Joint Pains - How Can Essential Fatty Acids Help?

The right fats can help to alleviate painful joints

As people get older they expect to have less mobility and agility. They also come to expect the aches and pains that elderly people seem susceptible to.

Interestingly, if you have sore joints you probably also suffer from dry, rough skin, which gets worse in colder months.

You don't have to expect your joints to be painful just because another birthday comes along. And you don't have to accept dry, rough skin either. The solution to both of these problems may be far simpler than you'd have thought.

Unfortunately, in arthritic conditions, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles become painful and start degenerating, leading to further swelling, pain and discomfort. Unless a solution is found to stop this degeneration in its tracks, the problem will only get worse with age, leading to excruciating pain, and the need for strong medication.

Most people don't have enough of the right fats in their diet

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) are required in your diet, because your body is incapable of producing them. As 95% of people are deficient in these unique fats, their lack in your diet may be one of the reasons that you are experiencing joint pain.

Essential Fatty Acids are necessary for the production of the special secretions that allow our joints to stay lubricated. This liquid is called synovial fluid, and keeps joints well lubricated and pain-free. Furthermore, these special fats are also required to build and deposit the material that makes your bones, and they also help to transport minerals. Without them your cell membranes will battle to do their job efficiently, as malleability, flexibility and permeability are all influenced negatively when there are not enough EFA's.

Digestion and your joints?

Many researchers now believe that allergic reactions may also have an important role to play in joint and muscle pain, such as arthritis and rheumatoid conditions. Good digestion is therefore also critical, to ensure that nutrients are absorbed and utilized optimally, otherwise allergic responses can result, which contribute to inflammation and pain.

When protein isn't digested properly, allergic reactions are common, because undigested protein molecules are seen as invaders by the immune system, and the body then produces antigens to fight them. EFA's help digestion by slowing stomach emptying time, to allow maximum nutrient absorption, as well as ensuring that the digestive tract works well, as the cells that line the stomach and intestine also require these essential fats to work optimally.

Immunity and inflammation

EFA's also facilitate immune functioning, helping to minimize inflammatory responses as well as helping the body to heal when they are supplied in optimal amounts.

Eicosanoids are produced from EFA's, which are tiny hormone-like substances that help to regulate many hundreds of actions in the body and brain. PG1, is the derivative from Omega 6, and is responsible for keeping inflammation under control, so would be very helpful in keeping joints pain-free.

Unfortunately, PG2, another derivative, is produced from animal meat, eggs and dairy, and has the opposite effect, which leads to inflammation, swelling, and pain sensitivity. So, you may decide to cut down on animal products and increase your consumption of plant-based protein instead, so that your body produces less PG2.

The right balance of the right fats

Although many people believe they are getting enough EFA's in their diets, most of these fats are damaged through careless processing methods, so you have to find an undamaged source of both Omega 3and Omega 6 EFA's if you want to ensure optimal amounts of pure, undamaged essential fats, to help your immune system, cell and membrane functioning and anti-inflammatory processes.

Excessive quantities of saturated fats, such as fats that come from animal products, as well as damaged fats and oils, from shelf-stable oils, and vegetable spreads and margarines also contribute to problems, as the body has little requirement for saturated fats, and no requirement for damaged fats. This results in a body burden of fats that have no function, are dumped in cell membranes, tissues and organs, and lead to further ill health, and allergic potential.

The right fats and oils form the foundation of optimal health, and can make a significant difference in how you feel on a daily basis - and how your joints feel!

Other nutrients necessary for pain-free joints

Nutrients that facilitate optimum immune functioning will also support the elimination of joint pain, because the stronger the immune system is, the better it can support your health. Therefore vitamin C and D as well as zinc and magnesium, coupled with all the necessary nutrients for basic good health, can provide the support required to keep your immune system working optimally.

5 TMJ Remedies You Can Do At Home Today

TMJ is a common affliction in our society. Those who suffer from TMJ know that it causes severe jaw pain and headaches. Many health care professionals believe that TMJ is caused by stress, though research has not come up with any definitive answers regarding this. Even though the true reason for TMJ is unknown, several self-help techniques are available to sufferers.

1) Take It Easy

You must give your body a chance to unwind and settle in comfortably if you want to combat TMJ. Give yourself some sit-down time to rest and for the pain to dissipate before trying to move around again. Such a suggestion is a critical one, given that our lifestyles tend to be quite hectic.

We lead such busy lives that quite often we do a lot of damage to our own bodies because we do not have the time to let the damage heal. Being overly stressed for long periods of time certainly can cause temporomandibular joint disorder. This is why it is so important to be in a relaxed state of mind to alleviate the symptoms.

2) Mind Your Diet

TMJ sufferers can benefit greatly by adjustments in the foods they eat. Many TMJ self-help authorities recommend flax seeds for alleviating the discomforts caused by TMJ. According to these experts, flax seeds contain large volumes of Omega 3 fatty acids that help in reducing the inflammation.

3) Give Your Jaw a Workout

Physically exercising your jaw is another important TMJ home remedy that should be considered. Such targeted movements help properly align the jaws of sufferers. In the majority of TMJ cases, the jaw moves off to one side when the mouth is opened.

A method for putting things back into proper alignment is to open the mouth in front of a mirror. Your nose and chin should be aligned with each other when your mouth opens and closes. Now, open and close your mouth by properly aligning your jaw. Repeat this exercise at least ten times, three times every day. Not only will this add strength to the weakened jaw muscles, but it will also help to rebuild the muscles properly, while maintaining a perfect alignment.

4) Avoid Small Physically Stressful Activities

So there are things that you can do to relieve your TMJ discomfort. You should also watch out for, and eliminate, bad habits such as cradling the telephone between your shoulder and cheek, clenching your teeth, and reclining your head on your hand. Further, most of us do not maintain a proper posture when it comes to sitting while working at a desk. It is important that you use a chair that is capable of supporting your back, neck and shoulder.

5) Using pain killers

To ease the pain in your jaw, neck or shoulder, there are a wide variety of pain killers. Anti-inflammatory pain killers are available of course, in the form or aspirin and ibuprofen and they can greatly aid in relieving pain.

Try these 5 tips before wasting money and time on a dentist and see if your TMJ problem improves.

Arthritis Treatment Through the Holistic Approach

Arthritis is characterized by joint pain and inflammation and it affects quite a large percentage of people. There are varied and different forms of this disease and when left neglected can create much havoc. Among them are physical and mobility limitations, deformity and even debilitation. When one is living with arthritis, it can cause significant inconvenience. Arthritis treatment options are available, either through conventional methods or through the holistic approach to mention the basics. Many well know of conventional means for arthritis treatment. They can be through pharmaceutical drugs or certain procedures or even surgery. These are regarded as mainstream arthritis treatment measures.

But often, they come with side effects which entail other discomforts. Such is why there are those who turn to holistic medicine. The holistic approach for arthritis treatment is becoming quite popular. Holistic medicine offers a lasting relief from arthritic pain and inflammation. This approach to arthritis states that the disease is caused by several factors. Contributing to its different forms are not only physical imbalances but mental and environmental irregularities as well. To treat the disease properly requires an assessment of the factors which caused it. A battery of diagnostic tools are used to create an individual picture of the patient's case.

Among these diagnostic tools are physical exams, emotional evaluations, dietary assessments and tests for the immune and digestive functions. The holistic medicine practitioner takes time in finding the root cause and the patient has an active participation in their treatment. There is a wide range of therapies in the holistic approach for arthritis treatment and even prevention. Chinese herbal medicine, stress reduction, detoxification, proper diet and nutrition are within these means of therapy. Massage and exercises, acupuncture and chiropractic are also resorted to for repair of nerves and muscles. The goal of holistic medicine is to achieve balance and health.

This approach believes that the contrary-ill health and disease- are caused by obstructions which impede the flow of energy in the organs. To restore energy and function to the system, holistic medicine makes use of Chinese herbs. When it comes to arthritic pain and inflammation, diet and nutrition are crucial. All in all, this alternative arthritis treatment aims on catering to the overall health of the patient. It is not only inclined towards providing superficial symptomatic relief. Through thorough tests and evaluations, imbalances are detected until the causes of arthritis are detected. It is then that treatment options are applied, and they are generally natural healing therapies.

Such therapies are geared towards restoring balance and harmony all throughout the system. This is not only in the physical sense, but in all aspects of the person. Natural arthritis treatment also makes use of natural supplements. One such product for natural joint protection is Joint Advance. With Joint Advance, joint health is supported the natural way. Joint Advance has herbal and organic ingredients thus side effects are less likely to occur. Joint Advance has been proven effective and it is guaranteed to offer joint pain relief. One can do away with the limitations of joint pain and healthy living can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Be Quiet! Finding the Right Treatment for Your Tinnitus

If you have tinnitus, or "ringing in the ears" it may feel like no one else in the world can really understand what you're going through. But in fact, chronic noise in the ears affects 1 in 5 people according to MayoClinic.com. From a mild buzzing to a loud constant roar, tinnitus can affect your life and health negatively in many ways. It can cause sleeping problems, memory problems, depression, anxiety and ongoing stress. Tinnitus is often thought of as a medical condition, but it's actually a symptom that may be caused by any number of medical problems.

Risk factors for tinnitus include being male, Caucasian, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, long-term exposure to loud noises, being over 65 years old and having age-related hearing loss. Underlying causes of tinnitus include injury, movement in the ear bones, TMJ disorders, acoustic neoroma, blood vessel disorders and Meniere's disease.

Before discovering which tinnitus treatment will be most effective, your health care professional must first discover the cause. If you're at risk and are experiencing hissing, ringing, whistling, clicking, roaring or buzzing in your ears for more than two weeks make an appointment with your physician.

Medical Treatments

After a physical examination and series of questions your doctor might suggest:

• Earwax removal
• Change in prescription medications
• Surgery or other treatments for an existing vascular condition

Medications

Medications don't cure tinnitus, but they may help alleviate the symptoms. Unfortunately, the medications that help are also habit forming and may cause many unwanted side effects. They include:

• Niravam
• Xanax
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline

Hearing Devices

If your doctor concludes there are no medical causes for tinnitus the next step is to see an audiologist for a comprehensive hearing examination. Age-related hearing loss is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. Hearing devices and accessories are reliable treatments and may include:

• Hearing aids
• White noise machines (for sound suppression)
• Personal sound masking device (a hearing-aid sized white noise device)
• Tinnitus retraining device

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments

There is little scientific evidence to support alternative treatments for tinnitus, but many sufferers do report relief from the following remedies:

• Dietary supplements such as ginkgo, zinc and lipoflavonoids
• Acupuncture
• Counseling (especially when tinnitus is a symptom of stress or depression)
• Hypnosis
• Stress management
• Reduced alcohol intake
• Eliminating sugar substitutes from the diet

Don't suffer with tinnitus because you think nothing can be done. Your discomfort could be resolved by a simple visit to the doctor's office. And in the rare chance the ringing in your ears is being caused by a serious medical problem, seeking treatment for tinnitus could just save your life.

Ice Treatment (Cryotherapy) As a Pain Relief

Ice Treatment
Ice is an important and natural treatment with many advantages. It is an effective painkiller which can be applied to the injured area, giving instant relief. Ice also prevents excess swelling or inflammation developing. This helps to restore full mobility faster and prevents scar tissue formation, helping an injury to heal up to 75% quicker.

How injury causes inflammation
Ligaments, muscles and tendons have elastic properties due to a protein called collagen. If they are over-stretched (such as a sprain during exercise, or because of an accident), the collagen and local blood vessels tear. Blood and fluid then escapes into the spaces among the injured fibres, resulting in a build-up of fluid. The body releases histamine to help bring nutrients to repair the tissues, which makes the blood vessels dilate even further. Unfortunately, this creates an excess inflammation or swelling as the fluid around the injury stagnates. Because the blood circulation is hampered, toxins are released due to lack of oxygen. This results in pain and (often) further muscle spasm and scar tissue soon starts to form. The excess inflammation must be cleared from the site of injury before the toxins can be removed and nutrients can return, allowing the healing process to begin properly. (Inflammation may be visible on the surface of the skin as a swollen bruised area, but will not show if it is deep inside the body.)

How Ice Treatment (Cryotherapy) works on an injury
As soon as inflammation starts, ice treatment can be highly effective. By decreasing the flow of fluid into the injured tissues, it allows the blood to circulate, which helps to remove the toxins. Fresh oxygen is able to reach the injury and the release of chemicals that cause pain and inflammation slows down. Nutrients reach the torn fibres and help to repair the area. Reducing the swelling and internal bleeding prevents the development of excess scar tissue that can cause permanent muscle, ligament or joint restrictions. Ice acts as a painkiller by reducing the ability of the nerve endings to conduct impulses and by reducing toxic build-up. Cooling the deep tissue also reduces muscle spasm and helps restore mobility in the joints.

Indications for Ice Treatment
Ice is indicated for acute injuries where inflammation occurs such as Bursitis, Tendonitis, Myositis, or Neuritis and can be excellent following a heat burn. In the treatment of acute lower back pain and other joint strains, applying ice can be vital to help reduce the deep swelling that occurs at the site of injury and to help reduce the discomfort that may occur following adjustment, manipulation or deep massage.

How to use Ice
Ice is applied directly to the swollen or painful area. Wrap a towel (preferably damp) around the ice pack to avoid direct ice to skin contact, as ice burns can occur. Keep all untreated parts of the body covered and warm. If you are cold-sensitive, wrap the ice in a dry towel. A fully wet towel is more effective but vary the dampness to suit. A few ice cubes can simply be used but a gel pack is pliable when frozen, giving better surface contact and is simple to refreeze. Occasionally an ice cube may be massaged directly onto a small area of pain, using a constant circular motion as the water can insulate the skin and prevent burning but please use this method with caution.

Duration and frequency of cold pack application
How often and for how long cold packs should be used varies, so please ask your chiropractor, but generally they can be used from five to twenty minutes at a time allowing an hour between applications. Superficial areas such as hands, feet and elbows will require less time than deeper areas such as the lower back which would require a full 20 minutes. Cold therapy should be stopped once the skin feels numb. Hourly applications are most effective immediately following an injury, reducing in frequency as the inflammation and pain subsides. Ice is best used in the first 48 hours after an injury and may be required for longer periods.

When not to use ice treatment
Ice should be used cautiously with circulatory conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon, diabetes or heart problems. Do not use over a fracture site or if there is an inability to respond or feel cold. A few people are also hypersensitive or even allergic to cold. If you have any doubt about using ice please ask your Chiropractor or Doctor prior to use. Anti-inflammatory and painkilling drugs can also help to reduce the swelling. Care needs to be taken when using painkillers, as these can mask the pain and too much activity can then aggravate the condition.

Remember PRICE!

Prevention Acute injuries treated correctly and immediately always heal faster.
Rest Stop if you have strained yourself!
Ice As indicated by your chiropractor or health care practitioner.
Compression After ice it may help to minimise the swelling with a bandage
Elevation Raise the injured part to help limit blood flow and prevent the use of associated muscles.

Poor Sitting Posture - Neck and Back Pain Relief

How much time do you spend at your desk or in a chair during the day? With so many of us in desk jobs and so many people who love the surf the Internet, it is important to remember that there is good sitting posture and poor sitting posture. Your posture has so much to do with your comfort and your health, so make sure that you keep a few tips in mind.

If you ever experience pain while standing up or experience body ache from sitting in particular positions for long periods, now is the time to try something different as well as learn how to sit correctly in a good office chair posture. Here are a few steps for avoiding bad sitting posture that you should keep in mind as well.

First, avoid sitting on your tailbone. Your tailbone is the bottom-most bone in your spine and when you sit on it for long periods of time, it can cause soreness, stiffness and even pain. Remember that you should be sitting squarely on your buttocks.

The sit bones are part of the hipbones and should bear most of the weight while you are sitting. The muscles of the buttocks cover these bones. They have the ability to sustain the weight of the body, whereas the tailbone does not. When you are sitting always, sit squarely. Never lean to far backwards or forwards as this causes strain and tension.

Look at where your shoulders are right now, as you read these words. Are they hunched forward? Chances are good that if you are working at a computer or work station that your shoulders are curled forward and in. This will cause tension in your shoulders and it will have a regular impact on the way that you look and feel.

Widen your shoulders and pull them back. It might be a bit of a strange feeling, but in a little bit of time, this will start to feel quite normal. Do some exercises to loosen up your rounded shoulders posture.

Craning the neck is another posture that happens regularly when you are hunching over to peer at your computer screen. This causes tension and strain at the back of the neck. You can remedy this problem when you reposition the screen of your computer.

If you are using a flat screen computer monitor, that causes you to tuck your chin down in order to read, you need to place the screen up onto a stand. Try to locate your correct neck posture.

Do you round your lower back? You may be rounding your lower back while you are sitting in a hard, straight back chair with a 90-degree angle from the seat. The result is bending to far forward to support your back. What you need is a good ergonomic chair. While sitting in it, make sure that the seat is tilted slightly forward.

These tips might be a little hard to keep up with, depending on how strong and flexible you are, and certainly on how much body awareness you have developed. If you really want to help yourself relieve the pain associated with poor sitting posture, find a program that focuses on strength, flexibility, relaxation, and body awareness, and does not take much time out of your schedule. That will help ensure your success and get rid of your back pain.

Take a moment to consider the great benefits you will receive from improving your posture: freedom from back pain, more energy, better relaxation, and a healthier, longer life! These are so important to your well-being. Just imagine how much better your life would be without all of that tension and pain.

Dog Health Issues

Like human health problems, some dog diseases, injuries and physical ailments are serious while others are not life threatening or fatal. Fortunately, the vast majority of health problems that dogs commonly experience can be successfully treated with medications, physical therapy, surgery, or other types of medical treatments.

Heartworm:

Heartworm is a disease caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis, which lives in the right side of the heart and the adjacent blood vessels. Its presence in these blood vessels causes cardiovascular weakness, compromised lung incapacity, and eventual death. Heartworm occurs primarily in dogs but can also occur in cats and other animals on rare occasions.

Dog Arthritis:

There is a wide range of treatment options available for treating arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease). Dogs with degenerative joint disease need adequate rest. Rest helps to decrease inflammation and strengthen joints. Too much exercise and over-use of the damaged joints will aggravate symptoms and may also accelerate joint destruction. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to determine how much rest and exercise a pet needs.

Too much exercise may make matters worse while not enough may reduce muscle tone. Your veterinarian can assist you in determining how much exercise and rest is ideal for your pet. As a guideline, any activity that causes your pet to become acutely lame for a period of time afterward is excessive and the level of activity should be reduced accordingly. Avoid strenuous exercise and periods of overexertion, which can accelerate the destruction within the joints.

The onset of dog arthritis can be due to a number of factors, including injury, obesity, genetic predisposition and poor nutrition. Some of the symptoms include stiffness, difficulty in climbing stairs, whimpering when standing, unusual movements, noticeable swelling in a limb, thickening joints and shying away from petting. If you do notice any of these signs, be sure to have your pet checked for canine arthritis.

Cancer:

Just like in humans, cancer in dogs is a very serious condition which can seriously impact the life of both the pet and its owner. There are several treatment options available depending on the nature and severity of the dog cancer, and often a combination of conventional and alternative therapies can be the most effective. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it is believed that environmental and hereditary factors do play a role. Exposure to toxins, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise and underlying health issues can all increase the risk. Symptoms of cancer in dogs will depend on the location of the tumor, and can range from gastrointestinal problems such as bleeding, vomiting and seizures, urinary problems, Cushing's and loss of coordination.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial, so it's important to have your dog tested immediately if you notice any changes in its behavior, notice any discomfort or can see or feel any stage bodily masses. Your veterinarian will be able to perform diagnostic tests to determine where the cancer is located and how severe the condition is. Based on this analysis he or she can recommend a course of action to treat the condition effectively and maintain the health of your pet

Depending on the nature and location of the cancer, there are several treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to remove the growth and possibly the surrounding tissues. Medications may also be administered. Other treatment options that are often used in conjunction with conventional methods are natural remedies that can help treat dog cancer as well as slow cancerous growths, boost immune function and improve general health and well-being. Medical science has chemotherapy, radiation and drug treatments available today is much better than what it was just a decade ago. Symptoms of cancer in dogs can be managed effectively, and conventional and natural therapies are proving effective in this battle.

Ensure your dog's health with a proper high quality diet, regular exercise and a clean, toxin-free environment. If you suspect cancer, make sure you talk to your vet right away. Find out all of the treatment options that are available.