The Grave Threat Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which can strike you at any age. If you don’t get it properly diagnosed and treated, you could end up with crippled and deformed joints along with chronic pain and general discomfort.

While it is devastating for joint structure and function, Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect other organs as well, like the eyes, the lungs and the heart, thereby greatly reducing your life span. Although there are several treatment plans, Rheumatoid Arthritis is known for its ability to bounce back, if constant vigilance is not maintained.

Needless to say, early identification and prompt diagnosis are absolutely vital in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis in a safe and effective manner.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Swelling of joints: One or more of the knuckle joints may become swollen, often affecting both hands. The swelling usually feels soft, tender, reddish and warm. If the swelling continues for more than six weeks and becomes more intense in the mornings, then it could be a sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

2. Rheumatoid Nodules: Small tender bumps may develop under the skin, often near the back of the elbow, called Rheumatoid Nodules.

3. General feeling of weakness: If the swelling is in the hand, you may find it difficult to make a complete fist. You may also feel indisposed to taking part in physical activities.

What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks the tissue surrounding the joints called synovium. This leads to inflammation which can eventually destroy the cartilage and bones of the joint. This autoimmune reaction also affects the tendons and ligaments which provide support to the bones and muscles of the joint. Thus, Rheumatoid Arthritis causes gradual loss of joint structure and function.

Common risk factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Gender: The disease is three times likely to affect women than men.

2. Age: While this problem can develop at any age, it is more likely to affect people between the age of 40 and 60 years.

3. Genetics: People with family members who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis are more likely to get the disease. While the disease itself is not inherited, the predisposition is passed along genetically.

4. Smoking: Regular smokers have a significantly higher risk of developing this syndrome compared to non-smokers.

5. Alcohol: People who drink regularly are at a greater danger of this disease.

6. Obesity: People who are obese have a higher risk of having Rheumatoid Arthritis than people with normal bodyweight.

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you think you have some of the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, you should talk to your doctor without any delay. The doctor will want to look closely at the affected joints and ask questions about your daily routine, work environment and your diet. This may be followed by blood tests and X-ray scans to find out whether you are actually suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can be controlled in a way that you can lead a reasonably normal life. Using appropriate medication and diet plan, you can bring down the intensity of symptoms. Combining these with moderate exercise will allow you to remain healthy enough to carry out your day-to-day activities with minimal ease and efficiency.  

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org

Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis – 5 Vital Tips

Suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis means dealing with chronic pain and stiffness. In order to lead a fulfilling life in spite of having this problem, you need to make some simple lifestyle changes. This will allow you to accommodate the issue of Rheumatoid Arthritis in your daily life. Moreover, you will gain better control over the symptoms while reducing the risk of the disease becoming worse. 

Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Take adequate rest: Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause chronic fatigue. This along with the pain can make you feel tired most of the time. If you feel that your symptoms are getting worse, then you must stop your activities and take rest. Just lie down in a quiet place for 15 minutes and try to relax. Plan your daily activity keeping in mind the need to take regular breaks and take rest. 

2. Protect your joints: If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis in your hands, then remember to avoid strenuous or repetitive activities. This will only worsen the pain, inflammation and general discomfort. Take care of the stiffness in your joints by having a warm bath every day. You can use a hot pack in order to temporarily control the pain sensation. 

3. Stay active: Keeping yourself active is necessary to maintain bone and muscle strength. Do moderate aerobic activities like walking, jogging or swimming at least thrice a week. You can also try out stretching exercises in order to limber up the affected joints before starting your day. This will improve blood circulation to the diseased joints and may even reduce the sensation of pain.  
  
4. Eat a balanced diet: Take plenty of brightly-coloured fruits, leafy green vegetables and nuts in your daily diet. Foods like salmon, sardines, spinach, ginger, pineapple and soybeans are known to combat the various symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis while helping to maintain the general health of the body. 

5. Refrain from bad habits: Activities like smoking and drinking alcohol are known to worsen the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Smoking reduces the blood supply to the joints and gradually damages the respiratory system, especially the lungs. People with rheumatic pain may have the desire to take alcohol in order to reduce the pain. While alcohol does dampen the pain sensation temporarily, it interferes with the sleep cycle, which means that you wake up feeling exhausted and restless. 

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid
Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org

Back Pain – Ways To Prevent It And Lead A Healthy Life!

While back pain is a common problem, many people simply don’t take it seriously. Such people ignore the early signs like stiffness. Thus, when back pain strikes, people are caught unawares. The pain in most cases can be so intense that it makes simple everyday activities almost impossible to accomplish.

Today, let’s talk about some simple steps you can take to prevent the onset of back pain. All of these tips require you to make controlled changes to your lifestyle. By following these ways, you can greatly reduce the risk of suffering from back pain!

Avoid back pain – 5 simple tips

1. Get regular exercise: A sedentary lifestyle is one of the most common reasons for having back pain. Muscles are meant to be used. In the absence of work, your muscles can become weak. Thus, remember to get moderate aerobic exercise at least 4 days a week. Regular exercise will maintain the health, strength and flexibility of your joints and muscles while reducing the risk of becoming overweight.

2. Eat well: Having a proper diet not only helps you stay healthy but also reduces stress on the body. Eating spicy or oily food regularly can put great strain on your joints, muscles and nerves. Instead, opt for a diet of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. Choose lean meat like poultry over red meat. Moreover, take at least one glass of plain milk every day. This will keep your digestive system on track, while supplying your bones and muscles with the nutrients they need to remain healthy.

3. Watch your posture: No diet plan in the world can save you from back pain if you don’t maintain a proper posture. If you are required to sit for several hours at a stretch, then you should observe yourself every 20 minutes. If you feel yourself slouching or leaning then correct your posture immediately. After just a couple of days, good posture will become habitual for you. Moreover, take a short 5-minute break for every hour of work. Use the break to do some simple stretching exercises.

4. Sleep on the side: Physiotherapists regularly advise people not to sleep flat on the back. This position puts strain on the spine and the back muscles, thus increasing the risk of back pain. You should sleep sideways. Use a side pillow between your knees, as this reduces the strain on the hip muscles.

5. Avoid bad habits: It is an acknowledged fact that people who smoke regularly have a higher risk of suffering from back pain than non-smokers. Smoking can even worsen the intensity of back pain. The various chemicals in cigarette smoke inhibit blood circulation to the muscles and bones in your back, thus setting the stage for back pain. If you want to avoid back pain, then you should stop smoking without any further delay.

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org

Rheumatoid Arthritis And Anaemia – Is There A Link?

Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis is a challenge. The pain, stiffness and swelling make even simple everyday activities difficult to accomplish. Even sleep becomes an arduous task. Most of the symptoms associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis arise due to the strong inflammatory response of the immune system, leading to damage of joint tissue and structure. 

Now, researchers have found that people with Rheumatoid Arthritis are at risk of Anaemia.

What is Anaemia?

It is a condition when your body is unable to produce adequate red blood cells. In some cases, Anaemia may arise in spite of having enough red blood cells. In such a condition, the blood cells tend to have insufficient haemoglobin, which is a protein that carries oxygen to the cells of the body. 

The primary symptoms of Anaemia are: 
• Constant fatigue and weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heartbeat
• Headache
• Decreased capacity for work

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anaemia

Researchers have found that 60% of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis suffer from some degree of Anaemia. This type of Anaemia is called Anaemia of Chronic Disease (ACD). This condition usually accompanies chronic problems like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s disease and cancer. 

But why?

While the reason behind the high risk of Anaemia is not completely clear, researchers say that the intense inflammation that occurs in the body due to Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the primary factors. The adverse immune reaction causes the joint tissue to become inflamed. This induces the body to release proteins which end up interfering with how cells use iron. The inflammation also hampers the production of red blood cells. 

What you need to do

If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis, then firstly you need to inform your doctor about the risk of Anaemia that you face. To keep Anaemia at bay, you should take your medicines on time. Moreover, you need to consume iron-rich foods like spinach, tomato, beans, almonds, carrots, poultry meat, sardines, pumpkin and raisins. This will help maintain the haemoglobin content in your blood and keep your red blood cells healthy. 
     
By Dr. Shabtab Khalid
Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org

Top Recommended Exercises For Your Frozen Shoulder

 If you have been suffering from a stiff and painful shoulder for more than a couple of weeks, there is a chance that you are suffering from Frozen Shoulder. Also known as Adhesive Capsulitis, this condition can easily be identified by extreme stiffness in the shoulder accompanied with pain. You may be unable to focus on everyday tasks due to Frozen Shoulder. The pain may even interfere with your sleep. Thus, Frozen Shoulder presents a grave threat to your body’s fitness and mental stability.   

In dealing with this problem, doctors and physiotherapists around the world agree on one thing: exercise is vital. People with Frozen Shoulder need to keep using the affected shoulder in a careful and controlled manner. This will enhance blood supply to the muscles and ligaments, improve mobility, reduce pain and stiffness while speeding up the process of recovery.

5 exercises for Frozen Shoulder

1. Pendulum Stretch

· Keep your shoulders relaxed.

· Stand and lean forward slightly, allowing the affected arm to hang freely.

· Swing the free arm in a small circle.

· Do 10 clockwise revolutions and then switch directions.

2. Towel Stretch

· Grab each end of a small towel with one hand.

· Keep the towel horizontal.

· Use your healthy arm to pull the affected arm upwards.

· Do this 10 times per day.

3. Finger walk

· Stand straight in front of a wall.

· Touch the wall with the fingers of the affected shoulder.

· Use the fingers to “walk” up the wall slowly.

· Repeat 10 times and then take rest.

4. Cross Body Reach

· Stand with your legs slightly apart.

· Use your working arm to lift the affected arm at the elbow.

· Bring it up and across your body.

· Hold it until you feel a gentle stretch.

· Slowly lower the arm.

· Do this 10 times per day.

5. Armpit Stretch

· Stand in front of a chest-high shelf or counter.

· Lift the affected arm onto it.

· Bend your knees slightly so as to stretch the armpit.

· Hold for a few seconds and then straighten your knees.

· Repeat 10 times each day.

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org

Tips To Unfreeze Your Frozen Shoulder

If you have Frozen Shoulder, then you are well aware of the enormous discomfort this condition brings with it. While the pain and stiffness are bad enough, it erodes the capacity to move your arm. If you are not careful, you can actually make Frozen Shoulder a lot worse. To manage this condition, you need to follow some simple dos and don’ts. These tips will not only reduce the discomfort but also speed up the recovery process.

Frozen Shoulder – What to do

1. Apply ice-pack: This helps to control the sensation of pain, especially in the mornings and the evenings. The ice reduces the blood circulation in the affected shoulder, thus reducing the feeling of pain and stiffness. Take care not to use the ice-pack for more than 10 minutes. 

2. Do stretching exercises: When the pain is under control, you can try out simple stretching exercises, especially those which target the muscles and ligaments in the shoulder. Just 10 minutes of stretching will help strengthen the shoulder muscles and increase mobility.

3. Take frequent breaks: While complete rest is advised to people with Frozen Shoulder, it may not be practical. So, if you want to continue to work, remember to take a 10-minute break after every hour. Use the break to walk around a bit and do some stretching exercises. This will reduce the strain on your shoulder and improve blood circulation.

4. Use a comfortable chair: If you need to sit for several hours at a stretch, then use a chair with armrests at an adequate height. This will support your shoulder muscles and reduce the strain.

5. Sleep properly: Avoid putting your affected shoulder under stress while sleeping. Keep a small pillow in between your legs to prevent you from rolling over and putting pressure on the painful shoulder. As the pain may interfere with your sleep pattern, you may want to take short naps throughout the day. Some people feel the need to sleep more than usual. This is considered normal.

What to avoid

1. Don’t carry a handbag: This will put unnecessary pressure on the affected shoulder. So try not to keep anything on the shoulder.

2. Avoid taking up housework: While this may appear to be a noble intention, trying to do housework in spite of having a Frozen Shoulder will only increase the risk of pain and stiffness. So, you should rely on your family members to complete the household chores.

3. Stay away from driving: Trying to drive in this condition will put massive strain on the shoulder muscles, leading to increased pain and stiffness. Thus, use the bus or the train instead of the car.

4. Stop irregular activity: If you cannot maintain your usual schedule, don’t push yourself. Try to take up a new hobby to pass the time. This will help keep your daily activity at a moderate rate, free from abnormally high or low levels.

5. Refrain from obsessing over the pain: This will only increase the pain sensation. To avoid feeling trapped by the pain, try to do meditation and breathing exercises. This will shift your focus away from the pain. 

          

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org

Frozen Shoulder – You Too Are At Risk!

Also known as Adhesive Capsulitis, the problem of Frozen Shoulder can be easily identified by its primary symptoms: excruciating pain and extreme stiffness in the shoulder. Usually, it is caused by a traumatic injury or lack of adequate physical activity. Such factors cause the flexible tissue that surrounds the shoulder joint to stiffen, thicken and swell up, leading to almost complete loss of joint motion.

How to identify Frozen Shoulder?

The first sign of this problem is the presence of pain. Gradually, the pain increases in intensity, thus limiting the use of the affected shoulder. Regular, everyday use of your arm becomes difficult. After some time, you may find it almost impossible to move the shoulder.

3 stages of Frozen Shoulder

1. Painful stage: The shoulder becomes stiff and painful, especially during movement. Shoulder mobility gradually becomes limited. Pain may seem to worsen at night.

2. Adhesive stage: In this stage, the shoulder becomes increasingly stiff, thus limiting the range of motion. However, the pain does not usually worsen.

3. Thawing stage: The movement in the shoulder slowly begins to improve at this stage. Even the pain may start to fade.

What causes Frozen Shoulder?

It is usually caused by:

· Severe injury to the shoulder

· Diabetes

· Thyroid problems

· Stroke

· Ageing

· Menopause

· Inactive lifestyle, leading to inadequate use of the shoulder

These factors, along with an extended period of inactivity, can make you highly vulnerable to Frozen Shoulder. The tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes stiff due to inflammation, leading to formation of scar tissue. This severely limits the range of motion. In most cases, people realize that they are suffering from Frozen Shoulder at around 9 to 10 months.

What should you do?

If you suspect that you are suffering from Frozen Shoulder, then you need to visit a specialized pain management or joint pain clinic without any delay. While this problem can be diagnosed by the symptoms alone, your doctor may want you to get an X-ray report or an MRI scan to rule out the presence of other complications and to further confirm the initial diagnosis.  

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org

What Can You Do For Your Sore Muscles? Find Out Now!

You wake up one fine Sunday morning, ready to take on the rest of the day with the vitality and joy that befits the weekend. But as you attempt to climb down your bed, you feel a dull pain just above the buttocks. “What’s going on?” you begin to wonder as you become aware of the stiffness. You went to bed last night without any issues! As you sink back into the bed, a thousand worries start to crowd around your mind.

The pain and stiffness are the result of nothing other than muscle soreness. While you may greet this news with a sigh of relief, soreness is nothing trivial. You can follow some simple tips in order to tackle and ultimately resolve this problem.

Tips for dealing with sore muscles

1. Move slowly: You may feel like lying down and taking rest. After all, you are in pain! However, physiotherapists around the world say that this is actually a bad idea. What you need to do is to start moving slowly and carefully. This will gradually increase blood circulation to the affected muscles. There is no need to jump around or lift weights. But you should start using the sore muscles in a controlled manner. Do this for just 15 minutes.

2. Stretch carefully: After moving around a bit, you can start to do simple stretching exercises, especially those which target the affected muscles. Stretching makes the muscles more flexible and brings much needed oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. This will help speed up your recovery.

3. Drink water: Numerous studies have noted that one of the most common causes of muscle soreness is reduced concentration of water in the body. So whenever you feel sore, drink at least 2 glasses of water. Remember to stay away from caffeine or alcohol as both are known to increase the symptoms of dehydration.

4. Get massage: It is a known fact that massage brings almost instant relief to sore muscles. Just remember to inform the masseur of your current problem. This will help him moderate the massage session and give much-needed attention to the affected muscles.

5. Have adequate protein: If you tend to suffer from sore muscles regularly, then it is a sign that you are not getting enough protein through your daily diet. Thus, you need to include protein-rich items like fish and poultry. You can also try eating nuts or lentils as they are good source of vegetable protein.

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

www.zilaxo.org