Arthritis Symptoms - Recognizing If You Have Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis is a disease that affects people's joints, which is the point where two bones are connected. Joints are important for the mobility of two linked bones and arthritis is a disease that paralyzes the functioning of joints. In fact, the literal meaning of arthritis is the inflammation of joints.

There are over a hundred kinds of arthritis and it is important to know the arthritis symptoms that you experience. Recognition of arthritis symptoms is vital for the diagnosis of the exact kind of arthritis that you are suffering from. Early evaluation of arthritis symptoms can prevent greater damage and further discomfort.

The most common arthritis symptoms include inflammation of joints which is characterized by joint stiffness, visible swelling and redness. The area affected is also warm and tender to touch. Pain and inflammation of tendons that surround the affected joint can be present.

Muscle ache is also a common symptom. These manifestations could result in less range of motion, rendering the patient unable to move freely. Loss of mobility hinders a person unable to perform simple daily functions like walking, writing, exercising, using the computer, etc. Even eating becomes an impossible task when arm joints display arthritis symptoms.

These symptoms may appear suddenly or could progress over a period of time. Constant pain, inflammation and stiffness are signs that you should consult a physician, especially if these symptoms have already persisted for more than a week. Early diagnosis of the type of arthritis you have is critical in order to begin the best course of treatment.

Some types of arthritis could be worse than others. The effects of other kinds of arthritis may not be limited to joints. Sometimes, arthritis affects various internal organs in the body, thereby resulting in other forms of symptoms like fever that is accompanied by chills, sudden weight loss, fatigue and swelling of the glands. Organs like the lungs, kidneys and the heart can display symptoms as well. These organs can begin functioning abnormally because of arthritis.

Arthritis can also hit young people. Juvenile arthritis affects some children and it is manifested by the usual symptoms like joint aches, swelling and warmth. Other symptoms include body rashes, particularly in the arms and in the legs, fever and anemia. Poor appetite can also be an indication of arthritis in children.

Arthritis, when it remains untreated, could render a person unable to move freely. Aside from the stopping a person from performing his tasks, arthritis could also result in joint deformity, which could be very aesthetically unpleasing. Arthritis could affect a person's quality of life. It can stop him from doing the things he love and can even force him to stop working. Even the most basic tasks become impossible challenges with this disease.

This disease does not choose its victim. It is not gender-based and contrary to popular assumption, arthritis is not limited to a specific age group. Anybody can suffer from it - men, women and children. Thus, it is important for people to be aware of the symptoms that they are experiencing. Early diagnosis can save you a lifetime of pain.

Seniors Knee Pain - You Can Stop Arthritis Joint Pain Without Taking Those Dangerous NSAID Drugs

As seniors, we may find that the "Golden Years" might not be quite as golden as we expected. One of the most common problems affecting seniors is osteoarthritis-a wearing away of joint cartilage. Osteoarthritis is found in over 75% of the senior population and we are the most vulnerable group.

Sometimes, injury can cause this problem, but it's most likely to be a wear and tear type of condition, that only gets worse if not treated. Over many years, we just use our joints a lot and the protective cartilage that we need, keeps wearing down.

As we continue to lose cartilage, the pain only gets worse. If it gets to where there is no cartilage left, then the only options available are painful joint replacement surgery, or more years of limited mobility.

What other treatment options do we have? Usually, most doctors offer a NSAID type of drug to help with pain control- and they can do that. However, they only work on the symptoms, but not the cause. So, while you may think this is beneficial, your vital cartilage keeps disappearing and you're getting close to your last options.

If you're not familiar with the NSAID type of drugs, they are heavily advertised, as they bring in huge profits for the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture them. The next time you see one of their ads, pay particular attention to all the deadly side effects they have. Some, such as potential internal bleeding, fatal heart attack or stroke, are just a few. They can also even speed up your joint deterioration. Think about all that for a minute. Is that "treatment" something you want to risk?

Fortunately, there is a much better way to deal with osteoarthritis. You can experience knee joint regeneration when you use a good natural supplement. You can stop the pain and begin to bring back the cartilage you need, without the use of any NSAID drugs

You're getting a real treatment, instead of a band aid approach that only stops the pain. And, you don't have to fear any negative side effects, as you would with the prescription drugs. A natural treatment has no side effects at all and will not interact with any medications you may now be taking. Get the knee relief you need.

In addition to the natural approach, try to work in some low impact exercise such as walking and also take another look at your diet. Walking can help build muscle around the joint and help provide additional support.

Your diet is important too. If it's like the typical Western diet, some simple changes can make a big difference, not only in how you feel, but improving your general health as well. Also, if you have any extra pounds to lose, diet and exercise can help there too.

Arthritis Digest - What is Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by episodes of pain, swelling, warmth and stiffness of the joints. Individuals affected by the disease also experience recurrent attacks of transient inflammation in and around the joints. It normally afflicts two to three joints and has some typical symptoms and is very difficult to treat.

Fast Facts About Palindromic RA

* Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis is a rare kind of inflammatory arthritis with very distinctive features. It is sometimes referred to as a syndrome, which means that it is a typical condition with a collection of several symptoms

* This type of arthritis is generally characterized by episodes or attacks of pain and swelling of the joints. It also affects tissues that surround the joints.

* These attacks generally involve one to three joints

* The attacks attributable to palindromic rheumatism start suddenly and would last for hours or days before the attacks quickly recede.

* There is high probability of recurrence but with unpredictable frequency.

* This syndrome does not usually lead to permanent joint damage, as differentiated to RA.

* About 30-40 % of those affected by the syndrome develop more frequent episodes as the disease progresses. This may lead to complications including rheumatoid arthritis and their rheumatoid factor may become positive.

* The joints commonly involved with palindromic rheumatism include: the large joints, knees and fingers

* X-ray results will indicate normal condition as joint space narrowing id not present.

Recurrent Episodes of Pain

This type of arthritis gives rise to episodic articular, or periarticular pain. The most common joints that are affected by the disease are those of the fingers and knees.

The pain caused by palindromic rheumatoid arthritis can get intense but will not last longer than two or three days. These episodic attacks stop as quickly as they begin. In about 60% of cases, individuals suffering from this disease may have pain-free phases lasting up to weeks or months. In some instances, the attacks can return after years and may cause no permanent damage.

Rheumatoid Factors in Palindromic RA

There are several factors typical of rheumatoid which are observable in some of the palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patients. Some of these factors include:

* The large joints are the more commonly involved when recurrent episodes of attacks are considered

* Soft tissues of the heel pads and finger pads are the ones affected by the swelling of the periarticular tissues.

* Nodules will develop below the skin in the subcutaneous tissues

* During a typical blood test, increased ESR and CRP levels indicate a rheumatoid factor

Treatment of Palindromic RA

NSAIDs are usually prescribed during attacks associated with palindromic rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment for the syndrome may also include steroid injections or oral steroids. DMARDs and colchicine are now also emerging as modalities to prevent future attacks of palindromic rheumatism.

Generally, the factors that give rise to palindromic rheumatoid arthritis are still uncertain. In the absence of substantive study results, medical experts consider the disease to be a special form of RA.

Eliminate The Painful Suffering That Gout Presents With Natural Remedies For Treating Gout

The dangers of high uric acid levels which may have a
disastrous effect on the body has led nutritionist and
alternative medical professionals to seek a cure for gout.
Gout is one type of arthritis that can be treated without the
use of harsh dangerous drugs.

Some of the natural remedies available have no side effects and
are part of a healthy diet regiment. These natural cures for
gout use nature's bounty as a defense against the painful
suffering the gout presents.

Some homeopathic and naturopathic practitioners pursue the idea
that it is the toxicity level in the body that is the of all types
of arthritis. With gout, the high levels of uric acids prompt the
body to attack itself. These practitioners also contend that therapeutic
nutrition can benefit the sufferer of gout and those who suffer with other
types of arthritis.

Toxin accumulation in may be interrelated with other diseases including
digestive Disorders, high Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Obesity, Gout and other
degenerative diseases. The high uric acids in the joints of gout sufferers
increase the risk of heart and circulatory problems. The crippling pain of
gout only get worse if left untreated.

Stimulating the immune system to its natural state is the first step toward a
cure for gout. The body needs to detoxify itself with a colon cleanse, juice
fast or vitamin and mineral supplementation. Natural remedies will reduce the
symptoms of gout. At the same time the remedies will deal with the cause of
the condition,

A colon cleanse will rid the body of impacted fecal matter, a few pounds
of filth and create a sense of well being all at the same time. Individuals
who perform an at home colon cleanse report strange types of matter that
is excreted from the body.

Sometimes there are years of accumulated matter trapped in the intestinal
walls that create a toxic environment within the total digestive system.

Some people introduce gout curing agents into their diets in the form of
a juice fast. Starting the fast by hydrating the body with 8-10 glasses
of water daily will dilute the uric acid. The second step in the juice fast
is to add gout curing foods to the diet.

Gout curing foods include:

*Pineapple is a natural way of getting bromelain.
Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory agent.

*Bing Cherries:

"Eating fresh bing cherries may help people who suffer from the
pain of gout or other forms of arthritic inflammation", states a research
paper from the Agricultural Research Service's Western Human Nutrition
Research Center in Davis, CA.

*Strawberries and blueberries have powerful ingredients that help in the
treatment of gout.

*Omega-3 acids fatty acid limits the production of uric acid and reduces
the inflammation and tissue damage. Essential fatty acids like tuna,
salmon, flaxseed, nuts and seeds are good foods that help to reduce
the uric acid in the joints

Adding lemon juice to water at room temperature and drinking after a
meal of fruits and vegetables will help with uric acid release and provide
relief from pain.

Foods to avoid include those high in purines

*Alcoholic beverages

*Anchovies, sardines in oil, fish roes, herring

*Yeast

*Organ meat (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads)

*Legumes (dried beans, peas)

*Red Meat

*Asparagus, cauliflower

The result is that these treatments are more successful in helping gout
pain than some of the traditional medical solution that involves harmful
drugs with negative side effects.

Arthritis Treatment: Biosimilar Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory form of arthritis and affects approximately two million Americans.

Until about seventeen years ago, the primary treatment modalities available for rheumatoid arthritis allowed some control of disease but patients rarely went into complete remission.

Biologic drugs- protein-based medicines that target specific abnormalities in the immune system- revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Their effectiveness has allowed rheumatologists to not only control rheumatoid disease better but has even permitted many patients to achieve true remission.

Unfortunately, a major limiting factor has been the high price tag associated with these drugs with costs ranging anywhere from $1500 to $2200 per month.

The patents on a few of these drugs may be expiring soon and some biotech and pharmaceutical companies are eager to develop biosimilar drugs. A biosimilar is not a generic drug. It is defined by the FDA as a drug that is "highly similar or interchangeable with an already approved biologic drug."

Biologic compounds are very complicated. They are large molecule drugs. And that is why they differ from standard "pills." An example would be aspirin which is considered a small molecule drug. It measures 180 daltons and has 21 atoms. It has little ability to initiate an immune response and remains relatively stable over time.

In contrast, a typical monoclonal antibody biologic drug measures 150,000 daltons, contains 20,000 atoms, degrades over time, and has the ability to generate a significant immune response. Thus, the production of a biologic is an inherently unstable situation requiring special handling and storage.

A biologic medicine begins with a unique and proprietary cell line and goes through a number of complicated steps to make sure the end product is pure.

A company trying to make a biosimilar has to start with the end product and work backward. The sequence of amino acids that makes up the "guts" of an effective biologic medicine is what the manufacturer of a "copy" must produce.

The manufacturing process is also one that needs to adhere closely to that of the original drug. While not all steps are identical here, the important ones need to be.

Because of these differences, biosimilar drugs will need to undergo clinical trial testing to ensure they function as well as the drug they are supposed to be "copies" of.

According to the FDA, "a biosimilar drug is expected to produce the same clinical result in any given patient."

Osteoarthritis Back Pain

Osteoarthritis back pain is one of the most commonly diagnosed sources of chronic dorsopathy, especially in the lumbar and cervical spinal regions. Arthritis comes in many varieties ranging from normal and asymptomatic to terrible and debilitating, but the osteo variety is particularly interesting to back pain scholars. Osteoarthritic change is virtually universal in the spine of every adult human and is one of the greatest back pain scapegoats in the medical industry. It is the goal of this article to provide an objective view of this condition and how it relates to the way chronic pain is treated in the healthcare sector.

Osteoarthritis describes a condition that affects many of the joints in the body. It most commonly occurs in the hands, hips, knees, elbows, shoulders and spine, although it can strike virtually anywhere. The signs of the condition include a wearing away of the protective mechanisms in the joint capsules, as well as the growth of bone spurs called osteophytes. As the protective cartilage is worn down between bones, friction occurs, causing bone spurring to begin where one bone touches another. Spurring can be seen on diagnostic x-ray, although MRI technology will provide a far more comprehensive view of the actual joint deterioration.

All this sounds really bad, but the reality clearly shows that osteoarthritis is universal, normal and expected to experience as we get older. Most arthritis truly begins to kick in around middle age, although genetic and lifestyle factors can make it commence later or far earlier. Abnormal wear and tear on the joints can make arthritis take hold at unusually early ages in some cases. Widespread research shows that arthritis can certainly be responsible for minor discomfort and some occasional pain. However, there is no evidence linking mild to moderate arthritic change to the types of chronic back pain most commonly associated with the condition. Despite these findings, osteoarthritis continues to be the second most common back pain scapegoat, bested only by intervertebral disc concerns, such as degeneration and herniation.

When a patient complains of back pain, doctors virtually always look for a structural source on which to blame the symptoms. This is an inherent practice of Cartesian medical philosophy. The advent of advanced diagnostic imaging technologies has made it simple to look into the joints and find evidence of arthritic changes which are subsequently blamed for enacting pain. In my experience, when arthritis is found in the spine, it is almost always cited as a primary causation or partial contributor to back pain, even though there is absolutely no reason to see it as a malignant factor.

In fact, doctors rarely inform diagnosed patients of the complete picture when it comes to osteoarthritis. Here are some lesser known facts that may surprise you if you have been diagnosed with spinal pain blamed on bone spurs, facet joint changes or vertebral degeneration common to arthritic processes:

* Arthritis is found in almost every adult. Most people do not have pain, despite varying degrees of arthritic evidence. The degree of arthritic change has little or no bearing on whether a person may complain of pain or not. Many patients with minor arthritic change have severe pain, while some people with extreme conditions have no pain whatsoever.

* Regardless of whether a condition actually causes pain or not, the typical treatments used for spinal arthritis will do nothing to resolve symptoms, if indeed they are caused by the condition treated. Physical therapy, chiropractic, pharmaceutical treatment, epidural injections and a host of others will not change spinal anatomy or do anything to resolve arthritic evidence.

* Often symptoms are obviously affecting soft tissues, such as muscles or ligaments, or involve neurological tissues. This is not consistent with arthritis, although the diagnosis usually stands firm if structural evidence is found.

I hope to have provided a different view on arthritis in the spine and possibly provided the groundwork for affected patients to do more research on their own diagnoses. As a final thought, the only treatment typically effective at ridding the body of arthritic alteration is spinal surgery. Although the supposed structural reasons sourcing the pain can certainly be eliminated using invasive interventions, the facts show that back surgery is the least effective and most risky of all treatments possible. If arthritis was truly to blame for all the pain, then an objective observer would expect the exact opposite to occur.

Arthritis Treatment: What Causes the Pain of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is a disease affecting weight-bearing joints such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees.

While it may occur in younger people as a result of trauma to the joint, it is still considered a condition that accompanies aging.

OA affects more than half of adults past the age of 65. With the graying of the Baby Boomers and with the increasing incidence of obesity, that figure will continue to rise.

OA is a disease of articular cartilage, the gristle that caps the ends of long bones. Articular cartilage, or as it is referred to as hyaline cartilage is a tough connective tissue consisting of proteoglycans (complexes of proteins and sugars) as well as collagen. These coalesce to form a soupy matrix. Interspersed in this matrix are cells called chondrocytes. When cartilage is healthy, chondrocytes manufacture matrix. As osteoarthritis develops and proceeds, there is cartilage degradation with changes affecting the surrounding lining of the joint (synovium) as well as the underlying bone.

What is interesting is that cartilage has no blood vessels nor does it have any nerve fibers. So the big question had been, "What causes the pain of osteoarthritis?"

While people do have disability and pain related to OA, more than 40% of patients with OA on x-ray don't have pain!

So why do people with OA hurt?

It is likely that the cartilage wear and tear triggers other mechanisms to kick into gear. Multiple studies have identified abnormalities occurring in the synovium, bone, and other soft tissue structures that could cause pain. OA has traditionally been thought to be a non-inflammatory form of arthritis. The truth is that a substantial amount of inflammation occurs and it has effects on soft tissue structures both within as well as surrounding the joint.

Local chemical messengers known as cytokines could cause more inflammation to develop locally. The production of destructive enzymes by chondrocytes and other sources also could contribute to pain.

Magnetic resonance imaging studies have demonstrated that bone marrow edema may play a role in the production of pain.

The puzzle is this... there appears to be a disparity between the degree of joint damage and the amount of pain perceived by the osteoarthritis sufferer. This has led to more investigations into possible central causes of pain.

Functional MRI studies of the brain have shown that there are areas in the brain that appear to be responsible for pain processing.

An excellent discussion regarding this phenomenon was published recently.

(Sofat N, Ejindu V, Kiely P. What Makes Osteoarthritis Painful? The Evidence for Local and Central Pain Processing. Rheumatology. 2011;50(12):2157-2165)

Arthritis Treatment: Should Steroids Be Used in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic, progressive, autoimmune disorder that affects, roughly, two million Americans. While it preferentially attacks joints, it may affect other organ systems. These other areas include the lungs, heart, peripheral nervous system, skin, bone marrow, and eyes.

Early diagnosis is mandatory. If RA is suspected, a patient should be referred to a rheumatologist (arthritis specialist) as soon as possible. The current goal of RA therapy is to treat and control disease before any joint damage has occurred. The prognosis, both short as well as long term is improved if remission can be established quickly.

The strategy is to exert tight control over the disease while recognizing individual variability and response to treatment. A new concept of "treat to target" has gained popularity. What this means is following a patient carefully early on and making adjustments in medicines in order to effect a remission as soon as possible.

The role of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) therapy is not in question. And the DMARD of choice is methotrexate which works relatively quickly, slows don progression of disease and is usually tolerated well.

However, there is debate when it comes to other therapies.

One such therapy is prednisone (P). P is an oral glucocorticoid, a synthetic drug that mimics the effects of naturally occurring hormones made by the adrenal glands. These medications have potent anti-inflammatory effects. A number of studies have shown that low doses of P (less than 10 mgs a day) reduces joint damage and slows down the progression of x-ray changes.

At our center, we rarely use disease higher than 5 mgs in RA patients. However, we do institute this low dose of P along with methotrexate as soon as the diagnosis is made. Adhering to the "treat to target" model, we also rapidly introduce a biologic therapy within 8-12 weeks if it appears that methotrexate is not going to be sufficient. Unlike other centers, we rarely push the methotrexate any higher than 15 mgs.

Low dose P is well tolerated and has very few side effects. Once the patient is in remission, we have found it relatively easy to taper the P and often are even able to discontinue it.

That isn't to say that patients shouldn't be counseled about P. We spend a great deal of time talking about the potential problems associated with this drug and monitor the patient carefully while they are on P.

Nonetheless, we have found the combination of low dose P along with methotrexate to be an effective one.

Coping With the Pain of Ankle Arthritis

Patients who suffer from "ankle arthritis" are actually dealing with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis which has settled in the ankle joints. A lot of pressure is put on ankle joints, because they bear the brunt of the entire weight of the body. When you pile all of your weight on sore joints and take a step, there's bound to be pain. What's worse, ankle joints are ball joints which rotate in all directions, so the cartilage will deteriorate even faster than in other joints.

Ankle Pain Stemming from Other Causes

Never just assume that any pain you have in your ankles and feet is being caused by arthritis. These pains can be caused by many different things, including lower back and hip problems. Before just shrugging your shoulders and thinking, "Its only arthritis", make an appointment with your doctor for an exam. Only then will he be able to tell what's causing your infirmity.

The rarer diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be made by taking a simple blood test. If you are diagnosed with the more common osteoarthritis, it may mean that you'll be facing a regimen of intensive treatments for the rest of your life.

Sprained ankles are fairly common and cause sufferers a lot of pain, even more so that an actual break. To treat a sprain, doctors will prescribe 'RICE'. No, not the stuff you eat. In this case RICE means:
o Rest - and give your ankle a chance to heal.
o Ice Compression - use cold compresses to reduce inflammation and pain.
o Elevation - keep the leg raised to lessen swelling and pain.

You may be able to tell if you have ankle arthritis by watching for the following symptoms:
o Recurring pains without a reason
o Swelling and stiffness suddenly occurring
o Pain remedies won't stop the pain and stiffness
o A big toe that's very painful and wants to turn to the side
o Bunions that hurt badly even when not being touched

When a person first develops ankle arthritis, simple OTC pain medications will probably be all the treatment needed. The disease is incurable, though, and will progress over time. It may get to a stage where your doctor wants to treat the condition much more aggressively.

If you've tried everything looking for relief from arthritis pain, you may want to do what many others have done, and try some form of home remedy. Doctors and the FDA frown on such practices as herbal medicines and yoga, but there are a lot of people who swear by the treatments claiming they have stopped the progression of the disease and even caused some improvement.

Grandma's Old Fashioned Arthritis Remedies

Modern day arthritis treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), corticosteroids, anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) treatment and, of course, the disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARD's), which are notoriously excelled for their nasty side-effects. This minefield of chemicals that we are willingly putting into our already ailing bodies surely can't actually be good for us and our delicate constitutions. What would our grandparents think? More importantly, what would our grandparents do?

The answer is simple, they would go into the pantry or the garden to gather a herb or dig up a vegetable. Here are a few of the remedies that our ancestors would have used to ease their aching joints.

Let's take a look in the pantry first. Mustard was a popular choice of treatment for joint pain. The seeds of white or yellow mustard (sinapis alba) are used make the popular condiment. Mustard plasters were very popular for treating arthritis as well as chest congestion, bronchitis and sore muscles.

To make a mustard plaster mix together one part mustard powder to two parts flour and mix to a soft paste with warm water. Spread the paste into the middle of a clean hand towel. Fold the towel in half to enclose the paste, and half again before putting on the affected joint. Leave the mustard plaster to work its magic for approximately 15 minutes. If the plaster starts to feel uncomfortable at any point remove it immediately. After the treatment, gently wash the treated area with lukewarm water and pat dry. It is important to ensure that the mustard paste does not come into contact with the skin; it is hot on the skin as well as the palate and has the potential to cause severe blistering.

Epsom salts were used in the bath as a general arthritis remedy. Four tablespoons in the bath will reduce inflammation and stiffness in the joints.

Castor oil has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Rubbed into the ailing joints it was also a common arthritis treatment. Castor oil was also taken as a medicine for arthritis with two tablespoons of castor oil boiled and added to fresh orange juice. This should be taken every morning on an empty stomach.

Going into the garden we will find herbs and vegetables that will soothe arthritis pain. The herb comfrey, also known as knitbone, has been used for centuries for a host of different ailments. It has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. As a poultice comfrey will help to reduce inflammation and draw out toxins.

To make a poultice, chop the comfrey and add to a blender to make a fine paste. Put the paste into a bowl and add flour and knead to make a stiff doughy consistency. Use old sheets to make the poultice and add the comfrey paste to the middle and wrap to make tidy squares about an inch thick and a comfortable size for the joint you wish to treat. Apply the poultice for 15-45 minutes then wash the area with warm water and pat dry. A great tip is that you can make several and freeze them for later use. Just pop them into a self-sealing bag and bung them in the freezer. Alternatively you can make a lazy poultice by simply bruising the leaves, wrapping them around your aching joint and holding them in place with clingfilm!

Cabbage makes a really good poultice for arthritis too. Cabbage is from the same family as mustard and has anti-inflammatory properties. For a basic cabbage poultice simply bash the leaves with a rolling pin to get the juice running and wrap the leaves around the joint that you wish to treat. Cover with a gauze bandage and leave overnight. Also you can freeze the cabbage leaves and place them directly onto the joint for instant relief.

Moving away from herbs and vegetables to apply to joints to vegetables that are to be eaten to help ease arthritis; potato juice is alkaline and will help to dissolve uric acid for gout sufferers. Peel and cube a potato and leave overnight in a glass of water. Drink the starchy water that is produced the next morning before breakfast. Not so tasty but if you hold your nose as you drink, it won't taste so bad. This is absolutely true because your olfactory glands and your taste buds work together.

Garlic and onion have anti-inflammatory properties. Eaten raw in salads, salsas or sandwiches gives the best results. Strong onions work better, and to stop the tears, peel them under running water.

Finally we will look at celery which when juiced with 2 carrots and an apple works a treat on Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Vitamin D3 For Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pains

There are certain things that your body needs in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Vitamin D3 is one of them. Anything that is off balanced in the body can throw off your entire day. That is why it is important to keep your body well nourished. Adding things like natural supplements to your daily schedule is something any man or woman can do and at any point in their life. You do not have to be late in the game of having osteoarthritis before you do something about your pains. It actually may be even smarter to start taking a supplement BEFORE you are experiencing all the side effects. We all know that age plays a huge role in why people suffer from things like arthritis in the first place. This being said, many people choose to add joint supplements to their diet. This way they can protect the healthy cartilage they have a save their body's from the long term effects of wear and tear on the joints. Vitamin D3 is something everybody needs in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

There are so many people that do not get enough vitamin D3 in their diet. Having a vitamin D3 deficiency puts you at risk for a number of pains and disabilities. This is rough because a lot of people do not know just how helpful the vitamin is when protecting them from chronic pains. Chronic pains are pains that last for an extended period of time-typically more than 12 months. Vitamin D3 can do a number of positive things to your health like protect you from getting osteoarthritis and other chronic pains. It sure has a lot of weight on its shoulder for being one substance. Chronic pains are no joke. They can absolutely consume your life and put you in a hole. Imagine suffering from chronic migraines and not being able to stand the thought of sound or light and all you feel is a constant piercing pound. It can steal your focus and rob the joy from your day. When you have enough vitamin D3 in your body you can protect yourself from migraines and muscle weakness along with osteoarthritis.

You can find vitamin D3 naturally in fish oils or in the sunlight. It can be found in many different foods and is a great ingredient to look for in joint relief formulas. It will help strengthen muscles and prevent migraines.

The Truth About Rheumatoid Arthritis Cures

Has a cure for rheumatoid arthritis finally been found? A quick look around the internet finds scores of over-the-counter medications guaranteed to bring relief! Keep looking and you'll find more prescription medicines, new medical procedures, announcements of new surgical procedures and natural herb supplements than you can imagine.

All claim to effectively treat RA. Some use the term "miraculous." Among them are a $50,000-per-innoculation under development by scientists at England's Newcastle University. A custom vaccine will be individually engineered for each patient.

Such a rheumatoid arthritis cure will have to halt what RA does - turning the sufferer's immune system against his or her own body, attacking the patient's joints. If the vaccine is approved, technicians will harvest white blood cells from each patient. Cells will be "reprogrammed" by therapy that includes a patented cocktail of Vitamin D, steroids and other compounds. The altered cells will be injected into one of the patient's arthritis-inflamed joints - with the expectation that the altered white blood cells will suppress the immune system's attacks on the sufferer's own body.

If it works, a historic rheumatoid arthritis cure will come in a single dose. The target date for use on humans is 2013.

But will such a rheumatoid arthritis treatment work? Or will it destroy patients' immune systems, making them susceptible to infection? If it does work, will its effectiveness wear off, requiring additional $50,000 treatments?

And who will this shot help? Only those who haven't developed full-blown RA yet? Or just those with mild cases? Will the effect only be localized - requiring expensive vaccinations to every affected joint? Will it work for patients with advanced cases? Will there be side effects?

While the prospect is exciting, RA sufferers have heard it all before. There are so many rheumatoid arthritis cures and treatments out there that it's easy to get cynical. Physicians state bluntly that there's no cure. But they may also suggest ideas that have worked for others.

One is to put up a high fence and sunbathe au natural in your own back yard. Preposterous? No, rheumatoid arthritis responds well to sunshine! When sunlight falls on your bare skin, your body creates its own vitamin D, which works far better than any health food supplement or daily multivitamin.

Fifteen minutes in the sun three times weekly gives most patients a potent dose of vitamin D. Will more sunshine help? The best advice is to take it slowly - five minutes at a time for the first week, extending to 20 minutes until you have a nice "base tan." Then you may find yourself sunbathing for an hour or more at a time. Some rheumatoid arthritis patients say the treatment is addictive! Plus, it's free!

Other rheumatoid arthritis treatments include regular doses of omega-3 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid and Boswellia. Similar success is reported with glucosamine chondroitin, ginger, magnesium, copper supplements, beta-carotene rich foods, vegetarian diets, curcumin, green tea extract, guggul, lyprinol, folic acid as well as large doses of vitamin B6, C, and E.

Some sufferers say their condition eased when they quit smoking, cut back on coffee... and drank small "doses" of alcohol! The bottom line? Until scientists announce a miracle cure, the rheumatoid arthritis sufferer needs to keep reading, keep experimenting to find what works - and avoid feelings of being overwhelmed. There is hope!

Juice For Arthritis Treatment

Juicing for joint pain and aches is a good long term solution. It is both effective and devoid of any side effects. One of the advantages with natural cure is that it has a holistic effect on your body. It rejuvenates the whole body. You don't have to worry to about over doing it since even at high doses it is safe. Natural cures can be used both as preventive medicine as well as as a cure for affected joints. You could continue using it as a maintenance dose even after you are cured. Below you will find some of the natural medicines which you can incorporate in your diet.

Pineapple juice is good for your joints. Pineapple juice contains and enzyme called bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory agent in pineapple is effective in athletic injuries, joint pain and post-surgery swelling. Juice is also great fuel for your body. Raw pineapple juice contains just about all minerals and vitamins necessary for the digestive system too. 300-350 ml of raw pineapple juice is recommended for daily intake.

Black Cherry juice if good for arthiritis too. Cherries contain chemicals called the anthocyanin which works as an anti-inflammatory agent which can alleviate pain for arthritis sufferers. Pineapple contains nutrients like beta-carotene and copper that helps in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Experts believe that the results of drinking cherry juice are specific to a person. While for some relief can in few days, for others it might take months of juice drinking to get. Two glasses of juice twice a day

Raw potato juice is one of the most successful natural cure for arthritic conditions. It has been used for centuries. The traditional method of potato juicing is to cut a potato into very thin slices, leaving the skin on, and place it in a glass filled with cold water over night. Drinking this water in the morning on an empty stomach is great.

Other Juices that are highly effective for joint paint and arthritis pains includes the following:

o Green Barley Juice
o Celery Juice
o Bilberry Juice
o Aloe Vera Juice

So you can start juicing your way to pain relief.

Common Knee Injuries

There are four common knee problems, from arthritis to "road rash." Three of them require a doctor's diagnosis. The fourth, the scraped knee, may need to be checked out, especially if the person who has the scrape is older. Here are some explanations and tips to help you deal with them.

1) Arthritis: There are several types of arthritis that can affect your knee, but osteoarthritis is one of the most common. This can be the result of thinning bones or just the wear and tear that comes with advanced years.

It's important to find out which type of arthritis you have, as some of the treatments are different. Medications can reduce any swelling and help with the pain. Hot wet wraps can also be beneficial, and there are many different over the counter pain relievers. If you choose capsaicin based medications, test it on a small area of skin first. If you're skin is sensitive, it may cause burn blisters.

2) Torn Ligaments/Tendons: These are also very common, particularly if you are involved in sports. Sometimes these injuries can heal on their own, with proper care. At other times, you may require knee surgery to repair the joint. For home treatment, your doctor may recommend RICE, rest, ice, compression and elevation. These can help reduce the pain and heal the injury.

3) Broken Patella: I can tell you from personal experience that this is not an easy injury to deal with. It is likely to mean at least one surgery, possibly more. You'll have to walk on it some, usually with crutches or a walker, as part of the healing process. However, the home care rules are similar. Rest, icing, compression and elevation will be needed.

4) Scraped Knee: Most kids will fall and scrape their knees several times over the course of their childhood. Usually, this just means time and neosporin will heal it. However, particularly bad falls or a fall by someone over age 20 might need a trip to the doctor. Under that scrape could be a cracked or broken bone.

Knee injuries, even something minor such as a scrape, are unpleasant. They do remind us to take better care of them when we've healed. However, avoiding the problem is usually the best answer.

My Doctor Says the Bump on My Elbow is a Rheumatoid Nodule... What's That?

Rheumatoid nodules are soft tissue lumps that occur in 20-30% of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. They may be found almost anywhere on the body, but are most often seen in areas where there are bony prominences. These include pressure points such as the elbow, back of the forearm, and knuckles of the hand. Sometimes they may occur on the back of the head or Achilles tendons.

Nodules usually occur in chronic active cases of rheumatoid arthritis, and are commonly associated with more severe joint deformity and serious disease. People with rheumatoid nodules often have very high levels of rheumatoid factor in the blood.

At a microscopic level, these nodules often contain the same types of cellular infiltrates as seen in the joints.

Patients with very serious RA may have problems in other organ systems. These are referred to as extra-articular (outside the joint) manifestations. These extra-articular areas include the lungs, eyes, skin, heart, brain, and blood vessels. Nodules may vary in size during the course of the disease process. With increasing severity of disease, the nodules may increase in size and in number.

Complications of rheumatoid nodules include a number of problems such as:

o increased pain due to pressure phenomena

o limited joint mobility due to size and location of the nodules

o nerve damage due to location of nodules

o ulceration of the nodule leading to infection

o fistulas (draining channels) that connect the inside of the nodule to the skin surface. Fistulas can easily become infected.

o infection

Surgical removal is an option. Patients with rheumatoid nodules tend to heal more slowly than people without the disease. As a result, removal of nodules needs to be done carefully and the surgical wound monitored carefully for dehiscence (reopening). In particular, patients who are taking corticosteroids may be the ones who need to be monitored most carefully. Nodules may also reoccur, particularly if they are located in areas where there is repetitive pressure or trauma.
Steroid injections into the nodule may reduce the size of the nodule.

Arthritis: Natural Pain Relief With MSM

Could MSM be one of the nutrients with the widest number of benefits?

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is found in almost every plant and every animal. Heating or cooking causes loss of MSM, so fresh fruits and vegetables may retain a higher concentration of MSM. The MSM content in food may be destroyed through any one of the many food processing methods. MSM is often used to enhance the effect of most vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, all B-vitamins, selenium and magnesium and may help to improve their cellular uptake. For this reason, it is estimated that a regularly taken MSM supplement may work very effectively.

What can MSM do for skin, hair and nails?

MSM is also used to help form collagen and keratin, the main components of hair and nails. MSM may help to increase the skin's elasticity and is often used successfully for the treatment of acne, burns, fungal diseases and age-related skin changes. MSM may strengthen chipped, weak or broken nails.

MSM is very important in the synthesis of collagen, the main component of connective tissue. Alongside elastin, collagen helps the skin to maintain its elasticity. Collagen is often referred to as the 'beauty mineral' as it is used in many skin, nail and hair products.

MSM is used to give cartilage structure and flexibility in conjunction with sulphur-containing glucosamine and chondroitin. Cellular elasticity allows the easy passage of oxygen and nutrients into the cells and waste products to move easily out of cells.

Help with pain of Osteoarthritis

Natural springs are rich in sulphur, which is why they have been used for centuries to bring relief to arthritic pain and the discomforts of rheumatism. It is estimated that as much as 70% of women, as well as a large number of men, suffer from age-related arthritis of the joints. This form of arthritis begins with the degradation and degeneration of cartilage, resulting in painful inflammation of the affected joints and sometimes even cyst formation. Conventional medicine uses analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, which often have unpleasant side effects. A comparative study of patients showed that MSM and anti-inflammatory drugs are extremely beneficial.

Rheumatism

40% of all people over 65 suffer from some form of rheumatism. MSM may help to reverse the swelling and inflammation associated with rheumatism, thereby alleviating pain and prevent joint stiffness.

Muscle pain

MSM is often used for the alleviation of aching muscles, leg and back cramps, muscle tension and general wound healing. MSM is therefore often used by athletes and in sports medicine. It helps in over-trained muscles and overexertion. The convalescence time could be shorter and injuries could possibly heal faster.

Parasites

MSM is also used to treat parasitic skin infections be used with great success. It is also used to help remove intestinal worms.

Scar tissue

MSM applied externally (as a cream or gel) can improve the sometimes unattractive scars following surgery, burns or injuries visually. MSM helps to soften tissue and helps to prevent cell degradation. Smaller scars often disappear completely. MSM must be applied as a cream several times a day. One should try to ensure the purity of the MSM in the cream, avoiding products which have added chemical substances.

Five Natural Supplements to Aid Arthritis Sufferers

Arthritis is a common problem that will affect the majority of the population at some point in their elderly years. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to treat arthritis. There are a variety of drugs available, both available by prescription and over the counter. However, these drugs are often very expensive, regardless of whether or not you have insurance. Therefore, you may want to consider a natural arthritis cure.

There are numerous proven arthritis cures available in stores or online. Here are some of the most common natural arthritis cures:

Glucosamine - Glucosamine is one of the most popular natural arthritis cures that people use to alleviate joint pain. Glucosamine actually reduces joint inflammation and simultaneously lubricates the joints to ease the pain in your joints. Remember to get glucosamine sulfate not glucosamine hydrochloride.

Chondroitin - Like glucosamine, chondroitin is another popular supplement to reduce joint inflammation. In fact, many people pair chondroitin with glucosamine to alleviate inflammation faster. Chondroitin works similar to glucosamine in that chondroitin actually reduces joint inflammation.

SAM-e -SAM-E is short for S-adenosyl-L-methionine, a naturally occurring chemical in our body. SAM-e is one of the best natural arthritis cures, especially for joint pain. SAM-e also works directly with a few of the B-vitamins to strengthen the joints, so make sure you are consuming your daily recommended value of B-vitamins.

Ginger - Ginger has many uses and new studies show that it can alleviate joint stiffness and swelling. While it is not that effective in reducing joint inflammation, you can supplement ginger with another one of the natural arthritis cures mentioned above to alleviate pain, stiffness, and swelling much faster.

Black Cohosh - Black cohosh is a plant that is native to a variety of regions around the world. Native Americans have used the root of this plant to treat arthritis for hundreds of years. Simply boil a small amount of black cohosh root in boiling water for about 20 minutes and drink the tea twice per day. Black Cohosh contains powerful aspirin-like substances that can naturally reduce your joint pain as well and possesses anti-inflammatory properties as well.

These are just five of the many natural arthritis cures that you can use to treat your joint pain. Remember, it is always a good idea to get some exercise each day and to follow a well-balanced diet. Doing so will keep the rest of your body healthy and will improve your joint health in the process. Also, before trying any of these remedies, make sure to speak to your doctor or primary care physician to let them know what you are considering taking to be aware of any possible interactions.

Gluten Free Might Help Your Arthritis Condition

For some people it is hard to believe that gluten can cause so much destruction. When we tell people that in order to treat a serious condition like arthritis, inflammation and pain, a few serious dietary measures are needed. Giving up gluten might be one of them.

When someone first hears they have to give up gluten which mean mainly wheat (but also includes rye, barley and oats), you can hear the panic in their voices "there is nothing left for me to eat". Most people find it unbelievable and unacceptable that their diet has made them ill often refusing to consider giving up anything you suggest especially wheat, at first. Yet the scientific evidence and our experience with dealing with patients with auto-immune disease it makes a huge difference. After a little while people come around to the idea of gluten-free might be worth it in order to become pain-free or at the very least drastically reduce their suffering.

There are several things this outburst reveals. We already know that wheat is addictive, and most people are addicted to it. The fact that someone says 'but there is nothing left for me to eat' means they are not eating enough variety in their diet, this is typical.

I'll give you an example - we all know pineapple is good for you, so I recommend you eat it 7 days a week 3 or 4 times a day, you would think I was crazy. Of course I would never suggest such a thing. Yet, people do this with wheat 7 days a week 3 to 4 times a day! And patients think I am mad? What do I mean - breakfast cereals, sandwiches, toasties, pasta, pizza, biscuits, cookies, crackers, pastry, dumplings, pancakes, muffins, cakes, dough-nuts, pretzels etc. This list is almost endless, as there are also products that contain some gluten - like sauces, gravy, sausages, fish in batter or chicken coated in bread crumbs, how did we end up drowning in wheat?

The other reaction I get from patients "but I don't have celiac disease also known a spurs!" You don't have to have full blown CD to have a problem with gluten. CD was once thought of as rare and only suspected in children, today it is considered more common and is most often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, whereas gluten sensitivity is very common indeed, causing all sorts of havoc and destruction. We have seen, as have other practitioners, patients vastly improve on a 'gluten-free diet' that have had the tests and were told they did not have CD. Yet they vastly improved, because you can have intolerance to gluten a Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, setting up the same symptoms as CD.

I discovered about 7 years ago I had celiac disease, as naturopath I had been eating ultra well for years many, giving up wheat completely at least 10 years earlier. I did eat oats and rye sometimes. I became very tired which was a surprise as I ate really well and always felt good. A very rare visit to the doctor revealed anemia, that surprised even more as I did eat lamb and plenty of green vegetables. I then was diagnosed as having celiac disease, I immediately gave up all gluten and in no time without iron tablets my hemoglobin levels were high again.

For those people who are gluten sensitive and it is much more common than you realize, by continuing to eat gluten is putting yourself at higher risk of auto-immune diseases, and if you have a form of arthritis I suggest you consider sooner than later, going gluten-free.

What You Need to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis is another form of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis. This is a chronic disease that is characterized by the inflammation of the joints, and the spine. The skin has a characteristic of patchy raised areas of the skin usually the hands and the feet, the skin is red, shinny and scaly.

Psoriasis commonly affects Caucasians, in fact health statistics show that there are two percent of Caucasians both males and female in the United States alone are suffering from psoriasis. Genetics and environment plays an important role in diagnosing psoriatic arthritis.

Though the causes of having this disease is still not known, doctors believe that this condition can be hereditary or that your body have been exposed with harmful bacteria and viruses in the environment, that is why this disease is triggered. Patients may also develop tendonitis and inflammation around the cartilage, lungs, and eyes. It can also damage the spine, chest bones, and the sacrum, making it hard for the patient to move.

Treatment of this disease is sometimes hard because psoriasis often precedes arthritis for months or even years, or vice versa. Among all patients with arthritis, patients with psoriatic arthritis have the highest emotional stress of all. Because they are not only dealing with the embarrassing fact that they have psoriasis, they also deal with the unending pain of having arthritis. As the pain and swelling flares, daily movements becomes a burden, it interferes with their work, social functions, daily activities and social life. Patients with this kind of disease may feel alone, withdrawn and stressed.

The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are joint pain, swelling, and stiffness of the muscles. It can affect any part of the body like spine, fingertips, wrist, and feet. Person with this disease also finds it hard to get up in bed in the morning, pain and stiffness usually occurs in the morning after waking up. Patients should be allowed 30 minutes to warm up the body and flex and stretch a little.

People suffering from this disease are easily tired especially in the early afternoon. The signs and symptoms may range from mild to severe disease flare-ups, with periods of remissions and recurrences, which are common among arthritis patients. Stress can trigger flare-ups it is important for patients who have this condition, to learn how to cope up with stress and learn some relaxation techniques.

To date, there is no cure for this kind of disease. Both psoriasis and arthritis are autoimmune disorder. This disorder occurs when the immune system of the body starts to attack healthy cells and tissues instead of harmful viruses and bacteria's. This causes an abnormality, which causes inflammation in the joints and over production of skin cells such as in the case of psoriasis. The medications that are available in the market today only target the swelling, inflammation, and pain.

Learning to cope with this condition is one way of disease management. Exercise and dietary modification is the key to cope up with the disease. Stretching exercises will help the patient in becoming more flexible and increase their strength.

Arthritis and Energy Conservation

One of the most common symptoms of arthritis is fatigue. That feeling of feeling tired all the time can get so overwhelming that you don't feel like doing anything all day long. Of course, that usually isn't possible, and you end up muddling through the day feeling exhausted and miserable. You can avoid that feeling, however, by following some simple energy conservation techniques.

First, make sure to get plenty of sleep at night. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, even if you don't have the same work or appointment schedule. Keeping your body on the same activity clock can help reduce fatigue.

Next, pace yourself through the tasks you have to do in a day. Don't try to get everything done because you "have to". This usually results in not being able to move the next day. Instead, make a list of the jobs you have to do, and plan short rest breaks between those jobs. Here is an example:

8:00 Wash dishes
8:20 Rest
8:25 Vacuum carpets
8:45 Rest
9:00 Clean bathroom
9:30 Rest

And so on. By planning rest breaks between jobs, your body has a chance to recover from the work it has done and prepares itself for more. You are actually able to get more work done. The time period it takes to get the work done is a little longer, but the fact that you are not able to work later on due to fatigue makes up for that extra time.

Another helpful technique is to sit to work when possible. Get a tall kitchen stool and sit at the sink to wash dishes rather than standing. Sit at the kitchen table to chop vegetables or peel potatoes. Sit or kneel on a pad to weed the garden. Sit while you are sharpening the lawn mower blades. There are numerous examples of jobs that can be done sitting just by changing them slightly. This saves your energy for the jobs that must be done while standing or walking.

Finally, if a task becomes too large, don't be afraid to ask for help. We all need it sometimes. If you don't have family or friends available to help you, approach your local church groups, schools, or youth organizations. Many teenagers are looking for community service hours to fulfill requirements for classes and are available to do work for people who need help with projects.

Following simple energy conservation techniques is an easy way to manage the fatigue that comes with your arthritis. You will get more done and feel better too. Try it and see for yourself!

Offbeat Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common arthritis problems seen by rheumatologists.

The treatment varies according to the severity of disease. Conventional approaches include topical and/oral anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics (pain relievers), glucocorticoid injections ("cortisone"), viscosupplements (lubricants), bracers, exercises, physical therapy, weight loss, and the list goes on.

Proponents of alternative therapies also tout the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin- the so-called nutriceuticals as well as omega oils, herbal remedies such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, frankincense, stinging nettle, boswellia, and bromolein.

The purpose of this article is to introduce some not so well known but potentially effective remedies that aren't so well known.

The first are leeches. Leeches have been used for centuries for a variety of medical problems. However, one little known area of research is their use to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. In two separate studies, one at Beth Israel Hospital in New York, and the other in Germany, leech therapy, termed hirudo medicinalis, was studied. Leeches were applied in a four quadrant distribution to a patient's knee. Leech saliva apparently contains a variety of substances including hirudin, hyaluronidase, vasodilators, collagenase, and other chemicals that block inflammation.

Bee venom is another type of treatment that has been touted as effective for arthritis. The term for bee venom treatment is apitherapy. Apitherapy has been studied for both its acupuncture like effect as well as for chemical compounds present in bee venom. Its use is particularly common in Korea. Bioactive compounds found in bee venom apparently have profound anti-inflammatory effects.

Another not so weird but intriguing one is the use of pulsed electrical fields to treat arthritis pain. A company called Bionicare makes a device that fits around your knee. Electrical impulses using special wave forms are then delivered to the cuff. Clinical trials have demonstrated improvement in pain that is statistically better than placebo. How it works is still not clear.

Another "weird" treatment is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). DMSO is an industrial solvent found in paint thinner. It was popular in the 1950's as a topical cure for many ailments. Studies showed deleterious changes in the lens of test animals and the FDA eventually approved DMSO only for treatment of a rare bladder condition, interstitial cystitis. Since it comes in both industrial as well as medicinal strengths, it's a substance that should be used very cautiously. DMSO has remained popular among veterinarians who use DMSO to treat racehorses affected with joint inflammation. Interestingly, DMSO has found a niche as the vehicle that drives diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, through the skin by pushing the drug through the small lipids (fats) in the skin. This combination medicine is marketed as Pennsaid.

So in this brief article I've outlined a few weird but potentially effective remedies. Nonetheless, it's important to check with your doctor before considering any type of new treatment.

Arthritis - Definition and Causes

The word arthritis comes from the Greek "Arthros" which means joints and "itis" that refers to inflammation (bronch-itis, tendon-itis, laryng-itis). A simple definition would therefore be "inflammation of the joints". This definition is correct but perhaps simplistic as arthritis sufferers know that it can be a lot more.

Arthritis is one of the rheumatic diseases. These in turn are conditions that have different complications and treatments. A rheumatoid condition will affect joints, soft tissues, ligaments, muscles, tendons and can also affect the musculo-skeletal (muscles and bones) system. They can also include autoimmune diseases, one of which is Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Getting back to arthritis, as mentioned it affects the joints where inflammation is present. The joints are where two or more bones are in contact and they have developed to allow movement and give mechanical support. Our finger and toes for example have joints.

These joints are classified into three:

Fibrous joints that are joined by fibrous tissue.
Cartilaginous joints, by cartilage
Synovial joints - not joined directly but where the articulation is provided by lubricating synovial fluid.

In arthritis the cartilage wears away and so the joint when moved has lost its cushion so to speak. Inflammation and pain occurs.

There are over 100 different types of arthritis, some say more than 150. It is a chronic illness which means it is long lasting and persistent. (An acute illness on the other hand is one that appears abruptly and usually of short duration). The chronic aspect of arthritis highlights the fact that it is there for the long term.

The different types of arthritis make it the most common of all the chronic diseases in America. Of these Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent and affects the cartilage and therefore the associated pain an inflammation. Other types affecting many people are Rheumatoid arthritis which results in inflammation caused by the immune system.

The causes of arthritis are extensive where the specific type could be caused by:

• Injury (hence Osteoarthritis)


• Hereditary and gene causes


• Infections


• Autoimmune problems (Rheumatoid Arthritis)


• Gout and other metabolic problems

What is important about this is that the diagnosis of the type and the cause will define the remedy. For example arthritis caused by gout will have among its remedies a diet based regime.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

There are various theories about the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that inflames the joints in the body, causing pain and stiffness. It is not completely curable. In its advanced stages, rheumatoid arthritis makes the joints deformed and immobile, simultaneously affecting other organs, too. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that can affect anyone, any time, at any age. Since prevention is better than cure, a diet rich in nutrition, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, is best recommended. In the case of arthritis, a good diet will help in keeping the disease under control, even though cure is a one percent chance.

As per the body requirements, a diet should be combination of every food in large, moderate, and small amounts followed by a regular exercise plan or a physically active lifestyle. The typical diet should contain vegetables and fruit, cereals, grains, bread, legumes and beans, skimmed milk, and oils that are low in saturated fats. Researchers have identified a diet rich in fish oil and a vegetarian diet as a good sources to combat rheumatoid arthritis. Moderate amounts of sugar and red meat trimmed of excess fat can also be included the diet. Though in some cases of rheumatoid arthritis more consumption of red meat has been identified as aggravating inflammation in the joints, small quantities are harmless.

The diet should also include minerals like calcium and iron, and vitamins like B and C. Also, the body weight should be always under control. This is because a person having rheumatoid arthritis may turn anemic, lose bone density, develop a fever, and develop other symptoms that body cannot withstand with the pain and stiffness. At such a time, weight gain will only increase inflammation and pain in the swollen joints.

Diet supplements such as calcium and folic acid are recommended, especially when taking medication. Drugs taken for rheumatoid arthritis may have side effects and can affect the normal status of the vitamins and minerals in the body. For instance, folic acid is administered with methotrxate a drug used to fight arthritis. Similarly, alcohol and other beverages such as coffee should be avoided when taking certain other drugs.

Does Your Dog Have Canine Arthritis? Find Out What The Tell-Tale Signs Are

Have you noticed any changes in your dog recently? Maybe she has difficulty getting up, or moving around. It could be that she has early signs of canine arthritis.

Arthritis in dogs is similar to that in humans. There is a degeneration of the joints that can result in pain and stiffness. In a healthy dog, the bones in the joint are covered in cartilage, which protects them and provides some shock absorbing capacity. As she gets older it is common for this layer of cartilage to become worn away, in severe case exposing the bone. This can lead to inflammation and resulting discomfort for your dog.

There are a number of causes of arthritis. For the most common form, osteoarthritis, age is a major factor. Older dogs are much more likely to be affected. Certain breeds are also more prone to getting arthritis. If your dog has had a previous joint injury it may also mean that she is more likely to get arthritis at a later time.

The joints most commonly affected are the hips, knees and elbows. However any joint could become affected.

To have a diagnosis of canine arthritis, you should always have your pet taken to the vets for confirmation. But here are some of the warning signs. She has trouble getting up from a lying down position and is reluctant to go up or down stairs. Instead of rushing ahead of you on walks like she used to do, she now lags behind you. You may even notice that she is limping or looks uncomfortable when walking.

There are a number of treatment options available to you. The first resort that a vet will often use is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This is a medicine that will act to reduce the inflammation and it also has a pain killing effect. In dogs with serious canine arthritis the possibility of surgery may have to be considered.

There are also a number of alternative treatments that pet owners have tried, although there is no scientific evidence that they work. These include magnet therapy, where strong magnets are placed close to the site of pain (possibly in a dog's blanket).

It is important to remember that there is no cure as such for canine arthritis. The treatment that is administered aims at relieving and reducing the symptoms of pain and inflammation. This should make life for your dog more enjoyable.

Natural Arthritis Relief - Arthritis Water Exercise

Hydrotherapy is often considered as the most successful therapy for arthritis. Water provides more resistance as compared to air and helps in restoring joint pain problems. The buoyancy in water supports the weight of the body and reduces pressure on joints. Arthritis is a very common problem and permanent solution is always suggested for arthritis. These exercises are very simple and if you spend around 20 minutes on them daily or thrice weekly, it will definitely help you. There is a common myth that the problem of arthritis can not be solved by exercising, but the reality is just the reverse.

If you follow moderate exercises suggested by an expert and you stick to them, gradually you will notice a change. The best way is to start with stretching exercises for few weeks and then slowly upgrading your exercise to endurance and weight based regime. Try walking in water gently and after gathering a little more energy try cycling in water. The pain involved in the process cannot be ignored and that is why some people refrain from doing arthritis water exercises. Consult a physical therapist before taking up any exercise routine as they can guide you regarding the techniques and methods to avoid pain.

Occupational therapist should also be kept in the loop, just in case you want to reduce the stress caused by daily activities. Water based exercises are suggested by many experts, as they know that the results are favorable. Most experts also believe that warm water gives a soothing effect to the joints and facilitate a lot in relieving stress from concerned areas. Aerobic exercises which are done in water helps larger muscles to relax like the muscles in your legs.

As water gives natural resistance and this resistance will help in making your muscles and joints strong. A fifteen minutes walk under water will definitely show positive results. There are devices like noodles which are pulled up from you waist, to the level of your head. This assists giving strength to the joints and the muscles. These noodles are held under water and you have to lift it up against gravity plus the natural water resistance. Initially, you can keep it to your stomach length under water, so that you don't experience any pain later.

Cycling under water is another form of exercise that definitely makes the lower portion of your body worked out. You can take the support of the edge of the pool and lift your legs a little upwards and try to make complete cyclic motions under water. Aspects that should be kept in mind, before doing this exercise are often related to pain. Patients, usually consider that it will be more painful to perform exercises while suffering from arthritis. A proper check up and consultation is always advised before exercises. The exercises should be done under the guidance of an expert and when you gather confidence, you can do them alone as well. Walking in water, doing cyclic motions and noodle based lifts will ensure speedy results.

Osteoarthritis And Rheumatoid Arthritis: Their Deadly Relationship With Intestinal Flora

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have a deadly relationship with intestinal flora - often referred to as friendly bacteria. This is the region of the large bowel located near the splenic flexure. Among other activities, the intestinal flora is primarily charged with the responsibility of maintaining the proper pH level for the colon, for the production of certain nutrients and for helping to keep excess acids to a minimum in the body. As essential as the healthy functioning of the intestinal flora may be to good health, rarely do we hear or read about the importance of a healthy intestinal flora in keeping the development and proliferation of rheumatic disease states, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, to a minimum.

During the early part of the twentieth century a brilliant English surgeon, by the name of Sir Arbuthnot Lane, proved, conclusively, the relationship between a healthy colon and adequate supplies of sodium and potassium being available to the friendly bacteria. He further determined that acidophilus is absolutely critical for the healthy functioning of the intestinal flora. Having operated on more than 2,000 cadavers and hundreds of living patients, Dr. Lane was able to see these relationships clearly. He noted that where mineral salts such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and silicon were deficient, and where acidophilus was not being adequately supplied by diet, the intestinal flora was underactive and often contributed to low-grade infections. This condition invariably led to a highly acidic state where sodium reserves in the body were depleted from the stomach, lymph and joints. This often set the stage for the development of the symptom complex arthritis, in one form or another.

Although the established medical culture of his day frowned upon his findings, Lane's work was studied and championed by John Kellogg, Are Waerland and, in later years, by Drs. John Tilden and Bernard Jensen. Kellogg, Tilden and Jensen were able to prove the relevance of Lane's claims during many years of sanitarium work with patients stricken with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. What I later learned while studying with Jensen in Escondido, California, was that Lane, Kellogg, Tilden and Jensen were right in their assertions. When organic sodium and potassium salts and acidophilus are lacking in the diet, and when body is overloaded with toxic waste material, a severe chemical imbalance will take place in the intestinal flora. Acid wastes cannot be properly neutralized in the colon and, subsequently, throughout the body.

The cells of the body require a copious supply of sodium phosphate to help remove cellular metabolic waste - particularly carbon dioxide. Without this simple sodium compound cellular waste can accumulate to the point where the cells are starved of nutrients, toxic, dysfunctional and inclined to pathological conditions. As this continues unabated, the body will deteriorate and degrade to where it can develop such degenerative health issues as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Understanding the great importance of the proper balance of sodium to potassium throughout the body and the necessity of acidophilus in the diet can aid the body in overcoming and often reversing afflictions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. If you are given to drinking coffee - even decaffeinated - eating chocolate, drinking soda pops, excessive protein consumption, drinking pasteurized milk, eating refined sugar products or denatured wheat products, you will be depleting vitamin and mineral reserves and have a difficult time replenishing and maintaining a healthy intestinal flora.

When you combine proper food intake with a healthy intestinal flora environment you can successfully treat and often reverse osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout, acid reflux and rheumatism. These are all primarily symptom complexes of the same basic disease - systemic toxemia, which is usually brought on by a tired, undernourished and enervated body unable to keep up with the demands of one's lifestyle and faulty dietary habits.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment - Tips for Cocktail Parties, Holiday Travel and Beach Vacations

Delayed food and chemical sensitivities are an often unrecognized underlying cause of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis. Because the particular foods and chemicals that are triggering inflammation vary from person to person and can even change over time, it is important to be individually tested.

My most important recommendation would be to be tested at least a month ahead of time, so that you know what your triggers are and have figured out a strategy for your cocktail party or vacation to be arthritis-free. It takes most people about a month to successfully discover and learn to avoid hidden food allergens, once they have a list of which foods are safe for them and which they need to avoid. Once they have this skill, they have the power to stop arthritis flair-ups.

For instance, if you are reacting against grapes, brewer's yeast, sodium sulfate, beef or pork (because pig and cow byproducts are often used to make gelatin and gelatin is often used to clarify wine) you won't want to skip wine with dinner, but depending on your reaction pattern, you might do just fine with a bloody Mary or a Margarita. If your food sensitivities are moderate or severe, you would be best off skipping the alcohol all together, because it tends to make leaky gut syndrome and therefore inflammation worse. However, that doesn't mean you have to skip the fun of a cocktail party or drinks with dinner. Knowing what drink set ups are safe for you means you can still "drink" with everyone else without making your arthritis worse and without having to worry about triggering an arthritic flair-up.

If you have a tricky pattern of food and chemical sensitivities, planning a trip to a spa or another place that understands food allergies and can cook interesting and appealing food that is safe for you, might be just the ticket.

A few years ago I noticed that the food concessionaires for the US National Park System were particularly good at creating safe, creative, gourmet entrees even in the face of the food restrictions I had at that time. My best experiences were at the lodges at the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. Restaurants that are part of the "slow food movement" are also often a good choice because they are already so aware of what is in the food they serve and much less likely to accidentally include one of your problem foods in the dishes they serve you.

As for the beach, knowing your food and chemical sensitivities ahead of time can be a godsend there too. That will give you time to make sure your sunscreen is not accidentally triggering your inflammation and if it is, to purchase light colored clothing you can wear instead of sunscreen for sun protection. Knowing if you are reacting against chlorine can let you know if you need to stick to swimming only in the ocean or if the hotel pool is also safe for you.

Since it generally takes about seven days for the inflammation triggered by delayed food or chemical sensitivity to end, mastering how to avoid your inflammatory trigger foods and chemicals before you leave, can make the difference between the vacation of a lifetime and one spent in pain.

Osteoarthritis Pain

Life can be really miserable because of osteoarthritis pain. Matters can really get worse if you are always on the go, working, despite the osteoarthritis, just to provide a decent living for your family. With osteoarthritis pain, sometimes, it is almost impossible to move and this could cost more than your job, or the thing that you usually do. However, for every problem, there is always a solution, and the treatments do not have to come in the form of a medication.

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States Of America. You probably know someone who has arthritis, or maybe you are one of 46 million people who are living with this life-altering condition. There is no cure or definitive cause, but we do know that there are some simple ways to prevent and reduce the pain of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

Too often people mistakenly believe that the aches and pains associated with osteoarthritis are an inevitable part of aging, and that they just have to live with it. Moving is the best medicine. Keeping active, and losing weight, are two of the best methods, with which, anyone can combat osteoarthritis pain. If pain still persists, then there are healthy remedies to resolve problems for osteoarthritis joint pain, or any other type of pain, and one of the best alternative remedies is an accredited homeopathic herbal pain formulation.

The skeptics, do ask the question, does homeopathy work to get rid of osteoarthritis pains? The fact of the matter is, homeopathy can not only get rid of osteoarthritis pains but it will act very effectively for all types of body pains as well. If you accidentally stub your toe on something, or if you bang your head accidentally against the wall, or if you have been injured in a basketball game, you can use an homeopathic pain reliever to get rid of those excruciating pains.

Of course, we know that the best way to get rid of osteoarthritis pains, especially if it is already in its chronic stage, is to consult a doctor. But there are some, who are so busy with their jobs, they may not have the time to keep going to a doctor. What they can do is, buy any FDA registered homeopathic herbal pain formulation, and get rid of the pains immediately, without any worries of side effects, as most homeopathic pain formulations, are all natural supplements and nothing more.

Are brand name homeopathic pain relievers a scam?

To this question, the answer is an emphatic "NO". Most all FDA registered homeopathic pain formulations are not scams. They cannot be scams, because the companies behind them, are invariably proud members of the National Products Association, and also have an enforceable money-back guarantee, that accompanies their products.

Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Arthritis

Arthritis is basically a packaging problem. Your joints, remarkable and elaborate hinges, are cushioned by cartilage. They are held together with various other tissues, including muscles and tendons. Lubrication is in the form of some oily goop called synovial fluid, which is released by the synovial lining of the joints. If you have osteoarthritis, the kind that most frequently coincides with aging, the cartilage around the joints starts to thin down or disappear. That is not your fault. What's more, it is not always preventable, either. The runner-up, rheumatoid arthritis, is far less common, more mysterious, and equally pain producing. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease. Therefore, here are some ways that you can use to prevent such disease.

1. Move These Joints

To keep the pain of arthritis from getting an even tighter grip on you, get yourself on an exercise program. If you are over 60, start with low-impact aerobic activities such as 20-minute walks or exercises in a swimming pool at least three or four times per week. Any aerobic exercise program should be matched to your physical capacity. If a person has been inactive for a period of time, then start with something like a five-minute walk in a couple of times per week, and then slowly start to increase your distance as you feel more comfortable.

2. Pepper Yourself

You may not like hot peppers on your sandwich, but you might like hot-pepper cream for arthritis relief. Capsaicin cream, made from the active ingredient in hot peppers, has been shown in studies to ease arthritis pain when used regularly. You can buy this cream over the counter. Follow instructions on the label, wash your hands thoroughly after application, and keep this stuff away from your eyes and other mucous membranes. It can really burn.

3. Ease The Burden

Arthritis gets worse more rapidly in overweight individuals. If you lose 5 to 10 pounds, it considerably lightens the load on all of your weight-bearing joints - hips, knees, ankles, and feet.

4. Vary Your Terrain

Walking is always recommended but it is important to not get into a rut. If you walk the same exact path every day, then you are landing on the same part of your foot each and every day and you are putting stress on your knees and hips the exact same way every day. For the sake of interest as well as exercise, seek out new terrain like hills, fields, and pathways as well as flat road or sidewalk.

5. Ask For Alternative Oils

If you are not a fish-eater, you should pay a visit to the nearest health food store. Look for either evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, or fish oil. All contain the same omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish. If you take one teaspoon of any of these each day, it may lightly ease some of the inflammatory aspects of arthritis. If you decide to take capsules, follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label.

6. Try A Cold Pack

If you have swelling, especially after any physical activity, put some ice with a thin towel wrapped around it on the area around the affected joint. Ice the area for 15 to 20 minutes after exercise to reduce the discomfort and also minimize the amount of swelling.

7. Give Yourself A Hot Wax

A hot-wax treatment can provide soothing relief if your hands are aching from arthritis. The treatment is available at many hospitals, but it is less expensive to treat yourself at home. A professional therapist should instruct on its appropriate use before you try this at home. For a hot-wax treatment kit, call an orthopedic supply store to check availability. Heat the wax in the heating unit, apply it to your hands, and wrap them in plastic gloves for 10 minutes. You should feel some relief. The beauty of the at-home hot-wax treatment is that the wax can be reused for several weeks. Just be careful when you are using it around children.

Arthritis - Goji Berries and Other Natural Remedies

If you suffer from the pains and discomfort of arthritis it may help you to know that one of the causes of this and other chronic diseases is the acidity in your system. This acidity is caused by a diet high in protein and processed foods. There are studies that show that the goji berry may have alkalizing properties, which means it will neutralize the acids in your body.

When treating my arthritis patients, I have recommended using arthritis remedies like goji berry juice and have seen great results. These natural arthritis remedies usually help the patient by reducing the inflammation and/or the acidity. The goji berry is believed to alleviate both.

Other natural arthritis remedies include Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These acids are found in cold water fish like salmon, herring, and sardines. You can also find Omega-3 Fatty Acids in some nuts or seeds, like flax seeds. Fatty acids like these are essential to the health and function of our bodies, but we can not produce them on our own, so it is important to include foods that contain them in our diets. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are used as a natural remedy for arthritis since they help to decrease inflammation.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids can be broken down into three types, ALA (a-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Your body benefits most from the EPA and DHA fatty acids. These acids specifically have shown in extensive research to reduce inflammation and the risk factors associated with other chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer as well as arthritis.

Unfortunately, Americans don't eat nearly enough Omega-3 containing foods. We typically eat only a fraction of the recommended amounts. It is recommended that Omega-3's take up 1/4 to 1/2 of our fat intake. Our diets are mostly filled with Omega-6 fatty acids, which are also essential, but can lead to inflammation, rather than prevent or reduce it, if eaten too much. Omega-6's are commonly found in safflower, sunflower, corn, sesame, walnut, and primrose oils.

If you have been looking for natural arthritis remedies then I recommend that you begin taking goji berry juice and a pure, pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 supplement. This will help to alleviate your inflammation. Make sure that your Omega-3 supplement has the right ratio of EPA and DHA in it. The recommended dosing for adults is 1-3 grams daily of EPA and DHA. You may have to wait 2-3 weeks to notice results but when you do, it will be worth the wait.

Arthritis & Joint Health

Many millions of people are affected by pain and suffering from Arthritis and research has shown that Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphates combined have given these people new hope and relief from their painful ailments. Arthritis it causes pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling in or around joints. This can make it hard to complete simple movements you rely on every day for work or taking care of your family. But you can take steps now to avoid arthritis or to reduce pain and resume normal daily activities.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and the cause of most types is unknown. Scientists are currently studying what roles three major factors play in certain types of arthritis. These include the genetic factors you inherit from your parents, events which occur during your life and how you live on a day-to-day basis. The importance of these factors varies by type of arthritis.

Even though there is a lot of mystery surrounding arthritic joint pain, there is also a tremendous amount of research that points to certain nutrients that help nutritionally support this condition.

Both short and long term studies have been performed with a nutrient called Glucosamine Sulfate. Glucosamine works to stimulate joint function and repair. It is most effective in treating osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form of arthritis. A number of studies over the last 20 years have shown this to be true. For example, a 1982 clinical study compared usage of the NSAID ibuprofen with glucosamine sulfate, for osteoarthritis of the knee. The over-all results showed that 44% of the glucosamine group had pain relief compared to 15% for ibuprofen.

A long-term effects study was done with glucosamine and arthritis reported in the Lancet. the authors concluded that, "Glucosamine sulfate prevents the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee, in addition to relieving the symptoms."
The health supplements carry by StarHerb for Arthritic and Joint Pain not only contain all of these nutrients; it utilizes the exact forms that were shown in the studies to be effective. The forms which are the best to look for are:

Glucosamine Sulfate 2Kcl which is the exact form used in most of the studies showing benefit.

It is hard to enjoy your family, friends, hobbies or even money without your health and joint pain is definitely one of the big contributing factors to a poor quality of life. StarHerb Health Nutrition products formula brings these great joint nutrients to nutritionally support the body along with 100% of your daily needs of the essential nutrients all in one formula.

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Hand Surgery for Arthritis and Syndromes

If you are dealing with pain, numbness, or deteriorated function of your hands, it is a scary time in your life. Regardless of your age or profession, to lose the ability to make a fist, twist a knob, open a jar, or write a simple note is physically and mentally painful because you should be able to perform any one of these functions. On one hand, arthritis is a known contributor to joint swelling, pain, and deterioration. There are four common ways that arthritis can influence the form and function of the inner makeup of your hands and rob you of function, until you see a surgeon specialist. On the other hand, the three recurring syndrome that cause a need for hand surgery occur as the result of compressed nerves in the wrist or damaged nerves anywhere between the spine and the hand. These syndromes include: carpal tunnel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and cubital tunnel syndrome.

The arthritis conditions that can be impacted by hand surgery affect the base of the thumb joint, the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints found at the base of every finger, osteoarthritis which deteriorates the cartilage over the joints of the hands, and, last, rheumatoid arthritis which affects the whole body through the cells that allow smooth movement between the joints. Depending upon the type of arthritis that you are dealing with, it can cause deep pain affecting your hinge joints that allow you to open doors and jars or move small things like pealing a stamp or flicking a lamp switch. This is when help is needed in order to move forward with use of your hands. The type of arthritis must first be identified according to clinical observation. In its earliest stages you may be outfitted with a splint or brace. You may also be recommended for physical therapy. However, for many of these conditions, a surgical reconstruction of the joint can provide complete alleviation of the pain.

Further, the syndromes that cause a need for hand surgery are all painful conditions that, if left unattended, can weaken the muscles and diminish function of the hands as well. They can result from other nerve damage conditions in the hand or even joint conditions such as the ones listed above. Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome involves opening the tunnel to allow space for the swollen nerves, for example.

A hand surgery specialist can apply surgical or non-surgical applications to improve your quality of life. They can provide you with supportive devices in order to ease some of the pain and afford you some normalcy. Or, they can open your hand and remove the source of your pain and replace it with prosthesis that allows return of movement as well. Recover can take several months but in replace of the pain the arthritis or syndrome once caused, the physical therapy sounds like a welcomed alternative.

What is the Difference Between a Medial and Lateral Unloader Knee Brace?

Degenerative Joint Disease affects millions of Americans and with an aging baby boomer population will most certainly become more of an issue as we try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and battle against the affects of our youth. The knee joint is one of the most effected areas in the body regarding the "wear and tear" effects of osteoarthritis. More patients and doctors are looking for alternatives to medication and surgery to improve patient mobility, reduce pain and swelling, and prevent the inevitable and dreaded "knee replacement".

"Unloader" knee braces, or "arthritis" knee braces, are designed to literally bend the knee into a position that reduces the stress and weight on the affected joint, thereby reducing pain and swelling. There are two compartments in the knee, referred to as medial or inner and lateral or outer compartments. The vast majority of patients suffer from medial compartment osteoarthritis (unicarpartmental oseoarthritis). When this occurs, the joint cartilage, synovial fluid are reduced or absent and the result is a "collapse" of the medial compartment.

The knee joint becomes misaligned and what was normally a joint that bears equal pressure to support the body, turns into a painful angular joint, with excessive wear and pressure on the inner compartment, with pain, swelling and in advanced stages, limitation of movement. The angular change caused by this medial compartment arthritis is referred to as a varus deformity. This term refers to an inward angulation of the lower leg in relation to the thigh. If you have ever seen a newborn and looked at their legs, you will understand what a varus or bow leg is. This is a varus deformity.

Likewise, the angular change caused by a lateral compartment arthritis is referred to as a valgus deformity. This term refers to an outwards deviation of the lower leg in relation to the thigh. Many people are familiar with the term "knock knee". In the old days, you would see movies, where the teenage girl sits with her knees and thighs together, and her feet spread out. This is a valgus deformity.

An "unloader" knee brace corrects the varus or valgus relationship of the leg to the thigh, making the entire leg straighter and aligning the joint back to its level position. By bending the knee joint back into a more aligned position, the brace opens up a gap or space between the leg and thigh bone, so the two bones do not rub up against each other. This reduces the pain or swelling that occurs when two rough arthritis bones come in contact with each other.

When purchasing an "unloader" knee brace, it is important to know if you have a medial or lateral osteoarthritis. This can be confirmed with x-rays, noting the collapse of the knee joint, and the angular changes that are occurring. It is also important to consult with your treating doctor prior to purchasing such a device. Wearing a lateral unloader knee brace with a medial compartment arthritis may result in increased pain, swelling and accelerated joint damage. There are many choices to be made when deciding which arthritis or "unloader" knee brace to purchase. Please check with your doctor and do your research before you choose.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Getting The Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory disease. Generally, it causes intense pain and loss of motion in the particular joint it chooses to attack. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system plays a big part in the development of the disease. When a certain type of reaction triggers a rheumatoid arthritis attack, the result would be unbearable pain in and around the joints.

The Function Of Joints

A joint is the intersection of two human bones. The ends of these bones are covered with a smooth and durable substance called the cartilage. It is the cartilage that allows the bones to slide along each other without much friction. A cartilage is what functions as the device that cushions and absorbs the forces created during bone movements.

When a person suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, then a certain autoimmune defect would trigger an attack toward the healthy cells. And during such process, an enzyme is released to strike tissues. And the most common types of tissues attacked are the joints. Once this happens, the joints swell and become very painful.

Chronic

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease. Being such it would continue indefinitely and does not go away easily. And more often than not, flare-ups may even occur. It is also possible that rheumatoid arthritis affects all other organs present in the body. This makes it very critical for the disease to be diagnosed and treated in its early stages.

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause total disability. Even if this doesn't happen instantly, the mere fact that a patient may eventually lose his or her mobile functions should be enough to cause concern whenever the symptoms of this disease show.

The Most Commonly Affected Joints

The most common sign of rheumatoid arthritis would be swollen, tender, and stiff joints. The human body has a lot of joints. But the most common parts that rheumatoid arthritis hits are the hands, arms, leg, shoulders, and neck. Any pain that comes and goes felt around this area should be suitably consulted with a health expert.

People with rheumatoid arthritis also feel tired easily. A few minutes of physical exercise will cause them to catch their breath and require them to immediately rest their bodies. And sooner or later, even the simplest activity such as exercising, working, and doing their hobbies becomes rather difficult. People with rheumatoid arthritis prefer not to become physically active over time.

Most Susceptible Age Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is very common in people aged 20 to 45 years of age, although this disease could occur to a person regardless of his age. People who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can't do what a normal person does in terms of physical endeavors such as walking, running, swimming, and exercising. And because of this, the family and friends of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis becomes affected as well.

The diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis should be done by a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist is a type of doctor that specializes in arthritis and all other diseases of the muscles, bones, and joints. But more often than not, they are not the only people who can help patients when it comes to treatment and prevention of the disease. Nurses, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, occupations therapists, psychologists, and even social workers are able to help as well.

Diagnostic Methods

The difficulty in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in its early stages would be the fact that there is not a single test for this type of disease. The fact that its symptom may also differ from one patient to another is one more reason why it becomes hard for doctors to assume that the disease a patient suffers from is in fact, rheumatoid arthritis. The mere diagnosis of this disease requires a series of tests in the form or x-rays, blood tests, CRP, and SED rate.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease. It is but important that the moment it is accurately diagnosed, the proper treatment procedures be carried out immediately. Doing so would counteract its harmful effects on the body.