Rheumatoid Arthritis – A Real Chance of Permanent Relief!
Arthritis is a term used to describe around 100 similar diseases, these many different conditions are closely linked because of there detrimental effect on one's joint and joint area. The many guises of arthritis come with there own underlying causes and contributing factors. Although arthritis is common with age, it is clear that the disease is far from being only age related, and is reported throughout all age and social groups.
Over 50% of people nearing retirement age are thought to be effected in some way by arthritis. Arthritis or musculoskeletal disease effects a very large proportion of adults, especially those living in industrialised nations. Studies indicate that almost three quarters of all people over the age of seventy will develop symptoms of arthritis at some point, although less common arthritis can be apparent in children (Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis).
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder disease. RA may not be a permanent issue with many arthritics reporting periods of remission, having said that, left untreated rheumatoid arthritis will remain underlying and inevitably re-appear when triggered.
Autoimmune disease is a term used to describe a problematic metabolic disorder, in which the body's own defence system receives the wrong signal and proceeds to attack that which it normally defends. RA attacks the synovium, which is the protective lining between the joint, rheumatoid arthritis pain and information is due mainly to the thickening of the synovium.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms.
Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include painful stiff and swollen joints, untreated and progressed cases of RA may include the deformation of joints and cartilage damage.
Symmetrical Attack of Rheumatoid arthritis.
RA is not often restricted to just one joint, many arthritics will often find themselves symmetrically effected, such as in both hands, or perhaps in both knees, rheumatoid arthritis has the ability to travel throughout one's body and is not limited to attacking only joints.
A Real Cure For Your Rheumatoid arthritis!
Rheumatoid arthritis, as with all forms of arthritis is a condition caused by the manifestation of an underlying disease, even though this may not be apparent. The problem with today's quick fix drug therapies is that they only address the symptoms of arthritis. The prolonged use of both prescribed and over the counter medication can only lead to an overall progression of RA due to the toxins these drugs leave in the body.
An autoimmune diseases is difficult to treat with drugs, due to the many different factors involved, anyone trying to treat their own RA will only be successful if they can address the following underlying problems.
* Flush the body harmful toxins.
* Gastrointestinal problems such as bacterial and fungal infections must be addressed.
* Flush the kidneys.
* Naturally remove arthritis triggers (even the ones which are not apparent).
* Keep RA inflammation under control, without using drugs.
* Expel heavy metal from the body.
* Remove excess uric acid.
* Repair damage to tissue, cell and cartilage, naturally.
* Reduce the amount of excess free radicals in the body.
* Re-build and strengthen the Immune-system.
* Restore a healthy digestive system.
* Bring body weight in line with its BMI.
* Naturally keep the joints lubricated.
This may sound difficult, how on earth could any medication tackle all of these issues ?, well the truth is, modern drug therapies fall short at tackling any of these problems effectively. In my experience, natural alternatives and simple life changes have proven to be far more effective in the treatment of RA.
I'm aware of the dim view that today's medical professionals express regarding alternative treatments for many ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis, what should perhaps be remembered is the simple fact that modern medicine owes its very existence to ancient herbal & Natural practices. Try a natural approach to your RA it could be our best option.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Is It An Autoimmune Mystery
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that attacks the entire body as well as the joints. Until now, it is still unclear what causes this disfiguring disease but many of the finest medical minds believe that this is an autoimmune disease. By autoimmune, it means a disease wherein the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. Instead of protecting its own body from disease, it ferociously attacks itself as if it were the enemy.
The true nature of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown but it is certain that it begins with inflammation and progresses into tissue damage. The hands and wrists are generally the areas commonly attacked by rheumatoid arthritis although the knees, balls of the feet and spine can also be affected. Even the heart doesn't escape rheumatoid arthritis. If left untreated this type of arthritis can be life threatening and can go beyond joints and can damage further the muscles, bones and skin near the affected joints. Inflammation can occur in the membranes encasing the heart and lungs. The spleen can enlarge and anemia can develop. Complications such as these make rheumatoid arthritis life threatening.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects people who are mostly at the prime of their life but this doesn't mean that other age groups are not affected by this disease. Both men and women are equally affected although more women than men get symptoms that necessitate medical attention. There are only about 20 percent of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis that recover completely. About 60 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis experience disease flare up that leads to death over the years. The remaining percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffer irreversible joint damage. Luckily, this disease eventually burns itself out.
Since rheumatoid arthritis is believed to be an autoimmune disease, the key to its treatment is immunosuppressive therapy. Doctors treat rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the immune system but only to the point of diminishing symptoms but never go beyond the point where the individual becomes susceptible to infection.
Inflammation is the enemy in rheumatoid arthritis and to combat this, doctors usually prescribe aspirin and aspirin like drugs since these drugs are powerful painkillers and anti-inflammatories. These types of drugs are usually sufficient for most rheumatoid arthritis patients and it has been observed that about twenty-five percent of patients taking these relatively simple medications recover completely.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, although good painkillers and anti-inflammatories, are usually no better compared with aspirin. NSAIDs also have some accompanying serious side effects.
For more severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroids are usually prescribed. These are more potent anti-inflammatory hormones with accompanying severe side effects including drug dependency. These types of drugs although effective in treating the more serious cases of rheumatoid arthritis, increase a person's susceptibility to infection and delay wound healing.
An alternative therapy to rheumatoid arthritis is diet, although this hasn't been proven effective yet but its possibility is not ignored. Studies are done to come up with the right diet to combat rheumatoid arthritis.
It has been observed in some rheumatoid arthritis sufferers that their disease becomes less too intense when they incorporated fish oils in their diet. Fish oil may reduce the symptoms of arthritis but it is still best to check with your doctor before taking any fish oil supplements as these can have adverse reactions with any medications you are currently taking like aspirin.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms – What to Do If the Signs and Symptoms Suggest You Might Have RA
What are the tell-tale rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and signs to look out for? Recognizing and understanding the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (often referred to as RA or rheumatoid disease) will quickly lead to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown but researchers are gaining a better understanding of how the immune system and genetic factors affect the inflammatory processes which cause rheumatoid arthritis to develop. Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease as it is triggered by a cell malfunction in the immune system. This leads to certain cells actually attacking your own body.
While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and progressive illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Although it typically begins in middle age, children and young adults of all races and ethnic backgrounds can also develop the disease.
In itself, RA is not fatal and although it most often affects the joints, it is also a disease of the entire body and the inflammation can also occur in the tissues around the joints, such as the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. In some people with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation leads to the destruction of the cartilage, bone, and ligaments, causing deformity of the joints.
So, what are the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?
Symptoms of RA often develop slowly over a period of weeks or months with many people beginning to experience difficulties carrying out the normal activities of daily living, such as standing, walking, dressing, washing, using the toilet, preparing food and carrying out household chores.
It most often affects the high usage joints, such as those of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and/or ankles. The quite obvious initial symptoms that include muscle discomfort, stiffness, redness, swelling and daily pain in the joints mostly start firing in your fingers, wrists, and knees which leads to significant discomfort and disability. Plus, there's often a degree of loss of appetite, fever and fatigue to add to your woes.
If you have been experiencing all or some of these rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, see your physician or a rheumatologist(an expert in diseases of joints and connective tissues) right away. A combination of the history of symptoms and signs, diagnostic tests, physical examination, and x-ray evidence will confirm the diagnosis one way or the other.
Is there an effective treatment?
While there's no known absolute cure, treatment options have expanded greatly in the past few decades. Early and effective treatment can improve the prognosis and may help prevent any permanent joint and bone destruction.
The most commonly prescribed treatment currently popular with most doctors incorporates the use of first-line drugs aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation and second-line drugs methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission.
Please bear in mind though, that the application of most hard drug treatments more often than not will produce some additional nasty side effects -- and you really don't need to make matters worse do you?
I have several close friends who suffered badly from slightly different forms of chronic rheumatoid arthritis for years. Well, for over 8 months now, they have been following with great success, a simple and safe natural program I discovered that has been carefully formulated by a very helpful and astute family health supplement company in New Zealand.
This all-natural treatment has helped ease the pain enormously while almost completely banishing the other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as well. Furthermore, to their surprise and great relief, none of my dear friends have experienced any additional nasty side effects at all.
Natutral Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis: Options For You To Consider
Turning to a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is an option you can consider. Such a treatment does not usually involve the use of prescription medications and would have virtually little or no side effects.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that refers to the inflammation of your joints. When your joints are inflamed, you experience pain, swelling, stiffness and general discomfort. It results from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease whereby your immune system starts to attack its own body tissues. It is also considered a progressive disease. This means that over time, your arthritis symptoms can worsen.
There are over 100 different classifications and types of arthritis. It is likely that if you have been diagnosed with one of these, your doctor would have prescribed you the appropriate drugs for it. Although drug medication can be used effectively to treat many kinds of arthritis, there are potential side effects when you become over dependent on them for arthritis pain relief.
Here is a quick run-down on some of the newest and most popular natural rheumatoid arthritis treatments. They may be used alone, or in conjunction with each other.
Physical therapy. This is a very popular natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis as it is highly effective. In many cases, regular prescribed exercises can even improve the range of physical motion substantially. Physical therapy can also help you deal with muscle and joint stiffness, increase muscle strength, and reduce allover pain.
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing method that dates back more than 3,000 years ago. It is used to effectively treat the symptoms of arthritis, in addition to other health ailments. Acupuncture is a procedure used in which specific body areas (or meridian points) are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.
As a natural treatment method, acupuncture is fast gaining popularity in America and other western countries. By 1993, Americans were making 12 million visits per year to acupuncturists, and spending $500 million annually on acupuncture treatments. By 1995, there were an estimated 10,000 certified acupuncturists practicing in the United States; as of 2000, there were 20,000.
Acupresure. Acupressure is another ancient Chinese form of therapy that has been used for thousands of years. It is also used to as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast to acupuncture, here, the acupressure practitioner uses his or her fingers instead of needles. Studies have shown that acupressure seem to release endorphins in patients, causing feeling of pleasantness and comfort. It appears that acupressure has strong anti-inflammatory healing abilities for rheumatoid arthritis.
Relaxation therapy: Relaxation therapy is a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates several different therapies working toward a common goal. The goal of relaxation therapy as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is to release muscle tension and joint rigidity to reduce your overall pain and discomfort. The different relaxation therapies include meditation, yoga, stretching exercises and Pilates.
Hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is fast becoming a popular therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients as it is fun and can be very effective. It involves a series of water exercises, usually done in lukewarm water. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis report that the feeling of warm water helps to relax them and provide much relief from their pain.
In addition, several studies have shown that hydrotherapy is an effective therapy that helps reduce the weight and pressure on the joints. The warm water relaxes the muscles and helps reduce the feeling of stiffness. Hydrotherapy is also effective in weight management, which is particularly important if you have rheumatoid arthritis.
Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is often used as a complementary and natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In occupational therapy, you learn how to use their body parts more efficiently. Occupational therapy helps in ensuring that you can go about your everyday chores and tasks so that less tension is placed on the joints. Specially made splints are often used to help patients accomplish certain tasks without placing excess pressure on their joints. You and your occupational therapist can work together to tackle any specific challenges that you face. Your occupational therapist can design specific exercises for this purpose and train you in the use of special assistive devices.
Hot and cold therapies. These therapies take advantage of the effects of certain temperatures on the joints. Compresses, ultrasound devices, and warm wax may be used to apply heat to the joints. Ice packs may be used to apply cold temperatures to the affected areas. The efficacy of heat and cold therapies varies according to the patient.
In most instances, the benefits of using the above mentioned natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis outweigh any instant results, but far more damaging, derived from consuming drugs and medication. The only drawback is that usually a natural treatment does not produce instant reliefs. You may need to use it over a period to know if it works for you. It will also be a good idea to maintain a journal to keep track.
Arthritis Medication
Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications
There are a number of prescription arthritis medications that doctors can prescribe to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Though none of these arthritis medications cure arthritis, they can relieve pain, relieve symptoms, and even slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can relieve pain and inflammation. These drugs can are used as an arthritis medicine and can be purchased over the counter and in prescription form. (You may know them as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.) The main adverse side effect to these arthritis medications is they can lead to stomach problems, such as bleeding and indigestion. They may also raise an individual's blood pressure and in some cases cause fluid retention.
COX-2 inhibitors are a class of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are less harmfull to the stomach. This class of arthritis medication works by suppressing an enzyme called cyclooxygenase which is involved in inflammation. However, possible side effects include fluid retention and high blood pressure. There are also reports that those who take this class of drug may be at an increased risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
Corticosteroids are arthritis medications which can reduce pain and inflammation. They can also slow down the damage to joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, many patients who take corticosteroids report they feel remarkably better. However, after prolonged usage, the effectiveness of corticosteroids may wear off. Prolonged usage also brings with it the possibility of serious side effects such as weight gain, diabetes, and thinning of the bones.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Immunosuppressants are often prescribed as an arthritis medication to help control the immune system. In Arthritis patients, the immune system is not balanced and it is out of control. TNF blockers are sometimes given in conjunction with an immunosuppressant. TNF blockers block the protein which inflames the joints. Those on TNF blockers report reduced pain and less stiffness.
Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis allows patients to be given arthritis medications known as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These drugs are known to slow down the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, if the arthritis is caught early, much damage to the joints can be avoided.
Seeing a doctor at the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis is extremely important. Although modern medicine has not been able to find a cure for arthritis, we are much closer to effective pain relief and the ability to slow down the progression rate of rheumatoid arthritis.
Doctor-Can Arthritis Cause Headaches
Headaches can occur occasionally as a result of osteoarthritis in the neck. Typically, these headaches go up the back of the head. The pain may be more apparent on one side than the other. The pain then radiates to the crown of the head.
Rarely, the pain will radiate to the temples.
The pain sometimes is aggravated by movement of the head or possibly if the head is held in one position for too long a period of time.
Patients will often comment that it feels "like sand" or "crunchy" when they turn their head.
Sometimes the pain will be felt in the back of the shoulder and along the inside of the shoulder blade.
The diagnosis is made through a careful history, physical examination, and imaging studies such as x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Once the diagnosis is confirmed treatment with medication, physical therapy, traction, and different types of injections are often successful in relieving the pain. A soft cervical collar and neck support pillow may also be useful.
Sometimes patients who have arthritis take pain relievers. If they stop taking them they can get rebound headaches. This often prompts the patient to take more pain relievers and therefore may make the problem worse. The solution: try to avoid the cycle of medication- discontinuation of medication- rebound.
Patients with fibromyalgia, a diffuse pain syndrome, may also have severe headaches as part of their disease. A treatment plan incorporating exercise, analgesics, and antidepressant types of medicines may help.
Finally, a potentially serious type of headache can occur as a result of giant cell arteritis (GCA). This is also known as temporal arteritis. GCA is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels, particularly the ones in the head. Typically a patient will have pain in the temples, tenderness of the scalp, and pain in the jaw with chewing. If not diagnosed and treated aggressively with high dose steroids, this condition can lead to blindness.
The diagnosis is suspected if the patient has an abnormally elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate in their blood and a biopsy of the temporal artery can help confirm the diagnosis. While the biopsy may be negative even in cases where GCA is present, the presence of a positive biopsy clinches the diagnosis. Unfortunately, a negative biopsy should not dissuade one from making the diagnosis since it can be negative in a significant percentage of cases.
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