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Arthritis Resource provides news, arthritis treatment information, medical abstracts and a support community for those suffering from arthritis. Your resource for arthritis support groups and arthritis information.
Arthritis Resource & Support - News, treatment, Support Groups
arthritissupport.com, Arthritis,arthritis treatment, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis pain, arthritis pain relief, arthritis support groups, osteoarthritis treatment, osteoarthritis, chondroitin sulfate, chondroitin, joint deterioration, glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine, inflamed muscles, sore muscles, Humira (adalimumab), Remicade, infliximab, Enbrel, etanercept,
Abstract: A cetylated fatty acid topical cream with menthol reduces pain and improves functional performance in individuals with arthritis [ 08/17/05 ]
Abstract: Supplementation of fish oil and olive oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [ 05/13/05 ]
Abstract: Intermittent treatment of knee osteoarthritis with oral chondroitin sulfate: a one-year, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study versus placebo [ 08/20/04 ]
Abstract: Osteoarthritic patients with high cartilage turnover show increased responsiveness to the cartilage protecting effects of glucosamine sulphate [ 06/30/04 ]
Brightly-Colored Fruit and Vegetables May Help Protect Against Arthritis - Researchers from The University of Manchester's Medical School have discovered that eating more brightly-coloured fruits and vegetables like oranges, carrots and sweetcorn may help reduce the risk of developing inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthr ... READ MORE [ 08/29/05 ]
Hot or Cold? Relieving the Aches and Pains of Arthritis and More - If sore muscles have you yearning for relief, what’s the best strategy to soothe inflamed muscles, heat or cold? Cold first, advises the August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Later, heat can help. READ MORE [ 08/15/05 ]
Weight Loss Takes Load Off Knees of Arthritis Patients (and Everyone) - Reporting in the July issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, researchers at Wake Forest University, in Winston-Salem, N.C., found that for every pound of weight lost, there was a four-pound reduction in the load on the knee for each step. READ MORE [ 08/01/05 ]
Myth That Exercise and Arthritis Don't Mix Still Lingers - "For years, people with arthritis thought the right answer was to avoid activity, physical therapy and exercise, for fear that their pain would get worse. Well, avoiding activity and exercise is actually the wrong answer," says Vert Mooney, M.D ... READ MORE [ 06/07/05 ]
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Tied to Skin Problems - Dutch researchers have linked a group of rheumatoid arthritis drugs to skin problems. Humira (adalimumab), Remicade (infliximab), and Enbrel (etanercept) are mentioned in the study, which appears in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy. READ MORE [ 04/12/05 ]
FDA Asks Pfizer to Voluntarily Remove Bextra ( valdecoxib) From the Market - After concluding that the overall risk versus benefit profile is unfavorable, FDA has requested Pfizer to voluntarily withdraw Bextra (valdecoxib) from the market. READ MORE [ 04/07/05 ]
Inflammation Elevates Risk of Cardiac Death in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients - Mayo Clinic epidemiologists have found that the systemic inflammation characterizing rheumatoid arthritis may be to blame for the increased risk of cardiovascular death in patients with the disease. READ MORE [ 03/29/05 ]
Diet Recommendations for Inflammatory Arthritis - Medical literature contains many documented cases of how diet modification can improve inflammatory arthritis. READ MORE [ 03/14/05 ]
Research: How Fish Oils Reduce Inflammation - Further support for the action of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory conditions comes from new research on lipids in humans that are triggered by aspirin, as well as fish oil. READ MORE [ 03/14/05 ]
Nix Arthritis Aches Naturally - James Duke, Ph.D., author of "The Green Pharmacy Anti-Aging Prescriptions" is one of the world's leading authorities on herbal healing. In this article, Duke shares some great tips for getting relief from aching, swollen joints. READ MORE [ 02/28/05 ]
Arthritis Sufferers Find Natural Source Of Relief - "Omega-3 fatty acids are essentially found in fish oil, and what is totally unrecognized by most people is that this is an anti-inflammatory," said neurology professor Dr. James Maroon. READ MORE [ 01/31/05 ]
An Alternative for Osteoarthritis Pain When Medications, Exercise, and Surgery Are Not Options - A study of the use of home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for the purpose of improving quadricep strength in older adults with knee osteoarthritis has produced promising results. READ MORE [ 01/17/05 ]
Study Finds Acupuncture Eases Arthritis Pain - Treatment with acupuncture needles significantly reduced pain and eased movement for patients with arthritic knees who were taking pain medicine, according to the largest and most rigorous study to date of the ancient treatment. READ MORE [ 01/04/05 ]
Eating Red Meat May Increase the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis - A new study indicates high levels of red meat consumption are an independent risk factor in the development of inflammatory arthritis. READ MORE [ 12/08/04 ]
Online Study At Stanford To Investigate Arthritis Self-Care Techniques - People who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia are invited to join a Stanford University Medical Center study of an online workshop that teaches skills for symptom management, with an emphasis on feeling better an ... READ MORE [ 11/22/04 ]
Vitamin D May Help Arthritic Knees Function Better - Boston researchers report a link between low serum levels of vitamin D and decreased knee function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. READ MORE [ 10/25/04 ]
12 Signs Your Bones Need Attention - The best way to approach your personal risk of osteopenia (bone loss) is to get a piece of paper and write down any of the following 12 signs (risk factors) that mean your bones might need attention. After you've made your personal risk factor list, check ... READ MORE [ 09/27/04 ]
10 Reasons for Arthritis Sufferers to Exercise - In conjunction with National Arthritis Month, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) suggests the following reasons why arthritis sufferers should exercise. "Unfortunately, many arthritis sufferers mistakenly believe that exercise will worsen their c ... READ MORE [ 05/24/04 ]
Glucosamine Boosts NSAIDs for Pain Relief - The nutritional supplement glucosamine boosts the pain-relieving power of ibuprofen, according to a new study by Temple University researchers. READ MORE
Arthritis Treatment Articles
Analysis of Dietary Supplements Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Shows Probable Treatment for Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been used in Europe for arthritis treatment for over 10 years. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which are sold in the United States as dietary supplements, are natural substances found in and around the cells of cartilage. Researchers believe these substances may help in the repair and maintenance of cartilage. Study findings have been uniformly positive and more independent clinical studies are underway.
Breakthrough Non-Drug Arthritis Treatment
The Prosorba column, a therapeutic device currently in use in the USA, will be launched in Canada as a new option for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The Prosoba column is a plastic cylinder about the size of a coffee mug that contains a sand-like substance coated with a special material called Protein A. Protein A is unique in that it binds certain elements from your blood called antibodies. Unwanted antibodies can result in disease. The Prosorba column works to counter the effect of these harmful antibodies.
New Osteoarthritis Treatment Approved in the USA
The new drug, called Mobic, is indicated as a once-daily medication for osteoarthritis treatment. As the third new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) introduced to the market in the past two years, Mobic is being priced approximately 20 percent less than Celebrex® and Vioxx® for the starting and maintenance daily dose of 7.5 mg.
FDA Approves Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Remicade, in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for the reduction of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have had an inadequate response to methotrexate (alone), the current standard of rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Green Tea Can Help Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
According to a new study antioxidants in green tea may prevent and reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.The study examined the effects of green tea polyphenols on collagen-induced arthritis in mice, which is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in humans. Polyphenols are chemicals that occur naturally in certain foods, including green tea, and many work as antioxidants to protect the body from oxidative stress that causes disease.
Olive Oil and Cooked Vegetables Help Rheumatoid Arthritis
Results of a lifetime retrospective dietary survey showed persons in the lowest category of olive oil consumption had a two-and-one-half times greater risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than did those in the highest category. In addition, those who ate the highest amount of cooked vegetables had a 75% lesser risk of developing RA.
Understanding Osteoarthritis
What Is It?
Osteoarthritis literally means "degenerative joint disease." It affects more than 16 million Americans and is the most common form of arthritis. After the age of 45 it occurs ten times more commonly in women than men. Onset of this disease is increasingly common with age, and symptoms usually creep up on people slowly.
Causes
The most common causes of osteoarthritis are injuries, joint overuse and aging. Scientists also suspect that inherited gene defects may be another factor, and they are currently investigating this link. Studies point to the conclusion that this disease tends to run in families, possibly through a recessive gene.
Cartilage
Osteoarthritis affects the protective material around joints called cartilage, which covers and cushions the ends of the bones. In a healthy person, cartilage is flexible and hardwearing. However, eventually cartilage frays, wears down, and may even disappear completely, leaving behind a joint consisting of bone meeting bone with no padding. Consequently, the other sections of the joint such as the tendons, ligaments and muscles, become weaker until the joint itself becomes deformed.
Prevention
Currently, the only known methods of prevention are avoiding repetitive joint injury and weight control.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling and stiffness are the most common results of joint deterioration, and they often become worse with time. Morning stiffness and excessive pain in one joint are typical early warning signs. Symptoms may appear in the hands, knees, hips, back and neck. The affected joint's range of motion will also become increasingly limited.
Treatments:
Although Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that may last a lifetime, several approaches to treatment are effective.
Exercise
It used to be thought that exercise causes 'wear and tear' on the body, especially in joints. Now, however, being inactive is considered detrimental to joint health. Experts now recognize the importance of exercise for strengthening joints, both before and after symptoms of arthritis appear. Swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics and range-of-motion exercises are beneficial to dealing with joint pain and stiffness.
Medications
Cortisone is used to reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility. The most commonly used corticosteroids are Prednisone, methylprednisone, Decadron and Aristocort. Occasionally, the hormone is injected into the joint to stop pain. However, the use of any corticosteriods should be discussed extensively with a doctor, as they do have side effects (depending on the dosage and length of time they are used.)
Acetaminophen is commonly used for pain relief, although it is dangerous in doses higher than 4,000 mg daily and poses a risk for patients with liver disease.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be used, although inflammation is less of a problem in this kind of arthritis. A new kind of NSAID called COX-2 inhibitors recently came onto the market with the promise of fewer gastrointestinal side effects. Please read our in-depth articles in the library for more information.
Hyaluronan and Viscosupplementation. Hyaluronan, a naturally occurring substance in synovial fluid reduces joint pain by enriching the natural properties of synovial fluid. Vicosupplementation is the name of the therapy in which hyaluronan is injected into the knee. Synvisc and Hyalagan are two brand names to look for, and are recommended for the treatment of OA in the knee after traditional therapies are unsuccessful.
Weight reduction
Being overweight is a definite risk factor for developing osteoarthritis. The increased load on joints may accelerate the breakdown of cartilage; for example, it is estimated that people with the highest body weight in the population have up to ten times the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis than those with the lowest weight. Weight issues are an important part of arthritis management. Successful strategies include calorie reduction, increased physical activity, and general adjustments in eating and exercise habits.
Heat and Ice
Warm baths, heat lamps and warm compresses can relieve pain. Heat also reduces stiffness and increases movement. Other people find relief in cold packs, especially for inflammation. In either case, remove the compress or ice after 20 minutes.
Topical Products
Topical products are sometimes used to provide temporary relief from arthritis pain. Capsaicin, a compound found in hot peppers, reduces pain when applied to the affected area three or four times a day. Other products, called counterirritants, use camphor, menthol or turpentine oil to mask the pain. Skin irritation may develop, but otherwise there are few side effects.
Surgery
In severe cases, surgery can help to repair torn cartilage and remove loose bone fragments. There are several different types of procedures, from arthroplasty, where the entire damaged joint is replaced, to osteotomy, which removes damaged bone tissue.
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