Arthritis is a Nutritional Deficiency Disease & Can be Reversed Using Arthritis Herbal Treatments

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a devastating, painful and degenerative disease of the joints that affects over 75% of all people over the age of 65. In the U.S. alone it is estimated that there are between 37 to 50 million people who suffer with some degree of arthritis.

The vast majority of arthritis sufferers have osteoarthritis which is a chronic, aggressive joint disease. This disease causes cartilage and other joint tissue to deteriorate. Cartilage begins to wear down, and slowly deteriorates to the point to which the surrounding bones begin to rub against each other making a cracking or grating noise. Severe pain and swelling often result, as well as limited movement of the joint.

When compared to arthritis herbal treatments and natural supplements, many doctors prescribe medication to ease the pain and this only serves to make the disease even worse. In fact cortisone (and other steroids) can actually speed up the rate of loss of cartilage. It gets worse - temporary pain relief without rebuilding the joint allows you to move the joint which in turn causes more pain and damage - a lose, lose situation!

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and each has its own characteristic symptoms and its own course. Depending on the specific condition and how severe it is, arthritis can interfere with even the most ordinary activities, such as walking, dressing or bathing.

Most medical doctors will tell you that the causes are multiple and unknown, however the truth is that it is caused by a complex of nutritional deficiencies - which can of course be reversed in many cases.

Note - in the case of Rheumatoid arthritis the cause is most likely to be an infection by a bacteria and in addition to the natural and herbal arthritis treatments listed here, a simple antibiotic treatment such as minocycline prescribed by your doctor will help.

At the same time, bone spurs begin to appear at the same joints - all signs of a calcium deficiency and also an early warning signal of osteoporosis.

Prevention - A Natural Remedy for Arthritis

In addition to arthritis herbal treatments and supplements, a healthy lifestyle is essential as a natural remedy and for the prevention of arthritis. Following a few basic steps is an important part of providing a natural remedy. Here's what you can do right NOW:

o Make sure you have a well balanced diet with plenty of green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, eggs and dairy products - these contain minerals, vitamins and amino acids essential for health.

o Exercise - particularly 'weight-bearing exercises' - many studies all agree that a small amount of regular weight bearing exercise can assist.

o Reduce the amount of meat, processed foods and carbonated drinks in your diet - these are all high in phosphorous and this causes calcium to be lost.

o Stop smoking and reduce your intake of alcohol, caffeine and sugar - they limit your absorption of nutrients.

o Supplement - you need to supplement with a good source of calcium and other minerals along with vitamins and essential fatty acids.
You will make progress by supplementing with all 90 Essential Nutrients and an additional liquid calcium/magnesium supplement.

o Arthritis herbal treatments and cartilage supplements like glucosamine & chondroitin are required to assist with repair and rebuilding of the cartilage.

Arthritis Herbal Treatments & Supplements

To treat and reverse arthritis you need to follow the prevention guidelines and use arthritis herbal treatments and supplements.

You cannot expect natural cures for arthritis to take a few days. The disease is progressive and degenerative and has been present for quite some time - however the good news is that these treatments work. The process will take from between two weeks to three months (2 to 3 months if you are older and/or suffer any problems with absorption)or don't take these nutrients in adequate amounts.

Arthritis Health Supplements:

o Minerals - supplement with a good source of calcium and minerals. Liquid is always best and only in a form which is organic and highly absorbable (plant derived colloidal minerals); minerals required include copper, magnesium, selenium and zinc and many trace minerals such as manganese and boron - plant derived colloidal minerals are the best source

o Highly Absorbable Multi-Vitamins - Vitamins B6, D and E are required to build strong bones and vitamins C and E are required to build bone matrix and joints.

o Essential fatty acids from fish oil are also important for reducing the inflammation and rebuilding the fluid used to cushion the joints.

o Amino acids are involved in the construction of collagen and cartilage and you can find them in the multi-vitamin supplements we recommend.

o Liquid calcium/magnesium supplements are required for the support of healthy bones and joints - liquids are always more absorbable than tablets.

o For pain relief, Cetyl Myristoleate Cream - a natural cream produced from essential fatty acids has been clinically proven to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Natural Pain Relief and Repair of Damaged Cartilage

o Two other arthritis supplements involved in rebuilding cartilage are glucosamine and chondroitin.

Clinical studies around the world have shown that supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin provide a natural remedy for arthritis and help the body build and repair damaged or eroded cartilage as well as reduce pain and inflammation. Gelatin is a natural form of collagen and when combined with glucosamine will be much more effective than glucosamine on its own.

o MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) & CM (Cetyl Myristoleate) - these two arthritis herbal treatments have shown in clinical and scientific trials to promote the repair of cartilage, relief of joint pain and related discomfort and significantly improve the mobility people suffering arthritis.

Pain relief and freedom of movement is a fundamental part of the natural remedy and cure for arthritis. Ease of movement is essential to keep the joint healthy and in time, the vitamin, mineral and cartilage arthritis herbal treatments and supplements will actually rebuild and repair the damage. A Win-Win situation!

Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Knee

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic type of inflammation that occurs symmetrically, affecting key joints of the body such as hands, knees, ankles, feet, hips, elbows and shoulders. The condition is more likely to affect women than men and is common in those who are aged 40 and above, though it can most certainly occur in much younger persons as well. It is blamed for a number of symptoms that include joint swelling and pain, stiffness and types of deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis in the knee can be particularly painful and cause severe restrictions to one's freedom of movement. Although there is no known cure as yet, the condition can still be managed to a fair degree.

Before we discuss rheumatoid arthritis of the knee let us look at this particular joint which is very important when it comes to mobility. Around the ends of the bones is the cartilage and this prevents the bones from rubbing against each other. Between the two cartilages of the particular bones is a small pouch that is covered with a thin tissue known as synovium and this secretes a liquid that helps keep the joint lubricated. When the synovium is affected as a result of the rheumatoid arthritis condition, the functions of the various parts that make up the knee get affected and fail to function as they should.

Common symptoms of this disease's effects on the knee include pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness, a warm feeling around the knee, fever, flu symptoms and fatigue. While the exact cause for the disease in general and its effects on the knee are unknown even as of now, it is widely believed that genetics and living environments play a part in who is affected by it and who is not. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee is diagnosed based on symptoms pretty much along the lines of general rheumatoid arthritis. Blood tests and X rays to verify the damage to joint are also used in the diagnostic process for this condition. A test of the fluid between the joints can also help diagnose the condition as a high level of inflammatory material therein will indicate rheumatoid arthritis affecting the said joint.

There are a few time tested treatments available for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. Common types of medication include aspirins, acetaminophen (or Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Most of these treatments are targeted at the pain as there is no cure to completely eradicate the condition. Regular exercises targeting the health of the joints can also be recommended as a practice to keep the condition in check. Excess weight can meanwhile compound the condition as the excess weight places a disproportionate stress and pressure on them. As such it is best to maintain a weight that is recommended for your height or to reduce weight via a suitable diet plan in case you are overweight.

In a worst case scenario where damage to the joints is severe, a replacement procedure may be required. This last resort surgery can be expected to produce a successful outcome thanks to modern day advances in procedures of the sort.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Its Signs, Symptoms and Pathophysiology

Rheumatoid arthritis presents with signs and symptoms that are distinguishable from other forms of arthritis. The classical signs it presents make its diagnosis easier and also enables the medical personnel to prescribe the right drugs for its treatment.

The signs and symptoms of this disease therefore include the following:

1. The onset is gradual
2. Stiffness of joints
3. Transient muscular pain
4. Numbness and coldness of extremities
5. Redness, soreness and swelling of some joints
6. Malaise and fatigue
7. Weight loss
8. Subcutaneous nodules over bony prominences
9. Joints of the fingers and toes are first affected. Joints of the elbow, wrist and shoulder later become affected
10. Fingers may become spindle shape with patient unable to make a firm grip
11. Muscular atrophy as a result of lack of use of the muscles
12. Anaemia (aplastic anaemia)
13. Patient appears undernourished and chronically ill
14. There are periods of remissions and relapses

Pathophysiology of Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis passes through four stages. The first noticeable stage is the inflammation of the synovial membrane (synovitis), causing congestion and oedema.

The next stage is the formation of pannus. A layer of inflammatory tissue forms in the joint capsule. Fibroblasts, leucocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells and other materials multiply from the synovial membrane leading to a pannus tissue which invades the cartilage and slowly replace it with tough fibrous tissue.

The disease progresses to the next stage otherwise known as fibrous ankylosis. This involves the conversion of the articular cartilage of the joint into fibrous tissue thereby inhibiting motion of the joint. The final stage is the bony ankylosis. In this stage, the bones of the joint fuse together thereby making mobility impossible.

The Facts About Septic Arthritis

Considered as the most dangerous form of acute arthritis, septic arthritis is caused by a bacterial infection in the joint cavity. Usually there is a primary site of infection from where bacteria spread. The site of infection is often along adjacent bone or soft tissue. Bacterial spread is usually through the bloodstream going to the joints. It is estimated that in the general population of 100,000 people, about 2 to 10 of them suffer from septic arthritis. On the other hand, 30 to 70 cases of septic arthritis can be seen in a population of 100,000 rheumatoid arthritis patients. A variety of factors can predispose a person to septic arthritis. Any simultaneous presence of bacterial infection such as genitourinary tract or upper respiratory tract infection can increase a person's vulnerability to septic arthritis. Additionally, serious chronic illnesses including renal failure, malignancy, cirrhosis and diabetes can increase septic arthritis susceptibility. Susceptibility increases with people who have a depressed immune system, or those who have previous immunosuppressive therapy. Accordingly, elderly individuals and alcoholics are also at higher risk of developing septic arthritis. People who are into prolonged use of intravenous drugs, including those who are addicted to heroin, have higher chance of contracting septic arthritis as well.

Septic arthritis comes suddenly with symptoms like intense pain, inflammation and swelling of the affected joint. These symptoms are often accompanied with fever and chills. The infected joint may cause voluntary immobility of the limb. Septic arthritis often affects large joints; specifically the knee. New born or infants who are affected with acute septic arthritis may become irritable and cry relentlessly whenever there is movement; especially when there is hip involvement. Pain is usually present in the groin, upper thigh and buttocks when septic arthritis affects the hip. In adults, knee involvement affects around 50 percent of all cases. The hips, wrist and ankles are also commonly affected with septic arthritis. Some patients may not show external signs of inflammation. Sometimes there is the presence of polyarthritis before the localization of infection. Muscle spasms are a very common occurrence of septic arthritis.

Doctors use several methods to diagnose septic arthritis. Positive identification of the presence of the causative microorganism in the joint fluid using Gram's stain suggests septic arthritis. There are also other additional methods used to diagnose septic arthritis. These measures include x-ray, radioisotope joint scan and white blood cell count. X-rays detect changes in the joint between 1 and 2 weeks after the onset of infection. On the other hand, radioisotope joint scan is used to check for changes and the presence of infection and inflammation in the less accessible joints like the spinal articulations.

Antibiotic therapy is generally the choice of treatment for septic arthritis. This should commence as soon as the causative microorganisms are identified. Elimination of the infection through antibiotic therapy is the primary goal of treatment. It has been observed that patients who were immediately treated with doses of antibiotic within 7 days from the onset of infection had higher cure rate compared with those who were treated a month after infection started. There is an arrest of infection if samples from the synovial fluid show a decreased white blood cell count within 5 to 7 days of antibiotic therapy.

What Is Seronegative Arthritis?

There are more than a hundred different types of arthritis, with each form affecting differing areas of the body, having different root causes and at times symptoms that cannot be found in the other forms of arthritis. The common symptoms of all forms of arthritis, however, is joint pain and difficulty resulting from damage to the connective tissues of the joints. Because each form is different, proper diagnosis is required in order to get correct treatment.

One of the forms of arthritis that gives doctors difficulty in diagnosis is seronegative arthritis. This disease is actually a collection of different forms of arthritis that have symptoms that are similar to rheumatoid arthritis. This similarity is what makes the different forms of seronegative arthritis sometimes be misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, but there are distinct differences between them.

The main difference, and the reason for the name "seronegative" is that those with rheumatoid arthritis are found to have the autoantibody called rheumatoid factor, while those with seronegative arthritis are found not to have this autoantibody. This, combined with an analysis of the different symptoms, can lead to a proper diagnosis of whether the form of arthritis present in an individual is rheumatoid arthritis, or one of the types of seronegative arthritis.

As previously mentioned, there are different forms of seronegative arthritis, and each of these forms affect different areas of the body. As with rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritis does not only attack the joints, but also different organs of the body, which again is one reason that the two can often be confused with each other.

Examples of this disorder include but are not limited to: psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's syndrome or reactive arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Psoriatic arthritis is a result of psoriasis, which is a chronic skin condition. Up to thirty percent of those with psoriasis will eventually develop psioriatic arthritis about ten years after developing psoriasis. This form of arthritis is inflammatory in nature, and has five different types, which can further complicate diagnosis.

Reiter's syndrome or reactive arthritis is caused by a bacterial infection. Often this form of arthritis is difficult to diagnose, as the infection that caused the arthritis has often been cured or in remission by the time the symptoms are observed. In most cases, reactive arthritis is a temporary condition, though up to twenty percent of those who develop reactive arthritis will develop a chronic form of this disorder.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a seronegative arthritis that affects the spine. It typically affects young males, aged twenty to forty, who will first experience chronic pain in the lower spine. This pain often spreads throughout the spine, into the neck, and may also affect the ribs, shoulder blades, hips, thighs and heels. Often those with this disease also feel fatigue, experience fever, and may be anemic as well. Up to forty percent experience inflammation of the eye as well.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Natural Treatment Discovered

I am a big believer in rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment options. These types of options are aimed at addressing the underlying dysfunction in the body and not just treating the symptoms. This is the real way to true health and helping your disease. RA is the most common autoimmune disease in the world affecting approximately 1% of people. Women are three times more likely to suffer than men. It is sad that finding rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment options can be very difficult.

Generally rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment choices aren't even pointed out instead of medicines in mainstream medicine. The reality that individuals are not really provided an alternative choice to medicines and medicine is unfair. Frequently many people will probably be not aware that a rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment is available. This information will talk about some of the things you are able to put into action directly into your way of life to begin healing the body and restoring your wellbeing. It may be considered a two step course of action. Getting rid of poor food items plus exchanging them with great food items.

The utilization of medications and drugs in the management of RA is absolutely missing the big picture. Drugs are typically dedicated to symptomatic care. And even though alleviating the symptoms is obviously crucial it genuinely misses the greater picture. Symptomatic relief can be had by covering up your symptoms with drugs, even though the true main cause has long been present in the body. Drug treatments do nothing at all to end the true actual reason behind autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment can not merely provide symptomatic reduction but will also address the true underlying reason behind your complaint.

Eating modifications are among the several things that will supply rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment. Getting rid of certain known foods that trigger inflammation and cause over activity from the immune system really are a excellent starting place. Should you dismiss these types of food items, it's possible that every day that you are activating your immune system and creating more signs and symptoms for yourself. There's a selection of food items which have been recognized as contributors, however an excellent starting place could be getting rid of wheat along with dairy. I understand these are generally large recommended food groups and also at initially many people believe that it really is impossible. The truth is that it will take some understanding to understand the way to include the dietary plan change. Getting rid of meals is simply one facet of rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment.

When we all have taken out the harmful food products from the diet, we can easily exchange these for wholesome in addition to beneficial foods. In the same way you can find certain foods that increase inflammation, you can find food products that can lower inflammation. Cold water fish is shown to lower inflammation. Additionally, there are several handy food supplements which will help with inflammation and also promoting joint health. Despite the fact that eating habits does play a crucial role in rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment, additionally, there are other factors that will contribute too. Psychological and mental stress can be another part of health that will have an effect on our well being. An all-natural method that addresses both these factors is the best rheumatoid arthritis natural treatment.

Doctor... What's the Best Treatment for Arthritis?

Regardless of the type of arthritis, the goals of arthritis treatment are similar.

These include the following:

o Relieve pain/inflammation

o Minimize risks of therapy

o Retard disease progression

o Provide patient education

o Prevent work disability

o Enhance quality of life and functional independence

While the goals are similar they are achieved using different approaches depending on the diagnosis. The effective management includes a combination of conventional medicines, effective alternative treatments, changes in diet and food, rest, exercise, lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss if needed), and joint protection.

Factors involved in decision making include the diagnosis, the severity of disease, and the patient's response to previous therapies.

The decision making doesn't end there either. As a patient is followed over time, things change. What initially was felt to be an effective arthritis treatment may no longer be effective...and side-effects may occur.

Additions and deletions of medications need to be considered. Drug interactions with other therapies are a concern.

Co-morbid conditions (other medical illnesses) enter into the equation. Newer therapies, when they arrive, may change the picture.

Patient preference, when it can be accommodated, should also be considered. And this dovetails with a patient's lifestyle... The right therapy for a working man of 35 may not be the right therapy for a retired woman of 80. The correct arthritis treatment for a hard-driving executive may not be ideal for a laid back person who wants to use as many natural remedies as possible.

Finally, the ever-changing landscape of insurance issues plays a role... in my opinion, way too big a role in decision making. In fact, I feel patients should not- not ever- make a decision to see a rheumatologist based on whether the physician "participates in their insurance plan" or not. The reason is that insurance plans do not pay a good physician what they are worth. If you value your health enough to get better, to feel less pain, to avoid crippling, then you owe it to yourself to see the best specialist, not the cheapest, and not just the one who "participates in your insurance plan."