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;

http://www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com/

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;

www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Well I hope you found that interesting. Once again, more evidence that we can be proactive and do things to help ourselves, so what are you waiting for. Even a little help, a little less pain and suffering is better than nothing. Check out my website and have a read of my book. Ill take you step by step on exactly what you need to do. it worked for me and it can work for you. All you need to do is try it and youll be amazed by the results.

http://www.cureyourarthritisremedy.com/

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