September 8, 2010 (Stockholm, Sweden) — Short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was associated with an increased risk of stroke in a Danish population study including only healthy individuals.
Presenting the study at last week's European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2010 Congress, Dr Gunnar Gislason (Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark) said the results could have "massive public-health implications."
"First we found an increased risk of MI with NSAIDs. Now we are finding the same thing for stroke. This is very serious, as these drugs are very widely used, with many available over the counter," Gislason told heartwire. "We need to get the message out to healthcare authorities that these drugs need to be regulated more carefully."
Cochair of the session at which the study was presented, Dr Robert Califf (Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC), agreed that the results raised a major public-health issue, especially in the US, where many NSAIDs were available without a prescription.
For the current study, Gislason and colleagues examined the risk of stroke and NSAID use in healthy individuals living in Denmark. He explained to heartwire that information on each individual in the Danish population is kept in various national registries. His team started with the whole population of Denmark aged over 10 years. To select just the healthy individuals, they excluded anyone admitted to the hospital within the past five years or those prescribed chronic medications for more than two years. This left a population of around half a million, who were included in the study. By linking to prescribing registries, the researchers found that 45% of these healthy individuals had received at least one prescription for an NSAID between 1997 and 2005. They then used stroke data from further hospitalization and death registries and estimated the risk of fatal and nonfatal stroke associated with the use of NSAIDs by Cox proportional-hazard models and case-crossover analyses.
Results showed that NSAID use was associated with an increased risk of stroke. This increased risk ranged from about 30% with ibuprofen and naproxen to 86% with diclofenac.
Risk of Stroke With Various Nsaids
NSAID
HR (95% CI) for risk of stroke
Ibuprofen
1.28 (1.14–1.44)
Diclofenac
1.86 (1.58–2.19)
Rofecoxib
1.61 (1.14–2.29)
Celecoxib
1.69 (1.11–2.26)
Naproxen
1.35 (1.01–1.79)
Gislason noted that there was also a dose-relationship found, with the increased risk of stroke reaching 90% (HR 1.90) with doses of ibuprofen over 200 mg and 100% (HR 2.0) with diclofenac doses over 100 mg. He pointed out that the results were particularly striking, given that this study was conducted in healthy individuals.
He conceded that his results could have some confounding but noted that the data were controlled for age, gender, and socioeconomic status and the patient population did not include those with chronic diseases. "We also have to think about the degree of confounding needed to nullify risk. It would have to increase risk four- to fivefold, which is very unlikely," he commented.
He said he did not find the results that surprising in view of the accumulating evidence of increased MI risk with these drugs, adding that the mechanism was probably the same. There have been several hypotheses about the mechanism linking NSAIDs with cardiovascular events, including increased thrombotic effect on platelets, the endothelium, and/or atherosclerotic plaques; increasing blood pressure; and effect on the kidneys and salt retention.
Gislason told heartwire that there is reluctance among the medical profession to limit the prescribing of these drugs. "The problem is that we don't have randomized trials, and it is very hard to change the habits of doctors. They have been using these drugs for decades without thinking about cardiovascular side effects."
He also stressed that the public needs to be protected by not allowing NSAIDs to be bought without a prescription. He has had some success in this regard in Denmark at least, where diclofenac became available over the counter recently, but after some of the MI data came out, Gislason's group campaigned the health authorities, and it has now become a prescription-only drug again. But he noted that many more NSAIDs are available over the counter in the US.
He believes the harmful effects of these agents are relevant to huge numbers of people. "If half the population takes these drugs, even on an occasional basis, then this could be responsible for a 50% to 100% increase in stroke risk. It is an enormous effect."
These results have been partly published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes earlier this year [1]. Gislason told heart wire that the novelty of the results presented at the ESC meeting was that "we had further analyzed our data regarding specific stroke and looked at the risk of ischemic stroke, and we confirmed that the risk of ischemic stroke was substantially elevated." He added: "We are in the process of analyzing these data related to time to risk and the effect of duration of treatment on stroke risk."
-By Sue Hughes
References
1. Fosbøl EL, Folke F, Jacobsen S, et al. Cause-specific CV risk associated with NSAIDs among healthy individuals.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2010; 3:395-405.
Sue Hughes is a journalist for Medscape. She joined theheart.org, part of the WebMD Professional Network, in 2000. She was previously science editor of Scrip World Pharmaceutical News. Graduating in pharmacy from Manchester University, UK, she started her career as a hospital pharmacist before moving as a journalist to a UK pharmacy trade publication. She can be reached at Shughes@webmd.net.
Health updates for the consumer concern with wellness
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Did You Know?
* 1,000 capsules of Tylenol in a lifetime doubles the risk of end stage renal disease (New England Journal of Medicine, 1994).
* The new estimate for the incidence of autism is 1 in 91 US children (Pediatrics, 2009).
* Chiropractic spinal adjusting has been shown to be better than 5 times more effective than the NSAID's pain drugs Celebrex and Vioxx in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain (Spine, 2003).
* Taking the correct drug for the correct diagnosis in the correct dose will kill about 106,000 Americans per year, making it the 4th most common cause of death in the US (Journal of American Medical Association, 1998). - It's now higher.
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatoid and/or osteoarthritis conservatively cause 16,500 Americans to bleed to death each year, making that the 15th most common cause of death in the US (New England Journal of Medicine).
* In patients suffering from chronic pain subsequent to degenerative spinal disease, 59% can eliminate the need for pain durgs by consuming adequate levels of Omega-3 essential fatty acids (Surgical Neurology, 2006).
* Supplementing with vitamin D3 has the potential to reduce cancer deaths in America by 75% (Ann of Epidemiology, 2009).
* Potentially, the largest exposure of Americans to the neurotoxin mercury is through the consumption of products containing High Fructose Corn Syrup (Environmental Health, 2009).
* The new estimate for the incidence of autism is 1 in 91 US children (Pediatrics, 2009).
* Chiropractic spinal adjusting has been shown to be better than 5 times more effective than the NSAID's pain drugs Celebrex and Vioxx in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain (Spine, 2003).
* Taking the correct drug for the correct diagnosis in the correct dose will kill about 106,000 Americans per year, making it the 4th most common cause of death in the US (Journal of American Medical Association, 1998). - It's now higher.
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatoid and/or osteoarthritis conservatively cause 16,500 Americans to bleed to death each year, making that the 15th most common cause of death in the US (New England Journal of Medicine).
* In patients suffering from chronic pain subsequent to degenerative spinal disease, 59% can eliminate the need for pain durgs by consuming adequate levels of Omega-3 essential fatty acids (Surgical Neurology, 2006).
* Supplementing with vitamin D3 has the potential to reduce cancer deaths in America by 75% (Ann of Epidemiology, 2009).
* Potentially, the largest exposure of Americans to the neurotoxin mercury is through the consumption of products containing High Fructose Corn Syrup (Environmental Health, 2009).
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Medical Massage
Medical massage is defined as a diagnostic and therapeutic treatment that involves stroking and pulling deep connective tissues to release the existing tension and return them to a natural alignment. May be uncomfortable and produce vasodilatation and sweating.
It is primarily the application of specific treatment protocols targeted to the specific problem the patient presents with physician's diagnosis and administered after a thorough assessment by a massage therapist. Until a specific symptom is treated with a specific set of procedures to bring about a specific outcome then massage it is not "medical massage". Medical massage is useful in addressing conditions such as:
Pain associated with bulged or injured spinal disks (medical massage cannot 'fix' the disk, but can help alleviate much of the pain associated with the injury).
Sciatica
Migraines/headaches
Carpal Tunnel
Piriformis Syndrome
Rotator Cuff injuries
Pain associated with pregnancy
Constipation
Range of motion issues
Fibromyalgia
Back and Neck pain
Plantar Fasciitis (involving pain in the foot)
Repetitive use injuries such as those listed and Tennis elbow, Golfer's elbow
TMJ
Pain associated with restricted fascia
Pain associated with postural imbalances
Muscle cramps
Restless Legs Syndrome
Sports injuries
Work Injuries
Auto Injuries
Edema (swelling)
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (numbness/tingling in hands/arms)
Doctors prescribe medical massage to treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems. Medical massage may be used as part of a physical therapy program to build strength and increase flexibility, and a wide variety of other physical problems.
Find out more at
It is primarily the application of specific treatment protocols targeted to the specific problem the patient presents with physician's diagnosis and administered after a thorough assessment by a massage therapist. Until a specific symptom is treated with a specific set of procedures to bring about a specific outcome then massage it is not "medical massage". Medical massage is useful in addressing conditions such as:
Pain associated with bulged or injured spinal disks (medical massage cannot 'fix' the disk, but can help alleviate much of the pain associated with the injury).
Sciatica
Migraines/headaches
Carpal Tunnel
Piriformis Syndrome
Rotator Cuff injuries
Pain associated with pregnancy
Constipation
Range of motion issues
Fibromyalgia
Back and Neck pain
Plantar Fasciitis (involving pain in the foot)
Repetitive use injuries such as those listed and Tennis elbow, Golfer's elbow
TMJ
Pain associated with restricted fascia
Pain associated with postural imbalances
Muscle cramps
Restless Legs Syndrome
Sports injuries
Work Injuries
Auto Injuries
Edema (swelling)
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (numbness/tingling in hands/arms)
Doctors prescribe medical massage to treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems. Medical massage may be used as part of a physical therapy program to build strength and increase flexibility, and a wide variety of other physical problems.
Find out more at
Monday, May 24, 2010
Headaches, its a pain in the neck
Great article on headaches and conservative care of them:
One of the most common ailments encountered by doctors is headache. More than 40 million people in this country suffer from severe headaches, according to the Center for Disease Control, and the number is increasing steadily. The majority of these people are women between the ages of 18 and 45 years, but many men also are affected. Unfortunately, many headaches are misdiagnosed and people continue to suffer, often becoming reliant on various medications to function in everyday life.
One of the most common of these headaches is called the cervicogenic headache. The term cervicogenic simply means that the headache is caused by the cervical spine (the seven bones that make up the neck). These headaches are typically more severe on one side of the head than the other and can cause pain at the base of the head, the temples and behind the eyes. They can last from hours to weeks and often are accompanied by pain and stiffness of the neck or shoulders.
Common daily activities such as driving, reading, gardening, sports, watching television, sleeping and even everyday stress can all contribute to the wear and tear on the joints of the neck. When these joints stop working properly they can become a source of constant irritation to the nerves and lead to pain.
Research into cervicogenic headaches has been gaining a lot of steam in recent years, which is good news for sufferers. Only 10 years ago, the idea that headaches could be caused by the neck was a foreign concept. The cervical spine (neck) is now thought to be one of the most common causes of headache. The real transition in thinking occurred in 1995 when a group of medical doctors and researchers at Syracuse University established the neck as the cause of a significant number of headaches. According to Peter Rothbart, M.D. and president of the World Cervicogenic Headache Society:
“We couldn’t believe it at first. We’ve been able to put together a scientific
explanation for how neck structure causes headaches — not all headaches, but a significant number of them. It’s true that chiropractors have been saying this for years.”
It’s interesting that many of the patients I see who suffer from these headaches come to my office for other reasons. Neck pain, back pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or fingers, and pain in the shoulders or between the shoulder blades are among the most common. Only through questioning the patient does it come to light that they’re also suffering from chronic headaches; headaches they believe are migraines and thus
totally unrelated to their other symptoms. These headaches can show up years after an auto accident or fall, or may be the result of years of activity such as sports, physical labor, or daily wear and tear. As their headaches continue, people begin to sleep poorly, feel tired and moody, and lack
energy. Overuse of headache medications can further complicate the problem by producing more severe headaches called “rebound headaches.”
Chiropractors have been helping patients successfully with headaches for decades now. Not all headaches are cervicogenic headaches, but many are. In most cases, with reduction of headache comes better sleep, increased energy, a better sense of health and well being, and a return to normal activity. Perhaps most important, people become less reliant on medications and are less likely to be subject to the serious side effects that come with them. A healthy diet, exercise, and good posture can go a long way in preventing their return.
– (Originally published in the Puget Sound Consumer, June 2005)
If this interested you visit our website at http://www.gechiropractic.com
One of the most common ailments encountered by doctors is headache. More than 40 million people in this country suffer from severe headaches, according to the Center for Disease Control, and the number is increasing steadily. The majority of these people are women between the ages of 18 and 45 years, but many men also are affected. Unfortunately, many headaches are misdiagnosed and people continue to suffer, often becoming reliant on various medications to function in everyday life.
One of the most common of these headaches is called the cervicogenic headache. The term cervicogenic simply means that the headache is caused by the cervical spine (the seven bones that make up the neck). These headaches are typically more severe on one side of the head than the other and can cause pain at the base of the head, the temples and behind the eyes. They can last from hours to weeks and often are accompanied by pain and stiffness of the neck or shoulders.
Common daily activities such as driving, reading, gardening, sports, watching television, sleeping and even everyday stress can all contribute to the wear and tear on the joints of the neck. When these joints stop working properly they can become a source of constant irritation to the nerves and lead to pain.
Research into cervicogenic headaches has been gaining a lot of steam in recent years, which is good news for sufferers. Only 10 years ago, the idea that headaches could be caused by the neck was a foreign concept. The cervical spine (neck) is now thought to be one of the most common causes of headache. The real transition in thinking occurred in 1995 when a group of medical doctors and researchers at Syracuse University established the neck as the cause of a significant number of headaches. According to Peter Rothbart, M.D. and president of the World Cervicogenic Headache Society:
“We couldn’t believe it at first. We’ve been able to put together a scientific
explanation for how neck structure causes headaches — not all headaches, but a significant number of them. It’s true that chiropractors have been saying this for years.”
It’s interesting that many of the patients I see who suffer from these headaches come to my office for other reasons. Neck pain, back pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or fingers, and pain in the shoulders or between the shoulder blades are among the most common. Only through questioning the patient does it come to light that they’re also suffering from chronic headaches; headaches they believe are migraines and thus
totally unrelated to their other symptoms. These headaches can show up years after an auto accident or fall, or may be the result of years of activity such as sports, physical labor, or daily wear and tear. As their headaches continue, people begin to sleep poorly, feel tired and moody, and lack
energy. Overuse of headache medications can further complicate the problem by producing more severe headaches called “rebound headaches.”
Chiropractors have been helping patients successfully with headaches for decades now. Not all headaches are cervicogenic headaches, but many are. In most cases, with reduction of headache comes better sleep, increased energy, a better sense of health and well being, and a return to normal activity. Perhaps most important, people become less reliant on medications and are less likely to be subject to the serious side effects that come with them. A healthy diet, exercise, and good posture can go a long way in preventing their return.
– (Originally published in the Puget Sound Consumer, June 2005)
If this interested you visit our website at http://www.gechiropractic.com
Friday, April 30, 2010
What to do when the hurt goes away!
When many people seek care in our office they have one goal: relief. So that's where we start!
When they get the relief they desire what do you do next? This article uncovers the facts about a wellness chiropractic program and the many benefits it delivers.
The underlying premise of wellness care is that the focus of care should be directed away from treating disease and toward promoting good health. Another way of stating this is that wellness care concentrates on two areas: disease prevention and health promotion.
After most patients go through a corrective care treatment plan they discover what it is like to feel good again. They put in the hard work that it takes to correct the spine and restore normal biomechanics. Corrective care is like braces for your teeth, only for your spine. Wellness care is the retainer. It promotes prevention and encourages healthy decision making with respect to your body.
The benefits of Chiropractic Wellness Care include:
· helps keep your spine flexible and your joints moveable and healthy
· helps improve posture, and thus energy levels· helps remove pressure to your spinal cord allowing your nerves to work properly
· helps foster a more responsive nervous system, reducing chances of "throwing your back out" due to poor muscular coordination.
Chiropractors are deeply concerned about making sure your body is able to function to the best of its ability and be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. That's why they recommend regular spinal check-ups for everyone for a lifetime. Why a lifetime? How long do you want to be healthy?
More questions visit us at http://www.gechiropractic.com
When they get the relief they desire what do you do next? This article uncovers the facts about a wellness chiropractic program and the many benefits it delivers.
The underlying premise of wellness care is that the focus of care should be directed away from treating disease and toward promoting good health. Another way of stating this is that wellness care concentrates on two areas: disease prevention and health promotion.
After most patients go through a corrective care treatment plan they discover what it is like to feel good again. They put in the hard work that it takes to correct the spine and restore normal biomechanics. Corrective care is like braces for your teeth, only for your spine. Wellness care is the retainer. It promotes prevention and encourages healthy decision making with respect to your body.
The benefits of Chiropractic Wellness Care include:
· helps keep your spine flexible and your joints moveable and healthy
· helps improve posture, and thus energy levels· helps remove pressure to your spinal cord allowing your nerves to work properly
· helps foster a more responsive nervous system, reducing chances of "throwing your back out" due to poor muscular coordination.
Chiropractors are deeply concerned about making sure your body is able to function to the best of its ability and be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. That's why they recommend regular spinal check-ups for everyone for a lifetime. Why a lifetime? How long do you want to be healthy?
More questions visit us at http://www.gechiropractic.com
Friday, April 23, 2010
Our location
We have recently been asked where we are located and directions. Get them here:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?name=Schaffnit+Chiropractic&city=Glen+Ellyn&state=IL&address=799+Roosevelt+Rd+%23+4-103&zipcode=60137&country=US&latitude=41.85941&longitude=-88.0527&geocode=ADDRESS&id=263500445
As always, you can get directions from our updated website at
http://www.gechiropractic.com
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?name=Schaffnit+Chiropractic&city=Glen+Ellyn&state=IL&address=799+Roosevelt+Rd+%23+4-103&zipcode=60137&country=US&latitude=41.85941&longitude=-88.0527&geocode=ADDRESS&id=263500445
As always, you can get directions from our updated website at
http://www.gechiropractic.com
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Follow us on twitter @schaffnitchiro. As always you can visit our website at http://www.gechiropractic.com
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