Saturday, August 24, 2013

Osteoarthritis Pain


Life can be really miserable because of osteoarthritis pain. Matters can really get worse if you are always on the go, working, despite the osteoarthritis, just to provide a decent living for your family. With osteoarthritis pain, sometimes, it is almost impossible to move and this could cost more than your job, or the thing that you usually do. However, for every problem, there is always a solution, and the treatments do not have to come in the form of a medication.

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States Of America. You probably know someone who has arthritis, or maybe you are one of 46 million people who are living with this life-altering condition. There is no cure or definitive cause, but we do know that there are some simple ways to prevent and reduce the pain of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

Too often people mistakenly believe that the aches and pains associated with osteoarthritis are an inevitable part of aging, and that they just have to live with it. Moving is the best medicine. Keeping active, and losing weight, are two of the best methods, with which, anyone can combat osteoarthritis pain. If pain still persists, then there are healthy remedies to resolve problems for osteoarthritis joint pain, or any other type of pain, and one of the best alternative remedies is an accredited homeopathic herbal pain formulation.

The skeptics, do ask the question, does homeopathy work to get rid of osteoarthritis pains? The fact of the matter is, homeopathy can not only get rid of osteoarthritis pains but it will act very effectively for all types of body pains as well. If you accidentally stub your toe on something, or if you bang your head accidentally against the wall, or if you have been injured in a basketball game, you can use an homeopathic pain reliever to get rid of those excruciating pains.

Of course, we know that the best way to get rid of osteoarthritis pains, especially if it is already in its chronic stage, is to consult a doctor. But there are some, who are so busy with their jobs, they may not have the time to keep going to a doctor. What they can do is, buy any FDA registered homeopathic herbal pain formulation, and get rid of the pains immediately, without any worries of side effects, as most homeopathic pain formulations, are all natural supplements and nothing more.

Are brand name homeopathic pain relievers a scam?

To this question, the answer is an emphatic "NO". Most all FDA registered homeopathic pain formulations are not scams. They cannot be scams, because the companies behind them, are invariably proud members of the National Products Association, and also have an enforceable money-back guarantee, that accompanies their products.

TNF Blockers - Cost of TNF Blockers Bankrupting Patients? What to Do If You Can't Afford Medication


TNF Alpha inhibitors are the next generation prescription drugs for treating individuals with chronic inflammatory disease. Over the last decade physicians have become increasingly more confident in prescribing drugs like Enbrel, Remicade, Humira, and other TNF Alpha blocking medications that have come on the market recently.

TNF Alpha or (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and a primary mediator of the inflammatory response. Doctors have learned that, in the case of numerous auto-immune diseases, blocking or inhibiting TNF will lessen the symptoms of many of these conditions. TNF medications have been extremely helpful in reducing symptoms and even sending the disease into remission in cases such as rheumatoid arthritis, crohn's disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Unfortunately, these drugs are extremely expensive and patients must regularly weigh the cost versus the benefit of remaining on these prescription meds. On one hand they are extremely effective at treating the underlying cause of chronic inflammation, but on the other hand, individuals are faced with a hefty burden on their bank account to remain on the medications.

It is estimated that the cost of a one year supply of Enbrel can reach into the $25,000 range per patient. Depending on a patients prescription plan (if they have one) the costs can vary from patient to patient. However, ultimately the patient will need to decide if the benefit of the treatment is worth the cost. So what should patients know that may help them if they can't afford to pay for their anti-TNF drugs?

Oftentimes the drug manufacturers may have a prescription help plan where the patient may be able to receive discounts. You should always see if there is a payment help plan. However, if a patient does not qualify or still can't afford their medication even with help they may want to talk with their physician about supplementing their diet with medicinal foods that have been shown to inhibit Tumor Necrosis Factor naturally.

There are several plants and extracts that have demonstrated an ability to inhibit TNF Alpha. Supplementing your diet with these nutrients may have a beneficial effect as a compliment or alternative option to your current treatment. Physicians are increasingly recommending nutritional supplementation to improve their patients' wellbeing as well as their pocket books. An additional benefit of trying to control TNF Alpha levels through nutritional supplementation is the reduction of the risk of dangerous side effects that are associated with prescription grade biologic TNF Alpha inhibitors.

How Arthritis Neck Pain Destroys Your Life - And What You Can Do to Stop the Pain


The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that increases in severity as we grow older. The neck is not immune to osteoarthritis. Arthritis neck pain from osteoarthritis can be exquisite pain.

The seven bones of the neck are the cervical vertebrae. There are discs of cartilage between each of these vertebrae. There are a large number of muscles and ligaments attached to the spine which fan out to the back and shoulder blades. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord and supports the movement of the head.

As time passes a lot of wear and tear occurs on these discs and vertebrae. Consequently the discs become thinner which narrows the spaces between the vertebrae. There are also spurs called osteophytes that form at the edge of each vertebrae and joint. This is cervical spondylosis or more commonly osteoarthritis. Arthritis neck pain results from that narrowing of the vertebrae and pressure on the nerves and discs.

The arthritis neck pain that results will originate either from the stretched neck ligaments or the linings of the joints that have become worn. Bulging discs can also pinch the delicate nerve roots which will cause numbness in the arm and arthritis neck pain.

In the event of the vertebral artery being pinched, the blood supply to the brain may be compromised. This artery goes to the area of the brain that controls our balance and consequently dizziness is apt to occur.

Whiplash, which is an injury that usually results from a car accident, can cause severe pain. The head is thrown forward and then backward as the body moves in the opposite direction. While the symptoms and pain of a whiplash usually subside after a few weeks or months, there can also be a chronic condition that remains throughout the patients life. Arthritis neck pain can be one of those conditions. This would be due to the injury causing some degeneration of the vertebrae over time.

Many whiplash patients may be fine for years with the same symptoms returning after 25 or 30 years. X-rays done at that time will show some narrowing of the vertebral spaces and the resulting arthritis neck pain is the result of that narrowing.

While the pain may initially cause you to refrain from normal activities, the ceasing of those activities can weaken the neck muscles and create further stress due to increased immobility. Arthritis neck pain can be unrelenting. If it continues for a prolonged period, or if numbness and/or tingling occur you should contact your doctor.

Simple analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs may help but you must be wary of indigestion. Analgesic creams can also be applied to relieve arthritis neck pain. Applying to the painful areas of the neck will often bring temporary relief. A gentle massage during the application can be very helpful as well.

If arthritis neck pain persists your doctor may recommend a physical therapist or a chiropractor, both of whom are trained to treat this type of condition. The most important consideration is not waiting too long to seek help. Pressure on the nerves can eventually cause some permanent damage. Immobility can result in weak neck muscles. Maintain your normal activities and seek help.

Natural Treatment For Arthritis With The Debilitating Symptoms


Human bodily joints naturally degenerate over time. Arthritis is a term that includes a group of disorders that affect the joints and muscles. This disorder affects multiple organs such as eyes, heart, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of this arthritis include: low back and hip pain and stiffness; difficulty expanding the chest; pain in neck, shoulders, knees, and ankles; low-grade fever; fatigue; weight loss. At this point of time, individuals seek for the natural arthritis treatments to combat the degenerative inflammation.

When a joint is inflamed it may be swollen, tender, warm to the touch or red. Surrounding each joint is a protective capsule holding a lubricating fluid to aid in motion and treatment of arthritis symptoms and anxiety. Cartilage, a slippery smooth substance, covers most joints to assure an even, fluid motion of the joint. As per the physician with joint arthritis, the cartilage may be damaged, narrowed and lost by a degenerative process or by inflammation making movement painful. With the severity of the pain and associated irritation people do break up mentally as well.

By far there are three type of arthritis in the world. They are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Up to 70-80% people who have age over 50 yrs affected by the disease Osteoarthritis. Often men are put down to the tough situation as the result of the aging process the can lead to the destruction of the cartilage, deformed and fragile bones growth and terrible pain cut off the normal lifestyle. Knees, hips and fingers are most commonly affected, but any joints, including those in the spine can be involved. The affected people may experience some crunching or cracking sensations when the joints are moved and they can sometimes become hot and swollen. They want the lower back pain relief for the better procurement of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is more deadly than the Osteoarthritis. More likely it can affect the several joints of the human limbs and for some individuals it can destroy blood, lungs and even heart. The medical term "synovium" is often used incase of a RA affected people. The term means the pain or the ache in the bone joint lining.

Fortunately there are valuable and effective procurements available to counter the dreadful disease like this. The natural ingredients will ensure the no-side effects for the individuals. Most of the cases of arthritis the Maxi vision vitamins and the dietary changes come good for arthritis healing process.

Psoriasis - Food For Thought


Food is our body's fuel and when it comes to your diet and Psoriasis there is some element of research that tends to show that not only "you are what you eat," but also that the Psoriasis is what you eat. What I mean by that is that your food intake can have a direct correlation to your flare ups or indeed lack thereof.

Education is really the key here and most probably you will need to educate yourself. Whilst this article will give you some information and generalisms, Psoriasis has so many variables and variants and the world of food is so big that it would simply be impossible naive and indeed ignorant for me to give you an entire diet plan and make some wild claim about curing your skin problem.

That being said there are a few things we can advise that may well be worth trying.

Standard healthy eating is always going to be a good place to start. By eating as many vegetables as possible whilst cutting down on fatty junk style food you are treating your body properly and giving it every chance and assistance to be strong in its fight both against the Psoriasis and other infections. Remember the skin is the largest organ of the body with the most exposure to outside factors and therefore is also the most likely to catch infections or react to different factors. People who have Psoriasis already have skin that is damaged or even more open to the elements.

Cod liver and or other fish oil tablets have been claimed to have a beneficial effect for sufferers. The reason why it is believed that Cod Liver oil is beneficial is due to the high Omega 3 Fat Content which is known to help reduce abnormal inflammation in our bodies. Inflammation is one of the main ways that Psoriasis works so anything that can assist in fighting this has to be a good thing. A further benefit of Cod Liver Oil is that it is also recognised as being good for joint pain and therefore potential psoriatic arthritis sufferers.

Psoriasis sufferers have an overactive immune system which tends to make the T- Cells which are the bodies defence mechanism become overactive when attacking invaders in our bodies. This then causes them to trigger abnormal inflammation and auto immune aggression. Basically they then begin to attack the healthy skin or joints causing Psoriatic Flakes or exacerbating arthritis. As Cod liver Oil can help reduce this inflammation it is a key soldier in the fight against Psoriasis. One capsule of Cod liver oil daily would be right at the top of my diet sheet.

Food Diary.

Keep a food diary for your own benefit and knowledge. This will help you to learn more about and understand your body and which foods effect it either positively or negatively. Once you are educated about your own requirements you can then avoid the foods that are your own personal triggers.

How to Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis


There are over two million people in the US with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Those who suffer with it experience pain and inflammation in their joints, accompanied by swelling, stiffness, fever and fatigue. If left untreated, it can progress to total dysfunction of the joints. Relief does appear to be close at hand, with a new generation of treatments being trialed today.

The disease affects most people from middle age, but some children and young adults can face earlier onset (Juvenile Arthritis). Unlike Ankylosing Spondylitis, it affects double or more women than men. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects both sides of the body, which is called having symmetrical symptoms. This means if a person has it in one knee, they will have it in the other as well. It commonly affects the wrists and finger joints, but can be in any part of the body.

Some symptoms that aren't in the joints are anemia, a decrease in the production of red blood cells, muscular neck pain and dry eyes and mouth and, in some rare cases, inflamed blood vessels and lining of the lungs or heart. Some people will have shorter flair ups of RA that last a month or two, while others can have longer periods with severe symptoms for years on end.

The longer Rheumatoid Arthritis is actively causing symptoms, it is also causing more irreparable damage and disability to its victims. Osteoporosis is more prominent in long-term sufferers, which often means their bones will fracture very easily. Muscles that are used to support the joints are either weakened or suffer from over-use, causing referred pain and disability. As Rheumatoid Arthritis starts causing its damage very early on, rapid diagnosis is becoming prominently important.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease that affects the immune system, causing the body to turn against itself and attack healthy joint tissue. No specific cause has been identified, but it is believed that genetics, environment, hormones and stress levels can all have an impact. It is diagnosed with a combination of a physical examination of the joints, reflexes, muscle stability and appearance of the skin, a blood test for white blood cell count and an x-ray that will show up any long-term joint damage.

Some patients may require surgery. This would not be a first option for most people and is usually joint replacement or tendon reconstruction surgery. Otherwise, treatment focuses on the right medication, regular rest, regular, appropriate exercise, healthy eating, increased awareness and psychological support. The aim is to take away the pain, eliminate swelling, discontinue or disable tissue destruction, maintain flexibility and minimize fatigue and stress factors.

In the past, the only treatments available for Rheumatoid Arthritis were aspirin, paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs that often contain steroids. Specialists would wait until the disease progressed to more advanced stages before prescribing anything more powerful. As it is now known that the damage is started much earlier on in its course, stronger treatments and combinations are recommended to try to halt the progression and, hopefully, avoid disability later in life.

One powerful form of treatment is the Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce pain and decrease inflammation. They can cause side effects such as an upset stomach, peptic ulcers, excessive bleeding and renal failure and a patient cannot drink any alcohol due to the extra strain they can place on the liver. Some examples are Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen and Naproxen. These are also used to treat Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Arthritis and Psoriasis.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are also a common treatment and are known to reduce pain in swollen joints and retard joint damage. They can take between a few weeks or a few months to work and there are also side effects to consider.

Taking DMARDs can heighten the infection risk, cause loss of hair and possibly cause damage to the liver or kidneys. Methotrexate is a well-known DMARD and is administered orally or injected. It has been found especially effective when combined with the new generation treatment, ENBREL.

There have been countless medicines produced over the years in hope of helping those with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Arthritis and Psoriasis, but it is these new drugs that appear to possibly be on the track to providing relief.

Biologic response modifiers are the current Rheumatic Arthritis drugs that have been showing great promise for patients. Clinical trials that have been underway have produced data which suggests they reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease and the damage it causes.

ENBREL (aka etanercept) works by stopping the over production of the body's cytokines, which is the protein the immune system has been using to kill the healthy joint tissue. It is usually administered with a fortnightly injection.

The drug is a Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor. RA sufferers are known to have too much TNFa being produced (as do those with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Arthritis and Psoriasis) and when ENBREL and TNFa blocker protein reduces the cytokine levels, patients feel remarkable improvements.

The main side effect of taking ENBREL is a weakening of the immune system, so infections could potentially be fatal. It is for this reason doctors have to apply very strict screening for trail admissions, as anyone with an already compromised immunity can not possibly take it.

ENBREL's more minor side effects could be a sore, burning in the throat and/or a rash where the needle entered and/or a blocked, runny nose. Otherwise it is proving itself to possibly be the new revolutionary treatment to stop the progression of the disease.

Over the past twenty years or so, a large amount of research has been done on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Through experts increased awareness of how the immune system works and the role of genetics and human biology, RA treatments are being viewed with new and excited eyes.

Scientists are finding that combinations of treatments are better than one alone, such as ENBREL and methotrexate, which can noticeably slow damage to joints. The aim for all involved in the search for the answer is to continue helping victims by relieving their pain, reducing inflammation and swelling, slow or stop damage to joints and restore their ability to function every day.

This can be achieved with ongoing monitoring of medication, lifestyle and side effect management. If the need for surgery can be avoided or delayed, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Disclaimer: The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Natural Treatments, Diet and Exercise


Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It is a chronic disorder and there is no cure. Once you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the goal is to treat the symptoms of the disease in order to lead as normal a life as possible. There are treatments that can help to lessen the frequency of the symptoms and treatments that can be used to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Once you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you should consult your physician and devise a plan of treatment that is right for you personally.

Diet and Exercise for Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet and exercise are essential for your overall health. A healthy diet can help you to avoid outbreaks of rheumatoid arthritis. Avoid foods such as dairy products, milk, beef, and wheat. These foods can sometimes trigger the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, the best diet is one that is low in protein and high in carbohydrates. You should begin a regular exercise routine. It is always best to consult your physician or a professional trainer when beginning an exercise regimen. The key is to build up the muscles around your joints, which enables your muscles to help carry the load when your joints are inflamed. If the muscles around the joints are weak, this causes more pressure to be put on the joints and can result in more frequent bouts of inflammation. Work with a physical therapist or personal trainer to devise an exercise regimen that is right for you - one that helps you to strengthen the muscles and joints without over-straining.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

There are many rheumatoid arthritis treatments. Many physicians will recommend medications to treat the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. You should discuss these medications with your physician; research the medications in order to learn of known side effects, interactions with other medications, and interactions with foods.

Some medications can hinder your ability to live a normal life. You want to learn as much as you can so that you are able to make an informed decision about the treatment that will fit your lifestyle. Some people believe the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is worth the risks involved with taking medications. Others prefer to use natural rheumatoid arthritis treatments. There are many natural treatments that have been successful in the treatment of the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

Some natural and herbal rheumatoid arthritis treatments include the following:


  • Hot water - exercise the affected joints in a tub of hot water

  • Mangosteen - treats both inflammation and pain

  • Olive Oil and Kerosene - relieves inflammation of joints

  • Hot vinegar - use as a rub for affected joints

  • Comfrey - used as a salve to relieve inflammation

  • Sandalwood Powder Paste - make a paste and rub on affected joints to relieve inflammation

  • Water aerobics - helps produce endorphins in the brain that help to relieve pain

  • Alfalfa tea - drink twice a day

  • Camphor and Coconut Oil - used to massage affected joints

  • Valerian - a natural sedative used to relieve pain

  • Omega-3 fatty acids - found in foods such as fish and walnuts

  • Emu Oil - used to massage affected joints

  • Pineapple juice - drink daily to minimize the flare up of symptoms

  • Fruit Pectin and Cranberry Juice - drink daily

  • Epsom salts - soak in a tub filled with hot water (as hot as you can stand) and Epsom salts to relieve inflammation and pain

  • Black Sesame Seeds - soaked overnight and taken first thing in the morning

These are some of the many natural remedies that can be found to help alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and to avoid a flare up of the symptoms. While rheumatoid arthritis treatments are essential to help you maintain the quality of life you are accustomed to, the most important thing you can do for yourself - both before and after - is to maintain a health diet and exercise routine.

Symptoms and Types of Connective Tissue Disease


Four rather unusual and rare diseases are now being grouped together by medical investigators as a result of information derived from recent research. Their names, which are little known to the public, are polyarteritis nodosa, diffuse lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis.

They resemble each other in that all of them represent disturbances of connective tissue in the body, in contrast to glandular tissue or surface secreting tissue. The connective tissue of the body includes what is elastic and the material between the cells. Sometimes tumors consist almost wholly of connective or fibrous tissue. The walls of blood vessels contain much tissue of this type.

Now the big fact about these conditions is that all of them are benefited at least temporarily by use of ACTH or Cortisone. All of them resemble also the reactions that occur in tissues in response to hypersensitivity or allergy.

Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa is a disease in which the blood vessels are chiefly affected. Because this disease is primarily serious damage of blood vessels, it may be reflected in any part of the body. The condition affects men four times as often as women and, mostly, those between twenty and forty years old. Arthritis and many of the reactions associated with hypersensitivity are seen by the doctor in these patients.

Lupus Erythematosus
Disseminated lupus erythematosus is chronic, usually severe disorder occurring mostly in females fifteen to forty years old. A characteristic is a butterfly-shaped inflammation over the nose. Other symptoms involve the joints and the heart. Fever a anemia and a progressive course make the disease fatal.

Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a disease that affects the connective tissue of the body and particularly that in the skin where there is hardening. Chiefly women between thirty and fifty years old are affected. The swelling in the skin may be followed by calcification. This disease comes on slowly a insidiously, but as it progresses changes occur in the skin of the face, neck, and arms. The skin looks waxy and tight and loses its color a hair. When the face is involved there may be difficulty in moving the jaw. Fortunately this is not a common disease; certainly it is not serious as polyarteritis nodosa or diffuse lupus erythematosusw, which similar. In the older forms of treatment emphasis was placed on the use of thyroid and vitamins. Great care was given to prevent secondary infections. More recently attention is being focused on the use of ACTH and Cortisone.

Dermatomyositis

Fourth in this group of collagen disorders is one called dermatomyositis. This is a common and often fatal disorder involving the skin and the muscles. The exact cause is still unknown. It affects people of all races and colors, both men and women, and in general those between the ages of ten and fifty years.

Characteristic of this condition is the involvement of the muscles. As they deteriorate the organs concerned show effects, as in the eyes, throat, diaphragm, or muscles between the ribs. The symptoms then are difficulties of vision, swallowing, breathing, speech, etc. Naturally such people lose weight and get weak. Unfortunately this condition progressive and few who have it live long. Until recently little was known about treatment, and vitamins, hormones and physical therapy were tried. Salicylates were thought to be beneficial. Now we know that the salicylates can to a small extent stimulate the condition.

Arthritis
Rheumatism is a word used to describe a number of diseases, acute or chronic, which are accompanied by pain and stiffness of the muscles, the joints and other tissues involved in movement. Arthritis is the term used to describe inflammation of the joints only.

The joint includes the ends of bones, cartilages between the ends, a capsule holding it all together, ligaments which attach the muscles to the bones, membranes and the joint fluid. Nerves accompany the blood vessels into the joints; while the bones and cartilage do not feel pain, inflammation and swelling with the pouring of extra fluid into the joint can produce exquisite pain.

People with arthritis can be quite eloquent about their joints. The pain may be described as excruciating, throbbing, burning, aching, squeezing, or just hurting. The patients also complain of crackling, stiffness, and loss of motion.

The American Rheumatism Association has classified arthritis into seven types:


  1. - due to infection

  2. - due to rheumatic fever

  3. - rheumatoid

  4. - degenerative

  5. - due to injuries

  6. - due to gout

  7. - arising from the nervous system

Rheumatoid arthritis is not just a disease of the joints, but a general condition affecting the whole body. While the exact cause or causes may not be known, the discovery of the effects of ACTH and Cortisone have led to new concepts of the nature of the disease. Now rheumatoid arthritis along with a number of other conditions is called a "collagen" disease. In all of these the connective tissue of the body is chiefly concerned. The tendency is to consider rheumatoid arthritis a reaction of the body to sensitivity to certain substances, perhaps coming from bacteria, with the sensitivity affecting the connective tissue chiefly. The suggestion has also been made that rheumatism is not a specific reaction to some single substance but a general reaction of the body resulting from several different stimulations.

Women are affected by rheumatoid arthritis three times as often as men. Rheumatoid arthritis varies from being an acute disease with fever and sudden disability of many joints to a condition that develops gradually in which the patient may at first notice only stiffness or pain in one joint. Some may have deformity of a joint without ever having felt any pain. Sometimes the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis are fatigue, loss of appetite and loss of weight. Patients complain of numbness and loss of feeling in hands and arms, feet or legs. Sometimes the lymph glands near the joint become swollen. Because of failure to move and use the muscles around the swollen joint, the tissue breaks down and the area looks thin and wasted.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that comes and goes. Doctors have noticed particularly that it disappears during pregnancy and during jaundice. The sooner good treatment can be applied to rheumatoid arthritis the better are the results secured in stopping the progress and the damage done by the disease. While the disease is active, rest and freedom from motion are helpful. If there is fever and severe pain certainly confinement to bed is desirable. Then as these troubles subside motion is permitted, but never to the point of fatigue. During the severe stages the patients are anxious and disturbed, often by solicitous people, and the doctor must protect the patient against emotional upsets.

No special diet cures arthritis. Nevertheless the patient with rheumatoid arthritis needs to be sustained with sufficient proteins, vitamins and minerals and enough carbohydrates and fats to provide needed energy and to avoid damage to tissues. Good animal proteins, calcium and iron must be adequate in the diet.

For many years a mainstay in treating arthritis has been the application of heat. Heat may be applied by hot bricks wrapped in towels, hot water bottles, electric heat pads, infra-red heat lamps, heat cradles containing incandescent bulbs, and other methods. If many joints are involved relief frequently comes from a hot tub bath once or twice a day, but prolonged hot baths are weakening.

People do not die of rheumatoid arthritis but complications may occur which are especially serious for the arthritic patient. Troubles with the lungs including pneumonia, damage to the heart and secondary infections are a threat.

Rheumatoid arthritis may be especially serious for children because of deformities that persist throughout life. A severe form of rheumatoid arthritis in childhood is known as "Still's disease." Another form of rheumatoid arthritis is associated with psoriasis, and there are arthritic manifestations that affect women in the menopause.

Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the spine is a crippling condition responsible for much disability. This condition usually occurs in men rather than in women. Pains in the back, soreness on bending over, painful buttocks, and shooting pains in the sciatic nerve area are accompaniments.

With spasms of the spinal muscles comes a tendency to avoid movement and in some instances the stiff-poker spine develops. Hot, wet packs help to relieve the spasm of the muscles. Use of salicylates for relief, heat, mild massage and liniments are reported beneficial in securing relief for those with degenerative arthritis.

Gouty Arthritis Symptoms - Oh My Aching Big Toe!


Gouty Arthritis - Do You Have It?

The joints in your big toe have been hurting really bad, and you've noticed that it has turned warm, red, and seems to be swelling. For a while, you ignore the pain, and thankfully it disappears for a while, only to come back at odd times with a vengeance. If you're no longer too young, but just young at heart, then chances are, you may want to go see your doctor and ask if you might have symptoms of gouty arthritis.

This kind of arthritis is just one of the more than 100 types of diseases in this category. However, gouty arthritis is one of the most painful among these and is caused by needle-like crystals of uric acid that form in your joints (usually, in this disease, the big toe, although other joints can be affected as well, like the heel, elbow, knees, wrists, fingers, etc.). So, if you can imagine those "needle-like crystals" pricking your joints, then you can understand why there is so much pain involved in this disease.

Gouty arthritis has four stages, namely:

1.Asymptomatic - At this stage, the person may have tested to have elevated levels of uric acid, probably in a general medical screening, but is not experiencing any pain in any joints. The doctor usually will not prescribe any treatment at this stage, but may suggest some diet changes to prevent the condition from worsening.

2.Acute Gout - At this stage, the person begins to feel pain, and swelling and redness of the joints, leading to what is called as a "gouty attack". These attacks can happen intermittently. It is a good idea to visit your doctor once you feel any acute pain in the joint area to prevent the disease from progressing.

3.Interval - This is the "interval" between gouty attacks, when a person is not experiencing any pain at the moment. Many people mistakenly think that the worst is over when they are in an interval stage and refuse to visit the doctor. What they don't know is that this is exactly what it is named, an interval, and there may be an attack waiting just around the corner.

4.Chronic Gout - When there is no or very short interval between attacks, and there is already permanent damage to the joints. Constant pain medication is needed for this type of gout and it is essential that a physician oversee this disease at this stage. If proper treatment is adhered to in the Acute Gout stage, then one may never progress to this stage.

How is Gouty Arthritis diagnosed?

If you think you are already are experiencing the attacks, when you visit the doctor, then chances are, he may ask for any one or all of the following tests:

1.Synovial Fluid Analysis - Synovial (joint) fluid is extracted from your joints through a sterilized needle inserted in the space. The fluid has a straw-like color and is then analyzed in a lab. Normally, joint fluids that look cloudy or is thick may be abnormal.

2.Uric Acid Test - This is done through a simple blood test taken from a vein or capillary. The blood is then tested for levels of uric acid. If it is high then it will confirm gouty arthritis

3.Joint X-ray - An x-ray of the joint may also be needed to properly see how the arthritis has progressed in the area.

How is Gouty Arthritis treated?

Treatment of gouty arthritis is usually geared toward immediate relief and stopping the pain and inflammation that come with the attacks. Medication is also given to prevent future attacks.

One of the drugs prescribed to reduce the pain, inflammation and swelling is Colchicine and often makes the pain settle in 12 to 48 hours. This medication decreases the inflammation and therefore the pain, but it does not alter the uric acid levels in the blood, although daily use of it helps to prevent subsequent attacks.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be effective if it is taken at the onset of the pain.

At times, a diet low in purines is given to lessen the uric acid levels. Some foods that may have to be abstained from are beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish, gravy, soda pop, beer, wine, etc.

Some New Drugs May Actually Slow Joint Destruction in Knee Osteoarthritis


Risedronate (Actonel) is a drug commonly used to prevent and alleviate osteoporosis symptoms. It is a bisphosphonate medication that can impede joint impairment. Research undertaken by the ACR shows that when taken in higher doses, Risedronate can avert the need for surgical joint replacement in sufferers.

Joint Impairment

The most common type or arthritis, Osteoarthritis, can strike older people and damage the cartilage tissue which encases bone ends at the joints.

The cartilage allows smooth movement of bones and absorbs the shock of vigorous physical movement. It separates the bones from one another for efficient and effortless movement.

Osteoarthritis Of The Knee

Osteoarthritis usually attacks the knees, the body's main weight support. The disease results in cartilage loss, and shows through in x-rays as a reduction in the joint space. X-rays are normally used to assess the extent of osteoarthritis on the joints.

Some current studies have determined that the bones lying beneath the cartilage may be osteoporotic. This means that bone loss may occur, particularly in the trabecular bars supporting the bony plate underneath the cartilage tissue. Subsequent bone deterioration can cause the joint to collapse, making surgery necessary.

Risedronate Facts

Risedronate (Actonel) is a bisphosphonate drug commonly used to treat Osteoporosis, particularly in the management of postmenopausal Osteoporosis. There are other bisphosphonate drugs available, like:


  • alendronate (Fosamax)

  • ibandronate (Boniva)

Risedronate and the other bisphosphonates work to:


  • increase bone mass

  • impede bone deterioration

  • prevent bone fractures, particularly fractures of the spine

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) reports that administering 5 mg. of risedronate daily or a 35mg dose weekly, complimented with calcium and an 8-ounce glass of water, can avert and treat Osteoporosis. Patients should take the medication at least 30 minutes prior to meals, and should maintain an upright position afterwards for at least 30 minutes.

Risedronate has been approved for the prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis which has sets in after a prolonged use of corticosteroid drugs like prednisone, triamcinolone, or cortisone.

Study Results

Scientists monitored the bone structure in a study of the effects of risedronate on Osteoarthritis. The objective of the study was to assess whether the drug could arrest or undo bone deterioration from cartilage loss, thereby preventing joint collapse.

Two groups of Osteoarthritis patients, a control group of 300 and a second group of 100 sufferers were chosen to participate in the study. All participants exhibited narrowing of the joint space due to the disease. The control group took a placebo, and the experimental group received risedronate, each at 5 mg., 15 mg. or 50 mg. doses daily. They were then monitored over a two-year period.

A new computational method utilizing standard radiographs, analyzed the transformation in the trabecular, or the spongy bone plate underneath the cartilage of the knees. These were performed on participants subdivided into groups having an absence of, minimal, or advanced narrowing of the joint space.

Results of the Study

In patients exhibiting extensive narrowing of the joint space:


  • those receiving higher doses of risedronate, up to 15 mg. per day or 50 mg. per week, showed an arrest and even a retreat of trabecular bone loss.

  • those receiving a placebo, or lower doses of 5 mg. per showed no signs of improvement.

Patients with no symptoms of joint space narrowing still incurred moderate bone loss despite treatment.

Conclusions of the Study

Given in higher doses, risedronate effects include:


  • Protection of the trabecular in patients exhibiting extensive narrowing of the joint space.

  • Halts eventual joint collapse and prevents the necessity of joint replacement surgery.

Effective Ways Of Treating Arthritis Back Pain


Although arthritic conditions may not originate in the lumbar region, they can also affect the back and result in arthritis back pain. Commonly, there are a few types of arthritic conditions that may need back pain treatment as well, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions may not begin in the spine, but may ultimately travel to the lumbar region.

Osteoarthritis refers to the loss of protective cartilage that results in abnormalities surrounding the bone. Osteoarthritis strikes in two forms: primary, the most common, progressive type that sets in around age forty-five and the secondary form resulting from a trauma or injury. Osteoarthritis also affects the spine and it can be painful at any age. The condition commonly affects the small joints in the hands, the hip, the knee and the spine. A typical symptom of Osteoarthritis is pain without activity upon waking up. The pain subsides with movement and intensifies in damp weather. In addition, sitting for a prolonged period of time also causes the spine to hurt.

Typically, back pain patients suffering from Osteoarthritis are advised to maintain a regular regimen of gentle exercise and proper weight balance. In addition, they are also prescribed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) which can help them to relieve the back pain and allow the recovery of weak muscles.

Another common arthritic condition that may lead to arthritis back pain is rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis, usually affects the knee, hip, hand, neck and spine areas. It is usually more common in women than in men. The first symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is malaise and fatigue, including morning tenderness and prolonged stiffness of the joints, particularly in the hands and feet. As symptoms intensify, drug therapy is used to prevent irreversible cartilage loss or deformity. If joint swelling worsens, the inflammation process proceeds to the cartilage and bone. In the final stages, overgrowth of cartilage and destruction of the bone throw ligaments out of position.

One effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is to remain active during the day. You should exercise for at least twenty minutes a day to help build muscle strength. Besides this, NSAIDS are being used to reduce swelling and pain in the joints. If NSAIDS do not work, you may instead be given cortisone to reduce inflammation.

For more information on effective back pain remedies, quick cures for back pain or fun back pain exercises, you can visit this site: Back Pain Clinic

Arthritis Cure - Dealing With Depression and Osteoarthritis


Depression is a most common side effect of osteoarthritis. This occurs when you start out healthy, being able to do things for yourself, but overtime you are less able to take care of yourself as the pains get worse. Research has shown that up to twenty percent of people with osteoarthritis are depressed at any given time, a percentage consistent with that found in other people with chronic diseases.

If osteoarthritis has left you depressed, there are a number of things you can do in addition to the arthritis treatment you get from your doctor.

1 Psychotherapy
This is often referred to as the 'talking cure', and it is used to treat mild episodes of depression.

2 Drug Therapy
This is the use of drugs to improve the symptoms of depression. The class of drugs used for this purpose is called antidepressants. It is advisable to consult your doctor before taking any antidepressant because medicines used in treating depression sometimes have different side effects.

Psychotherapy and drug therapy are mostly combined to treat arthritis patients with depression, and this combined approach has advantages.
It reestablishes normal body patterns more quickly
It helps to ensure compliance in taking medication
It recognizes the dual influence of biology and environment.

3 Learn to cope with your condition
Research has shown that those who cope best with any disease are less likely to develop depression, that is, those who deal with their osteoarthritis are less likely to sink into depression. Be proactive at solving your problem, and try to be as flexible with your daily activities as possible. Be ready to modify your lifestyle in a positive way, thereby winning the battle over depression.

4 Get Social Support
It is advisable for you to join a support group where you can find sympathetic ears and get some advice on coping with your condition.

5 Learn to Relax
Always find a way to cool off and reduce your stress. The best defense against stress is a positive attitude.

Stress itself may not cause depression but can make it worse. It signals certain glands to release high-voltage chemicals that can 'shock' the body and weaken the immune system, making your osteoarthritis symptoms seem worse while increasing your risk of getting some other disease.

Do anything you can to relax and shake off the stress- listening to music, meditating, or taking up a hobby. Getting enough sleep is also essential to reducing stress.

6 Touch Therapy
Research has shown that touch can reduce psychological stress associated with arthritis. And only a very soft touch is required as bear hugs may be too much for many osteoarthritis sufferers. A gentle, loving touch can be very beneficial in fighting arthritis.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Expanded Approval of Humira by the FDA Allows for Extended Monopoly


A story recently covered by Healthday news talks about the recent expanded approval of the drug Humira which is used to treat the psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is a combination of psoriasis and arthritis where those affected experience symptoms of joint pain and inflammation, as well as red lesions on the skin.

Humira has also been approved to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis as well as an inflammatory disease of the spine called ankylosing spondylitis.

The most recent approval by the FDA was to slow and structural joint damage in people with psoriatic arthritis. The recent clinical testing of 313 people affected with psoriatic arthritis were given Humira and showed significantly less joint damage than participants that received a placebo.

My question is why wasn’t Humira approved for some of these other uses when it was first released? Because market exclusivity rights granted by the FDA to drug companies run out after 7 years. That means during the seven years when it has the rights, the FDA will not allow any other drug to market itself under the same category, essentially giving in this case Humira, a monopoly for 7 years. After the exclusivity rights expire, drug companies retest their drug for a slightly different uses, and get another monopoly for 7 more years. Drug companies don’t test all aspects of the drugs simply to extend its patent life in order to make more money.

Should sufferers of any illness have to wait several years to find out what a drug is actually capable of treating? Sure there are some cases where you stumble on to an alternative use years down the road, but in most instances, its just big pharmaceutical companies trying to get the most bang for their buck.

This information was provided by Premier Mexican Pharmacy.com. For more helpful articles and information check out our blog: Your Essential Guide to Buying Meds Online from Canadian & Mexican Pharmacies [http://mexicanpharmacies.blogspot.com].

Can Dead Sea Salt Stop Joint Pain?


This is it! You've reached the red line beyond which you cannot bear the pain. After having spent weeks and months of wishful thinking, the reality has hit you right on the face. No matter what experts say, there's so much so that medicines can do, so what would you do now?

There's a long way yet to travel before you could give up on your quest. Have you ever heard wise men saying that the world is a perfect place? It may be so, because relief for joint pain has been found right in Dead Sea Salt.

Among the best uses of Dead Sea salt is relieving Psoriasis, Eczema and related skin diseases. It also relieves lower back pain, joint pain and muscle aches caused by various diseases. The latter is the reason why it is popular among Rheumatoid arthritis patients. The efficiency of Dead Sea salt is clinically proven to relieve pain in both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

We all know that the Dead Sea contains far more minerals than any place on earth. It is known to contain 32% more minerals than any other sea with Iodine and Bromides being freely available together with Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium and Calcium in dry form. These elements together are known to work the magic in relieving pain as they take over the job of regulating cell activity and daily functioning while stabilizing body's fluid levels.

Many user reviews prove that a hot water bath immersed in salt bring them closer to a world full of relief from joint pain. They report of being refreshed and relaxed in the mind and body so much so that they feel deeply relieved of joint pain. Dead Sea bathing salts are available in many colors and sizes in the market. However, you ought to be cautious of what you buy. Many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers prefer the white salt over other colors but you need to know how to identify authentic Dead Sea salt in order to benefit from its' usage.

There are washed or processed salts that come in to the market in the name of Dead Sea salt. These salts have had their minerals extracted for other purposes and would not provide you any benefit at the end. The best way to identify the difference between the authentic salt and processed salt is to examine the color. If the salt carries a 'bleached white' appearance, it has probably been refined. The authentic Dead Sea salt is off color white in nature. There would be a texture difference too in the refined salt, but it would be very hard to track the difference on its texture alone.

While many people seem to have benefitted from this salt for rheumatoid arthritis joint pain, some also report that the effects have worn off on the joint pains after regular use of the salt. So rather than using it daily, you could get in to a weekly plan of using dead sea salt in a hot water bath?

Arthritis Supplements - Different Types of Glucosamine & Chondroitin


This article will go over a couple of the different forms of arthritis and joint pain supplements available that contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin. The supplements contain both Glucosamine and Chondroitin but in different amounts depending on your requirements. That is important when choosing your supplement.

What is Glucosamine

Glucosamine is the nutritional substrate that makes up cartilage. It helps with the rebuilding and there is a lot of evidence available that it does work if you take enough of it and take it for long enough. There are many clinical studies which show great results in taking glucosamine on its own and also with chondroitin.

What is Chondroitin

Chondroitin is found within cartilage and it attracts water within the cartilage. It hydrates worn, dry and cracked cartilage. It is important for healthy cartilage. The water also gives the cartilage a spongy effect. It also helps to reduce friction between cartilage and joints.

The first type of joint supplement available is a type which has high levels of Chondrotin. An example would be the NutraLife Glucosamine and Chondroitin Joint Food. This is the most expensive type. This is suitable for people who do not already suffer from arthritis or joint pain. It prevents the onset of arthritis.

The second type of supplement is suitable for elderly people and an example of this is the NutraLife Joint Factors 4500. This is suitable for people aged over 45 and is ideal for people who are suffering from joint pain right now. This contains MSM which is a dietary source of sulphide. The main effects of this is that it reduces joint pain and inflammation.

Another type of supplement is targeted to athletes and an example of this is the Balance Joint Food for Athletes. This is higher in MSM but has less chondroitin. The chondroitin is not needed as much in younger athletes but is designed for repairing acute damage and pain. This is for people who are doing sports that involve heavy strain.

Arthritis - Can it Be Prevented?


Overview of Arthritis

Effective help is currently available for people to pro-actively manage arthritis and enjoy life to the fullest. But the actual prevention of arthritis itself is yet another story.

With rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the membranes or tissues lining the joints become inflamed. There is no known way to prevent any form of this disease, including osteoarthritis, adult-onset arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The exact causes of all these conditions are unknown.

It's very important for people who fear they are at risk of rheumatoid arthritis to realize that at this time there are no medications to take or lifestyle modifications to make that can completely prevent this crippling disease. However, by making changes to your weight and diet and engaging in moderate exercise, you may be able to slow or even halt the disease's onset and progress.

But you can only really take the measures needed to control arthritis after it is diagnosed. Until it is known for sure if certain bacteria or viruses trigger the disease, contact with people suffering from it will not change your risk of developing it.

Traditionally, medications and physical therapy have been used to manage the disease. A massive amount of nutrient research has also shown the effect diet and supplements have on the body's healing processes. Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference.

Causes of the Disease

Joint injuries caused by accidents or overuse increase the occurrence of some types of arthritis. You can also inherit certain genes that may increase your risk. More research is needed to find out how to reduce the disease's onset from these factors.

Some individuals have an inborn tendency to degenerative joint disease because they have changes in the structure of the important protein-building blocks of the articular cartilage which covers the surface of their joints. These seemingly small but significant abnormalities predispose their joints to wear and degeneration. In other cases, joint injuries may contribute to the development of DJD.

No foods have been definitively shown to cause or exacerbate arthritis in most individuals. A variety of diets and "hand-me-down" information exists about certain foods and arthritis, in particular the night shade plants, but none of it has been proven.

There is a rare form of arthritis called Spure which is caused by allergies to wheat products. Avoiding those will eliminate this disease. Associated features include weight loss, diarrhea and osteoporosis. Consult your health care provider if this is a concern.

There are things you can do to reduce your risk for getting certain types of arthritis or to reduce disability if you already have arthritis.

Overweight and obese people have a higher frequency of arthritis. Excess weight increases risk for developing osteoarthritis in the knees, and possibly in the hips and hands. Women are at special risk. In men, excess weight increases the risk for developing gout. It's important to maintain your recommended weight, especially as you get older.

Arthritis Prevention Programs

The Center for Disease Control has implemented programs in several states to reduce the onset and consequences of arthritis. The National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy delineates the actions necessary to better understand the arthritis burden in the USA and helps to fully apply known and effective interventions.

This document represents the combined efforts of nearly 90 organizations, such as the Arthritis Foundation, government agencies and many other groups and individuals with an interest in arthritis prevention and control.

The NAAP proposes a nationally coordinated effort for reducing the occurrence of arthritis and its accompanying disability by focusing on these three areas:

1. Surveillance, epidemiology and prevention research to strengthen the science base.

2. Communications and education to increase awareness and provide accurate information about arthritis.

3. Programs, policies, and systems promoting increased quality of life for people with arthritis and facilitating arthritis prevention measures.

The CDC continues to accumulate scientific knowledge on the benefits of physical activity. Because healthy eating reduces a person's risk of becoming overweight, good nutrition plays an important role in preventing knee osteoarthritis. In addition, moderate physical activity is essential for maintaining the health of joints.

Resources/The information outlined in this article is originally from:

HealingWithNutrition, Arthritis Facts, Disease Prevention and Treatment Strategies http://www.healingwithnutrition.com

Center for Disease Control, Framework for Arthritis Prevention and Control http://www.cdc.gov

The University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Frequently Asked Questions About arthritis.

Arthritis and Clothing


Getting dressed is not a problem for everyone with arthritis, but even those little aches and pains can interfere with certain daily tasks on a regular basis. Regardless of how severe your arthritis is, you may find yourself needing to make some changes in the way you dress to accommodate your arthritis. Here are a few tips to follow to make those changes smooth and easy.

First, analyze which joints are causing you the most difficulty with dressing, especially in the morning. Remember that arthritis stiffness can take over an hour to go away after you get out of bed, and you might not want to wait that long to get dressed. Adapting how you get dressed to work around those particular stiff joints will make sure you don't get thrown off schedule.

Next, decide if an easy adaptation will fix the problem. It could be that your hips and knees are stiff in the morning and you can't bend to put on your socks and shoes. If this is the case, try sitting on the bed or in a chair with a footstool in front of you. Use your hands to help lift each leg on to the footstool, and then bend the shorter distance to put on the sock and shoe. Another common problem (for women) is that your shoulders are too stiff to reach around behind your back to hook your bra. In this case, place your bra behind your back, hook it in front, then slide it around and place your arms in the straps. These are just two examples of simple adaptations you can do at home with the clothing you have and items you already have around the house.

If your stiffness is a little more severe in the morning, you may need to purchase different types of clothing. This does not mean you have to buy adaptive clothing. You just need to think a little bit about the clothes you buy. If you have a hard time lifting your arms due to shoulder stiffness, buy front closing shirts or blouses. Avoid pull-overs or, if you must have them, make sure they are large and loose. If your fingers don't want to move in the morning, avoid clothing with small buttons or hooks. Make sure zippers have large tabs. Buy pants with elastic waistbands. If you have a hard time bending due to back or hip pain, wear slip on shoes or shoes with Velcro closures. Make sure your socks stretch easily. Avoid heels.

Adaptive devices can also make dressing easier without having to buy special clothing. These devices have been around for many years. Before the internet, you used to have to purchase these items with the assistance of occupational therapists that had access to the medical suppliers that distributed this type of equipment. Now anyone can purchase these devices directly. If you have trouble bending, elastic shoe laces and a long shoe horn will help you slip your shoes on and off. If your fingers are too stiff to pinch those tiny zipper tabs, use a zipper pull to hook the tab and pull the zipper closed. There are dozens of devices available to accommodate just about any problem. A good source for adaptive devices for arthritis is The Wright Stuff Inc. Arthritis Supplies at http://www.arthritissupplies.com

Many of the devices listed above were actually invented by occupational therapists. If you don't understand how to use them, or if you need some help solving your problems with dressing at home, you might want to consult with an occupational therapist in your area. Check with your health insurance plan for a list of occupational therapists that provide outpatient services. If you would like to know more about occupational therapy, please visit The American Occupational Therapy Association at http://www.aota.org/Consumers.aspx

Severe Knee Arthritis - The Beast That Ravages Your Knee! - Improve Your Knee Stability


Severe knee arthritis can be debilitating. As the condition deteriorates you will find that most activities, sometimes even walking, may become progressively more difficult and painful.

Should you curtail your activities if you have severe knee arthritis?

If you are suffering from severe knee arthritis your first instinct will be to cut back on the activities that seem to aggravate the pain in the knee. In fact your doctor will advise you to take the elevator instead of the stairs and to avoid going on long, brisk walks or carrying heavy loads.

On the flip side, however, you cannot really afford to become totally inactive as this could cause other problems. Treating this condition effectively requires you to remaining as active as possible, so that you do not gain weight or worsen your overall health condition.

A recent study that was reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, indicated that people with hip arthritis who force themselves to remain active do better in the long run than those who chose to become inactive. Being inactive also leads to other complications including obesity as well as loss of muscle and bone strength.

How Severe Knee Arthritis can be Treated

The treatment regimen should will first involve the most basic steps and then progress to the more involved procedures should the need arise. In severe cases, surgery may be considered. Treatment regimen is on a person-to-person basis as not all treatments are appropriate for every patient. You should have a discussion with your doctor to determine which treatments are appropriate to your problem.

Your treatment options include:

1.) Weight Loss: This aspect of the treatment regimen can be considered as one of the most important as excess weight puts additional strain on the knees, which will just worsen the condition.

2.) Modification of Daily Activity: While you may want to set some limits on some of your activities, you should explore new exercise methods with the clearance of the doctor. Patients may also try aquatic exercises as it is an excellent option for patients who have difficulty exercising.

3.) Use of Walking Aids: Using a cane or a single crutch can help decrease the load pressure placed on the arthritic joint.

4.) Physical Therapy: Physical activity to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint can prevent atrophy of the muscles and will maintain functional use of the knee while reducing the burden being put on it.

5. ) Use of Anti-Inflammatory Medications: NSAIDs and other ant-inflammatory drugs are prescribed by the doctor to manage the pain and inflammation components of the severe knee arthritis. Use of Cortisone Injections: Your doctor may opt for cortisone injections to reduce inflammation and relieve the intense pain within the joint.

6.) Use of Knee Braces: Using supportive devices such as knee braces have been found to be a very effective element of the treatment. There are two types of knee braces for patients with severe knee arthritis. The unloader knee brace shifts load away from the affected region of the knee. On the other hand, the support knee brace helps "support" the entire knee load. A well designed knee support is referred to by many people as a "pain pill" due to the pain reduction that it can help provide. With improved alignment and the meaningful support that these braces provide, you should not look past their benefits. Many times these "unloader" knee braces are also referred to as OA (osteoarthritis) knee braces.

If you believe that you can benefit from pain reduction and improved knee stability then you should consider a knee support today.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms and Treatment


Psoriatic arthritis is a strange form of arthritis and people who develop it have often suffered from psoriasis of the skin during their life.

It is also a somewhat hereditary disease where 1 in 20 people who suffer from psoriasis have a stronger chance of catching this disease, but in only a few cases will it flare up to the extent that it poses a serious health risk.

So there is no definitive cause but genes are argued to play a role.

Early Signs

Ascertaining whether you have psoriatic arthritis is difficult in the early stages as the symptoms can represent a number of ailments, but the most common are inflammation of one or two joints, feeling slightly fragile and psoriasis of the skin, but more like in patches rather than a rash along with the pitting of the nails.

Advanced Symptoms

About a year after your diagnosis, depending on which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - or NSAID's - you've been prescribed, these may help reduce the pain or not, as each individual will undergo various cocktail measures so as to find the right balance to combat the pain.

The problem with NSAID's is that while they can reduce the pain and the swelling, they effectively cover up the true extent of the disease and play no part in the remission process.

The joints, toes and the end of the fingers are most commonly effected with psoriatic arthritis, but occasionally the spine is affected and the symptoms here include a burning sensation, stiffness and sometimes jolts of pain in the sacrum and lower back.

Treatment for Swelling and Joint Pain

As mentioned, in the West NSAID's are most commonly prescribed to null the pain and reduce the swelling, and when these don't work, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARD's may be prescribed.

Again, both NSAID's and DMARD's can effect your liver, kidneys, heart and cause additional rashes so for the short term they will provide some relief.

For the long term though you should focus on getting the disease into remission.

Do you want to suffer from psoriatic arthritis all your life?

Treatment for Remission

Acupuncture is still frowned upon by most medical practitioners in the West, but don't be scared to explore this alternative, it may not help so much with remission but is argued by many to be the most natural, safest, and fastest way to reduce swelling and pain around the joint.

Diet and exercise also play a huge role in combating certain types of arthritis and this is one such type where you should focus on both these forms of treatment.

Exercise

Depending on the seriousness of it, exercise may include just walking in lukewarm water for up to an hour if it's the feet that are the problem, or daily stretching for the spine and swimming which is wonderful for you all-round, plus yoga and other low impact sports.

Diet

Diet should be a high alkaline diet, not high acid as this diet will depend on the calcium in the bones (if calcium levels are low in the body) to buffer the high acid content through digestion, therefore depleting them of much needed calcium and minerals.

However magnesium is more effective for rebuilding bone structure so try and eat as much food that contains this element along with additional supplements.

Also, and it can't go overlooked but omega 3, 6 and 9 proteins should be consumed regularly along with supplements rich in anti-inflammatory compounds such as spores extracted from reishi, the mushroom used for centuries in the East to help with swelling, joint pain and remission.

Additional natural substances which should be part of your everyday diet are Vitamin D - at least 800mg a day, Vitamin C, Ginger, White Willow Bark, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM.

Drugs That Make Rheumatoid Arthritis Worse - And What To Do About It


To cure Rheumatoid Arthritis it is very important to do everything perfectly 'right'. However, many RA sufferers are inadvertently making their RA worse because of a lack of information or by not fully understanding the underlying cause of this disease. So today, to help you on your path to wellness, I would like to warn you about two types of drugs that can make your Rheumatoid Arthritis worse in the long run and give you some simple tools so that you can protect yourself from this problem.

The two drugs that I will discuss below can both have the effect of upsetting your digestive system in the worst possible way. These drugs create turmoil on the healthy bacteria in your intestines (which are called 'probiotics' by the supplement companies) and damage your intestinal wall leading to poor absorption of nutrients and a concept known as 'leaky gut' by Naturopaths. 'Leaky Gut' is actually a descriptive term for having holes in your intestinal wall, which then allows large foreign molecules to enter your blood. These foreign proteins entering your blood can trigger a state of 'molecular mimicry' and result in your body attacking it's own joints in a state of innocent confusion. Quite literally, by having a depleted intestinal environment you will experience worsened symptoms of RA.

So, we need to look at the following two drugs very seriously! Let us first look at Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's)

NSAID's

There are a large range NSAID's that are commonly used to treat arthritis. Research has shown that most of these drugs actually contribute to 'leaky gut' and thus perpetuate Rheumatoid Arthritis through the mechanisms I have described above. The offenders include all the common brands like Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn and so on, with the only exceptions being aspirin and nabumetone (Relafen). [1] It has been shown that these drugs can increase intestinal permeability (holes in the intestinal wall) within 24 hours [2]

My personal experience matches these findings. The first medication I took for my RA was one of the leading NSAID brands. It was fantastic at relieving my pain for about 2 weeks. As time wore on the effects of the drug diminished and so after about 3 weeks I decided to see how I felt once I stopped taking the drug. After stopping this medication I felt about twice as bad as what I was before I started taking it. Looking back I believe that my intestinal wall took a battering during this time, which in turn led to increased swelling and pain.

I learnt most about my body and my food intolerances by remaining off these drugs. These drugs interfere with the critically important communication that occurs, via pain levels, from eating a food and monitoring its effect on your body. By cutting out the pain with a drug I was losing all the information I needed to create a diet free of offending foods.

Since NSAID's are common and are available over the counter we think that they can't be too harmful for us. It couldn't be further from the truth. If you are stuck at the moment on these drugs due to persistent pain levels then that's OK - pain relief and protection from joint damage in the short term is obviously of paramount importance - but I'll show you below some great ways to offset the long term effects whilst you wean yourself off these drugs.

But first, lets look at another drug that is wreaking havoc on your insides:

ANTIBIOTICS

To start our discussion of antibiotics and their effect on the body, we first need to talk about something a little unusual - your intestinal bacteria...

In an ideal state of health you would have between 2-4 pounds of bacteria living inside your intestines in numbers upwards of 40 Trillion. This may sound like the premise of a horror film, but don't freak out, the vast majority of organisms living in there are helpful, or at least not harmful, to our lives. Beneficial Bacteria (also called Probiotics or Microflora) are the good bacteria that live inside us with the majority found between the end of the small intestine and the distal colon. These tiny organisms are absolutely imperative to our health and we should really think of this big mass of mini life as a vital organ like a lung or a kidney.

The many important functions that our bacteria perform for us includes killing harmful bacteria, killing fungus (also known as candida), and building B vitamins for the rest of our body to use. They also help our bodies produce enzymes, help to change the acidity within our cells and play an important role in the development of the immune system by maintaining a constant dialog with our internal bodies through the surface of the gut. Our microflora also influences many of our hormones. So this healthy bacteria is very important stuff.

The word 'biotic' means 'pertaining to life'. Hence a probiotic is literally pro life. Poor eating habits, stress and antibiotics ('anti-life') sometimes found in animal foods can wreak havoc on the good bacteria, allowing bad bacteria to multiply. Taking prescription antibiotics for a long period of time is catastrophic to your internal health. Doses of antibiotics not only kill the nasties, but also kill the good, innocent civilians in your stomach as well. A lack of healthy intestinal flora is a serious concern. I believe the cause of my RA was due mostly to taking antibiotics for years to combat some persistent acne. I blindly took these antibiotics from my late teens through into my early 20's without too much of a thought, other than 'gee, my skin looks good!'. I wish I had some idea of the bigger picture. Little did I know that I was creating an environment where I was wiping out my healthy bacteria, thus allowing unwanted pathogens to thrive. Pioneering orthomolecular researcher Dr F. R. Klenner says RA sufferers have a 'shortage of B vitamins'. [3] Since B-Vitamins are manufactured by your healthy bacteria it stands to reason that if you've killed all your bacteria you'd be short of B-Vitamins!

So How Can You Combat The Effects Of NSAID's and Antibiotics?

Without the correct approach, the challenge to uphold our intestinal health can be a difficult one. You have a leaky gut, a depleted mucosal lining and a shortage of healthy bacteria to rectify. Trust me, you never 'accidentally' fix these without knowing how to, since they don't teach you this stuff in high school (and they don't teach Rheumatologists this stuff at College either unfortunately). However, once you are shown how then it can be understood and followed easily and excellent results can be achieved in a short period of time.

How to replenish your good bacteria?

Well, many companies sell probiotics in bottles which enable you to supplement your supply of good bacteria via capsules. But there is a better and more effective way than this, which is to feed the existing bacteria with their favorite foods which allows their populations to grow naturally, rather than trying to add new guys to the mix. From my own experimentation, I have found that this is the best way to go and it's far cheaper. Let's feed the good bacteria and let them multiply! God knows you've been starving them to death up until this point!

So what do your bacteria want to eat? Good bacteria love fiber. The partially digested remnants of our meals, after arrival in our large intestines, become the foods for our microflora. Each species of bacteria survives best on specific kinds of nutrients. Friendly bacteria love all kinds of plant-food remnants, especially fiber from green leafy vegetables, whilst pathogens thrive when the diet is low in plant foods and high in animal products and processed foods.

What we eat determines the predominance of the bacteria species that will live in our gut. By changing from a diet based on processed foods and animal products to plant foods, you can suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and stimulate those that are beneficial fairly quickly. Major alterations in the microflora take place within one to two weeks of dietary intervention [4] As a treat to your little guys, good bacteria also love raw garlic, raw onion and artichoke.

How to re-establish your mucosal lining?

Eat brown rice. Avoid dairy products like the plague. (In fact, I might send you a whole email about dairy products down the track to give you the full picture. You won't believe the lies we get told about dairy over the years!)

How to heal your leaky gut for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Think of your intestinal wall like a skin. When you stop irritating it with the wrong foods then it will heal, like any wound on your exterior. So you can replenish your gut flora, heal your mucosal lining and repair your leaky gut all by minimising your intake of meat and dairy products and increase your intake of fiber-rich foods. In particular, eat green leaves, raw garlic, raw onion and artichoke which will replenish your bacteria even faster. Eat brown rice to help heal your mucosal wall. (Avoid white rice, which is junk food compared to brown rice since it has been stripped of most of it's nutrients).

You will make some humble progress on this natural Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment and help combat the negative internal effects of the drugs.

Remember, your health is your responsibility and consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication. I am not a medical doctor (but I do have a PhD in results!)

Of several remedies, the physician should choose the least sensational - Hippocrates

Your Partner in Healing,

Clint Paddison

Previous RA sufferer, author of the 'Clint's Cure to Rheumatoid Arthritis' program.

Restore Your Health!

References:

[1] Baillieres Clin Rheumatol 10:165, 1996

[2] R.T.Jenkins et al Oxford JournalsMedicine Rheumatology Volume26, Issue2Pp. 103-107

[3] 'A Clinical Guide to Vitamin C', Frederick R. Klenner, M.D

[4] Clin Res 29:754, 1981

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Arthritis - Symptoms, Treatment and Natural Remedies to Relieve Arthritis Pain


Many people live with joint pain on a regular basis and just assume they're getting arthritis, but not all joint pain is caused by arthritis, and not all joint pain (or arthritis) is treated in the same way. That's why it's important to recognize the symptoms so your doctor can correctly identify and treat what is wrong with you, rather than treat you incorrectly and find the correct diagnosis later.

Joint pain is the most common known symptom of arthritis. The pain can be mild to severe, and is generally persistent. While it may be worse when you stand, walk, run or perform other activities, this doesn't mean it goes away when you're resting. In addition to being painful, arthritic joints tend to become swollen, red and inflamed. While the pain and swelling are generally just an inconvenience to begin with, if arthritis is not treated they can become severe and severely limit your physical activity.

Some arthritis causes bones to actually build up. This causes pain, but will also begin to deform your joints, particularly if it's in the fingers and hands. You may notice hard lumps start to grow on the sides of fingers or other affected joints.

Another common symptom of arthritis is the loss of range of motion. You may not be able to bend a joint as far as you used to because of pain or swelling. While minor loss of range of motion can be mildly annoying, if they symptoms get worse it can begin to affect your daily life and activities.

There are other less common symptoms associated with arthritis that have little to nothing to do with the joints themselves. People with certain types of arthritis can experience fever, fatigue, mood problems and weight loss.

Most people are surprised to find out there are over 100 different types of arthritis. Plus, even if two people have the same kind, they will probably have somewhat different symptoms. For proper arthritis diagnosis, you should always see your doctor.

When you visit your doctor, she will likely take a history of your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and perform x-rays and other tests to confirm the diagnosis, but also to rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.

While many people can treat minor arthritis with over-the-counter medication, you should still see a physician to make sure it isn't something more serious. They can also help recommend what kind of medication or other therapy would be best for your specific case.

Simply living with arthritis is not something you have to do. While arthritis is not curable, there are many treatments to manage the pain, as well as slow progression and treat the underlying cause of the problem.

There are also some natural remedies which can help arthritis pain:

Ginger Liniment

This healing massage oil is great for muscle aches and stiff joints.

* 2-inch piece fresh Ginger

* 1/2 cup Almond oil

Grate Ginger and combine with oil in a small, nonmetallic saucepan. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Remove from heat and steep for another hour. Strain oil to remove bits of Ginger. Using a nonmetallic funnel, pour liniment into a four-ounce glass bottle with a tight-fitting screw top. Attach the following instructions on a gift tag:

To use, gently massage the oil into affected area twice a day until symptoms have disappeared.

Mustard Plaster for Arthritis Pain

Here's an old fashioned remedy that I use to relieve my Arthritis pains. I make what you call a Mustard plaster.

To do this you need to mix together 2 parts flour with 1 part Mustard powder, then add some water to make a paste. Spread it on a clean cloth of some sort, fold it in half and press against the skin. Don't put the salve directly on the skin since it can burn.

You can also use this to loosen phlegm or for sore muscles

Arthritis and Gout Oil

* 1 Tablespoon fresh crushed Rosemary
* 3 teaspoons Celery seeds crushed
* 1 large Chilli crushed
* 250 ml oil any Carrier Oil but canola

Sterilize jar, place oil and other ingredients [make sure it covers] close, shake place in sunny spot for 10 days shaking every day strain into dark sterilized jars.

FANTASTIC for gout, Arthritis or aches and pains

Is It True That Nothing Can Be Done For Pain Caused By Arthritis?


Many people around the world suffer from the pain of arthritis. Arthritis is the gradual breakdown or deterioration of the joint spaces in a person's musculoskeletal system. According to recent research, experts say that about 8 out of 10 Americans over the age of 55 experience the pain of arthritis in some form. For some people, arthritis pain can become so debilitating that they're unable to perform even the simplest daily tasks such as holding a pen or opening a jar.

What Does Arthritis Pain Feel Like? Obviously, arthritis has different effects on different people. For some, the pain and stiffness is located in the hands making computer work and other office tasks almost impossible. Other people have issues with their wrists, knees, shoulders and even joints in the spine itself. As debris and fluid fills the joint spaces, the level of pain often increases.

Arthritis doesn't just have one main cause. Instead, there are a mixture of issues that create arthritis in most people. Age is one primary factor as well as a suppressed or weakened immune system. Sometimes, the injury is also a precipitating factor in the development of arthritis. Finally, some people have a hereditary form of arthritis.

The body's response to the development of arthritis is to make extra bone. It's trying to protect and strengthen the degenerating joint. This extra bone then turns into an osteophyte or bone spur.

By far, the pain of arthritis is what most people fear. When you have arthritis, you may experience inflammation, joint pain, burning, cramping, numbness, stabbing pain, muscle spasms and even a loss of muscle control. There are two major types of arthritis called osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The elderly are at risk for arthritis. Most of the time, the degenerative form of arthritis affects the elderly. This is called osteoarthritis and can make it extremely painful for people to twist or bend. This is because osteoarthritis causes cartilage to break down and pull away from the joints stripping them of their protective material. Then the joints start rubbing together which causes pain and problems with movement. All of this irritates the nerves surrounding the area.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a different kind of arthritis in that it causes additional problems including a low red blood cell count, possible loss of appetite, joint tissue inflammation, pain and weakness.

Arthritis pain can be treated. The good news for arthritis patients is that they don't have to live with arthritis pain for the rest of their lives. In fact, pain specialists are able to assist by offering specific kinds of physical therapy. This kind of physical therapy has been proven to help increase function and strength while also reducing pain and bringing back mobility. Pain specialists can also teach patients how to manage their pain themselves giving people hope for the future and confidence in their ability to live a good life.

Pain specialists are able to do extensive, high-tech testing on the patient to find out the extent of the arthritis and come up with a care plan. The patient will likely do exercises at home such as walking in order to continue improving their strength and moving the affected joints.

Ignoring the pain of arthritis is definitely a bad idea as it can worsen the condition. Keeping joints moving is a critical part of the treatment process since joints are designed to move. Pain specialists may also recommend joint injections as a way of providing relief for pain issues as they have been proven to be very effective in some cases.

Alternative Arthritis Treatment - With the Benefit of No More Pain!


It has been found for some time now doctors have no answers and little relief to offer to people who suffer from this painful, unpleasant and deadly disease. Over the counter pain relievers as well as prescription medication have all been linked to various dangerous side effects. Such side effects are liver, stomach, and internal damage, even the risk of stroke and heart attacks. The fact is it doesn't heal the illness or pain; it only manages the symptom of it.

It is not to say that conventional medicine is ineffective; it is OK in what it does. Doctors may not know or don't tell you that what you eat can directly affect your body's respond to stop joint deterioration and pain. It is there for necessary to change your diet to such food that is anti-inflammatory to slow the process in joint damaging inflammation. Real healing is not a magic or quick fix and no one else can do it for you. Real self-healing is a process that involves commitment and active participation.

Foods you need to kill the pain!

The foods you need are naturally abundant in phytonutrients such as antioxidants and essential fatty acids. These vitamins and minerals are working to quell inflammation and ease the pain of sore joints. Such foods are easy to include in to your daily diet. Those foods are clinically tested and have proven just how powerful they are. People who took supplements without changing to the right food did find no benefits at all.

These are foods with good benefits for your health: Broccoli, onions, squash, spinach, berries, beans, olive oil, pineapple, Brazil - nuts, flax, yogurt, (not the sweet yogurt), bone - broth, salmon and fish. Use Salmon and fish wild - caught and not farmed. ("Olive extra virgin oil, "imported" sold in stores most of it is of bad quality, use local produced only.")

Lean meats and whole grains should have at least 60% or more of your daily nutrition. They contain omega - 6 in their healthful original form. Another source of rich food including selenium is crimini, mushrooms, pasture - raised meats, also beef, lamb, turkey, and chicken. Including seafood in your diet such as shrimps, snapper, oysters, tilapia, tuna and cod provides the necessary omega - 3. Other recommended foods are brown rice, low-fat cottage cheese, and organic eggs.

Foods to avoid at all cost!

Stay clear of all Trans - fats; they are the trigger point of the body's inflammation response and will increase joint pain and arthritis.

No deep fried foods, chicken, French - fries etc. Avoiding sugar at all cost, including sugary foods (processed and packaged cakes, cookies, doughnuts, jams, jellies, all boxed breakfast - cereal's and frozen desserts).

The same applies to soft drinks, sport drinks, and all beverages that contain sugar. Cutting back on omega - 6 fatty acids, the not so good ones, is important for fighting any type of arthritis. Change your cooking oil and avoid using the followings: vegetable oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed, safflower, corn, and soy bean.

Gain pleasure and peace of mind by taking preventive action!

Arthritis is a disease of inflammation. By reducing inflammation the body's response will translate into a more comfort, less pain, and a more pleasure-full life.

There is no reason to go hungry with all those options. They should give pleasure in eating them, and a peace of mind. Most of all this will lead you on a path to a better pain - free life.

Only by eating the right food you will get the full benefit from a good natural supplement to insure that your body will stay healthy and free of pain. For more information about health and how to choose the best supplement to add to your daily diet, just follow the link below, info is free.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment - Tips for Cocktail Parties, Holiday Travel and Beach Vacations


Delayed food and chemical sensitivities are an often unrecognized underlying cause of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis. Because the particular foods and chemicals that are triggering inflammation vary from person to person and can even change over time, it is important to be individually tested.

My most important recommendation would be to be tested at least a month ahead of time, so that you know what your triggers are and have figured out a strategy for your cocktail party or vacation to be arthritis-free. It takes most people about a month to successfully discover and learn to avoid hidden food allergens, once they have a list of which foods are safe for them and which they need to avoid. Once they have this skill, they have the power to stop arthritis flair-ups.

For instance, if you are reacting against grapes, brewer's yeast, sodium sulfate, beef or pork (because pig and cow byproducts are often used to make gelatin and gelatin is often used to clarify wine) you won't want to skip wine with dinner, but depending on your reaction pattern, you might do just fine with a bloody Mary or a Margarita. If your food sensitivities are moderate or severe, you would be best off skipping the alcohol all together, because it tends to make leaky gut syndrome and therefore inflammation worse. However, that doesn't mean you have to skip the fun of a cocktail party or drinks with dinner. Knowing what drink set ups are safe for you means you can still "drink" with everyone else without making your arthritis worse and without having to worry about triggering an arthritic flair-up.

If you have a tricky pattern of food and chemical sensitivities, planning a trip to a spa or another place that understands food allergies and can cook interesting and appealing food that is safe for you, might be just the ticket.

A few years ago I noticed that the food concessionaires for the US National Park System were particularly good at creating safe, creative, gourmet entrees even in the face of the food restrictions I had at that time. My best experiences were at the lodges at the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. Restaurants that are part of the "slow food movement" are also often a good choice because they are already so aware of what is in the food they serve and much less likely to accidentally include one of your problem foods in the dishes they serve you.

As for the beach, knowing your food and chemical sensitivities ahead of time can be a godsend there too. That will give you time to make sure your sunscreen is not accidentally triggering your inflammation and if it is, to purchase light colored clothing you can wear instead of sunscreen for sun protection. Knowing if you are reacting against chlorine can let you know if you need to stick to swimming only in the ocean or if the hotel pool is also safe for you.

Since it generally takes about seven days for the inflammation triggered by delayed food or chemical sensitivity to end, mastering how to avoid your inflammatory trigger foods and chemicals before you leave, can make the difference between the vacation of a lifetime and one spent in pain.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Splinting And The Hand Occupational Therapist


For the patient with rheumatoid arthritis, splinting is a common management utilised by the hand occupational therapist, during all stages of the disease. Its uses includes therapeutic benefits, pre-operative and post-operative management as well as splinting can help to improve the function of the hand and upper limb.

Splinting for therapeutic purposes decreases the amount of joint pressure (P=F/A; the wider the surface area the lesser the amount of pressure experienced) and inflammative results by stopping any painful movements and reflex muscle tensions and spasms during the acute stage of the disease. An example will be the resting hand splint for the fingers, hand and wrist; although a gutter splint for the finger joint can also be fabricated for the finger. This kind of splints protects and supports the joints and its structure and limits muscle spasms that encourages positions of deformity.

The resting position for the wrist is at 15-25 degrees extension in neutral position for supination; metacarpalphalangeal (MCP) joint in zero deviation and 30 degrees flexion, and finger joints in 5-15 degrees flexion. There is to be balance between wearing the splint in immobility coupled with gentle active and passive exercises to the point of discomfort to the joints, at least 1-3 daily.

Functional splinting aims to manage unstable and/or painful joints and is used very often during the sub-acute and chronic stages of the disease. Painful and unstable joints have decreased mobility because of pain and impaired biomechanics, limiting mobility and function. Having a splint that positions the joints in optimal biomechanical position stabilizes joints in optimal positions for movement and stability. This often results in improved mobility, lesser pain, and better function.

Help For Arthritis Sufferers - Soaking Bathtubs


If you're one of the 46 million arthritis sufferers in the United States alone, you look for relief anywhere you can find it. While hydrotherapy has been recommended for many years to those who suffer from joint or muscle pains, now, arthritis patients can find relief in their own home with the help of soaking bathtubs.

Both the warm water and the weightlessness in water are beneficial to those who suffer from arthritis. The soaking bathtubs reduces the stress on your joints and relaxes the muscles. Additionally, the water helps support the joints and relieve the pain of movement. The warm water will also help extend your range of motion. To make the most of your tub, add sea salts or Epsom salts. Epsom salt, especially, is high in magnesium, which is very important to bone growth and regulating the pH level in the body. By adding approximately 3 cups of Epsom salts to your soaking bath, your body will absorb the magnesium sooth your joints and muscles.

It's a vicious cycle. Because their joints and muscles hurt, arthritis sufferers stop exercising. But they need the exercise to help with the arthritis. Because of the extended range of motion that people with arthritis experience when in soaking bathtubs, doctors are now suggesting that they try exercising while in the tub. Hot baths make it easier to move and the body sweats while in hot water, releasing toxins from the body. If trying this at home, start slowly. While you're never going to be running a marathon in your tub, stretching and yoga type exercises are possible. The temperature of your bath water should be mildly hot, between 100 and 102 degrees.

Exercises for the soaking bathtubs can help the calves, thighs, shoulders, hands and toes. Some of the exercises are done standing while others are done from the comfort of a sitting or even laying back position. These exercises, while not strenuous, can help improve your flexibility and decrease the ongoing symptoms of arthritis. Always check with your family doctor first, before trying any exercises and listen to your body. If you feel light headed, stop and add cooler water to the tub.

There are many models of soaking bathtubs for you to choose from in today's marketplace. The Internet is a great place to start when looking at all the various types and models. Shopping in brick and mortar stores will require that one store carry all the models and that's rare to experience. By doing your pre-shopping on the Internet, you see what types are available and can narrow down your choices. If getting in and of the tub is difficult for you to manage with your arthritis, for example, you may want to consider one of the walk models. Others may prefer something more stylish like a freestanding model or alcove soaking bathtubs. Whatever model you decide upon, you'll never regret the feeling of the hot water as it encompasses your body and relieves the pain, even if just for a short period of time.