Tag: Diet Medication

No Pain, No Gain Isn’t True of Arthritis, But Exercise

No Pain, No Gain Isn’t True of Arthritis, But Exercise Is Still Important
David Silva

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin DiseasesRecent studies have shown that exercise may acually help people with arthritis in a number of ways. It can reduce joint pain and stiffness. It can increase flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance. And it can also help with weight reduction and contribute to an improved sense of well-being.Most comprehensive arthritis treatment plans should include an exercise regiment. Rest and relaxation, proper diet, medication, and instruction about proper use of joints and ways to conserve energy (that is, not to waste motion), as well as the use of pain relief methods should also be included in treatment plans.What types of exercises are best for people with arthritis? Try these three:Range-of-motion exercises to help maintain normal joint movement, relieve stiffness, and increase flexibility.Strengthening exercises to help keep or increase muscle strength. Strong muscles help support and protect joints affected by arthritis.Aerobic or endurance exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, and improve overall function. Weight control can be important to people who have arthritis because extra weight puts extra pressure on joints. As always, people with arthritis should discuss their options with their doctors before starting on an exercise program. Easy, range-of-motion exercises and low-impact aerobics are gennerally a good way to get started. And make sure to ask your doctor about any sports or exercise programs in which you currently participate. Some programs may do more harm than good.You should also be aware that your doctor may decide to refer you to a physical therapist. A therapist with experience in arthritis can design an appropriate home exercise program and teach you about pain-relief methods, proper body mechanics, joint protection, and conserving energy.So what’s the best way to get going? First, always first, discuss your exercise plans with your doctor.Next, start with supervision from a physical therapist or a qualified athletic trainer.Apply heat to sore joints.Stretch and warm up with range-of-motion exercises.Start strengthening exercises slowly with small weights (a 1 or 2 pound weight can make a big difference).Progress slowly.Use cold packs after exercising.Add aerobic exercise.Ease off if joints become painful, inflamed, or red and work with your doctor to find the cause and eliminate it.Like any exercise program, choose a program you enjoy and make it a habit.Range-of-motion exercises should be done at least every other day. Strengthening exercises also should be done at least every other day unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints. Endurance exercises should be done for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints.Additional information on arthritis and exercise can be found at the following resources:Arthritis FoundationThe Foundation publishes a free pamphlet on exercise and arthritis and a monthly magazine for members that provides up-to-date information on all forms of arthritis. http://www.arthritis.orgAbout Arthritis TodayInformation on the causes, symptoms, and treatments of arthritis.http://www.aboutarthritistoday.com/arthritisexercise/Spondylitis Association of America (SAA)SAA sells books, posters, videotapes, and audiotapes about exercises for people who have arthritis of the spine.http://www.spondylitis.orgAmerican College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health ProfessionalsThis association provides referrals to physical therapists who have experience designing exercise programs for people with arthritis. The organization also provides exercise guidelines developed by the American College of Rheumatology.http://www.rheumatology.org About the Author
About Arthritis Todayhttp://aboutarthritistoday.com

What is a Healthy Diet with Fish Oil Supplements?

What is really a healthy diet with fish oil supplements, is actually and simply an eating lifestyle that balances the body’s weight and getting the correct nourishment.

A healthy diet with fish oil supplements is an important factor in determining your overall health condition, and when coupled with physical activity, a diet regimen is a key factor in establishing your weight level.

One of the major reasons why people go on a diet is due to obesity, which increases the risk for cardio-vascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, kidney and liver problems, among many others.

These are alarming health risks that require one to go on a diet, not just for aesthetic purposes.

But going on a healthy diet with fish oil supplements as a regimen can be a surmountable task for many, and it is important to get expert opinion on how to go about a healthy diet with fish oil supplements.

Common pitfalls that accompany dieting is lack of time for food preparation, random food selections, food starvation or deprivation, skipping meals, diet medication and incorrect diet practices.

People should understand that healthy diet with fish oil supplementing should not be a daunting task, since it will not be very difficult to seek guidance on getting the proper nutritional information for all food items.

Firstly, try to make use of the tons of nutritional information you find on food labels, since this will give you first-hand information about the nutritional values of the foods you would like to include in your diet.

It’s a good thing that we now live in an age where technology allows us to break down components found in food and identifying each element and their corresponding values for nutrition.

Secondly, always subscribe to natural means of nutritional sourcing. Prefer fortified nutritional health supplements derived from fruit or vegetable extracts compared to synthetic vitamin or mineral sources. You guarantee yourself with less risk from adverse effects with natural supplements compared to synthetic ones.

Thirdly, condition yourself to follow through on your diet regimen. A hastily crafted diet regimen plus a half-hearted decision to pursue a diet regimen could only last you a couple of weeks, or even just days. Long-term planning and a dogged determination to push through with your diet regimen is a vital key to a successful and healthy diet with fish oil supplements program.

Fourthly, try to establish a diet program partner or a support group to keep you motivated. Indeed, pursuing a diet regimen by oneself is generally a lonesome task that could only lead to your diet program going down the drain. It is best to have someone help you monitor your diet program development, since feedback and motivational support can help you move on and keep you challenged to finish your diet regimen program.

Try to also put some fun into our diet regimen program, this will help you have a more enjoyable program that you could keep on to the end, rather than a diet program that causes you to suffer or have misgivings about what you may have given up to pursue your diet regimen.

Lastly, couple your diet program with a supplementary exercise pattern. Physical activity is still the best way to help you hasten your diet regimen, since you get to burn more calories.

Your best resource is your physician or nutrition expert, they can provide you with vital information on what diet program you could subscribe to that could suit you best.

Always be careful when you want to go pursue a diet regimen, it pays to know what is best and save yourself the trouble of regretting something that you would not expect to happen to you.

So why not try a healthy lifestyle with fish oil supplements?