Reaching for the aspirin bottle might be many students’ first defense against unexplained aches and pains; however, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine assistant professors Thad Wilson and Stevan Walkowski offer insight into the mysteries behind common ailments.
Walkowski, D.O., assistant professor of OMM, practices family medicine on campus.
Wilson, D.O., associate professor of physiology, is currently testing a medicine on human volunteers that could deter fainting.
A D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) trains in the same way as an M.D. (Medical Doctor). Wilson said he believes D.O.s are instructed to treat patients with more care by making sure they are treating an ailment’s cause, not only the symptoms.
Wilson said he has found that many patients who faint frequently actually suffer from a greater underlying cardiovascular ailment.
Though osteopathic medicine works to fully explore the health concern before treating it, times do exist where options are limited for doctors, Wilson said.
“A lot of times, the only way you’re going to be able to treat something is with a synthetic drug,” Wilson said.
But other times, exploring the true problem behind an ailment such as fainting, may save patients a lot of heartache — literally.
DOCTOR, DOCTOR, GIVE ME THE NEWS
HANGOVER
Hydration is the ticket to steering clear of this headache-inducing ailment common among college students, Walkowski said. He said the key is to focus on hydrating well before drinking ever occurs.
“The more hydrated you can get the night before, the better off you’ll be,” Walkowski said.
As for what to drink, water is prime, as well as liquids containing high levels of sodium and potassium such as Vitamin Water and Gatorade, Walkowski said.]
The Fix
Pre- and re-hydration are the key prescriptions to a night on the town.
Fun Fact
Tomato juice contains high levels of both potassium and sodium, making it a fast way to pass through hangover woes, Walkowski said.
BRAIN FREEZE
A brain freeze is the sensation that hits the human body with a massive headache when something too cold is ingested too quickly, according to KidsHealth.org.
The nerves located on the palate of the mouth react to the shocking cold by causing the blood vessels in the brain to tighten quickly, and this quick shrinking of the blood vessels leads to the pain — or freeze — felt in the brain, Walkowski said.
The tongue naturally pushes food toward the top palate while a person swallows, making a freeze hard to avoid, Walkowski said.
The Fix
Walkowski suggested warming the palate by pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth, or also letting cold foods melt on the tongue for a second before swallowing.
KidsHealth.org also recommends slowing down while eating and taking breaks in between cold bites.
Fun Fact
Even beverages such as milk, juice and water sometimes bring on the pain of a brain freeze if drunk too quickly.
HEART BURN
Sizzling in the chest area is a common experience, even for those who avoid spicy food.
Heartburn occurs when the control mechanism for food acids traveling to the stomach malfunctions.
Other than a fiery feeling in your sternum and breastbone, symptoms of heartburn include discomfort and an acidy taste in the throat, Walkowski said.
“Heartburn does not have anything to do with your heart,” Walkowski said. He went on to explain the body does not separate which specific organs are affected when feeling pain.
Reclining or lying down after a meal sometimes agitates heartburn, Walkowski said, which explains why heartburn often strikes around bedtime.
The Fix
Treatment only comes from reaching for the Tums or Mylanta; however, if running to the medicine cabinet happens often, see a physician, Walkowski said.
Preventing heartburn is the best answer, which may include avoiding certain foods such as peppermint, alcohol and coffee, he said.
Fun Fact
Those who are obese may experience more frequent heartburn due to higher pressure on their esophaguses, Walkowski said.
HICCUPS
These annoying noises start in your diaphragm and are usually caused when air is jerked down into the throat too suddenly, according to KidsHealth.org. This air hits the voice box, creating a hiccup noise.
Typically, causes of hiccups include eating too quickly, eating too much, an irritation in the stomach or throat or feeling nervous or excited.
The Fix
From scare tactics to holding his breath, Walkowski said he’s tried almost everything once, with different outcomes each time. This led him to the same truth most hiccup sufferers find: it’s pretty much the luck of the draw in curing hiccups.
“I don’t have any sure-fire ways,” Walkowski said.
Fun Fact
There are known cases of hiccups that have lasted for days, weeks and even years – usually due to other health problems, according to KidsHealth.org.
MUSCLE CRAMPS
Athletes might experience muscle cramps, especially in their legs. This is caused when the amount of sweat exiting the body exceeds fluid and sodium levels, which must be maintained to avoid cramping, said John Bowman, assistant athletic director of sports medicine.
After a practice, those players who step off the field with a line of dried salt on their uniforms are the players considered to be sodium sweaters, Bowman said.
“Those are salty sweaters; those are the people who are prone to cramp,” Bowman said.
The Fix
Drink tons of water and also Gatorade containing sodium to replenish what is lost.
Fun Fact
For an extra burst of sodium, the OU teams add an extra packet of powdered Gatorade to water and sports drinks of players who more frequently experience cramping, Bowman said.
FAINTING
College students are more prone to fainting because of higher levels of dehydration caused by drinking too much coffee and alcohol but not enough water, Wilson said.
He added the human body is like a balloon. When the balloon is held at its top, all the water drains to the bottom. This puts a lot of pressure on the bottom of the balloon while entirely draining the top, in the same way that fluids in the human body move after somebody stands for a long period of time.
Petite people — particularly women — with especially low blood pressure are more likely to faint. Lower blood pressure is typically considered healthier; however, it also slightly slows the circulation of body fluids.
“(Lower blood pressure) is good for your health, but bad for your fainting,” Wilson said.
The Fix
Contract the leg muscles in your calves and legs.
Fun Fact
Fainting is an emotional as well as a physical ailment, Wilson said. Someone who is extremely frightened can actually faint from fear.
“Intense pain is something that causes someone to faint,” Wilson said.
sd476308@ohiou.edu
@Thepostculture
