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Finding a Diet Plan That Works for You
There are many reasons for people to be following a diet. Perhaps it is a special, doctor-advised regimen meant to control or prevent certain illnesses such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Maybe a diet is required due to particular food allergies like ...
Life Management Skills for Greater Happiness
“Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise.” --Samuel Lover One of the most common complaints people have these days is that their plate is fuller than full. The demands of modern life often leaves some people ...
Successful Change Starts With A Shift In Perspective
Like so many in corporate America today, Susan needed more balance in her life-but she did not know how to get it. Faced with a 60-hour work week and a lengthy daily commute, Susan was left with little time for outside interests. Her job was literally ...
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Osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent causes of physical disability among adults. More than 20 million people in the United States, alone, have the disease. By 2030, according the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 20 percent of all Americans--about 70 million people--will have passed their 65th birthday and will be at a higher risk of osteoarthritis.
Arthritis limits the everyday activity of 8 million Americans, and this disability creates huge burdens for the individuals, their families, and the nation as a whole. Each year, arthritis results in 9,500 deaths and 750,000 hospitalizations. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Control, in 1997, medical care for arthritis (in the U.S.) was $51 billion.
This disease affects each person quite differently. In some people it progresses quickly and in others the symptoms are much more serious and painful. Medical practitioners do not yet know what causes arthritis, but they suspect a combination of factors including: being overweight, the aging process, family history, joint injury, and stresses on the joints from work or sporting activities.
There is no single treatment that applies to everyone who suffers from
arthritis. With your personal input, a medical specialist will develop a management and treatment plan designed to minimize your specific pain and improve the function of your joints. A number of treatments can provide short-term relief. They include: medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, the use of hot and cold packs, using a splint or a brace to protect painful joints, or perhaps using muscle-relaxing massages.
In the long-term, pain relief may be found with: new drugs, called biological response modifiers, which reduce inflammation in the joints; corticosteroids such as Prednisone; weight reduction; dietary changes; exercise (swimming, walking and low-impact aerobic exercise); and even surgery to replace a joint that has badly deteriorated. In some instances, nutritional supplements may be helpful.
The long-term goal of pain management is to help you cope with this chronic, often disabling disease. You may be caught in a cycle of pain, depression, and stress. To break this cycle, you need to be an active participant in managing your pain. The role you play in planning your treatment is very important. You and your health care providers must work together closely to develop a personalized and effective treatment program. Research has shown that patients who are well informed and participate actively in their own care, experience less pain, make fewer visits to the doctor and lead a much more enjoyable life.
About the Author
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc. a business dedicated to providing information and resources on a variety of topics. For an therapy room full of information and valuable resources to assist you in dealing with arthritis, visit http://www.ArthritisAide.com
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6 stress-management tips for EMT studentsEMS1.combut instead “Why not me?” When you run out of time to study for an exam or are asked to pair up with a struggling student, try this exercise. You might find that you handle the situation better than you imagined. What are your stress-management tips?and more » |
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Workshop held on stress managementTimes of IndiaKANPUR: A workshop on stress management was organised at Air Force Station, Chakeri on Wednesday. The workshop was inaugurated by Air Commodore Gulshan Rai Vishist Seva Medal, Air Officer Commanding and was attended by Anju Rai, President, ... |
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