Do I need a Heart Scan? part 4

What happens if the calcium score is high?

Well, in theory it means that you have a risk of a heart attack. So one should start changing lifestyle, eat healthy, quit smoking, and reduce cholesterol. One should start to walk.

Can the machine be wrong?

Sure, like any machine, heart scan can create errors in interpretation. Sometimes the heart scan indicates you have calcium when there is in fact none. This is a false positive test and happens quite frequently. When a false positive test occurs, more studies are needed to confirm the results. This may involve undergoing a coronary angiography, more exposure to radiation, contrast dye and thus more expense.

On opposite side of the coin, if there is no calcium, then you just move on with your life as before without having to worry about a heart attack. However, one should be aware that coronary arteries can be very narrow or clogged up and yet not have calcium. In such a case, the heart scan may show there is no calcium but you may have serious blockage in your coronary vessels. This means the test is falsely negative. It shows you have no disease when you actually have disease.

Heart scan technology is still in infancy but is continuing to improve. Scientists are learning more about the role of calcium in heart disease and devising better machines.

In the meantime, one should not overlook the traditional risk factors that can increase your chance of developing heart disease. Moreover, remember that if you do have a heart scan, it is useful only if you actually follow up with your doctor and make lifestyle changes that can prevent worsening of heart disease

Final point

One of the reasons why medicine has become expensive is because of unscrupulous doctors offering unnecessary tests. There are hundreds of walk-in clinics and private health centers that offer quick scans which are nothing more than scams. These clinics falsely scare the public leading to unnecessary worries. These walk-in facilities rarely need any referrals. You just walk in, pay close to 1400 dollars, and you get your scan. The heart scans are not covered by medical insurance

As a consumer before you join the queue to get a heart scan, talk to your physician. Read about the procedure, get to understand your risk factors and ask yourself if the heart scan can make a difference in treatment. If you still decide to get a heart scan, make sure you go to a reputable center and get a copy of results sent to your physician.

Finally, if you do not have chest pain, shortness of breath and have no risks factors for heart disease, a heart scan is not recommended for you. If a physician still recommends a heart scan, you need a new doctor. The American College of Cardiology only recommends heart scans for individuals who have symptoms.

Do I need a Heart Scan? part 3

What are risks of a heart scan?

Heart scan machine uses electron beam computerized tomography to assess calcium in your blood vessels. These scans exposure you to a lot of radiation- the same amount that you would receive from 30 chest x rays. Repeated heart scans could expose you to a lot of radiation and increase your risk of cancer. Further, anyone who is pregnant should never have a heart scan.

Heart scan can also be performed using CT angiography. Here you are administered a dye that could cause an allergic reaction and you are also exposed to a lot of radiation. The dye can even cause kidney failure or worsen damage to your kidneys.

There are no special preparations required for a heart scan at many of these walk in centers. The majority of these walk in centers are more interested in your finances than your heart. Only a brief history is obtained, a superficial physical exam is performed and your risk factors assessed. Rest assured, the heart scan will be done irrespective of your risks or symptoms. To these physicians the only thing of concern is whether you can pay for the scan.

How does Heart Scan work?

A heart scan usually takes less than 5-10 minutes. You come in and lie down on a flat table. There are no intravenous fluids, no needles or anesthesia. The table enters a small tunnel and the machine takes pictures of your heart. You hold your breath for a few second while the machine takes the pictures. The computer quickly draws up images of your blood vessels and calculates the calcium score.

Do I need a Heart Scan? part 2

There is still a lot of controversy about heart scans. If you have no family history, or risk factors then your risk of having a heart attack is very low. The heart scan in this instance will tell you what you and your doctor already know. In this case, the best advice is to get a second opinion and keep away from the physician who owns the machine.

Because of the rampant abuse of heart scans by physicians to generate income, the American College of Cardiology has developed guidelines to determine if you need a heart scan.

Individuals who do not need a heart Scan:

You do not need a heart scan if you are younger than age 55, have normal cholesterol, well controlled blood pressure and you do not smoke. In such a scenario, you have a very low risk of a heart attack. Since you are already at low risk, a heart scan will not tell the doctor anything new or what it not already known. The only thing a heart scan does in such a case is increase the doctor’s income by another $1,500.

A heart scan is not needed in individuals who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoke and are over 65. these individuals are at high risk of a heart attack. Since both you and your doctor know this, a heart scan is useless. Hopefully, you have a decent doctor who will try and help you bring the cholesterol down and control your blood pressure. If you are smoking, you better quit. But you definitely do not need a heart scan

Individuals who have already had a heart attack should not have a heart scan because it does not tell anything new.

Individuals who have already had a open heart bypass should not have a heart scan because the scan can not reveal anything new. Similarly, individuals who have had angioplasty or ballooning of their coronaries should not have a heart scan. In all these cases, it is known that you are already at a high risk for a heart attack or have had one. So a heart scan is useless.

So when does one need a heart scan?

There are some individuals who fall some where in the middle. These individuals are in between the age of 55-65, may have borderline cholesterol, high blood pressure or may be light smokers. In such cases, the risk for a heart attack is not known. Thus, a heart scan may help determine the risk if you have any chest pain, especially if the doctor does not know what is causing your chest pain.

Do I need a Heart Scan?

Everywhere in America, doctors have set up machines to screen the body. There are machines to screen your breasts, others machines to screen your lungs, others for your brain, your bones, your rectum, etc and now we have a machine to screen the heart. The heart scan is the latest device on market. With marketing ploys that frighten consumers like “you will die”, “you will get a heart attack” , “cholesterol is bad” and so on, these hyped up ads have been designed to scare consumers into thinking that death can occur any second from a heart attack.

Come-on doctors, Enough with these ads- relax, take a pill, get an enema and chill out.

What is a heart scan?

The heart scan is a technique that takes pictures of your heart and measures levels of calcium in your coronary vessels. You lie on a table, which enters a Tunnel with a camera. The camera takes pictures and in 5 minutes, it is all over- just $1,500 for this great procedure that can look at anatomy of your heart.

Physician now use heart scans to determine amount of calcium in your coronary vessels. If you have more calcium in your blood vessels, then it is bad. The higher the calcium score, the worse it is for you- at least this is what is speculated by the doctors who use heart scans.

Rather than go into mundane details, it is known that when cholesterol deposits in your blood vessels. Calcium also accumulates at the same time. Since we have no good way of measuring cholesterol deposits in a live human, the next best thing is to measure calcium levels. If the levels of calcium are high in your blood vessels, then it is bad.

The ads claims that if you have lot of calcium in your coronary vessels, you have a high risk of heart attack even if you do not have any symptoms- Such claims are bull because many people have calcium in their blood vessels and live a long healthy life without getting a heart attack.

Today, heart scans have popped up everywhere; in supermarkets, shopping centers, in every health care facility and plazas. Almost all doctors have a heart machine in their office or know of someone who has it. There are some doctors who own mobile heart scans that can come to your home.

Overactive bladder and incontinence part 9

Surgery
There are several types of surgical procedures to help individuals with an overactive bladder. Surgery is usually the last resort after the individual has failed lifestyle changes and drug treatment. Surgery should never be the first choice as the results are not that good. In fact, most individuals remain dis-satisfied with results of surgery.

Surgery is essentially done to improve the bladder’s storing ability and relax the muscles.

Surgical interventions include:

Stimulation of pelvic nerves. The nerves running from the spinal cord to the bladder (sacral nerves) are the target. The activity of these nerves is altered with the use of an electrical device. A very thin wire is placed near your tailbone and connected to a small pacemaker placed underneath your skin. The device is programmed to deliver very low current that relaxes the bladder. Like any electrical device, there are a number of technical problems and it often fails to work.

Enlarging the bladder (Augmentation cystoplasty). Some surgeons can increase capacity of the bladder by using a piece of bowel. This is a major undertaking. Because bowel does not have strong muscles, one constantly retains urine and thus, life long use of a catheter is a must. Enlargement of the bladder is a surgical procedure with a lot of risks and complications; it is only done when everything else has failed. The decision to undergo such surgery should not be undertaken lightly. Incontinence can be a difficult disorder to live with, but some of the complications from augmentation cystoplasty can make things a lot worse.

Detrusor Myectomy: There is another procedure that can thin or remove part of the muscle surrounding the bladder. This helps to strengthen the bladder and also avoids recurrent muscle contractions. The procedure is still in its infancy and results are not guaranteed.

Laser has also been used to relax or destroy the muscles around the hyperactive bladder. Laser is not a a magic bullet for overflow incontinence and often fails to work. The treatment is painful and the results are only temporary. Laser is also expensive.

Final Note

For those who are affected with an overactive bladder, there are many national and local organizations that provide support to other members. These support organizations offer the latest advice, coping methods and help improve self-esteem. These local chapters can be found on the internet under "incontinence support."

The other problem with incontinence is that most of the lay public and even many health care professionals remain clueless about this devastating disorder. Educating these individuals can help improve understanding and alleviate embarrassment.

Overactive bladder and incontinence part 8

Medications

Unlike may other bladder disorders, there are some decent medications that can treat overflow incontinence. These medications all work in the same manner. They relax the bladder muscles and reduce urge incontinence. The available drugs include

- tolterodine (Detrol)
- oxybutynin (Ditropan)
- oxybutynin skin patch (Oxytrol)
- trospium (Sanctura)
- solifenacin (Vesicare)
- darifenacin (Enablex).

For the best effects, it is highly recommended that these medications be combined with above mentioned lifestyle changes. There is a lot of clinical evidence showing that these drugs do work for hyperactive bladder but the problem is never cured. The treatment has to be continued for many months. Relapse is very common when drug treatment is stopped.

The major problem with the above drugs is side effects. Most individuals develop some type of side effect over time. The longer the treatment continues, the more prominent side effects become. The typical side effects of anti cholinergic drugs include

- Dry eye sensation
- Dry mouth
- Excessive thirst
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Constipation

To limit or eliminate these side effects, there are now some extended release preparations that can be applied as a skin patch. If dry mouth or dry eye sensation persists, one should use sugar free candy, apply eye drops or use products like Biotene that can help moisten the mouth for long periods

Botox

There is some anecdotal evidence that Botox can help relieve overflow incontinence. Botox can paralyze bladder muscles and reduce the urge to pee. Research is still ongoing and Botox has not yet been approved for use in this disorder. Some reports indicate that Botox when injected into bladder muscles can provide relief for as long as 4-6 months. However, it has also been observed that Botox injections in older men can create another problem- retention of urine. One develops a feeling of a full bladder but is unable to void. Often the only way to resolve this problem is to use a catheter to empty the bladder.

Overactive bladder and incontinence part 7

Mattress covers: If incontinence causes accidents at night, then one should use mattress covers. Today, a whole range of mattress covers are available. The fabrics include linen, cotton, reinforced cotton, plastic and even soft flexible sheet protectors. These covers are often reinforced with extra padding to make cleaning easier. Many of these products also are anti deodorants impregnated into the lining to prevent urine odor.

Absorbent briefs designed for both men, women and children are now available. These briefs also protect outer garments and bed linen. Many of these briefs can be reused and are made from nylon. The waist and leg bands lined with elastic provide a good seal and protection. These fabrics are washable and come in many sizes. Those who have soft,fair, fragile skin and are prone to irritation should use disposable briefs.

Skincare: All individuals with incontinence should take good care of their skin. There are many products on the market to keep skin clean. It is essential to get a product which is fragrance free, free of synthetic chemicals and not irritating to the skin. Besides creams, there are lotions, sprays, soaps and ointments to keep skin clean

Overactive bladder and incontinence part 6

Void twice. In some individuals the need to urinate develops very rapidly after voiding. In this case, always void twice and see this may help reduce the urge to urinate. The second voiding may empty completely empty the bladder and decrease the urge episodes.

Schedule your bathroom visits. Some people only go to the bathroom when there is an urge to void. This can make lifestyle difficult especially when there is no bathroom around. So make a habit of going to the bathroom at scheduled times. This will significantly decrease urge episodes. Try going to void every 2-4 hours. While this does not cure the problem, at least you will not pee in your pants all the time

Learn kegel exercise. Kegel exercises can increase strength in the pelvis floor muscles in some women. In the majority of cases, kegel exercise do help women who are premenopausal. Women who are postmenopausal generally do not obtain the same benefit from kegel exercises. Kegel exercises are not a one shot deal. The exercises have to be regularly practiced for months to strengthen muscles. These important muscles of the pelvic floor may help reduce overflow incontinence. The average time before one notices any benefit from kegel exercises is about 8-12 weeks. These exercises can help one enjoy sexual intercourse, reduce lower pelvic pain and increase flexibility of the lower pelvis. Unfortunately, many women see no difference with kegel exercises. Kegel exercises have been hyped up to treat a variety of female disorders but often the benefits are mild to moderate. Kegel exercise can be learnt from a physical therapist or from your physician.

Intermittent catheterization is a technique used to empty the bladder in some people. The catheter is passed in through the urethra into the bladder. In most cases intermittent catheterization technique is useful in patients with Multiple sclerosis, stroke, or those who are recovering from a stroke. In otherwise healthy people, frequent intermittent catheterization can also lead to infections when the procedure is not done properly. Intermittent catheterization is not a technique that should be started spontaneously by the patient. One needs to talk to the physician to determine the number of times, when to do it and also how do it. When done sterilely, the technique does work quite well. However, one has to carry a catheter and supplies everywhere. This can be expensive in the long run.

Absorbent pads. Today, there are many types of incontinent pads that can make a big difference in a patient’s life. The latest undergarments are soft, absorb well, prevent odor and help avoid accidents.

Weight control is a very important aspect of incontinence care. Obesity always worsens incontinence. So cut down on your weight, exercise regularly and change your lifestyle.

Overactive bladder and incontinence part 5

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle or behavioral modifications are the first step in management of an overactive bladder. The consumer has to understand that changes in lifestyle are not a cure for overflow incontinence. In many cases, these simple lifestyle changes can have a dramatic reduction in incontinence episodes.

The few lifestyles changes for overflow incontinence include:

Drink less fluids. Once a diagnosis of overflow incontinence has been made, watch how much you drink. The more you drink, the greater is the urge to urinate. So minimize your fluids but do not dehydrate yourself or remain thirsty.

Drink appropriate fluids: Some fluids which make incontinence worse are beverages containing caffeine and alcohol. Both tea and coffee should only be consumed on a minimal basis. Alcohol is probably the worst drink for all individuals with overflow incontinence. The best advice is quit alcohol.

Watch your diet. Often overflow incontinence is associated with constipation. The bowels sit on top of the bladder and when impacted with stools can compress the bladder. To avoid constipation, eat lots of fiber.

Bladder training is a protocol where one learns to cope with the urge to urinate. Over time, bladder training relaxes the bladder. One can try delaying going to urinate a few minutes every time there is an urge to urinate. Try to gradually prolong this time period by a few minutes over a few weeks or even months. Some individuals can teach the bladder to relax with this method. However, for the majority this method really does not work.

Overactive bladder and incontinence part 4

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of an overactive bladder is generally made from the medical history. The physical exam may include evaluation of the prostate via a rectal exam. Urine is generally analyzed to ensure that there is no urinary tract infection. A neurological exam is done to identify any nerve defects.

There many tests which are used to assess overactive bladders. Some of the tests may include

Measurements of post void residual urine. In this test, one is asked to void and remaining urine in the bladder is measured. The test requires you have a small tube placed via the urethra (penis in male, and vagina in female) and into the bladder. Once you have voided, the tube is inserted and the residual urine volume is measured. The test is unpleasant because having a tube placed via the penis/vagina is absolutely not thrilling. Some health care workers now use ultrasound to measure the amount of urine remaining in the bladder

Uroflowmetry is a device that can measure volume and speed of voiding. This is then compared against other individuals and can be used to monitor progress of disease

Cystometry and pressure flow studies simply measure when the bladder will contract when it is filling with fluid. The bladder is filled with fluid and then another recording device measures activity of bladder muscles. The pressure which is developed to empty the bladder is measured.

Electromyography is a test to assess coordination of nerve impulses in bladder muscles and urethra. These sensors are placed on skin around the urethra and lower pelvis

Video urodynamics. This technique uses either x rays or ultrasound and combines one of the above studies to monitor active bladder filling and contraction. The fluid is a special dye that can be visualized on x ray

Cystoscopy involves inserting a small thin tube with a camera from vagina or penis into the urethra and in the bladder. This device is often used to check for anatomical defects, presence of stones or cancers
Once diagnosis of overactive bladder is made, there are several treatments available. The treatment usually starts with conservative care and lifestyle changes

Overactive bladder and incontinence part 3

What causes overflow incontinence?

Most of us have no problems with urination. The bladder is about the size of I-1.5 liter muscular pocket. The muscles have a complex set of nerves, which sense filling of the bladder. There are also other nerves that relax the bladder when the bladder is filling with urine. When the bladder capacity has reached a certain limit, the nerves stimulate muscles and the bladder empties. The outflow of bladder known as the urethra also has complex network of nerves that prevent the urine from running out of the bladder continuously. When the bladder contracts the urethra relaxes and the urine flows out.

Why the bladder muscles start to contract prematurely is not known. In the majority of cases, no cause of an overactive bladder is ever identified. Some neurological disorders which cause an overactive bladder include multiple sclerosis. Parkinson’s, stroke or chronic diabetes

Factors that can aggravate an overactive bladder include:

- excess fluid intake
- poor kidney function
- diabetes
- urinary tract infection
- anatomical abnormalities of bladder/ureter
- bladder cancer
- bladder stones
- excess consumption of coffee beverages
- excess consumption of alcoholic beverages
- certain medications that increase urine production
like diuretics

Who is prone to developing an over active bladder?

The two most common disorders, which are associated with overactive bladder are diabetes and enlarged prostate in men

Overactive bladder and incontinence part 2

Symptoms of overactive bladder

In all individuals the classic symptoms include of an overactive bladder include:

A very strong urge to urinate. Any delay in going to the bathroom leads to leaking of urine. Once the urine stream starts, it is impossible to stop in the middle. Accidents are common. Because of the fear of accidents, many individuals adopt a lifestyle which is restrictive and confined to the home and work. Whenever the individual ventures out, he/she will first locate the bathrooms

Many individuals urinate anywhere from 8-12 times in 24 hours. Sometimes the urge only leads to a few drops of urine and the urge persists even after emptying of bladder

Most individuals wake up 2-4 times a night to urinate

The most troublesome feature of overactive bladder is that the urge to urinate makes daily living every difficult. One cannot make any plans such as travel, going to movies or attend social functions. When the urge comes, most people need to get to a bathroom right away. Thus, most individuals with this diagnosis always sit close to bathrooms and know locations of all bathrooms where they work.

One of the biggest problems with overflow incontinence is that most people are unwilling to seek medical help for fear of embarrassment. Many individuals today simply avoid proper treatment by wearing undergarments, over flow absorbent pads or wearing plastic diapers. It is important for individuals with this problem to seek help because the cause of overflow can be treated and in some cases it may be an early cancer which can be removed.

Overactive bladder and incontinence

What is an overactive bladder?

There are many individuals who just can’t control the bladder. The urge to urinate becomes so great that one cannot not sit still. Many individuals develop such strong urges to pee that they cannot sit through a meeting, attend any type of social or academic function and need to go the bathroom many times a day. While in many cases, there is relief after emptying the bladder, the urge to urinate persists and is recurrent.

Overactive bladder is a disorder associated with a severe urge to urinate all the time. This urge generally is impossible to suppress. This often leads to involuntary loss of urine- this means you pee in your pants if there is any delay in finding a bathroom.

An overactive bladder can be a real hassle, it create social difficulties, isolation, depression and can limit development of friendships. However, unlike many other bladder problems, an overactive bladder is one disorder that can be successfully treated in many cases.

Physical therapy and back pain part 2

When does physical therapy start?

After the acute back pain has subsided with bed rest and use of pain medications, most individuals are encouraged to enter a physical therapy program. Because of ongoing pain, the initial physical therapy is limited to improving mobility and there is little weight training. The majority of physical therapy centers offer excellent therapists who understand the problem and know what is required to get the individual back on their feet.

Rest assured, you will not be immersed into intense physical therapy the first day you arrive. In all cases, the therapist will assess and physically examine you to ensure that you are fit for physical therapy. The therapist will assess your degree of pain threshold, mobility, flexibility, and limitations and then prescribe an exercise program to fit your condition.

There is a lot of evidence that shows physical therapy is better able to treat individuals with mild or moderate back pain. Evidence now indicates that when regularly performed, both passive and active therapy can relieve back pain. Passive physical therapy programs consist of application of heat or ice packs, use of TENS unit and application of ultrasound. Passive modalities of physical therapy treatment work well in the early phase of back pain. Also included in physical therapy are massages, heat, diathermy, and hydrotherapy.

Once the individual has a decrease in back pain, active physical therapy is undertaken. This involves muscle stretching, improving range of motion exercises, gradual muscle strengthening, pain relieving movements and aerobic conditioning. Over time, many cases of back pain can be significantly improved with strengthening of back muscles.

For residual back pain, one may also undergo various spinal decompression treatments including use of traction devices.

If the pain continues, one can wear a brace or corset, which can be worn both during exercises and at rest. These braces help support the back, improve posture and assist with mobility. Braces can be bought from any medical supply store.

Physical therapy for back pain gives different results for different patients. No two individuals obtain the same response. Because each individual has a distinct body shape, anatomy, build, and physique, the benefits also vary. After a program of 2-4 months, most individual with back pain should see some improvement. Following this, one can be taught to undertake physical therapy exercises at home. These exercises can help improve posture and prevent back pain from coming back.

The major problem with physical therapy is that most people seem to think it is a bunch of useless exercises. Sure, physical therapy is not a magic bullet, nor does it work in everyone- but it is perhaps the best treatment for back pain- bar none. No available treatment for back pain can match the outcomes of physical therapy

Physical therapy is not a one shot deal and needs motivation, patience, and dedication. One may start off once a week and progress from that point. Physical therapy is also not a quick fix to back pain and requires time- perhaps 3-6 months. Nevertheless, in the long run, this therapy is safer, cheaper, and more effective than surgery or any other decompression treatment.

Once back pain has resolved, it is vital to maintain a decent weight, continue with exercises, and remain active.

for back pain braces and traction devices, visit www.medexsupply.com

Physical therapy and back pain

There is no question that physical therapy is of enormous benefit to individuals with back pain. Some health care professionals highly recommend this treatment to patients with back pain. One of the problems with treatment for back pain is that the business has become lucrative. Some physicians only send patients for treatments which are exorbitantly expensive and where they make some money. For example, surgeons tend to recommend surgery or pain injections.

While medications can relieve back pain, they do not cure the problem. Even the pain relief with medications is temporary. While physical therapy was never strongly emphasized in the past, it is now appreciated that physical therapy alone is far superior than many other treatments available for back pain. Today, the trend is to push individuals with back pain to enter physical therapy programs because of the dismal failure of surgery and other spinal decompression modalities.

Over the past two decades, a lot of evidence has accumulated that reveals the benefits of physical therapy. When done properly, physical therapy can help the process of healing much faster, reduce pain more effectively and also prevent recurrent episodes of back pain. Unlike the past, physical therapy is much more refined. It is not simply lifting weights or jogging around on a track. The specialty is individually designed to help the individual build strength, improve posture, increase flexibility, and adjust his/her lifestyle.

Physical therapy today focuses more on prevention and promotion of healing. In each and every case, physical therapy aims to restore function and increase mobility in the individual.

Can H pylori be transmitted sexually or by kissing?

H pylori is a spiral shaped bacterium which is most likely acquired during childhood. It is believed that poor sanitation, drinking contaminated water, and lack of sanitation facilities contribute to infection with this organism. However, 90% of individuals who do acquire H pylori never develop any symptoms. In some individuals, H pylori has been shown to cause peptic ulcer disease.

The acute infection may present with abdominal pain, bloating, belching, nausea, excess gas, or bad breath. Almost all patients who have had confirmed endoscopic evidence of peptic ulcer disease are known to be infected with H pylori. Further, there is now strong evidence linking H pylori to development of stomach cancers. Why only some individuals develop stomach cancer remains a mystery. In fact, this association is even more puzzling because the incidence of stomach cancer has gone down in the last 2 decades but infection with H pylori has gone up.

However, the question remains, can H pylori be passed on to your partner, family, or child either orally or sexually? No one seems to know as the problem has never been studied. One fact needs to be understood- H pylori is a not sexually transmitted organism but whether it can be transmitted via sex is unknown. There is always the possibility that simple kissing can transmit H pylori, but so far, no such reports exist. Because of routine practice of oral sex in most relationships, this may be another method of H pylori transfer to the partner. But again, there are no reports to confirm such a possibility.

In any case, even if H pylori is acquired, it can be easily treated. In most cases, a 10-14 day treatment with an antibiotic and an acid suppressive drug is all that is required.

VAX-D for back pain Part 5

When will I feel better after VAX -D?

The honest reply is NEVER. VAX- D does not produce results immediately. From the reports by the providers of VAX-D , it is felt that you will feel great after 6-8 sessions. Maximal benefit is obtained after 15-20 treatments. The pain relief may last up to 4years-but there is no guarantee.

IS VAX- D painful?

NO. you only lie down flat on your stomach and feel relaxed. You may feel some tugging and pulling sensation.

What if I cannot lie down on my stomach?

Do not worry, the treatment does not work anyway. They just want your money. On the serious side, if you cant lie down on the stomach you will be asked to lie down on your back (if this does this not sound like bogus, what will?). the treatment works in all positions.

What actually happens during the VAX-D sessions?

After you lie down, you will be fitted with a harness that goes around your lower back and groin. A couple of wires and a monitor will be attached to make it look like something fancy.

Is VAX-D effective for failed back syndrome?

Sure, if you pay money. Individuals who have failed back from prior surgery cannot be helped by such therapies. Despite the claims that 50 percent of individuals with failed back do great, this is simply unproven hype.

Does VAX D have any complications?

No, VAX-D has no major side effects or complications. The most common complain is people tire of lying down on the flat table for 60 minutes.


Does VAX- D work in everyone with back pain?

No. while the exact numbers who respond to VAX D are not known , these are a minority. Most testimonials are extremely negative about this therapy. the dealers suggest that one can only know if VAX D will work after 6 sessions. For those who are in limbo, they should register for at least 6 sessions. If you have not responded by the 6th session, than you got suckered into a bogus treatment

Does VAX D have an age limit?

Yes, anyone younger than 16-18 and older than 65, should not go for this therapy. elderly individuals with weak bones and poor gait should avoid such therapies.

VAX-D for back pain Part 4

What does VAX- D cost?

It is not cheap. The cost of VAX- D depends on your diagnosis. In general the average cost of treatment varies from $150-$250 per session. You may get discounts if you buy into 10 or more sessions. And do not worry, the doctors will help you make the payments by arranging financing.

What should I wear for my sessions?

Well, you just lie down on a table for 60 minutes and need to be comfortable. So just wear loose clothing – slacks or track pants. Do not reveal to these health care workers that you are rich because that may just cause them to extend these pleasurable treatment sessions.

Does VAX- D work?

Depends to whom you speak to. The providers of this treatment make outrageous claims. Testimonials reveal otherwise. There are many reports by patients on cyberspace that the treatment did nothing. If this therapy works, it will only cause a transient relief in pain. All this talk about blood flow, repair and regeneration is BS. You can rest assured that when one session does not work, you will be encouraged to go for more sessions in the false belief that it takes time.

IS VAX -D a permanent treatment for chronic back pain?

No, there is nothing that cure chronic back pain. All of us age and develop degeneration of the joints. So far, no treatment has been able to stop aging. VAX-D is just another fad going through. There are claims by the vendors that is relieves back pain for up to 4 years- my take on this- nonsense.

Why should I not select simple traction therapy?

Well, anyone who selects VAX D therapy must be a fool. Traction devices offer the exact same type of treatment with 1/10th the costs. There is zero difference between traction and VAX-D except design of the table and a lot of hype.

VAX-D for back pain Part 3

Is there anything published on VAX-D

Sure, there is. All the clinics where you go will you give you some VAX D trials reports done in India and Europe. The same people who conducted these trials are now selling these so called special VAX-D tables. There are no random clinical double blind studies to determine if the treatment works.

Do I need any medical reports before I start VAX D

Yes you need to bring your old CT and MRI. If you do not have them, do not worry- the physician will order new MRI of your back for only $1,000

What does VAX- D exactly do?

The dealers say it is not a traction treatment. Well, if something pulls your body in one direction, then what is that called? Anyway, the VAX D providers do offer some hodge podge technical stuff like negative pressure- all crap.

Besides pain, what other benefits can one obtain from VAX-D?

Well, for one thing VAX D definitely allows the doctor to buy a new Lexus with the thousands of dollars you have paid. As far as the patient benefits are concerned, there is more hodge podge stuff like you will walk better, taller, faster and lift more weights than ever. The therapy will realign your vertebral column and restore normal anatomy of the joints in your back. Your pockets unfortunately will feel light from the lack of money which you do not have anymore.

IS VAX-D covered by Medicare?

Fortunately, Medicare does not cover therapies which border on fraudulent claims. Not a single medical insurance carrier covers VAX-D. The reason is because there is no solid evidence that it works and there is little or no decent clinical evidence to back up the claims made by the health care professionals. You will be told that the treatment is so new and most insurance carriers would like to see long term results before they start to cover it.

VAX-D for back pain Part 2

Can anyone undergo VAX-D treatment?

Sure, if you can pay for it. The people who offer this treatment now claim that VAX D is a first option to treat chronic low back pain. The following individuals are said to get the best benefit from VAX-D:

- individuals who have done miserably after surgery
(there are thousands of such patients) and continue
to have moderate to severe back pain
- individuals who have ongoing low back pain despite
undergoing 4-8 weeks of physical therapy
- anyone with low back or pain that is caused by a
herniated discs, arthritis, facet joint problem,
bulging disc, osteoarthritis, trauma or abnormal joint
anatomy

who should not undergo VAX-D?

Luckily the people who offer this therapy have some exclusion criteria. The following candidates should not undergo VAX-D

- THOSE WITH NO MONEY
- Females who are pregnant or breast feeding are not
candidates for VAX-D
- Any person who has recently been involved in trauma
and has a fracture of the spine. These individuals
should wait at least 6-12 months before undergoing VAX-D.
- Any individual who has undergone prior back surgery and
still has rods, pins or any type of hardware should not
undergo VAX D. the mucking around during VAX-D can loosen
up the residual hardware and make matters worse
- Individuals with thin or weak bone or anyone who has been
diagnosed with osteoporosis should not undergo VAX-D.
Individuals who have good bone but have been told that
they are just beginning to show signs of osteoporosis are
sometimes allowed to undergo VAX-D. However, if something
happens during the therapy – you will be told we warned you.
- Those individuals who have bone cancer or cancer which has
spread to the spine are not candidates for VAX-D.
- Anyone with an active infection of the spine or surrounding
bone should not undergo VAX D.
- Other individuals who should not undergo VAX D include
those with medical disorders like ankylosing spondylitis,
cauda equina syndrome, severe scoliosis, lordoisis,
or kyphosis.

How does VAX-D treatment relieve back pain?

VAX-D is performed as outpatient treatment. No one gets better with just one session. In the majority of cases, one needs anywhere from 12-30 sessions depending on the medical diagnosis. The number of sessions is usually determined by the provider of your health care provider. Further, the treatment sessions may increase but almost never decrease (just like plastic surgery).

VAX-D for back pain

What is VAX-D?

In the last few years, some orthopedic surgeons have decided that they want to practice medicine like the cosmetic surgeons. Everyone knows that there is money to made with back pain. There are hundreds of treatments for back pain and none of them works well. The orthopedic surgeons have already tried the surgery route and in most cases have made patients worse. So now there is a treatment called VAX-D.

VAX-D stands for vertebral Axial Decompression (if you cant pronounce it, just go by its other name- bull shit therapy). It is the latest non surgical procedure for treating lower back pain. VAX-D has been used in Europe (they have no standards in Europe –so do not be impressed if they are always the first to use a treatment).

Is it FDA approved?

No, VAX-D has not been FDA approved for treatment but is still widely available in North America.

Is it safe?

The good thing about the treatment is that it is generally safe, there are no needles or anesthesia, and there is no cutting involved. All you have to do is lie on a flat table and your back is stretched in one direction. And this my friends is VAX-D.

What does VAX D do?

A lot of hype has been made about the table and the gadgets that go with it. For example, if you have a bone fragment impinging on your nerve in the lower back, this table will pull you in one direction and relive the pressure on the nerve. There is absolutely nothing novel about this treatment, except the name and its cost. The vendors of these therapy have created new vocabulary like negative pressure, disc space, and joint alignment – just hype to sell the treatment. A related treatment available years ago was the inversion therapy which did not do much. Retraction of back joints has been practiced in medicine for the better part of 50 years and is nothing new. People gave up on retraction devices because they never worked

What conditions can be treated with VAX D?

The providers of this therapy claim that besides chronic back pain, VAX -D can be used to treat sciatica, facet joint syndrome, herniated discs, degenerated discs from arthritis, and in individuals who have pain after failed back surgery.

What is Spinal stenosis? Part 2

What is treatment of spinal canal narrowing?

The majority of individuals with spinal stenosis can improve with non surgical methods. Initially bed rest and pain control are required. This should be followed by a physical therapy program which may last anywhere from 2-6 months

Who needs surgery for spinal canal narrowing?

In general, surgery for spinal canal narrowing is reserved for the very few individuals who continue to have back pain, remain disabled and are not able to work. Other individuals who need surgery are those who also develop bowel and bladder incontinence. When bowel and bladder incontinence occur, the management requires urgent surgery to remove pressure of the nerves

Can spinal narrowing occur elsewhere?

Sure, after the back, spinal canal narrowing is next most common in the neck.


What are symptoms of spinal canal narrowing in the neck?

The majority of people will complain of a headache, shoulder and upper arm pain, and also weakness in the arms. Most people with narrowing of spinal canal in the neck are not able to move their neck freely and have difficulty sleeping, walking, and working. The diagnosis of narrowing in the neck area is again best made by an MRI

Is surgery required for spinal stenosis narrowing?

Yes, but rarely. The results of surgery for back and neck pain from any cause are poor. The majority of people who undergo surgery are often in worse shape than what they started out with. If surgery produced good results, back pain would have been cured by now. Thousands of patients remain dis-satisfied by surgery. The decision to undergo surgery should not be undertaken lightly. Besides getting a good surgeon, one also has to have the right reasons to undergo the procedure.

What surgical procedures are used to treat spinal canal narrowing?

The classic procedure for narrowing of the spinal canal is called a laminectomy or laminoplasty. In either case, the spinal canal is slightly enlarged and pressure is taken off the nerves. There are many variations of the same procedure.

Does surgery help?

Judging by testimonials, surgery has not been of great benefit. While in some cases the reason has been a terrible surgeon, in most cases it is a combination of inappropriate surgery, poor patient selection, and not knowing what the hell is going on.

Final Note: Treatment of back pain is a billion dollar industry. The majority of treatments are quack therapies with false claims. The majority of people who sell/offer treatment for back pain only want your money. The large numbers of treatments for back pain should provide a clue that nothing works.

What is Spinal stenosis?

One of the most common causes of back pain is narrowing of the spinal canal. Inside the spinal canal run nerves which go to all parts of the body. When narrowing of the canal occurs, it may compress the nerves which results in symptoms. The narrowing of the spinal canal can occur from a variety of medical disorders.

What happens when the spinal canal narrows?

As the spinal canal narrows, it compresses the nerves which exit the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis is most often seen in the lower back and frequently affects elderly individuals-however, it can also occur in young individuals also. the reason why elderly get more spinal canal narrowing has been attributed to getting old.
In some rare cases, the spinal canal in the lower back may be narrowed due to a congenital disorder or from trauma.

Does everyone with spinal canal narrowing develop symptoms?

While everyone develops some degree of spinal canal narrowing with age, not everyone develops symptoms. Some individuals develop symptoms even with degrees of stenosis whereas others can have moderate degree of stenosis and yet have no symptoms.

What are typical symptoms of spinal canal narrowing?

Individuals who have narrowing of spinal canal usually complain of low back pain which often radiates into the buttocks and may go down to back of the thigh. The pain is typically worse while walking or prolonged standing. When lying down the pain can ease off. The pain is often a dull ache in the back but can also produce sharp pains in the buttocks and legs.

What are other symptoms of spinal canal narrowing?

Other symptoms of spinal canal narrowing include burning pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected leg.

How is the diagnosis of spinal canal narrowing made?

The diagnosis of spinal canal narrowing is usually made with an MRI. CT scans are also quite good at revealing the narrowing.

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