Navigating Healthcare: A Guide to Modern Medicine and Wellness

Monthly Archives: June 2015

Is Arthritis a Normal Part of Aging?

Arthritis And AgingMany comedians have made many jokes about arthritis over the years. One of the most quoted of these is from a speech by famed comedian Jack Benny, when he said, “I don’t deserve this award… but then again, I have arthritis and I don’t deserve that either.” Mr. Benny may have been kidding, but undoubtedly there were many days he didn’t see his arthritis as a joke. And if you’re someone who suffers from it, you likely don’t either. But arthritis is a natural part of aging, right? Surely, we’ve all known older folks who suffered from arthritis, and we just figured it was something we had to deal with as we aged. Thankfully, this is a myth. Arthritis is not, repeat, not a normal part of aging. Although millions of folks in the U.S. have developed arthritis as they got older, the fact about this condition is that, in many cases, it is preventable. Here’s more information from joint specialists in South Orange about arthritis and its relationship to the aging process.

Is Knee Pain a Normal Part of Aging?

Knee Pain And AgingThe simplest answer to this question? Maybe. Perhaps not the answer you were hoping for, but the fact is that, although knee pain doesn’t necessarily come with age, it is true that a large part of older folks suffer from it. It’s also true that knee pain tends to worsen with age. But does it have to be this way? Absolutely not. There are steps you can take to minimize your chances of developing knee pain as you age. For instance, are you carrying a little extra weight? Did you know that for every extra pound you carry on your body, you’re adding 4 pounds of extra weight on your knees? It’s true! In other words, if you’re just 10 pounds above your ideal body weight, you’re adding 40… that’s right, four – zero… extra pounds of pressure to your knees! Pretty sizable, when it’s put that way, isn’t it? Following is more information on knee pain and aging from knee replacement specialists in New Jersey that will help you better understand measures you can take to prevent knee pain as you move into middle age and beyond.

Common Degenerative Spine Conditions

Degenerative Spine ConditionsOf all the systems in the human body, undoubtedly the spinal column is one of the most complex. Within this complex structure is an intricate arrangement of vertebrae, discs, nerves, muscles, and ligaments. It’s that complexity that gives the spine its many functions. Of course, it’s also what makes the spine one of the most vulnerable structures in the body. And, even though spine conditions can occur to anyone at any time, especially due to injury, older folks are far more susceptible to degenerative spine conditions, which are medical conditions that develop over time. As we age, our bodies naturally have taken more of a toll as the years have worn on, making each and every one of us more susceptible to suffering conditions of the spine related to the years of stress and burden we’ve endured throughout life. Following is more information from spine specialists in Morristown and throughout the country regarding the most common of these degenerative spine conditions, including osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.

back pain pregnancy

Causes of Back Pain During Pregnancy

An astute writer once wrote, “Lucky the woman who knows the pangs of birth, for she has held a star.” Of course, if you’re a woman who’s ever been pregnant, you just know it was a man who said this! Sure, having a baby is a wonderful time in your life, but what about all the pain that comes with it? And contractions are only the half of it! Of all the pains women report experiencing during pregnancy, back pain tops the list for causing the most negative impacts on their daily activities. Pregnant women still need to get things done in their lives. They often have other children they must parent, business meetings they must attend, and everyday activities that aren’t going to get done unless they address them head-on. But when that pregnancy back pain comes on, it can have the power to keep you down for hours. If you’re a pregnant woman who’s experiencing back pain, here’s more information from top spine specialists in New Jersey about the causes of your pain and, more importantly, tips to help ease that pain and get you back to your active life.

Is Joint Pain a Normal Part of Aging?

A famous person once said, “Time wounds all heels.” A clever twist on the old saying, ‘time heals all wounds.’ But how true is it? Is it necessary, as we age, for us all to feel the burden of time on our heels, our bones, our joints? Though it is a certainty that aging can cause joint pain, it’s not a foregone conclusion. Does time tend to break down our bodily processes and functions? Does it tend to lead to deterioration and disease processes that can cause joint pain? Absolutely. Does it have to be that way? Absolutely not. There are steps we can take to prevent joint pain from occurring or worsening as we age. Following is more information from orthopedic surgeons in New Jersey about the causes and effects of joint pain, as well as preventive measures we should all take as we grow older.

Causes of Back Pain in Young Adults

Back pain… it’s something that most people probably equate to growing older. Most of us have had a parent, grandparent, or even great grandparent who suffered from back pain and, naturally, we likely figured they were experiencing that pain because they were elderly. However, as unfortunate as it may sound, back pain isn’t just confined to seniors. The fact is that young people can experience back pain as well, and although it may not be as prevalent in youth as it is in the elderly, it can be just as bad, or even worse, when it occurs in young people. After all, when we’re young, we expect to be able to be at the top of our game. We look forward to living a long, active, and vibrant life, and we don’t expect something like back pain to get in our way. Following is more information from top spine specialists in New Jersey regarding the various causes of back pain in young adults, as well as prevention and treatment options.