Kid's Health
by Jane Bianchi
According to a new study, the number of kids with kidney stones has tripled in the past decade. The rock-like particles, which form when calcium builds up in urine, now affect thousands of children a year. Small stones may pass through the body unnoticed, without doing any harm. But if they're large, they can get caught in the urinary tract, causing severe pain (usually in the lower back) and possibly kidney damage. "Eating too much salt (more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily) and not drinking enough water are the usual causes," says Caleb P. Nelson, M.D., co-director of the Pediatric Kidney Stone Center at Children's Hospital Boston.
Encourage your kid to drink 8 glasses of water a day.
Family Circle Oct.17.09
Why Support the Three Arches of the Foot?
By Mark Charrette, DC
The feet are the foundation of support for the pelvis and spine. They provide the necessary stability to perform daily activities. Central to the success of the pedal foundation is its arched structure, which is actually a complex of three bony arches: the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch and the anterior transverse (metatarsal) arch.
An evaluation of the anatomy and structure of the foot reveals that these three arches form a plantar "vault."1 This architectural design optimizes strength, permits sufficient flexibility to accommodate changes in terrain, and provides propulsion for locomotion. The foot's arched structure is not present at birth, but develops during childhood, by age 6 or 7 in most people.2
Because the feet are under continuous gravitational pressure when bearing the body's weight, breakdown in any of these three arches can result in abnormal gait and transmission of asymmetrical forces into the pelvis and spine. Let's briefly examine the functional capabilities of the three arches individually, and then address the effects of arch dysfunction and what can be done to support a collapsed arch.
To read about the 3 arches go to:
http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=54446
ACA: Proper mattress can improve sleep comfort, reduce pain
December 8, 2009 — A good night’s sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle; however, an estimated 70 million Americans complain of sleeplessness.
A 2006 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine showed that sleeping on a new mattress can significantly reduce stiffness and back pain. Researchers found that study participants reported immediate and sustained benefits after sleeping on a new mattress. This was especially true of participants who entered the study with back pain complaints, as they reported a 63 percent improvement in back discomfort with a new mattress.
When it comes time to purchase a new mattress, the ACA recommends the following:
Shop for Support
Look for a mattress that provides uniform support from head to toe; if there are gaps between your body and the mattress (such as at the waist), you’re not getting the full support you need. Mattresses can be too firm; pay close attention to uncomfortable pressure on prominent body features such as the shoulders, hips, and low back.
Shop for Comfort
When mattress shopping, give each option a good trial run before you buy; lie down on a mattress for a minimum of five minutes to 10 minutes to get a good idea of its comfort level. If you cannot find a comfortable position, you probably have the wrong mattress.
Shop for Size
Does the bed provide enough room for both you
— and your sleeping partner if you have one — to stretch and roll over? The ideal mattress will also minimize the transfer of movement from one sleeping partner to the other, which means one person shouldn’t feel motion as the other leaves the bed.
Generally, a mattress should be replaced every five years to eight years to ensure proper support and comfort. Be aware that life’s changes can signal the need for a new mattress as well.
After investing in a quality mattress, don’t forget to choose an equally supportive pillow, advises ACA spokesperson Steven Conway, DC, DACBOH, Esq.
When selecting a new pillow, ACA recommends selecting one with ergonomically-designed features, which will enhance comfort and limit pain.
Look for pillows that are:
• Designed to keep the spine in natural alignment. When lying on your side, your head and neck should remain level with your mid and lower spine. When lying on your back, your head and neck should remain level with your upper back and spine. Avoid pillows that are so thick or thin that they angle your head and neck away from your body.
• Designed to support different sleep positions, including side sleeper or back sleeper. (It’s best never to sleep on your stomach, as it’s the most back unfriendly sleeping position.)
• Hypoallergenic.
Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org
TOXIN ALERT!!!
BPA Upon Receipt?
You know that hormone-disrupting bisphenol-A (BPA) can leach out of plastic bottles and tin cans, but your greatest exposure may be from those thermal-image receipts store clerks and restaraunt wait staff hand you daily. According to John C. Warner, cofounder of the Warner Babcock Institue for Green Chemistry in Wilmington, Massachusetts, the nanograms of BPA from plastic hardly compare to the 60 to 100 mg of ready-to-absorb BPA on receipts. More research must be done, but in the meantimes, don't keep receipts for longer than necessary, and avoid taking them when purchasing food, tickets, or other nonreturnable items.
