Causes of Bursitis

Trauma, infections, allergies, or toxic accumulation are the usual causes. Gradual development from repetitive motion occupations can lead to chronic bursitis. Reducing coffee drinking curiously reduces bursitis of the shoulder. Acute bursitis can result from prescription drug reactions or sudden injury to the area. Sometimes bursitis results from gout, arthritis, or an infection.

Natural Therapy for Bursitis

Soaking a cloth in mullein tea and applying it to the area helps relieve the swelling. Do this regularly for best results. To reduce the pain and inflammation of bursitis, apply ice to the affected are several times a day and keep the area elevated.

Stop the repetitive movement that caused the issue in the first place and rest the joint. To keep the joint from getting stiff, apply lobelia oil. Taking a complete vitamin and mineral supplement is also helpful in healing bursitis, especially one that includes calcium and vitamin B12 because of their anti-inflammatory properties. Skullcap, hops, and chamomile tea stimulates the healing process.

Eat foods with lots of magnesium like green leafy vegetables. Also try pineapple because it contains bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory. Drink a concoction of apple cider vinegar, water, and honey to keep the swelling down.

Massage can also help relieve the pain and swelling in and around the area. Be gentle and 15 minutes a day of massage on the major muscle groups will show an improvement quickly. Make sure not to massage the joint since this may hurt and damage the area more.

If you feel there is too much pain to bear, visit your doctor for an exercise plan and some mild pain relievers. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen work great in dealing with both the pain and inflammation of bursitis. Regular exercises specifically designed for the affected joint will help build the muscles in the area to alleviate the stress and pain on the joint.

Some bursitis, if left unattended, can increase in size and completely immobilize the joint. These cases may require surgery to relieve the pressure in the sac. But before you let it get to that point try some of the natural treatments above for treating the symptoms of bursitis, but also in reducing the inflammation of the joint altogether.

Too much sun tanning damages skin cells. Ozone depletion in our atmosphere is increasing the amount of harmful ultraviolet rays from sunlight we are exposed to. There is an increase in melanoma skin cancer in those who are exposed to excessive ultraviolet radiation. Always protect your skin from sunburn by using sun block of an SPF 15 or higher if you have dark skin or SPF 30 if you have a fair complexion.To treat a burn immediately flush a fresh burn with cold water and apply ice and continue until the area is cold. Apply vitamin E, aloe, or tea tree oil to the burn every hour until the pain is gone. Third degree burns require professional care immediately, since deep blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels in the skin are damaged.

Vitamin E for Burns

Applying vitamin E directly to a burn will stop the pain immediately. It also helps heal the wound and prevent scarring. You simply squeeze the contents of a Vitamin E capsule onto the affected area. It will look like a clear gel. Make sure the area is dry before applying because vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin which means it will not penetrate the skin if it’s covered in water.

Aloe on Burns

Aloe Vera is probably the most well known natural treatment for burns. That’s why it’s included in almost every sun block and after sun care lotion. You can buy aloe vera gel or you can use it straight from the aloe plant, which has large succulent leaves that you can break open. There is a gooey clear gel that comes from the plant that alleviates the pain and swelling associated with burns. It has also been shown to minimize healing time.

Aloe is not as strong as the other natural alternatives, but it is a gentle way to treat minor burns.

Burns and Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree oil provides an anesthetic-like action. It soothes and alleviates most pain on contact. It also will help prevent blistering and even scarring. Since infections nearly always develop in severe burns, frequent applications of tea tree oil will help stop itching and accelerate healing.

Did you know that Australian actor Mel Gibson insisted on using tea tree impregnated fire blankets on the set during the filming of the amazing fire scenes for the film Braveheart, just in case any of the actors or film crew were accidentally burned. Nice one Mel!

Everyone has burned themselves at some point in their lives either cooking on the stove or grill, or on a hot cup of tea, or by sitting in the sun too long. No matter what the cause, burns are serious and should be instantly treated with one of the above natural remedies.

Recognizing the Signs of Bulimia Nervosa

1%-3% of women and girls in the U.S. struggle with Bulimia at some point in their life. You can recognize the symptoms if you see binging, or eating a larger than normal amount of food. Sometimes bulimics will eat until it hurts. Purging right after a meal or a binge is common among bulimics. If someone is excessively throwing up, on a regular basis, it is likely they are bulimic.Other signs of bulimia are swollen cheeks, mouth sores, dehydration, fatigue, menstrual problems or a loss of menstruation, and dry skin. Behavioral signs of bulimia nervosa include an unrealistic body image, excessive dieting or exercising, hoarding food, and depression.

Effects of Bulimia on the Body

The damage bulimia inflicts on the body is devastating and widespread throughout the body. The heart is affected by excessive vomiting, and electrolyte imbalances. The teeth and gums are broken down by the stomach acid that comes up when vomiting leading to cavities, tooth chipping, gingivitis, and the eventual loss of enamel on the teeth. Besides the teeth, the throat and mouth are damaged by the stomach acid. Many bulimics have sores in their mouth and throat from the vomiting.

Gastrointestinal problems can arise from the use of laxatives repeatedly. The esophagus and stomach lining are irritated from vomiting, and a rupture can even occur causing internal bleeding. All of these problems can be made worse by a constant use of medications to induce vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics.

Treatment for Bulimia

Because of all the potential health problems bulimics expose themselves to, medical attention and sometimes hospital emergency care is needed. Many times, a trip to the ER is just the thing a bulimic needs to demonstrate the dangers of their behavior. If the patient can take care of any critical medical issues, they can then move on to the real therapy.

There are a couple simultaneous therapies a bulimic needs – behavioral and nutritional. Cognitive behavior therapy is especially helpful for people with bulimia nervosa. It helps them deal with the thoughts that contribute to bulimia, the negative body image, and even family therapy.

Nutritional therapy involves dieticians giving patients new meal plans, and healthy ways to control weight. This shows the individual that there is a healthy way to eat while still maintaining or losing weight.

Bulimia Nervosa is a serious potentially life threatening disease. If you think you or someone you know may struggle with Bulimia Nervosa, contact a medical professional or a nutritionist for help.

What Causes a Bruise?

Bruises are caused by a blow to the body breaking the blood vessels and capillaries directly below the skin’s surface, leaking blood into the area which causes the black and blue mark. It’s also tender to the touch because of this rupture. When the skin is cut the blood is allowed to escape through the skin, but when the skin remains intact, the blood stays under the skin.

How Long Do Bruises Last?

Bruises usually go through many different color changes. These changes mean your body is healing the bruised area and absorbing the blood back into the system. You can tell how old a bruise is by its color.When a bruise first shows up, its usually reddish color because the blood is new. After a couple of days it turns blue, purple, or black because a substance is changing the blood. After a week or so, it turns yellow or green. Then in about 2 weeks it turns brown, and eventually disappears after 2 weeks.

Why Do Some People Bruise Easier Than Others?

Thin skin contributes to easy bruising. So people who are significantly overweight may bruise more readily than other people. Aging people also have thinner skin and therefore bruise easier. Weak blood vessel walls can also cause easy bruising. People on blood thinners may cause bigger bruises and may bruise more often, so pay attention to the medication you are taking.

Treating Bruises

You can’t really prevent bruises from happening, but if you have one you can keep the bruise from getting too big or hurting by following a couple easy steps. First, get an ice pack or a frozen bag of vegetables to put on the bruise. This will slow the inflammation and preventing as much blood flow to the area. You should also elevate the bruise. If you get a bruise on your leg, lay down so your leg is above your heart. This will slow the blood flow to the bruised area. Put your ice pack on the bruise while resting. Use ice for about 30 minutes a few times a day for the first 48 hours.

Preventing Bruising

While you can try to be more careful, wear protective pads when riding a bike, or any other injury prone activity, there are natural substances that may lessen the chance you’ll bruise. Bioflavanoids found in colorful fruit and veggies, especially citrus fruits, are helpful in decreasing bruising. Bromelain has also been shown to have some effect on speeding the recovery time of bruises, minimizing the pain and swelling, as well as the duration of the bruise.

A bruise is usually not a reason for concern, but if you experience several bruises and you haven’t been bumped or hurt in any way, you should contact your doctor. Also, if a bruise lasts more than 2 weeks, seek advice.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

The major symptoms of bronchitis include a cough, soreness in the chest, yellow or green mucus, sore throat, chest congestion, fever, chills, and possibly a sinus infection. Bronchitis is aggravated by smoking or exposure to smoke. If these symptoms continue for a period of time in excess of 3 months, you may have chronic bronchitis.The main cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking, but can sometimes result from exposure to toxins or dust in the air for an extended period of time.

Medical Treatment of Bronchitis

Since most cases of bronchitis are caused by a viral infection, doctors will typically ask people to get some rest, drink fluids, and wait it out. Occasionally, if there is reason to suspect a bacterial infection, a physician will prescribe antibiotics. Bronchitis can cause more issues for the elderly, the young, and those with pre-existing respiratory issues, and in those cases other treatments may be necessary to prevent possibly deadly consequences.

Additionally, doctors may recommend an over-the-counter mild cough suppressant simply to help the patient sleep at night or to ease the irritation and pain that comes from continually coughing. Coughing is the body’s natural defense against foreign material or infection in the lungs and chest cavity. So, preventing coughing altogether is not good for you. You should allow the body to cough up whatever is necessary. If the coughing becomes a problem and prevents sleeping, then a cough suppressant may be needed.

Natural Treatment of Bronchitis

The first thing everyone should do that has bronchitis is avoid smoking or being exposed to smoke in the air. Drink plenty of water to help flush your body of any toxins or infection. Use a humidifier to help loosen the mucus in your airways. You may even benefit from adding a couple of drops of tea tree oil to the humidifier water, which helps fight infections.

Honeysuckle tea which includes honeysuckle, skullcap, and forsythia is an herbal remedy that has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of bronchitis including fever, cough, and chest congestion.

Cayenne pepper is also helpful in dealing with bronchitis naturally. It works to break up chest congestion quickly. Garlic, ginger, and an herb called creosote bush are all natural remedies for bronchitis. To speed up phlegm removal from your chest, you can make a tea from an herb called pleurisy root. If you are looking for a natural cough expectorant, mullein soothes the throat and relieves coughing.

As with any illness, strengthening the immune system is important to enable the body to fight off viruses and bacterial infections. To kick start your immune system, take extra vitamin c and a. Its best to get vitamins from its natural food source, but sometimes you simply can’t get enough of the necessary nutrients in the food you eat. A good quality supplement is helpful in these cases.

• remove the breast cancer from the breast
• test whether breast cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit.

Breast surgery for breast cancer involves one of the following:

• surgery to remove the breast cancer and a small margin of healthy tissue around it.
• breast conserving surgery is sometimes called a lumpectomy,complete local excision, partial mastectomy or wide local excision.

Surgery is not commonly used in the treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer.
However, surgery can sometimes be used to treat cancer in the bones, lungs or brain, or more rarely in the liver.  Surgery may also be recommended if this is your first diagnosis of breast cancer.

The aim of breast surgery is to:

• remove the breast cancer from the breast
• test whether breast cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit.

Breast surgery for breast cancer involves one of the following:

• surgery to remove the breast cancer and a small margin of healthy tissue around it.
• breast conserving surgery is sometimes called a lumpectomy,complete local excision, partial mastectomy or wide local excision.

Surgery is not commonly used in the treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer.
However, surgery can sometimes be used to treat cancer in the bones, lungs or brain, or more rarely in the liver.  Surgery may also be recommended if this is your first diagnosis of breast cancer.

Breast conserving treatment

Breast conserving surgery plus radiotherapy is as effective as mastectomy for most women with early breast cancer. This means that, for most women, the chance of the breast cancer spreading to other parts of the body or the chance of dying from breast cancer is the same after either treatment. Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of these treatments for you.
Breast conserving surgery
Breast conserving surgery is considered an option if: the cancer is small enough compared to the size of your breast so as to: safely remove all the

cancer and a surgical margin of healthy tissue, and give an acceptable appearance it is your preference.

What does breast conserving surgery usually involve?

Breast conserving surgery usually involves:

• removal of the cancer and a small area of healthy tissue around it, called the surgical margin
• removal of lymph nodes from the armpit after surgery, radiotherapy to the conserved breast

Both types of breast surgery usually also involve axillary dissection, which is surgery to remove some lymph nodes from the armpit. A new surgical procedure called sentinel node biopsy is currently being researched. This involves removing a smaller number of lymph nodes.

What are the advantages of breast conserving surgery?

If you have breast conserving surgery, you:

• will be able to keep your breast, although it will not look the same as it did before surgery
• will usually not need to wear a breast prosthesis or consider breast reconstruction
• are likely to feel better about the way your body looks, compared with how you might feel if you had a mastectomy.

What does breast conserving surgery look like?

Note that the position of the scar on your breast will depend on the location of your cancer. Your breast will also change in shape and size, depending on how much breast tissue is removed.

Mastectomy

When is mastectomy considered an option?

For some women, breast conserving surgery plus radiotherapy is not considered the best treatment option. Mastectomy is considered an option if:

• the area of cancer involved is large compared to the size of your breast
• the cancer is in more than one area of your breast
• you’ve had breast conserving surgery and the area of healthy-looking tissue (surgical margin) around the breast cancer is not considered ‘clear’
• the cancer has come back again in your breast and you had radiotherapy for your initial treatment – if radiotherapy has already been used to treat your breast, it can’t be used again to treat that same breast it is your preference

What does mastectomy involve?

Mastectomy usually involves:

• removal of the entire breast (usually including the nipple)
• removal of lymph nodes from the armpit – this is usually done through one mastectomy cut, so there are no separate scars under the arm
• some breast tissue is left on the chest after mastectomy. Radiotherapy to the chest is sometimes considered for women at high risk of the cancer coming back on the chest wall.

Side Effects

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Cells grow by dividing. Chemotherapy works by damaging cancer cells that are dividing. It travels around the body in the blood stream, attacking cells. The cells most affected by chemotherapy are those which divide rapidly. This means that both cancer cells and normal cells are affected. However, normal cells are able to renew themselves quickly. Cancer cells recover more slowly and with more difficulty. The rest periods between chemotherapy treatments allow your normal cells to recover. However, as the cancer cells do not recover, more are killed with each treatment.
Key Points

• chemotherapy can be used on its own or in combination with surgery or radiotherapy depending on what type of cancer it is.
• chemotherapy is given by mouth using tablets or by injection- most commonly into a vein through the use of an intravenous drip treatment is in cycles usually lasting for several weeks or months. You have a treatment then a period of rest before the next treatment
• usually before each treatment you have blood tests done to measure the levels of different types of cells in the blood. Blood is made up of white cells (which fight infection), red cells (these carry oxygen from the lungs around the body) and platelets (these help your blood clot)
• if your blood cell levels are too low, the time between treatments may be lengthened to allow your body to get stronger or your drugs may be changed.

Hormone Therapy

Hormonal therapies include:

• anti-estrogens (for example, tamoxifen)
• ovarian treatments (called ovarian ablation)
• aromatase inhibitors (newer drugs that are being researched).

Hormonal therapies may be used in addition to surgery and radiotherapy for treating your breast cancer. Hormonal therapies can also be used in addition to chemotherapy.

The aim of hormonal therapies is to:

• destroy any cancer cells that could be left in the breast after surgery and/or radiotherapy
• destroy any cancer cells that might have spread outside the breast and armpit, but cannot be detected
• reduce the risk of a new breast cancer developing in either breast.

Hormonal therapies are called systemic treatments because they work on the whole body to control cancer. Systemic treatments aim to destroy any cancer cells that could have spread outside the breast or armpit area but cannot be detected.

Side effects

Different types of hormonal therapies have different side effects. Also, each woman is different in how she responds to a particular hormonal therapy.
The main side effects of the different types of hormonal therapies are discussed below. If you notice any of these side effects, or any other symptoms you think may be due to your hormonal therapy, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Side effects of anti-estrogens

Some women will have few or no side effects from taking anti-estrogens.

Menopausal symptoms – menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness, can be experienced while taking anti-estrogens. The symptoms usually stop when your treatment stops.

However, sometimes the menopause is permanent. If you are sexually active and have not yet reached menopause, it is possible you could become pregnant, even if your period stops, while you take anti-estrogens. It is recommended that you use contraceptives that do not affect your hormones, such as condoms or diaphragms.

Blood clots – this is a rare side effect of anti-estrogens. Talk to your doctors if you have had blood clots before, and ask how to help prevent blood clots. Contact your doctor immediately (or hospital emergency department if your doctor isn’t available) if you have chest pain, or if you notice any pain, warmth, swelling or tenderness in an arm or leg.

If you develop a blood clot, make sure that the doctor managing your hormonal therapy knows about it, as changes may need to be made to your treatment. If you are having surgery or if you fracture a bone (for example, if you break your leg) while taking anti-estrogens, tell your doctor. In some cases you might need to stop taking the anti-estrogens for a short while.

Stroke – this is a rare side effect of anti-estrogens. Talk to your doctors about how to help prevent stroke.

Cancer of the uterus - this is a rare side effect of anti-estrogens, affecting women who have already reached menopause. The risk is very small. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any irregular vaginal bleeding. Note that irregular vaginal bleeding doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cancer of the uterus, but it is important to find out the cause of the bleeding as soon as possible.

Changes in vision – this is a very rare side effect of anti-estrogens. See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any changes to your vision.

Anti-estrogens can also have benefits in addition to treating cancer, such as:

• Lessening your chance of getting osteoporosis (a disease causing frail bones, which often develops in older women)
• Lowering your cholesterol level and lessening your chance of getting heart disease.
• Note that there is no evidence that taking anti-estrogens leads to putting on a lot of weight.

Pain management

Choosing a drug or a combination of drugs for pain depends on the type and severity of pain. Every individual is different and therefore it may take time to establish the treatment that is right for you.

While most pain relief drugs have some side effects, they are generally not serious. Not everyone experiences side effects. They can be reduced by treatment or by changing to a different medication. Your doctor should advise you about any side effects that you should look for, and what to do if you experience them. You can also ask your pharmacist for a drug information printout.

There is evidence to show that drugs for chronic pain should be taken regularly, such as every 4 hours, rather than waiting until pain is experienced.

Alternative Healing Treatment

Relaxation
There is evidence to show that relaxation therapy can ease cancer pain. Relaxation techniques can be helpful for people coping with pain. Simple techniques include abdominal breathing, jaw relaxation, methods of self hypnosis and yoga.
Education programs about how to take pain medication
There is evidence to show that education programs can ease cancer pain.
Acupuncture
There is evidence to show that acupuncture can ease pain. Acupuncture involves placing small needles in key areas of the body. Consult your doctor about the location of qualified practitioners.
Massage
Some health professionals and other women diagnosed with cancer suggest that massage and aromatherapy (gentle massage using essential oils) may help with relaxation and coping with pain.
Healthy living
including a good diet, exercise within limits, enough sleep and relaxation, and effective management of stress – is important for everybody.

What are complementary and alternative treatments or therapies?

Complementary and alternative therapies are any treatments or therapies that are not part of the conventional treatment (such as surgery and radiotherapy) of a disease.

Complementary and alternative therapies include:
acupuncture, relaxation therapy/meditation, gentle exercise, yoga, tai chi, positive imagery, faith/spiritual healing, laughter, music, art, massage, aromatherapy, dietary therapies, some support group programs, naturopathy, immune therapy, homeopathy, Chinese herbs, megavitamins.

Most women who use complementary and alternative therapies also use conventional treatments. You may find that complementary and alternative therapies are helpful for you. However, it’s important to remember that many of these therapies have not been tested for side effects, or for their interactions with conventional treatments. Talk with your doctor about any complementary or alternative treatments you’re taking. Many complementary and alternative therapies have not been tested in clinical trials, so there is little evidence about how effective they are. There is no evidence that alternative and complementary therapies can remove breast cancer, prevent it from coming back, or prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. Some alternative therapies and complementary therapies may increase your wellbeing, although this is yet to be fully researched.

Awareness

How common is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is fairly common. If all Australian women lived to the age of 75 years, then one in 11 women would develop breast cancer before this age. Over 10 000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Australia.

Breast cancer can occur at any age. The average age of women when they are diagnosed with breast cancer is 64 years. However, one-third of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 50 years.

Symptoms of Brain Cancer or Tumors

Brain cancer often times is felt with headaches, especially in the morning. It may also affect your balance and ability to walk. Brain cancer can change your ability to use any or all of your senses including hearing, vision, smelling, and even talking. You may feel numbness in your hands and feet. And muscle twitching or tingling throughout your body may be a sign of a brain tumor.

Any time a mass like a tumor is pressing against the brain, that part of the brain can malfunction. In addition to the presence of a mass pressing on your brain, the cancerous cells can spread and damage other brain cells, compromising your entire brain’s ability to communicate with the rest of your body.

Medical Treatment of Brain Cancer

While any cancer is scary and potentially deadly, these days people have become accustomed to hearing about cancer survival usually through surgery where the cancer is literally cut out of the body. When we hear of brain cancer, that prospect becomes even more frightening. It is beyond most people’s comprehension to think about cutting cancer out of the brain. Of course, any surgery has risks, but brain surgery is life threatening.

Natural Remedies and Prevention for Brain Cancer

Several people have turned to natural remedies and prevention methods to stop the growth and even reverse the cancer. The biggest single defense against cancer is a healthy diet. I can hear the mumbling now, “A wholesome diet is great and all, but how can fruits and veggies really fight cancer?”

Many of us don’t realize the effect that phytonutrients found in fresh foods have on killing cancer cells. Certain foods have cancer fighting properties such as ginger, green tea, blueberries, cinnamon, the zest (rind) of citrus fruits, and soy has been proven to fight off all types of cancer cells.

Besides fighting cancer, fresh foods bolster the immune system so your body is better equipped to fight the cancer itself. You can think of eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods like giving your body’s army new weapons and armor. Too often we eat to get satisfied, to eat what tastes good, instead of feeding our cells, and nourishing our bodies.

Other alternative therapies for brain cancer and ways to compliment traditional medicine are acupuncture, meditation, relaxation, light therapy, massage, and yoga. All of these methods will improve your general well-being and stimulate your body to heal itself.

Becoming educated on proper preventative measures is the best way to keep your body protected and healthy. Cancer affects the human body only when it is compromised by the air we breathe, the water we drink, the foods we eat, and exercise.

The brain and nervous system work hand in hand and cannot effectively function without each other. When there is a problem with either of them, the entire body suffers. Here are some examples of brain and nervous system diseases.

Diseases of the Brain and Nervous System

Alzheimers disease is the deadly degeneration of the brain cells. It shows itself as memory loss at first, uncontrolled emotions, and finally an inability to cope with daily life. Science is beginning to realize that antioxidants can prevent Alzheimer’s disease by restoring health to damaged cells.

Epilepsy is a common disease of the brain. Almost 1% of the population has some form of epilepsy. It results from electric signals sent by the brain at abnormal timing. A healthy person receives signals from the brain one at a time, where epileptic patients’ brains send several electric signals at once causing seizures. There are effective ways to help people with epilepsy to cope with and minimize the occurrence of seizures.

Parkinson’s disease affects the brain and nerve cells that affect movement in the body. When the nerve cells break down, they stop producing enough dopamine which signals the nervous system to move. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s there are ways for people to cope with and minimize the symptoms of the disease, especially in the early stages.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the brain that attacks the spinal cord primarily. For unknown reasons the body begins attacking itself instead of bacteria or viruses in the body. People with MS eventually lose their ability to walk or talk because of a buildup of scar tissue in the brain and spinal cord. This prevents the nerves from delivering and the brain from receiving information.

Like MS, Lupus is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks the tissues of the body. It is in essence, turning on itself. It usually starts with chronic fatigue, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe and almost every body part can be affected. It’s difficult to diagnose and so many people don’t get help right away.

Help for the Brain and Nervous System

Very little is known about the diseases of the brain and nervous system, and if you noticed there are rarely any cures for them. Preventative measures are your best defense. Eating whole foods with vitamins and minerals are important. Regular exercise and antioxidant supplements can also destroy free radicals that attack the brain cells. Being proactive in staying healthy is the easiest and most worthwhile thing you can do for yourself.

Causes of Bone Spurs

Bone spurs form in response to an irritation of a bone, usually in a joint. When a bone is rubbed or pressure or stress is placed on the bone, the body tries to repair itself by generating more bone material – almost like a bone patch or band aid.

Aging can cause bone spurs. When the cartilage at the end of bone rubs away after several years, you end up with bone on bone contact. Athletes and people with active jobs also tend to be more prone to bone spurs.

Wearing tight shoes or standing for long periods of time can cause heel spurs. Sometimes when women get bone spurs from wearing high heels they are called pump bumps.Being overweight can also cause bone spurs. The added pressure and weight on the feet, ankles, and hips can cause serious pain, swelling, and friction.

Symptoms of Bone Spurs

It is common for bone spurs not to be recognized. Many don’t cause any pain or swelling and therefore are not noticed. When the bone spur is rubbing against muscles, other bones, or tendons pain can occur. Sometimes you’ll see a corn or callus develop over the bone spur to create a natural protective layer.

Natural Treatment for Bone Spurs

To treat the cause of the bone spur, the first thing to do is relieve the pressure. If the bone spur is on your foot, ankles, or legs, you should try better fitting shoes with added support. You can get orthotics, or feet supports that you have fitted to your foot and slide inside your shoe. Heel supports also work well.

Losing weight is another way to tackle the root issue causing the bone spur. The human body is not prepared to carry and support excessive amounts of weight for a continual period of time. A change in jobs may be needed if you’re on your feet all day, or extend your arms overhead all day like a painter. Thought should be given to changing the actions that place pressure on your joints and extremities.

Deep tissue massage may be helpful for people with shoulder, feet, or spine bone spurs. It seems to alleviate the pressure of the muscles, tendons, and bone.

Medical Treatment for Bone Spurs

Treating the symptoms involves ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to deal with the swelling and pain associated with the bone spur. Medical professionals will also give patients steroid injections at the site of the bone spur to alleviate pain. Extreme cases can be dealt with effectively with surgery by removing the bone spurs altogether.

Bone spurs result from intense pressure and or rubbing of the bone in a joint or against other bone. The best way to keep yourself free of bone spurs is to listen to your body and don’t overdo physical exercise and work. Wear comfortable shoes and occasionally wear added support for your feet.

Risks with Body Piercing

Getting your body pierced is a big decision, so don’t take it lightly. There are health risks associated with body piercings, so it’s important to be aware of them to be better prepared.

Piercing equipment must be sterilized otherwise serious infections and disease like HIV, hepatitis, and tetanus can be spread. Piercing guns are a strict no-no! Piercing guns cannot be sterilized and should not be used! Infections can also occur by bacteria getting into the pierced skin even after it’s healed over, so make sure to clean regularly.

Allergic reactions, nerve damage or bleeding can also result from body piercing. Did you know that you could be allergic to the metal in your piercing? Anytime a foreign object enters your body, it can reject it and try to force it out. Also, make sure the jewelry being used is big enough for the body part. If you insert a very small earring, you can cut off blood flow to the area resulting in pain and swelling.

Healing Time from Piercings

Depending on the body part you’re piercing, it can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 1 year to heal completely. Fleshy tissue like the ear lobe takes 6-8 weeks to heal while the cartilage part of your ear can take 4 months to a year to heal. Nipple piercing can damage the milk glands. And, oral piercings like the tongue heal quickly but are risky.