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Rheumatoid Arthritis patients often suffer from depression!

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Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid Arthritis patients often suffer from depression!

Majority of the world’s population suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. As a result pain in the joints is a common symptom. But are you aware that depression is a major concern amongst the patients suffering from this ailment? The higher the pain, the higher the rate of depression in the patient. A lot of research has been done in this field. As per the research and their findings nearly 13 to 20% of the patients suffer from depression. This percentage is highly dependent on the social demographics as well as the characteristics of the ailment. Thus the patients have a double chance of suffering from depression compared to the general public. There is another thing that we need to consider here. The way a patient deals with depression has a lot to do with how they deal with their pain and their level of interaction with their practitioner.

Now there is an interesting angle to the depression and pain syndrome. As per the research the relationship between the two can be calculated on the basis of symptoms, cognitions and behaviors of the patients. As already mentioned it is said that the level of depression increases with the increase in pain. But surprisingly it is seen that even if the pain is brought under control there seems to be no decrease in the level of the depression factor. It is often seen that the intensity of the depression is associated with the verbal description of the pain. Say for example if as per the patient the pain is unbearable, then there has been a rise in the depression factor and not with the frequency with which the pain occurs. So there is a debate amongst the researchers as to whether the intensity of the pain causes this depression or whether it is vice versa.

The decrease in functional ability also seems to contribute to the depression level. This happens more if the patient is unable to do certain activities that they consider important such as visiting one’s family over the weekend, taking a holiday and so on. As per research nearly 10 % reductions in these activities leads to about 7 fold increase in depression. As a result the patient lacks the determination and will to carry out any activity.

However if you are looking for a definite link between the pain and disability to carry out activities that may lead to depression – then you will be disappointed on this as the relation between all these factors are unclear. It is true that pain and stress are vital factors but then there are many patients who suffer from disability and chronic pain and yet they have not experienced depression. So what we can conclude is that although these factors are vital they are not a must in having depression. There are many other factors that can be equally influencing. Stress and lack of social support play important role.

So there is no specific hard and fast rule as to what contributes to depression in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. It varies from one patient to another and depends on various characteristics and symptoms.

 

Ashley is a graduate of NUS university of Singapore. After graduating, she starts writing as her carrier. She has 7 years experience for writing and writes wide range of topics on diet, health, nutrition finance, travel etc. She wants to share an informative article for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.

Chiropractic Care is an Effective Weight Loss Method

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weight lossChiropractic Care is an Effective Weight Loss Method

Many people dealing with the reality of obesity are beginning to explore non-traditional weight loss methods to supplement diet and exercise. In doing so, they often turn to chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is often used as a means of increasing health and helping with weight loss. This multi-dimensional approach to weight loss is one that addresses the real goal: getting healthy. If you’re struggling to lose weight, here’s why you should choose chiropractic care, what it is and how it works.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is an all-natural approach to wellness. It involves spinal manipulation by a qualified professional to effectively treat and reduce pain in the body. Experienced chiropractors put special focus on the challenges associated with weight loss and work to promote a healthy lifestyle for those with weight problems. Chiropractic care extends far beyond the short term and continues to help patients achieve long-term weight loss and wellness.

How Does it Work?

Chiropractors concentrate on holistic treatment approaches to weight loss. After an initial evaluation, he or she will determine the underlying problem and cause within the body. From there, a treatment plan is developed based on each person’s unique need. As treatment progresses, your chiropractor works with you to establish a diet and exercise plan that best suits your needs and offer encouragement along the way. The following is a more detailed explanation of techniques used by chiropractors in weight loss.

 Spinal Manipulation

Also known as an “adjustment,” chiropractors perform spinal manipulation as it has been proven effective in weight management. Not only does spinal manipulation relieve joint pressure, but it also increases flexibility. In addition to feeling better physically and increased ease of motion, spinal alignments help the body process nutrients and operate more efficiently allowing you to metabolize and process foods better than before. 

Massage

Much like spinal manipulation, massage techniques have proven effective in achieving weight loss as they reduce stress and improve mental health. A good massage can help you relax and feel balanced, positively impacting your overall health. 

After Care and Encouragement

Your chiropractor is not your weight loss coach, but your life coach. The goal is to lose weight simply by increasing your overall health and well-being, and your chiropractor will be your biggest supporter along the way. The focus will be you, not numbers on a scale. Your chiropractor will likely recommend other alternative medicine techniques for weight loss. For example, your doctor might recommend weight loss injections (or vitamin injections) like the ones offered by this company. There are numerous vitamins that help aid weight loss. Additionally, many of these vitamins make your trips the chiropractor more effective.

While all chiropractors perform spinal manipulation, some have areas of expertise that others do not. For the best results, it is important to find a chiropractor that places an emphasis on complete bodily health and wellness.

Correcting Hormone Imbalance with Chiropractic Care

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hormonal imbalanceCorrecting Hormone Imbalance with Chiropractic Care

Many people view chiropractic care as an obscure, ineffective branch of medicine. Even those who are supporters of the practice think chiropractors are just “back doctors.” Unfortunately, both of these perceptions are inaccurate.

The Chiropractic Mindset

Proponents of chiropractic care believe our overall health is dependent on proper spinal and nervous system health. When these vital elements of the body are out of balance, the rest of the systems suffer the consequences. Our bodies crave a state of homeostasis and balance. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much effort to create this ideal situation. By attending to the spine and nervous system health, chiropractors can influence positive change in other areas of the body. Therefore, these holistic healers offer numerous benefits—many we didn’t even know possible. One of the many benefits of alternative medicine is correcting hormone imbalances.

Understanding Hormones

Hormones are essential chemicals that regulate and facilitate many of the body’s most necessary functions. They serve as messengers, traveling through the bloodstream from one tissue to another. The most talked about hormones are estrogen and testosterone. Most people are familiar with the way estrogen wreaks havoc in the lives of menopausal women and how low testosterone affects the sex life of men. However, these two hormones only scratch the surface of what the body is capable of producing and regulating. There are hundreds of hormones flowing through the body at any given moment.

Hormones are responsible for various functions of the body, such as:

  • Growth
  • Circadian rhythm management (like sleep/wake patterns, appetite, etc.)
  • Moods and emotions
  • Healthy immunity
  • Metabolism regulation
  • Puberty, menopause, and andropause
  • Reproductive health
  • Sexual arousal 

Hormone levels are in a constant state of flux. However, there are definite “high” and “low” thresholds and a span that is considered normal. When hormones become imbalance, patients can expect to experience things like:

  • Excessive mood swings
  • Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
  • Depression
  • Disturbances in sleep patterns
  • Decrease libido
  • Unexplained hair loss or growth 

Since none of these situations are desirable, it is important to keep hormone levels in check.

Chiropractic Care to Balance Hormones

Many people find it surprising to learn chiropractors can help regulate hormones. Because of the widespread appeal of commercial products for hormone replacement therapy, many people are unaware of the natural healing techniques. Fortunately, chiropractors offer drug-free, non-surgical hormone restoration techniques. Usually, these alternative methods involve spinal subluxation, exercise and a healthy diet.

Spinal Subluxation

When the spine is misaligned, it puts pressure on the nearby nerves. This pressure hinders the nerves’ ability to communicate with the rest of the body. When this happens, the brain doesn’t receive the messages it needs to in order to regulate the body (it can also receive inaccurate messages). When the brain is receiving poor information from the rest of the body, it won’t properly communicate with the endocrine system—which is responsible for hormone regulation.  Once the spinal alignment has been restored, the nervous system will begin functioning properly again.

Exercise

Many hormone imbalances are caused by weight management issues. For example, there is a direct correlation between obesity and low testosterone. There is also a correlation between decreased muscle mass and low testosterone. For these reasons, it is essential to incorporate exercise into an all-natural hormone management system. Fortunately, there are many exercises that boost testosterone naturally. In addition to exercise, there are other lifestyle changes that can naturally increase testosterone and other hormones.

Nutrition

A healthy diet is also a key element in overall health. Since an alarming portion of the population is deficient in one or more nutrients, it is no surprise our health suffers. Therefore, proper nutrition should always be included in any alternative healing technique.

Balancing Your Hormones

If you suspect a hormone imbalance, talk with your chiropractor. The doctor can conduct a simple test to evaluate your hormone levels. Once hormones have been deemed inadequate, the chiropractor will work with you to bring a natural balance to your body.

 

6 Vitamins and Minerals to Enhance Chiropractic Care

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VITAMINS

Routine visits to the chiropractor help you feel and live better. Mainly that’s because chiropractors focus on two main groups in your body: the skeletal and the nervous system. These systems impact your daily life in more ways than you can imagine.If you’ve had regular visits to your chiropractor for some time now, but you want to do your part in order to keep on top of your health and well-being, then there’s some good news! These six vitamins and minerals will enhance the skeletal and nervous systems so the work of your chiropractor is even more effective.

Vitamins for Your Nervous System

Your nervous system includes your brain, spinal cord, and every nerve ending throughout your body, so it’s obviously incredibly important for you to live your best. This system dictates heartbeat, movement, memory, cognitive functions, and breathing. In order to keep all of these functions in tip-top condition, be sure to get plenty of the following vitamins and minerals. 

1. Potassium.

Never underestimate the importance of Potassium for your body’s nervous system. Since this mineral regulates nerve impulses it is essential for your nervous system’s maintenance. More specifically, Potassium manages the electrochemical impulses which the nerve cells use to signal throughout the rest of the cell. As a result Potassium directly contributes to the regulation of nerve control which can also prevent uncontrolled nerve signaling. This sort of uncontrolled nerve response can lead to diseases like epilepsy. In order to keep your Potassium levels adequate, consider eating foods like bananas, prune juice, and oranges in order to supplement as needed. 

2. Vitamin B12.

This essential vitamin helps regulate your body’s metabolism by breaking complex carbs into glucose which can then fuel your brain. B12 also helps to regulate myelin, an insulator that allows nerve transmission. A deficiency in B12 can cause a breakdown of this insulator which in turn can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s. Deficiencies are actually quite common. Most people need B12 shots to get their nutrient levels back to normal. Talk to your doctor; see if you need to purchase B12 shots or if you can get by with just eating lots of shellfish, poultry, beef, and eggs.

3. Calcium.

The function of this mineral is to help cells signal an action potential, or cellular response, as well as to help cells return to their resting state after the signal has been passed. Calcium also helps the nervous system develop by guiding the migration of nerve cells. Keeping your Calcium levels high is important, so be sure to eat dairy products, beans, and even kale to get what your body needs. For an added bonus, Calcium also contributes to strong and healthy bones. 

Nutrients for Your Skeletal System

It’s important to keep your bones as strong as possible to avoid risks like osteoporosis that may affect you later in your life. Maintaining a healthy bone structure can be even easier by supplementing a visit to the chiropractor with essential nutrients.

4. Vitamin D.

By promoting Calcium absorption, bone maintenance, and bone growth, Vitamin D is essential to your skeletal structure. Of course, it’s a multifaceted vitamin and has been linked with functioning as a modulator for the development of your brain as well as stimulating the growth and survival of neurons. With this doubled-effectiveness for both your nervous and skeletal systems, you’ll want to make sure to eat enough fatty fish like salmon as well as food fortified with this essential nutrient. 

5. Phosphorous. The important thing to remember about Phosphorous is that its levels in your body need to be balanced for it to most effectively support your skeletal structure. If you consume too much of this nutrient, your body may have difficulty absorbing Calcium– which can lead to a decrease in your bone density. The appropriate amount of Phosphorous to consume on a daily basis is just over 1,000 milligrams, so look for it in foods like milk, protein-rich foods, grains, and soda. 

6. Vitamin K. Similar to vitamin D, vitamin K helps balance your Calcium levels. Additionally, vitamin K can benefit people with osteoporosis as well as reduce their risk of fractures while overall strengthening their bones. Green vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli have this vitamin in abundance, so be sure to eat appropriate amounts in order to balance your body’s vitamin levels. By keeping your body supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals, you can do your part to help keep your body on a healthy track even when you’re not visiting your chiropractor. Taking the few extra steps to ensure that you’re in your best health can make all the difference down the road.

Jessica A. is a proponent of complementary and alternative medicine. She believes a lot can be accomplished with the diet. She also endorses techniques like chiropractic care, acupuncture and meditation.