Foods to eat/ avoid for arthritis and inflammatory pain

Different foods have different properties. Here are some foods to have and a few you must refrain from if you are suffering from arthritis and inflammatory pain:

Include these foods in your diet.
1) cherries - these contain anthocyanocides which assist in lowering uric acids, thus reducing the level of pain.
2) ginger - eating fresh ginger of drinking ginger root tea is advisable if suffering from arthritis and inflammatory pain. The gingerols present in it include anti-inflammatory compounds which are extremely helpful.
3) pineapple - there exists in pineapples, an element called bromelain which is a very effective anti-inflammatory.
4) raw apple cider vinegar - anti-inflammatory properties of raw apple cider vinegar are also very beneficial. It can be consumed by drinking a tablespoon of the vinegar mixed in about 250ml water or as salad dressing.
5) turmeric - turmeric or as we call it haldi, has anti-oxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
6) omega 3 fatty acids - omega 3 fatty acids also have anthocyanocides. Which lower the levels of uric acids. Eating more of chia seeds, flax seeds and fish is also encouraged.

And the foods to avoid are,
1) sugary foods - sugary foods are like toxins which cause inflammations and lead to more pains in the body. Hence, avoid foods with excessive sugar when suffering from arthritis and inflammatory pain.
2) omega 6 oils - these oils, if consumed in high amounts, cause inflammations. It is advisable to replace these foods with healthier foods.
3) fried foods: deep fried foods are cooked at high temperatures and thus induce inflammation.
4) salt - this happens to some people where excess intake of sodium increases the pain in the joints. Hence, lowering consumption is not a bad idea.



Living With Arthritis - Foods To Pick OR Kick

The body s reacts to anything suspicious by developing an allergic reaction. Some of the common substances inducing this reaction include certain food substances, pollen, insect bites and certain metals. This body recognises these suspicious substances as antigens and produces what is known as antibodies. These produce various allergic reactions in the body ranging from something as minor as a skin rash to something drastically fatal as respiratory distress and even death.

Features:

Angioedema is one of the most severe forms of allergic reactions.
Translated literally as swelling of the blood vessels, angioedema causes swelling of the blood vessels in the underlying layers and this can lead to the formation of giant hives.
The hives or rashes are extremely itchy, reddish, and can vary in shape (oval or circular). The hives also are warm and painful when touched.
Angioedema usually affects the skin but can have more severe effects like blocking the airway and leading to respiratory distress
Causes: Angioedema is usually caused by one of the following:

Insect bites or stings
People with allergies to foods like peanuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, chocolates, tree nuts, etc.
Pollen, animal dander, latex, poison ivy, and other common allergens
Medicines like penicillin, aspirin, ibuprofen, and some anti-hypertensives
Autoimmune skin disorders like lupus
Reaction to incompatible blood transfusions
Weather conditions like extremes of cold, heat, or pressure
Infections like hepatitis, cytomegalovirus infections, Epstein-Barr infections, etc.
Conditions like leukaemia and thyroid disorders
Extreme emotional stress
Genetic angioedema, inherited from parents by children, which can last forever
Risk factors: Though hives usually develop without any warning signs, the following are some risk factors for developing angioedema.

Previous history of allergies
Predisposition to develop allergic reactions (overactive immune system)
Genetic history of allergies, especially of angioedema
Diagnosis:

In first-time patients, a detailed history with deep dive into similar instances in the past will be done
A physical exam to check for missed hives (like the back) is then done
Allergy testing may also be required to test if a person has a high predisposition to allergies
Blood testing to check for eosinophils, which is usually high in patients with allergies, is done.
Allergy testing to identify the trigger agent may be done if trigger is not known. This will help in preventing further attacks.
If genetic angioedema is suspected, C1 esterase inhibitor test and complement particles are also checked.
Treatment:
Non-medical treatment including loose clothing, cool compresses, and copiously moisturizing to reduce dryness and itching. This is usually sufficient in majority of the cases.
Medical: Antihistamines like cetirizine and loratadine are the next line of treatment. Very severe cases may require steroids like prednisone.


Angioedema - 11 Reasons Why It Can Happen!

Pain causes a lot of discomfort in the body no matter whether the pain is in the back, legs or in the head. Almost all people experience lower-back pain at some point in their lives, which can be extremely painful and can cause considerable annoyance. The first medical specialty that comes to mind for relief of lower-back pain is Orthopedics. The other two specialists that play a vital role in treating lower-back pain are the neurosurgeons and the physiatrists.

Pain in the Back
It is very difficult for the body to source the pain when it is deep and this pain could be due to infection, disease or injuries in the back, stomach and heart. It is even possible that the pain radiates to different places in the body. Often back pain is accompanied by body changes like redness, fever, neurological problems, heat, and changes in body functions and for that diagnosis of the back pain may be very severe. Patients suffering from lower-back pain and with symptoms that comprise of weakness in the foot or other symptoms of a neurologic insufficiency must definitely see a neurosurgeon.

Back pain that occurs due to reversible problems is known to vanish in a few hours or in a day. However, if it continues longer and is accompanied by body changes, then there are chances that the condition can become worse. Visiting a doctor becomes a must for back pain if any of such characteristics are witnessed. It is always better to get evaluated by a physician.

When to Consult a Doctor Immediately

    Back pain that is followed by a shock like a car accident.
    The pain in the back worsens and is constant
    Back pain continues for more than 4-6 weeks
    The pain does not improve even after taking typical remedies such as taking pain relievers or after resting.
    Severe pain in the back in the night and that is alleviated by rest
    The back pain is accompanied by abdominal pain
    Numbness in the upper thighs, buttocks, groin or in the genital area
    Weakness or tingling sensation in the arm or legs

Role of a Neurosurgeon
The neurosurgeon provides non-surgical as well surgical care depending upon the nature of the illness or the injury, and he does not just operate. The neurosurgeons are experts and offer treatment to patients suffering from any injury or disease in the spine, brain or peripheral nerves that deal with arms, hands, feet and legs. But there are many other neurosurgeons that confine their practice to treating back pain.

Lower Back Pain - 8 Signs When You Must Visit Your Doctor

When we speak of bone health, calcium is usually the hero of the story. However, by itself, calcium is not enough for healthy bones. Vitamin D is equally important for healthy bones and the prevention of orthopedic conditions.

What does Vitamin D do?
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from the food being eaten. It also controls the calcium and phosphate levels in the body. This is critical for the growth and development of new bones. Vitamin D also controls how much calcium and phosphates are being expelled by the body. In this way, vitamin D helps strengthen the bones and improve overall bone health.

Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is not commonly found in food. It is present only in certain types of oily fishes, egg yolks and mushrooms. Most of the vitamin D we eat comes from fortified cereals, breads and dairy products. The sun is an important source of vitamin D but exposing yourself to too much sunlight could cause various skin problems. Thus, vitamin D deficiency is very common. When it comes to bone health, vitamin D deficiency can cause low-density bones. This, in turn, can cause rickets and osteoporosis. People with vitamin D deficiency are likely to suffer frequent fractures. Vitamin D deficiency can also cause skeletal deformities such as bow legs and a stooped spine.

Vitamin D and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a musculoskeletal condition that is marked by low bone density. Studies have shown that people with osteoporosis have lower levels of vitamin D as compared to others. Some studies also suggest that fractures are more common in winter as compared to summer. The winter sun is often hazy and many days can go by without strong sunlight. Thus it can be inferred that people do not get their required quota of vitamin D from the sunlight in winters leading to a deficiency and aggravated osteoporosis-related fractures.

Who is most susceptible to bone conditions caused by vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency is a very common condition across the globe. Some surveys have claimed that approximately 30% of the global population suffers from vitamin D deficiency. People with dark skin, women and elderly people are most susceptible to this deficiency. People suffering from kidney diseases may also be affected by vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplements are usually very helpful in combatting this deficiency. These can be taken by young children as well as adults.

Relation Between Vitamin D Deficiency And Bone Problems!

The pain which a person experiences as a result of having a herniated disc can be quite debilitating, to tell you the truth. However, taking into due account the fact that all a person in such a situation would want would be to be up and running as soon as possible.

In order for this to happen, as would be expected, he or she would need to go through the options which are available for treatment of a herniated disc. There are various types of herniated disc treatments which are available though it can be said that conservative treatments are preferred as these treatments do not require surgery to be carried out on the person who is suffering from the issue.

The course of this sort of treatment lasts somewhere between one month to one and a half months. The aim of conservative treatment is to reduce or minimise the pain that is automatically associated with a herniated disc. There is a strategy to help a person improve by which he or she is provided with medicine for the purpose of pain relief while physiotherapy is made use of to make the underlying condition better.

Surgical treatment may be required, if the case is such that the person has lost a great degree of function and is in pain that seems to be pretty much unbearable. `If the person has a lumbar herniated disc, then the conservative treatment for this sort of case would require him or her to apply ice and heat from a warm source to provide relief to the area. If the pain is very bad yet the person is determined not to undergo surgery then the answer would be to consume some oral steroids or narcotic pain medications. One should surely keep in mind that this is only to carried out as per the prescription of a doctor who is trained and experienced to a sufficient degree.

If surgery is required for this sort of herniated disc, then it is likely to be a lumbar decompression surgery which aims to allow for the growth of the spine back to health as a result of removing the herniated disc. When it comes to cervical herniated disc treatment, conservative solutions include using drugs like ibuprofen and physical therapy; similar to solving lumbar herniated discs. However, surgical treatment for cervical herniated discs warrants anterior cervical decompression; where the disc is removed from the front of the neck.

 What Therapy Is Best For Herniated Disc?

Sciatica, which is pain along the huge sciatic nerve that runs through the lower back to the back of each leg, can bring about serious, weakening pain. The term sciatica depicts indications of leg pain along with potential shivering, weakness, or numbness that starts in the lower back and goes through the butt cheek and down the vast sciatic nerve in the back of every leg. However, here are some top ways to get pain relief from sciatica:

1. Chiropractic/manual control
Spinal adjustment and manual control performed by properly trained health experts, for example, chiropractors and osteopathic doctors, are centered around giving better spinal cord alignment. These are intended to address various basic conditions, which can bring about sciatic nerve pain.

2. Acupuncture
This practice is based on the goal of achieving or keeping up the strength through an open stream of energy by certain pathways in the body. Hair-thin needles (which are generally not felt) are embedded into the skin, close to the zone of pain.

3. Subjective behavior therapy
This treatment for taking control and evolving self-defeating behaviors can be useful in overseeing sciatica pain, especially in the short term. Sessions with an advisor might be face-to-face or on the web.

4. Massage treatment
Certain types of back rub treatments have proven to have various advantages for back pain, including expanded blood flow, muscle relaxing, and release of endorphins (the body's regular pain relievers).

5. Strengthening activities
Many activities can strengthen the spinal cord and the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The greater part of these back exercises center around the lower back, as well as the (stomach) muscles and gluteus (butt cheek) and hip muscles.

6. Stretching
Stretching is usually prescribed to mitigate sciatic pain. Stretching for sciatica is intended to target muscles that cause pain when they are tight and unyielding. Hamstring stretch is very often an essential part of a sciatica exercise program. As part of everyday exercises, many people do not stretch these muscles, which extend out from the pelvis to the knee in the back of the thigh.

7. Low-impact aerobic activity
Some types of low-impact cardiovascular workout, for example, walking, swimming, or pool therapy, are generally parts of the recovery, as high-impact action increases the exchange of liquids and nutrients to make a better environment for healing.

8. Micro-disectomy
In situations where the sciatica pain is because of a lumbar disk herniation, a microdiscectomy is the most widely recognized surgical approach. It is an open surgery done using magnification techniques. In this surgery, just the bit of the herniated disk that is squeezing the nerve is evacuated. Whatever is left of the plate is left in place.

Top Eight Ways To Get Pain Relief From Sciatica!

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