By JOE GRAEDON and TERESA GRAEDON, Ph.D.
King Features Syndicate
I read with great interest about your readers who have had good results using acupressure bands as a sleep aid. I, too, have had great results from acupressure bands, but as a cure for nausea.
When I was pregnant, I suffered from nausea 24 hours a day. (I'll never figure out why they call it "morning sickness," because I was nauseated morning, noon and night.) I had to travel with plastic bags in my car because I never knew when I would need to vomit.
Finally, a friend sent me these new anti-nausea bands that are worn around the wrist and provide constant pressure on something called the Nei-Kuan acupressure point. I found that I felt so much better, I wore them for the duration of my pregnancy. The bands are called Psi Bands and are adjustable for any size wrist. You can control the amount of pressure you apply, which makes them comfortable to wear.
Even though I am no longer pregnant, I wear them on long car trips and when I travel by air.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Introduction to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medically Reviewed On: October 04, 2006
Arthritis is not a single disease, but an umbrella term that is used to describe more than 100 chronic conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. All of them cause pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Often, these symptoms can make the simplest of everyday tasks, from opening a jar to walking up stairs, difficult to accomplish.
The most debilitating form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, it affects about one percent of the United States population, or about 2.1 million Americans. The condition occurs in all races and ethnic groups.
Rheumatoid arthritis often begins in middle age, usually somewhere between the ages of 30 and 50. However, it can also affect people who are over 50. A similar condition, known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, can strike children and teenagers.
No one knows exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but a variety of factors, including genetics and hormones are suspected. The hormone link may explain why women have proven to be at a much higher risk for the disease. Research indicates that between one and three percent of all women may develop rheumatoid arthritis in their lifetime, and women comprise approximately 70 percent of all people with the disease. The hormone connection also appears likely because of studies which demonstrate that the disease seems to go into remission during pregnancy, and the symptoms tend to increase in intensity after the baby is born. Research has also found that the disease often develops in the year after giving birth.
The Role of the Immune System
Unlike other forms of arthritis, which can result from wear and tear on the joints, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. That means it is an illness which occurs when the immune system malfunctions and produces antibodies or specialized cells which attack and damage the body's own tissues.
In a healthy individual, the immune system protects the body by fighting off foreign substances, called antigens, such as viruses and bacteria. When an autoimmune disease is present, the immune system seems to go into overdrive and starts reacting to the body's healthy cells as well. The result is often damaging inflammation in different organs, joints and body tissue.
In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation primarily occurs in the membrane that lines the joint, called the synovium. This process is called synovitis and is responsible for the chronic pain, stiffness, swelling and limited motion and function that many people with rheumatoid arthritis experience. The inflammation can destroy the cartilage, bone and ligaments and can eventually cause the joints to become deformed. Most often it is the smaller joints that are affected, such as the ones in the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.
However, the damaging effects don't stop there. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other parts of the body as well. It can harm virtually every organ or system in the body including the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and skin.
Long-Lasting Effects
Although the disease is chronic, meaning it can last for years, its symptoms actually wax and wane. There are times when the disease will be active, which is referred to as a flare. There are also times when people with rheumatoid arthritis will experience no symptoms, and those episodes can last for years.
Despite its cyclical nature, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness. If the inflammation is not stopped or slowed down with treatment early, it can cause extensive joint damage and long term disability. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis have difficulty carrying out normal activities associated with daily living, including simple things like standing, dressing themselves, going to the bathroom and carrying out household chores.
The debilitating symptoms can also interfere with people's ability to perform their jobs. As many as half of those with rheumatoid arthritis are no longer able to work ten to 20 years after their condition is diagnosed. Nationwide, rheumatoid arthritis and related arthritic conditions are considered a major cause of disability in the United States, costing the U.S. economy more than 124 billion dollars per year in medical care and indirect expenses such as lost wages and production.
Help is Available
Rheumatoid arthritis has been a primary focus of research for many decades, and the treatments now available have dramatically improved outcomes for patients. Many of these therapies have made it possible to stop or at least slow down the progression of the joint damage, especially if started early.
Arthritis self-management programs also play an important role in helping people learn how to cope with the pain, as well as the other effects of the disease. Research shows that these programs can lead to a reduction in pain and can help people remain active and learn to cope better physically, emotionally and mentally. Giving people the tools they need to manage their condition and take care of themselves has proven useful in helping patients learn to lead independent and productive lives
Arthritis is not a single disease, but an umbrella term that is used to describe more than 100 chronic conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. All of them cause pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Often, these symptoms can make the simplest of everyday tasks, from opening a jar to walking up stairs, difficult to accomplish.
The most debilitating form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, it affects about one percent of the United States population, or about 2.1 million Americans. The condition occurs in all races and ethnic groups.
Rheumatoid arthritis often begins in middle age, usually somewhere between the ages of 30 and 50. However, it can also affect people who are over 50. A similar condition, known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, can strike children and teenagers.
No one knows exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but a variety of factors, including genetics and hormones are suspected. The hormone link may explain why women have proven to be at a much higher risk for the disease. Research indicates that between one and three percent of all women may develop rheumatoid arthritis in their lifetime, and women comprise approximately 70 percent of all people with the disease. The hormone connection also appears likely because of studies which demonstrate that the disease seems to go into remission during pregnancy, and the symptoms tend to increase in intensity after the baby is born. Research has also found that the disease often develops in the year after giving birth.
The Role of the Immune System
Unlike other forms of arthritis, which can result from wear and tear on the joints, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. That means it is an illness which occurs when the immune system malfunctions and produces antibodies or specialized cells which attack and damage the body's own tissues.
In a healthy individual, the immune system protects the body by fighting off foreign substances, called antigens, such as viruses and bacteria. When an autoimmune disease is present, the immune system seems to go into overdrive and starts reacting to the body's healthy cells as well. The result is often damaging inflammation in different organs, joints and body tissue.
In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation primarily occurs in the membrane that lines the joint, called the synovium. This process is called synovitis and is responsible for the chronic pain, stiffness, swelling and limited motion and function that many people with rheumatoid arthritis experience. The inflammation can destroy the cartilage, bone and ligaments and can eventually cause the joints to become deformed. Most often it is the smaller joints that are affected, such as the ones in the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.
However, the damaging effects don't stop there. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other parts of the body as well. It can harm virtually every organ or system in the body including the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and skin.
Long-Lasting Effects
Although the disease is chronic, meaning it can last for years, its symptoms actually wax and wane. There are times when the disease will be active, which is referred to as a flare. There are also times when people with rheumatoid arthritis will experience no symptoms, and those episodes can last for years.
Despite its cyclical nature, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness. If the inflammation is not stopped or slowed down with treatment early, it can cause extensive joint damage and long term disability. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis have difficulty carrying out normal activities associated with daily living, including simple things like standing, dressing themselves, going to the bathroom and carrying out household chores.
The debilitating symptoms can also interfere with people's ability to perform their jobs. As many as half of those with rheumatoid arthritis are no longer able to work ten to 20 years after their condition is diagnosed. Nationwide, rheumatoid arthritis and related arthritic conditions are considered a major cause of disability in the United States, costing the U.S. economy more than 124 billion dollars per year in medical care and indirect expenses such as lost wages and production.
Help is Available
Rheumatoid arthritis has been a primary focus of research for many decades, and the treatments now available have dramatically improved outcomes for patients. Many of these therapies have made it possible to stop or at least slow down the progression of the joint damage, especially if started early.
Arthritis self-management programs also play an important role in helping people learn how to cope with the pain, as well as the other effects of the disease. Research shows that these programs can lead to a reduction in pain and can help people remain active and learn to cope better physically, emotionally and mentally. Giving people the tools they need to manage their condition and take care of themselves has proven useful in helping patients learn to lead independent and productive lives
When Psoriasis Gets Under Your Skin and in Your Joints
Author:
Karen Barrow
Medically Reviewed On: May 11, 2005
More than 4.5 million adults suffer from psoriasis, a chronic condition that causes red, flaky patches of thickened skin. This uncontrollable overgrowth of skin cells can appear on the scalp, hands, feet and genitalia. But the lesions most commonly appear on the elbows, knees and lower back, which might give a hint as to why almost one third of psoriasis sufferers also have a compounding disease, psoriatic arthritis, which affects the joints and can be crippling.
Psoriatic arthritis, however, can be effectively treated in most patients if it is recognized early enough. Alan Menter, MD, chief of dermatology at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas outlines this potentially disabling disease and the treatments available for it.
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that is almost always associated with a skin disease called psoriasis. There are five different subtypes of the joint disease: anything from just a few swollen fingers and toes to more severe involvement of large joints to very disabling involvement where the hands and feet and the spine get pretty inflamed and chronically destroyed, actually. [It is mainly associated with a decrease in the range of motion, more so than pain.] So, it's a whole range from very minor disease to very severe disease, which can be disabling in about 20 percent of patients.
What causes psoriatic arthritis?
As with a lot of other diseases, there's a genetic component, but there's an environmental component as well, possibly illnesses, infections, stress. There are eight different genes associated with the skin disease, and some of those are also associated with the joint disease.
Psoriasis an immune-mediated disease, whereby T cells, [normal immune cells] are increased in number. As these cells circulate into the skin and the joints, they produce a chemical by the name of TNFα. This chemical leads to the destruction of the skin and the destruction of the joints. But the exact trigger factors of psoriasis, outside of the genetic factors, all remain to be elucidated.
Does skin psoriasis always lead to psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriasis usually occurs five to ten years before the joint disease develops. One out of three patients with the skin disease will develop the joint disease. And the severity of the skin disease does not correlate with the development of psoriatic arthritis. In other words, you can get just a few small patches of skin disease but devastating joint disease, or you can get devastating skin disease with no joint disease. However, psoriatic arthritis is going to present as skin disease in nine out of ten cases before it ever occurs in the joints.
Karen Barrow
Medically Reviewed On: May 11, 2005
More than 4.5 million adults suffer from psoriasis, a chronic condition that causes red, flaky patches of thickened skin. This uncontrollable overgrowth of skin cells can appear on the scalp, hands, feet and genitalia. But the lesions most commonly appear on the elbows, knees and lower back, which might give a hint as to why almost one third of psoriasis sufferers also have a compounding disease, psoriatic arthritis, which affects the joints and can be crippling.
Psoriatic arthritis, however, can be effectively treated in most patients if it is recognized early enough. Alan Menter, MD, chief of dermatology at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas outlines this potentially disabling disease and the treatments available for it.
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that is almost always associated with a skin disease called psoriasis. There are five different subtypes of the joint disease: anything from just a few swollen fingers and toes to more severe involvement of large joints to very disabling involvement where the hands and feet and the spine get pretty inflamed and chronically destroyed, actually. [It is mainly associated with a decrease in the range of motion, more so than pain.] So, it's a whole range from very minor disease to very severe disease, which can be disabling in about 20 percent of patients.
What causes psoriatic arthritis?
As with a lot of other diseases, there's a genetic component, but there's an environmental component as well, possibly illnesses, infections, stress. There are eight different genes associated with the skin disease, and some of those are also associated with the joint disease.
Psoriasis an immune-mediated disease, whereby T cells, [normal immune cells] are increased in number. As these cells circulate into the skin and the joints, they produce a chemical by the name of TNFα. This chemical leads to the destruction of the skin and the destruction of the joints. But the exact trigger factors of psoriasis, outside of the genetic factors, all remain to be elucidated.
Does skin psoriasis always lead to psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriasis usually occurs five to ten years before the joint disease develops. One out of three patients with the skin disease will develop the joint disease. And the severity of the skin disease does not correlate with the development of psoriatic arthritis. In other words, you can get just a few small patches of skin disease but devastating joint disease, or you can get devastating skin disease with no joint disease. However, psoriatic arthritis is going to present as skin disease in nine out of ten cases before it ever occurs in the joints.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Cargill announces GRAS status for non-animal glucosamine
Minneapolis-based Cargill has announced that its Regenasure ingredient, the only non-animal glucosamine available on the market, has been determined generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The announcement permits the ingredient to break out of the supplements market and break into a variety of foods and beverages. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are the most commonly used supplements for osteoarthritis, with estimated sales of $730m in the US in 2004.
"Regenasure glucosamine with GRAS status allows our food and beverage customers to confidently incorporate glucosamine into new of existing products, allowing them to innovate in mainstream markets and address consumer joint health needs with ease," said Bill Gruber, VP of Cargill Acidulants.
The fungus-derived ingredient, being the only non-animal glucosamine available (other glucosamine products are derived from the shell of crabs, lobster and shrimps) eliminates fears over shellfish allergues, and is also Kosher/Halal certified.
According to Cargill, the ingredient is also highly soluble and clean tasting.
Proving its ease of formulation, Coca-Cola launched a Minute Maid beverage this month with the ingredient, with each serving containing half the daily amount of glucosamine demonstrated by clinical trials to be effective in promoting joint health (750 mg).
The joint health benefits of glucosamine have been reported in numerous clinical trials, most notably the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), sponsored by the National Institute of Health, that studied the effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements on 1583 people with osteoarthritis and found that the combination supplement was highly efficacious in reducing moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis pain (New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 354, pp. 795-808).
The ingredient is reported to work by rebuilding cartilage in the joints.
Cargill's Regenasure also gives manufacturers a more stable source, since the introduction of trade tariffs at the end of 2004 halved the profits made by shrimp farmers in China and other producing countries, causing many to give up the business and glucosamine prices to soar.
The announcement permits the ingredient to break out of the supplements market and break into a variety of foods and beverages. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are the most commonly used supplements for osteoarthritis, with estimated sales of $730m in the US in 2004.
"Regenasure glucosamine with GRAS status allows our food and beverage customers to confidently incorporate glucosamine into new of existing products, allowing them to innovate in mainstream markets and address consumer joint health needs with ease," said Bill Gruber, VP of Cargill Acidulants.
The fungus-derived ingredient, being the only non-animal glucosamine available (other glucosamine products are derived from the shell of crabs, lobster and shrimps) eliminates fears over shellfish allergues, and is also Kosher/Halal certified.
According to Cargill, the ingredient is also highly soluble and clean tasting.
Proving its ease of formulation, Coca-Cola launched a Minute Maid beverage this month with the ingredient, with each serving containing half the daily amount of glucosamine demonstrated by clinical trials to be effective in promoting joint health (750 mg).
The joint health benefits of glucosamine have been reported in numerous clinical trials, most notably the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), sponsored by the National Institute of Health, that studied the effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements on 1583 people with osteoarthritis and found that the combination supplement was highly efficacious in reducing moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis pain (New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 354, pp. 795-808).
The ingredient is reported to work by rebuilding cartilage in the joints.
Cargill's Regenasure also gives manufacturers a more stable source, since the introduction of trade tariffs at the end of 2004 halved the profits made by shrimp farmers in China and other producing countries, causing many to give up the business and glucosamine prices to soar.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
More tiny babies being born in UK
More babies are born at dangerously low birth weights in Britain now than in 1989, a report says.
The study was carried out by the Fabian Society, a left-leaning think-tank, which called the finding a "scar on the national conscience".
It calls for more financial support for at-risk women, better access to antenatal services and one-to-one care for all newborns in intensive care.
A minister said the recommendations must be studied carefully.
The researchers found that in 2006, 78 out of every 1,000 babies were born weighing less than 5lb8oz (2.5kg). That amounted to a total of more than 50,000 babies.
In 1989, 67 out of every 1,000 babies were born under weight.
Low-birth weight is linked to an increased risk death and disability, and a range of long-term health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression.
The report found that older women and teenagers were most likely to have a low birth weight baby.
It said more work was needed to cut teenage pregnancy rates, and employers should offer more support to women, so fewer felt compelled to put off having a child.
The report also found lone parents were nine times as likely to have a stillbirth as other parents.
Babies born to working-class mothers were twice as likely to die before their first birthday as those with middle-class parents.
Mothers of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin had a high risk of having low birth-weight babies - their babies are on average 300g lighter than those of white mothers.
These mothers also attended fewer antenatal appointments than other ethnic groups.
Lead researcher Louise Bamfield conceded that medical advances meant more low birth weight babies were now surviving, but she said social deprivation and low income were significant factors.
She said: "If Britain had the same record on low birth weight as the best countries in Europe, 24,000 babies would have much improved life chances.
"The facts should shock us all. Britain has the worst rate of every country in western Europe, except Greece.
"And being born very small creates health risks throughout life - and will affect the health of babies they will themselves have years later."
Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman said: "We have made important progress since 1997 on reducing child poverty and creating the early years agenda.
"We must now be bolder and develop the new policies to make building a fairer society the central theme of Labour's next term in office.
"The Fabian Society's evidence on inequalities at birth must be studied carefully by government and the Labour party. The political argument will need to be won too."
Andy Cole, chief executive of Bliss, the premature baby charity, said: "Around 40,000 babies are born underweight each year in England alone, and many will undoubtedly spend time in a neonatal unit before going home.
"The very first days after birth are critical for their health and it is vital that the recommended standard of one-to-one nursing for babies in intensive care is made mandatory."
The study was carried out by the Fabian Society, a left-leaning think-tank, which called the finding a "scar on the national conscience".
It calls for more financial support for at-risk women, better access to antenatal services and one-to-one care for all newborns in intensive care.
A minister said the recommendations must be studied carefully.
The researchers found that in 2006, 78 out of every 1,000 babies were born weighing less than 5lb8oz (2.5kg). That amounted to a total of more than 50,000 babies.
In 1989, 67 out of every 1,000 babies were born under weight.
Low-birth weight is linked to an increased risk death and disability, and a range of long-term health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression.
The report found that older women and teenagers were most likely to have a low birth weight baby.
It said more work was needed to cut teenage pregnancy rates, and employers should offer more support to women, so fewer felt compelled to put off having a child.
The report also found lone parents were nine times as likely to have a stillbirth as other parents.
Babies born to working-class mothers were twice as likely to die before their first birthday as those with middle-class parents.
Mothers of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin had a high risk of having low birth-weight babies - their babies are on average 300g lighter than those of white mothers.
These mothers also attended fewer antenatal appointments than other ethnic groups.
Lead researcher Louise Bamfield conceded that medical advances meant more low birth weight babies were now surviving, but she said social deprivation and low income were significant factors.
She said: "If Britain had the same record on low birth weight as the best countries in Europe, 24,000 babies would have much improved life chances.
"The facts should shock us all. Britain has the worst rate of every country in western Europe, except Greece.
"And being born very small creates health risks throughout life - and will affect the health of babies they will themselves have years later."
Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman said: "We have made important progress since 1997 on reducing child poverty and creating the early years agenda.
"We must now be bolder and develop the new policies to make building a fairer society the central theme of Labour's next term in office.
"The Fabian Society's evidence on inequalities at birth must be studied carefully by government and the Labour party. The political argument will need to be won too."
Andy Cole, chief executive of Bliss, the premature baby charity, said: "Around 40,000 babies are born underweight each year in England alone, and many will undoubtedly spend time in a neonatal unit before going home.
"The very first days after birth are critical for their health and it is vital that the recommended standard of one-to-one nursing for babies in intensive care is made mandatory."
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