Natural Treatment of Migratory Arthritis Using Homeopathy

The natural treatment of migratory arthritis by the use of homeopathic medicines, takes into consideration all of your symptoms. This should happen with all treatments of all conditions, as you are connected to every part.

When one part is affected, all will be to some extent. The medical model of separating each system for treatment means that it is very easy to have conflicting drugs.

Migratory arthritis means what is says - your arthritis moves around your body. There is no fixed place for it to anchor itself. It may alternate legs. It may be in a foot one day, the opposite elbow the next. There is no fixed pattern.

In homeopathic terms, this comes under the heading of 'changeable symptoms'. Which also means that it probably won't.be just the arthritis that changes - all systems will be prone to a changeable nature. Such as constipation alternating with diarrhoea.

And your moods. They may change from weepy to irritable in minutes. This is so reminiscent of children, but not exclusively.

Homeopathic treatment works by raising the level of your immune system. It does this either by searching for the cause of the problem, often expressed as having 'never been well since' (childbirth, accident, drug, vaccine, shock, fright, grief, injury, abuse, etc). Or by matching your symptoms to those of the most appropriate homeopathic medicine. Preferably both, that that's not always possible.

The homeopathic medicine Pulsatilla is one of the common home prescribing medicines. It is also one of the most common medicines with changeable symptoms - moods as well as physical symptoms.

Pulsatilla is certainly one of the top medicines for the natural treatment of migratory arthritis. Other strong symptoms, related to the limbs, of this medicine include:

• pains are worse on first motion, better from continued movement


• pains are better for cold, worse for heat


• tensive pain lets go with a snap


• pain is worse for letting the affected limb hang down


• heat of feet, must uncover at night
  
  

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diet As an Alternative Treatment

When you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis you start of with medicine and treatments your doctor prescribes for you, some of these remedies will work for you while others have so many side effects that it is worse then the illness itself. usually it takes people one ore two years in the regular health care before they start looking for other remedies. A rheumatoid arthritis diet is one of these alternative remedies we want to inform you about.

Of course the symptoms vary, rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where people react totally different to the disease itself but also to the medicine. Some people have severe pains every day and others have mild pain but do have very inflamed joints. Also the way they react to medication can be completely different. Some really have very good results with the prescription drug their doctor gave them while others have severe side effects. All of this is because rheumatoid arthritis is an illness of the immune system and people have a tendency to react different to it.

Is rheumatoid arthritis diet an alternative to regular treatment?

People usually only start looking at alternatives when the regular treatment is not working or the side effects are to severe. A rheumatoid arthritis diet is such an alternative. There has always been much discussion about rheumatoid arthritis diets although you should not see it as a diet in the traditional sense. In fact it is just a list of foods that you should avoid and a list that most people have good results with. But just as with the regular treatments, rheumatoid arthritis diet is something you should experiment with a little. Regular doctors usually do not recommend a rheumatoid arthritis diet because they say it is never proved to be effective and everybody reacts different on it, they are right people do react different on it but they also react different on the regular prescription drugs. So that is a lousy argument especially when you know how many people are suffering from this disease.

It is a diet that you should discus with your doctor because the diet increases the intake of omega-3 fatty acids and as the name already said this can be an increasing of the total amount of fat. We say it can be, because if you look at the other recommendations fresh vegetables and fruits and the things you should avoid the total amount of fat can be much less than your regular diet depending on what you are eating right now. Fatty acids, omega-3, can be found in soybean oil, fish oil, walnuts, avocado oil, walnuts and canola oil.

This might seem like a large amount of fats but these fats are in the food you eat, fish oil can be eaten in many fatty fish like salmon and many other fish. And because you avoid fats from fried and processed foods you will probably eat less fat in total. you should also avoid alcohol and coffee.

A healthy weight is also important

There is one aspect on a rheumatoid arthritis diet that your doctor would agree with, you have to become and stay on a healthy weight. So its is not the list of foods where there is an agreement about but the fact that with a good healthy weight your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms will be much less and that is a good thing to remember in a world with people who are getting more and more obese.

Natutral Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis: Options For You To Consider

Turning to a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is an option you can consider. Such a treatment does not usually involve the use of prescription medications and would have virtually little or no side effects.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that refers to the inflammation of your joints. When your joints are inflamed, you experience pain, swelling, stiffness and general discomfort. It results from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease whereby your immune system starts to attack its own body tissues. It is also considered a progressive disease. This means that over time, your arthritis symptoms can worsen.

There are over 100 different classifications and types of arthritis. It is likely that if you have been diagnosed with one of these, your doctor would have prescribed you the appropriate drugs for it. Although drug medication can be used effectively to treat many kinds of arthritis, there are potential side effects when you become over dependent on them for arthritis pain relief.

Here is a quick run-down on some of the newest and most popular natural rheumatoid arthritis treatments. They may be used alone, or in conjunction with each other.

Physical therapy. This is a very popular natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis as it is highly effective. In many cases, regular prescribed exercises can even improve the range of physical motion substantially. Physical therapy can also help you deal with muscle and joint stiffness, increase muscle strength, and reduce allover pain.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing method that dates back more than 3,000 years ago. It is used to effectively treat the symptoms of arthritis, in addition to other health ailments. Acupuncture is a procedure used in which specific body areas (or meridian points) are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.

As a natural treatment method, acupuncture is fast gaining popularity in America and other western countries. By 1993, Americans were making 12 million visits per year to acupuncturists, and spending $500 million annually on acupuncture treatments. By 1995, there were an estimated 10,000 certified acupuncturists practicing in the United States; as of 2000, there were 20,000.

Acupresure. Acupressure is another ancient Chinese form of therapy that has been used for thousands of years. It is also used to as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast to acupuncture, here, the acupressure practitioner uses his or her fingers instead of needles. Studies have shown that acupressure seem to release endorphins in patients, causing feeling of pleasantness and comfort. It appears that acupressure has strong anti-inflammatory healing abilities for rheumatoid arthritis.

Relaxation therapy: Relaxation therapy is a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates several different therapies working toward a common goal. The goal of relaxation therapy as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is to release muscle tension and joint rigidity to reduce your overall pain and discomfort. The different relaxation therapies include meditation, yoga, stretching exercises and Pilates.

Hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is fast becoming a popular therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients as it is fun and can be very effective. It involves a series of water exercises, usually done in lukewarm water. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis report that the feeling of warm water helps to relax them and provide much relief from their pain.

In addition, several studies have shown that hydrotherapy is an effective therapy that helps reduce the weight and pressure on the joints. The warm water relaxes the muscles and helps reduce the feeling of stiffness. Hydrotherapy is also effective in weight management, which is particularly important if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is often used as a complementary and natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In occupational therapy, you learn how to use their body parts more efficiently. Occupational therapy helps in ensuring that you can go about your everyday chores and tasks so that less tension is placed on the joints. Specially made splints are often used to help patients accomplish certain tasks without placing excess pressure on their joints. You and your occupational therapist can work together to tackle any specific challenges that you face. Your occupational therapist can design specific exercises for this purpose and train you in the use of special assistive devices.

Hot and cold therapies. These therapies take advantage of the effects of certain temperatures on the joints. Compresses, ultrasound devices, and warm wax may be used to apply heat to the joints. Ice packs may be used to apply cold temperatures to the affected areas. The efficacy of heat and cold therapies varies according to the patient.

In most instances, the benefits of using the above mentioned natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis outweigh any instant results, but far more damaging, derived from consuming drugs and medication. The only drawback is that usually a natural treatment does not produce instant reliefs. You may need to use it over a period to know if it works for you. It will also be a good idea to maintain a journal to keep track.

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis - An Unusual Form of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively unknown form of RA. Arthritis is a collective name used to classify a condition that causes a certain set of symptoms. Of the various forms of arthritis that are known, this is considered one of the most common.

A patient afflicted with RA will generally have the factor for the disease present in their blood. The production of this factor increases as the disease progresses and it destroys the joints and muscles. However, this factor is absent in some people who display the other classic symptoms of arthritis, People who display other symptoms of arthritis but test negative are known to have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

While it has been suggested that people with this form of RA have a mild form of the condition, this is untrue. People with the condition often suffer just as much as people with normal rheumatoid arthritis do.

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis often proves problematic. In a way, it means that patients test negative when subject to regular RA tests. This often leads to misdiagnoses. Doctors are reluctant to diagnose a patient with a condition as serious as RA if they are not absolutely sure of it.

The problem with this is that early treatment is essential with rheumatoid arthritis. Damage to the joints and bones can be stopped or at least slowed down using drugs. Once the damage has been done, however, it is permanent. Thus someone suffering from RA should start using such drugs as soon as possible. If a doctor does not diagnose the disease properly, however, then that patient is not likely to receive such medication until much later.

This is why it is important that you know the signs and symptoms well. You should also take the time and effort to find out if you have a family history of arthritis. This information will help doctors diagnose you with the condition if you have it. The worst possible thing is having rheumatoid arthritis and not receiving proper treatment for the condition.

Signs And Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis are identical to those of normal arthritis diseases. Most patients complain of swelling and inflammation in the joints. The knee and hip joints in particular are most often affected. Patients may also find nodules growing under their skin. These nodules appear on certain parts of the body, and greatly aid in the diagnosis of the disease.

In certain cases, rheumatoid arthritis has been known to affect other organs such as the eyes and the lungs. Some patients suffering from RA also experience extreme dryness in their eyes and mouths. If left untreated, dryness in the eye can lead to corneal damage, resulting in impaired vision.

If you find that you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, then you must be sure to inform your doctor. This will help greatly with the diagnosis, and your doctor will be better able to determine if you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or not.

Reduce or Eliminate Arthritis Pain With Acupoint Therapy

Are you one of the many millions of people around the world that experience arthritis pain? If so, you are definitely not alone. Arthritis is a common cause of movement disabilities, particularly for senior citizens. Over 100 arthritis types exist and can be caused from obvious joint trauma to a variety of health problems such as gout, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, bursitis and more. A number of pharmaceuticals are geared toward arthritis pain relief and joint surgery is a treatment option as well. However, if you want to cover all bases in regards to pain relief you should add electronic acupuncture to your treatment options.

Acupuncture Basics

The ancient Chinese believed that the human body experienced pain and illness due to an imbalance of life energy, or qi. The practice of traditional acupuncture involves inserting stainless steel needles at key acupoints along the body to maintain proper energy flow along the channels that carry qi as well as unblock any obstructions. With the electronic form though, those stainless steel needles are bypassed in favour of a small device which delivers electromagnetic current through a handheld wand. By touching the wand to acupoints in the hand and palm, energy blockages within the body can be treated.

Electronic Acupuncture and Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is typically caused by inflammation in the joints as well as surrounding soft tissues. This inflammation is a response by your body's immune system to a host of factors such as infection, injury, heredity factors, general wear and tear from aging and even your lifestyle and environment. If you experience arthritis pain, you probably have taken traditional anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids or even participated in physical therapy.

You can self-treat at home with an electronic acupuncture device. Acupuncture can provide arthritis pain relief by boosting your endorphins, the chemicals that block pain. Delivering electromagnetic wave impulses into specific acupoints in the hand and palm stimulates the nerves and tissues which then send a message to your spinal cord and brain to release the endorphins. In addition to the release of pain-blocking endorphins, electronic acupuncture can also restore better blood flow to those arthritis-prone areas. Better blood flow boosts oxygen levels, a plus for stimulating healing and easing discomfort. By unblocking the energy channels, you gain a feeling of well-being.

The good news is electronic acupuncture devices are quite affordable and you can use them for more than arthritis pain relief. The electromagnetic wave therapy you receive through this form of acupuncture treats a host of other conditions and even has a detect mode which can pinpoint undiagnosed problems.

What's New for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

One source of new information about rheumatoid arthritis is the annual American College of Rheumatology meeting. This year's meeting was held in Atlanta, Georgia from November 7-11.

Some of the interesting findings ion rheumatoid arthritis are summarized below...

One study described the combination of etanercept (Enbrel) and methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that disease progression is less frequent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who haven't responded to methotrexate alone if it is continued at the same time the biologic drug etanercept (Enbrel) is started. After randomizing "151 patients with active RA to etanercept, 25 mg twice a week plus methotrexate 6mg to 8 mg/week, or to etanercept alone," researchers found the following... Significant differences in joint erosion scores (joint damage scores) were seen after two years of combined etanercept plus methotrexate compared with etanercept alone. These results were reported by Hideto Kameda, MD, of Keio University in Tokyo, and colleagues at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

Another hot topic at the American College of Rheumatology meeting is an investigational compound called JAK. JAK has attracted increasing interest as a drug target in rheumatoid arthritis because it's pivotal to the inflammatory response. It's an enzyme that serves as the traffic director for the release of tumor necrosis factor and other cytokines (protein messengers) that accelerate inflammation in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The weakness of JAK is that it is an enzyme whose effects can be blocked by an oral, small-molecule drug.

There are three forms of JAK simply known as JAK 1, JAK 2, and JAK 3. Pfizer has a JAK inhibitor called tasocitinib. Earlier reports from the ACR meeting about this compound showed that it was extremely effective as well as possessing an acceptable safety profile. Tasocitinib blocks JAK 1 and JAK3.

Tasocitinib is taken twice a day.

Another JAK inhibitor, called INCB028050, is a product from the Incyte company. Incyte has partnered with Eli Lilly to manufacture and market this compound. The drug produced ACR20 responses (at least 20% reductions in symptom scores) in up to 70% of patients after 24 weeks, and ACR70 responses in nearly 30% of patients, reported Maria Greenwald, MD, of Desert Medical in Palm Desert, Calif. INCB28050 selectively blocks JAK1 and JAK2.

INCB28050 is taken once a day.

Side effects of the JAK drugs include elevations in both HDL and LDL cholesterol of up to 25%, depending on the dosage.

Other side effects that have been seen in the clinical trials with these medicines include an increase in respiratory tract infections, viral infections, including shingles, drops in white blood cell count, increases in platelet count, and slight abnormalities in both kidney and liver function.

On a more mundane note, the drug, leflunomide (Arava), may be an acceptable alternative to methotrexate for use in combination with rituximab (Rituxan) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who can't take methotrexate.

Katerina Chatzidionysou, MD, of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, reported a study showing these findings at the American College of Rheumatology meeting.

A total of 29.1% of patients on leflunomide and rituximab had a good response at the six month mark. A number of research studies have shown that the B-cell targeting antibody drug, Rituxan, is beneficial in RA, and it has usually been given in combination with methotrexate.

But a big question for doctors has been how to deal with patients who have side effects with methotrexate.

Those of us who see a lot of rheumatoid arthritis patients find this information to be "old hat." But patients with the disease should find some helpful nuggets here.

Important Factors In The Treatment Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

There is no pain greater than having to limp around due to unexplainable throbbing sensations in your joints. Sometimes it is even accompanied by fever and chills that can last for hours. When feeling down and sick to the core, the idea of reaching out for a readily available treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is certainly at the forefront of your mind. Unfortunately, this particular autoimmune disorder has no known cure yet, only some basic remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms and slow down the progression of possible damage to the joints.

Before delving into remedies, it is important to understand one of the most dreaded diseases on American soil. Rheumatoid arthritis, or normally called RA, usually manifests as painful swelling and stiffness in the ball joints of both arms and feet, and at certain times, the eyes and lungs. This painful sensation usually disallows free movement.

What makes RA easier to diagnose is its symptoms manifestation, which usually starts in the morning and is quite unlike other arthritic conditions. Stiffness, soreness and potentially crippling sensations can last for at least two hours to almost a full day. Loss of energy and appetite accompanied by slight fever are also prevalent. In the worst cases, it can also create a dry mouth and eyes and at other times, nodules can be easily felt when touching the skin underneath one's elbows and hands.

These days, however, rheumatologists have a wide range of ways to alleviate symptoms via effective treatments intended to lessen the amount of inflammation, stiffness and pain. Patients who have undergone such therapeutic protocols usually enjoy significant remission effects which can make them functional again. But adequate attention must be given as the efficiency of treatments can still vary from patient to patient.

The most common and immediate form of prescription given by expert rheumatologists are DMARDs (or "disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs") and NSAIDs (or "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs") which sometimes are accompanied with a low dosage of corticosteroid. These drugs are not meant to cure but rather to control the painful symptoms like swelling, stiffness and fever.

When patients want longer lasting remedies, homeopathic constitutional treatments must be done to guarantee longer lasting efficiency. This means curing both past and present RA symptoms using holistic remedies. Such treatments usually involve rhus toxicodendron, kalmia latiflora, kali carbonicum or bichromicum, and other holistics that provide naturalistic essences.

Whether treatment consists of synthetic, homeopathic or perhaps both, the use of occupational and physical therapies is also vital in addressing such a crippling disease. Affecting a larger majority of women than men, relaxation techniques and meditation are also great ways to alleviate the triggers. Regular consultation must also be sort to guarantee proper monitoring of the diseases progression.

Indeed, there can be nothing more upsetting than finding out you have RA. Fortunately, medical science has continually been conducting research to find appropriate treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. For you to enjoy the utmost effectiveness of any treatment, early detection through immediate consultation at the first sign of arthritic pain will most definitely yield positive results.

Naturally Treat Arthritis - The Link between Nutrition and Arthritis

Is arthritis literally draining the life out of you? If you answered 'yes', you should pay close attention to this next sentence. What you eat and drink is determining how much your joints ache! Let me explain.

Over the past centuries, arthritis has been a plague for most civilizations. However, in recent decades arthritis cases have sky rocketed, particularly in developed countries. You would expect just the opposite, right? But still today, in some indigenous, primitive tribes there is NOT one case of arthritis. Even more amazing for these indigenous tribes, men and women live to almost 100 years of age and go on working (planting, gathering, harvesting) up till their dying day. Why is this? The answer to this question is also cure to arthritis.

Arthritis has been denoted as the 'incurable disease' but is it? Hundreds of natural health experts say arthritis is curable and is determined by your diet. In fact, you could naturally treat arthritis with a simple 70/30 nutrition rule!

Arthritis-Free Nutrition: A New Way to Eat

Imagine what life would have been like 500 years ago? Now picture what kind of foods you would be eating. It doesn't take too much time to discover how our diets have changed in the past 500 years. And as we live in this age of McDonalds and fast foods, arthritis cases skyrocket like never before! Could you be arthritis-free by changing your diet? This information might surprise you!

If you are to prevent arthritis from destroying your life you must refrain from processed foods and other acid forming foods. Normally, a healthy diet should be 70% alkaline and 30% acidic. Alkaline foods are typically foods which are still in their natural state (raw and fresh). And acidic foods are typically foods which have been altered through processing, frying, and high-fat cooking.

Therefore, instead of eating acidic foods (cooked and processed), you should be eating mostly raw, fresh vegetables and fruits. Also, reducing the consumption of meats could also be helpful to your arthritis. By eating less meat and more fresh fruits and vegetables, you would be allowing your body to receive more nutrients and keep your acidic levels low. The result of your new diet could change the pain and inflammation affecting your arthritic joints.

The following is a list of alkaline foods (70%) and acidic foods (30%).

Alkaline and Acid Foods

Alkaline foods include: all vegetables (except peppers and beets); all fruits (except blueberries and prunes); flax, millet, quinoa, and amaranth; almonds, pignoli, fresh coconut, chestnuts; alfalfa sprouts, radish sprouts; unsalted butter; eggs; milk; honey; fruit and vegetable juices; herbal teas; most herbs and whey.

Acidic foods include: processed foods; fast foods; all meat and fish (eat sparingly); rice; oats; wheat; cornmeal; popcorn; pasta; most breads; grains; beans; cheese; seeds; nuts; sodas; alcohol; coffee; tea; most yogurts; and most condiments.

Cure Your Arthritis Today!

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Rheumatoid Arthritis, Is It An Autoimmune Mystery

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that attacks the entire body as well as the joints. Until now, it is still unclear what causes this disfiguring disease but many of the finest medical minds believe that this is an autoimmune disease. By autoimmune, it means a disease wherein the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. Instead of protecting its own body from disease, it ferociously attacks itself as if it were the enemy.

The true nature of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown but it is certain that it begins with inflammation and progresses into tissue damage. The hands and wrists are generally the areas commonly attacked by rheumatoid arthritis although the knees, balls of the feet and spine can also be affected. Even the heart doesn't escape rheumatoid arthritis. If left untreated this type of arthritis can be life threatening and can go beyond joints and can damage further the muscles, bones and skin near the affected joints. Inflammation can occur in the membranes encasing the heart and lungs. The spleen can enlarge and anemia can develop. Complications such as these make rheumatoid arthritis life threatening.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects people who are mostly at the prime of their life but this doesn't mean that other age groups are not affected by this disease. Both men and women are equally affected although more women than men get symptoms that necessitate medical attention. There are only about 20 percent of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis that recover completely. About 60 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis experience disease flare up that leads to death over the years. The remaining percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffer irreversible joint damage. Luckily, this disease eventually burns itself out.

Since rheumatoid arthritis is believed to be an autoimmune disease, the key to its treatment is immunosuppressive therapy. Doctors treat rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the immune system but only to the point of diminishing symptoms but never go beyond the point where the individual becomes susceptible to infection.

Inflammation is the enemy in rheumatoid arthritis and to combat this, doctors usually prescribe aspirin and aspirin like drugs since these drugs are powerful painkillers and anti-inflammatories. These types of drugs are usually sufficient for most rheumatoid arthritis patients and it has been observed that about twenty-five percent of patients taking these relatively simple medications recover completely.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, although good painkillers and anti-inflammatories, are usually no better compared with aspirin. NSAIDs also have some accompanying serious side effects.

For more severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroids are usually prescribed. These are more potent anti-inflammatory hormones with accompanying severe side effects including drug dependency. These types of drugs although effective in treating the more serious cases of rheumatoid arthritis, increase a person's susceptibility to infection and delay wound healing.

An alternative therapy to rheumatoid arthritis is diet, although this hasn't been proven effective yet but its possibility is not ignored. Studies are done to come up with the right diet to combat rheumatoid arthritis.

It has been observed in some rheumatoid arthritis sufferers that their disease becomes less too intense when they incorporated fish oils in their diet. Fish oil may reduce the symptoms of arthritis but it is still best to check with your doctor before taking any fish oil supplements as these can have adverse reactions with any medications you are currently taking like aspirin.

Elbow Joint Pain - Best Alternative Treatment to NSAID's

Often when a joint pain in the elbow starts, you may put it down to a simple niggle or ache from an old injury or the way you've been leaning or lying, but if you find the pain persisting then it could perhaps be something slightly different.

Obviously mentioning the words like, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis may sound a little extreme as these aren't curable diseases, where as lupus or a bacterial infection are, so one way of detecting what you have is through self-analysising the pain, to see if it is migrating round the body.

If you find the exact same pain suddenly move to a joint in the foot, and then to the wrist or shoulder and so forth, following the nerves around the body then there's a slim chance it might be related any one of the variant forms of arthritis.

If the pain also follows a daytime pattern, so say it comes in around midday, then by the afternoon it's got a little worse, then come evening time it is really starting to unsettle you then should seek a diagnoses straight away, whether it's a bacterial infection or joint disease.

Ways to Treat Elbow Joint Pain

When you visit your local practitioner, after preliminary tests, they will most likely put you on one of the numerous types of NSAID's there are on the market - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

These are most often prescribed to arthritic sufferers and are essentially drugs which reduce the swelling in the joints to relieve the pain.

Sometimes they kick in, other times they won't. If you are on any medication also you won't be allowed to take these due to their inherent health risks.

Celebrax and VIOXX which were once two of the most popular NSAID's in the West have now been removed from shelves after patients began experiencing liver, kidney and heart problems specifically heart palpitations, so bear in mind that these are for short-term use only should you decide to use them

FDA Registered Homeopathic Treatments

Alternatively, if you want to relieve the joint pain in the elbow naturally and not become dependent on these prescription pills, then FDA homeopathic treatments manufactured in pharmaceutical labs in the U.S and Europe are proving to be more popular today than ever before due to the advances they've made over the past few years.

The latest ingredients include Glucosamine Complex, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane).

MSM which is found in plants, animals and humans, works especially well at treating and relieving chronic pain, osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

Glucosamine Complex on the other hand helps provide strength and elasticity to tissues fibers in the cartilage, increasing fluidity to the elbow joint and more cushioning between the joint.

Chondroitin Sulfate another natural substance produced by the body prevents other bacterial enzymes from degrading the building blocks of joint cartilage, therefore it prohibits the cartilage from becoming dry which will cause the joints to rub together and swell.

These 3 ingredients alone are just some of the advantages FDA registered joint pain supplements have as an advantage over NSAID's, not to mention they are completely safe and can be taken long-term.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - What Is It?

What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of multiple joints in the body with predilection for smaller joints in the hands. Rheumatoid arthritis causes signs and symptoms of inflammation in joints that include pain, swelling, redness, warmth and loss of function i.e. stiffness and limitation in the motion and function of multiple joints. Although joints are the main structure affected by this condition, it can cause inflammation in other body parts too for example, the eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels and kidneys.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are typically worst in the morning with gradual easing of symptoms throughout the day. This chronic worsening of symptoms in the morning, especially of stiffness in the joints, are important diagnostic clues in differentiating other forms of arthritis for example osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis.

Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are non-specific, which may include loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, low grade fevers and so on.

What are the causes of rheumatoid arthritis and who is at risk? Rheumatoid arthritis is categorized as autoimmune disease, in which the body produces an immunogenic response to some constituent of its own tissue, in this case, the joints. In other words the immune system loses its ability to recognize some tissue or system within the body as "self" and targets and attacks it as if it were foreign.

People who are at risks of having the disease include:

1. Those who have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis

2. Those who have other forms autoimmune disease i.e. autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, type 1 diabetes, etc

3. Sex: typically affects women more than men in the ratio of 3:1

4. Age: the age of onset is usually between third and fourth decades of life

How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed? Clinical suspicion is the first step towards confirmation of the diagnosis. Once rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, a series of laboratory and radiological tests are performed and these include full blood examination, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factors, autoimmune markers and x-rays. If these tests turn out positive, rheumatoid arthritis is very likely.

How is rheumatoid arthritis treated? Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can be categorized as non-medical and medical treatments.

1. Non-medical treatments: these include physiotherapy with hot wax, joint exercises and assistive devices. More often than not, conservative treatment alone is inadequate, therefore, addition of chemotherapeutic agents is warranted.

2. Medical treatment: since rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that mounts an inflammatory response towards self, the use of chemotherapeutic agents, which alter and dampen the immune response, is nonetheless, effective. These chemotherapeutic agents include steroids, methotrexate, sulfasalazine and plaquenil. Pain, that often is the dominant symptom in rheumatoid arthritis, can be managed by taking anti-inflammatory medications such as non-steroidals.

Does rheumatoid arthritis only affect joints? No. As a matter of fact, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune, inflammatory disease that has a predilection for joints. It can affect skin, brain, heart, lungs and other bodily systems.

What is your advice for people who suffer rheumatoid arthritis? It is paramount that people who suffer rheumatoid arthritis should remain active. Seeking advice with a physical and occupational therapist may help to decide what level and types of activities are appropriate. It is important to discuss your progress with your physician and health care providers, who can provide you with appropriate information and resources you need during your treatment.

How Proteolytic Enzymes Work For RA

Proteolytic Enzymes are commonly known as proteases which work in harmony with body mechanics to break down proteins. Trypsin from the pancreas, papain and bromelain are three common examples for Proteolytic Enzymes.

When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, Proteolytic Enzymes are known to work positively by breaking down complex components that build up between antibodies and antigens. Rheumatoid arthritis being an autoimmune system disease benefit through proteases because it facilitates and eases the body mechanics that gets congested due to inflammations that are caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Proteolytic Enzymes is known to contain anti inflammatory properties and therefore, scientists look hopeful on the fact of being able to use it in order to relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. And who could predict, maybe it could even cure the condition up to a certain extent?

There's also a theory which is yet to be proven that states proteases has the ability to dismantle a fibrin mantle that builds itself around affected areas of the immune system caused by rheumatoid conditions. If this notion is true and if Proteolytic Enzymes can actually make a break through, we can consider ourselves to be very much near a new discovery of a rheumatoid arthritis cure because breaking down the fibrin mantle will mean that the immune system can once again; resume its normal duties relieving pain and all other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, all this will be possible only if the suspected root cause of rheumatoid arthritis is true and accurate.

Although the theory sounds simple enough, putting it in to practice is not. After all, experiments will need to be longitudinal in nature in order to determine the proper outcomes. Therefore, perhaps we should not get too excited. Instead, let's try to figure out how best we could use proteases for our advantage.

Contrary to the popular myth, Proteolytic Enzymes do not have to be derived from food because our bodies are known to be capable of manufacturing enough of it to suffice body functions. But Proteolytic Enzymes deficiencies do come about giving rise to various illnesses including pancreatic diseases.

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, it is a good idea to seek professional advice with regards to using a supplement for proteases. Not many traditional medical practitioners will approve you to follow this experimental path however, if you find someone who's willing to support your journey with Proteolytic Enzymes, you may be able to find out the results for yourself.

Living with rheumatoid arthritis is a challenge and getting in to different types of treatments for RA is no second to challenges posed by the disease, itself. Therefore, if you are willing to take a risk, face the challenges in a positive light and move on with whatever circumstances that you may confront in life, enzyme therapy for Proteolytic Enzymes may be the right choice for you.

Before you proceed any further, make it a point to read further more on the topic - purchase a few ebooks on the subject if possible and educate yourself on the matter so that you know what to expect and what not to.

The Truth About Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief - Does Sitting in a Hot Tub Really Help?

It's quite common advice - although probably not from the strict professionals - that spending time, soaking in a hot tub is a great method of rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. But is this actually true? Is this something that people in pain actually do, or is it just lame advice dished out by an uneducated friend?

In this article we'll take a closer look into whether this approach is right for you or whether it's just an overly recommended myth. Here are some things to think about before considering a hot tub as effective rheumatoid arthritis pain relief:

It May Be A "No Go" To Start With: You don't really need anyone to tell you that you might not even be able to get into the hot tub in the first place. If you're in that much pain, then climbing over the edge of the steep sides or up a precarious ladder can be next to impossible. So, no matter how much rheumatoid arthritis pain relief other people have experienced with a hot tub, it's not worth you injuring or hurting yourself even more. And it's one thing climbing into the hot tub, but remember, you'll have to climb out again, only this time wet and slippery. So use your own judgement: if you have the ability to get into the hot tub, then there's no harm in giving it a shot, but don't go beyond your limits.

It Depends On You: The thing with rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, is that it varies so much from person to person. What works for one rheumatoid arthritis sufferer could have absolutely no effect on another sufferer, or could even make their pain worse. You need to know what works for you. Do you find that cold water eases up your pain the most, or simply cool air? Or do you find that actually moving your joint or applying pressure gives you the most relief? At the end of the day, sitting in a hot tub could be the complete opposite of what has given you relief up until this point.

Be Careful Of Flare Ups: You may find that applying heat does help your general rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, but during a flare up of your joints, adding heat just makes the feeling worse. Again, try and use your own judgement.

In conclusion, to answer the question: does sitting in a hot tub provide relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms? The answer is: maybe. If you're capable of climbing over the sides and know that up until this point, heat usually helps with rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, then it's definitely worth giving the idea a shot. However, you just need to know that it's definitely not a clear cut rule that works for everyone, and to not place too much expectation on the idea.

Arthritis Treatment: The Workhorse Medicine for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis affecting almost two million Americans. It is a chronic autoimmune systemic disease for which there is no cure yet. It is also associated with a higher morbidity and mortality compared with the general population as a result of increased cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

However, advance over the last 30 years have permitted rheumatologists to get RA into remission in a great number of instances.

Probably one of the medicines that has made the most difference is methotrexate (MTX). This is a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug that was first used in the early 1980's and is considered the "base drug" upon which other therapies are added.

MTX was first used in the oncology field. Its effect is to inhibit cellular metabolism and the proliferation (multiplication) of cells. Besides this anti-proliferative effect, MTX also has an a modest immunosuppressive effect.

Typically, a new patient with rheumatoid arthritis is immediately started on MTX in combination with either low dose prednisone or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Doses start at 7.5 mgs or 10 mgs per week given as a single dose once a week. The maximum dose we use is about 20 mgs. Some rheumatologists prefer to add on other DMARDS such as sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) or hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or both.

Many other rheumatologists, however, prefer to add a biologic drug to MTX. I fall into this latter group.

MTX has been demonstrated to have two beneficial effects above and beyond the relief of symptoms. It has been shown to slow down the rate of x-ray progression which is a key determinant of eventual disability and also to potentially reduce the mortality associated with cardiovascular events.

It is generally safe. There are potential side effects including mouth ulcers, nausea, hair loss and more serious side effects such as potential liver damage and suppression of white blood cell count. Another issue is lung toxicity which can come on suddenly and is referred to as "methotrexate lung" or more insidiously leading to eventual fibrosis of the lungs. Patients with underlying liver disease such as hepatitis B and C should probably not receive the drug if possible.

Supplementation with folic acid can prevent or reduce the severity of many of the minor side effects. Close laboratory monitoring is mandatory. Patients with kidney disease should be monitored particularly closely and lower doses of MTX should be used since MTX toxicity increases with declining kidney function.

When patients develop infections of any sort, we recommend holding the MTX until they have recovered. For patients scheduled to have surgery we recommend they hold the MTX one week before and one week after the operation before resuming the drug.

Detox Programs For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Many who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are now considering going through detox programs for treatment. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease whereby your immune system mistakes your own body tissues as invaders. Actually, your immune system turns against itself primarily due to toxins that get accumulated over a period in time. Detox programs have been reported to be more effective in pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis than osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis has been found to not respond to detox programs as well as rheumatoid arthritis.

Detox programs for rheumatoid arthritis facilitates the cleansing of your bowels, kidneys, lungs, liver and the blood. It is necessary to detox as waste accumulates in your body through polluted air, smoking, or if you consume processed foods that contain preservatives. These toxic wastes cause damage and create problems such as hormonal imbalance, inefficent metabolism and impaired immune function. When these waste collect in your body, your rheumatoid arthritis worsens with increasing pain and stiffness at your joints. Detox programs for rheumatoid arthritis target these toxic waste elements in your body and help to eliminate them.

An excellent way to detox is via juice fasting. Natural health experts recommend that you should take vegetable juices instead of fruit juices, if you have arthritis. The high sugar content in fruit juices would have otherwise raise your blood suger levels and causing a corresponding increase in the insulin level.

Initially, when you consume vegetable juices, you may find it hard to drink up because the taste is not sweet. However, you should slowly build from drinking one ounze to ten ounzes at a time.

The detox programs for rheumatoid arthritis work by providing anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to your body. They enable your digestive system and excretory system to eliminate toxins released by the body during metabolism. Detox programs also tend to speed up the growth of new cells, which promotes healing. You will feel a surge in energy levels as well as have enhanced mental clarity.

Before you embark on any detox programs, it is best that you first consult with your health care provider. You want to make sure that you are ready to understake this program. Also let him know what medications you are on currently. You will also need to be under the guidance of a natural health expert if you have a specific aim in mind for your detox - in this case, it will be to reduce the pain arising from the severity of your rheumatoid arthritis.

So... Which One Do I Use for My Arthritis, Doctor... Heat or Ice?

Heat has long been used to provide temporary relief of arthritis pain, and is used in many different forms. Contrast baths, whirlpools, electric pads, microwaveable gel packs, hydrocollator packs, infrared lamps, and hot showers are some of the different techniques used. Even warm tap water probably will meet some of your needs for heat therapy at home.

Heat can provide temporary relief of pain and stiffness, and can prepare you for physical activity or exercise. For example, morning stiffness is a common problem for many people with rheumatoid arthritis. Because your body has been still during the night you may need special help to get going in the morning. The following combination of techniques using heat can reduce the length and the severity of morning stiffness:

1. Sleep in a sleeping bag (which helps retain body heat) or with an electric blanket (following the manufacturer's instructions).

2. Take your aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication an hour before you get out of bed in the morning. (Keep a few crackers at your bedside to take with the medication to avoid stomach irritation.)

3. Take a warm shower or bath immediately after you get up.

4. Then do limbering-up exercises after your shower or bath while you still feel warm.

Safety is important in choosing the form of heat you use. You should take great care to avoid burns or electric shocks. Heat must be used with much caution on any area of the body with poor circulation or where you cannot feel heat or cold normally. It should not be used over areas where your skin is fragile or broken.

Only mild heat is necessary to get results. You are aiming for a temperature just slightly above body temperature, and you do not have to apply heat for a long time. You will get full benefit by using heat for 20 minutes each time.

Moist heat is any technique in which water is used to conduct the heat, such as a bath or shower or hydrocollator packs. People with arthritis prefer moist rather than dry heat, such as a heating pad. Moist heat penetrates more deeply than dry. You will have to try both and see which is more effective and convenient for you.

Heating pads are available which provide either moist or dry heat, but they should be chosen and used with care. Make sure the pad is approved by the Underwriter's Laboratory. Look for those which have temperature control switches; those without temperature settings get hotter and hotter until you switch them off.

When using a pad, never lie on top of it and make sure you do not fall asleep while it is on. Severe burns can result! It may be wise to use a timer during the treatment. Check the instructions on use carefully. Regularly inspect the pad for any cracks in the plastic cover.

Hydrocollator packs are canvas bags containing silicone gel which retain heat for a long time. You can buy them in different shapes at pharmacies. Some people like them because they lose heat more slowly than most wet compresses. The pack is heated in water, wrapped in 8 to 10 layers of heavy toweling and placed over the painful joint.

The pack is heated in a large pot of water and placed on heavy towels. Place the surface with the thickest layer of toweling over the part to be treated.

Keep in mind that hydrocollator packs do have drawbacks. They are not practical if heat is needed for several joints, because each pack can be used for only one part at a time. They are also cumbersome to use and may be too heavy placed over a painful joint. If your hands are affected by your arthritis, it may be difficult for you to remove the heavy pack from the water with the tongs. So you may need help. Again, you must be very careful about burns. If you decide to try such a pack, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Microwaveable gel packs are popular. Follow the instructions carefully or else the bag containing the gel may leak... or even worse explode and cause serious burns!

Physical therapists sometimes use melted paraffin as a means of applying heat, particularly to the hands. There are units available for home use as well. Because they involve high temperatures, paraffin baths should be used with caution. Patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis involving the hands often find paraffin to be helpful.

You can buy nylon and spandex gloves which can reduce morning stiffness of the hands for some people when worn at night. The gloves are available in both men's and women's sizes.

It is important to wear adequate, warm clothing in cold weather. Some people find that knitted, woolen or fleece pullover cuffs on painful joints, especially the knees, ankles and elbows are helpful in keeping the joints warm and more comfortable in cold weather.

Some people with arthritis find that heat does not help them. In fact, the reverse is often best-cold compresses. Cold may be especially effective when active inflammation produces severe pain and joint swelling. Only trying different modalities will enable you to find out which is best for you.

It is easy to make a cold pack by filling a small plastic bag with a few ice cubes. A bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel can be used. Place any cold pack over the painful joint with a layer of terry cloth toweling in between. The same precautions that apply to the use of heat should be observed when using cold. The maximum benefit is achieved in less than 20 minutes. You may wish to repeat this application several times a day.

For many people with arthritis an effective approach is alternating warm and cold water applications, a process called contrast baths. It is most useful for a hand or foot which can be dipped in a large pot filled with water. If you decide to give it a try, use a thermometer to check temperatures.

1. Fill one container 2/3 full with 110 degree F water.

2. Fill a second container 2/3 full with 65 degree F water.

3. Put your hands or feet completely into the warm water for three minutes; then put them into the cold water for one minute.

4. Repeat step #3 two more times.

5. End the treatment with three more minutes in the warm water; then carefully dry the hands or feet.

Finally...and very importantly... with acute musculoskeletal pain, and particularly with injuries, always use ice. The formula to remember is RICE...

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

Methods of Treatment For Arthritis

Arthritis is a degenerative disease that affects joints, bones, ligaments and tendons, and in itself has about one hundred and fifty classifications. The methods of treatment for arthritis vary depending upon the type of classification and the level of progression the disease has already reached.

Taking into consideration three common categories, one can take a look into the different treatment approaches for each arthritis category. The most commonly diagnosed types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout (also known as gouty arthritis).

Osteoarthritis usually occurs after an injury or after strenuous repetitive actions that place too much stress on certain joints (this is common for athletes who do a lot of running and jumping and so on). The signs of osteoarthritis usually take place when an individual reaches the age of forty and up, as this is the period when degeneration of bones starts to set in.

Treatments for osteoarthritis usually include weight control for overweight individuals, increased exercise in order to strengthen joints and muscles and increasing circulation, heat and cold therapy to rapidly reduce pain temporarily in order to be able to do additional exercises, prescribed pain medications, electrical nerve stimulation (also known as TENS), acupuncture, massage, physical therapy and yoga. Some individuals also undergo stress management options as stress has been known to trigger and worsen arthritis symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder wherein the body's immune system or antibodies actually attack the ligaments and tendons that keep the bones and muscles bonded. It is the most dangerous form of arthritis because it is chronic and can progress towards total crippling of joints, rendering a patient immobilized and in constant pain.

Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis consist of first reducing pain with medications, exercise, hot and cold therapy, physiotherapy, and Prosorba. Prosorba is a type of medical intervention wherein the patients who have rheumatoid arthritis causing antibodies in their blood basically get their blood filtered in order to cleanse them of this autoimmune disorder.

Gout, or gouty arthritis, is another form of arthritis that is a result of excess uric acid that has accumulated and formed crystals in the system, getting stuck in the spaces of the joints. This causes inflammation of joints and ligaments and consequently excruciating pain.

Treatments for gout basically use certain medications to lower the uric acid levels and the crystallized acid is eventually dissipated. Lowering the acid level can also be achieved by going on a consistent diet that avoids food high in purines.

Although the symptoms may go away after the treatment, this does not mean that any of these types of arthritis are actually cured. The most that any type of arthritis treatment can guarantee is remission of the disease, or relief from the pain caused by the disease. There is still a greater chance for symptoms and pain to come back especially if the patient should stop taking medications or completely ignore his treatment regimen.

Only arthritic conditions caused by such infections as Lyme disease or different types of bacterial arthritis can be cured completely by antibiotics. Sad to say, because the most common arthritis types listed above are by nature degenerative and progressive, there is no real cure for the more common arthritic types.

Treatment For Arthritis: Your Available Options For Managing This Ailment

The treatment for arthritis can vary, this is because no case of arthritis is the same. Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling and pains in the joints throughout the body. There are many types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Whilst it is common for those who suffer with arthritis to have symptoms many people show no signs at all. No research has been done into the causes of arthritis, many scientist believe that it may be a hereditary condition. Arthritis affects the female population more than males, no one knows why this is.

Arthritis can affect any person of any age, many people just assume that it only affects the elderly.

Some signs that you may be suffering from arthritis include;

Pains in the fingers,
Feeling stiffness in the hands.
Limited movement.

If you have noticed any of these symptoms, I urge you to seek advice as a precautionary measure.

The treatments for arthritis can be effective, many people have found that symptoms are more manageable with regular pain relief.

If you are on medication for the treatment of arthritis you may find that you are asked to see your doctor regularly, this may be because your medication needs revising or maybe even changing to another.

In extreme cases surgery may even be an option, although this is usually for those who have not had a good success rate when using the medication that was offered.

If the individual would prefer a more natural course of treatment, there are herbal remedies available that are said to ease the symptoms.

Natural treatments include;

Garlic, promotes healthy blood circulation,
Cayenne pepper stimulates the heart, strengthens arteries, and acts as a natural pain reliever.
Ginger acts as an anti inflammatory,
Red pepper when applied to the skin may reduce aches and pains.

Making changes to your diet may reduce your symptoms. If changes are not possible you might want to consider an herbal supplement. Seek advice before starting any course of treatment.

Some medications that may help with the symptoms of arthritis are;

Painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin and codeine. Some painkillers which are strong like codeine will need to be prescribed.

NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen, indometacin, naproxen, diclofenac and nabumetone.

Steroids.

Disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs, such as, hydroxychloroquine, ciclosporin, sulfasalazine, and methotrexate.

It has been recently suggested that massage may improve the general aches and pains of arthritis. If you suffer from arthritis I suggest that this is something you try, you should start to notice a change in your symptoms after a week. Incorporating an infused oil in the massage may also promote healthy skin and well being.

Treatment for arthritis differ for each individual, the symptoms are different for everyone. Speak with your doctor about which medications will best suit you and your needs. If you are suffering from arthritis and you can no longer cope with the symptoms you may want to ask your doctor if surgery is an option.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Cause Hidden, Treatment Ignored

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common of several autoimmune diseases that primarily affect the joints.

It is characterized by abnormal inflammatory responses that damage the synovial lining of the joints and other tissues. Components of the immune system mistakenly identify normal body tissues as potentially harmful organisms and attack them causing substantial collateral damage.

This results in joint pain, swelling and permanent damage to joint cartilage and the underlying bone. Other parts of the body such as the blood, nerves and heart may also be affected in severe cases.

Moreover the conventional drugs used in the treatment of RA often cause as many health problems as the disease itself. Bone marrow and immune suppression, liver toxicity, osteoporosis and stomach ulcer are some of the common side effects produced by these drugs.

While antibiotics also have potential side effects, they are generally fewer and milder than those associated with the conventional drugs used in the treatment of RA.

TYPES OF INFECTIONS CAUSING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Most scientists agree that infections initiate the abnormal inflammatory response seen in RA patients. The theory is that the immune system reacts to an infection of some sort and then becomes confused between the antigens on the pathogenic organism and similar antigens on normal body tissues. The conventional view is that the infection is only a transient trigger of the autoimmune response and not a persistent factor underlying its chronic progression.

However, countless studies have shown that there are indeed a number of chronic, "hidden" infections underlying RA. Some of the pathogenic organisms have been found in the joints of RA patients but mostly these low-grade infections occur in areas such as the genito-urinary tract, mouth or intestines. They work indirectly from these areas by sustaining the aberrant inflammatory response so characteristic of RA.

Mycoplasma, chlamydia, E.coli, and proteus are all bacteria that are capable of causing the low-grade, asymptomatic urinary tract infections that underlie RA.
Porphyromonas gingivalis is a bacteria that causes gingivitis and periodontitis and also has a strong assoc
iation with RA.

Although lab tests often confirm the presence of one or more of these infections, negative results do not preclude an infectious cause of an individual's disease.

Because many of the infections underlying RA are so difficult to find, even those patients who do not have positive lab tests should be treated with antibiotics.

ANTBIOTICS USED TO TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

For many years the mainstay of antibiotic treatment for RA has been minocycline or other tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline. These of antibiotics are still very useful as they also have anti-inflammatory properties and stimulate the regeneration of damaged joint cartilage.

However many bacteria have developed resistance to the tetracyclines and it is now common practice to use combinations with other antibacterials such as azithromycin, clindamycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin and others.

RESULTS OF ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT FOR RA

Patients may notice improvements in their symptoms anywhere from days, weeks or months, depending on how long they have the disease. They must also expect to remain on the antibiotics for several months to over a year until full remission occurs.

Information from doctors who have used this treatment for many years show that at least 80% of patients benefit from this relatively simple therapeutic modality.

WHY IS THIS EFFECTIVE TREATMENT NOT WIDELY AVAILABLE

There are two reasons for the delay in getting this "new" treatment more widely accepted:

Firstly there is the research "time-lag effect" ? the period it takes from the time a new medical discovery is made until it is accepted and implemented by the majority of doctors. This interval may be over 20 years long.

Secondly, in spite of extensive evidence that certain organisms are associated with RA and other autoimmune diseases, no one specific organism has been shown to be responsible for this group of diseases. This is because autoimmune diseases comprise a spectrum of overlapping conditions that can be caused by several types of microbes located in various parts of the body.

REFERENCES

1. Effects of clarithromycin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, Curr Med Res Opin. 2007 Mar;23(3):515-22

2. Levofloxacin treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate, M Ogrendik, South Med J. 2007 Feb;100(2):135-9.

3. Single-blind randomized trial of combination antibiotic therapy in rheumatoid arthritis, Gompels LL, Smith A, Charles PJ, Rogers W, Soon-Shiong J, Mitchell A, Dore C, Taylor PW, Mackworth-Young CG. J Rheumatol. 2006 Feb;33(2):224-7.

4. Treatment of early seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: Doxycycline plus methotrexate versus methotrexate alone. O'dell JR, Elliott JR, Mallek JA, Mikuls TR, Weaver CA, Glickstein S, Blakely KM, Hausch R, Leff RD, , Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Feb;54(2):621-7. University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.

5. Treatment of early seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: a two-year, double-blind comparison of minocycline and hydroxychloroquine. O'Dell JR, Blakely KW, Mallek JA, Eckhoff PJ, Leff RD, Wees SJ, Sems KM, Fernandez AM, Palmer WR, Klassen LW, Paulsen GA, Haire CE, Moore GF - Arthritis & Rheumatism 2001 Oct;44(10):2235-41

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.

Prime Herbal - http://primeherbal.com

Arthritis Treatment: Evolution of Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Today

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, affecting approximately two million Americans. It is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune driven disease for which there is no cure.

Among the multisystem features of the disease is the ability to attack and destroy not only joint tissue, but also other organ systems such as the eye, bone marrow, lungs, peripheral nervous system as well as heighten the incidence of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

While the disease, if not diagnosed and treated aggressively, can still cause significant problems, major advances in treatment have developed in the last 25 years.

The drug of choice remains methotrexate. We now have more than 30 years of experience with this medication and are familiar with its side effect profile which is much more benign than we used to believe.

Roughly, 25% to 30% of patients will go into remission or near remission on methotrexate alone, and many of those patients will sustain that response for up to a year or more.

So how is response defined?

Response occurs when a patient has no clinical signs of disease activity, no elevated acute phase reactants, which are blood tests that measure inflammation. The two most commonly used tests are the erythrocyte sedimentation rate ("sed rate") and CRP. And they have no functional deficit from their disease.

In patients who don't achieve remission or lose their remission, we now add on a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. These are a category of biologic drugs. These medicines that act like a laser beam against the immunologic disturbances that are responsible for RA.

While many patients respond to the combination of methotrexate and TNF inhibitor, some either don't respond initially or lose their response over time. In these patients we will try a second TNF inhibitor.

Fortunately, there are alternatives. We have three other biologic medicines that are all useful in the event a patient fails two TNF inhibitors. There is Orencia, which is a T-cell costimulatory modulator. T cells are felt to be a key player in the inflammation of RA. The second is Rituxan. This is a drug that was initially used to treat non-Hodgkins lymphoma. It is an antibody directed against B-cells, which are also a major contributor to chronic inflammation in RA. Finally, there is Actemra, which is an antibody drug directed against the interleukin-6 receptor.

Interleukin-6 is a protein messenger that is pivotal in perpetuating RA activity.

All of these have been shown to be effective in rheumatoid arthritis, and all have been shown to be effective in patients who have failed a TNF inhibitor.

With this arsenal of drugs there is better than a 50 per cent chance of getting a patient with new-onset RA into remission within six to twelve months.

And the good news is that newer therapies are being developed that may be even more effective.

Important Characteristics of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

At mere mention of arthritis, the description that will enter most people's minds will most probably be painful joints. In actuality, arthritis is a broad medical term that is utilized to refer to over a hundred conditions that are associated to joint aches and pain. The most common and popular types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

According to statistics, there are over 20 million people who are suffering from osteoarthritis in the United States. Meanwhile, only about 2 million have rheumatoid arthritis. However, since the symptoms of these two conditions have lots of similarities, many are actually misdiagnosing their joint problems. Even if the suggested treatments are almost the same for the two conditions, it is still advisable that you determine which type of arthritis you are really suffering from before you take any medications or undergo alternative medicine treatment.

To give you a preview of these two joint woes, read the descriptions below.

Osteoarthritis

1. Basically, osteoarthritis is brought about by the wear and tear of a joint. Injuries and the aging process are the most common culprits to the development of this problem.

2. The usual symptoms of this condition include pain and stiffness of the joint.

3. Sometimes you will also see that the problematic joint is enlarged or is swelling.

4. In osteoarthritis, the stiffness or difficulty to move your knees or affected joints gets worse as the day progresses.

5. The people who usually get this condition are older people and even athletes because of the wearing down of joints due to excessive use.

6. Generally, osteoarthritis triggers pain in the larger joints, such as the knees and the hips.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Basically, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The problem with the joints is not due to excessive usage or wear and tear. The inflammation and damage to the joints and surrounding tissues are because of the misguided attack of the immune system of healthy tissues.

2. Aside from pain, tenderness and redness of the joints, other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include limited range of movement and extended morning stiffness. In some people, however, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and even fever are also apparent.

3. Since this problem is caused by the immune system, anyone can get rheumatoid arthritis, even young people. However, it usually begins at middle age and becomes so much worse as the patient ages.

4. Stiffness and pain of the joints commonly last for about 30 minutes after a long period of inactivity or rest, particularly in the morning.

5. In rheumatoid arthritis, symmetrical swelling is apparent. This simply means that both your elbows, hands and other extremities will swell and be affected by this problem.

6. In general, the joints affected by this condition are the ones that are closest to the base of parts like your fingers or hands. In fact, rheumatoid arthritis usually attacks smaller joints, particularly the ankles and the hands.

7. Early detection is imperative in this condition because in just 24 months, rheumatoid arthritis can already cause serious damage to the joints.

If you are suffering from either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, popping a pain medication may not be the only solution to reduce the tenderness and aches. Improving your diet, boosting your immune system and exercising regularly are all needed for you to be able to cope with your condition and prevent your joints from being damaged further. Moreover, you might need to take natural supplements to help protect your joints. However, it would be wise to seek doctor's advice before you take anything.

To help ease the arthritic pain, tenderness and stiffness safely and effectively, you may want to try Flexcerin.

Is There a Rheumatoid Arthritis Natural Treatment

Is there a rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment? Is there just one or are there many rheumatoid arthritis natural treatments? What are they? How effective are they? Are these complete cures or do they put arthritis into remission?

The protocol listed below is a summary of months of research, the summary of many experiments and clinical studies.

Gelatin
Gelatin is made of collagen, the raw material in joints and connective tissue. A restaurant food supplier selling unsweetened gelatin in pound or kilogram (2.2 pounds) quantities is the cheapest source.

Gelatin is very similar in structure to the collagen type 2 that composes connective tissues including cartilage. The theory with using gelatin as a remedy for arthritis is that as a precursor to cartilage the gelatin prevents arthritic damage from occurring and supports the body to repair existing damage.

In a Harvard study a heaping tablespoon of gelatin daily put arthritis into remission for 28 out of 29 patients. Remission occurred within 90 days.

Gelatin is usually a very safe product with a few people reporting stomach upset very rarely.

The daily dosage is a heaping tablespoon of gelatin in water or juice. Vitamin C may be mixed into the gelatin.

Preparation of the gelatin:
Fill a glass one quarter full with cold water; tap water temperature is fine.
Sprinkle the heaping tablespoon of gelatin on the water and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add about a quarter of a glass of hot tap water, not boiling water. Stir well.
Add a quarter of a glass of cold water and stir again.
Drink.

This portion of the rheumatoid arthritis remedy protocol is particularly important for people who drastically limit their red meat intake.

Pharmaceutical grade vs. food-grade fish oil
Fish oil should reduce the inflammation of arthritis. Clinical studies and academic experiments over the last 200 years have consistently indicated rheumatoid arthritic relief is one of many benefits from fish oil.

At this time there is no standardized definition in the USA to differentiate between pharmaceutical grade and food grade fish oil.

An analysis of nine studies of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers taking omega-3s showed no reduction in joint damage but the number of tender joints decreased. In six of the studies, people with rheumatoid arthritis were able to reduce their use of NSAIDs or corticosteroids. Additionally, a 2005 study of people with rheumatoid arthritis indicated increased positive benefits when fish oil supplements were used in combination with olive oil used in everyday cooking.

Symptoms are dose dependent in that most people that "try" fish oil for rheumatoid arthritic relief only take 1 or 2 capsules daily. A typical high-grade fish oil capsule at 30% polyunsaturated fatty acid would require 9 - 10 capsules a day to achieve the basal minimum dosage.

A small number of people report abdominal cramps and diarrhea when taking this amount, 9 - 10 capsules daily, of fish oil. Fish oil products that contain high quantities of vitamin A and D, which could be toxic in high quantities, should not be used.

Since there are some pharmaceutical grade and food grade fish oil formulations that contain as much as 50% polyunsaturated fatty acids, be sure to verify the amount on the label. Adjust the number of capsules accordingly.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit blood clotting; avoid taking fish oil supplements before and after surgery. Fish oil may have a "laxative effect" at different dosages on some people. Consult your health care professional before beginning any supplements.

Green Tea
China, Japan and India are countries where green tea is regarded as a healthy beverage with the potential to prevent certain diseases. These countries have a much lower rate of rheumatoid arthritis than elsewhere around the world.

A study at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, USA discovered that mice which were fed green tea were significantly less susceptible to developing arthritis than the mice fed plain water. The test group of mice fed green tea did develop arthritis; however it occurred as late onset and mild. Eight of 18, or 44%, of the mice receiving green tea developed arthritis while 17 out of 18, or 94%, of the control group mice fed water developed arthritis.

The study concluded that the green tea effect was dramatic.

The green tea used for the polyphenols was regular, not decaffeinated. This part of the procedure may not be advisable for people that have to restrict their intake of caffeine.

Diet
Many people feel that diet is the foundation upon which a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis builds.

In other words, start with your every day diet; modify it as much as possible to be supportive and preventive. Particularly your every day diet must not lead to being overweight! (Why add more pounds to those poor stressed out bones and joints.)

Then, add the glycerin. After 10 to 14 days add the fish oil remedy in addition to the glycerin, after another 2 weeks add green tea to the glycerin and fish oil, etc.

Most of these simple, safe and relatively inexpensive rheumatoid arthritis remedies shown in this remedy protocol are effective to some degree for some people, perhaps a majority of people. They certainly will not be effective for everyone all the time. Consequently testimonials are of limited use. This rheumatoid arthritis remedy protocol is designed specifically as an incremental protocol where the sufferer modifies their everyday diet and then adds one remedy, then another, then another, etc.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

If you have ever eaten a curry, no doubt you will have consumed some of the spice turmeric. More importantly, you will have benefited from its properties. Now while you may have heard of turmeric, you may not be aware of its many health benefits.

This bright yellow spice has a multitude of health benefits. It has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 2,500 years and it is said to alleviate: Indigestion, Stomach Ulcers, Cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and more.

And why should you care and read on? Well, not only do the above conditions affect many, they could affect you at some point!

And if they do, how are you going to continue to do what you love?

How will you continue to work at a high level?

How will you continue to provide for your family?

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Good health is one of the most important things that should never be taken for granted. One of the main reasons for poor health is a lack of knowledge of what is good for you.

So keep reading... and I hope you may take something away from this post. Lets look at one of the most common conditions that affect many people, especially as they get older:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects joints all over the body. Over time this can lead to both loss of movement and deformity. I have seen my Grandmother suffer with this condition to such an extent that she is now housebound 24 hours a day. My mother has recently mentioned that she has been feeling some symptoms in her hands.

Although treatment is available, it needs to be ongoing and although a cure does not exist, there are substances that can aid in prevention, such as turmeric.

Curcumin, the plant that turmeric derives from is an extremely powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants get rid of free radicals, which are basically responsible for damaging all the healthy cells in our body. Early studies by the University of Arizona have found that if taken prior to the onset of inflammation, as opposed to after, the results are much more effective.

Alzheimer's disease

Another disease that not only affects us as we get older, but can destroy families is Alzheimer's disease. Research has shown that in India, where turmeric is used in high quantities, the rate of Alzheimer's disease sufferers is low among those with a high consumption of turmeric in their diets. It is not a cure, but it is said to maybe aid prevention.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

In Japan where I live, Turmeric capsules and drinks have long been thought of as a hangover cure. If you consume some turmeric before you go have a few drinks, then the next day can be slightly less awful. I can attest to this.

One simple use is to rub the powder it into chicken or lean meant prior to cooking. Add to some fried onions or other stir-fried veggies. Add it to homemade pickles and chutneys; not only will this add to the coloring, but the health benefits will be spiced up.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

The 'health benefits of turmeric' are side to increase 8-fold if used with green tea. You can take a capsule with your green tea, or a capsule that contains both green tea and turmeric extract. If you would like more information on how to use it, then please ask me below:)

To your health

Hand Arthritis - Different Treatments

Hand arthritis is the most common form of arthritis that mainly affects the fingers. As in most forms of arthritis the joints become inflamed resulting in pain. Essentially, a joint is made up of two bones that are covered by cartilage and are conjoined together moving smoothly across each other. If this smooth surface becomes damaged or wears out over time, arthritis will result

Hand arthritis is specifically painful and debilitating due to the fact that hands have nineteen bones and eight small bones that has several small joints. The more common forms of hand arthritis include osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Further causes of hand arthritis might include psoriasis, gout and infection.

Hand osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the hand joints over time resulting in inflammation and pain. Normally it is a result of this wear and tear, however it can also be the result of a specific hand injury. Hand osteoarthritis arthritis generally develops either along the bottom of the thumb, the wrist, the end joint that is closest to the tip of the finger and the middle joint of the finger.

The most common symptoms of hand arthritis are pain, swelling and reduced movement resulting in diminished grip and pinch strength. The doctor or physician will also examine all other joints to help aid the diagnosis of hand arthritis. The doctor can also determine the severity of the hand arthritis by observing the clinical appearance of the hand. Further to this X-rays will be utilized to further identify the severity of hand arthritis by seeking potential bony outgrowths.

There are various treatments and forms of reducing the pain of hand arthritis. Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory medications will normally be the first treatment utilized for hand arthritis. Resting the hand is also crucial in terms of re-habilitating the area- a hand or wrist support may be required to aid this re-habilitation.

Physical therapy for hand arthritis has also proven to be very effective as a treatment option. There are specific exercises, which can help in loosening the stiffened joints caused by the hand arthritis. Steroids can also be injected locally into the affected area, however this is only a form of pain relief, and certainly not a long-term treatment option for hand arthritis.

Surgery is most certainly the last resort as a treatment option for hand arthritis. The doctor or physician will seriously evaluate the patient's health, age, weight and risks of complications before recommending hand surgery as a viable treatment option for hand arthritis.

Hand arthritis can be an extremely debilitating condition, however with proper diagnosis by your doctor or physician the symptoms can be effectively managed and rehabilitation can take place. Like most forms of arthritis early diagnosis is the key to aiding recovery in hand arthritis.

Doctor, Should I Take Humira for My Rheumatoid Arthritis?

TNF alpha is a cytokine, a unique protein that is produced during the inflammatory response. TNF alpha is not only the result of inflammation, it is also a substance that promotes the inflammation. Increased levels of TNF are found in several inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Drugs that block tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been found to be particularly effective for the treatment of these serious forms of inflammatory arthritis.

Adalimumab (Humira) is constructed from a fully human monoclonal antibody. It binds to TNF alpha, preventing it from activating TNF receptors.

It acts like a barrier to the interaction between TNF alpha and receptors for TNF alpha on immune cells. This prevents TNF alpha from perpetuating inflammation and the pain, tenderness and swelling of joints in patients with different types of arthritis.

Humira reduces the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, the arthritis of psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It also prevents the progression of joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the arthritis of psoriasis.

Humira can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate. The drug has been approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

It comes in a 40 mg prefilled syringe and is administered subcutaneously every two weeks. The syringe must be kept refrigerated.

Serious infections, including tuberculosis, have occurred in patients receiving Humira. In some cases, these infections have been fatal. Before starting the drug, a patient should be tested for TB. Any medication prescribed for the treatment of TB should start before beginning Humira and should be continued until the full course of medication is completed.

Since Humira suppresses important parts of the immune system, a patient should not receive vaccines containing live virus.

Having an infection could put a patient at risk for serious side effects from Humira.

TNF-blocking agents have been associated with reactivation of hepatitis B. Some cases have been fatal.

Rare cases of demyelinating syndromes such as multiple sclerosis have been reported.

Anti-TNF drugs should be used with caution in patients with congestive heart failure.

Combining Humira and Kineret (anakinra) is not recommended

Humira is contraindicated in pregnancy as well as for use in nursing mothers.

There have been rare cases of severe allergic reactions after taking Humira. Lymphoma and pancytopenia (low blood counts) have also been rarely reported in patients taking anti-TNF therapy.

The most common side-effects are injection site reactions, upper respiratory tract infections, headache, and nausea.

Treatment of Sacroiliitis

Sacroiliitis is a disorder that is far more complex than back pain and it is important to seek medical attention early if you develop the symptoms. The condition is complicated with a variety of causes; it may be secondary to an injury or pregnancy but this is not a disorder to gamble with. Delay may lead to joint degeneration or the pain may be a symptom of a larger, inflammatory arthritic condition known as ankylosing spondylitis. This is one of the many forms of inflammatory arthritis, the most common of which is rheumatoid arthritis. Complications of ankylosing spondylitis can be quite serious and include:

• Spine Deformities


• Difficulty Breathing


• Lung Infections


• Heart Problems. 

Symptoms OF Sacroiliitis

• Pain and stiffness in lower back, thighs, buttocks


• Pain becomes worse with walking, due to the motion of the hips.


• Psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition, may occur with a type of arthritis and sacroiliitis.


• Pain radiating down leg, often mimicking sciatica


• Limp


• Decreased range of motion


• Elevated temperature


• Bloody diarrhea occurs with Reiter's Syndrome, which causes painful urination, joint pain, sacroiliac joint pain, and eye inflammation, and accompanies sacroiliitis.


• Eye inflammation in one or both eyes, a symptom of Reiter's Syndrome and evident with sacroiliitis. 
  

Diagnosis

• History and Physical


• When examined, pain localized around sacroiliac joints, can be detected.


• Laboratory studies, including blood cultures


• X-rays of sacroiliac joints


• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan of sacroiliac joints


• Culture of fluid from affected sacroiliac joint 

It is important that the doctor be informed if there is a history of IV Drug use and whether any antibiotics have been taken recently. Recent antibiotic use can delay the proper diagnosis and identification of the infectious organism if a blood culture is done.

Treatment

The underlying cause and symptoms are considered when implementing a treatment plan.

• NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) such as naproxyn and ibuprophen reduce inflammation and pain.


• Cortiosteroid Drugs, such as prednisone and medrol, reduce inflammation and slow down joint deterioration.


• DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs), such as Azulfidine and methotrexate, help limit joint damage.


• Antibiotics, if an underlying infection is determined by a blood culture or culture of fluid from infected sacroiliac joints. Drug must be specific for that infectious organism.


• Rest to relieve strain on sacroiliac joints.


• Tumor necrosis factor inhibitor medications, such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, can block a cell protein that acts as an inflammatory agent. This helps reduce pain and stiffness. These medications are quite expensive and may not be prescribed unless other medications are not effective.


• Physical therapy will be started after the painful, acute phase is under control. Range of motion exercises and stretching exercises to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility.

         Decrease or eliminate smoking because nicotine decreases the blood flow to the affected areas and makes it more difficult for the body to fight the disease. 

These medications can effectively relieve the painful symptoms of sacroiliitis but they have many side-effects. They may interact with medications you are already taking so it is important that you understand all their side-effects and how to use them appropriately. Some of these drugs increase the risk of bleeding, the risk of a cardio-vascular event or damage to your kidneys, liver or gastrointestinal tract. Complete patient education is vital to the management of sacroiliitis and the effective relief of its symptoms.

Arthritis Treatment Using Ayurvedic Herb Guggul

If you have any form of arthritis, I'm sure you've considered using lots of different options to ease your arthritis pain. Ayurveda is an ancient healing art that has been practiced in India for centuries and has naturally also been used for arthritis treatment.

Mukul Myrrh is a small, thorny plant which is common in India and guggul comes from the yellow-colored resin produced by the stem of the plant. Guggul is one of the most used herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. It is because it has amazing properties - it is anti-inflammatory, analgesic and is an immune enhancer. It is used for joint pain, arthritis and sciatica, among others.

This is not all, this wonder herb can reduce existing plaque in arteries and improve the body's metabolic rate (therefore the fat burning activity) and improves the function of the thyroid. It also helps lower cholesterol. It decreases the platelet 'stickiness' in the blood, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is why it is one of the best herbs used in Ayurveda to treat obesity and related disorders. This herb, however, should not be used during pregnancy as it promotes menstrual discharge and is a uterine stimulant.

Another Ayurvedic herb (well it's a combination of 3) is Triphala and this is a good thing to take as well when you are using guggul as this supports the herb gugul and also helps to detox your body.

As arthritis thrives in an acid environment (which is why acid forming nutrition is counter-productive - coffee, for example), it is important to rid your body of unwanted toxins and then add foods to your diet that are alkaline forming. This includes lots of vegetables and most fruit. Cut down on meat, coffee and alcohol. Smoking is very acid forming and should also be avoided.

You can also do research online to find out more information why Ayurveda can be a great help with arthritis treatment.