www.hashim-osteopathy.co.uk

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www.hashimsosteopathy.wordpress.com, London, United Kingdom
Osteopath specialising in the treatment of back pain, muscular pain, sports injuries and rehabilitation. Working at The Health Equation in London and teaching at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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Monday, 8 October 2012

Friday, 29 July 2011

I'm out of my mind, think you can wait... I'm way off the line, think you can wait...

Think You Can Wait - The National


Depression is a serious illness, or mental disorder, characterised by an all-encompassing low mood, accompanied by low self-esteem and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. It is wholly different to the common experience of feeling miserable, unhappy or fed up for a short period of time. When a person is depressed, they may feel periods of extreme sadness, that can affect daily living, lasting for weeks or even months.


Depression significantly affects a person's family and personal relationships, school or work life, sleeping and eating habits, and health in general. The impact it has on functional well-being has been equated to chronic medical conditions such as diabetes. Insomnia is also common among the depressed, with typical pattern being that of a person waking up very early and not being able to get back to sleep. The person may also have difficulty in getting to sleep initially. Hypersomnia, or oversleeping, affects ~15% of the depressed population too.


A depressed person may report symptoms of depression such as fatigue, headaches or digestive problems. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), physical complaints are the most common in developing countries. Appetite also decreases, with resulting weight loss, although the opposite can occasionally occur. Others may also notice that the affected individuals behaviour is either irritable or lethargic.


Depression is fairly common, with around 1 in 10 experiencing depression at some point in life. Exact numbers are difficult to gather, as people often do not seek help or are formally diagnosed with the condition. Women are more likely to suffer depression than men, and 1 in 4 women will seek help for it, whereas only 1 in 10 men are likely to do the same. Men are far more likely to commit suicide than women, perhaps as a result of them being more reluctant than women to seek help. It could also be due to other factors, such as substance misuse, unemployment or social isolation.


Depression can affect people of any age, including children. Studies have shown that around 5% of children aged between 5-16 have suffered from depression. Those with a family history of depression are also more likely to suffer themselves. Depression is still seen as a slightly taboo subject, with many people believing that it is not a real illness, or that it is a sign of weakness or admission of failure. This is simply not true, as depression is a real illness with real effects. With the right treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery from this illness. It is important to seek help from your GP or healthcare practitioner if you think you may be depressed.


If you would like more information on Osteopathy, how to deal with the physical symptoms of depression, or are simply unsure whether osteopathy can help with any problems you may have, it may be worthwhile coming to see us at Hashim Saifuddin Osteopathy, where we can explain your problems to you, why they occur and whether or not you are suitable for osteopathic treatment. Often this can be done via email or on the phone.

Visit 
http://www.hashim-osteopathy.co.uk/ for more information or feel free to email me on hashim-osteopathy@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks for reading!

Hashim Saifuddin (M.Ost DO ND)

GOsC Registered Osteopath
Osteopathy / Sports Osteopathy

Friday, 8 July 2011

I was thinking it over by the snack machine, I thought about you and a candy bar...

Factory - Band Of Horses


Feeling slightly hypocritical writing this at the moment, having just come off a massive chocolate-fuelled month of revision (for a disastrous exam had yesterday)... But it's back to the gym and back to football as of tomorrow, so happier and healthier times are ahead... Having a grandfather who is diabetic, and a father who is borderline diabetic, chocolate binging is probably not wise for me!


Diabetes is divided into two types, type I and type II. Type I diabetes develops when the insulin producing cells in the body are destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells in the body where it is used as fuel for energy. With type I diabetes, insulin can no longer be produced, so glucose builds up in the blood. The reason for the destruction of these insulin producing cells is not fully understood, but thought to be triggered by a virus or infection. This type of diabetes can develop at any age, but usually under the age of 40, and predominantly in children. It accounts for 5 - 15% of diabetes sufferers, and is treated with daily insulin injections, a healthy diet and regular physical activity.


Type II diabetes develops when the body can make some insulin, but not enough, and the insulin that is produced does not function correctly - insulin resistance. With insulin not functioning correctly, glucose cannot enter the cells, and again, builds up in the blood. This type of diabetes usually occurs over the age of 40, though can appear earlier in South Asian and black people, at the age of 25. A more worrying factor is that this type of diabetes is becoming more common in young children, adolescents and young people of all ethnicities, highlighting the need for dietary changes and physical activity in children. It accounts for 85 - 95% of diabetes sufferers, and is treated with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. In addition, medication/insulin is often necessary.


Children and young people especially, with this increase in childhood onset diabetes, should partake in at least an hour of moderate physical activity per day. Activities such as brisk walking, dance, active play and sports are all included. Physical activity will help to improve blood glucose, improve fitness, prevent excess weight gain, lower blood pressure and keep the heart healthy. In addition, a good diet is also extremely important. 


If you would like more information on Osteopathy, how to deal with diabetes, or are simply unsure whether osteopathy can help with any problems you may have, it may be worthwhile coming to see us at Hashim Saifuddin Osteopathy, where we can explain your problems to you, why they occur and whether or not you are suitable for osteopathic treatment. Often this can be done via email or on the phone.

Visit 
http://www.hashim-osteopathy.co.uk/ for more information or feel free to email me on hashim-osteopathy@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks for reading!

Hashim Saifuddin (M.Ost DO ND)

GOsC Registered Osteopath
Osteopathy / Sports Osteopathy

Thursday, 30 June 2011

If there's hope in your heart, it would flow to every part...

Blood - Editors


The main reason for this particular blog is to teach myself about cardiovascular physiology in preparation for an exam next week... So I hope others will find this useful too!


Function of circulation

Primary aims of circulation are to transport oxygen and nutrients to tissues, whilst removing carbon dioxide and waste products of metabolism. The rate of flow is primarily determined by organ demand.

Circulatory system

There are two distinct circulations present within the system, the pulmonary system from the right side of the heart (8% of blood), the systemic system from the left side of the heart (85% of blood, 65% of which is in veins (and that's where our similarity ends)) and the heart, which pumps the remaining 7% of blood.


Structure of the heart


The heart is a muscle on a fibrous skeleton, with pumps on the left and right. Each side has an atrium and a ventricle. Blood enters through the atria, and is ejected from the ventricles. Coordinated pumping of all four chambers is essential. The right side is a low pressure pulmonary pump (going to the lungs), whereas the left side is a high pressure systemic pump (going to the rest of the body).


Cardiac muscle is formed of myocytes, specialised involuntary striated muscle, which is highly fatigue resistant. There are large numbers of mitochondria present, giving the heart a good blood supply.


Myocytes are interconnected by gap junctions, permitting rapid transmission of impulses from cell to cell. Electrical stimulation causes a full contractive force, which can be increased by adrenaline (epinephrine) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). These cells are able to produce action potentials automatically.


Metabolism in the heart is 99% aerobic (60% free fatty acids, 35% carbohydrates and 5% arachidonic acid) and 1% anaerobic.


Blood vessels


Arteries - carry oxygenated blood away from the heart (except pulmonary artery), are muscular with elastic recoil, and are resistance vessels.


Veins - carry deoxygenated blood to the heart (except pulmonary vein), have no muscular layer, low resistance, skeletal muscle pumps with valves to maintain flow.


Microcirculation - arterioles, venules and capillaries, which are one cell thick, autoregulated, allowing bidirectional flow of gases and metabolites across cell wall.


Blood pressure


Blood pressure is generated by cardiac contraction, a result of systolic squeeze and diastolic relaxation. This is pulsatile in the arteries. The cardiac cycle itself is 1/3 systolic and 2/3 diastolic and is regulated by the renin-angiotensin system. When the volume of blood is low, the kidneys secrete renin, which stimulates the production of angiotensin, causing blood vessels to restrict, resulting in increased blood pressure. Blood pressure is affected by many extrinsic factors and mean blood pressure increases with age.


Blood volume


There are 42 litres of blood in the body (60% and 50% of which is water in males and females respectively). Of the 42 litres, 25 litres is intracellular and 17 litres is extracellular. The cardiac output (Q) is calculated by multiplying stroke volume (the volume of blood pumped out per beat by the left ventricle, equivalent to 70ml x 70 b.p.m.and heart rate together.


Q = SV x HR


Electrical impulses


Signal is initiated in the SA node (sino-atrial), which is located in the wall of the right atrium, generating sinus rhythm and functioning as a pacemaker. The atria are electrically isolated from ventricles, with the AV node (atrio-ventricular) being the only conductive point. Purkinje fibres rapidly carry signal from the AV node to the ventricles.


Autonomic nervous system (ANS)


Made up of the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight, adrenaline/noradrenaline) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest, acetylcholine). This provides autonomic control of heart rate. Adrenaline and noradrenaline increase the opening of calcium and sodium channels, causing an increase in SA node firing. Acetylcholine increases opening of potassium channels, causing a decrease in SA node firing. Baroreceptors compensate for a fall in blood pressure from a supine to standing position by signalling to the medulla oblongata, which controls vasoconstriction and dilation.


Oxygen


The quantity of oxygen transported to tissues is determined by multiplying oxygen content by cardiac output.


delivery O2 = CaO2 x Q


Factors affecting this are split into central (effective respiratory gas exchange, adequate CV reserve, haemoglobin to transport oxygen) and peripheral (regional blood flow, microcirculation, oxygen-haemoglobin affinity, tissue oxygen extraction).


The quantity of oxygen consumed by tissues, VO2, which is the difference between amount of oxygen delivered to tissues and the amount of oxygen returned to the heart, is determined by the Fick equation.


consumption O2 = Q x (CaO2 - CvO2)

If you would like more information on Osteopathy, your suitability to certain exercise/sport, or are unsure whether osteopathy can help with any problems you may have, it may be worthwhile coming to see us at Hashim Saifuddin Osteopathy, where we can explain your problems to you, why they occur and whether or not you are suitable for osteopathic treatment. Often this can be done via email or on the phone.

Visit 
http://www.hashim-osteopathy.co.uk/ for more information or feel free to email me on hashim-osteopathy@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks for reading!

Hashim Saifuddin (M.Ost DO ND)

GOsC Registered Osteopath
Osteopathy / Sports Osteopathy

Monday, 13 June 2011

Today my heart swings, yeah, today my heart swings...

The Heinrich Maneuver - Interpol


When assessing a new patient, and having established the presenting complaint, questions relating to the well-being of the heart are commonly asked. This helps the Osteopath determine whether the patient is suitable for treatment. Patients will often describe palpitations as being the sole cardiovascular problem they incur.


A palpitation is an abnormality of the heartbeat, that causes a conscious awareness of its beating. This abnormality can be a heartbeat that is too slow, too fast or irregular. A palpitation can also refer to the sensation of this abnormality, and can be caused by (but should not be confused with) an ectopic beat. This is a disturbance of the cardiac rhythm, and is often described by patients as a skipped heartbeat. Such disturbance of the electrical conduction of the heart can be caused by stress or debility (well described by Scouting For Girls), and can also be triggered by consumption of alcohol, chocolate and strong cheeses.


In order to differentiate a true palpitation from a normal awareness of the heartbeat, it is important to understand that the former interrupts ones thought process, whereas the latter is caused by focussing on the heartbeat. Palpitations can be brought on by overexertion, adrenaline, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, disease (e.g. hyperthyroidism) or as a symptom of a panic disorder. Nearly everyone will experience a palpitation, but when this becomes a frequent occurrence, the problem is more serious. They are not only associated with heart problems, but with anaemia and thyroid malfunctions.


The length of an attack can vary from a few seconds to a few hours, and in frequency from infrequent to more than daily. Other symptoms include sweating, feeling faint, frequent headaches, chest pain and dizziness, and if these occur, the problem should be investigated. This, however, can prove to be difficult via routine medical examination and/or ECG, as it is difficult to arrange having the symptoms whilst being with the clinician!


If you would like more information on Osteopathy, your suitability to certain exercise/sport, or are unsure whether osteopathy can help with any problems you may have, it may be worthwhile coming to see us at Hashim Saifuddin Osteopathy, where we can explain your problems to you, why they occur and whether or not you are suitable for osteopathic treatment. Often this can be done via email or on the phone.

Visit 
http://www.hashim-osteopathy.co.uk/ for more information or feel free to email me on hashim-osteopathy@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks for reading!

Hashim Saifuddin (M.Ost DO ND)

GOsC Registered Osteopath
Osteopathy / Sports Osteopathy