Baby Boomers U. S. (The Blog)

Monday Musings for Baby Boomers – Head Scratchers

Posted: 07 Nov 2011 02:56 AM PST

Smile!

Monday has always been a little bit of a let down, what with it being the beginning of the work week and all.

So to start things out on a bright note for the week, I bring you the…

Baby Boomers Monday Musings.

Head Scratchers

- Why isn’t phonetic spelled the way it sounds?

- Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?

- Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?

- Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?

- Why do fat chance and slim chance mean the same thing?

- If you can’t drink and drive, why do you need a driver’s license to buy liquor, and why do bars have parking lots?

- Do you need a silencer if you are going to shoot a mime?

- Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

- How does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work in the mornings?

- If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?

- If a cow laughed real hard, would milk come out her nose?

- If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?

- If you’re in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?

- You know how most packages say “Open here.” What is the protocol if the package says, “Open somewhere else”?

- Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?

- Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?

- Why isn’t “palindrome” spelled the same way backwards?

- Why is it that when you transport something by car, it’s called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it’s called cargo?

- You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes, why can’t they make the whole plane out of the same substance?

Hope that put a little smile on your face and Keep On Smilin’

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5 Tips for Relieving Arthritis

Posted: 06 Nov 2011 02:53 AM PST

This is a Guest Post by Monica Trivedi of Assisted Living Today. If you would like to Guest Post for Baby Boomers US, check out our Guest Post for Us page.

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints and muscles in the body. This disease progresses with age and severity as there is not a known cure for arthritis at this time. Arthritis pain is caused by the swelling and stiffness of muscles surrounding the joints placing pressure on the joint. This stiffness can become debilitating at times without any treatment. While a cure isn't on the horizon, there are techniques that can be performed at home to relieve the constant pain.

1. Mix up the temperature for pain relief.

Apply a heat bag or warm compress to the joint if the muscle is stiff. The heat bag should be wrapped in a towel or other material and never be applied directly to the skin. Heat should be applied at a comfortable level to avoid burns to the skin. Allow the heat to penetrate the muscle and remove the stiffness, leaving the heat bag in place for twenty to thirty minutes. Remove the heat bag and repeat every two to three hours.

Placing heat on inflamed joints can lead to further distress so avoid heat therapy when the joint is currently inflamed. Cold compresses can be applied for relief in that instance and can be applied directly to the painful area. Place a cold compress or bag of frozen vegetables on the area and allow it to sit for twenty minutes. Remove the cold compress and rest. Repeat the cold therapy every twenty minutes.

2. Pain Relief Ointments

Today, there are many different pain relief ointments on the market. Look for one that contains capsaicin, the heating element in peppers. This will penetrate the muscle and provide relief. Most arthritis ointments make the skin tingle on application, but the sensation will ease after a few minutes. The ointment should be massaged into the skin in a circular motion to provide the best relief from pain.

3. Exercise

Exercise is good for the body, and arthritis too. While it is often not going to be the first thought when you are in pain, regular exercise will help to loosen the muscles and work the swelling and stiffness out. When there is less inflammation there is less pain. Choose water aerobics in a heated pool for less resistance. The water will allow your body to become buoyant, creating less friction on the joints. Yoga is also an excellent exercise for arthritis sufferers. It allows the body to perform gentle movements that build muscle tone on a low impact fashion.

4. Proper Diet

Along with a proper exercise regime, a proper diet must be followed. Patients that are overweight will suffer more arthritis pain simply because the joints are performing much more work to carry the excess weight around. The knees, hips, and ankles are prime arthritis sites for overweight patients. Choose foods low in fat and high in protein. Eat lean protein meats and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight will aide in your pain relief.

5. Hydrotherapy

Lastly, the power of hydrotherapy is wonderful. Taking a warm bath or sitting in a pulsating shower will loosen the muscles.

While arthritis cannot be cured, it can be managed and controlled with some effort. Use the above techniques together or alone to find the therapy that will work best for you. Talk with your health care professional about the other medicinal options that are available for arthritis relief also.

About the Author: Monica writes for http://www.assistedlivingtoday.com, a leading source of information on a range of topics related to elderly living and retirement care and facilities, such as alzheimer’s care.

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