A Gouty Arthritis Diet to Help You Beat Gout Naturally

Many people don't know that gout is actually one of the many forms of arthritis; hence gouty arthritis. In fact it's probably the most painful form of arthritis. But it can be managed, so that you need not suffer frequent attacks. Here you'll discover how diet can help you to beat your gout...

1 - Symptoms

Gouty arthritis symptoms are typically; redness, swelling, stiffness, heat, inflammation and great pain. Gout appears mostly in the big toe, but it also appears in the foot, ankle, knee, hand, wrist, etc.

2 - Causes

Let's just remind ourselves what causes gouty arthritis: The actual symptoms are caused by microscopic crystals -- they can be seen in an x-ray -- that form in your joints. These usually occur when you have high uric acid in your blood. And uric acid is a byproduct of the breakdown of 'purines' in your body. These are chemical compounds that are part of your normal metabolizing process.

But purines also exist in our foods, and at varying levels. If your diet is high in purines, your body will manufacture more uric acid. So if your body produces more uric acid than your kidneys can cope with you end up with high uric acid in your body, leading to gouty arthritis.

3 - Gouty Arthritis Diet

It makes sense if you're a gout victim to look closely at your diet, and adjust it where necessary. High purine foods to avoid in your diet are within the following food groups; red meat, game, organ meat, poultry, seafood, dried legumes, yeast and alcohol, especially beer.

Food types that make up a good gouty arthritis diet are things like; essential fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, low-fat dairy products, high vitamin C foods, green leafy vegetables (but not cauliflower, asparagus, mushrooms, or spinach), fruit and plenty of water.

But be careful changing to a gouty arthritis diet too quickly during an actual attack because such a sudden change will make your symptoms even worse for a while. Make the change gradually over time.

4 - Other Issues to Address

There are many other underlying issues to address. For example there are lifestyle issues, weight issues, stress, some drugs, family history of arthritis / gout, medical conditions, etc., that can all conspire to trigger the conditions that give rise to gouty arthritis.

And recurring gout can eventually cause kidney problems, hypertension and permanent joint damage. Plus, once you've suffered an attack, your chances of having more are much, much higher. So, as well as doing all you can to eliminate the symptoms, you need to do even more to prevent further attacks ruining your health.

Arthritis Treatment: The Risk Of Heart Disease With Rheumatoid Arthritis And What You Can Do

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis and affects roughly 2 million Americans. It is a chronic systemic, autoimmune-driven condition for which there is no known cure to date.

Nonetheless, if diagnosed early and treated aggressively, it can be put into remission.

One of the biggest risks attached to RA is cardiovascular events, namely heart attacks and stroke. In fact, studies have shown that fifty per cent of premature deaths in patients with RA come from cardiovascular events.

The primary culprit is chronic inflammation. The abnormal immune cells responsible for inflammation in RA produce cytokines, protein messengers that promote and aggravate inflammation. Cytokines recruit other inflammatory cells and therefore lead to magnification of the inflammatory response.

Inflammation affects blood vessel walls making plaque that has already deposited more likely to block the blood vessel. If this occurs in an artery in the heart or brain, the consequences can be devastating.

Other co-morbid conditions (other medical conditions a patient may have) can worsen this scenario.

Examples are diseases such as hypertension, elevated cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes that add to the damage already caused by the chronic inflammation of RA.

In particular, smoking is a huge risk additive risk factor. It raises blood pressure, lowers HDL ("good") cholesterol, increases insulin resistance, and by its effect on the lungs, makes it more difficult for patients to exercise.

Two studies illustrate this risk. One study from Johns Hopkins looked at 158 patients with RA and found that 70% of them already had plaque in their carotid arteries (the major arteries that lead to the brain.)

Another study from the Mayo Clinic demonstrated that RA patients are twice as likely to have congestive heart failure compared to people without RA.

Medications taken for arthritis may also play a role in cardiovascular risk.

For example, prednisone, even though it reduces inflammation also can elevate blood pressure and cause weight gain. There is evidence that higher doses of prednisone can increase cardiovascular risk.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) increase the likelihood of both heart attack and stroke.

Actemra, a biologic drug, increases cholesterol levels. Theoretically, then, this increases cardiovascular risk.

However, all is not lost. There is data suggesting that methotrexate, the workhorse disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug and biologic therapies such as tumor necrosis inhibitors can actually lower the cardiovascular risk in RA patients.

Things to do: understand the increased risk, don't smoke, exercise regularly, maintain ideal weight (there is evidence that adipose tissue [fat] produces inflammatory cytokines that can aggravate arthritis) and have co-morbid conditions addressed.

10 Ways to Manage Arthritis Foot Pain

Diabetics are not the only ones to suffer foot pain, people with arthritis are also prone to foot pain. Due to the fact that the foot has 33 joints, it is especially prone to arthritis. Arthritis is characterized by the inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints, and often includes an increase of joint fluid. Walking and moving is often extremely difficult for those with arthritis foot pain.

What causes arthritis foot pain? There are different causes, but those that put a person at greater risk include:

- Injury and strain not properly taken care of

- Bacteria and viral infections

- Certain disorders such as ileitis and colitis

- Certain prescription drugs and illegal drug use

- Genetics

In addition to the above causes, there are two forms of arthritis that can lead to foot pain:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis - This is a systemic disease that causes non-specific inflammation of joints belonging to the hands and feet. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis may result in the destruction of the joints and cause serious, chronic foot problems including hammertoes, bunions, etc.

2. Osteoarthritis - This is a degenerative form of arthritis, and it often affects more than one joint. Osteoarthritis is more common among the elderly, obese or those who've suffered a physical trauma. Osteoarthritis can cause changes in the foot bones such as cartilage destruction, spurs, narrowing of joint space and cystic changes.

How can arthritis foot pain be treated? Arthritis foot pain shouldn't be ignored, and should be treated as soon as possible. The following are 10 treatments you can try to help relieve inflammation and pain, as well as improve the flexibility of joints -

1. Exercises - Stretching, range of motion, and functional exercises are all ideal for preventing arthritis foot pain. These exercise help to improve blood flow to the feet, improve flexibility, and keep bones and muscles strong. It's best to ask your podiatrist to recommend exercises.

2. Lose weight - Weight puts plenty of stress and strain on your joints. If you are overweight, shedding excess pounds can make a significant difference to your feet.

3. Supportive footwear - It is imperative that you invest in shoes that provide your foot with support, and feature a high, wide toe box. Shoes with rocker-bottom soles are a good choice for those suffering from heel pain. You should avoid wearing high heel shoes and shoes with pointed toes. In fact, it's a good idea to have your shoes custom made or ask a podiatrist for recommendations.

You should also consider acquiring removable insoles or orthotics for your shoes to provide your foot with more support.

4. Knee, ankle and foot supports - Tensor bandages and braces that provide mild compression and support can help reduce stress placed on the joint.

5. Heat/cold therapy - Applying heating pads or ice packs to the inflamed joint can help relieve inflammation and sooth the aching joint.

6. Physical therapy - Talk to your doctor about physical therapy treatment.

7. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements - These supplements help to slow the deterioration of cartilage between joint bones and reduce pain. Talk to your doctor about these supplements before taking them.

8. Over-the-counter pain medication - If you are suffering from pain due to joint inflammation, common over-the-counter medications that may be effective at reducing inflammation and pain include aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

9. Anti-inflammatory creams and topical ointments - There are topical medications that help relieve acute pain (I.E. "JointFlex"), and those that relieve pain and reduce inflammation (I.E. "Aspercreme").

10. Surgery - Those who suffer from severe, disabling foot pain may require surgery to realign or replace joints.

Finally, remember that it is not normal for joints to hurt anywhere in your body. If you are experiencing frequent or recurring foot pain, it's time to visit your doctor.

Spinal Arthritis is One of the Most Painful and Difficult to Treat Forms of Arthritis

The modifications of different illnesses create one of the toughest challenges for consultants, analysts, and patients. As an example, we frequently hear through the mass media that scientists are looking for the cures for assorted sicknesses. Each of these forms of the illness cause different symptoms and treatments, and would therefore need different cures. Similarly, numerous kinds of arthritis exist, for example psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Another variety of this devastating illness is spinal arthritis.

Spinal arthritis, or spinal stenosis, involves the tapering of the spine, manifesting itself through stress on the spinal nerve as well as on the roots of nerves. This illness sometimes involves 3 regions of the backbone : the canals at the nerves' base that expand from the spinal nerve ; the openings between the backbone's bones, through which nerves exit the backbone and then continue to other body parts ; and the tube in the middle pillar of bones, through that the roots' base and the backbone continue. This tapering can include either a big or minuscule area of the backbone. The subject of spinal arthritis may feel aches or a scarcity of sensation in the shoulders, neck, or legs.

Spinal arthritis sufferers are most frequently ladies and men who are over 50 years of age. Nonetheless , younger folk who experience an injury to their backbone may also experience spinal arthritis. In addition, those that are born with tapering of the spinal channel could also become inflicted with this illness.

Spinal arthritis sufferers of every age may experience no symptoms, because of the tapering of the area in the spinal channel. However , if this narrowing puts stress on the nerve roots or spinal nerve, sufferers might endure cramps, absence of sensation, aches in the legs and arms, and weakness. Also, if the chiselled area in the backbone presses down on the nerve base, sufferers of spinal arthritis may experience discomfort sealing down their leg. They should right away engage in bending exercises, reinforcing exercises, stretching the lumbar region, and sitting.

When a victim of spinal arthritis isn't experiencing tremendous or worsening nerve organisation, then the doctor might prescribe either anti-swelling drugs that have no steroids, such as aspirin, and ibuprofen, to lower swelling and reduce aches, or drugs like Tylenol, to reduce discomfort.

If stronger treatment is required corticosteroid injections can be given into the remotest of the membranes covering the nerve roots and the spinal nerve, this will lower swelling and treat pointy agony that spreads down a leg, or down to the hips. Anaesthetic shots, and nerve blocks, can be given nearby the nerve that is influenced, to momentarily reduce agony.

Doctors frequently counsel physical treatment or exercises to increase stamina, continue the backbone's motion, and fortify back and belly muscles. This could help to make the backbone steadier. Aerobic activity is also a choice if the patient isn't in too much discomfort.

When treatment not concerning surgery is ineffectual, surgery becomes a choice. The target is to reduce the nerves' pressure or spinal nerve, and to re-establish and sustain the backbone's arrangement and strength.

Today, spinal arthritis remains one of the most devastating sorts of sicknesses that folk can have. Luckily, doctors and analysts continue to enhance its treatment, to relieve its victims' discomfort.

Managing Arthritis Pain - Calcium and Vitamins

Arthritis is a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These two forms have very different causes, risk factors, and effects on the body. The most common symptom in both is persistent joint pain. The joint pain of arthritis can appear as hip pain, knee pain, hand pain, or wrist pain, as well as joint pain in other areas of the body.

For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body ages. Joints naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a combination of vitamins, medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life. Your treatments will probably change over time and medication may be adjusted. Having a positive mental outlook and the support of family and friends will help you live with arthritis and be able to continue to perform your daily activities.

Before going any further, it is important that you remember to discuss any and all vitamins and supplements with your doctor before adding anything to your diet. Though it is not common, some vitamins and supplements can have adverse reactions with medications you may already be taking. Do not stop taking any prescribed medications without first talking to your doctor.

As an alternative to getting your RDA through diet, many people now take vitamin supplements. The following list of vitamins are known to be especially beneficial to arthritis sufferers:

Vitamin B5 - When grouped together B vitamins work at their peak, B5 specifically being good for reducing swelling.

Vitamin B3 - This vitamin reduces tissue swelling and dilates small arteries, improved grip strength and joint mobility and increasing blood flow. Note that Vitamin B3 is NOT advised for persons with high blood pressure, gout or sliver disorders.

Vitamin B6 - Another B that reduces tissue swelling. B-6 shrinks the synovial membranes that line the weight-bearing surfaces of the joints. It thus helps to control pain and to restore mobility in the elbows, shoulders, knees and other joints.

Vitamin B12 - This vitamin aids in multiple functions. It helps with cell formation, digestion, myelin production, nerve protection.

Vitamin C - This vitamin acts as an anti-inflammatory, relieving pain, and rids the body of free radicals. In addition to reducing inflammation, vitamin C also helps form collagen, the protein "glue" that holds cells together. Collagen is especially important in connective tissue to insure healthy ligaments, cartilage, tendons and the joints themselves.

Vitamin E - This is a strong antioxidant that protects joints from free radicals while increases joint flexibility.

Vitamin K - This vitamin assists with mineral deposit into the bone matrix.

Selenium and Zinc- The antioxidant nutrients such as selenium and zinc might also be effective because of their ability to stop free radical damage to joint linings that in turn causes the accumulation of fluids, swelling and associated pain.

Chondroitin - the key structural component in cartilage and plays an important role in the maintenance of joint cartilage.

These guidelines will help you evaluate supplements to relieve arthritis symptoms. If used under the guidance of your physician, you may find a dietary supplement to compliment your current arthritis therapy regimen. You just need the right information to help you separate potentially useful supplements from the rest.

Copyright 2006 PillFreeVitamins.com

What's the Most Effective Treatment For Dogs With Arthritis?

As our dogs get older, it is very possible that at some point, a certain level of arthritis will set in and begin to slow down our pet. Arthritis causes joint inflammation and oftentimes it is accompanied by pain. We must admit that it's not easy seeing our dogs in pain and we do everything in our might to try to save them. An oral supplement like Glucosamine is proven to be an effective treatment for dogs with arthritis. It's all-natural which means that you don't have to worry about harmful side effects and adverse reactions.

Glucosamine is the major sugar found in glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronate, these are the important building blocks in the production and maintenance of cartilage in the joint. Look for something with the combined power of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These two ingredients give the cartilage-forming cells the building blocks that they need to produce new cartilage. They also help in repairing existing damaged cartilage. Glucosamine supplements do not provide instant relief though but they sure provide long-term benefits. They do not work as painkillers. They actually work by healing the damage making your dog feel better over time. How long does it take for you to see some improvements? It can take anywhere between 4 and six weeks. Glucosamine products are generally safe and do not have known side effects no wonder pet owners consider it as the number one treatment for dogs with arthritis.

A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is proven to be an effective treatment for dogs with arthritis. Stop feeding your dog with food that has added colorings, preservatives and artificial flavorings. Stay away from grains because they tend to worsen arthritis. If your dog is experiencing severe arthritic pain, switch to home-prepared meals with cooked or raw meats and vegetables. Exercise helps provide good range of motion and muscle building, it also limits wear and tear on the joints. If you can't take your dog swimming regularly then walking will do.

Naftalan - Therapeutic Oil For Skin Diseases

Naftalan is therapeutic oil, very rare in nature. It has been used since the ancient times for preservation of health and preventing diseases, as well as treating existing illnesses and injuries.

What makes naftalan different from other kinds of oils? It is due to its physical and chemical structure. It's main ingredients are sulfur and nitrogen but it also has a variety of micro-elements and some light fractions, like petrol and kerosene.

Indications for using naftalan are various:

• Impairments to the central and peripheral nervous systems -- paresis, polyneuropathy, radiculopathia


• Skin diseases such as psoriasis, scleroderma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, conditions after burn injuries


• Vascular diseases -- Buerger's disease, Mb.Raynaud


• Bone and muscle system diseases -- inflammatory rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), degenerative joint and spine diseases, extraarticular rheumatism


• Post traumatic and post operative rehabilitation of locomotive system

Naftalan is generally used in naftalan baths, washing the entire body in naftalan. Locally it can be used in different ways such as masticotherapy, iontophoresis with naftalan, sonoforesis with naftalan or by washing the parts of a body with naftalan.

There are only two places in the world where this therapeutic oil naftalan is produced. One is in Azerbaijan and the other one (the only one in Europe) is in Ivanic Grad, in Croatia. Naphthenic oil near Ivanic Grad was discovered in the 1970s. Since then there were made a series of cross studies of naftalan oil from Ivanic Grad and oil from Azerbaijan. All the tests confirmed that both types have almost the same chemical and biological characteristics.

Ivanic Grad is a small town situated 27 km from Zagreb, the Capital of Croatia. In prehistoric time the region of todays Ivanic Grad was the bed of the Pannonian Sea. That gave this unique value of natural riches of Ivanic Grad and its environs -- rare and powerful natural therapeutic agents -- therapeutic naftalan oil and thermomineral water. According to balneologic classification thermomineral water from the site in Ivanic Grad is hyperthermic brine of fluorine, brome, iodine, and sodium chloride. It is acquired from the depth of 1300 metres. Water temperature at the water source is 60 degrees. Organoleptically, the water is clear, salty and with characteristic oily odour and is classified as oily water. As a residue from the Pannonian Sea, this saline water is a strong therapeutic cause with favourable effects on human welfare. Some of those thermal effects are muscle relaxing, analgesy, anti-inflammatory effect, increase of connective tissue expansion, decrease of viscosity of synovial fluids, etc. Some of the effects of saline sodium-chloride water are stimulating microcirculation, muscle relaxing, effecting thermal regulation, cheratolithic effect, effecting sensitivity to UV rays, etc.

Knowing that naftalan and thermomineral water have been used for thousands of years as a part of folk medicine, in 1989. in Ivanic Grad (Croatia) was established Naftalan -- a Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation. It has recently been accepted as a fully fledged member of the European Spas Association (ESPA), which has members representing 21 European countries. For the time being Naftalan is the only Croatian member within the organization.

Naftalan oil and thermomineral water are a precious resource that Ivanic Grad can offer to the world. With it織s kind and well-educated staff, and comfortable facilities of the Hospital and the surroundings Special Hospital For Medical Rehabilitation Naftalan will make your stay both beneficial and pleasant. And don織t forget -- there are only two places in the world where you can find naftalan oil. And the only one in Europe is in Naftalan -- Special Hospital For Medical Rehabilitation in Ivanic Grad, Croatia.