Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis symptoms may appear similar with each type of arthritis although some symptoms may be present or absent in a particular type. The following are the most common types of arthritis with their symptoms:

Degenerative arthritis – or what is also called and known as osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis is simply explained as the wear and tear of the joints in the body of the person affected with this disease causing inflammation and pain in the said joints. In persons suffering from osteoarthritis, their cartilage which covers and protects their joints tend to wear off causing pain to the patient due to his body weight whenever he is moving, especially when he is walking and standing. OA or osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis – is usually considers as a chronic disease. It involves the immune system because it is an autoimmune illness. In this case the immune system attacks the joints of the patient. It can result to loss of the mobility of the patient and can affect other body parts such as the skin and blood vessels. Many patients of this type of disease, an estimated 60% of them are unable to continue their job around 10 years after they get the disease.
Gout – is one of the arthritis symptoms which is due to an abnormality in the uric acid wherein blood and crystals form in the joints. This causes a sudden, severe pain in the big toe of the patient but any joint can also be affected. To prevent and control this disease, one should have the proper diet and drugs prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner. This usually starts at the age 40 to 50 years.
Juvenile Arthritis - involves the spine which can cause it to become rigid. It has different symptoms in children and adults. Some children get cured completely from this disease while others will have to continue to suffer throughout their lives.
Psoriatic arthritis – is an arthritis symptom which can affect the whole body. It is due to a chronic skin disease. Systematic lupus erythematosus arthritis affects the skin, joints, muscles and sometimes even the internal organs of the patient. In women, this disease appears at childbearing age but it can also happen at any age. This can be mild or it can be severe and can cause death. More women are affected by this disease than men, occurring nine to ten times more in women than in men.
Septic arthritis – is when an infection enters the joints of the patient. This may be due to bacteria, virus or fungi which are transported by the bloodstream from an infection the patient obtained elsewhere due to a skin lesion that enters the joints.

The types of arthritis each pose unique problems. Arthritis symptoms should be diagnosed at an early stage and treatment may vary with each type.

Arthritis Relief

Arthritis relief involves natural and prescribed treatments. Some natural remedies involve herbs and natural substances. Here are some of the following remedies for arthritis:

* Ginger- It is used for many ailments including arthritis. It relieves arthritis pain because it has an anti-inflammatory property. It contains zingibain, a special proteolytic enzyme that contain anti-inflammatory properties. It could be administered as a tincture, capsule or tea and has no reported side-effects even with high dosages.

* Cayennepepper or Red pepper- It has a wide range of medicinal properties which can cure the body. It is also a good circulatory stimulant so it could be used for poor circulation and pains linked with arthritis and lumbago. It contains a pain-relieving chemical called capsaicin. It could be administered as a tincture or as spice mixed with dishes.

* Garlic and Ginkgo Biloba- Both of these herbs help with circulation and improve the blood flow which is important for arthritis relief. Taking these herbs help bring oxygen to the affected area and remove toxic deposits that have built up.

* Bromelain- This is a proteclytic enzyme found in pineapples which help prevent swelling. It helps remove immune antigen complex compounds in arthritis.

* Calcium- This is necessary for the body to avoid osteoporosis. Foods and herbs that are excellent sources of calcium include alfala, liquorice, red clover shoots, chamomile, chives, coltsfoot, dandelion, horsetail, meadowsweet, nettle, plantain, watercress, cabbage, thyme and basil.

Arthritis relief can also be obtained by using these additional herbs: turmeric, willow, rosemary, oregano camphor, and celery seed. Arthritis relief can be found from many plants coming from nature. One of them is the Stinging Nettles or urtication, its botanical name. This plant dates back to biblical times. The plant is grasped in a gloved hand and the stiff, swollen joints are swatted and thrashed with the sting to provide relief. The nettles plant has tiny stringers which provide microinjections of several chemicals, one of them is histamine. It is believed that these chemicals cause the sting which has inflammatory properties which can relieve arthritis pain.

Arthritis relief can also be obtained by using cream or topical medicines containing ingredients such as menthol oil of wintergreen or eucalyptus producing a hot sensation which distracts the patient from the pain he experiences.

Arthritis Pain Relief

Arthritis pain relief can be done thru natural therapy or prescribed medication. Better ways are sought to manage the pain and improve the comfort level of the person suffering from the disease. When people suffer from arthritis, they experience inflammation, swelling, redness, pain and stiffness. The most popular treatment is the NSAIDs or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, such as Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra. However, these prescribed drugs may have painful side effects which may include the risk of stroke and heart attack in those patients taking these drugs for an extended period of time.

Due to the risks of harmful side effects, many people are searching for safer and natural alternatives to have arthritis pain relief. There are lots of pain relieving techniques which can be tried. Natural alternatives include glucosamine, chondrolin, turmeric, SAMe, MSM and fish oil. These natural pain reliefs from arthritis may prove even more effective than the prescribed and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, and may provide a better solution for patients who are suffering from severe joint pain, swelling and inflammation of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. .

Arthritis pain relief can also be found at home. Some of these are the following:

Massage with olive oil in the affected area
Lukewarm enema for a few days to cleanse the bowels
Steam baths
Extra supplement of calcium, zinc and vitamin C
Fresh juice from potatoes
Sea bathing
Rub the aching joint with vinegar
10 grams of omega-3 fatty acids taken daily
Rub castor oil on affected areas
Relax for 30 minutes every night in a tub of warm water

Some herbal oil can also be used to help in the relief of arthritis pain. This herbal oil such as Arthcare beefs up the skeletal system and the neuromuscular systems thus giving comfortable joint movements of joints and muscles minus the crackling sounds. What is good about using this product is that it is free from possible side effects. Arthritis pain relief using remedies from nature is generally considered to be less risky thus providing a feeling of well-being for the patient when combined with prescribed medications.

Arthritis Medication

Arthritis medication in the market comes in a wide variety from A to Z. There are those that treat pain and inflammation while others treat the main disease itself. Patients may be given one or a combination of medicines. Here are the lists:

Painkillers (Analgesics) – are used to provide pain relief. They can be bought over the counter. The stronger ones need prescription from a doctor. The popular types of painkillers are paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen and codeine.
Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) – reduce inflammation and swelling of the joints for patients under arthritis medication. One of its negative effects includes stomach problems.
Cox-2 inhibitors – is a new type of inhibitor which is safer to the stomach. They are celecoxib (celebrex), etodolac (Lodine SR), etoricoxib (Arcoxia) and meloxican (Mobic). There are some concerns though saying that it poses a risk to cardiovascular problems.
Steroids – are artificial forms of natural body hormones and are considered to be effective in the treatment of inflammation. They also cause side effects including osteoporosis. Proper medication from a doctor and should be strictly adhered. Sudden stoppage of intake should be avoided for patients under arthritis medication. It is also suggested that people taking this drugs should have proper flu and pneumonia vaccination yearly.
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) – treats rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. This drug slows down the progress of the disease and the damage it does. It is used after the diagnosis of the patient. The drug has serious side effects so patients are carefully monitored.

methotrexate (includes Maxtrex)
sulphasalazine (include Salazopyrin EN, Sulazine)
anti-malarial drugs (includes Plaquenil)
leflunomide (Arava)
gold by injection (includes Myocrisin) or tablets (includes Ridaura)
ciclosporin (includes Neoral)

Anti-TNFs or biologics work by blocking the chemical tumor necrosis (TNF). The chemicals cause inflammation and tissue damage in certain kinds of arthritis. This drug targets other parts of the immune system that triggers inflammation. Guidelines have to be followed whether or not a patient is eligible for this type of medication.

adalimumab (Humira) fortnightly injections usually by you or someone else
etanercept (Enbrel) injections given once or twice a week
infliximab (Remicade) given at the hospital by infusion every 8 weeks
rituximab (Mabthera) 2 infusions at 2 weeks apart, once or twice a year.

Many medicines are out commercially to help combat arthritis. Each drug provides a different cure and side effects. A patient should first undergo checkups and consultations from a doctor before taking chances on which medicine to take. Arthritis medication primarily relies on the type and severity of the disease and also the patient’s compatibility with the drug.

Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis in dogs is also a common problem for pet owners. Arthritis does not only affect people of all ages but it can also affect man’s best friend.; If your pet dog exhibits a change in behavior and changes in mood and activity and does not feel his best, you may suspect that there is something wrong with your pet and it could be arthritis. Arthritis is one of the most common pains that veterinarians treat in dogs. Since your pal can’t explain what is wrong with him, you should try to observe and spot the subtle changes that he exhibits.

The arthritis in dogs has several symptoms. They are favoring a limb, difficulty sitting or standing, sleeping more, having stiff or sore joints, hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs, weight gain, decreased activity or less interest in play, attitude or behavior changes and being less alert. If the symptoms last for more than two weeks, then it is time to take him to the vet for arthritis evaluation. This visit will involve physical examination of your dog and perhaps x-rays. It is best that your pet gets a diagnosis and early treatment.

Dealing with arthritis in dogs is similar to that of treating human osteoarthritis
Arthritis in dogs can be treated with a healthy diet so that he could maintain his correct weight. It is best to work with a veterinarian to manage the pain and administering drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some over-the-counter medicines for pet treatments containing either glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate or Omega fatty acids have shown to reduce the arthritic symptoms in dogs. Never give your dogs medication for humans since some of these may not be suited to them so always consult a veterinarian before giving your pet medication.

People who are pet-lovers tend to have a longer life span with fewer visits to the doctor. If you and your dog are both sick with arthritis, it is said that your pet’s arthritis can help you better manage your disease. Having a pet can make a person be more positive in life and boost his attitude since pets can lift his spirit. You can take a walk or run with your dog hence strengthening your pet’s and your muscles around your joints which reduces stress on the joint itself. Arthritis in dogs needs as much therapy as humans and if we care for our four-legged friends, they should be given the attention they deserve.

Arthritis Diet

Arthritis diet has an important effect in the management of arthritis. One example of this is gout which can be treated partially with correct diet. Some foods such as red meats, shellfish and lobster, alcohol when avoided will reduce the frequency of severe gout attacks. Food allergy can also cause the development of certain symptoms

Certain dietary substances such as fish and plant oils have shown clinical reduction in the inflammation of the joints and a decrease in joint tenderness and reduced fatigue. However, no acclaimed diet which are advertised in books, magazines and patient testimonials and no universal diet had proven successful in curing permanently the disease. Doctors advise their patients to avoid foods that make their symptoms worse.

Popular arthritis diet is the consumption of alternative products with such as diet supplements and herbal remedies. Supplements are regulated by the FDA and they are not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure or treat the disease. Dietary supplements can include the following: vitamins, minerals, herbals, botanicals, amino acids and enzymes. It is better to talk with a doctor to help the patient sort out reliable information from those questionable ones since there are many conflicting information regarding these dietary supplements.

Alcohol is also known as a risk factor in gout arthritis and can increase the risk of osteoporosis or bone loss and may cause weight gain. It is also contraindicated for many medications, herbal remedies and over-the counter medications and a patient should talk to his doctor about alcohol use and its effects on his medication. Alcohol should be eliminated from arthritis diet due to its negative effects.

Antioxidants are also supposed to bring benefits to arthritis patients. They may also include in arthritis diet. These are substances that reduce damage caused by chemicals mixed with oxygen and are supposed to protect the cells from free radicals. It seems that it prevents arthritis but not cure the disease.

Foods that contain antioxidants include fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, poultry, fish and some meats. Some spice manufacturers claim that a teaspoon of their spices boosts the antioxidants in any snack or meal. Exotic fruit juices are also being sold claiming to contain powerful antioxidants. They maybe packed with antioxidants but they are not a cure for arthritis or other health problems.

However, the patient should also keep his expectations at a reasonable level with regard to what they can do. Arthritis diet when correctly given and followed will be helpful in the management and control of arthritis.

Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms may be seen in individuals who have suffered or are suffering from a persistent skin condition which is known as psoriasis – a coarse, scaly form of rash which normally appears on the elbows, knees and scalp. The rash is made up silvery gray or red, flaking skin areas.

Psoriatic arthritis is also known in different names and that include arthropathic psoriasis, arthritis psoriatica and psoriatic arthropathy. It is form of inflammatory arthritis and is considered as a seronegative spondyloarthropathy. The medication provided for this form of arthritis is related to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Not more than 80 percent of the individuals having psoriatic arthritis have nail lesions which are characterized by the hollowing of nails or worse – the loss of nail. It can develop in any age group. Nonetheless, the average occurrences emerge around ten years following initial signs of psoriasis. For individuals aging 30 to 50, psoriatic arthritis symptoms are more evident but it can likewise affect children. Both genders can be affected by this form of arthritis. Out of the seven cases, one of them acquired the condition prior to any skin concern. The precise cause of psoriatic arthritis is not fully known although some genetic associations are already identified.

Let’s talk a little more about psoriatic arthritis. The fingers and the toes are the most common parts of the body which can be affected. On the other hand, the spine can also be distressed by it. The five major types of psoriatic symptoms are the following. First is symmetric which is accountable for about 50 percent of patients, affecting the joints on both body sides concurrently. It is the most comparable to rheumatoid arthritis. Second is asymmetric which affects about 35 percent of patients. It involves not more than three joints and does not occur on both body sides.

Third is arthritis mutilans, a destructive, severe and distorting form with evident psoriatic arthritis symptoms. It can persist for months or even years and can result to ruthless joint damage. Fourth is spondylitis which is characterized by neck and spine stiffness that is also affecting the feet and the hands. Its form is similar to symmetric arthritis. And finally, distal interphalangeal predominant is characterized by stiffness and inflammations of the joints near the end of toes and fingers.

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms can be seen in the nail changes, so beware of this condition since psoriatic arthritis has no available cure at the present time.

Psoriatic Arthritis Pain

Psoriatic arthritis pain is a debilitating form of disease that affects the joints, but also the skin and possibly the tendons, spine, eyes, heart and lungs. What could be worse that this awful joint pain, stiffness and skin disease? For many who suffer from psoriatic arthritis, the first sign is often pain and inflammation. You can develop psoriasis on the elbows, knees, scalp and the area around the navel, anus or the genitals. Psoriasis causes red and raised areas of scaly skin. The signs of the skin disease are first observed in the person of forty to fifty ages and generally head joint pain by several months or worse, years.

Once psoriatic arthritis pain starts, it usually involves the joints in the feet, ankles and knees. Inflammation can cause the joints to become hot, red and inflamed. Frequently, toes and fingers swell so badly they can look like little sausages.

Besides skin inflammation and joint pains, psoriatic arthritis can also assault the ligaments and tendons of the body. The Achilles tendon is one of the most common tendons to become affected by this disease. Achilles tendonitis causes the patient to suffer in pain when walking and climbing steps. Next with affecting the tendons in the heels, this sort of arthritis can also inflame the chest wall and the cartilage that links the ribs and breastbones. Inflammation can cause chest pain and the shortness of breath.

Aside from joint pains and tendons, psoriatic arthritis pain also involves the major organs of the body such as the lungs and the heart. Lungs can become swollen causing both shortness of breath and chest pain, especially with deep breathing and when this chronic disease inflames the heart, the aortic valve leaks that could result in breathing trouble as well as heart failure.

Once you understand the kinds of changes that can happen once you are living with this condition, you can better take good care of your health. Psoriatic arthritis pain can definitely impact your daily activities and the best treatment management plan will be made by working with your health care provider.

Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects around 10-30% of people that suffer under a chronic skin condition, which is psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis happens to be a seronegative spondyloathropathy and also occurring more commonly in tissue type of HLA-B27 patients.

This kind of arthritis can occur at any age, though, on average it tends to appear about 10 years after the first sign of psoriasis. For the greater number of people, this is between the ages of 30 and 50 years old, but can affect children as well. Both men and woman are equally affected by this severe condition. In about one within seven cases, the arthritis symptoms may occur before any involvement of the skin. More than 80% of patients with this kind of illness will possibly have psoriatic nail lesions, which is characterized by pitting of the nails, or even worse, loss of the nail itself or onycholysis.

Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis:

Stiffness
Swelling in and around the joints
Comprehensive fatigue
Swollen fingers and toes
Reduced series of motion
Morning tiredness and stiffness
Redness and pain of the eye (conjunctivitis)

These symptoms can affect any part of your body, together with spine and fingertips, and can range from comparatively mild to severe.

Types of Psoriatic Arthritis

Symmetric Arthritis - much like of rheumatoid arthritis but normally milder with less physical changes. Affects multiple symmetrical joints and can be disabling.
Asymmetric Arthritis – involves few or many joints and does not occur in the same joint, dissimilar with symmetric. It affects any joint, such as knee, hip, ankle and wrist. The hands and feet may enlarge. The joints may become tender, warm and red as well. A person with this disease may experience sporadic joint pain, which is typically responsive to medical therapy.
Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP) – it involves the distal joints of the fingers and toes. And nail changes are usually prominent.
Spondylitis – an inflammation of the spinal column. It is an inflammation with stiffness of the neck, lower back, spinal vertebrae or sacroiliac, a very common symptom in a larger number of patients and making movements difficult.
Arthritis Mutilans – it is a severe, destructive arthritis that affects less than 5% of people with psoriatic arthritis. It mainly affects the small joints of the hands, and feet, and often, associated with neck or lower back pain.

Psoriatic arthritis can build up mild symptoms slowly, or it can develop quickly and become severe. Early recognition, diagnosis and aggressive arthritis treatment of this disease can help prevent or limit wide joint damage that appears in later stages of the syndrome.

Psoriatic Arthritis – Got Your Attention Yet?

No, there are not just a couple of garden variety types of arthritis out there. In fact currently, there are over well over one hundred different kinds of arthritis.

Shocking isn’t it?

Over 100 different types of arthritis make it one very aggressive disease that invades the lives of millions.

One of those little known types of arthritis is known as psoriatic arthritis and it can be as debilitating as some of the more well known varieties of arthritis. So exactly what is psoriatic arthritis and just how does this variety present itself?

We can learn a lot about this disease just from the name of the disease. Guess what? This joint condition is associated with a skin condition often known as “the heartbreak of psoriasis”. I know you’ve heard of that one! Well, psoriasis is a rather common skin condition in which the skin of the body reacts and shows up as red, raised patches on the skin, alligator-like scaly skin and simply an over all, generalized inflammation of the skin. Right now, psoriasis is known to affect around 2% of Caucasian Americans. But it is important to remember that this skin condition can most definitely appear in others besides just the Caucasian population.

Do you have psoriasis?

If so then you know that this aggravating skin condition can attack your belly button, your knees, your elbows, your scalp, and for goodness sakes, it can even affect your anus and genital area! Now that is just not right! At this point in time, health care professionals believe that Aaron 10% of those who suffer with the “heartbreak of psoriasis” also develop a simultaneous inflammation of specific body joints. When this happens, these patients gain a new label known as psoriatic arthritis.

So there you go.

Seems to go hand in hand. Having psoriasis, the skin condition, is a major risk factor for the development of psoriatic arthritis. This is particularly true if your psoriasis has begun to affect the joint. Not typically a young persons’ disease, psoriatic arthritis most often impacts most patients later in life, most often when people are in their forties and fifties. Men and women seem to be equally attacked by this condition. There doesn’t seem to be an increased incidence of occurrence between one sex or the other. In this case, men and women are equal!

The majority of patients experience onset of the diseases at different times. It is common that patients develop psoriasis before experiencing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Approximately 80 per cent of psoriatic arthritis patients develop psoriasis before the arthritis.

But of course everything in life cannot follow a definite pattern, since in some patients, they actually get a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis before actually developing a skin condition. This can make diagnosing the condition a bit more difficult. Unfortunately far too many patients suffer with either the arthritis or the psoriasis for way too long before figuring out that they two go together.

Just like with the other kinds of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is a systematic disease meaning that it can attack many other parts of your body as well. So this leaves you wide open to so many other serious health conditions, including those which can damage your heart, lungs, kidneys, eye and mouth. With serious health concerns such as these lurking, you simply cannot afford to ignore either arthritis symptoms or psoriasis symptoms. Get smart, and get yourself to the doctor.

In the most serious cases of psoriatic arthritis, the impact on your vital organs can be life altering. With psoriatic arthritis, you are also at increased risk for spinal inflammation with can cause increased pain and limited movements.

So just what is responsible for psoriatic arthritis? What is the cause of psoriatic arthritis? While there are many theories on the “why” behind the reasons patients develop psoriatic arthritis, the bottom line is that the cause of this condition truly remains unknown. The majority of health care professionals generally agree that psoriatic arthritis is most probably a result of a combination of factors. These factors can be related to a variety of environmental factors, genetic factors and even an immune system basis. Researchers have been able to identify a genetic marker known as gene marker-HLA-B27- that is often present in the DNA of many of those patients who suffer with psoriatic arthritis.

There are even other genetic markers that are found in cases of psoriatic arthritis which continue to lead to researchers to believe that this condition is genetic in nature. Lab tests can help to confirm these genetic markers if they are present. Some research also indicates that a faulty immune system may also be a causative factor in the case of psoriatic arthritis. Other research shows that environmental factors may be to blame. Any way you slice it, the reasons can vary behind the development of psoriatic arthritis.

So, with psoriatic arthritis, you must work collaboratively with your health care provider so that you have an aggressive management plan designed specifically for you. This management plan must take into account its practicality and your willingness to comply.

Psoriatic arthritis is a battle faced by many each and every day, but it does not have to be a battle that you give up on long before the fight begins. Be your own best advocate if you are facing psoriatic arthritis. Do it well and do it now!

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