Psoriatic Arthritis Drug Approved To Fight Chrohn's Disease

The popular drug Humira which is currently used to treat Psoriatic Arthritis was approved on Feb. 27 by the FDA to treat adult Chrohn's disease.

According to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), "Chrones Disease Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines.

Crohn's disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea."

Chrohn's disease afflicts around 500,000 people in the United States. Symptoms experienced by those with the disease include abdominal cramps, persistent diarrhea, fever, pain, and fatigue.

According to the FDA, "Humira works to reduce levels of human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, a chemical that plays a role in abnormal responses from the body's immune system."

Most people infected with the disease are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. Some of the side affects of Humira include serious the risk of infections such as tuberculosis or blood infections. Less severe side affects include upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, and nausea.

Humira was approved originally by the FDA to treat Psoriatic Arthritis in October of 2005 and was later approved to treat moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis.

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Cherry Juice For Arthritis Is A Natural Alternative

Arthritis is a very painful type of joint inflammation that affects millions of people. While there are many different arthritis treatments promoting the use of drugs or steroids, natural alternative approaches are available. Many people have reported that the use of cherry juice for arthritis can have positive beneficial effects.

Arthritis is a condition that is characterized by inflammation in the joints which causes pain and discomfort ranging from moderate to severe. There are several varieties of arthritic afflictions with the same symptoms and some of those who suffer have been able to find relief in the form of juice from cherries.

This has become a popular option for treatment of arthritis due to the health benefits that can be attributed to phytochemical anthocyanins found in cherries. Anthocyanins are found in abundance in cherries, and are known to be powerful antioxidants. One of the phytochemicals called cyanidin is contained in the fruit in high concentrations.

These phytochemicals are some of the main elements that are responsible for the dark red coloring. They also act as natural anti-inflammatory agents that can aid in controlling joint swelling and relieving the pains experienced by most arthritis sufferers. They appear to offer many benefits with no known side effects other than relatively rare allergies in a small handful of the population.

The best way to receive these benefits is to drink the juice to alleviate arthritic inflammations. There are also concentrated cherry capsules and cherry supplement bars, but the majority of people seem to believe the best effects come from consuming it in liquid form. It should be a tart juice, with no added sugars or artificial flavorings which can aggravate inflamed tissues.

Research studies have often concluded that cherry juice for arthritis should be seriously considered as a potential agent for treatment. Some people will notice an improvement in a matter of days, while others may realize the results they want after several weeks.

Can Changing My Diet Offer Arthritis Pain Relief?

Modify your diet...

New research has revealed that your diet has a lot to do with how your body reacts to arthritis. For instance, certain foods are renowned for triggering inflammation of the joints, whilst others can help to reduce it and offer your natural pain relief.

And this is true of all arthritis types...

Whilst osteoarthritis ('wear and tear' arthritis) has never before been considered to be an inflammatory condition - as is the case with rheumatoid arthritis - studies have found that inflammation still plays a role in your pain management of this condition.

Luckily you can help to reduce the effects of inflammation, simply by making the following changes to your diet:

1. Balance your essential fatty acid ratio - it is a well known fact that coldwater fish, seeds and nuts are a good source for omega-3 which is good for your heart. But did you know that omega-3 can also help you to reduce inflammation?

Experts have found that increasing your omega-3 levels, whilst reducing the amount of omega-6 you consume (corn and sunflower oil, processed foods, spreads, eggs and meats) can both help to offer you some joint pain relief by decreasing inflammation.

Omega-6 in particular has been found to activate the COX-2 enzymes in your body which are responsible for joint inflammation, so by reducing the amount you have, you can reduce joint pain.

Foods to have: salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna, walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil and dark leafy greens.

2. Reduce your intake of saturated fats, refined carbs and sugars - common in red meat, full fat dairy products, butter, white bread, sugary foods, cakes and sodas, each of these nutrients can trigger inflammation according to Dr. Wahida Karmally.

Now you don't need to cut out these foods completely; however nutritionists recommend opting for leaner cuts of meat i.e. round or loin, (free of fat) and having them in small portions.

3. Get plenty of vitamins and minerals - a combination of Vitamin C and D can help to boost your immune function but more importantly reduce inflammation by inhibiting the enzymes which are responsible for breaking down cartilage in your joints.

Aim to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and foods fortified in Vitamin D such as fatty fish (tuna, mackerel, krill), milk, cereals and orange juice. Also try to bulk up on your fibre.

4. Maintain a healthy weight - becoming overweight can worsen your arthritic pain and risk of inflammation. For this reason, it is important that you reduce your intake of foods which are high in sugar, saturated fat and refined carbs as these high calorie foods can lead to weight gain.

In fact, research has found that by losing 10lbs you can reduce knee and hip related pain caused by arthritis.

5. Adopt a Mediterranean diet - enrich in antioxidants, phytochemical-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, healthy oils and fish, Mediterranean diets are notoriously lower in saturated fats and red meat, making it the ideal diet to reduce inflammation and encourage joint pain relief.

6. Choose a sustainable diet - for this reduction in inflammation to remain positive, it is important that you view your new diet as being sustainable and for life. These dietary changes are not a quick fix, but must be consistently maintained in order for you to experience long term joint pain relief.

Simply changing your diet can offer your body the much needed support it needs to take control of your arthritis and free your joints from the discomfort of aches, pains and inflammation.

Just remember to keep the above suggestions in mind and ultimately make sure you adopt a healthier approach to your eating habits.

Psoriatic Arthritis - The Skin Condition That Leaves You Aching For Relief

While there are well over 100 different types of arthritis in existence, unfortunately many people do not even realize that there are other types of arthritis besides rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. But guess what my friend, there are many other types of arthritis that can invade your life.

One of those little known types of arthritis is known as psoriatic arthritis and it can be as debilitating as some of the more well known varieties of arthritis. So exactly what is psoriatic arthritis and just how does this variety present itself?

Just like the name sounds, psoriatic arthritis is associated with psoriasis. This rather common skin condition is characterized by redness, swelling, inflammation and scaly patches all along the skin. Yes, psoriasis can be found in all populations, but most commonly it is seen most often in the United States among those of Caucasian decent.

The skin condition psoriasis most often affects the scalp, face, navel, tips of the elbows, knees, and areas surrounding the genitals and anus. Health professionals estimate that 10 per cent of all psoriasis patients concurrently develop some form of inflammation in the affected joints. These patients are thus classified as suffering from psoriatic arthritis.

Here's one of the important things to remember about psoriatic arthritis, if you have already been diagnosed with psoriasis, then you are at a much higher risk for developing psoriatic arthritis. This is particularly true if your arthritis has also impacted your joints. This condition can be quite painful and debilitating without active and aggressive treatment. It seems almost cruel in its onset since it doesn't seem to strike until later in life, sometimes not striking until you are in your 40s or 50s. And sorry ladies, you don't get off easy here, psoriatic arthritis is an equal opportunity invader and affects both men and women equally.

The majority of patients experience onset of the diseases at different times. It is common that patients develop psoriasis before experiencing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Approximately 80 per cent of psoriatic arthritis patients develop psoriasis before the arthritis.

But of course everything in life cannot follow a definite pattern, since in some patients, they actually get a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis before actually developing a skin condition. This can make diagnosing the condition a bit more difficult. Unfortunately far too many patients suffer with either the arthritis or the psoriasis for way too long before figuring out that they two go together.

Psoriatic arthritis is a systematic disease just like other forms of arthritis. With any systemic disease, other areas of the body can be attacked as well. So this simply means that you best be on the look out for problems with other body parts. For example, psoriatic arthritis patients can also be at risk for other problems with the kidneys and lungs. Patients may also experience problems with the heart, the eyes and the mouth. Systemic ... affecting other areas as well. The whole body is at risk.

In severe forms of the disease, other vital organs may also be affected. Like other forms of arthritis (especially reactive arthritis and spondylitis), psoriatic arthritis patients are more prone to experiencing inflammation in the spine.

What causes psoriatic arthritis? There are many theories, but the cause remains unknown. Most health professionals agree the disease is probably caused by a combination of various environmental factors. Immunity and genetic factors are probably involved as well. There is a gene marker-HLA-B27-that appears in many patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. However, it is not present in all cases.

With psoriatic arthritis, not only does the genetic marker HLA-B27 often show up with these patients, there are also other genetic alterations that may appear. Of course, this just continues to feed into the researchers belief that this variety of arthritis is based in the genes. Another one of the common denominators in the case of psoriatic arthritis is the changes that are seen in the immune system. While we don't know the exact basis of this, those changes are often seen. Also, remember that simple environmental factors may also be a key component behind the reason why people develop this health condition.

Psoriatic arthritis is a battle that many face each and every day. It really does not matter the reason why you developed this version of arthritis in the first place, what does matter is that you are ready to work cooperatively with your doctor in order to build a treatment plan that you can work with and one that is designed to give you the best level of health that you can enjoy. Psoriatic arthritis does not have to be a harness around your neck, but it certainly will become one if you are passive about it. Get to it and educate yourself about your own health condition.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are over one hundred different forms of arthritis, though most people are familiar with only a few of them. One of the most commonly heard terms is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease that affects joints and causes them to become crooked and appear as if fingers are growing almost sideways. This type of arthritis affects over two million Americans every year.

While it's unknown exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, it is known that the condition damages the synovial tissue that connects bones and joints in the hands, feet, and anywhere else in the body where bending is allowed. With this condition, the synovial tissue, or membrane, losses its smooth surface and texture and begins to develop extra tissue that is called pannus. This formation causes an excess of enzymes that will eventually destroy surrounding cartilage, bone and other soft tissues associated with joints, and the result is painful.

Inflamed areas, especially in tendons, can cause shortening, and if tendons rupture, joint strength and stability is severely impaired. While in most cases, rheumatoid arthritis strikes older people, it is also found in those as young as twenty years old. Most cases of this type of arthritis develop between the ages of 20 and 45, though that's just the norm. In many scenarios, the condition runs in families, suggesting a strong genetic link.

Since many different types of arthritis mirror signs and symptoms, it's important to write down your symptoms, their duration, and the course of the symptoms as far as length of time you've been feeling them, in order to help your doctor determine which form of arthritis you may be suffering from. Most people don't realize they have developed rheumatoid arthritis because it starts off feeling like a flu bug.

However, eventually, multiple joints are affected, usually on one side of the body. The most common areas of attack are joints in the fingers, at the base of the fingers, wrist, elbows and knees. Ankle joints and bone joints of the feet may also be affected.

Many people who hit their forties feel morning stiffness that eases as the day progresses, but most types of arthritis also starts off that way. One of the best ways to distinguish normal aging and stiff joints from rheumatoid arthritis is experiencing warmth in the joint area.

Another indication that arthritis may be present is the appearance of reddened and swollen joints that feel tender and painful when touched. Flare-ups may last for several days, or several weeks, and may often grow worse in winter months.

Determining the course of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis depends on many different factors, such as symptoms and the stage of development of the disease. Taking an active part in the treatment of symptoms is one of the best things you can do if diagnosed with this type of arthritis.

Exercise and joint strengthening exercise throughout your life will help keep many forms of arthritis at bay, and mediations and other treatments may ease pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis. However, it's important for people to follow the course of action prescribed by a rheumatologist for optimum benefits.

Feline Arthritis Treatment - Recent Medical Advances and Ideas For Helping Your Cat

Feline arthritis treatment has come a long way in the past several years. Up until a few years ago, conventional treatment options such as pain reduction drugs like NSAIDs (like human ibuprofen or aspirin), could only be used for short periods of time. The good news is that advances in conventional and natural treatments can greatly improve your cat's quality of life and help to slow down the destruction of cartilage in the joints.

Conventional Feline Arthritis Treatment

NSAIDs are a class of drugs that are used in both humans and cats to reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis. A relatively new drug, Metacam, promises longer term treatment. The problem with any NSAID is that there are potential side effects such as vomitng and diarrhea. Other drugs like Metacam potentially have the same side effects.

This class of drugs work by blocking the release of harmful enzymes in the joints. Because of the unique nature of metabolism in cats, clinicians have had mixed results with this class of drugs.

Natural Cat Arthritis Treatment

Natural products, while having mixed clinical support, are seeing widespread adoption. Many clinicians believe they are of benefit for mild or moderate feline arthritis.

Nutraceuticals: These are natural products that usually contain both Glucosamine and
and chondroitin sulphate (found in cartilage) These work by helping absorb water into the cartilage, which is an important component of joint function.

Fatty Acids: Like nutraceuticals, there is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can help joint function. This can be found either in your commercial cat food or added as a supplement to your cat's diet. One good source is known as New Zealand greenlipped mussel (GLM: pema canaliculus).

Diet: There are certain fatty acids, nutraceuticals and vitamins that are associated with helping cat's with arthritis. These Prescription Diets are available from your veterinarian and may be of some help with your cat.

Homeopathic Medicine: There is a long history of natural products having a positive impact on joint and muscle health. Ingredients such as Harpagophytum procumbens(Devil's Claw), Arthrospira platenis (Spirulina) and Calcium fluoride (6cH) , all have properties that can safely help your cat. It may be worth a try.

Other Approaches to Feline Arthritis Treatment:

There are several things you can do in your home to help your cat. These include:

Ramps: Cat's like to perch in high places and observe her surroundings. By providing a ramp for going up stairs and onto couches you can reduce the strain on your cat.

Weight Loss: The weight of your cat's body puts strain on the joints. Helping your cat down to a normal weight can reduce this strain.

Exercise: Keeping your cat moving cat help your cat. Either walks with a cat harness or playing with new toys such as those that contain a treat or catnip (Kong Toys), can help.

Cat arthritis treatment has come a long way. New conventional treatments can now help your cat for a long time to come. Using natural approaches and making your cats environment a bit easier on the joints can all lead to a happy quality of life for your cat.

Arthritis Pain Relief - Natural Arthritis Diet Tips That Work Now

A few years ago, during my nursing career, I accidentally discovered how to get rid of my arthritis pain, naturally, without any conventional arthritis treatment. I got rid of my arthritis symptoms and arthritis pain forever by making changes in my diet.

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joint cartilage and bone, thought to result from continuous "wear and tear" on a joint and with no known cause. There are other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, congenital arthritis with congenital defects, the congenital ankylosing spondilitis and other disorders. Arthritic joints usually appear larger, are stiff and painful, and usually feel worse throughout the day the more they are used. And osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. When people use the word 'arthritis' they usually mean osteoarthritis.

Cartilage contains a high percentage of water, but that decreases with age. The joints are uniquely designed to provide flexibility, support, stability, and protection. The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during any muscle movement.

The first step in arthritis is to change your diet to a diet of raw foods that is living foods or plant foods, preferably uncooked; predominately fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. When I started eating this way from the standard American diet, my arthritis pains disappeared quickly -- within two weeks. After eight years of eating this way, I still have no arthritis pain.

Some people enjoy making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot, but not boiling pure filtered water, steep for a couple of minutes; some people report it's helpful as an arthritis treatment.

Try rubbing or massaging your fingers or other affected joints with organic. virgin coconut oil once or twice a day. Many people have reported to me that going off of dairy products and all foods containing gluten, like wheat, rye, barley, spelt, triticale and kamut, relieved them of arthritis pain entirely. Some of the inflammatory foods and beverages to avoid are inflammatory are: salt, caffeine, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, sugar, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, trans fats, and refined, packaged and processed food.

Some people swear by a morning cup of pure, filtered hot water with a teaspoon or so of Bragg's raw apple cider vinegar and raw farm honey not raw store honey, to keep them free of any arthritis pain. Some people say that glucosamine and/or chondroitin helps and others say they didn't help at all.

Some supplements commonly reported for relieving arthritis pain are: cherry powder, glucosamine, chondroitin, bromelain, grapeseed extract, omega-3 and omega-6, cod liver oil, manganese ascorbate, MSM, boron, niacinamide, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. I don't know if any of these actually work.

Many people say that cherry extracts, cherry concentrate, especially tart cherries or Montmorency cherries, and dried tart cherries with no sugar, have completely rid them of their arthritis pain and possibly cured them as well.

If you have arthritic hands- keep a basket of arthritic treatment aids handy (Thera-putty, hand grips, Taiji Chinese chime balls, etc.) to use at bedtime or while you're watching television. Exercise all of your affected and unaffected joints every day, to keep them flexible. If weight is an issue for you, try to use exercises that will help you with both your arthritis and in weight loss, such as walking. At bedtime you can try putting on a pair of stretch gloves to help reduce the pain and swelling in your fingers if you have arthritic hands. One doctor I know used to sleep in a sleeping bag and raved about how it relieved his arthritis pain.

Your body has 147 joints that are in motion each and every day so keep them moving! Slow stretching and warming up the joints should be the first step in any exercise routine to make your joints more flexible. Be careful in the morning because you may need an hour or more of moving around a bit first. Start by moving your arms and legs around while you're in bed for a few minutes before you get out of bed. Having a good exercise routine will help beat arthritis pain so keep moving.

When you become completely informed about your type of arthritis you'll be able to plan your own arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination. Be aware that using pain relievers like NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors do not stop the progression of osteoarthritis. Medications or drugs used for arthritis pain can cause ulcers, heart disease, liver or kidney damage. Some people with severe arthritis actually get addicted to pain killers.

When you know all that you can about arthritis and osteoarthritis and what you can do for pain relief it'll help contribute to your relief of arthritis pain and possibly help you get rid of arthritis forever. Your treatment plan could include an anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritis diet, plenty of movement, exercise, and always a positive mental attitude. Begin your treatment program now with a healthy diet change, the right exercise and best weight loss plan to see quick results and arthritis pain relief.

Osteoarthritis: Recognition and Treatment

Osteoarthritis causes inflammation of one or more joints in the body. It is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million people over the age of 25 in the United States.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. It can affect any joint in the body, but most often appears in the hands, hips, knees, neck, and lower back. The degeneration of cartilage exposes bones of the joints, resulting in bone-to-bone contact and extreme pain.

The cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. It's believed that the degeneration of cartilage is part of the natural process of aging. Certain factors, such as a family history of osteoarthritis, gender, age, obesity, joint injuries, or the overuse of joints recreationally or at work could all increase your risk of osteoarthritis.

The disease often goes unnoticed until it begins to cause painful symptoms. Osteoarthritis can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Osteoarthritis symptoms begin to appear when cartilage covering synovial joints starts to break down.

Small, bony projections called bone spurs may occur in response to inflammation in a joint. They are most common where bones meet in joints, and be felt as hard lumps around joints that are affected by osteoarthritis. They can rub against nearby nerves and bones, causing additional pain.

It's important to talk to your general practitioner about your symptoms. Osteoarthritis treatments are based on the severity of the condition and may include over-the-counter medication or lifestyle changes. Exercise can help maintain healthy joints, relieve stiffness, reduce pain, and increase muscle and bone strength. Low-impact exercises, such as stretching or strength-training are thought to relieve symptoms.

A low-fat diet that's high in fiber is recommended to encourage weight loss and reduce stress on the joints. Cold and heat treatments are also encouraged to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis. Ice helps to restrict blood vessels, which reduces fluid and decreases swelling in the area. While heat opens the blood vessels and increases circulation, bringing nutrients and proteins which are essential to repairing damaged tissue.

Discover Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

At least four different scientific reviews concerning the effectiveness and safety of popular natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis have been published since 2004. In search of natural healing rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have tried herbal remedies, nutritional supplements and alternative non-invasive therapies such as chiropractic care.

According to figures compiled by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health, as many as 62% of all adults use some form of alternative therapy. 33% of them suffer from back pain, neck pain, joint pain or arthritis. These figures suggest that use of natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis is common and it is the "common usage" that prompted the scientific reviews.

Devil's Claw, Feverfew, Lei Gong Teng and Cat's Claw: Natural Healing Rheumatoid Arthritis?

In 2005, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital reviewed the evidence concerning the safety and effectiveness of the botanicals Devil's Claw, Feverfew, lei gong teng and Cat's Claw. The results were as follows.

Devil's Claw appears to have natural anti-inflammatory activity and there is evidence supporting its use in the treatment of chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis pain affecting the hip or knee.

But, for effective natural healing rheumatoid arthritis sufferers may want to look elsewhere. Devil's Claw can interfere with several prescription medications including Ticlipidine and Warfarin. It increases the production of stomach acid and can aggravate conditions, such as peptic ulcers and acid reflux.

Feverfew, lei gong teng and Cat's Claw have been used historically by native healers as natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other health conditions. According to the researchers at Massachusetts General, test tube results indicate that feverfew may be very active in modulating immune system responses, but "human studies have not proven it useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis". Adverse side effects of feverfew may include stomach upset and mouth ulcers.

Apparently there is clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of lei gong teng and Cat's Claw as natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis. To quote the researchers, "Current experience...finds them to be efficacious in the treatment of RA." However, in their final conclusion they make this warning, "...many studies done to date are scientifically flawed. Further systematic and scientific inquiry into this topic is necessary to validate or refute the clinical claims."

There are safe and natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, but both lei gong teng and Cat's Claw are accompanied by detrimental and sometimes dangerous side effects, which are detailed below.

Unwanted Side Effects

The majority of current research concerning lei gong teng focuses on its potential as a male contraceptive. Components have been found, even at low doses, to lower sperm counts and cause temporary infertility. Because of its immuno-suppressive activity, it can increase the risk of infection.

Since immune system suppression and increased risk of infection are complications associated with prescription medications often used to treat the condition, when looking for natural healing rheumatoid arthritis sufferers may want to avoid lei gong teng, particularly if the reason behind the search is the risk associated with the use of immuno-suppressive drugs.

Great caution should be practiced when using Cat's Claw. When collected randomly in a natural setting, the positive effects of the botanical can not be scientifically or medically guaranteed. Because there are at least two different "chemo-types" of the plant and numerous other plants known by the same name (some of which are toxic), chemical evaluation is necessary to determine its safety for human use.

In some cases, even when the chemical composition has been confirmed, serious allergic reactions, including inflammation of the kidneys has occurred. In at least one case, kidney failure has occurred. If the wrong chemo-type is used loss of coordination, reduction of the speed and force of the heart beat and sedative effects similar to those of narcotics can occur.

The safest chemo-type was originally marketed as an immune booster, while one of the other types has immuno-suppressive activity. It is unclear which chemo-type has been used in the research concerning its effectiveness as one of the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, but it is likely that it was the least safe variety, since the most popular theory is that RA is caused by inappropriate immune system responses and immuno-suppressive drugs are a popular treatment choice.

The Safest Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

As with most people who search for natural healing, rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are surely looking for safe, effective alternatives, with no detrimental side effects. For many years, researchers have been studying the role that omega-3 fatty acids (a dietary component found in fatty fish and fish oils) play in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

In March of 2007, researchers at the University of Adelaide in South Australia published laboratory results concerning the possible reasons behind the effectiveness of omega 3 fatty acids as natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, since clinical trials have consistently reported positive results with no detrimental side effects.

The researchers began with the understanding that omega-6 fatty acids (found in large quantities in the average diet) increase the activity of immune system cells that cause inflammation. Their goal was to see if omega-3 fatty acids could block the inflammatory activity caused by an omega 6 fatty acid. Their conclusion was that EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids do, in fact, negate the immune system response to omega 6 fatty acids and thereby reduce or inhibit inflammation.

The researchers concluded, "These results help fill the gaps in our knowledge regarding the mechanisms of action of n-3 PUFAs, thus allowing us to make specific recommendations for the use of n-3 PUFAs in the regulation of inflammatory diseases."

In a meta-analysis, similar to the review of natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis conducted in 2005, researchers in Canada reviewed clinical studies related to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for joint pain. The results were published in May 2007. In brief, the analysis showed that patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis who received dietary supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids for 3-4 months reported a reduction in joint pain intensity, minutes of morning stiffness, number of painful or tender joints and the need for pain relieving drugs.

The conclusion: "The results suggest that omega-3 PUFAs are an attractive adjunctive treatment for joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis."

When searching for natural healing, rheumatoid arthritis sufferers can rest assured that omega-3 fatty acids are 100% natural (as long as the manufacturer of the product includes no additives or preservatives) and 100% safe (as long as the manufacturer distills and purifies the fish oil to remove contaminants).

In general, people also find that they get many extra health benefits from fish oil, including improved ability to concentrate and a reduction in depressive feelings.

To conclude, of all the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, there is the most evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of omega 3 fatty acids derived from the flesh of fatty fish.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center's website:

"Most clinical studies investigating the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements for inflammatory joint conditions have focused almost entirely on rheumatoid arthritis. Several articles reviewing the research in this area conclude that omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduce tenderness in joints, decrease morning stiffness, and allow for a reduction in the amount of medication needed for people with rheumatoid arthritis."

They go on to state that:

"....New Zealand green lipped mussel ( Perna canaliculus ), another potential source of omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to reduce joint stiffness and pain..."

We hope you've found this article on the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis informative.

What Is the Best Arthritis Pain Reliever?

In most cases, someone using an arthritis pain reliever in the form of recognized drugs only gets short-term pain relief. Nevertheless, experts have developed certain dietary supplements using the advances treatment of the illness, to provide long-lasting pain relief. Medical experts normally give anti-inflammatory drugs to patients suffering from joint inflammation especially in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs have been categorized into two groups as either the steroid kind or non-steroidal kind of anti-inflammatory drug. There are significant differences between the two categories. Understanding these drugs better can lead to effective treatment or management of arthritis.

Anti-inflammatory drugs that are non-steroidal in nature much more generally known as NSAIDs are probably the most widespread type of medication for treating arthritis. One can get these drugs through a doctor's prescription but they are also available over the counter. Common examples of these anti-inflammatory drugs are ibuprofen, diclofenac and aspirin, which act fast as effective pain relievers. Over thirty drugs that fall under the class of NSAID are in use. Every drug has a different chemical structure that works as an arthritis pain reliever, and react differently to different people. It is best for a patient to visit a doctor to get an appropriate pain reliever for his or her particular situation.

Nevertheless, medical professionals have discovered that long term use of anti-inflammatory medicine that is non-steroidal in nature causes various side effects. One of these effects is stomach irritation that could further cause allergic reactions, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, gas formation and even miscarriage in pregnant women. Aspirin, which is the most cost effective NSAID that people commonly use to relief arthritic pain has been known to cause many side effects, such that most medical experts now want its use to be reviewed. In the meantime, majority of people are still using this drug.

The most potent anti-inflammatory drugs are Corticosteroids. These cortisone-based drugs are life savers when it comes to asthma attacks. Even so, the only offer short-term relief when used as arthritis pain medication, and they have to be given in high doses. Mostly, medical experts prescribe these drugs to patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups in the swollen and red-hot joint. Since there are various side effects of using these drugs, patients resort to them only as the last option. In addition, because the drugs have to be given in high dosage to be effective, using them for long-term treatment might trigger tolerance or dependence. Some of the negative effects of the drugs are glaucoma, osteoporosis, weight acquire, high blood pressure, cataracts, stomach irritation or bleeding and frequent infections.

Glucosamine Supplement - What Are The Benefits of Glucosamine for Dogs With Arthritis?

Glucosamine is a type of simple sugar that is abundant in the environment and makes up most of the cell walls of one type of fungi called Aspergillus niger, and the outer coverings of crustaceans, shellfish, bone marrow and bones of animals. It is commonly manufactured in commercial quantity from these skeletons and from grains like wheat or corn.

Oral glucosamine is considered a dietary supplement and not a drug. In the US, it is illegal to sell dietary supplements as treatment for certain diseases.

Glucosamine which is obtained from glucose, is an important component of glycosaminoglycans, a key component of human cartilages. Thus glucosamine has become widely used in the treatment of diseases of the bones and osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

An article published by the American College of Rheumatology stated that glucosamine sulfate may be able to slow down the debilitating effects of osteoarthritis.

There is strong evidence that glucosamine sulfate, when given through the veins, muscles and by mouth may improve the ability of patients to move around and improve speed, it may relieve pain, and lessen tenderness among osteoarthritis patients.

Glucosamine is commonly sold in combination with other supplements like methylsulfonylmethane or MSM and chondroitin sulfate. It is also sold in the form of glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride.

Glucosamine is believed to have positive effects on the skin due to its important role in the production of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is present in our epithelial, neural and connective tissues and is one of the main components that helps in the repair of skin tissues. It is found in the body's synovial fluid providing lubrication to the bones

It is believed to speed up healing of wounds caused by trauma or severe injury, hydrates the skin and delays the signs of aging.

It prevents the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin and thus prevents diseases involving hyperpigmentation of the skin. Glucosamine supplementation also makes dark skin fairer because of less melanine production.

Glucosamine has also been reported to be effective for the treatment of psoriasis by blocking ampherigulin, the substance responsible for the proliferation of psoriatic lesions in patients suffering from this serious skin problem.

Glucosamine which is also naturally present in a dog's body is known to treat hip hyperplasia and osteoarthritis in your pets.It relieves pain caused by osteoarthritis and improves your pets' ability to move about. It has the ability to regenerate soft bones and cartilages and delay the debilitating effects of osteoarthritis in dogs.

Natural Supplements For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a serious and often crippling condition. While it usually strikes in middle age this disease can also attack young people and leads to stiff, aching or damaged joints. Natural supplements for rheumatoid arthritis can alleviate many of the symptoms of arthritis and even help the body repair damage done to joints.

A condition referred to as a systemic inflammatory disorder Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any part of the body, but usually attacks the joints destroying cartilage. Supplements containing specific vitamins, minerals, and herbs can restore cartilage, reduce inflammation, and increase the flexibility of joints.

An important natural herbal supplement for Rheumatoid arthritis is powdered freeze-dried tissue taken for a type of mollusca called the Green lipped mussel found in New Zealand. Research has found that Green lipped mussel powder inhibits inflammation in the body. Due to this anti-inflammatory element supplements containing this powder are also useful in treating other similar conditions such as psoriasis, and asthma.

Another good supplement for reducing the inflammation and increasing mobility of the joint are Omega-3 fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are an important factor in the diet since the body needs these to function properly. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon, tuna and other seafood, but natural supplements can provide a concentrated daily amount. Researchers have found Omega-3 fatty acids specifically reduced inflammation in joints as well diminished the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Natural supplements for Rheumatoid arthritis will also usually contain essential vitamins and minerals. A deficiency in manganese, copper, and selenium are thought to accelerate the damage done to joints by conditions like arthritis. Vitamin compounds such as the B-6, and B-12 can help relieve the effects of stress and boost the immune system. These supplements offer natural relief from the damage and pain caused by Rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Practical Tips for Overcoming Its Obstacles

The principle of the lever: it can be applied to help with most of the everyday tasks that arthritis makes difficult. For example: if Rheumatoid Arthritis has deformed your hands, even turning a key in the lock of your front door becomes a teeth-gritting struggle.

• A key-turner can make you the winner. Your key - of any size - slots between the two blades of a handle and is held securely by tightening a screw that holds them together. Made of a durable plastic, the handle is about 6 inches long, giving you the leverage your weakened hands need.


• Jar openers that incorporate the principle of the lever do many jobs in the kitchen, laundry and workshop.


• An ingenious device I bought to turn the taps on our former gas range is now in the twentieth year of its daily duty in the studio. I use it to turn dials of mechanical items such as the timer on my workbench and the dashboard of my studio air-conditioner.

The device has a platform embedded with multiple metal pins that retract as they meet resistance from hard surfaces. A two-inch column rises from the platform to support a handle just four inches long. The pins can adjust to objects of any shape of object and by pushing down and twisting the handle, I can deal with knobs and dials that were once beyond my strength.

You can make Time your ally instead of the enemy, if you resist the natural resentment you feel over how long it now takes to do simple things. Make it easier on yourself by:

• Doing some stretching exercises before you even get out of bed in the morning. These will combat the effects of muscle contracture that beset people forced into long periods of inactivity.


• Taking a shower rather than struggling into and then back out of a bath tub. Morning aches, in muscles that have cramped around sore joints during the night, will be eased by turning the water jets on full blast. Some say this is due to the ionising action of water bouncing from the tiled floor, similar to the refreshing effects of a nearby waterfall in the rainforest.


• Alternating between hot-as-you-can-stand-it and almost cold water, also helps. This is said to be due to an increase in blood flow around the body. I only know it works for me. It's the very best way to start your day. ( Though a kiss from your loved one is hard to beat.)


• In the shower, use a pump-action dispenser for shampoo and liquid soap. Keeping a soap dispenser beside every hand basin and sink is a good idea,too.


• When you're finished showering, wrap up in a giant-sized towel that will have the job of drying yourself half done by the time you reach for a hand towel to dry between your toes.


• Buttons and zips can be a major cause of frustration, particularly when you're in a hurry. You can beat this obstacle with a clever device made of heavy duty brass wire. Covered in soft but sturdy foam rubber, the wire has a hook for catching and pulling zippers at one end. At the other, it forms a kind of super-sized needle-threader. You insert through this into the buttonhole to capture and pull the elusive button through. Once closed, the threader can be wiggled to release it from the button.

All of these devices are manufactured items readily available at pharmacies that cater for people needing orthopedic aids. Usually made of plastics, many can be replicated at home in wood or metal.

They not only save your precious time and lessen those daily frustrations. They boost your morale by decreasing the number of times you must ask for help. That, in turn, lessens the friction that can arise between you and the person who helps you over the daily hurdles.

Some of the daily obstacles you face have no ready answer, as yet. I encourage you to use your first-hand knowledge of the problems to imagine possible solutions. Brain-storming with a partner or friend who is handy at working with wood or metal can result in a design for tools that do the jobs your hands no longer manage. Along with our son, my partner has turned many of my dream-designs into practical devices that help me work at what I love doing.

How Can You Cure Arthritis?

Arthritis is generally referred to as the inflammation of the joints. There are many types of arthritis and the factors responsible for causing it are also innumerable. In some cases, the condition can be so severe that it might cripple a person for life. It interferes in the day to day activity of a person's life.

Some of the common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, gout etc. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly occurs on the hands, wrists and knees. When the inflammation occurs, it tends to affect not only the joist but also spreads the inflammation to the surrounding tissues. This might lead to permanent damage of the cartilage and the bones.

In order to overcome this condition, there are a number of treatments that are available. There are massages, surgeries and ointments available. Of all the types of surgeries that are available, THA is one of the most common types of surgery which is beneficial for the treatment of hip arthritis. The doctor concerned will take into account various factors before finally giving you the green signal for the surgery.

Massage therapy is another very effective method of easing the pain caused by arthritis. Since stress and anxiety also largely contributes to arthritis, a deep massage will allow you to relax and ease you from most of the tensions and pain. By helping your body to relax, it will let go the pain. Though it might not be a permanent solution but it sure does help in getting relief from arthritis to some extent.

Similar to the massage therapy is the heat therapy. This therapy also eases the body from the pain temporarily. Besides these treatments, there are also basic hinge joist and artificial knee joist to help your knees and joints function properly.

Don't Place Blame On Feline Arthritis When Your Cat Pees Outside of the Box

Just like with humans, when a your kitty becomes a senior she is prone to typical disorders of aging cats. If she can't jump up on your lap like she used to then she may have feline arthritis. If you are treating her for that problem, but now she's peeing outside of her litter box don't make the mistake of thinking her painful joints are the cause of the potty errors. Here's help to get you to the right diagnosis.

It's not uncommon for a cat owner to think their cat is misbehaving when they discover their cat peeing outside the box. However, if this is a new pattern for an aging cat that is also suffering from feline arthritis, you may incorrectly diagnose the problem cause being related to feline arthritis symptoms. Perhaps you think she is having problems getting in and out of the litter box because of arthritis pain or that her painful joints prevent her from squatting properly.

Don't just assume your cat's potty problems are related to pain caused by feline arthritis. These are also symptoms of a feline urinary tract infection or cat bladder stones. You see, when your cat has a feline UTI or stones her urinary tract is inflamed and irritated. The stones and irritation are painful when she urinates.

Along with the pain, she may also feel like she hasn't completely voided her bladder. Your cat may associate the litter box with the pain and start peeing outside the litter box. If you cat is suffering from cat bladder stones then the urinary tract may actually become plugged. Not only is this very painful for your cat, it can also be deadly if your cat can't eliminate waste.

Quite often owners of cat's who are missing the litter box as well as suffering from feline arthritis make the mistake that this is caused by the cat's stiff joints and inability to get in and out of the litter box. Some owner replace the cat litter box with a pan that has a shallower lip to make less of a step in for the kitty.

When the cat continues to miss the pot they spread newspaper around the litter box to capture the urine. As the scenario carries on every day the entire family grows weary of the smell of cat urine and the nasty clean up chore too. Sadly, this is the stage when the owner finally take the cat into the vet, but for all the wrong reasons.

They explain to the vet the potty problem and may even wonder if they need to euthanize the cat. While that certainly is a sad option, your cat may still have a lot of years left in her. You need to have your veterinarian test your cat for a feline UTI or cat struvite stones. In most cases, your vet can help your old cat get over this disorder.

You may even find that using certain natural remedies will help heal her urinary system and prevent future outbreaks of a feline UTI. The good news is that you can give these remedies to you cat in conjunction with a homeopathic natural remedy for feline arthritis. Now you have a natural solution for two painful problems that affect older felines.

A Comprehensive Guide to Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis, or joint disease, that causes damage mostly to cartilage, the tissue that covers and protects the bones in a joint. When cartilage is fully intact, it acts almost like a type of lubrication that allows bones to painlessly slide against each other while it absorbs the shock of motion. The cartilage in people with osteoarthritis has begun to wear away, taking away that lubrication and allowing bones to painfully rub against each other in the joints. This can also cause swelling, loss of motion, change in shape of the joint, and bone spurs on the edges of the joint. Small, weakened fragments of bone or joint may break off and float around the joint space causing more pain and damage. 

Senior citizens are most prone to developing osteoarthritis. Younger people sometimes develop osteoarthritis after a joint injury, but this is not as common. Senior citizens who have osteoarthritis experience joint pain and reduced motion. This condition can be treated, for this reason, it is important that senior citizens with symptoms consult their doctor. 

Causes
Although the cause of osteoarthritis is not known, certain factors might contribute to it, including:

• Being overweight


• Aging


• Injury to a joint


• Improperly formed joints


• A genetic defect in joint cartilage


• Joint stress from certain jobs or sports

Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis can cause pain and swelling in any joint, but it most commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Some warning signs of osteoarthritis are the following:

• Joint stiffness after periods of rest (after getting up in the morning or sitting for a long period of time)


• Tenderness or swelling in at least one joint


• The sound of bones rubbing together or a "crunching" feeling

There is no single test that doctors use to diagnose osteoarthritis. Some of the methods they may use to determine whether you have osteoarthritis are:

• Examining your medical history


• Conducting a physical exam


• Taking X-rays


• Conducting other tests such as blood tests or extracting fluid from the afflicted joint(s)

Treatment
Doctors may combine treatments based on the individual patient's needs, but in general, treatment has four main goals:

• Improve joint function.


• Maintain a healthy weight.


• Reduce pain.


• Promote a healthy lifestyle.

Treatment plans may include:

• Exercise


• Healthy diet


• Rest and joint care


• Non-medicinal pain relief techniques


• Medicines


• Complementary and alternative therapies


• Surgery

Programs to Help Senior Citizens with Osteoarthritis
There are three types of programs designed to help educate people about osteoarthritis and self-care and to improve their good-health attitude:

• Patient education programs


• Arthritis self-management programs


• Support groups for people with arthritis

These programs are designed to teach people about osteoarthritis and its treatment options. The benefits of partaking in these programs are clear and long-lasting. Participants learn to exercise and relax, to talk to their physicians or other health-care providers, and to solve problems.

Senior citizens with osteoarthritis who participate in these programs gain many positive outcomes. They learn to understand osteoarthritis, to reduce their pain while remaining active, to cope with many aspects of life, to have more control over their symptoms, and to live active, independent lives.

Additionally, senior citizens who have a good-health attitude focus on their abilities and strengths rather than disabilities and weaknesses; break down activities into smaller, more manageable tasks; incorporate exercise and healthy eating into their lifestyles; balance rest with activity; learn methods to lessen and manage stress; and identify a support group of family, friends, and health-care providers.

Current Research
Osteoarthritis is not caused simply by aging or normal wear and tear to joints. Researchers are studying a variety of aspects of the disease, including:

• Methods to detect osteoarthritis earlier


• Genes


• Tissue engineering


• Many new treatment options


• Medicine to prevent damage to joints


• Complementary and alternative therapies


• Vitamins and supplements that may help people with osteoarthritis


• Hyaluronic acid injections


• Estrogen


• Biological and structural markers for osteoarthritis

Permanent Solution To Cure Arthritis

Arthritis is a disorder of the joints. The word "arthritis" is a Greek Words "Arthon" which means joint and "Itis", which means inflammation.

That goes to mean that arthritis is the inflammation of joints which a lot of people will experience in their life time. There are hundred types of joint disorder and they are all related. This means everyone will experience joint pain at some time of their life but you may not know when it will be your turn.

Arthritis is usually characterized by pain, swelling and stiffness which can lead to deformity. Sometimes it can also be called rheumatism which is a term use commonly to describe aches and pains in muscles and joints.

A joint is where two bones meet. There are immobile and mobile joints. Immobile joints are referred to as inflexible and semi-inflexible joint of the body. These joints does not move much as they have no cavity, e.g. head and spinal cord.

Mobile joints are the flexible joints of the body; for example the shoulder, knee, waist, toe, finger, etc. They all have a cavity.

There are different type of Arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis is the most common type that almost everyone will experience at some point of their lives. This is because it is a degeneration or wearing out of joint due to old age, over-exertion or injury. This type of arthritis affects the mobile joints of the body and can be due to wear and tear, heredity or excessive stress on dislocated joint, not properly healed injured joint and overweight that put extra weight on those hips and knees.

Those who stand for longer hours every day are prone to pain on the knees. And those whose occupation requires lifting heavy objects are prone to waist pain which is usually called lumbago.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is an inflammation of the same joints on the two sides of the body e.g. say you experience a pain in the right knee or shoulder on one side, it will still be showing up at the other side. The pain or symptoms tend to come and go. This is more common between the age of 25 and 55. Infants can also experience this type of arthritis.

This type is usually caused by viruses that live in the body for a long time undetected and never treated. It can be cause by immune-deficiency syndrome, a situation where the anti-bodies that was suppose to fight against foreign agents begin to attack the tissues of the joint which cause inflammation and pain.

Early Signs Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pain and stiffness in one or two joints like the hands and feet and the pain come and go. It is usually worst in the morning and wears off during the day. As this progress, the pain and inflammation becomes more painful and starts to spread to other parts of the body such as the elbows, knees, hips, waist, ankles, shoulders and neck. It can make the person weak, tired, feverish and pale plus the eyes become dry due to a reduction in tears. The mouth also becomes dry due to reduction of salivary fluid and lack of appetite which can be followed by weight loss.

How To Eradicate Arthritis Pain

To treat arthritis and eradicate the pain, the aims are:
1. To strengthen the bones
2. Repair damaged joint tissues e.g. the cartilage
3. Strengthen the immune system against bacteria and viruses
4. Eradicate the pain symptoms

To achieve these aims, diet is very important. Processed or refined food and drinks like sugar, cold foods, biscuits and ice-cream or coffee must be avoided. Smoking and alcohol of all kinds must be avoided.

Take plenty of water upon rising up daily and use fruits for breakfast. Fruits and certain vegetables can help mops off uric acids deposited from the joints and help in the healing process.

Get the right bone supplements that can repair damaged cartilage (the damaging of the cartilage is what results in deformity or folding of body due to arthritis) and strengthen the immune system against bacteria and viruses.

Reactive Arthritis: What Every Arthritis Sufferer Needs to Know

The disease and its causes: Sometimes arthritis develops not as a chronic, degenerative disease which you may have to manage for the rest of your life, but rather as a reaction to an infection (viral or bacterial, including STDs) which has taken place anywhere in your body. Some think that is can also be a reaction to a psychological or emotional trigger and, occasionally, to some types of food poisoning; either way, this type of arthritis can be treated and, if so, its attacks do not last for long periods of time (it usually lasts anytime between 3 and 12 months). It can occur at any age at in both genders, though there seem to be more incidents in the younger population.

How it shows: joint swelling and joint pain (fingers and toes in particular but it can affect any joints); inflamed tendons, occasional redness and inflammation of your eyes with occasional blurred vision (always hurry to your doctor if your have these eye symptoms no matter what the diagnosis can be). Other symptoms may include patches of scaly skin (hands, feet or elsewhere), mouth ulcers, flu-like symptoms and, occasionally, some genitourinary symptoms (discharge or rashes). You may experience sudden acute symptoms but generally they tend to develop more slowly, over a few days or even weeks; they can be mild or severe.

Diagnosis: the bad news is that reactive arthritis is at present still relatively difficult to diagnose since so far there is no test (yet) which can confirm the condition with certainty. An experienced practitioner will ask you a variety of questions which may help him/her deduce that you may indeed be suffering from reactive arthritis.

How it is treated: Treating the cause, the trigger of reactive arthritis will be the primary and initial stage of treatment. So, if your cause was an infection and this infection is still active, treating the infection will be the initial treatment; so, for example, if the triggering infection is bacterial, then antibiotics may be prescribed if necessary. The second stage of the treatment is similar to that of other forms of arthritis and, in traditional medicine, they tend to be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or even steroids (both targeting the inflammation in the affected areas, but steroids are to be avoided long-term due to their side-effects); you may also be prescribed disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in case your reactive arthritis lasts longer than a few months but, unfortunately, many of work by lowering the activity of your immune system in general and (in my opinion) they are to be used as a last-resort (as with steroids); bluntly put, I have never touched them despite my arthritic condition. On the other hand, those preferring the traditional medicine route would argue that DMARDs drugs may be able to minimize the damage done to your body in the short and long run and for this reasons they are at times prescribed as early as possible in the course of the disease.

What you can do yourself right now:

Acute attack/s: if you suffer from a particularly painful arthritic attack, your joints (or indeed the whole of your body) may need some rest, so avoiding movement until the acute phase subsides may be indicated. During an acute attack you may need ice packs or heat pads (or you can use alternatively, whatever necessary to relieve joint swelling and pain). If you need to undertake activity, make sure you don't exert yourself at any time. If you need to take traditional drugs (as mentioned above), don't be afraid to discuss them at length with your doctor and make sure you are aware of any potential side effects; find out what other types of treatment, from alternative medicine or natural/herbal supplements, for example, you can take to help you during this acute attack (if you choose not to use traditional medicine - but always discuss this with your doctor). Do as much research as you can now and find out what could be the best route for you to treat your arthritis. This may indeed include natural supplements and/or homeopathy.

Non-acute phase: as soon as you can, resume exercise, best if it's low-impact exercise. Exercise is essential to strengthen muscles around the affected areas and to keep the joints moving. Never overdo it and start with as little as a few minutes a day, increasing the time as the days go by; when in doubt, ask a qualified person.

Hand Arthritis - Its Symptoms and How They Affect You

When arthritis is mentioned one immediately imagines an illness affecting the elderly. However this disease is no respecter of age as anyone can develop it. It might surprise you that there are many forms of this illness. Painful or swollen joints often indicate an arthritic condition but there are many other causes too. If arthritis is suspected correct diagnosis from a medical professional it essential to determine a treatment.

Should the condition be diagnosed the two forms most of us are familiar with are Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis. Though they may share some common similarities of symptoms such as knuckle pain or swollen joints, they are quite different diseases.

Osteoarthritis is the type expected to affect mainly older people because it is a degenerative, 'wear and tear' kind of illness. With this form you may awake in a morning and any joint can be troubled feeling stiff for a while. The wearing away of cartilage and loss of lubricating fluid between joints is the main reason for osteoarthritis pain. Often in smaller joints such as in the fingers bony enlargements can occur and though not always painful in themselves they do frequently cause limitations of use.

Rheumatoid arthritis is altogether different in that it is an autoimmune disease. Its principle symptoms are inflammation of joints causing swelling and pain. Although the stiffness associated with the osteo form is absent significant and increasing deformity of the fingers ensues as the disease progresses. Again this is very distressing and means even simple tasks like buttoning clothes is very difficult to do.

With medical treatment, pain control and in some instances surgery, the illness can be made tolerable. At present there is no known cure for many arthritis conditions but some milder types can be remedied with treatments such as antibiotics or avoiding foods known to irritate the condition.

Another great advance in making many people's lives easier is through the use of gadgets and disability aids such as specially designed can and jar openers, cutlery and various holders. Making full use of this kind of equipment can vastly improve a sufferer's daily life.

Treatment For Arthritis - Relieving Joint Pain

Do you have difficulty in bending your arms and knees? How about in moving your shoulders and legs? If so, then you may be suffering from arthritis. It is a condition wherein moving the joints creates severe pain.

There are many different types of arthritis. The most popular of them all is rheumatoid arthritis. This type affects most of your joints in the body. It makes it difficult to move because of stiffness. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, usually results to swelling of the joints especially those in the hip, knee and finger area.

Although arthritis can happen to almost anyone in this world, it can be prevented. If you know how to do this, you will not have to suffer from this painful condition. Some ways to prevent it is through protecting your joints from any type of physical injury. You should also keep your body as fit as possible in order to make your joints and muscles stronger. Controlling your weight is also essential to avoid putting too much pressure on the joints.

If you are already putting up with arthritis, here are the things you can to relive the pain.

Get rest. There is no better way to alleviate the pain than to rest. Resting allows your joints and the muscles around it to relax. It also allows the body to repair any damages. You can do this by not overworking too much on the physical and by getting a good number of sleep hours per night.

Become flexible. When you were younger, you were still very flexible because the joints and cartilages had not hardened totally yet. However, as a person ages, flexibility also decreases. This is why it is very important to stay flexible for as long as you can. You can increase your flexibility by joining activities such as yoga or stretching.

Become physically active. Exercise is as important as the abovementioned methods of relieving arthritis pain. Walking for at least 20 minutes to 1 hour a day is important to make the joints and muscles stronger. It will also be advisable to do exercises involving water such as swimming. This is because swimming is not too vigorous for the joints.

Apply compress. This can either be hot or cold compress. Use heat applicators three times a day while massaging the area experiencing pain. The heat will make the muscles loose and it can relieve the stiffness in the area. On the other hand, you can use cold compress for about 20 minutes only when the joints are painful. This will numb the area so you will not feel so much pain.

Avoid staying in one position. If you have joint pain, be sure to move your body once in a while. Staying in only one position for a long time can increase the pressure on the joints. This can also cause stiffness for that area. You need to stretch and relax your muscles every now and then. Be sure to move around to exercise your joints. This way, they will not feel pain that often.

Prevent Arthritis and Alleviate Symptoms by Meeting Your Dog's Nutritional Needs

Arthritis is a condition that affects humans and many types of animals including dogs. It is a degenerative condition in the joints that causes pain and discomfort for anyone suffering from it. For dogs it can be inherited with other disorders such as hip displasia or happen due to joint injuries. Joint infections and immune-mediated joint disease can also bring on arthritis. Some dogs have traits that are more commonly linked to the condition.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis found in dogs and averagely affects one out of five. It can be caused by aging or be found in younger dogs due to other conditions. Larger breeds and overweight dogs are affected more due to the additional stress put on ligaments and joints. Dogs experiencing this condition experience lameness, stiffness, and joint pain or discomfort. These symptoms are at their worst in the morning and after naps. They may become irritable and have behavioral changes. Cold and damp areas increase the symptoms. Osteoarthritis is progressive condition and can make your dog miserable.

A vet will take x-rays to check for space between the joints. Treatment includes physical therapy, weight control, pain relievers, and agents that repair the cartilage. Moderate exercise will maintain your dogs muscle mass and maintain the flexibility of their joints. Over exercising will cause negative affects. They should not be allowed to jump or stand on their back legs. Exercise should be done with a leash or harness so they do not further injure themselves. Swimming is one of the best exercises for them because it relieves joint pressure.

Another interesting item given for treatment of arthritis is chondro-productive agents. These serve the same functions that some dog supplements provide. While it is great to know what can be done to ease arthritis symptoms and help your dog be more comfortable, wouldn't it be better if you could lesson the affects of osteoarthritis or prevent it from occurring? This is very likely if your dog receives the proper nutrition they need throughout life.

Dog vitamins and supplements can be great preventative medicine for your pet. They help prevent many of the same diseases we experience due to aging and other health conditions. These helpful items help prevent joint conditions, promote healthy skin, strengthen the immune system, improve digestion, maintain brain functions, and prevent intestinal track infections. For years these products have been available as individual doses and giving them to your dog can be troublesome. Products are now available that allow you to give them all the things they need once a day with their food. Keeping your dog healthy is easy and costs less with these products.

Sometimes arthritis is caused by other conditions and unfortunately cannot be prevented. Supplements can help build cartilage between the joints and slow the affects of arthritis allowing your dog to be more comfortable. As their owner, it is your responsibility to do everything you can to prevent them from getting sick and ensure they have the nutrition they need. Give them a good supplement product that will not break your pocket but allow them to have a healthy and full life.

How to Effectively Understand & Deal With Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis - Age-Progressive Phenomen

The musculoskeletal system exhibits a significant number of changes as we age, not only do the joints change but the surrounding tissue changes as well, thus causing varying degrees of neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatic nerve pain, also known as sciatica. Two of the changes that we will focus on in this article are osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Osteoarthritis, as the label of a condition, is somewhat misleading because inflammation is not generally related to this condition, although pain may be. Degenerative joint disease is perhaps a better label. Osteoarthritis generally affects individuals over 50 years of age. Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance in bone absorption over bone formation and is thought to be found most frequently in postmenopausal women. In both conditions, other factors come into play and may be exhibited in other segments of the population, other demographic groups, as a result. In both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis inactivity, immobility, and a sedentary lifestyle may exacerbate the condition leading to more neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process affecting the joints, particularly in the elderly, and may be asymptomatic (pain-free) or may cause considerable pain, particularly in the lower back and legs (sciatica). Joint changes may include erosion of the cartilaginous surface of the joints, degenerative changes to the soft tissue in and around the joints, and ossification or calcification of the connective tissue, particularly the ligaments and the edges, both superior and inferior, of the vertebrae themselves (osteophytes or bony bridges, spurs). All of the aforementioned factors may lead to a pain complex of back pain and sciatica. While it is difficult to say just how much these changes are directly associated with aging and how much is due to trauma, accident, and/or inactivity, it is obvious, both microscopically and macroscopically (to the naked eye), that aging is a factor. During research I conducted at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), and the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) The Smithsonian, it was immediately apparent that osteoarthritis is an age progressive, degenerative phenomenon. Osteoarthritis appears most frequently in the secondary curvatures of the spine, those of the cervical and lumbar regions. With each decade after the age of 30, calcification and ossification grow increasingly prevalent. It seems likely that this is an adaptive response to weakening muscles and connective tissues as we age. With decreased activity and increased age-progressive phenomena, it is likely that pain, particularly neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, will become increasingly prevalent.

Osteoporosis, as noted above, has to do with an imbalance between bone absorption and bone deposition. While generally believed to affect the long bones, the vertebrae are markedly affected by osteoporosis. A few of the factors contributing to this condition are the inability to absorb calcium through the gastrointestinal tract, diminished or loss of gonad function in postmenopausal women, inactivity, immobility, and a lack of weight-bearing stress on the skeletal system, the bones themselves. Additionally, osteoporosis may be caused by heightened levels of cortisone in the body, both exogenous (coming from outside of the body) or endogenous (being manufactured in the body). Regardless of etiology or cause, osteoporosis is increasingly evident as we age and is responsible for a large number of fractures experienced in individuals over 50 years of age. With fractures, particularly fractures of the vertebrae, neck pain, back pain, and sciatica are evident and, in fact, quite common.

Both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are age-progressive phenomena, growing ever more prevalent with each successive decade of life. While different factors come into play, it is apparent that inactivity, immobility, and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to both of these conditions, and the associated neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. While it is true that there is a progression, it is not true that it is unavoidable or irreversible. In both instances, it seems apparent that there is an adaptive response on the part of the body to offset inactivity and immobility. The fact that osteoporosis seems more prevalent in individuals who are inactive and underweight, and osteoarthritis seems more prevalent in people inactive and immobile, this would seem to indicate that an individualized and medically supervised program of exercise would help to offset both conditions, in varying degrees. The complex factors involved in both conditions are neither inevitable nor irreversible, as noted above, and should be evaluated holistically and individually. The musculoskeletal system, and the body as a whole, is remarkably resilient and adaptive. Given the proper exercise program, an individual may, in fact, reduce his or her "skeletal age" significantly, thus alleviating or eliminating neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica.

Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Begin in the Intestine?

It's not widely known, but the results of numerous clinical trials over the last 30 years have pointed to an intriguing connection between rheumatoid arthritis and the intestines. As long ago as the 1940s, Charles de Coti-Marsh in his pioneering research into the causes and treatment of arthritis declared 'the disease begins in the bowel.' Nowadays there is increasing evidence that he was right.

Unfortunately, the connection between arthritis and diet has historically been downplayed, with nutrition never quite making the grade as an object of scientific study. More recently, however, the development of nutritional biochemistry. immunology and pharmacology, as well as ever increasing scientific data on free-radical disease, antioxidants, prostaglandins, and flavonoids have lifted the subject of nutrition out of the realm of anecdotal uncertainty into the province of credible science.

In Joints and Arthritic Disease (2002), Dr Gail Darlington references a number of research projects, for example a study by O'Farrelly which took small intestinal biopsies from 93 patients with rheumatic arthritis (RA) and compared them to those of a control group. The conclusion was that the gut may play a part in the immunopathogenesis of certain cases of RA.

The combination of the development of certain types of gut flora and an increased permeability of the intestine (allowing potentially harmful bacterial antigens into the blood stream) seems to be the key issue. Darlington notes that 'RA patients untreated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have normal gastrointestinal permeability, but patients on NSAIDs and perhaps also on disease modifying antirheumatic drugs show increased permeability. Such increased permeability may allow food or bacterial antigens to be absorbed in greater quantities than usual, overwhelming normal gut defences and, possibly producing symptoms of RA.'

What that means is that dietary manipulation could, in theory, reduce gastrointestinal permeability, with reduced absorption bacterial antigens - and perhaps treat one of the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Despite these findings, and others like them, making dietary changes in order to treat arthritis is considered to be 'alternative', in other words unacceptable to the majority of the orthodox medical community.

Does rheumatoid arthritis begin in the intestine? Quite possibly - there is some evidence to support the theory. However, 'alternative' theories rarely attract commercial interests, which is of course the prime source of research funding. It therefore remains to be seen whether complementary and alternative therapies will ever achieve the status of 'proven' as required by Western science.

Elizabeth Hartland,
Nutritional Therapist,
The Arthritic Association

Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Hip Dysplasia

Arthritis is defined as a sub-inflammatory disease of the joint. This can occur on the following occasions: luxation (dislocation), distortion (strain), contusion (bruise), infection (after injury, after tick bites or by inflammation in the body via the bloodstream), allergies or intoxication, infections (e.g. flu-like infections with limb pain) or metabolic waste products (uric acid). The pain is often accompanied by a warm swelling of the joint; the animals show varying lameness and feel pain.

The animals have sprained inclinations with flaccid connective tissue (especially poodles). The connective tissue cannot be tightened. Arthritis caused by metabolic disturbances associated with the deposition of uric acid in the joints (and also in the muscle tissue) requires treatment... This must be done; otherwise the dog runs the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease.

Large growing breeds are highly exposed to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia, briefly called HD, is defined as follows: "HD is an inherited malformation of the hip joint, in which the acetabulum and the femoral head are not coordinated in shape. The deformity occurs in varying degrees and can be expressed in a form of abnormality of the femoral head or acetabulum or both. HD develops from birth until the age of 1 to 1 翻 years. "This affects large growing breeds. In smaller breeds, HD usually occurs at an advanced age.

Some causes of arthritis maybe the feeding of too much vitamin D3 and minerals, for example, calcium. No more than 1000 IU of vitamin D3 should be used per 1 kg of diet and the calcium requirement for dogs should not exceed 100 mg/kg of body weight. Sure, the body's regulatory mechanisms prevent the accumulation of too much or too little calcium in the blood, but a surplus is usually permanent. Both components (vitamin D3 and calcium) promote bone formation when added in larger amounts in the food.

Arthritis initially appears at the level of the large joints. Hip, shoulder, elbow dysplasia, but also other forms of joint arthritis may have a genetic cause. The femoral head is not always firmly located in the hip socket. A firming of connective tissue (the muscle attachments) is achieved with proper treatment and the femoral head is firmly set back into the acetabulum. Thus, this arthritis is not traumatic. This streamlining process takes several weeks. The animal must be protected during this time.

It is estimated that 90 percent of the large growing dogs which present joint problems are malnourished. Extreme malnutrition (protein deficiency) results in delayed skeletal growth, with joint and growth cartilage being affected. On the other hand, an excess of protein (raw meat, egg yolk), high protein content in the diet or administration of too high energy diets in the early stages of growth are among the main causes of osteoarthritis. An excess of muscle mass causes trauma to the joints.

"Weight trauma" involves an early joint capsule wear. Furthermore, it has been found that dogs (with "weight trauma") present the so-called growth-related bone pain. The joints are a movable connection of the rigid bones. They have to be highly functional. The joints consist of the joint capsule, synovial fluid and articular cartilage coats. The latter and the bones have a particularly important task because they have a huge buffer effect ("shocks") and are responsible for the pressure and strength of the joint. A burden of the joint is impossible or is terribly painful without this cartilage.

The cartilage cells that form the cartilage are referred to as "cartilage factories". They are very busy producing new life-long cartilage cells. The dog needs "building blocks" to repair the cartilage if there is a constant "destroyer" of the cartilage. This should be a universal indication for prevention of osteoarthritis. The animal owners should also perform a feeding analysis on their four-legged friends and change any of the food habits in favor of their pet. There is an urgent need to administer supplementary food for the reconstruction of the cartilage:

- For fast-growing, large breed dogs in a growth phase
- With excessive work of joint cartilage due to extreme stress - hunting dogs, sled dogs, sporting dogs, etc.

The consequences of osteoarthritis are always the same no matter whether we refer to dogs, cats or horses: pain, lameness, reluctance in motion, low quality of life and low vitality.

Will Herbs Benefit Arthritis Discomfort?

Should you suffer discomfort via arthritis, this post presents helpful pointers regarding Graviola health supplements. It is packaged in capsule shape along with natural powder as well as liquid.

Whilst science has yet to create all of us relief from joint disease, there are various styles of various treatments which often can deliver arthritis pain reduction. Although one particular person will benefit through magnet treatments and the other might even see reduction as a result of acupuncture, Graviola supplements tend to be demonstrating themselves to generally be the innovator of the group in relation to arthritis pain aid.

Lots of arthritis people have added a dietary supplement of Graviola extract to their diet plans and are confirming it has the ability to bring about arthritis pain relief of pain. In consequence, much study is being undertaken about how herbal supplements can benefit patients with arthritis. Graviola extract has been shown to cut down redness and to slow down the continuing development of joint destruction in arthritis clients.

Lots Claim that this natural health supplement should help combat cancer cells. This particular organic nutritional supplement performs extremely well as a recouping agent, setting up healthful cells to be better. It can assist our body to endure other cancer remedies for example chemotherapy and radiation.

There were three or more particular investigation organizations who have separated important chemical substances within the plant seeds and leaves which may have demonstrated important anti-tumorous as well as anti-cancerous actions towards varied different kinds of cancer cells that have published eight scientific studies for their results.

The majority of dietary supplements can be found in liquid, powdered as well as tablet type. Many people go ahead and take capsule method of the herbal nutritional supplement for arthritis pain aid. Capsules tend to be simple and tasteless. On top of that they are quite low-priced. Specific nutritional supplements can be found in extended aid or even time release type. This is often ideal for the person that is trying to possess supplements within their system during the course of the day with regard to arthritis pain comfort.

Your best bet is to focus on Graviola dietary supplements. Everybody who has arthritis is motivated to be hands-on in order to find the arthritis pain relief cure, which runs best for him or her. If they do deliver arthritis pain relief for you personally, you are going to be joining the list of many other arthritis patients who're benefiting each day from natural supplements.You will be aware in a few weeks if they are doing the job in your case. If they really do not perform, you actually are no worse off in comparison with at the time you began.

An awesome place for arthritis information is the Arthritis Foundation which you'll go to at: arthritis.org. There's also many Web sites you can go to that will make you stay current on all of the most up-to-date news and arthritis information. You may also take a quiz to find out exactly what well being your joints are in. Through these numerous methods of info, you can study about all of the various forms of arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation is full of arthritis facts, as well as drug treatments, alternative treatment plans, possible arthritis pain remedies, and the way to comprehend your lab tests, and even more.

Your very best supply of arthritis info ought to always be your medical professional. A medical expert contains the experience and knowledge to reply to the questions you have, therefore don't think twice to question. It is exactly what she or he is generally there for. Quite a few subjects do not want to occupy their doctor's time frame along with steer clear of asking them questions with regard to concern with appearing unreasonable or unaware. Any smart medical professional will persuade one to seek advice and he or she will certainly do all they can to help keep you up to date with many of the most current arthritis details.

Psoriatic Arthritis - The Diagnosis And Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints and other tissues of the sufferer. This inflammation can lead to joint destruction and complications that are debilitating. Research, however, has led to several treatment options that allow the patient to live comfortable lives.

The first step is the correct diagnosis. There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis. Arthritis is a generic term that encompasses illnesses and diseases that affect the joints. Inflammation in the joint can be caused from dietary allergies, gout, lupus, and other diseases not commonly thought to be grouped with arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is a system rheumatic disease that can affect the eyes, lungs, heart, kidneys, spine and skin. The causes are not currently known. Researchers believe that there is a combination of environmental, immune and genetic factors which lead to the development of psoriatic arthritis.

Patients who have the arthritic changes in their spine have a 50% chance of also carrying a genetic marker. Immune involvement is thought to begin when a patient T-cells (cells that fight infection) are too low. This happens in the case of AIDS or other immune deficient diseases where the patient is unable to fight off infection. Researchers continue to evaluate the role that the environment plays on the development of psoriasis - the precursor to psoriatic arthritis.

Patients who have developed psoriatic arthritis also have psoriasis. In fact, the diagnosis of the arthritis is dependent upon the presence of psoriasis. When patients develop the arthritis first (15% of the cases) a correct diagnosis is often delayed.

Diagnosis is made on clinical findings since there are no conclusive lab tests available. Physicians will often attempt to exclude other forms of arthritis to determine a correct diagnosis - often called a diagnosis of exclusion. In some cases there are genetic markers present. Blood tests will rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis and X-ray may show cartilage damage.

Symptoms of arthritis are often present after the development of psoriasis (85% of the cases). The patients will have inflammation in the knees, ankles, and joints of the felt. The joints are stiff, and worse in the morning. The affected joints are painful, swollen hot and red but they are not commonly symmetrical as they are in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Arthritic changes can happen in the spine and sacrum. Patients can develop tendonitis, more often at the Achilles tendon, causing difficulty in walking. Inflammation of the eye (iritis) can result in blindness. Treatment for iritis includes corticosteroid injections to decrease the inflammation and prevent the damage to the patient's sight. Some patients develop an acute case of acne in the middle years. Pitting and ridging of the nail beds are common in 80% of the patients.

Treatment of the arthritic changes and pain, not the inflammation of other tissues, includes the use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and exercise. Treatment is often symptomatic and when the symptoms go away the physican can make the decision to decrease or stop the treatment until another flare.

If the disease progresses the physican may consider Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, corticosteroids and anti-malarial medications. The physician and patient must weigh the joint changes of the disease against the side effects of the medication. Some of the medications that are used have significant side effects but they also help the patient to live more comfortably.

As a last resort patients and physicians may consider complete joint replacement to stop the course of the disease and lessen the pain for the patient. At this point patients have usually lost the ability to walk for any significant distance and are often confined to a wheelchair when they leave their homes.

Psoriatic Arthritis, although devastating to the joints and soft tissue of the body, can be controlled with the correct medication. For this reason a rapid and correct diagnosis is important to a patient's comfort.

Arthritis Joints - Recognizing Your Specific Arthritis Problem

Dealing with arthritis joints and the pain that comes with them is difficult and frustrating. However, before you can find the best treatment option for your needs, it is very important that you are able to understand and recognize the type of pain that you are dealing with when it comes to your joints.

The type of pain you are having can make a huge difference in your treatment and even can make a difference in the health professional you choose to see. It's important that you see a professional to figure out the type of joint pain you have and to get a professional diagnosis of your problem.

How Arthritis is Diagnosed

There are a variety of ways that arthritis joints can be diagnosed. Usually this starts out with an examination of the joints that are affected and a close look at your medical history as well. Often X-rays are used to take a look at the damage the joints have sustained, if any, which can help with arthritis diagnosis. There are a variety of types of arthritis, and often blood tests are used to differentiate between certain types of arthritis. Some of the other procedures that can be used to help come up with a diagnosis include MRIs, CAT scans, and more. These option can be used together or independently to come up with a diagnosis for your arthritis joints.

Where to Get Help for Your Arthritis

Wondering where you can get help for your arthritis joints? Well, there are a variety of medical professionals out there that deal with arthritis treatment and diagnosis. Of course various professionals deal with different types of arthritis in many cases. However, here is a look at some of the medical professionals to turn to when you need help for arthritis pain.

- Rheumatologists - One type of medical professional that you can turn to when you are dealing with arthritis is a rheumatologist. These professionals treat arthritis and other types of rheumatic diseases out there that may affect skin, muscles, joints, bones, and more. They have special training in this field and are adequately equipped to deal with your arthritis problems.

- Orthopedic Surgeons - You'll find that often orthopedic surgeons end up treating arthritis patients, although this is usually an option for those dealing with advanced arthritis. They help to treat arthritis over the long term, offering non surgical as well as surgical arthritis treatments.

- Physical Therapists - Those who have arthritis joints often find help from physical therapists as well. They are able to provide quality treatments for those with arthritis, helping with rehab and physical medicine. Usually therapy, cold and hot treatment, traction, and even massage can be used to help treat arthritis. They may even help patients to get used to using canes, wheelchairs, crutches, or walkers to get around.

Getting help for your arthritis joints is very important. These are just a few of the people that can provide you with the help that you need. Remember, if you are dealing with joint pain, it is very important that you get medical help so you can be diagnosed and properly treated for the best results.

Arthritis Knee Pain - Symptoms and Treatment

Have you experienced pain from your knees while walking long distances? Do you easily get tired from walking? Do you get a painful feeling if you try to move, or just bend your knees? If so, then you may be suffering from arthritis knee pain.

Arthritis knee pain is a very common form of arthritis, mostly affecting all ages, but is mostly prevalent on adults aged 20 and above. This happens when your body does not get enough exercise, or you misuse your muscles (i.e. from over-exercising), and in effect, straining your joints. Early symptoms will show swelling or redness, accompanied with continuous pain felt all over the affected area. If left unchecked, arthritis knee pain will continue to develop; your joints will start to weaken and you will feel pain and sores all over your body, but mostly on your knees. Continued misuse, or rather, the lack of use of your joints may lead to more serious cases, with some cases leading to inability to use that part of your body, and sometimes, even death.

Fortunately, arthritis knee pain can be treated, and the treatment for arthritis and knee pain can also be done from home. But first, let us discuss on how we can prevent arthritis knee pain. Here are some tips and to help you avoid contracting arthritis:

Exercise. Have an active lifestyle, and do exercises when you have free time. Simple breathing and walking exercises will do just fine, but it wouldn't hurt to allocate some time for your exercises, like for an hour or two. Do not overdo exercises too. Stop if you are tired or you feel your muscles straining from the continued use of it.

Do not live a sedentary lifestyle, or one who stays on the house for too long. A "couch potato" would most likely contract arthritis and other medical conditions than one who exercises regularly and eats properly. Have an active lifestyle, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet, this cuts the risk of you having arthritis knee pain and other medical conditions.

Obesity is also one of the main causes of arthritis. Cut back on fatty foods and junk foods, and replace it with nutritious foods. Always take vitamins regularly and sleep eight hours a day.

If you have already contracted arthritis knee pain, treatment, as mentioned earlier, can be done from home. This can be done in various ways, through physical therapy or by taking medications, or even both at the same time.

Physical therapy focuses on treating the muscles affected through simple exercises like raising and lowering your knees slowly. While it may seem ineffective, it has proven itself to be the contrary, as this procedure almost always treats arthritis knee pains by a large percentage, albeit slowly. Many sufferers from arthritis prefer this treatment, rather than the expensive medical treatment.

Medical treatment focuses on taking medications to lessen the pain, and also treat the affected area. Treatment is usually faster than physical therapy, but is more expensive, as you will need to continuously buy the needed prescriptions to treat arthritis.