Tuesday, January 8, 2008

About Human bones

The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes bone which is located in the ear.

There are 54 bones in your hands including the wrists.

The only bone fully grown at birth is located in the ear.

The human face is made up of 14 bones.

The chances of getting a cavity is higher if candy is eaten slowly throughout the day compared to eating it all at once and then brushing your teeth.

If an identical twin grows up without having a certain tooth, the other twin will most likely also grow up with that tooth missing.

Humans are born with 300 bones in their body, however when a person reaches adulthood they only have 206 bones. This occurs because many of them join together to make a single bone.

Gardening is said to be one of the best exercises for maintaining healthy bones.

Enamel is hardest substance in the human body.

Although the outsides of a bone are hard, they are generally light and soft inside. They are about 75% water.

Adult human bones account for 14% of the body's total weight.

In 2000 babies are born with a tooth that is already visible.

Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails!

Your thigh bone is stronger than concrete.

The strongest bone in your body is the femur (thighbone), and it's hollow!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis


A condition due to narrowing of the spinal cord causing nerve pinching which leads to persistent pain in the buttocks, limping, lack of feeling in the lower extremities, and decreased physical activity.


The Silent Epidemic


Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can often help relieve symptoms by restoring flexibility and strengthening back and abdominal muscles. This program may include:
Heat/cold therapy
Water therapy
Acupuncture
Traction
Dynamic lumbar stabilization program
Electrical stimulation
Assessment of musculoskeletal imbalances
Stretching exercises
Posture and body mechanics training
Medication
In the earlier stages of spinal stenosis, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can relieve mild symptoms.
Pain-blocking Injections
Inflammation of the spinal nerves and nerves roots can often be reduced through steroid or cortisone injections next to the spine, at the site of back pain. However, pain-blocking injections offer temporary relief and may need to be administered more than once a year, depending on the patient's needs.
Decompressive Surgery
Surgeons can alleviate abnormal pressure by decompressing the spinal canal, removing bone and ligaments around the narrowing. Decompressive surgery is usually recommended for patients with severe symptoms which haven't been relieved by other treatments.
In a procedure called a laminectomy, an incision is made in the patient's back to access the spinal canal. The canal is O-shaped, formed by the vertebrae in front and tissue (lamina) at the rear. Physicians surgically remove the lamina, changing the canal from an O to an open-ended U shape, which creates room in the canal and restores nomal blood flow to the nerves. The patient's back muscles cover and protect the open area of the canal.
Laminoplasty is a variation on cervical laminectomy (in the neck) used in some patients; it preserves movement (no lost range of motion from fusion), and does not require as much bone removal as a laminectomy.
Some patients may be candidates for a minimally invasive approach to spinal surgery.

Wear and tear on discs and joints can cause spinal instability as well as stenosis. In such cases, it may be necessary to brace the spine by fusing the backbones. Metal rods, hooks, wires, and screws are all strong, safe and effective fusion methods. Other patients may benefit from stabilization with bone implants specially designed for grafting. Both methods effectively brace the spine and lessen pain.

source :
Article: Multislice CT fluoroscopy-assisted cervical transforaminal injection of steroids: technical note

Sinus Headache

sinus headache relief

home remedies for treatment of sinus headaches.

Dip a small towel in cold water, rinse, and apply to forehead. Once the towel gets warm, flip it to the other side, or dip it into cold water again.

Lying down, in a dark room, maybe getting a 1/2 hour of sleep,will always make you feel better.

Back
A decoction of half a teaspoon mustard seeds powder and three teaspoons water, if instilled in the nostrils, redresses migraine.

The juice of ripe grapes is an effective home remedy for a migraine.
For a sinus headache, eat a jalapeno pepper as soon as possible. Within minutes your sinuses will start to drain and the sinus headache will subside.

A peppermint steam inhalation provides quick relief for sinus headaches. Peppermint acts as a decongestant, and the combination of warm steam and the essential oil is doubly effective for opening up the sinuses.

Mix 1 teaspoon finely ground cinnamon (called dalchini in India) in 1 teaspoon water and apply on the forehead. It is very effective in headache due to exposure to cold air.

Make a paste from dry ginger with a little water or milk, apply to the forehead for sinus relief.

Grind 10-15 Basil leaves with 4 cloves and 1 teaspoon dried ginger into a paste and apply to forehead for sinus cure.


For a painful sinus headache, try a hot footbath along with a cold compress on the forehead