Arthritis - Facts and Helpful Tips

The colder months of the year can be miserable for sufferers of Arthritis. The cold and damp can play havoc with joint mobility, causing inflammation and pain. If you suffer from this condition you are far from alone. The information that follows will hopefully provide you with some useful tips to help you get through the winter months with less pain.

The Statistics

• Arthritis and Rheumatic disease affect around 8 million people in the UK


• More than 3 million people have a significant disability


• Osteoarthritis - the most common joint disorder in the UK affects more than one million people.


• It affects 10 - 25% of people aged over 65


• Around 600,000 people have Rheumatoid arthritis


• Arthritis and rheumatic disease are the most common causes of long-standing illness, and account for one fifth of all visits to the doctor.

The Facts

The term "Arthritis" means damage or swelling of joints. Joints are the points where 2 bones meet. The ends of bones are covered by a thin layer of gristle or cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber when you put weight on a joint.

Cartilage is the tough, rubbery coating you can see on the ends of chicken thigh bones. It cushions the joints and ensures a smooth motion.

Joints are surrounded by a membrane called the Synovium, which produces a small amount of thick fluid called Synovial Fluid. This nourishes the cartilage and keeps it slippery. The Synovium has a tough outer layer called the Capsule, which stops the bones moving too much. Ligaments on both sides keep bones firmly in place. These are thick, strong bands usually just outside the Capsule. Tendons are also on both sides and attach muscles to bones. They keep the joint in place and help to move it.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the end result of a number of different episodes of damage to the joint over a period of time. Genetic inheritance may play a part with some people. Being overweight, injury to the joint and repeated minor pressures on the joint, e.g. some sports or occupations involving repeated kneeling or lifting, can also cause this condition.
Osteoarthritis usually occurs at the knee (more common in women), the hip (equally common in men and women), the spine, and in the hands, especially at the base of the thumb and in the fingers. Osteoarthritis can produce a mild ache to crippling pain, when Total Hip Replacement or Knee Replacement may be indicated.

In severe osteoarthritis, the cartilage can become so thin that it no longer covers the bone ends. The bone ends touch and start to wear away. The loss of cartilage, the wearing of the bone, and the bony spurs at the edges can change the shape of the joint. This forces the bones out of their normal position and causes deformity.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, auto-immune disease where the body turns against itself. Normally, inflammation is our immune system's response to fighting bacteria, viruses etc. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis the tissues and joints are attacked, which damages the cartilage, bones and sometimes the ligaments and tendons, too. When this happens the joints become unstable and deformities can occur.

Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women and usually occurs between the ages of 40 to 60 but can appear earlier. It can also be hereditary in some families.

With rheumatoid arthritis the symptoms can come and go unpredictably. Sometimes physical exertion, an illness, or an emotional experience may trigger a 'flare up' but other times there may be no obvious cause.

Helpful Tips

Information and education - knowing how and why arthritis occurs can help to slow down or prevent further deterioration.

Weight management - being overweight puts further stresses on the joints, particularly the knees and hips. A reduction in weight can make a significant difference.

Exercise - aerobic exercise where the individual raises their heartbeat, sweats and becomes breathless is good for the whole body and can help in the management of weight. It may also increase general well being. Local strengthening exercise is particularly useful in arthritis of the knee. By strengthening the quadriceps muscle on the front of the thigh, pain can be reduced and balance and stability can be improved, therefore lessening disability. A physiotherapist can teach the exercises.

Frequent breaks in activities - it is sensible to have frequent breaks when gardening or doing housework to avoid mechanical stress.

Sensible footwear - a good training shoe for arthritis of the hip or knee is designed to absorb any impact when walking. Shoes should have a thick sole, no raised heel, a broad forefoot and soft uppers.

Drug therapy - no drugs are totally safe but Paracetamol is usually the first painkiller to try. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen may be the next choice but they have the potential to cause side effects, especially stomach problems, and may interact with other drugs. NSAIDs can inhibit repair of the joint.

Natraflex - a natural, herbal balm containing Boswellia, Capsaicin and MSM has been shown in trials to be effective in over 75% of people with arthritis and is available from Health Food Shops or the internet.

Diet - Nutritionists recommend that we eat a diet which is 80% alkaline and 20% acid. Instead, most people eat the opposite. Acidic bodies also cause calcium to be leached out from the joints, making the condition worse.

Foods that should be avoided

• Alcoholic drinks


• Caffeine-Coffee, Tea, & Chocolate


• Packaged or processed food with artificial additives


• Chinese food (contains Monosodium glutamate)


• Dairy products


• Eggs


• Refined flour


• White sugar


• Salted foods


• Fried foods


• Burnt, charred or rancid food


• Animal proteins-red meat


• Foods containing nitrates


• Citrus fruits


• Aubergines


• Tomatoes

Foods that may help Arthritis sufferers

• Yams


• Celery


• Sea vegetables e.g. seaweed, kelp


• Garlic and onions


• Pineapple -contains the enzyme Bromelain


• Bananas


• Apples, pears and paw paws


• Water - at least 2 litres of filtered water each day


• Herbal tea


• Rice milk


• Oats, oatcake biscuits


• Rice cakes (with no added salt)


• Brown rice


• Millet


• Flax seed or linseeds


• Linseed oil


• Cider vinegar


• Tuna, mackerel and sardines


• Nuts and seeds (make sure they are not mouldy) - Brazil nuts, almonds, hazel nuts, cashew nuts (not peanuts), sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds (Tahini paste)


• Dried fruits


• Pulses -lentils and beans


• White meat -chicken, lamb, and game


• Herbs -basil, coriander, and ginseng

Any allergens or food intolerances should be identified to reduce the load on the immune system, particularly with Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Milk, yeast, eggs, grains and citrus fruits are the common foods that cause intolerance (see list of foods to avoid, above).

Fish oils are recommended to help lubricate the joints and therefore reduce the damage. MSM (methylsulphonylmethane) has also been found to reduce degeneration of the joints and can be taken orally or as a skin cream. Glucosamine is also recommended by Rheumatologists as it speeds up joint repair.

Doctors practising in nutrition recommend taking a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement each day, which provides the daily values of all essential vitamins and minerals.

By understanding the facts about arthritis and following these simple diet and lifestyle recommendations, you can help to control or even reduce the symptoms of this common disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Cause Hidden, Treatment Ignored

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common of several autoimmune diseases that primarily affect the joints.

It is characterized by abnormal inflammatory responses that damage the synovial lining of the joints and other tissues. Components of the immune system mistakenly identify normal body tissues as potentially harmful organisms and attack them causing substantial collateral damage.

This results in joint pain, swelling and permanent damage to joint cartilage and the underlying bone. Other parts of the body such as the blood, nerves and heart may also be affected in severe cases.

Moreover the conventional drugs used in the treatment of RA often cause as many health problems as the disease itself. Bone marrow and immune suppression, liver toxicity, osteoporosis and stomach ulcer are some of the common side effects produced by these drugs.

While antibiotics also have potential side effects, they are generally fewer and milder than those associated with the conventional drugs used in the treatment of RA.

TYPES OF INFECTIONS CAUSING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Most scientists agree that infections initiate the abnormal inflammatory response seen in RA patients. The theory is that the immune system reacts to an infection of some sort and then becomes confused between the antigens on the pathogenic organism and similar antigens on normal body tissues. The conventional view is that the infection is only a transient trigger of the autoimmune response and not a persistent factor underlying its chronic progression.

However, countless studies have shown that there are indeed a number of chronic, "hidden" infections underlying RA. Some of the pathogenic organisms have been found in the joints of RA patients but mostly these low-grade infections occur in areas such as the genito-urinary tract, mouth or intestines. They work indirectly from these areas by sustaining the aberrant inflammatory response so characteristic of RA.

Mycoplasma, chlamydia, E.coli, and proteus are all bacteria that are capable of causing the low-grade, asymptomatic urinary tract infections that underlie RA.
Porphyromonas gingivalis is a bacteria that causes gingivitis and periodontitis and also has a strong assoc
iation with RA.

Although lab tests often confirm the presence of one or more of these infections, negative results do not preclude an infectious cause of an individual's disease.

Because many of the infections underlying RA are so difficult to find, even those patients who do not have positive lab tests should be treated with antibiotics.

ANTBIOTICS USED TO TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

For many years the mainstay of antibiotic treatment for RA has been minocycline or other tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline. These of antibiotics are still very useful as they also have anti-inflammatory properties and stimulate the regeneration of damaged joint cartilage.

However many bacteria have developed resistance to the tetracyclines and it is now common practice to use combinations with other antibacterials such as azithromycin, clindamycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin and others.

RESULTS OF ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT FOR RA

Patients may notice improvements in their symptoms anywhere from days, weeks or months, depending on how long they have the disease. They must also expect to remain on the antibiotics for several months to over a year until full remission occurs.

Information from doctors who have used this treatment for many years show that at least 80% of patients benefit from this relatively simple therapeutic modality.

WHY IS THIS EFFECTIVE TREATMENT NOT WIDELY AVAILABLE

There are two reasons for the delay in getting this "new" treatment more widely accepted:

Firstly there is the research "time-lag effect" ? the period it takes from the time a new medical discovery is made until it is accepted and implemented by the majority of doctors. This interval may be over 20 years long.

Secondly, in spite of extensive evidence that certain organisms are associated with RA and other autoimmune diseases, no one specific organism has been shown to be responsible for this group of diseases. This is because autoimmune diseases comprise a spectrum of overlapping conditions that can be caused by several types of microbes located in various parts of the body.

REFERENCES

1. Effects of clarithromycin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, Curr Med Res Opin. 2007 Mar;23(3):515-22

2. Levofloxacin treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate, M Ogrendik, South Med J. 2007 Feb;100(2):135-9.

3. Single-blind randomized trial of combination antibiotic therapy in rheumatoid arthritis, Gompels LL, Smith A, Charles PJ, Rogers W, Soon-Shiong J, Mitchell A, Dore C, Taylor PW, Mackworth-Young CG. J Rheumatol. 2006 Feb;33(2):224-7.

4. Treatment of early seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: Doxycycline plus methotrexate versus methotrexate alone. O'dell JR, Elliott JR, Mallek JA, Mikuls TR, Weaver CA, Glickstein S, Blakely KM, Hausch R, Leff RD, , Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Feb;54(2):621-7. University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.

5. Treatment of early seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: a two-year, double-blind comparison of minocycline and hydroxychloroquine. O'Dell JR, Blakely KW, Mallek JA, Eckhoff PJ, Leff RD, Wees SJ, Sems KM, Fernandez AM, Palmer WR, Klassen LW, Paulsen GA, Haire CE, Moore GF - Arthritis & Rheumatism 2001 Oct;44(10):2235-41

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Its Signs, Symptoms and Pathophysiology

Rheumatoid arthritis presents with signs and symptoms that are distinguishable from other forms of arthritis. The classical signs it presents make its diagnosis easier and also enables the medical personnel to prescribe the right drugs for its treatment.

The signs and symptoms of this disease therefore include the following:

1. The onset is gradual
2. Stiffness of joints
3. Transient muscular pain
4. Numbness and coldness of extremities
5. Redness, soreness and swelling of some joints
6. Malaise and fatigue
7. Weight loss
8. Subcutaneous nodules over bony prominences
9. Joints of the fingers and toes are first affected. Joints of the elbow, wrist and shoulder later become affected
10. Fingers may become spindle shape with patient unable to make a firm grip
11. Muscular atrophy as a result of lack of use of the muscles
12. Anaemia (aplastic anaemia)
13. Patient appears undernourished and chronically ill
14. There are periods of remissions and relapses

Pathophysiology of Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis passes through four stages. The first noticeable stage is the inflammation of the synovial membrane (synovitis), causing congestion and oedema.

The next stage is the formation of pannus. A layer of inflammatory tissue forms in the joint capsule. Fibroblasts, leucocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells and other materials multiply from the synovial membrane leading to a pannus tissue which invades the cartilage and slowly replace it with tough fibrous tissue.

The disease progresses to the next stage otherwise known as fibrous ankylosis. This involves the conversion of the articular cartilage of the joint into fibrous tissue thereby inhibiting motion of the joint. The final stage is the bony ankylosis. In this stage, the bones of the joint fuse together thereby making mobility impossible.

Treating Your Rheumatoid Arthritis the Natural Way

Rheumatoid arthritis is not just a minor discomfort; this is an actual autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and causes chronic and constant inflammation. This inflammation can also be found in other areas of the body including vital organs. An autoimmune disease is when the bodies own immune system attacks its own systems; in rheumatoid arthritis there are antibodies in the blood that then target their body's own tissues and joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is called a collagen disease because it occurs throughout the body's connective tissue. The symptoms vary with the stage of the disorder. At first, those affected complain of fatigue and feeling sore, achy, and stiff. People may eventually find themselves unable to move their limbs fully without trouble because of swelling, inflaming and immobilizing of the joints.

For those who have this disease, it's important to realize that it is progressive but sometimes a patient can go for extended periods of time without any symptoms or attacks. Even though your body may not be experiencing the pain of rheumatoid arthritis you of course still have the disease and need to pay attention to your diet and other lifestyle choices to keep yourself pain-free as much as possible.

It was once thought that there were certain foods that caused or prevented rheumatoid arthritis but more research in this area has proven this notion to be false. Tomatoes do not seem to cause flare-ups and fish oils do not seem to lessen the inflammation either. Once you realize the cause of this condition, that it's an actual disease that cannot be controlled and is not a condition brought on by diet, you can then treat it properly. Many have found that addressing the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis is best. Taking acetaminophen such as Tylenol helps most patients. Some tetracycline drugs also seem to have the same effect.

Addressing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is also important over and above any medication you may take. Many have found that humidifier in their living and working space is important, as this added moisture keeps the joints fluid and healthy. Proper and regular exercise is also important as this too keeps the body flexible and increases circulation around the joints. However, it's important to choose exercises that don't put any stress on the joints, such as swimming or using an elliptical machine. Running can sometimes make rheumatoid arthritis even worse as the pounding on the feet, ankles, and knees can be very painful.

It may be necessary to make some accommodations for the pain of rheumatoid arthritis and so that the condition is not aggravated. Raised toilet seats are helpful, as are risers under the bed and firmer chairs and couches. Some find that using wrist and finger splints can also cut down on inflammation as well.

Getting recommended physical therapy is also important in keeping the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis at bay. Follow your doctor's advice and keep yourself active and be sure to do the exercises recommended by your physical therapist and you should be able to manage your symptoms while waiting for a cure.

Some common vitamins and over the counter products may help with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis diseases such as:

Vitamin C is essential for defending the body against pollution and infection. It enhances the immune system. Aids in growth and repair of both bone and tissue by helping the body produce collagen. Vitamin C's collagen-producing properties make it a prime candidate for arthritis treatment.

Green Tea Extract contains natural antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols useful in fighting tumors as well as helping prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Rutin acts synergistically with Vitamin C to help maintain a healthy immune system.

Glucosamine Plus provides cartilage nutrition for healthy joints and is an anit-inflammatory.

Chondroitin Complex works together with Glucosamine to block the action of cartilage-damaging enzymes and promotes the healthy flow of water and nutrients into cartilage-producing cells.

M.S.M maintains the development of the body's protein by forming flexible disulfide bonds between certain amino acids and in maintaining the strength of connective tissue.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.

What Other Diseases Masquerade as Rheumatoid Arthritis? Part 2 - The Infectious Group

While rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, the diagnosis is not always easy to make. The reason is that there are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis. Most of them involve inflammation. When a patient goes to a rheumatologist to get a diagnosis, there is a process of elimination in order to arrive at the proper diagnosis. This process of elimination is called "differential diagnosis."

Differential diagnosis can be a difficult undertaking because so many forms of arthritis, particularly inflammatory forms of arthritis look alike. Generally it is helpful to divide the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis into two groups. The first group are the non-infectious diseases to consider and the second group are the infection-related conditions.

In part 1 of this article, I discussed the non-infectious causes of arthritis that need to be considered when assessing a patient with possible rheumatoid arthritis. In this article I will discuss those types of arthritis that are directly or indirectly due to infections.

Many infections can present with arthritis due to either direct inoculation of a joint (either from the outside or from a bloodstream infection) or due to autoimmune reactions. In many instances, infections lead to acute single joint arthritis; however, in some cases, chronic single or multiple joint arthritis can be present.

Missed infections can lead to significant complications; therefore, it is important to have a high index of suspicion for infection in any patient presenting with acute or chronic arthritis.

Here are some examples:

Gonococcal arthritis is an infection due to the organism that causes gonorrhea (N. gonorrhea). It usually affects a single joint (in 90% to 95% of cases). Symptoms include:

o Joint pain that migrates (jumps around) for 1 to 4 days;

o Pain in the hands/wrists due to inflammation of tendons;

o Sometimes a single joint can be inflamed;

o Fevers;

o Skin rash;

o Burning on urination;

o Lower abdominal pain.

The diagnosis of gonorrhea is made by taking the history and by culture or DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of areas of possible infection, including the throat, genitals, and anus. Since the organism that causes gonorrhea is difficult to grow, it can often be missed on culture. Gonococcal arthritis can usually be distinguished from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by clinical presentation, blood tests, and cultures.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection due to the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. It presents with a skin rash, swollen joints and flu-like symptoms, caused by the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms may include:

o A skin rash, often resembling a bulls-eye; the rash may be more widespread, though;

o Fever;

o Headache;

o Muscle pain;

o Stiff neck;

o Numbness and tingling

o Bell's palsy

o Swelling of knees and other large joints.

The diagnosis of Lyme disease is typically made by blood tests. Standardization of Lyme tests has improved greatly in the last few years. If chronic single joint arthritis develops, joint fluid analysis or joint tissue biopsy may be necessary for diagnosis. Lyme arthritis can usually be distinguished from RA by clinical presentation and blood testing.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an inflammatory disease that may develop after an infection with Streptococcus, the bacteria that causes strep throat and scarlet fever. The disease can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain. Symptoms include:

o Fever;

o Arthritis (mainly affecting the knees, elbows, ankles, and wrists);

o Skin rash and skin nodules;

o A peculiar movement disorder, called Sydenham's chorea;

o Epistaxis (nosebleeds);

o Heart problems;

o Abdominal pain;

ARF is diagnosed by history, physical exam, and blood testing for antibodies against streptococcus. ARF and RA can have similar clinical features including arthritis and nodules. But, ARF can usually be distinguished from RA. For instance, rash and migratory arthritis (arthritis that moves from joint to joint) are unusual in RA. Blood tests are also useful for making the distinction.

Bacterial endocarditis (BE) happesn when bacteria from the skin, mouth or intestines enter the bloodstream and infect the heart valves and heart lining. Symptoms include fever, chills, and other flu-like symptoms as well as unexplained weight loss and weakness. Diagnosis is made by blood cultures and ultrasound imaging of heart valves. Rheumatoid factor can be elevated in endocarditis, so it is not useful for distinguishing BE from RA.

Arthritis may be a symptom of many viral illnesses. The duration is usually short. Clinical features in adults include:

Joint symptoms occur in up to 60%. Joint pains are more common than true joint inflammation. The joint pains usually don't last long. They are symmetric, and affect small joints of the hands, wrists, knees, and ankle joints. Morning stiffness and swelling can be present. A rash may be present

The most common cause of viral arthritis is probably Parvovirus B19.

Diagnosis of viral arthritis is usually made by blood testing.

RF testing is not helpful in distinguishing between hepatitis C infection and RA because RF levels can be elevated in patients with hepatitis C. However, in these situations, testing for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) can be useful since these antibodies are not significantly elevated in hepatitis C infections.

The Top Rated 10 Natural Arthritis Remedies

Organic and natural arthritis treatment plans are increasingly being used to minimize, and sometimes actually wipe out, arthritis signs and symptoms. If you are tired of taking arthritis pain prescription drugs and worry about their detrimental effects on the body, start thinking about adding effective natural treatment options to your arthritis treatment program. The following are the most effective arthritis super stars of holistic painfulness and inflammation assistance.

Glucosamine is one of the nation's best selling dietary supplements and is a widely accepted natural supplement for arthritis. Glucosamine is a naturally developing amino sugar generated by the body and is a necessary building block of cartilage, joint fluid and other connective tissue. The quantity of glucosamine formulated by the body lessens with age. To avoid cartilage deterioration, it is preferred to supplement with glucosamine at the very first signs of arthritis.

Yucca is reputed to lessen harmful toxins around and within joints, thus reducing inflammation. One review revealed that yucca decreased joint problems and rigidity in fifty percent of the arthritic people. Other studies demonstrate that yucca can diminish head aches, improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

White willow holds the moniker "nature's aspirin." The pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory results of white willow remain for a longer period compared to aspirin and unlike over-the-counter aspirin, white willow does not cause stomach bleeding. One review established that, when compared to placebo, white willow effectively minimized arthritis pain.

Chondroitin, the second most commonly established arthritis supplementation, lowers inflammation and aids glucosamine in protecting cartilage material. Chondroitin, precursors of the material foundations of cartilage, prohibit enzymes which might hurt cartilage cells. Chondroitin is also thought to promote elasticity in joint cartilage.

Capsaicin is what adds spice to the cayenne pepper. The hot energy of this healthy ingredient is what knocks out pain. Capsaicin is regarded for its pain-reducing results and in the alternative medicine world, capsaicin is a top arthritis treatment.

Boswellia has been used for 100's of years by conventional Indian healers of Ayurvedic for arthritis and rheumatism. This unique herb's anti-inflammatory attributes help lower aching, rigidity and inflammation. Boswellia, additionally known as "Indian frankincense," is thought to be as potent as OTC NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin but does not trigger stomach discomfort.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids have been clinically proven in a number of scientific tests to act as anti-inflammatory materials. Research shows that Omega-3 essential fatty acids lessen inflammatory symptoms of arthritis and also hinders enzymes that break down joint cartilage. These extremely advantageous nutritional elements might additionally help reduce the associated risk of long-term diseases such as heart disease and cancer, and can boost mood and help with depression.

Feverfew escaped awareness for several years but because of new scientific curiosity is now getting a solid name as an anti-inflammatory. Feverfew got its name from its old fashioned use as a fever reducer. Modern herbalists work with this herb to treat intense head aches and migraine headaches, as well as joint pain and discomfort. Feverfew helps regulate the body's inflammatory response and is found to imitate the anti-inflammatory effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid cortisone.

Shark cartilage is increasingly becoming a commonly recognized means for managing osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A number of scientific tests demonstrate the helpfulness of shark cartilage for arthritis. One shark cartilage review revealed noticeable improvements in comfort in 75 % of arthritis patients researched over a 3 to 8 week time frame. A small-scale review involving bedridden individuals demonstrated that after merely 3 weeks of using shark cartilage, 8 of the ten people were able to get out of their beds and move about. Then in a much bigger review of 147 arthritis sufferers, the people using shark cartilage enjoyed an 85 % drop in discomfort scores, compared to the five % drop in discomfort scores described by the placebo group.

Devil's Claw is an herb put to use worldwide for its analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. Devil's claw has been used in Europe and Africa for more than 3 centuries and is said to lower joint painfulness while improving the physical condition of joints. A German review noted that devil's claw demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects when comparable to the anti-arthritic drug phenylbutazone. Researchers additionally observed analgesic outcomes coupled with reductions in uric acid blood levels.

These herbs and nutrients have all been proven to aid in reducing the pains of arthritis. Will these products work for you? There is simply one way to find out. All of these arthritis possibilities are commonly regarded as low risk. All the same, you will want to double check with your healthcare professional or pharmacist for possible interactions if you are taking any other drugs.

Symptoms of Rheumation Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long term condition affecting every person in a different way. For some, it can occur for a long time, while for others, remissions can be shorter. When the rheumatic condition is not active, symptoms can be absent. People diagnosed with this disease can have the condition inactive for even as long as a month.

Although it may involve various parts of the body, the major structures that are affected are the joints. When it becomes active, this is the time when joints become inflamed. In the normal process, inflammation is due to the body's reaction to infection or other harmful attacks of dangerous foreign organisms. But for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation occurs within normal bodily processes with reasons not known.

The joints that rheumatoid arthritis most usually affects are the hands, particularly the knuckles. This is due to the reason that these bony prominences are the most to experience pressure. But then, rheumatoid symptoms can also develop in any joint, like the wrists, neck, knees, shoulders, elbows, and even in jaws. In almost all cases, the joints are symmetrically affected.

The hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of joints along with these rheumatoid symptoms.

One of the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms experienced by individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis is stiffness. The joints become harder, thus mobility and dexterity are affected. The trademark symptom is "morning stiffness". These people wait for an hour or more for their joints to loosen up and movement is tolerable.

Next is swelling. The accumulation of fluid in the affected joints results to edematous joint areas. The build-up of fluid also causes greater stiffness.

Pain is also among the rheumatoid symptoms. The joints are tender, sensitive and painful. Chronic inflammation results in damage of the joints.

Warm and red joint areas also observed. The erythema or redness of the area also tends to be visible in nearby muscles and skin.

Fatigue or feelings of excessive tiredness are also felt, as rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic condition that can affect the body in general.

Malaise, also called general body weakness is evident in arthritis patients. These persons feel ill.

Anorexia, or the medical term for appetite loss is also evident. This leads to weight loss.

Muscular pain is also noted, as muscles cover the joints. The inflammation of the joints leads to muscular atrophy or death of tissue because muscles become immobile due to pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are often compared to the flu but they can be less severe, and may last for shorter periods. It can affect the body in general, thus aside from the main structures involved which are the joints, other body parts can be greatly affected. In moderate to severe cases, multiples body organs can be severely damaged.

Thus, when a person is experiencing rheumatoid symptoms, early diagnosis from a doctor, early intervention, and aggressive treatments if possible are highly recommended. This way, symptoms are managed during the initial phase, and progression of rheumatoid arthritis is deferred, and less damage will occur.

When you have symptoms, early and aggressive treatment can help prevent further symptoms as well as stop progression of rheumatoid arthritis.