The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 22

Decreased blood flow causes pain The Salina Journal Sunday, December 11,1983 Page 22 TTTiiifflW1TI Sundays 1-5 'til Christmas Dear Dr. Donohue: I have been running for approximately a year and a half now, and have just recently developed considerable pain in the calf muscle. It starts with a tingling sensation and then feels like the legs lose their strength as though they were going to sleep. I used to run about six miles nonstop, but now am able to run only about a mile and a half. This pain starts after I've run a quarter of a mile.

I have charley horses in my legs at night. I've tried different ways of running and different exercises, but nothing seems to help. Is there anything you could suggest as to the cause or cure for this? J.O. There are many possible causes for each of your symptoms the tingling, the loss of strength, the cramping but having all these together brings to mind a condition called compartmental syndrome. Muscles, nerves and blood vessels of the legs are neatly packaged in separate compartments.

These Doctor I Donohue FIF1D (NHRPPISFS I compartments are located at the sides and at the back cf the legs. If something happens to cause even the slightest swelling within one of the compartments, the muscles, nerves and blood vessels therein become compressed, with predictable results. If the compression becomes great, then blood flow in an artery can be slowed or stopped entirely. You would have pain when you tried to run any distance. Nerve compression would cause tingling sensations, and there would be muscle weakness.

Are your legs cold to the touch or is there a bluish cast to them? Those are other tip- offs to compartmental syndrome. Even if my guess is wrong, the We have the GIFTS OF FASHION Whether you're gift shopping or treating yourself to some needed Holiday apparel, be sure to come in and see our unusual collection of smart Holiday fashions and gift ideas. And remember, a gift of fashion "keeps on giving" all year. Save Up To on Fall Merchandise Mid State Mall, Salina cure for whatever is ailing you should start with a visit to your doctor. He can confirm or disprove compartmental syndrome.

If it is this problem, perhaps only rest and leg elevation will be required to relieve the swelling responsible for the symptoms. If the compression is great, there may be need to relieve it by surgically enlarging the compartment covering. Your symptoms are not ones to be left to speculation. Delay in treating compartmental syndrome can lead to serious consequences. And you should forego running until you get an evaluation.

Dear Dr. Donohue: My 16-year- old son has greater muscular development on the left side of his upper chest than on the right, even though he is right-handed. When he bench presses, the right side doesn't develop or respond. I have been told this is not unusual. However, the boy feels if he continues weightlifting the difference will become greater.

Can you advise us as to the cause of this or suggest what might be done? C.M. You are describing an area where the largest of the chest muscles are located the pectoralis major muscles, which underlie the upper chest region on both sides. In some people that muscle may be missing on one side, an anomaly in development which, while not what you would call common, is not too uncommon. In your son's case, the missing muscle can result in underdevelopment, and the difference, of course, would be exaggerated with development of the side where the muscle is intact. My consultants suggest a simple test to find out if this is your son's problem.

Have him sit down facing you. While seated he should place his hands on his thighs with his fin- This The ultimate in warm comfort. Available in many styles and beautiful colors. Gowns and scuffs to match in our lingerie department. For ftFidji Anais Anais Noire Chloe Metal Opium wGivenchy Halston Tuxedo Bill Blass and ftBal a Versailles Molinard de Molinard Oscar de la Renta White Shoulders Tea Rose Lauren Franad 105 Yendi Ombre Rose For Rabanne Halston 1-12 2-14 Jockey Club ftGivenchy Gentleman Oscar de la Renta other very beautiful gift items.

DOWNTOWN SALINA gers on the inner sides and thumbs on the outer sides. As he presses down on the thighs, any marked difference in musculature should appear from one side of the chest wall to the other. If this happens it is very likely that he has a missing pectoralis major muscle on the less- developed side. It won't cause any great impairment under normal circumstances, for we have other nearby muscles to do the same job the pectoralis major does. However, it will cause the asymmetry in development, which would become more and more pronounced.

It could destroy his competitive bodybuilding hopes, sad to say. And, so far as I know, there really is not much you can do about the situation. For B.L.: Years of stress on the thumb from golf can lead to os- teoarthritis of that joint. If you could find a way to alter your grip, even a little, it might diminish the force against the thumb. Meanwhile, rest and warm soaks are in order.

If a tendon is involved, you may need a steroid injection to bring relief. For J.W.: Some of the new antacids have a low sodium content. Also, other medicines are available for those who cannot use antacid preparations. (Write to Dr. Paul Donohue, in care of Field Newspaper Syndicate, 1703 Kaiser Irvine, Calif.

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