Rheumatoid Arthritis - Signs and Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and systematic disorder that principally affects the joints leading to an inflammatory synovistis. This condition can lead to the destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints. Apart from the joints, this disorder can also affect body tissues and organs.

This condition can also produce diffuse inflammation in the lungs, the pericardium, the pleura and the sclera. Although the exact causes of this disease are yet to be identified, autoimmunity is said to be a major contributor to the progression of the disease. No age is immune to this disease although the onset is often between the ages of 40 and 50.

Signs of rheumatoid arthritis include inflammation and swelling of the affected joints. The joints will also feel warm, painful and stiff especially in the morning or after a prolonged period of inactivity. Increased stiffness particularly early in the morning is a prominent feature of the inflammatory disease and may last for more than an hour. Gentle movements normally help to relieve the symptoms in the early stages of the disease. This disorder normally affects the joints in a fairly symmetrical fashion.

Diagnosis of this condition is chiefly on signs and symptoms but also blood tests and x-rays can be used. Other medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound can also be used during diagnosis. Diagnosis and management of this disease is done by a rheumatologist; an expert in the diseases of joints and connective tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is treated using anti-rheumatic medication. Cortisone therapy can also help to relieve the symptoms but may not effective for long term use.

Arthritis Treatment: A Primer on Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

Of the inflammatory forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common. It affects about 2 million Americans, about 60% of whom are women. It is no respecter of age since it can occur in children as well as in adults.

RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation in the joints which causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. What is not generally appreciated is that it affects not only joints but internal organs as well.

RA can cause permanent joint damage leading to deformities and loss of joint movement. As a result, many people with RA experience limitations on their ability to perform daily activities which has a major impact on quality of life.

Data has indicated that early aggressive treatment of RA can limit joint damage. RA is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Mortality rates among people with RA are twice that of the general population and disease severity is an independent risk factor of mortality regardless of comorbid conditions.

People with RA are twice as likely to develop congestive heart failure is compared to those without RA.

RA is the most common cause of disability in the United States and the third leading cause of work limitations. Medical and indirect costs due to lost wages are estimated at $3 billion annually and fewer than 50% of working age adults with RA are still employed 10 years after onset of the disease.

The cause of RA is unknown, but multiple genetic and environmental factors (infectious agents, reproductive status, and smoking) are thought to be involved. What is also known is that the immune system plays an important role.

When it comes to treatment, the primary goals are to relieve pain, swelling, and fatigue; improve joint function; slow down or stop joint damage; and prevent disability and disease-related morbidity. RA is a complex disease. There are many cells, molecules, and processes involved in the genesis of RA.

CD4+ T cells mediate joint damage both directly and indirectly by driving non-T effector cells to release inflammatory cytokines. Also, B cells play a role in RA pathology by producing autoantibodies and triggering cytokine secretion by T cells as well as by acting as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to trigger T-cell activation. This entire machinery is driven by multiple cytokines.

In the past the traditional treatment pyramid for rheumatoid arthritis was to start with anti-inflammatory drugs, move onto mild disease-modifying drugs (DMARDS), step up to more aggressive disease-modifying drugs if they didn't work, and finally use powerful immunosuppressive drugs as a last resort. The treatment approach now is to stand the pyramid on its head and use more aggressive therapies in concert with methotrexate to effect remission as soon as possible.

A newer approach is to "treat to target." This means that a specific goal of remission is aimed for and adjustments in medications are made regularly in order to achieve it.

Anti-inflammatory drugs- either non-steroidal drugs or low dose corticosteroids are an adjunctive therapy but are not considered as important as remission-inducing drugs. These drugs are initiated at the start of treatment to give the patient some relief. Full therapeutic doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or prednisone in doses ranging from 5-10mgs/day are helpful for symptoms. Side effects related to an increase in cardiovascular events as well as gastrointestinal issues must be balanced against benefit.

Remission-inducing agents (DMARDS) are started at the same time or shortly thereafter. Besides methotrexate, other DMARD drugs include hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), azathioprine (Imuran), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), cyclosporine (Sandimmune), and leflunomide (Arava).

By far, the most commonly used DMARD is methotrexate.

Treatment options including biologic response modifiers, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and combinations of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs have been used as our knowledge of the different pathways involved in the RA process has deepened.

Therapeutic agents including TNF antagonists and IL-6 inhibitors were developed to block cytokine-mediated processes. Other anti-cytokine drugs are also being developed to target specific "bad guys."

Co-stimulatory pathway T-cell drugs were developed to inhibit T-cell mediated processes. Elucidation of the role of B cells in the inflammation cascade has provided the rationale for the institution of B-cell targeted therapies.

Biologic drugs have revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and have permitted rheumatologists to achieve remission in many patients with RA.

Examples of biologics include the following: TNF inhibitors consist of Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, and Simponi. Anti-interleukin 6 drugs are represented by Actemra. The primary T-cell drug is Orencia and the B-cell drug is Rituxan. Many other drugs are in the pipeline.

In addition to the existing biologics, new oral kinase inhibitors (JAK and SYK) are exciting new drugs.

While complementary therapies such as dietary fish oil, flax seed, etc. may help, they are usually not effective by themselves. The role of diet also is not well understood.

Objective measurement of remission include reduction in joint swelling and pain scores, improvement in health assessment and activities of daily living, reduction in blood measures of inflammation, and cessation of disease activity by magnetic resonance imaging.

Newer measurement criteria that will ensure uniformity of definition of remission are also being created.

Acupuncture Can Help Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most debilitating conditions which can affect the mobility and quality of life of its victims. Through time, there have been lots of anti-inflammatory drugs created to treat this condition however most of them bring adverse side effects to the patient. This leads people to turn to alternative medicines such as acupressure and acupuncture in treating osteoarthritis.

Undeniably, more and more people are shifting to traditional bodyworks in treating osteoarthritis primarily due to the absence of side effects. In fact, there have been a significant number of people who have turned to acupuncture in managing the chronic pain brought by this debilitating condition. So what is osteoarthritis and what role does acupuncture play in managing this condition? Let's find out.

Osteoarthritis and Its Nature
Also termed as degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis is a condition primarily characterized by the functional or structural failure of the joints. It often involves one entire joint and affects the nearby ligaments, muscles, joint lining, joint cover and underlying joint. At times, it may involve the progressive cartilage loss in the body.

Osteoarthritis normally occurs as a result of cartilage degeneration but it can also be caused by heredity, aging, injury and disease. Cartilage is actually a protein substance which serves as the 'cushion' between the joints' bones.

Osteoarthritis is categorized into two, the primary and secondary osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis normally occurs as a result of the aging of the joints. Through time, the loss of cartilage causes friction between the joints which may cause pain and mobility difficulty. Most cases of primary osteoarthritis are hereditary.

On the other hand, secondary osteoarthritis is normally triggered by other conditions or diseases including diabetes, gout, obesity and hormone disorder. Obesity can actually heighten the mechanical stresses between the joints which can negatively affect the cartilage. According to research, obesity is the second most significant risk factor for degenerative arthritis. Aging still emerges to be the most significant risk factor for such condition.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis actually vary from one person to another but the most common symptoms are pain, joint stiffness and difficulty in moving the joints. Most treatments for osteoarthritis are geared towards the reduction of joint pain and inflammation. Also, treatments are designed to maintain and improve joint functions.

Acupuncture- How It's Done and What Are Its Benefits
For more than 3000 years, acupuncture has been used to treat a wide range of illness because of its multiple relieving effects. However, extensive scientific studies were only conducted during the last 5 decades. Because of the growing popularity of traditional medicines such as acupressure and acupuncture, many western medical practitioners have developed the interest and curiosity about the mechanisms of how this method works and how it is able to provide pain relief to patients who suffer from osteoarthritis.

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), illnesses are mainly a result of blockages or imbalance in the flow of life energy in the body. Through acupuncture, these imbalances and blockages can be corrected with the use of special and very thin needles.

Acupuncture holds into the premise that the body contains 12 major meridians, 8 secondary meridians and thousands of acupuncture points which when stimulated can bring satisfactory benefits to different organs of the body. This ancient bodywork involves the process of penetrating very thin needles into the skin and manipulating them to create electrical impulses.

Researches On Acupuncture And Pain Management
Through time, there have been lots of researches conducted to determine the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of osteoarthritis. According to research, acupuncture helps in stimulating the production of endorphins in the body. Endorphins serve as the body's natural pain killers thereby helping the victims of osteoarthritis to cope with pain.

According to research, most acupuncture points are located near the nerves. When these nerves are stimulated, it creates a feeling of fullness or dull aches in the muscles. The stimulation of the muscles, triggers the transmission of signals to the central nervous system, which is composed of the spinal cord and the brain, to produce endorphins. These are hormones which the body produces in times of stress or pain. Together with other neurotransmitters, endorphins help in blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain. In effect, patients are able to experience less pain.

How to Prevent Arthritis Knee Pain

While there happen to be numerous therapies for long-term knee pain alleviation, factors that must be thought of when treating arthritis knee pain integrate the length as well as current condition of the ailment, along with wellness.

For the majority of us, there are existing convenient and practical ways to ease arthritis knee pain and perhaps avoid even more significant measures such as overall knee replacement surgery. Below are four lifestyle modifications strategies you can do as component of a natural arthritis pain alleviation plan.

Wear Appropriate Footwear

Women have a love affair with high heels, yet the toxic outcomes of wearing them may have already developed gradually. Various women believe that the discomfort administered from putting on high heels is most frequently to the feet; nonetheless, higher heels throw the body forward and enhance pressure underneath the kneecap. Eventually this triggers arthritis knee pain and discomfort. The excellent heel elevation to eliminate joint diseases knee discomfort is one-half to three-quarter of an inch.

Take Supplements

Glucosamine happens to be one of the most effective and economical supplements you can take to ease joint diseases knee discomfort. Blended with Chondroitin, a supplement thought to advocate water retention as well as flexibility in cartilage, this one-two strike does not just preserves knee health, it assists the replacement and repairs the chipped cartilage that provokes arthritis.

Regular Exercise

Works out that bolster as well as stretch the muscles that sustain the knee are vital for stopping the pain associated with arthritis. Appropriate activity also helps reduce stress on the knee joint. When performing exercises it's important to spread out the muscular tissues that support the knee first. Tight muscles that are connected to the knee can yank the knee out of alignment causing damages along with pain backing the knee.

Modifying Your Diet

The most necessary activity you can undertake in order to prevent arthritis knee pain is by controlling your weight. Those additional pounds that are able to slip up throughout mid-life placed added strain on knee joints as well as make cytokines-- chemicals associated to swelling as well as discomfort. Likewise, ensure your eating plan integrates lots of fruits as well as veggies. They include phytochemicals, a material that diminish swelling. Round out your eating plan by arming on Omega-3s (found in fish, nuts, olive as well as canola oils) and acquiring many calcium mineral for stronger bones. If you do not ingest appropriate volumes of calcium mineral, your body will pull it from your bones making them even more vulnerable and susceptible to trauma.

Osteoarthritis and Obesity - Excess Weight Increases Your Risk For Developing Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder and while it is still unclear how being overweight influences this condition, studies show that excess weight is an established risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee, causing a 3-4 fold increased risk of primary joint replacement. It is estimated that about 56% of obese people suffer from major knee pain, in comparison to 15% of people who are not overweight. Studies also show that overweight people additionally stand a higher chance of developing hip and hand osteoarthritis.

Does Excess Weight Accelerate the Breakdown of Cartilage?

It is certainly understood that excess weight increases the load placed on the joints, thus increasing the stress and possibly hastening the breakdown of cartilage. It was found that severely obese men were 15 times as likely to have torn cartilage, with severely obese women being 25 times as likely. Each step taken on level ground places 1 to 2 times the body weight on each knee, with the burden going up to 2 or 3 times as much when going up and down stairs and 4 or 5 times as much when squatting.

Will Weight Loss Reduce the Risk of Osteoarthritis?

Studies clearly show that enough weight loss reduces the rate of knee arthritis in both men and women, in addition to alleviating symptoms such as pain and stiffness. Each pound lost reduces knee pressure in every step taken and one study found that the risk of developing osteoarthritis decreased by 50% with each eleven pound weight loss among younger obese women. Research also showed that knee osteoarthritis would decrease by a fifth in older men who went from obese to just overweight, and by a third in older women. While total joint replacement is an effective treatment for severe knee and hip osteoarthritis, reducing inflammation, relieving pain, protecting the joint from further damage and building strength in the muscles that support the joint can often improve joint function.

Losing Weight Can Support Your Joints and Reduce Pain

Losing weight can be a challenge for many people, but it may seem even more daunting when coping with painful arthritis symptoms. However, losing excess pounds can have a big impact on how you feel by alleviating pressure placed on joints during physical activity, plus possibly helping to reduce circulating cytokines, which promote inflammation. Avoiding particular motions or ignoring the pain will not make it go away and is likely to cause a rapid progress of symptoms. Limited movement will weaken the muscles, compounding the joint problem, plus affect your posture thus creating further difficulties. Developing a program that is suited to your level of fitness and health is extremely important and can be done with the support of a physician, physical therapist or exercise physiologist. The right program can be a lasting way to reduce and control joint pain and may even help delay or avoid the need for surgery.

Eating a Healthy Diet to Lose Weight and Reduce Inflammation

Research shows a special link between food and the symptoms of arthritis, with certain foods helping to control the destruction of joints and others helping to relieve pain. An anti-osteoarthritis diet contains foods filled with antioxidants and bioflavonoid as well as foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Following a healthy diet by concentrating on lower-fat, nutrient-rich foods and plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help to reduce inflammation and maintain a balanced weight thus reducing strain on the joints.

Simple Steps To Cure Arthritis Naturally

People who suffer from arthritis often discover that conventional medical treatments for this condition either simply do not work or have side effects that put their joint health at risk, leaving them to wonder if there may be a natural cure for arthritis.

Arthritis is not a curable condition. However, there are natural treatments that have been proven to be effective in reducing the inflammation and pain of this condition, slowing the progression of the disease and in some circumstances even help heal the joints. The following alternative treatments are so effective that many arthritis sufferers feel that one or more of these treatments when used regularly, are almost as good as a cure!

Heat And Cold Therapy

Alternating hot and cold packs on the affected joints can provide almost instant relief for the pain and swelling of arthritis. This therapy is especially helpful when one first begins exercises for arthritis, because they allow you to exercise for short periods with no or little pain as well as reduce swelling, allowing for more range of movement.

Exercise

Most people who suffer from arthritis can't think of anything more painful than increasing their exercise. However, when done right and regularly, exercise can improve muscles around those painful joints which overtime can result in a better range of movement and less pain. Arthritis exercises should include stretching exercises, resistance training and cardiovascular exercise.

Diet

Diet is probably the most effective natural treatment for arthritis. If you are overweight, losing weight will take stress off those arthritic joints, relieving a good deal of pain and discomfort and making movement easier. Even if you are not overweight, certain dietary changes can aid in reducing the symptoms of this condition, along with eating healthy foods that naturally reduce inflammation. Eating hot peppers that contain capsaicin will provide your body with a natural pain killer and taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar can help dissolve hard deposits in the joints.

One of the best dietary changes you can make is taking an effective supplement that contains omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil and green lipped mussel supplements both provide natural relief for those effective joints. Green lipped mussel supplements also contain chondroitin and glucosamine which not only help to lubricate painful joints but may also repair the damaged cartilage, resulting in actually improving your condition.

Following the above steps makes a powerful natural treatment for this condition that can reduce inflammation and swelling, relieve pain and increase your range of movement without any of the side effects you find with drugs.

Yogic Cure For Arthritis (Inflammation of Joints)

Arthritis is a disease of the joints. People suffering from this disease have a burning feeling, terrible pain and aching in their affected joints. There is swelling, redness, stiffness, and heat in the joints. It is difficult to explain the root cause of this disease as there are various reasons for it. It may be cause due to lack of proper diet, lack of proper exercise, lack of hygienic care, due to poor health and similar other factors. It affects both male and female of all age groups and the most disheartening aspect of the disease is that it does not get easily cured through medicines when it is in chronic stages. But regular practice of some selected yoga asanas can cures this disease within few months.

The most remarkable aspect of yoga treatment is that it cures the disease without the use of any medicines and it gives a permanent cure.

Yogic treatment:

The arthritic patients have to do three things: regular practice of selected yoga asanas, to take proper diet, and to maintain proper hygienic care.

The arthritics are advised to practice the following asanas:

1. 
   Suntulan Asana: For doing this asanas one had to stand on one leg at a time. It removes rigidity and brings flexibility to the joints and also normalized the blood circulation in the affected areas and tones up the muscles. This asanas has curative effect upon the knees, ankles, shoulder joints, wrists, palms and fingers.


2. 
   Trikona Asana: Trikona asana has medical value for curing the pain or any disorder of the neck and the shoulder joints. This asana has good effect upon the spine, the hip joints, the hands and the palms. All the major joints above the waist area are properly activated and their muscles are duly toned up by this asana. The arthritics are advised to practice Santulan asana first and then the Trikona asana. It also develops the visionary power of the eyes; brings flexibility to the spine and provides the quality of mental attentiveness.


3. 
   Veera Asana: It exercises all the major and minor joints in a single process in a very effective way. The external activation enhances the blood circulation in the joint areas and restores their normal health. This asana has also a good strengthening effect on the lungs and the chest. It tones up the muscles of the thighs, the hip and the arms and takes away the fat from these areas.


4. 
   Gomukh Asana: It exercises the finger joints, the elbows, the shoulder joints, the toes, the ankles, the knees and the hip joints very effectively. All the muscles and nerves related to various joints are automatically toned up, activated and normalized.


5. 
   Vriksha Asana: It tones up the muscles of the ankles, toes, knees, hip joints, shoulder joints, elbows, hands and fingers.


6. 
   Setubandha Asana: It has the main impact on the spine and the hip joints. This asana also cures pain and corrects disorders of the soulders joints, neck, arms and the palms.


7. 
   Siddha Asana: This asana has a curative effect on all the joints below the waist area. It has a good effect on the nervous system all over the body.


8. 
   Natraj Asana: For the arthritics it has a great curative effect upon all the joints. It has also a good effect upon the spine. It removes backache, stiffness, and other disorders of the spine.

Proper Diet:

Diet to be followed by the arthritic people are as follows:

1. Stop eating bananas and curd.
2. Quit smoking.
3. Not more than two cups of tea or coffee a day.
4. Eat lots of fruits (except banana), green vegetables, and germinated grams.
5. Avoid excessive use of hot spices.
6. Should drink 10 to 12 glasses of water everyday.
7. Should eat at least two hours prior to retiring time during night.
8. They should eat four times daily.

Hygienic Care:

The most important thing about hygienic care is to bathe regularly and wear clean cloths. Neatness and cleanliness should be maintained in everyday life.

Thus, if the arthritis patients follow the above mentioned system of yoga therapy they should feel assured of getting fully cured from this disease.