of arthritis

Many people think of arthritis as something that only affects fragile elderly people; however, the word “arthritis” itself simply means “inflammation” and encompasses over 100 different chronic pain disorders, including fibromyalgia, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lyme disease, Raynaud’s phenomenon, Still’s disease, schleroderma and carpal tunnel syndrome. While there is no cure for arthritis, the first step toward managing the pain is to get educated. Once you visit the Arthritis Foundation website, you’ll find a whole world opening up, tailored to helping you live a fulfilling life.

The Arthritis Foundation offers many events and programs year-round to help those suffering with arthritis, as well as their friends and family who are right there suffering with them. The “Time to Walk the Walk” event encourages you to be a team captain or just take a walk to fundraise for the cure, making a difference in the lives of almost 46 million people who live with the daily pain of arthritis. The “Life Improvement Series” program is designed to help sufferers with pain management and functionality. The “Joints In Motion” marathon training program and “The Jingle Bell Run/Walk” are two more events that help raise money and connect people with arthritis, to find greater strength in numbers. Each year, the traditional black-tie gala dinners, wine events and themed parties raise more than $8 million for chronic pain research. By getting involved, you can restore a sense of control and improve your morale, while doing what you can.

When your arthritis pain is very severe, it can be difficult to think about exercising. However, any good doctor will tell you that the key to prolonged mobility, minimizing damage and relieving pain is to participate in a regular, low-impact exercise routine. Knowing the motivational power of group exercise, the Arthritis Foundation has created the “Life Improvement Series” programs, designed to give people with arthritis pain high-quality workouts. Whether it’s tai chi or aquatic therapy, you can find an activity that will keep your spirits high and your body stretched.

Even if you don’t know what’s causing your chronic pain, the Arthritis Foundation can give you information about the 100+ diseases classified as “arthritis.” The website is no substitute for a doctor’s visit and professional medical advice, but reading about signs, symptoms and potential treatments can at least guide you toward living a relatively pain-free life. So many Americans silently suffer, opting to take a nap, sit by the sidelines or withdraw themselves from their everyday activities. Yet by learning more about arthritis, you’ll find that living a satisfying life is still possible!

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Since you’re reading this, you know what a problem hemorrhoids can be. While all of us can agree that treating this condition is a top priority, exactly how to treat it is less clear. Finding the right hemorrhoid cure for you can be complicated because there are so many options. Let’s talk about the most common hemorrhoid treatment options before talking about a hemorrhoid alternative cure.

Hemorrhoid creams and ointments are a popular approach. Applying these kinds of treatments to the affected areas will often reduce the swelling and pain. However, this is not a cure for your hemorrhoids. The problem may go away for a while, but the problem will almost certainly resurface over and over again in the future.

Suppositories are another popular treatment for hemorrhoids. They moisten and lubricate the problem area, which gives the hemorrhoids a chance to heal. While suppositories are often helpful, they’re like creams and ointments in that they’re a treatment for the current outbreak, rather than a true hemorrhoid cure.

In more extreme cases, surgery or other equally serious procedures may be required to tie off the offending blood vessels or create protective scar tissue. None of these are procedures you want to undergo lightly.

While all of these approaches have their place, and all can be effective under the right circumstances, there is a better alternative. If you’re willing to break away from the conventional, there’s actually a safe, all-natural hemorrhoid cure that works in just a couple of days.

This cure is a system that relies on natural substances to actually cure your hemorrhoids, and do it without surgery. The system provides complete information, including ingredient resources, charts, and audio lessons that walk you through everything you need to do to cure your hemorrhoids quickly and easily.

Go to Hemorrhoid Cure (http://The-Hemorrhoid-Cure.com) to learn more about how this incredible system works, and read testimonials from users who have triumphed over their hemorrhoids for good. And while you’re there, make sure you download all the free information!

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My Amazing Arthritis Pain Relief

Do you suffer from arthritis or know someone who does?  For arthritis sufferers, pain becomes a fixture in their life.  Over-the-counter medications do provide relief, but it short lived.  As soon as the medication wears off, the pain returns.There is promise though.  For many, that hope comes in the form of natural and dietary supplements.  Just a sample of the supplements that can provide relieve include devil’s claw, ginger, stinging nettle, flax, and ASU.

You now know that some herbal and dietary supplements can provide arthritis relief.  Your first thought may be to run to the drug store.  Wait!  Before you make your purchase, there a number of things you should know about these supplements.

Some herbal, dietary, and natural supplements counteract with over-the-counter and prescribed medications.  For that reason, medical advice is strongly advised.  Talk to a medical professional.  This should be a primary care physician or at least a pharmacist.  The goal of supplements is to relieve arthritis pain and discomfort, not create other complications.  If you are worried about discouragement, don’t ask if a supplement will work.  Instead, ask if it is safe to take with your medications.

Remember there is no cure.  You can treat arthritis, but it cannot be cured.  For that reason, stay away from any supplements with the claim.  You will waste your money.  These supplements can reduce the pain, inflammations, sleep difficulties, and decreased mobility associated with arthritis, but that is it.  Plenty of products outright state this; do not opt for one that that lies.

These herbal supplements are not worth putting your health at risk.  As previously stated, some supplements counteract with over-the-counter and prescribed medication.  If you are in severe pain, you may be willing to make the switch.  You may stop taking your diabetes medication to take devil’s claw, and so forth.  This is not recommended.  Never stop taking prescribed medication.  Once again, speak to a healthcare professional.  Many supplements provide relief and are safe to take.  Your doctor can advise you on which supplements are best.

A world of information is available online.  Almost fifty herbal, natural, and dietary supplements can aid in arthritis relief.  Some treat joint inflammation and swelling, while others treat sleep difficultly, decreased mobility, cartilage damage, and pain.  Which is right for you?  An online internet search will tell.  Read reviews to see what people have to say.  Look for both positive and negative reviews.  It is rare for a product to receive rave reviews, but be cautious of telltale signs, such as “scam,” “waste of money,” or “too many side effects.”

Speaking of the side effects, know what they are.  Then, make an informed decision.Arthritis back pain relief is a very serious issue, one that not many people take seriously enough. Arthritis sufferers should examine the risk to determine if they are worth it.Eg: cat’s nipper is a supplement used to reduce excitement.  Possible side effects include headaches, vomiting, and dizziness.  If your job requires you to be on your feet all day, the dizziness may be too much to handle.  Look for an arthritis helping supplement that has little to no side effects.

Obviously you can & should find best deals offers for arthritis pain medicine.In terms of supplements, best deal isn’t always with cheap rate.  Aim for the best quality for the lowest price.  This is where the above mentioned research comes in handy.  Look for specific brand names with positive feedback.  When buying online, compare the size with prize and include the cost of shipping.

You must follow all directions.  Herbal supplements are typically safe to use, when taken as directed.  Different brands use similar extracts, but those amounts vary.  Consult with your primary care physician or the bottle to get an exact dosage.  Despite the common belief, more will do no good.  In fact, it may cause complications.

Finally, if you take herbal supplements on a daily basis, write down and tape to your refrigerator.  Also, inform those close to you.  In the event you need medical care and cannot speak for yourself, responding personnel must know all medications you are taking, including supplements.

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Introduction

One of the most frequently misunderstood conditions among patients is arthritis..Often the word, “arthritis,” inspires images of a future that includes crippled and twisted joints.  But, many conditions from benign to severe are listed under the term, arthritis. For our purposes we will restrict this discourse to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the terms for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. Essentially, the condition is due to the deterioration of the cartilage that lines the joint surfaces, and it is found not only in humans, but also in all mammals. When joint cartilage is injured, the sensitive bone tissue that is usually protected by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Occasionally, osteophytes, or bone spurs, can develop when the bone around the joint increases quickly. Bone spurs create painful irritation to other tissues around the joint complicating the already grievous condition. 

Usually the areas of the body that develop degenerative joints are in the spine, particularly in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, the hips and the fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity influence the degree of the condition and its onset.

The symptoms of DJD always involve some degree of pain and/or stiffness in the body part involved. As the condition progresses there can be loss of mobility, notably when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are implicated.  In some cases, if the joint is appreciably worn and the person can no longer walk without severe pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should attempt to manage the condition early on in ones life to avoid the need for surgery.

Prevention is invariably the best option, beginning at an early age.

• Making sure that all injuries to joints are properly treated will help to avoid future problems.
• Shoes with suitable support and shock absorption should be worn by those whose jobs demand extended periods of standing or walking.
• Excess body weight can produce increased stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body.

• Care should be taken to cushion knees from strain and pain when kneeling on hard surfaces.

• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they contain natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for the health of the joints, as well as the rest of the body.

Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but may actually help to rebuild joint cartilage.

Chiropractic adjustments assist in restoring proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only a smart idea, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Chicago chiropractor is highly trained when it comes to arthritic pain relief. In addition, chiropractic modalities such as joint mobilization, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, massage and electro-therapy may be used to aid in the treatment of painful and stiff joints. Occasionally, a brace is required to support the joint and relieve pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

Gouty arthritis is generated by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood and the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Generally, gouty arthritis is characterized by intense pain and swelling of the joints in the big toes, knees, ankles and wrists. A large number of people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are more often than not brought on by binge eating of inflammatory foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Certain foods such as red meat (especially organ meat), certain seafood, legumes, and mushrooms include the natural substance, Purines, that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Since individuals with gout cannot properly metabolize uric acid, the buildup in the bloodstream produces joint problems. In addition to the foods specified and additional foods containing Purines, other dietary restrictions need to be followed including the avoidance of alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be created by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, although other areas of the body can be affected as well. The condition is generally associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Other symptoms can involve general malaise and fatigue, and in its more advanced stages other systems of the body may be affected. There are definitive blood tests to help identify Rheumatoid arthritis that can be easily run. Management includes medication and vitamin and diet therapy, as well as chiropractic adjustments. In addition, joint mobilization and modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy and massage can help with the pain and stiffness associated the condition. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to assisting people in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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Chinese Herbal Remedies For Arthritis

Millions of Americans frequently suffer from pains and stiffness in their joints due to arthritis. There are many over-the-counter remedies for arthritis, but few Americans have the knowledge about the many herbal remedies the Chinese have used for centuries to relieve the pain of arthritis.

The Philosophy of Arthritis and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine perceives that the onset of a disease is due to an imbalance between major forces in our body—organ systems, heat versus cold, and the blockage of the flow of blood, and Qi (pronounced “chee”), the life force. Chinese herbal medicine considers arthritis as a restriction of the flow of blood and Qi due to an over-abundance of cold.

Arthritis and Chinese Herbal Medicine—Common remedies and how to find them

Most Chinese herbal medicines for arthritis are available in extremely complex formulations. The most common formulations are Si Miao Wan, Guan Jie Yan Win, and Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan. Most of these formulations are available in the form of teas, extracts or tablets, which you can purchase online, from supply stores for traditional Chinese medicine, or from Asian grocery stores.

Arthritis and Chinese herbal medicine formulations usually include some or all of the following herbs: Yi yi ren (Coix lachrymal jobi/Seeds of Jobs Ears seed), Fang ji (Stephania tetrandra root), Cang zhu (Atractylodes lancea rhizome), Hai tong pi (Erythrina variegata/coral bean bark), Gui zhi (Cinnamomum cassia/cinnamon twig), Xiang jia pi (Periploca sepium root-bark), Huai niu xi (Achyranthes bidentata root), Qin jiao (Gentiana macrophylla/bitter root), Wu zhu yu (Evodia rutaecarpa fruit), Huang qin (Scutellaria baicalensis/skullcap root), Du huo (Angelica pubescens root), Sheng jiang (Zingiber officinale rhizome/ginger root), Sang ji sheng (Taxillus chinensis twig/Mulberry twig), Shu di huang (Rehmannia glutinosa root), Dang shen Codonopsis pilosula root), Fu ling (Poria cocos fungus), Du zhong (Eucommia ulmoides bark), Bai shao (Paeonia lactiflora root), Fang feng (Ledebouriella divaricata root), Gentiana macrophylla root), Chuan xiong (Ligusticum wallichii rhizome/lovage root), and Gan cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis root/licorice root).

It pays to learn the Chinese and English names as well as the scientific names of these Chinese Herbal Medicine remedies for arthritis and where to get hold of them. This way, you will be able to communicate both with the merchants and your health care provider. Bear in mind that you should first consult your condition with your health care provider so that he/she may guarantee that any Chinese herbal medicine that you would take is safe and effective and will not adversely react with your previous prescription medications.

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Glucosamine and chondroitin are two dietary supplements that have become popular supplements for treating the symptoms of arthritis. Many faithful users have begun to sing the praises of these two dietary supplements. They are often sold in combination to one another. But do they really work? Here is some information that will help you decide if these two dietary supplements are right for you. The product Amazing Arthritis Relief has Glucosamine in it as well as many other all natural herbal supplements.  This is something the any arthritis sufferer needs and must learn more about. 

What is glucosamine? Its full name is glucosamine sulfate, and it is a natural substance that is found in the joints. Beside your own joint fluid, glucosamine can also be found in certain sea creatures, including the shells of crabs, lobsters, and shrimps. Scientists can also create glucosamine in the laboratory. Our bodies create our own steady supply of glucosamine that it uses to create and repair lost cartilage. Cartilage is that firm yet pliable tissue that cushions the joints and the ends of all bones.

Cartilage is important because it keeps bones from rubbing against each other and absorbs the shock and force of the impact. Without cartilage to protect our joints, our legs, arms, hips, and other areas, the body would not be much good. Our joints would quickly become damaged and wear out permanently. Like glucosamine, chondroitin (or chondroitin sulfate) can also be found in the fluid surrounding the joints. It can also be found in cattle and sharks.

So why have these two dietary supplements become all the rage? Recent research has found that both supplements do contain anti-inflammatory properties, and that they have anti-inflammatory effects in some animals. Unfortunately, these supplements have been tested on humans in very limited forms and their true efficacy is not yet known. One small study did demonstrate a slight benefit of use in individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. However, many health professionals have deemed this a flawed study. Although it has not yet been shown that these supplements can have a significant effect on rheumatoid arthritis or other forms of arthritis, most medical researchers agree that both supplements are quite safe. Knowing this and that it is safe to use, this makes a great rheumatoid arthritis medicine.

Glucosamine is considered very safe for most people. Those people prone to allergic reactions may experience a worsening of symptoms. Also, some research has concluded that glucosamine can raise high blood sugar levels and cause insulin levels to rise for those with diabetes. Although no direct link has been made, some believe that glucosamine can sometimes decrease the overall effectiveness of certain prescription medications, including some anticancer drugs and anti diabetes drugs. The most common side effects of regular glucosamine consumption include mild stomach pain and nausea.

As for chondroitin, it also appears to be safe for most people. Some medical researchers believe that chondroitin can worsen pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, allergies, and certain cancers. The most common side effects of chondroitin include nausea and stomach irritation. Although quite rare, some users have reported severe constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Like glucosamine, there exists a good amount of anecdotal evidence about the efficacy of glucosamine. However, until official clinical trials are done, these two dietary supplements will remain at the fringe of arthritis treatment options.

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Ayurveda is an ancient healing philosophy that integrates the use of botanicals to promote healing. There are four specific botanicals that have been used for hundreds of years to treat the symptoms of arthritis. These are ginger, cur cumin, feverfew, and boswellia. Some of these may sound familiar, while others may not ring a bell at all. Whatever the case may be, if you are seeking all-natural relief from those often-painful arthritis symptoms, these botanicals may be just what you’ve been searching for.  If this is something that interest you, then you have to learn more about Amazing Arthritis Relief.  This product is made up of these herbal substances mentioned below, plus a lot more which allows this to work like no other 100% all natural herbal pain reliever for arthritis.

Ginger: You’ve probably used ginger to make cookies, to spice up a soup recipe, or in other such kitchen recipes. But did you know that ginger has a long history as a healing spice? It’s true: ginger can be used for a variety of ailments. It has long been established as an effective means toward preventing seasickness. Now, some ginger enthusiasts claim that it can also help relieve the pain and stiffness associated with almost all forms of arthritis. There is no hard scientific evidence to prove its efficacy, but its ease of use and overall safety make it a viable natural supplement choice. However, there are certain precautions that one must take before taking ginger. Ginger must not be taken if you take any kind of blood-thinning or high blood pressure medications. Ginger has a mild blood-clot slowing property, and so should not be combined with any kind of medication that affects the blood or blood pressure.

Curcumin: Curcumin is a lesser-known spice that is actually the component of a better-known spice, turmeric. Anecdotal evidence abounds about its ability to relieve joint pressure and pain. Its most common side effects are mild stomach problems, but may include diarrhea and nausea. However, like ginger curcumin should not be used in conjunction with blood thinning or high blood pressure medications. One major caveat: curcumin should be avoided by those individuals prone to developing gallstones or who suffer from any form of gallbladder disease. Studies have shown a link between this spice and the development of gallbladder contractions.

Feverfew: It is an old folk remedy that has long been used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and migraines. However, there is no research evidence that has demonstrated its effectiveness on treating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or other forms of arthritis. It is generally considered very safe for short-term consumption. The effects of long-term use are not known. Feverfew should be avoided by those who are prone to allergies, especially to herbs and flowers from the daisy family. Some health professionals also believe that feverfew may have contraindications for certain prescription medications.

Boswellia: This botanical is sometimes referred to as Indian frankincense. It is made from the resin of a native Indian tree and has been traditionally used in ayurvedic medicine to treat chronic pain and stiffness. It is considered safe, but reported side effects include mild stomach irritation, nausea, and diarrhea. There are no known contraindications for this botanical, as there have been no major studies on boswellia to date.

Learning more about what herbal pain relief for arthritis can do and how it can help you is something that all arthritis sufferer’s need to find out.  So take a moment and learn more about this amazing arthritis natural cure.

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Medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The best Rheumatoid Arthritis medication that you can think of taking will, to a large extent, depend on the nature of your arthritis difficulty and no specific medication can be said to be the best that will help deal with every different kind of arthritis condition. Arthritis is something that is very wide-ranging and includes things such as rheumatoid arthritis and even gout. Now you will see that there are just a ton of rheumatoid arthritis medications that are available to youand most of these drugs will work very well for many conditions and these can be used all by themselves or you can mix and match with different drugs and other types of treatments.

Rheumatoid Arthritis medications:

There are now over a 100 medications being used in the treatment of arthritis and related conditions. Traditionaly the treatment option considered is prescription medications. When we talk about specific medications and the potential drug side effects, response, and possible adverse reactions, it varies from one patient to the next. It is critical for the patient to be knowledgable about their options and have the ability to discuss what they find out with their doctor and make informed decisons.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties

It would desirable to take Rheumatoid Arthritis medication that also includes anti-inflammatory properties that will help deal with the inflamed joints that usually cause the patient a lot of pain. When we start a conversation about non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs you must take into considerationt the side effects that are usually very minor, a good example of these type of drugs is aspirin and ibuprofen and anyone can get these over the counter at any drug store, remember some of these effects can be unpleasant.

There is also Rheumatoid Arthritis medication in the form of alternative medicines and some natural cures as well, though how successful such medicines would be is open to doubt since they are usually not regulated as is the case with pharmaceuticals. Something that is very instrumental in providing relief from arthritis pain and is considered to be an alternative medicine that can be used as rheumatoid arthritis medication would be glucosamine, this is a very normal substance that comes from crustations in the sea and also sea fish. Some hospitals use this Rheumatoid Arthritis medication and it is also available as powder capsules as well as in liquid form.

When we talk about pain killing injections and rheumatoid arthritis medication it is very possible that you would consider this as it will help you very much with your arthritis pain, this injection will be injected right in the place that you are feeling the arthritis pain and this injection can last weeks. You can use different types of pain medications which in most cases are very successful and an arthritis sufferer would be glad of taking them, though one must choose merely the most suitable injection to get best relief.

Consult your doctor and/or health treatment specialist if you are not sure or even if you think you are sure regarding the best rheumatoid arthritis medication, as they are the proffesionals and will be able send you down the right path. If you are the type of person that is always trying the latest fad without first talking with a medical professional, you are flirting with danger. you must always be sure that the rheumatoid arthritis medication that you have chosen has firstly been approved by your doctor and secondly so you know that you are receiving the best treatment you can get

If you are looking for Rheumatoid Arthritis medication information please visit our site as we have the most up to date rheumatoid arthritis medication information.

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Arthritis Back Pain

Sometimes at first we just think we are tired from being busy all week long and just our everyday lives or maybe it is those very weak springs in our mattress that when we wake up the back pain never stops.In order to have the latest and greatest cures and treatments we must always check with all our doctors to see what is causing all the different types of arthritis back pain and luckily with the large advancements in medicine we do have the best cures and treatments there is for arthrits back pain.

For those of you who are still clueless about what causes arthritis back pain, here are numerous reasons why you have such.  Also, here are some things you could do for arthritis back pain management to help you deal with it that to help minimize the “ouch” factor.

Possible Causes

They say that determining the real cause of arthritis back pain is difficult and it requires a rigorous medical research and tests as each patient is different from the other.  But, one of the possible causes of which is the genetics though they say that there may be some genetic variations that leads you to have arthritis back pain.Our cartilage turns into a much more brittle and also decreases its capability to repair itself as we grow older in age, and as we all know this is a very possible reason. 

Weight also is a contributing factor since other parts of the body relies so much on our joints, therefore, excess body weight could lead to arthritis.Job hazards, particular illnesses, previous injuries, and infections that may have affect some of your joints and/or numorous battles with gout could very well lead to back pain and other arthritis.

For Pain Management

Tylenol is the name that you have trusted for years now when you are experiencing headache, flu, or fever and right now, they have formulated a special kind of medicine to help you with managing your pain especially back pain.  But above all, what you may first want to do is call the right doctor and a rheumatologist to find out what kind of arthritis you have and at least, you have the help of the right people with the help of your family doctor.

And surely, if you are going to ask for something to help you manage your arthritis back pain, Tylenol for Arthritis is the number one brand if you want to manage your pain.  For more details or information, log on to tylenol.com for you to have an overview about the best in arthritis pain management.

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of arthritis

It is believed that the first case of arthritis was discovered in dinosaur ankles. The first known human case of arthritis dates back to the Native American remains from 4500 BC, unearthed in Tennessee and Kansas. The word “arthritis” derives from the Greek words “artho” (meaning “joint”) and “itis” (meaning “inflammation”). While it’s commonly perceived as an “elderly affliction,” the pain can actually be found in people of all ages, including children.

How do you know if you have arthritis? While symptoms and severity vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are: pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness and warmth. Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive stiffness without swelling, chills or fever. Rheumatoid arthritis is the painful swelling, inflammation and stiffness in the fingers, arms, legs and wrists, which are prevalent on both sides of the body and are usually worse in the morning. Children with on-off fever, loss of appetite, weight loss and a blotchy rash on the arms and legs might have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. You should call the doctor if symptoms appear suddenly, or if they are accompanied by a fever or rash.

The most common types of arthritis are: osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and systemic lupus erythematosus. Osteoporosis primarily affects the elderly because it is a degenerative disease resulting from a gradual loss of cartilage. As a result, bones and joints in the knees, hips, and spine rub together, causing pain and muscle/nerve damage. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects those between 25 and 55 years of age and is characterized by a burning, stiff sensation in the hands, knuckles, arms, legs and feet. Fibromyalgia is a widespread pain disorder that never really goes away and is believed to be a malfunctioning of the nervous system. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sufferers have fevers, fatigue, myalgias, joint pains and malaise. Approximately 30% of those with SLE also exhibit skin lesions and 10% suffer psychosis or seizures. While symptoms range from on-off pain to severe degenerative disease, this isn’t something that should just be “suffered through.”

Local community news is usually filled with “Walks For Arthritis,” encouraging citizens to educate themselves about this common pain condition and raise money for those who suffer. Sometimes the best way to beat the disease is to meet with others who have it and combine experiences and knowledge. In support groups, you can hear about treatments that work or don’t work. Since arthritis proves to be such a hot topic right now, much new research is emerging about possible treatment.

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