| =====KNOW YOUR ARTHRITIS=====Arthritis is | | | | your muscles and even more help with |
| referred to as the nation?s number one | | | | increased circulation, which is always |
| crippling disease and the most common chronic | | | | vital when dealing with arthritis.=====DRUGS IN |
| disease | | | | ARTHRITIS=====There are many over-the-counter |
| in people over 40, arthritis affects more than | | | | (OTC) |
| 40 million Americans.And this figure is expected to | | | | pain medications for arthritis pain |
| rise to 60 million by 2020, | | | | sufferers that can be purchased without |
| according to the Center for Disease Control.Arthritis | | | | physicians? prescriptions.Some are nonsteroidal |
| generally afflicts people between the ages | | | | anti-inflammatory |
| of 20 and 50, but can affect all ages, even | | | | drugs (NSAIDs) ? some are OTCs / some |
| infants.The average age of onset is 47 and about | | | | require a prescription, acetaminophen |
| three out of | | | | and various topical medications.Users need to be |
| every five people with arthritis are under 65 years | | | | aware of possible risk |
| of age.Arthritic expenditures for just one person due | | | | from long term use or product abuse, |
| to lost wages, | | | | though, and consult their medical |
| medical treatment and other related expenses can | | | | advisors before and during use.The most common |
| come to | | | | OTC NSAIDs are ibuprofen, |
| more than $150,000 in his or her lifetime.And doctors | | | | naproxen and aspirin.However, the misuse of some |
| believe there are over 100 different forms | | | | of these |
| of arthritis, all sharing one main characteristic: all | | | | can cause blockage of an enzyme in the |
| forms cause joint inflammation.What can be done | | | | body that aids in the protection of the |
| for arthritis pain relief? Many things...For example, | | | | stomach lining and other areas.Misuse can lead to |
| weight and nutrition are only a couple of | | | | stomach ulcers and |
| factors that play a role in arthritic pain.And yet | | | | bleeding, and liver and kidney trouble. |
| shedding even 10 pounds to relieve weight from | | | | (The same drug abuse issues can result |
| knees and finding the right nutritional strategy can | | | | from prescription NSAIDs, too).Use the right way, |
| help relieve pain a lot.=====EXERCISE IN | | | | these drugs can |
| ARTHRITIS=====Exercise can be very beneficial for | | | | help with pain relief, inflammation |
| | | | and fever reduction, and blood clot |
| arthritis sufferers, often relieving stiffness | | | | prevention.=====JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY |
| in joints, strengthening muscles thereby | | | | IN ARTHRITIS=====There are currently many |
| reducing stress on joints, keeping bone and | | | | options in orthopedic |
| cartilage tissue strong and healthy, and | | | | (bone) surgery for people with arthritis.Joint |
| increasing flexibility.A recommended 30-minute | | | | replacement is the most common option. |
| minimum of daily | | | | According to the National Joint Replacement |
| activity is the norm.Using aquatics: exercising in a | | | | Foundation, (NJRF) over 435,000 Americans |
| pool-is a | | | | underwent this procedure last year.These numbers |
| great way to exercise as well.Water is an excellent | | | | have boosted joint replacement |
| aid because it provides | | | | to one of the most successful medical discoveries |
| resistance that builds muscle in the entire | | | | and the absolute most significant surgery in the |
| body while reducing shock to the joints | | | | field of arthritis treatment.Joint replacement is the |
| at the same time.Additionally, because the whole | | | | process of removing |
| body tends | | | | one?s entire joint as well as any damaged tissue |
| to become involved in aquatic exercise | | | | and replacing it with a metal prosthesis.This |
| the added benefit of cardiovascular exercise | | | | prosthesis provides the patient with much |
| is enjoyed.If at all possible, find a heated pool | | | | need relief from pain.This surgery most effective on |
| to work out in. Warm water is soothing to | | | | the weight |
| the joints and will cause the blood vessels | | | | bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and ankles, |
| to dilate, increasing circulation.With that in mind, it is | | | | however, it has been used for all joints with |
| often beneficial | | | | successful results.However, all health care planning |
| to add using a spa to your regimen, | | | | should be made under |
| perhaps after your workout, in order to | | | | the guidance of your own medical and health |
| provide some soothing jets of water to | | | | practitioner.Dr Rashid M.H. |