Tag: inflammation

Learning to Live with Arthritis

Learning to Live with Arthritis
Charles Kassotis

In the United States alone, more than 40 million people suffer
from arthritis discomfort. Although many view this condition as
a natural part of the aging process, there is no reason why it
has to be debilitating. In fact, many doctors help their
patients learn to manage arthritis symptoms like pain and
stiffness by utilizing a variety of techniques. The first step
is to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Bone pain can
be a symptom of other medical problems, so it is important to
find out if arthritis is the true cause. If so, you can then
begin the quest for proper treatment.

Depending on the degree to which you have arthritis and its
impact on your lifestyle, you may need to take anti-inflammatory
medications that your doctor will prescribe. Always follow the
directions carefully and take the medication only as directed.
Let your doctor know if you experience side effects or allergic
reactions, which might include hives, itching, swelling, or
difficulty breathing. Over-the-counter medications likewise may
be prescribed so you can take them as needed for sporadic
discomfort if the pain has not become chronic or severe.

If you are only beginning to develop arthritis, or if it
presents only mild discomfort, you can try other things to help
make it more bearable, as well. For example, regular physical
exercise is a great way to build bone mass and to promote bodily
circulation, both of which can help to control arthritic
symptoms. Ask your doctor to recommend the best type of exercise
for your condition. People with joint swelling or pain might
need to avoid weight-bearing exercise like walking and instead
go swimming at the local pool, which helps their bodies to float
and thus relieves pressure from the joints and bones.

In addition to medication and exercise as ways of controlling
your arthritis pain, you may want to consider herbal remedies,
like glucosamine, among others. Some studies suggest that those
using certain herbal formulas that are based on glucosamine and
related substances may experience less joint pain and swelling.
Ask your doctor if this is a good idea for you. There are other
herbs that might reduce inflammation and ease joint pain, but
check with a medical expert or an herbalist before taking any of
these.

People who suffer from chronic conditions like arthritis often
benefit from environmental therapies as well. Listening to
soothing music or relaxing scents like potpourri can help to
relieve stress and reduce discomfort associated with joint pain.
Keeping a journal and writing about negative aspects of having
arthritis for 15 to 20 minutes at least three days a week has
been shown to improve immune function and decrease stress
levels. Joining a support group or visiting with friends and
family several times a month likewise provides comfort to ease
difficult physical symptoms.

Don’t let arthritis keep you down. Take control of your life
and your symptoms by trying strategies like these to build a
better future.

About the author:
Want to know more about managing arthritis discomfort? For
helpful information, visit The Arthritis Directory at
http://www.arthritisdir.com

Learn about arthritis and how it can affect you

Learn about arthritis and how it can affect you
Dr Leong Y.H

‘Rheumatism’ is a traditional and non-specific term used in the East and West to refer to a variety of conditions affecting the bones, joints, skin, heart, kidneys, lungs. This term is rapidly falling out of favour in the West today because modern medical science has discovered that most of these conditions have different aetiologies (causes) requiring very different treatments.
You can say that it’s a word mainly used in Chinese (& traditional) societies; it’s also used by a minority of Westerners into homeopathic and alternative medicine. The only common characteristics among these conditions are: 1) they cause long-term chronic pain, and 2) they are very difficult to treat.
‘Arthritis’ is a broad term refers to inflammation of the joints, but doesn’t say anything about the cause. Includes conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, infective arthritis, gouty arthritis, etc.
Generally, I’d divide arthritis into 2 big groups:
1) Osteoarthritis (OA)
This is primarily a ‘wear and tear’ condition affecting older people. Arises from overuse (e.g. marathon runners), previous injuries (football players), overweight, heredity.
A lot of older Asian women get OA of the knees while the Americans and Europeans get it in the hips. The pain is more mechanical than inflammatory. So you get pain in the later part of the day after a lot of walking and climbing stairs.
Because it’s mainly a mechanical problem, treatment with painkillers is only a temporary solution. Long-term lifestyle changes are more important – reduce weight, mobility and muscle-strengthening exercises, reduce all kinds of weight-bearing activities (walking, jumping, running, carrying heavy objects). In severe cases, surgery may be warranted.

2) Inflammatory (‘Rheumatic’) Arthritis
This group comprises the various types of arthritis which are mainly inflammatory , not mechanical, in nature. They usually result from an auto-immune condition, which causes the body’s immune system to go haywire and attack the joints and other parts of the body. E.g. rheumatoid arthritis (RA), SLE (skin, kidneys, joints, brain), psoriasis (skin, joints), ankylosing spondylitis (back, heart), gout (joints, skin, kidneys), rheumatic heart disease/fever (joints, heart, skin). All these conditions require different forms of treatment.
I’ll talk a bit about RA, the commonest condition in this group. Unlike OA, RA can occur at any age and is usually hereditary (we now have a test for the RA factor in the blood). Pain is usually in the early morning, worse when it’s cold, and gets better with activity and use. That means an RA sufferer suffers from morning stiffness and pain, but gets better in the afternoon when it’s warmer and when he has moved around a bit.
Treatment, unlike OA, is mainly through drugs – painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids, cytotoxic drugs like sulfasalazine and MTX.
In Asia, treatment is mainly through accupuncture, medicated plasters and ointments. With the vast arsenals of drugs and non-drugs alternative treatments available today, RA can be controlled very well and the sufferer can actually lead a very active life. Many OA sufferers on the other hand may eventually require surgery since we don’t have very effective drugs for OA. About the Author
Dr Leong is a Western trained doctor with a keen interest in Chinese medical treatment. He contributes articles to http://www.quick-pain-relief.com. This article may be republished provided acknowledgement is made of the author and the original website.

The Dry Socket

Even though they arent life threatening like bleeding or abscesses, dry sockets can be extremely painful. They are very common following surgery, and happen to be one of the most painful post extraction problems. Dry sockets are more common with removal of the lower teeth than they are with removal of upper teeth. No matter what type of extraction you have performed, a dry socket can occur with any type.

Although there is really no way to prevent a dry socket, you can help to reduce the risk by following your after surgery directions. Even though you may be following the directly precisely, you could still end up with a dry socket. They are known as a quirk of nature, and will make you feel like you are on your death bed – although you really arent. Those who are more at risk to dry sockets include those who smoke following extractions, and those who like to grind their teeth frequently.

A dry socket is a condition where the blood clot that forms after an extraction detaches itself from the socket walls. Sometimes, the clot will dissolve, leaving the bone exposed to food, the weather, and even saliva. Once the bone is exposed, it can become inflamed. The inflammation that occurs is very painful, often times being a deep pain that makes you feel as if you are dying.

If you leave it alone, the dry socket will heal. It will normally take around a month or so, although the pain wont let up during the healing period. If you have a dry socket, youll find that antibiotics and even the strongest of prescription drug wont cure it. An antibiotic will normally cure infections, although a dry socket isnt considered to be an infection.

The best way to fight a dry socket is to go back to your dentist and have him pack the socket. Packing the socket is done without any anesthesia and can be quite painful. It doesnt take long to complete, and it can provide relief from the pain. Once you have a dry socket, you wont care about anything but stopping the pain. The pain can be so intense at times that you will be willing to do anything to stop the pain – even for a few minutes.

Once the socket has been packed, you will be relived from pain for a day or so. If you go back to your dentist, he will remove the old packing, wash the socket out, and place a new packing in. This way, you can get relief from the pain and help the socket heal. Keep in mind that it will take time to heal – and the best way to stop the pain is to do your best to avoid a dry socket at all costs.

Killer Arthritis Relief Tips!

Killer Arthritis Relief Tips!
Mike Corrado

The most common type of arthritis is a condition affecting the joints called osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative disease in which the cartilage gradually becomes thinner. After time, the bony surfaces come into contact with each other and then they begin to become misshapen. This kind of arthritis most commonly occurs from a previous injury or wear and tear on the joint.

Most commonly, in arthritis patients, one of the large weight bearing joints are affected such as hips, knees and ankles. There can be a lot of pain and stiffness. Most people find that it is worse in damp or cold weather and a hot bath or a hot pad can help a lot.
It is important for arthritis sufferers to avoid weight-bearing exercises such as jogging, and instead to try things like swimming, yoga, Tai chi classes or cycling. Anything that stresses the joints is bad for OA sufferers.

In its more mild forms, arthritis is a condition that will respond to herbal medicines. Herbs to consider include Devil’s Claw, Ginger and Willow bark. Most people with arthritis are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help with pain and any inflammation. Still, many people find that these drugs can upset their digestive systems. Anther herbal medicine that can help is meadowsweet herb, especially as a tea.

Rheumatoid arthritis is another kind of arthritis that also causes joint problems but the cause is very different. It is a chronic, inflammatory disease affecting the synovial membrane inside the joint. RA is characterised by periods of remission and exacerbation. In severe cases, most joints may be affected. Other body systems and organs may also be affected and flare-ups can be accompanied by general malaise. This problem is usually best treated by a qualified herbalist in conjunction with orthodox healthcare.

If you think you have either type of arthritis, you should consult a physician to determine the best treatment. Arthritis is a serious condition that will only worsen if you do not seek medical advice.

About the author:

Mike Corrado brings you smoking arthritis solutions at www.quickandeasyarthritissolutions.com