Natural Cure for Arthritis
As you age, arthritis dogs your footsteps and if you are not careful it could cripple you mentally and physically. The joints are usually affected especially the knees and elbows. Synovial fluid is the name given to the lubricant present in the joints and the cartilage is the special tissue, which absorbs shocks and ensures that the ends of the bones are protected. Read more
Gout and Hyperuricemia-Causes, Sign, Symptoms and Treatment
Gout is condition that results from crystals of uric acid depositing in tissues of the body. Gout is characterized by an overload of uric acid in the body and recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis). Chronic gout can lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones. Read more
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a chronic disease that causes deterioration of the joint cartilage and formation of reactive new bone at the margins and subchondral areas of the joints. This degeneration results from a breakdown of chondrocytes, most commonly in the distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints, but also in the hip and knee joints. Read more
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Causes and Treatment
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of arthritis in children. It can start as young as 6 months or as late as 16 years of age. Like adult-onset arthritis it is characterized by inflammation of one or more joints, leading to stiffness and loss of mobility, pain, swelling, redness and occasionally heat at the site of the affected joint. Read more
Psoriatic Arthritis
In psoriatic arthritis, the small joints of the hands and feet may become swollen and deformed. Nail changes are common if the arthritis affects the hands and feet. Statistics says that about 7-10% of patients with psoriasis have joint associated complaints, and these are most often occurring in patients with fingernail involvement. Back pain may indicate arthritis of the spine and/or sacroiliac joints. If you have joint pain or swelling, you should consult your physician about having psoriasis as well. Read more
Knee Arthritis – Symptoms and Treatment
Knee arthritis is common in older people, and it is as much as anything a mechanical wearing out. We are reasonably sure that exercise early in life is not particularly related to knee arthritis, but being overweight may be, because of the extra load excess weight puts on the knee joint, and there is some evidence, from the Framingham study, for instance, that weight loss should reduce arthritic knee symptoms. Until now what has been lacking is a good randomised trial of the effects of weight reduction on patients with knee arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis. Also called wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. As the protective cartilage is worn away by knee arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the joint.
Someone who has arthritis in the knee may experience pain, swelling, and a decrease in knee motion. A common symptom is morning stiffness that lessens as the person moves around. Sometimes the joint locks or clicks when the knee is bent and straightened, but these signs may occur in other knee disorders as well. The doctor may confirm the diagnosis by performing a physical examination and examining x rays, which typically show a loss of joint space.
Symptoms
Popping
Popping and snapping within the knee is quite common, and often not a symptom of any particular problem. When the pops or snaps are painless, there is usually no problem–the bigger concern is when these sounds are associated with pain. A pop is often heard or felt when a ligament, such as the ACL, is torn.
Treating Knee Arthritis without Surgery
Weight loss will probably decrease your pain if you are greatly overweight. But weight reduction alone is unlikely to completely relieve the pain. Obesity also makes the knee operation more difficult, and complications occur more frequently in overweight people. Dr. Huddleston realizes that it can be very difficult to lose weight when you are not very active because of your knee pain. Do the best you can!
Physical Therapy
Strengthening of the muscles around the knee joint may help decrease the burden on the knee. Preventing atrophy of the muscles is an important part of maintaining functional use of the knee.
Real acupuncture came out on top in the first survey. Patients getting real acupuncture had bigger improvements in knee pain and function than the other two groups. Those receiving real acupuncture treatment reported significantly lower scores on pain and disability compared with participants in the other groups.
Exercise Program –A specific exercise program can help to maintain healthy cartilage and range of motion of the joint. In addition, keeping the attaching muscles and tendons conditioned and strong will aid in the joint’s stability.
How to Prevent Slips and Falls
Slip and fall occurs whenever there is too little friction or traction between your feet and the surface you are walking on.
While the major cause of slip and falls is surface contamination that reduces the contact between the feet and the floor surface, there are several other factors that also contribute to slip falls like the environment, footwear, floor material, use of surface, behaviour. Read more
What is Myofascial Pain?
Myofascial pain is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles). Myofascial pain syndrome may involve either a single muscle or a muscle group. In some cases, the area where a person experiences the pain may not be where the myofascial pain generator is located. Experts believe that the actual site of the injury or the strain prompts the development of a trigger point that, in turn, causes pain in other areas. This situation is known as referred pain. Read more
How to Treat Gout with Diet and Medication
Gout is a condition in which uric acid, a waste product that occurs naturally occurring within the body, rises above normal levels. Rather than being flushed by the kidneys and through the urine, as it normally is, it forms crystals and deposits in the joints. These deposits give rise to inflammation of the joints, causing pain, swelling, redness and tenderness of the area. Read more
Ways to Manage Your Arthritis Pain
A number of different specialists may be involved in the care of an arthritis patient—often a team approach is used. The team may include doctors who treat people with arthritis (rheumatologists), surgeons (orthopaedists), and physical and occupational therapists. Their goal is to treat all aspects of arthritis pain and help you learn to manage your pain. The physician, other health care professionals, and you, the patient, all play an active role in the management of arthritis pain. Read more
