Natural Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

About 2 million people wake up in the morning with red, swollen, stiff joints. The pain persists on into the day making it hard if not impossible to take care of the activities of daily living, or hobbies that make your life rich; washing the dishes, making bread, sewing, gardening, playing with the children or grandchildren; are no longer enjoyable, your mood suffers and desperation sets in as you try to find something; a magic pill, a diet, anything that will take this pain away. This is the life of a person suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA.

RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, if which the cause is unknown. What is known about the disease is that it affects women more than men and Caucasian's more than any other race. Rheumatoid Arthritis can strike at any age but is most commonly diagnosed from the ages of 20 to 40.

The onset of RA is usually marked with fatigue, weakness and sometimes fever. Some report a loss of appetite and, subsequently, weight. The hallmark of RA is joint stiffness in the morning that gradually improves throughout the day and that is symmetrical, in that it affects both sides of the body. For example both of your hands will be stiff, red and swollen, not just one hand or one joint as is typical in osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is so painful that many people seek unproven and sometimes unsafe methods of dealing with the pain. There is no cure for RA. So many sufferers will risk addiction to opioid analgesics, or risk damage to other systems just to gain some relief from the pain. While the outlook is bleak for these individuals, there are some lifestyles and diet modifications that can reduce, if not temporarily eliminate, the pain of RA.

Some physicians suggest a monitored fast. This should be done under the supervision of a physician and should be done at a reputable facility. The reasoning behind the fast is to cleanse the body. Think of it as starting from scratch. The next step is to gradually add foods back, but the diet will be different from before. For instance; the sufferer should follow a low animal protein, high carbohydrate diet - in addition to leaving out milk and milk products and products made with polyunsaturated and partially hydrogenated oils and fats. The diet should be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish and walnuts. In addition to omega-3, the diet should consist of fresh vegetables; especially green leafy vegetables that contain vitamin K. Also include asparagus, eggs, garlic and onions, which contain sulfur that is needed for the rebuilding and repair of bone and cartilage. Although acidic fruits are not recommended fresh pineapple which contains an enzyme known to reduce inflammation may be consumed, along with whole grains. Iron supplements or multi vitamins containing iron should be avoided. Substitute foods rich in iron instead; like blackstrap molasses, or broccoli.

Supplements associated with easing the pain of Rheumatoid Arthritis are very popular, but should be taken with caution and under the supervision of your physician or homoeopathist. One of the most common supplements for overall joint health is chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine; these work together to form and strengthen joints, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is usually combined with the aforementioned, due to its anti-inflammatory and joint repair properties. Some other supplements to include in the list are bromelain, found in fresh pineapple; sea cucumber, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium plus copper, vitamin D3 and zinc.

Herbs associated with joint and bone health are; alfalfa, kelp, boswellia, cat's claw, feverfew, cayenne, nettle leaf, turmeric willow bark and yucca. These can be used in combination, as poultices and rubs. A very effective combination is a mixture of wintergreen oil and capsaicin the mixture might sting at first, but most people report a lessening of pain and more flexibility.

There is no need to suffer from the pain of RA. All that is needed is knowledge and a willingness to modify the lifestyle to include healthy, natural foods that aid the body in defending itself against inflammation and pain. There may not be a "cure" for RA, but management of the symptoms can increase the quality of life.

Arthritis Diet - Prevent Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis can be of two types: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the condition that occurs due to ageing and it results in pain in the joints. People who are overweight are at a higher risk of suffering from joints disorders. Another condition called Rheumatoid arthritis can result in swelling in the joints and it can cause pain.

It may happen that after taking up a meal you feel pain in the joints and it has been found in various studies that proteins attacks certain foreign bodies present in the body but sometimes protein particles attack friendly bodies due to miscommunication. It is found that the intestine of people suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis have higher amount of antibodies that comes from the food products such as cow's milk, egg, pork, codfish and cereals.

To prevent arthritis one should monitor the diet and try to find out which particular diet is aggravating the condition. The various diets prescribed for arthritis by physicians has been contradictory. Some people were benefited by shifting from non vegetarian to vegetarian food and there are certain food products which can cause allergies and intolerance. Sometimes the effect is visible immediately on taking such diet. One should try to eliminate it from the diet.

There are certain food products which can be eliminated or included in the diet such as:

Sunflower oil and corn oils can be replaced by olive and canola for cooking.

Cod liver oil supplements can be taken. It is assumed that omega 6 fatty acids can cause inflammation but omega 3 fatty acid reduces inflammation and therefore, it can be taken.

Reduce intake of milk and dairy products and observe the changes.

Eliminate beef and pork from diet as it can aggravate the condition.

Include anti inflammatory herbs such as turmeric and ginger.

Increase intake of unsalted nuts which contain a good amount of vitamin E.

Certain vegetables can cause the problem such as potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes and capsicum.

Baked food and food containing a good amount of saturated fat should be eliminated from diet.

Food product low in carbohydrate and starch should be taken. One can eliminate wheat and cereals from diet and observe the changes.

Although there are no studies to support the claims but it is assumed that alkaline diet should be taken to prevent both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. It is assumed that the condition is caused by excess intake of certain acids and one should eliminate food products such as coffee, sugar and citrus fruits from diet.

It is advised to reduce weight if one is overweight to ease pressure on the joints and research has been done to prove that vegetarian diet showed improvement in condition of people in four weeks. The follow ups indicated that the effect was visible even after one and two years.

Green tea is effective in the condition. It can be taken three to four times in a day. Even raisins and grapes have a good amount of anti inflammatory properties. It can be taken in regulated quantities.

Arthritis Hip Pain - Are There Any Treatments That Work?

Arthritis hip pain is certainly not something anyone will find easy to deal with. Such pain can certainly reduce the quality of one's life because of the constant pressure that it delivers. While some forms of arthritic pain can be dealt with to a certain degree, arthritic pain in the hip can be extremely difficult to contend with simply because of the location of the pain. Specifically, the hip joint will be affected anytime one moves the lower body.

When you walk, for example, you engage the hip joint. So, unless you opt to dramatically reduce the amount of time you move around, you will assuredly have to deal with a certain level of hip pain. Or, do you? Is there an effective treatment that can reduce the pain one feels from hip pain? The answer to such a question, mercifully, is yes. There are ways to treat arthritis hip pain and restore a certain sense of improved quality to one's life.

Some may wonder what exactly causes hip pain. Essentially, it will be wear and tear on the joints that leads to the onset of arthritis hip pain. This does not mean that the pain develops overnight. Usually, it is a cumulative effect of several years of wear and tear on the cartilage found in the joint. Those that may have been very athletic in their youth, for example, might end up suffering from hip arthritis later in life.

Of course, those that may have suffered a serious injury such as a car accident may also find themselves in the unenviable position of developing hip problems later in life. Most commonly, it will impact those over the age of 50. The potential to develop such a problem will increase, however, if you are genetically predisposed for suffering from the problem. So, if others in your family are contending with this type of pain, odds are strong that you will develop similar difficult problems.

The symptoms of this are not difficult to miss. Sharp pain with each and every movement would be a clear indicator. Stiffness in the joint that becomes more prevalent whenever you walk. Dealing with a very limited range of motion in the hip would also be another obvious problem. What makes hip arthritis pain more complicated to deal with is the fact that the pain is not a constant one. In other words, it can come and go with extended periods of time where the pain does not appear. Commonly, this type of hip pain will appear when the weather changes or become inclement. Such a difficult to predict nature adds to some of the complexities associated with dealing with the problem.

Thankfully, the problem of arthritis hip pain can be effectively dealt with as long as the proper treatment is sought. In some instances, the treatment employed can be considered minimalist. Losing weight, for example, can often reduce hip pain to a significant degree.

Taking prescribed anti-inflammatory medication is another common way that hip arthritis pain can be effectively dealt with. Using a walking aid can also alleviate some of the pressure and restore a semblance of a pain free life. And, of course, applying several of these methods simultaneously may also prevent the issue of hip from becoming overwhelming as well.

Arthritis - Management With Honey

Honey is one of the oldest natural sweeteners on the earth which date back many centuries. Honey is not only good as a substitute for sugar but also for medicinal uses. Honey is inexpensive, thus making it economical to use. It is comprised of approximately '181' substances including minerals, proteins, sugars, and enzymes. Also present in honey are the 'B' vitamins that are needed for 100's of processes in the body. The highly advantages of honey to humans is its anti-inflammatory potential in the treatment many gastrointestinal diseases and it accelerates skin healing.

I personally suffer with the effects of osteoarthritis which one of the oldest and most common forms of arthritis. It causes the breakdown of cartilage which allows the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint. This can mean that you limp when you walk or have trouble going up and down from a sitting position or walking the stairs. Since suffering with osteoarthritis I have suffered a loss of mobility and functionality. I recently received some information regarding the use of honey and cinnamon as a method of possibility getting some relief from the symptoms of arthritis as well as some other aliments. I anxiously begin to use the honey mixture for my arthritis and within a few days I noticed a tremendous difference in my mobility with less pain. I am now able to do moderate exercise and walk for longer periods of time. The stiffness and soreness has been drastically reduced.

For potential relief of arthritis it is recommended to take daily morning and night one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon Power. A recent research study at the Copenhagen University discovered that when doctors treated their patents with a mixture of one teaspoon honey and half teaspoon cinnamon powder before breakfast they found that within a week most the '200' patients treated '73' were totally relived of pain within a month,. Most of the all of the patients that could not walk or move started walking with out pain. I personally like to have my honey and cinnamon on toast.

Honey can be obtained through many different sources. You may purchase honey directly from the grocery store or a health food store, however, if you prefer organic honey then I would suggest Manuka Honey. This is a premium, medical-grade honey produced by bees that feed on the nectar from the flowers that grow on the Manuka Tea Tree. Researches have found that this type of honey contains extraordinary healing properties that are capable of treating a wide range of health conditions besides arthritis. Manuka Honey has been very effective on the treatment of ringworm, intestinal complications, eczema, ulcers, acid reflux irritable bowel and others.

Although I wasn't expecting any results, I am amazed that the honey and cinnamon has been effective in relieving some of the pain that I was experiencing.

Arthritis Pain - Cold Laser Therapy & Chiropractic Can Reduce & Eliminate Joint Pain & Inflammation

As a chiropractor in the Plano, TX area, I treat patients for all types of arthritis. One of the most common types of arthritis is osteoarthritis. I've found that using Cold Laser Therapy provides tremendous benefit to my patients who have arthritic issues with their neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees. If you have a joint issue, this type of therapy can help.

Arthritis affects more than 50 million people living in the US, every year, and that number will only increase. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis I treat. This disease is degenerative in nature and causes cartilage to wear away along with giving you a lot of pain and discomfort. There are more forms of arthritis than I can count on my hand, but I'm guessing you've heard of bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and so on.

All forms of arthritis have one common symptom, PAIN. Pain develops as a result of multiple factors including inflammation, joint deformity, and can lead to lack of mobility and partial disability. Chiropractic treatment with cold laser has great results but this is not to discount the possible need for medicines, injections, and surgery. Each has their place and value in helping with arthritis pain, but there is still a need for potentially useful adjunctive modalities that can accelerate the recovery and reduce pain faster.

Beyond arthritis, cold laser therapy is excellent for treating various forms of chronic and acute pain. Chiropractors also use laser therapy for patients suffering from back and neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, busiitis, neuropathy, achilles tendon pain, migraine headaches, sinus blockage, sprains and strains, carpal tunnel and other associated pains. Cold laser therapy also treats conditions such as TMJ, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and other inflammatory and scarring conditions.

Cold laser therapy is non-thermal and noninvasive. With the proper combination of cold laser and electric stimulation, laser therapy is one of the most effective healing therapies in the medical community today. Completed in ten to twelve sessions, laser therapy is not only significant in reducing treatment times, it is cost effective as well.

How Cold Laser Therapy Works:

The laser instrument is applied directly to the area needing treatment. By sending short burst of photon laser light into the skin, it blocks pain transmitted by nerve cells. This in turn reduces/eliminates inflammation preventing further swelling in the joint and stopping the pain. Another benefit of the laser is the ability to assist the body in releasing high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins. The laser therapy also benefits your body by accelerating cellular reproduction and growth.

When the cell is damaged or injured, for instance in arthritis, it is not able to repair itself so the joint continues to deteriorate. This is why it is so important to help the cells repair themselves so that the deterioration stops and the regenerative cells of tendons, bone, ligaments and muscles repair faster.

Arthritis in Dogs - Discount Pet Medication Will Ease the Pain and Stiffness

It is not surprising that senior dogs develop arthritis in their joints just as their owners do. Dogs have no way to tell us they are in pain so it's up to the owner to watch for signs of discomfort in his pet and treat the pain with dog arthritis medicine.

Symptoms of Arthritis

* Stiffness in one or more legs
* Difficult standing from a down position
* Limping
* Reluctance to run or jump
* Swelling in one or more joints
* Joint dislocation

The symptoms of arthritis pain will seem to come and go. The dog may be stiff and slow after coming to his feet following a period of lying down or sleeping and then seems to limber up after walking a bit.

The weather may be a factor with damp days or extremely cold temperatures increasing the stiffness and pain for the animal.

Dog Pain Relief

For older dogs with arthritis pain, your vet may advise you to administer aspirin in low doses to ease the pain. Baby aspirin is effective in treating moderate painful joints as it reduces inflammation. Aspirin should not be used long term, however, as it can damaged the stomach lining and also acts as an anticoagulant.

Glucosamine and chondroitin products are useful for dog joint pain. The hip joint is the most common source of pain for dogs with osteoarthritis. In larger breeds, hip dysplasia in dogs is common where the cartilage in the joint can wear away. This creates pain due to bone contacting bone when the joint is flexed. Aging dogs normally lose some cartilage and may also develop arthritis in knees and shoulders.

Large breed dogs and those in middle to old age respond best to glucosamine and chondroitin therapy. Though buffered aspirin can relieve the pain of arthritis temporarily, that pain returns when the aspirin regimen is discontinued. Treating the problem with glucosamine and chondroitin can return normal function to the joint. This therapy is considered an alternative to using prescription dog meds to treat joint pain.

Deramaxx is used for chronic pain in dogs and given daily. One of five adult dogs suffers from arthritis and Deramaxx offers a solution for canine pain relief that is safe enough to use every day.

Rimadyl for dogs is a prescriptive medication for dogs that can provide amazing results. Owners often say their aging pet began romping like a puppy after taking Rimadyl. This medication is used for pain relief after surgery as well as pain from arthritis. It is an anti-inflammatory drug that does not contain steroids. Rimadyl is available only by prescription and can be purchased at discount pet medication sites online in caplet or chewable form. Injections of Rimadyl for dogs may be administered by your veterinarian before soft tissue surgery such as spaying to start pain management before the pain appears.

Any pet medicine may cause a reaction for some animals. Side effects of Rimadyl are usually observed within a few days of beginning treatment and may include:

* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Loss of appetite
* Change in bowel movements
* Change in behavior or activity level
* Yellow appearance of whites of the eyes, skin or gums
* Change in frequency or color of urine output
* Redness or scratching of skin

If these symptoms appear, discontinue use of Rimadyl or Deramaxx and contact your veterinarian. The symptoms may be a warning of more serious side effects involving kidneys, liver or the digestive tract. Rimadyl should not be given to dogs who have demonstrated an allergic reaction to aspirin. to carprofen, the active ingredient, or to dogs with an allergic response Rimadyl is for dogs only and cannot be tolerated by cats.

Canine Pain Medication and Safety

Remember that Rimadyl for dogs and other pain treatments are pet meds. The taste of Rimadyl is one your dog will like so medications should be kept where the dog cannot access them as treats. If your dog manages to eat a quantity of any medication such as aspirin or Rimadyl contact your vet immediately.

Before administering medicine to your dog, consult a veterinarian to find the best solution for your animal and to arrive at the proper dosage for his weight and age. Administer the dog arthritis medicine only to the pet that was diagnosed and prescribed the medication. Order online from a discount pet medication site for significant savings on pain medicines for your dog.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - A Disabling and Horrible Disease

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a vicious disease that affects the joints of the body. It has been known to cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. If a single knee or hand has rumatoid arthritis, the other knee or hand will most likely develop it. Rheumatoid arthritis often occurs in more than a single joint and is capable of affecting any joint in the body. People diagnosed with rumatoid arthritis often get feelings of sickness and fatigue and are more prone to get fevers.
The length of rumatoid arthritis varies from a month to two years. After it has run its course, it leaves without leaving any damage . Many people experience times when the symptoms worsen (flares), and times when they improve (remissions). Others have a severe form of rumatoid arthritis that can last anywhere from a few months to a lifetime. This form of the disease can cause serious permanent joint damage.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Some very common side effects include:

Joints are swollen, tender and warm

Joint inflammation often occurring in the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand

Joint inflammation affecting other areas such as neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles and feet.

Fatigue, fevers and an overal feeling of unwellness

Pain and stiffness in joints lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after a long sleep

These symptoms can last for years!

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The exact cause of rumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it is known that with this arthritis, a person's immune system attacks his or her own body tissues. Researchers are learning many things about why and how this happens. Things that may cause rumatoid arthritis are:

Genes (past on from parents): Researchers are discovering that certain genes may play in the role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Environment: Some scientists believe that something must happen to trigger the disease process in people who have the genes that make them more likely to develop rumatoid arthritis.

Hormones: Other scientists and researchers believe a variety of other hormonal factors may also contribute to rumatoid arthritis.
Rheumtoid Arthritis Treatment:
There are many ways that doctors can treat rumatoid arthritis. The goals of treatment are to:

Reduce pain and swelling

Stop or slow down joint damage

Help people feel better and stay active

Treatment for rumatoid arthritis may involve:

Changes in lifestyle: Make sure to keep a good balance between exercise and rest, take care of your joints, eliminate stress from you life, and eating a health, well-balanced diet.

Medicine: A majority of people suffering from rumatoid arthritis take medicine for pain relief, to reduce swelling and to prevent the disease from getting worse.

Surgery: Many types of surgeries are available to those with severe joint damage.

Regular Doctor Visits: Visit your doctor on a regular basis so he/she can see if it getting worse, determine if the medicine is helping, and change the treatment if needed.

How Does Cold Laser Work For Arthritis?

Arthritis affects almost 70 million Americans. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in which the cartilage wears away, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune inflammatory condition. Also, there are other conditions that fall under the "umbrella" of arthritis including bursitis, tendonitis, low back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and so on.

The common symptom of most forms of arthritis is pain. Pain develops as a result of multiple factors including inflammation with stimulation of neural peripheral pain sensors due to either biochemical factors such as cytokines or to mechanical factors- joint deformity. Arthritis pain may be accompanied byother problems including loss of range of motion and disability.

While medicines, injections, and surgery all have their place and are valuable, there is still a need for potentially useful adjunctive modalities that might speed up recovery and reduce pain faster.

Low level therapeutic laser, better known as phototherapy, is a relatively new form of treatment. Its premise is that certain wavelengths of light have effects on living tissue. This effect is termed "photobiomodulation."

Phototherapy has been shown in experimental settings to stimulate cell growth, increase cell metabolism, improve cell regeneration, induce an anti-inflammatory response, reduce edema, reduce fibrous tissue formation, reduce levels of substance P, stimulate production of nitric oxide, decrease the formation of bradykinin, histamine, and acetylcholine, and stimulate the production of endorphins. These effects are felt to be what reduce pain.

Most cold lasers in use today use a combination of light emitting diodes and infrared emitting diodes.

The beneficial effects of cold laser were first noted in wound healing in rats (Mester E, Spy T, Sander N, Tito J. Effect of laser ray on wound healing. Am J Surg 1971; 122: 523-535).

Subequently, laser was found to be beneficial in a number of animal models and is till being studied as a possible tool for cartilage regeneration and healing (Lin Y, Chai CY, Yang RC. Effects of helium-neon laser on levels of stress protein and arthritic histopathology in experimental osteoarthritis. Am J Phys Med Rehab. 2004; 83: 758-765).

Data regarding the usefulness of cold laser on different conditions seen in a rheumatology office include:

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (Brosseau L, Welch V, Wells G, Tugwell P, de Bie R, Harman K, Shea B, Morin M. Low level laser therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis. J Rheum. 2000; 27: 1961-9);

Elbow tendonitis (Simunovic Z, Trobonjaca T, Trobonjaca Z. Treatment of medial and lateral epicondylitis- tennis and golfer's elbow- with low level laser therapy: a multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on 324 patients. J Clin Laser Medicine Surg. 1998; 16: 145-51);

Fibromyalgia trigger points (Simunovic Z. Low level laser therapy with trigger points technique: a clinical study on 243 patients. J Clin Laser Medicine Surg. 1996; 14: 163-167);

Neck arthritis (Ozdemir F, Birtane M, Kokino S. The clinical efficacy of low-power laser therapy on pain and function in cervical osteoarthritis. Clin Rheumatology. 2001; 20: 181-184);

Carpal tunnel syndrome (Naeser MA, Hahn KA, Lieberman BE, Branco KF. Carpal tunnel syndrome pain treated with low-level laser and micro amperes transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: a controlled study. Archives Phys Med Rehab. 2002; 83: 978-988);

Shoulder tendonitis (England S, Ferrell AJ, Coppock JS, Struthers G, Bacon PA. Low power laser therapy of shoulder tendonitis. Scand J Rheum. 1989; 18: 427-431);

Low back pain disorders (Tasaki E, et al. Application of low power laser therapy for relief of low back pain. Ninth Congress of the International Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine. Anaheim, CA. USA. November 2-6, 1991; Tuner J, Hode L. The Laser Therapy handbook. Prima Books. 2004. Sweden, p. 81).

Adequate clinical assessment is vital to determining whether a patient is a good candidate for laser therapy. Also, laser is a complementary therapy; it should be used in conjunction with other therapies as well. Concurrent medications, etc. should not be forgotten.

Phototherapy is FDA approved for a number of applications and has been deemed safe. It also requires relatively little time to perform. Established protocols and tissue dosages have been established that make clinical application relatively easy.

The number of sessions required varies according to disorder, length of time the disorder has been present, and the severity of the disorder.

Contraindications include pregnancy (use of the laser over the pregnant uterus), thyroid exposure, over a pediatric epiphysis, transplant patients, directly on a an active cancer, on an are where there has been a recent (within 24 hours) steroid injection, or on the chest of a patient with a pacemaker.

While cold laser is considered by some to be unproven, it appears so far to be a safe, effective mode of therapy for many rheumatologic disorders and is worth trying before subjecting a patient to more invasive and dangerous procedures.

Arthritis Treatment: Approach to Ankle Pain

Ankle pain, while not as frequent as pain in the knee, is a common problem. The difficulty lies in making a diagnosis because chronic "ankle pain" covers a wide variety of disorders, each of which requires a customized approach.

A chronic ankle problem should be differentiated from an acute injury. An acute ankle injury is not hard to diagnose. For example, ankle sprains are usually an inversion injury (the foot turns in) and there is damage to the outside (lateral ligaments) of the ankle. While usually mild, some injuries can be more severe with significant injury occurring in the anterior talofibular ligament. A significant percentage of those patients who have this injury go on to develop osteoarthritis of the ankle. It is important that if there is evidence of significant damage to the anterior talofibular ligament, that an MRI scan be obtained.

Patients with chronic ankle pain where there is crunching when the ankle is moved almost always have osteoarthritis of the ankle and this is usually a result of recurrent injury of the inversion type. While the standard programs of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and glucocorticoid injections can provide temporary relief, patients may need more aggressive treatment using platelet-rich plasma and/or mesenchymal stem cells.

Pain developing on the outside of the ankle beneath the lateral malleolus (the bump on the outside of the ankle) usually is due to tendonitis involving the peroneal tendon. An MRI will confirm the diagnosis. Treatment consists of ultrasound guided needle tenotomy with platelet-rich plasma. Another condition that causes pain on the outside of the ankle joint is sinus tarsi syndrome. This is an inflammatory condition affecting the joint between the talus (upper ankle bone) and the calcaneus (heel bone). Treatment here involves ultrasound guided glucocorticoid injection and splinting.

Pain in the back of the ankle, particularly if it can be localized to the Achilles tendon is due to Achilles tendinopathy. This is a degenerative condition involving the Achilles tendon and is frequently seen in aging athletes. The danger here is this condition can lead to Achilles rupture. MRI can confirm the diagnostic impression. If there is no tear, ultrasound guided needle tenotomy with platelet-rich plasma can be curative.

Pain the back of the ankle joint usually signifies an arthritic component involving a bone called the os trigonum.

Pain along the inside of the ankle joint can be due to a few things. The first is a problem with the deltoid ligament. Another potential situation is caused by an extra bone- called an accessory navicular. Pain with toeing off at the front/middle part of the ankle joint is caused by pinching between the talus and the tibia (lower leg bone). All of these situations are complicated in regards to treatment.

Pain occurring below and in back of the medial malleolus (bump along the inside of the ankle) is usually due to tendonitis involving the posterior tibial tendon. This can be treated with ultrasound guided needle tenotomy with platelet-rich plasma along with short term splinting.

The Truth About Magnetic Therapy And Arthritis Relief

If you find yourself riddled with pain from stiff, swollen joints, consider looking towards magnetic therapy and arthritis relief .

Since this method of pain relief requires no medications, you will not have to worry about drug interactions or potential side effects from adding chemicals in your body.

Furthermore, magnetic therapy does not wear off like typical medications, so you can work to sideline the pain without having to worry about proper dosage.

Finally, the cost of arthritis medication is often high and out of the budget for many individuals, so magnetic therapy is often more affordable for most arthritis sufferers.

How Magnetic Therapy Works

Before you begin looking to magnetic therapy and arthritis relief, consider starting at the root of the therapy itself.

Magnet therapy has been around for thousands of years, as the ancient Chinese, Indians, Persians, Greeks, and Egyptians turned towards the power of magnets to ease their aches and pains.

Even in those days, the success of magnetic therapy was questioned. Just as today, two camps formed: those for magnetic therapy and those against the alternative type of therapy.

There are many theories regarding exactly how magnets work to alleviate aches and pains, there have been several studies that have shown that magnetic therapy has success over other forms of pain therapy.

Why Magnetic Therapy

Aren't you tired of taking pills and other medications, then consider magnetic therapy.

This is a great way to focus on healing your body naturally and avoid ingesting potentially dangerous types of medication.

Many individuals find that their arthritis medication can dangerously interact with their other prescriptions.

If you have any prescriptions, including blood pressure medication, heart medication, or cholesterol medication that is considered necessary to preserve your quality of life, these drugs take precedence over arthritis medications.

Other medications can cause potential problems with your existing medical conditions. Furthermore, other medications have particularly nasty side effects that can be potentially devastating.

Magnetic therapy has no known side effects, will not interact with your other medications, and will usually not pose a problem with your other medical conditions.

When To Avoid Magnetic Therapy

Magnets can potentially cause problems for some individuals.

If you have an implanted defibrillator or a pacemaker, the presence of strong magnets could pose a problem.

Especially in the case of mattresses impregnated with large magnets, the magnetic field created could completely shut off the device that is so critical to the health of your heart.

Herbal Remedies for Arthritis

Just because you cannot entirely avoid arthritis, does not mean there aren't simple ways to overcome the inevitable discomforts the condition causes. Daily joint supplements are suggested for people with anxiety about getting arthritis or for those that are trying to subdue the pain and stiffness they may already feel. Many people turn to herbal remedies as a way to treat their arthritis. Herbal remedies are a non-intrusive way to successfully manage your joint pains.

First off, there are two kinds of arthritis: osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both classifications can be treated with an herbal remedy. The main difference between the two is the inflammation. While OA has minimal to no visible inflammation at the joints, RA is distinguished by its inflammation. Osteoarthritis is different because it is a slow deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. People with OA suffer from burn spurs and cannot move easily and it is the most common diagnosis. People should be especially conscious of this condition as they reach the later of their 60's but it can come at any phase in life. RA, or rheumatoid arthritis, has been known to reach adults in their 20's to 40's and can cause a really tender, inflamed joint. Women especially are known to suffer from RA. It is more serious than OA because the body is attacking its own tissues. It can affect your feet, knees, hands, wrists, hips, tendons, and muscles -causing a terrible amount of discomfort.

As you search for what is causing your arthritis, you may find that a nutrient deficiency may be the root of your problems. This is where herbal remedies can really tie into finding your cure. They are formulated with ingredients high in nutrients with the intent to help those suffering from this condition.

Some popular ingredients you will see in herbal supplements are Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate, Calcium L-Threonate, Boswellia Serrata, Bromelain, Vitamin D3, and Ginger. Calcium L-Threonate is capable of absorbing calcium at an exceedingly high rate of 95%, making it a key ingredient in arthritis formulas. Boswellia Serrata is a long time ingredient used to stop swelling and joint pains. People with knee pains especially benefit from including this in their diet. Bromelain is not limited to joint health, but it is capable of drastically reducing the swelling of joints. Vitamin D3 helps fight chronic pains and week muscles. It is one of the most important vitamins, can be given off by the sun, and can really benefit daily diets. Ginger can help calm inflamed joints and has bed credited over prescription drugs in the prevention of forming prostaglandins.

Something herbal supplements can help prevent is bone spurs, a general side effect of arthritis. They are painful and stunt your free moving mobility. An herbal supplement feeds the cartilage surrounding your bones and prevents bone spurs.

If you are suffering from chronic pains like arthritis, then consider herbal remedies. They are considered to be a safe health solution for those with body joint pains.

Psoriasis - 2% Of The World's Population Affected!

Introduction

Psoriasis [pronounced sore-EYE-ah-sis] is a noncontagious, lifelong skin disease and affects both sexes equally and can occur at any age, although it most commonly appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25 years. It is probably one of the longest known illnesses of humans and simultaneously one of the most misunderstood and is usually graded as mild (affecting less than 3% of the body), moderate (affecting 3-10% of the body) or severe. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis and has been shown to affect health-related quality of life to an extent similar to the effects of other chronic diseases such as depression, myocardial infarction, hypertension, congestive heart failure or type 2 diabetes.

While it does get worse over time; It is not possible to predict who will go on to develop extensive psoriasis or those in whom the disease may appear to vanish. Research continues to accelerate at a rapid pace and will continue to advance our knowledge of what causes this disease.

Symptoms

Research shows that the signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually appear between 15 and 35 years of age and often disappear (go into remission), even without treatment, and then return (flare up). Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires life long therapy. Symptoms can vary from person to person but may include one or more of the following: Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales, Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children,), Dry, cracked skin that may bleed, Itching, burning or soreness, Thickened, pitted or ridged nails, Swollen and stiff joints. Additional symptoms may include: Genital lesions in males, Joint pain or aching (psoriatic arthritis), Nail changes, including yellow-brown spots, dents (pits) on the nail surface, and separation of the nail from the base. About 10 percent of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis.

Most report a decrease in illness severity during the summer months or periods of increased sun exposure; however, a small minority find that their symptoms are aggravated by strong sunlight, and these individuals actually experience a worsening of their disease in the summer. Call your health care provider if you have symptoms or if the skin irritation continues despite treatment.

Treatments

There are many treatments available that work wonders for one victim but have no effect or benefit for another. They range from local (cortisone cream application, emollients, coal tar, anthralin preparations, and sun exposure)to systemic (internal medications, including methotrexate and cyclosporine). As a first step, medicated ointments or creams, called topical treatments, are applied to the skin. Treatments for more general or advanced psoriasis include UV-A light, psoralen plus UV-A light (PUVA), retinoids (eg, isotretinoin [Accutane], acitretin [Soriatane]), infliximab (Remicade), etanercept (Enbrel), and alefacept (Amevive).

National Psoriasis Foundation

The National Psoriasis Foundation is an excellent organization that provides support to patients with psoriasis. The Foundation reports that 56 million work hours are lost each year by those who have the disease. Additionally, a survey conducted by the Foundation in 2002 indicates that 26% of people living with moderate to severe psoriasis have been forced to change or discontinue their normal daily activities. The Foundation estimates that between 10% to 30% of The affected people also have psoriatic arthritis. Internationally, plaque psoriasis is universal in its occurrence and varies with race, geography, and environmental factors (eg, sun exposure).

Conclusion

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales and is a chronic, meaning lifelong, condition because there is currently no cure. It may be one of the oldest recorded skin conditions and can last a long time, even a lifetime. It is known to affect approximately 2% of the world's population and is rare among people with dark skin. Psoriasis has been known about for at least five thousand years and if any particular nutrient had been proved to be beneficial surely we would all have heard about it by now.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis progresses with age and affects the area around the joints. One experiences pain, stiffness or swellings due to complete loss of cartilage cushion, extended periods of inactivity, or trauma. The pain differs in intensity from low to high, increasing in humid weather, followed by muscle spasm and contraction. The time to worry is when this pain in the hip, knee, spine or feet persists for more than two weeks.

Osteoarthritis symptoms vary from patient to patient. What is interesting about Osteoarthritis is that symptoms do not always progress with time. Patients can have days of no pain or unpleasant days of acute pain due to weather changes. In progressive osteoarthritis, symptoms get magnified and other joints of the body are affected. These joints include the neck, knees, hips, hands, or feet. Crepitus, a creaking sound when a bone rubs against another bone, is prominent in the neck. The pain worsens in mornings and evenings and subsides during day time. If a patient feels pinching or tingling, or there is numbness in a nerve or the spinal cord, it means that bone spurs are forming at edge of the joints of the spine and irritating the nerves. Different body parts may experience differing symptoms. For example, with osteoarthritis of hip, the major weight-bearing joint is stiff and difficult to move.

Osteoarthritis symptoms need to be verified before any medication is prescribed, as the symptoms are often confused with spondylosis. Spondylosis is responsible for gradual deterioration of the discs between vertebrae of the spine. Spondylosis and osteoarthritis are generally found together, and one needs to be sure before start of treatment. Another common mix-up is with symptoms of Osteoporosis, or low calcium content of the bones. The pain from an Osteoporotic spinal fracture is similar to one felt by Osteoarthritis patients. Verification of symptoms in initial stages helps reduce unnecessary tension and trauma.

What Are The Causes Of Body Joint Pain? A Great One - 50

When it comes to causes of body joint pain, the options are widely varied. Most joint pain is automatically associated with arthritis, but that may or may not be the case. Before you jump to an erroneous conclusion about the case of your painful joints, be sure to contact your primary health care provider.

He or she will complete the appropriate tests and give you a diagnosis regarding your pain. The correct diagnosis of the causes of body joint pain is especially important, since the proper treatment plan can be developed in order to best combat the condition.

Arthritis is one of the most frequent causes of body joint pain. There are several different types of arthritis that are caused by a host of conditions.

One of the more serious types of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition. Although science has yet to find a cure (or a specific cause) for any type of arthritis, there are many treatment options available that can dramatically decrease the impact of the condition on your body.

Sometimes, the cure can be as simple as to change prescription drugs, as medication interactions are often associated with arthritis. Other types of therapies, including most natural ones like acupuncture, are also gaining in popularity.

There are several types of diseases associated with joint pain. Although these types of diseases are not linked with arthritis, the symptoms are often the same. For example, the autoimmune condition known as lupus often affects individuals by making their joints swollen, inflamed, and painful.

Prescription drug interactions can also result in joint pain. It is not uncommon to have an individuals medication react with another medication or a preexisting medical condition.

For this reason, it is important that you know all of the potential side effects of any type of medication and be sure to tell your doctor about every prescription, herbal, or holistic medication that you are currently taking to prevent such problems.

Other conditions that may cause body joint pain revolve around the physical health of the joint. If the joint has been damaged in any way, it is a possibility that joint pain will be a result of the damage. Athletes are especially prone to joint pain, as their joints are often put under a great deal of stress.

Physical therapy, medication, and even surgery are possible options for individuals with damaged joints. Sometimes, extreme treatments like joint replacement are necessary in order for the joint to function properly and the pain to be eliminated.

Whatever your specific cause of your body joint pain, an appointment with your primary health care provider is essential. He or she will be able to determine the cause of your pain and instruct you on a proper treatment program.

However tempting, you should avoid creating your own diagnosis or investing in your own treatment program without the guidance of a medically trained doctor.

Furthermore, be sure to remember that drug interactions can potentially occur whether you are currently taking prescription medication or natural remedies, so you should seek the guidance from your physician before attempting any holistic treatment plans.

Does Glucosamine Work For Osteoarthritis? The Truth Revealed!

Do Supplements Work?

There are a number of supplements that claim to be beneficial for the treatment of Osteoarthritis. However, there is very little medical evidence to support most of the claims with the exception of vitamins as a part of a healthy diet and Glucosamine Sulphate. Many of the companies are free to make any claims they choose with marketing etc. because in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not review products listed as "supplements". The two most common supplements for Osteoarthritis which do have some evidence to support their use to relieve pain are Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

What Is Glucosamine and Chondroitin? Glucosamine and Chondroitin are substances naturally found in healthy cartilage in joints and have been shown to be effective in relieving pain in some studies. Glucosamine is available in three different preparations:

• Glucosamine Sulphate


• Glucosamine Hydrochloride


• Glucosamine NAS

Only Glucosamine Sulphate along with Chondroitin has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and symptoms. However, people who have an allergy to shellfish should not use either product. They may need to be taken for several weeks to a number of months before any pain and symptomatic relief is apparent. During this period it is important to continue taking the product to maximize benefits. The particular brand is very important in providing benefit to patients.

Recently, Consumer Reports did a review on Glucosamine Sulphate/Chondroitin. The review warned that many brands did not accurately list the amount of Glucosamine in the product and also rated numerous brands on cost/value. In the review only one brand was rated by Consumer Reports as one of the best brands because of its purity and accuracy in listing the amount of Glucosamine in the product. In addition, the brand was also rated as one of the top values based on price. It is important to remember that a company can make any claim it chooses on how much Glucosamine is in the bottle etc. so use a reputable brand.

Other Supplements-Commonly used but with little evidence to support their use to treat OA:

• Omega-3 fatty acid-unsaturated fat fatty acids commonly found in fish


• Selenium


• Vitamin B9 (folate) and B12


• Vitamin D


• Antioxidants-including vitamins C and E


• Ginger extract


• Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 (BMP-6)


• Avocado/soybean extract


• Frankincense-derived from specific trees in India


• Bromelain-enzymes found in the Bromeliaceae family of plants


• Hydrolyzed collagen (hydrolysate) (a gelatin product)

Foods for a Healthy Arthritis Diet

In case you are affected with arthritis, make sure that you avoid the foods that can trigger the symptoms and worsen them. You have to follow an arthritis diet and for this, you might need to let go of your favorite foods to maintain optimum health. Here are some tips on how to maintain a healthy arthritis diet:

* Your foods should contain a balanced ration of calcium and phosphorous. This is due to the fact that high phosphorous can lower calcium, thus resulting to worsened arthritis conditions. The foods that are rich in phosphorous include red flesh fish, red meat, liver, kidney, carbonated drinks and processed meat. Red meat is also high in uric acid and this too can aggravate the condition.

* Foods and drinks containing caffeine should be avoided as well, as these can cause loss of essential vitamins and minerals in the body.

* Sugary foods can prevent the body from absorbing enough nutrients and calcium, and so this should be excluded from your diet.

* Vegetable oil and fried foods should also be eliminated from your diet, since these may contain omega-6 that can exacerbate inflammation and worsen your arthritis condition.

* Gluten which is commonly found in oats, wheat and barley can also aggravate arthritis, so if you can, you must try to reduce the consumption of these foods.

* Alcohol can prevent the body from absorbing calcium.

* Reduce salt consumption to enhance calcium absorption in the body.

* Foods containing oxalic acid, such as chard, plums and cranberries should be avoided as well.

* Foods from the nightshade family, such as red peppers, eggplants, white potatoes and tomatoes can all aggravate arthritis condition.

* Butter and margarine should also be excluded from your diet to prevent joint inflammation and the aggravation of all the other symptoms of the condition.

* Dry roasted nuts can also worsen arthritis so almonds, walnuts and Brazil nuts should all be avoided.

As much as possible, the foods included in your diet should be the ones that can help reduce inflammation, such as garlic, apple, ginger and turmeric. Other foods that you can opt for include the following:

* Fruits loaded with vitamin C should be included in an arthritis diet, such as oranges, sweet limes, strawberries, peaches, apples and kiwifruit.

* Fruits packed with vitamin A are great additions as well, including collard, squash, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.

* Flaxseed, which is high in omega-3, is very helpful against inflammation, along with certain nuts like linseed, almond, walnut and pumpkin seed.

* You may also benefit from foods high in magnesium, such as bananas, apricots, beans, leafy vegetables and whole grains.

* Fishes like mackerel, salmon, tuna, herring, sardines and trout should all be added to your diet, as these contain high amount of omega-3 and vitamin E.

Now that you are aware of the foods that you should avoid and the foods that you can include in your diet, you can now manage the symptoms of your condition and prevent it from worsening. Following this type of diet is not only beneficial against arthritic conditions but it can also be great in maintaining overall health.

Doctor...I've Been Told I Have Spondyloarthopathy...Spinal Arthritis - What Is It?

Spondyloarthopathy is a long word referring to a group of autoimmune inflammatory forms of arthritis that may affect the spine. Examples of diseases that fall into this category include Ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis (Reiter's disease), juvenile spondyloarthropathy, and the arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Factors these diseases have in common are:

o They affect the sacroiliac joints and the spine

o Other joints including the fingers and toes may become inflamed

o Increased family history of the disease

o Lack of rheumatoid factor

The HLA-B27 gene is markedly associated with this set of conditions. This is detected through blood testing.

The back pain associated with spondyloarthropathy has a few distinguishing features that separates it from mechanical back pain due to degenerative arthritis.

Inflammatory back pain cause extended morning stiffness- at least an hour or longer. The pain from inflammatory causes tends to come on after midnight and in the early morning. Exercise improves inflammatory back symptoms but makes mechanical back pain worse. The peak age of onset is usually 12-40 years for inflammatory spine disease and 20-65 years for mechanical.

One major distinguishing characteristic is the presence of enthesitis. This is inflammation where the tendons meet the bone.

Other areas that this type of arthritis may affect include the eyes (iritis), lungs (restrictive lung disease), heart (aortic valve disease, heart block), gut (inflammatory bowel), and skin (psoriasis).

Peculiar sausage shaped swelling of the fingers and toes can also occur. This is called dactylitis.

The inflammatory spondyloarthropathies are a progressive debilitating form of arthritis. The diagnosis must be established as early as possible so that aggressive treatment can be instituted. This group od disorders can be controlled and often may be put into sustained remission.

Psoriasis Be Gone! Great Discovery Inside!

Being diagnosed with psoriasis is simply not the end of the world, nonetheless it might be a hard smack to the face. A smack that will not only leave a big red mark, but also silvery-white, scaly patches as well. If that doesn't discomfort you, then how about having these annoying, painful and sometimes bleeding patches all over your scalp and body, PLUS lets go ahead and inflame your joins with a little psoriatic arthritis! You feeling pleasant now? Oh, I'll bet you are. A great deal of individuals will tell you that there is no remedy for psoriasis, and consequently they're pretty much right. Sadly I must tell all you psoriasis sufferers out there that there really isn't any tried and true cure for this disgusting, quality-of-life destroying disease.

Take it from a long time sufferer of psoriasis, I've tried just about everything aside from the new medications that proudly proclaim DEATH as one of the possible side effects. In any case, what works well for one person may not work at all for another, which sucks because some people have all the luck with certain meds and creams while I sit, wallowing in my room in a puddle of pure misery. I'd like to believe I'm a pretty beautiful person, but tack on a bunch of UGLY scales and it becomes hard to maintain such a thought. Something decent to try if you haven't already is aloe vera and vinegar, because when applied on the body, it reduces the itchy feeling and relieves you of the discomfort, while the vinegar, when diluted in water may be applied to the affected areas in order to lessen the appearance of psoriasis. Banana Peel and Burdock Root are also natural herbs that can be used to reduce the flaring and the break outs of the skin, though I've never actually tried this so don't just take my word for it, go out and do it!

Honestly, I didn't write this article to simply carry on and complain about my psoriasis, though I very much like to do so, my main goal was to expose everyone who hasn't already been formally introduced to a nice little drug called Naltrexone. Now, Low-Dose Naltrexone is where it's really at, lets call it LDN for short, only because that's what it's called of course. This drug was originally created to help wane drug addicted people off their drugs of choice, mainly opioids because I think that's all it works for; heroin, alcohol, cocaine, etc... all the good stuff! Well, a certain doctor whose name escapes my mind found out that when administered at low doses, this miracle drug was actually HELPING people with all sorts of autoimmune diseases! Skeptical, go type LDN in Google right now and check out the main website, it's got plenty of information on the drug and all its benefits. Anyways, I've been taking it in low doses for about two or three months now, possibly longer, and have yet to achieve the results I really want. Don't let that stop you from trying it out, I've had pretty great results, just not complete clearance, which is of course what I'm aiming for! The only problem is getting your doctor to fill out a prescription for you, but I guess if you have a good, competent doctor it shouldn't be too hard for you. Make the appointment immediately!

Episodic Oligoarticular Arthritis and Podagra

Podagra-severe inflammatory arthritis at the first metatarsophalangeal joint-is the most frequent manifestation of gout. Patients usually describe waking within the middle of the night with dramatic pain, redness, swelling, and warmth of the region. Flares of gout typically create one of the most intense forms of inflammatory arthritis. The toes and, to a lesser extent, the midfoot, ankles and knees are the most common websites for gout flares. Gout flares often occur in circumstances that improve serum uric acid amounts, such as metabolic stressors leading to elevated DNA or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) turnover (eg, sepsis or surgery) or dehydration.

Agents that reduce prostaglandin synthesis (eg, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), decrease neutrophil migration into the joints (eg, colchicine), or decrease the activation of myelomonocytic cells (eg, corticosteroids) decrease the duration of the gouty flare. Gouty arthritis can be diagnosed by examination of synovial fluid from an actively inflamed joint under a polarizing microscope.

Monosodium urate crystals could be seen as negatively birefringent needle-like structures that extend across the diameter of and therefore are engulfed by polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Firm, irregular subcutaneous deposits of monosodium urate crystals may occur in individuals with chronic gout and therefore are referred to as tophi.

Tophi most frequently form along tendinous tissues on the extensor surfaces of joints and tendons as well as on the outer helix from the ear. This kind of tophi might extrude chalky material, containing urate crystals, onto the skin surface and can be viewed for diagnostic purposes under polarized microscopy. In some individuals, the total body burden of uric acid increases greatly over many years; deposits of monosodium urate crystals occur at numerous joint websites.

This may result in a persistent but more indolent inflammatory arthritis related to remodeling from the thin synovial membrane into a thickened inflammatory tissue. Destructive and irreversible joint deformities resulting from bone and cartilage erosions often produce in this circumstance. Renal tubular injury and nephrolithiasis can also produce below these problems.

Treatment for acute gouty arthritis consists of brokers that reduce inflammatory cell recruitment and activation towards the involved joints. In contrast, prevention or prophylaxis of recurrent attacks of gouty arthritis demands chronic treatment to reduce serum uric acid amounts into the normal array, exactly where dissolution of crystals is favored.

A number of brokers are obtainable that can achieve this objective. These include uricosuric agents (eg, probenecid), which improve excretion of uric acid to the urine, and allopurinol, which inhibits uric acid synthesis by inhibition of xanthine oxidase (a critical enzyme in the uric acid synthetic pathway). Xanthine oxidase inhibitors are conceptually suitable for treatment of uric acid overproducers (10% of individuals), and uricosuric agents for treating uric acid underexcretors (90% of patients).

However, brokers that decrease uric acid production can be utilized for therapy of hyperuricemia irrespective of trigger and are frequently a lot more convenient in terms of dosage regimens. Several newer recombinant molecule therapies, including an enzyme called uricase that directly breaks down uric acid, and a soluble IL-1 receptor antagonist, have shown promising early outcomes within the remedy of refractory gout.

Natural Help for Arthritic Joints

Any disease or degradation of the joints causes serious pain and interference with daily activity. It can be a challenge just to get out of bed each morning when joints are inflamed and hurting. Although many prescription medicines claim to alleviate this problem, there are more natural remedies that can help those suffering from joint problems, without the many side-effects and high costs. Optimally, these options should be explored first before prescription medications are required.

Nature provides many pure and effective remedies for people suffering from joint issues, and when taken in their natural form, they are more easily and readily absorbed by the body. Most of them can be taken in tablet or liquid form or simply added to a healthy diet. Supplements can provide concentrated doses of several natural joint pain remedies in a single dosage.

Ginger and Alfalfa: Adding ginger and alfalfa to the diet can provide long-term improvements for joint problems; ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory (inhibiting prostaglandin and thromboxane production) that soothes joints. Alfalfa has a lot of calcium, potassium and magnesium to contribute to joint health. Ginger can be added to tea regularly or used in oil form and massaged directly onto the affected joints. Alfalfa sprouts or leaves are often used in salads or sandwiches and add flavor as well as color. Alfalfa tablets are also available as a quicker and sometimes more convenient way of helping the body reverse acidosis, a key component in joint erosion and pain.

Chondroitin and Glucosamine: Chondroitin capsules are a powerful weapon against joint problems, as this natural supplement actually works to rebuild damaged cartilage. Chondroitin also lubricates the delicate components of the joints, which can help to minimize pain and restore mobility. Glucosamine, a natural substance found in shellfish, plays a vital role in synthesizing valuable proteins and lipids that help support the function and structure of joints. It is also very easily absorbed by the body.

Boswellia and Vitamin E: Found in trees throughout Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Boswellia is another super-supplement that can be taken for joint and arthritis pain. By reducing inflammation, Boswellia can help improve joint mobility and range of motion. Vitamin-E can be very beneficial to people with joint conditions because it boosts the immune system, which can help increase the production of new cartilage. Vitamin-E also has the power to reduce inflammation and combat pain. In combination, Boswellia and vitamin-E have been shown to harmonize components of hormone regulatory factors that help reduce symptoms in a number of conditions. Hormone regulation is an important part of joint and bone health.

No matter which form they are in, when taken on a consistent basis, natural herbs add a healthy element to the fight against joint degradation and other arthritic conditions that plague so many people. Improving joint health, reducing inflammation and rebuilding cartilage are essential to anyone needing to regain control over movement, flexibility and their ability to enjoy life free from chronic joint pain. For more information about using natural remedies for chronic joint pain, visit http://www.synotrex.com.

I've Got Arthritis Nothing Can Be Done - Really?

Arthritis is a condition that affects people of all ages but it becomes more common with increasing age. People often say 'Nothing can be done for my back pain, I've got arthritis'. So, if you have arthritis does it really mean you have to just grit your teeth and put up with it?

Arthritis is progressive and can affect any joint in the body. It causes inflammation within the joints, which can cause them to be stiff and painful. There are many types of arthritis with the most common being osteoarthritis, when this is present in the spine it is known as spondylosis. Osteoarthritis is progressive and goes through three typical phases:

Phase one

The shock absorbers (discs) in between each vertebra are full of fluid. As osteoarthritis starts to progress they lose some of this fluid from within the disc. This leads to a loss in disc height, which allows less space for the nerve roots to exit from the spinal cord meaning an injury is more likely. The dehydration of the disc and the loss of disc height also cause the spine to become more unstable.

Phase two

The discs continue to dehydrate. This causes the body to react by trying to stabilise the spine. It does this by trying to fuse the adjoining vertebra together. Little bony protrusions start to appear known as osteophytes. These osteophytes can pinch on the nerves directly or cause less space for the nerve roots to exit from the spinal cord making an injury even more likely.

Phase three

The vertebrae eventually fuse leaving no room for the nerve roots to exit from the spinal cord. The spine is now more stable but it is likely that there is a complete lack of range of motion. The nerves are likely to be irritated or damaged resulting in pain, changes in sensation, and decrease in muscle strength.

So, how do you tell how much arthritis is present in the spine? People always assume they are in the third phase of arthritis. This is rarely the case. As long as you are within the second phase then something can be done. The joints can be kept more mobile, and the inflammation reduced. This can reduce pain levels and can even increase range of motion. Arthritis cannot be cured but it can be easily managed. In order to manage arthritis effectively you can do the following:

• Go for regular walks. Walking helps free up the joints throughout your body.


• Stay hydrated. Water makes up 70% of the body and keeping the body hydrated makes things more fluid and mobile.


• Try not to sit for too long. Sitting for long periods means our body becomes accustomed to those positions. Joints in specific areas tighten and you start to get muscular compensation. Take regular breaks in order to try and prevent this, every 30 minutes is recommended.


• See a chiropractor. If you wish to stay mobile or want to get rid of pain a chiropractor is your best bet. The chiropractor will assess your whole body and tell you which joints are moving and which ones are not and will help get you back on track.

Arthritis Pain Relief - Specialized Rosehip Powder Proven To Sooth Aching Joints

Painful and stiff joints limits people's quality of life since if they are in pain or have stiff joints they can't continue to engage in normal activities that they love to do.? Although joint health products are available on the market, people are looking for effective and safe alternatives.? They are seeking alternatives since many do not respond to glucosamine-chondroitin, they do not want to take drugs that can have serious side effects, or they are looking for all natural solutions.? Now there is a scientifically proven alternative to provide this solution - specialized rosehip powder.

Specialized rosehip powder has an interesting history.? It began back in the early 90's when Erik Hansen, a Danish farmer who grew rosehips for making marmalade, discovered by chance that his specific rosehip powder alleviated his joint pain and improved his flexibility.? He then gave this powder to his friends and neighbors and they too were amazed with the positive results they obtained.? So Erik and his son, Torbjorn, visited the local hospital to seek out scientists to test out his product. ?Although the scientists were at first very skeptical they agree to test it in patients with osteoarthritis and to their surprise they observed that it did in fact alleviate joint pain and increase joint flexibility in these patients. So farmer Hansen decided to form a business to sell his rosehip powder. He went on to develop and patent a gentle drying process of the whole fruit to preserve the active ingredients. Since then, several well designed scientific studies involving a couple of hundred people have been undertaken and published in recognized scientific journals. Here are the key scientific findings:

• 
  82% of osteoarthritis subjects responded with reduced pain scores after 3 weeks on specialized rosehip powder compared to 49% of subjects consuming placebo or dummy pill.? A significant reduction in stiffness and improved ability to perform daily activities was also demonstrated with the specialized rosehip powder versus the placebo after 3 months.


• 
  In a 4 month study 65% of the osteoarthritis subjects versus only 44% on the placebo experienced a reduction in joint pain.? Joint mobility also improved significantly compared to the placebo.


• 
  In a 3 month study 66% of osteoarthritis subjects given specialized rosehip powder achieved joint relief compared to 36% of the subjects given placebo.


• 
  Specialized rosehip powder was also tested versus placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and demonstrated to significantly improve their disability index scores at 6 months while scores for the placebo group worsened.?

Based on the proven science specialized rosehip powder had many benefits over other joint health products including the following:

• 
  Soothes achy joints.


• 
  Works fast, in as little as three weeks


• 
  Effective in four out of five people


• 
  Improved joint mobility and enhanced quality of life


• 
  100% natural


• 
  Not animal or shellfish derived


• 
  No major food allergens


• 
  No known drug interactions or side effects

Acupuncture And Massage Therapies For Arthritis

Affecting an approximately seventy million Americans, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Arthritis is complex disease that can hit at any virtually any age and featuring more than one hundred various conditions. Of the multitude of arthritis disorders, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common. For this reason the idea of acupuncture and massage therapies for arthritis treatment has suddenly become quite popular.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the disease in the United States. Stricking a record twenty-one million Americans, osteoarthritis is a systematic shutdown of the joint cartiledge that ultimately leads to severe pain and stiffness. The hips, knees, fingers, and spine are the most common comfort zones for osteoarthritis, with the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles less commonly affected. When the disease deviates into a uncommon area of affliction it is typically due to an pre-existing injury. Work related injuries are frequent causes of the development of osteoarthritis. For example, professions where bending, kneeling, and squatting is the main attraction feature an elevated risk of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: In contrast to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can actually affect various joint and some patients feel the disease's effects in other parts of the body, including the blood, the lungs, the tissue of the skin, as well as the heart. Rheumatoid arthritis, which can be long-term, is characterized by an inflammation of the joints called synovium, the inflammation causes joint swelling, stiffness, warmth, and redness. The affected joints may lose their shape, thus losing the ability to move normally.

Acupuncture and Massage Therapies for Arthritis Treatment

In recent years, the use of acupuncture and massage therapies for arthritis treatment have pointed to the therapies' potential as effective alternatives to mainstream medicines. And that's not all that the use of acupuncture and massage therapies for arthritis treatments have in common, both alternative treatments have beginnings that are deeply rooted in the mystical world of ancient medicine. Just take a look at acupuncture.

Acupuncture For Arthritis Treatment: Acupuncture, and other types of oriental medicines, have been wildly successful in treating the pain and inflammation affiliated with various types of arthritis. Ancient Chinese medicine custom fits acupuncture treatment according to the individual arthritis symptoms of patients with a unique combo of acupuncture therapy, Chinese herbs, body work, and lifestyle changes. Even dietary changes and energentic exercises are a big part of treating arthritis through acupuncture.

The acupuncture points used to treat arthritis aren't just located over the throbbing area, but rather in different areas located over the entire body. You may just find those tiny acupuncture needles placed in every area from your legs to your arms right on down to your baby toe! Don't let the needles frighten you, some people take their acupuncture session as an opportunity to catch up on a few Z's. Session last between five minutes and a half an hour, but arthritis patients may require multiple trips to their acupuncturist depending on the severity of the disease.

As a follow-up to your visit, your acupuncturist may also provide you with prescribed Chinese herbal formulas specifically designed to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. Chinese herbs used to treat arthritis as a part of acupuncture therapy are:

Juan Bi Tang

Cinnamon Twig

Peony

Anjelica Pubescens

A Scadanavian study of thirty-two hip replacement/arthritis patients found that twenty-five percent of the patients who received acupuncture therapy experienced such surges in their functionability that they decide they didn't need that hip replaced after all.

Massage Therapy for Arthritis: Both acupuncture and massage therapies for arthritis treatment are used as cutting edge alternatives to contemporary medicine, but did you know that they both got their start in the ancient world? It was the ancient Greek Hippocrates who first suggested that "rubbing" be used as a remedy for loosening a "hard joint-" that was over two thousand years ago. Massage therapy is believed to work in a few ways in combating arthritis:

Improving joint movement

Relaxing tense muscles

Stimulating blood flow to the skin

And if one form of massage therapy doesn't work for you, don't sweat it. There are several very popular massage therapy programs to choose from:

Swedish Massage

Deep Tissue Massage

Trigger Point Therapy

Acupressure

Reflexology

Psoriasis Treatment and Phases of Relief

Psoriasis is a chronic medical skin condition that affects 3-5% of all people. Psoriasis is very similar to other chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol in that it cannot be eliminated. Unlike some other skin conditions - there is no cure for Psoriasis.

Although the level of severity can vary from very mild which includes one or two small rough patches that are hardly noticeable to extremely severe red, scaling plaques that cover nearly the entire body. Psoriasis can become so severe that it can lead to psoriatic arthritis. Because psoriatic arthritis is degenerative, it is important to intervene early with appropriate treatments and medications. Approximately 33 % of all people with psoriasis eventually progress with psoriatic arthritis.

There are three primary treatment levels for managing psoriasis, which are based on the severity of psoriasis.

The first phase of treatment involves topical moisturizers and anti-inflammatory agents such as non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory creams and ointments, and topical steroid creams and ointments. Additionally, creams containing vitamin D and vitamin A. There are both over-the-counter medications including such ingredients as salicylic acid and those that contain steroids that must be prescribed by your dermatologists.

Photo-Light Therapy using ultraviolet B light is often used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis.

The second treatment phases are systemic medications. These include medicines such has methotrexate, cyclosporine, and oral retinoids, which work very well, but have a higher incident of side-effects. The risks and benefits to using this treatment phase should be carefully weighed before prescribing them. When properly managed the results are satisfactory.

The third phase of treatments is a newer class of medications called biologic agents. These medications derived from antibodies - proteins that attach to other proteins. Once attached the biologics mimic tiny sponges, and absorb the proteins that cause skin cells to grow rapidly. This process slows cell turn production and psoriasis. Some biologics have been designed to help with inflammation, which helps to treat psoriatic arthritis in the joints.

Most people suffering from psoriasis undergo treatments containing a combination of therapies. These combination treatments work synergistically to manage varying aspects and symptoms of the disease. While the search continues to discover a cure for psoriasis, early detection and treatment used today have certainly advanced at helping to manage and relieve psoriasis flare ups, joint pain and mobility.

Arthritis Treatment Facility

The condition arthritis can be defined as the inflammation of the joints. The major symptoms of arthritis are pain in joints and inflexibility, which usually become intense with age. These are the two most common types of arthritis osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is generally caused by normal old age and rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Other types of arthritis can occur due to uric acid crystals, infections and underlying disease like psoriasis. The pain due to arthritis caused by joint damage. Joints consist of the following parts:

Cartilage

Cartilage is a hard, but smooth coating on the ends of bones, cartilage permits bones of the joint to move smoothly over each other.

Joint capsule

This is a membrane which encloses all the joint parts.

Synovium

This is a thin membrane which lines the joint capsule and produces synovial fluid, which makes the joint slippery and nourishes the cartilage.

The most usual signs and symptoms of arthritis include the joints. Rely upon the type of arthritis, signs and symptoms also include:

• Pain


• Stiffness


• Swelling


• Redness


• Decreased range of motion

Treatment options:

Medications

The medications used in the treatment of arthritis alter, rely upon the type of arthritis. Normally used arthritis medications contain:

Analgesics

These types of medications help in reducing pain, but these medications do not have any effect on inflammation. Examples are acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), narcotics containing oxycodone (Percocet, Oxycontin, others) and tramadol (Ultram, Ryzolt).

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treat both pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Few types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are accessible only by prescription. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause stomach problems like irritation, and few may enhance the risk of heart attack and stroke. Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also accessible as creams and gels, which can massage on joints.

Counterirritants

Few types of creams and ointments which contain menthol or capsaicin, these ingredients make hot peppers spicy. Massaging these preparations on the skin over the aching joint may obstruct the transmission of pain signals from the joint itself.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are often used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs decrease or stop the immune system from attacking the joints. Examples are hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and methotrexate (Trexall).

Biologics

These are commonly used in combination with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, biologic response modifiers are genetically made drugs that aim many protein molecules that are included in the immune response. Examples are infliximab (Remicade) and etanercept (Enbrel).

Corticosteroids

This type of drug, includes cortisone and prednisone, and decreases inflammation. Corticosteroids can be used orally or also used in the form of injections directly into the painful joint.

• Therapy

Physical therapy can be effective for some types of arthritis. Exercises can improve the motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding joints.

• Surgery

If other treatment options do not work so surgery is the only cure.

Joint replacement

In this procedure doctors remove the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial joint. Joints of hips and knees are most commonly replaced.

Joint fusion

This procedure is common for smaller joints like joints in the wrist, joints in the ankle and fingers. It usually removes the ends of the two bones in the joint and then fix those ends together until they heal into one stiff unit.

• Home remedies

Home remedies include the following:

Weight loss

Losing weight will decrease the stress on the weight-bearing joints. This may enhance the mobility and prevent future joint injury.

Exercise

Exercising can help in keeping joints flexible. Swimming is usually a good choice because the buoyancy of the water decreases stress on weight-bearing joints.

Heat and cold

Heating pads or ice packs may help in reducing arthritis pain.

Assistive devices

Using walkers, raised toilet seats and other assistive devices can help in protecting the joints and enhance the ability to perform daily tasks.

Types of Arthritis and Treatments

Arthritis is one of the most common diseases that occur globally. The term arthritis is a general term that is used for almost a group of 100 diseases. These diseases bear some similar characteristics like inflammation and pain in joints. Arthritis word is a Greek word that literally means inflammation in joints. Though some people suffering from arthritis might not complain inflammation in the joint but the common complain is discomfort in joint.

Out of these 100, major three occurring arthritic conditions are

(a) Osteoarthritis - it is a condition in which the cartilaginous tissue that is present in the joint gets converted to bony structures. Due to this body tissue formation the movement of the joints gets restricted and there is severe pain in the joint on movement. In ayurvedic terminology it is known as sandhi gata vata and is caused due to vata vitiation in the body.

(b) Gout - gout is a disease that is commonly seen in rich people due to their luxurious life style. This disease occurs due to life style disorders and commonly seen in people who lacks physical activities in their life style. In these diseases the serum uric acid gets increased and due to this its crystal formation occurs that ultimately settles in the joints. As the joint space gets occupied with these crystals of uric acid. On movement, these crystals hinder the free movement of the joint. In ayurveda this situation is called as vata Rakta.

(c) Rheumatoid arthritis - it is a condition in which our immune system attacks our own body. It is an autoimmune disease that can lead to the joint inflammation. Some times the surrounding tissues also get inflamed. In ayurveda it is known as aamvata. It happens due to vata vitiation in the body. It causes severe pain in joints and very often swelling is present.

Symptoms

· Pain in joints

· Inflammation

· Restricted movements

· Arthritis initiates in small joints first

· Joint is warm

· Generally red color is seen on the affected joint

Home remedies for arthritis

Below are some of the home remedies that are very effective in treating arthritis.

· Rub the castor oil on the affected joint to get instant relief from pain. Castor is known as errand in ayurveda. It is helpful in suppressing pain as castor is vata suppressant.

· Ashwagandha is an herb that is very effective in suppressing pain and reducing inflammation in the joint.

· Garlic is also very effective in suppressing pain and reduces the inflammation of the joint.

· Shallaki an ayurvedic herb also is one of the best pain reliever in the arthritic condition. It is also helpful in reducing the swellings on the joint.

· 2 table spoon of lemon mixed with the honey and is then taken with a cup of warm water gives immense relief in arthritic pain.

· Mix a spoon of cod liver oil in a glass full of freshly derived orange juice is also an effective remedy for treating joint pains and arthritis

· Half tea spoon of turmeric powder is taken in warm milk is very effective remedy in treating arthritis

· You can immerse the joint in the hot water and can move the joint in it.

· Hot vinegar can be applied on the affected joint to get the instant relief.

· The joint can be rubbed with a mixture of two parts of olive oil and kerosene oil. It is an effective treatment for getting instant relief from arthritis.

Symptoms and Natural Treatments For Arthritis in Hands

Our hands and wrists have a lot of small joints that work together when we move them. When a joint in these is affected by arthritis, is makes it hard for us to move the whole hand or wrist. That being mentioned, it also means that hand arthritis may occur in different and multiple areas.

While hand arthritis is commonly disregarded by many, it is America's leading condition that leads to disability. Arthritis is mostly common to people who are over the age of 40, however, it can also occur to those in their early twenties. Even the healthy ones have the possibility of suffering from hand arthritis.

Below are the symptoms of hand arthritis.

* The first symptom is a mild pain in the joint, experienced as a "dull" or "burning" feeling. The pain increases as one continues to move the affected joint. The pain becomes more and more distinguishable after a few days. The pain is mostly noticed in the mornings. The affected area shows stiffness in the mornings, too.

* The area affected may swell when the joint is moved as it used to be. These joints can no longer handle the same pressure and stress. Swellings indicate that they are being overexerted.

* The joint affected will feel warm. This is because of the inflammation inside.

* Joints near the arthritic joint may be affected, they may become move movable than normal, or they may also affected if the hand is not well taken care of.

* Crepitation, or the "grinding" kind of sensation in the joint affected may be experienced. Damaged cartilages, due to a trauma or disease, will rub against each other.

* There are also instances when the joint feels "loose". When this is experienced, it means that the arthritis is caused by damage in the ligaments.

* There are also advanced cases where the joints affected appear larger than their normal size. This condition is called hypertrophic, and is an advanced case of hand arthritis.

* Small cysts may start to develop when arthritis begins to affect the fingers' end joints.

When the above mentioned symptoms are noticed, visit a professional and seek help. The first treatments for hand arthritis may vary, according to age, or according to the stage of the condition. The following are some of the treatments that can be done as soon as any of the symptoms discussed above is noticed.

* Exercise your hands and wrists. You can ask a professional about this. Get two boxes of bolts or nuts. Fill one of the boxes and leave the other one empty. Grab a handful of bolts or nuts, whichever you prefer, carefully hold them, and transfer them to the other hand, making sure that you are neither gripping too tightly or too loose. Try this exercise until the other box is full. This helps in exercising the joints in the hands and wrists.

* Stop smoking. Smoking has been proven to increase one's risk in arthritis. A healthy diet will also help in decreasing the risks.

* Strengthen your body with exercise, without overexerting yourself.

* Herbal supplements that can make the cartilages healthy can be taken.

How It Works: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

There are many diseases that fall into the arthritis category and they can have effects on the body that differ greatly, while also affecting those of all ages. Arthritis is thought of often as senior related diseases, as it is far more common for a senior to develop arthritis than it is for a child.

When considering the various different types of arthritis, the effects of the disease can vary greatly and, even though it is first and foremost a joint disorder, the effects of arthritis can spread to joints or result in skin related problems, so it is by no means strictly a rheumatological disorder.

One of the most common kinds of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which also represents a sort of mystery in many regards. This is because the exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not understood completely. It is classified as an autoimmune disorder, where the defense network of the body attacks healthy cells, in the case the area around a joint, which in turn damages the body. Scientists do not know exactly what causes this reaction though, although there are many theories, such as disease and infection, as well as observations about certain factors that are similar among those with this disease.

Unlike some other types of arthritis, the effects of rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes carry over to organs in the body, and result in very serious health complications.

Another kind of arthritis that is more common among those in their sixties is osteoarthritis, which is sometimes called wear and tear arthritis. This type of arthritis is much more likely to result in a deformation, as it causes cartilage to be lost in a joint and when this occurs, bones rub each other as the body moves. In this kind of rhematoligical disorder, inflammation can occur, but it is a by-product of the disease itself. Several risk factors for osteoarthritis have been identified, which include high risk sports, like football or soccer, as well as things like being overweight, which put added strain on the joints. Often, the effects of the disease result in increased bone growth around the joint, which results in even more damage to the joint.

While those of all ages can develop both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, senior citizens are by far more likely to develop these disorders. Promptly treating the disease is important, as it is not possible to cure arthritis, nor reverse the effects of the disease. So, a focus on preventing further complications is an essential part of all treatments. Staying active is also important, more so in the early stages, as it helps keep the joint healthy.

There are many diseases that can affect seniors, but few can have as significant an effect on daily life than a rheumatological disorder.

Improve Your Diet and Be Less Susceptible to Your Arthritis Symptoms

There are around 200 kinds of arthritis, the two most common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. If you are overweight you have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis because of the increased stress on joints such as your hips and knees. Consequently reducing your weight with slimming or a low fat diet can help to reduce your chance of developing osteoarthritis or lessen your symptoms if you already have it. Therefore, maintaining a healthy balanced diet that is low in highly refined and processed foods, saturated animal fats, sugar and salt, but high in wholegrain cereals, fruits and vegetables will aid in minimising the discomfort of osteoarthritis. Unfortunately for slimming, diet alone is never enough and should be combined with sensible, regular, gentle exercise. Exercise will strengthen muscles that protect joints and help to prevent stiffness. Low weight bearing exercise such as swimming and using a cross trainer will help minimise the stress on joints whilst exercising. Be sensible though and respect your body's limits - overdoing it is never a good idea. Remember also that you should consult your doctor or health care practitioner before embarking on a new exercise regime.

Food allergies or intolerance are thought to play a part in causing some people to develop rheumatoid arthritis. As with diagnosis of all food allergies it can be difficult to identify which food is the culprit or indeed if there are more than one causing the problem. Following an elimination diet with subsequent re-introduction of new foods is one way to find out or you could get skin and blood tests done. You may already suspect you have a problem with certain foods and the main offenders are usually dairy products, eggs and cereals.

There is increasing scientific evidence to suggest that fish oils, in particular polyunsaturated fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the joints of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis sufferers. Inflammation is the bodies natural reaction to arthritic diseases and causes the very uncomfortable symptoms of pain, swelling, redness and heat. If you find it difficult to eat fresh oily fish (e.g. salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines or trout) 2 to 3 times a week then fish oils are readily available in capsules or liquid form. Evening primrose oil has been shown to also have a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect - useful if you don't like fish...in fact a vegetarian diet has been shown in studies to reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies have shown that glucosamine sulphate a compound needed to build and maintain cartilage alleviates osteoarthritis.

Helpful foods to include in your diet to alleviate the symptoms of your arthritis:
Salmon and other oily fish supply omega-3 oils - eat 3+ times a week
Greens source of beta-carotene, calcium, folate, iron and vitamin C - eat raw or lightly cooked every few days
Bananas provide a good source of potassium, fibre and vitamin C - eat 3+ times a week
Broccoli source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate, iron and potassium - eat raw or lightly cooked every few days
Carrots excellent source of beta-carotene - eat raw or lightly cooked as often as you like
Ginger anti-inflammatory agent - eat 5g incorporated into cooking, twice a week
Celery anti-inflammatory agent and source of potassium - eat raw 3 times weekly

A diet that contains plenty of wholegrain cereals, fresh fruit (especially fruits high in anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E e.g. blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, prunes, raspberries, strawberries, apples, sweet cherries, plums and bioflavenoids e.g. lemons, limes, oranges, cherries, and grapes) vegetables and oily fish and is supplemented with anti-inflammatories such as evening primrose oil, ginger or glucosamine phosphate will be beneficial for reducing the chance of developing arthritic conditions or for minimising the painful symptoms once the disease is established. Also, consider reducing your intake of refined and processed foods and those high in sugar, salt and saturated animal fats, as well as investigating the possibility of a food allergy or intolerance.

Does Weather Really Affect Arthritis?

• Arthritis, and its numerous forms, is just one of the conditions that some believe is directly affected by the weather and changes in barometric pressure. Weather and Arthritis Pain Research

• In the 1960s, a famed arthritis specialist named Dr. J. Hollander orchestrated a study to demonstrate how high levels of humidity along with low barometric pressure increased stiffness and joint pain in patients who suffered from arthritis. The fibromyalgia sufferers in this study indicated more pain only during days of high pressure. At the end of this study, no significant links between changing weather patterns and an increase in arthritis pain were ever found. Why Weather is Believed to Affect Arthritis Pain

• Cold and rainy weather is often accompanied by a distinct drop in air pressure. The Types of Weather Changes That May Affect Arthritis Pain

• Barometric or air pressure: Although rising barometric pressure, which is the amount of force or weight exerted by the air around us, may also affect some types of arthritis pain, more often than not it is a rapid decline in air pressure, such as the drop that's associated with stormy weather, that causes an increase in aches and pains.

• Humidity: The amount of water vapors in the air is referred to as either humidity, absolute humidity, or relative humidity. - Temperature: Cold weather has long been associated with arthritis pain and stiffness in the joints, as well as triggering a host of other conditions such as migraine headaches or circulatory problems. For example, in one arthritis pain study, people living on the western coast of the United States in a milder climate reported just as much pain as those living in the eastern, colder portion of the country.

Does the Weather Really Affect Arthritis?

For as long as man has been aware of the changing weather, there has been speculation that it may also affect one's health and certain ailments besides simply altering the temperature.

Hippocrates, the ancient Greek "Father of Medicine" suspected as long ago as 400 B.C. that different weather conditions have a great influence on how our bodies feel. A few thousand years later, the modern world of science and medicine is still divided on whether or not fluctuations in the weather actually affect some health conditions.

Arthritis, and its numerous forms, is just one of the conditions that some believe is directly affected by the weather and changes in barometric pressure. A great majority of people diagnosed with arthritis say they can easily predict the weather based on how they're feeling, or how sore or tender their joints may be, making perfect sense of the saying "I'm feeling under the weather."

Although there are many people with arthritis who swear by this meteorological method of gaging the severity of their pain, there still is no actual scientific evidence to back up the claims.

Weather and Arthritis Pain Research

In the 1960s, a famed arthritis specialist named Dr. J. Hollander orchestrated a study to demonstrate how high levels of humidity along with low barometric pressure increased stiffness and joint pain in patients who suffered from arthritis. He indicated that neither of these weather changes individually had an impact on pain, but only when they occurred simultaneously.

Dr. Hollander concluded that when barometric pressure drops, the swelling around inflamed joints increases, causing more irritation to the surrounding nerves, which then also increases the amount of pain felt. This particular study has been refuted by many scientists as inconclusive due to the small number of patients (12) who participated.

One similar, more recent study also examined the association between arthritis pain and the weather involving people diagnosed with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia, which is another rheumatic disorder causing sore, tender joints. All of the participants lived in the same, warm climate and kept a log for one year, recording any changes in their level of pain. These logs were then compared with daily changes in the weather such as the relative humidity and temperature.

In this study, some people with rheumatoid arthritis seemed to be most affected by high levels of humidity and air pressure, while others in the osteoarthritis group felt more pain when only the humidity was high. The fibromyalgia sufferers in this study indicated more pain only during days of high pressure. However, none of the findings were strong enough to rely on just the weather itself to predict impending changes in pain levels.

Yet another research study involved over 100 people living in Florida who were diagnosed with osteoarthritis. For two years participants were told to score the severity of their arthritis pain so that researchers could match the results with local temperatures, whether or not there was precipitation, and what the barometric pressure was for each day. At the end of this study, no significant links between changing weather patterns and an increase in arthritis pain were ever found. However, some women did report experiencing more pain in their hands when barometric pressure was its highest.

Why Weather is Believed to Affect Arthritis Pain

Cold and rainy weather is often accompanied by a distinct drop in air pressure. One theory exists that this drop in pressure causes the body's tissues to expand, causing the already inflamed areas to swell more and increase pain. And then there are those doctors who argue that just a gloomy, rainy day itself may cause some to feel as if their pain is worse than it actually is.

Another theory simply suggests that people's threshold for pain drops along with the air temperature. Therefore, colder weather affects one's mood, making people less likely to be outdoors, remaining active, and getting the exercise that helps keep some arthritis pain under control.

There are also those who believe that arthritis sufferers look to the climate as an explanation for their increase in pain simply because there is no other plausible reason, only noting when the weather is inclement, but not noticing weather conditions as much when their pain is under control and stable.

The Types of Weather Changes That May Affect Arthritis Pain

- Barometric or air pressure: Although rising barometric pressure, which is the amount of force or weight exerted by the air around us, may also affect some types of arthritis pain, more often than not it is a rapid decline in air pressure, such as the drop that's associated with stormy weather, that causes an increase in aches and pains.

- Precipitation: Precipitation, meaning any form of water reaching the ground, includes not only rain and snow, but hail and sleet as well, and is accompanied by changes in air pressure and humidity.

- Humidity: The amount of water vapors in the air is referred to as either humidity, absolute humidity, or relative humidity. Increases in absolute humidity, which measures the amount of water vapors in relationship to the amount of moisture the air can hold at that particular temperature, are said to cause an increase in arthritis pain especially during the summer months.

- Temperature: Cold weather has long been associated with arthritis pain and stiffness in the joints, as well as triggering a host of other conditions such as migraine headaches or circulatory problems. Temperatures that quickly rise or fall are again the result of changes in barometric pressure.

It's important to remember that although certain types of weather may adversely influence some of the symptoms of arthritis such as pain and swelling, there is no scientific evidence that those climate changes are what causes one to develop arthritis in the first place, or to suffer from joint damage.

While it's true there is some evidence that some people living in drier, more arid places have fewer episodes of arthritic pain, there is no type of environment that guarantees complete relief from arthritis pain. It is also known that temperature and climate changes do not affect the actual course or progress of the disease.

People considering relocating to a warmer climate may want to consider the fact that most scientists believe that the body acclimates itself to its new environment over a relatively brief period of time. Which means that moving to a dry climate may seem to provide relief at first, it isn't believed to be beneficial over the long-term. For example, in one arthritis pain study, people living on the western coast of the United States in a milder climate reported just as much pain as those living in the eastern, colder portion of the country.

If you aren't able to spend time outside for exercise, be sure to compensate by exercising and remaining active indoors during times of inclement weather.

In many Asian countries and parts of Europe, homeopathic treatments are rather common for dealing with the pain associated with arthritis. Various herbs and natural substances are often combined to create remedies for arthritis pain as opposed to using traditional medications. Of course, as is with any type of disease or condition not just arthritis, a proper diagnosis by a qualified medical professional is imperative for any successful pain relief treatment plan.