Arthritis

Get this! Discovered Height Genes Could Lead to New Treatments for Arthritis & Cancer

2008-04-22T01:30:00.000-07:00

We all have height genes, which are 90% responsible for determining our height as an adult (the other 10% can be affected by external factors such as diet). Research has suggested that these genes explain a whole range of important biological processes. This research has identified 20 sections of genetic code linked to height and this discovery may also lead to new treatments for arthritis and cancer.

Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, Exeter in the UK, explain that their findings have given insight into how the body grows and could also explain how conditions such as osteoarthritis and cancers develop.

The discovery of the "height gene" was made last year after examining DNA samples from more than 30,000 people across Europe. It identified the regions of code which make a difference of up to six centimetres in height.

Hopefully such findings will eventually lead to new treatments for diseases such as arthritis and cancer which affect so many around the world.
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Vegan diet appears to ease arthritis

2008-03-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

Swedish researchers have announced that a gluten-free vegan diet full of nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit and vegetables seems to offer protection against heart attacks and strokes for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The vegan diet appeared to lower cholesterol and also have an affect on the immune system, easing some of the symptoms associated with the rheumatoid arthritis - a painful joint condition.

The team from Sweden's Karolinska Institute suggested that diet could assist patients with rheumatoid arthritis as they are often more prone to heart attacks, strokes and clogged arteries.

A report in the Arthritis Research and Therapy journal stated: "These findings are compatible with previous results of vegetarian/vegan dietary regimens in non-rheumatoid arthritis subjects which have shown lower blood pressure, lower body mass index and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease."

Interesting news. It seems that diet is playing more and more of an important role in relief of many ailments. Perhaps it's time we all took notice and started changing our diet.

"Risk Of Heart Attacks And Strokes Reduced By Arthritis Medications"

2008-03-08T19:17:00.000-08:00

Good news this week as researchers found that "patients prescribed drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis could be at a reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes", according to a study published in the open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.

"An international team of researchers led by Antonio Naranjo of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and colleagues in Argentina, Europe, and the USA have analyzed data from the QUEST-RA (Quantitative Patient Questionnaires in Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis) study. From this study, including 4,363 patients from 48 sites in 15 countries, the team has examined the causes and effects of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the potential benefits of medications."

Rheumatoid arthritis is a known risk factor for hardening of the arteries and so can lead to stroke and heart attacks occurring in sufferers ten years earlier than in people without the condition. Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/99670.php

For more arthritis news and helpful tips, check out the arthritis information directory at the side of the page.

Amazing Arthritis Treatment Discovery

2008-02-24T21:45:00.000-08:00

The Arthritis Foundation has listed an amazing scientific discovery as one of the top 10 advances of 2007.

Some engineers have recently created a new framework upon which cartilage tissue can be grown. The scaffold is porous, so the 'fabric' type framework can be seeded with cells and transplanted into a joint damaged by arthritis.

The woven 'fabric' will be absorbed by the body, leaving only healthy, strong cartilage for those who suffer from osteoarthritis or other cartilage injuries.

Amazing! There are more discoveries all the time on treatments for arthritis. I hope this information can help you. Refer to the directories under 'more arthritis links' for more research, discoveries and how to help yourself.

Information Source: http://www.hsconnect.com/Community/articles.asp?articleID=22349

Link Between Depression and Rheumatoid Arthritis

2008-02-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

Here is an excerpt from an article I read this week regarding rheumatoid arthritis patients. If it raises an issue for you, I urge you please to speak to a doctor. Depression can be hard on not only the patient but their families, friends and workmates. Doctors can help in a variety of ways, it doesn't necessarily mean just more medication.

Check out this article. For similar articles, refer to the arthritis information directory under 'More Arthritis Links' at the side of the page.

Article source: http://www.physorg.com/news121087729.html
"Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common chronic inflammatory arthritis, are twice as likely as other individuals to experience depression. Although depression in primary care has been well studied, no studies have examined whether rheumatologists and RA patients discuss depression during medical visits."

Healthy diet can ease pain of arthritis

2008-01-30T21:05:00.000-08:00

If you have arthritis you may wonder what types of food you should be eating. Here is an answer I found to this question which I thought was very helpful, I hope you find it helpful too. For similar articles, check out the Arthritis Directory under 'My Favorite Links'.

Source:http://www.masslive.com/news/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-3/120159524054430.xml&coll=1

It depends on the type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic auto-immune disease where the immune system attacks the body's joints, causing inflammation and pain in joints and, possibly, neighboring organs. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a degenerative disease where cartilage within joints breaks down over time, resulting in pain.

Regardless of which form of arthritis you have, you will benefit from following a healthful meal plan. This includes eating a variety of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, heart-healthy nuts and seeds, fish, low-fat calcium-rich dairy foods (milk, yogurt, and cheese), and lean protein (beans, tofu, poultry and fish), as well as a limited amount of added sugars (found in sweets and processed foods), saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.

Some Arthritis Facts

2008-01-24T21:30:00.000-08:00

Did you know that there are actually over 100 types of arthritis.

The most common of course are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There is currently no cure for either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, but there are a variety of successful treatments for both.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by degeneration of the cartilage (slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint), eventually leading to pain and joint stiffness. Since the cartilage itself has no nerve endings, the process often begins before affected individuals realize it.

Once the cartilage begins wearing away the bones underneath begin to rub together which causes a great deal of discomfort. Onset of the disease is gradual and usually begins after age 40.

For more facts and information like this, check out the "Health Directory" under "My Favourite Links".

Experiencing aches and pains of arthritis

2008-01-18T02:29:00.000-08:00

More and more people are getting diagnosed with arthritis. We could ask the question is arthritis on the increase, or are more people just being officially diagnosed now? No matter why the stats are increasing, the fact is, they are. Here are some interesting statistics on Arthritis in the U.S. Thought you might be interested in this information.

"Arthritis is exploding in an aging population of U.S. baby boomers and is projected to increase by 40 percent in the next two decades, according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the National Arthritis Data Workgroup. The report reaffirms that nearly one in five U.S. adults (46 million people) have arthritis and an estimated 67 million people will be affected by 2030."
Source: http://www.planostar.com/articles/2008/01/17/plano_star-courier/news/0000000000000000000000000000000000000002news40.txt

Exercise improves symptoms of arthritis

2008-01-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

Arthritis sufferers are recommended to participate in exercise programs to increase their fitness. Although it is probably the last thing many sufferers feel like doing, a new study published in January issue of Arthitis Care & Research (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/arthritiscare) evaluated the effects of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, formerly called People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) to promote managing arthritis through exercise. Although pilot studies had shown that the program led to improvements for arthritis patients, this was the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the program. So check out this study and get moving! Anything you can do to help yourself is surely worthwhile and exercise has many benefits not only physically but mentally too.

Finger Length Points To Arthritis Risk

2008-01-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

Did you know that scientists have found a link between the length of your fingers and your likelihood of getting arthritis in your knee!

Science continues to amaze me. Check yourself...

If your ring finger is substantially longer than your index finger, you apparently have double the chance of getting arthritis in your knee.

I checked myself and looks like I just might get arthritis in my right knee - which really makes sense to me because I already have a painful right knee. Amazing!

If you want to check out the Health Directory - link to it on my favourite sites, and you will find more articles with interesting news and information on medical issues.

Combining medications often best strategy to battle rheumatoid arthritis

2007-12-20T22:51:00.000-08:00

Whilst I definitely do not recommend any treatment by means of this site (please see your doctor before changing any medications), I did find this information regarding comibing medications extremely interesting and thought it was worth sharing. I have included part of the article here as it gets a bit complicated - you'll see what I mean!

Hope this information can help someone out there.

Source: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=33633

"For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, combining one well-known, lower cost synthetic drug with one of six biologic medications often works best to reduce joint swelling or tenderness, according to a new report funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Researchers reviewed published evidence to compare the benefits and harms of three classes of medications: synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic DMARDs, and corticosteroids. Synthetic DMARDs include hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, methotrexate and sulfasalazine; biologic DMARDs include abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, etanercept, infliximab and rituximab; and corticosteroids include drugs such as prednisone.

The report concluded that combining methotrexate, a synthetic DMARD, with one of the biologic DMARDs works better than using methotrexate or a biologic DMARD alone."

Researching the new type of NSAIDS

2007-12-18T02:20:00.000-08:00

Some interesting research being done on the new type of NSAIDS prescribed to treat your arthritis. The study is going to be based in Scotland and is looking at how the new type of NSAIDS (Celecoxib) differ in long term affects from the old type of NSAIDS (Ibuprofen for example).

£26 million is being invested into the study.

Let me know your thoughts if you have changed from the old type of NSAIDS to the new.

For more info, link here: http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/health/26m+arthritis+drugs+trial/1192447

Check out other arthritis links for more research and news regarding arthritis treatments.

New Study Uncovers Prevalence, Burden of Pediatric Arthritis in U.S.

2007-12-09T14:59:00.000-08:00

Are you under 18 and have arthritis? Well, take heart, you are not alone. Research has shown this week that there one in 250 children in the US have been diagnosed with arthritis or similar. It's nice to know there are others just like you, this means support and someone to talk to who will really understand how you are feeling AND it also means more research on treatments for dealing with arthritis in young people.

If you want to read more about the study, you will find it in the December issue of "Arthritis Care & Research."

Link here for more info: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/071205/clw030.html?.v=101

Visit the "Health Directory", one of my 'favourite links' to read more information from around the world.

Tai Chi Aids Pain and Gives Arthritis Relief

2007-12-06T14:37:00.000-08:00

Here is a natural alternative treatment for your arthritis - Tai Chi! Something new to try, proven and certainly couldn't hurt you anyway. Give this a go!

Source: http://www.thirdage.com/news/features/922494369-1.html

FOCUS ON MIND AND BODY Today, Tai Chi is practiced as a meditative exercise made up of a series of "forms," or choreographed motions, requiring slow, gentle movement of the arms, legs and torso. Tai Chi practitioners learn to center their attention on their breathing and body movements so that the exercise strengthens their overall mind/body awareness. In a sense, Tai Chi is similar to yoga in that it is also a form of moving meditation, with the goal of achieving mind/body stillness through motion and awareness of breath. In China and in Chinese neighborhoods all over the world, Tai Chi is practiced by young and old alike in city parks in the early morning hours.

According to an Arthritis Foundation spokesperson, "Tai Chi is the basis for one of the Arthritis Foundation's most popular exercise programs, known as the ROM (range of motion) dance." Performed to a soundtrack of peaceful music and a prose poem, the dance combines traditional arthritis exercises with Tai Chi movements.

U.S. company to resume testing arthritis drug

2007-11-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

As all arthritis sufferers are aware, there is a great need for an arthritis drug that really works and continues working. Good news this week is that a US company has been given permission to resume studies on an experimental arthritis drug. The study was halted for a while as you notice in the below article, but it's good to see the necessary investigations were made, and the drug has been cleared of any involvement, so here's hoping further research will uncover a medication that will be of benefit to many.

Article Source: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/90880/6310538.html

Drug developer Targeted Genetics Corp. said Monday it will resume the study of an experimental arthritis drug that was halted in July after the unexpected death of a patient.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the Seattle-based company permission to continue the trial after reviewing information on all 127 patients, including a 36-year-old woman who died a few weeks after receiving the drug.

The woman's family and government scientists have questioned whether a genetically modified virus used when the drug is injected played a role in her death. However, government advisers for the National Institutes of Health said earlier this year that the woman probably died of an unrelated fungal infection.

The company's own investigation reached a similar conclusion earlier this month, noting that only trace amounts of the virus were found in the woman's body.

Fibrin linked to rheumatoid arthritis

2007-11-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

Here is a very interesting article I found regarding the link between blood clotting protein and rheumatoid arthritis. Lets hope this leads to more effective medical treatment of this crippling disease.

Source: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/143267.html

"U.S. researchers say the discovery of a link between a blood clotting protein and rheumatoid arthritis could lead to new therapies for the disabling disease.

Jay Degan, a researcher in Developmental Biology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, said inflammatory joint disease appears to be driven by the engagement of inflammatory cells with fibrin matrices through a specific integrin receptor, aMB2.

The report, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests that therapies designed to interrupt the localized interaction of inflammatory cells and fibrin may help arthritis patients.

"Our study establishes that fibrin is a powerful, although context-dependent, determinant of inflammatory joint disease," Degen, the study's lead author, said Friday in a release.

Arthritis causes major problems in the workplace: Study

2007-11-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

Washington: A Canadian study has found that arthritis-related disability takes a major toll on a productivity in the workplace, as it forces workers to change their work hours, the type and nature of work or even lose their job.

The study, which tracked 490 people with osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory arthritis (IA) for more than four years, reports that, 63 percent of the participants remained employed, but work changes were common.45 percent reduced their work hours due to arthritis; 52 percent switched their type of work; 18 percent weren't able to seek and accept promotions and job transfers; and 41 percent weren't able to take on additional responsibilities."We know that arthritis can result in people having to leave their jobs. This research focuses our attention on the workplace itself and highlights how common a wide range of work transitions are in the lives of people with arthritis," Monique A.M.

Source: http://www.newkerala.com/oct.php?action=fullnews&id=19257

Therapy Reduces Risk Of Heart Attack By 80% In People With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Study Shows

2007-11-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and limitation in the motion and function of many joints. An estimated 2.1 million Americans have RA, most of them women. Although joints are the principal body parts affected by RA, inflammation can develop in other organs as well. Heart attacks, resulting from inflammation of the coronary vessels, are more common in RA sufferers.

Researchers recently studied the risk of heart attack in patients using a TNF-inhibitor (a drug that blocks cytokines and can reduce pain, morning stiffness and swollen joints in RA), methotrexate (a drug used to treat RA by blocking the metabolism of cells) and other DMARDs (a category of drugs used in many autoimmune disorders to slow down the disease progression) in a large population of patients with RA many of whom were also taking aspirin.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071109203953.htm

Arthritis is not limited to adults

2007-11-10T20:46:00.000-08:00

While arthritis is usually thought of as a disease of the aging, more than 40 million Americans, both young and old, suffer from some form of arthritis.

Ana-Carlin Krueger is an active fourth grader and an excellent big sister to two-month-old Emmie Sinclair.

Krueger, however, has had her share of hard times.

"Yea, I used to have to take pills, and it didn't feel well," she said.

It started with a fever, an upset stomach and a funny walk.

Caroline Krueger, Ana-Carlin's mom, said, "They tested for everything from HIV to Mad Cow Disease and all of these outlandish things they had to rule out."

Source: http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/arthritis-not-limited-to-adults/127023.htm

Manchester Researchers Identify Gene Behind Rheumatoid Arthritis

2007-11-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

University of Manchester researchers have identified a genetic variant in a region on chromosome 6 that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common inflammatory arthritis affecting 387,000 people in the UK.

Professor Jane Worthington and her team at the Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) Epidemiology Unit at the University investigated 9 genetic regions identified earlier this year as potentially harbouring DNA variants determining susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. Association to one of the variants on chromosome 6 was unequivocally confirmed, reports this weekï¿½s Nature Genetics (4 November 2007). Although this variant is not located in a gene, Professor Worthington suggests that it may influence the behaviour of a nearby gene: tumour necrosis factor associated protein (TNFAIP3) as this is a gene that is known to be involved in inflammatory processes.

Source: "http://www.bioresearchonline.com/content/news/article.asp?docid=81e46195-8156-45d6-9c26-9912c772265c&atcc=771+s=773+r=001+l=a&VNETCOOKIE=NO

Steroids as Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

2007-06-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Long-Term Treatment With Steroids Decreases Risk Of Lymphoma In ...

Two years or more of oral steroid treatment decreases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) related lymphoma, according to data presented at EULAR 2007, the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, in Barcelona, Spain. Furthermore, these effects were found regardless of when in the course of the disease the steroids were first administered. However, these beneficial effects were not observed if the steroids were taken for less than a two year period.

Study author Dr Eva Baecklund of Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, said of the results, "The pros and cons of corticosteroid treatment in rheumatoid arthritis have been a subject of much debate and long term steroid treatment is often limited as a result of concerns about various side effects. What our data show is a new aspect of steroid treatment.

Arthritis & this blog

2007-06-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

This blog has been set up to provide the latest news and information on arthritis treatments and symptoms from news around the world. I hope you find the information you are looking for to answer questions on symptoms and signs of early arthritis through to new treatments available for advanced arthritis. Please check out my the arthritis links at the side of this page for more news and information to provide you with the information you need.