What your joints need

What is it?

It is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and even possibly loss of movement in affected joints. It is mostly prevalent in the wrist and fingers and women are much more prone to it than men. It starts between ages 25 and 55 and may have its symptoms even disappear for a period of time. The severe form of rheumatoid arthritis can last a lifetime. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the arthritis results from your own immune system attacking your own body’s tissues, which results in these various abnormalities.

How to Tell?

There are no quick and sudden “red flags” to tell that you have an onset of rheumatoid arthritis, although there are some common traits that you can watch out for. If you are experiencing lasting joint pain in any part of your body pay immediate attention to it. If that then progresses to either joint swelling or joint stiffness, especially if there is tenderness or pain when touching a joint you should immediately contact the doctor. Problems in using or moving a joint normally, or warmth and redness in a joint especially if they persist warrant a visit. If any one of these symptoms lasts longer than 2 weeks, see your regular doctor. Keep in mind that if you have a fever, feel physically ill, or suddenly have a swollen joint you might want to see your doctor sooner.

Treatment

The pain and inflammation of arthritis have commonly been treated using medications, local steroid injections, and joint replacement. All of these approaches have been met with varying levels of success.

Today’s researchers are working to develop treatments to forestall joint erosion even before it elevates to noticeable status. People whose joints are already damaged by arthritis can benefit from today’s research.

Most arthritis medications fall into three categories: those that relieve pain; those that reduce inflammation or the body process that causes swelling, warmth, and redness; and those that slow the disease process and limit further damage to the joints.

Pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and NSAIDs such as Motrin (ibuprofen) are used to reduce the pain caused by many rheumatic conditions. Some forms of NSAIDs have the added benefit of decreasing the inflammation associated with arthritis. But, nothing is without a price, as one of the more common side effects is stomach irritation, which can create a “catch-22″ situation that can force the reduction of the dosage or medication.

Biological products are a new class of drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They differ from conventional drugs in that they are derived from living cell culture systems and are not chemically manufactured as regular drugs. There are four licensed biologics. Of those three help reduce inflammation and structural damage of the joints by blocking a protein (TNF) involved in immune system responses. Elevated levels of TNF are often found in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

There are also devices designed to fight rheumatoid arthritis. These are preparations that mirror hyaluronic acid – a naturally occurring body substance that lubricates the knee joint. These are injected directly into the knee joint to help relieve pain, increase joint movement and stop further progression of the disease.

Electrical nerve stimulation is another set of devices used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. These devices modify the brain’s perception of pain thereby restoring normal activities to the patient, albeit not really curing the cause of the problem. There is ongoing research to see if these devices, coupled with more potent drugs, which would otherwise be very painful to administer, to accelerate the treatment.

With proper treatment, the pain and swelling from rheumatoid arthritis will get better, and joint damage might slow down or stop. The patient will find it easier to move around, and will feel better.

Common Sense Tips

Exercise and good diet together significantly improve physical function and reduce arthritis related pain in people older than 60 who are overweight or obese, according to both the Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology. Further research shows that physical activity decreases joint pain, improves function and a person’s mood and outlook, and delays disability.

Regular exercise also helps to reduce the pain and fatigue of many different kinds of arthritis and helps people work and do daily activities which directly relate to their sense of independence. Various motion, strengthening, and endurance exercises using muscles without moving joints, as well as aerobic based exercises are extremely beneficial in decreasing joint fatigue, strengthening muscles and bones, increasing flexibility and stamina, and improving the general sense of patient health.

If your dog is unfortunate enough to have arthritis, then there are many treatments you can use to help them. Arthritis treatment for dogs is available in various forms. Dog arthritis is just as common as human arthritis, so many options are available to choose from.

Here are some common symptoms of dog arthritis:

There are several signs to look out for in your dog. These will mainly be in the way they are moving. Maybe your dog is favoring one leg more than the other? This is a sign. Maybe they are really reluctant to climb your stairs, if so that could be a symptom too.

If your dog starts displaying some of these symptoms, then take them to your vet ASAP. They will instantly examine your dog and tell you which arthritis treatment for dogs you can try. If your dog has a mild form of arthritis then pain relief can be used in the form of tablets or liquids. They are easy to give your dog daily to help them. Although they aren’t a magic solution that will cure arthritis, they will help with pain relief.

The most common type of arthritis will break down the cartilage in a joint. This is the reason that not many young dogs get arthritis, it’s generally older dogs that have worn out their joints. But saying that, puppy arthritis is also a problem. Injuries can cause arthritis, so it is not always through wear and tear of the joints.

Arthritis treatment for dogs is available over the counter from your vet or local pet shop. These treatments are usually Glucosamine products that add back the ingredient to the joint. This means that they help the joint to be more free and lubricated, thus removing the pain. They are quite inexpensive to buy also, so take a look when you next visit the pet store. To ensure your dog isn’t in pain, this is a small price to pay anyway.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints.  Autoimmune diseases are illnesses where the body attacks its own immune system.  The autoimmune system is made up of cells that destroy invaders such as infections.  Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that attack their body tissues that are usually the sight of inflammation; this can occur in organs as well, not just the joints.  RA can affect the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs.  Arthritis means joint inflammation whereas rheumatoid arthritis causes redness, swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joint.  Inflammation in the joints causes swelling, pain, and tenderness to the touch and during movement.  It is possible to have a warm feeling at the sight of the inflammation and restricted movement.  RA can also cause inflammation in tendons, ligaments, and muscles around the joints.  

Rheumatoid arthritis is common in the United States affecting more than one million people and it affects all races equally, though women are three times more likely than men to suffer from this disease.  It can affect someone at any age, but typically occurs after the age of 40 and before 60.  Nobody knows the cause of RA, but scientists suggest it is genetically inherited.  Some environmental factors increase your chances of getting RA such as smoking tobacco.  

When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, there isn’t any one test that will give a definitive answer.  Since there isn’t any specific test that will diagnose RA your doctor may order a few blood tests or X-rays.  A couple possible blood tests include the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and the Erythrocyte Sedimentary Rate (ESR or sed rate).  The CBC measures your three types of blood cells: white blood cells which fight infection, red blood cells that carry oxygen, and the platelets that help blood clot.  A low red blood cell count is common among people with RA; this is also a sign of anemia which leads to feeling fatigued.  Your platelet count would be elevated if you have inflammation in your body.  The ESR test measures the rate at which your blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube.  If you have a high sedimentary rate, it means you have inflammation in your body, the higher the rate the worse the RA.  If your sedimentary rate is high your doctor would have it checked regularly.  If these tests come back with thin normal range and you are still having symptoms your doctor could order X-rays.

There isn’t a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), but it can be treated according to each person. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation and pain, maximize joint function, and prevent joint destruction.  It is best to start treatment right after being diagnosed.  Aggressive management can prevent work disability, stop damage to joints, and improve mobility.  Aggressive management consists of medications, rest, joint-strengthening exercises, joint protection, and patient education.  Treatment depends on the age of the person, health, which joints are involved, and how progressed the disease is.

Herbal rheumatoid arthritis treatment has long been used to combat the damaging effects of this autoimmune disease. Natural herbs for rheumatoid arthritis relief should focus on key areas of treatment, and aim to specifically work in an anti-inflammatory manner, while stimulating healthy immune function.

Most natural therapists view herbal supplements and natural herbs for rheumatoid arthritis relief as part of a whole person treatment to stimulate digestion, educate the patient in healthy eating for their particular condition, and assess dietary supplements based on the individual. In order to obtain a proper diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis you are advised to see your health care specialist who can perform the necessary blood tests to confirm your diagnosis.

Natural Herbs Used For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Relief

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

This herb is one of the better known treatments for arthritis due its action as an anti-inflammitory. Devil’s claw has also shown success in treating muscle pain (myalgia) and this dual action is helpful in those with arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with poor digestion, and in cases where there is hypochlorhydria (under production of gastric juices), devil’s claw is helpful due to its bitter principles. Note that devil’s claw is not indicated if there are gastric ulcers or hyperchlorhydria (over production of digestive juices).

White Willow Bark (Salix alba)

Another natural herb for rheumatoid arthritis relief is white willow bark. The active principal in this herb, is called salicin, and is known to lower fever and reduce inflammation, which eases pain. Some prostaglandins in the body cause inflammation and this herb works by inhibiting these compounds. Willow bark is not recommended for people using anticoagulant therapy; it may also cause gastric upsets in high doses and is contraindicated where there is Aspirin allergy.

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)

Boswellia resin has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The active constituents, boswellic acids, reduce the formation of inflammatory leukotrienes. Boswellia resin is indicated in the treatment of many inflammatory conditions including rheumatic disorders and pulmonary diseases. Improvement in the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was observed in open trials for both boswellic acid and boswellia. In one trial it was suggested that boswellia may have a disease-modifying effect in rheumatoid arthritis and this herb also proved to be of benefit in children suffering from juvenile chronic arthritis.

Celery Seed (Apium graveolins)

This common plant is traditionally one of the first herbs to be used where there are excessive acidic metabolites in the body. This specific action alone recommends celery in rheumatoid arthritis and gout; however, this herb has also shown to have a secondary use as an anti-inflammatory in treating arthritis.

Rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa)

This herb has specific indications where there is chronic inflammation that is due to autoimmune dysfunction. The iridoid glycosides found in rehmannia are thought to stimulate the adrenal gland to produce anti-inflammitories, and when combined with the added adrenal support of licorice root, work to effectively relieve pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Where there is also thought to be inflammation of the gut, this herb works to sooth the intestinal wall and has a mild laxative action.

The Use Herbal Supplements for Natural Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Naturopathic health treatment is founded on the philosophy where if digestion and diet are poor then health suffers. Herbal rheumatoid arthritis treatment will focus on addressing inflammation and pain, and will look to improving digestion in the first instance.

Herbal supplements and natural herbs for rheumatoid arthritis may take up to a month to start improving your pain but will also be addressing the cause of your symptoms. Natural herbs for rheumatoid arthritis relief are often contraindicated if you are taking other synthetic anti-inflammitories and you should discuss this with your health care practitioner.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where involves inflammation of joints which leads to further swelling and pain. It causes an upset inside the body where the immune system starts attacking joint tissue, cartilage and other organs. However the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still not known fully. This type of arthritis is the most common and affects one in every 100 people. Rheumatoid arthritis affects people of all ages but mainly effects people within the ages of 30 to 50. Women are three times more likely to be effected as men. Patients carrying this form of arthritis most often complain of fluctuating pain and inflammation of joints, which can get gets worse during flare-ups. This article aims to offer an insight into several treatments that can be used against rheumatoid arthritis.

There are two main kinds of drugs used against rheumatoid arthritis; first line drugs, fast acting drugs, and second line which are slow acting drugs.

First line drugs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Examples of NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen and etodolac. These can be used to reduce pain and swelling of joints. Aspirin has long been used to decrease inflammation. It can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by using doses that are higher then those used during fever. Newer types of NSAIDs are effective as aspirin and require fewer intakes per day. However just like all medication, it has its own side effects which include stomach pain, abdominal pain and a few others. In order to minimize the side effects of NSAIDs, they are regularly taken with meals. Another type of first line drugs includes Corticosteroids.

They are more powerful then NSAIDs and are given either orally or through an injection to the inflamed areas such as joints. Corticosteroids are given in small doses, mainly during flare-ups as it reacts more strongly to inflammation. However it can have serious side effects on the body if given for an extended period of time in high doses. These include weight gain, easy risk of infection, easy bruising and others. The side effects can be minimized by decreasing the level of doses given to the patients slowly as the condition of the patient improves. A sharp decline in the doses given to the patient is discouraged as it can lead to flare-ups and other symptoms of the disease.

Second line drugs include Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs. These drugs are mainly used to prevent destruction of joints and deformity. DMARDs are used for an extended period of time in order to be effective. DMARDs can often be used with a combination of other second line drugs as therapy. Some examples of DMARDs include Sulfasalazine, Hydroxychloroquine, D-penicillamine and others.

Apart from the above methods, there are some other approaches that can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The patients can undertake exercise that can help them improve their physical condition and improve joint mobility. Additionally it is important to have a healthy intake of food. Many often patients with rheumatoid arthritis can experience weight loss. This can be combined with medication and therapy to come up with a more potent combination against the condition. Depending on your position, you can under go either physiotherapy or occupational therapy. This will help improve flexibility, mobility, and reduce pain in your joints.

The aforementioned approaches to rheumatoid arthritis have been used time and again. However it is essential to seek your nearest doctor to get firm guidance. Each arthritis case shall be dealt on an individual basis. With the passage of time, new and more effective treatments against arthritis are starting to come through. However the only way to gain the maximum benefit from the existing treatments will be to remain punctual throughout the course of the medication. It is important to constantly consult your doctor and keep him or her up to date with your condition, so that the doctor can advise you further and give more effective feedback.