This week's focus: Pain and Mobility

Note: This brochure discusses diet and lifestyle changes that published research and other evidence have shown may support joint and digestive health. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about your options and before making changes to your everyday nutrition and self-care practices.

Overview

Pain comes from many different types of physical challenges, ranging from dull to sharp, from mild to intense. No matter how you describe it, you want it to go away--and fast. The following suggests some ways to cope with common pains of digestive and joint discomfort.

"Heartburn" refers to a burning feeling that can be caused by stomach acid regurgitating into the esophagus from the stomach, by gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), or by a peptic ulcer (stomach or duodenal).

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joints, especially the weight-bearing joints that develops when the linings of joints degenerate, leading to lipping and spurring of bone, pain, and decreased mobility and function. Once called "wear-and-tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis is a universal consequence of aging among creatures with a bony skeleton. It may occur secondary to many other conditions; however, in most cases the true cause is unknown.

TOP TIPS FOR MANAGING JOINT & DIGESTIVE DISCOMFORT

Stomach Soothers
Slow down at the table: Take time to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.

Try lactase enzymes: If your symptoms seem to be brought on by milk products, try taking lactase digestive enzymes before eating those foods.

Help digestion with pancreatic enzymes: Taking enzymes at each meal that provide 30,000 USP units (IU) of lipase and also include protease and amylase enzymes can improve digestion.

Try for some over-the-counter relief: Reducing stomach acid with medicines such as histamine blockers or calcium carbonate may help relieve heartburn symptoms.

Check for food sensitivities: Work with a practitioner who works with food allergies to see if certain foods make your symptoms worse.

Get a checkup: See your healthcare provider to make sure your symptoms are not related to a medical problem.

Easing Arthritis
Get moving: Start a gentle program of walking and strengthening exercise to reduce pain and improve joint function.

Use topical ointment: Treat discomfort with an ointment or cream containing 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin four times a day over painful joints.

 Help prevent joint damage with GS and CS: Supplementing daily with glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate, or a combination of both supplements, may reduce pain and to protect joints.

Add antioxidants: Eat more fruits and vegetables and take 400 to 1,600 IU a day of vitamin E to put antioxidants to work protecting your joints.

Try for some over-the-counter relief: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may be used to treat osteoarthritis pain.

© 2009 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Disclaimer: The information in this page was prepared by Aisle7 for educational purposes only; it is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Health claims are based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications, diet, or exercise habits. Aisle7, Walmart, and Pierce Promotions make no representations concerning the information contained in this article and disclaim any liability for such information and the decisions you make based on such information.