Basic, Yet Helpful Tips for Relieving Arthritis

Doing a quick search on the internet will reveal that there are plenty of healthy, safe methods to aid in relieving some or even all of the pain you may be suffering due to arthritis. These tactics are not self-evident, however; but they are a great way to begin on the road to feeling better so that you can once again enjoy some of the things you have difficulty doing when the pain of arthritis kicks in.

Change your shoes - Especially if you're a woman arthritis sufferer. Running shoes give your joints much more support than heels. When shoes are not supportive enough, it can cause excessive stress and pressure on your joints. So exchange those dress shoes for something more comfortable and lower to the ground when and where you can.

Cut back on the dairy - Believe or not, dairy products (especially pasteurized) can actually contribute to your pain. Why? Because consuming large amounts of dairy or any other animal protein for that matter results in your body leaching calcium from your bones due to insufficient amounts of uric acid to aid the body in breaking all of that (animal) protein down. There are many other sources of calcium such as supplements, nuts, and dark, green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, kale and swiss chard.

Sleep baby... sleep! - Getting adequate amounts of rest is important for a couple of reasons. First, the body does most of its healing and repairing when we're sleeping and second, you will want to have as much energy as possible to face the coming day ahead. Make your resting time as fruitful as possible by making sure your room os completely dark, the alarm clock is not facing you, turn of the cell phone so that any alerts don't awaken you and don't drink an excessive amount of water or other beverage right before going to bed as to avoid getting up to use the bathroom. You may also wish to incorporate some relaxation techniques such as meditation to help you relax. Practice doing this not only before bed, but also anytime the pain starts to get the best of you.

Keep your weight under control - You'll definitely want to eat as healthfully as possible and keep your weight down since being overweight can lead to undo stress on your knees, lower back and joints. Decrease the amount of processed foods, refined sugar and again, dairy products you eat and in exchange, increase your consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes.

Regardless of what anyone says or thinks, you can do something about the constant discomfort associated with arthritis!

5 Essential Oils for Wrinkles

If you're looking for a pure, all-natural product to restore your young looking skin, essential oils for wrinkles might be right for you. Natural essential oils extracted from plants are often used as ingredients in anti-aging and other skin products. Some oils are more effective in treating wrinkles than others, but trial-and-error is the best way to determine what works for you. A primary advantage of all the oils listed below is that they can deliver nutrients to the skin without clogging pores.

1. Sandalwood Oil softens dry skin and can be used a moisturizer to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also promotes the formation of new skin cells, gives skin a smoother look, and can increase compounds in the body that increase skin thickness and elasticity-all of these properties work together to reduce wrinkles.

2. Myrrh Oil is an antibacterial and antifungal oil that can be used topically or as a massage oil to smooth out wrinkles. Using this oil will repair and prevent further skin damage due to its antioxidant content.

3. Clary Sage Oil is best used to remove fine lines and wrinkles, especially when used in combination with skin moisturizers. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, helps to tighten pores and make the skin more firm.

4. Geranium Oil can be used for almost any skin type, whether you have dry, oily or sensitive skin. It works to increase blood circulation, skin elasticity and retaining moisture in the skin. It can be added to skin moisturizers and toners.

5. Grape Seed Oil has antioxidant properties which help to fight free radicals that cause damage to your skin. They help repair damage to the skin caused by free radicals. It is an extract that is rich in vitamin E, which can slow the aging process of your skin. Vitamin E is one of the antioxidants contained in this oil, which protects that body from free radicals that become more common in the body as you age.

All of these essential oils for wrinkles have their unique properties that will help improve your skin, especially wrinkles! Although wrinkles are part of the natural aging process, they are tough to deal with as everyone will miss their young looking skin. Using essential oils, diluted with a carrier oil, will help reduce them or diminish their appearance while also providing your body with other health benefits.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Seasonal Allergies

If your child starts sniffling and sneezing and has a runny nose, it can often be difficult for parents to determine whether they have a cold or if the symptoms have been triggered off by a sensitivity to some allergen. After all, there is almost no difference between the signs of these two conditions.

The Difference Between Allergy vs. Cold Symptoms

There is one very significant difference that distinguishes allergies from colds and that is allergy symptoms do not just occur any time of the year. They appear only at fixed times during the year and it is usually the same time every year.

If you are wondering then why different kids exhibit these symptoms at different times during the year the answer lies in the fact that different individuals are affected by different triggers. The timing and duration depends upon what particular allergen that person is sensitive to.

How Are Allergies Diagnosed?

While the above is a pretty accurate way of establishing whether your kid is suffering from a common cold or a seasonal allergy, it is still important to go to a medical practitioner and get a proper diagnosis before administering any medication. An experienced doctor will be able to make a diagnosis based on the answers that you give to certain questions about the type, intensity and duration of the symptoms. To confirm the diagnoses, you may be asked to go to an allergist to get some skin or blood allergy tests done.

An allergist will usually determine the cause by doing a skin test. There are two ways that this can be done:

1. A drop of purified liquid form of the allergen is put on to the skin, after which, a small pricking device is used to pick that area. 

2. A tiny amount of the allergen is injected just below the skin and checked after about fifteen minutes. The test is considered positive if a lump develops at the area and it is surrounded by a reddish coloration.

Treatment of Seasonal Allergies

While no cure has still been found for seasonal allergies, the good news it is there are several things that can be done to alleviate the symptoms. The best thing is of course to eliminate or at least reduce exposure to allergens. This can be done by remaining indoors during those days when pollen is at its peak, keeping the windows closed during high pollen days and using an air purifier if that is practical.

What Treatments Are Available for Varicose Veins?

There isn't yet a perfect treatment for varicose veins. A perfect treatment would remove all the varicose veins completely to give you the blemish free legs you had when you were younger, the varicose vein would never return and there would be no side effects or complications from treatment. If the assessment is based on a comprehensive ultrasound scan and the treatment is performed under ultrasound guidance, the majority of people get an excellent result and are very pleased.

The four main treatment options are:

· VNUS Closure Fast and Endo-venous laser (EVL) - these involve the use of fine catheters placed inside the vein to heat it and seal the varicose veins

· Injections of solutions called sclerosants into the vein which start a healing process in which the vein shrinks and disappears

· a non-thermal medical adhesive called Sapheon Venaseal™. A fine catheter is inserted into the refluxing vein and medical "superglue" is administered inside the vein causing it to permanently close

· microsurgical removal of veins called Microphlebectomy

VNUS ClosureFast

VNUS ClosureFast is the latest "State of the art" treatment for varicose veins. It produces rapid results and an excellent cosmetic outcome. The treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic as a day case or "walk in, walk out" procedure. This means that charges are reduced, time off work is minimal and therefore the treatment is highly cost effective. Your suitability for VNUS ClosureFast is assessed by a comprehensive ultrasound scan.

After numbing the skin with local anaesthetic (similar to a dentist's injection) and cleaning the skin with antiseptic, a fine needle is inserted into the refluxing veins under ultra-sound guidance and then a fine catheter is passed up the vein. At all times, the exact position of the catheter is monitored by ultrasound. The precision radio frequency energy (a little like microwaves) seals the vein instantly and the catheter is gently withdrawn along the length of the unhealthy vein. The whole process is checked at every stage by ultra-sound to ensure excellent results.

After the procedure, a high quality medical graduated stocking is worn for 7 days continuously and thereafter during the day for two more weeks. Walking and normal activities are encouraged. Most people can get back to normal activities such as work and driving in a day or two. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are only rarely required.

With VNUS ClosureFast treatment, the veins with faulty valves are sealed under local an-aesthetic without surgery. The highly targeted energy gets your leg looking and feeling better fast.

· Treatment in less than 2 hours

· Local anaesthetic, day case or "walk in walk out" treatment

· Little or no time of work

· No painful cuts or scars in the groin

· No painful stripping

· Rapid return to normal activities including driving

· Excellent cosmetic results with no ugly scars

· Low risk of recurrence

The treatment is carried out under the "watchful eye" of the ultrasound equipment to ensure successful closure of the faulty veins. As there are no surgical cuts, there is virtually no risk of infection, which can occur occasionally after traditional operations

Endo-Venous Laser (EVL)

This procedure uses the precision of laser energy and is performed under local anaesthetic. A fine catheter is inserted into the affected veins under ultrasound guidance using a small needle. The laser fibre is positioned in the groin at the root of the reflux.

The position of the laser fibre is checked using ultrasound. Using laser energy the vein is heated and sealed. Surgical cuts in the groin are avoided and there is virtually no risk of infection or wound healing problems. There is no stripping out of the vein and so bruising and pain is minimal.

· Minimally invasive non-surgical treatment

· No painful cuts or scars in the groin

· No painful stripping

· Rapid return to normal activities including driving

· Excellent cosmetic results

· Relief of symptom

· Low recurrence of vein problems

The specialists at The VeinCare Centre are able to advise you about your suitability for VNUS ClosureFast and Endo-Venous laser following your ultrasound scan. Not all clinics are able to offer both treatment options.

Few clinics are able to offer all four treatment options. At The VeinCare Centre, your needs are assessed and a tailored treatment plan is formulated for you. This may consist of more than one option to get the best result. For example a combination of VNUS ClosureFast followed by injections may appropriate for you. In such cases, the pros and cons will be discussed in detail and you will have access to all the latest treatments.