Taming My Arthritis

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

Let’s 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 today’s 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

Our pets experience many of the same maladies as we do. One of the more prevalent physical ailments in dogs is arthritis. Dogs will experience joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue; these symptoms are also found in humans who have arthritis. Here is some information on arthritis in dogs.

Symptoms

Dogs will develop the symptoms of arthritis as they age. The most prominent symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. The dog will have difficulty getting up from a lying position or walking for long distances. The dog may limp or hesitate to climb stairs. The joints may be deteriorating with age, or they may be inflamed. The symptoms of arthritis can be alleviated with medication, exercise, and diet.

Medication

Prescription medication can alleviate arthritis in dogs faster than exercise and diet. Veterinarians can prescribe medications that alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Some of the drugs currently being prescribed are Deramaxx, Metacam, Rimadyl, and Zubrin. These medications are available only through a veterinarian’s prescription, and they have been proven to be safe for long-term use. Medication will not provide a complete cure for a dog’s arthritis; however, it will improve the quality of the dog’s life, replace pain with comfort, and result in a happier, more content animal.

Exercise

When dogs experience arthritis, exercise is recommended to keep the animals’ joints limber and flexible. In addition, exercise provides weight control for older dogs, as they tend to acquire weight with age. Veterinarians recommend that owners who have dogs with arthritis give them light, limited exercise. The animal can withstand brief walks lasting about 15 to 20 minutes on flat surfaces. Walks can occur every two or three days. Energetic, strenuous activity should be avoided, and, if possible, dogs with arthritis should be walked on soft surfaces, such as grass or wet sand.

Diet

Diet is important for animals, regardless of their health. Dogs that experience arthritis should not be overweight because excess pounds can aggravate arthritic symptoms. In addition, a healthy diet can help sustain dental health. Two of the most popular and effective products are Iam’s Weight Control and Science Diet Oral Care. Iam’s products are sold in grocery stores, pet stores, and veterinarian’s offices. Science Diet products are sole in pet stores. In addition, Purina makes a dog food called JM Joint Mobility; this product is produced for dogs with arthritis, and it contains supplements that promote joint health.

An owner of a dog with arthritis can take a proactive approach to helping his or her pet. The owner can provide a comfortable, easily accessible place to sleep. Information on pet beds can be obtained from pet stores and on the internet. If the dog is living in an area with a cold winter climate, a heating source such as a space heater can help alleviate arthritic symptoms. Some dogs like to sleep under blankets, and they will make use of an old bedspread or comforter. Wearing a coat in inclement weather (cold, rain, or snow) will help alleviate the dog’s joint pain.

When an owner suspects that a dog is developing arthritis, it is recommended that they make an appointment with a veterinarian for a diagnostic checkup, medication, and home-care recommendations. A prompt appointment will prevent unnecessary pain and discomfort. Also, it will maintain and prolong the dog’s quality of life.

David Beart
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/arthritis-in-dogs-257527.html

Can giving him the oil have any side effects?

You should bring your dog to the Vet 1st & if it’s indeed a severe case of arthritis, the doctor would probably prescribe some medication/supplements for it & pain killers as well if it is in pain. I don’t think cod liver oil will do any good for his arthritis problem. Too much of it is no good. It’ll be too high in Vitamin A & that could make it’s problem worse if given too much.

Glucosamine will help a lot but you need to BLAST/OVERDOSE your dog on it & then there’ll be results. Don’t worry, it’s absolutely 100% safe & won’t kill your dog. It’s just a supplement & will help to cushion the joints. For a bigger dog like the Border Collie for example, it should take 2000mg twice a day so since your dog is a small dog, then give it 1000mg twice a day. You’ll probably see less of your dog limping or have some sort of hardening on the affected areas after a few weeks on it.

I’d recommend you getting Glucosamine made for humans from pharmacies. They work better than many that are made for pets & they’re not as expenssive too. Even Vets & Nutritionists recommend human ones instead of the pet ones. But if you do want to get the one that’s made for dogs, then get Synoquin. I don’t know if your country sells it or not but that one is expenssive & really effective. You’ll also need to blast your dog on it to see any results.

AND if your dog is allergic to shellfish because many Pekingese & other dogs are allergic to them & many of the Glucosamine nowadays are made from shellfish, then get one that’s made for pets called Natural Pet All-Vegetarian. It’s glucosamine without any shellfish inside.

I was given a prescription for Ketoprophen a few years ago and now I think I am having side effects. There were a few taken off the market a few years ago due to heart defects and my insurance wouldn’t pay for one that seemed helpful.
I’m wondering if there is something new I could ask my doctor about?

Exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day, and get a full eight hours of sleep at night. Avoid any exercise that produces joint pain that lasts an hour after the exercise is over. Don’t attempt to "walk off the pain."

Humira is a medication that is used to treat many types of diseases but mainly for the help in relieving the symptoms of arthritis. If your doctor has told you about this medication, you will find that it is one of the most effective treatments for arthritis conditions. Most that are told about it, though, don’t have any idea what makes Humira work. If you have questions about your condition or why this medication should work for you, talk with your doctor about it. First and foremost, he is your line of information. To help you, though, there are a number of answers you can find right here.

How It Works

For starters, you may be wondering how Humira works. This medication is called a TNF-a blocker. That means that it blocks the body from making proteins that lead to the pain your feel in your joints. Those that have rheumatoid arthritic have too much of the substance called TNF-a in their bodies. When that happens, a build up of proteins inside the tissues and joints of your body causes those joints to become very hard to move and at the same time very painful. Humira works by telling the body that you don’t need to produce that substance and actually stops it from happening as much as possible.

Life With Humira

Taking Humira is easy. Most patients only need to get this medication one time every two weeks. While you can have your doctor do it, you can also do it yourself, at home, in your own privacy. To take the medication, you simply will need to inject it into the location that you are told to by your doctor. The good news is that this is virtually painless and there are no pill style medications to forget about.

You and your doctor will work out a plan of treatment for your rheumatoid arthritis. Not only will it include Humira, but you are likely to take other medications along with it. Why do you need more than one medication? There are several key things that are happening in your joints when you have this condition. Not only do you need something to turn off the protein production, which is what Humira does, but you also need something for the pain you feel.

Most doctors will prescribe a pain medication to help you to get as much mobility from your joint as possible. They will likely give you an oral medication to be taken daily. These medications can also be coupled with physical therapy to help increase the range of motion in the joint as well as to strengthen the muscle there.

Learning as much as you can about Humira is a vitally important thing to do. Those that are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis need a medication to increase the quality of life that they have. This medication can do just that. Work with your doctor to determine the right course of action to take as well as the medication treatment that’s right for your condition.

Greg Marsh
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/do-you-have-questions-about-humira-92117.html

Lupus is a medical condition for which there is no cure. Many people have tried to find a cure for lupus, but unfortunately they have not succeeded. However, there are treatments available for lupus. If you are diagnosed early in the lupus state and are given a proper treatment for lupus, there are big chances that you will be able to manage the lupus symptoms very well and even lower your risk of damaging some organs because of lupus.

If you are one of the lupus patients, then you know that after you have been diagnosed with lupus, you will be assessed to see if there is major damage in your organs. You will be given a treatment for lupus according to the extent of this condition and the activity of the lupus. After the doctor has carefully examined your lupus case, you can be given medication that you can take from the pharmacies without any prescription of your treatment for lupus can be more severe. Depending on the lupus case that you have, therapy, changes in your diet and even in your lifestyle might be necessary if you have lupus. There are many medication that are available to treat lupus and are also approved by researchers that have studied the lupus case. Drugs that have no steroids in them and relieve the aching of your joints are very good if you suffer from lupus. Another medication that is given to lupus patients are antimalarial medication. These drugs are good in lupus cases because they can help you with your skin rashes

or if you have arthritis, another sign of lupus. Immunosuppressive agents are also drugs that doctors give in lupus cases.

There are also some tricks to use if you suffer from lupus:

- if you have a lupus flare, be careful to get as much rest as you can;

- if your lupus is in remission, then try to exercise much to make your joints more flexible;

- if the rash that you have if suffering from lupus persists, go to your doctor and talk with him/ her about using a cortisone cream that can relieve the rash, a lupus symptom;

Even if there is not available cure for lupus yet, researchers say that there is hope. Over the last couple of years, the method to diagnose lupus and to treat lupus has changed very much. Scientists and doctors are also working to find a cure for lupus.

So if you want to find more about systemic lupus or more details about symptoms of lupus please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/lupus-treatment-131463.html

There are lots of veterinary and pet medication websites to be found on the Internet nowadays, and all claim to be the foremost authority and source for your pet’s needs. Buying medication for your pet is okay, as long as you know exactly what you’re buying and the proper amounts to administer to your pet. Thus, the professional advice of a registered veterinarian is invaluable. The information to be found in this article does not intend to replace the care of a professional; its purpose is to be used as an educational guide to your pet’s medications only.

Adequan
In treating arthritis, injections are given twice a week for 4 weeks for a maximum of eight injections. Injections are given intramuscularly. Dogs, cats, and horses are the usual patients.

Buspirone Hydrochloride
In veterinary medicine, buspirone has been especially helpful in the treatment of phobias (such as fear of thunder, people in uniform, etc.) and in the treatment of urine marking in cats.

Carprofen
Carprofen is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the same class as such common over-the-counter remedies as Advil (ibuprofen), Orudis (ketoprofen), and aspirin. The chief use for such drugs in the dog has been pain relief, usually joint pain or post-surgical pain relief.

Cephalexin
Cephalexin is a good broad spectrum antibiotic, which means it is useful in most common and uncomplicated infections.

Chlorpheniramine Maleate
It’s an antihistamine and it’s used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites, and to manage itchy skin.

Clemastine fumarate
Clemastine fumarate is one of the more effective antihistamines albeit relatively expensive. Its efficacy makes it a common first choice for itchy skin. It has found to be helpful in 30% of itchy dogs and 50% of itchy cats.

Diazepam
There are many uses for this medication since it is effective as an anti-anxiety medication, a muscle relaxant, an appetite stimulant, and a seizure control drug.

Diphenhydramine
Most obviously, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and it’s used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites.

Enrofloxacin
This medication may be used in either dogs or cats to combat different types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas.

Fenbendazole
In dogs, it is useful against roundworms, hookworms, and the more difficult to treat whipworms.

Griseofulvin
This medication is used to treat ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin involving fungi.

Meclizine hydrochloride
An excellent product for people that can also be used for car-sick pets, meclizine hydrochloride is generally used for nausea relief due to motion sickness.

Metoclopramide
Motility disorders are common and may be chronic or of sudden onset. When motility is reduced in the stomach, food pools there and creates a sensation of nausea and bloating.

Orbifloxacin
Orbifloxacin may be used in dogs and cats to combat different types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas. This medication is also active against Staphylococci, and thus is commonly used for skin infections.

Phenobarbital
In dogs and cats, phenobarbital is probably the first choice for seizure suppression. It is effective, safe if used responsibly, and is one of the least expensive medications in all of veterinary practice.

Phenylpropanolamine
Phenylpropanolaminecan be used to help control appetite or as a decongestant, but in veterinary medicine it is used almost exclusively for the control of urinary incontinance in the female dog.

Pyrantel pamoate is effective against numerous parasitic worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, and stomach worms. When a new puppy or kitten is adopted and has been said to have been dewormed, the chances are it is this product that was used.

Ranitidine
Ranitidine is useful in any situation where stomach irritation is an issue and ulceration is a concern.

Terbinafine
Terbinafine has activity against other types of fungi but at this time it is mostly used against ringworm.

Trimethoprim Sulfa
Trimethoprim sulfa is known by many names as it’s a commonly used antibiotic in both human and veterinary medicine. It’s become a popular choice thanks to its broad spectrum and inexpensive cost.

Chiun Master
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/common-pet-medications-135142.html

If you dislike taking over the counter or prescription medications to control your stiff, swollen joints, consider trying a holistic treatment for arthritis pain.

These treatments allow patients to avoid medications that can potentially interact with current medications or conditions while still ensuring they are free from pain and keep their range of mobility.

Although a holistic treatment for arthritis pain may seem unusual or unique, many of these treatments have garnered a great deal of success in patients of all advancements of the disease.

Furthermore, these treatments will allow arthritis sufferers to experience a better overall sense of health and well-being, since the treatments tend to focus on the entire body instead of just the afflicted area.

When it comes to finding a holistic treatment for arthritis pain, consult your physician regarding alternative options to traditional prescription medications.

More and more arthritis sufferers are choosing these homeopathic treatments, especially with the recent controversy surrounding Vioxx, the prescription medication proposed as a cure-all for arthritis pain, but proved to cause more serious problems, including heart problems and even strokes.

Consider ancient Eastern exercises like Tai Chi. This slow moving and stretching form of exercise is popular with individuals of all ages.

In addition to slowly using all the muscles and joints in the body, Tai Chi is an excellent way to achieve an introspective look.

Another great alternative method for treating arthritis pain is to consult an acupuncturist.

Using age old techniques for identifying the parts of the body thought to be connected, your pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with arthritis can be diminished.

Another homeopathic method of treating arthritis without using prescription medication is to use all natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals instead.

This is an excellent way to ensure you do not experience any problems with arthritis while not being at risk for drug interactions.

Mike Herman
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/try-holistic-treatment-for-arthritis-pain-11203.html