When Knee Pain May Mean Arthritis

When Knee Pain May Mean Arthritis Learn about the various causes of knee pain, including different kinds of arthritis. If you are experiencing pain, swelling and stiffness in the knees, you may have one of the following types of arthritis or related conditions. Osteoarthritis (OA) The most common form of arthritis OA is caused by the breakdown of cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones where they meet to form joints. Without the protective layer, the bones to rub together, causing stiffness, pain and loss of joint movement in the joint. The knee is one of the joints most commonly affected by OA. In knee OA, you may feel a grating sensation when using the joint or a popping or crackling noise. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes the immune system to mistakenly attacks the joints. The result can be joint damage, pain, swelling, inflammation and loss of function. RA commonly affects joints on both sides of the body. If one knee is affected, the other knee is likely affected as well. Juvenile Arthritis Juvenile arthritis is the term used to describe types of arthritis that affect children age 16 years old or younger. There are several types of juvenile arthritis that cause knee pain and swelling. Gout Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid (UA) can build up in the bloodstream. The acid turns into needle-like crystals in tissues of the body, including the joints. The first symptom of gout is intense pain and swelling in the big toe, but attacks may also commonly affect the knees. Symptoms include a rapid onset of severe pain, which usually reaches its peak after 4 to 12 hours. Lingering pain from gout attacks can persist for weeks, and later attacks tend to last longer and affect more joints. Reactive Arthritis Reactive arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that often occurs following an infection of the genital, urinary or gastrointestinal system. Large joints are often affected, especially the shoulders, hips and knees. Infectious Arthritis Also called septic arthritis, this disease is caused by an infection within the joint. Infectious arthritis is often cause by bacteria that spread through the bloodstream to the joint. Sometimes it is caused by viruses or fungi. Knees are the most commonly affected joints in infectious arthritis. Getting a Proper Diagnosis Other common sources of knee pain include injuries such as tears, dislocations, sprains and or restrictive movement due to adhesions, or scar tissue. Arthritis is difficult to self-diagnose. Talk with your primary care doctor as soon as possible about your symptoms. You may be referred to a rheumatologist or orthopedist to get an accurate diagnosis so you can get the medical care you need. Left undiagnosed and untreated, your condition may worsen and cause disability.--

Everyone has a dry mouth now and then ? from nerves, stress, too much exercise or too little water. But if your dry mouth doesn't go away ? no matter how much water you drink ? the problem may lie with your salivary glands. Chronic dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs when your salivary glands don't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. Your lips and the skin around them may dry and crack, too, and you might find it hard to talk or swallow.

Medications and Dry Mouth Lots of things can contribute to a chronically dry mouth, but medications are the main culprit. More than 500 prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs affect how your salivary glands work. If your mouth feels like it's permanently stuffed with cotton, start by checking the side effects of your medications or ask your doctor about them. Antihistamines Antidepressants Antipsychotics Blood pressure pills Diuretics Pain relievers Sedatives

Sjogren's Syndrome and Dry Mouth Drugs and aging are the most common causes of dry mouth. But if you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or lupus you're also at increased risk of Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder whose main symptoms are dry mouth and eyes. For years, Sjogren's was considered a nuisance condition that didn't cause serious problems. It's now known that it can also affect your joints, kidneys, lungs, skin and cause ongoing fatigue. Like other autoimmune diseases, Sjogren's occurs when inflammation is directed against the body's own tissues ? in this case, the glands that produce moisture in your mouth and eyes. There are two types of Sjogren's syndrome ? primary and secondary. Primary is when you have Sj?gren's symptoms but you don't have another major rheumatic or autoimmune disease. The secondary form is diagnosed when someone who already has another autoimmune disease, such as RA or lupus, develops Sjogren's symptoms. Dry mouth symptoms tend to be worse in primary Sjogren's.

Dangers of Dry Mouth Dry mouth is uncomfortable and can present daily challenges, including the inability to taste or enjoy food. More important, it affects your oral health and digestion. Saliva contains antibacterial compounds that prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. It also makes chewing and swallowing easier and contains the enzyme amylase, which helps break down starches. "Operating a mouth with no spit is like driving a car without motor oil," explains Anna Diaz-Arnold, DDS, a professor in the Department of Family Dentistry at the University of Iowa.

Dry Mouth Treatment The goal of treatment is to keep your mouth as moist as possible. Most therapies are simple things you can do yourself, others will require a prescription. Take small sips of water throughout the day. Chew sugar-free gum. This will help keep as much saliva flowing as possible. Invest in a room humidifier. A moist environment can help your skin, mouth and eyes. Try saliva substitutes. These come as sprays, gels and lozenges and are sold online and in most

pharmacies. Some contain xylitol, which can help protect against cavities but may also cause stomach upset. You might want to stick with products made from carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxyethylcellulose. Your dentist can probably suggest a good brand. Avoid sugary foods and candies. Lower your risk of cavities by avoiding these. Limit caffeine. It can make dry mouth worse. Try prescription medicines. Two medications are approved to stimulate saliva production in people with Sjogren's: cevimeline HCL (Evoxac) and pilocarpine (Salagen). These medications are usually only tried if nothing else has worked. Both have side effects and interact with a host of other drugs, so talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. Get frequent dental care. You may need more-frequent cleanings and dental examinations. Your dentist may also suggest anti-cavity toothpaste and other products to help keep your mouth healthy.--

By Terrie Heinrich Rizzo

How to Avoid Back Injury Twisting at the waist, especially when bending or carrying something, is a prime cause of back pain and injury. You can reduce these risks by making sure your hips, knees and shoulders always move in the same direction. Here are a few more specific movement basics for pain prevention and management to use during your daily activities:

Getting out of bed: Roll onto your side and bend both knees toward your chest in a loose fetal position. With your hands, push your upper body into a sitting position, and move your legs so they

hang over the edge of the bed. Rest a moment if needed, then carefully slide off the edge of the bed until you can firmly place

your feet on the floor, hip- to shoulder-width apart . Stand up, keeping your back straight.

Loading and unloading: Keep loads small. It's OK to make several

trips. Carry loads close to your torso. Keep a straight back as you lift, carry and un-

load, and use your larger muscles and legs to do most of the work. Take several steps to turn around, instead of pivoting on your feet or twisting your upper body.

Shoveling and sweeping: Make sure your feet and the buckle on your belt

face your shovel or broom. Take steps, walking along with the shovel or

broom as you move it. Do not stretch out with your arms and back. When possible, push loads to the side rather than lifting them.

Keep these smart movement tips in mind when going about your daily tasks to help keep your back and joints safe.--

Ingredients Peanut butter filling: 1 1/4 cups (336 grams) creamy conventional peanut butter (NOT 'natural')** Brownies: 10 tablespoons (142 grams) unsalted butter 4 ounces (113 grams) semisweet baking chocolate, chopped 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup (64 grams) all-purpose flour 1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Directions Make the peanut butter filling: Place the peanut butter in a heat safe bowl and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, or until pourable but not super hot. Line a metal 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Spread the peanut butter into an even layer in the pan. Freeze for 1 hour or until solidified. Use the parchment to remove from pan and return peanut butter sheet to freezer. Keep frozen while making the brownie batter. Make the brownies: Preheat oven to 350?Line the square pan again with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. In a large microwave-safe bowl combine the butter and chocolate. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until the mixture is melted and smooth. Add the sugar to the hot butter mixture and whisk vigorously until combined. Allow to cool until just barely warm. Add in eggs, yolk, and vanilla extract and whisk for about 1 minute, or until very well combined. Use a rubber spatula to stir in flour, cocoa powder, and salt until just combined. Pour half of the batter into prepared pan and smooth out. Carefully place the frozen peanut butter sheet over the batter. Pour remaining batter on top, covering completely. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through but still very slightly gooey in the center. Let cool in pan 30 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool for another 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serving chilled makes the brownies extra fudgy! - Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies Handle the Heat

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download