Teeth Whitening Tips for a Beautiful Smile
A first impression is the last impression, many say. A smile can change our world. We all know that. The key to a bright smile is a set of shining teeth. Imagine yourself in an interview trying to impress the panel. You smile and a set of yellow teeth flashes! Stained-teeth are a common problem and can lead to gum and tooth diseases. This needs to be treated at the right time and by a good dentist.
Yes, a beautiful smile can win anyone over. If you think about it carefully enough, you’ll understand that you always instinctively like a person who has a cracking smile. And to get a great smile, you will want to have bright white teeth. There are many reasons; people nowadays find it difficult to keep white teeth.
It could be due to lousy habits for example too much coffee or perhaps because of a real problem. Once you’ve had the root problem addressed, you will still possess stained teeth.
Teeth whitening will solve this problem there are varied techniques by which you can whiten your teeth and visiting the dentist need not be one of them. Various options are available in the market that you will be able to easily use inside the comforts of your own home.
These teeth whitening solutions act upon not only stains like those from tea and coffees, But also work on discolouration from tetracycline and fluoridise too name just two antibiotics, Of course, tetracycline and fluoridise stains are more arduous to remove but in time even they’ll be gone.
Bleaching your teeth is a great solution to stained teeth. It works by bleaching the enamel on your teeth, but does not affect the inherent structure of your teeth. The bleach comprises a peroxide compound that covers the enamel and oxidizes the discoloured particles, resulting with gleaming white teeth.
The products that are available in the market are totally safe and are proven to be harmless. And so you may use them without cause to worry.
They also relieve you of regular visits to the dentist, thus saving you a great deal of money. You could whiten your teeth for a small fraction of what it would cost you by a professional dentist.
Employing these teeth whitening results is sufficient enough. Virtually all of them come with a really clear book of instructions. The most popular one is the whitening tray. You implement the suggested dose of gel inside the tray. There’s one tray apiece for your upper and lower sets.
All you have got to do is abide by the instructions and slowly place the trays across your teeth. You bite down gently a couple of times so that the trays set in. Then you keep them in for the apportioned time and you are done! Your teeth will begin to whiten now.
A unique 2-step process releases free oxygen to oxidize and lift organic stains away from teeth. Reveal your new whiter smile in as little as 6 days.
This patented dental whitening system begins washing away coffee, tea and other hard-to-remove stains after only one use.
Discover the Best Teeth Whitening Products Reviews
If we do a little browsing about the contents will enable you to come across two chemicals which are commonly used for whitening teeth through the bleaching process of the teeth. Now there are many products which use these in the products in different forms.
Carbamide peroxide has been proven to provide fast acting results within the first two weeks of treatment. However, after the initial few weeks, then the results from whitening begin to grow very steadily. In the aspect of these ingredients causing tooth sensitivity or weakening the tooth enamel, it is suggested that only minimal problems have ever occurred with these ingredients. So, as long as they are applied as suggested by the manufacturer, then they pose very little risk.
The above discussed data are glimpses from several reliable product reviews. However, to be safe in regards to your own dental health, you should consider only purchasing high quality products which contain the right ratio of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to satisfy both the aspects of quick whitening and reduced side effects.
The products available in the market mostly consist of trays along with the carbamide peroxide which act as the whitening gel. Thus it will be prudent to refer to the teeth whitening product reviews prior to choosing the right product which gives the best results.
Best teeth whitening products
There has been a lot of research to find out the best compounds that can attack the stains of teeth. If we do a little browsing about the contents will enable you to come across two chemicals which are commonly used for teeth whitening through the bleaching process of the teeth. Now there are many products which use these in the products in different forms.
It has been proven that carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the best potent products. Both carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are commonly found as the active ingredients in whitening systems.
They are the most important ingredients because they have the capacity to whiten teeth just within a few weeks. Both of these are available in the market at a much lower cost and are used by dentists and professionals for clinical teeth cleaning.
Carbamide peroxide has been proven to provide fast acting results within the first two weeks of treatment. However, after the initial few weeks, then the results from whitening begin to grow very steadily. In the aspect of these ingredients causing tooth sensitivity or weakening the tooth enamel, it is suggested that only minimal problems have ever occurred with these ingredients.
So, as long as they are applied as suggested by the manufacturer, then they pose very little risk.
The above discussed data are glimpses from several reliable product reviews. However, to be safe in regards to your own dental health, you should consider only purchasing high quality products which contain the right ratio of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to satisfy both the aspects of quick whitening and reduced side effects.
The products available in the market mostly consist of trays along with the carbamide peroxide which act as the whitening gel.
Thus it will be prudent to refer to the teeth whitening product reviews prior to choosing the right product which gives the best results.
Chemicals Effective in Teeth Whitening
Two chemicals which are commonly used for whitening teeth through the bleaching process of the teeth. Now there are many products which use these in the products in different forms.
We all know that carbamide peroxide has been proven to provide fast acting results within the first two weeks of treatment. However, after the initial few weeks, then the results from whitening begin to grow very steadily.
In the aspect of these ingredients causing tooth sensitivity or weakening the tooth enamel, it is suggested that only minimal problems have ever occurred with these ingredients. So, as long as they are applied as suggested by the manufacturer, then they pose very little risk.
The above discussed data are glimpses from several reliable product reviews. However, to be safe in regards to your own dental health, you should consider only purchasing high quality products which contain the right ratio of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to satisfy both the aspects of quick whitening and reduced side effects.
The teeth whitening products available in the market mostly consist of trays along with the carbamide peroxide which act along with the teeth whitening gel. Thus it will be prudent to refer to the teeth whitening product reviews prior to choosing the right product which gives the best results.
Introducing Acupuncture
In this day and age, most people have already heard of acupuncture and maybe you’ve even tried it for back pain or fertility enhancement. An important part of the Chinese health care system, Acupuncture can be traced over 2,500 years.
Its theory is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health and when disturbed, this flow is believed to contribute to the development of disease. In American medicine, the practice of acupuncture to treat identifiable disease was rare until President Nixon visited China in 1972, after which there was a big jump in interest in the US and Europe in applying the technique to Western medicine.
So what exactly is acupuncture and how does it work? Technically speaking, acupuncture is a series of procedures involving stimulation of points or places on the skin with hair-thin needles; specifically penetration of the skin by thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation. But don’t worry—though the word needle sounds scary, the insertion is hardly felt and almost never painful. The different approaches to diagnosis and treatment in American acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries.
Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the US and there have even been studies on the practice and its potential usefulness in a variety of conditions. Of course study design has been an issue in some of these studies and the issue is further complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of proper controls, such as placebo and sham acupuncture groups.
Some studies have shown promising results in acupuncture’s use in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post-operative dental pain plus conditions such as smoking addictions, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma where acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or one to be included in a comprehensive management program.
All About Aloe Vera
Aloe barbedensis or just Aloe to most people, is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in Northern Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. Most of us know aloe as the plant to run to after burning yourself, but Aloe has a plethora of uses beyond treating burns. It is non-toxic, with no known side effects, and is used widely in the traditional herbal medicine of China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, The United States, Jamaica and India.
Though the actual research on using aloe for burns has shown mixed results, a more recent review has concluded that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns. The plant’s juice has also been traditionally used internally for healing and soothing of digestive conditions like heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome and preliminary studies have suggested oral A.
vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis. It has also been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics, and with lower blood lipids in hyper-lipidemic patients. In addition, compounds extracted from Aloe vera have been used as an immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs; but this treatment has not been scientifically tested in humans.
Topical application of Aloe vera may be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis and check this out: a double-blind clinical trial found that the group using an Aloe vera containing dentifrice and the group using a fluoridated dentifrice both demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of gingivitis and plaque.
Aloe extract also has antibacterial and antifungal activities and have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea, but evidence for control beneath human skin remains to be established. And amazingly the inner-leaf gel from A. vera has also been found to inhibit growth of Streptococcus and Shigella species in vitro. Needless to say, it would be wise to plant an aloe plant or two around your home. Aloe juice is also available bottled for the drinking. Just be sure not to drink too much as it may cause diarrhea or malabsorption.
The Endless Uses for Aloe
Aloe Vera is a quite common household plant that most moms keep around the kitchen for treating little burns. But as it turns out, Aloe has so many more incredible uses that makes it the mightly incredible plant that it is! Here are some of my favorite new uses for aloe:
• Suffer from IBS or heartburn on a regular basis? Consider aloe as a treatment! Aloe has long been known to ease digestive problems and in fact, it may be one of the oldest uses of aloe vera. If you are constipated, it helps keep you regular and helps clear toxins from your body too, making it great for detox.
• For aches and pains, aloe vera is just perfect as it contains over 10 natural substances to ease pain. When applied topically, these constituents relieve sore muscles and joint pain associated with arthritis and other injuries. Also, if you ingest it, aloe can help inhibit inflammation while supporting joint health and mobility.
• A boost of energy: Drinking aloe can help dislodge the 2-5kg of decaying fecal matter, toxins and undigested food which often clogs the colon, so your body can better eliminate and obtain proper nutrition which increases energy levels.
• Get rid of wrinkles and improve skin clarity: the skin is replenished every 21 to 28 days and applying aloe vera on a regular basis helps provide it with the nutritional building blocks it needs to help build smoother, younger looking skin. Aloe aids in the removal of dead skin cells, helps your skin hydrate itself, and provides deeper nourishment.
• Fight off free radicals: Aloe vera is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, waste product that’s naturally created when food is turned into energy.
• Nutrition! Aloe is full of over 200 active compounds, including soluble forms of calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, B, C, E, Folic and and more, giving your body the nutrition it craves.
Mind Over Body with Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a therapy that helps you harness your mind’s power to help improve your health. It is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment called mind-body therapy, which helps enable you to use your thoughts and will to control your body. The therapy is based on the idea (and confirmed by scientific studies), that people have the innate potential to influence with their minds many of the automatic, involuntary functions of their bodies. So how do you develop such an amazing ability of mind over matter? With the help of a biofeedback specialist, who uses signals from special monitoring equipment to teach you to control certain body functions and their responses, such as: brain activity, blood pressure, muscle tension, heart rate, skin temperature, and sweat gland activity.
Biofeedback is particularly useful in treating stress-related conditions like asthma, headaches, hot flashes, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, irregular heartbeats, chronic low back pain, high blood pressure, incontinence, and even epilepsy. Biofeedback puts you in charge of your own healing by providing measurable feedback, which allows you to monitor your progress and learning, and may decrease medical costs too.
A typical biofeedback session lasts 30 - 60 minutes during a session, a therapist will apply electrical sensors to different parts of your body which monitor your body's physiological response to stress, like your muscle contraction during a tension headache, and then feed the information back to you via cues such as a beeping sound or a flashing light. This allows you to begin to associate your body's response — in this case, headache pain — with certain physical functions, such as your muscles tensing. When you begin to realize that your headache is a result of tense muscles, the next step is to learn how to invoke positive physical changes in your body, such as relaxing those specific muscles, when your body is physically or mentally stressed.
The goal is to produce these responses on your own, outside the therapist's office and without the help of technology so your condition can improve and give you techniques for living a healthier life.
The Many Ways to Use Lemon Oil
Also called “sunshine oil” because of its lovely and vivid fragrance, lemon oil is cold pressed from the rinds of lemons, has a soft pale yellow to a slight green shade and a an amazingly refreshing aroma. Lemon oil can be found mixed with various other substances available in the market but as long as you can perceive the scent of freshly peeled lemon, you will know that’s its authentic lemon oil. Like other essential oils, lemon oil has antiseptic properties and is widely used for aromatherapy and massage oils too, as well as cleaning and disinfecting. But did you know that lemon oil also reduces stress and helps increase levels of concentration? Some even say it has antidepressant properties and can increase morale. Lemon oil has been used over the years to treat anxiety and blood pressure problems and it also helps to relieve sore throat and digestive problems as well as respiratory tract infections.
Its high vitamin content helps to build the body's resistance to fight against diseases and it can be very helpful with stomach cramps, acidity and indigestion. It is overall quite beneficial for the immune system as well. This oil is also lovely on the skin, and can be very helpful for tired skin, open pores or acne scars. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to dilute the oil before applying.
Lemon oil also adds a luster and sheen to dull and limp hair and can fight off dandruff, too. It also helps to nourish and protect your furniture especially wood can look as good as new if cleaned with some lemon oil on a little bud of cotton or soft cloth. I also love to add it to my homemade vinegar-based floor wash for an extra fresh scent! Much better than those artificial lemon tile soaps, isn’t it? And you’ll find the whole family will enjoy it too. Just add 5-10 drops to your 1 cup vinegar, 1.5 gallon water mix and wash away!
How to Be a Lean, Mean, Eco-Friendly and Green-Cleaning Machine
Are you interested in protecting the environment? Have green ideals? Are you sensitive to chemical cleaners? There are many reasons for wanting nontoxic household cleaners and the health of yourself and your kids are often the main concern. In fact, injuries caused by exposure to toxic cleaning supplies are a risk that’s a reality hundreds of thousands of times a year in the U.S. alone and exposure to cleaning products is one of the most common causes of poisoning for children and adults. So, endless companies are coming out with nontoxic and eco-friendly cleaning products, including brands like Ecover, Method, and Seventh Generation so you no longer need crazily-strong toxic chemicals to get your house really clean.
When trying to go green in your cleaning, first off, try looking at labels for specific, eco-friendly ingredients that also perform effectively such as grain alcohol instead of toxic butyl cellosolve as a solvent; coconut or other plant oils rather than petroleum in detergents; and plant-oil disinfectants such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or sage, instead of triclosan. You can also mix your own cleaners, a few safe, simple ingredients such as plain soap, water, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), vinegar, lemon juice, and borax to satisfy most household cleaning needs in a green-friendly and safe way.
Here is a list of common, environmentally safe products which can be used alone or in combo all over the house and home:
• Baking Soda: cleans, deodorizes, softens water, serves as a gentle scrub
• Soap: unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean about anything
• Lemon: one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria
• Borax (sodium borate): cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans painted walls and floors
• White Vinegar: cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up
• Cornstarch: can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs
The Mind-Body Biological Mechanism
Though the term mind-body connection is one that seems a bit new-agey or even esoteric to some, the concept is a simple one. The things that we feel emotionally affect out bodies as does the experience in our physical body affect the way we feel emotionally or mentally. But how exactly do they affect one another and what is the mechanism for their relationship?
Recent research has found that each and every cell contains a tiny clock called a telomere, which shortens each time the cell divides. Cells which have short telomeres are linked to a range of diseases, including HIV, osteoporosis, heart disease and aging.
Certain enzymes within the cell, called telomerases, keep immune cells young by preserving their the length of the telomere clock and ability to continue dividing. What scientists have found is that the stress hormone cortisol suppresses immune cells' ability to activate their telomerase which may be why the cells of persons under chronic stress have shorter telomeres.
This explains how how stress makes people more susceptible to illness. The more cortisol they produce when under stress, the shorter those telomeres and thus the more vulnerable you would be to getting sick?
These findings also suggest a potential drug target for preventing damage to the immune systems of people under long-term stress, such as caregivers to chronically ill family members, as well as astronauts, soldiers, air traffic controllers and people who drive long daily commutes. When the body is under panic or stress, it boosts production of cortisol to support a fight or flight response and if the hormone remains elevated in the bloodstream for long periods of time, though, it wears down the immune system.
So scientists are testing therapeutic ways of enhancing telomerase levels to help the immune system ward off cortisol's effect. How’s that for a mind-body connection? In the meantime, relaxation techniques such as medication can do wonders for reducing cortisol levels and thus protecting yourself from disease.
Simple Pleasures
Life seems to be getting more and more fast-paced and stressful over time. With the rapid growth in technology we are pushed to pack much more into a day and this sometimes comes at the expense of relationships, meaningful experiences, good health and simple pleasures. However, there is a growing movement to return to simple pleasures and valuing the simple and good things in life. Here are some ways in which you can start doing that today and enjoy a greater quality of life:
• Choose experience: go see a play, not movies; listen to bands instead of CDs; play charades instead of video games.
• Learn about other cultures through food.
• Reconnect with long-lost friends.
• Throw a surprise party for someone or do an unexpected favor.
• Get personal. Make a phone call, send a card or handwritten note, its much friendlier.
• Just do it something you’ve been wanting to do like training to hike a big mountain—after all, what are you waiting for?
• Get a hobby. Rekindle a childhood passion you've sidelined for lack of time.
• Sign up for a charity run/walk and support a good cause, meet new people and enjoy a sense of purpose.
• Take a night class in a subject that has nothing to do with your job. Or, learn a new language.
• Make mealtimes mindful. Decorate the table with candles and flowers, play music, say grace or a personal affirmation and eat consciously.
• Cultivate your spirit. Whether you look for it in a church or out in nature, find something that nourishes your soul.
• Get in the best shape of your life, whether you're 23 or 73. Being fit and feeling good in your body is mentally and emotionally uplifting.
• Mark your calendar. Highlight the days you should do a breast self-exam.
• Flush all expired medications. Restock your first-aid kit if necessary.
• Refresh your routines.
• Unclutter your environment and spruce up your home.
• Plan your next vacation. The anticipation - checking out guidebooks and brochures, routes, activities - will infuse you with excitement.
All About Reiki Healing
is a holistic therapy which brings about healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy," so Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy." The spiritual practice was first developed in 1922 by Mikao Usui who after a 3-week fast and meditation on Mount Kurama, in Japan, who claimed to receive the ability of "healing without energy depletion." Reiki teachings say that there is an inexhaustible, universal "life force" spiritual energy that can be used to induce a healing effect on any number of diseases or illnesses.
Believers in Reiki say that anyone can gain access to this energy by an atonement process carried out by a Reiki Master. Energy is said to flow through the practitioner's hands whenever the hands are placed on, or held near a potential recipient. Some stress the importance of the practitioner's intention or “presence” in this process, while others claim that the energy is drawn by the recipient's injury to activate or enhance the natural healing processes.
The Reiki belief is that the energy is "intelligent", so diagnosis is unnecessary. A second level of training, which includes another initiation, is said to equip the practitioner to perform Reiki treatments from a distance; the method uses special symbols which create a temporary connection between the practitioner and the Reiki recipient, no matter the location, and then to send the energy.
There is no scientific evidence for either the existence of ki or any mechanism for its manipulation, and a systematic review of randomized clinical trials conducted in 2008 did not support the efficacy of Reiki or its recommendation for use in the treatment of any condition. Nevertheless, many people have reported amazing results with Reiki, which feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well being.
Happiness, Material-Free
All around us, there are messages telling us to buy stuff. On the Internet (blogs included), we see continuous advertising trying to get us to purchase a product or service. It’s the main reason for television, and movies are continually made with products placed throughout, so that we aren’t always sure what is advertising and what was put in there by the director. Flip on the radio or open up a newspaper or magazine, and you’re bombarded my more advertising. Go to a shopping center/mall, and the urge to buy comes from every direction. This message to continually buy, buy, buy … and that it will somehow make us happier. Here are some ways to stay in our modern society, but find ways to escape materialism. Here are some suggestions:
Limit television. Think about which shows you really, really love, and only watch during that time. When the commercials come on, go do something else.
Or use Tivo to watch TV. Or even give up cable TV entirely, if you dare!
Boycott the news for a week.
Limit Internet reading. Just do it once a day, for 30 minutes or so. If you can do that, you’ve gone a long way towards tearing yourself away from advertising.
Give up magazines for books. Magazines are also designed with advertising in mind. And they rarely give you much value. Try reading an ad-free book instead. It’s a much better use of your time.
Don’t go to the mall or Walmart. Find a place where you don’t need to spend money to have fun — like a park or a beach.
Monitor your urges. Once you become more aware of your urges to buy things, you can start to control them.
Declutter. It’s a rewarding process, and at the same time, it makes you realize how useless all our consumer shopping is.
Buy used. Look in thrift shops or garage sales or flea markets or similar places.
A Beginner's Guide to Meditation
The purpose of meditation is to relax and calm the mind and relax the body. Choose a quiet time when you would not be disturbed at all, at least for 5 to 10 minutes. The idea behind keeping the time a little less, in the beginning, is to let you get comfortable with the principles of meditation- silence and concentration. The mind is so used to wandering and flitting about, that getting it to remain still needs some practice. While it is possible to meditate while standing or walking, to begin with sit in a comfortable posture, keeping your eyes partially closed, so as to avoid getting distracted by your surroundings.
If you are more comfortable keeping your eyes open, then try and focus on a single point in front of you, because if you keep looking around, you wouldn’t be able to calm the mind. Don’t be too conscious about your posture. Choose a place where you would feel relaxed and undisturbed. If you can, choose to meditate outdoors but indoors, too is good as long as the place is free of clutter. Try to make your meditation a ritual by lighting a candle, burning some incense, playing some soft, or soothing music and then begin.
Take in a deep breathe, fill your lungs with fresh, pure air and observe the passage of air through your body. Then exhale softly and again, focus on the passage of air leaving your lungs.
You may choose a sound to focus on or simply, concentrate on the passage of your breath or play some music to focus on. Continue this for 5-10 minutes, whatever is comfortable for you, and at the end of the session, rub your palms together and place them lightly on your eyes. Open your eyes and smile gently as you get ready to face the world around you.
Try and meditate at least once a day to begin with and gradually, you could meditate even twice and experience greater benefits.
The Drugs That Can Dampen Desire And Sex Drive
We consume a lot of medication and drugs for lot of other ailments. Unknowing its side effects or at times even ignoring its side effects. Medicines are mainly to treat and cure us from our ailments but there are certain medications which perform affective as well as leave certain side effects which can be more troublesome to deal with. Few side effects include hair fall, acne; black spots on your body, increase in appetite and sleep, excess weight gain etc. There are certain drugs available in the market which side effects include dampening your desire to have sex or sex drive.
Antidepressants pills are one of the drugs that not only reduce your sexual drive but can also lead to premature ejaculation, delayed orgasm and even impotence. About 90% of all the blood pressure pills can decrease sex and lead to impotence among men. Painkillers, Seizure drugs, Finasteride and Psychiatric drug are also largely responsible for dampening sexually desires.
Impotence in some men is caused by taking medication for reducing cholesterol and also prostate medication.
Medications can also have severe side effects on women's sex drive also. The Oral contraception used by many women drastically brings down the enthusiasm of sex in them. Even discontinuing these pills later shall not make a difference. It is always recommended that medications prescribed by the doctor should be checked for any possible side effects and in case these medications can be replaced with safer ones. Women on depression pills can also experience lower sex drives and orgasm delay. Hormonal disorder in women also can lead to dampen sex drive. Estrogen is a hormone that maintains the condition of the reproductive system. When levels of estrogen drop automatically a woman looses her interest in sex.
Some birth controlling pills contribute in decreasing the estrogen levels in women. Women can be suggested to use alternative methods of contraception rather than contraception pills. Sexual intercourse can be carried in the safe period of the women to overcome this problem. Consuming medication for contraception for a continuous period of six months can completely destroy sex drive of a woman. This can lead to emotional and mental stress.
Doctors and medical practitioners should also educate the patient on the side effects of the medicine prescribed instead of putting the patient through an emotional turmoil. It is the right of the patient to know and be mentally prepared for the outcome. Inmost of the cases reducing the dose or switching the medication can lessen the effect of previous medications. Some of medications are available at the drug store with out any prescription. Patience need to be very cautious while consuming any medications any changes in their habits or life style need to be immediately reported to the doctor.
This shall help in treating at an early stage rather than treating when the damage is already done.
These side effects can create misunderstandings among couples and ruin relationships, hence proper guidance and knowledge about the medication must be provided to the patient.
How Medical Credentialing Can Reduce Healthcare Costs
We all know that there are a lot of extra costs that go into healthcare besides just what we pay for insurance. Medical malpractice is a huge issue, whether there was malpractice or not. So what are hospitals doing these days to help with all of these extra costs in healthcare?
One big step that a lot of hospitals have taken is medical staff credentialing. If you've never heard of credentialing, here's the basic idea: before a doctor or physician can perform a procedure in a hospital they have to have the credentials to do so. So basically it's a way that the hospital can make sure the doctor is really qualified to do what they are trying to do.
So how does this help the healthcare system? Well, there are a couple of ways this helps:
First, it cuts down on patient injury by real malpractice. Credentialing keeps unqualified doctors from doing a procedure they shouldn't be doing.
If you don't have the credentials, you don't do the procedure.
Secondly, it saves on time and expense of investigations. There is a lot of money lost by taking the time of healthcare professionals to track down what happened and why. If there are less incidents, there is less cost.
There are other reasons as well, but these are some of the main reasons why credentialing is a good idea. If any hospitals are not currently using this type of system, they really should.
The other great thing for hospitals is that there are companies that have developed software that will help them to track the credentials that a doctor has.
This way they don't have to run to the filing cabinet and waste time, they can pull the file up immediately and know whether a doctor is qualified or not.
While medical staff credentialing is not the one thing that will fix the extra costs in our healthcare system, it can definitely help. With costs going up every year, anything hospitals can do to reduce the cost of malpractice is a good thing.
All hospitals should have a medical credentialing system in place!
Should Immunisation Be Made Compulsory For School Children
Immunization is one of the best contributions of science to the mankind. It is a fortification process that protects the human immune system against an agent that can bring infectious disease. Immunisation can be active or passive in nature. It is usually in the form of vaccines that prepare the human body against a transmittable disease.
The process of immunization is initiated with the birth of the baby and is essential for the healthy growth of the baby. It has helped in controlling some life threatening diseases from the world. According to the statistics given by World Health organization, it helps in saving 3 millions lives each year as it protects against diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, Diphtheria etc.
Some of the most important vaccines are due for children who are from 4-12 years old. These vaccines includes DTap, MMR, IPV, Varicella, HPV, MCV4 and will protect them against Dephtheria, Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella etc.
So it is essential that these vaccines be given on time. This age group is of the children who go to school as usually children are admitted at the age of 4 and above.
It has been seen that people often neglect this very important responsibility sometime only because of sheer negligence and sometimes because of their ignorance. This is specifically true in countries that are under-developed. This casualness can endanger the health of a whole generation of kids.
That is why immunization must be made compulsory for school children since usually children of ages 4 and above are enrolled in schools all around the world. This will provide surety that each and every school going child gets his due share of immunization.
This process will work specifically in those countries where elementary education is compulsory. The government can enforce all schools to ensure immunization of children in cooperation with the respective health department.
This would make vaccinations timely and mandatory for children of all ages and from all backgrounds.
However, there are people who are against this notion. They are of the view that no one can care better for children than their own parents. It should be left to the parents' discretion whether to immunize their children or not, as parents are the sole caretakers for their children.
This point of view can acutely affect the health of our children. All of us remember the incident when MMR immunization was wrongly linked to autism disease and people refrained from getting their kids vaccinated for MMR. This resulted in country wide measles outbreaks in children.
Since parents are not aware of the whole situation, they can be influenced by myths. That is why immunization must be made compulsory by schools.
This would help in making sure that all the children get their share of vaccinations regardless of their financial or social background. When the state can take action against careless parents, it can also take such extreme action for safety of the new generation.
Cholesterol Reducing Drugs
If you ignore your blood cholesterol levels and never take into consideration your doctor's advice regarding a change in a lifestyle orientated towards re-discovering your eating habits and exercising, then you will be faced with the possibility of taking cholesterol reducing drugs. Those who have dangerously high cholesterol levels will get a medical prescription to aid them in lowering them.
The only problem is that the drugs are totally inefficient if you are still not willing to change your lifestyle. In addition to this, all cholesterol reducing drugs have nasty side effects, and some can even pose a serious threat to your general health.
Furthermore, recent studies show that one of the most used drugs for reducing blood cholesterol can lead to cancer. The specific substance contained in drugs like Inegy should be taken with great care.
Although further health inspections and thorough research have been carried out to check for links to cancer, results are still inconclusive. Regardless, health officials said that they are not even sure if the drug works - as all cholesterol reducing drugs are just ways to speed up reactions to certain foods, and cannot reduce levels alone.
Another cholesterol reducing drug called Simvastatin can cause severe sleep problems in some patients. Anterior studies revealed that in fact, some patients use statines to reduce cholesterol and that they often sleep uncomfortably and even commonly have nightmares. Drugs in this category all contain statines, some lipophilic and other hydrophilic.
These drugs get to the brain directly through the blood because they are soluble in lipids. Neuronal circuits in the brain can be affected if the lipid isolation around them, called myelin, stops working properly, and therefore permitting the electric signal from traveling properly or making it get weaker.
Unfortunately, this is often the case in people with high cholesterol levels.
The results of a study conducted in relation to this proved that all participants who took drugs to reduce cholesterol reported serious sleep quality deterioration. And since sleep quality directly influences the quality of life and health, these drugs do more harm than good. Doctors still claim that not all people taking substances soluble in fats will necessarily experience sleep disorders, even if all those tested did, but this is a risk too high to take.
We all know that stress can also contribute to a significant increase in cholesterol levels, because it decreases metabolism and causes fat to be deposited in our blood. A poor sleep is the very basis of serious stress problems, not to mention the general mental state that a lack of sleep can create.
It is vital sometimes to reduce cholesterol levels in your blood, because if you fail to, you could be at great risk to various diseases.
No one will be forcing you into taking medication that has many undesired side effects. Since all cholesterol medical drugs are trying to influence directly internal processes, it's impossible not to experience side effects. And above this, these drugs are only efficient in a small way, and only if you start living a healthy life. Since it is your lifestyle that ultimately determines cholesterol levels, before deciding that medication is your last hope, it's best to start improving your lifestyle straight away, with a balanced diet, omega 3 supplements and by practicing sports regularly.
Wound Dressings - Hydrocolloids
You may have used hydrocolloid dressings in your practice, but perhaps you are wondering if you have been using them correctly. The following guide will help you to decide which wounds hydrocolloids may be used on, and under what circumstances they should not be used.
Product Overview
Hydrocolloids are dressings composed of varying materials such as carboxymethylcellulose, pectin and gelatin. The substance that comprises the layer that comes in contact with the wound may be different, depending on the type of hydrocolloid dressing. What they all have in common is that they provide a moist healing environment that is conducive to autolytic debridement and the formation of granulation tissue. These dressing come in many different shapes and sizes and may be found in paste, powder and wafer form.
Indications
- Pressure ulcers
- Partial and full-thickness wounds
- Necrotic wounds or wounds with slough
- Wounds with light to moderate drainage (exudate)
Contraindications
- Wounds with heavy exudate
- Wounds containing sinus tracts
- Wounds with fragile skin surrounding the wound
- Wounds with exposed structures (i.e. bones or tendons)\
Advantages
- May be used as either a primary or a secondary dressing
- Do not allow bacteria to enter the wound
- Encourage autolytic debridement
- Variety of shapes and sizes allow you to choose one which adheres well to the wound being treated
- Slight to moderate absorptive properties
- Minimal skin trauma
- Minimal disruption of healing
- Allow wound visualization (if transparent)
- Can be used in conjunction with compression products
Disadvantages
- May leave a sticky residue on the wound edges, or may leave a residue in the wound itself
- Opaque hydrocolloids make wound assessment difficult
- Heavily draining wounds may cause dressing to become dislodged
- Occlusive nature of these dressings minimizes gas exchange between the wound and the environment
- Edges of the dressing may curl
- Can injure fragile skin when removing the dressing
At woundeducators.com, we understand that life is hectic, and keeping up to date on all the latest industry news can be difficult. This is why we have dedicated ourselves to becoming the one resource that you can turn to in order to keep you up to speed in the rapidly developing field of wound care management. If you are interested in becoming a certified wound care specialist, visit us at WoundEducators.com to find out more about how you can advance your career, earn more money and enjoy greater job opportunities.Source:
Hess, C. (2002). Clinical Guide: Wound Care. Fourth Edition.
Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corporation.
Another Reason to Lose That Belly: Pear-Shaped Women More Attractive
Are you an apple or a pear? It’s well-known that women shaped like pears—small waist, bigger hips—have lower risks of heart disease and diabetes than do apple shapes, which carry more belly fat. Now a study reveals that most people find pear-shaped women more attractive, too.
Using morphing software, German researchers manipulated the features of one woman into 243 variations with different leg lengths, weights, bust sizes, and hip and waist widths. When more than 34,000 people judged the images (shown online for the study), the pear shape significantly beat out the apple shape.
3 Tips for Staying Slim on Vacation
I used to think that vacation was the perfect excuse to indulge. But I quickly realized that was a bad idea when, a few days into my trip, I regained all the pounds I’d spent weeks losing. My bad habits began before I even left the airport. While waiting for my flight, I’d seek out greasy sandwiches and humongous pastries—what better time to splurge than vacation, right? I hated the challenge of maintaining a diet while I was supposed to be relaxing. But I’ve learned that if I want to continue to fit into my jeans, a little motivation and planning go a long way.
Watch what you wear on the plane
I used to stick to baggy sweats for long plane rides.
Sure, I was comfortable, but this type of clothing made me so relaxed that I forgot all about my healthy habits. And since I could barely see my body, I had no problem snacking throughout the whole flight—I couldn’t see my tummy expanding! Now when I travel, I make sure to wear formfitting, stylish clothing that makes me feel confident about myself. For me, wearing an attractive outfit is a constant reminder to stay on track with my healthy habits.
Pack smart snacks
I used to think that people who brought their own food on vacation were uptight control freaks, but I’ve learned that with a little advance planning, eating on the road doesn’t have to be burdensome.
It is vacation, after all, so I’ll splurge on something fun at the airport—like a soy milk Misto—to pair with a Lärabar or homemade peanut-butter-and-jelly on multigrain bread. And since I sometimes confuse thirst for hunger, I bring a big bottle of water and stay away from sodas and alcohol. If I’m taking a road trip, I always make sure to stow a cooler in the backseat with low-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers or fresh fruit.
I also pack a couple of emergency snacks for my weeklong trip. In the past, I’ve gotten myself in a lot of trouble by waiting until I was in the middle of an emergency hunger situation. I’d spend the afternoon sightseeing and then, starving, I’d come across a fast food restaurant that didn’t offer many healthy options—and suddenly a large order of fries sounded really appealing! So if I know that I have a full day ahead of me, I make sure to pack nutritious snacks to control my hunger. And if I have to settle for something that’s not on my “healthy list,” I remember that I can still control the size of the portion.
Focus on the experience
Instead of obsessing over the food,
I focus my attention on my entire vacation experience, including the sights, sounds, and people on my trip. And instead of spending money on overpriced, high-calorie foods, I save my dollars for nonedible souvenirs and beauty indulgences (hello, hot stone massage!).
How I Dodge Diet Traps at Family Get-Togethers
Counting calories is a tedious pain sometimes, but it’s better for me than a scripted menu plan. Part of my job means tasting foods (rough, I know), and calorie-counting gives me the flexibility in my diet to allow for that. It also lets me follow my own whims for what I want to cook and eat. Every day, I aim for about 1,700 calories worth of healthy, filling foods. (Find out how I got this number.)
That calorie count isn’t too restrictive, but the tricky part is sticking to it when I’m not at home! This past week I was visiting my parents on vacation, and I don’t think I could have had a tougher diet challenge.
It’s guaranteed that my parents’ kitchen contains Pepperidge Farm cookies, Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars, peanut-butter cups, chocolate bars… and on top of all that, requests for me to bake or cook their favorite foods. (I made a bittersweet chocolate tart for my mother on this trip.) And then, there’s the many restaurant meals to eat with family and old friends.
Here’s how I managed my eating during our family time and avoided diet pitfalls:
Eat a filling pre-flight snack before getting on the plane. This way I can easily pass by the airport food vendors. My snack is a glass of low-sodium tomato juice and a boiled egg. Total:
118 calories and 8 satiating grams of protein. (On the morning I flew back to Birmingham, I added another egg—that’s another 77 calories. Total: 195 calories.)Look up menu nutrition info before
going out to eat. Sunday night my sister wanted to go to PF Chang’s, so before we left I went online and decided I’d order the Wild Alaskan Steamed Salmon With Ginger and a small side of Shanghai Cucumbers. I also had two shrimp dumplings and a glass of unsweetened iced tea. Total: 429 calories. (I also went to a few locally owned independent restaurants that had no nutrition info available. There, I just had to make my best guess for something healthy, stick to soup or salad and skip the extra toppings, or go small by choosing a few appetizers.)Pack my own treat. It’s no secret I love chocolate. I took a few bars of my favorites so I could have a small yet decadent snack in the evening.
The trick is finding a treat that’s not only lower in calories than the other temptations around me but also something I look forward to. (Otherwise, hello, Häagen-Dazs bars…) This entire Lemon Ginger Dagoba bar has 250 calories; I can savor it over three nights, as long as my boyfriend doesn’t find it. Total: About 84 calories.
How to Drop Those Last Few Pounds
Weight-loss success is so close you can taste it. But when dieting how do you stay the course when you just want to be there already?
“It’s definitely the homestretch. I’m so close to my goal,” says AJ Cook, who admits she has moments when she’s tempted to call it an early day.
The solution: Follow the advice from our experts so you can seal the deal on the body you’ve worked so hard for—and so utterly deserve!
So-close challenge #1:
I’ve lost most of the weight. Why not just quit now?
We know, we know—it can be really tempting to stop making the effort before you reach your goal (especially if your jeans are fitting better).
But why give up when you’re so close? Instead, remind yourself why it’s so worth it to keep going, says Dream Team psych expert Judith S. Beck, PhD. Her advice? Create a “memory box” filled with “worth it” cards. “Write down your positive experiences,” she suggests. “Make a note when you get a compliment that makes you happy, when you fit into a smaller size of clothing, when you leave a special event feeling good instead of overstuffed and mad at yourself.” Then flip through the cards at least once a day (more, if you find it helpful!) to keep your motivation high.
“My results have started to motivate my husband, who is now saying, ‘You’re looking so good, I have to drag my butt back into the gym.”
Next page: So-close challenge #2
Vacation Dieting Part 2: Putting My Rules Into Practice
When my husband and I took a trip to the West Coast last week, I didn’t let my healthy eating habits take a vacation too. I’ve already shared my secrets for staying healthy at the airport or on the road, but maintaining my weight loss is a whole different story when I get to my destination. Still, with not a lot of effort, I incorporated a number of (painless) healthy strategies into my trip.
Make exercise a priority
I never used to exercise on vacation. Vacation was supposed to mean a break from my normal routine, right? I’d spend my time lounging around, sipping cocktails, and munching on less-than-nutritious snacks, which left me feeling sluggish and unhappy with myself. Now, I try to include some sort of exercise on all of my vacations to keep myself feeling confident. I’ve learned that not everyone on my vacation enjoys planning active things like walking tours, hiking, and swimming—but I still make exercise a priority for me.
Packing a resistance band and using the television guide for exercise programs is another great way to work out in the comfort of my hotel room. I also make sure to pack my sneakers and iPod for a quick jog to offset some of those extra vacation calories. I like to run first thing in the morning before everyone else wakes up so I don’t miss out on the activities planned for later in the day. If I can’t find time for a workout, even a brisk walk after dinner makes me feel good and helps me stick to my healthy habits.
Know when to splurge
Before I lost weight, I wouldn’t pay much attention to what I was eating on vacation, but too much indulging had me returning a few pounds heavier and unhappy with myself. Now when I splurge, not just any food will do—it has to be worth it! When I was just in Victoria, British Columbia, my husband and I planned a special wine tour and three-course lunch.
Calorie-wise, the wine tour and lunch were a big splurge, but it was a conscious overindulgence with lasting memories—instead of just regular old vacation fare that didn’t mean much. To balance out the extra calories, I planned to eat a light breakfast and dinner, so I could fully enjoy my special wine tour with my hubby.
Think small when eating out
Rather than repress my foodie urges, I learned to trim my portion sizes up front. On our recent vacation, my husband and I dined at a Spanish tapas restaurant. Tapas are a great way to taste a number of different dishes, but avoid the inflated portion sizes. By ordering less, I didn’t overindulge and, at the same time, it adjusted my image of how much to eat. If “small plates” aren’t an option, I pair an appetizer with a salad or soup for my meal, which allows me to enjoy many foods of smaller portion sizes.
The hotel where we stayed offered a free continental breakfast. Before my weight loss, I would have picked a fruit Danish and a cup of coffee. A sugary pastry inevitably set me up for disaster because it lacked staying power—I’d be hungry just a couple of hours later. Now, I know the importance of incorporating protein and some healthy fats into my breakfast. If the continental breakfast has a hot bar, I order scrambled eggs or an egg-white omelet. If my breakfast options are limited, yogurt with cereal or an English muffin with peanut butter and fresh fruit are my go-to foods. If the only choices at the continental breakfast are enormous bagels and donuts,
I seek out my own healthy foods at a local farmers’ market or grocery store, which are typically easy to find and provide a unique opportunity to explore the area and try new items.
To save calories and money during my trip, my husband and I decided to eat in for a few of our meals. For breakfast, it was easy to pack some tried-and-true foods, like instant oatmeal, Lärabars, and whole-grain cereal. Eating in for lunch and dinner are great opportunities to include high-nutrient, high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Veggie-packed sandwiches and salads, for example, are easy ways to get your vegetables and they don’t require much prep work. Typically, a market or grocery store with lots of good-for-you options is just a few minutes away and almost as easy as ordering a meal from a restaurant. In most cases, eating in is a healthier and cheaper option!
Stuffy Nose? 5 Ways to Tell if You Need an Antibiotic
Think antibiotics are a quick fix for a stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat? You're not alone. Tom Campbell, MD, a family physician from Rochester, N.Y., says that patients often plead for antibiotics for garden-variety cold symptoms, saying everything from "The last time it helped me completely" to "I have to go to my daughter's wedding" and "There's this terrible green guck coming out of my nose."
There's just one problem. While antibiotics are excellent at killing bacteria (as long as you match the right drug to the right germ), they're useless at killing viruses. And viruses, including the flu, cause 90% of respiratory infections. "Most upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses; a minority are caused by bacteria," says Lauri Hicks, MD, medical director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work" program. For example, Dr. Hicks notes, only 2% of sinus infections are caused by bacteria and require an antibiotic.
So what, you say? Antibiotics might help and they certainly can't hurt, right? Wrong. The evidence is piling up that using antibiotics indiscriminately is dangerous from a public health standpoint (it can breed drug-resistant bacteria) and even personally (they kill off healthy bacteria in your body and may let toxic germs gain a foothold).
However, there are times when the icky green goo in your nose or the hideous rattling cough in your chest might benefit from the antibiotic superhero treatment. So how do you know if you need one?
The Growing List of Medications to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medicines are the main treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The types of medicines used depend on the severity of your disease, how fast it is progressing, and how it affects your daily life.
If your symptoms ease and you are in remission, you and your doctor will decide whether you can take less medicine or stop taking medicine. If your symptoms get worse, you will have to start taking medicine again.
Medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis are used to:
- Relieve or reduce pain.
- Improve daily function.
- Reduce joint inflammation. Signs of joint inflammation include swelling, tenderness, and limited range of motion.
- Prevent or delay significant joint damage and deformity.
- Prevent permanent disability.
- Improve quality of life.
All people with rheumatoid arthritis are considered candidates for DMARD treatment. DMARDs can help prevent the significant joint damage that may occur in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis. DMARDs are also called immunosuppressive drugs or slow-acting antirheumatic drugs (SAARDs).
Early treatment with DMARDs may significantly reduce disease severity. Experts recommend that DMARD treatment be continued for a prolonged period of time to sustain the benefit of disease control.8
DMARDS can be divided into two general categories based on how they work: oral DMARDs and biological DMARDs. Oral DMARDS are taken by mouth. They interfere with the making or working of immune cells that cause joint inflammation. Biological DMARDS are given by injection (infusion). They act in several different ways to affect how immune cells work. DMARDs decrease joint inflammation and damage.
Medicines may be given together. This is called combination therapy. Oral medicines are combined with each other or with biological DMARDs. But biological DMARDs are not used with each other because of a higher risk of infection.
Combination therapy may allow for lower doses of an individual drug to be used, which may reduce the risk of side effects that can occur with higher doses. Combination therapy may be an effective way to reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, control the disease, and prevent it from getting worse. And you may need fewer treatment adjustments with combination therapy than with treatment using individual medicines.
13
Some medicines for rheumatoid arthritis may cause birth defects. If you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, talk with your health professional about your medicines.
Medication Choices
Medications to slow the progression of disease: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are usually started within 3 months of your diagnosis and are used to control the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and to try to prevent joint deterioration and disability. DMARDs are often given in combination with other DMARDs or with other medications, such as corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Commonly used oral DMARDs:
- Antimalarial medications such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or chloroquine (Aralen)
- Leflunomide (Arava)
- Methotrexate such as Rheumatrex
- Sulfasalazine such as Azulfidine
- Azathioprine such as Imuran
- Cyclophosphamide such as Cytoxan or Neosar
- Cyclosporine such as Neoral or Sandimmune
- Gold salts such as Ridaura or Aurolate
- Minocycline such as Dynacin or Minocin
- Penicillamine such as Cuprimine or Depen
- Abatacept (Orencia)
- Adalimumab (Humira)
- Anakinra (Kineret)
- Etanercept (Enbrel)
- Infliximab (Remicade)
- Rituximab (Rituxan)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. NSAIDs are used to control pain and may help reduce inflammation. They do not control the disease or stop it from getting worse. NSAIDs may be combined with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
- Corticosteroids such as prednisone or Medrol. Corticosteroids are used to reduce disease activity and joint inflammation. But using corticosteroids as the only therapy for an extended time is not considered the best treatment. Corticosteroids are often used to control symptoms and flares of joint inflammation until DMARDs reach their full effectiveness, which can take up to 6 months.
- Analgesics (pain relievers). These do not reduce inflammation but may assist with pain control. Commonly used prescription analgesics include:
- Acetaminophen with codeine (such as Tylenol with codeine).
- Acetaminophen with hydrocodone (such as Vicodin).
- Tramadol.
- Propoxyphene (such as Darvon).
- Nonprescription acetaminophen, which may be used to reduce pain.
What to Think About
Some DMARDs can take up to 6 months to work. In some people, a certain DMARD may not work at all, and a different DMARD will be used. Rapid improvement should not be expected. Medications for rheumatoid arthritis are best managed by a doctor who specializes in inflammatory diseases of the joints (rheumatologist).Many DMARDs have serious side effects. Regular blood and urine tests are usually needed when using a DMARD to monitor the drug's effects on blood-producing cells (bone marrow), the kidneys, and the liver.
Experts are studying many medicines that might be used for rheumatoid arthritis. Examples include:
- Tacrolimus (Prograf), an inhibitor of a protein called calcineurin. In one 6-month trial, people who had rheumatoid arthritis that had not responded to DMARD treatment experienced a reduction in disease activity and symptoms.14
- Tocilizumab, another biological DMARD that slows inflammation by inhibiting cytokine function. The results of research trials suggest that tocilizumab may reduce disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.15
Who Is at Risk for Chronic Pain
Factors that may increase the risk of chronic pain include:
- Aging. Older adults are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, shingles, and other causes of nerve problems (neuropathy). But chronic pain is not a normal part of growing older.
- Smoking. Nicotine use can increase pain and decrease the effectiveness of medicines.
- Health problems. These include:
- Existing health conditions, such as fibromyalgia, shingles, arthritis, depression or anxiety disorders, or having a limb amputated (phantom limb pain).
- Past health problems, such as joint injuries. Also, previous surgery may cause new pain or may not work to relieve pain (such as back surgery that does not relieve pain).
- Overall general health condition. You may have a weakened immune system, which can lead to frequent infections or illness.
- Conditions that are difficult to treat, such as nerve pain from shingles (postherpetic neuralgia).
- Lifestyle, such as not eating healthy foods, not exercising regularly, smoking, or having a substance abuse or alcohol dependency problem.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Is this topic for you?
There are many types of arthritis (disease of the joints). This topic is about rheumatoid arthritis. If you are looking for information about how juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects young children, see the topic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you are looking for information on the most common form of arthritis in older adults, see the topic Osteoarthritis.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes tissues lining the joints to become swollen, stiff, and painful 
(inflamed).
Over time, this inflammation may destroy the joint tissues. This can limit your daily activities and make it hard for you to walk and use your hands.
Rheumatoid arthritis is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men. It often begins between the ages of 40 and 60.
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. But rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's natural defense system attacks the joints. The disease also runs in some families.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, knees, or neck. The disease usually affects both sides of the body at the same time. In rare but severe cases, it may affect the eyes, lungs, heart, nerves, or blood vessels.
See a picture of the most commonly affected joints .
Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis can cause bumps called nodules to form over the elbows, knuckles, spine, and lower leg bones.
How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
There is no single test for rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor will look at your joints for signs of swelling or tenderness. He or she will also ask about your symptoms and past health.
You may have blood tests, X-rays, and other tests to find out if another problem is causing your joint pain.
How is it treated?
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but treatment may help relieve symptoms and control the disease. Treatment continues throughout your life.
Treatment includes medicine, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
Experts recommend early treatment with medicines that may control rheumatoid arthritis or keep it from getting worse. Early treatment also may lower the chances that inflammation will destroy your joints and limit your daily activities.
Many of the medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis have side effects. So it is important to have regular checkups and talk with your doctor about any problems. This will help your doctor find a treatment that works for you.
At home, you can relieve your symptoms and help control your disease if you:
- Rest when you are tired.
- Protect your joints from injury by using special kitchen tools or doorknobs.
- Use splints, canes, or walkers to ease pain and take stress off your joints, if your symptoms are severe.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
It can be hard to live with a long-term illness that can limit your ability to do things. It is common for people with rheumatoid arthritis to have some depression. Be sure to seek the help and support you need from friends and family members. Professional counseling also can help you cope with long-term pain and depression.
A Biologic Drug Helped Me Conquer Rheumatoid Arthritis
I have had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for more than 20 years. When I was 24, like so many people with RA, I was misdiagnosed. I had been living with the skin disease discoid lupus since I was 14, and my doctor just assumed my new symptoms—chronic fatigue, achy joints, and full-body pain—meant that I had developed systemic lupus.
When I moved to North Carolina 18 months later and talked to my new doctor about my lupus, he said, “Honey, you don’t have lupus, you have rheumatoid arthritis.” I was thrilled! While painful, RA is an easier disease to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
I was initially treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. At one point,
I was taking up to 12 aspirin a day, but my ears were ringing. My doctors said, “Oops! That’s a problem.” They took me off aspirin and I embarked on a 15-year cycle of experimentation with different anti-inflammatories and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
Expert Answers on Complementary Therapies for Chronic Pain
Robert Bonakdar, MD, is the director of pain management at the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in San Diego.
Q: How many people with chronic pain use complementary remedies?
A: Surveys show that 40% or more of chronic pain patients use some level of complementary therapies. The number is high because pain is becoming epidemic. More people are experiencing pain, so you are going to have people who don’t get immediate relief and start searching for other options. According to several large surveys done by the National Institutes of Health, the needs of the pain patient aren’t always being met.
So it makes sense that pain patients will ask, "What else is out there?"
The most common treatments are manual therapies, such as massage or chiropractic, as well as herbal medicine, dietary supplements, acupuncture, and mind/body therapies (a catchall phrase for techniques like biofeedback, guided imagery, and meditation).
Q: Should anyone with chronic pain consider adding complementary approaches to their treatment?
A: Yes, within reason.
There are obviously many approaches that fall under that umbrella. Most of them are benign treatments—you aren’t going to necessarily mess anything up by doing them. My advice is always to use a health-care advocate like a doctor who can give you unbiased treatment advice. If you are getting to a point where other things aren’t working, most rational health-care providers will bring up other options. But we need a larger knowledge base—84% of doctors feel uncomfortable discussing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). When probed, they say that they don’t know enough about it.
Q: How do the mind and body interact when you're in pain?
A: We know pain can create very significant emotional and physical stress in the body. The stress component can cause a large cascade of stress hormones that go on to damage other parts of the body and place a huge burden on the brain. The brain literally changes from pain; the brain actually will lose part of the gray matter so you have a less functional brain. You also have more depression, more insomnia, and more anxiety—the nervous system becomes its own enemy.
Mind/body therapies are an elegant avenue to retrain the brain, and one is not necessarily better than another. They are all shifting the mind to a better place. It might not take your back pain away tomorrow, but it can give you excellent coping strategies and increase awareness of what modifies the pain.
