Psoriatic Arthritis

What Is Basal Joint Arthritis?

2010-10-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

Antral Gastritis

Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints. It often affects the joint at the base of the thumb, called the basal joint. Basal joint arthritis is most common in women over 40, but anyone can get it. Often it happens in both thumbs.

Causes

Basal joint arthritis occurs as a result of wear and tear on the joint. It is more likely to occur, and at a younger age, if you have fractured or injured your thumb. Repeatedly gripping, twisting, or turning objects with the thumb and fingers may make the arthritis worse.

Inside Your Thumb

The basal joint is formed by one of the wrist bones and the first of the three bones in the thumb. This joint allows the thumb to move and to pinch with the fingers. When arthritis occurs in the basal joint, it slowly destroys the joint.

Arthritis Destroys the Joint

The ends of the bones are covered with cartilage. This covering acts like a cushion, allowing the bones to move smoothly. Arthritis destroys the cartilage. Then the bones rub against each other when you move your thumb. This causes the joint to become inflamed and painful. This makes pinching and grasping with the thumb and fingers painful. With time, the bone in the thumb may collapse. Then you can no longer straighten your thumb.

Symptoms

The most common symptom is pain in the lower part of the thumb. You may feel pain when you lift something with the thumb and fingers, unscrew a jar lid, or turn a door handle or a key. You may find yourself dropping things. Weather may also make the thumb hurt. The joint may swell, and with time the thumb may become stiff or deformed.

Causes of Arthritis

2010-10-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

Some types of arthritis are genetic or inherited (i.e., they tend to run in families). Others are related to a chemical imbalance or are due to an overactive immune system. All forms of arthritis affect the joints; however, some also involve the muscles and connective tissues of the body.

OA is the most common form of arthritis, primarily affecting people over the age of 60 years. It is degenerative in nature - cartilage in the joints gradually wears away, causing the ends of the bones to rub against each other. OA can develop spontaneously for no apparent reason or be due to a secondary cause, where the joint damage results from an injury or trauma.

Physical measures of rheumatoid arthritis

2010-10-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

Physical measures: Cold may be applied to reduce pain from temporary worsening in one joint. While orthopedic or athletic shoes with good heel and arch support are frequently helpful. Joint splinting reduces local inflammation and may relieve severe symptoms. And molded shoes may be needed for severe deformities.

Exercise should proceed as tolerated. And heat therapy can also be helpful. While Paraffin baths can warm digits and facilitate finger exercise Active exercise also helps to restore muscle mass and preserve range of joint motion should not be fatiguing. Massage by trained therapists, traction, and deep heat treatment may be useful as well.

Exercising with Rheumatoid Arthritis

2010-10-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

A rheumatoid arthritis exercise regimen may be the last thing on your mind when you are tired and your joints ache, but it may be just what you need to ease pain and improve your energy level.

New studies tell us that regular rheumatoid arthritis exercise can help to reduce joint pain and stiffness, than to increase joint mobility and muscle strength and improve psychological well-being. Also , the regular exercise can also help to reduce risk of other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease, which can accompany rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis-classical treatment

2009-09-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

Surgical treatment of RA can be preventive in the early stages of the disease, but also a method of choice at a later stage (total endoprotheses of hip, knee, etc.).
Without doubt, it is necessary to put emphasis on the need for early recognition and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis as the beginning of a differential combination therapy for better and more effective control of the disease. The success of treatment depends on the time of diagnosis, the ability of physicians to properly dose drug treatment and continued implementation of the method of physical therapy and kinesiotherapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis- is there any treatment and can we heal it

2009-09-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

Medical treatment significantly changed in the last 10-15 years. Since the pathological process is taking place at several levels, using the "combination therapy" (a combination of several drugs) we try to act on different mechanisms of disease. Since the destructive changes of joint develop very early, especially in the first 2 years of illness, we are trying to suppress inflammation and prevent further development of the damage with a specific therapy. Today treatment is based on the setting diagnosis as earlier as possible and the beginning of combination therapy with several basic drugs from the beginning of the disease. "Gold standard" in the treatment of RA today is methotrexate, immunosuppressive drugs that is given in weekly doses. For the purpose of repressing inflammatory activities from the beginning of the disease is applied low-dose of corticosteroids. Successfully are used drugs like Sulfasalazine and resochina, and lesser gold salts. Application also have anti-rheumatics non-steroidal (NSAID), which have primarily analgesic effect, but also the anti-inflammatory effect. Today there are already on the market NSAIDs with fewer side effects in the area of digestive system, and with the same anti-inflammatory efficacy - koksibi or COX-2 inhibitors. Today they are registered or pending registration of new drugs called biologic agents.
In the treatment an imperative place has and a method of physical therapy and kinesiotherapy (therapeutic exercises) with the aim of preserving the functional abilities of patients in all stages of the disease. Such treatment should be strictly individual, respecting the various stages of the disease, existing joint damage, age and sex of patients and general cardiovascular changes.

Rheumatoid arthritis disease - Incurable and with variable flow

2009-09-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Prognosis and course of RA are variable. It should be emphasized that the lack of specific biological markers may impede the diagnosis of RA. However, by careful examination and taking into account the clinical and laboratory indicators, which are integrated into the existing criteria of American rheumatic society, it is possible to make a diagnosis.

Both patients and physicians must be prepared for variable course of the disease. After diagnosis, patients are often frightened, imagining themselves in the future as completely disabled and immobile. Attempts to argue with patients that such an outcome is not really common, allows him or her to fight with illness and actively participate in his or her treatment.
Unfortunately, there is no magic cure; no specific climatic factors or various diets will not change the course of the disease. The goal of treatment is to preserve as long as possible the functional ability of patients to all life's activities, in other words, reduce pain and discomfort, to preserve strength and joint function, prevent deformity and treat systemic complications. These goals can be achieved by drug therapy, physical and occupational therapy, and when necessary hospitalization.

Rheumatoid arthritis - development of disease III - What happens outside the joint?

2009-09-20T08:27:00.001-07:00

In approximately one quarter of patients appear rheumatoid nodes, usually on the outside of the elbow, or the inside of the knee and are a sign of a more difficult and more active disease. On the eyes most common is so-called sicca syndrome - dry eye with a sense of scratching beneath the eyelids. On the lungs is possible a development of inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. Although frequent, changes in the heart are without symptoms. The most common hematologic change is in the occurrence of mild anemia that correlates with the inflammatory component of diseases.

Rheumatoid arthritis - development of disease II

2009-09-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

With the progression of the disease affected are almost all large and small joints, creating deformation typical of rheumatoid arthritis – move of the fingers of hands and feet towards outside, "Z" deformity of thumbs on the hand, "swan neck", "hole for the button”, hammer toes and various other defects. In the final stage very often there is no possibility of closing a fist so more difficult are everyday activities like cutting bread with a knife, opening jars, the inability of combing, washing, etc. The impossibility of extending elbows significantly limits the function of the hand, especially if it is associated with frequent limit movement in the shoulder joint.

Hips may be affected, but very rarely isolated. Knee is the most common, initially affected individual wrist. At this joint we have the easiest way to discover a swelling and synovial membrane thickening. Four-headed muscle of the femur weakness (in front) and the consequent instability of the knee joint are causing the further progress of deformation. Often we find cysts on the back of the knee joint, which when repeated movements of bending and extending the knee, can burst.

Rheumatoid arthritis - development of disease I

2009-09-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Irreparable changes

Usually begins gradually, with symmetrical effect to the joint of hands and feet, and later other joints. May be affected practically all the joints including small joints of the spine. Typically affect women between the ages of 35-55. External factors such as bacterial or viral infection, surgery, trauma, birth, psychological stress, in some patients coincide with the beginning of the disease. Spine is usually spared, except for neck parts, especially the joint in the upper part of the cervical spine.
However, most frequent is the gradual emergence of arthritis of the hands and feet (polyarthritis), with a typical morning stiffness of all affected joints. Morning stiffness usually lasts longer than an hour, sometimes for several hours, but in the beginning or in the milder phase of the disease may be shorter. Clinical signs of disease include painful swelling of joints with absence of skin redness and disturbed function of the joint. Later appears a significant limit of movement in the affected joint, joint instability and deformity with deterioration and weakness of muscles. Joint swelling is the most important early sign of disease. Although effect on the joints is classically symmetrical, identical small joints of the hands and feet may not be strongly affected on both sides.

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

2009-09-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

As a result of inflammatory changes, there is instability in the joints that leads to progressive development of the typical deformation.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the joints. Usually begins in the third or fourth decade of life, although it is possible to start at any age. During illness, most of the joints, particularly in the limbs are typically affected symmetrically. Flow is variable and includes periods of worsening and improving, while a spectrum of clinical manifestations is wide, from the difficult to identify to deforming and destructive forms of the disease. Diagnosis depends primarily on clinical examination and fulfilling a sufficient number of clinical criteria. It is believed that today, there are 1% of people suffering from the disease of the adult population, while women predominate in all series, usually in relation 3:1.
The cause of the disease remains unknown. It is possible that some artritogeni factors serve only as a "trigger" - the initial driver of immunological events in the immune predisposed people by producing auto antibodies to their own proteins (immunoglobulin).
Primary process occurs in the inner (synovial) joint membrane, which, due to inflammation multiplies in thickness and becomes swollen, with ingrowths of new blood vessels and accumulation of inflammatory cells. Creating a binder and granulation tissue creates the so-called. panus, which gradually damages from the periphery and destroys bone and cartilage, creating irreparable changes in the joint material. As a result, there is instability in the joints that leads to progressive development of deformation typical of RA.

Picture 1 - The stage of progression of pathological changes in the joint
- Inflammation
- Spreading inflammation with the formation of panusa, starting the destruction of cartilage and secondary osteoporosis expressed
- Fibrous changes - fibrosis Ankylosis
- Bone Ankylosis with advanced osteoporosis

Uric arthritis or gout Part IV

2009-09-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

Treatment of uric arthritis or gout

Since uric arthritis or gout is usually a hereditary disease, it cannot be cured. Uric arthritis can be treated only in order to slow down or prevent the progression of the disease and mitigate its accompanying problems. Treatment of uric arthritis consists primarily in easing inflammation in the joints and pain. In addition, treatment reduces the production of uric acid, prevents its precipitation of its salt in the form of crystals and enhances the secretion in the kidneys, so that the amount of uric acid in the blood would be within the normal range.

Uric arthritis or gout Part III

2009-09-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

Inflammation of the joints

Usual place of deposition of uric acid crystals have been the cartilage of joints. Deposits of crystals can be placed on the joints, without causing any disturbance. Only when the crystal layer increases and damages synovial cell membrane, which is located between the cartilages of joint bones, it leads to inflammation. The first sign of infection is usually a sudden, severe pain in one joint, and usually it happens at night or morning, immediately after getting up. The joint very quickly swells, it is very painful, red and warm, and a patient often has fever.

At first gout attack, which usually occurs after the fortieth year of life, pain is always in one wrist. Almost always it is the join of root of foot thumb joint, and rarely the place of the first attack is foot joint, ankle or heel. After, the inflammation can catch every joint: the knee joint or elbow, or joints of the fingers on your hands. It is important to know that there is no other inflammation of the joints that at the beginning of the disease has sudden and strong start as gout.
First attack of uric arthritis or gout usually goes away, even if not treated, for ten days, although swelling and tenderness can still take a while. When the inflammation settles, the patient again is feeling completely healthy, diseased joint is painless and fully motile until a new attack. Often, the next attack occurs only after several months or even after several years, but that attacks occur more frequently. Very rare are the cases that never have an attack, but with the duration of the disease they are becoming more frequent.
The next attack may hurt the same wrist, or other, but at the same time more joints. Inflammation often affects other joint, and each new attack is all the more difficult and painful, and lasts longer. In addition, each subsequent inflammation more damages joints. Little by little it leads to severe gout: swollen, distorted joints. Due to the created deposits of uric acid crystals, the joints are permanently thickened and thickenings are visible as solid subcutaneous, smaller or larger bumps. These knots often occur at joints of the fingers, heels, knees and elbows.
After 10 years and more of frequent attacks of arthritis it develops chronic uric arthritis, which is characterized by the absence of periods without pain.

What is Uric arthritis or gout Part II

2009-09-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

Uric acid

Uric acid is an organic component of urine and the final product of decomposition of purin substances, which are an integral part of the protein in the nucleus of human and animal cells. The largest part of the uric acid is excreted to the kidneys and by kidneys in urine, a small part is excreted through the intestines, although it is a waste product, normally it is found in the blood a 34 mg of uric acid. When there is disorder in degradation of purin own cells or substances of food intake, it increases the amount of uric acid. How the disease a uric acid is not secreted in normal quantity out of the organism, it leads to its retention in the blood.

Deposition of uric acid crystals in joints

With more than 50% of the patients and in which there are still no signs of illness, crystals of uric acid are deposited in some parts of the body. Except in the kidneys, uric acid crystals are deposited under the skin and on the joints at different locations in the body. As the uric acid crystals are deposited very slowly in one place, deposits grow slowly and often become visible and painful after 10 years and over. How slow the process of deposition of uric acid crystals is seen by the fact that the total amount of these crystals, which are deposed over the years, is usually not more than 35 grams. Only at a very increased amount of uric acid in the blood, which has already caused damage in kidneys, crystal deposits in joints are formed quickly.

What is uric arthritis or gout Part I

2009-09-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

Uric arthritis or gout is a rheumatic disease caused by a disorder of uric acid transport in the body. The disease is characterized by increased amounts of uric acid and its reduced secretion from the body, and which causes retention of uric acid in the blood and deposition in the form of salts in different places in the body. Uric arthritis is most commonly hereditary disease, inherited is a tendency toward the creation of increased amounts of uric acid and its reduced extraction from the body.

Occasionally increased amount of uric acid in the blood does not mean at the same time the disease. Small and transient increase of uric acid in the blood is often caused by inappropriate food or taking certain medications, and only in about 5% of the cases it leads to the development of disease. In addition, the finding of increased amounts of uric acid in the blood during childhood does not necessarily mean that it will later come to the development of disease. Because, besides hereditary tendencies, and other diseases for which there has been damage to kidney function, diet and life in general is also associated with the emergence and development of uric arthritis.
Often, uric arthritis as a disease for a long time is not noticed, though there is an increased generation of uric acid and its retention in the body. Usually the first signs of uric arthritis occur only after the fortieth year of life, and disease very rarely occurs in children and before the 25th year of life.

Fish oil cures arthritis

2009-08-04T15:14:00.000-07:00

A new study of the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia shows that, when taken in large doses, fish oil can help patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Patients have at their disposal numerous methods of treatment rheumatoid arthritis, including steroids, analgesics and physiotherapy, but the researchers found that taking large doses of fish oil may also alleviate the symptoms of that disease. Patients who receive large doses of fish oil have shown drastic reduction of symptoms of illness than those who take the traditional medicines. After two months of fish oil treatment, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis were weaker, some patients have felt more pleasant and mobile and had less need to take analgesics, which after a longer consumption increases cardiovascular risk and can cause problems in the upper part of the digestive tract.

However, the vice-president of Australian medical associations Peter Ford warns that fish oil does not help at all types of arthritis, and emphasizes that it is useful at inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatic which affects one percent of Australians. Taking large doses of fish oil does not have serious consequences, but patients may have problems with digestion and unpleasant breath.

Help for arthritis

2009-08-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

The latest research shows that cherry provides protection against heart disease and protects the blood vessels. Regularly consuming cherries prevents the development of certain types of cancer and the emergence of diabetes. This fruit helps in treatment and delay of memory disorders, and cherry was proved successful in reducing inflammatory processes and alleviating pain in arthritis. A glass of cherry juice would be equivalent to 0.3 grams of aspirin, and frozen sour cherries have activity as 0.9 grams of aspirin.

Although such a finding until recently was considered folk story, the evidence speak in favor of that glass of cherry juice can alleviate the problems with the joints and bones. Elevated concentrations of uric acid lead to the aggravation of problems with joints and gout.

During the fifties of last century it has been successfully proven that the reason of beneficial cherry action may be just that by regular consumption it reduces the amount of uric acid.

Treatment of arthritis by changing habits

2009-08-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Proper nutrition and reduction of excessive body weight reduces the unnecessary burden of your joints, and will contribute to your overall health and wellbeing.

To prevent the pain when carrying out daily tasks, it is necessary to implement minor changes in living habits:

• heavy objects lift from squatting not bending,
• Lift objects with the use of both hands,
• do not turn around while lifting objects,
• avoid lifting cargo above shoulder level,
• arrange the burden you carry equally on both hands,
• have sufficient rest
• sit with both feet on the floor with the knees in the height of thighs and firmly leaning back
• if the work at hand is done by sitting, stand up and take a walk at least every hour,
• If you must stand in one place, lean alternately to one or the other leg
• walk upright and wear comfortable shoes

Heat treatment of arthritis

2009-08-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

Heat therapy is often used as self-help in a number of conditions, primarily to resolve the symptoms of acute or chronic pain, especially one that is associated with tension or spasm of muscles. Often is used to alleviate problems with arthritis, bursitis and other painful syndromes of the joints.

Types of arthritis in which heat helps are: rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis / juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's syndrome. Often the application of heat helps with back pain caused by protrusion of inter vertebral disc, because it relives painful spasm of surrounding muscles. Stiff neck, painful shoulders, tennis elbow, inflamed tendon ...these are the states in which heat significantly facilitates the problems. Of course, heat must be defined in terms of strength, length of duration, extrae humidity.

Early infection associated with arthritis

2009-08-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

To children who in the first year of life had a serious infection threatens greater risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis, announced the Swedish scientists.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm believe that infections in early childhood may affect the developing immune system, and later lead to the appearance of the autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects young people, and it is estimated that in the world 20 million people are suffering from it.

Swedish researchers have followed between 1973 and 2002 more than 3500 babies and have found that serious infections before the first birthday are associated with the double major risk for the development of rheumatoid arthritis in young adult age. Babies who were born too early or had a small body mass had a reduced risk of getting a rheumatoid arthritis.

News in treatment of arthritis

2009-08-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

On the basis of clinical examination were revealed significant changes in the treatment of patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, say experts.

Researchers from the University of Amsterdam conducted a test that included 755 patients, and they observed the effectiveness of drug Rituximab, when given along with a medicine called Methotrexat.

All members of the research were diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis and for 12 months have received methotrexat or rituximab in combination with methotrexatom.

Researchers have found that the number of patients who had symptoms of illness withdrawn was almost three times higher in the group who was receiving a combination of drugs, then in the group who was receiving only methotrexat.

Symptoms were after one year withdrawn in almost one third (30.5%) of patients who received a combination of medication, compared with only 12.5% of patients who had taken only methotrexat.

Discovery was presented at the annual conference of European society in the fight against rheumatic diseases, and could be significant change in the way patients are treated, said Professor John Isaacs, a leading Rheumatologist from the University of Newcastle.

The experts added: "These good data show that the ritximab should be applied as early as possible in the treatment of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis."

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease of connective tissue, and it is considered that encompasses approximately 1% of the population.

I wanted to be clearly said that I wrote this article to help people with these informations !

Arthritis: Environmental factors

2009-08-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

Under the meaning of "environmental" we include all factors that influence the emergence of disease, which cannot be explained by heritage, or established genes. In a broader sense, environmental factors are those that are outside the person and are related to food, water, air, etc.

With rheumatoid arthritis are known several environmental factors that can be immediate link with the appearance of disease:

1. Hormones and pregnancy.
Using tablets for contraception as well as the pregnancy is associated with reduced risk for getting a RA. However in the period after birth, especially after the first birth, the risk for developing disease is increased. It is also believed that breast-feeding after the first pregnancy represents the highest risk for the emergence of diseases, in comparison to other breast-feeding after pregnancy.

2. Infection
There is a number of indirect epidemiological evidence that previous exposure to triggers of an infection may be the reason for the emergence of RA. This attitude, among other things, was inspired by observations that the frequency of rheumatoid arthritis in the world is constantly decreasing, which is probably a consequence of a permanent decrease in the number of infectious diseases. Another indirect proof is a greater frequency of illness in persons who received transfusion, through which it is possible a transfer of infective triggers.
Most often with RA is linked Epstein-Barr virus, a cause of infectious mononucleosis and bacteria Proteus and Mycoplasma.

3. Other environmental factors
a. Diet.
Scarce epidemiological research on the linkages between RA and diet pointed to the possible protective role of omega-3 fatty acids in the emergence of diseases.
b. Smoking.
Somewhat numerous investigations have shown that people who smoke have a higher risk for this disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis still remains a challenge for epidemiological research, which seeks to detect and enlighten hereditary and environmental factors of this disease and their mutual interactions.

Arthritis - Estrogen is protecting women

2009-07-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

Uric arthritis affects mainly adult males. Climax in appearance of disease is the fifth decade of life, and is declining from the sixth decade onwards. Rarely occurs in children and women before menopause. This is connected with continuous mild increase in levels of uric acid in serum of men from childhood onwards, and in women values remain practically equal to the menopause, when they start to grow. Additional reason for no appearance of gout during the reproductive age of women is probably the result of action of estrogen, which stimulate secretion of uric acid to kidneys.
In developed countries the number of the patients with uric arthritis is higher, which is attributed to a higher standard of living and related way of eating and living. Finding of elevated levels of uric acid is relatively common, but it is considered that of about 30 people, only one will develop symptoms of arthritis.

Arthritis Hereditary factors

2009-07-31T11:45:00.000-07:00

Several types of epidemiological research have shown the importance of genetic factors to the emergence of diseases.

1. Research on the "migration" groups of residents revealed that despite living in countries with a particular predisposition of some disease, the population of other ethnic groups that settled in and for generations are living in those countries, they maintained the frequency of the disease that is characteristic for the countries from which they migrated from. Thus, in England, was found a very low frequency of RA among the Caribbean population and of Pakistani origin, which is significantly smaller than those in English domicile population.

2. Family grouping of the disease. It is estimated that the appearance of RA is about 2 times more frequent in family members. However, it is considerably less than in other chronic diseases such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

3. Research on twins has shown that 50-60% incidence of the disease in both twins may be explained by their common genetic characteristics. Today, there are some known genes responsible for disease, such as HLA DRB1 and HLA DRB1 * 0404, which is estimated to have been responsible for about 50% of the genetic effects of related to RA.

Uric arthritis (gout)

2009-07-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Uric arthritis is a metabolic disease characterized by high value of uric acid in the blood, recurrent attacks of acute arthritis caused by disposal of uric acid salts in the joint, and disposal of these same salts in the tissues and creating uric stones.
Uric arthritis is known to the people under the name of gout.

Gout is the oldest described rheumatic disease (the first records date from the time of Babylon, where was described a very large clinical picture without, for that time, knowledge about the pathophysiology of disease). The same condition in the sixties of 20th century, found its place in the classification of rheumatic diseases - only then was known its pathophysiology and the reasons for the attacks of acute arthritis.

Epidemiologically we might say that this is a disease of men between 40 and 50 years of life (women rarely get sick in this age) and well nourished and healthy men, whose acute attacks of very painful joints regularly occur after eating rich and excessive drinking.

Treatment of uric arthritis or gout

2009-07-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

Since the uric arthritis or gout is usually congenital disease, it cannot be cured. Uric arthritis can be treated only in order to slow down or prevent disease progression and relieve its accompanying problems. Treatment of uric arthritis consists primarily in calming inflammatory processes in joints, and lowering pain. In addition, treatment reduces the production of uric acid, prevents its precipitation in the form of salt crystals and enhances secretion to the kidneys, so the amount of uric acid in the blood would be retained in the NAD.

Although for uric arthritis is recommended diet with little purin, much more effective is to reduce intake or not taking food that contains higher amounts of purin, fat and cholesterol. It is not recommended the intake of meat food because purin substances are an integral part of core proteins in animal cells, and their decomposition results in uric acid. Except that it is not recommended to take alcohol, it is also not recommended to take coffee, cocoa and chocolate.

Medicines for Arthritis

2009-07-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

So far, for the treatment of Alzheimer we have a lot of medicines that do not lead to healing, but only to the mitigation of symptoms. Remedy that would heal illness is still unknown.

For some time we talk about the effects of different anti-inflammatory drugs, and some studies have shown relief of symptoms for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Relationship exists between no-steroids anti-inflammatory drugs and reducing of symptoms in people suffering from Alzheimer. But this is just treating the individual symptoms, not the cause of disease. There is no effective remedy for it yet. No anti-inflammatory no drug for now certainly does not have force to heal Alzheimer’s disease.

The most vulnerable: THOSE WHO EAT MEAT

2009-07-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs as a consequence of the immune system attacks of the connective tissue of joints, causing intense pain and the stiffness.
It has been proved that consuming large amounts of red meat (five or more portion a week) significantly contribute to this. Study of British campaign for arthritis research revealed that people who eat meat every day multiply the risk of arthritis as opposed to people who consume it only twice a week.
Researchers observed the habits of 25,000 people and concluded that the collagen in meat acts as a trigger for the immune system. Another possible cause is a large amount of iron in meat, and it is proved that the iron accumulates in the joints and causes damage to tissues.

Muscular atrophy, or degradation of muscle fibers, is associated with each diet with poor entry of protein, because they have a crucial importance for building muscles and their preservation in good shape.
People who cross often from vegetarian to meat in the diet are in danger to disturb normal muscle development. Excellent source of proteins are beans, rice and broccoli, peanut butter, soy bean and tofu.

Mitigation of stiffness and uncomfortable feelings

2009-07-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

In the text that follows you will find some instructions that will help to alleviate the uncomfortable feeling and get the rhythm again.

Stay mobile. Let your joints be mobile. This can achieve that for a long time joints will function better, and you will also improve your attitude towards life. And do not forget that a small movement can achieve a lot. If you do not bear movement except for the light work in home and garden, then it is fine too.

Gymnastics, gymnastics, gymnastics... When the inflammation is withdrawn, then the gymnastics works best. There are various types of gymnastics, which are applied to alleviate arthritis. The simplest, easiest exercises that can almost all patients do who suffer from arthritis, are called the practice of movement (range of motion). They contribute to maintaining good mobility, as joints are in the motion. In gymnastics exercises for arthritis, you can find a lot of movement exercises recommended by Institute of arthritis. Isometric may contribute to the strengthening of muscles. It produces resistance, and so that the muscle is tense, and that the joint does not move. Exercises in which you carry your own weight, such as walking, also generate muscular force. Although the exercises to strengthen muscles, help patients who suffer from arthritis, these exercises to help with treatment are conducted under the supervision of a therapist or doctor. People with cardiovascular diseases should not do exercise for many hours.

Living with arthritis

2009-07-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

Nearly 37 million Americans suffer from one of the different types of arthritis or rheumatism. Only a small number of people will experience a deep old age, without joining this club. To be honest, there is no cure, but there are steps that you can take, to improve your health and have more control of your life. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and rheumatism and also so many causes. In the known diseases mentioned are osteoarthritis (inflammation of the bones and joints), rheumatic arthritis, gout, and lupus.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by decay and loss of cartilage. Cartilage is the tough tissue, which divides the bones in the joints from each other and bends them. If the cartilage is worn, the bones scrape against each other, making the situation worse. In the case of osteoarthritis breakdown of cartilage is accompanied by minimal inflammation, and bone that is underneath becomes increasingly harder. Sooner or later every one of us gets affected by it in the old age.

On the other hand, rheumatic arthritis is not inevitable aspect of aging. From so far unknown reasons, it leads to infection of the skin on joints. This causes pain, swollenness; feeling of heat, affected place turns red. When you have gout, it comes to accumulation of needlelike crystals of uric acid in joints. The reason for this is interference in the possibility of body to burn purine or move it. Purine is a chemical, which is contained in foods such as liver, kidneys and pilchard. This disease mainly affects men over 35 years, who have excessive weight and are inactive.
In contrast, lupus affects mostly women. This disease occurs as the body defense system attacks healthy cells. Symptoms are broadly spread from pain in the joints through inflammation in the mouth, to chronic fatigue.
Although you cannot cure your problems, you can apply a range of measures, it will make you become more active and have more control over your life.

Moderate drinking prevents arthritis

2009-07-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

Two Scandinavian studies have shown that moderate consumption of alcohol may reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Respondents who drink are about 40 to 50 percent less likely to get sick from rheumatoid arthritis

Dr Henrik Kallberg of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, with his associates evaluated the data of two studies – Danish which compared 444 persons with rheumatic arthritis and 532 control individuals without arthritis, and the Swedish study on 1024 patients suffering from it, and 871 in control group.
In both studies the average number of alcoholic drinks per week was lower in people with arthritis than in healthy ones: 2.9 compared to 4.1 in Swedish study, or 6.6 to 9.0 in Danish, the researchers published in the journal Annals of the rheumatic diseases.
Respondents who drink most are about 40 to 50 percent less likely to get sick from rheumatoid arthritis, compared with those who consume alcohol rarely.
Both studies indicate that the reduction of risk by drinking is more expressed in people who have smoked at least once than in those who never smoked.
"The main message is still that stop smoking is the most effective way of reducing the risk of rheumatic arthritis," concluded the Kallberg and associates. "But this recommendation should not necessarily be combined with a recommendation to stop moderate drinking," they add.

Arthritis and sexual positions part 1

2009-07-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

Men with back and hip pain.

Pain in the back is very frequent. Used up discs, stiff nerves, a lot of difficulties make the normal life of many men very hard. High body weight, sitting in the wrong position, heavy physical jobs, incorrect posture, the reasons for the pain are endless. Many people are found in the confusion, after the need to re-discover complete aspects of their lives, including sexuality. Movements should be slow, certain positions are impossible, which can strongly affect the confidence of man, who feels that he is no longer able to satisfy a woman. It is also the time when we can rediscover the forgotten aspects of sexuality, closeness, tenderness and paying attention. Maybe positions are limited, but maybe it is time to understand that sex is not just exercise.

Suitable are all positions in which a man should not use his hands and shoulders, and ultimately back muscles. Location, full of tenderness and intimacy, is the lateral position where partners face each other. Legs on the upper side are meshed together, and there is participation of both. This position is hard, but provides a lot of pleasure and clitoris of women is strongly stimulated. If a man has a strong pain in his back, the woman should be on top and watch that the she carries all the weight. Since the partner cannot get up, women can stretch one or both legs and with the upper body lean towards the partner. This position is similar to the before described, and is intensive, although the motion is restricted.

Pain in arthritis: Exercise!

2009-07-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

Exercise, not rest is often the right therapy

Until 25 years ago, standard treatment of arthritis was inaction. The doctors at that time thought that the best way to maintain function of joints is simply not to move. Even today, many doctors believe that inaction in combination with pain medication is the winning combination for the problem of arthritis.
For this reason, a few years often passes since the appearance of arthritis that patients spend by taking pain medications of different strength. However, it usually does not help, so eventually they go to see specialist rheumatologist, directed by their doctor. To rheumatologist they come because they are still, despite all the medicines, in strong pain.

What to use against arthritis?

2009-07-21T11:23:00.000-07:00

The goal for treatment of rheumatic diseases is the control of immune responses, reducing the pain and increasing mobility of joints. It is necessary to learn the immune system not to react against its own organism.
Black currant (Ribes nigrum) is one of the best natural anti-rheumatics. Be noted that the active substances are placed in the leaves and not in the fruit of black currant. It is used in a way so that the sheets are covered with warm water for ten minutes. Thus obtained drink you need to use several times during the day, always before meals. The best preparations were obtained from fresh plants and contain the highest concentration of active substances.

We recommend product of leaves of black currant to be taken internally as well as the gel for application on painful joints. They are very effective in suppressing symptoms and facilitate problems to patient with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases of joints (osteoarthritis, gout, infectious inflammations).

What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

2009-07-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is arthritis in one or more joints that occur at the age 16 and below and lasts at least for 6 weeks.
There are 3 main forms of Juvenile idiopathic arthritis:
1. Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis with polyarticular tendencies - affects 5 or more joints
2. Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis - affects 4 or fewer joints
3. Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis - characterized by expressed increase of temperature, rash and arthritis of various joints.

Although the cause of Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is unknown, genetic factors associated with the immune system and viral factors may be included.

Link between breastfeeding and rheumatoid arthritis

2009-07-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

Women who breastfed for at least a year have 50 percent less chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis, announced the Swedish scientists.

Comparing data of 136 women with rheumatoid arthritis with data collected from 544 healthy respondents, researchers from the University of Malmoe found that women who breastfed less than a year have on average 25 percent less risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis. Results released by the journal Annals of rheumatic diseases suggest that motherhood in itself does not have any protective effect on rheumatoid arthritis. It is already known that women are exposed to twice increased risk for this disease than men.

Scientists have not discovered a mechanism that would explain the results, and are further confused by the fact that breastfeeding increases the secretion of prolactine, hormone that stimulate the immune system, and that could even increase the chances for development of rheumatoid arthritis. In the same study was found that use of birth control pill does not reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment for arthritis

2009-07-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Medications that are given in arthritis are usually very heavy with a wide range of side effects. Medication Type Indometacin, Ibuprofen and Piroxicam often cause bleeding; Voltaren can cause problems with liver, etc. It is therefore extremely important to try to prevent the development or at least facilitate the situation for people suffering from arthritis. If a person that has the illness also has excessive body weight, it must be aware that the loss of kilograms eases symptoms of arthritis. In people suffering can often have too high acidity of the blood, which can cause dissolution of cartilage in the bones. With method of analysis of hair can be found that some people with arthritis have elevated levels of lead in the organism. Also it is considered that the iron also is included in the development of arthritis. Therefore, people with arthritis should not take extra iron, or iron with MVM.
The patient should begin as soon as possible with physical therapy after his is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Early start of therapy helps preserve more function and independence of the patient. Educating of patients is extremely important and necessary since the diagnosis of disease because research has shown that such patients are easier to face the disease and better cooperate in their treatment and rarely suffer from depression.

Early infections associated with arthritis

2009-07-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

To children who in the first year of life had a serious infection, threatens greater risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis, announced the Swedish scientists.

Researchers from Stockholm believe that infections in early childhood may affect to the developing immune system and later lead to the appearance of that autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects young people, and is estimated that in the world 20 million people are suffering from it. Swedish researchers have followed between 1973 and 2002 more than 3500 babies and found that serious infections before the first birthday are associated with the double risk for the development of rheumatoid arthritis in young adult age. Babies who were born too early or had a small mass when born had a reduced risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis, the scientists wrote.

Meals for rheumatoid arthritis

2009-07-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

One interesting article that I recommend.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful autoimmune disease. For unknown reason the body attacks its own tissue and the result is a serious infection.

There are many states that specific foods or certain foods help or cure rheumatoid arthritis.

The idea that there is a solution for this disease is very attractive, but scientific research does not yet offer the final answer.

What seems to be helping is not too strict vegetarian food, Mediterranean food, olive oil and a lot is heard about the favorable impact of consumption of cherry. Prominent magazines like Journal of Nutrition contain the results of enrichment of diet with cherries, which has a beneficial impact on indicators of inflammation that were reduced by approximately 20%. In addition to the fruit, it seems to be useful also fruit juice.

When it comes to food and rheumatoid arthritis, a very important is individual approach and specific food, in this case cherries, to some they help and to some they do not.

Experts recommend diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, foods rich in calcium, protein from skinny meat, a lot of fluids and energy input, which will provide a desirable body mass.

Research on the beneficial effects of cherry are ongoing and still there is no final answer to the question of whether and how cherries help reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

What is arthritis?

2009-07-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

Arthritis literally means inflammation of joints, but in fact is a symptom that has many causes. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is caused by changes of individual joints, followed by rheumatoid arthritis, which is the connective tissue disease.

Osteoarthritis is a result of the deterioration of cartilage of joints; joints and bone remain unprotected and touch each other. When the movement of joints happens, it leads to friction of unprotected parts of the bones that can lead to their thickenings and the formation of bone prominence. Friction of thickened unprotected parts of the bones is causing pain.

Contrary to the general opinion, pain in joints and spine affect all age groups, are caused by heritage, injuries and diseases of joint cartilage. Changes in the joints in arthritis are persistent, but symptoms may get easier by healthy eating, changes in life habits, by exercising and taking medications that can be obtained without a prescription.

Treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis: part III

2009-06-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Self help
In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis it is very important to actively participate in the treatment of a disease.

• Exercise regularly - regular exercise slows the effects of damage of joints and prevents limited function of joints and deformities. It is recommended that you consult with a physician what are the best exercise to do with respect to the stage of clinical picture and the general condition of patients. Usually it is recommended to exercises in a full extent of movement, but slowly in the balanced rhythm, without twitch.
• Regulate body weight - increased body weight is a further burden on already damaged joints.
• Use hot compresses - hot packs will help reduce pain and tension in the joints and at the same time will increase the impaired circulation.
• Take medication regularly.

Treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis: part II

2009-06-28T13:45:00.001-07:00

Physical Therapy
In treatment an unavoidable place have a method of physical therapy and kinesiotherapy (therapeutic exercises) with the goal of preserving functional capacity of patients in all stages of disease. Physical therapy along with therapy with medicines is the most important part of treatment.

Most often are performed passive exercises with full range of motion, slowly and without twitch until the appearance of pain. Regular training enables restoring muscle mass, keeps the normal range of movements in the joints.

Very important are also active exercises such as walking and specific exercises for the affected joints, but should be careful not to lead to overstrain.

Treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis: part I

2009-06-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Patient should start therapy as soon as he is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

From the very beginning of treatment it is extremely important education of patient about their disease because such patients better cooperate with the doctor in his therapy. Only early start of treatment can delay the progression of disease, increase the quality of life and preserve function of the locomotor system.

There is no specific medicine for rheumatoid arthritis, and the therapy is based on reducing the symptoms of a disease and prevention of development of deformity and disability.

Forecast and the progress of rheumatoid arthritis are variable, and in spite of proper treatment over 10% of patients remain severely disabled.

Tai chi against arthritis

2009-06-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

Traditional Chinese exercise Tai chi can reduce pain and facilitate walking for people who suffer from knee arthritis, researchers say. Scientists have followed a group of people older than sixty years of age with severe osteoarthritis in the knee that have exercise tai chi for an hour twice a week during the period of 12 weeks and a similar group that have been practicing stretching. In those who were exercising tai chi was noticed the greater reduction of pain, less depression and improve knee function and health in general, reported the doctors under the leadership of Chenchen Wang from Boston Tufts Medical Center at the meeting of the American Association of Rheumatologists held in San Francisco.

Tai chi is a method of exercise developed in China many centuries ago. By exercising tai chi, a person slowly performs a series of movements in which muscles and joints are not exposed to strong pressure and efforts. These exercises can fix the muscular function, balance and mobility. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, occurs by using of cartilage tissues of joints. It is incurable and eventually will get worse. Osteoarthritis in the knee can cause chronic pain while the person is standing or walking.
The study included 40 people who suffer from decades of osteoarthritis, and Dr. Wang notes that the research should include a large sample.

Medication for arthritis does not increase the risk for tumor

2005-06-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

Popular medications for rheumatoid arthritis, which blocks protein associated with inflammation, as it seems, does not increase the risk for cancer, say Spanish researchers. Medications in use since 1998. Medications known as TNF-blockers have the effect on the immune system by blocking activity of inflammatory proteins TNF-a, tumor necrosis factor. These are drugs in use since 1998, but some studies showed that their use increases the risk for cancer - particularly lung cancer and lymphoma - by reduce the reaction of immune response system. - Despite the fears, blocking TNF-a does not increase the risk of cancer - said Dr. Loreto Carmon from Spain foundation for rheumatology in Madrid.

Research on data from the medical board
Carmon, who presented his research at the annual meeting of the American Association of Rheumatologists, which is held in San Francisco, used data from the medical board from two Spanish registries of patients. In one were the data on 4500 persons who had taken medication since 2001, until 2007, while the second had data on 800 patients from the period of 1999. – 2005, who have not taken medication. Researchers have discovered 70 cases of cancer in the group who took medication and 29 cases of cancer in the group who did not take medication. Because the groups were in different sizes and that they encompassed different periods, scientists have made a calculation that did not show a statistical difference in risk for cancer.
Respondents are not sorted by age, sex or other health risks Dr. Eric Matteson of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, who has not participated in the research, estimated that the research shows that the overall rate of risk for cancer, if it exists at all, are still very small. But he cautioned on several study limitations, the main is that subjects are not pre-sorted by age, sex and other health problems. Among the TNF-blockers are infliximab or Remicade, Humira or adalimumab, etanercept or Enbrel and Cimzia or certolizumab pegol. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and often affects young people, cause pain, swelling and stiffness. The disease hit 20 million peop worldwide.