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 Photo provided: Terrance Cole, 37, of Van Wert, in the white shirt, is helped to shore after being pulled from Grand Lake St. Marys Friday afternoon. By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
CELINA — Two area men were pulled from the cold waters of Grand Lake St. Marys Friday afternoon. |
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Managing the pain |
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Tuesday, 13 March 2007 |
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By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Pain management was the topic of the evening as the St. Marys Community Public Library hosted another program in its series of health related seminars, fueled by a literacy grant from the local Rotary and Rotary 6600.
Arthritis, according to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital RN and arthritis authority Dot Silver, is a disease or inflammation of the joints. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and the disease affects 43 million Americans.
The pain cycle, Silver explained, begins with the pain in the joint and muscles tense up or grow weak, caused by a build up of lactic acid. This increases the pain. Then comes psychological distress such as anger and frustration, then depression as people wonder if they will be able to function freely again. It’s a cycle, Silver said, that just keeps repeating.
She suggested sufferers use distraction techniques to take their mind off the pain, such as envisioning their flower gardens as they try to open a door.
The most common forms of arthritis are Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the jell-filled sac around a joint dries up and the joint loses its lubrication. Rheumatoid arthritis features inflammation of the joint, along with pain, swelling and stiffness. Sometimes the tendons stretch out resulting in a, “floppy” knee.
Silver likened the joint lubrication to greasing a wheel. When properly greased, a wheel performs correctly without squeaks and friction; when it isn’t, pain and swelling occur.
Long term, the disease can cause deformities, but Silver stresses exercise and medication can help delay the onset of deformities.
Rheumatoid arthritis strikes adults between the ages of 20 and 50, with 75 percent of those diagnoses being women.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage, the “cushion” in our joints, thins or wears away, leaving the bones of joint rubbing against each other. In Osteoarthritis, as the cartilage wears away the body attempts to repair itself by building new bone and bone spurs can grow, causing additional pain. Osteoarthritis features localized pain and stiffness and some people will end up with knobs on the ends of their fingers or toes and some are totally disabled.
It strikes those between the ages of 45 to 90 and as for gender, it’s an equal opportunity disease, striking men and women equally.
Tests for RA include a blood test for RA Factor, X-rays and sometimes tests on the fluid on the joint. Osteoarthritis test includes X-rays or MRIs.
Exercise is important in the control of pain resulting from arthritis.
“Exercise is the first thing in the foreground in my book,” Silver said.
Heather Wenning, a program director at the YMCA, shared with the group some gentle stretching and resistance exercises that are incorporated in the arthritis program at the Y. The program, "Silver Sneakers," is done while submersed in water as it stabilizes the body. Wenning said some insurance companies are picking up the tab for Y memberships so people can avail themselves of the class.
"Prevention costs a lot less than treatment," Wenning said.
Contact Kay at:
nkreporter@
theeveningleader.com |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 March 2007 )
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