Tag: Proper Nutrition

Symptoms of Arthritis

Symptoms of Arthritis
John Robben

Symptoms of Arthritis

In a previous article, we discussed what Arthritis is and its
many forms, now it is time to take a look at the symptoms of
Arthritis. Arthritis shows up in various ways. Some of the first
symptoms include things like knees cracking when you stand up,
general pain or swelling around joints that lasts for more than
two weeks, you may also notice that pain in your joints
increases as you move, also you may notice increased stiffness
in your joints when you wake up in the morning, and your joints
may appear red and feel warm to the touch.

Some other symptoms of Arthritis include fever, a sense of
feeling tired all the time, even a feeling that you have the
flu. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is imperative
that you see your doctor or physician at once. Only a doctor can
truly diagnose whether you have Arthritis, and because there are
over 100 forms of Arthritis, it is also important to determine
which form of Arthritis you have. The different forms of
Arthritis have different symptoms as well. It is also important
to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, since Arthritis
has no known cure, the sooner you seek treatment and begin a
regimen of care, and the better your results of managing your
Arthritis will be. Your treatment plan may include things such
as a specific course of medicine, plenty of rest, adequate diet,
and proper nutrition, losing weight if you are overweight, and
in severe cases, surgery may be required. In future articles we
will look at treatment options, from Acupuncture to Zinc.

Is it Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis?

We’ve discussed that there are over 100 forms of Arthritis. The
most common forms are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and
Gout. All of these forms have different symptoms and require
testing by your physician for an accurate diagnosis. Here are
some of the symptoms and differences between Rheumatoid
Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis Typically begins in one Joint Osteoarthritis
Typically affects only the Joints Osteoarthritis does not
affect Internal Organs Osteoarthritis affects Cartilage
Osteoarthritis causes Stiffness in the Joints when waking in the
Morning Osteoarthritis is a Result of Wear and Tear on the body

Osteoarthritis is a result of cartilage being broke down. As
this takes place, the bones rub together. This typically happens
in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Unfortunately, when the
pain sets in there has already been a substantial loss and
damage to the cartilage.

Rheumatoid Arthritis has different symptoms than Osteoarthritis.
Here are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Symptoms of
Rheumatoid Arthritis

Extreme Tiredness and Fatigue Low Grade Fever Muscle Pain
and Aches Appetite Loss Painful and Swollen Joints Redness
and Heat at the Joint Site

Typically, Rheumatoid Arthritis affects the joint of the body in
a symmetrical fashion. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systematic
disease and it often affects other organs in the body, and not
just joints.

The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis often appear, and then
enter a state of remission. There is no proven reason as to the
exact cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis, however it has been
suspected that bacteria, fungi, and infections may cause it.
There has also been evidence that Rheumatoid Arthritis is a
hereditary condition. It is also believed that certain triggers,
such as poor nutrition, stress, and infection can bring on
Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Stay tuned for our next article, “Osteoarthritis: Cause and
Treatments”.

About the author:
Written by John
Robben of Ultimate Water Massage, Inc. Providing Massage
Services and Pain Relief products. Visit our Arthritis Information
Center

Anxiety Stress Treatment

Everyone knows that working too hard and worrying too much are one of the causes of stress. Aside from taking pain killers and drugs such as Xanax or Buspar to relieve it, there are also natural treatments to treat anxiety.

One of the simplest things to do is maintaining a proper diet. This means not skipping meals and eating something that has a combination of carbohydrates and protein. The person should also minimize drinking coffee since a lot of tests have proven caffeine is a major cause of stress.

Food is just one of many things that can give the person proper nutrition. Since the average Joe cannot quantify this in each meal, this can be balanced with the use of nutritional supplements or vitamins. The bottle should contain things such as calcium, vitamin B complex, pantothenic acid or magnesium as part of its ingredients.

There was a time that people relied on artificial ingredients in supplements. Some doctors have discovered that taking herbs can also produce the same effects.

A good example is Kava which is found in Polynesia. This has the same natural ingredients found in drugs such as Xanax and Valium to relive stress. The big difference is that there are no side effects.

Another example is Valerian which is an herbal tranquilizer to treat those who are suffering from insomnia. This makes the person feel calm and isn’t habit forming compared to other drugs in the market. The individual can mix this with other herbs such as hops or passionflower if the smell is bad or the taste isn’t good.

Other herbs that can be used to treat anxiety disorder are lemon balm, skullcap, suma, chamomile and hops.

The person should first consult the doctor if it is safe to take these herbs. This could endanger children or those who are pregnant. The individual should be aware that improvements may happen in a matter of days or in some cases, a few weeks after usage.

Herbs don’t have to ingested every time one feels stressed. The person can go down to the store and buy some candles or oils and make this go away using aromatherapy. The oil used can be massaged in the scalp and temple while the rest is being burned.

Some examples of the oils used are rose, sandalwood, lavender, jasmine, cypress, bergamot, geranium and ylang-ylang.

The person may need some bodywork to relieve stress. A good masseur can relieve the muscle tension and stress which will help improve the individual sleep. There are various massage treatments such as swedish, shiatsu and thai that will work well with anyone that requires a rubdown.

Physical exercise is also another treatment used to treat stress. The person can walk, jog or run several times a week or play a game of basketball with friends. This will strengthen the heart and muscles which in turn will strengthen the person’s endurance at work.

Exercise doesn’t always have to be physical. The person can also release the tension from the body using mind and body breathing exercises commonly found in yoga, tai chi, meditation and bio feedback. This should be done whenever the individual feels stressed or daily.

The various treatments against anxiety stress shows that this can be overcome. The person should try these to find out which is the best to use regularly.

Pre Diabetes

Type II Diabetes has become somewhat of an epidemic of late. More and more people are being diagnosed with this potentially life threatening condition. Type II Diabetes usually sets on later in life, although more younger people are being diagnosed every day with this disease.

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 54 million people in the United States have pre diabetes. Pre diabetes is a condition in which the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered Type II diabetes. Although pre diabetes is not a full fledged disease, it can also cause complications in the heart and blood circulation if left untreated.

The good news about pre diabetes is that with proper nutrition and the care of a physician, you can avoid being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. The condition can reverse itself, but it does take work on the part of the individual, as well as compliance with the orders directed by your physician.

Obesity is also an epidemic in the United States and many in the medical community believe that this is contributory to the corresponding diabetic epidemic. It is the general consensus of the medical community that obesity is a precursor to Type II diabetes. Therefore, those who have pre diabetes can stave off the disease by making some healthy life choices that will eliminate their need for medication or insulin in later years.

One way to reverse the effects of pre diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight. This can be easily accomplished through diet and exercise. For those who feel that it is too much trouble to manage their weight or complain that they do not have the time to exercise, they need to realize that the time they spend exercising now can eliminate their time spent on dialysis. While not all people with diabetes experience kidney failure, many do. And when the kidneys fail, these patients must spend many hours each week, hooked up to a machine that functions as their kidneys.

Those who complain that they do not want to watch their diet can be reminded that it is easier to watch their diet than to inject themselves with insulin or monitor their blood glucose levels several times a day. Those who feel that foods that are rich in carbohydrates are less expensive than healthier alternatives can be reminded of the cost of medications and doctor visits for those who refuse to take control of their condition right away.

While some people are pre disposed to diabetes through genetic factors, others acquire this disease by eating too many bad carbohydrates, being inactive and not maintaining a healthy weight. If you have been told that you have pre diabetes, do not fret. You can reverse this condition. Begin an exercise regime, even if it only entails walking. Take a look at the Glycemic Index that explains which foods diabetics should avoid and follow these suggestions.

See your doctor about being put on a weight loss program and make certain that he or she continues to monitor your blood glucose levels. Pre diabetes does not have to turn into Type II diabetes. By developing a healthier lifestyle, you can reverse this condition and lead a longer, healthier life.