Common Cause of Back Pain and Its Treatments

Common Cause of Back Pain and Its Treatments

“Back pain” is a general term that can mean many different things. From nerve pain to strained back muscles, there are various reasons your back might hurt. Dealing with chronic back pain is mentally and physically exhausting, and you deserve relief.  The first step in properly managing your chronic back pain is to know what’s behind it. Use this guide to shed some light on the potential root cause of back pain, and available treatments for your comfort. 

Why Does Your Back Hurt? 

If you’ve experienced severe back pain before, your first question is probably, “Why?” It might feel like you’re willing to do anything to stop the pain. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t one universal cause for severe back pain. If you’re struggling with it, it’s time to examine what might be causing it. 

Some of the circumstances that can cause chronic back pain include: 

  • Neurodegenerative disease (like MS or ALS) 
  • Car accidents 
  • Sports injuries 
  • Musculoskeletal problems 
  • Spinal alignment issues 
  • Spinal cord infections and diseases 
  • Orthopedic (bone) problems 
  • Strained back muscles 
  • Poor posture 
  • Neuropathic pain 

These are just a few of the debilitating problems you may be dealing with. A qualified healthcare professional can guide you to the proper diagnosis. 

Muscular Back Pain

Your back is full of muscles that help you sit, stand, and move around. When one of these muscles’ experiences overuse, stress, or strain, you’ll feel it in major ways. 

Movement Injuries 

If you twist, sleep, or lift something in the wrong manner, you could end up with a strained back muscle. This will feel different than regular soreness after a back workout. 

Sports injuries can affect your back muscles. Especially in contact sports and other intense activities, your back faces many risks each time you play. The more conditioned and flexible you are, the less likely you are to get an overuse or muscle strain injury. 

Stress 

Psychological stress can also lead to muscular back pain. When you’re stressed, your body tenses up in ways you may not even notice. The muscles in your back may become stiff, strained, or generally uncomfortable as a result. 

Lack of Sleep 

You also tend to lose sleep when you’re undergoing lots of mental stress. Your body uses sleep as the primary time to repair your muscles and make them stronger. If you aren’t getting enough rest at night or you work the third shift, your back muscles are more prone to pain and injury. 

Neurological Back Problems 

Your nervous system sends messages to all parts of your body using electrical impulses. The central hub for all of the nerves that extend outward from your body is your spinal cord. Neurological diseases and spinal cord injuries can impair your back in surprising ways. 

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathy develops when nerves throughout your body become damaged in some way. This is a common symptom of neurodegenerative diseases like MS. When your peripheral nerves are damaged, they can’t communicate with your brain properly, leading to strange sensations and pain. 

Neuropathic back pain may feel like numbness, tingling, burning, “pins and needles,” or sharp excruciating pains. If you suffer from a neurological health condition, there’s a solid chance your back pain is related. 

Car Accidents and Spine Injuries 

Automobile accidents exert a lot of force and impact on your body all at once. When you get into an accident, even if it’s minor, your back and neck muscles can experience whiplash. In extreme cases, car accidents can also cause spinal injuries. 

Spinal cord injuries are very serious. Your spinal cord protects your nerves and secures their pathway to your brain. Chronic back pain, numbness, and loss of limb function could indicate an underlying spinal injury. 

Herniated Discs and Pinched Nerves 

If one of the cartilage discs between your vertebrae becomes dislodged, it can press on the nerves surrounding it. A herniated disc can spell trouble for your mobility, limb functions, and comfort for years. 

Vertebral problems can also pinch the nerves in your back, which results in the same thing — long-lasting sharp back pain. Discomfort from a pinched nerve will likely feel sudden, sharp, and breathtaking. 

Lifestyle Factors and Back Pain

Certain aspects of your lifestyle may be causing your chronic back pain and soreness. These factors aren’t considered diseases themselves, but they can lead to chronic health problems that become long-term conditions. 

The following are risk factors for chronic back pain: 

  • Obesity 
  • Poor posture 
  • Sedentary lifestyle 
  • Overtraining 
  • Poor nutrition 
  • Labor-intensive jobs 
  • Improper lifting techniques 

Whenever possible, you should avoid these risks. Steps like wearing a posture corrector and lifting heavy objects with your leg muscles can help prevent chronic back problems. 

Solving Your Pain: Back Treatment Options

You don’t have to live in unbearable pain forever. You have options when it comes to severe back pain treatment. Every person has a different threshold for pain, and you may prefer less invasive, more natural treatments than someone else. 

Medication 

Pain medication will block your brain from receiving pain signals in your back. Medication is a valid option for people struggling to function due to chronic back problems. However, most medications don’t treat the root cause of your back pain. It’s a good idea to consider other treatments along with medication. 

Surgery

Back surgery is intense, invasive, and risky, but for some people, it’s the best and only option. Severe spinal cord injuries and disc herniations may require immediate surgery to correct the problem. After surgery, you’ll likely be instructed to perform back exercises to improve your mobility. 

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, for back pain may offer an innovative and cutting-edge option. By utilizing human-derived stem cells to repair and renew damaged tissues throughout your body, these “blank” cells can form into almost any type of specialized cell, making them a potential effective modality to help manage and heal chronic back pain. 

Evaluating Your Options 

It may take a few different interventions before you experience back pain relief. What’s important is that you don’t give up. With the proper treatment, you can experience mild to intense relief and continue on with your life. Medicine is always improving, and you have more options than ever before. 

Regenerative Medicine for Hair Loss. Healthy Regrowth

Regenerative Medicine for Hair Loss. Healthy Regrowth

Your hair can be part of your identity. For some people, their hair is a symbol of their spiritual beliefs. Whether you’re focused on beauty and aesthetics or a deeper meaning behind your hair, hair loss can be devastating. 

For some people, regenerative medicine is an innovative, research-based solution to hair loss. Learn more about how regenerative hair loss treatments may restore your healthy locks. 

How Hair Loss Is Related to Your Well-Being  

Losing hair is often a symptom of an underlying health problem. While some people experience hair loss due to genetics or lifestyle choices, others may face lurking medical issues. Here are some of the ways your hair growth (or lack thereof) is related to your physical and mental wellness

Self-Esteem and Confidence 

You may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or self-conscious if you start to lose your hair. Both men and women struggle with remaining confident after significant hair loss. Your mental well-being may suffer if you can’t get your hair to grow back on its own. 

Some cultures associate losing hair with aging and other stereotypes. This can be devastating for someone going through medical, hormonal, or age-related hair loss. Healthy hair regrowth may help you regain the confidence you lost. 

Hormones 

Your hormones are chemical messengers that regulate all of your body’s processes. Hair growth is tied to your hormones, and any fluctuations or declines in certain hormones can lead to losing hair. Think about post-pregnancy hair shedding; this happens because your body’s cascade of pregnancy hormones changes. 

Hormonal changes as you get older can affect your hair. Age-related hair loss and thinning primarily affect women due to declines in estrogen production, but this problem can affect men as well. 

Genetic Baldness 

Male-pattern baldness is passed down through families. If you carry the gene for this condition, you may experience very early balding, starting in your 20s or 30s. This can change your appearance and make you feel older than you really are. 

There are no ill physical effects from male-pattern baldness besides losing hair. However, you may experience poor mental health as a result of your unwanted early hair loss and thinning. 

There is no cure for male-pattern baldness, but you can take steps to treat it. Regenerative medicine is here to intervene and treat hair loss in a natural, science-based way. 

ExogroPro: The Latest in Hair Regrowth Science 

When you experience hair loss of any kind, you probably have two priorities — prevent further hair loss and replenish your missing hair. ExogroPro, a professional-grade hair loss solution, addresses both of these problems at once. 

How It Works: Preventing Further Hair Loss and Regrowing Lost Hair

ExogroPro works to stimulate your hair follicles, causing them to grow healthy hair again. This treatment uses the power of specific exosomes, which carry materials between your cells. 

ExogroPro is designed to send signals to your hair follicles that stimulate hair growth. Because of exosomes’ extracellular communication abilities, they may be able to revive “dead” hair follicles on your head. 

Because of this treatment’s therapeutic effects on hair follicle health, it may help prevent further hair loss and thinning. By rejuvenating your hair follicles and preventing them from going dormant, ExogroPro offers a possible solution to unwanted lost hair. 

The Procedure: What to Expect 

The premium patent pending ExogroPro formula is injected into the scalp to deliver exosomes to the hair follicles. These exosomes originate from human stem cells, specifically mesenchymal stem cells. This is just another way we can harness the power of stem cells to regenerate and repair damaged tissues within your body. 

After two to six months, you may notice your hair growing back thicker and fuller than before. The results window varies, but one thing is certain — hair regrowth is worth the wait. 

The Benefits of Choosing Regenerative Medicine for Hair Growth

With many prescription hair growth drugs on the market, you may be wondering — why choose ExogroPro? Here are the major benefits of choosing regenerative medicine for hair regrowth and thickening. 

May Be More Effective Than Traditional Treatments

There are numerous treatments for hair loss, including PRP injections, topical oils, and more. These have varying efficacy and likely won’t give you the results you’re looking for. Prescription-strength hair growth drugs may not work for you either, resulting in frustration and discouragement. 

Regenerative medicine harnesses the power of science and innovation. By using human stem cells, we work with the body processes already in place within your system. Exosomes may prove to be more effective and efficient than other hair loss solutions. 

Drug-Free Therapy 

Exosomes are naturally found in the human body. When you choose ExogroPro, you choose drug-free natural therapy for your hair and scalp. 

While prescriptions can be helpful for some people facing hair loss, it’s understandable to want a natural alternative. We work with your natural healing and regrowth processes, not against them. 

Dual-Action Treatment: Prevention and Active Regrowth 

It’s impressive to consider how ExogroPro not only prevents further lost hair but can revive faulty hair follicles. This dual mechanism is key to getting the full head of hair you’re after. If it works for you, you’ll no longer have to mourn the hair you’ve lost — you could potentially get it back! 

Encourages Hair Health 

Solving hair loss isn’t just about replacing lost hair. It’s also about growing healthy, strong locks that can withstand damage and remain intact. ExogroPro promotes hair follicle health by improving cellular communications in the injected tissues. What’s more promising than the idea of a full, healthy head of hair after hair loss and thinning? 

Combating Hair Loss and Thinning with Medical Science 

It’s important to seek evidence-based treatments for your hair loss. No matter what the root cause of your hair problems is, you may find regenerative medicine to be a viable solution. 

You don’t have to mourn your lost hair forever. Regenerative medicine is at the forefront of medical innovation and science, which could spell good news for your hair. 

Stem Cell Therapy for MS Your Complete Guide

Stem Cell Therapy for MS Your Complete Guide

Some health conditions don’t yet have definite cures. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of them. While there is no known cure, several new treatments are emerging that show great potential in treating MS. Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis can be life-changing. If you struggle with debilitating symptoms and everyday life is painful for you, regenerative medicine may be able to help. Here’s everything you need to know about using stem cell treatments to address MS symptoms. 

Multiple Sclerosis: Causes and Symptoms

Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease that researchers are still studying. Knowing the potential causes and common symptoms can help you monitor your condition and recognize when to seek treatment. 

How MS Develops and What Causes It

Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease. Your immune system starts attacking your nervous system, causing damage over time. Specifically, your immune system degrades the protective coating on your nerves. This coating is called the myelin sheath, and it’s essential for proper nerve function. 

The faulty immune response in patients with MS is triggered by certain environmental factors that turn on specific genes. In other words, you may be genetically predisposed to MS, and certain environments “switch on” the genes that activate the disease. 

Scientists don’t yet know exactly what causes this activation, but it may be related to lifestyle factors. Smokers and people with inflammatory diets are at higher risk for developing this condition. 

Common MS Symptoms 

You may experience a combination of common MS symptoms. Certain symptoms may flare up and then go away for a while. During flare-ups, you’re more likely to experience pain and discomfort. 

The most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:

  • Numbness and tingling
  • Vertigo
  • Skin conditions
  • Balance problems
  • Difficulty with coordination
  • Problems swallowing
  • Trouble speaking
  • Vision disturbances 
  • Eye pain
  • Seizures
  • Hearing problems or loss
  • Intense nerve pain

Since MS affects your nervous system, it makes sense for it to impair your balance, coordination, and senses. This disease may eventually affect your optic nerve, or the nerves involved in hearing and auditory processing. 

How MS Can Progress Without Treatment

You aren’t doomed to a life of pain and suffering if you’ve been diagnosed with MS. However, it can be a progressive neurodegenerative disease if left untreated. 

Some patients experience a steady progression in sensory and motor problems because of MS. Others will have periodic flare-ups that go away and come back randomly. You may notice that stress, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition trigger flare-ups for you. 

If left completely untreated, the protective coatings on your nerves will start to degrade, and the affected nerves will stop working properly. This is what leads to trouble swallowing, walking, speaking, seeing, and hearing. 

Innovative treatments like stem cell therapy may improve your prognosis with MS. Regenerative medicine may help repair some of the nerve damage caused by your immune responses, addressing the root cause of your symptoms. 

What Is Stem Cell Therapy for MS?

Stem cells are known for their ability to regenerate and repair tissues in the body. In lab environments, stem cells can be “programmed” to develop into the necessary cells needed for wound healing, tissue regeneration, and reducing inflammation. 

These restorative cells can also renew themselves, keeping injured and diseased areas supplied with plenty of stem cells to continue healing and repairing themselves. That’s why stem cell therapy is so potent — once the stem cell repair process starts, it can continue on its own. 

Multiple sclerosis leads to nerve and tissue damage over time, and stem cells may be able to reverse some of that damage. By modulating your immune responses, combating inflammation, and replacing damaged tissues, stem cells can significantly improve your MS symptoms. 

The Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

You have several options when it comes to MS treatments. There are medications and alternative therapies designed to combat MS symptoms and nerve damage. However, stem cell therapy offers unique advantages you should consider before selecting your treatment(s). 

Drug-Free Therapy

Stem cells are not pharmaceutical compounds. They are natural cells every human body produces and keeps around for wound healing and tissue repair. Since this therapy is drug-free, there are fewer risks involved — like medication side effects and allergies. 

Some patients choose to take MS medication in conjunction with stem cell therapy. Only you can decide what treatment routes are best for you. However, if you want to go drug-free, stem cell therapy is a potent option for you. 

Get Behind the Symptoms

Regenerative medicine does more than just mask your symptoms or cover up pain. It gets to the root causes of your MS challenges, including nerve damage and inflammation. By using stem cells to target areas of damage and discomfort, you may be able to improve your future with this disease. 

Innovative Treatments 

Regenerative medicine is at the forefront of medical science. Researchers are learning new information about MS and stem cells every year, and you can be a part of this experience. By choosing stem cell therapy, you get to benefit from the latest advancements in natural healing and recovery. 

Slower Disease Progression

Since MS can be progressive, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Stem cell therapy may prevent your symptoms from getting worse and debilitating you, as well as improve your future health outcomes with Multiple Sclerosis. Whether you suffer from periodic flare-ups or progressive degeneration, regenerative medicine can help. 

Navigating Your Future With MS

It can be devastating to receive a diagnosis like multiple sclerosis. However, it’s important not to lose hope. As medical science progresses forward, there are new and innovative treatments around every corner. 

Regenerative medicine gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the latest advancements in this area of science and research. You can use it in conjunction with other interventions as specified by your physician

No matter what treatments you choose to battle your MS symptoms, know that you’re never alone. Your condition does not define you. 

Everything You Need to Know About ALS

Everything You Need to Know About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Patients with this condition often experience a broad range of symptoms that get worse over time. While there’s no known cure, some interventions and regenerative therapies can be helpful.  

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ALS, it’s important to seek as much information as possible. That way, you can get the proper treatment and know what to expect as the disease manifests in your body. Here’s everything you need to know to be prepared for ALS. 

Lou Gehrig’s Disease: The Neurological and Muscular Effects 

ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Unfortunately, it has severe effects on your nervous system and muscular function as it progresses. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis primarily affects your body’s motor neurons, which are responsible for dictating voluntary movements. Toward the end of the disease’s progression, involuntary movements like breathing can slow or stop entirely. 

When your motor neurons can no longer communicate with your muscles properly, your muscles start to waste away. This is called muscular atrophy. Once a muscle has atrophied, it no longer has enough tone to carry out normal movements. 

Since ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, the symptoms get worse over time. In the later stages of the disease, ALS patients have trouble speaking, eating, swallowing, and making any voluntary movements at all. 

Who Gets ALS? Risk Factors and Genetic Components

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is usually a sporadic disease, meaning patients get it randomly without an obvious known cause. In some cases, although very rare, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is passed down through families. 

Genetic ALS stems from genetic mutations that are then passed on to children of affected parents. These cases only make up 10% or less of all ALS cases. 

Sporadic ALS may have certain risk factors, but there are no clear causes. This means scientists can’t yet point to a single cause of developing ALS if it’s not genetic. 

Possible Risk Factors for Sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Some loose associations between age, sex, and occupation have been made in relation to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. The presence of these risk factors does not guarantee that someone will develop ALS. 

These possible risk factors include: 

  • Age: Being 55 to 75 years old 
  • Sex: Early-life cases are most common in men 
  • Military service: Veterans may be at higher risk 

One possible reason that military veterans are at higher risk for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is because of their exposure to toxins like pesticides. Being around harmful chemicals may contribute to the development of this debilitating disease, but scientists aren’t sure of this. 

The First Signs of ALS

There are two types of ALS onset — limb onset and bulbar onset. Limb-onset Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects your arms or legs or both at the same time. You may notice problems with coordination, fine motor control, walking, and using your hands.

Bulbar-onset ALS first affects the neurons that control your speech and swallowing abilities. You might notice difficulty getting your words out properly or trouble swallowing. 

It doesn’t take long for the beginning symptoms of ALS to spread and get worse. This is often how physicians diagnose ALS, as rapidly progressing symptoms usually indicate a serious neurological problem. 

Progressive Problems and More Serious Symptoms 

As ALS develops, symptoms can become severe and even debilitating. Some patients experience changes seemingly overnight, while others develop more serious symptoms over weeks or months. 

The neuron degeneration caused by ALS can start to interfere with essential body functions such as breathing, blinking, and swallowing. 

Respiratory Symptoms

Respiration problems are common in end-stage ALS. The muscles in your chest that support breathing may become weak or paralyzed entirely. 

Some respiratory symptoms of ALS include: 

  • Shortness of breath (at rest) 
  • Excess saliva
  • Inability to clear your throat and lungs of mucus 
  • Pneumonia
  • Weak coughing 
  • Worsened breathing when lying flat 
  • Respiratory system failure 

Hospital interventions usually include ventilators to keep air flowing in and out of the patient’s lungs. 

Muscle Stiffness and Atrophy

As Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis interferes with their proper use, your muscles start to lose tone, mobility, and structure. This is known as muscle atrophy and may be accompanied by extreme stiffness. 

As Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis progresses, many patients lose the ability to speak loudly. The muscles involved in speech start to freeze up and become paralyzed. This can also cause an inability to swallow. 

Extreme Weight Loss

Being unable to consume food and fluids normally can lead to excessive weight loss in late-stage Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. This isn’t a healthy type of weight loss, and it’s usually caused, in part, by loss of muscle mass. 

Mental Health Challenges 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis doesn’t affect your perception or cognition, meaning you can still hear, see, and think normally. Since the person is aware of their deteriorating condition, they may experience depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health challenges. Having a strong support system is key to remaining mentally well through your ALS journey. 

Treatment Options for ALS 

You can receive treatment for ALS to slow the progression of the disease. While there is no cure, medical intervention can help you maintain your quality of life for a longer period. 

ALS Medication

Some medications protect your motor neurons from further damage, which slows the progression of your ALS symptoms. These medications won’t revive damaged or dead neurons, but they can improve your disease prognosis. 

Physical and Occupational Therapy

Therapies that involve movement and motor functioning can help you maintain your muscle tone and avoid stiffness. While you still have the ability to move your limbs and smaller muscles, it’s crucial to practice doing so as much as possible. This repetition helps your brain and body stay in a good rhythm and slow motor damage. 

Regenerative Medicine

Some innovative treatments, like stem cell therapy for ALS, may improve your quality of life. Regenerative medicine focuses on healing and repairing damaged tissues and cells. 

Stem cell therapy uses unspecialized human cells to serve specific purposes throughout the body. In the case of ALS, stem cells are administered so they can differentiate into nerve cells to assist with your functioning and comfort. This may be worth considering if you want to approach your ALS symptoms from all possible angles. 

Living With Purpose: Life After an ALS Diagnosis

It’s important to maintain a positive outlook as much as possible. Having the support of medical professionals, family, and friends can make all the difference in your quality of life with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Try not to lose hope; science is progressing toward new treatments every day. 

Renal Hypertension Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments

Renal Hypertension Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments

You might think of kidney health problems as separate issues from your blood pressure. However, renal hypertension, a form of high blood pressure, can be just as serious as cardiovascular health conditions. 

It’s important to understand the link between kidney function and blood pressure. Once your kidneys become compromised, the damage isn’t reversible. Know the signs, symptoms, and treatment options related to renal hypertension so you can maintain your kidney health as long as possible. 

How Renal Hypertension Develops

Your kidneys work with the rest of your body to maintain your blood pressure, fluid and sodium balance, pH levels, and more. When either your kidneys or the rest of your body is thrown out of balance, the other can suffer. 

Narrowed Kidney Arteries

Renal hypertension has the same cause as standard high blood pressure — the narrowing of arteries. With this disease, the arteries that are most compromised are the ones that lead into your kidneys. This can be very dangerous if left untreated. 

Many different factors can cause narrowed kidney arteries, including atherosclerosis (plaque buildup), scarring due to general hypertension, and others. When this happens, you’re at an increased risk of developing renal hypertension. 

Your Kidneys’ Response

When your kidneys aren’t getting enough blood flow — which is a common issue when your arteries narrow — they release certain hormones. These hormones cause your blood pressure to rise in an attempt to get more blood flowing to your kidneys. 

The Vicious Cycle of Renal Hypertension

Renal hypertension is a real problem, particularly if it progresses for a long time. Once your kidney blood flow is compromised, your kidneys stop working as efficiently. 

One of the primary functions of your kidneys is to balance sodium and water levels in your body. Compromised kidneys won’t filter sodium out of your system as effectively. When there’s too much sodium circulating, you experience high blood pressure, and the hypertension cycle continues. 

Chronic hypertension can contribute to the development of kidney disease, which has no cure. Many experts consider kidney disease to be the root cause of renal hypertension, but general hypertension plays a large role as well. 

Common Signs and Symptoms of Renal Hypertension

You might be wondering if this problem will affect you, especially if you’ve already been diagnosed with general hypertension. There are key signs and symptoms to look out for. You should also consult closely with a physician who can monitor your blood and kidney health consistently. 

Headaches

In some cases, high blood pressure will cause headaches or migraines. Scientists believe this happens because of changes in the blood-brain barrier. Pressure can build in this region during high blood pressure episodes, leading to discomfort, pain, and migraine headache symptoms. 

Vision Changes

Extremely high blood pressure levels can damage the arteries and blood vessels in your eyes. This leads to double vision, blurriness, and general difficulty seeing. If you experience sudden changes in your vision, renal hypertension may be the culprit. 

Confusion

Your brain can’t function properly when your blood pressure is too high. This symptom is usually a sign that you’re in a hypertensive crisis and need immediate medical attention. If you start feeling confused, dazed, or mentally foggy, consider renal hypertension as the root cause. 

Nausea and Vomiting

Hypertensive crises usually induce nausea and, in some cases, bouts of vomiting. This is another critical symptom to watch for, as it means you need emergency medical treatment. 

An Important Note

Renal hypertension, much like general hypertension, usually shows no symptoms. This is why it’s so dangerous, as patients may not know they have this condition until it’s too late. It’s essential to work with a specialist who can keep an eye on your blood pressure and kidney health if you have concerns. 

It’s also important to note that kidney problems are mostly irreversible. While there are some promising treatments, like stem cell therapy for kidney disease, there is no known cure yet. Prevention is the key to managing your kidney health. 

Potential Treatments for Better Kidney Health 

Lifestyle changes and innovative treatments, namely regenerative medicine, may improve your kidney health over time. If your doctor has stated that you don’t need surgery to treat your renal hypertension, stem cell therapy may be right for you. 

Lifestyle Changes to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Eating a diet low in sodium and free from added table salt can do wonders for your blood pressure levels. Your doctor may recommend that you make other lifestyle changes, like exercising daily and quitting smoking. These changes take time to get used to, but they can save your kidneys a lot of damage in the long run. 

Blood Pressure Medication

This intervention is tricky because a key sign of renal hypertension is rising blood pressure that won’t respond to medication. However, in some cases, your doctor may be able to control your hypertension with a stronger blood pressure drug. This is usually the first line of treatment if you’re unable to make the necessary lifestyle changes. 

Surgery 

There are both minimally invasive and open surgical procedures for treating renal hypertension. Surgical interventions involve installing a balloon into the affected artery or using healthy tissue from a different artery to repair the damaged one. Either way, these interventions require a surgeon who specializes in these procedures. 

Stem Cell Therapy 

Regenerative medicine involves using stem cells to treat and protect damaged tissues in the body. Mesenchymal stem cells have shown some promise in treating ischemic kidney disease and restoring health to damaged blood vessels. 

Stem cells can be programmed to have anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces tissue damage throughout your body. When the affected area — in this case, your kidneys — receives stem cell therapy, damaged vessels and arteries might slowly heal and regenerate. 

Regenerative medicine is drug-free and uses the natural healing properties of “blank” stem cells to assist in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Stem cell treatments may be a good option for treating your renal hypertension if you want to avoid surgery, medication, and other invasive interventions. 

Renal Hypertension Prevention, Treatment, and Healing

You have options when it comes to preventing and treating your renal hypertension. Prevention is always the best way to avoid long-term complications. However, don’t be discouraged if the damage is already done. With the right information, you can make an informed decision on caring for your kidneys. 

Take Your Pain Seriously: Why It’s Not “Just” Osteoarthritis 

Take Your Pain Seriously: Why It’s Not “Just” Osteoarthritis 

As the human body ages, most people assume that “wear and tear” will take over and deplete their health. This isn’t always true, and it’s important to separate fact from fiction when discussing joint health problems. 

Osteoarthritis is a painful, inflammatory joint condition that can make it difficult to function. Some folks refer to it as “just” arthritis, but this minimizes the incredible discomfort and damage it causes. Living with this condition can feel impossible at times. 

You don’t have to sit back and let joint health problems take over your life as you age. Learn more about osteoarthritis so you can make the best decisions for your health and pain management. 

Developing Osteoarthritis: What’s Happening to Your Joints?

Before you can appropriately manage this condition, you must learn what’s happening in your joints. Developing osteoarthritis is not inevitable, but unfortunately, it is common, especially in aging adults. 

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory joint condition that occurs when the cartilage that supports and connects your bones wears away. As a result, your bones grind together, and the spaces around your joints become inflamed and tender. 

Is This Condition Inevitable? 

No. Osteoarthritis is not just a “normal” part of aging, nor is it inevitable. As science and research advance, it’s becoming more obvious that osteoarthritis is the result of many risk factors interacting with each other. 

Certain risk factors make it more likely that you’ll develop osteoarthritis. Many of them are preventable through lifestyle changes and a proactive approach to protecting your joints. 

Who Gets Osteoarthritis? 

Age is a big risk factor for osteoarthritis, but again, this condition is not inevitable. Here are some of the risk factors for developing osteoarthritis. 

Stress, Strain, and Injury 

Any type of strain or stress on your joints can lead to osteoarthritis later in life. Even if your joints feel fine when you’re younger, you’re still at risk if you’ve experienced harsh impacts or prolonged joint strain. 

Sports injuries, obesity or being overweight, and physically demanding jobs all put you at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. All these risk factors slowly degrade the cartilage between your bones. These tissues can only support lots of impact, weight, or use for so long. 

Genetics and Sex 

Your genetics play a role in whether you develop joint health problems. Having a family history of osteoarthritis raises your chances of dealing with the same condition. 

An estimated 60% of osteoarthritis patients are women. This means that if you were assigned female at birth, you’re at a slightly increased risk of developing osteoarthritis. However, through a healthy lifestyle, you may be able to prevent it. 

The Silent Pain of Living with Arthritis

To the outside world, you might appear healthy and fully capable of living your daily life as normal. However, arthritis pain can stop you in your tracks. It can be intense or even disabling. 

If your condition gets bad enough, you might find yourself unable to walk around, twist, or pick things up. Osteoarthritis pain is not something to ignore or minimize.

Swelling and Inflammation

The inflammation doesn’t just happen inside your body. Sometimes, your joints may become swollen, tender, and visibly inflamed. When this happens, chances are you can’t move the affected joints much. Any impact, no matter how slight, may throw you into a pain flare. 

Crepitus 

Some osteoarthritis patients experience a crunching or grinding sensation (crepitus) when moving the affected joints. This can be terrifying and uncomfortable, leading to increased mental stress and physical pain. 

Weakness and Limited Mobility 

Osteoarthritis causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and limited mobility. You might not be able to move your body in ways that feel good to you or allow you to keep up with others anymore. These limitations not only affect you physically, but they also come with a mental price tag as well. 

Stigma and Shame Around Aging

Some people might feel like their osteoarthritis symptoms mean they’re “getting old.” While there should be no shame in aging, social stigmas suggest otherwise. Experiencing these symptoms might make you feel embarrassed about your age. 

If you struggle with joint pain, others might not see what you go through. You might feel pressured to “just get over it” or take pain medication to keep up with everyone else. This can also create feelings of shame and contribute to a poor stigma around joint health problems. 

Treating Osteoarthritis: Enjoy a Better Quality of Life 

Getting an osteoarthritis diagnosis doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to enjoy life and movement again. With the proper therapies, especially early treatment, you can improve your comfort and quality of life. Here are some of the best options for treating osteoarthritis pain and inflammation. 

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cells are at the forefront of regenerative medicine. These cells, also known as “blank” or “programmable” cells, can develop into specialized tissues, like cartilage. This makes them useful for regenerating and healing wounds, damaged tissues, and inflamed areas of your body. 

One advantage of stem cell therapy is that it’s drug-free and comes with almost no risks to your health. 

Stem cell therapy may also reduce your pain and increase your mobility. It gets to the root cause of your joint problems instead of covering up the symptoms. 

Exercise and Physical Therapy

Getting more movement in your day may help reduce the severity of your osteoarthritis symptoms. Regular physical activity prevents the painful stiffness that osteoarthritis patients often experience. 

Exercise also assists in weight management, which is key to reducing your joint pain. Every extra pound of body fat adds about four times the amount of pressure onto your joints. 

Whether you (gently) exercise on your own or enlist the help of a physical therapist, your joints will thank you for it. 

Get the Proper Support for Your Osteoarthritis 

Living with osteoarthritis can be challenging, but you’re not alone. There are steps you can take to improve your quality of life with this condition. Evaluate your treatment options to find what works best for you. Visit our website to learn more about osteoarthritis pain.

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