Arthritis In Knee: Symptoms and Treatment Options

Arthritis in knee is common, although much more common forms of arthritis are found to be in the hands and fingers.

Arthritis in the knee is most commonly known as osteoarthritis. People who suffer with osteoarthritis in their knees may start to notice some stiffness and swelling around the knee cap. These symptoms may get better throughout the day if you encourage regular movement to stop your knees from seizing up.

Osteoarthritis occurs because the body breaks down the cartilage around the joints, this break down can end with the total loss of joint cartilage. When the cartilage breaks down, the bones become inflamed, this inflammation can causes bone protrusions.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis in knees are:

• Sharp pains in the knee area,


• Periods of stiffness which may or may not ease throughout the day.


• Movement difficulties.

Some individuals with osteoarthritis in the knees may not have any noticeable symptoms. This can be because the osteoarthritis develops slowly.

If you have arthritis in knee, natural treatments are available and they may help you cope with the symptoms. These can include;

Red pepper, aids the circulatory system. This can be made into a paste and then rubbed onto the skin of the affected area. Red pepper can also be incorporated into your daily diet.

Cayenne pepper, you can apply this as a paste to the skin or as I stated above or you can incorporate this in foods. This food aids the heart by acting as a stimulant. This can increase the flow of blood throughout the body and will result in a natural pain reliever being produced by the body.

Ginger, is an anti inflammatory this can reduce the aches and pains that are caused by inflammation.

Garlic, aids blood flow in the body, this boost of blood flow can reduce inflammation and may reduce any pain.

A gentle massage of the knees could reduce the aches and pains, this can also increase blood flow. By incorporating an oil into the massage you will be promoting healthy, supple skin.

If you are able to make the required changes to your diet you may start to notice improvements after 2 - 3 weeks. In conjunction will a healthy diet you should try to do at least 30 - 60 minutes of light exercise per day.

If osteoarthritis symptoms are no longer manageable and the pain you are experiencing gets unbearable contact your doctor or other health professional, they will be able to give you adequate advice and they may prescribe pain relief.

Arthritis in knee is a common form of arthritis, symptoms can be dealt with although this condition can not be cured. You will find that you can be prescribed pain relief and ointments or lotions to help cope with the symptoms. In early arthritis in the knee you can reduce the speed that the cartilage breaks down. Anti inflammatory medication will help reduce swelling and soreness.

Arthritis in knee is very common, all symptoms can be dealt with effectively. If you require more information consult a doctor or other health professional.

How To Deal With Arthritis And Its Symptoms

There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis and related conditions. The word arthritis comes from "art her" (joint) and "it is" (inflammation). It is used to describe a wide range of diseases of the joints and related tissues that cause pain, stiffness and sometimes joint deformities and loss of function. Some kinds of arthritis also attack the skin and internal organs. You may have heard arthritis mentioned to as rheumatism or rheumatic disease: the terms are used interchangeably and arthritis specialists are called rheumatologists. The risk of getting many kinds of arthritis increases as we age.

Today, joint diseases account for half of all debilitating conditions in people aged 60 and older. Because medicine and diet are helping us live longer, more people than ever will develop osteoarthritis in the future. Other forms of arthritis also attack children and people in the prime of life. Some of these rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus are very serious. Arthritis can be a complex condition to diagnose and treat. Many people, especially as they age, develop osteoarthritis, in addition, to other kinds of arthritis, or are also being treated for other debilitating diseases, such as heart disease or type two diabetes. Moreover, because no two individuals have exactly the same symptoms, your doctor will most likely prescribe a combination of treatments adjusted specifically for you.

A team approach is recommended for treating; the severe types of arthritis.When treating chronic ailments, doctors today are increasingly open to the idea of including some complementary therapies. The cause of most kinds of arthritic condition is not known, nor is there a cure for the majority of them. Many symptoms do respond to treatment. By working closely with your healthcare team and using a combination of conventional medications, complementary therapies and exercise, you can minimize the effects of this age-old disease and remain active.

Some kinds of arthritis need early and aggressive treatment to prevent or lessen irreversible bone damage. Infectious arthritis, for example, can be cured when treated with antibiotics-if you think you probably have an infection, call your doctor at once. Joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis can be reduced or prevented with powerful drugs. If you notice any of the following symptoms see your doctor. Consent or recurring pain or tenderness in a joint that lasts for more than two weeks. Swelling in one or more joints, especially with warmth and redness. Hardness around the joints that last a minimum for an hour in the early morning. Sudden difficulty using or moving a joint normally.

Arthritis Knee Pain - Joint Pain Causes

Understanding what causes joint pain is important as it helps you to be better able to prevent and lesson joint pains. Fortunately there are many joint pain relief treatments to enable you to lead a normal life and to enjoy everyday activities, and depending on the cause of the pain, relief can be either temporary or permanent.

Joint pain causes can vary, and can be related to many conditions other than Arthritis. Our joints are cushioned by cartilage and supported by muscles, tendons and ligaments. Everyday activity, aging, injury, obesity and repetitive motion all place stress on the joints and will ultimately cause the supporting structures to wear down over time. Common causes include unusual exertion or overuse of joints including strains or sprains, injury (including fracture), Gout (especially found in the big toe), Tendonitis, Bursitis and Lupus. Causes can also include infectious diseases such as Influenza, Measles, Rheumatic Fever, Hepatitis, German Measles and Chickenpox. When joint pains strike, sufferers are often thrown off balance and made to change their daily routine because of the nature of the pains. Adopting proper health and diet routines can also help delay the need to look for joint pain relief.

Let's look at joint pain causes as they directly relate to Arthritis.

Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints caused by wear and tear, injury or any infection. There are over 100 different types of Arthritis - all cause pain and swelling and limit movement in joints and connective tissue. This inflamed condition of the joints is mostly seen in the elderly people. It comes from two Greek words, athron meaning joints and itis meaning inflammation. It affects almost half of the population of the world and, in the United States alone, approximately 50 million people suffer from one type of arthritis. Arthritis is more common than cancer and heart problems although does not have the level of fatalities associated with these conditions.

Osteoarthritis, the most common joint disorder, results from the loss of bone tissue from the joints and is also known as "wear and tear" Arthritis. Osteoarthritis involves growth of bone spurs and degeneration of cartilage at a joint. The symptoms usually occur in middle age and it quite common in adults older than 50 years of age. Interestingly as the age of the sufferer increases the occurrence is more likely in women, and there are many studies on the association between Osteoarthritis and Menopause. It is mainly related to aging but other factors such as a person's metabolism and genetic history can all be an influence. Often patients who have a history of taking certain types of medication, such as cortisone, can also be more susceptible.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the joints resulting in stiffness and pain. Normally our bodies are very efficient at taking care of keeping viruses and the like at bay, but when the immune system malfunctions it confuses healthy tissue for foreign substances and the body attacks itself. Ligaments and tendons that join the bones and muscle become inflamed and the result is pain in the effected joint. Rheumatoid Arthritis can be quite effectively treated with medications, although some of the treatments can have side effects that are difficult to manage. This disease can occur at any age but is most likely to occur in women. The course and the severity of the illness can vary considerably, with some sufferer's being pain free for years while their medication is working efficiently. Infection, genes, and hormones may contribute to the disease.

Both Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis are major contributors to joint pain causes.

Natural Cure for Joint Pains and Osteoarthritis

If you are currently suffering from joint pains, osteoporosis and other joint-related diseases, then you are part of the 140-million statistics in the United States.

According to a study conducted by Maryland Medical Center, osteoarthritis or a condition wherein a joint cartilage degenerates is common among individuals reaching the age of 45 and this condition may continue to worsen as they age. While these conditions have become usual, the pains can be bothersome. This has also lead several patients to seek for natural cure for joint pains and osteoarthritis, such as Fast Joint Care+.

Fast Joint Care+ Product Details

Fast Joint Care+ is a revolution that relieves several types of joint pains as well as improves flexibility and considerable amount of stiffness in the joints.

Fast Joint Care+ features:

繚 Fast-acting effects. Relief can be felt in as fast as 7 days.

繚 Aside from relieving symptoms, it also helps improve over-all and long-term joint health.

繚 You only need to take one capsule a day.

繚 Its main ingredient, Natural Eggshell Membrane or NEM簧 is proven good supplement for the joints. This enables the body to build flexibility and mobility due to Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and other proteins essential to build and improve joint health.

The NEM簧 Advantage

The main advantage of NEM簧 is its source. It comes from natural eggshell membrane, which means natural cure for joint pains and osteoarthritis.

According to two clinical studies published in the US National Library of Medicine, NEM簧 is a possible natural supplement for those suffering from joint and connective tissue disorders. A 500mg NEM簧 can work as fast as one week, and when taken consistently within a month, significant improvements in joints can already be observed.

What NEM簧's components do:

The clinical studies on NEM簧's components also revealed that Glucosamine and chondroitin together with methylsulfonylmethane has been largely used as relief for joint pains brought along by osteoarthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin are popular for their support for cartilage matrix.

Hyraulonic acid and fucose are components often lacking among osteoarthritis patients; complement the proper functioning of joint tissues and serve as cushion for cartilages.

Dermatan sulfate is reported to have important roles of holding collagen and supports the structure of cartilage tissues.

No side effects

Because of the natural ingredients found on Fast Joint Care+, there are no side effects and it is a natural cure for joint pain relief and osteoarthritis. And because it is derived from a natural source, a patient is also less prone to allergies.

Fast Joint Care+is a good food supplement especially for aging people and those who live a highly active lifestyle. When excessive force is put into the joints due to strenuous activities, the aging process of the tissues may also increase. Taking Fast Joint Care+ could be of relief, however, it is still best to consult your doctor before doing anything with your body.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Natural Treatment Discovered

I am a big believer in rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment options. These types of options are aimed at addressing the underlying dysfunction in the body and not just treating the symptoms. This is the real way to true health and helping your disease. RA is the most common autoimmune disease in the world affecting approximately 1% of people. Women are three times more likely to suffer than men. It is sad that finding rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment options can be very difficult.

Generally rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment choices aren't even pointed out instead of medicines in mainstream medicine. The reality that individuals are not really provided an alternative choice to medicines and medicine is unfair. Frequently many people will probably be not aware that a rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment is available. This information will talk about some of the things you are able to put into action directly into your way of life to begin healing the body and restoring your wellbeing. It may be considered a two step course of action. Getting rid of poor food items plus exchanging them with great food items.

The utilization of medications and drugs in the management of RA is absolutely missing the big picture. Drugs are typically dedicated to symptomatic care. And even though alleviating the symptoms is obviously crucial it genuinely misses the greater picture. Symptomatic relief can be had by covering up your symptoms with drugs, even though the true main cause has long been present in the body. Drug treatments do nothing at all to end the true actual reason behind autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment can not merely provide symptomatic reduction but will also address the true underlying reason behind your complaint.

Eating modifications are among the several things that will supply rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment. Getting rid of certain known foods that trigger inflammation and cause over activity from the immune system really are a excellent starting place. Should you dismiss these types of food items, it's possible that every day that you are activating your immune system and creating more signs and symptoms for yourself. There's a selection of food items which have been recognized as contributors, however an excellent starting place could be getting rid of wheat along with dairy. I understand these are generally large recommended food groups and also at initially many people believe that it really is impossible. The truth is that it will take some understanding to understand the way to include the dietary plan change. Getting rid of meals is simply one facet of rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment.

When we all have taken out the harmful food products from the diet, we can easily exchange these for wholesome in addition to beneficial foods. In the same way you can find certain foods that increase inflammation, you can find food products that can lower inflammation. Cold water fish is shown to lower inflammation. Additionally, there are several handy food supplements which will help with inflammation and also promoting joint health. Despite the fact that eating habits does play a crucial role in rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment, additionally, there are other factors that will contribute too. Psychological and mental stress can be another part of health that will have an effect on our well being. An all-natural method that addresses both these factors is the best rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment.

Arthritis Treatment: How Painful Is a Stem Cell Procedure for Osteoarthritis Treatment?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a wear and tear disease of articular cartilage. It arises as a result of the lack of ability of cartilage to keep up with excessive breakdown. It's a common disorder affecting more than 20 million Americans.

So far, the treatment of osteoarthritis is mostly symptomatic. Various medicines, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), exercises, physical therapy, and injections are used to provide palliative relief. Ultimately, patients will go on to have knee replacement surgery.

More recently, attempts at cartilage repair through the use of autologous (a patient's own) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has shown promise.

Noted initially in animal models such as goats, sheep, and rabbits, the reparative benefit of autologous stem cells has also been reported anecdotally in humans.

There are multiple descriptions regarding technique. The most common is to centrifuge bone marrow or fat to concentrate the stem cells and then inject them into the joint.

While the simplicity of this approach is appealing, it is probably not effective.

MSCs migrate to areas of new injury. If the surrounding environment is conducive to their survival, they will undergo multiplication and differentiation and populate any framework that is provided in order to begin the reparative process.

That being said, all of the above factors need to be in place in order to achieve the desired outcome.

There must be an area of new injury that attracts the MSCs; there must be a favorable environment with growth factors that stimulate MSC differentiation and multiplication; and finally, there must be a suitable framework that provides sanctuary for the MSCs in a hostile environment.

A proper MSC procedure will require the expert use of various anesthetics. Anesthetic needs to be administered in the form of both local soft tissue as well as regional block. Knowledge of anatomy as well as the use of diagnostic ultrasound to localize nerves is important. Also, knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of the various anesthetics is important in order to avoid toxicity.

Finally, if arthroscopy is needed in order to better visualize the area or to deliver the acute injury at a specific site, the use of intra-articular anesthesia is critical.

General anesthesia is not required.

Obviously, there is some discomfort associated with the administration of anesthetics. After all, how can a needle stick be rendered absolutely painless? However, when properly done for OA, a MSC procedure will be somewhat uncomfortable but should not be overwhelmingly painful.

Ironically, most of the discomfort occurs after the procedure because the nature of a regenerative procedure requires the aid of a robust inflammatory response to deliver healing.

Try A Natural Diet For Arthritis Pain Relief

I got rid of my arthritis and arthritis pain forever by eating a natural living food diet. I found relief from my arthritis pain, naturally, and you can do it too.

Arthritis concentrates in one or several joints where deterioration occurs. To get the arthritis pain relief you're seeking it's helpful to understand how arthritis works. The first step when looking for solutions to an arthritis pain problem is to understand how arthritis works.

The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement. Collagen is the main protein found in all connective tissues in the body, including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The ability to make repairs to cartilage becomes limited as cartilage cells age.

Most experts now believe that osteoarthritis results from a genetic susceptibility that causes a biologic response to injuries to the joint, which leads to progressive deterioration of cartilage. Genetic factors are thought to be involved in about 50% of osteoarthritis cases in the hands and hips and a somewhat lower percentage of cases in the knee. An inflammatory response causes cytokines, to gather in injured areas and cause inflammation and damage to body tissue and cells; it's known to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis and other muscle and joint problems associated with autoimmune diseases.

Try massaging your fingers or other affected joints with coconut oil twice a day. Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, refined, packaged and processed food. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question the value of these supplements; it's clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly.

If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a radical change in your diet and an ongoing commitment. Make smoothies with fruit only using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost -- no one will ever know. Making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water, is helpful to many people I know.

Try avoiding the eight most allergic foods, wheat being the most allergenic; they are wheat, corn, eggs, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish and some nuts, not all. One natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods, that is, foods that are not alive.

I know quite a few people who are drinking tart cherry juice to relieve their arthritis pain; but is has to be the tart kind though. Some of the supplements commonly used for relieving arthritis pain, but I don't know if any of these work, are: glucosamine, chondroitin, bromelain, grapeseed extract, omega-3 and omega-6, cod liver oil, manganese ascorbate, MSM, boron, niacinamide, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

To be on the safe side always seek your doctor's advice before starting or changing your exercise program. A good exercise routine is the key to beating arthritis and relieving arthritis pain. If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty made for this purpose or exercising with two Chinese chime balls called Taiji balls. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall health.

Your body has 147 different joints that are in motion every day of your life. Exercise your affected joints every day, to keep them flexible. Stretching and warming up the joints should always be the first step in your exercise routine to make your joints more flexible, just be careful you don't do further damage-proceed slowly..

Be aware that the use of NSAIDs or Cox-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten the onset.

Once you become more informed about arthritis you'll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both. For conventional treatment of arthritis - if you do choose to take drugs or medications, be very careful and read the labels thoroughly.

Following these suggestions can help you get back in the swing of things fast and allow you to spend your days enjoying life once more. Arthritis pain relief is the ultimate goal - understanding arthritis is a good way to get there. Begin your treatment program with a diet change, exercise and weight loss plan to see incredible results and fast pain relief.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment - Each Type of Arthritis Has Its Own Method

Are you looking for some inside information on rheumatoid arthritis treatment? Here's an up-to-date report from arthritis experts who should know.

If your rheumatoid arthritis facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important arthritis information slip by you.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the joints (arthritis), and that can lead to incapacitation functioning of patients affected.

It is believed that the origin of the disease is a change of the immune system, which will act against the body's own protein and located in the joints (although it can also act on other sites of the body).

The first description of the disease was made in 1800 by Landré Beauvais.

Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment must start as early as possible to prevent the progression of the disease thus avoiding possible permanent deformities.

The goals of treatment are generally: to prevent joint damage and improve the quality of life and reduction of pain.

The drug treatment is based on the use of medicines for relief of symptoms and drugs that modify the course of the disease.

There are the anti-steroids (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, and in the second case: hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, leflunomide, azathioprine, cyclosporine and others.

In some more serious cases it is necessary to surgery due to the restriction of movement of the patient.

People, as they get older, increasing their risk of getting sick, getting diseases, and getting infected. This is why a person should continually need vitamins, healthy diet, adequate and regular exercise, and clean environment. There are also cases where we can not prevent these diseases, because some are hereditary and can be passed in the name of a person, even at the moment of his birth. There are also some cases, one of which has no choice but to accept the degenerative characteristics of an organism's and parts, which will transform really weak if it reaches a certain age.

Arthritis can also be examined like this. Sometimes, even when people try to prevent or avoid such joint disorder, arthritis will penetrate a little of the body, seep into joints and in-between spaces, and attacking the same person without knowing why and how. Sometimes, it is a Gene's --- is only inherited, or is just giving a signal that the person who is getting older by the day, or is only autoimmune and is part of the body process, or is just a person of negligence and unhealthy habits, or simply want to know that attack without any reason at all.

Therefore, in knowing these scenarios, the best way to combat this disease is to consult a physician if the symptoms are so slowly showing that it will not move towards a more serious case. Nowadays, people already have various arthritis treatments to choose from. These arthritis treatments should not be taken or recklessly implemented without proper prescription or another, it can only aggravate the disease. Since there are different types of arthritis, affecting young and old, the patient should heed your doctor for advice on what to do, what to take, what to eat, what to avoid, etc.

One of the main reasons why a patient should do it is because of the various types of arthritis, there are different sets of arthritis treatments available. We must not only have what you think is good for him, just because he is good and applicable to a different person. He must understand that arthritis treatments --- although physical and occupational therapies, medicines, joint replacement, or surgery --- should be directed to any type of arthritis the person has. It is because some therapies can be good for a person with rheumatoid arthritis, but it is not good for people with osteoarthritis. Some medicines can be harmful to someone with this certain type of arthritis, but these may be very useful for a person with another type of arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should know that even if some arthritis treatments may be harvested only over-the-counter or some therapies and exercises may just be within reach, we still should consult a doctor to see if it is good for them or not.

Sometimes it's tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I'm positive you'll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.

What Is the Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis?

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Studies indicate that 30-35% of the psoriasis suffering population will also get psoriatic arthritis. This is type of arthritis causes swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints and long term effects are joint damage and deformity. We will discuss treatment for psoriatic arthritis and the latest treatments available to you in this publication.

Because psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is an immune system disease and not a skin disease it is believed that your genes and environmental factors, like your life style play a part in bringing on this aspect of the disease. It usually appears in those between the ages of 30-50 years of age.

Because you already have psoriasis you need to be aware that you are a candidate for this disease and seek medical attention when you think you might have symptoms or better yet start living better now before you cause joint damage, deterioration and deformity latter on in life.

What is the Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis?

You might like to know that there is not any lab test for psoriatic arthritis. If you have psoriasis and have the symptoms of arthritis then you probably have it. They will stick needles in your joints and pull fluid out to see what they might find like gout crystals or something else, but no definite test results. They have test for other types of arthritis so by process of elimination they will be able to determine psoriatic arthritis and prescribe a psoriatic arthritis treatment.

This can be a very painful and debilitating disease and something you should not take lightly. Remember, you have psoriasis and there is a 30-35% chance you will get arthritis.

Usually the treatment for psoriatic arthritis involves exercise and inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs. These are a non-steroid medication and support inflammation, stiffness, and fever but may cause ulcers and internal bleeding with prolonged use. If these drugs are no longer effective they move on to other medications like: methotrxate, corticosteroids, and antimalarial medications.

The exercise programs can be done at home or in a medical facility if you need the support and assistance. These routines would be tailored to the individual and the capabilities the patient or sufferer still obtained in their daily life or from one outbreak to the other.

When finished it is usually best practice to stretch afterwards, take a warm shower or use hot compacts on the joints. The use of Ice packs is also a way of reducing the swelling and soreness that usually follow a workout routine.

Your exercising routine should be done on regular schedule. This type of treatment for psoriatic arthritis is to build and maintain strength in the muscles, skeleton, joints and encourage flexibility in the joints.

Wow, I don't know about you but I really do not want to have to go through all of that. I have psoriasis and have dealt with it for over 20 years and I have bouts of pain but mine comes with my age and living life in the fast lane, back in the day. I don't worry about aches and pains today! Normal aches and pains are a part of life.

Looked into alternatives when it comes to your psoriatic arthritis. The old methods of seeing your doctor and trying everything they have to offer has not seemed to work out to well for a lot of us. Maybe try looking at it naturally.

EFT - Osteoarthritis Knee Pain Uncovers Unresolved Grief

Stella (not her real name) came to see me in September 2008 because she had osteoarthritis in her right knee, swelling due to a Baker's cyst (a benign swelling found behind the knee joint); and she had quite a bit of pain. Her family doctor told her all that the only thing that could be done was to take analgesics for the pain, and ice on the knee. She could also have a steroid shot in the knee.

Stella was taking the analgesics, and her stomach was feeling terrible. She wanted to know if she could get relief with EFT. I told her we could work on the emotional components of her pain and arthritis and that it might or might not be a one minute miracle. We've been having sessions once a week since mid September 2008 (we're in mid-November), her pain was at a 9 and her leg was quite swollen from the knee down to her ankle when we started. Some of the phrases we have tapped on include:

Even if I have this burning pain in my right knee
Even if I was dismayed to hear I had develop osteoarthritis
Even if I have osteoarthritis
Even if the doctor smiled as she gave me the diagnosis
Even if the doctor told me this will never be cured
Even if the doctor doesn't want to be bothered by my symptoms
Even if my knee is sore when I wake up in the morning
Even if I can't sit crossed legged anymore

We were not getting much relief, when she mentioned that when she called her mother, to share what the doctor had said, her mother was ecstatic!

Even if my mother was happy that I developed osteoarthritis
Even if I can hear the glee in her voice
Even if I'm scared I'm going to end up as crippled by arthritis as she is
Even if I swore I wouldn't be like her, and now I have her disease

We also tapped on her "worst" mother memory. At the end of the session, Stella's pain had gone down to a 6, and her leg was still swollen.

By now, I was intrigued on why we were making so little progress. The next session, I invited Stella to close her eyes and imagine she was going inside her knee. She drank an "invisible shrinking potion" (she's a Harry Potter fan) and went into the knee accompanied by Professor Dumbledore as backup support. She described the inside of her knee as a cavern that was very red, with a pipe that was tied up in a knot and leaking some liquid goo that was just lying there.

Even if the cavern looks very red.
Even if the pipe is tied up in a knot
Even if the pipe is dripping liquid goo
Even if this liquid goo is just lying there

Then I asked what emotion she felt as she looked around. She said she felt she was choking, and there was sadness.

We tapped for the choking and the sadness, and what came up was a memory of her dad saying goodbye to her and telling her that he and her mom were getting a divorce, and she had never cried and kept it all in. Stella had been 7 at the time, she didn't have anyone to talk to and felt she had to be brave.

We tapped on:
Even if Daddy is saying goodbye, I was such a good girl.
Even if I was so sad, and confused and lonely
Even if I didn't want Daddy to leave
Even if Daddy looks so sad
He's holding his hat in his hands
Even if I was brave, I now choose to express my sadness.
Even if I was choked up, I can now express how I feel

Stella was connecting for the first time to all the feelings she had buried about the experience, and expressing them as we did round after round.

Even if I am so incredibly sad
Even if I feel so hurt
Even if I feel so lonely
Even if I feel that I did something to cause this

After this session, the pain went down to 0, and the swelling was reduced by 80%. Also, she said that the inside of her knee now looked pink and shiny. There was a lot less goo on the floor, and the pipe looked straight and normal.

We have continued working on that event, and included her relationship with her mother during her parents divorce. Stella can now go up and down the stairs without pain, and she can sit cross legged for short periods. She still has some swelling on her knee; the Baker's cyst has not completely disappeared, there has been a huge improvement and we're still tapping!

As of January, 2009, her swelling and pain have completely disappeared. She can kneel once more and sit cross-legged! She has been tapping every day and doing sessions once a week!

More Complete Arthritis Supplement

People accept arthritic disease as a 'natural part of the aging process', but sometimes the pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and over 100 other forms of arthritis so intolerable, prompting people to look for effective treatment.

Prescription drugs such as VIOXX, Bextra and Celebrex (arthritic painkillers) - and many other COX-2 inhibitors widely used for arthritic treatment - have been investigated following studies into their negative cardiovascular side effects. VIOXX alone has been linked to around 140,000 cases of coronary heart disease in the US since 1999.

More and more people look for alternative solutions for arthritis pain and more and more people are buying the combination of Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSN, as studies have shown that Glucosamine and Chondroitin help in the repair and maintenance of cartilage.

Both inflammation and oxidative stress function are primary degenerative mechanisms in the development and progression of osteoarthritis. While researchers believe that glucosamine inhibits inflammation and stimulates cartilage cell growth and chondroitin provides cartilage with strength and resilience, specific amino acids is also need for overall impact.

Amino acids are the building blocks that make up protein. Vitamins and minerals will not perform their specific functions effectively if the necessary amino acids are not present.

Three amino acids are critical to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory functions: cysteine, glutathione, and taurine.

Cysteine influences the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), which plays an important role in the inflammatory response by influencing the production of phagocytes.

Taurine acts as a specific scavenger for the hypochlorite ion, a free radical. Adequate levels of taurine naturally limit the degree of inflammation. When taurine is low, the inflammatory response is enhanced, commonly resulting in oxidative stress reactions.

Other amino acid imbalances may also impact the etiology of osteoarthritis - particularly methionine metabolism. Normally, B12 and folate are necessary for the body to metabolize homocysteine to methionine, the essential amino acid the body needs to produce S-adenosylmethionine. Numerous clinical trials have shown that S-adenosylmethionine can greatly reduce degenerative damage and symptoms of osteoarthritis in some patients, including related depression.

Imbalances of amino acids may also signal key deficiencies of vitamins and minerals integral to the musculoskeletal system. Experimental studies show that impaired cartilage structure can be induced by a vitamin B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 triggers the transformation of the amino acid homocysteine to cystathionine and then to cysteine and its urinary metabolites.

Not all amino acids are same. Amino acids can be derived from a variety of sources, including plants, meats, fish and cartilage.

For arthritis treatment, the most compatible amino acid source is animal cartilage, including porcine, borvine cartilages and young chicken keel. Joint TLC is one of such products (www.holistictlc.com) that combines chondroitin, glucosamine and essential amino acids that promotes joint health, but this combination is still rare as most still use MSN in the place of cartilage derived amino acids, as MSN, for the marketer, is less expensive.

References:

1 Bradley JD, Flusser D, Katz BP, Schumacher HR Jr, Brandt KD, Chambers MA, Zonay LJ. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of intravenous loading with S-adenosyltmethionine (SAM) followed by oral SAM therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 1994;21(5):905-11.

2 Barcelo HA, Wiemeyer JC, Sagasta CL, Macias M, Barreira JC. Experimental osteoarthritis and its course when treated with S-adenosyl-L-methionine. [Spanish} Rev Clin Esp 1990;187(20:74-78.

3 Konig B. A long-term (two years) clinical trial with S-adenosylmethionine for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Am J Med 1987;83(5A):89-94.

4 Baldessarini RJ. Neuropharmacology of S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Am J Med 1987;83(5A):95-103.

5 di Padova C. S-adenosylmethionine in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Review of the clinical studies. Am J Med 1987;83(5A):60-5.

6 Flynn MA, Irvin W, Krause G. The effect of folate and cobalamin on osteoarthritic hands. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13(4):351-6.

7 McCarty MF. The neglect of glucosamine as a treatment for osteoarthritis--a personal perspective. Med Hypotheses 1994;42(5):323-7.

8 Masse PG, Ziv I, Cole DE, Mahuren JD, Donovan SM, Yamauchi M, Howell DS. A cartilage matrix deficiency experimentally induced by vitamin B6 deficiency. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1998;217(1):97-103.

Winning the War on Osteoarthritis Joint Pain

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting about 21 million Americans. This degenerative disease causes limited range of motion in the affected joints and can affects the most basic of daily activities. In the worst cases, osteoarthritis results in debilitating pain.

Unlike other forms of arthritis, which are genetically linked, osteoarthritis affects people of every race, age and gender... athletes and couch potatoes alike. Despite the seemingly random nature of osteoarthritis, there are certain risk factors for developing the disease. Injury, aging and overweight all contribute to one's risk. Athletes, such as soccer and tennis players, are particularly susceptible to developing osteoarthritis due to the abnormal wear and tear on the weight bearing joints of their bodies.

Because of the progressive nature of osteoarthritis, continued use of the damaged joints causes the damage to worsen and pain to increase. Identifying osteoarthritis early can mean the difference between a lifetime of manageable or excruciating pain. Moreover, while it is possible to identify osteoarthritis early, it is impossible to cure the condition... this is why early detection and treatment are so vital.

In most cases, osteoarthritis develops over time and the pain is not constant. You may experience a stiff joint at first - particularly when rising from sleep or after prolonged periods of sitting. Perhaps your knee "gives out" when walking down stairs or crouching down. These could be signs of osteoarthritis.

The most important advice you may receive is to NOT ignore the pain and assume it will "just go away." If it is, indeed, osteoarthritis, the pain will not decrease with time. Taking action NOW is key to managing pain and keeping yourself healthy.

The first course of action many people take is over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications, called NSAIDs. These popular medications are advertised as cure-alls for whatever ails you, but they do not come without risks. From gastrointestinal upset to stroke, for some patients the treatment is worse than the disease! In fact, NSAIDs do nothing more than decrease inflammation temporarily. As the patient continues to use the medications, a larger dose is required to achieve a minimum level of relief.

There is another option for osteoarthritis suffers wanting immediate and lasting relief. With a lot of medical practitioners onboard now, more and more people are turning to natural supplementation that has proven itself effective over and over again - glucosamine and chondroitin.

To understand why glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation are so effective, it is important to understand what happens in a joint affected by osteoarthritis. Another name for osteoarthritis - wear-and-tear arthritis - gives some clue - the repeated use of a joint, "wear and tear," wears away the cartilage cushion in affected joints. The cartilage is worn away too quickly to be replenished and inflammation results as the bones make contact with each other.

Whereas NSAIDs provide only temporary relief by decreasing inflammation, supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin gives temporary and long-lasting relief. How? By giving the affected joints a booster shot of sorts with the very molecules needed to replenish damaged cartilage - glucosamine and chondroitin.

Natural Remedies For Wrist Arthritis Inflammation

Want natural remedies for wrist arthritis inflammation? Fish oil supplementation can help support the body's health and its efforts to provide natural relief from pain.

If you are among the millions of people who would like natural relief from the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis in the wrist or in other parts of the body, there are a few things you probably know by now. One of which is that natural remedies for wrist arthritis and inflammation really do exist.

For many decades now, the only relief we have known for joint inflammation and pain is through anti-inflammatory drugs. However, taking powerful pills on a regular basis can potentially bring about many health problems. These can range from simple gastrointestinal disorders to serious heart conditions. In fact, taking NSAIDs and being dependent on these drugs for pain relief can potentially bring your overall health more harm than good in the long run.

If you want natural remedies your wrist arthritis inflammation, why not try the following:

Rest your wrist.

Rest is most important during active inflammation of the wrist. Make sure to rest your wrist and avoid physical tasks requiring you to use your hands.

Add more fiber to your diet.

Fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, seeds and other foods rich in fiber have anti-inflammatory properties. They also stimulate the blood to flow to relieve inflammation. A diet rich in fiber is considered part of an "anti-inflammatory" diet.

Add in some spices.

Spices such as ginger, turmeric and black pepper have been found from Ayurvedice medicine to have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Add some spices into your regular meals and see how it relieves the pain and lessens the inflammation.

Take fish oil supplements.

Of all the natural remedies for wrist arthritis and inflammation, this is probably most well studied. Your doctor may tell you that if you want long term relief from wrist arthritis and inflammation, make sure to have enough omega 3 fish oil in your daily diet.

It has been proven from various research studies that omega 3 fish oils contain important fatty acids that can help stimulate the body's natural production of chemical hormones that may help to inhibit inflammation.

Specifically, DHA and EPA in omega 3 fish oils once ingested in the body are believed to then be converted to a chemical called Resolvin D2. This chemical may have a helpful effect on the inner linings of the blood vessels, which in turn can assist the body in preventing inflammation.

Where to get fish oil

Fish oil is found abundant in fish such as salmon, tuna, hoki and similar types.

But for health benefits to be enjoyed, ample amounts of fish should be consumed - which brings out the problem of fish contamination.

For long term, natural relief from wrist arthritis problems, it is much safer to take top quality nutritional supplements. Look for fish oil supplements from reputable health companies that are pure, safe and potent to bring out the most anti-inflammatory benefits possible.

The anti-inflammatory properties that fish oil supplements provide will not only provide natural remedies for wrist arthritis inflammation but would also nourish your body's veins, heart and brain for maximum healthy living. Ask your doctor about the benefits of taking this amazing health food supplement.

These statements are not medical advice and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.

Natural Relief for Arthritis Joint Pain

Arthritis comes from the Greek arthro- meaning joint and -itis meaning inflammation. Arthritis joint pain causes a spectrum of pains from mild and intermittent annoyance to debilitating, life-altering agony. While there is no known cure for arthritis, the joint pain caused by the disease can be treated to improve the arthritis sufferer's quality of life.

Managing body aches caused by arthritis doesn't have to involve a narcotic, numbing out experience. There are natural solutions for treating the pain. One of the most promising discoveries in the battle against arthritis joint pain, whether the pain is in your knee, back, fingers, or hands, is Natural Eggshell Membrane, or NEM, for short. NEM is derived entirely from egg, so unless you have an egg allergy, it does not produce the side effects caused by prescription drugs. It is also vegetarian friendly, which makes this a great product for herbivores and omnivores alike.

NEM contains glycosaminoglycans, better known to us common folk as glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid. Before I explain how these carbohydrates help your joints, it's important to understand the basic structure of a joint. A joint is formed where two bones meet head to head. The joint is the cushion between the bones that keeps them from rubbing together and eroding each other. The connective tissue is called articular cartilage. The articular cartilage is lubricated by synovial fluid. A major component of synovial fluid is hyaluronan, from which hyaluronic acid is derived. Hyaluronan adds to the viscosity, or rich thickness, of synovial fluid. The lubrication provided by synovial fluid is important.

Imagine that your articular cartilage is a rubber band. Now, a new rubber band is very stretchy and flexible. But what happens to a rubber band when it gets old? When it sits out in the sun for days or weeks, when it gets dried out? It becomes brittle and will snap quite easily, or even crumble. It loses its ability to bounce back and to stretch and move comfortably. A similar effect happens when your articular cartilage is deprived of proper and adequate lubrication. The resulting joint pain - be it in your knee, back, hands, or fingers - is a result of both damage to the connective tissue or articular cartilage, and, potentially, your bones beginning to erode each other.

While arthritis pain is not always a result of injury or daily wear and tear (osteoarthritis), but can also include situations where the immune system attacks the body's tissues (rheumatoid arthritis), the basic joint pain arthritis treatment can be the same. NEM works by increasing joint lubrication, resiliency, and cellular function to potentially help rebuild articular cartilage. NEM's glycosaminoglycans also work in conjunction to help reduce the inflammation and swelling attributed to joint pain arthritis.

Multiple studies have produced statistically significant results correlating NEM with a reduction in arthritis symptoms specific to patients suffering from osteoarthritis. In one study, at the end of:

繚 10 days -
o 33% experienced a 30% reduction in joint pain arthritis in the knee, and
o 25% showed more than a 50% reduction in stiffness

繚 60 days -
o 32% of NEM-taking participants reported more than a 50% reduction in pain, and
o a 27% average improvement in stiffness

Such studies have shown NEM's effectiveness both on a short-term and long-term basis for treating joint pain arthritis.

Talk to your doctor about NEM. It may be the solution you're seeking for relief from joint pain arthritis in your back, knee, hands, or fingers, without the side effects of prescription drugs. Take your life back from the clutches of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid osteo-arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent symmetric irritation of multiple peripheral joints. It's a single from the most typical inflammatory rheumatic diseases and is characterized by the improvement of the chronic inflammatory proliferation of the synovial linings of diarthrodial joints, which leads to aggressive cartilage destruction and progressive bony erosions.

Untreated, rheumatoid osteo-arthritis often leads to progressive joint destruction, disability, and premature death. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in the United States is around 1% within the basic population; comparable prevalence rates are already observed worldwide.

The disorder happens around three times more often in ladies than in males and has its peak onset within the fifth to sixth decade of life. Like SLE, rheumatoid osteo-arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease by which abnormal activation of B cells, T cells, and innate immune effectors occurs. In contrast to SLE, the majority of inflammatory action in rheumatoid arthritis occurs in the joint synovium.

Even though the trigger of rheumatoid arthritis is unfamiliar, a complex set of genetic and environmental factors seems to contribute to illness susceptibility. Because the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis has been observed to become similar in numerous cultures and geographic regions across the globe, it's assumed that the environmental exposures that provoke rheumatoid arthritis must be widely distributed.

Early rheumatoid osteo-arthritis is closely mimicked by transient inflammatory osteo-arthritis provoked by a number of microbial pathogens. Therefore, even though a part for infection in the improvement of rheumatoid osteo-arthritis has lengthy been postulated, it is not yet satisfactorily proven.

Particular class II MHCalleles (HLA-DR4), sharing a consensus QKRAA motif in the peptide-binding groove, have been extremely associated to illness susceptibility and to greater severity of rheumatoid osteo-arthritis. Significantly from the pathologic damage that characterizes rheumatoid arthritis is centered close to the synovial linings of joints.

Typical synovium is composed of a thin cellular lining (one to 3 cell layers thick) and an underlying interstitium, which contains blood vessels but couple of cells. The synovium normally provides nutrients and lubrication to adjacent articular cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis synovium, in contrast, is markedly abnormal, having a significantly expanded lining layer (8-10 tissue thick) composed of activated tissue and a highly inflammatory interstitium replete with B tissue, T cells, and macrophages and vascular changes (including thrombosis and neovascularization).

At websites exactly where synovium and articular cartilage are contiguous, rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue (called pannus) invades and destroys adjacent cartilage and bone. Even though the causes of rheumatoid osteo-arthritis remain unclear, a number of essential components of pathogenesis are already identified.

As discussed previously, it is useful to separate the initiating and propagating phases from the illness and to recognize how the established rheumatoid osteo-arthritis phenotype reflects a self-sustaining and amplified inflammatory state. Concordance rates in twins differ in between 15% and 35%, implicating genetic factors in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The most striking of these genetic elements defined to date involves a specific subset of MHC class II alleles whose presence appears to predominantly figure out disease severity (sufferers homozygous for disease-associated alleles have the most severe illness). These MHC molecules function as antigen-presenting scaffolds, which present peptides to CD4 T tissue.

Disease-associated alleles (belonging to HLA-DR4/DR1 serotypes) share a sequence along their antigen-presenting groove, termed the "shared epitope." It may be postulated that these alleles present critical antigens towards the T tissue, which perform a part in initiating and driving progression of this illness. However, no specific antigens have however been identified.

Recent high-throughput genomewide genetic association studies have identified a number of new genetic chance factors for that development of RA. These genes (ie, PADI4, PTPN22, CTLA4, STAT4, and others) are included in generating and propagating inflammatory responses and possibly autoantibody production as well.

1. Environmental and infectious factors-Although several bacterial and viral pathogens have been investigated as possibly getting a role within the initiation of rheumatoid osteo-arthritis, scrutiny has failed to identify a part for any particular infectious cause. It is conceivable that any of several various infectious agents might be capable to induce non-pathogen-specific changes within the joint that are connected with illness initiation in susceptible people.

2. Autoimmunity-There is significant evidence supporting a part for autoimmunity in generating the rheumatoid osteo-arthritis phenotype, such as the presence of antigen-driven autoantibodies such as IgG rheumatoid elements and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. Anti-CCP antibodies, in particular, are highly specific for RA and, as using the autoantibodies observed in SLE, can appear several many years prior towards the onset of disease.

They appear to be a marker of a a lot more destructive and intense RA phenotype, and their titers might be modulated by illness activity. The factors these citrullinated peptides are targeted in RA are unfamiliar, but possible explanations include an increase inside a member of the peptidyl arginine deiminase family of enzymes (PADI, the enzymes that mediate the conversion of arginine to citrulline) activity in synovial tissue or altered action of these enzymes as a result of genetic polymorphisms.

Cytokine elaboration in rheumatoid osteo-arthritis is markedly TH1 biased. Even though the cytokine profile in rheumatoid osteo-arthritis synovium is extremely complicated, with several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines expressed simultaneously (eg, TNF, IL-1, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating element [GM-CSF]), studies have persuasively demonstrated that TNF is an important upstream principle within the propagation of the rheumatoid arthritis inflammatory lesion (see later).

Thus, when pathways downstream of TNF are inhibited with soluble TNF receptors or monoclonal antibodies to TNF, a rapid and markedly beneficial impact on the inflammatory synovitis and overall state of well-being is noted in many patients. Interestingly, the outcomes of anti-TNF treatment had been restricted to the duration of treatment, and symptoms and signs of irritation returned rapidly on discontinuation of therapy. Recent data also implicate TH17 cells within the pathogenesis of RA.

Rheumatoid osteo-arthritis is most usually a persistent, progressive disease presenting in women in the middle many years of existence. Fatigue and joint irritation, characterized by pain, swelling, warmth, and morning stiffness, are hallmarks from the illness. Almost invariably, multiple little and large synovial joints are impacted on both the correct and left sides from the body in a symmetric distribution.

Involvement of the little joints of the hands, wrists, and feet as well as the bigger peripheral joints, including the hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows, is standard. Included joints are demineralized, and joint cartilage and juxtaarticular bone are eroded by the synovial inflammation, inducing joint deformities. Even though the lower spine is spared, cervical involvement can also occur, potentially leading to spinal instability. In highly active cases, extraarticular manifestations can occur.

These consist of lung nodules, subcutaneous "rheumatoid" nodules (typically present more than extensor surfaces), ocular irritation (such as scleritis), or small-vessel vasculitis. Prompt and aggressive treatment to control inflammation in rheumatoid osteo-arthritis can slow as well as stop progressive joint erosion. Numerous immunomodulatory medications have shown benefit in treating rheumatoid osteo-arthritis.

The primary pathway via which methotrexate-the drug most generally used as single-agent therapy for rheumatoid arthritis-acts to diminish joint irritation is still debated. One hypothesis suggests that methotrexate induces increased local release of adenosine, a short-acting anti-inflammatory mediator.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a single of the very first problems in which biologic modifiers of defined pathogenic pathways such as anti-TNF therapy have been used successfully to treat disease. Inhibitors of TNF (etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab) act by sequestering TNF, either to a recombinant soluble form of the TNF receptor (etanercept) or to monoclonal antibodies to TNF (infliximab, adalimumab).

Although these agents have a higher likelihood of achieving advantage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, their use is still restricted by their higher cost and also the potential risks of drug-associated toxicity (such as susceptibility to life-threatening infections and induction of other autoimmune syndromes).

Furthermore, although they're among one of the most potent brokers however described for the control of rheumatoid arthritis, there stay patients who fail to experience illness remission when treated only with TNF blockade. As a general principle of therapy in rheumatoid osteo-arthritis, it appears that using numerous brokers with (presumably) various and complementary mechanisms of action can lead to extra advantage.

T-cell-B-cell-APC interactions clearly perform important roles within the propagation phase of RA, and it is consequently not surprising that extra biological brokers have also proven efficacy in the treatment of RA, including agents that inhibit B cells (eg, rituximab) and costimulation (eg, CTLA4-Ig).

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is accomplished by conducting a number of tests and matching a patient to established criteria as rheumatoid arthritis manifests on something of a spectrum.

RA Diagnosis: Blood Testing

If a patient is thought to possibly have RA, a number of blood tests may be ordered to look at different variables that might indicate compromised immunity, the presence of certain antibodies and also to help isolate other illnesses that the patient may have that can produce RA-like symptoms.

One test that is done is to check for an antibody known as Rheumatoid Factor or RF. An elevated rheumatoid factor may be found in several autoimmune diseases such as Sj繹gren's syndrome. About 80% test positive for RF but a negative test result does not exclude the possibility of RA; it simply places the arthritis in a category called seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

Testing for RF is only a part of rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis since up to 1 in 10 healthy people display elevated rheumatoid factor.
As RA progresses, it is common to see the patient begin to come up positive for RF in later tests.

More specific testing has been developing which checks for certain antibodies more indicative of RA. The most recent tests are much more sensitive and specific. Additional tests are often administered in order to rule out other possible causes of the arthritis.

RA Diagnosis Criteria

Recently, new criteria for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis were collaboratively put into effect by professional rheumatology bodies in Europe and the US.
RA diagnosis is established by scoring the patient on a scale of 1-10. 6 or above is a definite RA diagnosis.

The scoring takes into account the patient's joint health (which joints and how many are affected), serology (rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein antibody presence), length of time the patient is experiencing the arthritis and acute phase reactants.

Clinical RA Diagnosis

Physicians will typically look for the involvement of several joints and stiffness joints in the mornings as potential indicators of the presence of RA. Further, the patient is likely to be tested for elevated rheumatoid factor as well as possibly undergoing more recently developed tests prior to deciding upon RA treatment

RA Differential Diagnosis

The symptoms of RA are similar to the symptoms of several other diseases. For this reason it is necessary to isolate factor specific to RA to establish a diagnosis. Some of the diseases that can look like RA are:

Osteoarthritis (see: Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Hepatitis C

And several others. Doctors will typically order several tests in order to come closer to (or move further away from) a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.

Natural Wholefoods For Joint Pain Relief

There's no doubt about it, arthritis can be one of the most painful and debilitating diseases in the world. Unfortunately, the number of people afflicted with arthritis is growing and it's expected that 80% will be affected by arthritis after the ages of 55. This is a very worrying trend, especially when you consider this disease is mostly preventable.

There's no one specific cause for the development of arthritis. The disease has over a hundred different types. However, the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The factors that can trigger the condition can range from genetics, climate, viral or bacterial infections and stress.

However, the common thread with most of types of arthritis is the swelling and joint pain. In severe cases the pain caused by the inflammation can be debilitating. If the condition is left untreated and allowed to progress the outcome can result in fused joints and deformed bones.

Conventional Treatment

The conventional way to treat patients with arthritis is to give them a range of chemical based drugs. These drugs do specific roles that range from reducing the stiffness, reducing the pain, drugs to attack the disease and then drugs to counteract the side-effects of the other drugs.

Drugs used for arthritis treatment are anti-inflammatory and usually fall into two categories. These are cortisone based and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS. These types of drugs can be effective at reducing the pain, but what they will not do is cure or reverse the condition - they just suppress the symptoms.

Furthermore, anti-inflammatory drugs should only be used in the short term due to their many side-effects. Although they may control the pain they are actually poisoning the body which will only make the condition worse.

Natural And Safer Alternatives

Fortunately, there are natural and effective ways to treat and stop the progress of this debilitating disease.

Osteoarthritis and to a larger extend rheumatoid arthritis cause inflammation of the joints. One of the underlying causes is the build up of uric acid in the body.

Too much uric acid results in hard crystals building up in the joints which cause the pain. Between the joints is a membrane which enables the joints to move smoothly together.

Uric acid crystals are deposited between the joints and as the opposing bones move together the uric acid crystals wear way the synovial fluid. As the condition progresses the protective layer of cartilage can also be worn away and this exposes the hard bone underneath.

As the two bones grate together they can cause severe pain which some sufferers have compared to being repeatedly stabbed in the joints with a sharp knife. Excess uric acid in the body can be the result a poor diet and a weakened immune system.

Unfortunately, the modern diet many people are eating is highly processed and refined. This does not provide the necessary quantity and quality of nutrients the body needs to support their immune system.

Many people have found relief from omitting certain refined foods from their diets such as white flour contained in white bread, pastries and pasta.

Another effective natural treatment that has helped people with arthritis is omega a 3 fatty acids. These naturally contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce the inflammation and pain caused by arthritis.

One of the most effective is green lipped mussels because not only are they a rich source of anti-inflammatory fatty acids they also contain compounds that may help to rebuild damaged cartilage and restore mobility in the joints.

Natural Supplements for Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis is fast becoming a very common disease in dogs, particularly in older and larger breeds. There are many factors that can cause the condition but all have the same outcome. Your dog will start to show signs of lameness, struggling to rise and progressively worse mobility problems.

Medically speaking arthritis is termed as a degenerative, progressive and permanent deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. This can be caused by some sort of injury or trauma to the joint, obesity and lack of exercise or just old age. Unfortunately it is also irreversible.

However, although there may be no cure for your dog, there are things you can do to ease his pain and suffering and give him a better quality of life. Whilst your vet may give you a prescription for painkillers there are other, natural supplements that can help your dog as well. As always, before giving your dog anything you should consult your vet.

One of the best natural supplements you can give your dog is Glucosamine with Chondroitin. Glucosamine is a major sugar that is required to help synthesize new cartilage. This is already naturally produced in your dog's body but, as a dog ages or where there is injury to the joint cartilage his body cannot produce enough to keep up with needs.

"Chondroitin" is also naturally produced in the cartilage and is required to help the Glucosamine do its work. It has a more important role in combating and fighting off destructive enzymes found in the joints. Given as a joint supplement this can help to slow down the process of destruction that is taking place in your dog's joints and cartilage.

Fish oil is another great natural supplement that will benefit a dog with arthritis. Fish oils, particularly salmon oil, provide essential Omega 3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Omega fatty acids do tend to deplete Vitamin E levels in the body so this must be given as a separate supplement as well, along with a small amount of Vitamin C.

It is important that your dog receives the correct amount of vitamins and nutrients in order to ensure a healthy life. You can buy a supplement that contains a combination of Zinc, Omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids, seaweed kelp and a range of vitamins to help your dog feel better ion the inside as well as easing the pain in his joints.

Another excellent natural supplement that you can give your arthritic dog is one that is derived from the Green Lipped Mussel. These mussels are a natural source of pure fatty acids and Chondroitin Sulphate and supplements made purely from this mussel are now available.

One of the best things you can do for your dog is ensure that he has a healthy diet. Home cooked food is best as it will contain all of the natural vitamins and nutrients that your dog needs. However, you should avoid any of the nightshade family of foods, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and potatoes as these will aggravate arthritic conditions.

Discovering the Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Arthritis can be a very complicated and even painful illness to have. There are several different types of arthritis; in fact about 150 of them have been identified. However, of these many varieties the most common types are both osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

If you believe you have arthritis, it is important that you speak with someone about it so that you're aware of the treatment options available to you. You may find that there are more natural remedies for arthritis; however, a true diagnosis is the only way to determine this.

Many times people confuse both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, though they are two completely different types. By reviewing the information below you should be able to easily establish the differences between these common types.

Let's start with the basics by first describing what each of these types of arthritis are.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (also known as OA) is described as a serious breaking down of your bone cartilage. Many get this medical condition as a result of trauma, aging, or advanced wear and tear. You will find that the parts typically affected are the hips, lower spine, hands, and knees. In recent studies it has been shown that women can suffer from such symptoms in their hands as early as their twenties and can even cause deformities in your fingers.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (also known as RA) is described as an anti-inflammatory disease that affects the soft tissues around your joints and the linings of your joints. This has been categorized as an autoimmune disease and progresses over time.

More advanced types can seriously affect all of your other organs in the body and several joints as well. Due to the severe inflammation, you will find that it typically leads to more damage to the joints.

RA is also known as one of the more crippling types of arthritis. Should you feel you could have this you should seek your doctor for advice on treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease that is mainly centered on age. It is basically caused due to the increase of water content and the progressive degeneration of the protein found in your cartilage. Some of the factors that can increase your chances of getting this type are injuries to your joints, problems with being overweight, constantly using and stressing of the joints, and your family history.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Causes of RA continue to be a bit of a mystery for medical experts. There is really no underlying cause for the abnormal autoimmune response that comes with having this disease. There are some theories out there that would suggest the link to the disease could be genetic predispositions.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

If you're suffering from this disease you will probably feel in most in the joints that bear the most weight which would include your knees and hips. You will likely feel pain in the affected joint if you've used them repetitively.

Many patients complain of more stiffness in the mornings which can last up to thirty minutes and joint pain that can get worse throughout the day. Your joints can swell, have warm feelings, and even become stiff.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA will target your smaller joints in your hands, feet, and wrists. Patients find that their stiffness is worsened after having a rest typically first thing in the morning. The stiffness can last about thirty minutes or more. Most complain that they are most affected in their knuckles and wrists.

As you can see there are lots of differences that make these two most common types of arthritis stand out. If you feel that you have any of the above symptoms you may wish to speak with your doctor to find out what treatments and/or natural remedies are available to ease your pain.

Manage Arthritis With Hanna Somatic Movement Education

There are so many methods out there for easing the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, so why should you need another one? Well, imagine a gentle exercise routine that you will be much more motivated to keep up because it causes no pain, positively discourages any stress or discomfort, teaches you more about your illness, and actually feels wonderfully soothing! Read on...

If you have the type of arthritis that flares up, such as rheumatoid arthritis or reactive arthritis, it can be tremendously demoralizing and you just feel like getting into the most comfortable position and staying there to ride out the acute phase. Well, this may be a valid response for a while, but as soon as you can move without too much discomfort, it is very important to take gentle exercise to minimise joint damage and regain mobility and muscle tone.

Somatic movement education is absolutely designed for this!

I discovered somatics through my good friend, osteopath and somatic movement educator Brian Ingle, N.D., D.O., with whom I have teamed up on my website to make these systems more widely available. At first I doubted their effectiveness, as even to a committed old yoga freak like me, they still seemed too gentle to be of much use. How wrong I was.

When I started to practice somatics, I was amazed at how powerful these gentle movements are in balancing even the most locked-in of muscle and joint knots and imbalances. Then, recently, when I contracted reactive arthritis from a bout of some sort of stomach bug, and ended up with very swollen and painful ankles and one knee, somatics really revealed itself to me as a major godsend, playing a huge part in my recovery.

At those difficult times when even ordinary yoga or stretching just seems like too much, somatics may actually be the only system of movement that is truly comfortable. You never have to go beyond your comfort zone in any of the routines, and even with what might be very minimal movement possible in affected joints, you will find extraordinary relief.

Because somatics is mainly based on awareness during these gentle movements rather than forcing a stretch that the body is not yet ready for, it can also teach you a great deal about the progress of the disease, whether good or bad, and warn you of coming flare-ups, or encourage you that you are easing the stiffness and pain and going in the right direction.

Of course, diet has a great deal to do with managing arthritis, and finding your own personal triggers and food sensitivities will go a long way to warding off or at least minimizing attacks. Alkalising your diet will of course help greatly, as will many other systems, but to develop the intuition to put them all together in the most effective way for your own unique body type and imbalances, a knowledge of Ayurveda and its systems of body typing and diet is perhaps the best way to go.

With somatics and Ayurveda as your partners in the fight against this horrible disease, you will be in very good company and well on the right track to success. Good luck!

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

Rheumatoid arthritis comes with significant amounts of pain, stiffness that restricts mobility and fatigue. As these effects grow in strength and get worse over time, it is only natural that sufferers look to ways and means to find solutions to deal with the situation over and above the recommended medication. Being considerate of one's diet is one such popular method. However, there is no solid proof that a particular diet will eliminate the risk of rheumatoid arthritis or reduce its effects. This however does not disqualify the thinking that one's diet helps those living with the condition. As such it certainly does call for a closer look at a rheumatoid arthritis patients menu.

To begin with it is commonly believed that some food types increase symptoms while others decrease them. This may differ from person to person and as such it is best to take this on a person by person basis. For starts you can remove suspect food items from your diet for a certain period. Then start reintroducing selected suspect food items into your diet and watch its affects on the symptoms. Pretty soon you will know what types of food increase the effects of your symptoms and what food items have no marked influence. This practice will provide you with the ideal rheumatoid arthritis nutrition plan.

Being overweight also considerably contributes to the level of symptoms and thereby the level of pain a person experiences. This is purely because the excess weight adds more pressure to your joints, especially those joints that bear your weight. Research indicates that the action of walking alone increases the pressure on joints such as ankles, knees and hips by about three to five times of a person's body weight. For example a single pound of excess weight can add three to five pounds of increased pressure to one knee alone. Compare this with a ten pound weight loss and you are looking at loss of pressure in the range of about 30 to 50 pounds. This alone will provide a person with significant relief and as such a weight watchers diet can also prove to be ideal for a person with rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition to the above, certain fat types can also increase the effects of pain and inflammation for those with this disease. For example saturated fat, commonly found in food items such as butter, cream, bacon and steak tend to increase pro-inflammatory chemicals known as 'Prostaglandins'. These chemicals cause inflammations that could lead to swelling, joint destructions and increased levels of pain. There is also evidence that meat items with more than normal levels of arachidonic acids can also result in increased levels of prostaglandins which could yet again increase inflammation and thereby pain. This is why some people with this disease find a vegetarian diet to be helpful, but as mentioned earlier this does not apply to all patients with rheumatoid arthritis, with some sufferers seeing no significance or any difference by switching to a supposed rheumatoid arthritis diet that excludes meat.

Arthritis Treatment: The Role of Weight Loss In Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects more than 20 million Americans. It is a condition that affects hyaline articular cartilage, the tough gristle that caps the ends of long bones.

Hyaline cartilage consists of a matrix made up of a combination of proteoglycans (complexes of proteins and sugars) and chondrocytes. Chondrocytes are cartilage cells that manufacture matrix under normal circumstances. They are responsible for nourishing the matrix as well.

However, when OA develops, a distinct change in the milieu of the joint environment occurs. Chondrocytes begin to elaborate destructive enzymes causing cracks in the cartilage, the synovium (lining of the joint) becomes inflamed, and the underlying bone becomes hard and forms spurs.

What causes OA to develop is usually injury or trauma. In any event an injury to the joint appears to be the inciting factor. Genetics play a role as well.

As OA progresses, biomechanical factors come into play. And this is where obesity plays a huge role in the worsening of disease. While overloading of the joint is the obvious major consideration, there is now abundant evidence that fat itself acts as an "organ" that perpetuates inflammation.

"Adipokines" are chemical messengers produced mainly by adipocytes (fat cells). The major adipokine is a substance called leptin. Leptin is interesting because it has contradictory actions. While it appears to help with the synthesis of growth factors that stimulate cartilage growth, it also appears to lead to the production of inflammatory proteins that cause further cartilage deterioration.

But that's not all. There are other adipokines that make a significant contribution in this cascade of events. Adipopnectin also seems to promote inflammation in arthritis. It causes the cartilage matrix to degrade and also promotes the manufacture of destructive enzymes.

Visfatin levels are also associated with cartilage degradation. Resistin promotes inflammation.

These fat produced proteins may explain why symptoms in people with OA who are overweight seem to get better with loss of body fat rather than just with weight reduction.

The bottom line is that OA is more than just a mechanical disease. Abnormal fat metabolism appears to lead to the production of factors that cause further cartilage loss and deterioration.

These new developments confirm the long held belief that people with symptomatic OA who carry excess fat may benefit from fat reduction.

These findings have been substantiated in real life clinical trials. Richette and colleagues (Richette P, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011; 70: 139-140) demonstrated that obese individuals with knee OA who underwent gastric banding surgery not only had improvements in their symptoms but also blood levels of adipokines plummeted along with other inflammatory markers.

Arthritis and Lift Chairs

There are a number of diseases and conditions that can make it much more difficult for a person to be able to safely stand and sit. However, arthritis is one of the most common of these types of disorders. It is often thought that arthritis is only able to affect seniors, but this is not the case. People of all ages can be affected by arthritis, but there are several types of arthritis are inn deed much more common among the elderly.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, with rheumatoid arthritis coming in a close second. Both of these types of arthritis are characterized by joint inflammation and joint pain. Often this pain will be present in the morning and after having been immobile for an extended period of time, such as when sitting to watch some television or to take a nap. As a result, it is often incredibly difficult for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis to come to a standing position on their own and without assistance.

Since it is often very difficult for a senior with arthritis to get out of a normal chair, many seniors and those with arthritis turn to lifting aids to make it easier to stand up. One of the most common and well recognized lifting aids is the lift chair. A lift chair offers a number of the same features as a recliner and in fact looks very similar to most high-end recliners. However, lift chairs actually contain a lifting system that raises the seated individual to a standing position. They also allow the individual to sit in a much safer and more controlled manner.

The lift chair offers a number of advantages over other types of lifting solutions, because not only can it be used independently, but it is also very safe. To use a lift chair, the individual merely pushes the up button on the chairs attached hand control and the entire chair, occupant and all, will slowly rise into the air. After it has completed the rising process, the senior or other individual can exit the chair upright and on their feet. When it is time to sit down, they can lean against the chair and press the down button to be lowered to a sitting position in a safe controlled manner.

While the lift chair does in fact raise into the air, it does so very slowly and does not dump the occupant out of the chair. Instead, the seat remains at an angle that allows the individual to exit the chair if desired, but does not force them to do so.

A lift chair provides a much safer alternative to using a walker or rollator to get out of a chair, which might slip under the weight and pressure of the person using it as a standing aid. It also is much more cost effective than relying on a paid nurse or putting the added strain on a loved one who must provide a helping hand.

Arthritis can be a very serious disease and there is no cure, however through proper treatment and using mobility assistant devices, such as the lift chair, much of the effects can be minimized.

The Arthritis Symptom - An Overview

Are your aches and pains just a natural part of growing older, or are they a sign there is something more serious wrong with your body? While some forms of arthritis are just the result of the aging process, some forms can wreak havoc on more than just the joints. Other forms actually result from the body's immune system turning on itself. How can you tell if your joint pain is natural aging or if something else is wrong? Knowing the symptoms of different forms of arthritis can help you know if a pain reliever is all you need, or if your specific arthritis symptom is a sign there is more wrong than just joint pain.

The most common form of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the form of arthritis generally associated with growing older. This condition results from the natural aging process in which the cartilage, a rubbery substance that protects the joints, begins to wear down. The arthritis symptom most often associated with this form of the disease is joint pain. This joint pain can also be accompanied by fever and swelling in the affected joints as well as stiffness in the morning or after times of inactivity.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that can strike the young and old alike. Like osteoarthritis, the main arthritis symptom associated with rheumatoid arthritis is joint pain. Unlike osteoarthritis, however, rheumatoid arthritis is caused when the body's immune system turns on the body and begins to attack the joints. Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can also expect to experience joint fever and stiffness. In the long term, rheumatoid arthritis can cause deformity of the joints. The disease can also cause nodules, or raised lumps, to appear in places such as the hands. In addition to these symptoms, however, those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can also have extreme fatigue, lack of appetite, and low grade fever throughout the body. Unlike those suffering from osteoarthritis, those who have rheumatoid arthritis can experience times of remission where they are basically symptom free.

Another form of arthritis characterized by the main arthritis symptom of joint pain is psoriatic arthritis. Other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include raised, red, scaly areas of the skin. Unlike either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis can also affect major organ of the body such as the heart and lungs. Untreated, heart damage resulting from psoriatic arthritis can result in heart failure and ultimately, death. In this disease, arthritis strikes the cartridge and tendons as well as the joints of the body. The psoriasis associated with the disease generally precedes the arthritis symptoms by several months to several years.

As you can see, the main arthritis symptom associated with most forms of this debilitating condition is joint pain and stiffness. With varying forms of the disease, symptoms can range from fever, loss of appetite, psoriasis and fatigue. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor can decide what treatment options are best for you to keep your disease from becoming debilitating or life-threatening.

Is Migratory Rheumatoid Arthritis Caused by Other Medical Conditions?

Painful, rigid joints are the main symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, the actual cause is still unknown although there are many theories about the possible causes. There are many types of arthritis and migratory rheumatoid arthritis is one of them. The symptoms differ little from the normal type, the condition seems to move from joint to joint but not in the same way as with normal Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)which has a typical symmetrical pattern. This type does not move from the right to the left but goes from joint to joint in the same body side. So there is a distinct difference in symptoms.

Do we know the migratory rheumatoid arthritis causes?

That question is not easy to answer because the are many different theories about the actual causes but if you look closer they all add up in the same way. There is a list of different medical conditions that seem to trigger migratory rheumatoid arthritis or are at least in some way connected to this illness. One of those medical conditions is enough to be the trigger it is not necessary to have all of them, one is nor than enough. Most of these medical conditions have in some way to do with the body's immune system.

The most common conditions are:

- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Rheumatic fever
- Other forms of arthritis
- Lyme disease
- HIV
- Whipples disease

There are many more and some of these conditions are illnesses that are quite uncommon in the western world these days. Vaccinations, inoculation an education have helped to eliminate the risk of getting these diseases. In countries where this is not the case the risks of catching these kind of condition is much higher.

From one joint to the other

Most of the symptoms of migratory RA are the same as with common arthritis these symptoms include pain in the joint area, stiffness in the joint, swelling ore other signs of inflammation. The most common is off course in all cases of arthritis that the pain is concentrated in and around the joints that are effected, there is just one very distinct difference between the common type of RA and the migratory variety and that is that it can spread from joint to joint and causing the symptoms there also.

Cure and Treatment

As with all other types of arthritis there is no cure, there are many different treatments both regular remedies as natural remedies that can help you to deal with the symptoms but an actual cure is still not in sight yet. Most of the time you can divide the treatment in to types, the painkillers and the ones that help the joint from getting stiff. Most regular medication can have severe side effects and this is a reason for more and more people to make the move to natural and homeopathic remedies. These work on a totally different level and the side effects are non existing or very temporally. Also the use of a diet is something that more people are trying. But remember with everything you do in both regular as natural treatment, you need to keep your doctor informed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ayurveda

According to conventional medical science rheumatoid arthritis is a condition of chronic inflammation of the joints such as hands, ankles, knees and hips. The condition results in acute pain, stiffness of joints and severe restrictions on a person's mobility. It can also affect one's eyes, heart, lungs, blood cells and even skin and bring about numerous medical complications. Given the fact there are no known cures for it, the bulk of the medication focuses on alleviating the pain or minimizing the rate of progression of the disease. The unavailability of a cure has also caused its sufferers to look at a multitude of alternate treatments such home remedies, homeopathic treatments and Ayurveda practices. Although none of these methods have been proven to cure it in a scientific sense, those that follow these alternate treatments and home remedies also insist on varying levels of relief provided by them.

Ayurveda is defined as a system that draws on the inherent qualities of nature to maintain a healthy equilibrium. Practiced in the Indian subcontinent, Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word made up of two other words, 'ayu' and 'veda'. While 'ayu' means life, 'veda' translates to mean 'related to science or knowledge'. These treatments usually encapsulate natural remedies based on various herbs, massage techniques and yoga practices. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through Ayurveda spans centuries and is both interesting and complex.

According to Ayurveda, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a poor balance within the body as a result of poor digestion as well as a weakened colon. Poor digestion is believed to cause toxins to amass in the body and problems relating to the colon result in these toxins reaching the joints. The suggested remedy is to activate the digestive system and ensure it functions as it is meant to. A complex mix of treatments is used to rectify this imbalance.

Key to the treatment of the condition is the use of natural herbs which are found in the Indian subcontinent. These herbs can be spices used in cooking or rare plant matter that are transformed into various pills, pastes and concoctions. Some of the ingredients herein include Gugulu, fenugreek, sarsaparilla and cinnamon bark. A person's diet is also closely monitored when considering Ayurveda treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. As such vegetable and fruit juices along with soups come highly recommended. Food that is easily digestible, spices such as cumin, coriander and ginger together with various salads made from herbs available in the region are all recommended. Extremely spicy food, vegetables and food items that cause gas, certain types of sweets as well as tea, coffee and nicotine are all frowned upon in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Ayurveda.

Heat therapy is also commonly used in Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This, like in the western method, revolves around applying heat on the affected areas and maybe done with a moist cloth dipped in hot water. Hot oil massages, use of essential oils and various yoga exercises are also used as treatment options.

4 Cheap Treatments for Arthritis Knee Pain

How to Read the Confusing Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis Knee Pain

Athletes, very active people and those of us who are overweight are usually the prime time people who will probably develop some type of arthritis knee pain in our life. The confusion begins with the signs and symptoms of any type of joint pain. Just remember that swelling, inflammation, point tenderness and stiffness are early warning signs that your knees could be heading towards arthritis.

If we have those signs and symptoms does that really mean we have arthritic knees? Not necessarily. The best way to determine if you have arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis or even osteoarthritis is to have your blood tested. If you have been suffering for a while it is best to visit your doctor soon and find out exactly what is going on.

Blood work can go a long way in helping you determine exactly what you have. Many of us, when pain persists in our knees, we just mutter: "I've got arthritis in my knees" but we really don't know. People who actually suffer from arthritis honestly can tell the difference between normal joint pains and arthritis joint pains.

Age Factors Can Help Sort out the confusion of arthritis knee pain:

Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops sooner than osteoarthritis, so you might want to take that into consideration. As you know, rhuematoid arthritis basically lost a couple of nuts along the way and starts attacking your body without any known cause.

Osteoarthritis on the other hand can be a direct result of the "old injury bug" that has been re-injured many times in your life. Heck it could be a meniscus that was torn when you were 18 years old and now that you are in your 40's that rubbing and irritation could lead to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis usually creaps into your world in the middle to upper years of your life.

Other factors that can lead to arthritis knee pain

• age


• genetics


• body weight


• diet -this is a biggy

This I know about arthritis knee pain. If you let it go long enough it will come back to bite you in the butt. Go see a doctor to determine if you have some loose objects floating around in your knee. It might require minor surgery to get it fixed and then you will be as good as new. If not, they will have some answers for you and so do we.

I know there are times when your knees really hurt when you are walking. Listen to your body and when the pain is present, don't be bull headed and think you can fight through the pain. You will probably win, but in the long run the arthritis will win.

There are tons of exercises you can do to help increase the blood flow through your knees. Follow those specific exercises and recommendations. Not only will your heart be happy but so will your knees with all that extra blood flowing through your knee joints.

Weight loss: I know how hard it is to lose weight when you can do much physically. But you always have a good part of the day when you could be doing some type of physical exercise. Follow the Nike slogan and "Just Do It".

Changing your eating habits: Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins/minerals and they have a cleansing effect which allows your body to begin repairing itself. Instead of grabbing a bag of potato chips, start grabbing a bag of carrots. You'll be surprised when your body begins to respond favorably.

Supplementation: I'm such a firm believer in supplementation because I am living proof it works. Supplementing with the proper vitamins, minerals, amino acids and digestive enzymes is critical to your overall health, weight loss and arthritis pain. On the site, we have two excellent options for you that are specific to arthritis and joint pain. I can give you the number to a place that we purchase liquid vitamins from. We have drank this formula since 1998 and we don't see a need to stop it. It works.

In all honesty, I truly believe your body will heal itself from the inside out if you give it the proper ingredients. Specific arthritis knee pain is a sign that should not be ignored. Listen to your body, follow up with some type of treatment and exercise and over time you will find yourself in much better shape, you will be much happier and in less pain.

You can beat arthritis knee pain.