Monday, September 16, 2013

Natural Remedies For Psoriatic Arthritis


Around 2% of Caucasians in the United States fall victim to this skin disease. Psoriasis causes skin to become red and scaly and although it can affect any part of the body, it usually seeks out the elbows, knees and scalp. In Europe, some people go to the famous Dead Sea in Israel to find relief. Psoriatic arthritis develops in people that have psoriasis and the ratio is about 2%. The symptoms of this particular form of arthritis are similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis. Most people come down with this disease between the ages of 35 to 45, but of course, there are exceptions.

This form of arthritis is usually caused by psoriatic lesions, which are typical of psoriasis sufferers. These lesions keep re-surfacing once the arthritis has started. For more clarity, think about certain body parts: if you have psoriasis in your nails, for example, you could develop the arthritis in your hand. So basically, this form of arthritis is usually found near a body part affected near where the skin has broken out. On the good side, the flare-ups are usually mild and are not regular.

Although, this is certainly a serious condition, treatments are many and varied. Often doctors recommend certain medications with success. On the other hand, others turn to natural therapies to get pain relief.

If you want to look at natural therapies, then a trip to your local health store might be a good idea. Usually they are very helpful and can give good advice. Another idea would be to visit a naturopath who specializes in arthritis. You can also do research yourself - on the problem to understand it further and also to seek out information about natural remedies.

One of the main remedies you can take is Omega 3 fatty acids as they can really help calm down your symptoms and relieve pain as well as slow down damage to the joints.

Other possibilities include borage, evening primrose, tumeric curcumin and bromelain.

All these can be obtained in supplement form so they are easy to ingest. As with any form of the disease, diet is important as certain foods can trigger outbreaks.

Also, it is important to talk to your doctor to obtain his views. Psoriatic arthritis sufferers do have a lot of options to help alleviate their pain.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Arthritis Knee Pain Causes, Symptoms and Natural Relief


Arthritis is a joint disorder resulting in joint inflammation and pain. Knee joint is a major weight bearing joint of our body, and therefore is quite vulnerable to increased rate of wear and tear. Before learning about arthritis knee pain management, we have to understand the structure and functioning of the knee joint. Knee joint is, by nature, a hinge joint, allowing flexion normally to a maximum of 135 degrees but no extension. The functioning of knee joint allows free movement of the legs, and the joint is also capable of bearing the entire body weight.

The knee joint is the point where the femur or thigh bone and the large shinbone or tibia meets. The joint is comprised of three compartments: the inner or medial compartment, outer or lateral compartment and the knee cap or patella joining the femur to form the third compartment named as patellofemoral joint. The knee joint lies protected within a capsule and collateral ligaments are there both on the inside and outside of the joint, and also ligaments cross each other within the joint, and are known by the name of cruciate ligaments.

These ligaments hold the bones in place, and also impart strength and stability to the joint. The junction where the femur and tibia meet, the cartilage meniscus occurs. Meniscus serves as a cushioned pad allowing the bones to move freely without friction, and also absorbing the load of body weight above knee while standing. Below the knee cap, a large tendon called patellar tendon occurs. This tendon is attached to the front part of tibia bone. The thigh muscles, quadriceps muscles and hamstring muscles surrounding the knee relax and contract to allow knee movement.

Cause and Symptoms of Arthritis Knee Pain

Arthritis knee pain occurs due to degeneration or wear and tear of the meniscus or inflammation of soft tissues surrounding the knee. Aging of body makes the meniscus weak and incapable of repairing itself after the daily wear and tear. As a result of which it may start tearing or flaking. Once the cartilage is lost due to degeneration, the shin bone and thigh bone are exposed to friction which may develop bony outgrowths or spurs called osteophytes. The above occurrence makes the knee painful. Pain may occur also when rheumatic arthritis invades the delicate tissues around the knee joint.

Another cause of knee pain due to arthritis is the crystallization of uric acid within the joint cavity. This actually occurs in case of gout. Swelling of knee due to arthritis may lead to accumulation of fluid in a cyst behind the knee. Such a cyst is called Baker's cyst, and it is one common reason for pain at the back of the knee. The common symptoms associated with knee pain due to arthritis are swelling, warmth in the joint, inflexibility or stiffness, redness of skin around the joint, locking sensation in the joint, crunching sound while moving knee.

Rumatone Gold Capsule and Oil are natural remedies for arthritis knee pain relief. These herbal supplements and anti-inflammatory massage oil are specifically formulated to ease pain and inflammation associated with knee pain.

Analyzing Ankylosing Spondylitis Arthritis


The most frequent symptom of AS is one a lot of folks are intimate with, lower back pain and/or stiffness. This sign can come out as soon as adolescence that causes numerous individuals with ankylosing spondylitis to be misdiagnosed as teenagers with a sports related injury. The stiffness and pain are often slow, which indicates many people do not inform their physician about the pain. The stiffness and pain are produced by the inflammation in the spine, that if not remedied, can bring about a fusing of the vertebrae or ankylosis. When this occurs, the pain vanishes, but so does the mobility in the spine. The ankylosis can bring about a frontward curvature of the chest region, that diminishes breathing ability. The fusion can additionally go on to the rib cage, triggering ribs to fuse to the spine, diminishing lung function. Further symptoms of AS are arthritis in other joints (usually the knees, hips, and ankles) and inflammation of the cartilage adjacent to the eyes, breast bone, the heart, and kidneys.

An accurate identification of AS can be tough to obtain. Initial warning signs can frequently be created by other, more ordinary diseases. It's particularly tricky to identify in women since they typically have less implication of the spine, commonly but not always. Someone may be required to suffer with the pain for quite a few years before ankylosing spondylitis is ever thought about. The analysis for AS are essentially very straightforward. They comprise the customary physical exam and medical history, then the physician will arrange an x-ray of the spine and a blood test for the HLA-B27 marker. The physical assessment may demonstrate initial symptoms such as restricted mobility of the spine, diminished breathing capability, and eye inflammation. The spine x-ray will demonstrate if fusion of the vertebrae has already happened. When accurately identified, therapy starts.

Therapy consists of physical therapy, the taking of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and then increased exercise. The NSAIDs decrease the pain and inflammation of the involved joints, which can help mobility. In people where other joints, like the hips, knees, and ankles, are inflamed, the NSAIDs might not work acceptably. If that is the case, there are more drugs that can be utilized such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine. Methotrexate is more successful than sulfasalazine, however it's possibly poisonous to bone marrow and the liver. Patients having methotrexate therapy have to have regular blood tests to find out if any of those organs are being injured. Through enhanced mobility comes the exercise and physical therapy to recover posture and boost mobility and breathing capability. Every exercise regimen must be endorsed by a physician so the patient doesn't inadvertently hurt him/herself.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) typically involves the joints of the spine, although it can also involve other joints, particularly the hips. AS may also intermittently produce inflammation of the chest wall, eyes, lungs, and heart. If the inflammation doesn't get cared for, it can ultimately lead to permanent damage and scarring. A few individuals have a minor variety of this disease, others are unlucky enough to experience the destructive type. This disease might or might not get worse, according to a number of things. These things involve, your age when the disease started, which joints are involved, and how soon you received an accurate diagnosis. Regrettably, there's no cure at this time.

Physicians aren't certain of the trigger for AS, but they do understand that genetics has a role in the disease. About 95% of patients identified with this disease possess a gene that manufactures a genetic marker, HLA-B27. Still, possessing this gene doesn't mean someone is certain to acquire the disease. There's barely a 40% possibility of acquiring AS if you have the gene. Furthermore, you don't have to possess this gene to acquire AS.

There is research in progress to ascertain the triggers of the inflammation that is a component of ankylosing spondylitis. A few researchers consider this inflammation starts with a bacterial infection that triggers the immune system to respond. When the bacterial infection has left, a typical individual's immune system goes back to 'protect and scan' form, but in an individual distressed by AS, their immune system continues in the 'assault' mode. This triggers tissues to grow to be inflamed. Other researchers believe that AS starts when the intestinal resistance breaks down, instigating bacteria to gain entry to the bloodstream, and after that to the joints mainly affected by this arthritis, the sacroiliac joints.

Lupus - A Growing Epidemic in African-American Women


According to The American College of Rheumatology, Lupus, a complicated autoimmune disease that primarily affects young women can be difficult to diagnose.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (known as SLE or lupus) is a type of arthritis. It is classified as an autoimmune disease that affects various tissues and organs of the body. This disease affects people of all color and ages. However, it primarily affects individuals between the ages of 15 to 45 years of age; attacking women ten times more than men and African American women are three times more likely to come down with this disease.

The fact that lupus is systemic makes it a complicated disease. When the immune system is attacked, inflammation results as one of the body's defense mechanisms. Inflammation causes discomfort and will leave severe damage if untreated. In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation affects the joints and over time will produce joint deformity. Since lupus is a systemic disease, it affects more than just the joints. It can affect other organs such as skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.
Symptoms of Lupus

Most common signs and symptoms include the following:

Joint pain and swelling
Fever
Skin rash
Kidney problems

This disease is difficult to diagnose and it may take time to confirm whether or not an individual has it. Therefore, several blood testing samples may be required over a period of one year. Many health professionals consider the diagnosing of this disease a diagnosis of exclusion because other medical conditions have to be ruled out during the process. Mayo Clinic published an online article regarding tests and diagnosis, citing the American College of Rheumatology criterion for the proper diagnosis of lupus.

American College of Rheumatology Criterion for Lupus

According to the American College of Rheumatology, four of the following 11 symptoms for a period of several months confirm the diagnosis of lupus. Read on.


  • Malar rash: facial area only

  • Scaly rash (discoid rash): raised, scaly patches on parts of the body

  • Sun-related rash

  • Mouth ulcers: painless

  • Joint pain and swelling in two or more joints

  • Swelling of the linings around the lungs or the heart

  • Kidney disease

  • Central nervous system problems: seizures or psychosis

  • Abnormal lab work: low red blood count (anemia), low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), and/or low white cell count (leukopenia), positive antinuclear antibody test (ANA): indicative of an autoimmune disease

  • Other abnormal lab work: positive double-stranded anti-DNA test, positive anti-Sm test, positive Anti-phospholipid antibody test or false-positive syphilis test (these tests are more specific for confirming the diagnosis of lupus), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and elevated c-reactive protein (CRP), both indicative of a systemic inflammatory reaction.

There are several forms of lupus and this disease can be induced by certain medications. There are more than three-dozen drugs associated with drug-induced lupus. However, a few common drugs associated with this type are hydralazine, procainamide, and quinidine. If lupus is drug-induced, it is cured when the medication responsible is discontinued. There is no cure for the other types of lupus. However, the good news is that medical researchers continue putting forth great effort to find a cure for this chronic disease. With proper treatment, people with lupus are able to live long meaningful lives.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, don't wonder if your just experiencing common body aches. Take the initiative to contact your healthcare provider immediately for diagnosing and get the treatment you may need.

Lupus can attack major organs of the body (skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain). So if left undiagnosed, it is untreated, and if it is untreated this disease could result in serious health complications, including death. If you have questions please seek advice from your healthcare provider and the American Lupus Foundation for further information.

4 Cheap Treatments for Arthritis Knee Pain


How to Read the Confusing Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis Knee Pain

Athletes, very active people and those of us who are overweight are usually the prime time people who will probably develop some type of arthritis knee pain in our life. The confusion begins with the signs and symptoms of any type of joint pain. Just remember that swelling, inflammation, point tenderness and stiffness are early warning signs that your knees could be heading towards arthritis.

If we have those signs and symptoms does that really mean we have arthritic knees? Not necessarily. The best way to determine if you have arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis or even osteoarthritis is to have your blood tested. If you have been suffering for a while it is best to visit your doctor soon and find out exactly what is going on.

Blood work can go a long way in helping you determine exactly what you have. Many of us, when pain persists in our knees, we just mutter: "I've got arthritis in my knees" but we really don't know. People who actually suffer from arthritis honestly can tell the difference between normal joint pains and arthritis joint pains.

Age Factors Can Help Sort out the confusion of arthritis knee pain:

Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops sooner than osteoarthritis, so you might want to take that into consideration. As you know, rhuematoid arthritis basically lost a couple of nuts along the way and starts attacking your body without any known cause.

Osteoarthritis on the other hand can be a direct result of the "old injury bug" that has been re-injured many times in your life. Heck it could be a meniscus that was torn when you were 18 years old and now that you are in your 40's that rubbing and irritation could lead to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis usually creaps into your world in the middle to upper years of your life.

Other factors that can lead to arthritis knee pain


  • age

  • genetics

  • body weight

  • diet -this is a biggy

This I know about arthritis knee pain. If you let it go long enough it will come back to bite you in the butt. Go see a doctor to determine if you have some loose objects floating around in your knee. It might require minor surgery to get it fixed and then you will be as good as new. If not, they will have some answers for you and so do we.

I know there are times when your knees really hurt when you are walking. Listen to your body and when the pain is present, don't be bull headed and think you can fight through the pain. You will probably win, but in the long run the arthritis will win.

There are tons of exercises you can do to help increase the blood flow through your knees. Follow those specific exercises and recommendations. Not only will your heart be happy but so will your knees with all that extra blood flowing through your knee joints.

Weight loss: I know how hard it is to lose weight when you can do much physically. But you always have a good part of the day when you could be doing some type of physical exercise. Follow the Nike slogan and "Just Do It".

Changing your eating habits: Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins/minerals and they have a cleansing effect which allows your body to begin repairing itself. Instead of grabbing a bag of potato chips, start grabbing a bag of carrots. You'll be surprised when your body begins to respond favorably.

Supplementation: I'm such a firm believer in supplementation because I am living proof it works. Supplementing with the proper vitamins, minerals, amino acids and digestive enzymes is critical to your overall health, weight loss and arthritis pain. On the site, we have two excellent options for you that are specific to arthritis and joint pain. I can give you the number to a place that we purchase liquid vitamins from. We have drank this formula since 1998 and we don't see a need to stop it. It works.

In all honesty, I truly believe your body will heal itself from the inside out if you give it the proper ingredients. Specific arthritis knee pain is a sign that should not be ignored. Listen to your body, follow up with some type of treatment and exercise and over time you will find yourself in much better shape, you will be much happier and in less pain.

You can beat arthritis knee pain.

Joint Pain Relief Through Natural Remedies and Herbal Treatments


Every individual is in the risk of having joint pains, be it due to aging or some other factors. Whatever may be the cause; it is very often unbearable and demand emergency treatment. Age related joint pains like arthritis must be controlled through proper medication and remedies to prevent crippling and disability of the body. Free movement is greatly impaired in acute cases of arthritis related joint pains with frustrations creeping in gradually. Women experience problem after menopause due to the drastic drop in the estrogen levels.

Knee, shoulders, back and hip joints are mostly affected due to aging whereas some may experience pains in the wrists, fingers, ankles and heels.

Symptoms

1. Swelling and inflammation followed by acute pain.
2. Redness and tenderness of the joints.

Causes

1. Due to wear and tear of the cartilage due to aging.
2. Autoimmune disease
3. Gout
4. Physical injuries
5. Infection at joints
6. Low hormonal levels in women after menopause.

Treatment

Apart from the usage of over the counter NSAID's and steroids, following treatments are of great help in providing relief from the this problem and that too without any serious side effects.

1. Exercises play a great role in reducing various types of pains, especially swimming. Swimming in a heated pool gives the best results.

2. Bathing with Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate. This particular compound has good anti-inflammatory properties which are well absorbed by the skin. About 40 minutes of bathing gives good results.

3. Massaging with a mixture of camphor oil, menthol and eucalyptus oil on the affected areas alleviates the pains.

4. Joint pains due to arthritis can be reduced by drinking few cups of green tea regularly. Green tea has special constituents that protect the cartilage from wearing out.

5. Elimination of certain foods like meat, beef which are high in protein helps in reducing this problem. The protein can be substituted by vegetables and fish.

6. Dairy products should be avoided excluding the low fat yoghurt.

7. Alcohol consumption must be stopped totally.

8. The herb Boswelia Serrata has high anti-inflammatory properties and enhances the blood circulation to the joints that helps in reducing the pains.

9. The roots of Ashwagandha are beneficial in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis.

10. Ginger roots are also used for this treatment, which prevents the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are responsible for this problem.

11. Women need sufficient dietary calcium supplements like low fat milk, yoghurt to prevent the weakening of bones and joint pains after menopause.

12. Application of turmeric and lime paste or drinking milk adding turmeric is a good remedy to alleviate joint pains.

13. Massage with Rumatone Gold oil give good relief.

Effective Home Remedies for Arthritis


People throughout history have found that there are various remedies that one may create in the comfort of the home in order to effectively treat certain medical diseases and conditions. There are millions of people that have arthritis around the world. Many people with arthritis do not have medical insurance, or the financial means to acquire medical help to assist them in living life easily with their condition. For these individuals, there are many effective home remedies. Here, you will find many of the effective home remedies for arthritis that have proven successful to many people for numerous years.

An effective and common home remedy for arthritis is consuming garlic. Garlic has been known to alleviate the symptoms of swelling and inflammation for hundreds of years. There are many ways that you can consume garlic. You may purchase garlic pills at your local health food store, or you may choose to cook with garlic. Many people simply sprinkle garlic over their food once it is prepared. However you choose to ingest garlic, it is an important factor is reducing the pain that is associated with swelling in arthritis.

An effective home remedy for arthritis is potato juice. You simply make a juice from potatoes and then consume the juice. Many older arthritis patients bring this home remedy for arthritis to us from many generations of effective use. It is believed that potatoes play an effective role in eliminating the pain that is associated with arthritis. You may also choose to implement more potatoes into your daily diet to reduce the symptoms that are associated with arthritis.

An effective home remedy for arthritis includes creating a rice bag to alleviate inflammation and reduce pain that is a result of inflammation. This is a basic bag of rice that you can create using a strong material. Many people simply take an old sock, pour in a large amount of rice, and tie the sock into a tight knot. The bag can then be placed in a microwave for about a minute. Once the bag is done in the microwave, you can apply it to swollen and/or sore joints. The heat is the same as a heating bag, only inexpensive. This is a great method for alleviating pain with arthritis.

The next effective home remedy for arthritis is quite simple and can be done by anyone. This is simply to soak in a hot bath. The heat that the water contains will help to effectively soothe the symptoms of arthritis by soothing inflammation and providing more freedom in joint movement. Many people may even place a small amount of vinegar in the water to help sooth the pain of arthritis. If you are comforted by cool water, you may choose to sit in a tub of cool water rather than warm water.

There are many effective home remedies for arthritis. You can choose one, or all. The most important aspect of the home remedy is that it provides relief to you.