Shaister Miester Do Da

Considering that they are both autoimmune disorders in which the body sets upon itself and causes harm, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are often confused with each other. So, where do you draw the line?

Experts agree that it’s very difficult to diagnose these diseases because the clinical symptoms and laboratory abnormalities tend to overlap.

these diseases affect women much more frequently than men. They are also both multisystem diseases, meaning, they can damage many organs. Like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis targets and causes damage to the blood vessels. Both diseases disrupt the normal function of the immune system, resulting in damaged tissues.

Lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus, is a complex disease whose cause is still undetermined. It can affect many parts of the body including joints, skin, and internal organs. Usually, the person develops a rash in the shape of a butterfly on the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose. Other symptoms include fatigue, hair loss, inflammation of the kidney, mouth sores, sensitivity to light, fever, and weight loss.

Like lupus, the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. It usually affects the wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles. The disease usually starts to manifest itself with fatigue and weakness, morning stiffness that lasts for more than an hour, widespread muscle aches, and loss of appetite.

In lupus, it is common for the patient to experience joint pain, but this pain is not associated with actual damage to the join itself. In some cases, swelling is not present in people with lupus. In rheumatoid arthritis, however, swelling is always present. This swollen lining is called the synovium. Lupus sufferers experience more pronounced pain than do rheumatoid arthritis patients.

One person can suffer from both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. When rheumatoid-like symptoms are felt by lupus patients, including deformities of the joint, treatment for rheumatoid arthritis should be applied instead. The patient is prescribed the standard RA treatment forms such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and, in some cases, more powerful to control joint inflammation.

Know more about Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis and more Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms at anaudlife.com

Arthritic Types And It’s Symptoms

Posted on: September 22nd, 2008

There are over hundred different classifications of arthritis and the symptoms vary from type to type. The most prevalent symptoms arthritis of different types would have are listed below.

Osteoarthritis starts with pain in the joints and stiffness which is progressive with almost no evidence of swelling, fever or chills whilst the patient conducts normal day to day activities. This condition is also referred to as arthrosis, degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis. It starts with a low grade inflammation resulting in joint pain that is caused due to the cartilage (covers the bone and functions like a cushion in between joints) being worn out. As the protection offered by the cartilage decreases, pain is felt by the patient when weight is to be born by the bones, and this would include activities as simple as standing and walking. With a decrease in movement caused by the pain, ligaments tend to become slack and muscles around the affected area can start to deteriorate.

Rheumatoid arthritis is conventionally looked upon as a disorder which has the body’s immune system attacking the body. The symptoms arthritis of this kind has starts off with inflammation, pain and the fingers, wrists, arms or knees becoming stiff on both the sides, especially upon waking up. This condition involves lot of inflammation and pain being caused to the patient. This can result in the patient’s mobility being restricted considerably. It is a systematic condition that can affect different tissues of the body like the muscles, skin, lungs, heart, etc. After ten years into the condition, approximately 60% of the patients’ ability to work is lost.

Infectious arthritis is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Symptoms arthritis of these types carry will vary depending on what is the cause of the inflammation. If the inflammation is caused by bacteria, the patient can experience chills and/or fever and the swelling and pain is generally limited to one place, appearing quite suddenly. If the cause is a virus, fever is normally absent, but the pain could be experienced throughout the body. Symptoms arthritis caused by fungi would appear in the form of a very slow progression of the swelling and pain, which could extend to months in some cases. The swelling and pain could be limited to one area or not, and mild fever can also be a possibility.

Juvenile arthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis. The symptoms arthritis of this variety displays include appetite loss, sporadic fever, loss of weight, blotchy patches on the legs and arms or anemia. An arthritis remedy and diagnosis in this case would depend upon whether the patient is a child or an adult. While recovery in some cases is complete, in others it remains a life long condition.

Gout arthritis is a condition where there is a build up of uric acid within the blood which results in the formation of crystals in joints as well as other parts of the body. Symptoms arthritis of this category carries are unexpected severe attacks that generally occur in the patient’s big toe; however, any of the patient’s joint could be involved.

The most common type of arthritis is Knee Arthritis, since knee joint is the major weight bearing joint and most commonly used joint, because of which complications arise most commonly.

An Arthritis Remedy can be found for almost all forms of arthritis if medical attention is sought at the preliminary stage. For the best Arthritis Cures visit the links in this article.

Recognizing and identifying the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis is extremely important in order to provide proper diagnosis and treatment before this disease causes irreparable damage. This chronic conditon has no known cure and causes the body’s immune sytem to attack its own connective tissue. The protective cartilage that acts like a cushion between the joints is affected, causing pain, inflammation, and damage; injury to other organs such as lungs, heart and eyes may occur as well.

Depending upon the activity of the disease, or the individual patient, the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis can be mild or severe. Common symptoms may include:

- Joint pain and stiffness in joints usually on both sides of the body (symmetrical)
- Fatigue
- Fever or flu like symptoms
- Morning stiffness lasting more than 20 minutes
- Muscle aches
- Swelling, redness of joints
- Chest pain that comes with coughing or deep breathing
- Chest pain when laying down or bending forward
- Nodules under the skin around the joints where there is frequent pressure

Diagnosis should be done as quickly as possible by a specialist called a Rheumatologist. The doctor will review symptoms and medical history with the patient. A physical and x-rays will possible be performed in order to determine possible joint damage and severity of joint damage. Blood work is ordered to detect the abnormal antibodies called Rheumatoid factor (Rhf), which is commonly found in over 80% of rheumatoid patients. Another procedure which may done in the doctors office is an arthrocentesis. Fluid is extracted from the affected joint by a needle and syringe. It relieves pressure and provides a sample of joint fluid to determine whether another cause of arthritis is creating the problem such as gout or infection.

Treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly done in two ways, “first line” medication and “second line” medication. “First line” or fast-acting drugs, such as ibuprofen, aspirin or cortisone, are used to reduce pain and inflammation. The “second line” or slow acting class of drugs are used to prevent damage to the joint and to bring the disease into remission. Treatments such as gold shots, methotrexate or plaquenil are known to be effective “second line” drugs. Surgery may be required to repair joints in some patients with severe joint deformity.

There are many other ways a sufferer is able to keep discomfort at a minimum. Regular physical activity aides in maintaining a healthy weight which relieves joints from unneeded pressure, it also prevents muscles from atrophying and becoming lax. Many foods such as night shade may cause painful flare ups, keeping watch on what is being consumed may aide in preventing pain as well. Topical rubs and heating pads are known to provide comfort and soothe painful joints and muscles. Glucosamine, Vitamin D and calcium are just some of the dietary supplements that can be taken to promote healthy joints and energy.

Please consult with a health professional before beginning any new treatment or exercise regime. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide a happy, healthy and active life can be had despite Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Learn more about dealing with the painful Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms at http://www.anaudlife.com where I share my thoughts, experiences and insights of living with this often crippling condition such as how to recognize Arthritis Food Triggers

What Causes Arthritis Condition

Posted on: September 7th, 2008

Each type of arthritis disease (there are over 100), has a particular list of causes, symptoms, and intervention methods. Although each separate arthritic condition is very different, one of the most commonly reported symptoms is pain. This is why the issue of learning how to deal with arthritis pain is so very important.

Arthritis Joint Pain

There are many options available to you if you suffer with arthritis pain. It is recommended that you begin taking one of the milder forms of treatment and then move your medication up in strength if required. Medications which many of us already use on a regular basis such as Tylenol and Aspirin can be effective pain relievers. Sometimes, the painful symptoms caused by the disease can be treated successfully with this medication.

For more serious arthritis pain relief, you will want to try creams and gels, which are topical medications that are applied directly onto the skin, and which for the most part can just be purchased over-the-counter. Arthritic conditions such as tired, inflamed joints and muscles can be treated very capably with creams The active ingredients that are found in arthritic creams such as salicylate, capsaicin or menthol, make them very effective. Arthritis medication, which can only be prescribed to you by a medical professional is the most powerful pain relief available.

The type of drug most commonly prescribed is analgesics. Even those with allergies and stomach problems are safe to take these drugs and the pain relief they offer is effective. In the majority of cases the analgesic prescribed is acetaminophen, a fabulously effective and affordable drug. Very successful pain relief for patients in extreme pain could be treated with a combination of acetaminophen and codeine. However, this should only ever be taken under the authority of a medical professional.

It may take a bit of time to find the particular form of arthritis pain relief that works best for you, but once you do find it, it will all be worth it. Just make sure that you stick to your doctor’s dosage instructions and that you keep in close contact with them and keep them abreast of how the treatment is coming along.

For More Information…
rheumatoid arthritis early symptoms

Where Can You Find Relief From Arthritis Pain?

Posted on: September 3rd, 2008

Arthritis is the name given to a group of over 100 conditions that relate to joint pain and inflammation. These 100 range in severity from the occasional annoying pain, to excruciating and debilitating pain that follows you every waking moment, and most of the sleeping moments as well. The really unfortunate may suffer from multiple forms of arthritis.

The multiple forms of arthritis may be grouped into two prominent conditions: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of the cartilage protecting your joints, and rheumatoid arthritis is pain and swelling in the joints. They are most common in weight-bearing joints like the knees, and in active joints like the hands.

Common warning signs include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty in movement. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it is advisable to see a doctor to find out if you do have arthritis. While arthritis generally afflicts older people, it can occur at any age, including children.

Treatment for arthritis pain generally includes painkillers, either over-the-counter like aspirin or Tylenol, or prescription for more intense pain.

Treatments like acupuncture, massage, warm baths, and yoga can also be effective. In very extreme cases, joint replacement may be undergone, which is the most expense, most invasive, but also the most effective of all arthritis treatments.

Arthritis Therapy: Effective Or Not?

Posted on: August 20th, 2008

Arthritis Cures is a serious concern for many people. This article addresses Arthritis and some of the issues surrounding Arthritis Symptoms. We hope it will help you to find an approach to reach your goals of arthritic pain relief.

Types of Arthritis

When we hear the word “arthritis”, we generally associate it with the elderly. This is not always the case, as arthritis can be found in people at any age, including children (juvenile arthritis). Most varieties of arthritis create aches and enlargement of your joints. Joints are simply locations where two different bones meet. Examples include your knee or elbow. Within time, a swollen joint can turn into extremely impaired. Particular forms of arthritis can even cause difficulties involving your organs including your heart or eyes. Among the various types of arthritis, some exclusively affect children, or are related to one’s immune system or aging.

Arthritis Symptoms
When consulting your doctor be sure to mention when you first started experiencing the pain and if there are any times the pains seems worse. Also knowing these common arthritis symptoms will make you realize when to make a doctor’s appointment or not. Generally, the earlier your doctor knows about your arthritis symptoms, the earlier you can be accurately diagnosed and get effective treatment.

Arthritis joint pain is an umbrella term for many different types of inflammations of the joints. Joints, in this case, do not refer to any herbal smokes, but to the natural hinges of your body. Joints and therefore, joint pain, are in your wrists, ankles, hips, neck, fingers, knees and shoulders. This is usually a pain you’ve never had before while performing tasks that you never before had any problems doing, such as opening a bottle or turning the pages of a book or walking up a flight of stairs.

Joint Stiffness

This is another of the major arthritis symptoms to look out for. Limbs and joints that previously not hurt while moving not only hurt, they refuse to move. This can be varied such as a hand refusing to uncurl from a fist position you made as you slept to not being able to move a leg. You move (or can’t move) more like the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz before he gets his dose from the oil can. This can get better throughout the day, and often gets worse in the cold.

Arthritis Remedy
Here are some ideas you help with your Arthritis Cures. You might not be able to do the activities you once could, but you can still be active. The hardest part about arthritis therapy is beginning it. It gets easier and easier once you keep at it. You can help your joints and your arthritis therapy by not being too demanding of yourself and not comparing your results with others.

Jump In The Water

Non-aerobic exercise means low-impact exercise that still gives your body a work out, but at much less stress levels. A lot of people find swimming, water aerobics or water walking to be their arthritis therapy of choice. Not only is it fun, but pools are widely available all over the country.

Tai Chi

There are many gentle and interesting arthritis therapies that you can do on dry land. There are many non-aerobic exercise systems based on centuries old Oriental techniques. These include yoga, Pilates and the martial arts. They not only promote balance, coordination and physical strength, but a mental serenity and a chance to relax from your worries by going into a series of various positions. Tai chi is one of the most gentle and is often encouraged for arthritis therapies because there usually is not a lot of bending or lying down involved.

The Truth About Arthritis Explained - A Guide

Posted on: August 19th, 2008

Arthritis usually means pain in the joints but it is a disease of the muscles and the bones so there could also be swelling and pain all over. Each bone is covered with a living tissue that covers the ends of the bones and guards them from rubbing against each other; this tissue is known as the Cartilage. Cartilage is made of living cells known as chondrocytes and this tissue resembles many of the other human organs. The chondrocytes die, they are replaced with new ones and the life cycle goes on.

However, over an extended period of time, the inflammation can kill more of the cartilage cells than the body is able to replace. This happens when the body is not healthy and suffers from malnutrition, injury can also be another cause. The condition causes damage where instability, deformities and joint weakness can obstruct daily life. Generally, arthritis can be treated with physical therapy, medication, and changes to the lifestyle the individual is used to living. If all zero or less intrusive interventions give no relief then as a last option joint replacement surgery can be used.

Arthritis is mainly categorized into two types, ‘localized’ and ‘generalized’ depending on which areas are affected (body or the joints); they are then sub categorized further. One of the sub-categories is localized conditions which only affect the soft tissue that surrounds the bones or joints, and is used to relate to conditions like tendonitis or bursitis. A sub-category of this affects one or some of the joints like hip or knee joints. In generalized arthritis, the disease affects the soft tissue and muscle where there isn’t any evidence of inflammation or swelling. This condition does not indicate joint damage; a common type in this category is fibromyalgia.

The second sub category is one where there is inflammation and the whole body is affected. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and psortiatis arthritis are examples of the next conditions in this subcategory. Other generalized conditions are polymyositis (muscles); systemic lupus erythematosus (skin, kidneys, or other organs); and vasculitis (any organ).

An individual is capable of having more than just one arthritis type and it includes over one hundred different medical conditions that are known to affect roughly forty six million adults and three hundred thousand children within the United States. As early on as infancy, this condition can begin, even though it is most commonly seen in adults that are over the age of sixty, in the primary form of osteoarthritis. As the American population ages, the number of people suffering with it is increasing.

Medical care and indirect expenses costs over 124 billion dollars in the US where arthritis and related problems are the main cause of disability. Individuals can help prevent osteoarthritis by following a few simple steps: Maintaining appropriate weight and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables as a good source of vitamins c and d. By taking the time to make sure that you are consuming enough calcium, participate in regular exercise and avoiding injuries that are brought about due to sports activities, you can also help with prevention of this condition.

For related information on arthritis cures or specific arthritis cures

It is believed that rheumatoid arthritis can begin in women betweens the ages of 40 to 60. Now I say women because this form of arthritis is actually 2 to 3 times more likely to appear in women then it is in men. This form of arthritis tends to cause the lining of joints to become inflamed, as it begins to progress rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can become more severe. This form of arthritis damages tendons, cartilage, ligaments and bones in our joints. However when it begins to advance it can also damage other areas of our bodies which can include our lungs and blood vessels.

There are several different types of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and signs. These many different signs and symptoms that can form can be: Joint pain, Joint Swelling, joints that become tender to the touch, hands may turn red and puffy, firm bumps of tissue that are located under the skin of our arms are known as rheumatoid nodules, more fatigue, morning stiffness that can last up to 30 minutes, fever and also weight loss. At this time it is unknown what exactly causes rheumatoid arthritis, however it is believed to run in families. At this time what we do know is that this form of arthritis causes our natural defense system to attack our joints.

In the early forms of rheumatoid arthritis it will begin to affect your smaller joints, these joints include your wrists, hands, feet and ankles. As rheumatoid arthritis begins to advance it will then begin to affect your shoulders, knees elbows, hips, jaw and your neck as well. rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can change in their severity and are also known to come and go as well.

If you feel like you are suffering from any rheumatoid arthritis symptoms then it would be in your best interest to consult your doctor. There are however different types of treatments that are available to you. Since there is no actual cure for this form of arthritis, the treatments that are offered to you aim to help reduce your pain and also help to prevent or slow down the joint damage.

News About ARTHRITIS TREATMENTS

Posted on: July 22nd, 2008

diet and arthritis : Control Arthritis through Diet

It is a universally accepted fact that arthritis does not have a medical cure. However, it can be controlled with alternative medicine methods such as yoga, herbal treatment and a close watch on the diet. Yes, your diet can make a great impact on the way arthritis is manifested in your body.

The diet control is aimed at checking the build-up of toxins and acid waste that usually accumulates in the body when a person has a high-calorie diet. Ideally, the diet of an arthritis patient should not exceed 2000 calories. The best would be to consume a fair amount of fruits, vegetables and proteins minimizing the intake of carbohydrates to the maximum extent possible.

Foods You Should Include In The Diet

Reports show that people suffering from arthritis benefit greatly from drinking the juice extracted from green leafy vegetables. For an extra edge, a little beetroot and/or carrot juice might also be added here. Several studies show that an alkaline reaction is triggered in the body owing to the intake of such raw juices, which eliminates the negative deposits around the joints.

Fruit juice is yet another highly recommended food input for arthritis patients, with special emphasis on pineapple. This is because pineapple consists of a unique ingredient by the name of bromelain, which directly impacts the inflammation caused by arthritis. Other fruits that control arthritis are melons, bananas, citrus fruits, apples and apricots.

Garlic, which is also a very effective anti-inflammatory agent, may be incorporated into the day-to-day diet either in raw form or as capsules of the arthritis patients to control both infection and inflammation. A little known fact is that garlic has some great analgesic properties as well and hence, it is as an added benefit against this crippling disease.

Finding Alternatives

Indigenous medicine advises arthritis patients to consume regular doses of juice extracted from potatoes diluted with water in a fifty-fifty ratio. In order for this remedy to be effective, it is important that the potatoes be organically grown and unpeeled when used for this purpose. The juice should be drunk in small measures (say one cup) every morning on an empty stomach.

Since alkaline foods are highly beneficial in the effort to combat the worst symptoms and manifestations of this disease, the arthritis patient would also profit from consuming alfalfa seeds tea. The recommended dosage would be approximately six to seven cups spread over 24 hours, for best results. In a very short while, this diet would show visible results, much to the delight of the afflicted person and their dear ones.

It is important to lean here that Vitamins A & D are vital for the body to cleanse it from infection. In this context, the arthritis patients would do well if they concentrate on the fact that their body might be starved of these two vitamins. Vitamin D can be obtained through exposure to the sun, since a chemical reaction would release Vitamin D when the skin is exposed to direct sun.

Several studies have pointed to the fact that certain foods aggravate the condition of the arthritis patient. Hence, it is important to avoid consuming all preserved meats, all kinds of cheese, meat stock, coffee, salad dressing, chocolate and candy among many others.

With a little care and the right diet, the arthritis patient would be able to keep a tight check on this disease and in the process live a normal life like any other non-afflicted person.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Arthritis - rheumatoid arthritis medications

Magnetic Bracelet For Arthritis

Posted on: June 21st, 2008

As a result of the interest in natural arthritis treatments, many doctors are becoming much more open to advising their patients on different types of natural arthritis treatments that have been proven effective for some arthritis patients in clinical trials.

The degree of arthritis pain will vary from one person to the other. The success of using magnetic bracelets for arthritis will depend a lot on your condition. Some will only experience inflammation of the joints while other will also have inflammation of the tendons, which is known as tendonitis. People who develop tendonitis will experience more pain than those who only have joint pain. Often the amount of daily activity will affect the amount of pain one experiences.

Copper Bracelets And Cure For Arthritis

It is believed that copper can help diminish the pain of arthritis. This is a very old, tradition that incorporates the idea that if the body absorbs copper, it will reduce the pain caused by arthritis. Although not a proven remedy, people have been using magnetic bracelets for arthritis for many years and feel it is a viable solution to their pain.

People are always looking for arthritis copper bracelets. The idea behind arthritis bracelets is nothing new. There doesn’t seem to be any adverse reaction for most people using copper bracelets and cure for arthritis, and if relief is believed to occur, then there seems to be no reason to try this fold remedy for pain relief.

Arthritis Bracelets Copper And Magnetic can be found in almost any health food store or on ebay. These arthritis bracelets are not medically proven to be effective in the treatment of arthritis. With that said, it should also be stated that not much research has been done into the use of copper, either in the arthritis bracelets or as part of a treatment plan. Besides the arthritis bracelets that are made out of copper, there are even some places that will sell copper lotion to rub on the skin. Keep in mind when purchasing arthritis bracelets, that these can also turn the skin green around the area where it is worn.

Magnetic Bracelets For Arthritis are yet another treatment for arthritis. These are again based on century old theories that involve the use of magnets to get the body in balance. The magnetic bracelets are thought to use the North and South poles magnetic fields to create a balance that will re-charge the body to heal. There is, again no true scientific evidence to support this claim, but there are people who say they feel better while wearing magnetic bracelets.

Because arthritis can be such a agonizing condition to have to contend with, and since many traditional medications have not been proven to be completely successful at alleviating the pain effectively, many arthritis sufferers are turning to natural arthritis treatments that they can use in conjunction with traditional therapies.