New published evidence reinforces the importance of device choice in asthma control

SOURCE Trudell Medical International

This first of its kind film shows the filmmaker’s personal struggle with thyroid disease and the medical confusion and negligence that surrounds it

The award-winning documentary Sick to Death! exposes the medical incompetence surrounding the treatment of one of America’s most common illnesses as experienced by New Orleans filmmaker Maggie Hadleigh-West, and debuted online January 18, 2018.

Hadleihg-West is available for interviews Thursday, February 1 through Friday, March 16, 2018.  Please call or email with a preferred date and time.

Johanna J. Ramos-Boyer | JRB Communications, LLC | Office:  703-646-5137

Sick to Death! has received a Guggenheim Award and three Impact Doc Awards prior to the world premiere sold out screenings at the 2017 New Orleans Film Festival.

“Thyroid disease is THE MOST misdiagnosed disease in American medicine, " said New Orleans physician Dr. Charles Mary, II in Sick to Death!.

"I cried when I realized I should have been diagnosed as a child, but when I realized that millions of people were sick, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed despite medical information being available, I was angry and change became my mission.” said Hadleigh-West. “The purpose of the film is to expose the problem through many people’s stories, experts, historians and statistical data."

In Sick to Death! Hadleigh-West unflinchingly exposes her 30-year struggle to regain her health. Sick to Death! is both a call-to-action and a quirky, raw film which examines the maze most patients face in seeking treatment in today’s disturbing medical reality.  This film uses thyroid disease as a metaphor for all illnesses and provides the viewer a roadmap for how to negotiate their individual health challenges.

Sick to Death! is available on both Amazon and VIMEO and the easiest way to find the film isthrough the film’s website: sick2death.com

About Maggie Hadleigh-West: As early as 1991, Maggie Hadleigh-West created the first film on the sexual harassment of women in public, War Zone (1991/1998).  Her film Player Hating (2011) was praised by SLANT magazine as “one of the more intimate and revealing looks at American (housing) projects ever made.”  Sick to Death! is the first feature length documentary on thyroid disease and complications that surround it.

Hadleigh-West is a 2017 Impact Doc Awards winner, a 2013 Guggenheim Fellow Award Winner, 2010 Indie Fest: Audience Impact Merit Award Winner, 2010 Accolade Merit Award Winner, 2009, 2006, and 2005 Alcyon Foundation Fellow, a 2004 New York State Council on the Arts Fellow, 2001 University of Louisville Distinguished Professor Nominee, 2000 Rockefeller Fellow Nominee and a 1998 Berlin Film Festival Caligari Nominee. Over the course of her career, Maggie Hadleigh-West has been internationally recognized as an activist, independent filmmaker, public speaker and the founder of YoMaggie Productions, LLC.  Sick to Death! Is her 5th film. Her fourth film, and second feature documentary Player Hating: A Love Story follows the life of hip-hop artist Half-a-Mill as he struggles to escape ghetto obscurity for fame. Her well known feature length documentary, War Zone, covers the public harassment of women, turning the lens of her camera on her harassers.

The world's leading researcher of ovulatory cycles offers insight into the intelligence of hormones. HORMONAL (on-sale 2/13)

“The perfect Valentine’s Day read for…any woman who’s ever been pissed off by a guy calling her ‘hormonal.’” -- Bookpage

“Essentially, HORMONAL covers everything anyone could ever want to know about the hormonal cycles of women, from birth through puberty and the childbearing years and into menopause. ‘Every girl and woman benefits from understanding the scope of hormonal cycles, the hows, whens, and whys,’ writes the author. ‘We should become familiar with the potential nudges that affect our behavior. And we should know that choosing to act on those behaviors is an individual choice, dependent upon our own preferences and goals. Being naïve to our hormonal natures will not help us. Being hormonally intelligent, on the other hand, will.’ Haselton provides a useful tool for women in that quest to become better informed about a significant aspect of their lives.” -- Kirkus

Martie Haselton, PhD, is the world's leading researcher on how ovulatory cycles influence women's sexuality. She is a professor of Psychology at UCLA and the Institute for Society and Genetics and directs UCLA’s Evolutionary Psychology Lab. In her forthcoming book, HORMONAL: The Hidden Intelligence of Hormones -- How They Drive Desire, Shape Relationships, Influence Our Choices, and Make Us Wiser (Little Brown and Company/February 13, 2018/$28.00 hardcover) Dr. Haselton explains the hidden intelligence of the hormonal cycle and its role in empowering women to succeed sexually, reproductively, and socially.

Hormones don't make women irrational; they do help women choose mates, compete with female rivals, produce healthy offspring, and conquer other biological challenges. With fresh insight, Martie Haselton explains that behind the "fickle" differences in what women find sexy about men, or what they like to wear, there's a hidden adaptive intelligence that has evolved over eons. The research is provocative but extremely compelling, and it comes with fascinating practical takeaways on how women can use their hormonal cycles to their advantage, helping them achieve success in their relationships, careers, and lives. Groundbreaking and counterintuitive, HORMONAL will empower women everywhere to embrace their biology.

Martie Haselton, PhD is the world’s leading researcher on sexuality and the ovulation cycle. In HORMONAL: The Hidden Intelligence of Hormones — How They Drive Desire, Shape Relationships, Influence Our Choices, and Make Us Wiser (Little Brown and Company/February 13, 2018/$28.00 hardcover) Haselton takes a deep, revealing look at the biological processes that so profoundly influence our behavior, and sets forth a radical new view of women’s bodies, minds, and sexual relationships that embraces hormonal cycles as adaptive solutions to the genuine biological challenges that women have faced throughout history.

At the core of Haselton’s new Darwinian Feminism is her remarkable discovery that humans, like our animal cousins, possess a special phase of sexuality, called estrus, which comes with a host of physiological and behavioral changes. Combining the scientific rigor of a leading researcher with the wit and candor of a best friend, Haselton explains how hormonal intelligence works — both its strengths and its weaknesses — and how women can track and understand their desires, fears, perceptions, and fantasies across the 28-day cycle and over the course of their lives.

Rigorously researched, entertaining, and empowering, HORMONAL offers women deep new insights into their bodies, brains, relationships, and affairs, allowing them to make better-informed choices about sex, marriage, friendship, contraception, and more. Above all, HORMONAL is a clarion call to appreciate and embrace the genius of female biology!

Did you know…

• A woman’s attractiveness peaks just prior to ovulation because her “mate search effort” is turned on.
• PMS may have evolved to get rid of boyfriends with unfit sperm.
• Lap dancers on the Pill make about $20,000 less per year than lap dancers who are ovulating normally.
• A woman may find an otherwise obnoxious male unusually appealing during certain points in her cycle.
• Ovulating women tend to prefer more stylish and provocative clothing, and to spend more money on fashion and beauty — not so much to attract men, but to intimidate female rivals.
• Women walk more, eat less, socialize more, meet more men, dance more, and flirt more when they’re ovulating.
• Unlike nearly any other creature on earth, humans evolved to have sex—for fun, not babies--outside of the fertile window.
• New mothers are formidable. They will behave more aggressively toward someone who is threatening, but their blood pressure stays low – they are cool as a cucumber and badass at the same time.
• Menopause is not a sign that something has gone wrong in a woman’s body – it has a deep evolutionary history vital to our species’ success.

5 Reasons Why More and More People Are Saying ‘No Way’ to Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re in a couple or rolling solo, Valentine’s Day comes with expectation and pressure. With #CoupleGoals as a consistently trending hashtag, countless pictures of couples on social media, the obsession of celebrity break ups and make ups and TV shows like the Bachelor and Bachelorette serving up contrived romance sprinkled with drama, the way we think of love and romance has changed. Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a New York Board Certified Neuropsychologist explains why so many people say ‘no way’ to Valentine’s Day and offers some alternatives that shift this negative mindset.

1. “Valentine’s Day is a ‘Hallmark Holiday’ and I’m still broke from Christmas.”

When money is tight many people may want to cut back on spending especially for things they feel are frivolous. “Financial stress is a common thing and when people are made to feel pressured to spend, they get resentful and want to claim their power,” explains Dr. Hafeez. Instead of boycotting all romance, put a $20 maximum on gifts and you’ll see how sweet, thoughtful and creative you can get.

2. “Every restaurant is crowded and the service is terrible.”

Nothing kills romance faster than crowds and a bad experience dining out. Since everyone goes out to eat on Valentine’s Day there will be a lapse in service. “One way for couples to celebrate is to call their favorite restaurant in advance and have a meal prepared they can pick up and heat up at home,” suggests Dr. Hafeez. “You can either break out the fancy dishes and dress up or you can put on sweats and eat while watching a movie, the important thing is that you enjoy yourselves and aren’t stressed,” she adds.

3. “We’ve been together for ages. Every day is Valentine’s Day! Do we really need to celebrate?”

“Celebrations and traditions are important in a relationship and when they fall away it’s usually a sign of trouble and disconnection. While you may not feel the need to do anything extravagant use the day to appreciate the love you have and life you’ve created, even if it’s in a small way,” Hafeez advises.

4. “I’m single so what’s the point?”

Rolling solo on Valentine’s Day again, all the more reason to turn it into a Self Love Day. Being single on Valentine’s Day can be tough for people, especially those still healing from a break up or divorce. “You want to really be kind and caring to yourself. Booking a massage, getting a haircut, or arranging a single ladies night with your single friends could be just what’s needed. Focus on creating your own happiness,” says Dr. Hafeez who often sees a link between break up depression and anxiety over holidays.

5. “I’m just to busy for love and romance and all that stuff.”

Some people are just focused on other things that are top priority in their lives. There are plenty of women who are turned on more by generating income for their businesses than concerning themselves with outside approval or validation. There has been a rise in female entrepreneurship with more millenials and Gen X’ers preferring to build empires than romantic relationships. For them it’s just February 14^th the mid way point to a short month. “There’s nothing wrong with women wanting to focus on their professional lives. They often feel to focus on business, romance, which may cause them to lose focus, has to be shelved for a while, this is more common these days,” Dr. Hafeez shares.

While many say ‘no way’ to Valentine’s Day there are millions saying I DO.

According to a 2017 survey of 1000 people done by James Allen, an online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer, 43 percent of millennials say Valentines Day is their top pick for proposal day. November – February is considered proposal season.

Some other mind-blowing stats that clearly show Cupid isn’t going away anytime soon are.

In 2017, the National Retail Federation put the estimated total spending at over $18.2 billion. That's an average of $136.57 per person.

Jewelry is the most popular gift with 20 percent of consumers expected to buy jewelry, with a total of $4.3 billion on bling, the NRF said.

$2 billion will be spent on flowers, with roses being most popular. 250 million roses are produced for the holiday, the Society of American Florists said.

The American Greeting Card Association puts that industries pay out at 1 BILLION… yes folks $1 … for paper.

About Dr. Sanam Hafeez:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical neuropsychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.

Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.

Groundbreaking report looks at Canadian cancer care exclusively from the patient perspective

Report highlights significant challenges for many from fearing something is wrong through to finding a "new normal" after cancer treatment is over, and beyond

TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer has released Living with Cancer: A Report on the Patient Experience. This groundbreaking report reflects the voices of over 30,000 Canadians and is the country's largest accumulation of patient data on the experiences of people living with, and beyond, a cancer diagnosis.

The report shows that while their cancer may be well treated, many patients experience significant, and often debilitating, physical and emotional side effects of the disease that are often not being adequately addressed.

Quick facts

• Up to one in five cancer patients report no one discussed different treatment options for their cancer with them.
• Up to one in four report that their care providers did not consider their travel concerns when planning for treatment.
• One in four report that they were not satisfied with the emotional support they received during outpatient cancer care.
• Eight in 10 report having physical challenges after their treatment ends. Increased fatigue and changes in sexual function and fertility were the biggest concerns.
• Seven in 10 report having emotional challenges after treatment ends. Worry about cancer returning, depression and changes in sexual intimacy were their biggest concerns.
• Four in 10 report having practical challenges after their treatment ends. Returning to work and school, as well as financial problems such as paying health care bills and getting life insurance were the biggest concerns.

View the full report

To address these gaps in the cancer patient experience, the Partnership is pushing for change collaborating with provincial governments, cancer agencies and programs, and other health sector organizations to implement tools that allow patients to report details of their symptoms in real time to their doctors. Doctors can then use this information to promptly refer patients to therapists or other services where their symptoms can be managed. This information can also be used for planning at the system level to ensure services are available where they are needed.

Efforts to improve the cancer patient experience

This report, and efforts to directly address patient needs, would not be possible without ongoing, multi-year investments by the Partnership and provincial cancer programs across the country. The Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) initiative started in 2013 pushing for all jurisdictions in Canada to have a measurement and reporting cycle for the cancer patient experience. Gaps are now being recognized and through a coordinated pan-Canadian approach, most provincial cancer programs have implemented tools to screen for patient distress, which allows for patients to report, at the time of their medical appointment, on symptoms they are experiencing including: pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression.

In total, eight provinces over five years have implemented systems that collect real-time feedback from patients, at the point of care. This feedback supports immediate discussions with health care professionals that can lead to more meaningful solutions to common problems faced by cancer patients. This means that the additional burden to be proactively tracking and reporting on issues, while competing for the time of medical staff, has been lifted off of the patient. The responsibility is now placed on the health care provider to use standard tools and practices to routinely respond to patient concerns.  Next, the Partnership and provincial cancer programs will work to close the gaps highlighted by patients and will continue to measure if improvements in patient needs are being achieved. The initiative will be expanding to other provinces and territories in the next five years.

Quotes

"All too often, as soon as the word 'cancer' is spoken, the focus is on the disease and not the person. But the survivor's experience with cancer does not end when the disease is gone. This report from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer shines a light on how to better support patients before, during and after treatment."
Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

"Following my cancer treatment, I felt like I was left floating in the breeze in a scary world of uncertainty. I was no longer actively fighting against my tumour but I had this underlying fear that it might recur at some point," said Charlotte Kessler, patient advisor for the Partnership. "My doctors never told me I was in the transition phase of my cancer experience, they did not discuss next steps and things I could expect, and they did not direct me to any resources. I felt like I was on my own," said Charlotte who is also featured in the report.

"Findings from this report suggest a greater need for people with cancer to speak with their family doctor or oncologist about their concerns before, during, and after treatment," said Cindy Morton, CEO of the Partnership and cancer survivor. "Patients should not assume their concerns are normal, even if told so, and should discuss symptoms with their doctor. The health system must also do more to support doctors with the right tools and resources to get patients the care they need."

"This important report highlights the experience of having cancer in Canada, the many kinds of support people need and where the gaps are, right from diagnosis through treatment and beyond," said Lynne Hudson, President and CEO, Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). "We all need to do a better job of meeting the needs of Canadians with cancer so patients feel supported and informed throughout their cancer journey. At CCS, we have programs and services in place for cancer patients and their families – including providing reliable information, peer support programs and transportation services – but more needs to be done. We look forward to working with the Partnership and other partners in the health sector to use the information in this report to better service Canadians affected by cancer."

"As the survey data show, many patients continued to suffer symptoms like pain, fatigue and depression without being referred to services that could have helped them like physiotherapy or psychotherapy," said Esther Green, Director, Person-Centred Perspective at the Partnership. "The findings suggest health care providers need to have meaningful discussions with their patients to assess their emotional, physical and practical concerns following cancer treatment and refer them to the appropriate supports. This is not always happening. Not for a lack of concern by doctors for their patients but because of inadequate tools, resources and other supports needed at the system level."

A full copy of the report is available at systemperformance.ca.

Data for Living with Cancer includes data from multiple sources, including Patient Reported Outcomes partners, the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey and initial results from the first Canada-wide study of cancer survivors.

About the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

As the steward of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, the Partnership works with partners to reduce the burden of cancer on Canadians. Our partner network – cancer agencies, health system leaders and experts, and people affected by cancer – brings a wide variety of expertise to every aspect of our work. After 10 years of collaboration, we are accelerating work that improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the cancer control system, aligning shared priorities and mobilizing positive change across the cancer continuum. From 2017-2022, our work is organized under five themes in our Strategic Plan: quality, equity, seamless patient experience, maximize data impact, sustainable system. The Partnership continues to support the work of the collective cancer community in achieving our shared 30-year goals: a future in which fewer people get cancer, fewer die from cancer and those living with the disease have a better quality of life. The Partnership was created by the federal government in 2007 to move the Strategy into action and receives ongoing funding from Health Canada to continue leading the Strategy with partners from across Canada.  Visit www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Bell Let's Talk and The Rossy Family Foundation commit $1 million to develop a national standard for post-secondary student mental health

Exercise is good for the body and mind and did you know exercise and sweating is good for your skin, too? Dr. Margarita Lolis, a New Jersey board certified dermatologist explains that, "When exercising we release toxins from our skin, opening up and clear out our pores. However, if you miss one important step when it comes to exercising and skin, you'll start to notice your skin going downhill." Here are some pointers to help your skin look its post-workout best.

A head-to-toe routine is a must Dr. Lolis found that those who work out several times per week seem to have similar skin issues. These 14 Skincare Hacks for Gym Rats provided by Dr. Lolis, are based on the common issues her own patients often face.

1. Use disposable body wipes or medicated/herbal wet tissues right after a workout. This will help in removing excess oil from your skin.

2. Always carry a small towel with you to wipe the excess sweat.

3. Avoid touching your facewith bare hands to keep bacterial infections and acne at bay.

4. Use a foot deodorizerto clean your feet after a heavy workout.

5. Skip the tanning bed. It's harmful to your skin, in so many ways. There's also the range of cosmetic skin concerns, like wrinkles and sun spots. Opt for a self-tanning lotion or simply working out outdoors with SPF will give you a natural glow.

6. BYOT (Bring Your Own Towel!)If you opt for a gym washroom for a shower, be careful of the towels and cleansing products you use. Do not use towels already used by someone. The sweat of other people can cause acne on your skin. Cleaning your skin should be hygienic.

7. Wear fresh clothes after showering.Also, avoid wearing gym clothes after washing yourself clean. Gym clothes will be sweaty and grimy; they may cause acne and other skin related problems.

8. Avoid close contact.Other people's sweat may also cause skin acne, pimples and other related problems. That hug to your trainer or gym buddy can end up triggering a breakout.

9. Skip the hot water. Sure,your muscles are sore, and you're in the mood for a hot shower after a workout. Hot water strips skin of vital oils, leaving you with dry, itchy, dull skin.

10. Reduce the redness.Calm down a flushed face with your own redness control remedy made up of a little bit of iced green tea and a spray bottle. You'll cool down your skin and add in a few extra anti-oxidants in the process.

11. Rehydrate your skin.  After enduring a good workout and cleanse, it's critical to re-establish the natural moisture and oils that have been removed from your skin.  When it comes to your face, you really should invest in a high quality, fast-absorbing, nutrient-rich product that includes vitamins A and E and the super-ingredient hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring compound that is expert at restoring moisture to your skin and has also been shown to stimulate collagen production. If you've been exercising outdoors, a moisturizer with anti-oxidant ingredients is important to help repair damage caused by UV exposure and other environmental factors.

12. Go bare. Morning gym people there’s no need to apply make-up. If you work out after work consider taking a face-wipe to remove dirt, make-up which may blend with sweat triggering breakouts. You want your skin to be able to breathe while you're working out.

13. Wear a hairband. Hair should always be pulled back from your face, not only because of sweat, but because of your hair products, too. If you are seeing breakouts on your forehead or hairline, mousses, gels, or other hair products could be to blame. An elastic headband worn behind the ears about an inch from the hairline keeps stray hairs off the face.

14. Wear gloves when working out.In addition to protecting hands from rough calluses, gloves also prevent the transmission of bacteria and viruses like warts and staphylococcus bacteria; which can cause impetigo. Impetigo is a common skin infection that can be easily transmitted at the gym and result in blisters and sores. If you choose not to wear gloves during a work-out, disinfect your equipment with a wipe or spray.

About Dr. Lolis:

Dr. Margarita Lolis, M.D. is a board-certified cosmetic, medical dermatologist and a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon with over 20 years of experience. In her practice, she addresses common skin concerns such as acne prevention and treatment in both teens and adults, sun-damage, skin discoloration, wrinkles, changes to skin texture and loss of volume. On the medical side, she is a trusted expert in melanoma and over-all skin health. Dr. Lolis prides herself in honoring facial symmetry to deliver a natural look to her clients. She always recommends a healthy skin care regimen plus lifestyle habits that are aligned with her holistic approach to beauty. Dr. Lolis is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Surgery, and the American Society of Anti-aging. Her practice, Skin, Laser, and SurgerySpecialists is in New York City and Bergen Country, New Jersey.

Get Fit! How to Drastically Enhance Your Athletic Performance

All athletes want to live their dreams and compete professionally as long as they can. You have the skills, and you have impressed enough people. You know you have a fighting chance, but the numbers can be pretty harsh. The chance of making a living out of what you love is pretty slim, meaning you really have to do your best to make it. You have to push the limits at all times, and continue to drastically enhance your athletic performance. The following are some tips to help you do just that.

Enhance Your Brain

You might not think your mind has much to do with your athletic performance, but it does. Your brain is one of the most important parts of your body, and making sure that it is running optimally should help enhance your performance. This is why you need to stimulate your mind using cognitive training among other tools. One thing you can do is solve a complex puzzle in your free time. Playing strategy games can keep your mind nimble. A sharper mind makes it easier for your brain to make quick but effective decisions, which is vital for any athlete.

Eat Right

The body can only use what it is given, so making sure you are giving it the very best is crucial. This means sticking to safe, healthy, and organic food. Beyond that, it is also important to seek out foods that are known to help improve athletic performance, such as probiotics. These organisms can be found in fermented foods and drinks, such as yogurt or kombucha. They help the body digest food and absorb more nutrients than it would otherwise, which makes them quite important.

Get a Cellular Boost

Okay, you have taken care of your diet and are doing what you can to enhance your brain’s ability to think, but you can also address your cells. Companies dedicated to athletic performance like ASEA sell products that have the ability to optimize cells within the body. This helps cells perform at their very best. You will likely produce more energy and be the very best version of yourself by simply making sure your cells are in tip-top shape. You should talk to a health professional to find out other ways to boost cellular function.

Lifestyle Revolution

You are young and may be drawn to things that could be hurting your athletic performance. For example, many people stay up late and end up losing sleep. You cannot afford this as an athlete because your body needs sleep to repair itself after training or a harsh game. You also have to find ways to balance your emotional and mental health. Both of these are vital because they directly correlate with your spirit. Every athlete knows that the spirit gives you that last burst of energy or power when you need it the most. Consider joining a meditation class to help you stay grounded and peaceful, or practice yoga to find ways to keep your mind and emotional health in good condition.

80% Experience Back Problems: What to Know Before Your Spine Is Affected

According to the American Chiropractic Association, 80 percent experience back problems at some point in their lives. Because of the likelihood that this may happen to you, you need to know the major causes of back pain. It can be mechanical or stem from serious conditions. Here is what you need to know before your spine is affected:

Most Back Pain is Mechanical

Movement that causes back pain would be categorized as mechanical. It is not the only cause of back pain to fit in the mechanical category, though. A few other mechanical causes of back pain are sprains, strains, and herniated discs. Some of the causes can be avoided by taking preventative measures. Mechanical causes are serious, but back pain caused by more serious conditions could be life-threatening.

Your Back Pain May Come from Serious Conditions

A few examples of serious conditions that cause back pain are cancer, blood clots, and kidney infections. There is little difference, however, to how back pack pain is caused. Mechanical cause is associated with the spine’s movement. Yet, serious conditions can come from anywhere. Back pain caused by such conditions can be easily masked and mistaken for a mechanical cause without proper diagnosis by a doctor. If you feel back pain, make an effort to visit the doctor as this could be one of the most important preventative measures that you take.

You Can Minimize Your Back Pain

One of the best ways to minimize your back pain is through practicing good posture. You have most likely heard it before—maybe from a teacher or parent—but it’s important! Being active is also crucial. Make sure to stretch before doing a workout session, though. If you work in an environment where you’re pretty stationary, you can minimize the chances of getting back pain by using ergonomic chairs, desks, and workstations.

It’s Possible to Avoid the Chronic Pain That Results from a Back Injury

A back injury can happen at any time. Lifting with the wrong posture or a sports accident could cause a back injury. Unfortunately, it can lead to chronic pain that will need to be dealt with proper pain management techniques in order for you to function in life properly.

If you have yet to experience serious back pain, do what you can now to prevent it from happening in the future. Be like the 20 percent! If you do experience some pain, don’t put it off. Ask a doctor if it is mechanical or serious and what can be done to get your back feeling better again. Don’t let it get to the point where chronic pain becomes an issue for you.

Pantone recently announced Ultra-Violet, as the 2018 Color of the Year. Serving as the hue of some of our favorite superfoods, Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., a New York City Osteopathic Physician board certified, has compiled a list of the impressive benefits these cosmic colored foods have to offer and why you should incorporate them into their diet.

• Blackberries are loaded with vitamin C, as well as vitamins A, E, K, and B vitamins, antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which sift free radicals and reactive oxygen species.
• Blueberries are a top superfood of the fruit world, containing iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and vitamin K, which help and maintain bone health.
• Red cabbage contains disease-fighting properties known as polyphenols, which offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits. It also is a great source of dietary fiber and a rich source of several vitamins.
• Lavender Oil created from the lavender herb, has been proven to assist with getting rid of bloating and calming itching.
• Plums are rich in fiber and help to ease digestion, as well as great source of vitamin A.
• Açaí Berries are loaded with antioxidants, as well as being rich in fiber, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B, C and E, mineral salts (calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium) amongst others.
• Figs are rich in natural health benefiting phytonutrients, antioxidants and vitamins. Dried figs are a great concentrated source of minerals and vitamins.

About the doctor:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net