Hip pain

Fluoride in drinking water – Is this a threat to your joints?

August 13, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

Fluoride aggravates arthritis
Many of the so called “health authorities” have been adding Fluoride to our drinking water since the 50s when the advocates of fluoride won the battle for its inclusion in our public water supplies. Fluoride occurs naturally in many of the foods we that eat as well as the environment and soil. It occurs in trace amounts and we are adapted to consuming these amounts in our diets. A certain amount of fluoride is essential to keep our teeth and bones strong.

You might think that this supplementation is a sensible idea. However, since the addition of fluoride to our drinking water there has been a directly related increase in the number of bone and joint related health problems recorded over the last 50 years. Numerous studies in different countries shave been conducted over the threat which fluoride poses to diseases such as arthritis, bone cancer and dental flourosis. Interesting the countries that decided not to add fluoride to the water have experienced similar decreases in dental treatments such as fillings as achieved by those who added fluoride. These improvements have been attributed to better standards of oral hygiene and not to the addition of fluoride shooting down the main argument advanced to support its addition.

Where the added fluoride content was 1.5mg, hip joint sufferers reported an increase in pain and stiffness while drinking fluoridated water. The risk of bone fracture increased and it triggered more serious health problems, including damage to the brain and thyroid gland!

Skeletal fluorosis is another bone and joint condition is associated with prolonged exposure to high concentrations of fluoride such as the ones found in drinking water. It causes fragile bones to have lower tensile strength. It is not easily recognizable until it reaches its advanced stage. In its early stages, its symptoms may resemble those of arthritis. Fluoride decreases bone density and appears to aggravate the growth of osteophytes present in the bone and joints, resulting in joint stiffness and pain.

Further studies have now confirmed a dramatic increase in bone cancer in young males exposed to fluoride during growth of the bones and a 5% increase in all types of cancers in fluoridated communities. Fluoride also can have a deleterious effect on bone growth and cause premature joint and ligament ageing. Because fluoride causes bones to become brittle they are more prone to experience more fractures. Joints which occur around diseases or fractured bones are evidently affected.

The conclusion is that we do not really need fluoride in our drinking water as it carries too many risks that we cannot overlook. There are many misleading facts regarding fluoride and one needs to be weary of profit seeking companies who persuasively promote the consumption of fluoride. A number of years ago a book was published called “The fluoride conspiracy”. This is a factual account of the various games that were played and the deliberate misinformation around the benefits of adding fluoride. This is a frightening book and would be worthy of an x files episode if it wasn’t true! This is still available and is well worth reading.

If the water in your area has been fluoridated there are certain filters which will reduce the amount of fluoride in water. Many of the standard jug filters won’t remove this. You tend to need a distiller, although there are a number of commercial products designed delibrately to remove flouride and disinfection by-products. Some people may have also access uncontaminated spring water. Pure drinking water is a precious resource and we need to what we drink to safeguard against many of today’s more serious health problems.

Steve’s Health Answers provides the latest natural health news, research and tips about Joint Care and Arthritis. For more details and our free newsletter, please visit http://www.steveshealthanswers.com

Filed Under: Health News
Tagged: arthritis, Bone Mass Density, fluoride, Hip pain, joint pain

Hip pain

Hip Replacement Recovery – Some Useful Tips To Speed Up The Process

June 23, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

Hip Replacement Therapy

Hip Replacement Recovery

can take anything from 2 months to a year, so its best get yourself prepared. Like all major medical procedures, proper care has to be taken after hip joint replacement surgery. It will take a good team effort (including yourself) to get you back on the road to perfect health again. Having your hip joint replaced will undoubtedly change the way you carry out certain activities and place some limitations on some of your movements but it shouldn’t hold you back from living a full life.

Straight after surgery you will be monitored and special attention will be given to your legs and feet with regards to body temperature, circulation and sensation. You may also be required to wear compression stockings to improve blood flow and reduce the formation of blood clots.

A day after your surgery your physiotherapist will recommend some small exercises for you to do while in bed such as:

Gluteal sets: tightening and relaxing the buttock muscles
Quadricep sets: tightening and relaxing the thigh muscles
Ankle pumps: flexing and extending the ankles

These help with strengthening your hip joint without much movement of the hip itself. The physical therapist will work with you 2 or 3 times per day while you are still in hospital and teach you specific exercises to regain your full hip movement. When you go home after 3-5 days, you will also be assigned a physical therapist or nurse to work with you several times per week. As a result of having a new hip, you will have to re-learn to perform normal movements and start getting used the prosthesis. The physical therapist will teach you how to do the following safely:

Moving up and down in bed
Getting to a sitting position from lying down and vice versa
Going from sitting to standing and vice versa
Getting in and out of the bathroom
Getting in and out of your car

During you rehabilitation its very important to actively participate by also working on your own as well as with the therapist in order to speed up your recovery time. You may also need a walker or a cane to aid you with walking.

There are however certain precautions with regards to certain activities that you need to heed to prevent further injury or dislocation of your hip. Avoid high impact activities, such as running, downhill skiing, bending down too much and lifting very heavy things. Mostly you need to listen to your body and if a certain activity becomes a bit strenuous then stop it immediately. Your doctor would have given you a specific list of movements to avoid.

Leading an active life after hip replacement is very possible. After 6 weeks, you can go back to your normal routine such as driving, swimming, golf, walking or gardening without any problems.

I would add that you should look very carefully at your supplementation. It is vital to get the right nutrients to your joint in order to speed the healing process and protect your long term health. Sign-up for our free ebook to get tips and advice on supplementation www.steveshealthanswers.com

Steve’s Health Answers provides the latest natural health news, research and tips about Joint Care and Arthritis. For more details and our free newsletter, please visit http://www.steveshealthanswers.com