Common Types of Arthritis and Treatment Options

Do you or someone you know suffer from arthritis? It is a common disease, you likely do. What type? Only a doctor can tell, but there are over 100 different types of arthritis. Despite this large number, they typically fall into two categories.

1 Osteoarthritis

This disease is most commonly found in men and women over the age of 65. It is also known as degenerative arthritis. This name comes from the progression of the disease. It beings with cartilage breakdown. The cartilage covering the bones degenerates and wears away. Essentially, sufferers have exposed bones. These bones then rub against each other, causing severe pain and discomfort. Many also experience difficultly moving.

The most noticeable symptom of osteoarthritis is joint pain. Stiffness is common the morning and after movement. All joints can be impacted by osteoarthritis, but the most common are the hips, feet, back, knees, and fingers. Those with arthritis problems in the hands and feet may find it difficult to walk without a limp and grasp otherwise easy objects.

As with most types of arthritis, there is not just one cause for osteoarthritis. There are many contributing factors. These include body weight, previous injuries, and genes. Although osteoarthritis typically affects the elderly, athletes who repeatedly use the same joints and suffer injury are at an increased risk. As for body weight, the joints and muscle surrounding them carry most of the bodys weight; more weight applies more pressure. Although rare, there are defects that can lead to osteoarthritis. These include a lack of protein that makes up cartilage and the poor fitting of bones and joints.

2 Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis affects over one million people in the United States. It does not discriminate, as individuals of all ages are susceptible to the disease. In fact, there are three types of rheumatoid arthritis for juveniles alone. The cause? The immune system is supposed to protect our body, but in some cases it does the exact opposite. With rheumatoid arthritis, it attacks the joint lining membrane.

The most noticeable symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is pain. If untreated, other complications can arise. The most common is disability. To prevent this from happening, all patients are urged to exercise their joints and muscles, even though it may be painful at first. Another common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation. The swelling can be mild to severe. In most instances, this is what separates rheumatoid arthritis from other forms. Swelling and inflammation is likely, but it is much more prominent and debilitating.

Luckily, rheumatoid arthritis suffers rarely experience constant pain. The disease flares up from time to time. These flare ups are trigged by joint overuse and certain foods. As for the cause, it is currently unknown. There are however many theories. One being genes.

3 Fibromyalgia

Although not always classified as a form of arthritis, fibromyalgia is an arthritis related condition. This disease affects over three million people in the United States. That number is actually higher, but some patients are misdiagnosed.

The most noticeable symptom of fibromyalgia is muscle pain. There are also tender spots in the muscle and body that are more susceptible to pain and pressure. Additional symptoms include headaches, bladder problems, difficulty thinking, fatigue, and sleep difficulty.

While researchers have yet to determine a connection, a good percentage of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis later develop fibromyalgia. It wasnt bad enough that your joints hurt, but now the muscles in your body too? Additional causes may be related to prior injuries. Some studies have shown that those with previous injuries are more likely to develop the disease. Many experts believe the change in muscles, due to injury, can later lead to chronic pain and fibromyalgia.

Now that you are familiar with some of the most common types of arthritis, what comes next? If you or someone who you know suffers from arthritis, medical care is important. A proper diagnosis is important to developing the best treatment option. Low impact exercise can loosen the joints and strengthen the surrounding muscles. This not only eliminates joint stiffness, but it can later prevent disability and deformities.

Finally, some pain can be treated, but it will reoccur. Those suffering from arthritis need to learn how to manage their pain. This involves not focusing too much on it, eliminating stress, asking for help, getting a good night sleep, and learning how to calmly relax.

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Cayenne Pepper and Arthritis Relief

Most arthritis sufferers turn to their medicine cabinet to seek relief. A medical professional typically offers this suggestion. If you suffer from arthritis, your physician does have your best interest at heart. They truly believe over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication is best for you. It may be, but many natural remedies relieve pain too. One of them is cayenne pepper, also know simply as red chili pepper.

As great as it is to know that some individuals are able to seek arthritis pain relief from red chili peppers, you likely have many questions. What type of red pepper? What format should I opt for? How much should I consume? Do I eat it or apply it to the skin and how often? If you have these questions, please continue reading on for answers.

Cayenne pepper is available in many different formats, including capsules, oil, creams, and pepper. Where you purchase yours will depend on the remedy selected. For example, if you wish to try a topical cream, head to the drug store. If you wish to increase your cayenne pepper intake naturally, head to your local supermarket or organic food store.

Cayenne Pepper Remedy #1

Mix a small amount of red pepper with a small amount of castor oil. Use a paper towel or cloth to soak in the mixture. Apply the damp paper towel or cloth to the painful area. Some recommend applying and leaving on overnight. Castor oil has many health benefits, although it is not right for everyone. Try this home remedy for a couple of hours during the day first. If you notice a decrease in pain with no reactions, aim for overnight relief.

Cayenne Pepper Remedy #2

Purchase the cayenne pepper spice. This is the dry mixture. Add to your food. If you have digestive problems, you may notice a few complications at first. For many, their body needs to adjust to the pepper, as it can be difficult to digest. Start slow, like with 1/8 tablespoon. Overtime, work your way to two teaspoons a day. You can scatter this dosage out over different meals. Red pepper can be added to most foods.

Cayenne Pepper Remedy #3

Purchase hot sauce that is made from cayenne pepper. The hot sauce label should state the main ingredient is aged cayennes. Apply to the painful areas of your body at least two times a day. Many report this home remedy does work, but there is the possibility of stained clothes.

Cayenne Pepper Remedy #4

Purchase an over-the-counter topical cream with capsaicin as the main ingredient. This is an alternative to using the above mentioned hot sauce. Many creams use capsaicin, which is derived from cayenne pepper. If on a budget, try the above mentioned hot sauce remedy first. If it does not work, try this alternative.

As with any natural and home remedy, it is important to consider the risk and speak with a trusted medical professional. The active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin. It can interact with a number of drugs, including acid reducers, aspirin, blood thinners, and ACE inhibitors. If taking these medications, hold off. First, speak to your primary care physician or a pharmacist. He or she can inform you of the dangers or the risks of mixing with your current medications.

With all natural and home remedies, it is important to remember variance. Our bodies process food differently. Cayenne pepper may provide relief from some, but not others. It is best to experiment to find the best pepper remedy and dosage.

Speaking of relief, what will happen if this remedy works? You will notice a decrease in pain. The longer you take these home remedies, the less pain you will experience. As previously stated, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin. It is found in many medications and has aspirin like qualities. The pepper improves blood flow and circulation and releases natural endorphins, which help combat pain and discomfort.

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Arthritis Relief: How to Choose a Supplement

If you suffer from arthritis, you may look high and low for relief. Luckily, you dont have to look very far. Did you know that certain herbal, dietary, and natural supplements can aid with arthritis pain and discomfort? Some not only reduce pain and discomfort, but swelling too. If this is new to you, you may want to run out and purchase a bottle of supplements, but wait! If this is your first time buying these supplements, you must first know some important things.

Not all supplements aid in arthritis relief. There are wide ranges of dietary, herbal, and natural supplements available for sale, both locally and online. Do the research first to determine what supplements may reduce your joint pain and swelling. For example, Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) is believed to slow down the making of inflammation causing chemicals. Devils Claw can reduce inflammation and pain in arthritis patients. These are just a sample of the supplements that can help. Before heading to the health store, know what to buy.

Valid claims. When researching supplements or when browsing at the store, read all packages. Most will outright state what the product can do. For example, capsules of Devils Claw may state they assist with the reduction of arthritis pain and swelling. The keywords are reduce and assist. Arthritis has no cure. You can manage and temporarily treat the joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, but you cannot cure it. Avoid any supplement or product that claims it will cure your arthritis. This is an outright lie and usually a waste of money.

Price. Herbal, natural, and dietary supplements are not like over-the-counter pain relievers. They rarely provide you with immediate relief. Instead, they should be taken overtime. Most reduce the likelihood of pain and inflammation, especially with regular and continued use. Unfortunately, this means you may buy many supplements. To prevent the costs from becoming too high, price compare. Find a quality, yet cheap brand. Buy your supplements on sale, buy in bulk, use coupons, or shop at a store with good prices. Always compare price with quantity. A larger package of supplement capsules will cost more money, but it is usually a better value for that money.

Doctors recommendations. Most arthritis patients fear discussing supplements with their physician. Most believe they will only hear discouragement. Not all physicians believe in or recommend the use of supplements, but dont be afraid to discuss this with your doctor. Many now embrace supplements, when used with prescribed or recommended medicine. So, tell your doctor you want to try ASU to reduce your joint swelling, but that you will continue to take your over-the-counter pain relievers for pain, as directed.

Drug interactions. Why is it important to speak with your physician about supplements? Some can interact with common medications. For example, the above mentioned Devils Claw can counteract with diabetes medication, acid reducers, and blood thinners. Ask your doctor if the supplement you intend to take is risky with your current medications.

Side effects. Most supplements come directly from nature, but not all things in nature are safe for all. Some supplements can have side effects. For example, Gingko can reduce disease flare-ups for some. However, it does have many side effects. These include headaches, upset stomachs, and dizziness. Examine the side effects for your preferred supplement and compare. Are they manageable?

In short, many natural supplements can provide you with arthritis relief. But, dont run out and buy the first supplement you see at the health store. Opt for a supplement that will not interact with your current medications, one that is affordable, one that has little to no side effects, and one that will treat your troubling arthritis symptoms.

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Arthritis Patients: Do You Need Surgery?

If you have recently been diagnosed with arthritis or if you suspect you have it, thoughts of surgery may automatically pop into your head. Yes, some patients must undergo surgery, but it is actually very rare. Despite the common belief, it is possible to treat and manage the symptoms of arthritis, such as joint paint, swelling, and difficulty moving, without surgery.

When is surgery considered an option?

Unbearable Pain. When the pain is so severe that over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription pain relievers do not work, surgery may be the last resort. Overtime, our bodies get use to the pain relievers we ingest. Overtime the Tylenol that once provided with you with relief, may no longer do so. If and when that point arrives, speak to your doctor about prescribed medications. He or she will likely want to try those first before opting for surgery.

Joint damage. The elderly and those who let their arthritis go untreated are susceptible to joint damage. This includes deformities. For example, a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis may have bent out of shape fingers. This not only looks different, but it is excruciating in terms of pain. Surgery can be used to correct these deformities and other severe joint damage.

What type of procedures may be performed?

Arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive surgery and a great alternative to open surgery. A small incision is made in the skin. Then, a thin viewing instrument, known as an arthroscope is inserted. Its destination? The painful joint. Many surgeons use this procedure to diagnose a problem and decide on a course of treatment. It can also be used to perform small surgeries. It has many benefits, including less pain, lower costs, and less hospitalization. So, if you need surgery, offer an arthroscopy as a suggestion.

Arthrodesis. This surgery is very rare, as there is a high risk of complications. And, it results in a permanent disability. So, why is it even offered? It is the only hope of pain relief for some individuals. These individuals have a diseased joint that cannot be fixed any other way. Pain and swelling are common and unmanageable. Arthrodesis involves fusing two bones into a joint. This prevents joint movement. For many, this is a last and only resort.

Joint replacement. Joint replacement surgeries are common with the shoulders, knees, and hips. With joint replacement surgeries, the ends of nearby bones are replaced. This results in new joint surfaces. It will take time and physical therapy, but most patients experience a reduction and pain and an increase in mobility. For the fingers and toes, joint replacement is less common. Typically, surgeons opt for the fusion of smaller joints, as opposed to total replacement.

What are the alternatives to arthritis related surgery?

It depends. For starters, how severe is your arthritis? When were you diagnosed? The earlier osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are diagnosed, the easier it is to treat without surgery. Exercise is vital. Yes, it is difficult to move your joints, so exercise may seem like it is out of the question, but it is not. Start with low impact exercises or opt for water exercises or physical therapy. The more a joint is moved, the less stiffness you experience. This can later reduce the chance of deformities.

As for the pain, remember that surgery is only used as a last resort. First, try over-the-counter pain pills and cream or ask for stronger prescription medications. Heat also helps many. Soak in a warm bath daily or use a heating pad. Although there is little scientific proof to back these claims, many arthritis patients report long-term relief with continued use of natural remedies and supplements, including cayenne pepper, pineapples, ASU, and ginger.

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