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Biomedical subjects

M B Mellion

Publications and source records attributed to M B Mellion.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sever's disease and other causes of heel pain in adolescents.

Sever's disease, or apophysitis of the calcaneus, is a common but frequently undiagnosed source of heel pain in young athletes. This condition frequently occurs before or during the peak growth spurt in boys and girls, often shortly after they begin a new sport or season. Sever's disease often occurs in running and jumping sports, particularly soccer. Patients present with intermittent or continuous heel pain occurring with weight bearing. Findings include a positive squeeze test and tight heel cords. Sever's disease cannot be diagnosed radiographically. The condition usually resolves two weeks to two months after the initiation of conservative treatment, which may include rest, ice application, heel lifts, stretching and strengthening exercises, and, in more severe cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Adolescent

Topical nasal sprays: treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Topical nasal sprays, especially steroids, have regained favor as treatment for allergic rhinitis. Nasal steroids are widely used and are as safe and effective as antihistamines in controlling symptoms of rhinitis. However, if improperly used, steroids can have side effects. It is essential that patients learn correct techniques for administering nasal steroids and understand complications that can result from nasal steroid use. New steroid drugs, such as budesonide, tripedane and fluticasone, are being evaluated and will be available in the near future. Other topical drugs, such as cromolyn and ipratropium, are also effective. Over-the-counter decongestants are helpful in reducing nasal congestion and allowing other topical medicines to penetrate effectively into the nasal cavity, but their use should be limited to no more than three days. Prolonged use of topical nasal decongestants has no place in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and can be associated with significant side effects.

Administration, Intranasal

What is the current status of management of the patient with exercise-induced asthma?

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is a very common and troublesome disease frequently impairing optimal athletic performance. Although described as early as the second century A.D. and widely known since 1972, EIA often goes unrecognized by both patient and physician. The goals of treatment are to minimize symptoms thus allowing the athlete to participate fully in a broad array of activities and to utilize the most effective pharmacologic drugs available. The recognition and treatment of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) have made significant progress since 1972 when United States swimmer, Rick Demont had his Olympic gold medal award rescinded because of traces of ephedrine were detected in his urine. Lessons from this episode paid dividends subsequently; in preparation for the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles, the U.S. Olympic Committee developed a screening program which identified 67 U.S. team members with EIA. Astoundingly, several of these world-class athletes did not realize they had asthma. Affected individuals were counseled on the prevention of asthma and also on the effective use of medications; 41 won medals in various competitions including track and field, wrestling, basketball, cycling, swimming and rowing. Despite this resounding success, many athletes at all levels of competition still suffer from unrecognized or under-treated EIA despite knowledge of the problem since the second century A.D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Agonists

Neck and back pain in bicycling.

Back and neck problems in bicyclists should be managed by a combination of bicycle adjustment or modification, technique change, and medical treatment. The bicycle should be checked for proper fit. Often it is necessary to relieve the rider's extended position by using handlebars with less drop, using a stem with a shorter extension, raising the stem, or moving the seat forward. Changing hand positions on the handlebars frequently, riding with the elbows "unlocked," varying head position, using padded gloves and handlebars, and riding on wider tires all reduce the effects of road shock. Initial medical management includes ice, massage stretching, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen. Definitive treatment is neck and back rehabilitation based on dynamic muscular stabilization. It involves three progressive and overlapping parts: (1) establishing range of motion, (2) finding and stabilizing the neutral position, and (3) adapting the neutral position to exercise.

Back Pain

Bicycle safety equipment.

It is important for the physician to understand bicycle safety equipment in order to prevent and treat bicycle-related injuries effectively. The physician should understand (1) the basic design and function of bicycles, (2) the relationship of improper bicycle fit to injuries, (3) the potential of the various forms of serious riding and racing for injury, and (4) bicycle safety equipment and the standards involved in its fit, manufacture, and care. A decision to use bicycle safety equipment is a decision to control the risk of injury. Physicians should accept a share of the responsibility for decreasing bicycling-related injuries, because they are viewed by the public as credible sources of information regarding the prevention of accidents and injuries.

Bicycling

Exercise-induced asthma.

Exercise-induced asthma affects approximately 10 percent of the exercising population but often goes undiagnosed. Diagnosis is generally simple if the physician is aware of the subtle symptoms that may present during or after exercise. Preventive treatment, using a combination of exercise strategies and inhaled medications, is often successful. For patients with underlying chronic asthma that is exacerbated by exercise, long-term medication with preexercise doses is recommended.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

The accuracy of the ACSM cycle ergometry equation.

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the American College of Sports Medicine's equation for estimating the oxygen cost of exercise performed on a cycle ergometer. Sixty healthy males, ages 19-39 yr old, performed a five stage (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 W) submaximal cycle ergometer test while their oxygen uptake was measured. Results indicated the standard error of estimate for the predicted oxygen values ranged from 0.11 to 0.22 l.min-1, with correlations between the actual and predicted values ranging from r = 0.22 to r = 0.50. Total errors ranged from 0.23 to 0.31 l.min-1. The actual oxygen cost was underestimated from 0.16 to 0.29 l.min-1 (P less than 0.05) by the equation at each workload. A revised equation was developed based upon the actual VO2-power relationship. The resulting slope was lower and the intercept higher when compared with the current ACSM equation. The slope and intercept of the revised equation are more consistent with values published in the literature. This equation appears as: VO2 (ml.min-1) = kgm.min-1 x 1.9 ml.min-1) + ((3.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 x kg body weight) + 260 ml.min-1). Predicted values from the revised equation were more accurate as reflected by slightly higher correlations, lower total errors, and lower mean differences from actual VO2 measurements than those from the current equation.

Adult

Cardiac structure and function in weight trainers, runners, and runner/weight trainers.

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare cardiac structure and function in adult male weight trainers, runners, and those who do both activities. Subjects had actively participated in the various training programs for the previous five years. Age ranged from 28.4 to 31.3 years in the three groups. Echocardiography was used to assess selected heart diameters, volumes, indices of contractility, and thicknesses, while VO2 max and percent body fat were measured using standard methods. Heart structure and function were expressed in absolute terms and relative to total body weight. An alpha level of .05 was used in all comparisons. Results indicated the runners demonstrated significantly greater relative LVIDd, LVIDs, and LVPW than the weight trainers. The runner/weight trainers possessed significantly greater relative LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPW, IVS, and LVEDV than the weight trainers. No significant differences, absolute or relative, existed between the runner and runner/weight trainer groups in any of the myocardial structure and function variables. It was concluded that men who run or run and weight train have similar structural and functional characteristics of the heart and possess greater relative internal diameter and left ventricular wall thickness than men who only weight train.

Adult

Common cycling injuries. Management and prevention.

The increasing participation in the athletic forms of bicycling warrants expanded physician attention to the traumatic and overuse injuries experienced by cyclists. The modern bicycle consists of a frame with various components, including handlebars, brakes, wheels, pedals, and gears, in various configurations for the various modes of cycling. For high performance cycling the proper fit of the bicycle is critical. The most efficient method to provide an accurate fit is the Fitkit, but proper frame selection and adjustment can be made by following simple guidelines for frame size, seat height, fore and aft saddle position, saddle angle, reach and handlebar height. The human body functions most effectively in a narrow range of pedal resistance to effort. Riding at too much pedal resistance is a major cause of overuse problems in cyclists. Overuse injuries are lower using lower gear ratios at a higher cadence. Cycling injuries account for 500,000 visits per year to emergency rooms in the US. Over half the accidents involve motor vehicles, and road surface and mechanical problems with the bicycle are also common causes of accidents. Head injuries are common in cyclists and account for most of the fatal accidents. Despite good evidence of their effectiveness, victims with head injuries have rarely worn helmets. Contusions, sprains and fractures may occur throughout the body, most commonly to the hand, wrist, lower arm, shoulder, ankle and lower leg. The handlebar and seat have been implicated in a wide variety of abdominal and genital injuries. Abrasions, lacerations and bruises of the skin are the most common traumatic injuries. Trauma may be prevented or reduced by proper protective safety equipment and keeping the bike in top mechanical condition. Anticipation of the errors of others and practising and adopting specific riding strategies also help to prevent traumatic injuries. Management of overuse injuries in cycling generally involves mechanical adjustment as well as medical management. Neck and back pain are extremely common in cyclists, occurring in up to 60% of riders. Ulnar neuropathy, characterised by tingling, numbness and weakness in the hands is common in serious cyclists after several days of riding. Managing saddle-related injuries or irritations may also involve adjusting seat height, angle and fore and aft position in addition to changing the saddle. Padding in the saddle and shorts play an important part in saddle problems. Saddle-related problems include chafing, perineal folliculitis and furuncles, subcutaneous perineal nodules, pudendal neuropathy, male impotence, traumatic urethritis and a variety of vulva trauma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Athletic Injuries

Exercise-induced asthma, anaphylaxis, and urticaria.

Exercise-induced asthma is a common but frequently undiagnosed problem. The patient may not wheeze, but rather have shortness of breath, chest tightening, and coughing. The coach and the physician must be particularly alert to the signs and symptoms of exercise-induced asthma to recognize this syndrome. Proper conditioning, warming up, inducing refractoriness, participating in sports less likely to provoke exercise-induced asthma, and the aggressive use of appropriate medications allow patients to enjoy sports and compete effectively. A rare but potentially fatal syndrome is exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Accurate diagnosis and differentiation from other exertion-related syndromes are critical, and appropriate precautions are necessary. A third clinical entity, exercise-induced cholinergic urticaria, although not life-threatening, can be quite annoying. Aggravating factors, such as increased heat, compound the problems. In summary, exercise-induced allergic phenomena are common and should be recognized by the practicing physician.

Anaphylaxis

Exercise during pregnancy.

Routine exercise has become an accepted component of a healthy lifestyle, and many women want to continue exercising during pregnancy. In most cases, pregnant women can maintain previous levels of activity, while sedentary women can undertake new activities gradually.

Birth Weight

Exercise therapy for anxiety and depression. 1. Does the evidence justify its recommendation?

Despite the ever-increasing importance placed on exercise in our society today, obtaining sufficient evidence to document its therapeutic role in anxiety and depression has proven to be a formidable task for researchers. A number of studies now provide evidence to justify the recommendation of moderate exercise to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression and to improve overall emotional well-being. For anxious or depressed patients, exercise produces a sense of mastery and control, and the positive effects of being successful in an exercise program spill over into other realms of their life.

Adult

Anabolic steroids in athletics.

With an increasing emphasis on competition and winning in all levels of sports, many athletes in strength events use anabolic steroids in an effort to increase their strength and enhance their performance. The evidence on behalf of this practice is inconclusive, and the potential risks include jaundice, hypercholesterolemia, fluid retention, hypertension and liver abnormalities. Additionally, the effect on luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone may alter sexual status.

Anabolic Agents

A model for evaluating the stressed patient in the family practice setting.

Family physicians frequently encounter patients with stress-induced medical and psychological problems. When the symptoms are severe, or the mechanisms are vague, it is often useful to perform a detailed medical, behavioral, and psychological evaluation in order to initiate effective therapy. This paper illustrates a model for evaluating stress-related and other psychosomatic problems in a family practice.

Adult