Joint pain can be caused by any number of things. It can be the result of an injury or overuse of the joint. If your joint pain is caused by arthritis, you will need to begin your search for an effective way to treat it. But, in order to do that, you need to know the symptoms of arthritis. All forms of arthritis share the common symptoms of severe pain, loss of range of motion, and a diminished quality of life. What you will find is that this painful, life altering condition can be found in any individual at any time of their lives. But, there are joint pain treatments that can be effective.
The first thing to do when you have joint pain is to go to a doctor. Symptoms of arthritis include severe pain in the joints and other factors as mentioned above. If your pain is accompanied with fever, the advice of a doctor is urgent because this specific type of arthritis can be deadly. Arthritis can be brought on by any number of things including overuse of the joint, sports, injury, and degeneration of the joints through time. In any case, it is important to relay to your doctor when it was first noticed, any related injuries you may have had, and what types of activities you perform on a regular basis. Your doctor will determine if the pain is arthritis through x-rays and blood tests. Once the doctor knows which type you have, treatments can begin.
For instance, the joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis is a function of the immune system destroying the cartilage in the joints affected. Cartilage is what keeps the bones from grinding against each other. As your immune system eats away at your joint cartilage, pain is brought on by the formation of nerve endings in the affected area. Eventually, the pain is so sever that mobility in those joints is virtually impossible.
But, again, there are treatments that can help or reverse the damage and pain. Your doctor can lead your treatment and some things you might expect could include surgery, pain medication, physical therapy, and even loss of use of the joint. But, there are other forms of medication as well. In fact, one of the most beneficial medications is a simple natural food supplement that is not even medicine at all. It is a natural treatment that is called collagen type II. When taken, this product can stop the pain by stopping the immune system’s battle against your joints. It can then help to repair damage. In some cases, patients saw results within days, in others it took up to a few months. There are no known side effects of this treatment.
No matter what your joint pain is caused from or how you will treat it, the most important thing to remember is that you can find treatment. You can find it in a number of ways, which gives everyone a solution to try. Joint pain can effectively change and ruin your life if you let it. Or, you can fight back and regain your body’s well being.
Study challenges old notion that menopause starts in the ovaries. Some of the most unpleasant symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, have long been believed to originate in the ovaries.
But new research challenges that assumption, and instead suggests that menopausal symptoms, at least in part, may begin in the brain.
That's because the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland stop reacting normally to estrogen in some women, suggesting they may have developed a reduced sensitivity to estrogen, researchers at the New Jersey Medical School report in the Dec. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"This is an important new concept: Menopause doesn't just originate in the ovary, but also in the brain," said Laura Goldsmith, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health at the New Jersey Medical School of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
These findings may lead the way to further research that will ultimately help doctors predict the type of menopausal transition a woman might have, and help to design non-estrogen medications that could help reduce symptoms that women experience as they enter this phase of life, said Dr. Gerson Weiss, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health at the New Jersey Medical School.
Menopause refers to the time when menstruation stops. A woman is not considered menopausal until she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, according to the North American Menopausal Society. The time before menopause, which is often rife with symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations, is called perimenopause. During perimenopause, common symptoms include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings and irregular periods.
This study stemmed from research done for the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, that examined women's' health as they approached menopause.
The SWAN study included more than 3,300 women between the ages of 42 and 52 at the start of the study. A subset group of 840 women provided daily urine samples, which were tested for hormone levels. The samples were collected daily for one full menstrual cycle or 50 days, whichever came first.
From that group, the researchers learned that 160 did not ovulate. After further analyzing the hormone levels from the non-ovulating women, the researchers discovered that these women fell into three distinct groups.
The first group had an increase in their levels of estrogen, and then had an appropriate surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that should have triggered ovulation, but didn't. According to Weiss, this lack of response indicated a problem originating in the ovary.
In the second group, estrogen levels peaked, but there was no correlating surge in LH, which Weiss said should be triggered by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland responding to higher estrogen levels.
The third group had similar estrogen levels early in their cycles, but didn't have an increase in estrogen later as the first and second groups did. LH levels didn't surge, but were higher for most of the cycle than they were in the other groups.
According to Weiss, this is "clear evidence that the brain is not responding to hormones," suggesting the second and third groups showed different kinds of decreased sensitivity to estrogen in the brain.
The women in the third group were also the ones most likely to report symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.
Goldsmith said the researchers hope to continue studying these women. She said they'd especially like to learn how the timing of menopause correlates with their findings. For example, the researchers would like to see if the women in the third group were, perhaps, further along in the menopausal process.
"It appears that what's going on in menopause isn't only ovarian," said Dr. Steven Goldstein, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University School of Medicine. "We thought the pituitary responded to lower levels of estrogen, but there may be a lack of sensitivity to estrogen in the hypothalamus and pituitary."
What's important for women to know, said Goldsmith, is that there are "real biochemical changes occurring during menopause." Researchers are beginning to understand how those changes start to occur, which is the first step in trying to come up with more effective treatments.
SOURCES: Gerson Weiss, M.D., professor and chairman, obstetrics and gynecology and women's health; Laura Goldsmith, Ph.D., professor, obstetrics and gynecology, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark; Steven Goldstein, M.D., professor , obstetrics and gynecology, and obstetrician/gynecologist, New York University School of Medicine and Medical Center, New York City; Dec. 22/29, 2004, Journal of the American Medical Association
Are you a candidate for irritable bowel syndrome? Do you have abdominal pain or cramping? Do you have constipation? Diarrhea? How about vomiting, or fever or headache? How about bloating and water retention? Irritable bowel syndrome is not pleasant for anyone who has it, and many many Americans do suffer from it, in fact more every year. Many of these turn to Bowtrol Colon Cleanser for relief.
Why do they turn to Bowtrol Colon Cleanser? The answer to that is easy. Bowtrol Colon Cleanser is all natural and has many successful users. Their track record is outstanding. Bowtrol Colon Cleanser in league with a healthy lifestyle that should include moderate exercise and sensible eating habits can help keep the colon cleansed. Two to three good, regular and healthy bowel movements a day are essential to good colon health. Bowtrol Colon Cleanser helps with this. So does good eating. Most Americans eat way too much fast food. Too much sugar, too much fat. Not enough vegetables and fruit. Not enough healthy grains or legumes. Legumes are beans of all types – green beans, black beans, lima beans, butter beans, brown beans, navy beans, pinto beans, and on and on. Also peanuts are legumes. These are great sources of fiber for better colon cleanliness and better colon health. A one-two punch of better eating habits and Bowtrol Colon Cleanser can make a world of difference in most people. Good colon health and cleanliness can be the difference between a pain free day and a day full of abdominal cramping. It can also be the difference between feeling good and feeling constipated, or bloated or headachy. And remember that good colon health means no diarrhea, an experience few people enjoy.
The reason for good colon health and cleanliness leading to health elsewhere in the body is simple really. The colon is a very large and very complex organ. It contains more nerves than any other organ, except of course for the brain and the spinal column, known as the central nervous system. All other organs in the body are connected to the colon, and all organs in the body work together. If the colon has problems, these problems spread to other organs and you will feel symptoms of spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome or another ailment. It only makes good health sense to do what you can to keep your colon cleansed and healthy to keep the rest of your body functioning properly. Bowtrol Colon Cleanser is a great place to start.
Knowledge is your best weapon for good prostate health and avoiding prostate cancer. Some lifestyles, eating habits, and dietary supplements are thought to lead to lower levels of prostate cancer, as well as other cancers. Nobody can guarantee prostate cancer prevention through behavior, diet, treatment, or medicine, but there things you can do to improve your odds.
There is some evidence that links exercise to better prostate health. Exercise improves overall physical and mental health, so most medical professionals recommend at least a half an hour of exercise per week. Some studies indicate that regular exercise increases oxygen flow to the soft tissues of the body and helps to control glucose levels in the bloodstream. High levels of glucose may help fuel prostate cancer cells.
A healthy prostate diet is worth considering. High-fat and low-fiber diets and obesity seem to contribute to a higher risk of prostate cancer, Researchers theorize that high levels of body fat can stimulate the production of male hormones which encourage prostate cell production. Some researchers believe that cancerous prostate cells can feed on fat, especially fats found in red meat and dairy products. Omega 3 fatty acid, found in fish, soy, and flaxseed is known as the “heart-healthy” fats. Omega-3 fatty acids help decease fats found in the body. Countries whose diets are based on fish proteins rather than red meat have much lower rates of prostate cancer. Soy products can decease how cancerous cells move to other parts of the body. Soy products include tofu, soymilk, soy creamers, soy yogurts, soy ice creams, and tofu burgers and sausages often stocked in grocery stores today. Silken tofu or soy powder can be added to baked goods or drinks to receive the benefits of soy. Red grapes, grape juice, green teas, and red wine contain anti-oxidants that can neutralize cancer-causing agents within the body. Lycopene found in tomatoes, and beta-carotene may be beneficial in helping to protect the body from the risk of prostate cancer. Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables may help boost the body’s cancer fighting abilities and over-all health.
Prostate Health Supplements such as vitamin E and selenium have been linked to a drastically decreased risk of prostate cancer. Studies of vitamin E and selenium seem to benefit those who were deficient in either, or who were ex-smokers. Studies have also linked a daily regimen of aspirin or ibuprofen to lower risks of prostate cancer. As always, talk to your doctor before starting any prolonged use of supplements or aspirin.
