According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain at some time in their life. When back pain first occurs, the body's immediate response is to shut down movement to that aggravated area, which causes the muscles and spine to tense even more and allow the back to be easily re-aggravated.

The good news is, there are many treatment options for back pain, including chiropractic adjustment, surgery or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as acupuncture. Statistics show that 45 percent of all Americans who suffer from back pain will try a chiropractic remedy. In addition, many physicians are quick to recommend surgery or drugs before the alternative methods or basic maintenance procedures to deal with these back problems.

There are several problems that can arise with the "rushed" surgery techniques. In 1995, the Orthopedic Clinic of North America did follow-up research on the aftermath of back surgery and found these alarming statistics:

• 25,000-50,000 failed back surgery syndrome cases each year
• Overall failure rate 30 percent (fusion), 37.3 percent (non-fusion)
• Re-operation rate 6.9 percent overall at two-year follow-up
• 11.9 percent (fusion), 10.2 percent (non-fusion) at four-year follow-up
• Re-hospitalization 22.4 percent (fusion), 18.3 percent (non-fusion)

Most of these re-operational statistics do not show the fault of the patient in the recovery process. No matter what treatment method is used, the patient is the key to helping their backs recover from treatment.

One treatment method that should not be overlooked is exercise and wellness. Exercise is not an exact treatment for back pain, although it can be used as a tool for many associated problems that people with back pain encounter. Exercise should be thought of as a preventative measure, and to also help cope with the irritability of back pain.

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which the body is unable to sufficiently produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is an essential hormone that regulates glucose, fat and protein metabolism. These metabolisms are disrupted with diabetes. Typically, persons with diabetes have an elevated blood glucose level, also called hyperglycemia, that results from deficient insulin secretion, insulin action or both.

Diabetes is composed of four classifications; however, two of them account for 95 percent of the diabetic population, which includes Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both have distinct causes, characteristics and strategies for disease management.

Type 1 requires insulin administration, usually through an injection or through a pump, to control elevated blood glucose levels. This type occurs in about 5-10 percent of the diabetic population, or 500,000 to 1 million persons, and it usually occurs in persons younger than 30 years of age. Two of the strongest risk factors are genetics and an autoimmune response that affects insulin production.

Type 2 diabetes has been formally called "adult-onset" diabetes because it traditionally affects persons over 30 years of age. The most recent research, however, indicates that more children are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Each year in the United States, 2,000 new cases are identified among school-age children. Type 2 diabetes appears to be increasing rapidly in non-white children and adolescents. More than 15% of patients who develop diabetes when they are younger than 30 will die by the age of 40, a rate 20 times that of the general population.

Type 2 diabetes occurs in 90-95 percent of the diabetic population, or close to 15 million Americans. Risk factors include obesity, old age, family history of diabetes and physical activity level. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are the chief risk factors for type 2. Approximately 80% of those with type 2 diabetes are obese at the time of diagnosis. Also, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is consistently lower in populations with high rates of physical activity. Approximately 24% of Type 2 diabetes may be attributable to sedentary lifestyle.

A recent headline in a paper released by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) claimed: "Doctors fear disaster ahead." The toll of diabetes is enormous. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. It is the leading cause of blindness (12,000-24,000 cases a year), and the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (about 40% of new cases). Diabetes also causes nerve damage in 60-70% of patients and significantly increases risk of lower-limb amputations. The scary fact is that there are up to 5.4 million people with diabetes who have yet to be diagnosed.

The major causes of this large increase in diabetes can be attributed to the following:

• increased incidence of obesity
• declining physical activity
• genetic predisposition

How about the children? Researchers look at the following characteristics among children when screening for diabetes:

• height and weight in reference to their activity level
• television viewing habits
• dietary intake
• body image perceptions

Researchers have found that high levels of TV viewing were positively associated with a significant rise in obesity in pediatric subjects aged 10 to 19. According to the ADA, "elevated obesity levels in children and teens is a harbinger of future diabetes risk for them, because obesity is associated with insulin resistance, the first step in the development of type 2 diabetes."

What can be done? Intervention is necessary, which includes the following:

• reduction in fat and calories in the diet
• body weight and body fat reduction
• increase in physical activity levels
• avoidance of prolonged periods of sedentary activity (TV viewing)
• support of family members to help with behavior modifications

Increased physical activity alone may decrease the risk of diabetes, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Additionally, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be reduced an estimated 50-75% through reductions in obesity and 30-50% through increased physical activity.

What does the future hold? According to a study conducted in London, "the number of people worldwide with diabetes mellitus will double in the next 10 years." We must start making a difference now through active prevention and education for ourselves and our loved ones. Focus on risk factors. You can make a difference; don't wait!

Research provided by the American Diabetes Association and the Physicians Assistant Journal.

Deborah Plitt, C.C.S has been in the health and fitness industry for 13 years. She has owned her own home-based personal training business for seven years and has been the Assistant Director of Conway Hospital Wellness & Fitness Center for five years. Deb is certified as a personal trainer, group exercise instructor, water aerobics instructor, weight management consultant and is an expert in arthritis and exercise. Deb is also an ACE faculty member and a member of the Life Fitness Academy.

 

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