Rheumatoid Arthritis|Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms|Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis, though may not be termed as a very serious illness is definitely a very difficult one for those suffering from severe forms of the disease. There has been a large amount of research done on arthritis and medical practitioners have suggested several treatments for the same. Before analyzing what are the best treatments for arthritis one must need to know what we are trying to achieve or what the objectives of a good arthritis treatment are.

The goals or aims of any arthritis treatment are to relieve pain or any kind of inflammation, to ensure that work life of the person is not affected, advancement in disease is reduced and one is able to be independent as well as have a good quality of life. Hence the best treatments of arthritis would be those which fulfill these goals to the fullest extent.

Some of the conventional treatments for arthritis pain relief are as follows:

Educating and supporting the patient, teaching the importance of joint protection, regular exercise and weight loss.

Some of the most familiar medications for arthritis over the years are Tylenol for pain relief and NSAID's like Advil, Ibuprofen, naproxen etc in case pain is intolerable. NSAID's are said to have adverse side effects like gastro intestinal problems and even headache and giddiness. The sad part is that though these drugs relieve pain temporarily they prevent the synthesis of collagen eventually accelerating the destruction of cartilage and causing more severe arthritis.

In case the patient is suffering from inflammations COX 2 inhibitors are used. In case of swollen joints the fluid is removed and a steroid injection is given.

In case you need to replace the joint it self then one may need to go for surgery.

Now medical practitioners are insisting on more natural methods of treating arthritis that have proved more effective than conventional methods. Firstly arthritis varies from person to person and needs to be treated individually. What worked for someone else may not work for you. A healthy balanced diet with plenty of calcium to strengthen the bones can work wonders. You may think of nutritional supplements like antioxidant nutrients that reduce the loss of cartilage and advancement of disease. A good dosage of glucose amine for at least two months will help an elderly person as the ability to produce this component of cartilage gradually deteriorates with aging. One may also ensure that they include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, zinc copper and boron as all these contribute to cartilage regeneration and any deficiency causes damage.

Even exercises need to be person specific. Do not do exercises which will apply more stress on your joints or which will end up in more severe pain. Mild stretching, massage and heat application may help relieve stress to a certain extent. It is important to remember to consult your medical practitioner before taking any treatment. The other new treatment being introduced is herbal treatment. These treatments have proved to be more effective and have lesser side effects than other drugs in the long run. Whatever may be the severity of arthritis the best treatment is a positive mind, good exercising and a healthy balanced diet.

The vast majority of cat owners feed their feline friends with commercial cat food as this is the easiest and accepted thing to do. According to veterinary experts however, these commercial feeds are probably contributing to the development of cat arthritis in pets at home. Cat arthritis can be as debilitating and uncomfortable as the human equivalent.

It is a condition in cats which primarily affects the joints and bones of the body. It has the same uncomfortable and painful signs and symptoms which can hamper movement and physical activities in cats. Here are 7 top tips to think about regarding cat arthritis:

Tip #1: Diet can play a major role in the development of arthritis in cats. Thus, diet modification is one of the best treatment methods to help control and alleviate the signs and symptoms of cat arthritis.

Tip #2: Weight control can help prevent the development of this degenerative disease. Overweight and older cats are more likely to develop arthritis due to the extra pressure and weight being placed on the joints as well as the cartilage and bones. This extra weight causes the wearing off of the protective layers on the bones in the body.

Tip #3: Always check the nutrient levels in your cats diet. Try to include foods which are low in purine or protein as well as uric acid. Legumes and organ meats are not healthy for arthritic cats.

Tip #4: If you notice any awkward changes in your cats movements take them to the vet for a check up. Cats cannot complain verbally about their pain and what causes it. Observe the cat's physical activities and try to assess areas such as feet, hips and paws for tenderness when touched. It could be a sign that your cat is arthritic.

Tip #5: Arthritis treatment for cats may include medications to help your feline pet in coping with the pain. Drugs can be given by your vet which increases the regeneration of the bones and cartilage or build up the synovial fluid (fluid which protects the joints from rubbing together) within the joints to provide a cushions effect. Chondrotin and glucosamine also works with cats to protect and restore healthy bones and joints.

Tip #6: Recovery for arthritic cats is essential. Cat owners must encourage their cats to move to prevent contractures or stiffening joints. A warmer environment is helpful for cats in treating this disease. Maximum comfort must be provided for cats who are suffering from arthritis since the pain can be excruciating. Thus, soft beddings can cradle the joints and bones in order to lessen the impact of the pressure.

Tip #7: Massaging your cat gently and carefully can help with stiff joints and sore muscles. Heating pads and beds are useful too. Also improved circulation can add more warmth and comfort to your cat during an arthritic attack.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disorder where the immune system attacks the tissues of the hand and foot joints causing chronic inflammation. As it progresses, symptoms will also be noticed in the elbows, shoulders, hips, neck and jaw. Although this disorder does not affect the joint itself like osteoarthritis, it does affect the joint lining, which results in swelling and pain of the joint. This can eventually cause joint deformity and erosion of the bone. The condition normally affects middle aged individuals with women being more likely to be affected by this disorder than men.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can include joint pain and swelling. Joints may also be tender when touched and appear puffy and red. Another common symptom of individuals who suffer with this disorder is called rheumatoid nodules where hard bumps occur beneath the skin on the individual's arms. Other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, low grade fever, weight loss, disturbed sleeping, weakness and joint stiffness that is noticed on awakening and can last for many hours throughout the day.

In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the symptoms tend to be noticed in the smaller joints of the hands, wrists, feet and ankles. With the progression of the disease, other joints normally are affected such as the knees and elbows. Most individuals who have this disorder often experience rheumatoid arthritis symptoms on both sides of the body at the same time, with the same joints being affected. The severity of symptoms can vary and tend to come and go. There usually are periods of no symptoms that alternate with periods of flare-ups where the disease increases in activity.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease can cause inflammation to organs and other parts of the body. The eyes and mouth can become dry and the lungs can become inflamed, causing chest pains and breathing difficulties. The tissue around the heart can also become inflamed, causing pain when bending over or lying down.

Do you suffer from arthritis pain in your lower back?

Do you want to honestly do something about it?

1.) Introduction

There is little doubt among people that your back is a complex structure that is composed of bones, muscles and tissue all working together. The lumbar aspect of your spine, where pain is commonly felt, supports the weight of the rest of your back (meaning your mid and upper back). Unfortunately, back pain, one of the most common everyday pain problems can be difficult to treat.

People who suffer from arthritis in their lower back (lumbar spine) are commonly those individuals that are older. However, arthritis in the lower back can be seen in many different age groups. Typically, patient's who are at an increased risk for having lumbar spine arthritis include:

• older individuals


• obese persons


• heavy laborers who use their backs


• those individuals that have previous back problems

2.) Where Does Arthritis Effect The Spine?

Arthritis of the lower back (lumbar spine area) happens in the joints that connect each spinal segment together. We are referring to the vertebrae when we say "spinal segments". Your vertebrae are actually connected in three separate locations. They are connected in front of the spinal cord and behind the spinal cord the vertebrae (back bones) are joined by two small joints. These are referred to as facet joints. Each vertebrae is separated vertically by a spinal disc. All of these components work together to allow you movements such as bending, flexing, extending or moving from sided to side and twists.

3.) Arthritic Facets

When your facet joints are effected by arthritis, the spinal movements that you make can cause you pain. You may also feel stiff at the same time. Typically you will see lumbar spine arthritis accompanied by disc degeneration and / or spinal stenosis.

4.) Disc Degeneration & Spinal Stenosis

Just like anything else, time can wear out portions of the spine. Your discs are no different. Things can be done to help treat the pain, but your discs will many times be degenerating if you also have facet arthritis. - Spinal stenosis can also accompany facet arthritis. Stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal that houses the spinal cord. Symptoms of spinal stenosis may include: leg pain, numbness or tingling in one of your extremities. You may also suffer from difficulty with walking.

5.) Back Support

One great way to help reduce back pain is to consider using a low profile and light weight back support. These are often times well concealed by just using a t-shirt! - They can help promote healing of an injured spine and can also help to reduce pain due to an arthritic lumbar spine. Although arthritis can cause a lot of problems for people, these supports can help to reduce related pains and stiffness. If you are serious about pain relief you should check one out today.

Arthritis is an ailment affecting the joints of the body. We all know that joint is a junction where two bones meet. One bone turns on the other, and aided by the contraction and relaxation of muscles around the joint, help us in moving our limbs, neck and back. While turning on one another, the bones become liable to friction; but specially designed cushioned pads called cartilages cover the bone heads at a joint, and stop the bones from rubbing against each other. These cartilages provide a gelatinous surface, and allow smooth and flexible movement of the joint. However with age, the cartilages become weak, fail to repair themselves after day to day wear and tear; the protein build up of the cartilages start degenerating.

The result is loss of cartilage and exposure of bones to friction. Bones rub against each other and get eroded. This leads to arthritis or joint inflammation. Obesity is another factor causing arthritis. As body weight increases, the load on the joints also increases. The cartilages wear out under excessive pressure exerted by increased body weight. Apart from age and obesity, heredity, previous history of bone injury or joint infection, calcium, potassium and phosphorus deficiencies, hormonal imbalances are other factors leading to arthritis. Among the several types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common forms.

Osteoarthritis occurs due to cartilage degeneration, and almost 80% of the world's elderly population is struck by osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune, systemic disorder attacking quite young people. In its case the body's own immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs by mistake, considering them to be foreign anti-bodies.

It is possible to check the progression of arthritis symptoms by slight alteration in life style and dietary changes. Light physical exercise is welcomed. If joints are left idle, the problem of stiffness will aggravate. However strenuous exercises and repetitive movements are to be shunned, for they may lead to further wearing out of affected joints. Alkaline diet, including fresh fruits and vegetables are to be taken. Meat, beef, pork increase the risk of gout, and therefore should be avoided.

The patient should keep away from smoking and alcohol intake, as these habits generate stress on body tissues and increase arthritis pain. Massaging can help a lot in fighting arthritis symptoms. Massaging gives a boost to blood circulation and relaxes the muscles around ailing joints. Hot vinegar, paraffin, castor oil, olive oil or herbal anti inflammatory massage oil such as Rumatone Gold Oil can be used for massaging. Warm water bath and alternate application of hot and cold compresses may relieve joint pain to some extent.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects more than 20 million Americans. It's a condition that affects hyaline cartilage, the tough gristle that caps the ends of long bones.

Hyaline cartilage is a complicated material that consists of a "soup" or matrix made up proteoglycans (complexes of proteins and sugars), collagen, and chondrocytes. Chondrocytes are cartilage cells that both make as well as nourish the matrix.

When OA begins, chondrocytes begin to make destructive enzymes causing cracks or fissures in the cartilage. These are called "fibrillations."

OA preferentially attacks weight-bearing joints such as the neck, low back, hips, and knees.

So far, the treatment of OA of the knee hasn't changed in thirty years. It remains primarily symptomatic.

Weight loss, patient education, strengthening and stretching exercise, physical therapy, assistive devices (such as canes, braces, and walkers), analgesics (pain-relieving medicines), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), thermal modalities (heat and ice) are standard.

Slightly more aggressive measures such as injections with glucocorticoids ("cortisone") and viscosupplements (hyaluronic acid..." rooster comb shots") can be used.

However, there remains a large void because the only remaining option is knee replacement surgery.

While the technical aspects of this procedure have improved, it is still surgery with all the attendant risks of a major invasive procedure in a hospital setting. These include, infection, blood clots, failure of the replacement, and so on. Also, most patients will need a revision procedure (a replacement of the replacement) done. And maybe more than once or twice in their lifetime.

Recently, progress in regenerative medicine procedures have provided hope that there is a n alternative to joint replacement.

Once a patient has undergone a thorough evaluation and been through the conservative treatments, consideration as to whether they may be a candidate for either platelet-rich plasma (PRP) should be considered. PRP is an ultraconcentrate of a patient's own blood that contains a high concentration of platelets, cells that contain a plethora of growth and healing factors.

Recent anecdotal reports indicating that PRP may be of benefit in alleviating symptoms in patients with OA of the knee are encouraging. PRP may be repeated as often as every three months.

In patients who have not done well with PRP, autologous mesenchymal stem cells (a patient's own stem cells obtained from bone marrow and fat) can be used. Small studies have shown that this treatment may both alleviate pain and restore cartilage growth. A stem cell procedure is much more involved than a PRP procedure since visualization using diagnostic ultrasound and arthroscopy are needed in order to localize the area of cartilage loss and "jump start" the regenerative process by inducing injury. This induction method is what leads to the cartilage reparative process since injury and subsequent inflammation are the first stages in the healing process.

Most dog and cat owners can not stand the thought of seeing their beloved pet in pain. Arthritis in cats and dogs is as prevalent in them as it is in humans with a staggering 1/3 of pets being afflicted. The question is: How can an owner choose the right treatment for their pet?

Any treatment for arthritis must first be given the green light by a veterinarian after proper diagnosis. There are plenty of treatments for arthritis out there, but an owner should be sure if the treatment for arthritis that they have in mind is right for their pet. There are considerations before choosing a treatment for a pet suffering from arthritic joint pain.

Things to consider include:

1. Cost-effectiveness. Money spent on a treatment that works is money well spent. Money spent on a product that works for half the price is just smart. The form of treatment that a pet receives needs to be effective and when possible, more affordable.

2. Easy to administer. Pets hate taking medicine as much as we do. Trying to get pills into them 3 times a day is much easier said than done. Some medications have gone to chewables making dosing easy on the pet and owner but many times I have had to trick my dog into eating a snack with his medication inside. He has now mastered the fine art of extracting a pill from his treat before swallowing. So, if possible, the form of treatment given should be owner and pet friendly.

3. Minimal side effects. As pet owners, the last thing we want to do is give something to our pet that causes more harm than good. A good treatment for arthritis, or for any illness for that matter, should have little to no side effects. Medications prescribed and only available through a vet usually contain a list of side effects that range from mild to severe.

4. Healing. Immediate pain management is desirable, but when possible, the treatment administered to a pet should lead to a more substantial, prolonged healing. Some treatments only block the pain and do nothing about repairing damaged tissue. Some treatments can assist the body in healing itself.

5. Safety. The treatment should not have any ingredient that is harmful to your pet. With all of the pet food product recalls recently, we need to be as certain as possible the product used is safe for ingestion.

One treatment that is getting the nod from more and more veterinarians these days, is a combination of two supplements that are safe and effective. Glucosamine and chondroitin taken in combination, has been found to alleviate pain in those suffering joint disease more effectively than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly referred to as NSAIDs. One such product containing both supplements that has proven itself safe, effective, and affordable goes by the brand name Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that many people in Arizona must live with every day. The debilitating part of rheumatoid arthritis is that it affects so many active adults here in Anthem and Surprise, affecting everything from their golf game to their home lives. Understanding what rheumatoid arthritis is and what the risk factors for this chronic condition are an important step to understanding the diagnosis and pain management treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by definition, is a "chronic inflammatory disorder that most typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet." According to the Mayo Clinic, rheumatoid arthritis is unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis because if affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

We have seen many cases in Arizona where arthritis has affected an individual so strongly, that certain appendages will begin to take on a deformed appearance, most notably the fingers and toes.

Like many other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body literally attacks itself. It's a condition that causes your own immune system to mistakenly attack your body's tissues. Ultimately, the attacking of tissues can lead to high fevers and extreme fatigue because your body is undergoing a small civil war. It can be a very exhausting condition because your body is never fully at rest.

Some of the symptoms of RA can be initial joint pain, joint swelling, and joints that are tender to the touch. Your hands and feet might become red and puffy, and you might notice some bumps beneath the skin on your arms. These bumps are known to pain doctors as rheumatoid nodules. You might also see a fever, feel fatigued, have morning stiffness that lasts through the morning into the afternoons, and might see some weight loss to the amount of energy your body is producing during that 'civil war.'

So, how do you know if you're at risk for rheumatoid arthritis? There are some risk factors that you should discuss with your pain doctor. Those risk factors include your sex; women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis then are men. Your age is also a factor, as adults between the ages of 40 to 60 seem to develop the symptoms more frequently than other age groups. If a member of your family has battle rheumatoid arthritis, chances are you will be facing it as well.

Finally, smoking has been found to link directly with RA risk. However ironically, moderate drinking has been found to lessen your risk. This could be due to the fact that alcohol has been shown to suppress the activities of the immune system, thus limiting the immune system's ability to attack itself.

Arthritis is a chronic disease of the joint, causing joint inflammation and sharp pain at the joint. Wearing out of joint cartilages due to factors like aging, obesity, hormonal imbalance, heredity, past history of bone infection or injury, is the leading cause of arthritis. Once the cartilages wear out getting weakened by age and losing power to repair them selves after daily wear and tear or crumble under the load of excessive body weight, the two bone heads at a joint are exposed to friction. Friction between the bones causes them to get eroded in to osteophytes or pointed spur like outgrowths, and also may damage surrounding tissues.

The result is inflammation of joint or arthritis. Shoulder, neck, back, wrist, ankle and the major weight bearing joints such as knee and hip are prone to the attack of arthritis. Among the numerous kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the commonest. Osteoarthritis is seen in aged people, and is caused due to wearing out of cartilages. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks young people. It is a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly invades healthy tissues and organs. Gout is another form of arthritis that holds the third position in terms of attacking humans. It is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals within a joint.

Symptoms

1. Pain at the joints
2. Swollen joints
3. Stiffness of muscles around the joint
4. Redness of skin surrounding the affected joint
5. Crepitus or a grating sound while moving affected joint
6. Joint deformity
7. Bumps or nodules
8. Limited range of motion
9. Fever
10. Anemia
11. Colitis
12. Constipation

Treatments

Arthritis cannot be cured completely, but it is possible to stop the progression of the disease or check or suppress the symptoms in many ways. Here we will learn about the ways to treat arthritis.

1. Proper diagnosis is the first step towards controlling the disorder. A thorough physical examination, medical history, laboratory tests, medical imaging techniques like X-rays, arthrography, thermal imaging cameras are the major diagnostic tools to detect arthritis. The laboratory tests associated with arthritis diagnosis include rheumatoid factor tests, C-reactive protein tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody test, antinuclear antibodies test, complete blood count test, uric acid test, joint fluid analysis etc.

2. Once the diagnosis is done, the next step of treatment involves the usage of medicines to keep the disorder under check. Analgesics or pain killers like acetaminophen, codeine, hydrocodone are often used for pain relief. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are also often used. They not only lessen pain, but also swelling, redness and warmth. The common forms of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, aspirin, ketoprofen, celecoxib, etodolac, salsalate etc. Disease modifying drug or DMARD also prevents further worsening of arthritic conditions. The commonly used DMARDs are methotrexate azathioprine, prednisone etc. corticosteroid injections even heal to some extent the inflammatory conditions.

3. If the joint pain becomes too torturing, then one can even go for joint replacement surgery.

Arthritis is quite common in dogs. Nowadays, almost every dog suffers from the same. Inflammation in the bone joints, which typically shows dog arthritis symptoms. It is important for a pet owner to identify the disease in his/her pet, so that he could provide it with suitable treatment. A few important points are mentioned here to identify those dog arthritis symptoms.

A major reason for chronic pain in a dog is Arthritis and this affects its daily life style. Arthritis can affect a dog in any stage, be it young or old. This is mostly common with dogs of comparatively older age, but arthritis can also be witnessed in younger age because young dogs are full on with something or the other. They always hop around or play around. Now, this excessive use of muscle and ligaments can cause wear and tear of the cartilage in bone joints.

Dog arthritis is caused by a number of factors such as age, improper diet, hip dyspepsia, injury to the bone joints or cartilages and excessive obesity. Dog arthritis symptoms are really easy to spot. A dog suffering from arthritis will be showing no interest in any sort of physical activity, movements like itching and scratching would turn painful for them. They would show symptoms like bloody stools diarrhea and vomiting. The dog may suffer from limping and weak body joints as well.

Moreover, Arthritis would stop doing the regular activities they used to do with their master. They will either become aggressive or violent or may become calm and withdrawn. If a dog does not get up or stand quickly, it is a symptom for dog Arthritis. Limping is a prime symptom in such cases. Thus, we can see that a dog with dog arthritis symptoms will have problem with any kind of physical task. Therefore, it can be easy for the pet owner to make out if their beloved canine friend is suffering from Arthritis and provide it suitable medication and a good veterinarian.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis means "inflammation of the joint." Inflammation is characterized by swelling, stiffness, and pain. It is a common condition in older dogs and occasionally occurs in cats. This affliction can cause painful swelling and stiffness. Joints which are commonly affected include elbow, ankle, shoulders, and most often, hips.

Signs of Arthritis

Personality change
Limping
Lagging behind on walks
Difficulty sitting or standing
Resistant to touch
Weight gain
Moving stiffly or straight-legged gait
Weight gain
Sleeping more
Being less alert
Yelping in pain when touched
Hesitancy to jump, run or climb
Less interested in play

Types of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis
Degenerative Joint Disease
Hip osteoarthritis - hip dysplasia
Elbow osteoarthritis - elbow dysplasia
Knee osteoarthritis - knee dysplasia
Knee (stifle joint)
Osteochondrosis
Hypertrophic arthritis
Shoulder (degeneration)
Wrist Arthritis (carpi)
Kneecap (dislocation)

What Should I do if I Suspect my Pet has Arthritis?

DO NOT try to give your pet human medication! Anti-inflammatories and Acetaminophen can be extremely dangerous for your pet. Acetaminophen is actually toxic for cats.

The first thing you should do is seek the advice of your veterinarian. He or she can help you find out what kind of arthritis your pet has by taking X-rays, blood tests, joint fluid tests, and sometimes MRIs. Though it is relatively uncommon, sometimes arthritis can be caused by a bacterial infection inside a joint or an autoimmune disorder.

Treatment Options

Depending on the breed, age, history, and weight of the pet, there may be alternatives to medication. Arthritis caused by hip, knee, or elbow dysplasia can sometimes be treated with surgery. Arthroscopic surgery can be used to remove bone chips. In large breed dogs veterinarians will sometimes replace the entire hip joint. In cats and smaller breeds, they may recommend removing the top of the upper leg bone. The leg muscles will compensate in most cases where this is done.

Many pet owners are moving to more holistic approaches to treating arthritis.

Some practitioners are supporting herbal supplements and antioxidant vitamins.

Acupuncture is also gaining popularity among pet owners for chronic pain.

Massage therapists can also give your pet relief. It is not wise to massage your pet unless you ask your vet to show you how first. You can hurt them if you are not sure where and how to message their muscles and joints.

What About Exercise?

You should always follow your vet's advice regarding exercising your arthritic dog. There is a fine line between your dog needing exercise and exercise that will overexert your pets joints. If you can find a doggy pool close to you, and your veterinarian agrees, water sports can be a wonderful source of exercise that does not stress inflamed joints.

Diet

As always, you want to be sure your dog is on a healthy diet, and especially if your pet has arthritis. Obesity adds to stress on the bones and joints, which adds to their discomfort.

Last but certainly not least, have you hugged your pet today?

Many people have a hard time defining exactly what rheumatoid arthritis is. It is a common form of arthritis that affects the joints. It normally occurs in small joints such has hands and feet. This article will give a brief description of it and its symptoms, causes and treatments.

This type is one of the most common types of arthritis. It usually occurs on both sides of the body. This is the number one way it is diagnosed. The symmetry of this form is very unique. Besides the joints it is also associated with effects of the skin, eyes, nerves, blood and heart. All types of this crippling disorder occur when joints become inflamed. There are various reasons the joints become inflamed and the inflammation usually leads to intense pain.

The most common symptom is joint swelling or inflammation. Things like stiffness and fatigue are also associated with this type. These symptoms can be continuous or infrequent. Sometimes the pain occurs over months of even years. A remission state can be entered; however it is likely to come back. As previously stated this form of arthritis usually occurs in the smaller joints of the body. The inflammation or swelling is usually visible and can be seen by the naked eye.

The causes of it have yet to be determined. There are many theories, but none are proven to be more accurate than the other. Some believe that this type is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors. Another theory is that internal factors cause the immune system to attack the joints. The most common hypothesis is that viruses and bacteria destroy joints. Because none of these theories have been proven accurate all are taken into consideration when deciding upon a treatment.

The normal treatment for this type of debilitating disease is medication. Multiple forms of medication can be used such as pain killers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Other treatments include rest, therapy, and on occasion, surgery. The type of therapy is directly related to where the pain is concentrated and what causes the pain.

This type can affect anyone. The most common misconception of pain is that only people of older age can become subject to it. This is untrue and it is important to remember that anyone can get arthritis. It is a common disorder and is often untreated. The reason this particular type is frequently untreated is because it is normally unreported. Many people do not notice their joint pain as arthritis. Like mentioned before, it can take many years to become extremely painful.

This particular debilitation can commonly be mistaken for many things. Until the pain is heightened most people do not even take it into consideration. It has many distinct symptoms and can easily be diagnosed. Even though the causes of it are not exact, there are many theories. These theories are all taken into consideration when making the diagnosis and deciding upon a treatment. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disorder and should be taken seriously.

One of the most promising areas for arthritis treatment is the use of autologous adult mesenchymal stem cells. These are progenitor cells (cells that can differentiate into other cells) that are present within the patient.

Most descriptions of the use of mesenchymal stem cells have come from evaluations of patients with osteoarthritis. While most of these reports have been largely anecdotal, one recent presentation from our center revealed our experience with 22 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (American College of Rheumatology meeting, November, 2010, Atlanta, Georgia).

The findings were quite encouraging. Among other joints we have evaluated include the shoulder as well as the hip. Further investigation is planned for joints such as the base of the thumb, ankle, and the base of the big toe.

What is extremely exciting is a recent report from RNL BIO, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the use of donor adult stem cell therapeutics.

They described a patient report utilizing stem cell therapy on an orthopedic spine surgeon who suffered from autoimmune arthritis.

According to the press release, "Dr. Stanley Jones, the surgeon and patient, reports that he had a sudden onset of acute pain in his wrist in September 2009; shortly thereafter the patient experienced pain in his knees as well. Dr. Jones saw a rheumatologist who diagnosed him with autoimmune arthritis. He was placed on cortisone, a steroid hormone, to suppress immune response and alleviate pain. Unfortunately Dr. Jones suffered complications from the cortisone... His condition deteriorated and his ability to perform routine activities of daily living or his profession was impacted.

... After a workup, he received stem cell infusions in Kyoto, Japan in May 2010. Post infusion, he began to notice improvement and by the end of 5 months, he had a complete recovery and was able to resume sports as well as operating."

While the exact diagnosis regarding this patient's arthritis is unknown, the clinical presentation suggests the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The major difference between the use of autologous mesenchymal progenitorcells in treating osteoarthritis and treating other forms of arthritis is fairly significant.

In treating osteoarthritis, we use a combination of growth factors and a tissue scaffold in order to hold the stem cells in place so that they can grow new cartilage.

The situation described above with using donor autologous mesenchymal stem cells makes use of their ability as immunomodulators.

These cells have been used in autoimmune disease such as lupus.

According to the NIH, "the objective of hematopoietic stem cell therapy for lupus is to destroy the mature, long-lived, and auto-reactive immune cells and to generate a new, properly functioning immune system"....

"The patient's own stem cells have been used in a procedure known as autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. First, patients receive injections of a growth factor, which coaxes large numbers of hematopoietic progenitor cells to be released from the bone marrow into the blood stream. These cells are harvested from the blood, purified away from mature immune cells, and stored. After sufficient quantities of these cells are obtained, the patient undergoes a regimen of cytotoxic (cell-killing) drug and/or radiation therapy, which eliminates the mature immune cells. Then, the hematopoietic stem cells are returned to the patient via a blood transfusion into the circulation where they migrate to the bone marrow and begin to differentiate to become mature immune cells. The body's immune system is then restored."

( http://stemcells.nih.gov )

Essentially, this is the theory behind using autologous mesenchymal stem cells for treating other autoimmune types of arthritis such as rheumatoid disease.

Those differences aside, what is similar is that mesenchymal progenitor cells are being asked to create new tissue and correct abnormalities brought about by disease processes.

The bottom line is this: autologous mesenchymal stem cells are the future in dealing with arthritis.

Acute arthritis is also known as Bacterial Arthritis and as the name would indicate, it is a form of arthritis that is caused by a bacterial infection. All parts of the body are susceptible to this form of arthritis, however, hips, knees, and hands are the most common sites to suffer an acute arthritis attack. This article shares the symptoms, cause, and how this condition is diagnosed. It will also share what treatment is needed to avoid permanent damage to your joints.

Acute Arthritis

Symptoms - Symptoms of this condition may include the onset of a fever with chills. A person afflicted with this form of arthritis may also notice red, swollen, and painful joints that make movement difficult.

Cause - Acute arthritis is caused by an invasion of bacteria (i.e. streptococci or staphylococci) into the joint. The bacteria may spread from an infection elsewhere in the body or on the skin near the joint. In some cases, direct trauma to the joint may allow bacteria to enter and cause damage.

Diagnosis - Observation of the aforementioned symptoms will be noticed and should be evaluated by a physician. The evaluation may include a physical examination, blood tests or analysis of fluids withdrawn from the joint. In some cases x-rays of the joint will be taken to further evaluate the situation.

Treatment - If diagnosed and treated early, this condition is curable with antibiotics. If treatment is delayed, this may result in permanent damage to the joint. The joint may have to be immobilized during treatment to promote healing, and physical therapy may be necessary after healing to restore full mobility to the joint.

Acute arthritis can develop quickly, often within hours or days and can be seen in children or adults. The condition can cause moderate to severe pain in the joint that is effected. Prompt medical attention is needed to prevent permanent damage to the joint.