Friday, March 6, 2009

Flying With Pain In The Joints

Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints in the body and/or its constituent tissues. It results in pain, soreness, and stiffness in that area. In medical jargon, arthritis refers to a compilation of hundreds of rheumatic diseases and circumstances that can cause pain, tautness and soreness in the joints. If it is not treated at the proper time, it can result in extreme damage to the joint.

Arthritis can be recognized by the various symptoms it brings with it. These symptoms can vary in different people depending on their age, area affected and the specific kind of arthritis the person is suffering from. The symptoms are as follows:

§ Inflammation in one or more joints.
§ Soreness.
§ Steady or frequent pain in a joint.
§ Softness around a joint.
§ Facing difficulty in moving a joint.
§ Sporadic fever.
§ Loss of weight.
§ Tiredness.
§ Difficulty in breathing properly.
§ Allergies.

Younger people are comparatively at a low risk of suffering from arthritis as compared to their middle aged counterparts, especially women. Thus, you must take care of your diet and lifestyle if you want to lead a pain-free life.

Tips To Fly Without Hassle
Who does not like to go on a vacation? But if you are suffering from arthritis, you may not feel too keen on flying. The fear of relapsing pain is more than the joy of going on a holiday. But don’t worry. There are ways by which you can fly more comfortably.

• You must plan from a very early stage. Last minute rush can make you feel fatigued. Make a checklist of all the essential things that need to be taken care of before D day. Planning really saves a lot of hassles.
• Before venturing out into new territory, find out the locations of various doctors and hospitals at the destination of your vacation. Also carry your insurance information wherever you go.
• If you have an executor, you must ensure that they know who your attorney is. You must plan beforehand in case of a tragedy.
• Pack wisely. Do not overload your luggage. Remember that the Federal Government limits the amount of luggage you can fly with. Ensure your medicines and other devices used to relieve you from pain, are not left behind while you think of what to take along with you.
• Ensure that all your medicines are in containers labeled properly. Carry them in your hand baggage. Never ever make the mistake of checking them in.
• If you feel that you would require a wheel chair, you must call up the airport officials and ensure that they arrange for it beforehand. Carry a stick if you plan to walk a lot. Too much walking without the aid of a cane can affect your hips and joints. Also you must give proper attention to your footwear. Do not try to save money by buying cheap shoes. You might have to pay dearly later on.

• If you are carrying medicines, which require special storing facilities, you must make sue you have a note from your doctor saying so. If you have any kinds of metallic joint replacements, you must declare it before hand. This will save you a lot of trouble at the security check.
• Carry your luggage in wheeled carriers instead of shoulder bags that strain your muscles. You can also wear a travel vest, having lots of pockets. This will help you to carry the various things that you would otherwise need to carry a bag for.
• Carry a neck pillow for support while flying. The airline authorities also supply you with pillows to support your back. Opt for an aisle seat so that you can walk and stretch whenever you want to without having to disturb other passengers.
• Try to get some sleep. Resting is beneficial for your body any time.
• Drink lots of water to fight any kind of fatigue.
• If you need to use the overhead bin to store your belongings, or otherwise, do not shy away from asking for help.
• Make sure that you have planned for a cooling off period after the vacation. You cannot jump back to work as soon as you get back.