Knee Swelling - Is This Arthritis Or Something Else?

Are you having problems with painful knee swelling and wondering what in the world is going on? Well, if you are like one of millions of people who suffer from knee joint problems, this can be an on-going situation. Don't you think it's time to find out if your swollen knees are caused by osteoarthritis or something else?

Many people in today's society are living longer. Degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, Parkinson's, and diabetes were not a big concern to researchers in the past because many people did not live past their 40's. Now a days, people are living well into their 60's and 70's and even into their 80's and 90's. They are wanting cures to these debilitating diseases so they can be healthy in their golden years and live free of pain.

The problem with a symptom like knee swelling is that it could be something other than arthritis. Knee inflammation happens when there is fluid build up or bleeding in the joint of the knee or around the joint. Many conditions can cause this namely osteoarthritis, knee joint infection, meniscus or ligament tear, bursitis, vitamin deficiencies and medication toxicity.

Bursitis for instance is a condition that happens when the bursa that surrounds the knee joint becomes swollen due to injury. A bursa is closed fluid filled sac that serves as gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues in the body. When the fluid filled sac around the knee becomes injured, it causes knee pain and inflammation.

Unlike bursitis, cartilage damage induced by arthritis causes fluid to accumulate in the knee joint instead of around the joint. So determining where the fluid is accumulating in the knee is key to a diagnosis. Vitamin C deficiency and toxicity from blood thinning medications like coumadin can cause blood to seep into the joints and tissues but these are less common conditions that can cause the knee to swell.

In the meantime, what can you do to decrease knee swelling. Getting an MRI is one way to determine what is causing knee inflammation. If it is an acute problem which is usually from an injury, an anti-inflammatory can be taken. However, if it is a long term condition such as osteoarthritis, you may want to consider a natural supplement with ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and ginger which decreases inflammation in the knee and rebuild cartilage.

Whatever you do don't allow knee swelling to continue. Talk with your health care professional. Continuous inflammation in the knee can lead to further knee damage down the road because the last thing you want to have to undergo is knee surgery.

Effective Ways Of Treating Arthritis Back Pain

Although arthritic conditions may not originate in the lumbar region, they can also affect the back and result in arthritis back pain. Commonly, there are a few types of arthritic conditions that may need back pain treatment as well, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions may not begin in the spine, but may ultimately travel to the lumbar region.

Osteoarthritis refers to the loss of protective cartilage that results in abnormalities surrounding the bone. Osteoarthritis strikes in two forms: primary, the most common, progressive type that sets in around age forty-five and the secondary form resulting from a trauma or injury. Osteoarthritis also affects the spine and it can be painful at any age. The condition commonly affects the small joints in the hands, the hip, the knee and the spine. A typical symptom of Osteoarthritis is pain without activity upon waking up. The pain subsides with movement and intensifies in damp weather. In addition, sitting for a prolonged period of time also causes the spine to hurt.

Typically, back pain patients suffering from Osteoarthritis are advised to maintain a regular regimen of gentle exercise and proper weight balance. In addition, they are also prescribed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) which can help them to relieve the back pain and allow the recovery of weak muscles.

Another common arthritic condition that may lead to arthritis back pain is rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis, usually affects the knee, hip, hand, neck and spine areas. It is usually more common in women than in men. The first symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is malaise and fatigue, including morning tenderness and prolonged stiffness of the joints, particularly in the hands and feet. As symptoms intensify, drug therapy is used to prevent irreversible cartilage loss or deformity. If joint swelling worsens, the inflammation process proceeds to the cartilage and bone. In the final stages, overgrowth of cartilage and destruction of the bone throw ligaments out of position.

One effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is to remain active during the day. You should exercise for at least twenty minutes a day to help build muscle strength. Besides this, NSAIDS are being used to reduce swelling and pain in the joints. If NSAIDS do not work, you may instead be given cortisone to reduce inflammation.

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The Types & Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis is a medical term that comes from a Greek word, meaning joint inflammation. Arthritis is in all probability one of the most misunderstood of all diseases as it is an umbrella name for a group of more than 100 diseases that cause pain, stiffness and (often) inflammation in one or more joints. Time after time, arthritis is a long lasting disease, that can manifest itself in different joints in the body, especially in the knees, hips, and spine affecting people over many years.

Arthritis is the largest cause of disability in people over the age of 65 but if you imagine that arthritis is something that only affects older individuals, think again. Though arthritis is mainly a disease of adults, children may also suffer with it. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for longer than 6 weeks in a child of 16 years of age or under.

Arthritis isn't a life sentence, but it can be very life changing and is far more widespread than imagined. It is a very common medical condition, estimated to affect around seven million people in the United Kingdom alone and is the biggest cause of chronic disability in the United States.

Rheumatoid arthritis is among the most debilitating of all forms of arthritis, causing joints to ache and throb and in due time become deformed and is found more commonly in women than in men. Unlike osteoarthritis, which results from general wear and tear on your joints over time, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition. Rheumatoid arthritis is marked by being tender to touch with warm, swollen and stiff joints. The exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis is not known but is a disease that primarily affects the linings of the joints.

Obtaining information and treatment for arthritis is a major key in finding relief from it. Sufferers of osteoarthritis very often feel their condition is worse at night or following rest but rheumatoid arthritis is generally speaking worse in the morning. There are abundant old folk remedies for arthritis which even includes drinking raw potato juice!

My arthritis started at a fairly early age and I've had it for 14 years as of writing. At first it was little more than an annoyance but it has gradually gotten worse to the point where it has become a real disability. It affects my hands, wrists, shoulders and more recently my elbows.

One thing I have learnt from speaking to many other arthritis sufferers is that the condition affects everybody differently. That is, the experience is usually changing and VERY personal though many comparisons can be drawn between them. It is also true of the various remedies available. My Mother swore by cod liver oil and rubbing her affected areas with peppermint oil. I find I get best relief from wrist supports and strapping. Everybody has their favourite remedy and what works for them won't necessarily work for you.

Stop the Pain and Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis VII

FOODS THAT ARE SAFE FOR MOST PEOPLE

You will notice this is the seventh article in this series. Now that we have talked about all of the things that can hurt you, we are now going to talk about the foods that you should be able to eat. Some of the foods that seldom cause negative reactions are salmon and lamb. Later I will talk about another book by a doctor and he says no meat or fish. Again everyone is different and you will have to see what works for you. My wife has found that any animal that is range fed, such as some longhorn beef, bison, and other wild game that eat grass only are OK for her. It takes some getting used to the lack of fat in these meats, so you add either olive oil or safflower oil when cooking. Who doesn't need less fat and red meat in their diet anyway. But she only eats them occasionally, and when she starts feeling bad, she goes back to more vegetables and less meat, even completely eliminating meat completely for a few days.

Other foods that are "safe" for most are honey, sea salt, and olive oil. It may take a while to get used to these and stop using the oils, sweeteners and salt you have been used to having. But remember the ultimate goal, we want to find what is causing the pain and inflammation. Most people know these are better for all of us anyway. My wife uses these for seasoning and sweetening. Some fruits on this list are grapes, apricots, peaches, cranberries, and plums. Vegetables on this list include sweet potatoes, yams, squash, beets, and cauliflower. Different sources will list different foods on these lists. Ms. Allan listed dried beans as a food that often causes pain and yet my wife eats them every day as a major part of her diet. Her lunch nearly every day is boiled cabbage and one of the many dried beans. I wish I could give you a definitive list that would work for you. You can not go by what you have eaten in the past, unless a food has caused you problems in the past. A good example from my wife was eating Chinese from a place we have eaten three to four times a month for twenty years. After she developed R.A. she was eating the same hot and sour soup that she ate every time she felt a cold coming on. But this time she could feel the pain in her legs as soon as she started eating it. I had to help her up the stairs that night. As I said before, it usually takes much longer for your body to react.

Stop Arthritis Joint Pain Now! CMO to the Rescue!

According to many, cetylmyristoleate, as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, has no equal. That same crowd will also say that CMO or (CM8-as it is sometimes called) sits atop the throne as king of the joint pain relievers and as an immune system modulator.

Why, you may ask? is it so well received amongst the medical community and the thousands of users who swear by it? Well, one reason is its origin- it is an all-natural highly pure waxy type of ester that is modified to be taken orally. It has no harsh chemicals or any type of drugs that can cause you harm. CMO is basically a fatty acid.

The best part about cetylmyristoleate is.... it attacks the source of your pain and inflammation and goes right to the joint. Because the ester substance is of a waxy form (fatty acid), it is able to "ooze" into joints and "lubricate"the region enough to allow for joint movement (range of motion) and most importantly --the reduction or even elimination of the awful pain.

Although Glucosamine and Chondroitin receive most of the fanfare these days, their "luster" has begun to tarnish as of late with poor testimonials; poor clinical studies and more and more talk about the dangers of taking Chondroitin. In the meantime, cetylmyristoleate has moved into the preferred position as "the" joint pain reliever.( refer to:cetylmyristoleate/ Wikipedia)

CMO began its historical rise to take the preferred position as "the" joint pain reliever back in the early1960's by Harry Diehl who was a research chemist working out of the National Institutes of Arthritis in Bethesda, Md. (National Institutes Of Health) While studying the immunity of mice to arthritis, he discovered cetylmyristoleate. Through his research and development his findings were first published in the 1994 issue of the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

With the double studies that followed, it was concluded,indeed, that CMO is effective in the treatment of many forms of arthritis and joint pain. The admirable combination of effectiveness and safety (over 10,000 people die yearly from NSAIDS) sets CMO up as the "go-to" joint pain supplement for the coming years.

Cetylmyrisitoleate is so non-discriminating with its lubrication of the joint region that it is equally effective on Degenerative Osteoarthritis; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Gout; Bursitis; Spinal Stenosis; sports related injuries; and even Fibromyalgia pain. Although CMO is not a cure for any of these ailments; it will lubricate the joint region and decrease the inflammation to a point where it could potentially add to ones positive quality of life.

Remember that not all pain relief systems help all people-- and this one is no different. Research shows that cetylmyristoleate works on about 80% of those who use it, typically within 3or4 weeks. Since its premise is joint lubrication from the ester (fatty acids) it is presumed that there is a good chance that it will be effective.

Although Glucosamine and Chondroitin together are the popular 'In Vogue Duo" joint pain relief system today-their effect on many people is inconclusive at best.

My take on all this? Test any quality cetylmyristoleate product for yourself. Give it enough time for you to get a good meter of its effectiveness, (maybe 2-4 weeks) and see how you feel then. One thing is for sure---there won't be any questions; you'll have peace of mind; and who knows? You may even feel pain free!

Remedies for Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis - How to Prevent and Reverse Them Naturally

Although both conditions have genetic undertones there are several factors which may contribute or even trigger this degenerative bone disease (osteoporosis takes place where the bone density decreases over time with the potential risks of easy fractures - this can occur with or without osteoarthritis). These are lack of exercise to strengthen muscle and joint structures, nutritional deficiencies, side effects of a number of drugs and, of course, the hormonal changes after the menopause in women. Ageing can affect both genders but osteoporosis occurs much more often in women than in men.

There are several things you can do besides traditional medicine to slow the progress of the disease and perhaps even reverse bone damage. In this section we'll see what homeopathic remedies can do against both conditions and then (second part of this page) what herbal remedies can do against this degenerative bone disease. Bone degeneration and (in the case of osteoarthritis) cartilage degeneration share some similarities, especially in a homeopathic sense. Before continuing, though, bear in mind that this type of alternative medicine works best when it tackles not only the whole cluster of symptoms but also the individual's history, personality, tendencies, preferences, dislikes, fears and so on.

The following is a generic guideline to help your body use minerals and nutrients more effectively to help your bones as well as prevent fractures and promote healing of the bone structure and joints in general.

Calcarea carbonica: a great salt tissue remedy, often useful to those who suffer from bone and joint degeneration but also from chronic tiredness, from anxiety (even if mild) and tend to feel overwhelmed (from work, from stressful or challenging situations and so on). These individuals are often flabby or overweight and their symptoms aggravate in cold and damp environments. Occasionally they may have not only back pain and swollen joints but also specific cravings for eggs and sweets.

Calcarea phosphorica: often indicated for individuals who suffer from bone and joint degeneration but also from sore, stiff, and generally weak bones and joints. They may feel pain in the neck, upper back and in the hips; extreme tiredness may be present and this does not change after exercise. Bone fractures take a long time to heal though some areas of the bones may present irregular calcium deposits (suggesting imbalance in the bone nutritional process and bone repair). The personality of those for whom calcarea phosphorica may be indicated tend to be generally dissatisfied about their life and tend to prefer travelling and change as an attempt to remedy their inner dissatisfaction.

Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions - List

Before we delve into arthritis different types, it's important to note that arthritis means joint inflammation. It is actually a name given to problems that cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. It can affect one or more joints and it could mean anything from slight tightness to severe pain and disability. Put simply, there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. In fact, here's the compete list of arthritis different types and related conditions.

A-B Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Achilles tendinitis


• Achondroplasia


• Acromegalic arthropathy


• Adhesive capsulitis


• Adult onset Still's disease


• Ankylosing spondylitis


• Anserine bursitis


• Avascular necrosis


• Behcet's syndrome


• Bicipital tendonitis


• Blount's disease


• Brucellar spondylitis


• Bursitis

C-D Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Calcaneal bursitis


• Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD)


• Crystal deposition disease


• Caplan's syndrome


• Carpal tunnel syndrome


• Chondrocalcinosis


• Chondromalacia patellae


• Chronic synovitis


• Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis


• Churg-Strauss syndrome


• Cogan's syndrome


• Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis


• Costosternal syndrome


• CREST syndrome


• Cryoglobulinemia


• Degenerative joint disease


• Dermatomyositis


• Diabetic finger sclerosis


• Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)


• Discitis


• Discoid lupus erythematosus


• Drug-induced lupus


• Duchenne's muscular dystrophy


• Dupuytren's contracture

E-F Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome


• Enteropathic arthritis


• Epicondylitis


• Erosive inflammatory osteoarthritis


• Exercise-induced compartment syndrome


• Fabry's disease


• Familial Mediterranean fever


• Farber's lipogranulomatosis


• Felty's syndrome


• Fibromyalgia


• Fifth's disease


• Flat feet


• Foreign body synovitis


• Freiberg's disease


• Fungal arthritis

G-H Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Gaucher's disease


• Giant cell arteritis


• Gonococcal arthritis


• Goodpasture's syndrome


• Gout


• Granulomatous arteritis


• Hemarthrosis


• Hemochromatosis


• Henoch-Schonlein purpura


• Hepatitis B surface antigen disease


• Hip dysplasia


• Hurler syndrome


• Hypermobility syndrome


• Hypersensitivity vasculitis


• Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

I-K Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Immune complex disease


• Impingement syndrome


• Jaccoud's arthropathy


• Juvenile ankylosing spondylitis


• Juvenile dermatomyositis


• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis


• Kawasaki disease


• Kienbock's disease

L-N Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease


• Lesch-Nyhan syndrome


• Linear scleroderma


• Lipoid dermatoarthritis


• Lofgren's syndrome


• Lyme disease


• Malignant synovioma


• Marfan's syndrome


• Medial plica syndrome


• Metastatic carcinomatous arthritis


• Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)


• Mixed cryoglobulinemia


• Mucopolysaccharidosis


• Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis


• Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia


• Mycoplasmal arthritis


• Myofascial pain syndrome


• Neonatal lupus


• Neuropathic arthropathy


• Nodular panniculitis

O-P Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Ochronosis


• Olecranon bursitis


• Osgood-Schlatter's disease


• Osteoarthritis


• Osteochondromatosis


• Osteogenesis imperfecta


• Osteomalacia


• Osteomyelitis


• Osteonecrosis


• Osteoporosis


• Overlap syndrome


• Pachydermoperiostosis Paget's disease of bone


• Palindromic rheumatism


• Patellofemoral pain syndrome


• Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome


• Pigmented villonodular synovitis


• Piriformis syndrome


• Plantar fasciitis


• Polyarteritis nodosa


• Polymyalgia rheumatica


• Polymyositis


• Popliteal cysts


• Posterior tibial tendonitis


• Pott's disease


• Prepatellar bursitis


• Prosthetic joint infection


• Pseudoxanthoma elasticum


• Psoriatic arthritis

R-S Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Raynaud's phenomenon


• Reactive arthritis/Reiter's syndrome


• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome


• Relapsing polychondritis


• Retrocalcaneal bursitis


• Rheumatic fever


• Rheumatoid arthritis


• Rheumatoid vasculitis


• Rotator cuff tendonitis


• Sacroiliitis


• Salmonella osteomyelitis


• Sarcoidosis


• Saturnine gout


• Scheuermann's osteochondritis


• Scleroderma


• Septic arthritis


• Seronegative arthritis


• Shigella arthritis


• Shoulder-hand syndrome


• Sickle cell arthropathy


• Sjogren's syndrome


• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis


• Spinal stenosis


• Spondylolysis


• Staphylococcus arthritis


• Stickler syndrome


• Subacute cutaneous lupus


• Sweet's syndrome


• Sydenham's chorea


• Syphilitic arthritis


• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

T-Z Arthritis Different Types and Related Conditions

• Takayasu's arteritis


• Tarsal tunnel syndrome


• Tennis elbow


• Tietse's syndrome


• Transient osteoporosis


• Traumatic arthritis


• Trochanteric bursitis


• Tuberculosis arthritis


• Arthritis of Ulcerative colitis


• Undifferentiated connective tissue syndrome (UCTS)


• Urticarial vasculitis


• Viral arthritis


• Wegener's granulomatosis


• Whipple's disease


• Wilson's disease


• Yersinial arthritis

Arthritis Different Types-- Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. As such, we will discuss these two types in more detail.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease involves the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Mild aching to severe pain and loss of mobility, especially in the evening, due to joint stiffness.


• Usually affects the weight-bearing joints - the knees, hips, and facet joints (in the spine), as well as the finger joints.

Osteoarthritis is primarily associated with aging and injury. In fact, it was once called "wear-and-tear" arthritis and it affects nearly everyone past age sixty. Although it can develop before age forty, it is said to be rare. In truth, the exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. However, about 20 million Americans are affected by osteoarthritis.

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a type of inflammatory arthritis, is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system improperly identifies the synovial membrane as foreign and, as such, inflammation results, damaging cartilage and tissue around the joints. Often, the bone surfaces are destroyed as well. Joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis include the hands, knees, wrists, and feet.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include:

• Swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness, and pain in the affected joint. Usually more severe in the morning.


• Fatigue.


• Fever.


• Chills.


• Body aches.


• Joint deformity.


• Weight loss.

It affects about 2.1 million Americans and roughly 75% of them are females. In addition, it frequently occurs in people under forty five and when the disorder occurs in children under sixteen years old, it is known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown or should we say it is still not well understood.

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Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis - An Unusual Form of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively unknown form of RA. Arthritis is a collective name used to classify a condition that causes a certain set of symptoms. Of the various forms of arthritis that are known, this is considered one of the most common.

A patient afflicted with RA will generally have the factor for the disease present in their blood. The production of this factor increases as the disease progresses and it destroys the joints and muscles. However, this factor is absent in some people who display the other classic symptoms of arthritis, People who display other symptoms of arthritis but test negative are known to have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

While it has been suggested that people with this form of RA have a mild form of the condition, this is untrue. People with the condition often suffer just as much as people with normal rheumatoid arthritis do.

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis often proves problematic. In a way, it means that patients test negative when subject to regular RA tests. This often leads to misdiagnoses. Doctors are reluctant to diagnose a patient with a condition as serious as RA if they are not absolutely sure of it.

The problem with this is that early treatment is essential with rheumatoid arthritis. Damage to the joints and bones can be stopped or at least slowed down using drugs. Once the damage has been done, however, it is permanent. Thus someone suffering from RA should start using such drugs as soon as possible. If a doctor does not diagnose the disease properly, however, then that patient is not likely to receive such medication until much later.

This is why it is important that you know the signs and symptoms well. You should also take the time and effort to find out if you have a family history of arthritis. This information will help doctors diagnose you with the condition if you have it. The worst possible thing is having rheumatoid arthritis and not receiving proper treatment for the condition.

Signs And Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis are identical to those of normal arthritis diseases. Most patients complain of swelling and inflammation in the joints. The knee and hip joints in particular are most often affected. Patients may also find nodules growing under their skin. These nodules appear on certain parts of the body, and greatly aid in the diagnosis of the disease.

In certain cases, rheumatoid arthritis has been known to affect other organs such as the eyes and the lungs. Some patients suffering from RA also experience extreme dryness in their eyes and mouths. If left untreated, dryness in the eye can lead to corneal damage, resulting in impaired vision.

If you find that you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, then you must be sure to inform your doctor. This will help greatly with the diagnosis, and your doctor will be better able to determine if you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or not.

How Green Lipped Mussel Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Can Help You

Green lipped mussel rheumatoid arthritis treatment is gaining more and more acceptance as a natural remedy to help control, and even reverse, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. If you've heard about it, you're probably wondering if it can help you, and if so, how does it work?

Being an auto-immune condition, there are a number of things that actually need to be addressed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The condition arises because the body's immune system erroneously recognizes the membranes in the synovial joints (the freely movable joints) as being foreign. It then starts to attack them. Inflammation eventually destroys the cartilage and tissues in and around the joints. It also triggers the production of enzymes that slowly degrade the surrounding tissue. When it becomes replaced by scar tissue, the bones fuse together.

Obviously, this makes rheumatoid arthritis a very painful and debilitating condition. However, the good news is that scientific research has proven that green lipped mussel extract can successfully help treat it by not only reducing inflammation, but also improving joint condition and eliminating free radicals that are found in the fluid of unhealthy joints.

How is this possible?

You may be familiar with the role omega-3 fatty acids play in reducing inflammation. They are able to naturally block the production of inflammatory compounds in the body, similar to how non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs do (but without the horrible side effects). Green lipped mussel extract is a potent source of a rare omega-3 fatty acid, called Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA), that has superior inflammation fighting capabilities.

Not only does it bind up the enzymes (lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase) that are involved in the production of inflammatory compounds, it also works at the gene level to reduce the production of cyclooxygenase and Arachidonic acid (a form of omega-6 fatty acid used by the enzymes in making the inflammatory compounds).

Green lipped mussels are also a rich source of glycosaminoglycans.These complex amino sugars are used by cells for lubricating the joints and providing shock absorption. They form part of joint cartilage and synovial fluid.

By boosting the amount of glycosaminoglycans in your body, you're providing it with the necessary building blocks that it needs to repair the damage that rheumatoid arthritis has caused to the joints.

Many people find that taking green lipped mussel extract along with fish oil has the most effective results, particularly as fish oil contains the most nutritionally important omega-3 fatty acids. This combination of treatment was trialled in one scientific study with 34 patients who were all suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. After 12 weeks, 38% of them no longer had any symptoms. What's more, only 25% of them had severe pain, down from 60% at the start of the trial. The majority of them were able to lower their dosage, and some were even able to stop taking the supplements.

How to Deal With Children Having Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

While rheumatoid arthritis strikes older adults at around the age of 75, there is a type of rheumatoid arthritis that is seen in children. Children have the possibility to be affected with most diseases concerning the skeletal function and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is one of those. Addressing concerns about this disorder is important because childhood is the stage where growth and development is most crucial. It affects both females and males and can be diagnosed in children as young as 6 years old. Like rheumatoid arthritis for adults, JRA is a lasting disease which affects the joints of the body.

How can we detect JRA?

There are several types of this disease. Most children with the first type of JRA present signs and symptoms such as having alternating high fever and episodes with normal temperature, the appearance of rashes, swelling of lymph nodes, and enlargement of some organs of the body such as the liver and spleen. The joints are also involved and the symptoms may last for about 6 to 12 months. The second type of JRA is divided into two, one affecting girls and the other affecting boys. Most girls experience inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye which is usually painful and may lead to visual impairment or even blindness. The type affecting boys cause arthritis which is prevalent in their lower extremities. The third type of JRA affects four or more joints. This is somewhat similar to the rheumatoid arthritis which is found in adults. Signs and symptoms include fever, body pain, fatigue, weight loss, anemia, poor growth and development, and enlargement of the organs of the body. JRA can be very painful to the children and can make them irritable. It is important that parents know about these signs and symptoms in order to help their children cope better with this disease.

What are the usual treatments for JRA?

While rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured and the treatments are only to delay its progress, the prognosis for children with JRA is positive. Treatment includes the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications to reduce the swelling and relieve pain. Methotrexate, a drug proven to relieve patients of joint pain and swelling, is also used when symptoms are more aggressive. Usually, there is the same treatment for adults and JRA.

Another important aspect of treatment is nutrition. Foods rich in vitamins, protein, and iron are recommended because it helps the body repair and build tissues. According to researches, food intake with higher amount of carbohydrates is not recommended since it only worsens the swelling that is common among children with JRA. However, since it is a crucial time for growth and development, carbohydrates cannot be eliminated from the diet. The solution for this dilemma is by preparing diet which has low carbohydrate content. Instead of serving food rich in carbohydrates, foods rich in protein and fats are given. Low carbohydrate fruits and vegetables such as apple, orange, pear, banana, pineapple, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, onion, and squash are ideal. Protein reduces inflammation and can be found in beef, chicken, fish and eggs. In addition, fish oil which is rich in omega 3 can also help lessen inflammation. These products are readily available in the market. When included to the child's diet daily, it can have favorable effects.

Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis is a term that is used to describe the inflammation of a joint. Some of the characteristics of arthritis are pain, swelling, redness and warmth within the joints. Rheumatic arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that affects both sides of the body such as wrists, hands or knees. It is the second most common form of arthritis and it can affect people at any age. Typically though, it's onset is around the middle years say between 30 and 50 years of age.

CAUSES

The exact cause of this condition is not yet known, but according to research, it is thought to be caused by three factors which are environmental, hormonal, and genetical. Research has shown that certain genes which are connected to the immune system are linked with rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed that something (stress, hormonal changes, or a viral infection) does trigger rheumatoid arthritis in people that has the genetic tendency to develop the condition. There is another school of thought that suggests that smoking may also be a root cause of this condition.

SYMPTOMS

There are a number of symptoms which can sometimes be very unpredictable as can come and go. Some of the most common symptoms include Fatigue, Pain and Swelling of the joints, Stiffness of the joints (which occurs mostly in the mornings and after sitting for long periods of time), and The presence of bumps and nodules under the skin. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect people in different ways. For some, it develops and progresses rapidly. While for others, it develops for a limited period of time and then lapses into a remission stage which can last for months or even years. It can also develop gradually over several years before it becomes really unbearable for the sufferer.

TREATMENT

Managing rheumatoid arthritis can be achieved with a balance of medication, exercises and rest. Although it is easier said than done, especially since the symptoms can sometimes come and go and there can occasionally be severe bouts of Flare-ups (When the inflammation of the joints becomes more painful and active, and the swelling and stiffness gets worse), it is still advised to stick to the treatment routine that was devised by your medical team so as to keep the condition under check. The treatment of this condition depend on several factors including medical history, age, severity, and the overall state of health of the sufferer. The medications used to relieve the symptoms include: Anti-inflammatory painkillers, Nacotic pain relievers, and Topical (creams and lotions) pain relievers. Extreme or severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis are treated with very strong medications called Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), and or surgery - to correct damage done to the joints.

Arthritis Treatment - Prednizone and Its Side Effects

Prednisone is a generic, very inexpensive, and commonly used medicine in arthritis treatment.

The diseases for which corticosteroids are most often used are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, gout and pseudogout, sarcoidosis, and the arthritis accompanying inflammatory bowel disease.

Ordinarily, endocrine glands in the body are responsible for the fine tuning of organ function. These glands elaborate hormones, all of which have specific regulatory tasks. Various feedback loops exert tight control over this very elaborate and complicated system.

One of the endocrine organs, the adrenal glands is responsible for the production of glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids have many "jobs" including maintenance of blood pressure, as well as sugar, protein, and fat metabolism, stress response, and effects on inflammation.

Glucocorticoids manufactured by the adrenal glands are called endogenous steroids- meaning they are made by the body. They also can be divided into anabolic or catabolic. Simply put, anabolic steroids build tissue such as muscle while catabolic hormones break down tissue.

Steroids can also be administered from outside the body either by mouth, intramuscularly or intravenously. These steroids are called exogenous. The administration of exogenous steroids chronically reduces the ability of the adrenal glands to manufacture glucocorticoids because the normal feedback loop has been broken.

With the inability of the adrenal glands to increase steroid production in the face of stress producers such as injury, infection, and surgery, a patient can go into shock.

Getting back to prednisone, the primary catabolic glucocorticoid, the odds of the adrenal glands being suppressed increase as the dose of exogenous steroid exceeds the average daily equivalent output of the adrenal glands which is about 5.0-7.5 mg prednisone. Other factors that constrain the ability of the adrenals to perform are if therapy continues for more than a few weeks or months, if doses are given late in the day or in divided doses throughout the day, or if long-acting corticosteroid preparations are used.

Patients who require high doses of prednisone (more than 20 mgs a day) for extended periods of time always develop side-effects.

Taking steroids on an alternate day (every other day) schedule reduces the chance of adrenal insufficiency but does not eliminate it.

Other side-effects include:

Elevated blood sugar and diabetes
Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
Fluid retention
Increased blood pressure
Electrolyte abnormalities such as low potassium serum levels
Hardening of the arteries
Hirsutism (abnormal hair distribution)
Easy bruising
Thinning of the skin
Cataracts and glaucoma
Purple striae (stretch marks)
Poor wound healing
Muscle wasting
Susceptibility to infection and masking of infection leading to sepsis and death
Psychosis
Avascular necrosis (dead bone)
Sweating
Inflammation of the pancreas
Stomach ulcers (particularly if used with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Obviously, patients must be counseled as to the relative risks and benefits, and the lowest possible steroid dose should be used.

How Can Yoga Reduce Pain in Arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects body joints. There are over one hundred types of arthritis and the number continues to grow. The different types of arthritis manifest in the form of inflammations and are often associated with wear and tear due to long usage of the joints as in the case of osteoarthritis the commonest type of arthritis. Today, the combined family of arthritis is the leading form of chronic illness in the United States of America.

The causes of arthritis vary depending on the type but include injury due to wear and tear, infections in the joint and abnormal metabolism. Some predisposing factors include, inherited genes, body weight, some types of intense sports or work, advanced age, and previous injuries to joints. In some cases, the causes are not yet known. It is important to note that arthritis affects all types of people of different ages including children.

If you are wondering if you have arthritis, then the symptoms to watch out for include pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints. This often minimizes the ability to use and move these affected areas. There may also be sudden attacks in the big toe as in the case of gout arthritis. Joints are not the only areas affected. Many types of arthritis affect different parts of the body resulting in other symptoms such as fever, loss of weight and the swelling of lymphatic glands. Of course, only a medical doctor can diagnose if the condition affecting you is arthritis as certain drugs are known to have side effects similar to arthritis symptoms.

Diagnosis of arthritis involves physical examination by a physician and in some cases samples of blood, urine or joints fluids may be ordered. X-raying of the affected areas may also be necessary. The earlier the condition is diagnosed the better for the patient as this may prevent farther damage or even physical disability.

Once a case of arthritis is confirmed, a doctor will prescribe treatment to the patient. Although the treatment will vary depending on the type of arthritis, some common themes will include efforts to relieve the pain, slow down the progression, and to educate the patient. Common prescriptions include physical therapy, prescribed medication, dietary and life style changes. Patients may be advised to rest, exercise, and protect their joints. In some cases, it may be necessary to operate the affected areas.

A good example of such therapy is Dahn Yoga. It has been found that going through Dahn Yoga sessions can bring quick relief and help improve a patient's condition.

Understanding Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that affects approximately 46 million Americans. It is a growing disease and affects more and more people each year. It is a little known fact that there are over 100 different types of arthritis. Because most people assume that arthritis is one particular condition the treatments that they seek are often ineffective. Every arthritic type has a particular treatment protocol. Therefore it is very important to receive an accurate diagnosis of exactly what you have.

Common arthritic conditions: Here are some of the more common type arthritic conditions. Osteoarthritis: This usually occurs in the hands as well as the knees and hips. Symptoms include joint swelling and stiffness. Occasionally there is a crunching sensation as if feeling bone rubbing against bone, This is often brought on by the continual use of the hands, wearing them down and leading to arthritis. Age and sports injuries are often the reason for the development. It affects approximately 33 million Americans. It develops gradually over years and slowly breaks down the cartilage in the bone. Cartilage is a cushioning for the bone, therefore pain will ensue when it deteriorates.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is due to an inflammatory response in the body. It affects approximately 1.3 million Americans. More women are affected with this than men. As an autoimmune disorder the joints of the body are being attacked by a malfunctioning immune system. It is a gradual process of inflammation growth which will ultimately damage the joints. Sadly it can cause visible deformities in the joints which are known as rheumatoid nodules. Symptoms of this disease are more severe than osteoarthritis. They include; pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, extreme fatigue and even loss of appetite. There is a symmetrical pattern to the disease meaning if the joints of one hand are affected so will the other hand. Rheumatoid arthritis can be very debilitating and affect one's daily life. Normal activities such as working and driving and household chores can become impossible to continue. More dangerous complications can result from rashes and can affect the heart and lungs. Researchers believe that exposure to some bacteria begins the autoimmune reaction. It then mounts an attack leading to inflammation and joints deterioration.

Psoriatic Arthritis: This is also caused by inflammation. It results in a psoriasis response on the skin. With the joints themselves, the inflammation causes severe swelling of the fingers and toes. Fingernails have characteristic discoloration. It can affect various joints in the body including; fingers, toes, knees, elbows and the scalp. This is an adult disease but it has been known to begin in childhood as well. The two main symptoms of psoriasis and joint swelling often will occur separately from one another. Usually the psoriasis occurs before the joint swelling begins.

Fibromyalgia: This arthritis usually affects the following areas: neck, arms, legs, shoulders, back and hips. The common symptoms include: difficulty sleeping, stiffness, headaches, fatigue and severe muscle pain. Gout: This is a painful condition that most commonly occurs in the big toe of the foot. It can also affect the ankles, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows. Symptoms can include: swelling, stiffness, hotness to the touch and redness of the affected area. The cause is due to the development of crystals in the joints.

Lupus: This arthritic disorder involves an autoimmune attack on the body. The healthy tissue and cells in the joints, lungs, kidneys, heart and brain can become damaged. Common symptoms include: muscle pain, rash on face, extreme fatigue, and joint swelling. There are several different types of lupus. It can also be caused by a reaction to certain prescription drugs. Approximately 2 million Americans have some type of lupus condition. Researchers still don't know the cause but believe it could be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Understanding that there are various forms of arthritis is important. Seeking medical attention is vital and will ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment for your condition. Before making any dietary or lifestyle changes always consult with your medical doctor particularly if you have been diagnosed with a disease or are taking any prescription medication.

Orthovisc: Stop Osteoarthritis Without Surgery

Knee osteoarthritis is the progressive deterioration of the joints and cartilage brought about by the daily grinding and friction of bones. A normal joint have adequate supply of synovial fluid that cushions the cartilage and allows the bones to smoothly slide. Old age decreases the amount of synovial fluid in between the bones and it eventually results to osteoarthritis. There are other options on how to treat and manage osteoarthritis other than weight management (diet and low impact exercise), physical therapy and taking of mild pain relievers.

Some patients take nutritional supplements such as glucosamine (animo acids that repair the cartilage), chondroitin (a form of natural sugar that helps strengthens the cartilage) and methylsulfonylmethane (natural sulfur that is anti-inflammatory found in plants). They take these supplements in conjunction with their lifestyle change program. If the ailment continues to worsen health providers will generally recommend surgery (arthroscopy, osteotomy and knee replacement). For those who are not yet ready or do not want to have knee surgery they opt to have viscosupplementary shots such as Orthovisc or Anika Orthovisc.

Viscossupplementary shots work by supplementing the synovial fluids present in between the knee joints to reduce pain on the knees; for the patient to be mobile and be able to resume normal activities.

Orthovisc: A Review

There are other viscosupplementation drugs available such as Synvisc, Eufexxa and Halgan, but Orthovisc is the most preferred because it contains high molecular weight hyaluran that did not come from avian sources (birds). Therefore, it is safe to use for those who have allergies to eggs and chicken. It was approved by the FDA in February 2, 2005. Its effects will last for six months. There are no serious side effects reported about this drug except for slight pain on the injected area and inflammation which will go away in few days naturally. The shots will be given for 3-4 weeks with 7 days interval. Gradually the knee pain will diminish and patient would be able to walk around with no more pain for 6 months.

It is possible to buy Orthovisc online at the lowest discounted rate. DrMax.biz is an online wholesaler of orthopedic and cosmetic medicines. This company sells Orthovisc from Canada and other brand name quality prescription at the lowest wholesale prices to licensed medical practitioners only. Buying Orthovisc online is very quick and easy. Just visit any online website selling drugs made from Canada.

Arthritis Treatment: How to Use Biomarkers to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Wouldn't it be great to have a blood test that could predict how to treat a patient with rheumatoid arthritis?

Well, perhaps there may be soon.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. It is a systemic autoimmune condition that not only leads to joint destruction but to internal organ damage as well if not optimally treated.

One area of science that has gotten a lot of funding in RA is biomarker research. Biomarkers are tissue markers that have predictive value. The have been used to predict disease susceptibility, disease activity, and even potential response to treatment.

There are different categories of biomarkers. The first category is the antibody. These are proteins the body produces that are directed against abnormal proteins.

There are two examples. The first is rheumatoid factor. This is an antibody that is present in the blood of 80 per cent of people with RA. Rheumatoid factor is associated with increased amounts of disease early but is less predictive later in the course of illness. Also, rheumatoid factor can be found to be elevated in other disease conditions such as syphilis, sarcoidosis, leprosy, and bacterial endocarditis (heart infection).

Another biomarker antibody is anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide or anti-CCP. It is more specific for RA than rheumatoid factor and is also predictive of more disease severity and a worse prognosis. Patients with anti-CCP must be treated aggressively.

There are inflammatory biomarkers that are also helpful in treating patients. The old time-honored test is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or sed rate. The ESR correlates with disease activity but is not very specific. It can be elevated in many other disease states.

The C-reactive protein or CRP correlates with disease activity and response to treatment much more quickly than the ESR does.

There are two other lesser known inflammatory biomarkers. One is interferon. The higher the level of this substance, the more likely it is the patients will respond to biologic treatment with anti-tumor necrosis drugs.

Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist is another inflammatory marker. Again, the higher the level of this marker is, the greater the likelihood of response to anti-TNF treatment.

Biomarker levels do more than predict disease severity and possible response to treatment with certain drugs. They also correlate, in many instances, with likelihood for disability as well as x-ray progression of disease.

While some feel that blood biomarkers can predict response to different categories of drugs, these theories remain to be proven.

Are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Different?

Arthritis Pain is not all the same. Understanding some key differences in the types of arthritis and arthritis symptoms can better prepare you to treat and manage your arthritis pain. The two biggest categories of Arthritis are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. They may share some of the global symptoms of arthritis, but have key differences that if left untreated can lead to further degeneration of the joint and increased arthritis pain.

What is Arthritis?

When someone mentions the word arthritis, usually the first thing to come to mind is pain, particularly pain in joints. That would include; shoulders, elbows, knees, hip, ankles, joints of the fingers and even the neck. Joints include; muscle, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bursa and a synovial membrane. A better definition of arthritis would be, pain and problems with any of one or more of the related parts in or near a joint for it to function properly.

So if Arthritis is pain; problems and dysfunction with the joint or parts of a joint, then isn't all arthritis pain the same? Quite simply, no.

Rheumatism itself would include all kinds of pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints. Arthritis can strike any part of the joint; including the cartilage, synovial membrane, muscles, bursa, tendons or ligaments. One particular symptom that makes arthritis pain more serious is inflammation. Although inflammation can show up in several types of arthritis, in Rheumatoid Arthritis inflammation is the key symptom.

In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the key issue is inflammation of the synovial membrane

What that means is that inflammation is actually present in the membrane of the joint. This leaves joints swollen, puffy and achy. People with Rheumatoid Arthritis feel almost like they have flu-like symptoms including stiffness, fatigue and aching joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis needs to be diagnosed by a doctor and treated with medications to control inflammation. If left untreated, over time the inflammation could prematurely breakdown the cartilage and bone in the joint and cause further pain. In managing Rheumatoid Arthritis pain the focus is to control inflammation first; find a good balance between resting the joint, exercises to increase joint health and common sense management of pain. It is a very delicate balance, but is possible with patience and persistence.

In Osteoarthritis the primary issue is a breakdown of the joint cartilage

Osteoarthritis is very common, especially as we age and is much less severe than Rheumatoid Arthritis. That's not to say that Osteoarthritis pain is not serious, but the good news is that those who have Osteoarthritis have many options and strategies to manage their arthritis pain and improve the strength and function of their joints. So while the cartilage in a joint can wear out or be damaged through activity; specific exercises and stretches can help strengthen the muscle and tendons around a joint affected by Ostoearthritis and improve overall joint health. Very rarely will exercise be damaging to someone with Osteoarthritis, but an inactive lifestyle could be very damaging long-term, can contribute to joint stiffness and further arthritis pain. What that means is to keep moving and stay active even when Osteoarthritis affects you.

The biggest difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis is that Rheumaotid Arthritis is a Rheumatic condition that needs a proper diagnosis from a medical professional and likely needs medication to control inflammation. Left untreated, Inflammation can cause irreversible damage and result in long-term arthritis pain. Pain management in arthritis needs to be handled with a common sense approach. A clear understanding of what levels of pain you are experiencing, what types of activities cause flare ups and inflammation and knowing the limits of what you can and can't do. Know the activities that cause you pain, but also know what areas you can strengthen to improve your quality of living with Arthritis.

Consult with your medical professional to understand the type of Arthritis you may have and check the many resources available through The Arthritis Society or the Joints in Motion Program

Arthritis Pain Relief - Which is Better, Hot Or Cold?

Knowing whether to use heat therapy or cold therapy to reduce arthritis pain and joint stiffness comes down to the type of arthritis and the type of pain you have. Since everyone experiences and responds to pain differently, it is important that you discuss a pain management plan with your doctor. You may have to try several things to see what works.

When to Use Ice to Treat Arthritis Pain

According to Dr. Kevin Sperber, Board Certified Pain Management Specialist at Columbia University,
"As a general rule of thumb, ice is best for soft tissue injuries such as bruises, sprains or acute trauma. Cold therapy may also be helpful if you experience a flare of pain after activity. Cold acts as an analgesic by numbing the sore area and can also drastically reduce swelling and discomfort."

Traditionally, doctors recommend cold packs be applied for only 10-20 minutes at a time. Be careful though! With prolonged application of cold you could hurt yourself, especially if you have sensory problems or impaired vascular circulation in your hands and feet.

When to Use Heat to Treat Arthritis Pain

Doctors and therapists recommend therapeutic heat more often than cold to soothe arthritis pain because it relaxes sore tendons and ligaments, increasing flexibility and decreasing pain. Heat also increases blood flow and improves joint range of motion.

So why the debate over hot or cold? Dr. Sperber says that for acute injuries (sprains, strains, etc.) just about everyone recommends ice, but for chronic conditions, like arthritis, both cold and heat can help to reduce inflammation, so it may come down to what feels better.

As for how heat should be used, there are competing problems. The trick is to get enough heat into the tissue, for long enough, without burning your skin. For example, hands heat up fairly easily because the tissue is not "deep", but for deep tissue pain, in the hip for instance, you may need to apply a lower temperature for a longer time. There are specific products that address these issues and each product comes with recommended time usage guidelines.

Most Popular Cold Therapy Products:

* Frozen Gel Cold Packs. Save your frozen peas and use a pliable, reusable "ice pack" instead. ColPaC makes them in lots of sizes and shapes. Keep ice packs in the freezer and they'll be ready whenever you have a flare-up. Remember to use layers of dry terry toweling between the cold pack and your skin.

* Biofreeze. This topical pain reliever is highly recommended for temporary relief of arthritis, tendonitis and fybromyalgia. You can order it in a tube, roll-on, spray or gel pump.

Most Popular Hot Therapy Products:

* Whirlpool Spa or Hot Tub. 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 model is the most popular model, although there are other Thermotex therapy systems available. The TTS Platinum is a nice portable size (17" x 15") and has adjustable straps so you can fit it comfortably almost anywhere on the body.

* Light Relief Light Therapy. This hand-held device provides topical heating to raise and/or maintain tissue temperature wherever it is placed. My grandmother uses it to relieve joint pain and she loves it. It can even help dogs.

* Paraffin Bath. Dip your hands, feet or elbows in melted paraffin wax and let the warmth spread through your stiff arthritic joints for fast acting, drug-free therapy. The most popular one on the market is the Therabath PRO Paraffin Bath. This unit is large enough to accommodate your hands, feet or elbows but small enough to fit on your counter. It includes hospital grade paraffin with your choice of scents.

* Moist Heat. Arthritic and rheumatic pain is often relieved with moist heat. Moist heat increases blood flow, soothing inflamed joints and increasing flexibility. Take a look at 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 that you wear on your hands.

* Arthritis Gloves. These specially designed arthritis gloves provide mild compression and warmth for your hands. Some people wear them day and night. They have open fingertips so your can feel, touch and grip.

Learn more about hot and cold therapy treatments at one place.

Ways To Ease Arthritis Pain

It can be difficult to ease arthritis pain in some of the less common forms of the disease including psoriatic arthritis and juvenile arthritis. While many of the products on the market are designed to ease arthritis pain for those who suffer from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, few products are specifically geared toward lesser known forms of the disease. As a result, those with these lesser known forms have to experience painful joint after painful joint with little media and commercial attention.

Psoriatic Treatments

Psoriatic arthritis seems to be primarily hereditary. Scientists have noted that more than fifty percent of sufferers had a family history of the disease. Moreover, in identical twins, if one twin has this form of arthritis, it is seventy-five percent likely that the other twin will suffer from the same problem. In order to ease arthritis pain like this, you will have to work closely with a doctor, as it presents very differently than most arthritis pain. You will probably have to undergo extensive medicinal therapy to keep your level of movement at its present state. Because there is currently no known cure for this form of arthritis, managing to ease arthritis pain in this case will mean taking some NSAIDs, discussed in a number of other articles on this site. It will probably also mean some physical therapy.

Juvenile Treatments

This is perhaps the most heartbreaking form of arthritis. While it is extremely rare, finding a way to ease arthritis pain in this case is tough. It usually involves surgery and mobilization of the joint, as well as some therapy and medication. NSAIDS are usually prescribed by the doctor as are steroids in many cases. The outlook for these patients is usually good, but in some rare cases, children will need treatment throughout adulthood to ease arthritis pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Risk Factors

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that many people in Arizona must live with every day. The debilitating part of rheumatoid arthritis is that it affects so many active adults here in Anthem and Surprise, affecting everything from their golf game to their home lives. Understanding what rheumatoid arthritis is and what the risk factors for this chronic condition are an important step to understanding the diagnosis and pain management treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by definition, is a "chronic inflammatory disorder that most typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet." According to the Mayo Clinic, rheumatoid arthritis is unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis because if affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

We have seen many cases in Arizona where arthritis has affected an individual so strongly, that certain appendages will begin to take on a deformed appearance, most notably the fingers and toes.

Like many other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body literally attacks itself. It's a condition that causes your own immune system to mistakenly attack your body's tissues. Ultimately, the attacking of tissues can lead to high fevers and extreme fatigue because your body is undergoing a small civil war. It can be a very exhausting condition because your body is never fully at rest.

Some of the symptoms of RA can be initial joint pain, joint swelling, and joints that are tender to the touch. Your hands and feet might become red and puffy, and you might notice some bumps beneath the skin on your arms. These bumps are known to pain doctors as rheumatoid nodules. You might also see a fever, feel fatigued, have morning stiffness that lasts through the morning into the afternoons, and might see some weight loss to the amount of energy your body is producing during that 'civil war.'

So, how do you know if you're at risk for rheumatoid arthritis? There are some risk factors that you should discuss with your pain doctor. Those risk factors include your sex; women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis then are men. Your age is also a factor, as adults between the ages of 40 to 60 seem to develop the symptoms more frequently than other age groups. If a member of your family has battle rheumatoid arthritis, chances are you will be facing it as well.

Finally, smoking has been found to link directly with RA risk. However ironically, moderate drinking has been found to lessen your risk. This could be due to the fact that alcohol has been shown to suppress the activities of the immune system, thus limiting the immune system's ability to attack itself.

Eight Tips For Arthritis Pain To Make Life Easy

Over the years, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of people afflicted with arthritis. It is a fairly common disease among the aged. According to a survey, as many as 1 in 5 adults in the United States presently suffer from chronic joint pains or arthritis.

This widespread prevalence has led to the search for effective pain relief measures to alleviate the debilitating symptoms of the ailment. There are eight tips for arthritis pain relief. Arthritis isn't just a single ailment; it is a compound disorder that consists of more than 100 different conditions and can affect people of any age group.

The two most widespread forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The eight tips for arthritis pain are applicable to these two forms of arthritis also.

Both these forms have completely separate root causes, risk factors and results on the body, but they both share a common symptom, namely, unrelenting joint pain.

In addition to joint pain felt in other parts of the body, pain in the hips, knees, wrists and hands are the most common symptoms of arthritis.

If you spend many sleepless nights suffering from joint pain, stiffness or swelling of the joints, chances are you're suffering from arthritis. Arthritis pain can be subdivided into two general categories - acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain lasts for a short-term.

It can last for a few fleeting seconds or longer, but it eventually fades away as the healing process takes place.

Chronic pain ranges from mild to intense, and can last for weeks, months, years, or even a lifetime. The eight tips for arthritis pain help reduce the pain and allow for a more comfortable way of living.

Eight Different Ways To Help Ease Your Arthritis Pain

With the increase in the number of patients suffering from arthritis, the options for arthritis pain relief have also expanded.

There are various alternatives to help bring relief from intense arthritis pains.

These eight tips for arthritis pain are:

Homeopathy

Warm water therapy

Heat or steam therapy

Exercises

Massage therapy

Meditation, hypnosis, hypnotherapy

Magnet therapy

Prescription drugs

Natural treatment therapies can go a long way

* Water Therapy

Water therapy has become a very popular option for pain relief. It is also known as water aerobics, and it involves performing various types of aerobic exercises in a pool.

The main advantage of this kind of treatment is that there is virtually no pressure on your joints while doing the exercises, which is a boon for arthritics beset with excruciating pain.

For most cases of arthritis, moving the joint constantly is recommended. Water therapy is the best for this because you feel buoyant and weightless in water.

Hence, water therapy is not only an easier option, but an effective one as well. Another alternative for relieving arthritis pain is using heat.

Arthritis is especially painful in the cold weather, when stiffness and soreness increase considerably. When this happens, heat is a good choice for pain relief. However, heat only relieves temporarily.

Nevertheless, if you are experiencing mild pain, using heat could prove sufficient in relieving your pain. This is a better alternative if you prefer natural treatments instead of using drugs.

* Massage

Massage is a fairly common method of treatment for joint pains.

However, the extent of relief depends on several factors like the type of massage, the kind of arthritis, and the skill or expertise of the masseuse or therapist.

The type of massage that is reported to be of considerable help to people suffering from arthritis is Swedish or "Classic" massage.

The techniques involve stroking, kneading, rubbing and vibrating, which help by increasing the blood circulation and relieving the joints and muscles from aches and pains.

* Other Sources of Relief

Nowadays, over the counter medication is widely available to help bring relief to arthritis patients.

These drugs can be very helpful provided the pain is moderately mild. In case you suffer from severe pain, you will have to discuss pain relief alternatives with your doctor.

Initially, the only requirement could be a painkiller. Visiting your doctor frequently is highly recommended so that he/she can keep you informed about your arthritis pain relief plan.

If you follow these instructions, you will be able to live an active and pain free life.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Guide

There are many natural cures for arthritis including learning about and following the rheumatoid arthritis diet to help alleviate symptoms of painful joints.

Treatments for overcoming Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

This list includes both natural rheumatoid arthritis diet and alternative arthritis remedies for curing arthritis, as well as artificially prepared drugs and other medications. Though it may seem counterintuitive one of the natural cures for arthritis suggestions to relieving pain is to exercise. However, it is important to work with knowledgeable therapists who can develop a safe routine that will not aggravate the existing problem.

Exercise works because it can help improve movement and reduce stiffness, it can help keep up the strength of muscles that will protect and support the affected joints and it can improve circulation which is beneficial for overall health. Add to that the bonus that it may reduce or control weight that adds stress to afflicted joints.

Proper rest is always important for the body to help restore itself. And it is thought that inflammation eases off when the body is able to achieve a restful stage.

Massage and hydrotherapy help to relieve stiffness in joints and both work to improve circulation. For some individuals that are very nearly crippled with arthritis they have found that being in a pool allows them the only real opportunity to have movement and exercise free from the stress on their sore joints. It can provide some very real blessed moments of relief.

Another area to be explored for alternative arthritis remedies is the strength of one's perceptions. It has been noted that anxiety and uncertainty about what is happening in one's own body can accentuate the pain felt. This means that gaining a clear understanding of what is occurring and what can be done in the way of treatment can work to relieve some of the stress and thus some of the pain as well.

As has been shown time and again - a calm and positive outlook will produce a better reaction in the physical body over a bitter and negative one. Focusing on things that are enjoyable and uplifting can go a long way in keeping one's mind from dwelling on the pain. Pain that is dwelt on seems to always increase. Granted, it may take a supreme effort to begin such a pattern of thinking but the reward of improving the quality of life that we have been given will always be worth it.

Sea-bathing is another popular natural remedy. Since natural iodine present in sea water helps relieve arthritis pain, it is a good option. It is one of the most natural cures for arthritis as it regenerates the tissues that have been worn out as a result of arthritis.

Try eating a rheumatoid arthritis diet which help cure arthritis: Poor diet, obesity, lack of nutrition in diet are some of the factors which can lead to the state of RA, and hence a change in one's diets, and inclusion of a certain class of food items in the diet can drastically improve the condition.

Diet that helps rheumatoid arthritis:

Changing your diet can help cure arthritis. Excess weight increases the pressure on the joints, and thus causes pain in joints, so starting a weight loss program can be of enormous benefit to anyone suffering from painful joints. You can also focus your daily nutrition intake to include specific food items that help alleviate the pain and hence enhance the overall curing process.

There is a site with contributions from Helene Malmsio, a nutritional consultant since 1994, where she writes about the natural cures and home remedies suggested for rheumatoid arthritis diet - detailing the specific foods that help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and also including the benefits of using Tang Kuei and vitamin nutrition supplements in your diet for those who do not have time to monitor their meals every day to make sure they include the complete arthritis diet.

The diet for arthritis food items below contain essential nutrients that increase the blood supply and also alleviate the stiffness in the joints.

· Coconut/ Mustard oil
· Raw and fresh vegetables and fruits
· Consumption of meat must be reduced
· Avoid consumption of butter, cream etc. Saturated fats are considered to be detrimental during arthritis cure.
· Tang Kuei: Also known as the Queen amongst herbs, tang kuei acts as a balancing factor of hormones. It reduces the pain in joints during arthritis. It also reduces nervous tension and stress that accompany RA. All in all, it acts as a calming agent both physically and mentally, and is paramount for natural cure for arthritis.

Natural Arthritis Pain Relief and Heart Health - Healing Power Of Nature's Acai Berry!

Do you want true natural arthritis pain relief? Do you need help with your high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure?

Now there are many different extraordinary natural products available, which feature super fruits, like the amazing brazilian acai berry, and many other potent body-beneficial fruits from around the world. These newly discovered fruit compounds which are contained in these super fruits are now being used to target specifically, heart health remedies and arthritis pain relief with natural ingredients, and are achieving fantastic real results.

Arthritis joint health - plant derived glucosamine and esterified fatty acids for natural arthritis pain relief use, have been scientifically proven to maintain lubricating fluid in joints, promote flexibility, increase your range of motion, reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, and helps you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Most glucosamine sources are extracted from crushed sea shells, but generally only reduce inflammation of the muscles and tissues around the joints. Plant derived glucosamine is better for the body and can actually penetrate your joint tissue cells for maximum benefit, helping you achieve real natural arthritis pain relief!

Heart health - a healthy blend of fruits specifically chosen for their ability to nutritionally support cardiovascular health in your diet, would supply your body with healthy levels of plant sterols. Clinical studies show that they are a key factor in lowering cholesterol absorption and helping you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. These compounds will dramatically help reduce your heart disease risk. Also, with resveratrol included in your diet with using natural supplements, they can help support your cardiovascular system with proven results, showing it can also protect your healthy blood vessels and blood cells.

Resveratrol has many benefits being attributed to it, mainly the fact that this natural compound can and will slow the ageing process dramatically.

*What has been discovered about many human ailments.

Health scientists around the world are now concurring that chronic inflammation in the body is a precursor to a frightening list of serious health conditions and ailments. With the media constantly reporting the potential risk and dangerous side-effects associated with using anti-inflammatory arthritis pain relief drugs and heart health drugs, it has created concern with people worldwide and there has never been a time when the quest for safe alternative natural remedies has been more important.

Arthritis - Health scientists also now know that a multitude of free radicals damage our bodies healthy cells constantly, which can be slowed down or reversed easily by including potent natural antioxidants included in your diet. We now know that natural esterified fatty acids are incredibly important essential fatty acids needed in our diets to reduce and stop free radical damage to your joints. Esterified fatty acids have been proven to help improve joint function dramatically and slowly regenerate the protective tissue between the bone's and joints. These fatty acids help obtain painfree movement and natural arthritis pain relief for people struggling with the aches and discomforts resulting from their arthritis.

The wear & tear seen in osteoarthritis is actually due to the excess action of proteolytic enzymes that break down joint tissue and cartilage causing inflammation and pain. Published twice in the internationally acclaimed journal of rheumatology, studies show that esterified fatty acids offer great arthritis pain relief by providing youthful cell fluidity and elasticity, improved cushioning of bones and joints while also providing, cumulative and restoring benefits to joint tissue and cartilage. Esterified fatty acids are all natural ingredients scientifically reported to inhibit these destructive enzymes, and are known to reduce inflammation and pain. These vital compounds will give arthritis pain relief with outstanding results, and best of all, they are all natural compounds which have no dangerous side effects at all!

Heart - plant sterols have been proven to lower the amount of bad cholesterol absorbed by your body in a tricky but very simple way. The body absorbs the plant sterol compounds instead of the cholesterol in your digestive system because it cannot tell the difference between them. If you have a regular supply of plant sterols in your diet, the body absorbs less cholesterol because it is absorbing the sterols instead, which will then lower your bad cholesterol intake. It is a simple but very effective and safe way to help reduce your heart disease risk.

Resveratrol is also a very effective antioxidant which can stop free radical damage and improve your whole body health, which will help reduce the stress on your heart. Resveratrol has been studied extensively for its health promoting benefits and has been proven to slow down the ageing process and extend your life. Most importantly, is the fact that it can reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which are known to play a big role in heart disease. This natural compound also improves insulin resistance, making it effective in the treatment of weight loss and the management of diabetes. It also has anti-cancerous properties, inhibits the formation of tumours and can help delay the onset of Alzheimer disease.

*Natural health product benefits.

The synergy of properly combined body-beneficial fruits can produce an extraordinary delivery of the resources and nutrition of powerful anti-oxidants and phytonutrients your body needs to fight free radicals. These natural products help maintain your bodies overall health and give excellent arthritis pain relief, and provide heart disease risk reduction while improving your heart health with amazing results.

Enjoy the benefits of increased energy and better health today, and let the power of nature help you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle!

To learn more and read some product reviews, follow the links below. Natural arthritis pain relief and heart health products have improved greatly in recent years as we learn more about human health.

Natural arthritis pain relief and natural heart health products are a much better and safer option for yourself or your loved ones. They are easy, convenient, better for the human body and they are achieving excellent results!

Thanks for listening and good natural health to you.

Regards Shane Nolan.

Relieving Arthritis Pain Naturally

People of any age can develop arthritis but the symptoms almost always include pain, stiffness, achiness, loss of movement, and decreased function that get progressively worse over time. The statistics on arthritis are staggering in their impact on individuals as well as the cost to society. Data from a 2007-2009 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) estimated 50 million (22%) of adults have self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and 21 million (9% of all adults) have arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation. The annual cost of arthritis and related conditions, such as osteoarthritis, cost nearly $128 billion per year in medical and indirect expenses, including lost wages and productivity while the annual cost per person with osteoarthritis is $5700. Arthritis can prevent a person from doing normal activities such as opening a jar, writing, playing sports, typing, exercising and even enjoying their family. So what is osteoarthritis, what are the causes and how is it treated? Even more important, how do we change the crippling effects of osteoarthritis on both individuals and society?

First, Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is one of the oldest and most common types of Arthritis. It is characterized by the breakdown of the joint's cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of bones. When cartilage breaks down, it causes bones to rub against each other causing pain, stiffness, and loss of movement. OA most commonly affects middle-aged and older people, but can occur in younger adults or even teenagers at times. The severity of OA may range from very mild to extremely severe and it most commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the spine, knees, hips and feet, although the hands are also a common target.

While age is a significant risk factor to OA, research has shown that OA is not an inevitable part of aging. Obesity is a predisposing factor to OA of the knees, hips and spine but injuries from sports, work, and accidents are the most common cause. In particular, car accidents predispose injured parties to developing OA of the neck, especially if they don't receive comprehensive examination and treatment. Genetics can also play a role in the development of OA, particularly in the hands. Some people may be born with defective cartilage, slight defects in the way that joints fit together or other abnormalities that cause altered biomechanics. As a person ages, these problems lead to early cartilage breakdown which gets progressively worse over time.

The symptoms of OA vary based upon the severity of the condition as well as the age, activity level, and overall health of each individual. The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness and achiness around a joint especially after periods of inactivity or excessive use. In the spine, the most common symptom is stiffness and achiness upon awakening that improves and usually goes away with activity, but often recurs, sometimes everyday. The problem is that the frequency and severity of the symptoms, or lack thereof, do not correlate with the progressive degeneration and tissue damage.

This results in delayed diagnosis and treatment that ultimately limits treatment options. Waking up with back or neck pain from "sleeping wrong" or "no reason" is highly suggestive of OA. Sensations of grinding, grating or even popping with normal movements known as crepitus also suggest poor cartilage health and possible OA. Loss of motion can occur gradually over a long period of time, like difficulty looking over your shoulder when driving. Ultimately, bony growths develop at the affected margins of the joints and may cause deformity, particularly in the hands and feet. In severe cases, calcification of the joint may get so severe that motion is almost totally lost.

In the past, treatment focused on rest, pain medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (known as over-the-counter pain relievers) and ultimately joint replacement surgery, especially for the hips and knees in severe cases. Today, emphasis is placed on moderate exercise, proper nutrition, and prevention. We now know that smokers with OA have more severe joint pain and greater degradation of cartilage. Some studies support the value of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine supplementation to support cartilage health. Proper hydration is also critical to maintaining healthy cartilage.

Medical treatments typically include drugs to reduce pain and improve function although joint replacement surgery of the hips and knees is common if the pain and deterioration are severe. A commonly overlooked option is physical medicine treatments that maintain joint function, range of motion, flexibility and physical conditioning. In the spine, decompression traction is particularly effective for both relieving symptoms of pain and stiffness while simultaneously improving function and movement. Other natural treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy can also be very effective in relieving pain, increasing circulation and restoring tissue health. Chiropractic medicine services that provide relief from osteoarthritis and reduce the progression of the condition include:

Spinal decompression or "traction" is a gentle stretching or elongation of a joint by a machine. It helps to open the joint space, enhance tissue health, improve range of motion in addition to relieving symptoms of pain and stiffness.

Joint mobilization and manipulation is the movement of a joint in a prescribed manner to increase range of motion, joint function and restore pain-free movement.

Prescription of specific stretches and exercises to be performed at home. Stretches help relieve tightness while maintaining flexibility and range of motion. Exercises help to stabilize joints by increasing muscle tone, strength and endurance.

Specific nutritional supplements to promote healthy cartilage.

Benefits of Natural Treatment of Arthritis

Natural treatments of arthritis focus on not only relieving symptoms but also restoring function and enhancing tissue health without the use of drugs or surgery. Often times, the first step is to stop the condition form getting worse or slow down its progression. Patients should experience a progressive reduction in pain and stiffness as well as a steady increase in strength, mobility, range of motion and the ability to perform many tasks that were difficult or impossible before treatment. Since certain types of arthritis can compromise other body systems involving the heart, lungs, circulation, nerves and immune system, natural treatments of chiropractic, acupuncture and massage administered in conjunction with integrative medical treatment can serve as an excellent way to reduce the possibility that arthritis will cause unnecessary medical procedures, joint deformities, lifestyle restrictions of or compromise other important body functions.

Conclusion

Many people deny or ignore their pain and accept it as a condition of life. They simply put up with it and "hope" it will go away. Even worse, excessive amounts of over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription arthritis medications are taken. These products can damage the liver, kidney, stomach or other vital organs and may even result in death. Chiropractic medicine, acupuncture and massage therapy are drug-free treatments that can not only reduce the pain and suffering from arthritis but often even slow down the progression of the condition! This results in better mobility, improved function, and a substantial elevation in the quality of life for patients with arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment With Miraculous Homeopathy!

When it comes to any type of pain, it is really hard to bear. One can bear anything and live life happily but when it is pain, all happiness seems to go haywire and person perceives only misery through any experience. That is why when patients come to us with the severe joint pains (arthritis), we often tend to cater them as a priority. Rather, arthritis is one of the faculties I can say that busts a myth about homeopathy, that homeopathy does not act fast enough to relieve the pain of arthritis. Rather, when aptly applied the principle of homeopathy, remedy found relieves arthritic pain more rapidly than even the best of analgesic.

Whether it is rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, homeopathic treatment as with any other disease revolves around the signs, symptoms, and constitution of the patient. Miasmatic background must be understood by the homeopathic doctors before they prescribe to such patients.

What homeopaths need to know about arthritis of the patient?

The patient's history is of paramount importance when it comes to arthritis. The patients must describe-

(1) Since when the pain has started

(2) What is the nature of pain (throbbing, dull, aching, excruciating etc)

(3) Does anything aggravate the pain?

(4) Does anything ameliorate (lessen) the pain?

(5) In what position does the patient feel comfortable?

(6) Is there anything characteristic about the pain?

(7) Are there any concomitant symptoms along with arthritis?

The above mentioned points are just about the arthritis. But to understand the totality of symptoms, doctor must ask the patient about his mental symptoms or behavioral tendencies, his emotional vulnerability, his psychological and intellectual built up, other physical symptoms, and all the things you feel you need to understand the patient fully.

It may seem the tedious job initially but after one gets accustomed to the art of case-taking, one can easily navigate through these questions and perceive what is important to us. Homeopathic treatment revolves around these questions and answers to be frank. And that's why homeopathy is a life-long learning process. With every new case, we tend to comprehend some special features of our vast material medica that we use for treating the sick. Surely it's an amazing experience to match the disease symptoms with drug symptoms or do self-proving in order to completely understand what is described in material medica.

Arthritis is one of the problems that revolve around all three miasms, psora, syphilis, and sycosis. But with good history taking skills, and differentiating ability, one can find perfect simillimum in order to attain perfect cure. Certainly with homeopathic remedies, arthritis patients can find pain relief, reversal of bone pathology, halting the progress of disease, and consistently improve the condition with an overall well-being.

Natural Cures For Rheumatoid Arthritis That You Can Try Easily

Rheumatoid arthritis is something that causes severe pain and swelling causing the joints to feel extremely tender and painful. There are various medications a doctor can give you to help relieve the pain and to bring down the swelling. The most common type of drug for rheumatoid arthritis are anti inflammatory drugs. Although these drugs can be effective in the general treatment of this painful condition, there are also some very effective, safe natural cures for rheumatoid arthritis. Here are a few of those natural remedies that anyone suffering with this condition should consider trying.

Cod Liver Oil

Taking one or two spoonfuls of cod liver oil can greatly relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, due to the fact that one of the single most painful factors when it comes to this condition, is cartilage damage. Cod liver oil actually slows down the process of cartilage damage and helps lubricate the joints. Therefore helping the sufferer to feel less pain than they normally would.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has got many healing properties, if you have never tried it as a natural remedy then now would be the time to start. In terms of natural cures for arthritis this is a very well known and somewhat effective one. Take one teaspoon in the morning and one teaspoon at night. Once you get into the routine of doing this, within 2 or 3 weeks you should see some good results from this. Overall you will feel healthier, more energetic and the pain will not be so intense.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is used a lot in the treatment of any kind of muscle or joint pain, it is known to be a natural pain soother, and has been used for generations to relieve pain. The minerals in Epsom salt can help to renew the bones as well as strengthen them. Therefore soaking in a warm bath of Epsom salt every night before you go to bed could have a great effect on your overall feeling of well being. As well as relieving the crippling pain of rheumatoid arthritis

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking plenty of water is vital in the process of cell renewal, as well as in the process of bone renewal. If you drink enough water to keep your body fully hydrated, this well help greatly in making your body work more efficiently and effectively. Therefore it gives some relief to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Lemon and Lime juice

Drinking lemon and lime juice in hot water has been known to help relieve or even cure rheumatoid arthritis. There are so many natural cures for rheumatoid arthritis and lemon and lime juice have been amongst the most talked about cures. As they have some powerful antioxidant properties, which apparently help with pain relief.

When it comes to natural cures for rheumatoid arthritis, although there are a few to choose from, it is best to find and use a couple of them at first and see what works for you. Not everyone is the same and what work for someone else may not work for you.

Natural Remedies for Arthritis - Making Mother Nature Work for You

Arthritis is a painful condition that involves slow degradation of the body's joints. The soft tissue between joints not only cushions the weight, but prevents the body's movements from grating on the hard tissue of bones. Some forms of arthritis can be caused by the body's immune system attacking the body's own joints, such as in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Other forms can come as the result of infections, such as septic arthritis. In any case, there are natural remedies for arthritis which advocates claim can help arthritis sufferers get rid of the pain.

There is no known cure for arthritis, so if you are suffering from arthritis and a natural remedy is recommended to you, beware the quack doctor who claims that your arthritis will disappear entirely. Many natural remedies have not yet been studied in great detail, and the definition of "natural" is still debatable. Moreover, do not go into natural remedies without consulting your doctor first; some so-called natural remedies may work against your arthritis medication, or will be useless for your particular case.

Taking the Natural Path by Adding or Taking Away from the Diet

Arthritis is an old disease that has been treated in many ways by ancient doctors. For instance, arthritic or gouty patients were prescribed diets of only apples or rhubarb; they were advised to take large amounts of honey; they were required to eat fresh nutmeg; or they were told to drink gold salts. Although the last option might seem outlandish, it is still being practiced today: gold salts, however, have to be pharmaceutical grade in order to be consumed.

Fasting is another way to relieve the pain of arthritis, but this has to be coupled with drinking large amounts of water. Excessive fasting, however, can make the pain of arthritis worse, especially if other medical conditions exist that might be complicated by fasting. Some natural remedy advocates might also recommend vitamins and vitamin supplements, but these have to be taken in moderation.

Arthritis diets also depend on the kind of arthritis a patient has. Patients with gout will need to avoid high-protein and high-uric acid foods, as these can increase the buildup of uric acid crystals in joints, the main cause of this form of arthritis. This means that patients have to stay away from some mussels, meats, fish, and legumes, as the liver and kidneys can not completely process the proteins from these foods and flush them out of the body. People with gout also need to stay away from alcohol or any food or drink that can increase the liver's or kidney's metabolic load.

Massages and Needles: The Natural Way to Get Your Energy Back?

Acupuncture is an ancient method of rerouting your energy fields. According to acupuncture advocates, our bodies operate with in an energy field that should be flowing in certain directions; sickness, such as arthritis, cause this energy field to lose direction, a phenomenon that leads to extreme pain. By positioning needles on strategic points of the body, acupuncturists hope to reroute the energy field in order to relieve the pain associated with arthritis - and hopefully even cure it.

Another natural remedy for arthritis includes the use of copper or magnetic bracelets, which purportedly increase blood circulation and thus ease the pain of arthritis. Such a method, however, has not yet been proven effective, so be careful about shelling out your hard-earned money to buy expensive bracelets that are supposedly designed to relieve pain.

Giving Back the Body its Own Cells

If natural methods are the way to go, then what can be more natural than using your own body to treat itself? Although spurned by natural remedy advocates, stem cells are gaining promise as a way to treat different diseases. Stem cells are a sort of default cell mode for the body: you can find stem cells in the blood and bone marrow, and your stem cells can be programmed to develop into other body cell types.

In the future, with more scientific research, stem cells can be collected from arthritic patients, and then programmed to develop into joint tissue in the laboratory, with the help of environmental and chemical cues. These tissues can then be returned to the arthritic patients in order to replace their lost joints. Because the stem cells come directly from the patient, there is a vastly decreased risk of tissue rejection.

Today's medically accepted methods for treating arthritis include an exercise and weight loss regimen, physical and occupational therapy, and a variety of medications. There are also natural remedies for arthritis that can be used along with these methods. Whichever method you wish to avail of, talk to your physician first about how such a method can help your particular case, and what other options might be available to you.