It has been challenging and disappointing to be an Eagles fan so far this season! Losing two star players to hamstring injuries has not helped! Both Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith have been sidelined with hamstring injuries for weeks. One of the most common injuries associated with physical activity, especially after a sedentary winter or change in temperature is a “pulled hamstring.” This painful injury is not only for the weekend warrior. Well-trained, healthy and fit professional athletes often have their season interrupted for weeks and months due to a hamstring injury. What is the hamstring? How is it injured? What is the best treatment?
A hamstring strain is a tear of the muscle fibers of the muscle group in the back of the thigh called the hamstring. The hamstring muscle is a group of three muscles that run from the back of the hip (lower pelvis), crossing the back of the knee and attaches to the knee bone (tibia). The hamstring muscles work to extend the hip and bend the knee during running and walking activities. They are very active when an athlete changes direction, especially forwards and backwards or decelerating.
This injury, like others muscle strains, varies in intensity. Severe hamstring strain occurs when many muscle fibers are torn. The athlete may experience a sudden onset of severe pain in the back of the thigh and occasionally report a popping sensation. Pain, swelling and black and blue skin from tissue damage and bleeding is often reported. Also, pain is reproduced when attempting to bend the knee. In very severe cases, the boney attachment can be pulled so strongly that a small fracture can occur. Healing time can be as short as a few days or as long as weeks or even months.
Your family physician will examine the back of your leg to determine if you have hamstring strain. Sometimes, pain in the buttocks and back of the leg can be referred from your lower back if the sciatic nerve is inflamed. In more advanced cases, you may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon for further examination and treatment. An X-ray, MRI or bone scan will show the extent of the tear and if the bone is involved. The diagnosis will determine if your problem is minor, moderate or severe.
There are many conservative options. Your family physician or orthopedic surgeon will help you decide which choices are best.
Recent studies have determined that a training program specifically designed to prevent hamstring injuries is effective, especially for the competitive athlete. This program includes:
SOURCES: Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Visit your doctor regularly and listen to your body.
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
This is the second of three columns dedicated to healthcare for college students. As part of the preparation, think about a first aid kit, health care history, and insurance file. For parents without other children at home, once you finish with these preparations and your child departs for college away from home, plan to take dance, art history and conversational Italian classes to occupy your time without children. Resist the temptation to be a helicopter parent…life goes on!
Remember, living in a large community and sharing close quarters makes the development and spread of disease a natural progression. College life can be very unhealthy for many reasons: lack of sleep, poor eating habits, poor hygiene and stress.
Last week we discussed common illnesses among college students, how to manage and when to seek professional help. Below you will find a list of symptoms that should never be ignored. The college health services department should be contacted if you have any of the following symptoms:
Get a small/medium plastic storage box and use it to keep all the following health care items together in one place.
SOURCES: American Academy of Pediatrics
Visit your doctor regularly and listen to your body.
Keep moving, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy. Next Week: “Health Tips for College Students – Part III of III”
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
It is hard to believe it is that time of year when parents and students are preparing to return to school. Many will leave home for the first time as college freshmen. Over the past month I have received several requests for a copy of my three-part series of columns on health tips for college students. In view of this, I thought other parents preparing to send a child off to college this fall might also find this information valuable.
To fully appreciate the importance of this topic, one must keep in mind that living in a large community and sharing close quarters is the first ingredient in the development and spread of disease. College life can be very unhealthy for many reasons. Lack of sleep, poor eating habits and stress add spice to the recipe for disease. Lastly, poor hygiene added to the equation will really get the Petri dish cooking up some nasty germs.
SOURCES: American Academy of Pediatrics
Visit your doctor regularly and listen to your body.
Keep moving, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
This column is repeated every year at this time with the intent of raising the level of awareness to prevent death or serious illness from heat stroke in athletes and other active people in hot, humid weather.
It is mid-July, and we have managed to survive two “heat waves” in NEPA. While it is important to have fun in the sun, please be mindful of how your body reacts to high humidity and heat and take appropriate precautions. Athletes are particularly vulnerable due to daytime practice sessions. In response to this potential problem, the PIAA has established acclimatization guidelines for fall sports beginning in August. Visit www.piaa.org for more information. Keep in mind, you don’t have to be running a marathon or playing football in full uniform to suffer from heat stroke. Adults 65 and older, and infants/young children (5 and younger) are vulnerable. Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity are also at higher risk.
Heat stroke, one of the most serious heat-related illnesses, is the result of long-term exposure to the sun to the point which a person cannot sweat enough to lower the body temperature. The elderly and infants are most susceptible, and it can be fatal if not managed properly and immediately. Believe it or not, the exact cause of heatstroke is unclear. Prevention is the best treatment because it can strike suddenly without warning. It can also occur in non athletes at outdoor concerts, outdoor carnivals, or backyard activities.
Some “old school” folks think that wearing extra clothing and “breaking a good sweat” is an optimal goal for exercise. However, it may be potentially very dangerous in hot and humid conditions. When exercising in hot weather, the body is under additional stress. As the activity and the hot air increase your core temperature, your body will try to deliver more blood to your skin to cool it down. In doing so, your heart rate is increased, and less blood is available for your muscles, which leads to cramping and other more serious problems. In humid conditions, problems are magnified as sweat cannot be evaporated from the skin to assist in cooling the body.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American College of Sports Medicine have the following recommendations which are appropriate for both the competitive athlete and weekend warrior:
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, NEPA and all of Pennsylvania is experiencing a change in climate as indicated by a half a degree (F) in temperature, more frequent and heavy rainstorms and the tidal portion of the Delaware River is rising one inch every eight years. Last summer was one of our hottest on record and this summer more is expected. For those without air conditioning or access to a lake or pool, it will also be remembered as record setting warm temperatures. A local reader who cares for her elderly mother wrote to express her concern about dehydration in the elderly. Age, diet, illness and medications are some of the many reasons why elders suffer from dehydration not only in the summer heat, but year-round.
Next to oxygen, water is the nutrient most needed for life. A person can live without food for a month, but most can survive only three to four days without water. Even though proper hydration is essential for health, water gets overlooked as one of the six basic nutrients. Dehydration occurs when the amount of water taken into the body is less than the amount that is being lost. Dehydration can happen very rapidly (i.e. in less than eight hours). The consequences can be life threatening and the symptoms can be alarmingly swift.
In the body, water is needed to regulate body temperature, carry nutrients, remove toxins and waste materials, and provide the medium in which all cellular chemical reactions take place. Fluid balance is vital for body functions. A significant decrease in the total amount of body fluids leads to dehydration. Fluids can be lost through the urine, skin, or lungs. Along with fluids, essential electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, are also perilously depleted in a dehydrated individual.
Dehydration is the most common fluid and electrolyte disorder of frail elders, both in long term care facilities and in the community! Elders aged 85 to 99 years are six times more likely to be hospitalized for dehydration than those aged 65 to 69 years. More than 18% of those hospitalized for dehydration will die within 30 days, and associated mortality increases with age. Men appear to dehydrate more often than women and dehydration is often masked by other conditions.
Elderly individuals are at heightened risk for dehydration for several reasons. Compared to younger individuals, their regulatory system (i.e. kidneys and hormones) does not work as well and their bodies have lower water contents. Older adults often have a depressed thirst drive due to a decrease in a particular hormone. They do not feel thirsty when they are dehydrated. This is especially true in hot, humid weather, when they have a fever, are taking medications, or have vomiting or diarrhea. They have decreased taste, smell, and appetite which contribute to the muted perception of thirst. Because of dementia, depression, visual deficits, or motor impairments, elderly people may have difficulty getting fluids for themselves. Many elderly individuals limit their fluid intake in the belief that they will prevent incontinence and decrease the number of trips to the bathroom. The medications that they are taking (e.g. diuretics, laxatives, hypnotics) contribute to dehydration.
Elders may suffer headaches, fainting, disorientation, nausea, seizure, a stroke, or a heart attack as a result of dehydration. The minimum daily requirement to avoid dehydration is between 1,500 (6.34 cups) and 2,000 ml of fluid intake per day. Six to eight good-sized glasses of water a day should provide this amount. Better hydration improves well-being and medications work more effectively when an individual is properly hydrated.
Those who care for the elderly whether at home or in a health care facility need to be alert to the following symptoms:
By the way, plain old tap water is a good way to replenish fluid loss. Keep in mind that some energy drinks not only have excess and unneeded calories but also contain sugar that slows down the rate at which water can be absorbed from the stomach. Consuming alcoholic and caffeinated beverages actually have an opposite, diuretic effect!
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
It’s that time of year…after a long winter of nights that come early and last too long there is LIGHT at the end of the tunnel! In the fall and winter, especially this far north, many people start to feel the gloom of their surroundings creep into their psyche and spring cannot arrive too soon...Is this normal, or a sign of something more serious?
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is at the far end of a spectrum of seasonal mood changes. The mildest of these, “seasonality”, is a normal response to cyclical changes in weather and light exposure. However, when symptoms like depressed mood, lack of motivation, or a shift to more vegetative daily habits become severe and debilitating, SAD may be the cause. In fact, one study found that SAD affects up to 10% of primary-care patients, and that those with a previous diagnosis of depression are even more at risk. Fortunately, though, there are well established therapies that can help those afflicted with SAD to get through the dark winter months.
The American Psychiatric Association defines SAD as a subtype of either Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder, depending on the symptoms. It can consist of episodes that onset during either fall/winter or spring/summer, or have symptoms characteristic of either “major depressive” or “manic” episodes. The vast majority of those with SAD, however, experience a persistent overall depressed mood during the shorter days of fall and winter.
In more serious cases:
If enough of these symptoms are present for a long enough time and onset in a seasonal pattern, that can mean Seasonal Affective Disorder. Most people with the disorder find themselves sleeping more and eating more (especially carbs), and report that their symptoms can even resolve with relocation to a sunnier environment. Along the spectrum of disease is a less severe form called “subsyndromal” SAD, which can still be effectively treated. Periods of SAD tend to resolve with the coming of spring, but they can be immensely distressing and always deserve medical intervention.
No one knows exactly why Seasonal Affective Disorder happens, but it appears to be associated with decreased exposure to natural light during the fall and winter months. One possible explanation is the “phase-shift” hypothesis. It states that your body’s circadian rhythms, which are regulated by hormones and the brain, become out-of-step with environmental sleep/wake cues as the days shorten. In other words, the light levels around you and your body’s internal clock are telling you two different things about when to sleep. This disruption of circadian rhythms, or “phase-delay”, likely contributes to the symptoms of SAD, although precisely how it induces changes in mood remains unclear.
Another hypothesis for the mechanism underlying SAD involves abnormalities in the activity of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Normally, serotonin regulates mood and attention. However, studies have found that people with SAD clear serotonin out of their brains faster, giving the hormone less of a chance to provide a boost in mood.
Current medical treatment of SAD targets the changes in both circadian rhythms and serotonin metabolism. This can be accomplished with light therapy, antidepressant medications or a combination of both.
Medical Contributor:
Brendan Bormes, MD, GCSM 2019: This column was previously featured in “Health & Exercise Forum” in association with the students and faculty of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.
Visit your doctor regularly and listen to your body.
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
It is two weeks away from the 28th Steamtown Marathon. After training all spring and summer for the first seven Steamtown Marathons, not a Columbus Day Weekend goes by without my thoughts of this great event.
I would like to introduce this topic with some marathon history. In 490 B.C. Athens was under attack by the Persians and was outnumbered more than two to one. The Athenians fought bravely and defeated the enemy in the town of Marathon. The victory kept the intruders 26 miles away from Athens. To keep the anxious citizens of Athens calm, leaders immediately ordered a foot soldier, Phedippides, to run to the capital city to share the news. Phedippides ran, in full armor, for 26 miles from Marathon to Athens, delivered the message and died immediately. Now, people do the same thing of their own free will!
Each year at this time, dozens of runners preparing for the Steamtown Marathon come to my office with severe shin pain known as shin splints. Unfortunately, in many of these athletes, this problem can lead to a much more severe and advanced problem with shin splints called a stress fracture.
A stress fracture is fatigue damage to bone with partial or complete disruption of the cortex of the bone from repetitive loading. While standard x-rays may not reveal the problem, a bone scan, and MRI will. It usually occurs in the long bones of the leg, mostly the tibia but also the femur (thigh) and foot. Occasionally, it occurs in the arm.
10-21% of all competitive athletes are at risk for stress fractures. Track, cross country and military recruits are at greatest risk. Females are twice as likely as males to have a stress fracture. Other athletes at risk are: sprinters, soccer and basketball players, jumpers, ballet dancers are at risk in the leg and foot. Gymnasts are also vulnerable in the spine while rowers, baseball pitchers, golfers and tennis players can experience the fracture with much less frequency in the ribs & arm.
The problem is much more prevalent in weight bearing repetitive, loading sports in which leanness is emphasized (ballet, cheerleading) or provides an advantage (distance running, gymnastics).
Stress fractures usually begin with a manageable, poorly localized pain with or immediately after activity such as a shin splint. Over time, pain becomes more localized and tender during activity and then progresses to pain with daily activity and at rest.
Visit your doctor regularly and listen to your body.
Read Health & Fitness Forum Next Monday/Sunday: Preparing Your First Aid Kit For the Steamtown Marathon
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
Happy Labor Day! There is little doubt that the workplace has been redefined since the pandemic as many employees continue to work from home. Sitting for many hours at a workstation that may not be optimal has also changed the way we define workplace health and safety. It may be more important than ever to pay close attention to designing an ergonomic workstation, changing position, and stretching regularly to prevent injury.
Since 1894 Labor Day has been designated as the national holiday that pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. Research supports the notion that healthier employees are happier and more productive. When employers encourage healthy behavior and safety at work, they benefit in many ways.
For example, in addition to improving job satisfaction and productivity, healthy employees save money by using less sick time, worker’s compensation benefits and health benefits. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 75 percent of employers” health care costs are related to chronic medical problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Deconditioned, overweight employees are more likely to suffer from these preventable conditions and are at greater risk for injury. Employers, please consider using this holiday as an opportunity to start a health promotion program at your workplace…have a health fair, offer healthy snacks, encourage walking, smoking cessation, exercising at lunch, and offer fitness club stipends.
Lower back pain, one of the costliest illnesses to employers, is one example of a problem which can be prevented with a good health and safety program. It is widely accepted in the medical community that the best treatment for lower back pain (LBP) is prevention. Keeping fit, (flexible and strong), practicing good posture, and using proper body mechanics are essential in the prevention of LBP. At our clinic, significant time and effort is spent emphasizing the importance of these concepts to our patients, employees, and the businesses we work with through industrial medicine programs. A comprehensive approach can produce significant reductions in LBP injuries through an onsite safety program which promotes education, wellness, body mechanics, lifting techniques, postural and stretching exercises and ergonomics.
As little as 10 extra pounds puts great stress on your lower back. It also makes it more difficult to maintain good posture. Eat well, exercise regularly and don’t smoke. Smokers have a much higher incidence of LBP and failure from lower back surgery.
Good posture is critical for a healthy back. When sitting, standing or walking maintain a slight arch in your lower back, keep shoulders back, and head over your shoulders. In sitting, use a towel roll or small pillow in the small of the back. Also, consider sitting on a physio ball, which promotes proper posture for part of the day.
Perform postural exercises throughout the day. Most of the day we sit, stand, and reaching forward and bend our spine. These exercises are designed to stretch your back in the opposite direction of flexion. Please perform slowly, hold for 3-5 seconds and repeat 6 times each 6 times per day.
Chin Tuck: Tuck your chin back to bring your head over shoulders.
Shoulder Blade Pinch: Pinch your shoulder blades together.
Standing Extension: While standing, put your hands behind back and extend lower back 10-20 degrees.
Good Body Mechanics and ergonomics are also important in the prevention of LBP. When lifting, think twice. Think about the weight, shape and size of the object. Think about where the object is going and the surface resistance of the floor. Does it require two people to lift? Can I safely lift that high or bend that low?
When bending to lift an object think about safety:
Visit your doctor regularly and listen to your body.
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
What medical problems do a carpenter, typist, truck driver, jackhammer operator, violinist, pianist and court stenographer have in common? Carpal tunnel syndrome! Over the past 10-15 years, carpal tunnel syndrome has moved to the forefront in medicine and has become water cooler conversation. So, what is carpal tunnel syndrome and how is it treated?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a nerve disorder caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The median nerve is one of three main nerves that provide sensation to the hand. This nerve specifically supplies sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. In CTS, compression on the median nerve occurs as it travels through a narrow passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is formed by eight bones in the wrist (the floor of the tunnel) and the transverse carpal ligament, a strong ligament traveling across the roof of the tunnel. Within the tunnel there are nine tendons, which are a bit smaller than a pencil. These tendons share this space with the median nerve. In the case where there is swelling on the structures in the carpal tunnel, a person can experience pins and needles, numbness, and aching in the hand.
To be properly diagnosed, a physician will discuss your symptoms and medical history and examine strength and sensation. A nerve conduction study, electromyography (EMG), and x-ray may be ordered to provide information regarding sensation in the median nerve distribution and confirm compression at the carpal tunnel.
Treatment focuses on the causes. Therefore, treatment suggestions may include activity modification and postural changes during activities. Other suggestions may include frequent rest periods, elevation, and exercises or stretching. Wrist splints are effective in relieving compression at the carpal tunnel and are typically recommended for night wear. Appropriate fit of the splint is vital. Occupational and physical therapists or certified hand therapists can check the fit of prefabricated splints or can fabricate a custom splint. The above-mentioned treatments all focus on decreasing inflammation and compression on the median nerve.
Your physician may order pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication. A cortisone injection into the carpal tunnel may also be recommended to assist with decreasing inflammation near the carpal tunnel.
A referral to an occupational or physical therapist or certified hand therapist may be made. A therapist can provide information regarding the diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and symptom reduction. They can make recommendations to introduce into daily activities to allow appropriate positioning of the upper extremities. A therapist will also instruct individuals on helpful stretching exercises or fabricate a wrist splint. Other treatments include ultrasound, iontophoresis, and massage. The focus of therapy is to introduce changes and interventions that reduce inflammation at the carpal tunnel to assist with symptom relief.
Surgery, referred to as a carpal tunnel release, may be indicated if symptoms are significant and impair functional activity performance.
To reduce your chances of getting CTS:
Guest Contributor: Nancy Naughton, OTD, CHT, is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy and certified hand therapist, specializing in the rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremity at Hand Surgery Associates, Olyphant, PA.
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
This column is repeated every year at this time with the intent of raising the level of awareness to prevent death or serious illness from heat stroke in athletes and other active people in hot, humid weather.
It is early August, and we have managed to survive two “heat waves” in NEPA. While it is important to have fun in the sun, please be mindful of how your body reacts to high humidity and heat and take appropriate precautions. Athletes are particularly vulnerable this time of year due to daytime practice sessions. In response to this potential problem, the PIAA has established acclimatization guidelines for fall sports beginning in August. Visit www.piaa.org for more information. Keep in mind, you don’t have to be running a marathon or playing football in full uniform to suffer from heat stroke.
Heat stroke, one of the most serious heat-related illnesses, is the result of long term exposure to the sun to the point which a person cannot sweat enough to lower the body temperature. The elderly and infants are most susceptible and it can be fatal if not managed properly and immediately. Believe it or not, the exact cause of heatstroke is unclear. Prevention is the best treatment because it can strike suddenly and without warning. It can also occur in non athletes at outdoor concerts, outdoor carnivals, or backyard activities.
Some “old school” folks think that wearing extra clothing and “breaking a good sweat” is an optimal goal for exercise. However, it may be potentially very dangerous in hot and humid conditions. When exercising in hot weather, the body is under additional stress. As the activity and the hot air increases your core temperature your body will to deliver more blood to your skin to cool it down. In doing so, your heart rate is increased and less blood is available for your muscles, which leads to cramping and other more serious problems. In humid conditions, problems are magnified as sweat cannot be evaporated from the skin to assist in cooling the body.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American College of Sports Medicine has the following recommendations which are appropriate for both the competitive athlete and weekend warrior:
EVERY MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” via Blog
EVERY SUNDAY in "The Sunday Times" - Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!” in hard copy
This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com
Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy in Scranton and Clarks Summit. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles, visit our exercise forum!
