Natural Ways to Relieve Arthritis Knee Pain - Remedies That Work

This article emphasizes on the natural ways to relieve arthritis knee pain effectively. Knee pain can restrict your movement and can greatly influence your daily life activities.

1. Limiting activities is one way of relieving knee joint pain. Avoid long walks, running or jumping. For instance, instead of stairs, the patient should use an escalator. Excessive exertion can accelerate the damage in already worn out joints.

2. Light aerobic exercises like hamstring set exercises, heel slide, straight leg raise and static hold exercises, knee extension with leg lift, flexion and extension, assisted knee flexion are some exercises that may be practiced at home for relieving knee joint pain.

3. Walking with the support of a cane serves as an effective pain reliever in case of knee arthritis. However while using cane, one should keep in mind to hold the cane in the hand opposite to the leg with the affected knee, and the cane under the guidance of an orthopedic doctor, should be of the appropriate height.

4. Knee braces or ace bandages may be used to give external support to the ailing joint. This helps in checking pain after an activity, and also controls swelling.

5. Reduction in body weight reduces the load on the knee joint. Thus weight reduction is one way of pain reduction.

6. Omega3 fatty acids are essential for mending damaged joints. Sweet water fishes like tuna, salmon, herring, sardines etc are rich in omega3 fatty acids. Also fresh vegetables like broccoli, fruits like banana, grapes and pineapple, flavonoid rich food items can prove beneficial for treating an aching knee.

7. Green tea is rich in antioxidants that have bone boosting properties. Therefore it may be used as a pain relieving means.

8. Cortisone injection for mild arthritis, and Gold injection and methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis are used these days for suppressing knee joint pain.

9. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are helpful in reducing knee pain and swelling. Aspirin is one example of such drug.

10. Glucosamine supplements are capable of restoring and rebuilding cartilages, and are therefore used by countless people all over the world as a remedial measure against knee pain.

11. Ice therapy is a proven means to reduce pain. Ice cube wrapped in fabric may be rubbed on the aching joint to get comfort and relief from pain.

12. Breathable, self-adhesive compression bandages may be used for results. They will prevent fluid accumulation within the knee joint.

13. Elevating knee with the help of pillows can reduce pain and swelling, as it drains away the fluid that could have collected within the knee joint.

14. A warm cozy ambience can ease painful situations.

15. Boswelia and bromelain herbs are clinically proven pain reducing agents.

16. If pain becomes intolerable, and makes the patient gradually move towards disability, knee replacement surgery could be a way out.

A Simple Introduction of the Incentive Spirometer

An incentive spirometer is a kind of useful medical device which can help patients to improve their lungs' function. If someone has had surgery, this might do harm to their respiratory function, especially the lungs. This device can help them to minimize the chance of fluid build-up in the lungs. Besides, this device can also be used to assist patients to recover from cardiac or other surgery. In the following, I will give an introduction of this device.

• Purpose

Using an incentive spirometer to do deep breathing exercises can help you to gain the oxygen. It may also reduce some disease in your lung.

• Steps

There are several steps you should follow when using this device.

1. Sit or lie upright in a comfortable position. You can sit on the edge of your bed or chair if possible. In this way you can take a breath smoothly.

2. Hold the incentive spirometer upright. This device will show the exact result by using it in this way.

3. Take a normal breath. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece and inhale slowly through your mouth. This will raise the piston in the chamber of spirometer. The incentive spirometer may indicate you if you are breathing in too fast.

4. Continue to breathe in, and you should try to raise the piston to the highest position. Read the maximum volume you have achieved. This step may make you cough, but it can help you to open up your lungs.

5. If you feel that you cannot breathe in any more, take the mouthpiece out of your mouth

6. Breathe out slowly before holding your breath for 3-5 seconds. Breathe normally to let the piston return to the bottom of the chamber.

7. Repeat the slow, deep breath in and slow breath out again for 10 times.

8. After you have taken 10 deep breaths, you should try to cough to remove secretions which build up in your lungs.

9. Repeat the steps above every 2 hours or following your doctor's advice.

• Some helpful hints

1. Pain killers are usually needed. Do not be afraid of asking your nurse about it.

2. Have pain medicine, because you may fell painful in you lung when you do the exercises with the spirometer.

3. Use your spirometer frequently if you are recovering at home or other places. It will help you keep your lungs clear.

Arthritis - The Cause and How to Reverse It

Estimates report there are at this time 45 million Americans suffering from painful or crippling arthritis. Many others are suffering from arthritis type symptoms, bursitis, fibromyalgia and gout.
Currently, the general perception from both the medical establishment and the public is that arthritis is a stress disease treated with anti-inflammatories and cortisone. The disease is regarded as progressive and has no known cure. Is that really the case?

A serious problem with this perception is the absence of information explaining the origin of stress and as a result the potential opportunity to work to correct the source of the disease. Dr. Swilling who is the consultant to this project has spent 25 years in research to reveal the origin of illness and disease origin of illness and disease, presents breakthrough research explaining the origin of arthritis and describes how this has led many to experience effective healing, reversal of symptoms and return to good health.
The scientific literature offers a number of factors known to contribute to the stress including the following:

1. Poor Nutrition and Diet

2. Inadequate Digestion

3. Emotional, Relationships, Occupational

4. Environmental Pollution

5. Infection

6. Parasites

7. Poor Posture

8. Past Surgeries or Injuries

Dr. Swilling goes beyond the obvious to explain the impact of the above factors in the development of stress. He demonstrates examples of four important factors in the development of the disease.

1. That stress is a breakdown of a biochemical balance leading to a switch from an anabolic to a catabolic state. That this catabolic state creates inflammation that initiates the arthritis. A continuing imbalance perpetuates the catabolic damage that is the progressive degeneration of the disease. When this process is understood by the arthritic patient who is guided into a TCH Arthritis Support Program focused on restoring the biochemical balance, the catabolic process is reversed to initiate reduction of inflammation, healing and return to good health.

2. His breakthrough research reveals that the breakdown of electrolyte balance leads to an altered pH increasing acid levels further accelerating inflammation and damage.

3. Unnatural fast food, alcohol, sugar based food, coffee and soda drinks that become acid waste.

4. The accelerated damage resulting from free radical damage due to inadequate oxygen, water and the unnatural free radical activity generated by food cooked in microwave and deep-fried.

Other factors known to accelerate the damage caused by any of the four examples above are described as follows:

Nutrition and Diet

Our creator intended we be supplied all the essential nutrients from plants grown in rich nutrient topsoil, unpolluted water and oxygen from clean air. These nutrients are used by the body to produce energy and functions responsible for good health into youthful aging to ages 129-135. However, due to unnatural farming practice, plants are grown in depleted soil. Chemical fertilizers and herbicides are absorbed into the plants and thereafter into the food chain.

To add insult to injury, our staple foods are refined and processed, further depleting the essential health giving nutrients, polluted with chemical additives to extend shelf life, imitate natural taste and so on.

Our water and air is polluted. When nutrients are no longer sufficient to meet the required levels, deficiencies and imbalance lead to symptoms, illness and disease.
Dr. Swilling has revealed breakthrough research in the subject of Nutritional deficiencies particularly in regard to a mineral deficiency leading to depleted electrolyte chemistry and a corresponding shift in the critical pH balance responsible for the development of the disease (This subject is explained in a book by Dr. Swilling - Minerals Key to Vibrant Health and Life Force).

Medical opinion is that Arthritis has no connection with nutrition and diet. They do not have the training or the comprehension of biochemistry and that arthritis is in fact a manifestation of a serious depletion of resources unable to meet the demands of stress. An extensive number of studies have measured the severe demand on resources during stress especially related to protein, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and all other nutrients.

These studies explain how stress in all of its many forms trigger a biological and biochemical response to convert storage sites to make available resources necessary to meet the demands of stress. This response is familiar to all when a stress situation causes the heart to pump vigorously, pulse to accelerate and blood pressure to rise.

When these storage sites become depleted (such as glycogen in the liver) then hormones (such as pituitary, adrenal, thyroid) are released to become active in what is described as a catabolic chemistry (opposite to anabolic). Catabolic chemistry attacks cellular tissue to release resources not available from storage sites.

The more serious, prolonged or frequent this shortfall, the more damage. The other interesting evidence is that this catabolic chemistry targets weak sites. It is this target site that becomes the inflammatory site that develops into the arthritis. Depending on the site, the extent of the damage and collateral chemistry, so is the type of arthritis determined. In a systemic arthritis, the synovial fluid has become acid due to waste and chemicals.

In other studies, nutritional deficiencies and imbalances lead to altered states of cellular, neurological and bone structure, manifested as different forms of the disease.

Studies have revealed that most persons with arthritis have been under severe stress before the onset of the illness; that their diets are appallingly deficient in many respects; and that the level of vitamins in their blood, particularly vitamin C and pantothenic acid, is extremely low.

2. Poor Nutrition and Diet

Poor diet and nutrition means the following:

a. Processed food such as white rice noodles, especially when combined with sugar based food, spicy and salty food.

b. Too much carbohydrate and sugar changes the pH of the digestion, depletes pantothenic acid and essential digestive enzymes.

3. Inadequate Food

Does not meet the nutritional needs of daily requirements.

In particular, long gaps between meals. Those who skip breakfast or who have a skimpy breakfast of coffee or tea and toast for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and a long gap before dinner.
There are thousands of studies reporting the severe distress following processed food intakes and how they cause the blood sugar to peak followed by a severe dive. These severe swings between peaks and dives use energy from storage sites leading to hormonal responses and increased risk of catabolic damage.

4. Inadequate Nutrition

Satisfying the demands of stress is the most challenging objective for an arthritis patient. Thousands of arthritics have been shocked to learn that their skimpy breakfast and main meal at the end of the day was so inadequate as to be the cause of their disease. The degree of inadequateness can be explained as follows:

a. The skimpy breakfast may be adequate for a person who does not have the frustrations of work, the discipline and demands on conduct and performance, stressful relationships and so on.

The fact is the skimpy breakfast and average dinner does not meet the stress demand of a modern lifestyle. When the day begins with a good breakfast, follows with a nutritious lunch and dinner, the odds improve substantially. Arthritics improve more dramatically when they can manage 6 nutritious food and snack intakes daily.

b. Research reveals a meal cooked in a microwave oven has had most of its food value destroyed. In addition many other side effects that accelerate free radical activity and catabolic damage.

c. A meal fried in deep oil as is provided by well-known chicken fryers accelerate catabolic damage (due to free radicals from heated oil). Many venders recycle oil several times to save money.

5. Inadequate Assimilation

Studies demonstrate how poor diet, long gaps between meals and frequent stress leads to changes in the pH of the digestive tract that depletes pantothenic acid, HCL and enzymes essential to achieve efficient digestion of protein and assimilation of nutrition needed to meet the demands of stress.

6. Chemical Poisoning

Chemicals absorbed from body contact such as cosmetics, nail varnish and antiperspirants. Add to this household cleaners, soaps and so on.

7. Environmental Pollution

Many arthritics have traced their condition to pollution such as chemical exposure from occupation: examples include insecticide spraying, painters, printers, and those working in factories using chemicals. Farmers using chemical fertilizers and gardeners using chemical sprays are also susceptible.

8. Parasites, Bacteria, Fungus and Viruses

Parasites, bacteria and viruses penetrate damaged cells due to catabolic and acid waste damage. This is particularly so for viruses that are harmless when outside the cell. When these invaders penetrate cells they multiply thereby further increasing acid and inflammation.

9. Mental and Emotional Stress

In another category, studies revealed that those who worsened even when they adhered to a good diet, stress could be traced to frustration resulting from work and personal relationships. Patients trained to become aware of this kind of stress and guided as to the action necessary to remedy this, healed dramatically.

Arthritis can develop early in childhood as in Stills Disease or over decades depending on the source of stress. The evidence is that many arthritics are unable to release the emotional stress associated with suppressed desires, the strict disciplines imposed by a strict parent, the loss of a loved one, the pent-up frustration of an unhappy relationship or the loneliness of a solitary life cycle. In all of these the individual perpetuates the stress as though the circumstances cannot be altered. When this fact is recognized, or brought to the individual's attention leading to a conscious effort to confront the source, a seemingly miraculous cure is a recorded experience with many involved. Others will consult a counselor and have a similar experience.

Successful healing has also been achieved when sufferers have commenced a new hobby or interest such as learning a new musical instrument, painting, indoor gardening or service to the church. When stress relates to an unhappy or frustrating work situation, a new training certification conducted after hours has led to a better position or a change in occupation.

10. Medication and Drugs

Cortisone

The hormonal connection to the disease Arthritis remained a mystery until it was shown that remarkable results were obtained when cortisone was given. However, the side effects are more often worse that the disease. Such results indicated that persons with arthritis were in the exhaustion stage of the stress reaction and that their pituitary and/or adrenal glands could no longer function normally.
Since this knowledge became available, arthritic individuals have often improved remarkably after following a diet designed to restore exhausted glands to stimulate natural cortisone production and to meet the increased nutritional needs of stress.

Minimizing Side Effects of Cortisone

The Aside effects@ of cortisone therapy such as ulcers, pancreatitis, de-mineralized bones, and diabetic-like symptoms are far less severe when pantothenic acid is generously supplied; if ACTH is given without simultaneously increasing pantothenic acid, the adrenal glands can be severely damaged.
Since 10,000 milligrams (10 grams) of pantothenic acid have been given daily with only good results, there need be no fear of taking too much. After an adequate diet has stimulated the natural hormone production, medication is rarely needed.

A diet low in salt and unusually high in protein together with all the B vitamins greatly decreases the toxic effects of cortisone.

A side effect of Cortisone is increased sodium causing water retention and a potassium deficiency.
Adrenal Stress and Sodium

When investigation clearly indicates adrenal exhaustion, salt (sodium) which is lost from the body when the adrenals are exhausted, salty food or salted nuts may be recommended for the recovery period.
The Impact when Medication is Given

No nutrient interferes in any way with cortisone, ACTH, or aspirin therapy. However each of these medications increases the need for vitamin C, especially aspirin which destroys huge quantities of this vitamin.

11. Infection and Antibiotics

Infection such as staphylococcus is a major challenge to the immune system and a severe stress to the support systems. Staphylococcus is known to enter bone leading to inflammation and destruction.

12. Posture

Chiropractic adjustment better described as postural integration is essential to ensure that postural stress is removed to allow for maximum healing. Very often incorrect posture leads to stress sites that become inflamed. When posture is corrected at the same time as lifestyle and nutrition, dramatic results can be seen within a few weeks.

Altered pH acid and alkaline balance

Dr. Swilling uses the above examples to demonstrate that whereas health functions in an alkaline environment, an acid environment manifests illness and disease.

He maintains that the unnatural factors described above, alters the alkaline synovial fluid which acts as lubrication for more than 68 joints from alkaline to acid. It is this acid fluid that is the cause of inflammation, pain and damage of the synovial membrane, as well as the cartilage protecting the head of the long bones. Poor nutrition, particularly a deficiency of protein (amino acids) and calcium weaken the cartilage to become more vulnerable to the acid damage.

Debris from catabolic and free radical damage, acid waste from unnatural food, side effects of medication, chemicals, toxic waste from parasites, fungus, bacteria and viruses results in a cumulative toxic acid load. He explains, that factors such as electrolytes, oxygen, water, and nutrients are the balancing forces used to prevent build-up of acid wastes. However these balancing forces have become depleted due to unnatural lifestyle, depleted nutrient farm produce, processed food, polluted environment, inadequate water and the stress of mental and emotional life experience.
In his book Minerals Key To Vibrant Health and Life Force, he explains how the initial shift to acid is due to depleted minerals. When organic minerals are well supplied, the electro-charged anions are effective in maintaining an alkaline pH. He uses a special brand of electrolytes, detoxification, organic food, methods of food preparation and other therapies to reverse the acid pH.
Avoid Delay

Chronic aches and pain, particularly in the joints should be evaluated without delay, not as a medical condition requiring a painkiller, but as a stress induced biochemical imbalance.
Emphasis should be directed to an investigation to determine the source of the stress and the implementation of a program of lifestyle change, detoxification and a good well balanced nutrition to restore healing, restore the balance leading to restoration of the anti-stress chemistry, the immune system and a smart approach designed to confront sources of tension, mental and emotional stress.
TCH Self-Help Arthritis Support Program

Supervised by Dr. Swilling, TCH offers a support program initiated with a BioMedical Health and Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire conducted on-line. See http://www.takechargeofyourhealth.biz
A response report to completed questionnaire includes a recommended individualized program including daily protocol for nutrition, diet and supplements as well as detoxification.

Top 5 Tips To Prevent Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis results in damage due to wear and tear on the cartilage of your bones. Healthy cartilage is smooth which allows your joints to move freely and tough, to act as a shock absorber between your bones. But in osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down in slow stages:

1. It becomes soft, frayed, and less elastic.

2. Large sections wear away completely, letting the ends of bones rub together.

3. As a result, your bone ends thicken, and the joints may change shape, grow spurs (bony growths), and develop fluid-filled cysts.

No one knows for sure what causes osteoarthritis or even if it is actually age-related, but heredity, obesity, injury, and overuse all appear to play roles in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it is mostly found in the knees, spine, fingers, big toes, and hips. Men are especially likely to suffer from osteoarthritis of the hip.

Here are the helpful tips to lower your risk of developing osteoarthritis:

1. Exercise

It can be your best tool against osteoarthritis because exercise strengthens your muscles and works to keep your joints flexible. Exercise can also help you to maintain a healthy weight (or lose weight if necessary). Obesity is often considered a factor in some types of arthritis. However, be sensible: Don't overdo high-impact aerobics such as running. And if a particular joint (for example, those in your knees, ankles, and feet) starts to suffer from overuse, change your exercise regimen. Try low-impact exercises such as walking and swimming and stretching exercises to loosen your joints, increase your range of motion, strengthen your muscles, and more important, relieve arthritis pain.

2. Protect your knees against injury during sports, starting in your teens

Wear protective gear such as knee and elbow pads when playing contact sports or other, riskier sports such as in-line skating.

3. Sit straight and don't slump

Your mother was right! Good posture, whether sitting or standing, can help reduce the pressure on the joints, especially those in your spine.

4. Learn to perform your job without stressing your joints

If your job requires repetitive movement (such as typing) or movement that stresses your joints, be sure to vary your activities and working position as much as possible.

5. Safety First

Some safety concerns that may help to prevent osteoarthritis in your daily life, for example, wear a seat belt to prevent injury to your knees (and other body parts) in case of a car accident.

Arthritis Knee Pain - 3 Tips to Decrease Arthritis Knee Pain

So you have arthritis knee pain? You are not alone. Unfortunately it is a reality for many of us over the age of 50. We suffer from arthritis pain in some form.

I know for many of us, we have been so consumed with our careers and family life that we have neglected to take care of ourselves to our own detriment.

All of a sudden we are faced with aches and pain in our knees and other joints that we never intended to have at this point in our lives.

Arthritis knee pain affects our mobility and freedom to do the activities we enjoy like walking, golfing, biking and fishing. So what can we do about it? Well we can sit back and do nothing or we can learn ways to alleviate arthritis pain.

Here are 3 great tips to decrease arthritis knee pain.

1) Exercise - Exercise is one of the most effective thing we can do to decrease arthritis pain. Simple exercises like walking 30 minutes a day has so many benefits. Exercising causes us to release endorphins which are our natural pain killers. The result is decrease pain and improve joint mobility.

2) Epsom Salts - 2 cups of Epsom salts in a tub of warm water do wonders for arthritis knee pain. Not only is it relaxing but Epsom salts when absorbed in the body causes us to release toxins and excess mineral deposits. Excess mineral deposits in the joints has been linked to one of the causes of arthritis.

3) Omega 3 Oil - Eating fish such as salmon and mackerel has great benefits also. These fish are loaded with omega 3 fatty acids which is known to decrease arthritis inflammation.

These tips can work wonders for your arthritis pain if they are implemented. Remember - Arthritis knee pain did not happen over night so implementing these tips now will help prevent further knee damage later on.

Correct Your Common Bowling Blunders

As simple as it may seem, to simply knock down the pins by throwing a ball at them, bowling is not all that easy. Different people meet with different kinds of problems, while bowling. Crossing foul line, losing balance, incoherent throw of ball are some of the common problems that bowlers face. In this article, we will learn how to avoid these common problems by applying simple solutions to them.

A Common Mistake

'Fast feet' is the mother of all problems in bowling. This is a condition, when the feet of the bowler fall before he sways the ball. This one action is so fast that it gives rise to a complete series of wrong actions. Individually correcting those mistakes will automatically rid the bowler of this problem also.

Positioning The Ball

It is very important to discharge the ball properly. If it is not placed properly, it usually leads to fast feet. Always lean sufficiently low to launch the ball and never throw it from the height of your waist. The best way to do it is by discharging it between that time during your last step, when your heel touches the ground and before your toes touch the ground.

The Position Of Shoulders

The most common mistake that novices do while bowling is bringing their shoulders excessively frontward. This leads the waist to bend much more than the knees, thus causing imbalance. This results in a throw, which lacks power. To avoid this, you should keep your shoulders in a straight position and bend your knees a little. As you bend down to deliver the ball, bring yourself slightly forward, simultaneously bending your waist and knees a little more.

Take Small Steps

When heading towards the bowling lane, to throw the ball, take small and uniform steps. Large steps tend to take away the leverage from your swing and thus the ball. Your steps should just be just as big as your walking step. The first step may be slightly smaller than the second one, but the rest will follow the league and you will see that the ball will fall in place. Walking on toes can also cause similar problems. Always put your heel first on the ground and follow with toes.

Relax Your Muscles

When getting ready for a move, we all tend to stiffen our muscles. This results in a throw, which is loose and aimless. On the contrary, a ball thrown with relaxed muscles or minimum muscle contraction is the best ball. It hits the aim with full force, rather than your grip taking away the most of its force. Tense muscles can also cause injuries to your arm or shoulder.

Now you must have understood the reason, why you could never get your ball right. Correcting these simple errors will improve your game a great deal and you will enjoy it all the more.

Cheerleading Knee Brace - How to Get a Low Profile, Lightweight Knee Support That Can Help You!

A Knee Brace For Cheerleaders

How are your knees doing? - Do they ever bother you?

Introduction: Cheerleading is a great activity. Many people can participate and it is a great way to stay active with your school's team. Unfortunately, sometimes knee pain can set in, and although we hate to say it, cheering can become a bit of a chore because of the discomfort you are having. This free information will discuss how to determine if you need a brace, and if you want to go with a support, it will tell you how to choose the best one for your needs.

1.) How To Determine If You Need A Knee Brace

Sometimes your doctor will flat out tell you that you need a knee brace. That would be an easy way to know that you need one. Otherwise, if your knee pain has not quite brought you to the doctor yet, you may think proactively about ways to help your knee. Rest, ice and elevation are at home remedies that have helped people in the past, but none are quite like a knee brace.

The great thing about knee supports is that you can use them in almost any physical activity that you do. You do not necessarily have to be limited to wearing it during cheerleading, if you felt like it helps. The bottom line is that if you are looking for pain reduction, improved stability and a some knee protection you should consider getting one of these supports for yourself.

2.) The Different Kinds Of Knee Supports

There are many brand names to choose from. Many companies can make a good knee brace. The point though is that you should look for a knee support that fits your needs. - For example, it is a good idea to think about your knee pain and instability, in each activity that you do. It is probably a good idea to focus on those moments when your knee pain or instability have reached their worst. Not that we want you to dwell on these moments but you will need to get the best knee brace for support when those same exact moments try and come back.

After you record your answers regarding the pain and instability questions we asked you above, you will be able to go to a website and see that this is one of the main ways that knee braces are offered. Usually, the site will say this brace is for mild, moderate or severe instability issues. At this point, the purchasing process will be easier for you...

Arthritis Treatment: Four Drugs That Can Cause Excruciating Aches and Pains

One area that is overlooked when it comes to arthritis are drug-induced aches and pains. Here are four categories of medicines you might want to avoid.

Statins:

Statin drugs cause a number of muscle problems. First, they can cause simple muscle aches and pains. This condition usually gets better once the drug is discontinued. The second problem statins cause is mild muscle inflammation along with weakness. The blood muscle enzyme, CPK, is mildly elevated. While this problem also gets better once the drug is stopped, it may take several months to resolve. Finally, statins can cause extreme muscle inflammation, damage leading to profound weakness. The CPK, is markedly elevated. When the muscles get this damaged, they release a protein called myoglobin into the blood. Myoglobin in large quantities can lead to kidney failure.

The risk of muscle injury is increased when a statin is used with other drugs that also affect muscles. When statins are combined with drugs like niacin or fenofibrate, the incidence of muscle damage is greatly increased.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics:

Fluoroquinolone-induced tendon problems such as rupture, are described in the medical literature. The Achilles tendon is the commonly involved site, although other tendons can be affected. Usually, spontaneous tendon rupture happens during or shortly after a course of treatment, but symptoms can occur even months after taking these antibiotics. Whether fluoroquinolone antibiotics should be used in patients with a history of tendon problems or who have risk factors for the development of tendon ruptures basically depends on how serious the infection is and whether there are suitable alternatives.

People at the highest risk are those over the age of 60 years, people taking steroid drugs, and people who have had an organ transplant. Patients who exercise and already have tendon problems are also at risk.

Aromatase inhibitors:

A small number of women receiving estrogen-depleting treatment termed "aromatase inhibitors" will develop aches and pains. Symptoms are most prominent in the hands and can be so severe that patients ask to be taken off therapy. More than 25% of women can be affected by this syndrome which affects hands, knees, elbows, ankles, and a few other other areas.

Symptoms are usually transient and resolve when the aromatase inhibitor is discontinued.

There have been incidences reported in the literature of patients developing rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with these drugs. Therefore, assumptions regarding the cause of aches and pains with these drugs should not be made.

Symptomatic treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be helpful.

Bisphosphonates:

These drugs are used for osteoporosis treatment. Unfortunately they cause two types of pain syndromes. The first is the acute phase response which consists of fevers, chills, bone pain, muscle and joint pains that starts after initial administration of bisphosphonates. These symptoms tend to resolve within several days after discontinuation of the drug.

The second syndrome is experienced either within days of taking the bisphosphonate or it can occur after months, and even years of being on the drug. The pain is excruciating and incapacitating in many cases.
Some patients get better after stopping taking the bisphosphonate but there are others who do not.

The Best Knee Brace For Football Players

A variety of safety gear is required to play the game of football. Players need to wear a helmet, shoulder pads, and other gear that will protect their body during the game. But is protecting the upper body enough? A player won't be enjoying the game if he has to watch it from the sidelines because of a knee injury. Get a knee brace for football practices and games and you'll keep your knees healthy throughout the season.

Knee Braces for Football Players Available

Which one is right for me?

No matter what level of football you play, injuries like an ACL tear, MCL tear, or a meniscus tear is always a possibility. Another player could hit your knee from either side, and you could be faced with rehabilitation or surgery. Even stopping suddenly or pivoting wrong could injure your knee.

Whether you have already injured your knee and are looking for superior protection, or you want protection to avoid injury all together, select a football knee brace from the list below and gain peace of mind as you safely play the sport you love.

* DonJoy Drytex Playmaker Sleeve - This is an intermediate level knee brace that will provide support for mild to moderate ACL and/or PCL, MCL, and LCL instabilities and will help support your knee during pivoting movements. Braces of this type are perfect for athletes who are returning to football after an injury.

* DonJoy Drytex Playmaker Wraparound - Also an intermediate level knee brace that is perfect if you have trouble applying a sleeve-style brace. It too will provide mild to moderate support for ACL and/or PCL, MCL, and LCL instabilities.

* DonJoy Armor Fource Point Protective Knee Brace - This is the chosen brace for offensive linemen on many collegiate teams. This brace is a joint stabilizer for slight to severe PCL, ACL, LCL, and MCL instabilities or tears. Donning this brace will help stabilize and prevent knee injuries during football practice and games.

* DonJoy Full Force Ligament Knee Brace - This brace is new to the market and uses revolutionary technology to provides ligament stability and reduces strain on the ACL, and minimizes knee joint extension. This combination of technology means less strain on the ACL, which reduces your chance for an injury. Use this brace if you are prone to hyperextension, have normal to severe ACL, PCL, or combined instabilities, or have had an ACL or PCL reconstruction.

* DonJoy Defiance III Custom Knee Brace - Worn by many professional football players, this custom knee brace is custom fitted to your body and provides durable support for moderate to severe PCL, ACL, LCL, and MCL instabilities. It has a low-profile design that will fit comfortably under a football uniform and is recommended for contact sports.

Protection Is Necessary
You wouldn't dream of heading out onto the field without your helmet, and the same consideration should be given to your knees. Wearing a knee brace for football players can lower the risk of injury and keep you off the sidelines. Select a brace to protect your knee and keep playing the sport you love for many years to come.

Pain - Osteoarthritis Medications and Topical Treatments To Help You Stem The Pain

Many people experience the occasional twinge of pain in their knees or shoulders, but if you're among the 70 million people in the U.S. who have one type of arthritis or another, joint pain is probably a fact of life for you.

"Arthritis is really an umbrella term for different diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system in one way or another," says Jason Theodosakis, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at the University Of Arizona College Of Medicine in Tucson and author of The Arthritis Cure. Regardless of the type, the common denominators are pain and often inflammation in the joints, as well as limited mobility.

20 million people in the U.S. have OA, and that figure is expected to reach 70 million by the year 2030.

Talk with your doctor about your diet and which medications and topical treatments can help you stem the pain. Also, try quick to apply pain-relieving measures such as the application of heat, ice or capsaicin cream to the joint, and even acupuncture is effective (particularly for OA of the knee).

A few topical ointment applications have proven effective for OA, particularly those with Calendula Oil as one of the pain relieving ingredients in their formula. Calendula Oil is a healing carrier oil containing the active ingredients of the marigold flower often referred to as Marigold Oil. The carotenes, phytosterols, polyphenols and EFAS present in the herb allow pain relieving penetration that can dramatically improve the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected OA area of the body.

In addition, the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin appear to be effective for some people with knee OA. What's more, supplements of a natural vegetable extract called avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) may reduce inflammation and stimulate cartilage production in people with OA, notes Dr. Throdosakis.

Knee Factor

There is no need to bear the pain in silence because easy-to-do lifestyle changes and food supplements can offer relief from arthritic pain.

Osteoarthritis is one of the commonest causes for the wear and tear in your joints. With osteoarthritis you increase your chances of fracturing your bones as they become brittle. Other than OA, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can divest your joints of mobility. In RA body mistakenly identifies synovial joints-the cavities in bones containing synovial fluid to lubricate joints as foreign and attacks it. Joints inflame in response to body's attack mechanism, become gnarled and degenerate.

Besides age, which is beyond our control, how we treat our joints decide how long they will serve us. Under activity hurts your joints; so does over activity. If your job involves standing for long in one position it can stress your joints.

Why arthritis aggravates in winter

It's osteoarthritis that worsens in winters, because the cold weather makes the joints feel stiffer than usual. The wide changes in temperature can cause swelling around the inflamed joints, which causes more irritation to the surrounding nerves. Moreover, when the weather turns cold people prefer to stay at home and forego exercise, which can make joints stiffer. Ayurveda explains joint ache in terms of aggravation of vata dosha.

Preventive steps-

It's advisable to keep your joints warm by dressing in layers.
o When the weather turns chilly, stay at home, but go out for walks when the sun is shining.
o Avoid foods that produce gas like beans and dal.
o Keep your joints active by getting warm oil massage.
o For effective results it is advisable to alternate cold and hot packs for 10 minutes. Hot pack will relieve pain whereas cold pack will be helpful in reducing inflammation.
o Eat healthy during winter and refrain from gorging on calorie rich diet during winter.

Supplement shot
Clinical studies have given thumbs up to the supplements of Glucosamine and Chondroitin to repair aching joints. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are part of normal cartilage. Cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones in a joint. An insufficient supply of glucosamine restricts the efficiency of cartilage rebuilding and can delay repair of cartilage and other connective tissues.

Achilles Tendonosis - Battling a Tolerable Injury

It's been almost 2 years now since I started noticing the tightness, the twinge in my Achilles. I had just cranked out a personal best performance at the Notre Dame Cross Country Invitational and was now lying on the ground in pure enjoyment, as well as exhaustion. As I stood up to begin my cool down, I felt a certain tightness in my left Achilles tendon, one that was also sharp to the touch. After a couple of minutes of jogging around I thought a better solution would be to see our trainer, rather than aggravate it further. Following a deep massage on my calves, I was feeling slightly better but still had to limp my way to the team bus. This was the beginning of the "the limp."

This limp would follow me around for the next two years. Waking up in the morning, the first few miles of my run, after sitting down for any period of time, and following workouts and races. I was 21 years old yet would hobble around campus like an 80 year old man, the one you help across the street. Men in canes would look at me wondering if I need assistance. Runners are supposed to have extended lives due to their fitness level but what about hips, knees, Achilles? Are you to enjoy your 90 year lifespan sitting down after 40 because you have abused your body so much?

Back to the injury.

After seeing our medical training staff and finally researching the injury on my own, we concluded that it was Achilles Tendonosis. This is when micro tears occur in the Achilles tendon due to overuse, weakening the area and constraining blood flow. It is a disastrous injury to runners because with most being extremely OCD or already having race commitments, they often feel that rest is not an option. Instead they uncomfortably push through it, day after day, race after race, until it gets to a point where stopping is the only option. Otherwise serious damage will occur, rupturing of the Achilles.

I was one of those OCD runners who insisted on running day after day. After all, it was painful but tolerable. I could struggle through the first couple of miles, limping around, and then it would loosen up and I would be able to finish the run with only a slight twinge. Later that night however, i would be left with an extremely tight Achilles, very sensitive to the touch, and limping dramatically when walking. I always had another season around the corner: cross country to indoor track to outdoor track to summer base training. I felt that if I were to miss anything my performance would be hindered dramatically.

Meanwhile, I was trying anything possible to rid the problem. Here are some of the things that I tried:

Ice would bring down the swelling on the back of the Achilles, however, it would constrict the blood flow and make the area very sore, tight, and even walking would be a challenge.

Heat would be used before running so that the area would be warmed up. This helped a little in pain management but did nothing to actually get rid of the actual injury.

Ultrasound that is something that I tried but personally had minimal success with.

Strengthening the tendon, everything around the tendon, and everywhere else: Eccentric calf raises are the most effective thing in battling this injury, however, it just didn't work for me most likely because I was doing them along with 100 miles per week of running. You need to strengthen the weakened area to solve the problem and when I was doing the eccentric exercises along with running, I was most likely tearing down the area at a higher rate than the eccentric calf raises could strengthen it. After 6 months of calf raises with running, I gave up on them because they irritated the area and increased the swelling (which I didn't want to ice because it made it worse). I also strengthened everything imaginable around the tendon and anywhere else (including hips, it band, calves, soleus, shins, etc). I would do rigorous exercises to make sure nothing was putting extra strain on the Achilles tendon.

Massaging and "Scraping" the Achilles was not a fun process. With my Achilles inflamed and extremely tender to the touch, I would allow our trainers to massage the area and scrape it to try and increase the blood flow to the area and break down any scar tissue. This was an extremely painful task which often resulted in me gripping the massage table and sweat pouring from my forehead as I tried to deal with it. I noticed little/no success with this as it would further irritate the area and was just generally unpleasant.

Loosing up calves, soleus, plantar fascia before runs/workouts/races: Loosening up these areas through massage and stretching was something that we tried. With weak/tight soleus and calves most likely being the problem in the first place, I wanted to make sure that we weren't putting any further strain on the Achilles. Just like with strengthening everything around it, I didn't want the Achilles working harder than it had to. This was pretty effective in that it made running/working out/racing tolerable and eased the pain in the Achilles following workouts and races. Again though, it does not deal with solving the problem, just allowing for easier pain management.

Sleeping in a night splint was something that I tried for 4 months. This was completely ineffective for me and if anything made the injury worse/less tolerable. I would wake up in the morning even tighter because my Achilles tendon had been held in the same position all night. It restricted blood flow and made getting out of bed worse even worse than before.

Ibu Profin/Naproxin were drugs that I tried to deal with the issue. They would provide temporary relief as they would bring the swelling down slightly and make the pain slightly more tolerable. Over time their effectiveness wore off and I feel that my body began relying on them. I took naproxin consistently for over 6 months and ibu profin on and off for the 2 years that I had the problem.

Time off is something that would be the most obvious but again for an OCD runner this is not what I wanted to hear. However, at the end of each season, I would attempt to take 2-4 weeks off to finally deal with the issue. During this time the swelling would be reduced, the limping would subside, and walking was an enjoyable experience as opposed to a challenge. Yet, when I returned to running at the end of this absence nothing had changed. Within the first 400 meters of running the pain was back, just as bad as it had been before. My Achilles reacted as if it had no time off at all. The reason, to my understanding, is because the time off allows for the swelling to go down because you are not irritating it with one hundred mile weeks. This reduces "the limp" and allows you to walk easier. However, you still have the weakened Achilles to deal with. The Achilles is just as weak 4 weeks later as when you stopped running. The only difference is the swelling has been reduced and it is less irritated.

So what is the answer?

Surgery is an option that is available to runners with this problem. It is an evasive procedure in which the weakened tissue is removed and the stronger tissue is stitched together. However, if you never find the underlying cause of why you got this injury then you could weaken the area again and have the same problem.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections - An innovative treatment in which platelet enriched plasma is injected into the area (in this case the Achilles). It enhances blood flow to the area, as well as stimulates the healing of tissue. This is something I looked into at UF, however, because it is a new treatment, Shands was not insured for it and it was not offered. Also because it is a newer treatment there are not a great deal of studies done on it and its effectiveness.

Eccentric calf raises: a basic exercise that you can do on a door step or slant board. You raise yourself up onto both toes and then slowly lower yourself back down on one. With this, you focus on the eccentric part (the lowering) which strengthens the Achilles. This is supposed to be an extremely effective way to deal with tendonosis. I believe that with time completely off from running and 12 weeks given to an eccentric exercise program that most people can completely rid their Achilles Tendonosis. The key is to stay regimented with consistent daily exercises with increasing weights and not to resume running until completion of the program.

Finally after almost two years of dealing with this issue I am taking the necessary time off to deal with it. I am about 4 weeks into the eccentric calf raises and walking around is almost completely pain free. There are days where the Achilles is inflamed because of the exercises and sometimes a little tight but it passes. I do the exercises 3 sets of 15 reps, 3 times every day. Along with this I strengthen my shin muscles and other areas with Theraband exercises so that I do not over compensate one area. I am also looking into the PRP injections to see if this is a possibility to go along with my exercises.

Although I am almost pain free, I am going to complete the 12 weeks because I know that if I were to resume running now the injury would flare up. When I can finally run again, I am going to continue doing the exercises as part of my daily routine. I also want to look into the underlying cause of what caused the issue in the first place: shoes, bad mechanics, tight/weak soleus and calves, weak hips, tight hamstrings, tight plantar fascia, or anything else.

If you have just recently begun experiencing Achilles pain and believe it to be Achilles Tendonosis I urge you to stop running immediately. I am not a doctor and I despise doctors generic answer of "stop running", however, this is an injury that will not get better on its own. The worse thing about this injury is how tolerable you can make it. Over time it will simply get worse and worse though. So if it's a new injury, take a little time off, deal with it, and make sure it doesn't progress to something serious.

If you have been dealing with it for a while but insist on running through it then good luck. I am not going to tell you to stop because that would be hypocritical since I was in your situation and continued running through it. However, complete whatever training cycle you are on and then seriously look into dealing with it. Take the 12 weeks off necessary and knock it out once and for all. Just imagine how much more enjoyable running will be when you are not limping through runs, walking in agony around your house, and straining to get out of bed in the morning? Think how much faster you will be when you don't have to worry about a possible tear/rupture of your Achilles during workouts and races.

This is one of the most frustrating injuries for me because it allows you to run on it, it gives you hope. Instead of a stress fracture knocking you out of commission for 6-8 weeks, this allows you to run on it day after day but progressively gets worse. Eventually it reaches a point where running is not an option and you only hope that the recovery process that you have been putting off will cure it.

Almost two years after the Notre Dame invitational and many runs, workouts, race, and Personal bests later, I am finally taking the time off necessary for this injury. I am four weeks into the recovery and hope that I may run injury free in the future. Running over the past two years with this injury has been aggravating and unpleasant but I love the joy I have had from competition. Now, I just hope that I will be able to compete in the future. I hope that I didn't sacrifice the rest of my competitive career for something that could have been fixed in a matter of 12-14 weeks.

Knee Pain and Arthritis - Taking Control

The number of patients with knee arthritis is increasing dramatically as baby-boomers hit retirement age. This is due to the combined effects of active lifestyles, prior surgeries and people living longer.

The great news is this: if you are among those with chronic, increasing pain in the knee, there are a number of things you can do to take control of this frequently debilitating condition.

First, recognize that knee pain does not always mean arthritis. There are a variety of conditions that can lead to knee pain, and if pain is your problem, it's critical to get a competent appraisal of the condition. Many conditions exist that can affect knee function and they should be considered. Oftentimes, those conditions can and should be treated without surgery.

Secondly, the term arthritis includes a large number of conditions, and many of them are suited for medical (non-operative) treatment. Let's look at the three basic types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common. It's a slowly progressive degenerative disease in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. Osteoarthritis most often affects middle-aged and older people. Rheumatoid arthritis, which can occur at any age, is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can destroy joint cartilage. The third type of arthritis is post-traumatic arthritis, which can develop after a knee injury and is similar to osteoarthritis. It may develop years after a fracture, ligament injury, or meniscus tear.

In treating these conditions, surgery is only indicated after conservative measures have been attempted. Non-operative treatments include activity modification (avoiding activities that aggravate the condition), physical therapy, injections, analgesics, braces, and other devices. The purpose of treatment is to reduce pain, increase function and generally reduce symptoms. Patient satisfaction is a fundamental goal in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. Depending on the severity of the condition and individual needs and goals, non-operative treatment may help for years.

Alternatively, in patients who develop inflammatory arthritis, medical management may be successful. Since inflammatory arthritis can involve multiple joints, systemic treatment is often appropriate.

For those who do require surgery, there are several surgical options to consider including arthroscopic surgery using fiber optic technology, osteotomy, total or partial knee replacement and cartilage grafting. Talk with your surgeon about which option is best for you.

The good news is new surgical techniques and improvements in prosthetic design and manufacturing indicate that recovery times are getting shorter and knee replacements are lasting longer.

Preventing Knee Pain

• Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI)


• Exercise in moderation


• Change exercise patterns gradually but do enough to maintain healthy muscles and cardiovascular function


• Have acute injuries evaluated and treated by a trusted physician.

Why Pilates Is Effective for Knee Pain Treatment

Most of us suffer from some kind of knee pain, at one time or another. There are different reasons for the many kinds of knee pain that each individual has. You can suffer from knee pain as a result of a sports injury, an auto accident, or an overuse syndrome. It can also happen through an innocent knee knock or a slight tug when you missed your footing. Whatever the reason is, it is important to understand how it came about in order to be specific in knee pain treatment.

Major knee dislocations and fractures that required surgical intervention and professional medical help do not fall into this category until the rehabilitation phase. Other knee pain that comes about as a result of unbalanced patella due to tightness in the Iliotibial Band (IT Band), knock knees, bow legged individuals, knee tendinitis and more can be effectively solved with Pilates.

So how does Pilates play a part in the treatment of knee pain? Why Pilates?

Pilates For Knee Pain Relief

Pilates, as a form of total body conditioning training program, is both functional and specific in knee pain treatment. Here are the reasons:

1. Alignment
2. Articulation
3. Form
4. Muscular Strength
5. Creating Space in Joint
6. Improve Range of Motion
7. Develop flexibility

When you're looking at Pilates for knee pain relief, keep in mind there are several methods and exercises that you can perform, both at home and in a studio. These exercises will help strengthen and lengthen your muscles so that your knee becomes stronger and more agile. It will bend with ease, and without pain. At home, you can use your mat and combine it with a DVD if you wish. In the studio, you can use the reformer to get a greater benefit and heal your knee faster. Here are some specific exercises you can do at home and at the studio.

Pilates Knee Pain Relief Exercises (with a Mat)

Knee Folds: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor; using your abdominal muscles, lift one foot off the floor and bring it towards you; inhale as you lift in, exhale as you come back down; Repeat 8-10 times, then switch legs. It's important to focus on your breathing as you do these. Keep your abdominal muscles tight and your spine to the floor.

Kneeling Side Kick: Kneel on your mat and pull your abdominals in while dropping your tailbone to the floor; extend your right leg directly out to the side, with your toe on the floor; drop your left hand to the floor directly under your shoulder, leaving your arm straight; place your right hand on your hip; lengthen your right leg away from you and lift up to hip height and then swing your leg to the front. Do 6-8 reps on each side.

Pilates Knee Pain Relief Exercises (with Machine)

First Position: Lie on your back with your legs bent and your heels on the bar and your feet flexed; your knees should be squeezed together and your torso and arms are relaxed; as you inhale, fully extend your legs but be careful not to lock your knees; exhale as you come back down into first position.

Knee Stretch: With your feet flat against the shoulder rests, kneel on the carriage; your hands should be on the foot bar. Using your hands, push away; this gives your legs and back a good stretch.

All of these pilates knee pain relief exercises will help to strengthen your knee and help you become pain-free. Pilates reformer exercises can give you a bigger benefit by adding some resistance, and giving you a broader range of motion. Remember the proper breathing technique, and concentrate on your knee as you perform each exercise. This will help you achieve a mind-body connection and allow you to listen to what your body is telling you.

Once your muscles and joints are strengthened and lengthened, you will be able to walk with ease. You would not hear any cracking or crackling in your joints. As you become more comfortable with your routine, you can add more advanced moves.

Introduction to Joint Replacement

Over the years, surgery has become more common. This may have been because of the advances in technology which have made such procedures accessible to the public in general. Combine this with the increase in conditions like arthritis which are known to be a great factor in degeneration of joints and therefore lead to hip, knee or wrist replacement et al.

Moreover, people nowadays have come to expect a certain type of life and they want to be able to keep up their lifestyle inspite of the demands it may make upon their body. This may include things like playing sports or the more mundane like being overweight et al.

Surgery itself is not an easy procedure to undertake and should only be considered as a last option. So first, the patient undergoes a variety of other alternative and basic treatments and medications. However if these fail to help the patient or if the pain becomes intolerable or if the patient has difficulty in functioning on a daily basis or a combination of the above then in that case surgery should be considered.

There are a number of alternative treatment options available to us like rest, weight loss, medication, physical therapy, and injection treatments. All of these, have their own pros and cons, have helped many and prove to be the first step to combat the pain and stiffness of arthritis.

Joint replacement, very simplistically, replaces the damaged joint surfaces with a part or more of an artificial joint after putting the blood vessels and nerves in place. The joint is thus made of various combinations of metal and plastic.

So to put it bluntly, the prosthetic joint is not a normal joint. The process may have to be repeated every five to seven years if the artificial joint wears out. Therefore, the quality of the artificial joint material and how much strain you put on it will determine how soon the joint will be replaced. Moreover, the procedure itself is complicated and demanding for everyone involved including the surgeons.

The post surgery recovery process is quite gradual and takes place in stages. Most patients see an improvement in mobility about a month after the procedure.

So it is highly recommended that you do not rush in to the operation without making sure you have tried all other non-surgical treatments. Furthermore, some research into what type of procedure is recommended and why and how will this specific procedure help the problem, is generally a good idea for the patient and family.

Arthritis - A Deadly Disease

Arthritis is the disease basically associated with the old people but the children may be affected by this disease. People of the age group 65 are mostly affected by arthritis in North America and they together constitute 70% of the total population. Women are at the major risk of getting affected by arthritis as compared to the men and this disease is more prevalent in the women of all ethnic races and cultures. According to an estimate about 46 million of people USA are suffering from this disease and the number increases every year. About one million people are admitted to the hospital just because of the problems they face because of arthritis.

Recital

All the persons suffering from arthritis complain the problem of extreme pain. The pain may be different according to the location and the individual. Rheumatoid arthritis is very worse in the morning and is characterized by stiffness. In the earlier stages the symptoms cannot be easily recognized. In the old individuals and the children pain may not be the major diagnostic feature as the old people move little and the children refuse to move the limb when it is paining. Important features of arthritis include speed and time of onset, pattern of joint movement, symmetry of symptoms, early morning stiffness, locking with inactivity, tenderness and other systemic factors. Physical examination and the radiography may be helpful in the diagnosis of the disease. Arthritis has been known from prehistoric times. Extra articular features of arthritis or joint disease include cutaneous nodules, oedema, ocular inflammation, diarrhea, bursitis, lymphadenopathy and urethritis. Blood tests indicate the presence of rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF) and extractable nuclear antigen.

Malady

In USA arthritis is the major cause of disability among the individuals and 20 million people are dependent upon the doctors and the physicians for their survival. It has been found that the 50% of an individual's salary who is suffering from arthritis is lost in the treatment of arthritis. The ability of a person to remain active is lost completely. Some also suffer from obesity, high cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Depression may also be found in such individuals.

Indications

Apart from the type of arthritis the common symptoms are pain, joint stiffness and swelling and a persisting pain around the joints. Other symptoms include inability to walk and move hands, malaise and feeling of tiredness, fever, weight loss, poor sleep, muscle ache, tenderness and difficulty in moving the joints.

Types

Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is a disorder where the body starts destroying its own tissues for some unknown reasons. The attack is not only restricted to the joints but also to other parts of the body. The major damage is caused to the lining of the joints and the cartilage resulting in the erosion of two opposing bones. The joints of the fingers, knee, wrists and elbows are affected in the rheumatoid arthritis. The disease is having symmetry and causes severe deformity in few years. It basically affects the people of age group 20 or more. This disorder in children causes pain, fever, skin rashes and limitations on the day to day activities. Actual cause rheumatoid arthritis is not known till present but the scientists are very actively engaged in finding out the treatments as possible for this disorder. The drugs that are administered against rheumatoid arthritis include intravenous injections of either corticosteroids or monoclonal antibodies. Remicade is a drug which is presently being used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and can be effective for short term only. Surgery can be done to replace the affected joint but there is no complete cure of the disorder. Other dangerous symptoms can also develop in later stages which include heart problems, gait abnormality and skin nodules.

Osteoarthritis

It affects the larger joints of the body like that of the back, hip or the knees. This is generally the result of the wear and tear of the joints. It begins in the cartilage and results in the erosion of two opposing bones. It starts with a minor pain which is experiences while walking and the pain becomes continuous during the night. The pain causes hindrance in the daily activity of the individual. It is basically a disorder very common among the old people especially the women of the age group 65. Osteoarthritis cannot be cured but can be prevented from becoming worse. Weight loss is the most common feature of this disease. Physical therapy of the joints may be helpful in getting some relief. Joint replacement may be of little help.

Severe Arthritis

Arthritis is a dangerous disease and in more intense cases it can result in severe deformities. The majority of the individuals suffering from the rheumatoid arthritis have deformed fingers. The deformity may also be seen in the wrist joint so it cannot be moved properly. Other problems include appearance of carpal tunnel syndrome due to nerve entrapment. In later cases the sensation of the fingers also gets lost. Infectious arthritis is another form of severe arthritis. It is characterized by appearance of sudden chills, fever and joint pain. This condition may be caused by bacteria. This disease can be easily diagnosed and prevented from becoming intense. Psoriasis is another form of arthritis. In this case first the patient develops skin problems followed by arthritis. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness and swelling. There is no cure for this disease and this occurs on a small scale. Lupus is a collagen vascular disorder that can be frequently found associated with arthritis. The symptoms of lupus include skin rash, extreme photosensitivity, hair loss, kidney problems, lung fibrosis and constant joint pain. Another problem that has been found associated with arthritis is gout which arises due to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints leading to inflammation. The joints lose their activity and often swell.

Inhibition

Rheumatoid and the osteoarthritis are not curable but one can prevent himself from being affected by physical therapy, losing weight and eating healthy. The individuals who feel pain in the joints must immediately consult the physicians so that the treatment can be started as soon as possible in order to prevent the disorder from becoming intense.

Ministration

Once arthritis is diagnosed treatments are available for a number of symptoms that are frequently experienced. Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are not curable. The treatments used against them can help in relieving pain for a short period but complete relief is not possible. Treatments include physical therapy, changing the lifestyle, orthopedic bracing, medications and dietary supplements. Arthroplasty also called joint replacement surgery can also be performed. Physical exercise has given better results in treatment of arthritis.

Medications

Physicians generally start the treatment with the use of drugs. The first choice of drugs is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen and tramadol are the general pain killers which are basically used. The drugs although effective are also associated with a number of side-effects like the abdominal pain, bleeding, liver and kidney damage and ulcers. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cannot be used for prolonged periods without the prescription of the physician. Corticosteroids are presently being used for the treatment of arthritis. They help in reducing the inflammation and also prevent the joint damage. Corticosteroids are associated with a number of side effects like ulcers, hypertension, cataracts, diabetes, skin bruising, and weight gain. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is generally used for the treatment for the rheumatoid arthritis as they are helpful in preventing the joint damage. The commonly used DMARDs are methotrexate, hydrochloroquineand minocycline. They are also having many side effects in the form of liver and kidney damage, bone marrow suppression and possibility of other infections.

Immunosuppressants like cyclosporine and cyclophosphamide can be taken for getting relief from inflammation. These drugs make an individual more prone to other infections. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors have been used for getting relief from inflammation and joint pain. They are also having some side effects as a person becomes susceptible to the risk of heart disease and other infections.
Occupational therapy and the physical therapy can help the people suffering from arthritis. Physical therapy can teach an affected individual how to relax the limb without damaging the joints. It can also provide splint and braces for the joints. Physical therapy also teaches how to drive the car, take bath and perform household work. Occupational therapy teaches how to reduce on the joints and perform the daily activities. Physical therapy also makes use of ice, heating pads and ultrasound guided massage therapy. Both these therapies help an individual to remain free from some of the difficulties of arthritis.

It can be concluded that arthritis is a very painful disease affecting the joints and there no complete cure for it only one can practice the use of physical and occupational therapy. Drugs can be helpful but are at risk and make an individual more prone to other infections.

Brandon Roy: Comeback Kid

One of the greatest things about sports is an inspirational story. Obviously, people watch sports for the actual sporting events themselves. But, there is also another magical part of the sporting world that can relate to anyone, no matter what their level of sports knowledge or actual interest is. The stories that develop with players and teams we love to love, and just as much, love to hate. These stories are the things that make names who wouldn't be so well known, such as Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin last year, valid topics of discussion in our daily lives. Seriously, think back to the last year in sports. You could not turn on ESPN or go to any sports website without seeing some mention of "Tebowing" or "Linsanity". It is moments like this that make the world of sports such an incredible world to be a part of.

Another moment may be on the horizon for us during the upcoming NBA season. After the sudden retirement of Brandon Roy before last year's NBA season, he will be lacing the sneakers back up to hit the hardwood once again during the upcoming season.

One of the absolute worst things that can happen to an athlete is injury. When you're playing sports, no matter what regulations are set in place, injuries are an inevitable element. Some injuries come and go, but others can linger and haunt an athlete for an entire career. It appeared that Roy was going to become another helpless victim on the long list of great athletes who's potential and dreams would be taken away. When dealing with injuries, one of the most cringe worthy phrases to hear is "career ending." This is the exact phrase we heard just over a year ago when it related to Brandon Roy. The doctors went as far as to say Roy "can't do this" and that he "might end up not walking." All scary thoughts for any person to hear, especially for a 27 year old. Roy went through a series of knee problems throughout his career. Without any cartilage in his knees, it is hard to believe Roy will even be making a comeback.

Brandon Roy first entered the league in the 2006 NBA Draft. Roy was fresh off his senior season with the Washington Huskies, where he lead his team to a Sweet Sixteen appearance. Besides averaging 20 points per game, Roy was bestowed with the award of Pac-10 player of the year. Going in to the draft, Roy was known for his slashing ability and great shooting. He was considered by many to be a "sure thing" in the NBA, and considered by many to be the top prospect in the draft class. With the sixth pick in the 2006 NBA Draft (My inner David Stern just came out.), the Timberwolves selected Brandon Roy. The Timberwolves would not be the destination for Roy for very long, as he was traded to Portland. The Blazers draft night in 2006 may have taken top honors for the night, not only did they add Roy to the team, but they also added LaMarcus Aldridge to the roster.

I don't think there is any doubt that Brandon Roy not only lived up to the hype, but he far exceeded it. Roy went on to average 17 points per game, along with 4 assists and 4 rebounds. These numbers were not only good enough for a place on the rookie squad of the annual Rookie/Sophomore game during All-Star weekend, they were also good enough for Roy to earn the year's NBA Rookie of the Year award. Although Roy had fantastic numbers throughout the season, it wasn't a season without injury. Roy missed 20 games early on with a left heel injury.

The next season was another excellent season for Roy. Some players have a sophomore slump, but not Brandon Roy. It was more of a "sophomore skyrocket." The reason this term is fitting is because it seemed the possibilities were endless for the young player. In the previous season, he was a member of the Rookie team during All-Star Weekend. This season, he returned to play for the sophomore team during the Rookie/Sophomore game. This wouldn't be all for Roy during the coveted weekend, as he was also chosen as an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference. For only his second season in the league, it was a great honor for Roy to be chosen by the coaches in the NBA to be apart of the Western All-Star team. Besides these accolades, Roy increased his points per game to 19 points, paired with a slight increase in the rebounds and assists categories as well.

The breakout season of Brandon Roy was bestowed upon us in the 2008-09 season. In just his third season in the NBA, Roy increased his points per game once again from 19 points, to nearly 23 points a game. The 22.6 points per game stat was enough to make Roy a top ten scorer in the NBA, coming in at number ten. An excellent comparison to show how great of a scorer Roy had become from the previous season to this one can be showcased through his 30+ points games. In the previous season, Roy only had two 30+ points games. In this season, Roy had ELEVEN of them. Not to mention, Roy delivered a 52 point game against the Phoenix Suns. Besides the stats, he also kept adding more and more accomplishments to his record. At season's end, Roy was named to the All-NBA Second Team. He was also 9th in MVP voting for the season. Impressive stats and accomplishments for a third year player in the league.

Although Roy was on the rise in the 08-09 season, it was also the awakening of his knee problems. At the beginning of this season, Roy underwent a 20 minute surgery to remove a piece of cartilage from his knee that was causing irritation. The doctor described the knee problems with, "He's just got a basketball player's knee." This was not the first time that Roy had underwent surgery, though. In 2001, surgery was performed on his left knee while he was in high school. Just three years later in 2004, Roy had another knee surgery on his other knee during his Junior season at Washington. After the surgery in 2008, it was hopeful that Roy would be perfectly fine and go on to be the face of the Portland Trail Blazers for years to come. Sadly, it was just wishful thinking.

Before the 2009-10 season began, Roy was signed to a five-year contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers. Speaking money, Roy was only earning $4 million dollars in the last year of his rookie contract. In the first year of his newly extended contract, Roy would be making $14 million dollars. A pretty solid jump financially for a 25 year old. Roy had an average of 21 points per game and was showing no signs of slowing down. But, in April just before the playoffs, Roy had to have surgery once again on his right knee. The injury was expected to cause him to miss the entire first round of the playoffs, but Roy returned 8 days later to play in game four of the Blazers' first round series against the Phoenix Suns. Roy didn't have much scoring input in the last 3 games of the series he played, scoring just 10, 5, and 14 points respectively. The Blazers' were eliminated from the postseason in six games.

The 2010-11 season began, and little did anyone know that it was soon to be the last season before Roy's retirement. In January of 2011, Brandon Roy had to undergo another knee surgery. This time, the surgery was performed on both knees. During this season, Roy only ended up playing in 47 games and averaged 12 points per game. 12 points per game was definitely a dramatic decrease in scoring production for Roy, and it was obvious that the knee problems were becoming an issue for him. The 2011 postseason was a rough one for Roy. He played limited minutes in the first round series against the Dallas Mavericks, and even had to fight off tears. Roy said himself "There was a point in the first half, and I was thinking 'You better not cry.' I mean, serious. I mean, there was a moment where I felt really sorry for myself. Then I was like, nah, you can't be sorry for yourself. I'm a grown man, but there was a moment there that I felt sorry for myself. Especially when I think I can still help."

All of the knee injuries culminated to the unfathomable. The retirement of Brandon Roy just after five seasons in the NBA. Roy had the following to say after announcing his retirement.

"This is a very difficult and painful day. I love the game, I love the Portland Trail Blazers and I love our fans, but after consulting with my doctors, I will seek a determination that I've suffered a career ending injury, pursuant to the rules of the collective bargaining agreement.

"My family and health are most important to me and in the end this decision was about them and my quality of life. I want to thank Paul Allen, Larry Miller, Coach McMillan, the entire Trail Blazers organization and our fans for all of their love and support during my time in Portland. It was a great ride."

Fast forward to present day, and Brandon Roy will be making his return to the NBA.

"After a few months of sitting out, I decided, 'Hey, I don't want to stop playing basketball,' " Roy said Tuesday at a news conference at Target Center after signing a two-year, $10.4 million contract. "I wanted to continue going forward. It was never a situation where I said, 'I'm done forever.' It's just more of a pause."

The question I'm sure many people are asking is, what is going to allow Brandon Roy to return? He has had six different knee surgeries throughout his basketball career. Roy had a procedure performed by the name of platelet-rich plasma therapy. While it is medically unproven, it is a procedure that Kobe Bryant has had performed in the past. A simple explanation of platelet-rich plasma therapy is the injection of your own blood into the body to help the joints.

"I'm not saying I'm Kobe Bryant, but my body felt really good. I've been working out ever since, and there hasn't been any swelling. I'm excited I got it done," Roy said.

The season is only weeks away. One of the things I will be watching the most is the play and production of Brandon Roy. Will he be back to his old ways, scoring 20 points a game? Or, will the knee problems be too much for him? The inspirational story is something that sports will always have. Hopefully, the Brandon Roy return will become one. A man who has undergone multiple knee surgeries returning to the NBA in top-notch form, what could be better than that? It will seem kind of like a homecoming for Timberwolves fans, as Roy was originally drafted by the team. It will also be a homecoming for Roy, though. A homecoming to the basketball court, and that could be the best homecoming of all.

3 Steps to Improve Knee Range of Motion After ACL Surgery

Restoring the range of motion after ACL reconstruction is very important to a successful ACL surgery recovery. The best way to get your range of motion back after surgery is to do a few things very diligently ice(RICE), rehab exercises and don't rest with a pillow under your knee.These three steps to improved range of motion after ACL reconstruction are broken down below.

Step 1 To Improve Range of Motion After Knee Surgery - RICE

Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate....we have all heard it 1000 times and it is true that after surgery we must diligently ice our knee to remove the swelling. This swelling can accelerate how quickly we will lose muscle in our thigh and cause all other kinds of problems. But what I am writing about in this article is improving the range of motion and this is without a doubt one of the easiest ways to improve range of motion. Often after surgery the range of motion is limited by the swelling within the knee, the best way to get rid of that swelling is following the RICE principle.

Step 2 To Improve Range of Motion After Knee Surgery - Never Prop Your Knee on an Angle

Our knees hurt a lot after ACL surgery and it can be very tempting to put something under our knees and leave them on an angle. When we do this we increase the difficulty in the future of getting our knee fully extended. The solution?

Always make sure when you are resting watching TV, reading or sleeping that your knee has a light amount flexion resistance. For example if you are comfortable with your knee bent at 15 degrees you can support it at 10 degrees bent so that the pain isn't much but you are always working towards getting to 0 degrees.

Step 3 To Improve Range of Motion After Knee Surgery - Exercises

There are a few critical exercises that you must do to get your flexion and extension back. Two weeks post ACL surgery and 130 degrees of motion is possible following these exercises. The top exercises to do include.

1. Heel Slides

2. Heel Prop

3. Prone Knee Flexion

4. Bike Pendulums

5. Quad Sets

Knee Braces For Running - Support For Really Hurt, Bad, Or Just Plain Aching Knees - Pain Relief

Your Knees & Running

Your knees take the brunt of the force that comes from the impact of running. Whether you are an avid runner, or like to casually enjoy the sport, you may have experienced discomfort or pain in your knees.

1.) A Well Designed Knee Brace

Any runner is aware of the constant stress that is placed on the knees and the injuries that can keep you from your favorite pastime. As a result, you may be looking right now for a way to address your pain so that you can continue on with running. A well designed knee brace can help support your knee while running and can help greatly reduce your knee pain. These supports do not have to be astronomically priced, and can be the answer that you are looking for.

Runners have unique needs when it comes to knee braces. Not only does the brace need to be low profile, but it also needs to address common knee issues. Our advice is that you should not just focus on the sport of running, although this is important. We suggest that you should think about your knee injury first, and second comes the sport of running. (After speaking with your physician, you will know what your knee injury level is)

2.) A Running Knee Brace

Often times people will get confused, thinking that there is just one kind of running knee brace, when in actuality there are many that primarily focus on the severity of your knee pain or knee injury. Usually, runners will complain of pain from a form of arthritis, meniscus, or ligament injury.

For example, osteoarthritis can prevent your knee from being in proper alignment. The pain from this malalignment can be especially noticeable when you run. OA (osteoarthritis) knee supports can help this issue by maintaining proper knee alignment.

3.) Injury Types

Meniscus injuries are also common problems for runners, as well as injuring your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), or MCL (Medial collateral ligament). Injuring your ACL, MCL, or meniscus can be very painful, and usually requires a good running knee brace to help promote healing. Most likely, if you have one of these knee injuries, you will need a knee brace that has a hinge, as well as medial and lateral uprights. These will help prevent excessive side to side movements that can be painful. A well designed knee support can help prevent any future damage or tearing from occurring as well.

4.) Custom vs. Non-custom Bracing

Non-custom knee braces for running can provide exceptional support as well. Sometimes people think that the only knee brace that will serve them is a custom one. We are here to tell you that this is not always the case. Usually, the only time you will need a custom knee brace is if you do not have normal knee anatomy. This is usually not a problem for most people. The biggest difference between custom and non-custom knee braces is usually the price. Non-custom supports can serve you well without costing you an arm and a leg (ie. you can several hundred dollars with non custom knee braces).

Degenerative Joint Disease Causes and Home Treatments

The degenerative joint disease causes are typically wear and tear injuries that occur over time. In fact, advanced age is a major risk factor of degenerative joint disease and it is rare for anyone over the age of 70 to be unaffected in some way by this progressive disorder. However, treatments are available that can help decrease the pain and stiffness associated with degenerative joint disease.

Degenerative Joint Disease Causes

Though degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis, can come on as a consequence of everyday life, its onset can be sped up by certain factors.

• Trauma due to sports


• Trauma from work-related activities or injuries


• Repetitive motions of a joint for a long time


• Infection in a joint


• Excess weight, which puts pressure on the weight bearing joints.

Degenerative joint disease is common in the weight bearing joints (spine, hips, knees, ankles, feet, and toes) but can also occur in the non-weight bearing joints (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, and fingers).

If you wake in the morning with stiffness, which goes away after moving for about 30 minutes, you likely have osteoarthritis. This is a classic sign of the disorder as is pain in the joints that is aggravated by exercise and relieved by rest.

Degenerative Joint Disease Home Treatments

You will not be able to completely cure degenerative joint disease but you can treat the symptoms and lessen the pain and stiffness. Below I have listed some common home remedies for degenerative joint disease:

• OTC (over-the-counter) drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol) are the first remedy tried by most osteoarthritis sufferers. Aspirin will have similar pain-relieving effects but may be harder on your stomach


• NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen and naproxen can provide some relieve from pain and are commonly thought of as a step up from Tylenol or Aspirin. Talk with your doctor if you feel a need for regular use of these pain relievers.


• OTC glucosamine and condroitin formulas have mixed results but some claim good results with their regular use.


• There are a number of pain-relieving lotions and creams. Try Capsaicin (Zostrix), this may feel unusual at first but has proven to be helpful for the temporary relief of degenerative joint disease.


• Hot or cold packs may provide temporary relieve. Hot packs can warm the joint and aid in pain-free movement. Cold packs help reduce swelling and pain that may occur following exercise.


• Allow sufficient time to rest the affected joint and if repetitive movements aggravate the symptoms, take step to change your routine.


• You do not want to avoid exercise because it helps to keep your joints mobile. However, you may need to shift your exercise routine to exercises that do not stress your joints. Swimming and water activities are non-weight bearing exercises. You can also walk instead of jog to put knees under less stress.


• Alternative treatments like acupuncture and massage may provide you with relief.

What to Expect If Your Knee Joint Pain Does Not Go Away Easily

If you are even moderately physically active, then you must have, at some point in your life, experienced knee joint pain. If the discomfort doesn't go away in a few days of routine home care and relaxation, do you have to go and seek professional medical advice? Here is when it is best to see a doctor:

If, as a consequence of injury, your knee has swollen up virtually immediately;
if it looks as if the bones are deformed;
in the event you can no longer bear weight (i.e., get up comfortably);
when you've got insufferable ache;
if you happen to have lost sensation below the injury site;
if the foot and ankle have turned cold;
or in case your knee area is red and warm and there's an accompanying fever along with the injury.

Normally, knee joint pain can be resolved at home by rest, applying ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). If different symptoms, such as recurrent ache and swelling, persist, then medical care is probably in order.

How Knee Injuries Are Diagnosed

Should you decide to seek medical help, you will first be given questions to complete a medical history. Naturally, the physician will wish to know the main points concerning the injury, such as when, where, how it happened, to find out what structures in the knee are perhaps damaged. If the injury is due to a direct blow, then a fracture or contusion (bruise) might be the issue. If it was a twisting injury, then a cartilage or meniscus tear could be the reason for the pain. What else might have placed stress on the knee and to potentially trigger a tear in the ligament?

Be ready to answer other inquiries to further assist with the diagnosis. For example, was swelling present, and did it happen instantly or did you first notice it hours later? Were you able to stand and walk immediately after the damage? Is there discomfort in different areas, such as the ankle or hip? Does it damage especially bad when going up or down steps?

The physician will then examine the knee, first to make certain every part is where it belongs. If the kneecap is fractured or the patellar tendon is injured, the kneecap can slide out of position. The physician can easily check to see if the kneecap is sliding to the outside or lateral part of the knee; if that is the case, then the patellar tendon is dislocated. If the knee is held slightly flexed, then there may be fluid within the joint space, since joint space is maximal at 15 degrees of flexion.

Feeling the knee, referred to as palpation, comes next. The physician can correlate the particular location of the ache to the underlying structures like ligaments or muscle-insertion points. Palpation over the space between the bones within the front part of the knee, often called the joint line, could be associated to fluid or tenderness resulting from a meniscus injury. The doctor might examine the uninjured knee to the injured one by exerting stress on the unhurt knee to see how loose or tight the normal ligaments are.

X-rays of the knee may be advisable to make certain there are not any broken bones, but if no direct blow to the area has precipitated the knee joint ache, then plain X-rays or imaging of the knee via an MRI might wait till another time.

Post Operation Assistance Is Available For Any Band Over Bypass Surgery Is Available

While any weight loss operation will help you lose great amounts of weight, it is still important for one to take care of their health and make sure they still have proper nutritional intake. While many patients may have the proper knowledge to care for their bodies and eat the proper foods so healthy weight loss is properly maintained, there are many who are not sure what should be done. There are many specialists and groups ready to help in these situations who can properly guide the patient in making healthy choices. These groups will also provide support to help people get on the path to a better, healthier lifestyle.

Many bariatric groups have nutritional specialists dedicated to meeting patients after the operation. They will meet with the patient in order to go over their new diet and customize it according to the individual needs of a patient. This way, the patient will be able to continue losing weight in a healthy manner and won't have to be concerned with any malnutrition. This is not always a simple task however and there are many groups dedicated to helping give support to these individuals so they can to a healthier website faster. It is always good to be reminded that there are others in the same situation that can help in times of need.

So while Band over bypass procedures will help lose vast amounts of weight, it is only the beginning. With proper diet and fitness, any patient after the procedure will be able to enjoy their lives in a happier and healthier manner.

Glutathione (Glutathione) Antioxidant and Osteoarthritis

This article on osteoarthritis is for information only. There are many causes of joint inflammation and you should consult with your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease or is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs over time from wear and tear on the cartilage (cushion) of the joints. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, though it most commonly affects joints in your hands, hips, knees and spine. Osteoarthritis typically affects just one joint, though in some cases, such as with finger arthritis, several joints can be affected.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis but osteoarthritis treatments can relieve pain and help you remain active. Taking steps to actively manage your osteoarthritis may help you gain control over your osteoarthritis pain

According to the Center for Disease control osteoarthritis affects 13.9% of adults aged 25 and older and 33.6% (12.4 million) of those 65 and older. An estimated 26.9 million United States adults in 2005 up from 21 million in 1990 (believed to be conservative estimate).

Osteoarthritis symptoms most commonly affect the hands, hips, knees and spine. Unless you've been injured or placed unusual stress on a joint, it's uncommon for osteoarthritis symptoms to affect your jaw, shoulder, elbows, wrists or ankles.

It isn't clear what causes osteoarthritis in most cases. Researchers suspect that it's a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury or stress, heredity, and muscle weakness

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

- Pain in a joint during or after use, or after a period of inactivity

- Tenderness in the joint when you apply light pressure

- Stiffness in a joint, that may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity

- Loss of flexibility may make it difficult to use the joint

- Grating sensation when you use the joint

- Bone spurs, which appear as hard lumps, may form around the affected joint

- Swelling in some cases

Regan and colleagues in the 2008 Journal of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage showed us that joint fluid from patients with osteoarthritis was characterized by significantly decreased superoxide dismutase levels and significant decreases in glutathione compared to the reference group of knee joints with pain or sub acute injury but macroscopically intact cartilage.

Afonso and colleagues in the 2007 Journal of Joint Bone Spine discussed the role of superoxide dismutase in preventing the formation of aggressive free radicals that play a role in joint inflammation.

Kalpakcioglu and colleagues in the 2008 Journal of Clinical Rheumatology reviewed the interaction of antioxidants against free radicals in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There was evidence that antioxidants: glutathione reductase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glucose-6-phopshate destroy these free radicals.

More studies are available online; search "glutathione and osteoarthritis" in PubMed.

Traditional treatment involves use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)

and Tylenol to relieve pain and inflammation. This is certainly reasonable in the acute phase. Rest, bracing and crutches/walker may be necessary to rest the joint to allow the inflamed tissues to heal. As the inflammation calms down begin joint motion and strength exercises as soon as possible to prevent debilitation.

A weight loss program is critical to the long term health of your joints and your body if you are overweight. As little as ten pounds can make a difference. Weight loss strategies can be found in my blog; askdrvic.com. There are many low impact activities that can help you burn calories as well. Check with your doctor before you start an exercise program.

There are many glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements on the market. The scientific literature has mixed reviews on their effectiveness. I tell my patients to try it for a month or two and see if it makes a difference.

The scientific research showed me the importance of antioxidants glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in osteoarthritis. I researched products and chose Max GXL, a glutathione accelerator and Max N-fuze which contains the balance of the antioxidants. It made sense to use products which worked at the cellular level to fight the free radicals that threaten our bodies.

The pharmaceutical companies will not take care of you. The government will not be able to take care of you. Why not take steps NOW to take care of yourself so that you can live a long, healthy AND productive life?

I wish you health and prosperity.