ALS

What is ALS

For year 2014, social media was awash with people getting a ice bucket water dumped over them while they nominated other to do likewise, all to raise money and awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease in America (after its most famous sufferer, baseball star Lou Gehrig), this neurodegenerative disease is an insidious killer, where sufferer have a typical life-expectancy of three years from the date of contracting the illness. Even more chilling, there is no cure for als disease, although some symptoms of als may be controlled.

Discovered by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1869, the most common form of ALS is sporadic, meaning it strikes randomly. The other type of ALS, “familial”, is hereditary, whereby there is a 50% chance that children of those affected by ALS will have the gene mutation, and thus, develop the als disease.

The inescapable feature seen in ailing victims is the progressive decline of muscle control, and thereby, voluntary movement. This occurs because nerve cells responsible for person’s motor capacity are malfunctioning.

When upper motor neuron (found in the brain) die, they stop signaling the spinal cord to initiate and control muscle movement. Meanwhile, impaired lower motor neuron (found in the lateral regions of the spinal cord) causing scarring or hardening (sclerosis) of the spinal cord, which also disrupt signaling to muscles. Owing to the continuous degeneration of both motor neurons, muscles atrophy, and the victim deteriorates physically, gradually losing abilities like moving, eating, speaking and eventually, breathing.

The general age bracket for susceptibility is between 40 and 70 years old. Interestingly, a study by US Department of Veteran Affairs showed that those deployed during the 1991 Gulf War are twice as vulnerable to the disorder compared to the general public.

What Happen During ALS

ALS Diagnosis

In the early stage of ALS, symptoms of ALS can be easily confused with those of other diseases and disorders such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), polio, West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Physicians also consider the possibility of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, multifocal motor neuropathy and spinal muscular atrophy; all of which can mimic characteristics of the disease.

Hence, appropriate assessments are carried out to eliminate these possible conditions before drawing ALS as conclusion. Such test include an electromyography (EMG) to detect electrical activity in muscles, a nerve conduction study (NCS) to assess nerve signals, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan which may substantiate the presence of other problems. Based on the findings, blood and urine samples are analyzed alongside other routine laboratory testing.

ALS begins very subtly and symptoms of ALS are difficult to perceive. General cramps, stiffness, muscle weakness in either arms or legs, slurred speech or difficulty in chewing or swallowing are among initial onset signs, but are easily interpreted as non-related.

When muscles in limb are affected, victims suddenly find themselves losing manual dexterity. Simple task like turning a key, buttoning a shirt and writing, for example, become difficult and walking or running feels awkward as they trip and stumble often. Then there are those who initially experience speech problem.

As the ALS disease advances, muscle atrophy spreads to other parts of body, and becomes more defined. Spasticity (unusual muscle tightness) and exaggerated reflexes indicate upper motor neuron damage, while lower motor neuron degeneration includes severe muscle weakness, cramps and fasciculation (flickering movements under the skin).

The rate of ALS disease progresses varies between individuals. But they all reach the unfortunate point of being in a vegetative state when limbs cease to function, and they are unable to eat without choking. Still cognitive and lucid, they behold their own steady destruction helplessly. In the last stages, the ability to breath diminishes as the muscles of the respiratory system weaken, thus they require a ventilator to breath.

ALS treatment

There is no cure for ALS, only the use of certain drugs to control symptoms of als. Riluzole provides modest benefits sufferers by delaying the onset of ventilator-dependence, and prolonging the survival of those with difficulty in swallowing, by several months. However, throwbacks include increased risk of liver damage and side effects, among which are allergic reactions (skin problems, chest tightness, swelling of lips, tongue and throat, fever, irregular heartbeat, jaundice, nausea, stomach problems and flu-like symptoms.

Physicians can also prescribe medication to help alleviate fatigue, muscle cramps, spasticity, and to lessen the excess saliva and phlegm produced. Drugs to relieve pain, depression, sleep disturbances and constipation may also be given but care is taken to prevent risky interactions.

Physical therapy is another ALS treatment aspect. Unaffected muscles are strengthened with low-impact aerobic exercises like walking, swimming and stationary bicycling, which also improve cardiovascular health and mood. On the social side of things, speech therapists provide adaptive strategies to speak louder and clearer, as well as techniques to respond non-verbally. Speech synthesizers and computer-based communication systems can be vital devices for those who have shutdown vocally.

Nutritionally, caregivers formulate small, easy-to-swallow food portions with the requisite amounts of calories, fibre and fluid. When patients are no longer able to eat, a feeding tube is inserted into the stomach instead. The use of invasive mechanical respirators indicates the beginning of the end Ventilation support eases breathing and extends life but curbs the patient’s mobility due to machine attachments.

Peripheral artery disease

How widespread it is may still be under appreciated, although hundreds of millions of people worldwide are victims of his disease. Peripheral artery disease is alarmingly prevalent, and longer life expectancy along with evolving lifestyle (not necessarily for the better) seem to be exacerbating its rise. Its cardiovascular risk implications (it frequently lead to heart attacks and strokes) mean that there is a dire need to assess preventative measures and treatment.

The free, uninterrupted flow of oxygen-rich blood in our bodies is essential, and this is facilitated by our blood vessels, of which there are two main groups – arteries and veins. The former carry nutrients and oxygen to the cells, while the latter bring back cells metabolic by-products, toxins and carbon dioxide back to the heart for recycling.

Peripheral arteries are those that do not supply the heart and brain. They are, however, still extremely important. Disease of the arterial tree can range from short segment narrowing to full blown occlusion / blockage and can have devastating effects on the area where the artery is supposed to supply. These are mostly related to diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis (blockage), hyperlipidaemia (high blood cholesterol) or even trauma. Veins however have a different subset of condition ranging from the unsightly varicose veins on the lower limb to the painful, calf-bursting feeling of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its subsequent effects.

“Atherosclerosis” or blockage by plaque (fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances) of these blood vessels, results in a debilitating condition known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). While the heart often takes centre stage when it comes to atherosclerosis, blood vessels in other parts of the body, are equally important, and should be given adequate focus and attention.

Blood vessels are lined by endothelium, a thin layer of cells which maintains a toned and smooth interior for good blood flow. When the endothelium is compromised by causes such as high blood pressure, smoking or elevated blood cholesterol, atherosclerosis takes place with the formation of plaque on the arterial walls, thus obstructing blood flow. Left unremedies, ensuing plaque builds up, and over years, as arterial clogging worsens, so does resulting incapacitation of limbs and the pelvis area.

In some, recurring cramps and pain in the leg while exercising, otherwise known as intermittent claudication, may signify the beginning of problems. Conditions deteriorate as peripheral arteries continue to constrict, and the discomfort then spreads to the thighs, hips and buttocks. Other manifestations thereafter include perpetually cold and numb feet and toes, the thickening of nails, a bluish tint and shine to the skin, erectile dysfunction in the men, and the poor healing of sores. As PAD progresses, pain occurs even at rest, intense enough to disturb sleep.

Serious complications also result from PAD. Sores and injuries hich do not heal, may turn full-blown into gangrenous tissue and require the amputation of the affected limb. And atherosclerosis is not confined to just the peripheral blood vessels but happens as well in the arteries supplying the heart and the brain as well, eventually leading to a stroke or heart attack.

SCREENING

Often dismissed as simply a part of aging, the aforementioned signs and symptoms are actually serious indication to get screened by a medical professional. Do not wait for pain to occur before taking action. Preemptive screening is especially advisable for the aged, diabetics, smokers, the obese and those with hypertension, because of their vulnerability to PAD.

Potential patients are asked about their symptomatic experiences, as well as their personal and family history. During a physical examination to determine PAD, pulses in certain areas of the feet, legs and groin are inspected for weakness or even absence. Whooshing sounds over arteries heard with a stethoscope, ulcers where blood flow has become restricted, and lowered blood pressure in affected limbs, are all indicative too.

More advanced testing includes a Doppler (ultrasound) test, whereby high-frequency sound waves evaluate blood flow and where arteries may be blocked or narrowed. But for a more precise picture, an angiogram is carried out – arteries are injected with dye to clearly watch blood flow, and how restricted it gets in certain areas.

To complete the investigation, blood tests are included to measure blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as to check for diabetes.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

Lifestyle changes are a must for those at risk of PAD. First and foremost, it is never too late to quit smoking. Also, since “we are what we eat,” dietary discipline in the form of higher intake of fiber-rich foods like whole wheat, oatmeal, bran, brown rice, fruits and vegetables, is a major step in the right direction.

In addition, the reduction of salt, unhealthy fats and refined sugar in meals, will help treat or prevent related ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid problems and vascular disease. Physical activity three to four times a week keeps the blood flowing nicely. Brisk walking at least 20 minutes at a time, cycling and swimming are great options, but it is wise to first consult with a physician before starting any exercise programme.

MEDICAL INTERVENTION

Depending on the situation and severity, doctors will assess if it is necessary to resort to procedures like angioplasty, bypass surgery or thrombolytic therapy to treat PAD, and will advise their patients accordingly.

Angioplasty requires a tiny hollow tube (catheter) to be threaded through the artery to the affected location, when a small balloon on its tips inflates to reopen the constricted artery as well as flatten the blockage against the artery wall. Thus stretched, blood stream through unhindered. Further, a mesh framework (stent) may be added to ensure the artery stays open. Lately, thetr are balloons and stent coated with medication that prevent the endothelium from producing scar tissues that could lead to further blockage.

In bypass surgery, the doctor will graft a blood vessel from another part of the patient’s body (or a synthetic one) to allow blood to flow around, that is, to bypass the blocked or narrowed artery. There is also thrombolytic therapy which may be recommended for blood clots found blocking an artery, whereby there are injected with a drug to dissolve them in situ.

Genes and Hypertension

High blood pressure or hypertension is a chronic disease that is potentially fatal if left intreated. Using BP Monitor or Sphygmomanometers can help check and measure the blood pressure which is essential in diagnosing and treating high blood pressure.

A probe on the link between skeletal malformation syndrome and hypertension, or high blood pressure, in some individuals was conducted by the scientists of the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) back in the mid-1990s. Involving members of six families exhibiting these traits, the study aimed to pinpoint the offeding gene behind the mutation and disease. 20 years later, the researchers finally achieved their goal.

A skeletal condition characterised by unusually short fingers and toes, brachydactyly type E afflicts individuals with this gene, but that is not their only problem. They are also stricken by serious hypertension, which when left untreated, causes their premature deaths by the age of 50.

"In 1994, when we began the study of this disease and examined the largest of the affected families in Turkey for the first time, modern DNA sequencing method did not exist yet," Dr Sylvia Bahring, senior author of the research group said. Although the exact gene responsible for these conditions remained elusive for the better part of the two decades, the Max Delbruck Centre for Molecular Medicine and the Charite Medical Faculty of Berlin recently encountered a breakthrough, managing to identify the cause of this rare syndrome.

Realising that the patients always displayed both the conditions, scientists tracked the origin of the physical malformation and matched it with additional observations conducted on six unrelated families. The team, led by Professor FriedrichC. Luft, found different point mutations in the gene encoding phosphodiesterase-3A (PDE3A), which was then identified as the origin of the abnormality.

The gene turned out to be the first Mendelian (salt-resistant) hypertension form ever discovered, based more on problems of resistance in blood vessels (as it used to be the general consensus among researchers) rather than on issues related to salt absorption - when too much salt in the diet has a detrimental effect on kidneys, thus driving blood pressure up.

Up to 95% of people with high blood pressure usually suffer from essential or primary type hypertension, which is when no specific cause for it can be found, pointing to more general origins, such as being overweight, smoking, high intake of salt, high alcohol consumption or even race, gender, age or hereditary factors, as seen here. Therefore it is not surprise that it is a widespread disease, affecting a large number of people worldwide.

Foot Pain

Foot Pain Causes?

Foot pain may be caused by many different diseases, biomechanical conditions, or injuries. Acute or repeated trauma, disease, or combinations of the problems are the most common causes of foot pain and are commonly seen in sports and workplace environments that require physical activity Trauma is a result of forces outside of the body either directly impacting the body or forcing the body into a position where a single or combination of forces result in damage to the structures of the body. Poor biomechanical alignment may lead to foot pain. Wearing shoes that are too tight or high heels can cause pain around the balls of the feet and the bones in that area. Shoes that are tied too tightly may cause pain and bruising on the top of the foot.

Injuries such as ligament sprains, muscle strains, bruises, and fractures typically occur suddenly (acutely). Sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures may be the result of a single or combination of stresses to the foot. A sprain of the foot or ankle occurs when ligaments that hold the bones together are overstretched and their fibers tear or stretch too far. The looseness of ligaments in the joints of the foot may lead to foot pain.

The muscle's bursa and fascia of the foot can be strained by overstretching, overuse, overloading, bruising, or a cut (such as by stepping on a sharp object). Achilles tendonitis is a common injury of the tendon that attaches at the back of the heel.

Injury to the bones and joints of the foot can be caused by a single blow or twist to the foot, or also by repetitive trauma that can result in a stress fracture. A blunt-force injury such as someone stepping on your foot may result not only in a bruise (contusion) injury but also damage to the muscles and ligaments of the foot. Direct blows to the foot can cause bruising, breaking of the skin, or even fracturing of bones. Metarsalgia is the irritation of the joints of the ball of the foot. The term "stone bruise" is commonly referred to as a specific localized pain and tenderness of the bottom of the foot. "Turf toe" is a common athletic injury in which the tendon under the joint at the base of the big toe is strained. Trauma to the toenail can cause pooling of blood under the nail and the temporary or permanent loss of a toenail. Repetitive trauma to the bones, muscles, and ligaments can result in extra bone growth known as spurs or exostoses.

Sprains, injuries to the ligaments of the foot, occur when ligaments are overstretched. The ligaments that attach the foot to the ankle are also commonly sprained.

Injuries to both the skin covering and the internal structures may also be caused by multiple small repetitive traumas. Microtrauma injuries can be caused by running on uneven surfaces or surfaces that are too hard or too soft, or by wearing shoes that have poor force-absorption qualities or fit incorrectly. Thickenings of tissue of the outer foot and toes are commonly known as bunions, corns, and calluses. These are often caused by poor-fitting shoes. Morton's neuroma caused by thickening of tissue around a nerve between the toes can cause toe numbness and pain and may also be aggravated by poor-fitting shoes. Footwear can be a contributor to foot pain. Poor-fitting shoes in the short term can cause blisters, bruising, and be a source of athlete's foot. The long-term effects may be bunions, corns, irritation of nerves and joints, misalignment of the toes, and the source of microtrauma injuries to the foot.

Repeated overstressing of the same structure of the foot may cause stress fractures, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and acute and chronic osteoarthritis. Stress fractures commonly occur in the metatarsal bones, the long bones of the foot.

The arches of the feet absorb and return force to and from the body to the outside world when we are standing on our feet. Injury to the plantar fascia is a common cause of arch pain. The plantar fascia is a tough fibrous sheath that extends the length of the bottom of the foot and lends support to the arch. When the plantar fascia is damaged, the resulting inflammatory response may become a source of arch pain. High and low arches (flat feet) may cause pain because of strain to the feet.

Disease, viruses, fungi, and bacteria may also be the sources of foot pain. Diabetes, Hansen's disease, arthritis, and gout are common diseases that affect the foot. Disorders of the nerves to the feet may cause numbness and burning sensation in the feet known as peripheral neuropathy.

Plantar warts on the bottom of the foot are caused by a virus and can cause irritation. Athlete's foot, which is caused by a fungus, also can lead to foot irritation. A common cause of foot pain is the ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of the nail grow through or into the skin, resulting in irritation and sometimes leading to infection.

Symptoms and signs may accompany foot pain?

Pain and point tenderness are the immediate indicators that something is wrong in a specific area. The onset of pain, whether suddenly or over time, is an important indicator of the cause of the problem. The following questions are also important.

Is there pain with movement of the affected area?
Is it affected by weight-bearing?
Does it change your walking motion?

Bones of the foot are joined together by ligaments. A sprain occurs when the ligaments that hold the bones together are overstretched and the fibers tear. Point tenderness and looseness of a joint can be indicators of a sprain.

Injury to the bones of the foot can be caused by a single blow or twist to the arch or also by repetitive trauma that can result in a stress fracture. Fractures are indicated by a focal point of pain that may be exquisitely tender on the bone. There may be a distinguishable lump or gap at the site of the fracture. A rotated toe or forefoot may also be a sign of a fracture or dislocation.

Muscle and tendons move the body tissues around the joints. A strain occurs when a muscle or group of muscles are stressed to the point where there is tearing of the muscle fibers. The muscles and tendons of the foot may be strained by overstretching, overuse, overloading, bruising, or even being lacerated. Weakness in contraction of a joint, difficulty in stabilizing body parts, and pain working against resistance are signs of muscle problems. Swelling, tenderness, loss of function, and discoloration over and around the injury of can be symptoms and signs of a strain.

Bruises (contusions) are most commonly the result of a direct impact injury to the body. A bruise can occur to the foot by a variety of causes, such as having your foot stepped on or by stepping on a rock. Blows to the foot that result in pain, discoloration, swelling, and changes in how you walk may indicate more serious damage such as fractured bone.

Pain and tenderness associated with planter fascia strains are usually felt on the bottom of the foot between the heel and the base of the toes. Plantar fascia pain may be increased or decreased by stretching of the arch. In mild cases of plantar fasciitis, the pain will decrease as the soft tissues of the foot "warm up," however, pain may increase as use of the foot increases. In more severe cases of plantar fasciitis, pain may increase when the arch is stressed. Often the sufferer of plantar fasciitis will feel pain in the morning until the plantar fascia warms up. Foot pain at night may be a sign of plantar fasciitis as well as other possible problems.

A sensation of rubbing or burning on the surface of the foot is usually the first signs of a blister. Itching and burning sensations between the toes or around the foot indicate a skin infection or athlete's foot. Pain and redness at the edge of a toenail are usually the result of an ingrown toenail.

When should I seek medical treatment for Foot Pain?

When the pain begins to interfere with your activities of daily living or if you cannot perform your desired activities without pain, you should consider seeking medical attention. Indicators that you should seek medical care are if the area looks deformed, you have loss of function, change of sensation, a large amount of swelling with pain, prolonged change of skin or toenail color, the affected area becomes warmer than the surrounding areas, becomes exquisitely tender to the touch, or is causing you to move differently.


Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/

Neck Pain

Most people will suffer from some medical conditions at a certain period of time in their lives. Neck pain is one of these common medical conditions and estimated that 2 out of 3 people of the population suffer from neck pain at least few time in their lives.

Although neck pain is very common, we should know its causes and they are far many causes attribute to neck pain. From nervous system issues to muscular issues, this condition can have a wide range of causes and each of them may need special treatment. Neck pain should be cure timely if not it can turn into a chronic condition.

The basic knowledge of Neck Pain

Our human vertebral spine is made out of 33 vertebrae, out of which only 7 are part of the neck area. Vertebral forms our main backbone system.

Each of these vertebrae should be seen as a bony block and in between each of them you will find the discs which usually act as “cushions” between the bony structures when they move. In close proximity, you can find nerves that pass through the vertebrae, which are part of the central nervous system. As for the structure of the neck, you should also know that it includes skin, muscles, arteries, certain kinds of glands, lymph nodes, the esophagus and the trachea. Knowing the parts that constitute your neck is important because any kind of medical issues that may be related to them will lead to neck pain in one way or another.

Neck pain can causing other symptoms such as headache, shoulder pain, facial pain, tingling and tenderness due to the nerves which pass through the neck, pulsations, swishing sounds in the head, lightheadedness and the swallowing of the lymph node.

The Main Types of Neck Pain and the Conditions Causing Them

There are two main types of neck pain: acute and chronic. Although acute neck pain is not a long term condition, it can be caused by different serious conditions. Chronic neck pain, on the other hand, can last for extended periods of time and causes by many causes.

Degenerative Disc Disease

One of the most common medical conditions that cause patients to feel neck pain is degenerative disc disease. The discs that are found in between the vertebrae are actually cushions that prevent the vertebrae from being badly impacted due to movement. The degenerative disc disease affects precisely these parts of the neck and it is most often associated with getting older.

Besides advancing in age the most commonly known cause for degenerative disc disease, there may be cases when trauma or injury can lead to it. Degeneration of the disc can be easily detected with an MRI scan or X-ray test.

The main symptom of the degenerative disc disease is feeling the pain of the neck in the area where the discs have worn out.

The surgical treatment applied in the case of those who suffer from the degenerative disc disease can come in two forms: stabilization surgery and decompression surgery. For stabilization surgery, two vertebrae are fused together and this gives the patient’s vertebral spine more stability. This type of surgery is more frequently done for those who suffer from the degenerative disc disease located in their lower back or in their neck.

Surgery will only be recommended in certain severe cases. Responding to medical treatment and non-surgical treatment can lead to a complete healing of the patient, while surgery may require physical therapy and an extended period of recovery time.

Spinal Disc Herniation

Commonly known as a “slipped disc”, the spinal disc herniation can be a very serious medical condition. Spinal disc herniation affects the outer ring of the vertebrae, which leads to the bulging out of the soft portion found in the central part of the vertebrae.

Age degeneration, trauma, and injuries resulted from lifting and straining is the main causes of the spinal disc herniation. People whose job natures require them to constantly sit, squat and lifting heavy object are more at risk of developing a spinal disc herniation than other people.

Spinal disc herniation is the result of a former existing protrusion in the outer ring of the vertebrae and it is not to be mistaken with it. The difference between the two conditions is that in the case of the “protrusion”, the outer parts of the ring are completely intact and the disc only bulges when it is under pressure.

The symptoms shown by patients with spinal disc herniation vary according to severances’ of their case and the area in which the disc has herniated. Feeling extreme pain in the area of the disc is the first and most important symptom. If the spinal disc herniation has developed in the neck area, pain will appear in the neck area and it can spread to the surrounding areas. The difference between the pain felt in the case of a herniated disc and the pain felt by a muscle spasm is the fact that in the first case the pain is continuous, rather than intermittent such as in the second case.

The treatment for spinal disc herniation can come in non-surgical and in surgical forms. Most of patients with a spinal disc herniation do respond well to non-surgical treatment within the first few months of treatment. Thus, in the first phase the doctor will prescribe the patient anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medication, but this is to be taken very cautiously because the treatment can be affected by underlying gastrointestinal toxicity and cardiovascular toxicity as well.

It is important that the patient receives proper treatment for spinal disc herniation because there may be serious consequences to just ignore it. Complications of this medical condition include the caudaequinasyndrome, chronic pain, permanent injury to the nerve and even worse, paralysis.

Prevention is possible in the case of spinal disc herniation is to educate people the causes that can lead to such a condition. The proper position when lifting an heavy object is very important. Exercising is also important part of preventing the development of this condition since it can help to strengthen the back.

Whiplash

This is one of the most common conditions that lead to the development of neck pain and it is sometimes considered to be even more common than the degenerative disc disease. However frequently encountered though, this particular medical condition is very often misunderstood, which in itself leads to inadequate treatment.

Basically, what the medical professionals may refer to as “whiplash” is nothing else than the pain of the neck that is resulted out of a rapid acceleration of the back-and-forth head movements. These kind of injury is quite frequent happen in road accidents. This type of injury appears when the patient was in a vehicle was impact with another vehicle that was moving towards it.

In addition to neck pain, there are other symptoms associated with whiplash such as dizziness, headaches, shoulder pain, stiffness felt both in the area of the neck.

For the diagnosis of whiplash, it can be easily done with the help of X-rays. In fact, a person who has been involved in an accident will have to be tested for serious injuries and if whiplash is diagnosed, the patient will be informed on his/her condition, on what it means and on which is the path to recovery.

The treatment applied in the case of those who suffer from whiplash depends on the symptoms they encounter. Medical professionals used to believe that isolating the movement in the cervical area with a soft collar do help. However, it has been proved that not allowing the neck to move at all can slow down the healing process and that when immobilization is combined with too much rest; there is a higher risk of developing chronic conditions such as pain, stiffness, muscle pain, decreased blood flow to the soft tissue in the injured area.

It is believed that early movement exercises and physical therapy can be much more effective to the pain of the neck and that they can help the patient recover faster.

Whiplash can be prevented by avoiding car accidents wherever possible and by making use of all safety measures. Modern seat belts and airbags are proven useful in preventing this condition and most of the cars nowadays are equipped with them.

Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most commonly encountered diseases primarily affects the elderly. Arthritis of the bones is characterized by the inflammation of the joints that link the bones between themselves. There are many forms of arthritis, but the most common one is osteoarthritis. While in general the degeneration of the joints is related to getting older, there are cases when arthritis is related to autoimmune diseases.

The arthritis of the neck bones is called “cervical spondylosis” and it is estimated that it affects more than 85% of people who are age of over 60. Cervical spondylosis does not affect the patients into very bad situations.

Basically, cervical arthritis is linked to the degeneration of the discs. As we grow older, the amount of liquid between our vertebrae becomes considerably smaller and decrease. following with this, the joints are affected and this is how cervical spondylosis develops. If the cartilage wears away completely, the patient’s body can respond to this by growing a new bone that will narrow down the space available for the nerves and this leads to a condition known as "stenosis".

The diagnosis process of the cervical arthritis started with several questions related to neck pain. Physician most likely will ask you when the pain started and the period of the pain since it first happen, what is the occurrence rate of the pain, if the pain is getting worse or better under certain circumstances and if you have ever been treated for this pain.

The treatment in the case of the “neck arthritis” can be both non-surgical and surgical. The non-surgical treatment will usually include various medications such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants.

The surgical treatment applied in the case of those who suffer from cervical arthritis is quite uncommon and the doctor will recommend it only for very serious case.

Pinched nerves

Pinched nerves is a medical condition that is common to various diseases and it can be one of the causes that lead to developing neck pain of various degrees of severity. Neck pain that develops due to pinched nerves commonly link to other medical conditions and diseases.

Pinched nerves conditions can be related to spinal disc herniation. As mentioned before, disc herniation usually develops with age due to the fact that the discs wear out. The herniation can appear on any of the parts of the disc, including the inner part that is close to the spinal canal. When that happens, the nerve beside the herniated disc can be pressured and that leads to pain, numbness and weakness.

Another circumstance when a pinched nerve may be behind the neck pain of a patient is when a bone spur appears. There are cases when the degeneration of the bone part of the vertebrae trigger odd reaction in the body: that of growing another bone to support the vertebral spine. When this happens, the spur can press against the nerves and lead to pain. Do bear in mind that this kind of pinched nerve is slightly different than stenosis.

Neck Strain

Straining is probably the most common and the least serious cause that leads to neck pain. There are many causes that lead to strain around the neck: sitting in an odd position for an extended period of time, sleeping in an odd position, driving for a longer period of time, carrying a heavy object on one side of the body only and working in front of computer for extended of period without exercise or move around.

Neck strains treatments do not required medicine. They can be treated with a series of home remedies such as cold and hot packs. When medication is needed, however, it will most likely be of the over the counter type such as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Although neck strains are not very serious and they can resolve without much hassle, they can be truly uncomfortable and painful. Do bear in mind that in certain cases you should definitely go visit your doctor about the pain of the neck because there may be other reasons behind it.

Neck Pain Remedies and Exercises

There are a lot of things that you can do for your neck pain before you visit your doctor. Some of these methods are generally considered to be “traditional”, while other methods are considered to be “alternative” (and most of them are influenced by the Asian culture and practices).

Among the traditional neck pain remedies is applying hot and iced packs on the neck pain area. You can simply use a heating pad and apply it to the pain of the neck area for 15-20 minutes every 4 hours.

Massages are also helpful. However, it is better to get massages from a professional personnel. Gently massaging the painful area can help with pain relief.

Acupuncture is prove to be a very good Chinese therapy treatment. Acupuncture is helpful in relieving chronic pain. Acupuncture uses very small needles that are inserted into areas where these are the important part of nerves to smooth the “qi”.

One of the exercises you can try out for neck strain is to very gently bend it forwards and backwards. Do these slowly because otherwise you can hurt your neck muscles become even worsen. Slow neck retractions, side bends and rotations work the same way and they are usual exercises you can do at home as well. Another exercise you can try out is pulling your shoulder blades backwards and stretching the arms forwards after that. This exercise is especially good if your neck pain is situated on the lower end of the neck.

Neck Pain Prevention

Although certain medical conditions that lead to neck pain are not actually avoidable especially arthritis that develops once the patient getting older, there are also many things you should know to avoid any kind of pain of the neck and back pain problems.

1. Avoid slouching and try to sit up straight as much as possible. Although it may seem that slouching is something that mainly affects the lower and middle back, it can affect your neck as well. When you sit, make sure you do not bring your head forward, that you keep your back up straight and that you lower your shoulders. Try not to sit for more than one hour without any move.

2. If you work at a computer on extensive period of time, remember to adjust the monitor to your eye-level. This will prevent you from slouching.

3. If your work required you to answer phone call over long period, do not hold your phone between your shoulder and your ear. Use headset for the comfort.

4. When you sleep, use a good pillow that can support your neck. A good quality pillow is extremely important for the health of your neck and back. Remember that you are sleep for over 6 hours on the pillow and it happens every night.

5. When you lift heavy objects, make sure you bend your knees instead bending your entire back. Correct position is very important in lifting heavy objects. Wrong position can easily lead to back pain injury.

6. Avoid obesity. Our body weight is support by our bone system which is emcompass by our nerves and spine. Overweight can put pressure to bone, spine, nerves and joints.

7. Exercise regularly. Exercise must be practice at least 3 times a week. Exercise is benefit to our entire body, not just our neck or back. Every exercise should at least last for 30 minutes.

Natural remedy for leg pain

All Natural Remedies For Leg Pain

Leg is most important part of our body that supports our body weight and let us moves around for daily activities. Leg is built from many muscles, ligaments and joints and that can become sore and leg pain. Your body requires exercise, nutrients, and proper care in order to deliver its best mechanics. Many people suffer from different kind of leg pain conditions including the mysterious Restless Leg Syndrome or RLS.

In restless leg syndrome you will be all set to go to bed however, as soon as you lie down your legs begin to twitch, move and in some cases ache. This condition is rather elusive and mysterious. Many studies suggest that a mineral deficiency is the root cause of the condition.

Other causes of leg pain can be from over use of muscles or from a torn ligament. A simple fall down can hurt your leg without your notice. Consider what you’ve done on any given day if you’re suffering from unexplained leg pain.

Did you slip, fall, stretch or over extend a muscle or muscle group? Have you recently injured your back or neck? All of these can be contributing factors to leg pain.

Your body requires 4 types of electrolyte minerals to function properly. If any of these are off balance you could end up having cramping in your legs as well as the twitching and kicking so familiar to restless leg syndrome. To help combat this you’ll have to ensure that you’re getting all of the vitamins and minerals that your body requires.

When muscles in your legs are fatigued and there aren’t enough minerals to circulate you’ll wind up with severe muscle cramps. You’ll twitch and jump even though you’re not trying to. When you lie down these sensations seem to worsen.

Potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium work together to keep these electrolytes balanced. You’ll also have to get enough vitamins including Vitamin B, Vitamin D and Vitamin E. Zinc is also important to helping you ease those aches and pains. Take a good vitamin supplement to help combat leg pain.

These all natural remedies for leg pain will help to ease your legs into a good bedtime ritual and they can help you to ease leg pain and discomfort at any time of the day.

Take Your Supplements

To keep those electrolytes in balance you’ll need to incorporate some supplements into your diet.

Drink mineral water that has 100 mg of magnesium per liter of water. Drink more water and make sure that you’re staying hydrated. You should drink at least eight glasses of water per day to stay healthy.

Increase folic acid to help promote the building of your red blood cells. This will help to deliver more oxygen to your body and reduce leg pain.

Foods that are rich in iron are helpful. Dark green vegetables, wheat germ, kidney beans, lean beef and liver are rich of iron. Iron helps the myoglobin to hold oxygen and thus prevent muscle spasms. When you prevent muscle spasms you will help to reduce leg pain.

Massage Therapy

If during stretches you begin to feel a charley horse (strong cramping in the calves) of leg pain, you likely have suffering magnesium deficiency and need to increase your magnesium intake.

Simply sit on the edge of your bed or a sofa and firmly massage the calve area. If you are still having restless legs, take a walk around the house and make sure you’re taking some long steps so that you are stretching those muscles.

Homeopathic Remedies

There are many great homeopathic remedies that you can try as well. Consider Causticum in the 12C dilution. You could also consider Tarentula Hispanica three times each day until you see some improvement.

You can also consider some aroma therapy as well. Lavender, calendula and peppermint are all ingredients used to soothe the leg aches and leg pain. You can also soak in a lavender bath before bed to ease your spasms.

Prevention

Prevention is better than cure. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as these are stimulants that may keep restless legs in motion. Reduce or stop smoking. Cold and sinus medications may also make symptoms worsen and avoid them except in dire need.

If you’re suddenly having leg pain and haven’t had any for a time, consider what you ate that day and see if you can find a correlation to one of the foods you ate or something that you drank that day.

Exercise

Get up and start exercise to release those endorphins. Consider a walk after dinner to help your body nourish damaged nerves back to health.

Endorphins are the body’s way of dealing with pain and helping us to feel better. When you exercise, those endorphins are released and start to work immediately on your pain.

Gradually increase the amount of exercise or the distance walked until there are no more symptoms. It’s okay to start out slow and work your way up to a regular routine. Consider Yoga or Tai Chi to help get your body in motion.

Focus on exercises that will use your leg muscles so that they will be ready for rest when you are. Walking, jogging, yoga and Tai chi are all good ways to get those legs up and moving.

Pampering

Nerve pain is another reason that some people struggle with restless leg syndrome. If this is you, you can find some relief by using good foot care and pampering your feet and your legs.

Nerve pain results in impaired sensations, you may not feel that pin you stepped on, but it can still cause damage. You may not notice a minor infection or an infected toenail, but over the course of time if they’re left untreated it can rage into a horrible infection.

To prevent this, make sure that you inspect your feet daily to ensure that you don’t have any ingrown toenails or hangnails or other injuries that may become infected. Make sure that you aren’t suffering from cracked dry heels that can lead to infection.

Wear good comfortable shoes to protect your feet from harm. Even if you think an injury is too minor to worry about, keep an eye on it and if it becomes infected see your doctor immediately.

Change Your Lifestyle

Lower your stress levels and learn new methods of dealing with stress. Add more exercise into your day. Smoke less or stop smoking altogether to help reduce symptoms. Certain medications may make RLS or leg pain worse.

Reduce outside influences such as electronics, television and the like. Too many distractions can cause you to stay awake and focus on your pain. Instead, create a quiet time around your bedtime ritual and focus on relaxation techniques and methods for falling asleep. Try listening to some soft music.

Vitamin D

Some studies have suggested that taking a good Vitamin D supplement can greatly reduce symptoms. The same study also suggests that increased levels of Iron, Vitamin C and Vitamin E will also help to reduce symptoms.

A good multi vitamin can’t hurt either according to the study. Many times pain is something as simple as lacking in a specific vitamin or mineral. By supplementing your diet with vitamins you can often help to decrease your pain levels and gets a good day.

Other Considerations

Other things to consider are recent injuries to ankle, feet and legs. These can often be forgotten or passed off as minor when in fact a muscle was torn or stretched and is causing pain. Pinched nerves can also lead to leg pain.

If you’ve recently slipped and fallen and torque your back or neck you could have leg pain as a consequence. Don’t discount even a minor twist or fall that could cause our pain. It is amazing how easily things can be out of alignment and cause pain. Often a chiropractor can help as well.

If this is the case opt for heat and ice intermittently so that you can relax the sore muscles and give them time to heal. Leg pain from such injuries isn’t uncommon. Heat and ice are both ideal for helping to soothe aching muscles and giving you enough relief to fall asleep. Once you’re asleep your body will begin to relax and you won’t notice any pain.

Relaxation and a simple pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be all that is required to help ease the pain. Avoid overextending your leg muscles that can become strained.

If pain continues after trying some of the above mentioned remedies, consider consulting a doctor to ensure that there isn’t something more serious wrong with you.

Other conditions such as poor circulation and a peripheral vascular disease can also cause leg pain. Your doctor can fully evaluate your specific situation and recommend other treatments if necessary.

Back Pain - The Causes and Treatments

Back pain can categorised from a constant ache to a sudden pain that it can eventually cause us have difficulty to move. If you fall down or lift up object that is too heavy for you, it can causing back pain suddenly due to spine stress and it can get worse over the time.

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems facing by every people especially elderly, athlete and workers who always need to carry or move heavy objects. Some back pain will recover by their own, typically within a few weeks.

However, back pain can be one of the most difficult medical problems for individuals to deal with. Understanding the reason that causing your back pain is the key to get proper treatment.

Who Gets Back Pain?

It is possible for anyone to have chance to get back pain, however there are a few facts that actually increase the risk. Some of these things are as follows:

The older you get, the more common back pain is. You may not experience back pain until you’re 40 years old or more.

If you are less physically fit, you are more likely to have back pain.

If you are overweight, you are more likely to have back pain. Too much weight stresses your back spine and causing pain.

In some cases, causes of back pain could be due to cancer or a form of arthritis.

If you work in a job where you are required to push, pull, or lift while twisting your spine, you could experience back pain. Additionally, if your working environment require you to sit at a desk whole day and you do not stretch your body from time to time, you could experience back pain.

When To Visit Your Doctor

Normally, back pain will only last a few days or within a few weeks to have completely recovered themselves. However, if you encounter new episode of back pain, you should contact your physician to see if further evaluation is necessary.

Additionally, there are some warning signs that indicate that the problem is more serious and you need some immediate evaluation  for back pain treatments:

• The pain lasts beyond a few days
• The pain awakens you in the night
• Problems controlling bladder or bowels
• Fever, sweats, chills, or other signs of possible infection
• Other unusual back pain symptoms

Treatments For Back Pain

One of the most frustrating part of back pain treatments is that it takes time to resolve. Sometime, individuals can expect a full recovery simply by avoiding stress to the back.

Individuals can often get help with heat, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. You can also consider using essential oils for back pain.

If the basic treatments don’t relieve your back pain, you will need to seek medical help. Depending on your symptoms, your physician suggest a proper treatment.

Depending on what is causing the symptoms of your back pain, there could be a number of treatments recommended. Some options your physician may suggest to treat your back pain could include:

Nonsurgical treatments: typically, the first suggestion in treating back pain is nonsurgical options. These include: ice/heat, rest/exercises, medications, and other treatments could be useful in helping relieve your back pain symptoms.

Alternative treatments: alternative treatments are becoming more popular and are often used just as successfully as traditional medical treatments for the symptoms of back pain. Additionally, keep in mind that these are often just as effective and safe as medications that are used for treating back pain.

Spine Surgery: this is left as the last course of treatment for the symptoms of back pain. It is only used for treating back pain that doesn’t resolve with nonsurgical or alternative treatments. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary. Talk it over with your physician to determine when surgery is appropriate for treatment of your back pain.

Best Essential Oils for Back Pain Treatment

If you’d like to try to treat your back pain naturally with essential oils, you can to use the following oils:

Ginger oil: this oil is excellent for easing back pain and offering more mobility. Blend together 4 drops of ginger oil with 1 tablespoon of sweet oil, 4 drops cardamom oil, and 4 drops wintergreen oil to create a wonderful, soothing massage oil.

Clary Sage oil: this oil is very soothing and has a calming effect if you’re very anxious and your muscles are tensed up due to pain. Also, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. If you’re pregnant, you should avoid using clary sage oil.


Chamomile oil: this oil helps to control muscle spasms and also has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

Peppermint oil: this oil is great for relieving muscle soreness.

Lavender oil: this oil helps to prevent inflammation and muscle spasms. Additionally, it helps to relieve tension, which could be a contributing factor of back pain.

Rosemary oil: this oil has anti-spasmodic and analgesic properties- it is wonderful for improving circulation and relieving back pain.

You can use any of these essential oils independently. However, it is great to blend two or more of them together.

You should never apply them directly to your skin, blend them together with a carrier oil first. You can also take an aromatherapy bath to soothe your aching, tired muscles and increase your circulation.

Add nine drops of either one or a combination of the above essential oils directly to your bath water and then soak for about 20 minutes.