aboutarthritistoday.com

Arthritis dates back to prehistoric times and is seen all through the ages in the joints of the skeleton remains.

Most of you will have problems with your joints and it may be arthritis. Arthritis is associated with aging but it is not caused because you are aging. Arthritis is caused by the body not been fed the proper nutrients that keep your joints health and free of wear and tear.

There are plenty of joints in your body and typically there are only specific joints that have arthritic pain. Those are the ones that you use frequently. For men it is knees, spine, and feet. For women it is fingers, hands, knees, and spine.

Arthritis means inflammation of the joint. When your joints have bone-to-bone contact and grind against each other that area becomes swollen and inflamed.

There are two main type of arthritis – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid – and others that are less known.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis means inflammation of the bony part of your joint. As your joints move against each other, the protective coating and surrounding material – membranes, oil sacs, cartilage – wear down. This wear down occurs when the joints see excess activity.

Normally you would not expect to see this wear down condition since there are many joints that see excess activity and don’t become inflamed or arthritic. There millions of people who don’t get arthritis, yet the use their joints are used just as much and perhaps even more. Then there are people who don’t use their joint to excess and still get arthritis.

So the actual cause of arthritis is more than excess activity.

The cause of arthritis has come down to a single or combination of nutritional deficiencies, excess joint activity, and emotional issues.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid means “similar to flowing pain.” It is an autoimmune disease where good cell and tissue are attack by the immune system. Rheumatoid first affects the joint membranes and later the bone structure at the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in people of all ages. As this arthritis progresses it can becomes crippling.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a recent disease, which appeared at the turn of the 20th Century. Its cause can be associated with diet where the balance of the joint structure receives chemicals that destroy its balanced condition.

Gouty Arthritis

Gout is a disease where uric acid deposits in the joints of feet and legs. When the body has an excess of uric acid, which it can’t eliminate through normal channels of elimination- the kidney – the uric acid settles in the joints and soft tissue causing pain.

Gout is more common with men, people with high blood pressure, alcoholics, diabetics, and obesity. Gout means drop. It was thought by Romans that gout was caused by poisonous crystals coming from the blood, drop by drop, and depositing in the toes.

There is some evidence that gout is related to the amount of wine that is drunk with the meal. This put an extra strain on the liver that tries to detoxify the wine and the meal at the same time. Result is the liver is unable to detoxify the complete meal.

Other Types of Arthritis

There are other types of arthritis. These account for a small amount of the types of arthritis that most people have. Here is the list:

Bursitis - inflammation of the shoulder joints and muscles.

Neuritis - is know as rheumatism of your nerves. When the sheaths of your nerves dry out you have neuritis

Myositis - pain that comes from working hard and muscles have friction between them.

Fibrositis - is when your connective tissue become inflamed Lumbago – occurs before you get arthritis of the spine.

Which arthritis doe you have? In other articles, I’ll tell you what you can do to prevent or eliminate arthritis of any kind.

About The Author
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter called “Natural Remedies Thatwork.com”. For more information on arthritis go to: http://www.arthritis-remedies.for–you.info

What does it mean when you have arthritis? Imagine that the cartilage in your body — that soft, pliable natural cushioning — begins to break down. Without this natural form of protection, your joints would no longer be protected against the pounding of everyday life. The wear and tear would be too much, and your joints would begin to suffer. You would likely begin to experience some kind of pain, stiffness, swelling, and perhaps even a loss of mobility.

There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Here is a quick overview on the five most common forms of arthritis.

1. Osteoarthritis: This is by far the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis develops as a result of the continual wear and tear experienced by the cartilage that surrounds our joints. As the cartilage gradually breaks down, the joints are no longer cushioned and protected. They may become stiff, swollen, and painful to the touch. Osteoarthritis usually becomes obvious around middle age. It’s a gradual progressive disease, in which symptoms worsen over time. However, osteoarthritis may also be the result of injury. Most patients with osteoarthritis experience the worse symptoms in the areas of the hips, knees, fingers, and the spine.

It’s estimated that up to 90 per cent of all people over 60 will develop some form of this condition. The symptoms of osteoarthritis can range from very mild to severe. In general, men experience the brunt of their symptoms in the knees and hips while women tend to suffer more in their fingers.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis: This condition is different from most other types of arthritis conditions in that it’s a disease of the autoimmune system. The bodies’ own immune system attacks its joints and cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the peripheral joints rather than smaller areas of the body such as the hands, feet, and arms. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the vital organs in more advanced cases.

About 2.5 million people are affected with this form of arthritis. The average age for onset is middle age, usually between 40 to 50 years. Women are at a greater risk for developing this form of arthritis.

3. Seronegative Arthritis: These are a class of arthritis disorders that manifest symptoms similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis, but the patient does not test positive for that condition, or osteoarthritis. Seronegative arthritis disorders tend to be related to skin disorders. These may include psoriasis, disorders of the immune system, and intestinal disorders.

4. Gout: This is a form of arthritis cause by the overproduction of uric acid in the body. The uric acid creates small crystals that may be felt beneath the surface of the skin. Gout affects about half a million people in the united States, and is much more common among men. Gout usually affects one joint of the time, and it commonly strikes in the big toe.

5. Infective Arthritis: This form of arthritis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and infects the joints. Infective arthritis is usually the result of a wound or injury that becomes infected. Illness may also cause it, including the mumps and chicken pox.

Spinal Arthritis, accompanied by moderate to severe back pain is related to a rheumatic disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis or AS. This causes arthritis of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. It affects the eyes, lungs and heart valves as also the spine, peripheral joints and other body organs. As a result, there is stiffness of the back, loss of motion and varying degree of deformity as the person ages.

Herpes Simplex Virus and Spinal Arthritis

The Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) is responsible for a sexually transmitted disease (STD) known as Genital Herpes. This disease has taken an epidemic proportion in the United States now. There are two types of HSV. HSV-I and HSV-II. While HSV-I is generally restricted to upper part of the body, HSV-II mostly affects the genital area. When a person is infected, the Herpes Simplex Virus travels through the nerves and settles at the base of the spine. At this stage, it is mostly inactive and remains dormant, only to flare up later. It then takes the nerve path to reach the surface of the skin where it appears in the form of lesions. Genital Herpes is a painfully embarrassing and grossly distressing disease for which there is no permanent cure. Since the virus resides in the spine, there can be severe back pain, but this is often wrongly diagnosed as spinal arthritis, whereas all the time it was caused by the Herpes Simplex virus.

Spinal Arthritis – Causes

How or why Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) occurs in the human system is perhaps not fully known. But since AS is a member of the family of ailments that targets the spine, and is called Spondylarthropathies, it has been observed that all spondylarthropathies share a common genetic marker < HLA-B27 > in most affected persons. Also, the disease occurs in some cases after exposure to bowel or urinary tract infections. In addition to Ankylosing Spondylitis, these ailments include Reiter’s syndrome, psoriatic arthritis and arthritis of the inflammatory bowel disease.

The Reach of Spinal Arthritis

Spinal Arthritis afflicts around 140 to 150 out of every 100,000 people in the US alone. And the victims are mostly adolescents and adult males. The prevalence of the disease also varies by ethnic group, and surprisingly enough, is most common among Native Americans. Of course the disease is rampant in other societies as well and is noticed worldwide.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is often difficult because symptoms are generally attributable to common back problems. And thus it is initially neglected by most. However, a marked loss of flexibility in the lumbar region may be linked to Ankylosing Spondylitis. Generally, all symptoms may start in the lumbar and sacroiliac regions but they eventually involve the neck and upper back.

Arthritis may also attack at the shoulder, hips and feet. Eye inflammation cannot as well be ruled out nor heart valve problems overlooked.

Treatment

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) are the standard mode of treatment. However, recent research has shown that a continuous intake of NSAIDS in place of sporadic consumption greatly reduces the discomfort. Also important is the rehabilitation therapy. Proper sitting, walking and sleep positions, with abdominal and back exercises help maintain the posture. Since the disease may not leave you till your dying days, continued care is essential.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects your joints. It can cause swelling, stiffness, pain and loss of function in the joints it affects. Unlike other types of arthritis, it does not usually affect just one joint, but the matching joint on the other side of your body as well. The most commonly affected joints are the wrists and fingers. There are several forms of the disease, ranging from a short period of pain lasting for only a year to severe pain that lasts many years or an entire lifetime.

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but there are several features of the disease that often occur:

• Tender, swollen and warm joints – often in the wrist or fingers
• Pain affecting the same joints on both sides of your body
• Inflammation in other joints such as the knees or hips
• Prolonged periods of pain and stiffness, after long periods of rest or after waking up
• Occasional fevers, fatigue, and an overall feeling of not being well

Factors Increasing the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis can be hereditary, and can result from having specific genes that control your immune system. Several genes play a role in whether a person develops the disease, and how severely they are afflicted. Genetics, however, is not the only factor.
• It is believed that certain events trigger the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in people already susceptible to it because of their genes. The most likely causes are bacterial or viral infections.
• Women are more likely to develop the disease than men, and their hormone levels may affect the onset of the disease. For example, pregnancy often lessens the severity of the disease, while flare-ups often occur after giving birth.

The Basics of Rheumatoid Arthritis Joints, where two bones connect, are normally surrounded by a protective and supportive capsule. The capsule surrounds the joint and the cartilage between the bones. Healthy joints have a lining of a tissue called synovium and produce a fluid that both nourishes and lubricates the bones and cartilage.

In people with rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system produces white blood cells that attack the synovium. This causes the inflammation consistent with arthritis, and makes the joint swollen and painful. Once the disease develops, the inflamed synovium actually attacks the joint and its bone and cartilage, working to destroy it. Eventually, the muscles around the joint become too weak to support it properly, causing often severe pain and joint damage.

Common Treatments No matter what treatment doctors and patients choose, the goal is always to stop pain and inflammation, prevent further damage to joints and allow the person to function normally.

Dealing with the Disease

• Splints can be used to support an affected joint, letting it rest. This will reduce swelling and pain. Other simple tools can make daily tasks easier for people with the disease. For example, patients may use special devices to help them get in and out of bed.
• A healthy blend of rest and exercise is also important. Doctors suggest getting more exercise while the disease is not severe, and getting more rest when attacks flare-up. Exercise improves flexibility, muscle strength, and joint mobility, while also contributing to the patient’s overall well-being. When resting, it is best to rest for short periods, rather than taking long naps.
• To reduce the stress involved in coping with the disease, patients can utilize relaxation techniques, regular exercise, and support groups. Eating a balanced diet also contributes to overall well-being.

Medication and Surgery

• Most people with rheumatoid arthritis take some form of medication. Types include those to relieve pain, to reduce inflammation and to slow the onset of the disease. Common drugs include Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirins.
• The most effective treatments often include a combination of more powerful medications.
• Surgery can be performed to reduce pain and improve joint function and daily life. Common surgeries include joint replacement, tendon reconstruction, and synovectomy, in which doctors remove the inflamed synovial tissue. This is done only as part of other reconstructive surgery.

For all patients, regular doctor visits, and routine blood and other laboratory tests are important and should be made on a regular basis.

About The Author
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Few people realize that the term “arthritis” is actually a blanket term for over 200 different diseases that involve joint inflammation and pain. One of the most prevalent and potentially disabling forms of arthritis is known as rheumatoid arthritis. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the basics of rheumatoid arthritis so you can more accurately understand the prevalence and causes of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is prevalent in roughly 2.1 million Americans, accounting for approximately one percent of all American adults. The disease is caused by an inflammation of the lining of a joint, which can cause the sufferer to feel pain and stiffness in the joint, as well as swelling, a feeling of warmth, and a red tint to the skin. In addition, inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the body’s tear ducts, salivary glands, and the linings of the human heart and lungs.

The disease may be life-long, with those afflicted experiencing waves of severity ranging from periods of practically no pain to intense suffering that arrives with little or no warning. The disease generally is found to be occurring in those between ages 20 and 50. The most common signs are swelling, redness, tenderness, and a warmness of a joint. Thess signs may appear on both joints. For example, if you experience a problem in your left elbow, your right elbow may also reflect the same sensations, as if rheumatoid arthritis is present. Pain and tenderness often lasts for an extended period of time.

The disease is actually caused by the body’s immune system. Sometimes the immune system malfunctions and mistakes joint tissue as an invader. When this happens, the body will do its best to destroy the joint tissue, which then leads to the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. While an exact cause for rheumatoid arthritis has yet to be discovered, scientists in the field contend that genetics and heredity may play an important role.

When diagnosing a case of rheumatoid arthritis, doctors often employ the use of a blood test that checks for the presence of an antibody known as a “rheumatoid factor.” If the antibody is present, there’s a good chance that the person is afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. Between seventy and ninety percent of all rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have this agent in their bloodstream, so it can provide a fairly accurate assessment of a person’s risk for the disease. Doctors may also perform x-rays to determine exactly how much of the joint tissue has been affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

If you experience symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis that last for two weeks or longer, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the symptoms to see if you have the disease.

Most people don’t realize that there are over 100 types of arthritis in existence. One of the less well-known forms of this disease is known as psoriatic arthritis. What is psoriatic arthritis? As its name indicates, psoriatic arthritis is associated with psoriasis, the common skin condition characterized by inflammation of the skin, scaling, and red raised patches of skin. It is estimated that psoriasis affects approximately 2 per cent of the Caucasian population in the United States, although it can occur in people from all backgrounds.

The skin condition psoriasis most often affects the scalp, face, navel, tips of the elbows, knees, and areas surrounding the genitals and anus. Health professionals estimate that 10 per cent of all psoriasis patients concurrently develop some form of inflammation in the affected joints. These patients are thus classified as suffering from psoriatic arthritis.

Obviously, one of the major risk factors for developing psoriatic arthritis is the presence of the skin disorder, particularly if it affects the joints. Psoriatic arthritis usually strikes later in life, with most diagnosed cases occurring in the fourth or fifth decades of the patient’s life. It appears that gender is not a risk factor, since men and women are affected equally. The majority of patients experience onset of the diseases at different times.

It’s common that patients develop psoriasis before experiencing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Approximately 80 per cent of psoriatic arthritis patients develop psoriasis before the arthritis. However, some patients develop arthritis before the onset of psoriasis. Roughly 15 per cent of psoriatic arthritis patients report the presence of arthritic symptoms before developing psoriasis. In fact, many patients report living with psoriasis for many years before developing any signs of arthritis.

As with other forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is a systematic disease. This means it may affect other areas of the body beside the affected joints. Therefore, psoriatic arthritis sufferers may be susceptible to other problems. The most commonly affected areas include the lungs, kidneys, eyes, mouth, skin and the heart. In severe forms of the disease, other vital organs may also be affected. As with other forms of arthritis (especially reactive arthritis and spondylitis), psoriatic arthritis patients are more prone to experiencing inflammation in the spine.

What causes psoriatic arthritis? There are many theories, but the cause remains unknown. Most health professionals agree the disease is probably caused by a combination of various environmental factors. Immunity and genetic factors are probably involved as well. There is a gene marker—HLA-B27—that appears in many patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. However, it is not present in all cases. Other genes also appear frequently, furthering the notion that psoriatic arthritis is genetic in nature.

Currently there are blood tests available that test individuals for these genes. Another common factor in most psoriatic arthritis cases helps support the notion that the disease is at lease partly immune in nature. Changes in the immune system also appear to be a common factor. In these cases, environmental factors (including the presence of infectious agents) may be responsible for the development of the disease.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. By some estimates, the frequency of diagnosis is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years. For instance, one estimate says that by the year 2030, some 70 million people will be at risk of developing osteoarthritis. Part of this dramatic increase is that it’s expected that more people will be living past the age of 65. This will put a more people at risk of developing osteoarthritis, since it particularly affects this portion of the population (though, it’s not unheard of to find diagnoses among the very young, since the disease can affect anyone who has suffered from some form of joint injury).

What are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis? As with most other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis causes discomfort or pain in the joints and muscles. Osteoarthritis tends to primarily affect the weight bearing joints. These include the knees, ankles, hands, arms, and hips. Other major symptoms that may help distinguish osteoarthritis from other forms of arthritis include snapping of joints, the appearance of bony growths in the joints, loss of joint movement, stiffness of joints accompanied by swelling, and an overall decrease in loss of movement in the joints.

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as the “wear and tear” form of arthritis. This is due to the fact that osteoarthritis is believed to be caused by the gradual wear on the body’s joints. However, osteoarthritis may also be the result of joint injuries. Although the specific scientific cause of osteoarthritis has not yet been determined, most health professionals agree that age is the primary indirect cause of osteoarthritis. Over the years, our joints become worn down after a lifetime of use.

Risk Factors For Osteoarthritis

One of the major risk factors for osteoarthritis is some form of sustained injury in the patient’s past. Although osteoarthritis is generally regarded as an older person’s disease, it can also affect younger patients. Most of the time this is due to a joint injury.

The other major risk factor for osteoarthritis is age. Women are more susceptible for developing osteoarthritis after the age of 45. Men, conversely, appear more susceptible to developing osteoarthritis earlier, often demonstrating the first symptoms of the disease before the age of 45. Older people are more susceptible to osteoarthritis because their joints have endured a lifetime of use. Other risk factors include poor posture, diabetes, and dislocated hips.

It’s also generally agreed that obesity and joint injuries are two major risk factors for osteoarthritis. Many doctors will often prescribe weight loss as part of a patient’s treatment since the body’s joints cannot bear the extra weight it must sustain comfortably.

Another significant risk factor for osteoarthritis involves the presence of congenital defects. Many individuals may be at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis both in early or later life because of the presence of potentially joint damaging congenital defects.

Individuals with osteoarthritis may be exacerbating the condition through certain activities. It is recommended that patients with osteoarthritis restrain from weight bearing physical activities such as running and jogging. In some cases, patients who have not yet been diagnosed may mistake the symptoms of their osteoarthritis for injury. Although these types of physical activities may have to be greatly reduced, some form of regular physical activity continues to be advised. Some activities that are recommended for osteoarthritis patients include walking, swimming, and yoga. These are physical activities that allow osteoarthritis patients to remain active, and that have been shown to have positive effects on the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects roughly 75,000 young people in the United States. As the name implies, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects children, adolescents and teens, ranging in ages from six months and sixteen years.

As with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an immune deficiency syndrome. The disease represents an autoimmune reaction wherein the body produces antibodies that attack its own joint tissues. Although scientists have not determined that precise cause of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, studies point toward various causes. The most popular hypothesis speculates the underlying cause is the body’s inability to differentiate between its own tissue and foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. Ironically, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may actually be the result of the body’s efforts to defend itself against disease.

There are three primary forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. They are polyarticular, pauciaticular, and systematic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed when swelling is present in at least five joints throughout the body. Most of the affected joints are those described as weight bearing joints, which include joints in the hands, neck, hips, knees, and ankles.

The second form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is described as pauciarticular. Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect four or less joints. Symptoms of pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis include selling, stiffness, discomfort or severe pain around the afflicted joints. Most often, pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints of the wrist and knee. One distinguishing feature of this form of arthritis is that it may also affect the eyes. The iris may become inflamed. Indeed, ophthalmologists are often among the first to diagnose cases of pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis because their work prepares them to detect early signs of the disease.

The third form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is described as systematic. Systematic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis refers to the fact that the disease may sometimes affect the patient’s entire body. Children afflicted with systematic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may suffer from fevers, rashes, and the requisite feelings of joint stiffness and overall pain and discomfort. Other symptoms that are specific to the systematic form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis include the enlargement of the lymph nodes and the spleen.

Treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis usually consists of an aggressive treatment of NSAIDs class drugs. These are non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that are commonly used to treat the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Regular physical activity is also prescribed and is important in order for the patient to retain their natural range of motion and flexibility, particularly in the synovial joints. High impact, weight bearing exercises like tennis and running, however, should be avoided because these may cause permanent joint damage.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis @ HealthIsNumberOne.com
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) affects the entire body. Characterized by inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, JRA invades the synovium, the joint lining, and damages bone and cartilage by releasing enzymes that digest the bone and cartilage. JRA may affect growth during active periods of the disease. Onset occurs between the ages of 2 to 5 years of age and 9 to 12 years of age. Girls are also at a higher risk than boys.
healthisnumberone.com

Questions and Answers About Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than 6 weeks in a child of 16 years of age or less. Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth, and soreness in the joints, although many children with JRA do not complain of joint pain. Any joint can be affected and inflammation may limit the mobility of affected joints. One type of JRA can also affect the internal organs.
www.niams.nih.gov

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
JRA is the most common form of arthritis in children. It may be a mild condition that causes few problems over time, but it can be much more persistent and cause joint and tissue damage in other children. JRA can produce serious complications in more severe cases.
www.arthritis.org

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Picture And Informaiton
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than 6 weeks in a child of 16 years of age or less. Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth, and soreness in the joints, although many children with JRA do not complain of joint pain.
health-pictures.com

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), or juvenile arthritis, is not a single disease, but a group of diseases. What they all have in common is chronic joint inflammation. Besides this common feature, these diseases are very different in their symptoms, their treatments, and their outcomes.
www.emedicinehealth.com

Treatment Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (Juvenile) by Thermophore moist heat can help relax tight muscles, decrease joint stiffness, and temporarily relief of pain
www.rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment-juvenile.com

The Facts about Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than 6 weeks in a child of 16 years of age or less. Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth, and soreness in the joints, although many children with JRA do not complain of joint pain. Any joint can be affected and inflammation may limit the mobility of affected joints. One type of JRA can also affect the internal organs.
www.healthlink.mcw.edu

What You Should Know About Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Medicines
The more you understand the benefits and potential drawbacks of each medication, the better prepared you’ll be to discuss your child’s options with your doctor. And by being more aware of all available treatments you will be able to play a more proactive role in determining which treatment is right for your child.
www.enbrel.com

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis is usually associated with adults. But children can be affected by almost all of the types of arthritis that adults can have. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) — a chronic condition causing joint inflammation for at least 6 weeks in a child 16 years of age or younger — is the most common type of arthritis in children. In most cases it’s not a lifelong disorder, and the signs and symptoms fade after several months or years.
www.mayoclinic.com

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than six weeks in a child of 16 years of age or younger. Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth and soreness in the joints, although many children with JRA do not complain of joint pain. Any joint can be affected and inflammation may limit the mobility of affected joints. One type of JRA also can affect the internal organs. Doctors classify JRA into three types by the number of joints involved, the symptoms and the presence or absence of certain antibodies found by a blood test.
www.medem.com

Pauciarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
There are three main forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) which are separated by how they begin. Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is defined by the involvement of less than four joints at the beginning. This is the form which often begins in young girls as a swollen knee or ankle which appears without injury or explanation. Usually it is ‘painless’ but someone will have noticed that the knee looks swollen or the child is walking funny.
www.medicinenet.com

Dr. Greene Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
All forms of rheumatoid arthritis are characterized by chronic swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane which lines joints. If this chronic inflammation continues over years, the joint cartilage and joint bone become eroded and are gradually destroyed. The amount of time the chronic inflammation can last before the damage becomes permanent varies a great deal, but it is a much longer period in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis compared to Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis. Many children with JRA outgrow the disease and never develop permanent joint damage.
www.drgreene.com

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
The main difference between juvenile and adult rheumatoid arthritis is that many people with JRA outgrow the illness, while adults usually have lifelong symptoms. Studies estimate that by adulthood, JRA symptoms disappear in more than half of all affected children. Additionally, unlike rheumatoid arthritis in an adult, JRA may affect bone development as well as the child’s growth.
www.med.umich.edu

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Registry
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common chronic inflammatory disease in children, and may be related to genetics. Having two siblings who both have JRA in one family is rare. The purpose of this registry is to collect patient information and blood samples from qualifying JRA siblings and their families. The goal of the registry is to further understanding of JRA as related to genetics.
www.clinicaltrials.gov

Questions and Answers About Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than 6 weeks in a child of 16 years of age or less. Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth, and soreness in the joints, although many children with JRA do not complain of joint pain. Any joint can be affected and inflammation may limit the mobility of affected joints.
www.pueblo.gsa.gov

Yahoo Health Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
JRA is thought to belong to the collagen classes of disease (those diseases that involve connective tissue). It is a complicated disease. The primary manifestation is arthritis, but the disease may involve other body systems such as the heart and lining around the heart (pericardium), lungs and lining around the lungs (pleura), eyes, and skin. Systemic arthritis affects 20% of those with juvenile arthritis and includes fever, rash, and enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) in addition to joint inflammation.
www.health.yahoo.com

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
A patient-oriented leaflet describing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). It explains how JRA differs from adult rheumatoid arthritis, the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Information about how the family can help a child cope with JRA, and where to gain more information is also available here. The leaflet is produced by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and may have a slight US bias. Published on the Web by the American Pain Foundation (APF).
www.omni.ac.uk

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Treatments
JRA is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body mistakenly identifies some of its own cells and tissues as foreign. The immune system, which normally helps to fight off harmful, foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses, begins to attack healthy cells and tissues. The result is inflammation-marked by redness, heat, pain, and swelling. Doctors do not know why the immune system goes awry in children who develop JRA. Scientists suspect that it is a two-step process. First something in a child’s genetic makeup gives them a tendency to develop JRA; and then an environmental factor, such as a virus, triggers the development of JRA.
www.spineuniverse.com

Arthritis In Children
Growing up with arthritis can be challenging, but with coordinated care from a team of rheumatology professionals, most children with arthritis live a full and active life. There are various types of childhood arthritis, which can last from several months to many years. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for any child with arthritis, because it can help avoid joint damage and disability.
www.rheumatology.org

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Affect Eyes
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) usually presents in young girls. Anterior uveitis (iritis), which is inflammation of the anterior portion (iris, ciliary body) of the eye, occurs commonly with this disorder. Most afflicted patients are referred by their pediatrician or rheumatologist after the diagnosis of JRA has already been made. However, some patients with JRA will present first with eye complaints.
www.eyemdlink.com

While gout is a medical condition that is prevalent in modern day society, few realize that it’s actually a form of arthritis. Gout is a disease identifiable by a high level of pain that affects a single joint. Approximately 75% of all gout cases occur in the big toe, and intense pain, swelling, stiffness, and a warm feeling are present when gout occurs.

The exact cause of gout is unknown, but most scientists agree that the root of the problem lies in the body’s purine metabolism. Purine is a substance that’s found within the body. When metabolized, purine becomes uric acid. A heightened level of uric acid production is commonly found in those with gout. Another factor that may play a role in developing gout is a lack of proper excretion of uric acid. Crystallization of the uric acid accounts for the swelling and intense pain experienced by those with the disease.

There is controversy around the causes of gout. Many believe that it’s caused by years of alcohol consumption coupled with a lack of proper diet and exercise. Those with a diet that lacks purine-neutralizing substances such as cherries, strawberries, and celery may also be more at risk for gout development. Foods that are high in purine should be avoided; sardines, anchovies, scallops, alcohol, and diet soda all have high levels of purine and should be avoided if you wish to decrease your risk of developing gout.

When the agonizing pain of gout strikes, few solutions are available. The pain is often so intense that simple sensations such as placing a blanket over the feet can cause terrible suffering. Warm baths may help to increase circulation in the affected area, which can help to reduce swelling and may lead to decreased levels of crystallization of the uric acid which cause the disease. Using an ice-pack to help decrease the pain and swelling of gout is a common mistake. Uric acid crystallization is aided by low temperatures, and using cold packs will only increase the problem.

When discussing the problem of gout with your doctor, there are a number of solutions that may be employed to help to aid your suffering. Common recommendations include the drug indomethacin, as well as the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. NSAIDs are used to decrease inflammation in the affected area, as well as providing some relief from the pain. Your doctor also may recommend the use of a drug known as allopurinol, which helps to reduce the body’s production of uric acid, limiting the amount of crystallization that may occur.

Gout attacks come and go, and they may flare up without warning. If you think that you may have gout, it’s important to talk to your doctor to discuss possible methods of treating the problem.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are two dietary supplements that have become popular supplements for treating the symptoms of arthritis. Many faithful users have begun to sing the praises of these two dietary supplements. They are often sold in combination to one another. But do they really work? Here is some information that will help you decide if these two dietary supplements are right for you.

What Is Glucosamine?

Its full name is glucosamine sulfate, and it’s a natural substance found in the joints. Beside your own joint fluid, glucosamine can also be found in certain sea creatures, including the shells of crabs, lobsters, and shrimps. Scientists can also create glucosamine in the laboratory.

Your body creates its own steady supply of glucosamine used to create and repair lost cartilage. Cartilage is that firm yet pliable tissue that cushions the joints and the ends of bones. Cartilage keeps bones from rubbing against each other and absorbs the shock and force of the impact. Without cartilage to protect our joints, our legs, arms, hips, and other areas, our joints would quickly become damaged and wear out permanently.

Like glucosamine, chondroitin (or chondroitin sulfate) can also be found in the fluid surrounding the joints. It can also be found in cattle and sharks.

So why have these two dietary supplements become all the rage?

Recent research has found that both supplements contain anti-inflammatory properties, and provide anti-inflammatory protection in some animals. Unfortunately, these supplements have been tested on humans in very limited forms and their true efficacy is not yet known. One small study did demonstrate a slight benefit of use in individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. However, many health professionals have deemed this a flawed study.

Although it has not yet been shown that these supplements can have a significant effect on rheumatoid arthritis or other forms of arthritis, most medical researchers agree that both supplements are quite safe. Glucosamine is considered safe for most people. Those people prone to allergic reactions may experience a worsening of symptoms. Also, some research has concluded that glucosamine can raise high blood sugar levels and cause insulin levels to rise for those with diabetes. Although no direct link has been made, some believe that glucosamine can sometimes decrease the overall effectiveness of certain prescription medications, including some anticancer drugs and anti diabetes drugs. The most common side effects of regular glucosamine consumption include mild stomach pain and nausea.

As for chondroitin, it also appears to be safe for most people. Some medical researchers believe that chondroitin can worsen pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, allergies, and certain cancers. The most common side effects of chondroitin include nausea and stomach irritation. Although quite rare, some users have reported severe constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Like glucosamine, there exists a good amount of anecdotal evidence about the efficacy of glucosamine. However, until official clinical trials are done, these two dietary supplements will remain at the fringe of arthritis treatment options.

What does it mean when you have arthritis? Imagine that the cartilage in your body — that soft, pliable natural cushioning — begins to break down. Without this natural form of protection, your joints would no longer be protected against the pounding of everyday life. The wear and tear would be too much, and your joints would begin to suffer. You would likely begin to experience some kind of pain, stiffness, swelling, and perhaps even a loss of mobility.

There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Here is a quick overview on the five most common forms of arthritis.

1. Osteoarthritis: This is by far the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis develops as a result of the continual wear and tear experienced by the cartilage that surrounds our joints. As the cartilage gradually breaks down, the joints are no longer cushioned and protected. They may become stiff, swollen, and painful to the touch. Osteoarthritis usually becomes obvious around middle age. It’s a gradual progressive disease, in which symptoms worsen over time. However, osteoarthritis may also be the result of injury. Most patients with osteoarthritis experience the worse symptoms in the areas of the hips, knees, fingers, and the spine.

It’s estimated that up to 90 per cent of all people over 60 will develop some form of this condition. The symptoms of osteoarthritis can range from very mild to severe. In general, men experience the brunt of their symptoms in the knees and hips while women tend to suffer more in their fingers.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis: This condition is different from most other types of arthritis conditions in that it’s a disease of the autoimmune system. The bodies’ own immune system attacks its joints and cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the peripheral joints rather than smaller areas of the body such as the hands, feet, and arms. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the vital organs in more advanced cases.

About 2.5 million people are affected with this form of arthritis. The average age for onset is middle age, usually between 40 to 50 years. Women are at a greater risk for developing this form of arthritis.

3. Seronegative Arthritis: These are a class of arthritis disorders that manifest symptoms similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis, but the patient does not test positive for that condition, or osteoarthritis. Seronegative arthritis disorders tend to be related to skin disorders. These may include psoriasis, disorders of the immune system, and intestinal disorders.

4. Gout: This is a form of arthritis cause by the overproduction of uric acid in the body. The uric acid creates small crystals that may be felt beneath the surface of the skin. Gout affects about half a million people in the united States, and is much more common among men. Gout usually affects one joint of the time, and it commonly strikes in the big toe.

5. Infective Arthritis: This form of arthritis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and infects the joints. Infective arthritis is usually the result of a wound or injury that becomes infected. Illness may also cause it, including the mumps and chicken pox.

Degenerative arthritis is another term for osteoarthritis and refers to a type of arthritis that most commonly affects those that are older. For the most part, degenerative arthritis is simply a progressive wearing away of the protective lining found within joints.

Over time, the cartilage and other lining components are worn down. When this occurs, the joints are not lubricated or move easily. This causes pain. When the bone or cartilage within joints rubs against itself, this can cause extremely intense pain, as well as stiffness and decreased mobility.

Degenerative arthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly twenty-one million people in the United States. Osteoarthritis is responsible for roughly twenty-five percent of the primary care physician visits in the United States. The statistics see to be about the same for Canada and most of Western Europe.

Is has been estimated that about eighty percent of the population will have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis by the time they reach the age of sixty-five. This certainly explains why we tend to think of elderly people as necessarily having some type of arthritis. Though only about sixty percent of these patients will be symptomatic, this certainly is a rather large number of people.

It is estimated that twenty-five percent of visits to primary care physicians, and about half of all non-steroidal and anti- inflammatory drug prescriptions are caused by those seeking relief from their osteoarthritis. Now that’s a lot of doctor visits.

The primary symptom of degenerative arthritis is chronic pain which itself causes loss of mobility and very often includes stiffness. The pain involved with osteoarthritis is generally described as a burning sensation or a sharp ache found in the associate tendons and muscles near the affected joint.

Degenerative arthritis is usually treated with some type of anti-inflammatory, either prescription or over the counter. Over the counter medications to help relieve the pain and swelling of degenerative arthritis include Naproxen.

Those that are not happy with the results of taking over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs for their degenerative arthritis may have much better luck alternating two of the most popular pain relievers.

If you have not noticed marked decrease in pain or swelling using one over the counter pain medication, try alternating between two every regular dosing period. For example, every four hours alternate between ibuprofen and acetaminophen (aspirin). Both ibuprofen and aspirin have specific attributes that can be combined when taken alternately.

Aspirin aids pain and swelling by thinning the blood as well as interacting with neurological pain receptors. Ibuprofen works in somewhat different ways to accomplish much of the same effects. Yet together, many people find that swelling and tension untouched by one or the other magically disappear when a combination of pain relievers is used.

Degenerative arthritis can also benefit from a nice soak in a very warm bath. Adding Epsom salts or eucalyptus essential oil can make a warm bath that much more enjoyable and soothing.

About the Author
Suellen has been suffering from arthritis for over 20 years and has researched and tested numerous techniques from arthritis medical journals. She prides herself in keeping up to date with the latest arthritis product as well as medical developments in this field and she shares her knowledge with you at http://www.awoscentral.com

Arthritis, which is a condition that affects one in three adult Americans, is one that affects the bone joints in the body. Because there is no cure, many sufferers are forced to cope with it’s painful effects. Arthritis in the knee is one of the common ailments and can make it difficult to walk, bend the leg or even sleep at night.

Many people who develop arthritis in the knee may do so because of an injury or prolonged stress on the legs. Some examples may be playing sports, being involved in an auto accident, falling, etc. If the knee or leg is injured or strained, it will become more susceptible to developing arthritis in the knee. In some cases, arthritis in the knee may also be inherited and occurs naturally through genetics.

Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis in the knee are achy leg muscles and joints, swelling and tenderness around the knee area, a crackling sound when leg is bent or moved, stiffness and difficulty in movement. These symptoms may become increasingly worse during cold weather or when rain is predicted. Weather patterns greatly affect arthritis in the knee, as well as arthritis in other parts of the body.

As the weather changes, arthritis in the knee often worsens due to the fact that affected joints are believed to develop additional nerve endings in an effort to protect the joint from more damage. In addition, sufferers who cope with arthritis in the knee are thought to be more vulnerable in the morning and/or when any movement is initiated.

If arthritis in the knee is suspected, the best way to confirm a diagnosis is through the type of testing that only a physician can provide. During a typical office visit, doctors are likely to inquire about any additional symptoms or ailments that seem to be present with arthritis in the knee. This is important in the diagnosis of whether or not the patient actually suffers from arthritis in the knee or whether another problem is present.

Although there is no cure for arthritis in the knee, there are various treatment options available for sufferers. Among them, over the counter medications, prescription-based treatments, physical therapy, pain management and even surgery in extreme cases. In addition, numerous herbal therapies have been developed to help ease pain that is caused by arthritis in the knee.

The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Anyone with questions regarding arthritis in the knee must consult their physician for further information.

About The Author
Matt Ream is the health and fitness editor at http://arthritis-pain-no-more.com. Learn more about arthritis in the knee and relief from arthritis pain. Answer our survey about arthritis pain.

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