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Stop Arthritis, and Get Your Life Back!

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Red, burning, swollen and so stiff you don’t want to move…
that’s what those who suffer from arthritis experience on a
daily basis. If you know this all to well, you are probably
one of the 46 million Americans (that’s 1 out of every 5
people) that are living with arthritis every day. To better
understand how to get relief from this debilitating disease
we need to dive deeper into its root cause.

Some of the types of arthritis which are associated with
inflammation include:

* rheumatoid arthritis
* gout
* tendinitis
* bursitis
* polymyalgia rheumatica

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis actually means joint (arthr) inflammation (itis).
Arthritis can be used to define a group of more than 100
rheumatic diseases and other conditions that can cause pain,
stiffness and swelling in the joints or any part of your body.
Additionally, it can damage the joint cartilage which can lead
to joint weakness, instability and visible deformities that
can interfere and, in severe cases, limit a person’s ability to
perform most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs,
using a computer keyboard, washing dishes or brushing your
teeth. Arthritis can affect anyone regardless of age and most
commonly affects joints in the knees, hips, hands and spine. If
left undiagnosed and not treated properly, arthritis can cause
irreversible damage to the joints, bones, organs, and skin. Not
to mention dramatically impair your quality of life.

Arthritis-related conditions primarily affect the muscles and
the bones but it is also considered to be systemic, affecting
the whole body. Arthritis can cause damage to any bodily organ
or system, including the lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, skin and
even the heart. The Arthritis Foundation sites two independent
studies (Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and at the Mayo
Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota) both of which prove that the
widespread inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis is linked to
heart disease and an increased risk of early death.

No one really knows the exact cause of arthritis but there are
certain risk factors to keep in mind:

* Genetics - likely to contribute to risk but no one knows
how much.
* Age - the older you are the more at risk you become.
* Weight - maintaining a healthy weight will ease the load on
the joints.
* Previous Injury - major injuries are likely to contribute to
risk.
* Occupational Hazards - repetitive, high demand jobs increase
risk.
* Certain Sports - high level, high demand sports can
contribute to arthritis (however, general exercise is always
a plus)
* Illness or infection - an infection in the joint or gout can
lead to arthritis.

What we do know is that when you have arthritis your immune system
goes into over-drive and causes the joints to swell and become
inflamed. Therefore, treating the inflammation becomes key in
managing the pain and discomfort associated with this condition.

Sadly enough, the Arthritis Foundation reports that half of those
Americans with arthritis don’t believe anything can be done to help
ease their pain. You may be in that situation yourself, having
thrown your hands up in frustration and simply decided to live with
your pain. The good news is that by reducing the inflammation you
can significantly ease the painful symptoms associated with
arthritis.

Here are a few ways to reduce your inflammation:

* Exercise - less weight equals less stress on joints
* Diet - Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain
products; limit sugar, salt and fat (especially saturated fat
found in animal products)
* Rest - a good balance between rest and activity is the key to
joint health
* Over-the-counter and prescription medications - while these may
provide temporary relief by masking the pain they are not always
get to the root of the problem - inflammation. They can also
have serious side effects, especially with long-term use.
* Natural anti-inflammatory supplements - probably the most
promising natural approach to reducing inflammation in a long
while. We recommend looking for supplements containing systemic
enzymes and all-natural herbal ingredients.

By taking these simple steps to reducing inflammation you will be well
on your way to managing your arthritis pain and it devastating effects
on your mind and body. Everyone should strive to achieve a healthy and
active lifestyle for optimal health and wellbeing.

Learn to get your life back.

Many Different Types Of Headaches

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Types of Headaches Video

There are many types of headaches, but all fit into three basic categories.  The vast majority of headaches fall into the primary category.  Primary headaches afflict millions every day, and are not a serious or life threatening issue.  That said, primary headaches can be quite painful on some occasions, or can become a chronic problem.  Although this isn’t life threatening, it sometimes presents an obstacle to daily functioning.  Fixing these kinds of primary headaches can be very important to the daily life and functioning of a patient.  Correcting issues regarding primary headaches is usually possible with just over the counter medication.

Cluster headaches present with a far greater pain level.  Although not life threatening in itself, the associated is very serious and often debilitating.  Cluster headaches are known as such because of the groupings they occur in, and can be very hard to predict.  This results in treatment that is difficult to apply, resulting in attacks that usually cannot be avoided.  A cluster headache usually prevents any daily function.  Pain typically focuses behind one or both eyes.  Patients may undergo a pain crisis when presented with a cluster headache.  Treatment of this pain is very important and should be done as soon as possible.  Over the counter medications may do little to help under these circumstances.

Secondary headaches are far rarer, and signify an underlying issue.  As the name implies, a secondary headache is actually a symptom of another problem.  Secondary headaches result from a problem in the brain that may or may not be life threatening.  In the most serious of cases, a secondary headache can be a sign of a brain tumor.  Poor blood flow and internal bleeding can also trigger secondary headaches.  Regular headaches should be a sign to see the doctor.

The vast majority of headaches suffered fit into the primary headache category.  As many as 90% of primary headaches result from the “tension” variety of headache.  A tension headache occurs when the muscles over the skull contract tightly, putting a painful amount of pressure on the head.  The pain can typically be felt around the temples and around the eyes.  Relief can usually be found with a variety of over the counter medications.

Get more on headaches here Headache Medicine

The Common Tension Headache

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Tension Headache Video

A tension headache is a frequent occurence in the lives of most individuals, and is almost always a non-life threatening situation.  Even so, these tension headaches are sometimes exceedingly painful.  A tension headache is classified as a “primary” headache in the medical community, putting it in the most common categorization.  Tension headache symptoms include a sensation of tightness about the temples.  This tightness can usually be described as a “band” around the head.  This feeling of tightness typically forms gradually as a painful sensation over the span of a few hours.

This pain can vary in intensity, although it is usually described as fairly mild.  Tension headache symptoms can be triggered by any number of situations, and the exact causes are still a matter of some scientific uncertainty.  It is widely held that physical and emotional stress play a role in tension headache.  Tension headache symptoms emerge frequently when the patient is faced with trying situations, and can develop quickly.  The headache usually begins as a tight sensation, developing into pain. 

Treatment for tension headache symptoms typically involves a simple regimen of over the counter medication.  Any number of pain relievers should work quickly to overcome tension headache symptoms.  Pain relievers such as Aleve and Ibuprofin are usually powerful enough to overcome tension headache symptoms.  Primary headaches usually happen on a random basis.  Regular headaches are sometimes a sign of another issue at play, and should be checked out with a doctor.  Tension headache symptoms normally emerge when the patient undergoes physical or emotional stress.  Headaches that begin more randomly, and seemingly without any provocation, may be cause for concern.  This is especially true if the symptoms are chronic, or present with additional symptoms, such as sensory issues.

More serious tension headache symptoms may present with severe pain.  If the pain involved is intolerable or presents with a runny nose/eyes, this may be a sign of a cluster headache.  Cluster headaches present as an extremely painful sensation behind the eye.  This sensation can be intense enough to drive patients into a pain crisis.  Immediate medical care should be sought in these situations, as the pain can become excruciating.

Get more on headaches here Headache Medicine

Understanding The Stress Headache

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Stress Headache Video

The medical community has identified a set of well defined headache categories.  The first category, that of the primary headache, is experienced on a daily basis by millions all the time.  The primary headache occurs more frequently than any other kind of headache.  The cluster headache category is defined as a far more painful variety of headache that occurs to a much smaller segment of the population.  Cluster headaches are so called because of the random groupings in which they occur.  Patients can go without an attack for years at a time before suddenly experiencing a rash of cluster headaches.  Secondary headaches are classified as headaches that occur because of an underlying issue in the brain.  Cluster headaches and secondary headaches occur on a much less frequent basis than primary headaches.

The common stress headache falls into the primary category.  Although not life threatening, the stress headache can become an impediment to the enjoyment of daily life. In some cases, the common stress headache can become quite uncomfortable.  It is important that these cases be resolved as any other medical problem should be.  The first step in treatment is understanding the cause of the problem.  Stress headache is believed to actually result from a contraction of the muscles surrounding the skull.  The added pressure from this contraction introduces a painful and uncomfortable sensation.  The problem has nothing to do with any neurological issue, but rather with the tightness around the skull.

The tightening of the muscles around the skull is typically explained as a feeling of band-like tightness around the forehead.  This is the first sign of stress headache, and can be a good time to administer preventive measures like a dosage of Ibuprofen or Aleve.  To actually prevent stress headache more effectively, the underlying causes should be examined.  If stress headache occurs on a fairly regular basis, it can be assumed that some life circumstance is to blame.  Stress management can be an important component of any treatment.  Changes should be made to lifestyle choices that trigger stress headache, or manage them more effectively, and stress headache may be reduced.  If pain persists in a chronic fashion, this may be a sign of another, more complex issue that should be treated by a specialist.

Learn more about headaches here Hormonal Headaches

Understanding Hormonal Headaches

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Hormonal Imbalance Video

Hormonal headaches are a serious and often times debilitating form of headache that effects only women. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone are known to be behind hormonal headaches in women. Hormonal headaches are a part of the overall premenstrual cycle, and can begin eleven to seven days before the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of hormonal headaches typically involve fairly serious pain not unlike a migraine, usually accompanied by a sensitivity to light and loud noises. The pain can typically be described as a throbbing like sensation. A great number of women experience hormonal headaches at one point or another in their life. The occurence of hormonal headaches can be hard to predict, although contraceptives are widely believed to play a role in their frequency. In some women, oral contraceptives can actually increase the occurence of hormonal headaches, while in others it actually mitigates the effects of the headaches. Accurately predicting the outcome of oral contraceptive use is difficult. Outside of contraceptives, the exact causes of a hormonal headache are unknown. Preventing hormonal headaches can be difficult, or at least hard to do. Fortunately, treatment for hormonal headaches can potentially be far more effective. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can do an effective job of suppressing hormonal headache symptoms. Treatment with these over the counter drugs prior to an actual attack can mitigate their eventual affects. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all effective treatments for hormone headaches. These NSAID medications can possibly also play a role in reducing other premenstrual symptoms. Migraine medications, such as triptans, are another tool in the arsenal against hormonal headache pain. Although not a direct solution to hormonal headaches, triptans can significantly reduce the associated pain. Triptans and NSAID medication should be used wisely when attempting to reduce hormonal headaches, because they can cause reactions if overused. Overuse of both triptans and NSAID medication can result in what are known as “rebound” headaches, where the symptoms emerge even stronger after the effects of the medication has worn off. In addition to the premenstrual cycle, hormonal headaches also emerge during high hormone level periods. The early periods of childbirth can cause significant fluctuations in hormone levels, and this can commonly result in hormonal headaches. The days after childbirth are also a prime time for hormonal headaches to occur. Menopause can also frequently be associated with hormonal headaches.

Learn more about headaches and treatments here  Sinus Headache

Efficient Headache Treatments

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Headache Treatments Video

Headaches have occured to the vast majority of people at one point or another in their lives.  These headaches are known to range widely in their pain.  Headaches are widely researched and treated in the medical community, but the exact causes remain a mystery.  The medical community defines headaches in three basic categories.  Primary headaches are by far the most common variety, while cluster and secondary headaches occur on a far rarer basis.  Most headaches have no life threatening significance, although secondary headaches can signal another problem at work in the brain.  

Most headaches fall into the category of primary headaches, and are usually easily treated by over the counter solutions.  Ibuprofen and Aleve are usually effective treatments for problems involving primary headaches.  More serious headaches, like cluster headaches, demand specialized treatment.  Other effective headache treatments include lifestyle alterations as well as therapeutic options.  These are good ways to prevent headaches prior to their onset.  The majority of headaches can be traced to a stress related cause.  

Several hours of physical exertion can easily bring on a stress related headache.  The muscles in the skull can contract under pressure, causing discomfort.  Treatment is fairly simple, but prevention is a more effective means of reducing headache pain.  Preventing headache pain usually means finding the cause of the onset in the first place.  If emotionally stressful situations are seen as the root of the problem, some sort of stress management should be undertaken.  Hours of physical labor should be broken up by regular breaks to prevent the outbreak of stress related headaches.

Frequent headaches that do not abate, or occur on a seemingly random basis may be a sign of a more serious condition.  Headache treatment in these situations may revolve around diagnosing a more serious issue.  Headaches that occur frequently and seemingly without provocation can be a sign of more serious neurological issues.  This kind of headache, known as a secondary headache, can signify a variety of possible neurological issues.  It is important to see a specialist whenever these kinds of problems present on a fairly regular basis.  Prompt care can prevent the root cause of secondary headaches from turning into a larger issue.

Get more info on headaches here Headache Treatments

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