Arthritis Pain - Dysplasia and Bee Venom Therapy in Animals

Labs are loving, people oriented dogs. They are happiest when they are with their owners. Labs tend to be quite patient with children making them wonderful family dogs. They require attention and love as much as food and water. Labradors require plenty of exercise - this is especially true since most Labs love to eat! However, health problems may arise as the puppy ages into an elder dog. One particular issue among this breed is hip dysplasia.

My precious black lab of fourteen years had hip dysplasia which included the following symptoms: ran with a 'bunny hopping' gait, demonstrated stiffness and pain in the rear legs after exercise or first thing in the morning, had difficulty climbing stairs and became less willing to engage in normal daily activities. Eventually the disease made it very difficult for her to arise from a sleeping or sitting position. Owners attribute these changes to normal aging but after treatment is initiated, they are surprised to see a more normal and pain-free gait return. Veterinarians may suggest weight loss and Rimadyl which is anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. The weight loss was an agreeable option to me but the drugs were questionable. Drugs have side effects and Rimadyl is no exception. NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the pain medications are not used according to labeled directions. Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death. A search for alternative methods became imminent and one of them was bee sting therapy.

Hillsboro, Ohio is the home of a prominent Apitherapist, Jim Higgins. Jim is a beekeeper and President of the Highland County Beekeepers Association. He is also on the Board of the American Apitherapy Society (AAS) and the Ohio State Beekeepers Association. He studied Bee Venom Therapy under the world master Charles Mraz of Middlebury, Vt., and has visited China twice on the subject of Apitherapy. He suggested bee sting therapy and provided a box of bees and a long set of tweezers for administration of the sting. His instruction was to sting the hip 4-5 times twice a week for a month. The procedure was implemented faithfully and Sonny was observed carefully for clues to its effectiveness. Sonny gradually started walking normal; playing with her toys and sleeping in her box. It was very enlightening! That was 2008. She continues to be in good health and requests to play with her rubber hedgehog daily.

How Can Deer Antler Velvet Extract Supplement Enhance Athletic Performance?

One of the natural health products gaining worldwide popularity nowadays is deer antler velvet extract supplements. Deer antler velvet has been used for 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine. It is now available in various forms for convenient and effective absorption by the body. The velvet antler has over 400 vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that target the overall well-being of the body. Almost any person of any age can benefit from this supplement.

Where Do They Get the Deer Antler Velvet Extract Supplement?

The deer velvet does not consist of capillaries but of a cartilaginous substance that surrounds the antler. As the elk's antlers grow fully, two-thirds of its height will be cut off and left to dry under the sun. This will make it easier for manufacturers to powder and derive concentrated amounts in an extract for easy ingestion. According to traditional Chinese supplement, the velvet antler has specific benefits depending on the section it's harvested from. The top section or the tip of the antler, there are minerals and vitamins good for preventive supplement. The middle section is good for osteoarthritis, fatigue, and other ailments. The base of the antler has nutrients beneficial for enhancing athletic performance and sexual drive. Through processing the entire antler is used to make the extract viable in its promotion of general health and wellness.

Osteoarthritis and Deer Antler Velvet Extract Supplement

The velvet antler has several nutrients that act as anti-inflammatory agents, which benefits those suffering from osteoarthritis. This bone condition is also called degenerative joint inflammation. Several studies found that antler velvet is rich in chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, which with collagen repair joints and lubricates the cartilage and minimizes inflammation. This natural supplement also contains prostaglandin, which is an agent responsible for reducing the swelling associated with injury and arthritis. When these substances are taken orally, there is a 90 percent absorption rate, but when combined with chondroitin, it reduces the pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Athletic Performance and Deep Antler Velvet Extract Supplement

If you are looking for a supplement that will improve your energy and stamina without worrying about failing a drug test, this supplement is just for you. One of the agents present in this supplement that is beneficial for muscle growth and development is IGF-1. It helps with quick recovery from strenuous activities, reduced recovery time between work outs, and increases energy levels. That is why this is a preferred natural supplement amongst atheletes.

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.