There are numerous types of arthritis. I am only going to be covering 2 of those. These are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA), which is also known as osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a progressive disorder of the joints caused by gradual loss of cartilage and resulting in the development of bony spurs and cysts at the margins of the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints. Other problems throughout the body (systemic problems) may also develop, including inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), the development of bumps (called rheumatoid nodules) in various parts of the body, lung disease, blood disorders, and weakening of the bones (osteoporosis).
Natural treatment of Arthritis
Natural treatment of arthritis would be similar regardless of whether it is osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The aim would be at reducing pain, inflammation and to help the body to heal and regenerate the joints. However, when treating rheumatoid arthritis the treatment would also have a component targeted at the autoimmune component of the disease.
Homoeopathy can help tremendously in the treatment of arthritis; especially because it targets the individual symptoms each patient experiences. I shall not make any recommendations for the Homoeopathic treatment of Arthritis as it is best to consult a Homoeopath when treating this condition with homoeopathic medicines. I shall however make recommendations on nutraceuticals, herbs, and diet in the treatment of arthritis.
When discussing the natural treatment of arthritis I am first going to discuss the specific treatment of the auto-immune component of rheumatoid arthritis, and then I will discuss the general treatment of both types of arthritis.
Treatment of the autoimmune component of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The number one nutraceutical I would recommend in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis would be glyconutrients. This is because of their ability to enhance and correct the cellular communication between organ systems in the body. This is vitally important in treating autoimmune conditions, as the body needs to get the immune system to recognize that the tissues of the body are not foreign and to turn off the immune response and thus the autoimmune condition.
Ashwagandha modulates and regulates the immune system, which is important in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis have low level of CD8 cells in comparison to healthy individuals. CD8 cells are important in modulating an overactive immune system as is the case in most autoimmune diseases. Ashwagandha helps to boost CD8 cell production in the body.
General treatment of Arthritis
Here I am going to discuss first the substances that will be of benefit in controlling pain and inflammation. That will then be followed by nutrients that will help to regenerate and heal up the cartilage.
Pain and inflammation. Capsaicin applied to the joints in a ointment form can be of great benefit in treating the pain of arthritis (be careful to wash your hands after applying the ointment, to avoid accidentally touching your eyes afterwards and having them burn from the capsaicin).
Proteolytic enzymes such as Bromelain (1200-1800mg/day) and Papain reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis.
Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) is highly effective in the treatment of arthritis. It reduces pain as well as lubricates the joints. Other beneficial nutrients you may add to this are Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and Curcumin.
Fish Oils (18 grams per day) alleviate Arthritis (by reducing elevated Interleukin 1 and Leukotriene B4 levels which are implicated in Inflammation in Arthritis patients).
Green-Lipped Mussel extract (1,000 mg per day) alleviates Arthritis (due to the Glycosaminoglycans and Eicosatetraenoic Acid content of Green-Lipped Mussels).
Herbs that will be of benefit are Boswellia, Devil's Claw, Nettle, Turmeric and Yucca.
Joint regeneration. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and Glucosamine Sulfate stimulate the growth and regeneration of cartilage inside joints. Silicon facilitates the removal of the arthritic nodules and spurs associated with Osteoarthritis.
Vitamin C retards the erosion of cartilage that occurs during the course of Arthritis and increases the synthesis of the endogenous Glycosaminoglycans that are necessary to repair damaged osteoarthritic Joints.
Supplements and herbs to avoid
Do not use iron supplements, as they may worsen inflammation.
Dietary suggestions for Arthritis patients
Please refer to my article on the natural treatment of Lupus as some of the dietary recommendations will be similar for Arthritis.
Excessive consumption of meats is speculated to be an underlying cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Excessive consumption of Sodium contributes to Osteoarthritis (by accelerating the loss of Calcium from the Bones).
General Consideration and Recommendations
Regular (light) exercise is a recommended treatment for Arthritis. In fact the best forms of exercise I would recommend for would be Tai Chi and Yoga.
Excessive Stress can be one of the underlying causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis. This can be effectively managed by exercises used in Tai Chi and Yoga.
Exposure to Sunlight alleviates Osteoarthritis (by stimulating the endogenous manufacture of Vitamin D).
Dr Shaun Hutchinsons,
Homoeopathic Practitioner,
Glyconutrient Consultant,
Tai Chi Instructor,
Massage Therapist,
http://drhutchinson.weebly.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Shaun_Hutchinson
Dr Shaun Hutchinson - EzineArticles Expert Author
10 Things You Should Know About Arthritis
The term' Arthritis' is derived from Greek comprising of two words 'athron' meaning joint and 'itis' meaning inflammation. It refers to more than 100 different types of arthritis conditions. Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage which normally protects the joints allowing for smooth movement. To be able to manage arthritis properly the following facts should be known.
1. Arthritis is not a single disease. It involves over 100 types of arthritis conditions and other related rheumatic conditions. You should always obtain an accurate diagnosis before commencing treatment.
2. There is no known cure for arthritis. However there are many treatment options which could help with managing pain/reducing joint damage associated with arthritis.
3. There are so many misconceptions about arthritis. The truth is that arthritis does not affect only old people. It cannot be cured by changes in a person's diet. It does not cause minor aches and pains.
4. Evaluation by a rheumatologist (a medical doctor who specializes in treating arthritis and other rheumatic conditions) is necessary so that the type of arthritis condition you have can be determined and a treatment plan started.
5. It is important to be properly diagnosed and treated early enough to prevent joint deformity and disability.
6. You may have to try several treatment options before you can find the most optimal treatment plan for you.
7. Regular exercise, stress reduction, healthy food, healthy eating habits, not smoking can help in living a better life with arthritis.
8. People living with arthritis normally have various emotions stirred up within them for e.g. anger, resentment due to the physical limitations imposed by arthritis.
9. Arthritis involves a lot of money in buying medications as it is not curable.
10. Arthritis can cause some activity limitation of patients diagnosed with it. These limitations (e.g. being unable to walk properly) could interfere with activities of daily living.
I hope you are able to manage the disease called 'Arthritis' better with this information. So go live a better life.
For more information and medications that repair /restore the cartilage used in the management of 'Arthritis' check http://beautyandhealth1.wordpress.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Omowunmi_Osinubi
1. Arthritis is not a single disease. It involves over 100 types of arthritis conditions and other related rheumatic conditions. You should always obtain an accurate diagnosis before commencing treatment.
2. There is no known cure for arthritis. However there are many treatment options which could help with managing pain/reducing joint damage associated with arthritis.
3. There are so many misconceptions about arthritis. The truth is that arthritis does not affect only old people. It cannot be cured by changes in a person's diet. It does not cause minor aches and pains.
4. Evaluation by a rheumatologist (a medical doctor who specializes in treating arthritis and other rheumatic conditions) is necessary so that the type of arthritis condition you have can be determined and a treatment plan started.
5. It is important to be properly diagnosed and treated early enough to prevent joint deformity and disability.
6. You may have to try several treatment options before you can find the most optimal treatment plan for you.
7. Regular exercise, stress reduction, healthy food, healthy eating habits, not smoking can help in living a better life with arthritis.
8. People living with arthritis normally have various emotions stirred up within them for e.g. anger, resentment due to the physical limitations imposed by arthritis.
9. Arthritis involves a lot of money in buying medications as it is not curable.
10. Arthritis can cause some activity limitation of patients diagnosed with it. These limitations (e.g. being unable to walk properly) could interfere with activities of daily living.
I hope you are able to manage the disease called 'Arthritis' better with this information. So go live a better life.
For more information and medications that repair /restore the cartilage used in the management of 'Arthritis' check http://beautyandhealth1.wordpress.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Omowunmi_Osinubi
Arthritis of the Knee
The word arthritis can be translated as “joint inflammation.” It’s not very accurate of a term, however, since there really is no actual inflammation, there is, however, a deterioration of the surface of the joint, (also known as the joint cartilage) which results in the bone underneath being exposed, a shrinking of the space of the joint, and a maddening nagging type of pain that can drive the person suffering from it mad.
To be clear, the type of arthritis found in the knee is most often osteoarthritis, not the more common and more crippling rheumatoid arthritis found in the rest of the body. It can be caused in the knee by average wear or by an injury of some kind. Often it’s caused by the kneecap not tracking – or moving – properly against the rest of the knee structure.
It can begin an entire sequence of inflammation, which leads to softening of the joint surface, then local destruction of the joint surface which leads to chemical substances being released into the joint. The chemicals, however, end up doing more harm than good and start off a harmful chain reaction in the entire joint.
The original cause of the arthritis is almost irrelevant, the wrong treatment or no treatment at all can lead the patient to the same suffering.
When the kneecap isn’t moving correctly within the knee itself, part of it presses against the femur in the leg too hard, while the rest of the kneecap presses against it with not enough pressure. The balance of the kneecap is thrown off, and this can cause serious problems since the kneecap is designed to need a balanced pressure to release the nutrients from the fluid from the joint it’s sitting in.
When the balance is off, the cartilage in the joint can soften and swell then minute blisters and sometimes small fissures can form, which in turn break into things called fibrils. These fibrils can then break away from the knee tissue and get stuck in the fluid around the knee. This process releases bad enzymes throughout the knee and can cause serious problems.
Where the abnormal plica (A plica is a fold of the soft inner lining of the knee joint 'the 'synovium’) touches the bone underneath the knee, it can become red and thickened. The underlying surface of the joint can become tender and the exact same cycle of destruction of enzyme release described above that spreads damage to other parts of the knee joint.
When the cohesion of the knees’ natural cushion is reduced, the joint can become unstable. A piece of loose cartilage can also move over and immobilize the joint, damaging the front of the knee even further. The joint will then undergo essentially the same destructive course, with the damaging enzyme further infiltrating the knee.
The one positive when it comes to osteoarthritis of the knee is that it is not a sign that you will be more likely to suffer arthritis in your other joints. Most knee arthritis is caused by a physical problem within the knee itself and if identified and repaired early enough, recovery is likely and a lifetime of healthy knees is possible.
Sign up for James Hughes' free Knee Pain newsletter where you'll find information about the various causes of Knee Pain and tips of what to do if your Knee Pain Symptoms flare up.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Hughes
To be clear, the type of arthritis found in the knee is most often osteoarthritis, not the more common and more crippling rheumatoid arthritis found in the rest of the body. It can be caused in the knee by average wear or by an injury of some kind. Often it’s caused by the kneecap not tracking – or moving – properly against the rest of the knee structure.
It can begin an entire sequence of inflammation, which leads to softening of the joint surface, then local destruction of the joint surface which leads to chemical substances being released into the joint. The chemicals, however, end up doing more harm than good and start off a harmful chain reaction in the entire joint.
The original cause of the arthritis is almost irrelevant, the wrong treatment or no treatment at all can lead the patient to the same suffering.
When the kneecap isn’t moving correctly within the knee itself, part of it presses against the femur in the leg too hard, while the rest of the kneecap presses against it with not enough pressure. The balance of the kneecap is thrown off, and this can cause serious problems since the kneecap is designed to need a balanced pressure to release the nutrients from the fluid from the joint it’s sitting in.
When the balance is off, the cartilage in the joint can soften and swell then minute blisters and sometimes small fissures can form, which in turn break into things called fibrils. These fibrils can then break away from the knee tissue and get stuck in the fluid around the knee. This process releases bad enzymes throughout the knee and can cause serious problems.
Where the abnormal plica (A plica is a fold of the soft inner lining of the knee joint 'the 'synovium’) touches the bone underneath the knee, it can become red and thickened. The underlying surface of the joint can become tender and the exact same cycle of destruction of enzyme release described above that spreads damage to other parts of the knee joint.
When the cohesion of the knees’ natural cushion is reduced, the joint can become unstable. A piece of loose cartilage can also move over and immobilize the joint, damaging the front of the knee even further. The joint will then undergo essentially the same destructive course, with the damaging enzyme further infiltrating the knee.
The one positive when it comes to osteoarthritis of the knee is that it is not a sign that you will be more likely to suffer arthritis in your other joints. Most knee arthritis is caused by a physical problem within the knee itself and if identified and repaired early enough, recovery is likely and a lifetime of healthy knees is possible.
Sign up for James Hughes' free Knee Pain newsletter where you'll find information about the various causes of Knee Pain and tips of what to do if your Knee Pain Symptoms flare up.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Hughes
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