Everything Related to Orthopedics
arthritis
Obesity and Joint Pain
0289 days
Obesity can cause a plethora of health issues including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems and early onset of arthritis, just to name a few. Obesity is sweeping the nation like an epidemic and the problems that come along with it are multiplying. Over the last 30 years, the obesity rate in the United States has doubled and it is now estimated that 30% of Americans are considered obese.
Along with many other health issues, it seems as though obesity is causing a much younger pool of patients to suffer from arthritis, eventually resulting in joint replacement surgery. Wear and tear on our joints is part of life and as we age, it is inevitable that there will be cartilage loss resulting in some pain and stiffness. Obesity however, increases the chance of developing arthritis and developing it much earlier in life. For every 15 extra pounds you carry, your knees feel 45 pounds of weight. To be considered obese, your BMI is 30 or higher. Consider this – if you are 50 pounds overweight, your knees feel about 150 pounds of extra weight.
Weight loss is the most obvious solution to relieving joint pain, but not always the easiest. In order to reduce your chances of developing arthritis, you don’t have to lose 100 pounds. Studies have shown that losing just 11 pounds can help reduce your risk of developing arthritis by 50%. Weight loss can be even more difficult when dealing with painful joints but it is still possible. The key is to find low impact exercises like swimming or cycling. It is important to keep moving and attempt to lose weight even before arthritis may set in. Obesity can cause complications during joint replacement surgery, should that need arise. Recovery is longer in heavier patients and the implants may not have as long a life span.
Topical Joint Pain Relief – Does It Really Work?
0378 days
For the over 43 million people who suffer from arthritis, they wish nothing more than for a cure. The painful swelling and stiffness can put an active lifestyle at a halt. There are a lot of suggestions floating around out there on how to relieve arthritis pain and it can be hard to navigate the waters. Some of the suggestions may seem a bit wild and crazy but many arthritis sufferers are willing to try pretty much anything before going under the knife.
One suggestion to relieve arthritis pain that is making a comeback recently is topical treatments such as roll-on ointments, sprays or creams. But, how do these types of treatments work and do they REALLY relieve joint pain? It may seem a bit too good to be true that a rub-on cream could relieve painful arthritis inflammation. So, how do these topical treatments work exactly?
These topical treatments will most likely contain what is called Capsaicin. This is the main ingredient that will help fend off any pain you are feeling. Capsaicin is actually derived from a variety of red pepper plants. The Capsaicin is thought to “interrupt” the signals from your nerves that trigger pain. Your body senses heat even though there really isn’t any. When you have pain from arthritis, it is a slow and constant pain. Capsaicin has been shown to help dull the nerves responsible for this type of pain.
The other ingredient found in these topical treatments is a type of aspirin medication. By applying it directly to the site of pain it can help relieve swelling and inflammation. While these topical pain relievers will not be a permanent solution to arthritis pain, it can give you some temporary relief. The relief could even be enough to get you up and moving again which is the best treatment of all for arthritis.
