What your joints need

Psoriatic Arthritis is another form of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis. This is a chronic disease that is characterized by the inflammation of the joints, and the spine. The skin has a characteristic of patchy raised areas of the skin usually the hands and the feet, the skin is red, shinny and scaly.

Psoriasis commonly affects Caucasians, in fact health statistics show that there are two percent of Caucasians both males and female in the United States alone are suffering from psoriasis. Genetics and environment plays an important role in diagnosing psoriatic arthritis.

Though the causes of having this disease is still not known, doctors believe that this condition can be hereditary or that your body have been exposed with harmful bacteria and viruses in the environment, that is why this disease is triggered. Patients may also develop tendonitis and inflammation around the cartilage, lungs, and eyes. It can also damage the spine, chest bones, and the sacrum, making it hard for the patient to move.

Treatment of this disease is sometimes hard because psoriasis often precedes arthritis for months or even years, or vice versa. Among all patients with arthritis, patients with psoriatic arthritis have the highest emotional stress of all. Because they are not only dealing with the embarrassing fact that they have psoriasis, they also deal with the unending pain of having arthritis. As the pain and swelling flares, daily movements becomes a burden, it interferes with their work, social functions, daily activities and social life. Patients with this kind of disease may feel alone, withdrawn and stressed.

The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are joint pain, swelling, and stiffness of the muscles. It can affect any part of the body like spine, fingertips, wrist, and feet. Person with this disease also finds it hard to get up in bed in the morning, pain and stiffness usually occurs in the morning after waking up. Patients should be allowed 30 minutes to warm up the body and flex and stretch a little.

People suffering from this disease are easily tired especially in the early afternoon. The signs and symptoms may range from mild to severe disease flare-ups, with periods of remissions and recurrences, which are common among arthritis patients. Stress can trigger flare-ups it is important for patients who have this condition, to learn how to cope up with stress and learn some relaxation techniques.

To date, there is no cure for this kind of disease. Both psoriasis and arthritis are autoimmune disorder. This disorder occurs when the immune system of the body starts to attack healthy cells and tissues instead of harmful viruses and bacteria’s. This causes an abnormality, which causes inflammation in the joints and over production of skin cells such as in the case of psoriasis. The medications that are available in the market today only target the swelling, inflammation, and pain.

Learning to cope with this condition is one way of disease management. Exercise and dietary modification is the key to cope up with the disease. Stretching exercises will help the patient in becoming more flexible and increase their strength.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common rheumatic disease, affecting more than two million people in the United States. RA is a systemic disease, often affecting extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles. About 60% of RA patients are unable to work 10 years after the onset of their disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally strikes between the ages of 20 and 50. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. The joints are usually affected initially asymmetrically and then in a symmetrical fashion as the disease progresses. The pain generally improves with use of the affected joints, and there is usually stiffness of all joints in the morning that lasts over 1 hour. People with these genes will not automatically develop RA. In some families, multiple members can be affected, suggesting a genetic basis for the disorder

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a variety of forms of vasculitis. Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the common arthritis that often comes with older age. RA can affect body parts besides joints, such as your eyes, mouth and lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis affects people differently. For some people, it lasts only a few months or a year or two and goes away without causing any noticeable damage. Other people have mild or moderate forms of the disease, with periods of worsening symptoms, called flares, and periods in which they feel better, called remissions. RA usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected. RA is a diffuse systemic disease involving many areas of the body. The presenting complaint may be remote from a joint or may involve inflammatory symptoms at a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in all races and ethnic groups. Although the disease often begins in middle age and occurs with increased frequency in older people, children and young also develop it

Home Remedies for Rheumatiod Arthitis Tips

1. Cayenne Pepper Extract has been found to be useful in arthritis pain relief.

2. Emu Oil is also very excellent for the arthritis cure and has many anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Many users involves the consumption of 1 cup of fresh pineapple juice, as it helps in minimizing the swelling and inflammation in arthritis.

4. A teaspoon of black sesame seeds, soaked in a quarter cup of water and kept overnight, has been found to be effective in avoiding joint pains.

5. Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water is useful in curing arthritis.

6. Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with two or three pieces of camphor should be massaged on rigid and aching joints.

7. Dilute five drops of essential oil of ginger in 20 drops of a carrier oil such as wheat germ or almond oil , and massage into painful areas.

8. Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. If available, eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water.

9. Potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments for rheumatic and arthritic conditions.

10. One cup of green juice, extracted from any green leafy vegetable, mixed in equal proportions with carrot, celery, and red beet juices is good for arthritis.

11. A teaspoon of black sesame seeds, soaked in a quarter cup of water and kept overnight, has been found to be effective in preventing frequent joint pains.

12. Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container accumulates traces of copper, which is said to strengthen the muscular system.

13. Garlic is another effective remedy for arthritis. It contains an anti-inflammatory property which accounts for its effectiveness in the treatment of this disease.

14. Bananas, being a rich source of vitamin B6, have proved useful in the treatment of arthritis.

15. Lime has also been found beneficial as a home remedy for arthritis.

16. A tea made from the herb alfalfa, especially from its seeds, has shown beneficial results in the treatment of arthritis.

17. Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with two or three pieces of camphor should be massaged on stiff and aching joints.

18. The diet of an arthritis patient should be planned so as to produce alkalinity in the blood. It should include fruits and vegetables in the form of salads, and, at least, two cooked vegetables.

19. A gentle massage with warm olive oil is very effective to relieve arthritis pain.

20. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, called EPA and DHA, relieve symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis.

helming part of a Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers life is living with pain. Even though there is no known cure for this chronic condition, there are many treatments available to that offer relief of discomfort.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease that causes the immune system to turn against its own body. Cartilage that acts as a cushion between the joints is attacked by the rheumatoid antibody; it can also interfere with other organs like the heart, lungs or eyes. The affected joints become inflamed, causing pain and the deterioration of the joint cartilage can result in permanent injury and disfigurement.

Reducing inflammation and pain,improving joint mobility and preventing damage is the main goal of rheumatoid arthritis treatment. An overall range of treatment can include medications, exercise, diet, rest and are determined by activity of the disease, age and health of the patient, and the joints that are affected.

There are two classes of Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment medications; ones that deal with pain and inflammation, and ones that help prevent joint damage and put the disease into remission. Medications such aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and cortisone are the “first line” class of drugs that deal with pain and inflammation very quickly. “Second line” medications such as, gold shots, plaquenil or methotrexate, act more slowly.

Not only are there synthetic Rheumatoid Arthritis treatments, there are also natural and dietary supplements that can be very successful. Glucosamine and chondroitin are found in normal joints and can be taken as supplements to aide maintaining healthy cartilage. Calcium has long been known as an important part of healthy bones and vitamin D can help revive energy levels. Sometimes the foods a sufferer is consuming can play a role in how much pain and inflammation is involved. Night shade fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, egg plant, red peppers, and potatoes have been noted to induce inflammation, but not in all sufferers, so it is best to be aware of the foods being eaten and how your body reacts in order to have a better understanding of which foods may trigger pain.

Using hot and cold packs alternatively have long been used to reduce inflammation and promote easy movement of painful joints. Soaking in a hot bath for more than 20 minutes may provide some comfort to aching, stiff joints and muscles. Topical rubs can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy to be applied to affected areas and should be used as instructed by package directions or health professional.

A very important part of Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment is keeping an open honest relationship with your health care professional team. They should be considered and consulted before any new therapy or medication is administered in order to give the best advice possible. Rheumatoid Arthritis can be a crippling disease, but by informing oneself and taking immediate action, a long, happy and healthy life can be lived.

Can you imagine if you had to stop working today because you were in such intense pain? Watch Erica and Roy’s story of how this father and daughter had to quit their jobs and file for unemployment because of their arthritis pain.

Treatment for psoriatic arthritis is similar to that for other forms of the disease. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (aspirin and ibuprofen, for example), heat, exercise, and physical therapy.

Treatment for psoriatic arthritis is meant to control the skin lesions of psoriasis and the joint inflammation of arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , gold salts, and sulfasalazine are standard arthritis treatments, but have no effect on psoriasis. Treatment and proper hair styling can help a woman to cope.

Treatment, therefore, aims at reducing your pain and discomfort and preventing further disability.

Patients with recent joint injuries or surgery, or patients receiving medications injected directly into a joint are also at a greater risk for developing septic arthritis. Typically, women and male homosexuals are at greater risk for septic arthritis than are male heterosexuals.

Patients must be randomly assigned to take either the substance in question or a look-alike inactive or comparison remedy, and neither patients nor evaluating physicians can know who is on what until the study is completed.

And, while positive results from good studies continue to be published in Europe, there are still no published results of such studies in people on this side of the Atlantic. Patients should go early to bed and have plenty of rest, sunshine and fresh air . It is important that the diet should be nourishing and plentiful, and should there be intestinal putrefaction fermented milk is useful.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is called a degenerative joint disease because it results from the deterioration of the bones and cartilage that make up the joints.

Osteoarthritis can also follow significant trauma, so avoiding broken bones or other major injuries (to the extent this is possible), may reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, for example, can feature pain that is worst at night, or following a period of rest. Rheumatoid arthritis will generally cause most pain in the morning and in its early stages.

Osteoarthritis, from the word osteo,meaning bone, is caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage in the joint area which leads to inflammation. The destruction of the bone can occur when there is mechanical stress to the area.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that is often characterized by flares (worsening of symptoms) and remissions (improvement in symptoms). In approximately 80% of cases, psoriatic arthritis also involves the fingernails and toenails (e.g., loosening of the nails, development of ridges and pits).

Psoriatic arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a potentially serious inflammatory form of arthritis that is often found in association with psoriasis. Because it may begin and progress insidiously, it can cause serious problems.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It is one of the most severe forms of arthritis and can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a type of inflammatory arthritis, is an autoimmune disorder.

The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is associated with physical or emotional stress, poor nutrition, and bacterial or fungal infection of a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis also breaks down and erodes away the cartilage and bones in the affected joints. This erosion cannot be seen and is measured by x-rays.

Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is most common in older people. But children and young adults can also get it. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. It has several special features that make it different from other kinds of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, systemic, autoimmune disease for which there is no current cure. It is a common disorder affecting more than 2.1 million Americans.

Patients who present with complications of RA outside the joints- what is termed extra-articular disease- are at particular risk for early death. Extraarticular problems that can be seen in RA include, skin ulcers, anemia, eye inflammation, lung inflammation and damage, heart disease, inflammation of blood vessels, and rheumatoid nodules(these are bumps consisting of inflamed tissue that grow at certain areas such as the fingers, elbows, heels, and back of the skull).

A predictor of the presence of extra-articular disease is the level of rheumatoid factor in the blood. The higher the rheumatoid factor, the more likely a patient will have extra-articular disease.

A newer blood marker, the anti-CCP (anti cyclic citrullinated peptide), also appears to predict higher risk of extra-articular problems as well as more severe disease.

The bottom line is that RA is not a benign condition. In fact, it carries the same mortality as first heart attacks, untreated diabetes, and stage 4 Hodgkins disease in some studies. RA must be diagnosed and treated aggressively.

Probably the primary cause of the increased mortality is cardiovascular death. Estimates range from 33-50% of all deaths in RA patients are due to cardiovascular causes. Patients with RA are at significantly increased risk for atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, heart attack, and vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels).

So what are some of the risk factors that particularly are important?

Among them are:

• Severe RA disease

• Severe extra-articular disease

• Elevated blood levels of homocysteine which is aggravated by methotrexate therapy

• Abnormalities of blood vessel walls

• Drugs that are used to treat RA such as corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

• Overproduction of inflammatory cytokines (chemical messengers of disease)

• Rheumatoid nodules

A note about drugs…

Methotrexate, the most commonly used disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular death. Unfiortuantely, nonsteoridal anti-inflammatory drugs which are commonly used to treat symptoms in RA increase the risk of blood clots, cardiovascular disease, and congestive heart failure.

The role of other medical problems such as blood sugar, elevated lipids, and so forth are a subject for another article.

Recommendations for reduction of cardiovascular risk in RA patients include:

• Low dose aspirin (which should be supplemented with some type of stomach protection) particularly in patients who are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Statin drugs for people with elevated lipids

• Folic acid supplementation to minimize the elevated homocysteine levels seen in RA

• Caution with the use of TNF-inhibitors in patients with congestive heart failure

• Control of co-morbid conditions such as smoking, diabetes, and hypertension that might aggravate the tendency towards cardiovascular risk.

Complicating this issue is some data showing that TNF inhibitors can elevate serum lipids in some instances. The implications of this phenomenon on the overall picture is still unknown.

A bright note: there is increasing evidence that aggressive treatment with methotrexate and TNF-inhibitors reduces the incidence of cardiovascular events. Therefore, the above-mentioned lipid problem may not be that important. Further studies are obviously needed to confirm these findings.

Ayurveda is used widely to treat Arthritis. According to the Ayurveda, arthritis is caused due to an excess of ama and lack of agni. The reason for this is nothing but poor digestion and a weakened colon. This results in the accumulation of undigested food and also building up of waste matter. Poor digestion in the system allows toxins to accumulate in the body. Along with this the problems with the colon let the toxins to reach the joints.

Therefore, the only way to treat arthritis is by stimulating the digestive fire which is the agni and to reduce the ama.

Ayurveda identifies and distinguishes three categories of arthritis. These categories are corresponding to vata, pitta, and kapha. For treating this condition properly, it is crucial to carefully diagnose which type of arthritis you have.

There are three types of Arthritis according to Ayurveda. These include:

- Vata

- Pitta

- Kapha

Vata

If arthritis is due to vata in your body, your joints will crack and pop. The joint then become dry. they are not swollen if excess vata is not the cause for arthritis.

Pitta

The arthritis which is caused due to Pitta is characterized by inflammation. The joint becomes swollen. The joint also becomes painful even without having any kind of movement. The knee looks red and feels hot to the touch.

Kapha

In kapha-type arthritis, the joint tends to become stiff and swollen. The joint also feels cold and clammy rather than being hot. A little movement in the joint tends to increase the pain than reducing it.

General Treatment of Arthritis

Depending on an individual’s lifestyle, his diet, and his emotional pattern, either vata, pitta, or kapha goes out of balance and this can lead to arthritis. After that, a particular dosha slows down agni which is the digestive fire. This results in the toxic, sticky by-product of insufficient digestion and this is known as ama.

Vata is the main active dosha. Vata brings the ama into the colon. After that, from there it travels through the system. Vata then gets in the bone tissue and in the joints. This gives rise to the stiffness and pain characteristic of arthritis.

Ayurveda tries to remove the ama from the joint. It also mainly attempts to bring it back to the colon and later eliminating it. For being able to do this, we need to keep the colon clean and the best way to determine the kind of arthritis. Once you determine that, you can start remedies which are recommended for the specific type of arthritis. If you do not know which kind of arthritis it is, whether vata, pitta, or kapha arthritis, you can safely take 1 teaspoon of triphala at night. You can take that along with 1/2 to 1 cup warm water.

If you kind of get to know which kind of arthritis it is, you can follow this. Along with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon with warm water, use the following for treatment:

Use Haritaki for vata-type arthritis Use Amalaki for pitta-type arthritis Use Bibbitaki for kapha-type arthritis

Ayurveda suggest general techniques to increase the intensity of the digestive fire which is agni. This is done to burn up the toxins which are posing threat to the body.

Natural Solution: Arthcare Oil – An Anti-inflammatory Herbal massage oil.

Arthcare is an anti-inflammatory herbal oil which not only gives a relief from joint pains but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles.

http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arthcareoil.htm

You can follow some diets, any of the below and start getting treated for arthritis

You can use selected foods and herbs

You can use detoxification diet

Normally, a three- to five-day detoxification diet is prescribed to people having this kind of problem. You can have plenty of vegetables, juices, spices and herbs. These are usually taken during the fast. This food habit lasts till the body shows signs that the digestive fire is really burning strong. Also importantly, these signs include a return of the appetite. These signs also create a feeling of lightness apart from creating a feeling of giving a clear coating to the tongue.

Use of Enemas/ Cleaning Colon

There are enemas and other means of cleaning the colon. These are used very often to help detoxification in the body.

Gemstone Therapy

Use of Ruby, garnet or other “hot” gems which are set in gold are also used for all three kinds of arthritis.

Also there is a use of herbal, medicinal or essential oils to treat arthritis.

Several oils could be applied to the skin. These oils help the body clear toxins. They also help you relieve pain and restore mobility in your legs.

There is an oil names Mahanarayan oil. This oil helps in improving flexibility, stiffness, and muscle fatigue. This oil also removes pain. The oil is mixed with sesame oil and applied to the places where there is pain. This oil also breaks up the blockages. After the oil application, you can take warm heat, yoga, and bath. You can also take a mild exercise as this can further improves this situation.

Narayan oil is another good oil if you have muscle and joint pain. This can also be used for lower body circulation apart from being used for reversing imbalances caused by aging.

Avipattikar churna is used to ingest for rheumatism.

Heat Therapy

In this kind of treatment, the patient will be asked to sit in a sauna. He may also be told to have steam applied directly to the affected areas.

Use of herbs, spices and bitters

There are various herbs, spices and bitters which are being used in Ayurveda. These herbs are often applied externally or they are ingested inside the body. These methods of treatment are believed to cleanse the body. They also do a great deal to relieve pain and stiffness. Some herbs which are used include Mint, ephedra, golden seal, gentian, nirgundi, eucalyptus leaves. Apart from that herbs like prasarini, quassia, coptis, scute, phellodendrom, aloe, guggul, du huo, ligusticum, Siberian ginseng, myrrh, and yucca are also used.

Using all the above methods of treatment, one can successfully treat arthritis. In most cases, the oil used tends to be every effective especially for people in the older age who will not be able to take specific kind of treatments like yoga or exercise to treat arthritis.