Arthritis Treatment: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Background

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve entrapment disorder. Nerve entrapment refers to a situation where a nerve is being pinched. The carpal tunnel is located on the palm side of the wrist.

The floor and sides of the carpal tunnel are formed by the eight wrist bones and the roof of the tunnel is a tough piece of fibrous tissue, called the flexor retinaculum.

Through this tunnel pass the flexor tendons to the fingers (these tendons are responsible for helping bend the fingers) as well as the median nerve.

CTS occurs when there is undue pressure on the median nerve. This may occur as a result of many conditions including repetitive stress, trauma (such as fractures), arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and pseudogout are among the more common ones), thyroid disease, growth hormone excess, obesity, diabetes, and pregnancy. Most of these conditions cause the swelling within the carpal tunnel which leads to pressure on the median nerve.

When the median nerve becomes compressed, there is slowing or blocking of nerve impulses traveling down the nerve. This leads to loss of both sensory function (being able to feel things) as well as motor function (weakness in the muscles innervated by the median nerve).

Symptoms include numbness, burning, and tingling in the fingers, with gradual weakness in the hand.

Patients will often try to "shake" the numbness out of their fingers. Since symptoms are present often at night, patients will also say they drape their hands over the side of the bed to get relief. Daily activities may be affected. For example, buttoning can become difficult. Patients may drops things. There may also be a sensation of swelling in the fingers, even though swelling is not present on exam.

Other activities that seem to bring on the symptoms include driving, holding a book, or any other activities requiring prolonged bending of the wrist or prolonged grasping.

Symptoms are pronounced in the fingers innervated by the median nerve. These are the thumb, index, middle, and thumb side of the fourth finger.

Symptoms from CTS can also radiate up the arm as high up as the shoulder. This causes difficulty in establishing the diagnosis.

As the condition progresses, atrophy of muscles innervated by the median nerve occurs. This can lead to permanent nerve and muscle damage.

The diagnosis can be made clinically. However, it should be confirmed using electrical nerve conduction tests. There is a small percentage of people who have CTS but who have normal electrical studies.

Diagnostic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be used for diagnostic purposes.

Osteoarthritis Prevention

With Osteoarthritis, prevention is preferable to a cure. If we follow this maxim we can alleviate some of the pain and discomfort through healthy-living strategies and self-care techniques. Osteoarthritis is a degenerating disease affecting the cartilage of joints over the years. Osteoarthritis is generally an age related condition inconveniencing American men and women who are 40 years old or older. It can be genetic or caused by injury or trauma.

If Osteoarthritis runs in the family, the best preventive measure would be to follow a healthy lifestyle and a regular exercise program. This will help slow the onset of the disease by strengthening muscles around arthritic joints. Consult a doctor or work with a physical therapist to design an exercise program suited to your body weight and medical condition. Walking is the best exercise, and riding a stationary exercise bicycle or doing aquatic exercises is also helpful. Another option is tai chi for strengthening and relaxation techniques and improving balance. Exercise should be done in moderation and you should consult a doctor if you experience excessive pain.

For Osteoarthritis patients, obesity is a major cause of worry. Along with age, any excess weight puts added stress on back, hips and knee joints and makes joint surgery risky. A healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps in controlling weight and also in effective treatment of Osteoarthritis. Another way to prevent further worsening of Osteoarthritis is appropriate footwear for walking, exercising, and evening wear that will put less strain on your weight-bearing joints or back.

Osteoarthritis affects the activities of everyday life. To cope with increasing demands on the body, we need to practice relaxation techniques or yoga and meditation to develop a positive attitude. Even if you cannot prevent Osteoarthritis, it is a good idea to learn the limits of your body so that you can modify your lifestyle to avoid unnecessary pain.

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Arthritis Joints are highly complex structures composed of a number of connective tissues including bone, articular cartilage, and peri-articular soft tissue, all of which contribute to normal joint function and undergo changes in structure and metabolism in disease. While your physician is best equipped to be more specific (such as detailed history & lab tests), rheumatoid arthritis and gout arthritis joints are red, warm, and spongy. Yet sometimes psoriatic arthritis joints are less tender than rheumatoid arthritis joints, so you may have joint deformity with psoriatic arthritis without significant pain.

Arthritis:

Arthritis is a problem that causes damage to the normal joint surfaces. It mutilans (a long-term psoriatic arthritis in which the joints are severely damaged and deformities can be seen, especially in the hands, fingers, and feet) this may occur in as many as 16% of people with psoriatic arthritis and severe pain can be associated with it. The disease occurs before psoriasis in 52% of affected children. Arthritis that affects many joints symmetrically is common with psoriatic arthritis. It is an inflammatory disorder of the joints that may produce pain and swelling that lasts a lifetime and may require surgery.  The disease is a slowly progressive condition and whilst treatment and surgery may help to relieve symptoms and slow the progression, the damage that is already done cannot be reversed.

Pain Treatment:

Warmth, such as a hot bath, can often help to ease the pain. Changes in barometric pressure may increase stiffness in the joints and trigger subtle movements that heighten pain response in already sensitized joints. If the barometric pressure drops, tissues can become more inflamed, causing more pain. Seasonal weather patterns may influence mood in some people, indirectly affecting their pain perception. Nevertheless, it does appear that certain people are weather-sensitive and say they suffer from more intense pain and greater difficulty performing tasks in particular weather conditions. While some studies of the link between arthritis pain and the weather have been inconclusive, others seem to have found an association. Moving to a warmer climate is not always the answer to improve arthritis pain as the body is said to establish equilibrium with the local climate, so that relative changes in weather may trigger an increase in pain regardless of the actual weather.

The Care of Arthritis:

If you are having symptoms of arthritis, see your healthcare provider for a proper evaluation, diagnosis, and a treatment plan. The information provided in this article is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Thus, persistent back pain requires careful evaluation. It is imperative that you take good care of your joints and overall bone structure if you want to enjoy life. Always consult your own doctor or medical healthcare provider for any care and treatment.

Joint:

Joint Supplements consist of glucosamine and chondroitin, two of the major building blocks of normal cartilage. Joints are composed of two or more bones, cartilage that cushions and separates the bones, and ligaments that attach the bones together. Joints become dry and swollen and may also feel cold to the touch. Joints are surrounded by a capsule lined with a membrane called synovium. Joints consist of 2 or more bone surfaces. Joint fluid will keep the joints greased up, and will provide nutrients to the cartilage cells, and other structures in the joint. Joints can swell up, become inflamed, have severe pain in them and they become stiff as well.

Treatment Options:

Treatment options include: Anti-Inflammatory Medications these medications can help treat the pain of finger arthritis, and also help decrease inflammation and swelling around the joints. Treatment for most forms of arthritis includes medications, exercise, and rest.   The treatment for 'normal' arthritis due to wear and tear and injuries consists of 2 main ways: (1) repair of cartilage and improving joint fluid quality (2) controlling pain and inflammation in the joint. Treatment of one involves suppressing the immune system to reduce inflammation, while the other involves stimulating the immune system. Treatment by chiropractor can include ultrasound or low level laser to help reduce inflammation, electro therapy to strengthen weak muscles of the forearm, soft tissue massage to stretch contracted tissues and, of course, adjustments of the dysfunctional joints of the wrist. Early treatments of arthritis are focused on managing the symptoms in an effort to avoid surgery.  Treatment of joint stiffness and range of motion can be improved by ice and heat treatments.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of finger arthritis include: Joint pain, Swelling, Stiffness, and Loss of motion. Patients with osteoarthritis often develop lumps or nodules around the knuckles of the fingers. Symptoms of joint pain, color changes of the fingers with cold exposure, thickening of the skin and muscle weakness have been described in these patients. Symptoms of arthritis can be from hardly any symptoms at all, to severe pain and functional loss of limbs.  Other symptoms include: numbness, tingling and a burning pain in the hand or area. Symptoms can arrive very suddenly or slowly, and the arthritis disease has various times when it is bothering you and periods where you are not bothered.

Exercise:

Exercise in these situations must be thoughtfully prescribed; excessive motion of an acutely inflamed joint can increase the inflammatory response and cause more damage than good.  Exercise also improves balance, prevents falls and also reduces the risk of fracture (due to increased bone density). Exercise also helps to prevent osteoporosis a condition that's more likely to occur in women who have rheumatoid arthritis. Exercise not only lowers blood sugar but keeps your weight down and improves blood circulation. Exercise is good for your heart, lungs, muscles and bones. Exercise can help you feel less pain sometimes. Exercise can help you at any age.

Conclusion:

Arthritis is a very painful disease that slowly creeps up on you and increases as you get older. The disease can spread throughout your body, Warmth such as a hot bath, exercise, and ice & heat treatments are good to relieve the pain sometimes. And also consult you doctor or healthcare provider before starting an exercise plan.

The Types of Arthritis Affecting the World Today

The majority of the human population do not know that there is more than one type of arthritis. Most people think that arthritis is a disease itself that exhibits all joint disorders. Not only are there many other kinds of joint disorders but also, there are many known types. The only common characteristic amongst all the different types is that they all feature pain. The pain itself may vary in terms of the location of the joints affected. Another characteristic of the types that vary is it may be progressive or non-progressive. Progressive means that the disease affects the person on a continuing basis during that person's whole lifetime. Non-progressive, on the other hand, means that it can be cured by treatment or surgery.

The different types are subdivided into three: primary form, secondary groups, and disease that mimic arthritis. Examples of primary form of arthritis are: Still's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, septic arthritis osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, gouty arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These diseases directly affect the joints and surrounding area. The secondary groups are: psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, systemic lupus, erythematosus, Hencoch-Schonlein Purpura, hermachromatosis, and others. These diseases occur when preceded by another illness. Diseases that mimic arthritis are as follows: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, multiple myeloma, osteoporosis, and fifth disease. Some causes of these diseases are already known and studied while others are still unknown.

Treatment will vary amongst the different types of arthritis. In worst cases, affected people will have to undergo surgery; others just might be treated with simple and traditional therapy. Studies have shown that physical exercise of the affected joint may bring forth improvement in a long-term basis. Cure of the disease is the primary goal for others while some may just opt for relief from the pain. Some may be lucky enough to have their ailment cured while others will have to endure the disease itself for the remainder of their days. Whatever the case, the affected people will have to make changes with their lifestyle.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Foot

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that affects about 2.1 million Americans, mostly women and has been show to attack multiple joints throughout the body. It is estimated that 1.5 million women and 600,000 men are victims of this debilitating disease. Of these affected, approximately 90% of the people with RA eventually develop foot or ankle symptoms and deformity. In fact, many of the early symptoms of RA often include foot problems. Foot problems are more common than symptoms to the hand and only second to knee problems. These symptoms can lead to serious disability.

The exact cause of RA is still unknown, even with years of study. Some possible causes include inheritance from parents, chemical or environmental "triggers" all leading to a malfunction of the immune system. In RA, the immune system of the body turns against itself and damages joints causing cartilage damage and inflammation.

Symptoms

Symptoms often begin with pain, swelling and stiffness, but can also involve deformities. Typically the first joints affected in the foot include the metatarsophalangeal joints (the joints at the ball of the foot) and can include significant pain with pressure from standing, motion of walking or tightness of shoes and may also be warm from the inflammation. In other words, even simple activities may causes pain to the foot.

The pain then can affect other areas of the forefoot (front of the foot) including the toes caused by contractures of ligaments and tendons leading to bunions (turning of the big toe towards the other toes) or your other toes may begin to curl and get stiff (often called hammertoes or claw toes). As this occurs, calluses become a larger problem and may build up under the ball of the foot, at the joints of the toes or even at the tips of the toes. Care must be exercised to limit damage to the skin by allowing these calluses to become wounds.

Other areas that may be affected include the hindfoot (back of the foot) with heel pain from Plantar Fasciitis (inflammation of a ligament extending from the heel to the toes), tendonitis of the Achilles tendon or even bursitis (inflammation of a fluid filled sack at the back of the ankle). RA, as an inflammatory disease, may also include neuropathy (loss of nerve functioning including numbness or muscle weakness), vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), ulcerations (wounds), necrosis of the toes or even gangrene. Sometimes entrapment injury to the nerves from RA can cause foot drop.

RA is a systemic disease and will commonly produce generalized symptoms of fatigue, fever, loss of appetite and energy, and anemia (poor oxygen distribution to the body) adding to the symptoms of tiring easily.

Diagnosis

In arthritic conditions, especially rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to establish a correct diagnosis. Often the symptoms in the foot or ankle may be the first indications of this diagnosis. A diagnosis is obtained through review of your medical history, your current occupation, and recreations activities you participate in and any previous history of problems to your feet or legs. One possible indication of RA is appearance of symptoms in the same joint on both feet or several joints in the feet. X-rays may also be obtained to clarify what joint damage is occurring. Blood test may show anemia or have an antibody called "the rheumatoid factor" which is often indicative of RA.

If you already have a diagnosis of RA, any symptom changes to your feet or ankles should be followed closely, as new swelling or foot pain may be the early signs of the foot or ankle being affected. There are usually treatments that can reduces the symptoms and possibly slow the progression.

Treatment

It is important to understand that RA is a progressive disease that currently has no cure. With this understanding it should also be understood that medications, exercises, conservative therapies and surgery can all be utilized to lessen the effects of the disease and may slow its progress. Medications are usually designed for one of three reasons: 1) Control pain, 2) Reduce Inflammation or 3) Slow the Spread of the Disease. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and anesthetic injections to the joints principally help control pain. Local cortisone injections help reduce inflammation locally. Ice and some topical medications (like Biofreeze) may also help reduce inflammation and the associated pain. Medications like methotrexate, minocycline, azothioprine, prednisone, sulfasalazine, and gold compounds, help slow the spread of the disease itself

Exercises usually include physical and occupational therapy modalities. Range-of-motion exercises, exercise in whirlpool or warm swimming pool, remaining active all help decrease the immobility produced by the disease.

Conservative therapies include custom shoe inserts (orthotics), braces (especially for foot drop), specialized shoes to better accommodate the foot changes, and protective padding. The most common padding required is for pressure points on the toes where calluses (thick skin) form and cause pain. Some of the easiest padding can include:

Gel Toe Caps - A compressive sleeve completely lined with gel that is easily slipped onto the toes to pad the joints and the tip of the toe. Reduces the pressure and is protective from callus formation or progression.

Gel Corn Pads - A compressive sleeve with gel padding to be easily applied to the toes to protect prominent joints of the toes and reduce callus formation or even wounds to these areas. Again this will reduce pressure and is protective from callus formation or progression.

Gel Crest Pads - A gel pad placed under the toes to flatten contracted toes and elevate toes from the weightbearing surface, reducing pressure to the tips of the toes. Protective from wound formation or callus formation to tips of toes.

Even with these or similar treatments, regular follow-up with a physician is important, because callus tissue should still be reduced on a regular basis (it just won't get bad as fast with protective measures).

Surgical intervention can also be undergone, including tendon release or lengthening, correction of single or multiple hammertoes or other foot deformities, bunion correction, metatarsal surgery, ankle surgery, joint implants, or complex foot surgeries to reduce risk factors.

The role of a qualified foot and ankle specialist or podiatrist may include major contributions to the management of this disease, including relief of pain and restoration of function. This can add not only to a reduction of disability but an improvement of walking, increased independence and the regular ability to engage in activities of daily living. Increased joy and happiness in life may then occur, as the foot and ankle are optimized to function even with this difficult disease.

Copyright (c) 2009 Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute

Natural Remedies For Arthritis

Arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints and muscles. It is actually a Greek term which means swelling of the joint. Rheumatoid, gout and osteoarthritis are some of the common forms of this disease. While osteoarthritis is generally associated with old age, rheumatoid arthritis may affect people of any age group and causes swelling not only to the joints but also affects the tendons, muscles and tissues. Arthritis in any form is extremely painful.

The arthritis natural remedies are very effectual and useful in controlling the pain. There are many easy and helpful natural therapies which have stood the test of time. One such is the usage of juice of raw potato. It is a successful treatment in use for centuries. Fresh juice of a medium-sized potato when drank with water, on an empty stomach, in the morning, is believed to be highly effective.

One cup of pineapple juice or a mixture of carrot, beetroot and celery juice is also considered helpful when taken regularly. Intake of cooked or raw garlic has shown some positive results in controlling inflammation. A diet of only bananas is advised for continuous four- five days. Banana has a rich supply of vitamin B6 which helps in controlling arthritis. 8-9 bananas may be eaten throughout this phase.

High uric acid in the body is one of the reasons for arthritis. Lime is high on citric acid, which is a solvent of uric acid, is beneficial for treating this disease. Juice of one lime diluted with water is suggested in empty stomach. Having three to four cups of alfalfa tea taken throughout the day for no less than two weeks proves helpful in relieving the pain.

Oil massages also prove helpful in reducing the pain and soreness. Warm Castor oil, mustard oil or coconut oil when massaged gently on the affected area mixed with camphor gives almost instant relief. This increases the blood supply and the warmth produced helps to reduce muscle rigidity and swelling. Regular consumption of cod liver oil and Castor oil may also be of immense help.

Copper is considered a very useful metal for treating arthritis. Drinking water kept in a copper vessel or wearing rings or bracelets made of copper is a very common and old practice. This is believed to make the muscular system strong and eventually lessen the pain. Bathing in the sea is also believed to be invaluable for curing arthritis. Iodine present in the sea water helps to relax the aching muscles.

Arthritis natural remedies usually do not show any drastic results. The outcome is gradual and often time-consuming. But natural remedies are often accompanied with no or mild side effects and saves the body from the harmful effects of over the counter drugs. It is advised to be patient while trying out any natural remedies.

How to Decrease Gout Symptoms and Arthritis Symptoms

You've heard the expression "you are what you eat"; but unfortunately that is the case with gout symptoms and arthritis symptoms. The good news is that there are a healthy number of delicious foods that will combat both of these. True, there are many delicious foods that you will need to steer clear of; but hopefully, with enough of the proper foods in you (and maybe a little splurge now and then...very little) you can reach a happy medium.

How to relieve gout symptoms

Eating the right foods is just as important as staying away from the wrong foods. A diet high in omega 3 fatty acids goes a long way to decrease gout symptoms; but the fats from dairy products work in just the opposite way. Purines are the enemy (as is uric acid), which makes sense considering that they go hand in hand. Fresh fruits and veggies are highly recommended for both sufferers of gout and arthritis. Certain veggies are on the 'to- be-avoided' list but overall; celery, carrots and almost all citrus fruits have pectin in them. Pectin is essential for the relief of arthritis symptoms in that it encourages joint flexibility.

Oh and by the way...

Symptoms of arthritis are actually treated with most of the foods used to treat gout. Onions, for instance, are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat. Not only are they beneficial to sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and an essential part of a gout diet; but they contain strong antibiotic qualities and are good for sufferers of cardiac issues as well. If you could get the vitamin C necessary for the treatment of gout symptoms and an analgesic to help relieve symptoms of arthritis and one tasty food, would you eat it? Of course you would.

Fortunately, this is exactly the case with sweet cherries. No, not the Maraschino cherries that you drop in your old-fashioned (cocktail)! God only knows what's been done to those. The fresh sweet cherries are what we are referring to. Sweet cherries are not your cup of tea? That's okay, because sour cherries (instead of vitamin C) offer your body vitamin A which can help relieve the inflammation involved with arthritis and the pain of gout. These particular cherries go one step further by working overtime (with their anti-oxidants) to "roto rooter" out your arteries that are all clogged up as a result of an overabundance of uric acid.

Maybe there's a lesson here... It's better to be sour than sweet!

Beating Rheumatoid Arthritis - Five Tips for Success

Rheumatoid arthritis and all related types of inflammatory arthritis, including psoriatic and reactive, are very complicated diseases to unlock, but there are a few areas that can be tremendously helpful to look into. Even today there is no established cure for these diseases, and the medicines that are prescribed are not only dangerous, but act in a way that is a mystery to those prescribing them. So, it's no wonder that many sufferers look to alternative therapies to supplement or replace the established remedies.

There very well might be no cure as yet, but there are many cases of total remission, and to give yourself the best possible chance of being one of those happy people, here are five suggestions of areas to cover in your search for your personal solution...

1. Meditation

I put this first, because it might actually be the key to all the rest. Arthritis is a very depressing illness anyway, but there are theories that the toxins produced by the disease process actually create a state of depression as they circulate in the body.

Obviously a state of depression is not the best starting point for a successful campaign against arthritis, and meditation is one of the very best ways to beat depression and release a few natural endorphins to counteract those toxins and black moods. So, daily meditation might very well be the best way to keep your spirits up and your enthusiasm keen for the detective work ahead of you in your path back to health.

2. Diet and supplements

This is an area that's densely populated with old wives' tales and the charlatan who peddle them. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't some really useful truths out there about the effects of diet and supplementation on the path and severity of arthritis.

Whether you can actually cure arthritis just with diet and a few supplements is debatable, but many claim to have done just that. What is undeniable though is that it is one of the very important pieces of the puzzle, which can make the journey far easier, and which can of course improve other areas of health too, which can't be bad!

One thing is for sure - everybody's requirements for diet will be different, and if you come across any diet plan that says otherwise, run away! So, where to start in figuring out what's good for you and what's not?

There are two areas that can really help in speeding up the process of finding out what's likely to calm arthritis symptoms and what's likely to inflame them, and they are Ayurveda and the blood type diet theory. Ayurveda is an ancient science that groups body types and foods into three types; vata, pitta and kapha, whereas the blood type theory puts forward suggestions about what might be useful depending on your blood group.

Both these areas of investigation can provide very useful clues, and when faced with having to find your food sensitivities with complicated elimination diets and their endless time-consuming possibilities, they can narrow the search considerably.

One last area worth looking at in the realm of diet is fasting, which is a fantastic way to clear out toxins and/or prepare the way for an elimination diet. These fasts can be juice or water, and several days in duration. Intermittent fasting for a day or two a week can also be used to keep the body toxin and inflammation-free in the long term.

3. Exercise

Of course, when in a flare up of arthritis symptoms, some exercise, such as weight training and aerobic activity is not only uncomfortable, or indeed impossible, but can be counterproductive, as it can trigger further flares. It is also very difficult to build up muscles wasted by lack of use and the toxins flooding them from adjacent inflamed joints while the process is still active. Far better to wait until the inflammation has subsided before tackling any serious bouts of such exercise, but as soon as it does, by all means take to the gym or that bicycle and get toned up again!

However, there are exercises that can be beneficial at any point that you feel you can do them, even during a flare, if it's not too uncomfortable. They are the range of motion exercises so important to each affected joint to minimise damage and mobility problems. Yoga is a wonderful way to stay supple too, and is well worth looking at.

Perhaps the very best exercise for arthritics is a gentle, very enjoyable form of movement and stretching called Somatic Movement Education. It is designed to unlock knots in the body and free up energies in the muscles, tendons and joints, and has a very profound effect on the whole nervous system, thus not only bringing relief to the affected areas, but also flooding the system with healing and balancing wellbeing to ease the recovery process.

4. Minimise drugs

In an ideal world, we would get rid of arthritis with natural means, as listed above, and never have to resort to the dangerous drugs that are prescribed to keep the symptoms under control. However, in reality, sometimes it is necessary to hold some of the symptoms in check just to make life tolerable.

If you do use the popular drugs, whether the simple aspirin, or all the way through to steroids and DMARDs, take the attitude of using the minimum necessary for the shortest possible time while you find your own way out of the disease. Educate yourself about these drugs and weigh the positives against the negatives so you can use them with your eyes open!

5. Antibiotics

Finally, and possibly the most important, is the fact that, as many believe, arthritis is not simply a disease where the autoimmune system goes mad and attacks the joints, but that it is a bacterial allergy to mycoplasmas, or forms of bacteria deeply embedded in the tissues and very hard to detect and destroy.

I cannot vouch for this one way or the other, but the pioneer of the reportedly very safe antibiotic treatment used to bring remission to many thousands, Thomas McPherson Brown, MD., has written a book called 'The Road Back', which is a very informed and moving account of his life's work in this field.

I strongly recommend that you investigate The Road Back Foundation's website and read all you can about this incredible breakthrough.

Good luck!

What Causes the Pain in My Hand?

Some types of pain are caused by obvious problems; sprains, fractures and the like usually have a memorable moment that causes it. Other types may need the doctor to define. Rheumatoid arthritis often attacks small bones like those in the hands and wrists. While most of the treatments are similar, there may be some important differences.

Arthritis: There are several different types of arthritis, but the most common three are gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. All three can affect the hands and wrists. They also have three different causes and require some different steps to treat it.

Gout is caused by an uric acid crystals in the blood. When the crystals become too heavy, they get dropped off into joints. While the first attacks are usually centered in the feet, they can occur in any joints. Changes to the diet are one of the many steps to preventing frequent flare ups. Cherry juice and nonaspirin anti-inflammatory medications can also help.

Osteoarthritis is caused by injuries and general wear and tear. Topical pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications are often suggested to deal with this problem. Capsaicin is a good option, as it can turn off the pain signal going to your brain. An extraction of willow bark and gotu kola may also provide some relief. Those allergic to aspirin should avoid willow as they contain the same active ingredient.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder and is best treated by your doctor. Many home remedies can interact with either the disease itself or the medications for it.

Carpal Tunnel: Nerves to the hand run through the carpal bones in your wrist. Repetitive motions such as typing, checkers at the market and others who perform the same tasks over and over again for hours at a time are at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. This translates to an inflammation of the nerves running through the bones.

These nerves have no place to swell, and produce a bevy of uncomfortable sensations. Symptoms may include pain, a tingling sensation (pins and needles) and difficulty moving the wrist and hands. Getting treatment as soon as possible is important if you want to avoid surgery. This could include wrist braces, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. Topical pain relievers may also be of benefit.

Injury: Sprains, strains and breaks are usually noticed when they occur. RICE is the most often recommended first step after diagnosis. This stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Topical pain relievers such as capsaicin and willow bark may be useful, and anti-inflammatory medications (including willow) will probably also be suggested.

Tendonitis: Tendons connect your muscles to your bones, and are found in every part of the body, including the hands. Like carpel tunnel, repetitive motion may cause the swelling, as can other types of injury. If you have this problem, you will need to rest your hand until the swelling goes down. Ice and medications to reduce the swelling are also a good idea.

You may need your doctor's help in figuring out exactly what is causing your pain. Be sure to tell the doctor what you've been doing that could be a problem, as well as any medications, supplements or herbs you are on. This way, harmful interactions can be prevented.

Yoga - The Antidote to Arthritis and a Key to Healthy Aging

Forty years ago, when I first became interested in yoga and therapeutic exercise, I was assisting an older woman who was immobilized in her wheelchair by arthritis. Long before I understood the degree to which yoga can rehabilitate the body, I was helping people who were unable to dress, bathe or feed themselves independently due to the pain and stiffness in their joints. This has helped me understand the extreme suffering that can be inflicted by arthritis.

Back then, people with joint pain and swelling were advised by doctors not to move! The thinking was "If it hurts, don't move it." We now know that inactivity is one of the worst responses for someone with arthritis.

As Loren Fishman, MD, points out in his book, Yoga for Arthritis, "Arthritis restricts movement, yoga increases range of motion-these two were made for each other."

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in this country, limiting everyday activities for millions of people. Drugs, surgeries, and steroids can alleviate some of the discomforts, but study after study has shown that exercise is most beneficial to most forms of arthritis, specifically low-impact, flexibility-enhancing exercises such as yoga.

Osteoarthritis, a painful and often debilitating condition caused by decades of wear and tear on the joints, is considered to be one the side effects of living longer. By the time we reach age sixty-five, X-rays for at last a third of us will show some signs of osteoarthritis, the most common of a group of diseases collectively referred to as arthritis.

Arthritis in its many forms affects more than seventy million (or one in three) American adults, according to estimates by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Arthritis is so common in our culture that most people consider the pain and discomfort it brings to be a normal part of aging. Arthritis makes normal activities increasingly painful and difficult and diminishes or destroys the quality of life.

An Overview of Arthritis

The word arthritis means "joint inflammation." Modern medicine recognizes more than a hundred varieties of conditions that produce deterioration in joint structures. The common thread among these conditions is that they all affect the joints-those nearly 150 ingeniously designed structures located where two or more bones come together.

Arthritis-related joint problems may include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joints. Joint weakness, instability and visible deformities may occur, depending on the location of the joint involved.

Arthritis is classified into two main types. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, resulting in stiffness in the joints and muscles, joint erosion and pain. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder that erodes the cartilage in joints, which leads to bones rubbing together. Osteoarthritis frequently occurs in people who are overweight or whose joints are painful from extreme overuse.

In spite of the prevalence of arthritis, be careful not to jump to the conclusion that your achy joints are necessarily due to it. Overuse and injuries can also result in tendonitis, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other fairly common conditions that are unrelated to arthritis.

Arthritis and Exercise

To remain healthy, muscles and joints must move and bear weight or they will lose strength. This weakness, coupled with joint swelling, will make the joints unstable. Joints in this condition are vulnerable to dislocation, increased injury and pain. Thus, regular gentle movement helps to reduce pain and to maintain mobility.

Physical movement promotes health in many systems of the body. It increases circulation, which in turn reduces swelling and promotes delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. With immobilization, a cycle of deterioration begins.

Because movement is crucial to so many physiological processes, the arthritic person's overall health tends to deteriorate without it. The normal functioning of the immune system declines, infections and illnesses occur, and the person often becomes frustrated and depressed. This cycle is self-perpetuating.

When someone comes to me with arthritis, I teach them how to practice yoga safely with the support of yoga props. For those who are new to yoga, the term "yoga props," simply refers to any object, such as a wall, a sturdy table or a chair, a folded blanket, a firm pillow, a strap or other item that makes practicing yoga safer and easier. Yoga props are especially helpful for older beginners who may have balance problems and are coping with common health issues such as arthritis and osteoporosis. In addition to common household objects that can be used as yoga props, there are professional yoga props such as a sturdy wooden bar known as the "yoga horse," yoga wall ropes, yoga bolsters in many shapes and sizes, yoga straps, special yoga chairs, yoga blocks, firm yoga blankets and more elaborate props like yoga backbenders that give people with arthritis and other common health conditions new hope and confidence.

Physicians are increasingly advising regular gentle exercise for people with arthritis because it tones muscles and reduces stiffness in joints. Yoga is an ideal form of exercise for this because its movements are fluid and adaptable. Yoga loosens muscles that have been tightened by inactivity, stress and tension. In yoga we progress gradually, beginning with simple stretches and strengthening poses and advancing to more difficult postures only as we become stronger and more flexible.

If necessary, you can begin with gentle movements while sitting in a chair or lying on the floor. You can gradually add weight-bearing standing postures, with the support of a wall, counter or table, wall ropes, chairs, blocks, and other props.

The weight-bearing yoga standing poses are among the key poses for safely increasing range of motion in all the joints as well as increasing strength and flexibility.

It's important to note that weak muscles are considered a risk factor for osteoarthritis. Be especially aware of weakness in the quadriceps, the large frontal thigh muscles: The weaker the quadriceps, the higher the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee. Yoga standing poses are valuable for strengthening the quadriceps without wear and tear on the hip and knee joints.

Practicing yoga can help improve respiration throughout the day. Calm, slow, rhythmic breathing helps to release both physical and emotional tension by flooding the body and brain with oxygen. The regular, daily practice of deep relaxation is restorative to every cell of the body.

I encourage those of you with arthritis to seek the help of an experienced teacher who can help you learn to distinguish between good pain and bad pain and to make yoga part of your daily life.

The positive effects yoga can have on mood and overall outlook are especially important to someone with arthritis. A yoga class offers positive support and the opportunity to connect with people who are health-minded and have experienced the benefits of yoga. Numerous studies emphasize the value of group support in coping with health challenges such as arthritis.

With arthritis, as with any injury or disease, listen to your body with focused attention to avoid injury and determine which movements are most healing. Take classes with a teacher who is knowledgeable about arthritis. If you are new to yoga, I recommend a few private lessons, if possible, or start in a small group class with individualized instruction, where you can practice at your own pace.

Guidelines for Practicing Yoga in Class and at Home

1. Respect pain. All yoga students, but especially those with arthritis, must learn the difference between the beneficial feeling of muscles stretching and the pain that signals harm. Learn to distinguish between the normal discomfort of moving stiff joints through range of motion, and the pain caused by a destructive movement or an excessive demand on a joint. Sudden or severe pain is a warning. Continuing an activity after such a warning may cause joint damage.

In general, if pain and discomfort persists more than two hours after a yoga session, ask a knowledgeable teacher to check your alignment and help you modify the pose. Try moving more slowly, practicing more regularly and experiment with how long to stay in a pose. There is no set answer to the perennial question "How long should I stay in the pose?" Stay long enough so that a healthy change has been made but not so long that your body stiffens from staying in a position too long.

2. Balance work and rest. Balancing activity and rest applies to yoga as well as to other daily activities. Do not exercise to the point of fatigue. Stop before you are exhausted! Weakened, fatigued muscles set the stage for joint instability and injury. Balance your active yoga session with yoga's deeply relaxing restorative poses. Restorative poses are passive poses that help your internal healing processes to work. If you are fatigued, practice restorative poses first. You will benefit more from active, more challenging poses, if you are well rested.

3. Practice with focus and awareness (pay attention to how you feel) and breathe properly. Avoid mechanical repetitions and counting while exercising. Watch the flow of your breath and your body's response to a particular pose or exercise. Without fully expanding your lungs, the muscles you are exercising cannot be adequately supplied with oxygen. Holding your breath while stretching inhibits relaxation. Smooth, peaceful, rhythmic breathing through the nose reduces pain and tension and increases the feeling of deep relaxation that follows a yoga session. Learn to tune into what your body is telling you.

4. Learn to use yoga props. People with arthritis may already be quite stiff by the time they start yoga. The use of props helps improve blood circulation and breathing capacity. By supporting the body in a yoga posture, props allow the muscles to lengthen in a passive, non-strenuous way. Props help conserve energy and allow people to practice more strenuous poses without hurting or over exerting themselves.

Yoga for Arthritic Hips and Knees

The areas most commonly affected by arthritis are the hips, knees and hands. With decreased movement, the muscles and soft tissues around the hip shorten, putting additional wear and tear on the gliding surfaces. If a person becomes more sedentary in an effort to minimize pain, bones and cartilage receive less weight-bearing stimulation. Bone spurs may even develop to further limit movement.

Lack of exercise also weakens the thigh and calf muscles. Their strength provides stability and support for the knee. When the soft tissues of the joint swell, this causes compression and reduces space in the joint even further.

Standing poses are crucial for stretching and building supportive strength in the hips, buttocks and thighs. Moving the head of the femur in the hip socket helps distribute synovial fluid, thus lubricating the joint and all points of contact.

The same standing poses recommended for hips are also critical for knee rehabilitation. They create more space in the knee joint for synovial fluid circulation and develop the strength of the thigh and calf muscles for better support.

Sit on the Floor Every Day!

I encourage all my students, especially those with osteoarthritis of the knees, to sit on the floor every day, in various cross-legged and other bent knee positions, as part of their daily life routine. This helps assure that you do not lose the ability to sit comfortably on the floor. Sitting with the legs crossed loosely is a simple, natural position that helps remove stiffness in the hips and knees. To help you sit comfortably on the floor with your back straight, sit on one or more folded blankets, a firm bolster, large dictionary or other height. Avoiding sitting on the floor will only make your hips and knees stiffer with the passage of time.

Hint: If there is pain in the knees, try increasing the height under the buttock so that your pelvis is higher than the knees, and place folded blankets or yoga blocks under the knees. A knowledgeable yoga teacher can help you adjust your props so that sitting on the floor becomes easy and comfortable. Increase the length of time you sit gradually, and be sure to cross your legs the opposite way (opposite leg in front).

Caution: Do not strain your knees by attempting to sit prematurely in more advanced, bent-knee positions such as the classic Lotus Pose. Forcing your body into any position can result in serious injury. STOP if you feel pain, and consult a knowledgeable teacher.

Conquering Arthritis

Conventional treatments for arthritis involving surgery, physical therapy and
medication have a poor success rate.The sufferer therefore would be well advised
to look for natural treatments which address the underlying cause of the problem
as opposed to merely treating the symptoms which are likely to reoccur.

A compelling case for opposing conventional treatments for arthritis is made by an
American lady, who between the ages of 20 and 50 (approx.) suffered from this disease.
She went through the full range of coventional treatments including gold therapy; all
the 12 doctors she had over these 30 years prescribed drugs to give her temporary
relief from the symptoms and told her to go home and learn to live with her condition.
She then heard about a doctor who was on a different wavelength to the others. On seeing
him, he immediately took her off drugs and brought in a strict diet, exercise and food
supplement regime which addressed the underlying cause of the problem. Within 3 weeks of
this approach, she had relief from the pain that had dogged her for 30 years; and within
just 3 months she had permanent relief from her condition !

Irrespective of which form of arthritis the patient has, serious consideration
should be given to the diet, if taking care of this condition by natural means. All
foods in the nightshade family ( which include potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant etc ) should be eliminated as they contain solinaise which inflames the fluid in the joints.

Arthritis is caused when your system becomes too alkaline. This state can be
corrected by changing your body to an acid state with the help of the following
foods: grains, nuts, natural cheese, lentils, organic meat, fish or poultry.

Food supplements are very useful in encouraging recovery in the joints. 1000mg of vitamin
C 3 times daily should be taken to rebuild collagen and make the body more acid. Shark
cartilage and sea cucumber should be taken as directed on the label. Omega 3 fish oil
should be taken twice daily. 500mg of Pantothene taken twice daily acts as an anti
inflammatory measure.

The following herbs can also help with arthritis. Yucca helps stimulate the adrenal
glands to produce the body's own cortisone. Black cohosh helps relieve pain and
inflammation. Hyranges acts like synthetic cortisone without the cost or the side
effects. Alfalfa increases vitality.

There are also certain adjunctive procedures that can help. The first is to employ
castor oil packs. Soak a piece of white flannel in warm castor oil, wring it out and
place it over the inflamed area. Cover with plastic and apply a heating pad. Do this
twice daily for an hour each time. The second is acupuncture,acupressure and massage
open energy pathhways on meridians leading to the organs that produce the body's own
healing power and stimulate the body's lymph system which cleanses the body of toxins.
Zostrex cream (red pepper extract) applied externally smooths inflamed joints.

About the author: Kierann Waldron is a researcher on health issues who is established as an Internet publisher. Further articles on arthritis can be seen at the following
website: www.arthritisstop.com [http://www.arthritisstop.com]

The Important Facts That Everyone Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

If you suffer with aches and pains that seem to persist and intensify, stiffness in your joints such as when you sit, stand, or use your hands, joints that are swollen and painful or inflamed, and other symptoms like these, then it could be that you are suffering with rheumatoid arthritis.

Of course, determining whether this is the case or not will require a medical professional. However, if you find that your aches and pains tend to worsen depending on the weather, you can count yourself along with more than 80 million people in the US, Australia, and England who go through the same thing.

Unfortunately for most of these people, they will come to the decision that this is simply the way things are. They will resign themselves to a life of pain and discomfort. What they do not know is that, over time, the pain will get worse, as will the other associated symptoms, making this a very difficult and debilitating condition to live with.

What rheumatoid arthritis treatment is known to be effective?

If you have decided that you refuse to simply accept the pain, and you want to do something about it, look no further than the green-lipped mussel found in the waters off the coast of New Zealand. Most of us know that nature has the answer for many of life's ailments and other health issues. Many of us have benefitted from the medicines that are derived from nature. Homeopathic medicine has long been the choice of many over conventional drugs, because they are natural and safe. Natural remedies also do not produce any unwanted or unpleasant side effects.

Why the green-lipped mussel?

This New Zealand mussel will not only help your discomfort that results from the arthritis. Your skin, immune system, and your nervous system will also benefit.

But the question is why?

The green-lipped mussel happens to be a complete food. Even more astounding is the fact that the minerals that the mussel contains are very similar to the minerals one would find in a healthy human being. Of course there is more to it but space does not permit too much detail here.

Should you use a product that contains the green-lipped mussel?

The answer is a resounding 'Yes!' if the research is anything to go by. However, whether you choose a product that contains this intriguing ingredient, or some other type of treatment, be sure to give the homeopathic avenue serious consideration. While we have a lot to thank the world of science for, the fact remains is that medications produce side effects. Also, while a medication might benefit you in one way, it might be doing damage to another part of your body.

"The green-lipped mussel is a complete food that aids in the relief of arthritic pain and discomfort."

Arthritis: What to Do About Painful or Swollen Fingers

A friend of mine thought she broke her finger. It had swollen up and was painful to the touch.

We talked to someone known as an expert regarding this and it turns out the finger was not broken. It had calcium deposits on the joints... the early signs of arthritis.

In fact, as he checked her fingers it turns out that each finger had pain to varying degrees. The most painful being the finger she had noticed as swollen and thought was broken.

Hearing this, I took careful notes to not only help my friend, but to also make this information available to our readers.

Some may disagree with the following, but our expert assures me that it is the case.

Over time, we can get calcium buildup on the joints and it can cause swelling and painful joints. If left unchecked, this can then develop into arthritis.

Fortunately, there's two simple things we can do to help with this condition.

The first is to do a "finger joint massage." Finger joint massage sounds simple, and it works. Have a spouse or friend grab each joint and rotate the finger slowly and gently in a circular pattern. Start with the finger joint closest to the knuckle, slightly pull outward from the hand and rotate the finger around for 120 seconds. Then do the next joint on the same finger, also for 120 seconds. Do every finger in succession, even if only one finger is in pain. Do this entire procedure once per day.

You'll find that with finger joint massage, it can be very painful at first and 120 seconds will seem like a long time. After a few days of this,from what I've seen, the pain will subside.

What happens when you do this, is that the massage is breaking down those calcium buildups on the joints and will eventually help the body to cleanse itself in the finger joint area. Pretty soon those fingers can get back to moving around without all that extreme pain.

The second thing to do is get a good "joint" formula at the health food store. Trader Joe's has their own brand that is inexpensive and of high quality, they call it "Joint Support." There's many good joint formulas on the market, where they'll have glucosamine, chondroitan and MSM. These work well, just be sure to start slowly by taking a pill or capsule once per day. If you experience a rash or other strange contraindications, it could be from the MSM, and if that happens, you'd have to get a formula with just the glucosamine and chondroitan.

This article is not meant to give medical advice, but practical experience from what I've seen. If you have a condition that will just not go away and/or becomes extremely painful, get proper attention and see your medical provider.

Osteoarthritis Diet: Tips for Healthier Joints

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disease affecting weight bearing joint caused by injury. The disease develops when a joint lining begins to degenerate causing pain and decreased mobility of the affected joint. However, the effects of the symptoms can be reduced through certain lifestyle changes. The most effective among thee would be following an osteoarthritis diet.

The goal of an osteoarthritis diet is directed towards reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis, most specifically pain and decreased in mobility of the affected joint. The following suggestions are based on an e-book written by a nurse who is an expert on this subject. If you are suffering from osteoarthritis and seek to find relief, include the following in your diet.

• Drink at least eight glasses of water daily. A well hydrated body is more apt in fighting certain diseases including osteoarthritis. Water is also needed by the body during inflammation to reduce the heat produced during such time.

• Consume fish instead of meat as protein sources. Tuna is recommended since it contains high levels of omega 3 which has anti-inflammatory effects.

• Eat shellfishes. Shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, scallops and shrimp are known to contain high amounts of glucosamine sulphate. This substance is known to significantly reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.

• Decrease consumption of fatty foods. Because excessive weight is the major risk factor for osteoarthritis especially among obese individuals, cutting down on consumption of fat rich foods can provide relief from its symptoms.

• Eat more vegetables and fruits. Vegetables are great sources of essential minerals that fight against inflammation such as magnesium. Black beans, broccoli and pumpkin seeds are just some examples of magnesium rich vegetables. Citrus fruits, on the other hand, are great sources of Vitamin C which is also vital.

• Include whole grain cereals in your diet. They are rich sources of fiber which is important in proper digestion and absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. This will enable your body to get most out from your diet.

As mentioned earlier, excessive weight contributes much to the development of osteoarthritis. Weight loss is therefore important. An osteoarthritis diet alone can't achieve this. A regular physical activity like jogging, going to the gym or other forms of sports is an important aspect of weight loss.

The positive effects of an osteoarthritis diet can only be felt if you decide to observe it and find the resolve to act on your decision. You are assured of better outcomes and results when you start today. If you do, you are on your way to preventing osteoarthritis symptoms from occurring.

Expanded Approval of Humira by the FDA Allows for Extended Monopoly

A story recently covered by Healthday news talks about the recent expanded approval of the drug Humira which is used to treat the psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is a combination of psoriasis and arthritis where those affected experience symptoms of joint pain and inflammation, as well as red lesions on the skin.

Humira has also been approved to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis as well as an inflammatory disease of the spine called ankylosing spondylitis.

The most recent approval by the FDA was to slow and structural joint damage in people with psoriatic arthritis. The recent clinical testing of 313 people affected with psoriatic arthritis were given Humira and showed significantly less joint damage than participants that received a placebo.

My question is why wasn’t Humira approved for some of these other uses when it was first released? Because market exclusivity rights granted by the FDA to drug companies run out after 7 years. That means during the seven years when it has the rights, the FDA will not allow any other drug to market itself under the same category, essentially giving in this case Humira, a monopoly for 7 years. After the exclusivity rights expire, drug companies retest their drug for a slightly different uses, and get another monopoly for 7 more years. Drug companies don’t test all aspects of the drugs simply to extend its patent life in order to make more money.

Should sufferers of any illness have to wait several years to find out what a drug is actually capable of treating? Sure there are some cases where you stumble on to an alternative use years down the road, but in most instances, its just big pharmaceutical companies trying to get the most bang for their buck.

This information was provided by Premier Mexican Pharmacy.com. For more helpful articles and information check out our blog: Your Essential Guide to Buying Meds Online from Canadian & Mexican Pharmacies [http://mexicanpharmacies.blogspot.com].

What Are The Scalp Psoriasis Signs and Symptoms?

While psoriasis affects up to 3% of the population, of this percentage of psoriasis sufferers, up to 50% of them suffer from scalp psoriasis making it one of the most common and persistent types of psoriasis. It can also be one of the most difficult to treat while at the same time robbing a sufferer of their self esteem because the signs and symptoms are sometimes clearly visible to other people.

Signs and Symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis

Although the exact cause of psoriasis remains a mystery, many researchers believe that it mainly comes about through an abnormality in the immune system that causes skin to regenerate at an accelerated rate leading to skin cells piling on top of each other is evidenced by raised, red, sometimes itchy, thick areas of the skin covered with silvery/white scales. It can also affect other areas such as the nails and joints (psoriatic arthritis). Why this abnormality in the immune system occurs is unknown. Genes or the environment may be to blame but no one knows for certain.

Scalp psoriasis is evidenced by silvery/white scales on the scalp that may be thick and form thick crusts when the scales are packed tightly together which can be very itchy. Attempting to treat these scales like dandruff by picking and scratching can only make the condition worse.

The severity of this type of psoriasis can vary between mild cases that are usually not very noticeable to very severe cases when the scales can drop onto the shoulders and collar and look like a bad case of dandruff which can be quite embarrassing for the sufferer in addition to being very itchy.

A small area of the scalp can be affected or it can cover the entire scalp in severe cases of scalp psoriasis. Flare-ups usually appear behind the ears and along the hairline and may then spread over greater areas of the scalp. This condition can also affect the ear canal when enough scales spread to this area and can impact hearing.

Severe cases of scalp psoriasis may affect the hair roots leading to hair loss but most cases do not affect the hair roots. If a sufferer experiences hair loss associated with scalp psoriasis, the hair can grow back once the condition is effectively managed.

Treatment For Scalp Psoriasis

Since there isn't a known cure for psoriasis, treating scalp psoriasis to help minimize flare-ups can be quite a challenge as what can work for one sufferer may not necessarily work for another and will usually involve a lot of trial and error. Patience and perseverance is required in order to find the treatment therapy that will work for you.

Some of the conventional treatment therapies for scalp psoriasis include the use of medicated shampoos that contain salicylic acid, tar, selenium sulfide, steroids, etc. Various scalp solutions containing steroids can also be prescribed in the form of gels, foams, lotions, etc. Other medications that may be prescribed include Anthralin, Topical Vitamin D analogues, etc, to help to reduce cell turnover leading to the silvery/white scales. There are also many effective natural remedies but most of these will involve a lot of trial and error.

How to Prevent Arthritis Knee Pain

While there happen to be numerous therapies for long-term knee pain alleviation, factors that must be thought of when treating arthritis knee pain integrate the length as well as current condition of the ailment, along with wellness.

For the majority of us, there are existing convenient and practical ways to ease arthritis knee pain and perhaps avoid even more significant measures such as overall knee replacement surgery. Below are four lifestyle modifications strategies you can do as component of a natural arthritis pain alleviation plan.

Wear Appropriate Footwear

Women have a love affair with high heels, yet the toxic outcomes of wearing them may have already developed gradually. Various women believe that the discomfort administered from putting on high heels is most frequently to the feet; nonetheless, higher heels throw the body forward and enhance pressure underneath the kneecap. Eventually this triggers arthritis knee pain and discomfort. The excellent heel elevation to eliminate joint diseases knee discomfort is one-half to three-quarter of an inch.

Take Supplements

Glucosamine happens to be one of the most effective and economical supplements you can take to ease joint diseases knee discomfort. Blended with Chondroitin, a supplement thought to advocate water retention as well as flexibility in cartilage, this one-two strike does not just preserves knee health, it assists the replacement and repairs the chipped cartilage that provokes arthritis.

Regular Exercise

Works out that bolster as well as stretch the muscles that sustain the knee are vital for stopping the pain associated with arthritis. Appropriate activity also helps reduce stress on the knee joint. When performing exercises it's important to spread out the muscular tissues that support the knee first. Tight muscles that are connected to the knee can yank the knee out of alignment causing damages along with pain backing the knee.

Modifying Your Diet

The most necessary activity you can undertake in order to prevent arthritis knee pain is by controlling your weight. Those additional pounds that are able to slip up throughout mid-life placed added strain on knee joints as well as make cytokines-- chemicals associated to swelling as well as discomfort. Likewise, ensure your eating plan integrates lots of fruits as well as veggies. They include phytochemicals, a material that diminish swelling. Round out your eating plan by arming on Omega-3s (found in fish, nuts, olive as well as canola oils) and acquiring many calcium mineral for stronger bones. If you do not ingest appropriate volumes of calcium mineral, your body will pull it from your bones making them even more vulnerable and susceptible to trauma.

Tea Time - A Guide to the Four Basic Types of Tea

A cup of tea can help you get your morning started or aid in relaxation after a long and stressful day. You can warm up on a cold winter day with a steaming mug of your favorite tea, or you can cool down on a summer afternoon with a tall, refreshing, glass of iced tea. Not only does it taste great hot or cold, but it can also help you stay healthy.

With a variety of tea that seem to come in ever color of the rainbow and every flavor possible, walking down the tea aisle at your local grocery store can be a perplexing event. The truth of the matter is that there are basically four groups of tea and most of your favorite will fall into those categories.

• 
  Black Tea: The process of making Black tea is a long process that eventually results in the oxidation and fermentation of the tea leaves. This fermentation process results the darkening of the tea leaves to a deep red or black color. Black Tea is one of the more common flavored teas. Under the umbrella of black teas are some common flavors such as Darjeeling and an assortment of breakfast teas.
  
  Benefits: It is believed that black tea can help digestion, improve cholesterol, and possibly reduce tooth decay. While there is caffeine in black tea it's not as potent your morning cup of coffee and can often give you that needed boost without the jitters.



• 
  Green Tea: Green tea is made from leaves that do not go through oxidization. They are picked and then steamed or pan fried to prevent any fermentation. Although it doesn't sound extremely appetizing this popular tea is often described as tasting earthy like grass. It has a light and refreshing flavor and depending on the type, can range from sweet to a little bitter.
  
  Benefits:Green tea is credited with helping your body fight off cancer, some types of arthritis, and high cholesterol. It also can be a great boost to your immune system.



• 
  Oolong Tea: Oolong Tea is less oxidized than black tea but does go through some oxidation unlike green tea. Most tea drinkers describe oolong as having a earthy/grass taste similar to Green tea, however it's slightly stronger.
  
  Benefits: While it's not yet proven, there is some research being done into the impact oolong tea has on weight control. Besides that, oolong tea is credited with aiding digesting and cleansing the body from the inside out.



• 
  White Tea: White tea can be thought of the unripe fruit of the tea world. Made from young or immature leaves that have yet to undergo oxidation, white tea is probably the most expensive and rarest form of tea. Although it recently has become more available in the United States, it was originally hard to find anywhere else besides China. White tea is often said to have a smooth sweet flavor.
  
  Benefits: The flavor alone isn't a reason why white tea is becoming so popular in the US. This tea is credited with being the healthiest form of tea because it's so close to its natural state. Some of the benefits of white tea come from the high amount of cancer fighting anti-oxidants as well as its ability to aid your immune system in fighting off bacteria and viruses.

How Vitamin D Deficiency Destroys the Immune System

As more and more studies continue to confirm the link between healthy levels of Vitamin D3 and a strong immune system, a group of Danish scientists believe they may have pinpointed the exact reasons why this nutrient is so critical to the human immunodefence system.

The researchers claim their findings could be beneficial in protecting against new global epidemics and infectious diseases and could even aid in the development of new vaccines.

The study found that special cells known as "T-Cells", which are critical to immune defense, are dependent on the presence of Vitamin D in the bloodstream in order to function properly, and lay dormant unaware of the presence of a potential threat when there are insufficient amounts of Vitamin D in the blood.

"When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signaling device or 'antenna' known as a Vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for Vitamin D," said Carsten Geisler of Copenhagen University's Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, the scientist who spearheaded study.

Geisler added that when one is suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, the T-Cells "won't even begin to mobilize."

Vitamin D3 Deficiency can be countered and prevented by an individual exposing his or her skin to direct sunlight. The nutrient can also be obtained through certain foods such such as egg yolks, cod liver oil, fatty fish and cholecalciferol (the scientific name for Vitamin D3) supplements.

According to researchers, more than half of the world's population suffers from some degree of Vitamin D Deficiency, and many believe the problem is getting worse, not better.

Vitamin D Deficiency has already been linked scientifically to more than three dozen different diseases, illnesses and various health ailments.

These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Breast Cancer


• Skin Cancer


• Prostate Cancer


• Heart Disease


• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD)


• Alzheimer's Disease


• Autism


• Multiple Sclerosis


• Childhood Allergies


• Parkinson's Disease


• Seasonal Depression (aka: "Winter Blues")


• AIDS (specifically the transformation of HIV to AIDS)


• Fibromyalgia


• Rickets


• Influenza (the Flu)


• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)


• Various Autoimmune Disorders


• Osteoporosis


• Lung Transplant Rejection


• Asthma


• Childhood Obesity


• Chronic Pain


• Tooth Loss


• Gingivitis and Gum Disease


• Type 2 Diabetes


• Arterial Stiffness


• Metabolic Syndrome (sometimes referred to as Insulin Resistance or Pre-Diabetes)


• Stroke


• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)


• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome


• Lupus


• Psoriatic Arthritis

What is perhaps most disturbing is that the list continues to grow each and every year by several new illnesses and diseases.

The best way to reverse vitamin D deficiency is to sunbathe, with the more bare skin exposed to sunlight the better. Obviously, this is not always an option, particularly in the winter months. When sun exposure is not a viable option, vitamin D supplements are the way to go.

However, it is important to take note of which form of vitamin D is contained within a given supplement. Numerous studies have shown that the form of vitamin D known as D3, or cholecalciferol, is far superior to vitamin D2, the plant-based form known as ergocalciferol.

A recent report and "meta analysis" by Dr. John Cannell, MD, concluded that vitamin D3 offers three times the efficacy of D2 in terms of each respective nutrient's ability to prevent and/or reverse vitamin D deficiency syndrome, and hence enhance the immune system, protecting one against the myriad diseases listed above.

Arthritis Treatment: Understanding The 3 Stages Of Gouty Arthritis

Gouty arthritis is caused by a defect in the body's metabolism that permits the accumulation of uric acid (UA).

UA is a byproduct of the metabolism of purines, substances found in abundance in certain foods. While animals have an enzyme called uricase that further breaks down UA, human beings do not. Which is why UA builds up and deposits in areas such as joints leading to gouty arthritis (GA).

There are two ways that UA accumulates. Ninety per cent of the time it's because the body can't get rid of it fast enough through the kidneys, the normal mode of exit. Ten per cent of the time, UA accumulates because of overproduction of UA by the body.

There are three stages of GA.

The first stage is when people have elevated blood levels of UA but do not have symptoms. This phase is termed "asymptomatic hyperuricemia." The important thing to understand is that the actual level of UA in the blood will dictate the likelihood of getting gout attacks. The higher the blood UA level is above normal, the greater the likelihood for attacks. A serum UA level of 6.0 mg/dl is considered normal.

The second stage is called acute intermittent GA. What this means is that a patient will have sudden flare-ups of GA. But they will also have periods of time when they don't have these severe attacks. That doesn't mean they are disease free, because most people who have this stage of GA will still have smoldering inflammation in their joints. Attacks can occur as frequently as every few weeks but can be spaced out as long as several years. These acute attacks have a tendency to occur in joints that have been damaged from other diseases such as osteoarthritis. The attacks are extremely painful.

The final stage is advanced GA. In this stage, elevated blood UA has been present for a long time, usually ten years or longer. While acute attacks may still occur, the disease has gotten to the point where deposits of UA occur in different areas of the body including the joints, skin, and kidneys. These accumulations of UA form lumps that are called "tophi" (toe- f- eye). Patients will have chronic joint symptoms affecting multiple joints. The severe degree of inflammation as well as the presence of multiple joints being involved, often occurring in a symmetric fashion, can lead to a mistaken diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment of GA will vary depending on the stage a patient presents with. Multiple effective medication, dietary, and lifestyle therapies are available.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Common Autoimmune Condition

The Diagnosis

Today I'm writing about a subject, for me at least, is very close to home. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common inflammatory disorder affecting at least 1% of the population. I've learnt about this condition the hard way. My wife started to complain of joint pain after the birth of our son 25 years ago. What began as a vague feeling of being unwell and random joint ache rapidly progressed until one day, my wife Karen, couldn't get out of bed. The doctors performed blood tests, X-rays and clinical assessments and rapidly came to the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Types of Arthritis

So, what is rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and how do we contract it? First off it is necessary to distinguish RA from another common form of arthritis, called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is due to degeneration of the joints caused by wear and tear and is a disease, in the main, of the elderly. RA causes joint damage but this is not due to normal wear and tear experienced by osteoarthritis sufferers and is not confined to the elderly and can afflict people of all ages.

An Autoimmune Disease

RA belongs to a group of conditions known as autoimmune disorders. For some reason, and the cause of the disease is still somewhat of a mystery, the body's immune system begins to attack healthy joint tissue. What is known is that there is a genetic component to the disease and it is thought that an environmental trigger is required to initiate the disease in genetically predisposed individuals. The onset is usually rapid and without effective medical intervention widespread joint damage may occur. Not everyone is affected to the same degree and the condition may not be restricted to joint damage; other bodily systems can be adversely affected.

There are a variety of treatments for RA, although there is no cure. Often multiple pharmacological approaches are taken to arrest the disease. The aim of the treatment is to prevent the inevitable joint deterioration due to disease progression. Surgery is employed as a last resort to repair the ravages of the diseases.

Doctors often apply the 'rule of thirds' to disease. It can provide a rough and ready guide to treatment and prognosis in some, but not all diseases. If we apply this 'rule' to RA and response to treatment we can rudely state: About a third of the patients respond very well and remain stabilised, a third will experience some benefit and a third will get worse.

One More Op

Karen belongs to the last category. On an average day she will consume 14 separate medications, including opiate based pain killers. Unfortunately the best efforts of modern medicine haven't prevented her from having 24 operations in the past 4 years. As I write my wife is packing for hospital and is about to undergo her 25th operation. This time it is to fuse several cervical vertebrae in her neck in an effort to stop the excruciating neck pain that is preventing her from enjoying life. My wife is stoic and tough; her resilience in the face of this disabling disease inspires me. We are hoping that this may be her last operation, although on past experience we may well be wrong.

Find Relief For Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is a disease that happens to some individuals that suffer from the skin problem psoriasis. It affects the joints of the body similar to rheumatoid arthritis, usually in a milder way. Psoriatic arthritis symptoms are characteristic of both the problems with joints and skin, there can also be other psoriatic arthritis symptoms too. During this present time there is no known cure for the arthritis or even psoriasis, however, numerous treatments exist for helping with the symptoms. It must be remembered that it is a chronic disease and can lead to other complications in health if not managed appropriately.

The most common psoriatic arthritis symptoms affect the tips of the fingers or toes. However approximately 20 percent may experience problems with the spine. A very rare type of PA is names 'psoriatic arthritis mutilans' and focuses on the joints resulting in more severe destruction.

The skin condition called psoriasis presents as scaly and rough usually on the parts of the knees, elbows and scalp. The scaly areas are red or silvery gray in their color. Of the people who experience the skin condition psoriasis, which is approximately 30 million people in America, about 8 percent of them will experience psoriatic arthritis symptoms.

The condition evenly affects men and women and in general occurs between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. In about fifteen percent of people the onset of PA can happen before the appearance of psoriasis. Usually the progression of psoriatic arthritis symptoms is mild in most and will only affect a few joints.

Modern medicine does not have a cure for arthritis associated with psoriasis. The approach of treatment is usually individualized for the person's symptoms, to achieve the best possible outcome. The disease can vary from individual to individual with variance on factor such as remission and flare ups, so these facts must be taken into consideration. Every individual is different and an approach to treatment should be tailored to your individual requirements.

Treatment focuses on reducing the psoriatic arthritis symptoms of inflamed joints, pain and further degeneration. An approach of almost treating two separate disorders, the arthritis and psoriasis, is often the best way to approach it. Topical and oral medications are used for the skin such as antibiotics. It is important to prevent secondary skin infection in people with psoriasis due to skin irritation. There is some discussion of UV light therapy, obtained naturally from the sun or artificially as being beneficial for the rash. It is certainly an avenue worth exploring.

The psoriatic arthritis symptoms of the joints are treated like any other forms of arthritis with aspirin, anti-arthritis drugs and other medications. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs as they are commonly referred to, are used to manage pain and swelling of the joints. There are a whole range of natural substances that have been shown to be helpful in inflammation. High doses of fish oil have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. The use of curcumin which is a derivative of the root turmeric has been showing good anti-inflammatory responses in the body, along with the long time used devils claw or cats claw herb.

Natural Remedy For Arthritis - 3 Uncommon Herbal Remedies

If you or someone that you love is afflicted with arthritis pain, you might be at a loss. Before you resort to looking into medications that might have side effects that are as severe as the pain that they are trying to cure, you should look for a natural remedy for arthritis. Herbal remedies are getting a lot more attention and there are many people who have found them to be just as effective as prescription medication; on top of that, the side effects, when they are present at all, are extremely mild. Take a look at some of the remedies that might interest you.

When you are looking for a natural remedy for arthritis, take a look at alfalfa. Alfalfa can be consumed in the form of tea, and it is a folk remedy that can be taken quite easily. It has been shown to reduce swelling and to ease pain. Brewing the tea is quite simple, and is far preferable to taking alfalfa as a powder, which can result in inflammation. To make alfalfa tea, simply put an ounce of alfalfa in a pot and cover it with a quart of water. After boiling it for thirty minutes, you can drain it and then drink it through the rest of the day. In terms of herbal remedies, this is a very mild and very effective one.

Another herb that is considered to be quite a good natural remedy for arthritis is black cohosh. The root of the black cohosh is used in this treatment and it contains substances that make it quite good as an anti-inflammatory as well as an anti-spasmodic. To use black cohosh, you can simply simmer a teaspoon of the root in a cup of boiling water for twenty minutes. After you have strained it, divide it into two doses and take both during the course of the day. It is recommended that you only take the mixture for two to three weeks; then a break of about a week is going to be ideal.

There are many herbal remedies out there, but remember that you don't always need to go to a health store to get them! Sometimes, you can simply head to your local grocery store. Celery, either raw or cooked, is often used to treat inflammation and given the fact that scientists have found more than 25 different anti-inflammatory compounds in this vegetable, it is no wonder. To get the full effect of celery, you can eat it or you can make it into a tea. To make it into a tea, simply take a teaspoon of celery seeds and put it into a cup of boiling water. After covering it and letting it stand for fifteen minutes, you can strain it and drink it. You can drink up to three cups a day if the pain gets bad.

When you are looking for herbal remedies for arthritis, you will find that there are many options that are open to you. Finding the right natural remedy for arthritis that really suits you is something that can be a little difficult, but keep looking. The right herbal solution for you is out there!

Arthritis Treatment: What New Scientific Progress Is Being Made With Stem Cells?

Deciphering the advances made in stem cell (SC) science can be a daunting task. Since there is so much interest and so much debate regarding the ethics of embryonic SC research as well as scientific techniques used to culture SCs, there has been intense competition among researchers to trumpet their exploits.

In fact, the interplay among the various scientific factions plays out like a soap opera.

Nonetheless some of the discoveries warrant attention. While much of this is basic research, the implications for applications to medical conditions such as arthritis treatment are obvious.

First, a study entitled, "Induced Pluripotent Cell Lines Derived From Human Somatic Cells" (Yu J, Vodyanik MA, Smuga-Otto K, et al) from Science.

These researchers demonstrated that taking a cell nucleus and implanting it in a mammalian egg using viruses can reprogram an adult tissue cell to regress to an earlier state. This is called an induced pluripotential SC and has all the properties an embryonic SC might. The point the authors make is that this type of cell "should be useful in the production of new disease models and in drug development, as well as for applications in transplantation medicine."

The cells used here were fibroblasts, a vague type of cell found in many areas of the body.

As if listening and digesting this information, other researchers also published a paper in Science a bit later (Okita K, Nakagawal M, Henjong H, et al. Generation of Mouse Induced Pluripotential Stem Cells Without Viral Vectors).

And you guessed it. They reported the ability to produce induced pluripotential SCs without using viral vectors. They used mouse embryonic cells. The benefit here is that this technique avoids the possibility of cancer development.

And another interesting study, entitled, "SHED: Stem Cells From Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth" (Miura M, Gronthos S, Zhao M, et al) demonstrated that multipotent SCs could be obtained from baby teeth. That cuts the tooth fairy out of the equation. The authors point out,
"naturally exfoliated human organ contains a population of SCs that are completely different from previously identified SCs. SHED are not only derived from a very accessible tissue resource but are also capable of providing enough cells for potential clinical application. Thus, exfoliated teeth may be an unexpected unique resource for SC therapies including autologous SC transplantation and tissue engineering. "

The disadvantage here is that the SCs generated are multipotential, meaning their ability to differentiate is not as great as the pluripotential models.

And finally, this gem entitled, "Generation of Pluripotential Stem Cells From Adult Mouse Liver and Stomach Cells" (Aoi T, Yae K, Nakagawa M, et al).

The researchers here used a technique to make pluripotential SCs from adult mouse liver and stomach cells. And these cells had all the capabilities of embryonic SCs.

Bottom line: Hot competition in this arena! Fortunately, the easy availability of autologous SCs helps us out right now as far as arthritis treatment is concerned.

Important Characteristics of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

At mere mention of arthritis, the description that will enter most people's minds will most probably be painful joints. In actuality, arthritis is a broad medical term that is utilized to refer to over a hundred conditions that are associated to joint aches and pain. The most common and popular types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

According to statistics, there are over 20 million people who are suffering from osteoarthritis in the United States. Meanwhile, only about 2 million have rheumatoid arthritis. However, since the symptoms of these two conditions have lots of similarities, many are actually misdiagnosing their joint problems. Even if the suggested treatments are almost the same for the two conditions, it is still advisable that you determine which type of arthritis you are really suffering from before you take any medications or undergo alternative medicine treatment.

To give you a preview of these two joint woes, read the descriptions below.

Osteoarthritis

1. Basically, osteoarthritis is brought about by the wear and tear of a joint. Injuries and the aging process are the most common culprits to the development of this problem.

2. The usual symptoms of this condition include pain and stiffness of the joint.

3. Sometimes you will also see that the problematic joint is enlarged or is swelling.

4. In osteoarthritis, the stiffness or difficulty to move your knees or affected joints gets worse as the day progresses.

5. The people who usually get this condition are older people and even athletes because of the wearing down of joints due to excessive use.

6. Generally, osteoarthritis triggers pain in the larger joints, such as the knees and the hips.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Basically, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The problem with the joints is not due to excessive usage or wear and tear. The inflammation and damage to the joints and surrounding tissues are because of the misguided attack of the immune system of healthy tissues.

2. Aside from pain, tenderness and redness of the joints, other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include limited range of movement and extended morning stiffness. In some people, however, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and even fever are also apparent.

3. Since this problem is caused by the immune system, anyone can get rheumatoid arthritis, even young people. However, it usually begins at middle age and becomes so much worse as the patient ages.

4. Stiffness and pain of the joints commonly last for about 30 minutes after a long period of inactivity or rest, particularly in the morning.

5. In rheumatoid arthritis, symmetrical swelling is apparent. This simply means that both your elbows, hands and other extremities will swell and be affected by this problem.

6. In general, the joints affected by this condition are the ones that are closest to the base of parts like your fingers or hands. In fact, rheumatoid arthritis usually attacks smaller joints, particularly the ankles and the hands.

7. Early detection is imperative in this condition because in just 24 months, rheumatoid arthritis can already cause serious damage to the joints.

If you are suffering from either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, popping a pain medication may not be the only solution to reduce the tenderness and aches. Improving your diet, boosting your immune system and exercising regularly are all needed for you to be able to cope with your condition and prevent your joints from being damaged further. Moreover, you might need to take natural supplements to help protect your joints. However, it would be wise to seek doctor's advice before you take anything.

To help ease the arthritic pain, tenderness and stiffness safely and effectively, you may want to try Flexcerin.

The Importance of Arthritis Knee Support

One way to treat arthritis pain and provide stability is with the proper arthritis knee support. For many patients suffering from osteoarthritis in the knee, a knee support will give them the relief and support they need.

Types of Knee Braces

There are several different types of arthritis knee support braces to choose from. In order to get the best fit you should always discuss knee support devices with your doctor or health professional. Most physical therapists are well versed in the use of knee support and can also offer helpful and knowledgeable advice.

The type of knee brace you chose will depend primarily on the location of the affected area.

A medial arthritis knee support brace will support the inside of the knee joint. A lateral brace will give stability to the outside of the knee joint, and a patellofemoral brace stabilizes the area behind the kneecap.

These types of braces are usually recommended for patients who suffer osteoarthritis and cartilage loss of the knee joint.

Breaking It Down: Different Types of Knee Braces

Arthritis knee support devices can be broken down even more into specific types of braces. One popular type of brace is the single piece sleeve. This brace is made from durable neoprene and is the basic type of knee brace. To put on the brace you simply pull it on over the foot and up to the knee. This brace is for mild osteoarthritis only.

An unloader brace is made from molded materials such as plastic or foam. Inside the mold are metal bars that limit the range of motion of the knee joint. This type of brace is individually fit to each patient. It works by moving the pain from the affected area with pressure.

Other Treatments

Medication is also popular treatment for the early stages of the disease. Medication is usually used to control pain until such time that you can begin a treatment plan. During this time you will work with a physical therapist and also do exercises at home. The goal is to not have to take pain medications for life.

Some patients will benefit from a simple change of diet with exercise. Overweight people are prone to arthritis of knee because of the added pressure on the joints due to their weight. Dieting and exercise can help overweight people get control of their weight and relieve pressure on the joints.

Knee joint surgery and knee replacement surgery are usually reserved for those persons who have not had success with other treatment options. In some cases this is the only way to reverse the damage and ease the pain.

Joint replacement surgery is performed everyday and considered very safe and successful.

If you decide to try using an arthritis knee support device it is important to consider all of your options. As mentioned earlier, your doctor will know the best type of brace for your specific condition. The success of the arthritis knee support device depends on your dedication - wear it always.

Osteoarthritis Supplements That Work Best

As a disease that is suffered by millions, osteoarthritis has left many of those affected looking for the perfect remedy or supplements to help alleviate the pain.

There are many of dietary supplements available on the market today to choose from, but knowing which osteoarthritis relief supplement that really works best can be tricky. Use the information below to find out which natural supplements work best to deal with and control osteoarthritis.

Glucosamine is one the more popular supplements to help with osteoarthritis relief. It works by stimulating cartilage formation, which is badly needed in repairing the joints. It can actually be bought as glucosamine sulfate as well as hydrochloride. Both are known to help relieve pain.

Another form of dietary relief that is often recommended by health practitioners is chondroitin. When used in combination with other dietary accompaniments, it can help ease pain and delay the narrowing of joint space.

MSM or methylsulfonylmethane is another commonly used osteoarthritis supplement that is found in many fruits, vegetables and meats. Since it possesses anti-inflammatory properties, it can also help reduce to pain caused by the disease.

However, if you want to go for a completely natural supplement that works best for the osteoarthritis, look no further than the Omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements. Omega 3 is known to provide the most effective solution in treating joint inflammation conditions. Even better, there are no negative side effects from taking them.

Researches have discovered that Omega 3 fish oil supplements can really help reduce joint pain and inflammation caused by the disease. They are also beneficial to the health of the heart, digestive system, skin and more.Though taking osteoarthritis supplements such as fish oil can do wonders for your osteoarthritis problems, you may also want to include regular exercises as well.

Remember, the best way to deal with osteoarthritis should not totally rely on the supplements you take. You will also need to live a healthier lifestyle. This way, the benefits you get can last longer instead of just something that is short term. Try to maintain a healthy weight, take adequate rest and eat a healthy diet consisting of omega-3 supplements in the form of fish oil supplements. If you are consistent, your osteoarthritis will soon be a thing of the past.

Now that you understand the benefits of fish oil supplements, take a look at the products on my website that I use myself, along with other good tips and advice.