After a tough workout session or a strenuous day at the office, your muscles may feel floppy and exhausted until you have given them a chance to rest. However, persistent muscle weakness with no apparent cause or explanation can be a sign of an underlying medical problem.

What causes muscle weakness?
Voluntary muscle contractions and movement are generated when the brain sends a signal through your spinal cord and nerves to the particular muscle. If there are any hindrances in the connections between them, it can result in muscle weakness. However hard you try, the muscle is such cases becomes abnormal.

Here are some common causes of muscle weakness:

Lack of Use: One of the most common causes of muscle weakness, lack of muscle fitness may occur as a result of a sedentary lifestyle. If the muscles are not used, then the fibers are partially replaced with fat.
Ageing: As we age, our muscles tend to get weaker and lose strength. Muscles become bulky and recovery times during injury are greater. However, with physical activity, it is still possible to increase the muscle power. So stay active and instill strength in your muscles.
Infections: Infections and inflammation can cause temporary muscle fatigue. Even though recovery is quick, if the infection is severe the weakness can last for some time. Without proper care, it can lead to permanent damage.
Pregnancy: During and just after pregnancy, high levels of steroid in the blood and low levels of iron can cause muscle tiredness. Lower back pain is common during pregnancy and all your muscles may feel floppy.
Chronic Diseases: With conditions of diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and anemia, it can lead to muscle weakness by thwarting the essential blood or nutrient supply to the muscles. Also, chronic pain related ailments cause weakness.
Injuries: Injury or trauma such as sporting injuries, pulls and sprains can deter the muscles. Along with localized pain, it can also lead to muscle weakness if not taken care of properly.
Sleep Disorders: With disturbed or reduced sleep there is a general sense of tiredness that leads to fatigue in the muscles. Insomnia, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders also affect the muscles a great deal.
Conditions affecting Nerves: Conditions like Myasthenia gravis or motor neuron disease affects the nerves and thereby fail to relay signals to the muscles, leading to weakness.
Genetic disorder affecting muscles: There are also certain inherited diseases which can affect the muscles like muscular dystrophy.
Spine-related disorders: Conditions like slip disc and other disorders affect the muscles served by the irritated or compressed nerves of the spinal cord.

Muscle Weakness - 10 Common Reasons Behind It!

Exercises for Sciatica
Sciatica is often distinguished not as a medical condition but as a set of symptoms that underlie a more serious medical concern such as a slipped disc, degeneration of the spine or the lumbar region etc.
It is important to note the symptoms of Sciatica, as these are quite distinct -
1.Constant pain in one of the buttocks or leg (rarely are both legs affected)
2.The pain worsens on sitting
3.The pain is often described as a sharp & searing pain similar to a burning sensation
4.The pain is often accompanied by a heaviness or numbness that makes movement difficult
5.Shifting of postures (sitting to standing and back to sitting) becomes painful and laborious
An alternative to surgery would be to supplement the oral medication with certain specific exercises.
Reflexology, Acupuncture and Chiropractic manipulation are all considered effective to alleviate the pain to a large extent.
Patients are often encouraged to partake in daily exercise routine, incorporating strengthening and stretching exercises.
The strengthening exercises target the core or abdominal muscles along with the back muscles to provide more support to the back.
The stretching exercises will help to “loosen up” the surrounding muscle groups such as the hamstrings, which then allow for more blood and oxygen circulation alleviating the pain and giving the immune system a much needed boost.
When patients engage in a regular programme of gentle stretching and strengthening exercises, they can recover quickly (in comparison to those who do not exercise) from the flare ups and over time the painful episodes are known to reduce significantly, both in frequency as well as intensity.
Ancient holistic practices such Yoga and Tai-chi are often considered the best form of exercises for the afflicted because of the balanced and slow but controlled movements that complement the ‘breath’ rather than causing further exertion to the already fragile bone density.
It is recommended that expert advice be sought and the exercises should be undertaken only under trained supervision. Please do not attempt to “experiment” with Yoga or Tai-Chi on your own, as improper or wrong posture could lead to irreparable damage to the spine. 


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 Exercises for Sciatica To Keep It Under Check

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic progressive auto immune disease causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles. This makes it one of the most dreaded types of Arthritis. Such symptoms are not observed in Osteoarthritis, the most common arthritic condition.

The difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis can be put simply. In Osteoarthritis, degeneration of tissue leads to bone erosion and that precipitates the condition. In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the disease condition precipitates cartilage degradation, which abates Bone Erosion. The problem is aggravated by the obvious absence of effective medicines and treatment options.

However, one can take the help of Homeopathy to alleviate the conditions to a large extent. Homeopathy can help in all round management of the disease condition.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is radically different from degenerative Arthritic conditions.

In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, the Synovium. This results in inflammation of the tissue leading to its thickening. Over time, the thickened Synovium has the effect of degrading the joints and cartilages in a joint.

Gradually, even the Ligaments and Tendons weaken resulting in the joint losing its alignment and shape. This results in deformities which are not curable so far.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Symptoms include:

Tender, swollen and worn joints

Joint stiffness. This is one of the most common symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is usually worse after a period of inactivity, as well as in the mornings.

Fever, Fatigue and Weight loss

Smaller joints like fingers, wrists etc. are usually affected first unlike Osteoarthritis. In Osteoarthritis, the big joints like knee, shoulder, ankle etc. are mostly affected.

You may also suffer from problems not related to joints at all. You may suffer from problems with lungs, heart, eyes, skin, nerve tissue, kidneys, blood vessels, bone marrow etc. However, these are the fallouts of long-standing suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, and not any initial symptom.

Homeopathic Cure of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has shown that there is a significant improvement in Joint articular index, Pain, Grip strength and Stiffness in patients administered with homoeopathic medicines over a fixed period. Moreover, no side effect was observed in the patients who were given Homeopathic medicines.

The Unique Aspects Of Homeopathy in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is important in Homeopathy is to get complete history of the patient. The patient needs to talk to the doctor in detail starting with the onset of symptoms. The doctor may also ask questions about the social and family backgrounds. They ask such questions to make sure that they can establish some kind of a link between the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis and patient s habits, social interactions, family interactions etc.

Based on these details, the doctors choose a medical course for the patient. Homeopathic may not provide instant relief, but will work in the long run, as it cures the root of the disease along with curing the disease.

Consulting an experienced Homeopathic Doctor with specialization in Arthritis is suggested for treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Causes, Symptoms And Homeopathic Cure!

The carpal tunnel is the passageway for the median nerve to pass through on the inner side of your hand, when your palms are facing down. For example, while typing, there is a lot of movement of the fingers and this puts a lot of pressure on this tunnel. In fact, people who are involved in a lot of typing are one of the most prone people for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Other causes would include trauma, fractures, etc., where the tunnel is injured.

Conventional measures to treat CTS included a combination of exercise and pain killers in mild to moderate cases. In moderate (sometimes) to severe cases, surgery was also done. However, with advancements in medical technology, endoscopic surgical procedure is gaining popularity.

What is done?
In endoscopic surgery, a small incision is made in the wrist or one each in the palm and the wrist. Through this, a flexible tube with a camera and minute cutting tools are inserted into the wrist. Another ligament known as transverse carpal ligament is cut. This reduces the pressure on the median nerve, which provides relief from the CTS symptoms.

What to expect as benefits?
The intention behind the surgery remains the same in both traditional and endoscopic procedures. The pressure on the median nerve is released, restoring movement and reducing pain in the joints. In addition, the endoscopic procedure has the following benefits.

Less invasive: Needless to say, there are only one or two small incisions done for this procedure, so less surrounding tissue is damaged.
Same day surgery: No hospitalization is required, and unless required, the patient can return home on the same day of surgery.
Reduced recovery time: The recovery period is usually substantially less compared to the traditional surgical approach.
Back to work: Depending on which is your dominant hand, you would be able to return to your regular work earlier than with regular surgery. If your non-dominant hand is involved, a day or two of rest is required. If your dominant hand was involved, give it up to four weeks for complete recovery.
Reduced chances of nerve injury: The area of operation has many nerves and blood vessels, and endoscopic surgery reduces the chances of damaging adjacent nerves.
Anesthesia: This is done under local anesthesia. Therefore, complications arising out of general anesthesia are completely avoided.
Indications
While these sound promising, your doctor will decide if you are a candidate for endoscopic procedure depending on the following:

Nonsurgical treatment including exercise and pain killers have not provided relief, even after several months.
Severe symptoms including those of nerve damage, like loss of sensation, altered coordination, etc., is affecting your normal daily routine.
Person requiring bilateral surgery like severe trauma, wheelchair dependent, etc.

Carpal Tunnel - How Endoscopic Surgery is Beneficial?

An abnormal swelling in the neck can be symptom of various problems. While it can be something as non-threatening as a swollen gland due to a cold that can be cured with simple medication, a swollen neck can also turn out to be a cancerous lump in the neck. When faced with an irregular swelling in the neck, it is best to not panic or jump to conclusions until you consult with an Ear-Nose-Throat Specialist. The possible problems that a swelling in the neck can indicate are:

Swelling or enlargement of the salivary glands: The salivary glands may become enlarged due to an infection or due to foreign materials getting stuck in them. While foreign objects or formation of stones in the salivary glands might require surgical removal, they can often be dissolved with medication and other non-invasive treatments. And infection in the salivary glands is often treated with antibiotics or other medication. These treatments can be prescribed and administered by ENT Specialists.
Thyroid disease: The thyroid gland may swell up and cause a swelling of the neck. These are often called goiters in colloquial language and are a result of thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. They usually require a series of medication and treatment and are not considered an ENT problem despite the swelling of the neck.
Benign cysts: Benign cysts can form in any part of the neck or in the glands, much like it can form in any part of the body. An ENT Specialist can prescribe a surgical removal of the cyst lest it turns cancerous later in life. It should also be removed in case it grows or relocates, going on to cause other problems.
Lumps in the muscles: Lumps in the neck muscles are formed by injury or torticollis. These usually aren t considered ENT problems and can be treated by general physicians and sometimes chiropractors.
Cancerous cysts or growths: One of the most daunting problems posed by a swelling of the neck is the possibility of cancer. While thyroid cancers as well as cancerous growths in the salivary glands are slow to develop, a swelling in the neck should immediately be investigated by an ENT Specialist in order to rule out all possibilities.

Neck Swelling - When It's An ENT Disease!!

Knee pain is something that can affect anyone - irrespective of their age. While sometimes it may be of minor importance - and can easily be handled by self-care, often, lingering pain is a manifestation of some other serious underlying problem, such as arthritis. In this case, it is imperative that you consult a doctor and take appropriate measures to combat it.

Causes :

Arthritis: The chief cause of lingering knee pain, arthritis itself can be of a number of types:
 Osteoarthritis, which is a result of deterioration of cartilages due to wear and tear
 Rheumatoid Arthritis, an inflammatory chronic disorder
 Septic Arthritis, causing pain, swelling and redness.
 Gout caused due to the development of uric acid crystals in the joints
Fractures: These are caused by the breaking up of the kneecap due to falls or collisions.
ACL Injuries: Caused due to the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (that connects the femur and the shinbone). Especially common in sportspersons such as footballers or basketball players.
Meniscus tears: The meniscus or the rubber-like cartilage (that acts as a shock absorber) can be torn by sudden jerks or excess pressure.

Symptoms:The major symptoms of knee pain include weakness, redness, instability, stiffness or the inability to properly straighten or move the leg. Often, a deformity is also visible, such as a bone sticking out of the leg - in which case it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.

Possible risks :Factors which include the odds of being inflicted by knee pain and cause serious complications include :
Being overweight: This exponentially increases the stress or pressure that is applied on the knee joints - even in doing mundane tasks like walking up and down stairs.
Excessive physical activity: Some activities, such as sports apply excess stress on the knees as compared to other tasks.
Loss of muscle flexibility: Tightness or weakness in muscles causes increasing number of problems in the knees.

All About Knee Pain

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