Regular exercise and physical activities like weight training, yoga, and aerobic exercises have been known to improve physique and aid in weight-loss. People workout regularly so that they can develop a more toned and leaner physique. They do this by burning fat through exercise. Working out also promotes greater muscle density, bone strength, and helps reduce the risk of breaking bones as one gets older. Recent medical studies suggest that regular exercise and physical activities may also be beneficial to overall skin health and clean the skin of acne and other impurities. Adding exercise in a daily routine is essential for skin care.
Exercise improves the skin by improving the blood circulation in the body and, therefore, provide oxygen and other nutrients to the skin cells. As one sweats, the body removes toxins through the open pores of the skin. This process effectively cleanses the pores from dead skin cells, dirt, and excess sebum. Sebum is the oil secretions of the sebaceous glands and may clog pores that cause the production of acne. This substance is scentless but its bacterial breakdown may produce odors. In addition to these benefits, exercise enables the kidneys and liver to function properly. These developments makes the elimination of toxins from the body more effective and efficient. It is always best to take a shower after a workout since bathing washes away any waste material and bacteria that is present on the skin. It also prevents the buildup of bacteria that is attracted to sweat. These bacteria may cause body odor and the development of acne.
Drinking enough water after working out may guarantee proper hydration of the body and help reduce skin dryness and is important factor in skin care. However, it is advised to drink the right amounts of water because too much or too little may bring unwanted effects. Needless to say, water is essential in eliminating body toxins and in replacing all the water that was lost from sweating during exercise.
A better physique and healthy-looking skin are not the only benefits of exercise and physical activities. They also have emotional and mental benefits. These activities are good for stress relief and in keeping the mind active and focused. This is possible because of moderate or intense physical activities may prompt the body to produce substances called endorphins. These substances are produced by the brain that may elevate one’s mood and eliminate feelings of stress and anxiety. This effect is called by many health experts as the “runner’s high.
Furthermore, individuals who want to engage in exercise and other physical activities should consult health professionals or train with a professional instructor. Because improper or too much training may do more harm than good. Extreme exercise may increase the production of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. These hormones aid the body switch to more efficient fat-burning metabolism to preserve glycogen in the muscles and aid blood vessels in the delivery of oxygen to the muscles.
Stress overload can occur if an individual does not reduce the intensity of training even for short periods. This may cause an increase in white blood cells that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells. When the intense exercise is finished, the number of immune cells may decrease. It is theorized that any viruses or bacteria present in this stage may multiply and cause infection which may weaken the immune system. Exercising is critical in overall health and skin care. Adding them in one’s lifestyle may lead to the development of healthy-looking skin.
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Arthritis also is the leading cause of disability. Nearly 7 million people in the U.S., including 20% of people with arthritis, are unable to perform major life activities such as working or housekeeping because of this disease. Arthritis sufferers endure more days in severe pain, experience more days with limited ability to perform daily activities, and have more difficulty performing personal-care routines than people without arthritis. As with other chronic pain conditions, arthritis has negative effects on mental health. Some forms of arthritis also make your RealAge older.
The Definition of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, known as Still’s disease when it affects children, is a condition that causes inflammation of joints and associated pain, swelling, and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the body’s own immune system to attack joint tissue, breaking down collagen, cartilage, and sometimes bone or other organs. This chronic disease varies between people and fluctuates over time, often marked by symptoms that improve only to re-emerge later. In some cases rheumatoid arthritis is mild and lasts only a few months (this kind of rheumatoid arthritis is called type 1), while in others the disease becomes progressively complicated by disability and other health problems, lasting many years (this is called type 2 rheumatoid arthritis).
Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand, but can also affect joints in the feet and throughout the body. Anyone can be affected by rheumatoid arthritis, but women are more likely to develop symptoms, which most often begin between the ages of 20 and 30. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not yet understood, but many effective strategies have been developed to manage its symptoms.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Signs
The main symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is joint stiffness in the morning, often in the hands or feet. Stiffness that persists for an hour or more, or swelling and pain that lasts for more than six weeks, may be indicative of rheumatoid arthritis. Joint discomfort is typically symmetrical, i.e. both hands will hurt or feel stiff, not just one. Early rheumatoid arthritis symptoms also may include fever, excessive tiredness, or pea-sized lumps called “nodules” that can be felt under the skin.
Other possible rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include anemia, appetite loss, and the accumulation of fluid in the ankles or behind the knee. In children, symptoms may include shaking chills and a pink rash may follow the characteristic painful and swollen joints.
Why Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Painful
How joint pain and the destruction of cartilage are related is not fully understood. Cartilage itself does not cause pain because there are no nerve structures in cartilage to transmit pain signals. Most likely, the pain of rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the irritation of other tissues in and around the affected joints. This irritation may be caused by chemical-messenger substances, such as prostaglandin E2, that are associated with the disease process. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain because they inhibit the production of prostaglandins.
Other Conditions That Can Cause Pain
Pain and stiffness similar to rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be caused by many other conditions. Even if injury or infection can be ruled out, anything from bunions to fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome can cause pain.
Only a medical professional can identify many sources of joint pain, because similar symptoms can result from other autoimmune diseases, from serious conditions such as cancer, or from many other kinds of arthritis.
The Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not fully understood, but important contributing factors have been identified. The self-destructive immune response of rheumatoid arthritis may be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and an environmental trigger. Changing hormones also may play an important part in the disease, possibly in response to an infection from the environment.
More than one gene has been linked to risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Specific genes may increase a person’s chance of developing the disease, and also could partially determine how serious his or her condition is. However, since not all people with a genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis actually have the disease, other factors must be important.
A specific environmental trigger has not yet been found, but some research suggests that infection by a virus or bacterium leads to rheumatoid arthritis in genetically susceptible people. This does not mean that rheumatoid arthritis is contagious. People with rheumatoid arthritis appear to have more antibodies in the synovial fluid in their joints, suggesting that there may be an infection.
Low levels of hormones from the adrenal gland are common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, but how hormones interact with environmental and genetic factors is unknown. Hormone changes may contribute to the progression of the rheumatoid arthritis.
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Maybe pain occurs, like when trying to open a jar. What’s it all about? Let’s look at the basics and learn more.
Arthritis actually means “joint inflammation” and has over 100 related conditions or type / forms of disease. Left untreated, it can advance, resulting in joint damage that cannot be undone or reversed. So early detection and treatment are important.
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both have similar symptoms, both happen for different reasons. When joints are overused and misused, the results can be OA. What happens is that the cushioning cartilage that protects the joint breaks down, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This generally happens in the knees, but can be found in the hips, spine and hands often, too. And only in later stages will a person most often feel pain, after quite a bit of cartilage is lost.
The second type, RA, refers to the body’s immune system attacking joint tissue. Still not fully understood in the medical community, this condition most often starts in a person’s hands, wrists and feet. Then it advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.
Similar symptoms include pain, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, slight fever and inflamed tissue lumps under the skin. And both OA and RA generally develop symmetrically, i.e. affecting the same joints on both the left and right sides of the body.
A difference in OA and RA to note is with swelling. With RA, people report “soft and squishy” swelling. While with OA, people report “hard and bony” swelling. Another difference is that a person is more likely to develop RA if a sibling or parent had it. While a person with a history of joint damage, either an injury or chronic strain, runs a higher risk for developing OA.
There is no specific age for arthritis sufferers. While it can affect every age group, it seems to focus on those over 45 years of age.And while neither gender is immune, a reported 74 percent of OA cases (or just over 15 million) occur with women and a slightly lower percentage of RA cases occur with women. People with excess weight tend to develop OA, especially in the knees when reaching over 45 years of age. However, losing weight can turn the odds around almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces risk, strengthening joint muscles and reducing joint wear.
Although there are no cure-alls for arthritis, there are a variety of pain relief treatment strategies. Aside from medications, remedies, replacement alternatives and other helpful treatment options and alternatives, the four main arthritis relief aids are gentle exercise, good nutrition, a positive attitude and rest. And each will be discussed further in subsequent sections, because education can play a huge role to dispel “old wives tales” and myths that “nothing can be done about arthritis.” Notable is that today, only a small percentage of those afflicted with arthritis become crippled. And most never need canes, wheelchairs, or other ambulatory devices.
Also note if you suspect you may have arthritis, it is advisable to seek medical advice. Because healthcare providers can help to determine if the symptoms are not something else like a virus or tendonitis or other similar problem that cold potentially worsen if left untreated.
Types Of Arthritis
There are many ways to effectively manage arthritic pain today to find relief. Available are arthritic diets, exercise programs, over-the-counter and prescription medications, relaxation and positive emotion coping techniques. Also available are surgeries, supplements, home remedies, natural and other alternative therapies. When arthritis is first suspected, it would be wise to seek a medical opinion first. Then as time and resources allow, check out the other options.
After osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), three other major types of arthritis are systemic lupus erythematosis, ankylosing spondylitis and gout. Let’s take a look at each:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) – This form of arthritis mainly affects women. It develops in the skin, internal organs and joints.
Ankylosing Spondylitis – This form or arthritis affects the spine and can also affect the ankles, knees, lungs, heart, shoulders and eyes.
Gout – This is a painful affliction mainly for men, about one million of them in the United States alone. Uric acid build up, due to an internal chemical malfunction, forms crystals that get stuck in a joint, generally the big toe, and become inflamed.
Science Of Arthritis
Joints can handle some heavy pressure. For example, knees handle a force of three to four times a person’s total body weight on average just talking a walk. The force of a deep knee bend during a squat can increase to nine times the body weight. So just imagine multiplying weight of more than 150 pounds times a minimum of three or four, and then even more. That can sure add up to a lot of heavy work on knee joints over time.
Now for the science of this scenario. Where two bones meet, called the joint, the bone ends are covered with cartilage, also known as gristl
This cartilage is sturdy, elastic and spongy or compressible, and keeps the bones from moving against each other at the joint. The cells of this cartilage, called chondrocytes, are thought to be the longest living cells of the body. Surrounding the bones and cartilage is strong, fibrous capsule lined with synovium, a thin membrane that lubricates the joint area with fluid. The end result is less friction or smoother rubbing together of the bones. This fluid also feds the cartilage cells, keeping them healthy, and is “pumped” into them during joint movement. Thus lack of movement (activity / exercise) can be unhealthy.
Other parts of the body features involved with this arthritic scenario include muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursea and mental activity. Muscles, attached to bones with tendons and ligaments, move bones by contracting. They also cushion movement, absorbing impact or shock. Throughout the muscle and tendon areas are bursae or sacs filled with fluid. These also help cushion movement. And throughout all the coordination of these parts during movement, the brain is a part. The brain communicates via nerves throughout the body, in particular the muscles for this scenario, to prepare joints for activity.
The exact science of what actually causes arthritis is still being researched. For most of the 100-plus forms of arthritis, the causes are unknown. Injury, overuse of joints and mechanical issues with joints (like skeletal abnormalities, worn out joint muscles) can lead to arthritis. And many point to issues relating to bacteria and germs as some of the problem. Heredity, stress, drugs, food allergies and viruses have also been linked to some forms of arthritis. So have diet, poor circulation and lack of movement.
INFLAMMATION
Arthritic joints can be affected with inflammation when bacteria or a virus (or other undesirable element) enters the joint area or when an injury occurs. What happens is when foreign matter enters this area or the area sustains injury, white blood cells, antibodies and other natural “fighting” mechanisms automatically kick in internally to help. These fighters cause swelling, redness and heat as the body fluid moves around. Symptoms of inflammation, one of the uncomfortable issues associated with arthritis, are redness, swelling and tender joints.
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There is a general misconception that arthritis is an age-related medical condition that afflicts only the senior citizens or the elderly. It may be true with osteoarthritis, the most common type of joint disorder that usually affects adults of both sexes in their middle age. But what most people don’t understand is that there are other types or causes of arthritis.
Arthritis, also known as joint inflammation, is defined as an inflammation of one or more joints and involves the breakdown of cartilage resulting in pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Cartilage is responsible for protecting the joints and serves as a shock absorber when pressure is placed on the joint during walking or running. It allows for the smooth movement of our limbs. Without cartilage, the bones will rub together and can cause pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness. Doctors usually prescribe arthritis pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs to help alleviate the pain.
Arthritis, or joint inflammation, can be due to the following causes:
· Broken Bones;
· Infections that are usually caused by bacteria or viruses;
· An autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because the immune system believes a body part is foreign); and
· General “wear and tear” on joints.
Generally, as soon as the injury heals, the inflammation disappears. The infection is treated and the disease is cured. However, there are some injuries and diseases wherein the inflammation remains stubbornly and continuously causing pain that may lead to deformity. This condition is known as chronic arthritis.
People suffering from arthritis experience the following symptoms:
· Joint pain
· Joint swelling
· Stiffness, especially in the morning
· Warmth around a joint
· Redness of the skin around a joint
· Reduced ability to move the joint
Arthritis is a condition that can occur in men and women of all ages. Other types of arthritis include:
· Rheumatoid arthritis (in adults)
· Osteoarthritis ( middle age and above )
· Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (in children)
· Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
· Gout
· Scleroderma
· Psoriatic arthritis
· Ankylosing spondylitis
· Reiter’s syndrome (reactive arthritis)
· Adult Still’s disease
· Viral arthritis
· Gonococcal arthritis
· Other bacterial infections (non-gonococcal bacterial arthritis)
· Tertiary Lyme disease (the late stage)
· Tuberculouus arthritis
· Fungal infections such as blastomycosis
Osteoarthritis, being the most common type, is a chronic disease which causes the cartilage between the bone joints to deteriorate and may cause painful sensation and/or stiffness. New pieces of bones, called bone spurs, may grow around the joints as a result of osteoarthritis. Until now, there is no known reason yet as to the cause of osteoarthritis but it is generally being associated with aging. However, factors such as metabolism and genes can play a role in its development.
There are many factors to consider before your doctor can prescribe arthritis pain relief treatment plan such as the particular cause of arthritis, affected joints, severity of arthritis, and how the condition affects your daily activities. Age and occupation will also be taken into consideration.
Eliminating the underlying cause of the arthritis is one of the goals for treating arthritis. However, not all cause are curable like in the cases of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Relieving pain and discomfort as well as prevention from further damage becomes the focus.
Lifestyle changes and exercise can greatly help in improving the condition of those suffering from arthritis. Medications such as arthritis pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken in addition to exercise and lifestyle changes.
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Pain is something that everyone needs to deal with since it is a fact of life.
But for many people, pain takes on a very dramatic meaning, especially when the pain comes from a condition called arthritis. This condition affects the entire body and inflicts pain on the bones, tendons, and muscles. To alleviate the pain, some people have resorted to the use of arthritis pain relief medications. Some have a higher pain tolerance or pain threshold and do not need to take medication to stop arthritic pain.
Medically speaking, pain tolerance refers to just how much pain a person can withstand before breaking down emotionally or psychologically. In some cases, it may also refer to how much pain a person can endure before passing out. However, some people afflicted with arthritis claim that pain tolerance may also refer to the body and mind’s ability to incorporate or endure pain on a daily basis and, thereby negating pain as a hindrance. It is very interesting that pain tolerance can be actually developed by training the mind and the body to “ignore” pain. However, the use of the term “ignore” might be a misnomer in this case. Patients who refuse to take arthritis pain relief medications attest that those who have pain tolerance don’t so much as ignore pain as they do simply “live with it.” The idea is that people with a high level of pain tolerance have developed a threshold that can be similar to people with alcohol tolerance. Other people can drink a lot without getting drunk. Some people can take pain more frequently and at higher levels compared to most people.
Pain tolerance is still the subject of much debate in scientific circles. There are many patients who claim that it is real and that they can actually demonstrate their ability to withstand pain. On the other hand, people who have taken arthritis pain relief medications claim that the said drugs can dull the mind’s ability to drown out the sensation of pain. They further claim that the dulling sensation also prevents them from performing other daily tasks.
However, despite reported side effects, most prefer to stick to using arthritis pain relief medication. For one thing, most people would rather not have to spend the time needed to grow accustomed to the pain. Another obvious reason is that not everyone can develop a high tolerance for pain. In some ways, pain tolerance is affected by a person’s psychology and outlook.
Deciding who needs to take drugs to control arthritis is an important task for a pain control specialist or doctor. Since a person’s state of mind determines how much a person can mentally handle before breaking down, a doctor cannot simply decide if medication is needed without a thorough consultation. In addition, there is also the possibility of developing drug dependence due to long-term use of arthritis pain relief.
Whether patients can develop pain tolerance when taken off arthritis pain relief treatments is arguable, at best. Not everyone has the same threshold of pain as those who don’t take the medication, and others may simply be capable of enduring more pain. The choice to take medication or not is not the only factor to be considered. Other determinants such as physical conditioning, psychological state, and other physiological factors also have an effect on the development of pain tolerance.
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The human body has daily rhythms that seem to be governed by what scientists now regard as a “biological clock.” Heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and urine excretion all have varying levels (peaks during the day and troughs that occur at night). Such functions are also known as “circadian rhythms.”
Although environmental clues sometimes influence these rhythms, such as the light and dark cycles, many rhythms persist when environmental clues are removed.
In experiments designed to understand the workings of the body’s inner clocks, people were observed as they lived for weeks with neither social nor geophysical cues, such as set meal times and light-dark cycles. The basic rhythms continued.
The most well-known circadian rhythm is that of body temperature, which varies daily only a degree or two in a healthy person, peaking in late afternoon and dropping during early morning hours.
The temperature rhythm persists when the individual does not follow daily routine, such as periods when one is confined to bed for 24 hours, or when meal time is varied, or when no food is eaten during fast periods.
Levels of blood sugar, essential to body fuel, start decreasing about noon. By 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., the body has used up much of its supply. This aspect of rhythm explains why diabetics experience low blood sugar in the morning.We have all heard our body grumble when it needs to be fed; it growls and screams at us for not looking after it. Hunger pains should not be ignored, they are your body’s way of signaling that it is in need of something. If you break your meals into smaller, more frequent meals this will help to quell the hunger pains.
But when your body is being fed junk, it does fill the gap, but the body starts to realize that every heartbeat will get tougher and tougher to achieve if we constantly input unhealthy foods loaded with saturated fats and preservatives into our systems everyday.
Natural health foods are not available to just make you look good; they are there to make you feel good, as well as to be able to achieve that greater feeling of overall well-being. Natural foods are essential for maintaining the proper balance in our bodies.
You do not have to jump straight in the deep end either when looking for health natural foods; there are books designed to help the beginner start to gain a healthier body.
These books will help you make decisions, such as what type of healthy natural food you should be looking at buying, as well as how to achieve and maintain a health body.
The greatest medicine can be the food that we eat. Don’t just rely on taking supplements, be sure to eat the most naturally healthy foods as well. Natural health supplements should be an addition to a natural health diet, nit something to take in place of one.
Healthy bodies maintained properly will not only help our immune systems, but it will also improve our overall health. With the various new viruses and other diseases coming up every day it is essential now more than ever to maintain a healthy immune system.
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They say that, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Good nutrition plays a key role, not only in keeping you from rushing to the medicine cabinet during the season of cold and flu virus, but also in maintaining a healthy immune system. Lacking in one or more of essential nutrients may prevent the immune system from functioning at its peak.
Functioning as a complex web of mechanisms inside the human body, the immune system is designed to protect and defend against millions of invaders such as allergens, bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful organisms, collectively known as antigens.
Serving as the first line of defense against these invaders are the skin and the membranes that line the entrances to the body. These entrances are the nasal passages, the eyes, and the respiratory and digestive tracts. If these antigens make it past the skin, they have to face the specialized white blood cells called T-lymphocytes, which continuously patrol the body in search of these body invaders. Other cells that keep the body protected from these harmful germs are B-lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. B-lymphocytes are special blood proteins that neutralize or destroy germs. Neutrophils and macrophages, on the other hand, scavenge antigens from the blood for delivery to the lymphatic system, which disposes them. It is our obligation to help these cells to function efficiently in keeping our body protected from bacterial infections.
While essential nutrients are critical for the production and maintenance of key germ-fighting cells in the immune system, a balanced diet also has a strong effect on vascular function. Note that the immune system is dependent on blood flow because the bloodstream is the route along which infection-fighting cells travel throughout the body to where they are needed.
There isn’t one specific nutrient or food that can easily vanquish the cold germs and flu virus spells. Maintaining a well-balanced diet and keeping a healthy eating habit are your best assurance to keep the immune system functioning properly.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins A and C. It also has phytochemicals that lend fruits and vegetables their colors. These food groups also contain antioxidants that promote the body’s built-in anti-viral and anti-bacterial functions. These nutrients help ensure that the lymphocytes can divide and reproduce properly in response to a virus, and that the neutrophils and macrophages that engulf and kill invading bacteria can do their job.
Maximizing the variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can be achieved by eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. It is necessary to consume two different colors of vegetables and fruits with each meal, and one-third of lean protein.
Include in your diet a generous amount of protein to ensure production of more white blood cells to help combat the invading antigens. The building blocks of all the body’s cells, including the cells that power the immune system, are the amino acids found in protein. Protein and amino acids are essential in increasing immune cell proliferation.
Realizing how important the role of nutrition plays in maintaining a healthy immune system can make the trip to your family doctor easily be re-routed to the kitchen instead. Apples, anyone?
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