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Are you stuck in a weight loss plateau?  Get inspired- check out the best websites and blogs for nutrition facts, exercise tips, and healthy living advice. Here are 10 websites that motivate you to live healthy!

Calling all women- moms, chicks, sisters, divas, and teens:

Summer’s about over, and you’re probably heaving a sigh of relief to yourself.  Why?  Because the pressure to look awesome in a bikini is almost at an end, to be filed away somewhere in the back of your mind for next year.  With fall comes the addition of more layers of clothing- scarves, cardigans, trousers, tops that cover your belly.  Who’s going to notice if you pack on a few extra pounds?  Might as well take a break, relax, and live a little.  Right?

Nope.  Now, more than ever, it is important to try to stay on the healthy living wagon, no matter how often it tries to throw you off.

Prepare for a storm of gastronomic proportions

Whether you’ve already reached your goal weight, started a new weight loss plan, or just committed yourself to eating healthier, now is the best time to gather ammunition and supplies.

That’s right, there’s a storm headed in your direction, only instead of natural disasters, the chaos it spreads it the kind that zaps your willpower, energy, mental focus, self-esteem, decision-making abilities, and determination to live healthy.

• Back-to-school orientation buffets
• Halloween candies, cakes, and ice cream treats
• Thanksgiving , the mother of all food-fests
• Pie season
• Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years- food, food, and more food

Where do you get your inspiration?

Joining a weight loss group such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or eDiets is one of the best ways to stay motivated, but let’s face it: we can’t all afford the membership fees.

Thankfully, Mamavation, an excellent online support group for fit moms (and all gals, really), has composed a list of the 50 Most Inspirational Healthy Tweeps. These blogs by women (and a few men) fall into many categories- registered dietitians, healthy homemakers, fitness gurus, whole-foods foodies, and many ex-morbidly obese dieters.

Here are ten of the most inspirational health blogs

InspiredRD – Dietician, crafter, and cook, Alysa also writes about gluten-free living.  Great recipes, gorgeous photography.

Carrots’n’Cake– Fun blog from Tina Haupert, who also blogs her weight loss success on Health.com.

fANNEtastic food–  Anne P. is a dietician/photographer who studied in Europe, but now lives back in the States.  She motivates you to keep your momentum up, stick with the program, and enjoy living healthy.

Healthy Tipping Point–  Caitlin Boyle from North Carolina discusses fitness, recipes, and her two cute dogs.  Not to mention some great wedding pics.

Skinny Emmie– “Skinny Emmie” lost over one hundred pounds, and she’s still chugging along down the scale.  Drop in, and partake of her no-nonsense wisdom, bare-boned honesty, and infectious optimism.

MizFit Online– “Quirky” is the word for Carla Birnberg’s health blog.  The award-winning writer infuses her upbeat sense of humor into this anything-but-boring fitness web log.

The Anti Jared– Remember Jared, who lost more than 200 pounds, by eating Subway sandwiches?  Well, this isn’t him.  Tony also lost 200 pounds, but he did it by joining Weight Watchers, learning how to cook healthy, nutritious meals, and (must I say it?) exercising.

Fitness Cheerleader–  Janice Smith is your weight loss advocate, sharing tools, recipes, interesting articles, and yes, her unending enthusiasm!

Kris M Beal–  “Krazy Kris” talks about healthy living, eating, and living green, with a little bit of humor on the side.

Prior Fat Girl Jen was a fat girl, just like anybody else, until she got up her gumption to lose over 100 pounds.  It wasn’t easy.

Related reading:

Who’re you Fat Talking About? 5 Steps to Better Body Image

Boost Weight Loss- Snack on These 6 Yummy Treats

Post Gastric Bypass- 5 Tips for Keeping the Weight Off

Happy Ten Billionth, iTunes: Apple’s 10 Best Health and Medical Apps

Sources:

50 Most Inspirational Healthy Tweeps

Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About 93 percent of women and teenagers engage in “fat talk.” Are you one of them?  Learn how to fix your body image while losing weight and living healthy. Don’t wait to love your weight!

Is there even such thing as a fat ankle?

You ever hear teenage girls “talk fat?”  You know, when they pick up a copy of Glamour magazine, breezily flip though the glossy pages, muttering, “I’m soooo fat.  Look how skinny she is. I hate my ankles.”

Well, scientists actually bothered to do research on “fat talk,” and guess what they discovered…

Ready?  Hold on to your Spanx girdle…

Predominantly, only skinny girls talk fat.

Yep, perfectly healthy, lean, young chicks.  According to researchers, when the fat talk starts, the ones who know that they need to lose weight (for their own health) tend to keep to themselves, anxious not to draw attention to themselves.

And don’t think that fat talk is primarily a teen problem.  No, sirree.  According to high-profile dressing room attendants, middle-aged department store shoppers suffer from unhealthy body image, as well.

The study, published in the Psychology of Women Quarterly, claims that 93 percent of all women engage in fat talk.

Here are some tips from health experts on improving your body image:

1) Love the one you’re with.

That’s you, by the way.  Make a list of 10 things you love about yourself that have nothing, whatsoever to do with your looks- exclude anything about your body structure, weight, or complexion.  You get the point.  Now that you’ve made your list, keep it around.  Put it up on your bathroom mirror or locker.  Stick it inside your weight loss journal.  Remind yourself every day that you are (to paraphrase Stuart Smally) “good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”

2) It’s all about perspective.

People want what they don’t have.  A bald businessman looks into a boardroom and sees nothing but perfectly coifed, lush hairstyles.  A woman who is obsessed with getting a nose job is haunted each day by visions of perfectly pointy, petite noses, certain that everybody else around her is secretly gawking at her bulbous nose.  The truth is that you are your worst critic.  Go easy on yourself, and accept that there is more to life than having a trim, hard six-pack, a perky nose, or thick, lustrous hair.

Anorexic British Teen Regrets Gastric Bypass Surgery

3) Actually, misery doesn’t love company.

Okay, so maybe you’ve fallen off the wagon more times than you care to remember.  It happens to everybody.  Resist the temptation to lament, grumble, or whine about how difficult it is to lose weight.  It’s hard for everybody.  You’ll do yourself, and your friends, a better service if you give a little pep talk whenever you feel down, instead of a “woe is me” party.

4) Learn from your mistakes.

Don’t focus on past failures.  Leave the past where it belongs- in history.  So you broke your diet.  Determine what went wrong, and commit yourself to make better choices in the future.  A good tip is to keep a food diary- it will help you figure out what “triggers” unhealthy eating.

5) Learn how to feel comfortable in your own skin.

Do you avoid looking in the mirror because you don’t like what you see?  That kind of behavior only reinforces negative body image.  Don’t put off self-esteem for the day you finally reach goal weight.  Love your body now, while you’re on the road to permanent weight loss.  Pamper yourself with a pedicure, eyebrow waxing, fresh haircut, or a bottle of scented body lotion.  Buy yourself a new outfit.  Yes!  You don’t have to be thin in order to appreciate your own body.

Did you find any of these tips helpful?

Do you also battle with negative body image?

Share your thoughts, and let us know what weight loss challenges you currently face.

Leave your comment today!

Related reading:

Is Adult ADHD-ADD Making you Obese? 5 Weight Loss Tactics

Boost Weight Loss- Snack on These 6 Yummy Treats

Sources:

What ‘Fat Talk’ Does For Your Body Image

10 Ways to Improve Your Body Image- Lifescript.com

Psychology of Women Quarterly – Journal Information

Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Pink Sherbet Photography

Does your back always hurt, despite frequent exercise, healthy weight, and good posture?  Find out if an overlooked injury is the cause of your back pain.

The pain is mutual.

Back pain- who has never felt the dull aching in the lower back, sharp muscular cramps in the shoulder blades, or a painful stitch in the sides?

Apparently, nobody.  According to WebMD, 80 percent of all US citizens occasionally suffer lower back pain, middle back pain, or upper back pain, because of a sprained muscle, slipped disc, or arthritis.

What are you backaching about?

Some of the most obvious causes of back pain are easy enough to figure out.  If you have trouble keeping your weight down to a healthy level, then your first plan should be to start a healthy eating plan, or diet. Bringing us to the next step…

In order to support your back, your stomach muscles need to be firm and strong.  So, joining a gym, or at least doing some sit-ups every day, should be #2 on your list of spine-friendly activities.

Thirdly, if your mother hasn’t already told you this enough times, then prepare to hear it again…

Check your posture! You should always keep your back straight while standing, bending, and sitting- even while lying down.  Make a mental note of sitting up straight whenever you notice yourself hunching over while watching TV, sitting at the computer, or eating.

Now that you’ve identified the 3 most common causes of back pain, here are seven more that you might’ve overlooked:

1- Ergonomics

Rule #1: Never judge an office chair by its cost, color, or swivel-ability.  Don’t think that just because you put big bucks down on an expensive piece of furniture, that that means that you necessarily got something of quality.

See spinehealth.com for some handy tips on choosing the right ergonomic office chair.

2- Footwear

Old, ill-fitting shoes and high-heeled pumps are often the culprits behind back pain. Wearing high heels disturbs the natural curve of your spine, putting you at risk for a severe spinal injury.

But that doesn’t mean that you should necessarily switch to flats; if you have a high arch, then you might need to wear shoes with a small heel, and you might also need custom-fit orthopedic inserts.

And remember, in order to observe good posture, you must always walk with your back straight, keeping it in line with the rest of your torso.

If you think that your shoes might be hurting your back, then visit an orthopedist ASAP.

3- Mattress

The secret to a healthy back is a hard, stiff mattress, right?

Wrong!  The idea that sleeping on a wooden board is the best way to cure a bad back is an outdated myth.  Your back needs support, but it also needs to lie on something soft and cushiony that “gives.”

See this guide, How to Choose the Best Mattress for your Body Type.

4- Accessories

Whether your purse of choice is a man bag, office messenger, or the latest Michael Kors satchel, it’s time to take a good hard look at what you’re lugging around, and what it’s doing to your back health.

Do you always wear your purse on one side, or do you switch often?  Hobo bags are ginormous and spacious, not to mention stylish, but that’s no excuse to walk around with your entire makeup collection, first aid kit, paperback book, overstuffed wallet, and small laptop hanging from your shoulders.

If this sounds like you, then you should definitely put your handbag on a diet, for your own back health.

5- Stress

You’ve heard the term, “There’s no such thing as bad press?”

Well, the same applies for stress, only the opposite.

Stress disrupts your emotional state, nerves, and immune system.  Got a new job promotion?  Are you expecting a baby, or maybe you’re finally able to afford a new house?  Don’t be surprised if the accompanying stress causes nervous tension and muscle spasms.

There’s no such thing as good stress- at least, not where your back is concerned.

6- Constipation

Here’s one I bet you never thought of…

Lower back pain could be indicative of an obstruction in your lower intestines, namely, constipation.

Don’t wait- the longer your digestive system remains blocked, the more pain and pressure you inflict on your lower back.  Incorporate more fiber in your diet, or inquire at a local pharmacy about helpful digestive aids.

7- Vitamin deficiency

According to many pain management specialists, a deficiency in vitamin D may cause chronic pain, including backaches.  Doctors recommend a maximum of 2000 IU per day, in order to avoid low levels of vitamin D.

Please tell us…

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

Like this? Read more:

Back Pain Exercises and Fibromyalgia- the Do’s and Don’ts

Rheumatoid Arthritis Stinks- 4 Facts about Depression and Pain

40 Things NOT to say to a Fibromyalgia-Chronic Fatigue Sufferer

Sources:

WebMD Back Pain Health Center – Information and News About Back Pain

10 Surprising Back Pain Causes – Back Pain Center – Everyday Health

6 surprising causes of back pain – Healthy Living on Shine

Four Surprising Causes of Back Pain

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Office Chair

Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net, MorgueFile, istolethetv, bedzine, Lars Plougmann

Do you wake up each morning fatigued, even after sleeping 8 hours? Boost energy with these 9 chronic fatigue-fighting tips on healthy living.

Wake up, sleepyhead!

Getting up in the morning can be the most challenging time of the day, even if you don’t suffer from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.  Developing a good morning routine is the only way to conquer morning sleepiness, wake up without feeling sluggish, and keep that energy going the rest of the day.

Stop feeling lethargic in the afternoons by avoiding unhealthy energy-zapping foods, developing a consistent sleep schedule, and staying active.

Boost Energy Now! 20 Practical Tips for Fighting Fatigue

Here are 8 tips for keeping your energy up, all day:

1) You Snooze, You Lose.

Resist the urge to press the snooze button.  The longer you lay around in bed, the more tired you’ll feel, and the less energy you’ll have the rest of the day.  Give yourself a maximum of ten minutes to loll around under the covers, and stick to your sleep schedule.

Good advice:

Set your alarm clock to a loud beeping sound, or to music that you don’t like, and don’t leave your clock by the bedside table.  This way, you’ll find yourself jolting out of bed to turn off the alarm pronto.

Now that you’ve tricked yourself into getting up, go ahead and make up your bed quickly, or else you might be tempted to slip back under the covers.

2) Let there be Light.

Your body needs to sleep in the dark; your brain can’t function without quality, nighttime slumber, and the darker, the better.  Likewise, we can’t become fully awake without the presence of light.

Good advice:

Immediately upon waking up, switch on the bedside lamp, or open the curtains.  Even if you wake slowly, the added burst of sunlight will give you more energy.

3) Break your Fast.

Studies prove that eating a healthy, balanced breakfast in the morning is the best way to increase energy, lose weight, and prevent illness.  Foods to avoid are fried, fatty foods and sugary, high carbohydrate snacks that only slow you down, and make you feel sluggish.

Good advice:

Instead of bacon and toasted white bread with butter, opt for healthy foods for energy, such as bananas, oatmeal, whole grain crackers, and low-fat yogurt.

Five Best Breakfast Entrées at Fast Food Locations

4) Just a Cuppa.

Ditching caffeine is often preferable, but if you have to have your morning java, then keep it down to a one or two cups per day.  Any more than that and you’re setting yourself up for an afternoon caffeine crash and burn. 

Good advice:

Swap caffeinated beverages for healthier pick-me-ups, such as iced herbal tea, fruit juice smoothies, or sugarless lemonade.

7 Days of Refreshing, High Energy Smoothies without Caffeine

5) Hydrate Yourself.

Drink some cool water upon waking each morning, and keep drinking throughout the day.  This is sound advice, not only because it prevents dehydration, but also because it keeps your metabolism running, providing long-lasting energy.

Good advice:

Purchase a metal sports water bottle- it stays icy cold longer, and it’s better for the environment!

12 Ways to Flavor your Drinking Water without Refined Sugar

6) Now, Move!

If you have a dog, go out and take him for a walk.  Not a dog lover?  Take a brisk jog around the block for a quick no-nonsense morning workout.

Good advice:

Organize a daily morning power walk with friends, either at the mall or at a centrally located pedestrian path.

Back Pain Exercises and Fibromyalgia- the Do’s and Don’ts

7) Turn up the Radio!

Background music keeps you on your toes- it keeps your brain active and alert, and keeps you from feeling drowsy. If your work doesn’t allow music, then tune in on your iPod during lunch breaks.

Good advice:

Choose a radio station that you like, such as jazz, rock, rhythm and blues- whatever lifts your spirits.  Another good alternative is thought-provoking talk radio.

8) Keep Moving!

If you have a desk job, then take breather s every two hours, at least.  Get up and stretch your legs for five minutes.  Not only does brief exercise boost energy, but it also aids in productiveness and creativity!

Good advice:

If you’re one of those, who prefer to plough right through your workload, then set a timer to remind you to take a small, five-minute break.  Even if you can’t leave your workstation, you can always stand up, raise your arms, breathe deeply, and enjoy a nice long stretch.

Related reading:

Kick your Sugar Addiction in 4 Weeks without Cravings

Chronically Fatigued? Fake yourself Awake in 7 Steps

40 Things NOT to say to a Fibromyalgia-Chronic Fatigue Sufferer

Sources:

Groggy? 13 Ways To Be More Energetic In The Morning

Increase Energy in the Morning – How to Get More Energy- Good Housekeeping

Get More Energy – Beat Fatigue and Get Energized Morning to Night- Quick & Simple

Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do you Twitter? If you have autoimmune disease (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s), see our list of the best Twitter feeds to follow for updated health info.

What is autoimmune disease?

Your body’s immune system protects you whenever a virus or bacterial infection attacks your system.

Occasionally, your immune system gets “confused,” and proceeds to attack different parts of your body, mistaking them for dangerous foreign matter.  When this happens, scientists call it an autoimmune disease- basically, an illness in which your immune system malfunctions.

There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disease, some of the most common ones including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, and Multiple sclerosis.

Are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia autoimmune diseases?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are not included among autoimmune diseases, although physicians often refer to them as part of the same group of illness.  That is most likely because CFS and FM produce similar symptoms of autoimmune disease, such as chronic pain and exhaustion.

Where is the best place to get health information on autoimmune disease?

Many medical websites offer thorough information and medical advice.  Some of the most popular are Web MD, the Mayo Clinic, and Medline Plus, which is a government site.

Thousands of blogs, forums, and support groups also provide useful resources for dealing with autoimmune disease, including the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), which features a comprehensive list of autoimmune and autoimmune-related diseases.

Here are 15 of the best, most followed Twitter feeds for autoimmune disease patients:

Health News on Twitter

1) @WebMD Web MD: “WebMD provides valuable health information, tools for managing your health, and support to those who seek information.”

2) @MayoClinic Mayo Clinic: “Excellent integrated group health care practice.”

3) @medlineplus MedlinePlus.gov: “Latest news & information on health & medicine.  Tweets are not medical advice.  Maintained by the National Library of Medicine.”

Autoimmune Foundations on Twitter

4) @CCFA Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America: “Our Mission: To cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.”

5) @LupusMCTD Lupus MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disorders) Foundation: “Lupus Patient Advocate, founder of LupusMTCD.  I’m 52, single and teaching others about Lupus and MCTD autoimmune disorders.”

Autoimmune Blogs on Twitter

6) @diseaseaday Dr. Roy Schwartz talks about health issues, focusing on a different disease of the day.

7) @taraparkerpope New York Times Well blogger discusses breaking news on health.

8) @Abeeliever Amy Kiel, chronic illness patient, and blogger of Una Vita Bella.

9) @painspeaks Liz Hall heads this global community of chronic pain sufferers.

10) @bydls C Miserandino , founder of the popular autoimmune illness blog, butyoudontlooksick.com, who also began the “Spoonies,” discusses lupus, fibro, and many other health-related topics.

11) @ChronicFatigue1 is a health consultant who talks about severe exhaustion, and tips on overcoming chronic fatigue illness.

12) @PLMfibromyalgia PatientsLikeMe online community of over 11,000 fibromyalgia patients share their experiences and advice on living with autoimmune disease.

13) @dancingwithpain Dance therapy Twitter site for dealing with chronic pain, and curing it through music and movement.

14) @chronicbabe Jenni Prokopy is “chronic babe,” founder of the popular blog of the same name.

15) @RA_Guy “Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy: Adventures of a superhero on his journey through chronic pain and debilitating inflammation.”

Related reading:

100 Best Sites for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Information

Female Rapper Missy Elliot, 15 Celebs with Thyroid Disorders

7 Celebs with Lupus

AIDS with B12 Deficiency

Sources:

100 Best Twitter Feeds to Follow Health News

Chronicspoonie Twitter List by Unquantified on Listorious

Best Health Blogs & Twitter Accounts To Follow For A Healthier Lifestyle

Autoimmune Diseases- MedicinePlus

webtreats

Autism Speaks cites best US Cities: An autism community of over 800 partook in a new online survey led by Autism Speaks, proving that the best places to live with autistic children are in the metro.

Metropolitan areas are most autism-friendly

You might think you live in one of the best cities for autistic children, but it only became official recently, when one of the country’s most famous (and controversial) autism advocacy groups revealed the findings of a recent online poll.

Conducted through Survey Monkey, families in 48 states and the District of Columbia who utilize services for their autistic children gave their two cents, anonymously telling it like it is.

Support for Parents of Autistic Children

Deciding factors

Here are the deciding factors that influenced their vote on the best…and worst areas for children with autism:

Availability of services and resources

Hands down, what matters most to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a selection of autism programs, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), The Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), and Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR)

Satisfaction with the educational services

The ability of a learning program to mainstream autistic children into regular public school classrooms, provide a safe, enriching environment, and raise their IQ level was a point of contentment among most parents.

Distance from extracurricular programs

Parents who had to drive a long time in order to access after-school and weekend therapies, counseling services, or medical clinics for autism were the most dissatisfied with their living areas.  Among the worst overall states listed were Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, and California.

Special Needs for Special Pets: Animal Therapy Success Stories

Flexible work schedule:

Employers in metropolitan areas tend to most accommodating to parents of autistic children, particularly when work timetables sometimes conflict with their parental duties.

Access to medical services

Parents feel better knowing that quality medical care is within the vicinity, where mothers who had to drive an hour into town for a doctor appointment tended to be the most disgruntled.

Recreational areas

Family fun time is a vital, therapeutic part of every child’s life, including children on the autism spectrum.  Large cities have more opportunities for autism-friendly outings, such as sensory-friendly movie showings, public pools, children’s libraries, and handicapped parks.

6 Great Diets for Autistic Children

And the 10 best American cities to live in with autistic children are:

1. New York
2. Los Angeles
3. Chicago
4. Cleveland
5. Philadelphia
6. Boston
7. New Jersey
8. Minneapolis/St. Paul
9. Seattle
10. Milwaukee

10 Fun, Easy and Cheap Summer Activities for Autistic Kids

Related reading:

Autism Videos for Kids, Teens and Parents: You Tube’s Top 10

8 Great Tracking Devices for Autistic Kids, GPS+

Celebrities for Autism Awareness Month

Sources:

Lovaas Blog – ABA Treatment for Children with Autism  – Lovaas

Best States with Services for Autism

The 10 Best Places to Live if You have Autism

‘Best’ Places to Live With Autism All in Major Metro Areas: Survey

Images:

vic15, SkilliShots, joiseyshowaa, amatern, David G..

Are you depressed about pain in the back, shoulders and knees?  Rheumatoid arthritis triggers depression, as swollen, aching joints limit free movement. Learn why arthritis pain makes you sadder…

Rheumatoid arthritis pain and depression

With rheumatoid arthritis, sufferers experience severe muscle pain, inflamed hips, joint pain, and chronic soreness.

Even after a battery of arthritis treatments and knee surgeries, the debilitating pain persists, relentlessly.

As a result, an overwhelming number of chronic pain patients also encounter deep depression.

Some of their explanations for the link between arthritis and depression might surprise you…and motivate you into seeking better pain management.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammatory pain in the joints, in addition to producing redness and swelling in the surrounding muscular area and other parts of the body.

Also called rheumatic disease, RA occurs when antibodies in the body attack your immune system.

RA is a degenerative disease that may last for years, and although pain symptoms don’t always surface, the potential for permanent damage of the joints is pervasive.

Fact #1: Depression often accompanies chronic pain illness

According to Elizabeth Lin, MD, a family practice doctor and scientific researcher for the Group Health Research Institute, not only does chronic pain invite depression- the symptoms of depression make the pain even harder to tolerate.

“It has been found to lower the threshold of how we tolerate pain — how easily pain registers in our brain.”

Fact #2: Depression increases your chances of dying from rheumatoid arthritis.

According to a study, conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine, chronic depression accounted for twice as many deaths during the research period than rheumatoid arthritis alone.

Says Michael Clark, M.D., of John Hopkins Medicine, “Depression is not simply a comorbid condition, but interacts with chronic pain to increase morbidity and mortality.”

Fact #3: Cognitive behavioral therapy can alleviate depression

Several studies that focused on management of depression in rheumatoid arthritis concluded that seeking counseling is an effective way to learn coping mechanisms, reduce the amount of arthritis flare–ups, and fight depression.

Fact #4: Light exercise alleviates arthritis pain and depression at the same time.

Health experts advise anybody suffering from progressive diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis to follow a low-impact workout regimen.  Swimming, tai chi, yoga, and Pilates not only soothe aching muscles and joints, but also relieve stress, inducing feelings of  peace and well-being.

Pain patients who include at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise and stretching report feeling more relaxed, less pained, and demonstrate a higher quality of life than arthritis sufferers who remain inactive.

Related reading:

Back Pain Exercises and Fibromyalgia- the Do’s and Don’ts

40 Things NOT to say to a Fibromyalgia-Chronic Fatigue Sufferer

15 Handy Household Tools for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Chronic Depression, Chronic Pain- It’s All the Same, say Experts

Sources:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Management of depression in rheumatoid arthritis

Coping with Depression, Menopause, and Rheumatoid Arthritis

11 Rheumatoid Arthritis and Depression Facts

Managing Chronic Pain, Depression & Antidepressants

Images:

Ed Yourdon, jessiejacobson, Borya

Sudoku, Chess, and Hangman are classic games that refine our thinking skills.  Now, raise your IQ online by playing free addicting brain-boosting flash games.

Online Gaming for Geniuses

Like playing online games? Don’t feel guilty- Brain Games, such as strategy board games, math puzzles, logic teasers, word games, and memory games are fun AND functional. 

They help you by improving your memory, delaying age-related dementia, boosting you IQ, and honing your attention skills. 

Not to be confused with “time waster” games like Farmville, many free online brain-training games are available on Yahoo, MSN, Miniclip, and many other online gaming sites.

Here are the ten most challenging, yet fun free online games for adults, teens, and brainy kids:

1) Doodle Blast

• Object:  Get all the marbles into the jar
• Rules:  Manipulate the marbles’ path by drawing bouncy “walls.”  Marble ricochet off the walls and you guide them into the jar before you run out of ink.
• Skill: Physics
• Level: Medium
• Where: smart-kit.com

2) Chess

• Object: Capture your opponent’s King to win the game.
• Rules: See Yahoo! game site for rules.
• Skill: Strategy
• Level: Medium-Hard

Get it here: Yahoo! Games

3) Uber Brain

• Object: Answer questions; receive “brain balance” score.
• Rules: Follow the online instructions in the 5-minute test of thinking skills.
• Skill: “Brain cross-training,” exercises all five major brain functions.
• Level:  Easy-Medium
• Get it here: fitbrains.com

4) Memory Matrix

• Object: Test your memory by repeating a set of patterns.
• Rules: You get a few seconds to study a tangram-type design of squares, then repeat the sequence without making any mistakes.
• Skill: Spatial Recall
• Level: Medium-hard
• Get it here: luminosity.com

5) Hangaroo

• Object: Decipher the phrase.
• Rules: Just like the classic word game, hangman, keep choosing letters until you can guess the phrase.
• Skill: Vocabulary
• Level: Medium
• Get it here: miniclip.com

6) Sudoku

• Object: Fill in each grid of numbers, from 1 to 10.
• Rules: Simple to play, difficult to master, this cool Japanese math game has taken the nation by storm.  Arrange numbers so that each box, column, and row reads from one to ten, without duplications.
• Skill: Math Logic
• Level: Medium-hard
• Get it here: juggernart.com

7) Penguin Families

• Object: Guide the penguin families across the river.
• Rules: Penguins travel in father-son pairs across a block of ice, but no more than two at a time may travel.
• Skill: Logic
• Level: Medium
• Get it here: braintraining101.com

8) Japanese Nonogram

• Object: Fill in the squares to produce a picture.
• Rules: Numbered rows and columns indicate how many individual squares, in addition to how many “sets” of squares appear in each line. Addicting game, but requires some practice.
• Skill: Math Logic
• Level: Medium-hard
• Get it here: infinitygameplay.com

9) Counterfeit

• Object: Figure out the difference between the two paintings.
• Rules: The classic “Spot the Difference” game, but for grown-ups.  “Masterpiece” paintings are identical, save for one hidden alteration.  It’s up to you to find the counterfeit.
• Skill: Observation
• Level: Medium-hard
• Get it here: gamesforthebrain.com

10) Dual N-Back

• Object: Use your keyboard to answer memory-based questions regarding blocks and letter sequences.
• Rules: Pay attention as your computer screen shows you a pair of colored block and letter of the alphabet.  Don’t get distracted, because you will need to remember that exact placement after viewing two different sequences, and then on.  According to research, this brain training game significantly raises your IQ level.
• Skill: Memory
• Level: Hard-genius.
• Get it here: Soakyourhead.com

Related reading:

Ten Bites to Better Brain Power

5 Brain-Boosting Workouts

7 Reasons You Have Brain Fog…And What to do About It

B12 Prevents Brain Loss in Old Age – Confirmed by UK Study

Images:

Chesi – Fotos CC

Here are some helpful tips for fibromyalgia patients who are tired of physician practice doctors, pharmacists, and urgent care nurses treating them like junkies. Urgent Care Pain Management Treatment:

The doctor’s out, but the pain is in.  Now what?

Nothing’s worse than suffering from severe pain symptoms, and not having anywhere to turn.

Such is a common dilemma for patients of chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia.  Life happens- prescriptions get lost, doctors go on vacation, and mysterious ailments appear out of nowhere.

When you have to go to the emergency room for an “invisible illness,” how can you convince doctors that you’re not just a narcotics junkie looking for the next high?

6 tips for getting taken seriously by ER

1- Find a good pain doctor, and stick with him.

Develop a doctor-patient relationship with a physician who specializes in chronic pain; he’ll be much more equipped to size up your situation and prescribe treatment.  Plus, you’ll have “proof” of your chronic pain diagnosis to show to ER, should you require their services.

2- Contact your pain doctor.

If you’re instructed to go to ER, as many physicians will recommend when they cannot be reached, explain your situation to the ER nurse; that you tried to see your chronic pain specialist, that he was unavailable, and that you were referred to ER.

3- Bring a doctor’s note.

It’s a good idea to carry a report from your doctor on your person or in your car, complete with diagnosis and updated treatment information.  It will save you from having to explain yourself every time you encounter resistance from pharmacists and ER doctors, in addition to clearing suspicion.

4- Show them your stash.

Keep a supply of pain pill bottles or past prescriptions on hand, and bring them with you to ER; it provides concrete proof of your medical treatment history, and it’s easier than having to rely on your own memory.

5- Keep your cool.

Easier said than done, of course.  Narcotics have high street value, and ER doctors are trained to red flag any potential “drug seekers.”  Cooperate with the ER staff, avoid losing your temper, and don’t start things off by demanding narcotics pain relievers.

6- Go through the motions.

Hopefully, your ER doctor will do a few tests to ascertain your pain level before making his diagnosis.  He should look at your medical records, do a prompt physical, ask you to rate your pain from 1 to 10, and ask you some pertinent questions.   He might also check your heart rate and breathing, to verify your claims.

Related reading:

40 Things NOT to say to a Fibromyalgia-Chronic Fatigue Sufferer

Fibromyalgia FAQs- 6 Need-to-Know Fibro Facts

Back Pain Exercises and Fibromyalgia- the Do’s and Don’ts

Best Clothes for Fibromyalgia Pain- 6 Helpful Dressing Tips

Sources:

How do you tell a junkie from a person who’s in pain?

Visiting the ER for Chronic Pain

Musings of a Dinosaur: Drug Seeking in Primary Care

Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Charles Williams

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue make everyday a challenge.  Here are some helpful tips on coping with things people shouldn’t say to chronic pain sufferers.

Fibromyalgia is a battlefield

Chronic fibromyalgia makes everyday a challenge.  Painful limbs, achy joints, tiredness, and fibro fog make it hard (and sometimes impossible) to hold down a job, meet my family’s needs, and run a smooth household.

Most days, you don’t accomplish everything you want, or need.  Tensions run high, both at work and at home.  You try not to wear your pain symptoms on your sleeve, even though you battle with constant fatigue, anger, agony, and sadness.

Some days, you would just like to give up.

Fibromyalgia FAQs- 6 Need-to-Know Fibro Facts

I haven’t got time for the pain…or for your remarks.

Pain management is one thing, but when you find yourself constantly fielding insensitive comments from people who ought to know better, it’s time to start drawing a line.

Backhanded remarks about your pain medications (You’re like a walking drugstore!), ignorant observations (I thought chronic fatigue was a fake disease), and zingers that were meant to hurt (You’re just lazy, that’s all) should not be tolerated, even from your doctor.

40 things you shouldn’t say to a fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue patient:

With friends like you, who needs chronic pain?

“It’s all in your head.”

“You don’t look sick.”

“Aren’t you feeling better yet?”

“When are you going to lose the cane, already?”

“Come on, it can’t hurt that bad.”

“Are you sure you’re not just doing this for the attention?”

“I’d be sick too, if I saw doctors as much as you do.”

“Just give me a yell if you need something-anything, you hear!”

Back Pain Exercises and Fibromyalgia- the Do’s and Don’ts

Fibromyalgia is the new arthritis…

“I get tired, too- I guess I also have fibromyalgia.”  

“I twisted my ankle had to spend the entire weekend in bed, so I totally know how you feel.”

“I used to have chronic fatigue, too.  I just started exercising, and now I feel much better.

“My back is killing me (loudly)!  I think I’ll just take a few Tylenols and call it day.”

“My friend has fibromyalgia, but she doesn’t have it as bad as you do.”

“My friend has fibromyalgia, but she has it much worse than you do.”

“I’ve heard that Fibromyalgia is just a diagnosis they give when there’s really nothing wrong.”

“My doctor says that fibromyalgia isn’t even a real disease.”

Doctor, doctor

“We all get more aches and pains as we get older.”

“Well, in another ten years from now, you’ll have arthritis”

“Now is the best time to have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.”

“You’re much too young to be in this kind of pain.”

Count your blessings

“You’re so lucky- I wish I had a handicapped parking sticker!”

“You’re so lucky- I wish I could just stay at home all day and watch TV!”

“You’re so lucky- at least you’re not paraplegic!”

“You’re so lucky- at least fibromyalgia is not fatal!”

“You’re so lucky- you’re able to pretend like nothing’s wrong!”

Should’a, would’a, could’a…

“It’s probably just stress- you should learn how to relax.”

“You’re just depressed.  You should take antidepressants.”

“You should get out more, get some exercise.”

“You should eat healthier.”

“You should try to lose weight.”

“You should get a job, or a hobby.”

“You should look up your symptoms on Google.”

“You should get more sleep.”

“You shouldn’t let your kids hear you complaining all the time.”

Papa, don’t preach

“When I was your age, I didn’t have the luxury of being sick.”

“If you really wanted to get better, you’d …”

“Your lack of faith is keeping you disabled.  Have you tried praying harder?”

“You must still have sin in your life.”

“You’re turning into a pill junkie.”

“I don’t know what kind of cocktail the doctors have you on, but you need to get off all that stuff and go natural.”

More good reads:

7 Reasons You Have Brain Fog…And What to do About It

100 Best Sites for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Information

Sources:

Top 10 Things NOT to Say to a Fibromyalgia Patient – RANT & RAVE-HEALTH TALK Forum

What NOT to Say to Someone in Pain: Pain Management Community – Support Group

Top Ten Things Not to Say to Someone with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- EmpowHER.com

15 Things Not to Say to Someone with RA – rheumatoid arthritis – Health.com

Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net