Page 6 July 8, 2021 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Finance Seniors
Do You Have Arthritis? Consider
These Changes
(BPT) - Arthritis is a common health
condition in the United States, affecting one
in four adults according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Characterized
by the inflammation of one or more joints,
arthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness and
swelling that can limit one’s functionality and
impact daily activities.1 May is recognized
as National Arthritis Awareness Month to
bring attention to the widespread impact that
arthritis has on adults, children and families.
These Changes Can
Make a Difference for Those
Living with Arthritis
Two of the most common types of arthritis
are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). For those living with OA or
RA, these changes could help improve daily
life with arthritis:
• Do simple exercises: Exercise a few times
a week to keep your joints as functional as
possible. Find an activity you enjoy doing,
such as taking a walk or swimming in a pool.2
Be sure to check with your doctor about what
exercises are right and safe for you.
• Improve your sleep: According to the
patient organization, CreakyJoints, there are
many lifestyle changes you can make that
may help improve your sleep, even if you
suffer from arthritis pain. You may want to
try avoiding caffeine in the evening, reducing
screen time before bed, eating lighter meals
at night and keeping your bedroom cool,
dark and quiet.3
• Choose foods that fight inflammation:
The Arthritis Foundation says that, while
there is no miracle diet for arthritis, there
are foods that can help fight inflammation
and improve joint symptoms. A diet rich in
fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and beans but
low in processed foods and saturated fat is
not only great for overall health, but can also
help manage disease activity.4
• Lose any amount of extra weight: According
to The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, extra
weight greatly increases joint pain and damages
the cartilage of the joints, especially in
the hips and knees. Losing excess weight, even
in small amounts, can help reduce joint pain,
avoid joint surgery and become more active.5
Speak to Your Physician About
Medicines for Pain Management
In addition to lifestyle adjustments, a
range of medicines are available to help
relieve arthritis symptoms. Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such
as ibuprofen and naproxen, are frequently
used to ease inflammation and pain caused
by arthritis.6
“While it is important to have balanced
pain management with arthritis, it is crucial
to speak to your physician often and openly
about your daily lifestyle. That way, your
physician can help personalize your treatment
which may include NSAIDs or other
types of pain management techniques,” said
Hasan Abed, MD, Anesthesiologist and Pain
Management Specialist, Advanced Pain Management
located in Timonium, Maryland.
If you take NSAIDs, it is important to talk
to your healthcare professional because as
many as one in four regular NSAID users
are at risk to develop stomach ulcers - sores
on the lining of the stomach caused by
stomach acid.7 In addition to taking high
doses of NSAIDs, other risk factors include
taking NSAIDs with aspirin, or while taking
corticosteroids or blood thinners, having had
a stomach ulcer in the past and being older
than 65 years of age. If you have more than
two of these risk factors, you are considered
at high risk for stomach ulcers.
Gastroprotection with Nsaids
Can Help Lower the Risk
of Stomach Ulcers
Over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs
come in many different forms. They are available
topically, as a lotion or gel and can be
taken by mouth.6 Some NSAIDs include a
gastroprotective medicine to help reduce the
risk of getting a stomach ulcer.8
Because every case of arthritis is different,
it is important to talk to your physician about
pain management and the potential risk of
stomach ulcers if you take NSAIDs,” said
Dr. Abed. “If appropriate, your doctor may
suggest you take a medicine that can lower
the risk of getting a stomach ulcer when
taking an NSAID.”
For resources to help manage your OA
or RA visit www.horizonconnectedhealth.
com/patients/.
References: 1. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Frequently Asked Questions -
Arthritis. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/
faqs.htm. Updated January 10, 2019. Accessed
May 12, 2021. 2. Creaky Joints. Exercises for
Arthritis. https://creakyjoints.org/education/
treatments/exercises-for-arthritis/. Accessed
May 12, 2021. 3. Creaky Joints. Chronic
Pain and Sleep. https://creakyjoints.org/
support/pain-management/sleep/. Accessed
May 12, 2021. 4. The Arthritis Foundation.
The Ultimate Arthritis Diet. https://www.
arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/
nutrition/anti-inflammatory/the-ultimatearthritis
diet. Accessed May 12, 2021. 5.
The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance. Weight
Gain and Joint Pain. https://oaaction.unc.
edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/623/2018/08/
OAAA_WeightGain_JointPain-AN-3.18.pdf.
Accessed May 12, 2021. 6. The Arthritis
Foundation. NSAIDs. https://www.arthritis.
org/drug-guide/nsaids/nsaids. Accessed May
12, 2021. 7. Lanza FL, Chan FK, Quigley EM.
Guidelines for prevention of NSAID-related
ulcer complications. Am J Gastroenterol.
2009;104(3):728-738. 8. Crofford LJ. Use
of NSAIDs in treating patients with arthritis.
Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15(S3). •
To Build Your Savings,
Start With Small Goals
(BPT) - Paid Content by Vanderbilt Mortgage
and Finance, Inc
Building a savings account can seem daunting.
Many people believe they should have a
high amount of savings tucked away, but then
often become overwhelmed thinking about that
goal. By shifting your mindset and taking small,
achievable steps, you can reach your savings
goals and more.
Keep in mind, if your savings is low or
nonexistent, you’re not alone. Fewer than 40%
of Americans could pay an unexpected $1,000
bill with their savings, according to a recent
survey. The pandemic has presented countless
challenges for many people, and even if you
tapped your savings to make ends meet, you
can always restart and refocus.
The good news is there are simple steps
you can take to establish a savings account
and help you reach other goals like a down
payment on a new home, or extra payments on
the principal balance of an existing mortgage
loan. Vanderbilt Mortgage is happy to share
its 2021 Home Loan Guide created to help
educate and prepare homebuyers for a mortgage.
Here are three simple steps to start a successful
savings plan:
Set a Realistic Goal
It may not be realistic for you to start saving
$500 a month, but that doesn’t mean you can’t
save an amount that makes you comfortable.
Consider $50, $25 or even $5 if that sounds
reasonable. Starting with a small, realistic goal
can help you stick to a savings plan. Tracking
your goals builds excitement, whether that’s
for an emergency fund or to buy a new home.
Visibly seeing progress reinforces your goals
and you can be proud of building momentum.
Create and Stick to a Budget
There is power in knowing the exact amount
of money coming in and going out each month,
so budgeting is an essential step in understanding
your finances and guiding your saving efforts.
If you budget and find a surplus, consider using
that extra money to bolster your savings.
If there is a deficit, reevaluate and decide what
adjustments can be made. Understand necessities
versus nice-to-have expenses and find ways
to make your money work for your situation.
Know Your “Why”
Building a savings takes time, but having
a motivation for your commitment can
support your success. Whether it’s to have
a safety net or you’re saving for a down payment
on a home, a goal can help keep you
focused, which means you are more likely to
follow through.
If you’re interested in buying a new home,
you might not need as much down payment as
you think. Apply now at Vanderbilt Mortgage
and learn about financing programs that fit
your budget. If you already have a loan with
Vanderbilt, consider paying ahead or even paying
extra towards your principal balance; this will
help you pay your mortgage loan off earlier.
These three initial steps can give anyone a
guiding start to building a savings account to
help them reach their goals. To access the 2021
Home Loan Guide and to get more details about
smart steps you can take to save, visit www.
vmf.com. Remember, just like a runner needs
to train from completing a mile to completing
a marathon, the best way to build a savings
account is with consistent, achievable steps. •
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