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Stop Suffering With Arthritic Pain
Posted by: | CommentsStop suffering through an arthritic life while making the drug companies RICH!
Don’t Spend The Rest Of Your Life Buying Expensive Drugs!
“Warning: Most Pharmaceutical Drugs DON’T Treat Arthritis, They Just Treat The Pain! And, The Most Effective Way To Eliminate Your Pain ISN’T Being Offered By Your Family Doctor Or The Large Drug Companies!”
(That’s why it took me so long to find it!)
No-one needs to tell you how frustrating, painful and debilitating arthritis pain is. If you have come to this page, you know what pain really is!
After a few years of taking arthritis pain medication I read a fascinating article on the motives behind most big drug companies. To summarize this article, drug companies DON’t want to cure you, they want to treat you. In other words, if they sold you a pill that “cured” your problem they’d only get paid once. If they “treat” your symptoms, they get paid each and every month for the rest of your life! I was angry. Surely, if there was a way to eliminate the pain of arthritis once and for all, SOMEONE would have that plastered all over CNN, right!
Wrong! After doing some research I found that there is ZERO profit in some of the natural arthritis cures (and some of these methods have been known for centuries!). Why is they not advertised? Because most of these cures use natural, simple products that can’t be pattened by the big drug companies. If there isn’t a patent, they can’t be exclusive. If there’s no formula, there’s no profit. If there is no profit, why advertise and promote it.
“The Best Solution For Ending Arthritic Pain That I Found Was Also The Cheapest!”
I stumbled upon a little known website from someone who had suffered through years of arthritic pain, got motivated to do some serious research and put together a 100% natural remedy for curing your arthritis pain. And, within 15-30 days of using their information I walked up a flight of steps without feeling any pain in my knees. Over the next few weeks I felt better, stronger and have never felt the need to take any drug for my arthritis. So, PLEASE take the time to read the information on this site!
Don’t let the amateurish website design fool you. This isn’t some big corporate expensive site.. But the program works! Here’s the link to the best (and cheapest) arthritis pain relief program I’ve found
You won’t realize how much fun it is living pain free until you eliminate that pain once and for good!
Thanks for reading and I wish you great (pain free) health
(Get ready to take “arthritis meds” off your list of monthly expenses!)
PS. One last thing. When I found I was getting discouraged about some of the outrageous claims the herbal supplement sites and other arthritis cure sites were making. I was almost ready to through in the towel and resign myself to a life of drug dependency. The ONLY reason I decided to try this last offer was because they offered a 100% money back guarantee. (And if it hadn’t worked, I would have request my refund in the blink of an eye!) I didn’t need to request that refund. This works for me (and for a few other people I’ve since told about it) (click here)
PPS. I just had to add this update. I was talking to a neighbor who said, “Well, It doesn’t cost me anything for my arthritis medication. I have insurance”. You could have knocked me over with a feather. At 62 years of age he still doesn’t realize there isn’t any such thing as a free lunch. SOMEONE is paying for that medication. Whether it’s your company (the high cost of employee benefit plans are one of the major reasons many North American companies are considering moving oversees), or your taxes. If they government is paying for your medication you can be sure they are overpaying for it. In other words, your grand children and great grandchildren might still be paying off HIS prescription drugs. Don’t ever think that “it doesn’t cost me anything”. It costs us ALL! That’s another good reason to consider an alternative to lining the drug companies pockets. If we ALL cut down our health costs, by taking responsibility for our own health, we might also cut down our government debt (and hopefully, our taxes!)
Can Vitamin Supplements Help Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis?
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The question I would like to bring to your attention today is can vitamins help to fight Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). I decided to do some studying on the subject and what I found was some interesting facts that helped me support this idea. Let me start out by telling you a little more about RA. More than a million people in the United States have RA. RA typically develops between the ages of 25 and 50. RA is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that affects an estimated 1.3 million Americans.
The disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thin membrane that lines the joints. The results can be joint damage, ongoing pain, inflammation, loss function and disability. The joints most commonly affected by RA are those of the hands, feet, wrists, knees, elbows, and ankles. In RA, the primary site of the attack is in the thin layer of tissue that is around the joints.
Studies have shown that those Americans with RA have vitamins deficiencies. The most common vitamin deficiencies in RA is folic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, and Selenium. Food of course is the preferred source for getting the vitamins and minerals. Vitamin Supplements will work in getting the vitamins and minerals that you don’t receive from food. I would like to discuss with you two particular vitamins that studies have shown to help fight RA.
Research has made a case that Vitamin D helps protect older women against RA. Recent Studies has also linked deficiencies of Vitamin D to other disorders such as certain cancers, heart disease, and diabetes. General population studies indicate that about one in three people are Vitamin D deficient especially during the winter months. The easiest way to make sure you are getting the proper amount of Vitamin D is through Vitamin Supplements.
Another Study used data from the Iowa’s Women Health Study, which followed almost 30,000 women, aged 55 to 69, for 11 years. Over the course of those 11 years, the women involved were questioned about their eating habits, their use of nutritional supplements and other health related issues.
During the test, 152 of the women developed RA. The investigators found that women whose diets were highest in Vitamin D had the lowest incidence of RA. Women who got less than 200 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D in their diets each day were 33% more likely to develop RA than women who got more. So how much is enough Vitamin D. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine says that older women should consume 400 to 600 IU per day in order to have an adequate Vitamin D intake.
Vitamin C can also be linked to lowering RA risks. In another study, researchers looked at the link between fruit and vegetable and dietary antioxidant intake and the development of inflammatory arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in a group of 23,000 men and women who entered a large cancer study in the U.K. between 1993 and 1997. As a part of that study, the participants kept track of what they ate in a weekly food diary.
Between 1993 and 2001, 73 people developed inflammatory arthritis affecting two or more painfully swollen joints for at least a month, and 40% of them met the criteria for having RA. Compared with those who did not develop the disease, researchers found that those with arthritis ate fewer fruits and vegetables. Specifically, people who ate the least amount of fruits and vegetables had double the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis.
The study also showed that people who got less than 40 mg of Vitamin C from fruits and vegetables had four times the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis. In the United States, the recommended dietary allowance for men is 90mg of Vitamin C a day and for women is 75mg. Now by taking a look at just those two certain vitamins, I find that vitamins do have added benefits in fighting RA. The vitamins do this by fighting the free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells) associated with the development of the disease.
Now to get the benefits of all vitamins, it would your best option to take a multi-vitamin. I would also like to say that the best multi-vitamin is a liquid vitamin instead of the standard capsule/pill. Not only will you get the full benefits of the vitamins but the liquid vitamin will work faster because it will absorb into your body quicker.
I know a 74 yr old lady that has been taking a liquid vitamin for the past 6 months and says that it has definitely helped to fight her RA. She takes 2 oz of this vitamin a day. This liquid vitamin has 410mg of Vitamin C per ounce, 1107 IU of Vitamin D3 per ounce and many more essential vitamins and minerals.
If you would like more information (testimonies/articles) then visit me at www.healthnutty.com. You can also contact me at www.john@nitemarketing.com
John McNett
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/can-vitamin-supplements-help-fight-rheumatoid-arthritis-700828.html
Understanding Polychlorinated Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Polychlorinated rheumatoid arthritis sounds like a complicated disease. Well, it sure is. And you certainly don’t want it to happen to you. Simple arthritis is already a big problem. And if it so happens that the name of your disease is as long and complicated as this one, you know that something even worse may come your way. Arthritis is a type of a joint disease. It is characterized by the destruction of the cartilages in the joints, which can be brought about by intense pain and swelling. Arthritis is very common to older individuals. But this doesn’t mean that teen and children are not prone to developing it.
Regular arthritis is different from polychlorinated rheumatoid arthritis in so many ways. But when it comes to the prevention, treatment, and cure of this disease, it is very much similar to the other types of arthritis. The symptoms of polychlorinated rheumatoid arthritis start with simple joint pains and inflammations. Eventually, the patient would experience limited movements when standing up or walking. This more particularly experienced when you’re on a stationary position for quite some time. To be sure though, it is best that you schedule a checkup with a health expert. It is important for you to know if it is polychlorinated rheumatoid arthritis that you’re dealing with or some other type of diseases.
Your doctors would do the necessary diagnosis to pinpoint the problem. They have to be certain that this is the type of arthritis that you indeed have. However, you don’t need your doctor to tell you that a lifestyle change is in order. If you suspect that you have arthritis, you have start living healthy prior to diagnosis. Exercise and diet can help greatly in managing your disease. You should also maintain the right body weight so that your muscles and knees won’t get any worse. Eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly. These are the keys to a healthier life.
Part of your diet change is to keep away from drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking. Smoking puts you at high risk of arthritis because it can impede proper blood circulation. When some parts of your body are not receiving blood, they will not function well. Decreased blood circulation in the fingers and toes could leave them immobile.
The right type of exercise is very important to people with arthritis. There are good exercises and bad exercises. What’s important is that you don’t be lead a sedentary lifestyle. Being couch potato is unhealthy. You have to keep moving. Jog and walk regularly. But don’t overwork those muscles either. Use them as often as you can. This way, you will not only be healthier. You will have a fit and slender body as well.
Arthritis doesn’t have to stop you from performing your daily tasks. With the right course of treatment, you can live actively again. By conferring with your doctor and following his advises, your medical condition can be cured in no time, even if what you have is polychlorinated rheumatoid arthritis.
Edward Chen
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/understanding-polychlorinated-rheumatoid-arthritis-685697.html
Available Arthritis Medicines, Finding The Appropriate
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Most of the medicines used to deal with rheumatic conditions are anti – inflammation and pain relievers, but there are cases in which they may also prevent the damage from getting worse. There is a very large number of available medicines. The appropriate one depends on the nature of the disease and the particularities of the patient. They don’t eradicate the disease but are able to control its symptoms. The exceptions are gout, infectious arthritis and Lyme disease, that may be cured completely by the eradication of the infection.
Medication may be delayed by the necessity to confirm the diagnosis, because it is possible for it to prevent some symptoms to appear during tests. It is necessary for the patients to follow the advice of their health care professionals and to be in close contact with him or her. The doctor must be informed of the possible side effects so that changes will be made to obtain the desired result.
To relief the pain generated by the swelling that is characteristic to arthritis, analgesics (like acetaminophen) and NSAIDs (ibuprofen) are required. The last category also determines the inflammation to back off, but it also develops side effects like stomach problems. The new forms of NSAIDs that use celecoxib are less irritating for the stomach, but they also present short term side effects. Regarding long term effects, the studies are still on progress. The doses will be different from one patient to another by taking into consideration the nature of his disease and his particular symptoms. The doctor must work closely to his patient in order to give him the appropriate analgesic or to change it if necessary.
In some cases DMARDs are necessary. These medications are used to prevent the damage from becoming critical or to slow it down. Some of these medicines are: sulfalazine, leflunomide and methotrexate.
Corticosteroids, especially prednisone, solumedrol, cortisone or hydrocortisone are very effective against the symptoms of certain rheumatic diseases. Their effect consists in the reducing of inflammation and the suppression of the immune system. The dosage depends on every patient’s particularities. They can be found as creams, pills or injections. They may have strong side effects on the stomach including on short term swelling, increased appetite, weight gain and emotional distress. They stop when treatment is stopped. It is dangerous to interrupt immediately so the doses should be gradually decreased. On long term, the side effects are: excessive hair growth, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, stretch marks, high blood sugar, arteries damage, infections and even cataract.
Biological response modifiers such as etanercept, infliximals and anakira are among the latest discoveries referable to arthritis medication. They decrease the inflammation and the damage of the articulations and block the activity of the tumor necrosis factor, a protein used by the immune system to respond to external factors.
Hyaluronic acid takes after a natural substance and lubricates the articulation of the knee. It is administered by injection. Such medications are Hyalgam and Synvisc.
Ethan Armitage
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/available-arthritis-medicines-finding-the-appropriate-115181.html
Arthritis – Causes And Treatment For Arthritis Sufferers
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Many people are surprised to learn that arthritis is not just one disease – it’s actually a group of over a hundred related conditions, all involving stiffness or pain in the body’s joints. And although we have a greater chance of suffering from arthritis as we get older, and the general perception is that it just affects old people – around 60% of people with arthritis are under 65.
The two most common forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by general wear and tear of the joints, leading to damage of the joints and the surrounding tissue. The elderly are more susceptible, as are people who are overweight and those who repeatedly use the same joints. Symptoms generally include pain and swelling and ultimately an inability to use those joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over two million people in the United States; around 70% of those are women. The exact cause of the disease is still not clear, although it’s believed that rheumatoid arthritis can be triggered by various factors including inherited genes, female hormones, and the body’s response to stress and a predisposition to infection.
Any of these factors can cause the body’s immune system to perform poorly, and for the white blood cells to attack the membranes surrounding the joints, known as synovium. This breakdown of the immune system leads to inflammation and swelling of the joints; as anyone with arthritis will verify, it can be extremely painful and can cause permanent damage to the joints and even death.
There are various treatments available to help with the pain of arthritis. These range from an increased amount of rest, an improved diet, increased exercise, the application of heat and cold and even surgery in extreme cases. A wide range of medications are also available – most of these medications will simply relieve the pain, rather than actually cure the arthritis, although some medication can slow down the spread of the disease and prevent other parts of the body from being affected.
Many arthritis sufferers find some relief by using a supportive device, such as a brace, splint or arthritis knee brace. A brace works by supporting the weakened joint and taking some of the pressure off of it; literally allowing the joint to rest. Some such devices allow a little movement; others prevent all movement – it’s important to use a brace or splint correctly otherwise it can actually cause more damage.
A rather odd, but supposedly effective cure for arthritis is deer velvet antler. Around 2,000 years ago, the Chinese first discovered the healing properties of the antler, not just for arthritis but a myriad of other ailments. Antler velvet is the name given to the growing stage of the antlers of male deer – used correctly, the nutrients found in antlers can help to relieve arthritis aches and pains. Antler velvet has been approved by the FDA; it is safe to use and has virtually no side effects.
Arthritis is arguably one of the worst things about aging. With the proper treatment, it needn’t prevent you from enjoying life.
Emeka Ezidiegwu
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/arthritis-causes-and-treatment-for-arthritis-sufferers-675120.html
Dog Arthritis Relief: a Pet Owner’s Manual
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Older dogs are most prone to arthritis and thatâs the sad fact. Arthritis in dogs is very similar to arthritis in humans. And there are no absolute cures yet. The only thing that you can do for now is to manage the disease and make your dog feel comfortable despite its condition.
Old or young dogs with arthritis can still live a normal life if owners just give them what they need to ease the pain. For starters, your dog is going to need comfortable bedding. Arthritis is a joint and muscle condition that could really be crippling. The most you can do is give your pet soft beddings, ideally a rubber foam mattress that is about five inches thick.
Dogs with arthritis would benefit most from regular exercise. However, never allow your dog to perform any extraneous exercises any longer as it may negatively affect their condition. Mild and gentle walking exercises are good enough. Make it a point that you walk your dog a few blocks everyday. Running is discouraged. If your pet is a guard dog or a field dog, maybe you should consider retiring it and just make it a regular household pet.
What complements good exercise is proper diet. Always watch the weight of your dog, especially if it belongs to the larger breeds. These dogs can easily become overweight. But just the same, smaller dogs can be obese. And being overweight limits their daily activities. As such, they wonât be able to do several long walks with you. Whatâs more, your dogâs weight will be putting too much strain on its joints. This aggravates the condition even more. If your dog is overweight, give it a light diet. Donât wait for it to contract arthritis before doing something about its meals.
On the other hand, there are dog food formulas that are especially designed for arthritic dog. Ask your vet about it. Sick dogs require a change in their diet plan. Your vet should be able to provide the right nutritional meals for your pet. He might advise you to use Purinaâs JM dog food or Hillâs RX J/D formula.
It may also be necessary to give your dog commercial medicines to aid in its health. These medicines are again, prescribed by the vet. Give it to your pet as indicated and always bring your dog to its regular checkups. The vet needs to monitor the health of your pet so that it can adjust the medications as needed. Some dogs respond well to certain medicines while others donât. This is the reason why post-diagnosis visits are always crucial. Never miss one or your dog may suffer unnecessarily from arthritis.
Aside from prescription drugs, there are over-the-counter medicines and natural remedies that can help your dog. Aspirin is known to relieve pain and inflammation in pets if used the right way. As for natural medicines, Omega 3 supplements, vitamins, and minerals can contribute so much help alleviate the condition. Under the guidance of the vet, give your dog a combination of these medicines so it can live longer and much happier with you.
Florin Albu
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-arthritis-relief-a-pet-owners-manual-687737.html
When should I be worried about my 1 month old possibly having Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Posted by: | CommentsMy husbands niece just found out she has Rheumatoid Arthritis & my husbands dad has it also. My father-in-law just told me his dad had some form of Arthritis. When should I be concerned if my son has it? When can they start tests to see if has it? Thanks in advance for your answers!
I would not start testing your son right now (or in the immediate future.) arthritis can show up at any time, but it’s not detectable ahead of time. Instead be aware of the symptoms of arthritis: pain, redness, swelling, and/or heat concentrated in the joints; stiffness in the morning, or long periods of inactivity; reduced range of motion in the joints; general signs of being unwell (lethargy, reduced appetite, etc.) Joint symptoms with RA are usually symmetrical. It most commonly occurs in the hands, but can occur in other joints as well. If your kids does start showing those symptoms, try to get an appt. with a rheumatologist *quickly.* If necessary, giving your GP a list of symptoms, a family history, and a request for a referral should get you to a rheumy fairly promptly.
Chronic Joint Pain Caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of chronic joint pain expressed by stiffness, swelling and loss of functionality of the joint. One thing that is very likely in rheumatoid arthritis is a symmetrical pattern to the pain. That is, when one knee or hand is involved, the other one will generally be affected as well. The most common joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis are in the fingers and wrists. Unfortunately, this form of chronic joint pain can also cause fevers, fatigue and an overall unwell feeling.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be very serious. Because of the way in which this form of chronic joint pain develops, it can affect the heart, eyes, and lungs as well.  Rheumatoid arthritis is actually a systemic disorder, which is why it affects so many different parts of the body.
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown, but medical professionals have long suspected that a virus, bacteria, or fungus may be the cause. Many professionals also believe that genetics plays a large role.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are different for everyone, and they may not be constant. You will feel the pain when the disease is active, because this is when the joints become inflamed. Those with rheumatoid arthritis will often call this a “flare up.” When the arthritis is in remission, or inactive, the inflammation subsides. This can occur on its own or with treatment. Some people can go weeks, months, or years without another flare up, but the disorder will usually come back after a time, along with all of its symptoms. It’s just a matter of when.  The length of time someone is without an active flare-up will differ from the next person.
As mentioned previously, because this form of chronic joint pain is systemic, it can also affect the organs in the body. Sjogrenâs Syndrome is when the glands of the mouth and eyes become inflamed and dry out. Pleuritis is the rheumatoid inflammation of the sac lining the lungs. This causes coughing when you breath in deeply. It is also possible for the lung tissue to become inflamed, which sometimes causes small nodules or sacs to form in the lungs. When the tissue surrounding the heart is inflamed, it is called pericarditis. If you have pericarditis, the intensity in pain will change with different positions such as leaning or laying down. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause the number of blood cells to decrease, lowing your body’s ability to fight off infections.
If you suspect that you might have chronic joint pain, you should talk with your doctor about what symptoms you are having and any other concerns. Your doctor will then go through your symptoms with you, examining the timing of each of them and checking your joints for any inflammation or deformities. You may have X-rays taken, as well as blood samples.
If you believe you have rheumatoid arthritis or if you are diagnosed with chronic joint pain, your doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist, who specializes in arthritis and the symptoms and disorders that may come with it.
Alan King
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/chronic-joint-pain-caused-by-rheumatoid-arthritis-719567.html
Degenerative Arthritis: What You Can Do to Reduce the Risks
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Degenerative arthritis or Osteoarthritis is one of the two tougher forms of the disease, with the other one being rheumatoid arthritis.
Common Causes of Degenerative Arthritis
Degenerative arthritis happens when cartilage of one or more of your joints are either partially damaged or completely broken down. Your joints contain a fluid known as the Synovial fluid. They provide lubrication to the joints and assist them in performing effectively. Once these fluids dry sown, the cartilages no more get lubrication and start turning brittle. This results in greater friction and cartilage death.
Degenerative arthritis or OA is a biological anomaly heightened by age. Parts, which are most prone to OA, are hands, feet, and spine, obviously apart from the weight-registering joints like hips. Degenerative arthritis fuels the pain as it causes growth of new bones or spurs in place of cartilage. These bones move awkwardly in absence of synovial fluid and cause the agony.
Effects of Degenerative Arthritis
Patient suffering from Osteoarthritis suffer great pain when they try to stand or walk. Others can hardly feel the effort, as they have to make for each joint movement.
Tips for Reducing the Risk of Degenerative Arthritis
l Control Obesity
Obesity is believed to be one of the causes for the disease. To minimize the risk of OA, you can always cut down on your body weight. This seems like a logical train of thought. Higher your body weight, more the weight bearing joints have to bear. With time, their capacity to keep taking the load decreases. This can result in wearing away of cartilage.
l Joint Range Program
Degenerative arthritis might also be the result of some injury. In the event of a sustained injury to the joints, it is recommended to go for activity modification. A joint range program can be really fruitful in tackling the issue.
l Do Regular Exercises
Regular exercises and intermittent rest is known to have great bearing in reducing the chances of the disease. If you have already started on the dreary roads of arthritis, it is advisable to go for swimming and walking regularly. These will improve blood circulation and may result in re-blossoming of damaged cartilage. This way, the risk of aggravation can be reduced. If the pain is overbearing, the condition may soon get aggravated. Such risk needs to be minimized at all costs. It is also advisable to use localized heating prior to exercise. Once you are through with the regimen, you can go ahead with cold packs. This sets in positive motion in troubled joints and also alleviates the pain.
Moist Heat Therapy
Moist heat therapy is known to work pretty well for all kinds of joint inflammations. Proper health care personnel, who know about the specific issues related to joint swelling, should be consulted. If you have any doubts and think that perhaps the disease is on setting, it is advisable to go for MRI, Arthroscopy, or Arthrocentesis. These can help a great deal in nipping the disease in the bud stage.
While there are many medical treatments, which give relief and also partially cure the disease, itâs always better to keep the risk element reduced. You can always start with weight loss measures, if obesity is the monster that harasses you.
To Your Health!
James S. Pendergraft
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/degenerative-arthritis-what-you-can-do-to-reduce-the-risks-719009.html
Why Do Steroids Help Treat Arthritis?
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Letâs start off with two facts. Prednisone was approved for use in 1955. It is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and so helps to treat arthritis. When a drug has a track record of more than fifty years, you respect its effectiveness. No medication survives in todayâs highly competitive market unless it delivers. On that basis alone, it would be right to recommend its continuing use. But, like every other simple truth, this needs just a little qualification. Your body naturally produces cortisol. This is a hormone and it helps to reduce inflammation by modifying the way in which the immune systems works. Inflammation is actually a good sign. That sounds counter-intuitive so, to explain, when your body is invaded by bacteria, viruses and other foreign matter, your white blood cells gather round to defend you against infections and other damage. That swelling, pain and redness are signs the white blood cells are doing their job. All you have to do is to slow down and let the battle continue. Except that sometimes your immune system does not work as it should. If it becomes overactive, too many white blood cells are released and can cause tissue damage. Prednisone and other steroids reduce the activity level of the immune system and modify the way in which the white blood cells function. This distinguishes them from the anabolic steroids whose function is to build up muscle mass. Thus, used in low doses over a period of time, Prednisone can reduce the stiffness and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. If there is a serious increase in the pain from arthritis, a short burst of a high dose can bring rapid relief by reducing the swelling in the joints. Because there can sometimes be uncertainty as to the extent of an oral dose required, steroids can be injected directly into the tissue close to the affected joints. This has the further benefit that relief comes more immediately and reduces the amount of steroid in your body. Less steroid in your body means a lower risk of side effects. The best course of treatment combines the use of the lowest possible doses of Prednisone with other anti-inflammatories and physical therapy to improve mobility in the joints. This allows the steroid to be used for longer with reduced risk of side effects. Indeed, with constant monitoring of the condition, the dose for Prednisone should be continuously reduced as the condition improves.
John Scott