As part of 25th year celebrations, Studio Bonsoir organized a
competition for young Sri Lankan Short Filmmakers below 35 years of age.
Short films less than 10 minutes of duration produced during last three
years were eligible. Partners of this competition are Embassy.
"KNIVES", a short film By J.P.J.Anantharamanan,produced by scriptnet
sl. participated in this unique event Out of the 62 odd film shown, 15
films came to the finals, and seven awards were given. The grand award
for the best short film went to Sujeewa Gunarathne for his short movie
Limits. The movie focused its attention on two completely different
personalities who find it hard to co-exist within a certain system due
to their ideological differences and the disparities of their attitude
towards life. "KNIVES" was one among the seven and was awarded a merit
certificate. It was acclaimed by the viewers for its theme and the way
it was filmed. I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL WHO HELPED ME
'SHARPENING,' THE "KNIVES"
Joint
pain is a common health condition and may result from one of several
known causes. Although usually the results of an injury or sprain, joint
pain can results from underlying conditions such as osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis.
Joint Pain Symptoms
The
symptoms of joint pain will vary according to the cause. Symptoms like
pain, swelling, stiffness, and/or warmth in your joints suggest joint
inflammation due to an injury or an underlying condition like OA or RA.
These symptoms can also be due to an infection in the joint.
Affected
joints may be red, swollen and painful to touch and joint mobility may
be restricted. It may be difficult to pinpoint the actual source of pain
- the joint itself, the tissues surrounding it or an affected ligament
or tendon. When joint pain is severe or ongoing you may need to see a
doctor to determine the exact cause and identify the most appropriate
treatment.
Joint Pain Causes
Painful
and stiff joints do not necessarily develop as a result of growing old.
Although most commonly caused by wear and tear and injury, joint pain
can be caused by more serious conditions like rheumatoid arthritis - an
autoimmune disorder that causes stiffness and pain in the joints, and
osteoarthritis, which involves growth of bone spurs and degeneration of
cartilage at a joint. Osteoarthritis is very common in adults older than
45metabolic disorders, bone diseases and very rarely tumours can all
result in joint pain.
Joint Pain - Treatment and Relief
Physical therapy
Physical
therapy is often prescribed as a treatment for people with joint pain.
This may be limited to daily walking and stretching exercises, or
include muscle-strengthening exercises under supervision. Measures like
traction (gentle and steady pulling), massage, and manipulation of
joints contribute to improved joint mobility and flexibility.
Lifestyle changes
Patients
suffering from joint pain should try to find an optimal balance between
rest and activity. Rest is important when the pain flares but excessive
rest may result in stiffness of joints and weakened muscles. Managing
joint pain can often be accomplished by a combination of symptoms
relief, weight control and exercise, which can reduce wear and tear on
the joints.
Physical
exercise, in consultation with your doctor, improves muscle strength
and flexibility and improves joint mobility. Excessive weight can
aggravate joint pain. Weight reduction is therefore crucial to the
management of joint pain. A healthy well-balanced diet coupled with
exercise will help in reducing weight.
Giving up smoking is advisable since smoking adversely affects bone health
What is Joint Pain:
Joints form the connections between bones. They provide support and help you move. Joint pain is the sensation of discomfort or soreness in a joint or joints of the body.
Joints are the spaces or areas where two or more bones meet, such as the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle. Joint pain can occur with or without movement and can be severe enough to limit movement.
Joint Pain Symptoms:
Pain, stiffness, swelling, and warmth in the joints. Limited morning stiffness, exacerbation of pain with exercise, and relief from pain with rest are also common symptoms who suffer from joint pain.
Joint Pains Causes:
Causes of joint pain include:
Advanced cancer that has spread to the bones
* Bone cancer
* Broken bone
* Increased Age
* Heavy Weight
* Lifestyle/Work
* Dislocation
* Gout
* Lupus
* Lyme disease
* Paget’s disease of bone
* Reactive arthritis
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Rickets
* Sprains and strains
Remedies for Joint Pain:
1. Massaging warm vinegar on the affected place at bed time is very effective in joint pains.
2. Oil massage on the affected part helps in relieving from joint pains.
3. Consuming tea made out of papaya seeds is very effective in preventing joint pains.
4. Garlic roasted with butter is very effective remedy to avoid joint pains.
5. Banana fruit has certain properties that help in restoring lost nutrient in the joints thus is recommended in joint pain cases.
6. Consuming warm milk with one table spoon of turmeric helps in relieving from all forms of body aches.
7. To strengthen the ligaments consumption of carrot juice is highly recommended.
8. Consuming apple cider vinegar has also proven it worth in relieving from joint pains.
9. Regular exercises are recommended so as to keep the joint flexible and in proper functioning.
10. Consuming plenty of fluids also helps in flushing out of toxins from the body thus is effective way to avoid joint pains.
Joint Pain
As women get older they often suffer
from joint pain. Although this is a common ailment in both men and women
embarking on their golden years, joint pain is also a symptom of
menopause that can be eased with proper knowledge and treatment. As a woman approaches menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and
55, her body goes through drastic hormonal fluctuations that can affect
her in many ways. Hormones play a major role in a woman´s bone and
joint health. When her hormones become imbalanced during menopause she
will often experience joint pain. Continue reading to learn more about
joint pain, its causes, and the treatment options available.
About Joint Pain
Joint pain, also known as "Arthralgia," is defined as pain, stiffness, or swelling in or around a joint. There are 360 joints in the human body.
Joint pain often occurs in joints of high impact, such as the knees,
hips, and back, but many women notice the joints in their hands become
stiffer and more painful with age.
Types of joints
There are several types of joints in the human body. Below of the joints most commonly associated with joint pain.
• Ball and Socket Joints allow for a wide range of rotation and movement. The shoulder and hip are ball and socket joints. • Condyloid Joints allow movement but no rotation. There are condyloid joints in the jaw and fingers. • Gliding Joints allow bones to glide past each other. There are gliding joints in the ankles, wrists and spine. • Hinge Joints allow for movement much like that of a door hinge. The knee and ulna part of the elbow are hinge joints.
• Pivot Joints allow bones to spin and twist around other bones. There are pivot joints in the neck and the radius part of the elbow.
• Saddle Joints allow for back and forth and side to side motion but limited rotation. There is a saddle joint in the thumb.
Women are 10 times more likely than men to suffer from joint pain in their hands.
Because joint pain is common in women approaching menopause, some have even coined the term "menopausal arthritis"
to describe this symptom. It can be an extremely discomforting ailment
and make simple tasks and movements almost unbearable. There are common
symptoms to help recognize joint pain.
Symptoms of Joint Pain
The symptoms of joint pain will depend on
the particular cause of the pain experienced, but the typical symptoms
of joint pain related to menopause include: pain, stiffness, swelling, and warmth
in the joints. Limited morning stiffness, exacerbation of pain with
exercise, and relief from pain with rest are also common symptoms in
women who suffer from joint pain. Continue reading to learn the cause of joint pain to get a better handle on how to treat the common menopause symptom.
Other causes of joint pain, such as injury or certain types of arthritis, can lead to the following symptoms:
• Fever • Redness • Swelling of the joint • Stiffness of the joint after long periods of rest
Causes of Joint Pain
Like most
menopausal symptoms, joint pain is typically caused by hormonal
imbalance. As menopause approaches, a woman´s hormones begin to
fluctuate, preparing for a permanent decrease in production of the
primary hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Although doctors are still
unclear exactly how hormones, particularly estrogen, affect joints, most
are resigned to the fact that estrogen (specifically a diminished level
of estrogen) plays a major role in joint pain during menopause. Estrogen affects joints by keeping inflammation down. Inflammation is a
leading cause of joint pain. As estrogen levels begin to drop during
perimenopause, the five-to-10-year time span leading up to menopause,
joints get less and less estrogen and pain often is the result.
Other Causes
There are several causes of joint pain not related to hormones. Below is a list of other factors that can cause joint pain: • Wear and tear • Injuries • Weight, diet • Lack of exercise • Muscle loss • Stress • Heredity • Inflammation of the joint • Metabolic Disorders • Bone Diseases • Tumors and Cancer
Joint Pain and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is another symptom of menopause that is related to joint
pain. During menopause, the rate of bone loss increases as the amount
of estrogen produced by the ovaries drops dramatically. Estrogen levels
in postmenopausal women are about one-tenth the levels in pre-menopausal
women. Bone loss is most rapid in the first few years after menopause
but continues into the postmenopausal years.
When to See a Doctor
Consulting a healthcare professional in early stages of joint pain
can go along way in stopping a problem before it grows into a major
health concern. Here are some instances when it would be a good idea to
see a doctor for joint pain:
• If joint pain lasts for more than three days, moves from the joint the pain started
in to other joints, or worsens.
• If fever accompanies the joint pain.
• If progressive weight loss accompanies the joint pain.
Read below to learn the different treatment options for joint pain to gain relief.
Treatments for Joint Pain
When exploring treatments for joint pain, it´s important to begin
with methods that are the least obtrusive, with the least likelihood of
side effects and progress from there.
This means that lifestyle changes are the best place to
begin. For instance, physical therapy can be incorporated into a
person´s daily life and can ease joint pain. Walking or simple stretches
can help. Even muscle-strengthening exercise can alleviate joint pain.
Consulting a doctor or physical therapist is recommended before
incorporating a new exercise routine.
Typically, combining lifestyle changes and alternative medicines
will produce the best outcome. Alternative medicines can be different
herbs and supplements, or even techniques like acupuncture. When seeking
out alternative medicines, keep in mind that because joint pain during
menopause is associated with hormone deficiency, look for supplements
that bring a natural balance to the hormonal levels, for this will go a
long way to alleviate joint pain.
Finally, if still experiencing joint pain, there are different drugs and surgeries
that can be explored. Drugs are often prescribed simply to cope with
joint pain but do not offer a cure. Surgery is an option for extremely
severe joint pain. This final option comes with the most risk and side
effects.
Click the following link to learn specific treatments for joint pain,
which begin with lifestyle changes, move onto alternative medicines,
and finally, if those options don´t seem to help, drugs and surgery. The
most effective treatments for joint pain typically combine lifestyle
changes and alternative medicines.
Sources:
"Joint Pain." Family Health Guide. www.familyhealthguide.co.uk
"Joint Pain and Estrogen Deprivation," Exax Health. www.examhealth.com
"Osteoarthritis." www.menopause.org.uk
Joint pain is a very frequent problem among the elder population. It eventually becomes a part in the lives of aged people. It is a symptom and not a disease.
Joint
pain is a sensation of discomfort and soreness in body joints. Joint
pain can occur with or without movement and can be so severe so as to
limit your movements.
It
is known to occur suddenly and last for long periods of time. It can
remain localized in one part and slowly spreads to other parts of body.
Joint
pains can be felt as a dull ache, sharp, piercing along with burning
sensation or felt together with all these symptoms at a time.
Here are Your Joint Pains Symptoms
You
may suffer from stiffness or difficulty with certain movement, such as
standing up straight or getting up out of a chair. Pain or tenderness in
the lower back can also witnessed.
You
may suffer from joint pains symptoms that increase with twisting of
waist or bending back and extending the lower back. Pain moves to the
buttocks and hips or extends towards the back of thighs which is usually
a deep, dull ache.
Some additional joint pains symptoms include difficulty in rotating your head, neck pains, headaches and even shoulder aches.
Let’s Know About Your Cause of Joint Pains
There are many different causes of joint pain including injury, disease, degeneration, fractures or stress from overuse.
Joint
pain can be caused for a selection of reasons. The most ordinary cause
of joint pains that people tend to think of is osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis
normally occurs in people who have methodically all through their years
have put intense pressure on their joints which may be due to behavior
or occupation.
Bone
pain is typically deep, penetrating, or dull. It commonly results from
injury. Other common cause of joint pains includes bone infection,
tumors, cartilage damage, strains, sprains and ligament tears.
Effective Home Remedy for Joint Pains
These
remedies act as a best cure for joint pains. They give immediate
response to your painful symptoms. Some of them are discussed in detail:
Papaya:
Make a fine paste using papaya seeds and boil it in water. Intake of
this cup for two to three weeks gives you satisfactory results.
Turmeric: Add half teaspoon of turmeric powder in lukewarm water. Drink it three times a day. It works very well in curing joint pains.
Bathu juice: Regular intake of fifteen grams of bathu juice on an empty stomach gives you effective cure for joint pains.
Olive oil: Mix two parts of olive oil and one part of kerosene oil. They both make a wonderful ointment for affected joints in body.
Make a rubbing mixture of
camphor, methyl salicylate, eucalyptus oil and menthol. It is very
effective when applied to affected areas of joint pain.
Carrot and lemon: Mix fresh carrot juice with equal parts of lemon juice. One large teaspoon of it daily can help you to get relief from pain.
Honey:
Mix two teaspoon equally of honey and apple cider vinegar in a small
glass of warm water. Take it twice in a day. It is one of the most
effective home remedy for joint pains.
Mix two teaspoonful of
winter cherry with ghee and molasses to make porridge. Eat this porridge
with an empty stomach for fifteen days. It gives you beneficial
results in quick time.
Above remedies are very useful in their own ways. These remedies give you effective results without any side effect.
Treatment Of Joint Problems In Conventional Medicine
(Allopathic Medicine)
Treatment of joint problems is vary varied based on the
causes of the problem
Joint problems caused by Inflammation are treated by using
anti-inflammatory analgesics (pain medication) in the initial stages. Physical
therapy like rest, hot and cold packs are also used. If the inflammation is due
to auto-immunity, drugs known as “DMRDs” Disease Modifying anti- Rheumatic
Drugs are used. Steroids, Methotrexate, Hydro-chloroquine, Sulfasalazine and
several other compounds have emerged in the category of DMRDs over the years.
They are used over extended periods to keep the auto-immunity under check. They
are effective at keeping the inflammation under control and preventing damage
to the tissue but non-selectively suppress the immune system. They are known to
cause several severe adverse effects with prolonged use. A new class of drug
called TNF alpha inhibitors have come into use over the past few years and are
very effective in controlling the inflammation and protecting the joints. They
also have to be used over long periods of time, are very expensive and
treatment of Joint Problems due to degeneration, is very limited in scope and
mainly comprise of providing relief of joint pain through pain medication,
nutritional support by way of administering Calcium, Vitamin D, Glucosamine,
Chondroitin etc and Physical therapy to strengthening the muscles and other
structures that support the particular joint function. Persons not responding
to the same are advised to undergo Joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement
surgery is a great advancement in the management of severe degenerative joint problems
but has the limitation in terms of effective life of the replaced artificial
joint (Maximum of 10-15 years) and is also limited by the suitability of the
patient for surgery in terms of their general health condition and that of
Cardiac function in prospective patients.
Joint problems due to injury which are minor and are
self-limiting are managed by rest, immobilization, pain medication and physical
therapy. However several major injuries that do not respond to the conservative
approach are treated through surgical correction.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Joint Pain & Problems
The Ayurvedic approach to treatment is very individualized.
However the approach to treatment of patients suffering from Inflammatory
conditions differs significantly from that of Degenerative conditions.
It is seen that chronic joint problems tend to be similar
after a long time. Ie, if inflammatory conditions last long, they lead to
degeneration and degeneration over a long period of time leads to inflammation.
So patients who suffer from either of these conditions for a long period of
time will have combination of inflammation and degeneration which have to be
addressed simultaneously.
Ayurvedic Treatment Of Inflammatory Joint Conditions
According to Ayurveda, the initial stages of Inflammatory
conditions are considered to be associated with toxicity and are dealt with by
detoxification. Detoxification in Ayurveda is three prong. For mild level of
toxicity Ayurveda advocates very light food with warm fluids and rest. For
moderate level of toxicity, Ayurveda advocates administration of herbal
decoctions that help the liver to metabolize and eliminate the toxins. For
toxicity of a high degree, Ayurveda advocates Panchakarma (The five methods of
Cellular Bio-purification). Ayurveda also advocates a number of herbs that have
a very effective anti-inflammatory action, the main one is Guggulu and it is
one of the most important herbs used in Ayurveda for the treatment of
Inflammatory conditions. Ayurveda also employs a number of therapies like
Dhanyamladhara (Pouring of warm fermented liquid), Abhyanga ( Oil massage),
Podikkizhi (Herbal powder massage), Ilakkaizhi (Herbal leaf massage) and a
large variety of Vasthis (Enemas) which are very effective for inflammatory
conditions. Course of Vasthi as a continuous process numbering 8, 15 and 30 are
called Yoga Vasthi, Kala Vasthi and Karma Vasthi respectively and are very
effective in reducing very severe inflammation and restoring normalcy. It is
seen to be the main tool used in bringing down the inflammatory markers like
ESR, CRP etc significantly.
Ayurveda Approach To Degenerative Joint Conditions
Ayurveda also is very effective in addressing degenerative
skeleton-muscular conditions. Ayurveda recommends a holistic approach to
treatment comprising of diet, lifestyle, herbal medicines and therapies for
addressing degenerative joint conditions. There are many medicines in Ayurveda
that help to strengthen the joints and reduce the degeneration. Ayurvedic
physicians can choose ideal combinations for each individual. The therapies
like Tailadhara (pouring of medicated oils), Nhavarakkizhi (massage with bolus
of rice boiled in medicated milk) and Ksheera vasthi are among the most
effective therapies for preventing degeneration and to strengthening the
joints. It is very important to note that if there is associated inflammation,
the anti-degenerative therapy is advised only after the inflammation is brought
under control.
PHOTO BY:Large Flowering Sensitive Plant (Mimosa grandiflora), Dragon Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris); Temple of Flora, Robert John Thornton
"The object of this work is to trace in as perspicacious a manner as possible the philosophical principles of botany, from the earliest times, up to the present period, and by faithful and well executed engravings of the several subjects of the investigation, to render this curious and interesting inquiry level to everyone's comprehension."—Robert John Thornton
In 1797, an influential physician, wealthy heir, and botanic enthusiast named Dr. Robert John Thornton (1768-1837) undertook the tremendous task of producing a flower book that would establish Britain as the preeminent publisher of artistic and scientific works. An exploration into the "philosophical principles of botany," the florilegium(book of flowers) would dazzle royal subscribers with patriotic allegories, and daunt contemporary French illustrators with exquisite full-color plates. In homage to the great Swedish naturalist, it was titledThe New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. While its ambitious publication—largely self-funded, hugely expensive, and unsurpassed in grandeur of the period—would fall short of its initial prospectus, and ultimately leave its author in financial ruins, it would also be celebrated as one of the most spectacular works of botanic literature and illustration ever produced.
A Group of Tulips. Plate 25. Published on May 1st, 1798, this was the first print of the book. Note the windmill in the background of the romantic Dutch landscape.
The last, and most famous, of the book's three volumes wasThe Temple of Flora(1799-1807), a folio of thirty-two botanical portraits (the entire work can be downloadedhere, courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden's archive). Thornton commissioned a host of English masters to paint and engrave the intaglio plates, which were a combination of mezzotint, aquatint, line and stipple engraving, finished with watercolor. The plants were curated as a selection of the most exotic species that were arriving on Britain's shores from all corners of the globe.
Unlike his contemporaries, who tended to illustrate botanic specimens on austere plain backgrounds, Thornton staged his plants in dramatic landscapes that carried the grandiose gestalt of the book, if not its scientific accuracy. These habitats were ostensibly not incorrect, though charming creative liberties were occasionally taken. For example, Thornton writes of the cereus flower (Selenicerus grandiflorus), "Each scenery is appropriated to the subject. Thus in the night-blooming Cereus you have the moon playing on the dimpled water, and the turret-clock points XII, the hour at night when this flower is in its full expanse." While it is true that the cereus does open after sunset, an English churchyard is an unlikely natural habitat, but one that creates a lovely sense of place. It's a wonderfully grand approach to aflorilegium, and one for which Thornton can hardly be faulted, if we regard the book as less a scientific reference, and more a magnificent work in the canon of eighteenth-century Romanticism, when there was not a hard divide between art and science.
The commentary, written by Thornton, is no less extraordinary. The reader's journey through lavish and exotic landscapes is narrated by exuberant swathes of text that meander among science, religion, mythology, and politics. Some of Thornton's "Explanations" (as he calls them) are written as traditional descriptions of the floral species, while others are poetic allegories of British nationalism. Thorntonwritesof the rose: "Nature has given her a vest of purest white, and also imperial robes of the brightest scarlet; and that no rude hand should tear her from her rich domain, she is protected by a myriad of soldiers, who present on every side their naked and sharp swords against the daring invader." England is personified as the rose, and Napoleon Bonaparte as the "daring invader." And the blue Egyptian water lily, painted into a hazy dawn over the Nile River, is accompanied by an account of British Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson's victory in the Battle of the Nile, with a list of defeated French ships. Thornton was less concerned with each plant as a scientific specimen, and more interested in what the plants meant to Britain.
Blue Egyptian Water-Lilly (Nymphaea Coerulea). Plate 46.
The Temple of Flora is perhaps the most famousflorilegiumfrom the golden age of botanical illustration: a charming collection of deliberately idiosyncratic flower portraits that became the portrait of a nation. Lack of funding prevented the book from being published in full during Thornton's life and it wasn't until 2008 that a full-size and complete fascimile was produced, by theFolio Society. The production details would have certainly pleased Thornton: The book is quarter-bound in Nigerian goatskin with cloth sides, has 232 pages with nine preliminary monochrome plates, five preliminary color plates, and 29 flower illustrations, measuring 22½" x 18¼" and weighing a hefty 28 pounds.
Aesculapius, Ceres, Flora, and Cupid, Honouring the Bust of Linnaeus. Plate 17.
