Don’t Wait: Lose Weight For every 10 pounds of extra body weight you carry, there’s an added 50 pounds of pressure on your hips and knees. If your joints are feeling the strain, find a weight that works best for you and talk to your doctor about the best ways to slim down. Depending on what's causing your hip pain, losing extra pounds may help and make it easier to move around. Take a Load Off Your weight isn’t only about body fat: Your hips also absorb the weight of everythi

Which Wounds Can You Treat at Home? You can take care of most minor cuts and scrapes yourself. How can you tell you don't need medical help? Home treatment is OK if the wound isn't very deep and it's not in a spot where scarring is a problem, like your face. You can also treat it on your own if you can stop the bleeding in 10 minutes with gentle pressure. And make sure there isn't any dirt in the wound and you've had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years. Stage 1: The Bleeding

Arthritis is a common condition characterized by inflammation, swelling, and tenderness in the joints, and it doesn’t only affect humans — dogs can experience arthritis, too. Arthritis in dogs can occur due to wear and tear on their joints throughout their life, or it may be caused by other factors, such as genetics, injury, or disease. Its symptoms include: limping reluctance to move or exercise difficulty getting up or down from a lying position changes in posture, such as

That gritty, sticky feeling in your eyelids when you first wake up — often called “sleep in your eyes”— is usually a minor nuisance. However, if it becomes frequent, is severe or is associated with other symptoms, it may signal an underlying issue. Understanding causes and proper care can help keep mornings more comfortable. Most common causes of crusty eyelids The most common culprit behind crusty eyelids is blepharitis — inflammation of the eyelid margins. Blepharitis cause

Should You Use an Over-the-Counter Brace? Whether you’re strolling the aisles of your local drugstore or clicking around online, it’s easy to find braces meant to support your neck, back, ankle, wrist, and other joints. Should you try them? It depends. In most cases, it’s best to see your doctor first. If you use them wrong, or they don't fit the way they should, braces may do more harm than good.  Ankle Sprains You can use braces as part of the standard at-home treatment for

Carry Extra Weight Your joints, which link your bones together, are sensitive to heavy loads. Every pound on your frame puts 4 pounds of stress on your knees. It also strains your back, hips, and feet. That causes wear and tear that can lead to damage, aches, and pain. Being overweight also triggers inflammation. That can make all your joints, including in your hands, stiff, painful, and swollen. Text Too Much ‘Texting thumb’ is a real thing. Your tendons can get irritated an

Aches, pain, and fatigue are common complaints that practically everyone occasionally has. While over-the-counter medications can provide temporary relief, overusing pain relievers can cause unwanted side effects, such as stomach upset. Natural remedies are an option that may help you feel better with fewer side effects. In this article, we’ll go over home remedies that have been found to reduce physical discomfort and ease fatigue. Natural home remedies for body aches and pa

Living with chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms of arthritis is tough. Even if you're working with an amazing healthcare provider and have a tailor-made and effective treatment plan, it sometimes can be easy to fall off track and develop bad habits or a negative attitude. These are all problems you can overcome though. Here are ten ways to do that. Stop Thinking Your Arthritis Will Go Away Many forms of arthritis are chronic diseases, meaning they can't be cured. As

If you’re experiencing joint pain in the knees, the solution might be to walk it off. Aerobic exercise can reduce pain, improve movement and enhance quality of life for patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to a study published October 15 in the journal The BMJ. Around 1 in 5 adults, or 54 million people, are affected by some type of arthritis in the United States. The most common form is osteoarthritis. “Osteoarthritis is wear and tear of cartilage, or the covering at

Looking to mix up your movement practice and find new ways to work stiff joints and achy muscles? Try Tai Chi, a gentle martial art rooted in Chinese tradition. Not only does it improve balance, strength and flexibility, but research shows Tai Chi may also relieve chronic pain. In particular, research suggests that Tai Chi may help ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia and offer relief from chronic lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, tension headaches and more. This mind-body

If you’ve ever felt an involuntary tightness, hardness, or bulging in a muscle, you may have experienced what’s called a muscle spasm . Spasms are common in the abdomen, arms, hands, and feet. You can also feel them in your calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps, and along the rib cage. This type of cramping can occur in anyone for various reasons. Many cases of simple muscle spasms are caused by excessive exercise and vigorous physical activity. Patience, rest, gentle stretchin

For seniors, lower back pain is a common and sometimes debilitating problem. It can get worse over time, too. Since your back plays a key role in pretty much everything you do, this type of pain can prevent you from fully enjoying your life. The good news: Lower back pain does not have to be a normal part of aging. Addressing the problem can make you feel much better. Here’s a look at what causes back pain and the many ways it can be treated. What’s the difference between acu

The Truth About Back Pain It might be a sharp stab. It might be a dull ache. Sooner or later, 8 out of 10 of us will have back pain. And b ack pain myths are almost as common. Let's set the record straight about what you may have heard. Myth: Always Sit Up Straight Slouching is bad. But sitting up too straight and still for long periods can also be a strain on your back. Take breaks a few times a day: Lean back in your chair wit h your feet on the floor and let your back cur

Winter can bring chilly temperatures and harsh weather conditions, making it essential to find effective ways to stay warm. You’ll also want to consider energy and cost-saving methods. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, here are some practical tips and strategies for staying cozy and comfortable during the colder months. How to dress for warmth Wearing the right clothing can help you retain the heat from your body more effectively and help you keep heating bills low. You’ll

A growing number of Americans are sustaining serious eye injuries linked to pickleball, prompting ophthalmologists and researchers to call for safety guidelines as the sport’s popularity continues to surge. A new study published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology analyzed nearly two decades of national emergency department data and found a sharp uptick in pickleball-related eye injuries—many of them severe—largely concentrated among older adults. Experts warn that without man

Everyday habits, like not wearing sunglasses or sleeping in your contact lenses, can lead to long-term eye damage. Here are eight common practices that can harm your eyes and vision. 1. Rubbing Your Eyes Rubbing your eyes might provide immediate relief for itchiness or irritation, but this habit can cause lasting damage. “Eye rubbing can actually be quite damaging to the eye,” Phillip Yuhas, OD, PhD , an assistant professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, t

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