Ask the
Experts
Q
How can I prevent
back pain?
A
While serious spinal and
nerve injuries can cause back
pain, the most common cause is
muscle strain or spasm. A muscle
spasm—whether caused by lifting
heavy objects, sneezing or something
else—can cause the back to seize up,
resulting in extreme pain. The best
defense is to prevent back spasms.
Employ good body mechanics.
Sit up straight and lift with your legs
to help preserve your back health.
Observe trigger movements.
Watch for the movements that cause
your spasms and modify those
movements. Finding better ways
to move can spare you back pain.
Strengthen your core.
Strengthening your abdominal
muscles so they are strong
enough to support your back can
help prevent spasm.
Ditch the cigarettes.
Nicotine
restricts delivery of oxygen and
nutrients to the back. That can lead
to chronic back pain.
Lose weight.
Stay within
10 pounds of your ideal weight. Extra
pounds can tax your back muscles.
Speak to your doctor if you
have chronic
back pain or
problems. You
may have an
underlying
condition that
needs treatment.
Living well
with chronic
conditions
JAN. 19 TO FEB. 23
THURSDAYS, 1 TO 3:30 P.M.
NORTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH,
5201 NE MINNEHAHA ST.,
VANCOUVER
Are you ready to start living
well again? If you or someone
you love has a chronic
condition, the Living Well
workshop can help you take
charge of your life.
The Living Well workshop
helps with:
• Support
• Practical ways to deal
with pain and fatigue
• Better nutrition and
exercise choices
• Understanding new
treatment options
• Learning better ways to
talk with your doctor and
family about your health
People with chronic
conditions—such as diabetes,
arthritis, high blood pressure,
depression, heart disease,
chronic pain, anxiety, multiple
sclerosis or fibromyalgia—
who participate in this
workshop simply feel better.
They are less limited by their
illness and may also spend
less time at the doctor’s office
or in the hospital.
This six-week workshop
is free, but space is limited.
Register today at swEvents.
org or call 360.514.2190.
Q
Does diabetes cause
depression?
A
People who have diabetes have
twice the risk of developing
depression of those without the
disorder. People with both diabetes
and depression have an even
greater likelihood of developing
diabetic complications. Depression
may develop either as a result
of the stress of having a chronic
condition or the metabolic effects of
diabetes on the brain.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed
with diabetes, tell your doctor if
you’re having a hard time coping
emotionally. Treatments, such as
lifestyle changes, medication and
counseling, can help.
In the meantime, these strategies
may also help you cope:
Reach out.
The support of
family, friends and other social ties
can help. Share your experiences
with a diabetes support group. They
know what you’re going through.
Take care.
Do your best to eat
well, rest, exercise, and avoid
tobacco and alcohol. Proper
nutrition plays a role in maintaining
mental and physical health.
Stick to a routine.
Try to maintain
stability in your life
by continuing
your usual
hobbies, errands
and other
activities as much
as possible.
Q
Is there any treatment
for stroke?
A
Stroke, or brain attack, can
strike suddenly without
warning. While there is no reversing
the brain damage that can occur
with stroke, there are three levels
of treatment.
Prevention.
Preventing stroke
before it occurs is the most effective
treatment and generally addresses
the underlying risk factors, such as
high blood pressure and diabetes.
Acute therapy.
Therapies used
with a patient immediately after a
stroke attempt to stop a stroke while
it is happening and prevent damage.
Post-stroke rehabilitation.
Two-thirds of Americans who have
had a stroke will survive and require
rehabilitation. With the right help,
many can return to a normal life.
A rehabilitation physician can
play a key role. After evaluating the
effects of the stroke, the physician
creates a recovery program based on
the patient’s needs. Care is provided
by the team, which may include a
rehab nurse, a speech therapist, an
occupational therapist and others.
This personalized care helps each
patient regain the skills they need
to function as
independently
as possible.
Find more
online at
www.
swmedicalcenter.
org/strokecenter
.
BACK PAIN
STROKE
DIABETES
Hoang Le, MD
Rebound Orthopedics and
Neurosurgery
200 NE Mother Joseph Place,
Suite 110
Vancouver, WA 98664
360.254.6165
Chong-Yang “Rick” Tan, DO
PeaceHealth Medical Group
Battle Ground
720 Main St., Suite 115
Battle Ground,WA98604
360.666.3900
Sarice Bassin, MD
PeaceHealth Medical Group
Neurology
50 NE 87th Ave., Suite 460
Vancouver, WA 98664
360.514.7771
www.swmedicalcenter.org
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