Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Is There a Natural Cure For Rheumatoid Arthritis?


Many people wonder if there is a natural cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Most doctors will tell patients who have been diagnosed with the disease that there is no proven cure for arthritis. What they mean is that modern medicine has been unable to come up with any cure for this condition. The question that many people ask then is whether there is a cure to be found in natural treatments.

Modern medicine has yet to determine the exact cause of RA. Without this information, they are unable to formulate an effective cure. There have however been some instances where people have found natural cures for arthritis. In all of these cases, the cure had something to do with their diet.

Treatment with Foods

The most promising natural treatment seems to involve seafood. Fish, in particular, seems to be particularly effective at curing arthritis. Some people discovered that when they added fish to their regular diets, their arthritis symptoms lessened. They continued to improve with continuous intake of fish. Eventually, people realized that it was the fish oils in the fish that was treating their arthritis problems.

Studies have since shown that there is a scientific basis behind this form of natural treatment for RA. The answer lies in the omega fatty acids in fish oils as well as other trace elements. These help to address the inflammation caused by arthritis and also the joint degeneration.

In some cases, conventional anti-inflammatory drugs have proven to be ineffective. In such cases, natural supplements derived from fish oils have been effective. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids have been particularly effective at combating rheumatoid arthritis. It works through reducing the effects of inflammatory agents.

Problems with Natural Treatments

While natural treatments do appear to have some potential, they still cannot be considered cures. Rheumatoid arthritis results in damage to the joints and surrounding tissues. Modern medicines have been unable to reverse this damage, and the body is unable to heal it on its own. Natural treatments have also proven to be ineffective at doing so. Thus while natural treatments are useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, they have not yet reached the level of cures.

Still Useful

While natural treatments for rheumatoid arthritis cannot cure the condition, they should still be taken into consideration. Modern medicines have often proven to be relatively ineffective at treating rheumatoid arthritis. In such cases, people often despair of ever finding any help for their condition. When this happens, they should be made aware of the existence of natural treatments. These treatments are relatively inexpensive, and have often proven to be very effective.

For those who do not wish to consume supplements, simple diet adjustments have been known to work as well. Many fish such as salmon are known to contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. By including fish in their daily diets, patients have been able to greatly improve their arthritis symptoms.

It can therefore be said that there is no proven natural cure for rheumatoid arthritis. However, natural cures should not be simply dismissed, as many doctors are wont to do. So, if you find that modern medicines have no effect on your rheumatoid arthritis, you should seriously consider using natural treatments to control the condition.

What Is Voice Box Arthritis?


Most people think rheumatoid arthritis affects only the small joints of the hands of feet. However, any joints in the body that contain cartilage and synovial fluid are targets for the disease.

Small joints in the voice box can be affected by arthritis. The larynx, or voice box, actually contains joints, called cricoarytenoid joints, that move the vocal cords to produce sound. If these joints become inflamed, which causes pain, then the vocal cords are not in the correct position to produce clear sound. As with other joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis, joint erosions and rheumatoid nodules also can be found, which may cause further damage. If these joints are affected to the point that they become fixed in place unable to move, there can be difficulty breathing. This constitutes a medical emergency.

About 25% of rheumatoid arthritis patients experience the symptoms above, plus a sense of fullness in the throat when swallowing or speaking, as well as occasional pain in the ears. There are small bones in the ear that are responsible for sound conduction. These bones, called ossicles, also have joints. When rheumatoid arthritis inflames or erodes those joints, they become less mobile.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients who have larynx or ear involvement as described above should have an ear, nose and throat specialist involved in their care, along with a rheumatologist. Ear, nose and throat specialists have special scopes to examine the throat and ears to make a correct diagnosis. If you have any of these symptoms and are bewildered by them, get to your doctor quickly.

Different Types of Arthritis in Children


Arthritis diseases are developed especially among the children. But, it may occur to anyone at any age. Rheumatology College in America estimates that one out of 1000 children are vulnerable to juvenile arthritis. There are many different types of arthritis that are found in children. It is still not discovered what actually causes such different types of arthritis in children, hence at present prevention is also unfeasible.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

One of the most common amid the various different types of arthritis is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). It is the dreadful disease that occurs mostly in children and it is popularly referred as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The indications of such diseases are stiffness and joint pain, similar to adult arthritis. But, this indication commences to assemble in those children who are below the age of 16. The treatment differs with each child and the indications also differ in stiffness.

Systemic inception Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

The other different types of arthritis comprises of systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. These different types of arthritis disease are developed mostly in children. It primarily starts with fever of 103 degrees Fahrenheit and above, which comes up and goes down. Often most, this type of fever is associated with a strange itchiness, which frequently arises and vanishes. Normally, systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis does not occur with fevers or rash, but occurs years later. However, there are cases, where the arthritis pain experienced was at the time of fever. Systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis not only inflames the child's joints, however it can possibly inflame the internal organs too. Often, the child feels weakness along with high WBC count. At such time, treatment method contains analgesics, other medicines, along with observation of the children's diet and usual physical activities.

Pauciarticular JRA:

This is the one of the common and different types of arthritis mainly observed in children. It is estimated that less than ½ of the arthritic children's are vulnerable to the Pauciarticular JRA. It occurs in girls more as compared to boys. Pauciarticular JRA normally attacks to at least 5 joints of a child's entire body. The side-effects of these different types of arthritis can be a permanent loss of vision or persistent eye troubles. It is an old fact that the children's of the age 7 or below who are diagnosed with these different types of arthritis are expected to recuperate effectively.

Polyarticular JRA:

These different types of arthritis are similar to the above mentioned one, excluding the effects. In case of Polyarticular JRA, it affects five joints of child's body. More often, this attacks the kids at any age. It can be treated with usual physical activities, drugs and standard check ups.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief


Rheumatoid arthritis is a very common medical condition. In fact, it is estimated to affect 8 million people in the UK alone. About 75 percent of those affected are women, and 1 in 3 women can develop rheumatoid arthritis in their lifetime.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. It is a systemic inflammatory condition of the joint lining. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 65. But if your thinking arthritis is something that only affects older people, think again. The universal perception is that arthritis is a disease of the older generation, but the majority of people with arthritis are under the age of 65, and unfortunately, it is a long-lasting disease, affecting people over many years.

The specific causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown. About 90% of the people with rheumatoid arthritis ultimately develop symptoms related to the foot or ankle.
Symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and fever may be associated with early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference for people with the disease.When it flares up, even straightforward tasks can seem like challenges.

When the first signs of arthritis appear, you may feel bewildered and you will have many questions. So call your health care provider if you think you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of arthritis include aching, pain or stiffness in or throughout a joint. They may start gradually or as a sudden attack.

So if you caught the early stages of the disease and you have had treatments, this will help decrease further joint damage and help control symptoms of arthritis.

We continue to hear claims that foods, special diets and supplements may help to cure or improve symptoms of arthritis. It is widely thought that eating a balanced diet and a variation of foods can help to reduce the symptoms.
Exercise plays a vital role in arthritis relief. A number of surgical interventions can help provide arthritis relief, however why not give these helpful tips a try;

1) Yoga -is very helpful for arthritis relief. Yoga is a slow, non-heart racing exercise.

2) Tai Chi, which is also a fantastic way to help Arthritis.

In addition,

3) Omega 3 and olive oil is another superb remedy for relief.

4) Drink raw potato juice this will help ease the pain of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

So go on, try a little bit of yoga or Tai Chi and keep taking omega 3 and or olive oil, and I am positive you will see fantastic results!

The Best Diet For an Arthritis Patient


Now more than ever, doctors are beginning to believe that some of the severity of arthritis can be reduced by eating the right foods and avoiding others. There needs to be a great deal more research done to investigate the right diet for every type of arthritis, but past successes have proven that there is a connection between what we eat and how bad our arthritis symptoms are. For instance, a gout patient who avoids alcohol and eats purine-rich foods can lower the uric acid level in the blood. Less uric acid drastically reduces the chances of having a gout attack.

Watch Your Weight to Lower Arthritis Risk

People who are as little overweight as 20% have shown a far greater risk of developing arthritis and of aggravating existing arthritis conditions. It is easy to understand that extra body weight will add to the stress placed on damaged joints. People who eat more also experience a greater likelihood of eating something that acts like an allergen in triggering flare-ups of arthritis and altering the immune system.

Any diet that is well-balanced and healthy will contribute to the well-being of an arthritis patient. In addition, it's always the smartest practice to avoid fad diets. You can never tell with a fad diet if you're getting the nutrients necessary for overall health and well-being.

Tests on the effects of high cholesterol and high fat foods on arthritis have proven that both contribute to the development of arthritis as well as to the increased pain levels of current patients. To start with, you want to eat a diet low in these items in order to avoid getting arthritis. If you already have arthritis, avoiding these foods will help relieve pain.

Among the foods that all people should avoid, and especially arthritis patients, are:


  • Foods from fast food restaurants

  • Soda

  • Potatoes, pasta, and other starchy foods

  • Red or other fatty meats

  • Foods that are high in saturated fats

Some foods are beneficial to those suffering from arthritis because they seem to relieve pain. Fruits which contain high vitamin C content include oranges, strawberries, and apples. Oily fish are high in vitamin E, and whole grain wheat products and brown rice also contain beneficial properties.

In the western world, people eat diets that are far too heavy in cholesterol and fat. This diet is detrimental to the health of everyone, but arthritis sufferers may be making their symptoms worse by continuing to eat this way. Everyone should be eating a diet high in nutritious foods that don't contain fats and cholesterol. Not only will this type of diet contribute to overall well-being, but it will also help people maintain their ideal weight. Overweight arthritis patients need to be the first to take up the cry: Fight Fat, Eat Right!

An Effective Osteoarthritis Diet That Can Help With Pains and Aches


Is there a specific osteoarthritis diet? It seems these days there is a special diet for just about everything, but among the risk factors or causes of osteoarthritis are several dietary concerns, not the least of which is being overweight. Even as little as 10 pounds of extra weight can increase the burden on the joints, particularly the knees, hips and ankles.

Proponents of "low carb" diets, like Atkins and South Beach, claim that eating too many carbohydrates causes weight gain, rather than eating foods that are too high in fat. They also claim that people lose as much as 15 pounds in the first two weeks.

This might be true for someone who eats a lot of junk food, because no chips, cookies or sodas are allowed, but following a low carb diet for extended periods of time can cause deficiencies in some nutrients that are particularly important for the maintenance of healthy bones, joints and cartilage. In other words, a low-carb diet is not a good osteoarthritis diet.

Most sources list the causes of osteoarthritis as heredity, frequent or severe injuries to the joints, other diseases and aging. But, researchers are currently studying the role of nutrition.

The long accepted theory is that cartilage cushions between the joints deteriorate with age, but this deterioration may not be inevitable. Some people never suffer from arthritis. If it was part of the natural aging process, one would think that everyone over a certain age would have some degree of osteoarthritis, but that is not the case.

There are many nutrients that the body needs every day in order to rebuild cartilage. A good osteoarthritis diet should include all of the nutrients needed to rebuild and prevent the breakdown of cartilage.

The same nutrients are needed in other parts of the body to perform other functions. So, if dietary intake is inadequate, the body may "use up" all of the nutrients to perform vital functions. While the average American diet is high in saturated fat, salt and calories, it has low nutritional value. So, even though a person is overweight, he or she may be getting inadequate nutrition.

In addition, the average American diet contains an improper balance of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids. There are many sources of omega 6 fatty acids, but the only really good source of omega 3s is fish. Most people do not eat enough fish; in fact it is difficult to eat enough fish to reach the recommended 1000mg per day without supplementation. In an osteoarthritis diet, the recommendations are closer to 3000mg, which is practically impossible to get without supplementation.

The immune system uses fatty acids to create numerous compounds, some of which increase inflammation, while others inhibit inflammation. The compounds derived from omega 6 fatty acids are mostly inflammatory; while those derived from omega 3 fatty acids are mostly anti-inflammatory. Because of this, many nutritionists believe that one of the causes of osteoarthritis is an imbalance in the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fats in the diet. Since, inflammation is the root cause of the pain.

Supplements that should be added to any osteoarthritis diet include the vitamins C and D, calcium and magnesium. Vitamin C is needed to form cartilage. Vitamin D, calcium and magnesium are important for healthy bones and the prevention of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis increases the risk of osteoarthritis.

Studies have shown that in persons with vitamin D deficiency the space between the joints is narrower, thus the joints grind together and cause pain. Doctors recommend 400IU daily for vitamin D supplementation. Other supplements, such as Glucosamine and chondroitin may also be beneficial.

An extract from the New Zealand green lipped mussel has been shown in studies to improve flexibility, reduce pain and morning stiffness in study participants. When taken with an omega 3 supplement, derived from fish oil, walking pace improved. The mussel contains glycosaminoglycans a component of connective tissue, such as cartilage. In addition to preventing inflammation, omega 3 fatty acids inhibit the production of an enzyme that breaks down cartilage.

for example, the University of Maryland's Medical Website states:

"...New Zealand green lipped mussel ( Perna canaliculus ), another potential source of omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to reduce joint stiffness and pain, increase grip strength, and enhance walking pace in a small group of people with osteoarthritis."

Overall, the best osteoarthritis diet is one that includes fish 3-5 times per week, low fat dairy products, fruit, vegetables and whole grains, while limiting total fat intake to 30% or less of total caloric intake and avoiding saturated fats. In actuality, this diet would be good for anyone.

Secrets Revealed About The Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet


The rheumatoid arthritis diet can be an invaluable resource in assisting the struggle against rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is categorized as being a systemic autoimmune disease. It's a long-term, systemic inflammatory condition which mainly affects synovial joints but could in addition affect tissues and organs. The disease course of action mostly leads to destruction in the articular cartilage as well as stiffness of the joints. Next to joint pain there may also be resultant irritation in the lung area, pleura, pericardium, sclera as well as nodular lesions within the subcutaneous tissue. Dealing with the main cause of any autoimmune disease is paramount to long-term well being and a rheumatoid arthritis diet is capable of doing that.

RA impacts around 1% of the world's human population, with women 3 times more prone to possess the condition then men. The condition generally starts in between the age range of 40 and 50, however it may also begin at all ages. It's really a agonizing as well as crippling condition, and when not maintained correctly may end up in lack of function as well as mobility. The medical diagnosis is dependent on presenting signs, the physical exam, x-rays and blood tests. This document will in short, talk about traditional remedies just before speaking much more about the rheumatoid arthritis diet.

There are a few treatments available for RA. Typically pharmaceutical treatments include painkillers (in the form of analgesics) and anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids to treat the symptoms. While the short term benefit of treating the symptoms has merit, in the long term it does little good because the underlying disease process continues. A stronger type of drug called disease modifying antirheumatic drugs are aimed at inhibiting the underlying immune process and decreasing long term damage. Unfortunately, all drugs carry with them severe unwanted side effects. True health can never be obtained from drugs. Restoring true health is the aim of the rheumatoid arthritis diet.

A rheumatoid arthritis diet can be an effective form of treatment, as dietary intervention has proven to be helpful for other autoimmune diseases. At the root of autoimmune disease is an over responsive immune system that is attacking the body's own tissues and cells. The over active immune response results in an array of symptoms. If we just focus on the symptoms, the underlying process and root cause of the problem is still present. Certain foods have proven to trigger autoimmune responses or inflammation. So it only makes sense that if we remove the offending foods from the diet, we can help settle down the immune system and restore proper balance and health to the body.

A rheumatoid arthritis diet approach is just not for all. The difficulties rest in the belief that some of the option of diet or alternative treatment solutions are not necessarily even presented to the sufferer. As opposed to medication, there isn't any damaging unwanted side effects from switching your diet. You're not having harmful chemicals straight into your system or a toxic stress on your own liver. It can be definitely worth a shot. There isn't any harm in trying a rheumatoid arthritis diet plus you've got only your quality of life to gain back.