Rheumatoid Arthritis|Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms|Arthritis Treatment

Hopeful news for a promising new osteoarthritis treatment was revealed in a routine interview of Yvonne Lungershausen, the Senior Director of Clinical Services for CPR Pharma Services. CPR Pharma is a 25 year established Clinical Research Organization that recently performed a phase II clinical trial of a new drug called Ampion to treat 100 patients suffering severe pain from osteoarthritis of the knee. Their pain was so extreme most of them were considering knee replacement surgery. Some had even scheduled the surgery but enrolled in this trial as a last chance for a long shot fix.

Patients were treated with only one injection of Ampion, a naturally occurring substance produced by the human body that is known to control inflammation. Most drugs can cause adverse side effects but Ampion is completely safe and has a 50-year history of safety being administered to millions of patients as Human Serum Albumin (HSA).

In only a few hours after the injection, the results were not what anybody was expecting. They were shocking.

In the interview by Trader Investor Alert, the first thing Lungershausen said was, "In terms of safety issues, there were none". "There were no adverse events and I would say that Ampion had an exceptional safety profile". When asked if there were any surprises she replied, "Yes, CPR has been performing clinical trials for over 20 years." "Some of them failed miserably... some were slightly positive... but Ampion has been amazingly positive." "Patients came in hobbling, limping and depressed but after they received an injection of Ampion, they were literally skipping with joy." "One man completely disabled from his knee pain was finally able to put on his shoes and walk his dog; something he loved to do but was unable to do for the past five years.

Another miracle story recently published on YouTube by an Australian television station is about Norm Johnson who found it very difficult just to walk on flat ground and almost impossible to go up and down stairs. Norm was in so much pain that he was ready to schedule knee replacement surgery; until he joined the Ampion clinical trial. Within one hour after receiving the injection, his pain was completely gone and he was able to walk pain free. Six months later he remains pain free and can be seen climbing up and down a steep ladder. After receiving the Ampion treatment Mr. Johnson cancelled his plans for knee replacement surgery. Watch this short video of Mr. Johnson's amazing recovery. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H7Nbr1CIo4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Lungershausen went on, "Patients were followed up in 30 days and then again at day 84 with pain questions and CT scans and the data just kept getting better and better". The benefits of one injection are lasting far longer than anybody ever expected. "Patients describe Ampion as a miracle drug and want to be involved in future trials."

Dr. David Bar-Or is the inventor of Ampion and also the Director of Research at two of Colorado's three Level I Trauma Centers. During his 30-year tenure in Trauma Centers, he observed that brain swelling from severe head injuries stopped very quickly compared to most swelling and deduced that there must be some natural body mechanism that shuts down the immune response of inflammation. After examining the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of severe head trauma patients, he was able to isolate two naturally occurring amino acids and reproduce them as Ampion. Dr. Bar-Or has developed several other promising drugs for diabetes and sexual dysfunction and is now working on his most exciting discovery; a promising drug for cancer that has demonstrated remarkable results.

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, the developer of Ampion has been granted successful guidance from the FDA to begin a phase III trial with 1,500 patients. Patient enrollment for the trial is 50% completed and results are expected by the end of this year. The company is on fast track with the FDA and expects to have Ampion approved and available to patients next year.

Osteoarthritis affects more than 27 million Americans and there are over 630,000 joint replacements each year in the U.S. alone and the number is growing rapidly. Approximately 1 in 2 people are expected to develop symptomatic knee Osteoarthritis in their lifetime.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory form of arthritis, affecting more than two million Americans.

It is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune disease that affects not only joints but internal organs as well. Among the organ systems that can be affected are the eyes, lungs, skin, bone marrow, peripheral nervous system, heart, spleen, as well as others. Recent evidence suggests that one of the deadlier side effects of RA is the premature development of cardiovascular disease leading to an increased incidence of stroke and heart attack.

Because of the tremendous advances in treatment of RA over the last 50 years, it has been possible to take patients with this disease and put them into remission.

The first milestone came in the 1980's with the use of methotrexate. In the late 1990's biologic therapies came onto the scene. It was with this combination of therapies that talk of remission came to be a common point of discussion among rheumatologists.

Now there is more good news in that oral drugs, called signal transduction inhibitors, are an emerging therapy with a novel mechanism of action. By interfering with the transcription of important proteins inside cells, these drugs block the development of immune cell growth and survival.

By targeting a pathway called "JAK-STAT", these medicines lead to reduced inflammation and therefore less joint destruction.

Efficacy-wise, these new medicines are equivalent in their effectiveness compared to biologic drugs in patients who have failed methotrexate. Measures that have been studied include clinical markers such as the American College of Rheumatology criteria for 20/50/70 response as well as functional measurements such as the Health Assessment Questionnaire, among others.

Another pathway that has been researched with the production of an oral drug is the Syk pathway. This is another signal transduction medicine which has effects on B-cells, macrophages, and synoviocytes (cells that line the joint).

As can be imagined these new oral drugs do have potential side effects that must be more clearly elucidated.

And though available therapies are very effective, they don't lead to remission in all patients. And a significant percentage of patients develop side effects that preclude continuation of the drug, in which case remission will not be achieved.

The bright light is that ongoing research into biomarkers of disease will eventually lead to a more personalized approach so that the "right medicine for the right patient" will permit not only remission but also, possible, cure.

Many people would associate arthritis with the onset of old age. Although old people may suffer from arthritis, it isn't only the elderly who are affected by arthritis. Many younger people, including some in their teens suffer from some kind of arthritis. Dictionaries define arthritis as being an inflammation of the joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes. Obviously that can include a large number of different causes of this illness.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and the cartilage of the joints; furthermore it is an ongoing, degenerative disease. This is probably one of the most difficult aspects of the disease to cope with: although today may be painful, the future will possibly only be worse.

There are more than one hundred different types of arthritis. Two of the most common types are osteoarthritis, caused by the wear and tear exerted on the joints through a lifetime and rheumatoid arthritis, caused by an autoimmune response in the body. Osteoarthritis is the arthritis associated with getting older. This is the version of arthritis that most people think of when talking about arthritis. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the body is tricked into acting as though there were an infection in the joint. As a result there is swelling, inflammation and pain in that joint as the body endeavors to fight the phantom infection.

The most common medical treatment offered to arthritis patients are NSAID's or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. The drawback with these drugs is that they can cause irritation in the intestinal tract and some researchers believe may even make the deterioration of the joints worse.

Alternative treatments for arthritis include the use of Glucosamine Sulfate, turmeric and fish oils. Studies have suggested that glucosamine helps to build cartilage and therefore rebuild the damage done to joints both from wear and tear as well as arthritis. Turmeric, a yellow spice used in curries and prepared mustard, has anti-inflammatory qualities. One of the compounds in turmeric that is so helpful, called curcumin, can be bought in capsule form. Fish oils, particularly EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), help to fight inflammation. In addition, as omega-3 fatty acids, they contribute to general health in the body.

Coping with arthritis is an ongoing process, given that arthritis tends to get worse over time. Obviously two priorities exist in this coping effort; to help the patient deal with the pain and to aid them in living as independently as possible. The issue of coping with pain will be part of the therapeutic process, using either pain medication and/or alternative methods. Some arthritis gets so bad that surgery is used to affect repair to the joints involved. As far as maintaining independence is concerned, successful therapy will help. If attempts to control the arthritis don't work, then a plan to adjust to limited mobility is called for.

Any degenerative illness like arthritis is a real challenge to the health of the person suffering from it. Not only is the arthritis a painful and crippling disease in the first place; but exercise, something that is necessary for maintaining a healthy weight as well cardiovascular health, can become all but impossible. Although seeking a cure to an arthritic condition may be laudable, a far more effective strategy may be to aim at reducing the pain, healing what can be healed and planning to maintain independent living as long as possible. A cure would be wonderful, but learning to cope with arthritis in the meantime is a good idea.

Using proper body mechanics can greatly reduce the pain, stress and fatigue associated with arthritis. Therefore, paying attention to how you are lifting and moving your joints is going to be beneficial in preventing many potential problems.

By following some of these easy to apply techniques you will alleviate a great deal of the discomfort associated with arthritis.

Distribute the Load

Distributing the load of whatever you are carrying over stronger joints and a larger surface is going to reduce joint stress and prevent joint pain. You need to eliminate grasping objects tightly; like trying to turn the lid on a tightly sealed jar. These actions could cause stress to your knuckles or cause hand stiffness. Try using the palm of your hand and the strength of your forearm to reduce stress on the fingers.

If you are lifting a heavy object; remember to bend your knees and use the strength of the leg muscles and not your back. Holding the object close to you will make it easier to carry. This will lessen the stress on the joints and enable you to carry it easier.

When rising from a sitting position rest the palms of your hands flat on the arms of the chair and then push up. Use both arms to take down or hang up clothes in a closet.

To reduce strain on your hands use a sponge instead of a dishcloth. You get the water out of a sponge by pressing it with the palm of your hand instead of having to wring it out, thereby reducing pressure on sore fingers.

You can attach straps to handles which are difficult to open rather than using your hands. Simply place your forearm through the strap and pull the door open. Always use a shoulder strap to carry a heavy purse or briefcase rather than clutching it in your hand.

Change Positions

Avoid maintaining the same position for extended periods. If your job requires you to sit at a desk; it's advisable to get up to stretch from time to time to reduce joint stiffness. Changing the position of your legs while sitting also helps to prevent knee stiffness when you return to a standing position. Flex and point your toes while working at your desk.

A book holder that sits on a table or your lap is another way to free your hands. This causes less stiffness than holding the book in your hands.

Balance Work with Rest

You should plan your day and schedule frequent rest periods throughout the day to avoid fatigue. It is sensible to divide your work for the day into heavy and light tasks. If you alternate the light and the heavy duties; and take breaks in between you will prevent your body from getting over tired. Instead of working for two or three hours straight, take a ten or fifteen minute break after working for an hour.

If you have to carry several objects to another area; place them on a cart with wheels. This will lessen the load and avoid extra footsteps.

Reduce Excess Body Weight

Losing excess weight reduces fatigue and stress on the joints. Exercise is always a good way to shed extra pounds but it will need to be performed on a regular and consistent basis. If you are not currently exercising; and you choose to do so; start out slowly and work your exercise program until you reach thirty minutes per day. Try to do this every day or at least three to four times per week.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis and affects more than 2 million Americans. The diagnosis is not easy to make in many instances. There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis. Most of them involve inflammation. When a patient goes to a rheumatologist to get a diagnosis, there is a process of elimination in order to arrive at the proper diagnosis. This process of elimination is called "differential diagnosis."

Differential diagnosis can be a difficult undertaking because so many forms of arthritis, particularly inflammatory forms of arthritis look alike. Generally it is helpful to divide the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis into two groups. The first group are the non-infectious diseases to consider and the second group are the infection-related conditions.

Since the discussion is rather long I have chosen to divide the article into two parts.

The following is a partial list of forms of inflammatory arthritis that can be seen and must be considered when evaluating a patient with inflammatory symptoms of arthritis and are not infection related.

RA is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the peripheral joints (hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and feet). It can also affect non joint structures such as the lung, eye, skin, and cardiovascular system.

RA may start slowly with nonspecific symptoms, including fatigue, malaise (feeling "blah"), appetite loss, low-grade fever, weight loss, and vague joint pains, or it may have an explosive onset with inflammation involving multiple joints. The joint symptoms usually occur bilaterally- both sides of the body equally involved- and symmetric. Erosions- damage to the joint- can be seen with x-ray. In about 80% of cases, elevated levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-cyclic citrullinated antibodies (anti-CCP) are present in the blood. There appears to be a correlation between the presence of anti-CCP antibodies and erosions.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) occurs in children under the age of 16. Three forms of JRA exist, including oligoarticular (1-4 joints), polyarticular (more than 4 joints), and systemic-onset or Still's disease. The latter condition is associated with systemic symptoms -- including fever and rash in addition to joint disease.

Polyarticular JRA has similar characteristics to adult RA. It causes about 30% of cases of JRA. Most children with polyarticular JRA are negative for RF and their prognosis is usually good.

Approximately 20% of polyarticular JRA patients have elevated RF, and these patients are at risk for chronic, progressive joint damage.

Eye involvement in the form of inflammation- called uveitis- is a common finding in oligoarticular JRA, especially in patients who are positive for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), a blood test that is often used to screen for autoimmune disease. Uveitis may not cause symptoms so careful screening should be performed in these patients.

SLE is an inflammatory, chronic, autoimmune disorder that can involve the skin, joints, kidneys, central nervous system, and blood vessel walls. Patients may present with 1 or more of the following: butterfly-shaped rash on the face, affecting the cheeks; rash on other parts of the body; sensitivity to sunlight; mouth sores; joint inflammation; fluid around the lungs, heart, or other organs; kidney abnormalities; low white blood cell count, low red blood cell count, or low platelet count; nerve or brain inflammation; positive results of a blood test for ANA; positive results of a blood test for antibodies to double-stranded DNA or other antibodies.

Patients with lupus can have significant inflammatory arthritis. As a result, lupus can be difficult to distinguish from RA, especially if other features of lupus are not present. Clues that favor a diagnosis of RA over lupus in a patient presenting with arthritis affecting multiple joints include lack of lupus features, erosions (joint damage) seen on x-rays, and elevations of RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are types of inflammatory muscle disease. These conditions typically present with bilateral (both sides involved) large muscle weakness. In the case of DM, rash is present. Diagnosis consists of finding the following: elevation of muscle enzyme levels in the blood [the two enzymes that are measured are creatine kinase (CPK) and aldolase], signs and symptoms, electromyograph (EMG)- an electrical test- alteration, and a positive muscle biopsy.

In addition, in many cases abnormal antibodies specific for inflammatory muscle disease can be elevated.

In both PM and DM, inflammatory arthritis can be present and can look like RA. Both inflammatory muscle disease and RA can affect the lungs. In RA, muscle function will usually be normal. Also, in PM and DM, erosive joint disease is unlikely. RF and anti-CCP antibodies are typically elevated in RA but not PM or DM.

SAs -- psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and enteropathic arthritis -- are a category of diseases that cause systemic inflammation, and preferentially attack parts of the spine and other joints where tendons attach to bones. They also can cause pain and stiffness in the neck, upper and lower back, tendonitis, bursitis, heel pain, and fatigue. They are termed "seronegative" types of arthritis. The term 'seronegative' means that testing for rheumatoid factor is negative. Symptoms of adult SAs include:

o Back and/or joint pain;

o Morning stiffness;

o Tenderness near bones;

o Sores on the skin;

o Inflammation of the joints on both sides of the body;

o Skin or mouth ulcers;

o Rash on the bottom of the feet; and

o Eye inflammation.

Occasionally, arthritis similar to that seen in RA can be present. Careful history and physical examination can often distinguish between these conditions, especially if an obvious disease that is promoting inflammation is present (psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.). In addition, RA rarely affects the DIP joints- the last row of finger joints. If these joints are involved with inflammatory arthritis, the diagnosis of an SA is possible. (Note of caution: a condition known as inflammatory erosive nodal osteoarthritis can also affect the DIP joints). RF and anti-CCP antibodies are negative in SAs, although, rarely, in cases of psoriatic arthritis there may be elevations of RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

Gout is caused by deposits of monosodium urate (uric acid) crystals into a joint. Gouty arthritis is acute in onset, very painful, with signs of significant inflammation on exam (red, warm, swollen joints). Gout can affect almost any joint in the body, but typically affects cooler areas including the toes, feet, ankles, knees, and hands. Diagnosis is made by drawing fluid from an inflamed joint and analyzing the fluid. Demonstrating monosodium urate crystals in the joint fluid is diagnostic, although finding elevated serum levels of uric acid can also be helpful.

In most cases, gout is an acute single joint disease that is easy to distinguish from RA. However, in some cases, chronic erosive joint inflammation where multiple joints are involved can develop. And, in cases where tophi (deposits of uric acid) are present, it can be difficult to distinguish from erosive RA. However, crystal analysis of joints or tophi and blood tests should be helpful in distinguishing gout from RA.

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), also known as pseudogout, is a disease is caused by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in a joint. The presence of these crystals in the joints leads to significant inflammation. Establishing the diagnosis includes using:

o Detailed medical history;

o Withdrawing fluid from a joint to check for crystals;

o Joint x-rays to show crystals deposition in the cartilage (chondrocalcinosis); and

o Blood tests to rule out other diseases (e.g., RA or osteoarthritis).

In most cases, CPPD arthritis presents with single joint inflammation. In some cases, CPPD disease can present with chronic symmetric multiple joint erosive arthritis similar to RA. RA and CPPD disease can usually be told apart by joint aspiration demonstrating calcium pyrophosphate crystals, and by blood tests, including RF and anti-CCP antibodies, which are usually negative in CCPD arthritis. A complicating feature is that RA and CPPD can coexist!

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory joint disorder. The majority of patients with this disease have lung disease, with eye and skin disease being the next most frequent signs of disease. Although the diagnosis of sarcoidosis can be made on clinical and x-ray presentation alone, sometimes the use of tissue biopsy with the demonstration of "noncaseating granulomas" is necessary for diagnosis.

Arthritis is present in 15% of patients with sarcoidosis, and in rare cases can be the only sign of disease. In acute sarcoid arthritis, joint disease is usually of rapid onset. It is symmetric involving the ankles, although knees, wrists, and hands can be involved. In most cases of acute disease, lung and skin disease are also present. Chronic sarcoid arthritis can be difficult to distinguish from RA. Although RA-specific blood tests, such as RF and anti-CCP antibodies, can be helpful in distinguishing RA from sarcoidosis, in some cases a biopsy of joint tissue may be required for diagnosis.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is a disease that leads to inflammation of tendons, muscles, ligaments, and tissues around the joints. It presents with large muscle pain, aching, morning stiffness, fatigue, and in some cases, fever. It can be associated with temporal arteritis (TA), also known as giant-cell arteritis, which is a related but more serious condition in which inflammation of large blood vessels can lead to blindness and aneurysms. Also, a peculiar syndrome where use of the arms and legs leads to cramping because of insufficient blood flow (limb claudication) can occur. PMR is diagnosed when the clinical picture is present along with elevated markers of inflammation (ESR and/or CRP). If temporal arteritis is suspected (headache, vision changes, limb claudication), biopsy of a temporal artery may be necessary to demonstrate inflammation of blood vessels.

PMR and TA can present with symmetric inflammatory arthritis similar to RA. These diseases can usually be distinguished by blood testing. In addition, headaches, vision changes, and large muscle pain are uncommon in RA, and if these are present, PMR and/or TA should be considered.

In part 2 of this article, I will discuss infectious diseases that need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. When RA is suspected, it is critical to consult with an expert rheumatologist.

One of the reasons why it is difficult to prevent rheumatoid arthritis is that the medical community does not know what causes it. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic degeneration of the cartilage in the joints. It is caused by an autoimmune response that turns the body's white blood cells against that cartilage. It is characterized by swollen, tender joints that are stiff and painful to move. This is more so after periods of inactivity such as first thing in the morning. There is no known cure for this disease and only limited treatments.

It is believed that rheumatoid arthritis is a genetic disorder. The only known risk factors are being female and being between 40 and 60 years old. This is the group most likely to develop symptoms of RA. It does also affect men, though only about 1/3 as many as women and it has been seen to develop at earlier ages. It is also sometimes seen in children. Smoking may have a casual link to the onset of symptoms, but this is not entirely certain. If it is linked to the disease somehow, this would be the only risk factor over which a person can have any control.

While we can not prevent rheumatoid arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent joint damage. All of the current treatments are symptomatic and include anti -inflammatory medications, pain relievers, and in some cases the use of corticosteroids. Unfortunately, there is a balancing act that must take place. The goal is to slow or halt the progress of the disease while providing as much relief from pain as possible. These two goals often run counter to one another. The medications that reduce swelling and pain have side effects that can lead to more damage to the joints. The medications to prevent damaging the joint further can aggravate the pain level.

Untreated, rheumatoid arthritis is a highly degenerative disease that can progress to a point that leaves a person bedridden in later life. In addition to the medical treatments listed above, occupational and physical therapy is prescribed to improve or maintain range of motion and flexibility. Therapy can consist of exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joints. Other exercises will push the limits of mobility. The goal is to maintain the ability to function in daily life. This is literally a case of use it or lose it as allowing the joints to stiffen can lead to permanent and total disability.

Medical science is progressing rapidly with discoveries of new genetic markers for certain disorders and therapies designed to change certain genetic conditions. At the present time, there is no cure and no known method to prevent rheumatoid arthritis. The best one can hope for is to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms early and seek medical help to limit or prevent a portion of the joint damage caused by RA. Physical or occupational therapy and a mix of anti-inflammatory and pain medications are the best means available to treat the symptoms at this time.

A popular lubricant developed in 1953 is making waves as an arthritis "treatment" even though there is no scientific evidence behind this claim.

Thousands of people around the world swear that WD-40 (short for water displacement - 40th attempt), a rust-prevention product created by chemist Norm Larsen, has helped them cope with arthritis pain and stiffness. Users claim the household lubricant works miracles if sprayed on stiff knees, hips, and wrists.

Golfer Eric McKaig is one of them. The 70-year-old retired sales manager and former professional football player said the product has put an end to years of suffering. He got arthritis seven years ago and has tried a lot of painkillers and supplements for quick relief but to no avail.

His 78-year-old friend Ron Andrew told McKaig about his secret. Since then, the two claim they have found instant relief.

"It's been an absolute godsend for me. WD-40 has given me a hell of a lot of relief. A few weeks ago, I was even running around the garden with my grandson. I haven't been able to do that for about three years," McKaig said.

"There was a slope at my local golf course that used to really hurt my knees. But within a few days of spraying WD-40 it didn't hurt nearly as much. I only sprayed it three or four times and I've been fine since. It was unbelievable," Andrew added.

Although WD-40 has thousands of uses such as protecting tools from rust, silencing squeaky hinges, and removing crayon marks from most surfaces, the manufacturer stressed that it is a household product not a miracle cure for arthritis. In response to queries from users, it issued this statement:

"WD-40 is not a medical product. We would never recommend to people that they spray WD-40 onto the skin. Our recommendation is to see your GP (general practitioner) for expert advice on alleviating arthritis."

Doctors say the reason why people think WD-40 works is because of the placebo effect - meaning if you sincerely believe something will work, sometimes it does but only temporarily. That positive effect may be reinforced by the cooling effect of WD-40 that is similar to other topical painkillers or due to improved blood circulation when users massage the product into their skin.

Arthritis expert Professor Robert Moots from Liverpool University said a lubricant similar to WD-40 is used to treat stiff joints. Unlike WD-40, however, the treatment is injected into the joints not merely sprayed.
"By spraying the outside of the knee with WD-40 I doubt if any would actually get into the joint. I've no doubt people who use it do feel better but it's probably only a simple placebo effect," Moots explained.

To top it off, arthritis is characterized by flare-ups and remissions. A remission is the absence of symptoms that occur for no known reason in 30 percent of arthritis patients. Thus, people who feel better after using WD-40 may actually be experiencing a remission.

"To date, no credible scientific studies have shown any benefit from the use of WD-40 for arthritis. In fact, there may be cumulative harmful effects. The manufacturer's warning indicates that contact with skin and vapors should be avoided. WD-40 contains petroleum distillates, as do gasoline and oil. Problems ranging from mild skin rash to severe allergic reactions have been reported. Prolonged exposure can cause cancer and other serious health problems," warned Dr. Katherine Poelhmann, author of "Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Infection Connection."

If you have arthritis, don't waste time on questionable remedies. While there is no cure for the disease, painful symptoms can be controlled with the right medication. One popular product is Flexcerin that helps soothe inflamed joints, relieves swelling, and restores flexibility and mobility. Check out http://www.flexcerin.com for details.

The number of patients with knee arthritis is increasing dramatically as baby-boomers hit retirement age. This is due to the combined effects of active lifestyles, prior surgeries and people living longer.

The great news is this: if you are among those with chronic, increasing pain in the knee, there are a number of things you can do to take control of this frequently debilitating condition.

First, recognize that knee pain does not always mean arthritis. There are a variety of conditions that can lead to knee pain, and if pain is your problem, it's critical to get a competent appraisal of the condition. Many conditions exist that can affect knee function and they should be considered. Oftentimes, those conditions can and should be treated without surgery.

Secondly, the term arthritis includes a large number of conditions, and many of them are suited for medical (non-operative) treatment. Let's look at the three basic types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common. It's a slowly progressive degenerative disease in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. Osteoarthritis most often affects middle-aged and older people. Rheumatoid arthritis, which can occur at any age, is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can destroy joint cartilage. The third type of arthritis is post-traumatic arthritis, which can develop after a knee injury and is similar to osteoarthritis. It may develop years after a fracture, ligament injury, or meniscus tear.

In treating these conditions, surgery is only indicated after conservative measures have been attempted. Non-operative treatments include activity modification (avoiding activities that aggravate the condition), physical therapy, injections, analgesics, braces, and other devices. The purpose of treatment is to reduce pain, increase function and generally reduce symptoms. Patient satisfaction is a fundamental goal in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. Depending on the severity of the condition and individual needs and goals, non-operative treatment may help for years.

Alternatively, in patients who develop inflammatory arthritis, medical management may be successful. Since inflammatory arthritis can involve multiple joints, systemic treatment is often appropriate.

For those who do require surgery, there are several surgical options to consider including arthroscopic surgery using fiber optic technology, osteotomy, total or partial knee replacement and cartilage grafting. Talk with your surgeon about which option is best for you.

The good news is new surgical techniques and improvements in prosthetic design and manufacturing indicate that recovery times are getting shorter and knee replacements are lasting longer.

Preventing Knee Pain

• Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI)


• Exercise in moderation


• Change exercise patterns gradually but do enough to maintain healthy muscles and cardiovascular function


• Have acute injuries evaluated and treated by a trusted physician.

Using the term arthritis we describe over 100 existing conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and inflammation in one or more of our joints and all of them can benefit by eating a healthy well balanced diet which will ease the pain. This article deals with the more common conditions as there are to many to focus on.

The different types of arthritis we will focus on are the common but very painful gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and neither of them can be cured by diet changes, but we can ease the condition by eating certain types of foods and avoiding others. An example is that fish oils help with most arthritic conditions, while gout benefits by avoiding alcohol and certain meats and there are supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin that will ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis but none of the other forms of arthritis.

A person with any type of arthritis should:

1) Eat a well balanced diet
2) Increase their calcium intake [thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later life]
3) Avoid fasting and crash diets
4) Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol
5) Reduce the fats consumed to maintain their weight within a normal range

For the poor person suffering with gout [a type of arthritis]:

By now you should know that it is the waste product known as uric acid [which is normally excreted via the urine] that builds up in a joint and causes pain and inflammation [strangely enough gout seems to attack the big toe joint most of the time].

To ease these symptoms you will need to:

1) Avoid shellfish - such as prawns or crayfish
2) Avoid all alcohol - or at least restrict yourself.
3) Avoid offal - these are the organs of the animal.
4) Avoid some types of fish - mackerel, sardines, anchovies and herring to name but a few.
5) Avoid yeast products - beer [which you should already be avoiding] and Vegemite [marmite].
6) Remember not to overeat and to take your time while eating.

Now for rheumatoid and osteoarthritis:

Eat foods that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids like:

Oily fish - sardines and salmon etc
Add linseed to your diet and use the oil from this seed
Use canola oil in place of your usual oil
Walnuts contain a good amount of omega 3
Fish oil supplements - choose carefully here as some fish oils contain high doses of vitamin A

By consuming foods rich in omega3 you will find that the pain will ease in your inflamed joints, this is because these fatty acids seem to reduce the number of inflammatory molecules produced by the bodies immune system. There are other benefits to this diet change as it can help lower the risk of prostrate cancer and asthma.

There are other supplements out there like glucosamine and chondroitin [evidence about their success in treating arthritis is limited] that may relieve pain for people with osteoarthritis [especially if there has been a breakdown of cartilage]. These supplement will not relieve the symptoms of any other arthritis and have been known to interact with other medications like warfarin, please remember to consult your doctor before taking this supplement.

Obesity and arthritis

Being overweight puts a lot more strain on a persons joints than they realize, if the affected joints are the hips, knees or spine the extra load will increase the pain and inflammation of the arthritis. Osteoarthritis risks are also increased due to the extra weight on a persons bone structure. Due to the stiffness and pain in their joints, obese people will find it difficult to increase their activities in order to assist with weight loss, here are a few strategies to assist you with the problem:

1) You will have to diet - but ensure that it is high in nutrition while low in kilojoules
2) Try low impact exercises - swimming, water aerobics [quite good as the water supports your weight while you exercise] and long walks [if your knees are not involved]
3) Find exercises that do not use the arthritic joints - try stationary cycling if your hands are arthritic, upper body aerobics if it is your knees [easy enough to do in the sitting position]

The above exercising ideas are just an example, experiment with different activities till you find one that does not affect your arthritic joints and stick with the activity while you are dieting.

REMEMBER - there is no miracle cure for this condition, but changing your diet to include the foods above will help with easing your pain.

It is not unique to suffer from gout. Unfortunately, more and more people are experiencing pain from this type of arthritis. The most noticeable of the symptoms of gout is extreme swelling and pain in the large toes. However, the great arthritic pains of gout can impact many, if not all, of the joints. If you suffer from joint pain accompanied by swelling in the big toe or red patches around your joints, you need to talk to your doctor about whether you have gout and what can be done to treat it.

While several different disease processes must come together to cause gout, most of these processes can be lumped together under metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is simply a description of varying disease processes that take place in the human body in a symbiotic fashion, triggered primarily by unhealthy lifestyle factors, but varying in degree based on genetic and environmental factors.

Gout is specifically the result when uric acid builds in the bloodstream and subsequently crystallizes in the joints over time. Purine is thought to be the primary root substance that is converted into uric acid in the bloodstream. In a healthy individual, purine will be metabolized and only harmless components will spend significant amounts of time in bloodstream. In unhealthy individuals, high levels of purine that are not adequately metabolized result in the buildup as uric acid.

Gout prevention comes down to realizing that you must choose between your present lifestyle with gout and a new lifestyle without gout. It has been known for centuries that a lifestyle filled with rich foods and alcoholic beverages goes with gout. Much more is known now about gout and its causes. Essentially, you need to eat a simple diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, while avoiding highly processed foods and sugary foods.

Mercifully, the symptoms of gout will often go away for periods of time. However, it can seemingly flare up at any time. When the condition gives you great arthritic pains, even the slightest of touches can result in extreme pain, especially around your feet and various joints. You may be able to get some temporary, immediate relief through the use of hot compresses.

You need to see your doctor about getting more permanent relief when gout gives you great arthritic pains. A typical treatment plan will include some anti-inflammatory pain relievers and various other medications as necessary. All these will be in conjunction with healthy lifestyle changes.