Typical Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Nearly one out of three persons in the United States suffers from a joint disease. The more common type of arthritis that afflicts persons is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disabling joint disease where chemical changes in the blood caused by inflammation have been found to take place. The inflammation is believed to be produced by the body's auto-immune immune system attacking itself. It damages the surrounding tissues like blood vessels, nerves, skin, heart, muscles and lungs when the inflammation is left without immediate treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may start showing at an early age such as those seen in children suffering Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Most often, the symptom begins with sudden fever accompanied by a light rash that immediately disappears. And similar to adults, persistent joint swelling, stiffness of the affected area especially in the morning or after a day's rest are also felt.

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may show before the age of 45 among adults. It may start as part of a severe illness usually with high fever. Sometimes the disease also develops in a subtle way without the patient noticing its occurrence until it is too late.

This happens when there is no amount of discomfort felt except the apparent loss of appetite, decrease in weight and probably a mild fever. Often, without immediate treatment deformities have developed before the disease could be pointed out as the cause. Tenderness, redness and excessive warmth on the areas affected also indicate the presence of the disease.

The inflammation of the joint usually lasts to as short as a few minutes or continue to a number of years depending on the treatment. At the onset of the disease, the tendons become shortened and the normal balance of the muscles is hampered. When the muscles are weakened they lose their strength. This is most evident in the inability to grip or make a tight fist among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the hands.

The stiffening of some parts of the body that build up during time of rests or a night's sleep which gradually disappears when the patient starts moving, is one of the most common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The stiffness results from the muscular weakness caused by the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are most obvious in the hands and feet. It also appears in other body joints such as elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, spine and ankles. Sometimes the jawbones are involved. Among patients, the involvement of both joints on the two sides of the body and usually with the same pattern of development is due to the fact that the disease is symmetric. The symptoms may not come often to some people but they generally appear and heighten at periods of severe stress.

It is also possible that one might show symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis but may actually be suffering from other specific types of arthritis. A related but separate disease is the Ankylosing Spondylitis which shows symptoms similar to it. Sometimes, the presence of the disease predisposes the patient to other types of joint disease like cervical arthritis.

Proven Facts on the Benefits of Marijuana For Arthritis Patients

Proven Facts on the Benefits of Marijuana for Arthritis Patients

Any number of marijuana users, whether medicinal or recreational, will tell you that "Mary J" is great for relaxation. In fact, you would probably receive a list of problems the drug has helped relieve or alleviate all together.

As an arthritis patient looking for alternatives to synthesized medicines, unable to use traditional medications or physically unreceptive to traditional medication, you may be skeptical. You may be disbelieving. You may, in fact, consider marijuana users to be a little lacking in the intelligence quotient, merely trying to make their drug use acceptable.

However, as the title of this article indicates, there is scientifically proven evidence that medicinal marijuana can, indeed, provide relief from arthritic pain.

What is Medicinal Marijuana?

First, it must be noted that there are two major differences between medicinal marijuana and commercial or "street" marijuana.

1. Commercial marijuana can come from any number of cannabis strains. Different strains have varying pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, etc. potencies. The potency of commercial marijuana can't be guaranteed. Medicinal marijuana strains, on the other hand, are chosen for specifically for their potency and effects.

2. Some commercial marijuana has been fertilized with unsafe fertilizers. These fertilizers may contain metal derivatives and other toxic substances or by-products. Medicinal marijuana is fertilized carefully, with the health of the patient in mind, with nontoxic fertilizers.

It is not recommended that one buy commercial marijuana (or marihuana) to replace a prescription for medicinal marijuana.

Proven Benefits of Marijuana for Arthritis Patients

Although the legal aspects in many countries, funding and other issues inhibit the number of studies on the therapeutic aspects of marijuana, there is still a surprising amounts of information available. The facts so far are clear:

- Marijuana has shown to be an anti-inflammatory
- The potential for cannabis use to help inflammation and muscle spasms have been proven for several illnesses
- Marijuana has been used as a pain treatment for hundreds of years, if not thousands (some records date back to B.C.)
- Studies suggest that marijuana may not only help inflammation, but may lower the actual growth of the disease itself

Dr. Tom Mikuriya, a member of Mensa and several well-known organizations studying medicinal marijuana, wrote in 2002:

"Clinical interviews of over 6500 members at cannabis buyers clubs and patients in my office practice lead to this generalization: Many illnesses or conditions present with both inflammation and muscle spasm. Cannabis is both an antispasmodic and anti inflammatory."

Well known and respected as an authority on the therapeutic uses of marijuana, Dr Mikuriya also states "Chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis and lumbosacral disease responds well to cannabis compared with other analgesics."

In 2005, Rheumatology Advance Access online published a study by Dr. Blake et al of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath. Noted as "the first controlled trial of a CBM [cannabis based medicine] in the symptomatic treatment of RA in humans", the study was based on several facts:

- Marijuana has historically been used as a pain treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, although its therapeutic potential has never been evaluated in a clinical study.

- THC and CBD, the two main components of marijuana, have been recognized as "key therapeutic constituents that act synergistically together and with other plant constituents."

- THC has shown pain relieving abilities for both nociceptive and neropathic pain.

- CBD has shown the ability to block the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, while both THC and CBD have anti-inflammatory effects.

"In comparison with placebo, the CBM produced statistically significant improvements in pain on movement, pain at rest, quality of sleep, DAS28 and the SF-MPQ pain at present component. There was no effect on morning stiffness but baseline scores were low. The large majority of adverse effects were mild or moderate, and there were no adverse effect-related withdrawals or serious adverse effects in the active treatment group."

Due to the surprising responses, the researchers ended the study with a call for more studies. "We believe this to be the first controlled study of a CBM in rheumatoid arthritis, and the results are encouraging. The beneficial effects occurred in the context of a dosing regime restricted to evening dosing in order to minimize any possible intoxication-type reactions. However, 24-h dosing with this CBM (Sativex) using a self-titration regime in the context of multiple sclerosis resulted in only minimal intoxication scores [9]. Larger, more prolonged studies of CBM in rheumatoid arthritis are indicated."

In 2006, the Center of Drug Discovery in Boston, Massachusetts published a study entitled The Cannabinergic System as a Target for Anti-inflammatory Therapies. With habitual cannabis use proven to affect the immune system, endocannabinoid research has helped to understand the effects through cell-based or in vivo animal testing.

According to the study, these tests "suggest that regulation of the endocannabinoid circuitry can impact almost every major function associated with the immune system.... the results suggest therapeutic opportunities for a variety of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, allergic asthma, and autoimmune diabetes through modulation of the endocannabinoid system."

Although many a naysayer mentions the potentials for overdose, it must be noted that there has never been one documented case of someone overdosing on marijuana, whether through recreational or medicinal use. As well, many are concerned about cancer-causing agents through inhaling the smoke, but a comprehensive study in 2006 could show no proof of marijuana causing lung cancer.

Finally, remember that medical marijuana should not be smoked. Using it in baking or with a vaporizer will offer the therapeutic benefits needed to alleviate arthritis symptoms.

Know How to Identify An Arthritis Symptom

There comes a time in everyone's life when age starts to creep up on us. In some cases, the amount of damage we've done to our bodies in our youth has a way of coming back to haunt us, especially when it comes to certain types of arthritis.

As we grow older, most people wake a little stiffer in the morning and experience typical aches and pains, but how do you know if it's arthritis that's troubling you? Knowing how to identify an arthritis symptom can take a load of worry off your mind.

First of all, it's important to know what arthritis is. It's not just a disease that strikes old people. Many children, teens and young adults are diagnosed with some form of arthritis every day. While over 40 million adults suffer from one form of arthritis in the United States, nearly a quarter million of those are children.

As a matter of fact, most people who suffer from arthritis are under the age of 65, and nearly 60 percent of those are women. In addition, there are over 100 different forms of the disease, though the two most common, and generally known, are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

An arthritis symptom can be one issue, or a multitude of issues. For most, the classic symptom is joint stiffness, followed by swelling, redness and even warmth in the affected joint area. For some, these symptoms may be fleeting and may occur more often in cooler weather than warm. For some, joints may be painful and tender to the touch, while for others, pain is felt as a persistent ache that lingers for days.

Because arthritis is a rheumatic disease, arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, can affect more than just the bones, muscles and other connective tissues to involve major body organs. For some, arthritis symptom signs may also include fever, as well as an unexplained weight loss, fatigue and a general feeling of blase.

Early diagnoses of many forms of arthritis can prevent future damage to bones and tissues as well as to prevent loss of joint movement through various treatment methods such as exercise, medications and rest. If you feel that you may have an arthritis symptom, or are uncertain, schedule a visit to your doctor and explain your concerns. Your doctor may ask for a series of x-rays to determine bone health and size, and he or she may also request blood work to determine what's going on.

In many cases, primary care physicians will refer people to a rheumatologist, or in plain English, an arthritis doctor, in order to determine exactly what form of arthritis you may be suffering from. However, keep in mind that just because you wake up occasionally with achy joints doesn't mean you have arthritis. Knowing your body is the key.

Most people are able to determine when something's not quite right with their body, and accompanying pain is often an indication that it's time to visit the doctor. Early diagnosis of arthritis can prevent further damage and help you to get back to that healthy, active lifestyle that you've always enjoyed.

Knowing your body and understanding different arthritis symptom clues may greatly enhance your chances of maintaining that lifestyle, so always listen when your body is trying to tell you something.

Arthritis Treatment: What Is Hemochromatosis and What Kind of Arthritis Does It Cause?

Hemochromatosis, or as it is often referred to as hereditary hemochromatosis, is due to a mutation in a gene that controls the amount of iron absorbed from the intestine.

The gene mutated with hereditary hemochromatosis is called HFE. Each parent contributes the HFE gene. The HFE gene has two common mutations, C282Y and H63D.

If a patient inherits two mutated HFE genes, the likelihood is very high, they will get hemochromatosis.

If one abnormal gene is inherited, the likelihood is the patient won't develop hemochromatosis.

Still the amount of iron absorbed from the intestine may be a bit higher than normal and the mutated gene can be passed on to children.

Genetic testing can detect mutations in the HFE gene.

Normally, about 10 per cent of iron is absorbed from the gut. There is a balance the body establishes so that iron absorption is controlled by iron loss.

In people with hemochromatosis, the amount of iron absorbed can be 20-30 per cent making it impossible for the body to get rid of enough iron. Iron accumulates in various organs including the liver, heart, pancreas, and joints.

Risk factors for contracting hemochromatosis are: genetics, family history, Northern European extraction, and male gender. After menopause, women tend to have an increased incidence as well. It appears that menstruation may be protective premenopausal. Symptoms include fatigue, joint aches and pains, impotence, loss of menses, and abdominal pain.

Diagnosis can be established through screening blood tests such as serum transferrin saturation and serum ferritin.

Liver biopsy is definitive.

Genetic analysis can detect the HFE mutation.

Complications of hemochromatosis include cirrhosis of the liver, heart abnormalities such as rhythm abnormalities and congestive heart failure, as well as thyroid deficiency, diabetes and arthritis. Patients develop discoloration of the skin also.

Arthritis is present in 80 per cent of people with hemochromatosis.

The arthritis is characterized by involvement of the hands, wrists, shoulders, hips, and knees. People with this type of arthritis almost always have calcium pyrophosphate deposits in the affected joints. The arthritis is usually not symmetric. It can mimic osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The treatment for this type of arthritis is identical to treatment for other patients who have calcium pyrophosphate arthritis.

Treatment of hemochromatosis involves phlebotomy as well as avoidance of iron-containing foods, vitamin C which enhances iron absorption, alcohol, as well as raw seafood. The latter contains potentially harmful bacteria that can cause life-threatening complications in patients with hemochromatosis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment - How a Deer Can Help Rebuild Cartilage and Cure Arthritis

Did you know that rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis because symptoms make everyday tasks nearly impossible? Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition which causes the joints to throb and eventually become disfigured. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include: inflammation; pain; little movement; and joint disfigurement.

Though the cause of RA is unknown, there is an effective arthritis natural treatment which allows arthritis suffers to reduce the pain, reduce the inflammation and rebuild the cartilage between the joints. If you suffer from arthritis, you should immediately begin simple remedies to reduce the symptoms and rebuild the cartilage.

Why You Shouldn't Choose Prescription Medications

It might be important to consider why you want to rebuild the cartilage between the joints. Normally, arthritis sufferers take some form of medication reducing the inflammation and eliminating the pain. However, the problem with this remains that the joint is still aching but the brain is not registering the pain. Therefore, the unaware arthritic patient goes on hurting the joints and cartilage more and more while severely damaging the joints and existing cartilage.

The equivalent of this would be putting a piece of tape over the car's 'check engine oil' light and hoping you can finish the road trip. Though you might make it back to your house, the engine will eventually blow up without oil. You must put oil in your engine and you must rebuild cartilage if you wish to use your joints the rest of your life.

And above all that, you might want to safe your liver from the harsh drugs?

How to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Rebuild Cartilage

If you have ever been around deer you might notice something miraculously astounding about bucks (male deer). The male deer can naturally regenerate its antlers in months! In fact, a deer will grind its antlers on a tree, and completely strip the velvet off. However, months later, the deer antler velvet regenerates itself completely.

This isn't the end of our science lesson though. Russian scientists discovered after isolating compounds in deer antler velvet; they could use the compounds to rebuild cartilage between human joints. In fact, this natural remedy has been used for hundreds of years first starting with Asian countries.

How does this relate to you? This is one simple natural treatment to cure arthritis and not only hide the pain!

Other Simple Cures for Arthritis

Did you know that you can treat and cure arthritis with other simple cures? In fact, by eating a proper diet, drinking the correct fluids (water), doing the correct breathing exercises daily, getting an adequate amount of low-impact exercise, reducing stress and taking the correct vitamins and natural supplements you can actually eliminate almost 100% of arthritis NATURALLY (No Drugs and No Surgery Needed)! To discover what thousands of arthritis sufferers already have, please visit our Natural Cure for Arthritis Website.

Naturally Cure for Arthritis

Reduce Arthritis Pain by Changing Your Diet

Many people have long believed that certain foods contributed to arthritis pain flare ups. For years, people who claimed to experience pain relief by eliminating certain foods and food groups from their diet were dismissed. Today, physicians and laypersons alike are discovering that diet is often linked to worsening or improvement of conditions like arthritis.

People suffering from joint pain have revealed that red meat, fat, salt, caffeine, sugar and tomatoes were foods that made joint pain worse. When the offending foods were removed from the diet, the arthritis pain was reduced.

Certain dairy products, especially cow's milk, are also associated with increased pain in arthritis sufferers. While a strong connection has not yet been made, it is feasible that arthritis and the consumption of milk products are linked when there are signs of a milk allergy. An allergic response is a sign that the body recognizes something as harmful or foreign, which can trigger a systemic inflammatory reaction. Various studies have pointed out that some people who suffer from arthritis may have an allergy to cow's milk. The proteins found in cow's milk, such as casein and whey, have also been found to be possible allergic triggers. However, cow's milk also contains hormones and antibiotics which may also cause health problems in some people. If you believe cow's milk is causing your arthritis symptoms, then eliminate all foods that contain cow's milk from your diet for at least 2 weeks. If your symptoms improve, then you should consider getting your calcium from other food sources. Some foods that are abundant in calcium include dark green leafy vegetables, sardines, almonds, and tofu.

Dietary changes can help relieve the discomfort of arthritis. Omega-3 oils taken as a supplement or by eating foods rich in omega-3 and polyunsaturated fats helps relieve joint pain. Foods rich in natural plant fats and antioxidants, but low in saturated fats may help relieve joint pain. Vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help cleanse the body of cell destroying free radicals. A diet of grains, beans, fruits and vegetables can help relieve joint pain. Keep a food diary to document pain flare ups in connection with the kinds of food you eat. If you notice your joint discomfort increase or decrease in connection with a particular food, adjust your diet accordingly. Adding a dietary supplement of fatty acids may help if a change in diet does not provide adequate pain relief. Flaxseed or blackcurrant oil is available at health food stores. See your physician before beginning a regimen of supplements and always follow the dosage instructions.

Foods that usually contribute to arthritis pain are all dairy products, corn, meat, eggs, potatoes and citrus fruits. Grains such as wheat, oats and rye have also been linked to joint discomfort. Nuts, coffee and tomatoes have also been linked to increases in arthritis pain. Eliminating or reducing these foods from your diet may help reduce joint pain.

Foods that will almost never contribute to increased arthritis pain or other inflammation are brown rice, dried and cooked fruits, pears, prunes and cranberries. Vegetables such as artichokes, broccoli, lettuce, beans, squash and sweet potatoes should not contribute to increased discomfort. Include brightly colored vegetables like pumpkin and greens cooked or raw in your diet. Drinks that contain caffeine may cause increased joint pain. Eliminate caffeine from your diet to help alleviate the pain of arthritis.

How to Stop Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain!

Having a debilitating physical condition is bad enough, but it's even worse when doctors don't even know the real cause of the illness. Welcome to the delemma faced by two million sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis(R.A.) is a painful condition that can fully impact your quality of life and your lifestyle because it effects the joints. Doctors are still baffled by the causes but they do know that it is an auto immune system disease. So basically with Rheumatoid Arthritis the bodies auto immune system (which is the gatekeeper for all of the foreign substances that can enter your body) ) breaks down! When this occurs, it cannot defend and drive away the viruses and bacteria.

Those who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis have an immune system which is constantly under attack; can't ward off the intruders and eventually malfunctions as a result. Even otherwise normal parts of the body are prey and are vulnerable to this takeover.

The main symptoms come from the tissue area that surrounds the joints,( usually in the feet or hands) and there is considerable inflammation which causes a varying degree of pain. In the course of this tissue attack, the joint region is open to further destruction and degeneration.

Joints are a meeting place where two bones converge. They rotate around each other. The different parts include the cartilage, which provides a smooth surface and allows the bones to move around without friction. And surrounding the cartilage is a membrane called the synovium, which produces a thick oil-like substance that lubricates the joint.

The joint itself is supported by a wrapping of ligaments which hold the bones in place and keep them moving in the right direction. For sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the bodies immune system attacks the healthy tissue of the joints. Fluids enter along with antibodies and defense cells and the joint starts to swell; stiffen and cause pain! After a while there can be permanent decay and degeneration which could cause disfigurement if left untreated.

So, what do you do to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis and how do you stop R.A.'s onslaught?

Since the causes are still unknown it's hard to say that you can prevent it, but knowing the effects of the disease can help you to treat the symptoms that start with the breakdown of the joint itself.

Recently, the use of an all natural substance called cetylmyristoleate (CMO) has proven to be very effective. Cetylmyristoleate (CMO) is a waxy/ gooey substance which is taken orally, that lubricates the membrane of the synovium, thus restoring some of the lost fluidity of the joint. This relieves the swelling; inflammation and pain and also assists in a broader range of motion.

Can we stop Rheumatoid Arthritis?.... probably not! - but we can ease the pain and suffering by regenerating parts of the joint region. We can start by using cetylmyristoleate(CMO) on a regular basis.