Arthritis is something that we tend to think only our grandmas and grandpas get, but this is actually not the case at all. Even if you are only in your twenties you can develop arthritis.
Degenerative osteoarthritis is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of arthritis among both men and women, and which commonly affects the degenerative arthritis spine but often other areas of the body as well. Whether you have already been diagnosed with this condition or just know someone else who has been, there is some information that is going to be important for you to be aware of.
This condition is complex, there is no doubt about that. Degenerative osteoarthritis is basically the enhanced version of the regular arthritis condition which is bad enough as it is. Degenerative osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis, and besides aging, there are other factors as well which may increase the risk of developing this condition.
That includes a repeated injury to joints, repetitive use of joints, stressing the joints, and family history so you will want to be aware of your family history and remember that this can have a major effect on whether or not you develop this disease.
The diagnosis process of degenerative osteoarthritis is perhaps the most important part of all. After all, if you do not get diagnosed and start the appropriate treatment, the disease will continue to progress and get worse, until mild treatments will no longer be an option.
X-rays of affected joints can show joint damage associated with osteoarthritis and although blood tests are not used to diagnose this condition, there are other tests that are relatively quick and simple and which will be used to determine whether or not this is the condition that you are dealing with.
Degenerative osteoarthritis can be very serious but fortunately there are lots of great treatments available. Physical treatments including weight reduction, exercise and heat and ice alternating treatments are often enough, but if not there are alternative treatments and dietary supplements that may be right.
The surgical treatments that are available should only be used as a last resort, once you have tried all other treatment methods with no success. You are going to need to work this out with your doctor, because they are going to have to determine logically whether or not you are going to be a good candidate for any of these procedures.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Learning to Live With Degenerative Arthritis
Arthritis is an illness that can cause pain and swelling in the bones and joints of the body, and can range from being so mild that it only hurts you some of the time to being so severe that it can feel debilitating.
Arthritis, no matter what specific type you may be diagnosed with, is very difficult to deal with. However learning to live with degenerative arthritis will be especially difficult because it is more intense and more painful than all other types of arthritis. If you are one of the millions of people out there who have recently been diagnosed with this condition, of course you are going to want to make yourself more educated on it and on the different things that you can do about it.
The first step will be learning about the degenerative arthritis condition itself, so that you can determine which specific type you have, such as degenerative osteoarthritis.
This condition is also known as osteoarthritis, and affects one in every four people, that is how common it is. This is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage and one or more joints. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis that a person can be developed with this one is by far the most common.
Degenerative arthritis most commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees, but can develop in other areas of the body as well.
It is very important that you know your body, so you will be able to recognize if there is ever a problem. This is important, because if you do ever notice that you are experiencing a degenerative arthritis symptom you want to get in and see your doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to let you know in a matter of just a few days as to whether or not it is arthritis that you are dealing with.
You need to know that this or any other type of arthritis does not have to rule your life, and there are certainly more than enough options out there in terms of treatment that are available for you to use.
Make sure that you are working with a professional on this, whether that be your doctor, a nutritionist, personal trainer or all of the above. You really want to ensure that you are living as healthy a lifestyle as possible so that at least your arthritis will be at bay for as long as possible.
Arthritis, no matter what specific type you may be diagnosed with, is very difficult to deal with. However learning to live with degenerative arthritis will be especially difficult because it is more intense and more painful than all other types of arthritis. If you are one of the millions of people out there who have recently been diagnosed with this condition, of course you are going to want to make yourself more educated on it and on the different things that you can do about it.
The first step will be learning about the degenerative arthritis condition itself, so that you can determine which specific type you have, such as degenerative osteoarthritis.
This condition is also known as osteoarthritis, and affects one in every four people, that is how common it is. This is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage and one or more joints. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis that a person can be developed with this one is by far the most common.
Degenerative arthritis most commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees, but can develop in other areas of the body as well.
It is very important that you know your body, so you will be able to recognize if there is ever a problem. This is important, because if you do ever notice that you are experiencing a degenerative arthritis symptom you want to get in and see your doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to let you know in a matter of just a few days as to whether or not it is arthritis that you are dealing with.
You need to know that this or any other type of arthritis does not have to rule your life, and there are certainly more than enough options out there in terms of treatment that are available for you to use.
Make sure that you are working with a professional on this, whether that be your doctor, a nutritionist, personal trainer or all of the above. You really want to ensure that you are living as healthy a lifestyle as possible so that at least your arthritis will be at bay for as long as possible.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Cognitive Therapy Explained
Cognitive therapy can be explained in this way: While conventional psychotherapy entails discussing issues from the past that may have led up to the myriad of problems a person is currently dealing with, cognitive therapy focuses on the here and now.
Cognitive therapy allows for specific methods of identifying why a person is thinking a specific way or reacting to others differently, and uses techniques that can change one’s behavior.
This type of therapy also allows for individuals to focus on what it is that is causing them so much distress and to identify and evaluate, in a realistic way, how they can change the way they think in order to lead a better life. Changing behavior and problem-solving are two of the characteristics of cognitive therapy.
While conventional psychotherapy involves a long and sometimes tedious discussion about one’s past and how it led to a specific disorder, cognitive therapy affords the individual the opportunity to reflect and improve on his or her own present goals, while seeking to improve those skills that need improvement, as well as those that can be tweaked to obtain maximum balance within.
Many psychologists may operate in a similar fashion. Whether you are suffering from depression and/or anxiety, their concern is what is going on now – that is, what event or circumstance brought you to the current angst you are feeling at this moment. From there, you may be asked what areas in your life you wish to improve upon, and to document each session so that a time-line of events can be discussed each week to determine what areas of improvement can be changed or altered.
More importantly, cognitive therapy involves you and the therapist working together to resolve issues. It is not a one-sided exchange wherein you talk your heart out and the therapist just listens and takes notes.
Most therapy sessions with a psychiatrist can last several months or years (depending upon the root cause). However, cognitive therapy is specifically designed so that each individual may only need to see a therapist for a shorter period of time because the goals are set for that individual at the outset. How well the individual has met those goals determines the duration of the sessions.
The key to successful cognitive therapy sessions lies within the individual. He or she, after being given a set of goals and utilizing the tools to obtain those goals on a daily basis, finds the symptoms begin to dissipate and begins to feel quite confident that they can deal with any given situation.
Cognitive therapy allows for specific methods of identifying why a person is thinking a specific way or reacting to others differently, and uses techniques that can change one’s behavior.
This type of therapy also allows for individuals to focus on what it is that is causing them so much distress and to identify and evaluate, in a realistic way, how they can change the way they think in order to lead a better life. Changing behavior and problem-solving are two of the characteristics of cognitive therapy.
While conventional psychotherapy involves a long and sometimes tedious discussion about one’s past and how it led to a specific disorder, cognitive therapy affords the individual the opportunity to reflect and improve on his or her own present goals, while seeking to improve those skills that need improvement, as well as those that can be tweaked to obtain maximum balance within.
Many psychologists may operate in a similar fashion. Whether you are suffering from depression and/or anxiety, their concern is what is going on now – that is, what event or circumstance brought you to the current angst you are feeling at this moment. From there, you may be asked what areas in your life you wish to improve upon, and to document each session so that a time-line of events can be discussed each week to determine what areas of improvement can be changed or altered.
More importantly, cognitive therapy involves you and the therapist working together to resolve issues. It is not a one-sided exchange wherein you talk your heart out and the therapist just listens and takes notes.
Most therapy sessions with a psychiatrist can last several months or years (depending upon the root cause). However, cognitive therapy is specifically designed so that each individual may only need to see a therapist for a shorter period of time because the goals are set for that individual at the outset. How well the individual has met those goals determines the duration of the sessions.
The key to successful cognitive therapy sessions lies within the individual. He or she, after being given a set of goals and utilizing the tools to obtain those goals on a daily basis, finds the symptoms begin to dissipate and begins to feel quite confident that they can deal with any given situation.
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