If you’re struggling with health issues related to stress or other lifestyle difficulties, a support group might be able to help.
Support groups create an environment with other individuals who are experiencing similar, if not exact, circumstances. Support groups offer an opportunity to meet with other people who have similar problems, feelings, worries, or treatment side effects.
Here are some of the main benefits of participating in a support group.
You Feel Less Lonely
Diseases, injuries, and chronic pain can make you feel isolated, especially when no one around you has gone through what you’re going through.
Support groups can help alleviate feelings of loneliness by bringing you into a community with others who do know what you’re experiencing.
Reduced Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Feeling less lonely results in reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Support groups give you the opportunity to feel seen and understood, which can help minimize negative mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Learn Different Coping Skills
Everyone has a different approach to managing difficulties in life. You will likely learn about new coping skills that can help you manage your problems.
Coping skills won’t make your challenges go away, but they help you self-manage your response in a healthier way.
Stay Motivated
Support groups can help you stay motivated to tackle the underlying causes of your chronic conditions. They can also encourage you to stick to your treatment plans, even if those plans are challenging.
Improve Your Understanding
Sharing in support groups can also help you better understand your condition and how it affects your life. Seeing things through the perspective of others adds dimension to how you view your condition.
Feel Empowered
Finally, support groups can help you feel empowered. They may offer a sense of hope or enhanced control over your life and conditions.
If you’ve felt lost or alone living with a chronic condition, try a support group near you.
Many health conditions and lifestyle factors lead to ongoing inflammation within the body. When you have widespread inflammation, it can lead to chronic pain, aches, and other health concerns.
If you want to lower inflammation and feel better overall, you may benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet. Learn more about the anti-inflammatory diet and what it includes below.
The Anti-Inflammatory Diet
While certain foods can trigger inflammation, others can reduce it. The anti-inflammatory diet limits inflammatory triggers and focuses primarily on foods that can lower inflammation.
Foods that Trigger Inflammation
Anti-inflammatory diets limit the following foods that are considered inflammation triggers:
Red meat
Processed foods
Sugar
Fried foods
White bread
Cookies, candy, and ice cream
High sodium foods
Alcohol
When these foods are highly restricted or altogether eliminated, it can lead to lower inflammation levels throughout the body.
Foods that Reduce Inflammation
While the anti-inflammatory diet restricts foods that are triggered, it calls for an increase in foods that can reduce inflammation. These foods include:
Oily fish (tuna, salmon)
Berries
Green leafy vegetables
Nuts and seeds
Beans
Olive oil
Probiotics
Tea
These anti-inflammatory foods are high in antioxidants and other properties that can decrease inflammation. When your diet consists mostly of these foods, you can see a significant reduction in widespread inflammation, which may lead to a resolution of chronic pain and other symptoms.
Starting an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
If you struggle with chronic inflammation and want to try the anti-inflammatory diet, always speak with your medical team beforehand. Making major dietary changes is very impactful and should be discussed with your doctor in advance.
It is important to make sure that the anti-inflammatory diet is a healthy fit for any underlying conditions you already have. It is also important to ensure you are healthy enough to make a major dietary change.
Corticosteroids are a popular treatment for a number of common conditions. Cortisone, prednisone, and hydrocortisone are the most popular corticosteroids used in the medical field. These steroids can be used to treat the following conditions and more:
These medications are available as tablets, injectables, inhalants, and topical creams, making them a viable solution for a multitude of health concerns. While corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and target certain sources of discomfort, they do not come without risks. Weigh the benefits and risks of corticosteroids here.
Benefits
Treatment with corticosteroids can provide a large array of medical benefits, depending on how they are used, and the condition being treated.
Corticosteroid tablets can be taken to reduce inflammation inside the body, while topical steroids can relieve itching and swelling of the skin. Injectable corticosteroids are an effective option for joint and muscle pain, while inhalant steroids ease the severity of asthma symptoms.
Along with the wide variety of uses for corticosteroids, another benefit is the speed with which they work. Corticosteroids take effect almost immediately, relieving your symptoms and helping you feel better in a matter of minutes.
Risks
While corticosteroids are effective, they do come with certain risks and precautions. The following are just a few of the side effects you may experience with corticosteroid use:
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Vision changes
Swelling around the face (moon face)
Skin lesions and bruising
Fluid accumulation in the legs
Slower wound healing
Bone fractures
Weight gain
Mood swings
Increased risk of infections
Before starting a treatment plan that involves corticosteroids, you should always review the risks and benefits with your medical team. Your doctors can help you determine whether steroids are the best course of action for your unique medical needs.
Regenerative Medicine vs. Corticosteroids
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving field that aims to develop new therapies to treat a wide range of medical conditions, and many patients are exploring this option as an alternative option.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and corticosteroids are both commonly used in the treatment of various musculoskeletal conditions, but they work in different ways and are often used for different types of injuries.
PRP involves injecting a concentrated solution of a patient’s own blood platelets into the injured area. These platelets contain growth factors that can help to promote healing and tissue repair. PRP is commonly used for conditions such as tendonitis, ligament sprains, and muscle strains.
Corticosteroids, on the other hand, are a type of medication that is often used to reduce inflammation and pain in the body. They work by reducing the activity of the immune system and can be administered either orally, topically, or through injection. Corticosteroids are commonly used for conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, and other inflammatory conditions.
Both PRP and corticosteroids have their advantages and disadvantages. PRP can be more effective at promoting long-term healing and tissue repair, while corticosteroids can provide more immediate pain relief. However, corticosteroids can also have side effects such as weakening of the bones and tendons, while PRP is a relatively safe and natural treatment option.
The choice between PRP and corticosteroids ultimately depends on the specific injury or condition being treated, as well as the patient’s individual needs and preferences. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which treatment option is best for you.
Exercise and a healthy diet are two of the most potent treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Many people who live with Parkinson’s find that positive lifestyle changes slow the condition’s progression and give them better control over their symptoms.
Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease
Exercise is universally beneficial and can improve anyone’s overall health. However, those with Parkinson’s might discover these specific benefits:
Preventing or slowing the disease’s progression
Improving brain health
Reducing symptoms like loss of balance or constipation
Avoiding isolation
Nobody should have to slog through a workout they hate. Fortunately, all forms of exercise can benefit those with Parkinson’s. The best physical activities are the ones you enjoy — as long as your healthcare provider approves.
Diet and Parkinson’s Disease
Patients can manage some symptoms of Parkinson’s through targeted nutrition. In general, consuming a plant-based diet that includes whole foods offers significant benefits in reducing some of the challenges of the disease.
Although there isn’t a specific diet for Parkinson’s disease, patients should prioritize eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables, protein, and healthy fats to boost their overall health.
Water and Fiber for Constipation
Parkinson’s can lead to digestive concerns, including constipation. However, drinking six to eight glasses of water daily and eating high-fiber foods can support regular digestion.
Limit Sugar and Caffeine for Better Sleep
Researchers estimate that two-thirds of Parkinson’s patients struggle to get adequate sleep. Limiting your intake of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol can promote better sleep quality.
Eat Nuts and Berries for Brain Health
Healthy fats found in nuts and beneficial antioxidants from berries can promote brain health and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Other foods to fortify your brain include fish like salmon and green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.
More Water for Medication Absorption
Many Parkinson’s medications can cause dehydration. Over time, dehydration can exacerbate symptoms like confusion, kidney problems, and balance issues. Get into the habit of drinking a full glass of water with your medications so that your body breaks them down more efficiently.
Changing your diet and exercise routine can be difficult. Ask your physician for advice, and start with small changes instead of a complete overhaul of your habits for lasting results.
The fatigue, mobility and balance issues, and muscle spasms that commonly occur with multiple sclerosis (MS) can make exercising seem impossible. However, staying active is critical to managing MS symptoms, avoiding injuries, and maintaining independence.
Choosing the Right Exercises for You
Even patients with very advanced cases of MS can find a form of exercise that reduces fatigue and inflammation and improves strength and balance.
The most beneficial exercises for those with MS center on four primary focuses: aerobics, strength, flexibility, and balance.
Aerobic Exercises for MS
Aerobic exercise can improve cardiovascular health, fatigue, and mood. Low-impact aerobic exercises include walking, biking, swimming, and using an elliptical machine.
In addition, patients with muscle spasticity in their legs may benefit from using a stationary bike where they can clip in, allowing them to keep their feet on the pedals without extra effort.
Strength Exercises for MS
Resistance training, bodyweight workouts, and progressive strength training using dumbbells or barbells can increase stamina, build muscles, and improve bone density.
Depending on symptoms and mobility, bodyweight workouts, such as pushups or squats, can strengthen muscles without worrying about dropping weights or holding onto resistance bands.
Progressive strength exercises allow you to gradually increase your resistance or weights to build muscle mass and improve physical function. For example, bicep curls, deadlifts, shoulder presses, and rows build upper body strength and allow for progressive muscle building.
Flexibility Exercises for MS
Daily stretching, either from a yoga class or just a few minutes of working on touching toes and moving the spine, can increase the range of motion and decrease muscle spasticity.
Focus on spastic muscles, and aim to hold your stretches for 30 seconds to a minute to fully reap the muscle-lengthening benefits.
Balance Exercises for MS
Balance training focuses on posture, shifting body weight, and creating stability, so patients with MS can reduce their risk of falls and maintain independence. While yoga and Pilates are both beneficial for balance training, even standing on one leg while brushing your teeth or doing the dishes can significantly improve overall balance.
If balancing exercises are challenging, try them next to a wall or while holding onto a chair to maintain stability as your balance improves.
By including daily exercises that allow for long-term benefits, MS patients can regain some control over their condition and symptoms.
Diabetes is one of the most common conditions in the world, affecting more than 37 million people in the United States alone.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects your body’s ability to process glucose, resulting in high blood sugar levels. An estimated 96 million people have prediabetes, meaning they could soon be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
To avoid a diabetes diagnosis, it is important that you can recognize early indicators of the disease. The following are some signs that may mean you have diabetes:
Excessive Urination
One of the earliest signs of diabetes is excessive and unusual urination. When you have diabetes, your body does not use sugar properly. The sugar collects in your blood, and your kidneys go into overdrive to remove it from the body. Your overworking kidneys lead to the constant urge to urinate.
Increased Thirst
With increased urination, you will start to experience increased thirst. Constant urination can cause your body to become dehydrated, and you will feel parched, even if you drink an adequate amount for your body weight.
Weight Loss
Another early indicator of diabetes is extreme and unintentional weight loss. If you’ve noticed that you are losing a lot of weight without really trying to, you may have diabetes. For some people, this can be as much as 10 pounds in one month.
This weight loss occurs because your body is not processing glucose as it should be. Your cells become starved for glucose or energy and begin to find it elsewhere, causing you to burn fat at a rapid pace.
Diabetes Treatments
If you are experiencing these symptoms or other concerns, you may have diabetes or prediabetes. To get a proper diagnosis, speak to your regular physician. There are many treatment options for diabetes.
Some are exploring regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy for diabetes is a potential treatment approach that involves the use of stem cells to generate new insulin-producing cells that can help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Stem cells are cells that have the ability to differentiate into different cell types and can also self-renew and studies have shown that stem cells can differentiate into insulin-producing cells.
This website and its contents are not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Stemedix, Inc. shall not be held liable for the medical claims made by patient testimonials or videos. They are not to be viewed as a guarantee for each individual. The efficacy for some products presented have not been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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