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Thoughts on Lower back pain and its prevention.

Thoughts on Lower back pain and its prevention.

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Lower back discomfort is a common condition. Most people will encounter it at some point in their lives. Lower back pain is the most typical handicap in the world and the most typical reason for missed work, according to a 2020 study.

The majority of lower back pain is brought on by an injury. Additionally, some medical disorders may be the cause. Most persons experience back discomfort for the first time between the ages of 30 and 50 (Reliable Source). This is partially caused by how the body changes as we get older.

The amount of fluid between your spine’s vertebrae decreases with age. As a result, spinal discs are more susceptible to irritation. Additionally, you lose some muscular tone, which increases the risk of back pain to injury.

This is why utilising proper body mechanics and building up your back muscles can help prevent lower back pain.

Lower back pain symptoms

There are several potential reasons of lower back pain, and these causes can produce a wide range of symptoms.

Among the most typical signs are:

  • ache after extended periods of relaxation or sitting
  • suffering when bending over or lifting something heavy
  • hip or gluteal pain that radiates
  • stiffness after initially waking up or after a period of idleness
  • weakness or numbness

Other, less prevalent but more severe symptoms exist. They consist of:

  • Back discomfort, as well as leg or foot pain
  • unintended loss of weight
  • fever
  • inadequate bowel control

If you suffer severe symptoms or your back discomfort persists for more than 72 hours, see a doctor.

Lower back pain causes

Lower back discomfort can have a variety of common reasons, such as underlying chronic illnesses.

Sprained or strained muscles

Excessive activity can stretch or damage the back’s muscles and ligaments. Sprains and strains can also be brought on by abrupt movements.

Lower back stiffness and soreness, as well as muscular spasms, are symptoms.

Herniated disc

Back disc injuries are common, and the risk gets worse as you get older. The discs’ outer layers may rip or herniate.

A slipped or ruptured disc is another name for a herniated disc. It happens when the disc’s cartilage presses up against the spinal cord or nerve roots. The cushion between the spinal vertebrae stretches beyond where it normally sits. Once a result, as the nerve root leaves the spinal cord and vertebrae, it may become compressed.

Trauma and aging-related degenerative changes are examples of potential causes. Herniated disc discomfort often lasts up to six weeks without therapy.

Sciatica

Legs and spine are connected via the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica can happen if a herniated disc squeezes the sciatic nerve. Leg or foot pain from sciatica may feel like pins and needles or burning.

Spinal stenosis

Your spine’s gaps narrow as a result of spinal stenosis, placing pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves. In many cases, deterioration of the discs between the vertebrae is linked to spinal stenosis. As a result, soft tissues like discs or bony spurs might compress the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Symptoms of pressure on the spinal nerves include:

  • numbness
  • weakness
  • cramping

These signs could appear anywhere on your body. Many persons with spinal stenosis find that standing or moving about makes their symptoms worse.

Unusual curves in the spine

The following conditions can result in atypical spine curves:

  • scoliosis
  • lordosis
  • kyphosis

These ailments are frequently present at birth and are typically identified for the first time in childhood or adolescence. The unique curve puts pressure on the following areas, which can lead to discomfort and bad posture:

Some individuals, though, might not exhibit any symptoms.

Other circumstances

Other health issues can also result in lower back pain. They frequently come with other symptoms. They consist of the following ailments, which are all connected to musculoskeletal pain:

  • Arthritis: Joint inflammation is referred to as arthritis.
  • fibromyalgia: Long-lasting pain and sensitivity in the muscles, tendons, and joints is known as fibromyalgia.
  • Spondylitis: Inflammation is brought on by the autoimmune condition spondylitis. It is an instance of arthritis.
  • Spondylosis: Another type of arthritis is spondylosis. The loss of typical spinal structure and function could result from this degenerative condition.

Although ageing is the main factor, each person will experience degradation in different places and at different rates. The following medical disorders can also result in lower back pain:

  • issues with the kidneys and bladder, including kidney infections
  • pregnancy
  • endometriosis
  • ovarian polyps
  • Uterine tumours
  • misaligned spinal cord
  • spinal abscesses
  • cancer, such as spinal cord cancer

How common is lower back pain?

Most people have lower back discomfort at some point in their lives—roughly four out of five people. It ranks among the top causes for people to seek medical attention.

Lower back discomfort is more common in certain persons than others. the following are risk factors for lower back pain:

  • Age: Back discomfort is more common in people over 30. Disks, the supple, rubbery tissue that supports the spine’s bones, deteriorate over time. Pain and stiffness may develop as the discs deteriorate and lose their strength.
  • Weight: Back discomfort is more common in people who are overweight, obese, or carry additional weight. Overweight people exert pressure on their discs and joints.
  • Overall health: Back strains and sprains can result from weak abdominal muscles that are unable to support the spine. Back discomfort is more common in people who smoke, drink too much alcohol, or lead sedentary lifestyles.
  • Work and lifestyle: Back injuries are more likely to occur in occupations and activities that involve heavy lifting or bending.
  • Structural issues: Conditions like scoliosis that alter the position of the spine can cause severe back pain.
  • Disease: Low back pain is more common in those with a family history of osteoarthritis, certain cancers, and other illnesses.
  • Mental health: Back pain can be brought on by worry and sadness.

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Important parameter of Paget’s disease you need to know

Important parameter of Paget’s disease you need to know

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Paget’s disease(Osteitis deformans), a chronic bone ailment, is characterised by excessive bone regeneration and disintegration in the diseased bone. Many individuals have no symptoms. The condition is uncommon in those under the age of 50 and becomes more prevalent as you become older. People with Northern European descent seem to get it more frequently.

What is Paget’s disease of the bone?

After osteoporosis, Paget’s disease affects bones in a rather high number of people. It is a disease of the process of remodelling bones, in which the body absorbs old bone and produces atypical new bone.

Errors in the bone remodelling process can lead to abnormal bone. With Paget’s disease, the body may produce new bone in the wrong places or shed old bone from its proper placements.

This process can result in fractures, arthritis, deformities, bone discomfort, and bone weakness. Due to the disease’s sometimes minor or undetectable symptoms, many people with Paget’s disease are unaware that they even have it.

Due to flaws in the bone renewal process, if a person with Paget’s disease fractures a bone, the healing process could take a very lengthy period.

Symptoms of Paget’s disease.

Due to the absence of symptoms, a lot of people are unaware that they have Paget’s illness. Additionally, any symptoms could be misdiagnosed as arthritis or another bone ailment.

Joint or bone pain is one of the most frequent complaints. The skin around the areas affected by Paget’s disease may be sensitive or red, and joints may swell. Some individuals only realise they have Paget’s disease when they break a fragile bone, which can happen in some cases.

Most frequently, the following bones are affected by Paget’s disease:

  • the femur
  • the back
  • the brain
  • thighbone, or femur
  • or shin bone, is the tibia.

Numerous important nerves in the body pass through or near the bones, therefore aberrant bone growth could result in a bone compressing, nicking, or damaging a nerve, resulting in discomfort.

Symptoms of Paget’s disease

Paget’s disease of the bone may have minimal or no symptoms in its early stages. If symptoms do materialise, they might comprise:

  • bone ache
  • joints hurt (especially in the back, hips, and knees)
  • headache
  • bones in the thighs and lower legs have grown in size.
  • bones in the thighs and lower legs bowing
  • enlarged skull at the region of the forehead

Later stages of the condition could see the emergence of the following symptoms:

  • afflicted limbs are bowing more than usual
  • stumbling steps
  • joint discomfort or potentially joint swelling (arthritis)
  • bones with impacted fractures
  • Sensational shifts
  • muscular challenges
  • loss of hearing (if the skull is affected)
  • distorted bones
  • bent spine

What causes Paget’s disease?

Paget’s disease of the bones has an elusive exact cause. There are, however, some risk factors connected to the illness:

  • Genetics: A possible factor is family history. A relative with Paget’s disease affects 10% to 30% of those who have the disease themselves.
  • Age: People under the age of 40 are rarely affected by the illness. As you age, your chance of getting Paget’s disease rises.
  • Geographical distribution: People of Anglo-Saxon ancestry living in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe are frequently affected by Paget’s disease of the bone. In Scandinavia, Asia, and Africa, it is uncommon.
  • Viral infection: Infection with a “slow virus”: In individuals with genetic risk factors, the disease may be brought on by this virus. But additional study is required to prove the connection.

What happens to your bones with Paget’s disease?

In normal circumstances, the body regularly transforms old bone into new bone. Remodeling is the name of this process. Osteoclasts, which degrade bone, and osteoblasts, which promote bone regrowth, are the two types of cells involved.

Naturally, remodelling slows down over time. However, the procedure is hampered by Paget’s disease. Osteoblast activity decreases as osteoclast activity increases. In response, the osteoblasts reform an excessive amount of weak, irregular bone.

The sickness probably won’t interfere with your daily life in the early stages. That’s because early on, it only produces minor or no symptoms. But when the condition worsens, it may result in pain and skeletal abnormalities. Unless it is treated quickly, this might make it challenging to carry out daily tasks.

How do treat Paget’s disease?

You might not need therapy if you don’t have any symptoms. In this situation, you’ll need to see your doctor frequently so they can keep an eye on your symptoms.

However, you could require treatment if you experience symptoms or if you’re at risk for consequences. Treatment’s objective is to:

  • lessen the likelihood of complications
  • control skeletal and joint pain
  • slow down the renovation
  • avoid or treat fractures
  • fix skeletal abnormalities

The most effective treatments depend on how serious your problem is. Your physician might advise:

  • Diet: No specific diet is required for Paget’s disease of the bones. However, it’s crucial to consume enough calcium and vitamin D, which are necessary for strong bones.
  • Assistive devices: A cane may be helpful if you get symptoms in your pelvis or leg. Additionally, a brace may lessen pain.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are available over-the-counter and can help control minor bone discomfort. Aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen are examples of such medications.
  • Medication: Intravenous administration of bisphosphonates can slow down the fast remodelling of bone. Calcitonin can control how new bone is formed.
  • Surgery: Surgery may be used to treat Paget’s disease complications. Surgery for fractures, malformed bones, or severe arthritis falls under this category.

Points to remeber

  • The bone disease Paget’s is a chronic disorder that worsens gradually over time. The bone grows abundantly because it degrades too quickly. Deformed and weak bones result from this.
  • Most of the time, especially in the first stages, the disease exhibits only minor or no symptoms. When symptoms do show up, they frequently include discomfort, trouble walking, and a higher chance of fractures.
  • However, medicine can be used to manage Paget’s disease of the bones. Early intervention can reduce risks and preserve quality of life.

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What are the significance of Arthritis and its types?

What are the significance of Arthritis and its types?

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Although the word “arthritis” literally means “joint inflammation,” it is often used to refer to more than 100 other disorders that affect joints, surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues. Depending on the type, many factors might induce arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis that is most prevalent. Gout and rheumatoid arthritis are two additional prevalent forms of arthritis caused by rheumatic diseases (RA).

In the US, 58.5 million adults, or one in four persons, suffer from arthritis. Adults 65 years of age and older are more likely to experience it. However, it can have an impact on people of all ages, especially young ones.

What is Arthritis?

Rheumatic diseases and ailments that affect joints, including more than 100, are referred to as arthritis. In and around one or more joints, these disorders frequently cause pain, discomfort, stiffness, and swelling.

Joint inflammation is what the word “arthritis” refers to. The tendons and ligaments around the joint, however, may also be impacted by inflammation. A person’s ability to carry out daily chores may be hampered by the symptoms, which may appear gradually or unexpectedly.

Types of arthritis

More than 100 different forms of arthritis exist. Arthritis can generally be divided into the following groups:

Inflammation Arthritis

An expected aspect of the body’s healing process is inflammation. It frequently happens as a line of defence against bacteria and viruses or as a reaction to wounds like burns. Inflammation, however, occurs in patients with inflammatory arthritis for no obvious reason.

Damaged inflammation that does not naturally develop in response to injury or illness defines inflammatory arthritis. The damage caused by this sort of inflammation, which results in discomfort, stiffness, and swelling, is counterproductive and harmful to the affected joints.

Multiple joints may be affected by inflammatory arthritis, and the inflammation may also harm the underlying bone.

Inflammatory arthritis examples include:

  • RA
  • inflammatory arthritis
  • spondylitis with ankylosing
  • Ankylosing spondylitis

Mechanical or degenerative Arthritis

A collection of disorders known as degenerative or mechanical arthritis mostly entail harm to the cartilage that surrounds the ends of the bones. The smooth, slick cartilage’s primary function is to facilitate easy gliding and motion in the joints. The cartilage gets thinner and rougher as a result of this type of arthritis.

The body starts to remodel the bone in an effort to restore stability in order to make up for the loss of cartilage and modifications in joint function. Osteophytes, which are unfavourable bony growths, may result from this. It’s possible for the joint to deform. Osteoarthritis is the term most often used to describe this ailment.

Osteoarthritis may also develop as a result of prior joint injury, such as a fracture or joint inflammation.

Connective Tissues Disease (CTD)

Other body tissues and organs are supported, bound together, or divided by connective tissues. They consist of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

Joint discomfort and inflammation are symptoms of CTD. The skin, muscles, lungs, and kidneys are just a few of the tissues that may experience inflammation. Along with sore joints, this might cause other symptoms, thus it may be necessary to speak with several different doctors.

CTD examples include:

  • Lupus, or SLE,
  • systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma
  • dermatomyositis
  • Sjogren’s

Infectious arthritis

Inflammation in joints can occasionally be brought on by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Joint-infecting microbes include:

  • Shigella and salmonella, which are transmitted through tainted or contaminated food
  • sexually transmitted illnesses including gonorrhoea and chlamydia (STDs)
  • Hepatitis C, a blood-to-blood infection that can be contracted via receiving blood transfusions or using shared needles,

Antibiotics or other antimicrobial drugs can be used by a doctor to treat a joint infection. However, if the infection has continued for a while, the arthritis may become chronic and the damage to the joints may be irreversible.

Metabolic arthritis

As the body breaks down purine-containing compounds, uric acid is produced. Human cells and many foods contain purines.

The majority of uric acid dissolves in the blood and is carried to the kidneys. It then exits the body through the urine. Some persons have high uric acid levels as a result of either naturally producing more uric acid than they require or having a slower-than-normal uric acid clearance rate.

Some people’s uric acid builds up and collects, forming needle-like crystals in the joint, which can cause rapid surges in their level of acute joint pain or a gout attack. If uric acid levels are not lowered, gout can develop into a chronic condition or appear in episodes.

Typically, it only affects a single joint or a small group of joints, like the hands and big toe. Typically, the extremities are affected. According to one idea, uric acid crystals develop in colder joints that are removed from the body’s core heat.

Symptoms of arthritis

Depending on the type, arthritis symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways. They may appear quickly or gradually. Since arthritis is typically a chronic condition, symptoms may fluctuate or linger over time.

But anyone who exhibits any of the four crucial warning symptoms listed below needs to contact a doctor.

  • Pain: Arthritis pain can be persistent or intermittent. It might only impact one area or cause discomfort over the entire body.
  • Swelling: Some varieties of arthritis cause red, swollen, and warm-to-the-touch skin above the damaged joint.
  • Stiffness: This symptom is common. With some kinds, this is probably the case when you first wake up in the morning, after spending a lot of time sitting at a desk or in a car, or after. Other types may experience stiffness during or following activity.
  • Joint difficulty: Arthritis or another joint condition may be present if moving a joint or rising from a chair is difficult or painful.

A number of different forms of arthritis can result in symptoms that are distinct from these common symptoms. Juvenile RA, for instance, might result in ocular issues including uveitis, iridocyclitis, or iritis.

Fever and excruciating joint pain are frequent symptoms of septic arthritis. If it worsens to the point of sepsis, it can become an emergency.

Causes of arthritis

All forms of arthritis are caused by a variety of factors. Depending on the type or form of arthritis, there may be one or many causes.

Possible reasons could be:

  • an incident that may result in degenerative arthritis
  • an improper metabolism that can lead to diseases like calcium pyrophosphate deposits and gout (CPPD)
  • a hereditary predisposition that may result in osteoarthritis
  • an infection like Lyme disease, which can cause symptoms of arthritis
  • immune system malfunction, such as that which results in lupus and RA,

The majority of arthritis types have several contributing causes. Some, though, seem to sprout out of nowhere and without a clear cause.

Conclusion

More than 100 different forms of arthritis exist.

Some forms, like RA and lupus, have several organs affected and are brought on by an overactive immune system. Different joints’ physical deterioration is the cause of other types.

Indicators of arthritis development include:

  • injury
  • erratic metabolism
  • Biological makeup
  • infections
  • immune system impairment

A physician can assist a patient in determining whether they have arthritis and the most appropriate course of treatment. Medication and lifestyle modifications are two possible treatments. Occasionally, a person may require surgery.

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What are the side effects of abnormally high vitamin C?

What are the side effects of abnormally high vitamin C?

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One of the most important nutrients required for our body to perform several functions is Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid. It is one of the thirteen essential vitamins that a human body requires on a daily basis. Vitamin C is necessary for repairing several tissues and general growth of the body. It plays an important role in making ligaments, blood vessels, tendons, and skin of your body. Also, vitamin C plays an important role for the production of a natural substance called Collagen. It works as a main component for connecting tissues and 1-2% of your body’s muscle build-up.

Sources of Vitamin C

VItamin C is a kind of nutrient that is widely found in a number of fruits and begetables such as:

  • Citrus (oranges, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit)
  • Bell peppers
  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes
  • Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower)
  • White potatoes

Benefits

Serious health issues cannot be resolved with a single vitamin. They frequently cooperate, and other lifestyle choices like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking are crucial. Nevertheless, studies suggest that vitamin C may be beneficial for your health in the following ways:

Stress

Numerous stress-related diseases are correlated with a vitamin C deficit. In alcoholics, smokers, and obese people, it is the first nutrient to become depleted. Additionally, vitamin C levels might serve as an excellent indicator of general health because they are one of the minerals susceptible to stress, according to professionals.

Colds

Vitamin C is not a cure for the common cold, but some research suggests that it can help avoid more severe side effects. According to professionals, there is strong evidence that taking vitamin C for colds. Also, the flu can lower the chance of getting pneumonia and lung infections as well as other problems.

Stroke

Despite contradicting evidence, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that people with the highest blood levels of vitamin C had a 42% lower risk of stroke than people with the lowest levels.

Aging skin

Vitamin C has an impact on both internal and external body cells, and its antioxidant capabilities may slow down the ageing process. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 4,025 women between the ages of 40 and 74 looked at the relationship between nutrient intake and skin aging. It was discovered that higher vitamin C intakes were linked to a decreased risk of wrinkles, skin dryness, and a better skin-aging appearance.

According to several studies, vitamin C may also contribute to:

  • macular degeneration improvement.
  • inflammation reduction.
  • reducing the danger of cardiovascular and cancerous disease.

Dose of vitamin C

It is true that vitamin C supplements are applicable for all groups of people i.e. children, adults, and elderly. Also, it is important that a human body must consume this nutrient based on their age group.

  • For babies upto 6 month old, a 40mg dose is required while 7-12 months old babies need 50mg of vitamin C.
  • Coming to toddlers between 1-3 years, supplement of 15mg and children from 4-8 years old require 25 mg of vitamin c daily.
  • Finally for teenagers and adults, an ideal dose of 60-90 mg/day is recommended with an extreme upper limit of 2000 mg/day.

 However, an individual should recommend to a doctor before taking high doses of vitamin C when dealing with kidney disease, liver disease, gout, etc. 

Deficiency of Vitamin C

Due to low levels of nutrients, people usually take vitamin C supplements to maintain or increase the nutrient level in their body to avoid symptoms of its deficiency.

Low level or deficiency of vitamin C in the body could lead to a number of unwanted and troublesome diseases such as:

Overdose on Vitamin C

It is universally true that vitamin C is very important for a human body’s needs but over intake of this supplement will not only decrease its importance but also increase the risk of several harmful effects to your body. 

Overconsumption of vitamin C could result in unfavourable conditions such as gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, abdominal cramp, increased risk of cardiovascular disease in post menopause women, tissue damage, etc. 

It is professionally recommended to conduct certain tests to determine a specific amount of vitamin C that will be beneficial for an individual body. 

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