Cyclists using busy London roads are found to be exposed to harmful black carbon emissions from vehicles. Cyclists are mostly at risk of inhaling dangerous gases in the evenings when vehicular movement is at its highest. They are therefore advised to use alternative roads to reach their destinations rather than highly trafficked roads where black carbon emissions are highest in the evenings.

This is the conclusion of a study carried out by researchers from the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and University of Twente (Netherlands). Their finding was published in the Journal of Transport Geography.

Black Carbon Exposure Is Higher On Busy Roads and During the Evening Commute

The Department of Transport stated that a little over three million vehicles are licensed in London. Out of these, 2.7 million are cars. In Greater London, car transportation takes up 35% of all trips and 730,000 cycling trips are made every day. This puts cyclists at the mercy gaseous emissions released by thousands of vehicles along busy roads.

The air pollution study examined the levels of black carbon emissions that cyclists are exposed to on three major routes: the London to Liverpool Street route, Rotterdam to Rotterdam Station, and São Paulo to Paulista Avenue. The result of black carbon exposure on these routes was compared to the same exposure on alternative routes with parks, waterways and natural green facilities.

The researchers were able to conclude cyclists using busy roads in London and São Paulo were at health risks of inhaling higher concentrations of black carbon than those using alternative routes. Levels of black carbon exposure in main and alternative routes in Rotterdam remain the same.

Urban Planners Should Plant Trees, Set Up Natural Parks and Invest In Green Infrastructure

Interestingly, cyclists in São Paulo are twice likely to be exposed to black carbon than those in London and Rotterdam. Meanwhile, London cyclists are exposed to black carbon on main routes in the evening than those who use the same routes in the morning; and they are twice at risk of the emission than those who use alternative routes.

“These findings should be considered when urban planners establish new cycle networks by increasing, as much as possible, the distance between the road and the cycle ways,” said Professor Prashant Kumar, Director of GCARE at the University of Surrey.

Kumar further advised city planners to invest in green infrastructure in major cities since these seem to neutralize the environmental air pollution caused by black carbon vehicles on major roads.

Professor Maria de Fatima of the University of São Paulo said it is necessary to evaluate the impact biofuel-blended diesel-fuelled vehicles have on the peoples and environments of São Paulo, as well as on our planet in general.

When arthritis occurs in your bones, your cartilages are broken down. The cartilage is that tissue in your body responsible for protecting your joints to enable them move without restrictions. When the joints experience any kind of pressures, such as when you take a walk, it is the cartilage that absorbs the shocks.

When cartilages break down or get reduced, it is difficult for you to walk around without your bones rubbing together. This rubbing together of the bones lead to severe pains, swellings, stiffness, and painful inflammation known as arthritis.

Arthritis is most common in older women than in men or younger persons, and it is believed that this could be due to menopause and reduced estrogen levels.

Major Causes of Arthritis

Other main known causes of arthritis include:

• Autoimmune disease: This occurs when the body’s immune system attacks other body tissues, mistaking them for diseases.
• Fractures: Broken bones can lead to cases of arthritis.
• General wear and tear: Several factors can lead to wear and tear in the bones and the tissues holding them to their sockets, leading to arthritis.
• Infections: Certain bone and tissue infections from bacteria and viruses can lead to arthritis.

Major Symptoms of Arthritis

The most common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Joint inflammation: Most types of arthritis lead to painful inflammation and swelling of the joints.
• Joint pains: One symptom that is common to all cases of arthritis in men, women, children, young and the aged is the presence of chronic pains in the joints.
• Inability to move the joints: People with arthritis always find it hard to move their legs easily.
• Redness: Redness often occurs on the skin surrounding the joints affected by arthritis.
• Warmth: People suffering from arthritis often experience very warm sensations around the joints where they feel the arthritis pains.
• Stiffness: It is a common thing for arthritis patients to experience pains, especially when they wake up in the morning.

How to Diagnose Arthritis

When you visit a medical practitioner to diagnose any arthritic case, you will be required to provide your medical history before a physical exam will be performed on you. Most times, these physical examinations show fluids surrounding your joints, and this can cause redness, tenderness, and limited range of joint motion.

Blood tests and joint x-rays can also be required to check for infections and other possible causes. Samples of the fluid around your joints may be extracted and sent to the lab for medical analysis.

Treatment Options for Arthritis

Most underlying causes of arthritis cannot be cured. Treatments are however necessary to prevent further damage to the joint, reduce pains, and to improve joint function. Some treatment techniques employed in caring for arthritis patients include;

• Adequate physical exercise: Most arthritis cases can be easily taken care of by engaging in regular physical exercises. These exercises will help you reduce joint stiffness, reduce fatigues and pains, and improve bone and muscle strength, etc.
• Change of lifestyle: Changing your lifestyle is very important in the treatment of arthritis. Exercise more, get more sleep, get some physical therapies like heat or ice/water therapy, get some physical massage, lose weight if you are overweight, and eat healthy foods that contain all necessary vitamins and minerals needed by your bones, joints and tissues to stay healthy.
• Medication: It helps to combine some medicines with your lifestyle changes for best results. Some medicines that can help out arthritis include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc.
• Surgery: Some surgery techniques are effective for treating arthritis cases. These techniques include arthroplasty and joint replacement.
• Home remedies: Alternative home remedies like acupuncture and other herbal therapies can also work great to alleviate arthritic pains.

While there is no absolute cure for arthritis, its symptoms can be managed with a combination of therapies such as medications, exercise, herbal remedies and improved nutrition among others.

It creeps into your joints and plays havoc with your nerves. And at the worst times it keeps you up late at night. It leaves you spontaneously sweating, sapping your strength, and before you know it, the simple joys of going down the stairs or pressing a remote control become a waking nightmare. You can hold off the call to your pastor or religious leader, though. It’s no malevolent spirit, it’s more likely arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

This is a bit like asking a mechanic what is wrong with your suspension. Arthritis is a common term used to describe a joint disorder that features varying amounts of pain, reduced flexibility and dexterity, as well as fatigue. The tissues, muscles and bones of the joint all show varying signs of damage that worsen as the condition grows. There are several forms of arthritis that are classified for the specific characteristics that people exhibit.

Is it genetic? How is it Contracted?

The major causes of arthritis are trauma to the affected joint, infection and aging. Trauma here refers to differing degrees of injury that collectively lead to wear and tear within the joint. Infection, mostly by bacteria, is also capable of producing similar traumas to the joints. This damage features eroding the bone and tissue until they grind together like old gears. In infectious cases, called septic arthritis, damage to the joints is controlled by rapid detection and administering antibiotics.

What Are the Predisposing/Contributory Factors?

Obesity, sedentary living and a previous history of injury to the joints are the things that predispose people to arthritis. An unbalanced diet low in calcium has also been suggested among the culprits.

Arthritis is mostly associated with older people, especially women, primarily due to the most common form called osteo-arthritis which is coupled with decreased calcium retention in the onset of menopause.  Women by the age of 60 tend to have some osteo-arthritis; so when Mama starts to complain, you should listen. Osteoarthritis is less common in men, and almost rare in children.

However, other forms of arthritis affect a much broader population, with notable examples like septic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and gout.

Major Symptoms of Arthritis

• Pain – all victims of arthritis suffer from pain in the joints
• Swelling – more common in rheumatoid and gouty arthritis
• Difficulty moving the joint/loss of full range of motion
• Poor sleep and general discomfort

What Are the Available Treatment Options/Procedures?

Diagnosis of arthritis is by clinical examination following a study of the history of the joint, and x-rays are likely to be performed. Recent research has been able to pinpoint biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis. Think of them as Nature’s little red indicators that can help very early diagnosis.

There is no cure for arthritis, so forget about popping pills and laying back. Arthritis is best handled by physical therapy and lifestyle changes. In more extreme cases, orthopedic braces are required and even surgery (a procedure called arthroscopy) can be performed but it is universally accepted that physical therapy is the most effective.