Rheumatoid Arthritis|Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms|Arthritis Treatment

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

Hyaline cartilage consists of a matrix made up of a combination of proteoglycans (complexes of proteins and sugars) and chondrocytes. Chondrocytes are cartilage cells that manufacture matrix under normal circumstances. They are responsible for nourishing the matrix as well.

However, when OA develops, a distinct change in the milieu of the joint environment occurs. Chondrocytes begin to elaborate destructive enzymes causing cracks in the cartilage, the synovium (lining of the joint) becomes inflamed, and the underlying bone becomes hard and forms spurs.

What causes OA to develop is usually injury or trauma. In any event an injury to the joint appears to be the inciting factor. Genetics play a role as well.

As OA progresses, biomechanical factors come into play. And this is where obesity plays a huge role in the worsening of disease. While overloading of the joint is the obvious major consideration, there is now abundant evidence that fat itself acts as an "organ" that perpetuates inflammation.

"Adipokines" are chemical messengers produced mainly by adipocytes (fat cells). The major adipokine is a substance called leptin. Leptin is interesting because it has contradictory actions. While it appears to help with the synthesis of growth factors that stimulate cartilage growth, it also appears to lead to the production of inflammatory proteins that cause further cartilage deterioration.

But that's not all. There are other adipokines that make a significant contribution in this cascade of events. Adipopnectin also seems to promote inflammation in arthritis. It causes the cartilage matrix to degrade and also promotes the manufacture of destructive enzymes.

Visfatin levels are also associated with cartilage degradation. Resistin promotes inflammation.

These fat produced proteins may explain why symptoms in people with OA who are overweight seem to get better with loss of body fat rather than just with weight reduction.

The bottom line is that OA is more than just a mechanical disease. Abnormal fat metabolism appears to lead to the production of factors that cause further cartilage loss and deterioration.

These new developments confirm the long held belief that people with symptomatic OA who carry excess fat may benefit from fat reduction.

These findings have been substantiated in real life clinical trials. Richette and colleagues (Richette P, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011; 70: 139-140) demonstrated that obese individuals with knee OA who underwent gastric banding surgery not only had improvements in their symptoms but also blood levels of adipokines plummeted along with other inflammatory markers.

Do you ever feel any discomfort and pain in your joints, feet, ankles, knees, hands, even your wrists? If this uneasiness and aching continues to linger in the said areas, then you probably might want to go and see a doctor. You might have gout.

Gout may not be a very serious condition if you normally experience joint pains; but left untreated, gout can pose and rise to become a serious concern. Being familiar and having an extensive knowledge about gout symptoms may help you to fight and prevent those sudden, intense joint pains.

The symptoms of gout are fairly easy to spot. Since gout normally attacks the joints around the area of the feet, then experiencing joint aches there would be a very good sign that you might be on your way to having gout. Some other signs and symptoms of gout include the following.

• Subsistence of uric acid crystals in the joint fluid.


• Hyperuricemia or an increased quantity of uric acid in the blood.


• Attacks of acute arthritis more than a single time.


• Arthritis that increases and matures in a day or less, resulting in a warm, balmy, inflamed, and red joint.


• Infiltrations of arthritis in only one joint, which usually is in the knee, ankle, or toe, more specifically, the ball of the big toe.

The above are the main things to look out for. Other gout signs and symptoms include.

• Joint pains and aches which are isolated in only one or two joints.


• Gentleness and tenderness around the affected area, or joint.


• Movement and motion of the affected joint or limb becomes excruciatingly painful and unbearable.

Chronic and recurring gout may even lead up to kidney failure and ultimately kidney stones. If you have any of these symptoms or signs, especially if you experience signs of a gout attack, then you should rush to a nearby doctor immediately. These symptoms of gout attacks include the following.

• Chills, or fever rising and falling.


• A quick and hasty onset usually between 12-24 hours and often happening and taking place overnight during sleep.


• The pain comes and goes quickly.

If any of you out there experience any of these symptoms and signs of a gout attack, quickly head to your nearest doctor and report that you are experiencing a gout attack.

Knowing about gout symptoms may not be essential information to carry around as stock knowledge, but you never know when gout is going to strike you or any of your family members, relatives, loved ones or friends. It is better to be safe than sorry. Gout symptoms like the ones above are only some of a number of symptoms which identify gout.

To find out more about the signs of gout, you may probably want to ask your resident doctor, and also ask for the ways to prevent further gout attacks from happening. Not only will it save you from a joint-pained life, but it will also save you a lot of money caused by the amount of medical procedures required to get rid of gout.

Life is a journey and our bodies are the vessel that gets us to our destination. From conception to birth we endured changes and our bodies continue to change as we age. This transformation continues as the years move by, we alter and modify into mature individuals that are susceptible to a number of varies ailments.

As we age, our bodies are weakened and become less resilient. That is why a certain amount of caution should be exercised and should come into play once a certain age is reached. Ever heard the saying, "Prevention is better than cure" well, that is the perfect motto for aging. Once you have reached your twenties or even your thirties you need to start taking extra care of yourself and also start taking preventative measures for certain ailments.

The musculoskeletal system is usually the first area affected with age, which is why exercise is advised and encouraged as we grow older to increase longevity as well as vitality. Exercise strengthens muscles and loosens joints, making you fit as well as giving you sustainable energy. Combine this with good eating practices also avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, over use of drugs and smoking like a chimney then you are well on your way to healthy aging.

The sensory organs are the next thing to be affected with age. A condition called Presbyopia affects most people over the age of forty. The eyes have trouble focusing on close objects though at times this affects the younger generation as well as it may start earlier in some and reading glasses or bifocals are a good solution to this problem. Hearing is also affected due to aging which is why loud music does not hold any appeal to older folk even though they might have loved it when they were younger. This transition happens because of a condition called Presbycusis which is the weakening of our hearing capabilities. Hearing is impaired in some way or form whether it is a slight hearing loss, distortion of sound or deafness. Hearing aids or hearing devices can be used to reduce severity.

Weight changes considerably as we age, up to thirty percent by the time your forties hit and this results in weakening tissue cells resulting in wrinkles as well as those flabby bits. Implementing good skin care routines and keeping hydrated will aid your aging gracefully.

Getting regular check ups from your doctor will help you stay up to date with your body's happenings. Your doctor will take your family history and will study your progress by monitoring any of these hereditary ailments you are at high risk of obtaining. It is important for the doctor to know family history. The doctor will help you take precautions because you are genetically likely to contract one or more of your family's ailments.

Aging is a right of passage and need not be feared. The journey of life must be taken with care free abandon, healthily and with complete fulfillment to be enjoyed. This is how you know you have lived.

What is considered an emerging area for arthritis therapy is the use of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy and electrotherapeutics. Termed, "electroceuticals", PEMF are highly-refined electromagnetic fields that are now being used to non-invasively "kickstart" the body's natural anti-inflammatory response to treat pain and inflammation and help soft tissue wounds heal faster.

Numerous in vitro and clinical studies have demonstrated that electric and magnetic energy has a positive effect on connective tissue healing. This has prompted an extensive amount of research in orthopedics and rheumatology. While modern pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) have been available for more than 20 years, they are only now becoming a standard of care for delayed union fracture treatment.

Electromagnetic fields can be delivered by using direct placement of an electrode non-invasively by capacitive coupling (opposing electrodes placed on skin across the target area) or inductive coupling (PEMF induce an electric current in the target area without skin contact altogether).

In a randomized trial, Zizic et al studied a pulsed electric device used to treat 78 patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis via skin surface electrodes. The active treatment was superior to placebo in symptom reduction and was proved to be effective for symptom reduction and cost effective (Zizic TM, Hoffman KC, Holt PA, Hungerford DS, O'Dell JR, Jacobs MA, Lewis CG, Deal CL, Caldwell JR, Cholewczynski JG, et al. The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with pulsed electrical stimulation. J Rheumatol 22(9):1757-61, 1995).

The application of PEMF stimulation for osteoarthritis has been supported by additional work by Trock et al. In their experiment 86 patients with knee osteoarthritis were exposed to 9 hours of PEMF stimulation over a 1-month period using a non-contact device. Up to 36% of the patients noticed improvement in pain and function. PEMF therapy is considered safe but should be avoided in those who are pregnant, those patients with permanent pacemakers and patients with known cancer (Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R. The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of osteoarthritisof the knee and cervical spine. Report of randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trials. Trock DH, Bollet AJ, Markoll R. Rheumatol 21(10):1903-11, 1994).

Because of the non invasive nature of this mode of therapy, it has promise as an additional weapon in the arsenal of the rheumatologist in treating osteoarthritis. Where PEMF will fall exactly in the sequence of treatment is still unknown. Further experience should clarify this issue.

You've heard the expression "you are what you eat"; but unfortunately that is the case with gout symptoms and arthritis symptoms. The good news is that there are a healthy number of delicious foods that will combat both of these. True, there are many delicious foods that you will need to steer clear of; but hopefully, with enough of the proper foods in you (and maybe a little splurge now and then...very little) you can reach a happy medium.

How to relieve gout symptoms

Eating the right foods is just as important as staying away from the wrong foods. A diet high in omega 3 fatty acids goes a long way to decrease gout symptoms; but the fats from dairy products work in just the opposite way. Purines are the enemy (as is uric acid), which makes sense considering that they go hand in hand. Fresh fruits and veggies are highly recommended for both sufferers of gout and arthritis. Certain veggies are on the 'to- be-avoided' list but overall; celery, carrots and almost all citrus fruits have pectin in them. Pectin is essential for the relief of arthritis symptoms in that it encourages joint flexibility.

Oh and by the way...

Symptoms of arthritis are actually treated with most of the foods used to treat gout. Onions, for instance, are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat. Not only are they beneficial to sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and an essential part of a gout diet; but they contain strong antibiotic qualities and are good for sufferers of cardiac issues as well. If you could get the vitamin C necessary for the treatment of gout symptoms and an analgesic to help relieve symptoms of arthritis and one tasty food, would you eat it? Of course you would.

Fortunately, this is exactly the case with sweet cherries. No, not the Maraschino cherries that you drop in your old-fashioned (cocktail)! God only knows what's been done to those. The fresh sweet cherries are what we are referring to. Sweet cherries are not your cup of tea? That's okay, because sour cherries (instead of vitamin C) offer your body vitamin A which can help relieve the inflammation involved with arthritis and the pain of gout. These particular cherries go one step further by working overtime (with their anti-oxidants) to "roto rooter" out your arteries that are all clogged up as a result of an overabundance of uric acid.

Maybe there's a lesson here... It's better to be sour than sweet!

Just like with humans, when a your kitty becomes a senior she is prone to typical disorders of aging cats. If she can't jump up on your lap like she used to then she may have feline arthritis. If you are treating her for that problem, but now she's peeing outside of her litter box don't make the mistake of thinking her painful joints are the cause of the potty errors. Here's help to get you to the right diagnosis.

It's not uncommon for a cat owner to think their cat is misbehaving when they discover their cat peeing outside the box. However, if this is a new pattern for an aging cat that is also suffering from feline arthritis, you may incorrectly diagnose the problem cause being related to feline arthritis symptoms. Perhaps you think she is having problems getting in and out of the litter box because of arthritis pain or that her painful joints prevent her from squatting properly.

Don't just assume your cat's potty problems are related to pain caused by feline arthritis. These are also symptoms of a feline urinary tract infection or cat bladder stones. You see, when your cat has a feline UTI or stones her urinary tract is inflamed and irritated. The stones and irritation are painful when she urinates.

Along with the pain, she may also feel like she hasn't completely voided her bladder. Your cat may associate the litter box with the pain and start peeing outside the litter box. If you cat is suffering from cat bladder stones then the urinary tract may actually become plugged. Not only is this very painful for your cat, it can also be deadly if your cat can't eliminate waste.

Quite often owners of cat's who are missing the litter box as well as suffering from feline arthritis make the mistake that this is caused by the cat's stiff joints and inability to get in and out of the litter box. Some owner replace the cat litter box with a pan that has a shallower lip to make less of a step in for the kitty.

When the cat continues to miss the pot they spread newspaper around the litter box to capture the urine. As the scenario carries on every day the entire family grows weary of the smell of cat urine and the nasty clean up chore too. Sadly, this is the stage when the owner finally take the cat into the vet, but for all the wrong reasons.

They explain to the vet the potty problem and may even wonder if they need to euthanize the cat. While that certainly is a sad option, your cat may still have a lot of years left in her. You need to have your veterinarian test your cat for a feline UTI or cat struvite stones. In most cases, your vet can help your old cat get over this disorder.

You may even find that using certain natural remedies will help heal her urinary system and prevent future outbreaks of a feline UTI. The good news is that you can give these remedies to you cat in conjunction with a homeopathic natural remedy for feline arthritis. Now you have a natural solution for two painful problems that affect older felines.

When arthritis is mentioned one immediately imagines an illness affecting the elderly. However this disease is no respecter of age as anyone can develop it. It might surprise you that there are many forms of this illness. Painful or swollen joints often indicate an arthritic condition but there are many other causes too. If arthritis is suspected correct diagnosis from a medical professional it essential to determine a treatment.

Should the condition be diagnosed the two forms most of us are familiar with are Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis. Though they may share some common similarities of symptoms such as knuckle pain or swollen joints, they are quite different diseases.

Osteoarthritis is the type expected to affect mainly older people because it is a degenerative, 'wear and tear' kind of illness. With this form you may awake in a morning and any joint can be troubled feeling stiff for a while. The wearing away of cartilage and loss of lubricating fluid between joints is the main reason for osteoarthritis pain. Often in smaller joints such as in the fingers bony enlargements can occur and though not always painful in themselves they do frequently cause limitations of use.

Rheumatoid arthritis is altogether different in that it is an autoimmune disease. Its principle symptoms are inflammation of joints causing swelling and pain. Although the stiffness associated with the osteo form is absent significant and increasing deformity of the fingers ensues as the disease progresses. Again this is very distressing and means even simple tasks like buttoning clothes is very difficult to do.

With medical treatment, pain control and in some instances surgery, the illness can be made tolerable. At present there is no known cure for many arthritis conditions but some milder types can be remedied with treatments such as antibiotics or avoiding foods known to irritate the condition.

Another great advance in making many people's lives easier is through the use of gadgets and disability aids such as specially designed can and jar openers, cutlery and various holders. Making full use of this kind of equipment can vastly improve a sufferer's daily life.

Arthritis is a condition that affects humans and many types of animals including dogs. It is a degenerative condition in the joints that causes pain and discomfort for anyone suffering from it. For dogs it can be inherited with other disorders such as hip displasia or happen due to joint injuries. Joint infections and immune-mediated joint disease can also bring on arthritis. Some dogs have traits that are more commonly linked to the condition.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis found in dogs and averagely affects one out of five. It can be caused by aging or be found in younger dogs due to other conditions. Larger breeds and overweight dogs are affected more due to the additional stress put on ligaments and joints. Dogs experiencing this condition experience lameness, stiffness, and joint pain or discomfort. These symptoms are at their worst in the morning and after naps. They may become irritable and have behavioral changes. Cold and damp areas increase the symptoms. Osteoarthritis is progressive condition and can make your dog miserable.

A vet will take x-rays to check for space between the joints. Treatment includes physical therapy, weight control, pain relievers, and agents that repair the cartilage. Moderate exercise will maintain your dogs muscle mass and maintain the flexibility of their joints. Over exercising will cause negative affects. They should not be allowed to jump or stand on their back legs. Exercise should be done with a leash or harness so they do not further injure themselves. Swimming is one of the best exercises for them because it relieves joint pressure.

Another interesting item given for treatment of arthritis is chondro-productive agents. These serve the same functions that some dog supplements provide. While it is great to know what can be done to ease arthritis symptoms and help your dog be more comfortable, wouldn't it be better if you could lesson the affects of osteoarthritis or prevent it from occurring? This is very likely if your dog receives the proper nutrition they need throughout life.

Dog vitamins and supplements can be great preventative medicine for your pet. They help prevent many of the same diseases we experience due to aging and other health conditions. These helpful items help prevent joint conditions, promote healthy skin, strengthen the immune system, improve digestion, maintain brain functions, and prevent intestinal track infections. For years these products have been available as individual doses and giving them to your dog can be troublesome. Products are now available that allow you to give them all the things they need once a day with their food. Keeping your dog healthy is easy and costs less with these products.

Sometimes arthritis is caused by other conditions and unfortunately cannot be prevented. Supplements can help build cartilage between the joints and slow the affects of arthritis allowing your dog to be more comfortable. As their owner, it is your responsibility to do everything you can to prevent them from getting sick and ensure they have the nutrition they need. Give them a good supplement product that will not break your pocket but allow them to have a healthy and full life.

Have you experienced pain from your knees while walking long distances? Do you easily get tired from walking? Do you get a painful feeling if you try to move, or just bend your knees? If so, then you may be suffering from arthritis knee pain.

Arthritis knee pain is a very common form of arthritis, mostly affecting all ages, but is mostly prevalent on adults aged 20 and above. This happens when your body does not get enough exercise, or you misuse your muscles (i.e. from over-exercising), and in effect, straining your joints. Early symptoms will show swelling or redness, accompanied with continuous pain felt all over the affected area. If left unchecked, arthritis knee pain will continue to develop; your joints will start to weaken and you will feel pain and sores all over your body, but mostly on your knees. Continued misuse, or rather, the lack of use of your joints may lead to more serious cases, with some cases leading to inability to use that part of your body, and sometimes, even death.

Fortunately, arthritis knee pain can be treated, and the treatment for arthritis and knee pain can also be done from home. But first, let us discuss on how we can prevent arthritis knee pain. Here are some tips and to help you avoid contracting arthritis:

Exercise. Have an active lifestyle, and do exercises when you have free time. Simple breathing and walking exercises will do just fine, but it wouldn't hurt to allocate some time for your exercises, like for an hour or two. Do not overdo exercises too. Stop if you are tired or you feel your muscles straining from the continued use of it.

Do not live a sedentary lifestyle, or one who stays on the house for too long. A "couch potato" would most likely contract arthritis and other medical conditions than one who exercises regularly and eats properly. Have an active lifestyle, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet, this cuts the risk of you having arthritis knee pain and other medical conditions.

Obesity is also one of the main causes of arthritis. Cut back on fatty foods and junk foods, and replace it with nutritious foods. Always take vitamins regularly and sleep eight hours a day.

If you have already contracted arthritis knee pain, treatment, as mentioned earlier, can be done from home. This can be done in various ways, through physical therapy or by taking medications, or even both at the same time.

Physical therapy focuses on treating the muscles affected through simple exercises like raising and lowering your knees slowly. While it may seem ineffective, it has proven itself to be the contrary, as this procedure almost always treats arthritis knee pains by a large percentage, albeit slowly. Many sufferers from arthritis prefer this treatment, rather than the expensive medical treatment.

Medical treatment focuses on taking medications to lessen the pain, and also treat the affected area. Treatment is usually faster than physical therapy, but is more expensive, as you will need to continuously buy the needed prescriptions to treat arthritis.

Arthritis affects the joints, causing stiffness and pain. While there are a number of treatments you can do at home, hot and cold therapy is one of the easiest and definitely one of the safest arthritis treatments used to relieve the painful symptoms. Doctors often recommend hot and/or cold therapy to reduce inflammation and relieve aching joints. Trying hot and cold therapy is the only way to find out if this treatment will work for you. You can then work with hot and cold to find the particular combination to treat your specific symptoms of arthritis.

This therapy works to improve the body's own healing abilities. Heat allows dilation of the blood vessels. This in turn promotes circulation, resulting to reduced spasm of the muscles and increased oxygenation. Heat also defers the sensation of pain. Dry heat, such as lamps and pads, can be used as well as moist heat through hot baths, or wash cloths soaked in hot water.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, 5 to 10-minute ice massages applied to a painful area within the first 48 hours of pain onset can help relieve pain while heat should be used for pains that last longer than 48 hours.

When using heat therapy, you have to be careful with the heat being applied to prevent burning the skin. You want it hot, but not hot enough to be uncomfortable. You will find the temperature that your body can tolerate by testing gradually starting at lower temperatures and gradually increasing the temperature. Heat therapy can work well if done just before exercising. In between the exercise, heat packs can also be applied. Moist heat therapy can be done to provide additional relief from pain in arthritis. Other types of heat therapy includes heat patches, belts, hot packs, heated pools, moist heating pads, warm baths, showers, whirlpools, hot tubs, and warm towels or cloth that can be heated through the microwave. Also, many people with arthritis find soaking in hot baths and saunas effective relief for arthritis pain. Heat packs applied to arthritic joints at least twice daily has been proven to relieve pain and stiffness.

While heat opens blood vessels, cold constricts the blood vessels. Cold therapy can work on swollen parts of the body by producing a dulling and numbing effect and also reducing the swelling of inflamed joints. Ice packs are most effective during arthritis flares and can be effective when applied over joints. The cooling sensation of the skin above the affected areas lessens spasm of the underlying muscles, which improves the threshold of pain. Cold packs can easily be done by filling zip-lock baggies with water and placing them on the freezer to chill. For some people with arthritis, cold therapy may be enough to completely ease pain. However, many people choose to alternate hot and cold therapy.

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

Hyaline cartilage is made up of a matrix consisting of a combination of proteoglycans (complexes of proteins and sugars) and chondrocytes. Chondrocytes are cartilage cells that manufacture matrix under normal healthy circumstances. They are responsible for nourishing the matrix as well.

However, when OA develops, a distinct change in the joint environment occurs. Chondrocytes begin to elaborate destructive enzymes causing cracks in the cartilage. These are called "fibrillations."

One of the most common joints affected by osteoarthritis is the knee. This is not a surprise since OA preferentially attacks weight-bearing joints.

The treatment of OA of the knee is primarily symptomatic. Weight loss, exercise, physical therapy, assistive devices (such as canes and walkers), analgesics (pain-relieving medicines), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) which also reduce inflammation and pain, as well as thermal modalities such as heat and ice can all be employed.

But what happens when the patient doesn't respond to these?

The next step is injection therapy. There are two main forms of injection therapy used for OA of the knee. The first are corticosteroid injections. The other major type, hyaluronic acid injections will be discussed in another article.

Corticosteroid (another term used is glucocorticoid - I will use these terms interchangeably) or glucocorticoid injections are used to provide rapid short term relief from the pain and inflammation caused by OA of the knee. Corticosteroids - also known as "cortisone" reduce inflammation and theoretically reduce potential damage to the joint. They are administered in combination with a local anesthetic to help provide immediate relief of pain until the corticosteroid has a chance to "kick in." These injections are administered using sterile technique with a local anesthetic. It's critical that ultrasound guidance be used in order to ensure accuracy. If the corticosteroid isn't placed properly in the joint space, it will not provide optimal relief. They should not be administered more often than three times per year since there is evidence that corticosteroids given more often can damage cartilage.

While generally safe, corticosteroid injections can cause some minor side effects such as flushing of the face, elevation of blood sugar in patients with diabetes, skin atrophy at the site of injection, a flare of pain the evening of the steroid injection, and sometimes some local swelling. Infections are rare if proper technique is used.

Caution should be exercised when giving these injections to patients on anticoagulants such as warfarin. Corticosteroid injections provide short term benefit. The length of effectiveness can range anywhere from weeks to several months. On occasion, they will help for a longer period of time.

You do not really know how much you need your knees until something goes wrong. They are a crucial part of the human body, and preserving them is extremely important . Knee arthritis can strike anyone at any age, but it is most common in people who are over 50 years of age. Other contributing factors, in addition to someone age, would include being overweight, suffering through trauma to the knee and ligament or bone damage.

Symptoms of knee arthritis are often painful and debilitating, especially if the problem is left untreated. However, unlike most diseases, symptoms can fade or disappear altogether some days, and strike fiercely and unexpectedly other days.

There are three main types of knee arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form, and generally strikes people who are middle-aged. This type of knee arthritis usually gets worse as time goes on. Gradually, the cartilage that surrounds the knee is worn away, causing your bones to rub together.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation of the knee that can destroy the cartilage surrounding the knee. This type of knee arthritis can strike at any age, and it generally strikes both knees and not just one.

Post-traumatic arthritis is the final, main type of knee arthritis. As mentioned, this type of knee arthritis occurs after an injury. It may not show up for years after you have sustained an injury to the knee, but once it does, it can be painful.

Symptoms of knee arthritis are different from patient to patient. You may experience "good days", or "bad days". In some cases, knee arthritis sufferers complain that the weather affects their symptoms. If it is damp or cold outside, your symptoms may increase in severity compared to when it is dry and more warm outside.

Symptoms of knee arthritis include:

A weakness in the knee

Joint swelling

Knee area feels stiff

Range of motion is reduced

Knee can become deformed

The knee and surrounding area becomes sore to the touch

Do not allow knee arthritis to ruin your mobility. If you notice any of the symptoms of knee arthritis listed above, see your doctor. The longer you leave it, the worse the symptoms can become.

While visiting with your physician is important there are a number of things you can do to alleviate the pain in your knees, if you are suffering from knee arthritis.

First and foremost, if you are overweight, you should strongly consider losing weight in order to take some of the pressure off your knees.

Staying away from any exercise that may exert extra, unneeded pressure on your knee is also recommended. In extreme cases of knee arthritis, you may be required to undergo knee replacement surgery.

A knee brace can also be used to lend extra support to the knee. If you tend to have more pain when certain knee movements occur you should highly consider the support a knee brace can provide. A low profile knee brace can prevent excessive movements and as a result reduce your pain. This is extremely important when you forget about your arthritic symptoms and make a movement without thinking. This is when the knee brace can be your aid.

If you have osteoarthritis a knee brace can also helpful. If you have malalignment due to arthritic anatomy changes at your knee joint. An "OA" (osteoarthritis) knee brace can help maintain proper alignment, thus reducing your pain.

Arthritis can affect all the joints in one's body and it can take many forms. Osteoarthritis is the form that affects mostly the knees. It occurs due to the fact that the cartilage of the joint is degenerating progressively until the end of the bone remains uncover and gets inflamed and painful. Knee arthritis usually hits after the age of 50 and overweight people are more likely to develop it. An improvement in the sufferers' condition occurs once the weight problem is solved or about to be solved.

Osteoarthritis also runs in the family and it might be triggered by previous injuries in the knee. Its most common symptoms include pain, stiffness and swelling and they become more severe as time passes. Patients can go through periods of relief afterwards they can have a crisis again. The evolution of knee arthritis is not linear. It is very important that the patient seeks medical assistance because otherwise he or she might reach the point when no movement will be possible. Treatment might vary depending on the particularities in each case. Losing weight is essential for slowing down the disease. The physician might also recommend anti-inflammatory drugs and even surgery. However, there are patients using herbal remedies in order to obtain arthritis knee pain relief and studies have shown that these are very effective.

Arthritis knee pain relief can be obtained by massaging the joint with anti-inflammatory oils such as Rumatone Gold. Lavender and chamomile oils are known for their analgesic properties. Warm olive oil is also recommended. Massage and physical exercise is good in arthritis, but make sure to talk to your physician in order to do the right types of exercise and not to jeopardize the heath of your joint even more.

Certain infusions made of plants with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are also helpful in providing relief for patients with arthritis. Ginger, for example, is very much used by those with osteoarthritis. They either drink ginger tea or apply ginger compresses. This is a safe herb even if it is used for longer periods of time. Licorice has the same effect on the human body as cortisone, only that it doesn't produce the side effects usually associated with cortisone. The only thing that can result from prolonged used of licorice is a slight elevation of the blood pressure. The recommended dose is of two pills with licorice extract daily. Arthritis knee pain relief can be easily obtained with natural remedies, but the patient has to be aware of the importance of losing excess weight and of exercising.

If yes, then do not worry any more. You have come to the right place to know about it in an organized way. Here are some of the symptoms and treatments are mentioned. These will help in self diagnosis and curing your beloved pet. If you think that only humans suffer from these arthritis pains, then you are wrong. Even your pet suffers severely from these pains. Dogs love walking, jumping and running a lot.

Arthritis is commonly seen among the older dogs. So you have to be careful about your older dog health. Thus, you would require some of the dog arthritis symptoms to know. So, observe you dog carefully. Watch his movements while it walks. If you see that it is walking slowly or limping then arthritis has taken place in its body. You can also see while playing with your dog, it may got slower. Study your dog's waking up style. This disease will enable him to get up freely and will make him stiff. It would like to sit and sleep all the time.

Your dog may even not get up or get down the couch or bed as it used to. Dogs lose their might and power of their limbs and legs. It becomes very difficult for them to eat, urinate and any other daily works. You will able to hear the bone clicking inside your dog's body. Joint swelling will be seen. Your dog will cry out of pain and it will also show reluctance for walking or any physical movement. Thus, these all are some of the symptoms which you need to follow in your dog. In order to prevent severe pain, you should to know dog arthritis treatment.

At first get your dog a veterinarian. It is very important for your dog health. They will only provide you with some of the incredible dog arthritis treatments. They can even suggest some of the medicines for different types of arthritis on various parts of the body as per requirement. What you can do at home? You can get elevated standing food feeders. This will give a complete rest to your dog's neck, spine and back. Exercising daily is a must.

A little bit of stretching for both of you is good for your and your dog's health. Get thick padded but soft bed for your dog. Lubricating with fluids in the joints is necessary. It will prevent the clicking of the joint bones. A free movement will be provided. You can also get Comfort Lift Carrier to give comfort. Thus, keeping dog arthritis symptoms, cure is made. So, these are the symptoms and treatments for your dog's arthritis which you need to keep in mind.

In order to ensure effective treatment of arthritis, it is extremely important to seek early medical help. This is only possible if you take special care of the warning signs and symptoms of this disease.

Early symptoms of arthritis can be extremely vague and confusing. However, these are very important to recognize as early as possible.

A) Here are some of the early symptoms of arthritis

a) Stiffness and/or pain in joints

b) Redness and/or warmth around the affected area

c) Tenderness in and/or around the affected area

d) Difficulty in moving

e) Limited range of motion in one or more joints

There are different types of arthritis that a patient can be attacked with. Hence, it becomes very important to know about the symptoms of all the major types of arthritis. This basic knowledge will help you to detect the presence of the disease at an early stage and to start the treatment as early as possible.

B) Here is a list of the major types of arthritis and their symptoms:

a) Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory in nature. One may experience a lot of stiffness in the joints. Mainly the joints are affected by this condition. However, one can also expect certain systemic effects. The symptoms include the following

1. Morning stiffness

2. Extreme fatigue

3. Rheumatoid nodules

4. Symmetrical joint involvement

5. Involvement of small bones of hands and feet

6. Pain

7. Inflammation

b) Osteoarthritis Arthritis symptoms

Also known as degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis arthritis is a condition that can turn low- grade inflammation in to severe joint pains. This is usually caused by wearing of cartilages in the joints

1. Pain around joints

2. Inflammation

3. Trouble in moving

c) Gout Arthritis symptoms

This is a condition where uric acid tends to get build up in the blood. Crystals of uric acid is formed in joints and several other places.

1. Severe sudden attacks

2. Toe pain

3. Joint pain

d) Ankylosing Spondylitis arthritis symptoms

It is a chronic inflammatory condition of the spine. This can result in fused vertebrae and rigid spine.

e) Juvenile arthritis symptoms

A common form of arthritis, it tends to come up as an inflammatory and painful condition.

f) Psoriatic arthritis symptoms

This is a chronic skin disease.

1. Inflammation of bone and other joint tissues

2. Affects whole body

g) Systematic lupus Erythematrous Symptoms

This form of arthritis involves skin, muscles joint and even internal organs.

h) Septic Arthritis

It is a type of dangerous invasion of the joint space by an infectious agent that results in arthritis. The etiology can be mycobacterial, baceberial or viral or even fungal.

There are several other forms of arthritis. However, you need to seek medical attention as soon as you spot some of the common symptoms of arthritis:

- Swelling, Redness, Joint stiffness, Warmth, Tenderness of joint and/or Inflammation of joint.

If you are suffering from arthritis, fish oil pills may just be your magic pills Arthritis is a group of medical conditions caused by damage to the joints. It is a disease rampant among people over 55. Arthritis can limit the movements of your joints. Arthritis comes in many forms. There's rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized with inflammation and pain. Then there's osteoarthritis, which is caused by damage to cartilages in the joints. A lot of people suffer from this musculoskeletal condition without safe and effective treatment. But there just might be a magic pill for arthritis. Several studies have shown that fish oils are good for arthritis. Trials done on people suffering from arthritis proved that twelve weeks of fish oil intake already reduces pain, inflammation, and stiffness of the joints. Fish oil pills contain Omega-3 fatty acids, elements that can help in joint aches, pains, and other muscular and joint conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism, among many others. One type of Omega-3 fatty acid, EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid, is directly associated with relief from arthritis and its symptoms.

Aside from bringing benefits to the brain and other parts of the body, EPA doubles as an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps relieve inflammation, a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil can also protect the cartilages from severe damages, which makes it a great treatment for osteoarthritis. There are other treatment options for arthritis. Popular medications used for arthritis are NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. But there are some controversies regarding the safety of NSAIDs. Some health experts are concerned about the side effects of these medications, especially when taken in excess. That's why an alternative treatment for arthritis is highly necessary. It's a good thing that we can turn to fish oil pills. They are safer to take. They are natural substances that do not contain harmful substances as long as they are taken from the right types of fish and placed through purification processes.

Good-quality supplements can treat arthritis without causing any unpleasant and unexpected effects. They are also easily absorbed by the body. The EPA content of these supplements come in a form that is easily recognized by the body. Fish oil also has preventive action, which means that it not only treats arthritis but prevents it and its symptoms. But another big reason why they are great treatment for arthritis is that taking them is like hitting many birds with one stone. They won't just treat your arthritis; it will also bring even more valuable benefits to your body. It can bring a full array of other health benefits.

It can help with your heart health, cognitive health, and has been associated with benefits to digestion, skin, vision, and a lot more. Your body can revel in all the great benefits of fish oil pills, especially if you choose the right types. So there you have it, as a consumer, it is recommended that you look for pharmaceutical-grade, molecularly distilled fish oil pills made from certain fish species.

Arthritis is not a disease, it is term which covers more than 100 medical conditions categorized according to their symptoms and causes. Osteoarthritis is undoubtedly the most common of them all while rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and infectious arthritis or septic arthritis are other common names for different arthritic conditions and symptoms.

Osteoarthritis occurs due to lack of elasticity in cartilages. In the joints two bones are held at a proper position by the ligaments and their ends covered by cartilages which works as a cushion and shock absorber as well as avoids the two bones from rubbing each other. In osteoarthritis cartilages become brittle which stretches the tendons and ligaments to cause severe pain while moving the joints. It is accompanied by mild inflammation but severe pain whenever weight is put on the joints in the activities like walking, standing or bending the joints. This arthritic condition restricts the range of the movement of the joint. It is also well known as degenerative disease as it is prevalent in the people above the age of 55 yrs. Over age can cause loss of elasticity in the cartilages even if the person is in good health unless special care and precautions are being taken to prevent it.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease where synovial fluid is attacked and shows the symptoms of pain and inflammation in the joints. It can cause permanent disability by destroying the joints if left untreated. It is caused by chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder where immune system of the body attacks healthy tissues causing severe damage to bones, muscles, lungs, skin and blood vessels. It is more prevalent in women than men and it is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition.

The symptoms of infectious arthritis or septic arthritis vary according to the infection. This arthritic condition occurs when synovial fluid and cartilages are attacked by the infection flowing in the bloodstream. The infecting agents can be bacteria, virus or fungi which have entered in to the blood and can move with stream. The people already suffering with some form of arthritis and get infected with an infection which can travel in the bloodstream are most susceptible for such type of arthritis.

The symptoms of gout arthritis are almost similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis the only difference is that it affects the big toe first with severe attacks of pain and immobility and later it can affect any other joint of the body. This condition occurs due to the presence of uric acid crystals in the blood causing damage to synovial fluid and cartilages.

Diffused vertebra and rigid spine can be a symptom of ankylosing spondylitis arthritis, these symptoms are mild and difficult to diagnose. Inflammation of bones and joints starting from fingers or spine are symptoms of psoriatic arthritis which are mild but can affect the whole body. Some diseases like lupus, fibromyalgia and lyme disease can cause arthritis as they can affect joints, skin, tissues and bones, Scleroderma is a systemic skin disease but it can also affect joints, blood vessels and internal organs and may promote rheumatic arthritis condition.

Gout is a common metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood levels of uric acid (UA). This arises as a result of either the inability to excrete (get rid of) UA or overproducing it. In any event, what occurs is that over time, deposits of monosodium urate form inside joints and other organs, particularly the kidneys, which is the major organ responsible for excreting UA.

At a certain critical point in time, if enough UA has built up, an attack of gouty arthritis (GA) will occur.

GA typically affects a joint or joints in the leg, preferentially attacking the foot, ankle, or knee. The attacks tend to occur early in the morning, often awaking a patient from sleep. The pain builds in intensity and is accompanied by swelling, redness, and heat. The discomfort is so severe that the patient may complain that even "the weight of a bedsheet" on the affected area causes unbearable pain.

The treatment of GA is generally divided into treatment for the acute attack and treatment of chronic disease.

This article will focus on the treatment of an acute attack.

There are multiple choices available and the decision regarding which avenue to pursue will depend on a number of factors including, the duration of attack, location of attack, the possibility of another process going on (ie, infection), and the presence of co-morbid conditions- other diseases a patient has that could potentially be affected by treatment intervention.

In addition to the medicines that will be discussed, rest with ice may be beneficial since ice reduces inflammation.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are the most commonly used treatment for acute attacks.

NSAIDS should be started as soon as possible and tapered when the attack is controlled.

Unfortunately, these medicines have many potential side effects including stomach ulcers, kidney damage, aggravation of hypertension, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. They should be avoided in patients taking blood thinners. Their use in older individuals should be monitored carefully and avoided if possible.

Colchicine is a time-honored medication that blocks gout inflammation effectively. Low doses, 0.6 mgs two to three times a day for 1-2 days may be sufficient to break an attack. Colchicine has a number of side effects that limit its use. These include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting bone marrow suppression, and neurologic as well as muscle damage. It should not be used in patients with liver or kidney disease.

Glucocorticoids ("cortisone") can be given directly into the joint if only one or two joints are affected or be given by mouth or intramuscularly. Glucocorticoids are a good alternative when NSAIDs and colchicine can't be used.

Blocking interleukin -1 using biologic therapy is a new concept in the treatment of acute gout attacks. It is very effective but carries the drawback of being extremely expensive.

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in response to a build-up of crystals that are deposited in joints, soft tissue or bone. The crystals are formed as a byproduct of purine breakdown that occur naturally in the body. About 5.1 million Americans are affected by gout. It affects men older than 40 more than women, although after menopause, both men and women are equally affected.

What Causes Gout?

Uric acid is a natural byproduct of purine breakdown which is then eliminated by our kidneys. Our bodies are not very efficient however in eliminating uric acid and thus a build-up occurs which is known as hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is the precursor to gout although not everyone who has hyperuricemia will get gout for reasons that are not well understood. This uric acid leads to crystal formations that are deposited in joints, bones and soft tissue. These needle-like crystals can cause excruciating pain that is often likened to breaking a bone.

4 Stages of Gout

1. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia

During this period, the person has no symptoms of gout but none-the-less, crystals are deposited and accumulate which then leads to a gout attack. Again, why this occurs in some people with hyperuricemia and not others is not well understood.

2. Acute gout attack

Left untreated, an acute attack resolves spontaneously in 3 to 10 days. It is believed that the inflammation and lower pH that occurs during the attack eventually causes the crystals to dissolve. In addition, some of the crystals become walled-off in tissue while other types of cells known as macrophages may elicit an anti-inflammatory response. Finally, specific proteins are thought to coat the crystals which also suppress inflammation. These processes lead to a resolution of symptoms within 3-10 days.

3. Intercritical period

This is the period between attacks. Generally, about 68% of people will experience another gout attack or flare within the first year, 78% within 2 years and 84% within 3 years. A small minority will never experience another gout attack. During this intercritical period the individual remains pain free despite the fact that damage to the underlying structures can still occur.

4. Advanced Gout

Over time, the persistence of crystals cause chronic low-level inflammation that leads to joint damage and build up of crystal deposits that are known as tophi. These deposits lead to joint erosion and deformities that are clearly evident on X-ray or MRI.

How is Gout Diagnosed?

The gold standard for diagnosis is to take a sample of joint fluid during an acute flare to analyze it for monosodium urate crystals. However this is not always practicable during a medical exam. If the joint is not aspirated, a very detailed history is taken, the affected joint is carefully examined and blood work is ordered because gout can mimic other diseases.That is why it is very important to see your provider during an acute attack.

How is Gout Treated?

During an acute flare, treatment focuses on eliminating pain and disability as quickly as possible. To this end several types of medications can be used. Since inflammation is an underlying condition, medications that target inflammation are often used.

Treatment of advanced gout focuses on reducing the level of uric acid since gout does not occur without hyperuricemia. The goal is to prevent erosive changes to bones, soft tissue and joint spaces that otherwise occur. Talk to your provider about treatment options that are best for you.

When the body is immersed in water, there is less strain on the weight bearing joints, and this gives a feeling of comfort, relaxation and lightness of being. This takes place in both cold and hot water. Professional hydrotherapy for arthritis, however, is typically carried out in a hot pool. It has been known since before Roman times that water therapy can bring benefit and relief for arthritis. Hydrotherapy was developed in Austrian in the early 19th century at the water university. Toward the end of that century a Bavarian priest classified the therapeutic uses of water and today some centers still offer it. Today, it is available at many hospitals and clinics.

How it works - Hydrotherapy, an increasingly popular treatment for arthritis conditions of all kinds, works in two distinct but related ways. Firstly, it gives instant relief of pain and a sense of increased wellbeing and, secondly, being immersed in water allows greater joint mobility while you are actually in the water. For this reason, hydrotherapy is almost always combined with gentle exercise while the joints have this increased mobility. After the exercise session, more hydrotherapy encourages the joints and muscles to relax in a soothing, comforting way.

Relaxing in a hot bath is a form of hydrotherapy in itself, but special hydrotherapy pools are available for use by arthritis sufferers. These are hotter than ordinary swimming pools, and are staffed by physiotherapists or other health care professionals who are expert in treating this condition. Specialized care - Hydrotherapy and exercise sessions should be carried out under the supervision of a health care professional. Otherwise, there is a risk that the joints will be exercised beyond their natural capacity, resulting in more harm than good.

For the treatment to be effective, it is important that the water should be at the correct temperature, as water that is too hot or too cold will not be beneficial and may even restrict mobility. This especially applies if a joint is acutely inflamed. In addition, the skin can be damaged by water that is too hot. For this treatment, you need to book a session or course of sessions at a hydrotherapy pool.

A visit to a spa - Some spas and health farms has pools that are adapted for arthritis sufferers. Treatment in adapted pools or baths may be combined with a hot seaweed or mud wrap afterward to reduce inflammation still further. Good luck with your arthritis treatment.