Arthritis Relief and Joint Pain Relief

Osteoarthritis - Can You Fight It?

2006-12-12T03:21:00.000-08:00

You Can Fight Osteoarthritis

If you think you may have osteoarthritis, the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a pro-active role in your health. You should see your primary care physician as soon as possible. He or she can use x-rays to monitor how far along your osteoarthritis has progressed, and possibly recommend prescription medication.

You and your doctor can work together to make a plan that is right for you and your osteoarthritis. Not only will this plan help you slow down the progression of your osteoarthritis, but it will also teach you how to manage your pain and live an active and normal life. Your plan will include weight control, medication, exercise, joint protection, and possibly occupational or physical therapy.

Osteoarthritis is regarded as the most common type of arthritis. As you may have guessed, Osteoarthritis can be caused by many number of things. Overweight individuals are at the highest risk category for osteoarthritis, since carrying the excess weight can cause joint cartilage to break down. Previous joint injuries can also leave you prone to osteoarthritis. If you have suffered an injury to a joint, or if you do workouts which are high impact, you should monitor the health of your joints.

Although most individuals with osteoarthritis are hesitant or prefer not to exercise, your doctor will likely encourage you to exercise. Exercise will help your joints from becoming stiff and it will also help strengthen your muscles. When you first start exercising, you may experience pain. This will usually decrease with time, but you may find that over the counter medications help to relieve the pain. You may also want to apply compresses to your joints. Here’s a simple rule: If you suffer with inflammation, you will want to apply a cold compress. If you have tight or sore muscles, a heat compress will work best.

You may also want to add a dietary supplement to your daily regime. An example is a dietary supplement such as glucosamine, which is believed to relieve pain and slow down the degenerative process of arthritis. Always let your doctor know if you are adding a dietary supplement to your osteoarthritis health plan.

Hanif Khaki is the acclaimed and highly regarded author of numerous health related articles and the founder of the popular arthritis resource site http://www.arthritispaincure.com

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Lymphatic Massage - The Benefits

2006-12-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

Lymphatic massage or lymph drainage massage is a technique used to help increase lymph flow. Increased lymph flow removes harmful substances from the tissues and increases immune function.

Lymphatic massage can be useful in cases of edema, sports injury or for people experiencing a sluggish immune system or those suffering from a lack of energy.

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in your body’s ability heal from injury and ward off disease. It is essential to the body's drainage system for cleansing and filtering out toxins and bacteria.

Problems With The Lymphatic System

Aches, pains, soreness and flu like symptoms could all be caused by congested lymph pathways.

The Benefits of Lymphatic Massage

Lymphatic massage can help to unblock the lymph system by manually cleansing the lymph system in a clockwise fashion.

Performing lymphatic massage correctly can stimulate the opening of the initial lymphatic and increase the volume of lymph flow by as much as 20 times.

Because lymph cleanses nearly every cell in your body the negative effects of chronic lymph blockages include but are not limited to:

• Frequent cold and flu infections

• Joint pain

• Headache and migraine

• Menstrual cramps

• Arthritis

• Loss of appetite

• Fatigue

• Mood irregularities

• Depression

• Acne

• Cellulite

What is Lymphatic Massage?

The use of massage as a healing therapy dates back centuries. Lymphatic massage was developed in the 1930s and is a delicate form of massage that stimulates the body’s lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system has no central pump and depends on muscle contraction through deep breathing, exercise and manual manipulation to move fluid.

Lymphatic massage utilizes a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins.

A strong immune system makes you feel balanced, happy and whole.

As with most massage, it is vital to drink lots of water after a lymphatic massage to flush away toxins that have been released.

Lymphatic Massage – What can it be used for?

Lymphatic massage has been used for years to enhance the quality of the skin.

• Lymphatic massage aids the increase of lymph flow. When the lymph is flowing as it should, cells are bathed in fresh fluid making the skin look fresh and alive.

Lymphatic massage is also useful for people with sports injuries.

• When applied after neuromuscular massage, lymphatic massage helps to clear the tissue of debris and reduce the minor edema that can occur after deep tissue massage.

• Repeated lymphatic massage whilst healing from a sports injury can help to enhance the tissue regeneration process by keeping the tissue as healthy as possible.

It is thought that lymphatic massage can also help the scarring process by enhancing circulation and immunity.

• Increased lymph flow around the scar stimulates damaged lymph vessels to heal.

• Increased lymph flow draws away toxins improving the health of the tissues.

Another common use of lymph drainage massage is in breast cancer cases.

• Women who have had axillary lymph nodes removed sometimes develop edema in their arm. As long as there is only minor swelling, then a massage therapist with a good knowledge of contraindication and some specific techniques can do a great amount of good.

Lymphatic Massage – Is it Safe?

For the most part lymphatic massage is safe. However as with all massage therapies there are some contra indications. For lymphatic massage specifically, these include acute inflammation, malignant tumors, thrombosis and major heart problems.

To get the best results from a lymphatic massage, seek out a suitably trained and qualified therapist.

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What Exactly is Fibromyalgia?

2006-12-08T21:50:00.000-08:00

Fibromyalgia is a relatively new diagnosis (recognized in the 1980s). Common widespread aches and pains, along with other symptoms makes this disease difficult for physicians to diagnose but it can be controlled through exercise, rest and diet.

Fibromyalgia is a condition where several signs and symptoms exist at once primarily associated with widespread aches and pains, stiffness and fatigue. Common everyday activities, such as peeling potatoes, washing dishes, or lifting a gallon container are painful or difficult at best. In addition, your physician may have a difficult time diagnosing Fibromyalgia.

Because Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of many different combined symptoms, it has been difficult to find a specific cause. Some theories suggest that nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain may cause oversensitivity due to changes in chemicals that regulate pain. The imbalance in brain chemicals may cause mood swings and sleep disorders as well, making tissues more sensitive and painful.

Hormones are also a possible cause. Hormonal imbalances, such as cortisol and growth hormone may cause fatigue, memory loss, concentration difficulty, mood swings, low pain tolerance and other symptoms.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia include headaches, constipation or diarrhoea, memory and concentration problems, numbness or tingling "pins and needles" sensation, anxiety, or depression. Symptoms are flue-like and can last from days to months.

Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting, chronic, condition with no cure; however, you can gain control with exercise and medications for sleep disorders. So when do you call the doctor? If you have the following symptoms for more than 6 weeks, notify your health professional.

Pain and muscle tenderness on both sides of the body, above and below the waist. Disturbed sleep (restless, frequently waking, feeling tired when waking). Joint and muscle stiffness that does not improve as you move around. Depression or mood swings

Physicians find it difficult to diagnose Fibromyalgia. There are no specific tests; therefore, when symptoms exist, having ruled out other laboratory test results, physicians use your medical history and physical exam to diagnose Fibromyalgia.

To date there is no prevention or cure. Treating symptoms may reduce the amount of time of the flare up. Medications to relieve sleeping disorders and muscle and joint pain are available through your physician. However, home treatment is the most effective part of managing Fibromyalgia.

A home management program might look something like this:

- Starting a regular exercise program 
- Identify sleeping problems and learn what you can do to create better sleep 
- Use heat and cold packs to relieve pain 
- Reduce stress 
- Identify what makes symptoms worse

Use your physician for guidance and instruction. Use low impact exercising every other day, increasing activity as your body allows. Most importantly, listen to your body, learn what triggers Fibromyalgia and keep your physician abreast of your condition.

What should I do if my condition gets worse? First, understand that Fibromyalgia is not a progressive disease and does not cause fatal or permanent damage. However, if worsening of any of these symptoms occurs, your physician should evaluate the possibility of other medical conditions associated with Fibromyalgia.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Fibromyalgia

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How To Best Treat You Tennis Elbow

2006-12-06T00:07:00.000-08:00

The following are a combination of treatment methods that work together to heal your tennis elbow. Tennis elbow treatment should be like any other soft tissue injury treatment, and therefore will require using the following process:

· R.I.C.E.R:

o Rest:

Resting your injury is essential for your tennis elbow before you attempt to fix it with physical therapy.

o Ice:

Doctors always recommend that you keep ice on any serious muscle or tendon injury to reduce the swelling—it will help your injury heal as well as reducing inflammation.

(side note:) Another tennis elbow treatment that will help you is, if you do take pain medication: avoid aspirin, acetaminophen, and other fever reducer/antipyretic. Instead use something with an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, to keep the swelling down.

o Compression:

Get a wrap for your arm and wrist. This is another way to keep the swelling down and to keep your muscles and tendons from being further abused by helping keep them compressed and in place.

o Elevation:

Whenever you can, try to elevate your injured arm—this will help keep your arm from additional pain and swelling due to too much blood in the injured place. Lifting your arm reduces the amount of blood flowing through the arm.

o Referral:

Do not try to do it all yourself, get a medical specialist to have a look at the injury and determine tennis elbow treatment for you.

When you have to receive tennis elbow treatment for any serious tennis elbow condition—which is considered a Repetitive Stress Injury, (RSI) so as soon as you begin to improve you should start, gently with a couple of resistance tennis elbow exercises. Of course, you want to start simple, and work your way up to things like dumbbells.

If you strain to re-gain strength before the tendons and muscles are ready, you can considerably undo any progress you may have made—or even make the problem worse. Once you can use dumbbells (even very light ones) we suggest that you try various exercises.

For example:

1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, sit down.
2. Lay your forearms down your thighs.
3. Be sure that your hands are hanging over your knees.
4. Your palms should be facing upwards.
5. Begin by curling the weight upwards at the wrist and lowering slowly.

Another example:

1. Try a simple tennis elbow treatment like squeezing a ball in your hand.
2. Hold the ball firmly as possible (momentarily) before releasing.

You can find great resources and individual instructors who can help you along the way, too. There are a few very good tennis elbow treatments and exercises such as this one that could be great for your tennis elbow.

However, Let your tennis elbow treatment vary depending on how well you feel—but always remember to include a few movements or exercises for tennis elbow treatment as part of your regular schedule twice every day. Your overall strength should get better.

Don’t worry—you can still keep in shape by doing lower body cardiovascular tennis elbow treatments such as running, elliptical exercise, and hiking, etc. Of course, you want to start simple, and work your way up to things like dumbbells.

If you strain in attempt to re-gain strength before the tendons and muscles are ready, you can considerably reverse the progress you might have already made. You could even make the problem worse, causing extra damage by straining the already torn tendon.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, recreation, education and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles about tennis and tennis accessories, please visit Tennis Elbow.

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Knee Osteoarthritis

2006-12-04T03:29:00.000-08:00

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, affects the elderly in parts of the body where it hurts the most. A person suffering from knee osteoarthritis will most likely equate it with cardiovascular disease because the breakdown of articular cartilage of knee joints restricts movement and the patient has to follow a set regimen affecting his lifestyle.

Knee Osteoarthritis is due to injury, congenital disorder, or obesity. The deterioration of articular cartilage, a smooth and fibrous connective tissue that acts as a protective cushion, narrows the joint space between bones. In time, the cartilage becomes grooved and fragmented and surrounding bones thicken or sprout into spurs. Sometimes, there is additional swelling in the knees caused when synovium, a membrane producing a thick fluid to nourish the cartilage, becomes inflamed and produces additional fluid known as ‘water of the knee’. Changes occur due to constant rubbing of joint bones leading to deformity of joints that is equally painful.

Knee osteoarthritis is diagnosed through physical and pathological examinations of joints on either side of knee including hip joints, checking on posture, and gait. Once knee Osteoarthritis is confirmed, a treatment is suggested depending on nature and extent of damage and on the personal physical history of patient. Women over 60 years of age are high risk factors for knee osteoarthritis as they spend major portion of their lives doing physically demanding work that has direct relationship with knee Osteoarthritis. Wearing high heeled shoes also aggravates the pain. In youngsters, knee osteoarthritis is hereditary or due to some injury.

Precautions such as weight reduction, changing work routine, postures, diet, avoiding injuries, participating in physiotherapy, and exercise are advised. Other methods of relief such as acupuncture, ointments, prescription drugs, magnetic pulse therapy, vitamin regimes, and topical pain relievers are temporary. Using prescription drugs and surgery should be a mutual decision between patient and doctor.

Osteoarthritis provides detailed information about osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis and more. Osteoarthritis is affiliated with Gout Diet.

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Ankylosing Spondylitis: Treatment and Symptoms

2006-12-02T03:21:00.000-08:00

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a condition which is related to arthritis. Ankylosing Spondylitis affects approximately 1 in every 250 mainly young men so while many may have not heard about it, it is quite common.

The word Ankylosing means inflammation of the spine while Spondylitis means joint which is fixed solid and unable to bend. So, in simple terms, Ankylosing Spondylitis is a condition which involves the spine becoming inflamed and as a consequence becoming fixed and solid. What tends to happen, is that tendons or ligaments attached to the spine become swollen. When the swelling reduces, it is replaced by growths of bone. When this happens a number of times, there becomes more and more bone where there used to be tendons or ligaments until eventually the joint fuses together.

As with many conditions, different people are affected with varying degrees of this condition, with some barely noticing it while others lose their full independence. What is also interesting is that the Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms can come and go over time.

What are the Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

The first time people tend to notice that they have Ankylosing Spondylitis, is when the experience lower back pain and some muscle spasms. This tends to be worse during the night. This pain often spreads to the upper back, neck and buttocks. Also, in the morning, neck pain may be experienced which is relieved during the day through exercise.

Without treatment, it is possible that the symptoms could develop into fever, fatigue and a loss of appetite. There may be some weight loss as well.

As the spine starts to fuse together, you may start to find it more and more difficult and painful to move around. Also, in a number of cases as the joints start to become more and more affected, it becomes harder to breath as the ribs start to stop moving. This means that breathing is now being conducted using only the muscles of the diaphragm. On top of this, the lungs could be affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis in approximately 1 in 3 cases can cause inflammation in one or both eyes.

Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Nobody knows exactly what causes Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is generally thought that the antigen HLA-B27. This may explain why this condition appears to run in families. This is also linked to a condition called Reites Syndrome.

Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis

There are no drugs in existence today which can slow or stop the condition. However, there are drugs called Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) which can help to control the inflammation and reduce the pain.

Also, daily exercise consisting of gentle stretching exercises or swimming can help to improve the movement of the spine and help to create a more positive posture. On top of this, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy can also help to relieve the symptoms.

Unfortunately, there are a small number of people suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis who will require hip replacements. Thankfully, those cases are few and far between.

Interestingly, the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis can be present for a period of time and then they reduce significantly.

If you want to read more about this subject from other people please visit my website Ankylosing Spondylitis Resource where you’ll find lots of useful information on the treatment and symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

http://www.ankylosingspondylitishelp.info

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Arthritis Cure

2006-11-30T03:46:00.000-08:00

Arthritis comes in different forms such as rheumatoid, osteoarthritis or others. This condition affects many people around the globe with 1 in 100 getting affected. People within the age bracket of 30 - 50 are most likely to get this condition. Unfortunately a cure for this condition has still not been found. The current medication only provides temporary relief. Therefore an arthritis patient needs to use medication on a regular basis to get pain relief.

Arthritis involves pain, swelling and inflammation of the joints. This pain can get worse during flare-ups. The aim is of this article is to offer the reader several approaches that can help provide pain relief in the short and long term.

Short term pain relief methods will involve managing flare-ups and reducing pain. Medications are commonly used to control pain and reduce inflammation. Some examples of possible medications include aspirin, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications NSAIDs.

Moist heat and coolness are other very common short term pain relief methods often employed by arthritis patients. Your physician will inform you about whether to choose hot or cold methods to improve the position.

Moist heat can be obtained through warm baths and showers on the joints which can provide temporary pain relief. Coolness can be supplied by using ice or cold items such as vegetables wrapped in a towel and placed on the inflamed spot. This can help in cooling down the flaring effect and can provide relief for 10 - 15 minutes.

Joint immobilization is important in cases where the joints are deeply affected by arthritis and putting more pressure on the joints can be harmful. This method involves using devices to aid in moving around such as crutches or walking canes. This will help in avoiding putting much pressure on the joints.

Massage is another popular method, used for a whole range of purposes including arthritis treatment. Massaging can help increase blood flow. This can also help bring additional warmth to muscles.

Long term pain relief methods are employed when the extent of the damage caused by arthritis is very deep and management of the disease in the long term is essential.

Similar to short term relief, there are medications for long term relief as well. NSAIDs such as aspiring and ibuprofen can be used to decrease inflammation and pain in the joints.

Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine can be used to slow down the effect of the disease and correcting abnormalities in the body caused by it.

Corticosteroids are another way to control flare-ups in the joints. They are more powerful then NSAIDs and therefore contains strong side effects if used for an extended period of time. These include weight gain, easy bruising and making the body more vulnerable to infection.

Also, in the long term it is essential to lose some weight. Simply put it, more weight will put more pressure on the joints causing more pain.

Exercise can help reduce some body weight and therefore reducing the overall pressure exerted on the inflamed joints. As mentioned earlier, exercises are vital to improving the flexibility and mobility of the joints. Patients can choose from a whole range of exercises available to them such as swimming, walking, jogging and other low impact exercises. However patients will need to establish their condition and take part in exercises that is least physically imposing.

In extreme cases where the damage caused to joints is irreparable or very deep, it is advisable to undergo a surgery. Patients with pediatric arthritis and other rheumatic diseases can undergo either a repair or replace surgery. A repair surgery will involves correcting a deformity and removing fragments in the joints. If the joints are damaged beyond repair, then the joints can be replaced with artificial joints.

It is important to see a physician before carrying out any of the methods. The physician will provide specific approaches that will be best suited to the condition of the patient. To improve the effectiveness of the medication, it is important to be constant with each method and establish a good routine. Additionally, you must contact your doctor or physician on a regular basis to keep him/her fully informed.

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Factors of Risk in Common Forms of Gout

2006-11-28T02:21:00.000-08:00

Gout is known to be a rheumatoid form of arthritis that causes inflammation, intense pain, discomfort and swelling of the affected regions. Gout mainly tends to affect the joints, especially those of the lower body limbs, such as toes, heels, ankles, knees. In some cases, gout may cause inflammation of the elbows and hand wrists. Skin and soft tissue such as tendons and muscles can also be affected by the disease, losing their flexibility and elasticity.

The main cause of gout is the clustering of uric acid crystals in the arteries, obstructing normal blood flow and causing inflammation. Due to either excessive production of uric acid in the body or renal insufficiency (sometimes the kidneys are unable to eliminate the surplus of uric acid), uric acid accumulates, crystallizes and deposits in different body regions. Food intake plays a major role in the development of gout. Some foods are rich in fat and purine, a substance that is synthesized by the organism into uric acid and therefore may aggravate the symptoms of gout. Smoking and the consumption of alcohol should be considerably reduced when suffering from gout, as these factors affect the secretion of uric acid, contributing to its accumulation within the body.

People who suffer from gout may experience sudden, unexpected pain episodes that tend to reoccur periodically. This may be a first sign of chronic gout. The pain is sometimes more intense during the night in the case of some people who suffer from gout. Another form of gout, referred to as pseudogout, occurs due to the accumulation of crystallized calcium in the joints, instead of uric acid.

Gout is more likely to be developed by men (almost 90 percent of people diagnosed with gout are male), usually after the age of 40. In some cases, women at menopause can be affected by the disease too. Gout rarely occurs to children and young adults.

Gout is considered to have a pronounced hereditary character. Research results indicate that some people who suffer from gout have a family history of the disease.

Obesity is another important factor that leads to the development of gout. The organisms of overweight people tend to produce more uric acid. Obesity also increases the risks of injury at the level of the joints.

Other factors that may facilitate the development of gout are prolonged treatments with diuretics, previous surgeries, the presence of certain diseases that affect blood circulation or extreme medical treatments such as chemotherapy.

It is very important to control gout through the means of an appropriate diet. It is best to keep away from cigarettes and alcohol, as these factors are known to aggravate the disease. Drink plenty of water to facilitate the elimination of excessive uric acid (you should drink around 2 liters of water a day). Lastly, try to avoid a sedentary lifestyle; exercise regularly to keep your body in good shape.

More information about gout you can find here. This is one of the best gout information websites. You can find here most of the answer of your gout related questions.

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Herbal Remedies for Arthritis

2006-11-26T00:41:00.000-08:00

The era of medical science and the tendency to see the human body as a physicochemical collection of many separate parts gives place to a new genre of biological thinking. This seemingly new school of thought is rooted in the concept that man as a whole person with physical, spiritual and emotional aspects is inseparably unified in one living individual. The essence of man as an essential part of the biological and cosmic universe, subject to all the laws of nature, is being immensely recognized at present. In this aspect, the role of nutritional intake in curative and preventive medicine has become increasingly apparent. Despite these profound changes taking place in this field of medicine, conventional drug treatments at present are unable to solve the catalyst in such disorders as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, arthritis and diabetes. Many of these diseases are generally seen as incurable. Health practitioners of ancient and indigenous medicine which, in actual fact, do have alleviating effects for diseases such as arthritis, are mistakenly seen as quacks. Systematic criticism through mass media is making the public believe that conventional drug treatments such as the constant use of analgesic agents, which give temporary pain relief and whose continued use diminishes their efficacy, are the only way out of the disease. The fact is, there are serious toxic side effects as a result of prolonged use of there drugs. The outcome of this medical negligence towards arthritic patients have left these individuals crippled and unproductive.

So how does one know if one is suffering from arthritis? The most common symptom of arthritis is joint pain (arthralgia). To begin with, arthralgia may be slow and the patient may experience trouble climbing stairs. It may be intermittent, instantly disappearing after intake of analgesic agents or even without treatment, just by rest. One may experience paresthesia and joint stiffness. One may also hear a cracking sound while walking. Often, joints become swollen and inflamed. Paresthesia is usually felt at night or in the morning and is generally aggravated during exposure to cold, wind or rain and most especially during winter.

Arthritis patients can safely use herbs and herbal preparations. Most of these not only give relief to manifested symptoms of arthritis but also produce effects on the whole body to root out the disease. Herbal preparations generally have a large safety margin and even if taken at a higher dose than what is recommended for therapeutic purposes, they have very few side effects. They can be used by patients and healthy persons in a similar way. In non-diseased individuals, these herbs and herbal preparations can prevent the occurrence of the disease and improve general health. In patients, these plants can cure the disease and enhance the body's immune system to repel future recurrence of this disease. Since most herbs have very minimal adverse effects even with prolonged use, there is no fixed course of treatment for arthritis with these remedies. They can be safely used until the arthritis patient becomes absolutely disease free and even for a couple of days thereafter, to minimize recurrence risk.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Arthritis

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How To Deal With Arthritis

2006-11-24T02:09:00.000-08:00

Joint pain or rheumatic pain prompts a lot people to seek medical help because of the trouble and pain that it brings. Each individual has different pain threshold level. Sometimes seeing a doctor depends upon how much pain is experienced and how it is affecting a person's life. If joint pain is experienced but without swelling or fever, generally it is safe to wait and see what happens. However, if there is constant pain that is already interfering with a person's daily activities, seeking for a doctor's exam is advisable. If joint pain is accompanied with fever, sudden and considerable swelling with severe pain, it is best to see a doctor as well.

What type of doctor should you see then? A rheumatologist and an orthopedic surgeon are two types of doctors who deal with joint and muscle illnesses. Furthermore, an orthopedic surgeon focuses mostly on surgical treatment of these conditions. Although it may be appropriate to see these types of doctors, primary care doctors can very well handle non-complicated rheumatic problems and may only make referrals to specialists if the condition demands it.

The major complaint about arthritis is the pain that accompanies it. Most often, medicines that you can buy over the counter are the first treatment of choice for arthritic pain. There are two types of pain relievers that are used to alleviate the pain that goes with arthritis. Not one type though is perfect for all pains but however if used correctly, both types could be beneficial. These two main types are the simple pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).

Acetaminophen is an example of a simple pain reliever that can be effective in controlling pain caused by arthritis. To determine its effectiveness, a medicine should be taken overtime and the same is true with acetaminophen. Two extra strength tablets taken three to four times daily and taken for several days should be enough to determine whether or not it will be effective for a long-term treatment plan. Acetaminophen's edge over the other pain reliever's is its known gentleness to the stomach and not causing gastrointestinal problems. However, it has its own share of accompanying risks as with other medicines. People who drink alcohol heavily or those who have underlying liver disease may encounter liver problems arising from acetaminophen medication. NSAIDs are medicines that relieve pain and decrease inflammation, the two classic symptoms of arthritis. Examples of these medicines are aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium all of which are readily available over the counter without prescription. There are also many other NSAIDs that are available through prescription. NSAIDs have the added advantage of decreasing inflammation aside from relieving pain. Although NSAIDs are effective in relieving arthritis, these have accompanying serious effects. Ulcer or bleeding from the stomach poses a major concern to those who are taking these types of drugs. This side effect usually occurs more frequently in patients who have a previous history of stomach ulcers, elderly patients and those patients who have underlying illnesses and are taking other medications. Another major concern with NSAIDs is the possibility of harming kidney function. Although this poses a potential problem, thankfully its incidence is rather rare.

Maintaining an ideal body weight is not only the key to better health but this will also aid in treating arthritis. An obese or over weight individual carries extra load increasing the painful arthritic joint's wear and strain.

There are also some foods that may affect arthritis symptoms. These could either increase or decrease the symptoms. Fish oils have been found out to decrease the inflammation that usually comes with rheumatoid arthritis. There are also specific foods that cause arthritis symptoms to flare up, although these vary from person to person. Identifying your own food culprit may help you and your doctor properly deal with your arthritis.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Arthritis

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Oil Massage – Relieves Stress and Relaxes the Whole Body

2006-11-22T04:04:00.000-08:00

Massage is very helpful for the whole body as it relieves stress and improves blood circulation. Body massage is a great way to heal the body. There are different types of massages and the most preferred one is the oil massage.

Oil massage is the best way of relaxation for the whole body. There are different types of oils used for massaging the body. Each oil has its own properties to heal, relax, and strengthen the body and immune system. There are many benefits of massage. Oil massage has been in practice for thousand of years and it is not a new way to stay healthy.

If you are stressed then you can use apricot kernel oil for massage. Borage oil massage is good for eczema and psoriasis, olive oil is good for relieving stiffness, Emu oil is good for arthritis, Kukui nut oil and Sweet almond oil massage have good anti-inflammatory properties. You need to first know whether you are allergic to these oils and then use it for massage. The massage oils have very good beneficial effects on the body.

If you have any health problems then you can consult a massage therapist who would be able to assist you in selecting the oils for a good massage.

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Arthritis: Some Basic Facts

2006-11-20T02:40:00.000-08:00

Arthritis is a broad term applied to any kind of joint disease. There are more than 100 disorders that can cause arthritis- some of the arthritic illnesses affect not only the joints but also the skin and other internal organs.It is also essential to distinguish arthritic illnesses from various other disorders like fibromyalgia that can present with Musculoskeletal and joint symptoms.

A joint consists of a joint capsule which surrounds a layer of lining cells (termed synovial membrane), lubricating fluid (synovial fluid), a slippery smooth substance (cartilage) which covers most of the surface of the articulating bones to ensure smooth painless movement across a joint. Arthritis results in various manifestations and more importantly serious irreversible damage to the joint structures. Of the different manifestations of arthritis the most important are pain, stiffness, inflammation, limitation of movement and deformity of joints.

A common question often raised is about the efficacy of alternative drugs for the management of arthritides. The question raises a few complex issues and hence certain important considerations need to be addressed. Most of the alternative drugs have not been adequately tested in properly designed studies.

Another common misconception about arthritic illnesses is that it is caused by poor diet or can be aggravated by eating curd, rice or the so-called cold things. However there is no scientific basis to this belief. Apart from gout & celiac disease there is no proven connection between a particular food source and arthritis.However the importance of a balanced diet cannot be overemphasized irrespective of whether you are suffering from arthritis or not. Weight control is especially important for people with arthritis, because being overweight puts added stress on your arthritic joints.

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Gout Treatment And Symptoms

2006-11-18T00:33:00.000-08:00

How Is Gout Diagnosed?

Even doctor can find gout difficult to diagnose. This is usually the case because the symptoms of gout may be indistinct and often mimic other conditions. Although at some time during the course of gout, most people with gout will have hyperuricemia, but it may not be present during an acute gout attack. Besides, having hyperuricemia does not confirm one to have gout. In actual fact, most people with hyperuricemia do not develop the gout.

To confirm a diagnosis of gout, doctors will first have to test the synovial fluid found in the joint by using a needle to draw a sample of the fluid from a person's inflamed joint. Under the microscope, the doctor will look for monosodium urate crystals in the fluid sample by placing it on a slide. If the person is diagnosed with gout, the doctor will almost always see crystals in the fluid sample obtained from the inflamed joint. Howere their absence does not completely rule out the diagnosis of gout. Doctors may also find it useful to examine joint or tophi deposits to diagnose gout.

Signs and Symptoms of Gout

The observable signs and symptoms of gout are:

Attack of arthritis in only one joint, usually the toe, ankle, or knee
Arthritis that develops in 1 day
Hyperuricemia
More than one attack of acute arthritis
Painful joint that is swollen, red, and warm
Presence of uric acid crystals in joint fluid

How Is Gout Treated?

Most people diagnosed with gout should be able to control their symptoms and live a normal live with the help of proper treatment. Gout can be treated with one or a combination of therapies. These gout treatments aims to relieve the pain associated with acute gout attacks, prevent future gout attacks, and avoid the formation of new tophi in the joints or in serious cases kidney stones in the kidney.

A common treatment for an acute attack of gout usually includes high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) and injections of corticosteroid drugs into the affected joint. NSAID's helps to diminish the inflammation caused by deposits of uric acid crystals at the joints. The NSAID's most commonly prescribed by doctor for gout are indomethacin and naproxen. These drugs can be taken orally every day. Patients on the prescription usually will begin to improve within a few hours of the treatment, and subsequently the gout attacks will go away completely within a few days.

In certain cases, the doctor may consider using colchicines when NSAID's fails to control the gout symptoms. Colchicines is most effective when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack of gout. Colchicine can be administered orally every hour until the gout symptoms subside, or they can inject by the doctor directly into a vein. The side effect of colchicines is that it might cause diarrhea when taken orally.

For some patients, the doctor may prescribe either NSAID's or oral colchicine in small daily doses to prevent future attacks of gout. In some cases, the doctor may have to prescribe allopurinol (Zyloprim) and probenecid (Benemid), medicine used to treat hyperuricemia, if gout attacks continues and tophi develop even after the prescription of NSAID's or colchicines.

What Can People With Gout Do To Stay Healthy?

Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is very important. Avoid foods that are high in purines and drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Fluids can help to remove the excessive uric acid from the body.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight. Try to lose weight if you happen to be overweight.
To help prevent future gout attacks, take the medicines prescribed by your doctor Follow the instructions carefully with regards to how much medicine to take and when to take it. Acute gout is best treated when symptoms first occur.
Update your doctor with your medical history and provide information on all the medicines and vitamins you are currently taking. The doctor should be able to tell you if any of the medicine will increase your risk of hyperuricemia.
Plan follow-up visits with your doctor to evaluate your progress.

Skyjoe is a well known author, website publisher and owner of gout.mygeneralknowledge.com. ©Skyjoe. All rights reserved. This article may be freely distributed as long as it remains unaltered and the copyright notice is intact. No alteration is allowed without express written permission from the author.

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10 Home Remedies For Arthritis Pain Relief

2006-11-16T00:16:00.000-08:00

Your Remedy No. 1
==============

Stretch Gently for Strength and Mobility.

When it comes to arthritis, moving hurts, but not moving destroys.

Incorrect moving harms, but intelligent moving heals.

Yoga teaches movement with proper joint alignment which helps bring deformed joints back to normal position as appropriate muscles are lengthened and strengthened.

Consider a private session with an Experienced teacher or buying a book to leam the correct poses.

But remember, Smart Yoga Exercise is the key to restoring health to arthritic joints. Work within the limits imposed by the disease, but don't let yourself be immobilized by it.

Your Remedy No. 2
============

Find Relief Through Less Stress.

If you are hurting and you tense up, you hurt more.

People who have things in their lives under control will be better pain managers than people who don't.

Recent research confirms the importance of psychological attitude on arthritis pain relief.

People with arthritis need to learn how to pace themselves and not try to do everything they can possibly do on the days when they're feeling good.

All that does is make you tired and sore the next day. Try to do a little each day, whether you are having a flare-up or not.

Learn to relax. Take a lesson from natural childbirth. Childbirth is very painful, but women learn how to deal with that pain by learning how to relax.

Books and audiotapes teaching relaxation techniques are available at many bookstores

Idle joints can become painful joints. If you focus on pain, it hurts more, but if you get busy doing other things that are important to you, you're not going to feel it.

Your Remedy No. 3
============

Try Night Prevention for Morning Stiffness.

Almost 90 per cent of the patients suffer from some type of Morning Stiffness.

Apply a muscle ointment at night before going to bed. It will relaxe you and gives you a psychological boost as well.

The reason? People with arthritis tend to feel much better all day if they aren't stiff when they wake up in the morning.

Your Remedy No. 4
============

Float The Pain away.

Studies have shown that floating in specially designed floatation tanks, also known as isolation or sensory deprivation tanks, can relieve arthritic pain.

You usually spend about an hour in the tank.

The pain relief is produced by stress reduction. The body is relaxing, the muscles are relaxing, and this seems to stimulate a release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

Water in the tanks is heated to precisely 93.5°F, the same temperature as the skin, and the surrounding air is warm and tranquil, leading to deep relaxation.

Your Remedy No. 5
============

Mix Oil and Water.

Recommendation: Heat and eucalyptus ointment, in the form of a thick, oil-based product called Eucalypta-Mint, work for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Use that in conjunction with moist heat when feeling stiff or having pain.

Simply rub it on and wrap the joint in plastic wrap. The moist heat can be applied with warm towels, or you can soak your hands or feet in warm water.

Your Remedy No. 6
============

Copper Bracelet

Sometimes longevity confers respect along with age.

Artifacts that were rarely noticed in their day take on new meaning and value as they persist throughout time.

Such is the case with the copper bracelet, which for decades has been worn for arthritis relief and remains popular today.

Studies have shown that some people with arthritis seem to have difficulty metabolizing copper from the food they eat, leading to increased pain.

The dissolved copper from [a copper] bracelet bypasses the oral route by entering the body through the skin. This might be the only way arthritics ever receive the copper their bodies need -copper that studies have shown can indeed relieve pain.

Physicians remain somewhat skeptical about bracelets but don't entirely dismiss them, either.

Copper may have a role. It's possible that a copper deficiency does increase joint inflammation, and it doesn't seem that supplementing copper in the diet has the same effect as wearing it.

Your Remedy No. 7
============

Work Wonders with Water Excercise.

Ask a dozen doctors about the merits of any arthritis treatment and you'll get a dozen different opinions. But ask them about exercising in water and they all seem to agree.

Water exercises are excellent.

Your pain will be significantly reduced in the water, and you become much more flexible in water than you are in air.

The beginning exercise techniques are easy for anyone to follow. They consist of waving, walking, and bending motions performed in chest-deep water.

The more advanced movements look like aquatic dance steps designed to take advantage of water's natural resistance and gentle buoyancy.

Your Remedy No. 8
============

Get Your Spouse Involved.

Though it's only natural for a husband or wife to do whatever's possible to help a mate who's hurting, such help can often do more harm than good.

When a wife tries to do everything herself and is constantly asking her husband how he feels, she is reinforcing his pain.

Advice: Don't be attentive and supportive only when your spouse is in pain, but also when he or she is feeling good and being active.

That's the time to say, "I'm really happy to see you doing things".

Praise is really important and something people tend to forget to do.

Your Remedy No. 9
============

Use Ice to Prevent Pain.

Recommend cold treatments for those times when a joint's been stressed from overuse or overwork.

Use a gel pack but ice in a plastic bag or a bag of frozen peas will do just as well.

Apply for 15 to 20 minutes, then remove for 10 to 15 minutes. That can be repeated for hours at a time if needed.

Your Remedy No. 10
============

Fast on with Carrot Juice.

A vegetable-juice fast significantly reduces pain for many patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Carrot juice, celery juice, cabbage juice, or tomato juice can be used.

Fast on nothing but the vegetable juice for one day during the first week to get started.

Follow that by alternate fasting for two days during the next week (i.e., Monday and Wednesday) and three days during the third week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

Don't attempt any type of fasting without your doctor's supervision, however.

Dr Rashid M.H.
Arthritis pain Relief
A Powerful Arthritis Pain Management Toolkit Online

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Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Life-threatening Condition?

2006-11-14T01:16:00.000-08:00

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory form of arthritis and affects approximately two million Americans. It is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by abnormal function of the immune system. For whatever reason (and that reason is still unknown), the immune system attacks healthy tissue. In rheumatoid arthritis, joint tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles, are attacked and become inflamed. Symptoms that develop include painful, swollen, tender joints. The small joints in the hands and feet are the most commonly affected. Other prominent symptoms include fatigue and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease meaning it attacks many different organ systems. One organ system that can be affected are the blood vessels. This inflammation of blood vessels is called vasculitis. It is especially dangerous because vessels carry blood throughout the body: to the brain, lungs, skin, kidneys, and heart. ”Shutdown” of organs occurs. Why? As the inflammation of the blood vessels progresses, the blood vessels are no longer able to transport blood.

Vasculitis due to rheumatoid arthritis can lead to heart attack and stroke. (Roman MJ, et al. Preclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Annals Int Med 2006; 144: 249-256)

A sidebar to this is the eye involvement that can occur. Inflammation of the sclera- the white part of the eye- can lead to blindness as a result of perforation or hemorrhage.

An interesting side light to this is that several studies provide evidence that long-term smoking contributes to the immune system’s malfunctioning. This most likely explains why smoking is associated with increased severity of the disease. This is also why smoking and rheumatoid arthritis make a terrible combination. Smoking causes premature atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis does also.

If untreated, rheumatoid arthritis significantly shortens life span by an average seven to eight years. It increases the risk for heart attack and stroke. Sixty percent of untreated patients are disabled and dependent on others to take care of them within 10 years. One other factor that contributes to the shortened lifespan is the increased incidence of lymphoma that occurs in patients with RA.

Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland (http://www.aocm.org). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Arthritis - Ankylosing Spondylitis

2006-11-12T01:26:00.000-08:00

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) usually affects the joints of the spine, but it can also affect other joints especially the hips. AS can also occasionally cause inflammation of the eyes, chest wall, heart, and lungs. If this inflammation does not get treated, it will eventually lead to scarring and permanent damage. Some people have a mild form of this disease, others are unfortunate enough to have the aggressive form. This disease may or may not get worse, depending upon several factors. These factors include, how old you were when the disease began, what joints are affected, and how early you got a correct diagnosis. Unfortunately there is no cure as of yet.

Doctors are not sure of the cause for AS, but they do know that genetics plays a part in the disease. Around 95% of patients diagnosed with this disease have a gene which produces a genetic marker, HLA-B27. However, having this gene does not mean a person is sure to get the disease. There is only about a 40% chance of developing AS if you have this gene. Also, you do not have to have this gene in order to develop AS. Many people have the HLA-B27 producing gene, around or below 25% of the population depending on the country, but only between 1% and 5% of people actually develop ankylosing spondylitis.

There is current research going on to determine the causes of the inflammation that is part of ankylosing spondylitis. Some researchers believe this inflammation begins with a bacterial infection that causes the immune system to react. Once the bacterial infection is gone, a normal person's immune system reverts to 'protect and scan' mode, but in a person affected by AS their immune system stays in the 'attack' mode. This causes tissues to become inflamed. Other researchers think that AS begins when the intestinal defenses break down, causing bacteria to get into the bloodstream, and then to the joints most affected by this arthritis, the sacroiliac joints.

The most common symptom of AS is one many people are familiar with, lower back pain and/or stiffness. This symptom can present as early as adolescence which causes many people with ankylosing spondylitis to be mis-diagnosed as teenagers with a sports related injury. The pain and stiffness are often gradual, which means many people don't tell their doctor about the pain. The pain and stiffness are caused by the inflammation of the spine, which if not treated can lead to a fusing of the vertebrae or ankylosis. Once this happens, the pain disappears, as does mobility in the spine. The ankylosis can cause a forward curving of the chest area, which decreases breathing capacity. This fusion can also extend to the rib cage, causing ribs to fuse to the spine, decreasing lung capacity. Other symptoms of AS are arthritis in other joints (usually the hips, knees, and ankles) and inflammation of the cartilage surrounding the breast bone, eyes, kidneys, and the heart.

A correct diagnosis of AS can be difficult to receive. Early symptoms can often be caused by other, more common diseases. It is especially difficult to diagnose in women because they usually have less involvement of the spine, usually but not always. A patient may have to live with the pain for several years before ankylosing spondylitis is even considered. The tests for AS are actually pretty simple. They include the usual medical history and physical exam, then the doctor will order an x-ray of the spine and a blood test for the HLA-B27 marker. The physical exam may show preliminary signs such as limited mobility of the spine, decreased breathing capacity, and eye inflammation. The spine x-ray will show if fusion of the vertebrae has already occurred. Once correctly diagnosed, treatment begins.

Treatment includes the taking of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy and then increased exercise. The NSAIDs reduce the inflammation, and pain, of the affected joints which can increase mobility. In patients where other joints, such as the knees, hips and ankles, are inflamed, the NSAIDs may not work very well. If that happens, there are other drugs that can be used such as sulfasalazine and methotrexate. Methotrexate is more effective than sulfasalazine but it is potentially toxic to the liver and bone marrow. Patients undergoing methotrexate treatment must have frequent blood tests to determine if either of these organs are being damaged. With increased mobility comes the physical therapy and exercise to improve posture and increase mobility and breathing capacity. All exercise regiments need to be approved by a doctor so the patient does not unintentionally harm him/herself.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Arthritis

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Gout

2006-11-10T03:23:00.000-08:00

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid, which is a waste product that dissolves in the blood and flows out of your body in your urine.

Uric acid can crystallize in a joint, often in the big toe or knees, and can be very painful, cause swelling and inflammation. There are medicines on the market you can take daily to help you from a gout attack but I have found that taking high levels of vitamin C can reduce uric acid blood levels and reduce the amount of gout attacks. Of course you still need to watch what you eat. If you like seafood, shellfish, and beer, you need to eat it in moderation. Those foods can cause you a build up of uric acid and cause you to have an attack of gout. I have found that taking 500 milligrams of vitamin C helps in not just keeping your gout in check but makes you feel better and fights off those nasty colds.

So if you suffer from gout, try vitamin C and see if it helps you. This may not be the trick for you but it may help. You might want to discuss this with your doctor also

Lenores World

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Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis - Defined

2006-11-08T22:48:00.000-08:00

Arthritis pain and the options for relieving pain can be very frustrating. According to Gene Hunder, M.D., rheumatology specialist at Mayo Clinic, if joint damage is already evident, the arthritis pain worsens with stressful or repetitive activities to the joints affected. However, if mild joint pain exists a gentle exercise program may be beneficial.

Ankylosing Spondylitis - This arthritis affects the spine, hips, heart, lungs and heels, which is chronic, painful and progressive. Ankylosing spondylitis can eventually cause fusion of the spine in those of genetic predisposition. Typical symptoms affect males between the ages of 15-30 consisting of chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back and fatigue. Children as young as three may experience knee pain often misinterpreted as rheumatisms. Generally, X-ray tests will show indications of any spinal changes and sacroilitiis characteristic to ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is classified as a systematic rheumatic autoimmune disease, with no known cure available. However, medication, physical therapy and exercise are available to reduce pain, inflammation and symptoms.

Juvenile Arthritis - This arthritis affects children between the ages of 6 months to 16 years. Many of the symptoms are the same as rheumatoid arthritis (see below) and usually the child outgrows juvenile rheumatoid arthritis before reaching adulthood. Medications are available to improve symptoms, which might include a variable fever.

Osteoarthritis - Degenerative arthritis, another name for osteoarthritis affects the joints. The wearing of the cartilage, which acts as a cushion for the joints, causes inflammation and pain. Because the bone surfaces have less protection from the cartilage, walking and standing, or any other weight bearing activity creates pain, but little if any inflammation. Currently this arthritis affects 21 million people within the United States. Because it is, so far anyway, impossible to replace cartilage, there is no cure for Osteoarthritis. The type of pain usually associated with osteoarthritis is described as a sharp ache, or burning sensation in the muscles and tendons associated with the bone. Occasionally when the joint moves or is touched, it will make a crackling noise. Other symptoms noted include muscle spasms, tendon contractions and fluid in the joint. Areas affected by Osteoarthritis are hands, feet, spine, hips, knees and in theory any joint in the body. When knees are affected, they tend to curve outward and usually feel worse the more they are used during the day. This separates osteoarthritis apart from rheumatoid arthritis. On fingers nodes form, but usually are not painful. Bunion formation that may become red or swollen is a common form on the toes. There are two causes of osteoarthritis; Primary, caused by aging where the water content of the cartilage increases and loss of protein composition; Secondary, other diseases or conditions including, but not limited to, obesity, repeated trauma, hormonal disorders, surgery and inflammatory diseases. Because 60% of the population has family members affected by osteoarthritis, this indicates a hereditary condition. X-rays and MRIs, in addition to a physical examination, are the most common techniques used to diagnose osteoarthritis. No matter how severe the osteoarthritis condition, weight control, appropriate rest and exercise and support devices, if necessary are the most beneficial treatments. To relieve pain associated with exercise, apply heat before and cold after for 10-20 minutes each, along with mild pain relievers, if necessary. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove fragments, reposition bones, or bone fusion, which will increase stability.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - This chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder allows the immune system to attacks joints, which is both painful and destructive and may create loss of mobility. Rheumatoid arthritis differs from other forms of arthritis because it attacks the soft-tissue of many joints at the same time and stiffness and pain are worse in the morning, improving with use. Rheumatoid arthritis may lead to joint deformity should joint surfaces erode or become destroyed, such as fingers and assume unnatural shapes. This disorder is more common among women and is genetic. Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are morning stiffness, soft-tissue swelling in three or more joints, arthritis of hand joints, symmetric arthritis, subcutaneous nodules in specific places, radiological changes that suggest joint changes. Blood tests are used to determine if a patient suffers from Rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists do not know what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but suspicions lead to an offending organism causes an immune response that leaves behind antibodies specific to that organism. Though this disease is progressive, regular diet and exercise can ease the symptoms of pain and stiffness associated.

Arthritis dates back as far a 4500 BC when the remains of Indians were found in Tennessee. The first text written is dated 123 AD noting symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Arthritis

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Preventing Tennis Elbow -- Stop the Pain Before It Starts

2006-11-06T00:33:00.000-08:00

Tennis elbow is an affliction that many tennis players will face in their lives, either as a temporary pain or a chronic pain. Of course, the irony is that the majority of people who are faced with tennis elbow do not necessarily even play tennis! This article will provide you with some tips on how to prevent tennis elbow, regardless of why you might have it.

As a tennis player, you can expect that you might be afflicted with tennis elbow. Fortunately, there are some treatments that can cause a lot of relief. Of course, if you get tennis elbow, the most important thing that you can do is rest your arm.

However, nobody wants to get tennis elbow in the first place. So here are some tips on how to prevent tennis elbow:

· Stay in shape.

· Do not overwork your elbow – if you have not played tennis for a while, take it easy. It may take a few weeks before you can play the kind of game you used to play.

· Strengthen the muscles of your arm, then they can take away some of the stress that would normally befall your elbow. Be sure to strengthen your shoulder and upper back, too.

· Do not overuse your arm – repeated movements can injure your tendon. Try switching arms when possible. If you are practicing your serve, be sure to take a lot of breaks.

· When lifting things, keep your palm facing your body. Lifting things in this way does not cause as much strain on your tendons.

· Stretch before playing tennis or participating in any other activity that might cause pain.

· Use only equipment that is appropriate for your ability and your strength.

· Make sure that your technique is down – the better your technique, the less likely you are to injure yourself.

· Try out a counterforce brace. This kind of brace is worn below your elbow, and it distributes pressure throughout your whole arm, thereby easing the pressure on the tendon. Make sure that you do not allow it to cut off your circulation, though.

· If you do start to feel pain, stop doing whatever action causes the pain!

· Apply ice to where you felt pain.

· Take a lot of breaks.

Tennis elbow is something that nobody wants to get, but many of us will. Following some of these tips, though, can reduce your chances of getting tennis elbow.

One of the most important things that you can do to prevent tennis elbow is to listen to your body – if your body is aching, listen to it. Figure out why you ache – did you forget to stretch? Have you been repeating a single motion? Are you overusing your arm. Any of these reasons (and many more) can lead to tennis elbow.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and sports. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on tennis, please visit E-Tennis.

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The Painful Truth About Arthritis

2006-11-04T02:32:00.000-08:00

Arthritis is used to refer to almost 100 different kinds of conditions related to inflammation of the joint. Each of which has their own symptoms and individual treatment plan. Most often when people experience joint pain they usually refer to it as a symptom of arthritis although not all episodes of joint pain are due to arthritis. Other reasons for joint or muscle pain could be problems with structures around the joint such as tendons, bursas, ligaments or muscles.

The following are common symptoms of joint pain that is not due to arthritis and is often caused by tendinitis, bursitis, or muscle strain:

1. There is no evident swelling or damage to the joint.
2. The joint can still afford movement without a lot of difficulty.
3. The pain usually occurs after a recent session of activity.

A joint pain on the other hand that is caused by arthritis often exhibits one or all of the following features:

1. There is fluid build up and swelling about the joint.
2. The physical appearance of the joint changes.
3. Joint pain usually lasts for weeks, months or even longer.

Arthritis is categorized into two main types: Inflammatory and Non-inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis has three main types, which include rheumatoid arthritis, gout and arthritis caused by infections. The common signs of inflammatory arthritis include swelling, redness, warmth and tenderness. The joint usually loses motion or function and there is accompanying joint damage. The onset of inflammatory arthritis differs from person to person. It could be sudden and intense pain for some individuals while others experience gradual pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease affecting many parts of the body. This happens when the body's immune system attacks and inflicts damage on the joint surface resulting into pain, swelling and stiffness.

Gout is characterized by a sudden severe pain in a single joint usually at the base of a big toe. Gout is caused by too much uric acid build up in the body. Too much uric acid causes the formation of crystals in the fluid that lubricates the joints. The crystal formation causes the pain, swelling and redness that are common symptoms of gout.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of non-inflammatory arthritis. Typically, in the case of osteoarthritis, there is breakage in the protective cartilage cushion on the bone. This creates friction between bone joints that rub against each other. Osteoarthritis is a slow starting type of arthritis that usually develops over months to years. Some people do not really know that they are in danger of osteoporosis until they experience serious warning signs such as the following:

1. There is minor to non-existent swelling.
2. There is pain, loss of function and joint damage caused by the changes in the joint cartilage.
3. Lower back pain is usually experienced.
4. There is loss of height since osteoporosis overtime can cause bone loss causing the spine to collapse.
5. A person may suffer from a hunched back.
6. A person may suffer from a broken wrist, hip or rib.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Arthritis

Slipped Disc Treatment

2006-11-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

SLIPPED DISC

95% of back pain is a result of a slipped disc. The spine consists of 24 bones called vertebrae which sit on top of one another to form a column. Each vertebra has a cylindrical body in front with a wishbone-like structure sticking out behind forming the knobbly bits that can be felt down the backbone. Cradled within the arms of the wishbone is the spinal cord which carries nerve messages up and down from the brain to all parts of the body. In between every vertebra in the spine is a cushion of jelly (the disc) which acts as a shock absorber and cushions each and every step. When the disc bulges backwards it traps the nerve where it leaves the spinal canal and causes pressure and pain. Once the disc is on the move what we do with the spine changes what happens to the disc. Sitting on an easy chair like a banana allows it to bulge backwards further and cause more pain. See Referred pain, Back pain, Sciatic nerve.

TREATMENT

Treatment with Connective Tissue Manipulation and the Mackenzie Exercise Regime reduces the tension around the spine and changes the mechanics of the disc helping it to return to the normal position and resolve the problem.

http://www.londonphysiocentre.co.uk/slipped-disc.htm

Jacqueline is one of a few UK Physiotherapists combining Connective Tissue Manipulation, Manual Lymph Drainage, the MacKenzie Exercise Regime and Cranio-sacral Therapy in private practice. During the past four years she has successfully treated over 1,000 patients with spinal problems and a further 1,300 patients with other muscular skeletal problems in her Gillingham Physio Centre in Dorset. In order to offer her specialist techniques to a greater number of patients she started the London Physio Centre at 148 Harley Street. A Chartered and State Registered Physiotherapist, Jacqueline qualified at St Thomas's Hospital, London with additional emphasis in the treatment of backs and necks. She spent five years at the Leicester Royal Infirmary gaining experience in all branches of physiotherapy and became Senior Physiotherapist on the Medical Unit. In 1977 she created a private practice at the Leicester Clinic, eventually covering all orthopaedic, spinal and post-op physiotherapy.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

2006-10-31T03:40:00.000-08:00

The cause is unknown for the auto-immune disease characterized by the chronic inflammation of the joints and other parts of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis can strike anyone at any age, delivering waves of disease flare-ups, followed by periods of remission. Rheumatoid arthritis can strike numerous joints at once that over time can cause permanent deterioration and deformity. There is no cure for these symptoms, which can increase in severity, but with proper self-care and medication, the disease can be somewhat managed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are characterized by lack of energy, loss of appetite, low-grade fever and stiffness, as well as aching throughout the muscles and joints. Stiffness often comes when a patient first wakes up in the morning, as well as after the disease has been inactive. During flare-ups of the disease, arthritis may run rampant. This can be seen when the joints become swollen, painful and tender to the touch, as well as red. This is often caused by a buildup and thickening of joint fluid during inflammation.

Common body parts affected by rheumatoid arthritis include the small joints of the hands, wrists and feet. If the left side of your hand joints are inflamed, the right side will follow suit. This is because the disease often follows a symmetrical pattern, which means both sides of the body will be affected. These flare-ups can be so debilitating that the simplest thing like opening a door will cause extreme pain. Joint deformity is a symptom of the disease that is caused by repeated bouts of inflammation. These bouts cause the loss in cartilage, weak bones and muscles that leads to further destruction.

Rheumatoid arthritis is also responsible for causing the drying out of eye and mouth glands, chest pains, a reduction in red blood cells and enlarging of the spleen, as well as increased risk of infection.

Treatments

Since there is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, early detection is important when it comes to taking advantage of all available treatments. Although medical professionals provide various medications and possible surgery, there is a wide range of responsibilities that fall on the shoulders of patients. This includes increasing their knowledge about rheumatoid arthritis, as well as practicing good joint protection. Rest and proper exercise will also ease the symptoms of the disease.

Early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is important for the prevention of a worse state of affairs. Years ago, a large number of rheumatoid arthritis patients were disabled within the first two to three years of the disease. It is a known fact that some people are more susceptible than others to the joint damage and disability associated with the disease. For this reason, not all patients require an aggressive treatment.

Medical Professionals: Common Treatments

For the most part, there are two main focuses pertaining to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Reducing the inflammation and relieving the symptoms (namely the pain) top the list for doctors and patients. Doctors will most likely prescribe a medication, as well as suggest a variety of things a patient can concentrate on while at home. For more severe cases, surgery is elected, such as total joint replacement.

When patients exhibit a low potential for joint damage, drugs such as Polaquenil, Azulfidine and Minocin may be prescribed. These selections present the lowest number of side effects. When the rheumatoid arthritis is moderate to severe, drugs like Trexakk, Arava, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade and Rheumatrex may be prescribed. Stronger, newer drugs, such as Orencia and Rituxan are given to patients who do not respond well to the above drugs.

Self Care: What Patients Can Do

The first line of defense against any disease is equipping yourself with the weapon of knowledge. Learning all there is to know about your condition will better assist you in the treatment and understanding of the changes your body will experience. Reliable resources to draw from include health professionals, the Internet, books, as well as conversations with those already battling the disease. Make sure to look into all possible treatments, including their side effects. Knowing the ups and downs of a disease will help you to prepare for the unknown. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms as they correspond to your own body. If your joints ache for more than one hour after activity, you probably should limit this option to avoid future pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis also demands a certain level of physical activity. This will help to decrease the amount of pain you experience from the disease. Water aerobics, as well as other strengthening or cardio exercises are suggested. Protection of the joints is highly recommended. This can be accomplished through avoiding activities and positions that cause stress to the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients often pace themselves throughout the day, meaning they alternate how much rest and movement their body receives. Try to keep joints moving and avoid staying in the same position for a long time as stiffness may develop. Taking a healthier approach towards your lifestyle will also ease the effects of rheumatoid arthritis. This includes losing weight and not smoking, as well as eating a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, protein, low-fat dairy, vitamin C and calcium.

All of these self-care measures can ease the symptoms and make living with rheumatoid arthritis a much easier task.

Author, Strive Mazunga, contributes articles on Rheumatoid Arthritis for Rheumatoid Arthritis Online For more information on his Rheumatoid Arthritis, visit http://www.rheumatoid-arthritis-online.com

The Fight Against Arthritis Pain Is Far From Over!

2006-10-29T02:25:00.000-08:00

Sixty-three-year old Alyce Kelso used to work from 10-12 hours everyday as a bus driver. However, her immune system went haywire; it turned on her own joints in her body. The condition was identified by her doctor as rheumatoid arthritis, only one of the many forms of arthritis.

Many people like Kelso are affected by arthritis. In fact, the condition is one of the most common forms of disease, suffered by more than 40 million Americans, including 71, 000 children. As the disease worsens, various essential components of the joints eventually get destroyed, causing lifelong pain, and in most cases, disability.

Many of those who suffer from arthritis eventually stop working. Some end up on a wheelchair because of decreased mobility in their limbic muscles and also because of muscle atrophy as a result of disuse. What makes it all seem even worse is that there is no cure yet for arthritis. It is impossible for science to grow back such biological components as cartilage and ligaments. Plus, there are certain types of arthritis that are so severe they also affect the spine and skin.

But patients with arthritis should not lose courage. The fight against this disease is not over yet. Just because there is no cure does not mean that you will be stuck forever suffering pain.

There are several methods available that would contribute to relief from arthritis pain. Most of them involve drugs and sometimes even surgery. However, if you are not comfortable with taking anything to relieve your pain, then we provide you with non-medicated methods that would help you achieve relief from arthritis pain:

Weight Management

It is a long accepted fact that observing proper nutrition and keeping a well-balanced dietary plan can only have a positive effect on your health. What is new, however, is that this kind of healthy lifestyle can also contribute to relief from arthritis pain through weight management.

In order to understand just how this works to achieve relief from arthritis pain, you need to remember that arthritis primarily affects the joints. The joints, where bones meet, are the major stress-holders when bearing weight (the knee joints particularly). So the heavier a person, the more stress you are actually putting on your joints.

People who are overweight have a substantially higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. So in order to achieve relief from arthritis pain, managing your weight through observance of proper nutrition is a great idea.

Exercise

Many doctors believe that weak muscles are a risk factor for osteoarthritis. This condition is often present before osteoarthritis develops. It has also been observed that weakened muscles contribute to progression of the disease. So in order to provide relief from arthritis pain, you need to develop these weak muscles. The best way to do that, of course, is through exercise.

The muscle groups you should be especially paying close attention to are the quadriceps muscles. These are large frontal muscles found in your thighs. A study made an observation that the weaker the quadriceps, the higher the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.

Steven Resell is a successful Webmaster and Publisher of www.CureforAches.com He provides more information and details on Pain Relief, Back Pain, Pain Relief Products and specifically Arthritis Pain Relief that you can research from the comfort of your home.

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The Best Alternative Arthritis Pain Reliever For You

2006-10-27T00:29:00.000-07:00

If you are fed up with your current arthritis medications, you may be looking for an alternative arthritis pain reliever. Because you need something that will ease your suffering and provide you relief from your incessant symptoms, you may need something that will speed the healing from this horrible health condition. That is something the current drug industry just cannot offer you, no matter how hard they try. The best bet at this point is to find an alternative arthritis pain reliever.

Many different quacks out there claim that they can give you a cure to help you deal with your rheumatoid arthritis or your osteoarthritis. The unfortunate truth, though, is that they just want to sell you a product so they can line their pockets with more money. You need a product that really works. You need something that has gone through drug trials and had research studies completed about it. You need something that will make a difference when you get out of bed each morning. You need honey bee venom treatments.

What Are Honey Bee Venom Treatments?

In countries that respect alternative medications, including alternative arthritis pain relievers, honey bee venom therapy has been used for years to treat lots of different conditions, including many forms of arthritis. At one time, it involved the process of placing an actual bee near the inflamed joint and having it sting the patient. Luckily now, though, the patient can just be injected with purified bee venom in the problem area. This alternative arthritis pain reliever contains phospholipase A and melittin which seems to stop the inflammation of most joints. The clinical trials for this alternative arthritis pain reliever show that it helps most suffers. Talk to your doctor before you begin this treatment, as it could be deadly if you are allergic to bee stings. For more alternative arthritis pain reliever products, visit some of the other articles on our website.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of http://www.treating-arthritis.com a website providing the best arthritis treatments as well as unbiased reviews of popular arthritis remedies and gout treatment products.

Approaches to Knee Pain Relief

2006-10-25T00:35:00.000-07:00

You use your knees every time you walk, run, or move your lower body at all. Knee pain, therefore, dramatically affects the daily life of sufferers, who must use their knees throughout the day. Knee pain is the second only to back pain among American adult pain sufferers. Knee trouble is most often caused by osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition in which the cartilage that surrounds the two bones that comprise the knee joint wears away, sometimes causing painful joint-on-joint contact.

There are many treatment options for knee pain. Under the care of a doctor, sufferers can select the most appropriate course of treatment to provide optimum knee pain relief. Over-the-counter and prescription medications including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin reduce pain, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, can reduce inflammation as well as knee joint pain. At-home remedies like ice packs and capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, often have a similar effect.

Natural supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine have become popular alternatives to traditional medicines in recent years because they present fewer risks of side effects. Both are naturally occurring substances in the body. The former aids in building joint cartilage, while the latter fights against degeneration of cartilage. Studies have proven their effectiveness in alleviating osteoarthritic joint pain, but have yet to demonstrate that these supplements actually reverse the effects of cartilage degeneration that have already taken place.

Modifying knee activity with physical aids such as padding, crutches, and splints, and even simple rest take the pressure off of the knee and provide temporary knee pain relief while the joint recovers from injury. Conversely, specific exercises, stretching, and low-impact aerobic activities such as biking, walking and swimming increase joint strength and flexibility, promoting healing and reducing the risk of further injury.

For severe knee injuries that have not responded to the aforementioned treatments, surgery remains an option. There are several common knee surgeries, which range from exploratory arthroscopic surgery, which orthopedic physicians use to diagnose the exact source of knee pain so that they can determine which behaviors and activities need to be modified, all the way to a total knee replacement. Whichever course of treatment a patient decides upon, it is important to work alongside a physician to ensure proper care.

Pain Relief Info provides detailed information on arthritis, back, joint, lower back, natural, chronic, neck, sciatica, knee, fibromyalgia, and muscle pain relief. Pain Relief Info is the sister site of Acid Reflux Web.

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What's the Scoop on Flaxseed and Arthritis?

2006-10-23T02:37:00.000-07:00

Flaxseed – also know as linseed- comes from the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). The seed contain lignans which are fiber-type ingredients. The seeds also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Flaxseed may be ground into flour or meal. It is also available as capsules (1000 mg) and also as the oil which is generally taken as one to three tablespoons daily.

Flaxseed contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is converted to eicosopentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are the active ingredients in fish oil. Because of the high lignan content, flaxseed is a good source of fiber.

While there are few conclusive studies confirming the beneficial effects of flaxseed in rheumatoid arthritis, it is known that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. Several uncontrolled studies suggest that flaxseed is helpful in reducing the symptoms of joint stiffness and pain.

Flaxseed has anti-coagulant (blood thinning) properties so that patients taking blood thinners (Coumadin, heparin, Plavix, Lovenox) or non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory medicines.

Flaxseed should also be avoided if a patient has a history of uterine or breast cancer or prostate cancer.

Flaxseed may have cholesterol-lowering properties. Since this effect has not been well characterized, patients are advised to use caution if there is a history of hypercholesterolemia or there is concurrent use of cholesterol-lowering medicines.

There are also claims flaxseed may lower the risk for cardiovascular disease.

The fiber in flaxseed also can block absorption of some medications.

Acupuncture Works for Knee Pain

2006-10-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

Acupuncture is well proven for pain relief. Everyday, thousands of people in the United States alone receive acupuncture for their pain. A recent study sponsored at the National Institutes of Health shows conclusively that acupuncture is effective for the relief of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. In fact it reduced the need for pain medications by 40% at the same time increasing functionality be 40%. A study from Demark even showed acupuncture to reduce the need for knee replacement surgery. It can also help reduce pain and swelling from tendonitis, bursitis, injuries and from rheumatoid arthritis.

If you are in pain, 40% reduction sounds pretty good. No two people have exactly the same level of response but, generally speaking, I like to see 80% reduction in knee pain within eight treatments. Being able to lower your pain medication also means that you lower your risk of side effects associated with long-term drug use. Speaking of side effects, acupuncture has proven to be very safe with a very low incidence of minor side effects. In fact, most people, rather than suffering negative side effects, have a sense of well-being and relaxation after acupuncture. Now that’s good medicine!

We don’t know exactly how acupuncture works. There are two main scientific theories. Gate Theory and endorphins. The Gate Theory suggests that stimulation of the acupuncture needles inhibits certain nerve fibers from relaying the pain message. Another theory suggests that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, a powerful morphine like substance that occurs naturally in the brain. Both theories may have merit, but we are still far from understanding exactly how acupuncture works scientifically. Don’t worry. We don’t know exactly how some commonly used drugs, like Tylenol work either.

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture needles are much smaller that most other needles. A good acupuncturist can often insert needles without any pain at all. Once the needles are placed you may feel unique sensation associated with the stimulation of the acupuncture point. Normally six to twelve of the tiny needles are placed near the area of pain or on various other areas on the body. I have treated knee pain successfully using only one point but usually several are needed to affect relief.

How long does it take to work?

Most of my patients have relief the moment they step off of the treatment table! Some patients will take up to six treatments before experiencing significant relief. Lasting pain relief will usually take several treatments. In my office, I suggest two treatments per week for three weeks, then one treatment a week for two weeks. At this point we will reassess to see if more treatments are needed. Some patients will not need to come in after the course of treatment, while other with chronic conditions, find that regular maintenance treatments are needed to keep the knee pain at bay. There are cases where it doesn’t work but, they are relatively infrequent.

Acupuncture may be the only treatment needed for knee pain, but it’s good to know that it works well with other therapies like anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, exercise, physical therapy and massage. Most acupuncturists, including myself are very happy to work with doctors and other therapists when it means getting better results for you.

Good Luck and Good Health!

Michael Roland, L.Ac., MTCM is the acupuncture and Chinese medicine expert on drweil.com. He is in private practice in Tucson Arizona

He has a new DVD on the ancient art of health cultivation called qigong. These simple exercises can help you relax and revitalize. Available here.

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Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis – What Are They?

2006-10-19T00:18:00.000-07:00

Do you know that “arthritis” is a general term describing hundreds of different diseases that afflict millions upon millions of people worldwide?

The term ‘arthritis describes the problems of inflammation of a joint, and symptoms of the condition include swelling, stiffness, and pain in the affected area(s).

The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, and is thought to be brought on by the everyday wear and tear that all of our bodies go through in our daily lives.

As such, osteoarthritis is developed as you age and once you have it, the arthritis progresses as you continue to age.

The bones experience excessive calcium loss, resulting in decreased bone density. Loss of calcium and reduced bone density can result in brittle bones and fractures.

As a result, women, especially after menopause, are more prone to develop this form of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis suffers experience problems with their knees, hips, hands, or the spine, and those with the osteoarthritis are forced to endure pain, tenderness of the area, and decreased functionality of the area, swelling, and of course … general discomfort.

Diagnosis and treatment of this is tricky because many people don't realize they have the condition until they suffer from some kind of injury and it may takes a bone fracture for broken hip or wrist before receiving a diagnosis.

While rheumatoid arthritis is similar, in that suffers have aches and pains, stiffness and swelling in joints, and it is also progressive.

However it is also quite a different form of arthritis; it is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce cells that attack its own tissues.

This results in inflammation that damages the joints and surrounding muscle. It’s a chronic disease that can cause a complete disability of the affected joint(s), and those with rheumatoid arthritis often face symptoms of joint pain, stiffness, loss of function and a swelling of the afflicted area, as well as fatigue and lack of energy.

This last symptom, fatigue and lack of energy, make each and everyday very difficult, and unless you suffer from this, you will have a hard time understanding how debilitating this is.

Somebody suffering from this is likely to have severe difficulties even getting their body going each day, until 12:00.

In addition to these problems, suffers may potentially have problems, via fluid retention, with their lungs as well as heart problems. Doctors are aware of this and will continually watch this.

Anyone can develop rheumatoid arthritis, there are no known causes, race and ethnicity appear to have no effect, however age does seem to play a part in its development and diagnoses tend occur between the ages of 35 to 50.

More than two million people in the United States, and many more millions worldwide, are believed to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. About 1.5 million of all rheumatoid arthritis patients in the United States are women. Statistics tell us that women appear to be two to three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than the male population.

If you are diagnosed, early and aggressive treatment is important in order to prevent complications and permanent damage to the tissues.

Read everything you can about your condition, including all the available treatment options.

Join "rheumatoid arthritis forums" and talk with other suffers of this disease. Via the other members of the forum, you will learn far more than you will from any other source.

If you need help with finding therapies for rheumatoid arthritis or natural remedies for arthritis click on over to Mike Herman's site at http://www.TreatYourArthritis.com

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Magnetic Therapy for Arthritis Pain Relief

2006-10-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

There are over 100 forms of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. These diseases may cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints and other supporting structures of the body such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Some forms can also affect other parts of the body, including various internal organs.

Many people use the word "arthritis" to refer to all rheumatic diseases. However, the word literally means joint inflammation; that is, swelling, redness, heat, and pain caused by tissue injury or disease in the joint. The many different kinds of arthritis make up just a portion of all rheumatic diseases.

Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common form of arthritis, affects other parts of the body besides the joints. It begins at a younger age than osteoarthritis, causes swelling and redness in joints, and may make people feel sick, tired, and (uncommonly) feverish. Rheumatoid arthritis affects people differently. For some people, it lasts only a few months or a year or two and goes away without causing any noticeable damage. Other people have mild or moderate forms of the disease, with periods of worsening symptoms, called flares, and periods in which they feel better, called remissions. Still others have a severe form of the disease that is active most of the time, lasts for many years or a lifetime, and leads to serious joint damage and disability.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, especially among older people. Sometimes it is called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects the cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. It also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement. In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also, bone spurs(small growths called osteophytes) may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space. This causes more pain and damage. People with osteoarthritis usually have joint pain and limited movement. Unlike some other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects only joints and not internal organs.

Magnetic treatments for arthritis

All types of arthritis respond to magnetic treatments because the arthritic disease process involves inflammation. Magnets reverse the inflammatory process, which in turn alleviates the main symptoms of arthritis which are:

1.Swelling
2.Pain
3.Stiffness and immobility

Magnetic therapy is not a cure for arthritis as there is currently no known cure, but it is an extremely effective drug free treatment for the chronic symptoms for all types of arthritic conditions.

However having said how well arthritis responds to magnetic therapy, it can be a little bit tricky to treat a person who has arthritis in multiple locations in the body. The reason for this is that as discussed in chapter 2 for the magnetic field to be effective it must be placed as close to the area of injury as possible. When a person has, for example, arthritis in the knees, hips, back and hands, it is not possible to reach all the area with one magnetic device. The person would need to place magnets on each area of pain to fully relieve the arthritic symptoms.

Possible treatments for this person would be:

1. To wear high strength magnetic straps around the knees, back/hips ( usually one strap will reach both areas) and wrists. Straps are both functional and comfortable, plus many contain lycra to give the joint additional support. 2. To wear super strength shoe insoles, that have a magnetic field that is strong enough to reach the knees, a high/super a strength bracelet for each hand and use a magnetic pad behind the back whilst sitting or lying. If the person does not feel comfortable in straps these are suitable alternatives. 3. To sleep on a magnetic mattress. The mattress will reach all areas of the body at once and the strength of the magnetic field is so immense that the magnetism will last for up to 16 hours after getting out of bed. This is the easiest way to treat large areas of pain and does not necessitate the need to wear additional magnets during the day.

Luckily there is a vast array of magnetic devices available today and most areas of the body can be reached with an appropriate magnetic device. There is often more than one solution available fort he treatment of multiple areas of pain and a trained therapist will be able to advise while treatment regime will fit best with your particular lifestyle.

In order for magnets to be effective they must be worn night and day until the symptoms have gone, if you are given a magnetic device that do not feel comfortable wearing or using it is unlikely that you will continue to use the treatment for the required length of time. With out 24 hours, 7 days a weeks exposure to the magnets it is unlikely that all of your symptoms will be relieved and you will feel disheartened and may even believe that magnets do not in fact work.

Debbie Shimadry is qualified magnetic therapist and pain nurse specialist. She appears on several BBC radio stations as an expert guest on magnetic therapy and is also the managing director of leading magnetic therapy company worldofmagnets.co.uk. To find out more on how magnetic therapy can help you, visit magnetictherapyfacts.org

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Arthritis: The Cause

2006-10-15T04:09:00.000-07:00

Arthritis is a fairly common ailment among the elderly. But more and more sufferers are seeking the source of the pain and a wish to understand why it happens. Specifically, Rheumatoid Arthritis can be exceptionally painful.

What Is It?

Rheumatoid arthritis or RA as its frequently called, involves inflammation in the lining of the joints and/or other internal organs such as heart, blood vessels, eyes, skin just to name a few. RA typically affects many different joints. It can be chronic, which means it lasts a long time, and can be a disease of flares (active) and remissions (little to no activity).

RA is a systemic disease that affects the entire body and is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It is characterized by the inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, which causes pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling. The inflamed joint lining, the "synovium", can invade and damage bone and cartilage. Inflammatory cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage. The involved joint can lose its shape and alignment, resulting in pain and loss of movement.

What Causes It?

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not yet known. However, it is known that RA is an autoimmune disease whereby the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with these diseases have antibodies in their blood which target their own body tissues. Hence the body's natural immune system does not operate as it should, resulting in the immune system attacking healthy joint tissue and causing inflammation and subsequent joint damage. In a sense the body is attacking itself because the immune system is malfunctioning.

Can Chiropractors Help RA patients?

Yes, chiropractors can help by seeking to restore normal physiologic function (including immune system) and thereby help to improve the health of the individual. Currently there is no effective cure (medical or complementary) for those suffering with RA however treatment may help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

The Chiropractic Approach

In relevance to a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis; there is a close communication between the central nervous system and the immune system. Chiropractic seeks to optimize these interactions and traditionally have approached the spine and nervous system as key elements in maintaining overall health. Subluxations weaken your nervous system, stress the immune system, put the body in a weakened state and can set the stage for sicknesses and diseases of all kinds - rheumatoid arthritis included. Chiropractors attempt to remove these subluxations by way of an "adjustment". An adjustment means the specific manipulation of vertebrae which have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally.

As a general rule, manipulation is avoided in joints in acute inflammation. This rule can be applied to rheumatoid arthritis in that joints that are acutely inflamed should not be manipulated. Since RA does not typically affect the sacroiliac, lumbar, or thoracic spine, manipulation can be utilized if indicated, in a non acute stage. However the cervical spine is susceptible to the same inflammatory changes as those in the arms and legs hence the cervical spine will only be adjusted if inactive RA exists

Acute Phase - During this phase acutely inflamed rheumatoid joints need to be protected from overstretching. Inflamed soft tissue structures such as joint capsules, ligaments and tendons are vulnerable to tearing. Hence the chiropractors aim would be to protect these structures by splinting the inflamed joints, which provides temporary local rest. Physical modalities such as heat and cold are also used to decrease pain and help restore function in joints. Exercises will also be prescribed to increase range of motion and strengthening of joints.

Subacute Phase - The chiropractor will suggest heat to be used prior to exercise to warm the joint and increase the extensibility of contracted soft tissues. The preferred timing for range of motion exercises is when stiffness has subsided later in the morning. The chiropractor will demonstrate various types of range of motion exercises and strengthening exercises relevant to the subacute phase. The strengthening exercises are important to restore and improve function or ability for the muscles to do work, not to build muscle size.

Chronic Phase (Inactive) - Range of motion and strengthening exercises prescribed by the chiropractor should be maintained. It is crucial that during the inactive phase that aerobic conditioning be maintained or improved. Home advice to utilize heat to warm the joints prior to exercise and ice can be used to control post exercise inflammation.

Guidance in Nutrition

Nutrition plays a vital role in the maintenance of a positive state of health and the prevention and treatment of disease. When a proper diet and nutrients are supplied to the tissues of the body, they exert powerful influences on body metabolism. Dietary prevention may be possible in some individuals who appear to suffer food intolerance (allergy). Corn and wheat for example were found to possibly cause symptoms in patients with RA. Dietary intervention as an adjunct to other management strategies may be useful in modifying the inflammatory response and to enhance the immune system. These include supplements such as vitamin C, copper and zinc. Hence nutritional intervention in the management of RA becomes increasingly important. A chiropractor has had considerable training in nutrition and can help RA patients avoid any toxic effects of adverse interaction of improper consumption of nutritional substances.

In severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, surgery may be considered when the joints are severely damaged, deformed, and causing extreme pain. Surgery may include total joint replacement or other techniques to improve joint function.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis - A Disabling and Horrible Disease

2006-10-13T23:43:00.000-07:00

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a vicious disease that affects tz`z`he joints of the body. It has been known to cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. If a single knee or hand has rumatoid arthritis, the other knee or hand will most likely develop it. Rheumatoid arthritis often occurs in more than a single joint and is capable of affecting any joint in the body. People diagnosed with rumatoid arthritis often get feelings of sickness and fatigue and are more prone to get fevers. The length of rumatoid arthritis varies from a month to two years. After it has run its course, it leaves without leaving any damage . Many people experience times when the symptoms worsen (flares), and times when they improve (remissions). Others have a severe form of rumatoid arthritis that can last anywhere from a few months to a lifetime. This form of the disease can cause serious permanent joint damage.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Some very common side effects include:

Joints are swollen, tender and warm

Joint inflammation often occuring in the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand

Joint inflammation affecting other areas such as neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles and feet.

Fatigue, fevers and an overal feeling of unwellness

Pain and stiffness in joints lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after a long sleep

These symptoms can last for years!

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The exact cause of rumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it is known that with this arthritis, a person's immune system attacks his or her own body tissues. Researchers are learning many things about why and how this happens. Things that may cause rumatoid arthritis are:

Genes (past on from parents): Researchers are discovering that certain genes may play in the role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Environment: Some scientists believe that something must happen to trigger the disease process in people who have the genes that make them more likely to develop rumatoid arthritis.

Hormones: Other scientists and researchers believe a variety of other hormonal factors may also contribute to rumatoid arthritis. Rheumtoid Arthritis Treatment: There are many ways that doctors can treat rumatoid arthritis. The goals of treatment are to:

Reduce pain and swelling

Stop or slow down joint damage

Help people feel better and stay active

Treatment for rumatoid arthritis may involve:

Changes in lifestyle: Make sure to keep a good balance between exercise and rest, take care of your joints, eliminate stress from you life, and eating a health, well-balanced diet.

Medicine: A majority of people suffering from rumatoid arthritis take medicine for pain relief, to reduce swelling and to prevent the disease from getting worse.

Surgery: Many types of surgeries are available to those with severe joint damage.

Regular Doctor Visits: Visit your doctor on a regular basis so he/she can see if it getting worse, determine if the medicine is helping, and change the treatment if needed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

http://www.rumatoid-arthritis.net

Ripple Massage - Baby and Infant Massage

2006-10-12T04:32:00.000-07:00

Benefits of Infant Massage

• Massage releases both oxytocin and endorphins and therefore can assist in relieving discomfort from teething, congestion, colic and emotional stress.

• The abdominal stroking you will learn today can help relieve and prevent colic in babies.

• Some babies will sleep for longer periods of time following a massage (similar to adults experiencing sleepiness after relaxing Swedish style massage).

• Touch is a basic human need, like eating or drinking, and massage when done correctly can provide a reassuring and nurturing touch to infants.

• Aids growth

• Enhances the bonding process between parent and child

• Enhances body awareness and ability to say no to people touching their body.

Tips for Infant Massage

• Ensure before starting the massage that it's a good time for you and your baby. If your baby is very resistant to massage, stop and try again at another time.

• Do not massage infants less than 5 months in conjunction with bath time. This will be too stimulating for the infant, try to space these activities apart.

• There is no need to watch the clock. Let the massage go for as long as you and your baby are happy doing it, this could be two minutes it could be thirty. Go by your intuition. If you can see that your baby has had enough, stop. Allow your baby to say "no" to you and perhaps try again later that day or next day.

• Always begin by massaging the legs. This is a good way to introduce your touch to them.

• Use long firm strokes. Light feathery strokes can be irritating, just as they are for most adults.

• Never massage your baby while he/she is crying. (The only exception for this should be with colic and painful gas). Any arm movements going in and out from the chest indicate that you should stop the massage.

• Do not use normal massage blends with aromatherapy oils as these will be too strong for your baby. Ripple has a special infants and babies blend that is safe to use.

• Always use natural based oil such as sweet almond, never baby oil or other petroleum based products. These will nurture and nourish your baby's skin as well as providing the "slip" needed to massage gently. Olive oil is too rich and thick to be effective.

Contraindications for Massage

• Open or weeping wounds
• Infected skin irritations
• Fractures or other acute injuries
• Bleeding
• No massage over an unhealed navel
• Burns, including sun burn
• Undiagnosed lumps
• No abdominal massage if the infant has hiccups or has just been fed

The Massage

Choose a room that is warm and draft-free where you can sit on the floor or a bed with the baby in front of you on a padded pillow or blanket. Choose a moment in which you and your child are relaxed and calm. A half hour after the baby has eaten is recommended.

Take a few deep breaths to relax before you begin. Stretch and shake the tension from your body. Feel free to speak to your baby, do not inhibit yourself.

If the baby wants to change position let them do so. Do not force your baby to keep a position; you can go back to these areas later

Make sure your hands are clean and warm, remove jewelry and be sure to rub in a way that your nails don't scratch the baby's skin.

Warm the oil in your hands, enough to allow you to easily let your hands flow on the infant's skin. Begin with the legs and feet using slow gentle strokes. If your baby avoids your gaze, looks away or splays her fingers or toes your touch maybe too firm. If your baby clenches her fists in front of her chest she is not ready to be massaged there. Observe your baby's body language.

Start at the thighs and use long strokes down the legs to the feet. Think of the massage as a gentle, warm communication. Go slowly at the beginning so your baby can get used to the new sensations gradually. Stop if your baby cries.

"Milking". Start at the top of the thigh and very gently squeezing the leg in a milking motion down to the heel. Reverse and go back up the leg. Try to be symmetrical in your massage, repeat on opposite leg the same number of times.

On the sole of her foot, use a thumb-over-thumb motion to massage from heel to toes. Use your whole hand to stroke the bottom of her foot from heel to toes. Stroke the top of her foot. Gently squeeze and pull each toe. Massage around her ankle using small circles.

Stomach - Note: Avoid massaging tummy if the cord hasn't completely healed. Massage gently in clockwise direction (this is important to follow the colon and large intestine). This will help expel gas and help with colic. Follow up with small circles with your finger tips in a similar clock wise direction.

Walk your fingers around her navel, clockwise.

Hold knees and feet together and gently press up toward her abdomen. Rotate baby's hips around a few times to the right. (This often helps expel gas.) Place hand on tummy horizontally and rock your hand from side to side a few times.

Chest- With both hands together at the center of your baby's chest, push out to the sides, following the rib cage, as if smoothing out the pages of a book. Without lifting your hands from your baby's body, bring them around in a heart-shaped motion to the center again.

Arms - do some long strokes from the shoulder down the arms and to the palms. This is a shiatsu stroke often used on infants and is very relaxing. Hold her wrist with one hand and hold your other hand in a C-shape around baby's upper arm; stroke from her shoulder down to her wrist. Massage her palm, moving thumb over thumb from heel of her hand to her fingers.

Face - With your thumbs, stroke across the upper lip and then across the lower lip and into the cheek as if drawing a smile on your baby's face. This helps soothe the muscles used for sucking Cradling your baby's head in both hands, massage the scalp with your fingertips, as if you're shampooing. (Avoid the fontanel, the soft spot on top of baby's head.) Massage her ears between your thumb and index finger.

Trace a heart shape on your baby's face, bringing your hands together at the chin. Place your thumbs between your baby's eyebrows, and stroke out. Again with your thumbs, stroke gently out over baby's closed eyelids. Stroke from the bridge of the nose out over the cheeks. Using your fingertips, massage the jaw in small circle

Back - Place baby on tummy horizontally in front of you, or lay her across your outstretched legs. Keep her hands in front of her, not at her sides. With both of your hands on baby's back, move each hand back and forth (keeping them going in opposite directions) from the base of the neck to her buttocks. Hold your baby's buttocks with one hand and use the other to stroke down from her neck to her buttocks.

Using your fingertips, massage in small circles down one side of baby's spine and up the other. Avoid pressing on her spine directly. Massage her shoulders with small circular motions. Massage her buttocks with big circular motions. Holding your fingers like a rake, stroke down her back.

Call today to book or organise a gift certificate

Infant Massage - Ripple Massage holds regular infant massage classes on Tamborine Mountain. If you are interested in further information or in having a class held in your area, please contact Alison on info@ripplemassage.com.au Ripple has available oils suitable for Infant Massage. Please contact us by email. Ripple is a member of the Australian Assoc of Massage Therapists.

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Massage Therapy - If You Haven't Tried It Now's The Time

2006-10-11T04:51:00.000-07:00

One of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences you can have is that of receiving or giving a massage. During our busy daily schedules we are constantly adding pressure and stress as we do not find the time to perform activities that would release all this extra tension. Massage therapy has gained over the years worldwide funs that enjoy its invigorating character which manages to relax the body and mind as well as loosen tight, achy muscles and joints. But if you cannot visit a certified massage therapist due to the costs involved, or because these type of services are not usually covered by your health insurance plan, then you should try receiving or giving a body massage at the comfort of your own house. But before performing such an act, it is important for you to know the basics of this relaxing and soothing therapy.

Massage is the practice of applying structured pressure, tension, motion or vibration, either manually or with the aid of mechanical equipment, to the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons, joints and lymphatic vessels. The ultimate objective of massage therapy is one's beneficial response. Whether it is performed to heal an injury, relieve stress, or improve the condition of muscles by increasing blood circulation, the "art" of massage has been studied since ancient years and associated with a variety of therapeutic outcomes. Most importantly, because everyone can appreciate a massage, this technique has gained tremendous popularity among different cultures. In fact, anyone can become a massager as long as they keep themselves up-to-date on current massage practices and are very careful when applying pressure to the muscles and joints of those willing to experience the positive effects linked with massage therapy.

For example, if a person is about to receive a massage, it is better to lie face-down on a smooth and flat surface. Although this surface should not be hard, it should not be soft either. Feeling comfortable and relaxed is what is of crucial importance. Using a variety of aromatherapy oils, which release fragrances like lavender or chamomile, the one performing the massage can begin by applying some gentle strokes on the naked skin surface of the other person's skin. The various amounts of pressure that will be used, when giving a massage, will lead to experiencing a relaxing sensation from the party that receives this kind of special therapy. Using all five fingers and especially the thumb, the massager can exercise light or firm pressure so as to spread the oil used to smooth the rubbing process, until it is fully absorbed by the body. Usually, people ask to be massaged on their scalp, back and feet. One can begin massaging at the base of the neck and slowly move to other areas of the body. Pay particular attention to the area of the spine, as this massage should move from the center outwards and from the top of the body to its lower parts.

Finally, most people that instinctively rub their necks and shoulders when feeling sore and tense do not actually realize that this self-healing process is called self-massage. But this personally handled healing technique has led to tremendously positive results for those wishing to perform it. In fact, massage has been found to act as a preventive mechanism against a variety of diseases. Especially when a massage therapy is combined with other methods of treatment, it can enhance the effectiveness of the healing methods used and increase a person's ability to perform better and feel refreshed.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Alternative Health, Women's Interests, and Science.

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Avoiding Knee Replacement for Osteoarthritis in Middle Aged Indian Patients - Alternative

2006-10-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

Osteoarthritis, the commonest form of arthritis affects the knee joint most often in India. Elderly afflicted by this chronic painful disease need joint replacements as a permanent solution to improve their quality of life and put an end to disabling pain. However it is increasingly common to see many young people also suffer from the earlier manifestations of the disease. In this group alternate solutions have to be recommended considering the age, increased demands like participation in sports and work. Joint replacements cannot obviously be a solution to young men and women.

Osteoarthritis is a age related wear of Articular cartilage which covers the end of the long bones in a joint. It is smooth, elastic, shining tissue. It is responsible for lubrication, shock absorption, and pain-free movements. Unlike other tissues of the body, it has limited capability of regeneration and repair as it has no blood supply and nerve supply. This limited repair capacity decreases with aging and leads to depletion in the arthritis knee. Pain and stiffness ensue, necessitating medication or surgery.

Osteoarthritis does not involve the whole of the joint to begin with. A localized area of cartilage damage called a lesion is the precursor and harbinger of the disease. If left untreated, lesions greater than 1. 5 cm will lead to arthritis after 15 years.

Some generalized and local conditions predispose to early cartilage damage. These are mechanical, chemical, and bilogoical. Occupations, Obesity, mal-alignment or structural damage can predispose to cartilage damage.

Ligaments and menisci stabilize the knee. Menisci dissipate stresses, help in lubrication, increase joint conformity and confer additional stability. The ligaments inside the joint are called the cruciate ligaments. These are torn in many sports, or two wheeler accidents. An ACL injury is the commonest ligamentous injury. Un-repaired ACL’s lead to further tearing of the menisci and both in association can lead to osteo-arthritis.

Meniscal tears can occur in isolation in sports or domestic accidents. After the importance of the menisci was realized and arthroscopic surgery came into vogue, attempts are made to resect and remove only the damaged portion of the menisci and preserve the rest. However, it is not always possible to do so as the damage is beyond repair and a total or subtotal Menisectomy is necessary. Such knees are also predisposed to develop secondary osteoarthritis (occurring in younger persons at an earlier age) cf Primary osteoarthritis which occurs in the elderly.

Some people have deformities around the knee. These may be situated in the thigh bone or leg bone. Normally in the standing position, there should be no gap between the inner side of the knee and ankle joint. If a gap exists between the knees, then the person has bow legs( Genu varum) and if a gap exists between the ankles, then the legs diverge at the ankle, causing knock knees( Genu valgum). Both these deformities can lead to one sided wear of the knee joint and arthritis in one half of the knee.

Surgical solutions are to prevent or treat early arthritis. These alternatives avoid knee pain from arthritis. These knee reconstructive procedures attempt to restore the anatomy of the joint and are mainly of a biological nature. They do not involve joint replacement. Examples are

1) Knee ligament reconstruction- ACL reconstruction is possible through tiny ke-hole incisions (arthroscopic surgery). Graft is taken from the patient’s own body (autograft) or from a brain dead person, (allograft). This tendon graft is threaded through bony tunnels in the leg and thigh bones and is fixed with screws, buttons or other devices.

2) Meniscal suture- This is a procedure in which attempt is made to suture a torn meniscus if situated in a suitable position. Concomitant ACL reconstruction is required if there is an injury to this ligament also.

3) Meniscal transplant- This procedure is to be introduced shortly. In this menisci are harvested from the knee joints of brain dead living donors or non heart beating donors. These are preserved and then grafted into the damaged knee.

4) Reparative cartilage procedure are availble to salvage localised cartilage defects and prevent their progression to extensive involvement. Cartilage plugs are harvested from non weight bearing portion of the knee and re-implanted into the lesions.

5) Corrective osteotomy- Mal-aligned joints can be corrected by an osteotomy( division of bone). After this surgery, stresses across a joint are distributed more evenly excess wear from one half of the joint is minmized. This again prevent rapid progression of osteoarthitis and can pospone the need for a replacement.

These surgical alternatives are available in Chennai to treat painful knees in young people. By availing these, one can preserve and continue with nature’s gift and postpone or avoid joint replacement by a decade or more.

The Author Dr. A.K. Venkatachalam is a Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon at the Knee & Shoulder clinic, Chennai and is affiliated to the Venkataeswara hospital and Malar hospitals. He has worked in the Middle east and UK. His Knee centre in Chennai is the only one of its kind in India to cater to patients with knee problems in all age groups.

http://www.kneeindia.com
http://www.shoulderindia.com
http://www.orthopedicsurgeryindia.com

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Arthritis Relief and Your Diet

2006-10-09T03:45:00.000-07:00

Arthritis affects more than 40 million Americans and is referred to as the most common chronic disease in people over 40.

Doctors believe there are over 100 different forms of arthritis, all sharing one main characteristic: they all cause joint inflammation.

What can you do to relieve the symptoms of arthritis? A lot.

There is a great deal of debate in the medical world about the effects of overall diet on arthritis and using diet toward alleviating the condition.

Doctors have known for a long time that diet affects gout, a specific type of arthritic condition, however the jury remained out for a long time on other common types of arthritis such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

What is known however, is that overall dietary health is important and does come into play. Weight and nutrition are two factors that play a role in arthritic pain.

Being overweight can affect certain arthritic conditions, forcing some joints to carry more of a load. This added weight stresses the joints, causing overuse or more wear to components, and pain, especially in the knees.

If you suffer from arthritis make sure you eat good foods and get help from healthcare providers to create and follow a well-balanced dietary plan.

To begin with, here are some vitamins, minerals, foods, supplements and herbal applications to consider.

Vitamins that have shown to reduce tissue swelling or provide relief include Vitamins B5, B6, B12, the antioxidant vitamins C and E, and vitamin K, which improves bone health.

Several independent studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis patients given increased doses of zinc showed marginal improvement.

Other minerals to consider include Boron, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese (not to be taken with calcium), Copper, Germanium and Sulfur.

The National Institutes of Health is studying the food supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, for use in relieving symptoms of pain and stiffness for some persons with osteoarthritis.

Patients with osteoarthritis taking blood-thinners should be careful taking chondroitin as it can increase the blood-thinning and cause excessive bleeding.

Fish oil supplements have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Increasing dietary fish intake or fish oil capsules (omega 3 capsules) can relieve inflammatory conditions like arthritis.

For more information, see Omega 3 Fats

Glutathione is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and can be safely boosted by consuming its precursors available in the supplements, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) or undenatured whey protein.

For more information, see Glutathione.

Quercetin is also known to help reduce inflammation, while Type II Collagen plays a role in growth and repair of joints, articular cartilage and connective tissue.

Because of the risk in overdosing, one should be discouraged from taking doses of vitamins that are higher than recommended without a physician's direction.

Some vitamins and minerals can actually worsen certain conditions, and the concentration that can be attained through vitamins can be dangerous. It is always better to increase in vitamin or mineral intake through your normal diet.

Foods To Avoid

There are many factors to consider with regards to arthritic diets and nutritional healing, and each factor may not apply to each individual.

For example, certain people are allergic to specific foods, and these allergies can indeed worsen arthritic conditions. The best way to approach the situation is to examine each arthritic condition and tailor one's approach based upon the specifics.

Ingesting foods that contain sodium nitrate or tartrazine can inflame rheumatoid arthritis, while ingesting foods containing a substance called hydrazine can contribute to an arthritic condition connected to lupus.

Black walnuts can cause flare-ups in people a rare type of arthritis called Behcet's Disease.

With osteoarthritis, deterioration of cartilage is a concern. Since there is some evidence that Vitamin A, contributes to cartilage deterioration, those with osteoarthritis should avoid large doses of it.

Although clinical proof is not available, anecdotal evidence suggests that in the case of fibromyalgia, eliminating wheat, dairy, citrus, sugar, aspartame (Nutrasweet), alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco can provide relief.

Many nutritionists and naturopaths suggest that those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis avoid dairy products all together, as they seem to exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups.

The report "I Cured My Arthritis You Can Too" suggests that white flour aggravates arthritis symptoms.

Disclaimer: The information here is not provided by medical professionals and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

Priya Shah is the Editor of The Glutathione Report, a newsletter featuring regular updates on the health benefits of glutathione. For a comprehensive report on arthritis, read the Arthritis Relief Report online.

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Foot Pain Relief At Last!

2006-10-08T04:17:00.000-07:00

“As an arthritis specialist, one area that I see people complain about more often than almost any other, is their feet.” So says Dr. Nathan Wei, Clinical Director of The Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. “This is too bad because there are many treatments that can be helpful,” Dr. Wei adds.

The foot is made up of 26 bones and 39 muscles...
The foot and ankle are designed to bear weight. The multiple joints in the feet are capable of adjusting to almost any terrain and the padding in the feet are designed to absorb shock.. The ankle joint allows the foot to move up and down, side to side, and inward and outward (inversion and eversion).

Not All Foot Pain Comes From The Foot!
Careful examination of the low back, hip, and knee should be performed because pain from these areas may affect the foot and ankle. In particular, pinched nerves in the low back can cause foot pain and weakness.

Ankle sprains are common- 25,000 people sprain an ankle every day! The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and prevent instability. Treatment of an acute sprain consists of rest, ice compression and elevation ("RICE”). Exercises to help stabilize and strengthen the ankle should be started.

Arthritis of the ankle may cause recurrent pain and swelling. Pain from arthritis typically is made worse by weight-bearing particularly on uneven ground. What this means is you should try to avoid excessive walking or running on uneven ground. Anti-inflammatory medication and proper foot support can do wonders.

Pain in the ball of the foot has many causes...

Foot strain occurs when a person “overdoes it.” And the treatment is pretty straightforward. Rest.
Morton's neuroma (a benign nerve tumor usually located between the 3rd and 4th toes)
Tarsal tunnel syndrome (pinched nerve in the ankle)
Arthritis.

Other common causes of foot pain include:

Stress fractures may occur after excessive walking.
Achilles tendonitis causes pain in the back of the heel. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medicines, rest, a heel lift, and gentle stretching.
Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the bottom of the heel. Treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatory medication, heel cup, orthotics, stretching, and local steroid injection.
Flat foot.

Muscle strengthening exercises and orthotics are helpful. Two other common problems are:

Osteoarthritis, particularly common in the big toe. The big toe will point out to the side. When bursitis alongside the great toe joint develops, this condition is referred to as a bunion. Treatment involves proper padding and footwear. In extreme cases, surgery is required.
Neuropathy. This painful condition is particularly common in diabetics. This occurs when the small nerves in the feet are damaged. Symptoms include burning, tingling, and pain in the feet - worse at night.

Well fitted orthotics (arch supports) can alleviate not only foot and ankle pain but pain in the knees, hips, low back, and neck!!

We often take the ability to walk for granted. This ability involves the use of two engineering marvels- our feet and ankles. Because of the tremendous amount of force transmitted to the feet with walking, unique problems may develop. Attention to proper preventative care, i.e., comfortable shoes, sox, hygiene, support, along with proper prompt medical care can really put the brakes on foot pain.

Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

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