The pain in arthritis can be moderate to severe. Arthritic joints appear to be larger, are stiff and painful, and usually feel worse the more they are used as the day progresses. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. I found relief from my arthritis pain, naturally, and you can do it too. I know the secret to getting rid of arthritis pain and it’s not taking NSAIDs or any other drugs.

Cartilage contains chondrocytes, water, proteoglycans and collagen; chondrocytes are the basic cartilage cells and are necessary for balance and function. Joints are designed for normal and painless movement and are primarily supplied by the synovium and cartilage. In young people, cartilage is about 85% water and in older folks about 70% of cartilage is water.

One possible cause of arthritis is the inflammatory response due to the over-reaction of the immune system to an injury or other assault in the body, like an infection. Genetic factors are thought to be involved in about 50% of osteoarthritis cases in the hands and hips and a somewhat lower percentage of cases in the knee.

Possible causes of arthritis include lesser known: bleeding disorders, like hemophilia, which causes bleeding to occur in the joint; disorders such as avascular necrosis, that block the blood supply closest to the joint; and conditions like hemochromatosis, that causes iron build-up in the joints.

If your osteoarthritis is affecting your load-bearing joints, keeping your weight within a normal range is important. Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, refined, packaged and processed food. Watch your diet closely - load-bearing joints are affected by excessive weight; they are the hips, knees, feet and spine.

Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question the value of these supplements; it’s clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly. Some people swear by morning drinks of raw apple cider vinegar and honey for arthritis pain relief. A study in Great Britain touted the beneficial effects of cod liver oil on osteoarthritis; relieving pain and stiffness, and reversing the destruction of joint cartilage within 24 hours.

I eat a diet of living foods (fruits, raw veggies, raw nuts and raw seeds) to relieve my arthritis pain and this should be tried for at least 30 days, thus eliminating any foods that might be culprits. Nutrition experts say it takes a combination of supplements, that no one supplement can relieve arthritis pain, build cartilage, etc.

For snacks, choose raw nuts without salt instead of lifeless roasted nuts. Make smoothies with fruit only, using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost — no one will ever know.

Stretching and warming up the joints should always be the first step in your exercise routine to make your joints more flexible. There are a number of exercises which can benefit arthritis sufferers regardless of how much restriction of movement there is. Try to keep painful joint areas in motion, even in a limited manner. Use Taiji health balls, with the chimes, to strengthen the finger joints: hold two balls, move in a clockwise circle with your fingers to rotate them, then try counterclockwise and do throughout the day.

Exercise in a heated pool; it will help reduce the pressure on your joints and the heat will help you loosen those joints. Sign up for water aerobics classes at your local community center. Don’t just sit there, keep moving.

Be aware that the use of NSAIDs or Cox-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten the onset.

Only you know which treatment option is best for you. Let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other drugs, herbs or other supplements you’re taking, to ward off any adverse drug reactions that might occur from the combining of different drugs or supplements.

Once you understand the facts about arthritis, possible causes and treatment approaches you can take, you’ll be on your way to recovery and pain will disappear. The biggest secret to arthritis pain relief is to change your diet now; eat foods that are alive. Begin your treatment program with a diet change, exercise and weight loss plan to see results and pain relief fast.



Thanks to Helen Hecker for contributing this article to our Arthritis blog:

Herbal Treatment For Arthritis

Holistic medicine for treatment of arthritis is becoming more and more popular.

Arthritis is a disease which causes inflammation of the joints. If left untreated joint damage, joint limitations and deformities can occur.

People suffering from arthritis must be groping for ways and means to totally cure them of their condition. Arthritis is the common term given to diseases of the joints. It is associated with pain and swelling, which can come and go due to certain trigger factors. Arthritis is very common to middle-aged individuals because that’s the time when their joints succumb to the normal wear and tear of everyday use. There are a lot of medicines for arthritis these days. And one of them is what’s called the Amazing Arthritis Medicine.

The amazing arthritis medicine that I’m bringing across to readers , ironically is one which expels any form of medication, drugs, or strict diet. It is one way of curing Arthritis through natural healing - a day to day healthy living - which makes all the difference in treating Arthritis.

Canine arthritis medicine will not make the arthritis go away. There are no cures for arthritis. In severe cases, surgery can be an alternative. But, many medications will relive the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. After your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with canine arthritis it would be best to find out what medicines he thinks would be best for the type of arthritis you dog is suffering with.

Heat applied to the painful area gives immediate but temporary relief. As soon as the source of heat is removed the arthritis back pain will begin to return.

Physical therapy is another method of pain relief. Chiropractors and massage clinics offer ways to give you temporary relief; however, for long term relief, you need to see your doctor. A doctor can check, first, to be sure it is truly arthritis pain, then prescribe medication for your individual arthritis back pain.

Recently, studies have been done on an herbal extract known as Tripterygium Wilfordi Hook F (TWHF) that has proved beneficial in the treatment of severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. The reports claim that it is very comparable to prednisone, a common chemical medication used in the treatment of arthritis. As in the cases of other herbal treatments and alternative medicine solutions in general, there is some controversy over the use of herbal medicines in the treatment of arthritis. The major complaint seems to be over the lack of regulation and uncertainty about the side effects of some of the herbal preparations.

If you are newly diagnosed with arthritis, nothing beats going to the library. The library is full of arthritis information. You can read stories of other osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients and learn about various alternative treatments and medication. You should also contact your local hospital to see what services they offer your community in way of arthritis information and support.

The belief of the Chinese medicine is that disease occurs when obstructions impede the flow of energy to the organs. Chinese herbs are used to restore energy and function to your body since Chinese medicine is based on the belief that if your body’s energy is blocked you cannot be in a state of wellness. Some of those who practice holistic medicine believe that a vegetarian diet can help to reduce your arthritis symptoms.



Thanks to herbalremedies for contributing this article to our Arthritis blog:

Natural Remedy For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects joints of a human body. The disease causes inflammation in and around joints, which result in decreased mobility.

As in all autoimmune diseases, the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of tissues present in other organs in the body. That is the reason why this disease is sometimes referred as systematic illness. Rheumatoid arthritis cures, if any, are possible only by early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Causes

In rheumatoid arthritis, specific antibodies present in the blood begin to attack the healthy tissues of the body. The disease starts with pain and inflammation in joints. As it progresses, it starts affecting the muscles and other organs also. The disease normally attacks people who are between 40 to 60 years of age. Wrists and hands are some of the first joints to be attacked. This condition can be genetic, but there are other factors as well (like smoking) that lead to its onset.

Symptoms

The preliminary symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis include swelling of the joints. At first, the delicate lining (synovium) of the joints are inflamed. Gradually, the joints stiffen and turn red. You may also suffer from a low fever, loss of appetite, and/or fatigue. As the disease progresses, the synovium gradually becomes thickened. In advanced rheumatoid arthritis, antibodies attack the entire joint by breaking down bone, synovium and cartilage. Cartilage is the strong white flexible substance found between the joints in the body. There is greater inflammation in the entire joint area resulting in heaviness and pain. After some time it becomes very difficult to bend the joints.

Cures for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and medical history. The rheumatoid arthritis specialists (Rheumatologists) tailor a specific treatment based on your medical history. This may include anti-inflammatory drugs like analgesics etc to ease the pain or administration of cortisone shots to control swelling and stiffness. The specialist may also suggest you medications (like prednisone) to reduce the risk of joint deformity. If the disease is in its advanced stage, treatment measures may include extraction of fluid from the joints through arthrocentesis.

Some common rheumatoid arthritis treatments include sufficient rest, splinting of affected joints and mild exercise programs. Good nutrition is also very important because patients often experience anemia and weight loss.

True, that there are no known cures for rheumatoid arthritis, but an early diagnosis and treatment can substantially reduce joint inflammation and pain. Timely treatments can prevent joint destruction and deformity and prolong joint functionality and mobility. However, one should always remember that rheumatoid arthritis treatment can be much more successful if there is a close co-operation between the doctor, the patient and his or her family members.



Thanks to Sandra Kim Leong for contributing this article to our Arthritis blog:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Alternative Therapy

Can you answer rubydoo’s question about Arthritis?:

My terrier (18lbs) has torn her acl ligament. I’ve found on the web that glucosamine/chondroitin helps to heal this problem, but I can’t find any information about how much to give her. My vet doesn’t know (I’m from a small town and the local vet tends to prescribe pain medicine rather than vitamins). Does anyone know where I can find this out?

Knee Osteoarthritis