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Sunday, February 10, 2008

Cures For Sciatica - Causes Of Sciatica Nerve Pain

Author: Thomas Henricks

Sufferers of sciatica surely pray daily for a cure to relieve the constant pain and misery caused by this common condition. Any cure is specific to determination of the cause. In the case of sciatica the causes appear to be numerous.

Unfortunately today many people are suffering from sciatica pain and there are a number of treatments available that provide relief from the condition. The effectiveness varies and relates directly to the causes. All too often relief is only short term and the misery returns.

Not A Permanent Cure

It remains quite frustrating that most so called cures are not cures at all. It can best be described as interim relief. Choosing inappropriately labelled cures for sciatica may well actually result in being cured permanently. Many of the so called cures that available are no more than temporary relief of pain and symptoms that result from the true cause of the condition that remains untreated.

As you may well imagine, people constantly experiencing pain, immobility and the inability to perform normal daily functions, are quite eager to grasp at any potential solution that could relieve those symptoms. They may achieve an acceptable degree of pain relief but do nothing to treat the cause of that pain.

There is however a contingent of the population that believes one of the cures for sciatica is engaging in a routine of exercises that treat the mind and body. Among the most popular of such techniques you may recognize the practices of Yoga and Pilates. These are said to be beneficial not only to the ill but also the healthy among us.

In addition, you will find offered self-mobilization classes in which you will be taught to eliminate stress and pain by developing mind control of the body. Another suggested cure for sciatica is routinely performing natural exercises which have been designed to not only relieves the pain from your sciatica problem, but will also make you a fitter person. It is a popular belief that you should routinely stretch and exercise your muscles. It has been said that muscles that have been allowed to deteriorate through inactivity, damage the sciatica and thus cause you more unwanted sciatica pain.

At this time all the answers are not on the table. Some turn to natural cures for sciatica that may prove only temporary relief for the sciatica nerve condition. Some people seek the help of a doctor and follow his recommendations to achieve relief from the symptoms of sciatica. You may wish to conduct your own personal research utilizing a variety of the methods mentioned above to determine which method will provide the most effective relief from the pain you are suffering.

In the end a true cure must treat the cause of the pain. The pain is merely a symptom. Although many causes have been identified, efforts will continue to establish better treatments that provide permanent relief and long term elimination of the cause.

Article Tags: Cures For Sciatica

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:

Tom Henricks is a retired utility worker and charter fisherman from The Canadian of Shore of Lake Erie. For more information about Sciatica please visit Treat Sciatica For more information about Senior health please visit Treat Arthritis

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Septic Arthritis Information

by JULIET COHEN

Septic arthritis is an inflammation of a joint caused by a bacteria infection other than gonorrhea. It may also occur when the joint is directly infected with bacteria during injury or surgery. Septic arthritis can occur at any age. When considering children, it occurs at a higher rate in those under 3 years of age, with the hip, knee and ankle being the most common joints affected. Septic arthritis may affect any joint but is most frequently found in the knee, hip, shoulder, wrist, elbow, and finger joints. Approximately 20,000 cases of suppurative arthritis occur in the United States each year. From age 3 to adolescence, Septic arthritis is uncommon, at which point incidence will increase again. Septic arthritis is often seen in the elderly, immunosuppressed and those with chronic inflammatory arthritides.

The onset of the symptoms is usually rapid with joint swelling, intense joint pain, and low-grade fever. Septic arthritis in the hip may be experienced as pain in the groin area that becomes much worse if the patient tries to walk. In the majority of cases, there is some leakage of tissue fluid into the affected joint. Risk factors for Septic arthritis include a simultaneous bacterial infection, chronic illness, diseases or medications that operate on suppression of the immune system, intravenous drug abuse, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle cell disease, artificial joints, recent damage to a joint leading to bruising/inflammation, or recent joint arthroscopy or other invasive surgery. Septic arthritis should be suspected when one joint (monoarthritis) is affected and the patient is febrile.

Septic arthritis must be diagnosed quickly and treated with antibiotics. The antibibiotics are continued orally (usually two antibiotics for six weeks and then one for a further six weeks). In immunosuppressed, gentamicin and flucloxacillin is used Rest, immobilization, elevation, and warm compresses may help relieve pain. Performing exercises for the affected joint aids the recovery process. Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics may be helpful for high-risk people. Empirical Antibiotics - Discuss with microbiologist. Intravenous flucloxacillin and fusidic acid for at least a week. Drainage of the joint and arthroscopic washouts are helpful in relieving pain. Immobilize joint and then physiotherapy started earlyu to prevent stiffness and muscle wasting.

Septic Arthritis Treatment Tips

1. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection.

2. Rest, immobilization, elevation, and warm compresses may help relieve pain.

3. Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics may be helpful for high-risk people.

4. Fluid is usually aspirated from the affected joint to relieve pressure.

5. Aspiration may need to be done several times to relieve pressure.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healingremedies.org/, http://www.healthatoz.info/http://www.health-disease.org/ . and

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Monday, January 28, 2008

Pericarditis Information

by JULIET COHEN

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium (the fibrous sac surrounding the heart). Pericarditis often causes chest pain and sometimes other symptoms. Pericarditis may be acute or chronic. The sharp chest pain associated with acute pericarditis occurs when the pericardium rubs against the heart's outer layer. Pericarditis can be caused by infection, heart attack, autoimmune disorders, chest trauma, cancer, kidney failure, or drugs. Infections that can cause pericarditis include viral infections, bacterial infections, tuberculosis, and fungal infections. Autoimmune disorders that can cause pericarditis include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. Pericarditis occurs in up to 15% of patients who have acute myocardial infarctions (heart attacks).

Pericarditis is more common in males than in females. Pericarditis most often affects men aged 20-50, usually following respiratory infections. In children, it is most commonly caused by adenovirus or coxsackie virus. Pericarditis can be misdiagnosed as myocardial infarction, and vice versa. The most common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain. The pain is predominantly felt below the breastbone (sternum) and/or below the ribs on the left side of the chest and, occasionally, in the upper back or neck. Changes in position can increase or decrease pressure on and irritation of the inflamed pericardium. Acute pericarditis is treated by a) identifying the underlying cause, b) treating the underlying cause, c) giving anti-inflammatory drugs , and d) giving analgesics to control the pain.

Tamponade is treated by draining the fluid from the pericardial sac, usually via a tiny catheter. Bacterial pericarditis must be treated with antibiotics. Fungal pericarditis is treated with antifungal agents. Excessive pericardial effusion can compress the heart muscle, the fluid can be removed by needle aspiration (pericardiocentesis) or surgery. Idiopathic pericarditis and pericarditis following heart surgery usually respond to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), or indomethacin (Indocin). Pericarditis due to uremia may respond to increased frequency of hemodialysis, aspiration, or systemic or intrapericardial adrenal corticosteroids. Bacterial pericarditis must be treated with antibiotics. Fungal pericarditis is treated with antifungal agents.

Pericarditis Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Corticosteroids are particularly useful in acute pericarditis due to uremia.

2. Cutting or removing part of the pericardium may be recommended.

3. Acute pericarditis is treated by anti-inflammatory drugs to control the pain.

4. Congestion in chronic constrictive pericarditis may be alleviated with bed rest, salt restriction, and diuretics.

5. Removing the fluid relieves the pressure on the heart, and restores normal cardiac function almost immediately.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healingremedies.org/, http://www.healthatoz.info/ and http://www.health-disease.org/ .

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Sunday, January 27, 2008

Detailed Information on Rheumatoid Arthritis

by JULIET COHEN

RA is the most common type of arthritis triggered by the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis that causes joint pain and damage. It affecting more than two million people in the United States. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of your joints (synovium) causing swelling that can result in aching and throbbing and eventually deformity. Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis symptoms make even the simplest activities — such as opening a jar or taking a walk — difficult to manage. Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children and older adults. It is commonly polyarticular; that is, it affects many joints.

About seventy-five percent of those affected are women, and 1–3% of women may develop rheumatoid arthritis is their lifetime. The disease most often begins between the fourth and sixth decades of life; however, RA can develop at any age. RA usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected.Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children and older adults. Inflammation, soft tissue swelling, and the involvement of multiple joints are common signs and symptoms that distinguish rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis from non-inflammatory arthritis such as osteoarthritis.

The joints are usually affected initially asymmetrically and then in a symmetrical fashion as the disease progresses. The pain generally ameliorate with use of the affected joints, and there is usually stiffness of all joints in the morning that lasts over one hour. Treatments include medicine, lifestyle changes and surgery. These can slow or stop joint damage and reduce pain and swelling. To quickly reduce joint inflammation and symptoms, first-line treatment usually consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin and others), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex) and many others. Regular exercise is important for maintaining joint mobility and making the joint muscles stronger. Swimming is especially good.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Swimming is especially good.

2. Regular exercise is important for maintaining joint mobility.

3. Surgeries can relieve joint pain, correct deformities, and modestly improve joint function.

4. Heat and cold applications are modalities that can ease symptoms before and after exercise.

5. Apply electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.

6. Corticosteroids medications have been used to reduce inflammation in RA for more than 40 years.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healingremedies.org/, http://www.healthatoz.info/ and http://www.health-disease.org/ .

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the white blood cells of the body begin to attack the membranes surrounding the joints, called the synovium. This causes the synovium to become inflamed, and can eventually cause damage to the bone, cartilage and tendons around it.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Understanding Arthritis

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Arthritis Advocacy 2008

Friday, January 11, 2008

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Part Two

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Friday, January 4, 2008

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Learn how to relieve arthritis pain

Tuesday, January 1, 2008