Browsing by Subject "lifestyle"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Healthy lifestyle interventions in general practice Part 10: Lifestyle and arthritic conditions - Osteoarthritis
    (South African Academy of Family Physicians, 2010) Schwellnus, M P; Patel, D N; Nossel, C; Dreyer, M; Whitesman, S; Derman, E W
    Chronic musculoskeletal disease is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide with considerable economic impact in health care. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal disease affecting a large proportion of the population with an increasing predicted prevalence in the next two decades. Regular physical exercise, nutritional intervention, psychological support and other lifestyle interventions are very important components of the nonpharmacological management of patients with OA. The main rationale to include regular exercise as part of a lifestyle intervention programme for OA is to improve muscle strength and proprioception, and to promote the other general health benefits of participating in regular physical activity. Nutritional intervention should focus on weight reduction while basic nutrients that are required for healthy joints should be provided. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplemention is commonly used and may reduce pain, improve function and reduce or arrest disease progression. Psychological intervention has a particular role in assisting with pain management.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Healthy lifestyle interventions in general practice Part 13: Lifestyle and osteoporosis
    (South African Academy of Family Physicians, 2011) Schwellnus, M P; Patel, D N; Nossel, C; Dreyer, M; Whitesman, S; Micklesfield, L; Derman, E W
    Osteoporosis is defined as a systemic skeletal disease that is characterised by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Therefore, the diagnosis of osteoporosis is based on measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) using central (axial) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and clinical evidence of a fragility fracture (history or radiological evidence). Osteoporosis is a major public health problem, affecting about 30% of postmenopausal women of Caucasian origin, and 70% of those aged 80 years. The risk factors for osteoporosis include lifestyle factors, genetic/ethnic factors, specific diseases causing secondary osteoporosis, ageing factors, qualitative factors, and drugs that are toxic to bone. In addition, there are specific additional risk factors for falls that need to be considered. It is well established that lifestyle factors, including physical activity, nutritional intervention, psychosocial intervention, smoking cessation and other lifestyle factor interventions are key elements in the prevention and management of osteoporosis. Guidelines for these lifestyle interventions in the prevention and management of osteoporosis are reviewed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Healthy lifestyle interventions in general practice: Part 14: Lifestyle and obesity
    (South African Academy of Family Physicians, 2011) Derman, E W; Whitesman, S; Dreyer, M; Patel, D N; Nossel, C J; Lambert, E V; Schwellnus, M P
    Obesity is defined as an excessive amount of body fat or adiposity. It can be measured using the body mass index (BMI), and according to established criteria for adult men and women, overweight is defined as a BMI between 25-30 kg/m2, and obesity as a BMI > 30 kg/m2. Obesity is clinically associated with many serious co-morbidities, and is widely recognised as one of the leading health threats in most countries around the world. Weight loss is recommended for patients with a BMI > 25 kg/m2. The goals of weight loss therapy are to reduce obesity-related co-morbidities and decrease the risk of future obesity-related medical complications. The management of obesity is multifactorial, and involves the use of combined lifestyle interventions, including regular physical activity and dietary and psychosocial intervention. Practical clinical advice regarding interventions in these important areas is provided in this article.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Healthy lifestyle interventions in general practice: Part 15: Lifestyle and lower back pain
    (South African Academy of Family Physicians, 2011) Schwellnus, M P; Patel, D N; Nossel, C; Whitesman, S; Derman, E W
    Lower back pain (LBP) is one of the most common medical problems in the adult population. LBP can be defined as pain, muscle tension or stiffness that is localised below the costal margin (inferior rib cage) and above the inferior gluteal folds and that can present either with or without leg pain (sciatica), and it can be classified as “specific” or “non-specific”. LBP has a high lifetime prevalence and is associated with a substantial direct and indirect cost to the individual and society. In this review, the focus is on the identification of lifestyle risk factors and interventions that are associated with mainly non-specific chronic LBP. In addition to pharmacotherapy, the best treatment approach is exercise therapy (including physical reconditioning), psychosocial and behavioural intervention and therapeutic education. Other lifestyle changes include nutritional intervention and smoking cessation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Medicine and the Arts Week 3 - In dialogue about mind, art and play
    (2015-01-21) Levine, Susan; Ndlovu, Malika; Ramugondo, Elelwani; Solms, Mark
    In this video, Susan Levine asks Elelwani Ramugondo, Mark Solms, and Malika Ndlovu to elaborate on several aspects of play from their unique disciplinary perspectives. Elelwani reflects on how what people do has a fundamental influence on health. Mark expands on the way modern urban society has changed the traditional ways we live, work, and play. Malika details how the applied arts can be used as part of patient-centred treatment. This is the seventh video in Week 3 of the Medicine and the Arts Massive Open Online Course.