5 Interesting Facts About Scoliosis (Scoliosis Awareness Month)

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that is usually seen in children between 10-15 years of age during the growth spurt just prior to the onset of puberty. About 2-4% of people in the US are affected by this condition. Scoliosis Awareness Month is celebrated in the month of June to help raise awareness regarding the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis. Here are 5 interesting facts about scoliosis:

Top Ways to Prevent Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone thinning disease that can result in fractures. It is considered a “silent” disease as many people aren’t aware they have osteoporosis and are diagnosed with the condition only after they have sustained a fracture due to very minor trauma. As May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, here are the top ways to prevent osteoporosis:

Tips to Keep Arthritis from Slowing You Down

Arthritis is a term that refers to a group of diseases that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling of your joints. Symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe and may come and go, but generally worsen over time causing immobility and restrict your ability to perform activities of daily living.

With May being National Arthritis Awareness Month, let’s look at some tips to keep arthritis from slowing you down:

10 Superfoods That You Should Add to Your Diet

Did you know certain foods may be able to reduce aches and pains in your joints? As this is National Nutrition Month, let’s focus on inflammation-fighting foods that bolster joint health.

1. Salmon: One of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon also contains calcium, vitamin D, and folate, all of which are vital for strengthening your bones.

2. Sweet peppers: They are excellent sources of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folate. Sweet peppers preserve bone health and protect cartilage cells.

Advances in Knee Replacement Surgery

If you often experience knee pain with routine activities such as climbing a flight of stairs, walking, or when standing up from a seated position and you have tried pain medications, injections, and physical therapy without much relief, it may be time to consider knee replacement surgery.

With the current advances in knee replacement surgery, you may be back on your feet the same day as the surgery and be discharged home within a day or two.

The Facts About Minimally Invasive Surgery

Since its first emergence in the 1980s, minimally invasive surgery has been gaining ground in the surgical arena over traditional open surgery. Here are some interesting facts about minimally invasive surgery:

Smaller incisions: Instead of a single large surgical incision as made in open surgery, minimally invasive surgery involves the use of 2 or 3 smaller incisions through which specialized instruments may be inserted to perform surgery.

The Risk of Head Injuries in Contact Sports

Did you know that about 300,000 sports related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur each year in the United States alone. Athletes that are involved in contact sports are at a significantly higher risk of developing head injuries.

A head injury is any type of trauma that injures the scalp, skull, or brain. In case of an open head injury, there may be bleeding, swelling, and bruising. A closed head injury may cause loss of consciousness, headache, lightheadedness, confusion, and dilated pupils. Serious brain injury may manifest as seizures, vomiting, convulsions, or paralysis.