Category: General

CIPN symptoms feel like numbness or “pins and needles” in your hands and feet; difficulty picking up an object or buttoning clothing, ringing in your ears or loss of hearing, changes in vision; sudden, stabbing pains in your hands or feet. The toxicity of the chemotherapy eats away at the nerve covering called the myelin sheath. This results in poor nerve transmission

While these symptoms seem to be minor the real issue becomes lack of mobility. Then we have to consider the risk of falling which skyrockets in this segment of the population. So it may seem minor but the comorbidities are very serious.
Exercise helps every condition that afflicts mankind. Peripheral neuropathy is another condition to help. Exercise does not need to be strenuous. It can be at a slow pace. The key here is to get started. Then you must continue to maintain all the positive gains you will achieve through regular exercise

If you have any questions about which exercises to start with simply email Dr.Brian McKay, He can be reached at mckaydarien@yahoo.com.

The study showed that those who exercised saw a lessening of neuropathic symptoms as opposed to those who were in the control group. The authors concluded that exercise is a promising tool that clinicians should consider prescribing for patients receiving taxane-based, platinum-based, and vinca alkaloid-based drugs, especially for geriatric patients. Research has shown that strengthening exercises for peripheral neuropathy moderately improve muscle strength in people with PN. In addition, exercises to help peripheral neuropathy
, when done regularly, may reduce neuropathic pain and can help control blood sugar levels. What are you waiting for? Time to start exercising is now.

Research has shown that strengthening exercises for peripheral neuropathy moderately improve muscle strength in people with PN. In addition, exercises to help peripheral neuropathy, when done regularly, may reduce neuropathic pain and can help control blood sugar levels. Exercise helps to alleviate pain related to nerve damage (neuropathic pain) by reducing levels of certain inflammation-promoting factors, suggests an experimental study.

Neuropathy is considered as a comorbidity for patients who underwent cancer treatement. As with most situations exercise will help tremendously with patient outcomes. For those who cannot exercise we recomend using whole body vibration. This passive form of exercise is helpful for those who are too weak to benefit from more active aerobic forms of exercise. The increased blood flow will oxygenate the enitre body.

Your Doctor has Recommended Therapy; What’s Next?

Physical therapy is a health care specialty concerned with treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system and it’s interaction with physical movement.

Every day people suffer injuries in one way or another. Grandparents are suffering debilitating strokes, while mothers, suffering with multiple sclerosis, begin to show its crippling effects resulting in their no longer being able to climb in and out of their own vehicle. Perhaps more tragic still are the newborn babies who are injured during childbirth and who arrive in the world partially paralyzed or worse. These and other scenarios are common day occurrences to those who work within the medical field. However, for sufferers of these diseases, these are scary diagnoses that are unfamiliar. Your doctor is likely to prescribe a round of therapies administered by a group of practitioners called therapists. If your problem is physical you will be referred to a physical therapist for physical therapy.

What is a Physical Therapist?

The physical therapist is a licensed professional who holds a masters or doctorate degree in physical therapy. They work in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, out-patient facilities, schools, and nursing homes. In some cases after your initial evaluation you may begin working with the physical therapist assistant. Together they work to produce the most benefit for your time and money.

What is Therapeutic Rehabilitation?

The dictionary definition of the branch of therapeutic rehabilitation known as physical therapy includes such words as “preservation,” “enhancement” and “restoration.” In the field of physical therapy, the goal is to rehabilitate a person who has suffered an injury and is consequently disabled or not able to function normally. Through these therapies the therapist hopes to preserve and enhance the current functions and abilities while working toward restoring any lost function. An example might include the partial paralysis often seen with stroke victims.

What Happens During Therapy?

Normally the physician or orthopedic surgeon prescribes a number of therapy visits once he believes the patient has recovered enough in order to begin the rehabilitative process. During these sessions the patient is first evaluated and given a prognosis with regard to how they might be helped by the therapy. The therapist then suggests a plan including the number of visits/hours per week the patient will need to participate. Your doctor may also suggest you use a home pain relief kits like these sold by Solohealth.

The therapies often involve exercise, physical modalities such as massage and electrotherapy, assistive devices and what is known as physiotherapy. Physiotherapy involves educating and training the patient to be able to perform certain exercises at home. It is imperative that the patient work on his or her therapy at home as well as while with the therapist.

Individual results from therapy varies from person to person. However, in most cases and with time the benefits far outweigh the time and energy required while on this road to recovery. Early treatments seem to offer the best long-term results. If you believe you would be a good candidate for physical therapy, speak with your physician about your concerns.

Dengue fever is a disease caused by mosquitoes. This is a disease that is very painful and is related to the likes of the yellow fever. There are certain areas in the world that are prone to the disease and an estimated infection rate of over three hundred million occurs annually.

Dengue (pronounced DENgee) fever is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses. These viruses are related to the viruses that cause West Nile infection and yellow fever.

An estimated 390 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, with about 96 million resulting in illness. Most cases occur in tropical areas of the world, with the greatest risk occurring in:

The Indian subcontinent

Southeast Asia

Southern China

Taiwan

The Pacific Islands

The Caribbean (except Cuba and the Cayman Islands)

Mexico

Africa

Central and South America (except Chile, Paraguay, and Argentina)

Most cases in the United States occur in people who contracted the infection while traveling abroad. But the risk is increasing for people living along the Texas-Mexico border and in other parts of the southern United States. In 2009, an outbreak of dengue fever was identified in Key West, Fla.

Sourced from:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dengue-fever-reference

Dengue fever has particular signs and symptoms however they are so prevalent in kids and teens especially if it is mild. If they are to occur then it is usually after four to ten days after being bitten and infected.

Many people, especially children and teens, may experience no signs or symptoms during a mild case of dengue fever. When symptoms do occur, they usually begin four to 10 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito. Signs and symptoms of dengue fever most commonly include:

Fever, as high as 106 F (41 C)

Headaches

Muscle, bone and joint pain

Pain behind your eyes

You might also experience:

Widespread rash

Nausea and vomiting

Rarely, minor bleeding from your gums or nose.

Sourced from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dengue-fever/basics/symptoms/con-20032868

According to doctors, there is still no specific treatment for dengue fever. There are only certain medical recommendations that can assist.

No specific treatment for dengue fever exists. Your doctor may recommend that you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration from vomiting and high fever.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can alleviate pain and reduce fever. Avoid pain relievers that can increase bleeding complications — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others).

If you have severe dengue fever, you may need:

Supportive care in a hospital

Intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement

Blood pressure monitoring

Transfusion to replace blood loss

Sourced from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dengue-fever/basics/treatment/con-20032868