Osteoarthritis and How to Manage Osteoarthritis in Your Dog

Osteoarthritis, a common degenerative disease common among humans, can also be acquired by your dog. This may cause a great deal of discomfort for your canine best friend and reduce his quality of life, including the time and fun activities that you spend together. Although osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, which means it will get worst, basic knowledge, early detection and pain management can help your dog cope with his illness and live a full life.

Basic Facts

The smooth cartilage, which is located at the end of your dog's bones, serves as a protection. When this cartilage deteriorates, the bone is exposed. The nerve endings, which are highly sensitive, collide against each other, which cause the joints to get sore and inflamed consequently causing pain in every movement. New bones may also develop around the joints, which cause more pain. This is the disease called osteoarthritis. This often results in the wear and tear that normally develops as your dog ages. Other causes can also be attributed to existing conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Dogs can't vocalize what they feel. Although they have the same way of recognizing pain like humans, they can't exactly tell you that their hips hurt when you play fetch or their knees get stiff when they climb up and down the stairs. Instead, they endure it as much as they can, and subtle changes cannot easily be noticed, but observing changes in your dog's physical wellbeing can help in early treatment of the disease. His muscles will become visibly smaller because they will put more weight on the limbs that are not affected. This muscle wasting, in turn, will also alter his gait or the way he walks. His behavior will also change in response to pain, becoming inactive and reluctant in engaging in physical activities.

Treatment with Deramaxx

Although there is no known cure for the illness other than joint replacement, pain management can lessen its effects. Deramaxx is an NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Having less pain will encourage your dog to get back up on his feet. Owners should also monitor the weight of the dog since inactivity and obesity will further cause damage to affected joints. Prescription Deramaxx (Deracoxib) for dogs directly targets arthritis pain. Deramaxx is the first and only coxib-class NSAID approved by the FDA for veterinary use. It inhibits COX-2 while sparing COX-1. Deramaxx comes in convenient tablets for all-day arthritis pain relief. Deramaxx requires a prescription. This will be an ideal treatment for your dog and peace of mind for you.

Arthritis Pain - Truly Happy With Your Arthritis Pain Relief?

According to statistics there are an incredible number of people with some form of Arthritis and it is growing all the time. All I can say is a lot of people out there are suffering and their loved ones will also be affected by it. I have an idea of what it is like to suffer from Arthritis Pain but am very lucky that my condition is limited in its severity and personally know many people who suffer from it a great deal more than me.

When I was young I damaged the 2nd and 3rd vertebrae in my neck but did not know how bad it was until many years later but by then both vertebrae had degenerated significantly. I also broke my left kneecap playing sport as a teenager and now that I have aged in years both injuries are now a cause of Arthritis Pain and I was told there was very little I could do about. My mother has chronic Arthritis and has been in pain on a daily basis for many years now. I will not go into detail but my mother is very limited in what she can do but pushes through a lot of agony (very mentally strong) from her Arthritis Pain to try to live a normal active lifestyle.

I knew my mother was suffering but did not realise how close she was to breaking point until she broke down in front of me saying,"I cannot take it anymore!". It was incredibly heart wrenching to hear my mothers misery caused by her Arthritis Pain and to see her spirit completely Crushed! As we both sat there in tears talking to each other I promised my mother I would find Something, Anything to help her cope with the Pain. Unfortunately,over the years of trying many different remedies for Arthritis Pain to help, only limited results were achieved but some was better than none.

Over the years my Arthritis Pain started to bother me and interrupt my life so it became a problem for both of us and was frustrating knowing we can only achieve a limited amount of relief. We tried a juice concentrate made from several fruits and other ingredients because I had heard a lot of good results were achieved using fruit and plant extracts as a natural remedy for Arthritis Pain Relief.We gave it a try for awhile and it did help a little but no more than anything else, but I knew we were on the right track.

One day while still drinking the juice I was introduced to a similar product from a different company, the same sort of principal concerning the product was used but more different fruits and plant extracts were added,to be exact it contains 19 fruits including the Amazing Brazilian ACAI Berry,and with a bit of encouragement we decided to try it. We drank the juice for three months and according to declarations of other people on the juice the benefits are wide and varied and the Arthritis Pain relief was Great! It took a while but the pain in my neck and knee had reduced, my mother was feeling better every week and best of all was how much more energy we had and we both commented on how much better we were sleeping!

I know how debilitating Arthritis Pain can be so if you or your loved ones would like another option this may help them more than what they are currently using. My mother and I are getting better results than ever and I am just trying to let people know there are other options they could try.

If you or your loved ones are not happy with their current Arthritis Pain Relief Products you have got nothing to lose. We are both very happy with the results achieved and if you want better Arthritis Pain relief there are natural options which are safer and better for you!

If you would like more information please send me an email for more information. Or to help you make an informed decision visit my Blog. Only you can decide if you want a better lifestyle and if you had an opportunity to change your life, why would you not?

Thanks for listening and no matter what you do, I wish you good luck and good health to you!

Regards Shane Nolan

Knee Replacement - Types, Benefits and Risks

If you are experiencing chronic knee pain and restricted knee mobility and you have tried all other treatments such as physiotherapy or steroid injections to get respite from pain and improve your knee mobility but to no avail, knee replacement may be the only option for you.

Knee replacement is a surgical procedure often recommended for patients with severe pain, stiffness and immobilization in their knee joint arising out of degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis or some form of injury.

For severe cases where painful symptoms do not respond to conservative, non-operative treatments such as weight loss, activity modifications, anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections, replacement of the knee may only be helpful.

While performing the replacement surgery, the surgeon replaces the severely affected and destroyed part(s) of the arthritis knee with artificial metal or plastic devices called 'prostheses'.

Types
Depending on the severity of the damaged, worn or diseased knee, the replacement of the knee can either be partial or total.

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a highly successful surgical procedure which involves replacement of all three parts of the knee- inside, outside and the front of the knee.

While performing total knee replacement, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of your knee joint and replaces them with an artificial implant made of metal or plastic that functions similar to a normal knee.

Partial knee replacement (PKR) is a minimally invasive surgery that may be considered if pain is present in only one of the knee's 3 compartments. When you have a PKR, the surgeon replaces only the single affected knee compartment located underneath the kneecap with a metal and plastic implant.

Benefits
Knee replacement can significantly reduce knee pain, improve muscle strength and correct deformities.
Following the surgery, you can return to your daily routine activities with a healthy new knee.
It can significantly improve the quality of your life with improved movement of the knee joint
After getting your knee replaced, you can walk without a stick and can carry out household chores such as dusting and washing up
You get rid of instability, disability and limited mobility of the knee
Your problems like chronic knee stiffness and swelling that prior to the surgery prevented you from bending and straightening your knee are completely alleviated
With less pain and greater mobility, you'll be able to perform low-impact activities including climbing stairs and getting in and out of car without the use of a support.

Risks
As with any surgical procedure, knee replacement also has some potential risks. Although most knee replacement patients do not experience serious complications, there are possible risks associated with the surgery. These complications and risks include:
Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the veins in lower leg
Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in your lung) is a possibility
Excessive bleeding and scarring at the site of incision
Damage to nearby blood vessels, bones or nerves, is also possible
Possibility of primary infection as well as a superficial infection
Urinary tract infection is likely
Adverse reactions to anesthesia
Failure/loosening of the knee implant may occur
Fracture in the bone around the replaced joint during or after the surgery

There are several other possible post-surgery complications, so it is vital to educate yourself about the knee replacement surgery before undergoing the procedure. Fortunately, majority of knee replacement surgeries are performed successfully and go without any major complications whatsoever. If performed by a skilled surgeon and if the new knee is cared for properly, it can last for many years.

Can Oil Of Oregano Help With Arthritis?

Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the musculoskeletal system, specifically the joints. It is the major cause of disability of people who are over 55 years old. There are many types of arthritis but the most common are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis. Each of them has different symptoms but all of them are characterized by pain, inflammation and stiffness of joints. It is not uncommon for those who are suffering from severe cases of arthritis to experience disability and loss of function.

An important factor in the maintenance of your health is the ability of your body to tolerate wear and tear before its inflammatory auto-immune ability begins to function. This is vital especially when you are under stressful situations. Modern research has shown that there are certain T cells that act to regulate your tolerance to stress by activating a natural anti-inflammatory defence system known as heat shock proteins or HSP. Your longevity is directly related to your ability to activate these HSPs.

Researches have conducted animal laboratory studies which showed that carvacrol, a main component of oil of oregano can activate HSP through the regulatory T cells and stop experimentally produced arthritis. The researchers concluded that oregano oil had an "unprecedented capacity" to activate HSP through the T cells. The experimentally induced arthritis was completely suppressed. That meant carvacrol can indeed increase the responses of the protective T cells against self-stress protein and reduce the inflammation.

In addition, an earlier animal experiment showed the ability of carvacrol as a potent painkiller. This correlates beautifully with the fact that oil of oregano can be of benefit to those who are suffering from arthritis.

Oil of oregano is a natural product derived from the wild oregano plant Origanum vulgare. This plant is found originally in the mountain tops of Greece, Turkey and Portugal. The special combination of the soil minerals and the climate in this region are believed to be the reasons why oregano oil contains very powerful substances. The early Greeks have used this plant for the treatment of their common ailments.

With the help of our modern scientists, it is now confirmed that this essential oil can really be effective as a mode of treatment for many diseases. The reason is that oil of oregano contains many phenols that can be used for antimicrobial purposes. One of its active components is carvacrol, which (as have been previously mentioned) can be very effective in treating arthritis.

If you are suffering from arthritis, you can use oil of oregano to alleviate your pain and the inflammation of your joints. Here are some ways you can use this essential oil for this purpose.

• Mix 1 drop of oregano oil with 5 drops of virgin olive oil or coconut oil. Apply this mixture to your affected joints generously.

• Use this same mixture to relieve yourself from sprains, cramps, bursitis, sore muscles and different inflammatory problems.

• To facilitate the treatment, you can also take oil of oregano internally by adding two drops of the oil to a glass of water or juice drink. There are also oregano capsules that you can take if you can't tolerate its taste. It is advised that you drink more water to enhance the curative effect of the oil.

It is always a good practice to do a patch test before applying oregano oil in large areas of your skin. This will tell you if you have allergic reactions to this substance. If that's the case, you need to dilute the oil with virgin olive oil or coconut oil to soften its effects.

Oil of oregano for arthritis is really worth a try.

Arthritis - Herbs and Ayurvedic Remedies, Arthritis Symptom and Other Treatments

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It can occur anywhere in the body and, based on that, there are several types of arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is the common ailment of pain in the joints observed in elderly people. Other common types of arthritic ailments are rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

The word arthritis is derived from two root Greek words - arthros meaning 'joint' and it is meaning 'inflammation'. Hence, arthritis literally translates as inflammation of the joints.

Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, which means, it is a disease in which the human body attacks itself. It begins in one or two joints where an acute pain is felt. This is the most miserable phase of arthritis. Over time, this pain may disappear, but it could cause permanent deformities in the bones and joints.

Why is Arthritis caused?

Different types of arthritis are caused due to different reasons.

(1) Osteoarthritis - Osteoarthritis is a common old-age problem, which affects several people who have crossed the age of 40 years. In people with osteoarthritis, the bones may increase in size at their articulating points. As a result the spaces between them in the joints become less. When moving about, there is a high probability that different bones will rub against each other. This is the cause of osteoarthritis.

(2) Rheumatoid Arthritis - Rheumatoid arthritis is a more serious problem than osteoarthritis because it can occur at any age. In people with rheumatoid arthritis, the ligaments and tendons between the joints undergo degeneration. This causes severe pain where the degeneration has taken place. Common rheumatoid arthritis pains are felt in the fingers; but other places like the wrists, hip and knees are also affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is responsible for deformation of the fingers.

(3) Septic Arthritis - Septic arthritis is a special type of arthritis which is caused when the joints get infected.

(4) Gout - Gout is common old-age arthritis. It is caused when crystals of uric acid are deposited in the spaces between the joints. This type of arthritis is linked with faulty digestion.

What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

In all types of arthritis, the following symptoms are observed:-

The initial pains are felt as fleeting pains in the joints, which seem to be no more than a twitching pain.

Pains alternate between various joints quickly.

If the arthritis becomes acute, then on a particular day there is very sharp pain in a joint, and it becomes absolutely normal the next day. The next day another joint could be affected in a similar fashion.

The pains could increase in the winter season or in cold nights.

How can Arthritis be avoided?

Arthritis cannot be avoided effectively as it is a common ailment that occurs with advancing age. One must learn to live with the problem. But there are various things which can be avoided in order to keep arthritis at bay.

The following foods must be avoided if you have continuous arthritic pains:

Animal fats

Fried foods

Foods rich in carbohydrates like potatoes

Tomatoes

Peppers

Salt

Simple yogic asanas and light exercise helps proper digestion of the body and also protects it from autoimmune problems. Hence, these are beneficial in arthritis.

If you have recurrent pains in the joints, then do not keep the joint covered. As far as possible, keep the joint exposed to the air. For example, if you have pain in the knee joints, then do not wear tight denim clothing; shorts would be a good idea. This will provide freer circulation of blood in the joint and reduce the pains.

How can Arthritis be controlled with Simple Home Remedies?

Some household remedies are known to provide relief from arthritic pains. The following are some of the more benefiting ones:-

Applying a paste of limestone and honey on the affected joints externally provides relief.

Mash some mustard in warm water and apply this solution on the joints. This must be done repeatedly to get results.

Put two teaspoons of cumin into a glass of water. Bring this to a boil. When the water is still hot, soak a towel in it and foment the affected region with this towel. This will provide relief from the pain within a few hours.

Asafetida mixed with egg yolk can be applied on the affected joints to seek immediate relief.

Prepare a pancake from wheat flour. Roast it on one side, but leave it uncooked on the other. Then put some heated mustard oil on the uncooked side. When it is hot, tie it like a tourniquet on the affected joint, or provide fomentation with it. This provides quick relief.

Mix some cardamom in milk. Put a pinch of turmeric in this milk. This is to be drunk every night while going to sleep. This makes the person sleep peacefully in the morning.

Preventing Osteoarthritis With a Healthy Life

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common arthritis forms with more than 12 percent of Americans suffering from joint pain. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that covers the bone is damaged. The pain usually occurs in knees, hips, fingers, and hands. Women over fifty suffer from this pain the most. Osteoarthritis treatment can be carried out in various ways. It can be handled with medication such as acetaminophen or pain relief drugs. For a more natural treatment, supplements can be used. Supplements work by slowing down the osteoarthritis. Another treatment is by using therapy and exercise. Osteoarthritis seems like a simple joint problem, but actually it can be very painful and troubling. If the osteoarthritis is at a severe level, surgery can be carried out as a final solution.

Even though osteoarthritis treatment is always developed so people can have osteoarthritis-free life, it is always better if we take preventative actions so we do not have to face the problem in the future. The prevention of osteoarthritis can be simple; all we need to do is lead a healthy life. Since overweight is one of the major osteoarthritis causes, then controlling out weight can help us to prevent osteoarthritis. Being overweight is a physical stress on our bodies. We need to remove this stress immediately by dieting and do disciplined exercise. Another way to prevent osteoarthritis is by moving our body. We can do exercise, dance, or something that allows our body to move. Simple things like walking can be a solution as well.

Another preventative action that we can do so we do not have to undergo arthritis treatment is controlling our food consumption and adding beneficial substances like omega 3, olive oil, and other to our diet. Last, but not least, we should never shock our bodies like moving suddenly or lifting heavy items suddenly. Such action can shock out bodies and cause osteoarthritis in the future. One simple conclusion that we can get from the prevention methods above is leading a healthy lifestyle. With a healthy life that includes exercise and healthy food consumption, osteoarthritis or other diseases will have less of a chance of harming our bodies.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - The Shocking Truth About How It Starts

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most baffling and feared of all human ailments. Perhaps this is due, in large part, to the many conflicting hypotheses and theorems that abound throughout the medical field about this dreaded disorder. Each day we hear of new and often conflicting discoveries that supposedly shed light on why certain people are more susceptible to contracting this ailment than others. All of this uncertainty tends to create an atmosphere of fear and distrust toward anyone claiming to have yet another 'cure.'

In recent years there have been two widely disseminated theories about rheumatoid arthritis. On the one hand, medical researchers have claimed there is a definite connection between heredity and the likelihood of someone developing it. On the other hand, a number of medical doctors have expressed their belief that this and other forms of arthritis can be traced to a rogue virus or other micro-organism. As well-meaning as these theories may be, there is another position that deserves critical evaluation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily caused by a lack of biochemical sodium reserves in the body. I'm not referring to the table salt variety that the human body cannot metabolize efficiently. When the body's organic sodium reserves are low a number of physiological changes begin to occur. Acid stomach, chronic constipation, joint swelling, calcification and bone spurs, excessive flatulence and stiff joints - any trained observer will recognize these symptoms as manifestations of arthritis. Although hereditary factors or rogue viral strains may not be present, low sodium reserves are detected in over 90% of such cases when these symptoms are evident.

Among other important functions, the body uses different combinations of organic sodium to neutralize excess systemic acids, to help remove metabolic waste products from cells and to keep calcium in solution so that it doesn't precipitate in the joints and soft tissues. This is basic biochemistry that anyone suffering from any arthritic affliction should know. It stands to reason that if organic sodium is the primary element the body utilizes to keep calcium in solution, one would certainly want to ensure that his or her organic sodium reserves were kept well stocked at all times.

As sensible as this may be, the lack of knowledge on this subject is what causes so much needless suffering in our society. During the eleven years I spent studying with world-renowned natural health advocate, lecturer and practitioner, Bernard Jensen, DC, ND, PhD, at his Hidden Valley Health Ranch, in Escondido, California, I personally witnessed the power of organic sodium to reverse various forms of arthritis - even in advanced stages. I came to know, without a doubt, that rheumatoid arthritis can be managed and, in many cases, reversed at virtually any age. This can happen provided there is an understanding of the vital role organic sodium plays in any serious effort to recover from rheumatoid arthritis.