Arthritis Patients: Do You Need Surgery?

If you have recently been diagnosed with arthritis or if you suspect you have it, thoughts of surgery may automatically pop into your head. Yes, some patients must undergo surgery, but it is actually very rare. Despite the common belief, it is possible to treat and manage the symptoms of arthritis, such as joint paint, swelling, and difficulty moving, without surgery.

When is surgery considered an option?

Unbearable Pain. When the pain is so severe that over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription pain relievers do not work, surgery may be the last resort. Overtime, our bodies get use to the pain relievers we ingest. Overtime the Tylenol that once provided with you with relief, may no longer do so. If and when that point arrives, speak to your doctor about prescribed medications. He or she will likely want to try those first before opting for surgery.

Joint damage. The elderly and those who let their arthritis go untreated are susceptible to joint damage. This includes deformities. For example, a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis may have bent out of shape fingers. This not only looks different, but it is excruciating in terms of pain. Surgery can be used to correct these deformities and other severe joint damage.

What type of procedures may be performed?

Arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive surgery and a great alternative to open surgery. A small incision is made in the skin. Then, a thin viewing instrument, known as an arthroscope is inserted. Its destination? The painful joint. Many surgeons use this procedure to diagnose a problem and decide on a course of treatment. It can also be used to perform small surgeries. It has many benefits, including less pain, lower costs, and less hospitalization. So, if you need surgery, offer an arthroscopy as a suggestion.

Arthrodesis. This surgery is very rare, as there is a high risk of complications. And, it results in a permanent disability. So, why is it even offered? It is the only hope of pain relief for some individuals. These individuals have a diseased joint that cannot be fixed any other way. Pain and swelling are common and unmanageable. Arthrodesis involves fusing two bones into a joint. This prevents joint movement. For many, this is a last and only resort.

Joint replacement. Joint replacement surgeries are common with the shoulders, knees, and hips. With joint replacement surgeries, the ends of nearby bones are replaced. This results in new joint surfaces. It will take time and physical therapy, but most patients experience a reduction and pain and an increase in mobility. For the fingers and toes, joint replacement is less common. Typically, surgeons opt for the fusion of smaller joints, as opposed to total replacement.

What are the alternatives to arthritis related surgery?

It depends. For starters, how severe is your arthritis? When were you diagnosed? The earlier osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are diagnosed, the easier it is to treat without surgery. Exercise is vital. Yes, it is difficult to move your joints, so exercise may seem like it is out of the question, but it is not. Start with low impact exercises or opt for water exercises or physical therapy. The more a joint is moved, the less stiffness you experience. This can later reduce the chance of deformities.

As for the pain, remember that surgery is only used as a last resort. First, try over-the-counter pain pills and cream or ask for stronger prescription medications. Heat also helps many. Soak in a warm bath daily or use a heating pad. Although there is little scientific proof to back these claims, many arthritis patients report long-term relief with continued use of natural remedies and supplements, including cayenne pepper, pineapples, ASU, and ginger.

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Holmes Air Purifiers: Reviewed

When it comes to buying an air purifier, or any product for that matter, many individuals make the decision to stick to a name or a brand that they know. Although this can work out in some cases, it doesnt in all. In fact, it may be difficult to do with air purifiers. This is because so many air purifiers have been developed that it is often hard to keep track or familiarize yourself with all of them. This doesnt mean that an air purifier made by a company that you have never heard of before isnt good; it just means that you are unfamiliar with it.

When it comes to air purifiers that you may be unfamiliar with, one brand is Holmes. Although Holmes air purifiers come highly rated, it is a name that most individuals are relatively unaware of. If you are aware of the Holmes product line, which not only includes air purifiers, but fans, heaters, and humidifiers, you are advised to familiarize yourself with these lines of products, before making your next purchase. This will give you the opportunity to possibly find an amazing, yet affordable air purifier, which you may have previously been unaware of.

Holmes has two main types of air purifiers. These air purifier types are known as Harmony air purifiers, as well as HEPA air purifiers. In addition to these two specific product types, you will find that there are number of different models available for sale. Despite the difference in models, you will find that many of these Holmes air purifiers offer the same level of protection.

With the Holmes Harmony air purifiers, you will find that you have a number of different models, as mentioned above. Some of these models come in a shape, such as a tower fan, while others are smaller in size, and others are even a little bit large in size. The smaller, compact air purifiers, including the tower fans, tend to sell for around fifty dollars. These affordable air purifiers are ideal for smaller sized rooms. If you are looking for an air purifier that is designed to clean the air inside a larger room, you will want to examine another Harmony model.

There are a couple of Holmes Harmony air purifiers that are designed specifically for larger rooms. If you are looking to clean the air in a large room or multiple rooms, you may want to learn more about these types of air purifiers. As you might already assume, the Holmes Harmony air filters, which are designed for larger rooms, tend to cost more money. With air purifiers, this is quite common. On average, the Holmes Harmony air purifiers, for larger rooms, tend to sell for around two hundred dollars.

Aside from the Holmes Harmony models, you should also be able to find air purifiers from Holmes that use HEPA air filters and HEPA technology. Like all other air purifiers, you will find that these purifiers come in a number of different shapes, sizes, and styles. The Holmes HEPA air purifiers tend to retail for around one hundred dollars, depending the size and style of the air purifier.

With the Holmes Harmony air purifiers, as well as the HEPA air purifiers, you need to know that replacement filters are needed. The cost of these replacement filters will vary, depending on the type of air purifier you own. As well as the cost of the filters, the number of times that you need to replace the filters will all depend on which type of air purifier you purchase. For additional information on replacement filters, you are advised to select a specific Holmes air purifier and then further research that purifier.

If you are interested in learning more about the air purifier products available for sale by Holmes, you are advised to examine their online company website. That online website can be found at www.holmesproducts.com.

Health: Weight Loss: How and Why You Shouldnt Have

Health: Weight Loss: How and Why You Shouldnt Have to Go Though It Alone

Are you a woman who is looking to lose weight? Whether you are interested in losing weight to improve your physical appearance, your health, or both, you may be feeling a little bit hopeless. While many women are able to lose weight when they want to do so, others have a little bit harder time. If you are finding it difficult to lose weight, it may be because you are trying to go about losing weight all on your own.

When it comes to weight loss, there are many women who find it easier, as well as less embarrassing, to doing their own weight loss program from home. While it is more than possible to exercise and workout by yourself, do you know that you dont have to? In fact, many women who have a workout partner or a workout buddy find it easier to lose weight than going at it along. Two popular reasons as to why those who have a workout partner or a workout buddy see success is because of support and motivation.

As nice as it is to hear that you should think about getting a workout buddy or a workout partner, to help you exercise and to help you lose weight, you may be wondering where that person may come from. Unfortunately, many women do not realize that they dont actually have to look very far. If you are married or if you have a romantic partner, you may want to think about asking them to join you. Even if your partner isnt a fan of exercising and working out, you can place a quality time, spin on it. In fact, if your partner is a little bit overweight or out of shape themselves, they may even want to join you in your weight loss adventures. This is the ultimate show of support.

In addition to a romantic partner, you may want to think about asking any of your friends or family members if they would like to be your workout buddy or workout partner. When approaching your friends or family members, it is important to not focus on their weight or their physical appearance. Unfortunately, many women make the mistake of assuming that those that they know who are already in perfect shape wouldnt have any reason to exercise, but you may be surprised. For that reason, you are advised to ask any friends or family members that you know to join you when you workout.

If you have asked those that you know to join you as a workout buddy or a workout partner and you have still come up empty handed, you may want to consider joining a weight loss program. Locally operated weight loss programs are ideal, as you often get membership perks, like access to proven exercises, as well as healthy meals. Another benefit to joining a locally operated weight loss program is the support from other members. There is a good chance that one or more of your other weight loss program members would love to join you when you exercise.

If and when you get a workout buddy, it may be a good idea to spice up, your exercises a bit. For instance, you may want to let your workout buddy or partner choose your exercises or activities for one day and then you choose for the next. This may help to keep your exercises fun and exciting.

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Inherit Bad Cholesterol-Dont Always Blame Your Parents

While it is possible to inherit bad cholesterol, a condition that is called familial hypercholesterolemia, it can also be caused by many lifestyle factors which you have more control over.

So, whether you inherit bad cholesterol or you have it from certain lifestyle choices you’ve made… or both, you have several options open to you to get your cholesterol levels back down to safer levels.

Your first stop needs to be your doctors office. Your doctor can not only do a blood test to let you know if your cholesterol levels are where they should be, he can also help guide you through the choices of treatment options if your levels aren’t where they should be.

Cholesterol can be both “good” and “bad”. Ideally, you want normal levels of both but many people have too little of the good (HDL) and too much of the bad (LDL).

If you are worried about taking too many medications you don’t need to, you may have other options when it comes to lowering your bad and raising your good cholesterol.

Here are the things you need to keep an eye on:

1. Eat better. Don’t eat a lot of foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Instead, start eating more foods that are low in fat and high in fiber like fruits and vegetables.

2. Get more exercise. It’s as simple going for a walk everyday. Eventually, as you get stronger and in better shape, you can add other forms of exercise to your routine.

You don’t ever have to start training for marathons, and you may even start to find that you actually like to workout. It may sound crazy now, but it is true.

Once you start seeing the results and start getting stronger you may find that you like it and can’t wait to workout.

3. Combine these things and you can accomplish another thing that can help you keep your cholesterol levels in check: get to the proper weight.

It’s no big secret that eating better and getting more exercise can really help you shed the pounds.

And, when you are at the proper weight, continuing with these good habits will help you maintain that healthy weight.

You do have other options than just taking medication to control your cholesterol. If, after talking to your doctor, you both decide that medication is your best course of action than that is what you must do.

But, if you can, you may want to try one or more of these other options to get and keep your cholesterol at the proper level.

You can use these things on their own or combine them with a medication. Since many medicines can have some possibly serious side effects, you may want to try to get the results you want without having to rely on prescription medications.

Even if you inherit bad cholesterol you can still live a healthy life and get and keep your cholesterol under control. Just be willing to talk to your doctor and work with him to get the best combination of medications and diet and exercise to get your ideal cholesterol level.