Osteoarthritis Vs Rheumatoid Arthritis

Your doctor just diagnosed the pain in your knees as arthritis and prescribed some over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses, and rest. After leaving the office, several questions may come to mind.

• What does this diagnosis mean?


• Is the arthritis just temporary, or is it going to be chronic?


• How will it impact your life going forward?


• Will you still be able to jog, ride your bicycle, or continue gardening?


• Will you have to give up your job and go on disability?

The word arthritis means "acute or chronic inflammation of a joint" according to Dictionary.com, and can be accompanied by pain or changes in the joint. But this simple definition does not tell the entire story. There are many types of arthritis-type illnesses, and further diagnosis by your doctor may be necessary to establish an effective treatment plan. The purpose of this article is to give you some basic information on two types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is an illness that is characterized by cartilage wearing away in a joint. It is quite common and usually diagnosed in the older members of the population. The person can have osteoarthritis in a single joint (such as a knee or elbow) or multiple joints (such as the finger joints in a hand). As the osteoarthritis progresses, the joint may not fit together correctly and develop bone spurs, thereby causing the person pain when they use the joint. If pain is in the knee or hip joints, the person may have difficulty walking or when they use the stairs. If the arm or shoulder joint is affected, there may be difficulty getting dressed or other routine activities.

Rheumatoid arthritis (also called RA) is less common, but it also causes pain and inflammation of a joint. The cause is not worn out cartilage. It is caused by a change in the immune system that causes the person's body to attack the tissue lining the joint, which is called synovium. The attacks cause a fluid build up in the joint space and produces pain. The joints are usually affected in pairs, meaning that it could be in two knees or ankles at the same time. RA is a chronic illness, and may come and go over time. Many people feel fatigued when the illness is active, and experience flu-like symptoms. Over time the person can have damage to the joints and, in very rare, severe cases, damage to internal organs.

There are many web sites that have a great deal of information on these two types of arthritis. Two good sites are the Arthritis Foundation at http://www.arthritis.org/index.php and WebMD at http://www.webmd.com/. Check out these sites out to become more informed on arthritis, and work with your doctor to set up an effective treatment. It is the best way to preserve your joints and continue leading a good life.

How to Kill Arthritis!

How to Put An End To Arthritis Pain?

For Arthritis sufferers only.

Arthritis is the major cause of disability above 50 years of age, its basically a joint pain but considering every move we make is based on a joint move you can imagine, yet worse, you can feel how this make people suffer even when doing the simplest activities you once had for granted like walking, even laughing.

The 60% of arthritis patients are women, be sure to inform your loved one or any female you know that women are more prone getting arthritis than male and losing weight reduces the chances by half. Arthritis pain intensity and areas affected can vary in each case as there are different kinds of arthritis like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis which are the most usual cases.

While there is not definite cure for arthritis there are many ways to ease the pain. You can find hundreds of different drugs for arthritis and also natural ways to arthritis pain relief.

Few tips are these:

*Do massage with olive oil upon the joints that hurt.

*Add four tablespoons of Epsom Salt to a warm bath

*Meditation and concentration can help to negate the.

*Use calcium, vitamin C and zinc supplements.

*Take Turmeric its an effective anti-inflammatory, use 400mg three times a day.

*Right before going to bed to sleep warm some vinegar and apply on the painful areas.

*Also try some yoga, helps overall your body to deal with the pain.

*A better posture is also effective, stresses less the joints.

*As said before, lose weight, a great factor since the gravity is one of the major reasons that causes arthritis pain.

These methods are just a few ones that will help you at some pain relief, but is it enough? Whats important is doing it RIGHT.

Doctors and articles can throw you some tips, some "DOs and DONTs", but in reality how much is going really help you without the assist of an expert? Do you really want to waste money on "healers" or learn it by the professionals and apply it by yourself with 100% safety?

Half of those afflicted with arthritis do not think anything can be done to help them, do you think that? How do you kill arthritis pain? You can achieve that by following detailed guide book of real experts of any kind of arthritis. All knowledge ever known about arthritis pain relief, treatment, cure is focused in this book called "For arthritis sufferers only".

Gout Symptoms - 5 Ways to Tell If You Have Gout

Are you suffering from terrible joint pain?

Would you like to know for certain whether or not you are having a gout attack?

If you are suffering from these 5 gout symptoms, chances are you are suffering from this painful disease.

1. Your pain began in the middle of the night. This arthritic problem often begins at night. When you are sleeping the synovial fluid responsible for cleaning your joints doesn't flow enough to properly clear out the excess debris. This allows uric acid crystals to accumulate causing swelling leading to terrible pain. So ask yourself, did this pain come on suddenly in the middle of the night. If you were not suffering when you went to sleep, but woke up in pain, chances are you have gout.

2. You don't remember injuring your affected joint. One of the problems with a new onset of this condition is thinking you have a sprained foot or ankle versus having gout. The most common place for pain is in the big toe. However, this is not always the case. Often attacks occur in the ankle and many have felt they sprained their ankle. After a couple weeks of getting worse and not better many realize they don't remember injuring their ankle. So ask yourself if you remember injuring your ankle or foot. If the answer is no, you possibly have gout.

3. Your pain is getting worse. As mentioned in the last point, if your pain has not subsided over a few days, but is actually getting worse with increased swelling and redness, you could possibly have gout. When you suffer an injury the swelling will usually subside after a few days whereas gouty arthritis will continue to increase in intensity.

4. Your pain has spread to other joints. Sometimes gout will jump from one joint to another. You can have pain in your foot today and have it spread to your knees, elbow, wrists, and fingers. Sometimes it can feel like you have tendonitis, but in reality, it is gout.

5. Even the slightest pressure causes intense pain. For regular patients with this disease, it has been noted that even the slightest pressure from even a bed sheet can cause immense pain.

If you have these symptoms, what can you do?

Get a blood test to determine if your symptoms point to having gouty arthritis. Other arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or pseudo gout can have similar symptoms. Blood tests can determine your base uric acid levels and enable a physician to properly diagnose you. Regardless of which disease you have, though, the treatments are often similar.

Arthritis Cream: Does It Really Work?

There are many gels and arthritis creams that can safely and effectively be used as alternative arthritis treatment for a severe flare in your rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. But what are in these creams, and do they really work. The number one priority for relieving your arthritis pain is to reduce inflammation and swelling. Most arthritis creams are made to reduce inflammation and kill the pain. However, the effects are only temporary, and you should really be looking to decrease the inflammation by means of oral supplementation, but more on this later...

One ingredient often contained in these arthritis creams is Arnica, a medicinal herb that has been used for hundreds of years for bruises sprains, and backache. It is popular with athletes, especially long distance runners who are looking for localised pain relief for the long run. In terms of its benefits for osteoarthritis, one study showed it to be as effective as gel containing ibuprofen when applied twice daily for three weeks. It is seldom used internally, as it causes stomach upset. There are however homeopathic preparations available in pill form.

Another effective ingredient in arthritis cream is celadrin, another anti-inflammatory agent used to treat the symptomatic pain of osteoarthritis. It is essentially a matrix of fatty acid carbons. It has been shown to improve the range of motion of joints and people with arthritis of the knee can stand for longer and walk further before the pain becomes too bad. Some research claims that it lubricates cell membranes, leading to better fluidity and elasticity. The result is therefore better movement in the affected joint. Celadrin works quite quickly; benefits can be felt after one week of twice daily application.

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chilli peppers. When used as an arthritis cream, capsaicin can be applied to sore muscles and joints to relieve inflammation and pain. Capsaicin relieves pain in two ways: It can interfere with the enzymes causing the inflammation in the joint, and it can interfere with the pain impulses sent to the nervous system. The relief you feel is only temporary, so it needs to be applied at least twice a day. If this means you can get by with fewer painkillers (NSAIDs), you have won a small battle against your arthritis. Capasiacin can also be taken orally as an effective way to relieve migraines, headaches and cluster headaches because of acting in on the nerve pathways. Some preliminary tests also show that it inhibits the growth of prostrate cells in petri dishes and slowed the growth of tumors in mice. It is also know to relieve sinus pain and relieves congestion. Furthermore, cultures eating a lot of chillies have a lower occurrence of heart disease. This is because capsaicin reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Arthritis and Low Back Pain

The first thing I wish to impress upon you if you have been diagnosed as having 'arthritis' of your lower back, is do not worry! Arthritis in the lower back is something everyone will endure, from as young as our late twenties or early thirties (depending upon which research you read).

Therefore, if you have received the results of your X-ray and have subsequently been told the cause of your low back pain is arthritis (or wear and tear as it is sometimes called), do not be too concerned and think there is nothing which can be done for your pain.

As we get older and suffer wear and tear of any joint, this only means that the chances of us developing pain from that joint have increased, it is not a foregone conclusion however. As the wear and tear takes place, physical changes occur about that joint in response to the increased stresses being placed across it. It is how our body adapts to these changes which is the biggest indicator as to whether or not you will suffer pain, not the changes themselves.

Some people are very fortunate, whereby you may look at their X-ray and there will be a high degree of wear & tear present, yet they may be suffering very little or no pain at all. On the other hand, another person may not be so fortunate and have an X-ray where the arthritic changes present are relatively small, yet they will be in quite severe pain.

The main difference between these two individuals is not relative to the amount of wear and tear present, but rather how their own body's have responded to that wear and tear.

The most significant thing which arthritis does to a joint is it sensitises the structures involved, consequently increasing the likelihood of perceiving pain.

Consequently, if you can reduce these stresses across the joints concerned, by either stretching or strengthening the appropriate structures which have an influence over the arthritic joint, there is every chance the pain being felt can be resolved.

Therefore, if you are suffering with low back pain as a result of arthritis, do not give up hope. Although it may be a little more difficult, it does not mean for definite there is nothing which can be done for you. I have treated many patients who have been diagnosed with arthritis of their spine, yet they have gone on to make a 100% recovery.

In addition to this, it is important I add that the arthritis shown by the X-ray may be a complete red herring and have nothing at all to do with your pain!

Bearing in mind the majority of us will show signs of arthritis in our spine as we pass through our late twenties/thirties, if you were to X-ray 100 people within this age group who were suffering with no pain whatsoever, there is a very high likelihood that some of these individuals will be showing sign of arthritis of their spine... so how comes they are not suffering with low back pain?

The reason is just as I have explained above, arthritis increases the likelihood of you getting pain, it does not mean you are going to suffer pain. Even though you may be showing signs of arthritis on your X-ray, there maybe another very simple reason for your pain which is not due to that.

Therefore, in summary, all I am saying is that if you have been told you are suffering with arthritis of your low back, do not be too alarmed. It is something everyone suffers with as they get older and may have nothing at all to do with the pain you are currently suffering.

Even if it is contributing towards your pain though, it still doesn't mean there is nothing which can be done.

How Arthritis Neck Pain Destroys Your Life - And What You Can Do to Stop the Pain

The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that increases in severity as we grow older. The neck is not immune to osteoarthritis. Arthritis neck pain from osteoarthritis can be exquisite pain.

The seven bones of the neck are the cervical vertebrae. There are discs of cartilage between each of these vertebrae. There are a large number of muscles and ligaments attached to the spine which fan out to the back and shoulder blades. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord and supports the movement of the head.

As time passes a lot of wear and tear occurs on these discs and vertebrae. Consequently the discs become thinner which narrows the spaces between the vertebrae. There are also spurs called osteophytes that form at the edge of each vertebrae and joint. This is cervical spondylosis or more commonly osteoarthritis. Arthritis neck pain results from that narrowing of the vertebrae and pressure on the nerves and discs.

The arthritis neck pain that results will originate either from the stretched neck ligaments or the linings of the joints that have become worn. Bulging discs can also pinch the delicate nerve roots which will cause numbness in the arm and arthritis neck pain.

In the event of the vertebral artery being pinched, the blood supply to the brain may be compromised. This artery goes to the area of the brain that controls our balance and consequently dizziness is apt to occur.

Whiplash, which is an injury that usually results from a car accident, can cause severe pain. The head is thrown forward and then backward as the body moves in the opposite direction. While the symptoms and pain of a whiplash usually subside after a few weeks or months, there can also be a chronic condition that remains throughout the patients life. Arthritis neck pain can be one of those conditions. This would be due to the injury causing some degeneration of the vertebrae over time.

Many whiplash patients may be fine for years with the same symptoms returning after 25 or 30 years. X-rays done at that time will show some narrowing of the vertebral spaces and the resulting arthritis neck pain is the result of that narrowing.

While the pain may initially cause you to refrain from normal activities, the ceasing of those activities can weaken the neck muscles and create further stress due to increased immobility. Arthritis neck pain can be unrelenting. If it continues for a prolonged period, or if numbness and/or tingling occur you should contact your doctor.

Simple analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs may help but you must be wary of indigestion. Analgesic creams can also be applied to relieve arthritis neck pain. Applying to the painful areas of the neck will often bring temporary relief. A gentle massage during the application can be very helpful as well.

If arthritis neck pain persists your doctor may recommend a physical therapist or a chiropractor, both of whom are trained to treat this type of condition. The most important consideration is not waiting too long to seek help. Pressure on the nerves can eventually cause some permanent damage. Immobility can result in weak neck muscles. Maintain your normal activities and seek help.

Pain Relief Options for Osteoarthritis

If you are a sufferer of osteoarthritis I don't need to tell you that the major complaint is - the achy stiffness, discomfort, pain and eventual inflammation. As the symptoms progress and cartilage erodes, the pain gets increasingly worse to the point that in many cases pain relief is required to simply function on a daily basis. This is what drives most people to have the offending joint or joints replaced with artificial ones. However, this option is only open to those with hip or knee problems and does nothing for those suffering from osteoarthritis of the hands or spine.. Even for those who choose to attempt to heal their condition through lifestyle changes, nutritional re-balancing, and re-mineralization will have to continue to deal with the discomfort until their body has had time to return to balance. Depending on the progression of the condition the healing process can take some time. So at the end of the day, whether one is awaiting surgery, dealing with the condition in an area of the body without a surgical solution, or is taking the time and effort to heal their condition, dealing with pain is the common primary concern for those with osteoarthritis.

The standard allopathic response to this issue is naturally a pharmaceutical one. Unfortunately the types of drugs commonly prescribed in these situations are associated with many adverse drug reactions (ADRs), especially after long term use. The group of drugs to which I am referring are among the most widely used in the developed world. They are called NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These are drugs with analgesic (pain-reducing) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties. One report published in Clinical Cornerstone stated that NSAIDs account for 70 million prescriptions and $30 billion in over-the-counter sales in the United States alone. Whether or not these numbers are accurate, the market is obviously huge. Some common names that you may be familiar with in this category of drugs are ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve), ketoprofen (Orudis KT) and even good old aspirin, to name a few.

The main ADRs associated with prolonged or over-use of NSAIDs are well documented and on the increase. One of the immediate effects is on the gastrointestinal system. The molecular nature of NSAIDs is acidic, which causes irritation of the gastric mucosa. This in turn leads to digestive problems including nausea, gastric ulceration and intestinal bleeding, and even diarrhoea. Another area of concern with overuse of NSAIDs is that of renal interference. They impair the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are vasodilators. This in turn leads to the restriction of blood flow to the kidneys, which can cause fluid retention, sodium-potassium imbalance, as well as potential hypertension (high blood pressure). Of particular interest to OA sufferers are the studies going back as far as the late 70s that also indicated an acceleration of cartilage breakdown. Yes, that's right. When you take these pain medications to relieve headaches, migraines, menstrual pain, postoperative pain, arthritis pain, or any kind of pain, you may be actually accelerating the breakdown of your cartilage. If you are currently using one of these drugs to treat your osteoarthritis, you might want to consider potential alternatives for pain control, especially in the case of long term use.

In this area there are a few options that can be used individually or combined that have been shown to be effective in various studies. Given our acquired metabolic strengths and weaknesses, some experimentation may be required to find out which product or combination of products works best for you. In my experience the efficacy of a supplement is often determined by quality, sourcing, and processing, which will speak to issues of bio-availability. In this regard you usually get what you pay for, so caveat emptor.

One of the oldest and most overlooked treatments for joint pain is sulphur, which tends to occur naturally in many hot springs and is probably why people with arthritis find relief after bathing in them. Elemental sulphur used to be present in our drinking water but has been long lost to our diets through municipal filtration. In supplemental form it is usually found as a compound called methylsulphonylmethane (MSM). To my knowledge the clinical trials are scant and inconclusive; however, the ones I have looked at that show marginal success are dealing with pretty low dose ranges. Dr. Al Sears in a recent newsletter was recommending a daily dose of 850 mg for the treatment of joint pain. What MSM appears to do is to improve the permeability or flow-through of your cellular membranes. If this flow-through is impaired, toxins can build up in the cells, contributing to cellular pressure, inflammation and discomfort. When the flow-through is improved toxins are released, pressure is relieved, and inflammation decreases. This form of sulphur also appears to function as an effective anti-oxidant, which is always a good thing.

I suppose glucosamine sulfate needs to mentioned given that it is the most common non-vitamin, non-mineral supplement purchased by American adults. In the case of glucosamine, clinical studies appear to be all over the map with some showing improvement of symptoms while others show it to be no more effective than a placebo. Anecdotally it would appear that some people do experience significant relief of symptoms but only after many weeks or months of use. This probably has to do with the absorbability of glucosamine, which some studies have indicated may be as low as 15-20% of dose. This would indicate that glucosamine is not likely to be of use in the short term for control of pain.

Omega 3 oils have been shown to be a worthwhile investment for their many benefits to health in general. Their anti-inflammatory properties as well as the general metabolic need for omega 3s have been well documented and there are now numerous studies showing improved joint mobility. The turning of our collective diets away from saturated fats to seed and corn oils has led to an over abundance of omega 6s and 9s and fewer omega 3s than would have been present in a more traditional or evolved diet. Over abundance of omega 6s and 9s actually contribute to the potential for increased inflammation. When it comes to supplementing with omega 3s, source and processing will I believe determine effectiveness to a large degree. Although fish oil has been popular in the past, they can easily become rancid through oxidation, thereby losing any anti-oxidant effect they would have in the body. Another more contemporary issue with fish oil is the potential for bio-accumulated toxins like mercury and PCBs. This problem will obviously increase the further up the food chain you go for sourcing. For my personal use I have found the best bang for the buck is with a good quality Krill product. Krill is one of the largest biomasses on the planet; in fact, some large species of whales feed on it exclusively. Since it is harvested from relatively cleaner Antarctic waters, as well as being at the bottom of the food chain, bio-accumulated toxins become a relative non issue. Krill also contains the highest levels of a 'super' anti-oxidant called astaxanthin, which protects the omega 3 oils from becoming rancid and improves bio-availability and activity immensely.

From Ayurvedic Eastern traditions we know that turmeric has long been used as another potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. The most active component of turmeric is curcumin, which is what gives turmeric the intense yellow colour. There are now a growing number of studies as well as anecdotal evidence indicating a significant decrease in discomfort and increase of mobility for osteoarthritis sufferers, described by some as equivalent to the effect of NSAID's. Turmeric appears to be another one of those 'super' anti-oxidants that have many beneficial effects throughout the metabolism and seems particularly adept at helping the body deal with chronic low-grade inflammation. I have been using turmeric myself for some time now and can personally attest to its benefits. The turmeric powder which is used in food and medicinally is ground from the root of the plant. As with any supplement, sourcing is everything and you're probably best to find an organic source raised and harvested in the Ayurveda tradition. After all, they've been at it for 5000 years so they should know what they're doing by now.

One last potential alternative I would like to make mention of is something called Pycnoginol, which is a registered trade mark. I came upon this product quite recently while attending a webinar so I'm still in the process of investigation myself. However, given what I've read so far in the research, this product certainly warrants further investigation. Pycnoginol is an extract made from the bark of a maritime pine tree which only grows on the southwest coast of France. The claims of the manufacturer are backed by 280 published scientific studies and reviews as well as data collected from 7000 patients in 98 clinical studies. I'll leave this one simply as a heads up to provide further options in the pursuit of pain relief.

Given the problems inherent with the long term use of NSAID's, I hope this information, if nothing else, has at least provided options that can be used safely and in the end possibly do more to correct your osteoarthritis rather than contributing to its progression.

Review - The New Arthritis Cure

The New Arthritis Cure: Eliminate Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Pain Permanently, Dr. Bruce Fife, 2009, ISBN 9780941599825

This book asserts that there is such a thing as a drug-free cure for arthritis and fibromyalgia. This is not just pain reduction, but elimination.

According to the author (and new medical research), the cause of arthritis is due to infection, either viral or bacterial. The first place to look for a cause, especially if you have had a root canal. It is very hard to clean all of the bacteria out of a diseased tooth, so if the root canal was done improperly, it is very possible that some of that bad bacteria will enter your bloodstream through a cut or scrape in your mouth. The bacteria will travel to someplace safe, where there is little blood nearby, like a bone joint. That is why the usual drugs have little, or no, effect, as the bacteria eats away at your cartilage.

So what is the answer? Coconut oil. Teeth are very porous, full of tiny tubules, where the bacteria can hide. Brushing and flossing won't clean out those tubules, but coconut oil will. The book goes into detail about why coconut oil is so healthy. Take a teaspoon or two, and swish it around your mouth for several minutes. Don't gargle, and don't swallow (spit it out when you are done). You don't want to draw all those toxins out of your mouth, and deposit them in your stomach. Coconut oil can be also used in cooking, and taken internally as a dietary supplement. Do it everyday, and, after a couple of weeks, even the most extreme cases will show improvement.

Is that the whole story? No. After cleaning out your system, change your diet by a lot. Everybody says that, but consider this: After going to all that trouble, and eating all that coconut oil, to clean the arthritis infection out of your body, do you really want to let it back in with an unhealthy diet? Think about taking a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin to rebuild those damaged joints. Exercise will help limber up your joints, so get moving. If the pain has limited your mobility, start with something you can do (even simply standing and bouncing on one of those mini-trampolines). If you are overweight, lose some of it. Every pound lost decreases the stress on your joints.

You're thinking: Not Another Miracle Cure, right? If the best the medical profession can do is to hand you a bottle of painkillers and tell you to live with the pain, or schedule you for a joint replacement operation, what have you got to lose? This method is easy and drug-free. This book is full of success stories, and is extremely highly recommended.

What Is Cortisone and When Is It Used?

Cortisone is a part of medicines categorized as corticosteroids which is described as medicines that can reduce tumor growths, stimulate appetite for food, and treat skin rashes, nausea and vomiting, inflammation, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, and the accumulation of fluids in the brain. Cortisone is a white crystalline powder that can be naturally formed in the cortex of the adrenal gland but may also be produced synthetically. This substance is insoluble in water, stable in gas, and is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Cortisone is primarily used because of its powerful anti-inflammatory effects in various organs and systems of the body. It is also able to be of great help in improving the body's immune system against many stimuli. All in all, cortisone is used in treating the following conditions:

1. Endocrine disorders-Cortisone, along with hydrocortisone is always the first choice in treating primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiencies, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, non-suppurative thyroiditis, and hypercalcemia which is a condition associated with cancer.

2. Rheumatic disorders-Cortisone is used to prevent the patient from having acute episodes or exacerbation during rheumatic disorders such as: psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute non-specific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, synovitis of osteoarthritis, and epicondylitis.

3. Collagen diseases-Cortisone is used during exacerbation and also as a maintenance medicine in cases such as: systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic carditis, systemic dermatomyositis.

4. Dermatologic conditions-Cortisone is also used in conditions of the skin such as pemphigus, bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), exfoliative dermatitis, mycosis fungoides. severe psoriasis, severe seborrheic dermatitis.

5. Allergic reactions-Cortisone may also be used to control allergic states such as: seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, serum sickness, drug hypersensitivity reactions.

6. Respiratory diseases-Cortisone may also be taken by people with Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means, berylliosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, aspiration pneumonitis.

These conditions, among others are usually prescribed with cortisone, and can be in pills or tablets. This list does not include all conditions where in cortisone might help. It is still best to consult your health care provider before consumption.

It's important to note that cortisone is a drug and therefore can have side effects. These can become especially prevalent when it is used for lengthy periods of time. Risks include constipation, a weakening of blood vessels and a lowering of bone density. It's recommended that you consult a doctor to ensure you are fully informed about the risks.

Dogs and Arthritis and Other Bone Related Illnesses

Adults aren't the only ones that suffer from arthritis and are seeking treatment for arthritis. Believe it or not, our four legged loyal companions also suffer from chronic arthritis pain that develop from their regular day to day activities of fetching balls, running in the park, jumping after that Frisbee.

Dogs develop arthritis in their joints mainly in their front and hind legs. Some common joint problems are chronic shoulder pain, in dogs it is referred to as Osteochonritis Dissecans. This is caused by a piece of bone becoming loose when they are young and also decreased blood flow to the shoulder joint. It is best to ask your veterinarian for the best shoulder pain treatment for your pet. The other sensitive area for arthritis in dogs are their elbow joints and wrist joints. Common elbow joints problem is elbow Dysplasia which is when bone fragments are in the joint and they fail to join. Those of us who suffer from carpal tunnel pain would be able to sympathize with our canine friends. Their wrist arthritis is caused by deterioration of ligaments that support the back of the wrist, also called carpal hyper-extension. As a result they don't put weight on the wrist, which lead to dog arthritis pain.

The lower part of dogs' limbs, the hip, knee, and ankle and ligament problems can develop into arthritis pain and require treatment for arthritis. A hip joint deformity called hip Dysplasia happens during your pets' growth. With hip Dysplasia the femur, or thigh bone, does not sit properly in the pelvic bone and over time causes pain that lead to arthritis and will require treatment for arthritis. The knee joint, actually similar anatomically to the human knee joint, undergoes similar health problems such as cranial cruciate ligament injury. Only in dogs it is called Caudal Cruciate Ligament Injury. It is a very common condition in dogs. Osteochondritis Dissecans is a common problem in the ankle joint, or hock joint as it is referred to in dogs. This is similar to the shoulder condition where a small piece of bone came loose in a small dog and now causes pain and inflammation.

The inflammatory arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common in people and less so in dogs. Nevertheless, just like in people joint pain should be taken seriously and a cause of pain should be identified. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem and provide treatment for arthritis if it is needed.

Homeopathic Treatments - How to Heal Arthritis Naturally

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every three Americans (an estimated 70 million people) is affected. Acupuncture offers a natural treatment for arthritis.

Traditional Chinese Medicine aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, lifestyle/dietary recommendations, and energetic exercises to restore imbalances found in the body. Each patient receives a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture points, different herbs, and different lifestyle and diet recommendations.

Your acupuncturist will discuss your condition from a broader perspective to determine overall imbalances then choose the appropriate treatment plan.

The Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture points for arthritis treatment are located throughout the body, not just directly over the affected area. During your treatment, tiny needles could be placed along your legs, arms, shoulders, and perhaps even your little toe!

Acupuncture needles are very thin; several can go into the middle of a hypodermic needle. Once the needles are in place, most people relax and even fall asleep for the duration of the treatment. The length, number, and frequency of treatments will vary. Typical treatments tend to last 20 to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated once or twice a week. Some symptoms are relieved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple treatments.

Lifestyle and Nutritional Therapy

Your diet plays a critical role in helping you prevent or control arthritis. The first objective is to help you lose weight if you are overweight because added weight adds additional stress to your joints.

The second way is to make sure you are absorbing the right mix of vitamins and minerals that will keep your joints healthy and reduce inflammation. It's often recommended that you avoid "damp" foods such as dairy products and greasy or spicy foods. Damp foods can trigger inflammation. If you have arthritis or knee or hip pain, vitamins C and D can help prevent bone and cartilage destruction. And a multivitamin can help ensure that you always get the nutrition you need.

Here are some other healthy choices to include in your diet and naturally help arthritis:

• Ginger
• Cherries
• Fish
• Turmeric

Chinese Herbs for Arthritis

There are many effective Chinese herbs that specifically address individual issues related to arthritis and/or chronic inflammation. Your acupuncturist will evaluate your current diet and medications, then learn more about your signs and symptoms to determine which herbs are best suited for you.

The most important thing to remember when looking for treatment options for your health is to communicate openly with your healthcare providers. Don't edit your communications. You may feel that certain information isn't relevant whereas your health care team may see a direct connection. Take the time to think clearly about all your symptoms and keep your dialogues open.

穢Debi Farley 2012

Taming Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis may have you in its grip, but you don't have to stay there. You are the CEO of your Arthritis and your own health, with several strategies available to manage your Rheumatoid Arthritis pain.

You need a doctor on your pain management team

The biggest symptom separating Rheumatoid Arthritis from other forms of arthritis is inflammation. You might be tough and want to fight for your health, but you need a doctor on your team. Without a proper diagnosis and medical treatment to control inflammation, your Rheumatoid Arthritis will progress further. With other forms of arthritis you can be a great self-care manager of pain and even be able to alleviate many of the symptoms, but if the inflammation isn't controlled degeneration of the joint affected will continue. A doctor is vital when dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis and after being diagnosed, you should see a rheumatologist who specializes in arthritis.

You can still self-manage your Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms

To manage your pain is tricky, takes a lot of experimenting with both medications for pain and inflammation and balancing activity that will keep your joint as healthy as possible. Joint care with Rheumatoid Arthritis becomes a delicate balance between resting and moving. It's healthy to keep your affected joints moving; both strengthening and stretching, but also important to know the limitations and messages your body is sending you with pain.

Pain is your body's signal that something is wrong

"No Pain, No Gain," may work to sell runners, but ignoring pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis is not good for your joint health. Discuss Pain management and inflammation with your rheumatologist to come up with a medication strategy that works best for you. Every person and their arthritis is a little bit different, so it will take some experimenting and time to get the balance between medications right. Your doctors will help you find not just pain medication; which could bring some short-term relief, but also medications for inflammation which will slow the diseases progress.

Rest is good for inflamed joints, but so is activity

Resting the area affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis is very important and is proven to reduce inflammation, but too much rest can lead to stiff and weak muscles and joint structures. Not enough activity can also lead to softer bone structures and poor circulation to the joint, creating more opportunity for inflammation to attack the affected joints. The key is balancing activity and rest. Be active; keep moving and if pain comes, know when to stop. There may always be some pain from your arthritis that comes with activity. Our body usually knows the kind of pain response we need to slow down. If pain is sharp and stops you in your tracks and the result is days of inflammation and pain, you've pushed your activity too far. If your pain is dull or achy, doesn't last longer than about two hours after activity and leaves your affected joint feeling better, then you know you are making progress. Inflammation from activity can also be treated with ice, elevation and rest.

Dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis takes a common sense approach

• Don't try to do it all yourself


• Get a doctor on your pain management team, and eventually a rheumatologist


• Find the right medications to treat inflammation


• Find the right medications to treat pain


• Create a healthy balance between rest and activity for your joints health


• Understand that you may never be completely pain free


• Be patient with yourself as you find your arthritis pain management balance

For more information on Rheumatoid Arthritis pain management strategies click some of the many resources available through The Arthritis Society or the Joints in Motion Program

Arthritis - Treating Mild Osteoarthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis, is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when cartilage in your joints wears down over time. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, although it is most commonly affects the hands, hips, knees and spine. It typically affects just one joint, though in some cases several joints can be affected, such as with finger arthritis.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis and it gradually worsens with time, but treatments can relieve pain and help you remain active. Actively managing your osteoarthritis may help you gain control over your osteoarthritis pain.

For mild osteoarthritis pain that is bothersome, but not enough to have a great impact on your daily activities, your doctor may recommend the following:

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  Rest. If you are experiencing pain or inflammation in your joint, rest it for 12 to 24 hours. Find activities that don't require you to use your joint repetitively. Take a 10-minute break every hour.
  
  


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  Exercise. With your doctor's approval, exercise regularly when you feel up to it. Stick to gentle exercises, such as walking, biking or swimming. Exercise can increase your endurance and strengthen the muscles around your joint, making your joint more stable. Avoid exercising tender, injured or swollen joints. Stop if you feel new joint pain. New pain that lasts more than two hours after you exercise probably means you have overdone it.
  
  


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  Weight loss. Being overweight or obese increases the stress on your weight-bearing joints, such as on your knees and your hips. Even a small amount of weight loss can relieve some pressure and reduce your pain. Talk to your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight. Most people combine changes in their diet with increased exercise.
  
  


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  Heat and cold. Both heat and cold can relieve pain in your joint. Heat relieves stiffness and cold relieves muscle spasms. Use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or a warm bath. Heat should be warm, not hot. Apply heat for 20 minutes several times a day. Cool the pain in your joint with cold treatments, such as with ice packs. You can use cold treatments several times a day, but don't use cold treatments if you have poor circulation or numbness.
  
  


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  Physical therapy. Ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist. A physical therapist can work with you to create an individualized exercise plan that will strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase your range of motion in your joint and reduce your pain.
  
  


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  Occupational therapy. Find ways to manage daily tasks without stressing your joints. Speak with an occupational therapist for help managing tasks or work without putting extra stress on your already painful joint.
  
  


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  Pain creams. Over-the-counter pain creams and gels available at the drugstore may provide temporary relief from osteoarthritis pain. Some creams numb the pain by creating a hot or cool sensation. Other creams contain medications, such as aspirin-like compounds, that are absorbed into your skin. Read the label so you know what you are using. Pain creams work best on joints that are close the surface of your skin, such as your knees and fingers.
  
  


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  Braces or shoe inserts. Consider trying special splints, braces, shoe inserts or other medical devices that can help reduce your pain and immobilize or support your joint to help you keep pressure off it.
  
  


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  Chronic pain class. Ask your doctor about classes in your area, or check with the Arthritis Foundation, to find classes that help people with osteoarthritis or chronic pain. These classes teach skills to help manage your osteoarthritis pain. You'll meet other people with osteoarthritis and learn their tips for reducing joint pain or coping with your pain.

Arthritis Pain and Treatments

Arthritis is considered to be a chronic pain and the number of people who suffer from this pain is staggering. Over 40 million Americans suffer from this pain. Some people can function normally with the pain and then there are many people who are limited in their activity due to the pain. Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints such as the wrists, the shoulders, the elbows, feet and knees. There are two types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid. Each has different levels of pain. The rheumatoid arthritis is more of a chronic pain and rheumatoid arthritis is an acute and sometimes chronic pain. However, the literal definition and the medical one may differ. Arthritis can affect other parts of the body as well as the joints. It can affect the bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons.

While the cause of arthritis is still unknown, there are ways on how to reduce arthritic pain and the debilitating effects of the arthritic pain. It is important that you consult your doctor particularly an expert in arthritis and arthritic pain. You are most likely susceptible to develop arthritis if it is in your family history, where in the past, your family members have suffered from arthritis. Currently, the cause of arthritis is still a mystery, although, there are certain risk factors that may cause arthritis. There are some topical creams that may help the people with osteoarthritis and there are more severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis that require more of a stronger treatment.

The pain from arthritis is caused by many different sources. The pain can affect the way you do a lot of things such as drive, walk, sit and lay down. It can stem from the inflammation of the joints, or the tendons and ligament. There may be muscle strains and overall fatigue. There is also a certain amount of hypersensitivity in the area around the swelling. It tends to get worse when it affects the amount of pain the person is feeling around the swollen area. There are many factors that come into play with arthritis pain such as swelling in the joints and the time of day it is. There are individuals who develop their arthritic pain early in the morning and some experience pain on a later day.For example, rheumatoid arthritis suffers have more pain in the morning than any other time of the day. Each person has a different tolerance for pain and each has a different threshold for pain as well. Some people get so upset and so tired of living with the constant pain that they become depressed or they can suffer from anxiety.

Spinal arthritis can be extremely painful. The medications available for spinal arthritis can be purchased over the counter and there are some that you need a doctor's prescription. One common medication of spinal arthritis is Acetaminophen; medicines like Tylenol have Acetaminophen in them. This is only good for people who have a mild pain and don't have any inflammation of the spinal area. The Acetaminophen doesn't work to reduce any type of inflammation, so if that is one of your symptoms then this is not right for you. People who are taking blood thinners should not be taking acetaminophen for more than 10 days. Another type of medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These are medications that can reduce both osteoarthritic pain and inflammation caused by spinal arthritis. Medications with Aspirin in them such as Bayer, Advil and Motrin help most people. Sometimes you can get some minor side effects such as an upset stomach, diarrhea, cramping and maybe some bleeding if used for a long period of time. Other types of medications that may help with spinal pain are cortisone injections. Oral cortisone can't help people who have osetoarthritis but the injection into the joint can alleviate the pain almost immediately. The injection will reduce the inflammation and help with the joint pain.

Some people don't like to take pills so they try alternative treatments. These types of medicine will work on arthritis. One such medicine is the topical kind. The creams are said to work very well. There are no side effects such as diarrhea or upset stomach because you do not ingest the topical creams. They may not be as strong as the pills but in some cases of arthritis it can help take the pain away. Some of the most popular brands that say they can help relieve the pain of arthritis are over the counter creams. Capsaicin is one of them; the way it works is that the cream is set to block the pain that is in transit to a substance called substance P to the brain. Capsaicin is also found naturally in hot peppers, which are said to help with some pain. Other forms of topical creams are brands like Camphor that contain menthol and eucalyptus, both of which are great for aches and pains of the body and can be found in such products as Icy Hot. These are good for pain but they don't work on severe arthritis pain.

For many severe pain sufferers of arthritis topical pain relievers are not the answer. The topical creams are for the people who have very mild arthritis and who don't have constant and severe pain. If you are one of those people who believe a topical cream can help, consult your doctor and see which product is best for you. There is no real cure for the pain of arthritis; the pain can be managed through medications and some physical therapy. For short-term relief there are medications, heat and cold applications, joint protection, TENS or Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, massage therapies, acupuncture may help. Acupuncture is great for people who are under a lot of stress and after they have a treatment they swear by it. The needles may throw you off because it looks like it hurts but they are trained professionals and they know how to insert the pins as not to hurt you.

Risks of Arthritis

Arthritis, in meticulous is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), has shocking results on the human body, reasoning a lot of devastating effects as well as leaving lots of patients motionless or not able to task normally. Nevertheless, there are moreover several additional things linked with the sickness which are less famous, but as hostile. A quantity of studies accessible at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology present new information on the hazards of cardiovascular illness for RA patients, in addition to a quantity of the dangers connected with the new treatments in the region, which are just opening to come into view.

Indications of rheumatoid arthritis are characteristically most horrible in the dawn with steady reduction of symptoms all the way throughout the day. This persistent deterioration of symptoms in the dawn, particularly of rigidity in the joints, is significant analytical clue in differentiating supplementary forms of arthritis, for instance osteoarthritis as well as gouty arthritis.

Amplified heart attack risks in arthritis patients regardless of alteration in diseases supervision As accepted by the investigators, people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contain a reduced lifespan when weighed against to citizens with identical gender as well as similar age; furthermore current studies imply that this is mainly because of amplified humanity from early cardiovascular disease, in fastidious myocardial infarction. As the medical pasture has achieved an improved understanding of arthritis, the organization of it has altered considerably in terms of medical behavior as well as treatment.

This study furthermore highlights the want for more data on whether newer management selection, for example TNF inhibitors that were launched in Europe at the opening of the millennium as well as a result did not have a noteworthy part in this reading, will encompass an outcome on cardiovascular measures for arthritis patients in the prospect.

Bigger risk of severe diseases with TNF INHIBITOR TREATMENT

As accepted by the investigators of the reading, it is before now well known that TNF inhibitor enhances the threat for intracellular illness for example TB. The risk for to a large extent more common, so far still severe, infections remains not as much of clear. Studies from medical practice have revealed diverse results, as well as taken collectively; clinical test indicates the chance for a risk boost of medical implication.

So to stay away from the risks of arthritis one should take proper precautions and monthly checkups from a doctor and you should always remember that "precaution is better than cure".

Food Intolerance and Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis you may be interested to know that there is a connection between this and food intolerances, in particular, allergy to wheat or dairy foodstuffs.

In a report from the UK Medical Research Council in 2001, it was stated that there is evidence from both case reports and controlled studies that an individualised diet, where offending foods are identified and removed, can cause an improvement in rheumatoid arthritis.

What we are talking about here is an elimination diet: removing virtually all the foods which might be causing symptoms, to determine whether symptoms improve, and then re-introducing food one at a time to identify which are causing the symptoms.

An example of this is described by consultant rheumatologist Dr Gail Darlington in a study published in 1986. She undertook a controlled study of 6 weeks of dietary manipulation therapy in 53 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. During the first week the patients were only allowed to eat foods they were unlikely to be intolerant to. Other food items were then introduced one at a time to see whether any symptoms were elicited by the dietary challenge. Foods producing symptoms were then excluded from the diet. There were significant improvements in the exclusion diet group in comparison to the placebo diet group.

Darlington went on to complete further clinical trials and in 1993 published a table of foods most likely to cause intolerance in patients with RA. The top five were corn, wheat, bacon/pork, oranges and milk.

None of this would have been surprising to Charles de Coti-Marsh, who undertook pioneering research into the causes and treatment of arthritis in the 1940s and 1950s. His findings convinced him that 'disease begins in the bowel', in other words, what we eat plays a major part in the development of many chronic conditions, including arthritis.

De Coti-Marsh treated patients by using what he called the 'Sanocell System.'' Judging the amount of toxic compounds (or food antigen) he believed to be present within that food, based on observation and case histories, he gave each food a value of 1-200, 200 being the most toxic to the body. His patients were given a Home Treatment Programme to follow, and at each stage of progress they were allowed to include in the diet all the foods below a certain number. Foods categorised by a higher number were not allowed. This was the elimination phase. As patients progressed, the Sanocell System allowed for the re-introduction of certain foods. It was an individualised diet, supervised by de Coti-Marsh himself.

Since the death of Charles de Coti-Marsh his Home Treatment for arthritis continues to be promoted by The Arthritic Association.

As scientific knowledge has progressed, so The Arthritic Association has presented its Home Treatment Programme for Arthritis in the context of scientific literature; investigated and ratified by the medical profession. As such, the charity's health programme has now been acknowledged to be a largely self-administered intervention based on the three areas of diet, supplementation and physical therapy.

If you would like to know how the Home Treatment programme can help you, please visit our website or call our Freephone number 0800 652 3188.

Elizabeth Hartland,
Nutritional Therapist,
The Arthritic Association

Five Reasons Why Fish Oil Helps Arthritis

Commonly referred to as the "inflammation of a joint," arthritis is one of those conditions that can be long-tern and can lead to disability if not given proper medical attention.

There are two main types of arthritis: the most common form called "Osteoarthritis" characterized by a mild yet painful aches that occurs to aging people and the "Rheumatoid Arthritis" (RA) characterized by pains in the joints that lead to fever, weakness, and deformity and affects people of all ages.

Studies show that about two percent of the people around the world are suffering from this systemic inflammatory disease. In this percentage, women become more prone to having the disease. RA is characterized by the inflammation and swelling of the joints affected, stiffness of the affected especially in the morning, exhaustion, fatigue, depression, swelling, bulging, and inflammation of patient's eyes and noticeable lumps or nodules beneath the person's skin.

RA is hard to cure because its cause is not yet determined. Researchers say that RA is attacks like a culprit because it starts with destroying innocent tissues in the body especially those located in the cartilage and joints.

From this attack, numerous joints suddenly turn swollen, red, and hot and will create a symmetrical sequence of inflammation that occurs on body's both sides.

Remedies for the "culprit" disease

Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed by matching a specific pattern of symptoms with a certain laboratory result. After the diagnosis, treatment would be recommended to the patient. Today, the most common means of treating RA is through medical treatment that is categorized into two types of drugs that include drugs that are "anti-inflammatory" that only relieve the symptoms of the disease but does not affect its progression, and drugs that belong to the "disease-modifying antirheumatic" or DMARDs group that greatly affects RA itself.

Sadly, these drugs used to treat RA are said to change the route of the disease and they can cause harsh side effects to patient. Because of the severity of the side effects, experts tried looking for a milder approach in treating the disease like natural treatments and alternatives especially in the early stages of RA.

Fish oils as a powerful preventive alternative remedy

For people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, it is indeed a challenging and tiring disease to battle with. Aside from trying medical treatments, more and more people who have RA are now looking for other options to somehow lessen the burden of the disease. Aside from anti-inflammatory drugs, people who suffer from RA are now more open to trying other alternative options such as different programs or sets of exercises, diet programs that include the consumption of fish oil, adequate rest, and proper exposure to heat.

Among all these alternative options, using fish oil is becoming more popular. Many studies are finding out how fish oil may help arthritis-especially rheumatoid arthritis. The following are just some of the reasons why many people are trying this breakthrough approach for an arthritis remedy.

1. Fish oil helps in the reduction of inflammatory compounds in the affected area. Studies show that adequate supplementation of fish oil in the affected area-such as joints or tissues-helps reduce the discharge of inflammatory composites from attacking the tissues.

2. Fish oil helps relieve some arthritis symptoms. With regular and proper use of fish oil, it helps relieve various symptoms of arthritis that include stiffness of the affected area especially in the morning.

3. Fish oil helps diminish joint pains. By using an average of three to six grams of fish oils everyday, it can lessen the inflammation and pain of joints especially those that are already tender.

4. Fish oil also helps in the reduction of heart disease risks especially in arthritis patients. Because of the Omega 3-fatty acids found in fish oils, the possibility of RA patients to develop various cardiovascular diseases is lessened.

5. Fish oil helps patients to save money. Compared to the price of drugs used in the medical treatments, RA patients are provided with what might be a cheaper and safer option for treating arthritis by using fish oils.

Discover Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although the major pharmaceutical companies would prefer you not know this, there are natural means to alleviate the aches of arthritis without the use of dangerous drugs.

This page will give you a broad overview on these alternatives.

First, one of the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis that is often overlooked is simply exercise. Obviously, when you are suffering from joint pain and fatigue, you often do not want to exercise. But, if you can begin a doctor supervised regular exercise program, you will find that you have more energy and less pain.

Water aerobics is particularly popular for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Pain relief is experienced because exercise stimulates the production of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins block pain and help improve one's mood. Other natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief include a variety of herbs and botanicals that are naturally analgesic (pain relieving) and/or anti-inflammatory (reduces swelling).

One of the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief is valerian. Valerian is sometimes recommended by herbalists for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief and, indeed, was used traditionally by Native Americans to treat pain. However, the phyto-chemical compounds found in valerian have not been studied for anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to providing rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, it may help those who suffer from the disease to get a good night's sleep. It is a known sedative and is one of the oldest known medicinal plants. Those with liver disease should not use valerian. Withdrawal symptoms have been experienced by people who abruptly stop using it.

Natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis should be purchased from an herbalist or doctor of naturopathic medicine; plants and herbs can have side effects, and it is important to be aware of these before use. Another of the natural remedies is mullein. It is believed to be an anti-inflammatory and was used traditionally by Native Americans for pain relief. Only the flowers and leaves are used. The seeds contain a toxin that may cause skin irritations or rash.

Among the oldest known natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief is comfrey. Salves composed of comfrey root were used historically by native peoples throughout the world to reduce swelling, promote healing of broken bones, and for arthritis. Today it is still recommended by herbalists and naturalists to reduce inflammation. In order to provide rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, reducing inflammation is the key.

Comfrey should not be used by pregnant women and there may be other side effects. As previously mentioned, it is important to consult an herbalist or other expert schooled in herbal and natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, before you begin use. One of the most exciting natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief comes to us from the rainforests of Thailand. This remedy may also be the safest for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, since it is a fruit.

Known as the mangosteen -- sometimes referred to as "Queen of Fruits" -- it was used in traditional Asian folk medicine to treat a wide array of ailments, but was particularly effective as a pain reliever. According to Dr. J. Frederic Templeton, a primary care physician, "The mangosteen's benefits spans a wide range of effects: anti-inflammatory (stronger than indomethacin)..."

Indomethacin is a powerful non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug, prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief and a variety of other conditions. Dr. Templeton's statements are supported by scientific research from around the world. A puree of the mangosteen is taken as a health or dietary supplement and is not known to have any side effects.

Orthobiologics and Orthopaedic Medicine - Exploring Orthobiologic Treatments for Knee Osteoarthritis

Orthobiologics is a relatively new area of study that has captured the interest of orthopaedic surgeons in their effort to find ways to facilitate the body's healing process. Orthobiologics is a dynamic scientific field with new developments and discoveries attracting ongoing interest. Orthobiologics involves scientific interventions and treatments which use the body's own growth factors and proteins to help muscles, tissues, ligaments, tendons and bones heal more quickly.

There are several different orthobiological treatments currently used by orthopaedic surgeons. Three orthobiological treatments used to treat knee osteoarthritis include:

• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP),


• Autologous Cartilage Implantation, and


• Bone Marrow Simulation

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma that is enriched with additional platelets. Platelets release proteins called growth factors which speed up tissue regeneration, repair and healing. Growth factors are important in part because they facilitate a process called "chemoattraction" which draws stem cells to the location of the injury. PRP production involves several different steps.

1. Blood is drawn from the patient peripherally.


2. The blood is placed in the centrifuge to separate the plasma from the platelets.


3. This is injected into the injury site.

PRP is currently used in a variety of orthopaedic medical treatments including osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis and tendinitis. A recent article published by the American Journal of Sports Medicine stated that PRP decreases NFkB which is a major enzyme in the pathway of the formation of osteoarthritis.

What is Autologous Cartilage Implantation?

When the articular cartilage is damaged in the knee, exposed nerve endings can cause significant pain and eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Autologous cartilage implantation is a type of transplantation that takes either donor articular cartilage cells or the patient's own cartilage. Cultured autologous cartilage cells are used in order to promote growth in cartilage damage and repair the cartilage.

For the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee, the cartilage is transplanted in the arthritic area of the knee. A recent article in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery noted that long term follow up data of 7 to 10 years suggests good to excellent results.

What is Bone Marrow Stimulation?

Bone marrow stimulation is an orthopaedic surgical technique used to help repair cartilage in the knee. Bone marrow stimulation is a treatment for cartilage injuries and degenerative problems in the knee.

Bone marrow stimulation is a surgical procedure where multiple drill holes are placed into the area of arthritis in the knee. The body's own stem cells invade that region producing fibrocartilage which is a scar tissue like cartilage. This type of transplantation has decreased results over time whereas the autologous transplantation has better longevity.

Orthobiologics Offer Promising Future

Orthobiological treatments offer a promising future to an orthopaedic surgeon who treats degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoporosis. Further research and new treatments are currently being explored and new advancements in orthobiologics are continually introduced. One of the latest innovations includes liquid allografts or so called bone glues that mend bone fractures while supporting the healing process.

Joint Pain Relief Naturally Today

Joint pain relief is a growing need for millions of people of all ages due to their problems with stiffness and aching that keeps them from doing what they love to do. Have you been experiencing difficulty sleeping, getting out of bed, enjoying your work and hobbies, or simply moving around freely? Pain in the joints can cause suffering in a lot of ways, which is why we wanted to take the time to help you discover the answers to your swelling and inflexibility.

This guide to joint pain relief will teach you about the various causes, symptoms, and products that can help you feel better. We will also give you some important things to look for when searching around for the right treatment for your joints. Not every pill or ointment is made the same, so it's good to know what makes a high quality, effective product.

Possible Causes of Joint Pain

The causes of joint pain are going to dictate which method of treatment is the best for your situation. You may have tried many products in the past without first understanding the reason behind your symptoms.

Possible causes of joint pain can be arthritis, fracture, fibromyalgia, injury, sickle cell anemia, or even drug withdrawal. There are other causes that can overlap with other conditions such as typhus, Sjogren's Syndrome, or SAPHO syndrome. Your pain isn't necessarily just related to your joints, in other words. This can be a complicated condition that has stemmed from an illness of the blood or immune system.

If you are like most people with joint pain, your inflammation may be due to arthritis damage as a result of an imbalanced or weakened immune system. Arthritis can come in many forms, so you may want to discuss with your doctor first to determine what your exact condition is before seeking treatment.

Depending on your specific cause, you may be able to treat it with the right products and methods. The only bad news is it can be very painful until you find the right joint pain relief that works for you. So where do you begin on your search for relief?

What to Look for When Choosing Joint Pain Relief Products

First and foremost, it's important that you look for a joint pain relief product that is proven to be safe with no harmful side effects. We can't emphasize enough how crucial it is to choose one that has been tested and known to use only pharmaceutical grade ingredients. There are plenty of anti-inflammatory supplements and drugs on the market that contain unknown compounds that haven't been thoroughly tested. Please consider a safer product and consult with your doctor to be sure it will be safe for you.

Testimonials are another important part of your search for an anti-inflammatory supplement. Don't consider anything that hasn't been shown to help other people with joint problems - it's like taking a shot in the dark. If you can find something that has been supported by numerous published testimonials, you may be on the right path. Be on the lookout for products that helped arthritis sufferers and fitness lovers with their mobility. When people are claiming they can move once again without pain, you know it's something worth considering for yourself.

Finally, you want to look for a treatment that addresses the causes of inflammation in the body, rather than hiding them with simple pain relievers. Anyone can make a product that has natural or synthetic ingredients to stop the pain, but they don't necessarily address the root of the pain itself. To avoid wasting money on a product that doesn't solve the real problem, look for a product that treats the true cause of pain - immune response imbalance.

Joint Pain Relief Should Balance the Immune Response

There should be a combination of ingredients in a proper anti-inflammatory product that targets the joints. With the right formula, the immune response can be balanced rather than reacting inappropriately in a painful way.

Herbs and natural extracts are commonly found in these types of supplements for their ability to support muscle growth around the joints and increasing blood flow. Other ingredients like polysaccharides and enzymes work to enhance the immune system and improve autoimmune diseases that may be causing pain. You should look for something that can accomplish all of these tasks, providing your body the best opportunity to rebuild and heal naturally.

Provailen Fits the Criteria We Recommend

One of the few products we were able to find that actually meets all of the criteria above is Provailen. It receives glowing testimonials, and it's been tested to be safe and effective. This product also seems to be a step above the rest when it comes to addressing the immune response we described above. If you're looking for honest joint pain relief in a natural formula, Provailen could be the perfect one for you.

Facts About Arthritis

My own problems started when my children picked up a virus at school. I soon contracted the same virus, but with devastating effects! Although the actual virus didn't seem to trouble me too much, just a rash and a little tiredness, the weeks after my recovery saw a gradual stiffening of my wrists, then my fingers, and toes. In fact gradually all my "small" joints seemed to be susceptible to the inflammation. Gradually things got worse and the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis was the frightening consequence.

For many years I took the prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatories, before embarking on a journey of discovery, which in turn led me to the pain free life that I lead now. (without the aid of drugs or medicines)
From a point of deep depression, I resolved to try and find a way to "cure" myself. I learnt many things about my condition, and the way that it could be treated. But best of all I found a way to rid my body of all the arthritic symptoms. There is no known cure for Arthritis in the medical world. The doctors will treat your condition accordingly with a cocktail of drugs. There are other ways to treat the condition, but the doctors seem to be totally reliant on the drug regime.

The 2 most well known types of Arthritis are "Osteo" and "Rheumatoid". Rheumatoid is where the body's own immune system attacks the joint lining, and Osteo is where the lining of the joint is worn away, and you have "naked" bone rubbing together. (Usually the result of an injury to the joint. Maybe a sports injury.)

In the U.S.A. alone, there are over 48 million sufferers of arthritis. This is an incredible figure, and is unfortunately increasing daily. It is a major cause of disability, and is second only to heart disease. In the work place it is a major cause of "work disability" and the relevant loss of revenue. In the U.K. it is a massive problem for the N.H.S. (National Health Service), as the number of cases rises, and the cost of the ever increasing dependency on drugs spirals almost out of control. Many people with arthritis think that they are beyond help and resign themselves to a life of pain and drug taking. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. A simple diet can help immensely, and in most cases eliminate the arthritis symptoms completely. You might think that this is too good to be true. I did as well! But "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" as they say. If you don't try you never will find out!

Some of the other forms of arthritis include, Lupus, Gout, Fibromyalgia and Ankylosing Spondylitis. If you think that you have any form of arthritis, it is important to treat it as early as possible so that you can avoid the permanent joint damage that is possible. The easiest way to diagnose the problem is with a visit to your doctor, who should give you a routine blood test. Having been diagnosed, it is up to you whether you take the route that the doctors will suggest, one of drugs. Or take the healthy eating route which can eliminate all the symptoms and let you lead a normal pain free (and drug free) life.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks itself. The parts of the body most affected are the joints. In rheumatoid arthritis the body forms antibodies against antigens of the synovium. The synovium is a cellular coating that lines joint spaces. It normally secretes lubricants and helps ensure the integrity of the joint. However, when auto-antibodies bind to it the result is inflammation.

The inflammatory process gets out of control damaging not only the synovium, but also adjacent structures like cartilage and bone. After years of inflammatory changes the joints involved become deformed.

Clinically, rheumatoid arthritis typically begins as vague non-specific joint pain. In its earliest form it can be difficult to diagnose. Patients will often complain of other non-specific symptoms like fatigue and fever. The inflammatory response typically begins in the hands and feet. In the hands the metacarpophalangeal joints (ie: the first "knuckle") and proximal interphalangeal joints (ie: the second "knuckle") are most commonly involved. Interestingly, the distal interphalangeal joint (ie: the last "knuckle") is not commonly involved in rheumatoid arthritis.

After years of wear and tear on these joints several deformities occur. The two commonly seen ones are Boutonniere and Swan Neck deformities of the hands. In addition, "ulnar deviation" of the fingers can occur.

Symptoms may wax and wane, or disappear entirely for periods of time. Unfortunately, they almost always return. Eventually the wrists, ankles, elbows, and knees can also become involved. The disease is considered progressive. Treatment is designed to slow both the inflammatory process and joint destruction.

Physical Therapy and Exercise For Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that can cause stiffness, pain and swelling in joints and other supporting structures of the body such as bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Some forms of arthritis may affect other parts of the body, including various internal organs. There are many different types of arthritis including osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis psoriatic arthritis gouty arthritis and septic arthritis Arthritis can affect anyone at any age. Arthritis treatment often includes physical therapy and exercise. Physical therapy and exercise can help arthritis sufferers in many ways. The primary goal is to improve functional capacity to help reduce pain and fatigue associated with daily activities. Increasing the range of motion of a joint is the primary focus of physical therapy.

Physical therapy and exercise for arthritis focuses on pain relief, and in restoring function and movement. Physical therapy programs may provide therapeutic methods, including physical techniques and activity modifications. A physical therapy program consisting of manual therapy and exercise benefits patients with arthritis.

Gentle exercise helps to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis. Lifting weights is a beneficial exercise for arthritis and for joint support. Physical therapy and exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and increases flexibility, muscle strength, cardiac fitness, and endurance.

Some of the exercises prescribed for people with arthritis:

o Range-of-motion exercises (stretching or flexibility exercises)
o Strengthening exercises
o Water exercises
o Recreational exercises
o Endurance or aerobic exercises

Physical therapy and exercise helps to:

o Maintain normal joint movement
o Strengthen muscles around the joints
o Strengthen and maintain bone and cartilage tissue
o Improve overall ability to do everyday activities
o Maintain weight to reduce pressure on joints
o Keep bone and cartilage tissue strong and healthy

Depending on the severity of arthritis, a physical therapist may suggest either isometric or isotonic exercises. A combination of manual physical therapy and exercise is more effective to reduce pain, dysfunction and stiffness in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

3 Amazing Natural Cures For Rheumatoid Arthritis - Joint Pain Relief in a Flash!

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease suffered by millions of people. It causes debilitating pain in the joints, especially in the hands and feet. Most people suffering from the disease believe the only way to treat it is by taking prescription medications. But fortunately, there are several natural cures for rheumatoid arthritis that are quite effective. They can work just as well as conventional medicine without all of the side effects. I highly recommend you look into these treatments, as they have worked effectively for many people throughout the years.

Devil's Claw

Devil's Claw is an herb native to South Africa that has been used for centuries to treat the symptoms of arthritis. In various double-blind studies, Devil's Claw has been shown to be as effective as Diacerhein and Vioxx, which are both prescribed to sufferers of arthritic pain. The herb is harmless to take and has very little negative side effects. As a result, it is considered one of the best natural cures for rheumatoid arthritis.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the popular natural cures for rheumatoid arthritis. By inserting thin needles into various points or "meridians" in the body, energy blockages are cleared up, and in turn, diseases and illnesses are effectively alleviated. Acupuncture also stimulates the release of endorphins, which block pain receptors and make us feel much better overall, without having to take prescription pain medication.

Probiotics

Studies show that restoring the body's natural probiotic balance alleviates many of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Probiotics are the "good" bacteria in your digestive system and researchers believe many of our common ailments are caused by a probiotic imbalance. You can take probiotics in supplement form but it's also important to integrate them into your diet by eating yogurt, pickles, and soft cheeses.

Arthritis Treatment: Is There a Role for Sulfa Medicines in Treating Arthritis?

The approach to treating inflammatory forms of arthritis depends on several factors. These include the type of arthritis, the experience of the practitioner, the age of the patient, potential confounding factors such as allergies, length of time the patient has had the arthritis, previous drugs tried, and whether the drugs are to be used one at a time or "layered" on top of each other.

For example, a disease like rheumatoid arthritis demands aggressive treatment with a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) such as methotrexate. Methotrexate tends to work well to slow disease. However, initiation of methotrexate is just the first step. This is quickly followed by either the addition of a biologic medicine or by adding other DMARDs.

In contrast, a disease like psoriatic arthritis may or may not respond to methotrexate. So a different disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug is required. And that's where a medicine like sulfasalazine has utility.

Sulfasalazine was manufactured originally by combining an antibiotic, sulfapyridine, with an anti-inflammatory drug 5-aminosalicylic acid. The latter, as the reader might surmise, is a form of aspirin.

This was done because many years ago it was felt that rheumatoid arthritis was an infectious disease so an antibiotic coupled with an anti-inflammatory drug made sense as a drug that would be useful to treat rheumatoid arthritis. And, it has been shown in a number of studies to be effective in rheumatoid arthritis acting as a DMARD. Its effects are relatively mild.

It is an oral drug taken daily. Roughly one-third of sulfasalazine is absorbed from the gut. The remainder is broken down into its component chemicals, sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid. Sulfapyridine is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and the 5-aminosalicyclic acid is excreted.

Sulfasalazine (trade name, Azulfidine) has immunomodulatory effects on cells that propagate inflammation. Often sulfasalazine is combined with biologic therapy or it is sometimes combined with methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or azathioprine (Imuran) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The exact use generally depends on the experience of the practitioner.

Where it seems to be more effective is in the other inflammatory forms of arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and certain forms of juvenile arthritis. Why this is, no one knows.

Sulfasalazine does have potential side effects including elevated liver function tests, bone marrow suppression, skin rashes, and lowered white blood cell count.

Because it is a sulfa based drug, it should not be used in patients with a sulfa allergy.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Home Remedies

There are a number of home remedies and alternative therapies used to treat rheumatoid arthritis; acupuncture, assistive devices, diet, exercise, stress management, and many more. These self-care measures, when used alongside your rheumatoid arthritis medications, can help you manage your signs and symptoms better than by using medications alone.

Regular exercise is important to health and especially important for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Gentle range of motion exercises can reinforce and tone the muscles around the affected joints, and it can aid in eliminating the fatigue commonly felt with rheumatoid arthritis. Walking is an excellent and gentle exercise that you can start slowly and gradually increase the pace and distance, as tolerated. Swimming or moderate water aerobics are other rheumatoid arthritis friendly exercises and many health clubs and local pools offer swimming classes. The main point to remember is that you should avoid exercising when you have tender joints that are inflamed. Also, if exercise causes new joint pain, you should cut back on your exercising until the pain dissipates. New joint pain after you exercise possibly means you are overdoing it. As always, consult with your physician before you start any new exercise regime.

Applying heat and cold packs may also be beneficial to rheumatoid arthritis patients. Heat packs can help relieve your pain and relax tense, painful muscles. Applying heat by taking a hot shower for 15 minutes is the easiest way in applying heat to joints. You can also apply a heat pack or an electric heating pad regulated in the lowest setting to avoid burning the skin. On the other hand, cold can numb the sensation of pain. Cold also has a dulling effect and reduces spasm of muscles. Methods may include usage cold packs, drenching the affected areas in cold water, and massaging the area with ice or ice packs. As a note, cold treatment is not advised for areas with poor circulation and numbness. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also find relief by soaking their aching areas in warm water for a few minutes, then in cold water for one minute. When alternating hot and cold, repeat the cycles for 30 minutes, with the warm soak last.

In rheumatoid arthritis, the joints in the hands are usually affected first. Because the hands are used in so many activities of daily living, this is especially bothersome. Hand exercises can help maintain flexibility, range of motion, and strength. There is no generic exercise method that will work for all people with rheumatoid arthritis so it is best to specialists like rheumatologists, physical therapists, or occupational therapist that can help assess and provide an exercise plan for the hands. There is not a one-size-fits-all hand exercise prescription for people with RA, but a rheumatologist, physical therapist, or occupational therapist can help design a program especially for your specific needs.

Finally, finding ways to reduce stress in your life will go a long way in improving symptoms. Techniques such as hypnosis, guided imagery, deep breathing and muscle relaxation,progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, meditation, and tai chi can all be used to control pain and are excellent as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. These non-pharmacologic methods can divert pain while also reducing stress levels.

My Doctor Says I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis And Fibromyalgia... Can I Have Both?

Fibromyalgia is a frequent cause for musculoskeletal pain. It is characterized by aching, stiffness, tender trigger points, and fatigue. Patients often complain of waking up feeling exhausted. They also state that they feel like they've "been beaten up." Patients with fibromyalgia often have other symptoms such as decreased short term memory and hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli such as sounds, smells, and lights. Weather changes seem to aggravate the symptoms.

Fibromyalgia (FM) may either be primary, meaning it occurs by itself with no other underlying disease process being present. Or it may be secondary to or associated with other types of arthritis. For example FM is frequently associated with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Lyme disease.

It is difficult to estimate what percentage of RA patients also have FM, since there are features common to both conditions. It is safe to say that during the course of RA, a patient will also have flares of FM. The distinction between a flare of FM versus a flare of RA may be difficult to make.

Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized by aches and pains as well as fatigue. Weather changes also tend to cause flares or magnify flares.

Features that sometimes help are the presence of obvious synovial inflammation and elevation in laboratory measures such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound may also be helpful in making the distinction between RA flare versus FM flare. Occasionally both conditions flare concurrently making the diagnostic confusion even greater.

Making the distinction between a flare of RA versus a flare of FM is critical. The treatments are very different.

Is Inflammatory Arthritis A Treatable Form of Arthritis?

Inflammatory arthritis is one of the main forms of arthritis, the other being osteoarthritis. Arthritis is caused by your joints becoming inflamed, which causes the pain and swelling in the affected areas. There might even be some visible redness in the effected areas. Inflammatory arthritis is named because of the inflamed and swelled joints. Inflammatory arthritis has a great effect on your immune system as well. This is because your immune system is put into effect by your body, because it thinks that there is an infection where you have inflammatory arthritis. This is unfortunate because there are no viruses or infections that your immune system needs to treat. It is simply being tricked by your arthritis.

The good news about inflammatory arthritis is that it is a treatable form of arthritis. Other forms of arthritis are difficult to treat, if there are even any treatments for them. With inflammatory arthritis, you can be treated. You do not have to live in pain.

Symptoms of Inflammatory Arthritis:

Pain in your joints

Inflamed joints

Stiffness (after being still for a while, early in the morning, etc.)

Pain and swelling in one or more joints

A warm sensation in the effected joints

Symptoms can begin to become noticeable after an emotional, stressful period in your life, such as the loss of a loved one or even something as simple as a cold.

Some Treatments for Inflammatory Arthritis:

Inflammatory arthritis is treatable. A lot of the treatments available are natural remedies for your arthritis. This includes:

Eliminating any food allergies you might have

Seeing if you have any current infections

You can try eating a diet that can help see if you have any food allergies

You should be tested for any allergies

You should also be tested for any sensitivity to hormones

You might have an autoimmune disease that can be treated and help relieve your symptoms, which can be determined by a simple blood test

Some natural medications can also help such as Photoluminescence, Ozone therapy, Insulin Potentiation therapy

Some other medications/treatments such as antiviral or antifungal medications can help

Inflammatory arthritis can be quite painful and annoying. Fortunately, inflammatory arthritis is very treatable. You should get help at the first sign of symptoms, such as waking up in the morning with stiffness in your joints. This can be one of the first signs that you may have inflammatory arthritis. This is a good time to make an appointment with your medical health professional and see where you are. You will need to get some tests done to figure out what it is you have and then what treatments you need to be put on to help you.

Just remember, inflammatory arthritis is not something you have to sit back and live with. You do not have to live in pain every day. This can be treated and you should get the help you deserve.

New Hope For Osteoarthritis Sufferers

Hopeful news for a promising new osteoarthritis treatment was revealed in a routine interview of Yvonne Lungershausen, the Senior Director of Clinical Services for CPR Pharma Services. CPR Pharma is a 25 year established Clinical Research Organization that recently performed a phase II clinical trial of a new drug called Ampion to treat 100 patients suffering severe pain from osteoarthritis of the knee. Their pain was so extreme most of them were considering knee replacement surgery. Some had even scheduled the surgery but enrolled in this trial as a last chance for a long shot fix.

Patients were treated with only one injection of Ampion, a naturally occurring substance produced by the human body that is known to control inflammation. Most drugs can cause adverse side effects but Ampion is completely safe and has a 50-year history of safety being administered to millions of patients as Human Serum Albumin (HSA).

In only a few hours after the injection, the results were not what anybody was expecting. They were shocking.

In the interview by Trader Investor Alert, the first thing Lungershausen said was, "In terms of safety issues, there were none". "There were no adverse events and I would say that Ampion had an exceptional safety profile". When asked if there were any surprises she replied, "Yes, CPR has been performing clinical trials for over 20 years." "Some of them failed miserably... some were slightly positive... but Ampion has been amazingly positive." "Patients came in hobbling, limping and depressed but after they received an injection of Ampion, they were literally skipping with joy." "One man completely disabled from his knee pain was finally able to put on his shoes and walk his dog; something he loved to do but was unable to do for the past five years.

Another miracle story recently published on YouTube by an Australian television station is about Norm Johnson who found it very difficult just to walk on flat ground and almost impossible to go up and down stairs. Norm was in so much pain that he was ready to schedule knee replacement surgery; until he joined the Ampion clinical trial. Within one hour after receiving the injection, his pain was completely gone and he was able to walk pain free. Six months later he remains pain free and can be seen climbing up and down a steep ladder. After receiving the Ampion treatment Mr. Johnson cancelled his plans for knee replacement surgery. Watch this short video of Mr. Johnson's amazing recovery. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H7Nbr1CIo4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Lungershausen went on, "Patients were followed up in 30 days and then again at day 84 with pain questions and CT scans and the data just kept getting better and better". The benefits of one injection are lasting far longer than anybody ever expected. "Patients describe Ampion as a miracle drug and want to be involved in future trials."

Dr. David Bar-Or is the inventor of Ampion and also the Director of Research at two of Colorado's three Level I Trauma Centers. During his 30-year tenure in Trauma Centers, he observed that brain swelling from severe head injuries stopped very quickly compared to most swelling and deduced that there must be some natural body mechanism that shuts down the immune response of inflammation. After examining the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of severe head trauma patients, he was able to isolate two naturally occurring amino acids and reproduce them as Ampion. Dr. Bar-Or has developed several other promising drugs for diabetes and sexual dysfunction and is now working on his most exciting discovery; a promising drug for cancer that has demonstrated remarkable results.

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, the developer of Ampion has been granted successful guidance from the FDA to begin a phase III trial with 1,500 patients. Patient enrollment for the trial is 50% completed and results are expected by the end of this year. The company is on fast track with the FDA and expects to have Ampion approved and available to patients next year.

Osteoarthritis affects more than 27 million Americans and there are over 630,000 joint replacements each year in the U.S. alone and the number is growing rapidly. Approximately 1 in 2 people are expected to develop symptomatic knee Osteoarthritis in their lifetime.