My Rude Introduction to Arthritis and how I am Coping with It

Written by Jimmie Newell


Let me begin by stating upfront that I realize that a great many people suffer from much more serious arthritic conditions than I. This article is not to trivialize their conditions in any way. My intent is to explain how this disease manifested itself in me andrepparttar treatment that I have undertaken.

Being an avid golfer, I like many other men can hardly wait for spring to arrive. In 2004 spring came early. My first round I walked 18 holes with a push cart as I usually do. I did not feel any abnormal pain at this point. The next day I went torepparttar 146524 driving range to work some ofrepparttar 146525 kinks out of my swing, and hit a large bucket of balls. Later that evening my left knee was in so much pain that I could not stand with any pressure on it, walking was very painful. This persisted for 2-3 weeks, it did finally start to get better, but only marginally, golf had been degraded to using a power cart, there was just no way I could walk 9 holes, let alone 18. Making any full swing was painful fromrepparttar 146526 pressure put on my left knee.

I finally went to an Orthopedist, and after x-rays of both knees and a range of motion exam, was told that I had Osteoarthritis. The doctor showed merepparttar 146527 small space left betweenrepparttar 146528 bones of my left knee, and told me thatrepparttar 146529 meniscus (a pad of cartilage that cushionsrepparttar 146530 joint and prevents bone to bone contact) was thinning and was in all likelihood torn. He told me that a few years ago,repparttar 146531 standard treatment was to surgically repairrepparttar 146532 meniscus . however this type of repair was only effective at relieving pain about 50% ofrepparttar 146533 time.

The more accepted treatment now, was to prescribe a series of exercises designed to strengthenrepparttar 146534 muscles aroundrepparttar 146535 knee joint, and a pain reliever to controlrepparttar 146536 pain, so that I could exercise. He also suggested that I investigate and take glucosamine which is a natural healing product not regulated byrepparttar 146537 FDA. He stated that recent large scale studies had shown that glucosamine was effective in slowing downrepparttar 146538 loss of cartilage and may even contribute to regeneration of damaged cartilage.

BLUE CROSS JOINS GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TO ESTABLISH CALIFORNIA AS THE NATION'S 'FITNESS STATE'

Written by Steve Pitman


The Blue Cross of California Foundation,repparttar charitable giving arm of WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) in California, today joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to launchrepparttar 146523 California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports as part ofrepparttar 146524 “Get Active California Celebration” hosted by The Walt Disney Company. The mission ofrepparttar 146525 nonprofit Governor’s Council is to promoterepparttar 146526 health benefits of physical fitness, exercise and sports for all Californians. Blue Cross of California Foundation presentedrepparttar 146527 Governor’s Council with a two-year grant totaling $300,000.

“Asrepparttar 146528 State’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross is committed to helping Californians, particularly children, avoid obesity and its associated conditions,” said Dave Helwig, president & CEO of Blue Cross of California. “We are grateful for this opportunity to work with Governor Schwarzenegger to promoterepparttar 146529 adoption of healthy habits that will lead to a long and active life.”

At today’s event, Governor Schwarzenegger stressedrepparttar 146530 importance of taking steps to addressrepparttar 146531 alarming increase in obesity rates, especially among children. He also commendedrepparttar 146532 private sector for its participation and support ofrepparttar 146533 Council, includingrepparttar 146534 generous support from Blue Cross of California Foundation.

As part its commitment to addressrepparttar 146535 issues of health care access, affordability and quality, “Blue Cross of California Foundation supports family health through a multi-faceted educational effort to curb child and adolescent obesity, promote physical fitness, and encourage pregnant women not to smoke,” said Cal Lockett, vice president of social responsibility for WellPoint.

Complimentary resources made available byrepparttar 146536 Foundation to all attendees ofrepparttar 146537 event included: Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids, a booklet developed withrepparttar 146538 American Dietetic Association to help health care professionals counsel parents and families about proper nutrition and childhood obesity; Healthy Habits for Healthy Hearts, a family guide to heart-healthy living endorsed byrepparttar 146539 American Heart Association that offers tips forrepparttar 146540 whole family on fitness and healthy eating; and California Health Care Options Matrix, an easy-to-read brochure that provides information about free and low-cost health care coverage for individuals, families, and small businesses. The Matrix also includes a toll-free Uninsured Help Line (800-234-1317) to assist uninsured Californians with gaining access to doctors and hospitals through appropriate public or private health care insurance.

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