Category: Weather

Posted in Arthritis, Awareness, Bone and Joint Health, Bone Health, Grateful, Inflammation, Knee, Weather, Weather and Joint Pain

Bombogenesis and Joint Pain

Posted on by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

I’ve heard a lot about Bombogenesis, it’s a popular term used by meteorologists, occurs when a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies, dropping at least 24 millibars over 24 hours. A millibar measures atmospheric pressure.

Remember your great-aunt used to to say she “feels” a storm coming on, she was probably predicting the weather with some accuracy. You probably laughed.

But now you know exactly what she meant.

Barometric pressure is the weight of the atmosphere that surrounds us. Barometric pressure often drops before bad weather.

Lower air pressure pushes less against the body, allowing tissues to expand. Expanded tissues can put pressure on joints and cause pain.

Arthritis and joint pain affects everything within the joint, including the lining and ligaments.

All of those tissues have nerve endings that can feel changes in the weather, which may result in tightness, stiffness, and some discomfort.

So if you plan to be active in cold weather or high altitude, warm up first with stretching exercises and wear appropriate clothing

The Arthritis Foundation published a study from Tufts University in 2007 that found that every 10-degree drop in temperature corresponded with an incremental increase in arthritis pain. In addition, low temperatures, low barometric pressure and precipitation can increase pain. Researchers are not sure why weather changes cause pain, but suspect that certain atmospheric conditions increase swelling in the joint.

As for weather-related pain, it hurts, but it’s only temporary. Your joints should return to normal as soon as the barometric pressure increases and the temperature goes up. Your great aunt may be able to predict calm weather, too, as she feels less joint pain.

Song of The Day : California Dreaming Mamas And Papas

Resource Link

https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/tools-resources/weather/

Posted in Ahlbacks Disease, Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Bone Health, Chronic Pain, Eat Healthy, exercise, Inflammation, Life, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Pain, Positivity, spondylolisthesis, Uncategorized, Weather

Bones

Posted on by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

It still looks like winter out in NE Ohio today even though it’s

07 April 2018.

This is what I woke up to . But I also woke up to pain as well. I mean every bone in my body hurts today.

It’s weird hearing the birds of spring singing away while there is a fresh 3 inches of snow on the ground.

Still be chilled to the bone during winter and now spring is bad for the bones , very little sun, less exercise outdoors, and the drastic swings in the temperature are also painful. One day it’s rainy and 50 today it’s snowy and 30.

I try to stay moving in spite of the weather by riding my recumbent bike.

But I would really like to get outside and breath some fresh air.

On average Ohio has 60 sunny days a year and about 90 partly sunny days a year ( I think that’s a bit high as well)

And Orlando Florida has 233 sunny days a year. That’s a big difference.

No wonder why we have to take vitamin D supplements here.

I’d still prefer to get my vitamin D the natural way.

Less sun means that your body is making less Vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced when sunlight hits the skin and triggers a series of chemical reactions to produce Vitamin D.

People like me in northern latitudes with less year round sun exposure have to be very mindful of the fact that our bodies do not produce this essential vitamin in large enough quantities. In order to counteract the lack of sunlight, more Vitamin D supplements should be consumed during the winter months in order to keep the bones healthy and strong.

A healthy balanced diet will help you build strong bones from an early age and maintain them throughout your life.

We need sufficient calcium to strengthen our bones and vitamin D to help your body absorb calcium.

Poor bone health can cause conditions such as rickets and osteoporosis and increase the risk of breaking a bone from a fall later in life.

You should be able to get all the nutrients you need for healthy bones by eating healthy.

A good diet is only one of the building blocks for healthy bones, we need physical activity and a little bit of weight lifting.

Food for Strong Bones

A healthy balanced diet will help you build strong bones from an early age and maintain them throughout your life.

You need sufficient calcium to strengthen your bones and vitamin D to help your body absorb calcium.

Poor bone health can cause conditions such as rickets and osteoporosis and increase the risk of breaking a bone from a fall.

Requirements

Adults need 700mg of calcium a day. You should be able to get all the calcium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

Good sources of calcium include:

• milk, cheese,yogurt eggs and other dairy foods

• green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage and okra, collards,asparagus, artichokes , peas.

• soybeans

• tofu

• nuts

• fish like tuna and salmon and also fish where you eat the bones, such as sardines and pilchards

Although spinach might appear to contain a lot of calcium, it also contains oxalic acid, which reduces calcium absorption, and it is therefore not a good source of calcium.

It is difficult to get all the vitamin D we need from our diet and we get most of our vitamin D from the action of the sun on our skin.

Winter and early springs temperatures can bring on a gloomy mood, sending your body into chronic stress and that triggers the production of cortisol . Cortisol destroyer of bone

Clouds the mood buster.

So yes I can’t wait for sun and warmer temperatures

Warm weather improves more than just your mood.

It turns out that warm, sunny weather actually boosts brain function in multiple ways. The study found that the more time people spent outdoors in the spring, the better their memory, cognitive function, and mood.

So I am anxiously awaiting spring to finally arrive. My bones will be so glad when the weather gets warmer.

At least the Sun is out today.

Just remember if you have bone problems take care of yourself and eat healthy.

I will probably have a heating pad on my knee later but for now I am just going to try and keep busy.

And enjoying the beautiful winter/spring day hopefully for the day until next winter.

#Osteonecrosis

#Osteoarthritis

#Spondylolisthesis

#BoneHealth

Posted in Ahlbacks Disease, Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Blessed, Bone Health, Cardiovascular, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, spondylolisthesis, Thyroid, Uncategorized, Weather, WegoHealth

Reasons Why The Cold Weather Can Affect Your Body

Posted on by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

As we finally approach the end of winter the pain has probably began to increase in regards to spondylolisthesis, or any other bone or joint problem.

I have been blessed to have several bone issues.

Bone pain is always worse in winter and long rainy cool spells.

This may just be some odd coincidence, but I believe there are a few possible factors for this increase in the cold months.

Pay attention to the following reasons and see if you also have experienced any of them.

If you have or if you do feel an increase of pain with the cold weather, try to make a few adjustments to combat the following possibilites.

1. Cold weather leads to lazziness.

For me personally, when I sit around more often than not I get extremely tight in the hips and low back area.  I lose stability and strength in areas that are crucial for maintaining good health and providing relief for my low back.

I don’t always want to be active because besides having spondylolisthesis, which alone is so painful I have osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis.

I guess it’s the universes way of saying hey Deb your bones are jacked!

When the temperature drops, those outdoor activities disappear and unfortunately they are replaced by lots more sitting.  Sitting is not good. Our bodies were not meant to sit. Especially if it’s hours at a time.

Daily walks long or short are replaced by computer activities. 

Many other outdoor activities are replaced by sitting and watching them on TV. 

Solution:

I try to stay active as much as possible considering I have several bone issue challenges

Trips to indoor malls , the library, or bookstore , museum Instead of sitting is best.

I haven’t been able to do my favorite outdoor activity hiking since I was diagnosed with osteonecrosis in my knee 4 years ago and I miss it terribly. I hope someday I can get back to it. I have faith.

One of the main things I do is to stay disciplined with my daily workouts well I call them workouts.

I stay as conscientious as I can of how much I sit and try hard to not sit for long periods of time.

Yes there’s days I do but mostly I don’t.

When I work on the computer, I try to get up every 15 minutes or so even if it only involves a quick hip stretch or movement.

No matter how cold it gets outside, I try to stay as active as I can by replacing old outdoor activities with new indoor activities that involve movement.

This has really helped me to avoid cold weather setbacks with my back and often my knee. But don’t get me wrong I still will get some bad days it’s just not everyday or all day.

The worst is when we have long days of extreme cold or that dreaded all day rain that chills you, the back hurts the knee hurts and the entire body hurts .

Sometimes it’s exhausting.

But I try to keep somewhat busy.

Thank goodness for my recumbent bike.

Some days I just do a mile 1-2x a day and that’s ok. Other days I do 3 miles 1-2 x a day.

2. Cold weather can lead to poor eating habits.

Just like in the first example, when you sit around more and become lazy you usually begin to eat poorly. 

Often times shear boredom leads to bad eating habits. That bag of chips or chocolate cake that you usually would ignore in the summer begins to work its way back into your diet.

The cold weather months typically cause people to put on a few more pounds. 

I haven’t put on weight but I can never seem to lose it no matter what I do……thanks hypothyroidism

For many holidays do not help either.  Large amounts of sitting around and eating during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are often to blame for excess pounds.

This leads to a snowball effect of being lazy.  You sit around more which creates the sense of boredom. 

Many people replace being bored with the feeling of hunger , I used to do that.

You then overeat causing the body to feel lethargic and lazy and the cycle continues.

Before you know it you plow through a box of cookies and a bowl of ice cream while you sit and watch six hours of re-runs of your favorite TV show.

Talk about creating a perfect storm!

The entire body then becomes inflamed at least for me it did.

So I changed

I stopped most not all of the processed snacks.

I started eating more plant based but I am not a vegan as I do have fish or chicken 1x a week and eggs a couple times a week.

My pain level dropped a lot but I feel healthier still waiting for the weight to fall off.

The sitting and excess weight reduces the ability to move properly which could create instability, weakness and eventually painful spondylolisthesis episodes.

These habits take the place of the activities you are used to in the warmer months wher you spend more time being active and not thinking about food.

Solution:

I tend to fight this cycle by paying close attention to what I eat and I’m learning to drink-extra water.  I find that providing my body with plenty of water helps to fight those boring food craves. 

This in combination with staying active helps to keep away the extra cold weather added pounds but more important the inflammation that throws pain scale off the chart.

3.Cold weather makes working out and exercising much harder.

I find that when the weather drops workouts tend to become much harder.

Those quick trips to the park or walk in the plaza get harder when you have to scrape ice off of your car for fifteen minutes. It’s a pain to put on 2 layers of clothing just to stay warm on your way to the store really sucks.

My daily workouts are crucial to staying pain free. Without them my body gets weak, tight and doesn’t move the way it should. IPain is quick to follow.

Mentally I do not let myself get down or lazy. If the temperature is freezing outside I stay in and ride the bike more do gentle stretches.

More often than not if I feel like skipping a workout and I just tell myself to replace the workout with a good warm-up and stretch, I get through the stretch and I am suddenly motivated to workout. That workout that I wanted to skip then turns into a great stretch and workout.

I just know when I have pain or have no pain I feel better when I am moving . I can’t do many things I used to but I can learn new ways.

I have noticed that when we stay mindful and not become stagnant in my life i feel better.

And for that

I am grateful

Here’s some stretches I do to help my spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis Exercise

How I get the kinks out

Shoulders and Back

Hmmm love these guys.

Can meniscus tear heal

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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only.

The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics.

Based on my own health issues.

It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Thank you.

Posted in Weather

Happy Groundhog Day 2018

Posted on by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Groundhog Day

On the morning of February 2nd every year large crowds gather at sunrise in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to wait for the verdict of the famous rodent Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog meteorologist,

They all watch anxiously as Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow.

The tradition says that if it’s sunny the groundhog will see its own shadow and there will be six more weeks of winter and if he doesn’t, spring is on its way.

Well he projected 6 more weeks of winter.

Today in Ohio Buckeye Chuck our famous rodent also predicted 6 more weeks of winter.

And today’s -2 temperature seems to be proving them both right.

Thankfully no matter how we look at it

27 days until S-P-R-I-N-G

Posted in Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Blessed, Bone Health, BreakThroughCrew, Cardiovascular, Chronic Pain, Coping with Stress, Diagnosed, Eat Healthy, Energy, exercise, Factor V Leiden, Food Is Thy Medicine, Heart Disease, Hypothyroidism, Inflammation, Life, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Positivity, SONK, StopTheClot, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Vision, Weather, WegoHealth, Winter, Women

1 year ago I decided to take my health back

Posted on by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Happy Anniversary To My Health….

I was always pretty healthy ….until I wasn’t.

I gained weight , injured my knee gained more weight was diagnosed with one thing after another and it was really exhausting.

First osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism at age 45

They torn meniscus age 51

Then thanks to the meniscus tear Osteonecrosis set in my knee….

Then she 53 diagnosed officially with spondylolisthesis and a bilateral pars fracture

I had the spondylolisthesis before but my former PCP never told me I had it. But I seen it on an old Mri.

The pain every where was exhausting and some days it still is.

But I decided the heck with all these doctors and I decided to eat mostly plant based but I do still eat chicken fish or turkey now and then and rarely beef.

I ride my recumbent bike 2x a day and I walk when I can. And some days even when I should rest I go walk anyway.

Today’s pictures and videos are from my morning walk : and it’s also one year ago I quit smoking……so it’s a great day !

Pain or no pain I’m not going to just sit around.

Sitting is death

Moving is life

And ya know after I’m done I feel so much better.

1 year since I’ve quit smoking after being a smoker for 40 years. My lungs are feel better my walking speed has improved my distance has improved

1 year since I started eating a healthy mostly plant based but I’m not a vegan and it’s good clean healthy real colorful food . I am using food as medicine in a way to fight pain and inflammation . Now sure I eat a cookie or 2 now and then just not every day. And all my other choices are good so I don’t deprive myself of a treat now and then.

And for having Osteonecrosis,Osteoarthritis, Spondylolisthesis with a bilateral pats fracture in my L5 S1 I feel pretty darn good today even in this cold weather.

Just need to drop some weight one step and one day at a time.

I have taken my life back and no one is going to stop me !

Tomorrow I may be in pain and that’s ok. I can accept that but as long as I know I am doing all I can to combat my pain and keep my body moving and providing it with the best nutrients possible(most of the time)

It’s a win win for me ,one day at a time !

Keep your meds , keep your cigarettes keep your junk fast food.

Body Heal Thy Self

Posted in Ancestry, Disclaimer, exercise, History, Meditation, Mindfulness, Thank You, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Weather, Winter

A Treasure In My Home Town- A Need Your Vote

Posted on by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

I love Millcreek Park

It’s located in Youngstown Ohio-and I Love Lanterman’s Mill

Link to vote for my photo

Link to vote

http://woobox.com/bq82rg/gallery/bXZRTqzp9Kc

Voting ends 12/20/2017

Lanterman’s Mill One of Mahoning County’s most historic landmarks, Lanterman’s Mill was built in 1845-46 by German Lanterman and Samuel Kimberly. Restored in 1982-85 through a gift from the Ward and Florence Beecher Foundations, this community treasure represents one of the many pioneer industries developed along Mill Creek and operates today as it did in the 1800s, grinding corn, wheat, and buckwheat.

Visit Lanterman’s Mill and step into the past. Observe the pioneer ingenuity involved in the early production of meal and flour, smell the sweet aroma of freshly ground grains, and feel the rumbling vibrations of the massive stones as the various grains are ground. You can also Browse the gift shop located in the Mill to find unique items and charming wares made by local artisans. They have stone-ground cornmeal, buckwheat, and whole wheat flour that are preservative-free and can be purchased in the gift shop and at local participating stores.

You can Call them at 330.740.7115 for information regarding their stone-ground flours and meal. Download a brochure for delicious recipes using your Lanterman’s Mill products.

Here’s a picture I took today while walking. My walk wasn’t to long today because it was only 15 degrees Fahrenheit out.

And a quick video.

Photo and video taken by me

Deborah Andio

Posted in Ahlbacks Disease, Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Awareness, Bone Health, Chronic Pain, Disclaimer, Eat Healthy, exercise, Factor V Leiden, Food Is Thy Medicine, Inflammation, Mindfulness, osteoarthritis, Pain, Positivity, Uncategorized, Weather, Winter

Knee Pain In The Winter

Posted on by ChronicallyGratefulDebla

Knees not feeling great this time of year?
Do you need a thermometer to let you know when the temperatures change outside?
Or do your joints painfully serve as your weather forecast? Unfortunately, for many who suffer from osteoarthritis or other inflammatory conditions, cold weather can cause havoc on already vulnerable parts of your body.
What causes the pain?
The Barometric pressure drops in winter. Researchers believe that when this happens, inflamed areas of our bodies (knees, hips, hands, elbows, and shoulders) swell. Swelling can irritate nerves, which results in increased pain.

Also low vitamin D levels add to pain

You may need more of the sunshine vitamin, suggests new research from the Clinical Journal of Pain.

Compared to those osteoarthritis sufferers with adequate vitamin D levels, those short on D reported significantly more knee pain and loss of function, according to the study data. Those results held regardless of a person’s weight, although the obese study participants were more likely to suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.

There are several different ways low D might mess with your knees, roughly 42% of Americans are dangerously low when it comes to vitamin D. You get most of your D from sun exposure.

A simple blood test from your doctor can determine whether you’re low in the vitamin, If you’re deficient, taking a vitamin D supplement for several months can help you raise your levels. While it’s difficult to get too much D, the amount you need depends on your weight and body composition. Your body stores vitamin D in the fat cells, meaning those with greater amounts of body fat require more of the vitamin to limit pain and loss of function.

Another good reason to keep vitamin D levels in good range is low D doubles your risk for dementia.

Ways to Keep knees warm and ease pain this winter
Thermacare heat wraps
I love these they help pain and keep my joints warm which allows me to move easier

Eat a balanced diet I have personally had great pain relief since changing to mostly plant based diet.

Follow a healthy diet by including seasonal fruits, vegetables, nuts grains,seeds .

It is essential for people who are already suffering from joint and knee pain to include foods rich in Vitamin K, D and C (like oranges, spinach, cabbage and tomatoes) into their diet; as they play an important role in the production of cartilage and helps the body absorb calcium thus strengthening the bones.

I also have learned hydration is also important for pain relief. Try to drink plenty of water or herbal teas, like nettle tea , chamomile ,ginger tea as our dehydration reduces flexibility, which can increase the chances of injury. Supplements with vitamin D or fish oil is recommended as it is rich in omega 3 which helps decrease inflammation. Stay away from unhealthy drinks. Alcohol, tea, coffee, and other aerated drinks reduce the amount of calcium you absorb, and weaken bones.

Swap your caffeine-fuelled drinks with water and fresh juices.

Stay Active
Exercise regularly. It not only helps you lose weight but also increases flexibility and strengthens the muscles that support the knee ( walking, swimming or cycling). Your knees experience about three to four times your body weight when you walk, so lose weight to help your knees.
Always check with your Doctor before starting any new exercise.

Fun Fact :

Keep your feet warm. Your big toe is your body’s thermostat, so keep it warm and your whole body will be warm.

.