Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment - What Are Your Options?

Deciphering the Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Puzzle

There are a variety of different rheumatoid arthritis treatment options available to people who have been diagnosed with this illness. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that does not go away by itself. Medical studies indicate that women are more likely to get this disease than men. However, this illness is something that can strike anybody regardless of age or gender. That said, there are a variety of treatment options available should you be diagnosed with this illness.

The very first thing you need to understand is what a rheumatoid arthritis treatment option offers you; it is a way to manage your symptoms, not a cure. Rheumatoid arthritis is a lifelong chronic illness, so once you are diagnosed it is likely something you will have to live with for the rest of your life.

A Few Quick Facts About RA

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the synovial lining of the joints. This in turn causes the joints to become inflamed, tender, and painful. These joints often fill up with fluid, which causes diminished range of motion and makes even normal movements difficult.

In addition, there are a variety of other serious symptoms associated with RA. For example, other symptoms may include muscle weakness, generalized fatigue, and heat, pain and swelling in the vicinity of the affected joints. And if the joint inflammation is not managed through early intervention, permanent joint damage and disfigurement may eventually result.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options

Keep in mind that treatment mainly involves the management of symptoms for those who are diagnosed with RA. Given the fact that this particular illness has the potential to destroy one's joints, it is critically important that treatment begin as soon as the illness is confirmed. The most popular treatment options revolve around the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-malarial medications that are known to provide some relief of RA symptoms, and prescribing other disease modifying anti-rheumatic medications (DMARDS). You and your doctor will likely spend considerable time finding the exact drug regimen that provides the most relief for your symptoms.

In addition to prescription drugs, it is very important that you speak to your doctor about the different exercise programs that are available to help people who have RA. The reason why this type of physical therapy is so important is because it can help enhance your range of motion as well as help your body cope with many aspects of the illness. Proper regular exercise will help you retain range of motion in your joints, which in turn helps manage some of the symptoms you may experience. In addition, you may find some relief from adhering to a special rheumatoid arthritis diet; many RA sufferers report modest to marked improvement of their symptoms after implementing dietary changes.

In summary, the treatment that is best for you will ultimately be determined between you and your doctor. The best rheumatoid arthritis treatment approach typically involves some use of medication while at the same time making sure to get rest, proper nutrition, and the necessary physical therapy and exercise that your body needs.

How To Avoid Problems In Treating Arthritis With Arava

The internet is a great source of information on all topics and Googling Arava will through up many results - some positive, some negative. There are a huge number of reviews online by users and professionals alike - some reviewing experiences, knowledge or promoting the product itself.

Where do you go to get reliable information about Arava online?

How reliable is the information online about Arava or any other drug for that matter? There are a number of respected medical sites that review many drugs on an impartial, professional basis. The reviews are generally done by qualified professionals, be they doctors, pharmacists or other health specialists. You should also remember that for a drug to be marketed in the US, it has to pass stringent tests and research trials before being granted FDA approval, and details on that approval are available on the FDA website.

Because of the problems caused by living with rheumatoid arthritis, most people with the condition will at some stage be taking medication of one description or another to deal with the pain and reduce swelling associated with the condition. Medication for rheumatoid arthritis can be divided into two categories:

1. Symptom Relievers. Used to help relieve pain and swelling, these include the following:

• Tylenol®*






• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen






• COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs

2. Disease Modifiers. These drugs, known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), not only help relieve pain and swelling, but they also help slow the progression of RA.

Arava slows the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and because of this is classified as a DMARD. Arava helps relieve the pain and swelling in the joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. So, while there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, it is possible you can do something to help prevent it from getting worse.

There are issues with Arava around loading dose levels in patients, particularly those at risk of hematologic or hepatic toxicity. Managing the initial loading dosage is something you should take very seriously and consult with your doctor.

So why are there Negative reviews of Arava online and what should I do about it?

The negative publicity you will find online about Arava is related to the potential side effects of using Arava. In the past there have been situations where Arava was used incorrectly and this has lead to problems.

This is the manufacturer's own warnings in relation to the use of Arava:

"Pregnancy must be excluded before the start of treatment with Arava. Arava is contraindicated in pregnant women, or women of childbearing potential who are not using reliable contraception. (see contraindications and warnings). Pregnancy must be avoided during Arava treatment or prior to the completion of the drug elimination procedure after Arava treatment."

As with many treatments, there are a number of conditions that are incompatible with Arava. If you are considering using treatment with Arava, make sure you undergo thorough medical examination so that you make sure you don't have any of the conditions that could cause you issues. You may not even know you have them so it si best to get checked out first and keep those risks as low as possible. Also make sure you are regularly checked by your doctor.

Other common complaints or side effects include skin problems such as dermatitis, acne and rashes, respiratory problems such as cough, pneumonia and respiratory infections or endocrine deficiencies related to the thyroid and the pancreatic functions. Arava, like most drugs, have these issues and it is important that you understand the risks associated with using it. That information is freely available online or from your medical professional.

So make sure you understand the risks, and weigh them up against the potential benefits - make sure you take the advice of a trusted professional and keep your risk factors to a minimum.

What is Arthritis? Rheumatoid Arthritis and Prognosis of Osteoarthritis Symptoms & Treatments

Arthritis is a common disease in the modern world. It has been a disease known since the ancient periods of time and is never referred to a single disease. The arthritis, in general, is an inflammation of the joints with numerous conditions attached to it. This is the only reason why it is being mentioned as a group of conditions. There are various forms of arthritis but the root case is the same in all cases.

What is the root case?

What is arthritis? This question often arises in our minds. The root case in arthritis is that there is inflammation of the human joints that resorts down to tautness, bumps and agony. Arthritis may cause enough stiffness of the joints and it might result into life threatening situations. Arthritis must be well looked after and any signs and symptoms must be reported to the physician without any negligence. Any sort of negligence might result into muscle damage, bone damage and also damages to the internal body parts.

The most common cases of arthritis are the rheumatoid arthritis and the osteoarthritis. No matter whatever may be the form of arthritis, the fact of the matter remains the same that arthritis can affect a human body at all ages? The rheumatoid arthritis is a typical form of the arthritis that results due to the faulty immune attacks on a human body. The rheumatoid arthritis is therefore an "autoimmune disease "which generally causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness and joint dislocation. The rheumatoid arthritis is a difficult disease when it comes to diagnosis and the most common cause is the hereditary presence or the genetic factor.

Osteoarthritis is the other most common case of arthritis in human beings. Osteoarthritis is a disease featuring degeneration of joints and most often lead into swelling, pain and tenderness of joints. Any king of gravity pressure leads into wear and tear and thus physical damage to the human joints. If you are interested to know the prognosis of osteoarthritis, symptoms, treatments and causes then you must go through the following sections.

The causes of osteoarthritis may be varied and dynamic according to human beings. There are abounding causes of osteoarthritis, which comprise endocrine cause or diabetic problems, metabolic malfunctions, anatomical abnormalities, or congenital causes, inflammatory joints, post traumatic causes, genetic causes, improper nutrition and also from the improper functioning of the nervous system.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis are specific and affect the fingers, spines, hips and knees. The fingers are affected with swollen and reddish enlargements. The hip joints are severely affected and this occurs mostly among men. The knee joints are affected in many individuals by excessive squatting. The spine is affected with weakness of the legs and arms.

The treatments that follow in case of osteoarthritis are essentially bringing down the weight, providing nutritious diet, antioxidants, vitamins, Acetaminophen, hot or warm baths and through artificial devices known as orthoses. The prognosis of osteoarthritis, symptoms, causes and treatments must have been clear by now with all those features discussed.

Vitamins For Joint Pain - Nutritional Therapies to Heal Inflammation and Pain

Arthritis and joint pain can be a debilitating condition for most sufferers. A reduction in the cartilage tissue that cushions the joints is the primary symptom of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although they have different causes, most diseases that cause joint pain are characterized by high levels of inflammatory.

Because conventional medicine has little to offer by way of a cure, doctors recommend prescription drugs like Ibuprofen and Aspirin that can cause serious side effects and organ damage when taken for long time. But there are many natural ways for sufferers of joint pain to get relief from the agony.

Arthritis sufferers are advised to follow general precautions such as getting adequate rest and water, not exercising too much, using compresses, avoiding alcohol, practicing yoga or another low-impact exercise natural. Following a healthy diet and avoiding inflammatory foods such as red meats, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes can also help curb inflammation.

A growing number of doctors and nutritional experts have come to believe that diet plays a primary role in the onset of inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Doctors like Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a leading advocate of the anti-inflammatory diet, recommend a diet that is low in simple carbohydrates such as sugar, processed foods, pasta, breads, pastry and baked products. These are high-glycemic index foods that can increase levels of the pro-inflammatory peptides in the body.

Perricone recommends an anti-inflammatory diet that includes consuming a high quality protein (such as tuna or salmon), adequate amounts of essential fatty acids, as well as colorful fresh fruits and vegetables. The reason this diet works to reduce inflammation is because it supplies a number of essential nutrients that can heal inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and autoimmune disease.

Essential fatty acids like those found in salmon, flax, nuts, seeds and olive oil, can significantly curb inflammation, reduce pain and swelling, improve joint mobility and prevent further degeneration of joints. However they have to be taken over months to see a noticeable effect.

Supplementation with folic acid has been found to reduce hip fractures resulting from osteoporosis. Taking a good supplement that provides bone minerals such as magnesium and calcium is essential for sufferers of joint pain. Zinc has also been shown to relieve joint pain and stiffness. A good supplement will also include Vitamin D and B6, as well as antioxidant vitamins like A, C and E.

Other nutritional substances that have been shown to significantly reduce inflammation in a number of studies are turmeric, which was found to reduce symptoms by 73%, and bromelain, a protease enzyme derived from pineapples. Anti-oxidants like alpha-lipoic acid are also recommended as part of the anti-inflammatory diet.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), an organic sulfur-containing nutrient, has proved helpful in relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and reducing pain. Also recommended are nutrients like chondroitin, which helps build cartilage, and glucosamine, which curbs inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory herbs such as boswellia, and immune-regulating herbs like ashwagandha and ginseng can regulate a hypersensitive immune system and lower levels of pro-inflammatory metabolites. Other herbs used to heal achy joints are St Johns wort, celery seed, angelica, juniper, sarsaparilla, devils claw, wild yam and willow bark.

A good joint supplement may not contain all these ingredients, but including some of them as part of your daily intake can help heal a number of inflammatory and joint conditions.

What Are the Risks of Treatment With TNF Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune disease that preferentially attacks the joints but also attacks many internal organs. It affects approximately two million Americans.

Recent therapeutic developments in the last 20 years have allowed rheumatologists to achieve remission in many if not most patients with this disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at increased risk of infection. This increased risk is partly due to the disease itself. And some of the increased risk is obviously due to the immunosuppressive medications, some patients may be receiving.

The most recent therapeutic agents used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are biologic therapies. And the most commonly used biologic therapies are what are called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF). Tumor necrosis factor plays an important role in the control of infection. In particular, TNF release from immune cells, called macrophages, is critical for proper defense against infecting agents such as bacteria. TNF also is important in regards to regulation of white blood cell movement within the blood stream and other areas.

On the flip side, drugs that block tumor necrosis factor can also have beneficial effects that must be weighed against their potential ill effects on infection defense. In short, they reduce the immune abnormalities that are part of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease.

A recent report (Anti-TNF Therapy is Associated with an Increased Risk of Serious Infections in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Especially in the First 6 Months of Treatment: Updated Results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register with Special Emphasis on Risks in the Elderly" Galloway JB, et al Rheumatology. 2010;51(1):124-131.) highlighted the difficulties associated with estimation of infection risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with TNF inhibitors.

According to the authors of the above paper, there have been several attempts in clinical trials to try and quantify the increased risk of infection in patients who are taking anti-TNF drugs. However, because of multiple reasons, including patient population size, study design, as well as the "artificial environment" associated with clinical trials, quantifying infection risk has been difficult. Also, since many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are taking steroids, which also increase infection risk, this has been another confounding factor.

Large observational studies looking at multiple clinical trials have shown that there appears to be an increased risk of certain infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-TNF drugs. The organisms that seem to pop up with the most frequency are Listeria, Salmonella, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The number reported by the British Registry in the recent study is a 20 per cent overall increase. What is really startling though is the fact that the risk for serious infections was increased by 80 percent during the first six months of therapy.

Why such a high number early on? The authors offer a few possible explanations. The first is that patients who are really susceptible to infection may get infections early on and be taken off their TNF inhibitor medicines. That leaves a relatively healthy number of patients left to assess.

There may also be adjustments in the immune system that might, over time, compensate for the lack of TNF.

Finally, as patients become better controlled with their disease, they require less in the way of steroids, therefore reducing infection risk.

Finally... and this is an important, if not obvious point. There also appears to be an increased risk of infection with increasing age. This is not a surprise, given that older patients have other disease conditions and are on multiple medications.

While this article hasn't mentioned all the risks associated with TNF inhibitors, I have tried to at least present the latest information in regards to the most common one, which is infection.

Therapy Pain Relief for Arthritic Feet With Microwavable Slippers

Arthritis is a chronic condition which causes inflammation and pain in the joints, including the many joints found in the feet. The two types of arthritis are osteoarthritis arthritis which is usually associated with age and wear and tear on the joints, and rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disease that attacks the cartilage and tissue surrounding the joints. Many doctors recommend both heat and cold treatments to help reduce inflammation and ease the pain and stiffness that comes with arthritis. A wheat bag or heat pad is a convenient method of applying heat therapy and can be easily heated in a microwave. They may also be frozen and used as cold compress.

Heat therapy with wheat filled microwavable slippers can reduce the pain of arthritis in the feet by increasing circulation and relaxing muscles.

Heat Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Nearly 70 per cent of people over 70 years of age suffer from osteoarthritis, although it is fairly rare in people under the age of 50. Arthritis of the feet can seriously impact an individual's mobility, but self treatment with heated slippers can ease pain and improve mobility for many arthritis suffers. There is no cure for osteoarthritis and medical treatment is limited to medications that relieve pain and inflammation. Those who have severe inflammation may get greater relief from a combination of over the counter analgesics and heat therapy such as using a pair of microwave slippers.

Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can strike people of any age although it most often presents in people in their thirties. In the U.K. the prevalence of the disease is estimated at between 0.5 and 1.5% of the population. This is a degenerative disease which in addition to attacking the joints, can effect organs and cause serious medical problems. People with rheumatoid arthritis should be under a doctor's care, but can treat the symptoms with heat therapy which can greatly reduce pain and improve mobility.

Using Microwavable Slippers for Heat Therapy

Most doctors recommend elevating the feet and legs to reduce the swelling of arthritis. With this in mind, it can be difficult to use most heat pads or hot water bottles to fully cover the feet during these instances. Microwavable slippers are designed to be comfortable and can stay in place for prolonged treatment. It only takes a couple of minutes to microwave these heat therapy slippers, but remember to turn them around half way through the process if your microwave doesn't turn correctly.

The application of heat is used to reduce pain, lessen muscle spasms and diminish joint stiffness. Heat therapy works by adding energy to the painful area which increases the metabolism of all types of cells. Applying heat causes the blood vessels to dilate which increases blood flow. Heat decreases muscle spasm through reducing tension in muscle trigger points and the muscle tendon unit is more able to relax and stretch since the heat decreases the thickness of the collagen in these muscles. If the heat is applied over enough time, the muscle and tendons relax and stretch more readily. This can reduce pain and stiffness in joints. The sensation of heat acts to reduce the transmission of pain signals and can trick the brain into ignoring soreness.
Self Treatment with Heat Therapy

Although there is no time limit on heat therapy, the maximum results are usually obtained in about 8 to 10 minutes. Since there are no drug interactions or side effects from heat therapy, over the counter analgesics or prescription anti-inflammatory medication can be used to reduce any swelling associated with the disease. However, heat therapy is less expensive than prescription pain medications and in many cases provides better relief. Arthritic feet suffers should test different combinations of treatment to see what works best for them.

Arthritis foot pain can be disabling, but microwavable slippers can help relieve pain and keep patients mobile. Heat therapy is recognized by medical professionals as one of the most effective treatments for relief of arthritis pain and doctors recommend that patients use it in conjunction with other medical treatments. Slippers also come in a range of styles and sizes so that everyone will find a slipper that fits them well.

Doctor...Why Does Arthritis Cause Fatigue?

Fatigue is extremely common in patients who have arthritis. While it is a common complaint in patients who have "bread and butter" types of arthritis like osteoarthritis, it is even more common in patients who have inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Fatigue is often a sign of a flare of disease.

Another condition often accompanied by fatigue is fibromyalgia.

There are many factors that may be responsible for fatigue.

Sometimes it is the body's method for dealing with a chronic painful condition. The body craves rest because it uses so much energy to combat the pain.

Another common reason is that arthritis often interrupts sleep. Not only is it more difficult to get to sleep but patients will wake up during the night, they will have difficulty falling back to sleep, and they will awaken early in the morning. This early morning awakening may also signal the presence of depression which is also a common problem in patients who have arthritis. Depression is also a cause of fatigue in patients with arthritis.

A corollary to this is stress. Stress not only aggravates the pain of arthritis; it can also aggravate fatigue.

Patients with more serious types of disease may have anemia which compounds the fatigue problem.

Medications can also contribute to fatigue. For instance some patients who are on methotrexate often report a "washed-out" feeling that occurs for one to two days after taking their methotrexate dose.

Fatigue has a major impact on the life of a person with arthritis. It causes daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and limits interpersonal relationships. Participating in all types of activities becomes more difficult. Also, some people fall into a nasty cycle of feeling tired, taking a nap during the day, which prevents them from getting to sleep that night.

So what can be done?

The most important thing is to get the arthritis under good control. That often improves fatigue by itself. Effective medications often make a big difference!

Correcting anemia is another action step. Sometimes the anemia will correct itself when the disease is controlled. Other times iron deficiency or other problems need to be addressed.

Improving the quality of sleep can help. Changing to a mattress made of memory foam is reported by some patients to be useful.

Getting into a regular sleep cycle is a good idea. Avoid large meals and caffeinated beverages before going to sleep. Sounds like common sense but too many people don't follow common sense rules1

Medicines that adversely affect sleep like prednisone and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) should be taken in the morning rather than in the evening.

A nice hot bath or shower before going to bed sometimes is helpful. Using warm moist heating pads is also a nice thing to try. Getting into a regular relaxing routine that consists of reading, listening to soft music, etc. can also ensure good quality sleep.

Regular exercise is another contributor to good quality sleep. Lack of exercise often causes fatigue. Regular exercise provides more energy, increases stamina, and improves sleep.

Stress reduction is an obvious benefit.

Eating a well-balanced diet can also contribute to less fatigue.

Patients should try to avoid prescription sleeping pills if possible. Herbal remedies may be useful though.

Arthritis Pain? Stop Eating Junk Food And Get Relief From Pain Naturally

After years of aggravating joint pain I finally found relief from my arthritis pain, naturally, and you can do it too. I got rid of my arthritis symptoms and arthritis pain forever by making one simple change in my lifestyle. I stopped eating all junk food.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joint cartilage and bone. It's often thought to result from continuous "wear and tear" on a joint. There are other causes of arthritis such as congenital arthritis with congenital defects, trauma and metabolic disorders. And osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. When people refer to arthritis they usually mean osteoarthritis not rheumatoid arthritis, which can be detected by blood tests. Osteoarthritis cannot be diagnosed using blood tests. Arthritis is usually found in the joints of the fingers, feet, knees, hips, and spine.

The ability to make repairs to the cartilage becomes very limited as cartilage cells age. Damaged joints cause pain and arthritis sufferers are constantly looking for ways to relieve this pain. Our joints are uniquely designed to provide flexibility, support, stability, and protection.

Genetic factors are thought to be involved in about fifty percent of osteoarthritis cases in the hands and hips and a somewhat lower percentage of cases for the knee. An inflammatory response causes cytokines to gather in injured areas and cause inflammation and damage to body tissue and cells. It's known to play a role in a systemic form of arthritis - rheumatoid arthritis and other muscle and joint issues associated with autoimmune diseases. Genetic researchers report a higher incidence of osteoarthritis between parents and children and between siblings rather than between husbands and wives.

For part of a dietary approach try avoiding seven of the eight most allergic foods - wheat, which is the most allergenic of all, corn, eggs, milk, peanuts, fish and shellfish. If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a big change in your diet and an ongoing commitment to it. So the first step in managing your arthritis is to change your diet. I think all health professionals would agree with this.

Try massaging your fingers or other affected joints with virgin coconut oil once or twice a day to help loosen them up and maintain flexibility. Nutrition experts say it takes a combination of supplements, not just one supplement to help relieve arthritis pain, build cartilage, etc. but studies done on antioxidant vitamins question their value as supplements. It's clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living plant foods because they may also need to work together with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly - called synergistic action.

One good natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods. And dried Montmorency tart cherries and cherries and their juice seem to be helpful as a natural treatment for arthritis pain for many people.

Gluten may be just one of the culprits in arthritic diseases including fibromyalgia. So avoid wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale, kamut and oats (although it's not a gluten grain it gets contaminated with wheat during the milling process at the where it is usually milled). Many arthritis sufferers who've changed their diets significantly have noticed major or total improvement in their overall health.

Exercise all your non-affected and affected joints every day, to keep them flexible. Even if you don't think you can exercise, you can do some movements no matter how small so just keep moving as much as possible. Don't lie down when you can sit and don't sit when you can stand. Keep your feet moving. Use the Chinese Taiji health balls, the kind with the chimes, to strengthen the finger joints. To use them hold the two balls in on hand, move them in a clockwise circle with your fingers to rotate them, then try moving them counterclockwise and do this off and on throughout the day and at bedtime. If you do have pain and swelling in your fingers, you can try squeezing some Thera-putty, which is made for this purpose. It's available at your local health equipment supplier.

Try wearing pair of stretch gloves at night to help reduce the pain and swelling in your fingers if you have arthritic hands. A doctor I know said he has found sleeping in a sleeping bag on his bed has really helped him. If weight is an issue, try to using exercises that will help you with arthritis and in losing weight such as walking, even if just around the block a few times. And did I mention to make sure to keep moving?

Please be aware that the use of pain relievers like NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten its onset. Only you know which arthritis treatment options are best for you. As for conventional treatment of arthritis - if you do choose to take drugs or arthritis medicines, 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 your medications and if they'll react with any other medications you're taking. Always know the name and dosage measurement of your drugs in case of an emergency situation.

So begin your treatment program with a diet change, exercise and weight loss plan to see the best results and pain relief fast. Your treatment plan should include an anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritis diet, lots of movement, exercise, and a positive mental outlook. Arthritis pain relief of your arthritis symptoms is the ultimate goal. Understanding arthritis and conventional and natural arthritis treatments and applying what will work for you is a good way to get there.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief - Natural Cures For Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

Rheumatoid arthritis is related with the chronic disorder of which there is no exact known care. But the debilitating effects of the chronic rheumatoid arthritis can be reduced by exercise as well as with the proper nutrition. It will not be cured completely but to a great degree. In comparison to the general population the risk of the people dying with the problem of rheumatoid arthritis is twice. The risk of dying increased due to reduced mass muscle. Approximately 30% of the muscle mass is reduced of the people belonging to the group of 70 years and if you loose about 40% then you will die.

People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis must eat more protein in comparison to the normal and healthy people. According to some expert's people suffering from rheumatoid must eat about 2.7 ounces of protein daily which is roughly equal to 4 ounce of the breast of the chicken or two servings of beans. But simple eating protein will not help you in building the muscles and in return will reduce the problem of arthritis. Exercises which includes leg lifts and arm exercises using weights is helpful in building muscle and as a result protein can be stored.

People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are usually deficient of vitamin B. if we are suffering from the problem of arthritis then we must worry about the intake of B6, B12 and folate. Supplements are also very important for the people suffering from the problem of rheumatoid especially the older people who lose the ability to absorb B12 from the food. In such a case and people of that category must take these vitamins with the help of the pills.

'Free radicals' are also one of the probable cause for the damage caused by the rheumatoid arthritis. Free radicals are the destructive and fast moving atoms which are produced by smoking, inhaling pollutants or being exposed to ultraviolet radiation of the sun. Free radicals circulate through out the body and damage the cells. It is believed to be the root cause of many chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid, Alzheimer's disease and also Parkinson's disease.

According to the European studies, to reduce the affect of free radicals large doses of vitamin E have a good effect. Vitamin E in particular has been very helpful and effective in reducing the pain due to rheumatoid arthritis. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis have increased free radicals and reduced vitamin E, C, and beta carotene.

Helpful Habits In Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Even though you may suffer with rheumatoid arthritis pain, doesn't mean it has to have complete domination over the rest of your life. Even if you've endured this monster for years, there's a good chance that you can have some effective control by learning all you can about managing and controlling what happens in your body in relation to your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Many have received lasting results and relief just by following a few helpful guidelines.

Be Practical

Do everything practical that you possibly can to alleviate your joint pain. If your doctor has prescribed a particular medicine for you to take, take it. Use heat pads or cold packs at the first sign of trouble. Get off your feet. Elevate your legs. Get some rest.

Prioritize Your Activites

Cut down on some of your scheduled activities for the day if your joints are swollen or giving you problems. Only do what's necessary and then get off your feet. If the swelling is more painful than usual don't attempt to do anything at all except to rest and maybe call your doctor if you think it's serious enough to call for it.

Exercise With Caution

Exercise as much as you can because it's good for the joints. Exercise acts like lubrication to the joints but don't over do it if your joints become painful. The exercise will actually begin to help alleviate the pain at some point but you must use caution and listen to your body's signal to stop. In time you will be able to do more.

Rest

Get as much rest as you possibly can. Your joints need the rest whether you feel like you need it or not. This is especially so during flare ups or even if you have just minor swelling and pain. And while you're resting be sure to move around a bit every so often, stretching the legs and especially readjusting them so as not to leave them in a bent position for too long. A prolonged bent positioning of your joints can damage the surrounding tissues and will in time curtail the mobility of those already painful joints. You are experiencing enough pain and limited mobility as it is so pay attention to those bent knees while you're resting day or night.

Allergy Watch

Pay particular attention to any allergies that you might have. There used to be a time when doctors thought it was pure nonsense or just plain folklore to suggest that allergies could trigger an arthritis flare-up. Today leading specialists acknowledge that in regard to arthritis symptoms, what you eat can either make your life easier or miserable. Studies have shown that certain foods can either cause or precipitate inflammation in the joints while other food substances can control inflammation, which is in essence like squelching the arthritis symptoms. Although these studies have their own individual results, you have to watch what seems to trigger inflammation and the accompanying flare-ups in your own case. What triggers a flare-up for you may not be a problem for your best friend. An excellent way to begin paying attention to your own allergy triggers is to go on a fast. You will get immediate relief just from the fast. You can also go on just a limited food fast in which you limit yourself to a few foods everyday for say a few days to a week. Then begin paying attention and recording how you feel as you start to eat additional foods.

Don't let the rheumatoid arthritis control you. Take back control by paying attention to your body's signals.

Arthritis and Its Types

It is one of the diseases having a painful effect. It has a far-reaching impact on most people who either have themselves or their family members affected by this disease. Literally Arthritis is a term given to joint inflammation. However in the biological world this term is used for hundreds of diseases. These diseases can affect your ligaments muscles tendons and bones causing stiffness, swelling and massive pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the common types of this disease.

When the diseases takes place on the common joint causing degenerative effect the arthritis is known as osteoarthritis. This is a common type of arthritis and has already affected more than 20 million of US population. In this type the main targeted portion is the cartilage. If you are having this disease you will find that the outer cartilage layer gets broken down. It causes reduction of cushion in the bones and they start rubbing against each other. This leads to a loss in motion for the particular joint involved alongside swelling and pain. Spurs start growing at the edges of the joint. Following that it is seen that the spurs start to break off and float in the joint itself. This causes further damage and more pain. Such arthritis form can only have an affect on your joints.

Another common arthritis form which has more than couple of million of US population currently affected with it is the rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike osteoarthritis this form of arthritis is not limited to joint you would find it affecting heart nerves blood eyes skin and other parts of our body. It is actually an inflammation characterized by symmetry. This means that if one of the joints are affected you would find the joint parallel to that also getting affected.

This is why it is quite simple to detect this form of arthritis. Other symptoms of the disease include swelling and pain in joint alongside stiffness inactivity and fatigue. People having rheumatoid arthritis have rheumatoid factor. However it has little or no use if you are trying to diagnose this disease. Apart from rheumatoid arthritis there are a number of other diseases which can have rheumatoid factor. If you see any of the symptoms of the two arthritis types you should consult a rheumatologist today.

When You Hurt All Over - What Could Be Wrong?

Patients with generalized aches and pains are often seen in clinical practice, but a diagnosis can be difficult to make because of the wide variety of possible diseases that could be responsible.

The most common cause of aches and pains- other than overexertion- is a viral infection.

In cases where the aches and pains don't go away though, a more in depth analysis is required. Something as common as an underactive thyroid gland can cause generalized aches and pains along with fatigue. The diagnosis can be made clinically and confirmed by checking the thyroid stimulating hormone level.

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disorder that affects people past the age of 50 years. Patients with this condition have widespread pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, hips, and buys. The pain is aggravated by inactivity.

Symptoms including low-grade fevers, and weight loss may be common. On physical examination, patients will have difficulty moving their shoulders and hips because of severe pain. Sometimes, patients will have inflammation of the small joints of the hands, wrists, and the feet. Laboratory tests will show an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Giant cell arteritis is a severe inflammatory disease that affects arteries. This condition often is found in patients who have polymyalgia rheumatica. The danger here is that patients with giant cell arteritis, because of inflammation of the arteries leading to the eye, may become blind. If this condition is suspected, a temporal artery biopsy is necessary in order to make the diagnosis.

A person presenting with swelling and pain involving the small joints of the hands, wrists, and feet will likely have another condition-rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis. Patients will complain of significant morning stiffness lasting several hours. They will also have stiffness during the day. Chronic fatigue is a problem. On examination, they will have swelling of the hands, wrists, ankles, and feet. Laboratory tests such as the rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP along with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate may help confirm the diagnostic impression.

Osteoarthritis, a form of wear and tear arthritis, may also present with generalized aches and pains. However, on examination, the patient will be found to have involvement primarily of weight-bearing areas such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees. While localized inflammation is present, generalized inflammation is absent.

Likewise, crystal induced arthritis- gout and pseudogout- can cause generalized aches and pains. However, the aches and pains are generally located in the joints.

Inflammatory muscle disease may also be associated with generalized aches and pains. Elevated levels of muscle enzymes in the blood can be seen. The diagnosis can be confirmed by studies such as electromyography, magnetic resonance imaging, and muscle biopsy.

Paget's disease of bone is an unusual condition that also can cause generalized aches and pains. The blood bone alkaline phosphatase level is elevated.

Cancer that has spread to bone also can cause aches and pains. In fact, I have seen two patients in the last week who presented with metastatic cancer and who complained of generalized pain as their primary symptom.

Obviously, the treatment for a patient who hurts all over will depend upon securing a precise diagnosis. For people who have chronic generalized pain, one disease condition that needs to be considered is fibromyalgia. This is a disease that affects about 2% of the population and may start at almost any age.

Patients may have had their symptoms for many months to many years. Patients with fibromyalgia complain of "pain all over" and, by definition, have pain on both sides of the body both below the waist as well as above.

The pain may be described as deep and achy. Stiffness in the morning is common. Patients may also complain of chronic fatigue and feeling as if they have not gotten a good night sleep.

They may also complain of symptoms such as irritable bowel, irritable bladder, headaches, numbness and tingling, subjective swelling of the hands and feet, and be very sensitive to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, and sounds.

A diagnosis of fibromyalgia can only be made after other diseases that can cause aches and pains are excluded.

Less common causes of generalized aches and pains are systemic lupus erythematosus, strep-related illness, and Lyme disease. These have to be factored into the list of possibilities.

Overweight With Arthritis

As we get older many of us including myself suffer from some joint pain from time to time. Many times it could be overworked joints but sometimes it's a more serious condition like rheumatoid arthritis. Being overweight or even obese can really put extra stress on those joints and affect your quality of life. Everyday normal routines can become very painful and unbearable.

Recent studies conducted in Oslo, Norway show that being overweight can affect Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in some other ways as well. Patients with RA and who are obese are more likely to suffer greater pain, increased fatigue, decreased physical function and an overall worsened quality of life score. The

researchers tested over one thousand patients who had RA. They grouped them according to their body mass index levels and came up with three groups, normal weight,overweight and obesity. Over one hundred people fell into the obesity category while three hundred sixteen were in the overweight and the remaining were either normal or underweight. All the obese patients reported having higher levels of pain and feeling more fatigued and worse physical function than all those in the normal group.

Being overweight reduces the chance of RA going into remission. Remission helps reduce the long term affects of Ra because symptoms like inflammation go away. The researchers found after a 12 month study and treatments that 58 percent of the normal weight patients who were on a placebo went into remission while only 35 percent of overweight and 25 percent of obese patients were in remission.

Because fat tissue produces pro-inflammatory molecules, it puts overweight patients at an increased risk of inflammatory complications. The head doctor in the study used Remicade plus a combination of therapy. It was found that being overweight didn't seem to affect those taking Remicade plus therapy. She believes Remicade may act on the inflammatory molecules allowing obese people to be able to go into remission.

There's obviously more to be done to reach conclusive results, but one thing is for sure, being overweight can have many negative affects on our health and quality of life! The one thing we all can do for ourselves which will have a positive effect is to eat right and exercise and maybe we can end the need for such studies and research.

Feline Arthritis - Nothing to Purr About

Cats are usually very stoic creatures but when it comes to feline arthritis, even the toughest tabby of them all will eventually give in and complain. Feline arthritis is a progressive, non-infectious disease characterized by joint swelling and pain. It can appear at any age but it usually affects middle-aged or geriatric cats.

What causes feline arthritis?

Certain factors contribute to the development of feline arthritis. These may include trauma, such as those caused by accidents or injuries to the joints, congenital disorders and developmental disorders. A commonly overlooked factor that usually leads to feline arthritis is obesity, which usually causes excessive weight to bear down on joints and cause too much pressure.

There are several types of cat arthritis - these include:

Progressive polyarthritis. This is characterized by arthritis affecting multiple joints and often worsens with age. Progressive polyarthritis usually affects the hock, wrist and feet. It can be severely painful, especially once the cartilage has eroded and bones are exposed.

Traumatic arthritis. This type is caused by injury to the joint from accidents, fights or even a fall. When left unchecked, the trauma can degenerate the joint and cause swelling and bone damage.

Osteoarthritis. Also referred to as degenerative arthritis, this is a chronic disease that often comes with age, characterized by the slow wear and tear of a joint. This usually occurs at the shoulder and elbow.

What are the symptoms?

When your cat shows symptoms of feline arthritis, it's usually when the disease has already progressed. These are some of the most common symptoms associated with feline arthritis:

Difficulty in moving or obvious expression of pain when moving.

Reluctance to engage in the usual physical activities.

Altered gait or limping.

Stiffness, difficulty in rising from a resting position.

Irritability, nervousness, aggression or depression.

Getting your cat diagnosed

Feline arthritis isn't arthritis until it's confirmed. If your cat shows signs of limping or inflammation, don't assume it is arthritis immediately and try to comfort your cat by giving him painkillers. Feline arthritis is best left for a veterinarian to diagnose and whatever medications you might need to administer should have the vet's approval.

During your visit to the vet, your cat will undergo a series of check ups in order to rule out any other diseases that may contribute to similar symptoms. It is also important that the vet examines your cat's medical history to find out if the problem is related to past injuries and diseases.

To check for the progress of the disease, an x-ray may be used which will show any deformed or damaged joints. An x-ray will often tell the veterinarian whether your cat needs to undergo surgery or will perform well with certain medications. Other forms of diagnosis may also be used by your veterinarian, including ultrasound, radiographs and blood tests.

Treatment for feline arthritis

A proper diagnosis from the veterinarian is important in order to determine the type and progress of the disease. This will help the vet prescribe the proper medication and therapies for your cat based on his age, the severity of his condition and medical history. The approach of treatment for feline arthritis is two-fold: one to treat the pain and inflammation and the other is to improve your cat's mobility.

If pain and swelling are present, medications may be prescribed, which can offer temporary relief. Common medications used include painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs must be prescribed by your veterinarian and should not be administered without the doctor's advice. Some drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and certain NSAIDs have adverse side effects that may not be well tolerated by cats.

Some supplements, such as chondroitin and glucosamine, are sometimes recommended to help in the healing of damaged joints. Glucosamine is one of the components that make up the cartilage while chondroitin inhibits damaging enzymes as it encourages cartilage formation. If the disease has progressed and joint malformation is already present, corrective and reconstructive surgery may be performed.

Supplementing medication

Your cat may have to deal with feline arthritis for the rest of his life, so it's important that he is provided a comfortable place to rest and sleep. A heating pad will greatly increase your cat's comfort although providing a warm place to sleep will usually suffice. Since it often requires extra effort for your cat to move, make sure he has easy access to his bed, food and water bowls. It may also be necessary to help your cat lose weight, as some forms of arthritis are caused and made worse by excess weight.

The Benefits of Aloe in Pain Relief For Arthritis

Although arthritis won't really kill you, it can literally cripple you. Arthritis causes a lot of limitations and cuts back even the most undemanding activities such as bathing, walking or dressing up. Because of intense pain in the joints, arthritis can be quite debilitating. Added to that, it's also a recurring disease.

Arthritis affects many thousands of people every year and statistics show that one in every three adults over 40 suffer or will suffer from arthritis as they age. Arthritis has no specified age or gender parameter since arthritis can develop even in infants, but most sufferers begin to experience symptoms when they near their fifties, with more than 50% occurring before the age of 65. The sad thing about arthritis is that it can be debilitating both to the body and to one's finances. It is estimated that arthritis can cost a single person a whopping $150,000 in medical or support treatment and lost wages during his or her lifetime.

The two most common types of arthritis that afflict the greater percentage of the population are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition that results from normal wear and tear of the knees, hips, or ankles since they bear much of the weight in the body. Arthritis also invades the shoulders and other highly mobile joints in the cervical and lumbar spinal regions. Like grease on joints and gears in a mechanical structure, synovial fluid maintains lubrication and ease of movement within our joints. It is also responsible for the overall health of the cartilage surrounding the bone interface. Synovial fluid inevitably shrinks with age and cartilage undergoes wear and tear with heavy use, eventually causing the bones to grind against each other. This grinding action is what causes arthritis pain and the difficulty in movements.

Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand is a condition brought about by the assault of anti-bodies on the synovial lining of the joints. Although these anti-bodies are produced by our own immune system, genetics, certain infections or environmental factors can trigger immune system upsets and cause destruction of the synovial membrane and the cartilage. Inflammatory conditions such as swelling, stiffness and pain manifest as a result of this. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects any age group, and this type of immunologically induced arthritis is also prevalent in other systemic illnesses such as Lupus and Scleroderma.

Symptoms of arthritis are not permanent - the disease is said to be active when inflammation is present and that period is known as a "flare". When the symptoms go away, it is said that the disease is "in remission". Remission can be accomplished through treatment or may occur spontaneously and may last for months or even years.

Conventional treatments for arthritis include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to relieve its painful effects. Typically, these come in the form of cortisone injections or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or what is commonly known as NSAIDs. These types of treatment bring pain relief, unfortunately they don't repair the damaged tissues - hence relief is said to be merely symptomatic.

NSAIDs and steroids are also known to produce adverse effects. Most prominent of these are osteoporosis and some thinning of the skin. NSAIDs are also observed to increase the incidence of stomach ulcers.

No cure for arthritis has been discovered yet, but there is growing evidence that tissue repair and replacement can delay disease progression. In fact, this has been the focus of controversial stem cell replacement studies over the years. Whether or not stem cell replacement will eventually emerge as the cure for arthritis, it is a welcome relief to know that natural substances are available to relieve arthritis pain and discomfort, and slow progression of the disease - without the side effects.

One of the best known natural substances for its anti-inflammatory properties is Aloe Vera. Aloe generally provides analgesic relief and it has demonstrated positive results at immune system stimulation to speed up cell replacement and growth. Aloe Vera contains basic sugars which are also found in every cell of the body - it is rich in nutrients that include vitamins E, C, and the B series, as well as iron, manganese, calcium and zinc. Aloe Vera also contains essential amino and fatty acids needed by the body.

Possibly more than its nutritional benefits is the ability of Aloe Vera to help the body regenerate cells and repair damaged tissue. A breakthrough formulation combines aloe with glucosamine and chondroitin, two joint supplements that are building blocks of cartilage found within joints. Glucosamine increases fluid maintenance in the cartilage, while chondroitin, an ingredient of cartilage tissue, takes charge of drawing in fluids and nutrients. As we age, the body's capacity to produce these natural elements of healthy cartilage is diminished, thus leading to painful joint conditions. Combined with Aloe Vera which aids in tissue repair and cell regeneration, natural relief for arthritis without the side effects may simply be found in a glass of naturally occurring substances!

How to Decrease Gout Symptoms and Arthritis Symptoms

You've heard the expression "you are what you eat"; but unfortunately that is the case with gout symptoms and arthritis symptoms. The good news is that there are a healthy number of delicious foods that will combat both of these. True, there are many delicious foods that you will need to steer clear of; but hopefully, with enough of the proper foods in you (and maybe a little splurge now and then...very little) you can reach a happy medium.

How to relieve gout symptoms

Eating the right foods is just as important as staying away from the wrong foods. A diet high in omega 3 fatty acids goes a long way to decrease gout symptoms; but the fats from dairy products work in just the opposite way. Purines are the enemy (as is uric acid), which makes sense considering that they go hand in hand. Fresh fruits and veggies are highly recommended for both sufferers of gout and arthritis. Certain veggies are on the 'to- be-avoided' list but overall; celery, carrots and almost all citrus fruits have pectin in them. Pectin is essential for the relief of arthritis symptoms in that it encourages joint flexibility.

Oh and by the way...

Symptoms of arthritis are actually treated with most of the foods used to treat gout. Onions, for instance, are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat. Not only are they beneficial to sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and an essential part of a gout diet; but they contain strong antibiotic qualities and are good for sufferers of cardiac issues as well. If you could get the vitamin C necessary for the treatment of gout symptoms and an analgesic to help relieve symptoms of arthritis and one tasty food, would you eat it? Of course you would.

Fortunately, this is exactly the case with sweet cherries. No, not the Maraschino cherries that you drop in your old-fashioned (cocktail)! God only knows what's been done to those. The fresh sweet cherries are what we are referring to. Sweet cherries are not your cup of tea? That's okay, because sour cherries (instead of vitamin C) offer your body vitamin A which can help relieve the inflammation involved with arthritis and the pain of gout. These particular cherries go one step further by working overtime (with their anti-oxidants) to "roto rooter" out your arteries that are all clogged up as a result of an overabundance of uric acid.

Maybe there's a lesson here... It's better to be sour than sweet!

Arthritis Treatment: New Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Guidelines for 2012

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis affecting between approximately two million Americans. It is a systemic, chronic, autoimmune driven disorder that affects not only joints but internal organs as well. The disease has been associated with a significant mortality causing people affected by the disease to die 7-10 years before people who do not have RA. Also, it is associated with significant morbidity, meaning patients will suffer a loss of independence as well as the ability to continue to pursue gainful employment.

A prior set of guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology in 2008 laid out treatment recommendations and guidelines for starting and switching medications.

However, these guidelines were formulated before complete knowledge as to the effect of newer drugs on disease course was fully appreciated. Those of us in practice, of course, felt these guidelines were antiquated even as they were released.

The newer guidelines deal with new discoveries and also make recommendations about how to use biologic drugs in high risk patients. As a result, I think these guidelines do make more sense and support the treatment approach that most private practitioners already follow.

The key point that the authors made was that low disease activity or even remission should be the goal of treatment. This is a critical point. It is now possible to get most patients with RA into remission.

One of the major changes from the 2008 guidelines was the emphasis on more aggressive treatment in patients with early RA that is - the first 6 months of disease onset. The recommended change to more intensive early therapy is necessary since more aggressive early treatment can provide better outcomes.

It's no secret that early diagnosis and treatment makes a huge difference in patient outcome.

Since joint damage in RA is irreversible, prevention of damage is an important goal. In addition to the obvious joint issues, preservation of physical function and health-related quality of life is important in order to limit the likelihood of disability.

To that end, they recommend early institution of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, drugs that slow the rate of progression of RA. Examples would be medicines like methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). Biologic drugs should be added quickly if DMARD therapy does not appear to be working effectively. Biologic drugs include the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab pegol (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi), or infliximab (Remicade). Non TNF biologics include abatacept (Orencia), tocilizumab (Actemra), or rituximab (Rituxan).

One other point: Biologics should not be combined since there is no increase in efficacy but there is an increase in side effects.

Finally, when I consider how far we've come with our approach to RA since I began practice in 1981, the difference is both astounding as well as gratifying.

Symptoms of Arachnoiditis

What is arachnoiditis?

Arachnoiditis is an incurable and dangerous condition wherein inflammation happens inside or around a spinal cord, possibly damaging the nerve roots. This condition is characterized by a severe stinging and burning pain and some neurological problems.

What are the symptoms of arachnoiditis?

Arachnoiditis, strangely, has no permanent and consistent symptom patterns. However, most people experiencing the condition of arachnoiditis state that it affects the nerves connecting to the lower back and the legs. Meaning to say, pain is always felt in the affected area and it can also cause a tingling, numbness or weakness in the legs. Patients also feel like there are insects crawling on their skin or feels like there is water trickling down the leg. Muscle cramps, spasms and uncontrollable twitching are also some of the probable effect of arachnoiditis. As the condition persists, these symptoms may become even worse and severe and worst of all, if not immediately treated, they become permanent. As a result, patients who suffer from such condition are no longer able to work and they also suffer some disabilities since they are in constant pain.

Diagnosis of Arachnoiditis

Diagnosing arachnoiditis may be very difficult. However, with the help of the advancement of our technology nowadays, diagnosing the condition may become possible. Tests like Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be of great help in the diagnosis. If you want to know the severity of your condition, a test called electromyogram (EMG) may be of great assistance to you. Here, you can assess, with the help of your doctor, the ongoing damage to the affected nerve roots by using electrical impulses to check the functions of your nerves.

Treatment for Arachnoiditis

As stated in the definition of arachnoiditis in the first part of this article, arachnoiditis is incurable. Meaning to say, there is no cure for arachnoiditis. The treatments appropriate for such conditions are almost of similarity for other chronic pain diseases. The only focus is to relieve the pain and improve the symptoms which impair daily activities of the patients. Some recommendations like a program for pain management, physiotherapy, exercise and psychotherapy are mostly advised by doctors. Arachnoiditis patients can also less depend on surgery for their condition since the result can be very poor, providing only a short - term relief to the patient and does not totally cure the condition.

Herbal Remedies For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition which is considered to be a chronic, inflammatory disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. This debilitating disease is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition, and can often lead to a major loss of mobility due to pain and joint expiration. Since rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, it often affects extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles.

A number of herbs have been shown to feature significant anti-inflammatory properties. Some herbs also can be potential painkillers as well as being anti-inflammatory in nature. However, further testing of possible herbal remedies is still in the early stages and it would be difficult to tell the true effectiveness of these herbs. A number of promising herbal substitutes for painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are shown below to harbor significant anti-inflammatory properties:.

 Birch leaf juice - Acts as a diuretic without irritating the kidney. It is advised to take 1 tablespoon three times daily.

 Boswellia - Boswellia, has been investigated for its effects on arthritis. The herb has a unique anti-inflammatory action, and acts much like the conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). People are advised to take 400-800 mg of extract in capsules or tablets three times per day.

 Blueberries and cherries - These berries are rich sources of flavonoid molecules, specifically proanthocyanidins. These flavonoids possess membrane and collagen stabilizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory actions, including many other functions that are very beneficial in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

 Celery seeds - These seeds help clear uric acid from the joints of gout and arthritis patients. To prepare, boil 1 tsp. of seeds in 1 cup of water for fifteen minutes, strain and sip.

 Dandelion - Noted to dispel uric acid. Take 3 capsules daily, 1 tbsp. juice or 1 cup tea, twice daily for four to six weeks to reduce the frequency and intensity of pain, and to strengthen the connective tissue.

 Devil's claw root - Is known to be effective in reducing the inflammation of connective tissues, as it dispels uric acid.

 Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) - Chinese skullcap has proven anti-arthritic and anti Chinese skullcap does not appear to have any adverse effects at therapeutic levels. Its therapeutic-inflammatory actions, similar in effect to the prescription drugs phenylbutazone and indomethacin. action appears to be related to its high content of flavonoid molecules.

 Chinese thoroughwax - (Bupleuri falcatum) This root is an important ingredient in various prescriptions in Chinese traditional medicine, particularly remedies for inflammatory conditions.

 Ginger - In one significant study, Indian researchers gave three to seven grams of ginger a day to 28 people with rheumatoid arthritis. More than 75 percent of those participating in the study reported at least some relief from pain and swelling.

 Feverfew - Feverfew has a long history in traditional herbal treatment circles for the treatment of fever, arthritis and migraine. Extracts of feverfew have indicated greater activity in inhibiting inflammation in experimental studies. Feverfew extracts have been noted to inhibit the synthesis of many pro-inflammatory compounds at their initial stage of synthesis.

 Dong quai - This herb is potent for relieving fleeting muscle and joint pains, particularly, if they are worse in damp conditions. Take I tbsp. of dried root juice three times daily.

Along with these herbal concoctions, rheumatologists also advise that treatment for conditions like these also includes rest and physical activity. Regular exercise is required for maintaining joint mobility and strengthening the joint muscles. Swimming is particularly good, since it allows for exercise with a minimum of stress on the joints. Heat and cold compresses are effective modalities that can ease RA symptoms before and after exercise.

Prime Herbal - http://primeherbal.com

Chronic Epstein Barr Virus and Auto Immunity

Chronic Epstein Barr virus may be a trigger for auto immunity. Auto immune disease happens when the immune system produces antibodies that attack normally occurring components in the body, as if they were foreign. The destruction of body tissues and proteins by the body's own antibodies causes inflammation, pain and injury.

Some of the auto immune diseases that can be triggered by environmental factors like chronic Epstein Barr virus (EBV) include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis


• Systemic lupus erythamatosis


• MS


• Myasthenia gravis


• Sjorgren's syndrome


• Sarcoidosis

In terms of chronic Epstein Barr virus, one study showed that people with the highest rate of antibodies against EBV, were more than 30 times more likely to develop MS than those with the lowest level of antibodies. More research is needed as there may be other factors involved in the progression to MS.

Auto immunity is considered by the medical community to be a permanent degenerative disease. Conventional treatment is aimed at minimizing symptoms with anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids. The toxic side effects of these drugs can cause further problems and lead to degenerative disease.

Fortunately the natural treatments for chronic Epstein Barr and auto immunity can bring relief to symptoms without the nasty side effects of conventional drugs. Natural treatments are aimed at controlling chronic EBV, reducing the levels of auto antibodies, quelling inflammation and healing damaged tissues.

The first step in treating auto immune disease is to regain optimal digestive and liver function. Overgrowth of bad bacteria in the small bowel has been linked to the development of auto immunity. A herbal gastrointestinal supplement followed by a course of the good acidophillus bacteria is a good start. Adding some digestive enzymes like pancreatin and Betaine HCl helps by reducing external antigen absorption which is often seen in auto immune patients.

Liver detoxification can be done during or after a bowel cleanse. There are some excellent herbal cleansers available through naturopaths, herbalists, health food shops and pharmacies.

A diet for the natural treatment of chronic Epstein Barr virus auto immunity should focus on high protein / and low carbohydrate meals. Each meal should contain some quality protein like fish, free range chicken, lean red meat, eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds or a good protein powder. Plenty of fresh vegetables, salads, low carb fruits should make up the bulk of each meal. The addition of some anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, ginger, garlic, rosemary oil, pineapple and paw paw can minimize tissue inflammation.

Vitamins and minerals for chronic Epstein Barr virus auto immune disease that can reduce inflammation and heal body tissues include vitamin C, zinc and fish oils.

Lupus, An Autoimmune Disease With Arthritic Symptoms

Lupus, an autoimmune disease strikes about one in two thousand people. Women are eight to ten times more likely to have lupus than men. Many of its symptoms mimic other diseases so it usually takes more than a year to make a definite diagnosis. Most often women from age twenty to forty are diagnosed with the disease although it can occur in either gender and after age fifty it is equally common to both men and women.

The person with lupus may look perfectly normal to family and friends or even Doctors. The disease can cause nausea, weight loss, and muscle weakness, as well as chronic inflammation in many different parts of the body, including the skin, muscles, and the joints, lymph nodes, and spleen.

The majority of people with lupus usually live full and normal lives. Although lupus is not a true form of arthritis; it is a connective-tissue disease and is classified as a rheumatic disease as the symptoms usually include swelling and joint pain.

Some people with lupus do develop symptoms of arthritis though only a few will suffer the deformities associated with more severe forms of that disease.

To date, there are no known cures for the disease. The causes of lupus are still a mystery; although it is thought that there could be an inherited predisposition to the disease. Some external trigger, perhaps a virus, could be responsible for starting the disease process in genetically predisposed people. Environmental factors, such as an injury, or an infection could contribute to the disease.

The biggest problem comes when trying to diagnose the disease. No two people present the same symptoms. The symptoms can include weight and hair loss, sores in the mouth, and some will get throat and facial swelling.

If the patient has a history of rheumatoid arthritis in their immediate family or a history of some other autoimmune disease, that could be a clue to determining if lupus is actually present. Joint inflammation for instance, would suggest arthritis; but if the inflammation is accompanied with a rash on the body consistent with lupus, the diagnosis is clearer. If there is inflammation around the lungs and the heart, that could be a further clue that lupus could be present.

The range of joints affected in lupus is almost the same ones that are affected in rheumatoid arthritis. While any joint in the body can be affected; it is usually the wrists, the large knuckles at the base of the fingers, and the middle finger joints. Knees fall victim to lupus more often than the hips. As a general rule, lupus patients seldom suffer any joint deformity.

Your diet, exercise and the proper amount of rest all play a significant role in the management of the disease. If you tire easily when going about your daily tasks; stop, take a break and don't overdo it. If you get over tired, that could cause a flare-up. Try to keep your stress levels at a minimum.

Exercise is important to maintain overall body health. It not only gives you more joint flexibility, makes you feel good, look better and live longer.

Last, but not least, your diet is very important, as it is with any arthritic condition. Best thing to do is consult with your Doctor and let him recommend a diet suitable for you.

Top 6 Food Groups to Help Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers

Rheumatoid Arthritis - What It Is

This chronic inflammatory disease of the joints is the most serious form of arthritis and can affect the entire body. Fever, loss of appetite, and a general ill feeling frequently accompany inflamed, stiff joints.

How Food May Help

Evidence suggests that consuming a diet high in unprocessed foods - fruits, vegetables, and whole grains - lowers the risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Because some drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis depletes the important B vitamin folate, many experts advise consuming folate-rich foods.

There is considerable evidence that suggests the powerful antioxidants in tumeric may help modify inflammatory compounds and activate the body's own anti-inflammatory actions.

Top 6 Food Groups That Will Help

#1 - Pineapple - contain bromelain - The pineapple enzyme bromelain has been reported to decrease inflammation.

#2 - Apples, Berries, Citrus Fruits, Onions - contain flavonoids - Support connective tissue and lower inflammation.

#3 - Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna - contain omega 3 fatty acids - Clinical studies demonstrate the beneficial effect of these fats on arthritis symptoms, including joint stiffness, tenderness and fatigue.

#4 - Ginger - contain shogoals & gingerols - Ginger exerts powerful antioxidant activity and is thought to suppress the development of inflammation compounds.

#5 Citrus Fruits, Peppers, Strawberries - contain vitamin c - Vitamin c support connective tissue in the joints, provides valuable antioxidant activity, and helps inhibit inflammation.

#6 Avocados, Nuts, Seeds, Whole Grains - contain vitamin e - Clinical findings indicate this powerful antioxidant helps relieve joint pain and stiffness.

My Arthritis is Killing Me - It Must be Springtime

It turns out that patients with rheumatoid arthritis appear to have higher disease activity during the spring season relative to the fall season, based on subjective and objective disease measures.

To determine whether a seasonal fluctuation in disease severity exists among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), researchers examined data from 1,665 patients with RA who participated in a large, observational cohort study conducted in Japan from October 2000 to April 2005. The majority of the patients (81.7%) were female, the mean age of the patients was 57.2 years, and the mean disease duration was 9.9 years.

Ten criteria were used to assess disease activity, including objective, subjective, patient-assessed, and physician-assessed measures. Evaluations were made each spring and fall during the study period.

The results showed higher disease activity in the spring for almost all measures.

In addition to clinical measures of disease, laboratory measures of disease activity including the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate), C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor were also significantly elevated in the spring compared with the fall.

The implications of the research are difficult to fully establish. However, it is clear that examining patients during different times of the year may lead to different results. Seasonal variations in symptoms should be taken into account when planning changes in treatment. Patients with RA should be warned about the possible seasonal variations that can occur.

(N. Iikuni, A. Nakajima, E. Inoue, E. Tanaka, H. Okamoto, M. Hara, T. Tomatsu, N. Kamatani and H. Yamanaka. What's in season for rheumatoid arthritis patients? Seasonal fluctuations in disease activity. Rheumatology. January 2007).

Pain Medications for Arthritis Sufferers

If you suffer with Arthritis, you will no doubt have heard of the drugs under the classification of Steroids, Narcotics, DMARDS and Biologics. All these types of medications are prescribed to those who suffer from the pain of arthritis and carry with them benefits and risks that patients and their doctors should discuss before a pain management plan is put into action.

Steroids

Used to reduce swelling, inflammation and the associated pain, Steroids are a strong anti-inflammatory medication. Often sufferers of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may be given steroid injections directly into the painful joint to relieve pain in that joint. Steroids are commonly prescribed in tablet form to give temporary relief of the symptoms of "flare-ups" for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. This medication is available in different strengths, with lower doses being taken over a longer term to help maintain the occurrence of inflammation and pain. The use of steroids can make a big difference in the quality of life especially for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

The risks associated with long-term use of steroids need to be weighed up against the benefits. Effects such as increased risk of infections and an increase in blood sugar levels are quite common. Extended use of steroids can also result in thinning of the bones. Usually doctors will prescribe the use of steroid pills for short-term use to avoid these side effects. Steroid injections carry a lower risk for side effects and can be used for longer time periods.

Narcotics

Narcotics work by controlling pain by disabling the nerve cell pain receptors. Doctors may prescribe prescription narcotic pain relievers such as codeine, fentanyl, morphine or oxycodone for the relief of severe arthritis pain. Although Narcotics are not commonly prescribed for pain relief for arthritis suffers, in cases where the patient is so debilitated by pain that they are unable to move they may be the answer to assist with regaining mobility. Mobility is very important in the management of pain for arthritis sufferers. The reason narcotics are not used more often is that there are a lot of side effects when using them. Narcotics tend to cloud the thinking processes of people who take them. Constipation is another common side effect to narcotic usage.

DMARDs

DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) are used to prevent the joint damage that inflammation causes in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methotrexate is a commonly prescribed DMARD. These medications usually take weeks before there is any noticeable effect on the patient so it is usual for pain relievers like steroids to be prescribed until the DMARDs take effect.

The use of DMARDs can drastically improve the lifestyle of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
As with most medications there is a risk with using DMARDs. DMARDs work by suppressing the immune system and as a result patients are more susceptible to infections while using this particular medication therapy. They are also at increased risk for liver issues, low blood count occurrences and a slightly increased risk of certain cancers. It is widely recommended that regular blood tests be done so the doctor can be aware of any changes in blood count and organ functions.

It is usual when undertaking any medication therapy that the doctor will explain the risks of such therapy to the patient and together they can weigh up the benefits against the risks. Other illnesses the patient may be experiencing will also be taken into consideration when using medication such as DMARDs. If the disease is progressive and creates a current or future risk of disability without the treatment than that is a major consideration. Quality of life is extremely important and the decision to proceed with DMARDs medication therapy must be weighed seriously against other pain management alternatives.

Biologics

Biologics (Biological Response Modifiers) are a more aggressive medication therapy that is used to slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics are used when DMARDs therapy is no longer helpful. There are a few Biologics approved for arthritis pain relief such as Enbrel, Kineret, Orencia, Humira, Rituxan and Remicade.

Biologics can affect part of the immune system unlike DMARDs that can affect the entire immune system. Biologics are designed to inhibit or supplement different components of our immune system.

Biologic medications are given by either injection or by intravenous infusion (IV). The IV method can take up to 2 hours to receive the entire dosage.

Long-term effects are unknown at present as results of studies have only been available for about 10 years. However, it is known that biologics can cause diseases that have been in remission to flare-up again such as tuberculosis and other chronic diseases. It is also unadvisable for people under the age of 50 to use this type of medication therapy.

In summary; although many of the types of medication discussed here can and do have their risks, it must be remembered that people suffering with the debilitating pain associated with many arthritis diseases, have very little choice when it comes to pain relief. Pain in itself can cause other problems such as depression, therefore the decision to undertake this type of medication therapy becomes the lesser of two evils. This is why it is so important to fully understand the benefits and risks associated with drug therapy and to discuss all options and concerns with a medical professional, thus enabling the patient to make an informed decision.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - There Is Still Hope

Back in February 2009, I came down with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had no idea what was happening. I just woke up one morning and my feet and knees were stinging and burning. They just hurt, more than they had ever hurt before. I tried to put my feet on the floor, but the sharp stinging pain became intense as they touched the floor. As I looked at my feet and knees they were red, swollen and quite warm to the touch, and just touching them was quite painful.

I called my work to let them know I wouldn't be in that day. I then called my doctor and made an appointment for that afternoon. As the day went on, the pain became worse. By that afternoon I was forced to use crutches to get myself to the car. By the time I had reached the car, I was in tears, from the sharp stabbing pain each time my feet touched the ground.

My wife drove me to the doctor's and brought out a wheelchair for me. Again I had to stand to get into the wheelchair. I couldn't remember ever having such intense sharp stabbing pains. As my doctor evaluated my swollen feet and knees he ordered x-rays and sonograms and set up an appointment with a podiatric specialist within a few days. In the meantime, he gave me a prescription for pain medication, Hydrocodone.

Again, a few days later, I made my way to the car in tears and to the Podiatrist's Office. She went over my x-rays and scans and examined my feet and knees and told me that I should see a Rheumatologist. She suggested one about an hour away, saying he was one of the best in the area. After returning home and regaining my composure, I called to make an appointment with the Rheumatologist. The soonest they could get me in was six weeks. I couldn't believe they couldn't work me in sooner, but they insist that was the soonest available date. They did say they would put me on their cancellation list and if there were any cancellation they would get me in sooner, but there were already eight others on that list ahead of me.

For the next six weeks, I worked out the least painful routines, as far as bathing, going to the bathroom, pillow positions so I could sleep, and keeping anything from touching my feet. My feet were swollen so tight I couldn't even wiggle my ankles, more less my toes. My knees were so tender that any side pressure was extremely painful. So just trying to roll over in bed was a major painful ordeal. Those six weeks would have been totally unbearable if it wasn't for the TV and my laptop. The TV was a great distraction from the pain and the laptop kept me in touch with what was happening at work, in town or any where else. This was a lot better than just popping pain pills. In fact, I was able to stop taking the pain pills except when I was trying to get to sleep. I would take two about an hour before turning out the lights and I would sleep fairly well.

When I finally got in to see the Rheumatologist, he knew what was going on within a few minutes of examination. He took a few blood tests to confirm his assessment and check for any other problems. Then he wrote me a couple of prescriptions for Gabapentin and Plaquenil. The Gabapentin is used for nerve or neuralgia pain relief and Plaquenil which is a Hydroxychloroquine, is used for aggressive treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, but it has serious side effects such as: It can cause blurred vision and light flashes; Can cause neurological problems, headaches, weakness in muscles, dizziness; May change your blood chemistry, white blood cell count, low platelets, anemia...; Hearing problems, even possible hearing loss; And even Liver and Kidney damage. He wanted me on Plaquenil because of the severity of my Rheumatoid Arthritis and wanted me back in 4 weeks to run more blood tests to check for any possible side effects. He also told me even with this aggressive medication, it would take 10 - 12 weeks before I would notice any changes or improvements. Now that was down right discouraging, and yes, it did take a full 12 weeks before I started noticing an easing of pain and reduction in swelling. One morning I woke up and I could roll my ankles a bit and wiggle my toes ever so slightly, and I was excited. It was more than I could have done in the past several months.

For the next three months I was able to get back to work in a wheelchair. I kept my feet propped up on a box under my desk to help to keep the swelling down. It was still very painful to stand just long enough to move from the car to the wheelchair or when going to the bathroom, especially that first month back at work.

As time went on, I was able to drive myself to work and get the wheelchair out of the back seat by myself. I had to practice this several times before I was able to do it without falling over. Have you ever seen a turtle on his back, well, that was me. Luckily I had the wheelchair out of the car when I lost my balance and went over. I was able to open the wheelchair and use it to pull myself up.

Each time I was able to do something new and/or better, it gave me a feeling of accomplishing something worth while. I kept trying to do new things, to do things better, and as I kept seeing improvements, it encouraged me to do more.

After three months in the wheelchair, I started getting around at home with a cane. My legs were getting stronger and I was becoming more stable as I regained strength back to my legs and ankles. I finally started using my cane at work and leaving the wheelchair home.

After about six months on Gabapentin and Plaquenil, the doctor took me off the Plaquenil and put me on Sulfasalazine, with the Gabapentin. The Sulfasalazine is used for milder cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis and has very few side effects. Now that my Rheumatoid Arthritis was under control, he felt the Sulfasalazine would be sufficient to control my joint inflammation and also it has fewer side effects; Temporary nausea and upset stomach. I only have one kidney, so I am very protective of it and I expressed that concern to my doctor on our second visit.

It has been a couple of years now and I am doing quite well. I have not been able to run laps, and my joints are a bit stiff in the morning, or after sitting for a while, but other than that, I'm happy to be able to just get around again.

Life is good when you are mobile. I hope this information is of some benefit to you and provides the encouragement you are in need of.

Thank you

Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis - How to Deal With Pain Without Drugs?

Rheumatoid arthritis is not caused by aging, instead this condition is caused when your immune system starts to attack your joints for an unknown reason. When your immune system attacks these areas inflammation results, and this causes pain, problems with joint movement and function, tissue and bone damage, deformities, and even fatigue and a higher temperature. This fever affects the entire body, not just the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can be extremely painful, and affects all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Because of the pain, which can be debilitating at times, many people take narcotic pain medications or other drugs to become more comfortable and increase their movement ability. It is possible to manage the pain of this condition without harmful drugs though, and using alternative methods can be just as effective at relieving your symptoms and pain as anything your doctor can prescribe. In addition there are no risky side effects or mental dullness that pain medication may include with drug free treatments.

One very effective technique that can help with rheumatoid arthritis involves the use of heat and cold compresses or packs. Applying heat or cold to the joints that are affected can give you some relief, and the choice will depend on whether the pain is acute or chronic. A general guideline is that cold compresses and ice packs will work best if you suffer from acute pain, while chronic pain will usually respond better to a heat pack or compresses. Another step that can help minimize your discomfort is to exercise as much as you can within your specific physical limitations. If you do not use the joints then they will start to stiffen up, increasing the pain every time you move them. Exercises for range of motion in each joint will prevent this, and help decrease your pain in the long term.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis it is important that you stay positive and upbeat as much as possible. Your mental attitude plays a big part in the pain you experience, and depression can cause pain to be felt more severely. If you start to feel down or have negative thoughts make a conscious effort to reverse this thinking pattern and try to look at any positive things in your life. Laughter is an excellent way to minimize pain from rheumatoid arthritis, and this has been scientifically proven regardless of the cause of the pain. When you laugh your brain releases chemicals which minimize the pain impulses and improve your mood, making the pain seem much more manageable. Fill your life with people who make you laugh and help you stay in a positive frame of mind. Other treatments that do not involve drugs can include massage, acupuncture, relaxation techniques and training, electrical stimulation which increases the natural endorphins released by your brain, topical applications which will decrease the pain sensitivity of the nerves, and others.

Symptoms and Types of Connective Tissue Disease

Four rather unusual and rare diseases are now being grouped together by medical investigators as a result of information derived from recent research. Their names, which are little known to the public, are polyarteritis nodosa, diffuse lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis.

They resemble each other in that all of them represent disturbances of connective tissue in the body, in contrast to glandular tissue or surface secreting tissue. The connective tissue of the body includes what is elastic and the material between the cells. Sometimes tumors consist almost wholly of connective or fibrous tissue. The walls of blood vessels contain much tissue of this type.

Now the big fact about these conditions is that all of them are benefited at least temporarily by use of ACTH or Cortisone. All of them resemble also the reactions that occur in tissues in response to hypersensitivity or allergy.

Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa is a disease in which the blood vessels are chiefly affected. Because this disease is primarily serious damage of blood vessels, it may be reflected in any part of the body. The condition affects men four times as often as women and, mostly, those between twenty and forty years old. Arthritis and many of the reactions associated with hypersensitivity are seen by the doctor in these patients.

Lupus Erythematosus
Disseminated lupus erythematosus is chronic, usually severe disorder occurring mostly in females fifteen to forty years old. A characteristic is a butterfly-shaped inflammation over the nose. Other symptoms involve the joints and the heart. Fever a anemia and a progressive course make the disease fatal.

Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a disease that affects the connective tissue of the body and particularly that in the skin where there is hardening. Chiefly women between thirty and fifty years old are affected. The swelling in the skin may be followed by calcification. This disease comes on slowly a insidiously, but as it progresses changes occur in the skin of the face, neck, and arms. The skin looks waxy and tight and loses its color a hair. When the face is involved there may be difficulty in moving the jaw. Fortunately this is not a common disease; certainly it is not serious as polyarteritis nodosa or diffuse lupus erythematosusw, which similar. In the older forms of treatment emphasis was placed on the use of thyroid and vitamins. Great care was given to prevent secondary infections. More recently attention is being focused on the use of ACTH and Cortisone.

Dermatomyositis

Fourth in this group of collagen disorders is one called dermatomyositis. This is a common and often fatal disorder involving the skin and the muscles. The exact cause is still unknown. It affects people of all races and colors, both men and women, and in general those between the ages of ten and fifty years.

Characteristic of this condition is the involvement of the muscles. As they deteriorate the organs concerned show effects, as in the eyes, throat, diaphragm, or muscles between the ribs. The symptoms then are difficulties of vision, swallowing, breathing, speech, etc. Naturally such people lose weight and get weak. Unfortunately this condition progressive and few who have it live long. Until recently little was known about treatment, and vitamins, hormones and physical therapy were tried. Salicylates were thought to be beneficial. Now we know that the salicylates can to a small extent stimulate the condition.

Arthritis
Rheumatism is a word used to describe a number of diseases, acute or chronic, which are accompanied by pain and stiffness of the muscles, the joints and other tissues involved in movement. Arthritis is the term used to describe inflammation of the joints only.

The joint includes the ends of bones, cartilages between the ends, a capsule holding it all together, ligaments which attach the muscles to the bones, membranes and the joint fluid. Nerves accompany the blood vessels into the joints; while the bones and cartilage do not feel pain, inflammation and swelling with the pouring of extra fluid into the joint can produce exquisite pain.

People with arthritis can be quite eloquent about their joints. The pain may be described as excruciating, throbbing, burning, aching, squeezing, or just hurting. The patients also complain of crackling, stiffness, and loss of motion.

The American Rheumatism Association has classified arthritis into seven types:

1. - due to infection


2. - due to rheumatic fever


3. - rheumatoid


4. - degenerative


5. - due to injuries


6. - due to gout


7. - arising from the nervous system

Rheumatoid arthritis is not just a disease of the joints, but a general condition affecting the whole body. While the exact cause or causes may not be known, the discovery of the effects of ACTH and Cortisone have led to new concepts of the nature of the disease. Now rheumatoid arthritis along with a number of other conditions is called a "collagen" disease. In all of these the connective tissue of the body is chiefly concerned. The tendency is to consider rheumatoid arthritis a reaction of the body to sensitivity to certain substances, perhaps coming from bacteria, with the sensitivity affecting the connective tissue chiefly. The suggestion has also been made that rheumatism is not a specific reaction to some single substance but a general reaction of the body resulting from several different stimulations.

Women are affected by rheumatoid arthritis three times as often as men. Rheumatoid arthritis varies from being an acute disease with fever and sudden disability of many joints to a condition that develops gradually in which the patient may at first notice only stiffness or pain in one joint. Some may have deformity of a joint without ever having felt any pain. Sometimes the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis are fatigue, loss of appetite and loss of weight. Patients complain of numbness and loss of feeling in hands and arms, feet or legs. Sometimes the lymph glands near the joint become swollen. Because of failure to move and use the muscles around the swollen joint, the tissue breaks down and the area looks thin and wasted.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that comes and goes. Doctors have noticed particularly that it disappears during pregnancy and during jaundice. The sooner good treatment can be applied to rheumatoid arthritis the better are the results secured in stopping the progress and the damage done by the disease. While the disease is active, rest and freedom from motion are helpful. If there is fever and severe pain certainly confinement to bed is desirable. Then as these troubles subside motion is permitted, but never to the point of fatigue. During the severe stages the patients are anxious and disturbed, often by solicitous people, and the doctor must protect the patient against emotional upsets.

No special diet cures arthritis. Nevertheless the patient with rheumatoid arthritis needs to be sustained with sufficient proteins, vitamins and minerals and enough carbohydrates and fats to provide needed energy and to avoid damage to tissues. Good animal proteins, calcium and iron must be adequate in the diet.

For many years a mainstay in treating arthritis has been the application of heat. Heat may be applied by hot bricks wrapped in towels, hot water bottles, electric heat pads, infra-red heat lamps, heat cradles containing incandescent bulbs, and other methods. If many joints are involved relief frequently comes from a hot tub bath once or twice a day, but prolonged hot baths are weakening.

People do not die of rheumatoid arthritis but complications may occur which are especially serious for the arthritic patient. Troubles with the lungs including pneumonia, damage to the heart and secondary infections are a threat.

Rheumatoid arthritis may be especially serious for children because of deformities that persist throughout life. A severe form of rheumatoid arthritis in childhood is known as "Still's disease." Another form of rheumatoid arthritis is associated with psoriasis, and there are arthritic manifestations that affect women in the menopause.

Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the spine is a crippling condition responsible for much disability. This condition usually occurs in men rather than in women. Pains in the back, soreness on bending over, painful buttocks, and shooting pains in the sciatic nerve area are accompaniments.

With spasms of the spinal muscles comes a tendency to avoid movement and in some instances the stiff-poker spine develops. Hot, wet packs help to relieve the spasm of the muscles. Use of salicylates for relief, heat, mild massage and liniments are reported beneficial in securing relief for those with degenerative arthritis.