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Arthritis Prevention Programs

August 6, 2010 By Denz Leave a Comment

The Center for Disease Control has implemented programs in several states to reduce the onset and consequences of arthritis. The National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy delineates the actions necessary to better understand the arthritis burden and helps to fully apply known and effective interventions.

This document represents the combined efforts of nearly 90 organizations, such as the Arthritis Foundation, government agencies and many other groups and individuals with an interest in arthritis prevention and control.

The NAAP proposes a nationally coordinated effort for reducing the occurrence of arthritis and its accompanying disability by focusing on these three areas:

  • Surveillance, epidemiology and prevention research to strengthen the science base.
  • Communications and education to increase awareness and provide accurate information about arthritis.
  • Programs, policies, and systems promoting increased quality of life for people with arthritis and facilitating arthritis prevention measures.

The CDC continues to accumulate scientific knowledge on the benefits of physical activity. Because healthy eating reduces a person’s risk of becoming overweight, good nutrition plays an important role in preventing knee osteoarthritis. In addition, moderate physical activity is essential for maintaining the health of joints.

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How to Deal with stress

June 10, 2010 By Denz

Basically, the secret of managing stress is to look after yourself and where possible, to remove some of the causes of stress. If you start to feel things are getting on top of you, give yourself some breathing space. Take a day off work, domestic chores, family and everything else that puts pressure on you. Spend the day doing only relaxing things that make you feel good. It can make all the difference, reducing the threat to your wellbeing. So, here are some ways to cope with stress:

  • Accept offers of practical help
  • Do one thing at a time – don’t keep piling stress on stress
  • Know your own limits – don’t be too competitive or expect too much of yourself
  • Talk to someone
  • Let off steam in a way that causes no harm (shout, scream or hit a pillow)
  • Walk away from stressful situations
  • Try to spend time with people who are rewarding rather than critical and judgmental
  • Practice slow breathing using the lower part of the lungs
  • Use relaxation techniques
Filed Under: medical ideas, thoughts & ideas, tips

Things to Remember after Tooth Extraction

June 5, 2010 By Denz

Following an extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why your dentist will ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after an extraction. If bleeding or oozing continues after you remove the gauze pad, place another gauze pad on the area and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times. After the blood clot forms, it’s important to protect it, especially for the next 24 hours. It’s important not to:

  • smoke and chew tobacco
  • drinking alcohol
  • suck through a straw
  • rinse your mouth vigorously
  • clean the teeth next to the extraction site

These activities could dislodge the clot and slow down healing. Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours. This keeps your blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding, and helps the healing process.

After the tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and have some swelling. You can use an ice bag (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to keep this to a minimum. The swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours.

To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended. Don’t take medication on an empty stomach or nausea may result. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. Also:

  • Drink lots of fluids.
  • Eat only soft, nutritious foods on the day of the extraction.
  • Don’t use alcoholic beverages.
  • Avoid hot and spicy foods.
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desk jobs high risk for prostate cancer

April 26, 2010 By Denz

According to the latest research, men who have desk jobs are more likely to develop prostate cancer. A study found those who spend most of their working lives sitting down are almost 30 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than those with very active jobs.

Analysis of 45,000 men aged 45 to 79 found those who had highly physical jobs were 28 per cent less likely to develop the disease than those who spent most of their working lives sitting. In turn, those who sat for half of their working day had a 20 per cent lower risk than men who spent their entire day sitting, the British Journal of Cancer reports.

Other forms of exercise also had an impact, with men who walked or cycled for more than an hour a day having a 14 per cent lower risk than those who walked or cycled for 40 minutes or less a day. Although regular exercise is recommended for all-round health, evidence of its protective effect against prostate cancer had been lacking until now.

The researchers, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said it appeared that exercise in a man’s youth and middle-age affected his risk of contracting cancer. They are not sure why exercise is protective but suspect it alters levels of certain hormones associated with the cancer, including testosterone.

They concluded: ‘Findings from this study show that not sitting for most of the time during work or occupational activity and longer daily durations of the main component of active living (walking or cycling) may be associated with reduced prostate cancer incidence.

Previous studies have suggested that diets rich in fruit in vegetables can cut the risk of the disease, which affects 35,000 British men a year. Thus, study recommends that men of all ages try to be active for a total of at least one hour each day. This doesn’t mean you have to “go for the burn” at the gym every evening; walking or cycling will do perfectly well.

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cherry juice work like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

April 19, 2010 By Denz

Experts confirm that a glass of unsweetened cherry juice can work like common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used by millions to treat pain and inflammation after exercise.

In the US study, Oregon Health and Science University researchers found that runners who drank the juice before training for a long-distance relay had 23 per cent less muscle pain than those on an artificial fruit drink. After analyses, boffins discovered that the juice of tart cherries contains flavonoids, naturally occurring antioxidants with anti-inflammatory powers.

Dr Kerry Kuehl, a sports medicine specialist at the university, said: “Our research suggests that tart cherry juice may work like common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used by millions to treat pain and inflammation after exercise. “Also, drinking tart cherry juice may help people avoid negative side effects of these drugs.” Newstrack India.

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Tips for Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

February 9, 2010 By Denz

Tips for Caring for a Loved One with DementiaThere are many things you can do to help your loved one be safe at home. For example, get rid of throw rugs, and put handrails in bathrooms to help prevent falls. Post reminder notes around the house. Put a list of important phone numbers by the telephone. You also can help your loved one stay active. Play cards or board games, and take walks.

Work with your loved one to make decisions about the future before dementia gets worse. It is important to write a living will and a durable power of attorney. A living will states the types of medical care your loved one wants. A durable power of attorney lets your loved one pick someone to be the health care agent. This person makes care decisions after your loved one cannot.

Watching a loved one slip away can be sad and scary. Caring for someone with dementia can leave you feeling drained. Be sure to take care of yourself and to give yourself breaks. Ask family members to share the load, or get other help.

Your loved one will need more and more care as dementia gets worse. In time, he or she may need help to eat, get dressed, or use the bathroom. You may be able to give this care at home, or you may want to think about using a nursing home. A nursing home can give this kind of care 24 hours a day. The time may come when a nursing home is the best choice.

You are not alone. Many people have loved ones with dementia. Ask your doctor about local support groups, or search the Internet for online support groups, such as the Alzheimer’s Association. Help is available.

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Simple ways to prevent colon cancer

January 26, 2010 By Denz

Simple ways to prevent colon cancerColon cancer also known as bowel or colorectal cancer, colon cancer causes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. It is treated if caught in the early stages and is often discovered through colonoscopy. But, there are ways to minimize risk, which are as follows:

Eat healthy – A diet high in fat and low in fiber raises your risk. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables not only gives you fiber, but also vitamins, minerals, pytochemicals, and antioxidants that are thought to be powerful anticancer agents.

Don’t smoke and do avoid too much alcohol – smoking and too much alcohol are bad for your health. They increase the risk for many types of cancer including bowel cancer.

Stay on the go – exercising for just 30 minutes on most days can reduce the risk and help the weight down.

Filed Under: lifeStyle, medical ideas, tips