Archive for January, 2009

Side Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Written by ehealth on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 in General.

By: Amy Cheung, 2009-01-20

Your body contains Glucosamine, a naturally occurring compound that basically consists of glucose and a type of amino acid called glutamine. Glucosamine is also described as a natural amino sugar made from the synthesis of glucose and L-glutamine.

Glucosamine is known alternatively through its other names, including: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine.

Glycosaminoglycan, on the other hand, is a molecule that is crucial in the growth and restoration of your cartilage and other tissues throughout the body. At some point when you grow older, your body’s Glycosaminoglycan production diminishes, and subsequently swelling and bloating your joints.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are building blocks of your connective tissues and your cartilage. Glucosamine products are natural substances occurring in shellfish harvests.

Glucosamine is frequently combined with chondroitin to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis (a.k.a. OA). Clinical studies have established that the Glucosamine-Chondroitin combination is effective in treating osteoporosis and gradually repairing bone function.

Potential Risks of Glucosamine Chondroitin

Generally speaking, almost all supplements have their own risks for side effects. Glucosamine and Chondroitin have revealed excellent results in clinical trials, with a majority of patients experiencing no side effects.

Nonetheless, in isolated cases, some users may report a small elevation in blood pressure, breathing difficulties, uneasiness, rashes, mild headaches, nausea, as well as stomach aches or gastrointestinal pains.

One common side effect of this supplement is soft stools and increased intestinal gas, but this is very rare. Clinical studies with animals show that glucosamine may reduce the amount of insulin in the body, and this may lead to diabetes. Although no such thing has been documented in human trials, diabetic patients are strongly advised to remain vigilant and closely monitor their blood sugar levels when using these supplements.

Also, those who are on aspirin medication therapy or blood thinners must visit their doctor before using these supplements. Similarly, pregnant women or those who want to get pregnant must also seek a physician’s advice, particularly because the effects of these supplements on a growing fetus is currently unknown. Children and women who are breast feeding must also avoid these supplements entirely.

Presently, certain scientific studies continue to investigate the long-term repercussions of glucosamine-chondroitin supplements. On the whole, while their long-term repercussions are still unknown, most specialists share the collective opinion that the combined benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in OA treatment are far more important than any potential risks for side effects.

Glucosamine chondroitin is quite possibly the single most potent supplement for lubricating, maintaining, and protecting the joints of the human body. Additionally, glucosamine helps limit the movement of your joints and consequently prevent joint cartilage damage. Certain studies have documented the effectiveness of glucosamine in relieving pain and alleviating the symptoms of osteoarthritis, but these effects were not instantly observed. Plus, Glucosamine is also established to lessen joint inflammation and suppress some destructive enzymes that cause damage to the joint cartilage, although more studies on this are needed.

To grab your copy of the Free Arthritis Relief Guide, and to read more articles related to Glucosamine and Chondroitin Side Effects, please visit this website on arthritis.

Spondylolisthesis

Written by ehealth on Monday, January 12th, 2009 in General.

This is a condition I hadn’t heard of before.  I had been getting steadily increasing pains in my back, hips or hamstring muscles over a few months. Never all of them together, just it was either one or another. I finally decided to see my doctor as it was (painfully) obvious something just wasn’t right. He ordered xrays which I had the following day and on Saturday I went back for the results. He told me that the pain was caused from Spondylolisthesis (which apparently is a result of a stress fracture way back in my teens!) and showed me on the xray what it meant. The following two diagrams will show you what I mean.

This is a normal Spine. Notice the smooth curve?

normalspine

Now this one below shows a spine with Spondylolisthesis. The disks make protrude forward or move backward. (mine is backward)

spondylolisthesis_clip_image002

Periodontal Disease

Written by ehealth on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 in Dental care.

Periodontal Disease- A Brief Look  - By: Aaroah Sunil, 2009-01-06

Periodontal Disease is quite widespread and its fast catching up with everyone and anyone. The Disease is most commonly interpreted the wrong way.

To give a simple explanation on what is Periodontal Disease- It results in tooth loss.

Gingivitis is the mildest from of Periodontitis, and a major warning sign that you need to get your act together.

So here is a brief look at the various aspects of this disease, World Dental being a major source of this information.

Here are some habits that can result or worsen in Periodontitis:

1. Diabetes

2. Stress

3. Steroids, Cancer Medicines and so on

4. Smoking

These habits, especially smoking can result in big trouble and one has to be careful. Stress is something that we cannot help but, then mediation is something that would help.

Warning signs of the disease includes, Bleeding Gums, Loose Teeth, and Change in Biting Pattern, Bad Breath and Itchy Sensation.

These can be for other reasons as well, and one should take care not to panic too much when one sees these symptoms.

Dental Condition during this disease:

-Gums severely recede away.

-High Sensitivity to hot and cold objects.

-Pain while brushing

-Loose teeth, can cause severe discomfort, speech can slur as well.

The Various treatments that can be provided for this disease include:

1. Pocket Reduction Procedures

2. Soft Tissue Grafts

3. Crown Lengthening

4. Regenerative Procedures

Though the situation might look really bleak, there is in fact hope. And this is mainly because there is the well established process of Dental Implants.

Dental Implants can go a long way in helping people who have suffered from this disease and at the same give then a new lease of life.

Dental Implants will also make sure that almost all of the inconvenience cause by the disease can be done away with.

Periodontitis is certainly not the end of life.

The author is an avid researcher of dental issues and have written various articles including about Affordable Dental Implants and Periodontal Surgery.



Site Navigation