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The Arizona Republic
October 2017
Blood Flow Restriction training improves strength, leads to faster recovery
Livingwell.azcentral.com Check out the latest stories, as well as past articles and trending health-care information that you might have missed from past issues of Livingwell.
Trending now: Healthy news just for you Kids and Teens
Tattoo or Not Tattoo? THE MESSAGE: While tattoos and piercings are growing in popularity, advice on health and safety has been scant. THE SCOOP: The American Academy of Pediatricians recently released recommendations for physicians so they can help their patients make informed decisions about body art, including helping them understand each state’s regulations, understand hygiene practices of the vendors, and after care.
Put Babies Back to Sleep
Healthy technology:
THE MESSAGE: Many parents are putting their babies down for sleep in a wrong and possibly dangerous position
A new approach to treating injuries
THE BOTTOM LINE: If your child is considering a tattoo or piercing, include your physician in the discussion. SOURCE: NPR
20s:
THE SCOOP: While those photos of baby all scooched up on their tummies are adorable, it’s not safe. Putting babies on their backs to sleep until they are a year old, can greatly reduce their chances of dying from SIDS or other sleep disorders, according to a study in Pediatrics. The study found that parents are disregarding this advice. THE BOTTOM LINE: Put babies on their backs to sleep.
Story by Meghann Finn Sepulveda | Photos by Rick D'Elia
T
he road to recovery following an orthopedic injury can take several months before strength, mobility and function is fully restored. A cutting-edge technique called Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is now being used among physical therapists to effectively rehabilitate injuries, increase performance, accelerate recovery and promote healing.
SOURCES: GoodHousekeeping.com, NIH
How it works
30 to 40s:
Go Ahead, Have That Second Cup of Joe THE MESSAGE: Evidence now shows that coffee has had a bum rap over the years and may be good for you. THE SCOOP: Drinking moderate amounts of coffee – up to five cups a day – is associated with health benefits, including lower risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Experts note may slow the progression of dementia and Parkinson’s disease, and lower the risk of depression. That said, there are still some bad things associated with coffee such as increased blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia. THE BOTTOM LINE: If you have medical issues and have been told by your physician to limit or not drink coffee, don’t start. However, if you’ve been worried about your morning latte habit let it go and enjoy.
Brett Fischer uses a Personalized Tourniquet System to trick the brain into releasing certain hormones that are only normally released through strenuous exercise.
50 PLUS:
While we’re reminded about breast cancer prevention, remember that heart disease is America’s No. 1 killer
The 2017 Kitchen Sponge Controversy THE MESSAGE: Recent reports, which went viral, touted a study published in Scientific Reports about the incredible filthiness of your kitchen sponge and basically noted that it carried more bacteria than your toilet. The articles also said, forget it – there is no way to get them clean. Well, not so fast.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Don’t throw in the sponge quite yet, unless of course it’s time to throw it away. SOURCE: NPR
TECHNOLOGY, continued on page 4
It’s Time to Start Seeing Red
SOURCE: Medscape.com
By Elise Riley
E FILE PHOTO
THE SCOOP: A closer look at the study revealed that we all over-reacted. Sponges can be used and are not a hot bed of germs if used with some simple precautions – don’t use around raw meat, replace every few weeks, and clean in the dishwasher with a heated dry cycle.
Unlike any other approach to physical therapy, BFR training utilizes a personalized tourniquet system to restrict blood flow to an injured area, allowing the body to respond how it normally would during heavy exertion or exercise. “The system reduces oxygen to an injured area and safely regulates the exact amount of pressure to apply,” said Brett Fischer, a licensed physical therapist and founder and owner of the Phoenix-based Fischer Institute of Physical Therapy. “As a result, we are able to maximize muscle strength using extremely low resistance which is significantly beneficial for healing.” When Tom Ferguson partially tore his bicep during a training exercise at work last year, the 42-year-old first responder began physical therapy to regain flexibility, strength, and function in his arm just several weeks after recovering from surgery. He was introduced to BFR training at the Fischer Institute of Physical Therapy.
Dr. Martha Gulati Cardiologist, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Cardiology at The University of Arizona-Phoenix
very October, women across America “think pink” as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But one Phoenix doctor has a plea: While you’re thinking pink, be sure to “see red.” Dr. Martha Gulati, cardiologist, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Cardiology at The University of Arizona-Phoenix, wants women to remember that while breast cancer is an important health concern, heart disease is a lurking killer that requires immediate attention. “It’s the question we ask all the time: Why are women aware of breast cancer but not getting heart disease screening?” Gulati said.
The statistics about heart disease are staggering. Every 79 seconds, heart disease kills a woman in the United States. Approximately 400,000 people die from heart disease every year in the US. More people die from heart disease than lung disease, lung cancer or breast cancer. It’s indiscriminate, yet most people – especially women – aren’t getting the preventative care they need. “You look at these numbers, and it’s great that we screen for breast cancer – but women don’t understand that they’re at risk for heart disease,” Gulati said. “When we interview women, when we do surveys, we find that women still personally THINK RED, continued on page 4
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. So why don’t we ever talk about it? “The truth is, most women don’t recognize they are even at risk for heart disease. We need to change this and that’s why I’ve created this video series so you and your loved ones can live heart healthy.” Martha Gulati, MD with
Dr. Martha Gulati
Share the video. Save a life. Visit UAHeartToHeart.com