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PAIN: A SILENT EPIDEMIC -- True, drug addiction is a serious problem for many Americans, some of whom become hooked on prescription drugs after medical treatment. But chronic pain is also a huge problem. According to the American Academy of Pain Management, about 50 million Americans live with chronic pain caused by disease, disorder or accident, and another 25 million suffer acute pain after surgery or accident. In 2000, 36 million Americans missed work due to pain. Pain is a complex problem, and patients often have difficulties communicating their needs to doctors. And yet, there are many treatment options available that can be tailored to meet individual needs. If you or someone you love is not getting relief, do not give up. A good source of information can be found at http://www.aapainmanage.org/

SMILES VERSUS SNIFFLES -- Worried about catching a cold? Smile! A study conducted by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that people with a generally upbeat attitude who were exposed to cold viruses were much less likely to catch the cold than people who were sad, anxious, or angry. Positive thinkers who did come down with the bug tended to minimize their symptoms, so they still ended up better off than their more negative counterparts.

FEMALE SMOKERS AT GREATER RISK FOR CANCER -- Women who smoke have more than double the risk of contracting lung cancer than men. That was the surprising result of a past study, in which CT screenings of close to 3,000 men and women showed that female smokers were 2.2 times more likely to develop the disease than men. It is not yet known why women are more susceptible than men. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women. In 2003 there will be about 171,900 new cases of lung cancer in the United States and 157,200 people will die of this disease. The study also found that annual CT screenings can make a big difference in detecting lung cancer early and improving cure rates, from 10 percent to up to 90 percent.

TRACKING THE GENETICS OF DEPRESSION -- Depression is the second leading cause of disability in the United States and worldwide. Depressive disorders affect an estimated 9.5 percent of Americans ages 18 and over in a given year, or about 18.8 million people in 1998, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. So it is good news that scientists at the University of Pittsburgh recently identified 19 regions on human chromosomes that seem to hold the genetic key to mental illnesses such as addictions and major depression. These studies may help researchers develop more effective medications to combat the illness. For more information about depression, check out the NIMH web site at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm

COLONOSCOPY CHOICES -- If you are 50 years of age or older, a screening for colorectal cancer could save your life, according to the Centers for Disease Control. These tests can reveal asymptomatic polyps or cancerous cells, which will then need to be removed. One of the most effective tests is a colonoscopy, in which you are sedated while a doctor views your colon with a flexible tube. Now you can also choose a virtual colonoscopy, a non-invasive process using a CT scanner. A recent study has shown the virtual CT scan method to be just as effective as the traditional one. However, the new test is more expensive - and may not be covered by your insurance. And unlike a colonoscopy, in which any polyps that are identified are removed on the spot, a virtual colonoscopy's function is limited to diagnostics. If one or more polyps are found, you will still have to have a colonoscopy to get them removed.

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WELLNESS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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** Q & A #1:
For about a week now I have had twitching in both of my eyes. I cannot tell if it is from the eye or the eyelid. What may be causing this?

Eyelid twitching can have many causes. Some of these causes can be indicators of a serious problem, but the majority of cases are not serious. The list of common possible causes of one-sided twitching includes: fatigue, lack of sleep, habit (a nervous tic), and local irritation of the cornea or conjunctiva (misdirected eyelash or dryness). If the movements involve both eyes, and are more like squeezing rather than blinking, there is the possibility that you have blephorospasm. This condition is chronic, more common in women over 50, and can progress into repeated forceful closing of the eyes. The eyes remain quite healthy. There is no definite cause, but it is worsened by stress, bright lights, too much television watching, and fatigue. It can be helped enormously by Botox (botulinum toxin) injections into the muscles around the eye, but this needs to be repeated every 3 to 4 months. Less severe cases can be treated by drugs, dry eye treatment, and stress management techniques.

** Q & A #2:
I enjoy physical activities such as weightlifting, walking, and swimming, but I have sciatica. How much exercise should I do?

The first thing is to be sure that you have got sciatica, which is due to pressure on the nerve roots in the areas of the spine known to doctors as the lower lumbar and upper sacral spine. It is caused by spinal disc protrusion. The pressure on the nerve root gives rise to pain and neurological (nervous system) signs on the same side in the thigh and calf. The same pain may well come from joint or ligament disease but of course there will be no neurological symptoms. It is also true that any pressure on the nerve root will cause sciatica-like pain; so perhaps in certain people other things that may be squeezing the nerve need to be excluded.

What to do: In most cases a few days in bed is all that is required and after that activity is encouraged. This activity of course is progressive depending on pain and may require analgesics, such as paracetamol (acetaminophen), to allow the exercises to take place. With more severe prolapse, continuous bed rest and traction (with weights and pulleys) may be needed for 2 weeks and this will reduce the herniation (i.e. disc protrusion) in over 90% of cases. If symptoms and signs have not improved, then maybe an injection of steroids and a local anaesthetic will do the trick. Very occasionally it is necessary to surgically operate on the disc.

So, how much can you do with sciatica: The answer depends on whether the condition is acute or chronic, and how much pain you have. Exercises within the limits of your pain do not seem to produce any adverse effect. It is wise to avoid heaving and lifting tasks altogether, including weight training.

** Q & A #3:
Are sweet potatoes healthier than regular potatoes?

Substituting sweet potatoes for regular potatoes can add some needed nutrients to your meals. Sweet potatoes have higher levels of beta-carotene and potassium than plain baking potatoes. The added antioxidants help flush the body and increase how you body processes food. Sweet potatoes are also fat free, and they help keep your blood sugar at an even keel, which helps in weight loss. While sweet potatoes cannot take the place of white potatoes in every instance, there are lots of great recipes for mashed, boiled, and baked sweet potatoes. Explore your options for a healthier you.

** Q & A #4:
What is jaundice?

Jaundice is a symptom of an excess of bilirubin in the blood, which makes the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow. Bilirubin is formed when the hemoglobin in the red blood cells breaks down. The bilirubin normally gets processed through the liver, where it becomes part of bile and is excreted from the liver to the intestine. Jaundice is very common in a mild and transient form in newborn babies, and it is most often a harmless and easily remedied condition. It is caused by the baby having a higher blood count than needed and the blood cells are broken down. Severe cases are treated with special lights, called bililights, which break down the bilirubin.

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FEATURED MINI-ARTICLE #1

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National iced tea month raises a glass to tasty, no-calorie popular drink choice in America’s healthiest cities.

Is it just coincidence, or do the folks who live in America’s healthiest cities know better than most, that not all thirst-quenchers are created equal - especially when it comes to health? America’s healthiest cities, as ranked by Men’s Health magazine, are also among the country’s most popular tea-drinking locations. Iced or hot, green, black, white or oolong, these teas, all from the camellia sinensis plant, contain flavonoids, antioxidant substances that help the body fight oxidative cell damage and maintain healthy cells and tissues. Many research studies suggest drinking tea can be included as part of a healthy diet and may even contribute to overall health.

Among respondents to the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a dietary intake survey conducted by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, more than two-thirds reported drinking enough soda and/or sweet drinks to provide them with a greater proportion of daily calories than any other food. In addition, obesity rates were higher among these sweet drink consumers. But many other consumers, especially in healthy cities like Seattle and San Francisco, have discovered drinking tea can be a healthy way to stay hydrated without sacrificing great taste. One sure-fire summer favorite is iced tea, which is not only a hydrating and tasty calorie-free alternative to sugary sodas but also a beverage that boasts a wide range of potential health benefits.

Population-based studies have found tea drinkers tend to have a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, including heart disease and some types of cancer. Recent studies suggest tea may be associated with the following benefits:

• Drinking about 3 cups of tea per day lowers the risk of coronary vascular disease and stroke.

• Tea drinking may help maintain healthy blood vessels and promote healthy cholesterol.

• Those who drink tea have been found to have a lower risk of some types of cancer, especially colorectal and skin cancer.

• Flavonoid antioxidants in tea can help reduce oxidative DNA and increase antioxidant levels in the body.

• Tea may confer oral health benefits, as researchers believe certain compounds in tea may inhibit bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque, and the fluoride content supports healthy tooth enamel.

FEATURED MINI-ARTICLE #2