Graves Disease And Rheumatoid Arthritis

Do you have Graves disease? If so, then you must be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as well. Graves disease and rheumatoid arthritis are two diseases that are linked to each other. One common symptom of patients suffering from this disease is a fine tremor in their hands and fingers. Incidentally, this is also a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

Graves disease is an autoimmune disease. It is a health problem wherein a person's immune system attacks the thyroid glands. And consequently, it causes the same gland to produce too much thyroxin hormone. It is usually referred to as hyperthyroidism's most common form.

The similarity between the two is the fact that they are both autoimmune diseases. Like Graves disease, rheumatoid arthritis is a problem with the immune system, causing chronic inflammation on the joints. A person with rheumatoid arthritis has his joints being attacked by the antibodies, thinking that they are detrimental to the body processes.

But of course, either the thyroid glands or the ligaments of the joints they aren't harmful to one's health at all. But both of them moves the body's immune system to think and work otherwise. The antibodies, instead of attacking bacteria and viruses, end up destroying the glands and the parts that are needed by the body to function.

As such, Graves disease and rheumatoid arthritis [http://graves-disease-treatment.blogspot.com/2007/09/best-treatment-for-graves-disease.html] should be treated and cured early on. Because if not, a number of other health complications can be expected. And everybody wants to keep a healthy body. Therefore, it is advisable that you consult with a doctor at once if and when you experience any symptom related to these diseases.

Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Begin in the Intestine?

It's not widely known, but the results of numerous clinical trials over the last 30 years have pointed to an intriguing connection between rheumatoid arthritis and the intestines. As long ago as the 1940s, Charles de Coti-Marsh in his pioneering research into the causes and treatment of arthritis declared 'the disease begins in the bowel.' Nowadays there is increasing evidence that he was right.

Unfortunately, the connection between arthritis and diet has historically been downplayed, with nutrition never quite making the grade as an object of scientific study. More recently, however, the development of nutritional biochemistry. immunology and pharmacology, as well as ever increasing scientific data on free-radical disease, antioxidants, prostaglandins, and flavonoids have lifted the subject of nutrition out of the realm of anecdotal uncertainty into the province of credible science.

In Joints and Arthritic Disease (2002), Dr Gail Darlington references a number of research projects, for example a study by O'Farrelly which took small intestinal biopsies from 93 patients with rheumatic arthritis (RA) and compared them to those of a control group. The conclusion was that the gut may play a part in the immunopathogenesis of certain cases of RA.

The combination of the development of certain types of gut flora and an increased permeability of the intestine (allowing potentially harmful bacterial antigens into the blood stream) seems to be the key issue. Darlington notes that 'RA patients untreated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have normal gastrointestinal permeability, but patients on NSAIDs and perhaps also on disease modifying antirheumatic drugs show increased permeability. Such increased permeability may allow food or bacterial antigens to be absorbed in greater quantities than usual, overwhelming normal gut defences and, possibly producing symptoms of RA.'

What that means is that dietary manipulation could, in theory, reduce gastrointestinal permeability, with reduced absorption bacterial antigens - and perhaps treat one of the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Despite these findings, and others like them, making dietary changes in order to treat arthritis is considered to be 'alternative', in other words unacceptable to the majority of the orthodox medical community.

Does rheumatoid arthritis begin in the intestine? Quite possibly - there is some evidence to support the theory. However, 'alternative' theories rarely attract commercial interests, which is of course the prime source of research funding. It therefore remains to be seen whether complementary and alternative therapies will ever achieve the status of 'proven' as required by Western science.

Elizabeth Hartland,
Nutritional Therapist,
The Arthritic Association

Joint Pain Stiffness Remedies - Reduce Pain and Inflammation Naturally

Joint pain stiffness is the most common outcome of arthritis, a bone degenerative disease that is mostly associated with aging. This condition is followed by moderate to acute pain with gradual decrease in the normal mobility. Joint pain stiffness is felt at the start of the day when the joints remain immobile due to long hours of sleep and the stiffness reduce gradually with slow movements throughout the day. But in severe cases of arthritis acute joint pains may cause enough sleep disturbances demanding immediate medical attention. In case of inflammatory arthritis like Rheumatoid arthritis, the joint stiffness may last for about 45 minutes and in osteoarthritis stiffness lasts for 30 minutes.

Causes of joint stiffness and pain

Inflammation of the synovium, which is a thin membrane surrounding the joints cause joint stiffness that leads to pain. Many underlying causes are responsible for this inflammation that is very bothering.

1. Osteoarthritis causes joint pain stiffness.
2. Autoimmune disease like Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint stiffness.
3. Gout
4. Chondromalacia
5. Bursitis
6. Injury
7. Infectious diseases
8. Over straining and exertion of the joints.
9. Tendonitis

Treatment

1. Application of cold packs and heat treatment are generally adopted in reducing joint pain and stiffness. The cold pack relaxes the nerves and the hot compress enhances the blood circulation. Applying hot and cold packs alternately every 5 minutes gives best results.

2. Medications include the administration of NSAID's, steroids and narcotic drugs to provide relief from the joint stiffness and pain. Corticosteroids are applied in controlled doses regulated by experienced practitioners that also reduce the joint inflammation along with the pain. Narcotic drugs help in reducing the pain but not the inflammation. Common pain relieving drugs those are used are aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Tylenol, morphine etc.

3. Nothing can match the overall benefits of regular exercising in treating joint pain and stiffness. Exercise strengthens the joints and the muscles, reduces the wear and tear of the bones and cartilage and helps in controlling the body weight.

Alternative Remedies or Treatment

Many people are turning towards alternative medicines and modes of treatment to avoid the serious side effects of pain relieving medications. These medicines which come as natural supplements through daily diet and common ingredients are highly effective and also produce multi benefits in maintaining good health.

1. Massaging the affected joints with herbal oils like eucalyptus and wintergreen helps in reducing the pain.
2. Extracts of Arnica taken in measured doses produces good results in treating this condition.
3. Green tea helps in reducing arthritis pain.
4. Tea from alfalfa seeds also reduces the inflammation and pain.
5. Ginger is also helpful in reducing inflammation.
6. Turmeric is widely used in reducing this pains.

Gouty Arthritis Symptoms - Oh My Aching Big Toe!

Gouty Arthritis - Do You Have It?

The joints in your big toe have been hurting really bad, and you've noticed that it has turned warm, red, and seems to be swelling. For a while, you ignore the pain, and thankfully it disappears for a while, only to come back at odd times with a vengeance. If you're no longer too young, but just young at heart, then chances are, you may want to go see your doctor and ask if you might have symptoms of gouty arthritis.

This kind of arthritis is just one of the more than 100 types of diseases in this category. However, gouty arthritis is one of the most painful among these and is caused by needle-like crystals of uric acid that form in your joints (usually, in this disease, the big toe, although other joints can be affected as well, like the heel, elbow, knees, wrists, fingers, etc.). So, if you can imagine those "needle-like crystals" pricking your joints, then you can understand why there is so much pain involved in this disease.

Gouty arthritis has four stages, namely:

1.Asymptomatic - At this stage, the person may have tested to have elevated levels of uric acid, probably in a general medical screening, but is not experiencing any pain in any joints. The doctor usually will not prescribe any treatment at this stage, but may suggest some diet changes to prevent the condition from worsening.

2.Acute Gout - At this stage, the person begins to feel pain, and swelling and redness of the joints, leading to what is called as a "gouty attack". These attacks can happen intermittently. It is a good idea to visit your doctor once you feel any acute pain in the joint area to prevent the disease from progressing.

3.Interval - This is the "interval" between gouty attacks, when a person is not experiencing any pain at the moment. Many people mistakenly think that the worst is over when they are in an interval stage and refuse to visit the doctor. What they don't know is that this is exactly what it is named, an interval, and there may be an attack waiting just around the corner.

4.Chronic Gout - When there is no or very short interval between attacks, and there is already permanent damage to the joints. Constant pain medication is needed for this type of gout and it is essential that a physician oversee this disease at this stage. If proper treatment is adhered to in the Acute Gout stage, then one may never progress to this stage.

How is Gouty Arthritis diagnosed?

If you think you are already are experiencing the attacks, when you visit the doctor, then chances are, he may ask for any one or all of the following tests:

1.Synovial Fluid Analysis - Synovial (joint) fluid is extracted from your joints through a sterilized needle inserted in the space. The fluid has a straw-like color and is then analyzed in a lab. Normally, joint fluids that look cloudy or is thick may be abnormal.

2.Uric Acid Test - This is done through a simple blood test taken from a vein or capillary. The blood is then tested for levels of uric acid. If it is high then it will confirm gouty arthritis

3.Joint X-ray - An x-ray of the joint may also be needed to properly see how the arthritis has progressed in the area.

How is Gouty Arthritis treated?

Treatment of gouty arthritis is usually geared toward immediate relief and stopping the pain and inflammation that come with the attacks. Medication is also given to prevent future attacks.

One of the drugs prescribed to reduce the pain, inflammation and swelling is Colchicine and often makes the pain settle in 12 to 48 hours. This medication decreases the inflammation and therefore the pain, but it does not alter the uric acid levels in the blood, although daily use of it helps to prevent subsequent attacks.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be effective if it is taken at the onset of the pain.

At times, a diet low in purines is given to lessen the uric acid levels. Some foods that may have to be abstained from are beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish, gravy, soda pop, beer, wine, etc.

Be Alert to Hallux Valgus Deformity Symptoms

Be alert to hallux valgus deformity symptoms. Just as you would be alert to symptoms of some other disorder or illness, you should pay careful attention to anything out of the ordinary with your feet or toes. We tend to forget about our feet and toes, until it's time for another trip to our favorite nail salon to make sure our feet look pretty. We forget that our feet bear the burden of our whole body whenever we are upright off the bed or couch. Once we are walking, our feet are carrying a heavy load. This makes learning the symptoms of this foot disorder a smart, pro-active move. This is especially so if you are a woman and you wear shoes that you know don't really give your toes enough room. If there is a history of bunions in your family, then you must be even more alert.

The symptoms of hallux valgus show up in a variety of ways, but the most obvious way is the leaning of the big toe toward the other toes. If you notice that your big toe isn't quite straight and seems to be curving toward the toe next to it, you need to become proactive right away. Don't take the chance of thinking that you are just imagining things because of your tight shoes, and that all you have to do is kick them off and then you won't see any signs of leaning. If you wear tight shoes often, that leaning will become a permanent condition.

If you have any kind of pain in the metatarsophalangeal joint, which is at the base of the big toe, then you are experiencing another symptom of hallux valgus deformity. Pain in this big toe joint, along with the turning of your big toe toward the others, no matter how slight, is a serious, almost foolproof indication of the development of a bunion.

Redness in this toe area and swelling are additional symptoms that go along with the hallux valgus, although these symptoms could also be caused by other problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or hopefully something more minor, such as damage to the skin or tendons. So, in and of themselves, redness and swelling could indicate one of the above mentioned problems. The most important symptoms that indicates hallux valgus deformity is the turning of your toe and pain in the metatarsophalangeal joint. Unfortunately, since hallux valgus deformity is a progressive disorder, it will get worse if you do not become proactive right away. This fact increases the importance of finding out what is really causing your symptoms. Find out if the redness and swelling are from hallux valgus, or from one the other other conditions mentioned above, each of which would also required immediate medical attention, as well.

The genetic factor for bunions is not always emphasized enough, due to the necessary emphasis on tight shoes. Heredity plays a part when certain kinds of bone structure in the feet, such as flat feet, are inherited. So, it's important to not forget that you are at greater risk if other people in your family suffer from this foot disorder. In this case, you must be even more vigilant and pay attention to any symptoms of hallux valgus deformity you notice.

Living with Arthritis Pain

One of the most important factors of living with arthritis is learning to successfully manage the joint pain and stiffness that inevitably comes along with the disease. Luckily we live in a time period where there are many good treatment options for arthritis pain ranging from over-the-counter creams to prescription injections which can actually help to stop the disease's progression. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, may also help to decrease arthritis pain.

For mild arthritis pain, an over-the-counter cream or non-prescription analgesic may be all you need. There are a variety of capsaicin creams on the market that seem to temporarily relieve mild arthritis pain. Although they generally have a combination of ingredients which includes capsaicin, which is the ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot. When applied to the skin, these creams deplete a pain neurotransmitter called substance P. This temporarily desensitizes the area to pain. The relief from these creams is temporary and the product must be reapplied regularly. Also over-the-counter products like acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen are also excellent for reducing swelling or inflammation of arthritic joints.

If your arthritis pain becomes more severe and begins to interfere with your daily routine, your doctor may prescribe a prescription medicine to help your condition. These medicines can range from prescription strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to medicines containing a narcotic pain relief agent if your doctor feels your arthritis pain is severe enough.

There are several treatment options available for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is the form of where the body's immune system attacks the joints causing arthritis. Doctors can also prescribe immunosuppressant drugs which will help slow the body's attack on itself. New drugs called biologics are also available for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics can decrease arthritis pain in those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Your arthritis doctor will probably also talk to you about lifestyle changes that can help relieve your arthritis pain. These lifestyle changes can include things such as rest and relaxation, proper diet and exercise. Contrary to popular belief, exercise is important for those suffering from arthritis. Range of motion exercises can help relieve joint stiffness as well as maintaining normal joint movement.

Weight-bearing or strengthening exercises help increase muscle strength which in turn protects and supports the joints. Aerobic exercises can help those suffering from arthritis lose weight, which helps by taking stress off injured joints. Some studies also show aerobic exercises may actually help to reduce joint inflammation associated with arthritis.

There are many things you can do to help you live successfully with your arthritis pain. These things include activities, such as exercise, or rest and relaxation. You may also choose an over-the-counter pain medication or ointment to help relieve aches and pains. In the case that your arthritis pain becomes severe, your doctor may prescribe a prescription pain medication to help ease your aches. Whatever form or severity of arthritis pain you have, there is a treatment option available to help you live successfully with your condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - What It Is

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, chronic disease that affects multiple joints. Some of the common characteristics includes periods of inflammation/exacerbation then remission. Usually the small joints are affected first, with a symmetrical joint involvement e.g. right and left fingers simultaneously etc.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Process

Synovial membrane thickens, becoming increasingly vascularised and filled with inflammatory cells. This build up of tissue is very aggressive, and can cause:
- erosion of cartilage and subchondral bone
- infiltrates tendon sheaths and disrupts its mechanisms, limiting gliding effect, and can lead to tendon rupture
- goes into the space of connective tissues
- nerve compressions of the sensory or motor nerve especially in tight compartments

This results in pain, joint instability, contractures, weakness of the muscles and even deformity or subluxation. There is usually a varying degrees and levels of damage, pain and functional levels. The perception and actual damage can determine the ultimate function and mobility of each individual. Patients with better pain tolerance and education and hope usually end up with better results and function.

Phases Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease

There are three phases of rheumatoid arthritis: acute, sub-acute and chronic. Their characteristics are:

Acute: lots of inflammation, swelling, pain in joints, elevated temperature
Sub-acute: lesser activity and easier to be controlled by medication, more stable but demonstrates that disease is progressing
Chronic: during this stage, the disease is no longer active, but at this point there will be residual biomechanical problems in the joint will cause pain, instability or stiffness