Osteoarthritis

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It is also called "wear-and-tear arthritis", this tend to strike people in their fifties and above and affects more women than men.It refers to the erosion of cartilage that covers the ends of bones between joints．The usually smooth cartilage becomes rough and this results in friction, pain and inflammation.The changes in the cartilage stimulate the overgrowth of bone cells as the body tries to correct the imbalance.This overgrowth can lead to bony spurs that contribute to more pain.The affected joints includes wrist,hands, knees,spine and hips.

Symptoms

• Joint Pain
• Joint Stiffness
• Joint Swelling
• Reduction in mobility of affected joints
• Bony enlargements in the middle and end joints of the fingers

Cause

• Inherited defect genes responsible for making cartilage which leads to rapid deterioration of joints.
• Obesity increase risk of osteoarthritis for the knee, hip, and spine.
• Injuries contribute to the development of osteoarthritis such as athletes with knee injuries or people who have had severe back injury.
• Overuse of certain joints increase risk of osteoarthritis.For instance, people in jobs requiring repeated bending of knee.
• Other condition such as rheumatoid arthritis ,iron overload or excess growth hormone also increase risk of osteoarthritis.

Action Plan

• Eat deep sea fish such as sardines,salmon,mackerel which contain anti-inflammatory omega 3 essential fats.
• Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables that high in anti-inflammatory nutrients and can help to alkalise the body.
• Eat fresh pineapple that contains bromelain to reduce inflammation.
• Avoid intake of saturated fat from food that have an inflammatory effect.
• Reduce intake of tea, coffee, and spinach that contain oxalic acid to increase acidity and worsen inflammation.
• Place cold packs on inflamed joins to reduce inflammation.
• Have hot then cold shower to promote circulation circulation and healing.
• Get regular, moderate exercise such as walking or swimming to strengthen surrounding muscles and ligaments.

Nausea

Nausea is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach,leaving the feeling of draining energy and wanting to vomit. Nausea is not a sickness but rather a symptom of several conditions which many does not related to the stomach.

Causes

• B vitamin deficiency
• Lack of food
• Malnutrition
• Food poisoning
• Infection
• Stress
• Digestive disturbances
• Migraines
• Anorexia
• Pregnancy
• Gall bladder disease
• Medication
• Travel sickness

Action plan

• Plain wholemeal toast or dry crackers to help settle the stomach
• Miso soup to helps neutralize stomach acid
• Pumpkin seed to reduce nausea
• Drink ginger tea or hot water with ginger slice
• Avoid travel sickness by eating papaya or whole grains before setting off 
• Avoid alcohol, spicy and fatty food before travel to prevent travel sickness

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is defined as a cluster of any 3 condition which includes the increase of blood pressure, a high blood glucose level, excess of body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol level. The combination of all these conditions will lead to the higher risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.


Symptoms

• Triglycerides                  >= 1.7 mmol/l
• HDL-C  

          Men                                 < 1.0 mmol / l

          Women                            < 1.3 mmol / l

• Blood pressure(mm Hg) >= 130 / >=85
• Fasting glucose               >= 6.1 mmol / l
• Waist Circumference

          Men                                  >90cm

          Women                             >80cm

Causes

• Lack of  physical activity (sedentary lifestyle)
• Excessive intake of carbohydrate
• Smoking
• Ageing
• Insulin resistance
• Excess blood clotting
• Hormone changes
• Increase level of blood substances that are sign of body inflammation
• Excess weight around middle and upper parts of body

Action plan

• Increase fibre intake for lowering the insulin and blood sugar level.
• Take garlic for protecting the cardio-vascular system.
• Consume more deep sea fish which contain omega-3 essential fat to protect heart and improve cell response to insulin.
• Avoid high sugary and refined carbohydrate food which will increase the insulin level such as soft drinks, biscuit, cake, pastries, chocolate, sweets, white rice, white bread, crisps and potatoes.
• Lower the salt intake to control the blood pressure level.
• Restrict the intake of tea, coffee and caffeinated soft drinks as caffeine will indirectly raises blood sugar levels and therefore insulin.

Lactose Intolerance

Individual that are lactose intolerant will be unable to digest the milk sugar lactose. Digestion of lactose requires the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine. The lactase will break down lactose into two simpler form of sugar called glucose and galactose to be absorbed  into the blood stream. Lactose intolerance usually results in unpleasant digestive symptoms when products containing lactose are eaten.


Symptoms

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• flatulence
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea

Causes

• Genetics
• Damage of digestive tract due to coeliac disease, gastroenteritis or colitis,infection, surgery and injuries

Action plan

• Add plenty of non-dairy calcium-rich food to diet such as broccoli, soy milk, tofu,oat and soya yoghurt
• Eat magnesium rich food to ensure correct uptake of calcium such as white beans, dark green leafies, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, and seaweed
• Check labels carefully, dairy products and lactose are found in many products.
• Eat milk products that are easier for people with lactose intolerance to digest, such as yogurt and hard cheese
• Take a tablet that contains the lactase enzyme when eat foods that contain lactose