Your Guide To Managing Arthritis Pain

From Marilyn.ca

What is arthritis? Arthritis actually means joint inflammation. However, the definition of arthritis also includes rheumatic diseases, which are conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround joints and other connective tissues. There are more than 100 different types of the disease which share some element of joint and musculoskeletal pain. The pattern, severity and location of the symptoms can vary depending on the specific form of the disease. A common misconception of arthritis is that it is a condition of the elderly, when in fact 56% of Canadians with arthritis are under 65 years of age.

What are the most common types of arthritis?
First, osteoarthritis, also known as wear and tear syndrome, occurs when the cartilage or cushion between the joints breaks down leading to pain, stiffness and swelling. People with osteoarthritis have risk factors such as decreased function, muscle weakness and impaired balance; this makes them more likely to fall.
Next there is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system, which normally protects itself by attacks foreign substances like bacteria and viruses, mistakenly attacks the joints.

What are the causes of arthritis?
There are various causes of osteoarthritis, the most common are injury and overuse of the affected joints. Being overweight can also increase your risk.
For many forms of arthritis, the cause is unknown. Scientists are studying factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and environment in the various types of arthritis. There is no known cure of arthritis yet, but your pharmacist can help better manage it.

Here are four tips for managing arthritis:

1. Speak to your pharmacist about your medications effectiveness. Optimal use of your medications can be assessed and reviewed so you can get the most benefit from your therapy. In addition, many pharmacies have devices to make your life easier such as easy open prescription bottles, canes, bath rails and more.
2. Exercise. Natural endorphins will help with pain relief, improve mood and increase energy. Stretching and flexibility are important to maintain mobility.
3. Make a point to relax a little every day. Meditate and focus on things you enjoy. Getting a massage and having a good night’s sleep will help to reduce pain and keep stress at bay.
4. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. avoid comfort foods and weight gain. Do not turn to alcohol or smoking; they can worsen your symptoms.

Foods that can help ease symptoms

• Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. Eat 3-4 ounces, twice a week from fish like salmon and tuna.
• Whole grains, foods high in fibre. Quinoa, wild rice, lentils, and black beans all decrease c-reative protein which promotes inflammation in the blood.
• Nuts and soy products like tofu or edamame, and garlic and onions. They decrease cartilage damaging enzymes.
• Green tea can block the production of molecules that cause joint damage.

Foods to avoid: sugar, trans fats, white flour, white rice, gluten and casein. 

http://www.marilyn.ca/HealthFitness/segments/Daily/February2017/02_15_2017/ArthritisPain

Beat Arthritis by checking your teeth

From thenationonlineng.net

Gum/tooth disease is a common complaint that comes with aging, which is the reason many elderly people lose their natural teeth with age. One thing many physicians and their patients are yet to realize is that tooth/gum trouble is a symptom of a much more serious health challenge. Pain in the joints is a well known symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis, but a much less known fact is the relationship between arthritis and gum/tooth troubles. Physician/researcher Al Sears points this out when he says, “But one problem with modern medicine is that specialists often miss the bigger picture. Every part of your body is biologically connected. And what’s going on in your mouth can reveal a lot about your health.”
New research studies published in the Nature Reviews Rheumatology journal provide evidence to corroborate Sear’s theory. Sears states, “In a study published just a few weeks ago in the journal Nature Reviews Rheumatology, researchers followed 6,616 people for more than 10 years. They found that those who had moderate to severe gum disease had more than twice the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.”
Sears continues, “Other research suggests that clearing up gum disease could help prevent or treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine found that people who were treated for gum disease had significantly more improvement in their Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms than those who were only treated for their Rheumatoid Arthritis.”
There are a lot of bacteria in your mouth, something like 100 billion bacteria. The bacteria form a sticky film called plaque that hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar cause inflammation in your gums. If you have plaque and tartar build-up, your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth. But those bacteria can also travel around your body. And left unchecked, they can cause inflammation in other parts of your body, like in your joints.
The good news is that treating gum troubles could treat or prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine study found that people who were treated for gum disease had significantly more improvement in their RA symptoms than those who were only treated for their Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sears continues, “Scientists found that one of the bacteria involved in Periodontitis may trigger a process called citrullination. Researchers who study this process believe it’s what sparks the immune system and drives the cascade of events that lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis.”
The secret of Healthy Teeth is therefore Healthy Joints. To prevent and treat your RA, simply take care of your teeth. Besides just brushing and flossing, do the following for healthy teeth AND joints:

1. Coconut Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic detox practice. It pulls toxins out of teeth and gums. And the oil leaves a film on teeth to help prevent plaque and bacteria from sticking. It can reduce both plaque and gum disease in just seven days.

To do this, in the morning before eating or drinking anything, gently swish one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and between your teeth for 10 to 20 minutes. Don’t swallow. Spit the used oil into the trash or a jar, not the sink. It will clog your plumbing. Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth as normal.

2. Rinse Your Mouth With Aloe. Aloe Vera has 23 polypeptides that stimulate the immune system and fight infections. In a study in India, 345 healthy people used aloe mouthwash twice a day. After just four days, aloe stamped out plaque and gingivitis. It also significantly lowered bleeding and inflammation.

http://thenationonlineng.net/beat-arthritis-checking-teeth/

Walking: A wonder activity that pays big health dividends

From mtstandard.com

Aspirin is often referred to as a wonder drug, hailed as a medicine that cures many ills. In regard to exercise, walking is aspirin’s equivalent, a wonder activity.

What can walking do for a person? Walking can strengthen the heart and lungs and nourish the joints. Walking can build bones and fight osteoporosis. It burns calories, controls weight, reduces stress and improves your mood. Walking boosts energy.

For those with chronic illness, such as arthritis or diabetes, walking is particularly beneficial to overall health, and safe. With this in mind, the Arthritis Foundation created a program called Walk With Ease, designed specifically for those with chronic illnesses. The Arthritis Foundation underscores how simple walking is.

“Walking is easy to do and doesn’t require a health club membership, fancy shoes or equipment, or special training,” according to an Arthritis Foundation guide to the Walk With Ease program. “You can do it with friends, loved ones, your pet, or on your own.”

More than a year ago, the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department established a program called the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, which teaches chronically ill people how to self-manage their life-long disease. As part of that effort, the Health Department, in partnership with the Montana Arthritis Program, has also formed the Walk With Ease program.

A new six-week Walk With Ease class begins Monday, Feb. 13 at the Butte Plaza Mall. Coordinator Theresa O’Neill-Dennehy, a certified Walk With Ease instructor, invites those wishing to participate to meet at 9 a.m. at the mall lobby area, near Maurice’s and Payless Shoes. Chronically ill individuals and those just simply wanting to start an exercise routine are welcomed. The program is free.

O’Neill-Dennehy is herself a walker, and quotes Robert Sallis, M.D., with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health in Southern California: “If we had a pill that conferred all the proven health benefits of walking, physicians would prescribe it to every patient, and health care systems would find a way to make sure every patient had access to this wonder drug.”

Despite the benefits to walking, O’Neill-Dennehy said she often hears people say they don’t have time to walk.

“People have difficulty taking time for themselves,” she said. “But think for a minute about the flight attendant at the beginning of a flight — the attendant will explain that in case of an emergency, put your own oxygen mask on first before tending to others. That’s an analogy, but it tells us to take care of ourselves first.”

For the Walk With Ease session beginning Monday, O’Neill-Dennehy asks participants to commit to walking three times weekly for six weeks. She said participants should also commit to making friends.

“Walk With Ease can really be a great social outlet, because we’re all walking together,” she said. “It can really give people a lift, not only physically, but in regard to their mood as well.”

Have fun!

http://mtstandard.com/blogs/the_publics_health/walking-a-wonder-activity-that-pays-big-health-dividends/article_efb52a79-9a86-5356-a570-750592a25a78.html