How to Get a Good Nights Sleep With Arthritis

So, what can you do?

There are a few general principles for getting a good night's sleep that applies to everyone. But, if you have arthritis, you have to be sure that it is well controlled, that's the first step. You should make sure that your doctor is working with you to resolve any problems related to your condition that is affecting your sleep. Your doctor may decide to switch your medications or instruct you to take them at different times of the day. I have taken my medications the same way for over four years and decided to use Google medical profile to keep track of my medical conditions and medications. Wow! Was I surprised to find out that the way I was taking them was wrong. I had four of the seven that inter acted with each other and that would cause some of the symptoms I was having. I switched the times I take them and now I've noticed a change in my pain levels, and my fatigue levels, for the better. Also, if pain is keeping you awake, it certainly makes sense to try and time your pain medicine so that it works for you at night. While arthritis makes getting a good night sleep more difficult, a good night's sleep can minimize arthritis pain and make it more manageable.

You won't want to leave the work of controlling your arthritis to just medicine alone. You can use other strategies besides medicines for controlling nighttime pain. You can take a warm shower or bath before you go to bed to reduce pain and make sleep easier. If there is a problem with one joint then you can try using a warm, moist heating pad or ice pack for 15 - 20 minutes before bed. You might want to try doing gentle stretching, relaxation, or guided imagery exercises before going to bed will also help you to sleep better at night as well. You do want to remember though that you shouldn't exercise to close to bedtime, because it can actually make it more difficult to fall asleep. I've read several articles that say not to exercise 2 hours before bedtime.

Here are six other ways to make sure you get a good night sleep.

1. A great bed. A comfortable bed is a must and fortunately there are many new mattresses and mattress additions on the market that can make your bed more comfortable. You could use a bed board, which is placed under the mattress and can help make a soft and saggy mattress more supportive. This is important for those of you with back problems. You could add an inexpensive foam egg-crate pad or a more expensive pillow-top mattress pad can make a saggy mattress feel just like new. You can buy a new pillow-top mattress or a Sleep Number mattress and who knows, you may enjoy the Sleep Number mattress because you and your partner can each adjust your own side of the mattress to your preference. The mattress is so easy to use that if you start feeling uncomfortable during the night all you have to do is adjust with a push of a button. Have you ever tested one of these mattresses? They are fabulous! For those of you who like mattresses that can change positions at the head or the knee, you might want to try an adjustable bed that is just like the traditional hospital bed that can be bought for your home. The costs for all of these items can vary widely, so make sure you try the less expensive options first.

2. Perfect pillows. It is very important to find a pillow that is comfortable for you, so investigate the material, thickness, and firmness of any pillows you buy. Sometimes snoring is a symptom of a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. If you already have back and neck pain you might want to consider a cervical pillow. A cervical pillow supports your neck and also your head, and allows your head, neck and spine to remain in proper alignment, which can help to decrease your pain. When you have lower back pain, lying on your back and placing one or two pillows under your knees so that they are slightly bent will help support your back. You can also purchase a foam wedge that does the same thing. If you have knee problems, you should avoid sleeping with with a pillow under your knees so your knees are bent. This may increase knee stiffness and make it more difficult for you to straighten you knees. Putting a pillow under your entire leg helps as well. Putting a pillow between your knees as you lie on your side helps maintain back alignment, which can reduce hip and back pain. There again, there is a special pillow is for this purpose. Another helpful pillow is the dual position bed wedge, which can be used both for sleeping and in a different position, for reading or watching TV. You can find specialized pillows at medical supply stores and on the Internet.

3. Bed equipment. Some people with arthritis or fibromyalgia are bothered by heavy covers that press down on their feet at night. There is something called an adjustable blanket support that can keep your covers off sore feet and ankles and makes it easier to turn and change position without disrupting your sleep. The supports can attach easier on the sides or foot of a bed. You can also purchase sheets made of satin or another smooth material that can make it easier and less painful to turn over in bed. Partial side railing that anchor by sliding under the mattress to keep them in place are made to adjust in four positions and you can use the railing to help you turn over more easily during the night.

4. Other strategies. The best environment for sleep is one that is cool, dark, and quite. Is your sleeping environment this way? This is the only way I can get to sleep and stay that way. This is sometimes easier said than done but ear plugs or sleep machines can help with outside commotion and with noisy sleeping partners. Sleep machines create what is called "white noise" that drowns out other sounds. Weight and alcohol in the evening can contribute to snoring so if you lose weight and avoid the alcohol your snoring will go away. You see the alcohol will relax the muscles in the throat and cause your snoring. There are some people that like to use special tape on the nose to open up the nasal passages during sleep, although there is little hard evidence that this works. If your nasal passages are swollen because of allergies, be sure to ask your doctor whether it's okay for you to take allergy medicine to reduce the swelling and this will help reduce your snoring. Sometimes snoring is a symptom of a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Here's some more good strategies for getting a good night's sleep; go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning, even on weekends. Use your bedroom only for sleeping and sex, don't watch TV or read. If your partner snores or moves all over the place and you can't find any other way of dealing with the problem, you might want to move to another room.

5. Are you the type of person who has no trouble going to sleep but you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep? If you are walking up to go to the bathroom, you might want to think about not drinking whatever you're drinking, a few hours before you go to bed. If you wake up and are upset or worrying, you can try to top the upsetting thoughts by using a technique called progressive relaxation, in which you relax each muscle in your body, one at a time. To do this, first tighten all the muscles in your face for several seconds and then release them. Work from the top to the bottom, tightening and relaxing the muscles in each area of your body until you reach your feet. Concentrate on the relaxation process rather than on the fact that you are upset because you are awake. For me, I have a busy mind and will wake up thinking about what I needed to do tomorrow. My doctor gave me the term "busy mind". I now do a brain dump. I write down everything going on in my mind, everything I have to do, phone calls to make, or if there is just something that's bothering me. This technique works great for me. I no longer have a busy mind.

6. Foods and medicines. Did you know that the medicines you take and the foods you eat can cause sleep problems or at least make them worse. Prednisone and other corticosteroid drugs, which people with inflammatory arthritis often take, can cause sleeplessness. Other medicines that can do this are decongestant and some blood pressure drugs, can cause sleep problems, also. If you think that a drug is causing your sleep problems, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Here are some more drugs that cause problems with your sleep; caffeine, nicotine, and amphetamines, these are all stimulants. You may want to try reducing your intake of caffeine from coffee, tea, energy drinks, or soda to one cup or glass a day, preferably before 5 pm. Others have to stop drinking these drinks altogether, and don't forget that there are some headache reliever, such as Excedrin, that may contain caffeine. You should also avoid alcohol before bed if sleep is a problem, because alcohol does more than make you snore, it can suppress deep sleep and REM sleep. Do you remember hearing about drinking heated milk at bedtime? Well it really can help some people relax and get to sleep faster. Sleeping Pills. Hopefully the change in your sleep habits, sleep environment, and behavioral strategies will do the trick, there are also medicines that can help you sleep. Most experts believe, however, that these drugs should only be used short-term or as a last resort, because they are not risk-free. Some people try over-the-counter sleeping pills. These pills usually contain an antihistamine. These drugs are not recommended for long-term use and can interfere with alertness during the day. They often reduce the quality of your sleep, and you may quickly develop a tolerance for then. Check with your doctor before taking these. Sleep medicines your doctor might prescribe include olpidem tartrate (Ambien CR), zalepion (Sonata), and eszopiclone (Lunesta), all of which works in a different way; also there is ramelteon (Rozerem). Tranquilizers such as fluraepam (Dalmane), temaepam (Restoril) and estazolam cause drowsiness. They tend to be effective for only a few weeks and then they can lead to drug dependence. Some antidepressants, such as trazdone, are used for sleep problems. The tricyclic antidepressants, which include amitriptyline, can, when taken in small dose, help a person obtain deep, restorative sleep. They are often prescribed for people with fibromyalgia. Benadryl, an antihistamine, can help people relax and is available over the counter, sometimes in combination with Tylenol (Tylenol PM). Most of these medicines are used to help with short-term sleep problems, but some people do take them regularly.

7. If you and your doctor have tried all the strategies described here and nothing seems to help it's possible that not all of your sleep problems are caused by arthritis or the other common causes of sleep difficulties. You might have an underlying sleep disorder. Examples of sleep disorders are sleep apnea (in which you stop breathing temporarily while you sleep), narcolepsy (in which you skip the non-REM stages of sleep and go straight to REM sleep), and restless legs syndrome (unpleasant sensations in the legs while you are at rest). You might want to go to a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders or even to a sleep center, where doctors can observe your sleep to better diagnose your problem.

I've tried some of these sleep aids with no success. I've tried Ambien and it did the opposite to me, it kept me awake. Not only that, but the reports of sleep walking and driving while taking Ambien came out. That made it a no brainier for me to stop. Then there was Trazadone. That one worked for a while but about every year I had to have the dose increased. Then one day I had ran out and wasn't able to get my prescription and when I was finally able to go and get it, I had a panic attack on the way home from the pharmacist and got a speeding ticket. I got off of it real quick. I've even taken an all-natural sleep aid called Midnight, and it would put me to sleep giving me about two hours of sleep but then I would wake up. I take amitriptyline now and I've had excellent results with it. I take it about two hours before I go to bed and as soon as the lights go out I am asleep.

Three Options for Joint Pain Relief

Before you go searching for something to relieve your joint pain, you should first decide what it is you want to discover. Joint pain develops for a variety of reasons, so you want to be sure you are treating yourself appropriately. Of course, it's always a good idea to get a recommendation from a physician, but there are a few things you can try on your own if you want to do some tests first.

There are really three things to consider when the joints are involved. You can have joint pain because you banged your hand and damaged some cartilage; or your cartilage could be just wearing away naturally as you get older from normal use. If you just banged your hand, use ice and take some Ibuprofen pain relievers to reduce swelling.

Most of the time it's not as easy to diagnosis where the joint pain is coming from as it is when a person injures themselves (as in a sports injury). Many times you will just be doing something and discover that your joints hurt. If you've been active, your joints may be getting stiff because you no longer have enough lubrication in them to keep them moving correctly.

When this happens you should look for something immediately that will help restore lubrication to the joints. If you do not do this as soon as the problem appears, it will only get worse as the lubrication depletes and your joints start rubbing against each other, or worse yet, against the closest bone.

That brings us to the third ailment. If you haven't hit your hand (or wherever the pain is coming from, and your joints seem to be moving correctly but still hurt, you may need to look for something that repairs cartilage as well as replaces needed lubrication to the joints.

Often, joint pain supplements can resolve all of these issues at once. But if you have intense pain, be sure to take care of that concern first. The more pain you have when using your joints, the less you will use them, and this will only make the situation worse. So take care of the pain first, and then find a supplement that will help restore and repair cartilage immediately. Joints do not get repaired overnight, and the longer you let it go, the longer you will be taking a supplement for joint pain relief.

Chinese Herbs Relieve Arthritis

The ancient wisdom of Chinese herbal medicine provides answers to the insidious effects of arthritis, which slowly cripple and deform, through a relentless attack on joints and surrounding tissue.

Approximately one in five Australians experience symptoms of arthritis due to various causes. The main forms of arthritis that afflict us as we age are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Joint degeneration in OA usually begins after the age of 30 and mainly affects weight bearing joints including the lower back and hips but also attacks joints like shoulders, fingers and toes. The disease is characterised by the loss of protective cartilage covering the ends of bone and consequent damage to underlying bone. OA predominantly affects men under the age of 45 and women over this age. 80% of people over the age of 50 are afflicted to some degree with OA.

RA is a chronic disease affecting 1 - 3% of the population with women outnumbering men 3:1. Onset is usually gradual and commonly occurs between the ages of 20 - 40, involving mainly the hands, feet, wrists, ankles and knees. Acute forms of RA can occur at any age and damage to affected joints and surrounding tissue can be swift.

To successfully treat the complex symptomatology associated with chronic degenerative arthritis a unique and holistic approach is required. Certain Chinese herbs like Acanthopanax and Eucommia have the unique ability to not only relieve inflammation and pain but also to help restore healthy connective tissue and cartilage. Supporting these benefits is the ability of both herbs to promote the elimination of waste material from joints and to tonify the Liver and the Kidneys.

From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective 'tonifying the Liver and Kidney organ-meridian systems' strengthen their associated tissues - the bones, muscles and connective tissue. Adding Boswellia to this combination invigorates the Blood and promotes the free flow of Qi (energy) through the meridian channels, preventing 'wind' or migrating pain from 'lodging in the joints'. Boswellia is clinically proven to inhibit inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood supply in OA and RA.

Swelling, which also causes pain, is defined as 'dampness' in TCM. Herbs to eliminate 'damp' include Clematis, Gentiana, Angelica and Ledebouriella. These four herbs reinforce and sustain many of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, circulatory stimulant, muscle relaxant, detoxifying and connective tissue restorative effects when used in combination with the above mentioned herbs.

Rib, Chest and Upper Back Pain Causes

When people feel pain in the chest area, they often fear the worst. While it is important to be aware of symptoms that may indicate serious problems like a heart attack, it is also good to know that there are many causes of chest and rib pain that do not involve the heart.

Intercostal Muscle Strain

There are muscles in between the ribs called intercostal muscles. There are two sets: the internal and external intercostals. These muscles help to stabilize the chest wall and allow movement of the upper torso. Like any other muscle, the intercostals can be strained when you perform a strenuous activity or from repeated movements like twisting or bending.

When a muscle is strained, it undergoes tearing and inflammation. Strained muscles are often tender to the touch. It is characteristic of torn rib muscles to cause sharp pain when inhaling or sneezing. Muscle strains heal with a day or two of rest usually, but since the intercostal muscles are used with every breath we take, they may take a little longer to recover.

Costovertebral Joint Dysfunction

12 pairs of ribs attach to the thoracic spine in the upper back. The joint that attaches the rib to the vertebra is called the costovertebral joint, and there is one on each side of every thoracic vertebra. When a vertebra becomes misaligned (subluxated), the costovertebral joint also becomes misaligned. This can cause inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Pain may radiate throughout the upper back and ribcage, particularly if nerves that run along the ribs are irritated by the joint.

Thoracic joint problems are relatively rare, considering that this spinal segment doesn't move very much. It is more likely a concern for someone who has suffered a blow to the upper back or who engages in regular activity that demands high levels of twisting. It is also possible that poor posture could result in strain to the thoracic joints. Chiropractic care can help realign the spine.

Costochondritis

Costochondritis is a poorly understood medical condition characterized by inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum. Most of the time a cause for the condition is not found. A few known causes are infection from a surgical procedure, tumors, strain from lifting or severe cough, a hard blow to the chest and arthritis.

Pain from costochondritis generally affects people on the left side and at more than one rib level. It is worsened by coughing and deep breaths. Treating the condition depends on its cause. Antibiotics can help if an infection is the cause. Stretching and rest may be helpful in the case of strain. Anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. Generally the condition in itself is not dangerous, but it could point to a serious cause and requires medical attention.

Whenever you have pain in your chest, it should be taken seriously. However, it is important to be aware of all potential causes, not just the most serious ones.

Lyprinol - A Natural Arthritis Pain Relief Remedy

Arthritis is one of the common illnesses that many people suffer from. It is characterized by the swelling of the joints, and is often accompanied by pain and redness of the affected area. The most common cases of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The former normally occurs, as a person grows older with pain and swelling experienced on one's fingers, hips as well as the knees. The latter is an adverse effect when your body's own defense system malfunctions.

There are several medicines that have been developed to address the painful and problematic symptoms of arthritis. One of the highly recommended and proven to be more effective among anti-arthritis medicines is Lyprinol. Lyprinol is pure oil extracted from green-lipped mussels (GLM) sourced in New Zealand. The human body contains certain chemicals such as leukotrienes that are easily inflamed due to allergic and similar types of reactions to food and other elements. Lyprinol's combination of omega-3 fatty acids and unique lipids found only in GLMs is guaranteed to control the inflammation that permeates in your system. This necessarily implies the reduction of pain that you feel on your joints and other affected parts of your body.

Lyprinol utilizes natural elements to combat the inflammation brought upon by arthritis attacks. In extreme cases, it prevents further damage to the body given the excessive inflammatory responses. Instead of producing harmful fatty acids that aggravates the process of inflammation, Lyprinol's omega-3 fatty acids deter further swelling as it forms part of the body's metabolism. Studies have been conducted, with positive results, showing the beneficial use of Lyprinol for those suffering from arthritis.

In the Gibson Brief, a study made by the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital in Glasgow, United Kingdom, Lyprinol's potency was tested. Lyprinol's lipid extract of stabilized GLM was compared alongside with the raw, stabilized GLM powder to determine if such were the principal active components in the treatment of arthritis. It was concluded that both lipid extract and the powder-form are quite effective in addressing swelling, stiffness and more importantly, pain in both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. However, Lyprinol's liquid extract gave a faster response than its powder counterpart.

Similar findings have been accomplished in the Whitehouse Study entitled "Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Lipid Fraction from the NZ Green-Lipped Mussel" and the OTC Study - "Over the counter oral remedy for arthritis and rheumatism: how effective are they?" The Whitehouse Study revealed the anti-inflammatory effect of Lyprinol in rats that have been artificially induced with arthritis. The OTC study ranked Lyprinol as one of the top remedies for arthritis along with ibuprofen. These researches emphasize the effectivity of Lyprinol as a natural arthritis remedy.

All the Information About Hip Injuries You Will Ever Need

Often times people confuse a hip flexor injury with their hip injuries because hip injuries often cause a lot of hip flexor pain as well; this post will explain common Hip injuries so that you can understand the differences and similarities between the two better.

Hip Injuries Overview

Arthritis

Hip Arthritis is a progressive degradation disorder where the cartilage that protects the bursa and bones that interact at the hip joint is worn down to a point where it allows the bones to contact. Obviously bones were not designed to contact each other directly which is why this can be a very painful condition that limits mobility.

Broken Hip/Hip Fracture

A broken hip is just like any other broken bone in the body, it occurs somewhere on the Femur. There are 2 different classifications of broken hips which are Femoral and Intertrochanteric fractures. The break is classified depending on the location of the break, whether it's above the femur tip (the 'ball') or below the neck. Unlike other kinds of broken bones surgery is almost always necessary in order to heal the break.

Dislocation

Dislocations are very painful injuries that are caused by the femur (bone at the top of the leg) slipping out of the Hip joint socket. It can either slide forward or backwards along the pelvis which will result in the leg being twisted either outwards or inwards respectively and having a very limited and painful range of motion.

Hip Bursitis

A bursa is a small little liquid-filled sac that is found around bones in order to intercept contact between bones and tissue. When a hip bursa in particular becomes inflamed, the resulting condition is called Hip Bursitis. Depending on the specific bursa that becomes inflamed (the hip has many) they will have distinct names. In general there is significant pain during almost any movement when bursitis is developed.

Hip Osteonecrosis

Hip Osteonecrosis is a very peculiar Hip injury because no one has been able to pinpoint a consistent cause for the injury. The general consensus on the mechanism of the injury is that the hip bones receive a lack of blood flow to the area. This lack of blood flow means that bone cells are not able to reproduce at a necessary rate to maintain strength. The bone keeps weakening until the point that it is vulnerable to breaks and collapses.

Labral Tear of Hip Joint

The hip has a ring of flexible tissue named the Labrum that fits right over your femur at the hip joint socket. You can think of it much like an O-ring used for sealing in liquids in mugs and water bottles. A labral tear is simply a tear of the Labrum ring, which will affect the mobility of the joint. Typically there is a 'snagging' feeling in the hip when you are moving, that is caused by the tear.

Snapping Hip Syndrome

The condition arises when a tendon surrounding the hip (most likely a Hip Flexor muscle) becomes inflamed. As a result of this inflammation, when a movement is performed with the leg, the tendon catches onto a part of the hip. Think of the tendon like an elastic getting caught on your finger, when it finally slides by it releases in a 'snapping' sound.

Struggle With Joint Pain?

People of every age struggle with joint discomfort. As a child, you may have been told by your parents that it was just "growing pains". This was probably true, for as a child's bones lengthen at different rates than their tendons and muscles, it does hurt. But there are other reasons for joint discomfort.

Causes of Joint Discomfort

Joint pain is, in general, the result of injury. Joint swelling will cause joint pains, as well. Inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are well known causes of joint pain. These two diseases, especially, cause stiff joints, as well. Joint pains also increase with age due to bone degeneration, striking as early as the 40's and 50's.

Another type of joint pain is bursitis. The bursae are the pockets surrounding the shoulder joint. They can get swollen and filled with fluid, causing unrelenting pain.

Septic arthritis, the flu, rheumatic fever, and hepatitis also cause joint pain. They all deplete your immune system, and any time the immune system is compromised, inflammation follows.

Tendonitis is a swelling in the tendons in the forearm that causes excruciating elbow and wrist pain. It can be caused by any number of repetitious tasks. Often called tennis elbow, it affects not only tennis players, but violinists, car washers, and mechanics or other workers why use a manual screwdriver a lot.

External causes of joint discomfort include sprains, strains, and fractures.

Doctor's care is advisable in these situations. Any persistent pain for more than 2 or 3 days needs to be checked by a doctor.

Remedies for Joint Discomfort

There are many home remedies for joint discomfort. An old tradition in the southern United States is to carry a new potato in your pocket! If you have arthritis, this will supposedly absorb the toxins that cause inflammation, reducing the symptoms of arthritis, and the potato, instead of rotting, will turn into a rock. Usually, alternation between hot and cold packs help with the discomfort. Some people find relief with massage with essential oils or menthol creams. Still others find that a hand treatment using hot, melted wax gives their swollen finger joints relief. Nutritional supplements, as well, are said to increase circulation and reduce inflammation, giving relief from joint discomfort. Dietary anti inflammatories are ginger, omega 3 oils, and garlic, which are supposed to circulate well in your system, restoring your immune system and increasing circulation.

Who Gets Joint Pains

Even healthy people suffer from joint pain. It's not just athletes with joint injuries, or old people with arthritis. It can strike people of any age because in specific joints as a result of work or lifestyle habits. Physical labour, computer time, bad diet, lack of physical exercise, too much exercise, any of these, and more, can cause joint discomfort.

For persistent pain that doesn't go away with home remedies or change of activity, consult with your doctor.