Arthritis Symptoms, Causes and Treatments That You Should Know

Arthritis is a chronic disease of the joint, causing joint inflammation and sharp pain at the joint. Wearing out of joint cartilages due to factors like aging, obesity, hormonal imbalance, heredity, past history of bone infection or injury, is the leading cause of arthritis. Once the cartilages wear out getting weakened by age and losing power to repair them selves after daily wear and tear or crumble under the load of excessive body weight, the two bone heads at a joint are exposed to friction. Friction between the bones causes them to get eroded in to osteophytes or pointed spur like outgrowths, and also may damage surrounding tissues.

The result is inflammation of joint or arthritis. Shoulder, neck, back, wrist, ankle and the major weight bearing joints such as knee and hip are prone to the attack of arthritis. Among the numerous kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the commonest. Osteoarthritis is seen in aged people, and is caused due to wearing out of cartilages. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks young people. It is a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly invades healthy tissues and organs. Gout is another form of arthritis that holds the third position in terms of attacking humans. It is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals within a joint.

Symptoms

1. Pain at the joints
2. Swollen joints
3. Stiffness of muscles around the joint
4. Redness of skin surrounding the affected joint
5. Crepitus or a grating sound while moving affected joint
6. Joint deformity
7. Bumps or nodules
8. Limited range of motion
9. Fever
10. Anemia
11. Colitis
12. Constipation

Treatments

Arthritis cannot be cured completely, but it is possible to stop the progression of the disease or check or suppress the symptoms in many ways. Here we will learn about the ways to treat arthritis.

1. Proper diagnosis is the first step towards controlling the disorder. A thorough physical examination, medical history, laboratory tests, medical imaging techniques like X-rays, arthrography, thermal imaging cameras are the major diagnostic tools to detect arthritis. The laboratory tests associated with arthritis diagnosis include rheumatoid factor tests, C-reactive protein tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody test, antinuclear antibodies test, complete blood count test, uric acid test, joint fluid analysis etc.

2. Once the diagnosis is done, the next step of treatment involves the usage of medicines to keep the disorder under check. Analgesics or pain killers like acetaminophen, codeine, hydrocodone are often used for pain relief. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are also often used. They not only lessen pain, but also swelling, redness and warmth. The common forms of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, aspirin, ketoprofen, celecoxib, etodolac, salsalate etc. Disease modifying drug or DMARD also prevents further worsening of arthritic conditions. The commonly used DMARDs are methotrexate azathioprine, prednisone etc. corticosteroid injections even heal to some extent the inflammatory conditions.

3. If the joint pain becomes too torturing, then one can even go for joint replacement surgery.

Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Methotrexate Side Effects

Methotrexate is one of the most common forms of treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis and is arguably the most important medicine used to treat RA today. It is the staple of RA treatment since it is effective at reducing disease activity for a large percentage of patients and most people with RA will go on this drug at some point or another.

Because of it is prescribed so frequently it is all too easy to forget that this is a serious toxic chemical. Let's take a quick look at 12 facts about Methotrexate so that you do not lose sight of what you are dealing with.

1. Methotrexate's brand names include Methoblastin, Trexall and Rheumatrex. It is called a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) and attmepts to decrease pain and swelling associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. In doing so, Methotrexate can prevent damage to joints and therefore reduce the likelihood of disability. Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis may improve within 3 weeks of starting treatment (which is precisely how long it took for me) but it may take 12 weeks or even 6 months of treatment for full benefit to be realized. Some patients do not see any benefit at all from Methotrexate.

2. Although Methotrexate was only approved for RA treatment in the US in 1988, it had already been used to treat cancer and psoriasis.

3. It still remains unclear exactly how methotrexate decreases arthritis activity. It is known that Methotrexate interferes with certain enzymes which play a role in immune system function. Methotrexate prohibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, thereby affecting the production of a type of folic acid, which is required for actively growing cells.

4. Typically, Methotrexate is taken once day a week for RA. The starting dose for most adults with rheumatoid arthritis is 7.5 to 10 mg and this dose can be increased to 20 to 25 mg each week. Around 25mg/week tends to be towards the upper oral limit according the to Rheumatologists that I have consulted with. Methotrexate is also available in an injectable form which can be self-injected by the patient.

5. Folic acid supplementation is required if you take methotrexate. Doctors vary in their approach with how this is prescribed. Sometimes the Folic acid is taken daily, in other cases it is taken in a larger dose 8 hours before and 8 hours after the weekly methotrexate pill.

6. Methotrexate can cause an abnormal functioning of the liver. Therefore, it is very important to have blood tests on a regular basis to test for liver functionality. At a minimum, doctors will ask for blood tests every 8 to 12 weeks. However, there is a greater benefit to the patient if the tests are done as frequently as every month to allow not just the liver health to be reviewed, but the inflammation levels of CRP and ESR as well to view the overall disease activity. (Part of my strategy for curing my RA was to be copied on the monthly blood test results and using the CRP and ESR to guide me as to how my holistic methods were performing. I strongly recommend you get your blood tested monthly for this benefit alone!)

7. Avoid alcohol whilst taking Methotrexate since alcohol increases the risk of liver damage significantly.

8. Besides the aformentioned side-effects on the liver, Methotrexate may also cause fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Personally, I found the fatigue on Methotrexate to be quite severe so that I felt tired most of the time. However, side effects may be dose-dependent and some patients have reported no side effects at all.

9. Methotrexate should not be taken if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Methotrexate can cause birth defects and/or complications during pregnancy. Do not fall pregnant whilst on methotrexate and for at least 3 months after you stop taking methotrexate. In fact, to be sure it is best to wait even longer (my Rheumatologist told me to wait 6 months - that stuff is not to be messed with!).

10. Some medications may alter methotrexate function. So, tell your doctor of all the medications you take (both prescription and over the counter). Also, NSAIDs, though often prescribed together with methotrexate, can affect the level of drug activity.

11. If it works at first, it doesn't mean that it will work forever. Treatment for RA often needs to be changed because the body can build resistance to a treatment. Some people find success with methotrexate at first and then later find that it stops working. Then, alternative drugs are tested or even a combination therapy is proposed where more than one drug is used at the same time.

12. Whilst on Methotrexate it is still possible to heal your body through natural methods. This was something that I discovered myself, by remaining on Methotrexate whilst I implemented my holistic experiments until I was able to reduce my inflammation to zero. So the great news about Methotrexate - is that unlike NSAID's and antibiotic drugs, it doesn't seem to interfere too heavily (if at all) on the delicate environment of your intestines (which is where the real cause of Rheumatoid Arhthritis really lies). This means that your determined efforts to get well naturally whilst on Methotrexate will not be undermined by the drug side effects. Finally, some good news huh?!

I hope you enjoyed this article and I'm sending you wonderful vibes of healing!

"The best doctor gives the least medicines" - Benjamin Franklin

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are over one hundred different forms of arthritis, though most people are familiar with only a few of them. One of the most commonly heard terms is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease that affects joints and causes them to become crooked and appear as if fingers are growing almost sideways. This type of arthritis affects over two million Americans every year.

While it's unknown exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, it is known that the condition damages the synovial tissue that connects bones and joints in the hands, feet, and anywhere else in the body where bending is allowed. With this condition, the synovial tissue, or membrane, losses its smooth surface and texture and begins to develop extra tissue that is called pannus. This formation causes an excess of enzymes that will eventually destroy surrounding cartilage, bone and other soft tissues associated with joints, and the result is painful.

Inflamed areas, especially in tendons, can cause shortening, and if tendons rupture, joint strength and stability is severely impaired. While in most cases, rheumatoid arthritis strikes older people, it is also found in those as young as twenty years old. Most cases of this type of arthritis develop between the ages of 20 and 45, though that's just the norm. In many scenarios, the condition runs in families, suggesting a strong genetic link.

Since many different types of arthritis mirror signs and symptoms, it's important to write down your symptoms, their duration, and the course of the symptoms as far as length of time you've been feeling them, in order to help your doctor determine which form of arthritis you may be suffering from. Most people don't realize they have developed rheumatoid arthritis because it starts off feeling like a flu bug.

However, eventually, multiple joints are affected, usually on one side of the body. The most common areas of attack are joints in the fingers, at the base of the fingers, wrist, elbows and knees. Ankle joints and bone joints of the feet may also be affected.

Many people who hit their forties feel morning stiffness that eases as the day progresses, but most types of arthritis also starts off that way. One of the best ways to distinguish normal aging and stiff joints from rheumatoid arthritis is experiencing warmth in the joint area.

Another indication that arthritis may be present is the appearance of reddened and swollen joints that feel tender and painful when touched. Flare-ups may last for several days, or several weeks, and may often grow worse in winter months.

Determining the course of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis depends on many different factors, such as symptoms and the stage of development of the disease. Taking an active part in the treatment of symptoms is one of the best things you can do if diagnosed with this type of arthritis.

Exercise and joint strengthening exercise throughout your life will help keep many forms of arthritis at bay, and mediations and other treatments may ease pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis. However, it's important for people to follow the course of action prescribed by a rheumatologist for optimum benefits.

Chronic Urticaria and Angioedema - The Hidden Cause Of Idiopathic Urticaria

Although Urticaria, more commonly known as hives is often though of as a simple allergy, the truth is the condition can and often does pose more of a problem for many sufferers. In it's most common form urticaria symptoms, such as little bumps or urticarial wheals may come and go within a matter of just hours, this is the condition most people think of when urticaria, skin allergies or hives are mentioned.

This condition is unsurprisingly very common indeed, this common form of allergic reaction is called 'Acute Urticaria' (Hives). They say that at some time in everybody's life they will experience an allergic outbreak associated with uticaria, I couldn't comment on that as I'm sure it's pure speculation, but I guess that gives a good indication of just how common the condition actually is.

Chronic Urticaria-Not a Simple Allergy

Chronic urticaria is a completely different story however, & throughout the following article I'll cover the fundamentals of this variance of the condition, I'll also talk about a closely linked condition called Angioedema, which is often found to manifest along with urticarial wheals..

Urticaria & Angioedema in their chronic guise are normally categorized as autoimmune disease's much like Rheumatoid arthritis in addition to just becoming labelled as allergies, although the symptoms of the condition could in affect still be seen as an allergy or an allergic reaction.

Autoimmune Urticaria

Autoimmune disorder is is a term used to describe a condition in which the body's own defence system or even immune cells attack the body's own tissues, mussels even bones. Autoimmune disease is also systemic, what this means is the condition can travel via and effect any part of or in many cases the entire body, although autoimmune is more commonly linked to conditions such as arthritis & diabetes, research now indicates it may be responsible for many more conditions, & in this case chronic urticaria & angioedema.

Chronic Angioedema, Common In Chronic Urticaria Sufferers:

As mentioned previously the causes of Angioedema, & Urticaria, are normally labelled as being due to allergic reactions, hereditary, or idiopathic, Idiopathic meaning there isn't any apparent reason for the urticaria condition or the angioedema attacks, remarkably this is very common especially amongst those of us who have suffered with the chronic version of the illness, and in many cases including my own, both Urticaria & Angioedema.

Recent studies have found that there are many more factors thought to be the underlying reason or cause of Angioedema, & Urticaria, this is especially important for chronic suffers when compared to what was previously believed, factors such as environmental toxins, from heavy metal obtained through drinking tap water, numerous parasitical infections & bacterial problems all seem to have a bearing on the conditions,although it is still not certain whether these factors are the cause of effect of autoimmune disease, it pretty obvious that Chronic Urticaria as well as chronic angioedema are the symptoms of some kind of toxic overload in the body.

Is Urticaria a Problem For You?.. Read On:

Senior Citizens Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Arthritis - Causes and Treatments

"Arthritis" does not mean only that someone has stiff, aching joints. Many types of arthritis exist, each with its own symptoms and treatments. Most types are chronic, meaning that they can be a source of discomfort for an extended period of time. Arthritis can afflict joints almost anywhere in the body and may cause changes you can see and feel, including swelling, warmth, and redness in the joints. It can last for a short time but be very painful or continue for a long time with less pronounced results while still damaging the joints.

Arthritis is extremely common in the United States, especially among senior citizens. Still, there are many steps they and those providing care for the elderly can take to relieve the different types of arthritis. The most common types in this population are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in senior citizens and begins when cartilage, the type of tissue that pads joints, begins to wear away. This can eventually cause all the cartilage between bones to wear away, forming painful rubbing of bones against each other. This type of arthritis is most common in the hands, neck, lower back, knees, and hips.

Symptoms of OA can range from stiffness and mild pain that accompanies exercise or bending to severe pain in the joints even in times of physical rest. OA can also cause stiffness during times in which you haven't used specific joints in a while, like when you're on a long car ride, but this stiffness usually goes away when you move your joints again. OA can eventually lead to problems moving joints and sometimes to developing a disability if the areas affected are the back, knees, or hips.

Aging is often the greatest risk factor for developing OA. Other factors depend on the area of the body afflicted-for instance, OA in the hands or hips may be caused by genetic factors; OA in the knees may be caused by being overweight; and injuries or overuse of joints in the knees, hips, and hands may lead to OA.

Rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) differs from OA in that it's an autoimmune disease, meaning that your immune system attacks and damages the lining of a joint as if it were an injury or disease. RA leads to inflammation of the joints, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling, sometimes in multiple joints at once. It may be severe enough to prevent you from moving a certain joint. Senior citizens with RA may often experience fatigue or fever. You can develop RA at any age, and it's more common in women. 

RA can afflict almost any joint in the body and is often symmetrical, meaning that if you have RA in a specific joint on one side of your body, you probably experience RA in the same joint on the other side of your body. RA can damage not only joints, but also the heart, muscles, blood vessels, nervous system, and eyes.

Gout.

Senior citizens with gout experience the most severe pain relative to many other arthritis patients. An attack begins when uric acid crystals form in the connective tissue or joint spaces, leading to swelling, stiffness, redness, heat, and pain in the joint. Attacks often follow eating foods like shellfish, liver, dried beans, peas, anchovies, or gravy. Drinking alcohol, being overweight, and taking certain medications may worsen the symptoms. In senior citizens, using certain medications to lower blood pressure may also be a risk factor for a gout attack.

Gout is most common in the big toe, but it can occur in other joints such as the ankle, elbow, knee, wrist, hand, or other toes. Swelling may cause discoloration and tenderness due to skin stretching tightly around the joint. If you see a doctor during an attack, he or she may take a sample of fluid from the affected joint.

Other forms of arthritis.

Other forms include psoriatic arthritis  in patients who have psoriasis; ankylosing spondylitis, which mainly affects the spine; reactive arthritis, which occurs as a reaction to another illness in the body; and arthritis in the temporomandibular joint, the point at which the jaw attaches to the skull.

Arthritis Symptoms and Warning Signs.

Senior citizens and those providing their elder care should look out for the following symptoms as they may be indications of arthritis:

• lasting joint pain


• swelling in a joint


• stiffness in a joint


• tenderness or pain when touching a joint


• difficulty in using or moving a joint normally


• warmth and redness in a joint

Any of these symptoms lasting longer than two weeks should be addressed by a physician. If you experience a fever, feel physically ill, have a suddenly swollen joint, or have problems using a joint, a doctor should be contacted sooner. You will have to answer questions and go through a physical exam. Before suggesting treatment options, your doctor may want to run lab tests and take X-rays.

Arthritis Treatment.

Some common treatment options exist even though each type of arthritis is treatedsomewhat differently. Rest, exercise, eating a healthy diet, and becoming educated about the right way to use and protect the joints are key to minimizing the effects of arthritis. Proper shoes and a cane can minimize pain the feet, knees, and hips while walking, and some technology exists for helping open jars or bottles, turn doorknobs more easily, and otherwise improve quality of life in senior citizens with arthritis. 

Additionally, some medications can lower the pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (in Tylenol) and some NSAIDs are sold over-the-counter and can ease pain. Other NSAIDs must be prescribed. It is important for senior citizens and those providing their in home care to pay attention to the warnings on both prescribed and over-the-counter drugs and to ask a doctor about how to properly and best use over-the-counter medicine to treat arthritis. The FDA also has information about many medications.

Some treatment options are specialized for individual types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis Treatment.

There are medicines to help senior citizens with pain associated with OA, and rest and exercise may ease movement in the joints. Managing weight is also important. If one experiences OA in the knees, a doctor can provide shots in the knee joint, which can help to move it without as much pain. Surgery may also be an option to repair or replace damaged joints in senior citizens.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments.

Treatment can diminish the pain and swelling associated with RA and cause joint damage to slow down or stop. One will feel better overall, and it will be easier to move around. On top of pain and anti-inflammatory medications, a doctor might prescribe DMARDs, which are anti-rheumatic drugs that can slow damage from RA. Corticosteroids, including prednisone, can minimize swelling while waiting for DMARDs to kick in. Additionally, biogenic response modifiers block the damage inflicted by the immune system and help people with mild to moderate RA when other treatments have failed to work properly.

Gout Treatment.

If you've gone through a gout attack, talk to a doctor to discuss possible causes and future prevention of attacks. Work together with your doctor and other elder care providers to plan and execute a plan for prevention. Commonly, NSAIDs or corticosteroids are recommended for an acute attack. This treatment diminishes swelling, allowing you to feel better fairly shortly after treatment. Usually, the attack fully stops within a few days. If one has experienced multiple attacks, a doctor may be able to prescribe medication to prevent further attacks.

Exercise can help Arthritis.

In addition to taking the proper medication and allowing your joints to rest, exercise can help senior citizens to stay in shape, maintain strong muscles, and control symptoms of arthritis. Daily exercise like walking or swimming keeps joints moving while lessening pain and strengthening the muscles around joints. Before starting any new exercise program, it is important to discuss options with your physician. 

Three types of exercise are the best for senior citizens with arthritis:

• Range-of-motion exercises reduce stiffness, improve flexibility, and keep joints moving. Activities like dancing fit into this category.


• Strengthening exercises strengthen muscles, which improves support and protection to your joints. Weight training fits into this category.


• Aerobic or endurance exercises improve health in the heart and arteries, prevent weight gain, improve how your body works overall, and may decrease swelling in some joints. Riding a bike fits into this category.

Other things to do to manage Arthritis.

On top of exercise and weight control, a number of other methods may help senior citizens ease the pain around joints. Applying heat or cold to joints, soaking in a warm tub, or swimming in a heated pool may help you feel better and move your joints more easily.

Surgery may be an option when damage has become disabling or when other treatment options have not adequately diminished pain. With surgery, joints can be repaired or replaced with artificial ones. Commonly, arthritic knees and hips are replaced.

Unproven remedies.

Many senior citizens with arthritis try treatments that have not been tested or proven to help. Some are harmful, like snake venom, while others are harmless yet unhelpful, like copper bracelets.

Here are a few ways to determine whether a treatment is unproven:

• The remedy is said to work for all types of arthritis and other diseases


• Scientific support is from only one research study


• The label doesn't include directions or warnings of use

Areas for further research.

Studies suggest that acupuncture could ease OA pain in some senior citizens. Dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin are also under investigation and may reduce OA pain. More research is needed to determine whether these types of treatments actually work to reduce symptoms and damage to joints.

Talk to your doctor and others involved in your elder care.

Try not to make light of your symptoms by telling yourself that joint pain or stiffness is simply caused by aging normally. Your doctor and other elder care providers can discuss possible treatment options with you to safely minimize your pain and stiffness and prevent more serious joint damage.

Food Intolerance and Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis you may be interested to know that there is a connection between this and food intolerances, in particular, allergy to wheat or dairy foodstuffs.

In a report from the UK Medical Research Council in 2001, it was stated that there is evidence from both case reports and controlled studies that an individualised diet, where offending foods are identified and removed, can cause an improvement in rheumatoid arthritis.

What we are talking about here is an elimination diet: removing virtually all the foods which might be causing symptoms, to determine whether symptoms improve, and then re-introducing food one at a time to identify which are causing the symptoms.

An example of this is described by consultant rheumatologist Dr Gail Darlington in a study published in 1986. She undertook a controlled study of 6 weeks of dietary manipulation therapy in 53 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. During the first week the patients were only allowed to eat foods they were unlikely to be intolerant to. Other food items were then introduced one at a time to see whether any symptoms were elicited by the dietary challenge. Foods producing symptoms were then excluded from the diet. There were significant improvements in the exclusion diet group in comparison to the placebo diet group.

Darlington went on to complete further clinical trials and in 1993 published a table of foods most likely to cause intolerance in patients with RA. The top five were corn, wheat, bacon/pork, oranges and milk.

None of this would have been surprising to Charles de Coti-Marsh, who undertook pioneering research into the causes and treatment of arthritis in the 1940s and 1950s. His findings convinced him that 'disease begins in the bowel', in other words, what we eat plays a major part in the development of many chronic conditions, including arthritis.

De Coti-Marsh treated patients by using what he called the 'Sanocell System.'' Judging the amount of toxic compounds (or food antigen) he believed to be present within that food, based on observation and case histories, he gave each food a value of 1-200, 200 being the most toxic to the body. His patients were given a Home Treatment Programme to follow, and at each stage of progress they were allowed to include in the diet all the foods below a certain number. Foods categorised by a higher number were not allowed. This was the elimination phase. As patients progressed, the Sanocell System allowed for the re-introduction of certain foods. It was an individualised diet, supervised by de Coti-Marsh himself.

Since the death of Charles de Coti-Marsh his Home Treatment for arthritis continues to be promoted by The Arthritic Association.

As scientific knowledge has progressed, so The Arthritic Association has presented its Home Treatment Programme for Arthritis in the context of scientific literature; investigated and ratified by the medical profession. As such, the charity's health programme has now been acknowledged to be a largely self-administered intervention based on the three areas of diet, supplementation and physical therapy.

If you would like to know how the Home Treatment programme can help you, please visit our website or call our Freephone number 0800 652 3188.

Elizabeth Hartland,
Nutritional Therapist,
The Arthritic Association

Joint Relief Supplements For Elbow Pain

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other musculoskeletal diseases can make for a bleak future if you do not stay on top of your joint health. The elbow is one of most common areas that take a beating from joint pains. Understanding where the pain is coming from is important when trying to find a way to treat the problem. Most of the causes of elbow pain are there because of age. Growing older is one of the main causes of arthritis and it can happen to either men or women. Conquering arthritis is up to you. Changing your daily lifestyle and adding supplements to your diet is the best way to find joint relief in your elbow.

Symptoms that you have joint problems are swelling and bruises on your arm or on the joint, inability to use full motion of your arm (can't straighten your arm all the way, can't bend it in all the way, can't flex muscles), pain or discomfort while you are resting or at night time, pains that last for more than a few days, and inability to lift items or carry them.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, then you may be experiencing a chronic pain called arthritis or osteoarthritis. Thankfully, the disease can be treated. Don't be discouraged by the discomfort and stiffened motion. There are literally millions of people that deal with the same challenges. Chronic pain is not something that can heal on its own or goes away over time; you have to do something about it.

Taking joint supplements can help improve the overall condition of your joints. Not only will they help build and support your elbow joints, but they will improve the function of all your joints-from your hands and wrists to your feet and knees. The supplements are made with high quality extracts that have the natural ability to help protect your existing cartilage and slow down the break down process. They can take cartilage from shellfish and help your body produce healthy cushioning between your bones. Ingredients like glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate work together to help naturally add natural protective tissues. The proteoglycans that surround your joints can benefit by adding these two ingredients. They help improve the cushion and shock needed to give your joints free movement. It is important that the collagen in your body is capable of absorbing shock.

Supplements are a great addition to anyone's diet. They help soothe elbow pains and keep your joints moving freely.

Shoulder Arthritis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The shoulder is comprised of two joints, one is located at the point where the clavicle or collarbone meets the shoulder bone (acromion) and the other is the junction of the upper arm bone (humerus) and the shoulder blade (scapula). These areas are known as the AC joint and glenohumeral joint respectively.

Both joints are subject to arthritis. Your treating physician must assess where the pain is coming from and which area is affected by the arthritis in order to properly treat your condition.

Types and Causes of Shoulder Arthritis

There are three different types of arthritis that affects the shoulder. These include:

1. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that is often referred to as the 'wear and tear' arthritis. Osteoarthritis annihilates the outer covering of the bone known as articular cartilage. People over the age of 50 are generally more susceptible to this kind of arthritis.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joint lining, known as the synovium. This type of arthritis may affect people of all ages and typically impacts multiple joints on both sides of the body.

3. Post traumatic arthritis

As a result of injury, such as a dislocation or fracture of the shoulder, post traumatic arthritis may develop. This is also a common form of arthritis that occurs after an individual experiences a rotator cuff tear.

General Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis

The common symptoms of shoulder arthritis include pain that progressively worsens over time. The pain can be aggravated as activity occurs and often affects individuals at night when they are resting due to the activities carried out through the day.

Limited range of motion typically occurs in all forms of arthritis due to the pain that ensues over time. As the disease progresses shoulder pain and restricted range of motion my increase.

Treatment Options for Shoulder Arthritis

Both non-surgical and surgical treatment options are available for shoulder arthritis depending on how progressive the condition is. Non-surgical treatment consists of resting the shoulder, applying moist heat, undergoing physical therapy, taking anti-inflammatories, applying ice two to three times per day and even taking dietary supplements.

When non-surgical options do not provide relief, surgery may be offered as a form of remedy. The most common surgical procedure is joint replacement, which has predominantly excellent results.

Your doctor can help you decide which treatment option is best for you and your condition. Surgical or non-surgical treatments do provide some form of relief from pain and motion restoration.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Knee

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic type of inflammation that occurs symmetrically, affecting key joints of the body such as hands, knees, ankles, feet, hips, elbows and shoulders. The condition is more likely to affect women than men and is common in those who are aged 40 and above, though it can most certainly occur in much younger persons as well. It is blamed for a number of symptoms that include joint swelling and pain, stiffness and types of deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis in the knee can be particularly painful and cause severe restrictions to one's freedom of movement. Although there is no known cure as yet, the condition can still be managed to a fair degree.

Before we discuss rheumatoid arthritis of the knee let us look at this particular joint which is very important when it comes to mobility. Around the ends of the bones is the cartilage and this prevents the bones from rubbing against each other. Between the two cartilages of the particular bones is a small pouch that is covered with a thin tissue known as synovium and this secretes a liquid that helps keep the joint lubricated. When the synovium is affected as a result of the rheumatoid arthritis condition, the functions of the various parts that make up the knee get affected and fail to function as they should.

Common symptoms of this disease's effects on the knee include pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness, a warm feeling around the knee, fever, flu symptoms and fatigue. While the exact cause for the disease in general and its effects on the knee are unknown even as of now, it is widely believed that genetics and living environments play a part in who is affected by it and who is not. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee is diagnosed based on symptoms pretty much along the lines of general rheumatoid arthritis. Blood tests and X rays to verify the damage to joint are also used in the diagnostic process for this condition. A test of the fluid between the joints can also help diagnose the condition as a high level of inflammatory material therein will indicate rheumatoid arthritis affecting the said joint.

There are a few time tested treatments available for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. Common types of medication include aspirins, acetaminophen (or Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Most of these treatments are targeted at the pain as there is no cure to completely eradicate the condition. Regular exercises targeting the health of the joints can also be recommended as a practice to keep the condition in check. Excess weight can meanwhile compound the condition as the excess weight places a disproportionate stress and pressure on them. As such it is best to maintain a weight that is recommended for your height or to reduce weight via a suitable diet plan in case you are overweight.

In a worst case scenario where damage to the joints is severe, a replacement procedure may be required. This last resort surgery can be expected to produce a successful outcome thanks to modern day advances in procedures of the sort.

Living With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is also known as median neuropathy as it involves the median nerve of the upper limb. It occurs due to compression of the median nerve when it passes through the "carpal tunnel" in the wrist. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common "entrapment neuropathy".

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs more frequently in people whose job involves use of hands and wrists. A common cause is typing on a computer keyboards for many hours over a long period of time. It may also be caused due to other works like painting, writing, sewing, use of hand tools especially vibrating tools, sports like handball and tennis. Another cause may be forms of arthritis, autoimmune diseases like systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, excess growth hormone in body, obesity, dialysis etc.

Carpal tunnel syndrome often presents with pain, tingling or numbness in thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger and parts of the palm below these fingers. Pain and paresthesias sometimes may extend up to the elbow or even in upper arm. The symptoms are often worse at night. Also there may be complaints of weakness like weak grip or trouble in carrying bags and fine movements of finger. In severe forms, there may be even wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb (called "thenar muscles").

Treatment of this neuropathy depends on the cause. Treatment is often necessary as untreated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may result in permanent damage to median nerve distal to carpal tunnel and resulting in permanent symptoms not amenable to therapy. If Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs secondary to some other medical disorder, treating it often reverses the carpal tunnel syndrome. For example, in hypothyroid patients, treatment with levothyroxine often results in alleviation of symptoms of carpal tunnel. Similarly treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis with immunomodulator drugs often relieves the problem.

If the problem is due to improper pattern of hand use, then the treatment is mainly giving rest to the wrist by avoiding the precipitating factors. Neutral Position wrist splints are often tried. Patient may be given NSAID (like Iburprofen) for pain, and in severe cases, steroid injection in wrist may also be given. Local steroid injection reduces the swelling and thus eases the pressure on the nerve. Similarly anesthetic injection may be given to alleviate pain.

Surgery is done if the medical treatment fails to alleviate the symptoms and the problem persists or if patient presents with wasting/weakness of the thenar muscles of the hand. In surgery, the transverse carpal ligament is divided to enlarge the tunnel and create more room for the nerve. Surgery is often successful, but in certain cases it may not completely alleviate the symptoms if the compression has been severe and prolonged and permanent damage to nerve has occurred.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage at least it seems that way. If you have been thinking you need to know more about it, here is your opportunity.

Who has rheumatism, knows very well where the problem is. Among the more than one hundred types catalogued by the type of medical illness, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and can result in physical disability and premature death.

With the increase in life expectancy in the world (people are living more), although the disease is not exclusive to the elderly. Scientists and medical laboratories intensified their searches to try to alleviate the intense pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, AR , and to ensure the improvement of the quality of life of patients.

During the past Congress of Rheumatology around world, were discussed some promising advances that facilitate early diagnosis of RA and new drugs that point to a possible interruption of progression of the disease.

The rheumatoid arthritis is a disease characterized by frequent inflammation of the joints. This reaction is caused by increased production of a liquid, called sinoval in joints, particularly in the hand fingers, toes, the wrists, shoulders and elbows.

"If you feel joint pain for more than six weeks, accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling, redness and heat in the joints, there is a possibility of having rheumatoid arthritis," warns the rheumatologists.

The experts warns that if the problem is not treated in time and with due care can lead to the destruction of joints. "The rheumatoid arthritis is incapacitating. Therefore, prevention is the best weapon to the individual does not lose the mobility of the joints and its productive capacity," notes the rheumatologists.

Arthritis is a broad term for a group of joint disorders. Each of our joints is surrounded by a cartilage, a tissue protective lubricant that helps the motion and serves as the bone of the damper. Arthritis is characterized by damage to the cartilage causing joint pain when moving. Symptoms of arthritis can vary greatly since there are over 100 different types of this disease but there are general symptoms of arthritis that can help detect it.

Persistent pain in the set is one of the most common symptoms of arthritis. In addition to live constant joint pain, another sign that you can be when the arthritic pain in your joints together or worsen when you move or perform certain activities as simple as walking or standing, from its headquarters in writing, or shooting.

Swelling and stiffness in his joints accompanied by redness and heat are also symptoms of arthritis. These conditions indicate joint inflammation. Also, you may have arthritis is a whole lost its flexibility and range of motion.

There's a lot to understand about arthritis. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

Urticaria Treatment Methods - 5 Effective, Little Known Urticaria Treatment Tips

If your anything like me then your probably still looking for an urticaria treatment that actually works. Perhaps urticaria is new to you or maybe like many of us you have had to endure chronic urticaria for some time, even years in many cases.

Finding a solution or urticaria remedy is by no means an easy task. Traditional urticaria treatments consist of simple over the counter antihistamine through to courses of steroids, all the way to the extreme end of the spectrum, I'm talking about immune suppressants here, in case you were wondering.

Traditional Urticaria Treatments For Acute Urticaria

But without exception these traditional urticaria treatments are not designed as an urticaria cure, what they actually do is address or mask your urticaria symptoms, these urticaria treatments are known as symptomatic. Of course there's nothing wrong with using such medications, in fact I would go as far as to say that many of these traditional urticaria treatment methods are invaluable at certain periods, especially for rare acute episodes or perhaps to dissipate symptoms of a serious attack.

Not Just an Allergy

It is typically very hard to treat the actual cause of urticaria as the condition has always been associated with allergies, and, well we all seem to be allergic to different things. The good news is that in recent years research has taken a closer look at our condition. It is now apparent that chronic urticaria is actually an autoimmune disorder, so we could call most cases of chronic urticaria... Autoimmune urticaria.

Perhaps knowing you have an autoimmune condition instead of just a simple allergy scares some people, but it shouldn't. Knowing where the problem begins can offer many of us real hope for an urticaria treatment to be developed. But for those of you who don't really feel like waiting for the large drug companies to pull their fingers out, why not try a natural or alternative urticaria treatment.

The following uticaria treatment tips may offer you some much needed relief. I wouldn't call any of them a permanent urticaria cure but they may help reduce or relive urticaria symptoms.

5 Urticaria Treatment Tips

#1. Sea Salt: Add around 6 grams of sea salt to an 8 ounce glass of warm water and drink. This urticaria treatment may make some people feel nauseous, in some cases it may actually make you vomit, but it can produce some good results & vomiting although extreme is actually better. The sea salt is good for flushing toxins and helps with digestive, gastric problems.

#2. Cornstarch & Baking soda: Add half a cup of each to your bath or reduce quantities and mix with water to apply the your urticarial wheals, hives etc. Socking in or applying this solution will normally reduce the inflammation and stop the irritation and itching sensation.

#3. Niacin: Niacin is something you can buy cheaply as a supplement and is best used as an urticaria treatment when your urticaria is starting, I.e. when you feel the urticarial wheals & hives start to form on your skin. Niacin can be found in vitamin B, but I have had my best results by using the supplement on it's own.

Whenever I feel an attack of urticaria start to come on I take 100mg (1 capsule). I can't say exactly how it works, but from what I have read the Niacin appears to burn up all excess histamine. I should also point out that your skin may feel like it's on fire for about 15 minutes, this is normal and quickly passes, after which you should see your urticaria symptoms start to clear up, well that's how it was for me anyway.

#4. Cayenne pepper: use Cayenne pepper in it's natural form rather than as a capsule. Using cayenne pepper as an urticaria treatment can help reduce inflammation & urticaria symptoms.

#5. Vitamin D: Vitamin D2 worked wonders for me, you must be careful that you only use the d2 supplement, this is a synthetic version of what the sun provides, It can also help people with solar urticaria (in most cases). Personally to gain results and to utilise this supplement as an urticaria remedy I took it in high doses, this worked for me, however I will refrain from revealing the exact dose as it is above recommended daily guidelines. I've read so many good things about this method, it has even been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with success in many cases.

These are all natural ways to treat your urticaria, each one can be used as a simple and cheap urticaria treatment, however the best urticaria treatment has to be prevention. Treating urticaria at the root problem offers urticaria sufferers their best possible chance of permanent relief.

The Truth About Urticaria Treatments.. The Answer- Try This Urticaria Remedy When nothing Else Works:

I Hurt All Over... How to Ease Away the Pain of Fibromyalgia!

At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable activities like biking, golfing, going to the movies, out to dinner. Then one day, it's gone. Replaced with constant pain and fatigue. Here's the lowdown on fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common forms of arthritis seen in a rheumatology practice. It is actually a soft tissue form of rheumatism. Typically, a patient will complain of feeling achy all over, being chronically tired, and feeling like they're walking around in a constant fog. Often a patient will complain of short term memory problems.

The American College of Rheumatology has set criteria by which fibromyalgia symptoms can be classified. These consist of a history of widespread pain for three or more months and pain in 11 of 18 tender point sites when 4 kilograms (about 9 pounds) of pressure is applied. When accompanied by a history of chronic fatigue and non-restorative sleep (waking up and feeling as if you haven't slept), there is a strong suspicion that fibromyalgia is to blame.

People affected by fibromyalgia experience two unique responses to stimuli. They perceive normal stimuli as being painful and they perceive painful stimuli as being more painful than it should be.

These abnormal responses are thought to be due to an abnormality involving pain-processing pathways within the central nervous system.

History and physical examination is the first step in evaluation. Unfortunately, there are no specific laboratory tests that confirm the diagnosis. However, the tests can be helpful in excluding other conditions that can mimic fibromyalgia such as hypothyroidism, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment consists of a combination of four approaches. The first is patient education. Talking with the patient about the diagnosis and presenting what he options are. The second is institute medications. These may include one or more of the following:

o Analgesics which help to control pain. An example would be a drug such as tramadol

o Antidepressants which are used for their ability to elevate serotonin and nor-epiephrine levels in the brain. Examples include amitryptiline, fluoxitene, and duloxitene.

o Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine

o Anti-seizure medicines like gabapentin

o Anti-fatigue medicines (modafinil)

The third therapy is non-impact aerobic exercise which helps to increase endorphin production in the brain and helps to recondition muscles.

Finally, the fourth is cognitive behavioral therapy which helps with goal-setting, coping and other measures which reduce the sense of victimization that people with fibromyalgia often have.

Fibromyalgia can be treated effectively. It is important that a patient seek out a qualified and empathetic rheumatologist to help them.

Arthritis Trigger Finger - What is it and What Can You Do About It?

Stenosing tenosynovitis is more commonly known as trigger finger arthritis. There is a misconception that the trigger finger is the pointer or index finger when it comes to this kind of arthritis. This is because the index finger is particularly used in pulling the trigger of a gun. But the truth is arthritis trigger finger can occur in any finger of the hand.

What Is It?

Trigger finger is actually a "snapping" or "popping" of a finger of the hand as it is closed or opened. The snapping is the reason why it was called trigger finger in the first place. This condition is more commonly found in the index, middle and ring fingers. And the snapping is readily heard upon attempting to flex the fingers while making a firm grip. There is a sudden stuttering of the digit as it closes then snaps close instead of the usual smooth way.

Sometimes, the affected finger cannot anymore stretch back into position and there is a locking in that position so that the other hand will have to help it towards extension. Upon extension, another snap is heard. Pain accompanies the snapping, leading the patient to the doctor.

The popping of the finger is the hallmark of trigger finger and is usually worse in the morning upon getting up. But as the condition worsens, the popping becomes more regular. In the worst scenario, the bump or swollen part of the tendon may lock in place so that it gets stuck there.

What Causes Trigger Finger?

So how do we get this condition? Actually, trigger finger is an inflammation of the tendon that pulls the finger to a closed position upon flexion. It may also be caused by scarring in the same tendon. Most of the time, it comes in isolated cases. In this particular case, though, trigger finger comes with other symptoms within the hand that accompanies rheumatoid arthritis in the area.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an abnormal condition that is caused by wear and tear or overuse. So prolonged use of the fingers can eventually lead to micro-injuries that may later on swell and lead to trigger finger. Aside from this, rheumatoid arthritis has been found to be a hereditary condition where it runs in families. Therefore, adding wear-and-tear may trigger it onset or exacerbate the already-present condition.

In 2005, it has been found that most of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis come with symptoms of swelling around the tendons of the palm, later on leading to trigger finger. The onset of this condition is gradual and is more commonly seen in women with the fourth finger being the most commonly involved. Studies also prove that trigger finger does not come from heavy use but with light constant use of the area.

How Can It Be Treated?

If we do get trigger finger, what can we do treat it? There are home remedies available for the treatment of this condition and for most types of arthritis in general. Doing passive stretching of the hand and fingers toward extension is a good way to prevent the formation of adhesions in the area and to improve blood circulation as well. Putting ice intermittently in the area for 15 minutes or more actually lessens the swelling that goes with inflammation. The most important is activity modification where the movements that causes more symptoms should be avoided altogether.

But of course in most instances, trigger finger cannot be treated by home remedies alone. Doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that are very helpful for the healing of the part involved. Usually, drugs like ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen are given to patients. The fastest relief is the injection of a local cortisone around the affected tendon.

Splinting the area is also a solution to prevent usage of the tendons. This will prevent the worsening of the inflammation.

There are cases when even after 2 cortisone injections, there is no relief for the patient. This is when surgery is required to remove the scarred or inflamed tissues. Almost half the number of patients respond to cortisone injection. Those who don't resort to surgery. Although with little risk, there are cases that recur after the operation. But this is only done if the rest of the treatment therapy have been tried but were not successful.

If you feel that you are starting to show symptoms of arthritis trigger finger, do not panic. Consulting the doctor is still the best remedy. It is better to catch the condition while it is still beginning. The later you go to a doctor, the more likely that you are going to undergo surgery. So don't be scared, see your orthopedic doctor right away.

Debilitating Disease Arthritis and the Treatments of Arthritis Symptoms and Anxiety

Inflammation in the bone joints and its associated part is commonly referred as the Arthritis. The term "arthritis" looks in singular number though, it comprises of more than chronic 150 disorders of the rheumatoid disease. All these disorders take the full toll of the human life. Some time it confined the human body from his daily activities. At these points of time people search for the treatment for the arthritis symptoms and the anxiety.

The main symptoms of arthritis are the inflammation of various joints, stiffness, and swelling associated with redness and warmth. Due to all these symptoms people have the restrictive movements for long time. Tenderness of the joints can be present along with the temperature. The many forms of arthritis can involve symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Symptoms in some patients can also include non-specific fever, weight loss, fatigue and feeling unwell and the patients are bound to have the arthritis best treatment in order to suppressing the pain and inflammation in the joints.

The disease arthritis is commonly of three kinds. These are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and the Gout. There is some more type of arthritis along all these. These are Fibromyalgia, infectious arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lupus.

Osteoarthritis is the most common among all the arthritis that are found among the people. More than 21 million people suffer from the disease Osteoarthritis. The most common reason behind Osteoarthritis is the repetitive movement of a particular organ. Osteoarthritis mainly affects the cartilages. Cartilages provide with the cushion for the bone-joint to avoid friction during the time of the movement. Cartilages are being decayed off by the invasion of the osteoarthritis.

In many cases what happen that a number of childhood injuries may turn into the Osteoarthritis. Low back relief is the major concern for the people who are affected with this. Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects joints in the body. It can involve any joint, but usually concerns hands and weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees, feet and spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most deadly among all the arthritis. Generally it is know as the autoimmune disease. With rheumatoid arthritis, the antibodies attack the membranes around the joints that cause swelling, pain and stiffness. In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis can cause deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis also causes inflammation of the sheaths around the tendons, the one that join muscles to bones.

Coping with arthritis and its associated symptoms can be minimized with the proper arthritis vitamin supplements and the dietary changes and the some physical work out.

How You Can Beat Rheumatoid Arthritis Part 3: What Are the Symptoms?

Patients presenting to the rheumatologist are asked questions designed to elicit specific information. Since there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, it is important to get a good, accurate history of symptoms.

The most common symptoms are morning stiffness, joint pain and swelling, nodules under the skin in about 20% of patients, and fatigue.

The duration of morning stiffness generally exceeds one hour and often extends all day. Stiffness during the day may also occur if a patient sits for any length of time.

Joint swelling and pain affects both small as well as large joints in a symmetric fashion. Early on, small joints such as the hands, wrists, and feet are affected. As the disease progresses other joints become involved as well. Becasue patients vary in terms of pain tolerance, it may be necessary to ask relatives about a patient's pain symptoms. Questions regarding their ability to perform activities of daily living can provide valuable clues.

Fatigue is often profound and debilitating.

Since rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic illness it can lead to damage involving the brain and peripheral nervous system, skin, lungs, heart, and eyes.

Further, treatment with many of the medicines used in rheumatoid arthritis can lead to side-effects that affect the gastrointestinal system, the lungs, heart, and bones.

The course of RA is variable but progressive if untreated.

Causes of death include infection, malignancies, and vascular disease. There is some evidence that atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is accelerated and that certain cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma occur more often.

Discover Alternative Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Because rheumatoid arthritis medications are known to have side effects -- some quite serious -- there is a growing interest in alternative therapies.

For rheumatoid arthritis in the early stages, an anti-inflammatory is usually the first choice. Typical anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Aspirin, as most people know, can cause stomach upset and eventually ulcers. Ibuprofen has caused liver damage, anemia, intestinal bleeding, diminished vision and meningitis. People who have aspirin sensitive asthma may also be sensitive to ibuprofen. It has not been proven safe for use by children and should not be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers. These side effects and possible dangers are some of the reasons that people look for alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Naproxen is another of the fast acting or anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications. In clinical trials of patients taking naproxen, one to ten percent experienced one or more of the following adverse reactions: heartburn, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, vertigo, itching, sweating, hearing problems, visual problems, cardiovascular edema, heart palpitations, vomiting, gastro-intestinal bleeding, ulcers, anemia and other side effects.

Natural anti-inflammatory botanicals, nutritional supplements and herbal remedies may be considered as alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Zinc, an essential mineral, has been shown to be capable of inhibiting the inflammatory response, but most studies of zinc supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis patients have been inconclusive. Like many supplements and alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, zinc seems to help some people and has no side effects, unless high doses are used.

Botanicals and herbal remedies which may be considered as supplemental or alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis include ginger root, bromelain, feverfew, turmeric and mangosteen.

Ginger, turmeric and mangosteen have all been used historically by native peoples to treat pain and reduce swelling. The effectiveness of ginger as an alternative to rheumatoid arthritis medications has been studied in clinical trials and indicates that it does show promise.

A small clinical study (18 patients) concluded that turmeric was nearly as effective as one of the anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications, but it is not clear whether this was a placebo effect, since there was no control group. Additionally there is some disagreement concerning whether it should be used in the powdered form or as a tea.

Mangosteen is a relatively new and exciting addition to the western world as an anti-inflammatory. It was used historically by the native peoples of Thailand, Vietnam, India, China, Malaysia and the Philippines to treat a variety of bodily aches and pains.

The mangosteen is a fruit and its most readily available form is a drink that contains a puree of the fruit and its rind. It is important when purchasing mangosteen products to consider only the ones that include the rind, because anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory components and even Cox inhibitors are concentrated in it, as well as numerous vitamins and minerals.

While no human clinical studies have been completed to date concerning mangosteen's efficacy as an alternative or supplement to rheumatoid arthritis medications, numerous laboratory studies have shown that certain of the "xanthones" (powerful anti-oxidants) are anti-inflammatory and Cox-2 inhibitors.

Alternative Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to Dr J. Frederic Templeman, M.D. in response to the question "Will the Mangosteen help with pain?" he states: "...Presumptively the mangosteen inhibits the pain-related action of the Cox-2 enzyme in the CNS [Central Nervous System] and blocks pain impulse generation.

So yes, the mangosteen may significantly reduce any pain you might be experiencing." [End Quote]

Prescription Cox-2 inhibitors are being shunned by a great many people due to their numerous undesirable and serious side effects. Indeed, the Cox-2 inhibitor, Vioxx(TM), was taken off of the market worldwide for a time because of the health dangers associated with it and has embroiled Merck in a nightmare of legal woes.

Lab rats or cell lines have been used to conduct mangosteen research and there were no reported side effects. It is believed that because the mangosteen contains the anti-ulcer compounds ascorbic acid, beta carotene, fiber and pectin, it would not have any of the gastric side effects common in anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications.

Other compounds found in the fruit may promote heart health and are anti-hypertensive, so health problems associated with prescription Cox-2 inhibiting rheumatoid arthritis medications should not occur with mangosteen usage.

It is possible that mangosteen could one day be considered an effective supplemental or alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Hopefully, at some point, clinical studies can confirm this, but research is expensive and usually funded by pharmaceutical companies, which is why there are so few studies of the effectiveness of herbal and botanical remedies, particularly in the United States.

Studies of alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis have shown that diet plays a possible role. Patients who have used a diet that excluded common food allergens such as grains, milk, nuts, beef and eggs reported being symptom free for as long as five years, as long as they stuck to the diet.

In addition to or as an alternative to anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications, some doctors prescribe corticosteroids like prednisone. But, while these may be effective for short-term relief of symptoms, long-term use of corticosteroids is known to cause many other health problems including diabetes.

In addition, they tend to lose their effectiveness, and can be habit forming. When a patient has been taking corticosteroid rheumatoid arthritis medications, they must be "weaned" off of them, meaning the medication must be gradually reduced before switching to alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Do You Suffer From Arthritis? Food Allergies May Be to Blame

If you have joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis, relief may be closer than you think.

Many people see rheumatoid arthritis as a disease of aging, while others believe it "runs in the family". But often, arthritis symptoms can flare as a result of food allergies.

Nightshades in particular are well known to cause flare-ups of arthritis pain. Potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers and eggplants are among the foods that can trigger an allergic reaction causing joint pain and swelling. Luckily, there's an easy way to find out if this family of plant foods is problematic for you.

If you have arthritis pain, finding out whether your symptoms are due to food allergies is a simple process. First, avoid all nightshades for several days--at least four. Then, add one particular food item--potatoes, for instance--back into your diet. Eat a portion daily for several days and note any symptoms. Then eliminate all nightshades for another few days, and test another of the foods.

You may be surprised by the results. You may find that you can tolerate one particular food for several days before developing symptoms, while another food will cause symptoms almost immediately. Once you've analyzed the results, you can plan to either avoid certain foods completely or control the portions and frequency of these foods in your diet.

If you are taking prescription medication for your arthritis, be sure you discuss your results and ask questions of your physician before stopping any meds; they may have positive results beyond pain relief, and stopping them cold may have a negative effect. Also, be sure to monitor your condition with your physician, even if you manage to control the symptoms with diet. Arthritis is a complex auto-immune disease, and bears watching, whether you're symptom-free or not.

Osteoarthritis And Rheumatoid Arthritis: Their Deadly Relationship With Intestinal Flora

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have a deadly relationship with intestinal flora - often referred to as friendly bacteria. This is the region of the large bowel located near the splenic flexure. Among other activities, the intestinal flora is primarily charged with the responsibility of maintaining the proper pH level for the colon, for the production of certain nutrients and for helping to keep excess acids to a minimum in the body. As essential as the healthy functioning of the intestinal flora may be to good health, rarely do we hear or read about the importance of a healthy intestinal flora in keeping the development and proliferation of rheumatic disease states, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, to a minimum.

During the early part of the twentieth century a brilliant English surgeon, by the name of Sir Arbuthnot Lane, proved, conclusively, the relationship between a healthy colon and adequate supplies of sodium and potassium being available to the friendly bacteria. He further determined that acidophilus is absolutely critical for the healthy functioning of the intestinal flora. Having operated on more than 2,000 cadavers and hundreds of living patients, Dr. Lane was able to see these relationships clearly. He noted that where mineral salts such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and silicon were deficient, and where acidophilus was not being adequately supplied by diet, the intestinal flora was underactive and often contributed to low-grade infections. This condition invariably led to a highly acidic state where sodium reserves in the body were depleted from the stomach, lymph and joints. This often set the stage for the development of the symptom complex arthritis, in one form or another.

Although the established medical culture of his day frowned upon his findings, Lane's work was studied and championed by John Kellogg, Are Waerland and, in later years, by Drs. John Tilden and Bernard Jensen. Kellogg, Tilden and Jensen were able to prove the relevance of Lane's claims during many years of sanitarium work with patients stricken with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. What I later learned while studying with Jensen in Escondido, California, was that Lane, Kellogg, Tilden and Jensen were right in their assertions. When organic sodium and potassium salts and acidophilus are lacking in the diet, and when body is overloaded with toxic waste material, a severe chemical imbalance will take place in the intestinal flora. Acid wastes cannot be properly neutralized in the colon and, subsequently, throughout the body.

The cells of the body require a copious supply of sodium phosphate to help remove cellular metabolic waste - particularly carbon dioxide. Without this simple sodium compound cellular waste can accumulate to the point where the cells are starved of nutrients, toxic, dysfunctional and inclined to pathological conditions. As this continues unabated, the body will deteriorate and degrade to where it can develop such degenerative health issues as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Understanding the great importance of the proper balance of sodium to potassium throughout the body and the necessity of acidophilus in the diet can aid the body in overcoming and often reversing afflictions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. If you are given to drinking coffee - even decaffeinated - eating chocolate, drinking soda pops, excessive protein consumption, drinking pasteurized milk, eating refined sugar products or denatured wheat products, you will be depleting vitamin and mineral reserves and have a difficult time replenishing and maintaining a healthy intestinal flora.

When you combine proper food intake with a healthy intestinal flora environment you can successfully treat and often reverse osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout, acid reflux and rheumatism. These are all primarily symptom complexes of the same basic disease - systemic toxemia, which is usually brought on by a tired, undernourished and enervated body unable to keep up with the demands of one's lifestyle and faulty dietary habits.

Must See Facts On Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis happens because there is a problem with the autoimmune system. It affects the joints causing inflammation to the tissues in and around the joints.

You see, we all have antibodies in our body, they are there to protect our bodies from foreign invaders. But when there is a problem, these are upset like with an autoimmune problem, they start to attack the it's own tissues.

The joints of the body are where two bones are joined with ligaments and muscles so that the joint can move. In Rheumatoid Arthritis, these joints are stiffened due to the inflammation that it causes.

Did you know there are more than 100 forms of arthritis, well there is. And they all cause ongoing pain for the sufferers to millions of people everyday. It is a very debilitating affecting joints of the body.

There is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis, it requires a combined approach to handle this disease. Things like, medical, social and emotional. There's support groups around that will help you and advise you on what you can do to control your affliction.

It's a good idea that all concerned be educated about this disease, the main focus is to try and stop the pain, as this can become very acute. The prevention of disformaties should be seriously looked at, as this is the result of what will happen if left unchecked.

To get some relief from this awful disease you'll need to try and reduce the inflammation and get those stiff joints working again. There are various ways to do this, there is physical and physio, drug therapy and some even aspire to the natural therapies treatments.

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents.

What these do is help reduce the sever inflammation in the affected area's, thus reducing the pain and improving mobility.

In pregnant women the oboe treatment because none of these drugs have been proven safe to use during pregnancy. So you should consult your doctor if you're suffering arthritis and your pregnant.

All DMARD therapy should be stopped in women planning to conceive and in pregnant and lactating women. Evidence of the risks of these agents to the fetus either exists or cannot be ruled out. Methotrexate, because of evidence of potential teratogencity should be stopped in men and women planning conception (see above).

7 Important Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis

1 - With Rheumatoid Arthritis, it is an inflammatory type and very debilitating. As mentioned above, it's an immune system abnormality which tends to attack the joints in the body.

2 - Sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis are known as seropositive or seronegative.

You might be asking how you can tell if you've got rheumatoid arthritis, well there's a simple blood test that can be done. To determine your situation and if you have it or not.

3 - You will also be able to tell too, because of the physical symptoms you are probably experiencing. Getting a proper examination by an expert is probably the best thing to do.

4 - So as you can see there are a number of diagnostic ways you can determine whether or not you've got this disease or not. There is imaging, the blood test and the physical examination.

As no two cases are the same, and each individual will have different ways of experiencing their pain, how the x-rays will show up so the expert will need to look at the overall picture of the patient. This is needed to gain a proper and accurate diagnosis.

5 - The onset of the pain can start very early in the peace, not long after the disease has started. Damage can occure within two years on the start of Rheumatoid Arthritis. So to start treating this condition it's essential to get this diagnoses as early as possible. As soon as this is done, the earliest the treatment can begin.

6 - With over 2.1 million American adults having Rheumatoid Arthritis, it's no wonder it's such an epidemic. It is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis but the other type is osteoarthritis affects 20 million Americans, this is lot of people. It usually affects people between the age of 30-50 years of age, but it's also been known to affect very young people as well.

7 - For those suffering Rheumatoid Arthritis, there is an increase of mortality when compared to the rest of the population. It has been suggested by the medical fraternity that people with Rheumatoid Arthritis and live 10-15 years less then their counterparts.

With the new class of arthritis treatment known as biologics, hopefully the situation may become a little better for those sufferers.

Arthritis Treatment: What's on the Horizon for Osteoarthritis Treatment?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis affecting more than 30 million Americans. It is a disease of articular hyaline cartilage which covers the ends of long bones. The purpose of hyaline cartilage is to cushion and absorb the impact of both direct stresses and shearing forces applied to the joint.

Osteoarthritis affects primarily weight-bearing joints such as the hip, knee, low back, and neck. However, it can also involve the shoulder, ankle, base of the thumb, and base of the big toe.

Despite the focus of attention in rheumatology on newer therapies for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, there has been relatively little done to deal with osteoarthritis. This is unfortunate since osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant cause of pain, reduced mobility, reduced productivity, and diminished quality of life.

Between symptomatic therapies consisting of rest, physical therapy, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), injections of glucocorticoids ("cortisone") and viscosupplements, there is a void until the patient requires joint replacement.

I will discuss some of the "avant-garde" therapies that are being evaluated for treatment of OA.

The first treatment is the use of stem cells. Stem cells are blank slate cells, cells that can be coaxed to differentiate into any type of tissue cell. The focus of attention has been on the use of adult mesenchymal stem cells. Studies have demonstrated that when these cells are introduced into OA joints, that they are incorporated into the articular cartilage of the affected joint. While most investigations have been demonstrated in animal models, there have been small studies and multiple anecdotal reports indicating similar results in humans.

The second type of treatment that has been studied is the use of anti-cytokine drugs. Some feel that OA is a systemic disease that requires systemic therapies.

Cytokines, which are protein messengers, play a pivotal role in the generation and propagation of inflammation. One cytokine that may have a role in the chronic inflammation seen in OA is interleukin-1. Attempts to block the effects of this cytokine have been studied with mixed results. When given systemically it didn't perform much better than placebo. When given as an injection in a joint, there have been mixed results.

Another material that has been studied is botulinum toxin (Botox). It appears to have beneficial effects in regards to pain and inflammation. It has been used in OA of the knee as well as of plantar fasciitis.

Other therapies that have been studied include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), insulin-like growth factor, and bone morphogenic protein. Results are controversial.

Natural Remedy For Arthritis - Treat The Cause Of Rheumatoid Arthritis!

The crippling pain of arthritis is a major epidemic in the western world especially amongst older people. The lack of mobility and the constant pain caused by arthritis can damage a person's life not just physically but socially and mentally as their quality of life diminishes. To help with this condition many people take drugs that treat the symptoms but not the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, many people dissatisfied with this type of treatment have looked elsewhere for a natural remedy for arthritis and have been pleasantly surprised!

Arthritis along with many other first worlds, western diseases that have seen a massive explosion in the modern era are almost reaching a crisis point and science and medicine seem helpless to stop this. Instead the medical profession focuses on pain reduction not cures and some of then more cynical amongst us put this down to the fact the drug companies want us to keep buying their medicine not stop a disease. So what can a natural remedy do that modern science cannot?

The first thing to understand about arthritis is that no one agrees on its exact cause also complicated by the fact it is such a broad term for a number of conditions that are grouped under the arthritis umbrella. However it is known that similar conditions can be reversed by the most natural remedy of all, diet and exercise! The biggest problem with people's health today is that we eat too much unnatural food that pollutes our body and puts way to much acid in our system. This chemical imbalance is the cause of a great number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis; the good news it you can change this naturally!

To counteract the pollutions in your body the best treatment is to change your lifestyle and diet. The main offenders are such processed items such as cola and other soda products as well as overly sugary and salty foods like chips and chocolate bars. Add to this alcohol, cigarettes, pesticides, preservatives, chemicals and drugs and you can see how the body may not be able to handle all this even if you do not feel too unhealthy. Changing your diet to reflect what humans ate for so many years before our modern diets is a step in the direction of curing arthritis and being a healthier person in general. More vegetables, roots, fruits, nuts, seeds and others will help balance your body's chemicals and bring you much pain relief; add to this more exercise and you have a lifestyle that promotes wellbeing and health and can halt and reverse the effects of arthritis.

While many people may need to continue treating the symptoms of arthritis to reduce the pain until they can purge their body of its toxins this natural remedy for arthritis is one you can do simply by living well without exotic herbs or acupuncture. Treat the cause of rheumatoid arthritis or any other arthritis for that matter and you can be pain free for life!

What Can Be Done to Treat Arthritis in Cats?

A recent study shows that more than 20% of the older cats in the USA suffer from arthritis. Arthritis in cats causes their joints to deteriorate and cause pain in the tendons, most commonly due to their old age and athleticism. Arthritis is found normally even in people due to less movement and also in other pets mostly due to their high age, high level of activity and also their fatness. Other reasons causing feline arthritis can be due to stress or mental trauma. Osteoarthritis arthritis in the most commonly found kind in cats where the joints wear and tear due to age causes inflammation and dislocation of joints, severe pain, limping, stiffness and lameness.

Due to the technological advancement, arthritis in cats can now be properly treated with the help of effective medicines and natural remedies that will help maintain the vitality and health in future. Although it has been noted that in some cases the disease is not curable due to the stage of the disease, nature of arthritis and cat's physical condition at the time when the disease was spotted. Unlike dogs, cats are difficult to be identified when having pain or when limping, because slow movement is already an issue of old age and it is difficult to be distinguished with arthritis. However the following symptoms will help you diagnose any probable condition of arthritis in cats. There might be a different walking style, signs of limping or inflexibility, having more sleep, unwillingness to jump, urinating or defecating outside the space allotted, losing weight, appearing thinner due to muscle loss and other mental attitude changes such as more depression and annoyance.

To diagnose the arthritis properly, your veterinarian would examine the cat thoroughly at all stances after considering any possible symptoms. Additional blood tests, screening, X-Rays and joint juices would be taken from the affected joint and a detailed analysis procedure would be performed. The vet also may have to control the joints in order to know the state of stiffness and the necessary steps that would have to be taken.

Cats suffering from Osteoarthritis can be treated in a number of ways such as medicinal and natural treatments as well as physical in-home therapies. It can be difficult for cat owners to see their pets under distress. Even before their treatment, cats suffering from arthritis can be comforted through low-surfaced orthopedic beds, short-sided litter boxes and healthy food to compensate the strength lost due to arthritis. Cure for arthritis in cats is most commonly provided with the long-term use of dietary supplements such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin and fatty acids. These are components in the fluid of the joints and cartilage in a cat's body and regular quality dosage of these drugs can lead to fast recovery of the joints tissue damage. Steroids such as Tramadol, corticosteroids such as Prednisone, and anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs such as Metacam work as quick pain relievers but their expenditure has dropped due to their side effects. Such medications are popular among athlete-pet owners. Acupuncture, acupressure, swimming, massage, exercise, encouraging more activity and other such physical therapy supplemented with an above-stated medication greatly increases the chances of recovery and even strengthens the body, giving you a more energetic and in shape cat that you wanted, always wandering around and being with you during your loneliness.

Osteoarthritis and Inflammation - The Chicken or The Egg?

One of the primary differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis has to do with inflammation. Although inflammation is generally thought of as a negative or undesirable condition, it is actually one of the body's many responses to a metabolic crisis usually bought on by the presence of one microbial pathogen or another. The heat that is often generated by inflammation - as in the case of fever - is actually the body's way of attempting to literally cook the intruder to death in combination with increased activity of your white blood cells and various chemicals. In a healthy metabolism this is obviously meant to be a short lived process where the intruder is effectively dealt with and the system can return to balance. Without this mechanism the body would be unable to prevent infection and heal wounds.

There is another form of inflammation that can exist in the body without the local heat, redness and swelling. This is inflammation that exists in a more general sense - a sort of ongoing low grade type of chronic inflammation that is a result of the metabolism falling out of balance. This is the type of inflammation which leads to what have become known as auto-immune diseases like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, colitis, Crohn's disease and arthritis to name just a few. In a sense this type of inflammation leads to a biological situation of the body attacking itself and damaging tissues.

As with most health problems, one can trace this imbalance back to dietary input and the metabolic environment created by the foods we eat. Our biological predisposition is uniquely adapted to run on certain key macro and micro nutrients which we obtained from our traditional environment. If these necessary food items are not available to the metabolism, it's not too much of a stretch to suspect that this might cause a problem. It would also follow from this line of reasoning that if there is an over abundance of low nutrient or harmful foods in the diet that there could also be problems. To make matters even more complicated, there is the contemporary issue of exposure to an ever-growing list of negative environmental factors. In short, the environment from which we now feed has in a fraction of evolutionary time become anything but traditional. I'll explore in more detail the actual causal components of our modern diets that lead to this and other conditions in future articles, but for now let's keep the discussion to the outcome of such a diet, which is inflammation.

With regards to rheumatoid arthritis a couple of factors come into play. First, there is the acidic and low oxygen environment that develops through an improper diet. This allows for an increased presence of microbial fauna in the form of anaerobic bacterias, yeasts, moulds, and ultimately fungus in the worst cases. Some of these pathogens like to colonize particular parts of the body. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis this obviously occurs in the joints causing in turn the localized inflammation and discomfort. The protocols to treat rheumatoid arthritis are most effective with a two pronged approach involving alkalization of the metabolism through dietary modification - which reduces the chronic inflammation - in conjunction with the use of natural anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agents to go after the particular colony of pathogens residing in the joints.

Osteoarthritis is a somewhat different creature and is generally accepted to be a condition brought on by excessive wear and tear or simply by age. Although metabolic inflammation does come into play, the discomfort caused by osteoarthritis is not a result of pathogens colonizing your joints. Any localized inflammation which does occur is usually later in the development of the symptoms and is more a result of sufficient cartilage being eroded to the point that bone starts coming into contact with bone. This is often accompanied by the formation of bone spurs which contribute to the irritation of local tissues, leading to increased discomfort and ultimately inflammation.

The medical mainstream consensus view is that this is a mechanical issue and the only viable treatment is replacement of the affected joint or joints. This of course stems from the consensus refusal to recognize and take advantage of the body's inherent abilities for regeneration of tissues when it's provided with the necessary raw materials.

History is not exactly full of people complaining of aching joints and the statistical occurrence of osteoarthritis has been increasing steadily; like many diseases in lock step with the industrialization of our food supply and the increased presence of environmental toxins. If nothing else, this infers a dietary deficiency coupled with toxic exposures that place us outside of our evolved patterns of metabolism. This in turn leads to impaired tissue regeneration (insufficient raw materials) and over-burdening of toxicity (lack of minerals to clear waste). It is this scenario which I believe has led to this condition of chronic inflammation, which appears to have become a cultural commonality.

There are many dietary myths and factors that pervade the mainstream consensus, making it difficult for a lay person to make informed decisions about the correct diet for ultimate health. Despite newer research pointing to flaws in current modalities, the corporate interests profiting from the infrastructures built around these myths continue to protect these interests through 'paid for science' and obfuscation of the facts. The low fat myth and the high carbohydrate diet coupled with a misrepresentation of the relationship between LDL, HDL and total cholesterol, are just three factors that contribute to the systemic problem of low grade chronic inflammation.

As I've stated before, osteoarthritis can be viewed as a canary in a coal mine. Relative to the pantheon of different severe diseases/symptoms that can be brought on by ongoing inflammation, the discomfort caused by osteoarthritis could be considered minor, though annoying. Tissue regeneration is a metabolic process that goes on throughout the life experience and in this regard the cartilage between your bones is no different. If headway with symptoms is to be made there is no doubt that your metabolic environment needs to be adjusted through dietary modifications. One of the many biological systems that become affected by chronic inflammation is the endocrine system. Within the myriad of enzymes both manufactured and absorbed by the body are those that modify the proteins to create the various proteoglycans responsible for cartilage maintenance. This is just one of the many biological sub-systems that are affected by improper diet and the resulting chronic inflammation.

So when it comes to osteoarthritis, is inflammation the chicken or the egg? The answer appears to be both.

Can Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Really Help Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often used to teach Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain sufferers how to cope with their illnesses. It is said to help treat many conditions and diseases like FM, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. It helps determine how well a patient manages their pain and teaches them how to take control of it. Depression plays a key role in the inability to be proactive in our treatment. So, our state of mind is very important when it comes to getting better.

Studies show that when FM patients effectively deal with the particular symptoms and over-lapping conditions of their illness and of their lives, they feel better. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) increases a patients' belief in their own power to cope with the things they face and helps them develop ways for dealing with depression and stressful situations.

The goal of CBT is to make patients aware of self-defeating behaviors and emotions so that they can be changed consciously. Healthy, positive thoughts and emotions supersede the negative, resulting in a powerful influence on your life and lessening your pain. Over time, the idea that you are helpless against the pain goes away and, instead, you learn that you can manage the pain. Many studies show an improved quality of life and overall reduction in average pain scores.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has shown to be as beneficial as anti-depressant medications for patients with depression. In one large study there were considerably higher results of reaction and remission from depression when cognitive behavior therapy was used in addition to anti-depressant medications than when either method was used alone. CBT is used to change the patients negative feelings and social withdrawal.

Cognitive therapy is very helpful in defining and setting limits (something I know I have a problem with) and is vitally important for FM patients. Many "Fibromytes" live their lives in extremes. We push ourselves too far and suddenly we break-down. This reverses the way we view ourselves, we become demoralized, feel worthless, and give up our power to cope with the simplest tasks. One important goal of cognitive therapy is to help us find a middle ground. Patients learn to prioritize their responsibilities, and drop some of the less important tasks or delegate them to others. My biggest problem is just saying "NO". I want to please everyone and prove to them and myself that I can do whatever is asked of me. When I reach my limits and cannot complete a task, I tend to go through a period of self-loathing. Learning to say "NO" and other coping skills can ultimately lead to a more manageable life. We can learn to view ourselves and others in a better light.

CBT is also a useful treatment for anxiety disorders, including phobias, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. In CBT, patients learn to be aware of and change negative thinking patterns. It is a way to gain conscious control over unwanted thoughts or feelings which are, as a rule, connected to anxiety. Those of us who suffer from panic attacks learn our bodies' negative responses and actions during an attack and CBT helps us find ways to counteract the reason for the attacks. CBT can also help improve quality of sleep so we can hopefully reduce some of our medications.

Cognitive therapy requires approximately six to twenty sessions that last one hour. The cognitive therapy program may involve keeping a diary to look at all aspects of your daily activities, coping skills and mind-set. This helps you learn what changes need to be made, limits that need to be set and a way to organize and prioritize activities. Many of these things contribute to stress and can make your pain better or worse. Setting limits keeps us from getting discouraged and helps us learn to take each task one step at a time. CBT also helps us confront negative thoughts and emotions and we are taught how to reverse them. It all boils down to self-perception: self-loathing, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, negative self-talk, believing that other people view us the same way. CBT helps us reverse those thought processes so we can pick ourselves up and keep going. Patients will learn to find things we once enjoyed doing and make the time to do them with the help of learning how to schedule activities without being overwhelmed.

As we know accomplishing too much too soon can often cause a relapse of symptoms. We should respect these relapses and slow down. We should not consider them a sign of failure. That's just how Fibromyalgia works. Don't be so hard on yourself!

6 Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis - Could I Really Have RA?

The signs of rheumatoid arthritis are not as hidden and unnoticeable as some people seem to believe. Although there are indeed rheumatoid arthritis signs that some people might not be able to pick up on, there are still PLENTY of other symptoms that you'll be able to notice and clearly identify. What are those signs & symptoms? Take a look below to find out.

6 Typical Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis...

1. Joint Pain: The most obvious of all arthritis signs. If you have sudden, lingering joint pain which can not be contributed to an injury of some kind, it could very well be the onset of RA. Most be a constant, unwavering pain that doesn't fade over time.

2. Joint Fatigue: Unexplained fatigue that is not your typical level of "tired". Your joints ache and it would just be better for them if you were to lay down and not do anything at all.

3. Low Energy: A drastic decrease in energy level. This is a bit like joint fatigue, except that it is an "all over body" feeling which effects more than just joints.

4. Swollen Joints: This isn't a little redness, this is SWOLLEN to the extreme. Your joints will be enlarged, red, tender, and of course painful. This "flare up" won't be just a freak occurrence, but more than likely a DAILY thing. This is one of the signs of rheumatoid arthritis that will NOT be able to go unnoticed, period.

5. Low Grade Fever: One of those signs of rheumatoid arthritis that may be hard to pick up on -- as this may be something that you just pass off as being the usual "flu". Be sure to take notice of the length of the flu and/or other possible flu-like symptoms. If it is in fact just a flu, then it should pass in time and not return too frequently. On the other hand, if it IS a fever brought on by RA and it is ALSO accompanied by other signs of rheumatoid arthritis, well, you can put the pieces together, can't you?

6. Swollen Glands: Glands may start to swell for no apparent reason. If there is no other cause (that you know of), then it is indeed possible you could be suffering from RA. As usual, take into account if you are experiencing other signs of rheumatoid arthritis so you don't make a false diagnosis; thereby scaring yourself into unnecessary treatments.

Remember, these 6 signs of rheumatoid arthritis won't be experienced every "now & again" -- but SEVERAL times a week, if not on a daily basis. This, without a doubt, is the most important aspect in determining if you have RA. If it's just a temporary thing that passes and doesn't return, well, then you're probably in the clear.