What Is Reactive Arthritis

Author: Trevor Vernon

What is Reactive arthritis and how can it be effectively dealt with.

Reactive arthritis was first described by a German military physician called Hans Reiter in 1916. He described the disease seen in soldier in orld War I, who had recovered from a bout of diarrhea.

Reactive arthritis can be described as an inflammation in the joints which can develop as a reaction to an virus or infection. Reactive arthritis can be treated and attacks from it normally doesn't last that long.

What can cause Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis is caused when a joint 'reacts' to an infection elsewhere in the body.

Reactive arthritis refers to pain, stiffness, redness or swelling in a joint resulting from a previous infection. It is also considered as a systemic rheumatic disease.

Reactive arthritis cannot be passed from one person to another. It itself is not contagious and is not defined as a sexually transmitted disease.

Reactive arthritis is among a group of disorders known as seronegative spondyloarthropathies that can cause inflammation in the joints of the spine, legs and arms and in other parts of the body.

Listed below are some examples that can trigger Reactive Arthritis:

* Common flu virus
* Mild or severe food poisoning
* Sexually transmitted diseases

They are mainly seen in young people and can really occur at any age.

Reactive Arthritis - What happens nextReactive Arthritis can progress quite fast. It can usually be seen 3-12 weeks after it's been triggered. Joints ten to swell and are painful, especially the knees, ankles and toes are normally the first symptoms people tend to get.

How will it Reactive Arthritis affect me?

In general reactive arthritis tend to last from a few weeks to six months with no future complications. Some of the symptoms listed below may be seen:

* Swelling and pain in the knees, toes or ankles
* Pain in the lower part of your back* infections in genitals and urinary tract
* skin conditions* infections in the eyes
* sausage toes, Inflammation in joints and tendons simultaneously

How is Reactive Arthritis treated?

Reactive arthritis can be very difficult to diagnose and no conclusive tests exists at present. Phase one of the Reactive Arthritis treatment will deal with the infection or virus that might have started the condition, antibiotics are often used.

Phase two of Reactive Arthritisis treatment is for the joint pain and swelling. The following may be prescribed by your doctor:

* non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the inflammation
* steroids injected into the inflammed area if it is severe
* disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) if your arthritis is still present after a few months

What can you do?

Your doctor may also perform a physical examination, and order x-rays and other tests to find out what has caused the arthritis.

Exercising your muscles is very important which in turn keeps your joints moving. Your doctor might refer you to a physiotherapist or occupational therapist who will teach you how to properly exercise your joints.

Lots of rest is key and is an important part of the recovery process. You should also consider trying out different complementary Reactive Arthritis treatments and therapies.

However, most people with reactive arthritis can expect to live normal life spans and maintain a near-normal lifestyle with modest adaptations to protect the involved organs.

About the Author:Article by Trevor Vernon - BizArticles.co.uk Learn proven remedies and treatments to eliminate Arthritis Pain. Tips, tutorials, videos, interviews and more. Click here now http://www.bizarticles.co.uk

For further information about arthritis and what you can do viisit

Potatoes Can Relieve Arthritis Pain?

The loyal spud. There is some medical evidence that suggests it can help relieve arthritis pain and maybe even cure it. Here's the full article anyways.

The potato is a cheap and homely remedy against arthritis, gout, scurvy, and rickets.

Dr. Lambe tells how he cured a case of scurvy solely with raw potatoes. One of the favourite dishes of that good old doctor was a salad composed of sliced raw potatoes and olive oil. In order to preserve the medicinal properties of potatoes when cooked, they must always be steamed in their jackets. The skin may be removed before eating, but care should be taken not to allow a particle of the potato to adhere to it. The valuable potash salts chiefly lie just underthe skin.

A raw potato scraped or powdered to a pulp is an excellent remedy for burns and scalds.

Dr. Fernie recommends the following decoction with which to bathe the swollen and inflamed joints of rheumatic sufferers. Take 1 lb. potatoes, cut each into four, but do not peel them. Boil in 2 pints of water until stewed down to 1 pint. Strain, and use the liquid for bathing the swollen joint.

Eaten to excess potatoes are apt to cause dullness and laziness - so don't eat too much of it!

Visit www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com for more interesting articles and information.
Our Article on Sam-e Arthritis

Before we discuss about SAM-e arthritis, do you know what SAM-e is? Well, Read on. The human body produces a lot of nutrients naturally. One of them is SAM-e. To produce SAM-e, our body uses an amino acid called methionine. But you cannot increase the levels of SAM-e in your body by taking methionine, even though methionine is a good amino acid supplement in its own right. Nevertheless, if your body is methionine deficient, then the levels of SAM-e production also decreases.

Dozens of metabolic processes in your body are benefited by SAM-e
Tips on Choosing a SAM-e Supplement You have to take care to choose the best available SAM-e supplement. Here are some tips that will help you:

1. Always go for the pharmaceutical grade SAM-e supplements. A majority of the dietary supplements in the market do not actually comprise of the ingredients that they claim to, on their label. Even more surprising, they are all often contaminated. As a matter of fact, both private companies like consumerlabs.com, and government agencies have proven this as miserably accurate. Pharmaceutical grade supplements, on the other hand, are manufactured to the same rigorous standard that prescription drugs are. So, you can rely on them to some extent.
2. Powerful acids that are secreted in you stomach can destroy SAM-e on contact. So, it is important you take an enteric coated SAM-e supplement. The enteric coating allows the nutrient to pass through the acids of the stomach almost entirely safe and get into your bloodstream.

The product we personally use called Total Balance - http://www.health-product-we-use.com is the most natural and effective supplement we have come across. We have been using this product for over 3 years with excellent health results.

We highly recommend you learn more about our best natural nutritional supplement if you are interested in improving your overall health. Jean Helmet runs a series of health websites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter. We cover everything you need to know on nutrition and how to improve your general overall health. Check out our nutrition e-book, for more information on nutrition and the products we use.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Helmet
Relieve Your Pain From Arthritis With Ayurveda And Alternative Healing

Today, in the United States, more than 15 percent of the entire population suffer from arthritis. That's over 40 million people. It is a disease that does not discriminate, men and women and even children can suffer from its effects. Arthritis involves the inflammation of joints, surrounding tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, as well as destruction of bone. It can affect any part of the body, from the feet, knees, back to the fingers and, in certain types of arthritis, heart, lung, or other organs as well.

Arthritis can range from mild aches and discomfort to even a crippling, chronic pain. There is currently no cure for arthritis. Instead it continues to annoy and frustrate all those who suffer from it. In this article I will share with you my experience growing up with arthritis and my discovery after 9 years, of Ayurveda and the natural healing and relief of my Chronic pain caused by this undesired disease called arthritis.

When I was young, only 12 years old, I was suffering from extreme back pain. My parents did the only thing logical to them and took me to a back doctor or chiropractor. Over a few years of going to different doctors I was told many different things to what my problem was and was continually assured they could "fix" me. Finally after some time and no results I was in another clinic where x-rays were taken, I can't be certain if this doctor was smarter then the rest or if he was just the first to be honest with me. He pulled out the x-rays and went on to show me that I had arthritis spreading over my lower and upper back and there was nothing he could do for me.

Now at 17 years old and my whole life ahead of me that's not what I wanted to hear. Over the next couple of years I continued to see this doctor for temporary relief for my pain as that's all it was good for. After some time I gave up on going to these doctors and decided that I would just have to deal with this "illness" on mine.

I was 20 when I was introduced to alternative health or Ayurveda. Ayurveda is the study of the science of life. It is based on a perspective I had to learn before the healing could begin to take place in my life. At the time in my life I had this transformation of understanding I was over at my parent's house when my arthritis got so bad that my back completely collapsed. I could no longer move for the pain was too strong. My parents happen to know a Chiropractor who practiced nearby but as it was after close they had to call him over from his home. I am very blessed to have had this experience as for what I was going to learn next was going to change my life in more ways then I knew.

This Doctor we can call Dr. H.. Dr. H. came right over and started working on me. He was working on me in ways I could not yet understand. After 30 minutes of pushing pressure points and relaxing my body I was walking. He didn't pop one bone!!! I was amazed and could not understand what he did. I asked him how on earth he did what he did and his only response was in reference to his study of Alternative practice and healing... Ayurveda.

From that time I was intrigued, I started looking for ways and researching what this Ayurveda and alternative health was all about. It wasn't but 6 months later I came in contact with a gentleman who changed my life. He introduced me to an ayurvedic product and teachings that has made my arthritis illness practically invisible to me. Let me explain some of what I've learned so that you too may have this incredible change in your life.

The difference from traditional healing and medication from ayurvedic healing is simple. Alternative medicine or Ayurveda works by helping the body to heal itself where drugs, on the other hand, including those used to alleviate the pain and inflammation of arthritis, work either by taking over the body's functions or by masking the pain that might otherwise help the body protect itself against further harm. Resulting in the body never fully healing itself, not to mention the many side effects associated with western medication.

According to ayurvedic principles, the joints, tendons, and cartilage involved in arthritis do not exist in separation from the rest of the body. Nor do they remain unaffected by emotions, thoughts, or stress. While western doctors concentrate on the particular joints affected by arthritis, Ayurveda concentrates on the body as a whole, everything from head to toe, physically and emotionally. A person's body suffers when his or her body's chemistry is not stable. So instead of focusing on the arthritis itself you need to focus on the body as a whole to in turn solve the problem of the arthritis.

To do this you must start with the basic of eating healthy. If you are not eating the right foods for your body you can not achieve a stable body or spirit. Now to answer the question in regard to which is the proper foods to eat and in what quantity are a whole other topic all together. I will suggest buying and reading a book called "Eat, Taste, Heal," by ThomasYarema and Daniel Rhoda. Another importance is in calming and relaxing you mind and body. You can do this by meditation or variety of ayurvedic medications.

Article published by Chad Kidner -Ayurvedic Herbalist and Practitioner. To learn more about the Ayuvedic product that helped me become free from my arthritic pain or to contact me please go to my website http://www.natureshealthexpert.restoringyouryouth.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chad_Kidner

Shocking Truths About Pescription Anti-Inflammatory Drugs!

What are NSAIDs?
NSAID stands for Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs are popular prescriptions that are taken to relieve the inflammation associated with arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, etc. NSAIDs decrease inflammation by hindering the production of prostaglandins; a natural chemical associated with body inflammation.

What are the potential negative side effects of NSAIDs?

What is a Cox-1 enzyme?
Cyclooxygenase-1 (Cox-1) is an enzyme that is present at sites of inflammation as well as in the stomach. The Cox-1 enzyme of the stomach produces prostaglandins, chemical messenger. These prostaglandins protect the lining of the stomach from the acids that it contains. When Cox-1 enzymes are inhibited, inflammation is reduced; however, the integrity of the stomach lining is compromised. This reduction to the stomach leads to ulcers and other gastrointestinal issues.

What is a Cox-2 enzyme?
Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) produces prostaglandins also but solely at the sites of inflammation. Therefore, hindering these enzymes reduces inflammation.

What is a Cox-2 Inhibitor?
Cox-2 inhibitors are a new class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Because they selectively block the Cox-2 enzyme and not the Cox-1 enzyme, these drugs are uniquely different from traditional NSAIDs.

Why were Cox-2 Inhibitors created?
Cox-2 Inhibitors were created to reduce inflammation without compromising the stomach lining. Therefore, inflammation sufferers will achieve relief without being at risk for ulcers.

What is the danger surrounding Cox-2 Inhibitors? (i.e., Celebrex, Vioxx, and Bextra)

Although in theory Cox-2 Inhibitors are a great solution, they have some definite health considerations you need to know before you take them. Cox-2 inhibitors have been manufactured in one set dosage. The only available dosage is at such a high level there is an extremely high risk for strokes and heart attacks. Without the option for healthcare professionals to individualize prescriptions for their patients, all patients are receiving the same amount regardless of height, weight, sex, medical history etc. The negative risk have been so great, the FDA formed an Advisory Committee consisting of 32 experts who agree that these Cox-2 Inhibitors cause too high a risk for strokes and heart attacks. They recommend that healthcare providers to be very cautious as to which patients they prescribe Cox-2 despite the pharmaceutical companies flashy advertising.

Are there natural alternatives to Cox-2 Inhibitors?
There are many viable natural options available for individuals suffering from inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and overuse type conditions such as tendonitis and bursitis. Specifically, there is an ingredient called Nexrutine offered by Next Pharmaceuticals that works on the Cox 2 enzyme without platelet aggregation or risk of cardiovascular health. Nexrutine taken by itself is a very good natural pain reliever. Optimal Therapeutics produces a Nexrutine ingredient based product called Phosoplex. The product promotes healthy joint function and also helps to alleviate pain and swelling. This cumulative effect allows for the repair of damaged joints. What makes the product so effective? In addition to Nexrutine, Phosoplex contains a synergistic blend of powerful ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, MSM, Glucosamine, BioCell Collagen II. Overall Phosoplex is as effective as any other natural joint pain reliever on the market today.

Based on current research and recent problems with pharmaceutical pain relieving drugs, natural alternative ingredients like Nexrutine and natural formulas like Phosoplex are the future for safe and effective pain management.
bio = Janet Hanh is a published author in the field of pain management. Many of her insightful health related articles can be found online at www.consumerhealthdigest.com

For more detailed information about arthritis drugs and treatments visit;

Hand Arthritis

Arthritis is a familiar term to most people. However, there are many different types of arthritis, each with its own specific affected area and the types of arthritis vary in degrees of severity. One type of arthritis that particularly limits your ability to complete daily activities is hand arthritis.

Think about it—you use your hands for just about everything. What would happen if you feel pain every time when you use your hands? People affected by hand arthritis face this challenge, every day. Knowing the symptoms of hand arthritis could result in earlier diagnosis, which in turn could contribute to arthritis prevention.

Arthritis of the hand occurs when the cartilage (nature’s “shock absorber”) in the hand begins to deteriorate. The body begins to produce a fluid called synovium to try and cushion the joints in place of the cartilage. However, this fluid causes the joint to swell and results in the restricted motion of the joint. The joint covering, Called the capsule, stretches, which causes the pain that arthritis is known for.

Early on, people with hand arthritis might experience a dull or burning pain in their hands . For example, many people feel this sensation when grasping or gripping something. However, others do not experience these symptoms until several hours later.

As hand arthritis advances, smaller uses of the hands will result in these symptoms. The pain typically worsens as the disease progresses; some people complain that arthritis pain keeps them up at night. Others claim that rainy weather negatively affects their arthritis. As the arthritis grows worse, those affected by it will begin to find simple tasks, such as tying shoes and opening jars, more difficult.

There are several ways that hand arthritis can be treated. One way to treat the symptoms of arthritis is medications. Medications eliminate the pain associated with the arthritis, but they do not fix the problem of the deteriorating cartilage.

Some people discuss surgical options because they eliminate the problem completely. The types of surgeries that can treat hand arthritis are numerous. One option, for example, is to have the affected joints replaced altogether.

If you are suffering from hand arthritis, then you do not have to live with your pain. There are so many options available for treatment that can significantly increase the quality of your life and life the limitations that have been placed on your daily activity.

For more Details check http://www.arthritisreliefhelp.info
About The Author Roger Thompson writes articles on arthritis & pain relief for http://arthritisrelief.info
For more information about what things you can do visit ;

Joint Pains Can Be Caused by Venereal Diseases or Other Infections

Doctors used to think that there were two major types of chronic joint pains. In one type, called reactive or rheumatoid arthritis, there is an immune or infectious reaction that damages joints. The other type, called osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis, there is a wearing away of cartilage, the white gristle that covers bones where they come together to form joints.

Often, but not always, osteoarthritis is characterized by swelling of the joints near the fingernails, while immune types of arthritis are characterized by swelling of the joints in the middle of the fingers and knuckles. People with degenerative arthritis usually have negative blood tests for arthritis which measure increased immunity against infections, while those with reactive or rheumatoid arthritis often have some positive blood tests.

Myriad bacteria and viruses can cause arthritis, and antibiotics are often effective in controlling symptoms. Retroviruses can be found in joint fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Venereal diseases, such as chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, gonorrhea and Gardnerella cause arthritis, and the practicing physician has no available tests that are dependable in diagnosing these infections.

Even when doctors treat infectious arthritis with massive intravenous doses of antibiotics for 10 weeks, the germs can persist in the joint fluid. Patients with supposedly non-infectious osteoarthritis can have C-reactive protein in joint fluid, signifying an infection. Long-term antibiotics are often effective in controlling the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, while short-term antibiotics are usually ineffective. The antibiotic, doxycycline may prevent joint destruction by stabilizing cartilage in addition to clearing the germ from the body.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com For journal references on this article see reports #J106 and J159.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabe_Mirkin,_M.D.

For more information on what you can do to treat arthritis visit;


I Have Bad Arthritis In The Shoulder But I’m Afraid Of Surgery… What Should I Do?

Joint replacement surgery for arthritis has become commonplace nowadays when it comes to areas such as hips or knees.

However, there is still the notion that shoulder replacement is difficult and not very successful. It’s something to consider only as the very last resort… and even then avoid it if possible. Why is this the case?

One reason is that shoulder replacement is not commonly done. Only about a tenth as many shoulder replacements are done as hip or knee replacements. However, new data from a Johns Hopkins study has demonstrated that while less commonly performed, shoulder replacement actually has fewer complications and shorter hospital stays than either knee or hip replacement.

Shoulder replacements are less common than knee or hip replacement for three major reasons.

The first is that the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis- is a disease of weight-bearing joints and the shoulder is not a weight-bearing joint.

Also, many people don't realize shoulder replacement is an option or they may lack access to surgeons who can perform shoulder replacement surgery because it is such a specialized procedure.

Finally, many physicians have not been exposed to the excellent results that can be achieved, so they are often reluctant to advise it for their patients.

As with all joint replacement operations, the single biggest determinant of success is the skill and experience of the surgeon.

This is a particularly complex surgery, so it is mandatory to find a highly skilled surgeon at a major medical center, particularly a center specializing in orthopedic surgery, where a large number of shoulder replacements are done.

So if you’re a patient with arthritis when do you know you might be a candidate for shoulder replacement? If you’re experiencing significant pain due to your arthritis that is disabling or interfering with sleep, that’s an indication. Also, if you are having difficulty with daily functioning as a result of arthritis in the shoulder, that would be another indicator that you should at least look into it.

While shoulder arthritis is generally a condition that occurs in older people, the patient must otherwise be healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure.

Shoulder prostheses last an average of 15 to 20 years so if possible, it’s best to delay the surgery until at least the age of 60.

As with other replacement procedures, a revision operation- a replacement of a replacement is a difficult, risky, and complex procedure. Patients under the age of 60 might want to consider lesser options before moving onto shoulder replacement.

Shoulder fusion is another procedure that can be considered. While pain is ameliorated, function of the shoulder is markedly restricted so it’s not an option for many patients.

The reason total shoulder replacement is such a challenging operation is that it involves removing the head of the humerus (the top of the upper arm bone) and replacing it with a new prosthetic metal ball. Then, a resurfacing of the glenoid (shoulder socket) is done by by attaching a second saucer-shaped plastic component to the shoulder blade.

Since the shoulder is a smaller and more complex joint than the knee or hip, it is more difficult to place the prosthesis perfectly. Getting to the shoulder joint is made more difficult because of the many nerves, tendons and blood vessels in the area.

Also, the anatomy of the shoulder varies a lot from person to person so many times standardized parts don't fit well. Placement of the implant is very demanding from a surgical viewpoint. Done correctly, shoulder replacement results in a well-functioning shoulder with a durable implant.

Also, and often most importantly, the operation eliminates the arthritis pain.

After the procedure, patients can begin to move their shoulder right away. They should remain in the hospital at least two days though. Several months of physical therapy are necessary to gain full functioning and range of motion in the shoulder.

Most patients can raise their arm by six weeks and resume full activities after three or four months. Patients experience the most dramatic improvement in the first four months. However, they will still make progress over the next year.

They often can return to their previous activities. However, surgeons caution patients that excessive overuse of the joint will wear it out faster.

So… shoulder replacement surgery can be added to the growing number of treatment options available for people with shoulder arthritis that has failed to respond to more conservative measures.

by: Nathan Wei
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6905.shtml
For More information on Arthritis treatment and remedies visit;
No comments:

Health Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is an ancient way, practiced for thousands of years, steeped in tradition and, to most people, a mysterious enigma. When practitioners would speak of the many benefits they had experienced in both mental and physical health, yoga would seem to be both a perfect practice, or one whose claims were impossible to believe.

Practitioners of yoga, or yogis/yogins (yogini for the ladies) would speak of the unification of mind, spirit, and body. The belief was that when these were brought into balance the persons mental and physical health would improve. The word “harmony” would be heard a lot, as would be “healing”, again, applied both to the body and the mind.

Until recently, you could only go by what someone who had personal experience could tell you. There was a reasonable amount of skepticism that yoga could actually be as beneficial to your mental and physical health as its proponents claimed.

However, in the last few years, scientific study, observation, and measurement have proven that yoga can indeed have specific observable affects on your health. It has been shown that body, mind, and spirit do work together and when the effective level of each is raised, the person experiences a much better life in terms of health, happiness, and harmony within himself or herself and with the world in general.

An article published by Johns Hopkins states:
“Over 75 scientific trials have been published on yoga in major medical journals. These studies have shown that yoga is a safe and effective way to increase physical activity that also has important psychological benefits due to its meditative nature.”

In our modern society, we are likely to look at yoga first as an “exercise program”. As with any good exercise program, yoga can increase muscle strength and respiratory endurance, improve flexibility, and promote balance. It also tends to lessen pain in those afflicted with arthritis and helps to increase energy levels in those who practice it.

Yogis and yoginis also have long reported increases in what might be called positive mental states, along with decreases in negative mental states. They tend to report a greater level of optimism, a renewed or improved enthusiasm for life, and a higher sense of alertness and awareness of themselves and the world and people around them. They have also reported decreased levels of agressiveness, anxiety, and excitability, as well as lowered levels of physical complaints and illnesses.

Scientific observation and testing is now bearing out what practitioners have been saying for years. Studies on the biological, psychological, and biochemical aspects of yoga have shown a wide range of positive results for most who take up the practice of yoga.

When practiced over time, yoga tends to level pulse rate, stabilize the nervous system, normalize stomach and digestive activity, level hormones, and increase joint range of motion. It increases energy, endurance, immunity, and cardiovascular efficiency. It improves eye-hand coordination, reaction time, dexterity, and helps the person to get more restful and restorative sleep.
Yoga also seems to have psychological benefits as well. practitioners and those who study them report that it helps you become more aware of your body, accept yourself more readily, improve your concentration, memory, learning and mood.

Additional benefits of yoga as compared to other exercise programs is that it massages internal organs in a way that other programs do not, and produces a detoxifying effect. Some speculate that this may lead to delaying aging.
Finally, yoga can be practiced almost anywhere, anytime, by anyone, and requires no special equipment. It does not even require special training! While having an expert teach you personally would be best, a careful reading of books on the subject and a DVD or two can get you started.

However, our modern citizens tend to throw themselves headfirst into new projects. Not only is this completely opposite from the philosophy and aims of yoga, but it can invite injury and strain. The people in the books and DVDs have been doing yoga for years. It is highly unlikely that you will immediately be able to duplicate their ability to achieve the positions they demonstrate. Just do the best you can, and then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day…

As always, before beginning any physical fitness program, check with your doctor first to make sure it is okay for you to start. Once started, however, be aware that there are people in their 70s, 80s and 90s doing yoga. You will not be alone. By Andreas http://www.articlefinders.com/health/538/



For more useful info about arthritis and what you can do to stop it in its tracks visit;
www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com

No comments:

Neck Arthritis

Neck arthritis, which is otherwise called cervical spondylosis, is a type of arthritis which is caused by degenerative changes in the bones and the intervertebral disks of the neck. It is primarily due to aging, as although there are other contributing factors as well, the condition usually presents itself after the age of 40 and then continues to process on from there.

With neck arthritis, the bones in the neck, as with the rest of the body, progressively degenerate as your body ages, and over time, arthritis of the neck may result from bony spurs and problems with ligaments and disks. As well, the spinal cord may end up narrowing and compressing the spinal cord and nerves, and injuries from neck arthritis can in fact cause full spinal cord compression.

There are a number of signs and symptoms that you are likely to notice from the onset of neck arthritis, and this includes: neck pain and stiffness that is usually worse with upright activity, you may have numbness and weakness in the arms, legs, hands and fingers and have trouble walking due to all over weakness, you may feel or hear grinding noises or popping in the neck when you move. you may experience muscle spasms or headaches which will typically originate in the neck area.

When it comes to the treatment of neck arthritis, most of the time, if your symptoms are mild, your doctor will most likely recommend a variety of non-surgical treatments such as rest and medication. However if your arthritis is very advanced or incredibly painful, they may opt to go for more serious forms of treatments.

Remember that different forms of treatment work differently from one person to the next, and so what works great for one person may not have any affect at all on you. This is why you may have to try out a few different options before you can settle on one specific one.

The most important thing is that you keep on top of your health and that you make sure to watch out for any signs or symptoms of arthritis, not only in your neck but over your entire body. Arthritis is, after all, one of the most common diseases worldwide, and although it can be treated, the pain and discomfort that is caused by it is incredibly severe.

Make sure that you get in for regular checkups with your doctor, so that together you can make sure that you are always top notch when it comes to your health.

by: Roger Thompson http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6605.shtml
No comments:

Arthritis Pain Management Through Massage

Age, infection and joint trauma all contribute to arthritic pain. Most common in people over fifty-five, it is a leading basis of disability. The most commonly contracted form of joint pain is osteoarthritis. This disease mostly associated with chronic joint pain is debilitating, sometimes making even simple tasks impossibly painful. Message therapy as cure for arthritis has yet to be determined but its short-term effectiveness in liberation from discomfort has been shown to be valuable.

Massage therapy, when administered by a trained professional, can stimulate blood flow, improve joint movement and bring nutrients, that would otherwise never reach them to, underlying tissues. Arthritis can be chronic and painful. One major benefit of massage is that the relief that comes with the therapy can eliminate the need for anti-inflammatory drugs.

Although the long-term benefits have yet to be established concretely, the short-term benefits of massage on arthritic pain are undisputed as an effective form of therapy and pain relief. The way in which massage helps people suffering from arthritis to manage their pain is in its ability to get the body moving again. Muscle stimulation reduces inflammation, calms sore muscles, and can help with painful swelling. It is also known to improve the range of joint motion, which can encourage patients to become more active. Besides general osteoarthritis, arthritis in the hands particularly, has become a trend in America. The Touch Research Institute (TRI) studied the effectiveness of massage on a group of 22 adults with hand and wrist pain. They found that subjects who received massage therapy had increased grip strength, lowered stress and less pain found in the hands and wrists in general. A great way to receive massage therapy at work is corporate chair massage. This study proves that increased blood flow and muscle stimulation around effected joints can alleviate arthritic pain.

Some different techniques that are utilized by massage therapists to relieve arthritic pain are: Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, shiatsu and reflexology. However when you cannot get to a masseur, self massage works to relieve pain as well. Especially for hand and wrist pain, a side effect of massaging yourself is increased hand and wrist movement. Kneading your palm with thumb and fingers can help to relieve muscle cramps. Blood flow increases to the fingers making joints less stiff. Another self-help massage technique is stroking. Firmly pressing your hand down the length of a muscle, in your leg for example will also help to relieve tension. Another great way to get quick pain relief is to get a chair massage.

Massage therapy has been found to help people suffering from arthritis manage their pain. The benefits of this type of pain management are that, although it is not a ‘cure’, it can help people return to a more active lifestyle. This contribution to people suffering form arthritis, helping them live their lives fully, should not be underestimated. Although massage therapy is not curing arthritis it does make living with it a much less painful.

By Brandon Thomas http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/440297?articleid=440297
No comments:

Septic Arthritis: A Most Dangerous Kind Of Acute Arthritis

Author: John Hilaire http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/septic-arthritis-a-most-dangerous-kind-of-acute-arthritis-357043.html

If you have the misfortune of having bacterial infection in your joint cavity, you will most certainly be suffering from perhaps the most dangerous of all kinds of acute arthritis that is known as septic arthritis.



The bacteria will have spread from a primary site which can, in most instances, is found right next to the bone or the soft tissue and it will spread, in most cases, through the patients bloodstream. However, such a condition is known to affect only a very minuscule number of people that, it is believed, is only two to ten persons out of a total general population of one hundred thousand people.

More Common In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients



However, septic arthritis is more common among patients of rheumatoid arthritis and it affects, it is believed, about thirty to seventy people in a population of a hundred thousand people that are rheumatoid arthritis patients. The factors that can cause septic arthritis are many, and if there is a simultaneous presence of bacterial infection, the chances of contracting septic arthritis are greatly increased.



If you also suffer from chronic ailments such as renal failure, cirrhosis, malignancy as well as diabetes then you will be at a greater risk of contracting septic arthritis, which will further increase if your immune system is weak, or if you previously have had immunosuppressive therapy. And, it has been noticed that alcoholics and also those who have been suffering from extended bouts of using intravenous drugs and even drug addicts are at a greater risk of contracting septic arthritis.



What's worse is that septic arthritis comes on all of a sudden, and its symptoms include extreme pain, inflammation and swollen affected joints, which are also accompanied with chills as well as fever. Sometimes, the joint that has been infected can cause the patient to become immobile in that limb. And, if that was not bad enough, septic arthritis will also affect your bigger limbs of which the knee is a prime example.



There are a number of different means used by doctors to diagnose septic arthritis. The use of Gram's stain may show septic arthritis, and the use of x-rays, radioisotope joint scan as well as determining the white blood count is other means used to diagnose the problem. The most common treatment or therapy used for such a condition is antibiotic therapy which should ideally begin as soon as the symptoms are noticed, and identified.

The main aim of such antibiotic therapy should be to eliminate the infection, and if a patient is given such treatment within a week of onset of the infection, he or she would be able to recuperate faster than those who are treated a month after the infection has been diagnosed.

For more information about the different types of arthritis and what you can do to help reduce the pain and symptoms visit;

www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com
No comments:

On the Move: Keep Arthritis Conditions at Bay with Exercise

I read this article and thought it might give you the extra push you were looking for to becomming more active.
Author: Ann Knapp http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/on-the-move-keep-arthritis-conditions-at-bay-with-exercise-346757.html

In combination with medication, a tailored arthritis exercise program can promote joint and pain relief, and preserve joint structure and function.

Once arthritis sets in, the stiffness, pain and swelling associated with the condition can severely reduce the range of motion of joints, or in other words, the distance joints can move in certain directions. It might be tempting to avoid physical activity because of pain or discomfort, but this can actually lead to significant muscle loss and excessive weight gain. According to WebMD, exercise, as part of a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan, can improve mobility, muscle strength, and overall physical conditioning, while helping you maintain a healthy weight.

It's important to first understand what type of arthritis you have and its symptoms and then you and your physician or physical therapist can develop a program of physical activity to reduce the damaging effects of arthritis and promote optimal health. A tailored exercise program should include a balance of three types of exercise: range-of-motion, strengthening, and endurance, which will aide in pain relief and protect the joints from further damage. In addition, an exercise program can help maintain normal joint movement, help maintain weight to reduce pressure on joints, keep bone and cartilage tissue strong, and improve cardiovascular fitness.

In an effort to help relieve pain, people with arthritis often keep their affected joints bent - especially those in the knees, hands and fingers - because it's more comfortable in that position. While this may temporarily relieve discomfort, holding a joint in the same position for too long can cause permanent loss of mobility and hinder the ability to perform daily tasks.

Range-of-motion exercises are important for maintaining normal joint function by increasing the preserving joint mobility and flexibility. This group of exercises gently straightens and bends the joints in a controlled manner as far as they can comfortably go. During the course of the exercise program, the joints are stretched progressively farther until near-normal range is achieved and maintained. In addition to preserving joint function, the exercises are also a form of warm-up and stretching, and should be done prior to performing any strengthening or endurance exercises. A physician or physical therapist can provide you with instructions on how to perform range-of-motion exercises.

Performing strengthening exercises may seem an uncomfortable concept to those suffering from arthritis. However, strong muscles help keep weak joints stable and protect them from further damage. Strengthening exercises that target specific muscle groups are an integral part of arthritis treatment.Your physician can provide you with types of strengthening exercises that can maintain or increase muscle tissue to support your muscles without aggravating the joints. Isometric exercises can be done without bending painful joints, and involve no joint movement but rather strengthen muscle groups by using an alternating series of isolated muscle flexes and periods of relaxation.

Another form of strengthening exercise, isotonics involve joint mobility but are more intensive, achieving strength development through increased repetitions or by introducing increasing weight resistance with dumbbells or stretch bands. You will want to first review with your doctor or physical therapist how to safely and effectively perform isometric and isotonic exercises before beginning an exercise program.

Hydrotherapy is another very effective exercise treatment for arthritis. Also called "aqua therapy" (water therapy), this exercise program is performed in a large pool. Aqua therapy is often easier on painful joint because the buoyancy of water takes some weight off the painful joints while providing resistance training.

Endurance exercise is aerobic exercise, which includes any activity that increases the heart rate for a prolonged period of time. While building stronger muscles and providing the body with oxygen, endurance exercise is fundamental for controlling weight. Maintaining weight helps to reduce excess pressure on joints, providing joint and pain relief.

Although peak benefits of endurance exercise are achieved when an aerobic activity is performed for at least 30 minutes, aerobic exercise can also be spread out in smaller segments of time throughout the day. Examples of aerobic activity include swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, dance, skiing, and biking. It can also include everyday activities such as mowing the lawn, raking leaves, or golf.

Those starting an exercise program for treatment of arthritis should begin conditioning with range-of-motion and strengthening exercises. Endurance exercise should be added gradually, after you feel comfortable with your current fitness level. Be cautious when exercising the first several weeks as improper levels of exercise can make symptoms of arthritis worse. Choose an exercise program you enjoy so that you will maintain it, and begin it slowly. Making exercise a part of your daily routine will provide great benefits in pain relief and improve your overall health.

If you would like to learn the actual exercises you can do, including examples to help reduce the stiffness and increase mobility, visit my website;

www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com

Best wishes Michelle.
No comments:

Arthritis Drugs Linked to Skin Cancer Risk

(NaturalNews) "TNF blocker" drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis increase a patient's risk of contracting skin cancer, according to a new study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Researchers compiled data from twice-yearly questionnaires filled out by 13,001 rheumatoid arthritis patients between 1998 and 2005, and found that those taking TNF blockers had a slightly higher risk of contracting skin cancer than patients not taking the medications.
Because rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, in which the body is attacked by its own immune system, TNF blocker drugs disrupt a critical immune pathway. As a result, the drugs are believed to expose patients to an increased risk of serious infections.
The exact nature of the link to cancer is still being investigated. The current study was the third to find an increased cancer risk associated with the use of TNF blockers."
Three major clinical trials, in their malignancy data, all have some indication there is a problem with skin cancer with these drugs," said Mayo Clinic rheumatologist Tim Bongartz, who was not involved in the study. "This has huge implications in how we examine [and advise] these patients."
Three kinds of TNF blockers have been approved for use in the United States. Of these, most of the participants in the new study were taking Remicade, with most of the rest taking Enbrel and very few taking Humira.
Lead researcher Frederick Wolfe, the director of the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases, said that even with the increased cancer risk, there is no need for patients who need the medication to stop taking it.
"It is a small overall risk and I don't think people should be concerned," he said.
[question is would he say that if it was him that was suffering the side effects!!]
Bongartz agreed, saying that even the increased risk of infection only means that doctors need to monitor patients who are taking TNF blockers more carefully.

by: David Gutierrez http://www.naturalnews.com/022423.html

After listening to things like this in the news so often, no wonder so many people are reverting to more natural remedies.

If your concerned that drugs might do you more harm than good then visit my webste!!

www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com

No comments:

Arthritis Symptoms May be Alleviated by Fruits and Vegetables

The Following is an article i thought you might find interesting, written by Joe Serpico.

If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, you know how painful and debilitating it can be. If you haven't walked a mile in those shoes, you can't imagine how frustrating it can be. Your doctor may say try this medication, try that. Don't do this, do that. But sometimes, to no avail. The disease is caused by a misguided immune system attack on the body's own joint tissue, which leads to swelling, pain, stiffness and in some cases deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common among women than men.

Perhaps what you're eating, or more specifically what you're not eating can be causing some of your soreness. Recent findings suggest that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, legumes and certain oils aids in relieving symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. After following a diet rich in fruits and veggies for three months, people with rheumatoid arthritis experienced a number of improvements not seen in people following a typical American diet high in processed foods. Some of the improvements shown include a decrease in pain, inflammation, disease activity and in the number of swollen joints. Further, previous research suggested that more olive oil and cooked vegetables help protect people from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The current results suggest that "patients with (rheumatoid arthritis) can obtain better physical function and increase their vitality" from eating a fruit, vegetables, legumes and some oils diet for three months, write Dr. Lars Skoldstam of Visby Hospital in Sweden and colleagues.

This plan is similar to that of people who live in the Mediterranean. They also tend to eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, and legumes, more fish and less red meat. Moreover, they drink a moderate amount of wine, and rely on olive oil as their main source of dietary fat. Earlier research has suggested that followers of this diet enjoy a wide range of benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and memory loss.

Additional studies have shown that citrus fruit and zinc may also cut rheumatoid arthritis risk. Citrus can be helpful because of the antioxidants they contain. Findings are not conclusive, yet promising.

In the study, the doctors found that women getting less than 40 micrograms of beta-cryptoxanthin, a component found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit were at a somewhat elevated danger of developing rheumatoid arthritis than women who consumed more than that amount.

Although thus far it has only been proven that genetics is the culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis, if there have been some findings as to the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, wouldn't it make sense for suffers to up their intake? It certainly can't hurt... and may actually help. Now please pass the broccoli with a side of grapefruit! http://www.aa-fitness-guide.com.
No comments:

The Arthritis Gene – A Crucial first step

Research into the causes of arthritis has been carried out for decades. Some scientists believe that the inflammation, pain, stiffness and immobility of arthritis is not solely caused by old age and the natural ware and tare of the body, but, in actual fact a biological defect that is the most significant cause. Of course our bodies begin to slow down as we get older but such rapid deterioration causing all the suffering seems a little too much.

The question on many doctors and researchers mind has been, if genetics is one of the major factors then which specific gene amongst the millions that exist within our DNA is it that is the culprit. Science has only began to touch on the knowledge that our DNA carries. Due to the complexity of our DNA is has been very difficult to pin point any specific genes.

However a recent study carried out by an international team of scientists which including researchers from the Welcome Trust Centre at the University of Oxford set out to determine whether there was any real genetic difference between arthritis sufferers and non arthritis suffers.

The study consisted of comparing the genetic makeup [DNA] of 1000 arthritis sufferers to the genetic makeup of 1500 healthy individuals.

The results were published in the Journal Nature Genetics. The finding are very promising. The researchers identified the presence of a variation of 2 specific genes that seems to significantly increase the risk of severe and chronic forms of arthritis. Although they cannot guarantee that these genes cause the arthritis, if not anything else they seem to be a catalyst towards all the pain and suffering that arthritis causes. Both genes influence our immune system functioning within the body.. Being able to identify these genes puts us at a great advantage. It could possibly lead to earlier diagnosis of the condition and allow for much more effective treatments.

One of the researchers, Paul Wordsworth, a consultant Rheumatologist from the University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Medicine said "The identification of these genes points the way very clearly to new methods of suppressing inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis. That causes inflammation in the joints between vertebrae and can lead to bone erosion and the fusion of bones in the spine. This condition effects of in 200 men and 1 in 500 women occurring the age of 15 – 35 "It is a very exciting discovery. There are existing experimental treatments for other inflammatory conditions that could be used to improve the treatment of the condition." It is expected that this discovery could lead to better treatment of tens of thousands of people in the United Kingdom alone.

The above study and research of genetics playing a crucial role in arthritis and other related conditions is supported by research, published in the International research journal Arthritis and Rheumatism funded by Health research council of New Zealand and Arthritis New Zealand and conducted by the University of Otago.

There research suggested that the gene PTPN22 is one of the major contributors of rheumatoid arthritis. By identifying this gene research pharmacists can now study this particular gene in greater detail and identify where the defect lies and develop a treatment to help rectify this. The research suggests the PTPN22 gene limits the activity of our natural body’s immune system. In particular T lymphocytes, which are the equivalent of Soldier cells whose role it is to attack and destroy foreign invading cells. However with rheumatoid arthritis patients, our soldier cells [T lymphocytes] loose control and start attacking the body’s own cells in particular the joint areas, which inevitably leads to all the pain, inflammation, stiffness and immobility arthritis suffers are all too familiar with.

Dr Merriman [one of the researchers behind the findings] says “So it would seem that the message to control the T lymphocytes and stop attacking the joints becomes faulty,”

So it seems that genetics could be a significant factor in the development of arthritis. The identification of defective genes is only the first step. Unfortunately no drugs have yet been developed to effectively cure arthritis as of yet. If and when they are developed a new question will arise, whether the treatments will be available on any health service. It may be that the drugs are too expensive for doctors to prescribe to all patients and may therefore restrict its use to only those suffering severe chronic symptoms. You only have to look at cases of people suffering AIDS to know what I mean. In any case until then we as responsible adults have a responsibility to treat our bodies with the love and respect it deserves for serving us well for all these years by eating well and regularly exercising to give it the best chance of survival for future.

Ill keep an eye any new developments so come back soon. It looks like there may be silver lining behind this dark cloud after all.


Don’t forget to visit my website, its packed full of useful information

www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com


Michelle Armstrong

No comments:

Why do humans get arthritis? An interesting perspective!!

Well I’m sure you’ve all read about the bone and cartilage rubbing against each other that causes too much friction and eventual deterioration of the joint, cartilage etc and we end up with all the pain of arthritis. Now that’s nothing you didn’t already know. But does it actually explain why we suffer all the pain of arthritis in the first place.

Give me a second and you’ll see where I’m going with this.

Recently I read an interesting article about human evolution. Now evolution can be a sensitive subject for some, especially those of us that are quite religious. I my self am a devout Christian and well, the good book states that man was created by God. There isn’t any mention of evolution. That our origins are with species of lower intelligence and slowly, over millions of years we acquired the ability of speech, writing and language etc. I wont go into this too much otherwise ill be straying off the point all together.

However, I am an open minded person and there seems to be scientific evidence to support these hypothesises. Now I do say these are hypothesises simply because in the past science has made many assumptions that were initially taken to be the absolute truth and fact only to be rebutted or disqualified over time as contradicting evidence was found. Now you can’t say that isn’t fair!!

On the other hand I have my faith and accordingly, life is a test and I guess arthritis and all the pain and suffering that goes along with it is just a part of life and we just have to suck it up and some would say. All we can do is try to live our lives the best way we possibly can and hopefully the lord above will open the gates to heaven to us when the time comes.

Going back to the article, it mentioned that humans today still carry characteristics from our days of being creatures of the sea, and yes I do mean fish. A good example of this is hiccups. This is a knee jerk reaction that fishes developed to clear the breathing passageways ensuring that oxygenated water could pass to the gills to be filtered ensuring a steady stream of oxygen to the brain. Now I know we don’t use oxygenated water but the principle is the same. Very interesting I thought to myself. I then went on to read that the human foetus for the first few weeks shares many similarities to a fish foetus, the article went on to show a picture of the two and sure enough I couldn’t see what they were talking about. Now I thought that was even more interesting.

Now that got me thinking. If we were from the sea originally, and with the buoyancy of water there would be very little pressure on our bones and cartilage when we moved around. Therefore there should be less risk of suffering arthritis.

When we came out of the water, we slowly adapted and evolved to what we are today. Well perhaps we just haven’t evolved far enough yet, maybe our bodies haven’t yet adapted completely from the dramatic change of being a sea creature to a completely land based creature. It is for this reason that our everyday activities of moving around, whether it is walking or running that causes arthritis on areas such as the lower back, knees and ankles. These are areas that take most of the pressure of our weight and where arthritis is most prominent. If our bones and joints can just about deal with the pressure when we are the ideal weight then imagine the strain they must be experiencing when we are overweight. Now I know that sounds like doom and gloom for all mankind, but every cloud has a silver lining. Remember this is only a hypothesis that I am pondering!!

Perhaps then, this could also mean that as we continue to evolve and better adapt to being land based creatures, arthritis may slowly disappear. Why you ask? Well the body will realise that the amount of bone and cartilage that it creates at the moment is not sufficient to last an entire lifetime which will force it to create more durable bones and more durable cartilage to compensate. So mankind in the future may never suffer as we do today. I did say there was silver lining, didn’t I.!!

However there is one other point that came to mind. It was the biological point of view. Most people tend to start suffering arthritis towards the latter part of their life. Technically in order to safeguard the species our bodies must remain healthy to ensure the start of the next generation.. We only need to remain healthy up to the point where we can have children and care for them up to the point where they are able fend for themselves and not remain totally dependent on the parent.. I guess the fifty to sixty mark when arthritis really begins to show its ugly head, this is very achievable. So there is no real need for us anymore. The body has achieved what it was designed to do and no longer needs us to remain healthy and so unfortunately we slowly become weaker and eventually we die. I know that sounds really sad, but there could be some truth to it.

That brings me to the question of exactly what age were we supposed to live to. Some would argue that even 30-40 could be the right age for us to depart from this world. While we still have all our faculties. By this point we should have had ample opportunity to reproduce and safeguard the next generation. Generally speaking, humans are ready to reproduce while they are in their teens. It is because of modern society and culture that many of us decide not to i.e. work and career. Think about it, how many land based mammals do you know that like as long as humans. Very few come to mind. I guess it is our intelligence and higher brain function that has allowed us to like longer. We have developed therapies and treatments to combat diseases and illnesses that would normally kill us. Baring this in mind I guess we should just be grateful that we can live longer and try our best to cope with our unnaturally long lives and simply make the best of a bad situation.

Any ways I hope you found the above interesting to read. I know the above doesn’t really help us in any way against the pain and suffering that arthritis delivers us on a daily basis. But….. I thought it was some interesting point of views. These are just a few thoughts I had about arthritis and life in general. I hope you enjoyed the read.


Don’t forget to visit my website, its full of interesting information about arthritis and what you can do to help reduce the pain and symptoms. visit;

www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com
Michelle.
No comments:

Try A Natural Diet For Arthritis Pain Relief

I found this article very interesting and i hope you will find it useful too!

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Helen_Hecker]Helen Hecker

I got rid of my arthritis and arthritis pain forever by eating a natural living food diet. I found relief from my arthritis pain, naturally, and you can do it too.

Arthritis concentrates in one or several joints where deterioration occurs. To get the arthritis pain relief you're seeking it's helpful to understand how arthritis works. The first step when looking for solutions to an arthritis pain problem is to understand how arthritis works.

The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement. Collagen is the main protein found in all connective tissues in the body, including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The ability to make repairs to cartilage becomes limited as cartilage cells age.

Most experts now believe that osteoarthritis results from a genetic susceptibility that causes a biologic response to injuries to the joint, which leads to progressive deterioration of cartilage. Genetic factors are thought to be involved in about 50% of osteoarthritis cases in the hands and hips and a somewhat lower percentage of cases in the knee. An inflammatory response causes cytokines, to gather in injured areas and cause inflammation and damage to body tissue and cells; it's known to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis and other muscle and joint problems associated with autoimmune diseases.

Try massaging your fingers or other affected joints with coconut oil twice a day. Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, refined, packaged and processed food. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question the value of these supplements; it's clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly.

If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a radical change in your diet and an ongoing commitment. Make smoothies with fruit only using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost -- no one will ever know. Making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water, is helpful to many people I know.

Try avoiding the eight most allergic foods, wheat being the most allergenic; they are wheat, corn, eggs, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish and some nuts, not all. One natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods, that is, foods that are not alive.

I know quite a few people who are drinking tart cherry juice to relieve their arthritis pain; but is has to be the tart kind though. Some of the supplements commonly used for relieving arthritis pain, but I don't know if any of these work, are: glucosamine, chondroitin, bromelain, grapeseed extract, omega-3 and omega-6, cod liver oil, manganese ascorbate, MSM, boron, niacinamide, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

To be on the safe side always seek your doctor's advice before starting or changing your exercise program. A good exercise routine is the key to beating arthritis and relieving arthritis pain. If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty made for this purpose or exercising with two Chinese chime balls called Taiji balls. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall health.

Your body has 147 different joints that are in motion every day of your life. Exercise your affected joints every day, to keep them flexible. Stretching and warming up the joints should always be the first step in your exercise routine to make your joints more flexible, just be careful you don't do further damage-proceed slowly..

Be aware that the use of NSAIDs or Cox-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten the onset.

Once you become more informed about arthritis you'll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both. For conventional treatment of arthritis - if you do choose to take drugs or medications, be very careful and read the labels thoroughly.

Following these suggestions can help you get back in the swing of things fast and allow you to spend your days enjoying life once more. Arthritis pain relief is the ultimate goal - understanding arthritis is a good way to get there. Begin your treatment program with a diet change, exercise and weight loss plan to see incredible results and fast pain relief.

For more information on arthritis pain relief and arthritis treatments go to http://www.FastArthritisPainRelief.com Helen Hecker R.N.'s website specializing in arthritis pain relief with tips, advice and resources, including information on arthritis diets and natural arthritis treatments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Hecker http://EzineArticles.com/?Try-A-Natural-Diet-For-Arthritis-Pain-Relief&id=508027
For more information about how your diet can influence and reduce arthritis symptoms, visit;
No comments:

Arthritis Treatment And Pain Relief by Les Scammell

Arthritis pain can be very hard to control. Rheumatoid arthritis is particularly difficult to gain long-lasting pain relief. But there are answers to these problems.

Glucosomine is a product that claims to help eliminate joint pain. The product claims that you will achieve long-lasting and comforting relief in all the areas in which arthritic and general joint pain occurs. There are many people who have found pain relief using glucosamine. Arthritis pain relief and the use of glucosamine for the joint pain in the knees have worked very well.

This product will also work on other types of debilitating diseases. The product works on bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome as well as arthritis.

What glucosomine does is target the inflammation. The inflammation is the cause that gives you the burning pain and the discomfort that you feel. The all-natural and herbal anti-inflammatory that are contained in this product will assist in relieving your arthritis pain. This product works by removing the toxins and some of the impurities that like to form in your joints. What this will do is allow more blood to flow to these areas which will then speed up the healing process.

One thing that most people really like about glucosomine is that it is a natural product. People are wary of using over-the-counter drugs or prescription drugs. The ingredients in this product are generally extracts from shell fish although there is an all natural plant based product available for those allergic to shellfish. As this product is 100% natural there are virtually no side effects unlike other pharmaceutical drugs.

There are many who prefer all-natural products whenever it was possible. You may often find with all-natural products is that there are other benefits that besides what you are taking the product for, whether that or there are far fewer side effects.

So let's talk a little bit about what this product is and how it works.

Glucosomine has become very popular and what it does it work with the cartilage which cushions the joints. What it is is a complex sugar that is produced by the body. This product has been used by sufferers of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other sports injuries to help relieve the pain, stiffness and swelling. What this product then does is allow for improved range of movement and help to maintain good joint and cartilage health.

For sufferers of arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis glucosomine has all of the ingredients needed to relieve the joint pain and suffering associated with these problems.

About the Author 50+ father of 4 girls under 6 - contact me through my blogs at My Radical Blogs or Just 4 Families or Coolayla.
For more detailed information about arthritis and natural remedies, visit;
No comments:

Arthritis and your Liver

The liver creates many enzymes to neutralize the chemicals in your body. Your liver has to work harder to neutralize chemicals when you consume excessive amounts of the wrong foods.

Excessive amounts of alcohol, saturated fats, high-protein diets, cigarette smoke, fumes etc can put extra unnecessary stress on the liver. In the long run the extra work placed on your liver may weaken it to the point that it is unable to deal with the high levels of toxins, allowing them to attack your body and cause harm.

To prevent your liver being placed under unnecessary stress, you should increase your daily intake of anti-oxidants such as vitamin A, C, E, Zinc, and selenium, which can be achieved by eating fresh fruit and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, watercress, berries, beetroot and red grapes.

For more detailed information about vitamins, minerals and how they affect arthritis visit;
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Learn ThaiChi & Increase Mobility

******************** FULL 29 EPISODES **********************