Arthritis:
Exercise key
to slowing common painful condition
With more options today, surgery not the only recourse
Best remedy for osteoarthritis? Get up and go
Signs and Symptoms
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A lifeline |
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There is no cost to you and no harm to you or the baby. If you don’t donate, the blood is thrown away. |
The umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline, but once clamped and cut after the baby is born, it can be the lifeline for someone else. Cord blood — once considered medical waste — is rich in stem cells, which can be used in transplants. But time is limited. You have to complete enrollment to donate cord blood by the end of the 32nd or 34th week of pregnancy depending on the blood bank used. A closer look |
KNEES are commonly afflicted by osteoarthritis causing pain, stiffness and difficulty in walking and performing normal day-to-day activities. The cartilage, a smooth tissue covering the surface of joints, begins to wear away, which can lead to bone rubbing against bone, muscle weakness and malalignment of the knee.
THE HAND is another common site of osteoarthritis. Bony prominences called Heberden’s nodes may develop near the joint closest to the nail, while Bouchard’s nodes are bony enlargements of the middle joints. Heberden’s nodes are more common in women and may have a genetic link. |
DANA-FARBER/HARVARD CANCER CENTER Initiative to Eliminate Cancer Disparities 2011 National Minority Cancer Awareness |
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All events are open to the public |
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Another good reason to visit the dentist |
Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research |
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week is May 8 – 14. |
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Get screened for head and neck
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Risk Factors
• Age — the incidence increases with age • Gender — women are afflicted more than men after age 45 • Continued overuse of or trauma to joints • Overweight and obesity • Fractures and other joint injuries or infections • Congenital defect or weakness in a joint • Occupations that include tasks that place repetitive stress on a particular joint • Other types of arthritis, such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis • A genetic defect in joint cartilage |
A weighty situation
| Being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, some types of cancer, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome and gallbladder and fatty liver disease. Add osteoarthritis to the list. Excessive weight overly stresses weight bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, causing the cartilage to break down. Weight loss of at least 5 percent of body weight may decrease stress on knees, hips and lower back and improve symptoms. |
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In addition to weight loss, many treatments are available
for people with osteoarthritis.
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 A landmark study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that acupuncture can provide pain relief and improve function for some people with OA of the knee. Acupuncture can serve as an effective complement to standard care. Talk to your health care provider if considering adding acupuncture to your treatment regimen. |
