The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee joint. This cartilage acts as a shock absorber for the knee joint during physical activity. MayoClinic.com states that any activity that causes a patient to forcefully twist or rotate the knee can lead to a torn meniscus. A torn meniscus can cause swelling, pain, clicking and popping in the affected knee joint. This injury is commonly treated conservatively, but surgery may be required. A patient undergoing a meniscal repair surgery should understand the possible surgical complications.… More by Jacques Courseault, M.D.

According to MayoClinic.com, a torn meniscus is an injury to one or more of the two C-shaped pieces of cartilage in each of the knee joints. A posterior horn tear specifically involves a posterior inner aspect of the meniscus that’s more toward the center of the knee joint. Meniscal tears are typically diagnosed with an MRI and first treated conservatively. However, cases that cause severe pain or discomfort may require surgical treatment.… More by Jacques Courseault, M.D.

Bone spurs in the neck, or cervical spondylosis, is the degeneration of the joints in the neck that cause bone spur formation. Bone spurs are humps of bone that form over time with wear and tear of the joints in the neck. Bone spurs can become large enough to compress nerves that are exiting the spine, which can cause significant pain, numbness and weakness in the arms and hands. Furthermore, bone spurs can cause neck stiffness, because the cervical vertebrae cannot move normally over one another. Treatments for cervical spondylosis are generally conservative, but surgery may be necessary.… More by Jacques Courseault, M.D.

Anti-inflammatory medications are commonly taken to treat conditions caused by inflammation such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendonitis, bursitis, gout, fever or menstrual cramps. These medications reduce chemical signals that cause pain and inflammation in the body, specifically at the injured area. Drug stores provide a variety of anti-inflammatory medications that a patient can choose from. To make the best choice, he must understand the risks and benefits of taking each one.… More by Jacques Courseault, M.D.

“If you’re a woman who is overweight or obese, you can substantially improve your hot flashes by losing weight through diet and exercise,” says Alison Huang, M.D., the lead author of the study and a professor of internal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

“Weight loss isn’t just something that will benefit your long-term health 10, 20, or 30 years from now,” she adds. “It can make a real difference in your symptoms and quality of life right now.”

Previous research has shown that women with higher body-mass indexes tend to experience worse hot flashes. Until now, however, few studies have tried to measure the immediate effect that weight loss has on symptoms. Read More

Nicotine is the substance in cigarettes that causes addiction in users. Nicotine is used in Nicoderm patches to help the user wean from the addictive effects of the substance. Nicotine in a Nicoderm patch passes through the skin and into the blood stream. As a patient quits smoking, the levels of nicotine in Nicoderm patches is decreased gradually until use is stopped altogether. These patches are available over-the-counter. Few side effects are reported with Nicoderm patches, but some may require medical intervention.… More by Jacques Courseault, M.D.

Tendinitis is the inflammation of the thick fibrous cord that connects muscles to bones. Repetitive movement or overuse of ankle or foot muscles can increase the risk of developing tendinitis in the Achilles tendon, which attaches the muscles of the calf and the heel at the back of the leg. Most cases of Achilles tendinitis can be treated conservatively; however, severe cases may require surgical treatment.… More by Jacques Courseault, M.D.

FDA Bans Que She

Please, if you don’t take anything else from this site- PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON WEIGHT LOSS PILLS/DRUGS unless directed to do so by your doctor. Even then, you may want to get a second opinion. Weight loss drugs are very dangerous. New ones come out, and soon enough, research will show that they can cause serious damage. This is true for all supplements that are not FDA approved. Avoid them because there is no way in knowing what harmful substances are in these medications. Calories IN- Calories OUT… Develop the lifestyle…

Jacques Courseault, M.D.

“The FDA has released a health alert on what is advertised as “an all-natural blend of Chinese herbs” for weight loss. Que She Weight Loss Capsules contain what the FDA terms as “potentially harmful ingredients.” It is marketed as a weight loss supplement and is often advertised as a “slimming factor capsule.” An FDA analysis shows that this product contains several western pharmaceutical drugs. It contains fenfluramine, propranolol, and sibutramine. The product also contains ephedrine.”

Celebrex, or celecoxib, is a prescribed oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is commonly used to treat pain and inflammation related to arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and menstrual pain, according to Drugs.com. Additionally, Celebrex may be prescribed to treat hereditary polyps in the colon. Although Celebrex may be effective in treating certain conditions, this medication increases the risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems. A patient should explore alternatives to Celebrex if he has a history of heart or bleeding problems.… More by Jacques Courseault, M.D.

The medial meniscus is a wedge-shaped piece of cartilage that lines the knee joint along the midline of the body. The meniscus acts as a shock absorber between the thighbone and shinbone during weight bearing activities. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, meniscal tears are the most common knee injuries, particularly in athletes. This injury can cause pain, stiffness and swelling, catching or locking of the knee and instability of the knee. Depending on the severity of the tear, treatment can range from conservative treatments to surgical repair.… More by Jacques Courseault, M.D.