What your joints need

Arthritis is a term that groups together over 100 rheumatic diseases and other related conditions that cause stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life. Arthritis is one of the most rapidly growing chronic conditions in North America. Arthritis is due to the wearing down of cartilage, which is the material that cushions the ends of the bones. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease. While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Typically, however, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.

Doctors don’t know the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis.

Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), inheritance, infections, and unclear reasons (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment. When most people think of arthritis, they think of a condition that most often strikes the older population. No one knows exactly what causes juvenile arthritis.

Symptoms often include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and heat in the joints. Symptoms, which include stiffness, swelling, pain and joint damage, are a result of the inflammation of the joints in the body. Symptoms usually do not last a lifetime and tend to disappear after several months or years. Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Symptoms can range from an annoyance to the complete inability to use affected joints. Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis come and go but it is a lifelong condition.

Treatment can include patient education, self-management programs, and support groups that help people learn about:Treatments, How to exercise and relax ,How to talk with their doctor, Problem solving. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may involve:Lifestyle changes,Medicine,Surgery,Regular doctor visits,Alternative therapies. Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with transdermal estrogen. Treatment of arthritis depends on the particular cause, which joints are affected, severity, and how the condition affects your daily activities. Treatment, therefore, aims at reducing your pain and discomfort and preventing further disability. Treatment for most forms of arthritis includes medications, exercise, and rest. Treatment of juvenile arthritis is designed to reduce swelling, maintain movement of affected joints and relieve pain, as well as identify, treat and prevent complications.

Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. 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. Patients with severe damage to bone or cartilage may need reconstructive surgery, but it cannot be performed until the infection is completely gone. Patients receiving corticosteroid injections into the joints for osteoarthritis may want to weigh this treatment method against the increased risk of septic arthritis.

Drugs can be used for pain relief, to reduce swelling, and to stop the disease from getting worse.

Some forms of arthritis may also affect other areas of the body, such as the skin, heart, or kidneys. Psoriatic arthritis usually starts out as psoriasis, a condition where areas of the skin become inflamed and covered with silvery grey scales. “Autoimmunity” is a condition whereby the immune system(which normally wards off foreign invaders of the body, such as infections)turns and attacks the body’s own tissues, such as skin, joints, liver, lungs,etc. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause other problems in the body, such as vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), osteoporosis (loss of bone density), lung disease, rheumatoid nodules (small bumps) under the skin, and blood disorders.

Arthritis Statistics: Arthritis is a widespread problem throughout the world, with many people experiencing some form of the disease. As the state’s population continues to age, the number of people affected by arthritis is expected to continue to increase. An diagnosis of arthritis is based on the pattern of symptoms, medicalhistory, family history, physical examination, X-rays and lab tests.

Alexis Kenne

http://www.extend-yourlife.com

http://www.goodhealthguaranteed.com

I would like to start with a quote from Dr Robert Bingham, a specialist in the treatment of arthritis. He said: “ No person who is in good nutritional health develops rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis ”

What is Arthritis? Arthritis is (from Greek Arthro = joint + itis= inflammation) a group of diseases where there is a damage caused to the joints of the body.

There are many form of arthritis : Rheumatoid arthritis , psoriatic arthritis, septic arthritis, Gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis(the most common form of arthritis).

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune diseases (the body attacking itself)

Septic arthritis is caused by joints infections.

Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints that results in subsequent inflammation.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can occur after a trauma to the joints or simply aging .

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 65. By the age of 60 nine in every ten people have it . For most of them arthritis means living with pain and stiffness. However, Arthritis is not an inevitable consequence of aging and can be prevented , provided the underlying causes are eliminated. In the search of causes and solutions many things have been considered including diet, exercise, posture, climate, hormones, infections, genetics ,old age, stress..

The likely factors that lead to the development of Arthritis are:

-Poor lubrication of the joints. In between joints is a substance called synovial fluid. Appropriate nutrition is needed to make sure that the synovial fluid stays fluid and able to lubricate.

- Hormonal imbalance .Hormones control the calcium balance in the body. If the calcium balance is not right, the bones and joints can become porous and subject to wear and tear.

-Allergies and sensitivities. Most of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have food and chemical allergies or sensitivities that make their symtoms flare up.

- Free radicals . If the immune system is not working properly, as in rheumatoid arthritis, it will produce too many free radicals, which can damage tissue around the joint. In this case a good intake of antioxidant is very valuable.

-Infections. Any infection ,be it viral or bacterial, weaken the immune system which control inflammation.

Bone strain and deformities. Any damage or strain, so often caused by bad posture, increases the risk of developing arthritis .

- State of mind. Research at the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation and at the University of Southern California Medical School has shown a link between arthritis and emotional stress.

- Poor diet . Most people with Arthritis have a history of very poor diet, which pave the way to many of the factors stated above.

Diet advice: avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates, stimulants, fat ,too much protein . Drink plenty of water and herb teas. Make sure you have all the vital vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, antioxidants nutrients.

Alexis Kenne