Gouty Arthritis

What is Gout?

Gout is a form of Arthritis that causes inflammation usually in joint. It can cause sudden burning pain and swelling in a joint. After some time gout can harm your joints, tendons, and some other tissues. It is found most in men. It is ten times more common in men than in women.
Gout is caused by too much uric acid levels in the blood. Uric acid forms crystals in your joints.Uric acid crystal deposits in the joint cause inflammation of the joint leading to pain, redness, heat & swelling. 

How is Uric Acid formed?

Uric acid is a product of the metabolic breakdown of Purine Nucleotides. Purines are type of proteins.

Risk factors of Gout:

-Obesity
-Excessive weight gain
-Alcohol consumption

-High blood pressure
-Abnormal Kidney function

-Gout is more common after surgery, trauma & dehydration.
-Medications such as diuretics that raise the level of uric acid in blood stream are risk factors of  gout.

Formation of Tophi in Gout conditions:

A tophi is a hard nodule of Uric acid that is deposited under the skin. Tophi can be found in various locations in the body, commonly on the elbows, upper ear cartilage, and on surface if joints. When Tophi are present, the Uric acid level in blood has been high for years.

Medications:

Mild uncomplicated gout can be treated with diet & life  style change. Studies have shown that even most rigorous diets does not lower uric acid levels. Medications are necessary.
There are three categories of medications:

   -Pain Relieving medications.

   -Prophylactic medications.
   -Uric acid lowering medications.

Prevention:

-Your diet should be with low saturated fat, and less in refined carbohydrates(for eg. sugar, bakery bread, potato chips etc.), less in complex carbohydrates(Whole grains)will reduce uric acid level. 

-Do not consume high fat dairy products.

-Do not consume sea food, red meat.
-Do not consume alcohol.
-Beverages which are sweetened with sugar or high fructose drinks increase risk of gout.
-Control obesity. Do walking or jogging to burn calories. If walking or jogging is difficult, do some simple hand exercises.

Weight loss tips

Time Management: Decide on which part of the day you want to do exercise. You must exercise at least half an hour a day. A week has 168 hours, out of which you have to utilize at least 5 hours a week.

Eat healthy home cooked food: Prepare healthy less fat food in home. Home food plays important role in weight loss because you can adjust the content of oil, fat, salt in it while cooking.

Do Cardio and weights workout: A healthy weight loss programme is incomplete without a healthy exercise routine.  Weight training mixed with cardio exercises is best way to loose weight.

Have healthy snacks: Have healthy snacks. Avoid oil fried snacks. Have biscuits and cookies, popcorns. Skip some snacks and have fruits and vegetables.

Drink more Water: Drinking at least two litres of water a day. Doing so will help burn fat.

Vitamin D importance

Vitamin D is a sunshine vitamin. It is formed in the skin by exposing skin to sun's UV-B rays. Skin should be exposed to sun at least for 15 minutes. In summer, go out in sun in morning and evening and in winter you can go out even in afternoon. Play out door games in sun. Vitamin D mainly helps in absorption of calcium. It also helps in absorption of phosphates, magnesium and zinc.
         Vitamin D's importance starts right from childhood. During childhood establishment of healthy bones that do not change in shape due to weight bearing is important.
           Deficiency of vitamin D can lead to many problems:
           1)It can cause skeletal deformities known as Rickets
           2)Children learn lately to walk.
           3)Difficulty in climbing stairs in adolescents.
           4)It can also cause bone pain
           5)It can cause osteoporosis, stress fractures
           6)Deficiency can cause colon, prostrate, breast, pancreas cancer.
           7)Deficiency during pregnancy increases risk of Type 1 Diabetes,                             arthritis, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia.
  Vitamin D also prevents skin diseases like psoriasis, chronic utricaria. It is needed for good mental health.
  Vitamin D supplements should be taken in medical supervision. High levels of Vitamin D can cause headache, vomiting, raised pressure in brain.

Stress Management

Stress is common problems we face in our daily life. It may be work pressure, financial problem, exam fear, relationships etc. Too much of stress will put you in a bad mood. It also results in problems like depression, blood pressure, heart disease. Here are some ways to reduce stress:

Calming scents:
When you sniff something you like, you will breathe more deeply. Your blood pressure lowers and your heart rate gets slow all of which will relax you. Engage yourself in this fragrance when you are in stress. If you don't have your calming scents near you, then just take 4-5 deep breaths. 

Speak slowly:
When you feel surrounded by stress, speak slowly than usual. You will find yourself thinking more clearly and reacting more responsibly. Stressed people talk fast and breathlessly. Speaking slowly will make you less anxious.

Try not to allow yourself to waste energy and thoughts where it is not needed.

Have stress busting foods:
Research show that several foods boost the level of Serotonin(a calming brain chemical). They can also reduce levels of Cortisol and Adrenaline(these are stress hormones). A nutritious diet can combat the impact of stress.
   Drink Plenty of water: Dehydration may induce stress and anxiety. So stay hydrated.
   Oranges: Oranges are rich sources of Vitamin C. They can reduce levels of stress                              hormones

Exercise for better blood circulation and better health

People who lead their lifestyle inactive need to stay fit and healthy and also increase their blood circulation in the body. Sitting in front of computer for long hours leaves one fatigued to regularly exercise. Lack of exercise slows down blood circulation in the body.
Good blood circulation is very necessary to improve ones memory and concentration, preventing toxin formation in body and keeping joints of body flexible.

                   Exercise is cheap, it can even be free. You will live longer if you exercise(There is connection between exercise and heart health). Exercise reduces stress.

Here are some exercises to do on a regular basis to improve blood circulation in body:

 1.Walking
    Walking is most simplest and easiest of all exercises. Walk just for 30 minutes a day.
    After food, take a walk of 5 minutes. Don't walk fast after having food. Walk normally         after food.

 2.Swimming

    If you hate gym and want to do something different, then swimming is the great                   option. There are many styles(strokes) of swimming to enjoy. They are back stroke,             butterfly stroke, breast stroke, side stroke, dog paddle, survival travel stroke,                       snorkeling, fin swimming, flutter back finning, feet first swimming, cork                             screw swimming, turtle stroke, moth stroke and still more.

 3.Aerobics

    If you love music, you will surely love swaying to it too. Enroll for aerobic classes or             buy DVDs of aerobics available online or in market.

 4.Cycling

    Cycling is one of best exercises. It provides heart and blood vessels good work out.               Cycling tones muscles of legs and thighs. 

    
 5.Belly Dancing
    Dancing, especially belly dancing, is very effective when it comes to blood circulation.       It improves cardio-vascular health, improves abdominal muscles and bowel                           movements.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Prostrate Cancer: Symptoms and Care

What is Prostrate Cancer?
Prostrate Cancer is Cancer of Prostrate gland. Prostrate gland is present only in men. It is found in pelvis. Prostrate gland secretes part of fluid portion of semen. The fluid secreted is essential for reproduction.

Prostrate Cancer Symptoms
 1.Frequent need to urinate.
 2.Difficulty to start urinating.
 3.Difficulty to hold urine while urinating.
 4.Interrupted weak flow of urine.
 5.Blood in semen or in urine.
 6.Pain or burning sensation with urination or ejaculation.
 7.Difficulty in having erection.
  Risk factors:
 1.Age
  Risk of Prostrate Cancer increases with age. People above 50 years of age are more prone to Prostrate Cancer.

2.Family History
A man whose father has or had prostrate cancer is twice more likely to get prostrate cancer. If several family members had prostrate cancer then risk is very high. If it is found within 40 years of age in father then there are more chances of inheriting it to the children.

3.Nationality
Prostrate cancer is more common in North America, Europian countries, Caribbean and Australia. It is less common in Asia, Africa and South America.

3.Genetic Factors  
Mutations in portion of DNA called BRCA2 gene can increase risk of Prostrate Cancer. The same mutation in females may increase the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. 

4.Other Reasons
Diets high in red meats and fatty foods and less in vegeterian food can increase risk of developing prostrate cancer. Obesity can also increase the risk of Prostrate Cancer.

Diagnosis of Prostrate cancer
  1.Physical examination(Digital Rectal Examination)
     In physical examination doctor will insert gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum        to feel hardened areas or bumps or lumps on prostrate that might be a cancer. This              test should be carried out after the age of 50. If your family background has                        prostrate cancer then this test should be conducted after age of 40.
                                                                                                                                           2.Prostrate Specific Antigen (Blood) Test
      The PSA test measures the blood level of PSA(Prostrate specific antigen), a protein               that is produced by the prostate gland. This test is carried along with Digital Rectal             Examination(Physical examination). PSA test is carried for different intervals (say                 weekly) and if PSA level is increasing in blood, there is chance that patient is                       developing prostrate cancer. If there is high level of PSA in blood(in first                              test), it does not mean there is prostrate cancer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          






  

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