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Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints caused by the wear and tear injury or any infection. This inflamed condition of the joints is mostly seen in the elderly people. It comes from two Greek words, athron meaning joints and itis meaning inflammation. It affects almost half of the population of the world. About 50 million people in the United States suffer from one or the other type of arthritis. It is more common than cancer and heart problems. In brief we can say that it is the condition that affects the health of the bone joints in the body.

Arthritis refers to the more than 100 distinct diseases that cause pain and swelling, and limit movement in joints and connective tissue . The common types of arthritis are-

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Gout

Osteoarthritis results from the loss of bone tissue from the joints and is also known as degenerative arthritis. It mostly occurs with the preceding age. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the people above the age of 40. It is more dangerous than osteoarthritis as it affects the ligaments and tendons that join the bones and muscles. Gout mostly affects men who are above the age of 40 years and is caused by the excess accumulation of uric acid in the spaces between the joints causing intense pain and inflammation of the joints.

The various symptoms of arthritis are:

Joint pain

Swelling of joints

Limitation of movement

Swelling of joints

Stiffness of the joints

There are many types of arthritis and each of them has a different cause of occurrence.

The common causes of arthritis are:

Obesity and overweight

Preceding age

Heredity factors

Hormonal changes

Weather changes

Excessive acid in the body

Nutrient deficiencies

Home remedies for Arthritis

Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey taken in a cup of warm water twice daily is highly beneficial for the treatment of arthritis.

Half teaspoon of turmeric powder taken with warm water twice a day is also effective in curing arthritis.

Application of hot packs and ice packs for 10 minutes also provides relief from joint pains.

Drinking alfalfa tea twice daily is also beneficial for the treatment of arthritis.

Drink some radish juice with sugar added to it.

Soak Spiegel seeds in water, make a poultice and apply it on the joints for immediate relief from pain.

Natural Solution: Arthcare Oil – An Anti-inflammatory Herbal massage oil. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arthcareoil.htm

Arthcare is an anti-inflammatory herbal oil which not only gives relief from arthritis pain but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles.

JOINT PAIN

Joint pain is on of the symptoms of arthritis. It affects one or more joints. Many types of injuries or conditions can cause it. Joint pain can also be caused by the inflammation of the bursae known as bursitis. The bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion and pad bony prominences, allowing free movement of muscles and tendons over the bone.

The other causes of joint pain are:

Joint injury

Infections like viral infections, bacterial infections etc.

Joint strains

Auto-immune diseases

Nervous system disorder

Home remedies for Joint Pain

Warm baths is the highly beneficial water treatment for the joint pains.

Drink 15 grams of fresh bathu juice daily with an empty stomach without adding any salt or sugar to it.

Massaging the affected area with any oil will provide relief from the pain.

Drink a cup of papaya seed tea six or seven times daily for two or three weeks for relief from joint pain.

Eat porridge of 2 teaspoonfuls of winter cherry with ghee and molasses with an empty stomach for 15 days.

Diet also plays an important role in the treatment of arthritis and joint pain. Improvement in the digestion and metabolism of the body is very important for the treatment. Heavy meals, meat and fish, sour fruits and fried foods should be avoided, as they are difficult to digest. Consumption of rice during nighttime should be avoided. Among fruits bananas are considered best as they provide strength to the joints and grease them. Carrot juice is highly beneficial as it strengthens the ligaments. Besides diet rest is also important for the patients suffering from arthritis and joint pain.

Natural Solution: Arthcare Oil – An Anti-inflammatory Herbal massage oil.

Arthcare is an anti-inflammatory herbal oil which not only gives a relief from joint pains but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles.

By: Dr John Anne

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Your doctor tells you, you have arthritis. Can he or she tell you what kind of arthritis you have or what is causing it? These are not unreasonable questions, yet you will rarely get answers. This is because arthritis is largely a disorder of symptoms- a syndrome, to be more accurate. As long as physicians lump symptoms into one category, and do not examine the causes of the symptoms, there can be no hope or cure. All is not lost, however, or you would not be reading this chapter!

Causes of arthritis are: digestive problems, malnutrition, a high fat diet, chemical sensivity, food allergies, and even a little organism known as the limax amoeba.

The allergy Connection

Your body can be its own worst enemy, if you don’t treat it right. Researchers consider arthritis an autoimmune disease because the symptoms are caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues. Just as we have come to identify red, itchy eyes as an allergic symptom, arthritis must be accepted as another. In getting to the cause of arthritis, we have to look at the possible allergens responsible.

When arthritis patients had their food allergies identified and eliminated, their symptoms ended or were improved.

When it comes to identifying allergens, scratch the conventional test. The food elimination diet and Coca Pule Test are much more reliable. Because allergens can cause the heart rate to soar, taking your pulse in the morning upon rising, and comparing it to your rate after eating certain foods will help you target offending foods.

Narrow your list down to the following foods suspect for most allergy sufferers: beef, sugar, chocolate, eggs, citrus fruits, coffee, corn, malt, milk, pork, potatoes, soybeans, spices, tomatoes, wheat and yeast.

Consider also eliminating nightshade foods, which many are allergic to. Approximately one-third of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are sensitive to nightshade plants.

Tobacco is a nightshade. Can you imagine rolling up a leaf of poison ivy and smoking it? That’s what people who are allergic to nightshades do when they smoke. Other nightshades are potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, Read you labels! Nightshades can be hidden ingredients in processed foods, Better yet, avoid processed foods altogether. Researchers have found those with allergic symptoms are often sensitive to the 3,000 chemical additives we ingest, plus 10,000 environmental chemical contaminants assaulting our bodies every day.

A lack of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes in the stomach, common among people over forty, can also contribute toward food allergies. This slowdown of digestion will also create over-large food molecules, which end up in the bloodstream. The defensive reaction by the body to these molecules creates the allergic response that leads to arthritis symptoms.

It may sound hopeless, considering the sheer volume of chemical antagonists present in our environment today. But I would not be here if there weren’t answers and solutions to the arthritis dilemma.

As with any ailment, disorder or disease, good nutrition is essential. For such an extreme symptom as arthritis, supplementation is the best way to go.

An imbalance of prostaglandins-too much or too many -can be a source of may common diseases, arthritis for one. Borage oil is a good source of prostaglendins and early tests have shown it to be not only a valuable treatment for arthritis, but a substitute for commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids. NSAIDS have dangerous side effects. Frequent use causes stomach ulcers and liver and kidney disease. Deaths have even been associates with MSAID use.

A calcium deficiency can actually cause arthritis symptoms. Vitamin C is another arthritis essential. Studies have shown vitamin C, enhanced with bioflavonoids, reduces inflammation and this synovial joint fluid, contributing to easier and greater range of motion.

By: Frank Diez

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Overview of Arthritis

Effective help is currently available for people to pro-actively manage arthritis and enjoy life to the fullest. But the actual prevention of arthritis itself is yet another story.

With rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the membranes or tissues lining the joints become inflamed. There is no known way to prevent any form of this disease, including osteoarthritis, adult-onset arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The exact causes of all these conditions are unknown.

It’s very important for people who fear they are at risk of rheumatoid arthritis to realize that at this time there are no medications to take or lifestyle modifications to make that can completely prevent this crippling disease. However, by making changes to your weight and diet and engaging in moderate exercise, you may be able to slow or even halt the disease’s onset and progress.

But you can only really take the measures needed to control arthritis after it is diagnosed. Until it is known for sure if certain bacteria or viruses trigger the disease, contact with people suffering from it will not change your risk of developing it.

Traditionally, medications and physical therapy have been used to manage the disease. A massive amount of nutrient research has also shown the effect diet and supplements have on the body’s healing processes. Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference.

Causes of the Disease

Joint injuries caused by accidents or overuse increase the occurrence of some types of arthritis. You can also inherit certain genes that may increase your risk. More research is needed to find out how to reduce the disease’s onset from these factors.

Some individuals have an inborn tendency to degenerative joint disease because they have changes in the structure of the important protein-building blocks of the articular cartilage which covers the surface of their joints. These seemingly small but significant abnormalities predispose their joints to wear and degeneration. In other cases, joint injuries may contribute to the development of DJD.

No foods have been definitively shown to cause or exacerbate arthritis in most individuals. A variety of diets and “hand-me-down” information exists about certain foods and arthritis, in particular the night shade plants, but none of it has been proven.

There is a rare form of arthritis called Spure which is caused by allergies to wheat products. Avoiding those will eliminate this disease. Associated features include weight loss, diarrhea and osteoporosis. Consult your health care provider if this is a concern.

There are things you can do to reduce your risk for getting certain types of arthritis or to reduce disability if you already have arthritis.

Overweight and obese people have a higher frequency of arthritis. Excess weight increases risk for developing osteoarthritis in the knees, and possibly in the hips and hands. Women are at special risk. In men, excess weight increases the risk for developing gout. It’s important to maintain your recommended weight, especially as you get older.

Arthritis Prevention Programs

The Center for Disease Control has implemented programs in several states to reduce the onset and consequences of arthritis. The National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy delineates the actions necessary to better understand the arthritis burden in the USA and helps to fully apply known and effective interventions.

This document represents the combined efforts of nearly 90 organizations, such as the Arthritis Foundation, government agencies and many other groups and individuals with an interest in arthritis prevention and control.

The NAAP proposes a nationally coordinated effort for reducing the occurrence of arthritis and its accompanying disability by focusing on these three areas:

1. Surveillance, epidemiology and prevention research to strengthen the science base.

2. Communications and education to increase awareness and provide accurate information about arthritis.

3. Programs, policies, and systems promoting increased quality of life for people with arthritis and facilitating arthritis prevention measures.

The CDC continues to accumulate scientific knowledge on the benefits of physical activity. Because healthy eating reduces a person’s risk of becoming overweight, good nutrition plays an important role in preventing knee osteoarthritis. In addition, moderate physical activity is essential for maintaining the health of joints.

Resources/The information outlined in this article is originally from:

HealingWithNutrition, Arthritis Facts, Disease Prevention and Treatment Strategies http://www.healingwithnutrition.com

Center for Disease Control, Framework for Arthritis Prevention and Control http://www.cdc.gov

Web MD Health http://mywebmd.com

The University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Frequently Asked Questions About arthritis.

By: Karen L Cole

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The individuals suffer from arthritis find it difficult to perform their day-to-day activities since they feel pain when they hold any thing using hand, sit, sleep, walk, and many more! They are in need of special products to live their daily life. The people affected by arthritis expect and encourage the manufacturers to design and make arthritis-friendly products and packaging, and to supply those products with an arthritis-friendly logo so that they can easily identify those products. In order to give assurance to the customer for the products, first, the manufacturers should send their products for assessment at an autonomous third-party inquiry, and get a passing grade certificate from them.

The Arthritis Society helps, in many ways, the individuals suffer from arthritis. The society is boastful to be able to identify the manufacturers who have designed products, which are comfortable to use for individuals living with arthritis. The society have identified and certified many of the manufacturers. Listed below are some of the products, which have obtained an independent and affirmative review. These products have been certified and recommended by the Arthritis Society as “Arthritis Friendly.” The organizations that want to send their products for consideration and review, must thoroughly review the application process and send the same to the Arthritis Society (e-mail: arthritisfriendly@arthritis.ca).

The Tylenol Extra Strength and Tylenol Arthritis Pain bottles come with the easy-to-open lids, which have been recommended by the Arthritis Society for packaging. The larger bottles come with prominent ridged lids designed to open with only a quarter turn and without outer packaging, which is an easy-to-use product for the individuals with arthritis. The product is arthritis friendly.

The lid of the most preferred instant coffee of Canada, Maxwell House, has been certified by the Arthritis Society as “arthritis friendly.” The bright yellow, EZ Grip cap lets the individuals to easily open and close the container tight assuring that the sumptuous taste and aroma is kept in.

FootJoy is the best gloves in golf. It introduces the novel ShockStopper, which provides supreme protection from the vibration created by the golf club at impact. The gloves have been specifically designed to offer utmost impact protection to different kinds of players including the individuals with arthritic hands. These gloves have been approved by the Arthritis Society and they are suggested for the golfers surviving with arthritis.

Various Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattresses™ have obtained the Arthritis Friendly certificate from Arthritis Society. These mattresses have been made using the branded TEMPUR® pressure-relieving substance, which is a viscoelastic substance that suits to the body to render both support and comfort when facilitating to ease pressure points. This has been recommended for the individuals with arthritis to have nice sleep.

The SpeedPro High Capacity Desk Stapler, Electric Stapler, and Light Touch Heavy Duty Punch have received the “Arthritis Friendly” acknowledgment from the Arthritis Society for their comfort of use assuring that even the individuals with arthritis complaint can use these products with ease.

By: Robert Grazian

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There are various medications or a combination of them that can be used to provide relief from the pain which one experiences during arthritis. One such type of drug will naturally be an analgesic which is essentially a painkiller. These will provide relief from pain but will not do much about the inflammation; these are helpful if you are allergic to aspirin or have an ulcer. Acetaminophen is one such analgesic which can give temporary relief from the pain which at times can be excruciating during arthritis. This however does not reduce the swelling. This can be bought over the counter (without the need for a doctors prescription). Tramadol is another such drug. Sometimes, narcotic pain relievers are used for patients with severe arthritis when all other medications have not provided relief.

Arthritis medications like Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are commonly known as NSAIDs do help in reducing pain of joints, stiffness and the swelling which occurs. They also cut down on the production of prostaglandins which are substances found in the human body which send messages of pain to the brain. Examples of NSAIDs will include the common aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Other NSAIDs are available only through a doctors prescription. One side effect of using such drugs is that they can cause a stomach upset. There is a serious possibility of cardiovascular side effects also.

Glucocorticoids are drugs which are connected to the natural hormone which is already present in the human body which is called cortisol. Scientists have developed synthetic forms of cortisone which can be consumed either by way of oils or in injection form which will go directly into joints or other tissues where the pain is occurring. These medications do assist in relieving or reducing arthritis pain by reducing the swelling and inflammation in that area. Glucocorticoid injections need to be carefully taken and monitored. Side effects can occur if one takes such injections on a regular basis and too frequently.

Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are often used to control inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. While their main purpose will be to lessen inflammation, slow down and suppress the body immune system, these medications can also lessen the pain which is what arthritis patients having. These drugs could take a fair amount of time (several weeks or months) before the effects begin to show. Examples of DMARDs would be: methotreaxate, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, azulfidine and lefunomide.

Biologic response modifiers (BRMs) also referred to as biologic agents are used with the purpose of suppressing the inflammation which occurs during arthritis. Four BRMs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: Enbrel (etanercept, adalimumab (Humira), anakinra (Kineret) and infliximib (Remicade) two others are being studied and these are abatacept and rituximab.

By: Robert Grazian

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Osteoarthritis or arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the over 200 types of arthritic conditions. This disease is afflicting over 40 million Americans and 80% of them are over 51 years. Here is some arthritis diet information that can help those that don’t have arthritis yet and those that do.

First, arthritis is a condition where the protective layer and lubricant between bones has been decreased, worn down, injured, or destroyed. The result is, in the worst case, bone to bone rubbing cause continual pain and inflammation in the affected joint or joints.

What causes arthritis to appear will depend on your lifestyle and history. Here is a list of some of the causes:

- Injury to the bone or joints at any time in your life
- Allergies to certain foods that lead to joint inflammation
- A diet that is high in acidic foods, such as animal protein, fat, and processed foods
- Overweight, which over works joints, especially in the knees
- Emotional stress, since stress creates acid, which attacks joints oil and cartilage
- Poor digestion, which results in undigested food entering the body causing acid, allergies, and decreased immune system function
- Imbalance in hormones
- A distortion in skeleton structure causing excess pressure in specific joints

Now here are some diet suggestions to help you reduce arthritis pain, rebuild the joint, and reduce your inflammation.

- Eat flaxseeds or use flaxseed oil to reduce inflammation
- Eat fish weekly or take at least 1500 mg to 2000 mg of fish oil to reduce inflammation
- Eat plenty of raw vegetables, which provide phytonutrients that fight free radicals – broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and dark green lettuce
- Eat whole grains to provide the B vitamins – brown rice, wheat germ, oat bran, oats
- Eat foods high in sulfur to help repair cartilage – asparagus, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, watercress, cranberries, avocados, broccoli, carrots, celery, corn, cucumber peas, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, kale, cabbage, garlic, or onions
- Drink water every 2 hours to avoid dehydration and reduce arthritis pain
- Eat pineapple to get the enzyme bromelain or chew on bromelain tablets.
- Take MSM supplements, 2000 to 5000 mg or more per day

There is one more list to consider in this arthritis diet – the foods to avoid:

Acid in your body gives you more arthritic pain. You need to move your body to a more alkaline body. This is done by avoiding those foods which create acid in your body and eating those that produce alkaline residues.

Here are the foods to reduce in your diet or to eliminate completely. Red meat, eggs, saturated fats – butter-, oils fried foods, sugar, dairy products, refined carbohydrates – white rice -, breads pasta, and caffeine. And, strictly avoid those foods that you know you have allergies to.

The arthritis diet consist of moving towards more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, which make your body more alkaline and reducing animal products which create acid and inflammation in your body. If you have allergies to specific foods then avoid them completely. As you improve in your arthritis condition, then later you can eat some of the foods you need to avoid now.

By: Rudy Silva

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Arthritis is one of the most pervasive diseases in the United States and is the leading cause of disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one out of every three Americans is affected by one of the more than 100 types of arthritis. Arthritis simply means a painful condition of the joints. There are different types of the disease – many inflammatory and others more degenerative in nature. Across the world there are 350 million people suffer from the chronic joint inflammation of Arthritis. In US the number reaches to the 37 to 40 million. All of us know that there should the joint pain that is accompanied by the arthritis. The joint pain referred as the arthralgia. To suppress the join pain all of the people search for the natural arthritis treatment.

There are many forms of arthritis (over one hundred and growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an over-active immune system (like rheumatoid arthritis).Together, the many forms of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States. People are spontaneous to react in way of finding the treatment of arthritis symptoms and anxiety of its various forms.

In the world there are two types of arthritis- 1) Osteoarthritis and 2) Rheumatoid arthritis. The Osteoarthritis mainly affects the cartilages of or around the bones. The cartilages provide the bone with the cushion and thus to protect it from the rubbing friction. On the other hand the Rheumatoid arthritis is the joint chronic inflammation that also the affect the body autoimmune system. Rheumatoid arthritis is also the main disease that causes the pain in or around the joints. Only the arthritis low back pain relief is the main pain suppression methodology for both of the arthritis. Here Autoimmune disease must be explained. The autoimmune disease is that illness by the blood antibody or the cells whose main job is to seeking and destroying body invaders preferably the infections mistakenly attack the body tissues.

For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body ages. In fact, most people over the age of 50 show some signs of arthritis. Joints naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a combination of medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery. Your doctor can tell if you have arthritis through blood tests and x-rays. He or she will then be able to help you decide on the best treatment for arthritis for your case.

By: Markus Skupeika

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By: Michael Russell

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Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints that can at times disable the patient. The consequences of arthritis include joint disfigurement and constrained joint mobility.

Statistics of Americans with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms:

• 1985 – 35 million

• 1990 – 37.9 million

• 1998 – nearly 43 million (1 in 6 people)

• 2006 – 46 million (nearly 1 in 5 adults)

• Arthritis is said to be one of the most ubiquitous chronic health problems and is leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15.

• Arthritis is second only to heart disease as grounds of work disability.

• Arthritis limits daily activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 7 million Americans.

• Arthritis results in 39 million doctor visits and more than a half million hospitalizations.

• Arthritis influences people in all age groups together with nearly 300,000 children.

• Baby boomers are now at chief jeopardy. More than half those affected are under age 65.

• Arthritis is a term used to refer to more than hundred different diseases that concern areas in or around joints.

General Information:

• Women – 24.3 million of the people with arthritis diagnosed by a doctor

• Men – 17.1 million of the people with arthritis diagnosed by a doctor

The disease also has an affect on other parts of the body. Arthritis causes pain, loss of movement and sometimes swelling. Some types of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone. It is the most prevalent form of arthritis.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of the body’s immune system activity. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women.

• Gout is a form which mostly affects men. It is usually the result of a defect in body chemistry. This painful condition most often attacks small joints, especially the big toe. Fortunately, gout almost always can be completely controlled with medication and changes in diet.

• Ankylosing spondylitis is a type that affects the spine. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow together.

• Juvenile arthritis is a common term for all types of arthritis that come about in children. Children may develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or childhood forms of lupus, Ankylosing spondylitis or other types of arthritis.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus): a severe disorder that can agitate and damage joints and other connective tissues all over the body.
• Scleroderma: a disease of the connective tissues of the body that causes a thickening and hardening of the skin.

• Fibromyalgia: a form in which extensive pain affects the muscles and attachments to the bone. It affects mostly women.

By: Adam Gilchrist

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Arthritis

This condition can cause many problems for sufferers, including loss of grip and, of course, a great deal of pain. But what are its causes and is there a remedy?

Thumb arthritis usually occurs after the age of forty and is more common in women than in men. The first symptom of thumb arthritis is usually pain experienced at the base of the thumb when gripping an object or when applying force – say to turn a key or open the lid of a jar. This form of osteoarthritis can make these simple household tasks difficult as it limits the strength and range of motion of the thumb.

Other symptoms may include swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of the thumb, decreased strength when grasping objects, enlarged appearance or a ‘bony’ look to the base of the thumb and general discomfort and aching after use.

The exact cause of this condition is unknown (in common with osteoarthritis generally) but the following factors are thought to contribute to its development:

Being female
Having a job that puts high stress on the thumb joint
Having certain hereditary conditions – joint ligament laxity, defective cartilage etc.
Having past injuries such as fractures or sprains to the basal thumb joint
Being over forty years of age
Having existing rheumatoid arthritis

The basal thumb joint allows your thumb its wide range of movement and consists of the trapezium (the small bone at the base of your thumb), the first metacarpal (the thumb’s first bone) and the wrist’s scaphotrapezio-trapezoidal joint (STT).

In a normal basal joint, cartilage covers the ends of the bone, acting as a cushion to let the bones glide smoothly over each other. In thumb arthritis, the cartilage deteriorates allowing the bone ends to rub and roughen – the main cause of pain.

Your body’s attempts to repair the damage may lead to new bone growth (spurs), which are noticeable on the joint. Each of the repair steps also produces the pain commonly associated with this condition.

Although there is no cure for thumb arthritis, self-care measures do exist. These include specialised splints, prescribed medication or corticosteroid injections. In extreme cases surgery may be the only way to gain a measure of relief.

It would seem then that there is no real remedy for thumb arthritis, any more than other general arthritic conditions, but that early diagnosis and treatment may serve to alleviate the worst symptoms of what can otherwise be a very debilitating condition. Changing lifestyle or work practices may help – any reduction of strain on the affected joint should bring some measure of relief. Too, adapting to the condition by using aids to mobility or dexterity can help, alleviating some of the frustration that is often felt by sufferers of arthritis and allowing the person affected to retain as much independence as possible. Exercise (as opposed to stressing) of the joint can also help to retain its range of motion.

As with all medical issues, it is essential that you consult your doctor if you suspect the onset of any form of arthritis.

By: Steve Dempster

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