My name is Hiba Fatima; I am currently a sophomore at the University of South Florida in Tampa. My major is Microbiology. My interests include research, particularly in the fields of epidemiology, infectious disease, and global health. I went to Palm Harbor University high school and was part of the medical magnet program, being a part of that program taught me much about the medical field and opened many doors for me; I would not be able to do my...

We recently had a question asked to us via our Get Answers page and decided to share it: Their Question: I have been told I have osteoarthritis but have had no tests how do I know apart from the stiffness and the pain I have please. Our Answer: Thank you for your question about diagnosing Osteoarthritis. I hope this answers your question. Please let us know if you have any more questions. A doctor can usually tell a patient has osteoarthritis based...

A bad fall caused Karen Strum, a 37 year-old Internet Marketer, to develop osteoarthritis in her spine. After reading that Tai Chi could help ease her pain, she decided to try it out and it didn’t take long to get her hooked. “With Tai Chi, I am able to relax, even though it is stretching and strengthening my muscles,” said Strum, a Tampa Bay resident who began Tai Chi three years ago. “Many of my older classmates consider this their primary...

Our feet are marvels of engineering. Each foot contains about one-eighth of all the bones in our body and 33 joints, more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments that provide support, balance and mobility. Without this amazing design, we wouldn’t be able to walk upright, run or dance. The foot may be the root of osteoarthritis elsewhere in the body. A study of more than 3,400 men and women older than 40 found that those with osteoarthritis in their...

Imagine a super food -- not a drug -- powerful enough to help you fight osteoarthritis by decreasing inflammation, improving joint flexibility and helping ease pain. Did we mention that there are no side effects? You'd surely stock up on a lifetime supply. Guess what? These life-altering super foods are available right now in your local supermarket. #1 Bananas and Plantains Bananas and Plantains are high in magnesium and potassium which increases...

When eating at many restaurants, it's hard to miss that portion sizes have gotten larger in the last few years. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta describes on their website the research showing that people unintentionally consume more calories when faced with larger portions. This can mean significant excess calorie intake, especially when eating high-calorie foods. Here’s an important tip to help you avoid a diet disaster at a restaurant....

Daylight Savings Time starts this month. Get ready for the sun to shine a little longer in the afternoons. The weather is also getting warmer. Which is great news for the many people who start their “spring cleaning” by getting serious about exercise. Remember, small changes go a long way toward achieving your goals. Commit to an exercise program. Set some goals. You can have fun doing it! Hold yourself accountable for your goals. If you tell...

If you’re over 55, chances are you or someone you know has osteoarthritis, and maybe diabetes too. Lots of people have both. Osteoarthritis can really hurt. If you have osteoarthritis, you know EXACTLY what we mean…..or maybe you don’t. Would it interest you to know that even with severe osteoarthritis that the doctor can see on their x-ray, some people don’t hurt much at all? Doctors have been wondering for a long time why this happens....

Anecdotal evidence over the years has shown exercise — even the most basic small moves — helps. Not until the past couple of decades, however, has exercise been examined scientifically as a treatment for osteoarthritis, with most of the focus on hips and knees. It is now generally accepted that exercise regimens that focus on cardiovascular conditioning and lower extremity strength training help manage the painful and often disabling symptoms....

This is the third in a series of general articles about osteoarthritis. The Warning Signs of Osteoarthritis STIFFNESS is a joint after getting out of bed or sitting for a long time. SWELLING in one or more joints A CRUNCHING FEELING or the sound of bone rubbing on bone. About a third of people whose x-rays show evidence of osteoarthritis report pain or other symptoms. For those who experience steady or intermittent pain, it is typically aggravated...