Unravel the Mystery of Shoulder Pain

The function of the shoulder joint is to provide mobility to the shoulder and it is one of the parts of the body which is heavily used every single day. Many people suffer from shoulder pain. Many different reasons can result in shoulder pain and it is important to know the exact orthopaedic reason and only then can the correct diagnosis and treatment be made. Shoulder pain can suddenly happen and many people are unsure of it. Let's try to unravel the mystery of shoulder pain today.

Bursitis

Since the shoulder joint is heavily used, there are a lot of rubbing actions throughout the day. There are small fluid filled sacs called bursae to cushion the bones and the soft tissues. These will help to reduce friction and increase gliding motions. However, due to excessive repetitive usage of the shoulder joints, inflammation can happen on the bursae, leading to pain and swelling known as bursitis. This can cause difficulty in performing simple actions such as lifting of the hand or wearing of clothes.

Impingement

Impingement of the shoulder happens when the shoulder blade exerts too much pressure onto the surrounding soft tissues such as the bursa or the tendons, causing bursitis. Over a period of time, shoulder impingement can possible result in a rotator cuff tear.

Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability can be due to overuse of the shoulder joint or due to an injury which causes the arm bone to be loose and slip out of the socket joint. The shoulder joint acts as a ball and socket model where mobility can be easily obtained without much limitation. However when the ball and socket is loose, it can cause subluxation. The surrounding ligaments and tendons are weakened and they are unable to fully support the motions, causing pain and instability.

Tendon tears

Tearing of the tendons could possibly occur due to aging or injuries, overuse or wear and tear. Depending on the severity of the tear, it can be a partial one or a complete one. A complete tendon tear will result in tremendous pain and loss of stability.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common cause of shoulder pain and the most common form is osteoarthritis or wear and tear. Arthritis usually occurs during mid-age around 30 years old and over time, it will become worse. Osteoarthritis can also happen at a young age due to injuries or overuse and it will result in rotator cuff tendon tears or inflammation. Arthritis will cause simple daily motions to be almost impossible and you will often experience stiffness of the joints.

There are many reasons that can cause shoulder pain. I hope that the above article had help to unravel some of the mysteries and after you know the exact reason, you will be able to use the correct treatment method.

A Beer A Day Keeps Arthritis Away

Can a beer a day keep arthritis away? That appears to be the case in a new study conducted by Swedish researchers who found that regular alcohol intake can cut a person's risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by half.

Speaking at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Barcelona, Spain, Henrik Kallberg of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm said that drinking three or 10 glasses of wine or beer weekly can help prevent RA, a crippling inflammatory disease that affects over 20 million people worldwide.

Consuming these amounts resulted in a 50 percent drop in the risk in developing the disease and they appear to offset genetic and smoking-related risks of RA. The study involved over 2,000 Swedes.

"These data not only show that alcohol can protect against RA and reduce the risk conferred by smoking or susceptible genes, but also give us an idea of the relevant doses necessary," Kallberg said.

The announcement was welcomed by Tore Kvien, president of the European League Against Rheumatism, who called the findings "very interesting" but cautioned against excessive drinking that could lead to other medical problems. He said more research is required to determine how alcohol protects against RA.

Earlier, Swedish researchers found that mice were protected from RA when they were given daily doses of water containing ten percent ethanol - the alcohol in beers, spirits, and wines. Compared to other mice, the ones who took the "spiked" water developed RA at a significantly slower rate.

No one knows why this happens but Kallberg believes alcohol affects the immune system that RA targets. Unlike osteoarthritis that results from the wear and tear of the joints, RA is an inflammatory disease in which the body's immune system attacks the tissue that lines the joints.

"RA usually causes problems in several joints at the same time. Early in RA, the joints in your wrists, hands, feet, and knees are the ones most often affected. As the disease progresses, your shoulders, elbows, hips, jaw, and neck can become involved. It generally affects both sides of your body at the same time. The knuckles of both hands are one example," according to the Mayo Clinic.

"Although more work is needed to unravel the science behind the connection, Kallberg said it was likely that alcohol suppressed the immune system and damped down the inflammatory process behind the condition," reported Ben Hirschler in Reuters.

As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of alcohol, they say there's no harm in drinking moderately, especially in view of alcohol's protective effects against RA. To rebuild and lubricate worn joints damaged by arthritis, eliminate stiffness, and reduce pain and inflammation, take Flexcerin, a natural supplement without the side effects of other prescription painkillers. Check out http://www.flexcerin.com for details.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or JRA, is a type of chronic arthritis that shows symptoms of joint pain and inflammation before the age of 16. Often the symptoms come and go, but some types can linger longer.

While there is no cure for JRA and the exact cause is unknown, it is widely believed to be an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissue.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is earmarked by symptoms including:

• stiff joints in the morning


• limited range of motion


• back pain


• joints that are warm, swollen, painful, and possibly red.

Other less common symptoms include fever, rash, swollen glands, red eyes, eye pain, and vision changes.
JRA is divided into several categories:

• Polyarticular JRA: This type involves can involve many large and small joints, and it can turn into adult rheumatoid arthritis. Joints affected may include the legs and arms, as well as the jaw and spine.


• Pauciarticular JRA: This type involves only a few joints, usually ones in the lower body like the hips, knees, or ankles.


• Systemic JRA: This type affects joint swelling or pain, along with fevers, and rash. It is the least common type.

There are several juvenile rheumatoid arthritis treatments, including:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): More commonly found over-the-counter as ibuprofen or naproxen may be enough to control symptoms in most cases.


• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These help slow the progression of joint deterioration by modifying the body's response to the immune system.


• Exercise: it is the most common form of treatment and possibly the most important as activity eases pain, while maintaining muscle strength during critical developmental years.

While JRA can seem troubling, children with only a few joints involved usually go into remission with few normal function and little deformity. However, those with more joints involved may be more affected and need more aggressive treatment to prevent long-term effects.

While there is a lot of JRA information out there, it's important for parents to know that symptoms of JRA may also be confused with psoriatic arthritis, Lyme disease, rheumatic fever, bone infections, sarcoidosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is also known as juvenile chronic polyarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and Still's disease.

Types of Arthritis - Knowing the Difference Makes a Difference

Having aches and stiff joints are sometimes a part of life. But if one notices that this goes beyond usual wear and tear or if it begins to interfere with the ability to live a normal, happy life, a type of arthritis may be the cause. Being able to identify what type of arthritis is the culprit will aide in the treatment and prevention of damage to joints.

23.1 million Americans have been diagnosed by doctors with arthritis. There are 2 main types of arthritis, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, both are painful and can be debilitating but there are major differences.

Osteo-arthritis is also known as a degenerative arthritis, a syndrome which causes low-grade inflammation and pain in the joints. This type of arthritis is caused by the abnormal wearing of the cartilage that acts like a cushion inside joints. The synovial fluid which acts as a lubricant is also destroyed or decreased. The bone becomes less and less protected by the cartilage and lubricant causing pain during movement such as walking, it can even cause pain upon bearing weight like standing. Muscles may atrophy because of the lack of movement due to pain.

Osteo-arthritis is the most common form of arthritis and its main symptom is acute pain and occasional inflammation in joints. The large weight bearing joints such as the hips feet and spine are usually the first joints to be affected. In the fingers and smaller joints, bony lumps may form, limiting movement.

Diagnosis of osteo-arthritis is usually done through x-ray, allowing the doctor to see specific damage. Further testing through MRI or arthroscopy may be included. Treatment may include dietary supplements, topical rubs, NSAIDS, injections of glucocorticoid or hyaluronan, even possible joint replacement surgery.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease. It is chronic condition that causes the body's immune system to attack its own connective tissues such as the joints but can also affect other organs. Morning stiffness lasting 20 minutes or more, flu like symptoms, painful joints on both sides of the body, swollen joints and fatigue are some of the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

A blood test to screen for the rheumatoid factor (Rh) is usually taken to determine the diagnosis of RA. X-rays are also taken to reveal severity of the condition and damage to joints. Early detection of this disease is imperative for successful treatment.

While there is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis, there are several avenues of treatment ranging from dietary supplements, anti-inflammatory medication, NSAID's, methotrexate and joint replacement surgery.

New discoveries and progress in medication is made each year in the field of arthritis treatment, from natural science to synthetic laboratory findings. Arthritis is a painful and debilitating disease if left untreated, but discomfort, inflammation and damage can be prevented if diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

How to Slow Down Or Prevent Knee Arthritis

Arthritis unfortunately has become a way of life for many people not only in the United States but around the world. We know there are over a hundred different types of arthritis that affect humankind but, one that seems to prevail more then others is osteoarthritis.

Known also as OA it has become prevalent over the years due to our life spans increasing and the obesity factor that has its grips on western society. Our diet also has been help somewhat responsible for the rise in arthritis over the years and, it costs the healthcare systems millions of dollars to treat each year.

There is a multitude of information on arthritis today that can keep you well informed. Exercise is just one of the components listed in the prevention of osteoarthritis.

As we age there are numerous changes that takes place within our bodies. Most of them are preventable by taking the time to address them. One of those areas that is easily addressed is strength training to keep are bodies strong and to allow the muscles to do the job they were meant to do.

By having strong muscles in your legs for instance namely the quadriceps they will allow the knee joint to work smoothly and not bear the brunt of our bodyweight. As our thigh muscles weaken over the years due to lack of strength training the muscles can no longer do the job of supporting the knee joint so therefore the joint absorbs our bodyweight and the wear and tear now increases.

Of course if you are overweight as well, this only exacerbates the problem as the forces generated through the knee structure are more then it was designed to handle. Once the knee joint has to absorb a larger amount of force through it then, you begin to develop bone spurs and the quick decomposing of the cartilage which acts as a cushion between the femur and the tibia can no longer do what it was designed to do.

By keeping your thighs strong you allow the knees to work more efficiently and pain free.

Several exercises that I recommended that will get the results you seek are as follows.

1. Long arc quads: also known as seated leg extensions. Depending on your strength level you attach a weight to the end of your leg while seated in a straight back chair lift your foot until its straight and hold your foot up for a slow count of five. Completing this exercise for ten repetition is a good place to start. As you get stronger you increase the weight to work the muscle harder and to promote further strengthening.

2. Quadricep sets: Using this isometric exercise will increase your thigh strength but only in the plane or position that you are completing the exercise in. With isometric exercise the key here is to squeeze the muscle you intend to strengthen as hard as you can then count to five. You have to be sure not to hold your breath with isometrics as it will increase the pressure within your chest cavity and raise your blood pressure. You simply place your legs out flat and flex your thigh muscles. the back of your knees will touch the surface you are laying on when doing the exercise correctly.

3. Straight leg raises: While laying flat in bed bring one foot up and place it flat on the bed. lift the opposite leg up keep it straight do not bend the knee, bring it up to the level of the bent knee and again hold the leg up for a count of five. You will feel the stress on the thigh muscles you should not feel it in the back. If you feel back pain with this exercise disregard it.

These are just three simple exercises that will help increase your leg strength. there are many more out there but it all depends on your current strength levels and overall fitness as to what exercises to prescribe. By keeping your legs strong you help ward off in one way the ravages of osteoarthritis in the knees that plaque so many with age.

Richard Haynes

6 Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis - Could I Really Have RA?

The signs of rheumatoid arthritis are not as hidden and unnoticeable as some people seem to believe. Although there are indeed rheumatoid arthritis signs that some people might not be able to pick up on, there are still PLENTY of other symptoms that you'll be able to notice and clearly identify. What are those signs & symptoms? Take a look below to find out.

6 Typical Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis...

1. Joint Pain: The most obvious of all arthritis signs. If you have sudden, lingering joint pain which can not be contributed to an injury of some kind, it could very well be the onset of RA. Most be a constant, unwavering pain that doesn't fade over time.

2. Joint Fatigue: Unexplained fatigue that is not your typical level of "tired". Your joints ache and it would just be better for them if you were to lay down and not do anything at all.

3. Low Energy: A drastic decrease in energy level. This is a bit like joint fatigue, except that it is an "all over body" feeling which effects more than just joints.

4. Swollen Joints: This isn't a little redness, this is SWOLLEN to the extreme. Your joints will be enlarged, red, tender, and of course painful. This "flare up" won't be just a freak occurrence, but more than likely a DAILY thing. This is one of the signs of rheumatoid arthritis that will NOT be able to go unnoticed, period.

5. Low Grade Fever: One of those signs of rheumatoid arthritis that may be hard to pick up on -- as this may be something that you just pass off as being the usual "flu". Be sure to take notice of the length of the flu and/or other possible flu-like symptoms. If it is in fact just a flu, then it should pass in time and not return too frequently. On the other hand, if it IS a fever brought on by RA and it is ALSO accompanied by other signs of rheumatoid arthritis, well, you can put the pieces together, can't you?

6. Swollen Glands: Glands may start to swell for no apparent reason. If there is no other cause (that you know of), then it is indeed possible you could be suffering from RA. As usual, take into account if you are experiencing other signs of rheumatoid arthritis so you don't make a false diagnosis; thereby scaring yourself into unnecessary treatments.

Remember, these 6 signs of rheumatoid arthritis won't be experienced every "now & again" -- but SEVERAL times a week, if not on a daily basis. This, without a doubt, is the most important aspect in determining if you have RA. If it's just a temporary thing that passes and doesn't return, well, then you're probably in the clear.

Osteoarthritis Natural Ayurvedic Remedies and Causes

Arthritis is a joint disorder characterized by inflammation of joint, and Osteoarthritis is one of the several types of arthritis. It is the commonest form of arthritis noticeable in elderly people. Osteoarthritis is also known by the names of wear and tear arthritis, degenerative joint disease or old person's arthritis. When osteoarthritis occurs, there is wear and tear or degradation of articular cartilage and subchondral bone, as a result of which several mechanical abnormalities arise.

When cartilages are lost due to degeneration, bones at the joint are exposed to each other, and get damaged due to friction. The friction may often lead to the formation of spurs or bony outgrowths named as osteophytes. All these cause severe pain at the joints, and may even cause immobility at the joint. Due to decreased movement, atrophy of the muscles around the joint may occur, and the ligaments holding the bones in place may become loose, or stop functioning in their natural way. Hands, feet, spine, knee or hip joints are usually attacked by osteoarthritis. The pain at the affected joint may worsen, at the end of the day's usage. Humid or cold weather also worsens the pain in many osteoarthritis patients.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

1. Aging is the primary cause of osteoarthritis. As body starts aging, cartilages become weak, owing to accumulation of fluids in the cartilage and degeneration or breaking up of the protein make up. The cartilages thus become brittle, may start flaking or tiny crevasses may be formed on the surface of the cartilages. In no time total loss of cartilage may occur, exposing the bones to rub against each other. Such worn out joints become inflamed or swollen through repetitive use.

2. Obesity also causes osteoarthritis. As weight increases, the joints are compelled to bear the load of extra weight which is often beyond their capacity. The excessive pressure causes much wear and tear of the cartilage cushions.

3. Heredity or genetic grounds is also responsible for causing osteoarthritis. The disorder is often seen to run in the family.

4. Congenital joint disorder may also lead to osteoarthritis.

5. Past history of septic joint or any other joint infection may cause osteoarthritis in future.

6. Trauma or injury to joint due to accident may in future take the shape of osteoarthritis.

7. Ligamentous deterioration may cause osteoarthritis.

8. Inflammatory diseases like perthe's disease, lyme disease, gout, costochondritis may lead to osteoarthritis ultimately.

9. Diabetes is another factor causing osteoarthritis.

10. Marfan syndrome, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis are other factors leading to osteoarthritis.

Ayurvedic herbal supplement Rumatone Gold Capsule is an effective natural remedy for osteoarthritis. One can apply Rumatone Gold Oil in conjunction with supplementing Rumatone Gold Capsule for getting faster relief from osteoarthritis.