What your joints need

Keith Tennent Said:

Treating Arthritis and Related Conditions

According to medical records, the first ever case of arthritis was recorded during 4500 BC. Arthritis can be defined as the condition wherein the joints of the human body get damaged, which is often related to the natural aging process.

The word “Arthritis” is believed to have been derived from the Greek language. Arthritis literally means joint inflammation: “Arth” refers to the joints and “itis” refers to inflammation. Arthritis is not a single disease.

There are several different types of Arthritis, each of which has a specific cause. Of these Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis are considered to be autoimmune diseases wherein the human body is self attacked. Joint contamination leads to Septic Arthritis while Gouty Arthritis is often caused due to accretion of crystals of uric acid within the joints, followed by inflammation. Osteoarthritis is believed to be the most common type of Arthritis which is generally caused following injury of the joints due to some infection or the natural aging process.

In terms of seriousness and physical effect, the medical sciences have identified Arthritis as a disease which is second only to heart disease and associated diseases. Self-diagnosis of Arthritis is often problematic, owing to the fact that there are over a hundred different types of Arthritis. This disorder can also be found in juveniles under the age of 15 years.

Whilst Arthritis mainly affects the joints, in some cases it has also been found to affect certain other body parts. These affected body parts develop often intense pain and inflammation and will often leave the suffer incapacitated. It has been observed that women are more prone to Arthritis than men.

One of the causes of Arthritis is insufficient lubrication of the joints which in turn may lead to heightened levels of stress on the body part. The initial symptoms of arthritis include severe pain and stiffness around the joint which happens gradually within a period of time. Arthritis symptoms could easily be avoided or prevented through various physical exercises or activities. Obesity is supposed to be one of the major causes of the Arthritis complaints due to intensive stress generated on the limbs and joints. Heavier body weights damage muscles and joints more over a period of time than lighter body parts. Arthritis is usually more painful during winter or damp weather conditions. Hence during these periods, the affected body parts should be covered with some woolen cloth or kept warm – this would reduce the discomfort significantly.

In some cases of Arthritis the patients may become completely physically disabled and be forced to remain bed-ridden for an extended period of time., though thankfully these cases are much less frequent than other effects of Arthritis

There are several remedial medications approved by the FDA for various Arthritis disorders which do help relieving the problem to varying degrees of success. It is essential that you consult a physician for proper diagnosis of the precise type of Arthritis before undertaking any treatment plan. Such treatment will often involve some physical and occupational therapy, with arthroplasty being offered as the preferred option for medicinal therapy.

In some extreme cases doctors also recommend artificial joint replacement therapy as an option which is considered to be highly effective and successful. Just over 90% of the patients who are severely affected by arthritis symptoms, will report relief with these types of treatments.

Mick Hince Said:

To look for pain relief from Arthritis is a hard thing to do. The Doctors can give you pain killers, and they also can give you anti inflammatory drugs to help the pain. And to be able to find something that will give natural arthritis pain relief is even harder. There are many weird and wonderful items on the market for all illnesses, and I guess if someone is in pain they will take anything to get that pain relief.

Most people know about Arthritis, and they know how painful it can be for the patient, and if you look at Rheumatoid Arthritis things are even worse.

The Doctors know about these two diseases, although I’m not convinced that they know what causes it, or how to cure it. Up to quite recently its been left to the drug companies to provide the relief from pain, but thanks to medical science that is all changing.

What medical science has produced is not something that can be bought from a chemist, or can it be prescribed by your Doctor, yet it has made a tremendous amount of difference to patients already.

This remarkable turnaround is almost a completely different type of life style where your diet is the main thing to alter. We have to stop eating foods that cause the problems in the first place. When you think of things like pollution and over use of chemicals its no wonder we have problems.

By sticking a diet of fresh fruit and vegetables and by cutting out acidic foods like meat, and fast foods, and sugar based products like sweets, biscuits, chocolate we will all feel so much better as the body’s natural defence system can then work properly to cure out ills and pain.

The are many ailments that can be cured like this, and it has been proved that things like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Gout, Cancer, Eczema, Asthma, Psoriasis, and many more can be reversed where the patient once more can lead a normal life again without the misery and the suffering.

Please note that I am not a Doctor, or any way allied to the Medical profession, and I would always advise you to talk things through with your Doctor. I am not qualified to give you medical advice, and the only thing I am doing is passing information on that I have read about.

If you are suffering badly you might want to talk things through with your own Doctor, or maybe in some cases you might not have faith in him anymore. That decision is up to you, but I do advise that you enlist the help of a good nutritionist how can make sure you are getting the right vitamins for a healthy balanced diet.

Nathan Wei Said:

There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis. Most of them involve inflammation. When a patient goes to a rheumatologist to get a diagnosis, there is a process of elimination in order to arrive at the proper diagnosis. This process of elimination is called “differential diagnosis.”

Differential diagnosis can be a difficult undertaking because so many forms of arthritis, particularly inflammatory forms of arthritis look alike. The following is a list of types of inflammatory arthritis that can be seen and must be considered when evaluating a patient with inflammatory symptoms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease, that may affect any joint in the body but preferentially attacks the peripheral joints (fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. It can also affect non-joint organ systems such as the lung, eye, skin, and cardiovascular system. The onset of RA may be insidious-slow- with nonspecific symptoms, including fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, weight loss, and vague aches and pains, or it may have an abrupt onset with inflammation involving multiple joints. The joint symptoms usually occur bilaterally and are symmetric. Damage to joints- called “erosions” can be seen with magnetic resonance imaging early on or by x-ray later in the course of disease. Approximately 80% of patients with RA will have elevated levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-CCP antibodies.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

JRA describes a group of arthritic conditions that occur in children under the age of 16. Three forms of JRA exist, including oligoarticular (1-4 joints), polyarticular (> 4 joints), and systemic-onset or Still’s disease. The latter is associated with significant internal organ involvement and may also present with fever and rash in addition to joint disease. Polyarticular JRA is considered to be the type that is most similar to adult RA, and is responsible for approximately 30% of cases of JRA. Most children with polyarticular JRA are negative for RF and their prognosis is usually good. Roughly, 20% of polyarticular JRA patients will have elevated RF, and these patients appear to be at more risk for chronic, progressive joint destruction and damage. Uveitis- an inflammatory condition of the eye- is a common finding in oligoarticular JRA, especially in patients who are antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive. The dangerous feature of uveitis is that it can cause relatively few symptoms so careful screening is recommended in order to avoid blindness.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

SLE is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can involve the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and blood vessel walls. At least 4 of the following symptoms which have been formulated by the American College of Rheumatology are generally present for a diagnosis to be made:

• Red, butterfly-shaped rash on the face, affecting the cheeks;

• Typical skin rash on other parts of the body;

• Sensitivity to sunlight;

• Mouth sores;

• Joint inflammation (arthritis);

• Fluid around the lungs, heart, or other organs;

• Kidney dysfunction;

• Low white blood cell count, low red blood cell count due to hemolytic anemia, or low platelet count;

• Nerve or brain dysfunction;

• Positive results of a blood test for ANA; and

• Positive results of a blood test for antibodies to double-stranded DNA or other antibodies including anti-Smith antibodies or antiphospholipid antibodies.

Patients with lupus can have significant inflammatory arthritis. That is why lupus can be difficult to distinguish from RA, especially if other signs and symptoms of lupus are minimal.

Inflammatory Muscle Disease

Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are types of inflammatory muscle disease. These conditions typically present with bilateral (both sides) large muscle weakness. In the case of DM, rash can be a presenting sign. Diagnosis consists of four major features, including elevation of creatine kinase (CPK), signs and symptoms such as muscle weakness, elevated muscle enzymes (creatine kinase, aldolase), electromyograph (EMG) abnormalities, and a positive muscle biopsy. Often, laboratory test abnormalities can be seen including the presence of autoantibodies such antinuclear antibody (ANA), and the myositis-associated antibodies.

In both PM and DM, inflammatory arthritis can be present and can look like RA — including lung involvement. In RA, however, unless an overlap syndrome – ie., a patient having both RA as well as muscle disease) is present, muscle function should be normal. Also, in PM and DM, erosive joint disease is unlikely. RF and anti-CCP antibodies are typically elevated in RA and not PM or DM.

Spondyloarthropathies (SA)

A group of arthritic conditions called the spondyloarthropathies which include psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and enteropathic arthritis are a category of disease that cause inflammation throughout the entire body, particularly in parts of the spine and at other joints where tendons attach to bones. They also can cause pain and stiffness in the neck, upper and lower back, tendonitis, bursitis, heel pain, and fatigue. They are often called seronegative arthritis. The term ’seronegative’ means that tests for lab markers such as rheumatoid factor are negative. Symptoms of adult SA include:

• Back and/or joint pain;

• Morning stiffness;

• Tenderness near bones;

• Sores on the skin;

• Inflammation of the joints on both sides of the body;

• Skin or mouth ulcers;

• Rash on the bottom of the feet; and

• Eye inflammation.

In some cases of SA, peripheral arthritis resembling RA can be present. Careful history and physical examination can usually distinguish between these syndromes, especially if an obvious disease that is aggravating inflammation is present (psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease). In addition, since RA rarely affects the end joints of the fingers (DIP joints), if these joints are involved from inflammatory arthritis, the diagnosis of an SA is favored. Usually, RF and anti-CCP antibodies are negative in SA, although in some cases of psoriatic arthritis there may be elevations of RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

Crystal Associated Arthritis

Monosodium Urate Disease (Gout)

Gout is due to deposition of monosodium urate crystals in a joint. Gouty arthritis is typically sudden in onset, very painful, with signs of significant inflammation on exam (red, warm, swollen joints). Gout can affect almost any joint in the body, but typically affects “cooler” regions including the toes, feet, ankles, knees, and hands. Diagnosis is made by withdrawing fluid from a joint and examining the fluid under a polarizing microscope. Patients may also have elevated serum levels of uric acid.

In most cases, gout is an acute disease that affects one joint and is easily distinguished from RA. However, in rare cases, chronic erosive inflammation can develop and affect multiple joints. And, in cases where tophi (deposits of uric acid under the skin) are present, it can be difficult to distinguish from erosive RA. However, crystal analysis of joints or tophi and blood tests should be helpful in distinguishing gout from RA.

Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD; Pseudogout)

CPPD disease is caused by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystals in a joint. The body’s reaction to these crystals, leads to significant inflammation. Diagnosis includes:

• Detailed medical history and physical exam;

• Withdrawing fluid from a joint using a needle;

• Joint x-rays to show crystals deposited on the cartilage (chondrocalcinosis);

• Blood tests to rule out other diseases (e.g., RA or osteoarthritis).

In most cases, CPPD arthritis presents with acute arthritis affecting one or more joints. However, in some cases, CPPD disease can present with chronic symmetric multiple joint erosive arthritis similar to RA. RA and CPPD disease can usually be distinguished by joint fluid examination demonstrating calcium pyrophosphate crystals, and by blood tests, including RF and anti-CCP antibodies, which should be negative in CCPD arthritis.

Sarcoid Arthritis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory type of arthritis. The majority of patients with this disease have lung disease, with eye and skin disease being the next most frequent signs of disease. In most cases, the diagnosis of sarcoidosis can be made on clinical and x-ray presentation alone. Patients will have acute arthritis, painful nodules under the skin on the shins (erythema nodosum), and a chest x-ray showing enlargement of lymph niodes. In some cases, the demonstration of a specific type of inflammation change, called a noncaseating granuloma on tissue biopsy, is necessary for definitive diagnosis.

Arthritis can be present in approximately 15% of patients with sarcoidosis, and in rare cases can be the only sign of disease. In acute sarcoid arthritis, joint disease is usually rapid in onset, symmetric, involving the ankle joints. The knees, wrists, and small joints of the hands can be involved. In most cases of acute disease, lung and skin disease are also present. Chronic sarcoid arthritis typically involves one or maybe a few joints and due to its often erosive nature can be difficult to distinguish from RA.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) / Temporal Arthritis

PMR is a form of arthritis that leads to inflammation of tendons, muscles, ligaments, and tissues around the joints. It is characterized by large muscle (shoulders, hips, thighs, neck) pain, aching, morning stiffness, fatigue, and in some cases, fever. It can be associated with temporal arthritis/giant-cell arthritis (TA/GCA) which is a related but more serious condition in which inflammation of large blood vessels can lead to complications such as blindness, aneurysms and cramping pain in the arms or legs (limb claudication) due to inflammation and narrowing of the large blood vessels in the chest and extremities. PMR is diagnosed when the clinical picture is accompanied by elevated markers of inflammation (ESR and/or CRP). If temporal arthritis is suspected (headache, vision changes, limb claudication), biopsy of a temporal artery may be necessary to make the diagnosis.

PMR and TA/GCA can present with symmetric inflammatory arthritis similar to RA. These diseases can usually be distinguished by blood tests. In addition, headaches, acute vision changes, and large muscle pain are uncommon in RA, and if these are present, PMR and/or TA/GCA should be considered.

Infectious Arthritis

Many infections can present with arthritis either due to direct joint infection or due to autoimmune joint inflammation. In most cases, infections lead to acute single joint arthritis; however, in some cases, chronic arthritis affecting a few or many joints can be present. Because missed infections can lead to significant complications, it is crucial to have a high index of suspicion for infection in any patient presenting with acute or chronic arthritis.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is an infection due to a type of bacteria called a spirochete. The disease is manifested by a skin rash, swollen joints and flu-like symptoms, caused from the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms may include:

• A skin rash, often resembling a bulls-eye (target lesion);

• Fever;

• Headache;

• Muscle pain;

• Stiff neck; and

• Swelling of knees and other large joints.

The diagnosis of Lyme disease is typically made by blood testing. If, however, chronic single joint arthritis develops, joint fluid analysis or joint tissue biopsy may be necessary for diagnosis. Lyme arthritis can usually be distinguished from RA by clinical presentation and blood tests.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF)

Acute rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may develop after an infection with the Streptococcus bacteria (strep throat or scarlet fever). The disease can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain. Symptoms include:

• Fever;

• Joint pain;

• Arthritis (mainly in the knees, elbows, ankles, and wrists);

• Joint swelling; redness or warmth;

• Abdominal pain;

• Skin rash

• Skin nodules;

• A peculiar movement disorder (Sydenham’s chorea)

• Nosebleeds;

• Heart problems, which can be asymptomatic.

The diagnosis of ARF is made by clinical assessment and blood testing for antibodies against streptococcal proteins. ARF and RA can have similar clinical features including arthritis and nodules. However, ARF can usually be distinguished from RA by clinical presentation. Rash and migratory arthritis are unusual in RA. The use of blood tests is also helpful.

Viral arthritis (hepatitis B and C, parvovirus, EBV, HIV)

Arthritis may be a symptom of many viral illnesses. This makes viral infections a great masquerader. The duration is usually short, and it usually disappears on its own without any lasting effects. Clinical features in adults:

• Joint symptoms occur in up to 60%. These can be symmetric and affect the small joints of the hands, wrists, and ankles as well as the knees. Morning stiffness is also present.

• Parvovirus B19 is a very common viral infection that looks like RA.

• Diagnosis of viral arthritis is made by serologic testing. A high percentage of patients with hepatitis C may have elevated titers of RF. Therefore, RF testing is not helpful in distinguishing between hepatitis C infection and RA. However, in these situations, testing for anti-CCP can be helpful as anti-CCP antibodies have not been shown to be significantly elevated in isolated hepatitis C infections.

So as you can see… “it ain’t easy…”

Scott Goodman Said:

There are over 100 different types of known arthritis and many will present symptoms that may be different in many people. However confusing the arthritis early symptoms may be, it is important to understand what they are in order to achieve early diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, there are several other ailments that may be comorbid with arthritis, making the separation of the symptoms more difficult. Specific tests for the different types of arthritis can often detect its presence and knowing the arthritis early symptoms and relating them to the doctor can ease its pain in the future.

While there currently is no known cure for all forms of arthritis, treatment methods have greatly improved over the past few years and dealing with the pain of arthritis has been made easier. However, there are some medications that offer side effects that mimic other ailments and should not be confused with arthritis early symptoms. Only a qualified physician and appropriate tests can determine if the arthritis early symptoms are caused by the disease, medications or other problems.

Joints stiffness and pain is probably one of the most recognized of the arthritis early symptoms, but if a person has been performing tough physical labor, they may misunderstand the source of the pain. Logically, if the joints are painful from physical exertion, the muscles should show the same effects of the activity. If only the joints hurt it could be one of the arthritis early symptoms.

Not All People Receive The Same Warning Message

As the different forms of arthritis can attack different people in diverse places, the arthritis early symptoms are often ignored. Even with the most common form of arthritis, osteoporosis symptoms are often passed off as suffering the effects of old age. However, this form of arthritis knows no age limit and can strike people at any age.

Those suffering arthritis early symptoms, regardless of age should seek a medical professionals opinion to rule out the ailment or possible suffer longer than necessary by not getting appropriate treatment as early as possible. Many new drugs have been introduced to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis, and in some cases slowing down the degeneration of the cartilage can ease many of the painful problems.

Since some forms of arthritis can affect organs and normal body functions, it is important to understand the arthritis early symptoms and react to them if they appear. Pain, stiffness and joint swelling may be some of the most common, but there are others that can afflict a patient without them knowing are in the first stages of the onset of arthritis.

Dr John Anne Said:

Arthritis simply means inflammation of the joints. Arthritis can occur at any age but generally it is seen in people who are over 40 years of age. The inflamed condition of joint can occur due to many reasons caused externally as well internally.

Types of arthritis

Osteo-arthritis – Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the break-down and ultimate loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis – An autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body

Gout – Condition characterized by unusually elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, chronic attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis), deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, and reduced kidney function and kidney stones

Arthritis Treatment for Arthritis Pain Relief

Arthritis as mentioned earlier also is a condition in which inflammation of the joint occurs. In some conditions there occur some anatomical changes that leads to permanent changes in the joint and the reverse of it is impossible. But there are certain methods that are extremely beneficial in attaining a good arthritis pain relief. Herbal massage is one of them.

Historically, herbal massage has been known for its numerous health benefits as early as the second century BC. It was Hippocrates (father of allopathic medicine) in the fifth century who espoused the benefits of rubbing a joint.

Herbal massage therapy cannot cure or stop the sequence of any of these arthritic conditions, but massage can most confidently ease the symptoms associated with inflammation, and help improve the quality of life of someone affected by arthritis.

The Benefits of Herbal Massage in arthritical conditions are:

Herbal massage helps in increasing blood circulation in the particular area.

Herbal massage increases the flexibility and mobility of the affected joint

These massages also decreases pain and inflammation of the joint

Herbal massages relieves the muscle form aches and stiffness

An herbal massage makes a sense of overall relaxation and wellness of the affected joint by arthritis.

Dr John Anne Said:

Diet and exercise are an important part of overall health. In many diseases, your diet can affect the frequency and severity of your symptoms. There are many foods that can trigger the onset of arthritis symptoms. Extra weight can also increase the onset of arthritis symptoms. If you suffer from arthritis, it is important that you maintain a healthy weight in order to decrease the onset of symptoms. If you are overweight, this will cause extra pressure on joints such as the spine, hips, and knees – the main joints that support your body.

In order to manage your arthritis, it is essential to maintain a healthy diet. Studies have shown that the best arthritis diet for most patients is one that is low in protein and high in carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables should be an important part of your arthritis diet because of the vitamin content. As with many illnesses, there are also foods that can trigger arthritis symptoms and should be avoided.

Foods to Avoid in Arthritis

The following foods can trigger the onset of symptoms and should be eliminated from your arthritis diet – or used as little as possible:

• Milk and dairy products

• Flour

• Sugar

• Red meat

• Butter and margarine

• Chocolate

• Sugar

• Foods containing sugar – such as syrup, honey, and jelly

• Caffeine

• White potatoes

• Red peppers

• Salt – use as little as possible

• Wheat flour

• Bran

Foods that are beneficial in Arthritis

As well as foods that may trigger symptoms, there are also foods that are beneficial to your arthritis diet. These foods can help to decrease the onset of arthritis symptoms:

• Apples – great inflammatory fruit

• Blackberries

• Kiwi fruit

• Peaches

• Mango

• Cantaloupe

• Strawberries

• Other fruits high in vitamin C

• Sardines

• Herring

• Salmon

• Mackerel

• Tuna

• Trout

• Other oily fishes that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

• Spinach

• Brussels sprouts

• Sweet potatoes

• Carrots

• Collard greens

• Squash

• Other vegetables that are high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C

• Sunflower seeds

• Linseeds

• Pumpkin seeds

• Walnuts

• Brazil nuts

• Almonds

• Brown rice

• Whole wheat bread

• Chick peas

• Lentils

• Ginger

• Garlic

• Turmeric

A Balanced Diet for Arthritis

It is necessary to maintain a healthy, balanced arthritis diet for your overall health and to decrease the symptoms of arthritis. Many foods can trigger the inflammation associated with arthritis – and these foods should be avoided as often as possible. With any diet, portion size is one of the key ingredients to a successful diet. Some foods on the avoid list can be consumed in small quantities without adverse effects. It is important that you eat a variety of foods – fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats.

Different types of foods have different nutritional values and a combination is important in order to obtain the greatest benefits from these foods. Some things can be successfully consumed in moderation, such as alcohol, sodium, and sugar. As with any diet, you should avoid too much fat and cholesterol. Be sure your arthritis diet includes foods that will help with your overall health by providing the necessary vitamins and that your diet will help you to maintain a healthy weight. Pay attention to portion sizes and avoid overeating, which can cause you to feel less energetic and can cause you to gain extra weight, which will increase the pressure on the joints.

Arthritis Exercises

Along with a healthy arthritis diet, a regular exercise regimen is essential for your overall health. Exercise can help to keep the joints from stiffening and can decrease the onset of stiffness and inflammation associated with arthritis. It is important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise – not only for your overall health, but to help in the management of your arthritis symptoms.