Don't loose time waiting for every gout assault to be able to consider your own treatments. If the physician offers suggested recommending the standard remedies for instance Indomethacin (Indocin) then make certain that you simply consider your pills every single evening. Frequently using the remedies can enable your entire body to be able to offer using the gout pain and also avoid the particular excruciating soreness which accompanies the actual situation. The particular treatments you're given might 't be correct to suit your needs. However provide the remedies the opportunity to be able to perform prior to you consider oneself away from this. Talk to your health practitioner once more and provide the personal suggestions, just like herbal treatments.
The best way to Ease the actual Discomfort associated with Gout pain: Lower Your own Alcohol and also Steak Consumption.
Gouty arthritis sufferers that are drinking alcoholic beverages would certainly be wise to minimize their own drink consumption, because this may irritate the issue and also add towards the construct of uric acid inside entire body, that is exactly what then leads to the gout assault. Exactly the same is true of the diet plan full of steak. Attempt to consume any eating habits abundant with fruit vegetables, because this can assist along with lowering the actual amounts of uric acid.
The best way to Decrease the particular Discomfort associated with Gout pain: Relaxation!
It truly is tough with regard to folks in order to relaxation and elevate their toes whenever they're productive and utilized to be able to getting on their toes just about all evening extended. However as soon as a person begin to be able to really feel the existing familiar ache, you must attempt to be able to relaxation as well as place you up. Stay away from feet as significantly since it is possible to as well as relaxation. This may support you to definitely get over the particular discomfort of the gout assault additional very easily.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The typical three-stage rheumatoid arthritis treatment .
The typical three-stage rheumatoid arthritis treatment in the case of localized pain, stiffness, and immobility, consists of medication to relieve pain and inflammation and prevent progression of the disease, rest to let injured tissues heal themselves, and exercise to rebuild mobility and strength.
The popular prescribed rheumatoid arthritis(RA) drug treatments in recent years have certainly been able to slow or stop progression of joint damage and together with planned exercises, if kept up and done regularly, the benefits can be enormous.
However, it often takes weeks for you to notice the benefits of taking prescribed DMARD Corticosteroids(disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), therefore, they are often combined with a faster working drug such as tylenol acetaminophen or an NSAID(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
People with aspirin-sensitive asthma or allergic reactions due to aspirin or other arthritis medicines or certain drugs called sulfonamides should not take NSAIDs. While they help relieve the pain, they can also produce very serious consequences and side-effects.
Also effective, DMARDs too, have a high risk of serious side effects especially when taken as a pill and used long term.
Often, doctors try to avoid these problems by injecting the steroid into the affected joint or trying other medications in combination to keep the dose of steroids as low as possible. It's also a good idea to ask your physician how you will be monitored i.e. do you need routine blood tests?
Over-the-counter topical pain relievers can be used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis joint swelling, stiffness, and pain that has so far affected only a few joints -- such as a hand or where the pain hasn't yet become severe.
Exercise
Most doctors recommend that the best rheumatoid arthritis treatment is exercise to maintain healthy joints, relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and improve muscle and bone strength.
However, your exercise program, like your diet, should be tailored to you as an individual. Ask a qualified physical therapist to design an individualized program, that may include water therapy, ice massage, transcutaneous nerve stimulation(TENS), yoga or tai chi.
Your therapist can also apply heat and cold treatments as needed and fit you for splints or orthotic straightening devices to support and align joints.
It is most important that you try to reduce your daily stress levels which can really aggravate your symptoms.
Diet and food supplements
A carefully balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially antioxidants like vitamin E and prepared by a qualified nutritionist certainly works as well as conventional rheumatoid arthritis treatment using proprietary medicines.
There are many supplementary natural products which have been shown over many, many years to be very helpful in the relief and treatment of RA.
Selenium from brewers yeast, wheat germ, garlic, whole grains, sunflower seeds, and brazil nuts, deer velvet, fish oil(omega 3), glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric and stinging nettle.
The popular prescribed rheumatoid arthritis(RA) drug treatments in recent years have certainly been able to slow or stop progression of joint damage and together with planned exercises, if kept up and done regularly, the benefits can be enormous.
However, it often takes weeks for you to notice the benefits of taking prescribed DMARD Corticosteroids(disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), therefore, they are often combined with a faster working drug such as tylenol acetaminophen or an NSAID(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
People with aspirin-sensitive asthma or allergic reactions due to aspirin or other arthritis medicines or certain drugs called sulfonamides should not take NSAIDs. While they help relieve the pain, they can also produce very serious consequences and side-effects.
Also effective, DMARDs too, have a high risk of serious side effects especially when taken as a pill and used long term.
Often, doctors try to avoid these problems by injecting the steroid into the affected joint or trying other medications in combination to keep the dose of steroids as low as possible. It's also a good idea to ask your physician how you will be monitored i.e. do you need routine blood tests?
Over-the-counter topical pain relievers can be used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis joint swelling, stiffness, and pain that has so far affected only a few joints -- such as a hand or where the pain hasn't yet become severe.
Exercise
Most doctors recommend that the best rheumatoid arthritis treatment is exercise to maintain healthy joints, relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and improve muscle and bone strength.
However, your exercise program, like your diet, should be tailored to you as an individual. Ask a qualified physical therapist to design an individualized program, that may include water therapy, ice massage, transcutaneous nerve stimulation(TENS), yoga or tai chi.
Your therapist can also apply heat and cold treatments as needed and fit you for splints or orthotic straightening devices to support and align joints.
It is most important that you try to reduce your daily stress levels which can really aggravate your symptoms.
Diet and food supplements
A carefully balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially antioxidants like vitamin E and prepared by a qualified nutritionist certainly works as well as conventional rheumatoid arthritis treatment using proprietary medicines.
There are many supplementary natural products which have been shown over many, many years to be very helpful in the relief and treatment of RA.
Selenium from brewers yeast, wheat germ, garlic, whole grains, sunflower seeds, and brazil nuts, deer velvet, fish oil(omega 3), glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric and stinging nettle.
Gout.
Through research, it has been shown that foods high in uric acid (purines) have contributed to the chance of developing gout or aggravating the symptoms of an existing gout sufferer. Gout can be easy to manage if you are willing to make some considerable changes to your diet. A healthy lifestyle along with these diet changes will help to control your gout (if you already have it) or prevent the disease (if you are high risk).
Gout is caused by a condition known as hyperuricemia. This simply means that there is too much uric acid in the bloodstream. The disease is more common in men; however, it can also attack women. Uric acid is a waste product that is left over after the metabolism of purines and is also found in alcohol (particularly beer) and some foods.
In order to reduce the levels, a change in diet is necessary. Foods that contain high levels will need to be omitted or the very least, reduced. It is the job of the kidney to eliminate them from the body. Low amounts of purines in the diet are normally not a concern. It is when foods and alcohol high in purines are consumed in excess that the problems begin. Some people will never get the disease even though they may have high levels of uric acid in their bloodstream.
Then there are those with high levels that are more susceptible to build up. This is when crystals will form in the body and attach themselves to joints and this is what causes the pain of gout. In order to treat the disease, the idea is to relieve the chronic pain that is associated with gout and to do what is necessary to prevent attacks.
It is important that gout is diagnosed and treated before it is able to destroy the joints and lead to other long-term problems such as kidney damage. Diets low in purines can reduce uric acid build up and at the same time can assist in weight loss. Lower levels can also be attributed to weight loss.
Meats, such as beef, pork and seafood contain purines that attribute to uric acid levels being high. Some white meats have purines and should be consumed in moderation, such as chicken, ham, and bacon. These are not as bad as red meats, but still need to be controlled.
Foods, such as breads and alcohol, that are made using yeast, should also be avoided. They can produce high uric acid levels. Drinking black cherry juice, in large quantities, has been associated with reducing these levels, therefore reducing the symptoms of gout.
Some natural anti-inflammatory that have been attributed to the reduction of the chronic inflammation of gout sufferers are celery seed extract and bromelain. If you are having a gout attack add eicosapentaenoic acid and folic acid to your diet. This will help with the inflammation. Those who suffer from gout symptoms have seen an improvement by simply eliminating foods high in uric acid.
If you are willing to make a change in your life-style and diet, you could be lowering your chances of getting a painful gout attack.
Gout is caused by a condition known as hyperuricemia. This simply means that there is too much uric acid in the bloodstream. The disease is more common in men; however, it can also attack women. Uric acid is a waste product that is left over after the metabolism of purines and is also found in alcohol (particularly beer) and some foods.
In order to reduce the levels, a change in diet is necessary. Foods that contain high levels will need to be omitted or the very least, reduced. It is the job of the kidney to eliminate them from the body. Low amounts of purines in the diet are normally not a concern. It is when foods and alcohol high in purines are consumed in excess that the problems begin. Some people will never get the disease even though they may have high levels of uric acid in their bloodstream.
Then there are those with high levels that are more susceptible to build up. This is when crystals will form in the body and attach themselves to joints and this is what causes the pain of gout. In order to treat the disease, the idea is to relieve the chronic pain that is associated with gout and to do what is necessary to prevent attacks.
It is important that gout is diagnosed and treated before it is able to destroy the joints and lead to other long-term problems such as kidney damage. Diets low in purines can reduce uric acid build up and at the same time can assist in weight loss. Lower levels can also be attributed to weight loss.
Meats, such as beef, pork and seafood contain purines that attribute to uric acid levels being high. Some white meats have purines and should be consumed in moderation, such as chicken, ham, and bacon. These are not as bad as red meats, but still need to be controlled.
Foods, such as breads and alcohol, that are made using yeast, should also be avoided. They can produce high uric acid levels. Drinking black cherry juice, in large quantities, has been associated with reducing these levels, therefore reducing the symptoms of gout.
Some natural anti-inflammatory that have been attributed to the reduction of the chronic inflammation of gout sufferers are celery seed extract and bromelain. If you are having a gout attack add eicosapentaenoic acid and folic acid to your diet. This will help with the inflammation. Those who suffer from gout symptoms have seen an improvement by simply eliminating foods high in uric acid.
If you are willing to make a change in your life-style and diet, you could be lowering your chances of getting a painful gout attack.
There are arthritis rheumatism natural treatments .
Arthritis rheumatism natural treatments can be less costly than some other solutions that take prescriptions. If you want to test an alternative, perhaps it's time to think about a more natural solution.
There are arthritis rheumatism natural treatments that you can simply rub in. Let them work themselves down to the muscles in question and soothe them.
The same arthritis rheumatism natural treatments can also provide relief for congestion, that tightness that you can feel in your chest or back. Apply the ointment to your chest or neck for relief.
Or you can add a bit of the ointment to boiling water and use it as a steam or vapor. Either breathe it in up close or leave it in the corner of the bedroom, on top of a bureau or table.
This can be a useful solution before bedtime, for little children or adults. It will make the room smell like relief, like your grandma's house.
Make sure you keep such ointments away from your face, particularly your eyes and nose. Always use it for external use only. Keep such ointments and oils far from the reach of children and pets. There are ingredients that can cause harm if ingested.
Let's get back to relief of arthritis rheumatism. Try rubbing an ointment onto the affected areas and allow it to work itself down to the muscles. Let them rest while it works, though you do not want to stop using your body.
As with many conditions, if you let yourself slow down to a stop voluntarily, it will be harder to get going again.
Look at what you can do. Remain positive, and look for exercises and outings that meet your needs and abilities. Arthritis is not a death sentence.
Swimming is low weight bearing, and it can get you out of the house and in touch with others. Whatever can put that smile back on your face will make you feel lighter and happier, and just plain better.
At times, a bit of relief can change your mood, and allow you to bring the positive back into line. This is so important.
Take advantage of feeling better to put on some music and do a little dance, or tidy that box of stuff that's been waiting for you to feel well enough to tackle. Simple stuff, a little at a time, makes a big difference to our list of things to do.
Another solution is to become the boss, and allow someone else to help you with the big stuff. A cup of tea in hand, and you'll be able to spend time with a grandson or granddaughter, or even a friend, who can reach up high and down low, to find and then replace those items for you.
There are also some things related to diet, when it comes to arthritis that you might want to consult your homeopath about, to make sure that you're not eating your way to an irritating situation.
The same arthritis rheumatism natural treatments are useful for a variety of ailments, and, most importantly, they'll bring you relief.
There are arthritis rheumatism natural treatments that you can simply rub in. Let them work themselves down to the muscles in question and soothe them.
The same arthritis rheumatism natural treatments can also provide relief for congestion, that tightness that you can feel in your chest or back. Apply the ointment to your chest or neck for relief.
Or you can add a bit of the ointment to boiling water and use it as a steam or vapor. Either breathe it in up close or leave it in the corner of the bedroom, on top of a bureau or table.
This can be a useful solution before bedtime, for little children or adults. It will make the room smell like relief, like your grandma's house.
Make sure you keep such ointments away from your face, particularly your eyes and nose. Always use it for external use only. Keep such ointments and oils far from the reach of children and pets. There are ingredients that can cause harm if ingested.
Let's get back to relief of arthritis rheumatism. Try rubbing an ointment onto the affected areas and allow it to work itself down to the muscles. Let them rest while it works, though you do not want to stop using your body.
As with many conditions, if you let yourself slow down to a stop voluntarily, it will be harder to get going again.
Look at what you can do. Remain positive, and look for exercises and outings that meet your needs and abilities. Arthritis is not a death sentence.
Swimming is low weight bearing, and it can get you out of the house and in touch with others. Whatever can put that smile back on your face will make you feel lighter and happier, and just plain better.
At times, a bit of relief can change your mood, and allow you to bring the positive back into line. This is so important.
Take advantage of feeling better to put on some music and do a little dance, or tidy that box of stuff that's been waiting for you to feel well enough to tackle. Simple stuff, a little at a time, makes a big difference to our list of things to do.
Another solution is to become the boss, and allow someone else to help you with the big stuff. A cup of tea in hand, and you'll be able to spend time with a grandson or granddaughter, or even a friend, who can reach up high and down low, to find and then replace those items for you.
There are also some things related to diet, when it comes to arthritis that you might want to consult your homeopath about, to make sure that you're not eating your way to an irritating situation.
The same arthritis rheumatism natural treatments are useful for a variety of ailments, and, most importantly, they'll bring you relief.
Arthritis and Psoriasis.
Worldwide there are many sufferers of debilitating arthritis, people of all ages and genders are not immune from this insidious disease that has no age or gender preference and it even attack both children and infants. There is a specific arthritis call Psoriasis Arthritis this is an illness that also affects many millions of people.
At the time of writing there is no known cure for this form of arthritis, it primary attacks the joints and they become swollen added to the arthritis misery the joint that is affected you will get scaly patches of skin. You can see you are really handed a double disease.
The first thing you need to do is get the condition properly diagnosed by a Dr in order to delve into your medical history and take the appropriate tests in order to completely understand its symptoms and treatment available for both the skin complaint along with medications and other options for pain treatment.
Education is knowledge of this disease and this will help you understand the treatment that is being offered. The drugs you will take will need careful monitoring to get the right mix to as not one medication suits all. There is help at hand, firstly with your doctor he is your number one contact and he will give you information to read up on the diseases, along with providing information to organisations that have support groups.
The internet is a powerful tool to research and on it your will find other support in various forums that are on line and don't be surprised when you get a reply from around the world. This is helpful when you have made contact as this gives you peace of mind knowing others really do know how you feel.
The most common age for the psoriatic arthritis is between 20-50 years of age.
Some further symptoms are that people could experience swelling of wrists, knees, elbows and finger joints. The skin will appear on the swollen joints as being gray and very dry especially around the front and back of the knees and elbows. The person with this condition can likely have pitted nails and small cuts around the fingernails. Science states the cause is not totally known but believes it may be related to a combination of environment and genetic predisposition.
The condition is a little tricky for the medical profession as you virtually have 2 fused diseases. Although there are many drugs out for this condition many do have side effects. As a lay person I have taken it upon myself to research these diseases and have made many changes to my diet in order to eliminate foods that could trigger an attack without taking drugs. This has been useful for me to eradicate different foods that kick start my disease. Changing your diet is one thing another is walking or best of all exercises is aqua aerobic class where there is no weight bearing.
At the time of writing there is no known cure for this form of arthritis, it primary attacks the joints and they become swollen added to the arthritis misery the joint that is affected you will get scaly patches of skin. You can see you are really handed a double disease.
The first thing you need to do is get the condition properly diagnosed by a Dr in order to delve into your medical history and take the appropriate tests in order to completely understand its symptoms and treatment available for both the skin complaint along with medications and other options for pain treatment.
Education is knowledge of this disease and this will help you understand the treatment that is being offered. The drugs you will take will need careful monitoring to get the right mix to as not one medication suits all. There is help at hand, firstly with your doctor he is your number one contact and he will give you information to read up on the diseases, along with providing information to organisations that have support groups.
The internet is a powerful tool to research and on it your will find other support in various forums that are on line and don't be surprised when you get a reply from around the world. This is helpful when you have made contact as this gives you peace of mind knowing others really do know how you feel.
The most common age for the psoriatic arthritis is between 20-50 years of age.
Some further symptoms are that people could experience swelling of wrists, knees, elbows and finger joints. The skin will appear on the swollen joints as being gray and very dry especially around the front and back of the knees and elbows. The person with this condition can likely have pitted nails and small cuts around the fingernails. Science states the cause is not totally known but believes it may be related to a combination of environment and genetic predisposition.
The condition is a little tricky for the medical profession as you virtually have 2 fused diseases. Although there are many drugs out for this condition many do have side effects. As a lay person I have taken it upon myself to research these diseases and have made many changes to my diet in order to eliminate foods that could trigger an attack without taking drugs. This has been useful for me to eradicate different foods that kick start my disease. Changing your diet is one thing another is walking or best of all exercises is aqua aerobic class where there is no weight bearing.
Gout is a painful form of arthritis.
Gout is a painful form of arthritis that generally affects men in their mid to late forties. If you have just been diagnosed with this condition, there are some specific steps you can take to combat the painful side effects. Here is exactly what to do...
Step One: Agree On A Pain Medication
If you've been diagnosed with gout, chances are you will have to deal with what is known as a gout attack. Basically, this is your condition flaring up, usually for a 24 to 72 hour period. During an attack, your affected joints will become red, swollen, and painful to the touch.
Make sure you and your doctor agree on what pain medication you should take when this occurs. Determining factors include any other medications you are taking, allergy concerns, cost, and compatibility. Sometimes, an over the counter pain medication is sufficient, but individual circumstances vary.
Step Two: Analyze Your Diet
Most people become afflicted with this condition due to poor dietary habits and lack of exercise. Examine your current diet closely and honestly. If it is high in fat, it is undoubtedly a contributing factor.
The best foods to combat your condition are fruit, vegetables, and protein from lean meat sources. Cherries in particular are known for their effectiveness in helping alleviate gout, but studies show their effect is different from one person to another. Regardless, add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet while reducing fat. Gravy, for example, is one of the worst known foods that aggravate the condition, so avoid it all together.
Step Two: Analyze Your Exercise HabitsThe percentage of those who are diagnosed with gout who also lead a sedentary lifestyle is close to 100%. To control your condition, it is imperative you introduce an exercise regimen to your daily routine.
Start with walking. Walking even one mile per day will have significant positive effects. Ideally, you should incorporate cardiovascular, stretching, and strength training workouts in an effort to become more fit and improve your circulation and overall health.
Being overweight is another negative factor. Obviously, exercise and diet changes will help you lose weight. The key is to experience some small victories, like a loss of your first five pounds. This will help your motivation level and support you in your desire to change eating and exercise habits.
Step Three: Be RealisticWhen most people are diagnosed with gout, they expect a medication or pill to be the ultimate cure. We are here to tell you, there is no miracle cure. You can not eliminate the condition, but you can effectively control it. This will take specific effort on your part.
Many people effectively control the condition and no longer suffer painful attacks. This is because they have introduced positive lifestyle changes and maintained a level of consistency.
Step One: Agree On A Pain Medication
If you've been diagnosed with gout, chances are you will have to deal with what is known as a gout attack. Basically, this is your condition flaring up, usually for a 24 to 72 hour period. During an attack, your affected joints will become red, swollen, and painful to the touch.
Make sure you and your doctor agree on what pain medication you should take when this occurs. Determining factors include any other medications you are taking, allergy concerns, cost, and compatibility. Sometimes, an over the counter pain medication is sufficient, but individual circumstances vary.
Step Two: Analyze Your Diet
Most people become afflicted with this condition due to poor dietary habits and lack of exercise. Examine your current diet closely and honestly. If it is high in fat, it is undoubtedly a contributing factor.
The best foods to combat your condition are fruit, vegetables, and protein from lean meat sources. Cherries in particular are known for their effectiveness in helping alleviate gout, but studies show their effect is different from one person to another. Regardless, add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet while reducing fat. Gravy, for example, is one of the worst known foods that aggravate the condition, so avoid it all together.
Step Two: Analyze Your Exercise HabitsThe percentage of those who are diagnosed with gout who also lead a sedentary lifestyle is close to 100%. To control your condition, it is imperative you introduce an exercise regimen to your daily routine.
Start with walking. Walking even one mile per day will have significant positive effects. Ideally, you should incorporate cardiovascular, stretching, and strength training workouts in an effort to become more fit and improve your circulation and overall health.
Being overweight is another negative factor. Obviously, exercise and diet changes will help you lose weight. The key is to experience some small victories, like a loss of your first five pounds. This will help your motivation level and support you in your desire to change eating and exercise habits.
Step Three: Be RealisticWhen most people are diagnosed with gout, they expect a medication or pill to be the ultimate cure. We are here to tell you, there is no miracle cure. You can not eliminate the condition, but you can effectively control it. This will take specific effort on your part.
Many people effectively control the condition and no longer suffer painful attacks. This is because they have introduced positive lifestyle changes and maintained a level of consistency.
5 Easy Tips to Get Rid of Gout Pain Fast and Naturally .
If you're suffering agonizing gout right now, then you'll want fast gout pain relief. Here, you'll discover 5 simple ways to get rid of gout pain fast and naturally. And you do it from the comfort of your home.
Gout is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in your joints. It is just one of the many forms of arthritis. Often, the first indication you have it, is when waking up in the night with a severe pain in the toe. The toe is by far the most common joint affected, but other joints can be affected too.
Apart from the agonizing pain, the other signs of a gout attack are; inflammation, swelling, stiffness, redness and hot to touch. First time sufferers often mistake these as a sign of an injury. So always consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Now, not only is it vital to reduce the inflammation and reduce the horrible pain of an actual attack, it's also vital to prevent further attacks. And you are odds-on to suffer more attacks once you've had your first.
Why is this so important? Because, recurring gout attacks, over an extended period, can cause kidney and joint damage, as well as things like high blood pressure.
Doctors usually prescribe drugs to combat the pain and inflammation of an attack. And they work very well. They can also prescribe uric-acid-reducing drugs to help prevent further attacks of gout. But because these only work while they are being taken, oftentimes sufferers have to take them everyday for years.
And, like all drugs, they do have some nasty side effects; stomach ulcers, bleeding, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, even allergies. So, increasingly, gout sufferers are turning to natural remedies for gout pain relief.
Here are just 5 of the many natural home remedies you can use to get gout pain relief:-
(1) Drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water each day. This helps the kidneys to do their job of processing and excreting excess uric acid from your body.
(2) Avoid all alcohol, especially beer. Alcohol is known to be a key trigger for a gout attack.
(3) Consume at least 20 cherries every single day: more if you can. They have natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
(4) Use a hot and cold soak (or compress). 3 minutes hot water, 30 seconds cold water. This helps increase circulation and relieve pain.
(5) Use a charcoal paste poultice. Mix a half cup of powdered activated charcoal with 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed. Then add hot water and mix to a thickish paste. Apply over the joint and repeat every 4 hours say. To stop staining things, cover with a cloth or plastic bag.
There are tons of natural remedies out there. And, what might work for some may not work for others. So you need to try as many as you can find, to see which works best for you.
But, although you can get gout pain relief using these remedies, remember, you need to prevent recurring gout attacks. A key element in this is your diet. As a gout sufferer, you need to avoid high purine foods (e.g. red meats, some fish, shellfish, poultry, some vegetables, etc.) and go on to a low purine diet (e.g. essential fatty acids, foods high in vitamin C, complex carbs, low fat dairy products, etc.).
You're in luck though. There's a special gout report available online that has all the information you need in one place. It is what thousands of ex-gout victims worldwide have successfully used to prevent their gout returning. It also contains a special 2 hour gout pain relief program.
And it uses fully-researched, totally natural methods. So that you benefit two ways: (1) you get rid of your excruciating pain very fast, and, (2) you prevent your gout returning, so that you reduce the risk of permanent damage.
Gout is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in your joints. It is just one of the many forms of arthritis. Often, the first indication you have it, is when waking up in the night with a severe pain in the toe. The toe is by far the most common joint affected, but other joints can be affected too.
Apart from the agonizing pain, the other signs of a gout attack are; inflammation, swelling, stiffness, redness and hot to touch. First time sufferers often mistake these as a sign of an injury. So always consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Now, not only is it vital to reduce the inflammation and reduce the horrible pain of an actual attack, it's also vital to prevent further attacks. And you are odds-on to suffer more attacks once you've had your first.
Why is this so important? Because, recurring gout attacks, over an extended period, can cause kidney and joint damage, as well as things like high blood pressure.
Doctors usually prescribe drugs to combat the pain and inflammation of an attack. And they work very well. They can also prescribe uric-acid-reducing drugs to help prevent further attacks of gout. But because these only work while they are being taken, oftentimes sufferers have to take them everyday for years.
And, like all drugs, they do have some nasty side effects; stomach ulcers, bleeding, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, even allergies. So, increasingly, gout sufferers are turning to natural remedies for gout pain relief.
Here are just 5 of the many natural home remedies you can use to get gout pain relief:-
(1) Drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water each day. This helps the kidneys to do their job of processing and excreting excess uric acid from your body.
(2) Avoid all alcohol, especially beer. Alcohol is known to be a key trigger for a gout attack.
(3) Consume at least 20 cherries every single day: more if you can. They have natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
(4) Use a hot and cold soak (or compress). 3 minutes hot water, 30 seconds cold water. This helps increase circulation and relieve pain.
(5) Use a charcoal paste poultice. Mix a half cup of powdered activated charcoal with 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed. Then add hot water and mix to a thickish paste. Apply over the joint and repeat every 4 hours say. To stop staining things, cover with a cloth or plastic bag.
There are tons of natural remedies out there. And, what might work for some may not work for others. So you need to try as many as you can find, to see which works best for you.
But, although you can get gout pain relief using these remedies, remember, you need to prevent recurring gout attacks. A key element in this is your diet. As a gout sufferer, you need to avoid high purine foods (e.g. red meats, some fish, shellfish, poultry, some vegetables, etc.) and go on to a low purine diet (e.g. essential fatty acids, foods high in vitamin C, complex carbs, low fat dairy products, etc.).
You're in luck though. There's a special gout report available online that has all the information you need in one place. It is what thousands of ex-gout victims worldwide have successfully used to prevent their gout returning. It also contains a special 2 hour gout pain relief program.
And it uses fully-researched, totally natural methods. So that you benefit two ways: (1) you get rid of your excruciating pain very fast, and, (2) you prevent your gout returning, so that you reduce the risk of permanent damage.
Some rheumatoid arthritis causes (RA).
Are unknown, but it's a condition where your immune system goes awry and starts to attack healthy tissues. This causes inflammation, pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Some authorities think an infection with a virus may be the culprit, but nothing has yet been proven.
RA is a different condition from osteoarthritis, which is a wear and tear type of arthritis where the joints simply wear out. Osteoarthritis is typically found in seniors, while RA normally strikes those in their 30s to 50s, with women being the most likely targets. It also is a progressive disease and can affect other areas of the body.
There are several things you can do to help in coping with arthritis. First thing is to stop the pain. Using a good, natural supplement can do just that. Another benefit of a natural treatment is that there are no side effects from it. Some of the commonly prescribed, powerful anti-inflammatory NSAID type of drugs, come with potential deadly side effects and possible interactions with other medications you may be taking.
Make sure to include an exercise routine also. Low impact exercises, such as walking and swimming are ideal and are very beneficial in helping to conquer joint stiffness and building muscle for additional support. Frequently, stiffness is more common in the morning and lessens as the day goes on. Gentle stretching exercises in the morning can help to get rid of it more quickly and improve your range of motion.
You might also try experimenting with your diet. Reduce the amount of Omega 6 fats, such as those found in processed foods, fast foods and cooking oils such as corn, safflower, and soybean oil. Increase Omega 3 fats. These include cold water fish, such as tuna, sardines and salmon. The ideal balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats should be about half and half, but unfortunately, the modern Western diet throws this balance way out of whack. So, if you get your diet where it should be, you also gain additional protection against major diseases, such as cancer and heart problems.
Being proactive in your efforts to reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis can pay huge dividends in other areas of your life as well. Joint relief lets you feel good and you're able to participate in activities that were formerly difficult, or totally avoided. For a small amount of effort, you can gain big rewards.
It is estimated that over two million people in the US suffer from the devastating effects of rheumatoid arthritis. More than two thirds are women. It's a painful condition, but you can stop the pain and avoid the weird side effects that come with commonly prescribed NSAID type drugs.
RA is a different condition from osteoarthritis, which is a wear and tear type of arthritis where the joints simply wear out. Osteoarthritis is typically found in seniors, while RA normally strikes those in their 30s to 50s, with women being the most likely targets. It also is a progressive disease and can affect other areas of the body.
There are several things you can do to help in coping with arthritis. First thing is to stop the pain. Using a good, natural supplement can do just that. Another benefit of a natural treatment is that there are no side effects from it. Some of the commonly prescribed, powerful anti-inflammatory NSAID type of drugs, come with potential deadly side effects and possible interactions with other medications you may be taking.
Make sure to include an exercise routine also. Low impact exercises, such as walking and swimming are ideal and are very beneficial in helping to conquer joint stiffness and building muscle for additional support. Frequently, stiffness is more common in the morning and lessens as the day goes on. Gentle stretching exercises in the morning can help to get rid of it more quickly and improve your range of motion.
You might also try experimenting with your diet. Reduce the amount of Omega 6 fats, such as those found in processed foods, fast foods and cooking oils such as corn, safflower, and soybean oil. Increase Omega 3 fats. These include cold water fish, such as tuna, sardines and salmon. The ideal balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats should be about half and half, but unfortunately, the modern Western diet throws this balance way out of whack. So, if you get your diet where it should be, you also gain additional protection against major diseases, such as cancer and heart problems.
Being proactive in your efforts to reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis can pay huge dividends in other areas of your life as well. Joint relief lets you feel good and you're able to participate in activities that were formerly difficult, or totally avoided. For a small amount of effort, you can gain big rewards.
It is estimated that over two million people in the US suffer from the devastating effects of rheumatoid arthritis. More than two thirds are women. It's a painful condition, but you can stop the pain and avoid the weird side effects that come with commonly prescribed NSAID type drugs.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Ayurvedic therapy.
It's true that what you eat affects your entire body. Way back, a lot of doctors dismissed diet as having any part in the progression of arthritis. Today, however, massive research has proven this theory wrong. If you are looking for the best approach to painful arthritis, then consider natural, holistic means. Ayurveda, practiced for more than 5 centuries, focuses on attaining and maintaining a healthy balance in body, mind, and spirit. Ayurvedic therapy suggests that there are chemicals and substances in certain foods that can either increase or reduce inflammation.
Although the list of foods to avoid for those suffering from arthritis pain seems endless, take heart. The list of healthy, natural, delicious and life-giving foods is even longer! Just think, making a few, simple and right choices everyday can improve the quality of your life drastically.
Below are some of the most highly recommended foods that help manage painful arthritis by fighting inflammation:
1. Apricots - are loaded with beta-carotene and fiber, and fresh apricots have an abundant supply of vitamins and A and C. Like most fruits, these delicious treats not only help reduce inflammation but also help prevent muscular degeneration, which leads to impaired vision. Be careful about eating dried fruit, especially apricots, as they have much more sugar than the fresh variety. You may soak dried fruit in boiling water to dissolve residual sugar and then letting it reconstitute overnight.
2. Strawberries - are especially rich in anti-inflammatory properties, with phenols that decrease the activity of the COX enzyme, a job usually left for aspirin or ibrupofen, which can also cause intestinal bleeding. The small seeds on the outside that give the fruit its characteristic look also add to its high fiber content. Raspberries have several antioxidant flavanoids that can counteract bacteria and fungi, including candida, which can lead to vaginal infections and irritable bowel syndrome.
3. Carrots - are not only high in vitamin A but are also loaded with beta-carotene, which helps fight inflammation. A fat-soluble antioxidant, beta-carotene, along with other cartenoids such as lutein and lycopene (found in tomatoes and watermelon) may also lower levels of deleterious C-reactive protein. Consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in cartenoids and other nutrients does fight inflammation.
Although the list of foods to avoid for those suffering from arthritis pain seems endless, take heart. The list of healthy, natural, delicious and life-giving foods is even longer! Just think, making a few, simple and right choices everyday can improve the quality of your life drastically.
Below are some of the most highly recommended foods that help manage painful arthritis by fighting inflammation:
1. Apricots - are loaded with beta-carotene and fiber, and fresh apricots have an abundant supply of vitamins and A and C. Like most fruits, these delicious treats not only help reduce inflammation but also help prevent muscular degeneration, which leads to impaired vision. Be careful about eating dried fruit, especially apricots, as they have much more sugar than the fresh variety. You may soak dried fruit in boiling water to dissolve residual sugar and then letting it reconstitute overnight.
2. Strawberries - are especially rich in anti-inflammatory properties, with phenols that decrease the activity of the COX enzyme, a job usually left for aspirin or ibrupofen, which can also cause intestinal bleeding. The small seeds on the outside that give the fruit its characteristic look also add to its high fiber content. Raspberries have several antioxidant flavanoids that can counteract bacteria and fungi, including candida, which can lead to vaginal infections and irritable bowel syndrome.
3. Carrots - are not only high in vitamin A but are also loaded with beta-carotene, which helps fight inflammation. A fat-soluble antioxidant, beta-carotene, along with other cartenoids such as lutein and lycopene (found in tomatoes and watermelon) may also lower levels of deleterious C-reactive protein. Consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in cartenoids and other nutrients does fight inflammation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis
The diagnosing process involves charting one's medical history, examination of the affected joints to assess the extent of damage in terms of inflammation, functionality, and deformity.
Doctors frequently request a test to measure rheumatoid factor when attempting a diagnosis. This diagnosis can be tricky because a person can have a negative rheumatoid factor test but still have rheumatoid arthritis. Another person may test positive on the rheumatoid factor but not have it.
Doctors may also request x-rays and/or blood tests for further testing. Further recommendation to a rheumatologist (a physician that specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other related rheumatoid diseases) may be made to make a more conclusive diagnosis.
Doctors frequently request a test to measure rheumatoid factor when attempting a diagnosis. This diagnosis can be tricky because a person can have a negative rheumatoid factor test but still have rheumatoid arthritis. Another person may test positive on the rheumatoid factor but not have it.
Doctors may also request x-rays and/or blood tests for further testing. Further recommendation to a rheumatologist (a physician that specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other related rheumatoid diseases) may be made to make a more conclusive diagnosis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Early Symptoms.
Symptoms you may experience include pain, tenderness and swelling in the joints, redness and puffiness in the hands, firm tissue bumps on the arms under the skin, fatigue, stiffness in the mornings lasting for hours, weight loss, and fever. Joints in wrists, hands, feet, and ankles tend to be affected before shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, jaw, and neck.
Symptoms may come and go, but it is time to see a doctor when swelling and pain persists in multiple joints on both sides of your body. While this disease primarily affects the joints and surrounding tissue, it can affect the lungs. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained difficulty breathing.
The eyes can also be affected by this disease. If you have this disorder and begin to have eye pain, changes in vision or other problems with your eyes, consult an ophthalmologist. Getting treatment early can help prevent complications that might threaten your vision.
Symptoms may come and go, but it is time to see a doctor when swelling and pain persists in multiple joints on both sides of your body. While this disease primarily affects the joints and surrounding tissue, it can affect the lungs. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained difficulty breathing.
The eyes can also be affected by this disease. If you have this disorder and begin to have eye pain, changes in vision or other problems with your eyes, consult an ophthalmologist. Getting treatment early can help prevent complications that might threaten your vision.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes.
Although what causes rheumatoid arthritis has not been pinpointed by researchers, there are several factors to consider.
Gender and genetics are two possible causes. Women get this disease two to three times more than men. Many researchers agree that genes can be a factor, but having the genetic marker associated with rheumatoid arthritis doesn't always mean a person will get it, or that it will be passed down from parents to children.
Some doctors and researchers believe that infection can be another factor, but there is no proof of such a theory. Smoking can also play a role and might increase your risk of developing this disorder.
Gender and genetics are two possible causes. Women get this disease two to three times more than men. Many researchers agree that genes can be a factor, but having the genetic marker associated with rheumatoid arthritis doesn't always mean a person will get it, or that it will be passed down from parents to children.
Some doctors and researchers believe that infection can be another factor, but there is no proof of such a theory. Smoking can also play a role and might increase your risk of developing this disorder.
Autoimmune Disorder.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the synovium (the thin membrane lining of the joints) is attacked by the body's immune system, which causes pain, inflammation, redness, swelling, and heat. It eventually destroys the joints if it is not stopped. A person who has this disease does not have a normal immune system response.
With a healthy immune system, the body is protected from foreign substances by antibodies produced by white blood cells. However, when this rheumatoid arthritis is present, the body's immune system tries to destroy healthy tissue because it identifies it as an invader.
Antibodies known as rheumatoid factor are supposed to regulate normal antibodies, but when there is a high level of rheumatoid factor, the person's immune system may not function correctly.
With a healthy immune system, the body is protected from foreign substances by antibodies produced by white blood cells. However, when this rheumatoid arthritis is present, the body's immune system tries to destroy healthy tissue because it identifies it as an invader.
Antibodies known as rheumatoid factor are supposed to regulate normal antibodies, but when there is a high level of rheumatoid factor, the person's immune system may not function correctly.
Rheumatoid arthritis in the spine .
Most people assume if they are pain-free, they are healthy but this is not true. The spine acts as the shock absorber of the body and if it's out of alignment, it breaks down relentlessly, whether we feel it or not. Doctors call this wear and tear process arthritis and it's preventable.
How we feel has little to do with how healthy we are. We could have heart disease developing for many years before developing our first heart attack. We can even have cancer and have no symptoms at all, till the very end. It should come as no surprise that the spine is the same as the rest of the body. By the time we have neck or back pain, the problem has usually been developing for years! All the pushing, pulling, slips, jerks, jolts, and heavy lifting misalign the spine, until one day we have back or neck pain. Cumulative damage is one of the most frequent causes of back and neck pain.
There are three main curves in the spine that act to absorb all the shocks we endure over a lifetime. Much like the leaf springs under a truck, these curves in our back absorb the shocks of life. Like springs, after a time the spine can wear out. Unfortunately, when this happens there are no good replacement parts for this part of the human body.
Even if we are pain-free, our spines might be crooked, but we assume if we feel fine, that everything is OK. We have car accidents once every ten years on the average and reason everything we're fine, if we are not hurting. The aches and stiffness we have when we rise from bed in the morning, we pretend are normal. We go through bouts of neck and back pain and if we recover, we like to think we're healthy. We live in denial, as our spines actually rot away. Doctors call this relentless process degeneration or arthritis. It's quite common and is due to bones out of place from the various stresses and strains we endure over a lifetime.
Whether we have pain or not, it's important to get our spines checked regularly for proper alignment. Doctors of chiropractic are most qualified for this specialized examination. If necessary the bones of the spine can be gently "adjusted" back into position. This process is virtually painless and very safe. By staying in good alignment, we can maximize our health and avoid spinal decay that can occur over a lifetime. By caring for our spines, we also avoid drugs that have serious side effects and surgery that is always dangerous. Even if there is arthritis in the spine, its progression can be stropped or at least slowed down with safe, gentle chiropractic care.
How we feel has little to do with how healthy we are. We could have heart disease developing for many years before developing our first heart attack. We can even have cancer and have no symptoms at all, till the very end. It should come as no surprise that the spine is the same as the rest of the body. By the time we have neck or back pain, the problem has usually been developing for years! All the pushing, pulling, slips, jerks, jolts, and heavy lifting misalign the spine, until one day we have back or neck pain. Cumulative damage is one of the most frequent causes of back and neck pain.
There are three main curves in the spine that act to absorb all the shocks we endure over a lifetime. Much like the leaf springs under a truck, these curves in our back absorb the shocks of life. Like springs, after a time the spine can wear out. Unfortunately, when this happens there are no good replacement parts for this part of the human body.
Even if we are pain-free, our spines might be crooked, but we assume if we feel fine, that everything is OK. We have car accidents once every ten years on the average and reason everything we're fine, if we are not hurting. The aches and stiffness we have when we rise from bed in the morning, we pretend are normal. We go through bouts of neck and back pain and if we recover, we like to think we're healthy. We live in denial, as our spines actually rot away. Doctors call this relentless process degeneration or arthritis. It's quite common and is due to bones out of place from the various stresses and strains we endure over a lifetime.
Whether we have pain or not, it's important to get our spines checked regularly for proper alignment. Doctors of chiropractic are most qualified for this specialized examination. If necessary the bones of the spine can be gently "adjusted" back into position. This process is virtually painless and very safe. By staying in good alignment, we can maximize our health and avoid spinal decay that can occur over a lifetime. By caring for our spines, we also avoid drugs that have serious side effects and surgery that is always dangerous. Even if there is arthritis in the spine, its progression can be stropped or at least slowed down with safe, gentle chiropractic care.
WHAT CAUSES OSTEOARTHRITIS?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, occurring in up to about 10% of adults, with as many as 50% of the elderly suffering from it. It is basically a degenerative form of arthritis, in which the cartilage, whose function is to cushion the joints, gets worn out with age.
This "wear-and-tear" of the cartilage over time, results in the bone surfaces becoming less protected and increases friction between the bones during movement. This friction eventually results in pain, swelling and loss of mobility. In more advance stages, the joint loses it normal shape and bony spurs may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage may break off and float inside the joint space, further causing pain and loss of mobility.
The cause is multi-factorial, but the following would increase your risk:
Being overweight
Getting older
Previous injury to the joint
Mechanical stresses on the joint from high impact sports, certain jobs, pathological or congenital mal-alignment of bones
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms in the initial stages may include pain, tenderness, stiffness, creaking and locking of the affected joint. As the arthritis progresses, there may be swelling of the joint due to collection of synovial fluid within the joint. In the more advanced stages, there is bony deformity (caused by bony spurs) and mal-alignment of the limb (eg. "varus" deformity of the knee). Patients experience increasing pain upon weight bearing, thus limiting walking, and ultimately, even standing.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine and weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. In the smaller joints, such as in the fingers, hard bony swellings called Heberden's nodes and Bouchard's nodes may form. These are typically not painful, but they do limit joint movement.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis can often be made by your doctor with reasonable certainty by a thorough physical examination. X-rays are used to confirm the diagnosis as well as to document progressive X-ray changes (thinning of cartilage, bony spurs, loose bodies, mal-alignment of joint etc) as the condition progresses.
TREATMENT
1. Non-Pharmacological:
Weight loss - Excess body weight puts more strain on the knee joints. A typical vicious cycle exists: (1) Overweight person develops knee osteoarthritis (2) painful knees reduce mobility (3) with reduced mobility, more weight is gained (4) more weight worsens the arthritis.
Regular exercise - regular aerobic, strengthening and range of motion exercises help strengthen muscles that stabilize the joints.
Adequate intake of Calcium and Vitamin D for bone strength.
Warm soaks and heat packs to help relief pain.
Avoid excessive walking during periods of acute pain.
Orthoses and walking aids - splints and braces help with joint alignment and weight redistribution. Walking frames and crutches help take load away from the arthritic knee.
Physiotherapy
Acupuncture
2. Pharmacological Measures:
Pain-killers - paracetamol-based medication, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) etc.
Glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate.
Topical rubs with NSAIDS or capsaicin.
Intra-articular joint injections
3. Surgical Treatment:
Joint lavage (wash out) and arthroscopic debridement (clearing)
Osteotomy - a wedge of bone located near the damaged joint is removed to realign the knee. This causes a shift of weight from the area of damaged cartilage to the area where there is more healthy cartilage.
Total Joint Replacement - considered to be the last resort option in which the severely arthritic joint, having failed more conservative methods of therapy, is replaced with a prosthetic joint.
The decision to treat as well the type of treatment appropriate must be individualized according to the needs of the patient.
For example, young athlete with arthritis to the knee from a previous injury, will require treatment because his arthritis impacts his activities. For him, conservative treatment with possible arthroscopic lavage and debridement would be more appropriate than total joint replacement, in view of his young age.
In contrast, severe osteoarthritis of the knee in an elderly gentleman, which when examined in isolation, would lead one to consider total knee replacement. However, if this knee belonged to a bed-bound gentleman, then perhaps simple pain-killers would be all that is needed.
This "wear-and-tear" of the cartilage over time, results in the bone surfaces becoming less protected and increases friction between the bones during movement. This friction eventually results in pain, swelling and loss of mobility. In more advance stages, the joint loses it normal shape and bony spurs may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage may break off and float inside the joint space, further causing pain and loss of mobility.
The cause is multi-factorial, but the following would increase your risk:
Being overweight
Getting older
Previous injury to the joint
Mechanical stresses on the joint from high impact sports, certain jobs, pathological or congenital mal-alignment of bones
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms in the initial stages may include pain, tenderness, stiffness, creaking and locking of the affected joint. As the arthritis progresses, there may be swelling of the joint due to collection of synovial fluid within the joint. In the more advanced stages, there is bony deformity (caused by bony spurs) and mal-alignment of the limb (eg. "varus" deformity of the knee). Patients experience increasing pain upon weight bearing, thus limiting walking, and ultimately, even standing.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine and weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. In the smaller joints, such as in the fingers, hard bony swellings called Heberden's nodes and Bouchard's nodes may form. These are typically not painful, but they do limit joint movement.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis can often be made by your doctor with reasonable certainty by a thorough physical examination. X-rays are used to confirm the diagnosis as well as to document progressive X-ray changes (thinning of cartilage, bony spurs, loose bodies, mal-alignment of joint etc) as the condition progresses.
TREATMENT
1. Non-Pharmacological:
Weight loss - Excess body weight puts more strain on the knee joints. A typical vicious cycle exists: (1) Overweight person develops knee osteoarthritis (2) painful knees reduce mobility (3) with reduced mobility, more weight is gained (4) more weight worsens the arthritis.
Regular exercise - regular aerobic, strengthening and range of motion exercises help strengthen muscles that stabilize the joints.
Adequate intake of Calcium and Vitamin D for bone strength.
Warm soaks and heat packs to help relief pain.
Avoid excessive walking during periods of acute pain.
Orthoses and walking aids - splints and braces help with joint alignment and weight redistribution. Walking frames and crutches help take load away from the arthritic knee.
Physiotherapy
Acupuncture
2. Pharmacological Measures:
Pain-killers - paracetamol-based medication, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) etc.
Glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate.
Topical rubs with NSAIDS or capsaicin.
Intra-articular joint injections
3. Surgical Treatment:
Joint lavage (wash out) and arthroscopic debridement (clearing)
Osteotomy - a wedge of bone located near the damaged joint is removed to realign the knee. This causes a shift of weight from the area of damaged cartilage to the area where there is more healthy cartilage.
Total Joint Replacement - considered to be the last resort option in which the severely arthritic joint, having failed more conservative methods of therapy, is replaced with a prosthetic joint.
The decision to treat as well the type of treatment appropriate must be individualized according to the needs of the patient.
For example, young athlete with arthritis to the knee from a previous injury, will require treatment because his arthritis impacts his activities. For him, conservative treatment with possible arthroscopic lavage and debridement would be more appropriate than total joint replacement, in view of his young age.
In contrast, severe osteoarthritis of the knee in an elderly gentleman, which when examined in isolation, would lead one to consider total knee replacement. However, if this knee belonged to a bed-bound gentleman, then perhaps simple pain-killers would be all that is needed.
Arthritis is characterized by joint pain.
Arthritis is characterized by joint pain and inflammation and it affects quite a large percentage of people. There are varied and different forms of this disease and when left neglected can create much havoc. Among them are physical and mobility limitations, deformity and even debilitation. When one is living with arthritis, it can cause significant inconvenience. Arthritis treatment options are available, either through conventional methods or through the holistic approach to mention the basics. Many well know of conventional means for arthritis treatment. They can be through pharmaceutical drugs or certain procedures or even surgery. These are regarded as mainstream arthritis treatment measures.
But often, they come with side effects which entail other discomforts. Such is why there are those who turn to holistic medicine. The holistic approach for arthritis treatment is becoming quite popular. Holistic medicine offers a lasting relief from arthritic pain and inflammation. This approach to arthritis states that the disease is caused by several factors. Contributing to its different forms are not only physical imbalances but mental and environmental irregularities as well. To treat the disease properly requires an assessment of the factors which caused it. A battery of diagnostic tools are used to create an individual picture of the patient’s case.
Among these diagnostic tools are physical exams, emotional evaluations, dietary assessments and tests for the immune and digestive functions. The holistic medicine practitioner takes time in finding the root cause and the patient has an active participation in their treatment. There is a wide range of therapies in the holistic approach for arthritis treatment and even prevention. Chinese herbal medicine, stress reduction, detoxification, proper diet and nutrition are within these means of therapy. Massage and exercises, acupuncture and chiropractic are also resorted to for repair of nerves and muscles. The goal of holistic medicine is to achieve balance and health.
This approach believes that the contrary-ill health and disease- are caused by obstructions which impede the flow of energy in the organs. To restore energy and function to the system, holistic medicine makes use of Chinese herbs. When it comes to arthritic pain and inflammation, diet and nutrition are crucial. All in all, this alternative arthritis treatment aims on catering to the overall health of the patient. It is not only inclined towards providing superficial symptomatic relief. Through thorough tests and evaluations, imbalances are detected until the causes of arthritis are detected. It is then that treatment options are applied, and they are generally natural healing therapies.
Such therapies are geared towards restoring balance and harmony all throughout the system. This is not only in the physical sense, but in all aspects of the person. Natural arthritis treatment also makes use of natural supplements. One such product for natural joint protection is Joint Advance. With Joint Advance, joint health is supported the natural way. Joint Advance has herbal and organic ingredients thus side effects are less likely to occur. Joint Advance has been proven effective and it is guaranteed to offer joint pain relief. One can do away with the limitations of joint pain and healthy living can be enjoyed to the fullest.
But often, they come with side effects which entail other discomforts. Such is why there are those who turn to holistic medicine. The holistic approach for arthritis treatment is becoming quite popular. Holistic medicine offers a lasting relief from arthritic pain and inflammation. This approach to arthritis states that the disease is caused by several factors. Contributing to its different forms are not only physical imbalances but mental and environmental irregularities as well. To treat the disease properly requires an assessment of the factors which caused it. A battery of diagnostic tools are used to create an individual picture of the patient’s case.
Among these diagnostic tools are physical exams, emotional evaluations, dietary assessments and tests for the immune and digestive functions. The holistic medicine practitioner takes time in finding the root cause and the patient has an active participation in their treatment. There is a wide range of therapies in the holistic approach for arthritis treatment and even prevention. Chinese herbal medicine, stress reduction, detoxification, proper diet and nutrition are within these means of therapy. Massage and exercises, acupuncture and chiropractic are also resorted to for repair of nerves and muscles. The goal of holistic medicine is to achieve balance and health.
This approach believes that the contrary-ill health and disease- are caused by obstructions which impede the flow of energy in the organs. To restore energy and function to the system, holistic medicine makes use of Chinese herbs. When it comes to arthritic pain and inflammation, diet and nutrition are crucial. All in all, this alternative arthritis treatment aims on catering to the overall health of the patient. It is not only inclined towards providing superficial symptomatic relief. Through thorough tests and evaluations, imbalances are detected until the causes of arthritis are detected. It is then that treatment options are applied, and they are generally natural healing therapies.
Such therapies are geared towards restoring balance and harmony all throughout the system. This is not only in the physical sense, but in all aspects of the person. Natural arthritis treatment also makes use of natural supplements. One such product for natural joint protection is Joint Advance. With Joint Advance, joint health is supported the natural way. Joint Advance has herbal and organic ingredients thus side effects are less likely to occur. Joint Advance has been proven effective and it is guaranteed to offer joint pain relief. One can do away with the limitations of joint pain and healthy living can be enjoyed to the fullest.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Cold laser therapy.
All forms of arthritis have one common symptom, PAIN. Pain develops as a result of multiple factors including inflammation, joint deformity, and can lead to lack of mobility and partial disability. Chiropractic treatment with cold laser has great results but this is not to discount the possible need for medicines, injections, and surgery. Each has their place and value in helping with arthritis pain, but there is still a need for potentially useful adjunctive modalities that can accelerate the recovery and reduce pain faster.
Beyond arthritis, cold laser therapy is excellent for treating various forms of chronic and acute pain. Chiropractors also use laser therapy for patients suffering from back and neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, busiitis, neuropathy, achilles tendon pain, migraine headaches, sinus blockage, sprains and strains, carpal tunnel and other associated pains. Cold laser therapy also treats conditions such as TMJ, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and other inflammatory and scarring conditions.
Cold laser therapy is non-thermal and noninvasive. With the proper combination of cold laser and electric stimulation, laser therapy is one of the most effective healing therapies in the medical community today. Completed in ten to twelve sessions, laser therapy is not only significant in reducing treatment times, it is cost effective as well.
How Cold Laser Therapy Works:The laser instrument is applied directly to the area needing treatment. By sending short burst of photon laser light into the skin, it blocks pain transmitted by nerve cells. This in turn reduces/eliminates inflammation preventing further swelling in the joint and stopping the pain. Another benefit of the laser is the ability to assist the body in releasing high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins. The laser therapy also benefits your body by accelerating cellular reproduction and growth.
Beyond arthritis, cold laser therapy is excellent for treating various forms of chronic and acute pain. Chiropractors also use laser therapy for patients suffering from back and neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, busiitis, neuropathy, achilles tendon pain, migraine headaches, sinus blockage, sprains and strains, carpal tunnel and other associated pains. Cold laser therapy also treats conditions such as TMJ, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and other inflammatory and scarring conditions.
Cold laser therapy is non-thermal and noninvasive. With the proper combination of cold laser and electric stimulation, laser therapy is one of the most effective healing therapies in the medical community today. Completed in ten to twelve sessions, laser therapy is not only significant in reducing treatment times, it is cost effective as well.
How Cold Laser Therapy Works:The laser instrument is applied directly to the area needing treatment. By sending short burst of photon laser light into the skin, it blocks pain transmitted by nerve cells. This in turn reduces/eliminates inflammation preventing further swelling in the joint and stopping the pain. Another benefit of the laser is the ability to assist the body in releasing high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins. The laser therapy also benefits your body by accelerating cellular reproduction and growth.
Arthritis is a medical term that implies inflammation of joint(s).
Causes of this illness are diverse and involve many pathological mechanisms. The causes of arthritis are either infective or non-infective. However, whatever the cause is, it leads to pain, tenderness and limitation of movements of the affected joint(s) in most cases.
Infective causes of arthritis are numerous and include viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic causes. Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C, Alphaviruses, Rubella virus, Retroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, Varicella-zoster virus and Mumps virus are recognizable causes of arthritis. Bacterial arthritis is sometimes termed septic arthritis and is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci. Septic arthritis is usually caused by spread of infection from nearby bones (osteomyelitis). Bacterial arthritis is rather common in the pediatric age group. Fungal causes of arthritis usually affect immune-compromised individuals like HIV infected patients. Lyme disease is one of the recognizable infective causes of arthritis in America.
Non-infective causes of arthritis are numerous and are related to many pathological mechanisms. Gouty arthritis occurs due to accumulation of uric acid in the body which might be caused by faulty diet habits or congenital metabolic abnormalities. Rheumatologic causes are numerous and lead to inflammation of the joints due to autoimmune related mechanisms. Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis are amongst the commonest causes of rheumatologic inflammation of joints. Rheumatologic arthritis is commonly accompanied by other systemic manifestations such as fever, skin rash, eye inflammation, nephritis and inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).
Osteoarthritis is one of the types of arthritis that are related to aging. Osteoarthritis often affects people beyond the age of 50 years and commonly affects the knees. Other rather uncommon causes of arthritis include leukemia, bone tumors and amyloidosis.
Whatever the cause of arthritis is, arthritis should be differentiated from isolated pain of the joints (arthralgia). Arthritis leads to arthralgia, but is also often accompanied by swelling, hotness, tenderness and limitation of movement of the affected joint(s).
Infective causes of arthritis are numerous and include viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic causes. Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C, Alphaviruses, Rubella virus, Retroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, Varicella-zoster virus and Mumps virus are recognizable causes of arthritis. Bacterial arthritis is sometimes termed septic arthritis and is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci. Septic arthritis is usually caused by spread of infection from nearby bones (osteomyelitis). Bacterial arthritis is rather common in the pediatric age group. Fungal causes of arthritis usually affect immune-compromised individuals like HIV infected patients. Lyme disease is one of the recognizable infective causes of arthritis in America.
Non-infective causes of arthritis are numerous and are related to many pathological mechanisms. Gouty arthritis occurs due to accumulation of uric acid in the body which might be caused by faulty diet habits or congenital metabolic abnormalities. Rheumatologic causes are numerous and lead to inflammation of the joints due to autoimmune related mechanisms. Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis are amongst the commonest causes of rheumatologic inflammation of joints. Rheumatologic arthritis is commonly accompanied by other systemic manifestations such as fever, skin rash, eye inflammation, nephritis and inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).
Osteoarthritis is one of the types of arthritis that are related to aging. Osteoarthritis often affects people beyond the age of 50 years and commonly affects the knees. Other rather uncommon causes of arthritis include leukemia, bone tumors and amyloidosis.
Whatever the cause of arthritis is, arthritis should be differentiated from isolated pain of the joints (arthralgia). Arthritis leads to arthralgia, but is also often accompanied by swelling, hotness, tenderness and limitation of movement of the affected joint(s).
Many people suffering from arthritis.....
.....have been known to become stressed or depressed due to the pain, with the additional inconvenience of being unable to perform daily activities as normal.
While sufferers of joint arthritis have the option of taking pain relievers to manage the symptoms, there are those who cannot afford the cost of these medicines or experience some form of side effects requiring them to avoid medication. Also, some patients of arthritis are of the belief that medication is more harmful, and the ideal way to deal with the pain is to improve lifestyle.
A few simple changes to the daily lifestyle can help joint arthritis patients to manage their symptoms and the pain. Here are some of those changes:
• Since joint arthritis ends up causing stiffness in the affected joint, the ideal remedy is to increase movement and get more exercise. While this does not mean brisk walking or running, simple exercises that help with the movement of the joint will keep it from worsening the condition.
• Ensure that joints get rest. This is especially important for those sufferers of arthritis who are involved with the lifting of heavy item. One must exercise great care, and give rest to the affected joints, instead of putting too much pressure on them.
• Individuals suffering from joint arthritis should be careful of their body weight and manage control over it. This is important as weight is carried by the joints and additional stress on the infected regions can cause severity in the conditions as well as pain. Shedding excess weight through a managed diet and exercise should help control the symptoms of joint arthritis.
• Understand the use of heat and cold application. Joint arthritis sufferers should use a combination of the two methods to help improve their condition. The heat helps in relaxing the affected muscle, while the cold pressure or compression helps in numbing the pain. However, one thing should be taken care of; the application should be in moderation so the skin temperature can return to normal.
Joint arthritis is rather painful, and sufferers should get a medical consultation to get a better understanding of the severity of their condition. However, following some of the tips stated above should help you in managing the pain and inflammation that is caused by arthritis.
There are many factors that cause arthritis pain, and this differs for each individual. In most cases, joint arthritis is the damage to tissues and area around the joints, with the inflammation causing redness and swelling. There are a numerous ways available for the sufferers of arthritis to manage the condition and a few are mentioned here.
While sufferers of joint arthritis have the option of taking pain relievers to manage the symptoms, there are those who cannot afford the cost of these medicines or experience some form of side effects requiring them to avoid medication. Also, some patients of arthritis are of the belief that medication is more harmful, and the ideal way to deal with the pain is to improve lifestyle.
A few simple changes to the daily lifestyle can help joint arthritis patients to manage their symptoms and the pain. Here are some of those changes:
• Since joint arthritis ends up causing stiffness in the affected joint, the ideal remedy is to increase movement and get more exercise. While this does not mean brisk walking or running, simple exercises that help with the movement of the joint will keep it from worsening the condition.
• Ensure that joints get rest. This is especially important for those sufferers of arthritis who are involved with the lifting of heavy item. One must exercise great care, and give rest to the affected joints, instead of putting too much pressure on them.
• Individuals suffering from joint arthritis should be careful of their body weight and manage control over it. This is important as weight is carried by the joints and additional stress on the infected regions can cause severity in the conditions as well as pain. Shedding excess weight through a managed diet and exercise should help control the symptoms of joint arthritis.
• Understand the use of heat and cold application. Joint arthritis sufferers should use a combination of the two methods to help improve their condition. The heat helps in relaxing the affected muscle, while the cold pressure or compression helps in numbing the pain. However, one thing should be taken care of; the application should be in moderation so the skin temperature can return to normal.
Joint arthritis is rather painful, and sufferers should get a medical consultation to get a better understanding of the severity of their condition. However, following some of the tips stated above should help you in managing the pain and inflammation that is caused by arthritis.
There are many factors that cause arthritis pain, and this differs for each individual. In most cases, joint arthritis is the damage to tissues and area around the joints, with the inflammation causing redness and swelling. There are a numerous ways available for the sufferers of arthritis to manage the condition and a few are mentioned here.
Arthritis pain treatment.
Few sicknesses and conditions cause more discomfort in day-to-day living than arthritis. Medical experts have expended tremendous amount of energy, time and money in finding ways to deal with this crippling condition that afflicts millions of people. While seeking competent medical attention is always the preferred way of dealing with the disease, there are simply home remedies that can be very effective in controlling the pain that strikes whenever one makes a simple movement.
Stretching exercises
If you are afflicted with the pain of arthritis, one effective maneuver you can institute right from home is simply stretches. These serve to warm the tendons and even the muscles themselves. A 15 minute stretch of the muscles surrounding the area can greatly alleviate the pain.
Be conservative with your movements
Arthritis pain can strike at any time but in most cases it strikes when there is movement to the joints. It is recommended that whenever you hear that you immediately stop any movements especially to the area in question.
Avoid using the joint in question
When arthritis pain makes life miserable and prevents you from enjoying the quality of your life, the most logical next move is to ensure that you stop using the joint that is affected. This gives the body time to release chemicals which alleviate the pain.
Massaging techniques
People suffering from arthritis have reported that simple massage movement along the joint and general muscle area where the pain is concentrated can go a long way in cooling the pain. This is because a massage boosts blood circulation to the area which in term brings with it pain-alleviating chemical compounds.
It is generally recommended that if you perform the above home remedies and the pain persists, then you will do well to consult a doctor's advice. Arthritis can cause severe pain and even disfiguration of the joint and muscle area in question if proper treatment is not accorded.
There are millions of arthritis sufferers in the world today. Modern medical research has also made tremendous breakthroughs when it comes to controlling and managing the disease but there is also a lot that one can do on their own to make life manageable for themselves and the above are a few of the most effective
Stretching exercises
If you are afflicted with the pain of arthritis, one effective maneuver you can institute right from home is simply stretches. These serve to warm the tendons and even the muscles themselves. A 15 minute stretch of the muscles surrounding the area can greatly alleviate the pain.
Be conservative with your movements
Arthritis pain can strike at any time but in most cases it strikes when there is movement to the joints. It is recommended that whenever you hear that you immediately stop any movements especially to the area in question.
Avoid using the joint in question
When arthritis pain makes life miserable and prevents you from enjoying the quality of your life, the most logical next move is to ensure that you stop using the joint that is affected. This gives the body time to release chemicals which alleviate the pain.
Massaging techniques
People suffering from arthritis have reported that simple massage movement along the joint and general muscle area where the pain is concentrated can go a long way in cooling the pain. This is because a massage boosts blood circulation to the area which in term brings with it pain-alleviating chemical compounds.
It is generally recommended that if you perform the above home remedies and the pain persists, then you will do well to consult a doctor's advice. Arthritis can cause severe pain and even disfiguration of the joint and muscle area in question if proper treatment is not accorded.
There are millions of arthritis sufferers in the world today. Modern medical research has also made tremendous breakthroughs when it comes to controlling and managing the disease but there is also a lot that one can do on their own to make life manageable for themselves and the above are a few of the most effective
Arthritis causes.
You can be suffering from arthritis and not even realize you have the disease. Arthritis can creep up on you slowly, eventually becoming a severe manifestation of the disease. As with any disease, early detection and treatment can greatly improve your quality of life and lessen the severity of your symptoms. Thus, it is important to known exactly what the symptoms of arthritis are.
Most people will typically exhibit full blown arthritis within four to ten years of their first symptoms. Ignoring these symptoms won't make your condition go away. It will only worsen. Thus, the following is a list of possible symptoms of arthritis. You may only exhibit a few of these or many. Every individual is different.
• Dry and itchy scalp including dandruff
• Skin dryness or white patches
• Lack of ear wax
• Brittle or split fingernails
• Premature graying of the hair
• Excessive skin wrinkles of the neck
• Ear ringing
• Pale complexion
• Stretch marks which appear after weight loss
• Itching in the rectal area
• Dried flakes at the corners of the eyes
• Itching of the nose
• Stiff joints in the morning
• Cold and clamminess of the hands and feet
• Bleeding gums
• Etch lines on the teeth
• Varicose veins in the legs
• Sterility
In reviewing this list of symptoms of arthritis a few commonalities pop out. One of these is dryness in your body and of the skin. Not having enough essential oils in your body is one of the contributing causes of arthritis. Thus, not having enough oil will cause dryness in your body, skin, and hair. This decrease of oil is why your body joints will not have enough lubrication.
Every individual is different and may exhibit one or several of the above symptoms while suffering from arthritis. If you can check out a few of this list, you may want to start adding essential oils to your diet. You can also change your dietary habits to decrease the amount of bad foods you eat. This will help not only the lubrication of your body, but also promote overall health. Every step you make will improve your body's health.
If your body does not have enough oil to lubricate joints, every joint will slowly deteriorate. The cartilage that cushions the joints will dehydrate and erode away. This will increase the friction between the bones of the joint and thus increase the heat of that joint. This heat will further erode the joint. Oils can only be delivered to your cartilage via osmosis because there are no blood vessels in cartilage.
Most people will typically exhibit full blown arthritis within four to ten years of their first symptoms. Ignoring these symptoms won't make your condition go away. It will only worsen. Thus, the following is a list of possible symptoms of arthritis. You may only exhibit a few of these or many. Every individual is different.
• Dry and itchy scalp including dandruff
• Skin dryness or white patches
• Lack of ear wax
• Brittle or split fingernails
• Premature graying of the hair
• Excessive skin wrinkles of the neck
• Ear ringing
• Pale complexion
• Stretch marks which appear after weight loss
• Itching in the rectal area
• Dried flakes at the corners of the eyes
• Itching of the nose
• Stiff joints in the morning
• Cold and clamminess of the hands and feet
• Bleeding gums
• Etch lines on the teeth
• Varicose veins in the legs
• Sterility
In reviewing this list of symptoms of arthritis a few commonalities pop out. One of these is dryness in your body and of the skin. Not having enough essential oils in your body is one of the contributing causes of arthritis. Thus, not having enough oil will cause dryness in your body, skin, and hair. This decrease of oil is why your body joints will not have enough lubrication.
Every individual is different and may exhibit one or several of the above symptoms while suffering from arthritis. If you can check out a few of this list, you may want to start adding essential oils to your diet. You can also change your dietary habits to decrease the amount of bad foods you eat. This will help not only the lubrication of your body, but also promote overall health. Every step you make will improve your body's health.
If your body does not have enough oil to lubricate joints, every joint will slowly deteriorate. The cartilage that cushions the joints will dehydrate and erode away. This will increase the friction between the bones of the joint and thus increase the heat of that joint. This heat will further erode the joint. Oils can only be delivered to your cartilage via osmosis because there are no blood vessels in cartilage.
The term arthritis.
Understanding Arthritis
Arthritis pain is inflammation of any joint that causes pain. Any joint can cause this pain, including the knee, wrist of knuckle. Cartilage usually covers joints where two bones come together. Then, a sheathing called synovium, surrounds the joint. The fluid that is produced, synovial fluid, helps ease any friction of the two bones. If you are suffering from arthritis pain, it would indicate that the affected joint is inflamed. This inflammation can lead to a dull throbbing, swelling of the joint, redness in the area, a warm feeling, a stiff joint, or a more serious pain. Any of these symptoms can make it hard to flex that joint.
The term arthritis actually encompasses over a hundred different varieties of joint inflammation diseases. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout and the most commonly known types. In fact arthritis as a whole impacts approximately eighty million Americans. Over half of those affected are aged 65 or more. Arthritis usually lasts for several years, thus it is usually chronic. While there is no known cure for arthritis, one can ease the symptoms it causes through products and treatments.
The Big 3 of ArthritisAs mentioned above, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the three types that afflict the most people.
Of these three, osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form. Osteoarthritis can occur when cartilage between joints wears away. Cartilage exists in bone joint between both bones to cushion the bones. Time, over use, and the disease itself, can wear away this cartilage. If no cartilage exists between two bones, the bones will directly rub one another whenever the joint is flexed. The friction this creates will often cause mild to severe pain and a swelling of the joint. Osteoarthritis can appear in any joint in the body, but is more common in joints that bear more weight. This would include the knees, hips, lower back, neck and feet.
The second of the big three is rheumatoid arthritis. This disease is inflammatory and is not limited to body joints. It can actually inflame tissues of the skin, eyes, blood vessels, and lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an auto-immune disease. A person who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis can experience an attack from their immune system on their own body. This will lead to more pain, swelling of the joints, stiffness in the joints, and can even make joints inoperable. Due to the attack of the immune system, many sufferers also are sluggish and have frequent fevers. The symptoms usually crop up symmetrically. So if a person experiences symptoms in the right hip they will most likely experience them in the left hip also.
The final type of arthritis is gout. Gout is considered the most painful of the three and can occur swiftly. Someone who suffers from gout will have an intense and sudden pain, swelling in joints, stiffness of the body, and may experience redness and fever. The cause of gout is actually uric acid, which our body has by nature. Sufferers of gout have a build up of uric acid in their connective tissues. This build up crystallizes into needle like points and will inflame the affected joint. Doctors have pointed to stress inducing events as the trigger for an outbreak of gout, including other illnesses and drug and alcohol use. Gout usually attacks the lower body joints such as ankles and knees.
Arthritis pain is inflammation of any joint that causes pain. Any joint can cause this pain, including the knee, wrist of knuckle. Cartilage usually covers joints where two bones come together. Then, a sheathing called synovium, surrounds the joint. The fluid that is produced, synovial fluid, helps ease any friction of the two bones. If you are suffering from arthritis pain, it would indicate that the affected joint is inflamed. This inflammation can lead to a dull throbbing, swelling of the joint, redness in the area, a warm feeling, a stiff joint, or a more serious pain. Any of these symptoms can make it hard to flex that joint.
The term arthritis actually encompasses over a hundred different varieties of joint inflammation diseases. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout and the most commonly known types. In fact arthritis as a whole impacts approximately eighty million Americans. Over half of those affected are aged 65 or more. Arthritis usually lasts for several years, thus it is usually chronic. While there is no known cure for arthritis, one can ease the symptoms it causes through products and treatments.
The Big 3 of ArthritisAs mentioned above, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the three types that afflict the most people.
Of these three, osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form. Osteoarthritis can occur when cartilage between joints wears away. Cartilage exists in bone joint between both bones to cushion the bones. Time, over use, and the disease itself, can wear away this cartilage. If no cartilage exists between two bones, the bones will directly rub one another whenever the joint is flexed. The friction this creates will often cause mild to severe pain and a swelling of the joint. Osteoarthritis can appear in any joint in the body, but is more common in joints that bear more weight. This would include the knees, hips, lower back, neck and feet.
The second of the big three is rheumatoid arthritis. This disease is inflammatory and is not limited to body joints. It can actually inflame tissues of the skin, eyes, blood vessels, and lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an auto-immune disease. A person who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis can experience an attack from their immune system on their own body. This will lead to more pain, swelling of the joints, stiffness in the joints, and can even make joints inoperable. Due to the attack of the immune system, many sufferers also are sluggish and have frequent fevers. The symptoms usually crop up symmetrically. So if a person experiences symptoms in the right hip they will most likely experience them in the left hip also.
The final type of arthritis is gout. Gout is considered the most painful of the three and can occur swiftly. Someone who suffers from gout will have an intense and sudden pain, swelling in joints, stiffness of the body, and may experience redness and fever. The cause of gout is actually uric acid, which our body has by nature. Sufferers of gout have a build up of uric acid in their connective tissues. This build up crystallizes into needle like points and will inflame the affected joint. Doctors have pointed to stress inducing events as the trigger for an outbreak of gout, including other illnesses and drug and alcohol use. Gout usually attacks the lower body joints such as ankles and knees.
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