Acid reflux online

September 10, 2009

Joint Pain: Unraveling the Cause

JOINT INFLAMMATION is a very painful, with multiple sets of conditions (100), progressively leading to joint damage, deformity and loss of mobility. Swelling of extremity joints is the hallmark of the syndrome. Chronic pain, disability and death are unfortunate results.

Joint inflammation has an estimated prevalence of 1 to 2%. Prevalence increases with age, approaching 5% in women over age 55. The average annual incidence in the United States is about 70 per 100,000 annually. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs two to three times more in women than in men. Although rheumatoid arthritis may present at any age, patients most commonly are first affected in the third to sixth decades.

Joint inflammation, collectively affect nearly 46 million adults and 300,000 children in the U.S. It is not selective. The condition can happen to anyone. All arthritic conditions impact the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints - where two or more bones meet.

Joint inflammation problems include:

  • pain
  • stiffness
  • damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures.

 

HOW DO WE GET JOINT INFLAMMATION?

The blood has become obstructed by external cold or hot-damp or drying imbalancing influences. The condition includes:

  • cold or hot and painful joints
  • difficulty in flexing and extending the joints
  • aversion to cold or hot with attraction to the opposite condition
  • In some cases the limbs and joints will be aching, numb, painful
  • overall physical body feels heavy.
  • tongue is pale or the opposite

     

 There are graduating arthritic conditions where the site of pain and deformity are more intense, with heat or cold predominating, however, the primary appraoch is to get the obstruction to move. This is done by changing the internal environment by opposing the wind-cold/hot-damp/dry and altering any external conditions contributing to the obstructions. Additional attention needs to be given to the general emotional state that may indirectly support the blockage.

 

HOW DO WE GET BETTER?

 

JOINT INFLAMMATION: FOOD THERAPY  & HERBAL HERBS

“We are what we eat.” Most of us would agree that most conditions of imbalance are determined by what we put in our mouth. We unkowingly create imbalances by not being aware of how critical this area is, especially in the latter years. If we are choose foods and supplements which worsen our condition then it would serve us well to become very aware of our body type and foods which enhance balance. Below, you can begin to choose foods that deliver balance for this obstructive condition: 

Foods That Benefit & Foods To Avoid

Foods to Counter Joint Pain: Asparagus, Cabbage (poultice & ingestion), Celery, Cod, Cherry, Chives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic, Ginger, Goats milk, Grape, Kelp, Oranges, Papaya, Pineapple (Bromelain), Pumpkin Seeds, Royal Jelly, Scallions, Sesame oll, Spelt, Spirulina, Soy products, Strawberry, Sprouts (mung, red clover, radish, mustard, lentil, adzuki, garbanzo, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds), Tumeric, Water melon, Barley products, Wheat grass products, Alfalfa products (tablets, tea), Chlorophyll foods, Almonds (5-6 dy.),

Foods to Avoid: Excess meat (some fish is best), Excess protein, Intoxicants (alcohol, coffee, tobacco, marijuana, etc.), refined sugar and other sweets, Oxalic acid foods (rhubarb, cranberry, plum, chard, beet greens, spinach), Solanine foods (Nightshade family veggies: tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, potato, if sensitive), Dairy (cow’s milk & bi-products), Nuts, Nut butters, oil-rich seeds,

“When the heart is calm, pain seems negligible.” — Inner Classic

  HERB FORMULAS FOR PAIN   Formulas are created and rendered, taking into consideration, a person’s constitution, environment, life energy (qi), lifestyle and emotional status to name a few concerns. Traditional Chinese Herbs and medicine focuses on bringing all these areas into balance. The chief focus is to provide a formula that specifically targets the painful site, resolves the underlying imbalance in the body without inciting more physical maladies.

Additionally, the quality of the herbs are not the same. If lesser quality is contained in a formula then the results will not hold up as indicated in research findings. While it may sound impressive to make marketing statements that a formula containing an herb is beneficial it is not enough. The grade of herb is critical. Ginseng alone has more than 6 grades and each level provides a different result. Quality, alone, can determine whether the formula works or not. A seasoned herbologist does not skimp in this area, while many commercial manufacturing operations prefer profit when dealing with innocent distributers, who sell to wholesalers, retailers and then to you the consumer. This practice in America gives herbology and products a bad name. This bait and switch practice eventually erodes trust by consumers where when a real herbologist comes forward then it is difficult to move ailing customers to take the leap of beneficial faith.

JOINT IMBALANCE doesn’t happen overnight and once understood, can resolve quicker than you realize. According to Traditional Chinese herbs and medicine, the primary problem underlying arthritis is obstruction with painful results. With varying degrees, there is an exhaustion of both the Liver and Kidneys and insufficiency of the physical energy (qi).

Mark Hammer, C.M.H., Master Herbalist,   Longevity Mountain    

 

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 13, 2009

Arthritis - Are You and Your Joints headed for a Divorce?

Author: Fernanda B.Sc, Pharm, M.H.

There are more than one hundred separate types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Within the more widely understood conditions are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. When I reflect on arthritis disease the one form that stands out is one of the more debilitating types of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 1% of the people of North America and happens three times as often in females than in men.  It can happen at any age but usually the beginning age is between 50 and 60. This arthritis disease is a chronic, progressive condition that causes the lining of your joints to become swollen and painful.

 
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease which means that it affects the entire body. As this arthritis disease moves forward it can not only damage the tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone in the joints but also other parts in your body such as your lungs and blood vessels.

 
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease meaning that the body’s immune system is not functioning as it should. The immune system will not acknowledge it’s own tissue and reacts to it like aliens. With this form of arthritis disease the immune system assaults the joints and surrounding tissue causing long term harm.

Symptoms can arrive in an instant or at a slow pace and the arthritis disease has intervals of time when it is bothering you and periods where you are not bothered. When the disease is active, symptoms you may notice are fatigue, lack of appetite, low grade fever, muscle and joint aches and stiffness. Muscle and joint stiffness are most often notable in the morning and after times of inactivity. In Rheumatoid arthritis joints are typically-most often swollen and painful in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of the body affected). Joints in your hands and wrists are typically harmed.

See your doctor when you are experiencing some of the above symptoms.  He will perform a physical examination and ask about your medical background and he will also ask for a blood test. The results from the blood test will help the doctor diagnose which type of arthritis disease you have. Your doctor may advise you to make an appointment with a rheumatologist which is a doctor that specializes in determing the problem and treating arthritic diseases. The two may consult together to give you the best treatment for your problem.

While you cannot cure your condition, you can learn a selection of coping techniques that keep you more active and in charge of your life.  You and your joints will remain on good terms.  Watch for my next Blog on arthritis help.

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

December 28, 2008

What to Do If You Are Diagnosed With Rheumatoid Arthritis ?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 12:36 am

For the record, currently about one percent of the total population of the United States suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Statistics show that there is a marked increase in the number of cases being diagnosed just like all other degenerative diseases. It is therefore important that an understanding of what rheumatoid arthritis is and what the signs are  which should be disseminated amongst the population so that sufferers will seek an early diagnosis to enable relevant lifestyle changes be implemented before the symptoms become serious.

Being better informed not only assist in early diagnosis but with n understanding of what the disease is, what is likely to eventuate and what you can do to prepare for these eventuation’s

If you are unlucky and the doctor informs you that you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, the news can be quite devastating. However, understanding this disease is one way that you could come to terms with it, know what to expect, when and establish a plan of action to control it in the best manner you can.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

It is known that when rheumatoid arthritis occurs, the body’s immune system suddenly turns against itself destroying the tissues found in and around the  joints. This is why the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis includes extreme pain at the joints, it usually occurs in the joints of the same limb on each side of the body).  It is believed that the sufferer’s genetics play an important role in the development of this disease.  (Research is currently underway in this area.

The doctor diagnosis the occurrence of this disease by identifying the ‘rheumatoid factor’ in the patient’s blood, (is actually an antibody) that indicates the presence of this debilitating disease. The association of the presence of this antibody and the typical symptoms such as pain, inflammation of the joints and limitation of movement usually confirms the diagnosis. X-ray of the affected joints can also be used to further confirm the existence of the disease.

As rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease, it is important to get an early diagnosis so that you can have it treated. Rheumatoid arthritis can progress fast attacking not only the joints but also the more vital organs in the body – such as (the lining of) the heart, lungs and kidneys. This disease can also strike in the tear ducts and the salivary glands. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any time usually between the ages of 20 to the late 50’s and when it strikes it is very hard to cure.

If you are unlucky and get it, it is not the end of the world. Thankfully, there are medications, proper exercise and alternative treatments all designed to make the disease more manageable and your changed lifestyle as pleasant as possible. Take it as yet another challenge in in the journey of life. Why not use the power of positive thinking, look at all the marvelous blessings you have and will experience and this disease is only another event to be overcome.

A strict regime in relation to your diet and exercise program is necessary to keep your body in good shape whilst ensuring your immune system is operating and keeping all other diseases at bay. allowing your body to cope with the stresses and strains of rheumatoid arthritis.

Technorati Tags:

November 7, 2008

Best Information For Arthritis Explained - A Guide

Are you looking for an Arthritis Cure? Arthritis usually means pain in the joints but it is a disease of the muscles and the bones so there could also be swelling and pain all over. Each bone is covered with a living tissue that covers the ends of the bones and guards them from rubbing against each other; this tissue is known as the Cartilage. Cartilage is made of living cells known as chondrocytes and this tissue resembles many of the other human organs. The chondrocytes die, they are replaced with new ones and the life cycle goes on. This article will focus on explaining arthritis versus arthritis cures.

However, over time inflammation can kill more cartilage cells than the body can replace. This is more so if the body is undernourished and lacks the required nutrients to repair or the joint has suffered an injury. Lack of sufficient cartilage, can cause instability, joint weakness, pain and deformity, all of which affect and interrupt regular activities. Generally, arthritis can be treated with physical therapy, medication, and changes to the lifestyle the individual is used to living. Health care providers use joint replacement surgery as their last resort, once they have tried all of the less intrusive interventions, to try and relieve the discomfort.

Arthritis is divided into two main categories, i.e. localized and generalized depending on areas affected; it is further subdivided into sub-categories. The two localized conditions are bursitis and tendonitis; they affect the soft tissues surrounding the bones and joints. It could just be that the localized conditions could manifest themselves in just one of two joints being affected. It could also be that the patient is affected in a more general sense with no arthritis inflammation or signs of swelling. Fibromyalgia, even though it isn’t associated with joint damage, is a very common form which can be placed under this particular category.

Another sub-category involves inflammation affecting the entire body. Gout, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are examples of this condition. Still other generalized situations include polymyositis, involving muscles, systemic lupus erythematosus involving the skin, kidneys and or other organs and vasculitis where any organ is involved.

However a person may suffer from multiple kinds of arthritis, in the United States of America around forty six million adults and abut three hundred thousand children suffer from hundred medical conditions. The condition is most common as osteoarthritis in adults age 60 and above but it can start as early as infancy. The numbers are increasing as the American population ages and more and more people are beginning to suffer from arthritis.

Arthritis and related illnesses are the cause of major disability in the U.S. and costs over 124 billion dollars a year in medical care and indirect expenses. By taking the time to follow a couple of simple steps, most individuals can help to prevent osteoarthritis: The ability to maintain the appropriate weight and consume fresh vegetables and fruits are a really good source of vitamins D and C. Consumption of calcium is very important, adults must consume about 1000-1500mg calcium every day, exercising daily is a must and one must avoid injuries that may damage the joints.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Powered by WordPress