Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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Feline Arthritis Symptoms - Help For Cat Hip and Joint Pain


Feline arthritis symptoms like limping up stairs or refusing to jump up on the couch without your help are painful to accept. Knowing that you cat hurts is something you want to fix. Here's some tips on how to help him.

Arthritis is not a friendly disease and it's one of the more common ones that hit middle to older aged cats. Feline arthritis symptoms develop in many of the same places humans deal with the disease, which is wherever there are joints - elbows, knees and hips.

There isn't a cure for arthritis in cats. You can, however do a lot to help your buddy live comfortably, even pain-free for the rest of its life. But the faster the symptoms are noticed, the sooner the arthritis can be treated.

This is why it's important to be aware of your cat and know its regular routine. The speed with which you're able to pick up on feline arthritis symptoms will only help you in the long run. While some of the signs are more gradual and can be the cause of something else, it's good to get them checked out or at least mentioned when your cat has its regular veterinarian visit.

One symptom that may be noticed before others is limited motion. When a cat has developed painful joints, he might suddenly start doing things a little differently. For one, he might totally avoid the stairs or start taking short hops so there's less stress on its joints. He will most likely move slower than normal, or it won't be as quick to jump up to its scratching post or favorite place to watch the activity of the day.

Limping might become more noticeable on a gradual level, unless you know your pet well enough to notice every detail. It will be worse in the morning or right after the cat has been napping. The limp will decrease as the day goes on, as activity helps stiff joints. It is sometimes more noticeable during cold and damp weather.

The other feline arthritis symptoms tend to relate to moods. It's probably because of the cat's inability to do the many things it was accustomed to. A cat's mood will normally change if it isn't feeling well or it's in pain. This means if a cat is struggling with arthritis, it's not uncommon for it to become depressed or irritable. It may also not want to be touched, because the brushing or petting hurts it.

If nothing is done about your cat's arthritis, then your cat is only going to become more and more lethargic and moody. He's going to sleep more than normal. There may even be an appetite decrease because depression has set in or because it isn't moving around as much. The reason is everything is painful and every movement hurts.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Yoga As A Natural Cure For Psoriatic Arthritis


Psoriasis can lead to other health issues. If you have Psoriasis, you may develop arthritis. This happens to about 5% to 10% of people who have been diagnosed with Psoriasis. Symptoms vary from swollen and deformed feet and joints on the hand to pain on the knee joints etc, nail changes may occur. This condition is common in men when their Psoriasis is pustular. If you already have Psoriasis and developed joint paint or swelling in any part of your body, please ensure your physician is made aware.

Arthritis is a joint disease that can cause problems in any area of the body where two or more bones intersect.? The arthritis itself can affect the join in a number of different ways, targeting different areas such as the synovial, the muscles or tendons or the cartilage.? Cartilage is the soft protective material that protects the ends of the joints from rubbing against each other and the entire join is encased in a type of capsule that is lined with the tissue synovial. Some people take medication, but others have found relief from the pain in exercises performed at a gentle pace and intensity.? Yoga is the perfect example of this type of exercise.

? Yoga is a very old art originating in India about 4000 years ago.? It uses poses or postures along with deeply controlled breathing exercises that lead to benefits to the body mind and spirit.? Yoga is a very versatile form of exercise and meditation and it is used, in different forms, to treat a very wide range of medical conditions and injuries including such diverse areas as fibromyalgia, arthritic, migraine headaches, chronic pain, and sports injuries.

? The Yoga poses can be tailored specially for specific joints or combination of joints.? For instance a common area for arthritis to strike is the hands and knuckles and in this instance there would be a series of poses that straighten and lengthen the fingers, although the level of comfort in the arthritis sufferer always dictates the extent of this.? Stretching the hands also feed energy to that area of the body and over time will assist the arthritis in the fingers.? The heat generated by these movements is proven to be very beneficial for sufferers of arthritis.

Yoga is another natural way to take care of your Psoriasis. It has been proven to work wonders, just find what you are comfortable with and stick with the plan.

Massage Therapies for Arthritis Have Been Proven To Be Effective In Providing Arthritis Pain Relief


Massage is an effective way to manage arthritis pain. Massage as a treatment for arthritis is sometimes controversial. However, those who are believers in this therapy are individuals who have
experienced the relief from pain.

Massage therapy is a proven way to improve muscle and joint movement. Athletes use massage as a way to relax tense muscles and stimulate circulation. Massage therapy for arthritis is not only enjoyable, it has proven to be therapeutic.

Massage therapies for arthritis break the cycle of pain that often goes along with arthritis. Massage is being used successfully in some medical facilities as a healing therapy for people who suffer from arthritis.

Now as the medical community becomes enlightened to the benefits of massage insurance sometimes covers the treatment when prescribed by a a doctor. Now millions of Americans have access to massage as a treatment alternative for painful arthritis symptoms.

The use of massage in the treatment of arthritis continues to grow as the efficacy of the treatments is validated. The use of massage in the treatment of arthritis is being acknowledged by the medical establishment as a less invasive method of therapy for chronic conditions.

Massage has few side effects and does not add toxins to the body as traditional medications that are prescribed to treat arthritis. Some of the most common forms of massage used in the treatment of arthritis pain include: These are some of the most common ones:

*Deep tissue massage using slow strong pressure to reach the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Releasing tissue is the primary goal. The side effects may be soreness and some minor discomfort.

However deep tissue massage is sometimes associated with acupressure that has therapeutic benefits to the body and eases the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis

*Swedish massage is the most popular method of massaging the body. The whole body is stroked and kneaded. The top layer of muscles are manipulated with gentle stokes and movement. The Swedish massage is considered to be the most enjoyable massage technique.

*Myofascial release massage involves long strokes that stretch the body. These strokesare intended to release tension in the fascia. The fascia is the connective tissue around the muscles.

*Acupressure and Shiatsu massage are ancient Asian techniques that use pressure points on specific parts of the body. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in that acupressure uses the same points that are stimulated in acupuncture.

*Trigger point therapy uses concentrated finger pressure on points or knots of tension or pain in the body.

*Reflexology therapy involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to other parts of the body

The benefits of massage therapy for arthritis are many:

*Deep muscle and tissue relaxation

*Reduces stress

*Releases toxins from the body

*Increases the flexibility of muscles

*Improves blood circulations

*Lowers blood pressure

*Relieves tension and pain

*Balances the body

*Reduces nervousness

*Heightens mental and spiritual awareness

Massage therapy has been proven to be effective in treating the pain associated with arthritis that other medical treatments are unable to address Massage therapy has proven to provide a higher quality of life to individuals who use massage therapy to relieve pain. More people are learning to experience relief of pain as they are treated to the miraculous healing power of a massage.

Fighting Crohn's and Arthritis Joint Pain Naturally


In the past, whenever people had a painful condition in their stomach or joints, their natural reaction was to go to the medicine chest for the best advertised over the counter or doctor recommend prescription drug of the day. Most folks just didn't know that there were any alternatives to drugs made in the lab, and the potential risks of harmful side effects from taking them. In fact studies show that even now, half the population doesn't think natural supplements are worth buying. The Federal Drug Administration doesn't even think they are important enough to try and regulate.

However, an increasing number of people are delighted with the positive results they are discovering by taking certain types of natural supplements derived from plant compounds found in fruits and vegetables and even certain kinds of tree bark...specifically pine bark or pycnogenol. These supplements called OPC's or (Oligomeric Proanthocyandidins) belong to a specific family called bioflavanoids...which are powerful antioxidants that encourage your body's own immune system to respond appropriately to inflammation, allergy and infections. Antioxidants are compounds that protect the body's cells and tissues from being damaged by free-radicals, which contribute to aging and illness. Free radicals are created by environmental pollution, food additives, high-fat diets, excessive alcohol, smoking and second hand smoke, burns, infection, stress, radiation and nutrient deficiencies. In short...everyone is exposed to free-radicals on a daily basis. But by giving our own bodies immune system the strength it needs to fight off free radicals and their effects, we can live healthier, longer and more active lives.

Besides the inflammation and pain in the intestines, most Crohn's sufferers, like Arthritis sufferers experience a great deal of pain and stiffness in their joints, mostly in the elbows, knees, wrists and ankles. While traditional medicines simply treat the pain symptom itself by blocking it out, antioxidant rich natural supplements like OPC's go straight to the root cause of the pain...namely the inflammation, and eliminate it naturally, without producing any harmful side effects in the body. If inflammation is the direct cause of pain, whether from an injury or a degenerative disease like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, Colitis, etc., it seems only logical that the inflammation should be addressed functionally through immobilization and by antagonizing the chemical messengers (such as histamine and prostaglandins) that are responsible for the inflammatory response and subsequent pain to begin with. Bioflavanoids have been proven very successful in this pursuit. Actually, OPC's are not the only bioflavanoids available...there are literally thousands. For example Vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium and beta carotene (to name a few) are also known for their strong antioxidant properties. However, out of all the of antioxidant bioflavanoids available, only the grape seed extract and pine bark rich OPC's are considered to be the most powerful.

While OPC has not been proven to cure any disease or condition, reducing the amount of free-radicals in the body levels the playing field and allows it (your immune system) to heal itself amazingly well!

Rheumatoid Arthritis Facts And Information


There are a lot of myths and rumors surrounding rheumatoid arthritis. Mystery seems to surround everything from what actually causes the disease to potential ways to cope with the pain associated with it. The simple truth is that this particular disease can present in a number of different ways and how severe it is will really dictate the best path to consider for coping.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the joints within the body. It can cause such things as pain, swelling and stiffness. The disease itself tends to present systemically, which means if one side of the body has it, the other likely will, too. For example, if left knee shows signs of a rheumatoid condition, the right will, as well. In addition to stiffness and pain, rheumatoid can bring with it deformities in extreme cases, a sense of overall fatigue and even fevers.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that doctors are still researching to figure out exact causes. What is known is that this particular condition can come and completely go away without leaving behind permanent damage. It can also present with flare-ups that come and go over time. In some cases, unfortunately, the disease persists for years on end, bringing with it permanent damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis is most common in people in the middle age of life, but it can strike children at times. While the exact causes are unclear, many doctors believe it can come from such things as genetics, hormones, and even environment. Women tend to be more likely to get this condition than men.

Dealing with rheumatoid arthritis can be a very difficult task that will come with both good days and bad days. The pain can be unbearable at times, but the good news is there are very effective ways of coping with it. What works for one patient, might not work for another. Fortunately, there are a lot of different treatment options.

When it comes to treating rheumatoid arthritis, doctors strive to achieve a few things. The primary goals of any treatment are to reduce pain and swelling, stave off joint damage and help people feel better while staying active. The last two points are particularly important when the disease strikes the very young and very active. Since cures can often be worse than the condition, the goal here is pain reduction without quality of life reduction.

Depending on the severity of the case of rheumatoid arthritis, a doctor might prescribe such things as anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling, which often helps with the pain. In some cases, painkillers will be advised, but many try to steer clear of this option. Other forms of treatment include gentle exercises to keep the range of motion good, cold compresses, injections and so on. The key, again, is to preserve quality of life while also preventing any permanent issues.

Since rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes be a lifelong condition, it can bring with it some emotional problems, as well. To help patients cope, there are even support groups that can be of real benefit.

Living life with rheumatoid arthritis isn't easy, but it can be done effectively when patience, persistence and a willingness to overcome are all present. The best advice is to take it a day at a time and do what's necessary to cope to make living with rheumatoid arthritis possible.

7 Major Differences Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis


Arthritis is a very painful condition that affects millions and millions of Americans every year. There are many different types of arthritis including psoriatic arthritis, gout, septic arthritis, scleroderma, osteoarthritis, gonococcal arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis of all types is a condition that affects the body's joints. A joint is defined as the location where two bones in the body come together. People suffering from arthritis experience joint inflammation that may occur in one bodily joint or many joints.

Two types of arthritis that are commonly discussed include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. You may be wondering what some of the major differences are between these two conditions. Here are seven major differences between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


  1. Osteoarthritis is more common than Rheumatoid Arthritis. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), OA affects around 27 million American adults 25 years and older. The Arthritis Foundation reports that RA affects about 1.5 million people in the United States.

  2. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition caused by the wearing of bodily joints over time. RA is an autoimmune disease that occurs when a person's immune system attacks the body's joints.

  3. Typically people experience OA when they get older. RA can strike a person at any point in life. When it occurs in children, it is sometimes called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

  4. RA can occur quite quickly whereas OA tends to have a more gradual progression over the course of many years.

  5. RA tends to strike in a more symmetrical manner where a person might experience inflammation and pain in both hands or both feet. In contrast, OA can easily affect only one joint in the body.

  6. Both types of arthritis cause a sense of stiffness in the morning. While the morning stiffness may lessen as the day goes on for those with OA, people with RA are more likely to experience this stiffness for a longer period of time during and throughout the day.

  7. Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied with other symptoms which include overall tiredness and malaise, whereas the discomfort associated with osteoarthritis is specific to the joint that is affected.

Arthritis of any type is painful and challenging. Treatment most typically aims to help reduce discomfort, aid physical functioning and if possible, to prevent additional damage to bodily joints.

A thorough physical examination by a trained health care professional like a board certified orthopedic physician is advisable if you think you might be suffering from any type of arthritis including osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.