Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited disorders that affect joints and connective tissue. Connective tissue is found throughout the body and provides support, strength, and flexibility. In people with EDS, the connective tissue is weaker and more elastic than normal. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including: Types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome There are many different types …
Crohn’s Disease and Joint Pain: What’s the Connection?
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Joint pain is a common symptom of Crohn’s disease, affecting up to 30% of people with the condition. The exact cause of joint pain in Crohn’s disease is not fully understood, but it is thought to …
Kidney Pain vs Back Pain: What’s the Difference?
Kidney pain and back pain are two common medical problems that can cause very similar symptoms. However, there are some key differences between the two conditions that can help you determine which one you are experiencing. Location Kidney pain is typically felt in the upper back, between the ribs and the hips. It can be felt on one or both …
How Glucosamine and Chondroitin Help to Fight Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle. This can lead to fractures, even from minor falls or injuries. There are a number of things that can help to prevent osteoporosis, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, and taking joint supplements. Glucosamine and chondroitin are two supplements that have been shown to be effective in fighting …
Pros and Cons of Injected Steroids and/or Medications into Joints
Joint injections are a common treatment for a variety of conditions, including arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis. They can provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation and can help to improve joint function. However, there are also some risks associated with joint injections, including infection, bleeding, and side effects from the medication. Here are some of the pros and cons of …
An Anti-Inflammatory Diet for a Healthier You
Inflammation is a natural immune response to injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation can damage cells and tissues, leading to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and arthritis. There is growing evidence that diet can play a role in reducing inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet is one that emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients …
The Benefits of Swimming and Water Aerobics for Back Pain
Back pain is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, poor posture, and obesity. While there is no one-size-fits-all cure for back pain, swimming, and water aerobics can be effective treatments for many people. Swimming and water aerobics are low-impact exercises that are easy on the joints. …
Epidermis or Skin Cell Thinning
As we age, the skin cells of the epidermis grow thinner. This is due to a number of factors, including: Decreased cell turnover. As we age, the rate at which skin cells are replaced slows down. This means that there are more dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, which can make it look dull and lifeless. Reduced …
What Happens to Your Body After a Hard Fall?
Fall injuries are very common, especially among older adults. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among people aged 65 and older. Each year, more than 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries, and more than 800,000 are hospitalized. Falls are common, and most people will experience at least one fall in …
Heel Spur Pain Relief
Heel spurs are bony growths that develop on the bottom of the heel. They are often caused by repetitive stress on the heel, such as running or standing for long periods of time. Heel spurs can cause pain, tenderness, and inflammation in the heel of your foot. There are a number of things you can do to relieve heel spur …
Gum Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Possible Link
Maintaining good oral health is essential not only for your dental health but also for your overall well-being. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common condition that affects the gums and other structures that support the teeth. It is caused by the bacteria that accumulate in dental plaque, which is a sticky film that forms on teeth. …
Arthritis Affects on Quality of Sleep
Painsomnia is the inability to sleep due to pain. And, it is a major problem for people with arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, as many as 80% of people with arthritis have trouble sleeping. With stiff, achy, and swollen joints, getting comfy, dozing off, and staying asleep while in pain due to arthritis can be very difficult. When suffering …
Is Arthritis Hereditary?
There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. The most common types are osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), fibromyalgia, and gout. The short answer is yes – there is a genetic predisposition to getting it. However, just because people in your family have this painful condition, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop the …
Lyme Arthritis
Lyme disease is an illness spread through tick saliva. If an infected tick bites you, bacteria in the saliva enter your bloodstream, increasing your risk of Lyme disease. When there is a delay in treatment, the bacteria may settle into the joints, leading to a special type of Lyme arthritis. In fact, 60% of people who do not receive timely …
Carpal Tunnel vs Arthritis
If you are having pain in one or both hands, you may be wondering if carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis is causing the pain. While both conditions can cause discomfort, there are several key differences between the two. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause weakness, tingling, or numbness in the hands. Arthritis can also cause pain and make it difficult to …
Arthritis on the Rise
According to the CDC, arthritis affects nearly 59 million US adults. That is about 1 in 4 adults. This is an increase of about 4 million people or about 8.5% from 10 years ago. Research finds that arthritis susceptibility increases with age, body mass index, physical inactivity, and worsening physical and mental health. Arthritis is highest among adults who are …
Early Signs of Arthritis Can Begin at What Age?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the United States. It most often develops in people in their mid-30s or older. It’s also more common in women and people with a family history of the condition. Of people 18 to 44 years old, 7.1% report doctor-diagnosed arthritis, according to the CDC. Of people who are aged 45–64, 29.3% report doctor-diagnosed …
Fall Prevention – How to Avoid Injury
Falling – accidentally and unexpectedly landing on the ground, usually happens in familiar environments while you are doing your normal, daily activities. You may fall when something bumps into you, trip over something, lose consciousness (from a seizure, stroke, or other health problem), or you are experiencing losing your balance. Falls are a big problem for older adults. So much …
Brushing and Flossing with Rheumatoid Arthritis
As people with arthritis already know, arthritis can make things we previously took for granted much, much harder. As simple tasks become increasingly difficult there may be a temptation to stop doing some of the things that help a person lead a fulfilling life – like brushing teeth. However, there is a huge list of reasons why brushing your teeth …
Are There Any Cures For Arthritis?
Often times people will ask whether there is a cure for arthritis. However, what they really want to know is if there is a way for people with arthritis to go on living without being affected by the conditions of the disease. So, it’s really important to keep in mind that there are ways that arthritis can be treated, although …