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An A-Z Woman's Guide to Vibrant Health
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 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 persons have some form of arthritis.
Arthritis (“arth” meaning joint, “itis” meaning inflammation) consists of over 100 different conditions from gout to rheumatoid arthritis (see box for a partial list). Although most of these disorders occur with joint or muscle inflammation, many, 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 and prevents 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 are associated with the development of arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the second most common form, is an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system produces antibodies that destroy the synovial 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. In the case of RA, correcting the immune system abnormality is the focus of treatment.
TYPES OF ARTHRITIS |
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Gout (see Gout)
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Osteoarthritis
(the most common type)
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Pseudo Gout (see Gout)
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- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Raynaud's Phenomenon
- Juvenile Chronic Arthritis
- Reiter's Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Infective Arthritis
- Sjogren's Syndrome
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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 in some cases 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 food and
environmental allergies can contribute to the condition. Although aging is
usually cited as a factor (70 percent of the elderly have it), 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: Stress and its ability to affect hormones that promote
inflammation, allergies, heredity, obesity, nutritional deficiencies, 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 WOMEN'S HEALTH
There are many nutrients clinically researched for the treatment of arthritis.
You may want to try Celadrin and ArthriSense first. ArthriSense contains
most of the ingredients listed below it.
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Multivitamins with minerals; (contains no iron)
FemmEssentials or MultiEssentials for women |
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As directed. See Appendix A
for complete list of nutrients suggested |
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Supports all body systems including cardiovascular, nervous, hormonal and endocrine systems, bones and more |
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1-2 soft gels 3 times daily with meals 1050mg |
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Anti-inflammatory, reduces pain and swelling of joints |
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Apply morning and night or as needed |
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Anti-inflammatory, reduces pain and swelling of joints |
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Omega-3 essential fatty acids
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Fish oil pharmaceutical grade 3000 mg per day |
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Is a potent anti-inflammtory and improves mobility |
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Take 500 mg three times daily |
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Green-lipped muscle
(a rich source of glycosaminoglycans) |
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Building block of cartilage |
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| GLA Evening Primrose or borage Oil |
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| Relieves pain and inflammation |
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| SAM-e
S-adenosyl-methionine |
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| Sulfur compound that reduces pain and inflammation; promotes proteoglycan production |
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| | Have a DHEAS test by your
doctor to see if you are deficient. 5-10 mg per day DHEA (In Canada it is available through the drug release program prescribed by your doctor) |
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| Reduces IL-6,
normalizes cortisol and stops inflammatory processes |
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| | Take 2000 to 6000 mcu
(1300 to 4000 gdu) on an empty stomach. |
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| Contains enzymes, anti-inflammatory, improves joint mobility, reduces swelling |
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| | Standardized dose of 400 mg,
three times per day |
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| Anti-inflammatory as effective as NSAIDS |
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| | 1 to 2 grams of standardized Devil’s Claw should be taken daily |
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| | (standardized to .6% parthenolides) |
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| Suppresses prostaglandin production, eases pain and inflammation |
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| | Three 400-mg doses per day |
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| | Standardized willow bark
is available; dosages range from 200 mg to 1000 mg |
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| Reduces pain and inflammation |
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HEALTH TIPS TO ENHANCE HEALING
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of pure, clean water every day to prevent your joint cushions from becoming dehydrated. For every juice or caffeine beverage that you consume, you must have another glass of water.
- Avoid these substances to prevent flare-ups: citrus fruit, milk, 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, eggs, whole grains, healthy fats and oils, seafood and fresh fish. They are key to halting inflammation at the source. Eat foods with a high sulfur content that will help remove metals from the body including garlic, onions and asparagus.
- Non-weight bearing exercise like water aerobics, swimming, stationary cycling and yoga should be performed. Be careful not tooverburden joints or cause pain and inflammation.
- Lose weight. Even 10 extra pounds can cause an additional 40 pounds of pressure on 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 ArthriSense and Celadrin. Look for products that contain capsaicin, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or quaternary amines. Look for capsaicin creams containing 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin (avoid contact with eyes)
- Start a diet diary and write down everything you eat to see if there is any correlation to 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 test. Once you know what you are allergic to, avoid those allergens.
- Beware of taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Celebrex and Acetaminophen long term due to gut problems.
Health Fact
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 develops if not addressed. |
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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 applied topically in a
cream or a placebo cream. 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 group receiving Celadrin had outstanding results with
reduced pain and stiffness, improved balance and strength, and better
mobility. Within 30 minutes of applying Celadrin cream, patients
experienced a dramatic improvement in all aspects tested. 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. |
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