Battling For Health

Greetings .. Gloria is away this week, and will resume posting on February 4, 2008. In the meantime, please enjoy this article about Hip Arthritis. // HART

When a person suffers from hip arthritis, he or she will, under most circumstances, suffer from a condition known as osteoarthritis which is a very common form of hip arthritis, and which is sometimes also known as wear-and-tear arthritis and even degenerative joint disease. This form of hip arthritis is characterized by gradual damage to the cartilage of a person’s joints and when the cartilage that protects the joints becomes worn out due to such a form of arthritis, the bones become exposed in the person’s joints resulting in a great deal of distress.

Affects Persons That Are Fifty Years Of Age Or Older

Though anyone can suffer from hip arthritis, it is normally associated with persons that are fifty years of age or older, and the problem is also more commonly seen in patients that are overweight, and also that when the same person begins to lose weight there is a gradual improvement in the condition and symptoms of hip arthritis start to fade away. Doctors also believe that hip arthritis can be caused due to genetics and so if you belong to a family in which someone has this form of arthritis, then you could also be at risk of suffering from the same.

There are certain other factors too that can cause a person to suffer from hip arthritis and these include having trauma with the hip and even because of fracturing of bones that are located close to joints. There are certain symptoms that you will notice if you are suffering from hip arthritis and these symptoms tend to get worse as the condition deteriorates further. However, it is also not the case that the symptoms will become worse with the passage of time and it can occur that a patient has some months that are good as far as their condition is concerned, while other months may turn out to be bad, and symptoms may also are affected because of changes in the weather conditions. Thus, hip arthritis symptoms noticed on a particular day may not appear on other days, and they may also not be an accurate representation of the way in which the condition is progressing.

Common symptoms of hip arthritis include pain when performing activities, limitation to how much a person can move about, hips becoming stiff and needing to limp while walking. It is also recommended to get treated as soon as the symptoms appear, and the treatments can either are very basic in some instances, while other instances may even warrant surgery to be performed. In any case, you will need to get expert medical advice to know what the best treatments for your particular case of hip arthritis warrants.

Share This

A Previous Post.

I wrote that I am caregiver to my mother and my autistic daughter. My mother moved into my home in August of 2007, so she has been here for around 5 months. Yes, it has been hard, taking care of three children, my mother, working from home, and trying to keep my relationship from falling apart.

When I wrote about caregivers, I mentioned taking time to think about long term facilities. In our case, that has become a topic of conversation. My mother has complications from her diabetes which mean she needs more medication than insulin alone. She has problems walking and with arthritis, her hands are becoming less mobile than before.

I’m Not Super Woman.

While I admit to being slightly relieved that she will be choosing a place to live where she can receive around the clock care, I cannot help but feel like a failure. I stay home all day, so why can’t I do everything that needs to be done? It is a losing battle to fight with myself over this, because I know this is the right decision.

So, how can you fight those feelings of failure? With my case, it is the acceptance that I really am not Super Woman, no matter how much I try to be. It is impossible to take care of three children, work, keep a healthy marriage, and take care of someone who is progressively becoming more disabled. Impossible to do this forever and keep my sanity. Acceptance and forgiving myself for not being perfect.

Have That Discussion.

If you find yourself in this type of situation, step back and take a breath. Do not delay in speaking with the person you are caring for, because waiting will only make the conversation more difficult. For me, it was being injured and falling short on everything that started the conversation. Sadly, it had to be my mother to point out that I was taking on too much.

Don’t let yourself begin to fall apart at the seams or try to do too much and end up hurt yourself. Take the time to talk to your loved one and discuss options that may better suit your mutual needs. A long term or assisted living facility may just be the answer to your prayers. You both will not need to worry about medications, room for medical equipment, or constant care.

Share This

I’m very happy to have to the opportunity to share with you an interview that I recently had with Mary Pat Boyd, owner and creative genius behind Boyd Silver Works, a unique custom jewelry design service specializing in cancer awareness pieces. Mary Pat is a two-time breast cancer survivor and a tireless advocate for cancer awareness and prevention through her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society. When I first came in contact with Mary Pat, I was intrigued and inspired by her stories of grace and strength under very trying circumstances. We’ve since become fast friends, and I’m so glad that she’s agreed to share her story with Batting Cancer readers.

How does your spina bifida affect your daily routines?I was 3 days old when I had the spina bifada surgery and there was early concern about hydrocephalus.  Aside from the possibility that the early radiations may have caused my cancer, my adult life has not been affected by the spina bifada.

Your business, Boyd Silver Works, is focused solely on creating beautiful cancer awareness jewelry. How did you first start making your works of art? I’d been working with metal for some time before my first cancer diagnosis, but my cancer awareness jewelry line began with the Silver Ribbon Ring that I designed while going through the first cancer battle.  I began making awareness jewelry because I wanted to share hope through jewelry design.   

Have you always been in a creative profession?Always.  I’ve worked in various mediums throughout the years but I really enjoy the metal working a lot.     

Before you were diagnosed with breast cancer the second time, you had difficulty convincing your doctor that something was wrong. What advice would you give to someone who is currently having trouble communicating with their doctor? My first cancer was estrogen negative.  The second cancer (in the same breast) was Paget’s Disease.  The mammogram for the second cancer didn’t reveal the tumor and my doctor didn’t think that I had cancer again.  I know my body though; and a nagging feeling hung over me so I sought a second opinion.  Women need to realize that we’re entitled to more than one medical consultation.  If you doubt what someone is telling you, seek advice from someone else.  And if you don’t have a good rapport with one doctor, then find a different one.  This is your body and you need to be an advocate for yourself.

Describe your volunteer work with the American Cancer Society.I’m proud to be a volunteer through the Reach to Recovery program that the American Cancer Society offers.  We’re certified volunteers who interact with cancer patients and survivors.  The ACS attempts to match volunteers with patients based on cancer similarities, etc.  It’s a wonderful outreach program.    

You’ve had to face a number of personal struggles in your life — what do you consider your greatest sources of strength?I talk to cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones often so I know that my own story is very unremarkable.  Their stories touch my heart and humble me.  I draw a lot of strength from those that I’m in contact with and I’m proud to be a voice in the war against cancer.  I honestly believe that we can make a difference, and that belief gives me strength and propels me forward.

What would you like to share with readers who are currently undergoing cancer treatment? Statistics clearly show that an early diagnosis will prolong one’s life or save a life, so it’s important to do monthly self exams.  And get that mammogram!  A mammo can’t detect all cancers, but it’s a terrific tool against the disease.  Also, a cancer patient often feels alone and isolated, but she doesn’t need to carry her cancer fears bottled within.  There are many volunteers and caring people who will listen to her concerns, so I think it’s important that she reach out to others for help.  Talk with your family, friends, and medical experts.  You’re not alone in this battle.   

Some individuals find that their relationships with friends and family members undergo a great strain after they are diagnosed with cancer.  What advice would you give to caregivers and friends of cancer patients? My husband of 30 years had an affair with my best friend during my first cancer battle.  He divorced me and married her, and that was devastating to me at the time.  Sadly enough, I’ve come to realize that this type of thing happens far more often than most of us realize.  I wish we wouldn’t let cancer have this type of power.  Our lives and our perspectives may change because of cancer, but cancer shouldn’t be allowed to destroy our relationships. Cancer is scary and often people don’t know what to say to the patient, so they don’t say anything.  Be a friend to the cancer patient—talk to her.  Let her know that you care.  Listen to what your friend has to say.  Defy the destruction of cancer by forging a deeper understanding and a bond with your friend. 

Is there anything else you would like to share with Battling Cancer readers?Keep hope in your heart. God bless.

I’d like to thank Mary Pat for being such a wonderful reader and a great inspiration. You can read more about Mary Pat’s story and learn about her jewelry at Boyd Silver Works. 

Readers — do you have a question for Mary Pat? Let us know in the comments! Also, if you or someone you know would like to be featured on Battling Cancer, send us message at our “Submit Your Story” link on our sidebar!

Share This

The 81-year-old retired physician in Los Angeles didn’t know his doctor’s name, what state he lived in, or what date it was. (Personally, I never know the date, until I look it up. My grandma never knew the date either, because she couldn’t see the calendar). Then doctors injected etanercept, an anti-inflammatory drug approved to treat arthritis, into his neck. When they tested him again ten minutes later, he could tell them that he lived in California and what day it was. He seemed less frustrated and more calm. His score on the Alzheimer’s diagnostic test had improved from 7 out of 30 to 15 out of 30.

According to the Journal of Neuroinflammation, the doctors had previously injected the drug into 15 other patients, but had never tested its immediate effects. Said his wife, “He’s not the same person he was…. We almost fell off our chairs watching this.” Said his son, as quoted by BBC News, it was the “single most remarkable thing I’ve seen.”

Of course, in every drug test, there’s always a placebo effect. Even fake pills can improve a patient’s condition, simply because the patient thinks they’re real medicine. I think that a shot in my neck might temporarily improve my mental alertness. I know that a Vitamin B12 shot would always make my grandmother perk up all day. So we need to wait for more controlled studies before we get our hopes up.

In fact, since Alzheimer’s medications don’t claim to cure the disease, and manufacturers admit that results vary widely, dramatic changes are not common. This patient was moderately affected by Alzheimer’s. Donepezil didn’t help him, so they stopped giving it to him after four months. Memantine and rivastigmine also were “not tolerated by the patient.” He had been taking galantamine for six months (8 mg per day since 16 mg per day gave him side effects), but his wife and doctor couldn’t see that it helped him. He also took atorvastatin and low dose aspirin (which is believed to prevent stroke).

But it’s nice to think that Alzheimer’s disease could be relieved instantly, just by getting a shot. Personally, I think it’s great that the patient’s family members knew him well enough to see a difference. Many people don’t expect to see any improvement in Alzheimer’s patients, so they don’t.

Share This

Greetings .. Gloria is away this week, and will resume posting on February 4, 2008. In the meantime, please enjoy this article about Spinal Arthritis. // HART

The variations of different diseases create one of the biggest challenges for physicians, researchers, and patients. For instance, we often hear through the mass media that scientists are searching for the “cure for cancer.” However, cancer exists in several forms, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Each of these forms of the disease includes different symptoms and treatments, and would thus require different cures. Likewise, various types of arthritis exist, such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Another variety of this devastating disease is spinal arthritis.

Spinal arthritis, or spinal stenosis, involves the tapering of the backbone, manifesting itself through stress on the spinal cord as well as on the roots of nerves. This disease usually involves three regions of the spine: the canals at the nerves’ base that expand from the spinal cord; the gaps between the spine’s bones, through which nerves exit the spine and then continue to other body parts; and the tube in the middle pillar of bones, through which the roots’ base and the spinal cord continue. This tapering can include either a huge or tiny region of the spine. The sufferer of spinal arthritis may feel aches or a lack of sensation in the shoulders, neck, or legs.

Spinal arthritis sufferers are most often women and men who are over fifty-years-old. Nevertheless, younger people who experience an injury to their spine may also experience spinal arthritis. In addition, those who are born with tapering of the spinal channel may also become inflicted with this disease.

Spinal arthritis sufferers of all ages may experience no symptoms, due to the tapering of the area in the spinal channel. Nevertheless, if this narrowing puts stress on the nerve roots or spinal cord, indicators of spinal arthritis—spasms, lack of sensation, aches in the legs and arms, and weakness–result. Also, if the tapered region in the spine presses down on the nerve base, sufferers of spinal arthritis may experience pain searing down their leg. They should immediately engage in bending exercises, strengthening exercises, stretching the lower back, and sitting.

When a victim of spinal arthritis is not experiencing tremendous or worsening nerve association, then the following treatments might be prescribed:

* Physical therapy or exercises to increase stamina, continue the spine’s motion, and fortify back and stomach muscles. This will help to make the spine more stable. Aerobic activity is also an option.

* Corticosteroid injections into the remotest of the membranes covering the nerve roots and the spinal cord, to lower swelling and treat sharp pain that spreads down a leg, or down to the hips.

* Anti-swelling drugs that contain no steroids, including aspirin, ibuprofen (i.e. Advil, Motrin, Nuprinl), to lower swelling and reduce aches.

* Limited activity, which is based on how involved the nerves are.

* Analgesics including Tylenol, to reduce pain.

* Anesthetic shots, also known as nerve blocks, nearby the nerve that is affected, to momentarily reduce pain.

When treatment not involving surgery is ineffective, surgery becomes an option. The objective is to lessen the nerves’ pressure or spinal cord, and to re-establish and sustain the spine’s arrangement and strength.

Today, spinal arthritis remains one of the most devastating types of diseases that people can suffer from. Fortunately, physicians and researchers continue to improve its treatment, in order to alleviate its victims’ pain.

Share This

Glucosamine is the most popular (and maybe most used) supplement for arthritis patients.

Glucosamine Sulfate - available as various oral dietary supplements – is actually derived from crustacean shells.

In a review of arthritis supplements (reported in the medial journal American Family Physician this month), Tara Parker-Pope wrote at Well (NY Times Health):

According to the authors, researchers at Creighton University in Omaha, glucosamine has been the subject of more than 20 randomized controlled trials involving over 2,500 patients.

The findings have been inconsistent, however, likely because of varying formulations and study methods. The research does show that the type of glucosamine matters.

“The evidence supports the use of glucosamine sulfate for modestly reducing osteoarthritis symptoms and possibly slowing disease progression,’’ the authors write. “However, there isn’t enough evidence to recommend the use of other glucosamine formulations.’’

The evidence for another popular supplement, chondroitin, is inconsistent, as well. The supplement, made from cow cartilage, often is sold in combination with glucosamine.

The study authors find little evidence that the combination is more effective than glucosamine sulfate alone.

While the above review has mentioned the inconcistency of findings on glucosamine sulfate, food/health companies have developed plant/vegetable derived glusosamine sulfate.

[And yes chondroitin and glucosamine are often combine in one product as is widely available in the market.]

The said vegetarian glucosamine sulfate is called GlucosaGreen, a product of the China-based Hygieia Health.

China-based Hygieia Health has launched a new vegetarian glucosamine, marketing it as a “pure”, “stable”, “safe” form of the popular joint health ingredient.

The company said its GlucosaGreen marks the first time it is entering the ingredient market, as it has so far been focusing on supplying finished dose material.

According to Hygieia’s marketing manager David Corcoran, joint health has been a major area of focus for the company since it was formed in 2005.
The firm developed its own glucosamine ingredient in response to interest from customers, who were looking to differentiate their brands.

Glucosamine has been found to rebuild cartilage, and is therefore considered one of the major joint health ingredients. It is often used in conjunction with chondroitin, which gives cartilage elasticity.

However, as most glucosamine is derived from shell-fish, it is not suitable for use by vegetarians, people who are allergic to shell fish, and those who adhere to a Kosher diet.

Great. Now vegetarian arthritis patients have a choice of vegetarian glucosamine sulfate.

Find more details about the vegetarian glucosamine from Nutraingredients.

Share This

Through my other blog, I found this new resource website for arthritis called Arthritis Treatment Advice Center.

At least it deviates from the more known format of Medicinenet and MedlinePlus.

Arthritis Treatment Advice Center is like a FAQs website about arthritis and arthritis treatment . It is a repository of articles written by people who either have personal experiences about arthritis or somebody knowledgeable about the condition.

I kind-a like it because it has information from the basics of arthritis to alternative treatments.

Here are some of my favorite articles:

1. Treating Arthritis With Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a natural holistic approach to health and wellness using plant derived scents that I use daily as a way to control the stresses in my life. All forms of arthritis are exacerbated or worsened by stress. Controlling that aspect of my life, even just a little, has made a world of difference in my overall condition.

The traditional method of healing called aromatherapy is finally beginning to be considered a science and is gaining ground among doctors willing to combine conventional medicine with alternative therapies. This current switch among health professionals is called integrative medicine.

It is a move away from the traditional approach that focuses only on the disease and prescription drugs to an approach that looks more at the individual who has the disease, and gives them a more active role in their treatment. This integrative approach has proved to be a virtual lifesaver for me and one that I strongly encourage other arthritis sufferers to try.

Some of the most effective essential oils for treatment of arthritis symptoms are Lavender, Juniper, Thyme, Rosemary, Benzoe, Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Peppermint, Camphor, Ginger, Black Pepper and Lemon.

2. Try Holistic Treatment for Arthritis Pain

When it comes to finding a holistic treatment for arthritis pain, consult your physician regarding alternative options to traditional prescription medications.

More and more arthritis sufferers are choosing these homeopathic treatments, especially with the recent controversy surrounding Vioxx, the prescription medication proposed as a cure-all for arthritis pain, but proved to cause more serious problems, including heart problems and even strokes.

Consider ancient Eastern exercises like Tai Chi. This slow moving and stretching form of exercise is popular with individuals of all ages.

In addition to slowly using all the muscles and joints in the body, Tai Chi is an excellent way to achieve an introspective look.

Another great alternative method for treating arthritis pain is to consult an acupuncturist.

Using age old techniques for identifying the parts of the body thought to be connected, your pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with arthritis can be diminished.

Another homeopathic method of treating arthritis without using prescription medication is to use all natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals instead.

This is an excellent way to ensure you do not experience any problems with arthritis while not being at risk for drug interactions.

3. Using essential fatty acids for reducing arthritis joint pain

Essential fatty acids provide protection for the whole body. In particular it is effective in reducing inflammation as experienced in joint pain or arthritis.

Most people will have to deal with arthritis especially as they get older. One way to eliminate or minimize this pain is to supplement with the essential fatty acids.

The use of flax seed oil, omega-3, is known to provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Omega-3 breaks down into prostaglandins. It is the prostaglandins that provide the anti-inflammatory results.

So by using the omega-3, GLA, and EPA/DHA supplements, you can get some relief from arthritis. These oils reduce inflammation and pain and provide lubrication, thereby preventing some damage from occurring in your joints.

4. Using Natural Medicines for Arthritis Relief

Some examples of popular of alternative natural treatments for arthritis include supplements, therapy, or other holistic forms of medicine.

Many individuals turn to vitamin and mineral supplements for answers to their problems.

These treatments can range from supplements of vitamins B, C, E and K to treatments like glucosamine sulfate or gelatin. Instead of consuming a natural treatment, consider enrolling in a therapy program.

One popular program is acupuncture , which has gained popularity in the past years with individuals of all ages seeking solutions to all medical issues.

Furthermore, adopting a healthy diet and exercise regimen is an excellent way to tackle arthritis pain.

Consider joining a gym that offers aquatic aerobics programs.

Water offers no resistance and is a perfect way to condition muscles, rebuild strength, and restore joint movement.

These are just some of the articles I like. I am somebody all for alternative treatments. However, consider all these for educational purposes. Consult your primary doctor first before considering an alternative treatment.

Check out Arthritis Treatment Advice Center for more about arthritis.

Share This

Losing Weight Is A Struggle

If you are a diabetic, you know how hard it is to lose even a pound. According to a doctor I spoke with several years ago at Moorehead Hospital in Eden, North Carolina, “Losing weight while taking insulin is a losing battle.” I wish I could remember his name, but he was the doctor evaluating my mother in the Emergency Room. Those words are not exactly his, but close enough. I wish I could find him again, this man set me on a path to regulating my mother’s diet the best I can in hopes of countering this disease.

This doctor told me that he believed diabetes could be cured by losing weight. That is how we came to the subject of how hard it is to lose weight while using insulin to control diabetes. This conversation came back to the forefront of my thoughts as I scanned recent news and found several articles speaking of women who had stopped using insulin altogether or skipped doses in an effort to lose weight.

A Dangerous Combination.

While we all know that not taking your insulin can be dangerous by allowing your blood glucose levels to rise to ‘stroke country’ levels; it is equally dangerous to not take your insulin and stop eating. In this case, the glucose levels in your blood will plummet putting you at risk for coma, hypothermia, and death.

I have personally viewed these sort of reactions. In one instance, my mother had not eaten before going to bed. Her habits had been very erratic eating, taking her insulin when she ‘felt like it’. Before morning, she needed to be rushed to the Emergency Room with a blood glucose level of 29. The doctor on call asked how long she had been outside, but we could not figure out why. It turned out she was suffering from hypothermia!

Drastic Measures

Not only are women skipping insulin, but they have also turned to drastic surgery to get rid of the extra weight. Stomach stapling, gastric bypass, and the new band that restricts the valve to the stomach. Some doctors have stated that the surgeries have helped some patients, in fact a few went into remission of their diabetic symptoms. Obviously, weight and diabetes are linked so strongly that a drastic reduction in weight can (according to some studies) reverse symptoms of diabetes.

Does this mean that you should have surgery to lose weight? I think that surgery should be the last option when all else has failed. Your decision should be come after a discussion with your doctor and weighing all options.

Share This

I have always emphasized the need to exercise even if you are suffering from arthritis. The crucial thing is that, in arthritis patients, the exercise regime should relieve their painful and stiff joints without straining them.

If you feel that water exercises in not enough, you can add this simple exercise that will help strengthen your hips and knee joints.

This video is a free physical therapy & fitness video — part of a series from ExpertVillage.com.

As emphasized by this Washington post article:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study included 346 people, average age 70, with self-reported arthritis. Some were assigned to a group that followed the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, formerly called People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE), consisting of basic and advanced exercise classes twice a week for an hour a week for eight weeks.

Others were put in a control group that did not take part in the exercise program.
After eight weeks, people in the exercise group showed significant improvements in pain, fatigue and managing arthritis. The pain and fatigue improvements were still evident six months after completing the exercise program.

The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program emphasizes range-of-motion and low-resistance exercises, but the researchers found that people who completed the program also had increased strength in their upper and lower extremities. This suggested that strength training — a minor component of the program — is effective.

This YouTube video by ExpertVillage demonstrates arthritis exercises for strengthening the hip & knee joints.

Share This

“I don’t want to be in a nursing home,” my grandmother said. She didn’t say it often, because she knew her children had promised not to put her in one, and she knew that if they did, she couldn’t do much about it. Like my grandmother, most Alzheimer’s patients would rather live at home. Moving is a risk factor that can lead to death, as people lose hope because the old familiar places are gone.

Unfortunately, many private homes are not good places for Alzheimer’s patients and even for many other elderly people. There may be unavoidable stairs inside, dangerous steps outside, poor lighting, inefficient bathrooms, etc.

Conventional wisdom among Alzheimer’s family members says, “Wait until she doesn’t know where she is anyway, and then move her.” But that means waiting until she can’t learn or understand where she is, when she should have given herself time to become accustomed to her new home while her mind was still fairly sharp. Why not start early and make sure that your living situation will be adequate for the future?

Some senior communities have assisted living units and nursing facilities integrated into their housing. A person can move from an active senior apartment, to another one closer to staff who can assist them, to another one with round-the-clock nurses. But they have to move to make it work, and moving becomes less attractive as you get older.

Instead, some experimental Dutch housing developments show more forethought. They look like ordinary apartment communities, but they are all designed so that the residents will not need to leave if they become frail: wheelchair-friendly and all that. We’ve reported about how the Amish farms have a daadi haus for the elderly, where grandparents move when their children are grown so they never have to leave the farm.

The hard truth is that sometimes the best care is not practical ,or affordable. Children who are young enough to care for their parents already have jobs, while children who don’t are too old to provide the care painlessly. People who are trained in caring for people with dementia may not have enough training, or enough incentive, to do it the way they would like. In our society, we not only don’t treat elderly people with enough respect, but in our society, we almost can’t.

Share This