Rotator cuff injury often happens due to a fall or overuse. The rotator cuff is responsible for the movement of the shoulder and is composed of the tendons and muscles. A rotator cuff injury is an injury to any of the four muscles in the shoulder. It can happen quickly and is usually associated with a specific instance. It can also be progressive and the cause may not be clearly known.

Range of the Injury

A rotator cuff injury can involve just one muscle or multiple muscles. It can be inflammation or a tear in the muscles. It can recover on its own or require surgery for repair. As you can see a rotator cuff injury can be rather minor or very serious. It all depends on just what happened to the rotator cuff.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of a rotator cuff injury is pain. It usually is a pain in the shoulder that gets worse when the arm is raised over the head. It may also get worse when carrying something heavy or when lying on the injured shoulder. For more serious rotator cuff injuries, the pain may be continuous.

Symptoms may also include weakness in the arm. The affected arm may be difficult to move and the range of motion may be limited. This can lead to a feeling of not wanting to move the arm for fear of feeling pain.

Who is at Risk

People at risk for a rotator injury include those with jobs where they are lifting heavy objects or doing repetitive movements with the arms where they are moving their arms over their head and back down. The elderly are also at high risk for a rotator cuff injury due to their weakened muscle strength and already reduced range of motion. People who are involved in certain sports may also be at a higher risk for rotator cuff injuries.

Treatment

As soon as symptoms are noticed it is important to seek medical attention. A doctor will run tests to see if you have a rotator cuff injury and how severe the injury is if you do have one. You may have an x-ray, an ultrasound or other scans to look inside your shoulder area.

Your doctor may prescribe medication and home care if your injury is not severe. Home care includes plenty of rest and immobilizing the arm. Ice and heat should be used to treat the inflammation. If your injury is severe then your doctor will want to discuss further medical treatments.

Conclusion

A rotator cuff injury can usually be treated effectively. It is all about finding the right treatment and seeking medical assistance as soon as possible. You should always follow your doctor’s instructions for care so that you can help your shoulder heal quickly. Do not let a rotator cuff injury go without treatment. Any pain should be a sign that something is wrong and that you need to see a doctor. Only by getting care can you fix the problem and prevent further injury to your shoulder.

Millions of people suffer from acid reflux, because there are so many different causes. Some people may only suffer an occasional bout of acid reflux, while others have to deal with it on a ongoing basis. Learning the causes of acid reflux can help you to eliminate or reduce the occurences of this painful and uncomfortable malady.

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid enters the esophagus. Sometimes this can be caused by ulcers or a hernia, or it can occur because of a weakening of the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus. In these cases, medical attention is necessary. Medication may be able to solve the problem, or in more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. The longer the problem goes untreated, the more damage it is going to cause. The acid can, over time, wear away the lining to the esophagus, and even lead to cancer.

Other causes of acid reflux, are simple lifestyle choices. Some foods are known to trigger acid reflux. A lot of people do not eat as healthy as they should, and their bodies suffer because of it. Fried and fatty foods can trigger heartburn. These foods are not the easiest foods to digest, triggering the stomach to produce more acid in order to digest them. The more acid in the stomach, the more likely it is to find its way into the esophagus.

Large amounts of sugar, caffeine, chocolate and peppermint can weaken the rings of the esophagus. Because of this, they cannot keep the acid out of the esophagus. What you eat isn’t the only cause of acid reflux. How much you eat can also make a difference. A large meal is harder on the stomach than a smaller meal. It is better to eat several smaller meals throughout the day, rather than two or three large meals. Smaller meals are much easier for the stomach to digest, and lessen the frequency and severity of acid reflux.

Try not to eat too close to bed time. Sleeping right after a meal can cause the acid in the stomach to back up into the esophagus. If you suffer acid reflux when you are in bed, you may try sleeping on your left side, or to elevate your upper body a few inches. Use gravity to your advantage to keep the acid where it belongs, in the stomach. It is still best, however, to make sure there is plenty of time between your last meal of the day, and bedtime.

If you are suffering from excessive stress, that can cause problems. Stress can cause the stomach to produce more acid, and when there is more acid, it can cause reflux. We all have hectic lifestyles these days, but it can be beneficial to just take a few minutes here and there to just sit back, take some deep breaths, and relax.

Excessive pressure on the stomach can also force acid into the esophagus. There are many different things that can cause pressure on the stomach. One of the problems can be tight fitting clothing. Lifting and bending all day can also cause pressure on the stomach. One of the biggest causes, though, is excess weight. If you are overweight, the band of fat around the midsection can put pressure on the stomach, forcing acid into the esophagus, and causing acid reflux. If you lose that excess weight you’ll be healthier as well as suffering less from heartburn.

Most of these causes of acid reflux can be avoided. If you make the necessary lifestyle changes, but don’t see any decrease in heartburn, then you should certainly see a doctor. Take care of it now, and don’t let acid reflux control your life.

Two Zicam nasal swab products - Cold Remedy Swabs, both Regular and Kids Size - were recently deemed by the U.S. <a href=”http://www.fda.gov/” rel=”nofollow”>Food and Drug Administration to pose serious risks to consumers. In a public health advisory warning issued on June 16, 2009, the FDA stated that both Swabs and Nasal Gel made by Zicam may cause a potentially permanent and debilitating condition known as anosmia.?

Anosmia and Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs

Anosmia is essentially the loss of the sense of smell and the FDA said it has received over 130 reports of this condition in users of zinc-containing intranasal Zicam products, including the Nasal Swabs. In addition to the 130 cases of anosmia reported to the FDA, potentially hundreds more have been reported directly to the product manufacturer.?

Anosmia can, for example, affect a person’s ability to:

• Smell smoke, gas leaks and other dangers
• Smell spoiled food
• Work in the food industry

The loss of sense of smell can occur in children and adults who use Zicam Nasal Swabs, and many users said the side effect occurred with the first dose. However, it is possible for a person to suffer loss of smell after multiple uses. The FDA also said it had received reports of loss of taste.

Consumers who have the Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs by Zicam should stop use and discard them. Those who have experienced side effects such as loss of smell should seek medical attention and also file a report with the FDA’s MedWatch program.

Inadequate Warnings

Among numerous problems with the Swabs (as cited by the FDA) is that the product does not contain adequate warnings regarding the risk of loss of smell. According to the FDA, Zicam Nasal Swabs are marketed without the agency’s approval, mis-branded, and generally not recognized as safe and effective for treating the common cold.?

If you or your child has experienced the loss of smell after using Swabs by Zicam or other zinc-containing Zicam product, you may be eligible to take legal action against the product’s maker.? To learn more about your legal rights, contact a medical attorney, today. Attorneys offer free claim evaluations and can inform you as to whether you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.??