Arthritis

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Arthritis

Millions of people suffer from one form of arthritis or another and, contrary to popular belief, it is not a disease affecting only the elderly. Some forms of arthritis strike toddlers, while thousands of others are stricken in the prime of their lives. Arthritis is the most prevalent chronic condition affecting women, particularly between the ages of 20 and 40. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases reports that one in seven people has some form of arthritis.

Arthritis ("arth" meaning joint; "itis" meaning inflammation) consists of over 100 different conditions, from gout to rheumatoid arthritis (see box below for a partial list). Although most of these disorders involve joint or muscle inflammation, others, like lupus, involve the skin, lungs and kidney. Inflammation, swelling and, most importantly, pain are hallmarks of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a gradual wearing away of the cartilage that cushions the joints by preventing the bones from scraping against each other. New research is also finding that osteoarthritis occurs when the ability to regenerate normal cartilage is impaired. Repetitive activities and sports injuries, as well as aging, are associated with the development of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the second most common form, is an autoimmune disease. The immune system produces antibodies that destroy the synovium membranes around the lubricating fluid in the joints. RA may begin in fits and starts, taking months or years to progress, but for about 25 percent of sufferers, it begins abruptly and severely. Correcting imbalances in the immune system is the focus of treatment. In the case of RA, correcting the immune system abnormality is the focus of treatment.

TYPES OF ARTHRITIS

Ankylosing Spondylitis
Gout
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Osteoarthritis (the most common type)
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Pseudo Gout
Psoriatic Arthritis
Raynaud's Phenomenon
Juvenile Chronic Arthritis
Reiter's Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Infective Arthritis
Sjogren's Syndrome

SYMPTOMS
Osteoarthritis: Usually osteoarthritis appears after the age of forty and is characterized by joint pain and stiffness that increases in severity over a long period of time. The joints become swollen and lose their mobility. After much of the cartilage has been worn away, bone spurs develop in the joint spaces.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: The joint pain and stiffness of RA is more noticeable in the morning and, like osteoarthritis, the joints become swollen. Unlike osteoarthritis, however, RA can strike suddenly and at any time of life, even in childhood (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, depression, anemia, weight loss and night sweats. When the joints are inflamed, they take on a purplish color and, as the disease progresses, the hands and feet become deformed. RA attacks symmetrically, afflicting both wrists, ankles or both knees.

When diagnosing RA, four out of seven criteria must be met: morning stiffness that lasts more than an hour; the arthritis is symmetrical; three joint areas simultaneously inflamed (not just bony overgrowth); arthritis is present in any of the hand joints; nodules lay under the skin on bony prominences; serum rheumatoid factor levels are abnormal; and erosions or decalcification are detected by X-ray.

CAUSES
Osteoarthritis: Better known as "wear and tear" arthritis, as the nickname suggests, it can arise from repetitive use or abuse of the joints from heavy labor, sports and injuries. Obesity aggravates arthritis because greater strain is put on the joints. Poor nutrition and dehydration as well as certain foods and environmental allergies can contribute to the condition. Aging is usually cited as a factor (70 percent of the elderly have it), and there is an assumption that it is an inevitable aspect of aging. This is not true. If care is taken to address the other factors, then you may live a long life without osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Stress and its ability to affect the hormones that promote inflammation, allergies, heredity, obesity, nutritional deficiencies, some vaccines, a hyperactive immune system and even viral or bacterial infections are just a few of the potential causes of RA. Ten years ago rheumatologists would have disagreed that these factors play a role in promoting arthritis, but new research has shown otherwise.

PRESCRIPTION FOR HEALTH
There are many nutrients that have been clinically proven to aid the treatment of arthritis. They have been listed in order of importance.

Nutrients

Dosage

Action

Multivitamins with minerals; (contains no iron)
MULTISMART

As directed. See Appendix A for complete list of nutrients suggested

Supports all body systems including cardiovascular, nervous, hormonal and endocrine systems, bones and more.

Celadrin (7.5%)
Topical Cream

1-2 soft gels 3 times daily with meals 1050 mg
Apply morning and night or as needed.

Anti-inflammatory, reduces pain and swelling of joints.

Omega-3 Essentials
Fatty Acids
Cala-Q Plus

Fish Oil pharmaceutical grade 3000 mg per day

Is a potent anti-inflammatory and improves mobility

Glucosamine Sulfate

Take 500 mg three times daily

For cartilage repair
Caution: Glucosamine may disrupt blood sugar in diabetics

MSM

1 to 2 grams daily

Anti-inflammatory

Borage oil
GLA Skin Oil

2000 mg borage oil per day

Relieves pain and inflammation

Proteolytic Enzymes

As directed on bottle

See Bromelain below

SAM-e (S-adenosyl-methionine)

200 mg twice daily

Sulfur compound that reduces pain and inflammation; promotes proteoglycan production

Bromelain

Take 2000 to 6000 mcu (1300 to 4000 gdu) on an empty stomach.

Contains enzymes, anti-inflammatory, improves joint mobility, reduces swelling.

Boswellia

Standardized dose of 400 mg, three times per day

Anti-inflammatory as effective as NSAIDS

Devil's Claw

1 to 2 grams of standardized devil's claw should be taken daily

Anti-inflammatory

Feverfew

(standardized to .6% parthenolides)

Suppresses prostaglandin production, eases pain and inflammation

Tumeric

Three 400-mg doses per day

Anti-inflammation

Willow Bark

Standardized Willow bark is available; dosages range from 200mg to 1000mg

Reduces pain and inflammation

DHEA

Have a DHEAS test by your doctor to see if you are deficient. 5-10mg per day DHEA (In Canada it is available through the drug release program prescribed by your doctor).

Reduces IL-6, normalizes cortisol and stops inflammatory processes

HEALTH TIPS TO ENHANCE HEALING

Drink 8 to 10 glasses of pure, clean, filtered water every day to keep your joint cushions from becoming dehydrated. For every juice or caffeine beverage that you consume, you must have another glass of water.
Avoid these foods to prevent flare-ups: citrus fruit, milk, organ meats, red meat, sugar products, salt, paprika and cayenne pepper, tobacco and any member of the nightshade family (potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, etc.).
Focus your diet on natural, whole foods: fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats and oils, seafood and fresh fish. They are key to halting inflammation at the source. Eat foods rich in sulfur, including garlic, onions and asparagus.
Non-weight-bearing exercise like water aerobics, swimming, stationary cycling and yoga should be performed. Be careful not to overburden joints or cause further pain and inflammation.
Lose weight. Even 10 extra pounds can put an additional 40 pounds of pressure on your arthritic knee and ankle joints.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Use hot or cold compresses on the area to alleviate pain and inflammation.
Take hot baths or saunas to keep the joints warm.
Use topical ointments including Celadrin, capsaicin, menthol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or quaternary amines. Look for capsaicin creams containing 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin or menthol; both are soothing to sore joints (avoid contact with eyes).
Start a diet diary; write down everything that you eat to see if there is any correlation with your arthritis symptoms. Ask for a referral to an allergy specialist and get tested for possible triggers. Some allergies may only be detected with the help of an ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test. Once you know what you are allergic to, avoid those allergens.
Beware of taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Celebrex, aspirin or acetaminophen long term due to gut problems.
If you are taking methotrexate, you must supplement with B vitamins and folic acid as the drug reduces these nutrients, promoting nausea and diarrhea. Pernicious anemia may develop if the deficiency is not addressed

Health Fact
If you are taking methotrexate, you must supplement with B vitamins and folic as the drug reduces these nutrients, promoting nausea and diarrhea. Pernicious anemia develops if not addressed.

PAIN STOPPING CREAM
Research on the effectiveness of Celadrin cream performed at the University of Connecticut involved 42 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Participants received either Celadrin or a placebo cream applied topically. They were evaluated before application of the cream, 30 minutes after, and then again following a 30-day treatment period during which the cream was applied twice a day, morning and evening. The researchers evaluated physical function, postural sway, pain and range of motion. Test of physical function included a timed assessment of how long it took to get up and go from a chair, stair climbing, muscle strength and endurance, and mobility of the knee. The group receiving Celadrin had outstanding results with reduced pain and stiffness, improved balance and strength and better mobility. What was most exciting was that within 30 minutes of applying Celadrin cream, patients experienced a dramatic improvement in all aspects tested. (No difference in the ability to extend the leg was noted between groups.) Results of this study were published in The Journal of Rheumatology, August 2002. Another study using Celadrin Cream, performed as an extension of the previous study, confirmed earlier research showing improvement in elbow, wrist and knee mobility and significant reduction in pain.