Tuesday 8 June 2010

Precautions To Take After Total Hip Replacement Surgery

With reference to the reports that have been obtained in case of total hip replacement surgery, it has been found that more and more people are going for surgical treatment for hip joint disorders. Thus, the measures for prevention of hip breakdown or hip dislocation have also come into focus so that it may serve to be beneficial for the fast recovery of the patients. However, it has been observed in most of these cases that the traditional procedure is followed during the surgery. The traditional method of the surgery entails a posterior or lateral (side) approach in order to access the entire hip joint.
    
However, the most significant thing to be taken into consideration when it comes to lateral traditional form of total hip replacement is that the chance of your hip breakdown or hip dislocation is greater than as compared to the minimally invasive anterior approach. It has been, however, observed that the cases of hip dislocation following this surgery are only a few, but still there are certain measures for the prevention of hip breakdown that are to be followed by the patient with immediate effect as soon as the surgery is completed. These tips are actually provided by the physical/occupational therapists of the patients as they are who know their proper condition at that particular point of time.

The new hip of the patients needs specific period of time to heal in its accurate place. The most probable period is the first 6 weeks following the surgery. During this period after the total hip replacement surgery, the hip muscles and bones of the patients heal up around their new hip joint so that it gets adjusted to its right place. The most important measures that you need to keep in mind for prevention of hip breakdown or hip dislocation include no turning of your toes inward, no crossing your legs, and the angle of bending your new hip must not exceed 60-90 degrees.
       
The next important precaution that the patients need to take for prevention of hip breakdown after total hip replacement surgery is to avoid bending down to pick up something from the floor or access a low cupboard while standing. There are certain devices called reachers that can help you in picking up things from the floor. The occupational therapists will, however, suggest and train you with different equipments that you can use to perform multiple tasks like putting on your socks, shoes, and pants. Thus, it may be stated that for fast recovery, the patients must follow the tips and guidelines as specified by their therapists.

Monday 7 June 2010

Diet & Gout Management

Most people don't know that one of the major triggers of gout is diet. Although gout can be as a result of factors other than diet, some foods and beverages - ones high in purines are known to be contributing factors behind gout attacks. To avoid future flare-ups and to manage your condition, it is vital that you know what gout foods to avoid.

As a rule of thumb, foods that are high in purines are those that are most likely to cause a spike in the levels of urates in your bloodstream and therefore trigger an attack. Purines are a chemical which are found naturally in the body as well as in certain foodstuffs. When the purines are broken down in the digestive system they are converted into uric acid and urate.

Amongst the list of foods high in purines there are some which are well known to be "risk" foods. These include items such as offal and organ meat - liver, kidneys and heart. There are also some which are at odds with recent studies into a healthy diet. These include most seafood, oily fish such as sardines, mussels and shellfish. Whilst these are promoted as beneficial to cardiac health, they are all on the list of offenders when it comes to gout.

You may have heard rumors about how red wine is also bad for gout, think again before you break open the celebratory bottle of beer. Red wine is actually relatively moderate in purine levels and conversely beer is very high and likely to promote an attack of gout. Surprisingly carbonated soft drinks with artificial sweeteners fare no better - they have an above average pH level and therefore are to be avoided or at least consumed in moderation. As an aside it can be noted that a lot of processed foods and those containing artificial sweeteners are on the cusp of being risk foods when it comes to gout including most sweets, jellies, white pasta and foods with high levels of processed white flour. Where possible, if you are prone to attacks of gout then in reality it is best to try avoid these foods totally or take a calculated gamble and have them in very moderate portions.

So the question is what can you eat and avoid gout and what are the gout foods to avoid? Again the word is moderation in all types of food but if you eat some of the following in reasonable quantities you should be ok.
From the meat counter, veal, pork, turkey, are all middling in purines - you do not need to avoid them totally but some restraint must be exercised when consuming them. If you like fish - anchovies, trout, salmon, scallops and haddock are similarly high but relatively safe in MODERATION. Most fresh fruits, vegetables are good for you, and in fact some foods such as cherries have a positive impact on purine levels.

I think the obvious thing is the total avoidance of foods that have been overly processed - the processes and additives in the processed foods appearing to have a negative impact on the purine and/or pH levels of the foodstuff.

4 Quick Tips You Can Use To Reduce Arthritis Knee Pain

The treatments to mitigate the severity of the symptoms of arthritis knee pain have become more effective and the outlook is much better than even ten years ago. Lost mobility in the knee joint can be restored by doing flexibility and strengthening exercises. The symptoms of this condition vary greatly from one person to another. So, modern treatment protocols need to be customized for each individual.
Avoid standing for prolonged periods as it may exacerbate the knee pain arthritis to a great extent. Taking adequate rest and keeping the knee joint protected from unwanted stress is the first step that you need to take.

Regular exercise will help you to remain active and will strengthen the bones in the knees. Most of us make the mistake of thinking that exercises cannot help once we start experiencing knee pain. You can also apply a soothing cream over the affected knee joint to enable an increased blood flow to the connective tissues in the knee joint.

Complementary therapies like food supplements with glucosamine sulfate and fish oil have been successfully proven to be effective in treating arthritis knee pain. The major advantage of undergoing treatment with these complementary therapies is that they benefit the overall structure of connective tissues in the knee joints and help you avoid further degeneration.

A heat pad held to the painful joint may relieve the pain and stiffness in the joints. You can also use a walking stick or frame to take off the weight from the painful knees. It is very important that you try to remove the stress from your knees and leg by finding time to relax while undergoing long stretches of strenuous activity. An occupational therapist can prove to be of great assistance as they would be able to analyze your daily routine and suggest simple ways by which you can reduce the stress on the knee joints. This advice could help you avoid future problems with arthritis knee pain.

Sunday 6 June 2010

Treat Gout The Right Way

Gout or gouty arthritis is a painful condition that presents itself with joint swelling, due to excess uric acid in the blood which crystallizes into one's joints, causing pain and making free movement extremely difficult during a gout flare up. You have gone to the physician's and you have tried all kinds of medications but nothing seems to work well against gout. You are in extreme pain and it is time that you did something to get immediate relief from gout.
The good news is that gout can be easily cured with the help of natural remedies. The better news is that you can treat gout at home. The best news is that it can begin to help today. This may seem impossible to you, but it is really true. I'm going to let you in on some home remedies known to eliminate the painful symptoms of gout, before you were inundated with this pain.

Just read this article and get yourself informed on how to treat gout efficiently and effectively.

1. Modify your diet. Avoid purine and uric acid-producing foods such as all meats, fish, and eggs; sugar, tea, coffee, white flour and its products; and all fried, canned, and processed foods. Instead, eat fruits, green and starchy vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk products. Do not drink alcohol, but drink lots of purified water, as it helps to flush out excess uric acid.

2. Take 3,000 milligrams of alfalfa daily in capsules or tablets form to treat gout. Alfalfa is an excellent source of minerals and other nutrients that help neutralize and reduce uric acid levels in the blood.

3. Use beneficial herbs, such as bilberry, devil's claw, yucca, yarrow, skullcap, juniper, chamomile, turmeric, boswellia and burdock can also be healthier alternatives to reduce your chances of getting gout.

4. Mix apple cider vinegar and honey, 2 spoonfuls each into an eight ounce glass of water and drink at mealtime. It can help in relieving some of the discomfort you have. The best ACV to use is organic, coming from a health foods store or specialty shop, as it is more purified and works more efficiently.

5. Apply cayenne (capsicum) powder, mixed with enough wintergreen oil to create a paste, to affected sites to relieve pain and inflammation. Do not rub your eyes accidentally when applying this mixture.

6. Eat cherries or drink a glass of unsweetened cherry juice daily to reduce your uric acid levels and get rid of the pain of the gout naturally.

This is in brief how you can treat gout naturally: follow an easy gout diet that eliminates purines and includes cherries and other herbs good for gout.

How to Overcome Arthritis

Arthritis is a severely debilitating disease. It means "joint inflammation", and more than one hundred rheumatic diseases are clubbed under the title of "arthritis". It can affect any body part, even though most commonly afflicting joints. Pain, stiffness and swelling of joints are the main symptoms, but arthritis can also impact muscles and bones. While generally associated with aging people, this disease can and does affect people of all ages, including youth and children. Treatment is absolutely necessary, because if allowed to aggrevate, the disease causes damage to joints and organs, which cannot be cured. Its incidence is more among women and chances of occurring increase with age.
The common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs in the joints, with the pressure and wear and tear, usually due to increasing age or obesity. Since more weight means more pressure on joints during day to day functioning, osteoarthritis patients get some relief with shedding of excess weight. Osteoarthritis causes swelling and tenderness of mainly joints of knees, hips, hands and the spine, but may gradually impact the surrounding areas also. Repeated activities involving the same joints also increases the likelihood of osteoarthritis impacting those particular areas.

Rheumatoid arthritis also has similar symptoms as those of osteoarthritis, but the cause is different. For various unknown reasons, the body itself attacks some of the cells lining the joints. It is an autoimmune disease and most often lasts for a long time. The cause for rheumatoid arthritis is probably genetic, because it is the body's own immune system that causes it. It is generally symmetrical in nature, that is, the same joints on both sides of the body get affected.

Juvenile arthritis, though not as common as the other two types, affects children. It has different symptoms and needs to be present for over a month and a half in order to be diagnosed accurately.

All forms of arthritis cause the patient to have decreased ability to use the affected joints. Daily activities are hampered. But often, more important is the psychological impact it has on individuals. We quite take for granted the use of all body parts that we are endowed with from birth. The wear and tear caused by pressure, repeated usage or excessive weight is not taken into account until arthritis sets in. When it does, it is very difficult for the affected person to come to terms with the fact that what could so far be done effortlessly would now be difficult to do, probably even impossible.

An early diagnosis can set in early medication and effective treatment. There are different categories of medications like painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Modern medicine also advocates alternative therapies like homeopathy, reiki and yoga. The best way to fight arthritis is to decide which one suits you the best and stick to a treatment routine. Some topical application preparations are also available to relieve arthritic joint pains. One may consider using any of these, after prior consultation with a doctor.

The ultimate and last resort for combatting arthritis is joint surgery. Doctors may recommend this for a long-suffering patient.

Saturday 5 June 2010

Arthritis - Lessen the Pain of an Arthritic Neck

Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis are the three main causes of neck arthritis.Joints on each side of the body are affected when a person has rheumatoid arthritis. This happens because the joint cartilage is inflamed, which gradually destroys it.

Neck arthritis is most often osteoarthritis, which over time means a wearing down of cartilage in the neck.
A breakdown of the material between the bones is responsible for this condition. Multiple stress injuries that produce hyper-extension or hyper flexion of the neck can often result in the development of post-traumatic arthritis at some time in the future. Symptoms may not develop until years after an injury.

Heredity is also a factor when someone gets arthritis. Certain genes can cause a person to develop neck arthritis. Because of the aging body's decreased healing ability, people over 40 are more susceptible to arthritis of the neck.

Damage to your neck when you were younger could result in arthritis of the neck later on. Arthritis of the neck can develop because of previous neck injuries that were sustained.

How To Tell Whether You Have Arthritis of the Neck
When the neck aches or is stiff, that's a good sign that the neck may be arthritic. Because of the force of gravity on the spine, symptoms could be more severe with standing than they are with lying down.
Symptoms can feel worse during sleep, because that's when the muscles let go and can't support the spine in their relaxed state. Those with this condition can also have neurological symptoms such as tingling, numbness, weakness or achiness of the arms and hands.

An additional symptom is having a headache, especially one that is felt in the back of the head. Less blood flow to the brain may mean that patients get dizzy or lose balance when the disease has progressed.

Neck Arthritis Management
How bad the symptoms are, and the root causes which are discovered, are both used in determining the kind of treatment.
Most of the time, exercise will help arthritis of the neck, but just make sure they're recommended by either a medical doctor or a licensed physical therapist. At night, when the spinal structures are not being supported by relaxed neck muscles, wearing a collar bone will provide extra support and help reduce the inflammation.
The symptoms can also be addressed by following an anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritis diet. Minor bouts with neck arthritis can be adequately treated with heat, massage, ice, and targeted exercises.

Another way to deal with arthritis of the neck is to inject anesthetic at trigger points, including a painful muscular band. Radio-frequency neurotomy can be done on those who have neck pain that's chronic. Other things that can be taken to relieve neck arthritis are Tylenol or Advil, but these should be taken with a doctor's consent.

Friday 4 June 2010

Latest Discoveries That Can Reduce Joint Pain

Even some of the most healthiest looking people can be susceptible to pain in the joints, simply through overuse or general wear and tear. And when it comes to joint relief, supplements are usually your best option.In this article, we'll take a look at a few of the joint supplements that are available that you may consider incorporating into your diet:

Glucosamine: Glucosamine is a well known supplement for reducing pain from osteoarthritis, and has also been proven to increase the pain-reducing effects of ibuprofen. Be aware that the supplement can cause side effects for diabetics, and you shouldn't take it if you're allergic to shellfish.

Collagen Hydrolysate: Collagen Hydrolysate is another relatively common supplement for joint relief among arthritis suffers. Studies have even shown that many patients taking the supplement were also able to reduce their use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Fish Oil: Specifically, Omega-3 is highly recommended for arthritis sufferers. If you're not already incorporating fatty fish into your diet, you may consider taking it in supplement form. Again, there can be side effects. Omega-3 acts as a blood thinner, so definitely consult with your doctor if you're already taking prescribed blood thinners.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM is an organic sulphur compound found in fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as animals and humans. Some small-scale human studies have found that MSM can provide joint relief for arthritis sufferers.

Green Tea Extract: As well as providing many other benefits to the consumer, green tea is supposed to be good for arthritis sufferers in that it can reducing inflammation and slow cartilage breakdown. A recommended dose would be 2 - 3 cups of brewed green tea a day, but if you would prefer, you can also take it in supplement form.

Curcumin: Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric, and is shown to decrease inflammation by reducing histamine levels. Turmeric is very commonly used in curries, but unless you want be eating curry every day, again, it's available in supplement for.

So these are just some of the supplements available that are shown to be greatly effective for joint relief among arthritis patients. As with anything medical related, please do consult a doctor before taking any new supplement, as it's important that you take the right dosage.

Thursday 3 June 2010

Can PERNOL Be The Product That Will Eliminate Pain and Ease the Suffering From Arthritis?

In my research to find a lasting cure to arthritis, I came across a very interesting article recently, and I will not fail to share it with you. Arthritis and Joint Pain are a debilitative disease which cause misery and frustration to your every day life. But with the discovery of Pernol, there is hope that you could have your life back from arthritis. Here is my finding:

Pernol is described as "The arthritis miracle from the sea", that will eliminate joint pain, aid joint lubrication and ease your suffering, to enable you to regain your mobility and quality of life once more.
So what is it? The main active ingredient is a patented, highly purified 99% stabilised pharmaceutical grade oil, extracted from the Green Lipped Mussels (Perna canaliculus) which are exclusive to the New Zealand coastline along the South Island. It is a unique chronic joint pain and inflammation product new which completely alleviates inflammation, eliminating swelling, pain, joint stiffness, lack of mobility, irritation and the wearing down of cartilage.

For generations the native coastal Maori population of New Zealand has consumed raw Greenlipped Mussels as a primary part of their diet. Coastal dwelling Maoris, who regularly consumed the Green Lipped Mussel as part of their diet, suffered from practically no arthritis when compared to their inland dwelling relatives or other New Zealanders of European origin.

The Green Lipped Mussel possesses rich Omega-3 essential fatty acids which are unique to its species. The presence of this source of essential fatty acids provides the mussel with potent anti-inflammatory activity. This can be passed on to consumers when the mussel or its concentrated pure oil is as the mussel acts as a unique filtration system extracting crucial and essential nutrients that have shown to provide phenomenal pain relief, aid joint lubrication and act as powerful anti-inflammation agents.

The main active ingredient of Pernol is a patented, highly purified 99% stabilised pharmaceutical grade oil, extracted from the Green Lipped Mussels ( Perna canaliculus ) which are exclusive to the New Zealand coastline along Marlborough Sounds area of the South Island. This unique chronic joint pain and inflammation formulation can alleviate inflammation, eliminate swelling, pain, joint stiffness, lack of mobility, irritation and the wearing down of cartilage.

A key component in combating and relieving arthritis pain and inflammation is the Concentrated Natural Oil Blend of Salmon Oil, Fish Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Lemon Oil and Celery Seed Oil. This blend, combines with and aids the 99% Green Lipped Mussel Oil Extract, to provide the crucial natural oil blend to ensure optimum joint lubrication and overall joint health.

So is there any medical proof? Clinical test studies carried out in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the University of Adelaide in Australia using concentrated extracts of Green Lipped Mussel Oil have shown positive results in relieving arthritic conditions by inhibition of the principal human inflammatory pathway known as "the lipoxygenase pathway". Both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis patients showed a significant improvement with 79% of rheumatoid patients and 80% of osteoarthritic patients benefitting significantly from taking concentrated Green Lipped Mussel Oil Extract.

There are no known side effects or interactions with any other form of medication. Due to its unique anti-inflammatory action on the respiratory airways, it is also fantastic for Asthma sufferers.

Saturday 22 May 2010

Arthritis Joint Pain - Ways to Manage Pain

Arthritis is often considered as a single condition. The fact is that arthritis is the name given to a set of conditions which leads to swelling up (or more technically inflammation) of the joints of the body. There are over a hundred rheumatic conditions and a few other non-rheumatic conditions which are collectively known as arthritis.
It is likely to affect people who are involved in physical or manual labor. Due to the wear and tear of the various joints in the body one could develop arthritis. This is more commonly known as Osteoarthritis. This affects hips, hands, knees and spine leading to chronic pain. One other important variant of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. It is similar to some of the autoimmune diseases like lupus. The body starts attacking the cells that are present in the joints mistaking them for foreign agents!
Arthritis in theory can affect people of all ages. The statistics suggest that people above the age of 50 have a high likelihood of getting this disease. Early detection of arthritis is absolutely necessary as they could lead to debilitating and fatal medical conditions, if left untreated.
It is not difficult to identify arthritis early. Symptoms usually include fatigue, joint pain, muscle stiffness and weight loss. But these symptoms could be indicators of other medical conditions as well. A combination of these issues usually warrants a check up with your physician who is likely to identify an arthritis condition easily.
It is very important to understand that arthritis is neither fatal by itself nor curable completely. The first thing that you should do if you have arthritis is to understand your limitations and adjust your lifestyle accordingly. You should be ready to acclimatize yourself to chronic pain!
There are a lot of medications for reducing pain. Biological response modifiers, non steroid pain killers, selective inhibitors and glucocorticoids are some of the options. Almost all of these medications involve deadening or inhibiting the transmission of pain impulses. But there have been a lot of concerns raised over the side effects of these drugs. They are said to cause increased vulnerability to heart diseases at a later stage.
As an alternative to medicine you could try out some exercises with chiropractors. Some even like to resort to topical medicines like balms which greatly help to alleviate the pain by a substantial degree. Most of these medicines contain glucosamine and chondortin, both of which are used by the body to create cartilages which are the most important part of joints. The wear and tear faced by joints cause pain. If these two drugs are used they help to repair the torn cartilages making your joints healthy!

Friday 21 May 2010

12 Foods That Fight Arthritis Joint Pain

#1 - Cantaloupe
#2 - Mangoes
#3 - Papaya
#4 - Apples
#5 - Grapes
#6 - Fish
#7 - Anchovies
#8 - Nuts
#9 - Garlic
#10 - Curry
#11 - Chile peppers
#12 - Water
It's long been accepted by people all over the world that food has many more benefits that just nourishing our body and delighting our taste buds. Various foods have been used for millions of years, in every country in the world, to treat a variety of health issues, from gout to arthritis. These days, food is still used to treat conditions like arthritis, with the main difference being that these days, science can tell use exactly why certain foods work for treating the painful symptoms of arthritis. And it turns out that grandma was right about the following foods making her bones and joints feel better!
So let's talk fruits. Cantaloupe contains large amounts of Vitamin C and the plant version of Vitamin A, known as Beta Carotene. These vitamins have been found to control free radical damage that contributes to certain conditions in the body, including arthritis.
Mangoes also have Vitamin C and Beta Carotene, and also contain Vitamin E. And a benefit of mangoes is that they contain almost the entire recommended daily allowance of all three of these vitamins!
Papaya contains even more Vitamin C, at three time the recommended daily allowance, as well as Beta Carotene. Between these three tropical, sweet fruits you should be able to find one that delights your taste buds and fights arthritis!
And those aren't the only fruits that play a role in treating and/or preventing arthritis. Apples and grapes contain a mineral called boron, which is known to reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis. And by itself, boron has been shown to help build strong bones and reduce the pain of those who already have the disease.
So what else helps the symptoms of arthritis? Fish and nuts, in a nutshell! Nuts are another great source of boron, and fish and anchovies contain Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which as we know do a whole host of good thing for the body, including reducing joint pain and inflammation.
There are also certain spices that are shown to help with arthritic conditions. Garlic, for example, contains sulfur, which has long been used to treat arthritis. Curry contains quite a few powerful antioxidants that fight pain and inflammation, and chile peppers have capsaicin, which is commonly found in over the counter joint pain relievers.
And last but not least, water! Drinking eight glasses a day is the recommended amount, which in the case of arthritis, flushes uric acid from your body, thereby reducing pain.
Juicing is one of the most efficient ways to get a large amount of nutrients and vitamins into your diet. To learn more about this powerful health tool and to find out which stainless steel juicer is best visit Juicer Advisor and discover the benefits of juicing.