The Causes of and Cures For Cartilage Damage in Joints

When there is no balance between destruction and construction, the cartilage lining the joints becomes eroded and the cartilage can become thin, the lubricating fluid around the joint can be lost, which will cause the cartilage to become dry and eventually wear away.

Cartilage is the connective tissue that exists in many of the joints in the body including the shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles and more. Cartilage is much more rigid than muscles or ligaments but is more flexible than bone. Cartilage does not cover the entire end of the bones in the joint, but exists only at the points of contact. This is why when there is damage to the cartilage, joints don't move as smoothly. The grinding feeling that this creates can be very painful and is actually the joint wearing down. Over time this can lead to a whole host of problems, including arthritis or facilitating the need for joint replacement surgery.

It is possible to reverse damage to cartilage in joints, but unlike muscle, cartilage contains no blood vessels, which means that it takes a much longer period of time for damage to repair itself.

There are a number of reasons that cartilage erodes. One of the most common reasons is aging. Over time, cartilage simply wears out. This is one of the primary reasons that the elderly often require joint replacement surgery.

Cartilage damage can occur in the spine as well, as a result of an injury such as a car accident or from misalignment of other joints. For instance, if hip joints are out of alignment, it can cause pressure on spinal discs. This can, over time, cause cartilage to deteriorate.

People involved in sports like running, tennis, or martial arts are particularly susceptible to cartilage damage due to the increased impact on the joints. Over time this will cause the joints to wear down even more quickly than most. This is a large part of the reason that many professional athlete's careers end before they reach the age of 40.

Often the most common form of treatment is anti-inflammatory medications. However this doesn't really treat the problem, it just masks the symptoms. This is a very common problem with what most people call "conventional" medicine.

One of the best ways to maintain balance is to visit a chiropractor regularly. A chiropractor can manipulate the joints in the body to relieve undue pressure that can cause cartilage damage.

Drugs and nutrition do not treat the cartilage damage; they only treat pain and inflammation. This can cause acidity to the stomach. This acidity finds it's way into the body and the joint and can actually make the inflammation and pain worse, not better.

Some exercise is actually helpful to treating cartilage damage. Things like yoga, tai chi, or swimming are a great way to strengthen muscles and ligaments and maintain good overall health, but without the stress on joints, which will allow the cartilage to heal without further damage. To help rebuild the cartilage in the joints it is recommended to take daily1 teaspoon of Gelatin and melt it in a 1 / 2 cup water or juice and drink. This will help lubricate the damaged joint and prevent further damage, thus allowing the cartilage to heal naturally. Even if you are recovering from joint surgery, this drink will help your rehabilitation. Gelatin is a substance that naturally occurs in the joints in the body and it aids in joint lubrication and cartilage formation.

There are also essential oils that can be used to treat pain and inflammation. Although the treatment can take between 3 months to 6 months, the results are much more effective.

The above is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition, and is not a recommendation for any treatment.

What Is TMJ and How Can My Chiropractor Help

Temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly referred to as TMJ, is a fairly common problem. Because it affects the area of the mouth, it can be painful at the best of times and even debilitating at the worst of times.

It can be difficult to decide what exactly to do when you are experiencing jaw pain. It is a very specific ailment that many dentists only handle when it is related to teeth and one which doctors may charge you for expensive tests in order to diagnose. The good news is that many TMJ disorders are related to simple problems and are treatable by a chiropractor.

What is TMJ Disorder?

Understanding what is causing the pain is the important first step in deciding what to do. It is often the case that the fear of not knowing what is wrong can contribute to the problem, especially if the problem is related to stress. The numerous muscles which comprise the two joints of the jaw are the source of the pain with TMJ disorder.

The pain is often related to stress issues such as gun chewing or nervously clenching the jaw. This pain may also be accompanied by grinding and popping when the jaw is articulated. However, you must keep in mind that there can be much more serious issues causing TMJ disorder, such as infection or neoplasm in the jaw.

Is TMJ Disorder Dangerous?

TMJ disorder can be a sign of something more severe, such as infection or an impacted tooth causing a misalignment. However, there are also many stress-related and non-medical reasons for TMJ disorder.

Since the mouth is used so often during a regular day, it can be difficult to get the problem to go away on its own. If the pain is directly related to gum chewing or another form of oral fixation, getting the pain to go away can require a lot of mental exercise rather than just physical treatment alone.

What Will My Chiropractor Do?

Chiropractors specialize in working with the connections between muscle and bone in the body, while they are often stigmatized and only working on the back, neck, and limbs. The jaw is still a very intricate connection between bone and tissue, meaning that chiropractors are able to treat many problems associated with jaw pain.

A good chiropractor will always perform a test first to make sure that your problem does not require medical attention first. If it turns out to be something they can treat, they should be able to help you overcome the problem.

You should never rely on your own gut or internet searching to treat any kind of pain. Always visit a professional if you are experiencing signs of TMJ disorder which are not subsiding on their own. If you pay a visit to the chiropractor and they are able to treat your problem, you can go back to a healthy pain-free life without the need for invasive medical treatments.

Joint Pain and MS - Is There Are Relationship?

There is no direct correlation between joint pain and MS as the disease attacks the central nervous system as opposed to diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus that attack your joints. Having said this, joint pain is very common amongst those who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, predominantly in their hips and knees. The pain is caused by their gait that can be very uneven as the disease progresses.

Causes of an Uneven Gait

There are several different reasons that you can develop an uneven gait that causes pain in your joints:

1. Leg muscle spasticity that causes you to have problems controlling your legs

2. The lack of coordination that worsens as the disease progresses

3. Problems with your natural balance

4. Numbness in your feet or legs

5. The high levels of fatigue that are common with MS

6. Overall weakness of your muscles

7. Foot Drop

All of these are known to be a major part of the relationship between joint pain and MS as they all directly affect the way you walk. Whether they cause you to put more weight on one leg or the other, twist your legs and feet as you walk or make you walk heavy footed, it all puts extra stress and load on your knee and hip joints which can become inflamed and painful. If you have to use a cane, crutches or a walker, these too will affect your gait and result in pain.

Treatments for Joint Pain and MS

Just because you are having problems with joint pain and MS, does not mean that you have to live with it. In most cases you can get your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist. He will work with you to evaluate your gait and then suggest exercises that can help you to strengthen the affected muscles. By following the recommended program you should soon be able to improve your gait and the pain will go away.

Please note that there is a known relationship between joint pain and MS medications such as Avonex and Rebif. Interferon based medications all seem to have a side effect that causes joint pain, often it is worse within the first 24-48 hours these medications have been injected. Most patients find that standard over the counter pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen will take care of the pain associated with these injections.

The Treatment of Arthritis in the Hands

Arthritis is a, somewhat, general term referring to the inflammation in the joints. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, where the cartilage in the joints starts to deteriorate and bones start rubbing against each other directly. It feels as bad as it sounds, not very pleasant.

Besides pain, arthritis often causes deformities within the joints, limiting the range of motion and movement itself. It can be quite challenging, regardless of the location, and especially difficult when it affects hands.

The hands are so specific because they are made up of many smaller joints that work together and allow movements. So, if any of those joints "malfunctions" it will disrupt the entire hand and make those precise movements, such as threading the needle, nearly impossible.

Causes

So what causes arthritis in the hands? Well, the simplest reason would be wear and tear, combined with age, but I can't just leave you with that. To answer this question, we must look more into the joints themselves and identify the "troublemakers".

First, we need to analyze cartilage. Its main role is to absorb shock and act as a cushion between bones of the joint. Over time it deteriorates, "forcing" bones to rub on each other, causing pain, swelling and deformity.

Second "bad boy" is lubrication. As we get older and less active, joints are less lubricated. This results in faster cartilage deterioration and causes troubles.

Common symptoms of arthritis in the hand joints (or any other joint for that matter) are pain, swelling, elevated temperature, occasional cysts and even changes on surrounding joints.

How To Treat It?

So, the question is what can you do? Luckily, there is plenty you can do but the effects will vary depending on several factors:

- Your age
- The progress of arthritis
- Number of joints affected etc.

This is why you must visit your doctor as soon as possible. Many people refuse to go see a doctor for numerous reasons, most often because they don't want to admit to themselves something is wrong with them. They believe that if they are not diagnosed they are not sick. Big mistake! Instead of messing around and living in denial, you could be using that time to help yourself. What will you choose?

I hope you went for the second choice because we are going to discuss some common ways of treatment for arthritis.

People first reach for medication, and I can understand that. If you are in pain and you want it to go away, medication is a reasonable choice. But you need to know that medication is only addressing the symptoms of the disease, not root cause!

Medication will not renew your cartilage and cure you eventually. This may not be what you wanted to hear, but I must be honest, this is a serious matter. Medication treatment might include injections, so if you are not squeamish, they are a good way to go.

Other forms of treatment include exercises, hot and/or cold treatment, rest and physical therapy.
Whatever you do, please consult with your doctor first, he/she will know best what to do since he/she can access your situation and tailor the treatment process specifically to your needs.

4 Anti Aging Secrets to Look and Feel Your Best

No matter how old you are, anti aging secrets are a great way to help your body look and help you feel vibrant, energetic and beautiful. Aging is a process that we all must go through, but everyone does it different. You can decide for yourself, will you let your body age quickly or would you prefer to keep it working and looking great for a while? If you are the latter, here are some anti aging secrets and tips that you can use everyday to be your best and age gracefully.

Exercise is key to keeping your body strong and healthy and is one of the foremost anti aging tips. The type of exercise you do depends on what you want to accomplish. There are a few exercises that are ideal for anti aging or to slow the aging process. These include yoga, weight or resistance training and for some, rebounding. Here is a rundown of each.

Yoga is one of the great exercises for anti aging, creating strength, toning and flexibility; especially for your spine. A healthy and flexible spine is considered to be the "backbone" of youthfulness; pun intended. If your spine is strong and flexible, the many nerves that run through it are better protected. If you keep your spine loosened and flexible, the muscles and ligaments connected to it also have a better chance to stay relaxed. Put together, this means less muscles spasms, less hip or joint pain, better flexibility to do daily tasks and all around less pain.

As you age, your bones become less dense while some even experience bone loss. Resistance and weight training are proven to counteract this. In fact, some studies noted that weight training is better than taking calcium supplements to preserve bones and make them strong. If you decide to try weight training, it is always best to work with a trainer, especially at first. Proper form is key to avoiding injury. Resistance training may be done at home with a band, exercise equipment or certain calisthenic programs that incorporate squats, some form of pushups and similar exercises. Even if done at home, patience and starting slowly will help you avoid injury.

Rebounding is a lesser known exercise that involves jumping on a mini-trampoline designed for exercise. Advocates of this exercise say this helps them exercise muscles throughout the entire body, including internal muscles that support the organs. Some long term users also say that it helps tone facial muscles just as it tones all muscles throughout the body.

Facial Exercise is another little known anti aging secret. Just as your body muscles sag without exercise, so can facial muscles. Exercising the tiny muscles around your jowels, neck, forehead and even cheek muscles can help keep them toned and firm for longer. You can use a device or purchase a program for facial muscles. And if you do try this, try doing a mini massage on your face yourself. It will feel good and research does prove that regular massage also contributes to keeping muscles firm.

Healthy diet is also important for an anti aging program. If you want to age gracefully, start your healthy diet now. If you feel you have aged prematurely, it is possible to reverse some of the damage. Take in extra nutrition in the form of whole foods instead of supplements. One example of this type of practice is to consume more raw fruits and vegetables and even incorporate fresh vegetable juice into your daily diet. This extra nutrition helps your body maintain a healthy level of collagen while allowing your body to continue to create fresh, healthy cells to replace old and damaged ones.

The right skin care is imperative and an important anti aging secret. And the secret here is to go all natural with your skin care. Use fresh scrubs from natural ingredients such as apricot seeds. This can stimulate collagen production while removing old skin cells. All natural moisturizers help maintain the skins natural balance. Look for ingredients such as rose water and glycerin. Avoid chemicals that can actually make the skin look older.

These anti aging tips can help you maintain a youthful look for longer. And we all know that healthy exercise and healthy diet are key to feeling good and staying healthy no matter how old you are. And be smart; if you take medications, check with your doctor before diet changes or starting exercise.

Understanding Arthritis - Part 1

The term arthritis literally means 'inflammation of the joint/s'. There are around 206 bones in our body and each of them forms a joint with another bone. So a joint is made up of two articulating bone surfaces which are covered with a cartilage. The space between the two bones - the joint space, is filled with a fluid known as synovial fluid. The synovial fluid is secreted by a membrane present in the joint known as 'synovium' and the function of the synovial fluid is to lubricate the joint and ensure smooth movements. Inflammation or long term damage to any of these structures is likely to result in arthritis.

The first symptom of arthritis would naturally be painful joints. The site of the pain is according to the joint affected and more advanced the disease worse will be the pain. In some cases, particularly in arthritis of the joints of spine, nerves may become compressed between the affected joints leading to pain which will be radiating away from the joints into the area of supply of those nerves.

Arthritis is divided into two main sub types depending on the underlying disease process. First is inflammatory arthritis; most of the causes of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, infective arthritis are of inflammatory origin. In this type of arthritis the person's own infection fighting cells come and attack the joints. The second is degenerative arthritis which results from the wear and tear of the joints over a prolonged period of time, the most common example of this type of arthritis is osteoarthritis.

The different types of arthritis have their own specific symptoms and signs.

Here are some of the medical terms that are used.

• Monoarticular: arthritis affecting only one joint
• Polyarticular: arthritis affecting more than one joint.
• Migratory: arthritis moving from joint to joint.
• Small joints; joints of the hand and feet
• Large joints: any other joints besides hands and feet.
• Contractures: abnormal and permanent contraction of the muscle surrounding the affected joints, resulting in severe limitation of movements.

INVESTIGATIONS

The diagnosis of arthritis is based mainly upon the history and examination. However in most cases certain tests are done.

• Tests for rheumatoid factor (RF): the major value of RF is to confirm the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
• ESR and C reactive protein: provide a guide to the activity of inflammation. These are blood tests with little diagnostic value but are very useful to monitor the response of treatment.
• Blood uric acid level: good confirmatory test for gout.
• Synovial fluid exam: synovial fluid is drawn from the joint with a long needle and examined. This test is of particular importance if infective arthritis is suspected.
• Antinuclear antibodies (ANA): these are a variety of antibodies including (ANCA), anticardiolipin antibodies, antibodies against double stranded DNA. The level of each of these antibodies rises in specific types of arthritis.

Some Sweet New Facts About Sugar and Crohn's Disease That Will Surprise You!

Much of what you hear these days about Sugar is that it is public enemy number one, as it relates to our health. The media in our country on a continuous basis likes to beat the drum over and over again about how bad sugar is for us and our children, because it makes us fat, and is unhealthy for us to eat overall. Some so-called experts even suggest sugar should be removed from our diets, recommending that popular restaurants like McDonald's be mandated to replace their milk shakes with apples and carrots. With that being said, just how much do we all know about sugars really, and are these people justified in making such a broad sweeping claim about them?

I found out that there are many different kinds of alternative sugars available for sugar lovers, good sugars that are completely harmless to Crohn's, Colitis and IBS sufferers. Not only are many sugars harmless, but have been found to be actually beneficial for us to consume, containing valuable healing properties in them, vital for our good digestive health! Not only are these sugars harmless for our bodies, but they actually possess healing properties in them as well!

True, the bad sugars, like so-called "table sugar" containing corn syrup, are really bad for all of us, and should be avoided at all costs, especially if you're a Crohn's, Colitis, or IBS sufferer. This is especially true if you take steroids for your condition. If you are taking steroids and have a diet that is high in sugar, you are setting yourself up for serious problems. Corn syrup based sugar is one of the most toxic foods on the digestive lining and pretty much intolerable by all those who suffer with digestive disorders. The most deceiving part of sugar, is that it does not cause pain or bowel obstructions like nuts or a high fiber food do. Consequently, many people don't link sugar consumption to their stomach flare-ups, and as a result, continue to suffer out of not knowing the truth.

So, why is Sugar so bad for Crohn's and like diseases? Sugar totally strips the intestines of its healthy bacteria and replaces it with an overgrowth of bad bacteria, which leads to a condition known as Candida. Sugar consumption also leads to a serious PH imbalance in the body making it harder for us to heal from a recent flare up. The side effects sugar has on the gut, is that it causes gas, bloating, diarrhea, even mouth ulcers (even in those without digestive problems). To make matters worse, Sugar obviously is addictive (just ask millions), and a hard habit to break. It can be especially difficult to wean children and teens with Crohn's off sugar because they are seeing their peers eating it all the time with no similar side effects. In addition to stay away from table sugar, even the imitation sugars, like NutraSweet and sorbital should be avoided as they are proven to upset the digestion of almost everyone, even those without Crohn's. Alcohol behaves like sugar too, when in the body and should be consumed only in moderation, if not at all, depending on the seriousness of your digestive condition.

So, what are the good sugar alternatives available for Crohn's sufferers and what are their positive effects on your body? These kinds of sugars are found naturally in fruits, and vegetables, even honey. Though honey can cause allergy reaction in some, and trigger attacks in people with ADD/ADHD, it is harmless on most people and healthy to consume. Honey is actually much easier to digest than common sugar, can promote wound healing, kill bacteria, sooth digestive upset and even decrease allergy symptoms. The sugar found in the fruit called the wolfberry contain complex sugars called polysaccharides or complex sugars, clinically shown to help to support your pancreas, boost immunity, build and tone muscle, and actually help you loose weight! In addition, this fruit boosts your metabolism, causing it to strengthen the immune system, causing bettor and faster healing from the Crohn's induced flare-ups you have. The Sugar polysaccharides provide have actually been proven break down tumors, and combat free radicals in the body. These are the toxins we ingest from polluted air, pesticides and carbon monoxide gases from gasoline and diesel powered vehicles to site a few.

Another alternative healthy sugar that you can use in your Crohn's Disease Diet, which also does not have the bad affects traditional table sugar has on your health, is Xylitol. Like the Polysaccharides found in the Wolfberry, Xylitol too is completely natural, coming from fibrous vegetables and fruit, as well as corn cobs and various hardwood trees like birch. Actually, Xylitol amounts are actually produced naturally in our bodies...up to 15 grams daily. It occurs daily as the natural glucose metabolism of man and animals as well as several plants and micro-organisms. While, Corn Syrup derived sugar wreaks havoc on the digestive system, Xylitol actually helps heal and repair it. It does this by building up our immune system, enabling it to bettor protect us against the chronic degenerative diseases we suffer from like Crohn's, Colitis or IBS. Xylitol is considered a five-carbon sugar, which means it is an antimicrobial, preventing the growth of bacteria. It actually makes the cell walls of our digestive system slippery, to viruses and germs, allowing them to slip right through and be washed away. Xylitol also has no known toxic levels. Xylitol has even been credited with helping slow the aging process! But most of all, amazingly Xylitol tastes and looks exactly like sugar and leave no unpleasant aftertaste! It is available in many forms. In its crystalline form, it can replace sugar in cooking, baking or as a sweetener for beverages. It is also included as an ingredient in chewing gum, mints and nasal spray. It was actually approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) way back in 1963.

One other good sugar on the list is called Acetylglucosamine. A more commonly heard name for this saccharide is glucosamine, found in supplements to alleviate symptoms of joint and muscle aches associated with arthritis. Arthritis is a by-product of many who suffer Crohn's. Glucosamine actually repairs cartilage and reduces swelling in joints. This is just another sugar that defies the critics claim that we should eliminate sugar from our diets.

So, though there are sugars (processed sugars) that we truly should stay away from as Crohn's sufferers, there is an abundance of sugars, natural sugars, some of which have not been included in this article, that we would be foolish not to educate ourselves on, especially with the great access we have to the internet now-a-days. We truly are able to have our cake and eat it too (pardon the pun), by getting all the benefits from good sugar, namely the good taste, but still not have to be guilty over a food that we suspect is bad for our Crohn's disease.