My Health Today – A New routine

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I don’t know about you but I’m noticing every morning when I wake up that I am stiff in my right knee joint and under the knee cap. It also takes a little while for me to straighten up the leg and get moving. It’s quite painful. I’m not taking any form of pain killers at the moment however i think i might have too start soon if this pain doesn’t ease up. I have decided to start a new routine. I was talking to a friend about my condition a couple of days ago and straight away he asked me "how much water do you drink a day". I told him "about 1 litre a day sometimes less".  He advised me to up my intake to another 1.5 litres a day.  I asked "why?" "Because your bones love water, as the body is made up of 70% water we need to keep the water level constant. Otherwise you will become dehydrated" So what I have started doing each morning is as soon as I can get down in to the kitchen (6.00 am). I have about 1 pint of water. When i get to work (8.30 am) I have another 1 pint and so on throughout the day. I have noticed that I’m starting to go to the toilet (bathroom) more often and that my urine is clear and doesn’t smell any more. "Keep the urine clear and you won’t get dehydrated anymore" was his recommendation. I will continue on with my new routine and keep you updated with my progress. Why don’t you try it with me and share you experiences too. Thanks for reading.

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My Health Today 19-12-11 – Doctor’s Appointment

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Hello, Today I went to the doctor (GP) to let him know about my knee. He did a few tests. He pulled the knee, press it in certain areas for tenderness. He asked a couple of questions then said that i should just take some anti-inflammatory tablets or get some ointment to rub on the aching knee area. I purposely didn’t mention about the A&E consultants observations to find out how interested he was in my health and wellbeing. I really felt like I was on a conveyor belt just a number for the day.

This leads me to believe that either the GP doesn’t care whether you are in pain or they are reluctant to recommend you to go and see a specialist. No amount of asking would change his mind. However he has agreed with me that I need to go and have some physiotherapy done on the knee. This will take at least 13 weeks.

So I have decided after my experience at the doctors, that I’m going to try and help matters along a bit. I’m going to start researching about arthritis and see what can be done about it. If I make some changes maybe it will make a difference in the long run. If there is a way to  ease the pain with continually taking ibuprofen. Maybe I can help rebuild the bones somehow if this is possible because i have heard that body rebuilds itself over seven years. Not sure how true this statement is, however I am willing to find out.

If you have had the same of similar experience to me please share your comments to what you have done or have decided to do and how you felt. How did you feel are you better or have you got worse.

Thanks for reading my blog. To your health Fred.

 

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My diagnosis of Arthritis of the knee

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Hi All it’s great to connect with you again.

The reason I am writing this blog today is because I have just been diagnosed with having Arthritis in my knee. Osteoarthritis I think the consultant said and wear and tear on the knee cap.

I’m sure there are many people who have the same ailment as me and therefore can lend  their support and sympathise with my experience. The actual words of the Accident and Emergency (A&E),(ER) consultant was "you have moderate arthritis in your right knee. I would expect to see this in the knee of a 55-60 year old man. "I also had some swelling in the same knee. As you know from my last post that I am only 44 years old.

Well you can imagine how I felt with this assessment as I am only a young  man in my eyes. I was shocked but not completely surprised because I had been having knee pains for over 20 years after playing football (soccer) from a young age. 

However, I never realise that it was that serious until I heard those words, "You have moderate arthritis in your knee." So I have decided that I need to look after myself much better than I have done over the last few years because no else will.

Over the next few days I will share with you some of the things I have started to do which I believe will help my condition and hopefully share some other your ideas. Please feel free to share on here.

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My Health today – 15-12-11 – Arthritis

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My name is Fred, I live in the UK. I am currently as of December 2011 44 years old. I am writing this blog to share my experience of having arthritis in one of my knees. Also, any other aliments that might arise.

Please feel free to share your health experiences on this blog. I have named the Blog ‘My Health Today’ because I realise that I may have taken my health for granted in the past but from today i’m going to change. This is a journal of the journey i’m now about to take.

I’m not very good at writing or being very organised however i will try, so please bear with me. If you would like to know more about please see about me. I will update as and when. Thanks for reading come back again soon

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My Health Today Knee Arthritis Exercises Program To Reduce Joint Pain

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How is your fitness, health and wellbeing? Is it good, bad or indifferent? Generally I feel that my overall wellness is OK. After going for a checkup on the 28th December. I realised that my numbers, you recall from my earlier post, were not bad however, they could be much better.

I believed they would be fine within myself. I have now joined a gym. I used to go a number of years ago however, because of one thing or another i was able to go. I am now going specifically to:

1) Reduce the pain in my knee because of the osteoarthris through exercise.

2) Improve my weight management as a spin-off and result of the exercise program.

At the gym I am taking all exercises to do with the knee slow and moderate. I would   recommend you do the same. If you can afford a personal do that or if the gym you joint provides that service then you could try that too.

I am sticking to the same exercise program for the moment. This is as follows:

First. I ride the bike for about 5 minutes. Making sure that the seat is high enough so I can have a good movement on my leg but not fully extended. So i can give just enough pressure on the pedal with causing too much pain when I press down. I would start low and slowly increase the tension of the bike periodically throughout the 5 minutes  

Second. I do an all over stretch on the stretching chair.

Third. After my muscles are warmed up, I use the Multi Gym apparatus. My exercise program is:

  • Shoulder press,
  • Lateral row
  • Back pull down.
  • Tricep extension
  • Sit ups on the exercise ball.
  • Go back to the apparatus and do a Chest press
  • Quadriceps Leg Extensions. Slowly at first on a very low weight 5Kg or less.
  • Hamstring Leg Extensions. Slowly at first on a very low weight 5Kg or less.
  • Bicep Curl
  • Drink water throughout routine

I must add this, I am not a Personal Trainer however, I have used the gym equipment for many years although not recently. If you don’t understand what I have done and you want to follow the routine. Print this out. Then Get Help. Then seek advice from a Gym attendant etc. They may also give you some more exercises. Get a routine and stick with it until you get used to the routine. You will get stronger over time in some caes quicker than expected. Then come back and share your results here.

I try not to work my legs yet until i feel that the right knee is strong enough to take more stress. However, I do realise everyone is in a diferent position to me. Keep and get stronger.

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My Health Today 03-01-12 What is Knee Arthritis

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I found this slide show while browsing on the web. The web site is webmd.com. They write on various issues. It’s quite an informative site.

You might already know most of the this information already if you are a sufferer of arthritis of the knee joint however it is always good to be reminded.

Hope you enjoy it. Please share what you think.

http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/ss/slideshow-osteoarthritis-overview  

 

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My Health Today Happy New Year to all Arthritis of the Knee Sufferers

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Yesterday was the first day of 2012 and many people are now making their New Years resolutions. Are you? What are some of your resolutions? Did you know, it has been found that if you share with someone what your resolutions you are more likely to keep up with them until they are fulfilled.

Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals. A separate study in 2007 by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol showed that 78% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, and those who succeed have 5 traits in common. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

Here are some of the main ones that people generally make each year. Check to see if any of yours are here.

1.  Spend more time with family and friends
2.  Get Fit and Eat better
3.  Loose some extra pounds
4.  Quit Smoking
5.  Learn to drive
6.  Quit Drinking
7.  Get out of Debt and Improve Finances
8.  Learn something new
9.  Help Others
10. Get Organised and become less stressed.
11. Move Home
12. Start a new career                 

One one my priority resolutions is to get fitter and reduce the effects of Osteoarthritis in my Knee naturally. So I will be adding to my regime of drinking water first thing in the morning and throughout the day. I will share with you as things develop. 

For the year 2012, the top 5 resolutions, as identified by a SlideShare survey are:
Be financially-savvy
Read at least one book per month
Eat properly
Get enough sleep
Keep a journal of awesome moments

So let me wish all the readers of this blog a very Happy and prosperous New Year.

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My Health Today – 28-12-11 – Medical Assessment

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When was the last time you had a medical assessment? Do you know your numbers? What numbers I hear you say. Your height, weight, BMI, blood pressure?                      

Well for me it was very long time ago, I don’t know what’s up with us men, we really need to go to the doctors more often to make sure we are still in shape. We need to have a good degree of physical fitness and flexibility. Especially if we have arthritis.

So after I was summoned by the nurse on the way up the corridor to the room I got a real confidence boost. She said ”you don’t look old enough to be having this check up.” That made smile to myself. I didn’t embarrassed at all. You know how it is men we need our ego massaging now and again. More now than again in my case. Anyway sitting there the in the chair having a bit of small talk (as you do) with the nurse, nice young girl in her late twenties I thought, she had brown hair, just above the shouders, at bit chubby from having a child. She confirmed what I mentioned earlier that I don’t come to the doctors normally. Well I don’t get sick that often i thought. So I had my Blood Pressure (BP) taken, the result and the result was 118/73 or 118 over 73, this is a really good result and well within the BP range which is between 120-140/80-90. Well if i thought I was on a winning streak, it was about take a nose dive downwards. My weight measurement was next 100 Kg 15 and a half stone. Wow, obviously take a little for clothes and shoes but for me that’s not good, I’m in the obese category for my age and height. I think i I must of done a bit of overeating there. So moving swiftly on, sitting again the next was my blood to be syphoned from my body to be sent off to the lab and analysed for cholesterol, kidney infections and anything else we over forties are tested for. I don’t mind seeing needles or having blood taken from me.

I mentioned to her about my arthritis in my knee, however she said the doctor had  referred me to the phyisotherepist. which would take a while and they would to know how bad the condition is before treating me. 

The medical assessment was primarily for heart disease, stroke and kidney infections. After was done, now I have to wait for the results so I made another appointment for a couple of weeks in to January next year.  

I attribute the lower BP to walking to work which is over a mile and a half, and my workout routine at the gym. I will speak about this on next post until keep safe, keep healthy.

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A Message for the Season for Arthritis sufferers

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Seasons Greetings everyone! This is the time of the year when most people usually go over board with eating. Many people overeat during the festive season or when they go on holiday. Why is this? I don’t really know the answer. Maybe it’s because we are so relaxed knowing that we have no need of going back to work for a while and there is food to the hand. Overeating generally refers to the long-term consumption of excess food. Usually what follows leads to weight gain and possibly obesity if prolonged. This post comes a gentle reminder not to over indulge in food you would not normally eat on a daily basis. I remember on past Christmas’ after eating for which seemed like at least 10 people and sitting down like a stuffed penguin pup, I paid dearly over the next few in my body and in my clothes. The inflammation in my knee would flare up and i would feel stiff all over, it would take at least a week to get back to what seems to be normality i.e. pain free. So what advice or recommendations can I leave with you this Christmas period wherever you are from in the world. 1) Keep hydrated:- Keep drinking your water if you have started to follow what I am doing you would have begun to drink 2.5 litres of water approx 6 pints. Water will help your digestion. 2) Keep moving:- If you are able, go for a walk or maybe a bike ride or swimming. Choose an activity that will get you moving around for at least 30 minutes. These are some facts about arthritis I have learned so far so I am sharing them with you. I hope they helpful to you as they have been to me. Their benefit will only be seen if you try them. So from me to you Happy Holiday and for those of you who celebrate it Happy Christmas. Fred.          

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