Looking Past Joint Pain

Looking beyond joint pain

Most of us oftentimes dwell on the problem of pain in our bodies. Wherever and whenever we feel a certain degree of discomfort, we tend to concentrate on that particular problem and attempt to deal with it in a focused, microscopic way. 

Today's modern medical intervention for pain is also zone-specific to where the discomfort is felt. When we begin to feel pain on our hips, attention would be geared to developing a pharmacological approach to relieving that particular pain. Anti-inflammatories and other pain medications will then become a part of life when joints begin to "act out."

Arthritis of both small and big joints is usually treated with either of the following: medications to relieve pain, physical therapy to facilitate movement and prevent debility and perhaps, in late-stage conditions, surgery.

This modern day treatment and intervention will only add-up to many other medications that one is already taking for another zone-specific, micro-focused problem. The results maybe a fair management of pain and slowing of the progress of the problem, but it doesn't really deal with the root cause.

Our joints impressively carry the weight of our bodies.  The more weight we gain along the way, the harder we require our joints to work in supporting our structures.

Small weight changes make a big difference because joint forces in the hips and knees increase about 3 times that weight with normal walking. This means that 10 pounds of extra body weight is felt by the knees as an EXTRA 30 pounds!

Linking Joint Pain to Obesity

Although it is true that there are skinny people who get arthritis and there are heavy people with good joints, it is important to consider that the chance of developing joint problems is strongly associated with our body weight. People with a high BMI (Body Mass Index) tend to develop arthritis at a much younger age. An obese person has a 60 percent higher risk of getting arthritis than people who maintain a normal body weight. Research has recently shown that younger individuals are increasingly resorting to knee replacement surgery, which is an intervention initially geared to the elderly population.

One study examined the factors contributing to total knee and hip replacements in people between the ages of 18 and 50. Remarkably, 72 percent of those who underwent joint replacement surgery were obese.

Adding insult to injury

It is important for us to understand that pressure and stress on our joints are not the only factors that contribute to the development of arthritis in obese individuals. We have seen in a previous post that obesity is also connected to chronic inflammation in our body. This chronic inflammatory response leads to the breakdown of tissues in any local area that it is present.

If that be the case, the increased risk of obese individuals getting arthritis is no longer just at 60%, but maybe even more. The internal environment of the body which becomes altered with obesity leads to many disturbances that will eventually be manifested in various health problems, joint  pain included.

Studies have shown that a weight loss of 11 pounds decreases the risk of developing knee arthritis by 50%! Losing weight has been shown to have a dramatic effect on the relief of joint pain. Although it may not reverse the damage that has been done to a joint in your body, losing weight is always a good idea to better our health. 

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Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20120130/does-obesity-cause-pain
http://orthopedics.about.com/od/arthritisresearch/p/obesity.html

Connecting the Dots of Obesity and Inflammation

Connect-The-Dots

There is a very stark connection between many diseases, chronic illness and that of uncontrolled cellular inflammation. Everything from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and many autoimmune-related conditions have this factor in common.

Tracing the dots back to its first few levels may bring you smack dab in the middle of Obesity as it is now known to present a low grade inflammatory response within many of the body's tissues. It has always been known that being overweight is detrimental to our health, but it wasn't until recently that the known mechanisms were identified. Scientists have started to unravel the mystery of obesity's link to premature death. Although there is still much to learn, it is valuable to understand the known effects of chronic inflammation, as obesity is now becoming an epidemic in the U.S.!

Inflammation: Chronic dangers

Our bodies, by design, has been created with a protective response that leads to the eradication of foreign harmful microorganisms and the repair of tissues. This normal response is called Inflammation. When inflammation becomes  chronic, as in the case of obesity, chemical mediators involved in the various cellular activities, change in dynamics which cause a progressive state of decline.

Fat cells are now considered an immune organ that secretes numerous immune modulating chemicals. Visceral fat, in particular, is associated with the low grade inflammation that seems to contribute to a pathologic feature for metabolic disease through insuline resistance and the promotion of atherosclerotic build-up in our blood vessels. This effect becomes more pronounced when high levels of visceral fat is combined with physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and advancement in age.

Substances called adipokines are a group of peptides  (cell-to-cell signaling proteins) secreted by adipose (fat) tissue. These influence the metabolic process and contribute to proper function. However, the low grade inflammation associated with obesity causes disturbance in their secretion and funtion, and research has identified changes in what we call adiponectin, leptin, and resistin that exhibit harmful effects upon the body in obese individuals.

Adiponectin is a hormone made by fat cells which acts as an anti-atherogenic agent which helps prevent the development of atheroschlerotic plaque in blood vessels, as well as slows the progression of atherosclerosis in coronary velles. It has been shown that high visceral fat reduces adiponectin concentrations.

Leptin is another hormone that is made by fat cells which works in conjunction with the brain's hypothalamus as it regulates energy metabolism and balance. It has been currently praised as having cardioprotective benefits among its other roles in metabolism. Leptin concentrations become adjusted in obesity and contribute to insulin resistance.   

Resistin, another adipocyte-derived hormone, is thought to represent a link between obesity and diabetes. It is believed that serum levels of resistin increases with obesity. There has been a connection found between the rise of resistin levels in the body and that of insulin resistance.

The imbalance which takes place may be the foundation for the accelerated endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance associated with  obesity and the comorbid disorders of metabolic disease. Although more research is needed to clearly delineate the particular relationships, it seems evident that the low grade inflammation caused by obesity and visceral fat lead to the premature development of disease. Individuals with central adiposity, poor blood lipid profiles, hypertension, and/or insulin resistance should seek assistance to prevent further health detriment. 




Sources:
http://www.ncsf.org/enew/articles/articles-ObesityandInflammation.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistin 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11201732
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=10875

 

Testing For Candida Overgrowth

Testing 1, 2, 3...

Candida albicans is a yeast organism that is part of our "normal" flora in the body. They are commonly found in the skin or mucous membranes. As mentioned in my previous post, Candida is harmless when the body's internal environment is balanced. But there are many factors in today's medical approach to managing health problems that push this homeostasis to the limits, and may even leave it imbalanced.

Overgrowth of candida is caused by stress, use of antibiotics, steroids and oral contraceptives. The medical doctors of today who acknowledge the problem of Candida overgrowth attest that anyone who has a significant history of using the above mode of treatments will most likely have candida overgrowth.

This overgrowth in the gut then leads to a myriad of symptoms in today's modern health problems.

Although the use of antibiotics is a determining factor for current Candida overgrowth, there are several ways to diagnostically identify the presence of Candida overgrowth in a person's body.

1. The (Controversial) Candida Spit Test

         

The Candida Spit Test is the most common, yet controversial, test you'll encounter when talking about Candida Overgrowth. It is a very simple test that one can perform at home and this is how you perform it.

                     The candida saliva test has been around for years and has been the run-to test for most practicing naturopath. But there are whispers and raised eyebrows that accompany this test as some do not believe it as a reliable test for Candida. There are people who pass the test but do have candida overgrowth, and some that don't really have candida overgrowth could show a positive in this test. Some say this test was solely made up by a health company that sells candida overgrowth treatment.

                 Although there are a lot of controversies behind this test, the Saliva test is accepted by some medical doctors to test for candida overgrowth. The reason behind the reliability of the test is that Candida overgrowth changes the consistency of the mucus secretions in the body as they overgrow in the areas that are lined with mucous membranes. Candida overgrowth changes the consistency of the mucus making it result in the above pictures if you do have the condition. It may not be the most reliable test there is for Candida, but it is a test you can perform nevertheless.

2. Gluten Intolerance Test

The NY Times recently published an article about being "Gluten Free" whether we need it or not. There are a number of individuals who are intolerant to gluten and are sensitive enough to exhibit adverse gastrointestinal reactions when they take in gluten in their diet. The Gluten Intolerance Test is used to identify this problem by showing an increase in "gut permeability."

Electron microscopy shows that yeast mycelium are capable of penetrating the gut lumen and contributing to gut leakage. The end result of such an occurrence is the passage of macromolecules, including but not limited to gluten. The presence of gluten antibodies in a blood serum test, therefore are more apt to prove yeast induced gut permeability than gluten sensitivity.

3. Candida Antibody IgG

4. Candida Antibody Panel (measures IgA, IgG, IgM antibodies against Candida albicans)

Symptoms related to Candida overgrowth are generally caused by an overstimulation of the immune system. When the immune system overacts, it produces elevated antibody levels which can be measured with a blood test.

The Candida IgG Antibody Test is a good starting point for anyone who things that Candida is causing a past or current infection. An elevated IgG antibody to Candida albicans is suggestive of a past or current Candida infection.

An elevated IgA antibody level is suggestive of a Candida albicans infection in you mucus membranes. An elevated IgG antibody level will identify a past or ongoing infection. An elevated IgM antibody level will identify a current, acute infection (generally after you were first exposed).

Normal levels will be <30 or undetectable. 

***This information is for educational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any way. This site does not replace the services of licensed health care professionals and all site users should consult with a physician regarding their health concerns.




Sources:

http://www.knowthecause.com/index.php/doug-s-blog/1434-gluten-test-is-a-fungus-test
http://www.accesalabs.com/toxin