Arthritis Treatment and Prevention

2008-10-13T04:59:00.001-07:00

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Arthritis Exercise for Strengthening the Hip & Knee Joints - see more...

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Arthritis CureMovie

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Arthritis CureMovie

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

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What exactly is RA and can it be managed without the harmful drugs?...RA Rheumatoid Arthritis Nutrition

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Rhuematoid Arthritis. For a natural remedy see http://rhuematoidarthritis.tumblr.com...rhuematoid rheumatoid arthritis cure remedy alternative medicine

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Arthritis - Relief

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Learn how clinical medications help with arthritis. For more information visit miltonwaters.com...Arthritis Colchicine Zyloprim

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Rhuematoid Arthritis

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Rhumatoid Arthritis. Find out more and for a natural remedy see http://www.squidoo.com/rhumatoidarthritis/.

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Preventing Arthritis Pain (Arthritis #3)

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life free from arthritis pain—wouldn't you? Watch this video for advice on how to do just that!...osteoarthritis arthritis pain treatment exercise

OLD LADY ARTHRITIS

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Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation in a joint.

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See Arthritis Joint Degeneration X-rays & Healthy Joints

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Doctor Hays discusses arthritis hand / finger joint degeneration compares healthy and arthritic joint x-rays. Discusses natural joint pain relief and how to regain healthy flexible joints

ARTHRITIS....THE SIMPLE ¨DRUG - FREE¨ SOLUTION

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MR GERARD KIELTY IRB: IDE EXPLAINS HOW HE HAS CURED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS, JOINT PAIN AND INFLAMATION. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE

What You Need To Know About Arthritis Foundation

2008-10-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

Author: Cindy Heller

American Arthritis Foundation is the leading and most viable non-profit health organization that handles arthritis. They also sponsor all sorts of arthritis studies to treat arthritis in addition to providing educational information on arthritis to patients. Its vision is to assume the management of arthritis by making efforts to prevent, manage and find a cure for arthritis.

Arthritis is the foremost cause of disability in America and the American Arthritis Foundation has five hundreds thousand volunteers and one hundred and fifty outlets that provide all sorts of courses and services to enable people to manage and combat arthritis. Educational books and comprehensively booklets on the management and surviving with arthritis are provided as well.

American Arthritis Foundation has so far injected above three hundred millions to research and employ more than two thousands scientists, health care professional and physicians since 1948 to provide the leading edge arthritis research. An approximate seventy million Americans are afflicted with arthritis and the foundation makes sure that policies are geared towards as well as promoting efforts towards its vision.

With arthritis as the foremost course of disability in America, no effort is spared by the American Arthritis Foundation to prevent, manage and search for a cure for arthritis and its condition. Arthritis Today is the American Arthritis Foundation magazine to promote the management and prevention of arthritis. It is published once every two months and sends a clear message that arthritis is to be contained and overcome.

One of the program that the American Arthritis Foundation has founded is the Let's Talk RA program that they work in conjunction with the Bristol-Meyers Squibb to inform patients on how to manage their rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For starters, it is necessary to get a copy of Let's Talk RA Communication Kit that encompasses a Participant Survey, a Communication Guide, a Health Assessment Questionnaire in addition to relevant information that are provided by Bristol-Meyers Squibb and the American Arthritis Foundation.

It is essential for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers to get some assistant while undergoing treatment in addition to managing their disease. Through getting a copy of the Let's Talk RA Communication Kit, they have made a constructive decision in managing their condition as the American Arthritis Foundation calls for active involvement in their fight against the disease.

Osteoarthritis is a form of disability and most will have to forego active participation in their daily lives but they are instances of people getting on with life and one such example is John Elway who was once a Denver Bronco player but became spokesperson for Game Plan for OA, part of the American Arthritis Foundation program. John Elway has demonstrated that sticking to the guidelines provided can help one to manage arthritis in addition to assist them to lead normal lives.

The American Arthritis Foundation works closely with clinical experts, scientists from various research firms in addition to companies that are committed to arthritis and the associated conditions to make a compilation of new developments of arthritis on a annual basis. In addition to, the American Arthritis Foundation researchers that found new pathways that controls the damages to joints that are linked to inflammatory arthritis.

All the relevant information related to arthritis from 1985 to 2006 can be found in the American Arthritis Foundation. The figures for the corresponding period of arthritis patients has gone up from thirty five million to forty six million and arthritis is chronic and the one of the foremost cause of disability for people that are age fifteen years and above, just after heart disease.

Arthritis foundation is spreading to all corners world and in Singapore; the National Arthritis Foundation is a reputable charity that was formed in 1984. It is the biggest of its kind that spends all its time devoted to helping arthritis patients as well as educates them and the public on arthritis. In addition it does a lot of researches into arthritis and is also a coordinating as well as managing closely with pharmaceutical bodies plus specialists in arthritis to fulfill its aim.

The mission of the National Arthritis Foundation is to provide support for the patients and fight against arthritis in addition to do research to combat arthritis plus educating public and the patients on arthritis. With its one thousand members that cover the whole spectrum of society that include patients, caregivers in addition to those that are concerned with arthritis plus health professional. The National Arthritis Foundation has an elected general council and executive committee to oversee its operation. Arthritis is a worldwide disease that afflicted many older citizens and should be treated very seriously.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Arthritis, Nutrition and You!

2008-10-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

Author: Chuck Arnone

Although progress in the field of arthritis and nutrition is slow, we fully expect to see further justification of these theories as medical science progresses.Here is a brief look at the ongoing research of arthritis and nutrition. There has been a lot of research that identifies the relationship between arthritis and nutrition.

Arthritis means inflammation of a joint or joints. Arthritis is usually caused by what people eat and drink and is becoming very common in people of all ages which will probably affect 90% of people by the age of 60. Arthritis is a poorly understood condition but some scientists believe that rheumatoid arthritis is the result of a micro-organism or other foreign substance in the body. Arthritis is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases and becomes more prevalent as we age. Arthritis is one of the most common chronic degenerative conditions today, affecting as many as 100 million people worldwide. Can the foods you eat cause or affect your arthritis? Diet is a major role player in the onset of arthritis. There are some scientific reasons to think that the foods you eat could affect certain kinds of arthritis.

Evidence shows that excessive weight and the type of diet you follow may influence symptoms of certain types of arthritis and related conditions. Research has shown several connections between food, nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids) and certain forms of arthritis or related conditions, such as gout, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, and reactive arthritis. Healthcare professionals strongly recommend that people with arthritis follow a diet based on variety, balance and moderation. The treatment for arthritis usually focuses on medications that reduce inflammation, which decreases pain and increases mobility.

Advancements have shown to be extremely effective in both preventing and managing many forms of arthritis by all natural nutritional supplements. Nutrition and exercise are beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers in additional to medical therapy. To give the body proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients. It is almost impossible to get a daily balanced diet so the logical answer is to allocate a portion of your food budget to include a nutritional supplement product that supplies the recommended daily minimums. It is best for overall health when that can be attained through improved nutrition instead of toxic drugs. But then again, a lack of evidence doesn't rule out the power of good nutrition--researchers could find no explicit link between red meat and RA either. Emphasis on nutrition is a meaningful choice and can give you control over your arthritis. While conventional medicine often helps to ease the symptoms, nutritional supplements can also have powerful effect in assisting keeping this debilitating condition in check.

It seems like we hear conflicting news about what we should and shouldn't eat at every turn, but experts have pinpointed specific foods and supplements that can actually decrease the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis when combined with regular exercise. Other supplements that have been in the news a lot lately - glucosamine and chondriton - help the body repair damaged tissue, slow down joint degeneration and improve joint function and mobility. Give some of our suggestions a try: Exercise at least 3 times a week and watch your weight. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains and adhere to a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet. Moderate your sugar intake, consider using sugar substitutes if you drink alcoholic beverages, drink in moderation and avoid tobacco use. Take recommended supplements with your doctor's approval. Drink eight glasses of water per day and get 8 hours of sleep each night.In addition, changes to diet and the use of certain nutritional supplements may also help to relieve symptoms. Liquid dietary supplements have several advantages over tablets and capsules. Liquid vitamins and mineral supplements have a greater absorption rate than any other form of supplementation. The effective use of nutritional supplements and natural diet saves money, pain and lives.

The first step is to insure you get the basic nutrition through proper diet and exercise. Just as it is for people without arthritis, maintaining a balance in the foods you choose is important. While exercise is important for overall health, for people with stiff joints and decreased mobility, it can really help offset the consequences of this condition. Begin your exercise program and take it slow and easy. Too much exercise, especially jogging, or anything that is hard on the joints, is not helpful and can cause traumatic arthritis. However, some mild daily exercise such as walking is generally best and does not stress the joints as does any vigorous exercise.

Studies have shown a connection between foods, vitamin supplementation, and fish oil (omega 3 fatty acids) can only help certain types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Oily fish such as wild Alaskan salmon, walnuts, freshly ground flaxseed or a good omega-3 supplement may help reduce the inflammation and pain of arthritis. Research also suggests that a diet rich in Omega 3 EPA may help reduce the pain of inflammation associated with some forms of joint pain. For example, Omega-3 fatty acids from plant foods such as flaxseed and oil, nuts and seeds, avocados, olive and canola oils (just to name a few) is renown for preventing and even reversing osteoarthritis.

Exercise is needed and more of it working up to an hour a day. The benefits will far outweigh the consequences of being unfit, sick and eating away at your savings from medical expenses!

Article Tags: Nutrition Supplement, Home Remedies For Arthritis, Arthritis Inflammation, Nutrition Deficiency, Joint Arthritis, Arthritis Joints, Arthritis Disease, Home Remedy Arthritis, Herbs&nutrition, Natural Remedies Arthritis, Arthritis & Diet

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

The Facts And Details On Arthritis

2008-10-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

Author: Alisha Dhamani

More than 21 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Approximately 2.1 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to degenerative arthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), inheritance (such as in osteoarthritis), infections (such as in the arthritis of Lyme disease), and an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). Treatment programs, when possible, are often directed toward the precise cause of the arthritis.

If joint pain, swelling, stiffness, redness, loss of motion or deformity occurs, medical evaluation by a health-care professional is warranted. Even minor joint symptoms that persist unexplained for over one week should be evaluated. For many forms of arthritis, it is essential that patients have an early evaluation as it is clear that this can both prevent damage and disability as well as make optimal treatment easier.

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two bones meet. A joint functions to allow movement of the body parts it connects. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia.

Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognosis. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, and many have the potential to affect internal body areas as well.

There are many forms of arthritis (over 100 have been described so far, and the number is growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation as a result of an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many forms of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.

For many patients with arthritis, mild pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be sufficient treatment. Studies have shown that acetaminophen given in adequate doses can often be equally as effective as prescription anti-inflammatory medications in relieving pain in osteoarthritis.

Since acetaminophen has fewer gastrointestinal side effects than NSAIDS, especially among elderly patients, acetaminophen is often the preferred initial drug given to patients with osteoarthritis. Pain-relieving creams applied to the skin over the joints can provide relief of minor arthritis pain. Examples include capsaicin, salycin, methyl salicylate, and menthol.

Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. Over 40 million people in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children! More than half of those with arthritis are under 65 years of age. Nearly 60% of Americans with arthritis are women.

Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be present. Loss of range of motion and deformity can result. Certain forms of arthritis can also be associated with pain and inflammation of tendons surrounding joints.

Some forms of arthritis are more of an annoyance than a serious medical problem. However, millions of people suffer daily with pain and disability from arthritis or its complications.

Moreover, many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases, can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling, weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.

The treatment of arthritis depends on which particular form of arthritis is present, its location, severity, persistence, and any underlying background medical conditions of the patient. Each treatment program must be customized for the individual patient.

Treatment programs can incorporate home remedies, nonprescription and prescription medications, joint injections, and surgical operations. Some treatment programs involve weight reduction and avoiding activities that exert excessive stress on the joint. The goal of treatment of arthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while preventing damage and improving and maintaining joint function.

Not every person with arthritis requires medical attention. For example, some patients with osteoarthritis have minimal or no pain and may not need treatment. However, for those with persisting joint symptoms, the ideal steps to take should lead to a proper diagnosis and an optimal long-term treatment plan. This plan must be customized for each person affected, depending on the joints involved and the severity of symptoms.

Surgery is generally reserved for those patients with arthritis that is particularly severe and unresponsive to the conservative treatments. Surgical procedures can be performed to relieve pain, improve function, and correct deformity. Occasionally, joint tissue is surgically removed for the purpose of biopsy and diagnosis. Doctors who specialize in joint surgery are orthopedic surgeons.

Currently, prevention of arthritis focuses on avoiding joint injury and early diagnosis and treatment. Research clearly demonstrates that early diagnosis and treatment can result in less damage, deformity, disability, and even mortality in rheumatoid disease.

The treatment of rheumatoid disease is not only more effective but easier when administered early.
Additionally, maintaining overall good health and strength with exercise and good nutrition can be helpful in preventing joint disease.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Tags: Arthritis, Health, Disease, Medicine

What Is "Inflammatory Arthritis?"

2008-10-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

Author: Nathan Wei

There is an old joke. It goes like this: "Neurologists diagnose the untreatable while rheumatologists treat the undiagnosable." Nothing could be truer than when it comes to what is termed "inflammatory arthritis."

Most rheumatologists tend to divide arthritis into two major categories: inflammatory and non-inflammatory. The latter category is also termed "degenerative" arthritis.

The major distinction is that inflammatory types of arthritis have a significant amount of inflammatory cells that attack the joints. These types of arthritis tend to cause more symptoms, particularly stiffness and pain. They also tend to be progressive. Oftentimes inflammatory types of arthritis are associated with constitutional symptoms, meaning low grade fever, weight loss, and fatigue. Inflammatory types of arthritis can also cause significant damage to internal organs. Disability and early death may be a consequence of some types of inflammatory arthritis. Examples of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, gout, infectious arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Inflammatory types of arthritis can strike at any age.

Inflammatory types of arthritis have typical patterns although theoretically any joint in the body can be affected.

Inflammatory forms of arthritis may not be easy to categorize. Sometimes it will be obvious that inflammation is present and is a prominent component of the symptom complex. However, a specific diagnosis may not be apparent. Eventually most forms of inflammatory arthritis do "declare" themselves and ultimately fall into a category. But not always! This is a situation where a skilled diagnostician and clinician is worth their weight in gold!

On the other hand, non-inflammatory types of arthritis cause symptoms based on mechanical factors. Often degenerative arthritis affects weight-bearing joints such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees. It tends to occur in older people. While it may progress, it does so relatively slowly. It is rarely, if ever, associated with constitutional symptoms. In fact if constitutional symptoms are present, then either the patient has more than non-inflammatory arthritis or has another illness in addition to their arthritis. This is the type of arthritis people often associate with getting older.

Non-inflammatory types of arthritis may also be confusing some times. An example is a condition like fibromyalgia where the pain occurs pretty much all over. Symptomatic and subjective joint swelling may make the clinical diagnosis difficult.

The distinction between inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis is made on the basis of a careful history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound.

Sometimes a patient can have both types of arthritis. For instance it is not uncommon for a patient with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis to also have degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in a knee or hip.

Interestingly, when an arthroscope (small telescope) is used to visualize the interior of a joint, almost all types of arthritis have an inflammatory component to them. The extent and type of inflammatory change though varies from disease to disease.

The treatment for inflammatory arthritis will vary. While anti-inflammatory medicines are sometimes helpful, it may be necessary to start disease modifying drug therapy. Again the skill and experience of the arthritis specialist is paramount in determining which direction to head. Obviously, if the inflammatory arthritis becomes more well-defined, then treatment becomes easier to define as well.

The key point to remember is that if you do have arthritis, it's important to seek the opinion of an expert arthritis specialist.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Tags: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Arthritis Treatment, Inflammatory Arthritis

Amazing Arthritis Medicine - Arthritis Treatment

2008-10-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

Author: herbalremedies

Holistic medicine for treatment of arthritis is becoming more and more popular.

Arthritis is a disease which causes inflammation of the joints. If left untreated joint damage, joint limitations and deformities can occur.

People suffering from arthritis must be groping for ways and means to totally cure them of their condition. Arthritis is the common term given to diseases of the joints. It is associated with pain and swelling, which can come and go due to certain trigger factors. Arthritis is very common to middle-aged individuals because that's the time when their joints succumb to the normal wear and tear of everyday use. There are a lot of medicines for arthritis these days. And one of them is what's called the Amazing Arthritis Medicine.

The amazing arthritis medicine that I'm bringing across to readers , ironically is one which expels any form of medication, drugs, or strict diet. It is one way of curing Arthritis through natural healing - a day to day healthy living - which makes all the difference in treating Arthritis.

Canine arthritis medicine will not make the arthritis go away. There are no cures for arthritis. In severe cases, surgery can be an alternative. But, many medications will relive the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. After your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with canine arthritis it would be best to find out what medicines he thinks would be best for the type of arthritis you dog is suffering with.

Heat applied to the painful area gives immediate but temporary relief. As soon as the source of heat is removed the arthritis back pain will begin to return.

Physical therapy is another method of pain relief. Chiropractors and massage clinics offer ways to give you temporary relief; however, for long term relief, you need to see your doctor. A doctor can check, first, to be sure it is truly arthritis pain, then prescribe medication for your individual arthritis back pain.

Recently, studies have been done on an herbal extract known as Tripterygium Wilfordi Hook F (TWHF) that has proved beneficial in the treatment of severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. The reports claim that it is very comparable to prednisone, a common chemical medication used in the treatment of arthritis. As in the cases of other herbal treatments and alternative medicine solutions in general, there is some controversy over the use of herbal medicines in the treatment of arthritis. The major complaint seems to be over the lack of regulation and uncertainty about the side effects of some of the herbal preparations.

If you are newly diagnosed with arthritis, nothing beats going to the library. The library is full of arthritis information. You can read stories of other osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients and learn about various alternative treatments and medication. You should also contact your local hospital to see what services they offer your community in way of arthritis information and support.

The belief of the Chinese medicine is that disease occurs when obstructions impede the flow of energy to the organs. Chinese herbs are used to restore energy and function to your body since Chinese medicine is based on the belief that if your body's energy is blocked you cannot be in a state of wellness. Some of those who practice holistic medicine believe that a vegetarian diet can help to reduce your arthritis symptoms.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Tags: Amazing Arthritis Medicine - Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis

2008-10-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

Author: Dale Martin

Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints. One of the most common forms often affects the joint at the base of the thumb, called the basal joint. Arthritis is also very common in the joints of the hip, knees, hands, and arms.

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the US today. It is the major cause of activity limitations in older Americans. This statistic is bound to increase with the growing elderly population. Arthritis is often a chronic disease, meaning it can affect the person afflicted over a long period of time. It is a disease of the joints, characterized by inflammation of the affected areas. There are numerous types of arthritis, with the most predominant forms being osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis is the result of disease or damage to articular cartilage, the white glistening surface of our bones found in the joints. This type of cartilage is found in all major joints of the body, including the hips, knees, and shoulders, as well as the smaller joints of the upper and lower extremities and even the spine and pelvis. Affected joints tend to have a purplish discoloration. Affected joints may display signs of inflammation such as excessive warmth and/or swelling on palpation.

Arthritis is not a condition that only afflicts the elderly as some may think. There are many people that suffer from this debilitating condition at ages ranging from children to seniors. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among Americans aged 15 and older. However, arthritis affects people in all age groups, including almost 300,000 children. Arthritis is the most common disease in people over age 45, with more than 40 million Americans suffering from some form. OA is by far the most common, while RA is the most crippling.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects people differently. For some people, it lasts only a few months or a year or two and goes away without causing any noticeable damage. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition caused by an irritation of the joint lining. A traumatic injury such as a broken bone, torn ligament, or ankle sprain can result in arthritis of the joint. It can also begin as part of an acute illness, with a high fever and inflammation of the joints. Sometimes It can develop with little to no discomfort except for fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and maybe a mild fever.

Rheumatoid arthritis related inflammation can affect the heart muscle, the heart valves , or the blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries ). If it begins with a high fever and other general symptoms is called Still's disease. It can also affect connective tissue and blood vessels throughout the body, triggering inflammation in a variety of organs, including the lungs and heart. In severe cases, RA can lead to death from respiratory and infectious diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is also an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks itself. Instead of fighting off viruses and bacteria, the immune system attacks joint tissue as well as tissue in other parts of the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis strikes chiefly the knuckle and wrist joints, but may occur in any joint. The disease frequently spreads throughout the body, damaging organs and connective tissue. The pattern of joints affected is usually symmetrical, involves the hands and other joints, and is worse in the morning.

Rheumatoid arthritis can strike people as early as age 30, but it most often occurs in people between the ages of 40 and 60. Women are much more susceptible to it than men. Prior to 60 years of age, it affects women three times as often as it does men.

Treatment is designed to relieve pain and restore function. Brief periods of rest may help if the arthritis has flared up. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication, bracing, physical therapy, or surgery and is tailored to best manage the condition of each patient. Orthopedic specialists at the clinic will address joint disease in hips, knees and shoulders. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation, preventing joint deformity, and preserving function. Most Treatment lasts just a few minutes per treatment. Updated x-rays are needed in order to determine exactly where treatment should be centered. Treatment is essentially the same for rheumatoid arthritis, with heavy emphasis on physical therapy and exercise to keep growing bodies active. Permanent damage from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is now rare, and most affected children recover from the disease fully without experiencing any lasting disabilities.

Another form of treatment called Biologics differ from conventional drugs in that they are derived from living sources, such as cell culture systems. Conventional drugs are chemically synthesized. Biologics Rheumatoid arthritis is a result of the complex interplay among cells called lymphocytes, cells called macrophages, and the messenger signals they communicate with, called cytokines. Biologic medications work by targeting these different areas.

Always consult a doctor or a physical therapist before beginning any training regimen. Age can also play a role in the cause of arthritis and should also be a factoring when planning a physical therapy treatment, something as simple as hip and knee exercises that increase your mobility can lessen the pain of arthritis. As we age cartilage can become brittle and can lead to joint problems.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com
Tags: Arthritis, Arthritis Pain Relief, Arthritis Symptoms, Arthrits Treatments

What is Neck Arthritis? Symptoms And Treatment

2008-01-30T21:41:00.000-08:00

Author: John Hilaire

Neck arthritis, which is also known as cervical spondylosis, is a type of arthritis which is caused by degenerative changes in the bones and the intervertebral disks of the neck. It is primarily due to aging, as although there are other contributing factors as well, the condition usually presents itself after the age of 40 and then continues to process on from there.

With neck arthritis, the bones in the neck, as with the rest of the body, progressively degenerate as your body ages, and over time, arthritis of the neck may result from bony spurs and problems with ligaments and disks. As well, the spinal cord may end up narrowing and compressing the spinal cord and nerves, and injuries from neck arthritis can in fact cause full spinal cord compression.

Symptoms

There are a number of signs and symptoms that you are likely to notice from the onset of neck arthritis, and this includes: neck pain and stiffness that is usually worse with upright activity, you may have numbness and weakness in the arms, legs, hands and fingers and have trouble walking due to all over weakness, you may feel or hear grinding noises or popping in the neck when you move, and you may experience muscle spasms or headaches which will typically originate in the neck area.

Treatment

When it comes to the treatment of neck arthritis, most of the time, if your symptoms are mild, your doctor will most likely recommend a variety of non-surgical treatments such as rest and medication. However if your arthritis is very advanced or incredibly painful, they may opt to go with further and more serious forms of treatment for you.

Remember that different forms of treatment work differently from one person to the next, and so what works great for one person may not have any affect at all on you. This is why you may have to try out a few different options before you can settle on one specific one.

The most important thing is that you keep on top of your health and that you make sure to watch out for any signs or symptoms of arthritis, not only in your neck but over your entire body. Arthritis is, after all, one of the most common diseases worldwide, and although it can be treated, the pain and discomfort that is caused by it is incredibly severe.

Make sure that you get in for regular checkups with your doctor, so that together you can make sure that you are always top notch when it comes to your health.

Article Tags: Psoriatic Arthritis, Juvenile Arthritis

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

Septic Arthritis Information

2008-01-29T20:21:00.000-08:00

Author: Juliet Cohen

Septic arthritis is an inflammation of a joint caused by a bacteria infection other than gonorrhea. It may also occur when the joint is directly infected with bacteria during injury or surgery. Septic arthritis can occur at any age. When considering children, it occurs at a higher rate in those under 3 years of age, with the hip, knee and ankle being the most common joints affected. Septic arthritis may affect any joint but is most frequently found in the knee, hip, shoulder, wrist, elbow, and finger joints. Approximately 20,000 cases of suppurative arthritis occur in the United States each year. From age 3 to adolescence, Septic arthritis is uncommon, at which point incidence will increase again. Septic arthritis is often seen in the elderly, immunosuppressed and those with chronic inflammatory arthritides.

The onset of the symptoms is usually rapid with joint swelling, intense joint pain, and low-grade fever. Septic arthritis in the hip may be experienced as pain in the groin area that becomes much worse if the patient tries to walk. In the majority of cases, there is some leakage of tissue fluid into the affected joint. Risk factors for Septic arthritis include a simultaneous bacterial infection, chronic illness, diseases or medications that operate on suppression of the immune system, intravenous drug abuse, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle cell disease, artificial joints, recent damage to a joint leading to bruising/inflammation, or recent joint arthroscopy or other invasive surgery. Septic arthritis should be suspected when one joint (monoarthritis) is affected and the patient is febrile.

Septic arthritis must be diagnosed quickly and treated with antibiotics. The antibibiotics are continued orally (usually two antibiotics for six weeks and then one for a further six weeks). In immunosuppressed, gentamicin and flucloxacillin is used Rest, immobilization, elevation, and warm compresses may help relieve pain. Performing exercises for the affected joint aids the recovery process. Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics may be helpful for high-risk people. Empirical Antibiotics - Discuss with microbiologist. Intravenous flucloxacillin and fusidic acid for at least a week. Drainage of the joint and arthroscopic washouts are helpful in relieving pain. Immobilize joint and then physiotherapy started earlyu to prevent stiffness and muscle wasting.

Septic Arthritis Treatment Tips

1. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection.

2. Rest, immobilization, elevation, and warm compresses may help relieve pain.

3. Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics may be helpful for high-risk people.

4. Fluid is usually aspirated from the affected joint to relieve pressure.

5. Aspiration may need to be done several times to relieve pressure.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healingremedies.org/, http://www.healthatoz.info/http://www.health-disease.org/ . and

Pericarditis Information

2008-01-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

by JULIET COHEN

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium (the fibrous sac surrounding the heart). Pericarditis often causes chest pain and sometimes other symptoms. Pericarditis may be acute or chronic. The sharp chest pain associated with acute pericarditis occurs when the pericardium rubs against the heart's outer layer. Pericarditis can be caused by infection, heart attack, autoimmune disorders, chest trauma, cancer, kidney failure, or drugs. Infections that can cause pericarditis include viral infections, bacterial infections, tuberculosis, and fungal infections. Autoimmune disorders that can cause pericarditis include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. Pericarditis occurs in up to 15% of patients who have acute myocardial infarctions (heart attacks).

Pericarditis is more common in males than in females. Pericarditis most often affects men aged 20-50, usually following respiratory infections. In children, it is most commonly caused by adenovirus or coxsackie virus. Pericarditis can be misdiagnosed as myocardial infarction, and vice versa. The most common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain. The pain is predominantly felt below the breastbone (sternum) and/or below the ribs on the left side of the chest and, occasionally, in the upper back or neck. Changes in position can increase or decrease pressure on and irritation of the inflamed pericardium. Acute pericarditis is treated by a) identifying the underlying cause, b) treating the underlying cause, c) giving anti-inflammatory drugs , and d) giving analgesics to control the pain.

Tamponade is treated by draining the fluid from the pericardial sac, usually via a tiny catheter. Bacterial pericarditis must be treated with antibiotics. Fungal pericarditis is treated with antifungal agents. Excessive pericardial effusion can compress the heart muscle, the fluid can be removed by needle aspiration (pericardiocentesis) or surgery. Idiopathic pericarditis and pericarditis following heart surgery usually respond to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), or indomethacin (Indocin). Pericarditis due to uremia may respond to increased frequency of hemodialysis, aspiration, or systemic or intrapericardial adrenal corticosteroids. Bacterial pericarditis must be treated with antibiotics. Fungal pericarditis is treated with antifungal agents.

Pericarditis Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Corticosteroids are particularly useful in acute pericarditis due to uremia.

2. Cutting or removing part of the pericardium may be recommended.

3. Acute pericarditis is treated by anti-inflammatory drugs to control the pain.

4. Congestion in chronic constrictive pericarditis may be alleviated with bed rest, salt restriction, and diuretics.

5. Removing the fluid relieves the pressure on the heart, and restores normal cardiac function almost immediately.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healingremedies.org/, http://www.healthatoz.info/ and http://www.health-disease.org/ .

Detailed Information on Gout

2008-01-26T20:25:00.000-08:00

by JULIET COHEN

Gout is sometimes called the "disease of kings" because it has long been associated with the wrong kind of excess in food and wine, only the rich and powerful could afford. Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis (inflammation). Gout is the state resulting from uric acid crystals in the filing of body tissues. Gout is characterized by an overload of uric acid in the body and recurring attacks of inflammation (arthritis). The chronic gout can lead to hard nodule deposits of uric acid in and around the joints, decreased renal function and kidney stones. Gout affects about 1 in 100 people and less than 6 to 7 per cent of older men. Men are more likely to find that women are the drop, but women are becoming more sensitive to the drop after menopause.

It occurs more frequently in countries that have a high standard of living. Mostly male over the age of 40. Gout affects up to 500000 (1 to 30) of Canadians. Gout attacks usually the big toe (about 75 percent of initial attacks), but it can also affect other joints such as the ankle, heel, foot, knee, wrist, elbow, fingers, and the spine. The most common sign of gout is a nighttime attack of the swelling, tenderness, redness and pain in your big toe. Gout is strongly associated with obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Due to genetic factors, the drop tends to run in some families. Gout can be inherited or occur as a complication of another condition. The use of thiazide diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and low dose aspirin may also raise levels of uric acid.

Left untreated can cause permanent joint gout and kidney damage. You can treat gout with drugs. The first line of treatment should be pain relief. NSAIDs may control inflammation and pain in patients with gout. NSAIDs include over-the-counter options such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others), as well as the most powerful prescription NSAIDs. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, given in short courses, are powerful anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of acute gout. The ice can be applied for 20-30 minutes several times a day. Weight reduction may help to lower the risk of recurrent attacks of gout. The best solution is to reduce dietary fat and calorie intake combined with a programme of regular aerobic exercise. Alcohol consumption should be reduced or stopped.

Gout Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Drinking alcohol should be reduced or stopped.

2. Try to keep your weight down.

3. Use helpful devices such as a cart to carry your grocery bags.

4. Applying heat helps relax aching muscles, and reduces joint pain and soreness.

5. Applying cold helps to lessen the pain and swelling in a joint.

6. Vitamin C, taken in high doses, can help decrease blood uric acid levels.

7 NSAIDS such as indomethacin (Indocin) and naproxen (Naprosyn) are effective anti-inflammatory medications for acute gout.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healingremedies.org/, http://www.healthatoz.info/ and http://www.health-disease.org/ .

Breakthrough in Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis

2008-01-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

by KIETH T

There has been a promising outcome based on a study using home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to enhance quadriceps fitness in older people suffering from Osteoarthritis of the knee.

Symptoms of this “wear-and-tear” arthritis can be alleviated by strengthening the muscle around the affected joint or joints. Exercise is known to lessen the symptoms, severity and impairment resulting from this disease. In some cases where sufferers are normally sedentary, exercise may result in muscle damage, particularly in women.

The NMES Study

Laura Talbot of The Johns Hopkins University engineered the study using neuromuscular electrical stimulation as another method of treatment for Osteoarthritis of the knee. This process is undertaken by spurring small electrical currents through the skin, allowing them to travel to the nerves and muscles to enable involuntary muscle contraction. A total of 34 adults diagnosed radiographically (through x-rays) to have Osteoarthritis of the knee participated in the study. The 34 participants were randomly chosen to undergo a 12-week

Arthritis Self-Management Course on standard arthritis education, with or without NMES. The group subjected to NMES was provided with portable electrical muscle stimulators to be used 3 days a week to train and strengthen their quadriceps. Over a 12-week period, the isometric contractions were amplified by increments of 30 to 40% of the maximum.

The main outcome was isometric quadriceps femoris (QF) torque.

Secondary outcomes included: ->daily step counts ->total activity vector magnitude ->100-foot walk-turn-walk ->timed stair climb ->chair rise ->pain level

The results point towards: ->An increase of 9.1% in 120 degree QF peak torque with the use of the stimulated-knee extensor contrasting with a 7% loss in the education only group. ->Timed chair rise was cut by 11% in the NMES group, while the education only group showed a mere 7% decrease. ->Both groups exhibited a 7% faster walk time ->Pain levels in both groups remained the same despite intervention. Researchers of this study came to the conclusion that applying the home-based NMES treatment method may hold some promise in enhancing quadriceps strength among adult sufferers of Osteoarthritis of the knee, without worsening arthritic symptoms.

Related Articles - Health, Mental Health, Family, Children, Food, Pregnanc

How to Identify Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

2008-01-25T20:32:00.000-08:00

by JAMES KRONEFIELD

Rheumatoid arthritis affects millions of people around the world and is considered to be a very common disease. Different people are affected at different degrees and knowing how to recognize rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can help you determine if you have it. It can be difficult to determine these symptoms sometimes because they can seem so random. This is because it affects each person differently. Some people have pain in their smaller joints such as the fingers, toes, hands, ankles, elbows and knees. Others feel pain in their hips and shoulders plus, it can affect several joints at any given time. Here are some signs you can look for.

Other symptoms include a stiff feeling in the joints after being inactive for awhile. Normally this is when you first wake up in the mornings. After you get up and move around for awhile the stiffness seems to work itself out. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation of the joints. This will cause the area to swell and the skin to turn red. Out of all the symptoms the pain that many people experience is the main symptom that is the easiest to detect. This condition can be very painful for many and hurt so much that it completely interrupts their life.

The amount of pain will depend on the degree this disease has progressed. For some people, it can be so bad that it disrupts their lives and makes it very difficult for them to get through a day. Many others find that they feel pain the most when they have overused their joints and muscles. Overworking the joints causes them to swell and inflammation to set in. This disease can progress to the point where nodules, which are small bumps, will appear on the joint that has been affected. These can also be very painful. Even running a high fever and fatigue re symptoms of this disease.

Some will experience a loss of appetite which can cause them to loss to much weight. This in turn can cause other health concerns. For most people the symptoms will appear slowly over a period of time and you may not even realize what is happening at first. It is possible for this disease to go into remission for awhile and then appear again later, which is one reason many people don't realize they actually have rheumatoid arthritis for a long time. It is important for you to know that this disease can do a lot of damage to your joints and so if you are experiencing any of these rheumatoid arthritis symptoms you should see what health care physician right away.

Looking for an arthritis care & treatment product that's guaranteed to work? Find out how you can be pain free without the use of drugs by using a natural rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Start living pain-free by visiting http://www.arthritis-care.net for complete details.

Alternative Treatment For Hips, Legs and Feet

2008-01-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

by FRANCIS ADAM
Pain may occur in part or all of the leg, including the hip, thigh, knee, calf, and foot. When pain is felt within the joint area itself (where two bones join) and is accompanied by swelling, heat, or stiffness, there may be an underlying condition, such as arthritis, or a musculoskeletal dysfunction of the joint. When pain spreads diffusely into the leg, it may be spinal or pelvic dysfunction or "referred" from the back.

Hip Complaints

Hip complaints are generally felt as pain in the groin, hip, or in the buttock, although it may spread into the thigh and knee. Pain is usually worse when walking, rising from a chair, and lying on the affected side and can be exacerbated by warmth.

The causes of hip complaints and associated pain are manifold and include arthritis and previous joint distortion. Mechanical dysfunction of the pelvis, lower back, or knees can also cause hip problems, and occasionally infection may be at the root.

Treatment

It is vital to get sufficient rest, since strain exacerbates the condition. Avoid sitting with your legs crossed.

Hydrotherapy Cold compresses may be used.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Acupressure This will reduce pain.

Acupuncture Treatment will aim at balancing the energies.

Alexander Technique Postural awareness exercises will be taught.

Chiropractic Spinal, hip, and pelvic adjustments are common methods of treatent. A practitioner will look at the problem of the whole person.

Homeopathy The following specific remedies may be suggested: Arnica 6c and Rhus tox. 6c.

Osteopathy Specific work into the hip and its surrounding structures, as well as the pelvis and spine, are the best forms of treatment.

Rolfing Treatment consists of expansion of the pelvis and postural integration.

Massage This should be firm and deep with Ruta grav and Arnica creams, and camphor and ginger oils.

Housemaid's Knee

Bursitis of the knee, or Housemaid's knee as it is commonly called, is the inflammation of, and excess fluid over, the kneecap, caused by repeated rubbing or pressure on the knees from kneeling. The inflammation and fluid prevent the free movement of the joint, causing pain, swelling, and heat.

Treatment

Knee pads should be worn while kneeling, or a foam rubber mat used to reduce pressure on the kneecaps. After the swelling subsides, exercise, within the limits of pain, is recommended in order to strengthen the thighs.

Diet and Nutrition Vitamins A, C, and B complex may be supplemented to reduce the severity of the condition and encourage the body's healing processes.

Hydrotherapy Cold compresses should be applied to the affected area when it becomes inflamed.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Acupressure and Acupuncture A practitioner will address specific points.

Chiropractic Specific joint adjustment, as well as adjustment of the spine and pelvis.

Herbal Medicine Comfrey and slippery elm (used as poultices on the affected area) and infusions of camomile and passionflower, taken internally.

Homeopathy Specific remedies include Ruta grav. 6c, Arnica 6c, and Bryonia 6c.

Massage Local massage with Ruta grav. cream, tiger balm, and ginger and lavender oils is recommended.

Osteopathy This is useful for specific work into the knee and its surrounding structures. Read out for herbal medicines. Check out herbal supplements and skin disorders

Herbal Medicines For Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout Treatment

2008-01-23T21:11:00.000-08:00

by FRANCIS ADAM

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that begins with severe pain in the small joints of hands and feet, spreading to the wrists, knees, shoulders, ankles, and elbows. Overlying skin appears red and shiny. This condition affects mostly women, often beginning between the ages of 20 and 40, although it can occur at any time. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, accompanied by fatigue, low-grade fever, and poor appetite.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune reaction resulting in a chronic, inflammatory condition affecting the joints and the tissues around them. The joints themselves become painful, swollen, unstable, and then greatly deformed. It varies in severity.

Treatment

Diet and Nutrition It is sensible to increase your intake of wholefoods, vegetables, and fiber. Reduce intake of meat, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats. A qualified nutritional therapist will check for food allergies or intolerance, such as dairy, wheat, corn, and so on, and will, perhaps, suggest daily supplementation with vitamins C (2g), E (400iu), and B complex, along with calcium pantothenate, selenium (100mg), and zinc (30mg).

Hydrotherapy Cold compresses are useful when the joints are acutely inflamed, followed by alternating hot and cold compresses.

Massage Joints can be massaged with tiger balm, lavender, and camomile oils, and Ruta graveolens cream.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Acupuncture This will be aimed at energy balance, and pain relief.

Herbal Medicine Useful herbs include black cohosh, wild yam, willow bark, and licorice.

Homeopathy Specific remedies include Arnica 6c, Bryonia 30c, Rhus tox. 6c, and Ruta grav. 6c, but treatment should always be constitutional.

Osteopathy Treatment will be to address the maintenance of body mechanics.

Healing This therapy can be beneficial.

Gout

Gout is caused by the buildup of crystalized uric acid around the joints, causing severe pain, swelling, and redness around them. It affects mainly the big toe, knuckles, knees, and elbows. An attack may be accompanied by a high fever, and repeated attacks damage bones. Gout is usually an indication that the body is not processing and removing uric acid efficiently.

Treatment

Diet and Nutrition Avoid shellfish, sardines, kidneys, and beans, and increase your intake of water. Biochemic tissue salts include Nat. phos and Nat. sulf.

Massage Oils of peppermint, lavender, camomile and geranium may be massaged into the affected area. Ruta graveolens cream may also be used. Self-mobilize the toe by gently pulling it and moving it around.

Acupressure Massage of points relating to the feet will be useful.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Herbal Medicine Celery seeds, and wintergreen teas; bladderwrack may be taken internally, or seaweed can be eaten or added to the bath. Burdock and nettle neutralize and eliminate poisons from the body. A poultice of comfrey and marigold may be useful.

Chiropractic and Osteopathy Both provide foot mobilization maneuvers to help the condition. Read out for home remedies. Check out hoodia diet pills and constipation

Related Articles - rheumatoid, arthritis,

3 Tips for Arthritis Treatment

2008-01-22T21:23:00.000-08:00

By Loraine DeJona

Doctors have known for a long time that diet can help with treatment of Arthritis. If it's a specific type of condition. However what is unclear are the affects on other common types of such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Eating foods that contain sodium nitrate or tartrazine can worsen the inflammation of the problem, while ingesting foods containing a substance called hydrazine can contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus, a condition connected to lupus, Eating black walnuts can cause flare-ups in people with a rare type called Behcet's Disease. Simply put, arthritis is defined as any inflammation of the joint and could either be chronic or short term in duration.

While in a normal case the patient complains of just inflammation of joints, it also damages and deforms the joint, disabling its functions, especially its ability to move. A symptom will vary from one person to the next, however, everyone will experience one common symptom, and this is stiffness and joint pain that is caused by the swelling and rubbing together of the bones. It is not uncommon to hear of people talking about pain and stiffness when the weather changes, this is in fact a symptom that most people suffer with that have this disease.

One of the best treatments people say are the most effective form of pain relief is to eat well and adopt a healthy way of living. Getting through the day and living with the pain can be a hard and heartbreaking task for you and the people around you. If you don't like the idea of taking any drugs, but would like to stay with standard medicine, then you can try a couple different ones to see if it works on your joints.

One of the main ways to relieve it is to take some type of anti-inflammatory medicine to relive the swelling and pain associated with it. You can alleviate the suffering with the right treatment whether it be creams, packs or pills.

Loraine DeJona is an expert in this area and has posted more free tips, articles and solutions at http://www.arthritispainreliefreviews.com/Arthritis-Treatment.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Loraine_DeJona

Finding Suitable Arthritis Pain Relief

2008-01-22T21:15:00.000-08:00

by DAVID NEEHLY

The first thing to be aware of with any arthritic pain relief treatment is that you are simply 'relieving' the pain, and not actually treating or curing the underlying cause of that pain. The arthritis condition may be, and in most cases probably is, worsening in spite of the pain relief being administered. That said, in the absence of a cure for arthritis having being discovered as yet, pain relief is the only viable option for the millions of people inflicted with this cruel disease.

Arthritis is a debilitating and usually progressive disease that can affect any part of the body, including the bones, joints, and even the muscles. Suffers can experience anything from mild symptoms right through to agonising pain in severe cases. It's a little know fact that there are more than 100 know varieties of arthritis, with more being discovered all the time.

Medical science has so far failed to discover one single cause of arthritis, with each for of the disease appearing to have its own trigger. Some of the more common symptoms of arthritis are joint stiffness and soreness which is often accompanied by a redness and pain in the affected area. The levels of pain experienced can vary widely, so it's important to be aware of the various pain relief measures available to sufferers.

Arthritis Pain Relief Options

There are a wide range of pain relief options to look at. However the most common and effective treatments are the arthritis pain relief creams and gels. These are a topical medication that is applied directly to the area on and around the affected joints. The best selling treatments in recent times have been the 'cooling' creams and gels.

Most of the more popular topical arthritis pain relief products contain menthol and/or peppermint. These products work on the basis of causing a gentle soothing sensation on the skin that disguises the pain coming from your arthritis. These products are quite effective for treating mild to moderate arthritic conditions.

Another popular pain relief option is the salicylates based products. These are similar in nature to aspirin, and therefore offer the added benefit of acting as an anti-inflammatory as well as providing pain relief. As always with any medication, you should seek appropriate medical advice before using these products to ensure that there are not undesirable side affects or medical conflicts that might put you at risk.

If your arthritic problem has progressed to the stage where the topical treatments are not providing enough relief then your doctor will likely start you on a prescribed oral medication. These treatments are usually taken at least daily, and offer much stronger options for treating the pain and other symptoms.

Topical arthritis pain relief methods such as the creams and gels are always the first treatments to try, and can usually be used alongside prescribed treatments, but they are not intended to be the single answer in anything more than moderate arthritic cases. It's important to realize that an over reliance on your topical medication may indicate that you need to seek out a stronger medication from your doctor.

David Neehly is the webmaster for the Arthritis information website Arthritis Secrets where you'll find all the latest arthritis news and updates, plus many more interesting Arthritis Articles

Best Treatments For Arthritis - Traditional Treatments For Arthritis Pain Relief

2008-01-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

By Robin Boddy

For someone suffering from arthritis, they know just how difficult it can be to perform everyday tasks. However, there are a variety of different treatments for arthritis that can make it easier to continue doing the things you love to do. It is important that you begin your treatment process with research of the disease. This will help you to better understand what will work for your special needs.

The main goal of arthritis treatment is to reduce the discomfort and pain associated with arthritis. This is most often done by reducing the inflammation around the various joints. The ideal treatment will allow you to continue to live a normal life, without interruption.

One of the first steps in treating arthritis is to educate yourself on what type of arthritis you have. This will help you to know what treatment methods will work best with the type of arthritis you have. Since there are a variety of different types of arthritis out there, it is important that you understand how each one reacts to the different treatments available.

Exercise is very important for anyone suffering from arthritis. By simply moving the various joints, you are helping to give them full range of motion. Stretching will also help to improve flexibility and keep the joints movable. Exercise helps to send waste and nutrients to and from the cartilage located around the bones. Water aerobics is great for someone suffering from arthritis. The water allows for easy movement with very low impact on joints. In order for the exercises to be affected, they should be done on a daily basis.

There are a variety of different herbal remedies that can help with the discomfort and pain of arthritis. Certain foods, such as cherries have been used to help reduce arthritis flare-ups. Cherries help to reduce the level of uric acid and prevent the crystallization of the uric acid in a person's blood stream. For some people, they have arthritis bumps located on their knuckles. The bumps can be reduced by the consumption of cherries. All herbal remedies should be consumed in moderation, as they can have adverse effects if used in mass quantities.

There are also a variety of different medications on the market that help with arthritis. Medicine such as Ibuprofen, Advil and Naproxen can help to reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis. It is important to note that certain medications should only be used for temporary relief. In some instances, certain types of medication can actually make arthritis worse when used over long periods of time.

There are a variety of different treatments for arthritis. It is important that you consult a professional in order to find out what treatment will work best for your particular type of arthritis. If one method doesn't work for you, don't give up. Continue trying different treatments until you find one that will allow you to live life without discomfort and pain. Arthritis does not have to change your quality of life. With the proper diagnosis and treatment you can live a happy, full life, without arthritis pain.

You can find more natural arthritis treatments by visiting http://www.arthritis-treatments-cure.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Boddy

Arthritis - The Life Long Disease

2008-01-20T21:32:00.000-08:00

By Richard Ealom

Introduction

Arthritis is defined as the presence of swelling, the presence of effusion, or the presence of 2 or more of the following signs: limited range of motion (ROM), tenderness, pain on motion, or joint warmth. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life. Arthritis is diagnosed through a careful evaluation of symptoms and a physical examination.

Arthritis is one of the most rapidly growing chronic conditions in North America. Arthritis is a major cause of lost work time and serious disability for many people. Arthritis is not just an old person's disease. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). Rheumatoid arthritis appears to have been described in paintings more than a century before the first detailed medical description of the condition in 1800 by Landre-Beauvais. Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose early because it can begin gradually with subtle symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is most common in older people.

Treatment

Treatment options include medications, reduction of joint stress, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical intervention. Treatment decisions require careful consideration of the risks and benefits to the mother and fetus. Treatment can include patient education, self-management programs, and support groups that help people learn about: Treatments-How to exercise and relax-How to talk with their doctor-Problem solving.

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may involve:Lifestyle changes-Medicine-Surgery-Regular doctor visits-Alternative therapies. The goal of treatment in this chronic disease must be two-fold: to alleviate the suffering of the patient here and now, and to prevent the future destruction of the joints and resulting handicap if the disease is left unchecked.

Risk

The risk of first developing the disease (the disease incidence) appears to be greatest for women between 40 and 50 years of age, and for men somewhat later. It is important to recognize that patient with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of developing lymphoma as a consequence of their autoimmune disease, independently from any potential medication effects. It is important to note that rheumatoid arthritis itself is a risk factor for non-Hodgkins lymphomas. A modest increase in the risk of serious infection was observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical trials treated with anakinra in combination with DMARDS other than TNF inhibitors, compared to placebo with DMARDs (2 % vs 1%).

Conclusion

Arthritis is a term that groups together over 100 rheumatic diseases and other related conditions that cause stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints of the body. Arthritis is exploding in an aging US population. Arthritis is one of the most rapidly growing chronic conditions in North America. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life.

Submitted by Richard H. Ealom Author of this article and the creator of "Free Articles On Diseases: How To Prevent and Cure Them" website. 93 Disease specific websites with extensive information on Alternative and Orthodox methods and products to increase your understanding of treatment and curing diseases. Please visit http://rainydrops.com/alternative-orthodox.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Ealom

Doctor... Does Ultram Help With Arthritis?

2008-01-19T21:48:00.000-08:00

Author: Nathan Wei

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have been the mainstay of treatment for arthritis symptoms. Physicians often advise patients to use over-the-counter preparations... or also use prescription NSAIDS for more severe problems.

Unfortunately, NSAIDS do have many potential side-effects including the potential for creating stomach and small bowel ulceration, kidney dysfunction, liver damage, fluid retention and a small but real increased incidence of cardiovascular events.

So... a real dilemma for many clinicians is how to control arthritis pain in patients for whom NSAIDS have already caused problems or for patients who have the potential for developing problems.

One drug that has been used primarily for pain control is tramadol (Ultram). This is a drug that is a mild centrally acting narcotic drug with little addictive potential.

Tramadol is increasingly used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) because it does not produce gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney problems and does not adversely affect cartilage, a controversial but possible side effect associated with NSAIDS.

A recent study sought to determine the analgesic effectiveness, the effect on physical function, the duration of benefit, and the safety of oral tramadol in patients with OA.

(Cepeda MS, et al. J Rheumatol. 2007; 34:543-545)
The scientists searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central), Medline, Embase, and Lilacs databases up to August 2005.

They included randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated the effect of tramadol or tramadol plus paracetamol (equivalent to acetaminophen) on pain levels and/or physical function.

The researchers included 11 RCT with a total of 1019 participants who received tramadol or tramadol/paracetamol and 920 participants who received placebo or active control. Participants who received tramadol reported (1) less pain, a 12% relative decrease in pain intensity; (2) higher degree of global improvement: one of every 6 individuals taking tramadol or tramadol/paracetamol exhibited at least moderate global improvement; and (3) improvement in stiffness and function, than patients who received placebo. In terms of adverse events, one of every 5 participants who received tramadol or tramadol/paracetamol experienced minor adverse events and one of every eight stopped taking the medication because of adverse events compared to participants who received placebo.

Their conclusion was that tramadol or tramadol/paracetamol decreased pain intensity, produced symptom relief, and improved function in patients with OA, but these benefits were small.

In actual practice, tramadol is a drug that is often added to an NSAID for better pain control or used instead of an NSAID in high risk patients. As with most therapies, a patient's response is often dependent on the expectations of the physician.

Caution must be exercised when using tramadol.

First, particularly in older patients dosing must start at a low level, probably 25 mgs per day with a gradual increase as tolerated.

Second, there have been sporadic reports of increased risk of seizures in patients taking anti-depressant medicines such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Tramadol should also be tapered when discontinued.

There are some potential drug interactions and these need to be evaluated.

A sustained release form of tramadol (Ultram ER) is now available in the U.S and appears to have a good tolerability profile.

Article Tags: Arthritis Treatment, Tramadol, Osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis Treatment

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

The Cheaper Arthritis Treatment: Improve Your Diet To Prevent Or Cure Arthritis

2008-01-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

By: Gloria Diaz

Arthritis is often associated with people in their 50s or older. But nowadays, more and more younger people are showing signs of this joint-related disease. What exactly are the causes of joint inflammation and what are the best arthritis treatment? Inflammation of the joints can result from previous injuries, like tibial plateau fracture, which affects certain sensitive cartilages and muscle tissues. A person can also develop joint swelling and pain if two or more of his or her family members have gout or any related illness. Needless to say, age is also one of the most significant factors in determining the onset of swelling of the joints. As a person gets older, his or her bones tend to be weaker and more fragile as one of the results of the natural laws of aging. But this doesn't necessarily mean teenagers or the twenty-somethings can be complacent. There are cases of brittle joints among younger age brackets because of extraneous determinants like weight and existing illness.

It is understandable that obese or overweight persons have greater tendencies of exhausting or wearing out their bones. Since weight is identified as a factor in causing joint inflammation, doctors suggest arthritis treatment can be in the form of improving one's diet. There are specific diets, like meals heavy in unsaturated fat and cholesterol, that make a person even more susceptible in experiencing joint pain and swelling. On the other hand, foods rich in certain minerals and vitamins are one's best ally in preventing early signs of bone inflammation. Choose foods with high nutritional value and specifically contain Vitamins K and E, which promote healthier bones. To alleviate inflammation, a person should boost his or her intake of vitamins B12 and B6. If beneficial minerals like zinc and copper are not usually found on your daily meal plan, take health supplements that offer these specific nutrients.

There are also certain medications supposedly aimed at combating arthritis. Some of these drugs don't come without hazardous side effects so it is still best to follow natural remedies to prevent or cure joint inflammation. Arthritis treatment need not cost someone a fortune. The safest and surest way is still through sticking to a healthy diet, or even particular exercise routines, or whatever a doctor advised a patient to do. One should not wait to get older before he starts to take care of his bones and joints. A person may not realize the importance of bone health until he experiences the premature tell-tale signs of joint swelling and inflammation.

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

2008-01-14T19:12:00.001-08:00

The term 'Arthritis' is derived from the Greek words 'arthron' meaning 'joint' and 'itis' meaning inflammation. It refers to more than 100 different types of arthritis conditions. The common denominator for all these conditions is joint and musculoskeletal (bones and muscle) pain. Arthritis is not just a disease of the old though many older people do have arthritis. Here are some common types of arthritis:

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: This is the most common serious inflammatory form of arthritis. It may do most of its damage in the first year, therefore early diagnosis and aggressive therapy is critical. If left untreated it may shorten life expectancy by as much as 18 years.

JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: It is still unclear why children develop arthritis. It is different from adult in that children sometimes outgrow the illness and it tends to be difficult to diagnose because the regular tests are unreliable for children. It causes pain and inflammation in the joints of children.

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: It is a potentially serious inflammatory form that is often found in association with psoriasis. It can cause serious problems because it may begin and progress insidiously. Early diagnosis and aggressive intervention are recommended. OSTEOARTHRITIS: It is usually associated with aging. It affects weight bearing areas such as the spine, hips, knees, base of the thumbs and feet. Genetics and mechanical factors also play a big role. Research is being done on medications that will slow down the progression of this disease.

These are some of the various types of arthritis. It should be known that there is no known cure but there are many treatment options that target different aspects of arthritis condition. Remember to see your doctor to determine the appropriate treatment plan for you.

Managing Arthritis Pain - How You Can Stay In Control Of Your Arthritis

2008-01-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

By: Maureen Wright

Have you ever ridden on a roller coaster and felt like you were out of control? LIFE can be like a roller coaster for those of us with Arthritis. There are good days and bad days. It is what we do with what we have—that counts.

Arthritis affects nearly 70 million Americans. There are more than 100 types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis. There are numerous arthritis treatments to help manage the pain as well. Arthritis is a major cause of chronic pain and leading cause of disability in the United States.

Did you know that the word arthritis literally means “joint inflammation?” Inflammation and pain are involved in most types of arthritis. Aching, throbbing, nagging, sometimes sharp pain – arthritis hurts!

It can make simple, daily activities like opening a pill bottle, getting out of a chair or even walking difficult. There is no cure for arthritis but there are things you can do to help manage arthritis pain symptoms.

See your doctor: Know what type of arthritis you have. Early diagnosis is important to proper treatment and prevention of permanent joint damage. Follow your doctor’s advice.

Keep a Positive Attitude: Make a plan for managing your arthritis. Take control. Arthritis is a condition that requires your participation in ongoing care.

Control your weight: Increased weight adds stress on joints in your back, hips, knees and feet. Less weight will reduce this stress.

Exercise: Stay fit! Exercise regularly to build muscles and keep joints moving well. Inactivity can increase your weight gain and your pain. Exercise (even walking 30 minutes a day or 10 minutes 3X a day) can increase strength and stability in weakened muscles and mobility in your joints. Remember the saying “Use it or lose it” – Then MOVE it!

Relax your muscles: Stress increases muscle tension, pain and feelings of helplessness and depression. Try relaxing by tensing and releasing muscle groups. Start at your head and work down to your toes. Deep breathing also helps to reduce stress.

Use assistive devices: Specially designed tools, called assistive devices, can help you perform basic activities. Long handled reachers, padded cooking utensils, etc., are available in stores, catalogs, and online.

Avoid improper positions: Using good posture and good body mechanics will help protect your joints. Don’t slouch in your chair; keep your head, neck and back straight, your legs uncrossed and your feet on the floor. This will help you reduce unnecessary pain.

Move around: Don’t stay in the same position too long. Taking frequent stretch breaks will reduce joint stiffness and pain.

Respect your Arthritis pain: Pain is a signal from your body that something is wrong. Arthritis causes some chronic pain, but when you have sudden excessive pain after an activity, you may have overexerted yourself or have been doing the activity incorrectly. Listen to your body, learn your limits and take extra care when you have pain.

Know your limits: Rest when you are tired. Arthritis can cause fatigue muscle weakness – a deep exhaustion that makes everything you do a great effort. Give yourself permission to rest. Pace yourself – don’t overexert yourself on one project. Break jobs down into smaller pieces that you can do over a period of time with rest breaks.

With proper attention to these items you can manage your arthritis pain.

About the Author:

Maureen Wright, RN, CRRN, CCM is the Out-Patient coordinator for Walton Rehabilitation Health System. (WRHS) is a leading not-for-profit comprehensive, multi-specialty, dedicated provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation. For more information visit http://www.wrh.org
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Relieve Arthritis Pain Through The Arthritis Bracelet.

2008-01-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

Submitted By: Frank Rom

It is amazing that the arthritis bracelet has become one of the most desirable methods of relief of arthritis pain. This considering the fact that there are a variety of ways to get this arthritis relief and the fact that not so very many people actually know of the arthritis bracelet and the benefits it can have on the alleviation of the arthritis symptoms.

Interesting Facts About the Arthritis Bracelet

There is an entire variety of facts to be known about the wondrous and sometimes misinterpreted arthritis bracelet. For one thing there is the fact that there is more than one kind of bracelet. One of the more popular types is the magnetic arthritis bracelet. In order to understand magnetic arthritis bracelets, you need to understand magnetic bracelets in general.

For a very long time using the magnetic bracelets did not have the reputation of being a bona fide method, but was rather looked upon as being folk medicine. People who used to use this method however were mostly satisfied with its capacities. Recent research has shown that in fact there is a place for the arthritis bracelet in the treatment of arthritis caused pain.

The growing success of alternative healing methods and alternative health care solutions in general has brought about it that many more people are consenting in trying out these alternative methods like magnetic therapy. The acceptance of the possibility that there is a beneficial effect in its use is now much greater than say 10 years ago.

So You Want An Arthritis Bracelet, Where to Find One?

Various places are at hand where one could go to find a magnetic arthritis bracelet or other forms of alternative arthritis therapy. One place I found to be a good call online would be the website of Witchcraft Supplies. Don't be put off by their name, they carry a broad and massive assortment of goods to cater to the need of people looking for alternative ways to treat arthritis pain.

There are of course cheaper ways to procure oneself an arthritis bracelet: go and take a look at Ebay for instance. And while purchasing a second hand one is not all bad, one might consider forking out a few bob more and get a brand new one, one that you can call your very own. Irrespective of what you choose: new or used, you are sure to recognize substantial amelioration very soon, sometimes even after just a day or two. It is well known that the effects of an arthritis magnetic bracelet are very fast to kick in.

To the sufferer of arthritis pains, many possible forms of treatment options are open with regard to the alleviation of arthritis. The arthritis bracelet is to be considered as one of the best options of them all.

About the Author:

Frank Rom runs and operates a natural vitamin supplements | herbal supplements | nutritional information site. For nutritional information you should also stop at Re-set your Metabolism

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Arthritis Cure – Discover The Natural Arthritis Remedy

2008-01-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

By: Greg DBK Smith

Arthritis comes in many forms, such as gout, rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Anyone who lives with, or knows someone who has, this debilitating disease knows how painful and life-affecting it can be. They also know how costly it can be to “manage” arthritis with expensive medications, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), some of which result in terrible side-effects, have known dangerous health risks, such as increased risk for heart attack and stroke, and which decrease in effectiveness over time, if they were even effective to begin with. Other expensive options include invasive surgeries and mobility devices, such as crutches, canes or wheelchairs. But, the sad truth is that none of these “treatments” do anything to stop the progress of this crippling disease.

I personally know of a woman who has experienced the tremendous pain and suffering caused by rheumatoid arthritis in her elbows and wrists since she was 35 years old; she is now 43. I witnessed first-hand the enormous difficulty she had with the simple task of drying and brushing her hair; motions that any healthy woman takes for granted. The disease has damaged her wrists and elbows so badly that she currently has no cartilage remaining in one of her wrists and, consequently, has no movement in that wrist. In addition, both of her elbows are severely deformed; both elbows look swollen and are slightly bent. Since lifting, pushing, or pulling an object usually causes her pain, she rarely uses her arms and, as a result, her arm muscles have atrophied. Her arms look like those of an elderly woman; her muscles sag and look shriveled.

During the last eight years, this woman has made countless trips to the doctor and pharmacies and spent a tremendous amount of money and time trying to find relief from her suffering. However, nothing helped and her condition worsened to the point she was willing to try anything, including participating in experimental studies. Unfortunately, these experimental treatments did not help her either. On the contrary, they may have actually caused her cancer, which she is currently battling with now.

I am writing this letter for her and for the millions of people around the world that are needlessly suffering from this horrible, life-affecting disease known, in general terms, as arthritis. Contrary to what the medical establishment might have you believe, such as “arthritis is just a part of life…there is no cure…learn to live with it”, every disease is curable, naturally, including arthritis; all that is required is the knowledge. In the case of arthritis, a few special individuals outside the medical establishment have discovered that knowledge on their own through years of in-depth research and testing; testing they actually performed on themselves. You see, these people too once suffered the horrible pains of arthritis but, after discovering and applying what they learned, they were able to cure themselves of this disease naturally. To further validate what they learned, they would revert back to their old ways and, without exception, the arthritis pain would return. They would then, of course, go back to applying what they learned and, again, without exception, the arthritis would “disappear”. In fact, by applying this knowledge, one woman, after suffering for 43 years, has been free from the pains of arthritis for over 29 years now; another woman applied what she learned and has been arthritis-free for over 16 years.

The point I want to get across is that ARTHRITIS IS CURABLE NATURALLY; real people have proven that it is. The details of what these people discovered to cure themselves of arthritis naturally are beyond the scope of this article. However, if you’d like to learn these details, simply visit http://www.databaseofknowledge.com/illness/arthritis.php. Here, for example, you can learn, in addition to so much more, the “gout remedy”, or rather, “gout diet” that explains what “gout food” to avoid in order to get rid of gout symptoms.

One last point: your health is ultimately your responsibility. As such, take an active stance and discover what your body needs to maintain optimum health. Do NOT simply leave your health in the hands of someone else. Do NOT assume that a highly-educated, licensed medical practitioner knows everything. They do NOT! No one person can know everything. Please do not misunderstand me, definitely work with a licensed medical professional when it comes to your health. However, if you find that what he/she is prescribing is not helping you, it is your responsibility to take further action and look for other solutions. Keep in mind that THERE IS A SOLUTION TO EVERY PROBLEM. You only need to seek it out. Remember the old adage: “seek and you shall find” .

Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous life,

Greg Smith
Founder/President
The Database of Knowledge: The Source for Enhancing Our Lives
databaseofknowledge.com

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Doctor... I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis And My Eyes Hurt. How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect The Eyes?

2008-01-01T02:03:00.000-08:00

Author: Nathan Wei

While the most obvious symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis have to do with joint swelling and pain, there are multiple other problems that may occur that an arthritis specialist has to be constantly vigilant for.

For instance, rheumatoid arthritis can cause damage to the lungs and heart and be associated with significant damage to the skin and nerves. Also, it can cause serious problems with the eyes.

There a number of eye conditions that can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis... and its treatment. These include:

Dry eyes. This condition is often a tip-off that Sjogren's disease, a common autoimmune condition coexists with the rheumatoid arthritis. Generally, patients with rheumatoid arthritis who also have Sjogren's disease have a more severe course of disease and prognosis.

Inflammation of the inner part of the eye (uveitis). This condition often causes symptoms such as eye redness, eye pain, and tearing. If not treated it can lead to blindness.

Inflammation of the episclera (episcleritis), the surface membrane covering the white part (sclera) of the eye. This condition shows up as a red eye. Sometimes tearing and irritation can occur. While not as severe as uveitis, it must also be treated aggressively.

Cataracts. These often develop as a result of chronic steroid therapy. The treatment is the same as for routine cataracts. Steroid dose should be minimized when possible.

Maculopathy. This is damage to the retina of the eye. Most often associated with anti-malarial therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, it is exceedingly rare nowadays. Still... patients who receive either hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for their rheumatoid arthritis need to be evaluated on a regular basis (usually every six months) by an eye physician to check for this side-effect.

Treatment of dry eyes may include artificial tears and other eye lubricants. Patients who also have dry mouth can be treated with artificial saliva and mouth moisturizing agents. In addition, pilocarpine can be used. This drug should not be used in patients who also have glaucoma. Sometimes patients who are unresponsive to more conservative measures may require surgery.

Treatment of uveitis and episcleritis may include corticosteroid eye drops, cyclopegics (dilating drops), and anti-inflammatory medications. Often more aggressive systemic therapies are needed. In fact, the presence of significant eye inflammation in the form of uveitis, episcleritis, or Sjogren's disease should be a warning signal that a more aggressive approach is needed.

Patients who have rheumatoid arthritis and experience dry eyes, eye pain or redness, blurred vision, excessive tearing, or light sensitivity, should see an ophthalmologist for evaluation immediately. Close and careful consultation with a rheumatologist is strongly advised.

Tags: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Eye, Arthritis Treatment

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

Living With Arthritis

2007-11-16T05:45:00.000-08:00

Author: Janet Martin

Do you have arthritis? Then welcome to the club! Millions of people all over the world are suffering from this chronic health problem. And it really doesn’t matter whether you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The joint pain and stiffness that the disease brings can cripple you and affect the way you live and work.

But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Arthritis was once thought to be an inevitable part of aging and people believed there was nothing they could do about it.

Today, we know otherwise. Effective treatments are just around the corner and there are lots of ways to make your life more comfortable. Here are some tips taken from Consumer Guide’s “Medical Book of Home Remedies” and “The Home Remedies Handbook”:

Keep moving. Maintain movement in your joints as best as you can. This can help keep your joints functioning better for a longer amount of time and, at the same time, brighten your outlook on life.

Watch your weight. Being overweight puts more stress on the joints. As a matter of fact, a weight gain of 10 pounds can mean an equivalent stress increase of 40 pounds on the knees. So if you are carrying excess pounds, losing weight can help improve joint function.

Question any cure-all. Frustrated by the chronic pain of arthritis, some sufferers pursue a litany of promises for 100 percent relief – whether from a so-called miracle drug, a newfangled diet, or another alternative treatment. Unfortunately, at this time, arthritis has no cure. So before you jump at the next hot-sounding testimonial, proceed with caution.

To stop arthritis pain, try Flexcerin - the ideal therapy for pain and inflammation without the side effects of other arthritis drugs. Unlike other painkillers that do more harm than good, Flexcerin’s special formula soothes aching and inflamed joints, restores mobility and flexibility to stiff joints, and rebuilds worn joints so you can move the way you want to. Visit http://www.flexcerin.com for details.

Tags: Arthritis, Flexcerin

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

My Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Responding To Methotrexate And A Biologic Drug... Are There Non-drug Therapies That Will Help Me Too?

2007-11-15T01:58:00.000-08:00

Author: Nathan Wei

The cornerstone of successful treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an early diagnosis and aggressive medical therapy. In addition, though, there are non-drug therapies that can be beneficial for many patients.

The following is a rundown of things that help patients at our center.

While glucosamine sulfate/ chondroitin have been used mainly to treat osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, it can be helpful in the patient with both RA as well as OA. There is very little data regarding its use in patients with both conditions. However, many patients report that symptoms improve with the addition of a good quality form of glucosamine and chondroitin.

If a patient is a smoker, there is abundant evidence indicating that smoking increases the risk of developing RA. In one study looking at more than 350,000 women, those who smoked more than 25 cigarettes per day had a relative risk of 1.4 of developing RA compared with those who never smoked. In addition, patients with rheumatoid arthritis who smoked were more likely to develop aggressive joint disease associated with more joint damage, rheumatoid nodules (swelling under the skin near joints), and higher levels of rheumatoid factor, a blood test that correlates closely with disease activity.

Physical and occupational therapy can be very helpful for those patients with significant RA. In addition to range of motion, muscle strengthening exercises are extremely important. The goal of an early muscle-strengthening program is to prevent long-term disability and improve physical function. There is significant data indicating that patients with RA who participate in strength-training programs show overall improvement in muscle strength and functional capacity. Beneficial effects of occupational therapy (OT) in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis, while sparse, do indicate that it is helpful. In our clinic, we feel that patients with significant hand and wrist problems benefit greatly from OT evaluation.

Non-impact aerobic exercise is critical for a number of reasons. It improves endurance, reduces fatigue, increases muscle strength, reduces pain (through endorphin production in the brain), and also gives an rheumatoid arthritis patient a sense of control over their disease. Non impact aerobic exercise can be done with swimming, a stationary (or regular bicycle), or elliptical trainer.

Dietary fish oil supplement has been shown to decrease signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil contains omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids inhibit the metabolism of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory substances such as prostaglandins. The clinical benefits are delayed for 2-3 months and require moderately high doses of 3-7 g per day. A recent study noted additional improvement in RA symptoms and functional capacity when dietary fish oil was combined with olive oil.

The use of various herbal and vitamin supplements that contain antioxidants and therapeutic amounts of anti-inflammatory compounds such as gamma linolenic acid may also provide relief.

Complementary therapies such as yoga, t'ai chi, meditation, prayer, chiropractic (in selected cases), acupuncture, music therapy, hypnosis, guided imagery, cold laser, ultra high frequency electrical stimulation, and so forth all have their place in the pantheon of therapy.

This is where treatment of arthritis becomes both an art as well as science.

Tags: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Arthritis Treatment

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

Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis

2007-11-11T05:54:00.000-08:00

by: Roger Thompson

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of 100 different types of arthritis. This disease is somewhat different as it is also considered an auto immune disease. An immune disease is caused when the bodies own immune system begins attacking itself. When a patient has rheumatoid arthritis the joints are primarily affected, but other organs of the body are also attacked. This disease progresses at a different rate with every patient, and can become so severe by deforming the bones, that a patient unable to walk, or use their hands. A proper treatment for rheumatoid arthritis has to be carried out by a rheumatologist, a specialist in this field of arthritis.

Some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include, the joints being red, swollen or warm to the touch, limited range of motion, severe pain and ability to move in the mornings. If these symptoms occur, a visit to the doctor is highly recommended.

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis can vary greatly. The rheumatologist will put together a treatment plan, and this can change as the disease progresses. One class of drugs used as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is the DMAR drugs (Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic drugs). These medications are thought to slow down the progression of the disease, but may not fully put it in remission. The medications in this class of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis include, Gold shots, Methotrexate, Plaquenil, Penicillamine and Sulfasalazine. These medications have been in use for many decades, and seem very efficient for many patients.

As with any drug protocol, the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis with this group of drugs is associated with some possible side effects. It is important to always discuss possible side effects with a doctor. Another group of drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is a group known as Biologics. These include Enbryl, Humira and Remicade.

Often, patients with rheumatoid arthritis can end up taking a combination of drugs to help with this disease. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can change as the condition changes. In addition to the two main groups of drugs, there are also steroids that can be used and NSAIDs(non-steroid anti inflammatory) group of medications. These can be used in conjunction with other treatment for rheumatoid arthritis to help control the joint swelling and pain.

Getting on the right treatment for rheumatoid arthritis can help patients not only feel better, but slow this progressive disease down.

For more Details check http://www.arthritisreliefhelp.info

About The Author

Roger Thompson writes articles on arthritis & pain relief for http://arthritisrelief.info

Natural Remedies For Arthritis

2007-10-28T05:45:00.000-07:00

by: Tony Isaacs

Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and loss of movement of the joints. The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation (arth=joint, ritis=inflammation), and refers to more than 100 different diseases.

One Highly Effective Arthritis Remedy:

A good friend of the author’s successfully used the following regimen with 100% success to rid not only himself, but also friends and two other family members of various forms of arthritis:

1) Plant Minerals- minerals are the building blocks of the enzymes necessary for the utilization of all other vitamins, etc. (rock minerals are a waste of money since only 5-15% can be broken down by the body before being eliminated. Minerals already digested by plants are potentially 100% absorbable.)
2) Colloidal Gold - gold has even been used by mainstream medicine to treat severe Arthritis.
3) MSM, Glucosamine, Chondrotin, Collagen
4) Calcium with Ostivone
5) Colloidal Silver- some arthritis is believed to be viral related and colloidal silver is an extremely good anti-viral agent.

Since arthritis comes in so many different forms and since no two people are alike, what works for one person or one kind of arthritis may not work for another. Following are other remedies, treatments and information which have reported to have been effective with at least some people and some forms of arthritis:

Juices for arthritis:

* Black cherry juice is good for arthritis. Take two glasses of this juice twice a day (each glass contains four ounces of juice diluted with four ounces of water). You can discontinue this treatment once the pain clears up.
* People with rheumatoid arthritis should include in their daily diets juices high in the anti-inflammatory nutrients. These nutrients include beta-carotene (found in parsley, broccoli and spinach) and copper (found in carrots, apples and ginger).
* Rheumatoid arthritis improves with a glass or two a day of pineapple juice. Pineapple is a rich source of the enzyme bromelain, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Other Useful Juices:

* Carrot, celery, and cabbage juice. Add a little parsley.
* Potato juice (If you are not allergic to this.)
* Cherry juice.
* Take juice of half a lemon before every meal and before going to bed.
* Carrot, beet, and cucumber.
* During acute stage, one pint to one quart celery juice daily.
* Radish, garlic

Caution: Certain juices may cause adverse reactions in people with osteoarthritis. Avoid citrus fruits, and be careful with vegetables from the nightshade family, including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Citrus seems to promote swelling, and nightshades contain psyllium alkaloids, which cause problems for some people.

The Gin and Raisins Remedy
(I know this sounds crazy – but I have personally spoken with several people who swear by it!)
* Put three shot glasses or small containers on your counter.
* In each shot glass, put 9 (not 8 or 10) golden raisins, not regular raisins.
* Pour just enough gin over them to just barely cover them (any kind of gin should do). By the 3rd day, the gin should be absorbed by the raisins.
* Eat the raisins from one shot glass, and set the glass up again with 9 more golden raisins, just barely covered with any kind of gin, and put the fresh glass at the end of the line.
* Each day, eat the 9 oldest raisins, then set it up again.
* Repeat until pain-free, usually 72 hours. It is truly amazing. And cheap!

Other Remedies

* Dilute five drops of essential oil of ginger in 20 drops of a carrier oil such as wheat germ or almond oil (available from health shops), and massage into painful areas. Remember that essential oils should never be taken internally.

* Glucosamine sulphate. This is a glucose-based chemical produced naturally in healthy joints, where it is used to repair and maintain cartilage, and seems to be effective in reducing arthritic pain, at least in mild to moderate cases. So far, no adverse side effects have been reported, but it is the subject of major clinical trials in the US, so we should soon know a great deal more.

* On an empty stomach take three to four walnuts or one fresh coconut.

* Mix equal parts of the following herbs: black cohosh, genitian root, angelica, colombo, scull cap, valerian, rue and buckthorn bark, and take one heaping teaspoon in a cup of boiling water. Let steep, and drink three 1/2 cups per day.

* Alfalfa (Medicago saliva): Alfalfa is a folk remedy for arthritis in southern Appalachia. Alfalfa tea is rich with nutritive minerals. We recommend that you do not take the alfalfa powder; take the tea instead. Alfalfa contains 1-canavanine, an amino acid that can cause symptoms that are similar to those of systemic lupus, an autoimmune disease that can also cause joint pain. Some scientific studies show that these symptoms can occur in both animals and humans as a result of eating alfalfa. The amino acid is not present to any significant amount in alfalfa tea. Place 1 ounce of alfalfa in a pot. Cover with 1 quart of water and boil for thirty minutes. Strain and drink the quart throughout the day. Do this for two to three weeks, and then take a break for seven to ten days before starting again.

* Angelica (Angelica archangelica): Angelica is an herb that has been used in European folk medicine since antiquity. It can be used to treat arthritis. The Western variety of angelica has 12 anti-inflammatory constituents, ten antispasmodic (muscle relaxant) constituents, and five anodyne (pain-relieving) ones. The Chinese sometimes use their native variety of the plant (Angelica sinensis) for the same purpose. The Chinese species is sold in North America under the names dang gui or dong quai. Place 1 tablespoon of the cut roots of either species of angelica in 1 pint of water and bring to a boil. Cover and boil for two minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, until the water cools to room temperature. Strain and drink the tea in 3 doses during the day for two to three weeks at a time. Then, take a break for seven to ten days and start the treatment again if desired.

* Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa): An American Indian treatment for arthritis involved using the root of black cohosh. There are five species in the Cimicifuga genus worldwide that have been used to treat rheumatism. Black cohosh contains aspirin-like substances as well as other anti- inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents. Simmer 1 teaspoon of black cohosh root in 1 cup of boiling water for twenty minutes. Strain and drink the tea in 2 divided doses during the day. Do this for two to three weeks, and then take a break for seven to ten days before starting the treatment again.

* Devil's claw is a good anti-inflammatory agent. Take 1,000 milligrams (1 gram) twice daily.

* Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate): Magnesium has both anti-inflammatory and anti- arthritic properties and it can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of the most important of the essential minerals in the body, and it is commonly deficient in the American diet. A New England remedy for arthritis is a hot bath of Epsom salts. The heat of the bath can increase circulation and reduce the swelling of arthritis. Fill a bathtub with water as hot as you can stand. Add 2 cups of Epsom salts. Bathe for thirty minutes, adding hot water as necessary to keep the temperature warm. Do this daily as often as you like. (If you are pregnant or have cardiovascular disease consult your doctor before taking very hot baths.)

* Feverfew has been used for centuries for arthritis. Some studies have found that the anti-inflammatory effects of this herb are greater than those achieved by NSAIDs. Take 250 milligrams once or twice daily.

* Ginger (Zingiber officinale) In one study, Indian researchers gave three to seven grams of ginger a day to 18 people with osteoarthritis and 28 with rheumatoid arthritis. More than 75 percent of those participating in the study reported at least some relief from pain and swelling. Even after more than two years of taking these high doses of ginger, none of the people reported side effects. Many people drink ginger tea for osteoarthritis. A ginger compress is also beneficial for arthritis.

* Licorice acts in the body like cortisone, without the harmful side-effects. Licorice is believed to enhance the action of bupleuri. Licorice also has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy activity. Licorice components are able to bind to glucocorticoid receptors on cells and exert glucocorticoid-like effects. It has been used historically in the treatment of inflammation, allergy, asthma and other conditions that put added stress on the adrenals. Long-term use of licorice can cause an elevation of blood pressure. Take 2 capsules daily.

* Oregano (Origanum vulgare). Oregano, is a powerful antioxidant. The antioxidant activity of oregano and other medicinal mints is due in large part to rosmarinic acid, a compound with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral properties.

* Bromelain, a chemical in pineapple, helps prevent inflammation. Athletic trainers have been reportedly recommending pineapple to athletes to prevent and treat sports injuries. It is believed to have beneficial effect on arthritis also. Bromelain can help the body get rid of immune antigen complex, compounds that are implicated in some arthritic conditions. It also helps digest fibrin, another compound suspected of being involved in some types of arthritis.

* Red pepper, Cayenne pepper (Capsicum spp.) Red pepper interferes with pain perception. The pain-relieving chemical in red pepper, capsaicin, triggers the body to release endorphins, nature's own opiates. Red pepper also contains aspirin-like compounds known as salicylates. Compounds in red pepper can also help relieve arthritis when you apply the herb to the skin. Researchers have discovered that you'll get significant pain relief if you apply capsaicin cream directly to painful arthritic joints four times daily. In one study of this treatment, the capsaicin cream reduced RA pain by more than half. Osteoarthritis pain was reduced by about one-third. Place 1 ounce of cayenne pepper in 1 quart of rubbing alcohol (a poison not for internal use). Let stand for three weeks, shaking the bottle each day. Then, using a cloth, apply to the affected area during acute attacks of pain. Leave the solution in place for ten to twenty minutes, then wipe clean. You can also use an OTC cream that contain capsicum like Zostrix or Capzasin-P.

* Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): Stinging nettle is an official remedy for rheumatism in Germany. It is the most important herb to consider for treating early- onset arthritis. Nettle juice contains an anti-inflammatory component similar to that of steroid drugs. It also nettle contains 47 parts per million of the mineral boron, figured on a dry-weight basis. Boron is an important mineral for arthritis. (The Rheumatoid Disease Foundation suggests that three milligrams of boron, taken daily, may be helpful in treating osteoarthritis and RA.) Directions: Take 1 tablespoon of nettle juice three times a day. You can freeze the juice for later.

* Turmeric (Curcumin, Curcuma longa) Curcumin, the yellow pigment of turmeric, has significant anti-inflammatory action. Curcumin has been shown to be as effective as cortisone or phenylbutazone in certain models of inflammation. Curcumin also exhibits many beneficial effects on liver functions. The typical dosage of curcumin is 400 to 600 mg 3 times daily. Curcumin is sometimes given in combination with an equal dose of an extract of the pineapple plant called bromelain, which appears to possess anti-inflammatory properties of its own.

Live long, live healthy, live happy!

About The Author

Tony Isaacs is a natural health researcher and author of books and articles about natural health including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" (http://www.rose-laurel.com). He manages "The Best Years in Life" website (http://www.tbyil.com) and is a featured author for Utopia Silver (http://tinyurl.com/2ynqk)

Why bow legs and knock knee lead to arthritis?

2007-10-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

by: Doctor Vitaliy Veklich

Basics

Bow legs (genu varum) is condition when legs have deformity outward of natural legs position.
Knock knee (genu valgum) is condition when legs have deformity inward of natural legs position. Arthritis means a disorder of the knee joint, generally implying early joint surface damage.

Leg axis is conventional axis that shows how the body weight distributes among leg joints.

Articular cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. It can supply smooth surfaces for the movement of articulating bones.

First of all bow legs (genu varum) and knock knee (genu valgum) are deformities that are not only cosmetic defects. They also lead to knee-joint move abnormality that after a number of years result to arthritis.

We find out that normal body weight distribution is when the leg axis go straight through femoral head, center of the knee-joint and center of articulation of foot. In this case the body weight distribute naturally and articular cartilage of knee-joint have equal weight distribution at full surface. There is natural position of knee-joint that allows to save the articular cartilage in health during years.

What is happen when a person have bow legs or knock-knee? As you could imagine that legs axises go still straight through femoral head and center of articulation of foot but do not go through center of the knee-joint. So body weight distribution change and regarding the knee-joint one part of the knee have more loading than another. If bow legs there is more loading of inner part of knee-joint and if knock knee there is more loading of outer part of knee-joint. So articular cartilage of knee-joint have different weight distribution at surface that leads to its attrition in the part where the loading is maximum. In time the articular cartilage attrition leads to arthritis and a person feels pain in knee-joints. Appearance of arthritis usually happen after years in elderly age but sometimes it is happen in middle age. It depends on individual health of each person.

The only way to protect yourself from appearance of knee-joint arthritis is the surgery for bow legs and knock-knee correction. With the surgery the leg axis become natural position so articular cartilage of knee-joint get equal weight distribution at full surface and keeps its health in years. Also there is a cosmetic effect that lets a person feels himself or herself more comfortable around other people.

About The Author

Doctor Vitaliy Veklich
Orthopaedic surgeon and Doctor of Medicine
http://www.doctorveklich.com

Vitaliy Veklich is Doctor of Medicine and professional surgeon in orthopaedy and traumatology both adults and children. His experience is more than 27 years of successful surgeries with Ilizarov-Veklich apparatus. He is the Doctor that knows responsibility for each patient who ask for help. After the years he is the head of his private orthopaedic clinic “Ladisten”

The Secret To Effectively Handle Canine Arthritis

2007-10-15T01:53:00.000-07:00

Author: Elise Rogers

As dogs age, they become more prone to diseases, conditions and illnesses because their immune systems are not as effective as when they were young romping puppies. Arthritis is a common condition that affects humans, cats and dogs as they age. Arthritis may be defined as a condition in which the joints experience inflammation, a tenderness to the touch, and may cause difficulty in every movement, such as walking or jumping.

Here are a few warning signs and symptoms of arthritis in dogs: swollen joints; lameness; limping; sensitive around the joint areas; slower walking pace; irritability and snapping; reluctance or difficulty when climbing stairs or jumping onto the couch or bed; stiffness in the joints. If you see your dog displaying any or several of these symptoms, take your precious pet to the veterinary clinic. Your vet will be able to help make your pet more comfortable by prescribing medication (anti-inflammatory medicines) and giving you helpful hints on aiding your pet.

There are many different kinds of arthritis in canines. Osteoarthritis, immune-mediated, infective, and idiopathic arthritis seem to be the four most common veins of this condition in dogs. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage surrounding a joint wears down and disappears. If this happens, new bone will often grow in its place, causing stiffness and discomfort in your pet's joints and basic daily movements.

Arthritis has many different causes. Simple wear and tear on joints is the most common. In humans, athletes will sometimes get arthritis later on in life because their joints have been used to their max, so to speak. The same thing happens with dogs. Injuries can also often cause arthritis. Sprains and strains on various joints can cause the joint to weaken and become susceptible to arthritis. If a dog is bitten or somehow wounded in a joint, sometimes the area can become infected and the infection can cause arthritis. Obesity or overweight pets are also at risk for getting arthritis because the extra weight places stress on your pet's joints, and dog joints are not made to handle an excess of weight.

So, how can you help your elderly pet that has arthritis? First of all, take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. This will help you and your vet take the best possible care of your dog by staying on top of their physical health. Consider buying your dog a dog bed that is comfortable and cushy. This will help ease the discomfort of their joints as they sit and lay down. Also, if your pet needs to use stairs to get to their water and food dishes, you may want to consider placing them in an area that is easy for your dog to get to them when they need to.

As dogs age, they require different care and more frequent check-ups at the vet. If your dog has arthritis, remember that it is an uncomfortable and oftentimes painful condition for them. Do what you can to make their last years with you as comfortable as is possible. Take care of your pet, and simply enjoy being with them, even though they may not be able to run around as much as they used to.

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

I Have Bad Arthritis In The Shoulder But I’m Afraid Of Surgery… What Should I Do?

2007-10-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

by: Nathan Wei

Joint replacement surgery for arthritis has become commonplace nowadays when it comes to areas such as hips or knees.

However, there is still the notion that shoulder replacement is difficult and not very successful. It’s something to consider only as the very last resort… and even then avoid it if possible. Why is this the case?

One reason is that shoulder replacement is not commonly done. Only about a tenth as many shoulder replacements are done as hip or knee replacements. However, new data from a Johns Hopkins study has demonstrated that while less commonly performed, shoulder replacement actually has fewer complications and shorter hospital stays than either knee or hip replacement.

Shoulder replacements are less common than knee or hip replacement for three major reasons.

The first is that the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis- is a disease of weight-bearing joints and the shoulder is not a weight-bearing joint.

Also, many people don't realize shoulder replacement is an option or they may lack access to surgeons who can perform shoulder replacement surgery because it is such a specialized procedure.

Finally, many physicians have not been exposed to the excellent results that can be achieved, so they are often reluctant to advise it for their patients.

As with all joint replacement operations, the single biggest determinant of success is the skill and experience of the surgeon.

This is a particularly complex surgery, so it is mandatory to find a highly skilled surgeon at a major medical center, particularly a center specializing in orthopedic surgery, where a large number of shoulder replacements are done.

So if you’re a patient with arthritis when do you know you might be a candidate for shoulder replacement? If you’re experiencing significant pain due to your arthritis that is disabling or interfering with sleep, that’s an indication. Also, if you are having difficulty with daily functioning as a result of arthritis in the shoulder, that would be another indicator that you should at least look into it.

While shoulder arthritis is generally a condition that occurs in older people, the patient must otherwise be healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure.

Shoulder prostheses last an average of 15 to 20 years so if possible, it’s best to delay the surgery until at least the age of 60.

As with other replacement procedures, a revision operation- a replacement of a replacement is a difficult, risky, and complex procedure. Patients under the age of 60 might want to consider lesser options before moving onto shoulder replacement.

Shoulder fusion is another procedure that can be considered. While pain is ameliorated, function of the shoulder is markedly restricted so it’s not an option for many patients.

The reason total shoulder replacement is such a challenging operation is that it involves removing the head of the humerus (the top of the upper arm bone) and replacing it with a new prosthetic metal ball. Then, a resurfacing of the glenoid (shoulder socket) is done by by attaching a second saucer-shaped plastic component to the shoulder blade.

Since the shoulder is a smaller and more complex joint than the knee or hip, it is more difficult to place the prosthesis perfectly. Getting to the shoulder joint is made more difficult because of the many nerves, tendons and blood vessels in the area.

Also, the anatomy of the shoulder varies a lot from person to person so many times standardized parts don't fit well. Placement of the implant is very demanding from a surgical viewpoint. Done correctly, shoulder replacement results in a well-functioning shoulder with a durable implant.

Also, and often most importantly, the operation eliminates the arthritis pain.

After the procedure, patients can begin to move their shoulder right away. They should remain in the hospital at least two days though. Several months of physical therapy are necessary to gain full functioning and range of motion in the shoulder.

Most patients can raise their arm by six weeks and resume full activities after three or four months. Patients experience the most dramatic improvement in the first four months. However, they will still make progress over the next year.

They often can return to their previous activities. However, surgeons caution patients that excessive overuse of the joint will wear it out faster.

So… shoulder replacement surgery can be added to the growing number of treatment options available for people with shoulder arthritis that has failed to respond to more conservative measures.

About The Author

Nathan Wei, MD FACP FACR is a rheumatologist and Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For more info: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/arthritis-treatment.html

Cure Arthritis Naturally- Are Painkillers Causing More Pain than Relief

2007-10-01T05:27:00.000-07:00

by: Joe Barton

Your arthritis is flaring up again and you immediately go to the medicine cabinet and pop a painkiller. After an hour you might not feel a thing but did you cause more future pain than relief?

The answer to that question is complicated but more often than not; the answer is Yes, you did cause more harm than good! But, you are part of the almost 40 million arthritic victims who might be using painkillers to treat their arthritis. So let me ask you?

Have you used a painkiller in the last week to treat the pain from a hurting joint?

Has your doctor ever prescribed a painkiller for your arthritic pain?

Are you wondering if taking these synthetic medications might become a lifetime pattern?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you should know that you can cure arthritis naturally and throw away the painkillers that might be causing more future pain than relief. And you could do that in less than three weeks.

The Problem with Painkillers

Personally, I believe painkillers do have their place in society. As a natural health guru, I have even taken my fair share of pain killers to remedy a headache or a sore back. But, the problem begins when people mix arthritis and pain killers. Let me explain.

First off, it is important to know that curing arthritis can only occur if you begin to rebuild your cartilage or rebuild your muscles around the afflicted joint. Typically, arthritis sufferers take some form of medication to reduce the inflammation and eliminate the pain. However, the problem occurs when the joint is aching and the brain is not registering it. You might go the whole day thinking you felt great but in the process, take 6 months off the life of the stressed joint without even knowing it. With that said, the unaware arthritic patient severely hurts the joint and the existing cartilage.

Think about that time when you were driving and the 'check engine' light comes on. By putting black tape over the light, you might forget about the problem; but you will eventually have to deal with a bigger problem. This is very similar to taking painkillers to treat your arthritis pain.

Finally, painkillers could also cause bleeding or other intestinal problems which could be fatal. In fact, last year it was reported that over 2,000 arthritic sufferers died because of intestinal problems due to conventional treatments.

Allow Your Body to Help

If you have done any studying on the human body, you will know that it is a pretty miraculous organism. Even Einstein said that studying the human body gives him his belief in an intelligent creator. But whatever, your beliefs; the human body was no accident.

Even the most respected scientists are dumbfounded at how intricate and amazing the human body is. And arthritic doctors and researchers are just as dumbfounded. Because the human body can actually cure arthritis naturally with fitness, proper dieting, and proper vitamins and minerals.

And most of this research wasn't discovered until this past decade when scientists began looking at diets and lifestyles of primitive tribes.

But the mysterious thing was that not one arthritis case could be discovered?

Curing Arthritis Naturally and Permanently

I don't blame you for being skeptical. Most of our thousands of customers were skeptical at first but tried our report's recommendations because of our guaranteed-results promise. But, if you are a little curious about the natural treatment; here are some recommendations that will allow you to begin to feel some results in the next couple weeks.

5 Tips for Treatment

1. What are you drinking? Begin a can fast immediately and that begins with your beverages. If something is canned or processed, it has preservatives and many synthetic ingredients that you can barely pronounce. Begin this week with a water flush which could be difficult but is doable. For the caffeine kick in the morning eat your favorite choice of apple. Again, difficult but doable.

2. Your sugar intake! Arthritis has been associated with high levels of sugar. Begin to wean yourself off of sweets and replace it with your favorite fruit or smoothie.

3. Workout! I bet you never thought you would hear those words. But you must begin a weight training program to build up muscle mass to support your body and joints. Though you might gain some weight (muscle weighs more than fat); you will look a lot slimmer and feel a ton better. Our report has some great suggestions for beginners or novices.

4. You Diet! This is one of the biggest problems leading to the pain. A good rule of thumb is always go fresh and healthy. If it is processed or canned; it is usually bad for your body. For pages of information about your nutrition and dieting; see our website today.

5. Breathe! Most people's bodies are starving for oxygen. To discover how you can give your joints more oxygen and less pain; learn about 3 breathing exercises that you can do at work and the proper posture rule.

6. Finally, deer velvet. Here is your free-be. Deer velvet is the secret agent that will help re-build your cartilage. To discover more about this Russian discovery, please check out our site.

What supplements will save me from pain? What vitamins does my body lack? What breathing exercises (you can do at work) will blast oxygen to my joints. Why does your body need a toxin flush? What foods should you eat and NOT eat? What herbs have helped millions of sufferers? And what can we learn from a deer about arthritis and rebuilding joint cartilage?

If you want to cure arthritis naturally, that will save you from the medication and the surgery, please check out our Arthritis Natural Treatment Report that gives a step-by-step remedy and is guaranteed to show results. You can start your treatment today by visiting our safe and secure website.

http://www.www-arthritis.com/akarth

Arthritis, Joint Pain, Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, Muscular Ache :herbal Approach

2007-09-15T01:41:00.000-07:00

Author: Dr John Anne

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to Ayurveda arthritis is primarily a vata (air) disease which is due to accumulation of toxins in the joints and is known as amavata.This can be caused by poor digestion and a weakened colon, resulting in the accumulation of undigested food and the buildup of waste matter. Poor digestion allows toxins to accumulate in the body, and problems with the colon allow the toxins to reach the joints.

Symptoms : Fever Immense pain & stiffness in affected muscles in case of chronic muscular rheumatism. Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by any movement or activity, such as walking, getting up from a chair, writing, typing, holding an object, throwing a ball, turning a key. Excruciating pain and stiffness in the joints in case of chronic articular rheumatism.

The following are a few simple cures that might just help relieve you from the pain of arthritis. Try any of them to see what works for you.

Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water taken twice a day is good for curing arthritis. Two teaspoons of juice from fresh leaves of bathua, drink every day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months. Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis. Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure. Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of warm water taken once or twice a day brings relief. Rub the aching joints with hot vinegar to get some relief from pain. Two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful liniment to bathe afflicted joints. Add one tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before sleeping. One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months. Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water. Exercise the afflicted joints in a tub full of hot water. Drink carrot juice, cucumber juice, eat cooked vegetables and/or vegetable soups, and drink coconut water for a healthy body & massage your joints daily to cure arthritis. On an empty stomach eat 2-3 walnuts or some coconut. Avoid mental tensions that lead to stress. Lose weight, if necessary, to get close to your ideal weight. If you weigh less, there is less weight on your joints and less pain.

Effetive and Proven Results For – Arthcare Oil (Anti Inflammatory and Muscle Relaxant Herbal Massage Oil) :

Arthcare Oil is the best natural solution for your problem, manufactured under the guidance of renowned MD Ayurveda Specialist doctor. Arthcare is an anti-arthritic herbal oil which not only gives a sure relief in rheumatic arthritis but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles. It is a powerful antioxidant and increases the energy level. Arthcare penetrates the body tissue faster than any other ointment because of its strong anti-inflammatory action. It removes stiffness and improves mobility of limbs. It brings relief from backaches, muscular strains, rheumatic pains, joint pains etc. Body massage with Arthcare oil, relaxes an asthmatic person. Arthcare is scientifically proven Ayurvedic formulation containing the herbal combination of well known traditional herbs described above. Within few minutes of application you will feel relaxed from pain. For Best Results Take 2 Arthcare Capsules twice a day and massage the affected area with Arthcare Oil 2-3 times a day.

Herbal Remedies:

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. The following have been used traditionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis:

Shallaki also known as boswellia (Boswellia serrata), comes from a tree that yields gum when its bark is peeled away. In clinical trials, promising results were observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, Crohn's disease. Researchers found that standardized Boswellia extract significantly reduced swelling and pain and usually reduced morning stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Ashvagandha (Withania somniferum) is an Asian plant of the potato family. Its roots have long been used to treat "rheumatism," high blood pressure, immune dysfunctions, erection problems and also to ease inflammation. Because of all this, it's sometimes called the "Indian ginseng."

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) may be among the best-studied of the four. Research suggests ginger root inhibits production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are involved in pain and inflammation. In an uncontrolled 1992 Danish study, 56 patients who had either RA, OA or muscular discomfort took powdered ginger. All of those with musculoskeletal pain and three-fourths of those with OA or RA reported varying degrees of pain relief and no side effects, even among those who took the ginger for more than two years.

Herbal oils are applied to the arthritis to loosen stiff joints, restore mobility, remove pain, inflammation or swelling, nourish tissues and relieve pain. The experienced hands dipped in the pleasantly warmed oil will travel all over the body with pressure. Arthcare not only increases blood circulation but also gives a sure relief for rheumatic arthritis, spondylosis, paralysis, muscular disorder, slipped disc, asthma and tuberculosis. Brings in relief from stress, strain and tensions. It is also very good for tonning of one's muscles and nerves. Get instant relief within minutes of application of oil.

Advice:

Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate): Magnesium has both anti-inflammatory and anti- arthritic properties and it can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of the most important of the essential minerals in the body, and it is commonly deficient in the American diet. A New England remedy for arthritis is a hot bath of Epsom salts. The heat of the bath can increase circulation and reduce the swelling of arthritis.

Dosage and Directions: Fill a bathtub with water as hot as you can stand. Add 2 cups of Epsom salts. Bathe for thirty minutes, adding hot water as necessary to keep the temperature warm. Do this daily as often as you'd like.

Tags: Arthritis, Joint Pain, Massage, Fibromyalgia, Spondylitis, Muscular Ache, Herbal Approach, Arthcare

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

The Scourge of Arthritis

2007-08-15T01:37:00.000-07:00

Author: Janet Martin

There is stiffness, chronic pain, and loss of movement. Simple tasks at home or in the office become difficult to do. If these symptoms bother you, chances are you have arthritis – one of the most prevalent chronic health problems today that affect 70 million adults and 300,000 children.

Arthritis is not one but a group of over 100 different diseases that affect the joints. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to the joints and surrounding structures.

Such damage can lead to joint weakness, instability, and visible deformities that, depending on the location of joint involvement, can interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, using a computer keyboard, cutting your food or brushing your teeth.

In the United States alone, 41 million women and over 28 million men have arthritis. Because it limits the daily activities of over 7 million people, arthritis is a leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15. It results in 39 million physician visits and over half a million hospitalizations. Medical costs associated with arthritis amount to over $86 million yearly.

“Together, arthritis and related conditions are a major cause of disability in the United States, costing the economy more than $124 billion per year in medical care and indirect expenses such as lost wages and production - and costing millions of individuals their health, their physical abilities and, in many cases, their independence,” according to the Arthritis Foundation.

“Unless something changes, the picture is going to get worse. As the population ages, the number of people with arthritis is growing,” the Arthritis Foundation added.

While there is no cure for arthritis, you can live a normal life and maintain flexibility through exercise, a balanced diet, and the right medications. To relieve pain and reduce inflammation, take Flexcerin. This natural product can quickly stop arthritis pain without the serious side effects of other painkillers. It rebuilds worn joints, restores flexibility to stiff joints, and helps promote and maintain healthy joint function. Take control of your life today with Flexcerin. Check out http://www.flexcerin.com for details.

Tags: Arthritis, Flexcerin

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

Relief From Arthritis: A Who’s Who In Arthritis Treatment For Newly Diagnosed Patients

2007-07-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

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

New Guidelines For Gout... Do The Europeans Know More Than We Do... Or Not?

2007-07-15T01:32:00.000-07:00

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/

How to Stop Arthritis Pain

2007-06-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

Author: Janet Martin

Life, they say, is full of aches and pains. For millions of people with arthritis, living can be a nightmare since the disease causes much suffering and misery.

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints and is a common chronic health problem in many parts of the world. It isn’t a single disease but a group of diseases characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness in one or more joints. There are over a hundred forms of arthritis with a host of causes but the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in adults over 45 due to the long-term wear and tear on the joints. The joints are normally cushioned by an elastic tissue called cartilage that allows the bones to move smoothly against one another. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bones rub together, causing pain and swelling.

Rheumatoid arthritis may strike at any age but it occurs most commonly among people in their 20s and 30s. It occurs three times more often among women than among men. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which – for unknown reasons - the body’s immune system attacks joints, tissue, and body organs.

In addition to pain and joint stiffness, symptoms may include a decreased appetite, fatigue, and fever. The disease may disappear within a year but when symptoms return, they are often more severe.

While there’s no cure for arthritis, you can ease the pain and live a normal, productive life with the right medication. Aspirin is commonly prescribed for arthritis but it can irritate the stomach. The same is true with traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like mefenamic acid and naproxen.

While the much hyped about COX-2 inhibitors appear to cause fewer gastrointestinal problems like ulcers, they are more expensive and may increase a person’s risk of a heart attack. What’s more, COX-2 inhibitors aren’t necessarily more powerful in relieving pain than traditional NSAIDs.

Flexcerin was designed to help arthritis sufferers cope with their condition without compromising their health. This powerful and comprehensive joint formula stops arthritis pain and helps rebuild, lubricate, and soothe swollen joints to give you freedom from stiffness and the mobility you need to lead a normal life. Check out http://www.flexcerin.com for more information.

Tags: Arthritis, Flexcerin

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

What Hip Arthritis Is All About

2007-05-15T01:24:00.000-07:00

Author: John Hilaire

Hip arthritis usually affects people who are middle age, overweight, or hereditary (tends to run in your family history).

Hip arthritis tends to progress as the condition worsens over a period of time. Some people have better months than others, and often feel the changes in the weather. Other common symptoms include feeling pain, as you continue your daily routine. You may not be able to move around as often as you would like to as you may feel pain and stiffness in the hip joint, or you might walk with a slight limp.

Arthritis commonly affects, feet, knees, hips and fingers. The common symptoms of hip arthritis include inflammation, stiffness and pain in the joints. The earlier symptoms include pain and stiffness in the hip, groin, inner thigh or knee areas.

Signs of Hip Arthritis

The classic sign of arthritis is joint pain. Pain is usually worse in the morning and lessens during the day. However, increased vigorous activity can result in your back pain getting stiffer and worse as you progress your activity.

Treatment for Hip Arthritis

If your hip arthritis symptoms are severe, it is better to go and see your doctor.
During the examination, your doctor will find out where the pain is and how to treat it. X-rays and blood work will also help determine your diagnose of hip arthritis.

Over the counter medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help the pain. Assistive devices, such as a walking cane, walker, a shoe horn or reacher (to help you reach stuff that are higher than you normally could reach) may make it easier for you to continue your daily activities of daily living.

If these treatments do not work that surgery may be recommended. The surgery depends on a few factors that include your age, the condition of the hip joint, type of inflammatory arthritis you have, and the progress of the disease. Your doctor will discuss what options are available to you and what the outcome you will expect to happen.

Hip surgery is the most common surgery and often recommended. Hip surgery will help provide pain relief and reduce the inflammation of hip arthritis.

Arthritis of the hip makes moving, bending and walking difficult through out your daily routine. Hip arthritis can cause problems with walking and can also lead to a disability if it is left untreated. It is better to see your doctor at the first on sight of trouble. Most people can lead a normal productive life with treatment and medication.

Tags: Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Health, Arthritis Health

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

Understanding Inflammatory Arthritis

2007-04-15T01:19:00.000-07:00

Author: John Hilaire

Arthritis is a disease which presents itself in many different forms, and inflammatory arthritis is just one of these many forms. The term 'inflammatory arthritis' actually refers to those conditions of the joints that involve the immune system and inflammation, for example with osteoarthritis, the inflammation arises because the articular cartilage on the ends of the bones has actually worn away.

In rheumatoid arthritis however, the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of a systematic disease process. You will generally notice that your inflammatory arthritis pain will tend to appear first thing in the morning and then eke off after you have been sitting still for a while or simply moving around doing your daily activities, and this is what truly distinguishes it from degenerative arthritis, which is a form of arthritis where the pain worsens towards the end of the day, rather than at the beginning.

The Development of Inflammatory Arthritis

The development of inflammatory arthritis is quite different than any other type, and many forms of it are autoimmune disorders, in which the body basically works by viewing its own tissues as being foreign, rather than recognizing them as its own, which is normal, and as a result this ends up causing inflammation.

Noticing the Symptoms

The symptoms of this form of arthritis are also quite unique, and the most characteristic symptoms of the inflammatory form of arthritis include: pain and swelling of one or more joints, stiffness in the joints, swelling of the muscles and joints, and cramping. These symptoms may appear after a minor illness, such as a flu or cold for instance, or they may even instead be associated with a period of emotional stress that you may be going through.

The most important thing of all is prevention, and this means making sure that you get in regularly to see your doctor and get full examinations, so that they can keep an eye on your health. You also want to watch out for any of the listed signs and symptoms, not only for this particular form of arthritis but the others as well, so that you can start treatment as early as possible.

Although there is really no surefire way to be able to completely prevent arthritis, early treatment is the best method and so you need to take all of the necessary steps and precautions in order to look out for yourself and your health as best as you can.

Tags: Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Health, Arthritis Health

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

Privacy Policy for Arthritis Treatment and Prevention

2007-04-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at kedarah@hotmail.com.

At Arthritis Treatment and Prevention, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by Arthritis Treatment and Prevention and how it is used.

Log Files
Like many other Web sites, Arthritis Treatment and Prevention makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.

Cookies and Web Beacons
Arthritis Treatment and Prevention does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.

DoubleClick DART Cookie
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.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to Arthritis Treatment and Prevention and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html

Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
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These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on Arthritis Treatment and Prevention send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

Arthritis Treatment and Prevention has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. Arthritis Treatment and Prevention's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.

What The Best Exercises For A Knee Arthritis Condition Are

2007-03-15T01:16:00.000-07:00

Author: John Hilaire

While you may be worried about what the various factors are that cause knee arthritis, it may come as a complete surprise to you to learn that running is not a main risk factor in spite of the fact that medical opinion on the subject is almost evenly divided between those who think it does affect your knee arthritis and those who think it does not. Furthermore, there are even some studies that suggest that if a person keeps his or her mileage to below thirty miles, then the risk of contracting knee arthritis is not very high.

Elliptical Trainer

Such studies obviously raise the question as to what are the best exercises to treat knee arthritis are, and in this regard aerobic exercises could play an important role for treating the condition. It would thus be wise for a patient of knee arthritis to include aerobics, and also use strengthening and stretching in a complete exercise program to get best results. You could also choose an elliptical trainer for your knee arthritis and they are generally available in fitness clubs and also can be purchased for home use.

The advantage to using an elliptical trainer for your knee arthritis is that it allows you to move in a way that lies in between the movement of a bike and that of a stairclimber. You can keep your feet on the pedals while you get a smooth elliptical motion that does not involve any impact, which results in better cardiovascular workout as well as a low-impact workout.

If you like the water, then you can choose to swim in order to improve your knee arthritis, as this exercise too will give you a good cardiovascular workout and it is also not an impact activity. However, it may not be very suitable if you have a shoulder problem as certain strokes could lead to aggravating your shoulder problem even more. Nevertheless, for knee arthritis it makes for an excellent choice and you should go ahead and swim without fear of any repercussions.

You might even consider using a stationary bike that is ideal for aerobic conditioning and it is yet another non-impact activity, though for your knee arthritis condition, you should ensure that the tension is very low and you must start off very slowly to prevent the risk of worsening your knee condition. You can also use it for quad strengthening as well as for stretching the hamstring.

You should not use a treadmill for your knee arthritis as this is an impact activity that can only make your knee condition get worse. Keeping in mind these activities and exercises, you should be able to deal well with your arthritis problem.

Tags: Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Health, Arthritis Health

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

Exomine Is A Natural Supplement To Help With All Forms Of Arthritis

2007-02-15T01:09:00.000-08:00

By Sandra Fierling

Arthritis can affect all human beings and osteoarthritis (osteo means bones) is the most common form - in fact by the time we are 65, 50% of us will experience this debilitating disease. Arthritis is caused by injury and/or aging of the joints.

Exomine is a natural supplement which helps restore imbalances caused by nutrient deficiencies.

Exomine's ingredients are natural, rich in minerals and vitamins and contain:

ginger,
tumeric,
cat's claw,
grape seed extract,
boswellia serrata extract,
boron,
glucosamine HCI,
hyaluronic acid,
chondroitin sulfate,
biocell collagin type II
MSM (methylsulfonyl methane).

These ingredients help with pain relief and anti inflammation - something that arthritis and osteoarthritis sufferers are very familiar with! Exomine can help improve all aspects of degenerative joint disease. The minerals in Exomine help produce new and healthy bone cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, can mean acute pain and stiffness in joints as well as soreness of the bones. Because these joints swell, then can become soft and sensitive to fractures and strains.

Exomine also helps with vitamin deficiency and let's face it today most of us are deficient in vitamins and minerals our bodies require. The most common symptom of lack of vitamins is the loss of cartilage in your joints. In clinical studies it has been shown that the ingredients in Exomine can help, providing pain relief and tissue strengthening as well as improving flexibility and range of motion.

With any form of arthritis it is counter-productive to indulge in a diet rich in white bread, white sugar and refined cereals. Exomine helps rebuild bone cartilage and assists with pain management. Arthritis can often be inherited and is often found among elderly people. Men usually earlier from osteoarthritis than women but Exomine can support both men and women with this disease.

Osteoarthritis is a very debilitating disease, reducing cartilage levels in the bone joints. This is a result of loss of protein as well as from wear and tear on your joints as you age. Exomine can help with osteoarthritis as well as other forms of arthritis.

Sandra Fierling is an avid researcher of arthritis related articles, programs and products, including Exomine and runs a successful website dedicated to debunking various arthritis myths for the benefit of the consumer For great free arthritis tips, discount offers and more, see Sandra's website at http://www.arthritisreviews.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Fierling

Arthritis Diets

2007-01-15T01:05:00.000-08:00

By Eugene Williams

Arthritis diets should be at the forefront of relieving the symptoms associated with this Joint ailment. Arthritis has become a pandemic problem and should be taken seriously. There are well over 40 million Americans suffering from some variation of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis). In this article, I reveal certain substances that can possibly help to reduce swelling and promote joint healing.

Glucosamine Sulfate This helps to regulate cartilage damage and restores maximum joint health by stimulating the growth of new cartilage.

Bromelain Is a mixture of protein digesting enzymes found in pineapples. This promotes blood flow to affected areas, helps ease pain and inflammation and speeds up joint repair. Bromelain is a key element to arthritis diets.

Boswellia Serrata An herb that may improve pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis. This Ayuverdic herb helps block the 5 Lox pain enzyme and improves overall mobility.

Curcumin This is the active compound in tumeric. Curcumin is a powerful free radical fighter that may help to improve joint discomfort.

Bioastin Is a microalgae antioxidant. In 1999 Bioastin completed a review by the FDA. Bioastin can be a weapon against joint pain and is 550 times more powerful than vitamin e in some studies. Bioastin can be a great addition to any arthritis diets.

MSM Provides sulfur which is a vital building block of joints, cartilage, skin, hair and nails. This methyl group supports many vital biochemical processes in the body.

Serrapeptase This a proteolytic enzyme that is isolated from a microorganism called Serrata E15. This enzyme can be used to digest non living tissue cysts, blood clots, and inflammation in all forms. It also helps to thin fluids that gather around injured areas and helps them drain better. Serrapeptase is another great addition to any arthritis diets.

Arthritis is a very painful and life altering problem that needs are full attention. Please look for more information on arthritis as it is uncovered.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eugene_Williams