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Arthritis
The word “arthritis” means joint inflammation and it can be used to refer to more than 100 different diseases that cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and sometimes permanent joint damage. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States and can affect anyone at any age.
2,080 Questions
Best cities for arthritis patients to live?
I have suffered from RA since I was nine and have been in all kinds of climates from icy snow covered winters to the dry desert climate in outback Australia and in constantly hot humid climates. I have found throughout that it make no difference one way or the other where you are. Your peace of mind probably has more to do with it.
Will watermelon help with inflammation due to arthritis?
Not sure if it does! But I used to have constant arthritic pain. However, about two months ago I started eating watermelon regularly and I no longer get those debilitating pains. It didn't occur to me that the two- eating melon and the disappearance of the pains - were related until a couple of days ago. It was then that I decided to google the connection. There seems to be no definitive answer on the net so I guess you have to be your own guinea pig!... Not sure this helps... Jk Wams.
What causes of hand and foot cramps?
This problem can be caused by an under active thyroid. However cramping can also be the result of mineral and salts deficiency, however what ever the cause it may be wise to consult a physician if the problem persists. Many people would put this down to a problem with arthritis, however that would not be consistent with an arthict problem as arthritis is a joint disease which can attack muscle but will not cause cramping.
most likely arthritis. there are water therapy classes, check out the arthritis foundation. focuses on movement of all joints with minimal resistance created by warm water. the water must be 86 degrees. check out pools near you as well. the arthritis instructor could be of some help. a doctors opinion would be good as well.
Your questions wasn't specific enough but i get that sometimes. I'll stretch my legs and straighten them as much as possible then my toes start to cramp up and i cant move them any more.. TEMPORARILY though. for maybe 10-30 seconds and man does it hurt. I'm guessing its your muscle being stretched farther then it is used to or then it can and it starts to stop working to get you to relax.
People often get leg cramps during the night because of reduced blood-flow to the limbs. Often people who do not drink enough water experience cramps and also people who do not have enough sodium, or magnesium also get leg cramps frequently! :)
Why is acetaminophen not very effective in treating arthritis?
First off, acetaminophen is great for arthritis. This question stem is wrong, and I'll explain why.
Mediators of pain and inflammation are created in your body by an enzyme named cyclooxygenase (COX). This enzyme is therefore a target of drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and perhaps acetaminophen amongst others. Aspirin and ibuprofen directly interact with this enzyme, binding it and thereby inhibiting it. Acetaminophen's mechanism is more or less unknown, but is thought to inhibit COX through another mechanism: scavenging COX's substrates. COX needs free radicals to function. These radicals are a reactant in the chemical reaction it catalyzes. Without radicals, COX cannot proceed.
When our immune system is fighting an a bug, our white blood cells release radicals to kill the infection. Sometimes our white blood cells perceive ourself as foreign, and mount a similar attack. Inflammation increases free radicals. If we take acetaminophen during an inflammatory process, the drug will be overwhelmed by all of the radicals (because it binds them, remember?) If the acetaminophen is exhausted, this means COX function will be uninterrupted. This makes acetaminophen less effective in managing the pain and inflammation secondary to an inflammatory process.
This being said, osteoarthritis (from degenerative changes/loss of cartilage) is NOT an inflammatory process (we don't know why steroid injections work), and so acetaminophen IS a great treatment for it. This is especially true because osteoarthritis is a long term problem that requires long term treatment, and ibuprofen or aspirin or naproxen etc. would likely cause peptic ulcers if taken that long, and so acetaminophen is a first line choice. This question stem is misleading and incorrect. Celecoxib/celebrex is an NSAID selective for cox 2 enzyme, easier on the stomach and another option for long term pain control of osteoarthritis.
Acetaminophen would NOT be a great choice for arthritis from an inflammatory etiology, such as rheumatoid, or connective tissue diseases like lupus, for the reasons before explained. Acetaminophen is also not the best choice for any pain caused by tissue injury (back sprain, torn ligament etc) because of reasons explained before (excess free radical release from WBC's cleaning up the mess).
There is more to acetaminophen's mechanism than we understand. It apparently doesn't inhibit COX all that much, because COX enzyme is critical in making prostaglandins that dilate the kidney's arterioles. NSAIDS are a big no no in someone who is old with already low kidney function or in someone with bad kidney disease like diabetes. However, acetaminophen is great for pain management in people with kidney malefaction because, although we believe it inhibits COX via scavenging radicals, it apparently doesn't have a big enough effect on COX to inhibit prostaglandins and cause a decrease in GFR.
What does osteoarthritis effect?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of hip 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 hip arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the joint.
You are more likely to get it if you have a family history of the disease. Congenital or developmental defects like acetabular dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, slipped capital epiphysis may be implicated in as may as 80 percent of cases of hip osteoarthritis.
Risk increases with obesity or a previous hip injury.
About twenty percent of patients with osteoarthritis of hip would develop bilateral involvement.
You can visit the link in the 'related links' section for very precise information.
Hope this helps.
Stanzz
Is it advisable to drink alcohol while having a bad gout?
increased alcoholic metabolism will increases the body NADH+H pool than NAD pool by enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, that causes conversion of pyruvate to lactate and lactic acidosis. this lacticacidosis cometes the uric acid in renal urine excreetion causes more retention of uric acid and finally hyperurecemia(gout)
What age was the Oldest person to have hip replacement?
When I was having mine done there was a 91 year old lady having one done. UK.
My Dad just had his hip replaced, and he is 6 weeks shy of 100 years old. Still active, has all his mental faculties, lives in his own home with my Mom who is 95. Indiana
Yes fish is usually high in purines which is what is turned into uric acid by the body.
Why does humidity have an effect on your bones if you have arthritis?
I Know people that swear that high humidity makes them suffer more and on the other hand I also know people that recon it makes no difference This question has been up in the air for many years and it would be reasonable to say that the effects of climatic conditions for OA sufferers would depend on the individual
The form of rheumatoid arthritis characterized by progressive stiffening of the spine is known as?
What you arereferring too is probably called Ankylosis. this takes place in most older people and some that are younger as a result of trauma or genetic disposition, For a bit more information on the terminology surrounding the back Go to the related link(Orthospine Anatomy and Keyword Index) Below
Can mosquito bites cause rheumatoid arthritis?
No Mosquito's do not cause rheumatoid arthritis, However there are a number of diseases such as malaria, Ross River Fever, Denue fever, and Barmah Forest virus that are introduced by Mosquito's
Does arthritis only affect one part of the body?
No There are over a hundred form of arthritis and while they mainly reputed to have an effect on the joints of the body there are forms of arthritis that can have harmful effects on many other parts of the body including the skin, heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, brain, etc this is usually more prevalent in inflammatory forms of arthritis which are autoimmune diseases. Gouty arthritis. is a disease that is the result of too much uric acid in the blood leading to deposits of acid crystals being deposited in joints the kidney and some other parts of the body
No, Arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition and often occurs in a few joints through out the body. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. It functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. When that area becomes inflamed or swells, it becomes painful. The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. There are over 100 known forms. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), metabolic abnormalities (such as gout and pseudogout), hereditary factors, infections, and unclear reasons (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). The areas most commonly affected include the hands, shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and back.
Are there any home remedies for gout pain?
Indocin is the main thing used for acute gout attacks. Allopurinol is used to prevent gout attacks, but should be taken everyday. Gout in the hand is possible but not that common. Are you sure of the diagnosis?
What are the side effects of arthritis treatment?
One of the main side effects of using steroids for RA is weight gain. Steroids like cortisone etc can be very useful and helpful for the pain and swelling associated with RA, but unfortunately there are side effects that need to be considered and the least amount of steroid should be used to keep side effects to a minimum. Cortisone is often taken daily via an oral tablet, but when daily use is not desired it can also be taken "only when needed" like when going on vacation or when the patient is going to be more active than usual.
Prednisone is another Steroidal anti inflamotory that is used in the control of RA inflamation. See the related link below (Prednisone Side Effects) formore info on this drug as well.
Why do fingers of your hands and legs become numb when you are asleep?
Yes that can Happen. I have Rheumatoid arthritis and this brought about a situation that led me to suffer from a condition known as carpel tunnel syndrome. this is the median nerve being restricted as a result of inflammation in the carpel tunnel (the middle part of the hand leading up to the wrist) this causes numbness and can lead to excruciating pain in all the fingers side from part of the ring finger and the pinkie. If you are finding problems with numb or tingling fingers get it seen to as it will damage both the muscles around those fingers and the median nerve if it is not fixed.
Are nuts good for rheumatoid arthritis patients?
If you are suffering from the arthritic disease gout then nuts can aggravate the problem as they are high in purines and will tend to push up the production of uric acid leading to the production of uric acid crystal collecting in joints and other tissue causing inflammation and pain. However it should not have any great effect on conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
How do you avoid or cure arthritis?
To date the causes of arthritis are not understood so the only coarse open to arthritissufferer's is to keep the damage done as a result of arthritis under control and thereby avoid further damaging joints and other effected tissue
Trying to prevent arthritis is preferable to trying to treat the pain that comes with chronic arthritis.
Step One
Learn how to relax. A tense muscle applies stress to a joint.
Step Two
Balance rest and activity. Regular, moderate exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day, coupled with a full eight hours of sleep at night, is ideal for good musculoskeletal health.
Step Three
Remember to avoid any exercise that produces joint pain lasting an hour after you finish exercising.
Step Four
Practice good posture. Lift heavy items with your hip muscles, not your back.
Step Five
Protect your joints. In cold weather, wear warm gloves to protect your knuckles, long underwear to protect your knee joints, and heavy socks to protect your ankle and toe joints.
Step Six
Lose weight if you are overweight. If you reduce your weight by 12 pounds, you cut your risk of developing arthritis by half. - IS THIS TRUE, OR WHAT IF YOU LOOSE 100 POUNDS?
Step Seven
Avoid soft chairs, and sleep on a firm mattress.
Step Eight
Soak in a hot tub, especially after strenuous exercise. Tips & Warnings
* For more information on how to prevent arthritis, call the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 283-7800.
* Never carry something if you can pull it behind you. Use a wagon or wheelbarrow to lug garbage cans to the curb. Buy two or three laundry baskets so you aren't forced to carry one overloaded laundry basket.
* If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
AnswerArthritis basically comes with age and some have it worse than others. It can be genetic so even some children can have it. Old sports injuries, broken bones while younger or injuries from an auto accident in the past can leave you with arthritis. There is no known cure to date, but they are working on it.
Exercise and good eating habits are a must and also taking certain fish oils. It won't stave off arthritis, but will make the person more limber and enjoy life a little more.
ANSWER
There are 2 main categories of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is associated with joint trauma and general wear and tear associated with aging. The above answers especially relate to osteoarthritis and give some excellent advice.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a sub grouping of autoimmune diseases causing joint pain and inflammation which can affect a person of any age. Babies can be born with RA, for example, as in the case of juvenile arthritis. What causes a rheumatoid arthritis is not yet understood, but there seems to be a genetic component. Alas, so far, there is not a known way to prevent rheumatoid arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to help maintain joint and overall health.
Does playing guitar cause arthritis?
My personal opinion is; everyone is different and if you feel pain or irritation you shouldn't continue to do it. This may sound ridiculous, but I could not crochet, which every other female in my family could, because my little finger would get stiff and it felt like I was getting arthritis in it. No one can tell you how you feel, you must be the best judge of that.
Playing the guitar wont cause arthritis, We don't know what causes arthritis as yet However if you have arthritisor feel you are developing it in your hands you should consult a rhuematologist as soon as possible. and get something done about relieving the symptoms and reducing the damage that can result from not treating it. As for playing guitar more often then not continuing to use and there by exercise your hands is good for arthritis sufferers rather then bad.
What are kinds of fish not high in uric acids?
All fish is at least moderately high in Purine which is what causes the production of uric acid in the body.
What is a natural remedy for gout?
Here is a good old remedy that really works. Soak 6 dried apricots in water over night and then eat them in the morning. Its a very inexpensive remedy, but works. Also Frequensea is a good remedy as is Zeolite. If you want to read about them, go to my website http:cancercare.page.tl/ Note: these remedies are not only for cancer and they do some pretty amazing stuff. Hope this helps.
How do you get diagnosed with arthritis?
Usually people that have pain in joints or muscles go to see a doctor. The doctor will often prescribe a non steroidal anti inflammatory at fist to See if he can bring what may be a temporary bit of inflammation under control. However if his treatment does not seem to be working he will sen a patient out for x-rays of the effected area and look for damage. it is at this point where the first signs of arthritis are spotted. further tests can be done through the blood to test for Rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions that may be involved.
