Arthritis Treatment and Prevention

Submitted By: John Robben

Newly diagnosed arthritis patients can easily become overwhelmed with the myriad of information, treatment options, help and professionals available to them, while still trying to find relief from their disease. In an effort to demystify who does what, this article will point out each of the people you’ll most likely be interacting with during your arthritis treatment and explain their role in helping you find relief from arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment Specialist: Acupuncturist

Considered foreign to most Americans, acupuncture has become a beacon in the arthritis treatment sphere. By placing small, sterile needles into very specific points on the body, acupuncture is said to relieve stress, increase endorphins and remove blockages that are pain-causing, thus providing relief from arthritis. For a list of fully trained osteopaths who are also acupuncturists, visit the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture for more information.

Arthritis Treatment Specialist: Chiropractor

Chiropractors are the hands-on, trained manipulators that actually realign the joints, muscles and tendons that may be out of whack. Although they are not medical doctors, chiropractors may refer their findings to your family doctor or rheumatologist for further investigation. The American Chiropractic Association can give you a better idea as to what exact these professionals can do to help you find relief from arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment Specialist: Massage Therapist (LMT, CMT)

Relief from arthritis isn’t only found in the bottom of a medicine bottle or at the hands of a surgeon; many arthritis treatment plans strongly suggest a massage therapist as an aide to reduce muscle tension or to increase one’s range of motion. However, not all massage therapists are trained the same: check with the American Massage Therapy Association for certified arthritis treatment specialists in your area.

Arthritis Treatment Specialist: Orthopaedic Surgeon (MD)

Specializing in the evaluation and treatment of the bones, joints and tissues, orthopedic surgeons usually work on a referral-based system from your family doctor. These types of doctors will determine whether or not your arthritis treatment will focus on surgery, non-surgical options or a combination thereof. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons can answer most of your general questions about surgical arthritis treatment options that can bring relief from arthritis symptoms.

Arthritis Treatment Specialist: Physical Therapist

Sometimes known as occupational therapists as well, physical therapists help with the daily management of the disease by showing patients practical, hands on tactics to find relief from arthritis. This can include heat/cold therapy, assistive techniques (different ways of doing the same thing so that there is less pain but with no reduction of mobility), introducing tools that can help with day-to-day living and exercises that increase flexibility and mobility. Contact the American Physical Therapy Association for more information.

Arthritis Treatment Specialist: Rheumatologist (MD)

A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of muscle and skeletal problems, such as lupus, osteoporosis and gout. Rheumatologists work closely with your family doctor to ensure your arthritis treatment is specific and specialized. The American College of Rheumatology provides “professional education” to its members and publishes several journals related to arthritis treatment and the relief from arthritis symptoms.

About the Author:

John Robben is the owner/operator of Ultimate Water Massage (est. 2000), a Washington-based company that offers over 2000 products to ease your pain and your life. Visit for more information, tools, supplies and tips for relief from arthritis pain at http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

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Author: Nathan Wei

Gout is a type of arthritis that affects more than 2 million Americans. It is due to an accumulation of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a byproduct of purine metabolism. Purines are substances found in certain foods such as red meats, organ meats, shell fish, red wine, beer, and vegetables such as asparagus. When purine containing foods are digested, one of the main substances produced is uric acid. Uric acid accumulates a s crystals and these deposits of uric acid crystals in joints and other organ systems such as the kidneys cause a local inflammatory response and tissue damage.

People who have gout also often have other medical problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, kidney disease, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes.

While rheumatologists in the United States have been trained to deal with gout using U.S. guidelines, the Europeans have recently produced their own set of guidelines that are at least worthy of consideration.

These include:

• Confirming suspected gout by documenting the presence of uric acid crystals in the joint fluid of an inflamed joint.

• Evaluating a patient's risk for gout and also looking at other "co-morbid conditions" (other medical problems).

• Educating a patient about diet, weight loss, and alcohol practices

• Prescribing a drug called colchicine or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to reduce pain and inflammation.

• Treating acute attacks by removing fluid from an acutely inflamed joint and injecting along-acting glucocorticoid ("cortisone")

• Prescribing long term therapy with allopurinol. This drug lowers blood uric acid levels by reducing the amount of uric acid produced by purine metabolism.

• Using colchicines or an NSAID during the first few months of allopurinol therapy to reduce the likelihood of gout flares related to the rapid lowering of blood uric acid.

• The treatment goal is to keep the serum uric acid at a level below which uric acid no longer accumulates in joint tissue. The target level is 6 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or less.

These European guidelines are very similar to U.S. guidelines. One major problem that has been discovered is non-compliance by patients. In one survey almost 87 per cent of patients discontinued or interrupted their medication program so that the average length of treatment was only three months. Those patients who had been diagnosed with gout after painful attacks were the ones most likely to be compliant.

Only 3 per cent of patients in this survey received allopurinol doses at a level needed to keep the serum uric acid below 6 milligrams per deciliter. Also, 53 per cent of patients with poor kidney function were prescribed higher than recommended doses of allopurinol. Allopurinol needs to be kept under 300 mgs per day in people with abnormal kidney function in order to reduce the potential for side effects.

Also 83 per cent of patients who were newly diagnosed and started on treatment did not have the appropriate monitoring laboratory tests during the first six months of allopurinol treatment.

Newer drugs in development may make the treatment of gout easier. One big problem has been the toxicity profile of allopurinol. It is a drug that can potentially cause many side effects, including death.

Febuxostat is a drug that is currently in clinical trials.

PEGuricase is another anti-gout therapy that is being studied.

Regardless of therapy though, it is important for patients with gout to seek the opinion of a well-trained experienced rheumatologist.

Tags: Arthritis Treatment, Gout Treatment, Gout, Gouty Arthritis

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

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