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Howard G. Smith, M.D. is a former radio medical editor and talk show host in the Boston Metro area. His "Medical Minute" of health and wellness news and commentary was a regular weekday feature on WBZ-AM, WRKO-AM, and WMRE-AM. His popular two-way talk show, Dr. Howard Smith OnCall, was regularly heard Sunday morning and middays on WBZ.

Dr. Smith has adopted audio and video podcasting as conduits for HEALTH NEWS YOU SHOULD USE. Based on the latest medical, health, and wellness literature these reports provide practical information you can use to keep yourself and your family healthy. Many reports have video versions, and Dr. Smith’s YouTube Channel may be found at: http://bit.ly/2rNw6XQ

Trained at Harvard Medical School and a long-time faculty member at Boston Children’s Hospital, he practiced Pediatric Otolaryngology for 40 years in Boston, Southern California, and in central Connecticut.  He is now based in New York City.

If you have questions or suggestions about this content, please email the doctor at drhowardsmith.reports@gmail.com or leave him a message at 516-778-8864.  His website is: www.drhowardsmith.com.

Please note that the news, views, commentary, and opinions that Dr. Smith provides are for informational purposes only. Any changes that you or members of your family contemplate making to lifestyle, diet, medications, or medical therapy should always be discussed beforehand with personal physicians who have been supervising your care.

Oct 30, 2021

 

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/IgGZzDbDMRk

 

Intense, consistent physical activity at work may nearly double your risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,  the progressive loss of your ability to control your muscles that is better known as Lou Gehrig Disease.  German investigators studied 393 persons diagnosed with ALS who completed detailed questionnaires about their physical activity at work and play during each decade of their adult lives.  Controls were 791 age and gender-matched persons without ALS.

 

Exercise was categorized as heavy if it was sweat-producing playing sports or doing heavy, physical work.  Light activity included walking and recreational cycling.  The tabulated data showed that heavy occupational work exercise increased ALS risk by 1.97 times but physical activity of all intensities during leisure produced no additional risk.

 

Know that ALS is a rare disease, but this study raises a more important question.  Is the human nervous system subject to overuse?  It’s another argument for moderation, especially in the workplace. Rather than toting those heavy crates, use power assists.  Use teamwork to share physical stresses.

 

https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2021/10/20/WNL.0000000000012829

 

#als #amyotrophiclateralsclerosis #overuse #exercise #strain