How To Delay The Progress Of Degenerative Arthritis

Degenerative arthritis is a type of arthritis that commonly affects millions of people worldwide. In fact, next to rheumatoid?? arthritis, this is the next most common form of arthritis that never fails to make people suffer from pain on a daily basis. Usually, degenerative arthritis happens when the cartilage that is supposed to act as a shock absorber to the bones decrease. Because of this, parts of our body that beats weight such as hips ( for women) and knees often get affected by degenerative arthritis especially for those who are overweight. Daily activities such as walking and climbing? stairs gives our joints a beating that we often ignore until the time pain is felt.

Arthritis can affect people who are in their mid-40s, especially men. In the United States alone, 20 million people suffer from arthritis according to a report from the national health department. As the cartilage wear out, spurs or small new bones develop that is actually greatly responsible for the pain in this type of arthritis. The swelling causes pain and as a response the cartilage produces new bone growth. The rubbing bones definitely amplifies the pain felt by the person suffering from degenerative arthritis.

Although more often than not, doctors are often perplexed by the cause of OA to a person especially when there is no history of previous trauma which is why it is referred to as primary? osteoarthritis. Nevertheless, obesity is a main contributing factor to OA since excess body weight puts so much strain on the joints. When obesity becomes the main culprit, it is now referred to as secondary osteoarthritis.

Degenerative arthritis is also known as Osteoarthritis (OA)?? since the situation worsens as cartilage becomes worn out. In fact, there is no way yet to stop the progressing of this ailment although some supplements and medication may be able to reduce the pain and swelling as well. Usually, doctors advice people with OA to lose weight and continue moderate physical exercise. Also, physical therapy? as well?? as weight training exercises that strengthen affected body parts may help delay the progress of degenerative arthritis. In conclusion, degenerative arthritis cannot be stopped but its progress can be delayed by taking some precautions advised by the doctor.

Caring For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Rheumatoid arthritis defies race, ethnic groups and age. This form of arthritis can affect people of all ages including children and young adults. However, the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis is more frequently seen in older individuals despite the fact that this disease often begins in middle age people.

People affected with chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis often experience anxiety, depression, worthlessness and the feeling of being helpless. People with rheumatoid arthritis may experience difficulty in doing their normal activities. Others may even find limited job opportunities because of physical deformity. Family life may be altered and some patients may find it difficult to attend to the responsibilities they hold in their family. Moreover, the cost of both medical and surgical treatment for this type of disease is often extensive. This can hurl the patient into further emotional and financial dilemma.

It is important that people with rheumatoid arthritis be given proper emotional and physical care to be able to function back normally if possible. Experts suggest some helpful tips to aid a rheumatoid arthritis patient ease some of the burden the illness has brought them.

1. Hot showers or baths, either in the morning or at bedtime, are beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Hot showers can considerably reduce the need for pain medications.

2. It is important that patients should adapt a well balanced diet. However, patients should be made well aware that even special diets will not cure rheumatoid arthritis. Weight should be well controlled, since any extra pounds will pose added burden to the affected joints.

3. Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis should not cease to do their basic daily activities. They should be advised to perform simple activities like feeding themselves or dressing or combing their hair. Enough time should be given to them to perform and finish each task calmly. Provide them items that will make their task easier like providing them packed foods in easy to open packaging or easy to grip glasses or light cups and unpackaged silverware. When dressing up, dressing aids can be very helpful. These include a long-handled shoehorn, "reacher", zipper-pull, elastic shoelaces and buttonhook. Household items should also be made friendly to rheumatoid arthritis patients - including easy to open drawers, handrails and grab bars. All these will help patients perform daily activities easier.

4. It should be made known to the patient how and when to take his medications. His doctor or nurse should be able to inform the patient about possible complications or side effects, if there are any, accompanying his medications.

5. A competent medical practitioner or nurse should teach a rheumatoid arthritis patient how to stand, walk and sit correctly. It will be beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis to use chairs with high seats and armrests. These will enable him to get up more easily with his knees higher than his hips. Elevated toilet seats will also be helpful.

6. Patients should learn how to rest every few minutes within an hour's activity. He should learn to alternate sitting and standing tasks. Adequate sleep is also important and should be done in the proper sleeping position. A nurse can teach the patient how to adopt a proper sleeping posture.

Finally, proper emotional support should be provided. It should be well kept in mind that patients with chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis can be easily depressed, discouraged and irritable. Patients should be encouraged to freely talk about their fears or anxieties concerning their situation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Psychological Implications For The Occupational Therapist Part 1

A person newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (or any medical conditions for that matter) usually gets shocked, before becoming anxious then settling into a saddened and depressed mood. There is a grief cycle that he or she will go through, as grief for losing a part of themselves, their health and fitness. By the time the person suffering from the disease's progression to reach a stage where operation is required, they would have gotten over the initial shock, but will still be vulnerable to bouts of moodiness, depression and helplessness.

These are common and usual response of people towards having to live with pain and deforming disease. Sometimes, antidepressants are required to manage sleep, loss of weight etc.

The person with the rheumatoid arthritis disease may feel overwhelmed with the disease, but may internalise it and keep it inside themselves. These people need to be encouraged to express their feels, fears, hopes, in order to accurately help them define and manage their fears, regardless if they were perceived or real. An example is if a person feels that they have lost the ability to handle or the physical ability to maintain the joints integrity, they might feel frustrated over the apparent loss of control, but they perceive that they aren't supposed or allowed to be angry as the people around them are already doing their best to make him or her as comfortable as they can.

They may develop body image disorders, or have body image issues as they would have to perceive or wait in fear "when or in case" their joints change in shape, functionally or esthetically. What will couple this is if pain comes into the picture, of if they are placed on steroids, which often cause fluid retention and the effect of weight gain and puffy faces.

The occupational therapist may then create a "safe room" or where the patient with rheumatoid arthritis will be allowed to express their feelings through verbal or written forms of communication, directed or undirected by the trained occupational therapist. They need to be assured and re-assured that the feelings that they have are normal, a part of the the grieving and loss process.

Patients needs to understand that, and to be respected and given the space, chance and ability to grieve over his or her loss (real or perceived) of function, mobility and independence. By this, we can help them to overcome their mobility and functional problems.

Human Growth Hormone - For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack the soft bone cartilages surrounding the joints. It is a disabling and very painful condition that often times lead to immobility caused by severe pain, or at the very worst, destruction of the joint itself. Furthermore, RA is a systematic disease. This means that from one afflicted joint, the disease tends to attack surrounding tissues and even far-off situated organs like blood vessels, heart, lungs, muscles tissues and skin. That is also the reason why RA is considered as a multi-system autoimmune disorder.

RA causes painful discomfort and soft tissue swelling which can inflame nearby or surrounding tissues as the disease progresses. Pain generally improves or lessens when the person starts using the affected joints, but there is usually stiffness in the joints especially in the morning. RA is therefore at its worst in the early hours of the morning, or at least, when the person wakes up. Incredibly, after a while, RA patients also tend to suffer from other medical conditions like anemia, cystic fibrosis of the lungs, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen,) leukopenia (steady decrease of white blood cells in the system) and lymphocytic infiltration that may affect salivary glands and lacrimal glands or the tear ducts.

Unless detected and treated early in its development, RA is not only crippling, but can cause deformity as well. In the US, it is estimated that one in three Americans are now afflicted with RA. It is even predicted that this number will grow in an alarming rate as time goes by. Although this medical condition is usually associated with the onset of old age, these days children less than 18 years of age are also suffering from the ravaging effects of the disease. As of yet, there are no treatments available to cure or eradicate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but there are ways to alleviate the pain, and maybe help stop the disease from making satellite "infection" to other organs of the body.

Some of the more "historic," if not, controversial forms of treatment include acupuncture, being stung by bees or nettles, going on an apple diet (taken literally from the adage, "an apple a day..."), going on a rhubarb diet, fasting, ingestion of gold salts or honey or insulin or nutmeg or vitamins, wearing copper bracelets, undergoing magnet treatment, and even the extraction of teeth (possibly on the thought that one pain can overcome the other, but just how many teeth can be exchanged in favor of relief?) The very controversial mode of treatment before was called ECT or electric convulsion therapy or electric shock therapy; it has long since phased out for its obvious lack of success versus the battle with RA.

Usually, doctors prescribe nothing more than pharmacological treatment for RA like anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics. These days, however, scientists are turning to more unconventional route - especially in the form of human growth hormone treatment. You see, human growth hormones contain the substance IGF-1 which in healthy dosages is responsible for healing damaged cells and helps in developing new ones. IGF-1 is also responsible for strengthening and promoting bones, including the soft connective tissues in the human joints called ligaments. There are recent studies that show that re-introduction of prescribed dosages of IGF-1 actually lessens the symptoms of arthritis and helps reinforcing the joints, making mobility easier and achievable with less pain.

Herbal Treatment for Arthritis

You don't have to look further to find relief for your arthritis, natural medicines can be found in none other than your kitchen or in your garden!

What are the natural remedies can be found from your kitchen? Take a look at these:

. Turmeric. The rhizome of Turmeric provides a tasty yellow herb that can also work magic on your joints. This herb is a first-rate anti-inflammatory ideal for the pain and swelling of arthritis. It also triggers better bile flow, improving digestive function which is often poor in arthritis sufferers.

. Cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper is one of nature's finest hot spices, yet it ironically takes away the pain of inflammatory arthritis. It contains a substance called capsaicin, which when applied topically works partly as a counter irritant, but it also has the ability to block pain impulses with its salicylate content. Clinical trials have confirmed this plant's value in alleviating pain and discomfort from both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

. Ginger. If you suffer from ailing joints, here's another kitchen herb to help lift your spirits. The plant is particularly good news for arthritis sufferers as it contains zingibain and other phytochemical compounds which quench inflammation. It seems to be particularly good at keeping at bay pain-causing and tissue swelling substances. Ginger is also an expert at improving digestion and its antioxidant properties are great for protecting the body cells from free-radical damage.

. Pineapple. Another natural arthritic remedy, the Pineapple can also ease the ache of inflamed tissues. Concentrated primarily in the stems is a phytochemical called Bromelain, which is used to help quash arthritic flare-ups. Studies suggest that Bromelain simultaneously inhibits one body chemical involved in inflammation, whilst triggering the release of another chemical, which dampens down inflammation. It's also a protein-dissolving digestive enzyme, which once again targets the poor digestion commonly experienced by arthritis sufferers.

. Celery. This vegetable also posses advantages for stiff joints. The celery stalks are useful medicine, but the seeds of this plant may be even more effective. Celery seed extracts provide the arthritis sufferer with some 25 anti-inflammatory substances, plus other plant chemicals that are natural diuretics. In the herbal world, celery seeds are known as joint cleansers, as they are thought to help remove waste products and excess fluid from arthritic joints. Celery seed can be taken as a refreshing tea, as a single tincture or mixed with other effective plant extracts.

And what does your garden have to offer as natural relief for arthritis? You may be surprised at these:

. Stinging nettle. As a common treatment for arthritis, the Romans used to flay their ailing joints with nettles to reduce the associated pain. Stinging nettle contains natural anti-histamines and anti-inflammatories. Healing blood flow is also increased to the joint area and there's no doubt the pain of nettle rash temporarily displaces arthritic discomfort! Fear not, as taking nettle internally is still very beneficial. The diuretic action of this common weed helps to cleanse arthritic joints of waste materials such as uric acid and other impurities. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory substances in nettle combine with the minerals boron and silicon, also found in the leaf, to help ease the pain of rheumatoid- and osteo-arthritis.

. White Willow. If you are lucky, you may have a White Willow tree gracing your garden. You can thank this tree every time you reach for an aspirin to ease the pain of an arthritic knee. It provides us with salicylic acid and has been used to relieve arthritic pain for over 2,500 years. Aspirin is a synthetic cousin derived in the 1800s by Bayer, but has the disadvantage of being harsh on the stomach lining. An extract or tincture made from the inner bark of the white willow tree is a kinder alternative and it is revered by herbalists and arthritis sufferers alike for its pain-relieving properties.

. Ginkgo. Another garden tree is also praised for its healing actions. Ginkgo not only improves circulation to damaged joints, but also contains a dozen different anti-inflammatory chemicals and seven natural anti-histamines.

. Comfrey. If you have comfrey in your garden, this is another prized crop not to be disregarded merely as a weed. One of the main therapeutic substances in comfrey (allantoin) is an anti-inflammatory that boosts the immune system, speeds wound healing and encourages new cell growth. This is ideal for sore, eroded joints. It is best not to take comfrey internally but an extract from the root and leaves makes a very effective cream. Combine it with some cayenne pepper to encourage healing blood flow to the area.

. Borage. If you spot a pretty blue star-shaped flower in your garden it may belong to the Borage plant. This is highly prized by natural healers for its medicinal seeds. These contain GLA, a fatty-acid that the body requires to make an inflammation fighting and immune boosting chemical. The aerial parts, meanwhile, can be infused to make a tea that supports the adrenal glands. These organs produce stress reducing hormones and there is nothing that puts more of a strain on the body than a degenerative disorder such as arthritis.

Nature provides for natural and effective healing of complaints such as arthritis, many of which are found as close by as your garden.

Arthritis in Horses - Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Arthritis is a very inconvenient illness not only in humans but horses as well. The pain it brings can limit movements and affect the general behavior of the animal. If you think your horse is suffering from this disease, the cause of it can be attributed to a previous injury - recent or otherwise. Heredity can also play a factor in your horse having arthritis. Whatever the causes, there are some simple but effective ways to ease the pain it brings as well as prevent it altogether.

Before anything else, however, it is essential that you understand how arthritis works. The limbs in a horse's body - like in humans - are connected by joints, which are protected by cartilage. These joints allow movement, and this is done with ease as long as there is enough liquid and cartilage in the joints to provide lubrication and protection every time the limbs move. When there's not enough joint liquid and cartilage covering the joints, what happens is direct contact between the two bones when you move, which means a lot of friction which results in pain. The most common area arthritis sufferers complain about is the knee - the body part that bears the most weight and movement. This is true with horses as well.

To make sure you give your horse the best chance of getting early treatment for arthritis, you need to be observant and catch early signs of the disease. Your horse isn't really going to come up to you and inform you that its knees are really painful, so taking note of its behavior and movements is a key.
When your horse starts to show signs of discomfort when walking or trotting, there might be a chance it has arthritis. You also need to watch out for stiffness and swelling in its joints, as well as a change in its overall behavior. Pain in any part of its body can cause an animal's temperament to change and this includes horses.

Set an appointment with your equine veterinarian as soon as you notice some of these signs in your horse. There's no harm in getting a professional opinion, and you're also improving your horse's chance of getting treatment for arthritis before the illness gets more serious.

To help avoid all these issues, however, good diet and exercise can do wonders to prevent the disease. Arthritis in horses can be avoided if you make sure your animal works out regularly as movement can help strengthen the joints and bones of the body. Proper supplements are also essential to your horse's diet. The focus of the supplements should be to improve the health of the horse's joint fluid as well as the cartilage. There are several online stores that offer great deals on supplements to prevent arthritis in horses, but make sure you first meet with your veterinarian to ensure you're getting the right supplements and doing the correct preventive measures. You don't want to start out with the best intentions only to purchase supplements online that will worsen your horse's situation.

How Arthritis Can Be Helped With a Vibration Exercise Machine

So how can vibration exercise machines help in alleviating the suffering caused by arthritis?

The treatment of arthritis is quite difficult in that if not performed carefully, and in line with the patient's needs and wants, the illness can become chronic. It can hit anyone at any age, although presents itself most frequently in middle-aged women.

It is caused by the body reacting to numerous diseases or injury, and shows up as swelling and pain in a joint or joints. Indeed the very word itself, i.e. arthritis, actually means joint inflammation. Damage to tissue can be caused if the inflammation appears often or is not totally cured. Not only do the affected joints get swollen, but they are also warm, hot even, to the touch. The skin underneath the joints redden, and over time the joints can actually change shape.

Apart from the numerous reasons already touched on, the causes of arthritis can have many other roots, one of which being heredity, and another being a negative impact of one's environment.

People who have been active in sports of all types, and who have had several injuries, suffer arthritis quite frequently as they have subjected their joints to increased loads, and this can apply to both large and small joints. In addition, it has been shown that being overweight, and the overuse of both caffeine and smoking can also cause it.

Possible disability and the avoidance of continual pain can only be prevented if the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage. You can minimise the onset of it, even prevent against it, through the use of a healthy diet and consequential weight control, properly carried out physical exercises and using a vibration exercise machine.

These vibration exercise machines are incredibly simple to use and can replace standard physical exercises if a person is unable to carry them out for reasons such as muscle weakness, pain in the joints, and lack or loss of balance or muscle coordination.

In the event any classical exercise training regime utilising running, walking, cycling or weight training does not fit into your daily schedule for reasons of time, one of these vibration exercise machines can become invaluable to you in helping keep your body fit and your muscles toned. It has been shown that vibration exercise machines can help you achieve just the same benefits as standard exercising, but in a lot less time. In addition, vibration training stimulates blood circulation with all the benefits that can bring to an arthritis sufferer.

The vibration machines alleviate and even remove stress, fatigue, and pain in the back and the body core, and their use strengthens both bones and muscles. To put it into a somewhat technical explanation, low-frequency vibration waves spread over the muscle fibre and make the muscle contract with more dense amplitude, which is of course not the case with conventional exercising. These vibration waves also speed up metabolic processes in our body which cause the muscle fibres to become active, as opposed to classical exercise workouts during which they are inactive.

So, in the event you do think you may have arthritis, get it properly diagnosed for what it is. And so as to prevent the occurrence of this ailment, make sure you take note of what has been said in this article, but in general look after your health and make vibration exercise therapy a major part of your training regime.