Pain Medications for Arthritis Sufferers

If you suffer with Arthritis, you will no doubt have heard of the drugs under the classification of Steroids, Narcotics, DMARDS and Biologics. All these types of medications are prescribed to those who suffer from the pain of arthritis and carry with them benefits and risks that patients and their doctors should discuss before a pain management plan is put into action.

Steroids

Used to reduce swelling, inflammation and the associated pain, Steroids are a strong anti-inflammatory medication. Often sufferers of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may be given steroid injections directly into the painful joint to relieve pain in that joint. Steroids are commonly prescribed in tablet form to give temporary relief of the symptoms of "flare-ups" for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. This medication is available in different strengths, with lower doses being taken over a longer term to help maintain the occurrence of inflammation and pain. The use of steroids can make a big difference in the quality of life especially for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

The risks associated with long-term use of steroids need to be weighed up against the benefits. Effects such as increased risk of infections and an increase in blood sugar levels are quite common. Extended use of steroids can also result in thinning of the bones. Usually doctors will prescribe the use of steroid pills for short-term use to avoid these side effects. Steroid injections carry a lower risk for side effects and can be used for longer time periods.

Narcotics

Narcotics work by controlling pain by disabling the nerve cell pain receptors. Doctors may prescribe prescription narcotic pain relievers such as codeine, fentanyl, morphine or oxycodone for the relief of severe arthritis pain. Although Narcotics are not commonly prescribed for pain relief for arthritis suffers, in cases where the patient is so debilitated by pain that they are unable to move they may be the answer to assist with regaining mobility. Mobility is very important in the management of pain for arthritis sufferers. The reason narcotics are not used more often is that there are a lot of side effects when using them. Narcotics tend to cloud the thinking processes of people who take them. Constipation is another common side effect to narcotic usage.

DMARDs

DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) are used to prevent the joint damage that inflammation causes in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methotrexate is a commonly prescribed DMARD. These medications usually take weeks before there is any noticeable effect on the patient so it is usual for pain relievers like steroids to be prescribed until the DMARDs take effect.

The use of DMARDs can drastically improve the lifestyle of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
As with most medications there is a risk with using DMARDs. DMARDs work by suppressing the immune system and as a result patients are more susceptible to infections while using this particular medication therapy. They are also at increased risk for liver issues, low blood count occurrences and a slightly increased risk of certain cancers. It is widely recommended that regular blood tests be done so the doctor can be aware of any changes in blood count and organ functions.

It is usual when undertaking any medication therapy that the doctor will explain the risks of such therapy to the patient and together they can weigh up the benefits against the risks. Other illnesses the patient may be experiencing will also be taken into consideration when using medication such as DMARDs. If the disease is progressive and creates a current or future risk of disability without the treatment than that is a major consideration. Quality of life is extremely important and the decision to proceed with DMARDs medication therapy must be weighed seriously against other pain management alternatives.

Biologics

Biologics (Biological Response Modifiers) are a more aggressive medication therapy that is used to slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics are used when DMARDs therapy is no longer helpful. There are a few Biologics approved for arthritis pain relief such as Enbrel, Kineret, Orencia, Humira, Rituxan and Remicade.

Biologics can affect part of the immune system unlike DMARDs that can affect the entire immune system. Biologics are designed to inhibit or supplement different components of our immune system.

Biologic medications are given by either injection or by intravenous infusion (IV). The IV method can take up to 2 hours to receive the entire dosage.

Long-term effects are unknown at present as results of studies have only been available for about 10 years. However, it is known that biologics can cause diseases that have been in remission to flare-up again such as tuberculosis and other chronic diseases. It is also unadvisable for people under the age of 50 to use this type of medication therapy.

In summary; although many of the types of medication discussed here can and do have their risks, it must be remembered that people suffering with the debilitating pain associated with many arthritis diseases, have very little choice when it comes to pain relief. Pain in itself can cause other problems such as depression, therefore the decision to undertake this type of medication therapy becomes the lesser of two evils. This is why it is so important to fully understand the benefits and risks associated with drug therapy and to discuss all options and concerns with a medical professional, thus enabling the patient to make an informed decision.

Gout And Celiac Disease: What Is The Connection?

Gout and Celiac Disease; Is There A Connection?

There has always been a considerably amount of speculation about whether or not Celiac and Gout share a common thread. There are several well-known symptoms and/or shared health problems of both of them. Among them are indications of Autoimmune Disorders, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Bone and Joint Pain, which lead to a reasonable assumption that Gout does fit into the realm of Celiac Disease.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease damages the small intestine and interrupts the absorption of nutrients from food. People who have Celiac have an intolerance to gluten; a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is usually found in foods but many other common products like medicines, vitamins, and lip balms can also contain gluten.

In extreme cases, the presence of gluten on a molecular level is enough to cause severe reactions for those with advanced sensitivities.

When someone with Celiac Disease eats certain foods or uses different products containing gluten, their immune system will damage or destroy the "villi" - the microscopic, finger-like lining of the small intestine. The villi function to allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without the villi functioning properly, signs of malnutrition may start to appear.

Celiac is not only an abnormal immune reaction to gluten, but also a condition where nutrients are not absorbed adequately and studies have shown proof that it is genetic in nature.

There have been reports of Gout Sufferers who also have Celiac Disease that have found relief from both of the diseases with prolonged and intensive use of highly concentrated Antioxidants.

The symptoms of Celiac can also vary with such factors as; a person's age and/or the degree of damage that has been done to the small intestine. Some people have the symptoms and condition for 10 years or more before they are diagnosed. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the risk of sustaining long-term complications.

How does Gout fit in?

Rheumatoid arthritis is typically labeled as an autoimmune disease. No condition is completely and exclusively manifested from internal sources and it is logical that there is always some form of external influences. Fairly often, Arthritis is associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Food allergies, poor gastrointestinal tract function, and immune attacks on connective tissues, are closely associated. In the case of all arthritic instances, close attention should be paid to dietary intake and monitored carefully.

Arthritis that appears to stem from an allergic reaction is not usually recognized as a food allergy, even when pain and swelling starts to develop in one of more of the joints. It doesn't matter if the food is something that is commonly eaten by an individual, or something completely new; joint inflammation can occur due to an accumulation of causes or from a combination metabolic substances. Such is the case with Gout.

Presently, Celiac Disease and "Gluten Intolerance" are often used interchangeably although this is a misconception. To diagnose Celiac, blood tests are drawn to measure for high levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies or anti-endomysium antibodies.

However this is not to discount that more reports are now showing low-level irritation and gluten sensitivities in the small intestine in more people. Due to the number of gout sufferers that are also showing signs of Celiac Disease, as well as the growing number of people expressing inflammatory bowel-like symptoms, there is evidence that low-grade gluten intolerance is affecting a much broader range of the population than previously thought.

The speculation still remains that either Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance is the culprit or at least an accomplice to the condition of Gout.

The Uncommon Tea Allergy

There are many people that suffer from "food allergies". Yearly, it is one of the top ranked illnesses diagnosed by physicians. Some are extremely common while others, such as a tea allergy, occur less frequently. When suffering from an uncommon food allergy (such as tea); less information is available to help sufferers. In this article we will cover what suffering from this allergy entails, the tea allergy symptoms you may endure, and why the intolerance occurs.

When searching for information, you're not likely to come up with much. You will more than likely find page after page about tea for allergy relief and how green tea will help calm your allergies (and symptoms) that come along with them. However, if you are one of the few that suffer from a tea allergy- you are unable to reap the benefits of green tea healing; because often you are allergic or sensitive to green tea as well.

Definition:

Many people discuss food allergies, but what are they exactly? A food allergy is when a food is ingested and seen as an "invader". Your body responds to it by sending antibodies to stop the invader (treating it like an infection). This is generally referred to as hypersensitivity to an allergen. In this case it is the body's hypersensitivity to tannin or caffeine, which is a common ingredient in tea. There are two types of tea allergies that occur more frequently than others: chamomile and linden.

Symptoms

In most cases, tea allergy symptoms will clear up within a few hours to a few days.

Symptoms Include:

- Runny Nose
- Swelling: It can cause swelling of the face, cheeks, limbs, and/ or throat. In the case of throat swelling, if it causes trouble breathing, this can be more severe.
- Eye Irritation: This will be the first sign. This can range from watery eyes to itchy, red eyes. This should last no longer than a few days.
- Sneezing
- Skin Irritation: Hives (raised bumps on the skin) can appear and stay on the skin for up to a few days.
- Headache: This is very similar to a sinus headache (troubling the front and back of the head).

There are a few extremely rare cases where people can go into anaphylactic shock (life threatening allergic reaction). In these cases, the throat swells, blocking the airways and causing suffocation. If this happens, you can call 911 or have someone rush you to the hospital immediately. Death is possible, so take proper precautions.

Finding relief is similar to that of soothing any other allergy. There are many over the counter allergy medicines (such as Benadryl), that you can purchase. There are also many natural herbal remedies that you can try. However, these may interfere with your current health plan. Do not start any new medicines without first consulting a doctor. Some people are only allergic to certain types of tea, but reading the labels of all teas will help to ensure you do not ingest any items your body will treat as an allergen. Avoidance of all kinds of tea is often the most effective way to treat a tea allergy.

Gout Symptoms - 5 Ways to Tell If You Have Gout

Are you suffering from terrible joint pain?

Would you like to know for certain whether or not you are having a gout attack?

If you are suffering from these 5 gout symptoms, chances are you are suffering from this painful disease.

1. Your pain began in the middle of the night. This arthritic problem often begins at night. When you are sleeping the synovial fluid responsible for cleaning your joints doesn't flow enough to properly clear out the excess debris. This allows uric acid crystals to accumulate causing swelling leading to terrible pain. So ask yourself, did this pain come on suddenly in the middle of the night. If you were not suffering when you went to sleep, but woke up in pain, chances are you have gout.

2. You don't remember injuring your affected joint. One of the problems with a new onset of this condition is thinking you have a sprained foot or ankle versus having gout. The most common place for pain is in the big toe. However, this is not always the case. Often attacks occur in the ankle and many have felt they sprained their ankle. After a couple weeks of getting worse and not better many realize they don't remember injuring their ankle. So ask yourself if you remember injuring your ankle or foot. If the answer is no, you possibly have gout.

3. Your pain is getting worse. As mentioned in the last point, if your pain has not subsided over a few days, but is actually getting worse with increased swelling and redness, you could possibly have gout. When you suffer an injury the swelling will usually subside after a few days whereas gouty arthritis will continue to increase in intensity.

4. Your pain has spread to other joints. Sometimes gout will jump from one joint to another. You can have pain in your foot today and have it spread to your knees, elbow, wrists, and fingers. Sometimes it can feel like you have tendonitis, but in reality, it is gout.

5. Even the slightest pressure causes intense pain. For regular patients with this disease, it has been noted that even the slightest pressure from even a bed sheet can cause immense pain.

If you have these symptoms, what can you do?

Get a blood test to determine if your symptoms point to having gouty arthritis. Other arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or pseudo gout can have similar symptoms. Blood tests can determine your base uric acid levels and enable a physician to properly diagnose you. Regardless of which disease you have, though, the treatments are often similar.

The Benefits Of Acupuncture For Diagnosis And Treatment Of Arthritis

Acupuncture for diagnosis and treatment of arthritis is now becoming more prevalent but having your skin savagely poked with a series of long needles doesn't exactly sound like ideal comfort, especially when you are already living with arthritis, a rheumatoid disease characterized by it's trademark stiffness and pain. The ancient Chinese would beg to differ, along with the estimated fifteen million Americans who have tried the ancient Chinese needle therapy known as acupuncture. Around the Asian continent, acupuncture has been used for generations to alleviate the symptoms of chronic pain sufferers, like arthritis patients, for instance. Prospective "acupokees" should be aware that acupuncture therapy is used for treating arthritis, not diagnosing it. Although patients should garner a arthritis diagnosis before signing up for acupuncture therapy.

Studies in Arthritis and Acupuncture

More than twenty million Americans live with osteoarthritis (there are various forms of the condition, however). In fact, osteoarthritis is amongst the most frequent causes for physical disability in adults. Despite a history spanning more than two thousand years, it was 2001 before acupuncture was found to aid arthritis in the knee via a study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The study included 570 osteoarthritis patients over the age of fifty who had never before received acupuncture, surgery, or steroid injections. A control group was selected and these individuals received regular sessions of acupuncture. By the end of the first week, the acupuncture group experienced a surge in mobility and by the end of the study the group reported a forty percent decrease in pain and a forty percent increase in knee function.

Using Acupuncture For Treating Arthritis

Bigwigs of Western medicine aren't exactly sure just how acupuncture works to fight arthritis and similar diseases, but the skilled acupuncture who administer the therapy have an idea or two. According to therapeutic philosophy, pain is the result of a blockage of one of life's essential energies, qui. Stimulating certain points will put the flow of qui back in balance again, thus alleviating chronic pain in the process - Volia! A 1999 study even found evidence that acupuncture improves sleep.

During acupuncture therapy, very thin needles are inserted into precise point in the skin, these points are known as acupoints. It is these acupoints that may have the biggest influence on the connection between treating arthritis with the use of the acupuncture therapy. In addition to being poked and prodded, acupoints also react to magnets, currents of electricity, acupressure (hand pressure), lasers and even bee stings. Acupuncture practitioners have also been known to administer herbs along with wielding out some advice on making lifestyle changes at the conclusion of a session.

Studies demonstrate that some of designated acupoints are actually connected to sensitive bio-trigger points rich in nerve endings. And further studies show that tinkering around with those triggers can cause a mirage of biological responses, one of the many responses being the chemical release of endorphins. The release of endorphins is pivotal to acupuncture's influence on arthritis because the chemical serves as the body's own answer to Advil, Tylenol and Motrin, as a natural painkiller.

Acupuncture Checks and Balances

Acupuncture costs vary across the United States. But as a rule of thumb, first visits usually fall between $75 and $150, with cheaper follow-up treatments costing between $35 and $75. Health insurance accommodations of acupuncture vary, but advocates of using the therapy for the treatment of diagnosed arthritis cite the long-term benefits of it's hefty price tag, which include fewer doctor visits over time and saving a few bucks on prescriptions.

Difference Between Gout and Pseudo Gout

Gout and Pseudo Gout are two different types of diseases but the symptoms of the two diseases are almost the same. However, both are the two most common types of crystal-induced arthropathies. They both are the diseases that cause the inflammation and are caused by the formation of crystals in the joint areas. But gout is caused by the monosodium urate monohydrate crystals and Pseudo gout is caused by the calcium pyrophosphate crystals.

So, you can see the cause of the gout and the pseudo gout is different. A brief discussion may throw some lights on the two diseases. As earlier said the main cause of the gout is the accumulation of the uric acid in the body. In normal condition the uric acid which is the byproduct of the purines is cleared off from the body through the urine. But if there is high level of uric acid presence in the blood the kidneys cannot process them to get the body rid of the extra uric acid. The uric acid then starts to form the uric acid crystals that being to deposit in the joints and muscle tendons and in the surrounding tissues. This leads to the attack of gout which is manifested in the acute pain, skin tenderness, red and hot skin and sometimes in fissures with white chalky discharge. So, the high purine foods and the alcohol or the beer are the foods that worsen the uric acid level in the human body.

Pseudo gout, on the other hand is called as the calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease. It is a medical condition where the problem is caused by the deposits of the calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in the cartilage and then in the fluid of the joint areas. This leads to the intermittent attack of the pain and inflammation just like the gout attack.

The reason for which the calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals start to be deposited in the joints fluid and in the cartilage is yet to be known. It may cause by different reasons. The abnormally high calcium level in the blood can cause the problem. This may happen due to the high level of parathyroid hormone in the body. An abnormally high iron level in the tissues can also be responsible for the problem. Hypomagnesemia or very low level of magnesium present in the blood can also lead to the situation. The problem of the pseudo gout may be hereditary too.

Symptoms of the pseudo gout are somewhat similar to the gout. But they are highly similar to the symptoms of the rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis too. Chronic acute pains, inflammation especially in the knees, wrists and in other large joints are the common symptoms of the pseudo gout. The attack of the pseudo gout can cause fever. Unlike in gout, the patients of pseudo gout may not develop hard lumps of uric acid crystals.

However, the treatment of the gout and the pseudo gout are almost the same. The healthy lifestyle, proper medication, the same types of food diets are advised for both the diseases.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment - How a Deer Can Help Rebuild Cartilage and Cure Arthritis

Did you know that rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis because symptoms make everyday tasks nearly impossible? Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition which causes the joints to throb and eventually become disfigured. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include: inflammation; pain; little movement; and joint disfigurement.

Though the cause of RA is unknown, there is an effective arthritis natural treatment which allows arthritis suffers to reduce the pain, reduce the inflammation and rebuild the cartilage between the joints. If you suffer from arthritis, you should immediately begin simple remedies to reduce the symptoms and rebuild the cartilage.

Why You Shouldn't Choose Prescription Medications

It might be important to consider why you want to rebuild the cartilage between the joints. Normally, arthritis sufferers take some form of medication reducing the inflammation and eliminating the pain. However, the problem with this remains that the joint is still aching but the brain is not registering the pain. Therefore, the unaware arthritic patient goes on hurting the joints and cartilage more and more while severely damaging the joints and existing cartilage.

The equivalent of this would be putting a piece of tape over the car's 'check engine oil' light and hoping you can finish the road trip. Though you might make it back to your house, the engine will eventually blow up without oil. You must put oil in your engine and you must rebuild cartilage if you wish to use your joints the rest of your life.

And above all that, you might want to safe your liver from the harsh drugs?

How to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Rebuild Cartilage

If you have ever been around deer you might notice something miraculously astounding about bucks (male deer). The male deer can naturally regenerate its antlers in months! In fact, a deer will grind its antlers on a tree, and completely strip the velvet off. However, months later, the deer antler velvet regenerates itself completely.

This isn't the end of our science lesson though. Russian scientists discovered after isolating compounds in deer antler velvet; they could use the compounds to rebuild cartilage between human joints. In fact, this natural remedy has been used for hundreds of years first starting with Asian countries.

How does this relate to you? This is one simple natural treatment to cure arthritis and not only hide the pain!

Other Simple Cures for Arthritis

Did you know that you can treat and cure arthritis with other simple cures? In fact, by eating a proper diet, drinking the correct fluids (water), doing the correct breathing exercises daily, getting an adequate amount of low-impact exercise, reducing stress and taking the correct vitamins and natural supplements you can actually eliminate almost 100% of arthritis NATURALLY (No Drugs and No Surgery Needed)! To discover what thousands of arthritis sufferers already have, please visit our Natural Cure for Arthritis Website.

Naturally Cure for Arthritis

Symptoms and Types of Connective Tissue Disease

Four rather unusual and rare diseases are now being grouped together by medical investigators as a result of information derived from recent research. Their names, which are little known to the public, are polyarteritis nodosa, diffuse lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis.

They resemble each other in that all of them represent disturbances of connective tissue in the body, in contrast to glandular tissue or surface secreting tissue. The connective tissue of the body includes what is elastic and the material between the cells. Sometimes tumors consist almost wholly of connective or fibrous tissue. The walls of blood vessels contain much tissue of this type.

Now the big fact about these conditions is that all of them are benefited at least temporarily by use of ACTH or Cortisone. All of them resemble also the reactions that occur in tissues in response to hypersensitivity or allergy.

Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa is a disease in which the blood vessels are chiefly affected. Because this disease is primarily serious damage of blood vessels, it may be reflected in any part of the body. The condition affects men four times as often as women and, mostly, those between twenty and forty years old. Arthritis and many of the reactions associated with hypersensitivity are seen by the doctor in these patients.

Lupus Erythematosus
Disseminated lupus erythematosus is chronic, usually severe disorder occurring mostly in females fifteen to forty years old. A characteristic is a butterfly-shaped inflammation over the nose. Other symptoms involve the joints and the heart. Fever a anemia and a progressive course make the disease fatal.

Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a disease that affects the connective tissue of the body and particularly that in the skin where there is hardening. Chiefly women between thirty and fifty years old are affected. The swelling in the skin may be followed by calcification. This disease comes on slowly a insidiously, but as it progresses changes occur in the skin of the face, neck, and arms. The skin looks waxy and tight and loses its color a hair. When the face is involved there may be difficulty in moving the jaw. Fortunately this is not a common disease; certainly it is not serious as polyarteritis nodosa or diffuse lupus erythematosusw, which similar. In the older forms of treatment emphasis was placed on the use of thyroid and vitamins. Great care was given to prevent secondary infections. More recently attention is being focused on the use of ACTH and Cortisone.

Dermatomyositis

Fourth in this group of collagen disorders is one called dermatomyositis. This is a common and often fatal disorder involving the skin and the muscles. The exact cause is still unknown. It affects people of all races and colors, both men and women, and in general those between the ages of ten and fifty years.

Characteristic of this condition is the involvement of the muscles. As they deteriorate the organs concerned show effects, as in the eyes, throat, diaphragm, or muscles between the ribs. The symptoms then are difficulties of vision, swallowing, breathing, speech, etc. Naturally such people lose weight and get weak. Unfortunately this condition progressive and few who have it live long. Until recently little was known about treatment, and vitamins, hormones and physical therapy were tried. Salicylates were thought to be beneficial. Now we know that the salicylates can to a small extent stimulate the condition.

Arthritis
Rheumatism is a word used to describe a number of diseases, acute or chronic, which are accompanied by pain and stiffness of the muscles, the joints and other tissues involved in movement. Arthritis is the term used to describe inflammation of the joints only.

The joint includes the ends of bones, cartilages between the ends, a capsule holding it all together, ligaments which attach the muscles to the bones, membranes and the joint fluid. Nerves accompany the blood vessels into the joints; while the bones and cartilage do not feel pain, inflammation and swelling with the pouring of extra fluid into the joint can produce exquisite pain.

People with arthritis can be quite eloquent about their joints. The pain may be described as excruciating, throbbing, burning, aching, squeezing, or just hurting. The patients also complain of crackling, stiffness, and loss of motion.

The American Rheumatism Association has classified arthritis into seven types:

1. - due to infection


2. - due to rheumatic fever


3. - rheumatoid


4. - degenerative


5. - due to injuries


6. - due to gout


7. - arising from the nervous system

Rheumatoid arthritis is not just a disease of the joints, but a general condition affecting the whole body. While the exact cause or causes may not be known, the discovery of the effects of ACTH and Cortisone have led to new concepts of the nature of the disease. Now rheumatoid arthritis along with a number of other conditions is called a "collagen" disease. In all of these the connective tissue of the body is chiefly concerned. The tendency is to consider rheumatoid arthritis a reaction of the body to sensitivity to certain substances, perhaps coming from bacteria, with the sensitivity affecting the connective tissue chiefly. The suggestion has also been made that rheumatism is not a specific reaction to some single substance but a general reaction of the body resulting from several different stimulations.

Women are affected by rheumatoid arthritis three times as often as men. Rheumatoid arthritis varies from being an acute disease with fever and sudden disability of many joints to a condition that develops gradually in which the patient may at first notice only stiffness or pain in one joint. Some may have deformity of a joint without ever having felt any pain. Sometimes the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis are fatigue, loss of appetite and loss of weight. Patients complain of numbness and loss of feeling in hands and arms, feet or legs. Sometimes the lymph glands near the joint become swollen. Because of failure to move and use the muscles around the swollen joint, the tissue breaks down and the area looks thin and wasted.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that comes and goes. Doctors have noticed particularly that it disappears during pregnancy and during jaundice. The sooner good treatment can be applied to rheumatoid arthritis the better are the results secured in stopping the progress and the damage done by the disease. While the disease is active, rest and freedom from motion are helpful. If there is fever and severe pain certainly confinement to bed is desirable. Then as these troubles subside motion is permitted, but never to the point of fatigue. During the severe stages the patients are anxious and disturbed, often by solicitous people, and the doctor must protect the patient against emotional upsets.

No special diet cures arthritis. Nevertheless the patient with rheumatoid arthritis needs to be sustained with sufficient proteins, vitamins and minerals and enough carbohydrates and fats to provide needed energy and to avoid damage to tissues. Good animal proteins, calcium and iron must be adequate in the diet.

For many years a mainstay in treating arthritis has been the application of heat. Heat may be applied by hot bricks wrapped in towels, hot water bottles, electric heat pads, infra-red heat lamps, heat cradles containing incandescent bulbs, and other methods. If many joints are involved relief frequently comes from a hot tub bath once or twice a day, but prolonged hot baths are weakening.

People do not die of rheumatoid arthritis but complications may occur which are especially serious for the arthritic patient. Troubles with the lungs including pneumonia, damage to the heart and secondary infections are a threat.

Rheumatoid arthritis may be especially serious for children because of deformities that persist throughout life. A severe form of rheumatoid arthritis in childhood is known as "Still's disease." Another form of rheumatoid arthritis is associated with psoriasis, and there are arthritic manifestations that affect women in the menopause.

Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the spine is a crippling condition responsible for much disability. This condition usually occurs in men rather than in women. Pains in the back, soreness on bending over, painful buttocks, and shooting pains in the sciatic nerve area are accompaniments.

With spasms of the spinal muscles comes a tendency to avoid movement and in some instances the stiff-poker spine develops. Hot, wet packs help to relieve the spasm of the muscles. Use of salicylates for relief, heat, mild massage and liniments are reported beneficial in securing relief for those with degenerative arthritis.

A Simple Diet To Eliminate Arthritis Pain

Arthritis pain is no more than joint inflammation. However, it may appear in many different forms (more than one hundred types), and strikes millions in America. The actual causes of arthritis pain are relatively unknown, but it seems that as you age you become more susceptible to it.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, most treatment programs involve medication, rest, exercise, and means of avoiding joint pain.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, Aspirin is one of the major as well as the safest drugs for treating arthritis pain. For treating more serious cases, increased dosage of Aspirin is often recommended. However, Aspirin has undesirable side effects, such as nausea, stomach pain, and impaired hearing.

Other than Aspirin, medication to treat rheumatoid arthritis to reduce joint inflammation and pain includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with brand names such as Motrin and Advil, among others. However, deaths had been linked to these drugs: development of bleeding ulcers, especially in elderly patients. As a result of these fatal side effects, these drugs usually carry strong warning labels of serious gastrointestinal toxicity, such as bleeding and ulceration, among others. However, many patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis simply ignore these warnings.

Another category of medication to treat rheumatoid problems and joint inflammation is the cortico-steroids. These drugs also cause major side effects, such as ulcers, hair growth over the face, bone loss, wasting of arm and leg muscles, mood changes, and kidney damage. These potentially dangerous drugs suppress the body's immune system.

Several long-term studies reported unfavorable findings of cortico-steroids. For example, in the United Kingdom, there was a study of over a 20-year span, indicating that one-third of the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were dead and the majority of the remaining patients became severely disabled due to their arthritis pain.

Do you have rheumatoid arthritis? Are you using medication to treat your arthritis pain? Do you have concern over the potentially hazardous side effects of arthritis medication? After all, all pharmaceutical drugs are toxic by nature. They may be able to alleviate your arthritis pain, while creating other new symptoms that have to be dealt with further down the road.

How about nutrition therapy as an alternative treatment for your arthritis pain?

The Chinese have accumulated thousands of years of medical wisdom. One of the most popular arthritis diets is the Dong's diet. The well-known Dong's diet is basically a "poor man's diet," focusing on a simple diet of fish, vegetables, and rice, with small amounts of chicken, to the exclusion of meat, fruits, and dairy products.

The Dong's diet, initiated by a San Francisco doctor, is founded on the concept that arthritis pain is no more than allergic reactions to certain foods.

An allergen is a substance that produces an antibody reaction within your body. This antibody reaction causes allergy symptoms manifested in joint pain. An allergen can be a frequently eaten food, or the additives or chemicals in any processed food (this is another legitimate reason why you should stay away from all processed and refined foods).

Nowadays, even doctors are accepting the concept of the close connection between joint pain and diets.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis and you don't want to take those potentially dangerous drugs, maybe it is time you considered changing your diet. As Dr. Dong said: "It's what you don't eat that counts."

Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Cure in Your Mind

We used to think that the cure to Rheumatoid Arthritis was either non-existent or totally relied on the use of heavy pharmaceuticals. Today the approach to removing symptoms of this arthritic disease or even sending it completely into 'remission' is very different.

Whilst many still rely on pharmaceuticals to treat certain symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, such as inflammation, pain, swelling and stiffness, some are resorting more and more to the use of natural cures and this is bearing increasing success. The details of which natural supplements work best are on this further down this article.

Meanwhile, I want to explore what was suggested to me years ago, namely that the mind-boggling onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis (nobody in my family, immediate or distant, ever suffered from this disease) was in my case a psychological reaction to certain events taking place in my early teens (a nasty parents' divorce and an even nastier 'aftermath' in which my whole family ruptured and became highly dysfunctional). Don't get me wrong; it wasn't 'all in the mind': the symptoms were all there and the damage was real; I had X-Rays and other tests done at the early age of fourteen and they all showed I was suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

At the time it was only in my hands, but I was already beginning to have difficulty playing the piano or even writing. When I left home and went to University (and therefore left the dysfunctional family situation I was living in), my symptoms (which had not been treated at all) suddenly disappeared. Doctors believed that I had been suffering from Juvenile Arthritis and that it was perfectly normal for the symptoms to recede years later. I therefore went on with my life thinking the disease was gone.

But, years later, when I started visiting members of my family for prolonged periods, I began to suffer from severe knee pain which, months later, almost prevented me from walking normally. The knee was swollen, inflamed, extremely painful day and night and no amount of painkillers worked at all. Then my right elbow started to feel very stiff and painful; I became desperate and was ready to try anything and everything. I went to a reputable homeopath, who was convinced that my Rheumatoid Arthritis was triggered by certain familial events which were affecting my mind; with homeopathic remedies aimed at treating repressed anger, psychological pain and resentment (as well as disappointment and abandonment), 3 months later my knee and elbow pain was gone and I was able to resume my very active lifestyle (I am an outdoors person, I love to hike, swim and cycle) in full. Not once did I take any painkiller or pharmaceutical. This means that, in my case at least, my homeopath was correct in diagnosing my Rheumatoid Arthritis as mind-based.

Effective Home Remedies for Arthritis

People throughout history have found that there are various remedies that one may create in the comfort of the home in order to effectively treat certain medical diseases and conditions. There are millions of people that have arthritis around the world. Many people with arthritis do not have medical insurance, or the financial means to acquire medical help to assist them in living life easily with their condition. For these individuals, there are many effective home remedies. Here, you will find many of the effective home remedies for arthritis that have proven successful to many people for numerous years.

An effective and common home remedy for arthritis is consuming garlic. Garlic has been known to alleviate the symptoms of swelling and inflammation for hundreds of years. There are many ways that you can consume garlic. You may purchase garlic pills at your local health food store, or you may choose to cook with garlic. Many people simply sprinkle garlic over their food once it is prepared. However you choose to ingest garlic, it is an important factor is reducing the pain that is associated with swelling in arthritis.

An effective home remedy for arthritis is potato juice. You simply make a juice from potatoes and then consume the juice. Many older arthritis patients bring this home remedy for arthritis to us from many generations of effective use. It is believed that potatoes play an effective role in eliminating the pain that is associated with arthritis. You may also choose to implement more potatoes into your daily diet to reduce the symptoms that are associated with arthritis.

An effective home remedy for arthritis includes creating a rice bag to alleviate inflammation and reduce pain that is a result of inflammation. This is a basic bag of rice that you can create using a strong material. Many people simply take an old sock, pour in a large amount of rice, and tie the sock into a tight knot. The bag can then be placed in a microwave for about a minute. Once the bag is done in the microwave, you can apply it to swollen and/or sore joints. The heat is the same as a heating bag, only inexpensive. This is a great method for alleviating pain with arthritis.

The next effective home remedy for arthritis is quite simple and can be done by anyone. This is simply to soak in a hot bath. The heat that the water contains will help to effectively soothe the symptoms of arthritis by soothing inflammation and providing more freedom in joint movement. Many people may even place a small amount of vinegar in the water to help sooth the pain of arthritis. If you are comforted by cool water, you may choose to sit in a tub of cool water rather than warm water.

There are many effective home remedies for arthritis. You can choose one, or all. The most important aspect of the home remedy is that it provides relief to you.

Symptoms of Arthritis - Do You Have These Primary Arthritis Symptoms?

What are the primary symptoms of arthritis?

Arthritis is mainly known as acute joint inflammatory disorder. It can also be chronic in nature. As per the reports of Arthritis Foundation, it has been found out that more than 3 million young people suffer from a unique arthritis condition, known as rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis condition is mainly referred to a painful inflammation in the joints, connective tissues and muscles. Adult as well as young arthritis sufferers face very similar arthritis symptoms. Read further to discover some of the commonly found symptoms of arthritis in the arthritis sufferers all over the world.

Major symptoms of arthritis:

1) Extreme joint pain: Numerous arthritis sufferers experience severe joint pain due to their joint inflammation. This pain can last longer in some people while it comes and goes randomly for some sufferers. According to Kids health website, some people may experience their joint pain becomes severe in the early morning or in the late night period. Some adults and young arthritis sufferers can also experience an intermittent joint pain during the arthritis flare-ups which can happen few times in a month or in the years' time period. In order to control this joint pain symptom, one must meet the arthritis medical specialist and get the right anti-inflammatory joint pain medication at the right time.

2) Joint swelling: Most arthritis sufferers also face internal and external joint swelling problems after the joint pain symptoms. This joint swelling is often characterized by the unusual puffiness and enlargement of the joints, tissues and muscles. When you touch these swollen joints, you often feel them to be warm. Skin inflammation and skin redness is also experienced by these arthritis sufferers. Such swelling symptom causes the affected person difficult to move. Your doctor may suggest you to use anti-inflammatory medication in such case. You can also apply ice on such swollen body parts in order to relieve from pain and swelling symptoms.

3) Joint stiffness: After the joint pain and swelling, people suffering from arthritis also experience joint stiffness. According to the reports of Arthritis Foundation, it has been identified that severe arthritis patients often lack in performing adequate physical movements which limits their daily physical activities. They can not participate in sports activities and anything else which demands higher physical activities. In order to keep the joints mobile and flexible, one must practice joint relief exercises such as yoga, meditation, stretching exercises on a daily basis.

4) High fever and headache: People with severe arthritis may experience flu like symptoms. These symptoms include high fever, sore throat, vomiting and headache. Whenever you face such health problems, it is important to consult with an experienced doctor in order to treat your condition.

The above primary symptoms of arthritis are seen in almost every arthritis sufferer. In order to treat your arthritis symptoms, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Such healthy lifestyle includes balanced diet as well as balanced exercise routine on a regular basis. It is also necessary to pay a visit to your doctor on a regular basis and diagnose your condition properly to administer the right arthritis treatment.

Arthritis Neck Pain: An Exciting New Treatment for the Relief of Arthritis Neck Pain

Arthritis is medically defined as inflammation of the joints. Arthritis can occur in any joint of the body, including most commonly the fingers and knees, which are typically hard-used joints. Inflammation is the primary feature of arthritis, which is the body's natural reaction of joint tissues that have endured some sort of damage or injury, either through overuse due to physical abuse or excessive weight gain or in some cases hormonal or environmental factors.

Nutritional factors, including dangerously low levels of calcium, magnesium and essential fatty acids can also cause temporary arthritis, but these are probably the most easily solved once they are identified as the culprits.

What are some of the best natural remedies for arthritis pain?
Along with a host of prescription medications and medical options, those suffering form the arthritis neck pain who want to avoid potential side effects of over-the-counter medicines as well as prescription anti-inflammatory drugs have a variety of natural remedies that have proven quite effective.

One of the most commonly recommended home remedies for arthritis pain is to wrap the painful joint in heat. Heat causes the muscles around the joint to relax, which in turn releases the pressure and strain on the joint and eases the arthritic pain. In general cold-water treatments should be avoided by the patient suffering arthritis as this causes additional tension and can inflame the joints again.

Additional natural remedies for arthritis neck pain depend on the cause of the patient's arthritis, including a careful and structured loss of weight to ease the strain on the joints. In many cases, arthritic pain caused by weight gain can be completely eliminated when patients lose the extra weight and incorporate joint-healthy exercise into their daily lives.
Arthritis neck pain can also be eased and even eliminated through therapeutic massage. Massage therapy has been shown to ease arthritic pain at any age and with regular massage therapy, many arthritis sufferers can return to pain-free, normal functioning again.

What are the best natural supplements to relieve arthritis?
Some of the natural remedies for arthritis include dietary supplements and some of the most effective supplements are as follows:

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate - in a recent National Institute of Health (NIH) study, glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate provided statistically significant pain relief compared with placebo. Approximately 79 percent of those studied had a 20 percent or greater reduction in pain versus about 54 percent for those taking the placebo.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) - which is a naturally occurring source of sulfur in the health food industry that has proven to have anti-inflammatory effects on the human body. Some of those suffering osteoarthritis have experience significant reduction in their daily pain and improved physical function without major side effects.

Manganese - which is a trace mineral that participates in many enzyme processes within the human body has been shown to be helpful in the utilization of key nutrients, such as thiamine and abscorbic acid. While not specifically used to treat arthritis symptoms, manganese has been shown effective in helping the human body properly absorb and distribute nutrients that can be effective at easing arthritis symptoms. In that regard, manganese is more properly defined as a helper remedy.

The Types of Gout and How To Remedy Them

Gout relief is possible with lifestyle changes. A healthy diet and appropriate natural remedies to eliminate uric acid build-up from the body will help achieve this.

Gout is known to be the most excruciating type of arthritis there is. Symptoms such as soreness of joints, redness, and extreme pain are indicative of gout.

The intense pain and burning sensation experienced by gout sufferers is caused by inflammation in the affected areas. It is therefore important that steps are taken to initiate immediate relief from the symptoms.

Gout takes several forms. Each form is characterised by differing symptoms. Here are the common types of gout people should be aware of:

Acute gout. This is often characterised by joint inflammation due to high levels of uric acid in the blood. Excruciating pain that causes throbbing may be experienced by the patient for some days. While the person's big toes are the most affected areas, gout infection may also spread to the surrounding areas.

Chronic gout. This is probably one of the most perilous gout types. It is hazardous because it has the ability to permanently damage one's joints and kidneys. It may also affect areas such as one's ears, hands, knees, tendons, and other parts of the body. There is also the presence of pus on the person's skin.

Recurrent gout. People who suffer from this kind of gout experience relief from the symptoms for a few months or years. While the joints may return to its original functioning, they may incur further, more serious damage when symptoms reoccur. Remember a recurrent bout can cause more dangerous symptoms than when they first took place.

Hyperuricemia. This type of gout is characterised by high levels of uric acid in the body. Primary hyperuricemia is a type of gout that is inherited. Kidney dysfunction reduces the body's ability to remove the right amount of uric acid, thus causing a build-up in the blood. Another type of this gout is secondary hyperuricemia, which is caused by certain medications.

Immediate relief from gout can be achieved by medication, unfortunately with all drugs side effects are known. While medications are effective in treating gout, having a complete change of diet and lifestyle can make treatment easier and faster.

Taking in about 2-4 litres of water daily will help rid one's body of toxins. When toxins are flushed out of the system, there is an increased likelihood that gout can be reduced. Alcoholic drinks and foods with extremely high fat contents should be avoided. A lower consumption of meat, poultry, and fish can effectively relieve one of gout symptoms. Also, including cherries, strawberries, avocados, grapes, and blueberries in your diet is a good way of getting relief from gout pain. These are very helpful in reducing the body's uric acid levels.

Alternative treatments such as meditation and deep relaxation can help treat the severe pain experienced from gout. It is also important that one also has a daily intake of vitamin C to aid in the treatment of gout symptoms.

Gout relief is possible with a lifestyle change including some exercise, a healthier diet, and appropriate natural remedies treatment to eliminate the uric acid problems from the body. Follow this advice and you will remedy this condition, but you have to do it yourself. There aren't any magic pills to remove the problem so you can carry on abusing your body and get away with it. It is a time to be honest with yourself and put your health first. This is a test of your will power. You can be permanently free of gout if you decide to make the changes today!

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis - An Unusual Form of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively unknown form of RA. Arthritis is a collective name used to classify a condition that causes a certain set of symptoms. Of the various forms of arthritis that are known, this is considered one of the most common.

A patient afflicted with RA will generally have the factor for the disease present in their blood. The production of this factor increases as the disease progresses and it destroys the joints and muscles. However, this factor is absent in some people who display the other classic symptoms of arthritis, People who display other symptoms of arthritis but test negative are known to have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

While it has been suggested that people with this form of RA have a mild form of the condition, this is untrue. People with the condition often suffer just as much as people with normal rheumatoid arthritis do.

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis often proves problematic. In a way, it means that patients test negative when subject to regular RA tests. This often leads to misdiagnoses. Doctors are reluctant to diagnose a patient with a condition as serious as RA if they are not absolutely sure of it.

The problem with this is that early treatment is essential with rheumatoid arthritis. Damage to the joints and bones can be stopped or at least slowed down using drugs. Once the damage has been done, however, it is permanent. Thus someone suffering from RA should start using such drugs as soon as possible. If a doctor does not diagnose the disease properly, however, then that patient is not likely to receive such medication until much later.

This is why it is important that you know the signs and symptoms well. You should also take the time and effort to find out if you have a family history of arthritis. This information will help doctors diagnose you with the condition if you have it. The worst possible thing is having rheumatoid arthritis and not receiving proper treatment for the condition.

Signs And Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis are identical to those of normal arthritis diseases. Most patients complain of swelling and inflammation in the joints. The knee and hip joints in particular are most often affected. Patients may also find nodules growing under their skin. These nodules appear on certain parts of the body, and greatly aid in the diagnosis of the disease.

In certain cases, rheumatoid arthritis has been known to affect other organs such as the eyes and the lungs. Some patients suffering from RA also experience extreme dryness in their eyes and mouths. If left untreated, dryness in the eye can lead to corneal damage, resulting in impaired vision.

If you find that you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, then you must be sure to inform your doctor. This will help greatly with the diagnosis, and your doctor will be better able to determine if you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or not.

The Use of Therapeutic Home Ultrasound to Treat Arthritis

As we age, our once lubricated joints can become less efficient at absorbing shocks and protecting our bones. This condition, known as arthritis, can be both mentally and physically crippling and affects approximately 50% of adults 65 years and older. Arthritis can significantly reduce a person's ability to enjoy life because it effects major joints of the body, such as knees, elbows and hands, which are vital for daily functioning.

Types of Arthritis: Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness. It comprises more than 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions. It results from severe infection, traumas, degenerative changes (osteoarthritis, hypertrophic arthritis, senescent arthritis), metabolic disruptions, autoimmune disorders (lupus erythematous) or other causes. It occurs in various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, is considered a chronic disease and patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop chronic arthritis pain. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis, especially among older populations, affecting over 20 million Americans. Two types of arthritis are Rheumatoid arthritis &osteoarthritis, both of which cause arthritic joint pain that can significantly impair a person's quality of life.

Causes: Daily activities such as getting out of bed and even walking can be affected by a painful joint. This arthritic joint pain is occurs when the lubricant, known as synovial fluid, present in the joints and cartilage becomes damaged. Because this fluid acts as a shock absorber and ensures that the ends of our bones are protected, when it is comprised, our bones can grind against each other, causing significant pain in our joints.

Painful joints and joint inflammation and stiffness typically characterize the disease. Some causes of arthritics include overuse, basic wear and tear, pseudogout, infections, autoimmune disorders, bone diseases or fractures, and bone tumors or cancer. In addition, medications, such as penicillin, and the common cold or flu often cause sore aching joints or stiff joints.

Treatments: While there is no known cure for a chronic condition like arthritis, there are treatments for inflamed, arthritic joints that really work and help sufferers manage their pain to lead normal healthy lives. Most often, a doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist will prescribe a medication program of prescription medicines and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to treat an injured joint. These medications aim to reduce the pain and inflammation of sore arthritic joints. However, they are associated with a number of bad side effects, such as drowsiness, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headache and rash. Anti-inflammatory drugs are not your best treatment option because they do not heal your joints, they only mask the arthritis pain. A stiff injured joint is also sometimes managed with splints or braces of various types which allow the joint to rest.

Many Arthritis sufferers have found relief with natural supplementation of Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine. Chondroitin is a building block of the human connective tissue in bones and cartilage and glucosamine is the major constituent of joint cartilage. Other herbs to try might be curcumin, MSM, and boswellia.

Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, homeopathic medicines and yoga, a weight-bearing exercise that strengthens bones, have helped some arthritis sufferers find relief.

The intense flare-ups of arthritis pain can be best managed through conservative, regular treatments. Patient education on how to treat arthritis and self-care are critical components in healing painful joints. Patience is also key, as an inflamed joint can we slow to heal. Often the combination of therapeutic modalities, such as an herbal supplementation regime and, can offer the most arthritis pain relief.

Ultrasound Therapy: RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) can we a very useful procedure for managing arthritis pain, however, using therapeutic ultrasound prior to RICE treatment is best because the ultrasonic waves efficiently decrease inflammation and relive pain.

Joints have limited blood flow and as a result, they recover from arthritis flare-ups very slowly. In addition, inflammation and waste matter build-up due to the decreased blood flow causing extreme pain to arthritis sufferers. A personal, therapeutic ultrasound device acts as a blood flow stimulation therapy to increase circulation in the inflamed joint and decrease arthritic pain. People suffering from osteoarthritis pain or chronic Rheumatoid arthritis can perform rehabilitation at home now with the advent of portable ultrasound machines. The ultrasound therapy utilized by these devices can be used as an advanced treatment of arthritis and the chronic pain that accompanies the condition. Therapeutic ultrasound can be used to reduce pain, stimulate blood flow and injuries twice as fast.

Ultrasound physical therapy not only helps alleviate pain, but speeds up healing process as well. Ultra sound waves generate deep tissue vibrations that provide gentle heating to decrease pain and inflammation. The most rehabilitation benefits can be gained by utilizing therapeutic ultrasound at home.

Case Study: In a study by Casimiro et al, 2002 investigating the use of therapeutic ultrasound for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it was found that continuous ultrasound benefits grip strength when applied to the hands of RA sufferers. Ultrasound has both analgesic & anti-inflammatory effects, which is why its so widely prescribed for arthritis by qualified health care professionals. In two randomized trials, it was proven that continuous ultrasound applied to the hand increased grip strength and wrist dorsal flexion, as well as decreased morning stiffness and the number of swollen painful joints as compared with placebo.

Home Ultrasound Machines: A home ultrasound unit works the same way as bigger machines, found in physical therapist and chiropractor practices, but is more compact and priced reasonably so home users can afford to purchase. Portable ultrasound machines are also safe for use by the general public because they utilize pulsed, instead of continuous, ultrasound waves, which are just as effective when used on a daily basis. Physical therapy involving ultrasound for plantar fasciitis will provide users with immediate relief and continual healing over a 3-4 week period.

Because arthritis involves joint and bone inflammation, a specific kind of home ultrasound machine is required for treatment. A home ultrasound physical therapy machine should emit 1Mhz ultrasound waves. It is also important to purchase an FDA approved ultrasound unit that is quality manufactured. The portable therapeutic ultrasound device should also be covered with at least a 1 year warranty. And best of all, with a portable therapeutic ultrasound machine, on a daily basis you can treat your arthritis only when it's most convenient for you.

Conclusion: Studies have shown that people who receive early treatment for arthritis feel better sooner and more often, are more likely to lead an active life, and are less likely to experience chronic arthritis pain, and the type of joint damage that leads to joint replacement.

Arthritis sufferers can lead a more normal active life by reducing pain & swelling in their joints fast with a home ultrasound machine. If you would like to reduce or eliminate you intake of harmful pain-killers and improve your arthritic symptoms and chronic joint pain, a portable ultrasound unit would be a great, affordable option for managing your arthritis.

Symptoms of Rheumation Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long term condition affecting every person in a different way. For some, it can occur for a long time, while for others, remissions can be shorter. When the rheumatic condition is not active, symptoms can be absent. People diagnosed with this disease can have the condition inactive for even as long as a month.

Although it may involve various parts of the body, the major structures that are affected are the joints. When it becomes active, this is the time when joints become inflamed. In the normal process, inflammation is due to the body's reaction to infection or other harmful attacks of dangerous foreign organisms. But for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation occurs within normal bodily processes with reasons not known.

The joints that rheumatoid arthritis most usually affects are the hands, particularly the knuckles. This is due to the reason that these bony prominences are the most to experience pressure. But then, rheumatoid symptoms can also develop in any joint, like the wrists, neck, knees, shoulders, elbows, and even in jaws. In almost all cases, the joints are symmetrically affected.

The hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of joints along with these rheumatoid symptoms.

One of the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms experienced by individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis is stiffness. The joints become harder, thus mobility and dexterity are affected. The trademark symptom is "morning stiffness". These people wait for an hour or more for their joints to loosen up and movement is tolerable.

Next is swelling. The accumulation of fluid in the affected joints results to edematous joint areas. The build-up of fluid also causes greater stiffness.

Pain is also among the rheumatoid symptoms. The joints are tender, sensitive and painful. Chronic inflammation results in damage of the joints.

Warm and red joint areas also observed. The erythema or redness of the area also tends to be visible in nearby muscles and skin.

Fatigue or feelings of excessive tiredness are also felt, as rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic condition that can affect the body in general.

Malaise, also called general body weakness is evident in arthritis patients. These persons feel ill.

Anorexia, or the medical term for appetite loss is also evident. This leads to weight loss.

Muscular pain is also noted, as muscles cover the joints. The inflammation of the joints leads to muscular atrophy or death of tissue because muscles become immobile due to pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are often compared to the flu but they can be less severe, and may last for shorter periods. It can affect the body in general, thus aside from the main structures involved which are the joints, other body parts can be greatly affected. In moderate to severe cases, multiples body organs can be severely damaged.

Thus, when a person is experiencing rheumatoid symptoms, early diagnosis from a doctor, early intervention, and aggressive treatments if possible are highly recommended. This way, symptoms are managed during the initial phase, and progression of rheumatoid arthritis is deferred, and less damage will occur.

When you have symptoms, early and aggressive treatment can help prevent further symptoms as well as stop progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

14 Symptoms Of Leaky Gut And What You Can Do About Them

Importance of the Digestive System

Your digestive system plays an essential role in your health. Disruptions to how well it functions can cause other serious, and in some cases chronic conditions.

At the most basic level, your digestive system converts the foods you eat into energy your body needs to power other bodily functions, including thinking, walking, and fighting infections. Moreover, your digestive system is what extracts the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients you must have to build and maintain the various tissues, structures, and organs that make up your body.

Increased Intestinal Permeability

Sometimes, however, the digestive system suffers failures that can interfere with its ability to provide your body with the energy and building blocks you require to feel good and be healthy. One little known disruption of the digestive system is called leaky gut syndrome, sometimes termed increased intestinal permeability or hyperpermeability.

In this condition, damage to the lining of the intestine reduces its ability to filter essential nutrients and protect the internal environment. This can cause a host of symptoms and may aggravate or be at the root of other conditions. Unfortunately, since it is not covered in medical school, relatively few physicians are aware of leaky gut syndrome or accept that it is a real and serious health condition. The good news is that many other health care providers have recognized the existence and importance of this digestive disorder.

The symptoms of leaky gut syndrome

When you suffer from a leaky gut you may experience any of a variety of symptoms. These include:

• Excess gas and cramping


• Skin rashes


• Acne


• Feeling bloated


• Fatigue


• Brain fog


• Joint pain


• Adrenal fatigue


• Insomnia


• Increased susceptibility to stress


• Indigestion


• Autoimmunity or other compromised immunity


• Secondary infections


• Food sensitivities or allergies

In addition to these symptoms, leaky gut syndrome can exacerbate or even cause certain other health problems, such as celiac's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, crohn's disease, and, according to some, multiple sclerosis.

What to do about leaky gut syndrome

There is no way to definitively determine if you have leaky gut syndrome - no blood test or radiologic scan that can demonstrate for sure that you have it. However, if you have experienced any combination of the symptoms of leaky gut listed above and have not been able to get permanent relief or a satisfactory diagnosis, it is reasonable to surmise that you may be suffering from increased intestinal permeability.

Many health care providers believe that chronic inflammation can both cause and be worsened by leaky gut syndrome, so an excellent place to start is with what's called an elimination diet. With this systematic approach, you will first eliminate an array of foods that are suspected of causing inflammation, sensitivities, or allergies, and instead eat "safe" foods that are not likely to contribute to your symptoms. Then, you will slowly reintroduce foods you have eliminated, one at a time, and take note of how your body responds. Any foods that continue to cause you problems you can re-eliminate, and in this way you can develop a diet that will enable you to feel relief from your symptoms, and more importantly, it will give your body the chance to heal your leaky gut syndrome.

Conclusion: There is hope

The long and short of it is that the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome often are not associated with the condition since not many doctors recognize this little known disorder. This means that sufferers frequently undergo treatment for the symptoms as unrelated health issues and may not enjoy permanent relief. But there is reason for hope in that more and more health care professionals have learned to associate the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome with the condition itself. Moreover, you can take simple steps yourself to identify which foods cause you problems and adopt a diet that enables you to heal, and therefore to experience permanent relief.

Do You Have Underactive Thyroid? Find Out If You Suffer From The Symptoms of Hashimoto Disease!

Hashimoto disease is a disease that can affect your thyroid, it is also known as Hashimoto thyroiditis. The thyroid is located in front of the neck and this small gland is responsible in making hormones known as T3 and T4. These hormones are responsible in regulating the usage of energy in our body. The hormone levels of our thyroid are being controlled by the pituitary which is a small gland in our brain. It is responsible in creating thyroid stimulating hormone which activates the thyroid into creating thyroid hormones.

The immune systems of those people who have Hashimoto disease create antibodies which in result can damage the thyroid cells and hampers their ability to make thyroid hormones. In the long run, the damage on the thyroid can result to low levels in the thyroid hormone which is known as the hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. People who have underactive thyroid will eventually have a slowdown in their functions of the body which include the brain function, the function for turning the food into energy and heart rate. Underactive thyroid is commonly caused by Hashimoto's disease. This disease is quite similar with Graves' disease which is another type of disease that affects the thyroid.

A lot of people who have Hashimoto disease have no known symptoms throughout the years. Oftentimes, the first symptom of the disease would be an enlarged thyroid which is also known as goiter. People who have goiter have enlargement in front of their neck. Sometimes goiter can be noticed by the doctor and even you. If it is large enough then sometimes you can feel some fullness in the throat and mostly you will have a hard time swallowing. However, it often does not cause any pain. Sometimes people who have Hashimoto's disease often develop underactive thyroid. At first, there are no symptoms seen or sometimes there are only mild symptoms. But as time passes by, symptoms may tend to get worse. Some of the symptoms that can be felt by the person are weight gain, fatigue, cold feeling, puffy and pale face, constipation, muscle and joint pain, irregular menstrual periods or heavy menstrual flow, thinning or drying of hair, slow heart rate, depression and sometimes pregnancy difficulties.

Hashimoto disease can occur 7 times more in women than in men. It may happen to young women, teens and most likely to those who are in their middle age. Most often, people who have Hashimoto's disease are those who have family members who have a history of thyroid or other types of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Vitiligo, Type 1 Diabetes, Graves' disease, Addison's disease, Lupus, Pernicious Anemia and others. The causes of Hashimoto's disease can also be attributed to a lot of factors such as genes, pregnancy, gender, radiation exposure and excessive iodine and other drugs. Researchers are now working hard to find out which genes are involved in this disease. Sometimes pregnancy can affect the thyroid; in fact there are some women who develop thyroid problems after having a baby. Sometimes it will just go, but in later years it will come back.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms And Natural Pain Relief

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are very painful and can affect anyone at any age. But simple, highly effective natural rheumatoid arthritis pain relief is possible.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis causing swelling, stiffness, pain and limited movement in the joints - mainly a person's wrists and fingers. However, RA is very different from osteoarthritis, which often comes with older age.

While the cause of RA is unknown, it's clear that healthy lifestyle changes and a good rheumatoid arthritis diet can slow or even stop joint damage and greatly reduce the pain.

Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA is more prevalent among women than men. It generally starts between the ages 25 and 50 and the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can come and go. Or, they may last for only a short period of time. However the severe form of RA can last a lifetime.

The symptoms usually begin with pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints of fingers, hands and wrists. These joints may become swollen, tender and warm to the touch.

Loss of appetite, sleeplessness, fatigue and depression are also common symptoms.

RA is an autoimmune disease. This means that it's the result of an immune system breakdown, where the body attacks it's own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis can therefore affect other body parts besides joints, such as the eyes, mouth and lungs.

If measures aren't taken to safely manage RA, it can spread throughout the body causing permanent damage and severely limited range of motion. However, the unsafe painkillers usually prescribed for RA, such as Aleve, Vioxx and Bextra, etc, provide only risky, temporary pain relief and do NOT strengthen the immune system.

To control the spread of the disease, it's important to begin immediately to safely manage the pain and inflammation and to naturally strengthen the immune system.

Natural Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief

As more and more evidence proves that lifestyle changes and a good rheumatoid arthritis diet can both help prevent the disease and provide symptom relief, a more holistic approach is being taken and people with RA are living happier, healthier lives.

Although any kind of exercise may be the last thing on a person's mind when they're experiencing pain, exercise is essential for improved range of motion and for strong, healthy bones and muscles. Moderate exercise such as walking, swimming and yoga are excellent ways to stay active with a minimum of stress.

For immune building phytonutrients and essential fiber, include more colorful vegetables, fruits and whole grains in your diet. And since cold water fish is nature's richest source of anti-inflammatory omega 3 oil with EPA and DHA, add more fresh fish, such as salmon.

Also, cut back on red meat. People who eat red meat daily have twice the risk of arthritis as those who eat red meat no more than twice a week or not at all.

Drink lots of pure, clean water - at least eight glasses a day.

And since excess weight puts extra stress on the joints, particularly the hips and knees, it's important to reach and maintain a healthy weight by reducing calories, eliminating high glycemic carbohydrates and keeping fat intake below 30% of calories.

Supplements for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The key to effective natural rheumatoid arthritis control and management is basically the same as it is for getting healthy and preventing any degenerative disease.

In the case of RA, begin by avoiding injury and reducing stress, fatigue and depression as much as possible. Then get healthy and fit with moderate exercise and a good rheumatoid arthritis diet that includes whole food supplements, particularly fish oil.

Use of Alkaline Supplements in Managing Acidosis

An alkaline enhancement capsule is a substance that supplements an individual's diet and reduces the level of acids in the body. Some of the signs of high body acidity include poor digestion, sluggishness, infections or illness. Apart from making drastic changes to the diet, taking an alkaline supplement may be the best remedy for the problem of acidosis. This is because dietary changes are often so much difficult to achieve. There are various types of alkaline supplements currently available in the market.

The normal pH level of human blood is 7.365. A pH level below this level may cause an illness or an abnormality in the body. Unstable pH is usually the main cause of acidosis. This results in depletion of essential minerals from the vital body organs. It can also lead to severe degenerative illnesses. Nutritionists recommend a diet rich in 80 percent of alkalizing foods and 20 percent proteins and lipids. Alkalizing food include vegetables and fruits.

There are things an individual must consider before buying alkaline supplements. One such consideration is determining how serious the symptoms are. Depending on the intensity, the supplements are available for mild, intermediate and acute symptoms. It is a general perception among many people that taking appropriate acid reducing capsules is just as vital as a healthy diet.

Some of the minor symptoms of acidosis include cold hands, heartburn, low libido, hyperactivity, low energy levels, constipation, aches and a white coated tongue. Depression, fungal and bacterial infections, flue and earaches are some of the intermediate symptoms associated with acidosis. Acute symptoms may include cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Hodgkin disease and schizophrenia.

Individuals with minor symptoms may take supplement pills containing alkalizing enzymes. The inability of the body to secrete adequate amount of alkaline food digesting enzymes causes the body to become more acidic. Little or failure of the supplement to cause any effect after six weeks may be an indicator of adequate amount of enzymes required by the body. Should this occur the user should go for a different type of capsule.

Alkaline supplements rich in alkalizing greens will normalize the pH in case of any initial supplement failure or little results. Vegetables are the main ingredients of these kinds of supplements. They assist the body in absorption of fibers, photo-nutrients, vitamins, chlorophyll as well as minerals. The resultant effect is reduction in the level of acid in the body.

Supplements containing alkalizing minerals like iron, manganese, calcium, and potassium are ideal for those individuals with intermediate acidosis symptoms. These minerals are vital in buffering acids in the body. Intermediate symptoms can also be an indication that the body has limited amount of healthy bacteria. In case of any presence of infections or indigestion, supplements pills rich in probiotics and probiotics becomes essential. Probiotics refer to the healthy bacteria required by the body while probiotics assist the bacteria dwell and flourish in the body.

For individuals with acute acidosis, it is better for them to take supplements that enhance acid drainage. Some people call these supplements super fruits. Most fruits usually produce an alkaline effect soon after digestion.

Rib Pain: Symptom Of A Rib Injury, Or Something Else?

Rib pain symptoms can be caused by a number of possible diseases and disorders - not just rib injuries like cracked ribs or broken ribs.

In this article, we'll list some of the most common injuries, conditions, and disorders that cause pain in the ribs symptoms. Even if you see information here that gives you reason to suspect you have one of the conditions described, you should still consult your health care provider to make sure you get an accurate diagnosis.

First, we'll look at possibilities that may be caused by bone, joint and soft tissue problems.

Rib pain due to some kind of injury is probably more common than any other type. Often, they result from a blow or some kind of impact - during sports competition or a vehicular accident. There's little mystery regarding the cause. Such injuries are usually easy to see with imaging technology like MRIs or X-rays.

Pain in the ribs is, of course, the most obvious symptom of a broken rib. But someone with this type of rib injury may also have considerable difficulty breathing.

Some ribcage pain may result from injuries to soft tissue surrounding the ribs, like cartilage, tendons and muscles. These may be harder to diagnose. Sometimes, these soft tissue injuries are sore or tender to the touch, and discomfort drawing a deep breath may occur.

A number of diseases and disorders connected to the bones and joints sometimes cause ribcage pain as a symptom. These include osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Several lesser known medical conditions are also characterized by pain in the rib and chest area.

A condition known as osteochondritis dissecans causes pain in areas where your ribs are attached to your backbone and breastbone. It's occurs when there's an insufficient blood flow to these areas. This condition is more likely to occur in older children and teenagers, particularly if they play sports.

Costochondritis is a disorder that results in pain that is somewhat similar to osteochondritis dissecans. Costochondritis causes pain in the cartilage that connects the breastbone to the ribs. It is the result of inflammation. Typically, rib pain from costochondritis occurs after a blow or some kind of trauma. It can also be the result of repetitive use, or from trying to lift, push or pull something that's too heavy.

Nerve problems originating in the spine can also trigger rib pain symptoms. Doctors call this referred pain because the pain is actually originating in another location. It travels along nerve pathways and presents in a completely different place. Very often, a bulging disc or some kind of damage or misalignment in the spinal column causes this type of pain.

Rib pain symptoms can arise as a result of a variety of lung and respiratory disorders.

Pneumonia - An infection of the lungs due to bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi..

Pleurisy - The thin covering that protects and cushions the lungs is known as the pleura. It can become inflamed, and when it does, you can experience severe pain in the ribs.

Tuberculosis - Tuberculosis (commonly known as TB) is an infectious disease that strikes the lungs. Rib pain is a common symptom.

Angina (chest pain from heart disease) - Generalized pain in the ribcage area can result from heart problems, although angina is often most acute in the central chest.

Workers who have been exposed to asbestos for years sometimes contract asbestosis or mesothelioma. Both these are lung diseases which are characterized by rib pain symptoms.

Certain types of cancer can cause rib pain symptoms, especially myeloma and lymphoma.

Whooping cough - Rib pain occurs when this violent cough strains muscles and other soft tissue around the rib cage.

Rib pain is an early symptom of an illness called shingles, which is an extremely painful condition characterized by a skin rash. It is caused by the herpes zoster virus.

Individuals who have occasional panic attacks are sometimes affected by rib pain. Rapid, deep breathing caused by anxiety can pull and strain muscles around the ribcage, which results in discomfort. Such episodes can also lead to serious heart problems and even heart attacks.

Doctor...My Body Hurts. There's Pain In Every Joint... What's Causing It?

Joint pain causes can be divided into several categories.

Infections such as viruses (in particular, parvovirus) can cause a type of arthritis. Bacteria such as gonococcus (the bug that causes gonorrhea) and Borrelia, the organism that causes Lyme disease, are well known infectious causes for joint pain.

Trauma is an obvious cause. This can range from an athletic injury occurring more than 30 years ago leading to osteoarthritis in the knee to a whiplash injury that happened yesterday accounting for total body stiffness and pain today!

Disorders of the blood are an uncommon but important cause of joint pain. Leukemia and lymphoma can present as aches and pains. Often fever, sweats, and weight loss accompany the pains... but not always. Multiple myeloma- a malignancy that affects the plasma cells in the blood- causes ill-defined joint pains. Sickle-cell anemia and hemophilia both are associated with arthritis. A blood disorder due to excess iron in the blood- hemochromatosis- is responsible for causing both cirrhosis of the liver as well as an unusual type of arthritis.

Endocrine problems can cause aches and pains. For example, growth hormone excess is called acromegaly. This is a cause of terrible arthritis. Thyroid hormone deficiency also causes aches and pains that mimic the symptoms of fibromyalgia

Closely related to endocrine causes are the metabolic disease like gout and pseudogout which cause inflammatory types of arthritis.

The largest category of causes of aches and pains is arthritis. Wear and tear arthritis- termed osteoarthritis- is the most common form of arthritis. This arthritis is due to premature wearing away of cartilage, the gristly that protects the end of long bones. Osteoarthritis most often affects weight bearing areas such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees. It also affects the hands and feet. More autoimmune types of arthritis such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause severe total body aches and pains in the joints. These autoimmune diseases have more inflammation associated with them. In addition, constitutional symptoms such as low grade fever, weight loss, sweats, and fatigue are common.

Finally soft tissue rheumatism - termed fibromyalgia- is a very common reason for a person to have "total body joint pain". While not a life-threatening disorder, fibromyalgia, which is often accompanied by fatigue, short term memory loss, "fibro fog", and bladder and bowel disturbance is can be debilitating.

Using Quercetin Supplements

The plant pigment quercetin, which is also considered a flavonoid, can be found in a diverse number of plants. In fact, it can be found in many of the items humans consume on a regular basis such as apples, red wine, onions, green tea and berries. The flavonoid can be used as a medicine and if often prescribed by alternative medicine practitioners. Despite being easily available in a variety of food sources, the level of quercetin which is present in the food has been shown to be significantly lower than what can be obtained through quercetin supplement usage.

Quercetin supplements have a variety of beneficial uses. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of quercetin at treating and lessening the symptoms of a variety of conditions and diseases. Some of the things in which quercetin has been proven to be effective include managing the symptoms of allergies, prostatitis, high cholesterol, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, viral infections, gout, schizophrenia, asthma and circulation problems. Quercetin has also been successful in stopping the growth of some cancerous cells. Athletes also sometimes take quercetin as a way to enhance their performance and increase their endurance.

This flavonoid has several properties that make it successful in treating and reducing the symptoms of these conditions. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are primarily responsible for this ability. Quercetin can prevent free radical damage and lower inflammation experienced with many conditions. Its antihistamine properties are also responsible for reducing some symptoms related to having some immunity deficiencies.

Studies on quercetin supplement usage have shown it to be safe in doses up to 1,000 mg per day. However, all studies done on the flavonoid have been short term, with the longest lasting just one month. As a result, there is no information on the safety of taking quercetin supplements for an extended period of time. Throughout the studies done by researchers, the most often reported side effect has been increased energy levels. This is what attracts athletes to quercetin supplements. In high doses, other side effects have been noted by quercetin users including headaches and a tingling of the extremities. In rare instances, a high intake of quercetin supplements can lead to some serious kidney damage. No studies have been done on the safety of using quercetin supplements while pregnant or while breast feeding.

Before taking quercetin supplements, you should check with your doctor if you are taking any other type of prescription medication. Quercetin can interfere with other drugs and possibly cause some complications. Taking quercetin while on antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of your antibiotics or prevent the antibiotics from killing bacteria. If you are on cyclosporine, it is also known to interact with quercetin. In fact, the flavonoid changes the speed in which the liver breaks down the drug. Primarily medications which are broken down or changed by the liver are the one that experience the most interaction with quercetin supplements. Using quercetin while on these medications can result in a share increase in the side effects from these medications.

What Are Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis disease is whereby you experience periodic episodes of pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness of joints. You have recurrent attacks of transient inflammation in and around the joint. The pain is usually focused on two or three joints. The pain can be very severe and it is difficult to find relief.

Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis is usually characterized by episodic articular, or periarticular pain. Joints that are affected are usually your fingers and knees. The pain may be intense but it does not stay for more than two or three days. The attacks can end as fast as they begin.
You can easily spot the specific pattern in these recurrent episodes of pain. In 60% of the cases of palindromic rheumatoid arthritis, pain-free periods may last for several weeks or months. In some cases, these attacks recur after years.

Rheumatoid factors in Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are certain rheumatoid factors that may be present in some of the Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patients. Some these rheumatoid factors include:

* It is the large joints that are most commonly afflicted in the recurrent episodes of attack.

* However, in the swelling of the periarticular tissues such as heel pads and finger pads, soft tissues are also involved.

* Aside from pain and swelling, the Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patient may feel nodules just below the skin in subcutaneous tissues.

* Blood tests: If they indicate an elevation of the ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein) level, it is a rheumatoid factor.

Treatment for Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is difficult to treat palindromic rheumatoid arthritis. One of the main reasons is attributed to the transient nature of the episodes of pain and attack.

Even the anti-inflammatory medicines may not be very effective. However, what is usually prescribed are disease-modifying drugs such as hydroxyxhloroquine or methotrexate for Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patients.

In all these cases, the treatment is symptomatic. As such, they do not address the root cause of palindromic rheumatoid arthritis. More research is now being conducted for this special form of rheumatoid arthritis disease. Hopefully, with more light shed on this disease, there can be a cure some day.

Treatments For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, carpal tunnel syndrome afflicts approximately 8 million Americans per year. It is second only to back surgery in the number of musculoskeletal surgeries performed each year. Yet, few people really know what this syndrome is.

The word "carpal" comes from the Greek word "karpos," meaning "wrist." There is a small space between the wrist joint and its surrounding fibrous tissues, which is called the "carpal tunnel." It is through this tunnel that a median nerve receives all of its sensations of the fingers. When this median nerve is irritated, the result is carpal tunnel syndrome.

The symptoms of this syndrome include pain, numbness, and tingling in the fingers or hands, particularly the thumb, index, middle, or ring fingers. Loss of sensation in the fingers and weakness in the hands can also occur.

The Obvious and Unusual Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is usually caused by repetitive finger and hand use (especially with improper positioning). Such repetitive movements of the fingers and hands can cause the median nerve to become compressed and irritated as it passes through the carpal tunnel.

But there is another way that carpal tunnel can develop-through disease. Many diseases such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and sarcoidosis can also lead to this condition. These diseases cause substances to be deposited around the median nerve, thus causing the irritating pain, tingling, and numbness of the hands associated with CTS.

Risk Factors

There are several factors involved in developing carpal tunnel syndrome. These include:

1. Pre-existing conditions- the diagnosis of another illness in which symptoms include lack of blood flow to the hands, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.

2. Obesity.

3. Smoking - which decreases blood flow to the median nerve.

4. Gender - women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills, taking hormone replacements, or going through menopause are sometimes known to develop CTS.

5. Age - people in the age range of 40 to 60 years old are more affected than any other age group.

Treatment During the Early Stages

As with any disease, it is the patient's choice as far as treatment is concerned. The severity of the symptoms should also be taken into consideration when deciding upon a treatment plan.

In the early stages of carpal tunnel syndrome, physical therapy, heat and massage treatments, and sometimes just simply shaking or stretching the hands can reduce or eliminate the uncomfortable sensations. Taking the supplement vitamin B6, has also been known to alleviate symptoms.

If these do not diminish symptoms, a doctor will often recommend that a splint be worn at night, and even during the day to reduce inflammation and stabilize the wrist. Steroid drugs such as cortisone are also an option and can last up to six months. The steroid helps shrink the swollen area around the median nerve, thus alleviating pressure and pain. A new and less painful way of injecting the steroid drug into the carpal tunnel is through an electric current, known as iontophresis.

Surgery - A Last Resort

As a last resort to cure chronic sufferers of CTS, a surgery is performed called carpal tunnel release. This surgery attempts to reduce the pressure on the median nerve by cutting the roof of the carpal tunnel. There are two ways of doing this: endoscopic surgery, or an open incision surgery.

Endoscopic surgery involves creating a tiny incision in the patient's wrist or hand through which a device with a television camera allows a view to the carpal tunnel. Open incision surgery occurs when the surgeon releases the nerve in the carpal tunnel through an incision in the wrist.

Regardless of which surgery is chosen, this procedure has resulted in tremendous improvements for the CTS sufferer, with little residual numbness and tingling.

Natural Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatments

In addition to standard medical treatments, there are a number of natural remedies that have been proven to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

1) Acupuncture

Acupuncturists insert thin needles into specifics point on the body. It is believed that blockages along energy pathways in the body, called meridians, can cause lead to physiological symptoms or disease. Acupuncture releases these blockages, enhancing the flow of energy along the meridians, and hence the belief is that the free flow of energy will alleviate or eliminate physical issues.

A scientific explanation is that acupuncture may release natural pain-relieving chemicals into the body, promote circulation in body, and balance the nervous system.

Laser acupuncture, which uses a hand-held laser instead of acupuncture needles, is also used for CTS. One study looked at 36 people with median pain for a duration of 24 months. Fourteen had 1 to 2 surgical release procedures with no results. After three laser acupuncture sessions a week for 4 to 5 weeks, 33 people reportedly experienced no pain or their pain was reduced by more than 50%.

2) Vitamin B6

In several research studies, vitamin B6 deficiency has been associated with this syndrome. One such study by the Portland Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation Center in Oregon examined 441 individuals and found that higher levels of vitamin B6 were associated with fewer incidences of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
A typical dose of vitamin B6 for carpal tunnel syndrome is 50 mg 2 to 3 times a day. Side effects may include increased urination. It may take up to 6 weeks to notice an improvement. The maximum intake from all sources should be less than 200 mg a day, unless otherwise recommended by a physician.

3) Herbal Medicine, Vitamins, and Supplements

• Enzyme supplements such as bromelain or combination enzyme products (e.g., Wobenzym) may help to reduce tissue swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. It may take several weeks to notice results. Interestingly, bromelain is derived from pineapples.


• Vitamin B12 - a study looked at the effectiveness of vitamin B12 for people with CTS due to overuse of the non-paralyzed arm after stroke. For two years, 67 people in the study received 1500 mcg of vitamin B12 a day, while the control group of 68 individuals received no supplementation. After two years, there was significant improvement in the group taking vitamin B12 compared to the untreated group.

4) Yoga

Yoga can assist in reducing the symptoms of CTS. A study by the University of Pennsylvania looked at the effectiveness of yoga for 42 people with carpal tunnel syndrome. People in the yoga group did 11 yoga postures twice weekly for 8 weeks and had a significant improvement in grip strength and pain reduction as compared to the control group, who wore wrist splints.

Preventative Measures

The best way to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, however, is to prevent the condition from occurring. In most cases, this can be done by limiting repetitive motions such as typing for long periods of time. Simple stretching of the wrist and fingers throughout the day may also prevent the median nerve from becoming injured. Stabilization of the fingers and wrist may also prevent further symptoms.

Though the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be painful and, at times, even debilitating, there are many treatment options-medicinal and holistic-that have brought relief to the millions who suffer from this condition each year.