Navigating Healthcare: A Guide to Modern Medicine and Wellness

Monthly Archives: November 2017

Cosmetic Treatments for Wrinkles botox

Common Myths About Botox

Cosmetic Treatments for Wrinkles botoxAccording to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, medical professionals administered an estimated 4 million Botox in injections during 2016. This shocking number places Botox among the top 5 nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Despite its popularity and growing use, much speculation and misconceptions about Botulinum Toxin remain prevalent. But before speculation halts someone from making an appointment with a trusted practitioner, dermatologists shed light on the truth surrounding common myths about Botox injections.

exfoliate, summer healthy skin, chemical peels, skin tightening

How To Make Skin Tone More Even

Looking back, childhood was the time in life that defined the epitome of smooth, blemish-free, even toned skin. Flash forward to adolescence, in the midst of puberty where acne is on the rise. But no matter is every stage of life skin undergoes aging. And once flawless skin slowly diminishes from a lifetime of sun-exposure, air pollution, acne, and harsh chemical products. While many people try to hold onto their youthful glow or make a valiant effort to slow down the aging process, unfortunately there is no escaping this natural process. As their desire turns to desperation, people begin to make use of trends and fads without consulting a professional. Fortunately, dermatologists know how to effectively make skin tone more even. From advanced cosmetic procedures using high-tech lasers to over-the-counter medications and creams, top medical professionals can advise which skincare treatment options work to adequately reduce the appearance of uneven completions, and restore a more radiant appearance.

sitting-is-not-healthy

Can Sitting Cause Back Pain? How?

Back pain affects up to 8 in 10 people at some point during their lifetime. Back pain is common in part because the spine is central to many of our daily activities, whether strenuous or not. The spine consists of 24 interlocking vertebrae, which are divided into three types: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Fibrous ligaments, discs, and muscles connect these bones, allowing for a combination of stability and flexibility to allow us to perform a variety of daily activities.

While we typically think of sitting as a restful activity, prolonged periods of sitting can lead to chronic back pain. Today’s lifestyles often involve significantly more time spent sitting than in previous decades. We all can enjoy the modern luxuries of being able to watch TV, browse the Internet, or order in a precooked meal at the end of a long day of work. However, for many of us, that long day of work involves sitting at a desk, so we go from sitting at work to sitting at home. It has become increasingly recognized that spending many hours planted in a seat is actually detrimental to one’s health. While a brief period of sitting is natural, long periods of sitting typically place the spine and pelvis in an unnatural position for an extended time, leading to low back pain among other issues.

Avoid Back Pain

The Importance of Stretching When Experiencing Back Pain

Avoid Back PainMild back pain can be a nuisance. It turns everyday tasks into painful challenges. Walking, exercising, working and even sitting in a chair can cause unfathomable levels of discomfort. While seemingly counterintuitive, stretching actually plays a vital role in healing and alleviating back pain. During a period of chronic back pain, exercise is the last thing anyone wants to think about; but spine doctors indicate straightening and extending one’s body to its full length is exactly what the spine needs. It’s common knowledge that regular exercise is an essential component to the body’s overall health, yet many people seem to overlook stretching during their workout routine. But for individuals suffering from chronic back pain, stretching muscles can help alleviate discomfort in the spine, and even help prevent future occurrences of pain.

Sciatica Patient

What Causes Back Pain and Leg Pain?

An estimated 80% of the population experiences back pain– especially lower back pain– at one point or another in their lifetime. While still prevalent, leg pain can stem from back pain, but it occurs less frequently. Leg pain tends to be both bothersome and debilitating, potentially limiting an individual’s daily activities. Patients consulting a spinal care look to a doctor to administer treatment for quick pain relief; more importantly, patients want doctors to provide answers to the cause of their discomfort. But in the end, patients fail to understand that the answer may not be as clear-cut as they believe.

In reality, a wide spectrum of spinal conditions can lead to instances of both back and leg pain.

For example, Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can trigger leg pain, coupled with back pain. PAD refers to the buildup of plaque along artery walls and the subsequent blocking of blood vessels in the legs. This, in turn, restricts the amount of oxygen nourishing the leg muscles and causes discomfort in patients’ legs and back. But combined leg and back pain can also be a harbinger of a life-threatening condition called Deep Vein Thrombosis. This serious condition refers to the formation of blood clots in the deep veins in the body. If the clot breaks free, it can be dangerous and clog a smaller vessel, thereby culminating into a stroke.