Be a lifesaver: Learn CPR

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Some people live, but many more die: That’s the true reality behind Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. But what’s even truer is the possibility — even though seemingly minute — of giving patients a second chance at life, and another opportunity to once again breathe on their own.

Annually, less than eight percent of the 380,000 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive, according to the American Heart Association. The AHA also notes that effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival — but only 32 percent of cardiac arrest victims get CPR from a bystander.

I clearly remember my first time doing CPR on someone. It was in 2006, and I was enrolled in an EMT class and had just received my CPR card. I was extremely “green” and inexperienced. I was scared. But I also, allegedly, had this so-called quasi-godlike power.

As I knelt down next to the patient to begin chest compressions, I think the overwhelming adrenaline rush initially blurred my vision — it took me awhile to recognize that the life I was trying to save was my friend’s father. This definitely wasn’t, in my wildest imagination, what I was hoping for.

But there’s a certain amount of professionalism and proficiency that had to take place that Sunday afternoon. I became focused, and fell into a rhythm. I refused to hand off my job until we transferred the patient over to the hospital’s emergency room staff. I was drenched in the trio of sweat, awe and pride.

Since that time, I received my certification as a New York State EMT-Basic, and in 2008 completed my EMT-Critical Care credentials, allowing me to practice advanced emergency life support of adult and pediatric patients. Nowadays, even though I still consider myself in the green zone, as far as seasoned experience, much of my responsibility lies in establishing intravenous lines, intubation and delivering medication during cardiac arrest episodes. But I’ve made an effort to never forget or let go of my basics, along with continuously stressing the importance of effective CPR. Without appropriate intervention, permanent brain damage begins after only four minutes without oxygen and death can occur as soon as four to six minutes later, according to the National Institutes of Health.

This column isn’t meant to be a CPR how-to. It’s simply intended to encourage everyone to become trained in basic CPR. One day, at some point, in some month of some year, you may have the opportunity, most likely unexpectedly, to perform CPR on another person that very possibly could be your parent, child, spouse, sibling or friend.

For more information on becoming trained in CPR, visit www.heart.org or www.redcross.org.

Brian T. Dessart, a former Herald Sports Preview Editor and Director of Marketing, now writes for Sports Illustrated, covering performance, fitness and action sports.

How can runners alleviate foot and knee pain?

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/running-injury-prevention-tips-how-to-deal-with-knee-foot-pain-1.10734869

Q: What are some preventive things you can do to alleviate knee and foot arch pain? Those are the aches I get when I run more than two miles. And how do you know the difference between pain you should push through or rest?

-- Brittany Wait, Syracuse, N.Y.

A: Many runners will experience aches, pains and muscular discomfort, especially during the beginning stages of a program, aggressively increasing program intensity, overtraining or by taking a lengthy hiatus between sessions. Knee and foot pain are common complaints. Personally, I've experienced both, and for all of the reasons previously mentioned. It can truly be a nuisance.

Be sure to focus on proper running form and make sure your feet are striking the surface correctly, especially not rolling aggressively outward or inward.

If these pains are frequently experienced on a treadmill, try road running. Even though treadmills are easily accessible and homey, the feet tend to hit the surface quasi-identical with each step, placing direct impact on the same muscles, tendons and ligaments. You may find some relief on the road, as the constant change in pavement and terrain helps to slightly distribute the stress to different areas of the legs and feet.

Along with quality footwear, you can try purchasing arch supports, which will help keep the arches elevated and prevent slamming. You may find that not all arch supports are created equal, and that your final selection will be a matter of trial. Knee support braces can also assist in the prevention of medial and lateral rolling of the knee joints.

It's difficult to judge whether you should push through pains and aches, but if they persist with each run and don't subside with rest and ice therapy, you should definitely consider paying a visit to your physician.

Brian T. Dessart is a nationally accredited Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and a New York State Critical Care Emergency Medical Technician. He also writes for Sports Illustrated, covering performance, fitness and action sports. For a chance at having your questions answered, please send inquiries involving health, fitness and injury prevention to health@newsday.com.

Anabolic steroids: What are the side effects?

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/anabolic-steroids-what-are-the-side-effects-1.10712131

Q: Can you discuss the potential side effects of [anabolic] steroid use [as performance-enhancing drugs]? -- Brian Gallagher, Rockville Centre

A: There is no doubt anabolic steroids work. For the most part, those who take them become bigger and stronger -- anyone's normal eye can see that. The problem is that while they help sculpt the outside of the body, the opposite may be taking place in the body's interior. There are a ton of potential side effects, some more pronounced than others, that can cause irreversible physical damage and even death.

The most serious side effects usually affect the heart. According to a report by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, "heart damage appears to be the biggest long-term risk of heavy steroid use" -- high blood pressure, arrhythmias, heart attack, stroke and sudden cardiac death have all been reported.

The liver and kidneys also take a beating from anabolic steroid use. Liver toxicity, failure, tumors and jaundice have all been noted, while the kidneys have seen similar ailments such as failure and Wilms' tumor, the report said.

But the most visible side effects are found within the psychological, reproductive and dermatologic areas of the body. Aggression, irritability and dangerous/reckless behavior are often seen, according to the report, along with reduced sperm and testosterone production, shrinking of the testes, impotence and prostate enlargement in men.

Women can experience a deepening of the voice, hair growth on the face and body, baldness, irregular menstrual cycles and a reduction in breast size, the report said. Dermatologic side effects also include acne development, oily skin, enlarged breasts (in men) and stretch marks on the skin, according to the findings.

But that's not all: There's also the possibility of damage to the musculoskeletal system -- mostly tendons and bones -- due to the rapid increase in muscular size from the use of anabolic agents, the report said.

Brian T. Dessart is a nationally accredited Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a New York State Critical Care Emergency Medical Technician. He also writes for Sports Illustrated, covering performance, fitness and action sports. For a chance at having your questions answered, please send inquiries involving health, fitness and injury prevention to health@newsday.com.