Healthy diet can ease pain of arthritis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.