Rheumatoid Arthritis|Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms|Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia and that is when pain relief formulas.

An arthritis or joint pain is caused mainly due to suppression of digestive fire. This results in poor digestion,which leads to accumulation of undigested wastes in the body resulting in buildup of waste matter. The toxins reach different parts of body and get accumulated at joints. The disease term arthritis is looks like the singular in number but the disease is comprised of more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of the life.

The two most common form of arthritis pain are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis with the symptoms like back or hip pain, knee pain, arm pain, wrist pain and pain or inflammation of other areas as well. This is when one looks to get relief from low back pain or over painful joint problems.

Arthritis suffers include man, woman, children and adults. The statistics shows that there are more than 350 million people have been victimized by the disease arthritis world wide. Among the US population there the figure reaches to 40 million people are affected by this disease and the ¼ of them is children. Depending on the disease they the have more than 21 million people suffer from Osteoarthritis and 2.1 million people have the symptom and advance stage of the disease Rheumatoid arthritis. The women are struggling a lot with more than 60% of mark.

There are many different types that affect different parts of the body. Some of those are:

Tendinitis – targets tendons

Sclerodermal – thickening of the skin and connective tissue

Fibromyalgia – muscles will be sore and tender to the touch

Articular or joint types of arthritis – gout and lupus, tend to be the most painful

Osteoarthritis- Osteoarthritis is mainly caused by the break down and the eventual loss of the cartilages. The cartilage is the protein substance that provides the cushion for the bones to avoid the friction of rubbing while working. Work related repetitive injury and the physical trauma are the main cause for getting affected by Osteoarthritis.

This type of arthritis mainly affects hand, wrist, knee and spine. One of the main and unique reasons of developing Osteoarthritis is the age.

Rheumatoid Arthritis- Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the chronic inflammation of the joints. Patients with autoimmune diseases have the antibodies in their blood and target their own tissues and this will be associated with inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in the tissue around the joints and can affect other organs like hearts, blood.

Omega-3 fatty acid, Gamma-linolenic Acid, Boswellia and Devil’s claw are the renowned natural and organic arthritis products [http://www.arthroleve.com/athletes.php] along with the other most effective chemical based medication.

Scalp psoriasis is an embarrassing, non contagious, genetic skin disorder of the immune system. Severe psoriasis is reputed to even lead to psoriatic arthritis. Scalp psoriasis can manifest itself as mild scales or as thick plaques in severe cases. Care should be taken not to confuse Scalp psoriasis, which is exemplified by the silvery, powdery appearance of the scale with Seborrheic dermatitis, which has greasy yellow scales. The crumbly powder of Scalp psoriasis gives rise to dandruff which everyone is trying to avoid.

The advent of Scalp psoriasis is normally attributed to the hair dryers and the spurious hair supplements that we use so often. When the skin gross rapidly at a pace which is more than normal, it leads to red lesions covered by the scales and severe dandruff problems are normally associated with the onset of Scalp psoriasis. It is a cause for severe social embarrassment, although the hair camouflages the psoriasis. Ayurvedic medicine claims that immune deficiency is a main reason for psoriasis.

Loosening and removal of the scales are paramount in the treatment of Scalp psoriasis. Some recommend the use of calcipotriol lotion, but these do little but to reduce the itching that accompanies this aliment. For proper de-scaling, sporadic or more consistent use of tropical steroids is recommended, based on the severity of the manifestation.

Some of the home remedies recommended is the application of tar - based anti psoriasis shampoo where the coconut oil content also nourishes your hair. Wash your hair daily and avoid exposure to the sun. Rubbing warmed olive oil to the Scalp and letting it soak for 30 minutes before you wash it off with special shampoo is also considered a good remedy. In some cases, Scalp psoriasis is known to disappear on its own, but in other cases it has been known to persist. According to Ayurveda psoriasis can be treated with Panchakarma treatment, which in simple terms, is the detoxification of the impure 'Doshas' (bad features) from the body.

Some of the simple preventive measures for Scalp psoriasis include avoiding scratching the Scalp, brushing your hair regularly and cutting your hair short for facilitating the penetration of medicines.

The psychological aspects of psoriasis and the mental distress it brings to sufferers must be understood in their correct perspective. Acceptance of this condition is the first step towards coping with this disease. Often, it is the lack of good information that brings about fear and embarrassment. People who are afflicted should continue their social activities and not turn into a recluse, which can again instigate the manifestation of depression and panic. Read as much as you can about this affliction from the Internet and the other sources and also discuss frankly with friends. Finally, also get a good hair dresser who can understand your problem and serve you well.

Massage therapy will not cure rheumatoid arthritis but it will definitely offer a rheumatoid arthritis pain relief and will lessen the stress associated with it.

Why Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is considered one of the popular alternative or complementary rheumatoid arthritis treatments because:

- It lessens muscle tension so that stiffness and muscle pain is reduced.
- It promotes better blood flow.
- It improves joint movement and flexibility.
- It reduces inflammation and the pain that goes along with it.
- It is relaxing hence people don't feel stressed out.

According to a recent study, massage therapy has helped to increase grip strength in the hands of people who suffer from arthritis. In a four week period, a massage was given once a week to participants in the study. In addition, the participants were asked to perform the same massage routine on a daily basis.

Different Types of Massage Therapy

There are different types of massage therapy used for managing arthritic pain. These are:

1. Swedish Massage. Swedish massage is a whole body massage that involves the following techniques:

• Effleurage where there is a gliding movement of the hands that is meant to relax the muscles and calm the nerves. The pressure used is light to medium.


• Petrissage which involves kneading of the flesh.


• Friction strokes which are supposed to attack deeper problem areas in the muscles. This technique involves the most pressure.


• Vibration where parts of the body are gently shaken.


• Tapotement is a tapping movement which can be done with cupped hands, using the side of the hands or by curling the hand into a loose fist.

2. Myofascial Release. During a myofascial massage, the patient is massaged using long and stretching strokes. This approach releases tension in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding the muscles.

3. Trigger Point Therapy. In this approach, trigger points are identified then pressure is applied (using the fingers) so that they no longer cause pain to other parts of the body.

4. Reflexology. Reflexology is similar to trigger point therapy in that they both use pressure to ease pain but the former is restricted to points in the hands and feet.

5. Acupressure and Shiatsu. In acupressure and shiatsu, the fingers are used to apply pressure on specific regions of the body. They are similar to acupuncture in that they all "attack" the same points in the body to help release or control pain.

6. Deep Tissue Massage. This approach attacks the areas beneath the surface muscles so strong pressure is usually applied.

Massage therapy provides a safe rheumatoid arthritis relief and while it is true that it doesn't eliminate arthritis altogether, it improves quality of life by effectively managing the pain that comes along with it.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is one of the most common maladies seen by rheumatologists. It is a condition that affects the low back. To understand what happens with this condition, it's important to briefly review the anatomy.

The lumbar spine consists of bones, called vertebrae, which are stacked one upon the other and separated by rubbery discs in the front and by joints (called "facet joints") in back. Down the center of this stack is a tunnel where the spinal cord is housed. The column of bones is supported inside and outside the tunnel by a series of ligaments.

LSS occurs when the spinal cord is compressed. There are three abnormalities that are responsible. First, the discs begin to bulge as a result of aging. They dry out and flatten. This leads to disc protrusion into the tunnel where the spinal cord passes. Second, the facet joints develop arthritis and the spurs from these facet joints protrude into the tunnel also. Finally, one of the ligaments that supports the spinal column inside the tunnel begins to hypertrophy and this also protrudes into the tunnel.

The end result is pressure on the spinal cord.

The history and physical examination are usually enough to suspect the diagnosis. Typically a patient older than 70 years will present with low back pain that is aggravated by walking or standing and relieved by sitting or by bending forward.

The pain radiates from the back into the buttocks and sometimes the thighs. Patients will walk with a wide-based gait- legs wider than usual because they feel unstable. This is because the normal signals that are sent from the brain to the feet are not being received so the patient's sense of where they are in space is abnormal.

Severe spinal stenosis is accompanied by bladder problems such as urinary frequency- going to the bathroom much more often than normal.

LSS is often confused for vascular claudication. This is a disorder where the blood flow to the legs is compromised because of narrowing of the arteries. The symptoms are similar. Also, narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck and hip disorders can also mimic lumbar spinal stenosis.

The diagnosis can be confirmed by either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or by CT scan of the low back.
The natural history of the disorder is one of progression. Conservative measures such as epidural steroid injections and physical therapy can be useful but most patients will require surgery which is often very effective.

Pain and danger often come together; are we aware of the consequences?

Our first thought is of some sort of painkiller to get relief when pain becomes unbearable. Arthritis, as every sufferer knows is a stubborn painful disease; it is important to attack it on every level it exists on. We must link and combine many natural herbs, fruits, vegetables, vitamins and foods to intervene on this disease from all directions.

The danger with painkillers and arthritis drugs is they can have deadly side effects when you're hurting it's natural of wanting some relief. If you use conventional pain-reliever to ease the pain it could cost dearly and can bring many other health issues. You may feel better, but beneath the surface drugs and painkillers are causing serious health problems. Here is just a short list of what harm arthritis drugs and painkillers can do: Stomach irritation and bleeding, decreased kidney function, elevate blood pressure which can lead to heart problems, stroke and kidney disease etc., and there are many more. The longer you stay on these drugs and painkillers the more likely you are to suffer serious side effects and damage.

Clinical studies have proven it!

Our food must become our medicine; thousands of scientific studies have proven this. Scientists are now fully accepting the strong evidence of nature's astonishing healing powers. They've identified many natural compounds in food which act like tranquilizers, such as cancer fighters, blood thinners, cholesterol reducer, insulin regulators, and many other powerful anti-inflammatory pain-relievers for arthritis. Such natural healers have been forgotten and unknowingly pushed aside over the last few centuries. Just popping a pill for any type of sickness or pain has become the norm. We became reliant and addicted to drug medicine.

Clinical studies have proven that most herbs, berries and vegetables contain natural pain-relievers and joint healing substances. They are nature's richest sources of anthocyanins, a group of antioxidants called flavonoids with exceptional high anti-inflammatory properties.

Berries - the greatest pain-reliever!

Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and cherries are far more active than aspirin and other painkillers for joint pain - and without side effects! Berries protect your joints because of the high vitamin content. These berries provide cell protection against free radical molecules that damage DNA cell membranes and joint tissue. Scientists conducted a study to test the effects of berries and cherry extract on people with arthritis. They found that these participants experienced significant relief from it. In less than three months on most participants the pain had disappeared. One of them stopped taking the extract and the pain returned within weeks.

Having pain-free joints is as easy as eating a cup of mixed berries and cherries daily to receive high levels of joint-protective antioxidants. Include all these berries in your daily diet with your fruits and vegetables because they have incredible healing powers.

Choose them carefully!

Anyone who is taking supplements and Glucosamine make sure they are the right ones. Do not use N-acetyl Glucosamine (NAG); it is generally worthless, check the labels.

Using a quality product is crucial. A supplement (in liquid form) that also has fruits, berries, Glucosamine and omega-3 all in one is the best option. Lab experiments and clinical trials have proven that certain herbs and nutrients eased the pain and inflammation of arthritis and even more so remarkable helped to rebuild joints.

Remember: Goals and targets are great, but action steps are a must to have success to free your self from pain and discomfort. Whatever you may suffer from, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid, you can add many pain-free years to your life and put a smile back in to your face.

For more follow - up information, for better food choices, the best supplement for pain, and changes you can make, just follow the link, info is free.

Arthritis seems to affect so many people, and not always the elderly. A lot of people, both young and old, suffer routinely with bone or joint pain and inflammation. Sometimes this is the result of an injury and soon heals, but for many the prognosis is somewhat more dire.

Nobody wants to be told that they have rheumatoid arthritis. It is seen as an old person's condition and is often debilitating. We imagine inflamed and sore joints, bone deformities, and immobility upon receiving the diagnosis. Without a doubt, arthritis has caused a considerable number of people a considerable amount of discomfort.

Before we continue on with the causes of this very common skeletal condition, we need to define our terms. What most people do not know is that arthritis refers to any type of condition that leads to inflammation, pain, and stiffness of the joints. This means that it is more of a category of conditions than a condition in and of itself.

Further points to ponder:

* There are more than one hundred different conditions that fall under the heading of arthritis.

* The most common conditions include: gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

* When a joint is inflamed, stiff, and/or sore this is known as arthritis.

* Other types of arthritic conditions include: infectious arthritis and lupus. These can produce the customary joint problems but also a range of other symptoms such as: rashes, chills, fever, heart complications, and pain.

So what are the causes of arthritis?

Interestingly, the main cause of most of the types of conditions that fall under the heading of arthritis is nutritional in nature. Nutritional deficiencies are a prime cause but this is good news, because nutritional deficiencies can be addressed and rectified.

What can be done?

Your first duty is to review your diet. Make the changes that are necessary such as omitting what should not be part of your diet, and including what should. The quality of the food that we purchase today is not what it should be. Most of us do not get the proper nutrition that our bodies need in order to be healthy and function at its optimum level. This is why dietary supplements should be included in your diet.

Supplements high in fatty acids, fish oils, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will aid your body so that it is able to heal itself and repair damage where it has occurred. Coupled with enough regular exercise and weight resistance training, your joint pains and stiffness can become a thing of the past.

The fallacy that so many believe.

Remarkable achievements have been made with regards to natural remedies, such as those that contain the New Zealand Mussel, for instance. Discover how this ingredient can greatly benefit anyone suffering with arthritis.

"Nutritional deficiencies are a major cause of joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation".

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.

Introduction

Arthritis is one of the most common afflictions for dogs; it affects one in five dogs in the United States. Arthritis is a debilitating condition which causes inflammation and pain in a dog's joints, and usually affects elbows, hips, shoulders, back and neck. It can affect one or more joints and can be present in both young and old dogs alike. Because of their great size and weight large/giant breeds are the most prone to developing arthritis.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

The most common symptoms for arthritis in dogs are:

1. Favoring a limb/limping
2. Difficulty sitting or standing
3. Sleeping more or restless sleep
4. Stiff or sore joints
5. Unwilling to get up, run, jump, or climb stairs
6. Weight gain
7. Less interest in play/not alert
8. Irritable, crying or whimpering
9. Lack of appetite

If one or more of these symptoms are present, make an appointment to see your dog's veterinarian. Your dog's veterinarian can perform an arthritis evaluation consisting of a physical exam and x-rays. Additionally, if your vet doesn't suggest it, request a blood panel. The blood panel might detect a disease such as Lyme disease, which has some arthritis-like symptoms.

Natural Therapies

If your dog is suffering from arthritis, first evaluate his weight and diet. Fido's extra pounds are adding to the stress on his joints and many dog foods contain ingredients, which will make the arthritis worse. Start, by cutting back on those table scraps and unnecessary treats and taking a short daily walk. Even just ten minutes a day will shed pounds and improve circulation.

Now let's take a closer look at what you're feeding your dog. Are you feeding a high quality chemical-free food? I recommend Canine Caviar. No matter what you feed your dog make certain it doesn't contain preservatives, food colorings, wheat, corn, or soy products. These ingredients are not good for dogs. Furthermore, avoid feeding your dog grains; grains tend to increase joint inflammation.

While we're on the subject of food, celery is a vegetable that can help with your dog's joints. If you give this a try, you'll probably have to be sneaky. Try using a food processor and chopping it into very small pieces before mixing it with your dog's food.

Over the counter supplements can also help with a dog's arthritis. Studies have shown that glucosamine, chondrotin sulfate and omega three fatty acids are all helpful in treating the symptoms of arthritis. Glucosamin and chondrotin sulfate can be purchased in powdered form and fish oil capsules are a good source of omega three fatty acids.

Non-traditional Therapies

Exercise and Physical therapy have also been shown to alleviate many arthritic symptoms. Swimming is a great exercise for your dog, and it doesn't put a strain on their joints. If you have a small dog you can use a bath tub as a therapy pool, but be vigilant and for safety don't leave your small dog unattended. If your dog isn't fond of water don't force them to swim, regular walks are still a good source of exercise.

Another effective means to combat canine arthritis is acupuncture. Utilized for centuries in Eastern Medicine, acupuncture is starting to become a widely accepted practice in Western Society. It has been shown to dramatically improve a variety of health concerns in dogs. Talk to your veterinarian to learn if acupuncture is right for your pet.

To help maintain joints and connective tissues add a powdered Vitamin C supplement to your dog's food. Not only does Vitamin C maintain joints it will also combat further degradation of joints already plagued by arthritis. Avoid plain ascorbic acid, because it can cause your dog to have an upset stomach, instead use sodium ascorbate. If you notice loose stool after starting a regimen of Vitamin C cut back the dosage.

Dosage recommendations based on breed size.
Small= 500-1000mg
Med-Large= 1000-2000mg
Giant = 2000-4000mg

What to avoid?

Never try to home medicate your dog with medications meant for humans. Certain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be toxic to a dog. If your veterinarian prescribes a prescription medication for your dog strictly follow their dosage suggestion. Remember, that regardless of the treatment option(s) you choose, it could take weeks for any remedy to make a difference. Be diligent and make caring for your dog's arthritis a habit.

How to make your arthritic dog's life better?

There are also several environmental changes you can make to your dog's lifestyle. Here are some things you can do almost immediately to help alleviate arthritis pain. Avoid activities that strain your pet's joints. Purchase or build a dog ramp to assist your pet in getting access to those difficult to reach places like cars/trucks, beds, and stairs. Help to reduce the strain on your dog's neck and back when they eat and drink by raising or purchasing a stand to elevate your dog's food and water dishes.

Keep your dog warm. Cold and damp air aggravates arthritic joints. Purchase a high quality pet bed that will help to keep your dog sleeping warm and comfortable while reducing stiffness, aches, and pains after sleeping. If you usually keep your dog outdoors consider purchasing an insulated dog house or better yet welcome them inside. Even just petting your dog can help your dog to feel better. Be a friend to your best friend.

Several studies have proven yeast to be directly related to irritation and worsening symptoms of Fibromyalgia pain, Crohn's disease, Arthritis pain, and Autism. Yeast can cause excess swelling and/or pain to these conditions and exaggerate the symptoms of Autism in children and adults.

Fibromyalgia is chronic widespread pain all over the affected persons body, typically in muscle, connective tissue, nerve endings, and joints. It is more than just pain though, it is included with a long list of symptoms like muscle spasms, tingling, nerve pain, weakness, cognitive dysfunction ("Brain Fog"), chronic sleep disturbances, and more. Yeast can increase and exaggerate all of these symptoms.

Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory disease of the intestines (Gastrointestinal Tract) causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and/or weight loss. Just like with Fibromyalgia, yeast can increase the effects of these symptoms tremendously.

Arthritis is a group of conditions causing damage to the bodies joints. There are over 100 different types of arthritis; to name a few common ones, there is Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Septic Arthritis, Gouty Arthritis, and Juvenile Arthritis. The most commonly associated symptom is pain, however it differs from type to type.

Autism is a development disorder in the brain caused by lack of social interaction and communication and by restrictive and repetitive behavior. Autism is not well understood in the medical world, but does have a strong genetic base. It is not characterized by one symptom, rather by a triad of symptoms including impairments in social interaction, impairments in communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. All which appear to be worsened by the consumption of yeast.

Osteoarthritis of the upper spine known as cervical spondylosis includes symptoms like neck popping and neck pain. This degenerative disease is usually seen in those above the age of fifty or those who have been involved in doing some kind of strenuous physical activity for many years as a part of their work life. Neck popping may also develop when the cartilage between the vertebrae starts to degenerate and the spaces between the vertebrae narrow due to aging.

Bony outgrowth called osteophytes may form on the vertebrae restricting movements of the head and causing stiffness. As a result the movements of the neck are restricted as even a slight movement causes a creaking popping neck sensation.

When you sleep in an awkward position, the twisting of the head causes it to be held in an abnormal position leading to pain in the neck. This pain is caused by the spasms in the neck muscles. Take care to see that your pillow supports your neck in alignment with the rest of your spine. An overstuffed pillow or too many pillows may push your head far too forward; a pillow that is too limp or flimsy may tip your head back. So, it is always better to choose a good pillow to prevent neck popping.

Most people spend six to eight hours in bed every day. Therefore appropriate support from a good pillow is required to ensure good neck support and to provide adequate rest to the muscles in the neck. When you are asleep try to avoid lying on your front with the neck twisted to one side. All these steps can go a long way in preventing neck popping.

When you make sudden movements of your head the bone presses against the nerves in the neck causing pain and neck popping. Medical practitioners may arrange special tests to assess the nature of the degeneration and start treatment using pain killers, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and heat packs to relieve pain.

A good sitting posture is very important to ensure the health of your neck and to avoid neck popping if you have to sit for long hours at a desk or in the front of a computer during working hours. You can also reduce the incidence of neck popping if you strengthen the muscles of your neck by doing some neck stretches, shoulder rolls, neck rolls etc. to loosen up your upper spine.