Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
Everyday millions of people with arthritis experience stiffness of joints that hinders them from doing routine activities like household chores. Even basic routines like walking, climbing stairs, handling objects or grasping handrails of stairs. It’s possible to happen since common symptoms of arthritis are associated with pain brought by worn-out joints among old people. As a result, the joints are inflamed and people are somehow immobilized since certain parts of the body like hands, knees, hips and back have become stiff. Even a little range of movement would be painful.
A better understanding of arthritis symptoms can equip us properly in handling the ailments when the time comes. Also, as soon as arthritis symptoms are detected we can immediately consult a health professional to give us proper medical advice about arthritis. While there are hundred forms of arthritis, the usually occurring rheumatoid arthritis has a common feature like the rest-pain.
Usual symptoms of arthritis occurs in the form of pain surrounding joint area. The Mayo Clinic identified usual symptoms as : joint pain, inflammation of joints,sensitive joints, red and puffy hands, weakness or fatigue, fever, loss of weight and firm bumps of tissue under the skin of the arms usually termed as �rheumatoid nodules�. It is very common from arthritis sufferers to experience morning stiffness that can last for some hours thereby preventing them from walking or using their hands for simple tasks. Truly, arthritis is the leading cause of debilitation for old people.
The arthritis symptoms are felt first occurring in smaller joints of the body like the hands, wrists and ankles. When arthritis develops, painful symptoms are felt in many areas of the body where the joints are damaged such as arms, knees, wrists,hands, back and hips. It is also important to understand that arthritis happens to a pair of joints like both knees or both wrists which makes it very unconvenient. In some forms of arthritis, symptoms reappear after some time which is often in the morning causing joints to be stiff. Though there maybe episodes of pain that are widely-spaced apart, once the inflammation happens arthritis appears again.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
Worldwide, millions of people suffer from arthritis which is the main cause of disability among old people. Many old people around the world feel the pain of arthritis by having swollen and stiff joints, weakness and fever. Usually, pain starts from small joints such as wrists,ankles,hands and reach wider areas like shoulders, arms ,back. Fundamental to understanding arthritis is learning that there are various types of arthritis, no less than a hundred forms. A general overview of arthritis is discussed in this article which include the most common types that afflict people. A greater understanding of different types of arthritis equips you with knowledge of precautionary measures that can be done to avoid arthritis.
1. Rheumatoid arthritis � this form of arthritis exhibit swelling or inflammation of the joints. The incidence of this type of arthritis afflicts middle-aged people with women having a higher incidence rate. Once the synovial joints are affected, inflammation begins. Bones could get deformed in this type of arthritis so prompt medical attention is needed. Even younger people such as children maybe suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Osteoarthritis – Arthritis caused by weak or reduced cartilage because of overexertion or excess body weight. Cartilage is important since it absorbs the shock to our joints thus loss of this material would lead to quick wear and tear of the joints itself. Bones that rub against another bone is extremely painful. As soon as this occurs, mobility is limited for a person with OA.
3. Infectious arthritis- arthritis that is mainly caused by bacteria, fungi or virus that travelled in the bloodstream which infected bones, tissues and joints. Among the elderly population that can be severely affected by this form of arthritis are those who have experienced infections when they were younger so immediate consultation with a doctor is necessary.
4. Juvenile arthritis (JRA) – Even young people age 16yr old and below are affected by arthritis. These children are often anemic and experience joint pain. It manifests in various symptoms that shows how severe the juvenile arthritis is.
Arthritis have no less than a hundred variety but the most usual type would be discussed. Don�t let arthritis worsen. Consult a doctor today.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
Most people believe that arthritis afflicts older people since most of the symptoms show around age 50. Truth is, national health agencies report that rheumatoid arthritis is one of the main cause of disability among old people. As a person grow older, it is highly probable that the individual will experience arthritis. The stiffness, pain and inflammation are actually manifestations that a person has arthritis, but what really causes arthritis? This article presents the possible cause of arthritis and how it can be arrested.
Learning some valuable information about the joints and bones can lead to understanding causes of arthritis. This explanation is not intended for medical advice , rather, as a general overview of what causes arthritis.
The immune system plays a major role in warding off any bacteria,germs or virus that could potentially harm our bodies. When our own immune system infiltrates the synovium, arthritis happens. The synovium is a protective lining to our joints that can actually thicken or harden once inflammation happen. As a result, the cartilage and joints around the bone are slowly destroyed causing the tendons and ligaments to be damaged and weakened. As years go by, joints suffer from deformity and be misaligned. Therefore, infections that come along from the diseases that we have experienced play a factor in contributing to the onset of arthritis. It is advisable then to get medical treatment so further complications could be avoided. Usually, the synovial fluid protecting the cartilage decreases as we grow older which leads to arthritis as a normal consequence. Until today, its still a question for doctors why some people have arthritis at an earlier age. Now that we are better quipped with knowledge of what causes arthritis, prevention is possible.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
It’s really sad when man�s best friend get sick, especially with a debilitating disease that limits their movement. Normally, people love dogs who are active , playful, and alert. However, dogs also get old too and begin to experience certain illness that may prohibit them from doing the things that they enjoyed before with their master.
Canine arthritis or osteoarthritis can also happen to dogs regardless of any breed or size. Like human beings, canine arthritis is a progressive disease that involves the joints which can lead to permanent debilitation. When a dog is young, it can run and play the whole day since cartilage is very much present in the joints. As years pass by, cartilage in the dog�s joint may decrease thereby causing the dog to exhibit the following symptoms: limping, walking slowly, refusing to be touched, reluctant to play/walk or engage in physical activities and having a hard time to stand up from a resting position. If the mentioned symptoms have manifested in an older dog, it’s more probable that arthritis has begun.
According to some veterinarians, the onset of canine arthritis is brought about by infections, malnutrition or trauma that the dog has experienced. A dog that has been injured at some point in its younger years is a candidate for canine arthritis. Also certain infections can affect the dog�s cartilage that can do damage to the bones. Once canine arthritis symptoms are seen in your dog, schedule a visit to the vet clinic. A physical examination of the dog is helpful in assessing the extent of the arthritis. Normally, medications are prescribed by the doctor once canine arthritis is detected. The drugs fit the purpose of reducing pain, increasing range of motion as well as delaying the progress of arthritis so the dog can still enjoy some physical activity. Usually, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly known as NSAIDs are administered to dogs with arthritis to lessen the swelling and pain. Dog owners must encourage their canine friends to regularly walk or swim so their mobility would not be impaired as long as the activity is not too hard.
Canine arthritis is not really difficult to manage, the key is finding the appropriate treatment through a good veterinarian.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
A common type of arthritis known as degenerative arthritis makes millions of people suffer from pain everyday. In fact, next to rheumatoid arthritis, this is the next most common form of arthritis that never fails to make people suffer from pain on a daily basis. Normally, degenerative arthritis happens because the cartilage around the joints have been reduced due to aging. Because of this, parts of our body that beats weight such as hips ( for women) and knees often get affected by degenerative arthritis especially for those who are overweight. Even routine activities like walking or moving around hurt our joints which we ignore until we feel pain.
Men are often more affected by degenerative arthritis once they reach their mid-40s. In the United States alone, 20 million people suffer from degenerative arthritis according to a report from the national health department. Pain is also caused by growth of small bones as brought about by loss of cartilage. The swelling causes pain and as a response the cartilage produces new bone growth. Loss of cartilage makes the bone rub against one another which results to pain.
Although more often than not, doctors are often perplexed by the cause of OA to a person especially when there is no history of previous trauma which is why it is referred to as primary osteoarthritis. Despite other factors, being overweight has great repercussion in having degenerative arthritis. When obesity becomes the main culprit, it is now referred to as secondary osteoarthritis.
Commonly known as osteoarthritis (OA), denegerative arthritis happens when the cartilage gets damaged by certain factors. Truth is,degenerative arthritis cannot be stopped but pain can be remedied by medicines. Doctors often suggest exercise to lose weight for people with degenerative arthritis. In addition to this, weight resistance exercises and physical stimulation can strengthen weak areas and hinder the progress of OA. Briefly, degenerative arthritis is permanent but it can be slowed down by following doctor’s advise.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
Daily, millions of people around the world suffer from arthritis, waking up with stiff and swollen knees, ankles, hands ,back, neck and/or hips. Basically, the joints of the body are damaged as brought about by arthritis which is commonly brought about by old age, its onset happens to people 65 years or older. However, some children can also experience arthritis brought about by infection. Also, women have a higher incidence of arthritis than men. Pain is the most common symptom experienced by individuals with arthritis that is why is best to understand this ailment as much as possible so when the time comes, you know many things about arthritis.
The most fundamental thing you need to learn about arthritis as an ailment is that it is a condition wherein joints of the body are badly damaged and thereby becomes inflamed most of the time. However, one must understand that arthritis comes in many forms, as much as a hundred types of arthritis afflict people from all over the world. Regardless of where arthritis attacks on our body, pain is an ever present symptom brought about by swollen joints. Sometimes, the pain can be caused by the usual wear and tear of the joints, certain joint diseases, hurting joints and physical fatigue from over exertion. It is not unusual also for people with arthritis to suffer when the weather is cold.
Another thing that people must understand about arthritis is that it cannot be cured but there are ways to prevent the pain from progressing. Most of the time, people who suffer from pain are prescribed with pain killers so they can cope with normal life. Another helpful advice about arthritis is to try having any physical exercise such as walking or jogging so the joints would not be stiff. Although, this suggestion seems difficult since the presence of pain poses as a challenge. It�s necessary for some people with arthritis to eat a healthy diet that�s suited for their case. Arthritis has no cure once it afflicts a person but it is possible to slow down the progress of this disease that will curb down the pain.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
Everyday millions of people with arthritis experience stiffness of joints and swollen knees, ankles, hands, back or hips. Most commonly, arthritis afflicts old people who are constantly finding relief from the pain which interferes with their usual daily routine like walking, climbing or doing household chores. A complete understanding of treatment options for arthritis has many benefits since people can be liberated from the pain that affect them daily. Nevertheless, the most fundamental step would be to consult a doctor before applying any kind of treatment for arthritis. As a start, several forms of arthritis needs specific treatments by being properly diagnosed by the doctor.
The initial step given by doctors to patients with arthritis is intake of medications that can reduce pain and inflammation. Arthritis is mainly inflammation of the joints so control of inflammation would lessen the pain felt by the person. Typically, medications for arthritis can reduce pain and swelling as well. There are regular medications like acetaminophen,ibuprofen,aspirin and some health supplements as well as topical creams that can lessen the discomfort and pain. Lately, there have been studies made on the efficiency of capsaicin in reducing arthritis pain by incorporating it into topical creams. For more severe cases of arthritis where pain is intolerable, drugs such as COX-2 inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , steroids and cortisone injections are administered.
The next step is to advise patients to have physical therapy that can enhance their mobility and correct stiffness of joints. Physical movement maybe challenging to people with rheumatoid arthritis due to stiffness of joints and this is where physical therapy can help. Enhanced mobility through certain stretching exercises can be safely administered by physical therapists. Regular activities like taking a walk, climbing stairs or even exercising can be slowly resumed. In most cases, a more complete treatment for arthritis consider the use of assistive devices such as crutches or braces for added mobility on a short-term use on top of prescribed medicines. Briefly, an assortment of treatment options ranging from assistive devices to medications are available though one must consult a doctor first.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
Millions of people who suffer from arthritis must take necessary precautions so the disease would not progress. Usually, arthritis starts from small areas of the body such as hands, ankles, knees, and spread to larger areas such as arms, shoulders, back, hips and neck. To prevent this from happening, some lifestyle changes are necessary for people with arthritis. This includes modification of one�s diet so it can result to weight loss that lessens the load on the joints.
People with arthritis should minimize consuming red meat such as beef and pork since these meat products can elevate uric acid and thereby lead to gout. Also, consuming meat products can make you gain weight is not advisable for people suffering from arthritis. However, falling into fad diets such as fasting and vegetarian diets are extreme measures which should be not be the diet for people with arthritis. Some studies as compiled by credible websites about arthritis suggests the following:
1. Any food with high purine must be avoided. This promotes inflammation so that�s why the following should be avoided : meat organs, mussels, yeast, herring, sardines and sweetbreads. Commonly, people think that legumes, beans and some vegetables are bad for arthritis when in fact there are many food types that have higher purine content that must not be consumed. Cola products like soft drinks must be avoided at all costs since they have high phosphoric acid that depletes calcium needed for the repair of bones. Caffeine rich beverages are not also advisable for arthritis.
2. Food that have high omega- 3 fatty acids are helpful in preventing inflammation among people that have rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acid rich food are salmon, mackerel and tuna because of their oil. On the contrary, food with omega 6 fatty acids should be avoided like vegetable oil. There are also some research pointing out to food cooked in high heat as factor in inducing inflammation. High quality olive oil can also suppress inflammation like Ibuprofen according to Dr. Beauchamp of Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. Besides, olive oil contains omega 3 oil which is good for over-all health.
Having arthritis does not mean a very limited diet that makes a person suffer. The secret is having a well-balanced diet that excludes food that cause inflammation. Diet for people with arthritis can also be properly advised by a doctor or nutritionist.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
There are millions of people worldwide that suffer from arthritis without knowing that it is already arthritis. Usually, these people complain of common symptoms such as stiffness, swollen or inflamed joints that seems not to go away especially during the morning. Every day, the elderly struggle with performing tasks that seem routine like walking yet so difficult because of the pain coming from arthritis. Normally, individuals who are in pain take pain killers or analgesics hoping to make the pain disappear. The truth is, arthritis simply does not go away and would continue to affect millions of elderly people globally. It is them important to have the correct diagnosis for arthritis in order to get the proper treatment. Intake of certain medicines without doctor�s advice can even worsen the situation since some drugs can weaken the immune system. When the immune system is compromised, arthritis worsens so having the proper diagnosis is essential.
The first step in getting the right diagnosis for arthritis is to consult a doctor that specializes in orthopedics. In majority of cases, doctors require laboratory tests and a medical history of patients which can help him arrive at the right diagnosis. There are many types of arthritis, as much as a hundred types so it�s necessary to determine which form of arthritis afflicts you.
Most of the time, doctors look for common symptoms like stiffness, presence of nodules in the hands, limited range of motion, fever through a physical exam of the patient. If such symptoms happen almost daily and flare up in some time, usually arthritis is diagnosed. A secondary step in that would lead to the right diagnosis are laboratory exams such as blood tests, rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate ,C-reactive protein,CBC ,x-rays etc.. The doctor can ask a patient to undergo certain tests but not really all the tests aforementioned. A thorough examination of the patient as well as laboratory results can specifically determine the type of arthritis.
Arthritis is a leading cause of disability especially when symptoms are not detected immediately. Seek a health professional for accurate diagnosis of arthritis.
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Posted on 13 November 2010
Tags: Arthritis
Mobility is a major concern for millions of old people suffering from arthritis. Even normal tasks such as writing, holding objects, grasping things, typing , cutting or walking are challenging for those with arthritis since the joints are swollen and painful. It is unfortunate that many old people with arthritis are left on their own , tending to their own chores. Good thing there are available arthritis products that make the life of arthritis sufferers easier and more tolerable. Different arthritis products in the market are created to suit the needs of these group.
Most common arthritis products are assistive devices. These devices are created in mind for people with disability such as individuals who are moderately to severely debilitated by arthritis. A higher amount of risk is present to people with arthritis especially when using the toilet since they cannot grasp objects or hold things. Specially designed products such as bath handrails, hand held mirror, bath transfer bench, raised toilet seat riser, shower seat and commode with safety rails and bathtub rails are now available to make bathing safer for people with arthritis..
Mobility aids are also part of arthritis products that are practical and useful for those impaired by arthritis. Mobility is an issue for most people with arthritis, products such as cane holder, gel hand pads, wheel chair hand grips and wheel chair backpacks add ease and convenience to those who use the wheelchair or crutches.
People with arthritis find getting out of bed in the morning as difficult especially when they’re alone. Mobility aids such as bed handles, transfer handles, bed rails provide superb support for those who need to get out from bed as well as try to lay down in bed. Personal alarms are products created for old people with arthritis so they can seek help easily.
Arthritis products include silverware specifically designed for arthritis. Due to hand arthritis, the elderly find it hard to eat at times which can be assisted by using adaptive silverware suited to their needs. There are kitchen devices like can and jar openers made for people with arthritis.
With the help of arthritis products, people can now resume their normal activities.
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