U.S. to strengthen presence in the Pacific, Panetta says

BALI, INDONESIA – Identifying himself as a son of the U.S. Pacific coast, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta promised there would be a stronger American military presence in the Pacific, and in Southeast Asia in particular, in the years to come.

Panetta, on his first trip to the Asia-Pacific region since taking office, met Sunday with Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro to discuss growing bilateral military relations and broader issues facing Southeast Asia. Chief among those issues: China’s growing assertiveness in an area it considers its own backyard.

“I’ve made it very clear… that the United States remains a Pacific power, that we will continue to strengthen our presence in this part of the world and that we will remain a force for peace and prosperity in this region,” Panetta said.

Panetta said the United States would push for free commerce and open access in the sea and in the air. The comments were seemingly aimed at China’s recent territorial claims – disputed by various Southeast Asian countries – to the South China Sea.

The U.S. supports the ongoing development of a maritime code of conduct for the South China Sea being drawn up by Southeast Asian nations and China, Panetta said, as a tool for avoiding conflict there.

Despite some pugnacious initial talk, he said, China’s reaction to recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan has been commendably measured – something that augers well for improved U.S.-China relations.

Asian allies have expressed concerns that looming Pentagon budget cuts would result in force reductions and a decreased scope of American power in Asia, Panetta said. But the region is too important to U.S. security to downgrade, he said.

Panetta met late Sunday with defense ministers from 10 nations at a meeting of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, to discuss regional issues including disaster relief, nuclear nonproliferation and freedom of navigation on the seas.

“I’ve made clear that even with the budget constraints that we are facing in the United States… that there is no question in discussions within the Pentagon and discussions with the White House that the Pacific will be a priority for the United States of America,” he said.

Panetta was scheduled to meet early Monday with Indonesian President Susilo Bambeng Yudhoyono before flying to Japan. There, meetings with defense officials are expected to be dominated by the realignment of American military bases on Okinawa.

One key, Panetta said, is for the Japanese government to show that progress is being made on an environmental assessment of a controversial plan to move the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to a nearby location built on landfill in the ocean. Locals have vigorously opposed the plan, part of a larger regional base realignment worked out between Japan and the United States in 2006.

But Panetta said the U.S. military is still strongly behind the 2006 plan.

“I will make clear to them that we continue to support our commitment with Japan with regards to Futenma and with regard to Okinawa,” he said. “My goal will be to ensure that steps are being taken to try to fulfill that commitment.”

Carrollc@stripes.osd.mil

Twitter: ChrisCarroll_

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Arthritis - Common Arthritis Symptoms and Diagnosis

Arthritis is an ailment which involves a number of painful conditions of the joints and the bones. There are a number of different types of this disease. Most types are inflammatory while others are degenerative in nature.

The disease may be preceded or coupled by an episode of fatigue and feeling of weakness. The pains in the joints most of the time starts in the hands, particularly in the knuckles. Most of the time, the pain are felt in both hands simultaneously, as in the case of one of the most typical form called rheumatoid arthritis.

Other usual forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, gout arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and septic arthritis.

Other forms of arthritis can emerge as a result of an infection. For instance, bacteria causing gonorrhea or Lyme disease can also lead to arthritis. Arthritis that are caused by infection can cause serious injuries, but generally clears up completely with the use of antibiotics.

Scleroderma, a systemic ailment which involves the skin, may incorporate harms with the blood vessels, internal organs as well as the joints. Another disease called fibromyalgia syndrome is soft-tissue rheumatism that does not usually result to the deformation of the joints but affects an estimated number of 5 million Americans which are mostly women. Over 100 various types of arthritis and arthritis related conditions have been reported.

In making a diagnosis, there are a number of common symptoms of arthritis that have to be considered. These common symptoms of arthritis can be found in tandem with different forms of arthritis. A person may likely to have arthritis if they have been experiencing any of these common symptoms of arthritis such as persistent joint pains, unexplainable weight loss or non-specific fever.

Joint deformities, inflammation as indicated by joint swelling, redness, stiffness and/or warmth, loss of range of movement or flexibility in a joint, extreme fatigue and lack of energy are also some of the common symptoms of arthritis.

Due to the fact that there are a lot of existing types of arthritis, there are many tests that are being performed for arthritis and its related diseases. Your medical doctor will be in charge of ordering tests basing on your comprehensive listing of symptoms. Some of the tests and procedures that may help diagnose arthritis include online self-assessments, such as self-assessment for candidiasis and the magnesium deficiency assessment. This self-testing procedure can aid you in determining the root causes of your persistent conditions.

There are also certain saliva tests which can make you check if you have an acid alkaline imbalance. According to recent studies, the reduction on the levels of acidity in the body can have a good effect on improving the common symptoms of arthritis.

Blood tests can also be done. Patients who suffer with arthritis have inflammatory markers found in their blood. These tests may include checking for the presence of positive rheumatoid factor, presence of citrullinated peptide or CCP antibody, checking the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and checking for the levels of C-reactive protein or CRP.

STOP!

Cortaflex is a revolutionary new product in the treatment of arthritis.

Also, get an Arthritis Pain Relief [http://www.arthritis-healthcare.co.uk] Guide and find out how to ELIMINATE the pain associated with arthritis once and for all!

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Living With Arthritis

Living with arthritis can be a positive experience -- although challenging at times. To live well with arthritis, you must understand that while arthritis is your reality, you still can have a full, rewarding, and prosperous life. It's not a given that living with arthritis is a bad life.

Use a checklist to help you manage important aspects of living with arthritis. For each item on your personal checklist, periodically assess or rate how you are doing. Here's an example of a checklist -- you can use this one if it works well for you or create your own.

A Doctor Whom You Trust

Can you think of anything more important than having a doctor you can talk to and trust? If that is the relationship you have carved out with your doctor - one that's based on communication and trust - you are on your way to living well with arthritis.

A Treatment Plan With Which You Are Fully Compliant

You can have the most communicative, trustworthy doctor in the world, but if you fail to be compliant with your treatment plan, expect no benefit from it. The doctor must be able to trust you, just as you trust him. You must be honest about taking medications as prescribed and being committed to all aspects of your treatment (e.g. exercise and physical therapy). Your doctor's job is to guide you down the right path, and your job is to follow that path.

A Healthy Lifestyle -- Including Exercise, Eating Well, and Sleeping Well

It's purely logical that a healthy lifestyle will promote better overall health and better disease management. Good nutrition, building your strength and stamina, and being well-rested are all essential to living well with arthritis.

Unshakable Perseverance

It's the "never going to give up" spirit -- you will always find a way; you will overcome. Throughout your lifetime of living with arthritis, that spirit will carry you through many difficult moments. Perseverance will block negative thinking and intrusive emotions that can interfere with getting through each day in a positive way.

A Manageable and Accessible Environment at Home

Is your home set up so that you can manage usual daily activities? Is there anything you need in your home that would make daily activities easier? Consider both your needs and what's available to you, and create a match. Work towards improving your environment to make things easier and to compensate for your physical limitations.

A Manageable and Accessible Environment at Work

The qualifications here are essentially the same as above, just within the workplace setting instead of at home. Are your needs met so you can function well at work and be productive? Is there room for improvement in your work environment?

Time for Yourself to Decompress

Arthritis can be stressful, to say the least. Chronic, daily pain, more than you may have ever imagined -- it takes a toll. To reverse that burden, you need to take time to decompress. How that's accomplished is up to you. It can mean reading a book to one person or a motorcycle ride to another. Whatever clears your mind and allows you to relax, do it on a regular basis. As needed is the key!

Someone to Turn to for Emotional Support

Sometimes decompressing by yourself isn't enough, and you may need someone who genuinely understands what you are going through. Do you have someone like that in your life? I call them your "go-to person" -- the person you go to when you just need to be heard, and someone whom you find comforting.

The Mindset That "Feeling Sorry for Yourself" Isn't an Option

Maybe for a split second, on occasion, feeling sorry for yourself wouldn't be too damaging. But never let it become a way of life. Replace those thoughts with a forward-thinking, optimistic, solution-based mindset.

A Hopeful Attitude for the Future

There must always be hope that things will get better. Of course, there is a range of what we mean by "get better" -- from a day without pain to a cure for arthritis. But remaining hopeful is a big part of living well with arthritis.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Twists, turns lead to soccer title for Vicenza

MAINZ-KASTEL, Germany – The Vicenza Lions, out-story-booking the Brothers Grimm, won the 2011 U.S. Forces-Europe soccer championship Sunday with a novice goalkeeper, an MVP who’s supposed to be in the field, EUCOM’s only husband-wife soccer combo and a mainstay hospitalized with a skull fracture he suffered the previous day.

A pressure attack also played a big part in the Lions’ 3-1 victory over the Ramstein Rams, capping an unbeaten run through this four-day event at the Mainz-Kastel 06 complex that was contested by 13 community-level teams.

Stephen Joseph, Vorsane Photosane and Erwin Jamieson got the goals produced by the Lions’ attack. All three goals resulted from set pieces.

But the Lions derived their inspiration Sunday from the plight of sweeper Randy Osborn, who suffered a skull fracture in a game on Saturday and spent title-day in the hospital instead of at the awards presentation with his teammates.

“We dedicated this game to Randy Osborn,” said Vicenza coach Shaun Nurse as his team brought Osborn’s blood-stained jersey with them to the presentation.

Osborne, whom Nurse said was expected to accompany the team back to Vicenza on Monday, might have been in the hospital, but he was all over the field Sunday, too, as Lion after Lion stepped up to take up the slack.

Among them was Bradley Byington, a defender who saw much more playing time than he had anticipated, MVP sweeper Abdul Sadiq, collected from field exercises at Hohenfels, and first-time keeper James Watson.

“I was playing for him,” said Byington about their hospitalized teammate. “We all were.”

Osborn’s absence shifted much of the defensive load to Byington, and he responded effectively.

“I’m probably the least experienced player we have,” said Byington, whose closing speed on the ball broke up a half-dozen Ramstein rushes. “But I had years of experience around me and I had the athleticisim to be able to do what they told me to do.”

That experience benefited defender Andrea Alicea, too. Alicea, whose husband Arric plays midfield for the Lions, scored a goal against Heidelberg on Saturday. She said support from her defensive mates helps her cope with the speed and power of her male opponents.

“I love my boys,” she said. “I have great team support in the back.”

Keeper Watson enjoyed that support, too.

“I’m not even a goalie,” he said. “I went out and bought this gear. But the team had faith in me and the defense helped me out a lot.”

As had been the case since he had traded in his muddy combat boots for soccer cleats last week, MVP?Sadiq organized the defense which kept Vicenza - which outscored the opposition 26-7 in the tournament - according to Nurse, perfect for the tournament.

“I just want to thank Sgt. Maj. Williamson and 1st Sgt. Smith and 1st Sgt. McDaniels for getting me permission to play,” Sadiq said as he clutched his MVP plate. “The team picked me up at Hohenfels on their way here. I go back to Hohenfels in the morning.”

Joseph put Vicenza up 1-0 in the 12th minute when he rushed into the box to direct a rebound of a Luis Estepa free kick from 35 yards out into the net.

But Ramstein equalized just before halftime, when Schyler Baxter lofted a cross to a wide-open Salvador Diaz. Diaz advanced toward Watson and steered his shot inside the far post.

The goal as the clock ran down was deflating, Arric Alicea said.

“It’s always discouraging to give up a goal,” he said, “but it was just a hiccup. We knew we’d fight through it.”

The Lions did, and took the lead for good in the game’s 57th minute. Vicenza captain Wllmer Aguilar fired a free kick into the box for 40 yards out. The shot deflected to the left side where Photosane gathered it and ripped a grass-cutter into the net.

Arric Alicea got the assist on the insurance goal. His corner kick to the right side of the box ended up on the head of Erwin Jamieson, who steered it into the upper right corner of the net.

That was plenty of scoring for the Vicenza defense, which could hardly have done better even had Osborn been in the lineup.

Sadiq, however, isn’t sure of that.

“If he had been here,” the 2011 U.S. Forces Europe MVP said, “he would have been the MVP.”

bryanr@estripes.osd.mil

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Effective Home Remedies for Arthritis

Getting arthritis, like many diseases, is one reality that many people will try to avoid as much as possible. This is one experience that can affect your lifestyle and social life. At present, a glaring 50 million of the American population suffer from various types of arthritis. It has more victims compared to cancer or heart diseases. Thus, it is important to find ways to solve this problem, like seeking home remedies for arthritis.

The condition arthritis is usually identified to the elderly. In reality, anybody can be a victim of this disease. Arthritis is a condition where one or more joints become inflamed. This inflammation could be due to infection or injury. It can refer to any disease that will cause pain and swelling. Thus, it affects the possible movements of the joints and tissues.

There are various symptoms that you can check to determine if you are suffering from the arthritis. The main signs that will indicate you might be suffering from this condition are pains in the joints. This also results to swelling and very limited movements that you can do. There will also be a remarkable stiffness that will make the pain even more pressing.

Many factors have been discovered to cause arthritis. Advancing in age is one of the most common reasons why arthritis comes about. Obesity is also a culprit. In some cases, heredity, weather changes and hormonal changes can play a big role also. Most people with arthritis find the cold weather very hostile to their condition. Be wary that your food intake can also affect the condition. Excessive uric acid in the body can trigger, if not worsen, an arthritis.

Home Remedies for Arthritis

Considering the inconvenience that arthritis may cause to your body, lifestyle and social life, it is very important to seek the remedies that will improve your condition. There are things that you can ask your physician to recommend to you. However, it will help a lot if you can at least educate yourself with some home remedies for arthritis. Here are some home remedies for arthritis that you can do.

1. Stretching and Movement. One of the home remedies for arthritis that you can do is stretching and movement. It is best to know how to move properly when you have arthritis. Be sure to practice stretching gently so that you can allow your body some healthy movement even if the arthritis is on the attack. You can attend sessions with a trainer so that you can do the right positioning to your muscles and joints.

2. Relax More. Stress can also cause your arthritis to hurt even more. Make sure you get to relax which is one of the recommended best home remedies for arthritis. This is one good way of pain management. Simply give yourself a good pace in your everyday activities. You can even listen to some relaxing music. This is something that you can do at home to at least bring relief to pain.

3. Use Ice. Cold treatments are one effective home remedies for arthritis. Overworking your body can cause the joints to be stressed. Using ice and applying it for 20 minutes can ease the feeling.

4. Drink Nutrients. It is good to also give emphasis on your diet for your home remedies for arthritis. Drinking vegetable juices can play a significant role in easing your pain due to arthritis. Carrot, cabbage, tomato and celery are perfect choices for your juice.

5. Oil and Water. Another one of the effective home remedies for arthritis is to use oil and water. Whenever you feel stiffness or pain, you can use eucalyptus ointment to ease it. You can also choose to wrap your joints in warm water until you feel comfortable enough.

These are effective home remedies for arthritis. Make sure you use them to your benefit. You cannot afford to live your life in pain when you have the option to relieve it. But it is still best to find the best remedy that will put an end to your arthritis and not just put remedies to the symptoms.

Did you know that you can free yourself of the swelling, stiffness and pain, and live your life 150% better by banishing your arthritis in just one month? Discover the truth how you can banish your arthritis condition naturally - from the comfort and privacy of your own home. Discover the best home remedies for arthritis visit Cure Painful Arthritis

For health and beauty remedies visit Health and Beauty Link

Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects Effective Home Remedies for Arthritis. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.