November 8, 2009

Causes Of Disability: Arthritis

Always keep a regular check on your body, because any deviation can lead to temporary or permanent disability. One of the common diseases that people are suffering from in the world today is arthritis. It occurs both in the old and the young, though the probability remains high in the elder people. It is also known to be a cause of disability with many people who are 65 and above. Therefore, if you feel any symptoms of arthritis in your body, immediately consult a good medical practitioner, who will guide you through this situation.

Arthritis is a condition in which there occurs inflammation in the joints of the bones. With due course of time, inflammation starts spreading and affects all the other nearby joints. This inflammation is accompanied by swelling and moderate to acute pain in the limbs. If these symptoms are not administered in time, the condition aggravates, leading to disability. The form of disability that crops up is the inability to move with comfort. And with age, the person becomes completely bed ridden.

There can be many reasons that can be attributed for arthritis as there are many types of arthritis affecting the different joints. The most common outcome of arthritis is acute pain with less mobility. Thus, it becomes important for you to bring down your arthritis suffering as soon as possible and thereby avoid disability. With revolutionized research in the field of medical science, several therapies have come up at your disposal that surely gives you relief from arthritis.

Of them the most effective and the newest in the line is water therapy. This therapy involves treatment with the help of aerobic exercises. And all this happens while your body is immersed in a swimming pool. Strange, isn't it? The reason behind this is very simple. The pain that comes along with arthritis will not allow exercising comfortably. But while being in water, the water pressure compensates the weight of your body. Therefore, you are in a position to exercise with ease.

Besides this, the contemporary method remains the use of drugs and prescribed medication to do away with arthritis and related disability. This is the last option when the pain becomes unbearable for you and you realize that slowly and steadily you are being pushed into the ambit of disability. So, consult a good physician who will recommend you a set of appropriate medicines that will help you fight disability due to arthritis.

Another common and very old method in relieving arthritis is heat therapy. Heat treatment involves infra red rays for the afflicted joints. This is predominantly a new age method. The old methods include the use of hot water bottles and the pip cushions. This is a miraculous treatment available for arthritis.

Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/causes-of-disability-arthritis-119963.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print 2 Comments

November 7, 2009

An Introduction To Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that is second only to heart disease when it comes to the cause of disability. In 2005 nearly 46 million adults in the U.S. alone were diagnosed with Arthritis. It can occur in teenagers as young as 15 and affects nearly 300,000 children. Arthritis can affect not only joints but also other parts of the body. Making these body parts become painful, swollen and causes difficulty in movement. Arthritis is more prevalent in women than in men, many think that there is nothing they can do to help them suffering from Arthritis. Actually, there is!

Be vigilant. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, which means it makes self-diagnosis near impossible. If you begin to feel stiffness or pain around the joint area, this can be an indication that you may have been or are developing some form of arthritis. This can happen gradually or over an extended period of time. Either way, you should consult your doctor as soon as the symptoms persist for more than a few days. Only a doctor will be able to give an accurate diagnosis. Once diagnosed, take an interest in learning more about the type of arthritis you have been diagnosed with. Being aware or educated about arthritis can actually make you feel more confident, because it can help you understand and manage your disease better, and in doing so, may lessen the pain and create more relief from the associated symptoms.

There are many activities or things that can be done to help prevent and relieve the symptoms of arthritis. You need to take care of your joints. Becoming obese has a huge impact on the amount of pressure or stress placed on your limbs, so it is advisable that you try to remain in your recommended average weight. It is easy to damage not only joints but muscles when lifting or moving heavy weights. Have your medication revised by your doctor. Make it a priority to lose weight. All those extra kg's put unnecessary stress on your joints such as your ankles, knees and hips. It can cause more pain and even contribute to worsening the disease.

Several drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have been approved by the FDA, which may be more effective for you in relieving the symptoms of some types of arthritis. Never go against medical advice when it comes to taking your prescribed medication. Always take your medication as instructed by your doctor and never stop taking it abruptly: the consequences of which can be dire. You may not see immediate benefits from taking the medication. This is because some drugs take months before you actually start to see the benefit of using them. Very often, taking a new drug will cause you to experience side-effects that may be uncomfortable and difficult to deal with, but this is usually only short term, and will most likely gradually fade away so long as you keep taking the medication. If you are in any doubt about the medication you have been prescribed or find the side-effects to be very severe, contact your doctor immediately. Sometimes, certain drugs work for some people and sometimes not. So it is important that you bring any severe side-effects to the attention of your doctor.

Janie Jonah
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/an-introduction-to-arthritis-83209.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print

November 5, 2009

From A Nurse: Get Rid Of Your Arthritis Pain Now

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects joints in a different way depending on their location in the body, causing various symptoms. Arthritis is usually found in the joints of the fingers, feet, knees, hips, and spine.

There's a little-known natural solution to curing oneself of arthritis pain that I discovered several years ago. I know the secret to getting rid of arthritis pain and it's not taking drugs.

Joints are designed for normal and painless movement and are primarily supplied by the synovium and cartilage. The ability to make repairs to cartilage becomes limited as cartilage cells age. Cartilage contains chondrocytes, water, proteoglycans and collagen; chondrocytes are the basic cartilage cells and are necessary for balance and function.

The cause of arthritis (osteoarthritis) and the factors leading to the deterioration of cartilage in osteoarthritis is still not understood. One possible cause of arthritis is the inflammatory response due to the over-reaction of the immune system to an injury or other assault in the body, like an infection.

As chondrocytes (the cells that make up cartilage) age, they lose their ability to make repairs and produce more cartilage; this process may play an important role in the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it's non-invasive to the body. Many arthritis sufferers have changed their diets and noticed significant or total improvement. Gluten may be a culprit in arthritic diseases including fibromyalgia; avoid wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale, kamut and oats (although not a gluten grain it gets contaminated at the wheat mills).

Make smoothies with fruit only using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost — no one will ever know.

Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, refined, packaged and processed food.

Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 3-4 cored pesticide-free apples, with the skin on, and mix for a minute; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost.

The first step in managing your arthritis is to change your diet; I think all experts would agree on this. Keep in mind, if you take a joint supplement it should help do three things — build cartilage, relieve everyday joint pain, and enhance your flexibility and movement.

I know quite a few people who are drinking tart cherry juice to relieve their arthritis pain; has to the tart kind though.

I eat a diet of living foods (fruits, raw veggies, raw nuts and raw seeds) to relieve my arthritis pain and this should be tried for at least 30 days, thus eliminating any foods that might be culprits.

A good exercise routine is the key to beating arthritis and arthritis pain. Exercise is good for joints affected by osteoarthritis. If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty made for this purpose or exercising with two Chinese chime balls. Don't just sit there, keep moving.

Keep a bedside basket of arthritic aids for arthritic hands (Theraputty, hand grips, Taiji chime balls, etc.) to be used at bedtime or while watching television. Whatever you do, keep moving; don't sit when you can stand, don't stand when you can walk. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall health.

Drugs commonly used for arthritis pain can cause ulcers, heart disease and liver or kidney damage. Once you become more informed about arthritis you'll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both. If you're planning to take any of the non-prescription NSAIDS for arthritis, make sure you understand what bad effects they can have on the stomach, liver and/or kidneys and discuss this with your doctor.

Arthritis pain relief is the ultimate goal - understanding arthritis is a good way to get there. Following these suggestions can help you get back in the swing of things and allow you to spend your days enjoying life once more. I got rid of my arthritis pain years ago when I stopped eating dead food and changed my diet to all living foods; you can do it too.

Helen Hecker
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/from-a-nurse-get-rid-of-your-arthritis-pain-now-112918.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print 12 Comments

November 4, 2009

Benefit Of Glucosamine Liquid Vitamins For Arthritis

Nothing makes you feel old quite like the onset of arthritis. Painful joints that prevent you playing your favorite sport, taking long walks, or even simply getting out and about, can have a dramatic effect on your life. Taking a regular dose of liquid glucosamine can reduce the pain and swelling linked to arthritis, helping you to remain active and feel youthful and energetic.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of your joints which is caused by a reduction in the amount of cartilage that naturally supports and protects them. Arthritis suffers tend to limit their movement to reduce the amount of pain they feel, but this can actually make their condition worse and cause muscle atrophy. For this reason, arthritis treatment focuses on pain control to keep us active and keep our muscles working.

Although one of the benefits of glucosamine is a reduction in the pain of arthritis, it also has properties that can slow the development of the disease. It is a natural derivative of cartilage and is necessary to build healthy joints. There is some evidence that taking a glucosamine supplement orally can help to rebuild cartilage to cushion your joints more effectively.

Taking glucosamine as a liquid vitamin has many advantages. It is easier to swallow than a vitamin pill, tastes batter, and will be absorbed more easily because your body will not need to break down the solid particles of a tablet. Easier absorption means that the effects of the glucosamine will be felt more quickly, bringing more rapid relief from joint pain. Fewer doses are required to achieve the same effect, and liquid vitamin supplements can work out considerably cheaper than their tablet counterparts.

Glucosamine is available in many liquid vitamin supplements such as 'Drinkables Joint Care' and 'Flexicose'. In these liquid supplements glucosamine can be combined with other substances that can contribute to healthy, pain free joints including Chondroitin Sulfate and Omega 3 fatty acids.

Although glucosamine liquid supplements are now widely used, there is little regulation on the advised dose or the purity of the glucosamine in the liquid. As a guide, you should make sure any one dose of liquid glucosamine supplement contains 1500mg of glucosamine. This should be Glucosamine Hydrochloride, rather than Glucosamine Sulfate to get the highest concentration of beneficial glucosamine. If you are unsure which supplement you should choose, you may want to get a recommendation from your doctor.

Having arthritis doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the active way of life you are used to. Taking a regular dose of liquid glucosamine can ensure that arthritis has a very limited impact on your life and you can stay as active as ever. There is even a suitable liquid glucosamine supplement for dogs if you find Rover can't keep up with the new active you!

Rebecca Prescott
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/benefit-of-glucosamine-liquid-vitamins-for-arthritis-127174.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print

November 3, 2009

Get Rid Of Arthritis Pain Forever

I know the secret to getting rid of arthritis pain forever and it is not taking drugs. A few years ago I accidentally discovered how to rid one's self of arthritis pain, naturally.

Osteoarthritis affects joints in a different way depending on their location in the body, causing various symptoms. Arthritis pain can be experienced whenever a stiff or swollen joint is used. The first step when looking for solutions to an arthritis pain problem is to understand how arthritis works.

Collagen is the essential protein in cartilage; it forms a mesh to give support and flexibility to the joint. The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans, creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement. Cartilage contains a high percentage of water, but it decreases with age.

Most experts now believe that osteoarthritis results from a genetic susceptibility that causes a biologic response to injuries to the joint, which leads to progressive deterioration of cartilage. Injuries sometimes can be the start in the arthritic disease process; osteoarthritis can develop years later even after a single traumatic injury to a joint or near a joint. The cause of arthritis (osteoarthritis) and the factors leading to the deterioration of cartilage in osteoarthritis is still not understood.

Making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water, is helpful to many people I know. A study in Great Britain touted the beneficial effects of cod liver oil on osteoarthritis; relieving pain and stiffness, and reversing the destruction of joint cartilage within 24 hours. For snacks, choose raw nuts without salt instead of lifeless roasted nuts.

Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it's non-invasive to the body. One natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods. Dried Montmorency tart cherries seem to be helpful for arthritis pain also.

If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a radical change in your diet and an ongoing commitment. Keep in mind, if you take a joint supplement it should help do three things — build cartilage, relieve everyday joint pain, and enhance your flexibility and movement.

Make smoothies with fruit only using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost — no one will ever know. I eat a diet of living foods (fruits, raw veggies, raw nuts and raw seeds) to relieve my arthritis pain and this should be tried for at least 30 days, thus eliminating any foods that might be culprits.

There are a number of exercises which can benefit arthritis sufferers regardless of how much restriction of movement there is. Exercise your affected joints every day, to keep them flexible. If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty made for this purpose or exercising with two Chinese chime balls. Exercise in a heated pool; it will help reduce the pressure on your joints and the heat will help you loosen those joints.

Sign up for water aerobics classes at your local community center. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall health. Important exercises for arthritis are range-of-motion exercises, isometrics, and some weight bearing exercises.

Once you become more informed about arthritis you'll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both. At the very least, understand what the side effects and adverse reactions are for any drug you take. Only you know which treatment option is best for you.

Once you understand the facts about arthritis, possible causes and treatment approaches you can take, you'll be on your way to recovery and pain will disappear. Arthritis pain relief is the ultimate goal - understanding arthritis is a good way to get there. Changing your diet to predominately fruits and raw veggies, like I did, can turn your arthritis pain around almost overnight.

Helen Hecker
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/get-rid-of-arthritis-pain-forever-126348.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print 2 Comments

November 1, 2009

Arthritis Pain and Natural Cure

Ayurveda is used widely to treat Arthritis. According to the Ayurveda, arthritis is caused due to an excess of ama and lack of agni. The reason for this is nothing but poor digestion and a weakened colon. This results in the accumulation of undigested food and also building up of waste matter. Poor digestion in the system allows toxins to accumulate in the body. Along with this the problems with the colon let the toxins to reach the joints.

Therefore, the only way to treat arthritis is by stimulating the digestive fire which is the agni and to reduce the ama.

Ayurveda identifies and distinguishes three categories of arthritis. These categories are corresponding to vata, pitta, and kapha. For treating this condition properly, it is crucial to carefully diagnose which type of arthritis you have.

There are three types of Arthritis according to Ayurveda. These include:

- Vata

- Pitta

- Kapha

Vata

If arthritis is due to vata in your body, your joints will crack and pop. The joint then become dry. they are not swollen if excess vata is not the cause for arthritis.

Pitta

The arthritis which is caused due to Pitta is characterized by inflammation. The joint becomes swollen. The joint also becomes painful even without having any kind of movement. The knee looks red and feels hot to the touch.

Kapha

In kapha-type arthritis, the joint tends to become stiff and swollen. The joint also feels cold and clammy rather than being hot. A little movement in the joint tends to increase the pain than reducing it.

General Treatment of Arthritis

Depending on an individual's lifestyle, his diet, and his emotional pattern, either vata, pitta, or kapha goes out of balance and this can lead to arthritis. After that, a particular dosha slows down agni which is the digestive fire. This results in the toxic, sticky by-product of insufficient digestion and this is known as ama.

Vata is the main active dosha. Vata brings the ama into the colon. After that, from there it travels through the system. Vata then gets in the bone tissue and in the joints. This gives rise to the stiffness and pain characteristic of arthritis.

Ayurveda tries to remove the ama from the joint. It also mainly attempts to bring it back to the colon and later eliminating it. For being able to do this, we need to keep the colon clean and the best way to determine the kind of arthritis. Once you determine that, you can start remedies which are recommended for the specific type of arthritis. If you do not know which kind of arthritis it is, whether vata, pitta, or kapha arthritis, you can safely take 1 teaspoon of triphala at night. You can take that along with 1/2 to 1 cup warm water.

If you kind of get to know which kind of arthritis it is, you can follow this. Along with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon with warm water, use the following for treatment:

Use Haritaki for vata-type arthritis Use Amalaki for pitta-type arthritis Use Bibbitaki for kapha-type arthritis

Ayurveda suggest general techniques to increase the intensity of the digestive fire which is agni. This is done to burn up the toxins which are posing threat to the body.

Natural Solution: Arthcare Oil - An Anti-inflammatory Herbal massage oil.

Arthcare is an anti-inflammatory herbal oil which not only gives a relief from joint pains but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles.

http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arthcareoil.htm

You can follow some diets, any of the below and start getting treated for arthritis

You can use selected foods and herbs

You can use detoxification diet

Normally, a three- to five-day detoxification diet is prescribed to people having this kind of problem. You can have plenty of vegetables, juices, spices and herbs. These are usually taken during the fast. This food habit lasts till the body shows signs that the digestive fire is really burning strong. Also importantly, these signs include a return of the appetite. These signs also create a feeling of lightness apart from creating a feeling of giving a clear coating to the tongue.

Use of Enemas/ Cleaning Colon

There are enemas and other means of cleaning the colon. These are used very often to help detoxification in the body.

Gemstone Therapy

Use of Ruby, garnet or other "hot" gems which are set in gold are also used for all three kinds of arthritis.

Also there is a use of herbal, medicinal or essential oils to treat arthritis.

Several oils could be applied to the skin. These oils help the body clear toxins. They also help you relieve pain and restore mobility in your legs.

There is an oil names Mahanarayan oil. This oil helps in improving flexibility, stiffness, and muscle fatigue. This oil also removes pain. The oil is mixed with sesame oil and applied to the places where there is pain. This oil also breaks up the blockages. After the oil application, you can take warm heat, yoga, and bath. You can also take a mild exercise as this can further improves this situation.

Narayan oil is another good oil if you have muscle and joint pain. This can also be used for lower body circulation apart from being used for reversing imbalances caused by aging.

Avipattikar churna is used to ingest for rheumatism.

Heat Therapy

In this kind of treatment, the patient will be asked to sit in a sauna. He may also be told to have steam applied directly to the affected areas.

Use of herbs, spices and bitters

There are various herbs, spices and bitters which are being used in Ayurveda. These herbs are often applied externally or they are ingested inside the body. These methods of treatment are believed to cleanse the body. They also do a great deal to relieve pain and stiffness. Some herbs which are used include Mint, ephedra, golden seal, gentian, nirgundi, eucalyptus leaves. Apart from that herbs like prasarini, quassia, coptis, scute, phellodendrom, aloe, guggul, du huo, ligusticum, Siberian ginseng, myrrh, and yucca are also used.

Using all the above methods of treatment, one can successfully treat arthritis. In most cases, the oil used tends to be every effective especially for people in the older age who will not be able to take specific kind of treatments like yoga or exercise to treat arthritis.

Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/arthritis-pain-and-natural-cure-85953.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print 18 Comments

October 31, 2009

Septic Bacterial Arthritis in Joints of Dogs

Septic Arthritis (in other terms as Bacterial Arthritis or Infectious Arthritis) is an infection in the fluid and tissues of joint cavity most commonly caused by bacteria. It is considered a dangerous form of acute arthritis in dogs because just like other bacterial infections, the bacterial can get into dog's bloodstream and carry an infecting organism into other parts of the body. Bacteria can cause infectious joint disease by tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and by fungal infection. On Septic Arthritis, the primary bacterial sources, based on clinical search and studies, were associated with abscesses, bite wounds, enteritis, dermatitis, cystitis and/or endometritis after birth.

Septic arthritis normally only affects a single joint and the condition results in swelling, fever, heat, and pain in the joint. With septic arthritis, the dog is likely to stop eating and become depressed. Risk factors for septic arthritis are joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis, high infection risk, and a weak immune system. Septic arthritis is commonly spread hematogenously with predisposing factors being intravenous drug usage, in-dwelling catheters present as well as underlying immuno-compromised states. Bacteria are carried by the bloodstream from an infectious focus or are introduced by a skin lesion that penetrates the joint. Septic Arthritis most commonly occurred after surgeries of the stifle joints of dogs. The joint cavity is usually a sterile space, with synovial fluid and cellular matter including a few white blood cells. Some diagnosis was based on clinical signs, joint fluid analysis, radiography, microbiology and/or response to treatment. Chronic lameness was the most common problem at presentation. Analysis of joint fluid invariably revealed large number of nucleated cells, which consisted primarily of neutrophils. Bacterial septic arthritis may often be mild and manifest as chronic lameness. Analysis of joint fluid will detect an inflammatory arthropathy but the presence of toxic neutrophils should not be relied on as an indicator of sepsis. Culture of infected joint fluid is likely to be successful if antimicrobials are not given prior to collection and if the sample is inoculated into enrichment broth. Treatment should involve antimicrobial drugs, open-joint lavage and removal of joint prostheses if the infection is associated with previous surgery.

Septic arthritis might be difficult to diagnose due to nonspecific clinical signs and radiological findings in early stage of the disease. An early diagnosis is important for achieving favorable prognosis. Diagnosis of septic arthritis was confirmed by physical and orthopaedic examinations, evaluation of radiographs and synovial fluid analysis including leukocyte and neutrophil counts, cytological examination and bacterial culture. Bacteria is one of the most common causes of infective arthritis in dogs. However, bacterial arthritis in dogs can resemble many other arthropathies and attempts to achieve a definitive diagnosis by culture of the offending organism are not always successful.

The treatment of Septic Arthritis involves determining the type of microorganism involved and its antibiotic sensitivity. Antibiotics are usually administered for a minimum of a month and analgesics (pain relief medications) are necessary to combat pain and inflammation. Other major treatment involves antimicrobial drugs, while there many other cases the dog received antimicrobial drugs and with combination of surgical procedures such as joint lavage and sometimes removable of non-absorbent suture material, arthrodesis and amputation. The surgical treatment for septic arthritis (infectious arthritis) includes removal of joint fluid. To examine white blood cells and bacteria blood tests are performed.

Wishbone
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/septic-bacterial-arthritis-in-joints-of-dogs-752481.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print

October 30, 2009

Forms Of Treatment For Arthritis

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print 3 Comments

October 28, 2009

Living with Arthritis Pain

One of the most important factors of living with arthritis is learning to successfully manage the joint pain and stiffness that inevitably comes along with the disease. Luckily we live in a time period where there are many good treatment options for arthritis pain ranging from over-the-counter creams to prescription injections which can actually help to stop the disease's progression. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, may also help to decrease arthritis pain.

For mild arthritis pain, an over-the-counter cream or non-prescription analgesic may be all you need. There are a variety of capsaicin creams on the market that seem to temporarily relieve mild arthritis pain. Although they generally have a combination of ingredients which includes capsaicin, which is the ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot. When applied to the skin, these creams deplete a pain neurotransmitter called substance P. This temporarily desensitizes the area to pain. The relief from these creams is temporary and the product must be reapplied regularly. Also over-the-counter products like acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen are also excellent for reducing swelling or inflammation of arthritic joints.

If your arthritis pain becomes more severe and begins to interfere with your daily routine, your doctor may prescribe a prescription medicine to help your condition. These medicines can range from prescription strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to medicines containing a narcotic pain relief agent if your doctor feels your arthritis pain is severe enough.

There are several treatment options available for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is the form of where the body's immune system attacks the joints causing arthritis. Doctors can also prescribe immunosuppressant drugs which will help slow the body's attack on itself. New drugs called biologics are also available for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics can decrease arthritis pain in those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Your arthritis doctor will probably also talk to you about lifestyle changes that can help relieve your arthritis pain. These lifestyle changes can include things such as rest and relaxation, proper diet and exercise. Contrary to popular belief, exercise is important for those suffering from arthritis. Range of motion exercises can help relieve joint stiffness as well as maintaining normal joint movement.

Weight-bearing or strengthening exercises help increase muscle strength which in turn protects and supports the joints. Aerobic exercises can help those suffering from arthritis lose weight, which helps by taking stress off injured joints. Some studies also show aerobic exercises may actually help to reduce joint inflammation associated with arthritis.

There are many things you can do to help you live successfully with your arthritis pain. These things include activities, such as exercise, or rest and relaxation. You may also choose an over-the-counter pain medication or ointment to help relieve aches and pains. In the case that your arthritis pain becomes severe, your doctor may prescribe a prescription pain medication to help ease your aches. Whatever form or severity of arthritis pain you have, there is a treatment option available to help you live successfully with your condition.

Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/living-with-arthritis-pain-139821.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print 3 Comments

October 27, 2009

Knee Surgery For Arthritis

An Alarming Study Shows Arthritis knee surgery May Not Be The Best Option

With arthritis of the knee, it has been noticed that the more the patient of such a condition walks, the more the knee will hurt. Many people would thus be gravitated toward having arthritis knee surgery to get relief though there is some shocking and surprising news concerning such a course of action. According to a study conducted on arthritis knee surgery on elderly patients, it has been determined that there are potentially harmful effects to such a course of action, and that in fact, it will not significantly help improve the patient's condition.

Severely Impacts The Health Care Community

Such a surprising outcome of studies conducted on arthritis knee surgery may severely impact the health care community, and change the way in which such arthritis knee surgery will be performed in future on the, it is believed, more than 300,000 Americans that need to get treated for knee arthritis. Such arthritis knee surgery is no doubt performed to provide relief from the pain of osteoarthritis, and for the continual worsening of the joints due to wear and tear that is supposed to affect as many as twelve percent of the senior citizen population.

An arthritis knee surgery involves clearing out the debris and also repairing the affected cartilage that may have been damaged, and it would mean making tiny incisions so that the healing process takes place quickly. The study that was conducted had two kinds of patients in their study that included those that actually had arthritis knee surgery and those that had sham surgery. It was found that the latter kind of patients had no difficulty in climbing stairs and could walk faster than those who had had an actual arthritis knee surgery.

This is indeed quite alarming and along with the cost of having arthritis knee surgery that can total as much as five thousand dollars per individual and approximately one and a half billion for the industry, can lead one to think that wouldn't the patient be better off spending the money on something more useful and effective.

Such findings have even led many insurance companies into refusing to pay for arthritis knee surgery. In fact, there are a number of alternatives to consider such as using hot packs, taking pain relievers as well as cortisone shots, and arthritis knee surgery should only be considered as a last resort. Whatever may be the merits of such a study, it certainly does put some doubts in the minds of a number of doctors, which may lead them to using such an alternative only under certain circumstances like when the patient has an acute sports injury to ligaments.

For further information on arthritis please visit http://www.arthritisreliefhelp.info

Roger Thompson
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/knee-surgery-for-arthritis-170740.html

Filed under Blog by admin

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print 4 Comments

Woman''s Menstrual Periods And The Arthritis Issue

Why do many women with arthritis feel worsening symptoms before and during their monthly menstrual periods? During the course of any day in caring for women with arthritis, it is not uncommon for a number of them to complain of a monthly regular worsening of their joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. This is not just a coincidence. Many forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases are known to occur more frequently in women than in men. Moreover, it is not unusual for the initial presentation of these conditions to happen following pregnancy, and even possible as women approaches menopause. Why? Researchers are finding that the immune system is influenced by signals from the female reproductive hormones. It seems that the levels of hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, as well as changes in these levels can promote autoimmunity. "Autoimmunity" is a condition whereby the immune system - which normally wards off foreign invaders of the body, such as infections, turns and attacks the body''s own tissues, such as skin, joints, liver, lungs, etc. Autoimmune diseases typically feature inflammation of various tissues of the body. Autoimmune diseases are also characterized by a disorder of the immune system with the abnormal production of antibodies (autoantibodies) that are directed against the tissues of the body. Examples of autoimmune diseases include not only those that feature inflammation in the joints, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, sjogren''s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis, but also disease of other organs, such as occurs in Hashimoto''s thyroiditis and juvenile diabetes mellitus. When women report only having symptoms or having increased symptoms at monthly intervals that coincide with their menstrual periods, many physicians will recommend adjusting or adding medication to reduce inflammation selectively just before and during the period. The rationale for this short-term adjustment is that the immune system may be temporarily more active as hormone imbalances during their periods. The additional medication can frequently help to prevent the symptom roller coaster that affects many women with arthritis.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Define Your Child''s Pain

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a childhood disease that causes inflamed, swollen joints. This makes joints stiff and painful. Unlike adults with rheumatoid arthritis, many children with the disease grow out of it after they get ed treatment. Others will need ongoing treatment as adults. There are 3 types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, namely: * Pauciarticular is the most common and mildest type. Your child may have pain in 1 to 4 joints, such as the knees, ankles, fingers, toes, wrists, elbows, or hips. * Polyarticular is more severe. It affects more joints and tends to get worse over time. It often begins in the knees and hips. * Systemic is the least common type. But it can be the most serious. It causes pain in many joints and can also spread to organs. Doctors don''t really know what causes the disease. But there are a number of things that they think can lead to it. These things include: * An immune system that is too active and attacks joint tissues. * Viruses or other infections that cause the immune system to attack joint tissues. * Having a certain gene that makes the immune system more likely to attack joint tissues. Children can have one or many arthritis symptoms, such as: * Joint pain. * Joint swelling. * Joint stiffness. * Trouble sleeping or Insomnia. * Problems walking. In some cases these symptoms can be mild and hard for you to see. A young child may be more cranky than normal or may go back to crawling after he or she has started walking. You may notice that your child feels stiff in the morning or has trouble walking. Children with this disease can also get inflammatory eye disease. This can lead to blindness if it is not treated. Eye disease often has no symptoms before vision loss occurs. That is why it is important for your child to have regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist. Treatment can begin before your child has long-lasting vision problems. Your physician will ask questions about your child’s symptoms and past health and will do a physical exam. Your child may also have blood tests and a urine test to look for signs of the disease. If your child has the disease, these tests can help your physician find out which type it is.Your child’s treatment will be based on the type of arthritis he or she has and how serious it is. The most common treatment includes medicines to reduce pain and swelling (NSAIDs), along with physical therapy. Your child may also get shots of steroid medicine into a joint to relieve swelling and pain. If these treatments don''t help, then your child may be given other medicines. Surgery to correct joint problems is only done in rare cases. Exercise is an important part of your child’s treatment. Physical therapists can teach you and your child exercises to keep your child’s muscles flexible and strong. Moving your child''s painful joints through their full range of motion keeps them from getting stiff or deformed. Many children with the disease don''t want to move painful joints. Your child may need your help to keep doing daily physical therapy. Even when juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is not a severe type, your child may still need long-term treatment. To make sure that treatment is right for your child, work closely with the medical team. Learn as much as you can about your child’s disease and treatments. Stay on a schedule with your child’s medicines and exercise.

Seven Steps To Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

Joint protection is one strategy to help you manage your rheumatoid arthritis pain. Taking the time to think ahead and plan ways to prevent unnecessarily stressing your joints may help you reduce your rheumatoid arthritis pain. Arthritic joints cannot tolerate as much stress, so pushing, pulling or twisting motions can be painful. Though you may want to work through your rheumatoid arthritis pain, doing so can aggravate the situation. To avoid unnecessary joint strain and increased rheumatoid arthritis pain, follow these steps.1. Move each joint through its full pain-free range of motion at least once a day: This will help you maintain freedom of motion in your joints. The amount you are able to move each joint without rheumatoid arthritis pain may vary from day to day. Take care not to overdo it. Keep movements slow and gentle; sudden jerking or bouncing can hurt your joints. 2. Learn to understand and respect your rheumatoid arthritis pain: Understand the difference between the general discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis and the pain from overusing a joint. By noting the activity that stressed a joint, you can avoid repeating that movement. Pain that lasts more than an hour after an activity may indicate that the activity was too stressful. Think of ways that you can modify the action. Remember that you are more likely to damage your joints when they are painful and swollen. 3. Be careful how you use your hands: You use your fingers in many day-to-day activities. Stressful positions and techniques may increase the risk of pain. You can perform most tasks in easier ways that put less deforming forces on your joints. 4. Use good body mechanics: The way you position your body largely affects how much strain you put on your joints. Proper body mechanics allow you to use your body more efficiently and conserve energy. 5. Use the strongest joint available for the job: Save your weaker joints for the specific jobs that only they can accomplish. Throughout the day, favor large joints. For example, carry objects with your palm open, distributing the weight equally over your forearm. Slide objects along a counter or workbench rather than lifting them. When opening cabinets or heavy doors, use a loop that you can pull with your wrist or forearm to decrease stress on your fingers. 6. Avoid keeping your joints in the same position for a prolonged period of time: Don''t give your joints the chance to become stiff — keep them moving. When writing or doing handwork, release your grip every 10 to 15 minutes, or when your hand feels fatigued. On long car trips, get out of the car, stretch and move around at least every hour. While watching television, get up and move around every half-hour. 7. Balance periods of rest and activity during the day: Effectively managing your workload throughout the day can help you avoid overworked joints. Work at a steady, moderate pace and avoid rushing. Rest before you become fatigued or sore. Alternate light and moderate activities throughout the day. And take periodic stretch breaks. Remember, you don''t have to make all of these changes at once. By gradually incorporating these methods into your day-to-day activities, you are more likely to stick with them; just like how you manage to get rid of constipation - you eat food rich in fiber, drink plenty of water and exercise everyday until the time your problem with constipation is solved. Keep an open mind about how you do everyday tasks. You might have to change some old habits, but the reward is that your joints may cause you less pain.

The Importance Of Exercise For Rheumatoid Arthritis

When joints are stiff and painful, exercise might be the last thing on your mind. Yet when you have rheumatoid arthritis, exercising regularly is one of the best things you can do to take care of yourself and your joints. Here is why exercise is so important:* People who exercise live longer, with or without rheumatoid arthritis.* Regular exercise can actually reduce overall pain from rheumatoid arthritis.* Exercise can keep your bones strong and make your skin healthy. (In fact many people consider this method as their anti aging skin care remedy.) Thinning of the bones can be a problem with rheumatoid arthritis, especially if you need to take steroids. Exercise helps bones keep their strength.* Exercise maintains muscle strength.* Regular exercise improves functional ability and lets you do more for yourself.* People with rheumatoid arthritis who exercise feel better about themselves and are better able to cope with problems. Exercise or certain kinds of exercise are proven to be safe for people with rheumatoid arthritis. There are 3 types you can do: stretching, strengthening, and conditioning. * Stretching exercises are the simplest and easiest. They consist of stretching and holding different joint and muscle groups for 10 to 30 seconds each. Stretching improves flexibility, and daily stretching is the basis for any exercise program.* Strength exercises involve working the muscle against resistance. This can be either with or without weights. Resistance training strengthens the muscle and increases the amount of activity you can do pain-free.* Conditioning exercise, also called aerobic exercise, improves cardiovascular fitness. There are countless benefits to aerobic exercise. Among them, it makes your heart and blood vessels healthier, prevents disability, and improves mood and well-being. Good conditioning exercises for people with rheumatoid arthritis include low-impact activities like walking, swimming, bicycling, or using an elliptical machine. Any of these will get your heart pumping.After being cleared by your physician, you should try to do 20 to 30 minutes of low-impact conditioning exercise on as many days as you feel you can. More is better, but any amount is better than none at all. Arthritis exercises can safely provide pain relief and build muscle strength.Indeed arthritis exercises can safely provide pain relief and build muscle strength. However you should be careful about activities that put a lot of stress on a joint, or an "high-impact," such as: Jogging, especially on paved roads; Heavy weight lifting. That is not to say that these activities are totally off-limits. If you are interested in trying them, talk to your doctor first. Your rheumatologist can help you create an exercise program that is right for you. This may also involve meeting with a physical therapist. Physical therapists can identify what areas you need to work on, choose the right exercises for you, and tell you how vigorously you should exercise. There are also community exercise programs designed just for people with arthritis. Your should work with your treatment team to design the right plan before starting to exercise, especially if you have other medical problems. As you start to exercise regularly, you will realize the benefits, and you will know you have taken control of your rheumatoid arthritis. Soon, not only will your joints feel better - you will feel better too.

How Juvenile Arthritis Affects The Human Eyes

A child who has juvenile arthritis may develop problems with his or her eyes. The problems may be caused by the disease. In some cases, though, the problem may be caused by the medications the child takes for the disease. The most common eye problem that can develop in children with juvenile arthritis is uveitis. Uveitis is an inflammation of the inner parts of the eye in a section called the uvea. The uvea consists of the following:* Iris. The colored part of the eye.* Ciliary Body. Which makes fluid inside the eye and controls the movement of the lens.* The Choroid. The lining that covers the eyeball from the iris all the way around the eye.When uveitis affects specific parts of the eye it may also be called iritis or iridocyclitis. Untreated and severe uveitis can cause scarring of the eye. It can also cause vision problems. Other complications include:* Glaucoma. A condition that causes high pressure in the eye.* Cataracts. Clouding of the lens of the eye.* Permanent Vision Damage, including blindness.Uveitis can occur one year before diagnosis with juvenile arthritis. Or it could occur at the same time that juvenile arthritis is diagnosed or even up to 15 years after the diagnosis but when that time comes surely the Internet with great website design Lexington could provide you lot of information about its prevention and medication. Uveitis can also occur several years after juvenile arthritis is in remission when the disease is not active. Juvenile arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease. That means the immune system attacks its own body. The disease is known by several names: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, childhood arthritis, and Still''s disease. It is the most common type of arthritis to affect children. In juvenile arthritis, the immune system targets the tissue that lines the inside of joints. That tissue is known as the synovium. The synovium''s response is to make excess fluid called synovial fluid. That causes swelling, pain, and stiffness. Inflammation may cause damage to cartilage and bone and may spread to other parts of the body, such as the eyes.

Hormones And The “Menopause Arthritis”

Lots of women come into the clinic noticing joint pain or arthritis for the first time during perimenopause. Studies have shown that lower estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause are frequently associated with joint pain or arthritis. Although the correlation between estrogen and your joints is not completely understood, you do know that estrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. Estrogen actually quiets the inflammatory "noise" in your joints along with the noise in many other parts of the body. As hormone levels initiate their natural shift during perimenopause, any hormonal imbalances that estrogen has quietly been covering begin to rise to the surface, leaving you perplexed by issues you never before encountered. The truth is, most people probably had inflammation in their joints for some time, but estrogen was cloaking your sensitivity to the pain. However, a lot of women find their pain eases when their hormones return to balance, though for some, this only one piece of the picture. The foods, of course a great gift ideas, you are eating can be determining factor in restoring balance and quieting the inflammatory noise.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: How Does It Affect The Lungs?

Although rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints and surrounding tissues, it can also affect the lungs. The most common lung problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis include:* Painful Breathing. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleurisy). The inflammation can cause sharp pain while breathing.* Shortness Of Breath. Fluid due to inflammation may accumulate around the lungs (pleural effusion). This accumulation can cause shortness of breath.* Lung Nodules. Small lumps may form in the lungs (rheumatoid nodules), as well as in other parts of the body. Lung nodules usually cause no signs or symptoms, and they don''t pose a risk of lung cancer.* Scarring Of The Lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to scarring of the connective tissue that supports the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis). The primary signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic dry cough, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and rapid weight loss.* Scarring Of The Small Airways In The Lungs. Some rheumatoid arthritis medications can cause scarring of the small airways in the lungs (bronchiolitis obliterans). This can lead to difficulty breathing.Contact your physician promptly if you have rheumatoid arthritis and experience any unexplained breathing problems. Sometimes treatment is aimed at the underlying rheumatoid arthritis. And for more information about the latest rheumatoid arthritis treatment, just check it out in the Internet. There are many websites with great Internet marketing strategies that offer more reliable information about rheumatoid arthritis. In other cases, treatment involves medication to suppress the immune system or a procedure to remove fluid from the lungs.

Why Choose MBtickets.com For Your Los Angeles Laker Tickets

Basketball has become an insatiable passion for American. People love playing and watching this game whether in a backyard, a blacktop urban playground, or an indoor stadium. In fact basketball is one of the largest spectator sports and its obsession is unstoppable because of its high score, fast pace and employing of some of the worlds best players and athletes. Do not miss out on this exceptional show of athleticism because being at an NBA Finals game or even in a regular season game is the experience of a lifetime. The excitement in the stadium, the shouting is absolutely intoxicating. Buy your NBA tickets from MBtickets.com. MBtickets has all the best basketball tickets for every regular season game, NBA playoff tickets, and NBA Finals tickets. No matter how hard it is to get your hands on Los Angeles Laker tickets, MBtickets.com will prove to you that they are the best place to get them. Still not convinced that MBtickets.com are the best NBA ticket broker? MBtickets.com also provide NBA basketball team information, updated selection of event schedules, and news. In the mean time, do not miss out on the most exciting entertainment being played in cities across the country. Athletes keep getting better and as a result, so do the games. Indulge yourself and let MBtickets.com supply you with the best basketball sports tickets to every game you want to see.

Login