Platelet Rich Plasma – PRP For Achilles Tendonitis

Daily Antioxidant For Optimum Health 60 Vegetarian Capsules
November 21st, 2008 No Comments   Posted in Medicines and Remedies

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and connects the gastrocnemius (calf muscle) to the back of the calcaneus (heel bone).

The Achilles tendon is what allows a person to stand up on their toes as well as jump up and down. The Achilles tendon is extremely strong and is capable of withstanding forces of 1,000 pounds or more.

However, it is also frequently predisposed to overuse and injury.

Achilles tendonitis causes localized pain which is often very severe in the tendon. Pain is usually felt about an inch and a half above the point where the Achilles tendon is attached to the heel. The pain is aggravated by running or by walking, particularly when the ambulation is uphill.

The pain is typically aggravated by walking and relieved by rest.

While often occurring after exercise for which a person has either not warmed up for, or is unaccustomed to doing, Achilles tendonitis may also develop following direct injury. It may also present without a specific predisposing event.

Some forms of inflammatory arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis, Reiter’s disease, and ankylosing spondylitis may cause Achilles inflammation. However, this type of inflammatory problem is distinct from the Achilles tendonitis occurring with overuse.

The typical conservative non surgical approach has been to use rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), orthotics, stretching, massage, and therapeutic ultrasound.

Unfortunately, Achilles tendonitis may not respond to these measures. In the past, orthopedic surgeons would operate and the recuperative period would be lengthy.

However, a newer treatment for tendonitis may be more effective and prevent the need for surgery. Percutaneous needle tenotomy is a technique where a small gauge needle is introduced using local anesthetic with ultrasound guidance. The needle is used to poke several small holes in the tendon. This procedure is called “tenotomy.”

Tenotomy induces an acute inflammatory response. Then, platelet rich plasma, obtained from a sample of the patient’s whole blood is injected into the area where tenotomy has been performed. Platelets are cells that contain multiple healing and growth factors. These include the following:

• Fibrinogen: helps with clotting and framework making.

• Adhesion molecules: helps cells to bind to each other

• Platelets: initiates clotting and inflammation

• IL-1: promotes migration of macrophages

• Platelet derived growth factor: helps with healing; stimulates growth of blood vessels; attracts macrophages

• Transforming growth factor B: stimulates formation of collagen

• Epidermal growth factor: stimulates connective tissue growth

• Vascular endothelial growth factor: stimulates formation of new blood vessels; promotes healing

The result? Normal good quality fascial tissue is stimulated to grow with natural healing of the tendon. With severe tendonitis, a patient may need to wear a boot for 2 weeks following the procedure.

While most people respond to one course of treatment, about 10-20 per cent of patients will require a second procedure. Whether a second procedure is needed is usally determined at 3 months following the initial procedure. Diagnostic ultrasound using Doppler to assess the amount of residual inflammation is useful.

Nathan Wei, MD FACP FACR is a board-certified interventional rheumatologist. For more info: Arthritis Treatment and Tendonitis Treatment Tips

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Naturalistic Cure For Acnes and Blackheads

Daily Antioxidant For Optimum Health 60 Vegetarian Capsules
November 20th, 2008 No Comments   Posted in Medicines and Remedies

Comedones are skin follicles that are clogged with bacteria, dirt, and dead cells. Black heads are open comedones that expose grime and dirt on your skin and appear as black spots. Whiteheads are closed comedones and they indicate that grime and dirt are still inside the follicle. Whiteheads can cause irritations and infections on the skin. Both blackheads and whiteheads are considered acnes and they can be found forming on the cheeks, chin, nose, and the entire facial area. This problem is very common among adolescents although some adults may have problems with acnes as well.

If you are suffering from a terrible case of acne, blackheads, or whiteheads on your face or other body parts, try to ask for a naturist treatment of acne comedonal from a certified health expert. This move is strongly advised to be your first line of treatment, instead of using Accutane and antibiotics outright. Keep in mind that commercial drugs could have unpleasant to adverse side effects on you.

A naturist treatment for acne involves treating the problem using natural ingredients and healthy process. A healthy diet is very essential in maintaing your skin’s radiance and in preventing flare ups. You should eat around eight servings of vegetables and fruits daily as fresh vegetables and fruits have high levels of antioxidants and other necessary nutrients that your body requires to effectively heal your skin. Foods rich in sulfur are also valuable since it facilitates the treatment of acne as well. You should drink eight to ten glasses of mineral water daily to initiate the body’s natural process of releasing toxins. Vitamins supplements, such as vitamin B6, A, C, E, and Zinc, are used as food skin care regimens too, to keep your skin healthy and soft.

Fish oil and cod liver oil can also be used to help manage acne better. Most people who are deficient in Omega3 fatty acids are most prone to skin diseases. Daily aerobic exercises can also help in the process of promoting the normal flow of blood into the skin and vital organs. Exercising can also help greatly in improving your overall body condition and increase your energy level. Exercise can also make your immune system more potent and induce the regular elimination of body toxins.

The normal balance of hormones also play a key role in preventing acne attacks. For this, there are standard treatments which also include vitamins and vitamin supplements that can restore the right level of hormones in your body. Many women suffering from breakouts usually coincides the occurrence with their regular menstrual cycle.

Normal skin exfoliation can also be regarded as another effective natural acne treatment. Exfoliating your skin reduces acne defects, large pores, and scarring. You can buy natural exfoliating solutions from a health store. There are brands that can reduce fine lines, treat damaged skin, improve its texture, and enlighten dark spots related to aging.

Just be careful when using exfoliating solutions. Don’t rub your skin too much as doing so may cause further skin damage. It may also trigger sudden acne outbreaks. Clean your skin regularly, once during the day and at night before you go to bed at night. Use a mild herbal soap and water for best effects.

Part 2 - For part two of this article, head on to www.acneclinicsonline.com where you can also find the truth about homemade acne treatments and acne pictures.

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TMJ and Arthritis: Is There a Link?

Daily Antioxidant For Optimum Health 60 Vegetarian Capsules
November 20th, 2008 No Comments   Posted in Medicines and Remedies

The temporomandibular joints, more commonly referred to as the TMJ, can be found in front of the ears, right at the spot where the upper jaw and lower jaw meets. Try to open your mouth. Feel the ball-like joints forming near your ears. Then close your mouth. Do you feel the bones moving? Those are the temporomandibular joints. TMJ’s are well used joints. You move it as you speak, eat, bite, or yawn. And it’s a set of complex joints too. When observed under the microscope, the joints are made up of complicated arrays of bones, tendons, and muscles.

As such, TMJ disorders are very common. TMJ disorders are characterized by the stiffness of the joints. It can also be associated to ear pain, headaches, bite problems, locked jaws, or clicking sounds. The worse that could happen is arthritis. TMJ can definitely lead to arthritis if the symptoms are not addressed right away. The underlying conditions of jaw arthritis and TMJ disorders would include teeth grinding, nail biting, gum chewing, teeth misalignment, dental problems, stress, and jaw trauma. If you suffer from any of these conditions, consult with your doctor right away to prevent arthritis.

The most common symptom of TMJ disorders would be recurring headaches. You may also experience facial pains every now and then. The pain could start on TMJ and then spread all over the face and the head. The condition may even get worse as you try to move your jaws. Expect the contraction of the jaws to be very painful. It could get worse if you are in a place where the weather or the surroundings are cold.

Most of TMJ disorder patients go through episodes of ear pain. There might not be signs of infection in the ears but the pain would be as intense. The pain may be concentrated right on the spot where the joints are located. So if your ears hurt but you don’t feel any pus, hearing loss, or infections in your ear, TMJ disorders might be causing the problem.

Grinding, clicking, crunching, and popping sounds are normal on people with TMJ problems. Severe pain may come together with the sounds as well. Episodes of dizziness are usually associated with the disorder too. Balance problems are also expected.

More severe conditions such as fullness of the ear and tinnitus may also occur. With these complications, the patient’s ears could feel muffled or clogged. This is usually felt with greater intensity when aboard the airplane, more particularly during takeoffs and landings.

TMJ disorders can be hard to diagnose. This is because both a dentist and a doctor have to test you for it. Dentists are tasked to treat the problem if it is caused by teeth imperfections. If not, then a doctor would step in. In worse cases, surgery may be required.

TMJ disorders can definitely cause arthritis in high risk patients. As such, you should never ignore the condition once you feel any type of pain in the ear area. Prompt diagnosis would spare you prolonged discomfort of the condition.

Part 2 - For part two of this article, head on to http://www.psoraticarthritisreview.com where you can also find the truth about natural arthritis pain relief and herbal treatment for arthritis.

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