Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

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June 21st, 2010  Posted at   Asthma
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Last June my son developed a nasty habit of gasping for air with a hiccup sound. Every morning when he woke up, this nasty habit would disappear, but as soon as he arrived home from school, it would start. When school ended and summer began, this habit seemed to magically disappear. My asthmatic mother said it sounded like asthma. Needless to say, I took my son to the doctor.

The doctor informed me that not only did my son have activity-induced asthma, but a heavy coat of smog was intensifying it. I was advised to keep my son from running around in 90-plus-degree temperatures, from playing outside when the smog was visibly heavy and to make sure that he took his medicine 20 minutes before going out to play. (more…)

June 3rd, 2010  Posted at   Health
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You know the type—all natural, from the top of their cruelty-free hair to the bottom of their Birkenstocks—aging hippies, neo-hippies, New Agers (or, as my California cousin calls them, “crystal suckers”) who just want to help you . They’re all convinced that if only you would change your diet, your exercise, your religion, your attitude…that you would free yourself of arthritis. Here is my reluctant confession: I used to be one of them…
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May 24th, 2010  Posted at   Asthma
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A recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that children enrolled in daycare or children living with 2 or more older siblings, during the first 6-months of life, are less likely to develop asthma and frequent wheezing in later childhood.

The premise of the study was that children who are exposed to more children early in life-a measure of exposure to infection, are less likely to develop asthma and allergies later in childhood, than children with less exposure 1.
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April 30th, 2010  Posted at   Arthritis
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Is letting go the same as giving up? Maybe. But when you have arthritis, letting some things go is a necessary step towards acceptance…

Lately, I’ve been selling on eBay (which can be a terrific part-time job for arthritic folk…) and I’ve become addicted. In this house, anything that doesn’t move is in danger of being sold. Mementos, schmementos, is my motto…I want cash. On my latest closet raid, however, I was struck by a pang of sentimentality. There, in the corner—dust-covered and much ignored—was my old fencing equipment. (more…)

April 8th, 2010  Posted at   Arthritis Therapies
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Continued…

Conventional Therapies: Many of the therapies for OA and RA have the inflammatory component as their target. Glucocorticoids (steroids) have long been employed to control inflammation. Their use over the long-term is discouraged because of potential severe toxicities to muscle and other organs. However, over the past 20 years, treatment regimens have indicated that the commonly employed steroid prednisone in low doses of 7.5 mg or less may be employed over long periods and are usually well tolerated and safe. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also commonly used in initial treatment of RA and OA. (more…)

March 25th, 2010  Posted at   Arthritis Therapies
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While arthritis has no cure, there are a variety of treatments based on the particular kind of arthritis. Here, a doctor discusses the arthritis patient’s options.

Recently, my colleagues and I were examining x-rays from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the femoral joint. These patients were quite young when their OA was first diagnosed. In these OA patients, the disease was clinically significant when they were in their 20s or 30s whereas in the general population OA does not usually present clinically until individuals are in their 40s or 50s. Genetic testing of these individuals indicated that several family members had a similar age onset of OA. (more…)

March 9th, 2010  Posted at   Arthritis
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Even on the best of days it can be difficult to stick with the exercise plan carefully laid out by you and your doctor or physical therapist. And when your symptoms are flaring, the pain, stiffness and inflammation can make even the thought of exercise almost unbearable. Below are some helpful hints to help you stay motivated.

Why Exercise?
When you first discussed exercise with your health care provider, he or she probably did not spend a lot of time talking about the benefits of exercise. Throughout our lives we’ve heard that exercise is “good for you,” but if you’re living with arthritis, exercise is particularly important. Exercise has been shown to increase muscle strength, endurance and flexibility and reduce weight. It has also been shown to reduce joint pain and stiffness, and improve overall sense of well-being.
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February 22nd, 2010  Posted at   Arthritis
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Now that you have a better idea of what to look out for and how to communicate with all kinds of medical practitioners, let’s discuss some of the specific modes of alternative treatment.

Ayurveda: means “science of life.” This form of alternative therapy focuses on maintaining physical health and well-being so a person can pursue a greater spiritual development. The main emphasis is healthy living through a good diet, exercise, moderation and meditation. The practitioner is just an advisor. Each person must put the advice to use. (more…)

February 2nd, 2010  Posted at   Health
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Osteoarthritis is the most widespread form of arthritis, commonly called the “wear and tear” arthritis, taking many years to develop, but not necessarily caused by aging itself.

It is especially important to pay attention to this disease, not only because it can be disabling, but also because probably the most important single lifestyle factor that prevents major fatal diseases is exercise. It is crucial that we keep our joints in as good condition as possible, so that we can be as active as we choose in order to maintain healthy cardiovascular systems and many other vital systems in our bodies.
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January 17th, 2010  Posted at   Pain Management
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continued..

Several medical therapies and life-style activities changes now exist for the treatment of osteoarthritis. However, at this point, their use is based solely on treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis, including pain, swelling from inflammation and reduced joint movement. Among the medicines employed, corticosteroids can be administered directly into the affected joint. (more…)

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