If you think you’re the only one who’s finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning or go down the stairs to cook some breakfast because of arthritis, think again.

Like thousands of people, especially elders, arthritis is a common companion as they grow older. This painful disorder that is caused by the inflammation of one or more joints has been reported by medical experts to come in over 100 different types.

However, people aren’t the only victims of arthritis. Even your most beloved pets can suffer from this painful experience.

According to Dr. Tom Burns, hospital director at Cape Cod Veterinary Associates, “arthritis is more often noticeable in dogs, but cats also suffer from arthritis much more often than many owners realize.” Burns states that the effects of illness and pain are less prominent in cats and, at oftentimes, the owner will only notice the signs when the illness has progressed to moderate or severe degrees.

Steve Dale, a well-known pet columnist, also states that there are several apparent signs that a cat may be suffering from the condition. This includes being hesitant to jump on tabletops and kitchen counters and inability to walk up and down the stairs to eat or use the litter box. Dale also tells us that it’s much simpler and easier to detect the condition in dogs when they flimsy out or have a hard time traveling even in near places.

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Veterinary professionals have all acknowledged the importance for pet owners to take the early effects and signs of the condition seriously, particularly when arthritis is still in a mild state and treatment choices are more effective and less costly.

Burns also states that while some owners perceive the condition as one of the effects of aging, in reality, age is not a medical condition. Moreover, “while we all have a few aches and pains, many more dogs and cats live in chronic pain that need to, and can easily and effectively be treated.”, as stated by Burns. In addition, the doctor states “sometimes the most telling early signs include a pet’s ‘stiff’ gait upon rising after a long rest. If your pet commonly limps after sleeping, arthritis or other orthopedic conditions should be suspected.”

The doctor also points out that though there is no definite cure for the condition, the most efficient treatment programs are multimodal, meaning the use of a mixture of treatments as opposed to using a single one. The doctor states that this enables for reduced overdosing of drugs as well as a decrease in the risk for unwanted side effects of any of the treatments used.

Burns points out, “the main objective of treatment is to increase the quality of life and decrease the progression of the condition.”

He also stated that a huge part of the pain that is linked with the condition can be managed effectively. This means that there is no good reason to let your pets suffer and live in chronic pain with no curative options available.

source: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120115/LIFE/201150308/-1/NEWSMAP

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As the celebration grew, it expanded from a weeklong event to a month and was eventually renamed Black History Month, a more socially acceptable term. Schools began to teach special modules on Black scientists, teachers, thinkers and inventors who helped shape modern America during this month. Communities ran festivals and events that celebrated their African heritage and encouraged African Americans to follow in the footsteps of their most accomplished members. As the celebrations grew, they also evoked heavy criticism from within the black community.

Many community leaders criticize the celebration as further separating Black Americans from the wholeness of the country’s history. The separation is further underscored in that the material is not as heavily emphasized in non-black classrooms and that its separateness from the rest of the core historical curricula downplays its importance in the history of the country. Others complain that the celebration has begun to be overly commercialized. Rather than celebrate important figures in history celebrities that are more modern are being emphasized, reinforcing stereotypes that Black Americans can only be successful in sports or music.

Supporters of the month see that it has begun to change from a strict focus on Black American achievements to a celebration of diversity in communities. The focus on Black American History has introduced some of the unknown heroes of American History to the public such as Booker T. Washington, Elijah McCoy and others. Supporters also point that Black History month has been adopted by other countries as a means of bringing the history of their minorities into the spotlight as well.