The Pros and Cons of Low Level Laser Therapy

Low level laser therapy is very much a new field in the medical and scientific world. The use of light to treat diseases, however, dates all the way back to the studies conducted by physiologist Niels Finsen, who received the Nobel Prize in 1903 for his research into the bacteria-killing effects of ultraviolet radiation on cutaneous tuberculosis.

Before 1960, when the first working laser was tested by American scientist Theodore Maiman, studies into the clinical benefits of light focused mainly on the thermal destructive effects that light and radiation could have on organic tissue. After 1960, the focus shifted somewhat towards the non-destructive effects of light on tissue. Low level laser therapy is probably the most popular and most controversial field that makes use of this focus.

The Benefits of Low Level Laser Therapy
Research into this therapy began with the experiments of Endre Mester who in 1967 showed the potential for aiding tissue repair through the use of the light. His emphasis was on the light's clinical potential for healing of diabetic ulcers.

Subsequent studies have proven low level laser therapy to be beneficial in the treatment of neck pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis of the knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome, and various musculatory ailments.

The procedure is a painless, non-invasive, and all evidence thus far shows it to have no negative side effects.

The Cons of Low Level Laser Therapy
The biggest negative about this procedure and technology is that it can be hard to find a company that offers legitimate, proven treatments amidst the plethora of clinics that base their advertisements on faulty research. The reason behind this problem is that, because it is such a new field, there is no established research methodology for it.

The Food and Drug Administration has officially endorsed many therapy procedures are clinically proven to work. However, the FDA still considers low level laser therapy to be an experimental field. Technology companies are thus working to increase the amount of reliable, quantifiable data on the topic in order to gain more official recognition and legitimacy among the mainstream medical and scientific community.

What Are Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis disease is whereby you experience periodic episodes of pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness of joints. You have recurrent attacks of transient inflammation in and around the joint. The pain is usually focused on two or three joints. The pain can be very severe and it is difficult to find relief.

Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis is usually characterized by episodic articular, or periarticular pain. Joints that are affected are usually your fingers and knees. The pain may be intense but it does not stay for more than two or three days. The attacks can end as fast as they begin.
You can easily spot the specific pattern in these recurrent episodes of pain. In 60% of the cases of palindromic rheumatoid arthritis, pain-free periods may last for several weeks or months. In some cases, these attacks recur after years.

Rheumatoid factors in Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are certain rheumatoid factors that may be present in some of the Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patients. Some these rheumatoid factors include:

* It is the large joints that are most commonly afflicted in the recurrent episodes of attack.

* However, in the swelling of the periarticular tissues such as heel pads and finger pads, soft tissues are also involved.

* Aside from pain and swelling, the Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patient may feel nodules just below the skin in subcutaneous tissues.

* Blood tests: If they indicate an elevation of the ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein) level, it is a rheumatoid factor.

Treatment for Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is difficult to treat palindromic rheumatoid arthritis. One of the main reasons is attributed to the transient nature of the episodes of pain and attack.

Even the anti-inflammatory medicines may not be very effective. However, what is usually prescribed are disease-modifying drugs such as hydroxyxhloroquine or methotrexate for Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patients.

In all these cases, the treatment is symptomatic. As such, they do not address the root cause of palindromic rheumatoid arthritis. More research is now being conducted for this special form of rheumatoid arthritis disease. Hopefully, with more light shed on this disease, there can be a cure some day.

Lymphoma-A Consequence Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA, rheumatoid arthritis, is a disease that affects the cells around the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis involves a lot of pain but in the advanced stages can also mean immobility because in time, the tissues around the joints are deteriorating.

Not affecting the tissues around the joints, but the lymphatic tissues, lymphoma is a type of cancer that leads to weak immunity for the human body and affects the lymph nodes. The white cells, especially the plasma ones can't end their mission of locating and destroying antigens or foreign materials because of the malignant or lymphoma lymphocytes that divide and enlarge the lymph nodes or other organs like stomach or intestines.

Is being well known that lymphoma makes more victims around men who past the age of 60, while rheumatoid arthritis chooses women. Trying to determine a connection between these two diseases we can easily figure out that the risks for a person to have both these diseases are low.

After further research scientists obtained a conclusion quite different from what we had imagined earlier. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have chances to develop lymphoma. Their chances grow with their stage of disease. For a low degree rheumatoid arthritis patients the risk of developing lymphoma is not so high, but for those with a moderate or high level of rheumatoid arthritis the chances to develop this type of cancer are real high.

Archive notes tell us that in the last 30 years a insignificant percentage of rheumatoid arthritis patients suffered from lymphoma, being counted a number of less than 400 patients.

Patients with a very severe form of rheumatoid arthritis risk to develop lymphoma more than the other cases.

Most of all, the later studies show us that the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis has no connection with the development of lymphoma. The study was made over a rheumatoid arthritis specific treatment including methotrexate, oral steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin.

Despite this study we can still hear opinions about the connections between rheumatoid arthritis treatment and the development of lymphoma, as a consequence.

Perhaps we have to take these opinions seriously, even though the two diseases rheumatoid arthritis and lymphoma refer to different types of patients, because both of them affect tissues and stop the white cells to take care of the immune system. That's why patients with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis should talk to a specialist that could help them reduce the risks of lymphoma.

Joint Pain Or Muscle Pain?

The dilemma of understanding whether that nagging pain is coming from joints or muscles can be quite daunting, especially for someone who's been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, recently. Even for those who have not been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, joint and muscle pains can be considered the red alarm point. So what are they really and how do they differ? And most importantly, how can you tell the difference between joint pain and muscle pain? Joint pains are more like those you get right before flu. Remember that dreaded feeling of numbness in all your joints, as if you've been beaten up with a pole? Right! Now muscle pain is different because they are the type of pains you will get after an extreme workout.

Many people associate joint pains with rheumatoid arthritis, but they hardly consider muscle pains playing a role in the game. In fact, it should be acknowledged that if you have muscle pains around certain areas, especially around legs and arms, the culprit could be none other than joint inflammations that are commonly seen in arthritis.

The common symptoms of stiffness, pain and swelling in joints could easily affect the surrounding muscles and give you mixed signals. Therefore, recognizing whether the pain comes from a joint or a muscle may not be an easy task for someone suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

For example, pain in the feet is very common but no one really cares about it. Remember that if your body is aching or in pain, it is a signal that something is wrong, somewhere in your body. In fact, pain is your messenger that indicates danger. So ignoring aches and pains will not help you in any way. When your feet hurt, you tend to change your posture. The latter may cause stress and fatigue to your muscles. And with that, you've welcomed muscle pain too! These posture problems may then lead to digestion problems, problems of the lower back and knees. Do you see the link?

Similarly in rheumatoid arthritis, joint pains can run from arms to legs, spreading its inflammations all around the joints and sometimes affecting the organs in the vicinity. Therefore, if you experience muscle pains and fatigue on top of the usual joint pains, you should know that inflammations are devil dancing in your body.

According to western medicine, although there is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, some alternative treatment methods such as Unani system have proven to be effective in eliminating the condition. The bottom line for any person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis is to know that something has gone wrong somewhere and that if treated, or taken care of early, the conditions could even be reversed.

Regular exercise in healthy doses is a must for any one suffering from joint and muscle pain due to rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally there are health supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids, SAMe, TMG and Glucosamine that can assist you in the process. Additionally, there are alternative healing methods such as reflexology, yoga and reiki that you can try out with zero risk and no after effects.

How Can Fresh Pineapple Help Arthritis?

All fresh fruits including pineapple are packed with enzymes however pineapple is well known for being packed with an enzyme called bromelain. This gives the fruit some amazing natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Of course like most fruits it's bursting with vitamin C. They are second only to bananas as America's favorite tropical fruit.

It is this the enzyme bromelain that makes pineapple useful in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This anti-inflammatory property will help in relieving osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as well as reducing post-operative swelling. Bromelain also acts as a digestive enzymes aiding in protein digestion. Most of the bromelain is concentrated in the core of the pineapple and for this reason I always add the stem to my smoothies. Pineapple is also known to help with fluid retention.

To gain the benefit of bromelain as an anti-inflammatory or as a digestive enzyme, it is important to know that enzymes are very sensitive to light and temperatures especially heat. So any commercially bought pineapple products will be dead so to speak, the enzymes will have been destroyed. This goes for bought juices, canned, frozen, and dried pineapple.

When choosing a fresh pineapple color isn't necessarily a good indicator of ripeness, some are in their prime when still green, it depends on the variety, ranging from green to yellow. The most important factor in determining ripeness is aroma let your nose help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off a slightly alcoholic smell, they are too ripe and are fermenting. Avoid pineapples with soft spots or areas of dark discoloration. Eat pineapple at room temperature to appreciate their full flavor.

Pineapple "Rum Pud"
One or two pineapples
Add fresh mango (or frozen - you prepared when they were in season)
Fresh Ginger
Thick coconut milk
A dash or two of rum
A banana or two
Leave the leaves on the pineapple and cut a pineapple in half length ways. Scoop or cut out the flesh leaving the pineapple halves in tack to use as containers. Cut up the flesh into cubes removing the stem. Put the pineapple into a bowl, add freshly grated ginger to taste, thick coconut milk and a little rum, slice or chop up bananas and mix all ingredients together. Place the ingredients back into the pineapple halves and serve immediately.

Pineapple makes a very good addition to smoothies, with papaya, some pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, and a banana. Besides being high in bromelain and vitamin C, pineapples are also a rich source of beta carotene, potassium, vitamin B-1 (cofactor in enzymatic reactions vital to energy production, vitamin B-2, iron, fiber, manganese (co-factor in a number of enzymes needed for energy production and anti-oxidant defense), omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and some friendly bacteria.

Do you know? The part of the fruit closest to the base of the fruit has more sugar content and therefore a sweeter taste and more tender texture than the upper part of the fruit.

Vitamin C: Arthritis Cure Or Not?

Vitamin c successfully forms a part of the supplementation plan for many people suffering from arthritis.

There is a lot of evidence from many sources proving that supplementing with vitamin c can benefit diseases involving inflammation. It is also known that vitamin c plays a role in collagen synthesis, the main protein that is found in the joints of the body. Collagen is the main component of tendons, ligaments, cartilage and many other structures of the body. Healthy collagen means healthy joints.

Does vitamin c supplementation benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

Vitamin c has been found to be low in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. This is because vitamin c is an anti-oxidant which is used up to detoxify free radicals- something you find in abundance in inflammatory diseases.

A large study conducted between 1993 and 1997 involving 23000 men and women showed some benefit in taking higher amounts of vitamin c through your diet. During the study, which was actually meant to study cancer, the participants had to keep track of what they ate in a diary.

During this period, 73 of the participants developed symptoms that were related to rheumatoid arthritis. Compared to the other participants, the ones who developed rheumatoid arthritis, actually consumed less fruit and vegetables in their daily diets. Of course, fruit and vegetables contain a lot of vitamin c. The participants that ate the least amount of fruit and vegetables had about double the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

How does it work? As we have noted, vitamin c is a major factor in the collagen synthesis, which is the main protein in joint tissue. Remember also, that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an overreaction by the immune system. Some sources say that vitamin c has a calming effect on the immune system, acting on specific molecules (tenascin-C molecules) that causes and sustains inflammation in the joints.

But, vitamin c is a powerful anti-oxidant and therefore has a role to play in treating cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis, because these diseases are affected by free radicals and enzymes causing inflammation. Free radicals are found in the synovial fluids of inflamed joints, which suggest that free radicals are involved with the inflammation of the joint. Also, low levels of all the anti-oxidants are found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Indirectly then, the suggestion is therefore that patients with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from increased amounts of anti-oxidants like vitamin c in their diets.

How much do you need? If you suffer from an inflammatory disease, doses can be anything from 3-10g per day. That is a lot of vitamin c compared to typical recommended daily allowances.

Arthritis - The Life Long Disease

Introduction

Arthritis is defined as the presence of swelling, the presence of effusion, or the presence of 2 or more of the following signs: limited range of motion (ROM), tenderness, pain on motion, or joint warmth. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life. Arthritis is diagnosed through a careful evaluation of symptoms and a physical examination.

Arthritis is one of the most rapidly growing chronic conditions in North America. Arthritis is a major cause of lost work time and serious disability for many people. Arthritis is not just an old person's disease. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). Rheumatoid arthritis appears to have been described in paintings more than a century before the first detailed medical description of the condition in 1800 by Landre-Beauvais. Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose early because it can begin gradually with subtle symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is most common in older people.

Treatment

Treatment options include medications, reduction of joint stress, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical intervention. Treatment decisions require careful consideration of the risks and benefits to the mother and fetus. Treatment can include patient education, self-management programs, and support groups that help people learn about:Treatments-How to exercise and relax-How to talk with their doctor-Problem solving.

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may involve:Lifestyle changes-Medicine-Surgery-Regular doctor visits-Alternative therapies. The goal of treatment in this chronic disease must be two-fold: to alleviate the suffering of the patient here and now, and to prevent the future destruction of the joints and resulting handicap if the disease is left unchecked.

Risk

The risk of first developing the disease (the disease incidence) appears to be greatest for women between 40 and 50 years of age, and for men somewhat later. It is important to recognize that patient with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of developing lymphoma as a consequence of their autoimmune disease, independently from any potential medication effects. It is important to note that rheumatoid arthritis itself is a risk factor for non-Hodgkins lymphomas. A modest increase in the risk of serious infection was observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical trials treated with anakinra in combination with DMARDS other than TNF inhibitors, compared to placebo with DMARDs (2 % vs 1%).

Conclusion

Arthritis is a term that groups together over 100 rheumatic diseases and other related conditions that cause stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints of the body. Arthritis is exploding in an aging US population. Arthritis is one of the most rapidly growing chronic conditions in North America. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life.