Infective endocarditis is an infection of the heart lining and/or valves that happens when bacteria enter the bloodstream. Oral bacteria, which are harmless in the mouth, can be toxic and even lethal in the heart.
The American Heart Association changed these recommendations in 2007. The AHA now recommends that most of these patients no longer need short-term antibiotics as a preventive measure before their dental treatment. The AHA changed these recommendations based on a growing amount of scientific evidence that shows the risk of taking antibiotics outweighs the benefits. Some patients have had adverse reactions to the drugs, some of them life threatening. Other studies show that with the use of these antibiotics over and over again, drug resistant bacteria are developing.
Another recent finding showed that patients who take antibiotics may not be getting any protection at all in preventing infective endocarditis. The new thinking is that their hearts are already exposed to the bacteria in their mouths just by everyday brushing and flossing. The newest studies are showing that infective endocarditis is more likely to occur as a result of these everyday activities than from a dental procedure.
The patients who have taken antibiotics prior to dental treatment in the past, but who no longer need them include people with:
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Bicuspid valve disease
- Calcified aortic stenosis
- Congenital heart conditions such as vertricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Preventive antibiotics are still advised for many other heart conditions, such as:
- Artificial heart valves
- A history of endocarditis
- Certain specific congenital heart conditions
- A cardiac transplant that develops a problem in a heart valve
These new recommendations apply to many dental procedures. Any procedure that may cause bleeding in the mouth, such as extractions, root canals, or teeth cleaning, can potentially cause endocarditis. If you are unsure of whether or not you need an antibiotic prior to dental procedures, check with your cardiologist. For those people who have had antibiotics in the past for total joint replacements; your guidelines have not changed.
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Both practices are grounded in sound science and share benefits to both the mind and body in keeping the spine aligned. The physical benefits of yoga enhance the physical benefits of chiropractic. Both can reduce the effects of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, allergies, chronic overuse syndrome, asthma, degeneration, arthritis, stress and digestive ailments.
The primary goal of the doctor of chiropractic is to ensure that the motion between all the joints in the body is proper and sufficient. If the musculoskeletal system is not in proper alignment, the central nervous system cannot properly relay information to the body and illness may soon follow.
While yoga helps align the spine through asanas (poses), a chiropractor utilizes adjustments to make spinal corrections. This can be done either manually or using the latest technology, the Pro-Adjuster.
Yoga aims to unite the body and the mind. Many people do not realize that when performed regularly, yoga has much more to offer than simply another form of exercise. In addition to maintaining alignment of the spine, yoga helps us control the breath, the mind, and also improves internal awareness. By balancing our mind and body, we can reduce the effects of our daily stress, and ultimately lead happier, healthier lives. Yoga helps put your health in your own hands.
The breathing techniques used in yoga aid in removing toxins from the body, and allow the body to extract more oxygen from the air. More oxygen from the air equates to more life sustaining oxygen to all the cells, including the brain. Only when enough oxygen is getting to all the tissues can full repair and growth occur.
For these reasons, yoga poses can ideally complement the chiropractic rehabilitation program, and help you hold your adjustment between visits.