Tag Archives: herniated disc

MRSA In Our Hospitals, Communities And Homes

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Most of us have heard about MRSA, and many of us now know of someone who has contracted it: some of us even know of someone who has died. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is often noted as the “Super-Bug”. Actually, MRSA can be many strains of S. aureus bacteria (it is not a virus), and it is resistant to many antibiotics. There is a continued effort to develop more antibiotics, but it is difficult because of its evolving resistance to more and more drugs. MRSA is most likely to be contracted from hospitals (hospital-acquired infection). Some studies show a contamination rate as high as 64%. There have been random studies performed on common surfaces in hospitals, such as doors, walls in the hospital halls, and elevator buttons, and 80 %of the tested surfaces had evidence of MRSA. Many doctors and healthcare professionals are considering this a global plague – projecting over six million cases in 2010 – with a death rate of over 30 %. The major concern is the limited medical options for care and the sources of contamination that are outside of our hospitals.

MRSA cases identified in a healthcare setting are referred to as healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). In the last 40 years, MRSA has become a significant problem in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, although it was found in 1945 with the advent of penicillin. In the early years, MRSA was treated with penicillin. Now is antibiotic resistant, which includes penicillin and many other antibiotics. Because many patients in hospitals and nursing homes are weakened from disease or surgery and have compromised immunity – they are very vulnerable.

It would seem to be natural, if MRSA is most likely to be spread by hand-to-hand contact, that it would imperative to have in place mandatory hand-washing procedures and other hygiene processes in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Since hospitals and healthcare facilities have implemented computer technology, there is an additional risk of transmission increasing by the use of computer keyboards.

Additional strains of MRSA, identified as CA-MRSA (community-associated MRSA), have been identified since late 1990′s. CA-MRSA appears to have no relationship with healthcare settings and there were no at-risk patients that were sick, injured and immune compromised. CA-MRSA is very different from the healthcare-associated strain. MRSA can be carried by anyone, and it can be picked from objects such as keyboards and door knobs that are contaminated . Heaviest transmission seems to be from most concentrated in groups that are related to locker rooms, sports, gyms, military groups, prisoners, and other concentrated gatherings of people. According to a majority of research, MRSA occurs in our noses, and if it enters the body via injuries and open sores, then there is a possibility of fatal infections. You can avoid the likelihood of contamination by not sharing anything personal such razors and towels. Always use proper hand washing methods and bandage cuts, scrapes and abrasions.

Headaches, fatigue, fever, swelling, pain and heat around an incision, wound or injury are common symptoms of MRSA. Infections that are more severe are in the joints, bones, surgical incisions, heart, lungs and bloodstream. Many times a bump on the skin will be dismissed as a spider bite. If it doesn’t get better in 3-4 days and you have a fever and flu-like symptoms, this could be MRSA.

There is reporting of MRSA infecting horses, and these cases are on the increase. This is just one of several ways strains of MRSA are challenging the human and animal barrier. Studies have shown that MRSA can be passed from humans to horses and horses to humans. There is now a strain of MRSA (ST398) detected in pigs. Initially it was reported from the Netherland five years ago, and then, more recently, it was reported in Canada. Now it has been found in the US, although there is no clear proof that the infection can contaminate our foods or humans. If that should become a fact, that will further complicate the battle against MRSA. It is also been determined that our pets have a strain of MRSA, and again, there is no proof of this infecting people. In fact, it could be that humans are infecting their pets.

Most especially for those considering elective surgery for neck and back pain, consider all your options and research nonsurgical procedures. Surgery is not your only option. MRSA contamination is common in hospitals. Screening could be done for MRSA in hospitals, but many do not. If testing proved positive, then patients would have to be placed in isolation, and this would increase the patient’s length of stay and the load on the facility by over crowding and under staffing. It is possible then – this can lead to more contact with infected people – serious under staffing which can lead to less hand washing and hygiene.

See what a national expert has to say about nonsurgical back pain treatment. visit Dr. Richard E. Busch III’s site on how to avoid surgery for back pain and neck pain and avoid needless risk.

Herniated Disc’s As a Cause of Sciatica

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by Randall Pruitt, DC, DACNB, DAAPM, MUAC

A herniated disc is a very painful condition, sometimes the pain can be associated with only the back and other times you may get sciatica. This creates an even more debilitating condition.

First a herniated disc occurs when the central portion of the disc called the nucleus pulposis migrates outwards and breaks through the outer portion of the disc called the annulus fibrosis.

The disc has actually been shown to only be painful in it’s outer 1/3. So the migration of the central portion can go on for some time before pain is experienced.

Repetitive activities, incorrect sitting postures and trauma are usually to blame when it comes to herniated disc pain. These activities weaken the outer annulus allowing migration of the inner portion of the disc.

As the migration occurs and the outer fibers become contacted the pain sensitive nerves begin to become activated resulting in local back pain at first.

Usually a short period of relief may follow the initial beginnings of back pain related to a disc injury. As the activities responsible are modified the pain may lessen.

Once a bout of disc related pain begins however, the research shows it is almost always likely to come back without proper treatment. This is often dangerous for unsuspecting people who think they are out of the woods.

With the return of the pain there is also a corresponding increase the the area involved. This usually starts with a movement of the pain into the arm and leg depending on where the disc problem is.

If this migration of pain begins to move into your leg it is often referred to as sciatica. This is a term used to describe irritation of the sciatic nerve.

In many cases the sciatic nerve is compressed directly from the injured disc and other times it is simply chemically irritated by inflammation associated with the disc injury.

No matter what the underlying reason for the sciatica pain, the disc has to be treated properly. This means a functional treatment like spinal decompression.

Spinal decompression actually creates negative pressures in the disc to draw back the herniated material so the disc can actually heal.

This really is the best solution for sciatica caused by a herniated disc.

About the Author:
Randall Pruitt, DC, DACNB, DAAPM, MUAC is a chiropractic neurologist in Phoenix Arizona. His practice focuses on chronic back and neck pain. If you have a herniated disc you can learn more by going to www.arizonabackinstitute.com. They also have a lot of experience dealing with chronic sciatica. So if you are suffering from back or neck pain call the Arizona Back Institute today.

Factors that Cause Chronic Back Pain

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by Dr. Randall Pruitt

Chronic back pain may mean a lot of different things to most people. This is because chornic back pain may have different causes too for various people. It is important to know the factors that causes chronic back pain and the reasons why you are going through that ordeal.

The basic description of this type of chronic back pain is pain that is unbearable and beyond the point of the tissue being able to heal. Chronic back pain is usually characterized as pain that is rather continuous and lasts for longer than 3 to 6 months. However the problem with this description is many people think that they are suffering from chronic back pain when in fact they are just experiencing symptoms of a reoccurring problem. This is why it is important to make sure that you clearly define what chronic back pain is before you start you find out if you are suffering from it or not.

Chronic back pain have a lot of causes. The most common cause of chronic back pain is herniated disc or degenerative disc problems. These problems can be caused by aging, sports and spinal injuries. It is important for a patient whose suffering from chronic back pain to be diagnosed with their condition to be able to receive proper treatment.

One important way to help your with your condition is consultation with a medical professional. It is important that you openly discuss the pain with your doctor so he/she can properly diagnose your condition. Once you have gone through all the examination, and once you are properly diagnosed, your doctor can advise the best medical treatment that will help you eliminate the pain and heal your ailment.

Another great option that is available for diagnosing chronic back pain is to talk with a specialist. They will have a better understanding of to what degree of back pain you are suffering from. This is the best way to make sure that you are receiving the proper treatment and not just general treatment for those types of problems. One of the most important things that you can do is make sure that you have a personalized treatment plan specifically designed for your current condition. Once you have done this you will be doing everything that is possible in order to try and effectively treat the symptoms that are commonly associated with chronic back pain.

 

About the Author:

Randall Pruitt, DC,DACNB, DAAPM is a board certified chiropractic neurologist and an authority on spinal decompression for back pain. Click here to learn more about Spinal Decompression In Phoenix Arizona. You can also Order a copy of his Herniated Disc Guide

What Should Be Done With Spinal Decompression?

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by Randall Pruitt, DC, DACNB, DAAPM, MUAC, CES-NASM

Many people are confused by the treatment protocols offered with spinal decompression. Some patinets are given cold packs, heat , massage or a combination of all of these. While some do other exercises in conjunction with their decompression therapy.

While many of these additional treatments may give short term relief many the majority are not productive in adding any long term value to the treatment.

This is common in the therapy world, as passive treatments are often performed because they make the patient feel good at the time, but they don’t offer much in the way of structural change.

Many studies have been done showing a significant amount of muscle atrophy and weakness associated with common disc problems.

These common problems include herniated discs, degenerative discs and bulging discs.

Many of the studies have shown that the muscle weakness leads to more progressive breakdown of the discs and less protection and allows another episode to take place.

This is why spinal decompression coupled with aggressive core strengthening is the best approach.

Dealing with the muscle weakness and spinal instability must be done cautiously as to not load or irritate the disc, but must be done nonetheless if full recovery is expected.

Therefore if you are going through a spinal decompression program spinal rehabilitation is a must if a long term outcome is desired.

About the Author:
Dr. Randall Pruitt is a chiropractic neurologist in Phoenix Arizona. Click here to learn more about Herniated Disc Treatments In Arizona. You can also learn more about Spinal Decompression in Arizona

Herniated Disc – no pain

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A bulging disc is when the spongy material between vertebrae extends out.  It’s usually caused by too much pressure that’s been put on the spine causing excessive compression.  There are lots of nerves that run out from the disc, so when the disc bulges near one of the nerves, pain develops.  The pain isn’t necessarily in the back though.  The pain can run down the nerves and end up making your legs or even your arms hurt.

The fact is though, you can have a herniated disc and not have any pain. You can actually have a bulging disc that doesn’t affect a nerve and so there’s no pain.  The indications you have a back problem include other things like tingling and numbness in the legs.  So don’t think you have to have pain when you have a bulging or herniated disc.