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Arthritis

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.

Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia.

There are many forms of arthritis (over 100 and growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many forms of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.

The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), inheritance, infections, and unclear reasons (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus).

Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognosis. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and many have the potential to affect internal body areas.

What are symptoms of arthritis?

Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be present.

Many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases, can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling, weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.

Common Forms of Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA is a chronic condition that affects the entire body. However, it mainly presents as an arthritic condition, in which there is inflammation in the same joints on both sides of the body (example: both right and left wrists may be affected). This leads to scar tissue replacing the normal tissue, narrowing the space within the joint, limiting movement and causing pain.



In RA the immune system, for unknown reasons, attacks its own joints and surrounding tissue. Experts do not completely understand why this so called "autoimmune" reaction occurs, but they think that some people have a genetic predisposition to RA and that its onset may be triggered by an infection, poor diet or emotional stress.

Symptoms

The onset of RA may be sudden, with inflammation in many joints, or slower, with one joint being affected after another. There is pain and tenderness in the inflamed joints. Usually the inflammation starts in the smaller joints of the hands, wrists, elbows and ankles, but it can occur in any joint.



Pain and stiffness lasting more than a few minutes on arising in the morning or after prolonged activity is common. Deformities in the joints can develop and some common ones include:

• Hands shifting away towards the baby finger (ulnar deviation)


• Fingers may become fixed in a characteristic "swan neck" or "boutonniere" deformity


• Enlargement of the lower joint in your fingers (proximal interphalangeal joint)


• Nodules located on the bony surfaces of joints, most common at the elbow

Because RA is a condition that affects the entire body, other signs and symptoms often include mild fever and anemia. In more advanced cases, the connective tissues of the lungs, heart and blood vessels can be affected.

Treatment

There is no known cure for RA but the following are some popular forms of treatment:

• Patients are advised to get sufficient rest and sleep


• Exercises to maintain joint function and strength


• Medication for the relief of pain and reduction in inflammation


• Therapies to prevent deformities and muscular contractures, including physical and massage therapy


• Nutritional counseling to ensure proper balance in one's diet of vitamins and minerals


• Ultrasound


• Stress management, as stress has been shown to be a factor in exacerbation of the condition

Natural Supplements that may Help

Vitamins C and E work to protect cells and are excellent antioxidants. Zinc is also recommended, as those afflicted with RA are often deficient in this mineral. Copper has also been shown to help maintain proper balance of zinc and it also has anti-inflammatory properties. Fish oils combat stiffness and evening primrose oil controls inflammation, There is evidence that glucosamine sulfate may help to stop the breakdown of cartilage and/or help build up healthy cartilage, but it can raise levels of blood glucose and is not recommended to diabetic patients. Even cartilage-rich homemade chicken soup may help.



It is, however, very important that you discuss taking any natural supplements with a health care professional, as certain supplements may be harmful to your specific condition.

Osteoarthritis

OA (also known as degenerative joint disease) is a non-inflammatory condition in which the shock-absorbing, smooth, gel-like cartilage in between joints is worn down, causing the remaining bones to rub abnormally against one another, resulting in pain in the involved joint.



OA is subdivided into two classes based on the cause of the condition

• Primary osteoarthritis


• Secondary osteoarthritis

Primary osteoarthritis is referred to as "wear and tear" OA. It is the more common class of OA, and may be caused by an intrinsic defect in the cartilage. Primary OA is quite prevalent in men under 45 years of age, and many of them have a family history of this condition. Excessive weight and occupational overuse also play a role in primary OA.



It is believed that several factors contribute to the development of secondary OA, including defects in joint structure, prior infection, disease and/or inflammation.

Symptoms

The main signs and symptoms associated with osteoarthritis include:

• Pain deep within the joint, specially when there is weight or resistance put on that joint (example: walking and therefore putting pressure on the knee joint)


• Stiffness following periods of inactivity and in the morning


• Reduction in pain after movement for short periods (around 15 minutes)


• Pain after long periods of activity (example: playing sports, needle work, or other repeated activities of daily living)


• Reduction in the normal range of motion within the joint


• "Crunching" sounds on movement of the joint


• Bony enlargement at the joint (most commonly seen in the joints of the fingers)

Treatment

There is no known cure for osteoarthritis. Cartilage cannot be rebuilt by any medication or therapy (with the possible exception of glucosamine sulfate) once it is broken down. Therefore, many of the treatment options try to deal with the pain associated with OA and with the prevention of further damage. Treatments for OA include:

• Rest of the involved joints


• Wet heat therapy, including warm baths, hot compresses, and moist heating pads.


• Massage therapy helps maintain joint mobility, decrease the tension in the surrounding muscles, and helps increase circulation and synovial fluid (a fluid present in joints which helps nourish the joint capsule) movement within the joint


• Corticosteroid injections to the involved joint


• Joint replacement in severe cases

Natural Supplements that may Help

Glucosamine sulfate is a sugar which may affect the build-up and/or breakdown of cartilage. Taken by itself or in conjunction with chondroitin sulfate (a constituent of shark cartilage and also human cartilage) it may help relieve some of the pain associated with OA. However, diabetic patients should be aware that glucosamine sulfate may cause increased levels of blood sugar.



Sea cucumber, a Chinese remedy, through unknown mechanisms may help reduce joint pain and stiffness.



Cayenne cream used topically helps inhibit the production of substance P, a chemical involved in relaying pain sensation to the brain. Beware that this cream can cause a burning sensation.



As always, it is very important that you communicate with your health care provider before taking any natural supplements, herbs and/or vitamins, as they may not be the right choice for your particular condition.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis can be described as a form of arthritis which is accompanied by psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by red patches covered with gray/silvery scales. The arthritic side of this condition is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis, except that rheumatoid nodules (sometimes a feature of RA) are absent. In addition, the rheumatoid factor (a special type of antibody often found elevated in the blood of patients with RA) is not present in the patient's blood. In patients with this condition psoriasis of the skin almost always precedes the arthritic condition.

This disease affects both men and women equally and the onset is usually between the ages of 20 to 50 years old.

It is believed that with this condition there is a strong hereditary predisposition but infection and changes in environment can also have an effect on one's chances of becoming afflicted.

Symptoms

The arthritic aspect of this condition is usually mild and only affects a few joints, usually the fingers, wrist, elbow, knee and ankle. There is usually pain and inflammation at the joints, and loss in range of motion within the joint due to the pain. The patient will also notice psoriasis in nearby skin and nails of the joints affected. There is also sometimes noticeable pitting of the nails.

Treatment

There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis. However, the symptoms can be managed in order to reduce the discomfort. The approaches to treatment are bi-fold; the patient needs to deal with the psoriasis separately from the arthritis.



Some recommended treatments for the psoriasis include:

• Decreasing the dryness of the skin by avoiding harsh soaps and chemicals


• Using creams or oils after bathing or outdoor exposure


• Using a humidifier in dry weather


• Light therapy, a form of therapy to be used under the direction of a physician, in which UV rays are used to treat psoriasis

Treatments for arthritis include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or salicylates


• Sufficient rest


• Nutritional counseling to ensure a proper diet


• Regular exercise


• Physical therapies, including massage therapy to prevent muscular contractures and to maintain joint mobility.

Natural Supplements that may Help

Fish oil and flaxseed oil contain omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds help block the action of certain derivatives of arachidonic acid (also a fatty acid) which play important roles in inflammation. Vitamin A is helpful in maintaining healthy skin and nails. Zinc promotes healing, but should be taken with copper in long-term usage, as it interferes with the absorption of copper.



Funaric acid cream may help to control outbreaks of psoriasis when applied topically to the skin lesions. This helps to reduce the size of the lesion and provide relief from the pain and itching.



As always it is very important for anyone to discuss with their health care provider before using any natural herbs or vitamins.