Could Coffee Combat Mouth and Throat Cancer?

Written by Michael Wood

Drinking more than 4 cups of caffeinated coffee a day could reduce your risk of dying from mouth and throat cancer.  It was shown that those that drink over 4 cups a day’s risk was cut by half compared to those who either didn’t drink coffee, or those who only occasionally drink it.  This doesn’t mean that if you aren’t drinking that much coffee you should immediately up your amount and should only be taken as positive news for those already doing so.

There have been several studies in the past that have suggested that coffee drinking is linked to reduced levels of mouth and throat cancer.  Further, it is believed that it isn’t the caffeine in coffee that leads to the reduced risk, but all the rich antioxidants, polyphenols and similar compounds that help to combat cancers forming.

Data was collected from a study known as the Cancer Prevention Study II, where data has been collected by the American Cancer Society (ACS) since 1982, which included a whole host of lifestyle and health information from almost 100,000 men and women, including their consumption of coffee and tea.  Over the course of 26 years follow-up, 868 died from mouth and throat cancer when originally none of the participants had any form of cancer.

When tea and coffee consumption was analyzed alongside the deaths as a result of mouth and throat cancer, it was discovered that those who drank more than 4 cups of coffee a day had a 49% lower risk of death from those cancers compared to those who drank less coffee or none at all.  Further to this, the link was not affected by a person’s gender, or either their tobacco or alcohol usage.

Diagnosing mouth and throat cancer

The problem with both mouth and throat cancers is that they are hard to diagnose in the early stages of development and symptoms don’t usually appear until the cancer is advanced; they can sometimes also be misdiagnosed as something else such as toothache or other dental problems.  There is a bigger risk of contracting either types of cancer if you are a regular smoker or heavy alcohol drinker.

Signs of cancer developing can sometimes be spotted during routine dental check ups by dentists and dental hygienists.  It’s for this reason why it’s important to make sure you are visiting your dentist every 6 months – dentists also suggest that you should give yourself an oral examination using a mirror once a month to look for symptoms.  Symptoms to look out for are mouth sores that fail to heal and pain in your mouth that doesn’t go away.

So I should up my coffee?

The researchers are not recommending that people now go out and start drinking 4 cups of coffee a day; however those that already do can take some good news out of the discovery.  Much more research needs to be conducted on whether coffee could be used as a form of cancer prevention.  Especially considering that there has been a fair amount of debate recently on the pros and cons of drinking coffee, more recent information suggests that the benefits could

Michael regularly writes on behalf of dental insurance provider AXA PPP healthcare on a number of health and wellbeing topics.

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At The First Sign Of A Migraine…

At The First Sign Of A Migraine...Migraines can cause debilitating pain, which can lead to a decline in your quality of life and in severe cases, depression. Incorporating a healthy lifestyle with a few simple preventative techniques may stop some migraines before they start.

Self-treatment will not always work, but here are a few tips that may  help reduce the severity of your next migraine.

At the first sign of a migraine:

Remove yourself from your current activity and seek a quite darkened room. Migraines often increase sensitivity to light and sound.

Apply hot or cold compresses to your head or neck.  Ice packs will numb pain, while a hot pack or heating pad will help relax tense muscles.

Apply gentle pressure to your scalp or temples, which will help alleviate muscle tension.

Drink a caffeinated beverage; in small amounts, caffeine can help relieve migraine pain in the early stages.

Healthy Lifestyle:

Daily exercise will encourage your body to release certain chemicals that block pain signals to your brain. These chemicals can help alleviate anxiety and depression, which can make migraines worse. Remember that exercising too vigorously can trigger migraines.

Stress and migraines often go hand in hand, so simplify your life where you can. Delegate what you can, and divide large tasks into manageable chunks – use your time wisely.  If you feel overwhelmed, take a break, try to relax with deep breathing.  This requires inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply for a minimum of 10 minutes every day.  This type of deep breathing will also help to relax your muscles.

Getting a good nights sleep will also help to avoid migraines. Make sure that you are waking up and going to bed at the same time every day, including weekends, and minimizing distractions in your bedroom by not watch television or working in bed.

Keep a migraine diary – this will help you find out what triggers your migraines. Note when a migraines starts, what you were doing at the time, how long they last and what, if anything, provides relief. Eventually you may be able to prevent migraines by changing patterns in your daily life.

Migraine diagnoses:

While no specific test can determine whether your headaches are migraines, you can help your practitioner make a diagnosis by keeping a migraine diary.  Your migraine journal should include the location, severity, frequency, and duration of your headaches. You should also make note of any prescribed medications you are taking.

Lifestyle choices can help reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines, as well as medication. However, there are other forms of treatment which include massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, Laser and eToims.  Please talk with our health care practitioners to decide which type of treatment is right for you.

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6 Tips To Prevent Chronic Back Pain

6 Tips To Prevent Chronic Back PainA healthy back is straight, moves easily and is free of pain.  The most common area for chronic back pain is the lower back; also called the lumbar spine.

Back pain is defined as either acute or chronic. Practitioners diagnose low back pain as acute if it lasts less than a month and is not caused by serious medical conditions. If the pain persists, it is considered chronic back pain. Almost 20 million (2 in 3) Canadians will have at least one episode of back pain in their lifetime.

Warning Signs of Chronic Back Pain?

  • If the pain lasts longer than month.
  • The pain can be anywhere in the back. It can be in one area only or spread across a wide area.
  • Your back might be stiff and the muscles swollen. This combination of pain, stiffness and swelling is called inflammation.
  • Some injuries will cause muscles spasms in the back, and pain or weakness in a leg.

Back pain can develop anywhere from the neck to the lower spine. The pain can be localized or spread across a wide area and radiate from a central point. Muscle spasms may occur at the site of the pain. Some people also get pain or weakness in a leg as a result of back injury.

What causes Chronic Back Pain?

  • Poor posture is the most common cause of back pain.
  • Injury due to lifting heavy objects is also a frequent cause of back pain.
  • Being overweight and not exercising enough can increase your risk of back injury.
  • If your back is weak you can get back pain when you get upset or feel stressed.
  • Some types of arthritis can cause chronic back pain.

How to prevent Chronic Back Pain

  • When you lift a heavy item keep it as close to your body as possible. Keep your back straight and use your legs to do the lifting.
  • Use helpful devices such as a cart to carry your grocery bags.
  • Maintain a healthy weight to avoid putting extra stress on your joints.
  • Be aware of your posture
  • Wear shoes that support your feet; this will help keep your back and legs straight.
  • Sleep on a firm mattress and support your neck properly with pillows.

Disciplines that treat Chronic Back Pain – Acupuncture | Chiropractic | Massage | Physiotherapy

Treatments for Chronic Back Pain – eToims | Laser | Spinal Decompression | Shockwave Therapy

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How Much Money Do You Spend on Fitness?

fitness imagesMany of us spend a small fortune on gym memberships or personal trainers to get physically fit and active. There are four major types of fitness training; flexibility exercise, dynamic strength-training, static strength-training, and aerobic exercise; all of which can be fit into your daily schedule without spending large amounts of money.

Flexibility training provides a foundation for all other exercise types. These stretching exercises reduce your risk of injury and improve your flexibility. Try a Tai chi or yoga class, both will help to reduce stress and improve your balance.  Many recreation centres offer a first class for free, so take advantage of these free demonstration exercise classes.   Your local library’s will have exercise DVD`s that you can rent or download activities such as yoga and stretching exercises.

Dynamic strength training consists of  types of exercises that strengthen your muscles over a full-range of motion, as performing a bench press, leg press or situp.  Check with your healthcare practitioners, many clinics now have Rehab Gyms and as a patient you can use the facility at little or no cost.

Static strength-training helps you to maintain muscle strength and tone. Isometric exercises come in two types: sub-maximal and maximal. Sub-maximal exercises involve contracting your muscles such as holding a dumbbell steady with your arm fully extended. Maximal exercises involve contracting your muscles with all your strength, such as pushing against a wall.

Aerobic training strengthens your cardiovascular system by increasing the heart rate.  They should be performed for longer than 15 minutes and should maintain your heart rate at about 60 percent of your maximum heart rate. Examples of aerobic exercise include fast walking, jogging, and swimming.  Joining a walking group will keep you motivated, or try participating in community-sponsored fun run.  If you need a bit more of a team atmosphere try joining a volleyball or basketball league that plays at your local community center.

Staying connected to you community is a good way to keep fit mentally and physically at little or no cost to yourself; and will keep you moving while having a great time!

Remember that all activity counts towards being physically fit, so even tasks such as household chores, or gardening will help you keep fit.

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What causes sciatica?

sciatic-nerveSciatica and associated nerve pain is caused by different types of pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve in the lower back or buttocks – the sciatic nerve connects nearly the whole of the skin of the leg, the muscles of the back of the thigh, and those of the leg and foot to provide feeling and movement, so any pressure on this nerve can cause considerable, debilitating pain.

Pain from sciatica can change: it can be shooting/burning/sharp, non-stop, or intermittent. Pain is usually only felt on one side of the body. Some people complain of intense and acute pain. Others experience a numb and weak feeling in their leg. Sneezing, coughing, straining, bending, or lifting can make it worse.

What can causes sciatica?

Something as simple as bad posture, muscle strain or spasm, being overweight, or sleeping on a mattress that is too soft can put pressure on or damage the sciatic nerve.

A herniated disc, know by most of us as a “slipped disc”, is an even more serious, chronic condition where tremendous pressure on the sciatic nerve by one of the spinal discs that serves as cushioning between the vertebrae. The disc doesn’t slip – instead it ruptures, and the gel that makes up the disc intrudes on the spinal nerve or sciatic nerve. The result is severe pain and even loss of mobility.

Often hereditary, this condition can result in months of lost productivity while the disc heals and inflammation subsides. Unfortunately, ruptured discs are prone to do the same thing again, but with a careful rehabilitation plan including exercise, weight loss and other treatments and practices, it is possible to help prevent this condition from becoming chronic and debilitating.

How to treat sciatica and nerve pain

Often, lifestyle changes such as losing weight are the most common method for dealing with sciatica and nerve pain.

Sciatica and nerve pain can be treated with a combination of treatments, including:

  • Decompression Table
  • eToims
  • massage
  • physiotherapy
  • Class IV K-Laser Therapy

Topical ointments such as Traumeel and nutritional supplements can also help with inflammation.

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Fluid Lifestyle Presents – Two Ignite Retreats

stowelbarnI am excited to launch this years offering of not just one, but two Ignite Retreats!

June 15 and 16 will be Ignite Spirit, an urban retreat, on Sleeping Dog Farm (outside Victoria) and will delve into encaustics and writing with groove and yoga as the movement accompaniment.

Sept 19-22 is Ignite Soul and will profile Living in the Buddha Zone meditation, yoga, pilates, groove dance and the field to table cooking experience amidst the stunning setting of Stowel Lake Farm and community.

Unleash your energy, activate your inspiration, learn, stretch and dance into joy. Experience the peaceful setting and deep beauty of Stowel Lake Farm, an organic farm and wellness centre on the south end of sun drenched Saltspring Island.  Ignite your inner fire with creativity and movement.

Please have a peek at the website for all the details and to view our fantastic video of last years retreat www.fluidlifestyle.ca.

Cory Judge has been passionate about personal health and fitness for years. She holds a degree in Environmental Studies and Geography from UVIC, but found her path led outside the mainstream and into the entrepreneurial world of artisan design.

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How Laser Therapy Works

klaserWhat is Laser Therapy?

Laser Therapy or “photobiomodulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to create therapeutic effects.  These effects include improving healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling.  Laser Therapy has been widely utilized in Europe by physical therapists, nurses and doctors as far back as the 1070’s.

Cellular Effects of Laser Therapy

During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level and metabolic activity increases within the cell, improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane.  This initiates the production of cellular energy ( ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health.

Laser Therapeutic  Effects

During each painless treatment laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area.  This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling muscle spasms, stiffness and pain.  As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.

Patient benefits of Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy is proven to bio-stimulate tissue repair and growth.  The Laser accelerates the healing process and decreases inflammation, pain and scar tissue formation.  In the management of chronic pain Class IV Laser Therapy can provide dramatic results , is non-addictive and virtually free of side effects.

Numerous studies show that Class IV Laser Therapy can help with:

Tendinopathies | Osteoarthritis | Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Myofascial Trigger Points | Tennis Elbow | Fibromyalgia | Burns | Ligament Sprains | Diabetic Neuropathy | Muscle Strains | Repetitive Stress Injuries | Plantar Fasciitis | Sports Injuries | Shoulder, Back & Knee Pain | Post-Traumatic Injury

Can it be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment?

Yes, Laser therapy is often used with other forms of treatment, including physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture and even following surgery.  Other healing modalities are complementary and can be used with laser to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

Please contact our health care practitioners to find out how a Class IV Laser can help you feel better, faster. The K- Laser, Class IV  Laser Therapy is Drug free, surgery free and pain free!

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Your Google Searches Can Uncover Drug Side Effects Faster Than the FDA

Written by Ashley Feinberg

The internet: it’s our teacher, our entertainer, and ever increasingly, our doctor. Every day, the country’s sniveling, coughing, light-headed festering contagions plop in front of their computers in hopes of figuring out what the hell is a matter with them—for free. So while brilliant, it’s not entirely surprising that scientists were, for the first time, able to find significant evidence of unreported prescription drug side effects faster than any of the FDA’s own methods. And as The New York Times reports, all thanks to our ailing internet search queries.

Using data from Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo search engines, the Stanford and Columbia University joint research team sifted though 6 million users’ internet search queries (which you’ll be uncomfortable to know, are forever saved in web search logs) and looked for searches that related to the antidepressant paroxetine and the cholesterol-lowering drug pravastin. They found that users who had searched for both of these drugs were also 10 percent more likely to search for hyperglycemia or one of its many symptoms. This number may seem small, but as The New York Times notes:

The researchers said they were surprised by the strength of the “signal” that they detected in the searches and argued that it would be a valuable tool for the F.D.A. to add to its current system for tracking adverse effects. “There is a potential public health benefit in listening to such signals,” they wrote in the paper, “and integrating them with other sources of information.”

Currently, the FDA documents interactions and side effects through the Adverse Event Reporting System, which only obtains new information when a physician notices something and goes on to report it. So while the FDA may have the tools to handle interactions as they come, they’re increasingly reliant on this massive deposit of public data, the possibilities of which are only starting to become realized. So search away, sicklings—it’s for the greater good. [The New York Times]

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8 Tips To Help Control High Blood Pressure

8 Tips To Help Control High Blood PressureHere are 8 lifestyle changes you can make to control your high blood pressure.

Watch your waistline

Blood pressure often increases as weight increases, so losing just 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) can help reduce your blood pressure. In general, the more weight you lose, the lower your blood pressure.

Exercise

Regular physical activity — at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week — can lower your blood pressure 4 to 9mm Hg.  If you haven’t been active, increasing your exercise level can lower your blood pressure within just a few weeks. Make sure to talk with your care practitioner about developing an exercise program that’s right for you.

Avoid being a “weekend warrior” , because those sudden bursts of activity could actually  put you at risk.

Eat healthy

Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and limits saturated fat can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg.

Reduce sodium

Even a small reduction in the sodium in your diet can reduce blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg.   Limit  your sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less. Remember to read food labels, and that processed foods are high in sodium.

Alcohol consumption

Alcohol can be both good and bad for your health. In small amounts, it can potentially lower your blood pressure by 2 to 4 mm Hg. But that protective effect is lost if you drink too much alcohol — generally more than one drink a day for women and two a day for men.

Avoid tobacco products

We all know the dangers of smoking,  but did you know that the nicotine in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure by 10 mm Hg and for up to an hour after you smoke.

Sleeping

People who sleep five hours or less a night may be at higher risk of developing high blood pressure or worsening already high blood pressure.  Sleep helps your blood regulate stress hormones and helps your nervous system remain healthy. Over time, a lack of sleep can hurt your body’s ability to regulate stress hormones, leading to high blood pressure.

Reduce your stress

Stress or anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure. Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed such as work, family,or finances. Once you know what’s causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or cope with stress in a healthier way such as getting a massage, acupuncture or start a yoga class.

As with any major health change, please consult a health care practitioner before you start your new health routine.

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What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

What is Myofacial Pain Syndrome?Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder.  With myofascial pain syndrome, the pain affects the connective tissue (fascia) of a muscle or group of muscles. With myofascial pain, there are areas called trigger points. A Trigger Point is a hyper-irritable spot within a taut band of skeletal muscle or muscle fascia which is painful on compression. These trigger points can refer pain to other areas and often restrict the flexibility of the affected muscle.  If left untreated, they can create new trigger points.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of myofascial pain syndrome is ongoing muscle pain, in areas such as the low back, neck, hips, and shoulders. You might feel the pain or the pain may get worse when you press on a trigger point. Symptoms of myofascial pain may include:

  • A muscle that is sensitive or tender when touched
  • Muscle pain that happens when pressure is placed on a trigger point
  • Pain that is aching, burning, stinging, or stabbing
  • Reduced range of motion in the affected area

People with myofascial pain syndrome often have other health problems, such as tension headaches, depression, sleep problems, and suffer from fatigue.

New Ways to Treat Myofacial Pain: 

eToims ~ Electrical Twitch Obtaining Intra-Muscular Stimulation (eToims) is aimed at alleviating pain and dysfunction caused by muscle and nerve injury.  It involves the use of an electric current to produce a twitch in the muscle that is strong enough to stimulate or excite the deep fibers of a muscle.  Basically “jump starting” the muscles to release, relax, and allow blood to follow to the muscles and nerve so that they can “breathe”.

Class IV K-Laser ~ Laser Therapy or “photobiomodulation”, is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to create therapeutic effects. During each painless treatment laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area.  This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling muscle spasms, stiffness and pain.  As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.

IMS ~ Trigger point dry needling, also referred to as intramuscular stimulation (IMS) and/or intramuscular therapy (IMT) is an invasive procedure in which an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin and muscle. Intramuscular therapy has been very successful for patients with chronic low back pain and sciatica symptoms.

Physiotherapy | Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy involves applying pressure to the trigger points for a sustained period, followed by passive and active stretch and heat where indicated. The goal is to deactivate the trigger points and teach the patient how to prevent and manage recurrences. When these approaches are combined with mobilization and posture retraining techniques provided by a physiotherapist they provide a long-lasting and patient-managed way to reduce pain and improve function.

Myofascial pain often goes away with appropriate treatment and life style changes. Please contact our healthcare practitioners and discuss what treatment is right for you.

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