#Middlebury
DEAR DR. ROACH: Can “heading” the ball in soccer cause a concussion? I have grandchildren who play soccer, and I am concerned. – G.W.H.
ANSWER: The evidence is mounting that repeated trauma to the brain can contribute to a type of brain injury called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is seen frequently in boxers and football players. However, there is more and more evidence that soccer players also may get this injury, and it correlates to the number of headers players do.
Since younger brains may be more susceptible to injuries, and kids have relatively larger heads and weaker necks than adults, the Sports Legacy Institute recommends against heading the ball until the age of 14.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old woman with a lot of hot flashes. I heard that maca root is good for treating these. I have been taking it for two years, and feel like it has really helped me. Is this safe? – J.F.
ANSWER: Maca root, a dietary staple in Peru, has been touted as a treatment for both sexual performance and menopausal symptoms. One review found limited evidence for benefit in sexual function, but I could not find any study looking at its effectiveness in menopausal symptoms. Fortunately, it has few, if any, adverse effects and might be worth a try for those who haven’t had benefit from or can’t take other treatments. I have to remind you again that you may not be getting what you think you are buying, as oversight on supplements is limited.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease in 1991. What kind of test is recommended for checking up on this? Can it be cured? – J.C.
ANSWER: “Peripheral artery disease” is the general term used for cholesterol plaques in the arteries, which can block blood flow. The most common symptom is pain with walking, usually after a specific exercise duration, which is relieved with rest. However, since these blockages can occur in any artery, PAD can cause many different symptoms, such as pain after eating (when the blockages are in the arteries to the gut). The disease most commonly is diagnosed by noninvasive studies, like a Doppler ultrasound of the arteries or using one blood pressure cuff on the thigh and another on the arm. Sometimes, an angiogram is necessary.
Since it’s really the same disease as coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease, people with PAD are at much higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Although we cannot, in general, cure PAD, we have many different kinds of treatments to reduce risk of catastrophic events and to improve symptoms.
Treatment starts with modifying existing risk factors, especially smoking, which is the most powerful modifiable risk. A proper diet that cuts down on excess unhealthy fats and simple sugars is important. A monitored exercise program, gradually increasing in duration and intensity, can have a dramatic effect on function. Most people will benefit from statin drugs and anti-platelet drugs such as aspirin.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall.com, or write to Good Health, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2018 North America Synd. Inc.
All Rights Reserved
You must be logged in to post a comment.