Monday April 14th / 2008

Monday April 14 / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.

12:15: Big news today: Canadian astronaut Dave Williams has been appointed as a professor and physician scientist at McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
Guest: Dr. Kevin Smith, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s HealthCare Hamilton.

12:20: The Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons has passed new regulations cracking down on family doctors who perform cosmetic surgery procedures without approved certification.
Guest: Dr. Preston Zuliani, President, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

12:35: Let’s whip it, whip it real good.
Guest: Ernie Schramayr over at All Canadian Fitness. 905.548.6732

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Irene.
FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, fatigue and multiple tender points on the body. You feel hurt all over may have trouble sleeping and you frequently feel exhausted, even after numerous tests your doctor can’t seem to find anything wrong with you, you may have fibromyalgia. It is found more commonly in women than in men (by a ratio of 4 to 1). Previously fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias. Although the intensity of your symptoms may vary, they’ll probably never disappear completely. It may be reassuring to know, however that fibromyalgia isn’t progressive or life-threatening. It affects 900,000 (3 in 100) Canadians. The incidence of it increases with age, approximately at the age of 50 and older. The exact cause is not known.

What are the warning signs;
• Stiffness, especially in the morning and pain in muscles and joints all over the body.
• Trouble sleeping at night and feeling of being very tired all the time.
• Numbness in muscles and joints
• Poor memory and concentration
• Other warning signs may include depression, tension and migraine headaches and pain in the jaw.

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but the goal of treatment is to help in the management of pain and other symptoms. Establishing the correct diagnosis is important because something can be done to manage the condition. Medicines called tricyclics and tetracyclics are often used to treat fibromyalgia. They are also used to treat depression. Exercise may help reduce pain and keep muscles from becoming week. The key is to strike a balance between too much activity and too little. Heat helps relax the muscles and reduces pain. A hot shower or heating pad or whirlpool will relax aching muscles and increase circulation to the area.


Nadine Janacek
Blog Reporter Rexall #0202