Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis (arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55.

There are many different forms of arthritis, each of which has a different cause. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease) occurs following trauma to the joint, following an infection of the joint or simply as a result of aging. Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that abnormal anatomy may contribute to early development of osteoarthritis.

Around 107,000 people are said to be hospitalized thanks to bad reactions with NSAIDs – the group of drugs Vioxx belonged to.

There are different forms of arthritis, but the two most commonly known are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This is when the body fails to recognize its own constituent parts as “self” and begins to attack its own cells and tissues – in this case, the joints. Being a systemic disease, it often affects other body tissue, including skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs and muscles.

Osteoarthritis on the other hand, is a degenerative condition caused by a wearing of the cartilege that cushions the joints. This causes pain and loss of mobility which in turn may lead to muscular atrophy after a while, bringing further complications.

How Common Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is very common. It has been estimated that as many as 70 million Americans — or about one in three — have some form of arthritis or joint pain. It is a major cause of lost work time and serious disability for many people. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, affects more than 20 million Americans. Arthritis affects people of all ages, but is more common in older adults.

Causes

The exact cause of arthritis is unknown. However, there are a number of risk factors associated with various arthritic conditions.A risk factor increases the chances that a person will develop a disease or condition. Some researchers suspect that rheumatoid arthritis is triggered by an infection possibly a virus or bacterium in people with an inherited susceptibility. Although the disease itself is not inherited, certain genes that create an increased susceptibility are. People who have inherited these genes won’t necessarily develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms

If you have arthritis, you may experience:

* Joint pain

* Joint swelling

* Stiffness, especially in the morning

* Warmth around a joint

* Redness of the skin around a joint

* Reduced ability to move the joint

Risk Factors

Certain factors have been shown to be associated with a greater risk of arthritis. Some of these risk factors are modifiable while others are not.

Treatment

Treatments for arthritis have improved in recent years. Most treatments involve medications. But in some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary. Drug classes used to treat arthritis include:

* NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

* COX-2 Inhibitors

* Pain Medication (analgesics)

* Corticosteroids

* DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs)

Related Posts:

• Rheumatoid arthritis treatment – Part 1
• Dealing with arthritis pain in your hands
• Guide to effective arthritis treatment – Part 3
• Guide to effective arthritis treatment – Part 4
• Arthritis treatment & pain relief – Part 1

I would like to start with a quote from Dr Robert Bingham, a specialist in the treatment of arthritis. He said: No person who is in good nutritional health develops rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis

What is Arthritis? Arthritis is (from Greek Arthro = joint + itis= inflammation) a group of diseases where there is a damage caused to the joints of the body.

There are many form of arthritis : Rheumatoid arthritis , psoriatic arthritis, septic arthritis, Gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis(the most common form of arthritis).

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune diseases (the body attacking itself)

Septic arthritis is caused by joints infections.

Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints that results in subsequent inflammation.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can occur after a trauma to the joints or simply aging .

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 65. By the age of 60 nine in every ten people have it . For most of them arthritis means living with pain and stiffness. However, Arthritis is not an inevitable consequence of aging and can be prevented , provided the underlying causes are eliminated. In the search of causes and solutions many things have been considered including diet, exercise, posture, climate, hormones, infections, genetics ,old age, stress..

The likely factors that lead to the development of Arthritis are:

-Poor lubrication of the joints. In between joints is a substance called synovial fluid. Appropriate nutrition is needed to make sure that the synovial fluid stays fluid and able to lubricate.

- Hormonal imbalance .Hormones control the calcium balance in the body. If the calcium balance is not right, the bones and joints can become porous and subject to wear and tear.

-Allergies and sensitivities. Most of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have food and chemical allergies or sensitivities that make their symtoms flare up.

- Free radicals . If the immune system is not working properly, as in rheumatoid arthritis, it will produce too many free radicals, which can damage tissue around the joint. In this case a good intake of antioxidant is very valuable.

-Infections. Any infection ,be it viral or bacterial, weaken the immune system which control inflammation.

Bone strain and deformities. Any damage or strain, so often caused by bad posture, increases the risk of developing arthritis .

- State of mind. Research at the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation and at the University of Southern California Medical School has shown a link between arthritis and emotional stress.

- Poor diet . Most people with Arthritis have a history of very poor diet, which pave the way to many of the factors stated above.

Diet advice: avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates, stimulants, fat ,too much protein . Drink plenty of water and herb teas. Make sure you have all the vital vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, antioxidants nutrients.

Alexis Kenne

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• Arthritis Causes And Symptoms
• Arthritis Treatment and Prevention
• What is arthritis?
• The different types of arthritis – Part 3
• Basic facts about arthritis – Part 4

Whether to use heat therapy or cold therapy to reduce arthritis pain depends on the type of arthritis and the type of pain you have. Since everyone experiences and responds to pain differently, you should discuss a pain management plan with your doctor. You may have to try several things to see what works.
According to Dr. Kevin Sperber, Board Certified Pain Management Specialist at Columbia University, “Ice is best for soft tissue injuries such as bruises, sprains or acute trauma. Cold therapy may also be helpful for occasional flare ups of pain after activity. Cold acts as an analgesic by numbing the sore area and can also drastically reduce swelling and discomfort.”
Therapeutic Heat is more commonly recommended than cold to reduce arthritis pain because it relaxes ligaments, increases blood flow and improves joint range of motion.
So why the debate over hot or cold? Dr. Sperber says that for chronic conditions, like arthritis, both cold and heat can help to reduce inflammation, so it may come down to what feels better to you.
Cold Therapy Product Ideas:
* Frozen Gel Cold Packs. Save your frozen peas and use a pliable, reusable “ice pack” instead. ColPaC offers various sizes and shapes.
* Biofreeze. This topical pain reliever is recommended for temporary relief of arthritis, tendonitis and fybromyalgia. It comes in a tube, roll-on, spray or gel pump.
Hot Therapy Product Ideas:
* Whirlpool Spa. For most arthritis sufferers, hydrotherapy is the ultimate heat therapy. For a fraction of the cost of installing a permanent spa you can have a portable, inflatable whirlpool spa that goes anywhere – indoors, outdoors, on your patio, deck, RV, condo or apartment. We suggest the Spa2Go or the Spa-N-A-Box. Both are easy to assemble (20 minutes) and no special wiring or plumbing is needed.
* Infrared Heat. Sometimes deep penetrating heat is just what you need to reduce your arthritis pain. The Thermotex Infrared Heating Pad TTS Platinum is the most popular model because of its portability and adjustable straps.
* Light Relief Light Therapy. This hand-held device provides topical heating to elevate and/or maintain tissue temperature wherever it is placed. Works on dogs, too.
* Paraffin Bath. Dip your sore hands, feet or elbows in melted paraffin wax for fast acting, drug-free therapy. The most popular one on the market is the Therabath PRO Paraffin Bath.
* Moist Heat. Arthritic pain is often relieved with moist heat. We recommend the Theratherm Digital Electric Moist Heating Pad, the Thermophore Automatic Moist Heat Pack or the new Thermophore Arthritis Pad. There is also a Therabeads Moist Heat Mitt for your hands.
* Arthritis Gloves. These specially designed arthritis gloves provide mild compression and warmth for your hands. They have open fingertips so your can feel, touch and grip.

Related Posts:

• Arthritis Pain Relief – Cold Therapy or Heat Therapy?
• Arthritis Pain Relief – Cold Therapy or Heat?
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There are many different types of arthritis, each of which involves some disorder or inflammation of one or more joints. The two most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting the middle-aged. It is a degenerative joint disease and is characterized by pain, stiffness, and swelling in spinal joints, hips, knees, and joints of the hand, with progressive loss of function. The cartilage that lines the bones degenerates, becoming inflamed, rough, and hardened, and eventually wears away. Tendons, ligaments, and muscles that are holding the joint together become weaker, causing deformity, pain, and reduced movement.

Osteoarthritis is the result of natural wear arid tear, but other causes can include

repeated strain to joints, ligaments, and muscles

joint deformation from birth or previous injury

rheumatoid arthritis

gout

nutritional and hormonal influences.

Treatment

Diet and Nutrition Correct body weight should be maintained to prevent strain from causing osteoarthritis. Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and simple carbohydrates, such as white flour and refined sugar, should be eaten in moderation. Avoid coffee, red meat, artificial additives, and processed foods. Increase your intake of vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, wheat germ, and oily fish. A nutritionist might suggest daily supplementation with vitamins A (10,000iu), C (2g), E (600iu), and B6 (50mg).

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

Yoga This will help to encourage joint mobility and improved posture.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Acupuncture With or without using moxibustion, this will act to balance energies and reduce both inflammation and pain.

The hand is a complex arrangement of bones, joints, and tendons, which make it vulnerable to wear and tear

Ayurveda Treatment is aimed at balancing the elements of air, fire, water, and mindbody connections.

Herbal Medicine Some herbalists might recommend celery seed, yucca leava bogbean, and devil’s clal taken daily. Infusions alfalfa and nettle may be suggested as nutrition supplements. Wild yam root and glucose amine (1500mg per day) are also useful.

Homeopathy Rhus tox.6c is suitable when the condition is worse with rest anij dampness, and Ruta grav. is appropriate when symptoms are relieved by warmth.

Osteopathy and Chiropractic These are useful for maintenance of efficient body mechanics and pain relief.

Rolfing Treatment will address postural integration.

Related Posts:

• The different types of arthritis – Part 3
• Basic facts about arthritis – Part 4
• How to Treat and Prevent Muscle and Joint Pain
• The different types of arthritis – Part 7
• Guide to effective arthritis treatment – Part 4

I got rid of my arthritis and arthritis pain forever by doing one single thing – read on. Yes I finally found complete relief from my arthritis pain naturally, and you can do it too.

To get the arthritis pain relief you’re seeking it’s helpful to understand how arthritis works. Sometimes arthritis occurs in the wrist, elbows, shoulders, and jaw but you generally don’t find it there. In osteoarthritis, any one or more affected joints experience a progressive loss of cartilage, which is the slippery material that cushions the ends of bones.

It’s important to learn plenty of facts about joints and arthritis to help you understand how to treat arthritis better. Collagen is the main protein found in all connective tissues in the body, including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Damaged joints cause pain and sufferers are constantly looking for ways to relieve the pain.

Researchers report a higher incidence of osteoarthritis between parents and children or between siblings than between husbands and wives. Injuries sometimes can be the start in the arthritic disease process; osteoarthritis can develop years later even after a single traumatic injury to a joint or near a joint. Possible causes of arthritis include lesser known: bleeding disorders, like hemophilia that causes bleeding to occur in the joint; disorders such as avascular necrosis, that block the blood supply closest to the joint; and conditions like hemochromatosis, which causes iron build-up in the joints.

Many arthritis sufferers have changed their diets, like I did, and noticed significant or total improvement. An acidic diet, that is any foods that are not alive, is considered to be inflammatory to the joints. One natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods. I learned to eat and enjoy all living foods. Living foods are foods that are alive, like fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. There are plenty of raw food cookbooks out there with great recipes, too.

If you’re not already doing so, make a big effort to change your diet. Many have told me that going off dairy products and gluten-containing foods relieved their arthritis pain entirely.

Make smoothies with fruit only using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost — no one will ever know.

Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question the value of these supplements; it’s clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly. Keep in mind, if you take a joint supplement it should help do three things — build cartilage, relieve everyday joint pain, and enhance your flexibility and movement.

Some people swear by morning drinks of raw apple cider vinegar and honey for arthritis pain relief. If your osteoarthritis is affecting your load-bearing joints, keeping your weight within a normal range is important.

Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall health. At bedtime try putting on a pair of stretch gloves to help reduce the pain and swelling in your fingers for those who have arthritic hands. To be on the safe side always seek your doctor’s advice before starting or changing your exercise program. Stretching and warming up the joints should always be the first step in your exercise routine to make your joints more flexible.

For arthritic fingers, a good exercise is to put your finger tips together and press hard and release, then repeat several times. Even if you don’t think you can exercise, you can do some movements. Use Taiji health balls, with the chimes, to strengthen the finger joints: hold two balls, move in a clockwise circle with your fingers to rotate them, then try counterclockwise and do throughout the day.

If you’re going to go the conventional treatment route and take medications, ask your pharmacist for drug inserts so you can read up on the drugs and understand any side effects or adverse reactions, before taking them. If you’re planning to take any of the non-prescription NSAIDS for arthritis, make sure you understand what bad effects they can have on the stomach, liver and/or kidneys and discuss this with your doctor. Once you become more informed about arthritis you’ll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both.

More and more doctors are investigating the benefits of alternative therapies and most don’t object to patients trying them. One should not only search for relief of arthritis pain but work on preventing it. Knowing more about arthritis and how it works will ultimately help contribute to your relief of arthritis pain. Changing the diet to a diet of mostly living foods is the fastest way to get rid of arthritis pain – I did it, you can too.

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