In today’s fast paced society we often grab whatever is quick and easy for lunch or dinner as we rush to get onto the next “big” thing. Many of us simply do not stop and take the time to think about what we are putting into our bodies and the fact is that if you are not eating a nutritional diet, you may find yourself feeling ill or developing a serious medical condition.

One of the most common and serious side effects of an imbalanced diet is obesity. More than 58 million Americans are overweight and more than 40 million are considered obese. However, by incorporating a proper nutritional program into your daily schedule, you will find that maintaining a proper weight will make it easier.

Obesity can lead to many health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and strokes. By maintaining a well balanced diet, you will be able to keep yourself at your ideal weight, as well as preventing further medical conditions.

Following a healthy dietary program will also reduce your risk of certain diseases and illnesses, related to poor nutrition. For example, research has concluded that choosing fast food even just twice a week can increase your risk of developing diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and there has been some controversy on whether saturated fats that are commonly used at fast food restuarants, plays a role. However, if you want to make sure that you are not at risk for cardiovascular disease, decrease the amount of carbohydrates you take in, as excessive amounts can increase blood glucose and insulin. Eaten in excess, these will increase your risk of heart disease, as well as high blood pressure.

When you begin a healthy diet, you will find that you will not only feel younger, you will end up looking younger. Nutrition plays an important part in the health of the dermis, the innermost layer of the skin. Skin is made up of elastin and collagen and when it does not receive proper doses of vitamin C, you may find that you are more prone to wrinkles and sagging.

Vitamin C, as well as vitamins A and E are antioxidants and will help to reduce the damage caused by free radicals. As vitamin C assists in the manufacturing of collagen, you will find that it will help reduce skin damage, therefore, leaving your skin healthier, as well as, looking more vibrant and fresh.

Another benefit to engaging in a lifestyle of proper nutrition is the increased energy and lack of fatigue you will feel. Food is fuel for your body. If you are not currently following a nutritious diet, you may notice that you will go through spells of fatigue throughout the day. Perhaps, one moment you are feeling very energetic and the next moment tired.

Feelings of fatigue could be due to an overabundance of sugar in your diet. Sugar is known to harm the body in many ways: including raising your cholesterol level and increasing digestive difficulties, such as indigestion, acid reflux, and problems with bowel movements. If you follow a nutritious diet, you will be limiting your intake of sugar and therefore, limiting your risk of health issues associated with sugar.

The fact is, following a proper nutritional program can lead to a healthier lifestyle. When you have more energy, you are much more likely to exercise, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. You will also reduce the risks of illness and disease that are caused by either a lack of vitamins and minerals or due to an over-abundance of foods that will increase the risk of certain health conditions.

When you enlist in a proper nutritional program, you will find yourself not only feeling healthier, but looking healthier, as well.

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The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This article discusses the diagnosis and management of this common problem.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is one of the most common causes of knee pain in people over the age of 30. The cause is progressive wearing away of the cartilage cushion that covers the ends of the long bones that make up the knee joint. The inflammation that accompanies this process leads to swelling and pain.

Risk factors include family history of osteoarthritis, trauma, misalignment of the knee (leg not being straight), and obesity. Initially the discomfort is described as stiffness in the knees after lying down or sitting. Going up and down stairs as well as getting into and out of a car may be difficult.

OA of the knee can also cause locking, clicking, and a “give-way” sensation in the knee.

Pain at night is also a sign of OA.

The diagnosis is established by careful history and physical examination. Physical findings include tenderness along the joint line, misalignment of the knee (either bow-legs or knock knees), and the presence of joint swelling. The hip should also be examined because hip arthritis can also cause knee pain.

Laboratory blood tests will often be ordered to rule out other causes of arthritis. In addition, the physician will often draw fluid off the knee to analyze it.

While x-rays may be ordered to determine the extent of cartilage wear, they may be normal early on in OA. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a much more sensitive method for detecting OA of the knee but is expensive.

Treatment of OA of the knee depends on the extent of symptoms. For mild pain, analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be sufficient. Stronger analgesics such as tramadol (Ultram) or propoxyphene (Darvon) may be more effective.

However, for those people who do not respond to acetaminophen or tramadol, the next option is low doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Examples of these drugs include ibuprofen (Advil), ketoprofen (Orudis) and naproxen (Aleve). These drugs may be purchased over the counter. More severe or persistent pain may require a prescription NSAID such as etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), dicloflenac (Voltaren), meloxicam (Mobic), and celecoxib (Celebrex). A note of caution: all NSAIDS have been associated with a slight increase in risk as far as cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke) are concerned. They should be used with caution in patients who have a history of underlying heart disease. Also because of other reasons, they should be used with great caution in patients who have a history of ulcers or significant liver and kidney disease.

At the same time as medicines are introduced, a patient should be started on ice (ice packs) applied to the knee for 20 minutes twice a day. They should also start quadriceps setting (thigh muscle strengthening) exercises. These are exercises designed to strengthen the quadriceps muscles. The stronger these muscles are, the less pain a patient will experience.

Dietary supplements such as good quality forms of glucosamine and chondroitin may be helpful.

Injections of glucocorticoids (steroids) into the knee can be quite useful for symptomatic patients. Another type of injection- hyaluronic acid (Hyalgan, Supartz, Euflexxa, Orthovisc, Synvisc) may be indicated. Hyaluronic acid mimics the effects of the normal synovial fluid produced by the healthy knee. These injections reduce pain, provide lubrication, and may slow down the rate of cartilage deterioration.

Inserts in shoes may help with knee alignment issues and therefore can lead to pain relief.

Weight loss for patients who are obese is important. Low impact aerobic exercise (swimming, a stationary cycle, walking) accompanied by thigh strengthening and stretching are also effective for reducing pain.

Finally, braces and sleeves worn over the knee can also reduce pain that occurs with weight-bearing. Special types of braces that “unload” the part of the knee that is narrowed from arthritis can relieve symptoms in many patients.

Arthroscopy, which is a procedure where a small telescope is inserted into the knee and used to remove damaged or diseased tissue, is another potential option. Finally, patients who have pain that is associated with severe loss of cartilage from the knee may be candidates for knee replacement.

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