Tag: relaxation

A Look at Arthritis Pain Relief

A Look at Arthritis Pain Relief
Dave Lavinsky

In a recent survey on pain conducted by the Stanford University Medical Center, arthritis pain was cited as the chief complaint among Americas seniors, with thirty-two percent of the senior population listing arthritis as the specific cause of their suffering. Arthritis does strike children and young adults as well, although it afflicts the mature segment of the population more frequently. It is estimated that 15% of the American adult population suffer from arthritis, and this number is rising, increasing the demand for arthritis pain relief.

Arthritis is a general term encompassing over 100 different medical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, the three most common being osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. It causes inflammation in the joints, tendons and ligaments. It manifests in every part of the body, ranging from mild joint stiffness to crippling disability. Sufferers experience the pain of arthritis differently, too; for some, arthritis is at it is most severe upon waking up, while others report that their condition worsens throughout the day. No one knows exactly what causes arthritis, but it is among the oldest of human afflictions.

The type of arthritis and intensity of the condition determine the course of treatment. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are traditional and alternative treatments that can bring arthritis pain relief. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are popular for treating arthritis pain. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often recommended for osteoarthritis patients with little or mild inflammation, while aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen work best for patients with inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis.

The healing touch of massage may stimulate the flow of blood, bringing heat and relief to stiff joints. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, relaxation, yoga, and even emu oil are have proven effective for many arthritis sufferers.

Heat and cold can help alleviate pain too, but since moist heat, such as that from a bath, acts differently than the dry heat of a heating pad or the cold of an ice pack, this type of treatment needs to be discussed with a doctor or physical therapist. Doctors also often recommend patients wear splints or braces to relieve joint pressure and protect them from further injury.

Another technique, called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), works by blocking nerve endings from sending pain messages to the brain, so that the pain is never felt! A small TENS device sends mild electrical pulses to the nerve endings of the painful area, which seem to scramble their message to the brain.

Medications top the list for long-term arthritis pain relief, and include several families of prescription drugs. Weight reduction, exercise, and stretching can all go a long way toward reducing stress on joints.

Surgery may be necessary for patients with severe arthritis. The operation may realign the joint or replace the damaged joint with an artificial one. Total joint replacement has resulted in dramatic arthritis pain relief and improved range of motion for many patients.

The most difficult but often the most effective pain reliever is establishing a healthy lifestyle – eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep at night, and daily exercise. All of these help ease the pain of chronic arthritis. Support groups, a good physician, and making the effort to stay informed about arthritis treatment often benefits of patients suffering from arthritis as well.
Pain Relief provides detailed information on arthritis, back, joint, lower back, natural, chronic, neck, sciatica, knee, fibromyalgia, and muscle pain relief. Pain Relief is the sister site of Acid Reflux Web.

A Stress-free Guide to Managing Stress

Anxiety is a condition that is neither welcome nor enjoyable. This condition can effectively reduce a persons productivity and ability to cope with various situations. Add to that the fact that periods of anxiety are uncomfortable and bring with it a host of nervous illnesses palpitations, cold flushes, clammy hands, and a boiling sense of dread in the pit of the stomach among others.

While it has been the subject of many studies and researches, scientists are agreed that anxiety is still not fully understood even today. However, as a result of their researches, they have been able to help people effectively manage and avoid anxiety.

1. Avoid Stress Stress is the greatest predisposing factor to anxiety attacks. If one is to avoid any anxiety-related illness, that person should reduce the amount of stressors experienced per day.

While not completely avoidable, one can at least create an environment where stress plays a lesser role on they body. Make sure you put the stressors that can be avoided away from your immediate vicinity. You could try lounging in an area that is peaceful and quiet.

You will be surprised at what a good five minutes of relaxation can do for a stressed-out body. You could also come up with good coping mechanisms for stress related issues. You could listen to soothing music, meditate, and do other relaxing activities.

2. Avoid Drinking and Other Substances Studies have shown that various substances can predispose one to bouts of anxiety. These substances play around with the normal balance of chemicals in the brain, effectively increasing the chance one acquires anxiety illness.

While some people drink or take drugs to soothe their nerves it actually has a counter-effect that will discourage those that do so. Drugs for example can increase the release of a chemical called dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine is a chemical that is associated with pleasure in the body. While activities such as sex and eating good food increase dopamine release anywhere from two to three times, drugs haywire the brain and cause an increase in dopamine anywhere from four to ten times.

While this may seem like a good thing for some people, this sudden and unwarranted increase in dopamine can actually cause havoc to the chemical balance of the brain. And while it makes those that take them giddy for some time, when a persons high wears off, the sudden loss of dopamine will induce a great amount of depression, stress, and anxiety.

3. Sleep Right People need the right amount of sleep to retain a calm, restive demeanor. If you have noticed, you are usually a lot crankier and anxious the day after you pull an all-nighter. This is because sleep is a necessity for good health physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

Not only is the amount of sleep important, but the regular schedule for it as well. If possible keep your sleep patterns regular, as an irregular pattern can cause an undue amount of stress and anxiety.

4. Eat Right The body needs certain nutrients to keep itself healthy. Not only does it need these nutrients for energy and building processes, it also needs certain nutrients to keep the chemical balance in the body at normal rates.

This makes the intake of healthy food important. The intake of the right kind of food is integral to the health and well-being of any person. Anxiety is, as studies have shown, directly related to diet.

Avoid taking food substances that can alter your body chemistry in the wrong way. Coffee and alcohol are some of the food stuffs that can play with ones chemical balance and cause anxiety as well.

Hair Loss: Stress Triggers

It is not surprising that one of the major factors leading to hair loss stems from stress. Extreme stress can affect several aspects of ones life and health, including causing hair if you suspect that stress is triggering your hair loss, then you will have to make changes in your lifestyle; otherwise you may well end up with bald patches on your head.

Stress can be triggered externally or internally. External situations come from the environment. Internal factors are linked to emotional responses such as depression, grief or resistance to change. If this stress is continuous and is not solved, it will begin to affect the way in which the body reacts.

Hair loss will often result as a reaction to the way in which stress impacts the balance in your body. When stress begins to take place in your body, the hormonal balance in your body is upset. There may be an excess production of hormones which may then go into the scalp area and causing your hair to fall out.

Usually, this hair loss will be noticeable after two to four months. You will be able to identify the hair loss by the thinning of your hair, bald spots or more hair falling out than usual.

To manage stress, you can use a variety of relaxation ways. Meditation techniques can be used to help you let go of daily problems. Massage therapy and going on a vacation are other ideas that you can adopt. You can also work on changing dietary habits and exercising regularly. If the problems are more external or related to a life-changing situation, there are a variety of places that will help you in working through the problem.

Hair loss due to stress triggers can be stopped pretty easily and quickly once you control your stress and ease the pressures that you face. Take comfort that hair loss is usually not permanent in these cases and hair tends to grow back after stress is reduced.

When you eliminate stress, the hormonal balance in your body is restored and production of particular nutrients is back at normal levels. In conclusion, it is important to get help and support quickly before hair is not lost completely.

7 Ways to Abetment Your Energy

In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.
7 Ways to Abetment Your Energy

Chitchat Count:
544

Summary:
Everyone would identical to feel more energetic during the day. You naturally go through periods of higher activity which contrasts with times of relaxation. The problem occurs when more energy and concentration is required than we can subsidize. Or when we try to sleep and cant. Follow these invaluable tips to a new you!

Keywords:
Osteopathic medicine, osteopathy, health, down home health, D. O., option medicine, medicine, womens health, holistic medicine prevention, preventive medicine, nutrition, OMM, osteopathic manipulation, choice treatments

Article Body:
Everyone would like to feel more energetic during the day. You naturally go through periods of higher activity which contrasts with times of relaxation. The problem occurs when more energy and concentration is required than we can give. Or when we go to sleep and cant. Follow these attractive tips to a new you!

1 ) Stay on a regular sleep schedule. You cant stay up late during the week – term again suddenly on Monday morning wake reinforcement refreshed. If you do enjoy later nights on Friday and Saturday vow to get to bed early on Sunday to wake up rested.

2 ) Avoid the sugar and caffeine roller coaster. Eat some protein and foods with a bit of fat in the morning. The brain needs protein and the body does not store it. You dont have to eat very much – a glass of low fat milk, a piece of cheese, or a handful of nuts will get you going instead of pure carbohydrates like a plain bagel.

3 ) Take a 5 – 10 minute power nap around lunch. Even if you just close your eyes and let your mind drift you will be refreshed for the afternoon. This is also effective anytime you feel yourself not concentrating, reading the same material over and over. Give in to the urge and completely relax for a few moments.

4 ) Drink besides imbue and liquids. I know, everyone says to board in addition fluids. But most Americans are in a constant state of dehydration from filling up on coffee, tea, and sodas with caffeine. This is very stressful to the kidneys and can produce irritation to the bladder. Stack a sports bottle filled with your favorite flavored water or just plain and keep it with you at all times. Set a destination – solitary by lunch, refill, reclusive again by the bit work is over. Carry plenty of water in the car too because you and your family.

5 ) Liveliness regularly. This is easier said than done with a busy schedule. A poor conditioning level causes you to be short – of – breath and your heart to race when just doing simple things like climbing a bound of steps or doing home chores. Park farther away when shopping and walk Dust crucify that exercise machine or get an exercise tape to play when weather is bad. Set an example for the rest of your family and conceivably they will join in too!

6 ) A joke a day keeps the doctor away. Seriously, laughter has many beneficial effects on the body. The brain chemicals for experiencing pleasure, happiness, and stillness merger with good, hearty laughs. Live alone? Get a funny movie or timepiece a light – hearted comedy on tv. Nothing satirical or put – down, however.

7 ) Avoid confrontations and situations with negative people. You know who they are. They are not going to change but they bequeath bear you and your vein forsaken. The complainers, gossipers, and generally unhappy souls we all have to deal with on a day – to – day basis drain our energy if we allow them. Be polite but avoid arguing or recipient hooked into listening to their constant problems.

8 ) Take regular, prevalent supplements of the highest level. Our food besides diets simply do not meet the amounts needed for maximum health. Professional is a separation between avoiding nutritional deficiencies and optimum performance.

This article’s coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.