All About Arthritis

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Arthritis is not a glamorous disease. It does not get the headline attention like cancer, heart disease or diabetes. Yet arthritis accounts for more doctor visits, more lost workdays than any other rheumatic disorder, including back pain and is more disabling than heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hip fractures, or lung disease. The cumulative effects of decades of use and misuse leads to degenerative changes in joints. This damage is further compounded by a decreased ability by the body to repair joint structures, much of which can be attributed to poor nutritional status Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the lubricating mechanism and cushioning of joints. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints and other parts of the body. Bone surfaces are destroyed and the bones fuse together creating stiffness, swelling, fatigue and crippling pain.

crippling pain. Osteo, the most common form of disease, results primarily from a progressive degeneration of cartilage glycosaminoglycans (GAG). The smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough and this results in friction. The joint becomes deformed, painful and stiff, and the muscles holding the joint together become weak. Osteo affects the weight-bearing joints like knees, hips and ankles, and tends to be more common in older people.

Nutritional intervention may well give relief to many sufferers of these debilitating conditions and this review will discuss several of the well researched natural agents that may be incorporated into a regime to help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with degenerative joint disease, concentrating mainly on osteo conditions.

Arthritis, which mainly affects joints, is not a single disease; in fact, there are over 100 different types, some of which are systemic (affect the whole body). A single agent or cause for this complex condition, the subject of long-standing and somewhat detective-like investigations over the past century, has not been determined. However, a number of factors have been implicated and/or suspected, including infectious micro organisms such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasites. Physical injuries to bones and joints, nutritional deficiencies of protein, vitamins and minerals, toxic environmental pollutants, metabolic and immunological disorders, including allergies, psychological and emotional stress etc.

It can be seen that natural substances are important adjunctive agents in the treatment of inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. By employing a natural approach, pain and inflammation may well be decreased, joint movement and flexibility improved and unpleasant side effects associated with drugs avoided.

In association with

More Articles Below About This Affliction

Alternative Medicine
The upbeat trend in the popularity of alternative medicine continues to grow. Some alternative treatments, like chondroitin and glucosamine have been found to have potential benefits. Many others don�t have sufficient scientific support for their use. Although most of them don�t harm, there are a few that do. Here are a few therapies that don�t really harm....more
Back Arthritis
The spongy discs that cushion the bones of the vertebrae may degenerate with ageing causing the adjoining vertebrae to press against the disc and bulge outwards. The spinal cord may get pressurized with this bulging outwards into the canal that runs the spinal cord. This narrowing or stenosis of the canal carrying the nerves causes the compression of nerves and pain. Having weak abdomen muscles or being overweight increases the risk....more
Cures
The practice is very ancient and dates back some 2,000 years to biblical times. The method is to grasp the nettles in a gloved hand and swat the sore joints with the nettles. Even though it may seem strange it has invariably produced some satisfying results.
Other herbs that are effectively used for arthritis cure are Bogbean, Celery seeds, Chapparal, Feverfew, Saffron, Yucca, Nettle etc....more
Drugs
Another group of disease-modifying drugs are immunosuppressant drugs. They are termed 'immunosuppressant' because they suppress the immune system. They include azathioprine, ciclosporin, cyclophosphamide and methotrexate. Because they affect the immune system they may produce side-effects, and may need careful observing....more
Exercise
Strengthening Exercises
These are to help increase muscle strength. Strong muscles help to support the joints, making the joints more stable, which helps a person move more easily and with less pain. There are two types of strengthening exercises, isometric and isotonic. Isometric exercises enhance the muscle strength, without movement of the joints. These exercises are especially useful when joint motion is impaired. Isotonic exercises strengthen the muscles by moving the joints....more
Foundation
The needs and issues affecting people with arthritis vary with different age groups. While there is plenty of support, understanding and programs to help the elderly, the needs of children and young adults are not adequately catered for. The aim of the NSW Young Adults Support Group is to provide a friendly and supportive environment for 18 to 45 year olds. People with the disease, their partners, friends, family can meet others like them and share ideas, hints and concerns....more
Help
Online services also include discussions and consultations with experts in this field. They are able to provide valuable information and details regarding care and management of arthritis. Online discussion forums and even presentations are made available. These are indeed valuable tools....more
Dogs
Numerous products called nutraceuticals have had remarkable success in assisting dogs with arthritis in recent times. A nutraceutical is a naturally occurring food supplement thought to have a beneficial effect on health. They are not considered medications and can be obtained without a prescription. Chondroprotectives are substances that when eaten provide nutrients that are required for repair and maintenance of joint tissue. Oral nutraceuticals such as chondroprotectives repair and reduce cartilage breakdown in a joint....more
Hand
Stiffness, swelling, loss of motion, and pain are symptoms common to both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis in the hand. With osteoarthritis, bony nodules may develop at the middle joints of one or more fingers and at the finger tip. The joints become enlarged and the fingers crooked....more
Information
Do not take medicines which you can buy without prescription without first discussing this with your doctor. These medicines may not be safe for you. For example, some contain anti-inflammatory drugs which can cause problems or react with the drugs which your doctor prescribes. This includes complementary medicines, e.g. herbal remedies or nutritional supplements....more
Pain
Factors that contribute to the pain include swelling within the joint, the amount of heat or redness present, and/or damage that has occurred within the joint. Additionally, activities affect pain differently so that some patients note pain in their joints after first getting out of bed in the morning, whereas others develop pain after prolonged use of the joint. The threshold and tolerance for pain differs from individual to individual and is often affected by both physical and emotional factors....more
Pain Relief
Hypnosis can induce arthritis pain relief through a variety of methods such as metaphor, scaling and dissociation. Hypnotherapy can allow you to escape from typical patterns of response and behavior to achieve greater flexibility and choice. Hypnotherapy works by allowing you to relax deeply, so giving you the ability to choose new ways of doing, being and thinking, without being controlled by past experience....more
Research
Papers and articles on the latest developments in the field of arthritis research are published and made available to the general public either through the internet medium or journals. The mission is to identify the causes, seek preventive measures, and find a cure for various forms of arthritis. The nature of the research is primarily population studies as well as clinical studies....more
Societies
These societies provide information, education and support for people, their families and careers through the provision of a website and telephone help line. They also campaign at government levels for greater priority to be given to the disease in the national health framework and for better access to best treatments and services....more
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