autoimmune disease symptoms, medication and treatment » Arthritis

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Lupus; Who Is At Risk, Signs And Symptoms

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:59:14 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Lupus is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute and chronic inflammation of body tissues. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks it own body tissues. When you have this disease, you produce abnormal antibodies that target tissues within your own body rather than foreign infectious agents. This disease can affect various parts of the body because the antibodies and the accompanying cells of inflammation can affect any tissue in the body. This condition can lead to diseases of the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys and the nervous system. Although this infection can affect people of all ages, it commonly begins from about age 20 to 45.Statistics have shown that this disease is somehow more frequent in African Americans as well as in people of Japanese and Chinese descent. Although the exact causes of lupus are unknown, inherited genes, viruses, ultraviolet light and certain medical conditions are said to trigger the condition. Genetic factors heighten the tendency of developing autoimmune diseases while sometimes a short period of sun exposure can aggravate the symptoms. Signs and symptoms of this disease include fatigue, loss of appetite, mild fever and muscle aches. Others are arthritis, ulcers of the mouth and nose as well as a facial rash. Sensitivity to sunlight, inflammation of the lining that surrounds the lungs as well as the heart and poor circulation to the fingers and toes are the other symptoms.There is no permanent cure for lupus and therefore treatment only helps to relieve the symptoms and protect organs by decreasing inflammation and autoimmune activities in the body. In severe cases of the disease, high doses of corticosteroids in combination with other medications will be required.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Dealing With Arthritis Diseases

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:58:50 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease and pain and stiffness develop as a result of wear and tear to the joints involved. DorsopathiesKyphosis – Lordosis – Scoliosis – Scheuermann’s sickness – Spondylolysis – Torticollis – Spondylolisthesis – Spondylopathies (Ankylosing spondylitis, Spondylosis, Spinal stenosis) – Schmorl’s nodes – Degenerative disc sickness – Coccydynia – Back pain (Radiculopathy, Neck pain, Sciatica, Low back pain)
Even sleeping habits and mood changes can affect arthritis. There is no direct correlation between how severe your arthritis is and how much pain you feel. So how do people deal with this disease? In the aged and children, pain might not be the main feature; the aged patient simply moves less, the infantile patient refuses to use the affected limb.
The term’ Arthritis’ is derived from Greek comprising of two words ‘athron’ meaning joint and ‘itis’ meaning inflammation. Arthritis is a painful condition, and for this reason it should always be taken seriously. Rheumatoid arthritis is part of a group of diseases known as autoimmune diseases. Osteoarthritis usually is diagnosed in people older than 40.
Causes Of Arthritis
There are several identified causes; it may, therefore, be a combined action of various factors. Many people tend to believe that if you do not stress over it, keep your mind busy and distracted it would be easier to cope with. Although there may be numerous causes for rheumatoid arthritis, the symptoms are the same. It is a disease where the anti-bodies, or the white blood cells, attack the tissue or the specialized cells that make the human body.
Cure for Arthritis
Some other ways to relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain are to lose weight to take additional pressure off joints, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, using heat or ice, and possibly using devices such as a cane, brace, or splint. Ice packs can help with swelling and inflammation, but people with circulatory problems should avoid this. For severe pain, narcotic pain relievers such as tramadol and eventually opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone or morphine) may be necessary; this is reserved for very severe cases and is rarely necessary. A single green pepper contains 176 percent of your daily needs for vitamin C — and colorful red and yellow varieties have more than double that amount.
Green tea contains hundreds of powerful antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols and has been cited for helping prevent problems ranging from cancer to heart disease.
Salmon is among the richest sources of healthy fats, making it an ideal source of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, salmon contains calcium, vitamin D, and folate. If you are in need of vitamin C but aren’t big fan of citrus fruits, reach for a green pepper.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Arthritis- Its Symptoms And Cure

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:14:34 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the bodies own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis.
Contributing factors include congenital hip luxation (which is genetically determined), obesity, osteoporosis, and inflammatory diseases such as Perthes’ sickness and all chronic forms of arthritis (e. Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage which normally protects the joints allowing for smooth movement.
In the aged and children, pain might not be the main feature; the aged patient simply moves less, the infantile patient refuses to use the affected limb. These might include: rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen, and specific antibodies.
Causes Of Arthritis
Fatigue is a result of the arthritis pain, this can make it harder to handle and a make it seem worse. Overdoing any physical activity or even staying still for to long will cause a reaction within the joints and the tissues and make it much harder to handle the arthritis pain, taking it easy and exercising lightly help to control the pain and keep it to a minimal. Many people tend to believe that if you do not stress over it, keep your mind busy and distracted it would be easier to cope with. Osteoarthritis results from wear and tear from playing certain types of sports, being overweight and getting older.
Cure for Arthritis
There are several ways to lessen how much pain you have when your arthritis acts up. Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical and occupational therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), and medications (symptomatic or targeted at the sickness process causing the arthritis). Cold or heat therapy benefits some patients, as do relaxation techniques. Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) may be required in eroding forms of arthritis.
But studies also suggest green tea may help prevent or ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Commonly referred to as one of nature’s perfect foods,bananas are perhaps best known for packing potassium, but they’re also good sources of arthritis-fighting vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin C. In addition, salmon contains calcium, vitamin D, and folate. If you are in need of vitamin C but aren’t a big fan of citrus fruits, reach for a green pepper.
It may also become red, swollen, and warm to the touch. You can also get more information on arthritis symptoms from the Arthritis Foundation.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Understanding The Arthritis Symptoms And Best Treatment

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:57:59 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Most of the people want to remain healthy and fit at any stage of the life span. But the invasion of chronic and debilitating disease arthritis makes them overwhelmed. Massive no of the people do suffer from the arthritis and the associated symptoms. At this point of time their lives get miserable and they look for the natural arthritis treatment.
About 60% of Arthritis sufferers are actually of working age and of course, even the very young can suffer this debilitating disease. Arthritis is not really one disease, it is a word that is used to cover over 100 medical conditions, relating to the joints of your body, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists , fingers, in fact anywhere that you have joints. The result of Arthritis can be stiffness in the joints, together with pain and it can bring on a feeling of everything being too difficult to do, or handle on a daily basis with the treatment of arthritis symptoms and anxiety.
As far as the types of arthritis are concern Osteoarthritis and the Rheumatoid arthritis are big threats for the mankind. Osteoarthritis mainly attacks the cartilage tissue of the joints of the wrists, knees, hips and various other joints. Cartilages are scientifically known as the cushion for the joints where two or more bones meet. The cartilages are providing the people with the padding to avoid friction at the time of movement. With the age most of the people develop the Osteoarthritis symptoms in them. On the other hand Rheumatoid arthritis is more of autoimmune diseases that affects its bodily immune or resistance system and helps the body deteriorate with no time to spare. Rheumatoid arthritis is more severe than the other chronic disease. This type of arthritis may lead to affect heart and the blood corpuscles. Tendon, redness, warmth and the swelling are the associated symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis. Best treatment of arthritis is the only suppressing method that people look around for arthritis low back pain relief.
Unfortunately, there is no specified medication for the arthritis and its related symptoms. The arthritis supplements vitamins are proven to be the best to cure arthritis disorders. Vitamin-C works as the inflammatory for reducing joint tendon and the inflammation and supply with the antioxidants that is helpful to combating arthritis pain and bodily symptoms. Vitamin-D increases the firmness of the bones absorbing the calcium from the body. Vitamin-B12 which includes 11 different B vitamins, contributes to the health of the nervous system. It is beneficial for medication overuse, alcoholism or recovery from a serious illness helps to build the body metabolism. Some dietary changes are immensely helpful to regain body activity.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Suffers

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:02:08 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune diseases in which the body is attacking itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection .
Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning and associated with stiffness; in the early stages, patients often have no symptoms after a morning shower. In the aged and children, pain might not be the main feature; the aged patient simply moves less, the infantile patient refuses to use the affected limb.
Treatment with TNFalpha inhibitors results in not only substantial improvements in signs and symptoms of arthritis, but also improvements in all distinct sites of the disease, such as axial arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis and skin disease.
There is a dearth of published pharmacoeconomic evaluations in the field of PsA. Treatment should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection. Do not start HUMIRA in patients with active infection (including chronic or localized).
Treatment is very difficult, and correction of predisposing causes may be useful. We present a 49-year-old woman affected by severe psoriatic arthritis since she was 19, with giant verrucous plaques on her lower limbs that had worsened progressively during the last 15 years.
Treatments such as massage, whirlpools, and cold or hot compresses can help alleviate joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, but they do not protect against bone loss or joint damage. They are designed to provide temporary relief and do not offer sustained pain relief.
Treatment for psoriatic arthritis is meant to control the skin lesions of psoriasis and the joint inflammation of arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , gold salts, and sulfasalazine are standard arthritis treatments, but have no effect on psoriasis.
It can also affect the spine. But is most usually felt at the knees, ankles, and the joints of the feet. Typically only a few of these joints are inflamed at any one time.
The pain is similar to the rheumatoid variety, except that it is accompanied by the eruption and shedding of skin over large areas of the .
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects 10-30% of the millions of Americans who have the skin condition psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. However, steroids are used only when absolutely needed because long-term use may cause serious side effects such as bone deterioration and joint weakness.
This type will often occurs within both males and females over the age of fifty and affects both sexes equally. Psoriasis and the joint disease arthritis often appear separately as the arthritis may precede the psoriasis in the majority of patients.
This type is among the lesser known forms of arthritis. It may not appear so common, but it affects a number reaching to a million.
Psoriatic arthritis may affect a single joint or this can affect several joints in symmetrical manner. This is commonly seen in hand joints in association with psoriasis of the nails.
These types of symptoms may vary. Most people with psoriatic arthritis will never need surgery. But it is a disease that usually appears when psoriasis is already shown so we could say that in most cases the two conditions will both affect the individual at the same time. We can thus notice that most patients will suffer from the associated joint symptoms and skin and nail lesions.
It can cause many other health problems such as lung inflammations and eye disease. People with this diagnosis who experience eye problems should immediately contact their physician since this condition could possibly lead to blindness.
This type is a condition in which a person suffers from the skin disease Proriasis and also has joint inflammation with arthritis symptoms. It is estimated that 10% of people who suffer from Psoriasis also suffer from Psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis can cause joint pain, immobility, and stiffness; dry, red patches (plaques) also form on the skin. Some people also experience problems with their fingernails or eyes.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Arthritis: Causes and Symptoms

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:11:59 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : I would like to start with a quote from Dr Robert Bingham, a specialist in the treatment of arthritis. He said: “ No person who is in good nutritional health develops rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis ”

What is Arthritis? Arthritis is (from Greek Arthro = joint + itis= inflammation) a group of diseases where there is a damage caused to the joints of the body.

There are many form of arthritis : Rheumatoid arthritis , psoriatic arthritis, septic arthritis, Gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis(the most common form of arthritis).

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune diseases (the body attacking itself)

Septic arthritis is caused by joints infections.

Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints that results in subsequent inflammation.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can occur after a trauma to the joints or simply aging .

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 65. By the age of 60 nine in every ten people have it . For most of them arthritis means living with pain and stiffness. However, Arthritis is not an inevitable consequence of aging and can be prevented , provided the underlying causes are eliminated. In the search of causes and solutions many things have been considered including diet, exercise, posture, climate, hormones, infections, genetics ,old age, stress..

The likely factors that lead to the development of Arthritis are:

-Poor lubrication of the joints. In between joints is a substance called synovial fluid. Appropriate nutrition is needed to make sure that the synovial fluid stays fluid and able to lubricate.

- Hormonal imbalance .Hormones control the calcium balance in the body. If the calcium balance is not right, the bones and joints can become porous and subject to wear and tear.

-Allergies and sensitivities. Most of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have food and chemical allergies or sensitivities that make their symtoms flare up.

- Free radicals . If the immune system is not working properly, as in rheumatoid arthritis, it will produce too many free radicals, which can damage tissue around the joint. In this case a good intake of antioxidant is very valuable.

-Infections. Any infection ,be it viral or bacterial, weaken the immune system which control inflammation.

Bone strain and deformities. Any damage or strain, so often caused by bad posture, increases the risk of developing arthritis .

- State of mind. Research at the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation and at the University of Southern California Medical School has shown a link between arthritis and emotional stress.

- Poor diet . Most people with Arthritis have a history of very poor diet, which pave the way to many of the factors stated above.

Diet advice: avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates, stimulants, fat ,too much protein . Drink plenty of water and herb teas. Make sure you have all the vital vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, antioxidants nutrients.

Alexis Kenne

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Arthritis Causes, Symptoms, Remedies & Treatment

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:06:56 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Arthritis definitions

Inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of arthritis. (see osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout, pseudogout).

A disease characterized by joint inflammation. Joint injury can be caused by trauma or by the wear and tear of aging. The general term arthritis includes over 100 kinds of diseases, most of which last for life. In many forms of arthritis, injury is caused by the uncontrolled inflammation of autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Common kinds of arthritis include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis causes

Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes the various forms of arthritis. They are studying risk factors to determine why some people develop the disease and others do not.

The literal meaning of arthritis is “joint inflammation” and it can affect joints in any part of the body. Joints are the places in the body where two bones meet. When you have arthritis, damage is caused to a lesser or greater degree to the joints and mostly occurs in the hands, arms and legs. The inflammation in one or more of the joints results in pain, swelling and limited movement. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in those over the age of 65 and it generally affects people from the age of 60.

Arthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis / Osteoarthrosis (OA, also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, arthrosis or in more colloquial terms “wear and tear”), is a condition in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints. As the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, the patient experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing. Due to decreased movement because of the pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become more lax. OA is the most common form of arthritis.

Arthritis treatement

A cornerstone of therapy of any form of arthritis is physical therapy and occupational therapy to maintain joint mobility and range of motion. The proper kind and amount of this therapy will vary depending upon the underlying cause and upon individual factors that your physician will discuss with you

Arthritis remedies

Herbal arthritis remedies have been helping ease arthritis pain and inflamation for centuries. Unlike harsh modern drugs that can shock and weaken our system, medicinal herbs and herbal remedies soothe and strenghten our entire body and are good for arthritis relief ..

1 tbs juice of fresh leaves of bathua, drink every day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months. Do not add anything to the juice and do not eat anything for 2 hours before and after.

Warm mustard oil, spread it over Madar leaf ( Indian ) and foment the joint by spreading the leaf over the joint and keeping it there for a few hours for arthritis relief

On an empty stomach take 3-4 walnuts (akhrot) or 1 fresh coconut.

Arthritis can be hell to live with, but you don’t have to put up with it. There is a range of natural approaches that can help ease the pain.

Anyone who has arthritis knows it can be a nightmare. It causes inflamed, stiff and swollen joints, leading to chronic pain. And, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be over a certain age to get it. Of the eight million people in the UK with arthritis, a million are under 50, with 27,000 aged 25 or younger.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Arthritis Types and Symptoms

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:08:15 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Arthritis means “inflammation of joints.” Yet when older people are afflicted with arthritis, they tend to be bothered less by the inflammation and more by the pain and stiffness that accompany arthritis.

Many people assume arthritis to be an unavoidable part of growing old. Although aging itself does not cause arthritis, arthritis does become more common as people age, for various reasons. The development of arthritis brings many older people much distress. Anyone can get Arthritis. It is just one of over one hundred and seventy types of rheumatic diseases which include many types of arthritis, gout, carpal tunnel syndrome, lupus, bursitis, juvenile arthritis, Kawasaki Syndrome, fibromyalgia, and many more. These diseases are known to affect one of any joints found in the human body.

Types of Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can develop relatively quickly: in weeks as opposed to the years it takes for osteoarthritis. It is an irreversible autoimmune disease, a condition where the body’s own immune system attacks specific cells in the joints. It often starts in younger people and ultimately results in the breakdown of bone.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Cartilage between the bones gradually wastes away and this can lead to painful rubbing of bone on bone in the joints. It may also cause joints to fall out of their natural positions (misalignment). The most frequently affected joints are in the hands, spine, knees and hips. Osteoarthritis mostly affects people aged between 40 and 60; it grows more common with age. Around 12% of people over 65 are affected.

Pseudogout is a form of arthritis that occurs when a particular type of calcium crystal accumulates in the joints. As more of these crystals are deposited in the affected joint, they can cause a reaction that leads to severe pain and swelling. The swelling can be either short-term or long-term and occurs most frequently in the knee, although it can also affect the wrist, shoulder, ankle, elbow, or hand. The pain caused by pseudogout is sometimes so excruciating that it can incapacitate someone for days.

Psoriatic arthritis is a complication of psoriasis, a chronic skin disease that is characterized by bright pink or salmon-colored scales covering the knees, elbows, chest, back, or scalp. While most people with psoriasis do not develop arthritis, around 15% do. About 75% of people develop psoriatic arthritis only after the skin condition appears, although in some people the arthritis occurs before the skin condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can range in severity, varying a great deal from person to person.

People with rheumatoid arthritis may have a mild course, occasional flare-ups with long periods of remission without disease, or a steadily progressive disease, which may be slow or rapid. Rheumatoid arthritis may start suddenly, with many joints becoming inflamed at the same time. More often, it starts subtly, gradually affecting different joints. Usually, the inflammation is symmetric, with joints on both sides of the body affected.

Symptoms can include:

1.loss of appetite and generally feeling unwell (early symptoms),

2.Aching/ throbbing pain in the affected joints, which may come and go. This is often worse after a nights sleep and after sitting for a while. Exercise usually helps to reduce the pain,

3.The affected joints often feel stiff. Again this often improves once you start moving around; early morning stiffness is a characteristic of joint inflammation.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Rheumatoid Arthritis – Is A Poor Diet Causing Your Symptoms

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:14:01 +0000

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms : Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common chronic autoimmune disease in our society at present. This disease is characterised by symptoms such as pain and inflammation in bone joints. It’s a debilitating condition that effects a high percentage of the worlds population, and it can affect anyone at any age.
All races have an equal chance of suffering from arthritis. For some people it will only effect one part of their body with the most common being the hands, but it can become systemic. This means that for some sufferers it will cause pain over the whole body, and in extreme cases can include internal organs.
The most common treatments for arthritis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), coricosteroids, and disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Along with these drugs patients are also advised of lifestyle changes that include changing their diet and exercising.
Other medicines that can be prescribed are immune suppressants. These are used when the patients immune system is no longer in control.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that creates antibodies in the blood which attacks the sufferers own body tissues. This is what causes the pain and inflammation.
The most commonly affected joints are hands, feet, wrists, shoulders, hips, elbows, knees and neck. Once someone is suffering from this disease it will last the rest of their life.
All sufferers should talk to their doctor about possible treatments for their symptoms. And they should regularly update their doctor of any changes in they way they feel.
Diet plays a massive role in the symptoms of arthritis. Many foods will help your symptoms while many will make them worse. Some research will help you discover which are the foods that you eat that are triggering your symptoms.
Many sufferers have been known to eliminate a lot of their symptoms when they change their diet. Some foods contain chemicals called prostaglandins which are known to trigger some symptoms.
Some of the foods that you should avoid if you’re suffering from arthritis are…
Alcohol
Foods containing white flour
Tinned foods
Foods containing E numbers and too many preservatives
A diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables and oily fish will help to ease your symptoms. You are what you eat, and the healthier you eat, the healthier you will become.
Always consult your doctor first before making any changes in your lifestyle that regard a diet and exercise plan. If you feel that your diet is making you feel worse then it’s not that difficult to make yourself feel better.