Dietary advice for the management of high Uric acid

High uric acid level can be reduced with a change in diet. Doctors strongly recommend making simple changes in diet like eliminating beef rolls and choosing green leafy vegetables, cabbage and high fiber foods instead for regulating uric acid levels.

High-fiber foods

According to the University of  Maryland Medical Center, adding foods high in dietary fiber may help lower uric acid levels in your blood. Dietary fiber may help absorb uric acid in your bloodstream, allowing it to be eliminated from your body through your kidneys. Increase the consumption of dietary soluble fibers such as Isabgol, Oats, Spinach, and Broccoli to name few.

Cold-pressed olive oil
Use cold-pressed olive oil in cooking instead of shortening, butter or vegetable oils. Oils that have been subjected to heat or processing turn rancid quickly. Rancid fats destroy vitamin E in your body - this vitamin is necessary for controlling uric acid levels. Olive oil helps you avoid the production of excess uric acid, which is associated with the consumption of rancid fats.

Take in a healthy dose of vitamin C
To help reduce the amount of uric acid in your system, regularly taking 500 milligrams of vitamin C will decrease your uric acid levels in a month or two.

Avoid bakery products
Avoid cakes, pastries, cookies and other sugary delights which are rich in saturated fats and trans fats.

Celery seed extract
This is also a popular natural remedy for gout and uric acid problems. The seeds of the celery plant have long been used to treat gout, rheumatism and arthritis. Celery possesses sedative, antioxidant and mild diuretic action and is considered a urinary antiseptic. In rare cases, this herb is also used to treat sleeplessness, anxiety and nervous breakdown. Although the seeds of this plant are often used in herbal supplements, the roots may also be used.

Antioxidant-rich foods
Fruits and vegetables such as red bell peppers, tomatoes, blueberries, broccoli and grapes are rich sources of antioxidant vitamins. Antioxidants which are vitamins that prevent free radical molecules from attacking your organ and muscle tissue cells may help lower uric acid levels.

Cherries    
Cherries contain chemical compounds that may help neutralize uric acid allowing your body to eliminate this acid as waste. Some researchers recommend consuming 30 to 40 cherries every four hours during an attack.

Apple cider vinegar
It is believed that raw, apple cider vinegar can help alleviate high uric acid levels by changing the pH values of your blood. But it has to be raw, un-distilled, un-pasteurized apple cider vinegar; the kind you get from your local health food store.

Saturated fat, trans fat, sugar and alcohol
All these affect your triglycerides, a type of fat that can clog your arteries and increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes.

High-fructose corn syrup
This is a type of sweetener in soft drinks and other processed foods that can elevate your levels of triglyceride and uric acid - a chemical associated with diabetes, gout, alcoholism, kidney disease and other health problems.


Drink plenty of fluids to help flush uric acid from your body
Drink a minimum of 3 and 1/2 liters of water daily. Water is a medium that aids the kidney to 'strain' the impurities from your body.

Avoid high-protein weight-loss diets which can cause you to produce too much uric acid (hyperuricemia).
Limit meat, poultry and fish - animal proteins are high in purine and this will result in high uric acid levels in the body

Limit or avoid alcohol
Alcohol interferes with the elimination of uric acid from your body. Drinking beer in particular has been linked to gout attacks. If you are prone to uric acid attacks, limit alcohol consumption to one drink three times a week.

Choose complex carbohydrates
Eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and fewer refined carbohydrates such as white bread, cakes and candy. Because foods rich in complex carbohydrates promote feelings of fullness, and prevent overeating and are useful in maintaining a healthy weight.

Joint protection techniques to help you stay in control of your rheumatoid arthritis pain

Joint protection is a proven strategy to help you manage rheumatoid arthritis pain and perform daily activities more easily. Arthritic joints can't tolerate as much stress as healthy joints can, so pushing, pulling or twisting motions can be painful. Think about ways you can avoid unnecessarily stressing your joints.

Choose the strongest joint available for the job: Save your smaller, weaker joints for the specific jobs that only they can accomplish. Throughout the day, favor large joints. For example, carry objects with your palm open, distributing the weight equally over your forearm. Slide objects along a counter or workbench rather than lifting them. Use your thigh muscles to rise from a chair instead of pushing off with your hands. To help prevent joint damage, spare your fingers as much work as possible. In particular, try to avoid prolonged pinching or gripping motions. Use tools that help spread the force throughout your palm or arm.  

Use good body mechanics: If you position yourself correctly and use the muscles best suited to a physically demanding task, you can minimize the stress on your joints. Proper body mechanics allow you to use your body more efficiently. Carry heavy objects close to your chest, supporting the weight on your forearms. To pick up items from the floor, stoop by bending your knees and hips. Or sit in a chair and bend over.

Arrange your work area wisely :

While sitting Make sure you have good back and foot support. Your forearms and upper legs should be well supported, resting level with the floor. You may want to raise your chair, to make it easier to get up from it.

For typing If you type at a keyboard for long periods and your chair doesn't have arms, consider using wrist or forearm supports. An angled work surface for reading and writing is easier on your neck. 

While standing The height of your work surface should enable you to work comfortably without stooping.

Keep moving Don't give your joints the chance to become stiff, so keep them moving. When writing or doing handwork, release your grip every 10 to 15 minutes, or when your hand feels fatigued. On long car trips, take breaks every hour or two so you can get out and stretch. Choose aisle seats on airplanes, so you can shift your legs more easily. Move each joint through its full pain-free range of motion at least once a day. It's normal for your joint flexibility to vary from day to day. On sore, stiff days, keep your movements slow and gentle to avoid further damage.

Balance work and rest: Take time to organize your daily tasks. Work at a steady, moderate pace and avoid rushing. Rest before you become fatigued or sore, and alternate light and moderate activities throughout the day. Also try to take periodic stretch breaks.

Understand the difference between the general discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis and the pain from overusing a joint. Take note when an activity causes joint pain so you can avoid or modify the activity next time.
(Courtesy:Mayoclinic)                                                                                                                       

                                       

Ayurveda to better manage Leucorrhoea

Excessive discharge of a white, sticky, foul-smelling material from the vagina is called Leucorrhoea. Generally speaking this condition occurs commonly among weak and anemic women due to unhygienic conditions, infection of the genital tract, impaired immune function and to those women who are constantly under stress. Leucorrhoea may occur normally during pregnancy by increased blood flow to the vagina due to increased estrogen.

Leucorrhoea could be a sign of several disease processes, including an organic bacterial infection. If the discharge is thick and white and there is an itching sensation, it may be due to vaginal thrush, caused by a yeast-like fungus, the commonest cause of leucorrhoea. It may also occur in women suffering from diabetes or those who are being treated with antibiotics for some other condition.

If the discharge is greenish-yellow and has an unpleasant smell, it could be due to trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease. It may also be transmitted via toilet articles from one woman to another. If a low back, or an abdominal pain accompanies the discharge, and you feel sick, it may be due to pelvic inflammatory disease. Leucorrhoea may also be noticed in females who are suffering from tuberculosis, anemia as also in those who have a general low resistance power, maintain poor local hygiene and those who use excess of vaginal medications such as strong disinfectants.

In Ayurveda, Leucorrhoea is known as Shveta Pradaram where Shveta means ‘white’, and Pradaram means ‘discharge’ Ayurveda considers that leucorrhoea is caused by the vitiation of kapha dosha. Kapha, along with other factors, can impair the Rasa Dhatu (nutrient plasma) present in the vaginal tract, ultimately leading to the painless discharge of white colored fluid from the vagina.

According to Dr. Pathrose, Chief Physician, Parathuvayalil Hospital & Orthopedic centre, washing the affected area with Thriphala Kashaya (Thriphala kshalanam) is found to be very effective in treating Leucorrhoea especially to reduce the itchiness. Also internal medicines like Musalikhadiradi Kashaya, Chandraprabha vati, Pushyanuga choornam are all proven medications for Leucorrhoea. Chewing of Betel nut after meals has a curative effect and also prevents further development of the disease. Asoka Ghrita, Satavari gulam are other medications which found effective in treating Shveta Pradaram.

Ayurveda advises some guidelines to be followed by patients with Shveta Pradaram .Patients are advised to avoid fried, sour and spicy foods. Fruits, vegetables, and salads should be included in patients diet. Increase liquids in the diet, such as water which helps to flush out the toxins. The most important factor is to maintain  a proper hygiene, always wear clean cotton under garments. Pat dry the vaginal area after washing it 1-2 times daily with plenty of water.     

Get rid of those excess fat in subcutaneous tissue through Udwarthana

Udwarthanam is special therapeutic deep tissue massage using herbal medicinal powders. Unlike other massage Udwarthanam is against the course of hair follicle and towards the direction of the heart, is much deeper and drier than the others.

This procedure helps in the stimulation of the adipose tissue hence resulting in the breakdown of unwanted fat from the body. A sought after management of high cholesterol, people with body mass more than ideal stipulated norms, helps impart mobility to the joints, strengthens the muscles and refreshes the body and successful in weight loss management by increasing the basic metabolic rate.

According to Dr. Pathrose Parathuvayalil, Chief physician, Parathuvayalil hospital and Orthopedic Centre, Udwarthanam is useful in the following conditions like Motor Neuron Disorder, Parkinsonism, Muscular dystrophy, Multiple sclerosis, Hemiplegia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cerebral palsy, Skin diseases, Diabetes mellitus and Obesity.Kolakulathyadi choornam, Thriphala choornam, Jeevaneeya gana choornam are usually taken according to the condition of the patient.This procedure is done for nearly 35 -40 min followed by a steam bath.

Udwarthanam pacifies the aggravated Kapha dosha thereby reduces the excess fat accumulated in the subcutaneous tissues. Softens and exfoliates dead skin cells, thereby giving a lustrous glow to skin.

“Udwarthanam Kaphaharam Medasaha Pravilayanam
Sthireekaranam Anganam Tvak prasadakaram Param ”

Meaning: Udwarthanam pacifies kapha dosha; liquefies the fat; stabilizes the body parts; best to improve the complexion of the skin.

(Ref: Ashtanga Sangraha)

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, most common type of tendon inflammation in Mothers

This disease is also known as Gamers’ thumb, Washerwoman’s sprain, Radial styloid tenosynovitis, de Quervain’s disease, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis, Mother's wrist, Mommy thumb.

It is one of the most common types of tendon lining inflammation, also called tenosynovitis. The swollen tendons and their coverings cause friction within the narrow tunnel or sheath through which they pass. If a particular motion is repeated day after day, it may irritate the sheath around the two tendons, causing thickening that restricts the movement of the tendons. The result is pain that may extend from the forearm to the thumb base. De Quervain’s was named after the Swiss surgeon who first described the condition in 1895.

People between the ages of 30 and 50 have a higher risk of developing de Quervain's tenosynovitis than those in other age groups. The condition is more common in women than in men, and it may be associated with pregnancy. Baby care, which involves using your thumbs as leverage to lift your child hundreds of times a day, may also be associated with the condition.


The condition can occur gradually or suddenly. Often, its cause is unknown. Jobs or hobbies that involve repetitive hand and wrist motions like Gardening, racquet sports, and various workplace tasks are some activities that can aggravate the condition. Overuse, a direct trauma or injuries to the thumb, repetitive grasping and certain inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can all trigger the disease.

Symptoms
•    Pain may travel into the thumb or forearm.
•    Thumb motion may be difficult and painful, particularly when pinching or grasping objects
•    Swelling and pain on the side of the wrist at the base of the thumb.
•    The pain aggravates with thumb and wrist motion.
•    Pain, if direct pressure is applied to the area.
•    A "sticking" or "stop-and-go" sensation in thumb when trying to move it

The test most frequently used to diagnose de Quervain’s disease is the Finkelstein test. Make a fist with your thumb placed in your palm. When the wrist is suddenly bent to the little finger side the swollen tendons are pulled through the tight space. If this maneuver is very painful, it is likely that you have de Quervain’s disease.
 
Wearing a splint 24 hours a day for  four to six weeks ,immobilize the affected area ,abstaining from any activities that may aggravate the condition, Ice application to reduce inflammation,anti-inflammatory medication or injection and if all the above efforts does not respond surgery may be indicated. Surgical release of the tight sheath eliminates the friction that worsens the inflammation, thus restoring the tendons’ smooth gliding capability. The risks and complications of surgery include nerve injury, infection, bleeding, stiffness of thumb, recurrence, pain or numbness at the incision.

The main benefit of Ayurveda treatment is to lessen the pain and improve mobility and function says Dr Pathrose, Chief Physician, Pathrose Parathuvayalil Hospital and Orthopedic Centre, Kerala. With the aid of Prachannam, a type of Rakthamoksha one among the Panchakarma Procedures, de Quervain’s disease can be well managed in Ayurveda. He also suggests avoiding excessive movements such as hand and wrist twisting, pinching and forceful gripping for those having this kind of tenosynovitis.


 

Sleeping helps in detoxifying your brain!

Researchers from University of Rochester Medical Centre (URMC) recently discovered a mechanism that removes waste products from the brain that is mainly active during sleep. This revelation could transform scientific understanding of what sleep is for, and how it works and offers new directions for brain disease treatments.

This study shows that the brain has different functional states when asleep and when awake. In fact, the restorative nature of sleep appears to be the result of the active clearance of the by-products of neural activity that accumulate during wakefulness."

In 2012, Maiken Nedergaard of URMC reported about a system that drains waste from the brain. He named it as "glymphatic system," because it acts like the body's lymphatic system but is managed by brain cells known as glial cells. The glymphatic system clears away toxins or waste products that could be responsible for brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.

In the current study, they conducted a series of new experiments on glymphatic system and found that the system is nearly 10 times more active during sleep. They also noted that the sleeping brain removes significantly more amounts of one toxic proteins viz. amyloid-beta which is implicated in Alzheimer's disease.

The brain only has limited energy at its disposal and it appears that it must [choose] between two different functional states - awake and aware or asleep and cleaning up. You can think of it like having a house party. You can either entertain the guests or clean up the house, but you can't really do both at the same time, says Dr. Nedergaard. Understanding precisely how and when the brain activates the glymphatic system and clears waste is a critical first step in efforts to potentially modulate this system and make it work more efficiently. Further findings on glymphatic system are very promising in arriving at an effective solution in the prevention, management and rehabilitation of dirty brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.