Health » Arthritis

Arthritis of the Foot

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:07:28 +0000

Unfortunately, there are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis that can affect the human body. The most common form, however, is known as osteoarthritis. This form develops as we all get older and is known as the wear and tear style of arthritis. What happens essentially is that the cartilage that covers the end of the bones wears out.

The result is some of the worst pain you can experience, as well as swelling and inflammation in the joint. The tough thing about arthritis, it can develop in a joint that was injured, even if the injury happened years, or even decades before. This is known as traumatic arthritis and has the same symptoms as osteoarthritis.

Since there are so many bones and joints in the foot, it is a prime spot for the development of arthritis. If it does develop in the foot, it can alter the way you walk, therefore putting strain and pressure on parts of the foot where there was none before and that can bring on a whole host of other problems.

The parts of the foot that are most commonly affected by arthritis are the ankle joint, the heel, the arch and the big toe. The big toe is also a prime spot for the development of painful bunions.

The symptoms of arthritis in the foot is pretty straight forward. If you’re experiencing stiffness, nagging, throbbing pain, tenderness, swelling and reduced motion, you might have arthritis. Also, not being able to walk for long distances is another sign of possible arthritic problems.

Getting your arthritis diagnosed isn’t a difficult process, but you can help your doctor out a bunch by keeping a pain journal. Once the pain becomes chronic and its apparent that it’s not going away by it’s self, sit down and write everything you remember about the pain: when did it start, how long does it hurt for, does it hurt during exercise or after, does it hurt at night when you sleep, does it get worse when you walk or run and does it migrate to different parts of the foot and ankle?

When you get to the doctors office, you can expect to give the doctor your medical history and the contents of your pain diary. He or she will then give you a physical exam to try to detect the cause of the pain you’re feeling.

The doctor may also do what is called a gait analysis. This is a test so that the doctor can see how you walk and see how your leg and foot line up. If the doctor isn’t able to make a proper diagnosis based on the information so far, he may request a series of x-rays to be done to see if the bones have degraded at all in the foot. Other tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI might be used as well.

Treating your arthritis is difficult. There is no cure and often the damage suffered isn’t reversible.

Treatment is geared towards relieving pain more than anything. A doctor will usually prescribe the use of over-the-counter pain killers, such as Tylenol or Advil to kill pain.

Supports in the shoes are another common treatment that can cut down on pain. Using a brace or a cane might be necessary as the arthritis gets worse. For severe cases, surgery is common.

Overall, arthritis isn’t a fun process. It can be debilitating and extremely painful. But if you take care of your feet over time, watch your weight and wear properly fitted shoes, you should be able to avoid it.

Will Methotrexate Really Help Your Arthritis?

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:14:56 +0000

Methrotrexate is a medication that is given to patients to help treat the arthritis that they have. If you are given this type of prescription, you are likely to get an injection of it weekly, or sometimes it is given orally. This medication is used to help your body to reduce the pain and inflammation in your joints as well as helps to reduce the speed at which the condition worsens. With the help of methotrexate, many patients are able to get back to doing the things they want and need to do without having to deal with the pain of doing so.

How Does It Really Work?

If you see your doctor, he or she should give you a vast description of the medication, telling you what it will do for your condition. If you have questions about how you will take it and how it will effect your particular situation, ask your doctor! In most cases, this medication is given as a tool to reduce the pain you are in and to help increase the body’s ability to ward off the progression of the condition. Believe it or not, it is not fully understood why methotrexate works in the fight against rheumatoid arthritis, but for some reason it does. This is a DMARD type of drug, which is also called, a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug. That means that it works the production as well as the maintenance of DNA.

Will It Work For You?

Since all cases of arthritis are different and each one has its own reaction to medications, it can be hard to say what methotrexate will do for you. What you should know, is that it does work for many individuals that take it. One of the benefits of taking this medication over other arthritis medications is that it allows for only a small amount of side effects, most of which are tolerable. In addition, most find some favorable result in using this medication. Most that start on methotrexate will continue on it. In fact, some studies have shown that those that take methotrexate will continue on the same medications for three years or more in 50% of the cases. That is significantly longer than any other type of arthritis medication.

Another reason that you may want to consider this medication over others is that it usually provides results that are fast. Some medications take months to see any benefits from them. Others will provide you with the necessary relief but it may be fleeting.

Methotrexate is not a cure for arthritis, though. Although it is one of the best tools in fighting the progression of this disease and the prevention of the destruction of your joints, there are some side effects that can play a role in you daily life. Such things as nausea, fatigue, skin rashes, and hair loss are some conditions you may face.

Take heart in the fact that methotrexate will provide you with some relief from your arthritis pain and discomfort. Although you may not realize it, this condition may be one that you can put in its place and get back in the driver’s seat of your life with.

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Types of Arthritis & Related Rheumatic Conditions

admin — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:41:37 +0000

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis develops from the wearing away of joint cartilage. It is degenerative in nature and the substantial damage caused by excessive strain on the joints and its bordering tissues is characterized by:

pain soreness swelling difficulty of movement

In its early stages, osteoarthritis is rarely symptomatic and mostly non-inflammatory. It develops slowly and is difficult to detect because it affects only a minimum number of joints. More often than not, osteoarthritis strikes the:

hands hips knees spine

Advancing age increases the risk of acquiring osteoarthritis. Trauma to the joints, obesity and repetitive joint use comprise the other risk factors of the disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the synovium, the cell lining within the joint, is mistakenly damaged by the bodys’ own immune system. This type of arthritis is a chronic autoimmune syndrome which is potentially disabling. It is often marked by:

joint pain joint incapacity swelling stiffness

Rheumatoid arthritis is difficult to pin down at its onset due to the minimal number of symptoms. The causes of this type of arthritis are still unknown, but physicians are pointing to heredity as one of its chief causes.

Juvenile Arthritis

Children can also be afflicted by a type of arthritis known as juvenile arthritis. It is the most common form of arthritis that besets children. The three major kinds of juvenile arthritis are:

pauciarticular (affecting only a minimum number of joints) polyarticular (involving more than several joints) systematic (impacting the whole body)

Indicators of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are different for each child, and a variety of tests are needed to determine the appropriate diagnosis. Children suffering from juvenile arthritis have to ascertain the presence of the disease for over a month before it can be correctly identified.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Five percent of people with psoriasis (a chronic skin disorder) are affected by psoriatic arthritis. Like rheumatoid arthritis, the joints, and in some cases the spine, are subjected to inflammation.

Fibromyalgia

Although this disorder does not involve joint deformity, this soft tissue and muscular rheumatism leads to muscle, ligament and tendon pain, and is indicated by:

chronic tiredness inferior sleep muscle soreness
Fibromyalgia Screening Test Fibromyalgia Fast Facts Test Your Knowledge of Fibromyalgia 10 Things You Should Know About Fibromyalgia Signs and Symptoms: Recognizing Fibromyalgia
Gout

Another painful type of arthritis is Gout. This form of the disease is characterized by unexpected bursts of intense pain, soreness, warmth and reddening of the affected areas, and joint swelling, particularly in the big toe. Gout is believed to be the result of excess uric acid crystals which are leached out of the blood and settle within the joint.

Pseudogout / CPPD

Calcium phosphate crystals which form in the joints can cause Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Deposition Disease (CPPD), or Psuedogout. The symptoms of Psuedogout are very similar to Gout, and as a result, it is often misdiagnosed as gouty arthritis. Management and treatment of CPPD is different, as well.

Scleroderma

Hardening and thickening of the surrounding skin characterizes Scleroderma, a disorder affecting the connective tissues of the body. Two types of this disease, both the localized and generalized forms, also impair other parts of the body like the:

blood vessels joints internal organs
Lupus / Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Another autoimmune disease, Systemic lupus erythematosus causes anaemia, arthritis, chronic tiredness, fever, hair loss, kidney complications, mouth ulcers and skin eruptions. Nearly 90 percent of sufferers are women, particularly those of childbearing age. However, children and older adults can also contract the disease. Lupus affects the:

blood vessels heart joints kidneys nervous system internal organs surrounding skin
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome begins with tingling and numbness in the fingers caused by stress on the wrists median nerve. This condition can set in slowly or with unexpected abruptness. While it is dissimilar to other types of arthritis, it sometimes linked to other forms of the disease, like rheumatoid arthritis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

This chronic inflammatory condition of the spine can cause fusion of the vertebrae, resulting in rigidity of the spinal column. The disease starts by settling into the tissue surrounding the joint, causing lingering stiffness and pain in the lower back.

Medical science has yet to discover the exact cause of this disease, which affects other joints in addition to the spine. It has been noted, however, that spondylitis sufferers all have HLA-B27, a genetic marker setting apart people who have the highest risk of acquiring the disorder. Men aged between 16 to 35 are the ones usually affected, although the disease can also strike women.

Bursitis / Tendonitis

These types of arthritis are recognized by their chiefly inflammatory symptoms. Bursitis is characterized by inflamed bursa sacs, fluid-filled sacs that help muscles and tendons move smoothly across the bones. Tendonitis, or tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons, connective elastic tissue found between the bones and muscles. The tendon sheath is also susceptible to inflammation, leading to a disorder known as tenosynovitis. In all cases, the inflammation results in stiff and painful movement.

Guide to Bursitis Guide to Tendinitis
Infectious Arthritis

Bacteria, virus and fungi are the culprits involved in Infectious arthritis. To diagnose this type of arthritis, culturing a tissue sample from the infected joint determines the existence of these microorganisms. Infectious arthritis comes in several forms, namely:

Septic arthritis caused by a bacterial invasion. Tuberculous arthritis common in tuberculosis sufferers. Fungal arthritis stemming from fungal infection. Gonococcal arthritis occurring with those infected with gonorrhoea. Viral arthritis resulting from viral infections.
Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is often caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. This disorder usually targets:

eyes heart joints nervous system skin
Reactive Arthritis

Also known as Reiter’s syndrome, Reactive arthritis causes inflammation of the joints, particularly in the areas of ligament and tendon connection. Sufferers of this type of arthritis experience other illnesses like:

cervicitis conjuctivitis cystitis skin sores prostatitis urethritis
Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjorgren’s Syndrome causes irregularity in the functions of the moisture-producing glands of the body, resulting in dryness in the salivary and lacrimal (tear-producing) glands. This disorder is also characterized by other physical indicators.

Osteoporosis

This degenerative bone disease leads to weak, brittle bones and loss of bone tissue, increasing the risk of breaks and fractures. It is a preventive non-symptomatic disorder creeps up slowly and becomes apparent in advanced age, particularly in women.

Other Forms of Rheumatic Diseases

Avascular Necrosis – also recognized by the medical term, osteonecrosis Behcet’s Disease – characterized by chronic inflammation. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS, or reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis – causes calcification in the spinal disks. Inflammatory Bowel Disease – commonly accompanied by complications of arthritis and osteoporosis. Mixed Connective Tissue Diseases – a combination of several rheumatic diseases. Polymyalgia Rheumatica – caused by giant cell arteritis. Raynaud’s Phenomenon – primarily affects the blood vessels, causing them to constrict. Vasculitides – a disease characterized by inflamed blood vessels.

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Sticks and Stones Break My Bones, and Arthritis Always Hurts Me

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:00:49 +0000

On September 30, 2004, Merck & Co Inc (MRK) recalled Vioxx due to negative clinical trial results. Recipients of this drug seem to experience increased experience of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or intestinal bleeding. Both the American Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine stress the dangers of this prescription drug. European and American cardiologists recognize the implicit dangers of this highly marketed arthritis prescription. This does not have to happen to you when safe natural and effective arthritis pain relief might provide relief!

Did you know that pharmaceutical drugs have their history embedded in herbal medicine? Apothecaries offered medicines with medical care. The cost of medical help was expensive(sound familiar), so many families made home remedies. However, today’s pharmaceuticals derive from the the medicines stirred and pounded by the apothecary in the mortar by the pestle. “The history of Merck & Co., Inc. can be traced back to Darmstadt, Germany, in 1668 when an apothecary named Frederic Jacob Merck opened a chemical firm.” You may learn more about it here.

Further historical proof is found in 1792, Alexandria, Virginia. Three Hundred homes nestled near the Potomac River; on Fairfax Street, Edward Stabler, a Quaker pharmacist, started a family business which operated until 1933. To this day, many of Stabler’s herbs, potions and paper labels in his apothecary desk. Stabler like other apothecaries of his day prescribed Native American Indian remedies like witch hazel for external treatment of inflammatory conditions, You can learn much more about Alexandria medical history here.

Today, most patients visiting a doctor go for cold and flu symptoms or joint and muscle pain. Modern prescriptions provide relief, but sometimes with side effects. Now, you can get temporary relief from minor arthritis pain by using remedies derived from all natural ingredients. For example, the non greasy, penetrating and topical cream referenced below, brings soothing relief quickly. Further relief comes from Boswellia serrata, used in India for centuries as a proven pain reliever.

Although pharmaceutical drugs may cause side effects, other studies indicate that glucosamine has no effect. You might consider reading this October 2004 study by researchers at the the University of British Columbia. Whatever choices you make, take time to research, and then take action. As these debates continue, the American Journal of the American Medical Association has considered glucosamine effective when promoting cartilage formation for your joint health.

So, why not get some spring back in those steps? You can find relief using high quality natural alternatives to side-effect laden drugs. One manufacturer with years of experience has natural alternatives. This company started in 1955; read about this remarkable company, its philosophy and contributions.

To read more about these natural and effective alternatives to arthritis, type the product numbers found below into the search box found here.

Pain Relief – 20667

Read the label.

Read the product information sheet product information sheet.

Joint & Muscle – 20669

Read the label

Read the product information sheet product information sheet.

Joint Health – 20668

Read the label.

Read the product information sheet.

If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer; get it here for free.

Sometimes too much information brings confusion; on the other hand, too little information leads to unwise choices. Good health involves your wisdom, discipline, and desire to feel better. As a friend reminds me, I remind you, “Think healthy”, and choose your medicine carefully. The natural alternatives offered in this article provide you with a safe, natural, and effective arthritis pain reliever.

The Internet serves a library of information and resources. We all have to be careful about self-diagnosis and prescription. Read wisely by cross-referencing the content. These articles may be of further benefit as you search relief for your arthritic pain.

Enter as search words:

Vitamin C and Arthritis

The link between smoking and rheumatoid arthritis in men

Ice beneficial in treating gouty arthritis

Genetic Factors Play Small Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Benefits of exercise decline over time in osteoarthritis sufferers

Vegan diet may be helpful in rheumatoid arthritis

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Arthritis Pain – Cold Laser Therapy & Chiropractic Can Reduce & Eliminate Joint Pain & Inflammation

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:21:21 +0000

As a chiropractor in the Plano, TX area, I treat patients for all types of arthritis. One of the most common types of arthritis is osteoarthritis. I’ve found that using Cold Laser Therapy provides tremendous benefit to my patients who have arthritic issues with their neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees. If you have a joint issue, this type of therapy can help.

Arthritis affects more than 50 million people living in the US, every year, and that number will only increase. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis I treat. This disease is degenerative in nature and causes cartilage to wear away along with giving you a lot of pain and discomfort. There are more forms of arthritis than I can count on my hand, but I’m guessing you’ve heard of bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and so on.

All forms of arthritis have one common symptom, PAIN. Pain develops as a result of multiple factors including inflammation, joint deformity, and can lead to lack of mobility and partial disability. Chiropractic treatment with cold laser has great results but this is not to discount the possible need for medicines, injections, and surgery. Each has their place and value in helping with arthritis pain, but there is still a need for potentially useful adjunctive modalities that can accelerate the recovery and reduce pain faster.

Beyond arthritis, cold laser therapy is excellent for treating various forms of chronic and acute pain. Chiropractors also use laser therapy for patients suffering from back and neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, busiitis, neuropathy, achilles tendon pain, migraine headaches, sinus blockage, sprains and strains, carpal tunnel and other associated pains. Cold laser therapy also treats conditions such as TMJ, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and other inflammatory and scarring conditions.

Cold laser therapy is non-thermal and noninvasive. With the proper combination of cold laser and electric stimulation, laser therapy is one of the most effective healing therapies in the medical community today. Completed in ten to twelve sessions, laser therapy is not only significant in reducing treatment times, it is cost effective as well.

How Cold Laser Therapy Works:

The laser instrument is applied directly to the area needing treatment. By sending short burst of photon laser light into the skin, it blocks pain transmitted by nerve cells. This in turn reduces/eliminates inflammation preventing further swelling in the joint and stopping the pain. Another benefit of the laser is the ability to assist the body in releasing high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins. The laser therapy also benefits your body by accelerating cellular reproduction and growth.

When the cell is damaged or injured, for instance in arthritis, it is not able to repair itself so the joint continues to deteriorate. This is why it is so important to help the cells repair themselves so that the deterioration stops and the regenerative cells of tendons, bone, ligaments and muscles repair faster.

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Arthritis Pain – Truly Happy With Your Arthritis Pain Relief?

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:56:44 +0000

According to statistics there are an incredible number of people with some form of Arthritis and it is growing all the time. All I can say is a lot of people out there are suffering and their loved ones will also be affected by it. I have an idea of what it is like to suffer from Arthritis Pain but am very lucky that my condition is limited in its severity and personally know many people who suffer from it a great deal more than me.

When I was young I damaged the 2nd and 3rd vertebrae in my neck but did not know how bad it was until many years later but by then both vertebrae had degenerated significantly. I also broke my left kneecap playing sport as a teenager and now that I have aged in years both injuries are now a cause of Arthritis Pain and I was told there was very little I could do about. My mother has chronic Arthritis and has been in pain on a daily basis for many years now. I will not go into detail but my mother is very limited in what she can do but pushes through a lot of agony (very mentally strong) from her Arthritis Pain to try to live a normal active lifestyle.

I knew my mother was suffering but did not realise how close she was to breaking point until she broke down in front of me saying,”I cannot take it anymore!”. It was incredibly heart wrenching to hear my mothers misery caused by her Arthritis Pain and to see her spirit completely Crushed! As we both sat there in tears talking to each other I promised my mother I would find Something, Anything to help her cope with the Pain. Unfortunately,over the years of trying many different remedies for Arthritis Pain to help, only limited results were achieved but some was better than none.

Over the years my Arthritis Pain started to bother me and interrupt my life so it became a problem for both of us and was frustrating knowing we can only achieve a limited amount of relief. Before I found the product that we now use,we tried a juice concentrate made from several fruits and other ingredients. Because I had heard a lot of good results using fruit and plant extracts as a natural remedy for Arthritis Pain I was interested and we gave it a try. It did help a little but no more than anything else, but I knew we were on the right track.

One day while still drinking the juice I was introduced to a similar product from a different company, the same sort of principal concerning the product was used but more different fruits and plant extracts were added,and with a bit of encouragement we decided to try it. We drank the juice for three months and according to declarations of other people on the juice the benefits are wide and varied and the Arthritis Pain relief was Great! It WORKED! It took a while but the pain in my neck and knee had reduced, my mother was feeling better every week and best of all was how much more energy we had and we both commented on how much better we were sleeping!

I know by now a lot of people will have the notion in their head that this is just a sales pitch. Basic economics is supply and demand and our world is based on sales,all I am doing is promoting a product which I know can help to relieve Arthritis Pain. I know how debilitating the condition can be so if you or your loved ones would like another option this product may and probably will help them more than what they are currently using. My mother and I are getting better results than from any other product and I am just trying to let people know there is another option they could try. From past results about 99 out 100 people will thank the person who introduced them to the juice and the other one doesn’t matter.

Honestly, I am just trying to inform people about the product and if you or your loved ones are not happy with their current Arthritis Pain relief product you have got nothing to lose. If for some reason your not happy with the results or anything else you can let me know, my phone number and email is available to you and if you feel compelled to thank me I welcome that also. We are both very happy with the results achieved and if you want better Arthritis Pain relief this may be helpful!

If you would like more information about the product please send me an email and I will give you detailed reports and info to help you make an informed decision. Only you can decide if you want a better lifestyle and if you had an opportunity to try a product that could change your life, why would you not?

Thanks for listening and no matter what you do, I wish you good luck and good health to you!
Regards Shane Nolan

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Pain Relief For Rheumatoid Arthritis – Discover Secrets For Pain Free Joints in the Next 10 Minutes!

admin — Mon, 30 May 2011 18:07:13 +0000

Pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis is a matter of serious concern. So, what are the effective forms of rheumatoid arthritis drug therapy? What are their side effects and special precautions? Find out the expert answers to these important questions in this article.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes a lot of pain and discomfort in the life of the person who is suffering from it. Pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis is really a serious issue as more than 2.5 million people suffer from this dreaded disease in the United States alone.

Although prescription based rheumatoid arthritis drug therapy is effective for pain relief in the short term, it also suffers from the risk of various side effects — which can be fatal at times.

As more and more research is being undertaken and the side effects of prescription based drug therapy are coming into light, people are now looking for safer, healthier and natural remedies to control inflammation and to achieve pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis.

These are some of the common treatments used –

1) Cox-2 inhibitors — they are a popular form of drug therapy that work by blocking an enzyme called Cox-2 in our body, which is responsible for inflammation. They are approved by the FDA, but have received a lot of bad press and media attention due to their adverse side effects.

For example, Vioxx is a brand of Cox-2 inhibitor manufactured by Merck. It was removed from the market due to many reported cases of stroke and heart attack in patients. In fact, thousands of lawsuits are still pending against it.

So, although they are effective in pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis, they also carry the risk of serious side effects on health.

2) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — they are quite popular among people as short-term treatment in pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis. Aspirin and ibuprofen come in this category. They reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. But, they can cause serious side effects such as stomach problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers and heart problems, if they are taken for long periods of time in high doses.

3) Corticosteroids — it is a form of drug therapy which helps to reduce inflammation. They suffer from side effects such as high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, thinning of the bones which leads to osteoporosis and much more. This is the reason why health experts recommend using them for short periods only.

4) Natural remedies — the use of omega-3 fatty acids is one of the most effective means of pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis. They have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and are also very beneficial for a good health including the health of heart, brain, digestive system, skin, joints and hair.

Research has shown that the use of omega-3 supplements helps to reduce tenderness in joints, reduce inflammation, decrease morning stiffness and reduces the need of using other drug therapy for pain relief.

Purified Fish oil supplements are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA. They can provide an effective and long term pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis naturally. Omega-3 supplementation becomes increasingly important in the Western world, as their diet is highly deficient in the essential Omega 3s.

However, in case you are using prescription based blood thinner medicines like aspirin, you should consult your doctor before you use omega-3 fish oil supplements in pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis. This is because Omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil are natural blood thinners and have anti-coagulant properties. So, you should avoid the intake of too many types of blood thinners as it could lead to serious side effects.

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realief for reumatoid

10 Home Remedies For Arthritis Pain Relief

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 22:31:11 +0000

Your Remedy No. 1

==============

Stretch Gently for Strength and Mobility.

When it comes to arthritis, moving hurts, but not moving destroys.

Incorrect moving harms, but intelligent moving heals.

Yoga teaches movement with proper joint alignment which helps bring deformed joints back to normal position as appropriate muscles are lengthened and strengthened.

Consider a private session with an Experienced teacher or buying a book to leam the correct poses.

But remember, Smart Yoga Exercise is the key to restoring health to arthritic joints. Work within the limits imposed by the disease, but don’t let yourself be immobilized by it.

Your Remedy No. 2

============

Find Relief Through Less Stress.

If you are hurting and you tense up, you hurt more.

People who have things in their lives under control will be better pain managers than people who don’t.

Recent research confirms the importance of psychological attitude on arthritis pain relief.

People with arthritis need to learn how to pace themselves and not try to do everything they can possibly do on the days when they’re feeling good.

All that does is make you tired and sore the next day. Try to do a little each day, whether you are having a flare-up or not.

Learn to relax. Take a lesson from natural childbirth. Childbirth is very painful, but women learn how to deal with that pain by learning how to relax.

Books and audiotapes teaching relaxation techniques are available at many bookstores

Idle joints can become painful joints. If you focus on pain, it hurts more, but if you get busy doing other things that are important to you, you’re not going to feel it.

Your Remedy No. 3

============

Try Night Prevention for Morning Stiffness.

Almost 90 per cent of the patients suffer from some type of Morning Stiffness.

Apply a muscle ointment at night before going to bed. It will relaxe you and gives you a psychological boost as well.

The reason? People with arthritis tend to feel much better all day if they aren’t stiff when they wake up in the morning.

Your Remedy No. 4

============

Float The Pain away.

Studies have shown that floating in specially designed floatation tanks, also known as isolation or sensory deprivation tanks, can relieve arthritic pain.

You usually spend about an hour in the tank.

The pain relief is produced by stress reduction. The body is relaxing, the muscles are relaxing, and this seems to stimulate a release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

Water in the tanks is heated to precisely 93.5

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Arthritis and the Importance of Diet

admin — Tue, 17 May 2011 07:18:57 +0000

Arthritis is an exacerbating condition that affects the body’s joints and muscles. If you suffer from some form of arthritis (there are in excess of 100 different types of arthritis) then you might be surprised to discover that you can find some relief for your symptoms and increase your health merely by altering your diet. While there is no miracle food that will remove your symptoms, certainly you can enjoy better health simply by avoiding certain foods and augmenting your diet to get a nutrient enriched diet.

Arthritis sufferers should stay away from any form of fad or crash diet. These diets are invariably lacking in nutrients that are critical for maintaining healthy muscles and joints. Nutritionists recommend that arthritis sufferers also remain well hydrated by consuming plenty of water every day. It is also important that arthritis sufferers strive to eat a well balanced, healthy diet which is rich in plant-based foods. Also, arthritis patients need to consider supplementing their diets with calcium supplements to lessen their risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. Yet another very important consideration is that of maintaining a steady and healthy weight because extra weight could well put too much pressure on the body’s joints and muscles intensifying your arthritis symptoms.

If it is necessary, a tailored weight loss plan can be prescribed for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis and so, if you suffer from arthritis and need help, consult your doctor. Your therapist or doctor may also be able to recommend physical activities which are low impact and fun to do. A lot of arthritis sufferers find that water exercises are ideal as they provide a good workout without at the same time damaging fragile muscles or intensifying joint stiffness and pain. Another good low impact activity is Yoga that can help you remain toned and improve your flexibility. Another excellent low impact activity that helps you remain healthy and maintain your weight is walking.

Turning to supplements that may help relieve the symptoms of arthritis, different studies have determined that augmenting one’s diet with fish oils can be a good idea. In fact, several studies have demonstrated that fish oils can reduce the amount of inflammation experienced by arthritis sufferers. Scientists believe that fish oils reduce inflammation because they reduce the number of molecules which create inflammation in the joints. Fish oils with omega-3 fatty acids seem to be the most beneficial in individuals with inflammation-based arthritic symptoms. Two such forms of arthritis that are characterized by inflammation are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

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Arthritis Pain Relief : Questions To Ask Your Healthcare Provider

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:29:07 +0000

A great place to begin taking charge of you arthritis pain relief and prevention planning is by making an appointment with your healthcare provider and finding out more about your condition and treatment options.

Make sure to jot down questions ahead of time, and take them along in your journal or notebook, armed with a pencil to fill in his or her replies.

Some questions to begin with may be centered around these:

1. Do I have a form of arthritis? If not, what is wrong & what do I do next?

2. If so, which type is it? And what can I expect short-term and long-term?

3. What pain relief treatments are available? Which have side affects & what are they?

4. What self-care solutions do you advise?

5. Are there any limitations I should know about; i.e. special dietary issues, special activities to avoid, any OTC meds to NOT mix, etc.?

6. What resources do you have to help with my diet and exercise planning?

7. What other arthritic and other health resources do you have for my family and me?

When you take in your questions, also take in a description of your symptoms so that your doctor can help better understand your situation and health.

Make sure to note:

- Where you have pain (same joint both limbs?)

- When you feel pain – with certain activities, in the morning, when it rains, etc.

- How long you have had the pain

- If the pain increases or decreases, comes and goes, etc.

- The type & intensity level of pain – stabbing, dull, cramping, stiffness

- and low, mild or high pain

- Note any limitations – can’t bend over too far without pain, can’t get out of car, etc.

- Share any family history of arthritis

- Tell about any OTC or prescription medications or other treatments you currently take or use.

- Discuss any special diet you are on and exercise programs

So try the different options available for arthritis pain relief and prevention.

Give your joints a break as soon as possible from any excess weight they’re hauling around, even if it’s the weight of excess stress.

Lighten up and make pain relief and prevention care part of your normal, everyday routine.

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