Arthritis
Arthritis- Information from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Federal Citizen Information Center: Coping with Arthritis - Topics include diagnosis, medications, avoiding fraud, and new research.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center - Interactive, educational program for health care professionals about diseases that cause arthritis and their treatments.
There are several kinds of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the kind most people have. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints begins to wear out, and often very little of cartilage is left, which causes inflammation and pain during action. Rheumatoid arthritis has the same symptoms, but the cause is different from osteoarthritis, because rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a condition when the body's immune system attacks instead of healing.
All About Arthritis - A comprehensive guide to this disease and its treatment. Offers news and use the tools to help manage pain.
Arthritis Insight - Help with living with this condition, including chat rooms, bulletin boards and extensive information on types of arthritis, surgeries, medications, alternative treatments, pain management, and other topics.
Arthritis.com - Information about the condition and joints generally, with advice on managing and living with it.
Proper nutrition is the first remedy for osteoarthritis, because a healthy
diet can help almost any disease. Proper nutrition means no taking of
refined sugar or refined carbohydrates, and having fruits, vegetables, lean
protein, whole grains, and fiber. Take a good multivitamin that has all
necessary vitamins and minerals. Take a fish oil supplement or a good one
with omega 3 free fatty acids.
Most doctors recommend drugs for pain and inflammation from arthritis, but effective drugs may have dangerous side effects. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproproxin, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs, are the most recommended. However, taking drugs of this type for long periods of time can cause life-threatening side affects, for example, bleeding ulcers in the stomach. Other drugs called Cox. 2 Inhibitors, such as Vioxx, did relieve pain and inflammation, and did not cause bleeding ulcers, but had even more dangerous side effects, such as heart attacks and strokes. the Federal Drug Administration recently took Vioxx out of the market; however, it may be reinstated for sale with labels, which should show convincing warnings about dangerous side effects.
Antibiotics and Rheumatic Diseases - Low dose antibiotic treatment for rheumatic disorders. Discussion and protocols about this unorthodox treatment.
Arthritis Week - News and information about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
International Still's Disease Foundation - Information and support to those with Adult Onset Still's Disease and Systemic JRA.
To avoid dangerous side effects of drugs, many people move over to food
supplements. There are many food supplements that not only effectively
remove pain and inflammation, but they also helpful in replacing and healing
the cartilage. The most popular supplement that has had the best results
with no side effects, is glucosomine. It is available in health food stores.
Take 500 milligrams of glucosomine three times a day. Turmeric is another good pain-killing supplement for treating arthritis inflammation. It is available in health food stores as a spice or in capsules. Sprinkle a teaspoon of turmeric on food, and do this on a daily basis. It is great on sprouted grain bread on a thin layer of peanut or almond butter. Other food supplements that have been successful, are niacinamide, bromelain, green tea, and liquid fruit pectin.
Alternative Arthritis Treatments - Information and resources for mind-body treatments, exercise, diet and relaxation techniques to treat this disease.
Arthritis Daily - Information resource about the types and treatment of arthritis.
MedicineNet: Focus on Arthritis - Medical information about all forms of arthritis including rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, reactive arthritis and discussions on fibromyalgia.
Physical therapy is helpful for many people who work with a professional trainer, who can tailor the exercises for patients' needs. As a last resort, surgery may be the right solution to severe problems. Patients have had success with hip and knee replacements . This relieves the pain, and artificial joints improve walking and other activities.
Arthritis Guide - The BBC Health guide to arthritis, its causes and treatment and living with it.
Arthritis- Information from InteliHealth including osteoarthritis, pain, alternative therapies, basic diagnostic information, treatment options and news.
Joint Enterprise - Dr Cameron offers information about painful joints and muscles. Includes frozen shoulder, and shoulder, knee and heel pain.
Much of the same treatment should be tried for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis with a few modifications by the doctor. Aspirin is the most recommended drug for rheumatoid arthritis, but treatment needs to be monitored by a doctor, who will check for bleeding ulcers. Some exercises that aggravate the pain, must not be taken. Bed rest may be necessary for the patient in the event of a sudden onset of severe pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthrofax.com - Designed as a Canadian resource, with background information, self-assessment tests, treatment options, FAQ, and glossary.
Joint Health - Information and articles about arthritis and other joint related health issues.
To summarize, healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and exercise are very helpful in treatment of arthritis. Drugs are of the least importance because of dangerous side affects, so try other options until one or more works.
