Nanotechnology: Design For The Future Of Drug Delivery

Drug Delivery with Nanotechnology:

Nanotechnology has completed his fifty years on December 29, 2009. Professor Richard P.Feynman (Nobel Laureate, 1965) was the first person to predict and discussed the concept of nanotechnology. His prediction, to a large extent, has been realized till today. He on December 29, 1959 at an American Physical Society meeting at Caltech presented a celebrated talk There’s plenty of room at the bottom,’ which represents the era of nanotechnology" the technology catering only nanometre scaled objects. The term Nanotechnology came into existence in the year 1974, by the help of Professor Norio Taniguchi.

Feynman research and development activity was pointing towards a new era of technology by aggregating things atom by atom, at present terms, molecular nanotechnology’. He also discussed about writing the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica on the tip of a needle; also forecasted that one day the entire information of the world could be contained in an envelope! He also predicted that nanotechnologically developed little motors could be able to move within our blood vessels and do surgeries, duplicating the virtual surgeon. Now! To a large extent the predictions of Feynman, have been realized today.

Feynman added, The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibility of manoeuvring things atom by atom. A new methodology to see and place atoms called scanning tunnelling microscopy came into existence in the year 1981 and numerous adjustments of this tool revolutionized all branches of science.

With rapid advancement in Nanotechnology it will be possible to direct tiny diagnostic and therapeutic objects into the body and even into specific cells. Single elements of electronic storage are now in nanoscale so that entire libraries can be written in hand-held devices. Molecules have been shown to store information.

The rapid technological advancement in Nanotechnology helps us to see and feel the revolutionary evolution in term of size, shape and properties of the matter, atom by atom as the object is made. As a result, we can probe questions such as the electrical conductivity of a single DNA strand or strength of single chemical bonds.

Global Budget for Nanotechnology Research:

In US: $10.1 billion was spent during the year 2001, 2009.

The current i.e for 2010, US budget for Nanotechnology is $1.6 billion.

Indian government has started a Nano Mission two years ago with a budget of Rs.1, 000 crores.

Looking at the past and the present advancement in the field of Nanotechnology, we can easily predict a fruitful result in the form of Nanotechnological goods and services, and which is expected to be a worth of $2.6 trillion in the year 2014 globally.

At present 400,000 research documents and 100,000 patents have already been in this area with 59,000 annual research publications in 2009. This number is expected to grow five folds by the end of 2010.

Nanotechnology is intended to...

Nanotechnology is empowered to regulate matter at the atomic level. It is the power of the creator, as all are constructed with atoms. As soon as this capability is comprehended, nothing that matter can deliver is impossible. It has gathered much attention and hopes for its future advancements to treat deadly diseases. Nanotechnology is empowered to repair as well as control, prevent and extend biological functions.

Advantages of Nanotechnology in Medical:

It can produce improved surgical instruments with high precision.

It is capable of shrinking the machines to the size where they can be inserted into the human body in order to detect and repair diseased cells.

It enables better drug delivery system.

It can provide more effective anti-virals and antibiotics that are capable of treating dreadful diseases.

With the help of Nanotechnology, substances can be made super tough or super light, etc. Scientist hopes that Nanotechnology can harvest all energy needed for the planet from the sun and if more is needed, there is the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen forming water. Looking at the above text we can hope for the clean and green environment once again.

Massage Oils – Advantages & Disadvantages

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is the most widely used oil for body massage. It is finely textured, smooth and free-flowing. It is high in linoleic acid (E.F.A.) and contains some vitamin E.. This will nourish the skin and allow it to store for longer, vitamin E. being an antioxidant prevents rancidity.

Advantages
•Smooth hence good for full body massage.
•Provides good slip and is easily absorbed.
•Suitable for all skin types and areas
•Cheap and readily available.
Disadvantages
•Usually produced by hot extraction, has lost a lot of its beneficial properties.

Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is a pale yellow, thick liquid that mixes well with most other carrier oils and essential oils. It is rich in nutrients, such as unsaturated fatty acids (EFA), and also contains a high percentage of vitamins such as A, B1, B2, B6, D and E. It is excellent in treating psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis due to its vitamin E. content. It also has some anti-inflammatory properties, which allows it to be beneficial to conditions such as sunburn.

Advantages
•Stores well due to vitamin E. content
•Cold pressed therefore relatively pure.
•Has protective and nourishing qualities to the skin
Disadvantages
•Not suitable for full body massage on its own, becomes too sticky.
•Expensive
•Contra-indicated in diabetics, and those suffering from nut allergies.
•
Wheatgerm Oil.
Unrefined wheatgerm oil has a strong odour, which many people find unpleasant. It contains high levels of vitamin E., which is a natural antioxidant. Although expensive wheatgerm oil is the richest food source we have of vitamin E.

Advantages
•Moisturisers dry/mature Skin.
•Good for reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
•Relieved symptoms of dermatitis.
•When added to an aromatherapy blend will help prevent oxidation.
Disadvantages
•Too thick and sticky for use on its own.
•May cause allergies, as it is a protein.
•Contraindicated with celiac sufferers.

Evening Primrose Oil.
Evening Primrose oil is an expensive oil, but has excellent moisturising benefits. It contains linoleic acid, and gamma linoleic acid (GLA). Also contains some vitamins and minerals.

Advantages
•useful for dry skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.
•Useful for PMT, period pains, arthritis and rheumatism.
Disadvantages
•Too expensive for use on full body.

Avocado
Avocado oil is a highly penetrative oil, rich in essential fatty acids, and also has a high vitamin content. It contains vitamin A. vitamin B. and vitamin D.. It also contains proteins and fats, and the minerals potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. It can be mixed in a small ratio (10%) with other carrier oils, and is commonly used in beauty care.

Advantages
•Stores well.
•Emollient
•Unrefined,
•Viscous-but still penetrates the skin deeper than most carrier oils.
•Has healing properties-helps reduce inflammation (beneficial to psoriasis/eczema).
Disadvantages
•Can become too sticky during massage-blend with another carrier oil.
•Has a strong smell.

Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is actually a liquid wax, not on oil. It is a nutritious oil containing vitamin E., minerals and proteins. It is beneficial to many conditions as its structure is similar to sebum, therefore it can be used on oily or dry skin. Unlike many oils, it can be heated to high temperatures and still retain its nutrients.

Advantages
•Nourishing-beneficial to all skin types.
•Highly penetrative with anti-inflammatory properties-excellent for acne, psoriasis, eczema and arthritis.
•Helps control the release of sebum, useful for seborrhoeic skin conditions.
•Stable-does not evaporate or react with air.
Disadvantages
•Very expensive-use small amounts, mixed with another carrier oil.

Calendula
This is an infused oil produced by maceration for its medicinal properties. It contains anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and healing properties. It is generally used for medicinal purposes on specific areas.

Advantages
•Very suitable for skin problems-chapped skin, eczema, bruising and sunburn.
Disadvantages
•Very expensive.
•Not as pure as cold pressed oil due to maceration process.

Macadamia
This is a stable, fine textured cold pressed oil, and is available either refined or unrefined. In either case solvents are not used and the oil retains its natural properties.

Advantages
•Emollient
•Contains palmitoleic acid (found in sebum), good for oily and dry skin conditions.
•Help prevent ageing, good for driving wrinkled skin.
•Good keeping properties, lasts a long time before becoming rancid.
Disadvantages
•Very expensive.
•Has slight aroma, nutty smell.
•Contra-indicated on clients with nut allergies.

Peach kernel.
This is cold pressed from the kernels of the fruit. It is similar in appearance and chemically to apricot oil and sweet almond oil. It is finely textured and rich in vitamins a, B1, B2 & B6. It is especially ideal for facial blends, since it is kind to the skin and easily absorbed.

Advantages
•Keeps well.
•Protects, nourishes and moisturises the skin.
•Useful for dry skins and eczema.
•Helps relieve itching, so can be useful for psoriasis.
•Good for sensitive skin.
Disadvantages
•Expensive

SynergySkinCare.ie, offers best Massage oil lotion, natural massage oil, natural massage oil and other Massage oils. visit- Synergy Skin Care

Lifestyle and Easy Home Remedies for Arthritis

All our activities of day-to-day life like- sitting, standing, running, walking, stretching, holding depends on integrity and healthy condition of our joints. We cannot imagine life with painful, swollen and stiff joints. In this article, we are going to discuss lifestyle and easy home remedies for various types of arthritis like- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout.

1.Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is an auto-immune disorder which affects mainly joints having a covering called synovial membrane. It often leads to the destruction of cartilage between the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis can also affect other parts of body such as- covering sheet of lungs, covering sheet of heart etc.

What are the causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Exact causes are not known. Immunity plays a major role in manifestation. It is mainly caused due to auto-immunity when immune cells of the body start killing its own cells. The condition is like soldiers of the country fighting against their own country.

Rheumatoid Arthritis according to Ayurveda

It is known by the name Amavata in Ayurveda. Amavata is an altererd state of digestion and metabolism caused by unhealthy eating habits when there is dimnished digestive power (Mandagni). Ayurvedic treatment includes correction of digestion and metabolism, treatment of joints with Panchkarma therapy and prescription of various Ayurvedic medicines.

What are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Inflammation in joints
Development of a flap in the synovium
Stiffness in the joints
Swelling, pain and warmth
Erosion and destruction of the joint surface
The pain in the joints is similar to the sting bite of scorpion
Constipation, indigestion, fullness of stomach

2. There is another type of arthritis which when affects the joints makes us feel that life is definitely a curse. Osteoarthritis is such a condition. "Osteo" means bones and "Arthritis" means inflammation and stiffness of the joints. It occurs when protective cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over a period of time which results from the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. It can affect joints of hands, joints near the finger ends, base of the thumb, neck, lower back, knees, hips, spine are commonly afflicted by osteoarthritis. Unlike other types of arthritis, only joints are typically affected in Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis according to Ayurveda

Osteoarthritis is called as Sandhigata Vata in ayurveda which means the invasion and localisation of morbid Vata in the joints of body thereby producing pain, swelling and disturbed movements.

3.Gout:

Another type of Arthritis is a disorder in which the crystals of monosodium urate monohydrate derived from hyperuricaemic body fluids gives rise to inflammatory arthritis(swollen and inflamed joints), bursitis(swelling in the spaces of joints), tenosynovitis(swelling of muscle tendon covering its sheath) or cellulites(swelling with redness and fluid collection). It is also related with kidneys.

Causes of Gout

Uric acid concentration in the body depends between the balance between purine synthesis and uric acid elimination through kidneys. Due to the presence of excess purine and when it is not excreted properly, this condition leads to the formation of crystals.

What are the symptoms of Gout?

The joint of great toe (metatarsalphalangeal joint) is the site of first acute gout in 70% of cases. In other cases, it affects knee, ankle, small joints of feet and hand, sometimes the onset may be very sudden, waking up the patient from sleep.
Gout according to Ayurveda- Vatarakta signs and symptoms can be co-related with gout.

Home Remedies for Arthritis:

All the 3 types of arthritis are entirely different from treatment and management point of view.
Few home remedies are mentioned for management of each of these individually:

Garlic- Research indicates that micro-nutrients present in garlic helps in preventing arthritis changes of bones. 2 garlic pearls with 2 ounces of buttermilk is an excellent daily drink for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Ginger, long pepper and pepper must be included in diet on regular basis to correct digestion and metabolism.
Fruits and leaves of drumstick must be included as it is rich in calcium and vitamin C.
Drinking warm water helps to improve digestion. Regular drinking of warm water helps to bring lightness to the joints thus helps in improving flexibility of the joints.
Bitter melon improves digestion and it is a good source of vitamin B1, B2 and B3. It is a good detoxifying herb.
Mix fine powder of Haritaki(Terminalia chebula) with castor oil to make a fine paste. This is to be consumed with warm water. It helps to clear Ama out of the body by cleansing stomach and intestines by inducing purgation.
In osteoarthritis, exercise is very important as it increases the endurance and strength of muscles around the joints. It makes the joints stable. Walking, swimming are the best exercises for osteoarthritis patients.
Being obese or over-weight can increase the stress on weight bearing joints such as knees and hips. Weight loss is also important in osteoarthritis.
Good eating habits such as Vitamin C, Omega 3 fatty acids reduce joint inflammation, Vitamin D is related to osteoarthritis progression. Sources include exposure to sunlight for 45 minutes daily.
Giloy( Tinospora cordifolia) in the form of water decoction, powder, juice should be used to treat Vatarakta(Gouty arthritis).
Ginger is an anti-inflammatoryand anti- arithritic drug. It acts specifically over affected joints to bring about quick relief from pain and inflammation.
Milk boiled with Dashmoola (group of 10 herbs) poured warm over the affected joints gives relief from pain.

Diet for Arthritis:

According to Ayurveda, foods that cause Ama formation must be avoided which is the main cause for Rheumatoid Arthritis and foods that cause imbalance of Kapha and Vata which inturn worsen stiffening, pain and inflammation. Anything which is heavy to digest, that takes long time to digest is to be avoided.
Intake of curd by rheumatoid arthritis patients is not ideal. Fish, Spinach (Basella rubra), black gram, contrast foods like- fish with milk etc. must be avoided. Avoid suppression of natural urges cause increase in Vata. Skipping night sleep is not recommended as it causes utter Vata imbalance.
Oil massage is not advised in rheumatoid arthritis.
Low purine intake, no alcohol consumption is advised for patients suffering from gout. Purine rich foods like- beer, alcoholic beverages, fish, yeast, legumes (dried beans, peas), spinach and cauliflower must be avoided.

Lifestyle and diet plays a major role in arthritis. So healthy lifestyle must be followed.

Massage Oils – Advantages & Disadvantages

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is the most widely used oil for body massage. It is finely textured, smooth and free-flowing. It is high in linoleic acid (E.F.A.) and contains some vitamin E.. This will nourish the skin and allow it to store for longer, vitamin E. being an antioxidant prevents rancidity.

Advantages
•Smooth hence good for full body massage.
•Provides good slip and is easily absorbed.
•Suitable for all skin types and areas
•Cheap and readily available.
Disadvantages
•Usually produced by hot extraction, has lost a lot of its beneficial properties.

Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is a pale yellow, thick liquid that mixes well with most other carrier oils and essential oils. It is rich in nutrients, such as unsaturated fatty acids (EFA), and also contains a high percentage of vitamins such as A, B1, B2, B6, D and E. It is excellent in treating psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis due to its vitamin E. content. It also has some anti-inflammatory properties, which allows it to be beneficial to conditions such as sunburn.

Advantages
•Stores well due to vitamin E. content
•Cold pressed therefore relatively pure.
•Has protective and nourishing qualities to the skin
Disadvantages
•Not suitable for full body massage on its own, becomes too sticky.
•Expensive
•Contra-indicated in diabetics, and those suffering from nut allergies.
•
Wheatgerm Oil.
Unrefined wheatgerm oil has a strong odour, which many people find unpleasant. It contains high levels of vitamin E., which is a natural antioxidant. Although expensive wheatgerm oil is the richest food source we have of vitamin E.

Advantages
•Moisturisers dry/mature Skin.
•Good for reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
•Relieved symptoms of dermatitis.
•When added to an aromatherapy blend will help prevent oxidation.
Disadvantages
•Too thick and sticky for use on its own.
•May cause allergies, as it is a protein.
•Contraindicated with celiac sufferers.

Evening Primrose Oil.
Evening Primrose oil is an expensive oil, but has excellent moisturising benefits. It contains linoleic acid, and gamma linoleic acid (GLA). Also contains some vitamins and minerals.

Advantages
•useful for dry skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.
•Useful for PMT, period pains, arthritis and rheumatism.
Disadvantages
•Too expensive for use on full body.

Avocado
Avocado oil is a highly penetrative oil, rich in essential fatty acids, and also has a high vitamin content. It contains vitamin A. vitamin B. and vitamin D.. It also contains proteins and fats, and the minerals potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. It can be mixed in a small ratio (10%) with other carrier oils, and is commonly used in beauty care.

Advantages
•Stores well.
•Emollient
•Unrefined,
•Viscous-but still penetrates the skin deeper than most carrier oils.
•Has healing properties-helps reduce inflammation (beneficial to psoriasis/eczema).
Disadvantages
•Can become too sticky during massage-blend with another carrier oil.
•Has a strong smell.

Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is actually a liquid wax, not on oil. It is a nutritious oil containing vitamin E., minerals and proteins. It is beneficial to many conditions as its structure is similar to sebum, therefore it can be used on oily or dry skin. Unlike many oils, it can be heated to high temperatures and still retain its nutrients.

Advantages
•Nourishing-beneficial to all skin types.
•Highly penetrative with anti-inflammatory properties-excellent for acne, psoriasis, eczema and arthritis.
•Helps control the release of sebum, useful for seborrhoeic skin conditions.
•Stable-does not evaporate or react with air.
Disadvantages
•Very expensive-use small amounts, mixed with another carrier oil.

Calendula
This is an infused oil produced by maceration for its medicinal properties. It contains anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and healing properties. It is generally used for medicinal purposes on specific areas.

Advantages
•Very suitable for skin problems-chapped skin, eczema, bruising and sunburn.
Disadvantages
•Very expensive.
•Not as pure as cold pressed oil due to maceration process.

Macadamia
This is a stable, fine textured cold pressed oil, and is available either refined or unrefined. In either case solvents are not used and the oil retains its natural properties.

Advantages
•Emollient
•Contains palmitoleic acid (found in sebum), good for oily and dry skin conditions.
•Help prevent ageing, good for driving wrinkled skin.
•Good keeping properties, lasts a long time before becoming rancid.
Disadvantages
•Very expensive.
•Has slight aroma, nutty smell.
•Contra-indicated on clients with nut allergies.

Peach kernel.
This is cold pressed from the kernels of the fruit. It is similar in appearance and chemically to apricot oil and sweet almond oil. It is finely textured and rich in vitamins a, B1, B2 & B6. It is especially ideal for facial blends, since it is kind to the skin and easily absorbed.

Advantages
•Keeps well.
•Protects, nourishes and moisturises the skin.
•Useful for dry skins and eczema.
•Helps relieve itching, so can be useful for psoriasis.
•Good for sensitive skin.
Disadvantages
•Expensive

SynergySkinCare.ie, offers best Massage oil lotion, natural massage oil, natural massage oil and other Massage oils. visit- Synergy Skin Care

Know about orthopedics

• Diabetic foot

The reasons for diabetic foot are the injuries or damage of Central nervous system. Some symptoms for diabetic foot are listed here

1. Numbness in foot

2. Swellings

3. Open wounds

4. Loss of hair in legs and foot

5. Experiencing pain in legs, while walking

Treatment for diabetic foot is done in three stages such as

Debridment (tissues that are dead and dying are removed by this process), Drainage (this is done for wounds with pus), Bandage (This process is done to prevent infection and also to provide antibiotics)

• Heel pain

Heel pain is mainly due to overuse or injury of the heel bone. Some causes of heel bone are overweight, wearing chapels or shoes of incorrect size, heel spurs, Achilles Tendinitis (inflammation of the Achilles tendon), Excessive Pronation (the foot rolls inward and the ligaments and tendons at the back of the heel are stretched too much), Plantar Fasciitis (due to inflammation of tendinous tissue connecting the heel to the ball of the foot)

• Mortan’s Neuroma ( Intermetatarsal)

This disease is due to compression and irritation of nerves. Hence, Foot’s Neuroma is called as Mortan’s Neuroma. Some symptoms are pain & numbness in foot, a feeling of something in the foot.

• Bone Spurs

These are small bony projections that appear along the edges of the bone.

• Tendon Dysfunction

This is due to tendon’s inflammation

• Bunions

Bunions are called for the bony bump appears at the base of big toe

• Claw toe

Nerve damage results in claw toe

• Hammer toe

The tightening and bending of muscles or tendons result in Hammer toe

• Hip dysplasia

Abnormal formation of hip sockets causes hip dysplasia

• Hip Bursitis

Inflammation of fluid sac ( bursa) which is needed to reduce the friction during the movement of tissues

• Snapping Hip

Changes in anatomy lead to snapping hip

• Osteoporosis

Degeneration of bones is osteoporosis

• Arthritis

This is due to pain and swellings in joints

• Bowed legs

Bowed legs is called for the curving of legs

• Runners knee (Patellofemeral pain syndrome)

Runners knee disease is due to the irritation of patella cartilage

• Osgood- schlatter disease

This is due to the inflammation of tibia attached tendon

• Tendonitis

Inflammation of tendon causes tendonitis

• Neurofibromatosis

This disease causes interruptions for the cell growth of nervous system

• Cerebral palsy

This is a congenital disease

• Boutonniere deformity

Abnormal positioning of toes and fingers

• De Quervainstenosynovitis

This disease occurs when the sheath covering of thumb tendon get inflammation

• Erb’s palsy

Erb’s palsy is called for the paralysis of upper arm due to injuries or damage to nerves that present in the upper group arms

• Frozen shoulders

This is due to Inflammation of shoulder joint tendons

• Cubital tunnel syndrome

Ulnar nerve pressure variations cause this disease

• Tennis elbow

Overuse or aging may be the reasons for tennis elbow

• Spinal stenosis

May due to the wear and tear occurring in the feet, legs, lower back

• Scoliosis

This condition is called for the curve appearance in the spine due to the degenerative bone tissues

• Muscular dystrophy

This is a disease affecting group muscles

• Rickets

Deficiency of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D causes bone deformity. This rickets appears in children

• Cauda squine syndrome

Nerve endings of spinal cord get irritated, a condition called Cauda squine syndrome

• Lyme disease

This disease is due to borrelia type bacteria

• Sciatica

Leg pain due to problems with sciatic nerve

• Carpel tunnel syndrome

This disease is called for numbness and pain in the hand

• Compartment syndrome

This disease is called for pain in fingers

• Kienbock’s syndrome

This disease causes interruptions in blood supply to some bones in wrist

• Dupuytren’s contracture

Hand deformity due to the thickening of fibrous tissues of hands

Knee Surgery for Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis is a degenerative disorder of joints, which causes the breakdown of cartilage, resulting in inflammation and swelling of joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form, which affects knee joints. It is also caused by gout, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or infection. Age (people above 50 years), being overweight, injuries, trauma, ligament damage, deposition of uric acid crystals, and abnormal body structure are the common risk factors for this disease.

A person with knee arthritis may experience pain during activities, along with joint swelling and tenderness, stiffness of knee, cracking noise, and limited range of motion. It is diagnosed with the help of physical examination and findings of imaging tests such as X-ray and MRI scan. It can be treated using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), support braces, physical therapy, muscle relaxants, and heat and cold treatments. Since obesity is one of the risk factors for knee arthritis, losing excess weight and maintaining a normal body weight is an important regimen for its treatment. A well-planned exercise program can help to reduce the stiffness in joints and improve the range of motion. When these treatment options are not helpful in relieving the symptoms, an orthopedist may recommend a knee surgery.

Arthritis Treatment with Knee Surgery

Knee surgery for arthritis is aimed at relieving joint pain, reducing joint stiffness, as well as improving the range of motion and appearance of deformed joints.

Arthroscopy: Arthroscopy is the surgical procedure, which provides a direct view of the joint structure with the help of an arthroscope. Since the arthroscope is attached to a closed-circuit television, arthroscopic surgery can be used to determine the type of arthritis and the amount of damage to the knee joint. It can be performed under local anesthesia. Arthroscopic clean-out is beneficial in case of mild to moderate knee arthritis. However, the benefits of arthroscopic surgery are temporary and symptoms may reappear after some duration.

Synovectomy: This procedure can be performed as an open surgery or using an arthroscope. In this surgical procedure, diseased synovium (soft tissue joint lining) is removed. This helps in reducing the joint pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the results may be temporary and the synovium may grow back after some years.

Osteotomy: In most cases, some deformities of the legs may develop such as a bowleg or knock-knee, which can worsen the symptoms. These deformities can be corrected with the help of osteotomy. This surgical procedure involves cutting and repositioning the bone, either tibia or femur bone, due to which the alignment of the leg is improved. This helps to relieve pain and manage the symptoms of arthritis.

Arthroplasty: Arthroplasty involves rebuilding of knee joints. It is also referred to as total joint replacement, in which a part or the entire arthritic joint is removed. Generally, it is replaced with ceramic, plastic, or metal parts. In this surgical procedure, the end of the bone where the cartilage has worn away is resurfaced. This procedure enables many people with disabilities to regain joint activity.

Unicompartmental knee replacement: This surgical option is considered to be a good treatment option for osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Out of the two compartments of a knee, only one compartment may be affected by arthritis, while the other may be normal. This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves replacement of only the damaged parts of one compartment. This surgery is beneficial for people with severe knee arthritis. Major benefits of this surgery are smaller incisions, less blood loss, and shorter duration for recovery. It helps to reduce symptoms and improves the range of motion. However, the main disadvantage of it is that the non-replaced compartment may deteriorate over time.

Total knee replacement: Total knee replacement is necessary in most cases. People with hampered joint mobility, malfunctioning joints, and limited activities due to joint pain are recommended to undergo this surgery. In this surgical procedure, the ends of the damaged lower leg bones and thighbones, as well as the kneecap are replaced with artificial implants made from plastic or metal. The artificial joint is connected to the shin, thighbone, and kneecap using cement or a special material. There are different types of implants such as cemented and press-fit knee replacements. The complete surfaces at the ends of the thighbone and lower leg bone are replaced. Most often, general anesthesia is preferred for this surgery. These implants can last for about 10-15 years in 90-95% of the patients. It helps to relieve pain and stiffness in joints to improve their mobility and functionality.

Knee surgery is one of the most effective options for arthritis treatment, which helps to relieve painful symptoms and restore normal functionality of the knee joints. This enables a person to perform daily routine activities with ease.

Kairali’s Anuthailam Counted Among The Best Ayurvedic Products For Sinusitis

Nature has made life including humans with finest of mechanisms and physiologies that promise health and progeny as the core and fundamental objectives. However, the life we humans live and the manner in which we have carved our environment/ambiences has led to mismatch with the core functions that nature ensured in us. This causes health distortions. Minor health problems have become part of life and we take it for granted! In some cases, it has been also found that our body reacts more than normal through our immune system to generate auto immune disorders of diversity. Many people have sinus problems wherein they suffer from blocked nose often or loss of smell occasionally or specific conditions like occurrence of nasal polyps in the nose passage. Swelling in nasal passages is one symptom that is almost common in different sinus problems and this is called as sinusitis.

These conditions could be temporary in most cases while in others this could be lifelong symptom without creating any major inconsistency in day to day life; the quality of life of course gets hampered! Ayurveda, the ancient medicine system from India has touched upon sinus problems of different types as allergic disorders. Kairali - the leading Ayurvedic healing and wellness brand has made use of its 10 decades old practice and allied expertise to develop Ayurvedic remedies for sinusitis. Kairali has manufactured Anuthailam - a dedicated therapy against sinus disorders & regular use of it helps relieve the symptoms and also clears the root causes of sinus problem.

Sinusitis - caused due to immune response!

Sinusitis is not potentially dangerous condition and mostly it involves swelling in the nasal passage as a result of allergic reaction against the external agents that body considers harmful. This is purely an immune response from within and there is no reason to explain as why the immune system responds differently in individuals. The excess and reactive responses can occur almost instantly, like if person has allergy for pollens, dust or specific aroma or else. More generic causes of sinusitis could be traced to ‘allergy’ as (maybe) possessed by the individual. When considered from the immune dimension, such responses (like swelling of nasal mucus membrane) can be considered sort of protective attempt by the body with the objective of preventing the harmful agents (pathogens/toxins/chemicals) from entering into the body. When these responses get too aggressive like almost blocking the nasal passage so that air flow is obstructed then it becomes a cause of concern and is termed as sinusitis - a condition of medical significance. Sinusitis remedies are developed to control such symptoms, especially if these are a temporary phenomenon and person does not carry the same as a lifetime disorder.

Kairali has developed Anuthailam which is counted among the best Ayurvedic products for sinusitis. It is a purely herbal formulation that relieves the swelling and restores the normal functioning of nasal passage.

Anuthailam - clears sinus infections

In most of the temporary cases of sinusitis, the main cause is infections through pathogens of diversity which are of course harmful for the body and health. The common cold and flu infections can be counted in this segment. However, body’s own defense mechanism does the task of preventing such pathogens to enter and in such attempt, the nasal membrane gets swollen. Mucus is also secreted in large quantity to drain out the pathogens. However, excess mucus and swelling blocks the nose airways and hence difficulty in breathing! Kairali’s Anuthailam is also a strong natural antibiotic that helps clear the germs in the nasal passage and hence pacifies the strong immune reactions. This makes Anuthailam apt for sinus infection cure and allied symptoms’ reduction.

Ayurvedic sinus remedies for complete relief

In some individuals, sinus conditions are a permanent feature to affect life and living. As stated above, this is due to auto immune disorder and associated allergies as a result of which immune system responds abnormally against harmless inputs. This condition requires gradual conditioning of immune responses without disabling the core mechanism in any manner! Regular use of Anuthailam does this effectively and Kairali’s holistic sinus remedies also propose complementary exercises in the form of yoga pranayams for optimized results in definite time frame.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

"Juvenile" or "childhood" arthritis is a disease occurring in children below the age of sixteen. The affected children experience pain, stiffness, and swelling in one or more joints. This trio is called inflammation. This inflammation is present for more than six weeks. The prevalent form of this type is called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Almost 50,000 children in the United States are suffering from this disease.

Types

Polyarticular JRA: It affects more girls than boys. The small joints of the hand and the weight-bearing joints are affected. There is swelling or pain in minimum 5 joints.
Pauciarticular JRA: The knee and wrist joints are generally affected. Inflammation of maximum four joints is observed. Additionally, the iris may be inflamed with or without active joint symptoms.
Systemic JRA: There is initial fever that increases in the evening and abruptly comes back to normal. During fever, the child may develop a rash. This rash may all of a sudden disappear and reappear. The spleen and lymph nodes increase in size. Finally, many joints of the body are inflamed.

Symptoms

Limping or a sore wrist, knee, or finger
Joints may swell and appear enlarged
Stiffness in the neck, hips, and other joints
Appearance and disappearance of rashes
High fevers that rise during the evening and suddenly disappear

Causes

This is an autoimmune disease. The white blood cells in the body cannot differentiate between the body's own healthy cells and harmful invaders, like viruses and bacteria. The immune system, instead of attacking the invaders, releases chemicals that may damage healthy tissues. This causes inflammation and pain.

Diagnosis

The doctor demands a detailed medical history and conducts a thorough physical examination. X-rays and blood tests are done to exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms. Other tests are as follows:
Complete blood count to evaluate basic cellular components of blood, like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Blood culture to determine the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream
Bone marrow examination to test blood in the bone marrow for deciding about leukemia
Test to check the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which increases with inflammation
Test to check the rheumatoid factor, which is an antibody produced in the blood of children with some type of JRA
Antinuclear antibody is used to detect autoimmunity and the possibility of eye disease with JRA
Bone scan to determine alterations in bone and joints to analyze the reasons of unexplained bone and joint pain

Treatment

The primary care physician, rheumatologist, and the physical therapist collaborate and design a combination of medication, physical therapy, and exercise.
Medication

Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), aspirin, naproxen or naproxen sodium (Naprosyn or Aleve) limits the release of harmful chemicals from white blood cells, and thereby, decreases inflammation and pain. If NSAIDs are not effective, the doctor may recommend other new medications. Sometimes, Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), like methotrexate are used to slow the progression of JRA. However, these require weeks or months to relieve the symptoms. Those having severe JRA are treated with Corticosteroids, like prednisone to control severe symptoms, like inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. This medication is given through the mouth or directly into the vein.
Physical Therapy

Certain range-of-motion exercises are recommended to regain flexibility in stiff and sore joints. Other exercises enable to build strength and endurance.
Regular Exercise

In the presence of pain, children desire to lie down still. However, it is vital to follow a regular exercise program. Strong and healthy muscles support and protect joints. Walking, swimming, and bicycling (outdoor or indoor stationary) must be executed. Before exercise, a warm-up is necessary. A balanced diet involving a lot of calcium promotes bone health.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.

Joint Pain Relief for Dogs

Arthritis is one of the common causes of joint pain in dogs. Older dogs are at a higher risk of getting affected by this disease. Common contributing factors include obesity, lack of exercise, or conditions such as nutritional deficiency, strain, sprain, hip dysplasia, etc. The symptoms that indicate joint problems in canines include unusual movements, difficulty in standing up, swelling in the joints, irritability, unwillingness towards physical activities like jumping, climbing stairs, etc. When the pain intensifies, the affected dog might refuse to walk.

Treatment Options

As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to take your pet to the veterinarian, as soon as you identify the early signs of pain and inflammation in the joints. In order to provide relief from pain, the vet might prescribe NSAIDs (or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Though these drugs are also available over the counter, never administer them without consulting a vet. This is due to the fact that the use of some of the NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin might not be safe. The instructions given by the vet on the dosage and the duration for which the drug must be administered, must be followed strictly. In some cases, corticosteroids might also be prescribed.

These drugs can bring about temporary relief from the pain, but the prolonged use of these drugs could cause damage to the internal organs. The vet might also suggest some changes in the dog's diet. The affected dogs should be given food that is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for strengthening of the muscles and bones. Foods that can cause inflammation and worsen the symptoms should be eliminated from the dog's diet. If obesity is the issue, then the food items that can increase the dog's weight should be eliminated.

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate are two very popular nutritional supplements that doctors recommend along with medicines. When used together, they help heal the joints. Chondroitin sulfate hydrates the joint cartilage, which enables it to function as a cushion to the joint tissues more effectively. The advantage of using glucosamine for dogs is that it keeps their joints in a lubricated state to ensure smooth movements.

In case of degenerative canine arthritis, where the joints are in a damaged state, then conservative treatment might not be enough and surgery might be recommended. There are different techniques of surgery available that can repair the damaged joint. In serious cases, the affected joint is replaced with a new joint.

Natural Remedies

Massage therapy can help provide relief from pain. Massaging each joint with light hands for 10-15 minutes daily can help improve blood circulation in the area, which in turn might decrease the swelling. The stiff muscles will also feel relaxed after the massage. For better results, you can use licorice oil to massage the painful joints.

Turmeric has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It should be added to the dog's food regularly for relief from pain.

Cayenne, which is available in the form of cream or ointment, can be applied topically on stiff joints. This might help block the painful sensation and reduce the swelling.

Exercise is an integral part of treatment for joint pain in canines, however, strenuous exercises are not recommended as the pain may get intensified. Rather, the focus of the exercise should be to add strength and flexibility to the joint, so that their mobility can be improved. Exercise is also helpful in weight loss.

The recovery period can vary from few weeks to few months and largely depends on the severity of the condition. Be patient and do not expect any overnight results. In the meantime, joint care for dogs is essential to protect them from any further damage. For this, the dog's bedding has to be comfortable enough to ease off the tension from the joints. An orthopedic bed is highly beneficial in this regard, as it contains high density foam that provides more cushion and comfort to your pet.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a veterinarian.

Inflammatory Foods List Connected To Joint Pain!

When it comes to arthritis pain, the foods you eat are the last thing normally associated with the cause. How much does what you eat have to do with inflammation and joint pain? Different foods have a lot to do with what can help or hurt with chronic joint pain and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis can be excruciating for the one who suffers from it.

 Inflammation can be the cause of many diseases. Obesity, fibromyalgia and cancer have been linked to inflammation. Knowing the foods that are on the inflammatory foods list will help you steer away from the foods causing you grief.

 There are many foods that cause the symptoms associated to inflammation to flair. Many foods on the list most aren't aware of causing pain and suffering. The general population depends on over the counter medicines to help with the pain. These medicines, if used for an extended period can lead to larger, more dangerous medical issues, such as stomach ulcers.

 Knowing the foods listed on the inflammatory food list is the first step to getting healthier. Not only are you helping with pain, changing your eating habits helps with weight loss.

 The list of foods to avoid:

 Starches are on the top of the list. Baked goods white in color turn into sugar almost immediately. Starchy foods raise blood sugar rapidly. Inflammation flares up when the blood sugar rises, leading to swelling and joint pain.

 Gluten is an active ingredient in white flour. Those with difficulties digesting the protein suffer greatly from inflammation.

 Replacing white flour is the answer. Begin eating and cooking with Brown Rice.

 - Brown rice flour

 - Quinoa

 - Teff

 - Rice flour

 - Potato flour

 - Gluten free products are available in most grocery stores today.

 Second on the inflammatory foods list is two favorite foods: Fried French fries and the beloved potato chips. The problem is not the potato its the cooking process that places these two on the list.

 Deep fried foods cause thickening in the arteries that in return causes inflammation. The crunchy part of French fries are the worst part. The same thing goes for chips. Changing to baked chips, as well as baking French fries, will reduce the risk.

 The third to make the inflammatory foods list is sausage and bacon. Nitrates are an additive found in all bacon and sausage. Nitrates create an inflammatory chemical that appears when overcooking. This is what you see in the skillet that looks like black smears. You can either choose to avoid nitrates altogether or eat plenty fruits and vegetables with vitamin C. Eating a substance with your bacon or sausage will help fight nitrates.

 The fourth inflammatory foods list contender is cola. Again, cola is a product filled with sugar. Sugar raises insulin levels that cause inflammation around joints. Cola contains the cancer causing ingredient 4-methylimidazole. Cancer is the number one disease linked to inflammation. Avoid cola altogether.

 Fifth to make the inflammatory foods list is artificial butter used in most microwave popcorn's. What the companies label as "artificial butter" is a flavoring that is hard on the liver and lungs, leading to inflammation.

 Sixth on the list are artificial dyes. Dyes are products derived from gas and petroleum. Various artificial dyes play havoc on the hormone production the body needs, leading to swelling and inflammation around the joints, causing severe pain.

 Deleting these toxic items from your daily diet can increase your health while reducing inflammation throughout the body. Drinking plenty water is recommended to help clear arteries and organs of stored toxins that have accumulated over time.

 The most important step to a healthier life is the change to a healthy diet. Get more information from the free copy of my e-book to make better choices!

How to Get Slimmer Facial Contours

How to Lose Chin Fat

Keeping the body active and moving will always lead to a slimmer, healthier you, but if your double chin is really bothering you, then pay close attention to your diet. There is truth in, we are what we eat. Diet plays a huge factor, but most people don't realize how the proper food and beverages can lead to more pleasing facial and neck contours.

Knocking down the calories is the ideal way in how to lose chin fat. In other words, by losing weight all over the body, you face will also shed the pounds. You cannot just target the chin fat to dissolve, because spot fat reduction is impossible for anyone. The great news is when you start losing weight, your body goes after the fat first in the neck, jaw and face. These are the places you and others will notice a significant change.

You should plan on cutting calories to get the plan in motion. Reduce your caloric intake by about 500 calories. You want to diet correctly and in a healthy manner. Begin by making smart choices in your meal and snack agenda.

This sounds like it's too good to be true, but let water be your new friend. Keep the body full and hydrated. Water actually flushes away the toxins in your system. It allows your skin to look clear and radiant, plus it gets rid of facial bloating. Another key point is to enjoy cold water, because it speeds up the metabolism and burns extra calories. Eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day are great to shoot for.

Foods

One of the best ways to lose fat is to be conscious of the foods you consume. Foods high in protein take longer for your body to digest, burning more calories than carbohydrates or fats. Foods that take longer to digest also keep you fuller longer. Fish is a food that is both high in protein and omega-3s.

Calcium has been shown, in a recent study, to drastically reduce belly fat. For every 100 milligrams of calcium consumed a day, participants lost an inch of intra-abdominal fat. Milk is a great source of calcium as well as cheese and yogurt. Some non dairy options include collard greens, broccoli, and kale.

Choosing food that is high in fiber also help when trying to answer the question, what is the best way to lose chin fat? Foods high in fiber keep you fuller longer and tend to have lower calories for the same food volume as lower fiber foods. Some foods that are high in fiber are beans, such as white, black or kidney, corn and barley.

Iconic model Cindy Crawford once remarked that bread was the enemy, and in this case, she is right. Add pasta to that list along with other refined flours and processed foods as things you shouldn't eat in how to lose chin fat. Instead, choose healthier foods that include fish, fresh fruits and veggies, and protein-packed meals.

Other no-nos include sugary foods like those with processed carbohydrates, because these cause a round face and double chin. The same goes with salty snacks, too. Junk food contains loads of salt which in turn causes the body to retain water, once again leading to a bloated face and neck.

Also limit your alcohol intake, as beer, wine and spirits contain calories, too. Alcohol has a tendency to dehydrate the body and that causes facial bloat.

How to lose chin fat isn't a mysterious program only known by few. It can be done when proper nutrition and diet are followed in a healthy and gradual manner. Slimmer facial contours can be yours if you adopt a sound routine.

Gear Up For Active Life With Total Hip Replacement

Total Hip Replacement for Hip Arthritis:
Total hip replacement surgery involves the replacement of diseased cartilage and bone of the hip with artificial materials. The artificial component is made up of chromium, titanium cobalt and ceramic. The femur which is damaged because of arthritis is surgically treated by removing the damaged femur and replaces the ball-and-socket component of hip with artificial implants. Total Hip Replacement Surgery helps the patients to resume daily activities with ease by relieving the pain and improving the mobility.

Indications and Eligibility for Total Hip Replacement Surgery:

Indications & Eligibility:

Symptoms range from mild discomfort to severe pain and immobility is an indication for total hip replacement surgery.
Unbearable hip pain most commonly affects people who are middle-aged and older this is also an indication for total hip replacement surgery.
A chronic osteoarthritis of the hip can expect total hip replacement surgery.
If X-rays shows severe joint damage and no other means of treatment is helpful to provide relief that is also an indication of total hip replacement surgery.
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of hip joint damage that causes pain and affects the daily activities despite of several treatments.
Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis; a chronic inflammatory disease that causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling should undergo Total Hip Replacement Surgery.
Osteonecrosis which is the death of bone caused by insufficient blood supply, injury, fracture and bone tumours. This may lead to breakdown of the hip joint and need total hip replacement surgery.

Additional Facts and Considerations for Total Hip Replacement Surgery:

Patients suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis which is a disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling may be suggested Total hip replacement surgery. Osteonecrosis which is a disease that causes the bone and joints to die. The very common reason for hip replacement is osteoarthritis in the hip joint.

Total Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery:

Depending on the severity of the pain medication (pain killer) will be given.
Anticoagulants may be prescribed for several weeks following surgery.
With a cemented or hybrid hip patients can usually put some weight on their leg right away, but they will still need a walker, a cane, or crutches for several weeks.
Within 24 hrs weight is loaded on a cemented joint and mobilization can be done partially while an un-cemented hip is not permitted to bear weight for about 6 weeks.
Walker or crutches will be suggested during the initial phase. A physiotherapist will guide you on basic movements and exercises.

Total Hip Replacement Surgery Risks and Complications:

Like every surgery has its own merits and demerits this procedure also has, but with the help of best surgeons round the globe we help every patient to go back home satisfactorily.

Risks and Complications:

Blood clots; Clots can form in your leg veins after surgery. This could be dangerous because a part of a clot can break off and travel to your lung, cardiovascular system or rarely your brain.
Infection; Infections can occur at the site of your incision and in the deeper tissue near your new hip.
Fracture;During surgery, healthy portions of your hip joint may fracture.
Dislocation; certain positions can cause the ball of your new joint to become dislodged, particularly in the first few months after surgery.
Change in leg length. Your surgeon takes steps to avoid the problem, but occasionally a new hip makes one leg longer or shorter than the other.
Loosening: Despite the fact that this difficulty is uncommon with newer implants, your new joint may not turn out to be emphatically settled to your bone or may relax after some time, bringing about agony in your hip. Surgery may be needed to settle the issue.

Homeopathy Doctor In Pune | Best Homeopathy Doctor In Pune | Dr Arun Mahajan

Dr. Arun Mahajan practising Homoeopaths with a large practice in Pune, India. Their reputation as skilled and best practitioners have drawn more and more patients from outside the city of Pune, and even from outside the country. Dr. Arun Mahajan is a famous doctor and Consulting Homeopath in Pune. He has been Practising enough in the field of Homeopathy. He has attended various training workshops organised and has gained vast knowledge of this great science. This has helped to go a long way in treating a number of patients in their practice. This website was developed to improve and standardise the communication over the Internet with the growing number of patients from overseas. And also to inform the best benefits Homeopathy has to offer.

Why is Homeopathy Effective?

Homoeopathic remedy action is very specific to cause and effect. An example: A popular anti-inflammatory drug Brufen will reduce inflammation of any tissue in the body irrespective of the pathology, but Aconite, a Homoeopathic remedy, which can be used in these similar situations, cannot be used without considering the specific cause, the pathology and the tissue affectation. This specificity in Homeopathy makes a prescription much more focused and result in cure without undesirable side effects.

In addition to its specific nature, Homoeopathic remedies often achieve an effective curative response because it also addresses other factors like Mental & Emotional stress, symptomatic expression of other organs, nutrition, habits etc,

What is SAFE Homoeopathy?

The classical Homoeopathy can be employed as the first line of treatment for a large number of illnesses. However, it should play the role of complementary treatment for diseases like Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Cancer etc. As unlike others, these diseases manifest themselves as a consequence of irreversible degenerative changes in the body. Cancer, on the other hand, represents a total loss of regulation, therefore much more difficult. Any attempt to treat these illnesses with the only Homoeopathy can sometimes become life threatening due to irreversible degenerative nature of these diseases. Based on a realistic approach to a Homoeopathic role in health care, I have marked 2 distinct categories as "Homeopathy only" and "Homeopathy as a Complimentary system". The diseases enlisted under theses 2 categories can be viewed at Diseases & Treatments. I, therefore, examine these issues critically before deciding my approach for each illness.

This is Our Work

Homeopathy works on the principles of "like cures like" - that is, an illness should be treated by a substance capable of producing similar illness. Homeopathic remedy action is very specific to cause and effect. An example: A popular anti-inflammatory drug Brufen will reduce inflammation of any tissue in the body irrespective of the pathology, but Aconite, a Homeopathic remedy, which can be used in these similar situations, cannot be used without considering the specific cause, the pathology and the tissue affectation. This specificity in Homeopathy makes a prescription much more focused and result in cure without undesirable side effects.

In addition to its specific nature, Homeopathic remedies often achieve an effective curative response because it also addresses other factors like Mental & Emotional stress, symptomatic expression of other organs, nutrition, habits etc. as all of these modulates immunity and affect health. The Homeopathic remedies are free from toxic effects and that's why in many developed countries more and more people are taking Homeopathy as their first choice of treatment. Here are some figures published by The Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, London: Belgium 33%, France 26%, Germany 22% and UK 19%.

How does Homeopathy work?

Homoeopathy works on the principles of "like cures like" - that is, an illness should be treated by a substance capable of producing similar illness.

Treatments Provided by Dr Arun O Mahajan:
Homoeopathic Treatments for

•  Arthritis
•  Urinary Calculi
•  Infertility
•  Hair Problems
•  Skin Problems
•  Anemia
•  Piles
•  Kidney Disease
•  Heart Disease
•  Asthma
•  Allergic Rhinitis
•  Cancer
•  All other also

Help For Sore Muscles

If you are looking for help with sore muscles, in addition to relieving achy joints and being able to get a good night's sleep, then consider the many advantages of using a body pillow. Body pillows can help with so many issues as they relate to preventing you from getting a good night's sleep, which you need to heal and get back on your feet.

If you have ever had the unfortunate experience of having sore, aching muscles, you know how it can prevent you from getting a solid night's sleep. By tossing and turning all night to try to find a comfortable sleeping position, you keep waking up or not really falling into that deep restoring sleep all of us need.

The reason for resting and sleeping is to allow the body to rejuvenate itself or to allow healing. Resting the body properly is one of the keys to good health.

There are several things that may prevent you from getting the good sleep you need to wake up refreshed and feeling good. Anything from back pain, leg pain, neck/shoulder pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia and even pregnancy can take a toll on your joints and muscles to the point of preventing a good night's sleep.

By using a body pillow, which may even be recommended by your doctor or chiropractor, you can help find the comfort your body is looking for in order to get some sleep.

When you are experiencing any kind of pain, you tend to toss and turn throughout the night, trying to find some comfort. When this happens, even if you think you are sleeping, you continue to wake yourself up, or at least out of the deep, restorative level of sleep.

You may wake up feeling tired, more achy and experience a back, neck or headache even after what you thought was a good night's sleep. It's not the number of hours you sleep so much as the kind of sleep you're getting. When you are constantly moving around looking for a comfortable position, you are disturbing the sleep process.

Another thing tossing and turning does is to move your neck and shoulders. Each time you turn, you are doing more harm than good because your neck and shoulders move out of alignment with your spine.

Did you ever wake up, feeling just as bad or worse the next morning, and chalk it up to "sleeping wrong?" That's exactly what happened in the case of tossing and turning all night. You were sleeping "wrong."

By moving your neck and shoulders out of alignment with your spine, there can be all kinds of pressure or stress placed on many other parts of your body like your back, hips and legs.

If you use a body pillow, it can provide the support you need to prevent tossing and turning. It cradles your body and decreases the frequency of movement during the night.

If you invest in a U-shaped body pillow, for example, it provides support to all parts of the body from head and shoulders right down to your legs, no matter if you sleep on your side or stomach.

Depending on what kind of material your body pillow is filled with, such as down, gel or shredded poly-fiber, you can choose the level of firmness that is most comfortable to you and it feels good on those aching muscles and joints.

Body pillows are great to use during a pregnancy, to support those growing tummies and cradle the back and legs which may be sore due to the extra weight.

A body pillow is also helpful for those recovering from surgery. Heart patients may benefit from holding on to a body pillow when coughing, to ease the chest pain that comes along with it. It is also good for the legs of a heart patient to soothe and give those legs a soft spot to heal.

You can use the body pillow for things other than sleeping, such as sitting up to watch TV or reading, and it will give your upper body and back the support it needs.

The many varieties of body pillows available today can provide help for sore muscles, achy joints and give you that level of comfort you need to get a good night's sleep. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and the body pillow pillowcases give style and flair to any bedroom. You can make your bed more comfortable, feel better and more well rested, and do it all in style.

Gain Weight the Healthy Way

World over obesity has been classified as a major problem but not much has been spoken about individuals struggling to gain weight. Being obese or underweight are two sides of the same coin as both result from an unbalanced diet. In medical terms, a person whose body mass index (BMI) is above 30 is considered obese and below 18.5 is considered underweight. While most people are well aware of harmful effects of being overweight, they simply overlook or are unaware of the health risks associated with being underweight.

The harmful effects of being underweight include impairment of immune function, increased susceptibility to infections. osteoporosis, fractures, fertility problems and dementia. It would not be wrong to say that being underweight is medically just as unhealthy as being obese. Hence, it is imperative for each individual to maintain a healthy body weight and lifestyle. Healthy body weight apart from reducing the susceptibility to various diseases, also translates into feeling more energetic and being able to do more activities.

Individuals more often than not associate being underweight with less than optimal food intake i.e. getting less energy via food or being over active. But weight gain is just as hard as losing weight. One of the first steps is to identify the underlying cause of being underweight i.e. it may be due to hypothyroidism which needs to be treated. Post understanding the underlying cause, one needs to list down the daily major activities and look into the calorie intake. This is what your nearby nutritionists can help you with. In this article I have tried to list down some generic diet and lifestyle tips which can be easily incorporated by anyone in his/ her daily routine.

Below are some easy, well established and effective tips to gain weight:

1. Consume more calories

As a rough estimate, if you wish to gain weight steadily, you should aim to eat 300-500 calories more than you burn each day. And if you wish to gain weight fast, you should aim to consume 700-1000 calories more than you burn. Further, you should be having at least 3 meals a day with the right combination of protein, carbs and fat in each meal.

2. Increase your sleep time

Your body rests and absorbs nutrients while spending minimum calories when you sleep. Hence, you should aim to get 8-9 hours of sleep each day to ensure all the calories consumed are stored in your body.

3. Have protein rich and energy dense diet

You need to make sure that you gain healthy amount of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat and not just unhealthy belly fat. As your muscles are made up of protein,you should aim to intake 1.5-2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Protein rich foods include meats, fish, eggs, dairy products and whey protein (in case you are unable to include enough proteins in diet). Further, you should aim to include energy dense foods in your diet. Such foods include nuts, dried fruit, cream, potatoes, dark chocolate, avocados and peanut butter.

4. Hit the gym

While it may seem counter intuitive to burn your calories by hitting the gym, lifting weights at least 2-3 times a week will ensure that the excess calories result in muscle mass and not just body fat.

Apart from following above tips, you need to follow a diet plan that has been customised as per your dietary preferences, lifestyle, medical history, metabolism and body type. Meet your nearest nutritionist to get a customized diet plan. This along with continuous tracking of results will help you in achieving your ideal body weight in minimum time and in a sustainable manner.

Wish you all the best for your weight gain journey!

Four Common Causes for Knee Pain and How to Find Relief

Overview
Knee pain is a typical issue that can originate in any of the hard structures including the knee joint, knee cap, or the ligaments and tendons of the knee. Knee pain can become severe by workout, influenced by the encompassing muscles and their developments, and be activated by different issues, (for example, Foot damage). Knee pain can trouble individuals of any age.
Knee pain can cause long term swelling or in affectability (sensitivity) in one or both knees. There are many occupations, entertainment exercises and sports, getting more seasoned, or having an illness, for example osteoporosis or joint inflammation increases the odds of having issues with the knees. Knee agony (pain) can also be caused by any sudden damage or by a hidden condition, for example, joint pain.

Four common causes for Knee Pain

Trauma:

The Joint inflammation Establishment list the knee as one of the joints most inclined to damage. The knee's general structure and segments put the knee at chance for specific sorts of wounds which can cause agony and prevent it from working legitimately.
Fracture: Injury from a fall or crash can cause cracks in the bones of the knee. People with osteoporosis or other degenerative bone issue that make bones debilitate can break their knee basically by venturing off a control in the wrong way. Genuine cracks require surgery; however active recuperation is frequently all that is required.

Dislocated Knee Cap:

A few wounds can make the kneecap move strange. The individual may need to utilize a support to permit the delicate tissue around the patella to recuperate legitimately and recover its quality.
A disjoined knee is an uncommon yet risky damage. In spite of the fact that this can be switched, the real separation of the knee is exceptionally agonizing. In the event that the knee has not been set up back, the specialist must diminish the separation and make sure that there are no further wounds.

Degenerative Tissue Disorders:

Osteoarthritis which is a Degenerative tissue disorder is a typical sort of knee problem. Osteoarthritis makes harm the ligament and encompassing tissues of the knee.

Connective Tissue Disorders:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune issue that influences the joints of the body. It makes the immune system assault its own body tissues in blunder.
RA causes swelling in the knee joints. RA can prompt bone disintegration and even joint distortion if not treated on time.

Metabolic Problems:

One of the most common metabolic problems that cause knee pain is Gout. The uric acid crystals get formed in the joint which causes Gout. It is a type of joint inflammation and can be extremely painful.
It makes the knee end up plainly swollen and can even influence the knee's scope of movement.

How to find relief in knee pain?

Knee Replacement Surgery:

To get a permanent solution to your knee pain, consider knee replacement treatment. Knee replacement surgery is inserting a metal prosthesis in the knee that will function as the replacement of the damaged ligament. The damage caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis on the joints is the most common reason for knee replacement .

Exercise:

Work out will increase the flexibility and strengthen the muscles. But find exercises that are safe for the knees. Do not rest much as it will enhance the knee pain.

“RICE”:

RICE is Rest Ice Compression and Elevation. RICE is a good way to treat the knee pain which is due to arthritis or minor injury. Rest your knee, use ice to reduce swelling, give some compression to your knee by using a compressive bandage and keep your knee elevated.

Lose weight:

The little burden of the knees could be reduced by losing some weight.

Acupuncture:

With the help of experts use acupuncture to your body parts to get relaxed knees.

Finding An Arthritis Friendly Computer Mouse

If you are having a hard time finding an arthritis friendly computer mouse, don't fret. It's likely because the pain-free solution you are looking for will not actually be a "mouse".

What you really want is another kind of "pointing device" that doesn't have the same inherent problems that the mouse has for people with arthritis and joint pain.

Below, I will tell you some of the reasons why using a traditional computer mouse isn't conducive to comfortable computing, and then show you a couple of options for a pain-free computing experience.

THE PROBLEM WITH USING A MOUSE

Using a traditional mouse requires two kinds of movements that, when used in conjunction, prove to be uncomfortable for people with joint pain.

For one, using a mouse requires you to keep your wrist and forearm in the position of "pronation" (palm-down). Staying pronated can add extra pressure to the muscles used to move the fingers and hand.

Pronation also puts the bones of the forearm in a twisted position that can irritate joint inflammation when used in combination with other movements.

Those other movements will be at the wrist and elbow — or even at the shoulder, which maintains the arm position for the elbow. Moving a mouse around a table top requires reaching, lifting, and rotating movements that can put unnecessary strain on the elbow joint. Especially when your forearm is pronated.

A truly "arthritis-friendly computer mouse" will be a pointing device that removes one or both of these movements by keeping your forearm in a more "neutral" position, and/or reducing movement at the wrist and elbow.

ALTERNATIVES TO A MOUSE

I have found three kinds of devices will help you eradicate the problem:

An "Ergonomic Mouse"
A Trackpad
A Trackball

I'll expand on their advantages and disadvantages below.

Ergonomic Mouse

Also known as a "vertical mouse", this attempts to keep your hand in the more comfortable neutral, or "handshake" position, without having to rotate your wrist.

It looks a lot like a joystick, and the button you would use to click is at the thumb instead of your fingers. However, it moves the same way a mouse does, so it's easy to get used to.

You still have to move it around the table, and lift and move it if you don't have enough table space, so this would not be a solution for those of you with pain in your elbows and shoulders.

Trackpad

The trackpad takes the opposite approach. While it doesn't eliminate wrist pronation, it does assure that your hand remains in a comfortable position at rest.

You will see these built into most laptop computers today. A good desktop trackpad will have a larger surface area to fit all sized hands. It's a stationary device that sits on your table, while you run your finger over it to move the arrow on your screen.

It's very intuitive and easy to learn, especially if you use a touch smartphone or tablet like an iPhone or iPad. It removes the need to constantly lift and move your arm around, so your shoulder and elbow get a break.

Trackball

The right trackball attempts to address both problems at once.

Like the trackpad, the trackball is a stationary device that sits on your desk so that you don't have to move your elbow or shoulder. Instead of moving your finger around a surface, you roll a ball around to control the arrow on your screen.

Older trackballs used to require moving your entire hand around on a huge ball, which didn't have any benefit except to save desk space. Newer ones, however, use a better ergonomic design that keeps your hand in an only "partially-pronated" position, to take the strain off your wrist.

The main disadvantage, however, is that the more ergonomically designed trackballs require you to use your thumb to move the ball. Some people will find this awkward and difficult to get used to. With time and practice, however, it can eventually become easy and intuitive.

CONCLUSION

These arthritis friendly computer mouse alternatives are not marketed towards people with arthritis, so you might not have heard about them before. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages, but any of them can go a long way towards providing a more comfortable and pain-free computing experience.

Exercise With Arthritis

Exercise is important for everyone to include in their daily schedule, even those with arthritis.  It ensures your body is healthy and strong enough to endure the challenges you set for it.  There are many positive effects of exercise including improved heart and lung efficiency, minimizing your chances of developing heart disease, increased metabolic function, enabling you to maintain or lose weight, increased happiness and many more.  Research shows that those with arthritis can take part in safe regular exercise.  People with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from moderate intensity, weight-bearing activity.  Those with osteoarthritis can benefit in programs that combine strengthening and aerobic exercise.  Exercising with arthritis will help to reduce symptoms, improve joint motion and function, enhance coordination and balance, and control body weight.

There are three types of exercise that makes up all exercise programs that can have positive effects on reducing arthritis-related pain and disability.  These include flexibility, strengthening, and aerobic exercises.

Flexibility exercises contribute to reduce risk of injuries, better posture and improved function.  Range of motion (ROM) and stretching exercises help to maintain or improve the flexibility in affected joints and surrounding muscles.  You can perform ROM exercises multiple times a day, every day.  There are benefits to performing the ROM in the morning and night.  If you perform ROM exercises at night, you will wake up with less joint stiffness.  If you perform ROM exercises in the morning, it will help thin the fluid and get the joints moving.  You can do these ROM exercises 3-5 days a week, 5-10 times a day for 15-30 seconds for each exercise.  Suggested programs are Yoga and Tai Chi.

Strengthening exercises work the muscles much harder.  The more strength training you do, the stronger your muscles get, providing better joint support and reducing loading stress through the painful joint.  Muscle strength also helps reduce bone loss related to inactivity.  You can strength train 2-3 days a week at 8-10 repetitions for each exercise.  For older individuals, you can strength train 10-15 repetitions for each exercise with less resistance.  You want to ensure that the strength exercise challenges you without increasing your joint pain.  Suggested exercises include using hand held weights, elastic bands or weight machines.  Continue increasing the weight or resistance to continue improving.

Aerobic exercise improves your cardiorespiratory function by improving the heart, lung and muscle function.  Aerobic exercise also helps control weight, mood, sleep and overall health.  It is recommended to do aerobic exercise 150 minutes of moderate intensity per week over the course of a few days.  Those with more pain should exercise in several intervals in shorter sessions rather than long sessions.  Suggested exercises are walking, aerobic dancing, aquatic exercise, bicycling, stationary bikes, treadmills or elliptical trainer.  Daily activities can fall under aerobic exercise too; just increase the intensity level.

If you have had a joint replacement or experience painful joints caused by arthritis, you can be at risk of falling, impaired coordination and position awareness.  Exercise can help in reducing the pain caused by surgery or arthritis.  Like all other programs, consult your doctor to determine which program works best for you.  These exercises will improve your overall functioning and reduce the risk of injury.  Find a time of day/week that works best for you and make it a routine.  Go to a gym, a pool, take a class, do a DVD in the comfort of your own home or go outside.  If you fatigue too fast, break it up and exercise in short intervals.  It is important to listen to your body and be aware of any changes in your arthritis symptoms.  You may need to change up your routine based on how you feel.  Happy Exercising!

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read herein.

Cure for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It results from the degeneration of cartilage tissues that are present in the body joints. The soft cartilage tissues act as cushions, and prevent the bone ends, at the joints, from rubbing against each other. As the cartilage deteriorates, the ends of the bones get rubbed repeatedly, and suffer damage. In this condition, the affected joint becomes stiff and painful. The areas that are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are knee joints, hip joints, wrist joints, thumb joints, neck, and lower back spine.

Causes

The exact cause behind osteoarthritis is not clearly known. However, there are a number of possible factors, which have been found to have contributed towards this problem. One of the key cause is believed to be the overall aging process, as it is mostly found in people who are above the age of 40 years. Injury to the joint, weakness in muscles, and excessive body weight may also lead to this kind of degeneration. In some cases, it has been found to be hereditary as well.

Symptoms

Initially, the symptoms are mild, and show up occasionally. With the passage of time, as the cartilage deteriorates, the symptoms get aggravated. The common symptoms are as follows:
An acute pain in the joint, usually experienced during or after repeated use of the joint
Inflamed joint, which is warm and tender to touch
Stiffness in the joint that tends to restrict movements
A burning sensation in the soft tissues of muscles and tendons, that surround the joint area
Loss of strength in the affected joint
While moving the joint, a cracking or grating sensation can be felt in the area

Treatment

When you visit the doctor, x-rays and MRI scans are conducted to diagnose the problem. The treatment is then based upon the severity of damage.
Firstly, the pain needs to be alleviated. Doctors prescribe one or more oral, anti-inflammatory medicines for this purpose. Capsaicin cream is to be applied topically on affected joint for pain relief. This can bring down mild to moderate pain.
However, for severe joint pain, doctors may administer cortisone injections. They desensitize the affected joint, and then insert the needle into it to inject the medicine directly at the painful site. This will decrease the excruciating pain almost instantly.
The effects of the oral medicines, cream, and cortisone shot are temporary, and they do not address the root cause of the problem. Moreover, these medicines cannot be used for a long time, as they have adverse side effects.
As the pain increases with movement, doctors may advise you to restrict joint mobility with the help of splints, braces, shoe inserts, etc. Such medical devices provide adequate support to the joints, and keep them in an immobile state. As the pressure is eased off from the joint, you can get relief from the persistent pain.
Doctors often recommend physiotherapy. As the pain subsides, physiotherapists suggest some gentle, stretching exercises for the affected joint. Such exercises can strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint, add stability to the joint, and improve its flexibility. You can also consult an occupational therapist who can give you suggestions to modify your joint movements during activities, in order to minimize the pressure on the affected joints.
If the joint is badly damaged, the non-surgical methods of treatment do not yield much results. In that case, it has to be repaired with the help of surgery. There are different surgical procedures that are used for curing osteoarthritis. One is joint replacement surgery or arthroplasty, wherein the damaged part of the joint is replaced with devices made of either plastic or metal. In another procedure called osteotomy, the bones are realigned so that the joint deformity can be corrected. In case of arthrodesis, the bones are fused together to increase the stability of the joint.

Natural Cures

The joint pain and inflammation caused due to osteoarthritis can be treated naturally too. A few simple remedies that you can try out at home are as follows:

Heat and Cold Therapy: Both, heat and cold, are equally effective for pain management. Ice application eases off the tension from the muscles, and relieves the pain. On the other hand, heat application provides a soothing relief from the pain by reducing the stiffness of the joint. For best results, you must apply heat and cold to the joint alternately, for 15 minutes. It can be repeated several times throughout the day.

Oil Massage: If you are extremely bothered by the arthritic pain, pour a few drops of garlic oil on the painful joint, and massage it in gentle, circular motions. This will give you quick relief from the pain. Similarly, you can mix equal quantities of mustard oil and onion juice, and massage the area with this mixture.

Dietary Supplements: Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are two naturally occurring nutritional supplements, which have been proved to be highly beneficial for osteoarthritis. If you take these two supplements together for 6-8 weeks, you can get significant relief from both, pain and inflammation.

Fish Oil: This is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are highly effective for reducing inflammation. It also has a lubricating effect on the stiff joints, and thus, improves their mobility. However, you have to be patient while using fish oil supplements, as they don't show any instant results. You have to take them for 8-12 weeks continuously.

Pineapple Juice: It has an enzyme component named bromelain which has the natural ability to reduce swelling. Drink fresh pineapple juice everyday to obtain best results. You can also opt for fasting on pineapple juice for one single day. This should be repeated after a gap of every 2 months.

The damage caused by osteoarthritis is irreversible. Therefore, the key to cure is an early treatment. If you start it at the initial stage, no major harm can be caused to the joint. Moreover, the damaging effects can be successfully controlled with conservative methods of treatment only.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is solely for informative purpose and not intended to replace the advice of medical experts.