Obesity and smoking are extremely hazardous for your back health

If you are obese and smoke,you are a sure shot case for #backpain.Numerous researches have been done and all of these have come to the conclusion that such a person is a high risk person in terms of life style diseases. Smoking and obesity are independent risk, even after providing for factors such as age, education, exercise level, and employment status.If you belong to this category,do whatever it takes to give up smoking and reduce weight.

How obesity increases the risk of Arthritis and worsens existing Arthritis

We have all heard of those Obese are at high risk of heart and diabetic problems.Which is actually true too.But besides these, it  equally increases the risk of developing life long Arthritis .But there is not much awareness around it. It is absolutely confirmed that Obesity worsens Arthritis.Excess weight puts more pressure on the joints increasing their stress and aggravation,ultimately leading to severe pain in the joints.

Besides fat is an active tissue which creates and releases inflammatory chemicals.
So to stay free from several of the health problems,see that you don't put on excess weight.

Sharing some tips below,which can help you with weight control and at the same time keep you free from Athritis

a) If you are non exercising types,gradually start walking.If you have stairs with in your home,go up and down few times on a daily basis.Don't go whole hog in one single go,probably you will get tired and won't have any urge left to indulge in exercise.If you start by doing up and down three times a day ,then take it to fifteen times in a months time.By this time,resilience in your body will be built.
b)Increase in take of fluids,the fluids will reduce your urge to eat more and would indirectly reduce your diet.It is important that physical exercises and the diet control go hand in hand.
c)Eat food like banana,nuts ,egg which gives you adequate proteins and as well as reduce the urge to go on binge.Avoid noodles,pizza ,coke,oily food.
These measures if adopted in all seriousness can go a long way in keeping our weight in check and keep the threat of joint problems away.

Disc Prolapsed : Risk and Treatment

Around 70% of adult suffers from back pain at some point of time. Disc prolapsed is one of the most common reasons for back pain. In most cases it occurs because of weak musculature. If the muscles of the back are weak, the pressure will fall on the vertebral discs. The discs have gel called Nucleus Pulposus inside them, when it slips out it puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, producing pain.

This problem occurs due to improper diet that lacks proteins, calcium and vitamin D, resulting in weak bones. One should get flexible and start taking regular brisk walks. Some changes should be made in the sitting habits as well to get rid of this problem.

One should also consult his/her doctor before hand so that it won’t turn into a serious problem.

Factors that may increase the risk of developing a prolapsed disc include:

·         A job involving lots of lifting.

·         A job involving lots of sitting (especially driving).

·         Weight-bearing sports (weightlifting, etc).

·         Smoking.

·         Being overweight (obesity).

·         Increasing age (a disc is more likely to develop a weakness with increasing age).

The treatments of a prolapsed disc:

      Exercise and keep going

·         Medication

·         Physical treatment

·         Surgery

Slipped Disc - A lifestyle problem

Disc problems have become so common these days and it would not be wrong to call it a lifestyle problem.

The symptoms of a damaged disc can vary according to its location and severity. They may include:

·         Back pain

• Pain radiating down the legs
• Worsening pain associated with bending over or sitting down for a long time
• Worsening pain associated with activities like coughing or sneezing
• Numbness or pins-and-needles in an arm or leg.  

Some people are more susceptible to disc problems than others. Risk factors may include:

• Obesity
• Poor muscle tone
• Lack of regular exercise
• Cigarette smoking
• Advancing age
• Poor posture
• Incorrect lifting techniques.

The majority of disc problems will resolve regardless of treatment. Bed rest is occasionally best for initial management of severe sciatica.  Some common treatments include:

• Heat treatment
• Regular massage
• An exercise program designed to improve strength and flexibility
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroids
• Pain-relieving medication
• An injection of anti-inflammatory steroids into the region of the disc
• Uncommonly, in severe cases of ruptured disc, an operation may be needed to trim the protruding bulge (laminectomy)
• Also uncommonly, in severe cases of degenerative disc disease, an operation may be needed to remove the disc and fuse together the two vertebrae on either side.