arthritis | Silver Magazine

Health

The fight of my life

It all started when I was 35. I went for a run and mid-way through my foot started killing me, with pain right in the toe and metatarsals. I stretched it, rubbed in some pain lotion and moved on, or so I thought. Question: What was causing my foot so much pain? I went to my doctor and he gave me a cortisone injection directly into my foot. It did feel much better for the short term and thought that I was on my way, but I was wrong. My foot continued to be in so much pain that I had to go back to the doctor; he sent me for blood tests to test for arthritis. It was great news to find out that I didn’t have arthritis at all when my blood test came back negative -- but what was causing all the pain? I still hadn’t been

Max Brennan November 20, 2021

Health

Aging, brain health and omega-3

We know omega-3 oils can help with inflammation and joint health. Research suggests it may also help our brains as we age. As we age, omega-3 can play a key role in joint and muscle health, but it can also help with brain cognition and diseases such as dementia and Alzheimers. Since 2005, research has been increasing and we’re understanding more of the benefits it may bring. While more studies are needed, those that have been done indicate increased amounts of omega-3 can help reduce inflammation in the brain, which can lead to depression and dementia as we age. Other research is pointing to omega-3 playing a role in helping children with ADHD as well as adult sufferers in combination with their medications. We note that omega-3 does not cure or offer an alternative treatment to pharmaceuticals, it is a supplementary treatment that can be included in ongoing care of

Simone Waters September 1, 2021

Health

Aging and arthritis in Canada

A common myth amongst Canadians is that arthritis is a disease of aging, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. While it is often worse as we age, early detection can help along with other tactics. So if you’re older, get your children tested as it can make a huge difference for them and yourself. Over 6 million Canadians are affected by arthritis and most commonly, osteoarthritis. Women also suffer more than men from what can be a debilitating chronic condition with over 60% of Canadians with arthritis being women. Women are affected most because their tendons and joints are more elastic due to childbirth and it is also believed that the drop in estrogen levels after menopause plays a key factor. For men, they are mostly affected in the hip joints. September is arthritis awareness month in Canada and the Canadian Arthritis Society is launching a national awareness

Alex Hurst August 30, 2021

Fitness

A passion for pole walking

Meet Leanne Booth, an Urban Poling instructor and avid pole walker. In a phone interview, the BC resident who has Osteoarthritis shared how pole walking improved her quality of life. May is Arthritis and Physical Therapy Month, and Booth is a testimonial in staying active and fit despite having two hip surgeries. She began, “When I had my first hip surgery back in 2011. I joined a walking group and I was walking with my cane, and I started off with a five kilometer walking clinic. And I went through that and I progressed to the 10K walking clinic. And when you’re walking quickly with a cane to try and keep up with everybody, you get this really strange gait. One of these instructors said to me, “Have you ever thought about using poles, the Nordic poles? Because that way, you can keep your balance and then have a regular,

Christine Blanchette April 19, 2021

Health

Arthritis and natural health

If you’re suffering from joint pain or osteoarthritis, don’t despair. These natural supplements, home remedies and healthy foods can help you control the pain so that you can live life to the fullest. The process of inflammation is actually a good thing. In theory. It is your body’s way to protect itself from unwanted invaders, like bacteria and viruses. But here’s where it gets tricky. In some diseases – like arthritis – this natural defence system (your immune system) triggers inflammation when there are no unwelcomed visitors to fend off. These types of autoimmune diseases trick your body into thinking that your tissues are somehow under attack, causing damage and a lot of pain. Inflammation can be either short-term (acute) or can last a long time (chronic). Chronic inflammation can last for months or even years, long after that initial trigger is gone. That means chronic pain with very little

Alex Hurst April 6, 2021

Health

Treating arthritis with diet and exercise

Seeking options to treat her painful psoriatic arthritis, Johanna Legge, 57, says she found something “by mistake.” Her find was the Paddison Program, which she claims is the sole reason she has returned to good health. Rewind Johanna’s story to early 2013 when she lived in Vancouver. “I would have swollen ankles, which appeared like sprained ankles, and the medical community couldn’t figure out how I could sprain my ankles so badly, and not know when and where I did it,” she recalls. “I had no answer.” The pain was excruciating. “It felt like you put a vice-grip on my ankle. I also didn’t sleep when I had the worst flare-ups.” Legge was an environmental enforcement officer, which required her to do a lot of ladder climbing. Saw mills and pulp mills were among her many industry job sites. “I would go to work and shove ice packs in my

Tom Peters April 27, 2020

Health

Ready, sip, go!

Maintain your joint health with Nature’s Way Joint Movement Glucosamine. While you’re more likely to get arthritis as you age, two thirds of people with arthritis are below the age of 65. Most people with arthritis experience chronic pain, fatigue, restricted mobility, lowered mood and other symptoms that can combine to erode their quality of life. For millions of Canadians, arthritis can threaten their ability to enjoy freedom of movement, productive work, restful sleep, and an existence free of unnecessary pain. Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects 4.6 million Canadians – in other words, one in every six adults is dealing with chronic pain and discomfort daily. The Most Common Type of Arthritis Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more Canadians than all other forms of arthritis combined and often referred to as the “wear-and-tear” kind of arthritis. Osteoarthritis leads to the breakdown of cartilage (the

Alex Hurst February 14, 2020

Health

Antibiotic usage linked with increase risk of rheumatoid arthritis

A new study found that the odds of developing RA is 60% higher in those exposed to antibiotics than those who are not. Researchers from Keele University and the Quadram Institute in the UK analyzed data from primary care medical records and found that the odds of developing rheumatoid arthritis is 60% higher in those exposed to antibiotics than in those not exposed. The researchers also found that the odds increased with the number of antibiotics treatments, and how recently they were taken. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects roughly 300,000 Canadians, and this study suggests it affects 26 in 100,000 people who have taken antibiotics. RA is likely to be caused by a complex mix of genetics and different environmental factors, so this study isn’t reason to stop taking antibiotics when they are needed. But it does open up a new door of exploration to finding the triggers, which could be

Charmaine Millaire December 31, 2019

Health

Can we really blame “being old” for that?

Exploring the effects of aging and how we can work with our bodies to feel our best at the turn of every birthday. We’ve heard it before: “Must be because I’m getting old.” But can we really use that as an excuse for having those aches and pains, not remembering things, and not staying on track with our goals? Aging is inevitable. It happens to everyone and is beyond our control—well, not totally. Aging happens in both our mind and in our bodies. But, if we take responsibility for what we can/ITC control about the changes on the inside, we can become even better with age. We can play a role in our future vitality by making the right choices that will impact how we’ll feel for years to come. As we age, it’s important to believe in our abilities and become more mindful. Try these tips to help you

Doris Ward December 25, 2019