Taming My Arthritis

Arthritis in dogs is more common than one may think. It is one of the most common health problems seen by veterinarians.  Unfortunately, dogs that suffer arthritis are unable to tell us about it.

Arthritis in dogs is quite common in older dogs, and it is more noticeable in the larger dogs than in the smaller ones. That doesn’t mean smaller dogs do not suffer joint problems, it is just more pronounced in the larger breeds. The larger dogs have greater difficulty moving around than the smaller ones when affected by arthritis. It is important for dog owners to be observant of their dog’s behavior and recognize the symptoms when their pet is ailing.

Your dog may have arthritis if you notice:

• Your dog is favoring a limb
• Your dog  has difficulty sitting down, getting up or standing
• Your dog sleep more than usual. Animals reduce their metabolic rate to reduce pain.
• Your dog appears to have stiff or sore joints and difficulty in walking.
• Your dog doesn’t want to jump, run or climb stairs anymore
• Your dog is gaining weight due to less exercise
• Your dog is less active or less interested in play

Unfortunately the early warning signs of arthritis in dogs are rarely noticed by dog owners and veterinarians because animals have the tendency to ignore the discomfort until the arthritis affects the joints significantly. Arthritis in dogs can be very difficult to diagnose since the dog may not limp or appear to be in pain. Arthritis causes swelling in the joints and movement becomes restricted.

Joints have a susceptibility to any number of diseases, including arthritis. Any damage to a joint may produce arthritis. It can occur in any joint but is seen most often in the hip, elbow, knee and stifle.

It is important for your dog to rest comfortably on a bed that will help to ease the discomfort. Heated dog beds are great for dogs with arthritis or older dogs suffering from other aches. There are few better methods of letting your dog sleep off the pain than with one of these beds. Heated dog beds are equipped with built-in thermostats which allow you to control the temperature and create a snug warm place for your dog to sleep. Many have built-in thermometers that automatically adjust the warmth according to your dog’s temperature and the ambient air temperature to provide heat when needed.

I have been using heated dog beds for years for each of my dogs as they have grown older and are terrific for dogs recovering from sickness or injury. Most dogs enjoy cuddling deep into their heated beds when the weather is terrible and the nights are cold. Heated dog beds are a great idea during the winter months.

Heated dog beds have been specially designed to deal with dog’s nails and claws and are very durable.

Contrary to the belief of many people, not all dogs like to be outside and certainly no dog likes to be cold. They suffer from the cold just as we do and suffer arthritis just as we do. Do your dog a favor and ease their joints with warm and comfortable sleeping conditions. I recommend using a heated dog bed.

Ian Patterson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/heated-dog-beds-a-great-way-to-beat-arthritis-in-dogs-678685.html

Could someone please explain the main difference(s) between Gout and arthritis. My late father had Gout, which mainly affected his knees, and was always getting grouchy when people claimed he was arthritic, saying it was totally different.

Also, as his 27 year old son, I am concerned that I am going to get it, or already have gout. Bearing in mind that my father never drank port, or any of the other cliches, any suggestions as to how I could put it off as long as possible?

An Uncle (by marriage) had gout. It would swell up in his feet
and some days he had to stay in bed because it was so bad.
He came from a well-to-do family, so it may have something
to do with it. He ate and drank well all his life, and loved
kidneys, oxtail, pigs trotters etc. If you refrain from doing
what my Uncle did, you should be OK.

Arthritis is the cartilage wearing away. A lot of people have
it, and they mostly have it in their arms, tho’ some have it
in their legs.

I have been suffering from frozen shoulder since the last 3 years & rheumatoid arthritis from 1 year back. How long will it take for me to get cured?

Well, there is no cure for arthritis, so treatment is typically focused on keeping it from getting worse.

However, exercise and diet can be a very effective way to help mitigate the effects of the disease. Make sure to check with your doctor first and ask them about what types of foods and exercises are safe, but generally low impact exercises work very well with those who have arthritis.

This includes things like water aerobics, walking, and yoga, all of which can help strengthen the muscles and reduce joint pain, without making the disease worse. Exercises to avoid are ones like running, which put a lot of shock on the joints.

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

My 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.

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

Patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have poor prognostic factors or rapidly progressive disease are considered to be candidates for early treatment with biologic drugs such as TNF-inhibitors.

These drugs are targeted therapies that act on tumor necrosis factor, a cytokine, to block its action in the immune response that is out of whack in patients with RA. Cytokines are chemical messengers that are produced by cells to permit signaling among each other.

TNF-inhibitors may be used in conjunction with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) such as methotrexate, although they may also be used alone.

Since their first use approximately fifteen years ago, much information has become gleaned from clinical experience as well as clinical research trials.

About one-third of patients with RA treated with anti-TNF drugs fail to respond. This failure of response is called primary treatment failure.

And another significant percentage of patients lose response over time. This phenomenon is termed secondary treatment failure.

Patients with primary treatment failure are generally switched to another anti-TNF drug with a different mechanism of action.

Patients who experience secondary failure can have their dose of drug increased either by increasing the amount of drug given or by decreasing the interval between doses of drug.

Anti-TNF drugs do come with potential serious side effects that must be monitored for.

These include an increased risk of infection as well as a possible increase in risk of cancer reoccurrence (although this is highly speculative). TNF-inhibitors can also increase the risk of tuberculosis.In addition, an increased incidence of other fungal infections such as histoplasmosis and coccidiodomycosis has also been noted.

Other potential side effects include a risk of neurological syndromes that mimic multiple sclerosis and injection site reactions.

Options for patients who have developed failure to TNF-inhibitor treatment include switching to either abatacept (Orencia) or rituximab (Rituxan).

Abatacept acts to block the activation of T-cells which are felt to play a significant role in the immune response.

Rituximab acts by depleting B-cells, which are also felt to be a significant contributor to the role of RA progression.

Another drug that is waiting in the wings is tocilizumab (Actemra). This drug inhibits the action of interleukin-6, another cytokine that has multiple effects on the immune system. Actemra has many desirable effects but because interleukin-6 is so ubiquitous, it also has some undesirable effects as well. These include elevation of liver enzymes as well as elevation of lipids.

Other drugs that have even different mechanisms of action include the various protein kinase inhibitors such as the Syk and JAK inhibitors that are currently being studied. These drugs have multiple effects on the immune system and are attractive because unlike anti-TNF drugs, protein kinase drugs are taken orally. However, they too have potentially undesirable side effects that must be accounted for.

The current buzz is the development of biomarker profiles that will potentially allow customized therapies for RA patients. By biopsying the synovium (lining of the joint)and identifying the biomarkers that are present within the synovium, it may be possible to “customize” the correct drug or combination of drugs that will get a patient into remission.

This will provide a much more targeted approach to treatment and may potentially lead to a cure for this devastating disease.

Nathan Wei
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/what-every-rheumatoid-arthritis-patient-should-know-about-antitnf-drugs-674250.html

I can’t take any nsaids to help relieve the pain for inflamation and arthritis. Because of my medications I already take, I was trying to find a external cream that might help.

I am cursed with arthritis in my knees at a young age (im 23). I personally like Icy Hot. Walmart has an equate brand that is half the price that I use. It’s the same active ingredients. The only downside to creams is that they don’t last for more than an hour… two at the most. Also, a word of advice… never use them when you have just gotten out of the pool/shower. They work by reacting with the oxygen in the air and when you’re wet it must speed up that reaction or something because it burns really bad.

What has helped my knees is a good electric massager. Get the kind that plugs in so you don’t have to buy batteries. I’ve actually had arthritis since I was 17, and it used to be my mom, but now my wife that will massage the backs of my knees while I lay on my stomach. It helps me a ton.

Also, you might be able to take Glucosmine Condroiten (I doubt I spelled that right) with the medicines you are taking. I would ask your doctor though. What it does is help your body produce more of the fluid that cushions your joints; almost like oiling a machine

I may have arthritis in my knees (still waiting for x-ray results). How can I continue to actively participate in sports and exercise without causing further damage. Right now, I can’t bend or go up a flight of stairs without pain.

I had a very swollen left knee last yr. It kept me in pain a lot of the time. It got so bad I could hardly walk without pain. I went to see a Specialist and he took a MRI. The knee showed arthritis behind the knee cap. The surgeon said that all he could do was to give me a cortisone shot in my knee,. This worked wonderfully and I no longer have pain or swelling. Its been over a yr. already and my knee is still painless. Cocoa