Monday, 26 May 2008

Causes of Arthritis

Arthritis sees the slow erosion of the cartilage in the joints – this disease causes stiffness and affects the musculoskeletal system. Bones have a tissue cover on them which protects them while rubbing against each other called cartilage. The cells that the cartilage is made up of are known as the chondrocytes and function just like other glands and organs in the body. Normally, all of the chondrocytes will die out and be replaced by the new cartilage cells.


Over time, inflammation might kill more cartilage cells which make replacement difficult to keep up with. Cartilage cells are not sufficiently regenerated when there is injury or insufficient nutrition for regenerating new cells. Lack of sufficient cartilage, can cause instability, joint weakness, pain and deformity, all of which affect and interrupt regular activities. The traditional treatment to arthritis demands change of one's lifestyle besides physical therapy and medication. The last resort to treat joint problems is the invasive joint replacement therapy and is only resorted to after all other treatments have failed.


Arthritis is mainly categorized into two types, ‘localized' and ‘generalized' depending on which areas are affected (body or the joints). They are then sub categorized. Localized conditions are where the soft tissue around the bone or joint is affected. It refers to conditions like tendonitis and bursitis. One of the localized conditions could affect just the hip or the knee joints. Generalized conditions involve a sub category where there is no swelling or inflammation but the muscle and soft tissue are affected. A common type in arthritis is Fibromyalgia and this is categorized in the main category which does not cause joint damage.


The second sub category is one where there is inflammation and the whole body is affected. Other generalized conditions are polymyositis (muscles); systemic lupus erythematosus (skin, kidneys, or other organs); and vasculitis (any organ). Other generalized conditions are polymyositis (muscles); systemic lupus erythematosus (skin, kidneys, or other organs); and vasculitis (any organ).


A person can have more than one type of arthritis and it includes more than 100 medical conditions that affect approximately 46 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States. As early on as infancy, this condition can begin, even though it is most commonly seen in adults that are over the age of sixty, in the primary form of osteoarthritis. The number of people suffering out of this condition is increasing proportionally with the increasing average age of the American population. With old age setting in people suffering with arthritis is increasing day by day.


Within the United States, arthritis as well as several related illnesses are known to be the cause of major disability and it cost over one hundred and twenty four billion dollars each year in indirect expenses and medical care expenses. Individuals can help prevent osteoarthritis by following a few simple steps: Maintaining appropriate weight and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables as a good source of vitamins c and d. By taking the time to make sure that you are consuming enough calcium, participate in regular exercise and avoiding injuries that are brought about due to sports activities, you can also help with prevention of this condition.

Thursday, 26 July 2007

Glucosamine and why liquid Glucosamine formula Syn-flex® is one of the most powerful joint care products on the market today...

Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced from the shells of chitin (shellfish) and is a key component of the extra cellular matrix of cartilage. Glucosamine works to stimulate joint function and repair. Glucosamine has been clinically proven to slow the progression of osteoarthritis in humans with arthritis and hip dysplasia in pets. It has been proven effective in easing osteoarthritis pain, aid in rehabilitating cartilage, renewing synovial fluid, and repairing joints that have been damaged from osteoarthritis.

Our bodies produce Glucosamine naturally. However, as we grow older we lose the ability to produce sufficient quantities. Having enough Glucosamine is essential to producing the nutrients we need to produce synovial fluid. It is this fluid which lubricates our cartilage and maintains healthy joints.

When you have a Glucosamine deficiency, cartilage hardens and bone spurs develop which leads to deformities in the joints. Your mobility becomes limited and in short, this is how osteoarthritis develops.

This was big news to nutraceutical companies and it was the beginning of an all-new segment of the industry. Today, nearly all of the major companies offer their version of Glucosamine through a wide range of outlets, from retail stores to medical clinics.

However, in their rush to gain market share companies they put products on the market with little regard to the overall quality of their offering. Most are deficient because the Glucosamine ranges from low to medium quality at best. As well, most are in pill or capsule form which means that they are not absorbed well into your system.

The Science Backing Liquid Glucosamine formula Syn-flex®
The first tests on liquid Glucosamine were completed in 1998. The testing made clear that the absorption rate and bio-availability of Glucosamine in pill form was significantly less than in liquid form. The misconception that pills are the only and best way to obtain Glucosamine is simply not true. Pills and capsules contain Glucosamine that is in powder form. It is a well known fact that liquid is absorbed much better than powder, at a rate of 80-85% absorption. In short, Glucosamine in liquid form is absorbed faster and it provides greater impact.

The reports on the use of capsule or pill forms of Glucosamine vary greatly. Most users report that if they received any relief at all, it came after six to ten weeks of use. On the other hand, those using liquid Glucosamine reported feeling pain relief in as little as one to two weeks.

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Wednesday, 25 July 2007

What You Can Do About Arthritis Pain

In most forms of arthritis, the first treatments are aimed at relieving the symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Patients usually take arthritis pain medication over several years, especially in chronic inflammatory cases. There are several types of arthritis pain medication, from simple oral tablets to joint injections. The right pain relief drug should depend on the severity of the pain and the patient’s overall health. Arthritis pain medication may include one or more of the following:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are the used to alleviate pain and inflammation, especially in moderate to severe attacks. Some NSAIDs are also antipyretic, which makes them useful in cases accompanied by fever. Most NSAIDs are available over the counter, and patients are often allowed to try different brands to find the one that works best. However, they are known to cause gastrointestinal problems such as peptic ulcers and diarrhea. Scientists have developed newer NSAIDs that are gentler on the stomach, such as COX-2 inhibitors. However, they are believed to increase the risk of heart disease.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, or simply steroids, are more potent than NSAIDs. They are usually reserved for severe cases when the heart or other vital organs are affected. Glucocorticoids are the most commonly used for arthritis pain medication. They can be taken orally or administered via joint injections.

Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs)

DMDs were developed for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. They work by blocking the substances in the body believed to trigger autoimmune attacks. A smaller subclass, called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), is used specifically for rheumatoid arthritis pain medication.

DMDs and DMARDs can effectively slow the progress of disease, but often have serious side effects. These include liver damage, low blood count, and an increased risk of bacterial infection. Doctors usually start with the mildest DMARD, methotrexate, and use others only when there are no improvements.

Biologic response modifiers (BRMs)

These are a class of drugs based on naturally occurring enzymes. Patients who do not respond to other arthritis pain medications are usually given BRMs. The most common BRM is the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha blocker, which inhibits the protein that triggers pain and inflammation response. BRM brand names include Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade.

BRM therapy can cause side effects such as fever, chills, weakness, and muscle aches. Depending on the type of BRM used, patients may have to stay in hospital during treatment in case of serious reactions.