lymphatic massage along with Zerona to aid in flushing out the fat and patients are encouraged to exercise and eat a healthy diet to help improve their results. It's important to remember that Zerona is best used with patients who are generally healthy and only have a little bit of fat to lose. Zerona is not considered a weight loss program. Those looking for more dramatic results may be better served by laser lipo with a device like SmartLipo or ultrasound assisted lipo with Vaser. Talk with your doctor about what results you can expect from Zerona and what the best course of treatment is for your desired outcome.

How much does Zerona cost? The price varies by region, but you can typically expect to pay between $1800 and $3000 for a 2 week session. Some patients find an additional benefit from a second round and often physicians offer a price break for the next treatment course. Many offices are offering holiday specials this time of year so it could be a great time to find a deal.

The Zerona LipoLaser is available at the Advanced Wellness Studio located on Buttermilk Pike in Northern Kentucky (a suburb of Cincinnati).

The Advanced Wellness Studio is offering a Free Zerona Program Contest (valued at over $1500)! Visit www.AdvancedWellnessStudio.com to enter!

Article from American Health and Beauty

Practical Nutrition: Don't Get Bitten by Halloween Candy

On October 31, do your kids trick or treat, or attend alternative candy-filled activities? Do you greet superheroes, princesses and ghouls with treats, or do you cut out your lights and hide?

Whether or not you celebrate Halloween, you can't escape the extra candy around now. It's everywhere and conveniently packaged in fun-size portions.

Don't be fooled by those little sizes either. They still have calories, which add up quickly if you eat more than one. Find your favorite candy on the chart and see how it stacks up.

Many labels suggest two or three fun-size bars as one serving. One fun-size Snickers bar has 80 calories, 4 fat grams and 10.5 grams of carbohydrate. A regular-size Snickers (2 ounces) has 271 calories, 13.6 grams of fat, 34.5 grams of carbohydrate. Eating three small bars is almost the same as eating one full-size bar.

I took a casual poll among friends to determine the favorite Halloween candy. It turns out there are as many favorites as there are varieties. Many adults prefer some form of chocolate, with peanut-butter cups being popular. Kids like chocolate too, but prefer sugary Skittles, Gummy Worms, SweeTarts and Smarties. All ages like candy corn.

Enjoy your candy this Halloween, but try some of these strategies to help keep it under control. Remember, everything in moderation.

• Buy candy at the last minute, so you won't eat it all before the trick-or-treaters come. Buy candy you don't like, so you won't be tempted in the first place.

• Set a limit of what candy you and your family eat each day. Don't throw away the wrappers so you can keep track of what's eaten.

• Don't buy candy on sale the day after Halloween unless it has a specific purpose. It makes great stocking stuffers, but hide it with the presents so you won't be tempted.

• Donate leftovers to a worthy cause. Know anyone collecting candy for the troops? But don't take it to work. Those who have successfully removed temptation at home may not appreciate the renewed challenge.

• Some people opt to give out healthful treats instead of candy. Consider individual packs of pretzels, raisins, cheese and crackers, sugar-free gum, or healthful granola bars.

• Nonfood items are also gaining popularity. Some treats you may see are temporary tattoos, stickers, pencils, holiday erasers, small plastic toys, plastic jewelry, bubbles or glowsticks. You can even wrap up small amounts of loose change.

I have one friend who gives out full-size candy bars, and has yet to have his house toilet-papered or egged. Double-check your treat choices with a pint-sized expert so you won't get tricked.
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The Chiropractic Rehab Center of Northern Kentucky provides nutrition counseling and offers a Computerized Nutritional Health Scan for only $25!

www.NKYChiropractor.com

Don't Base Your Diet on Nutritional Myths

We’ve all heard certain “facts” about nutrition so many times that we take them at face value, no longer questioning their validity. I’m going to knock a hole in a few of the things we “know” to be true about food.

Let’s start with the food that’s hardest to avoid: sugar. Those who’ve ever attempted the Atkins Diet or simply tried to avoid sugar probably got a rude awakening when they started reading labels. Sugar is hiding everywhere: lunch meat, ketchup, salad dressings. The average person in the U.S. consumes about “128 pounds” a year, or 34 teaspoons a day. Super-size fountain drink, anyone?

But what about sugar causing hyperactivity in kids? Controlled studies prove that’s false. And doesn’t eating sugar put a person at risk for diabetes? No. What causes diabetes is lack of activity, being overweight and a high-calorie diet. Diabetes patients have to cut way down on sugar, but just don’t go there.

Perhaps you’ve heard that brown sugar is healthier than white sugar. Sorry to disappoint, but brown sugar is white granulated sugar with molasses added. The mineral content between the two is insignificant at the end of the day.

Sugar is a refined food that’s been stripped of fiber, water, vitamins and minerals. Avoid foods that list a variant of it as its first three ingredients. This includes dextrose, lactose, sucrose and maltose. Sugar is calories without nutrients, so picture that 128-pound pile and try to make a dent in it.

The “brown vs. white” myth has carried over into the egg department as well. While they may look more natural, brown eggs have no additional nutritional benefits over white. Nor are they higher quality or more flavorful. Hen color determines the eggshell color. White feather hens lay white eggs; red feather hens lay brown eggs.

While we’re on the subject of protein, I’ll dispel a few other myths.

Low-carb diets will cause temporary weight loss but are not a good long-term idea. You may end up ingesting too much cholesterol, which ups the risk of heart disease. Too few fruits and whole grains can lead to a lack of fiber and constipation. Too few carbs can also make a person feel tired, weak or nauseous. Being wobbly at a party can really detract from a girl’s beautiful size 6 cocktail dress.

Another risk of too few carbs is the buildup of ketones in your blood. The kickoff of the Atkins diet is designed to put your body “in ketosis” … but over time, these ketones cause the body to produce a lot of uric acid, a risk factor for joint swelling (gout) and kidney stones. You’ll also notice your new bad breath, and your friends may too.

Ketosis makes the body use fat instead of carbs as an energy source. The weight you lose may well be lean muscle and water. So much better to reduce calories, fat and exercise.

Final myth: cabbage soup and grapefruit burn fat. Nope, sorry, reread the last few paragraphs. You’ll just lose water weight, lean muscle and feel tired and queasy. And that’s the truth!

www.NKYChiropractor.com



Elaine Hastings

10 Tips For Your Fitness During the Fall

I love the Fall weather, I think that it is the best weather from the Four Seasons. Here are some nice tips to take advantage of Fall to improve your health.

1. Take advantage of the weather. Fall can be a treat for the senses: the crisp air, apple picking, pumpkin carving, a gorgeous canopy of fall foliage, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. These months are a great time to exercise outdoors and enjoy cooler temperatures. Walking, hiking and cycling are all awesome in the fall.

2. Think outside the box. Always wanted to learn to tap dance? Attempt to box? Master the jump rope? Ask any schoolchild: Fall is a great time to learn something new.

Many classes at gyms and elsewhere get started in the fall, so look around and see if something intrigues you.

3. Be an active TV watcher. Many people get geared up for fall premieres of their favorite television shows. If you’re going to sit down and watch hours of TV, get moving. Make a date with exercise and TV.

While you watch, you can walk or run in place, do standing lunges, do tricep dips off the couch, or lift weights. During commercials, do push-ups or sit-ups. In a one-hour show, you probably have close to 20 minutes worth of commercial interruption.

4. Integrate exercise into your life. You already know the obvious suggestions: park farther away from your destination; take stairs instead of elevators; take a walk during your lunch break.

5. Rejuvenate yourself. Fall is the time to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.

6. Remember the 30-day rule. It takes about four weeks for the body to adapt to lifestyle changes. That’s why people who give up on their fitness programs tend to do so within the first 30 days.

7. Strive for the 3 Cs. "Commitment, Convenience, and Consistency “the three Cs”, having all three will lead to a successful fitness program.

8. Deal with darkness. The best way to enjoy fall is to exercise outdoors. But it is getting darker earlier, and staying dark later in the morning, so be smart and safe.

9. Dress in layers. When exercising outside, layer your clothing. Before your body warms up, you may feel chilled, but once the blood gets pumping, you’ll feel overdressed.

These days, there’s no lack of great weather gear. I recommend clothing with wicking, often called “DriFit". This fabric wicks moisture away from your skin so you’re not exercising with wet fabric hanging on you.

10. Find your motivation. People are motivated by different things. It’s important to first discover what your individual goals are, whether it’s losing weight, strengthening and toning, or preparing for a race or event.

www.NKYChiropractor.com
(859) 331-9566

10 Tips For Your Fall Fitness

Here are some nice tips to take advantage of Fall to improve your health.

1. Take advantage of the weather. Fall can be a treat for the senses: the crisp air, apple picking, pumpkin carving, a gorgeous canopy of fall foliage, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. These months are a great time to exercise outdoors and enjoy cooler temperatures.
Walking, hiking and cycling are all awesome in the fall.

2. Think outside the box. Always wanted to learn to tap dance? Attempt to box? Master the jump rope? Ask any schoolchild: Fall is a great time to learn something new.

Many classes at gyms and elsewhere get started in the fall, so look around and see if something intrigues you.

3. Be an active TV watcher. Many people get geared up for fall premieres of their favorite television shows. If you’re going to sit down and watch hours of TV, get moving, make a date with exercise and TV.

While you watch, you can walk or run in place, do standing lunges, do tricep dips off the couch, or lift weights. During commercials, do push-ups or sit-ups. In a one-hour show, you probably have close to 20 minutes worth of commercial interruption.

4. Integrate exercise into your life. You already know the obvious suggestions: park farther away from your destination; take stairs instead of elevators; take a walk during your lunch break.

5. Rejuvenate yourself. Fall is the time to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.

6. Remember the 30-day rule. “‘It takes about four weeks for the body to adapt to lifestyle changes. That’s why people who give up on their fitness programs tend to do so within the first 30 days.

7. Strive for the 3 C's: commitment, convenience, and consistency “the three Cs”. Having all three will lead to a successful fitness program.

8. Deal with darkness. The best way to enjoy fall is to exercise outdoors. But it is getting darker earlier, and staying dark later in the morning, so be smart and safe.

9. Dress in layers. When exercising outside, layer your clothing. Before your body warms up, you may feel chilled, but once the blood gets pumping, you’ll feel overdressed.

These days, there’s no lack of great weather gear. Freytag and Price recommend clothing with wicking, often called “DriFit.”‘ This fabric wicks moisture away from your skin so you’re not exercising with wet fabric hanging on you.

10. Find your motivation. “People are motivated by different things. It’s important to first discover what your individual goals are, whether it’s losing weight, strengthening and toning, or preparing for a race or event.

www.NKYChiropractor.com
www.CrescentSpringsChiropractic.com

The Last Straw!

The problem with lifestyle-caused diseases is that the damage happens slowly, often without even a hint of a symptom. Instead, like money in a savings account, it grows with compound interest.

We see this all the time. When the symptoms finally show up and we get the call, the most common refrain is, 'But I didn't do anything.' Sure, bending down to pick up the newspaper shouldn't reduce a grown man to tears. But it was the countless years of ignoring the nagging aches and pains that did the damage. Bending over was merely the last straw.

Ironically, the same people who subscribe to the "don't-fix-it-if-it's-not-broken" philosophy will fuss over their lawns, baby their car with fresh oil and filter and religiously replace their smoke detector batteries. So, why is a simple, "Honey, I think you should go in for a checkup" met with a determined and unexplainable resistance?!

www.NKYChiropractor.com

The Flu Scare!!! What Can You Do?

Well, the scare machine was in full gear in 2009. The H1N1 flu virus was a killer pandemic strain that was going to decimate the earth's population in short order. The pharmaceutical companies couldn't make their injectable potions fast enough. It was a real crisis. NOT.

Latest research in the Journal of the American Medical Association states that the swine flu virus actually had a lower risk of serious symptoms compared to the seasonal flu. And yes, that includes children.

Halfway around the world, at the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, research on Vitamin D supplementation and the flu was carried out on school children. This was a double blind, placebo controlled study. Children given Vitamin D supplements during the height of the 2009 flu season had a 42% less risk for coming down with the flu than those that did not.

Back at home the CDC is now recommending that everyone above the age of 6 get the new flu shot which combines the H1N1 and a couple of other strains of flu. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of the flu shot on a good year is about 30%. According to the research, Vitamin D supplements reduces the risk of flu by 42%. Why isn't the CDC recommending Vitamin D? You would have to ask them.

Keep this in mind. Vitamin D supplements [D3] are important. It's a real immune booster. But your body makes its own Vitamin D when you go outside and don't slather your skin with sun block. So why not do both? Turn off the TV, game consoles and computers and send the kids outside to play. What a concept! And while they're discovering the outside world, get a little sun yourself!

If you would like to stock up on your Pharmacutical-Grade Vitamin D Supplements (pure and only available through Health Care Professionals - the best vitamins and supplements that you can buy), call our office at (859) 331-9566 (Press Option 1, then Option 5).

www.NKYChiropractor.com


Interested in a Relaxing HydroMassage? What is a HydroMassage?
To find out visit: www.AdvancedWellnessStudio.com

Then, if you want a complimentary HydroMassage visit:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crescent-Springs-KY/Advanced-Wellness-Studio/142044489143206?v=app_4949752878

Increase Your Energy Level With Water

Water is life and our body cell consists of 90% water. It is the most necessary element for survival next to air.

Water is required for the elimination of toxins and waste through the digestive system, lymph system, liver, kidneys, and sweat glands. It also promotes metabolism, provides oxygen to cells, and fills spaces inside/between cells for healthy skin & toned muscle.

Deficiencies in water can result in excess body fat, poor muscle tone, digestive diseases, muscle pain, and water-retention. And being dehydrated can really increase stress, further impacting your health.

The amount of water that your body eliminates each day is somewhere between 1 and 3 liters, the equivalent of four to thirteen 8 oz. glasses of water per day. The US FDA recommends that women drink 11 glasses and men drink 16 glasses of water each day to stay hydrated.

So, how much water do you need to drink? The general recommendation is that you should consume 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight (30ml/kg) per day (that’s ten eight-ounce glasses for a 160 pound person), unless you are athletically active, in which case you should drink 2/3 ounces per pound (13 to 14 glasses a day at 160 lbs of body wieght).

Other Sources

Part of your daily water consumption may also be from foods and juices. A bowl of oatmeal, or a cup of soup, provides 8 oz. of water. A serving of broccoli or spinach, or a cup of rice, provides 5 oz. of water. Many fresh vegetables and fruits contain 3-5 oz. of water. For example, an apple or a pear contain 5 oz.

Other foods are not as hydrating, such as an egg, which provides about an ounce of water, or a slice of pizza, providing only about an ounce. Snacking on chips provides virtually none.

Some people argue that tea, soft drinks and coffee do not count, however this is in itself arguable. Although these contain caffeine, a known diuretic, which cause the body to expel a small amount of moisture, they do still provide additional fluids.

Juices are also ok, but one should keep in mind the amount of fructose concentrated in a glass of juice. The body has a lot of work to do to process the sugar that is concentrated in a glass of juice. When eating a piece of fruit, the liver has time to process the fructose into energy, but when consuming a single glass of juice, which may contain the fructose of up to six pieces of fruit, the liver becomes taxed and turns most of that fructose into fat.

Distilled, purified or reverse-osmosis water is still water. It is the H2O we’re talking about here as a requirement. However, reverse-osmosis water in particular is devoid of essential minerals that we commonly get from water as one primary source. In this case these minerals must be supplemented.

Signs of Dehydration

Two indicators of advancing dehydration are headaches, and dark colored urine. Thirst is a good indicator of the early stages of dehydration, and you should drink if you are thirsty.

Some suggestions have been made that by the time you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated, but your body creates the sensation of thirst when your body is still within normal hydration limits. However if you are actively exercising you should make it a point to stay ahead of the thirst so that the dehydration does not get ahead of you as you are sweating.

So staying hydrated is not as difficult as one might think. An extra glass or two over what you normally consume in food and fluids may be enough.

But you definitely don’t want to drink yourself into being over hydrated. This can cause hyponatremia, a shortage of sodium and other essential minerals in the bloodstream. This is particularly dangerous during exercise, because these minerals are excreted through the sweat glands. And because these minerals are necessary for maintaining brain and heart functions, deficiencies can cause serious problems (see the post in this blog on Essential Minerals).

In selection of your source of water, filtered water is best, to remove chlorine and associated chloroform, and fluoride. A healthy addition to filtered water is VitaEnhanced Water, which can be added by 1 oz. per gallon to provide an alkalized water source, with added benefits of being ionized.

Also, your energy can increase tremendously when you begin to properly hydrate yourself.
Keep hydrated and stay healthy!

www.NKYChiropractor.com
www.AdvancedWellnessStudio.com

Buying School Supplies? Backpacks Can Cause Back Pain

Backpack misuse leads to chronic back pain. Back pain is pervasive among American adults, but a new and disturbing trend is emerging. Young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that backpack-related injuries sent more than 7,000 people to the emergency room in 2001 alone.

"In my own practice, I have noticed a marked increase in the number of young children who are complaining about back, neck and shoulder pain," said Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of the ACA's Council on Occupational Health. "The first question I ask these patients is, 'Do you carry a backpack to school?' Almost always, the answer is 'yes.'"

This new back pain trend among youngsters isn't surprising when you consider the disproportionate amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks - often slung over just one shoulder. According to Dr. Bautch, a recent study conducted in Italy found that the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man, or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman. Of those children carrying heavy backpacks to school, 60 percent had experienced back pain as a result.

According to Dr. Bautch, preliminary results of studies being conducted in France show that the longer a child wears a backpack, the longer it takes for a curvature or deformity of the spine to correct itself. "The question that needs to be addressed next is, 'Does it ever return to normal?'" Dr. Bautch added.

The results of these types of studies are especially important as more and more school districts - many of them in urban areas - remove lockers from the premises, forcing students to carry their books with them all day long.

The problem has become so widespread, in fact, that the California State Assembly passed legislation that would force school districts to develop ways of reducing the weight of students' backpacks. Similar legislation is being considered in New Jersey as well. The ACA believes that limiting the backpack's weight to no more than 10 percent of the child's body weight and urging the use of ergonomically correct backpacks are possible solutions.

What Can You Do?

The ACA offers the following tips to help prevent the needless pain that backpack misuse could cause the students in your household.

Make sure your child's backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.

The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.

A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child's back.

Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry-and the heavier the backpack will be.

Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.

Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child's shoulders.

The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child's body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.

If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child's teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.

Although the use of rollerpacks - or backpacks on wheels - has become popular in recent years, the ACA is now recommending that they be used cautiously and on a limited basis by only those students who are not physically able to carry a backpack. Some school districts have begun banning the use of rollerpacks because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls.

Chiropractic Care Can Help...
If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, call your doctor of chiropractic. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and will use a gentler type of treatment for children. In addition, doctors of chiropractic can also prescribe exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.

Chiropractic Rehab Center of NKY
(859) 331-9566
www.nkychiropractor.com

What is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal Decompression therapy has saved many people from spinal surgery. If you or a loved one are suffering from a degenerated or herniated disc, don't risk surgery until you have explored safe and effective spinal decompression.

View our video about Spinal Decompression: http://www.nkychiropractor.com/Decompression_Therapy.html

Calm Your Headaches With Cherries!

That's right. Cherries contain powerful plant compounds called anthocyanins that block inflammation so effectively, eating them works as well as aspirin at easing tension headaches.

www.nkychiropractor.com

Exercise is a KEY to Happiness

Research shows that people who exercise are healthier, more energetic, think more clearly, sleep better, and have delayed onset of dementia. They get relief from anxiety and mild depression. They perform better at work.

Also, although it’s tempting to flop down on the couch when you’re feeling exhausted, exercise is actually a great way to boost energy levels. Feeling tired is a reason to exercise, not a reason to skip exercise.

www.nkychiropractor.com

Exercise Can Be - GASP - Fun!!!

Wondering what to do on a Saturday afternoon? Looking for an activity that suits the entire family? Get physical!

Physical activity doesn't have to be drudgery. Take a ballroom dancing class. Check out a local climbing wall or hiking trail. Push your kids on the swings or climb with them on the jungle gym. Plan a neighborhood kickball or touch football game. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and go for it. If you get bored, try something new.

If you're moving, it counts!

Dr. Gary Callioni
www.NKYchiropractor.com

How to Jumpstart Your Fitness Plan

Tip #1 - Set Goals

Creating new challenges is imperative to keeping you motivated. Motivation is critical if you are to ever get up off that couch and move. When you set your fitness goals, you need to be realistic. If you make a goal that is impossible or extremely difficult to make, you will get discouraged and possibly quit all together.

Break your goals up. Create a list for short term goals and one for long term goals. An example of a short term goal is to run a small race in 6 months, while a long term goal is to run a marathon within 18 months. Having a long term goal will keep you moving towards that goal once your short term goals have been met.

www.nkychiropractor.com

Who's Ready For Snack Time?

Here are 10 healthy options for the mid-day munchies:

Ever failed on a healthy eating plan because you denied hunger and ended up overeating later? Most healthy eating plans become more successful when you snack throughout the day. Snacking helps control your appetite and can prevent you from overindulging later on. In order for snacking to be effective, your snacks should be satisfying and eaten in moderation between meals. "A snack should fill you up, be reasonably nutritious, and be in the 100 to 200 calorie range," Tara Gidus, R.D., of the American Dietetic Association says. Tamar Haspel from Women’s Health gives us 10 snack ideas that will keep us satisfied, from livestrong.com:

1. Kashi Chewy Granola Bars are around 130 calories and contain 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. The protein and fiber will keep your hunger at bay and you'll avoid overdoing your calorie intake.

2. Frozen vegetables and fruit, such as peas and grapes, provide a good source of fiber while remaining low in calories.

3. Total yogurt, such as Fage Total 0% Yogurt, is fulfilling because it is full of protein. It has no fat and has 80 calories a serving. Adding a few drops of liquid stevia and some blueberries makes this an ideal snack.

4. Add apples to any snack or try apples and peanut butter. This treat is high in fiber and low in calories. Rui Hai Liu, Ph.D., an apple researcher at Cornell University states, "The best way to lose weight is to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. That increases volume and decreases calorie density."

5. Try microwaveable oatmeal. "Studies have found that oatmeal is more filling than dry cereal with the same calories and fiber content," Gidus says. Oatmeal has an array of health benefits such as insoluble and soluble fiber, countless vitamins, protein and fiber. Adding liquid or powder stevia to plain oatmeal produces sweetness without added calories. Top it off with blueberries for more flavor.

6. Soy chips are a low fat, high fiber and protein snack. Soy protein has shown to help aid in weight loss and cause a decrease weight loss in more fat than muscle. "The isoflavones in soy act like estrogen and inhibit the enzyme that facilitates fat deposits" said Paul Cooke, Ph.D., a soy researcher at the University of Illinois.

7. Frozen juice bars are a low calorie snack that also provides vitamins.

8. Barbara’s Cinnamon Puffins is a cereal that contains a high amount of fiber. In a serving of ¾ of a cup, there are 100 calories and 6 grams of fiber.

9. Licorice contains glycyrrhetinic acid, an active ingredient proven to aid in the decrease of body fat. This candy blocks enzymes to prevent fat accumulation, as well as reducing your appetite. Instead of snacking on candy licorice, opt for a less artificial licorice by choosing one that is high in licorice extract.

10. Gum is a good option when you are mistaking your hunger for boredom. If you’re not really hungry, grab a piece of gum instead. It burns an additional 11 calories an hour, which can amount to a pound a year if you chew an hour a day. You are also saving yourself the additional calories you would have eaten in your snack.

What snacks do you munch on throughout the day? Please feel free to share your suggestions!

For more health and wellness tip visits us at: www.nkychiropractor.com

Hiccup, Hiccup, Hiccup

How to Get Rid of Hiccups or Heartburn - What Really Works

We’ve all heard the old home remedies and old wives tales for getting rid of hiccups. Getting scared, holding your breath, drinking water, fake burping (yeah, I’ve heard that one). Most of us have tried most of them with little or no success. So what does work? This:

For adults or children - Get a tablespoon of sugar, put it in your mouth, grin and bear it while it dissolves.

For toddlers or infants - Mix a teaspoon of sugar with half an ounce of water and have them drink it. For infants still on a slow-flow or medium-flow nipple, please be careful. Water is much thinner than formula/milk and comes out much faster, so let your baby get a sip or two, take a couple second break, and go in again.

That’s all… Really. My son had horrible hiccups when he was a baby - bad enough to make him cry - and this always worked like a charm. I’ve also never had the “Spoonful of Sugar” remedy fail for myself or friends and family.

For heartburn, obviously you can simply take a few Rolaids or Tums, but some doctors recommend against one or both of these if you’re pregnant. Many people also don’t like the taste or texture of these two products, and taking them regularly can be bad for you. Here are some tips for avoiding heartburn and getting rid of it once you have it.

Don’t drink milk- This is a very common suggestion, and while it may feel very good to drink milk when you have heartburn, you’re actually making your problem worse. The fat and calcium in milk actually cause your stomach to make *more* acid.

Don’t lie down - This just makes the acid’s upward travel easier. Try to stay upright, or at least prop your upper half up a little.

Try Ranitidine - This is just the generic name of Zantac. You can get it OTC for fairly cheap, and it’s a pill, not something you have to chew up, so it’s easier to take than a chewable or liquid antacid.

What what/how much you eat- Avoid spicy and greasy foods. Spicy foods cause more acid, and greasy foods sit in your stomach longer, keeping it fuller longer. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine as well. Also avoid over-eating. If there isn’t enough room in your stomach, it’s going to push acid upward.

Relax - Stress can cause heartburn.

Don’t eat before bed - You should really wait a minimum of 2 hours after eating to lie down for the night, so try eating dinner earlier or avoiding late night snacks.
- Kelli, Factoidz

Chiropractic Rehab Center and
Advanced Wellness Studio
www.nkychiropractor.com
(859) 331-9566

Hiccup, Hiccup, Hiccup

Chiropractic and Oil Changes: What the Similarity Means to You

Maintaining your health is very similar to maintaining your car. When you really think about the comparison and look at it on a very basic level, there is not much difference.

The Parable of the Poorly-Maintained Truck

When I was 18, I had a white ’97 Chevy S-10. It was my first vehicle and I really enjoyed it.

The dealership we bought it from gave me a checklist of things that needed to be done on the truck i.e. oil change every 3,000 miles, rotate the tires regularly, etc.

I enjoyed having a truck, don’t get me wrong, but I wasn’t the most intelligent human being at 18.

I was also pretty lazy.

Case in point: I did not get my first oil change in the truck until about 12,000 miles.

That was my first and last oil change for a long time.

The truck had a warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever came first, which is pretty standard with a new vehicle.

At about 36,001 miles, my truck started making a clicking noise. I didn’t pay much attention to it for a while. What’s the big deal, right?

The clicking gradually grew louder and louder, until finally I decided I better take it in to the shop. I took it to the dealership we bought it from and they looked at it. I waited for a while while they looked at it, until finally the service manager came out and asked me a question.

“Have you changed the oil lately?” He asked.

“Uh, yeah,” I said. “I think I changed it, uh, just last month.”

“Really,” he said in a very skeptical tone. “Because there’s nothing but black sludge in the engine, and that usually happens when the oil hasn’t been changed in a very long time.”

While he was talking, I was thinking to myself that it wasn’t a big deal and they would just fix it.

Then I snapped out of it when he said “Your engine has to be replaced.”

I suddenly felt a pit in my stomach. Getting an engine replaced was a big deal… and it was expensive. I knew that much. I also knew that I did not have that kind of money.

He told me he was going to see what he could do and get back to me in a few days.

Eventually it worked out. They were able to replace the engine, and somehow, by the grace of God, they were able to apply the engine replacement to the recently expired warranty. I don’t know how and I don’t know why, but I escaped that incident without paying a dime. But, I did learn a very potentially costly lesson: change your vehicle’s oil more than every 12,000 miles.

Needless to say, I make sure to get the oil changed regularly now.

Comparing a Truck to a Human Being

What happens if you don’t maintain your health? Let’s take a look.

Let’s say Bob slips and falls and smack his head on the ground. That fall shakes his spine up and his atlas (C1) misaligns. He starts to develop headaches not long after the fall. He begins feeling achy everywhere as well, due to spinal compensation, which is a re-alignment of the rest of the spine to compensate for the misalignment of the atlas… Not a good thing.

Over time, the headaches get worse and Bob goes to see a general practitioner (GP). They prescribe him Thorazine to relieve the pain and occasional nausea that accompanies it.

At the same time, Bob’s spine is beginning to degenerate a much quicker pace than normal. Because his atlas has misaligned, the rest of his cervical spine has leaned forward to compensate. This gives him a forward head posture that stretches his spinal cord, which over time may lead to leg weakness, incontinence, and scoliosis. His cervical spine begins to develop a reverse curve, which his thoracic spine compensates for by curving more than usual. His lumbar spine then responds by straightening itself out.

Now Bob begins to have bad low back pain. He begins to take over-the-counter NSAIDS like ibuprofen.

Bob also realized, from his recent trip to his GP, that he has high blood pressure, so he is now on Sectral as well.

Because of all his pain and discomfort, Bob has become depressed. He goes to a psychiatrist and gets a prescription for Prozac, but it needs to be balanced out so he doesn’t get too much of a high, so the psychiatrist prescribes Bob lithium as well.

During this time, Bob’s spine continues to degenerate. His intervertebral discs start to degenerate in his neck. The friction that the newly touching vertebrae are creating causes bone spurs to form in his cervical spine.

Meanwhile, all the drugs he is taking are causing him severe abdominal pains and his liver is not functioning properly anymore. His cervical spine begins to fuse in places where the intervertebral discs have now almost completely disintegrated.

And the process of dis-ease becoming disease goes on and on until Bob is finally relieved by death.

How many of us want to go out like that?

Prevention is the Best Medicine

Just like getting an oil change maintains the health of your vehicle, getting your upper cervical spine checked and/or adjusted on a regular basis is key to allowing your body to function at 100%. Allowing your body’s Innate Intelligence to express itself properly so that dis-ease does not take hold is paramount.

The only way to do that is to make sure your body is free of nerve interference.

The best place to start is a specific upper cervical adjustment.
- By Dr. Brandon Harshe, The Atlas of Life


Chiropractic Rehab Center and Advanced Wellness Studio
www.nkychiropractor.com
(859) 331-9566

Healthy Tips for Everyday

Just like brushing your teeth, healthy habits should be cultivated on a daily basis. The following is a guide to daily tasks:

1. Activity should be a daily occurrence. Walk, run or jump for a minimum total of 20 minutes a day.

2. Protect your skin. Sun block should be applied on face, neck, arms and hands even in the dead of winter. It protects against climatic toxins too. Moisturize skin daily.

3. Eat fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat dairy products and small amounts of protein. Avoid sweets and other processed foods.

4. Meditate or spend a minimum of five minutes daily in quiet time.

5. Find your spiritual self. Discover what inspires you, raises your level of consciousness, motivates you, and satisfies your soul.

6. Exercise your brain. Read, study, solve problems, and learn new skills. As does the body, the brain atrophies with lack of use.

www.nkychiropractor.com

Vitamin C for Wrinkles - Is Oral or Topical Better?

Brought to you by the Advanced Wellness Studio, located within the Chiropractic Rehab Center of Crescent Springs.

Vitamin C is much touted for its ability to prevent and improve wrinkles. Many people take Vitamin C as a supplement, but does oral Vitamin C work as well as topical Vitamin C skin care products for wrinkles?

The mechanism with which Vitamin C prevents wrinkles is due to its antioxidant properties. Damaging free radicals are generated in the skin by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. These free radicals cause photo-aging, ie wrinkles and sun spots. Vitamin C in the skin is thought to play a key role in neutralizing these free radicals and reducing UV skin damage.

Once the sun damage has been done, vitamin C is believed to help treat photo-aging and improve wrinkled skin due to both vitamin C's antioxidant properties and by increasing collagen production and improving collagen organization.

There is an abundance of skin products on the shelf that contain vitamin C. But is it really worth the extra cost, could consuming extra Vitamin C be enough? The human body has to get vitamin C from the diet because it can't make it's own. The vitamin C available from our diet is then used by every cell in our body, including our skin. Couldn't eating lots of Vitamin C rich fruits and veggies and/or taking vitamin C orally be enough?

Well, it turns out that a very high concentration of vitamin C is required to get a therapeutically effective level of vitamin C in the skin. There are two characteristics of vitamin C that keep us from getting skin-therapeutic levels from oral supplementation. The first is that vitamin C is well absorbed orally at lower does, but absorption decreases as the dose increases. Approximately 80% of a 100 mg dose is absorbed, 63 % of a 500 mg dose is absorbed, and less than 50% of a 1250 mg dose is absorbed.

The second characteristic of Vitamin C that limits our attainable vitamin C levels in the skin, is that vitamin C is water soluble. So at high doses most of the Vitamin C that is absorbed is actually just excreted in the urine.

Topical preparations that contain vitamin C work well to increase the amount of vitamin C in our skin. Research indicates that skin creams containing 10% vitamin C might be most effective for increasing vitamin C concentrations in the skin. By using lotions or creams with vitamin C daily you can benefit from the protective antioxidant effect and the restorative collagen-boosting effect of vitamin C.

For additional information about Health and Wellness, please visit our website:
www.nkychiropractor.com



By Nicole Evans, M.D.
References:

Kligman AM. Topical treatments for photoaged skin. Separating the reality from the hype. Postgrad Med 1997;102:115-26.

Padayatty SJ, Levine M. New insights into the physiology and pharmacology of vitamin C. CMAJ 2001;164:353-5.

Raschke T, Koop U, Dusing HJ, et al. Topical activity of ascorbic acid: from in vitro optimization to in vivo efficacy. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2004;17:200-6.

Traikovich SS. Use of topical ascorbic acid and its effects on photodamaged skin topography. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;125:1091-8.

Tips for Reducing Back Pain While Driving

After hours of driving, even minor back pain can become unbearable. One way to ease some of the pain is to make frequent stops, stepping out of the car, and placing your hands on your hips and leaning backwards. Occasionally, however, this may not be enough to chase away the pain from driving.

Here are a few tips for reducing back pain that is caused by driving for a long period of time:

•Stretch out slowly in the morning. Avoid vigorous exercise because it is at this time that discs are most filled with fluid and especially prone to injury.

•If you are headed out the door for your commute, put your wallet in your breast pocket. The bulk of a wallet can press on the sciatic nerve when you sit and drive.

•If you use your mobile phone in the car, remember to use your wireless headset, don’t cradle the phone on your neck while you drive as it can increase your buildup of back and neck strain. Also, if your seat is too soft it could be adding more stress to your back.

•While you are driving, learn to recognize tension. Put on relaxing music. Try reducing muscle tension by stretching one leg and arm at a time.

•Park your car the farthest possible distance from where you work. The walk will do you and your back good, and it may be the only exercise you’ll grab before you begin the commute home again.

If you don’t have the benefit of a seat with lumbar support try these tips to help reduce the amount of stress on your lower back.

•Insert a small, rolled towel against the base of your spine. The towel should be placed at or slightly below the belt line. This will place the lumbar spine into a neutral position.

•Adjust the angle of your hips relative to your knees. Anytime you are in a sitting position and your knees are higher than your hips, your back will flex into a forward-bent position. A simple way to adjust your position is to place one or two folded towels underneath your buttocks, bringing your hips in line with your knees. It may feel awkward at first as you are higher in the seat, but it will also prevent you from having pain.

For more information please call our office at (859) 331-9566 or visit our website at: www.nkychiropractor.com


Portions of these tips were taken from Medical News Today and Zero Pain.

Stop Sloughing!

For every inch your head drops forward as you're slouching, the stress on your spine increases by 10 pounds. So sit up straight!

Poor Posture (Part 1)

By Dr. Lisa Beighle

You’ve probably heard people say, “sit up straight, keep your shoulders back and don’t slouch.” Children usually get that advice from their parents, and like all good advice it should last a lifetime, because poor posture can lead to a painful condition called postural syndrome.

Postural syndrome can cause physical changes to the body and painful side effects. Most people with the condition notice their shoulders are rounded and tend to droop forward. Muscles that connect the shoulders and the back of the neck to the head then tend to pull the head forward, and the resulting position can cause constant, aching pain, stiffness and even burning in the upper and middle back areas, as well as in the shoulders, neck and head. Over time, poor posture can also lead to the development of trigger points (tight muscle fibers), which can refer pain throughout the back and neck, as well as cause headaches.

Poor posture usually develops gradually in people who sit improperly for long periods. Think about how much time you spend sitting. You probably sit in your car, at work, when you’re eating meals and when you’re watching television. And if you’re like most people, you probably tend to sit with a forward bend, which causes your shoulders to become hunched over. This is the opposite of good posture, which is a state of musculoskeletal balance that involves a minimal amount of stress or strain on the body.

Over time, poor posture can cause a muscular imbalance in the body. Normally, there are balanced tug-of-war games happening between the chest muscles and the upper back muscles and between the muscles that bring your chin to your chest and the muscles in the back of your neck . No muscle group wins, because they all have equally strong players.

The impasse ends, however, when chronic poor posture gives the chest muscles the advantage. The chest muscles then become tight and short, tugging or pulling the shoulders forward. Chronically tight chest muscles cause the muscles behind the shoulders to become relatively weak. At this point, the stronger muscles pull the spine out of its normal alignment, causing postural changes. Now the shoulders are slouched forward and the head, because of its connection, must follow. In an effort to hold the head up to compensate, the muscles in the back of the neck then become tight, ending the other tug-of-war and causing the head to jut forward.

If you have postural syndrome or just poor posture, it’s important that you see your chiropractor as soon as possible. Postural awareness and adequate care can help restore muscle balance and joint health, but since it may have been many years since you started ignoring your parents’ advice, it may take some time for you and your chiropractor to fix the problem.

For more information about this or any other health releated topic give us a call at (859) 331-9566 or visit our website at: www.nkychiropractor.com

What Happens if You Drink Coke on a Regular Basis

Sugar-rushes and caffeine-highs followed by a depressing energy crash are what happens to your body if you drink a Coke right now, but plenty of people actually seem to be okay with that. Some of you think it’s alarmist to compare a caffeine and sugar rush to doing drugs, and some just don’t really care about the slump they’ll find themselves in after drinking 39 grams of sugar, but what makes us really worried about a soda-slurping habit is what happens over the long term.

Here’s a quick snapshot of you, in a few years, after drinking Coke on a regular basis:

You’ll Be Fatter: According to research in the Nurse’s Health Study, which monitored the health of 90,000 women for eight years, drinking a single soda every day of the week added 10 pounds over a four-year period.

You’ll Probably Have Diabetes: In the Nurses’ Health Study, women who said they drank one or more servings a day of a sugar-sweetened soft drink or fruit punch were twice as likely to have developed type 2 diabetes during the study than those who rarely consumed these beverages.

You’re Much More Likely to Develop Heart Disease: According to a study published in 2007 in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, subjects who drank a soda every day over a four-year period had a 25% chance of developing high blood sugar levels and a 32% greater chance of developing lower “good” cholesterol levels. The Nurses’ Health Study found that women who drank more than two sugary beverages per day had a 40% higher risk of heart attacks or death from heart disease than women who rarely drank sugary beverages.

You’re Probably Also Less Healthy In Other Ways: Several studies, including the 2007 study published in Circulation, suggest that diet sodas have some of the same effects on health as regular sodas, despite having none or very little of the sugar. Why? Drinking soda is typically part of an overall lifestyle that’s not very healthy: We know you don’t like us to compare drinking caffeine and sugar to substance abuse, but when it comes to your lifestyle, some think that soda is just like a gateway drug. (From blisstree.com)

For more info about Health and Wellness visit us at: www.nkychiropractor.com

20 Worst Beverages in America

Sugary drinks are the bane of our diets, and even some “health drinks” and “energy drinks” are full of sweet, empty calories. Men’s Health came up with a jaw-dropping list of the 20 worst beverages in America right now, and created some pretty shocking photos to show just how much sugar you’re sipping. Even if you’ve got a sweet tooth, we don’t know many people would like to get their daily sugar allowance through a straw. Check out the astonishing list below:

1. Worst Beverage in America – Cold Stone PB&C (Gotta Have It size, 24 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 30 Chewy Chips Ahoy Cookies

2. Worst Smoothie – Smoothie King Peanut Power Plus Grape (large, 40 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 20 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

3. Worst Drive-Thru Shake – McDonald’s Triple Thick Chocolate Shake (large, 32 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 13 McDonald’s Baked Hot Apple Pies

4. Worst Frozen Mocha – Così Double Oh! Arctic Mocha (gigante, 23 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 41 Oreo Cookies

5. Worst Frozen Fruit Drink – Krispy Kreme Lemon Sherbet Chiller (20 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 16 medium-size chocolate eclairs

6. Worst Float – Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Soda (vanilla ice cream and cola) (large, 28.6 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 9.7 Fudgsicle fudge bars

7. Worst Margarita – Traditional Red Lobster Lobsterita (24 fl oz); Carbohydrate Equivalent: 7 Almond Joy candy bars

8. Worst Frozen Coffee Drink – Dairy Queen Caramel MooLatte (24 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 12 Dunkin’ Donuts Bavarian Kreme Doughnuts

9. Worst Hot Chocolate – Starbucks White Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream (Venti, 20 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 9 Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats

10. Worst Lemonade – Auntie Anne’s Wild Cherry Lemonade Mixer (32 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 11 bowls of Cookie Crisp cereal

11. Worst Espresso Drink – Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with Whipped Cream (Venti, 20 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 8½ scoops Edy’s Slow Churned Rich and Creamy Coffee Ice Cream

12. Worst Juice Imposter – Arizona Kiwi Strawberry (1 can, 23 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 7 bowls of Froot Loops

13. Worst Functional Beverage – Arizona Rx Energy (1 can, 23 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 6 Cinnamon Roll Pop-Tarts

14. Worst Kids’ Drink – Tropicana Tropical Fruit Fury Twister (1 bottle, 20 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: Two 7-ounce canisters Reddiwip

15. Worst Beer – Sierra Nevada Bigfoot (1 bottle, 12 fl oz); Carbohydrate Equivalent: 12-pack of Michelob Ultra

16. Worst Soda – Sunkist (1 bottle, 20 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 6 Breyers Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches

17. Worst Bottled Coffee – Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino (1 bottle, 13.7 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 32 Nilla Wafers

18. Worst Energy Drink – Rockstar Energy Drink (1 can, 16 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 6 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts

19. Worst Bottled Tea – SoBe Green Tea (1 bottle, 20 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 4 slices Sara Lee Cherry Pie

20. Worst Water – Snapple Agave Melon Antioxidant Water (1 bottle, 20 fl oz); Sugar Equivalent: 2 Good Humor Chocolate Éclair Bars

For more information about Health and Wellness visit: www.nkychiropractor.com

Cool experience this week -- I'm now caring for four generations of people within the same family.

What Happens to Your Body When You Drink a Coke

Here is a very interesting summary of what happens to your body when you drink a Coke or any other caffeinated sugary soft drink.

•In the first 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor, allowing you to keep it down.

•20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (And there’s plenty of that at this particular moment.)

•40 minutes: Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate; your blood pressure rises; as a response, your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked, preventing drowsiness.

•45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production, stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.

•> 60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium, and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.

•> 60 minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium, and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolytes, and water.

•> 60 minutes: As the rave inside you dies down, you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You’ve also now, literally, peed away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like hydrating your system, or building strong bones and teeth.

This timeline of consumption is from blisstree.com.

For more information about Health and Wellness visit our website at:
www.nkychiropractor.com

Send Your Child a Personalized Call From Mickey Mouse!

http://bit.ly/9FC1JO

Exercise For Kids: 5 Tips For Parents

Blueberries Anyone?

By Dr. Case www.forahealthyfuture.com

It is hard to hate a blueberry. That small, sweet bead of a fruit is sweet and delicious, and now new research shows it is good for you as well. Blueberries have been known to be good for your heart and brain function, but emerging research is also showing them to help prevent diabetes, arthritis, and belly fat.

One study presented at a Dieticians of Canada conference showed that men who drank a cup of wild blueberry juice every day for 3 weeks had less inflammation and insulin sensitivity, two factors that, when abnormal, can contribute to arthritis and diabetes. In fact, most of the men noticed a slight improvement in glucose and insulin control. This is why a professor at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada suggests people eat half a cup of fresh or frozen wild blueberries a day. Previous research from that same university found that feeding wild blueberries to rodents with high blood pressure helped lower their blood pressure. It has not been determined if it has the same affect on humans.

Another study conducted by the University of Michigan and presented at Experimental Biology 2009 showed that rats who were bred to be obese had lost abdominal fat, lowered cholesterol, and improved glucose control and insulin sensitivity after eating blueberries for 3 months. Fat in the belly area pads internal organs and releases inflammation-producing hormones. More common in men than women, experts have long been convinced that those who carry excess weight in the belly region are at higher risk for some pretty serious health problems, even if they have a normal body mass index.

The most amazing thing about the University of Michigan study was the benefits occurred even when the diet was not all that heart healthy, though the benefits of the blueberries were higher in those that ate a low fat diet. Besides all the other benefits to health, the group that ate a low fat diet had a lower body weight, lower total fat mass and reduced liver mass than those who consumed a high fat diet. An enlarged liver is linked to obesity and insulin resistance, something lots of us deal with – fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome are common because of diets high in fat. The researchers believe that their results show blueberries may have an impact on how the body stores and processes glucose for energy; and this reduces the risks of developing diabetes or heart disease.

Another study that looked at how blueberries affected men who are at a risk for heart disease backs up the University of Michigan study. A researcher at the Cardioprotection Research Laboratory found that blueberry intake affected the genes related to fat burning and storage. By looking at muscle tissue, they were able to see genes that were altered in relation to glucose uptake. It is believed that the naturally occurring phytonutrients in blueberries called anthocyanins are what makes them help ease these serious health conditions.

Overall, it is important to realize how diet can have a tremendous impact on your health. Fruits and vegetables can do wonders for our health, and they don’t come with a two-page list of side effects. To me, with low calories and no side effects, blueberries seem to be an easy, natural way to improve your health, especially if you are at risk for heart disease. There are a lot of ways to enjoy this delicious fruit. Fresh out of the container, in juice or on cereal, in muffins, even distilled into a compote. The great thing about blueberries is that they keep their nutritional value, even after being frozen. When you buy blueberries, look for ones that are fresh, locally or organically grown, with a firm feeling and lively color. The deeper the color, the more antioxidants the fruit brings to the body. To get the best bang for your buck, grab the wilder variety of blueberry whenever you can. The berries come in two types – ones grown out in fields or existing in the wild (low bush variety), or those grown in greenhouses (high bush variety). The wild variety are smaller, tend to taste better, and have more antioxidants than the greenhouse variety. Because they are grown in the wild, they are exposed to more environmental challenges, so they produce more bioactive compounds that benefit people when they eat them. If wild blueberries aren’t in season or available at your store, consider looking for unprocessed wild blueberry juice at a health food store. You can often find wild blueberries in your store’s freezer section as well. Try to buy organic blueberries. A study looking at berries grown in New Jersey found that those grown organically were sweeter and contained up to 50 percent more antioxidants than those treated with chemicals. Another study published in the journal Free Radical Biology & Medicine found that eating blueberries with milk impairs the fruit’s antioxidant power. Enjoy the fruit with a cup of water instead. So the next time you go to the farmer’s market or other fruit store, buy a container of blueberries, your body will thank you.

For more information about nutrition and wellness visit the Chiropractic Rehab Center of Northern Kentucky. www.nkychiropractor.com (859) 331-9566

Back Pain? How Your Desk Chair May be the Culprit

Get rid of your desk chair and banish back pain: http://bit.ly/9HHRQ1

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Ways To Boost Your Memory

The results are in: yoga breathing can significantly improve memory. In particular, yoga breathing can improve spatial memory. This is the part of memory responsible for recording information about your environment. Spatial memory keeps track of where things are that you can see, where things are that you can't see, where you are, and how that all fits together. If you tend to have difficulty remembering where you put your keys or finding your way around large cities, then you may benefit from some intentional breathing.

What exactly is meant by yoga breathing? Several types of yoga breathing were included in the studies that revealed the astounding improvement in spatial memory. These included pranayama (voluntary regulation of breathing), nostril breathing (left, right, or alternating), and simple breathe awareness.

Heavy breathing during aerobic exercise won't cut it. One study of 85 elderly adults found that 16 weeks of aerobic training yielded no improvement in memory retrieval scores. Yet, a study of 108 individuals practicing nostril breathing or breathe awareness, found that they experienced an average 87% improvement in spatial memory scores after only 10 days. Another study had 30 children practice yoga breathing for 10 days. The children experienced a 43% increase in spatial memory scores.

Yoga breathing is easy to do and can be done just about anywhere at any time. There are many other benefits ascribed to breathe awareness besides improved memory, including stress relief and increased attention span. The following is a simple nostril breathing exercise. Try this exercise for at least a week and experience the benefits of intentional breathing:

-Try to sit with your head, neck and spine in a straight line.
-You will inhale through one nostril, hold the breath, then exhale through the other nostril in a ratio of 2:8:4 counts.
-Use the thumb and ring/pinky fingers of your right hand to close the right and left nostrils respectively, and close both nostrils when you hold the breath.
-Once each nostril has had a chance to inhale and exhale, this is called a round. Start with 3 rounds a day and build up slowly to twenty rounds, extending the count within the 2:8:4 ratio (for example, 4:16:8). www.nkychiropractor.com (859) 331-9566

Exercise of the Day (For Better Posture)

Seated Rows with Dumbbells

A strong upper back improves your posture--and looks great too!

Starting Position
Begin by sitting on the floor, leaning back slightly with knees bent and feet on the ground. Hold the dumbbells out in front of your body with your arms straight and palms facing inward, so the dumbbells are at 90 degrees.

Action
EXHALE: Bring dumbbells in towards your body at chest level as you squeeze your elbows behind your back as far as possible. INHALE: Return to starting position. Try doing 2 sets with 10-12 repetitions.

Special Instructions
Keep elbows in towards the body, but not completely against the body, as you go through the movement.

Muscles Worked: Upper back, Biceps, Shoulders

Time Involved: 4 minutes

Body Benefit: Better posture

Back Pain... Is it Serious?

If you search the web for back pain you will find over 64 million results. The reason for this is that nearly everyone at some time or another experiences some kind of back pain. Low back pain is the most common with pain between the shoulder blades coming in second.

While no one reading this will find it unusual for a chiropractor to be speaking about back pain I will tell you that not all chiropractors will tell you that the back pain you’re experiencing may be due to a serious problem. After all, pain is a warning sign from your body that is telling you something is wrong. Many people experience additional symptoms when they have back pain that include leg pain, tingling, numbness, muscular weakness, changes in bowel function (constipation & diarrhea), sexual dysfunction and bladder control issues.

Do those symptoms sound serious? Well, they are. They are evidence of a serious neurological dysfunction. I will tell you that these patients have what’s called a subluxation. A sub lux what? Is what lots of you are saying right now. A subluxation is just a fancy chiropractic word that means there is a damaged joint, causing nerve dysfunction that is causing a problem somewhere in the body.

When a person gets a subluxation he or she has experienced some kind of trauma that starts the process. Sometimes it’s not a particularly big trauma and goes unnoticed. If left untreated the subluxation gets worse and eventually the degenerative disk disease begins. As the degenerative disc disease progresses in the low back people can develop not just pain but all the terrible symptoms described above including bowel and bladder functional changes, sexual dysfunction and numbness & tingling.

If you develop back pain you should get checked out right away. As with all health issues, back pain is easier to fix the sooner the cause is treated. A good chiropractor is the only type of practitioner that can remove the subluxation for you because that is what chiropractors are trained to do.

Now, to be fair, physical therapy and acupuncture can help to alleviate some types of back pain and some back pain will go away by itself. However, the subluxation will not be gone and that is what is so insidious about your back pain. The pain is often the last part of the subluxation to show up and the first to leave. Don’t be fooled, get checked out. Don’t let the degenerative disc disease progress. www.nkychiropractor.com

Question of the Day

When was the last time that you truly felt good? If you want to feel good again, we can help. (859) 331-9566 www.nkychiropractor.com

Vitamin B12:

Vitamin B12 has been found to... RELIEVE Low Back Pain.

Tips To Improve Your Golf Game (Repost)

With Memorial Day Week-end upon us, I thought I would repost this:

Chiropractic Tips & Advice To Improve Your Golf Game & Save your Back

Many avid golfers contort their bodies into oddly twisted postures, generating a great deal of torque. Couple this motion with a bent-over stance, repeat 120 times over three or four hours, add the fatigue that comes with several miles of walking, and you've got a good workout-and a recipe for potential lower-back trouble.

As America's love affair with the game continues to grow, here is some advice on how to take a proactive approach that will prepare your body for many years of pain-free play.

Most golfers go until they get hurt, then look for help. Back pain is a warning sign that there is an underlying problem responsible for a symptom that will likely get worse. Doctors of chiropractic look for the cause of the symptom and help reduce the likelihood of future injury.

If you take the chiropractic approach, you're in good company. Most pro athletes visit their chiropractor regularly. Try these simple measures to help you avoid back pain or injury and improve your game:

Purchase equipment that fits. Don't try to adapt your swing to the wrong clubs: A six-footer playing with irons designed for someone five inches shorter is begging for back trouble.

For the women in golf: If you have "inherited" your husband's or significant other's golf clubs, they might be difficult for you to use. Not only are the clubs often too long, but the shaft is often not flexible enough for a woman's grip. Women typically play better with clubs that are composed of lighter, more flexible material, such as graphite.

For the men in golf: It is a good idea to spend some extra time performing quality stretches-before and after your game-to increase your trunk flexibility. While men are traditionally stronger than women, they usually aren't as flexible. Men need to improve their flexibility to maintain a more even and consistent swing plane and thus improve the likelihood of more consistent performance.

For senior golfers: If you show some signs of arthritis in the hands, consider a larger, more specialized grip for added safety and performance.

For all golfers: For some, scores may not be as important as enjoying the social benefits of the game. Having clubs that are comfortable will increase the chances of playing for a long time without significant physical limitations.

Take lessons. Learning proper swing technique is critical. At the end of the swing, you want to be standing up straight; the back should not be twisted.

Wear orthotics. These custom-made shoe inserts support the arch, absorb shock, and increase coordination. Studies show custom-made, flexible orthotics can improve the entire body's balance, stability and coordination, which translates into a smoother swing and reduced fatigue. While the upper part of a shoe may score style points, what the foot rests on affects your game.

Avoid metal spikes. They tear up greens and can increase stress on the back. Soft shoes or soft spikes allow for greater motion.

Warm up before each round. Stretching before and after 18 holes is the best way to reduce post-game stiffness and soreness. Take a brisk walk to get blood flowing to the muscles; then do a set of stretches. To set up a stretching and/or exercise routine, see a doctor of chiropractic or golf pro who can evaluate your areas of tension and flexibility.

Pull, don't carry, your golf bag. Carrying a heavy bag for 18 holes can cause the spine to shrink, leading to disk problems and nerve irritation. If you prefer to ride in a cart, alternate riding and walking every other hole-bouncing around in a cart can also be hard on the spine.

Keep your entire body involved. Every third hole, take a few practice swings with the opposite hand to keep your muscles balanced and even out stress on the back.

Drink lots of water. Dehydration causes early fatigue, leading you to compensate by adjusting your swing, thus increasing the risk of injury. Don't smoke or drink alcoholic beverages while golfing, as both cause loss of fluid.

Take the "drop." One bad swing-striking a root or a rock with your club-can damage a wrist. If unsure whether you can get a clean swing, take the drop.

Chiropractic Care Can Help
Doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to treat the entire neuromusculoskeletal system. Some doctors of chiropractic have specialized training in sports medicine and can provide advice for golfers to help them decrease the stresses and strains placed on their bodies. Doctors of chiropractic can address other health concerns, such as shoulder, knee, arm and wrist pain that could affect your game.

If you go to a chiropractor who also has a degree as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP), they have received special training which greatly benefits sports athletes and sports related injuries.

If you golf consistently, you will no doubt feel the stress of the game, but by following a few simple prevention tips, it is possible to play without pain for a lifetime.

Dr. Gary Callioni, D.C., CCSP
Chiropractic Rehab Center of Northern Ky
www.nkychiropractor.com
(859) 331-9566

Just For Fun....

Try squeezing the two ends of a raw egg as hard as you can. You won't break it. (Try it.... I dare you)!

Wow! Our Drinks Are Making Us Fat - This is a MUST READ:

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/56052/americas-best-amp-worst-quothealthquot-drinks/

I see a Chiropractor when I Get Bent Out of Shape on Sundays... Playing in a Football Game is like Being in 30-40 Car Accidents ~Emmit Smith

In the US, lower back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least four out of five adults will experience it at some point in their lives. www.nkychiropractor.com

As Sweet As it is, Sugar is Not Good For You!

Sugar Tip: Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease.

Processed Poison: A New Meat Study

If you have a sandwich in one hand and a mouse in the other, I can guarantee you that you’re not going to like this article. A new study sheds light on the dangers of processed meats. That means favorites like sausage, bacon, hot dogs and deli meats. These tasty items are linked to a 42% increase in heart disease and 19% increase in the risk of developing diabetes. And we’re not talking a lot of it either. A daily 1.8 ounce serving [that’s one hot dog, folks!] was enough to increase risk.

The good news is that unprocessed meats like lamb and beef did not demonstrate the same health risks. The obvious conclusion is that, once again, the food industry is poisoning us for profits. The chemicals used in the processing are the culprits, not the meat itself.

Of course, the president of the American Meat Institute said that these facts are no reason to make dietary changes. And you can trust him. So just forget the whole thing and finish that salami sandwich. In the meantime, I have a refrigerator to clean out.

Don't Forget, Today is Ask Away Wednesday....!

The subject today is SPINAL DECOMPRESSION! What is Spinal Decompression? Who needs Spinal Decompression? What conditions do Spinal Decompression help with? .... View the video (click on the Title above) and send your questions to me via Facebook (DoctorGary Callioni) or Twitter (@DrCallioni) and I'll do my best to answer them! (Feel free to forward this to Friends or to Retweet on Twitter). Ask away....!

Live Now, Not in the Past

Good post. Love the philosophy of not living in the past:

http://vayuwear.com/blog/?p=56

Spinal Decompression Video

View the Spinal Decompression Video Here (or click on the title above):

http://www.nkychiropractor.com/Decompression_Therapy.html

Blue M&M's Might Be Able to Treat Spinal Injuries

Researchers have been testing the effects of a compound called "Brilliant Blue G" on lab rats. The compound is a blue dye found in blue M&M's that give them their distinctive color.

The researchers injected rats with spinal injuries with Brilliant Blue G. The compound improved recovery and reduced the lesions that came along with the injury. The way it worked is that the compound blocks another chemical that causes more cell damage during an injury, thus reducing the "secondary spinal cord damage" that the chemical causes. The result? The rats with spinal injuries that received treatment with Brilliant Blue G were able to walk again, while the control group rats that weren't treated were not.

Now, before you start picking out blue M&M's to put into your first aid kit, it's important to note that the dye was only effective 15 minutes after sustaining the injury, it has to be absorbed intravenously, and one of the side effects is that the rats' skin turned blue. So..... I guess you need to keep you're chiropractor around for a little while longer!

Watch What You Have For Lunch....

McDonald's SALADS are more fattening than their burgers.

You can see for yourself in their nutrition facts. A hamburger at McDonald's has 9 grams of fat. A cheeseburger has 12 grams of fat. The Premium Caesar salad with crispy chicken has 17 grams of fat. The Premium Southwest Salad with crispy chicken and the Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with crispy chicken both have 20 grams of fat.

On top of that, SALAD DRESSING adds EVEN MORE fat. If you want to add Creamy Southwest Dressing, it's 6 more grams of fat. The Ranch Dressing has 15 grams of fat. The Creamy Caesar Dressing has 18 grams of fat. So, if you get a salad with crispy chicken and salad dressing, you could be consuming 35 grams of fat - the fat equivalent of 4 hamburgers.

Back Pain Sufferers: Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes

If you have back pain, make sure you’re not inadvertently making your situation worse with the following common mistakes:

Mistake #1: Ignoring your pain for too long
You should not ignore it. Pay attention to the pain and go to a chiropractor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. With a correct diagnosis, you can start an appropriate treatment and exercise regimen that will minimize future pain.

Mistake #2: Relying on Medication
Medication does not fix the problem - it can only mask the symptom. If your pain is moderate and lasts for more than a day or two, I recommend going to a doctor of chiropractic so you can get an accurate diagnosis. Doing this sooner rather than later could help save you a lot of time, money and frustration in finding some pain relief - now and in the future.

Mistake #3: Jumping to surgery too quickly
For many, it’s tempting to view spine surgery as a "quick fix". However, with a few exceptions, it is typically recommended to try non-surgical treatment for at least several months before seeing a spine surgeon. While surgery can fix a specific anatomical problem, the only way to completely heal is through a sustained exercise and rehabilitation program. Even with surgery, you’ll need to exercise.

Mistake #4: Focusing on the MRI results
Time and time again people e-mail me about their MRI scan results. But this does not mean there is a problem. However – and I can’t stress this enough – the scan is just a picture, it doesn’t show pain. In fact, you may have terrible pain and an MRI scan that shows a normal-looking spine, or you may have an MRI that shows a large herniated disc yet have no pain. You need the full clinical diagosis, and don't focus too much on just the MRI results.

Mistake #5: Staying still
This is probably the mistake I hear about most often: people with back pain staying as still as possible to avoid aggravating the back and triggering painful episodes. One or two days of doctor-recommended rest is fine, but over time lack of activity will in fact lead to more pain. Keeping your back and supporting structures flexible and strong means that they can better support your spine, hasten the healing process and minimize the chance of future pain or injury. The ab and back muscles don’t get much exercise from everyday activities and need specific exercises.

Most importantly, back pain is different for everyone, so trust yourself – and get educated about your situation – so you have the best chance of getting better quickly.

www.nkychiropractor.com
(859) 331-9566

Back Pain While Coughing or Sneezing

May flowers have been blooming here in Northern Kentucky for a few weeks, but those beautiful colors have also brought about an increased pollen count. For those that suffer from allergies it can be a frustrating time as you try and enjoy the warm weather only to be afflicted with fits of sneezing and sometimes one can discover a hidden spasm of back pain when you sneeze.

A shooting pain when one coughs or sneezes may be an indication of nerve root pressure. The pain is usually sharp and burning and is made worse by sneezing and coughing. The added pressure on the nerve roots can cause nerve pain. Often this pain is described as a shooting pain that can radiate down into the legs.

Depending on the cause of your low back pain, symptoms may be better or worse in various positions, such as bending forward or backwards. If bending forward increases symptoms, walking, lying down, and movements that straighten the spine usually relieve symptoms. The opposite is also true: if your symptoms are worse when you stand or walk, they are usually relieved by sitting down or lying down on your back with your knees bent, and by gentle exercises to bend your spine forward.

If you are experiencing a shooting pain when you cough or sneeze, especially if it is traveling down to your legs, we would encourage you to call our office at (859) 331-9566. www.nkychiropractor.com

Interesting Info... Funny Bone is not Actually a Bone

Your funny bone is not actually a bone. It's actually a really sensitive nerve. And hitting that nerve isn't funny at all!

The ulnar nerve (scientific name for "funny bone") is a huge nerve that extends from your elbow to your hand. It lies directly under the skin on your arm. Usually nerves like that are protected under muscles. The ulnar nerve isn't protected near the elbow. There's only a thin layer of skin there to shield it from pain.

So why is it the funny bone, if it's clearly not funny at all? One theory is that since the bone that extends from the elbow to the shoulder is called the humerus, the name "funny bone" was used as a bad joke. More likely, though, the "funny" in "funny bone" just means odd. As in, it's really odd that one little nerve can hurt so bad.