Tag: inflammation

How to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

How to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mike

Arthritis is the term used for over 100 rheumatoid and joint related diseases, with the most common being Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
The word arthritis refers to “joint inflammation” and rheumatoid arthritis is actually an attack on the immune system where the system turns on itself and attacks the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and swelling, redness, warmth and can affect other organs of the body like skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, nerves or kidneys. Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 1% of the population, in which 75% of those diagnosed are women. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but scientists attribute this disease to a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors. With rheumatoid arthritis, something seems to trigger the immune system to attack itself. This could happen after a sudden trauma or a surgery, and the severity is not the same in all people. Some theories suggest that a virus or bacteria alter the immune system. Therefore, since the root cause of rheumatoid arthritis is so different from osteoarthritis, of course the treatment and remedies are different also.
Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed by a positive Rh factor, (a blood test), and x-rays that show rheumatoid deterioration in the joints. There are many different ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis, which include medication, rest, exercise and surgery. The medications fall into two specific categories, NSAIDs and DMARDs, and attempt to reduce the pain, swelling and inflammation. Humira, one of the latest discoveries, attempts to isolate the diseased cells so they cannot reproduce and cause more harm.
In the past 10 years, alternative medicine has also taken a predominant place in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Some of these non-prescription methods include:
* ibuprofen
* herbs such as cat’s claw and white willow to reduce pain
* glucosamine and chondriton are used to promote new cartilage growth
* warm baths in Epsom Salts
* application of menthol ointment to the affected joints
Rheumatoid arthritis is not to be taken lightly or ignored, so investigate the treatments and choose the best for yourself.
About the Author
Learn more about arthritis and what you can do to treat it: go to Arthritis Relief and Prevention

How To Treat Arthritis Naturally

How To Treat Arthritis Naturally
Gray Rollins

Arthritis isnt anything to joke about and those who suffer from it need effective arthritis treatments. If you have arthritis, you know how painful a condition it really is. The problem with finding suitable arthritis treatments is two-fold. First, the arthritis treatments that get prescribed ultimately depend on the initial diagnosis, which is why its so important to discuss the situation with a medical practitioner. And second, many suffers cannot tolerate the side effects of NSAIDS or surgery and for this group, natural arthritis treatments really are their only options.
Natural arthritis treatments encompass any type of treatments that do not involve the use of NSAIDS or COX-2 Inhibitors. If you suffer from arthritis and youve tried these types of treatments without success, it may be time for you to research natural treatments for your arthritis. Here are a few to consider.
Physical/Heat/Massage/Relaxation Therapy
Arthritis is pain in the joint area and it can strike in any part of the body where joints exist. This pain isnt always the result of damaged joints. It can be caused by overworked tendons, a build-up of scar tissue, frayed nerves and tense muscles. These types of therapies are oftentimes effective because they generally are designed to focus on the affected area. Rubbing and kneading, applying heat, or using a walker or other type of device designed to improve mobility and posture can all help to promote improved blood circulation and loosen overly tight areas. The goal of these types of therapies is to work on the root of the pain and hopefully, after repeated treatments if necessary, make the pain disappear permanently.
General Exercise
In a total reversal of what was thought to be true decades ago, doctors today frequently prescribe exercise as an effective natural arthritis treatment. Regular exercise is also an effective preventative measure against arthritis. When people dont exercise, their muscles weaken and become stiff and this leads to the type of pain associated later on with arthritis. Cardiovascular exercises, light strength training exercises, and range-of-motion exercises (stretching) all produce positive results. http://www.arthritisnatural.com/relievingarthritispain/
Water exercises
Hydrotherapy or water exercises, work by immersing the body into tanks or pools that have been filled with warm water. Once inside, the patient performs resistance-type exercises to hopefully alleviate the pain. This type of a workout is physically intensive so it should always be performed in a supervised setting.
Controversial Alternatives
Search the web and youll find an abundance of products that claim to be natural arthritis treatments. Among the more popular are Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Manganese, MSM, Niacinamidem, Tumeric and Ginger extract. Promoters of these naturally-occurring ingredients claim they reduce inflammation, slow the aging process, and promote joint repair. Before spending a lot of money purchasing products containing these ingredients, and especially before taking these or any other products that claim they are natural arthritis treatments, discuss the benefits of each with a doctor or someone you trust who knows more than you do about natural remedies. You might find that making some changes to your diet is just as effective a treatment.

About The Author

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for http://www.arthritisnatural.com. For more information about arthritis treatments, please visit http://www.arthritisnatural.com/arthritispainrelieftips/.

How To Ease Arthritis Pain with Glucosamine & Chondroitin Supplements

How To Ease Arthritis Pain with Glucosamine & Chondroitin Supplements
Daniel Lesser

If you are suffering from arthritis pain, you’ve probably heard
of a relatively new over-the-counter remedy called Glucosamine.
But what is Glucosamine, and how does it work to relieve
arthritis? In this article, I’ll introduce you to this new
treatment and provide you with the pros and cons of its use. By
the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll be able to
make an informed decision on whether or not Glucosamine is right
for you.

What is Glucosamine? Glucosamine, together with a related
ingredient called Chondroitin, are substances which exist
naturally in your body. It is believed that glucosamine helps to
build and repair cartilage (the soft, spongy material between
your joints), while chondroitin lends to the elasticity and
flexibility of joints. A deficiency of either one can lead to
increased wear and tear on the joint, and cause redness,
swelling and stiffness as a result. When used together,
glucosamine and chondroitin act as a tag-team of arthritis
fighters, improving flexibility, soothing inflammation and
reducing swelling caused by achy joints.

Where Can I Buy Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements? You can
find these products in virtually any pharmacy or health goods
store. The downside to this is, like other herbal and
alternative medicines, supplements are not regulated by any
governing body. That’s why you’ll need to do a little bit of
research to find the best, most potent brand for your needs.
Here’s what you need to know when comparison shopping for a
glucosamine supplement:

You should expect to pay anywhere from $1-3 per pill when
taking glucosamine daily. Since insurance companies rarely cover
supplements of any kind, you’ll most likely be paying for them
out of pocket.

Read the ingredients label on the bottle to determine the
dosage. Approximately 1500mg of glucosamine and 1200mg of
chondroitin have been safely used in clinical trials. Depending
on your individual medication tolerances and the severity of
your arthritis, you should consult your physician or
rheumatologist to find the right dose for your individual needs.

Select supplements manufactured by a well-known, reputable
company. Recommended brands include: Osteo Bi-Flex, WholeHealth,
Flex-A-Min, MoveFree and individual pharmacy brands.

Are There Any Side Effects I Should Know About? As with any
medication or supplements, there are a few warnings you should
know:

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use
glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, as no long-term studies
have been done to gage what materials (if any) are passed on to
the baby either internally or through breast milk.

If you are diabetic, chondroitin (a form of sugar) may cause
your blood sugar to rise.

Chondroitin also acts as a mild blood thinner. Therefore, if
you are taking any heart medication or are taking an aspirin
regimen, have your blood clotting time checked more frequently
by your doctor.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements should not be taken by
children since no studies have been done to determine their
effect (if any) on the child’s development.

(Please note: The information contained within this article is
not intended to replace or substitute for that of an experienced
physician. Remember to check with your doctor or rheumatologist
before starting daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, and
don’t stop or cut down on any of your current medications
(whether they’re for arthritis or not) without talking with your
doctor first).

About the author:
Daniel J Lesser is the creator of HotArthritisSecrets.com. Find
out how you got it and how to live with it at www.hotarthritissecrets
.com.

How Do I Choose The Best Arthritis Medicine?

How Do I Choose The Best Arthritis Medicine?
Stephanie E. Siegrist, MD

Are you spending a fortune on prescription arthritis medicines? Are they helping? Are you concerned about side effects? You may think a particular drug is a miraculous godsend. Yet, someone you know may take the same dose only to experience little relief and life-threatening side effects. All of the choices can be confusing.
The best treatment for your arthritis is based on your needs. Making the diagnosis of osteoarthritis is fairly straightforward, but deciding what to do about it is a complex and very individualized matter. Theres a wide range of options available to help you deal with OA; medicines are only part of the picture:

  • The Basics: Weight Management / Exercise / Education / Modify Activities
  • Medications: Pain Relievers, NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), Supplements
  • Injections/ Bracing
  • Surgery

The highest dose of the latest, greatest arthritis medicine on the market will NOT help unless you follow common-sense health practices. Focus on low-tech/low-cost habits that pay off throughout your body and quality of life. Modify the combination of remedies over your lifetime as symptoms wax and wane. Start simple, and then move to the next step if the first isnt helping. You can cut back during the times you have less pain.
At this point, available medicines can relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, not cure it. There are some treatments for rheumatoid arthritis that can slow down joint destruction. Scientific research suggests that nutritional supplements, like glucosamine, might strengthen cartilage tissue. Stay tuned!
The dozens of arthritis medications available are categorized by drug class. The drug classes differ in the way your body handles the chemical that makes up the drug, known as the mechanism of action. Different mechanisms of action target different arthritis symptoms: pain vs. stiffness vs. inflammation. If you understand the classes, you will understand:

  • how each drug works,
  • which drugs are related because they work in a similar way,
  • what side effects can occur, and
  • why a drug may or may not be right for you.

Fortunately, there are eight drug classes to choose from to relieve your osteoarthritis symptoms. If you must avoid a whole class because you have another health condition, there are plenty of others that could keep you comfortable. Combining smaller doses from different classes may be the right answer. Usually only with prudent, thoughtful trials will you and your doctor discover whats best for you. Keep a diary of the remedies you try, and their effects, good and bad. You spend a lot of money trying to feel better – dont waste it!
Beware of your drugs true cost! Cost applies not only to the money you pay for the pills, but also to the toll they could take on your system in terms of side effects like stomach ulcers, kidney failure, addiction, and other problems worth avoiding!
OA is a chronic, degenerative condition that progresses at different rates in different patients (and even in different joints in the same body!) Youve got better things to do than let OA rule your day. The right treatment strategy will get you back to the Pursuit of Happiness!
Want to learn more about all EIGHT classes of OA drugs? Visit www.knowyourbones.com to order Making Sense of Arthritis Medicine: Manage Your Symptoms Safely and discover relief thats right for you!

Stephanie E. Siegrist, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in her 10th year of practice, and author of “Making Sense of Arthritis Medicine.” She’s one of only 3% of U.S. orthopedic surgeons who are women! Dr. Siegrist strives to bridge the gaps that exist in today’s doctor-patient relationship with “Information Therapy!” Complete information about Dr. Siegrist, and the book, are available from her website.