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Health Tip: Battling Muscle Cramps?

Posted 12 days ago by Drugs.com

-- The tight, searing pain of a muscle cramp is tough to forget. But do you know why your muscles spasm? The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons mentions these possible causes: Failing to stretch muscles before exercise. Exercising muscles that are over-fatigued. Exercising in hot weather. Exercising when you are dehydrated or lack electrolytes. Overexerting yourself during exercise. Being overweight, being sick or taking certain medications. Being older. Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Spasm, Muscle Pain, Nocturnal Leg Cramps, Dehydration, Muscle Twitching, Heat Stress

Take A New View of Yoga

Posted 19 days ago by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2017 – Want to add strength training, flexibility, and even stress reduction to your fitness plan? Then it's time to consider – or reconsider, if you've shied away from it in the past – the ancient Indian practice of yoga. Some 11 million Americans take part in one form of yoga or another. And, far from being a new-age type of exercise, it's embraced by people from all walks of life – men as well as women, and even pro athletes, according to the American Council on Exercise. And you don't have to twist yourself into a pretzel to do it. The most popular discipline is Hatha yoga, which stresses concentration and uses stretching and strengthening exercises. Many poses or asanas aren't complicated, but they are effective. You can choose those specifically targeted to your needs. For example, the Warrior 2 pose improves hip flexibility and strengthens the quadriceps. ... Read more

Related support groups: Pain, Depression, Back Pain, Major Depressive Disorder, Chronic Pain, Muscle Pain, Sciatica, Dysthymia

Excess Alcohol May Speed Muscle Loss in Older Women

Posted 7 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 – Heavy drinking may hasten muscle loss in older women, a new study warns. Both aging and menopause can lead to loss of muscle mass and strength, a condition called sarcopenia. Muscle mass loss typically starts in midlife, and progresses at a rate of 6 percent per decade, the researchers said. Usually, only three-quarters of midlife muscle mass remains after the age of 80. This loss of muscle affects balance, gait and the ability to do daily tasks, the researchers said. By 2030, the number of people in the world 60 or older is estimated to grow by 56 percent, and older people will number one in six individuals globally, according to the South Korean researchers. Their study looked at nearly 2,400 postmenopausal women, average age 62. Of those, 8 percent had sarcopenia. Rates of sarcopenia were nearly four times higher among high-risk drinkers than among low-risk ... Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Pain, Weight Loss, Alcoholism, Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Compression Tights Won't Trim Running Times

Posted 2 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 – If you're an avid runner and you think compression tights might shave a few seconds off your time, a new study begs to differ. Runners were monitored while they ran on a treadmill on two different days, once with compression tights and once without. The Ohio State University researchers found that while compression tights greatly reduce muscle vibration, they don't reduce muscle fatigue, which means they don't help runners go farther or faster. The study was to be presented Thursday at the American College of Sports Medicine's annual meeting, in Denver. "When your muscle vibrates, it induces a contraction that uses energy, so the theory was that less muscle vibration would translate to less fatigue," study leader Ajit Chaudhari said in an Ohio State news release. "However, the reduced vibration was not associated with any reduction in fatigue at all. In our ... Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Pain, Muscle Twitching

Anabolic Steroids May Tax the Heart

Posted 22 May 2017 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, May 22, 2017 – Long-term use of muscle-building anabolic steroids may take a toll on the heart, researchers say. Bodybuilders who take these drugs to bulk up should take note: prolonged use of anabolic steroids makes it harder for the heart to function properly. The steroids might also contribute to artery-clogging, study findings showed. "It is critical that clinicians become aware of the long-term risks of anabolic steroid use on the heart," said Dr. Harrison Pope Jr., a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and co-lead author of the study. Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of the male hormone testosterone. An estimated 2.9 million to 4 million Americans have used these drugs, and about one million are dependent on the pills or injections, the researchers said. For the new study, Pope and his colleagues tracked 140 male weight-lifters. Eighty-six had used ... Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Pain, Testosterone, AndroGel, Testim, Axiron, Frozen Shoulder, Androderm, Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction, Depo-Testosterone, Fortesta, Testopel, Android, Methyltestosterone, Testopel Pellets, Stanozolol, Winstrol, Oxandrolone, Durabolin, Delatestryl

This Combo Workout May Suit Obese Seniors Best

Posted 18 May 2017 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 – Older, obese adults need to shed weight, but dieting can worsen their frailty. A new study addresses this conundrum, suggesting seniors take up both aerobic and resistance exercise while slimming down. Engaging in aerobic and resistance exercise while losing weight enabled study participants to maintain more muscle mass and bone density compared to folks who did just one type of exercise or none at all, the researchers found. "The best way to improve functional status and reverse frailty in older adults with obesity is by means of diet and regular exercise using a combination of resistance and aerobic exercise training," said study leader Dr. Dennis Villareal. He's a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. More than one-third of people age 65 and older in the United States are obese, according to the study authors. Obesity worsens the ... Read more

Related support groups: Obesity, Muscle Pain, Weight Loss, Osteoporosis, Fracture, bone, Prevention of Osteoporosis, Prevention of Fractures

Health Tip: Using a Stability Ball

Posted 15 May 2017 by Drugs.com

-- A stability ball may look like an overgrown beach ball, but its potential health benefits shouldn't be ignored. The American Council on Exercise mentions these possible benefits: Improves balance. Strenthens trunk muscles. Strengthens abdominal muscles, which may improve your posture. Strengthens muscles of the core – including the abdomen, chest and back. Read more

Related support groups: Obesity, Muscle Pain, Weight Loss

Stronger Muscles May Pump Up Kids' Memory Skills

Posted 20 Apr 2017 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, April 19, 2017 – Here's yet another reason to make sure your kids are active: New research shows those with stronger muscles may have better working memory. Evaluating 79 children between the ages of 9 and 11, scientists said they found that muscle fitness was directly related to a more accurate memory. The results also reinforced established research linking kids' aerobic fitness to better thinking skills and academic performance. "There are multiple ways children can derive benefit from exercise ... to build healthy bodies as well as healthy minds," said study co-author Charles Hillman. He's a professor of psychology and health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston. "We know that kids are becoming increasingly inactive, overweight and unfit," Hillman added. "So, it's important to take studies like these ... to basically indicate the benefit of physical activity and ... Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Mild Cognitive Impairment

Ouch! How to Tell If You Have a Sprain, a Strain or a Tear

Posted 25 Mar 2017 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, March 24, 2017 – Sprains, strains and tears are different types of injuries, and it's important to know how they differ, a sports massage therapist says. A sprain is the overstretching or tearing of ligaments, which are the tissues that connect bones to each other and stabilize them. "Sprains occur when the joint is forced into an unnatural position. They happen most often in the ankle but can occur at any joint, such as the wrist or knee," said Martin Mufich. He is also a clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Nursing. Symptoms of a sprain include joint or muscle pain, inflammation, hampered movement, tenderness and bruising. "A mild sprain should take approximately seven to 10 days to heal," Mufich said in a university news release. "A torn ligament is considered a severe sprain that will cause pain, inflammation, bruising and result in ankle instability, often ... Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Pain, Fracture, bone, Radiation Injury of Bone

Many College Football Players Lack Vitamin D: Study

Posted 17 Mar 2017 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, March 16, 2017 – Low vitamin D levels are common among college football players and may put them at increased risk for injuries, a new study suggests. "Vitamin D has been shown to play a role in muscle function and strength," said senior study author Dr. Scott Rodeo, co-chief emeritus of the sports medicine and shoulder service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. "While most prior studies have focused on the aging population as the group most likely to experience the harmful effects of inadequate vitamin D, few reports have looked at the impact on muscle injury and function in the high-performance athlete," he said in a hospital news release. In the study, Rodeo's team assessed 214 college football players, average age 22. The investigators found that nearly 60 percent had low levels of vitamin D, including 10 percent with a severe deficiency. Those players ... Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Caltrate 600 with D, Calcium/Vitamin D, Citracal + D, Citracal Petites, Oysco 500 with D, Calcet, Calcarb with D, Oyster Shell Calcium, Calcium 600 D, Citracal Creamy Bites, Osteocit D Plus, Oyster Shell Calcium with Vitamin D, Dical Captabs, Oysco D, Citracal Regular, Dicalphos plus D, Caltro with Vitamin D, Oyst-Cal-D

Brain Training for Cancer Survivors' Nerve Damage

Posted 5 Mar 2017 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, March 3, 2017 – Learning to control their brain waves with a type of training called neurofeedback seems to help cancer survivors ease symptoms of chemotherapy-caused nerve damage, a new study suggests. Chemotherapy can damage nerves that control sensation and movement in the arms and legs. This condition – called chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) – affects up to 96 percent of patients within a month of chemo. Symptoms include pain, burning, tingling and loss of feeling, the study authors explained. "There is currently only one approved medication to treat CIPN and it has associated muscle aches and nausea. Neurofeedback has no known negative side effects, can be used in combinations with other treatments and is reasonably cost-effective," said study lead investigator Sarah Prinsloo. She is an assistant professor in the Division of Cancer Medicine at ... Read more

Related support groups: Cancer, Muscle Pain, Peripheral Neuropathy

Health Tip: Step Training

Posted 1 Mar 2017 by Drugs.com

-- Step training is a great way to burn calories and strengthen muscles and bones. The American Council on Exercise offers these tips: Make sure you step with your entire foot on the platform, with no portion hanging off the edge. When you use the floor, step close to the platform. Step softly. Pounding your feet could harm joints. Keep your eyes on the platform to avoid a misstep. Don't use hand weights, which increase your risk of injury and aren't beneficial. Read more

Related support groups: Obesity, Muscle Pain, Weight Loss

Health Tip: Stay Safe During Winter Sports

Posted 20 Feb 2017 by Drugs.com

-- Skiing and snowboarding are fun ways to exercise and make the most of winter. But safety is still a priority. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons advises: Always head out with a buddy when you participate in a winter sport. Make sure you're well-conditioned. Warm up cold muscles and ligaments before playing. Drink plenty of water, and don't play if you are tired or in pain. Always wear a helmet, gloves and other protective equipment recommended for your sport. Inspect before use to make sure equipment fits and is in good shape. Dress in layers and don needed footwear. Watch for weather advisories before heading out. Follow all rules for your sport. If you're a novice, consider taking lessons with a certified instructor. Watch for signs of frostbite, including numbness, tingling or discolored skin. If you have any of them, seek shelter and help immediately. Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Pain, Fracture, bone, Frozen Shoulder, Prevention of Fractures

Health Tip: Get a Massage

Posted 17 Feb 2017 by Drugs.com

-- Massage therapy can help relax your body and mind, easing pain and helping you cope with stress. The Mayo Clinic says possible benefits of massage include: Managing anxiety, stress-related insomnia and headache. Easing pain and discomfort associated with fibromyalgia, sports-related injuries, injuries of the soft tissues and temporomandibular joint pain. Reducing muscle tension. Despite its possible benefits, Mayo says, massage therapy should not be considered a replacement for regular medical care. Read more

Related support groups: Pain, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress, Muscle Pain

Vitamin D Pumps Up Muscles

Posted 17 Feb 2017 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, Feb. 16, 2017 – High blood levels of "active" vitamin D may boost muscle strength, a new study suggests. British investigators measured both inactive and active vitamin D levels, fat levels and muscle mass in 116 healthy adult volunteers, aged 20 to 74. People with higher levels of active vitamin D in the blood had more lean muscle mass and bulk, the investigators found. "By looking at multiple forms [of vitamin D] in the same study, we can say that it is a more complex relationship than previously thought," said study author Zaki Hassan-Smith, from the University of Birmingham. "It may be that body fat is linked to increased levels of inactive vitamin D, but lean mass is the key for elevated levels of active vitamin D," Hassan-Smith said in a university news release. "It is vital to understand the complete picture, and the causal mechanisms at work, so we can learn how to ... Read more

Related support groups: Muscle Pain, Vitamin D Deficiency, Caltrate 600 with D, Calcium/Vitamin D, Citracal + D, Citracal Petites, Oysco 500 with D, Rickets, Calcet, Oyster Shell Calcium, Calcarb with D, Calcium 600 D, Citracal Creamy Bites, Osteocit D Plus, Dical Captabs, Oysco D, Citracal Maximum, Dicalphos plus D, Caltro with Vitamin D, Oyst-Cal-D

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