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Health News
Here we provide some of the latest news and insights, from Dr Wright that are sure to interest and help you and your family remain healthy and live well.
Weight loss-
Of all inquiries I have received over the years, the one that most consistently persists is “How Do I Lose Weight”. I earned a good living last century writing a fortnightly weight reducing diet for a major womans magazine, which built its circulation from about 150,000 to over one million based on diets.
“A person would die if they stuck to that diet,” dietitian Rosemary Stanton would scream at me. “Of course,” I would reply. But research shows nobody sticks to any diet for longer than five or six days. All chase the elusive “diet” guaranteed to bring an eternally youthful shape immediately.
The interesting phenomenon is that changing to any diet will bring about a loss of 1-2 kg within a few days. This is a reassuring but false indication “the diet” is working!. That is not losing nor burning up fat. The reduced weight is simply a loss of water from muscles tissue.
However, there is a guaranteed way to reduce. Simply do this: “eat a little less food each day, less (or no) fat, and take more exercise every day.” That routine works 95% of the time. That means, shun cakes, pastries, choccies and sweets, chips, fast food, fried and fatty stuff. Eat more veggies, fruit, lean meat, fish, poultry, nuts and berries. Stop fizz chemicalised beverages (and not too much grog).
Success is guaranteed. Weigh daily and record (best stripped on rising and after going to the loo). Record. Also measure around the waist at navel level – ideal is 93 cm for men, and 80 cm or less for women. It may take 6-12 months. Figures will gradually go south. If on a particular morning the weight has stalled or gone up half kg, no food that day – fluids only (water is best). Follow your diary carefully – it will tell you heaps. I have followed this routine for decades and my weight has remained identical, and I always feel full of life and energy.
Sore back
One hundred per cent will get a sore back – just a matter of time. First, the good news. Most painful backs will get better, with or without treatment. Time and Dr Nature are a magical combination. Some get worse, and lead to complex interventions. To start, cause of most is “musculo-skeletal”. All muscles are composed of millions of tiny elastic bands called fibres.
These prefer kind treatment, otherwise they rebel. Over-stretching, sudden jerks, getting cold, sitting in the same spot of hours without moving are commonest causes. Overstretched fibres go into spasm. This means blood and oxygen are cut off. Stuff called lactic acid builds up, and increases spasm, which the brain interprets as pain. It is also a warning to “do something”. Sometimes, little blood capillaries rupture, or clot worsening it.
Some suggestions. Keep active, walking is still the best. Also, try alternate hot and cold showers. This brings fresh blood. One minute as hot as bearable. Then 20 seconds cold (yelp!) Do it. Continue for five minutes, twice a day, end with cold. This improves circulation and breaks spasm. Hot packs often help (try a heated wheat bag.)
Deep massage of affected muscles is great. – “Remedial massage with trigger points” - there are many trained practitioners around. Most recover within a week. Slow release “Panadol-osteo” is first line therapy for pain relief. Sure beats the NSAIDs which may cause stomach irritation or even heart disorders. Persisting back pain needs intervention by your GP.
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