ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES NO: 13 : ARTHRITIS

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.


ARTHRITIS


SYMPTOM

• Pain and progressive stiffness without noticeable swelling, chills or fever during normal activities probably indicate the gradual onset of Osteoarthritis.

• Painful swelling, inflammation, and stiffness in the arms, legs, wrists or fingers in the same joints on both sides of the body, especially on awakening may be signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

• Fever, joint inflammation, tenderness, and sharp pain, sometimes accompanied by chills and associated with an injury or another illness, may indicate infectious arthritis.

• In children, intermittent fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia, or blotchy rash on the arms and legs may signal Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.



WHAT IS ARTHRITIS

American workers lose more time to pain in the joints than any other type of ailments. To the extent that our jobs and leisure activities become more sedentary, the likelihood of such ailments increases. Fortunately, many of the problems commonly labeled “ Arthritis” are easily healed or controlled and prospects of debilitating complications are far less than they were for our parents and grand parents

Although the term is applied to a wide variety of disorders, arthritis means the inflammation of a joint, whether as the result of a disease, an infection, a genetic defect, or some other cause. Many people, however, perceive it as any kind of pain or discomfort associated with body movement, including such localized problems as low back pain, Bursitis, Tendonitis and general stiffness or pain in the joint.

For many- although by no means every one- arthritis seems to be inevitable part of the aging process, and there are no signs of real cures on the immediate horizon. On the positive side, advances in both conventional medical treatment and alternative therapies make living with arthritis more bearable.

MAJOR TYPES OF ARTHRITIS

REHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid Arthritis , sometimes called Rheumatism or Synovitis, tends to affect people over the age of 40, and women two to three times as frequently as men. It occur in children, particularly girls from 2 to 5 years of age. It is characterized by inflammation and pain in the hands- especially the knuckles and second joints – as well as in the arms, legs and feet and by general fatigue and sleeplessness. It can also cause systematic damage to other parts of the body, including the heart ,lungs, eyes, nerves and muscles. The discomfort of Rheumatoid Arthritis can develop over weeks or months and tends to be most severe on awakening.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in older people may eventually cause the hands and feet to become gnarled and misshapen as muscles weaken, tendons shrink, and the ends of bones become abnormally enlarged.

While there is no complete cure, treatment begun at the onset of the disorder relieves symptoms in most people. Symptoms may endure for five years or more, after which they tend to stabilize or decline. with early treatment, the likelihood of permanent disability is reduced in all but 5 to 10 percent of sufferers.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Still’s Diseases, is characterized by chronic fever and anemia. The disease can also have secondary effects on the heart, lungs, eyes and nervous system. Arthritic episodes in children younger than the age of five can last for several weeks and may recur, although the symptoms tend to be less severe in recurrent attacks. Treatment is essentially the same as for adults, with heavy emphasis on physical therapy and exercise to keep growing bodies active. Permanent damage from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is now rare, and most affected children recover from the disease fully without experiencing any lasting disabilities.

Infectious Arthritis

Infectious Arthritis, refers to various ailments that affect larger arm and leg joints as well as the fingers or toes. Arthritic infection is usually a complication of an injury or of another disease and is much less common than arthritic conditions that come on with age. Because the symptoms may be masked by primary injury or illness, however, infectious arthritis may go unnoticed and, if left untreated, can result in permanent disability.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis , or degenerative joint disease , refers to the pain and inflammation that can result from the systematic loss of bone tissue in the joints .It is the most common form of arthritis, particularly in the elderly. In Osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage at the ends of bones in joints- especially in the spine & legs- gradually wears away. The inner bone surfaces become exposed and rub together. In some cases, bony spurs develop on the edges of joints, causing damage to muscles and nerves, pain deformity, and difficulty in movement.

Although the mechanism of Osteoarthritis is unknown, some people appear to have a genetic predisposition to degenerative bone disorders. In rare cases, congenital bone deformation appears at an early age. Misuse of anabolic steroids, which are popular among some athletes, can also bring on early osteoarthritic degeneration.

In many people the onset of Osteoarthritis is gradual and has no serious debilitating effect, although it can change the shape and size of bones. In other people, bony growths and gnarled joints may cause painful muscle inflammation or nerve damage, along with significant changes in posture and mobility.

Other arthritic conditions include ankylosing spondylitis( Arthritis of Spine)Bone Spurs( Bony growths on the vertebrae or other areas),Gout( Crystal Arthritis) and systemic Lupus.



CAUSES

Each of the three major types of arthritic condition has its own apartment causes:

Rheumatoid arthritis. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not fully understood. Some researchers think it may be some sort of autoimmune disorder. Another theory suggests that it is an immune reaction to a viral infection somewhere in the body.

Infectious arthritis. this type of arthritis is caused by a bacterial or viral invasion of the joints and typically comes on the heels of anther disease , such as staph infection, tuberculosis , gonorrhea, or Lyme disease.

Osteoarthritis. This common degenerative joint disease is part of the aging process. The condition may be associated with broken bones and can develop in young adults from wear and tear on the body’s load-bearing joints, often as a result of intense athletic activity. In case of osteoarthritis ,the cartilage and bone cannot repair themselves sufficiently to keep up with the damage.


TREATMENT

Sometimes arthritic damage can be slowed or stopped , but in most cases the damage continues as the disease runs its course , regardless of whether drugs or other therapies are used to relieve the symptoms. Predictably , the duration and intensity of the type of actual pain and discomfort depend on the type of arthritis and degree of severity. The process may take a few days in the cause of minor joint problems in otherwise healthy adults , while in others it may last months or years. In older people with severe rheumatoid or degenerative condition , for example ,the effects may be lifelong.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

In the case of localized pain , stiffness, and immobility , the typical three-stage therapy consists of medication to relieve pain and inflammation , rest to let injured tissues heal themselves , and exercise to rebuild mobility and strength.

To reduce pain and inflammation in mild cases of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis ,your doctor will probably prescribe aspirin or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. Physicians may combine these drugs with regimens of heat , rest and exercise , physical therapy , and physical aids such as canes or walkers. Controlled application of deep heat and ultrasound can also soothe affected joints.

In more advanced cases, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections to ease the pain and stiffness of affected joints. Depending on the individual , results range from temporary relief to long-lasting suppression of symptoms.

Early this century , researchers discovered that certain compounds containing gold , delivered orally or by injection , gave relief to some patients and total remission in others. Note , however , that because the side effects of therapy can range from minor skin rash to severe blood and kidney disorders , this therapy should be approached with caution.

In case of arthritic complication from injury or infection, specific therapy will depend on the nature and seriousness of the underlying condition. The major concern is for healing the affected area before more serious complications occur. Treatment of infectious arthritis typically involves large intravenous doses of antibiotics as well as drainage of excess fluid from the joints.

Various forms of surgery may be needed to reduce the discomfort of arthritis or to restore mobility . synovectomy is the removal of damaged connective tissue lining a joint cavity , and allows the body to regenerate new , healthy tissue in its place. This operation is most common in the knee. In case of severe arthritic damage to the neck or foot , bones can be surgically removed or fused. Although a movement is limited after such surgery, the operations relieve excruciating pain and help prevent further damage to nerves or blood vessels.

If arthritic pain and inflammation become truly unbearable, or arthritic joints simply refuse to function , the answer may lie in surgical replacement. Today , hip and shoulder joints as well as smaller joints in elbows , knees , and fingers can be replaced with reliable artificial joints made of stainless steel and plastic.

Because one of the most trying aspects of arthritis is learning to live with pain , many doctors recommend training in pain management , including cognitive therapy. Such programs focus on improving patients emotional and psychological well-being by teaching them how to relax and conduct their daily activities at a realistic place. Learning to overcome mental stress and anxiety can be the key to coping with the physical limitation that may accompany chronic rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Cognitive therapy may include various techniques for activity scheduling, imaging, distraction, and creative problem solving.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Because medical science has not found any full cures for the various kinds of arthritis, many people turn to alternative treatments to ease their pain and disability.While few alterantie approaches can definitively be substantiated in controlled studies of their effectiveness, research indicates that some of these methods can play a significant role in treating arthritic ailments.Meditation, Self-hypnosis, guided imagery and relaxation techniques can have positive effect, incontrolling chronic arthritis pain.

Arthritis sufferers should be extremely cautious, however, about practices that claim to cure the disease. Furthermore, what appears to work for one person under a given set of circumustances may not work at all for someone else.

ACUPRESSURE AND ACUPUNCTURE

Some arthritis patients find that these therapies, administered by a trained practitioner, offer effective relief from the pain of rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis for several weeks or months.

BODY WORK

In combination with other treatments, soft tissue massage around affected joints or compassionate touching by a physician or other practitioner can have a comforting, reassuring effect on those who suffer from arthritis. Manipulation by a trained therapist constitutes passive exercise. In addition to making a patient feel better physically sympathetically administered touch therapy can help soothe the emotional effects of chronic illness. Studies suggest that relieving stress and tension has a positive influence on the body’s hormonal balance.

CHIROPRACTICE

After diagnostic examination, testing, and appropriate conventional therapy, a chiropractor may manipulate the spine and other arthritic joints to relieve pain and help re-establish normal use.

HERBAL THERAPIES

Among the various remedies herbalists recommend to relieve pain is a 5-ml tincture made3 from 2 parts willow( Salix Spp) bark and 1 part each of Black Cohosh ( Cimicifuga Racemosa) and nettle( Urtica Dioca) taken three times a day. To relieve muscle tension, rub a tincture of Lobelia( Lobelia Inflata) and cramp(Viburnum Opulus) bark on the affected area.

HOMEOPATHY

For chronic Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, constitutional remedies will be prescribed after consultation with a trained homeopathic practitioner. Homeopathic remedies to relieve immediate pain and joint stiffness may include Rhus Toxicodendron or Bryonia.

HYDROTHERAPY

Swimming or other water exercise, preferably in heated pool, allows arthritis patients to work on movement of affected joints and improve muscle strength; the water helps support the body and reduce the stress of gravity.

NUTRITION AND DIET

Avoiding a specific foods can stop arthritic symptoms tied to allergies, especially to grains, nuts, meats, eggs and dairy products. Use trial and error preferably under the supervision of an allergist.

Some practitioners recommend cutting out plants in nightshade family; tomato, potato, eggplant and pepper. They believe the alkaloids in these foods inhibit formation of the collagen that makes up cartilage.

Low-Fat, Low –protein vegetarian diets may ease the pain and inflammation of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Positive results are reported from eliminating partially hydrogenated fats and polyunsaturated vegetable oils, and supplementing the diet with falx oil, sardines and other oily fish as a source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Vitamins therapy may relieve certain arthritic symptoms. Beta carotene ( Viatmin A) has an antioxidant effect on cells, neutralizing destructive molecules called free radicals. Vitamin C, B6 and E as well as Zinc are thought to enhance collagen production and repair of connective tissues. Vitamin C may also be advised for people taking Aspirin, which depletes the body’s vitamin C balance. Niacin ( Vitamin B 3) may also be helpful, although excessive use may aggravate liver problems. Always take vitamin supplement under professional guidance, since overdose of some vitamin compounds can have side effects or undesirable interactions with drugs.

Some therapists recommend cherries or dark red berries to stimulate the production of collagen, essential to cartilage repair.

YOGA

A number of yoga positions( opposite) may have beneficial effects on Arthritis

AT- HOME REMEDIES

Heat and rest –traditional remedies for arthritic pain-are very effective in the short term for most people with the disease. Overweight sufferers should begin weight reduction, especially when arthritis strikes the lower back and legs.

If arthritic pain comes on unexpectedly, supplement an over-the-counter painkiller with dry heat from a heating pad or moist heat in the form of a hot bath or a hot-water bottle wrapped in a towel. Regular exercise is important to keep the joints mobile. People with weakened , badly deformed fingers from rheumatoid arthritis benefit from specially designed utensils and door and drawer handles; people suffering weakness in the legs and arms from osteoarthritis can use special bathroom fixtures, especially tub rails and elevated toilet seats.