Gout
Gout is a recurring acute or chronic arthritis attacking joints in arms or legs, that results from uric acid crystals being deposited about the joints or tendons. Acute gouty arthritis starts without warning. Joint of the big toe is most often involved, but the instep, ankle, knee, wrist and elbow are also common sights. Fever, rapid heart beat, chills and flu-ish symptoms may also occur. Other signs of gout include swelling, warmth, redness and extreme tenderness surrounding the area under attack.The first attack usually only attacks a single joint and lasts only a few days, but later attacks may affect more joints and last for several weeks. Triggers of gout are minor trauma, foods that produce uric acid, surgery, fatigue, emotional or medical stress. Gout is generally more severe in patients whose initial symptoms appeared before age 30. About 20% of patients with gout develop uric acid stones. Acute gout attacks can be treated with colchicine, non-steroid anti-inflammatories as well prednisore. Treatment of chronic gout will include Allopurinol on a daily basis and Tylenol for daily pain relief. Obese (over-weight) patients should be encouraged to lose weight.
Steps to Reduce Fat Intake
- Flavour your vegetables & potatoes without adding fats, sauces.
- Serve frozen yogurt, sherbert or skimmed milk pudding, instead of ice cream.
- Reduce intake of high-fat processed salted meats.
- Degrease your soap stocks and gravies by refrigerating them. Solid fats will rise to the top.
- Use low-fat cheeses like cottage, light feta, brie. Indentify cheeses with less than 20% M.F.
- Read labels – avoid products made with hydrogenated oils, vegetable fat and lard. Do your own baking to control fat.
- Bake, roast or broil meat, poultry or fish instead of frying. Serve without sauces or butter.
- Eat veal, chicken and turkey (without skin) because their fat contents are lower, remove all visible fat before cooking.
- For pastas – choose tomato sauce instead of cream-based sauces.
- Drink 1% low-fat or skimmed milk.
Living with Asthma
Asthma is a lung condition, where the airways react to allergens and irritants causing the airways to tighten and swell.
Triggers, such as cold air and smoke cause airways to tighten. Virus infections, pollens, molds and dust mites cause inflammation of the airways. The swollen airways are hard to treat and last longer. Staying physically fit keeps your asthma under control by making your lungs stronger and more efficient. If exercise causes asthma symptoms, warm up slowly and take prescribed medication to reduce symptoms. Exercise with a buddy.
Having a full-blown asthma attack is terrifying for a child, as well as adults. Develop a plan of treatment and breathing exercises, much like a fire drill.
Diabetes (Type 2)
If you have Type 2 Diabetes you are not alone. Remember, many people with diabetes live long and healthy lives by learning to eat properly, exercise regularly and listen to their doctor. Some foods breakdown in your body to glucose (sugar). The bloodstream carries glucose to cells in your body to give you energy for everyday activities. An organ called the pancreas produces insulin that helps the glucose to enter the cells especially those cells found in muscle and fat in the blood, resulting in unhealthy levels of sugar in the blood. In some patients the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. In others, the body’s cells just can’t use the insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance can lead to complications like impaired vision, kidney damage, nerve damage, circulation and foot problems and heart disease.
Risk factors include:
- Overweight
- Physical Inactivity
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes during pregnancy
- High Blood pressure
- Family History of Diabetes
- Low “good” cholesterol
- Over 40 years old
In addition to exercise and healthy eating your doctor may treat Type 2 Diabetes with Glyburide, Metformin, Glucobay, Diamicron MR, or Avandia, progressing to insulin injections if uncontrolled. Approximately 750,000 Canadians have diabetes and don’t know it. Do You?
Thyroid Gland
How healthy is your Thyroid Gland? Doing the Neck Test can help detect potential lumps or bumps on the thyroid gland. Hold a mirror in your hand and focus on your neck above the collarbone where you thyroid gland is located. Tilt your head back and swallow a drink of water. This can be repeated as often as you wish. Look for bumps or protrusions. If you see a bump, make an appointment to see a doctor.
Your thyroid produces about 1 Teaspoonful of thyroxine in one year. If amounts are low you suffer low thyroid or hypothyroidism. Symptoms include tiredness, coarse hair, puffy face, slow heartbeat, weight gain and brittle nails.
Hypothyroidism usually occurs after the age of 45 and strikes mainly women. To treat hypothyroidism (low) doctors will prescribe a synthetic thyroid called levothyroxine. Hyperthyroidism is an over active thyroid gland; anti thyroid drugs or surgery will slow down a speedy thyroid. Some symptoms of speedy thyroid are depression, rapid heart beat, warm moist palms, bulging eyes, increased sweating and heat intolerance.
The small thyroid gland regulates the body’s metabolism, heart rate, temperature and muscle contractions.
RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)
Although diagnosis of this syndrome is difficult, 5% of Canadian population (1.2 million people) will experience the discomfort of RLS.
RLS, (known as Ekborn Syndrome) is a form of sleep disorder and sleep deprivation. Factors that may trigger RLS include: caffeine, smoking, excess fatigue and temperature extremes. Poor circulation in legs, muscle disorders and alcoholism are also linked.
Symptoms included unexplained tingling and twitching beneath skin between thighs and ankles; feeling of creeping, crawling and pulling skin; symptoms create urge to move legs in order to relieve discomfort.
PeriodicLimb Movement During Sleep (PLMS), associated with RLS, occurs regularly during NON-REM sleep (period not associated with dreams). PLMS involves leg and arm movement (twitching) that can disrupt sleep.
Cure? No! Treatment? Yes! Treatment options include leg massages, heat or ice packs, hot baths, elimination of caffeine; exercise early in the morning help patients enjoy a more restful sleep. Vitamin E and calcium have helped some people; begin and end each day with leg stretching exercises; sleep late in the morning when legs are less active. Do not try to hide your RLS movements; it only makes them worse. Stretch and stand and walk regularly throughout the day. Medication use includes Sinemet, Clonazepam, Temazepam and codeine preps for pain.
Remember, You Are Not Alone!