There are a lot of people with ankle arthritis. It does not have a specific term called ankle arthritis. It is really a fallout of osteoarthritis and even rheumatoid arthritis. The ankle is the main joint that supports the whole body’s weight. When arthritis sets in to the ankle and the foot, this pain is usually aggravated by the double impact that it receives from the weight of the body and the movement of the joint. You have to remember that the ankle joint moves in all directions. So when arthritis sets in you can have rapid deterioration of the cartilage.

Not All Ankle Pain is Equal

Just because you have pain in your foot does not mean that you have arthritis in your ankles. Sometimes it can be the hip and lower back that are the problems. You need an examination to determine if the harm is caused by the ankle or another health issue. You could rule out rheumatoid arthritis having a blood test. If the arthritis foot pain is osteoarthritis, you have to have a focused and intense treatment over time, maybe even for life.

You could just have a normal sprain in your ankle, which can seem as painful as a fracture. Physicians have a normal procedure called “RICE”. It is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Rest – give the cartilage and tissues time to repair and heal.

Ice Compression – helps to reduce the pain and inflammation.

Elevation – reduces the swelling and pain.

Ankle arthritis can be identified by very peculiar characteristics:

Recurrent pains for no reason

Pain has sudden swelling and stiffness of ankle

Pain and stiffness does not go with regular medicines

Big toe hurts the most and can turn to one side

Bunions develop and are painful

The treatment for foot arthritis and arthritis in ankles is pretty symptomatic. The doctor gives the standard drugs to control the pain and inflammation that is caused by arthritis. This will manage the pain well over time. The problem is the patient is going to have to take the medications for their life.

There are chronic arthritis patients that find relief in the natural or alternative medicines. These are not endorsed by the FDA or even doctors so it is difficult to recommend anything in particular. But the herbal medicines and yoga have been found effective in putting the arthritis in check or even reversing it.

For more information on arthritis pain relief visit: Ankle Arthritis

The use of water in the forms of spas, hot springs has been used to treat arthritis for centuries. More recently it has been discovered that specific exercises done in a pool can help patients with arthritis improve their range of motion and strength. Exercising in a pool is non-impact, so there is no shock to the joints. Also, the buoyancy of the water eliminates the risk of falling. Studies have demonstrated better quality of life scores in arthritis patients who participated in a water-based exercise program.

One of my patients was seen at Johns Hopkins and she brought back an outline of some great hydrotherapy exercises.

Here are a few exercises to consider:

High step: Stand in chest deep water. Walk back and forth across the pool lifting your knees high. Do 2 sets of 4 laps to start.

Lumbar rotation: prop your arms up on the pool ledge with your back to the wall. Bend your knees and bring them up to your chest. Rotate your legs from right to left. Then return your legs to the center and straighten them with your feet pointed down. Repeat while rotating your legs from left to right. Do 2 sets of 4 repetitions.

Knee flex/extend: Prop your arms on the pool ledge with your back to the wall. Bend and straighten your knees fully (extending). Repeat while alternating legs. Do 2 sets of 10 repetitions for each knee.

Quad stretch: Sit on the pool steps at the shallow end of the pool. Put your right foot on the next step down with your foot flat. Put your left foot straight out and rest it on the step below your right foot or the floor of the pool, whichever is next. Gently slide your hips forward until you feel a stretch across the top of the right thigh. Hold it for 20 seconds. Relax and repeat the stretch with your left foot. Do 2 repetitions each foot.

Knee squat: Stand in chest deep water with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly and gently squat while keeping your heels flat on the floor of the pool. Stand back up. Do 2 sets of 4 repetitions.

Calf raises: Stand in chest deep water with your hands resting on the pool ledge for support. Stand up on your tip toes, then lower your heels until your feet are flat on the pool bottom. Repeat. Do 2 sets of 15 repetitions.

Hip and leg figure 8′s: Stand in waist deep water. Spread your arms apart and hold onto the pool ledge with the hand closest to the edge. With your knees straight, move your right leg in a clockwise figure 8 motion. Then reverse, moving your leg in a counterclockwise figure 8. Repeat with your left leg. Do 2 sets of 4 repetitions each leg.

Shoulder towards: Stand in shoulder deep water with your left arm out and down at a 45 degree angle to your side. Move your arm up and in across your body toward the surface of the water. Return your arm to the starting position and repeat. Do 2 sets of 9 repetitions. Then do the same with the right arm.

Shoulder away: Stand in shoulder deep water with your left arm across the body and placed down at the opposite hip. Move your arm up and out away from your body to the surface of the water. Return to the starting position and repeat. Do 2 sets of 9 repetitions. Repeat with your right arm.

Side bends: Stand in waist deep water with your legs shoulder width apart. Raise your right arm over your head. Lean at the waist to the left and hold for 10 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat. Do 2 sets of 5 repetitions. Do the same with the left arm up leaning to the right.

As with any exercise program, get clearance from your rheumatologist and primary care physician before embarking on a program like this.

In 2001, a Gallup survey that was conducted on behalf of the AGA or the American Gastroenterological Association found that almost eight out of ten people who suffer from heartburn experience symptoms at night. Three quarters of nighttime heartburn sufferers report that their heartburn either keeps them from falling asleep or wakes them up during the night. About 40% report that their heartburn makes a significant impact on how they perform at work the next day. The AGA, in response to these surveys, introduced a campaign to try to educate the public concerning heartburn at night. The National Heartburn Alliance would also like to comment on the concerns that have been brought up concerning potential dangers that are associated with nighttime heartburn.

With sound advice from their health care professional, most heartburn sufferer’s symptoms should be brought under reasonable control. With medication and some changes in lifestyle, even the most severe cases of heartburn can be controlled.

For some people heartburn can be a serious problem. For those who have prolonged or persistent nighttime heartburn that does not respond to over-the-counter medications, they may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. They should be seeing a doctor for this condition. For people who have been suffering from heartburn for 5 years or more, they should talk with their physician about having a one-time diagnostic test. Here are the possible symptoms of GERD:

- Suffering from heartburn symptoms after taking either non-prescription of prescription medications as directed

- When you have taken non-prescription medication for heartburn for the longer than usual period that is stated on the label or if you are still experiencing symptoms after you take the medication

- If you experience severe wheezing or hoarseness

- If you have difficulty swallowing or if it is painful to do so, particularly with pills or solid foods

- If you experience drastic weight loss or vomiting

- You find that your discomfort interferes with your daily activities or lifestyle

- Symptoms become increasingly severe over time.

Those people that have occasional daytime and/or nighttime heartburn usually have milder symptoms and may be able to successfully use nonprescription heartburn medications. These people are at a lower risk to develop esophageal erosions and other symptoms that can develop from acid reflux disease. People who suffer from heartburn should keep in mind that there is a wide spectrum of symptoms that range from very mild to symptoms that are very severe. The majority of those who suffer from heartburn will not usually develop the more serious complications that involve the esophagus.

People who experience nighttime heartburn should try to do the following:

- Eating your meals at least 2 to 3 hours before you lie down will help. It will give the acid levels a chance to lessen and the stomach’s gastric contents will have time to empty into your intestinal tract before you put your body in a position that is more likely to cause heartburn.

- Elevate the head of your bed about 6 inches using blocks or wedges between the box spring and mattress. Gravity will help prevent the stomach acid from going up into the esophagus while you are lying down.

- Try to sleep on your left side. This aids digestion and it helps to remove acid from the stomach more quickly.

It is holiday season and we all know what that entails! Shopping, festivities, family and food. While we are hearing holiday songs piped in the stores, lights and decorations adorning windows of homes and stores, this can be a challenging time for many. The two main areas that seem to be especially challenging are Family and Food. Luckily there is a very simple mind body technique called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) that can, which I call your ‘Secret Weapon.’

Studies has shown that when we stimulate these acupoints EFT raises the serotonin in the brain. Serotonin does 2 things: it soothes us and it also erases fear reactions from a part of the brain that is involved with processing fear.

As we tap on a variety of acupressure points, the serotonin in the brain rises. Serotonin is a brain chemical, a neurotransmitter that calms us. The part of the brain that creates alarm when it perceives threat is then flooded with serotonin. This fear loop is disconnected, and we feel more at peace, grounded and are able to think objectively instead of reacting. As panic recedes, the thinking part of the brain is able to evaluate the problem from a new point of view and make new decisions. This can happen in a matter of minutes. Because many illnesses, physical challenges and habits are emotionally based these conditions clear up.

It also balances out any blocks that are in the meridians, which are the energetic pathways in the body.

Here are some situations that come up during the Holidays where EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) can be applied to diffuse tension, stress and prepare you for enjoying yourself.

Family
Three situations that can be especially tough at holiday gatherings are:

1. Conflict with a particular family member
It can be uncomfortable in any setting, holidays or not, to share a meal or being in a room with someone you don’t care for or have had arguments and past tensions with. There can be feelings of dread and wanting to avoid Here are some set up statements to explore:

2. Feeling pressured by parents/grandparents/siblings:
You have been dating your significant other for some time, and you know subtle and not-so-subtle hints will be made about ‘tying the knot.’ Or maybe you have been married/living together for some time and you are anticipating your Mom or Grandma’s comment, “Oh, I just hope I live long enough around to see my grandchildren.” GULP! EFT to the rescue!

3. First holiday after a loss*
Perhaps you have just separated or divorced this past year, or were laid off from your job. Maybe this is your first holiday after your spouse or a family member has died. These are all forms of loss, which can be a particularly sensitive topic around the holidays especially when the emphasis is on ‘good cheer.’

Food

1. Overeating*
Sweets, meats and treats… the holidays are about eating delicious dishes and favorite foods that are prepared for particular festivities. It can also be a time of dread for those that are desiring to not overindulge and feel guilty after. Try one of these set ups, modifying words to your specific situation and your specific feelings.

Do this “EFT work” well before the events you are attending. But don’t forget you can also so do EFT on the spot at the events! Feeling tension with a family member? Wanting to take a third slice of pumpkin pie? Slip into the bathroom or quiet corner, or even dash into your car and have an EFT quickie!

I also want to suggest scheduling a session with an EFT practitioner before the holiday events. You know how people run to their doctor and have flu shots before winter or the holiday season? Think of getting your own ‘shot in the arm’ with EFT before facing the festivities! (This goes for EFT practitioners as well.)

Remember as you are bustling about this season, to unwrap and use this most wonderful gift you already have, EFT, so that your holiday season can truly be festive and fun.

*Please note: while I have included suggestions for treating yourself with EFT, in the case of loss/grief or in chronic overeating/food issues doing EFT on yourself does not replace professional assistance, but rather works powerfully in conjunction with professional help.

In the mid 1980s, Dr. Devi Nambudripad discovered that allergies could be permanently eliminated using acupuncture or acupressure.

All over the world people are affected by the pain of Arthritis. As the body ages it becomes harder to maintain a good balance of nutrients, therefore, the body loses tissue and bone density because of those deficiencies. The two main forms are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis and these forms can be treated with prescription medication or natural herbal remedies.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease where the immune system attacks the joints in the body causing severe joint inflammation. The joint issues and cartilage are destroyed and as a result sufferers have extreme pain, deformation of joints, swelling and mobility limitations.

Osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the cartilage that pads and protects the joints because of trauma to the area. As the bone ends rub together due to lack of padding the pain can be excruciating. This pain causes many sufferers to limit their movement and because of this the muscles and other tissue in the body start to deteriorate causing them to lose weight.

Arthritis in humans is said to date back to early BC and it is rumored that willow tree bark was used to ease the pain. Today there are many herbal remedies available that are actually considered as pain relief and treatment for arthritis. Raw fruit and vegetable juices are recommended to gain nutrients that the body needs to rebuild and maintain tissue. There are also several herbs that have been proven to replenish and rejuvenate cartilage as well as easy joint inflammation and treat pain. Always consult your doctor before starting any herbal route as some prescriptions and herbs are harmful to the body when combined.

Investing in one of the many faucet water filters on the market is the best way to ensure that the water you drink is clean and safe. Many consumers feel that there’s no need to invest in a filter when they can buy bottled water from their local grocery store. Unfortunately, what many of these consumers don’t know is that bottled water isn’t really much safer than your everyday tap.

This may come as a shock, but there are no government standards that require bottled water to be safer or purer than your everyday tap water. Basically, that means you are paying more for bottled when it’s essentially the same as what you can drink from home, oftentimes even worse. In the long run, owning your own filter will allow you to save money and have healthier water available all of the time.

There are over 2,000 cancer-causing contaminants in our water. Unfortunately, with the production of more man-made chemicals, the toxicity will only continue to get worse. Before the invention of these chemicals, the population had a 1 in 50 chance of getting cancer. Since the creation of these chemicals, water consumers now have a 1 in 3 chance of getting cancer. Faucet mounted water filters are a wonderful way to purify the water used for drinking and cooking.

Another great benefit of quality faucet water filters, is that they remove contaminants without stripping the water of the natural trace minerals our bodies need, like distillers and reverse osmosis systems do. These two types of filters give you de-mineralized water with a very acidic pH, which is highly unhealthy.

One of the best faucet water filters you can purchase is a twin cartridge system. A quality filter will have a dual system that uses a combination of carbon filtration, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration. This produces healthy and great tasting water. Even better, it can be available at the convenience of your kitchen tap, by hooking up directly to your faucet, or being installed under the sink.

These multi-stage faucet water filters are a wonderful investment because two cartridges are more effective at purifying water. The first stage removes chlorine, sediment and other microscopic particles. The second stage then removes lead and volatile organic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and industrial solvents that can be damaging to your body.

As stated earlier, dual filter systems make great water. However, there are some faucet mounted water filters that also add potassium. When potassium is added to water, it enhances the mineral balance, which gives water a natural spring-like taste. If you’re looking for that extra bonus for your water, this is the way to go.

If you still feel like faucet water filters are unnecessary, think about this–there is no new water. This means that what goes down our drain gets recycled for future use. Yes, this also includes what gets bottled for sale. Due to the lack of standard regulations concerning the purity of water, the equipment used at your local water facility remains very primitive.

When you understand that low-grade equipment produces low-grade water, the importance of faucet mounted water filters becomes quite clear. The best way to have pure water on a regular basis is by investing in a filter for your home.

Remember, the best faucet water filters are the ones that eliminate contaminants using a dual filtration system. These filters use a combination of carbon filtration, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration to effectively remove chlorine, lead, volatile organic compounds, MTBE and other chlorine resistant chemicals. There is nothing wrong with investing in a more basic product, but if you want a truly effective product, this multi-stage process gives you more for your money.

In order to make a wise investment in faucet mounted water filters, it is best to ask the distributor for a performance data report. Doing so will prove a company’s reputability as well as the product’s reliability.

A reputable company will want to prove that they can provide the best faucet water filters. Therefore, they will want to assure you that they have the proof to back it up. If you find a company unwilling to oblige, steer clear and find a distributor you can trust.

Your health is important and owning faucet water filters for your home can help you maintain it. When you have control over what you put into your body, you can easily improve your quality of life.

The major flu shot ingredients are dead influenza viruses. There may be any number of different flu viruses circulating at any one time, but pharmaceutical companies only choose three as annual flu shot ingredients. Even if you take an annual flu shot, you could still contract another flu virus and still come down with the flu. So, it is still important to protect your immune system and practice good health habits. Common flu vaccine side effects include body aches, low grade fever and soreness at the point of injection. There are some rare, but serious flu vaccine side effects that concern many people.

In addition to the major flu shot ingredients, pharmaceutical companies add preservatives. Until recently there were no preservative free flu shots. The addition of the preservative thimerosal to flu shot ingredients has caused illness and injury. Thimerosal is mercury based and is believed to have been the cause of flu vaccine side effects in many people. Of major concern is the increase of autism in recent years and many researchers and doctors believe that thimerosal, a known neurotoxin, used as flu shot ingredients and in other childhood vaccines is the cause.

Some researchers and doctors believe that flu shot ingredients, including thimerosal and aluminum, increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This, of course, is not one of the common flu vaccine side effects and since Alzheimer’s does not develop immediately after taking the shot, then the link can not be proven. A prominent physician and researcher showed that people who had five consecutive influenza vaccinations between the years 1970 and 1980 were ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than were individuals who had none, one or two.

It is believed that some people cannot shed mercury from their systems and it builds up in their brains causing nerve and brain damage. In addition, some people are allergic to mercury and thimerosal and can experience serious allergic reaction as flu vaccine side effects. Some states have banned mercury from flu shot ingredients intended for use in children and pregnant women. But, while health advocates have petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban thimerosal from flu shot ingredients, nothing has been done at this time. Many manufacturers continue to add thimerosal to their flu shot ingredients.

The dead influenza viruses which are the major flu shot ingredients are grown in chicken eggs. So, people who are allergic to chicken eggs could have serious flu vaccine side effects. Some people blame the onset of chronic fatigue on flu vaccine side effects, but there is no scientific research supporting this belief.

The influenza nasal spray vaccine is chosen by some as an alternative to the flu shot. Ingredients in the nasal spray include weakened live influenza viruses. The common nasal spray flu vaccine side effects include runny nose, headache, sore throat and cough. The nasal spray flu vaccine is preservative free, but is only approved for use in healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49.

Concern over flu shot ingredients and flu vaccine side effects raise questions in the minds of some people as to whether or not healthy people, with a healthy immune system even need an annual influenza vaccine. Alternatives include the use of natural immunity boosting products. Some feel that these products may even reduce the likelihood of contracting the flu, the common cold and other viruses. Most natural immune system boosters have no unwanted side effects and carry none of the risks associated with flu vaccine side effects and flu shot ingredients. To learn more about immune system boosters and for more information about the common cold, influenza and other viruses, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Does your mind race when you try to sleep? Does your body feel tired, but your mind just won’t slow down long enough to feel fully rested? Learning how to fall asleep faster is critically important to your overall health. Not only does it start to take a toll on your body physically, but emotionally you will deteriorate as well. I know I get incredibly irritable after a night or two of tossing and turning.

One of the most important steps in learning how to fall asleep faster is to simply find ways to slow your mind down as you ease into your bed-time routine. And most people do have a bed-time routine, even though most people are probably not aware of it. Walking, biking, stretching, or doing yoga, and then:
Relax in a warm bath or shower
Listen to soft music, and light some candles while you bathe
Heighten the effect by adding some aromatherapy and lavender

When trying to learn how to fall asleep faster, here are some activities to avoid:

Watching tv in your bedroom Eating your dinner late in the evening Working on the computer or playing video games just before bed-time

You may have heard of some of these tips before. The question then becomes, have you consciously made an attempt to implement them into your bed-time routine. All the knowledge in the world is useless if isn’t acted upon. Make a decision to implement a supportive bed-time routine tonight. You’ll be glad you did.

Given certain circumstances, some individuals have an increased risk for complications and possibly even death. Pregnancy and swine flu is one of the factors that can increase the risk to you or your unborn baby. Those who are pregnant have a higher incidence of serious complications than others.

But that is not all, this serious disease can also cause premature births. This puts the baby you carry at substantial risk too. If you are pregnant, or just thinking about getting pregnant, you should call your doctor and see if if he advises any special precautions regarding this disease.

Also known as H1N1, this virus brings about influenza in humans. The pathogen has gone thru a recent mutation into its present form. Due to this mutation, humans have no protection from the virus. This is the reason that authorities are concerned about the possibility of a pandemic.

Like the seasonal influenza, serious complications and death has occurred as a consequence of illness associated with this virus. In the U.S. alone, about 36,000 people die each year from flu related issues.

If you are worried about pregnancy and swine flu, safeguarding your loved ones, or have a special risk factor, do some preparation now. It is imperative that you take steps today to protect yourself and your loved ones from the swine flu. It is important to be proactive and prepare yourself and your loved ones before an influenza out break occurs. Once a pandemic strikes, it may be too late to do anything.