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Issue 1

ARTHRITIS

The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation. It is often used to refer to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. These diseases may affect not only the joints but also other parts of the body, including important supporting structures such as muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments, as well as some internal organs.
The common denominator for all these conditions is joint and musculoskeletal pain which is why they are grouped together as Arthritis.
Arthritis most commonly affects the areas in or around the joints. Different types of arthritis can affect one or more parts of a joint, often resulting in a change in the shape and alignment of the joints.

Arthritis usually causes stiffness, pain and fatigue. The joints of the body are the site of most of the action in arthritis.
Some of the warning signs of arthritis are joint inflammation, swelling, stiffness, inflammation, constant or recurring pain or tenderness in a joint, difficulty using or moving a joint normally, redness or warmth. These symptoms may be accompanied by weight loss, fever or weakness.

Arthritis can be a debilitating condition in which even small day to day activities and movements become hard to perform.
Three major factors which a play a role in the onset of arthritis include the genetic factors which you inherit from your parents, what happens to you during your life and how you live your life.
People who are over weight have a higher frequency of arthritis. Joint injuries and excessive over use of the joints can increase the risk of some types of arthritis. How ever doctors are still not sure as to what is the exact cause of arthritis, though scientists are still trying to find that out.

It is important to find out if you have arthritis and if so of what type.
Early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis can help slow the joint damage that can occur during the first few years.
Some basic things which you can do on your own are- try to keep your weight down, lose any excess weight, exercise ( according to the plan provided by your doctor), take your medicines as and when you are supposed to, try taking a warm shower in the morning, see your doctor regularly and seek proper medical guidance and as much information as you can

Though there is no cure for arthritis, there are a number of treatments and therapies available. These should be followed only after consultation with a qualified doctor.

ARTHRITIS PAIN

Arthritis pain has many different sources.
These may include:
-Inflammation of the synovial membrane (tissue that lines the joints), tendons or ligaments.
-Damage to the joint tissues, from disease, stress, injury or pressure.
-Muscle strain and fatigue caused by overworked muscles attempting to protect your joints from painful movements.
-Depression or stress leading to limited movement, hence getting caught in a cycle of pain, stress and limited pain management abilities.
   
Arthritis pain can be caused by any of a group of more than 100 diseases (collectively coming under the broad heading of Arthritis).These diseases affect not only the joints but other important structures such as tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones. The common denominator amongst all these conditions is joint and musculoskeletal pain, commonly known as arthritis pain.

Arthritis pain is usually chronic. Chronic arthritis pain is long lasting, ranging from weeks, months, and years to a lifetime. It is essential to treat this pain, since it can disrupt the pattern and movement of your daily life.

Arthritis pain varies greatly from person to person, for reasons that doctors do not yet fully understand. Factors ranging from physical activities, environmental conditions to emotional states seem to affect the intensity of arthritis pain. Each individual has a different thresh hold for pain affected by both physical and emotional factors. Hence the intensity of arthritis pain differs for every individual.

Wit the onset of arthritis pain, it is imperative that you visit a doctor. Since doctors rely on your description of the pain to help guide treatment, it would be useful to keep a diary to record the intensity, sensation and duration of the pain.
A number of different specialists can help you deal with arthritis pain, be it surgeons, physicians, physical and occupational therapists or other health care professionals. It must be kept in mind that you shouldn’t take any medication or follow any course of treatment on your own, without proper guidance.

Some factors which can make the arthritis pain feel worse are increased disease activity, stress, physical over exertion, fatigue, anxiety and depression.

There is no single treatment which is completely effective in dealing with arthritis pain. However some very simple things which you can do on your own to manage and ease the arthritis pain are to eat a healthy diet, get 8 to 10 hours of sleep at night, find a good physician or specialist, join a support group and keep a daily diary of pain and mood changes to share with your physician.

For more information please visit www.arthritispharmacy.com

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION

Arthritis foundation is a major voluntary organization devoted to arthritis. The foundation publishes a free brochure, Coping with Pain, and a monthly magazine for members that provides up-to-date information on all forms of arthritis. The foundation can also provide addresses and phone numbers for local chapters, physicians and clinic referrals.
The primary objective of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases. The Arthritis foundation provides grants to researchers to help find a cure, prevention, or better treatment for arthritis. It also provides a large number of community-based services nationwide to make life with arthritis easier.
The main office of the Arthritis foundation is located at-

Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404-872-7100 or 800-283-7800 (free of charge)

The website for the arthritis foundation is http://www.arthritis.org

For finding out your local arthritis foundation chapter you can dial the toll free number 1-800-283-7800 or write in to the following address-

Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357-0669

For becoming a member of the arthritis foundation, subscribing to their magazine Arthritis today or for being included in their general mailing list you can call the following toll free number: 1-800-933-0032
Or write in to the address given below:
Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 96280
Washington, DC 20077

ARTHRITIS SYMTOMS

Though there are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, each with its own set of symptoms, there are some basic arthritis symptoms which can help you recognize the onset of the disease.
The primary arthritis symptoms are-
•    Persistent joint pain
•    Inflammation indicated by joint stiffness, swelling redness or warmth.
•    Early morning stiffness
•    Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by simple activities such as getting up, sitting down, writing, holding an object etc
•    Loss of flexibility or range of motion in a joint
•    Joint deformity
Other arthritis symptoms can include-
•    Weight loss
•    Fatigue
•    Non specific fever
•    Crepitus (the cracking noise arthritic joints make upon movement)
•    Flu like symptoms
•    Nodules in the skin

Arthritis symptoms should not be taken lightly. If at any point of time you experience any of the above arthritis symptoms, it is advisable to visit the doctor. He will be able to make a definitive diagnosis and guide you.

For more information please visit www.arthritispharmacy.com

ARTHRITIS PAIN RELIEF

There is no single treatment that provides arthritis pain relief to all people who have arthritis.

There are short term arthritis pain relief treatments which can be effective, they are:

•    Medication- This can to quite an extent provide arthritis pain relief. However you should not go ahead and self medicate. You must consult a doctor who will guide you in the right direction.
•    Heat and cold- Depending on the type of arthritis and after discussion with your doctor, you can use heat or cold therapy for arthritis pain relief.
•    Joint protection- Using a splint or a brace to allow the joints to rest and to protect them from injury can be helpful in providing arthritis pain relief.
•    Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) - This consists of a small device that directs electrical pulses to the nerve endings lying beneath the skin surface in the affected area, thus resulting in arthritis pain relief.
•    Massage- This is an arthritis pain relief method. But you must ensure that the person giving the massage is a qualified massage therapist, since arthritis stressed joints are very sensitive.
•    Acupuncture- This procedure should only be done by a licensed acupuncture therapist. Scientists think that this method stimulates the release of natural pain relieving chemicals produced by the brain or nervous system.


Some sources of long term arthritis pain relief are:

Medication- Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are a class of drugs for both long term and short term arthritis pain relief, especially in osteo arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) are given to people who are not responding to NSAIDS, for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Corticosteroids- These are drugs that are very effective for arthritis pain relief treatment. They can be taken by mouth or given by injection. Because frequent injections can cause damage to the cartilage, they should be taken only once or twice a year.
It must be kept in mind that no medication should be taken without a proper consultation with a doctor.
Weight reduction- Excess weight puts extra stress on weight bearing joints. Weight reduction can provide arthritis pain relief and helps in preventing the condition from worsening.
Exercise- A qualified physical therapist can help you chalk out an exercise program, which can help reduce joint pain and stiffness.
Surgery- In select cases surgery may be required. It can provide dramatic arthritis pain relief and improvement in motion for many people with arthritis.

These above are some of the short term as well as the long term arthritis pain relief methods. For recommendations on what you should follow and other details, you must consult a good doctor. Do not take up any course of action without proper consultation.

ARTHRITIS TREATMENT

Arthritis treatment has come a long way. With new and better technology arthritis treatment is very effective.

Arthritis treatment includes the following:-

Medication
Medication for arthritis treatment comes under the following categories-
- COX-2 specific inhibitors
- Traditional non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
- Over the counter pain medications
- Steroids
- Disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARD)
- Biological response modifiers

Dietary changes
The diet which you eat has an important role in arthritis treatment. Some of the recommendations are-
- Eat a variety of foods
- Include fruits, grains and vegetables in your diet
- Control fat and cholesterol intake
- Eat only moderate amounts of sugar
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Use salt in moderation and limit your sodium intake
- Drink alcohol in moderation.
- Take the recommended daily requirements of vitamins & minerals including calcium


Exercise
Exercise is an important part of arthritis treatment. You must consult with your doctor or physical therapist for an exercise program that fits your needs. The three major types of exercises that should be included in your program are, range of motion exercises, endurance exercises and strengthening exercises.
At all times you must ensure to get recommendations from your doctor, to do these exercises under the supervision of qualified physical therapists. Begin the exercises slowly and progress gradually, try applying heat before you begin and cold packs after you are done, stop if the exercises hurt and get your doctors advice.

Surgery
In certain cases your doctor may recommend surgery. It has many benefits (improved movement, pain relief and improved alignment of joints), but it maybe risky also (if there are already existing health problems and if you are over weight, also blood clots may develop).
The different types of surgery in arthritis treatment are-
•    Arhtrodesis…..(.The surgical fixation of a joint, ultimately resulting in bone fusion. Basically, the procedure is artificially induced ankylosis performed to relieve pain or provide support in a diseased or injured joint).

•    Arthroplasty… (The creation of an artificial joint. The surgical restoration of the integrity and functional power of a joint).

•    Arthroscopy…( Examination of the interior of a joint, such as the knee, using a type of endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision.)

•    Osteotomy …..( Surgical division or sectioning of bone)

•    Synovectomy... (Excision of part or all of the synovial membrane of a joint.)


Physical therapy
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help reduce pain, restore mobility, increase functioning, improve strength and flexibility, and prevent any unnecessary disability. It is essential that you consult a qualified physical therapist only.

Occupational therapy
Sometimes arthritis symptoms are severe enough to make even everyday activities difficult. Occupational therapists teach ways to conserve energy and prevent stress on joints when performing activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom. Occupational therapy helps people of all ages make the most of their abilities and function as independently as possible in spite of physical limitations.

Alternative arthritis treatment
Some complementary therapies seem to offer significant relief from chronic pain with very few side effects, and therefore may be useful for arthritis treatment. How ever you must consult with your doctor before you go ahead with any alternative arthritis treatment.

Arthritis treatment can include all of the above either singly or in different combinations. For the most effective treatment consult your doctor and follow his guidance.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic (i.e. it can affect areas of the body other than the joints) & inflammatory disease that primarily affects the synovial membranes of multiple joints.
It is an auto immune disease where the body's immune system improperly identifies the synovial membranes that secrete the lubricating fluid in the joints as foreign. Inflammation results, and the cartilage and tissues in and around the joints are damaged or destroyed. In severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis this inflammation extends to other joint tissues and surrounding cartilage, where it may erode or destroy bone and cartilage and lead to joint deformities. The body replaces damaged tissue with scar tissue, causing the normal spaces within the joints to become narrow and the bones to fuse together.
Rheumatoid arthritis creates stiffness, swelling, fatigue, anemia, weight loss, fever, and often, crippling pain. During flares, joints frequently become red, swollen, painful, and tender. This occurs because the lining tissue of the joint (synovium) becomes inflamed, resulting in the production of excessive joint fluid (synovial fluid).
In rheumatoid arthritis, the small joints of the hands, wrists, feet, and knees are typically inflamed in a symmetrical distribution (affecting both sides of the body). Simple tasks of daily living, such as turning door knobs and opening jars can become difficult during flares.
Some common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include tender warm swollen joints, symmetrical pattern of affected joints, joint inflammation often affecting wrist and finger joints closest to the hand, joint stiffness and pain upon awakening that lasts an hour or longer, fatigue a general fever and a sense of not feeling too well, swelling in the soft tissue around the joints, swelling on both sides of the joint. Swelling can occur with or without pain, and can worsen progressively or remain the same for years before progressing.
As yet it has not been fully understood what causes the immune system to turn against itself in rheumatoid arthritis, but research has identified some basic factors- genetic, environmental & hormonal. One thing is for certain, rheumatoid arthritis develops as a result of interaction of many factors.
The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be quite difficult since there is no single test for the disease. Symptoms differ from person to person & in some cases are very similar to those for arthritis and other joint conditions. Hence doctors use some basic tools to diagnose the disease. These are physical examination, laboratory tests (including tests for rheumatoid factor, white blood cell count, anemia, erythrocyte sedimentation rate & C reactive protein) & X-Rays.


There are various treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. The general areas are-
- Patient and family education
- Social and emotional support
- Prevention of disability and preservation of function
- Health and behavior changes (rest and exercise, joint care, stress reduction, healthy diet & climate)
- Medication
- Surgery (joint replacement, tendon reconstruction & synovectomy)
- Routine monitoring and ongoing care
- Alternative and complementary therapies

In most cases of rheumatoid arthritis there are periods of remissions (when the patient feels good) and exacerbations (when the patient feels worse). During remissions, symptoms of the disease disappear, and patients generally feel well. When the disease becomes active again (relapse), symptoms return. The return of disease activity and symptoms is called a flare. The course of rheumatoid arthritis varies from patient to patient, and periods of flares and remissions are typical.
Though there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but with proper treatment under medical supervision the pain and damage caused due to it can be contained to a very large extent.
For more information please visit www.arthritispharmacy.com