Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints, causing inflammation, and some organs, such as the lungs and skin. It can be a disabling and painful condition, which can lead to substantial loss of functioning mobility due to pain and joint destruction and it can progress into a disability. It is estimated that 33 percent of suffers are not working five years after diagnosis, and after 10 years, 50 percent of sufferers will have a substantial functional disability. Despite treatment, nearly all of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers will have some degree of disability due to it at some point.
R.A affects 43 million Americans and it is the leading cause of disability in the USA. now a days approximately 7 million Americans have a rheumatoid arthritis disability.
The main feature of R.A is inflammation in the joints, which usually occurs symmetrically, if it involves the articulation of the right arm, for example, the same joint on the left will also be compromised. As the disease is systemic, other organs such as eyes, heart and lungs may be affected. Unexplained fatigue and stiffness after periods of inactivity, especially in the morning, are also symptoms that are part of the clinical disease. Some patients may have small nodules under the skin, especially around the elbows, which are called rheumatoid nodules.
The more common rheumatoid arthritis disability people often experience is pain and stiffness. The joints most commonly affected are those at the end of the fingers (near the nails), thumb, neck, lower back, knees and hips. Arthritis affects people differently. Although some arthrosis progresses rapidly in most people the damage to the joints develops gradually over the course of years. In some people it is relatively mild and interfere little in everyday life, while in others it causes severe pain and is disabling.
A large number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are work disabled.The lowered RA-induced work ability is a societal (for example, financial costs) and individual problem (for example, loss of status, income, social support, and distraction from pain and distress).
Structural damage, in turn, results in limitations of physical functions, expressed as limited mobility, strength, and manual dexterity. Work disability may occur early owing to inflammatory processes or later in this process owing to joint destruction.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance.
posted by Healthy Life at 8:16 AM
Beer And Fitness - Can You Drink Beer And Stay Fit
This week I was asked an interesting question concerning drinking beer and exercising. It seems that a former Navy Radioman has developed quite a gut since retiring, and was curious about whether he should give up his beer to lose weight? Not only does the gentleman enjoy drinking about 2-4 beers daily, he also has quit exercising. Moderate beer consumption is actually healthy, so I set out to define "moderate" as well as educate on the basics of caloric intake and caloric expenditure. The radioman is not suffering from a beer belly but an INACTIVITY BELLY! Yes, you can still drink beer and be very fit.
Over 90 million Americans enjoy drinking beer! Drinking moderately has been proven by many doctors, as well as the New England Journal of Medicine, to be a healthy component of longevity. In fact, moderate consumption of alcohol, including beer, has been proven to reduce the effects of high cholesterol, heart disease, some forms of cancer and even impotence.
Anything done in excess is naturally unhealthy. "Moderation" is defined by most doctors as 1-2 beers a day. And NO, you cannot save up through the week and catch up on the weekend drinking 10-12 beers in an evening. That is NOT moderation. There is even a US Beer Drinking Team that links beer enthusiasts and promotes moderation, responsibility, and healthy living.
The average can of beer has over 100 calories. Drinking one beer is equivalent to eating a chocolate chip cookie. Drinking four is equal to eating a Big Mac Hamburger. In order to lose weight, you have to burn off these extra calories as well as the other calories that you ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even the lightest of beers has the empty calories of alcohol, which is the cause of poor health if done in excess and without a regular exercise routine. Unfortunately, too many Americans live under one of the worst stereotypes placed on a human being - the BEER BELLY, or as I call it, the inactivity belly.
The "inactivity" belly is caused by excess calories in your diet AND lack of activity to burn the extra calories. The solution to lose your beer belly is as simple as calories in must be less than calories out (or expended through exercise).
Calories IN Weight Loss
If you can add exercise into your schedule for 20-30 minutes a day, your daily consumption of alcohol (1-2 beers) will not have any additional impact on your gut. To lose your beer belly, you REALLY have to watch your food and beverage intake, drink 2-4 quarts of water a day, AND fit fitness into your world. THERE IS NO OTHER HEALTHY ANSWER! The exercise and workout ideas below can get you started on your calorie burning plan:
Workout #1: This is a great full body calorie burner:
Repeat 3-5 times
Walk, run or bike 5:00
Squats - 20
Pushups - 10-20
Situps or Crunches - 20
Workout #2: Swimming and elliptical gliding (cross country skiing) burn the most calories per hour (This workout can burn up to 1000 calories in one hour!)
Swim 20-30 minutes non-stop
Elliptical Glide 20-30 minutes
There is no reason why you cannot have "six pack abs" and still drink a six pack a week. Once again, excessive beer drinking is not recommended by anyone in the health industry. If you simply enjoy drinking beer and are serious about your health, moderation in drinking alcohol and eating foods high in calories, combined with habitual daily exercise is your ticket to reaching your goals. I now have a series of Workout plans that cater to all levels of fitness and can help you with developing a healthy diet with proper food choices - the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced 45 Day plans sold on StewSmith.com Store. For those who are into strength training, I have recently developed a weight training plan called "Beer and Barbells" that allows you to use the additional calories of beer, or milk shakes if you are under 21, to gain mass and strength.
Adding exercise daily and observing the dietary recommendations in these eBooks will enable you to be the person you were yesterday without changing who you are today.
posted by Healthy Life at 2:10 AM
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Over 90 million Americans enjoy drinking beer! Drinking moderately has been proven by many doctors, as well as the New England Journal of Medicine, to be a healthy component of longevity. In fact, moderate consumption of alcohol, including beer, has been proven to reduce the effects of high cholesterol, heart disease, some forms of cancer and even impotence.
Anything done in excess is naturally unhealthy. "Moderation" is defined by most doctors as 1-2 beers a day. And NO, you cannot save up through the week and catch up on the weekend drinking 10-12 beers in an evening. That is NOT moderation. There is even a US Beer Drinking Team that links beer enthusiasts and promotes moderation, responsibility, and healthy living.
The average can of beer has over 100 calories. Drinking one beer is equivalent to eating a chocolate chip cookie. Drinking four is equal to eating a Big Mac Hamburger. In order to lose weight, you have to burn off these extra calories as well as the other calories that you ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even the lightest of beers has the empty calories of alcohol, which is the cause of poor health if done in excess and without a regular exercise routine. Unfortunately, too many Americans live under one of the worst stereotypes placed on a human being - the BEER BELLY, or as I call it, the inactivity belly.
The "inactivity" belly is caused by excess calories in your diet AND lack of activity to burn the extra calories. The solution to lose your beer belly is as simple as calories in must be less than calories out (or expended through exercise).
Calories IN Weight Loss
If you can add exercise into your schedule for 20-30 minutes a day, your daily consumption of alcohol (1-2 beers) will not have any additional impact on your gut. To lose your beer belly, you REALLY have to watch your food and beverage intake, drink 2-4 quarts of water a day, AND fit fitness into your world. THERE IS NO OTHER HEALTHY ANSWER! The exercise and workout ideas below can get you started on your calorie burning plan:
Workout #1: This is a great full body calorie burner:
Repeat 3-5 times
Walk, run or bike 5:00
Squats - 20
Pushups - 10-20
Situps or Crunches - 20
Workout #2: Swimming and elliptical gliding (cross country skiing) burn the most calories per hour (This workout can burn up to 1000 calories in one hour!)
Swim 20-30 minutes non-stop
Elliptical Glide 20-30 minutes
There is no reason why you cannot have "six pack abs" and still drink a six pack a week. Once again, excessive beer drinking is not recommended by anyone in the health industry. If you simply enjoy drinking beer and are serious about your health, moderation in drinking alcohol and eating foods high in calories, combined with habitual daily exercise is your ticket to reaching your goals. I now have a series of Workout plans that cater to all levels of fitness and can help you with developing a healthy diet with proper food choices - the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced 45 Day plans sold on StewSmith.com Store. For those who are into strength training, I have recently developed a weight training plan called "Beer and Barbells" that allows you to use the additional calories of beer, or milk shakes if you are under 21, to gain mass and strength.
Adding exercise daily and observing the dietary recommendations in these eBooks will enable you to be the person you were yesterday without changing who you are today.
posted by Healthy Life at 2:10 AM
Improve Your Health by Following Fibromyalgia Alternative Therapies
Fibromyalgia is a terrible condition and people affected by it are often overwhelmed by its symptoms and effects. A disturbing fact is that although several million people suffer from fibromyalgia in the United States alone, modern medicine isn�t able to produce an efficient specific cure. Despite the fact that in present some fibromyalgia medical treatments and therapies can ameliorate and ease some of its symptoms, the causes of fibromyalgia can neither be prevented, nor overcome.
Fibromyalgia alternative therapies have been successfully used in the last decades for improving and correcting the major symptoms of the disorder. Although fibromyalgia alternative therapies and remedies can�t be a substitute for modern medicine and can neither completely overcome fibromyalgia, it is a healthier, better way of improving one�s physical and mental health. Some drugs prescribed in modern medicine to patients with fibromyalgia have lots of secondary effects and sometimes can even cause more harm rather than good. Considering the fact that fibromyalgia is a chronic neurological disorder, the symptoms reoccur on a regular time basis and ongoing treatment is necessary. By following fibromyalgia alternative therapies, people who suffer from the disorder will quickly begin to feel better and with time they will see an amelioration of their symptoms.
Fibromyalgia alternative therapies are a healthier, safer way of dealing with the malign effects of the disorder. Fibromyalgia alternative therapies and remedies are based on the knowledge and wisdom of the ancestors and consist of many practices that were secretly performed in the past. Alternative therapies are known to considerably improve the health of patients with neurological disorders such, helping them to regain control over their bodies and lives by achieving mental and physical balance. Most remedies used in alternative medicine have been used in curing all kinds of diseases for thousands of years. They have considerably less side-effects than synthetic drugs and sometimes they are even more efficient.
A very good remedy for neurological disorders such as fibromyalgia is produced from the herb Echinacea. This remedy is renowned for its healing effects and its capacities of stimulating the regeneration of the nervous system. Other remedies can improve the activity of the musculoskeletal system by supplementing the intake of vitamin D and calcium (remedies produced from coral).
Some fibromyalgia alternative therapies are more popular than others. However, these ancient complementary medicine practices all have benefic results on the organism. Popular fibromyalgia alternative therapies are acupuncture, acupressure, Reiki, aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. Among these fibromyalgia alternative therapies, the most commonly used are acupuncture, acupressure and Reiki. Acupuncture is an ancient oriental therapy that stimulates and corrects the activity of the entire organism by activating certain points on the body. A very effective fibromyalgia alternative therapy is Reiki. This is a form of massage therapy and it has an important role in reestablishing the balance inside the organism. Also, it is a good way to relax and ease the sensation of fatigue characteristic to all fibromyalgia patients.
Other interesting fibromyalgia alternative therapies are aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. They are both good ways of refreshing and stimulating the body and they can also help in easing the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Other less common fibromyalgia alternative therapies are Rehab Approach and biofeedback, both encouraging the patients to actively participate in the process of their treatment.
By following fibromyalgia alternative therapies, people confronted with the disorder are able to ameliorate their constant pain, fatigue and discomfort. Fibromyalgia alternative therapies are very good means of relaxation, helping people to achieve physical and mental balance.
posted by Healthy Life at 2:10 AM
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Fibromyalgia alternative therapies have been successfully used in the last decades for improving and correcting the major symptoms of the disorder. Although fibromyalgia alternative therapies and remedies can�t be a substitute for modern medicine and can neither completely overcome fibromyalgia, it is a healthier, better way of improving one�s physical and mental health. Some drugs prescribed in modern medicine to patients with fibromyalgia have lots of secondary effects and sometimes can even cause more harm rather than good. Considering the fact that fibromyalgia is a chronic neurological disorder, the symptoms reoccur on a regular time basis and ongoing treatment is necessary. By following fibromyalgia alternative therapies, people who suffer from the disorder will quickly begin to feel better and with time they will see an amelioration of their symptoms.
Fibromyalgia alternative therapies are a healthier, safer way of dealing with the malign effects of the disorder. Fibromyalgia alternative therapies and remedies are based on the knowledge and wisdom of the ancestors and consist of many practices that were secretly performed in the past. Alternative therapies are known to considerably improve the health of patients with neurological disorders such, helping them to regain control over their bodies and lives by achieving mental and physical balance. Most remedies used in alternative medicine have been used in curing all kinds of diseases for thousands of years. They have considerably less side-effects than synthetic drugs and sometimes they are even more efficient.
A very good remedy for neurological disorders such as fibromyalgia is produced from the herb Echinacea. This remedy is renowned for its healing effects and its capacities of stimulating the regeneration of the nervous system. Other remedies can improve the activity of the musculoskeletal system by supplementing the intake of vitamin D and calcium (remedies produced from coral).
Some fibromyalgia alternative therapies are more popular than others. However, these ancient complementary medicine practices all have benefic results on the organism. Popular fibromyalgia alternative therapies are acupuncture, acupressure, Reiki, aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. Among these fibromyalgia alternative therapies, the most commonly used are acupuncture, acupressure and Reiki. Acupuncture is an ancient oriental therapy that stimulates and corrects the activity of the entire organism by activating certain points on the body. A very effective fibromyalgia alternative therapy is Reiki. This is a form of massage therapy and it has an important role in reestablishing the balance inside the organism. Also, it is a good way to relax and ease the sensation of fatigue characteristic to all fibromyalgia patients.
Other interesting fibromyalgia alternative therapies are aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. They are both good ways of refreshing and stimulating the body and they can also help in easing the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Other less common fibromyalgia alternative therapies are Rehab Approach and biofeedback, both encouraging the patients to actively participate in the process of their treatment.
By following fibromyalgia alternative therapies, people confronted with the disorder are able to ameliorate their constant pain, fatigue and discomfort. Fibromyalgia alternative therapies are very good means of relaxation, helping people to achieve physical and mental balance.
posted by Healthy Life at 2:10 AM
Interesting Aspects of Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Fibromyalgia symptoms can become very serious if they are not appropriately dealt with. Many people confronted with the disorder experience an intensification of fibromyalgia symptoms over time. In most patients, the fibromyalgia symptoms also tend to spread throughout the entire body.
Fibromyalgia is a neurological condition that affects the musculoskeletal soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments. The majority of people with fibromyalgia feel an intense muscular pain and discomfort, also accompanied by a pronounced level of fatigue throughout the whole body. At first, the muscular pain and fatigue usually occur in the upper parts of the body (neck, cervical region, upper back and shoulders), later spreading into other body regions (mid-back, arms, spine, lower back and thighs).
Other fibromyalgia symptoms are unrefreshing sleep or insomnia, physical weakness, poor ability of sustaining physical or mental effort, increased nervous excitability, migraines, short-term memory loss, poor concentration, anxiety, depression and confusion. Patients that are constantly confronted with fibromyalgia symptoms become depressed and have low self-esteem.
In many cases, most fibromyalgia symptoms are misleading in establishing an appropriate diagnose. They are difficult to relate with fibromyalgia, as they also occur to many other disorders and illnesses. Furthermore, the majority of patients confronted with fibromyalgia symptoms appear to be in perfect health and present no physical dysfunctions when they are examined by a specialist. Routine physical examinations and laboratory analysis are usually unable to reveal the presence of fibromyalgia. However, careful neurological examinations performed on people with fibromyalgia symptoms can trace abnormal brain activity, which is considered to be the main cause in generating the disorder.
The process of diagnosing fibromyalgia is performed mostly on patients� reports of fibromyalgia symptoms and careful neurological examinations. However, there are also other ways of diagnosing the disorder. In all patients, the fibromyalgia symptoms of pain and discomfort seem to be located in specific points on the body, called trigger points or tender points. Although people with fibromyalgia experience different levels of pain in these trigger points, their presence is common to all patients. The presence of nine pairs of trigger points has been revealed in all people who suffer from fibromyalgia. These trigger points are located at the base of the skull, in the region of the neck, shoulders, chest, upper back, mid-back and lower back, buttocks, upper thighs, elbows and knees. The areas that surround the trigger points are also very sensitive and are referred to as tender points.
Fibromyalgia is considered to be a serious condition and it is very important to be revealed in time, in order to establish an appropriate treatment that can ameliorate fibromyalgia symptoms and undesirable effects. The muscular pain seems to be the major fibromyalgia symptom and it has been described in many ways: aching, burning, radiating or stabbing. However, apart from recidivating muscular pain, there are other fibromyalgia symptoms that can become very serious: depression, cognitive dysfunctions, confusion, lack of concentration, accelerated pulse, unstable blood pressure, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal swelling, diarrhea. If the disorder is not dealt with in time, it can lead to an aggravation of its symptoms, seriously endangering the lives of the affected persons.
posted by Healthy Life at 2:10 AM
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Fibromyalgia is a neurological condition that affects the musculoskeletal soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments. The majority of people with fibromyalgia feel an intense muscular pain and discomfort, also accompanied by a pronounced level of fatigue throughout the whole body. At first, the muscular pain and fatigue usually occur in the upper parts of the body (neck, cervical region, upper back and shoulders), later spreading into other body regions (mid-back, arms, spine, lower back and thighs).
Other fibromyalgia symptoms are unrefreshing sleep or insomnia, physical weakness, poor ability of sustaining physical or mental effort, increased nervous excitability, migraines, short-term memory loss, poor concentration, anxiety, depression and confusion. Patients that are constantly confronted with fibromyalgia symptoms become depressed and have low self-esteem.
In many cases, most fibromyalgia symptoms are misleading in establishing an appropriate diagnose. They are difficult to relate with fibromyalgia, as they also occur to many other disorders and illnesses. Furthermore, the majority of patients confronted with fibromyalgia symptoms appear to be in perfect health and present no physical dysfunctions when they are examined by a specialist. Routine physical examinations and laboratory analysis are usually unable to reveal the presence of fibromyalgia. However, careful neurological examinations performed on people with fibromyalgia symptoms can trace abnormal brain activity, which is considered to be the main cause in generating the disorder.
The process of diagnosing fibromyalgia is performed mostly on patients� reports of fibromyalgia symptoms and careful neurological examinations. However, there are also other ways of diagnosing the disorder. In all patients, the fibromyalgia symptoms of pain and discomfort seem to be located in specific points on the body, called trigger points or tender points. Although people with fibromyalgia experience different levels of pain in these trigger points, their presence is common to all patients. The presence of nine pairs of trigger points has been revealed in all people who suffer from fibromyalgia. These trigger points are located at the base of the skull, in the region of the neck, shoulders, chest, upper back, mid-back and lower back, buttocks, upper thighs, elbows and knees. The areas that surround the trigger points are also very sensitive and are referred to as tender points.
Fibromyalgia is considered to be a serious condition and it is very important to be revealed in time, in order to establish an appropriate treatment that can ameliorate fibromyalgia symptoms and undesirable effects. The muscular pain seems to be the major fibromyalgia symptom and it has been described in many ways: aching, burning, radiating or stabbing. However, apart from recidivating muscular pain, there are other fibromyalgia symptoms that can become very serious: depression, cognitive dysfunctions, confusion, lack of concentration, accelerated pulse, unstable blood pressure, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal swelling, diarrhea. If the disorder is not dealt with in time, it can lead to an aggravation of its symptoms, seriously endangering the lives of the affected persons.
posted by Healthy Life at 2:10 AM
Sore Throat in Children and the Need for Good Parental Care
Children are very often confronted with sore throat. Sore throat is usually accompanied by sneezing, runny nose and coughing. Sore throat also involves throat inflammation, swelling, discomfort and pain. The cause of sore throat is infection with viruses and even without treatment, the illness disappears in a matter of days. Sore throat usually involves inflammation of the tonsils and pharynges and it is also referred to as tonsillo-pharyngitis. Common symptoms of sore throat in children are: painful, irritated throat, tonsil inflammation and swelling (sometimes the tonsils may be covered in pus), swelling and tenderness of the lymph glands, fatigue, headache, stomachache, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever. In some cases, rashes can occur in certain areas of the body.
The viruses responsible for causing sore throat are very contagious. Especially in the flu seasons, it is very difficult to prevent sore throat from occurring. Good personal hygiene can decrease the chances of contracting the viruses that cause sore throat, but can�t fully prevent the development of the infection. The viruses responsible for causing sore throat can be transmitted by air, secretions or direct contact.
It is important to be able to distinguish between sore throat and strep throat. While sore throat can clear up by itself in just a few days, strep throat is more persistent and it requires treatment with antibiotics. Parents often panic when their children become sick. Sore throat is in many cases no reason for panic. No medication is required in overcoming sore throat, its symptoms simply disappearing after a few days. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from strep throat, you should check for fever, intense pain and increased sensitivity in the regions around the neck and ears. However, if the symptoms of the illness are mild and their intensity doesn�t seem to be progressing, there is no reason to be concerned about.
Despite the fact that sore throat is usually not a serious illness, it is best to pay a visit to a pediatrician anyway. The doctor will perform a simple test, in order to reveal the origin of the infection. If no presence of harmful bacteria is revealed, all the doctor may prescribe are analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, if the sore throat is actually caused by streptococcus bacteria, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment with antibiotics.
A sore throat can be overcome very quickly by children�s immune system. All that parents can do is to ensure that they get enough rest and that their fever is under control. You should make sure that your child drinks enough fluids and that he eats enough food. Loss of appetite is a common symptom of sore throat and it is important to convince the child to eat properly when he is ill. The food should be easy to swallow and non-irritating. Convince your child to eat more warm soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt and soft fruits. Fever may lead to dehydration and therefore make sure that your child drinks enough fluids. Pay attention to your child�s needs and try to relief the discomfort of his illness. Just like many other ailments, sore throat in children can be easily overcome with the help of good parental care.
posted by Healthy Life at 2:10 AM
The viruses responsible for causing sore throat are very contagious. Especially in the flu seasons, it is very difficult to prevent sore throat from occurring. Good personal hygiene can decrease the chances of contracting the viruses that cause sore throat, but can�t fully prevent the development of the infection. The viruses responsible for causing sore throat can be transmitted by air, secretions or direct contact.
It is important to be able to distinguish between sore throat and strep throat. While sore throat can clear up by itself in just a few days, strep throat is more persistent and it requires treatment with antibiotics. Parents often panic when their children become sick. Sore throat is in many cases no reason for panic. No medication is required in overcoming sore throat, its symptoms simply disappearing after a few days. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from strep throat, you should check for fever, intense pain and increased sensitivity in the regions around the neck and ears. However, if the symptoms of the illness are mild and their intensity doesn�t seem to be progressing, there is no reason to be concerned about.
Despite the fact that sore throat is usually not a serious illness, it is best to pay a visit to a pediatrician anyway. The doctor will perform a simple test, in order to reveal the origin of the infection. If no presence of harmful bacteria is revealed, all the doctor may prescribe are analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, if the sore throat is actually caused by streptococcus bacteria, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment with antibiotics.
A sore throat can be overcome very quickly by children�s immune system. All that parents can do is to ensure that they get enough rest and that their fever is under control. You should make sure that your child drinks enough fluids and that he eats enough food. Loss of appetite is a common symptom of sore throat and it is important to convince the child to eat properly when he is ill. The food should be easy to swallow and non-irritating. Convince your child to eat more warm soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt and soft fruits. Fever may lead to dehydration and therefore make sure that your child drinks enough fluids. Pay attention to your child�s needs and try to relief the discomfort of his illness. Just like many other ailments, sore throat in children can be easily overcome with the help of good parental care.
posted by Healthy Life at 2:10 AM
