Tag: Naproxen

Improving Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Improving Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Hans Hasselfors

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where white blood cells
suddenly attack healthy tissues, specifically joints and
cartilage. There are a few ways to help ease the symptoms,
depending on which stage of the disease you are in. If you are
in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis there is a new
disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) which has done an
excellent job in controlling symptoms. It works best in the
initial stages, so if you suspect you may have rheumatoid
arthritis, see your doctor as soon as possible.

There are other options if you are in later stages of rheumatoid
arthritis. These are also helpful if you are still in early
stages. One is to use anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin,
ibuprofen, and naproxen. This does a great job reducing pain and
inflammation. However, these have side effects including heart
problems and gastrointestinal bleeding. You can also use
acetaminophen for your rheumatoid arthritis, which does not have
these side effects.

When symptoms are mild, moderate exercising including
stretching, weight lifting, and aerobics ease rheumatoid
arthritis symptoms. Be sure to rest when your joints flare up as
this would just add strain to your aching joints. Stretching is
important because it increases flexibility and is easy enough to
do at any age. When stretching, stop when you feel mild
discomfort and hold for 10 to 30 seconds. Then repeat 3 to 5
times. Weight lifting also improves flexibility as well as
strength and balance. Barbells are easy, convenient, and
inexpensive. Remember to stretch before lifting any weights.
Start with 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions. If you would like you
can start with no weights at all (such as going leg lifts for
rheumatoid arthritis in the knees), then add weights when you
can. Lift the weights slowly and evenly to not damage the
cartilage.

Some other popular forms of exercise for rheumatoid arthritis
are aqua therapy and Tai Chi. Be sure to find an actual
therapist as they have specific exercises they do for arthritis
patients. Aerobics instructors may push to far and do further
damage. Tai Chi has no long term studies proving its
effectiveness, but due to testimonials from patients who have
taken Tai Chi, the Arthritis Foundation began offering the
class. Remember to always check with your doctor before starting
an exercise program.

Some other ways to relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain are to lose
weight to take additional pressure off joints, eating a healthy
diet, getting enough sleep, using heat or ice, and possibly
using devices such as a cane, brace, or splint. There are many
resources for additional information on rheumatoid arthritis
including websites, flyers, periodicals, books, etc. Your doctor
should be able to provide you with some reference on where to
look for additional help.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical
practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes
only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always
seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical
condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay
in seeking it because of something you have read. Since natural
and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be
accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that
the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product
is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.”

About the author:
About the Author: Hans Hasselfors is the founder of http://www.SubmitYourN
ewArticle.com. You may find varied arthritis articles in our article directory.

Arthritis medications

Arthritis medications
Robert Kokoska

Patients suffering from arthritis have to undergo a wide range
of treatments which includes medication. There are over 100
medications that are presently being used to treat arthritis.
However medicines at this stage can only help people suffering
from arthritis, and not act as a cure. The medicines can be used
to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, decrease flare-ups and
reduce inflammations.

The aim of this article is to present an insight into 4 main
types of medicines that can be used by arthritis patients.

The first category is called pain-relieving medicines which
include aspirin, paracetemol and ibuprofen. As a matter of fact,
aspirin and ibuprofen are mainly anti-inflammatory drugs;
however they also contain small amounts of pain killing doses.
These pain relieving drugs are available at almost all chemists,
without subscription from doctor.

Anti-inflammatory medicines can be used to
decrease flare-ups and reduce swelling. It comes in two packages
which include Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and
steroids. NSAIDs need to be taken over an extended period of
time so to make it more effective. However its side effects
include stomach problems. It is the most common prescribed
medicine against arthritis. Some NSAIDs include naproxen
(Naprosyn), fenbufen (Lederfen), piroxicam (Feldene) and Cox – 2
inhibitors. However there have been concerns raised about the
safety of Cox-2. Steoids are very effectives against
inflammation. However they can cause harm to the body is used
for a long period of time. They are mainly used to bring severe
cases of arthritis under control before any further
prescriptions are given.

Disease-modifying medicines are used with cases
which involves damage to the immune system such as by rheumatoid
arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. They can be either
taken in by mouth or through injections and deals with the whole
of immune system, instead of the symptoms. Some types of this
kind of medicine are methotrexate, sulfasalazine and gold
(sodium aurothiomalate).

Biologic response modifiers (BRMs) are
increasingly being used in the treatment of arthritis. They were
used to treat severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, however now
they have assumed a new role and are used to treat patients in
the early stages of arthritis, so to prevent profound damage to
the joints. Although many people with rheumatoid arthritis find
BRMs effective, it is still not suited for everyone with
arthritis. The downside of these products is that they are
expensive and can only be given through injections or infusion.

All medicines contain some side effects. Also these side effects
may vary from patient to patient. Many patients undertaking
arthritis related medicines experience certain side effects such
as stomach pain. Nevertheless arthritis medicines can be very
powerful and can have a profound effect on the body. There are
certain approaches in order to reduce minimize the side effects.
It is important to take to take medicines according to
instructions such as 2 times in the day. Your doctor must be
constantly supervising you so that he or she can see whether the
intake is going according to the plan. Another important aspect
to be taken into account is that the benefit of taking the
medicine shall be weighed against the harm of not taking them.
Arthritis can get worse if no medication is taken.

The reason so many medicines for arthritis has been produced is
to meet specific demand of arthritis patients. Also using one
can have side effects. Therefore the range of medicines allows a
person to choose ones that gives least side effects to him or
her. Before you start taking any medicine, it is essential for
you to contact your family so to great a grip of the actual
situation and choose the medicine that best caters to your
needs. Additionally, it is very important for pregnant women to
consult their doctors. Some medicines contain strong side
effects and can be harmful to the baby. Therefore it is
essential to adjust medication in such cases.

About the author:
Are you sick and tired of arthritis pain?

Relieve your arthritis pain naturally with Ea
zol Arthritis Capsules

Read the online press release about “I Cured My Arthritis,
You Can Too”

Aleve, Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra: What You Need to Know

Aleve, Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra: What You Need to Know About Arthritis Pain Medications
R.L. Fielding

Aleve, Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra:What You Need To Know About Arthritis Pain MedicationsRecent controversy about the safety of pain medications for arthritis has left patients and health care professionals alike confused about which medications are safe to use. In fact, a recent survey by the Boston-based Rippe Lifestyle Institute indicated that many people with arthritis are suffering unnecessarily because they have stopped or reduced their use of pain relievers due to confusion about which drugs are considered safe.The survey also showed that now, more than ever, those with arthritis need to understand the benefits and possible side effects associated with all arthritis pain medications. In order to do so, people with arthritis, their caregivers and families must be familiar with recent news about the two types of drugs most commonly used to treat arthritis pain non-selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and another group of NSAIDs known as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitors. COX-2 specific inhibitors vs. Other NSAIDsCOX-2 specific inhibitors are the newest members of the NSAID class of medications. Available by prescription only, they became widely used in recent years to reduce joint pain and swelling. COX-2 specific inhibitors work by selectively blocking, or inhibiting, one of the two enzymes associated with inflammation. Some experts think that this selective inhibition may be one reason for some of the negative side effects currently associated with COX-2 specific inhibitors.Non-selective NSAIDs were developed earlier than COX-2 specific inhibitors and have been widely used to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation for many years. Unlike COX-2 specific inhibitors, non-selective NSAIDs inhibit both major enzymes involved in the inflammatory process, COX-1 and COX-2. The non-selective NSAID category includes a number of different medications that are available in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products.Timeline of EventsTo understand the current state of affairs, it is important to understand the sequence of events. The controversy started when a study published in the October 21, 2004, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine cited the COX-2 specific inhibitor, Vioxx as potentially causing major adverse events, including heart attack and stroke, among patients taking the drug. As a result, Merck (the drugs manufacturer) voluntarily withdrew Vioxx from the market. However, in the months following, the safety of the other available COX-2 specific inhibitors such as Celebrex and Bextra, as well as other arthritis pain medications in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) class, were also called into question.Consequently, in February 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a special Advisory Committee, made up of members of the Arthritis and Drug Safety Advisory Committees, to review the cardiovascular safety of these arthritis pain medications.FDA Directive: Stronger Warning Labels for Some Pain MedicationsOn April 7, 2005, taking into account the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, the FDA issued the following directives: Bextra, a COX-2 specific inhibitor manufactured by Pfizer, was withdrawn from the market.All prescription NSAIDs must revise their labeling to include a black box warning that highlights the potential increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events as well as the potentially life threatening gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding associated with these drugs. Celebrex, the only COX-2 specific inhibitor remaining on the US market, was included in this directive.All OTC NSAIDs (except aspirin) will be required to revise their labeling to include more specific information about the potential for GI and CV side effects, a stronger reminder to follow label instructions, as well as a warning about potential skin reactions.To further evaluate the potential for increased CV risk, the FDA also announced that all NSAIDs must conduct and submit to the FDA a comprehensive review and analysis of pertinent safety data from clinical trials. Aleve (naproxen sodium) is supported by clinical studies conducted to gain approval of naproxen as a prescription product and as OTC that do not provide any evidence of increased risk of cardiovascular events. Treatment Options: What Should Arthritis Patients Know?For some people who suffer from pain associated with arthritis, their symptoms can be managed with exercise, heat/cold therapy, joint protection, assistive devices, weight control, or in some severe cases, surgery. For others, medications are needed to help manage the symptoms associated with arthritis. When taken as directed OTC medications such as Aleve provide a safe and effective way to treat mild to moderate pain of minor arthritis. If patients have questions, they should consult their health care professional about which treatment option is most appropriate.Why Its Important to Treat ArthritisArthritis affects approximately 66 million Americans and is the nations leading cause of disability. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, and they all have different symptoms that vary in severity from person to person. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage that causes the bones to rub together, resulting in pain, loss of movements and stiffness . Arthritis is usually a chronic condition. For more information on Aleve and naproxen, visit the Aleve website at www.aleve.com. For more information on arthritis pain relief, visit www.arthritis.org. About the Author
R.L. Fielding writes on a number of subjects.

Few Things to Consider When Seeking Lower Back Pain Relief

Few Things to Consider When Seeking Lower Back Pain Relief

The best thing that you may probably have considered in your search for an efficient lower back pain relief is to find out what really cause this condition. There are quite a number of factors that may result to lower back pain though there are conditions for which the causes are unknown. Nonetheless, the pain is real and sometimes excruciating.

Among these factors are muscle spasm, muscle strain, ligament sprains, joint problems, herniated disc, improper posture, too much weight carried by the lumbar section of the back bone and several more others.

A herniated disc, or sometimes called as degenerated disc is caused by the bulging between the bones. This condition may press on the nerves and cause the excruciating pain. However, many people don’t know what affected their back bones that induced this pain.

To allow lower back pain relief, there were different exercises and body positions, which may help raise the possibility of releasing the back bone from too much stress. Most physical therapists would suggest that the patient lie on the floor with pillows underneath his head and knees. It is important that the hips and knees are bent in this posture. This will help free the back from the weight and stress it is carrying.

If your case is severe, you may need to rest in this position for one to two days. However, you may need to reinforce your muscle strength during this period through walking, though this may hurt quite a bit.

If you would not want to risk muscle strength in this or the idea of walking while your lower back aches, you can use heating pads, ice packs and massages as alternatives. Their effects may be impermanent but temporary treatment may as well prove a great relief.

Nonprescription drugs may also be excellent aids for reducing pain and swelling. These include the following: aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (brand name: Motrin) and ketoprofen (Orudis).

Lower back pain may either be a continuous process or may be a series of attacks. For ongoing back pain, the ideal action to take is direct the treatment at the actual causes. This may mean loosing weight. Obesity is pointed as one reason why people suffer lower back pain. As we know, the lower back carries all the weight that may be induced on the upper body. Once the body is overweight and too much force is created to stress out the muscles and the bones on the lower back, the end result may be extreme lower back pain. Two other things that you might want to consider is to correct your posture and to put your muscles in shape.

These things, if addressed correctly may prove beneficial in searching for lower back pain relief