Dog Osteoarthritis Care

Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is a progressive condition in
which the cartilage in the joint is slowly broken down, and bony changes occur.
Any dog with a developmental or congenital joint problem, like dysplasia or
patella luxation, is more prone to developing osteoarthritis. Dogs who have had
injury to a joint such as a fracture involving the joint or a ruptured anterior
cruciate ligament in the knee will be also more likely to develop DJD.

The signs of osteoarthritis can vary depending up on the joints involved, the
age and size of the dog, and the severity of the disease. In general, the first
signs may be an altered gait, since the dog will try to put more of its weight
on the unaffected limbs. Many times the dog may find it difficult to get up
after lying down or would be unable to jump up into the car or may have
difficulty to go up or down stairs. Depending upon the amount of pain the dog is
experiencing, there may be changes in appetite and behavior. Some dogs will lick
or bite at the area that is painful. Some will seek out warmth or soft places to
sleep.

Some forms of degenerative joint disease can be treated with surgery. For
example, hip replacements in dogs with hip dysplasia are becoming more common.
Other procedures can also be performed, but their success rests upon how many
bony changes have occurred in and around the joint.

Caring for a dog with osteoarthritis requires combating it on many fronts.
These include:

· Weight control and exercise

· Physical therapy

· Prescription anti-inflammatories or non-prescription medication for treatment
of pain and inflammation.

· Other supplements to reduce inflammation, including fatty acid supplements
containing high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Beyond these actions, owners of osteoarthritic dogs can make their dogs more
comfortable by providing ramps for steep, and soft but supportive orthopedic

dog bed [http://www.smartpetsupply.com/dog-bed.html]. For dogs with arthritis in the back or neck,

dog sweaters [http://www.smartpetsupply.com/dog-sweater.html] or dog jackets may help, especially in colder climates. These
dogs can also benefit from elevated feeders. Making day-to-day activities less
painful for your pet dog will help you feel good, too.

Main Resons For Joint Pain

Arthritis, an umbrella term used for joint disorder consisting of more than hundred different diseases, takes conception from the wear and tear of joints, inflammation, infection or an injury. Joint pain is characterized by stiffness and painful movement in the spine, feet, fingers, knees or hips. Since the human body has one hundred joints connecting over two hundred bones, the probability of occurrence of joint pain, especially at the onset of old age, is magnified. The most prevalent form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which results from the degeneration of the joint cartilage and the underlying bone as aging sets in. After osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout assume the second and third position in terms of frequency of occurrence in an individual, with rheumatoid arthritis inflicting a higher percentage of women, and gout inflicting a higher percentage of men.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, occurs when the joint cartilage that serves as a cushion between both the ends of a joint breaks down, allowing contact of both the ends of the bone. This generates a multitude of problems, including severe agony, swelling, stiffness and loss of movement. Aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease contribute to osteoarthritis in an individual. Osteoarthritis resulting from a natural aging of the joint is called primary osteoarthritis. Arthritis emanating from obesity, surgery to the joint structures, congenital abnormalities, repeated trauma, hormone disorder, diabetes or gout is known as secondary osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system of a human body malfunctions, causing inflammation and swelling in the joint lining, cartilage and bones. It impacts the body in a symmetrical demeanor, for instance impacting either both the wrists or both the hands.
The source of gout is the accumulation of uric acid in the joint, in the form of crystals, causing inflammation in the knees, the wrist or the toe. Gout is also exacerbated by consumption of a certain diet, use of certain drugs or certain characteristics prevalent in an individual's heredity. An array of arthritis types can ail an individual during the course of his life, including fibromayalgia, pseudogout, ankylosing spondalytis, infectious arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis etc.

Several measures can be taken to mitigate the occurrence of chronic joint pain. Medications most commonly used to treat arthritis are called non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, and include aspirin, ibuprofen and naprosyn. A means of prevention rather than cure, to prolong the onset of arthritis amongst adults, is through engaging in routine exercise, which plays a crucial role in enhancing muscular strength and flexibility. However care must be taken as to prevent over exertion, which can be detrimental in straining the joint. Rather than following structural exercising programs, low impact aerobic exercise such as swimming or cycling must be pursued. Therapeutic exercises involving exposure to heat or cold, for instance through sauna baths or usage of hot towels can act as counter irritants, relax the joint and alleviate the pain and the stiffness that joint pain generates. In addition, preventing obesity from burdening the body by maintaining fitness liberates the bones from being weighed down, reducing the stress on the joints. The body weight must be maintained through good nutrition containing iron, calcium, fish oils, vegetables, fresh fruit, cereals and nutritional supplements.

Early diagnosis of arthritis can assuage the long term complications that hamper the day to day functioning of individuals who suffer from it. Hence seeking a physician must not be postponed and self management techniques such as exercise or assistive devices such as canes must be deployed, for a healthier life.

Horse Joint Supplements: A Solution for Osteoarthritis?

As horses grow older and exercise less, weight gain and natural joint deterioration can lead to osteoarthritis. Eventually horses suffering from osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, can become lame. This doesn't have to be the norm. Keeping a horse flexible and active by using horse joint supplements can do wonders to improve a horse's overall health and quality of life.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Recognizing osteoarthritis is an important part of the treatment process. Failing to treat a horse quickly can result in additional damage that can often only be cured by surgery. Horse owners should begin looking for osteoarthritis symptoms when a horse is near 15 years old, or has led an unusually active life that required a lot of conditioning and joint usage. Horses that have experienced injuries can also be at risk.

The first sign of osteoarthritis is a gradually deteriorating performance. A horse will start having trouble doing the most simple activities, or exercises they usually performed with ease. As the condition worsens a horse will start displaying stiffness after they wake up or attempt to walk after standing still for a long period of time. Swelling that does not go away will be the most pronounced sign of osteoarthritis, and if the swelling is hot to the touch a condition more serious than osteoarthritis may be present requiring immediate veterinary attention.

What Joints Are Affected

Often people who are not familiar with, or have limited experience with, horses and their medical conditions believe that a horses knee joints (stifle) are the only joints affected by osteoarthritis. In reality, a horses knees are very rarely affected by osteoarthritis. In reality, the ankles (hacks) are the joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis along with pastern and coffin joins. This is because of the stress that is caused by athletic training and daily use. Proper shoeing, weight management, and a healthy diet can slow joint deterioration; but even these preventative measures alone are not always enough. Medication will eventually become a necessity as your horse begins experiencing pain and unrelieved swelling.

Why Use Horse Joint Supplements

Anti-inflammatory medications are usually prescribed by veterinarians treating osteoarthritis. The problem with this is the fact that these medications are not usually safe for long-term use. Although prescriptions may provide short-term relief, they do nothing to heal the actual problem. On the other hand, our horse joint supplements are completely safe and deal with the root of the issue.

When combined with a nutritional diet, our horse joint supplements can help prevent osteoarthritis or slow joint deterioration that has already occurred. Horse joint supplements also improve a horse's circulation, which speeds tissue recovery. Most importantly, our horse joint supplements relieve pain, which will allow your horse to remain active during the healing process.

Bottom line? Horse joint supplements can help increase your horse's years of overall health and quality of life. Isn't that what we all want for those who trust us for their care?

Hip Replacement Complications

Close to 200,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed each year in the United States. Over 90% are successful with no hip replacement complications during or after surgery. But as with all surgeries, the risk of complications is always a possibility. However, complications are infrequent and often reversible.

The older the person is the higher the risk of complications. A person over 80 years old has a 20% chance of developing at least one complication after hip replacement surgery.

Hip replacement complications during surgery

Nerve damage

The sciatic nerve is at risk of being accidentally surgically cut due to its close proximity to the capsule of the hip joint. This same nerve may also become over-stretched during hip manipulation during surgery.

Depending on the extent of the nerve damage, temporary or permanent damage may result. There may be loss of muscle power and feeling in parts of the leg. It may take up to 6 months or more for recovery. Most patients have some numbness around their incision site which may be permanent.

Vascular damage

The damage involves direct trauma to the blood vessels in the area of the surgery. The damaged blood vessel can be repaired by a vascular surgeon if it is caught in time.

Femur fracture

Force is applied during the surgical procedure. This can result in a femoral shaft fracture, especially in older or osteoporotic patients. Again, the problem is addressed during surgery, but may lead to extended rehabilitation. The surgeon may place weight bearing restrictions while you are walking.

Leg length discrepancy

In some cases, it may be difficult to get the exact same leg lengths. The result is usually a longer leg on the surgical hip. It may be unavoidable and deliberate in order to improve muscle function or stabilize the hip. If there is more than a quarter of an inch difference, a shoe lift may be necessary.

In some patients, both legs are the exact same length but they think their surgery leg "feels" longer. In most cases this "feeling" goes away as the patient adjusts to their new hip.

Rarely does shortening of the leg occur. If the leg is significantly shortened after surgery, it may have dislocated.

Anesthetic complications

Complications can occur, and in rare cases even death. Your anesthesiologist will explain the risks involved prior to your surgery.

Hip replacement complications after surgery

Blood clots (DVT-deep vein thrombosis)

This is one of the most common complications after hip replacement. The most common area is in the calf. Increased leg pain is usually the most obvious symptom. Redness around the area of the clots may also occur. It's a minor problem if the clots stay in the leg. But if they dislodge, they can reach the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and can possibly result in death (very rarely).

If your surgeon suspects blood clots, he will immediately order an ultrasound to confirm or rule out clots. Most surgeons will order bed rest until the test results come back positive or negative for blood clots. He will prescribe a blood thinner. Compression boots and ankle/leg exercises help reduce the chance of blood clots.

Infection

Infection can occur during surgery or develop afterwards. It is one of the most serious risks to the joint replacement. If the infection settles deep into the joint and surrounding tissues, the new joint often has to be removed until the infection clears with treatment. If the patient develops an infection elsewhere in the body (bladder, teeth, chest), it must be controlled to prevent the possibility of it spreading through the blood to the new joint.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, or have been taking cortisone for a long time, you are more prone to infection in the weeks following your surgery.

Infection can occur many years after the surgery. Bacteria can travel through the bloodstream from an infection in other parts of your body (bladder infection, infected wound, kidney infection). Oral antibiotics may need to be taken before and after routine dental work years after your hip replacement operation.

Hip dislocation

The first six weeks after hip replacement is the most vulnerable time for your new hip. During this period, muscle tension is the only thing holding the metal ball in the socket. If the metal ball slips out of the socket, it's dislocated. As the hip muscles regain their strength and scar tissue forms around the ball, the risk of hip dislocation diminishes.

Traditional hip replacement requires that certain precautions be taken and some positions/movements are restricted, at least for the first 6 weeks. Your surgeon and physical therapist will instruct you in your hip precautions. Basically, the precautions are:

• do not turn your toes inward
• do not cross you legs
• do not bend your hip more than 60-90 degrees (when sitting, your knee should not be level with your hip, it should be lower)

If dislocation occurs, call an ambulance to get you to the hospital. Your surgeon will pop the hip back into place. If it happens frequently, a hip brace worn for several months will prevent further dislocations. Hip replacement using the anterior approach eliminates the need for hip precautions or restrictions of positions/movements.

Those people who are overweight or have weak muscles are more prone to dislocation. Avoid heavy exercise that puts too much stress on your new hip (running, playing basketball, tennis, heavy lifting). Instead, participate in activities such as walking, swimming, stationary bike.

Trochanteric problems

Your greater trochanter, a large boney part of your femur, is located below and to the outside of the ball of your hip joint. Many of your large hip muscles anchor on the trochanter, so it's essential for normal hip function.

During lateral approach surgery, the trochanter is detached to access the hip joint. It's then reattached. If the trochanter does not heal back on the femur bone, it remains as a separate piece. This may result in pain, weakness, and loss of hip function.

Bowel complications

Constipation frequently occurs for the first week or so after surgery. This can be caused by medication, immobility, loss of appetite, not drinking enough fluids. Stool softeners or enemas may be needed.

Urinary problems

A catheter may be inserted during surgery. Your doctor will order its removal as soon as is practical, as catheters pose an increased risk of urinary infection.

Hematoma formation

During surgery, the main areas of bleeding are controlled by cauterization. But some oozing of blood and fluids still occurs, so a drain is attached from the wound to the outside of the body. If the drain does not work as planned, a collection of blood and fluids forms in the hip area. This can cause pain, pressure, and possible infection. Your surgeon may take you back to surgery to drain the hematoma.

Loosening of the prosthesis

The harder your bones are, the longer your hip replacement will last. Hard bones create a stronger bond. People with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis are more at risk.

Running and heavy impact activities can also loosen the bond of the implant. Keep your weight down, as this will put more stress on the hip joint. Every pound you gain adds three pounds of force on your hip.

Choose a surgeon who has performed many hip replacements. Talk to some of his previous patients to see how they are doing after their hip replacement. Not all surgeons are alike. I have seen a few hip revisions that were necessary only because the initial hip replacement was done poorly by the original surgeon.

Pressure sores

In the immediate days after your hip replacement, you may be spending quite a bit more time in bed. Spending a long period of time in one position can lead to pressure sores. Your heels, especially on your surgery leg, are very susceptible. A pillow or towel roll under your calves will float your heels and relieve pressure. The elderly are especially prone to pressure sores because their skin is softer and they do not move around as well. A close eye should be kept on their heels and tailbone area, and should be regularly repositioned in bed with pillows.

Blood transfusion complications

All blood intended for use in transfusions is screened for Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, syphilis, Human T Cell Leukemia virus, and the AIDS virus. But infections still occur. Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction occurs due to incompatibility with the donors blood type. The most common cause of Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction is clerical error (mislabelled specimen or improperly identifying the patient receiving the blood).

If you plan to use your own blood for possible transfusion, let your doctor know ahead of time so arrangements can be made. Your blood can only be stored for 35 days. Collection should begin at least 10-14 days before your surgery. The final collection occurs not later than 5 working days before the surgery date. Your blood will be screened as well.

About hip revision surgery

Most people who undergo hip replacement surgery will never need to replace their artificial joint. But because more and more people are having hip replacements at a younger age, the wearing away of the joint surface can create problems. After 15-20 years of wear and tear, replacement (revision surgery) of the artificial joint is becoming more common. Revision surgery does not have as good an outcome as the initial surgery.

Consider all the hip replacement complications before you decide on surgery. This is not a complete list of risks, as there may be some rare complications not mentioned here.

Traditional Chinese Treatments As Effective TMJ Therapy

TMJ stands for Temporomadibular Joint Dysfunction, which is a disorder that affects the joints of both the upper and lower jaw in patients. Apart from pain or discomfort in the jaw joints, individuals suffering from TMJ are most likely to experience other symptoms as well.

These symptoms include shoulder pain, neck pain, ringing in the ears, headaches, etc. One of the successful ways of managing TMJ would be through TMJ therapy, and not just any therapy but one involving acupuncture and the use of traditional Chinese massages and medications.

Effective TMJ Therapy #1 - Traditional Chinese Acupuncture

According to many a research conducted, acupuncture is known to have a very positive effect on the pain associated with TMJ. This kind of TMJ therapy can reduce the pain of this particular disorder in addition to restoring effective joint function. Not only this, the patients suffering from this disorder would also be able to relax the muscles surrounding their jaw joints with the help of acupuncture. A great thing about acupuncture is that it can be used on its own or in conjunction with Western or traditional Chinese medicine and massages.

Even though this TMJ therapy calls for sticking needles in one's face, which can be quite intimidating for some people, it is actually a relatively painless procedure. This is because the needles that are used for such purposes are extra fine, very sharp and they are lubricated so that minimal pain or discomfort would be caused when such needles pierce through the skin. When combined with Chinese medications and massages, acupuncture can help to achieve the ultimate goal, i.e. to remove the obstructions in the path and improve the flow of qi in the body.

Effective TMJ Therapy #2 - Auricular Acupuncture

Apart from traditional acupuncture, which calls for the act of using needles on one's face, one can also opt for an alternative, i.e. auricular acupuncture. In this kind of process, the needles are placed on special points on one's ear in order to fix the problem. Auricular acupuncture is another very effective way of dealing with the TMJ condition, it provides quick relief of pain. Irrespective of whether you choose auricular acupuncture or the traditional one, the ultimate goal of re-balancing the function of the affected body part would be achieved.

Effective TMJ Therapy #3 - Chinese Therapeutic Massages

Chinese therapeutic massages are quite effective. This therapy is widely used for the purpose of treating TMJ and other traumatic injuries suffered by an individual. This is a great aid for people who are trying to recover from this kind of disorder. In order to manage the conditions of TMJ and to improve your life, you can go for such massages. Besides, this kind of massage would prove to be a great TMJ therapy for you because you can relax completely and allow the masseur to work his/her magic.

Craniosacral Therapy - The Body's Other Pulse

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy, or CST, uses very light touch to release restrictions in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. CST enhances central nervous system performance and allows the body to self-correct. It focuses on the cerebrospinal fluid that is continuously circulating throughout the body and providing a cushion for the brain and spinal cord. As craniosacral fluid is produced in the ventricles of the brain it creates a pulse all its own - the craniosacral rhythm.

Just as breath and blood circulation would cause a problem if hindered, so would cerebrospinal fluid and it shows up in pain, muscle tension, or other symptoms. Craniosacral therapy aims to find restriction in the body within the soft tissue. Since muscles have the inate ability to store energy and experience, energy cysts, fascial tension, facilitated segments along the spine, and diaphragm constriction are all things that can be addressed.

As with all therapy that is not mainstream there tends to be an air of skepticism surrounding it. Nothing speaks more solidly of a treatment than the comments of an individual who has received it. CST has seen recipients with scoliosis, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, postural tension, sinusitis, and respiratory issues benefit. Enough cannot be said about the importance of overall body balance and release of restriction. Craniosacral therapy can do just that.

This bodywork was developed in 1970 by osteopathic surgeon, John Upledger, who discovered that the spinal column throbbed with a rhythm separate from that of breath or heart rate, the craniosacral rhythm. CST can alleviate pain and stress and is especially effective in treating week-long migraines, TMJ, sinus problems, and insomnia. It has been used to effectively treat cerebral palsy, nervous disorders, some forms of paralysis, and depression. Other things that wouldn't normally receive treatment like a gag reflex, twitching muscles, or a bruised foot (or other area of the body) are treatable with CST.

"...there seems to be a constantly-changing list of 'popular' human maladies. It is though we have a need to suffer..." -Dr. John Upledger, DO

Dr. Upledger notes that back in the 60's business executives suffered from peptic ulcers, creatively frustrated housewives from depression, and blue collar workers from hemorrhoids. In the 80's antacids marked the upwardly mobile while today the male has a coronary bypass scar and the woman oral appliances...the "badge of her TMJ." Rather than brush off these symptoms as passing fads, Upledger regards them seriously disagreeing with their over diagnosis. In his book, Craniosacral Therapy: Beyond the Dura, he mentions that TMJ was called Costen's Syndrome in 1936. Again, CST is highly effective in treating these symptom trends of different decades.

In receiving treatment, it is best to not skimp. Dire pain is a lot harder to reverse than is a funny twinge in the knee. Often people will feel relief with one session, find the pain more bearable, and wait for a flare up before going back for more treatment. But others will diligently treat their pain making sure it has gone completely and find more thorough and long lasting effects from their treatment. Regardless, CST peels back layers of restriction similar to how one would peel an onion. As pain starts to subside other pain will often show up. For example, the knee pain is gone, but now there is a strange shoulder pain. Because the body is all connected a fall on the shoulder during football season that was never treated muscularly and fascially never really leaves the body. It is stored. And 20 years later the morning jogging routine which seems to be to blame for the sore knee really, from a soft tissue perspective, can be traced back to that shoulder.

Aim to strengthen your health. Approach health care proactively rather than as a fireman would a burning building...with high pressure water hose and ax. Make good choices daily to short circuit major catastrophe. Eat right. Use exercise as a way to reduce stress. Minimize environmental toxins. Address facial and muscle restrictions in the body with massage. And watch yourself soar!

Melaleuca - How to Use the Internet to Build My Melaleuca Home Business

Although life on the internet has its good and bad days, the internet, which is commonly referred to as Pandora's box, can be used to yield huge returns in a relatively short time and with virtually no money if you know what you're doing and keep you're mind on the prize.

Keeping your mind on the prize includes thoroughly identifying your customer while knowing what you're doing involves constantly placing yourself in front of your ideal Melaleuca customer (Health and Wellness, Eczema, Heart Health, Green Living), and conveying an effective message (financial independence, contributing back to society, improved lifestyle). The following steps you shpuld use to supercharge your Melaleuca buiness are as follows:

1. Start blogging on industry related topics that are relevant to both Melaleuca business builders and customers. Blogging initially is good because it costs nothing and because it helps to get your name out there. Also, by drilling down on followers of certain blogs and getting acquainted with these folks you can befriend them and build a loyal following with these specific persons that are presold on your subject and looking for SOLUTIONS. In addition to blogging, Associated Content is a good way to begin establishing a market for specific internet dialogue that can lead to customer enrollments.

2. Build your own individually branded website as opposed to depending on a generic Melaleuca website. Let's face it... unless you want your website to simply act as an online business card that brings in no traffic or business, you must develop your own custom website with SEO(Search Engine Optimization) in mind. SEO will lead to more Google organic search results which is what separates the losers from the winners online over time.

3. Use eBay. Obviously, eBay is a whale online and more specifically in online website traffic generated daily. By selling Melaleuca products online you can collect e-mail addresses that you can program into your autoresponder software package and follow up with these customers periodically over time. Chances are that if they buy from you once that you will have a chance of selling those same persons again.

4. Place a high emphasis on content. When crafting your online melaleuca business marketing strategy be very specific as to what content that you place on your website. If you choose the most popular Melaleuca product (Renew lotion), naturally fill your website with articles and content related to skin conditions such as: eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and itchy skin. Similarly, if Replenex is your favorite Melaleuca product, build your website content around joint and muscle pain topics such as sciatica, arthritis, and hip and joint pain.

5. Article marketing. To build targeted traffic to your website strongly consider becoming a member of ezine directories and becoming an online author. By creating pecific articles that have a signature box that leads back to your website you can generate traffic that is pre-qualified for your Melaleuca home business opportunity; this drives your chances of converting this specific traffic through the roof.

6. Cross- promote your Melaleuca business by utilizing your online marketing strategies with your offline marketing strategies. Ways to accomplish this include but are not limited to: Direct Mail marketing, business cards that have your email address and URL, car magnets, Stationary with your email and URL, and free seminars where you educate your audience and introduce your website as an example.