Posts Tagged ‘arthritis relief’
Herbal Remedies for Arthritis Relief : Prevention :- Pain.
April 14, 2012 | 
Author Arthritis relief
With so many dangers of arthritis drugs like Vioxx and Naproxin recently exposed, it's no wonder more and more people are turning to herbal remedies for relief. Here are a few herbs that will treat arthritis pain and joint inflammation.
For thousands of years, the Chinese have used ginger to treat arthritis. Recent studies have shown that ginger is helpful in relieving pain from both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The Scottish and other Nordic peoples discovered years ago that Cod Liver Oil reduced pain and stiffness in the joints, especially during the frigid winter months. Cod Liver Oil is available in supplement form at most health food stores, and has been shown in studies to have numerous health benefits, including reduction of pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
Glucosamine has also recently been tested for the treatment of arthritis pain, and proven very effective for reducing pain from osteoarthritis. Glucosamine also works to repair joint damage and rehabilitate the cartilage.
Everyone's body produces glucosamine, but as your body grows older production slows down. This causes cartilage in weight-bearing joints to harden, and become painful. Glucosamine therapy can help repair damage and reduce pain, in both humans and in pets.
All these and more herbal remedies are available at most health food stores. Additionally, herbal creams can be purchased, many made with peppermint and/or rosemary, that are very soothing when applied topically (mint and rosemary are natural analgesics).
You do not have to take drugs to relieve your arthritis pain. Stop worrying about dangerous side effects. Talk to your doctor about controlling arthritis pain naturally.
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Health-Fitness-Solutions.com. He provides more health related advice and arthritis relief information [http://www.health-fitness-solutions.com/Arthritis-Relief.html] that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
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More About Arthritis Medication | Prevention :- Pain :- Causes – Drugs.
More About Arthritis
Patients should have a basic knowledge about the drugs available for arthritis, so that they can help in the decision as to which arthritis drug doctor might prescribe. It is very important to consider any other arthritis medications that you are already taking, as these when mixed with another drug could have very dangerous side effects. So, please inform your doctor of current medications!
Now we will take a look at some of the NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These are among some of the most commonly prescribed arthritis drugs.
There are three types of NSAIDs, including aspirin, and they work by blocking the activity of the enzyme, cyclooxygenase, also known as COX. Research has revealed that there are two arthritis forms, known as COX-1 and COX-2. NSAIDs will affect both types. COX-1 is involved in maintaining healthy tissue, while COX-2 is involved in inflammation. A new set of drugs, also NSAIDs was created through the research into COX-2. (COX-2 inhibitors).
Some well known NSAIDs are, Arthrotec (Diclofenac/Misoprostol), Ansaid (Flurbiprofen) and Cataflan (Diclofenac potassium). These three arthritis drugs are used to treat the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Arthrotec combines diclofenac with misoprostol. The misoprostol is added for the purpose of lowering the possibilty of stomach problems.
The NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation in the arthritis affected joints. They do this by blocking an enzyme, which is highly involved in the inflammation process, it is called cyclooxygenase. This converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Prostaglandins cause some of the inflammations. So, by stopping the cyclooxygenase, the NSAIDs reduce any inflammation.
Any one type of arthritis drug might react differently to a particular person. If you are prescribed arthritis drug, and it doesn't work for you, there is probably another form of it that might react in a better manner to your body.
Some years ago one of the COX-2 selective inhibitor drugs, Vioxx, was voluntarily withdrawn from the market. It was proven that long-term use could increase risk of heart attack and stroke. After this, a review by the FDA deemed that all non-aspirin NSAIDs must carry a warning, and It is important to discuss the potential risks with your doctor. There is now only one COX-2 inhibitor on the market, Celebrex.
About 60% of patients will react to NSAID treatments, and usually a trial period of about three to four weeks should allow enough time to know if the drug is working.
It is possible that NSAIDs can hide the signs and symptoms of other infections.
Some of the adverse effects of NSAIDs are kidney failure, liver malfunction, bleeding, and stomach ulcers.
NSAIDs can interfere with drugs used to control high blood pressure and cardiac failure. If you are taking medication for a heart complaint, or high blood pressure, then it is essential that you tell your doctor, so that he/she will prescribe the correct drug for you.
Some other drugs, such as warfarin, react with the NSAIDs, and so, again, you should discuss any new medications with your doctor before starting them, and visa versa you should always tell any other doctor treating you that you are taking NSAIDs.
You should not take NSAIDs if you are allergic to aspirin.
It is not possible to predict which NSAID will be best for you. Non of them have been proven to be better than any other for pain relief. Once an NSAID has been selected, the dosage can be increased gradually until pain is relieved or until the maximum advised dose has been reached. You should use the lowest dose possible, that relieves your suffering.
I am an arthritis sufferer, and have been for many years, and I have developed a diet that controls the arthritis to the point where I have very little inflammation, and no pain at all. All this without the aid of any medication.
For more help, please see: www.arthritis-solutions.co.uk
Also see YouTube; www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4l8RcZ6FAI
Posted in Anti Arthris Diet, Arthritis causes, arthritis pain, Arthritis Prevention, Arthritis relief suggestions, Arthritis symptoms, Arthritis Treatments, Arthrits | Tags: About, Arthritis, arthritis causes, arthritis drugs, arthritis pain, arthritis prevention, arthritis relief, arthritis symptoms, Medication | Comments Closed
New Arthritis Drug Fares Well in Trials :- Pain : Relief | Drugs :- Causes.
New Arthritis Drug
.jpg "New Arthritis Drug Fares Well in Trials : Pain : Relief | Drugs : Causes.")
A novel pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been found to be both safe and effective in its late Stage III trials.
Golimumab, the drug being tested is an immunosuppressive drug that targets tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), which is a pro-inflammatory molecule.
Objectives Met During Trials
During the first two trial the anti-TNF medicine was successful in reducing symptoms of arthritis (RA) by at least 20 percent, which was also the main objective of the trials.
Further, a unique result of the trial was that after 14 weeks of arthritis drug therapy, the new arthritis drug provided relief even to those patients whose condition didn't respond well to some standard anti-TNF medicines.
This very fact raises hopes for some 20% of the arthritis patients whose conditions aren't controlled well by the existing arthritis drugs. The muslculoskeletal system drug once launched, is meant to be delivered to arthritis patients on a monthly basis. Even though it doesn't belong to a completely new class of arthritis drugs, the molecule is surely a freshman to the family of anti-TNF formulations.
The most commonly reported side effect of the new arthritis drug was a mild irritation where it was injected, overall it was well accepted by arthritis patients.
Unmet Objectives During Trials
Despite the overall success of the new arthritis drug, it fell short of meeting the objectives of another Stage III trial, wherein it couldn't relieve symptoms by at least 50% in patients who hadn't been treated previously with methotrexate, an old oral medicine. However, the symptomatic relief by at least 20 percent was replicated successfully.
To learn more about the new pharmaceutical drug being developed, follow me through the URL below.
http://smilinghealth.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-arthritis-drug-fares-well-in-trials.html
Posted in Anti Arthris Diet, Arthritis causes, arthritis pain, Arthritis Prevention, Arthritis relief suggestions, Arthritis symptoms, Arthritis Treatments, Arthrits | Tags: Arthritis, arthritis causes, arthritis drugs, arthritis pain, arthritis prevention, arthritis relief, arthritis symptoms, arthritis treatments, Fares, Trials | 31 Comments »
New Arthritis Medications Developed | Drugs – Pain : Symptoms.
New Arthritis Medications
People who have long been suffering because of joint diseases such as arthritis are given a sigh of relief with newly developed medications. While these drugs do not at all promise to cure the debilitating condition, they are seen to significantly reduce pain, alleviate the symptoms and perhaps slow down the progression of arthritis.
While arthritis primarily hits the elder population, people of different age groups may still develop the disease because of a variety of factors. However old one is or whatever cause the arthritis may have come from, it can be quite a debilitating illness because of the pain and discomfort that results from it. Thus, alleviating the symptoms of arthritis is the primary concern for most patients.
Normally, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, or NSAIDs are used to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation caused by arthritis. People are quite familiar with aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen which are readily available over the counter safely. The downside with such drugs, however, is that they can cause complications with the stomach such as ulcers, bleeding, and indigestion. Such drugs are also known as blood thinners which may make patients vulnerable to bleeding, high blood pressure, and fluid retention.
A special type of NSAID could be used instead, specifically those known as COX-2. They perform the same function as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment for arthritis but they do not cause much complications with the stomach. Such type of arthritis drugs work by inhibiting the release of coclooxygenase, an enzyme which is seen to be involved with inflammation. The disadvantage with COX-2 inhibitors however is they still have the side effects of high blood pressure and fluid retention as other NSAIDs. Moreover, these drugs have been observed to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Another type of medicine, known as corticosteroids, is now seen to be quite helpful in reducing inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. They also help control the damages caused by arthritis to joints. A lot of patients who took corticosteroids report that they felt significant relief from their arthritis. The downside with this type of drugs is that their effectiveness may diminish over time and they can also increase risks of weight gain, diabetes and reduced bone density.
Because arthritis also affects one's immune system, immunosuppresents can be prescribed to help maintain the immune system's balance. Failing to do so could cause the arthritis to progress in such a way that the immune system would go haywire. Additionally, TNF blockers may be used in combination with immunosuppressants for further alleviation of symptoms. These types of drugs inhibit the release of particular types of proteins that cause inflammation of the joints. Those who receive such treatment were found to have lower pain and improvement with their stiffness.
Early detection of arthritis is very important especially that there is still no known cure for the disease. However, early detection is important to help sop the disease from progressing to unmanageable levels. The medications mentioned above could greatly help patients especially those whose conditions are diagnosed early.
Those who have been diagnosed quickly can make the most of the said drugs and take advantage of the symptom alleviating effects as well as their preventive capabilities for further disease progression. They can greatly avoid further damage that can worsen anyone's condition.
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Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
Charlene J. Nuble
For All the things you need to know about arthritis, please go to: Arthritis Medication [http://www.yourarthritis.org/]
Posted in Anti Arthris Diet, Arthritis causes, arthritis pain, Arthritis Prevention, Arthritis relief suggestions, Arthritis symptoms, Arthritis Treatments, Arthrits | Tags: Arthritis, arthritis causes, arthritis drugs, arthritis pain, arthritis prevention, arthritis relief, arthritis symptoms, arthritis treatments, Developed, Medications | 32 Comments »
Pet Arthritis – New and Safe Arthritis Treatments For Dogs and Cats – Prevention :- Causes :- Pain : Drugs.
New Arthritis Treatments
It was reported that all mammals will develop arthritis if they live to an old enough age. Medical advancements are allowing cats and dogs to live longer than ever before. However, animals are being diagnosed with more disease due to their extended life span. Our pets can often be exhibiting signs of arthritis for long periods of time before pet owners even notice. Starting on arthritis medications before the symptoms are noticed will slow the changes from occurring and can prevent arthritis from becoming severe later in life.
There are many arthritis medications on the market for arthritis currently. There are some new arthritis drugs that have been introduced in both human and veterinary medicine that have fewer side effects as well as contain natural ingredients.
The most common drugs being used for arthritis are called Non Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory arthritis drugs known as "NSAIDs". These stop pain by inhibiting inflammation around and in the joint. However, they do have some severe side effects including kidney disease, gastric ulcerations and bleeding.
Recently, there have been new ideas for how arthritis should be treated. Doctors are trying to incorporate safe natural arthritis drugs called Disease Modifying Osteoarthritic Agents (DMOAAs). DMOAAs are split into two categories called Nutraceuticals and Chondroprotectants. These supplements have not been found to have any side effects and increased research is showing that they are as effective as NSAIDs. When these supplements are used in combination with NSAIDs they decrease the amount of NSAIDs needed to help with arthritis pain.
Disease Modifying Osteoarthritic Agents can:
o Rebuild cartilage and stop destruction of the arthritis joint surface
o Decrease inflammation which causes arthritis pain in arthritic patients
o Remove free radicals which can be damaging to joints
o Provide vital nutrients for rebuilding damaged cartilage
These arthritis drugs have also been shown in numerous studies to have:
o Anti cancer effects
o Cure common skin diseases including itchy (pruritic) and flaky skin.
o Prevent cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)- Alzheimer like syndrome
These arthritis drugs can be purchased over the counter and should be started at a young age to decrease the chances of irreversible arthritic changes. Make sure to only purchase name brand products since there are not regulated by the FDA and the active ingredients differ greatly between arthritis products.
Some of the most common supplements for arthritis being used are:
- Sam-e(S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Visit PetVetWisdom.com to find out more about Pet Arthritis [http://www.petvetwisdom.com/Health/orthopedic/] or to purchase veterinary recommend treatments.
Petvetwisdom was created by veterinarians to help our pet owners save money on veterinary care and find information on common diseases. We have veterinarians on staff to answer any pet questions via email for no charge.
Posted in Anti Arthris Diet, Arthritis causes, arthritis pain, Arthritis Prevention, Arthritis relief suggestions, Arthritis symptoms, Arthritis Treatments, Arthrits | Tags: Arthritis, arthritis causes, arthritis drugs, arthritis pain, arthritis prevention, arthritis relief, arthritis symptoms, arthritis treatments, Treatments | Comments Closed
The Dangerous Side Effects Of Steroids, Arthritis Drugs, And NSAIDs :- Relief – Pain | Symptoms.
arthritis drugs Steroid Side Effects
Commonly prescribed arthritis drugs and their dangerous side effects
.jpg "The Dangerous Side Effects Of Steroids, Arthritis Drugs, And NSAIDs : Relief Pain | Symptoms.")
A medical investigation in the United States has shown that three times more people die from legal prescription drugs than from illegal narcotic drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. This study does not account for the contra-indications of the drugs, which kill at least 30,000 a year in the U.S.
These are people who take medications, but have conditions (including drug allergies) that would cause these drugs to be dangerous for them. It is nearly impossible to determine how many people are being hospitalized because of contra-indications from drugs, but careful official estimates indicate that they make up about 5 percent of all lying in American and British hospitals today.
Steroids belong to another group of drugs that were formerly used only for extreme, life-threatening conditions. Today, they are used for minor problems such as sunburn, skin eruptions, acne and glandular fever. Patients are rarely aware of the dangers that may arise from taking these drugs. Side effects include high blood pressure, stomach ulcers with possible perforation of the stomach wall (this is how my father died), cramps and dizziness, inhibited growth in children within six weeks of taken the drugs, irregular menstruation, weakening of muscular strength, slowed healing of wounds, vision problems, skin atrophy, allergic shock, loss of libido, decrease in bone density, manic depression, and the emergence of latent diabetes.
Steroids are now handed out, even for babies, at the first sign of inflammation of any kind. But these drugs cannot cure a single condition; all they do is stop the body from responding to an abnormal condition. The new diseases caused by such drugs may require further treatment using even stronger drugs, thus adding more side effects to the ones that have already occurred.
The latest 'breakthrough' drugs for arthritis produce such strong side effects that it might be better to live with arthritis than to risk one's life. The manufacturer of one popular brand was obliged to warn the consumer that this particular drug was very strong and had led to cases of leukemia (cancer of the blood) even after short term use. Additionally, the drug can have 92 side effects including hepatitis, high blood pressure, dizziness and unconsciousness, as well as headaches. The manufacturer advises the attending physician to enlighten his patients about the possible dangers that can arise from taking the drug, particularly if they are over 40 years old, and to use the smallest possible, but still effective, dosage. The manufacturers admit that the drug can cause serious and life-threatening reactions while having no effect on improving the condition of the disease!
NSAIDs, the common name for over a dozen or more non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen), are used to treat rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. However, for the past few years, these drugs have been given to people for such simple complaints as recurring headaches or inflammation. In return for the pain relief, however, the patient may die as a result of gastric bleeding caused by the extreme toxicity of the drugs. A warning placed on each NSAID prescription says: "Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms, in patients treated chronically with NSAID therapy."
If this doesn't sound like Russian Roulette to you, the death toll from taking these drugs may convince you otherwise. In the U.K., 4,000 people die each year from taking NSAIDS. In the U.S., the fatality figure is up to five times as high as it is in the U.K. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized due to gastric bleeding caused directly by taking NSAIDs. Other side effects include perforation of the colon, colitis, Crohn's disease, blurred vision, Parkinson's disease, liver and kidney damage, hepatitis and hypertension.
A 20-year-old acne medicine that millions of American teens are, no doubt, taking every day has been linked to a stunning array of negative psychiatric conditions including suicide, depression, psychosis, violent and aggressive behaviors, mood swings, emotional instability, paranoia and changes in personality. This makes one wonder if any drug, no matter how commonly prescribed, is even remotely safe.
The small print
With the enormous variety of drugs available today, many doctors no longer have the time to study the side effects of each drug they prescribe, and most patients never read the list of side effects that accompanies the drug. Also, few patients read the small printed contra-indications or ask their doctor about the possible dangers of the drugs. Doctors don't seem to have the time to warn their patients about possible side effects either.
One report on a survey published in a 1996 issue of the British Medical Journal found that less than two-thirds of patients recalled receiving any advice from their doctors on potential side effects. Although the doctor has a moral as well as a legal obligation to inform the patient about the risks of treatment, in most cases this important step is omitted. The drug company is legally protected as long as the side effects and contra-indications are listed. This leaves it up to the patient to decide whether to take a drug.
Read side-effect labels to save your life
Side effects arising from the use of common pharmaceutical drugs can develop into some of the most grotesque symptoms imaginable. The Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), which can progress into a complication called TENS (toxic epidermal necrolysis), is caused by adverse drug reactions. Before you start taking common prescription drugs, you may need to inform yourself about this often-fatal reaction. The list of drugs that may be problematic includes antiepileptic and anticonvulsant drugs, sulfonamides, ampicillin, allopurinol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), as well as some vaccinations (such as anthrax).
The frightening fact about these drugs is that the body's reaction to them is completely unpredictable. For instance, you may have taken ibuprofen, a popular NSAID, a hundred times, but you can never know for sure whether or when the body will suddenly become hypersensitive to the drug. When your body starts fighting the drug, it will go into an extreme inflammatory response that causes your skin to die and literally burn away. This side effect can occur with any age group, from infants and teens to the elderly. The mortality rate ranges from 25 to 80 percent. Those who survive the ordeal are scarred for life, often to a point of total disfigurement. As the number of people taking these drugs rises, the number of victims increases.
Do you really need to take these drugs?
There is no real need to take any of these drugs. Suppression of symptoms jeopardizes the body's own healing efforts and only makes matters worse. If you do opt to take a prescription that puts you at risk for SJS or TENS, watch for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, blisters, a scalding sensation or fever, and discontinue the medication immediately. Don't wait for your doctor to take you off the medication because your life may be at stake.
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[This is an extract from the book TIMELESS SECRETS OF HEALTH & REJUVENATION by Andreas Moritz]
Andreas Moritz is a writer and practitioner in the field of Integrative Medicine. He is the author of 13 books ( http://www.ener-chi.com/book.htm ) on various subjects pertaining to holistic health, including 'The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush', 'Diabetes, No More' and 'Cancer Is Not a Disease, It's a Survival Mechanism'.
His most recent book is titled 'Vaccine-Nation: Poisoning the Population, One Shot at a Time'.
Moritz is also the creator of Ener-Chi Art and Sacred Santémony. Much of his life's work has been dedicated to understanding and treating the root causes of illness, and helping the body, mind, spirit and heart to heal naturally.
Connect with Andreas at: http://www.facebook.com/enerchi.wellness
Copyright © 2011 Andreas Moritz
Posted in Anti Arthris Diet, Arthritis causes, arthritis pain, Arthritis Prevention, Arthritis relief suggestions, Arthritis symptoms, Arthritis Treatments, Arthrits | Tags: Arthritis, arthritis causes, arthritis drugs, arthritis pain, arthritis prevention, arthritis relief, arthritis symptoms, arthritis treatments, Dangerous, Drugs, Effects, NSAIDs, Steroids | Comments Closed
The Future of Drugs For Rheumatoid Arthritis | Prevention :- Pain :- Causes.
The Future Arthritis Drugs
Despite the actual patient frustrations with rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most frustrating things about the condition is that there is no known absolute cure for it – yet. Scientists and doctors are still researching today to try and understand what causes the joint pain and inflammation and what can be done to treat and cure it. In the meantime though, those who are affected by it have to manage their condition with drugs.
Researching the development of new drugs is ongoing but there is one development of interest. It is said to allow the condition to be treated more effectively at an earlier stage with fewer side affects.
Drugs for the Immune System
In recent years, one of the most prevalent discoveries regarding rheumatoid arthritis is the connection between the immune system and the disease. Parts of the immune system help protect the body from inflammation and joint damage and it is believed that if new rheumatoid arthritis drugs focus on this area of treatment then the symptoms will be reduced.
These new types drugs that focus on the immune system are known as biological response modifiers. Some of these response modifiers specifically focusing on rheumatoid arthritis include: new TNF-alpha inhibitors, drugs that prevent B-cells from causing inflammation, drugs that block protein signals that cause inflammation and drugs that stop inflammatory proteins developing.
Dual Purpose Drugs
Different new rheumatoid arthritis drugs being considered are also being provided for other conditions. Many of these alternative drugs have already shown that they can help control the inflammation of the body and now research is considering other possibilities including antibiotics doxycyceline and minocyceline as well as tacrolimus, cholesterol-lowering drugs and bone loss prevention drugs.
Gene Therapy Drugs
Another future remedy is gene therapy. Gene therapy is the development of new drugs that would instruct specific cells in the body to create extra substances that will prevent inflammation of joints. Some other gene therapy drugs could instruct cells to produce less of a substance that causes inflammation. This line of research is very new and still far away from being in general use but scientists believe this could be a new direction in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Drugs that Will be Worth The Wait
Despite still being in the very early stages of development, the outlook is positive and the potential efficiency with which these new rheumatoid arthritis drugs will contribute to the treatment of the condition is priceless. For people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, there is an immeasurable relief associated with taking treatments with little or no side effects. It is plausible to say that when these new types of drugs finally do appear on our shelves, that they will have been well worth the long wait.
Need more information about the new rheumatoid arthritis drugs? Then head over to The Herbal Community. It is a fast growing social networking site strictly devoted to herbal remedies, holistic healing and anything to do that is natural and healthy.
Posted in Anti Arthris Diet, Arthritis causes, arthritis pain, Arthritis Prevention, Arthritis relief suggestions, Arthritis symptoms, Arthritis Treatments, Arthrits | Tags: Arthritis, arthritis causes, arthritis drugs, arthritis pain, arthritis prevention, arthritis relief, arthritis symptoms, arthritis treatments, Drugs, Future, Rheumatoid | 32 Comments »
The Dangers of Arthritis Painkillers : Prevention : drugs – Symptoms – Relief.
Dangers of Arthritis Painkillers
A word about arthritis Drugs. In a word, if at all possible, don't take them! The most common arthritis painkillers are the anti-inflammatories, Ibuprofen and Diclofenac. Some arthritis painkillers are prescribed by qualified medical practitioners and some are even available over the counter. Codeine, which is also commonly prescribed, is a narcotic and is therefore addictive and can cause drowsiness and constipation.
I don't want to be alarmist but I feel I must warn you about the risk of serious side effects from these arthritis drugs, which are more common than you may think. In certain circumstances, you may be ten times more at risk of a heart attack from taking these arthritis drugs.
There is a wealth of reliable evidence, from authoritative agencies, such as The arthritis Research Campaign, The US Food and Drug Agency and The British Medical Association, all supported by proven statistics.
Whilst the side effects from moderate, infrequent use are normally not significant, prolonged use, by certain sectors of the public can be so serious as to be life-threatening.
These anti-inflammatory arthritis drugs are known as NSAIDS, which is an abbreviation of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. There are various possible minor side effects but the real dangers are of stomach ulcers, intestinal bleeding, heart attacks and strokes. The risk of these is much increased if you are elderly or if you have been taking these arthritis drugs over a prolonged period and especially if you already have heart problems or high blood pressure.
This is an extract from the website of the US Food and Drug Agency:
"Based on the currently available data, FDA (The US Food and drugs Administration) has concluded that an increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular events appears to be a class effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (excluding aspirin). FDA has requested that the package insert for all NSAIDs, including Celebrex, be revised to include a boxed warning to highlight the potential increased risk of CV events and the well described risk of serious, and potentially life-threatening, gastrointestinal bleeding. FDA has also requested that the package insert for all NSAIDs be revised to include a contraindication for use in patients immediately post-operative from coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery. FDA Alert 4/7/2005."
Many elderly sufferers from arthritis , gout and other painful joint conditions, also have problems with heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure). This group of arthritis patients is potentially at much greater risk of heart attacks and strokes, compared to the rest of the population.
Even people without these symptoms are at twice the risk of heart failure, if they are heavy users of these arthritis anti-inflammatory drugs, as reported by BBC News.
"NSAIDs aside from aspirin are associated with a doubled risk of symptomatic heart failure in patients without a history of cardiac disease. In arthritis patients with such a history, however, use of NSAIDs (aside from low-dose aspirin) was associated with more than 10-fold increase in heart failure. If this link is found to be causal, NSAIDs are estimated to be responsible for up to 20 percent of hospital admissions for congestive heart failure."
Considering all these facts, there is a strong case for arthritis sufferers to find alternative remedies to stop the pain of arthritis. There are many possible treatments, often from common household ingredients, which are claimed to give significant arthritis relief, without the dangerous side effects of these prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
These are dealt with in other articles by the same author.
Ken Charles suffered from back pain and Arthritis for forty years, until he found his own drug-free solution. He is a keen student of alternative remedies. His other interests are Golf, Dogs and DIY. Read how he found his own Arthritis Joint pain relief
Posted in Anti Arthris Diet, Arthritis causes, arthritis pain, Arthritis Prevention, Arthritis relief suggestions, Arthritis symptoms, Arthritis Treatments, Arthrits | Tags: Arthritis, arthritis causes, arthritis drugs, arthritis pain, arthritis prevention, arthritis relief, arthritis symptoms, arthritis treatments, Dangers, Painkillers | 39 Comments »
Pain Relief For Rheumatoid Arthritis – Discover Secrets For Pain Free Joints in the Next 10 Minutes :- Symptoms – Causes – Prevention.
Relief For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis is a matter of serious concern. So, what are the effective forms of rheumatoid arthritis drug therapy? What are their side effects and special precautions? Find out the expert answers to these important questions in this article.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes a lot of pain and discomfort in the life of the person who is suffering from it. pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis is really a serious issue as more than 2.5 million people suffer from this dreaded disease in the United States alone.
Although prescription based rheumatoid arthritis drug therapy is effective for arthritis pain relief in the short term, it also suffers from the risk of various side effects — which can be fatal at times.
As more and more arthritis research is being undertaken and the side effects of prescription based drug therapy are coming into light, people are now looking for safer, healthier and natural arthritis remedies to control inflammation and to achieve pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis.
These are some of the common arthritis treatments used –
1) Cox-2 inhibitors — they are a popular form of arthritis drug therapy that work by blocking an enzyme called Cox-2 in our body, which is responsible for inflammation. They are approved by the FDA, but have received a lot of bad press and media attention due to their adverse side effects.
For example, Vioxx is a brand of Cox-2 inhibitor manufactured by Merck. It was removed from the market due to many reported cases of stroke and heart attack in patients. In fact, thousands of lawsuits are still pending against it.
So, although they are effective in pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis, they also carry the risk of serious side effects on health.
2) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — they are quite popular among people as short-term treatment in pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis. Aspirin and ibuprofen come in this category. They reduce inflammation and provide arthritis pain relief. But, they can cause serious side effects such as stomach problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers and heart problems, if they are taken for long periods of time in high doses.
3) Corticosteroids — it is a form of arthritis drug therapy which helps to reduce inflammation. They suffer from side effects such as high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, thinning of the bones which leads to osteoporosis and much more. This is the reason why health experts recommend using them for short periods only.
4) Natural arthritis remedies — the use of omega-3 fatty acids is one of the most effective means of pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis. They have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and are also very beneficial for a good health including the health of heart, brain, digestive system, skin, joints and hair.
Research has shown that the use of omega-3 supplements helps to reduce tenderness in joints, reduce inflammation, decrease morning stiffness and reduces the need of using other drug therapy for pain relief.
Purified Fish oil supplements are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA. They can provide an effective and long term pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis naturally. Omega-3 supplementation becomes increasingly important in the Western world, as their diet is highly deficient in the essential Omega 3s.
However, in case you are using prescription based blood thinner medicines like aspirin, you should consult your doctor before you use omega-3 fish oil supplements in pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis. This is because Omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil are natural blood thinners and have anti-coagulant properties. So, you should avoid the intake of too many types of blood thinners as it could lead to serious side effects.
Vijay K Raisinghani is a Natural Healthcare Expert and a passionate advocate of Omega 3 Fish oils for a healthy mind and body. His website http://www.your-omega3-fish-oil-guide.com provides a wealth of information on what works and what doesn't work in Omega 3 fish oils to achieve a young, vibrant and robust health.
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New Class of Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Can Bring Much-Needed Relief | Pain | Prevention.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs
Several of my patients have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a frustrating condition in which the immune system begins to fight its own body as if it were a disease. In doing so, the body develops a severe, chronic inflammatory response in trying to heal it. This inflammation can flare in all the major joints of the body.
Traditional treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis have been DMARDs (disease modifying antirheumatic drugs), or SAARD (slow acting antirheumatic drugs), and have been fairly successful in treating early diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. However, not everyone with rheumatoid arthritis responds to them and they do have side effects similar to those of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
In the last 10 years, however, a new class of rheumatoid arthritis drugs has come on the scene, the "biologics", or BRM's (biologic response modifiers) and have shown greater success in people who have not done well on the traditional drugs. If you have RA, I'd like to share with you what I tell my own patients about the BRM class of rheumatoid arthritis drugs to help you manage your arthritis better.
Treating RA with Biologic-Type drugs
Like my patients, if you watch television, you may have seen commercials for a few of the new biologic-type RA drugs, Enbrel, Humira, Orencia, and Simponi. You may have wanted to ask your doctor about the possibility of perhaps trying one of these arthritistreatments.
These rheumatoid arthritis drugs are actually created from human genes, proteins, and are designed to inhibit the inflammatory response that the immune system causes. These Arthritis drugs were specifically created for those patients whose arthritis does not respond well to more traditional treatments and have been proven to slow progression of the disease. They differ from the older type drugs in that the biologics zero in on specific parts of the immune system instead of broadly treating the entire immune system, thereby lessening side effects.
Advantages to Taking BRM Type RA Drugs
Even though BRM's will not cure arthritis, and those who take them still have symptoms of stiffness and pain, they have far less symptoms than those who do not take them, according to recent research conducted by one of the biologics manufacturer, Centocor Ortho Biotech, Inc. The drugs help improve quality of life, functioning, and ability to productively work, preventing much of the disability that accompanies arthritis.
Are There Side Effects/Disadvantages of Biologics?
As I tell my patients, whenever you take a chemically based drug, there are likely some side effects, and this is true of the biologic-type arthritis drugs as well. However, there are not as many, or severe, as with the more traditional type RA drugs. The most common side effect is rash at the injection site but with any drug that suppresses the immune system, there is always the risk of other side effects. These include:
Susceptibility to infections and other diseases developing
Cannot receive vaccinations (flu, etc) while taking biologics
Pre-existing health conditions like multiple sclerosis or congestive heart failure excludes their use. They could also aggravate an underlying case of tuberculosis. Everyone who wants to take a biologic-type RA should be tested for TB before taking them.
Effects on unborn fetus not clearly known – pregnant women should use with caution.
Must be taken by injection, or intravenous infusion. However, an oral biologic-arthritis drug is on the drawing table so perhaps one will be available soon.
Biologics have to clear from system prior to surgery as open wounds with a depressed immune system can increase the risk for serious infection.
What You Can Do For Your RA
In addition to perhaps taking biologic response modifier-type arthritis drugs, there are several things you can do for yourself that will further help your arthritis symptoms such as:
Regular aerobic exercise: 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise as it takes impact of joints. An elliptical machine is also good as it too takes the stress off of joints. Tai chi and yoga are also helpful.
Regular sleep: We all need at least 6 hours of sleep per night, but if you have arthritis, you likely need more sleep. This also combats developing fibromyalgia which can accompany arthritis.
Stress control: Stress can cause stiffness and pain in people who don't have arthritis. In those who do, it can greatly aggravate or intensify existing symptoms. Find ways to decompress like meditation, exercise, or meeting with friends.
Alternative treatments: I have often referred my arthritis patients for acupuncture, acupressure or reflexology (needle-free massage based acupuncture), tai chi exercise, hydrotherapy. These treatments can be done in addition to taking BRMs or DMARD/SAARD. In addition, herbal anti-inflammatories as white willow bark, bromelain, capsaicin, Boswellia, glucosamine, MSM, to name a few. Check with a pharmacist about possible drug interaction if you are taking prescription arthritis drugs.
Diet: Many people with arthritis do better on gluten-free diets as wheat and oats can contribute to inflammation. Be sure to supplement with antioxidants.
RA is a condition that afflicts over 1.5 million Americans. Early diagnosis of it is crucial to getting the proper treatment for it before disabling joint damage begins. If you have symptoms of RA, severe pain and stiffness in the morning rising from bed, and/or after sitting, please contact your doctor and be evaluated for RA. Whatever drug treatment you and your doctor decide on, making the appropriate, natural lifestyle changes will also help you stay mobile.
My informational health site, Healthy Answers, offers a wealth of articles about the latest natural and practical health advancements, prevention methods and treatment options.
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