Arthritis Overview – What is Arthritis?
The arthritis is a disorder of inflammatory arthritis . There is talk of monoarthritis when only one joint is affected and arthritis when several joints are affected.

It also distinguishes the arthritis acute that lasts for less than 3 months and arthritis chronic lasts a long time (more than 3 months). Can also be classified according to the arthritis causes : inflammatory arthritis (cause autoimmune) or infectious (bacteria staphylococcus, streptococcus, following a sting tick for example), …

There are several forms of arthritis, the most famous is the rheumatoid arthritis characterized by symptoms symmetrical (usually two knees, two elbows, … are met) and it involves several joints (polyarthritis). Other forms of arthritis are rheumatoid types such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid psoriatic . Monoarthritis found in the drop or spondylitis ankilosante . any questions of diagnosis please contact your GP or rheumatologist. The rheumatologist is the specialist in rheumatism : arthritis is one of many forms (estimated at more than 200 the number of rheumatic diseases) rheumatism. also note that as with most diseases, plus the arthritis is detected early and better the prognosis.

Arthritis Overview – Arthritis Causes

Depending on the type of arthritis the causes may be different:

For the most common arthritis: the rheumatoid arthritis (concern 1 to 2% of the Western population) the cause is not known, however, we assume that it can be a disease of autoimmune (joint attack by its own cells resulting in inflammation). We know that by cons 3 times more women than men with rheumatoid arthritis.

In infectious arthritis as originally based on the name suggests an infection caused by bacteria, for example (eg reach a tick ) or by viruses.

Arthritis Overview – Arthritis Symptoms

Depending on the type of arthritis ( >> see below definition ) symptoms, especially the localistion, may vary, but generally the joint has the typical symptoms of inflammation : pain, warmth, redness and swelling (swollen joints ) still sometimes accompanied by fever . The pain is often nocturnal and increased with the quiescence (inactive)

Arthritis Overview – Arthritis Medication

Depending on the type of arthritis treatments will be different , ask your doctor, here’s some information as indicative only:

> during an inflammatory arthritis, treatments of choice will be anti-inflammatory drugs including nonsteroidal NSAIDs (diclofenac, …).

> in an infectious arthritis, treatments of choice will be anti-infectives (antibiotics, ….), depending on the infectious agent.
Are also used painkillers to ease pain associated with arthritis such as the paracetamol or NSAIDs (= anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin , diclofenac , naproxen , …).

All these medicines are usually taken in pill form to swallow, creams or ointments.

* Usual treatments of rheumatoid arthritis , for information only: > malaria (hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, …), gold salts, methotrexate [see photo, taking medication usually once a week by injection (more) or tablet], sulfasalazine, TNF-alpha antagonists = biological or biotherapeutics, … Attention all these treatments require a prescription and a medical follow strict (risk of side effects, accurate diagnosis …)

Other Arthritis treatments

Of course there are other treatments that drugs like the Physiotherapy and the surgery. These treatments are often combined, talk to your doctor.

The medicinal plants were able to show the following effective against the arthritis , plants (herbs) are rather to be regarded as complementary measures to treat arthritis :

>> the Harpagophytum ( devil’s claw ), usually taking the form of tablets.
>> the arnica , usually taking the form topical (gel, cream, ointment, …)
>> the willow , to be taken in general as a tablet, capsule, capsule, …
>> the cayenne pepper , to take in general as a cream or compress.
>> the ash , usually taking the form of capsule or capsule.

Arthritis Overview – Living With Arthritis Tips

> Exercise (walking, sports) without this being too restrictive (not lifting too high) and avoid sports bad for joints such as football or squash (especially the knee) In fact if you still have energy and that the pain is bearable, the exercise remains one of the best “medicine” to cure many ailments such as rheumatic in this case with arthritis. Treatment of essential complement with drugs .

> Adopt a diet rich in vitamins , minerals , fruits, vegetables, dairy and fish particularly those containing omega-3 . Reduce your consumption of meat . >> tips for eating well

> Controlling blood pressure (>> hypertension ) and the rate of cholesterol . For an increased risk of cardiovascular complications may occur more readily in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (a type of arthritis).
> Use with the advice of your doctor, medication-based plant ( Harpagophytum , arnica , …) to complement your basic salary. >> see all the processing plant

> Take baths hot (except for people with heart)

> Wear shoes comfortable and suited to your foot.

Previously we’ve talked about the general joint pain causes, which includes osteoarthritis and inflammation arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis and gout). We also have covered some tips on living with joint pain to make your life easier.

This time, let’s talk about when to see doctor to examine your joint pain. You should see your doctor to get diagnosed when:

• You notice the presence of pain , swelling, redness accompanied by fever or chills. This is a medical emergency.
• You notice the swelling, pain and redness with or without heat. It should see a doctor as soon as possible.
• You have a gout attack that lasts more than five days.
• The pain interfere with your regular sleep, daily activities and the counter medications do not relieve.

Don’t forget to add some comments under. This post is an additional information for our previous posts about joint pain. Therefore I recommend you to read them too. Or perhaps you can go to our joint pain category to browse more informative articles about this arthritis disease

We’d love to hear your thoughts and experience living with joint pain.

Living with Joint Pain Tips – Osteoarthritis (OA)

Do not be fatalistic. In general, you should know that the pain of osteoarthritis can be relieved. Well treated, they do not harm the quality of life. Even the most serious cases can be controlled by medication.

Counter the pain . When you experience pain , avoid overuse of the joint and apply heat to activate blood circulation. Indeed, muscles and tendons are more efficient and work best when there is good blood circulation so they will more easily support the joints affected. Place a hot water bottle or heating pad to the place that hurts for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day.

Take anti-inflammatory drugs help alleviate the pain , but because osteoarthritis causes only minor inflammation, do not exceed the recommended doses, and they will not bring any additional benefit. You can take them as a preventative if you must use a link that might be sensitive (before you go shopping or play golf, for example).

There are other drugs against pain, such as those containing paracetamol, very effective in osteoarthritis.

Use ointments. To relieve the pain , the application of certain ointments is recommended. Some are available free, ask your pharmacist. To prevent stiffness in the morning, apply the ointment to the affected areas the day before going to bed. These products are effective against mild forms of osteoarthritis.

What about glucosamine? Glucosamine sulfate is considered a dietary supplement to prevent wear of the joints and relieve joint pain . But there is no consensus and available products have widely varying concentrations. If paracetamol and anti-inflammatory prescription do not help, you can try glucosamine for a few months and stop if your pain is relieved (it seems that the effect lasts a while). Choose products that have the highest concentration. Warning: persons 65 years and older should avoid glucosamine sulfate, as they may be sensitive to concentrations of potassium and magnesium found in this product. Furthermore, glucosamine is cons-indicated in diabetics, because it raises blood sugar. Note that this supplement has no efficacy for arthritis inflammation.

Practice exercises very specific. The strengthening exercises will help you protect your joints , while the ROM exercises used to prevent ankylosis. Ask your doctor to give you a leaflet on exercises to practice. You can also consult a professional occupational therapy or physiotherapy. You should know that it is not any physical activities that are beneficial. For example, biking will not necessarily help your knee problem, rather, it may even worsen. Hence the importance of consulting a doctor.

Prefer water activities. All experts agree: the water has great advantages for the control of pain arthritis , because the activity performed in water avoids shifting weight on the joints painful. Try to find an aquatic activity you like and practice it regularly (once or twice a week) in a heated pool.

Maintaining a healthy weight. It is very important to avoid excess pounds to avoid overloading your joints , especially hip and knee.
Get a massage. If you suffer from osteoarthritis, your muscles are particularly tight since muscle tension increases when pain occurs. The massage allows the muscles to relax and relieve the pain temporarily, because they release endorphins which are natural painkillers.

Living with Joint Pain Tips – Inflammatory arthritis

To rest. In case of pain , it is wiser to avoid moving the joint , or at least limit its use. Furthermore, as the arthritic disease is usually accompanied by general tiredness also take care of you. Do not try to do more than what you are capable, this would only increase the symptoms and fatigue.

Apply cold or heat, as appropriate. If you suffer from pain new, intense, well localized and accompanied by swelling, place an ice pack on the joint for about ten minutes a few times during the day. And consult a physician. However, if you know suffering from a chronic form of inflammatory arthritis, heat is indicated (inflammatory mechanisms are not the same when the disease is acute or chronic). If necessary, use a hot water bottle or heating pad.

Take anti-inflammatory. Such as paracetamol provides only minor relief of pain from a arthritis inflammation, it is better to turn to anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen). Use the dosage recommended by the manufacturer. Warning: people with ulcers of the digestive tract or kidney disease should avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs because the drug may aggravate their condition. In the elderly, one must also know that they can aggravate hypertension, or even the cause.

Changing your diet will not help to cure a arthritis inflammation. Eat less acidic and taking dietary supplements (such as excess amino acids, vitamin A or E, for example) will not change the disease. Simply continue to feed you well and maintain a healthy weight. Gout is a form of arthritis inflammation that can be improved by a change in diet. Those who suffer should avoid shellfish, organ meats and sausages, which favor the accumulation of uric acid in the blood. Note that pseudogout can not be controlled by diet.

Stay active. We must keep moving even if you suffer from arthritis . You simply need to respect your limits. Continue your normal activities and do mild exercise seeking the least possible the joint pain. Ask your doctor about physical activities that suit you. You can also view an occupational therapist or physiotherapist.

Do not turn inward. When they are seriously affected by a disease arthritic inflammation, many people shut themselves about themselves. This is a serious mistake which only diminishes their quality of life. Continue to go out, practice your favorite activities, see your friends, share your pain with your loved ones. You can also get support and information from relevant associations. If the disease is advanced, an occupational therapist can give you appropriate advice to fit your environment to your physical abilities (doorknobs, utensils, tools, skins, etc..).

Arthritis disease are the leading cause of joint pain. The pain comes from mechanical or inflammatory factors, both causing irritation to the nerve endings of the joints . It is very easy to confuse joint pain with other types of problems.

The pain rheumatic affect the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) of the neighboring joints and can be very similar. One thinks, for example, tendinitis , bursitis, and even with fibromyalgia, which is a form of general rheumatism. Moreover, many people with osteoporosis have pain in joints , which are caused by medications or by osteoarthritis often they suffer too.

Finally, some drugs that control lipid may cause pain resembling muscle joint pain . The joint pain may affect one or more joints simultaneously. They can also be extended gradually (over months) across the articular system. They are identified as follows:

Joint Pain Symptoms

• pain of varying intensity that appears for no apparent reason, suddenly or gradually;
• pain that may be of short duration (few days or weeks) or persistent (lasting several weeks or months);
• stiffness after a period of inactivity, often noticed in the morning;
• inflexibility;
• difficulty moving and use the members (loss of mobility);
• pain in the joints during movement;
• swelling (swelling), redness, heat, fatigue, general stiffness and prolonged (over an hour) in the inflammatory forms.

Joint Pain Causes

Joint Pain Causes – Non-inflammatory arthritis

Joint Pain Causes – Osteoarthritis (OA)

This is the most common form of arthritis . It is also called arthritis degenerative. This is the gradual breakdown of cartilage and the almost inevitable joints (cartilage serves as a buffer between bones and allows them to slide over each other). When it deteriorates, bones collide and cause pain and loss of mobility. One characteristic of the disease at an advanced stage is the bony growths (bumps) we note especially the joints of the fingers. All joints of the body can be affected by osteoarthritis , but they are especially those which support the weight of the body (hips, knees), spine and small joints of the fingers are affected. The osteoarthritis , which is a chronic disease, usually begins in the forties and with aging: 85% of people over age 70 suffer from it. In some families, the disease appears when the score because of a genetic problem. Even if the osteoarthritis is considered an arthritis noninflammatory, there is still a very mild inflammation. However, and it is interesting to point out, it does not evolve into another form of arthritis inflammation. Inflammatory arthritis (discussed here are the best known forms)

Joint Pain Causes – Rheumatoid arthritis

This is the most common form of arthritis inflammation, which affects mostly women between 30 and 50. This is inflammation of the synovial membrane that surrounds the joint. The rheumatoid arthritis , caused by a dysregulation of the immune system, affects several joints simultaneously (including hands and feet) and causes pain rather persistent. This is a chronic disease, characterized by swelling, prolonged morning stiffness and fatigue.

Joint Pain Causes – Drop

Form of arthritis caused by recurrent inflammation increased uric acid that forms crystals in tissues infiltrating the joints . The droplet evolves in spurts very painful, followed by remissions. During the crisis of gout , skin turns red or purple, is a shiny, swollen and hypersensitive to touch. The pain , similar to a burn, radiates around the affected area (often the big toe is most affected, no one really knows why). The seizure lasts on average three to four days. It is interesting to note that the drop is the only form of arthritis that can be controlled by changing his diet.

Joint Pain Causes – Pseudogout

It is a form of arthritis that closely resembles the drop , but the cause is different. Indeed, it is caused by the formation of crystals of calcium pyrophosphate in tissue joint , while the “real” gout is caused by uric acid crystals. Pseudogout mainly affects women aged 50 to 60 years and most often affects the knees. It’s not often that several joints are affected at the same time (when this happens, the disease can be confused with rheumatoid arthritis ). Like gout, pseudogout is recurrent crises and last three to four days.

Joint Pain Causes – Psoriatic arthritis

. Some people with psoriasis also suffer from arthritis (5% to 10% of cases of psoriasis ). The skin disease did not damage the joints , it is rather that the person is genetically predisposed to develop both chronic inflammatory and together. Usually, in 70% of cases, the psoriasis appears before the arthritis . In general, only a few joints are affected and the spine can be too.

Joint Pain Causes – Ankylosing spondylitis

. Another form of arthritis caused by a chronic inflammatory disorder of the immune system. It affects men and women aged 20 to 30 years, but its symptoms are more pronounced in men. It causes prolonged stiffness of the spine. The ankylosing spondylitis may also occur in the hips, knees and shoulders. When advanced, the disease causes pain and a very pronounced loss of mobility of the spine, so that the person has difficulty moving.

Joint Pain Causes – Polymyalgia rhumatica

. Arthritis inflammation due to immune system dysregulation and that appears suddenly in the elderly. The disease is manifested by pain localized mainly on the shoulders and hips. This is one of the few forms of arthritis inflammation that responds quickly to treatment and generally lasts less than a year.
Joint Pain Causes – Lupus erythematosus. Chronic inflammatory arthritis that occurs mainly in young women and is the result of a dysregulation of the immune system. It is accompanied by fatigue, rash (most common are the butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks) and can cause pain in multiple joints .

Other Joint Pain causes

Joint Pain Causes – Viral infections

. The influenza and parvovirus (the very one who is responsible for the “fifth disease” in children) can cause joint pain temporary. However, the flu will not be accompanied by swelling, unlike parvovirus.

Joint Pain Causes – Bacterial infections

. An arthritis usually causes bacterial source of pain in one joint . The pain is accompanied by intense swelling, fever and chills. The typical example is the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium that is found on the surface of the skin and can cause infection and joint pain in a joint (any) when it enters the bloodstream in favor of a cut or other wound. However, streptococcal pharyngitis is one of the few bacterial infections affect more than one joint at a time.

Joint Pain Causes – Cancerous tumors

Most types of cancer can be accompanied by joint pain without swelling. This is due to a dysregulation of the immune system. That said, this happens rather rarely.

I think that is all for now. I hope this post can give you a better understanding of joint pain causes and symptoms.

Many patients seek medical attention as quickly as possible, but also a number of stakeholders are waiting too long

Who is longer than two weeks with joint problems plaguing should go to the doctor. These experts recommend regarding the optimal therapy. As a representative survey of the “doctor-patient magazine” shows, many of those affected behave according to this advice, but some can be too much time.

One in four (24.3 percent) who had visited once before because of joint pain a physician has done either immediately or within one week after onset of symptoms. Almost one third (30.7 percent) after two to three weeks to the doctor.

One in five waited far too long, however: 21.2 percent of the respondents were only after one to two months for the first time to the doctor. More than one in ten (11 percent) waited between three and six months, 11.3 percent were reluctant to doctor’s appointment out even longer.

As early as possible to begin treatment with

Postpone the visit to the doctor too long, is not medically advisable. The earlier an accurate diagnosis is made, the sooner you can start the right treatment.

“If, for example, rheumatoid arthritis detected early, there is today, with modern therapy, the prospect of controlling the inflammatory term, “says the family doctor and rheumatologist Dr. Frank Schneider of Oberammergau. In rheumatoid arthritis – also known as inflammatory rheumatism – the treatment has made ​​in the last 20 years, tremendous progress. Very severe cases of joint damage, chronic pain and disability are now rare.

Source: A representative survey of the “doctor-patient magazine,” conducted by the GfK market research Nuremberg in 857 people who have visited once before because of joint pain a doctor.

If you have bone joint pain and you are suffering, have you tried the Shiatsu? Regular Shiatsu sessions help relieve and prevent these painful blockages.

Shiatsu for Joint Pain Treatment – Prevent pain

Joint pain usually comes from a cartilage wear over the years (osteoarthritis) or a weakening of natural ligaments of the joint. Chronic diseases like arthritis are extremely painful. Joint pain can also result from injury or exertion. Whether chronic or acute, pain is annoying and the best solution is to start early before the pain get worse.

Shiatsu, a mild Joint Pain Treatment

Shiatsu can provide relief in cases of chronic pain following a violent effort or a bad move. It improves the flow of energy in the painful area by removing blockages in the meridians involved. Your practitioner will avoid treating too painful joints, inflamed or damaged.

It does not rely directly on the joint, but will treat the areas around. It will work on the meridians involved in body parts the same side as the affected joint. For example, if the knee is painful, it will rub the inside of the leg, above and below the knee.

It will also include in the session processing power of the Liver and Gallbladder, which have a regenerating effect on the joints by being related to the ligaments and tendons. Massaging the meridians of the liver and gallbladder helps heal sprains smooth example. Acupuncture points relieving the pain of the shoulders, knees, hips and ankles are integrated into the Shiatsu session.

If the problems of joint pain from a weak bones, as in the case of osteoporosis, Shiatsu is a natural solution to enhance the energy of the Kidneys and Bladder associated with healthy bones in Oriental medicine. Acupuncture points specifically to help strengthen bones.

Watch your weight and exercise
I also advise to keep the weight down so as not to weigh more on your joints, and to have adequate physical activity requesting the joints smooth. For example, swimming is very beneficial because it reduces the forces on the joints during exercise. The practice of qigong or tai chi can also relax the joints, strengthen energy ligaments and bones. Natural medicines also provides solutions based on minerals, plants and essential oils that fight against pain and inflammation and regenerate cartilage.

* In case of great pain and injury, consult your physician is essential.