What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a general term used to categorize over 100 different conditions and diseases. What these 100+ diseases and conditions all have in common is a problem with a joint inside the body. The human body has joints in the spine, shoulders, knees, hips, elbows, wrists, fingers, ankles and toes. Arthritis pain and inflammation can affect any of these joints at any time during life, although these symptoms typically begin to appear after age 40.

A joint is the area where two bones come together. In order to move freely, the ends of the bones are covered with a substance called cartilage. Surrounding each joint is something called a synovium. The synovium also produces a lubricant that is primarily responsible for limiting joint wear and tear. It accomplishes this by reducing friction. Ligaments, tendons, and muscles give bones power and help the two bones stay together.

Arthritis strikes as a result of damage within the joint. The damage is typically the result of age, as over time the cartilage simply begins to break down. However, arthritis can also result from an injury or other health condition. When a joint becomes damaged or diseased, inflammation in the form of swelling, pain and stiffness can result.

In addition to the symptoms of pain, stiffness and swelling, an affected joint may not be able to move freely. Other symptoms can include flu-like symptoms, a fever, the appearance of nodules, and fatigue.

If you have painful joints and the pain does not seem to be getting any better after a few weeks, you may be experiencing symptoms of arthritis. Schedule a visit to your doctor. Proper diagnosis can be made after completing a physical exam, discussing your medical history, taking x-rays and ordering lab work.

If you do have arthritis, unfortunately there is no cure. There are however, a number of treatment options that can be prescribed. Hot/cold compresses, moderate exercise, and pain relievers are some options as is surgery. The doctor can prescribe the best treatment for your type of arthritis.

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What Is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion. Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation, purging, vomiting, excessive exercise, or other weight control measures, such as diet pills or diuretic drugs.

Anorexia nervosa primarily affects young adolescent girls in the Western world and has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition, with approximately 10% of people diagnosed with the condition eventually dying due to related factors.

The suicide rate of people with anorexia is also higher than that of the general population and is thought to be the major cause of death for those with this condition.

Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition, involving psychological, neurobiological, physiological and sociological components.

A person who is suffering from anorexia is referred to as anorexic. Anorexia nervosa is frequently shortened to anorexia in both the media and scientific literature. This is technically incorrect, as strictly speaking anorexia refers to the medical symptom of reduced appetite.

It is clear that there is no single cause for anorexia and that it stems from a mixture of social, psychological and biological factors. Current research is commonly focused on explaining existing factors and uncovering new causes. However, there is considerable debate over how much each of the known causes contributes to the development of anorexia. In particular, the contribution of perceived media pressure on women to be thin has been especially contentious.

Anorexia can be difficult to treat. A recent review suggested that less than one-half recover fully, one-third improve, and 20% remain chronically ill.

The first line of treatment for anorexia is usually focused on immediate weight gain, especially with those who have particularly serious conditions that require hospitalization. In particularly serious cases, this may be done under as an involuntary hospital treatment under mental health law, where such legislation exists. In the majority of cases, however, people with anorexia are treated as outpatients, with input from physicians, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals.

A recent clinical review has suggested that psychotherapy is an effective form of treatment and can lead to restoration of weight and improved psychological and social functioning when compared to simple support or education programs. However, this review also noted that there are only a small number of randomized controlled trials on which to base this recommendation. No specific type of psychotherapy seems to show any overall advantage when compared to other types.

Family therapy has also been found to be an effective treatment for adolescents with anorexia and in particular, a method developed at the Maudsley Hospital is widely used and found to maintain improvement over time.

It is important to note that many recovering underweight people (who are more or less forced against their will into recovery by angry parents or other relatives) often harbour a hateful dislike for those who they feel are robbing them of their treasured emaciation. Often when well-meaning friends or relatives compliment the recoveree on how much healthier they look, the recoverees mind replaces healthy with fat.

Drug treatments, such as SSRI or other antidepressant medication, have not found to be generally effective for either treating anorexia or preventing relapse although there is a lack of adequate research in this area. It is common, however, for antidepressants to be prescribed, often with the intent of trying to treat the associated anxiety and depression.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you need more information about anorexia, please consult a qualified physician for the best treatment options available.

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What Is An Oximeter?

An oximeter, or a pulse oximeter, is a medical device that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A pulse oximeter has become an important monitoring tool in modern medicine. The oximeter is attached to a monitor so as to enable a direct reading of the patient’s oxygenation at all times. This is because timely recognition of low saturation conditions and emergency correction measures can prevent potentially devastating complications. Before the oximeter was invented, a series of complicated blood tests were needed.

Oximeter manufacturers have been rising to the occasion by continually improving on their products to reduce the margin of error and provide safer tools. Clinicians are thus provided with the most technologically advanced systems. Oximeters now come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they serve a variety of uses, but the main aim of all oximeters is to monitor oxygen saturation readings.

Clinical motion by the patient and corresponding errors in reading accurate saturation levels pose a major challenge to manufacturers. Clinical motion may cause volatility, dashing of display, inaccuracy, and freezing of saturation readings. Studies reveal that among adults extending, rubbing, clenching and flexing are the most common motions. In infants, kicking, clenching and flexing are the most common motions. Clinical motions are irregular and are generally very short in duration. Oximeters traditionally calculate saturation by measuring the difference in trough and peak of each plethysmographic waveform. Advanced digital signaling allows the modern hi-tech meters to make accurate readings that were otherwise impossible.

An oximeter usually measures the percent of normal. Normal ranges usually vary from 95 to 100 percent. The blood vessels expand and contract with the heartbeat, so the monitored signals bounce in time with the heartbeat. Modern oximeters can also clip onto the finger of a patient and determine the amounts of chemicals by using optical properties of light.

The way in which pulse oximetry works is interesting. Well oxygenated blood is bright red in color, while poorly oxygenated blood is darker, almost purple in tinge. Bright red blood will absorb more light. Oximeters can also distinguish between venous and arterial bloods.

Oximeters or blood-oxygen monitors are critical in emergency medicine and can be crucial for patients with cardiac or respiratory problems. Another interesting use of the meter is in non-pressurized airplanes where pilots operate above 10,000 feet, thus needing supplemental oxygen. Oximeters are routinely used in operating rooms and intensive care units as a part of their vital-sign monitoring. They are also used in sleep labs and with overnight oximetry tests to determine nocturnal hypoxemia (drop in oxygen levels). Patients who need supplemental oxygen aids or any other type of non-invasive breathing aids are thus helped greatly.

Other than hospitals and labs, people who are dependent on supplemental oxygen find it useful to own an oximeter. Such people feel comfort and security in being able to monitor their own oxygen needs. When such people become extremely short of breath, they are able to understand processes that take place within them, and thus feel empowered. People use oximeters while exercising or exerting themselves, so they can monitor their oxygen levels continually.

Oxygen is a form of medication, and oxygen levels should not be adjusted without consulting a doctor first. It is good for patients to be proactive with their own health care, but one should not get obsessed with the readings and get over alarmed.

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What are Hemorrhoids?

When someone has a hemorrhoid problem, they are going to be very uncomfortable and will have to do something in order to take care of this annoyance.  Having hemorrhoids means that a person has a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed.  This may result in the straining to move bowels.  The most common people to get hemorrhoids are pregnant women, people that are aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea and anal intercourse.

Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus or under the skin around the anus.  This means that they are usually internal or external.  There are creams and medications for the external problems; however, the internal hemorrhoids may result in surgery or other procedures to remove them.

 

Many of these hemorrhoid problems will mean that any person with them will have pain or itching in that area.  Hemorrhoids are usually not dangerous or life threatening.  In most cases, the symptoms will go away in a few days.  Although many people with them will not experience any symptoms at all.  The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet itself.

 

An internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body and this is what will become painful.  This is called non other than a protruding hemorrhoid.   Symptoms of the external hemorrhoids may be painful as well.  This will also include swelling or a hard surface around the anus that results when a blot clot forms.

 

It is normal to have a hemorrhoid problem.  They are very common in both men and women.  So many pregnant women have to deal with the pain of hemorrhoids along with everything else that they have to go through while pregnant.  Others will have hemorrhoids by the age of fifty.

There are many treatments of hemorrhoids and the symptoms that they cause.  Sitting in a warm bath a few times a day will help to relive pain.  There are also a lot of creams available both over the counter and by prescription that can help to heal and ease the pain of the hemorrhoids.

 

In extreme cases, it may be determined by a doctor that a person must have surgery to remove the hemorrhoids.  This is to help those that have severe bleeding or anemia and cannot take the loss of blood.  This will eliminate the problems of the hemorrhoids so that the person can live a happier and healthier lifestyle.

 

To prevent hemorrhoids, many people with constipation should relive the pressure of straining.  You should have lots of fiber and fruits in your diet and drink plenty of water.  This will help to soften the stool and will not cause so much strain.  A stool softener may also be necessary to fix this type of problem.

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What Is An Antioxidant?

An antioxidant is a chemical that reduces the rate of particular oxidation reactions in a specific context, where oxidation reactions are chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons from a substance to an oxidising agent.

Antioxidants are particularly important in the context of organic chemistry and biology : all living cells contain complex systems of antioxidant chemicals and/or enzymes to prevent chemical damage to the cells' components by oxidation. The importance and complexity of antioxidants in biology is reflected in a medical literature of more than 142,000 scholarly articles.

A diet containing antioxidants from plants are required for good health since plants are an important source of organic antioxidant chemicals. Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements that are used for health purposes such as preventing cancer and heart disease. However, while many studies have suggested benefits for antioxidant supplements, several large clinical trials have failed to clearly demonstrate a benefit for the formulations tested, and excess supplementation may be harmful.

Antioxidants are chemicals that reduce oxidative damage to cells and biochemicals. Researchers have found high correlation between oxidative damage and the occurrence of disease. For example, LDL oxidation is associated with cardiovascular disease. The process leading to atherogenesis, artherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease is complex, involving multiple chemical pathways and networks, but the precursor is LDL oxidation by free radicals, resulting in inflammation and formation of plaques.

Research suggests that consumption of antioxidant-rich foods reduces damage to cells and biochemicals from free radicals. This may slow down, prevent, or even reverse certain diseases that result from cellular damage, and perhaps even slow down the natural aging process.

Since the discovery of vitamins, it has been recognized that antioxidants in the diet are essential for healthful lives. More recently, a large body of evidence has accumulated that suggests supplementation of the diet with various kinds of antioxidants can improve health and extend life.

Many nutraceutical and health food companies now sell forms of antioxidants as dietary supplement. These supplements may include specific antioxidant chemicals, like resveratrol (from grape seeds), combinations of antioxidants, like the "ACES" products that contain beta carotene (provitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E and Selenium, or specialty herbs that are known to contain antioxidants such as green tea and jiaogulan.

Disclaimer

The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you need more information about Antioxidants, please consult your physician or a qualified specialist.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

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Vitamin A And Vitamin E For Acne

In the fight against acne, vitamins A and E both act fairly similarly and both have great advantages for preventing its outbreak. Needless to say, getting proper amounts of these vitamins into your body everyday is crucial for maintaining clear, healthy skin and for helping to prevent acne from becoming a problem.

Vitamin A fights acne initially by helping to strengthen the protective tissue of the skin. Additionally, it reduces sebum (oil) production in the skin. This combination helps the skin to become more capable of fighting acne and also this healthy skin, with less oil, is less likely to suffer from acne breakouts. Furthermore, Vitamin A is a very strong antioxidant which helps to rid the body, including the skin, of harmful toxins and free radicals, therefore helping to clear the skin of many problems, including acne. Vitamin A is usually taken in conjunction with carotenoids which enhances its effects against acne.

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Although not as strong of one as Vitamin A, Vitamin E still does help to rid the skin of toxins which can lead to acne and helps to clear up existing acne. Vitamin E also promotes tissue repair and healing of the skin, two important aspects that help to both strengthen the skin and also to prevent damage caused by acne to become permanent. Additionally, Vitamin E prevents cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and the formation of free radicals.

As can be seen, both vitamins have fairly similar methods of assisting in the fight against acne. Both help to strengthen the skin and healthier, stronger skin is less prone to acne. Both are also antioxidants and help to clear the skin of acne and prevent future breakouts. The difference is that Vitamin A reduces oil production and Vitamin E promotes tissue repair and healing. In combination, these vitamins are extremely effective in combating acne.

Both Vitamin A and Vitamin E are extremely important vitamins and a deficiency in either of them can lead to acne. Consuming healthy amounts of these vitamins every day can help to fight existing acne and also to enable to body to better prevent further acne breakouts from occurring. Put plainly, both of these vitamins should be involved in any methods used to combat acne and should be heavily considered when looking for acne fighting vitamin supplements.

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Vitamin B : A Complex Mix

Vitamin B is more often referred to today as the B vitamins to better relate that it is actually a group of 8 different vitamins, with varying functions and sources. B vitamins, like vitamin C, are water soluble, which means that extra levels of B vitamins are excreted by the body, though small amounts are stored in the liver and toxicity, while rare, is possible.

Most people will recognize many of the B vitamins by name. They include thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin (B1, 2, and 3, respectively), as well as folic acid (B9). The other four B vitamins are less commonly referred to and are : pyridoxine (B6), cyanocobalamin (B12), pantothenic acid, and biotin.

The B vitamins serve many functions in the body, including the breakdown of different kinds of foods into energy, maintenance and protection of the nervous system, production of blood cells, and maintenance of healthy skin.

Deficiencies of most B vitamins are rare, because they are found in many different food sources. While sources abound though, deficiencies can exist if someone has a condition that affects their ability to absorb or use B vitamins. Whole grain breads and cereals contain thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and folic acid. Milk contains riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Foods with lots of protein like eggs and meats contain B vitamins, especially red and organ meats.

Alcoholics, along with being susceptible to many other health problems, can be vulnerable to thiamine deficiency, also known as beriberi. Alcohol prevents the body from properly absorbing thiamine and many alcoholics also do not eat otherwise healthy diets, so they are doubly prone to lacking this and other vitamins.

Riboflavin is very active in the maintenance of skin and other tissues, so deficiency of this vitamin can cause skin lesions and dermatitis. There has been a lot in the news in the past couple of years about the importance of folic acid for women of child bearing age. Women who have adequate levels of folic acid when they get pregnant are less likely to have babies with neural tube defects. The folic acid must be present before pregnancy because these types of birth defects occur in the first weeks of pregnancy, and oftentimes women will not even know they are pregnant yet.

You may have heard of people getting B12 shots because of a deficiency of this vitamin called pernicious anemia. This occurs particularly in people over 60, because as we age, our stomachs have less ability to produce the substance intrinsic factor, which must combine with B12 taken through food or oral supplements in order to be absorbed by the body.

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What Is Carpal Tunnel?

In the human wrist there is a sheath of tough connective tissue which surrounds and protects the median nerve and tendons that attach muscles to the wrist and hand bones. The Carpal Tunnel is the space above ane below this sheath and the bones making up the carpal bones in the wrist and hand.

The term 'Carpal Tunnel' is also used quite commonly to refer to 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' which is a condition where the median nerve is pinched within the tunnel and causes pain and/or numbness of the wrist/hand, once thought to be a result of repetitive motion such as painting or typing.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a medical condition more common in women than it is in men, and has a peak incidence around age 50 though it can occur in any adult.

What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?

The first symptoms of Carpal Tunnel usually appear when trying to sleep. Symptoms range from a burning, tingling numbness in the fingers, especially of the thumb and index and middle fingers to difficulty gripping and making a fist. Inability to firmly grasp and dropping things can become an issue. If left untreated the symptoms can progress, and increasing pain intensity can further restrict hand functionality.

In the early stages of Carpal Tunnel, individuals often mistakenly blame the tingling numbness on their sleeping position, thinking their hands have had restricted circulation and are simply falling asleep.

It is important to note that unless numbness is one of the predominant symptoms, it is unlikely the symptoms are primarily caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In effect, pain of any type, location, or severity with the absence of significant numbness, is not likely to fall under this diagnosis.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is known as a "hidden disability" because people can do some things with their hands and appear to have normal hand function. However, despite these appearances, those afflicted often live with severely restricted hand activity due to the pain.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel? The jury is still out on this one. Most cases of Carpal Tunnel are idiopathic. Many people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome have gradual increasing symptoms over time. A common factor in developing Carpal Tunnel symptoms is increased hand use or activity.

In summary, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can easily be aggravated by activity. People that develop symptoms will frequently blame this on their work exposure, even though this exposure may indeed have little to do with the root cause of their Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

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Western Diet? Detox Today!

Detoxing your diet can be simple, but you may need a few days to get into the groove. Start off by writing out a plan of what you're going to eat, go shopping beforehand, and cook larger portions of healthy meals so that you can take leftovers for lunch. You don't need to spend a lot of money on herbs and supplements, just keep focused on real, whole foods. Even supermarkets have prepared foods that are simple and delicious!

We all have an inbuilt detox system. Cleansing organs include the digestive tract, the urinary system, the skin and the liver. You probably rarely think about your liver, and it rarely complains, unlike an aching muscle, fluttering heart or a groaning gut. But it is busy producing heat, balancing cholesterol, processing proteins, making bile, activating hormones and storing vitamins. It is also responsible for detoxifying most of the chemicals we come into contact with, such as natural food toxins, alcohol, cigarette smoke, and household chemicals.

The most common ingredients in the standard western diet that are causing health woes are caffeine, refined sugars, refined carbs, artificial sweeteners and food additives. Even vegetarians need to clean up their diet and allow their bodies to detoxify on a regular basis. No matter what your health goals are - more energy, weight loss, a healthier diet, or to heal from a disease, they can be addressed with a simplified, delicious, cleansing, vegetable based diet. A wholefoods vegan menu detoxifies your body and allows its natural healing powers to kick in to gear.

The liver can more or less function even with quite a lot of damage, but when working overtime it just doesn't do all its various jobs quite as well. Symptoms of poor function include : tiredness, dark circles under eyes, poor digestion and dull skin.

Detox Teas!

Detox teas incorporates the knowledge and experience of numerous herbalists, doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors and healers from cultures worldwide. From them detox teas is blended with a specific herbal formula, each herb working on the major detoxifying organs, such as the liver, kidneys, skin, blood and the lymph system. Each herb has a long-standing history of beneficial effects on the body and is still a valuable source of natural medicine today.

We urge you to find out more about what Detox Teas can do for your health today!

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What Are Glyconutrients?

In recent years carbohydrates have been studied minutely, giving rise to a whole new terminology Glycobiology. This is in fact the study of how carbohydrates affect our health. Scientists used to consider carbohydrates as foods that were not very necessary to the body but now due to Glycobiology they have discovered some surprising facts about carbohydrate saccarides known as Glyconutrients.

There are 8 essential saccarides necessary to our health that are being researched and are known as Glyconutrients. They are :

• Mannose

• Glucose

• Galactose

• Xylose

• Fuctos (not fructose)

• N-acetylglucosamine

• N-acetylneuramic acid

• N-acetylgalactosamine

What has Glycobiology discovered? Through research science has disvovered vital molecules in our bodies that have a critical effect on our health. Exactly what are glyconutrients?

With the aid of the electron microscope scientists found trillions of tiny fibers sticking to the cell surfaces. They discovered on looking more closely that these little appendages were in fact sugar molecules called glyconutrients.

Scientists found that the function of these glyconutrients is to stimulate activity and produce enzymes which :

1. Act as blocking agents : To stop toxins from entering cells.
2. Suppressing agents : That help stop malignant changes in cells.
3. Glyconutrients help the body’s cells to communicate with each other.
4. They strengthen the immune system

Due to environmental problems like green harvests and processing of foods the natural sources of Glyconutrients has been seriously reduced. This has led to depletion in our diets. If any of these vital Glyconutrients are missing the immune system starts to fail and weaken giving rise to disease and infections attacking the body. This results in our deteriorating health.

The study of Glycobiology has developed important supplements made up of these Glyconutrients, which when taken increase the Glyconutrients in our bodies. With these supplements our bodies can heal and strengthen our immune systems. This helps to reverse the spiral of ill health and restore the body’s natural immunity to disease and infection. They also help our bodies against toxins found in the air and soil by preventing thm from penetrating our cells.

At first the study of Glycobiology was not taken very seriously but now major universities have become involved in Glycobiology studies and research. Also in USA, Canada, Europe and Japan over 30 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are now doing research into Glyconutrients. A product of Glycobiology research has been Ambrotose. Now more over 20,000 research papers on Glycobiology have been published in just one year, making Glycobiology a serious and growing area of research.

Note : Glyconutrients are not intended to heal, treat, or cure any disease.

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