Monday, February 22, 2016

What Are the Causes of Shin Splints and How to Avoid It?


A popular trend in modern society is the incorporation of a healthy lifestyle. With individuals being burdened by their active work schedules, it has become increasingly difficult to achieve a healthy balance between work and life. Most professionals might even consider this work-life balance a mythical concept as it continues to elude the majority of the working population.

In order to squeeze in some form of physically activity into their jam packed schedules, the first exercise that springs to their mind is running. It is easy to carry out, requires no supervision and does not involve the use of any equipment. However, there are certain risks that comes along with running activities.

Shin Splints

The most common injuries caused by running comes in the form of muscles aches and cramps. For people who have been physically inactive for prolonged periods of time, they might experience some signs and symptoms of joint pain as well. Among the range of muscle discomfort that has the potential to affect runners, shin splints have proven itself to be one of the most cumbersome issues.

Fitness experts define shin splints as a sharp discomfort in the lower leg and shin area as a result of extended running. The degree of discomfort can be magnified by running on hard surfaces. According to the McKinley Health Center of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, approximately one-fifth of runners will experience at least one episode of shin splints discomfort.

Causes of Shin Splints

It should be noted that shin splints are a specific injury to runners only. Other sports that places huge amounts of pressure on the legs are equally susceptible to suffering from shin splints. Some of the sports include football, soccer and basketball. Individuals should be aware that shin splints affect the muscles in the lower leg and should not be confused with other injuries such as severe joint pain.

Due to the prevalence of shin splints, many fitness professionals have come forward with their own theory of the origin of shin splints. Despite the variety of reasons attributed to the onset of shin splints, most of them center around the same principles.

Overexertion

The general rule of thumb provides that the intensity of each workout should not increase by more than 10% between each interval. Failure to heed this advice increases the risk of shin splints.

Over-pronation
 

Rigid arches, flat feet and ankles rolling inward on impact are malfunctions in the body that directly increases the odds of suffering from shin splints. This is due to the imbalanced distribution of pressure on the lower legs, causing excess burden.

Downhill running

When running down a slope, the toes comes in contact with the ground first, followed by the rest of the feet. This places additional pressure on the shin upon first impact and can result in the occurrence of shin splints.

Inadequate fitness gear

Most people stick to their comfort gears when it comes to exercising. While worn out shoes are comfortable to use, they do not provide adequate protection to the feet. As these shoes provide less impact absorption, the feet become more exposed to shin splints.

Hard surfaces
 

Engaging in physical activities on hard surfaces also contribute towards the prevalence of shin splints. Runners would have noticed the difference between running on tracks as compared to concrete surfaces. Running tracks are able to provide more impact absorption and puts less pressure on the lower leg, reducing the risk of any injuries.

Prior history of shin splints

Unfortunately, people who have suffered from shin splints previously are more likely to experience the same issue again. To complicate matters, the recovery period for shin splints are rather difficult to gauge. Resuming physical activities prematurely can further aggravate the injury, resulting in prolonged periods on the treatment table.

Treatments for Shin Splints
 

Fitness experts are univocal in their opinion that the first measure to adopt during instances of shin splints is to decrease the training intensity immediately.
In more severe cases where the pain becomes unbearable, a complete break from any physical activity is required. After evaluating the seriousness of shin splints, individuals can undertake the following treatment methods:
  • Refrain from putting pressure on the legs for one week
  • Apply ice pressure to the shin to ease the inflammation
  • Keep leg elevated whenever possible
  • For effective pain management, painkillers can be prescribed to ease the discomfort
  • Wear compression sleeves to aid in muscle recovery
Conclusion

The presence of shin splints in any physical activity is a clear indication of a faulty workout routine or incorrect application of technique. Although this form of injury affects runners predominantly, other sports such as basketball, soccer and football are equally susceptible. Based on the suggestion and guide above, individuals should be more equipped to prevent and treat any case of shin splints that may present themselves in the future. As a general word of caution, persistent shin splints that lasts for more than a week are not normal. Health professionals should be consulted to determine if any underlying conditions are aggravating the condition or preventing a full recovery.

References:

https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health/natural-joint-pain-relief-supplements.html

http://blogs.christianpost.com/way-to-be-healthy/6-ways-to-get-relief-from-shin-splints-27220/

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Does Antidepressants Relief Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain?


Yes, antidepressants relief rheumatoid arthritis pain. They are also capable of relieving any other type pain in the human body. It is advisable to take them as prescribed to the latter hence you need a qualified doctor to make the prescriptions for you. Do not overdose since it will cause harm to the entire body leading to more and more complications. Arthritis joint pain is at times so severe making you have absolutely no option rather than using the antidepressants.

Avoid using over the counter and self-prescriptions since they can make you be in a position to make you consume them on a daily basis. They relief pain for a short period hence you will be entitled to daily medication.

The following are ways in which you can take antidepressants to relief rheumatoid arthritis pain
  • Seek medical prescriptions
In case you are dealing with arthritis and joint pain, ensure that you do not treat yourself. Seeking medical prescriptions is the best because your doctor will be in a position to advice you professionally. Avoid guessing the best treatment for your condition unless you are a qualified doctor. Your doctor will be in a position to let you are the best treatments by first performing tests on you. The results will enable him/her offer you the required advice and prescription. The costs taken in hospitals are worth since you will get the best solutions which can help you handle your condition perfectly. Avoid using a friend’s medicine since you will have disrupted his/ her healing process. Seek your own prescriptions and do not skip any day.

  • Avoid buying the cheap medication
Cheap is always expensive hence be wise while buying the medication, ensure that you take the original drugs. This is because there are drugs imitated from the original making you have the drug with incomplete nutrients. You will not be in a position to get healed as per the doctor’s expectations. Be ready to use more funds on the original drug to help reduce the rheumatoid arthritis pain instantly. In addition, avoid sending people to buy drugs for you since you will not be sure of the truth in their mouths. You can end up taking incomplete dosage.
  • Do not mix up medications
Let your body system get used to one type of medication hence, you will be in a position to treat any health problem. Make sure that this antidepressant is accepted in your body with no side effect. The only effect should be reducing the level of arthritis in your system. The only item you should use is the balance diet to let it run along with your antidepressants. It will help boost your immune system making your body able to resist any kind of disease. Different drugs in the body have the ability to confuse your hormones making them become resistant to any kind of medicine.
  • Take full dose
You should take a full dose as prescribed by your doctor enhancing you to have a full recovery. Do not skip any hence ensure you are able to remember the prescriptions overhead to avoid forgetting. You can also set a reminder on the phone that will keep you alert whenever the time comes for taking medicine. A full and complete dose of antidepressants will help you overcome rheumatoid arthritis pain so first. It will give you a reason to encourage other patients to take a complete dose, which will enable them have easy time dealing with the condition.
  • Include exercise
In combination with the antidepressants, exercise boosts the healing process. This will make you live a normal life just like other patients who are not suffering from the illness.

  • Do not overdose
Taking an overdose, does not lead to quick recovery. Some antidepressants have a quick way of reliving pain avoid taking them more than prescribed.
  • Rest much
This is an additional benefit since it helps to make the antidepressant work faster than expected. You should sleep at least 8 hours of the night and 2 hours during the day. This will help your body to make up hence enabling reduction of pain.

Conclusion

Antidepressants have the ability to relieve pain longer than all other pain killers. It is therefore recommended for those who have rheumatoid arthritis since it brings very severe pain that patients cannot condone. Ensure that you do not mix up medication rather use only the recommended by your doctor. In addition let exercise be your daily routine to prevent your joints from getting rigid and painful. Rigid joints will make movement difficult for you hence causing very severe pains. You as a patient will not manage to perform your chores unless you undergo proper medication.

References:

https://www.jointhealthmagazine.com/arthritis-joint-pain
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/kellyeverson1/view/10-water-exercises-to-treat-arthiritis-pain-784075