January 30th, 2008 by Aaks
It can sometimes be a mystery. You speak to people in their thirties who are suffering from arthritis but others in the seventies are happily going about their business without the inconvenience of this condition. So exactly what causes arthritis?
First of all we have to be clear about what type of arthritis we are talking about because there are several different types with different symptoms. We’ll concentrate on osteoarthritis as this is the most common condition and most people will know somebody who suffers from it to a greater or lesser degree.
Doctors do not know the precise causes but they are able to identify a number of risk factors for getting the condition. Here are some of those factors:
Age - We are more likely to suffer from arthritis the older we get. The cartilage that protects the ends of the bones in a joint becomes thinner in sufferers and less able to repair itself. The condition is sometimes referred to as a ‘wear and tear’ disease.
Injury - It has been found that osteoarthritis can develop in joints that have been previously affected by injury. But just because you have had a broken bone or other injury it doesn’t mean that you are going to get arthritis in later life.
Weight - being overweight can put more stress on the weight-bearing joints of the body such as the knees and hips. These are frequently affected by arthritis and many doctors would recommend that overweight sufferers try to lose some weight if possible
Sport - There is a paradox here. Playing sport can have many beneficial effects to us all, including people with arthritis. But high impact sport at a professional level has also been implicated as a possible cause of arthritis. The twisting motion on the knee in sports like soccer, or the constant pounding of the jogger running 50 miles a week could be a contributory factor in developing arthritis. Less intense activities such as swimming are less likely to cause such problems.
Occupation - The occupation that you have performed for years may also be telling. Physical jobs such as building site laborers are more at risk. Assembly line workers who perform repetitive tasks can also be more likely to suffer.
Although it is not always possible to exactly pinpoint the causes of arthritis, it is useful to know the risk factors so that we can take action to reduce the risk of getting the disease.
For advice on natural arthritis remedies visit www.arthritispainadvice.com. If you are looking for specific osteoarthritis pain relief there are details of treatments that that have helped other people.
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January 30th, 2008 by Aaks
In this article I am going to describe some of the treatments used in arthritis, I am not talking pharmaceutical drugs you will have to discuss these with your doctor.
The arthritis foundation have stated that there are over 100 diseases that contribute to this painful condition, certain cancers and the flu are just some of them.
* Ginger has been proven to reduce joint pain, as it contains an enzyme that produces anti-inflammatory properties. It can be taken in many different forms, as a medicine, tablets, tea or fresh. Even if you cook it with a meal it will release a medical dose into your food, there are no reports of side effects due to high dosage levels.
* Another of natures wonders is cayenne pepper, this has many roles to play not only as an arthritis aid. It can be used externally for people suffering with poor circulation, or in a cream form to relieve lumbago. Cayenne’s Latin name is capsicum frutescens, so if cream is the way you want to go look for a product with the name capsicum in it.
* How about stinging nettles these have been used for thousands of years, most of us will remember the pain associated with these plants from when we were kids. Anyway the theory is to grab a handful of nettles in a gloved hand and then whack the sore joint, if you try this please let me know how you got on. A much kinder way to take this treatment is as a tea, or steam some young leaves and eat them don’t worry they will have lost their stinging effect.
* Devils claw that sounds a bit scary, but it is a plant found in South Africa, these are generally taken as a supplement, it is not advisable to take this product if you are pregnant.
* Glucosamine hailed as a new wonder drug by many, combined with chondroitin can work miracles, well as far as I am concerned I swear by the product.
Glucosamine and chondroiton are natural chemicals found in the body, they manufacture cartilage this works as a sort of shock absorber. Take them in tablet form I am sure you will find relief from osteoarthritis.
Of course you can go for the tried and trusted method of hot and cold treatments, my wife uses one of those bags that are full of wheat, you simply place the bag in the microwave oven and heat for three minutes. Place it on the sore joint, without getting technical the heat from the bag increases blood flow to the joints therefore easing pain.
Follow this with cold treatment wrap some ice cubes in a towel and place on the joint, this can help to relieve inflammation, do not put ice cubes directly on the skin.
All of the products I have mentioned here are natural, so they will not harm you. But if you are the least bit dubious please ask your doctor, he will probably tell you to save your money and take some drug he prescribes but to hell with him make your own mind up.
Chris Emmerson full of aches pains and woes but sorry folks still around contrary to some folks wishes. Why don’t you pop over to my site http://www.bulldogsandallpets.com
Have a look around folks I am sure you will find something to interest you, don’t worry its not all to do with bulldogs.
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December 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Arthritis is one of the deadly diseases in the world apart from the HIV. This is the disease that has claimed many lives nation wide. Millions of dollars have been spent in combating this deadly disease, yet there is no permanent solution.
If you or a loved one have this disease, you need to be aware that it is not the end of the world yet. Many people like you having the same problem have been able to continue living their normal lives, while battling with this disease.
Arthritis is a disease that you can recover from if detected early enough. An early treatment will prolong your life or that of your loved one. It is a disease that is common in joints. Arthritis as a term derives its meaning from the Greek word “arthron” and “it is”. The former means joint while the latter means inflammation.
Arthritis is not just a single disease but a combination of several other diseases that affect your joints. Actually, it combines different diseases. Some of these various diseases associated with arthritis involve inflammation of the joint, while others do not.
Some of these different diseases are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pseudo-gout, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, etc. Though presently there is no known cure for this disease, researches are still being carried out in order to find a cure.
It is advisable that you contact a reputable and reliable physician for treating arthritis. These professionals are more experienced than you. Their timely advice can help elongate your life or that of your loved one battling with arthritis.
Though many people out there are scared of visiting a physician, it is advisable that you do so; as it might be the saving grace. You must watch out for the arthritis symptoms early enough to know when to begin receiving treatment for arthritis.
As soon as you detect any early symptoms of arthritis, it is recommended that you seek immediate help and assistance of a professional rheumatologist who will be in the best position to help you with the needed treatment.
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December 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Arthritis owes its origin to the Greek words - “arthron” and “itis”. It is a compound word for several other arthritic conditions. There are presently lots of these conditions or factors relating to causes of arthritis.
There are different types of arthritis with its own peculiar symptoms and treatment. Presently there are over lots of types of arthritis. Let me just highlight the common ones for you.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This type of arthritis is not restricted to any particular age. It can happen to you at any age. The causes are yet to be discovered. Among the different types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is the most devastating as it can cause severe deformities of the joints coupled with general weakness of the entire body. Rheumatoid arthritic patients usually suffer from problems such as hammer toes, claw toes and several others that can truncate the normal lifestyle of an individual.
Osteoarthritis: This is the most common of the types of arthritis. It has been discovered to be the cause of severe strain and the wearing away of the cartilage in the joints of the foot. Consequently, movement of the patient is hampered and very painful. The pain could worsen when walking or standing.
Gout: This type of arthritis is associated with foot complications. It affects the big toe most of the time. The big toe is mostly affected because of the stress and pressure it experiences while walking or when doing other weight bearing activities. This is why there is so much pain in the big toe. Gout arthritis is mostly common among the men than the women.
Juvenile arthritis: Unfortunately, children are not left out of this deadly disease known as arthritis. Juvenile arthritis affects mostly children before the age of sixteen, which is why it is called Juvenile arthritis. This disease could occur as early as six weeks of age. It is very common among the girls than the boys.
Recommended: Visit Baby Making Issues And You for more information on how to manage your lifestyle to enhance your rate of conception.
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December 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Tired of arthritis pain, and of the hyperacidity induced by the medications you use to treat arthritis? Try this recipe which has a very delicious taste, nutritional value, and helps to relieve arthritis.
Eggplant is known for those that are concerned with home remedies to treat arthritis. Eggplant is used in many areas of the world -especially the Mediterranean- in a famous recipe called Moussaka. Greek Moussaka uses ground beef or lamb, and this may aggravate gout pain.
In today’s recipe, meat is not used at all, thus having another advantage, i.e. it can be used by vegetarians.
INGREDIENTS:
*5-6 medium Globe eggplants (about 5-6 pounds)
*sea salt
*olive oil
*4 medium onions, chopped
*3 cups of chopped ripe tomatoes with juice (or canned tomatoes)
*1 garlic pulp, all cloves intact
*1 or 2 tablespoon of pine nuts
*1/2 teaspoon pepper
*3-4 whole cloves
*1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
*1/8 teaspoon of ground allspice
*2 bay leaves
*1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
*3 tablespoons of tomato paste
*1 chicken cube (4g) (vegetarians have to manage for the taste)
*1.5-2 cups of water
PREPARATION:
1- Wash eggplants and trim off stems.
2- Cut off 1/2-inch wide strips of the skin lengthwise, leaving about an inch in between, all around the eggplant, then cut eggplant lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices.
3- Put slices in a large bowl or on a tray, sprinkle liberally with salt and let them sit for 30 minutes. Salting removes any bitterness and absorbs some of the natural liquids.
4- Rinse well, drain, and pat dry. Brush slices lightly on both sides with olive oil and run them under the broiler on an un-greased cookie sheet until lightly browned and soft. Remove and set aside to cool.
5- Preheat the frying pan or skillet over low heat. When the pan is hot, add 2 tablespoons of oil and increase the heat to medium low. Sauté the onions with a wooden spoon, until onions are translucent. Add tomatoes, pine nuts, salt (consider salt content of the cubes), pepper, garlic, cinnamon, bay leaves, allspice, vinegar, and tomato paste, and mix well.
6- When dry, remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick (if used).
7- Add the chicken cube to the water for about 10 minutes to make froth.
8- Add the froth to the eggplant and the sauce mixture, then leave over a medium heat until it acquires some thick consistency.
9- Put it down and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes. Moussaka is traditionally eaten warm, not hot, and can also be eaten at room temperature. -It can be completely cooked and cooled, then frozen and reheated.
With toast it can be eaten as snacks. Eat it once at least every day and enjoy a delicious taste as well as arthritis pain relief.
Go here if you want to read about other 45 foods for Arthritis and Back Pain that you will not find anywhere else.
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December 15th, 2007 by Aaks
The first thing to be aware of with any arthritic pain relief treatment is that you are simply ‘relieving’ the pain, and not actually treating or curing the underlying cause of that pain. The arthritis condition may be, and in most cases probably is, worsening in spite of the pain relief being administered. That said, in the absence of a cure for arthritis having being discovered as yet, pain relief is the only viable option for the millions of people inflicted with this cruel disease.
Arthritis is a debilitating and usually progressive disease that can affect any part of the body, including the bones, joints, and even the muscles. Suffers can experience anything from mild symptoms right through to agonizing pain in severe cases. It’s a little know fact that there are more than 100 know varieties of arthritis, with more being discovered all the time.
Medical science has so far failed to discover one single cause of arthritis, with each for of the disease appearing to have its own trigger. Some of the more common symptoms of arthritis are joint stiffness and soreness which is often accompanied by a redness and pain in the affected area. The levels of pain experienced can vary widely, so it’s important to be aware of the various pain relief measures available to sufferers.
Arthritis Pain Relief Options
There are a wide range of pain relief options to look at. However the most common and effective treatments are the arthritis pain relief creams and gels. These are a topical medication that is applied directly to the area on and around the affected joints. The best selling treatments in recent times have been the ‘cooling’ creams and gels.
Most of the more popular topical arthritis pain relief products contain menthol and/or peppermint. These products work on the basis of causing a gentle soothing sensation on the skin that disguises the pain coming from your arthritis. These products are quite effective for treating mild to moderate arthritic conditions.
Another popular pain relief option is the salicylates based products. These are similar in nature to aspirin, and therefore offer the added benefit of acting as an anti-inflammatory as well as providing pain relief. As always with any medication, you should seek appropriate medical advice before using these products to ensure that there are not undesirable side affects or medical conflicts that might put you at risk.
If your arthritic problem has progressed to the stage where the topical treatments are not providing enough relief then your doctor will likely start you on a prescribed oral medication. These treatments are usually taken at least daily, and offer much stronger options for treating the pain and other symptoms.
Topical arthritis pain relief methods such as the creams and gels are always the first treatments to try, and can usually be used alongside prescribed treatments, but they are not intended to be the single answer in anything more than moderate arthritic cases. It’s important to realize that an over reliance on your topical medication may indicate that you need to seek out a stronger medication from your doctor.
David Neehly is the webmaster for the Arthritis information website Arthritis Secrets where you’ll find all the latest arthritis news and updates, plus many more interesting Arthritis Articles
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December 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Degenerative arthritis, how does it affect your body? It is a serious condition that causes the person to be in a lot of pain. This disease affects millions of people that are located all over the globe. Many people know it better as osteoarthritis and when this condition worsens it is referred to as degenerative arthritis. This condition is the most common form of arthritis and it affects different joints in the body. Most commonly it affects the spine, knees, hips, fingers and toes and it can be in more than one joint at a time. The joints have a substance made of protein between them to prevent them from rubbing together called cartilage. Degenerative arthritis breaks down causing the cartilage to deteriorate leaving the bones exposed.
Degenerative arthritis causes spurs or new bone to develop where the cartilage use to be. These spurs can be extremely painful and hard to live with. As a person gets older they are more likely to get this disease because the protein that makes up the cartilage begins to break down and the quantity of water will increase. Doctors will refer to degenerative arthritis as either primary or secondary. Primary just seems to happen with age and no one really knows why so it really isn’t a lot that you can do about the condition.
Usually the cause of secondary osteoarthritis can be determined because it was due to wear and tear on the body. Most of the time, the person with this condition has used the affected area repeatedly over several years. For example, there are a lot of jobs that require a person to perform the same task over and over for many years. When this happens the cartilage between the joints they are using is being worn down and over a few years degenerative arthritis can set in. This is why it would be best if you can avoid using joints repeatedly if you can.
It is important to know as much about degenerative arthritis and your body as you can. Even though there is not a single thing you can do to prevent this getting this disease when you get older, you can reduce your risks. Being overweight can cause damage to your spine, hips and knees. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight can help to eliminate extra strain on the body in these areas and reduce the odds of having this disease in these joints. It is important that everyone do all they can to prolong or eliminate this disease from their future to avoid a lot of unnecessary suffering.
Don’t let excruciating pain caused by arthritis rule your life. Find out how you could be pain free with a rheumatoid arthritis cure that really works. For up to date information and helpful resources regarding arthritis care and treatment, visit http://www.arthritis-care.net
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December 15th, 2007 by Aaks
There are many alternative treatments out there for arthritis. It is quite well documented that exercise and a healthy lifestyle can aid arthritis sufferers. There is also a lot of information out there about alternative therapies. It seems people are always looking for another means to cut down their pain, and rightly so, arthritis can be an extremely debilitating disease. Nothing can beat the benefit of a fit and healthy lifestyle, strong muscles are the best thing for a joint. However in conjunction with other therapies and treatments, exercise and healthy lifestyle will be more effective.
So what else can we do?
One therapy not discussed much in the treatment for arthritis is acupuncture. Acupuncture is basically inserting small needles into the skin in order to relieve various pains and symptoms. It has been around for years and is quite popular. Western research suggests that stimulation of certain skin or muscle areas by needles releases large amounts of endorphins and bradykinins. These are the bodies natural painkillers and anti-inflammatory agents.
A study in 2004 showed that acupuncture can be of benefit to arthritis sufferers. The study was searching for evidence of acupuncture reducing the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis. 570 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were involved. Patients were measured for pain and function scores at week 8 and week 26 of the program (in comparison with a sham acupuncture group). They were also measured on a 6 minute walk and a physical health score.
Participants in the true acupuncture group experienced greater improvement in their pain and function scores than the sham group at week 8. By week 26, the acupuncture group had significantly better scores in all areas.
Should you try acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a great secondary treatment for osteoarthritis. If you are suffering pain, it is something that can be used alongside exercise and medication. It may not be for you, but give it a try, don’t put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to treatment. A combination of treatments will more likely give you the benefit you seek. Acupuncture is alternative, but it has been around for a very long time and there is a lot of evidence it does relieve pain and symptoms of various conditions. Try it, it may work for you.
For more information on joint pain and pain relief visit Joint Pain Edge
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December 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder often confused with arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome. There is no universally accepted cure for fibromyalgia, although some physicians have claimed success in finding cures. Improvements in the treatment of fibromyalgia have resulted from a continued focus on the condition, and these treatments range from addressing symptoms with the use of prescription drugs to alternative and complementary medicine.
This article reviews Anatrin, a natural supplement that can be used to help in addressing some of issues confronting Fibromyalgia patients. This deals with the nutritional deficiencies commonly seen in fibromyalgia patients, effectively replacing the critical nutrients lost by the many physical and psychological stressors caused by this syndrome.
Over time, many supplements, including Anatrin, have been developed to help treat diseases which arise out of, or result in, a deficiency in the diet, or are a result of stress on the body.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by muscle pain, tenderness and fatigue. It is considered to be an arthritis related condition in some quarters, however it is important to note that while arthritis causes inflammation and damage to joints and other body tissues, fibromyalgia does not. Its cause is as yet unknown, which means properly targeted treatment with drugs is not yet possible.
Given that, it could be that the best approach is to supplement a balanced diet with Anatrin. This can help in heal muscles weakened by the syndrome while providing much needed respite.
The primary signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia often resemble those of another condition, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Like arthritis, fibromyalgia also presents with pain, stiffness, fatigue. However, fibromyalgia sufferers usually present secondary symptoms that are not muscle or joint related. Listed below are the most typical primary and secondary symptoms:
- sleep disturbances,
- morning stiffness,
- headaches,
- irritable bowel syndrome,
- painful menstrual periods,
- numbness or tingling of the extremities,
- restless legs syndrome,
- temperature sensitivity,
- cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”), or
- a variety of other symptoms.
What is inside Anatrin
Anatrin is rich in a many minerals and salts which can assist the bodyin dealing with fibromyalgia. Magnesium is a key component of Anatrin, and this is to restores levels reduced by the condition. Also in Anatrin is ginger root extract which can help the muscles affected to heal. Melatonin helps in restoring sleep cycles to enable the patient to rest more easily.
Each capsule of Anatrin contains:
- Magnesium for the resolution of common fibromyalgia symptoms.
- Ascorbigen and Broccoli Powder: Ascorbigen is one of the most common medicinal compounds, called indoles, released when cruciferous vegetables are cooked. These types of indoles can induce Phase I detoxification in the liver. As well, these chemical constituents promote significant reductions of physical impairment.
- Rhodiola rosea Extract for treating functional fatigue and mild cognitive decline. The compounds in this plant have also been shown to increase ATP production
- Ginger root Extract for the relief of pain. Ginger is considered equally effective as an adjunct treatment, showing additional relief over conventional medication alone
- A number of clinical studies have supported 5-HTP’s role in the production of serotonin in patients with fibromyalgia
- Melatonin is a naturally produced biochemical that is secreted from the pineal gland at the base of the brain, which controls circadian rhythms and plays a major role in sleep cycles. Numerous studies have shown a link between melatonin levels in patients with fibromyalgia
- Malic acid is a naturally occurring chemical found most notably in apple juice. It helps improve absorption of some nutrients like magnesium, as well working to reduce pain and tenderness of pressure points
Please check with the manufacturer on exact details of components details and references.
Need to have this supplement
Dietary supplements such as Anatrin have emerged as a real treatment option. Because the cause is unknown the best anyone can do is treat the symptoms. Tests using Anatrin have shown improvements of muscles and joints can be achieved. This is potentially a real fillip for fibromyalgia sufferers, as Anatrin could offer a ray of hope in the treatment of fibromyalgia. If you are at all unsure please consult your health professional.
Ed Sutherland is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Arthritis-Treatment-Reviews.com. He provides more useful information on arthritis, natural supplements, treatments and information on finding the natural treatment for you that you can research at your leisure on his website, http://www.arthritis-treatment-reviews.com
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December 15th, 2007 by Aaks
Having Arthritis can change your whole life. Not only do you have to endure the suffering from joint pain but your lack of ability to move freely can damper your lifestyle. Whether you love to work in your garden, go for a hike, dance the night away, or simply climb a flight of stairs, arthritis can make your favorite activities seem impossible.
The way most people deal with arthritis is to take common over-the-counter painkillers. Ibuprofen, which reduces inflammation, is the most popular treatment for arthritis pain. Unfortunately, ibuprofen has side effects.
The over-the-counter version of ibuprofen is not meant to be taken for more than 10 days at a time. Unfortunately, the pain from arthritis is often a daily occurrence. Many people suffering with arthritis take ibuprofen regularly for a lot longer than ten days and they damage their bodies in doing so.
The primary risk of these painkillers is damage to your stomach. According to researchers drugs like ibuprofen can damage the esophagus, the stomach lining, the small intestine and the colon. Left undiagnosed they can lead to bleeding in the gut or even a perforation, a situation that requires surgery. 1
Research has found that about 60% of people who take ibuprofen or similar drugs for longer than recommended develop stomach damage.2 Those are not good odds. Most often the damage is asymptomatic, at first. This means these folks keep on taking the medicine, all the while doing greater and greater damage to their stomach.
Fortunately, these painkillers aren’t the only option.
100% Safe, Natural, Effective Arthritis Relief
Besides taking a good joint supplement, you might want to consider trying Acupuncture. Acupuncture is an old Asian method to reduce pain by using very thin needles to stimulate certain points within the body. The philosophy behind it is that it opens the channels for the body’s natural energy to flow freely. The idea is that energy blockers contribute to pain and by eliminating these obstacles the patient will find relief.
I’ve personally never experience Acupuncture but I do know that many of my patients have and they swear that it works. In a large scale study conducted by the National Institute of Health, researchers found that patients receiving acupuncture treatments experienced a 44 percent reduction in their pain levels. They also showed a 40 percent improvement in function and mobility.3 Those are pretty impressive results.
Given that acupuncture, when performed by a trained and certified professional, doesn’t have any negative side affects, it is a treatment I recommend you try if you are struggling with daily arthritis pain.
1 Russell RI. “Defining patients at risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug gastropathy,” Ital J Gastroenerol Hepatol 1999; 31 Suppl 1: S1`4-18
2 “The Dangers of Aspirin and NSAIDs,” American College of Gastroenterology.
3 “Acupuncture can relieve arthritis pain,” Medical News Today. 12/21/2004
Mark Rosenberg, MD
Institute For Healthy Aging
www.vitalmaxvitamins.com
http://www.vitalmaxvitamins.com/blog
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