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Risk of Backache Increased by Inactivity, Wrong Kind of Activity | |
By DR. MICHAEL L. FREEDMAN NEW YORK - Backache is one of the most common reasons why older Americans visit the doctor. With age, the discs that absorb shock to the spine lose flexibility, increasing susceptibility to injury. In many women, the osteoporosis that comes with age also weakens the spine's support structure. The risk of backache is increased by both inactivity and too much of the wrong kind of activity. It's best to have an exercise trainer or physician lay out a conditioning program designed for an individual's specific needs. In general, however, these activities are good for most older people: - Walking, the more the better. It should be done with athletic shoes, at a normal pace that doesn't interfere with conversation. - Swimming, with the right kind of stroke. The breast stroke and utterfly can put pressure on the spine. The sidestroke and backstroke are easier on the spine. - Bicycling, but not with a racing bike, whose forward-leaning posture can strain back muscles. A mountain bike has thicker tires that can absorb road shock and permits a more upright posture. Studies show that people who stay moderately active usually recover faster. But don't overdo it and stay away from any activity that you think caused the back problem. The good news is that following the proper course of action will make 90 percent of backache problems improve within a month. When the pain goes away, keep active to avoid future episodes. --- Any older person who is thinking of taking the highly publicized hormone DHEA should be aware that there is no scientifically sound proof behind any of the claims being made for it. DHEA - dehyropiandrosterone - is a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland. It is available without prescription because of a quirk in federal regulatory legislation, which allows it to be sold as a dietary supplement. Advertising claims describe it as a "fountain of youth" that can slow the aging process, prevent heart disease, strengthen the immune system and do much, much more. DHEA levels are highest in the young adult years and drop steadily as the years go by. The companies that are selling it say that taking DHEA can do good for older people by making up for the natural drop that comes with the years. Yet experts participating at a recent national meeting on DHEA agreed that a lot more study is needed to support the claims made for it. Thus far, they say all the evidence comes from studies of animals such as mice, which are different from humans in many ways. All the human studies done so far have involved only a handful of people. Some have shown good results; others have been neutral. The Food and Drug Administration has not reviewed any of the data about DHEA and says that it is not an approved drug for any indication. The experts also noted that there is some evidence that nothing is known about interactions of DHEA with other drugs, and that DHEA supplements may increase the risk of certain cancers. A study of 20,000 women in Maryland found an association between high levels of DHEA and the risk of cancer of the ovary, for example. Their advice is to consult your personal physician before taking DHEA. They also recommend that older persons should take DHEA only by participating in carefully controlled clinical studies, a number of which have been started or are being planned in major medical centers across the country. A personal physician may be able to provide information about such studies. A final warning is that there are no controls over the purity of the DHEA preparations being sold today. Impurities in an older "wonder supplement," tryptophan, caused serious illnesses and even deaths in hundreds of persons taking it. --- Dr. Michael L. Freedman is the Diane and Arthur Belfer Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Director of Geriatrics at New York University School of Medicine. Copyright 1996 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | |