Peter-ko Blog » Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis – Understanding its Types and Causes

admin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:50:05 +0000

Arthritis basically is a term that signifies more than 100 types of different diseases that cause pain and stiffness in the joints, along with inflammation. All forms of arthritic conditions cause some sort of joint pain. The degree and duration of the joint pain however, depends on the type of the arthritis along with its intensity.

Basically, there are two common types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that are prevalent in people. In osteoarthritis, the problem starts with the joint cartilage being destroyed. In other cases, the patients may suffer from bony outgrowth which is also called bone spurs. People also lose cartilage particles in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a problem that affects people who are old, being 55 years or older. That is why it is also called an aged disease of the joints. The victims are mainly affected in the hands, spines, hips, knees and the feet.

Rheumatoid arthritis is when the patient has white blood cells that divide, grow and multiply in the synovial membrane of the joints. Inflammation results in the joint capsule and the synovial membrane, along with loss of space in the cavity of the synovial membrane. As a result, the joint becomes painful and stiff. Cartilage can get destroyed if arthritis is not treated and pain is not relieved. There are many other types of arthritis that affect people, one of which is known as inflammatory arthritis. This causes severe inflammation in the joints and tendons of the person.

This is mostly characterized by the swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane – thereby causing severe pain and stiffness in the joints of the victims. Inflammatory arthritis makes the joint look red and warm when touched. Arthritis relief for victims is necessary to reduce the pain. In a country like United States, Arthritis is one of the leading causes of physical disability and thus its relief and treatment is extremely important. Approximately 43 million of Americans, which amounts to 16 percent of the total population, suffer from some form of arthritis. Moreover, it is not just adults facing this disease. Children in the United States are also facing this disease. It is estimated that 300,000 children are suffering from an arthritis related disease. Children particularly need arthritis relief and treatment more than anyone does, as they are quite susceptible to pain. Children cannot endure high degrees of pain unlike adults and need pain relief and arthritis treatment as soon as they are hit by it.

The Benefit of Alkaline Water for Arthritis:

Alkaline or ionized water has known to show countless benefits including providing relief for conditions that lead towards arthritis, particularly in case of joint pains and inflammation. Not taking a healthy diet, feeding more acidic foods to our body and not drinking enough water, all lead towards conditions that can cause diseases and health problems. In such as case, alkaline water can come to the rescue. Alkaline or ionized water has as slightly alkaline pH so an intake of alkaline water can reduce the acidity in our body. Lowering the acidity in our body can help get rid of the diseases that may be taking root, and health conditions can be improved as well. Ionized water is easy to obtain. All that is required is a water ionizer attached to the kitchen tap. The tap water passes through the ionizer and becomes electrically charged. The ionizer charges the water to become alkaline in nature. When the water is ionized or alkaline in nature, it becomes a natural antioxidant and it helps in fighting free radicals and eliminating toxins from the body.

Watch video related to Osteoarthritis

Pfizer Animal Health has introduced the first once-monthly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. The product, Trocoxil, was launched in Europe last month.

Help answer the question about Osteoarthritis

Can osteoarthritis in your lower back cause high risk pregnancy?
I have osteoarthritis in my lower back, as well as, being overweight with all of the excess weight in my mid-section. Can all of this combined with being pregnant cause me to be a high risk pregnancy?

About Author

Abdullah Salim -
About the Author:

ChansonWater.com provides substantial info on the benefits of alkaline water. Also Visit HealingWaterMachines.com for a good selection of water ionizers. Authors: Nedalee Ruiz and Abdullah Salim. Copyright Nedalee Ruiz 2009. Permission to Reproduce with links.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – Symptoms and Treatment

Admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:11:03 +0000

Arthritis is a common term for an illness that covers a broad spectrum that comprises more than one hundred illnesses. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common, while rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is the most severe form of arthritis.

What are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis?

How do you know which type of arthritis you have? There are certain symptoms present for different types of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:

- Paleness
- Appetite loss

- Low-grade fever
- Range of motion is limited
- Numbness or Tingling Sensations
- Redness of skin
- Inflammation of skin

- Hand and foot deformities

- Swollen glands
- Nodules under the skin – round and painless
- Pleurisy

- inflammation of the lungs

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can vary – and can include any of the above symptoms or all of the above symptoms. Different symptoms may be apparent at different stages of the disease. Consulting a physician with a list of your known symptoms can help you discover if rheumatoid arthritis is the type of arthritis you have.

Active and Inactive

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that can occur in stages. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be active or inactive. When the symptoms are inactive, the patient is in remission – and can have long periods of time with no symptoms present.

Signs of a flare-up can include:

- Fatigue
- Aches in muscles and joints
- Stiffness in joints
- Low-grade fever can be present
- Appetite loss
- Joints can become red, swollen, painful, and tender

During a flare-up of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, your daily routine can become severely limited. Things that you take for granted, like opening doors, opening jars, and sometimes, even walking, become too painful. At times like these, it is important that you understand that it is okay to let others help you.

Remission can occur at any time – there is no rhyme or reason. The symptoms can disappear at any time – and they can begin again at any time. Sometimes, the remission may last a few days and others times, it may last a few months.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

As with any medical illness, you should consult your physician for diagnosis. Once you have shared your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with your physician, he/she may suggest tests – including blood tests and x-rays of your joints. Your physician uses the results of these tests, along with your symptoms in order to make a diagnosis.

Once a diagnosis has been made, you should discuss your choices with your physician. There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis – but many people have effectively managed to control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. It is very important to maintain your overall health – physically and mentally – in order to manage rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. One very important thing to remember is that even if your rheumatoid arthritis is in remission and you have not shown any symptoms for months, it is important to maintain your healthy way of life. You should maintain your exercise routine in order to keep the muscles around your joints strong so that when your joints need to rely a little more on the muscles, the muscles will be able to carry the load.

Before you use medicine to treat your rheumatoid arthritis, you should educate yourself as much as possible. Learn all you can about the possible side effects, how the medication interacts with other drugs and foods, and how the medication will affect your daily life. For some people, controlling rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with medication may be the answer. Others may choose not to take the risks associated with the medications available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

For those who choose not to take that risk, there are many natural treatments that help to control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. There are many herbal remedies that can be ingested to help ease the symptoms – and many herbal remedies that can be used as massaging oils and liniments to help ease the pain and inflammation of the joints. Many home remedies have been effective for people for years – the key is to find the one that will work for you.