What does it mean when you have arthritis? Imagine that the cartilage in your body—that soft yet 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 will probably experience some kind of pain, stiffness, swelling, and even loss of mobility. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Here is a quick overview on the two 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 is 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. Osteoarthritis is very common. It is 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 is a disease of the autoimmune system. The bodies’ own immune system attacks its own joints and cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the peripheral joints rather than smaller areas of the body like 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 40to 50 years. Women are at a greater risk for developing this form of arthritis.
Many arthritis patients often turn to natural herbal supplements and botanical drugs to gain relief from their symptoms. But do these natural alternatives do what they promise? Can you find relief from herbal supplements?
One herb that has shown some promise in helping treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is thunder god vine.
Thunder god vine supplements are derived from a perennial vine that is native to Asia, including areas of China, Korea, and Japan. The root is skinned to make this herbal supplement and has traditionally been used to treat autoimmune illnesses and inflammatory conditions. Research has determined that thunder god vine does indeed contain anti-inflammatory activity, and some immune-boosting activity has also been detected. One clinical trial conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that roughly 80 per cent of those patients who were given a high dose of the plant supplement found that their rheumatoid arthritis symptoms improved significantly. However, health researchers warn that this and other studies are too small to prove the true efficacy of this plant-derived supplement.
Many people think that because they are taking an herbal supplement or botanical-based drug therapy, there will be no side effects. The truth is that herbal supplements can be quite powerful and can have strong side effects. Many if not most of all conventional drug therapies are derived from plants and herbs.
The bad news is that there is not enough sufficient research to conclusively prove the efficacy of many of these herbal supplements and botanical-based drugs. Before you try any herbal supplement, it is important that you discuss its use with your doctor.
Osteoporosis is a form of arthritis in which the bones experience excessive calcium loss, resulting in decreased bone density. Loss of calcium and reduced bone density can result in brittle bones and fractures. Women are more prone to developing osteoporosis. They become much more prone to developing the condition after the age of 40, after the onset of menopause. After menopause, women begin to produce less estrogen. Estrogen is instrumental in helping the bones stay strong because it helps retain calcium. Many women must supplement their calcium intake to ensure that they retain their bone density. Men too may be affected by osteoporosis, but the number of affected men in the United States is much lower than the number of women who are affected. This is partly due to the fact that men generally have more bone mass than women. However, the normal aging process can cause osteoporosis to develop in both women and men. Osteoporosis also tends to affect individuals with decreased muscular activity. Although it remains one of the most common forms of arthritis in the United States, increased education and public attention about this condition has helped raise awareness about the importance of prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Like many conditions, prevention is the key to keeping osteoporosis at bay. If you know that you are at risk for osteoporosis, consider consuming a high calcium diet. Most health professionals recommend a diet that includes 1500 mg of calcium each day. Sometimes Vitamin D may be necessary in order to absorb the calcium. Foods that are rich in calcium include milk and dairy products, and fish such as salmon and sardines. Speak with your doctor about supplementing your diet with calcium and possible vitamin D. Vitamin D can also be absorbed naturally simply by spending more time in the sun. You may be able to take just one multivitamin to fulfill your calcium and vitamin D needs.
For many women who have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, one viable treatment option is estrogen treatment. Estrogen replacement therapy can reduce women’s risk for developing osteoporosis. This form of therapy can help increase bone mass and density in the spine and hips. However, some women have experienced side effects from the use of estrogen replacement therapy. Also, some studies have made a connection between estrogen replacement therapy and an increased risk of breast cancer. However, estrogen has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure and attacks.
On the fringe of current arthritis treatment, glocosamine and chondroitin have not yet been proven by medical research to have health benefits for arthritis sufferers, so why have these two dietary supplements become all the rage? Recent research has found that both supplements do contain anti-inflammatory properties, and that they have anti-inflammatory effects in some animals.
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 is a natural substance that is 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. Our bodies create our own steady supply of glucosamine that it uses to create and repair lost cartilage. Cartilage is important because it keeps bones from rubbing against each other and absorbs the shock and force of the impact.
Glucosamine is considered very 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.
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.
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.
