What your joints need

1.) Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. There is 2.1 millions people in the U.S. that have it. It develops mostly between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age. But can develop at any age.

2.) Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It is a chronic disease and it is triggered by the immune system. Autoimmune diseases happen when the body tissues are attacked mistakenly by the body’s own immune system. The immune system has a complex organization of cells and antibodies that normally seek and destroy invaders like bacteria. This can cause inflammation in joints and it can also target important organs in the body like the lungs, kidneys, and heart.

3.) Blood tests and physical exams are used in combination to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. There is no 2 cases of rheumatoid arthritis that are the same. And the course its going to run can be very unpredictable. Some people who have it can have very severe joint pain and their x-rays can show that there is no damage done to the joints. Some patients have a lot of joint damage and don’t experience very much pain at all. So in order to find the best treatment for one’s case many tests and exams are done to determine the best treatment.

4.) There are 2 types of Arthritis, seropositive and seronegative. The word “sero” comes from serum. This means seronegative happens when blood tests can show up negative when tested for rheumatoid arthritis. Signs and symptoms are still there it just doesn’t show up in blood tests. This does not mean, however, that it is a less severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. Only about 20% of rheumatoid arthritis cases are seronegative.

5.) Recognizing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is important. Getting the earliest diagnosis can prevent severe damage to joints, bones, muscles, and organs later on. Early symptoms include warmth, swelling, and pain that occur in small joints like fingers, wrists, and feet. Stiffness in the morning that can last up to an hour or more and fatigue that normally goes along with loss of appetite and fever. Joints that are affected are normally symmetrical, and lumps can be present in the areas. Deformities in joints and damage to tendons, ligaments, and cartilage can be signs too.

6.) Rheumatoid arthritis is more common to occur in women than in men. Genetics and hormones are said to be the major role in the cause rheumatoid arthritis. This does not mean that men hardly get arthritis. This means that certain kinds of arthritis are more common in women than men. Arthritis such as gout and ankylosing spondylitis are more common in men than women.

7.) Joint damage can occur quickly in rheumatoid arthritis. Damage can occur within 2 years of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This is why it is so important to get diagnosed early is so important. Your doctor will be able to determine whether an aggressive approach is needed or not.

8.) The risk of disability for rheumatoid arthritis is high. An early diagnosis can mean saving your body from severe damage like joint and bone deformities and even crippling.

Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. according to the center of disease control and prevention.

9.) A product called Rhumatol that Alternative Health Supplements offers can support your joints and cartilage. It can improve your energy, give relief from joint discomfort, supports cartilage for comfort and mobility, and it is all natural with no side effects. This product also supports immune system and autoimmune health. It will improve your over all health and sense of well being.

10.) There is still hope, help, and new medical research being done to treat and cure rheumatoid arthritis. If you get diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis don’t lose hope, there is a lot that can be done to treat it and keep your life as normal and healthy as possible. It can get emotionally overwhelming, financially stressful and disabilities can be frustrating but keeping your head up will make you stronger.

Rheumatoid arthritis is not just a minor discomfort; this is an actual autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and causes chronic and constant inflammation.  This inflammation can also be found in other areas of the body including vital organs.  An autoimmune disease is when the bodies own immune system attacks its own systems; in rheumatoid arthritis there are antibodies in the blood that then target their body’s own tissues and joints. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis is called a collagen disease because it occurs throughout the body’s connective tissue.  The symptoms vary with the stage of the disorder.  At first, those affected complain of fatigue and feeling sore, achy, and stiff.  People may eventually find themselves unable to move their limbs fully without trouble because of swelling, inflaming and immobilizing of the joints.

For those who have this disease, it’s important to realize that it is progressive but sometimes a patient can go for extended periods of time without any symptoms or attacks.  Even though your body may not be experiencing the pain of rheumatoid arthritis you of course still have the disease and need to pay attention to your diet and other lifestyle choices to keep yourself pain-free as much as possible.

It was once thought that there were certain foods that caused or prevented rheumatoid arthritis but more research in this area has proven this notion to be false.  Tomatoes do not seem to cause flare-ups and fish oils do not seem to lessen the inflammation either.  Once you realize the cause of this condition, that it’s an actual disease that cannot be controlled and is not a condition brought on by diet, you can then treat it properly.  Many have found that addressing the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis is best.  Taking acetaminophen such as Tylenol helps most patients.  Some tetracycline drugs also seem to have the same effect.

Addressing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is also important over and above any medication you may take.  Many have found that humidifier in their living and working space is important, as this added moisture keeps the joints fluid and healthy.  Proper and regular exercise is also important as this too keeps the body flexible and increases circulation around the joints.  However, it’s important to choose exercises that don’t put any stress on the joints, such as swimming or using an elliptical machine.  Running can sometimes make rheumatoid arthritis even worse as the pounding on the feet, ankles, and knees can be very painful.

It may be necessary to make some accommodations for the pain of rheumatoid arthritis and so that the condition is not aggravated.  Raised toilet seats are helpful, as are risers under the bed and firmer chairs and couches.  Some find that using wrist and finger splints can also cut down on inflammation as well.

Getting recommended physical therapy is also important in keeping the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis at bay.  Follow your doctor’s advice and keep yourself active and be sure to do the exercises recommended by your physical therapist and you should be able to manage your symptoms while waiting for a cure.

Some common vitamins and over the counter products may help with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis diseases such as:

Vitamin C is essential for defending the body against pollution and infection.  It enhances the immune system.  Aids in growth and repair of both bone and tissue by helping the body produce collagen. Vitamin C’s collagen-producing properties make it a prime candidate for arthritis treatment.

Green Tea Extract contains natural antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols useful in fighting tumors as well as helping prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Rutin acts synergistically with Vitamin C to help maintain a healthy immune system.

Glucosamine Plus provides cartilage nutrition for healthy joints and is an anit-inflammatory.

Chondroitin Complex works together with Glucosamine to block the action of cartilage-damaging enzymes and promotes the healthy flow of water and nutrients into cartilage-producing cells.

M.S.M maintains the development of the body’s protein by forming flexible disulfide bonds between certain amino acids and in maintaining the strength of connective tissue.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.