Easy Ways to Handle Arthritis Joint Pain

Although arthritis has a higher chance of occurring at old age, there is general perception that it affects only the aged, however, more than 60% of people suffering from arthritis fall under the age of 65. The two common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The main cause for Osteoarthritis is by usual wear and tear of joints, which tends to damage not just the joints but also the tissue surrounding it. Arthritis mostly affects the aged and the elderly, along with people who have weight issues and those who use the same joints often, repeatedly. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but they all have one symptom in common: pain. Arthritis joint pain can be debilitating, and it can keep you sidelined from the fun side of life. If you have arthritis and are looking for solutions to ease the pain, here are the ways to tackle arthritis joint pain. 1. Watch your weight. Your back, hips, knees and feet have to support that extra weight. Be kind to your joints and lose excess weight. Bernard Rubin, DO, director of the rheumatology fellowship at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas, says, "Losing 10 pounds will take 30 pounds off your joints." In essence, losing a little will help a lot. Make small changes at first, like switching from full-sugar soda to diet soda. Drink more water. Cut back on calories and fat and you'll drop the pounds. Exercise has an added benefit; it strengthens the muscles surrounding your joints. 2. Don't work through the pain. Pain is a warning sign. If you feel pain, stop. Forget the "no pain, no gain" mantra. Pain is a sign that you've overstressed your joints. 3. Protect smaller joints by using bigger joints. Whenever you lift, use the bigger joints to protect your back and smaller joints. 4. Pace yourself. There's no need to be a workout warrior. Putting too much stress on your joints will only exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis. Add periods of rest to your workout routine to give your joints a break. 5. Practice good posture. Good posture protects your back, your neck and your knees. 6. Use CFA supplements. Cetylated Fatty Acids (CFAs) provide fast and long-lasting relief to individuals who suffer from the pain and inflammation of arthritic joints. CFA supplements lubricate joints and deep muscle tissue to add a cushion of relief to painful, stiff and swollen joints. Available in a topical cream or oral supplements, Cetylated Fatty Acids have no side effects and are available without a prescription. Don't give into arthritic joint pain. You can tackle the symptoms of arthritis by staying active and adding natural supplements to your daily routine. Get moving, lose weight, and use CFA supplements to cushion your joints and relieve inflammation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

There are various theories about the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that inflames the joints in the body, causing pain and stiffness. It is not completely curable. In its advanced stages, rheumatoid arthritis makes the joints deformed and immobile, simultaneously affecting other organs, too. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that can affect anyone, any time, at any age. Since prevention is better than cure, a diet rich in nutrition, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, is best recommended. In the case of arthritis, a good diet will help in keeping the disease under control, even though cure is a one percent chance.

As per the body requirements, a diet should be combination of every food in large, moderate, and small amounts followed by a regular exercise plan or a physically active lifestyle. The typical diet should contain vegetables and fruit, cereals, grains, bread, legumes and beans, skimmed milk, and oils that are low in saturated fats. Researchers have identified a diet rich in fish oil and a vegetarian diet as a good sources to combat rheumatoid arthritis. Moderate amounts of sugar and red meat trimmed of excess fat can also be included the diet. Though in some cases of rheumatoid arthritis more consumption of red meat has been identified as aggravating inflammation in the joints, small quantities are harmless.

The diet should also include minerals like calcium and iron, and vitamins like B and C. Also, the body weight should be always under control. This is because a person having rheumatoid arthritis may turn anemic, lose bone density, develop a fever, and develop other symptoms that body cannot withstand with the pain and stiffness. At such a time, weight gain will only increase inflammation and pain in the swollen joints.

Diet supplements such as calcium and folic acid are recommended, especially when taking medication. Drugs taken for rheumatoid arthritis may have side effects and can affect the normal status of the vitamins and minerals in the body. For instance, folic acid is administered with methotrxate a drug used to fight arthritis. Similarly, alcohol and other beverages such as coffee should be avoided when taking certain other drugs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis is known as the painful inflammation and stiffness of joints in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, painful, autoimmune disease of the joint that destroys, deforms, and disables movement of joints altogether. It is caused by the infection in the immune system. That is, the anti-bodies attack their own tissues, mistaking them for foreign bodies. It may gradually affect other organs of the body, too. Hence, it is known as autoimmune disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis can make a healthy individual a life-long patient at any age. It may be a genetic or non-genetic disease. It appears in several stages. That is, initially a patient may feel only pain caused by the inflamed joints. Gradually, the affected lining of the joints, called synovial lining, starts thickening. When the condition becomes severe, the inflamed joint and surrounding area release a fluid or enzyme that destroys the flexible soft tissues, the cartilages, and bones. This changes the original shape of the joints. The patient finds this stage very painful. He or she is left with stiff and deformed joints and is literally unable to move. The small things that a person once did with ease are no longer possible for them. For instance, lifting a pen is virtually a painful act.

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint. But studies report that it begins from smaller joints such as the joints in the fingers. It has also been found that it affects the joints simultaneously. For instance, an individual complaining of pain in the wrist experiences it in both left and right wrists.

The pain is a very common feature. But if the pain is a prolonged one and is followed by stiffness, it is a matter of concern. Some of the symptoms identified with rheumatoid arthritis include pain and stiffness upon waking and pain after prolonged rest. Additionally, individuals may also face difficulty in standing up after being seated or lying down in bed for a long time. They might have symptoms of flu and weakness or fatigue. The individuals may lose weight because of low appetite, turn anemic, and often may be depressed and stressed. They are found to have sweaty palms and feet, and lesser flexibility in moving. In some persons, skin ulcers and visible lumps or rheumatoid nodules are also reported. As such, the health of the individual declines and it is necessary to take support from others for daily activities.

Since rheumatoid arthritis also affects organs in acute stages, the patients can become anemic (low in red blood cells), develop dry mouth and eyes, and have inflamed spleen and lining in the lungs. In some persons, the disease flares up after a prolonged time.

Degenerative Knee Arthritis Information

Osteoarthritis of the knee or degenerative knee arthritis is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people throughout the world in different ways. It could be the high cost factor or the high risk factor brought on by an underlying medical condition. Moreover, there is no guarantee that your knees will be fully restored even after surgery.

1.) Recognizing the Symptoms

One thing that sets degenerative knee arthritis symptoms apart from other disease symptoms is that the swelling, pain and stiffness in the knee joint will be intermittent. Walking, running and damp weather can often exacerbate the problem.

2.) Getting the Diagnosis & Treatment Recommendations

You should never self-diagnose or self-medicate your condition as your knee pain could be brought on by some other condition. If you feel that you have degenerative knee arthritis, you should speak to your physician who will first take an X-Ray to help confirm the diagnosis.

Your doctor will most likely recommend that you wear a knee brace to support the knee and will possibly advise you to take anti-inflammatory medication or over the counter pain medication to manage the swelling and pain (speak with your physician before taking any medication). Most doctors will treat this condition in a conservative fashion such as the use of a knee brace and pain killers and only recommend surgery, such as full knee replacement surgery, as the last option.

3.) Exploring Your Treatment Options

Anti-inflammatory medication, over the counter pain medication and a well designed, low profile brace are usually very helpful treatment options for degenerative arthritis. These measures will help control the pain and swelling and do not entail any invasive procedure.

If you have degenerative knee arthritis, it is important that you maintain flexibility in your knee. Osteoarthritis is essentially progressive and incurable and resting the knee will not help "cure" your knee. Swimming and a select few low-impact exercises are the best way to keep the knee joint flexible and stave off stiffness.

At other times, the knee brace will keep the swelling down and allow you to maintain physical movement. Wearing the knee brace can help provide you with meaningful support and they do not have to be heavy or odd looking. They will help allow you to participate in activities by helping to maintain proper alignment and if you have osteoarthritis you will want to consider what is called an OA (osteoarthritis) knee brace..

Knee Arthritis Basic Information

Arthritis in knee joints is a common problem for people over 60 years of age. If someone played sport during their younger years and developed a knee injury, the chance of developing problems in later years is significantly increased.

So what can be done about knee arthritis? When pain develops around the knee, the muscles often waste away because of the pain and because the person doesn't use the knee as much. The important muscles to work on developing are the quadriceps muscle and the hamstrings.

The quadriceps or quads muscle is found at the front of the knee or thigh and is responsible for straightening the knee. The hamstring muscle are actually made up of 3 muscles. This muscle group is responsible for bending the knee and extending the hip. Walking is a good and simple form of exercise for people who suffer from knee pain. However, one must remember that this form of exercise is load bearing and if the knee arthritis is painful, this may increase the pain. Instead of walking, a person with knee arthritis may like to try walking in the water at their local swimming pool. Unfortunately, arthritis in knee joints is common. However, a few simple strategies like the ones mentioned above are able to help people who suffer with the pain of knee arthritis. It will give them control of the pain and help in the long term in managing the symptoms of knee arthritis.

Arthritis Pain and Stiffness

Arthritis of the knee typically affects people over 50 years of age though it is not exclusive to this age group. This type of arthritis is more common in people who are overweight, and weight loss tends to reduce the symptoms associated with knee arthritis.

When you have arthritis pain and stiffness, finding the proper exercise can be somewhat difficult. Walking may be a good exercise choice for those with arthritis. It helps build strength, maintains joint flexibility, aids in bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

Interestingly, after eight weeks, the walkers reported decidedly less pain and less reliance on pain medication. There is also water walking which is usually done in waist - to chest -deep water. You can walk forward, backward, or sideways. Since warm water relaxes the muscles and eases joint stiffness for people with arthritis, the pool should be well heated.

For any kind of water exercise, the Arthritis Foundation recommends a water temperature of 83ºF to 88ºF, comfortably warm, but not hot.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Herbal Medicine

Juniper

Juniper was a popular diuretic in the 17th century. At the time a Dutch physician created a medicinal alcoholic extract of the berry, which eventually became the basis for gin. It has been suggested that some of the benefit attributed to the gin and raisins remedy comes from the residue of juniper.

American Indians used juniper for arthritic conditions, and German physicians continue to prescribe it for this purpose as well as for indigestion. The German Commission E, the federal authority that regulates herbal medicines in Germany, suggests a dose of 2 to 10 grams of the dried fruit per day.

An alternative is to bruise a teaspoon of juniper berries, place them in a cup of boiling water for fifteen minutes, and drink this infusion. One to two cups of teas a day are recommended, but you shouldn't take it for longer than 6 weeks.

Turmeric and Frankincense

These 2 are ayurvedic herbs. Ayurvedic herbs have a reputation for successful treatment of arthritic conditions that stretches back centuries. Two of the most respected are turmeric (curcumin) and frankincense (boswellin). They have been used individually and together for both esteo- and rheumatoid arthritis.

Turmeric has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity and therefore would be expected to provide relief from a variety of arthritic conditions.

Turmeric appears quite safe since it is a principal ingredient in curries and has been used by Indian cooks for thousands of years. People taking anticoagulants like Coumadin (warfarin) should probably avoid this remedy, however, as turmeric may add to the anticlotting effect.

Natural Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Turning to a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is an option you can consider. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that refers to the inflammation of your joints. When your joints are inflamed, you experience pain, swelling, stiffness and general discomfort. It results from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease whereby your immune system starts to attack its own body tissues. This means that over time, your arthritis symptoms can worsen.

There are over 100 different classifications and types of arthritis. Although drug medication can be used effectively to treat many kinds of arthritis, there are potential side effects when you become over dependent on them for arthritis pain relief.

Physical therapy. This is a very popular natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis as it is highly effective. In many cases, regular prescribed exercises can even improve the range of physical motion substantially. Physical therapy can also help you deal with muscle and joint stiffness, increase muscle strength, and reduce allover pain.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing method that dates back more than 3,000 years ago. Acupuncture is a procedure used in which specific body areas (or meridian points) are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.

As a natural treatment method, acupuncture is fast gaining popularity in America and other western countries. By 1993, Americans were making 12 million visits per year to acupuncturists, and spending $500 million annually on acupuncture treatments. Acupresure. Acupressure is another ancient Chinese form of therapy that has been used for thousands of years. It is also used to as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that acupressure seem to release endorphins in patients, causing feeling of pleasantness and comfort. It appears that acupressure has strong anti-inflammatory healing abilities for rheumatoid arthritis.

Relaxation therapy: Relaxation therapy is a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates several different therapies working toward a common goal. The goal of relaxation therapy as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is to release muscle tension and joint rigidity to reduce your overall pain and discomfort. The different relaxation therapies include meditation, yoga, stretching exercises and Pilates.

Hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is fast becoming a popular therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients as it is fun and can be very effective. It involves a series of water exercises, usually done in lukewarm water. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis report that the feeling of warm water helps to relax them and provide much relief from their pain.

The warm water relaxes the muscles and helps reduce the feeling of stiffness. Hydrotherapy is also effective in weight management, which is particularly important if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is often used as a complementary and natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In occupational therapy, you learn how to use their body parts more efficiently. Occupational therapy helps in ensuring that you can go about your everyday chores and tasks so that less tension is placed on the joints. Specially made splints are often used to help patients accomplish certain tasks without placing excess pressure on their joints. You and your occupational therapist can work together to tackle any specific challenges that you face. Hot and cold therapies. These therapies take advantage of the effects of certain temperatures on the joints. Compresses, ultrasound devices, and warm wax may be used to apply heat to the joints. The efficacy of heat and cold therapies varies according to the patient.

In most instances, the benefits of using the above mentioned natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis outweigh any instant results, but far more damaging, derived from consuming drugs and medication. The only drawback is that usually a natural treatment does not produce instant reliefs.

Natural Gout Treatment - Which Vitamins Are Good For Gout

Only a few vitamins have been really researched as contributors to a natural gout remedy. One is vitamin C which a few studies have found lowers uric acid levels somewhat. I have written about vitamin C for gout in earlier articles. Make sure you buy a Vitamin C preparation that contains added flavonoids, the more the better, to make it work more effectively. And buy a time (sustained) release vitamin C product, because vitamin C is excreted quickly.

Other vitamins which have been reported from various sources to help in natural gout treatment are quercetin, folic acid, potassium citrate calcium, and fish oils.

Quercetin may inhibit xanthine oxidase, the enzyme required to convert purines into uric acid. This is the method used by the leading long term gout pharmaceutical, allopurinol. Quercetin has done this in test tube studies.

Folic acid has been found in at least one study to be helpful because it inhibited xanthine oxidase, but in others to have no effect. It was part of the late Dr. Atkins's (the Atkins diet) formula for curing gout naturally but in large amounts. It should certainly only be taken under supervision by a qualified and experienced practitioner.

Potassium citrate is reported to be helpful in natural gout treatment, and has been the subject of gout studies. It aids excretion of uric acid, by raising the pH of urine. (Higher body pH levels make uric acid more soluble and thus better excreted). Potassium citrate can also head off the danger of kidney stones, of the uric acid variety, forming. One estimate is that there is a 20% chance that kidney stones will form in gout patients who also have acidic urine.

Calcium may be helpful because it helps to alkalize the body, (i.e. it raises its pH levels making the body more alkaline) and thus, the theory is, more uric acid will be excreted. In pH theory, because the blood's pH must be maintained at pH 7.365, the body will scavenge calcium from bones to maintain blood pH at 7.365. Most people, it's said, and probably most gout sufferers too, have acidic bodies (which ought to be alkaline) and therefore a deficiency of calcium.

Vitamins work in other ways to help in natural gout treatment. Those that work as antioxidants perform the helpful function of squelching free radicals. Why is this helpful? Because during gout attacks, free radical levels rise. Some leading antioxidant vitamins are vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene and selenium.

Given that gout attacks are inflammatory, as shown by the painful inflammation of the affected joints, any substance which acts as an anti-inflammatory may make the attack less painful and inflamed. Fish oils have well researched anti-inflammatory properties.

Fish oils are also good for gout because they promote a healthier body. Their omega -3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are a dietary deficiency for many people, especially those who don't eat fish. Omega -3 fatty acids are required to bring about a better balance of omega -3 and omega -6 oils in the body. Most people, it is thought, do get sufficient omega -6 fatty acids, especially if they fry with oils such as corn, soy, sunflower, safflower or sesame. Or, if they use these oils as salad oils. But people don't get enough of the omega -3's. This better balance promotes better health. Gout sufferers need to be as healthy as possible. Note: gout sufferers should not eat fish high in purines such as mackerel, anchovies, and sardines.

Ensure the fish oil supplement you buy has been manufactured with a molecular distillation process. It takes out mercury, PCBs and dioxins.

Since cherries have been researched as blocking inflammation, they should be considered. Cherries have also been found in studies to lower uric acid levels. When they are not in season cherry dietary supplement extracts, juice and in dried form can be taken. Cherries enjoy testimonials from gout sufferers both for curing gout naturally and halting the pain of attacks, but they won't do this for everyone. Celery, in two studies, also reduced pain and inflammation, so you can consider celery seed extract as part of natural gout treatment.

How to Treat Gout Arthritis

If you think of opting for natural medications then the best one that you can opt for is Uricinex. The main reason for main in people suffering from gout is the presence of crystallized uric acid in their joints. What uricinex does is liquefy the Uric acid and expel it from the body. In this case the pain will be reduced considerably.

Artichokes, Yucca (a plant), Turmeric (a member of the ginger family), and Sylmarin (Milk Thistle) are all part of the ingredients that are present in Uricinex. These are perfectly natural and the way in which they treat the problem of gout is most effective. There are several other medicines that work to heal gout and this includes Herbal Patch Plus, Black Cherry Fruit Extract and Black Cherry Concentrate. Most of the other medicines do have side effects especially putting the liver in danger, but uricinex avoids all possible problems like this. It not only concentrates on treating the problems of Gout, but presents you with an overall good health, by balancing your insulin levels and adjusting the metabolism rate of the body.

Adopt Uricinex and make sure that you have the best possible results being achieved in treating Gout.

Gout Arthritis Diet

The symptoms of gout are generally caused by the presence of needle-like uric acid crystals in your joints, which are formed from excess uric acid in your bloodstream. In turn, this uric acid is formed as a result of the breakdown of chemical compounds called 'purines'. Typical high-purine food types to avoid are, red meat, game, offal (liver, kidneys, etc.), poultry, shellfish, beans, peas, gravies, broths, mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus, lentils, etc. You must also avoid alcohol.

Low-purine foods that you can eat are things like, fresh vegetables and fruit (excluding those above), low-fat dairy products, complex carbohydrates (cereals, pasta, etc.), essential fatty acids (tuna, salmon, etc.), high vitamin C foods (potatoes, cabbage, etc.), etc. An effective diet for gout is a key part of your total gout natural remedy. You need to investigate all these issues and more to get the natural gout remedy that's right for you.

Easy tips to Treat Gout Naturally

If you have ever experienced a gout attack you know one of the most intense pains associated with arthritis. Though you might have dealt with the burden of gout for years, you should also know that you can naturally cure gout in days! Gout is a disease that was caused by some poor lifestyle habits and can be cured with healthy lifestyle habits. And yes, you can actually have immediate gout relief in seconds with a simple cure during those late night attacks.

If you sufferer from gout, you can begin your simple, natural cure for gout with these tips. Tips to Treat Gout Naturally

1. Drink! You should be drinking at least 10 to 12 eight-ounce glasses of water each day. Water is one of the best ways to flush impurities, toxins and build-ups. Better tip: Try drinking away your gout with alkaline water with a pH of greater than 7. 2. Avoid foods high in purines. Uric acid (cause of gout) is formed from the breakdown of purines, high-purine diets are often the cause of gout. Such foods include: meats such as kidneys, liver, tripe and tongue. Red meats also have been linked to gout attacks as well as some vegetables. Our report as a list of foods to eat and NOT to eat. 3. Exercise! Being obese can lead to excessive levels of uric acid in your blood. Try to do cardiovascular workouts (workouts that get heart pumping) at least three times a week. Start slow and don't get burned out! You can do it! 4. Vitamin C. A healthy immune system is the key to a healthy life. And a healthy life starts with Vitamin C. 5. Breathe! Did you know that you are probably only receiving about 80% of the oxygen your body needs. Poor circulation leads to arthritis (gout is considered arthritis). Learn some simple breathing exercises and practice them 10-15 minutes a day.

Various Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and loss of movement of the joints. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55. The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), inheritance, infections, and for unclear reasons (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). There are many forms of arthritis .There are about 200 different kinds of arthritis. This makes joints stiff, painful and creaky. Age is the most consistently identified risk factor for OA, regardless of the joint being studied. Prevalence rates for both radiographic OA and, to a lesser extent, symptomatic OA rise steeply after age 50 in men and age 40 in women. Occupation-related repetitive injury and physical trauma contribute to the development of secondary (non-idiopathic) OA, sometimes occurring in joints that are not affected by primary (idiopathic) OA, such as the metacarpophalangeal joints, wrists and ankles.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body's defence mechanisms go into action when there's no threat and start attacking the joints and sometimes other parts of the body. RA affects 2.1 million Americans, or about 1% of the adult population in the United States. Two of the 100 types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. There are specific symptoms, distinguishing characteristics, as well as overlapping symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Rheumatoid arthritis is an additive polyarthritis, with the sequential addition of involved joints, in contrast to the migratory or evanescent arthritis of systemic lupus erythematosus or the episodic arthritis of gout. Occasionally, patients experience an explosive polyarticular onset occurring over 24 to 48 hours. Psoriatic arthritis is related to the skin condition psoriasis. There are five clinical patterns of psoriatic arthritis. First is Asymmetrical mono- and oligoarticular arthritis (30-50% of cases) is the most common presentation of psoriatic arthritis. Second is symmetrical polyarticular arthritis (30-50% of cases) is ultimately the most common form of psoriatic arthritis. Third is distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint involvement (25% of cases) is nearly always associated with nail manifestationsm. Fourth is Arthritis mutilans is affects less than 5% of patients and is a severe, deforming and destructive arthritis. This condition can progress over months or years causing severe joint damage. Fifth is Axial arthritis (30-35% of cases) may be different in character from ankylosing spondylitis, the prototypical HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthropathy. There is a 50-fold increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis in first-degree relatives of patients with the disease. HIV infection can present with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as worsen existing disease.

Gout is one of the most painful types of arthritis. Gout was once incorrectly thought to be a disease of the rich and famous, caused by consuming too much rich food and fine wine. Gout is a disease due to a congenital disorder of uric acid metabolism. Gout usually attacks the big toe (approximately 75% of first attacks), however it can also affect other joints such as the ankle, heel, instep, knee, wrist, elbow, fingers, and spine. Chronic gout can lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones. An acute attack of gout is a highly inflammatory arthritis often with intense swelling, redness and warmth surrounding the joint. Gout is mainly treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. Steroids also work by decreasing inflammation. Steroids can be injected into the affected joint or given as pills. Septic arthritis also known is Pyogenic arthritis. Septic arthritis is infection, usually bacterial, in the joint cavity. Septic arthritis usually affects just one joint, though occasionally it may occur in more than one joint at a time. It is the most dangerous form of acute arthritis. The joint cavity is usually a sterile space, with synovial fluid and cellular matter including a few white blood cells. Many different types of bacteria (germs) can cause septic arthritis. Infection with a bacterium called Staph. Septic arthritis is inflammation of a synovial membrane with purulent effusion into the joint capsule, usually due to bacterial infection. This disease entity also is referred to in the literature as bacterial, suppurative, purulent, or infectious arthritis. Septic arthritis is uncommon from age 3 to adolescence. Young children and older adults are most likely to develop septic arthritis. As the population ages, doctors are finding that septic arthritis is becoming more common. Symptoms of septic arthritis occur suddenly and are characterized by severe pain, swelling in the affected joint along with acute pain. Chronic septic arthritis (which occurs less frequently) is caused by organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans.

Raw Food Health Solutions For Arthritis

The Link Between Raw Foods and Arthritis

Do you suffer from the aches and pains of arthritis? Arthritis is used to refer to numerous rheumatism ailments which symptoms include: pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, although other parts of the body can be affected as well. Internal organs, muscles, ligaments and tendons are other parts of the body within the illnesses reach.

Arthritis is not to be taken lightly. According to some statistics, arthritis is now second only to heart disease as a leading cause of work disability. According to Arthritis.com, the disease affected 46 million Americans in 2006.

There are two forms of arthritis that are dreaded for causing so much pain to their victims. These are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The former is the more common type that is prevalent among older people. It affects the cartilage, that spongy tissue between two bones that is responsible for shock absorption. The bones rub against each other and this is what causes swelling and pain. Some shards of bones may break off in the long run, lodging themselves inside the joint space, and thereby causing more pain. The latter type of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, affects other body parts, but will still cause inflammation in the joints and a general feeling of fatigue. The symptoms appear in a symmetric manner, which means that if one joint is affected, the other corresponding joint will be affected too.

What Causes Arthritis?

There are several factors that may contribute to arthritis development, and these may include:

1. Age - Cartilage wears out with age and it becomes harder for it to be replaced naturally. Thus as people become older they also become more susceptible to arthritis.

2. Weight - The more pressure applied to knee and hip joints by accounts of body mass, the faster the cartilage is likely to wear out.

3. Other ailments or infections - Individuals who have suffered a joint infection like gout may later develop arthritis in that joint.

4. Daily occupation - Some types of occupations seem to carry inherently higher risk of developing arthritis than others. And these are those that typically involve a lot of lifting of heavy materials especially in heavy construction industry.

5. Genetics - It is possible that there can be genetic variations that contribute to higher incidences of arthritis development though the exact contribution of the genes to the disease development is not exactly clear.

How Can I Prevent Arthritis?

Some of the causes outlined above may themselves help in identifying the correct measures that can be taken to prevent arthritis. Some of these measures may apply before as a preventative measure and after as an ameliorating measure. These measures include:

1. Reducing weight

2. Simple exercises regularly

3. Massage

Unleash the Power of Raw Foods to Help with Arthritis

These raw foods have been very powerful at reducing the effects of arthritis on your body:

* Oranges

* Lemons

* Strawberries

* Tomatoes

* Bell peppers

* Kiwifruit

* Sweet red peppers

* Papapaya

* Guava

* Dalanghita

* Anonas

* Kasuy

You also need calcium rich food, but don't reach out for that glass of milk yet. Instead reach out for spinach, collard greens, and broccoli they are great source of calcium. Vitamin B rich food is also recommended, and this would include delicacies such as cauliflower.

Vitamins and any antioxidants can really you with your Arthritis as they decrease the damage to the joints, thus reducing the pain. Organic vegetables grown in your own garden can also inspire you to consume more raw foods. Give it a try!

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Over 100 known forms of arthritis are making millions of people suffer today. The most weakening of all forms is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms are joints that ache, throb, and eventually become deformed. Those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms often find it hard to do everyday tasks, like taking a walk, or opening a car or jar. Some with rheumatoid arthritis have joints that are so deformed they are unable to even do the simplest job. No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but many believe it is the body's immune system attacking the lining of your joints. This lining called the synovium.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms are more common in women than in men and will usually strike an adult between the ages of 20 to 50. That is the general criteria for rheumatoid arthritis symptom sufferers, but people over 50 and children can also be affected.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms usually develop in several joints at the same time. The first parts of your body that show signs of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are usually your wrists, shoulders, hands, and feet. As the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms gradually get worse, it will attack the elbows, hips, neck, and jaw as well. It normally affects both sides at the same time.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may appear as small lumps under skin where there are pressure points near your elbows, hands, feet, and Achilles tendons. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can develop in other areas of your body, but that's where they start. At some point, you may experience rheumatoid nodules on the back of your scalp, around your knees, and even in your lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can develop your salivary glands, linings of your lungs and heart, and sometimes the tear duct glands. These lumps are usually not painful. They can be the size of a pea or the size of a walnut.

Here are some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Some of those Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are:

Aching and stiffness of joints and muscles, especially after a time of rest. Pain and swelling in the joints, especially the smaller ones like in the hand. Loss of motion in the joints. Low-grade fever. Strength is lost in the muscles attached to the affected joints. Chronic fatigue when there is a flare-up of the disease. Deformity of joints. A general sense of just not feeling well. Unable to pinpoint exactly why they feel bad.

Any or all of these rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may come and go, but largely depend on what type of activity you are taking part in.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms do not go away, but it does come in "episodes." A person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may go into remission for a period, and then have another flare up of pain, swelling, weakness, and difficulty sleeping. You may experience a flare up, and then have several weeks or months of remission before it attacks again. There isn't any reason why a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can't be productive and useful lives while working around the attacks of your rheumatoid arthritis.

Some researchers theorize that rheumatoid arthritis could be the result of an infection or inflammation. When your body experiences an infection or inflammation, it sends white blood cells through the bloodstream and attacks the lining of the joints. Their usual job is to attack bacteria and viruses in the body instead it attacks the lining of the joints.

Other risk factors can increase your chances of having rheumatoid arthritis. Risk is increased as you age. The good news is if you are over the age of 80, the risk decreases.

You also have a higher risk of having rheumatoid arthritis if you are a woman, and if you have been exposed to a virus or bacteria. Although the disease is not inherited, there is evidence that specific genes you inherit could make you more prone to this arthritis.

Last, smoking cigarettes over a many years can also increase your chances of rheumatoid arthritis.

There isn't a cure for rheumatoid arthritis yet. Scientists and researchers are still searching for the cause when that is found hopefully a cure would follow.

With the proper treatment, change in lifestyles, and a plan to prevent joints from deforming, a person experiencing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may still be able to live a productive and long life. Deformity or swelling may limit your flexibility, but even in the most severe form of rheumatoid arthritis, you will probably still keep flexibility in most of your joints.

Prescription for rheumatoid arthritis

The course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is such that the inflammation created when the disease is active results in damage to the joints. The main aim of treating RA is to give medications which will suppress the inflammation. Effective treatment also aims to prevent joint destruction and the disability which results from this.

Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) are sometimes also known as slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs (SAARDs). They work by suppressing inflammation. It is important that treatment with DMARDs is started as soon as active RA is diagnosed, in order to help prevent joint deformity and disability. Because there are a number of potential side effects associated with taking DMARDs, the treatment should be closely monitored. Here are some of the DMARDs that are used in the treatment of RA.

Methotrexate (e.g. Ledertrexate, Methoblastin) is generally used in moderate to severe RA. Leflunomide (e.g. Arava), is used to treat severe active RA that does not respond to classical DMARDs such as methotrexate. Leflunomide is as effective as methotrexate in the treatment of RA.

Intramuscular gold injections of sodium aurothiomalate (e.g. Myocrisin), have a significant clinical benefit in the treatment of patients with RA. Plaquenil is often used in combination with other DMARDs.

Penicillamine (e.g. D-Penamine) is used in the treatment of moderate to severe RA. Cyclosporin shows clinical benefit in short-term treatment (up to one year) of people with progressive RA. A combination of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine is more effective than methotrexate alone. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed as pain killers. They also reduce inflammation in the treatment of inflammatory forms of arthritis, such as RA. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of RA, both as tablets and as injections into the joint.

Prednisolone is sometimes used in moderate to severe RA where NSAIDs and DMARDs are not controlling the disease. Oral corticosteroids (those taken by mouth) are usually used at the lowest effective dose to minimise adverse effects such as weight gain, hypertension (high blood pressure) and osteoporosis.

Biologic agents

Recently, another category of arthritis treatments called tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors has been developed. It is found in high concentration in the joint fluid of people with RA. Infliximab (e.g. Remicade) is a TNF inhibitor available for the treatment of RA in selected patients.

Infliximab slows the progression of RA and reduces joint damage. Each treatment takes approximately 2 hours.

Infliximab is given in combination with methotrexate. Enbrel is used for the treatment of active, adult RA in people who have had an inadequate response to several DMARDs, including methotrexate.

In July 2003, Enbrel was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for selected patients with severe RA. Recently, a third anti-TNF medication, Humira (adalimumab), was added to the list of approved agents for RA. In studies, etanercept, infliximab and humira have shown substantial improvements in people with RA.

Gout Diet Information

High levels of uric acid can cause gout. High purine foods in a diet can increase uric acid levels in the body. Therefore, the gout diet usually limits food with high purine.

Gout Diet / Low Purine Diet

Alcohol, especially beer, should be avoided. Limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink 3 times a week.

Drink 2 to 3 L of fluid daily. Adequate fluid intake helps dilute urinary uric acid. Avoid High-Purine foods (see below)

Consume a moderate amount of protein. Limit meat, fish and poultry to 4 - 6 oz per day. Try other low-purine good protein foods such as low fat dairy products, tofu and eggs.

Limit fat intake by choosing leaner meats, foods prepared with less oils and lower fat dairy products.

Avoid High-Purine foods

• Sweetbreads
• Anchovies
• Sardines
• Liver
• Beef kidneys
• Brains
• Meat extracts (e.g Oxo, Bovril)
• Herring
• Mackerel
• Scallops
• Game meats
• Gravy

Use in Moderation

• Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms and green peas
• Lentils, dried peas and beans
• Beef, pork, poultry, fish and seafood
• Oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ

Aside from avoiding high purine foods, maintaining a healthy body weight is important for gout patients as well. Obesity can result in increased uric acid production by the body. Follow a well-balanced diet to lose excess body weight. Do not follow a high-protein low-carb diet as this can worsen gout conditions.

Exercise healthy for arthritis people

People with arthritis should exercise … but they need to keep some valuable information in mind. Here are some important tips to follow:

1. Make sure you warm up. Warming up increases blood flow and helps muscles loosen up. Five minutes of simple walking or riding a stationary bike will do it.

2. Stretching improves flexibility which helps a patient prepare for aerobic activity. Stretching the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles is important.

3. Start out easy. If you exercise too hard you switch from aerobic to anaerobic activity. This can lead to potentially painful and dangerous injury. To determine where you need to be, find your target heart rate by subtracting your age from 220, then aim for 40 to 70% of that rate.

4. You need to push a bit. Make sure you are working inside the 40 to 70% range to improve energy, lose weight, and build muscle. If you push too hard you’ll be in a lot of pain and may need to back off a bit.

5. Do not eat within two hours of exercising. Digestion causes blood flow to go to the gut instead of the muscles. This could cause abdominal cramps and nausea.

6. Make sure you don’t overdo it. When lifting weights, the temptation is to push too hard. If you are lifting the proper amount of weight you will feel fatigue by the 15th repetition. When you find that a certain weight becomes too easy, go up a bit in weight. Weight training helps improve stamina, energy, and strength.

7. Cool down properly. Stretch, breathe deeply, and don’t stop abruptly. You may even want to ice down areas prone to injury.

8. Drink plenty of water. The rule of thumb is drinking 8 ounces of water for every fifteen minutes of exercise. After you’re done, drink more. Proper water intake will help with your cool down, circulation, and injury prevention.

9. If you’re using a stair climber or elliptical machine, the temptation is to lean on the arm rests. This could lead to bad posture and low back problems. Stand straight.

10. Use proper form. Improper form leads to injury.

11. If you hurt, skip your exercise that day. Trying to work through the pain may lead to injury. You may notice some muscle soreness the day after a good workout. The soreness should not last longer than a day or two.

12. Consider seeing a physical therapist prior to starting an exercise program. They can give you a set of “do’s and don’ts”.

13. “Custom fit” your exercise. For instance, if you have bad shoulders, then swimming is probably not the right exercise for you. Consider biking or walking. On the other hand, if you have bad knees, swimming might be better for you than walking. Avoid rowing if you have a bad back.

Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile arthritis (JA) is the most common form of arthritis in children. It may be a mild condition that causes few problems over time, but it can be much more persistent and cause joint and tissue damage in other children. JA can produce serious complications in more severe cases.

Arthritis is best described by four major changes in the joints that may develop. The most common features of JA are: joint inflammation, joint contracture (stiff, bent joint), joint damage and/or alteration or change in growth. Other symptoms include joint stiffness following rest or decreased activity level (also referred to morning stiffness or gelling), and weakness in muscles and other soft tissues around involved joints. However, because JA affects each child differently, your child may not experience all of these changes. Children also vary in the degree to which they are affected by any particular symptom. The signs and symptoms of JA vary from child to child, and even from day to day in the same child! This is an important fact for parents, caretakers and teachers (especially gym teachers) to keep in mind when working with children who have JA.

There is no single test to diagnose JA. The diagnosis is made when there has been persistent arthritis in one or more joints for at least 6 weeks after other possible illnesses have been ruled out. Sometimes, a variety of tests may be necessary to come to a firm diagnosis. Once your child's physician suspects or makes this diagnosis, your child may be referred to a pediatric rheumatologist. This is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children with arthritis and arthritis-related conditions. The type of arthritis is usually determined based on the symptoms your child has had during the first 6 months of the illness. The 3 major types of JA are: pauciarticular which affects 4 or fewer joints; polyarticular JA which affects 5 or more joints; and systemic onset JA which affects at least one joint but causes inflammation of internal organs as well.

Natural Cures For Gout

Gout is one of the over one hundred forms of arthritis, and is triggered by excessive blood levels of uric acid.

Gout, otherwise known as gouty arthritis, is commonly accompanied by sudden and severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation. Post-menopausal women may experience an elevated risk of developing this form of the rheumatoid disease. Middle-aged men, between the ages of forty and fifty feature the usual face of a gout sufferer. Nine out of ten gout patients are men over the age of forty.

The Four Stages of Gout

Gouty arthritis is marked by four stages. The four stages of gout are asymptomatic, acute, intercritical, and chronic.

The first stage of gout is the acute stage. Generally accompanied by no symptoms, this stage of gout marks the onset of the excess uric acid crystals, which is responsible for the irritation and inflammation associated with the advanced stages of the condition.

The first attack of gout occurs in the acute stage of the disorder. This second stage of gout sports both mild and severe bouts with gout. Gout attacks can last as long as one or two weeks.

The first gout attack is followed by a period of several months, or possibly years, without a single symptom of gout. This is known as the intercritical stage of gout. The majority of gout sufferers experience their second attack within two years of the first episode.

The final stage of gouty arthritis is the chronic stage. Episodes of gout attacks become more frequent during the chronic phase of the condition. Chronic gout can cause damage to other areas of the body; damage to the kidneys and the development of high blood pressure are signature features of gout's chronic stage.

Gout is a highly treatable form of arthritis. There are a number of home remedies for gout and it's natural treatment.

Herbal Medicine: Herbal medicine is one of the holistic home remedies for gout treatment. The pantry may be the optimum spot for snagging some of the staples of home remedies for gout. Cherries, juniper berry, bilberry, nettle root, and celery.

Nutritional Therapy: Nutritional therapy is one of the home remedies for gout. Vitamin B12, vitamin E, folate, and the B family of vitamins are a part of nutritional home remedies for gout treatment. Implementing nutritional improvements is one of the home remedies for gout used to reduce the occurrence of metabolic arthritis flare-ups. Many of the vitamins included in the therapy have been proven beneficial in preventing gout.

Regular Exercise: A buildup of uric acid plays a pivotal role in the development of gouty arthritis. Regular exercise is one of the home remedies for gout episodes that has been documented as useful in both treatment and prevention. Exercise routines that improve circulation include stretching, dancing, yoga, Tai Chai, and aerobic.

Metabolic arthritis, or gout, is one of the one hundred forms of arthritis that characteristically features severe and sudden attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and warmth afflicting the joints.

Gouty arthritis is a treatable condition that most commonly affects the joint of the big toe, but may also occur in feet, ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. The first onset of gout generally occurs at night and continues on for a week or two before the symptoms subside. Seventy-percent of first gout attacks occur in this part of the body.

Gout is one form of arthritis that made it's debut as early as the eighteenth century. Gout was historically linked to overweight, lazy, middle to upper class, middle-aged men. This perception of gouty arthritis sufferers was born from the fact that many of the foods the influence the onset of gout were routinely reserved for the rich-earning the rheumatoid condition the nickname of "The Disease of Kings." Queen Anne, John Hancock, and American founding father, George Mason are some of history's most noted gout sufferers.

Gout occurs as a result of the body hosting uric acid in elevated levels. Only designed to carry trace amounts of uric acid, the human bloodstream turns excess uric acid into crystal deposits that lodge themselves into the joints of the body, sporting a chalky white-colored material. Uric acid buildup occurs during the body's breakdown the waste product called purines. Purines is commonly found in foods like liver, brains, and kidneys, as well as sweetbreads, mushrooms, and asparagus.

Natural Cures for Gout

Since highly treatable, implementing a number of lifestyle changes can serve as one of the effective natural cures for gout. Adopting a low purine diet is one of the natural cures for gout suggested by some medical professionals. Cherries, strawberries, and blueberries have been identified as some of the staples of a diet low in uric acid. Limiting consumption of fish, poultry, and tofu is also a part of a low purine diet. Other foods to avoid to discourage a gout flare-up include:

Sardines

Sweetbread

Scallops

Alcohol Beverages

Diet Soda

Who's At Risk For Developing Gout?

The condition is most common among middle-aged men between forty and sixty years old. Women are at an increased rate for developing gout following menopause. African-American men are twice as likely as White men to suffer the onset of gout.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OS-tee-oh-are-THRY-tis) (OA) is one of the oldest and most common forms of arthritis. Known as the “wear-and-tear” kind of arthritis, OA is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement of joints. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.

Osteoarthritis is known by many different names, including degenerative joint disease, ostoarthrosis, hypertrophic arthritis and degenerative arthritis. Your doctor might choose to use one of these terms to better describe what is happening in your body, but for our purposes, we will refer to all of these as osteoarthritis.

It is thought that osteoarthritis dates back to ancient humans. Evidence of osteoarthritis has been found in ice-aged skeletons. Today, an estimated 27 million Americans live with OA. Despite the longevity and frequency of the disease, the cause is still not completely known and there is no cure. In fact, many different factors may play a role in whether or not you get OA, including age, obesity, injury or overuse and genetics. Your OA could be caused by any one or by a combination of any of these factors. There are several stages of osteoarthritis:

• Cartilage loses elasticity and is more easily damaged by injury or use.

• Wear of cartilage causes changes to underlying bone. The bone thickens and cysts may occur under the cartilage. Bony growths, called spurs or osteophytes, develop near the end of the bone at the affected joint.

• Bits of bone or cartilage float loosely in the joint space.

• The joint lining, or the synovium, becomes inflamed due to cartilage breakdown causing cytokines (inflammation proteins) and enzymes that damage cartilage further.

Changes in the cartilage and bones of the joint can lead to pain, stiffness and use limitations. Deterioration of cartilage can:

• Affect the shape and makeup of the joint so it doesn’t function smoothly. This can mean that you limp when you walk or have trouble going up and down stairs.

• Cause fragments of bone and cartilage to float in joint fluid causing irritation and pain.

• Cause bony spurs, called osteophytes, to develop near the ends of bones

• Mean the joint fluid doesn’t have enough hyaluronan, which affects the joint’s ability to absorb shock.