On of the most troubling and frustrating things to see in any aspect of life, let alone a limb or joint, is deterioration of something that is good and beautiful that has transformed into something that is ugly and useless. That in a nutshell is what arthritis and joint inflammation does to you, it slowly deteriorates everything in its path, making it deformed, ugly, painful and virtually useless.
There are many different types of arthritis, close to 100, of different types and variations of this disease. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which tends to come on more with ageing and that's where the cartilage, the smooth cartilage at the end of the bone that's meant to be there as a shock absorber starts to break down and then the bone underneath breaks down - that's when the real pain and suffering starts.
Although there are many ways to fight this progression, we will just concentrate on some things that make most dramatic and quick results. Mind you, there are no "magic bullets" or "quick-fixes" - everything presented here are just common sense, good practice advice and treatment that can substantially slow down arthritic progression to what we hope would be a pace much slower than without doing these treatments. So, here we go (not in any specific order).
Exercise:
As often as we hear it, we never take it seriously, but yet another benefit of regular exercise is a dramatic slowing down, and in rare cases even reversal of arthritic deterioration. Almost any exercise will be beneficial, but when it comes to arthritis, Tai Chi is the one most studied and it does have some unique properties in terms of balance and proper perception, sort of the joint knowing what position it's meant to be in and toning the muscles around the joint. Certainly, aerobic exercise, jumping up and down and sometimes the heavy impact is good also although if someone is very overweight and they are doing heavy impact exercise, that might actually be harmful. But by and large you must find exercise programs that anyone can do, even if they have a painful joint. One of the most important advise when it comes to exercise is regularity, stick with it!
Omega 3 supplementation:
Much has been written about benefits of a good diet, but unfortunately making sure that the patient stays with the diet for any length of time is largely a psychological problem, rather than physical. So, regardless of the diet you currently subscribe to, one of the most beneficial "ingredience" in fight against arthritis has been the Omega-3 supplements as well as anything else that is rich in fish oil. The Omega 3 supplementation has been studied in randomized trials and can contribute to the reduction in the joint swelling and the joint pain quickly and painlessly. The supplements are readily available, relatively inexpensive and contribute no ill effects. Add this to your diet today.
Cherries:
Cherries have been receiving a lot of attention of late due to their beneficial effects on fighting and slowing down arthritis. According to arthritis researchers, cherries contain anti-inflammatory properties that may work even better than over-the-counter drugs. Researchers have largely focused their attention on tart cherry juice. According to studies, tart cherries contain something called anthocyanins that prevent free radical damage and inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes better than some anti-inflammatory drugs that work as Cox inhibitors. Bottom line: Add cherries and cherry juice to your everyday dietary intake and reap benefits while enjoying awesome cherry taste.
Medicine:
The usual treatment for arthritis is through the use of painkillers. Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin can help relieve the pain of arthritis. But they only target the symptom and not the disease itself. Studies even show that the continual use of these NSAIDs may even cause joint deterioration thus making arthritis worse. Modern medicine does not have much to offer for the cure of this disease.
As we can see, the traditional temporary arthritis pain relief medications available leave a lot to be desired, largely because they are driven by short-term effects (to get you to buy quicker), rather than a long term benefit.
Massage therapy, hydrotherapy and cold packs are a few of the simple methods of pain management that may work just as well as drugs. Herbal remedies such as ginger, willow bark and the well-known cartilage constituents glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are also promising a lot in revolutionizing the treatment of arthritis. Aside from the symptomatic relief they offer, they actually interfere with the origin of the disease. They are also being considered to help the body rebuild functioning joints. Fast acting,in cream form, they increase mobility and optimal repair of joint structures as they help reinforce the body's protective linings and lubricating fluids by recovering cell stability and function to stop further damage.
In conclusion, although there are no instant cures, some common sense advice and foods work well, but only when used in early stages of arthritis. Therefore, it is very important to not only be vigilant of your body and joints, but also to seek proper medical attention and diagnosis early on. Once detected early, the approaches outlined here can minimize arthritic effects and provide you a long, bountiful life.
Joseph Vishnev loves things that actually work and make an instant, positive difference in people's lives. He has researched and dedicated a site to provide information and news about arthritis how to beat it and effective ways to slow down its path. See: http://www.JointsPain.com
Friday, July 27, 2007
Arthritis - Things That Work
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Can A Natural Diet Relieve Arthritis Pain?
I finally found relief from arthritis pain, naturally, and you can do it too. It was just a few years ago that I accidentally discovered how to get rid of arthritis pain, naturally, with no conventional arthritis treatment.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis; when people refer to arthritis they usually mean osteoarthritis. The pain in arthritis can be mild, moderate or severe. Sometimes arthritis symptoms can occur in the wrist, elbows, shoulders, and jaw but generally you don't find it there.
The synovium is a membrane that surrounds the entire joint; it is filled with synovial fluid, a lubricating liquid that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the cartilage. Collagen is the essential protein that is found in cartilage; it forms a mesh to give support and flexibility to the joints. Proteoglycans are the large molecules that help to make up cartilage; they bond to water, which ensures the high-fluid content in the cartilage.
Sometimes injuries can be the start of the arthritic disease process; osteoarthritis can develop years later after a single traumatic injury to a joint or near a joint. When chondrocytes, which are the cells that make up cartilage age, they lose their ability to make repairs and produce more cartilage; this process may play an important part in the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Researchers report a higher incidence of osteoarthritis between parents and children and between siblings rather than husbands and wives.
One dietary natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods. Make all-fruit smoothies using a base of two bananas, add a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil if you like; add one or two leaves of kale for even more super nutrition. Many arthritis sufferers who have changed their diets significantly have noticed major and even total improvement.
Many people have told me that going off dairy products and foods containing gluten, like wheat especially, relieved them of arthritis pain entirely. If arthritis is affecting your weight-bearing joints, keeping your weight within a normal range is important to get rid of any arthritis symptoms. Some of the foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, and all refined, packaged and processed food.
Some people swear by a morning drink of pure filtered heated water with a teaspoon or so of raw apple cider vinegar (like Bragg's) and honey to keep them free of arthritis pain but vinegar is too harsh for many. If you're not already doing so, make a big effort to change your diet for the better.
Some of the supplements commonly reported for relieving arthritis pain (and I don't know if any of these work) are: cherry powder, glucosamine, chondroitin, bromelain, grapeseed extract, omega-3 and omega-6, cod liver oil, manganese ascorbate, MSM, boron, niacinamide, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. For a natural approach and for natural treatment for arthritis make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath; ask around for referrals in your area.
Make sure to exercise all your affected joints every day, to keep them flexible. Important exercises for arthritis include: range-of-motion exercises, isometric exercise, and some weight-bearing exercises. At bedtime you can try putting on a pair of stretch gloves to help reduce the pain and swelling in your fingers if you have arthritic hands. A good exercise routine is important to beat arthritis and keeping arthritis pain at bay; keep on moving.
Your body has 147 different joints in motion every day of your life; keep them moving! Yes, whatever you do, keep moving; don't sit when you can stand, don't stand when you can walk or walk in place. To be on the safe side always check with your doctor before starting or changing any exercise program.
At the very least, understand what the side effects and adverse reactions are for any arthritis medication you take; one rule of thumb is - don't take any medication that has been on the market for less than five years. For conventional treatment of arthritis - if you do choose to take drugs or medications, be careful, read the labels thoroughly and talk to your pharmacist about side effects and adverse reactions; make sure you know the name of them and if they'll react with any other medication you're taking. Once you become completely informed about arthritis you'll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination.
Changing your diet to lots of raw fruits and raw veggies, like I did, can turn your arthritis pain around almost overnight. More and more doctors are investigating the benefits of natural arthritis treatments and alternative therapies and most don't object to their patients trying them. Relief of your arthritis pain and symptoms is the ultimate goal - understanding arthritis and arthritis treatments is a good way to get there.
For more information on arthritis pain relief and arthritis treatments go to Helen Hecker R.N.'s http://www.FastArthritisPainRelief.com
specializing in arthritis pain relief with tips, advice and resources including information on arthritis diets and natural arthritis treatments
More articles on <a href="http://www.endarthritisagony.com/">arthrits relief</a> here.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Terrific Tips To Help You Get Rid Of Arthritis Pain Forever
There are more than one hundred different types of medical conditions that can affect your joints and mimic arthritis symptoms; it will be difficult to undergo treatment for your condition effectively unless you know exactly what your diagnosis is; make sure to get diagnosed so you know for sure that you have arthritis and what type you have. A good first step when looking for solutions to an arthritis pain problem is to fully understand how arthritis works.
In osteoarthritis, any one or more of the affected joints experience a progressive loss of cartilage, which is the slippery material that cushions the ends of bones. Synovial fluid lubricates and provides oxygen and nutrients to the cartilage, which has no blood supply.
The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during any muscle movement. Joints are designed for normal movement and movement without pain and are primarily supplied by the synovium and cartilage.
Injuries sometimes can be the start of the arthritic disease process; osteoarthritis can develop years later after a single traumatic injury to a joint or near a joint.
When chondrocytes (the cells that make up cartilage) age, they lose their ability to make repairs and produce more cartilage; this process may play an important part in the development and progression of osteoarthritis. The cause and the factors leading to the deterioration of cartilage in arthritis and specifically osteoarthritis are still not understood.
The best natural approach is to eat foods that are known to help relieve arthritis pain or prevent arthritis, like living foods. For one snack suggestion - choose raw nuts without salt instead of lifeless salted roasted nuts. If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a radical change in your diet and an ongoing commitment to it.
Some people swear that glucosamine and/or chondroitin helps and others say they tried them and they didn't help at all. Gluten may be one of the culprits in arthritic diseases including fibromyalgia; avoid wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale, kamut and oats (although it's not a gluten grain it gets contaminated during the milling process at the wheat mills where it is usually milled). Dried Montmorency tart cherries seem to be helpful as a natural treatment for arthritis pain for many people.
Keep in mind that if you take a joint supplement it should help do three things - build cartilage, relieve everyday joint pain and enhance your flexibility and movement. The first step in managing your arthritis is to change your diet; I think all experts agree on this.
Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in two or three cored pesticide-free apples, with the peel on, and mix for a minute or so; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add a little cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another immune system boost. With natural arthritis treatments there will be fewer, if any, side effects or adverse reactions.
And did I mention to make sure to keep moving? Exercise is good for any joint affected by osteoarthritis. Keep a basket of arthritic treatment aids for arthritic hands (Thera-putty, hand grips, Taiji Chinese chime balls, etc.) to be used at bedtime or while watching television. Important exercises for arthritis include: range-of-motion exercises, isometrics, and some weight-bearing exercises.
Whatever you do, keep moving; don't sit when you can stand, don't stand when you can walk or walk in place. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining joint mobility and overall good health. Fight arthritis through plenty of movement and exercise!
For conventional treatment of arthritis - if you do choose to take drugs or medications, be very careful, read the labels thoroughly and talk to your pharmacist about side effects and adverse reactions; make sure you know the name of them and if they'll react with any other medication you're taking. At the very least, understand what the side effects and adverse reactions are for any arthritis medication you take; one rule of thumb is don't take any medication that is less than five years on the market. Conventional doctors may suggest their standard protocol for your joint pain; they tell you to take over-the-counter NSAIDS or prescribe COX-2 inhibitors of which all have some serious side effects; know what they are before you take any arthritis drugs.
One should not only look for relief of arthritis pain but work on preventing it. Again the biggest secret to arthritis pain relief is to change your diet now; eat foods that are alive. I got rid of my arthritis pain many years ago when I stopped eating dead food and changed my diet to living foods; you can eat an arthritis diet and benefit too.
For more information on arthritis pain relief and arthritis treatments go to Helen Hecker R.N.'s http://www.FastArthritisPainRelief.com
specializing in arthritis pain relief with tips, advice and resources including information on arthritis diets and natural arthritis treatments
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine reports that common rheumatoid arthritis treatment shows potential for diabetes prevention.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Holistic Medicine For The Treatment Of Arthritis
of the joints, is that there are more and more options for
holistic medicine for the treatment of arthritis.
As a whole, holistic medicine has certainly become quite
popular and is gaining more credibility among traditional
healthcare providers. For those suffering with a chronic
disease, such as arthritis, holistic medicine can certainly be
a helpful enhancement to traditional therapies.
Aggressive and early treatment of arthritis is necessary in
order to try to avoid additional joint damage which can lead to
further joint limitations and deformities. Holistic therapy for
the treatment of arthritis can provide you with some relief
from the pain and inflammation of arthritis.
Holistic medicine is based on the theory that diseases occur
from multiple root causes and most often can be positively
impacted by treating underlying imbalances within the physical,
mental and environmental realms.
Holistic medicine is based on the theory that arthritis occurs
from a variety of factors and in order to get the best outcome
it takes an approach that looks at every aspect of your life.
For example, it could be that your nutritional status is
impacting your overall health or perhaps you have an underling
infection. Look at the whole picture. Holistic medicine
physicians take the time to find the root cause of arthritis
and the patient is actively involved with their treatment.
Holistic medicine for the treatment of arthritis draws upon a
wide range of therapies to help treat and possibly prevent
arthritis. Many western physicians will use a combination of
holistic and more traditional therapies in order to cover all
the bases and give the patient the best shot at getting the
healthiest of all.
Many holistic physicians employ techniques found in Chinese
herbal medicine as a basis of their therapy.
These physicians also focus on stress reduction, proper diet
and nutrition, detoxification and the repair of nerves and
muscles with the use of acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage
and exercise. Those with arthritis as well as many other chronic
diseases can benefit from this practice as a compliment to more
traditional treatment.
The belief of the Chinese medicine is that disease occurs when
obstructions impede the flow of energy to the organs. Chinese
herbs are used to restore energy and function to your body
since Chinese medicine is based on the belief that if your
body's energy is blocked you cannot be in a state of wellness.
Some of those who practice holistic medicine believe that a
vegetarian diet can help to reduce your arthritis symptoms.
Some other techniques utilized within holistic medicine include
relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback and meditation.
Holistic therapy is thought to be incredibly helpful with the
complex management of arthritis symptoms and has been shown to
be effective.
With holistic medicine for the treatment of arthritis, you may
find it is the perfect compliment to your conventional therapy.
Since arthritis is a chronic disease it requires your on-going
attention and focus.
If there is something else that you can do to improve your
overall health and sense of feeling better, then this may be
just the thing you are looking for. Seek out a qualified
physician and get started now for the sake of your health!
Protect your joints no matter how much attention they demand.
It is so worth it in the long run. Holistic therapy can
certainly be an excellent augmentation to your current
treatment plan.
About The Author: For more important information on arthritis
be sure to visit http://arthritis-
information and resources on arthritis such as arthritis
relief, arthrits treatments, and other articles that you can
view at http://www.arthriti
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
I Want To Try Acupuncture For The Osteoarthritis In My Knee... Does It Work?
The role of many complementary and alternative therapies for
arthritis have come under careful scrutiny recently. Some
therapies seem to work while others are a short step from snake
oil. The difficult problem is separating the truly effective
therapies from the ones that really don't work.
In arthritis this is more of a problem than many other
conditions because the placebo response in clinical trials
involving drugs used to treat arthritis can be as high as 40
per cent! What that means is that the mind plays a huge role in
determining whether a given therapy will work... or not.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability among
older adults. The joint most affected is the knee. The
prevalence, disability, and costs related to knee OA are
expected to skyrocket in the next 25 years because of the aging
of the population.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been the mainstay of
therapy for OA of the knee. However, NSAIDS are only a bit
better than placebo in the short term relief of OA pain. Also,
NSAIDS are associated with many side effects including
gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, and cardiovascular
complications. Acetaminophen is sometimes used for mild OA
pain; however, it also has potential problems including liver
toxicity and the potential for kidney damage.
Non-drug therapies that have been proven to be effective
include exercise and weight loss. Unfortunately, both of these
often are difficult to do for patients with OA.
Acupuncture has been studied in a number of open and randomized
clinical trials. Current evidence suggests that acupuncture may
be an effective treatment for older patients with OA of the
knee.
However, it has been difficult to fully assess the
effectiveness because of the possibility of a strong placebo
effect. Patient expectations and preferences may color the
potential measurement of effectiveness of acupuncture as a
treatment modality.
Acupuncture does seem to have a real biologic effect.
One problem with assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture has
to do with clinical trial design as well as technique, settings,
protocol design, and proficiency of the acupuncturists.
Acupuncture appears to be safe. This is born out by the short
term improvement in pain and function compared with placebo.
The consensus is that it should be considered as part of a
multidisciplinary approach to the management of OA of the knee.
(Manheimer E, et al. Annals Int Med. 2007; 146: 868-877.)
About The Author: Nathan Wei, MD FACP FACR is a rheumatologist
and Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of
Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at
the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For more info:
http://www.arthriti
Arthritis Treatment
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.