Trying to figure out the best means to relief arthritis pain can be frustrating. You can make your arthritis pain worse with activities stressful to your joints and that require repetitive motion when you already have severe joint damage. If you have only mild joint damage, gentle exercise that includes stretching and muscle strengthening can improve arthritis pain.
Arthritis varies from one person to another. You will need to work with your doctor to determine the right solution and exercise program for your specific situation.
Activities such as jogging and playing tennis that put sudden pressure on involved joints are likely to make the symptoms of arthritis worse. Swelling and inflammation may increase. Exercises that strengthen your muscles protect your joints and reduce stress and joint damage should be of help to arthritis symptoms. Strengthening the muscles on the front and back of your thigh, which are the quadriceps and hamstrings; helps protect your knee and hip joints.
The key is to do what you can to stay physically active while taking into consideration the condition of your joints. You may be able to walk a good 30 to 60 minutes at a comfortable pace, but you probably will have to give up high-impact activities like running that puts a lot of stress on many different joints. Swimming or other water exercise may be a better choice for keeping active until you get toned if your joints are too painful for walking.
People with rheumatoid arthritis often have stiffness after rest. Movement tends to diminish some of the symptoms. If you experience excessive stiffness after sitting for a long time you can try adjusting your sitting position often to help prevent or lessen some of this.
You should call your doctor if new pain or persistent pain lasting more than several days occurs. Arthritis symptoms are often more effectively controlled if caught early. If your symptoms are most likely due to overdoing it and they disappear in a few days you probably do not need to call your doctor.
Medications for arthritis are relatively safe and well tolerated by most people. Keep in mind there is no medication that is completely free of possible side effects. If you experience regular arthritis symptoms you need professional advice from your doctor about which medications to take and how much.
Medications available include:
Tylenol
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Advil
Motrin
Aleve
Naproxen
Other anti-inflammatory drugs
Most of the above drugs can be purchased over-the-counter and many of them do bring relief of minor and occasional arthritis pain.
A weekend tennis player, gardeners and other people with mild osteoarthritis can overcome some of the stiffness by taking an over-the-counter NSAID tablet for one or two days. I experienced some hip pain shortly after beginning a new walking routine. My doctor advised taking Ibuprofen just shortly before each work-out, which did alleviate the pain considerably.
If symptoms are prolonged and severe, joint involvement may be more advanced. Your doctor is the best source to decide the dosage that is right for you.
Alternative treatment for arthritis pain:
Heat, massage and stretching help relieve arthritis symptoms for many people. The best of these treatments should have your doctor or physical therapist’s approval. These treatments have also been standard treatments and not so much “alternative” treatment for arthritis pain.
Many alternative preparations have not been adequately studied. Herbal treatments, for example, taken on a day that you might have felt better anyway, may convince you that the herb made you better. Arthritis treatments studies show as many as 30 percent of people taking an inactive substance improve at least temporarily.
Quality standards for over-the-counter alternative drugs do not exist.
It may take years to find an effective and safe medication for your particular arthritis pain. If you try a shortcut standard practice it may lead to harmful effects and wasted money, time and effort.
Botox Injections:
It is unclear at this time whether or not Botox injections improve pain and function in people with arthritis. Much more research is needed to evaluate the findings of a very small study that suggested injections with Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) may improve pain and function in people with arthritis.
The study reported improvements in pain and function in all participants, however the duration of these benefits varied from three to 12 months. The results were promising and there were no adverse reactions reported. There will need to be much larger, controlled and randomized trials to determine the safety and possible benefit of Botox injections for arthritis.
Antibiotics for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:
Researchers continue to study the possibility that rheumatoid arthritis may be brought on by some form of infection. If this is true, it may be possible to prevent or stop the progression of the disease with antibiotics. Studies of the usefulness of antibiotic therapy have produced mixed results.
Effects of long-term use of antibiotics are unknown. Antibiotics have many potential side effects, some of which are very serious. More research is needed to determine if antibiotics can be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 4-2007.
Posts Tagged ‘Forms’
Forms Of Treatment For Arthritis
Monday, March 8th, 2010Forms of Domestic Violence and Development of Women Through Education
Saturday, February 27th, 2010Forms of Domestic Violence and Development of
Women through Education
INTRODUCTION
However much a mother may love her children, it is all but impossible for her to provide high-quality child care if she herself is poor and oppressed, illiterate and uninformed, anemic and unhealthy, has five or six other children, lives in a slum or shanty, has neither clean water nor safe sanitation, and if she is without the necessary support either from health services, or from her society, or from the father of her childen. – Vulimiri Ramalingaswami, “The Asian Enigma”
Women constitute almost half of the population in the world. But the hegemonic masculine ideology made them suffer a lot as they were denied equal opportunities in different parts of the world. The rise of feminist ideas has, however, led to the tremendous improvement of women’s condition through out the world in recent times. Access to education has been one of the most pressing demands of theses women’s rights movements. Women’s education in India has also been a major preoccupation of both the government and civil society as educated women can play a very important role in the development of the country.
· India has world’s largest number of professionally qualified women.
· India has largest population of working women in the world.
· India has more number of doctors, surgeons, scientists, professors than the US.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is controlling behaviour and includes all kinds of physical, sexual, economic, psychological and emotional abuse within all kinds of intimate relationships. The perpetrators of domestic violence or abuse are usually men and the victims or survivors are usually women and children that they know. It includes:
• Punching and slapping.
• Kicking and hair pulling.
• Biting and pinching.
• Pushing and shoving.
• Being forced to have sex.
• Being beaten or cut with other objects.
• Disrespect, neglect and emotional blackmail.
• Verbal abuse and swearing.
• Being prevented from going out or seeing people – being isolated.
FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The following are the forms of Domestic Violence:
1. Physical Abuse
2. Sexual Abuse
3. Psychological Abuse
4. Emotional Abuse
5. Financial Abuse
1. Psysical Abuse:
Physical abuse is the most visible form of abuse and most likely (with sexual abuse) to give rise to criminal charges. Injuries include black eyes, cut lips, bruising, fractures, deafness, blindness, internal bleeding, missing teeth, persistent ill health, miscarriages, and injuries to a foetus and death. Injury sites are often concealed by clothing or hair. It can include slaps, shoves, pushing, being thrown across the room or down the stairs, kicking, stamping, strangulation, burns and scalds, being attacked with weapons such as knives, household objects, firearms etc internally as well as externally.
2. Sexual Abuse:
Sexual Abuse in an abusive relationship is another form of violence, control and degradation. It includes rape, sexual assaults (including with implements),enforced prostitution, enforced sexual practices including being forced to watch or engage in pornography.
3. Psychological Abuse:
Psychological abuse examples include “Jeckyll and Hyde” behaviour, preventing contact with friends and families, constant belittling and humiliating things being said, claims that children will be removed if anyone is told of abuse, controlling behaviours, deliberately enforcing dependency, constant statements that the victim is mentally ill etc.
4. Emotional Abuse:
Emotional abuse is an attack on victims’ personality and well being and is often described as worse than physical violence. It may be referred to as “mind-games”. It frequently amounts to the abuser assuming a tight and unhealthy control of all members of the family, which may become increasingly isolated in the community.
Examples include threats of violence to all members of family, constant criticism of the victim saying she is ugly, ignorant or worthless, using the children as ammunition, family life and mood being dictated by abuser (abuser-centric) continual questioning, humiliation in public, playing on community and cultural fears, threats to have the children removed, threats to kill or have deported, threat that the abuser will commit suicide, threats and actual violence to family pets etc.
5. Financial Abuse:
Financial Abuse is essentially the deprivation of and / or the control of money whether earned or benefits.
An abuser may refuse to pay bills or prevent the victim from having any control over the family finances. The abuser may steal money belonging to the victim or children. Essential services such as gas and electricity may be cut off. The mother may be forced to support the children solely on what she can earn without assistance or child benefit if this is claimed by the abuser. An abuser may deliberately spend money on himself or sell the woman’s possessions and family furniture.
CRIME AGAINST WOMEN IN INDIA
· One crime against women every three minutes
· One rape every 29 minutes
· One dowry death case every 77 minutes
· One case of cruelty by husband and relatives every nine minutes
· Once suicide every 4 hours
Source: National Crime Records Bureau
The main problems of Indian women:
· Malnutrition: India has exceptionally high rates of child malnutrition, because tradition in India requires that women eat last and least throughout their lives, even when pregnant and lactating. Malnourished women give birth to malnourished children, perpetuating the cycle.
· Poor Health: Females receive less health care than males. Many women die in childbirth of easily prevented complications. Working conditions and environmental pollution further impairs women’s health.
· Lack of education: Families are far less likely to educate girls than boys, and far more likely to pull them out of school, either to help out at home or from fear of violence.
· Overwork: Women work longer hours and their work is more arduous than men’s, yet their work is unrecognized. Men report that “women, like children, eat and do nothing.” Technological progress in agriculture has had a negative impact on women.
· Unskilled: In women’s primary employment sector – agriculture – extension services overlook women.
· Mistreatment: In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in atrocities against women in India, in terms of rapes, assaults and dowry-related murders. Fear of violence suppresses the aspirations of all women. Female infanticide and sex-selective abortions are additional forms of violence that reflect the devaluing of females in Indian society.
· Powerlessness: While women are guaranteed equality under the constitution, legal protection has little effect in the face of prevailing patriarchal traditions. Women lack power to decide who they will marry, and are often married off as children. Legal loopholes are used to deny women inheritance rights.
India has a long history of activism for women’s welfare and rights, which has increasingly focused on women’s economic rights. A range of government programs have been launched to increase economic opportunity for women, although there appear to be no existing programs to address the cultural and traditional discrimination against women that leads to her abject conditions.
GOVERNEMNT ROLE TO MINIMIZE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIA
Overall, a crime against women is committed every three minutes in India, according to India’s National Crime Records Bureau. Despite the scale of the problem, there had been no specific legislation to deal with actual abuse or the threat of abuse at home. Domestic violence, under the new law, includes “actual abuse or the threat of abuse whether physical, sexual, emotional or economic,” a statement from the federal ministry of women and child development said.
“We have been trying for long to protect women from domestic violence. In India alone, around 70% of women are victim of these violent acts in one or the other form,” junior minister for women and child development Renuka Chowdhury told the Press Trust of India news agency. They say a bill alone will not help in preventing domestic abuse; what is needed is a change in mind sets.
In January 1992, the National Commission for Women (NCW), was set up as a statutory body under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 ( Act No. 20 of 1990 of Govt.of India ) to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women; recommend remedial legislative measures, facilitate redressal of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.
There are so many government and non-government organizations are working for the benefits of women. Both Central and State governments are continuing so many programmes for the development of women in the country.
DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH EDUCATION
You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women. - Jawaharlal Nehru
Female Literacy in India:
According to last census held in 2001, the percentage of female literacy in the country is 54.16%. The literacy rate in the country has increased from 18.33% in 1951 to 65.38% as per 2001 census. The female literacy rate has also increased from 8.86% in 1951 to 54.16%. It is noticed that the female literacy rate during the period 1991-2001 increased by 14.87% whereas male literacy rate rose by 11.72%. Hence the female literacy rate actually increased by 3.15% more compared to male literacy rate.
Factors Responsible for Poor Female Literacy Rate:
Historically, a variety of factors have been found to be responsible for poor female literate rate, viz.
· Gender based inequality.
· Social discrimination and economic exploitation.
· Occupation of girl child in domestic chores.
· Low enrolment of girls in schools.
· Low retention rate and high dropout rate.
The main strategies adopted by the Government for increasing female literacy in the country include:
1. National Literacy Mission for imparting functional literacy
2. Universalisation for Elementary Education
3. Non-Formal Education
History of Women’s Education in India: Although in the Vedic period women had access to education in India, they had gradually lost this right. However, in the British period there was revival of interest in women’s education in India. During this period, various socio religious movements led by eminent persons like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar emphasized on women’s education in India. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Periyar and Baba Saheb Ambedkar were leaders of the lower castes in India who took various initiatives to make education available to the women of India. However women’s education got a fillip after the country got independence in 1947 and the government has taken various measures to provide education to all Indian women. As a result women’s literacy rate has grown over the three decades and the growth of female literacy has in fact been higher than that of male literacy rate. While in 1971 only 22% of Indian women were literate, by the end of 2001 54.16% female were literate. The growth of female literacy rate is 14.87% as compared to 11.72 % of that of male literacy rate.
Importance of Women’s Education in India: Women’s education in India plays a very important role in the overall development of the country. It not only helps in the development of half of the human resources, but in improving the quality of life at home and outside. Educated women not only tend to promote education of their girl children, but also can provide better guidance to all their children. Moreover educated women can also help in the reduction of infant mortality rate and growth of the population.
Obstacles: Gender discrimination still persists in India and lot more needs to be done in the field of women’s education in India. The gap in the male-female literacy rate is just a simple indicator. While the male literary rate is more than 75% according to the 2001 census, the female literacy rate is just 54.16%. Prevailing prejudices, low enrollment of girl child in the schools, engagements of girl children in domestic works and high drop out rate are major obstacles in the path of making all Indian women educated.
According to the Women and Child Development study, 45 percent of Indian women are slapped, kicked or beaten by their husbands. India also had the highest rate of violence during pregnancy. Of the women reporting violence, 50 percent were kicked, beaten or hit when pregnant. About 74.8 percent of the women who reported violence have attempted to commit suicide. It shows the importance of education. Educated woman has more strength and power to face the challenges when compared to uneducated woman.
Kumud Sharma of the Centre for Women’s Development Studies in New Delhi traced the correlation between education and domestic violence to patriarchal attitudes. “Educated women are aware of their rights,” she said. “They are no longer willing to follow commands blindly. When they ask questions, it causes conflicts, which, in turn, leads to violence. In many Indian states, working women are asked to hand over their paycheck to the husband and have no control over their finances. So, if they stop doing so or start asserting their right, there is bound to be friction.”
It is necessary to establish some more colleges and universities in India. The number of Residential Schools for SC/ST and BC’s is not sufficient today. So, increase the number of these schools in the both rural and urban areas. Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. Take care about future generation. Then only India will become developed country in the future.
CONCLUSIONS
Now we are living in the modern and technological world. Women are also entering in all the fields like men for doing job. Educated women have better opportunity compared to uneducated women in the society. They are facing so many problems in the society. With the help of education and law and order it is easy to escape from those problems. So it is necessary to educate all types of women in the society. Education gives strength, wealth, health and power to the individual.
According to Swami Vivekandanda:
“We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind increased and intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one’s own feet”.
The plight of women in medieval India and at the starting of modern India can be summed up in the words of great poet Rabindranath Tagore:
“O Lord Why has you not given woman the right to conquer her destiny?Why does she have to wait head bowed,By the roadside, Waiting with tired patience,Hoping for a miracle in the morrow?”
References:
1. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2001). The National Reading Panel: Reports of the Subgroups.
2. UNESCO Institute for Statistics: Literacy rates, youth (15-24) and adult (15+), by region and gender (September 2006 Assessment).
3. Child and Women Development Report, (2006), Ministry of Women and Child
Development, Government of India, New Delhi.
4. National Family Health Survey, (2006), Government of India, New Delhi.
5. National Crime Records Bureau, (2007), Government of India, New Delhi.
6. Census of India, (2001), Government of India, New Delhi.
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Get To Know The Different Forms Of Skin Allergies
Saturday, February 20th, 2010Allergies, in most cases, are manifested through skin allergies. Either skin allergy can happen when the skin is exposed to a substance that it might be allergic to or it can even happen as a reaction to allergens in certain food or medicine.
Causes
Skin allergy can be caused when it is exposed to substances such as latex, perfume, hair dye, dust, flower pollen, make-ups, powders and certain soap. Allergy due to latex is the most common these days, as it is being used in a number of products. The other common cause for skin allergy is poison ivy, which is a form of a plant usually found in most parks and gardens.
Eczema & Hives
Some allergies are genetic in nature and may not be curable. Skin allergy due to eczema is one such decease. It results in the skin being dry and itchy. Hives is another form of skin allergy. This is usually caused due to allergens in food or other external factors, such as, contact with cats, plants or poison oak.
Treatment
Most skin allergies are incurable. Once you have an allergy, then it stays with you for the rest of your life. But it can certainly be treated. But the best way to treat allergy is to avoid coming in contact with the factors that trigger an allergic attack. So it is very important to keep your surroundings clean. It is also advisable to keep your food habits in check. Keep away from the obvious cause of skin allergies such as pollen or dust or animals. Nutrients also help in treating skin allergies. So it is important that you intake adequate amounts of Vitamins and minerals essential for the skin.
Skin allergy can be kept away by taking simple measures. Changing bed sheets, reducing humidity, allergy proof bed covers and keeping away stuffed toys may seem insignificant, but it can protect you from an allergic attack. There may be various types of skin allergies but the good news is that there are different ways to treat them.
Other effective treatments for allergies
Another common treatment for allergies is using a set of medications called antihistamines, which prevent the formation of histamines that are the main cause of allergy. The best example of such antihistamine is Benadryl that will reduce your allergies effectively. The other common over-the-counter drugs that are required for treating allergies include decongestants, bronchilators [for treating asthma related allergies], and allergy shots. The allergy shots are given in the form of vaccines but you should make sure about the amount of medication is needed to produce the desired effect in controlling allergic reactions.
Different Forms Of Anxiety Treatment
Friday, January 8th, 2010At one time or another we have all experienced anxiety; a natural reaction to particular stressors in our lives. Juggling career demands, personal relationships, and family schedules can provoke anyone to have moments when the anxiety becomes palpable and manifests itself in a number of physical symptoms. It is only when anxiety is persistent and pervasive – interfering with everyday activities – which sufferers turn to anxiety treatment to help manage their symptoms and bring balance and order back into their life.
Anxiety treatment – like the anxiety that we experience – is varied; depending on the severity and frequency of the episodes and the personal needs of the sufferer. Those battling ongoing anxiety often experience persistent heightened levels of panic and fear – either in general or in response to particular situations. The treatment that will bring relief must be decided between patient and doctor and only comes after a comprehensive examination and proper diagnosis.
Most often, those who turn to treatment options are experiencing what has been defined as anxiety disorder – an umbrella diagnosis that refers to many different forms of anxiety including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, and general anxiety disorder. Not every treatment works for every sufferer so it is vitally important that each person who seeks treatment does so in accordance with their medical practitioner. Your doctor will be able to run a series of tests to first ensure that the symptoms experienced as a result of anxiety are not instead manifestations of a physical ailment or disease.
Once anxiety has been diagnosed, a treatment plan is put into place. One such anxiety treatment is what as known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is conducted by a licensed therapist – a reputable practioner that your primary doctor can recommend – and focuses on changing the thinking and behavior of the anxiety sufferer. Individual catalysts of anxiety are identified with each patient – particular situations that most often provoke anxiety. Once these provocations are identified, the therapist can then work with the patient to put tools in place to help the patient work through the anxiety during particular situations. Often – after much work has been done – the therapist will expose the patient to situations that provoke stress; in some cases, frequent exposure can actually desensitize the patient to the situation and anxiety levels are lowered considerably. CBT can take months to fully reveal its benefits. But often it is well worth the work as patients can learn to manage their anxiety without the use of medications.
Holistic anxiety treatment is another method used to manage anxiety. Such treatments include the taking of herbal remedies that have been shown to have effectiveness in anxiety management. However, it is important to work with a doctor in determining what herbal treatments may work for you; some are not recommended in conjunction with other medication so it is important to proceed with care. Other patients report success with such therapies as acupuncture, biofeedback – a form of self-hypnosis – and other relaxation techniques such as meditation, and therapeutic massage.
When anxiety continues even after the implementation of therapy and holistic remedies, a doctor may prescribe medication to help control anxiety symptoms. Luckily, medical advancements have made medication safe and effective when used under the care of a doctor; and many people report substantial success with the help of medications. Your doctor can prescribe the medication that is most likely to work with your particular situation.
Finally, it is important to take extra care of yourself if you suffer from anxiety. Anxiety treatment also relies on the patient knowing to what best their body responds. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and plentiful sleep can go a long way toward helping lower anxiety levels.