Exploring Other Options in Managing Osteoarthritis

Most people don't know it yet, but they're going to develop osteoarthritis. Reports show that more than 70% of older individuals develop this condition. With pain developing in load bearing joints, hip, knees, ankles, and so on, this condition is degenerative, and can go from bad to worse if ignored and is not managed properly.

Common treatments for arthritic flare-ups, is to take medications that will reduce the pain and swelling of afflicted joints. Some prescribed medication or perhaps some over the counter, these substances may provide temporary relief but the condition is still present. Osteoarthritis has no cure, and until there is, you'll need to learn what treatments help in controlling pain.

To effectively manage osteoarthritis and gain control over its painful effects, there are a few things you can do. For load bearing joints, if you are overweight, losing some of those extra pounds will lighten the burden on them. In fact, obesity is a risk factor in the development of osteoarthritis in the first place. Losing weight (easier said than done, I know) brings with it a lot of other health benefits too, reducing the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, just to name a few.

While losing weight, individuals with osteoarthritis are always advised to exercise regularly. Refrain from doing strenuous exercise such as lifting weights, running, or indulging in physical sports. Moderate exercise as simple as stretching, walking, stationary bicycles, or low impact exercise will help to avoid stiffness and give joints the necessary activity they need. You may feel discomfort when you start but it will slowly dissipate as it warms and stretches. The theory of "no pain no gain" does not apply here. Listen to your body and stop if the pain is telling you to. Osteoarthritis can contribute to muscle atrophy, so try and remain active, but in a gentle way.

During arthritic flare-ups, some patients apply capsaicin cream (a topical analgesic) to achieve pain relief. As a temporary cure for sore muscles or pain brought on by arthritis, it does provide results for many and I'd recommend that everyone should keep some on hand for those occasions.

In recent years, physicians have begun prescribing glucosamine, a natural over the counter supplement that has slowly gained a reputation as being effective in addressing the problem of osteoarthritis. For maximum results, combining glucosamine with chondroitin has shown surprisingly good results. Studies have shown in blind tests, that Glucosamine Chondrotin performed better than celecoxib (Celebrex) in patients suffering moderate to severe arthritis pain. NSAIDS (Non Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) (Celebrex and others) while effective in controlling pain in most cases, come with some side effect warnings, including potentially fatal results.

Gin Raisins and Arthritis - An Alternative Arthritis Cure

As a sufferer of arthritis you would most certainly try any possible cure or treatment within your reach to address the pain caused by the debilitating effects of this condition. The choices of treatment can vary from an alternative to a conventional medicine basis, and you should seek out the one that works best for you.

Alternative medication or cures have always offered something useful to sufferers of any ailment. However, a lot of people frown upon the alternative route, why one does not know - perhaps because the alternative healers and remedies are not patented along with conventional pharmaceutical medication; therefore there is no enormous research and development or marketing budget, to gain market share and successfully educate the man on the street.

One of these alternative cures available for arthritis include the gin and raisin cure; a process whereby white (or golden), seedless raisins are soaked in gin for a period of 7 days to 2 weeks, where all the gin is soaked up by the raisins, and the alcohol has apparently evaporated - according to some sources. A variety of soaking vessels are quoted in the soaking process, but it appears that the vessel must have a wide opening, like a pie dish or very wide necked jar of sorts; this obviously facilitates the evaporation procedure as quoted by these sources. Just a note on the container material, it should be glass otherwise you will get the metal taste being imparted into the raisins. General consensus indicates that one should eat nine of the gin soaked raisins per day, which in turn help ease the pain of the arthritis. This remedy has also been recommended for restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Unfortunately there have not been any major tests or experiments conducted on the gin and raisin cure for arthritis, this leaves one thinking as to why it is so widely claimed as being such an effective cure and choice for arthritis sufferers. We will always have individuals that will challenge the validity of this cure, and claim it to be an old folklore remedy or even a placebo; it is up to the individual to look at each possible remedy in an as much objective manner as possible.

In an objective view of the gin and raisin arthritis cure, we should look at each individual ingredient and assess what healing property or properties have been highlighted about these items previously.

To start with gin, the primary ingredient of infusion of gin is the juniper berry; there are also other herbs that are used in the infusion process. For this purpose we will be concentrating on the juniper berry. The juniper berry as an alternative source of medication or treatment is used as a diuretic (to increase the production of urine); this is therefore used in the treatment for PMS, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It is also noted in alternative cure articles to be used for the treatment of arthritis. A warning is appropriate with respect to kidney damage (from prolonged usage), as well as refraining from utilizing juniper in the case of kidney infections or kidney problems, reference has also been made regarding allergy sufferers developing symptoms from exposure to juniper.

When looking at the properties of the grape, we are presented with a few angles on the healing properties or health properties of the grape as a whole. Starting with the skin and seeds, it has been widely claimed for a very long time that the skin and seeds have antioxidant powers. And in modern times a large number of spas offer a grape wrap, usually combined with honey. Grapes have been heralded by ancient cultures as having healing properties and powers, from the Egyptians to the Greeks and Romans to the modern day alternative healers. It is said that even the leaves of the grape vine were used to stem bleeding and reduce inflammation in medieval times. Red wine is a known antioxidant, and can assist in the prevention of cancer and heart disease, a fact that has received a lot of media coverage and attention.  

Having considered the primary ingredients of the gin and raisin cure we notice that both these products offer valuable healing properties. Based on our objective insight into these properties it makes logical sense that this cure can relieve the pain and stiffness of arthritis. We will always have the skeptics around, regardless of subject, what we can do is recommend that you try the cure for yourself, and if it works for you, you have gained from the exercise. For more information regarding this, and many other alternative arthritis cures, visit ginraisinsarthritis.net [http://ginraisinsarthritis.net]

How Not to Get Knee Arthritis

The predominant culprits in Knee OA are:

1- Injury; usually related to sports. ACL damage or tear at some point in your life.

2- Trauma; if you were in an accident or took direct hits to the knee.

3- Abusive treatment of knees and joints, contortions, high jumping and landing poorly on hard surfaces.

4- Obesity; this one, for the most part, is almost entirely avoidable.

5- Inactivity leading to immobility; this too is completely preventable.

Injury, Trauma, and Abusive treatment of knees.

In each of the above, a knee may eventually fall victim to arthritis, even after apparently healing completely. The components of the knee that are more frequently affected by such triggers are the ligaments that hold the joint together, the shock absorbing and insulating pads known as the meniscii; there are two of them, and the cartilage that covers the end surface of the femur or thigh bone. Sports injuries tend to be related to cruciates, such as the Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligaments, and collateral ligaments. Trauma additionally includes fractures, bone shattering and meniscus damages to the list. After an injury, sometimes people will try to stand and walk differently to protect the injured joint. Healing with such compensatory adjustments may permanently change articular surfaces in the knee joint.

While, accident trauma, and sports injury are not exactly the kind of outcomes one plans for with any great degree of desire and has little control over subsequent damage; obesity and in-activity are very much within the realm of our 'by choice' indulgences.

Obesity

To appreciate why this is a serious problem for the onset of arthritis we should understand that obesity rates are 54% higher among adults suffering with arthritis compared to those who do not have this condition. These findings reinforce the classic definition of a vicious circle. Arthritic pain discourages people to exercise. Lack of physical activity results in excess weight worsening the condition. It is no wonder that overweight adults are up to five times more at risk for developing knee arthritis than those who enjoy normal weight.

Obesity should be of major concern to us as individuals, as it is for people responsible for the delivery of healthcare. The percentage of people expected to be obese by 2030 is around 50% of the population, according to a study presented at the CDC and published in the June 2012 edition of American Journal of Preventive Medicine. A concomitantly worrisome statistic is the projection by the CDC for an estimated 67 million adults that will have doctor diagnosed arthritis by 2030. And while two thirds of the affected population is expected to be females; worse yet, arthritis projections do not include the contribution due to the obesity epidemic. In other words, both the magnitude and the impact of these two diseases may not be fully realizable by us.

For people who like to see statistics, data, trends, and projections can serve to be revealing and educational if we want them to be, but for the case in point, actually quite scary. Even so, if we cannot be scared into losing weight how is this for motivation; the Food and Drug Administration advises us that for normal height women just a reduction of 11 pounds can cut the risk of osteoarthritis by 50%.

Source: CDC-Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta. GA.

In-activity leading to immobility

How important is physical activity? It means everything if it can help maintain 'mobility'. To explore this in detail researchers at the Finnish Centre for Interdisciplinary Gerontology at the University of Jyv瓣skyl瓣 looked into the question; "Could mobility impairment be a reliable predictor of loss of independence and increase in mortality?"

Some of what they found was predictable and expected, but not all. They compared people between the ages of 65 to 84 who were 'mobile and active' with populations that were; 'mobile and not active', 'sedentary but active', and 'sedentary but not active'. As can be expected the 'sedentary but not active' group fared worse, followed by the 'sedentary but active' population. The surprise came from finding virtually no difference between the two mobile groups.

Quite obviously we must never allow our ability to walk, and move about to become compromised. This can happen only when we ensure our legs and lower joints are strong and flexible to allow maximum range of motion (ROM). And the time to worry about mobility is not when we are old; it is when we can actually do something about it before we reach old age.

Almost all forms of physical activity can be helpful in maintaining mobility, but some more than others, when it comes to OA. There is a difference, however; aerobics and cardiovascular exercises are great for the heart, and lungs and overall health but for osteoarthritis, ideal regimens tend to be slower, more deliberate and focused movements of limbs. These are offered by Tai Chi, weight training, and Flenches.

The advantage with flenches is they are more focused, easy to follow and can be done almost anywhere; even while standing in a line waiting for service. They can be done sitting at a desk, belted in an airplane seat, and as well when lying down in bed at home.

Flenches are described in detail in the Knee Deep in Pain book.

What Are the Natural Remedies For Wrist Arthritis Inflammation?

Wrist arthritis inflammation is a painful condition and it may be caused by gout, infection, trauma, degenerative joint disease, or autoimmune conditions.

Symptoms of this problem include pain, tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and locking of the wrist joints. Treatment varies according to the specific type of arthritis, symptoms, and the patient's age, health status, and existing medical conditions. If the symptoms are not that severe, natural remedies such as those mentioned below are enough to relieve and alleviate the problem.

Natural remedies for wrist arthritis inflammation include:

1. Rest - Rest is essential during bouts of active inflammation of the wrist. Patients are advised to take ample rest and to avoid doing physical tasks that require the use of hands.

2. Spices - Including spices like turmeric, ginger, and black pepper in one's daily diet can help curb this condition according to Ayurvedic medicine. This claim is also supported by various scientific studies that reveal that these spices contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Turmeric, for instance, contains a compound called curcumin, which is effective in stimulating anti-inflammatory activity. Ginger contains gingerol while black pepper has piperine, both of which have the same anti-inflammatory benefits.

3. Fiber - Also to include in your diet are other anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, which are fibrous enough to stimulate and improve blood flow.

4. Olive Oil - Good fats like olive oil contain oleocanthal, which also has anti-inflammatory activity.

5. Exercise - Proper exercise is recommended to maintain good functioning of the joints. This is also essential for weight loss, as excess weight can be overbearing on the joints and further cause pain.

6. Fish Oil - Another type of good fat is fish oil, which is one of the best natural remedies for wrist arthritis inflammation and painful joints. Research has proved that omega 3 fatty acids stimulate the production of molecules that signal the immune system to inhibit the inflammation.

To be more specific, the DHA present in omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil is converted into a chemical called Resolvin D2 after taken in by the body. This chemical reacts with the inner linings of the blood vessels and counters the inflammation.

Fish oil is abundant in tuna, mackerel, salmon, halibut, and other similar types of fish. However, due to the alarming level of mercury absorbed by fish in the sea, it is safer to take in nutritional supplements that have undergone extensive purification to get rid of this toxic chemical.

It is just important that you are able to choose high quality fish oil supplements from reputable suppliers so you can be assured of potency and purity. Always choose a good brand and an authorized dealer so you can enjoy the anti-inflammatory benefits of this supplement.

For best supplements, look for those that are made from healthy cold water fish like hoki, tuna and salmon. Also, ensure that the supplements have undergone the proper molecular distillation process. Don't let yourself be debilitated by this condition. Use natural remedies for wrist arthritis inflammation to help fight this problem before it becomes severe.

To learn more about how omega 3 fatty acids can help wrist arthritis inflammation, please visit my website where I share what products I have personally been using daily for several years.

Should You Buy Liquid Glucosamine?

Evidence collected from randomly done studies seem to support using glucosamine for treating osteo-arthritis. It's thought that glucosamine helps in the protection, regeneration, and strengthening of the joint cartilage.

Liquid glucosamine is often used to treat arthritis with only very minor rare complications. In many cases, glucosamine can be used to effectively treat joint issues and then prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) are not needed.

NSAIDS tend to be effective and fast acting but should be avoided if possible due to the many serious side effects, such as: shortness of breath, retaining fluid, liver disease, kidney disease, stomach ulcers, and dizziness.

With age, the normal natural production of glucosamine in the body declines. However, a steady supply of glucosamine is still necessary for the body to keep joints and cartilage flexible as well as pain/injury free.

Glucosamine supplements have been tested in animals and people. Studies found effectiveness and safety for glucosamine for treating the following conditions. One should always ask a doctor for specific information about personal circumstances.

General Osteoarthritis

- Animal and people studies report benefits of liquid glucosamine for treating osteoarthritis for many joints in the body. Evidence shows glucosamine is particularly beneficial for knee pain. Benefits included better joint functionality and also as relief of pain.

Knee Rehabilitation after injury

- Glucosamine improved the flexibility of athletes with acute injuries in the knee; however, the amount of pain relief was not helped. Rheumatoid Arthritis

- Glucosamine improved the symptoms, namely swelling and joint pain associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis.

- Evidence supports using liquid glucosamine to treat knee osteoarthritis.

Dosage

Liquid glucosamine is more readily absorbed by the body and therefore is the preferred method of consummation. The liquid formulas are also easier to administer to animals and people who dislike taking multiple pills. 1500 mg is the recommended daily dose. Specific dose is dependent on individual weight.

Warning, Side Effects, and Allergies

Glucosamine is made using the shells of crab, shrimp, as well as other kinds of shell fish.

Although glucosamine is considered a safe and effective supplement, consult a medical professional before taking glucosamine supplements if any of these conditions are present: An allergy to shell fish, sensitivity to iodine, pregnant or breast feeding, asthma problems, those under the age of eighteen.

Side effects are rare but may include:

Stomach upset, Headache, Diarrhea Constipation, Rash

Liquid glucosamine relieves joint pain faster than pill or powder forms. How fast the pain is improved depends on the consistency of the dose and the overall health of the patient.

Many dogs and cats have relief in just a matter of days to a several weeks. People usually tend to take a bit longer...a few weeks to several months. Remember the glucosamine is not just masking the pain, but it's working to repair the joint damage.

That's a critical difference between slower-acting and less side-effects glucosamine compared to the faster-acting more serious side-effects NSAIDS. Always ALWAYS check out the side effects of supplements and medications before taking them yourself or giving any to your family or pets!

Arthritis - Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Disease

Osteoarthritis is identified as a degenerative joint disease. It's the most widespread form of arthritis and causes the highest disability in older adults. This disease is deterioration of tissue or cushioning that protects the joints. When this protection breaks down, bone damage and pain occurs, mostly in weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees, but the fingers and neck can also become affected. Because osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, it has the potential to limit the everyday movements of those in distress. Everyday tasks such as walking, bending and even brushing your teeth can be difficult. The disease is not curable, but the proper treatments can ease the pain and prevent things from getting worse. The corrosion or degeneration occurs over a period of time, causing friction between the bones, which is the primary reason for painful movement and other joint problems due to aging, injury or family history.

Even though people of any age can be a magnet for osteoarthritis for different reasons, the emergent of this disease increases with age and affect those mostly in their sixties, but the extent of the disease and difficulty may be different. Various other issues increase a person's chances of getting this disease. Injury or a broken bone near a joint, heredity of imperfect genes can be blamed for inadequate tissue protection of the joints, obesity or excess weight placing stress on crucial joints. Another risk for developing osteoarthritis is overuse or excessive bending of joints required by those in some professions or activities. The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain from inflammation, stiffness and weak muscle. These symptoms increase with the progression of the disease because of excessive activity or long periods of inactivity. Bone exaggeration can also occur in the fingers and other joints. Although some of the symptoms may not be painful, sensitivity, sporadic swelling and fluid in the joint area can also take place.

The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is accomplished by taking into consideration a combination of important issues such as your description of symptoms. The health specialist or doctor must also consider the location and pattern of pain, specific findings regarding the physical examination and x-rays to confirm how much joint damage has occurred. The doctor may also choose to examine some of the fluid found in the joint area to rule out other diseases.

Treatments for arthritis must be designed to fit the patient's specific needs. For that reason, working with your doctor to find the best treatment program for you is most important. Several things may be necessary to achieve the right solution. The treatments of osteoarthritis include medications, exercise and heat or cold compresses applied to the affected area to relieve pain. Weight control and support devices can take the pressure off stressed joints and surgery, as a last resort, may be necessary to relieve pain when other treatment options are not successful. The type of treatment will be determined by the specific needs of the patient and consideration must be given to age, the patient's overall health and severity of the condition, as well as medical history and location of the disease.

Where prolong use of medications is needed, regular checkups with your doctor is required. Exercise such as walking and cycling are activities to strengthen your muscles and reduce stress on your weight-bearing joints. However, your doctor must approve the activity that is best for you, including physical therapy.

What Are Osteoarthritis Symptoms?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes the cartilage of the joints to wear down after a period of time. While Osteoarthritis is most commonly associated with women over the age of 50, men can get this disease as well.  Unlike rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, two other diseases that affect the joints and may present with similar symptoms, this disease does not affect other organs. 

If you are worried that you may have osteoarthritis symptoms, you should talk to a doctor who will be able to diagnose this condition for you.  Osteoarthritis symptoms present with pain, which is the dominant symptom when it comes to this condition. Pain and stiffness in the joint may be present when you are standing up after sitting for a long period of time, or after working the joint. While some pain may be considered normal after exercise, the degree of pain and how often you feel it may determine osteoarthritis. 

As this condition worsens, you will notice that the osteoarthritis symptoms will also worsen. The pain will tend to increase and the joints will appear stiffer. With some people, the symptoms of this disease are so great that they become disabled. Others do not find the disease that debilitating and can go on with their lives. 

The most common joints where you will experience osteoarthritis symptoms are in the spine, knees and shoulders. Many people who have osteoarthritis symptoms in the knees are overweight. In some cases, the condition can be relieved by losing weight. 

The cause of osteoarthritis is primarily due to age, although obesity and previous injuries also play a factor in this condition.  Men will usually get osteoarthritis prior to the age of 45. After the age of 50, it is mostly women who suffer from this disease.  he reason for the disease is that the cartilage is made from proteins that, as we get older, are not as often produced in our system. Consider your body a machine and the joints cogs in the machine.  They need oil to keep running smoothly. When they do not get the oil, they stiffen and do not work properly.  This is generally what the problem with osteoarthritis is. The joints are not getting the oil they need to function - in this case, the cartilage is drying out. 

Many people who experience osteoarthritis symptoms will see a doctor right away. Others will wait until the symptoms get worse and they are too bad to ignore. In some cases, such as with the knees, there is surgery that can be performed to replace the cartilage. Most doctors will recommend supplements as well as over the counter pain medication for osteoarthritis.  There are also medications for this disease that can help ease the symptoms. 

If you feel that you have the symptoms of this disease, which is presented by a pain and stiffness of certain joints that is getting worse, you should talk to your doctor. There is no reason to suffer in silence with this very common condition that affects millions of people. About 20 million people suffer from osteoarthritis. If you develop the symptoms, see your doctor to learn your options for treating this condition.