Visit our Health Index for More Subjects, Conditions and Answers    

Arthritis:

Just tell me what to take for arthritis?

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. It means that the joint is painful, and there is swelling, stiffness, redness, possible deformity and/or a lack of ability to have the full use of the affected joint. 

Numerous forms of arthritis exist, but the most common two are osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can effect the body's movable joints in the knees, wrists, elbows, fingers, toes, hips, and shoulders as well as the bones of the spine on the neck and back.

What is arthritis? 

A joint is where two bones come together. Their surfaces are covered with a layer of smooth, rubbery, blue-white tissue called cartilage. A fluid-filled capsule made up of a tough, fibrous tissue called ligaments surrounds these bones and cartilage. Thanks to this liquid and the cartilage that covers the end of these bones, the bones within the joint normally glide smoothly past one another. If anything goes wrong with any of these parts of a joint, arthritis can result. The swelling and deformity that takes place in arthritic joints can result from the thickening of the membrane, the fluid, enlargement of the bones, or some combination of these factors. 

Osteoarthritis is caused when the cartilage that lines the surface of the joints wears away. And you're left with worn surfaces. As a result the joints become stiff and painful. The joints make popping, clinking and banging noises. 

Rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammation and swelling of the joints rather than a wearing away of the cartilage. It is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system reacts against itself and the fluid that lubricates the joints become inflamed. The cartilage and tissues in and around the joints are damaged or destroyed. Often the bones are destroyed as well. The body replaces this damaged tissue with scar tissue, causing the normal spaces within the joints to become narrow and the bones to fuse together. Rheumatoid arthritis affects all the body's joints. Joints affected make noises like crinkling cellophane.

Gout, is an example of an acute form of inflammatory arthritis. Acute means something that comes on suddenly and is of limited duration. Deposits of crystallized uric acid form in the joint causing swelling, redness and a sensation of heat and extreme pain. It usually affects the big toe, but other joints may be affected as well. 

Arthritis can also be caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infection of a joint. Usually the infecting organism travels to the joint through the blood stream from an infection elsewhere in the body, but injury or even surgery can result in joint infection as well. Symptoms not only include the pain and tenderness effecting the joint, but also include symptoms of systemic infections such as fever, chills and body aches.

Other forms of arthritis are spondyloarthropathies, including psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome (a group of disorders that tend to affect the spine), systemic lupus, juvenile arthritis, infectious arthritis, and kawasaki syndrome.  This  site has definitions of the different types of arthritis

Standard Treatment:

Most physicians feel that there is no cure for arthritis and thus most of the treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms. The most frequent conventional treatment involves the use of a drug called a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. They alleviate the symptoms. However, some medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen create stomach inflammation and have other significant side effects. They can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding in the digestive tract, liver damage, or kidney impairment - especially in the elderly population. Also by irritating and inflaming the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, they may make your intestines more permeable to food allergens and different bacteria. 

Aspirin is an old standby used in the treatment of arthritis. In fact, Aspirin was created over 100 years ago primarily as a treatment for arthritis. It is recognized as one of the least expensive and most effective medications for the treatment of many forms of arthritis. It works well as an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substance, but it too is associated with gastrointestinal problems. (See our Aspirin article if you chose to take aspirin, as it does deplete your body of some nutrients).

There are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that do not have side effects. 

Foods to eat and not eat: 

Avoid foods you are allergic to. (For figuring out what they are see our Food Allergy article)

Optimize your intake of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fiber-containing beans. Switching to a vegetarian-like diet may help reduce morning stiffness, joint pain, and swollen joints. 

Things to do that will help you manage: 

Ideas to help you overcome daily challenges when the pain is 
difficult to bear: 

1) Whether in the workshop or in the kitchen, use tools with larger, easier to grip handles, preferably with non-slip handles. Even cooking utensils (including forks, knives, and spoons) can be purchased with larger handles for easier control.
2) Convert door knobs and kitchen & bathroom taps so that they use levers instead of harder to grip round knobs.
3) Use raised seats, they're easier to get up from and put 
less strain on knee joints.
4) Instead of using your fingers, use the palms, forearms or elbows. Close plastic containers with your elbow.
5) Place a strap on refrigerator doors and cupboards. To open, 
place your forearm through the strap and pull.
6) To wash dishes use a scrubber that fits over your hand and keeps your fingers straight.
7) Use your hip to close kitchen drawers. 
8) Carry your purse on your forearm or use a shoulder bag to 
avoid putting the strain on your hand.
9) Use splints or wraps that support wrist, thumbs, and fingers.
10) Use pipe insulation or buy rubber "grips" to put around 
pens or spoons for easier grip.

Exercise:

If your joints are swollen and painful, you're probably not going to be in the mood for exercise, but physical activity can help prevent the swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints. Remember to stretch especially before exercise. Regular walking, stretching, and weight lifting can reduce knee joint pain and improve the range of motion. 

Get in the habit of walking, swimming, cycling and stretching at least three days per week for 30 minutes per session. If you notice you're too stiff in the morning, do your exercise later in the afternoon. Stretch before you go to sleep. Get involved in either Tai Chi or yoga, both of which are wonderful for your joints. If you have arthritis in your hands or wrists, buy a sponge ball or putty to exercise your fingers. You may want to soak your hands in warm water after getting up in the morning. 

Massage Therapy is one of the oldest forms of pain management for arthritis. The amount of pressure that is applied can be adjusted depending on the level of pain. Avoid massaging directly on top of an inflamed joint as this may be too painful for the area. For best results massage just above and just below the joint. Blending essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rosewood, and wintergreen with a sweet almond oil carrier will make a welcome addition to your massage. 

An article on 8 Tips for Arthritis

Natural Arthritis Treatments: 

There are many different vitamins, herbs and other products that have been known to help arthritis.  Each person is different and taking recommended vitamins are important, but there are herbs that might also help. We've made a  list of all the different substances that have been known to relieve arthritis. 

Nutritional Supplements:

There are nutritional supplements that the body needs if one has arthritis. Below is a list of the vitamins that are needed for  your body's nutritional needs.

Because arthritis increases the amount of free radicals produced in your body (which can then damage your joints and other tissues), antioxidants should be an important part of the arthritis treatment. (For more information see article Free Radicals and Antioxidants).

Boosting your intake of E Complex has been found to reduce pain.Selenium  enhances its effectiveness. Selenium has an antioxidant effect of its own and has been found to be low in many people with arthritis.

Pantothenic acid B5, has been found to be deficient in people with arthritis. Taking it daily may provide marked improvement in morning stiffness and it reduces the pain.

Vitamin C is helpful in the formation of collagen. Vitamin C has an anti-inflammatory effect, can gobble up those free radicals and might encourage the growth of new cartilage. It also works together with vitamin E to protect cartilage from breaking down.

Niacinamide, B3, has been useful in reducing symptoms. It is particularly helpful in relieving joint swelling and pain, as well as improving muscle strength, mobility and range of motion. It is thought to improve the metabolism of cartilage.

Vitamin D, in a study performed by Tuft's University Medical schools it found that people with the highest levels of vitamin D intake had the smallest amount of disease progression over an eight year period. Conversely, those with the lowest intake of vitamin D were the most likely to develop serious osteoarthritis. 

Omega 3 oils are of great value in reducing the symptoms of  arthritis. Omega 3 oil is also known as linolenic acid, it can reduce the swelling, stiffness and inflammation typical of arthritis.  Omega 3 oils are essential to good health and should be taken by everyone (see article Essential Fatty Acids)  Omega 3 is most easily used by the body in a fish oil.  Flax seed oil does need time to convert and may take up to 3 weeks to be usuable.

Glucosamine sulfate is an essential component of cartilage and can help reduce the pain associated with arthritis. Most people find that it takes at least 8 weeks before its beneficial effects kick in. Chrondroitin sulfate is another component of cartilage. These two work together to improve the symptoms of arthritis.  MSM which is found in plants, meat, eggs, poultry and dairy foods which is effective against allergy symptoms and treatment for arthritis when it is caused by the wearing away of cartilage. 

Supplements:

Recommended

Targeted Niacin Formula -  works to relieve Arthritis. This Niacin does not produce the flush common to niacin products.   However, the niacin increases the blood flow to the joints resulting in more nutrients getting into the joints and repairing them.  More information coming.  

This formula also lowers cholesterol.  Find out about Cholesterol 

We take privacy and security seriously, read about it here