Arthritis Treatment: Treating Obesity As a Treatment for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis affecting at least 30 million Americans.

It is a disease that affects hyaline cartilage, the tough tissue that covers the ends of long bones. Hyaline cartilage consists of a complicated mixture of proteins, glycogen, and collagen.

OA develops when the cartilage matrix breaks down and begins to fragment. Small fissures called "fibrillations" develop. Over time the fissures become more pronounced as generalized OA progresses.

Unlike localized areas of cartilage damage that can occur as a a result of trauma, e.g., an athletic injury, OA appears to be a more generalized process that involves metabolic dysfunction of cartilage matrix and chondrocytes leading to a condition referred to as joint failure.

Risk factors for OA include injury to the joint, genetics, lifestyle, and age. OA is primarily a condition that affects weight-bearing areas of the skeleton.

As a consequence, excessive weight exerts a negative effect on symptoms of OA. Every extra pound a person carries creates approximately five extra pounds of load that the weight-bearing joint sees. So excessive weight can not only lead to joint damage over time- picture the number of excessive load impacts with every step an obese person takes- but also aggravates any underlying already existing arthritis.

However, that's not all. Recent studies have indicated that adipose tissue- fat cells- manufacture and release inflammatory proteins called cytokines. Since these cytokines are produced by fat cells (adipose cells), they are called adipokines. This would probably explain why people who have OA in the hands, a non-weight-bearing area- tend to have inflammatory changes in the finger joints.

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States. Airlines are starting to charge double for people who can't sit in one seat. Disney has had to modify their rides to accommodate the wider bottoms of their visitors. The impact on other organ systems and co-morbid conditions has been mentioned previously. These include diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, gout, etc. These also have a deleterious effect on OA.

So, the major point of this article is to stress that obesity is a double whammy for OA. There is the mechanical load that aggravates the disease. Plus, there is the secondary, and possibly more severe, problem of an obese person carrying around a load full of toxic inflammatory proteins in their fat that makes the disease worse.

As a result, weight loss should be considered an integral component of a good treatment program for patients with OA.

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Arthritis and Rheumatism: Glucosamine Supplements

Arthritis and Rheumatism - How to differentiate them?

Inflammatory pain resulting from the joints is arthritis and pains arising from tissues surrounding the bodily joints such as muscle, bone, ligament or tendon is rheumatism. These conditions are common and have long been considered to be chronic, degenerative and untreatable. Standard medication can make up of aspirin, corticosteroids and other non-steroidal anti inflammatory medicines which go to alleviate pain. The negative side of a long term usage on these drugs can possibly develop the dire side effects of a kidney and or liver damage. These as well intensify cartilage breakdown and hamper the body's natural repair system.

The good news is that there are now many natural herbal substances that have provided an alternative treatment to these joint pain conditions. While these natural substances normally takes a longer time to show results, however in the long run, they could be just as effective as conventional approach. This comes without the side effects too!

On the contrary, one should be wary of any substances on the market that promise quick results. Many of such substances in fact work against the body's natural healing mechanisms and in worst cases may cause more harm than just joint pains. These drugs may contain harmful substances in order to provide an instant result may cause harm to the kidney and liver.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is naturally produced by the human body. It is present in the cartilage, kidneys and liver. Glucosamine is understood to aid in healing damaged cartilage, constructing new cartilage, protecting and cushioning joints, alleviating pain and anti inflammatory. In the course of ageing, the body's natural production of Glucosamine drops as well. This is a sign that more senior people take joint pain supplements in one way or another to address this joint pain problem.

A common and widely available joint pain supplement in the market is glucosamine. What is Glucosamine? Glucosamine supplement originates from shrimp or crab shells and comes in 2 forms: pill and liquid. Some scientific/ medical studies suggested most pills and capsules contain certain binders or fillers that in fact making it difficult for the wanted active ingredients to be absorbed by the body to the maximal. Glucosamine in liquid form is thus regarded as a better source in that the body can absorb much more effectively compared to pills. Moreover, nutritional supplements in liquid forms are absorbed much more quickly by the body.

Together with Chondroitin and MSM, Glucosamine pills are popularly used for the treatment of Osteoarthritis, one of the most common types of arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment: The Costs Of Not Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Aggressively

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory form of arthritis, affecting more than 2 million Americans. It is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that causes systemic problems, meaning it can affect internal organs, such as the lungs, heart, bone marrow, and eye. It is also a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular complications such as stroke and heart attack.

Added to these concerns is the major issue with rheumatoid arthritis which is that if not treated aggressively, it can lead to irreversible joint damage, chronic pain, and functional disability.

While there is still no cure for the disease yet, RA can be treated and even put into remission if diagnosed early and treated with urgency.

While many of the new medicines that have been developed in recent years are effective, there is still no consensus on which one to use first, which one to use second, when to switch drugs, when is the right time to discontinue one drug and move onto another, and so on.

Perhaps, in time we will be able to individualize treatment programs. Progress in the field of what are called "biomarkers"- tissue evidence that will give us a unique profile of any given patient- will take us to the next level of treatment.

A bright spot is the continued development of newer therapies with different modes of action that will allow more choices, fewer side effects, and more convenience.

Nonetheless, what is clear right now is that delaying proper treatment leads to functional decline that is difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.

This loss of physical function leads to reduced productivity and increased healthcare costs.

A number of studies have viewed various treatment options and shown that a combination of methotrexate, the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) of choice along with a biologic drug leads to a significantly greater chance of improvement and less likelihood of unemployability.

Another study has demonstrated that length of time of disease and degree of functional impairment correlate with higher medical costs and greater disability.

And an additional study by Maetzel and colleagues indicated that RA costs also appear to be higher than that due to other common medical conditions such as osteoarthritis and hypertension (Maetzel A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2004; 63: 395-401).

The major hurdle today is getting patients with early RA to a rheumatologist early and having the rheumatologist initiate aggressive treatment as soon as possible. More about this in future articles.

What is the Difference Between Gout and Arthritis?

Arthritis is a more general term used to describe a disease where inflammation occurs in one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, and limited movement. There are many factors that lead to the inflammation which resulted in over 100 different types of arthritis.

One may have joint inflammation for variety of reasons. For older patients, arthritis (also known as rheumatoid arthritis) happened because of general "wear and tear" throughout the years resulted from various physical activities that apply pressure to the joints.

Infectious arthritis or septic arthritis is a fluid and tissue joint infection caused by bacteria, virus or fungus. These infecting agents spread into the joints via bloodstream of adjacent infected tissue. It can also be a direct result of contamination during surgery, injection or injury.

And the most 'popular' type or arthritis in the recent years is gout. Gout is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks itself because the immune system detected a foreign part in the body. This is same as the self-defense mechanism that is triggered when one get stung by a bee or bitten by an ant: inflammation, burning sensation, and pain. In the case of gout, the pain is so intense that some claim that it is the most painful type of arthritis!

What is the foreign part that triggers gout? It is some fine tiny crystal which is known as sodium urate that formed or crystallized inside the synovial fluid of joints. Naturally, these crystals are not supposed to float around in the joint fluid, so our 'immune police' will classify them as foreign invaders and call for a series of immune reaction which resulted in the symptoms that is known as gout.

Arthritis is a Nutritional Deficiency Disease & Can be Reversed Using Arthritis Herbal Treatments

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a devastating, painful and degenerative disease of the joints that affects over 75% of all people over the age of 65. In the U.S. alone it is estimated that there are between 37 to 50 million people who suffer with some degree of arthritis.

The vast majority of arthritis sufferers have osteoarthritis which is a chronic, aggressive joint disease. This disease causes cartilage and other joint tissue to deteriorate. Cartilage begins to wear down, and slowly deteriorates to the point to which the surrounding bones begin to rub against each other making a cracking or grating noise. Severe pain and swelling often result, as well as limited movement of the joint.

When compared to arthritis herbal treatments and natural supplements, many doctors prescribe medication to ease the pain and this only serves to make the disease even worse. In fact cortisone (and other steroids) can actually speed up the rate of loss of cartilage. It gets worse - temporary pain relief without rebuilding the joint allows you to move the joint which in turn causes more pain and damage - a lose, lose situation!

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and each has its own characteristic symptoms and its own course. Depending on the specific condition and how severe it is, arthritis can interfere with even the most ordinary activities, such as walking, dressing or bathing.

Most medical doctors will tell you that the causes are multiple and unknown, however the truth is that it is caused by a complex of nutritional deficiencies - which can of course be reversed in many cases.

Note - in the case of Rheumatoid arthritis the cause is most likely to be an infection by a bacteria and in addition to the natural and herbal arthritis treatments listed here, a simple antibiotic treatment such as minocycline prescribed by your doctor will help.

At the same time, bone spurs begin to appear at the same joints - all signs of a calcium deficiency and also an early warning signal of osteoporosis.

Prevention - A Natural Remedy for Arthritis

In addition to arthritis herbal treatments and supplements, a healthy lifestyle is essential as a natural remedy and for the prevention of arthritis. Following a few basic steps is an important part of providing a natural remedy. Here's what you can do right NOW:

o Make sure you have a well balanced diet with plenty of green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, eggs and dairy products - these contain minerals, vitamins and amino acids essential for health.

o Exercise - particularly 'weight-bearing exercises' - many studies all agree that a small amount of regular weight bearing exercise can assist.

o Reduce the amount of meat, processed foods and carbonated drinks in your diet - these are all high in phosphorous and this causes calcium to be lost.

o Stop smoking and reduce your intake of alcohol, caffeine and sugar - they limit your absorption of nutrients.

o Supplement - you need to supplement with a good source of calcium and other minerals along with vitamins and essential fatty acids.
You will make progress by supplementing with all 90 Essential Nutrients and an additional liquid calcium/magnesium supplement.

o Arthritis herbal treatments and cartilage supplements like glucosamine & chondroitin are required to assist with repair and rebuilding of the cartilage.

Arthritis Herbal Treatments & Supplements

To treat and reverse arthritis you need to follow the prevention guidelines and use arthritis herbal treatments and supplements.

You cannot expect natural cures for arthritis to take a few days. The disease is progressive and degenerative and has been present for quite some time - however the good news is that these treatments work. The process will take from between two weeks to three months (2 to 3 months if you are older and/or suffer any problems with absorption)or don't take these nutrients in adequate amounts.

Arthritis Health Supplements:

o Minerals - supplement with a good source of calcium and minerals. Liquid is always best and only in a form which is organic and highly absorbable (plant derived colloidal minerals); minerals required include copper, magnesium, selenium and zinc and many trace minerals such as manganese and boron - plant derived colloidal minerals are the best source

o Highly Absorbable Multi-Vitamins - Vitamins B6, D and E are required to build strong bones and vitamins C and E are required to build bone matrix and joints.

o Essential fatty acids from fish oil are also important for reducing the inflammation and rebuilding the fluid used to cushion the joints.

o Amino acids are involved in the construction of collagen and cartilage and you can find them in the multi-vitamin supplements we recommend.

o Liquid calcium/magnesium supplements are required for the support of healthy bones and joints - liquids are always more absorbable than tablets.

o For pain relief, Cetyl Myristoleate Cream - a natural cream produced from essential fatty acids has been clinically proven to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Natural Pain Relief and Repair of Damaged Cartilage

o Two other arthritis supplements involved in rebuilding cartilage are glucosamine and chondroitin.

Clinical studies around the world have shown that supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin provide a natural remedy for arthritis and help the body build and repair damaged or eroded cartilage as well as reduce pain and inflammation. Gelatin is a natural form of collagen and when combined with glucosamine will be much more effective than glucosamine on its own.

o MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) & CM (Cetyl Myristoleate) - these two arthritis herbal treatments have shown in clinical and scientific trials to promote the repair of cartilage, relief of joint pain and related discomfort and significantly improve the mobility people suffering arthritis.

Pain relief and freedom of movement is a fundamental part of the natural remedy and cure for arthritis. Ease of movement is essential to keep the joint healthy and in time, the vitamin, mineral and cartilage arthritis herbal treatments and supplements will actually rebuild and repair the damage. A Win-Win situation!

Arthritis Treatment to Cure Your Pain

Every part of our body plays an important role for us to live well and move freely. But it's not an unusual thing if our bodies are caught with some diseases that life gives especially if we're not exercising regularly, we're not living a healthy life, and we're abusing our bodies.

Arthritis appears when there is an inflammation and loss of movement in our joints and then we feel pain. "Arth" means joint and "ritis" means joint inflammation. And there are a lot of different kinds of arthritis. As we move in our daily doings, if we have arthritis, the disease greatly affects our normal ways. It is chronic which means that it can last for a lifetime if not treated well.

So, to prevent or be relieved from the pain felt because of arthritis, an arthritis treatment should be applied. There are many tips and ways and some are even naturally applied, but for the disease to not become complicated and worsen, a physician should be involved in the decision-making on how to keep away from arthritis or how to stop it.

Here's a list of some of the useful tips and aids which can guide you if you have arthritis and you might consider any of the arthritis treatment to ease and alleviate your pain:

* Calcium, Zinc, and Vitamin C are essentials for you to keep away from the disease.
* Some consider medicines such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Dicolfenac are secure treatment for arthritis.
* There are also drugs which can setback the succession of arthritis. Examples of the drugs are Hydroxychloroquine and Methotrexate.
* Green lipped mussel extract is also one known natural resource to keep away from the disease.
* Warm massages, warm baths, and stretching exercises may be considered helpful to lessen the pain.
* Regular exercise and proper diet should also be measured and thought of to get away from the pain that the arthritis provides.