Battling For Health

Countless time here, I have mentioned the importance of exercise in managing arthritis. While exercise (as shown by various studies) can relieve the pain, stiffness and swelling in joints caused by arthritis, we do not want an exercise that will strain the arthritis patient.

If you dig into my archives, the top 2 exercise for arthritis that will come out are:

1. Tai Chi

Tai Chi is most known to relieve stress and improve one’s agility. Recently however, it has been noticed as a beneficial exercise form for people with arthritis. From the Mayo Clinic’s list of uses of tai chi, one cannot deny the fact that it can indeed help against arthritis:

• Reduce stress
• Increase flexibility
• Improve muscle strength and definition
• Increase energy, stamina and agility
• Increase feelings of well-being

In the case of oseoarthritis, stress is a risk factor. Therefore tai chi in one way to relieve stress and improve one’s quality of life.

2. Water Aerobics or other water exercises

Exercising in water doesn’t strain the joints and so it offers a different way of exercising with too much stress to people suffering from arthritis. Besides, studies have attested to its benefits. It is better though to have a trainor for this or join a class. With the approval of course of your doctor.

From wikipedia:

In addition to the standard benefits of any exercise, the use of water in water aerobics supports the body and reduces the risk of muscle or joint injury. The mitigation of gravity by flotation places less stress on the joints when stretching, and can allow a greater range of motion. The mitigation of gravity makes water aerobics safe for any individual able to keep their head out of water, including the elderly.[2] Exercise in water can also prevent overheating through continuous cooling of the body. Most classes last for 45-55 minutes.

I couldn’t agree more. People with arthritis should exercise but with minimal to none injury to the muscle or joints.

Swimming and walking, am not to sure to add to this list. While it may be beneficial, it should with done with caution as we do not want to be strained, stress nor injured. Simple stretching exercises could be helpful as well. Nothing too fancy, I guess. It would be best to discuss with your doctor, it might be good to consider as well if you work with a professional therapist or trainor experienced in arthritis patients. At least from my reading about managing life with arthritis, that piece of info I has always bumped into.

Would you mind sharing to us here, what kinds of exercises have you found beneficial in living life with arthritis? We’d like to know.

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Diabetes Events and News for the week:

New Game Plan Targets Pre-Diabetics. Check out this news video at CBC Evening News, from July 23. It includes information on diet, exercise and weight loss meds all targeted at the 57 million pre-diabetics in the United States.

The Toronto Sun. com, July 23, 2008. Diabetics Pumped-UP. In September the province of Ontario will begin supplying pumps and diabetic supplies to the tune of a $74 million plan to help diabetics.

Pharma Live, July 22, 2008. ‘Janumet’ (sitagliptin/metformin) Approved in the European Union for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Merck & Company’s combination drug has won approval for marketing in the European Union.

ROCK AGAINST DIABETES!

Pre-Show Bash, August 22, Live Show, August 23. Door opens at 7, Show begins at 8.

The ROX Club, Las Vegas. Raffles, Auctions, Door Prizes and more. All proceeds to Rock Against Diabetes

Join the Alberta Diabetes Foundation for a Rock’N August!

Return to the carefree days of the past, remembering Elvis, Fats Domino, prom nights and sock hops make us appreciate what we had and yearn for again. But the past wouldn’t be the past without the automobiles that are now classic, expensive and treasured by their owners. Tender, loving care is the only way to describe the treatment afforded these cars - one cannot look at them without memories of the past flooding back and in the distance, the sound of Rock and Roll.

The event takes place in the City of St. Albert from August 5th - 9th, 2008.

Join the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International

JDRF’s Walks are family-friendly, held at great locations, and feature plenty of entertainment, food, and fun. We invite you to become one of the 500,000 people at our 200 Walk sites nationwide this year who are making a difference in the lives of people with type 1 diabetes. You’ll have a great time, get some exercise, and, most importantly, be a part of the cure!

This year The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) predicts that over 500,000 people will be participating in the charity’s signature Walk to Cure Diabetes. Check out the site and get your own team going!!

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Events fighting the Cancer Battle:

Daffodil Day is Coming!

Daffodil Day, Friday 22^nd August 2008 is the largest fundraising event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the day of the year we invite all Australians to unite and lend their support to the fight against cancer.

Becoming part of Daffodil Day is easy, and there are three ways in which you can help the Cancer Council of Australia achieve their fundraising target of $9 million.

1. Order and sell merchandise to your friends, family, community or in the workplace throughout August
2. Voluneteer sell merchandise at one of our stalls on Daffodil Day
3. Buy fresh daffodils or Daffodil Day merchandise throughout August

Ninth annual Against The Tide, one-mile swim, two-mile kayak, and three-mile fitness walk to benefit the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. Saturday, August 16, 2008. The event will be held at Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA. This fun and inspirational day brings together swimmers, kayakers and walkers of all ages and abilities to join efforts with MBCC in eradicating the breast cancer epidemic. Each participant raises a minimum of $150 in contributions to benefit MBCC and may choose to participate in one, two or all three of the events. call 1-800-649-MBCC. This event posted on the Northeast Paddler’s Message Board.

The World’s Longest Soccer Match!

Players from Sherwood Park and the Edmonton Area will try to capture the Guinness World Record for the Longest Soccer Game on August 9^th & 10^th this coming summer as part of a Charity Soccer Game to raise money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Thirty-six players, comprising both women and men, will play for 33 hours to achieve the Guinness World Record. Many of the players have family members or friends who have battled cancer in the past.

The game will take place at Strathcona Athletic Park in Sherwood Park, and starts at 8 am on Saturday, August 9^th, running continuously for 33 hours, finishing at 5 pm on Sunday, August 10^th. The general public is welcome to watch this historic event and donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation can be made in person at that time.

Cancer in the News:

Medical News Today, July 25, 2008. Soma Intimates Joins the Fight Against Ovarian Cancer. If you watch QVC, be sure to check the show out Saturday, July 26th. Soma Intimates is scheduled to appear during the QVC Presents Super Saturday Live broadcast beginning at 2 PM. Net proceeds from Soma Intimates will benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Health News, July 24, 2008. Using Tobacco to Fight Cancer. Stanford University School of Medicine is researching a vaccine against Non-Hodgins Lymphoma, created by injecting virus anti-bodies from a patient’s tumor onto a tobacco leaf to create more antibodies.

Science Daily, July 24, 2008. New Cellular Pathway Linked to Cancer Identified. Scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have identified a new cancer development pathway which may mean a new way to fight cancer.

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