Benefit’s of Walking

Although walking may not seem like exercise because we do it everyday, it has a vast array of health benefits. This everyday activity that most of us don’t even think about is actually very powerful. Unlike many other exercises there is no equipment, training or experience necessary. You don’t even need to schlep to the gym if you don’t want to. Outdoors or in, this is as easy as it gets to significantly reduce and prevent certain ailments and increase overall health. You can’t hurt yourself or over-do it so why not start now?

Walking positively affects numerous physical conditions along with mental and emotional issues. A good walk gets your heartbeat up, exercising your cardiovascular system. As your blood is pumping hopefully you can warm up enough to sweat some toxins out in the process. You get a chance to stretch your body and let oxygen into your system, which is good for red blood cells and muscles in preventing cramps. Of course exercise in general, especially cardio, will burn calories and promote a healthy weight. Walk it off and be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush your system.

As far as mental health, walking can directly target stress and anxiety. Sometimes people just need some space and fresh air to calm down and feel relaxed. When someone is cramped up in an office all day it is very refreshing and renewing to go for a walk after hours and refocus for the evening, or maybe an after dinner stroll. Yes, everyone is stressed and everyone has a different way of handling that. It is important to understand how detrimental stress can be for the body and mind. Stress can single-handedly make certain diseases worsen and mental and emotional problems peak. Adding stress to any situation is only asking for trouble. The reduction of stress can directly impact the effectiveness of certain treatments or medications for any issues you may be dealing with. Stress affects everything and it is not something to be taken lightly just because it is so common. Walking clears your mind and may even put things in a new perspective for you. Afterward you should feel refreshed, focused and ready for whatever comes next.

What’s more refreshing than a nice Autumn walk? There’s no excuse not to try it. Make walking a routine and schedule it into your week, before you know it you won’t even think about it- you’ll just put your shoes on and go. Grab your iPod or a walking buddy to keep you motivated and hit the pavement! Go put your sneakers on, grab a water bottle and enjoy the colors of the season!

Healthy Fall Foods

The beginning of the Fall season brings with it a lot of new eating options. However, many of these options may not be healthy for you. Listed below are some fall-friendly foods that not only taste good, but are good for you.

• Whether eaten raw or baked into a dish, apples are a healthy and satisfying option. They are full of antioxidants and contain 4 grams of dietary fiber; just make sure you eat the flavonoid-rich skin too!
• Brussel sprouts, when made correctly, can taste amazing. They’re packed with tons of vitamin K, folate and iron.
• Parsnips are rich in potassium, as well as being a good source of fiber. We recommend using them to flavor potatoes or rice.
• Pears, in addition to being a sweet and juicy treat, are also rich in vitamin C and copper.
• Pumpkins are great for making jack-o-lanterns, but they also have incredible health benefits. These fall favorites are high in potassium, fiber and B vitamins.
• Packing more nutrition than their white counterparts, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A and iron, as well as having anti-inflammatory benefits.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Teens

Now a days teenager texting rates and video game usage are on the rise. With the increase of new technologies such as iphones, video game releases, and laptops for taking notes in class, wrists are constantly moving and buttons are constantly being pushed. In fact, the average American teenager sends at least 60 text messages per day. While these new technologies are a great innovation, there is a major downfall…..teenage carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) rates are on the rise.

Carpal tunnel syndrome used to mainly affect individuals in the workplace over the age of 30. However, there is a new trend: CTS affecting younger generations. CTS is when major nerves are being compressed over carpal bones at the front of the wrist alongside flexor tendons of hands. It is often caused by repetitive movements but can also be the effect of broken or dislocated wrist bones or sprains that cause swelling around carpal tunnel.

I send a massive amount of texts per day, and play a lot of video games…how do I know if I fall into the category of teenagers with CTS? The symptoms include:

-Pain/tingling in hand wrist or arm
-Numbness in hands and fingers,
-Loss of hand grip strength
-Poor circulation

CTS is curable, and there are several options for treatment. Some treatments include wearing a wrist splint, physical therapy,certain medicines or in extreme cases, surgery. Some tips for preventing CTS or lessening the pain include: keeping wrists straight with hands slightly elevated when typing or texting, icing areas of pain, as well as resting one’s wrist in between activities. If you think you have any of the above symptoms seek doctor assistance, the quicker treatment starts, the better!

Second Impact Syndrome

Second Impact Syndrome is a serious condition that affects people everywhere, especially young athletes. SIS has a high mortality rate and can otherwise cause severe mental disabilities. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness about the dangers of the condition and what steps should be taken to prevent it.

SIS occurs when an athlete suffers a concussion and returns to sport too early. Since the brain is more vulnerable after an initial injury, even a minor impact can cause irreversible damage. Even if the athlete does not lose consciousness, they may appear stunned and can collapse within minutes. Since their condition will worsen over the course of a few minutes, life-saving measures should be taken immediately.

The best way to prevent SIS is to make sure that athletes do not return until they have been cleared by a sports medicine professional. If an athlete resumes playing while suffering from post-concussion symptoms, they are at extreme risk of succumbing to Second Impact Syndrome. In the case that the condition does occur, it is important to focus on stabilizing the patient with airway management.