Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter

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You may circulate copies of the Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Newsletter by Manually forwarding it, providing you forward the issue in it’s entirety, no fee is involved, and you may forward no more than three issues to any one individual. You may not attach advertising or otherwise modify the text of the newsletter.

Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter

July 1, 2007

Issue Vol. 7 No. 7

In This Newsletter

Introduction

Healthfully yours

Health Hints

Introduction***

The Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend, neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it.

This newsletter is scanned for viruses and is virus-free before it is sent to recipients!

Website: http://www.doctorsexercise.com

How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe: Send your email address with subscribe or unsubscribe to e-mail address below:

E-Mail address: doc1@gate.net

Healthfully Yours***

Leg Cramps***

Most individuals have experienced a leg cramp at one time or another. Leg cramping is more prevalent during exercise workouts, riding a bicycle, swimming, playing tennis, etc. During such activities, cramps are caused by the loss of sodium chloride due to profuse sweating. Cramps do not occur in athletes alone, but can occur in any form of manual labor, especially when working in extremely hot conditions. Excellent examples would be steel workers, engine room workers, roofers and gardeners that work in very hot climates on sunny days. Leg cramping can also occur in very cold climates when the individual is dressed very warmly and is placing stress on the muscles, such as skiers, mountain climbers, or ice skaters.

Usually when a cramp occurs, the onset is sudden and will take the individual by surprise. If that individual is engaged in athletics or a dangerous job situation, and the cramp occurs in the arm or a leg, the cramp can cause serious consequences by incapacitating them and placing that person in a precarious situation. Cramps may occur in other areas of the body, such as the side or the abdomen. A cramp in the side is usually referred to as “a stitch in the side”. An abdominal cramp may be mistaken for a more serious condition, other than a cramp.

The cramping discussed above, are cramps that will occur on occasion. In this newsletter we will be more concerned with the individual who will get cramps in the calves of the legs due to the slightest exertion on their part. This person can succumb to a severe cramp in one or both legs by taking just a few steps, or trying to walk a very short distance. When the cramp occurs and they sit for a few minutes the cramp or cramps will ease almost immediately. This condition is called “intermittent claudication”. This condition will prevent the individual from having an active lifestyle.

These symptoms should raise a red flag, because there can be an underlying serious condition that can seriously impact your life. Such symptoms can be a forerunner or sign of a condition called “peripheral artery disease” (PAD). This is a disease where the arteries in the legs are constricted or have blockages, impairing the circulation in the legs. It is a disease that can lead to more serious consequences, such as heart attacks and strokes.

It is estimated that there can 10 to 15 million Americans that are affected with this disease. It can start at 50 years of age and become progressively worse as we grow older. At about age 65 it would have become greatly advanced. It is believed that 20 percent of the population is affected with PAD. The concern here is that a great many of these people are completely unaware that they are afflicted with this disease. Anyone, showing the slightest symptoms as mentioned above, should see their healthcare provider so that he or she can provide a definitive diagnosis. The actual test is a simple one, and is called an “ankle brachial index” (ABI). The instrument used is a modified blood pressure machine and the pressure is taken at the ankle and the arm on one side and then on the other side. The readings in both the arm and leg should be the same, or very near the same.

This test will be able to provide a definitive diagnosis as to whether that individual has some form of PAD. If the test proves positive, then the patient must start a program that will improve the condition and prevent further progression. Read in the health hints below how Pad can be improved.

Health Hints***

If you smoke, you MUST STOP! If you continue smoking the condition will worsen no matter what else you do.
Before starting your own program to improve your condition, and even one of prevention, discuss it with your healthcare provider for approval. See if you can find a walking club in your neighborhood. Walking with a buddy or a group can give you more incentive. Very often there are walking clubs that meet in nearby Malls.
If you are diabetic, you must actively control it. Diabetes impairs the circulation.
Start a walking program. Walking will improve circulation by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels called “collaterals”. You may also want to purchase a treadmill for the home so that inclement weather will not interrupt your walking schedule.
When you start your walk program and start getting cramps (intermittent claudication), stop, rest until the pain eases and start walking again until the pain starts again. Keep repeating this procedure. As time progresses you will find that you will be able to walk longer distances.
If you have hip, knee or any joint problems due to arthritis or any other conditions, walking in a pool is excellent. The water adds buoyancy, taking the pressure off the joints while adding resistance. This will give you a better workout.
Bicycle riding is excellent. If a regular bicycle is a problem, you can try a recumbent bicycle. You can also use a stationary bicycle in the home.

There are other medical options, such as medication to improve circulation and a procedure that is used to unclog an artery called “ balloon angioplasty”, which your healthcare provider will discuss with you. This is the same procedure used in unclogging a heart artery. Remember, the best course is one of prevention. Following the above 7-health hint suggestions will keep you on the path prevent and improve PAD.

Note: Anyone suffering with muscle cramps and is not diagnosed with PAD can learn more on how deal with the cramps at: www.doctorsexercise.com . Click on Doctor’s Journal and scroll down to the article “ Conquering Muscle Cramps”.

Doc Cane

Copyright, Disclaimer, and Trademark information Copyrightă 1997-2003 Emanuel M. Cane. All rights reserved. Except stated below, this material or parts thereof may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed by any means whatsoever without explicit, written permission from the author.

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You may circulate copies of the Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Newsletter by Manually forwarding it, providing you forward the issue in it’s entirety, no fee is involved, and you may forward no more than three issues to any one individual. You may not attach advertising or otherwise modify the text of the newsletter.