RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Degenerative Joint Disease’

Arthritis Remedy

01 Aug



Arthritis Remedy

Arthritis is known as degenerative joint disease which also has symptoms of inflammation of one or more joints. This comes with serious pain, swelling and sometimes joint deformity, which really effects the life of the victim, sometimes damaging a person’s mobility & therefore the person’s daily lifestyle and activity. Affected body parts are most likely the feet, knees, hips and fingers. Arthritis could as well result due to dangerous health threats like heart attack and stroke. Forms of arthritis differ depending on what part of the joint is damaged.

Common causes of Arthritis can be from genetics, age, trauma, physical strain, obesity, cold weather, or excessive intake of rich foods.

Arthritis sufferers all over the world are on the lookout for relief.The pain and discomfort of Arthritis can sometimes be cured through surgery, but not all are successful. Some people use natural Arthritis Remedies for curing the illness, which can be very effective and can be tried at home. They may help manage the pain in the short term.

Arthritis Remedies, such as, painkillers and aspirins can be bought in store to treat the pain. People suffering from Arthritis attacks in different parts don’t need pain killers because it will not help that much. There have been strong drug remedies for people who are suffering multiple pains, but they generally have serious side effects, and in the past, have often resulted in the drug being banned.

People who have tried using the arthritis remedies, which are now banned, are in search of drugs that can help in relieving the pain cause by multiple arthritis pain. For now, the victims are looking for different arthritis remedies. Some of the victims, who are unable to bear the pain, are taking a dangerous number of painkillers all at the same time. Others rely on the prescription by the doctors and while some to cortisone shots for more serious painkillers.

Natural arthritis remedy is an option you can use to avoid costing too much money. But it is best to find the best remedy that will put an end to all the pains caused by arthritis naturally. Glucosamine is a sample of Natural Arthritis Remedies which has a natural substance that can be really be effective. Ginger, in some studies, when added to daily meal would help prevent arthritis attacks from taking its damage.

One should change his or her lifestyle, dietary pattern, regular sleep, meals timing, consider taking some herbal medications, and should perform exercise everyday to be able to escape from this frightful disease. If the damage is too far out of control, these natural arthritis remedies will not be particularly effective, and it is more advisable to go for surgery or for knee replacement rather than enduring the unbearable pain.

 
No Comments

Posted in Arthritis

 

Arthritis – Can it Be Prevented?

30 Sep



Overview of Arthritis

Effective help is currently available for people to pro-actively manage arthritis and enjoy life to the fullest. But the actual prevention of arthritis itself is yet another story.

With rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the membranes or tissues lining the joints become inflamed. There is no known way to prevent any form of this disease, including osteoarthritis, adult-onset arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The exact causes of all these conditions are unknown.

It’s very important for people who fear they are at risk of rheumatoid arthritis to realize that at this time there are no medications to take or lifestyle modifications to make that can completely prevent this crippling disease. However, by making changes to your weight and diet and engaging in moderate exercise, you may be able to slow or even halt the disease’s onset and progress.

But you can only really take the measures needed to control arthritis after it is diagnosed. Until it is known for sure if certain bacteria or viruses trigger the disease, contact with people suffering from it will not change your risk of developing it.

Traditionally, medications and physical therapy have been used to manage the disease. A massive amount of nutrient research has also shown the effect diet and supplements have on the body’s healing processes. Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference.

Causes of the Disease

Joint injuries caused by accidents or overuse increase the occurrence of some types of arthritis. You can also inherit certain genes that may increase your risk. More research is needed to find out how to reduce the disease’s onset from these factors.

Some individuals have an inborn tendency to degenerative joint disease because they have changes in the structure of the important protein-building blocks of the articular cartilage which covers the surface of their joints. These seemingly small but significant abnormalities predispose their joints to wear and degeneration. In other cases, joint injuries may contribute to the development of DJD.

No foods have been definitively shown to cause or exacerbate arthritis in most individuals. A variety of diets and “hand-me-down” information exists about certain foods and arthritis, in particular the night shade plants, but none of it has been proven.

There is a rare form of arthritis called Spure which is caused by allergies to wheat products. Avoiding those will eliminate this disease. Associated features include weight loss, diarrhea and osteoporosis. Consult your health care provider if this is a concern.

There are things you can do to reduce your risk for getting certain types of arthritis or to reduce disability if you already have arthritis.

Overweight and obese people have a higher frequency of arthritis. Excess weight increases risk for developing osteoarthritis in the knees, and possibly in the hips and hands. Women are at special risk. In men, excess weight increases the risk for developing gout. It’s important to maintain your recommended weight, especially as you get older.

Arthritis Prevention Programs

The Center for Disease Control has implemented programs in several states to reduce the onset and consequences of arthritis. The National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy delineates the actions necessary to better understand the arthritis burden in the USA and helps to fully apply known and effective interventions.

This document represents the combined efforts of nearly 90 organizations, such as the Arthritis Foundation, government agencies and many other groups and individuals with an interest in arthritis prevention and control.

The NAAP proposes a nationally coordinated effort for reducing the occurrence of arthritis and its accompanying disability by focusing on these three areas:

1. Surveillance, epidemiology and prevention research to strengthen the science base.

2. Communications and education to increase awareness and provide accurate information about arthritis.

3. Programs, policies, and systems promoting increased quality of life for people with arthritis and facilitating arthritis prevention measures.

The CDC continues to accumulate scientific knowledge on the benefits of physical activity. Because healthy eating reduces a person’s risk of becoming overweight, good nutrition plays an important role in preventing knee osteoarthritis. In addition, moderate physical activity is essential for maintaining the health of joints.

Resources/The information outlined in this article is originally from:

HealingWithNutrition, Arthritis Facts, Disease Prevention and Treatment Strategies http://www.healingwithnutrition.com

Center for Disease Control, Framework for Arthritis Prevention and Control http://www.cdc.gov

The University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Frequently Asked Questions About arthritis.

 
No Comments

Posted in Arthritis

 

Keep Moving – Tips For Natural Arthritis Relief

27 Jul



Arthritis affects more than 30 million Americans, resulting in severe pain and disability. While osteoarthritis is the most common type, there are 100 other conditions, which affect joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the other two most familiar types.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage around joints to break down causing pain, stiffness and disability. As with all the major diseases, inflammation is at the root. However, damage is accelerated by the repetitive action of certain occupations, injuries, family tendency and being overweight.

Your joints have a natural lubricant called synovial fluid. Think of it as your body’s natural WD-40. It carries nutrients to the cartilage, which does not have its own blood supply, and carries waste products away. The more you move your joints, the more this lubricating and nourishing fluid flows through them, increasing their mobility. The less you move your joints, the less fluid flows through them and the less nourishment your cartilage receives. The cartilage begins to deteriorate and that in turn causes the bones to rub together which is what results in pain, stiffness, loss of mobility and finally disability.

In order to get to the root of the problem and not simply manage pain, here are a few suggestions and natural supplements that have been shown to improve the condition as well as relieve pain without the dangers of NSAID drugs.

One of the primary treatments you should consider including is a good source of animal-based Omega-3 fats like krill or cod liver oil. I consider Omega-3′s to be a foundational supplement for everyone because it is so important for so many functions of the body. In the case of osteoarthritis, it is essential for relieving inflammation. You may consider trying glucosamine and chondroitin, which studies have shown to be beneficial, particularly for pain relief and much safer than NSAIDS. The Indian herb, boswellia, has also been shown to be effective in treating joint inflammation. One of the most promising natural substances is a plant enzyme found in pineapple called bromelain. Studies show that enteric-coated bromelain is as effective as common anti-inflammatory drugs in dealing with joint pain.

One of the most important factors for building and maintaining strong, dense bones and keeping joints fluid and healthy is regular exercise. Simply beginning a daily walking program will help keep your bones dense and lubricate your joints. The idea that exercise will damage or hurt your already painful joints is a fallacy. Taking the joints through their full range of motion helps them remain healthy.

Exercise is key for several reasons:

It will strengthen muscles, which support your joints;
It increases the flow of synovial fluid, which nourishes cartilage and improves mobility; and
It will help you lose excess weight, alleviating stress on the joints!

Use common sense and approach the exercise part of this equation gently and gradually. While your muscles may become sore at the beginning of any exercise program, you should not have pain in your joints. Besides walking, swimming, rebounding and yoga have been found to be excellent forms of exercise for arthritis sufferers.

Gout is an arthritic type of pain in your joints. About 75% of people will experience it as an excruciating pain in their big toe. The symptoms of gout (stiff, swollen and painful joints) are due to excess uric acid forming crystals in your joints. The pain results from your body’s inflammatory response to these crystals. As with osteoarthritis, inflammation is the culprit – and as usual, diet is the number one way to decrease inflammation. Recent research shows you can lower your risk of gout by 85% simply by reducing your intake of sugar! As far as using supplements, tart cherries have been found to offer excellent benefits in treating gout. Tart cherries contain two powerful compounds, which have similar activity to aspirin and ibuprofen and help relieve and prevent these conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when the body’s immune cells attack and destroy the linings of the joints. One of the most important things you can do is to get adequate vitamin D3 along with omega-3′s, boswellia and tart cherries. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Devil’s Claw is another herb found to be helpful. Keeping your body’s pH as alkaline as possible is also key to reducing inflammation.

 
No Comments

Posted in Arthritis

 

Arthritis Go Away

29 Sep



If you are reading this article, chances are you or someone you know is dealing with pain associated with arthritis. If that is the case, then it is also likely that you have been scouring the web in search of ways to alleviate these sometimes debilitating symptoms. Even though there is no cure for it, there are many ways of either minimizing the flare ups or even stopping them before the pain can escalate.

Let us go over some types of arthritis, the symptoms, and some effective tactical approaches to a more pain-free life. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis does not involve inflammation, it`s more of a degenerative joint disease. The weight bearing joints in particular simply wear out over time. This type of arthritis doesn’t just afflict older people, it can be common among athletes as well. Baseball and tennis players (this sport is especially hard on the knees and elbows), golfers, pianists, and typists are susceptible to osteoarthritis due to specific repetitive and straining movements. But this type of arthritis can also develope as a result of an injury or trauma to an area which can ultimately cause the onset of osteoarthritis even years after the injury.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe form of arthritis whereby knuckles and joints are visibly inflamed and can in extreme cases appear deformed. People who suffer from this type of insidious arthritis endure countless episodes and flare ups and painfully stiff joints. It has been shown that rheumatoid arthritis is a related to lupus which is characterized as an auto immune disease where the body is actually attacking itself.

Let us consider some proactive strategies that go beyond the conventional medicines and may likely increase their effectiveness as well. Many people are turning to mineral supplements to strengthen and perhaps regenerate bones and bone cartilage. Deficiency of these minerals can even lead to the eventual onset of arthritis. Some minerals that are linked to good bone health maintenance are: boron (a trace mineral), of course calcium (I prefer calcium citrate or coral calcium), magnesium (which balances calcium), zinc (which helps bone growth), copper (which helps to strengthen connective tissue), germanium (an antioxidant that helps with pain relief), and sulfur (which helps maintain ligaments, cartilage, collagen, and tendons). Some people swear by high quality liquid glucosamine and even use it for their pets suffering from arthritis.

I like the idea of helpful foods in dealing with combating arthritis. Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and also fish oil capsules have been shown to be an effective anti inflammatory. Some of the fish that are high in these omega 3`s include: striped bass, anchovies, bluefish, herring, mackeral, sable, salmon, shark, sardines (eat the ones with the bones in for even more calcium), brook trout, and white tuna. Other inflammation reducing foods include asparagus, garlic, onions, pineapple, and cabbage. There are also foods to avoid that aggravate inflammation. On your no no list, put: eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, wheat and foods high in gluten, corn, beef, pork, eggs, dairy, fried foods, and sugary processed snacks. This might seem like a long list at first, but finding substitutes after a while might not turn out to be that difficult and will be worth it too.

There`s a lot of helpful herbs in dealing with arthritis, too many to list here. Just to skim the surface, I`ll mention celery seed. This spice and seasoning contains almost 2 dozen anti inflammatory compounds. Fresh ginger root, long known throughout Asia as being helpful to people with both osteoarthrits and rheumatoid arthritis is readily available. It reduces inflammation by blocking cyclooxygenate or the cox enzyme which kick starts joint swelling. In contrast to COX-2 medications (such as Celebrex and Ibuprofen), ginger root does not cause stomach irritation – but actually protects the digestive tract by increasing the blood flow which serves to control stomach acid. Two other herbs containing anti inflammatory properties which can be swallowed in capsule form or applied as a cream are Boswellia (also great for sprains and muscle strains) and Cayenne pepper whose active ingredient is capsicum. Use this cream sparingly as there can be a slight stinging sensation. A bath with Epsom salts has both anti inflammatory and anti arthritis compounds which can be absorbed through the skin. It also makes a very soothing and delightful bath.

A basic and common sense approach to everyday coping with arthritis is simply to protect your joints. By that I mean – do not remain in any one position for an extended period of time. A ten minute stretching routine should be done every day to keep limber and warm up the muscles and tendons. This will help to prevent muscles and tendons from becoming strained. Regular exercise can also reduce joint pain and stiffness. Exercising in water can make your routine that much easier. I hope my research on this topic has provided some new insight and hope for you. If it has, pass it along to someone else who could use the information. You can also have a peek at my site (see bio box) which further explores this topic.

 
No Comments

Posted in Arthritis