22 Thursday, April 3, 1997 Pahrump'Valley (;azette
Health and Today's Lifestyle
Take Control---Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis
By Karen Mooney
Your body has many answers and certainly more healing
instincts than we listen to. When we are struck by a disease
that effects our life we need to learn about that disease and
take charge of the healing program as much as possible.
The studies on Rheumatoid Arthritis have shown there are
many options for a person suffering from this debilitating
illness. Agility is vital to a healthy life-agility of the mind and
body. With RA agility or movement becomes more painful
dally. Many RA sufferers (there are up to 3 million Ameri-
cans) know the usual treatments - toxic drugs to NSAIDs
(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and the side effects
that also strip the quality of health and life. Is there any other
relief? In two columns we'll tell you about the most effective
and positive non drug programs that can decrease your pain
and change your life.
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A few wonderful breakthroughs attack the spiraling com-
binations in joint pain. Inflammation increases pressure in the
joint capsule; movement becomes unpleasant, intensifying
movement further. The joint becomes immobilized by a
protective muscle spasm that holds the joint still to avoid
pressure. Now we have muscle pain involved. Then muscle
atrophy (loss of muscle tissue) quickly develops and limits
the range of motion even more! Fibrous connective tissue
replaces the normal joint tissues. Tendons often rupture.
Immobility follows.
The very first step step to helping yourself. You must keep
moving!! An exercise program that works the antagonistic
(opposing) muscle groups is necessary to balance the pres-
sure on the joints. Many exercise programs given to arthritis
patients are limited to single groups of muscles. Power
exercises are not helpful to RA sufferers. But continual
movement is essential even when there is a flare up.
Your daily chores and activities (such as combing your
hair, dressing, cooking, vacuuming) can be turned into
exercises that strengthen and nourish the joints. You'll
notice that the little things get easier. The more you introduce
gentle, easy movement the more possibilities you introduce
to your limited body.
While you clean or do daily activities it is important to
shift weight and movement to different joints. You'll notice
that you tend to overwork and use the same joints to protect
the painful ones. This encourages a "frozen" body.
When you are tired give yourself permission to rest ! Make
a cup of herbal tea, read, listen to music (incidentally, music
makes movement easier when :: -iiii):
you are doing chores), and think
i
of your rest time as recovery
from exercising and you deserve it.
When there is a flare up (joint inflammation) cover the
joint with cold wet towels- but keep moving! If a muscle
spasm occurs put the cold towels on the joints (inflamed,
swollen areas) and warm compresses on the muscle. Move-
ment is imperative during flare up: Exercises, through, should
then be slow, gentle and within painful limits.
Above all, get massages or learn self massage. If many
joints are involved you start where there is about 20 percent
of normal movement shown that massage is by far the most
effective for joints.
The center for Self Healing in San Francisco has hat.
remarkable results with their entire program treating arthritis
and have even shown regeneration of cartilage is possible with
proper massage therapies. (Schneider, My Life and Vision)
In our next article we will outline other steps that relieve
the pain and stress of RA sufferers. Finding new ways to get
the movement you need without drugs, reducing pain, and
improving flexibility will also make you more aware of your
body and its ability to heal. Knowledge is Hope.
Karen Mooney is a licensed massage therapist. She did
• her undergraduate studies in rehabilitation at Penn State
University and her graduate studies in humanistic psy-
chology at Marywood College in PA. She and her hus-
band, Howard, have a medical massage practice at Calvada
Sports Complex in Pahrump.
Vision Loss from Glaucoma Almost Always Preventable
SCO'Iq'SDALE, ARIZ.--Regular exams and early treat-
ment are keys to preventing vision loss due to glaucoma,
according to the April issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
Vision loss from glaucoma may be prevented if you know
your risk factors for the disease and how often you should be
tested for it. Glaucoma causes blindness in 80,000 of the
more than 3 million Americans who have the disease.
Risk factors of develop-
ing the disease include:
Family History--You
have about a 20 percent
chance of having glaucoma
if a parent has it and a 50
percent chance if a sibling
has it.
Age--The incidence of
glaucoma increases with age,
but it is not a normal part of
aging.
Diabetes--If you have
diabetes, your risk of glau-
coma is three times greater
than for people who don't
have diabetes.
Race--Blacks and Asians
are at a higher risk of getting glaucoma than Caucasians.
Injuries and Illness--Past injuries to the eyes can trigger
glaucoma. And while it's rare, inflammation within the eye
associated with conditions such as lupus, Crohn' s disease and
rheumatoid arthritis also increase your risk.
Regular check-ups before you have symptoms may help
diagnose glaucoma early. Often, by the time symptoms
appear, permanent damage has already occurred. However,
further damage can be prevented.
You should be tested every two to four years if:
You're between ages 40 and 65.
You should be tested every one to two years if:
You're age 65 or older.
You have a family history of eye disease.
You're of Black or Asian ancestry.
You have diabetes or a chronic inflammatory disease.
You've had previous serious eye injury.
You're taking steroids.
Treatment for glaucoma is a lifelong process that may
include medications, laser treatment or surgery. However, if
begun early, it can help save your vision
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is a monthly publication that
provides useful, reliable and easy-to-understand health infor-
mation to help people achieve healthier lives. Call toll-free
for subscription information, (800)-333-9037.
Obituaries
Dorthy Irene Skinner
Dorthy Irene Skinner, 70,
died March 27, 1997 at her
residence in Pahrump. She
was born July 24, 1926 in
North Hollywood, CA. A 17
year resident of Pahrump
coming form California
where she was a secretary for
the Los Angeles Employee's
Union.
She was priced in death
by her mother, father, sisters,
and brothers. She is survived
by one brother, Mr. Allen L.
Hunt of Pahrump.
Services were private, and
arranged by the Neptune So-
ciety of Nye County.
Norma Elizabeth
Johnson
Norma Elizabeth Johnson,
29, died March 26, 1997 at
the Nye Regional Medical
Center in Tonopah. She was
born April 5, 1967 in Califor-
nia and was a one-year resi-
dent of Round Mountain,
Nevada, coming from Dallas
Texas. She was ahomemaker,
member of the church of Lat-
ter-Day Saints, Smokey Val-
ley, Nevada.
She is survived by her
husband Robert Lawrence
Blair Johnson of Round
Mountain, son Robert, daugh-
ters Jaqualynn and Layla of
Round Mountain; Mother and
step-father Norma and Aus-
tin McCroy of Fontana, Cali-
fornia.
Services were held Thurs-
day, March 27, 1997 at
Gunter's Funeral Home,
Tonopah Nevada. Graveside
Service followed at the For-
est Lawn Cemetary, Covina,
California. Burial was at For-
est Lawn Cemetery Covina,
California.
Florin J. Hoffman
Florin J. Hoffman, 38, died
March 24, 1997 at UMC
Trauma unit in Las Vegas,
Nevada. He was born No-
vember 11, 1958 in
Henderson, Nevada and wa
a life long resident of Pahr-
ump coming from
Henderson, Nevada. He was
a construction laborer, served
in the Navy.
He is survived by his wife
Judith Hoffman of Pahrump,
NV., Mother Isabell
Hoffman, father Victor
Hoffman both of Las Vegas,
NV. Brothers Glen Hoffman
of Ft. Bridger, Wyoming,
Calvin Brad Hoffman of
Pahrump, NV, and Lyle
Hoffman of Las Vegas NV.
Private services were held
on March 26, 1997 at Chris-
tian Church of Nevada in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
