Feline Arthritis - Nothing to Purr About

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

What causes feline arthritis?

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

There are several types of cat arthritis - these include:

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

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

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

What are the symptoms?

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

Difficulty in moving or obvious expression of pain when moving.

Reluctance to engage in the usual physical activities.

Altered gait or limping.

Stiffness, difficulty in rising from a resting position.

Irritability, nervousness, aggression or depression.

Getting your cat diagnosed

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

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

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

Treatment for feline arthritis

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

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

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

Supplementing medication

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

The Benefits of Aloe in Pain Relief For Arthritis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Decrease Gout Symptoms and Arthritis Symptoms

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

How to relieve gout symptoms

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

Oh and by the way...

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

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

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

Arthritis Treatment: New Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Guidelines for 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Symptoms of Arachnoiditis

What is arachnoiditis?

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

What are the symptoms of arachnoiditis?

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

Diagnosis of Arachnoiditis

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

Treatment for Arachnoiditis

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

Herbal Remedies For Rheumatoid Arthritis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Chronic Epstein Barr Virus and Auto Immunity

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

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

• Rheumatoid arthritis


• Systemic lupus erythamatosis


• MS


• Myasthenia gravis


• Sjorgren's syndrome


• Sarcoidosis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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