Tag: osteoarthritis

Have You Looked Into Natural Arthritis Treatments?

Have You Looked Into Natural Arthritis Treatments?
Mike Herman

There are 100 different forms of arthritis identified by the
AMA, and there are almost as many natural arthritis treatments
for those who desire to treat arthritis naturally.

The name arthritis means “joint inflammation” – and this can
come from wear and tear as in osteoarthritis, or from immune
deficiencies as in rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis affects approximately 3 million Americans in different
degrees of severity and there are a number of ways to treat the
symptoms.

Natural arthritis treatments are treatments which come 100% from
the environment, and they are virtually free of side effects
unless you happen to be allergic to the particular plant.

Check with your physician whenever trying a new product, just to
be safe.

Natural arthritis treatments include plants, minerals and
vitamins.

Within the past 20 years, natural remedies have become more
widespread as the public discovers alternatives to prescription
medication.

For many years people have treated arthritis, as well as many
other diseases, with natural remedies and ingredients found in
the house.

Some natural arthritis treatments that are easily obtained and
have been proven to work both recently and over the years.

You can try one or all of them until you reach the results that
you desire. There is no hazard in mixing natural arthritis
treatments.

* Alternate cold packs for 20-minute intervals.

* Soak affected joint in Epsom salts and warm water for 20
minutes.

* Take antioxidants – Vitamin C and E, lipoic-acid to improve
immune system and circulation and to fight free radicals that
occur.

* Take Omega – 3’s to support cardiovascular system and
circulation.

* Use glucosamine and chondriton to promote joint and cartilage
growth.

* Shark cartilage has also been associated with cartilage
growth.

* Exercise keeps joints loose and improves circulation.

* Get plenty of rest for joints to recover.

* Herbs to reduce pain are cat’s claw, ginger, cinnamon,
cayenne.

* Herbs to promote rest and calm are valerian root and
melatonin.

More remedies can be found on the Internet for treating
arthritis with natural treatments.

About the author:
Discover treatment options and see how you DON’T have to give up
and just ‘live with pain and discomfort ‘find some Natural Remedies for Arthritis

Have You Bought Into These Arthritis Myths?

Have You Bought Into These Arthritis Myths?
David Silva

Myth 1: Exercise doesn’t help arthritis, and in fact makes the condition worse. Fact: Proper exercise performed on a regular basis is an important part of arthritis treatment, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Twenty years ago, doctors advised exactly the opposite, fearing that activity would cause more damage and inflammation. However, not exercising causes weak muscles, stiff joints, reduced mobility, and lost vitality, say rheumatologists, who now routinely advise a balance of physical activity and rest.Three main types of exercises are recommended:Range-of-motion … moving a joint as far as it will comfortably go and then stretching it a little further to increase and maintain joint mobility, decrease pain, and improve joint function. These can be done at least every other day.Strengthening … using muscles without moving joints to help increase muscle strength and stabilize weak joints. These can be done at least every other day, unless there is severe pain or swelling.Endurance … aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming and bicycling to strengthen the heart and lungs and increase stamina. These should be done for 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week, unless there is severe pain or swelling.Myth 2: Arthritis only affects older people.Fact: While it is true that arthritis becomes more common as people age, arthritis may begin at any age, including childhood. Nearly three of every five sufferers are under age 65. Conversely, some elderly people never develop arthritis. Myth 3: Arthritis is nothing more than minor aches and pains.Fact: Arthritis can be permanently debilitating. Many forms of arthritis or musculoskeletal conditions are self-limited and get better without specific treatment. Others, however, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may be quite serious and may affect the body’s internal organs as well as the joints. Arthritis already affects more than 42 million Americans in its chronic form, including 300,000 children. By 2020, CDC estimates that 60 million people will be affected, and that more than 11 million will be disabled.Myth 4: A warm climate will cure arthritis.Fact: Arthritis occurs in all parts of the world. Many people do notice that a difference in the weather can cause their arthritis to flare, but for most people, moving to a different climate does not make a big enough difference to justify moving.Myth 5: Knuckle cracking will give you arthritis.Fact: There is no clinical evidence that knuckle cracking causes arthritis in the fingers or the hand. Studies of people with osteoarthritis in their knuckles show they are no more likely to have cracked their knuckles earlier in life than people who did not develop the condition. However, the bad news is that there is some evidence that people who habitually crack their knuckles have decreased hand function, such as reduced ability to grip tightly.Myth 6: Drinking milk prevents arthritis.Fact: Drinking milk does not prevent arthritis. This myth is often attributed to confusing osteoarthritis with osteoporosis, a condition that can be reduced by drinking milk and taking regular weight-bearing exercise. A person with osteoporosis gradually loses bone material so that his or her bones become more fragile. Osteoarthritis results from the wear and tear of life. The pressure of gravity causes physical damage to the joints and surrounding tissues, leading to pain, tenderness, swelling, and decreased function.For More Information:Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenter for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health PromotionMail Stop K-454770 Buford Highway, N.E.Atlanta, GA 30341-3717770-488-5131http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Clearinghouse1 AMS CircleBethesda, MD 20892-3675301-226-42671-877-22-NIAMS (toll-free)http://www.nih.gov/niams/Arthritis FoundationP.O. Box 7669Atlanta, GA 30359-06691-800-283-7800http://www.arthritis.orgAmerican College of RheumatologyAssociation of Rheumatology Health Professionals1800 Century Place, Suite 250Atlanta, GA 30345http://www.rheumatology.org/index.asp About the Author
About Arthritis Todayhttp://aboutarthritistoday.com

Experiencing Ache Knees and Back? You may have Osteoarthritis

Experiencing Ache Knees and Back? You may have Osteoarthritis
Kamau Austin

Are you noticing as you mature you are experiencing stiffness or
pain in your knees, ankles, back, and elbows? If you are 35 and
above symptoms like these may be the early signs of
Osteoarthritis.

What is Osteoarthritis?

According to the US government’s National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases “Osteoarthritis is the
most common type of arthritis, especially among older people.
Sometimes it is called degenerative joint disease or
osteoarthrosis.”

Moreover Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects
the cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the
ends of bones in a joint.

Unlike other forms of arthritis which may affect internal organs
Osteoarthritis primarily causes problems between the cartilage
and joints.

Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. It
also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement. In
osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and
wears away.

In other words as we mature you can start to experience
Osteoarthritis because the cartilage between you knees, back,
and other joints may begin to erode or wear away.

This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing
pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the
joint may lose its normal shape. Also bone spurs, small growths
called entophytes, may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of
bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint
space. This causes more pain and damage.

According to government studies Osteoarthritis affects about 20
million Americans. Over 50 % of Americans over 65 have
osteoarthritis in a least one joint. It is more common for men
than women to have osteoarthritis before 45. However after 45 it
is more common for women to experience the symptoms of this
condition. By 2030 70 million Americans will be over the age of
65 and may be at risk for osteoarthritis.

While younger people may get osteoarthritis from sports related
knee and joint injuries osteoarthritis is primarily a condition
more mature people experience. If you experience symptoms like
the ones described above talk to you doctor to see if you have
osteoarthritis or some other condition.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis seem to appear in the knee, lower
back, ends of the fingers, back of the neck, thumbs and hips.

Some of the treatments the doctor may prescribe are:

1. – Exercise is inexpensive and may help with a number of
health problems including certain forms of osteoarthritis. As
you may know exercise can help improve your attitude,
disposition, mood and overall outlook, decrease pain, increase
flexibility, improve the heart and blood flow, maintain weight,
and promote general physical fitness.

Reports have shown if done correctly, it has few negative side
effects. The amount and form of exercise will depend on which
joints are involved, how stable the joints are, and whether a
joint replacement has already been done.

The proper exercise may help you recapture some range of
movement in stiff joints.

2. – Weight control: Osteoarthritis patients who are overweight
or obese need to lose weight. Weight loss can reduce stress on
weight-bearing joints and limit further injury. A dietitian can
help patients develop healthy eating habits. A healthy diet and
regular exercise help reduce weight.

3. Medicines: Doctors prescribe medicines to eliminate or reduce
pain and to improve functioning. Doctors consider a number of
factors when choosing medicines for their patients with
osteoarthritis. Two important factors are the intensity of the
pain and the potential side effects of the medicine. Patients
must use medicines carefully and tell their doctors about any
changes that occur.

4 – Surgery : As a last resort a surgery to replace a joint may
be in order from your doctor.

For many people, surgery helps relieve the pain and disability
of osteoarthritis. Surgery may be performed to remove loose
pieces of bone and cartilage from the joint if they are causing
mechanical symptoms of buckling or locking Resurface (smooth
out) bones Reposition bones Replace joints. Surgeons may replace
affected joints with artificial joints called prostheses. These
joints can be made from metal alloys, high-density plastic, and
ceramic material.

Before undertaking expensive surgery or investing in pricey
medicines perhaps you should consider taking a health supplement
called Phosoplex. Phosoplex a product of Optimal Therapeutics,
boasts some of the best ingredients available to help alleviate
pain associated with Osteoarthritis.

I have used Phosoplex when training in fitness activity to help
rid myself of knee and back pain. I would strongly recommend you
investigating this quality product if you seek relief from
Osteoarthritis.

About the author:
Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast and advocate. He
is also the publisher of … www.healthandfitnessvitality.com .
He writes on a regular basis on timeless health and fitness tips
at the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful health and fitness
news and tips at…
http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm

Effective dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers

Effective dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers
Dhiraj Bhikoo

The most popular dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers are chondroitin, fish oil and glucosamine. Chondroitin can draw fluid into the cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability and weight control, as more weight equals more joint pressure. Fish oils help with controlling inflammation in the body. And recent studies have shown that the cartilage-building substance called glucosamine is effective for the long-term relief of osteoarthritis pain. In some people, glucosamine appears to even slow the deterioration of joints over time and reinforce joint cartilage. Whether or not it can actually reverse the disease is still unclear. In some instances, glucosamine can be used in conjunction with MSM, a substance that appears to slow down the degeneration but is not yet proven and approved.
In a nutshell:
Chondroitin – Helps draw fluid into cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability.
Ginger – Ginger is an antioxidant that acts as an inflammatory with no major side effects.
Glucosamine sulfate – This builds cartilage with very few side effects.
Magnets – Although magnets that are worn as jewelry or placed on bed linens have been reported by some to be effective pain relievers, results are still preliminary; doctors claim that these magnets are not strong enough.
MSM – This organic sulfur is used in the reduction of inflammation.
Nettle leaf – Nettles can reduce a patient’s need for NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) by up to 70 percent.
Vitamin E – This antioxidant is used primarily for osteoarthritis.
Vitamin B is also an effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee and can help stop degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules, not only in the joints but in other areas of the body as well
These are merely a few examples of what an arthritis sufferer can use when seeking pain relief from natural remedies. However, due to the lack of scientific study and testing on many of these alternate treatments, there is no proof of their effectiveness.
Nothing can cure osteoarthritis, but nutritional supplements, the application of heat or cold to affected joints, exercise, and weight loss can improve the function and flexibility of your joints, and perhaps even slow the progress of the disease. Conventional over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be very helpful in decreasing joint pain, but they do produce side effects and can cause problems in long-term users.
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure arthritis. However, you can delay the onset by maintaining a healthy weight. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy and avoid repetitious movements that cause you pain.
About the Author
Dhiraj Bhikoo is an arthritis pain relief and treatment researcher .He offers advice and tips and a broad range of alternative solutions for arthritis and pain related issues.