All about arthritis treatments

Remedies for osteoarthritis

2012-02-08T05:22:00.000-08:00

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which deals with the wearing a way of cartilage that covers the ends of the bones and joints. While there isn’t a cure for osteoarthritis there are ways to make things easier for you. Living with arthritis can be difficult but working with you doctor and being knowledgeable about the remedies for osteoarthritis can help you control it.

As with most arthritis treatments medications are used.

Acetaminophen is good for mild pain and it can be found in over the counter meds such as Tylenol.
If you have done any research on arthritis then you have heard of NSAIDs. Like acetaminophen you can find over the counter the most common being Motrin and Advil. They help reduce inflammation but they have also been known to have side effects.
Prescription drugs are definitely stronger and they may also produce side effects, check with your doctor.
Cortisone shots are used to ease the pain of arthritis but I know from personal experience that they can be painful as well. And you can only take so many each year.

There is a surgery procedure called osteotomy that helps realign the bones relieving pressure on them.

Of course there is also therapy that can be used as well as exercise. Your doctor will be able to help with find a therapist for you. Exercises that improve flexibility are great for increasing your range of motion and taking the stress off on joints.

While not everyone will agree that changing your diet will help with osteoarthritis you may want to look as well.

Arthritis in fingers

2012-02-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

Living with arthritis can be painful and debilitating anywhere but to have to deal with it in your fingers and hands can really be challenging. Gripping things and trying to pick up anything with arthritis in your fingers can be painful and discouraging. You have most likely have seen folks with arthritic hands and fingers and wonder how they get anything done.

Like most arthritis the kind that you find in your fingers or hands can be either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis in fingers. The wearing a way of cartilage (the cushion between joints) over years will definitely bring on the pain and the inflammation. Other symptoms besides joint pain and swelling are stiffness and lack of dexterity in the fingers.

What are the arthritis treatments?

The treatments for arthritis in the fingers are similar to other arthritic treatments such as medication and heat and ice treatments. Another type of treatment is cortisone shots which are fast acting and rather painful. I recently had a shot in my hand that has arthritis and the pain lasted for quite a while. Your doctor may also recommend splints that help the fingers feel at ease and gives them support. Your doctor should also be able to advise you on any types of exercise that may also help with your arthritis fingers.

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What is rheumatism?

2012-01-28T18:16:00.000-08:00

It used to be that you would hear someone say something about having rheumatism, which usually meant that they were stiff in the bones and joints. However you don’t really hear that much about it today because having problems regarding joint inflammation or pain falls under the category of arthritis, which has various different types.

What is rheumatism?

According to Web.md rheumatism or rheumatic diseases are “are painful conditions that affect millions. These diseases cause inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joints or muscles.” There are over 100 types of rheumatic disease like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Bursitis and lupus are also rheumatic disease.

Control of rheumatism

Like anyone living with arthritis there are things that you can do to control it. Common arthritis treatments include medication and a healthy lifestyle.

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What is Psoriatic arthritis?

2012-01-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

Do you have psoriasis? If you do then you should find out about psoriatic arthritis. According to Arthritis.org psoriatic arthritis appears about 10 years after the onset of psoriasis in addition it is usually inherited. You wouldn’t think that there would be any connection between the two disorders but there are.

The symptoms for this type of arthritis are

Swollen painful joints
Being tired
Reduced motion range
Back pain
Morning stiffness
Change in the appearance of your nails
Muscle tenderness
Conjunctivitis

There are 5 types of psoriatic arthritis

Symmetric: it is found in the same joints on opposite sides of the body
Asymmetric: it can affect any joint anywhere on the body
Distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP): found in the joints of fingers and toes
Spondylitis: inflammation of spinal column
Arthritis mutilans: rare and destructive condition that affects hands and toes

Living with arthritis can be challenging but there are things that you can do to help ease the pain. While there isn’t any cure for this type of arthritis there are treatments that help control it such as exercise and NSAID medications.

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Copper bracelets for arthritis

2012-01-19T05:15:00.001-08:00

If you have arthritis, especially in your hands and wrists, then you probably have heard about wearing copper bracelets. Have they helped lessen the pain of your arthritis? Would you recommend them to others? And probably the biggest question is why would they help with the inflammation and stiffness of arthritis.

Copper is a necessary trace element found in body tissue that helps keep your blood cells healthy. You can get all the copper that you need through a balanced diet. Copper in large quantities can be lethal. The idea behind the copper bracelets is that the copper will be absorbed through the skin thus helping alleviate the pain of arthritis.

If you do a search on the internet there seems to be an abundance of sites want to sell you copper bracelets but there really isn’t any science that backs up the claim of copper bracelets will help ease the pain of arthritis. In fact there have been studies done that have proven that there isn’t any benefit to wearing copper bracelet to fight off arthritis.

Although there are lots of folks that seem to think that wearing copper or magnetic braces help, if you are curious about them wear one for a while and see. Just don’t spend a lot of money on them.

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Osteoarthritis diet

2012-01-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

The key to living with arthritis is finding a way to alleviate or ease the pain of this disease. While medication is certainly important in treating arthritis, a change in lifestyle that includes exercise and proper dieting is also needed. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis, it deals with the wearing a way of cartilage that covers the ends of the bones and joints. When the cartilage is worn away the bones rub together causing swelling and great pain. Not only does it cause pain but also limits your movements. This type of arthritis can be helped greatly by an osteoarthritis diet.

Why does diet help those with osteoarthritis?

The benefits will be for the same reason that everyone can benefit from a healthy diet, and that is to maintain a proper weight and to receive the proper amount of daily nutrients. The less weight that you carry around the better it will be for your joints that are stressed enough for arthritis. Exercise as well will help keep the weight off.

What foods help with arthritis?

While a well-balanced diet is important for osteoarthritis sufferers, there are things that you can eat to help with joint inflammation. Fish that have omega-3 fatty acids are helpful because reduces joint inflammation. Vegetables and fruits are also good because they contain agents that help with joint inflammation as well. Many fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C has an anti-oxygen that helps to deter inflammation. Vitamin D is also good for your bones you can either get it by certain foods (milk, eggs, and tuna) or by being outside in the sun for a certain amount of time each week.

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Living with arthritis

2012-01-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

Every time I see someone who has arthritis in their hands I wonder how in the world they do the simplest of tasks. Their hands and fingers swollen which gives the impression that even the smallest movement would hurt greatly. But most folks who are living with arthritis deal with it usually through medication or therapy and determination. My mother has had arthritis in her hands for years and she still cooks and sews, the arthritis doesn’t seem to slow her down. I have been thinking about arthritis a little more lately because over the past month or so my hands have been swelling up and are very sore. I haven’t been diagnosed with arthritis yet, but it might be only a matter of time.

How will arthritis affect your life?

There are two things that come to mind when considering a life with arthritis. One is the pain and the second is the lack of mobility. Both can be equally difficult. Dealing with a constant pain can be hard to live with, of course there is medication that you can take for treating arthritis, but will it alleviate all the pain and what side effects will it bring you? A pain in the joints doesn’t stop when you go to bed either; it is a challenge to try to fall asleep when body is under a constant ache.

Having stiffness and swelling in your hands, or anywhere on your body, can make the easiest tasks difficult. And if you avoid or limit the movement of your hands it will only make the stiffness worse. Once again medication will help and therapy can also help deal with it.

Living with arthritis can be a challenge but it certainly can be done.

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Herbs for arthritis

2012-01-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

It seems that more and more folks today are searching for natural cures for their ailments. The use of plants as medicine has been around since the beginning of time. And there are places where it is actively used in conjunction with modern medicine. While it doesn’t cure everything there are a lot of folks that swear by it. If you are an arthritis sufferer than you probably would try anything if there was a chance of relief from this debilitating condition. You should definitely look in to herbs for arthritis.

Some of the most common herbs and edibles for arthritis relief

Ginseng has always been known as a supplement that fights off stress and fatigue but it also can be used to relieve arthritis. You can take it as a supplement or in a tea. Ginseng is grown in North America as well as Asia.
Ginger is used for inflammation of joints. It is also used for nausea and vomiting.
Cherries are antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory fruit. It apparently has something to do with the color of the cherries that makes it helpful to arthritis patients. Eat them raw because cooking may eliminate key compounds.
Rosemary is usually thought of as a wonderful spice to liven up many types of foods but it can also be beneficial for arthritis sufferers. Like other herbs it contains anti-inflammatory components that ease joint pain. Rosemary is good for gout as well.
Cayenne is a great way to spice up a meal. It can also be useful to reduce inflammation from arthritis.
Celery is a natural antioxidant that has been used to fight arthritis.

As you can imagine not everyone believes that these plants have any medicinal value. But there are a lot of folks that swear by natural cures. If you do decide to try any of these talk to your doctor first to make sure there isn’t any conflict between them and medication that you might be on.

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Apple cider vinegar for arthritis relief

2010-05-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

Arthritis has been around for a long time, a lot longer than modern medicine. The choices of medicines and procedures for arthritis today are endless. But at one time the only relief from arthritis was found in homemade remedies such as Apple cider vinegar.

What makes apple cider vinegar effective?

There are minerals in apple cider vinegar such as potassium that helps relieve joint pain due to arthritis. The idea is that people with arthritis have a deficiency of potassium which makes the joint pain worse, so if you take apple cider vinegar then that would help. The potassium also helps to reduce the build up of calcium in the joints which causes pain. Apple cider vinegar is also supposedly good for your digestive system which in turn again helps with arthritis.

I imagine that apple cider vinegar isn’t too tasty so it is suggested that you mix it with water before taking it.

Of course not everyone, the medical community, agrees with the premise that apple cider vinegar helps with arthritis. There have been side effects reported such as burning the esophagus and weakening tooth enamel. So make sure to check with your doctor before taking any supplements or drinking apple cider vinegar.

Arthritis gloves

2010-05-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

Arthritis can commonly be found in your fingers and hands. The soreness and swelling can make the easiest chore an ordeal. You might want to look into buying a pair of arthritis gloves.

Things to look for in arthritis gloves

Like any gloves they have to fit and they have to be comfortable.
Arthritis gloves have to compress the hands to be effective, make sure that the compression is even throughout the gloves. The compression shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t move your fingers.
The glove can’t be so tight that you are unable to do things with your hands.
Look for differences in what is offered with the gloves. Some arthritis gloves have the tips of the fingers cut out to make it easier to work with your hands. There are some that are even heated; you might want to look at that.

Arthritis gloves can be a great source of help and relief from pain. They can be worn day and night if you find them helpful.

What is elbow arthritis?

2010-04-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

Arthritis in the elbow can be very painful and debilitating because of the important part that the elbow plays in all arm movements. How do you get it and what can you do to relieve the pain?

Elbow arthritis usually occurs because of an injury or the wearing down of the cartilage and joint. Sports injuries are a common cause of elbow arthritis. Unfortunately once you have an injury to the elbow the recovery of the cartilage and joint are never complete which usually leads to another elbow injury. These repetitive injuries often result in arthritis. As with most arthritis age definitely is a factor.

What can relieve the pain?

Oral medications are tried first, if not successful then Corticosteroid injections. Injections help with the pain but unfortunately they only last so long. Arthroscopic surgery is the first type of surgery that cleans out around the joint. A joint replacement would be the last resort and they are usually successful.

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What is joint fusion?

2010-04-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

Joint fusion is a type of surgery that is commonly used for arthritis treatment. It has been used to relieve arthritis pain from hips, fingers and ankles as well as other arthritic locations. You may be considered for joint fusion if you have joint erosion due to rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Basically the process consists of fusing two bones together, either by bone grafting, which is taking a bone from another area of the body, or closing the joint with a metal plate. This procedure relieves pain and makes the bones stronger and more stable. However there is a loss of flexibility due to the surgery.

There are risks involved in joint fusion such as possible nerve damage and pain in the fusion area. The surgery’s time varies and the recovery period may take months.

Laser Arthritis Treatment

2010-04-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

The most common types of treatments for arthritis are medications, prescription and non-prescription, therapy, surgery and alternative. Laser treatment of arthritis is hard to place in a category, is it alternative or non-alternative? Not everyone agrees on its effectiveness.

What is laser treatment for arthritis?

The laser that is used is not really the type that you would think when you hear the word laser. It doesn’t cut anything and it doesn’t produce any heat, thus the name cold laser as it sometimes is referred. The process is also called phototherapy or low level therapeutic laser because the low level laser stimulates the cells of the arthritic area. No pain is felt during the procedure as the pure light emitted from the laser tries to heal the arthritic cells. The therapy takes a short period of time but requires many sessions.

Not everyone is convinced that cold laser is helpful. Although some say that it helps with early morning stiffness.

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Arthritic hand treatment

2010-04-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

With all the bones and cartilages in your hands it is no wonder that arthritis is commonly found there. Since we use our hands constantly any pain or soreness can make the simplest chore a horrendous experience. Luckily there are treatments that you can do help alleviate the discomfort of arthritis in your hands.

Why arthritis in the hands?

Like most types of arthritis the cause is the wearing down of cartilage. When the cartilage is lost, fluid sets in and so does swelling making the problem worse. You have probably seen how arthritis reshapes the hand and fingers in advanced stages of arthritis.

There are many common signs that arthritis has begun in your hands.

Small cysts may develop at the end of the fingers
As mentioned before swelling is apparent
As you might have guessed pain in the fingers and hands is a sign of arthritis
Joints in your hands may feel warm

What are the treatments?

Medication is always the first thing to try such as Advil, Tylenol or Celebrex.
Injections of medication
Surgery is suggested if all else fails. Joint fusion and joint replacement are 2 common types of surgery.

Hip arthritis pain relief

2010-04-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

One of the most painful and perplexing locations for arthritis pain is in the hip. Like many types of arthritis hip arthritis occurs because of the wearing away of cartilage. Treatments are dependent on factors such as age, activity of the patient and the severity of the arthritis.

Not all hip pain is arthritis. There can be other causes such as muscle strain, hip fracture, snapping hip syndrome and lumbar pain among other things. If your doctor determines that what you have is arthritis, then you should be given various treatment options.

Physical therapy helps strengthen the area around the hip for greater mobility
NSAIDS medications help with inflammation
Losing weight is a good idea for anyone with arthritis no matter where it is.
Hip replacement surgery is a major surgery where the damaged joint area is replaced with an artificial one.

Surgery is considered after all other treatments fail to relieve the pain. This type of surgery is usually very successful.

Arthritis and bee pollen

2010-04-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

Relieving the pain and soreness of arthritis can be an overwhelming task. The doctor prescribes medicine and some of it works and some of it doesn’t. You may also know that there are many natural cures for arthritis and other chronic illnesses. One of natural treatments involves the pollen from a bee.

Why bee pollen?

Bee pollen is considered by many to be nature’s perfect food. Bees pollinate flowers to help them grown and flourish. Bee pollen is also made up of many important ingredients such as amino acids, nutrients and vitamins among other things. It is considered by some as a miracle drug that helps with such diverse physical problems as depression, reduction in cholesterol, weight loss and even provides an increase in sexual response. Of course not everyone believes that bee pollen is that powerful.

AS for helping alleviate the pain of arthritis, some claim that not only does bee pollen help with weight control, which in turn helps ease arthritis, it also provides calcium that our body needs for strong bones.

But make sure to check with your doctor before taking any supplement.

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Vitamin C and the production of collagen

2009-08-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

Vitamin C produces collagen which helps supports muscles, tendons and other types of tissues. It is a type of protein that is abundant in the human body. It also provides firmness and strength that holds the body together. Collagen can also be used to eliminate wrinkles. Collagen is helpful in healing wounds from broken bones or cuts.

Collagen can be found in foods as well as vitamin C. Dark green vegetable are a good source of collagen as well as soy and cheese products. Omega-3 fish products are also vital in the production of collagen. Although vitamin C is found in many foods a supplement is often suggested. Consult your doctor.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces the production of free radical in the body. Free radical increases oxidation which increase aging. The theory that Vitamin C has an effect on aging is controversial and dismissed by some.

Does what you eat have any effect on your arthritis?

2009-07-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Eating right is one of the cornerstones of a healthy life. A diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables and lean, low-fat meat is considered a standard approach to maintaining your health. As with many illness and diseases there are certain foods to avoid and certain foods to include in your diet.

So does what you eat have any effect on your arthritis?

The first and foremost reason to have a healthy diet with arthritis is to keep your weigh down. Less pounds means less pressure on sore joints and tendons that are already being adversely affected by arthritis. A healthy diet will also be a boost to energy supplies which will help in your battle with arthritis.

One of the most talked about supplements that pertains to arthritis is omega-3-fish oil which is found in cold water fish such as tuna, shrimp, flounder and catfish among others. It is important to make sure that the levels of mercury are low in the fish that you consume according to the American Heart Institute.

There is also a lot of information about avoiding nightshade vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. A chemical called solanine is found in these vegetables and some suspect that they have an adverse affect on the body’s calcium, although there is an old home remedy of drinking potato juice to ease the pain of arthritis. It is best to consult with a doctor before eliminating these vegetables from your diet.

Vitamins C and D have also been mentioned as beneficial to the relief of arthritis, particularly in the case of osteoarthritis according to the NY Times.

Omega 3 and arthritis

2009-07-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

There are 2 types of arthritis that is helped by omega-3, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis omega-3 acts as an anti-inflammatory and gives relief to joint stiffness. Omega-3 also helps osteoarthritis with swelling and joint pain. Omega-3 also helps with other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and weight gain.

In what foods is omega-3 found?

Omega-3 is usually found in cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, tuna, and herring. It can also be found in soybeans, pumpkin seeds, flax, walnuts, and walnut oil.
There are also many omega-3 supplements on the market.

Risks involved

One of the risks involved with omega-3 is the blood thinning properties found within it. Another possible risk is heart disease or stroke.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

2009-06-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Arthritis can be found in children as well as adults. Children under 16 who have arthritis are considered to have Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is more than one disease. It refers mostly to the inflammation of the joints. It is estimated that 300,000 children have JRA. It can last a few weeks or months or a lifetime.

Signs of JRA are joints swelling, a fever or a rash.

3 types of JRA

Oligoarticular JRA This type of JRA occurs when there are fewer than 4 joints affected with inflammation. This is the most common type of JRA and most children are treated with medication. The success rate of treatment is high.

Polyarticular arthritis this type of JRA involves more than 4 inflamed joints. This may affect the joints in the fingers. Girls more than boys, usually have this type of JRA. Polyarticular arthritis is similar to adult rheumatoid arthritis.

Systemic JRA involves having a fever and having a light rash. This type of JRA can also affect internal organs such as the heart, liver and spleen. It is considered a dangerous form of arthritis

Treatment is a combination of medications, exercise and physical therapy.

Medications are NSAIDs and ibuprofen

There are also emotional problems associated with JRA. Children that have this condition may feel a range of emotions from depression to anger. Why do I have this? It is best to keep the lines of communication open with the child and treat them like any other child.

Gout Treatments

2009-06-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

Gout is the buildup of painful uric acid crystals around the joints, men more than women get gout by 95 % to 5%. Uric acid is caused by the breakdown of purines, which are found in the body and in certain foods. The big toe is often the first place that you will notice gout. It can also affect ankles, wrists, knees and insteps. Gout treatments include dietary changes and medication.

There are many causes of Gout:

Excessive alcohol intake
Joint injury
Medications that affect the kidney
Aspirins can cause the rise of uric acid levels
Cold body temperature

How to treat Gout:

Medications such as NSAIDS and Colchicines are used to treat gout. Colchicines are used to reduce the pain, swelling and inflammation.

Keeping your weight under control can also help with the gout. Being overweight is associated with gout

Cut back on alcohol consumption.

Cut back on foods that are high in purine, such as high fat meats and diary products. Also avoid certain seafood like herring, sardines, scallops and mackerels. Some vegetables are also high in purine: cauliflower, spinach and mushrooms are examples.

Is glucosamine safe?

2009-06-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Glucosamine is a compound found in the body made from amino acid glutamine and glucose. It produces glycosaminoglycan which repairs cartilage and other body tissues. There is less glycosaminoglycan produced with age.

Glucosamine can be purchased in health stores and pharmacies as a natural supplement. It is manufactured with a product called, chitin, which comes from sea shells of shrimp, crab and lobster.

The compound is used by patients of osteoarthritis who believe that the glycosaminoglycan produced will help heal the damaged cartilages. Arthritis sufferers who have osteoarthritis in the knee especially use this compound.

Glucosaomine is relatively safe with limited side effects.

Since the glucosamine compound is made of shell fish you should concerned if you are allergic to shell fish.

Pregnant or lactating women should avoid glucosamine.

If you take too much you may have gastric problems.

As always check with your doctor before using any supplement.

Weight loss and Arthritis

2009-06-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

Losing weight in itself is always a good idea if you are overweight. Losing weight when you have arthritis is an extremely good idea because it relieves pressure on the joints and tendons that the arthritis affects.

Of course losing weight means not only eating less but also exercising. That can be tricky when you have arthritis. You certainly have to be careful when exercising, avoid any high impact type of exercise that might put stress or pressure on tender joints and tendons. As I stated in a previous post on hydrotherapy, being in water is one of the safest ways to exercise if you have arthritis. A low impact water aerobic class would be ideal, just check with your doctor before joining.

Exercise alone will not make you lose weight especially if you eat more calories than you burn off. We all know that metabolism slows down as you get older so the less calories the better. Remember that you have to burn 3,500 calories to lose one pound.

Stretching can also be beneficial to arthritis patients. It will increase flexibility which in turn will allow the arthritis sufferer to exercise more.

It has been said a million times but if you lose the weight fast you will gain the weight back just as fast. Fad diets never work for an extended period of time. Gradual weigh lose is always the way to go. There are plenty of weight loss programs out there that adhere to losing weight slowly. You might want to think about joining one.

As always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program or diet.

Hydrotherapy treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

2009-06-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hydrotherapy treatment involves the use of water to relieve pain and increase the circulation of blood in the body. It also provides oxygen to damaged tissue.

The treatment comes in the form of water massage, hot towel treatment, saunas and hot tubs to name a few. Many Spas use water that is rich in minerals for their treatments. Hydro therapy has its roots in ancient Greek and Roman society where local citizens went to public bathhouses to enjoy the soothing effects of water.

Those with Rheumatoid Arthritis are most benefited from hot tubs which soothe joints and muscles that are affected by this condition. The hot water supports the patient’s weight which takes the pressure off of joints and muscles. The hot water also improves blood circulation and reduces painful inflammation. The sessions usually last 30 to 45 minutes. A hydro therapist usually assists the patient on exercises done during the therapy
Swimming can also be beneficial to R.A. patients as long as the water is warm.

There are slight risks involving the use of extremely hot and cold water during the treatments make sure to discuss this with your physician before any treatment.

Arthritis immune system

2009-06-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

The immune system of the body is attacked by arthritis which in turn has an effect on the body’s joints and cartilages causing them to swell and become painful. But an effected immune system can also cause havoc on internal organs as well.

What causes this attack of the immune system?

When the immune system is attacked this causes an auto-immune response that releases antibodies which in turn protect the body against harmful antigens. The problem arises because the auto-immune response can also attack healthy cells and tissues and also attack healthy organs.

Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease because of what it does to the immune system of the body. Because of it being an autoimmune disease it can be detected with a blood test.

Since this type of arthritis not only affects the joints you must have regular blood tests to make sure that you don’t have a more serious form of RA such as Rheumatoid vasculitis which is life threatening.

Methotrexate For Rheumatoid Arthritis

2009-06-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

What is Methotrexate?

Methotrexate is an antifoliate and antimetabolite drug used in autoimmune diseases and cancer. It inhibits the metabolism of folic acid. The two types of arthritis that it treats are psoriasis and rheumatoid.

Common Side effects are:
Drowsiness
Decreased appetite
Hair loss
Dizziness

It can also have serious side effects such as liver, kidney and lung damage. It may cause seizures and blurred vision. It is very dangerous to use if you are pregnant. Since this is such a potent medication it is usually used as a last resort.

It was developed in the 40’s as a leukemia drug. It was used against rheumatoid arthritis in 1951. It was considered an experimental drug in the 1970’s. Today it is FDA approved.

How it helps with rheumatoid arthritis?

It slows down the activity of the immune system and since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease this helps to reduce the inflammation. It also slows the growth of cells in the membrane next to the joints.

Brand names are Rheumatrex, Trexall.

Carpal Tunnel syndrome and arthritis

2009-06-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning of the computer age there has been a lot of talk about Carpal tunnel syndrome which falls under the category of arthritis.

Where is the Carpal tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is located between the hand and the arm, in other words the wrist. It’s called carpal tunnel because it is made up of the 8 carpal bones and the ligaments in the wrist. The median nerve passes through this area. When it gets stressed or over worked the nerve is pinched causing the pain in the fingers and the palm of the hand. Of course it seems that the people that get this condition the most are the ones who repetitively move their fingers and hands in the same motion. Also rheumatoid arthritis patients seem to get carpal tunnel syndrome as well as those suffering from diabetes.

Like a lot of arthritis conditions you will notice the pain, tingling and numbness of your fingers and hands at night more so than during the day.

There are many ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome:

Changing the way you do things so it wouldn’t be so repetitive. Your doctor can also give you exercises to help strengthen the wrist area.

Putting a support on it, if you work in an office you probably have seen the arm splint many times.

There are medications to help with this condition such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or cortisone shots.

And of course if all else fails, there is surgery. Hopefully it won’t come to that.

What is Osteoarthritis?

2009-06-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs in any part or joint in the body. There isn’t a cure for osteoarthritis. It is mostly found in joints that support the most weight, such as legs and hips. What happens is that osteoarthritis causes the cartilage, which is a substance that cushions the area between the bones and the joints, to lose its elasticity. Over time the cartilage is worn away causing great pain and it increases the chance of injury.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Heredity can be one factor why some people have osteoarthritis.

Being overweight can cause this type of arthritis. Losing weight may slow the progress of the disease.

Injuries sometime due to athletics can bring on the development of osteoarthritis. Broken bones are sometimes a factor in this development.

Overuse of joints due to constant and repetitive movement will also bring on osteoarthritis.

Your doctor will diagnose this ailment with X-rays and your description of the pain. X-rays of joints will be used to verify that you have this type of arthritis.

Medications such as NSAIDS are used to help ease the pain of the disease. Supplements, such as glucosamine, are also recommended to relieve pain. Exercise and diet are also used to help with this condition.

Surgery is also an option. Effective surgeries are arthroscopy, joint replacement and joint fusion.

a common type of knee arthritis

2009-06-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

After years of wear and tear the cartilage of the knee joint is finally gone. Osteoarthritis is a common type of knee arthritis since this kind of arthritis is associated with wearing down cartilage. Usually this condition is found in males over the age of fifty. Heredity plays a part in developing this as well as injuries to the knee or bones around the knee.

Knee arthritis gets progressively worse but seems to be particularly bad in certain types of weather.

There are signs that you may have knee arthritis:

Popping sounds associated with knee pain
Unable to move around as well as you use too
Any stiffness of the knee or swelling
Walking down stairs causes you pain.
Locking of the knee that prevents movement
The knee feels ‘tender’

X-rays should determine if you have arthritis in your knees along with a physical examination. Blood tests may also be needed to determine if it is rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural Arthritis treatments

2009-06-02T18:06:00.000-07:00

There are many natural arthritis treatments that claim to benefit arthritis sufferers. It is important to check with your doctor before taking anything. Some supplements may create a bad reaction when combined with medications.

MSM is an organic sulfur compound that is found in fruits, vegetables and grains. It helps reduce inflammation.

Ginger from the dried up ginger root has been known to reduce inflammation.

Fish oil from salmon, herring, tuna, halibut and other cold water fish has been known to reduce inflammation and stiffness.

Devil’s claw from South Africa relieves pain and inflammation. It is also known as Devil's Claw Root and Grapple Plant.

Bromeliad is a group of enzymes found in pineapples. It can reduce pain and inflammation.

Niacinamide (vitamin B) helps to reduce joint pain. Especially check with your doctor before taking this.

A dried root bark from the Amazon, known as Cat’s claw, it supposedly helps with the immune system.

Potassium deficiency and Arthritis

2009-05-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

There is a theory that potassium deficiency can lead to arthritis, specifically rheumatoid arthritis.

Potassium is an important and abundant mineral that keeps the kidneys functioning and is important to the function of the heart. Too little potassium is called hypokalemia, the signs of that are weakness in general, stomach problems and lack of energy. You can lose potassium by excessive urination. Lack of potassium may cause high blood pressure. It is important that you have your potassium level checked if you experience any of these signs. Diuretics can be a cause of potassium deficiency due to the loss of sodium. Potassium and sodium work in opposition, if one is depleted so is the other.

Potassium is important in keeping connective tissues healthy. A lack of potassium can cause vulnerability in those tissues.

Potassium supplements are available in nutrition stores but they are also readily found in common foods such as bananas, orange juice, tomatoes, potatoes, fish and chicken.
Potassium deficiency has been linked to arthritis by the lack of cortisol which in turns exhibits the symptoms of arthritis. Since no tests have been done this view is generally accepted.

Overview of Arthritis medication

2009-05-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

There are many medications on the market for arthritis.The trick is to find one that doesn’t have side effects.

NSAIDS nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:

Nsaids are the most common type of arthritis drugs. They work by blocking the activity of enzymes known as COX. The most common nsaids are salicylates (like aspirin), Trilisate and Novasal (Doan’s pills)

DMARDs(Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs)
DMARDs are slow acting drugs that could take up to a month to work. They are also called second line agents. They are effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They can be very effective and stop joint damage.

Corticosteroids (Steroids)
Corticosteroids are strong drugs that can stop swelling and joint pain almost immediately. They also have the potential of dangerous side effects.

Analgesics (Pain Killers)
Analgesics are pain relievers; they have no effect on inflammation. Tylenol is an analgesic.

Biologic Response Modifiers (Biologics)
Biologics tell with reviving the immune systems