by Jorge Rodriguez | Dec 2, 2013 | Alzheimer’s Disease, BCS, Dementia, Football
I am a rabid college football fan. I went to the University of Miami for both undergraduate and medical school. I have been to three of their National Championship games (please don’t mention Ohio State) and whether you like the Hurricane’s or not, I will always be wearing a bright orange cap with a prominent “U” in front come Saturday morning. However, as I watch these football games every week and see young men get tossed and battered on the football field, I can’t help but wonder just how much permanent brain damage these young athletes may be sustaining.
Brett Favre is just the latest in a growing list of ex-NFL players who have experienced memory loss and other debilitating conditions due to head injuries sustained on the football field. If you think about it, it’s not really a surprise — the hits that these players sustain is bound to do some damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are approximately 1.6 million to 3.8 million sports-related concussions that happen each year in the United States… and those are only the injuries that have been reported. The true incidence is likely to be much higher.
The real danger is in the second hit after a concussion has been sustained. According to the Mayo Clinic, repetitive head trauma can lead to a “permanent decrease in brain function”, memory loss, emotional disturbances and early Alzheimer’s disease. And studies show that brain damage may also occur in players that have never had a concussion. Researchers say that sub-concussive hits — repeated several times throughout a game, season and career may have a cumulative effect on the brain.
Like I said, I love football, but I can understand why the grim news stories, statistics and studies may have you wondering whether or not you should allow your child to participate in youth football… or any other contact sport. In short, there is no easy answer.
Steve Fainaru, co-author of the book A League of Denial, says and I concur, “I think it’s a very personal decision, and it’s one that I’ve grappled with myself, with my own son. As I said, the issue of prevalence with this disease is not yet established. There are some very, very ominous signs, obviously. But at the same time, we all know that there are lots of things in life that involve risk, and I personally don’t want my son to be making all of his decisions based on fear…”
Aside from the unparalleled life lessons learned on the field, football and other team sports are exciting to watch, thrilling to participate in and offer exceptional physical activity that is much needed in a time when childhood obesity is on the rise. That being said, there are some dangers involved and children — whose brains are still developing — are particularly susceptible. Parents will have to weigh the pros and cons for each individual child to determine the best course of action, but I believe that taking some extra precautions and being aware of the signs, symptoms and treatment of a concussion can help to minimize the risk involved. The following tips can help to reduce the risk of serious injury on the field:
- Make sure coaches and personnel are trained to spot signs of concussion. The Centers for Disease Control and the University of Michigan both offer free training and safety courses for coaches.
- Parents should also familiarize themselves with signs and treatment. The American Academy of Neurology offers a reference sheet to help parents recognize the signs of concussion.
- Discuss the importance of safety with your child. Too often players downplay their symptoms so that they can get back on the field.
- When in doubt, sit it out. Players should be benched for even the slightest of symptoms.
- Don’t rush back to the game — wait until symptoms are completely gone. This can take up to two weeks, and sometimes longer.
- Check the age and condition of helmets. Helmets should be reconditioned every year. The last restoration date is printed on a small sticker on the back inside of each helmet.
- If your child has experienced more than one concussion — consider working with a neurologist to ensure that there is no long term damage
In the meantime, be aware of these facts. This is not just about football, it’s about safety in all sports. Discuss this with your child. Make them aware that winning at ALL cost is not the correct attitude. Although you can learn many lessons from sports, none of them is worth their life.
More importantly, reassure them, that even though the Miami Hurricanes blew a 7-0 start to this season, they WILL be back next year to regain the glory of old!
by Jorge Rodriguez | Nov 26, 2013 | Heartburn, Recipes, Thanksgiving
It’s the holiday season … Let the over-eating begin! T’is the season for over indulging and if you suffer from heartburn (also known as GERD) you know that this is also a very painful season. Many of us end up spending the night after a feast unable to sleep because of an acidy feeling in our stomach or even worse. Some of us even have such severe GERD, that we wake up with a sore throat or infected sinuses because our stomach contents have flowed out of our stomachs and into our upper intestinal tract as we tried to sleep. Well, here are a few hints that should help relieve these symptoms during the holiday season.
1. PACE YOURSELF. The worst thing you can do is to stuff yourself to the brink of vomiting. As your stomach is distended, so is your esophageal sphincter — making reflux more likely. Instead of depriving yourself of that tasty thanksgiving fare, eat small amounts then go help in the kitchen or watch the football game. After a half an hour or so, go eat some more.2. DO NOT LIE DOWN AFTER EATING. Stuffing ourselves and then lying down and watching a football game is as much a Thanksgiving Day tradition as turkey itself. But it’s the worst thing that you can do if you have GERD. After eating, stay upright for at least an hour. Help clean the dishes. Take a walk with the family. Sing karaoke. But, definitely do not lie on the couch or go to bed. You will pay dearly for it.
3. PUT DOWN THE BUTTER. Anything that is very fatty will cause your stomach to create more acid which in turn creates more heartburn. So, take it easy on the gravy. Make sure you pick lean pieces of turkey… that means as little turkey skin as possible.
4. PICK UP THE VEGETABLES. Eating foods that are high in fiber — like fruits and vegetables — will help your stomach empty a bit quicker, making reflux less likely. So, have an extra helping of the Brussels sprouts and corn.
5. EASY ON THE BOOZE. Many people get reflux with alcohol. Remember, this holiday is about family and reunion, not about getting schnockered. Plus, less liquor equals less family arguments.
These five hints should help. So will this tasty recipe from my book, THE ACID REFLUX SOLUTION — it’s guaranteed not to cause you heartburn. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!
Dilled Salmon Party Spread
Make about 11/2 cups; serves 6 to 8I call this a party spread because it’s so good, you’ll want to offer it to guests. Both fresh and smoked salmon are blended with light whipped cream cheese in place of butter, which can be difficult for GERD sufferers to digest. Either spread over the thick ends of Belgian endive spears or serve with whole-grain crackers.
6 ounces center-cut salmon fillet
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
11/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
3 ounces smoked salmon
4 ounces (1/2 cup) light whipped cream cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over the meaty side. Grill the fish skin side up over a hot fire or in a grill pan for 2 minutes. Turn over and grill for 2 to 3 minutes, until just opaque in the center but still moist. Remove and let cool slightly, then discard the skin and trim off any dark brown bits along the center.
In a food processor, combine the grilled salmon, smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill, and chives.
Reprinted with permission from The Acid Reflux Solution: A Cookbook and Lifestyle Guide for Healing Heartburn Naturally by Dr. Jorge E. Rodriguez (Ten Speed Press, © 2012). Photo Credit: Jennifer Martiné.
by Jorge Rodriguez | Nov 4, 2013 | An Introduction – Welcome!
Welcome to my new website. Welcome to my new logo. Welcome to my new blog. In a way, welcome to a new me.
For the longest time, my public persona has been that of a very straight-laced medical expert, someone who gives you the facts clearly and in a way that you can understand. The clear talking, straight shooting doctor is a part of me that will never change. What WILL change, or should I say what will be revealed, is the Dr. Jorge that only those of you who know me personally know: the wise cracking, often sarcastic, always brutally honest, yet amazingly loving and loveable, not to mention modest (see!) Dr. Jorge.
There are enough doctors in the media. I know them all and respect them immensely. I, however, have always been a bit different and I am finally embracing that difference. What I will be offering you are not dumbed down facts and platitudes. I will be offering you reality. No BS. If I think you are being foolish by not vaccinating your kids, I will tell you. If you think I am just promoting pharmaceutical products you should feel free to tell me. If I think you don’t know what you’re talking about because YOU’RE not a doctor, I will tell you, trust me. If you think I’m arrogant because I AM a doctor, fire a way, let me have it…but let’s have a conversation. The bottom line is that I respect my readers enough to be honest with them. At the end of the day, I believe that the more you understand about medical topics, the more likely you are to be healthy and to be part of creating a healthy world.
So please, if you like what you are about to read from here on out, keep reading. I will have at least one new blog a week. Tell your friends. Let me know what you want to discuss. Join my community of independent, mutually respectful thinkers.
Dr. Jorge… a bit outside the box, but always with your best interest at heart.
I am a rabid college football fan. I went to the University of Miami for both undergraduate and medical school. I have been to three of their National Championship games (please don’t mention Ohio State) and whether you like the Hurricane’s or not, I will always be wearing a bright orange cap with a prominent “U” in front come Saturday morning. However, as I watch these football games every week and see young men get tossed and battered on the football field, I can’t help but wonder just how much permanent brain damage these young athletes may be sustaining.
