Arthritis & Rheumatism

There are over 100 types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. This site provides the latest arthritic and rheumatic information including the treatment options available.



Arthritis is a common disease that affects millions of people worldwide. This can be felt in the person's joints, skin and organs inside the body. Should the person feel anything wrong, it is advisable to go straight to the doctor. Doctors have discovered that there are over 100 types of arthritis. Given the number, the doctor will not be able to know which one is affecting the person without an examination.

There are 2 common forms of arthritis. The first is rheumatoid arthritis which is considered a chronic disease. There is inflammation in the joints caused by cartilage damage. Anyone who has this will suffer long term joint damage that will lead to chronic pain and disability. Pain is usually felt when waking up in the morning and will gradually disappear during the day.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a problem that will not go away. This happens in three stages. The first is swelling. The second is the rapid division and growth of cells. The third is when these cells release enzymes that will eat the bone causing the joint to lose shape until the person will not be able to move it anymore.

Since this is systemic disease, it can spread and affect other organs in the body. The best way to prevent is from happening is detecting it early to prevent the person from being disabled. This can be treated with proper medication and therapy. There many drugs available that the patient can use. Some drugs offer pain relief to reduce the inflammation. Others can just do one function.

The second is called osteoarthritis. This happens more often than rheumatoid arthritis but unlike the first, there is no inflammation present. The cartilage in the joint is damaged and will eventually degenerate. Pain will slightly be felt when the person gets up but this will hurt later on during the day. Osteoarthritis can either be primary or secondary. When it is primary, it is often associated with age. It is similar to a car where the parts have to be replaced due to wear and tear. Doctors consider this to be normal as people grow older.

The secondary type is often associated with something else that has caused this to happen. Some of these factors are an injury that took place, heredity, obesity and bone density. Osteoarthritis can be treated with medication, exercise, weight control, joint protection, physical and occupational therapy. This is done to relieve the pain and slow the progression of the disease. Both of these are caused by different things. The common thing between these 2 types is that joint pain can happen anywhere in the body.

Given the many medications available to treat this disease, the patient has to be aware of the side effects of each before choosing which one to use. The doctor should explain these to the person in order to make the right decision.



Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Rheumatoid Arthritis Information


Rheumatoid Arthritis Information
General Rheumatoid Arthritis Information: Get the facts on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Home > Arthritis Resource Center > What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Rheumatoid Arthritis
Source: www.glucosamine-arthritis.org


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Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Defence genetics unscrambled


Defence genetics unscrambled
US scientists unravel the genetic make-up of cells vital to the body's defences against infection.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Biotech Psoriasis Drugs Hit a Cost Ceiling
Are biotechnology companies reaching the limits of how much they can charge for their drugs? One sign of that is the sluggish sales of drugs for psoriasis.
Source: www.nytimes.com

Breakthrough Could Prevent Multiple Fibrotic Diseases: Tests Find Protein Stops Fibrosis In ...
A scientific breakthrough at Rice University may lead to the first treatment that prevents the build-up of deadly scar tissue in a broad class of diseases that account for an estimated 45 percent of U.S. deaths each year. Fibrotic diseases include cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis, atherosclerosis, asthma, cirrhosis and scleroderma. Rice researchers have discovered a naturally occurring blood ...
Source: www.sciencedaily.com

A Diagnostics Deal for GE and Abbott
CEO Miles White fuels his M&A streak with an agreement to sell two-thirds of Abbott's diagnostics business to GE for $8.1 billion in cash
Source: www.businessweek.com

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Sunday, January 14, 2007

Rheumatism - Hocus crocus


Hocus crocus
South Manchester Reporter - It was used to treat rheumatism and arthritis and colchium-based products are still used by people with gout. The flower is also thought to have anti-cancer properties. The plant, part of the lily family, grows from a solid bulb that can easily be
Source: www.southmanchesterreporter.co.uk

DNA Tests to Determine Warfarin Dose
WTOP Radio - TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Personalized medicine, the tailored treatments that a few patients now get based on their own DNA, is finally headed for the masses: the many heart patients at risk of deadly blood clots. At least 2 million Americans with an
Source: www.wtopnews.com

That's the rub: Gay-friendly spas
Gay.com - Over the last 100 years spas have morphed from rustic locales, where arthritis and rheumatism sufferers soaked in sulfur waters; to the sterile, clinical Mitteleuropean sanitariums; to the now-derided "fat farms"; to the sweat-it-out, get-in-shape
Source: www.gay.com


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Sunday, January 07, 2007

Frog Skin Toxin Keeps Mosquitoes Away


Frog Skin Toxin Keeps Mosquitoes Away
WOOD - I'm interested in this compound because of suggestions that it might have value in finding a treatment for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes," Daly explained. His team published the findings in this week's issue of the
Source: www.woodtv.com

Diseases Health Center
HealthCentral.com - -- Related Centers -- Alcohol Abuse Allergies Alzheimer's Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) Backache Blood Bone/Joint/Tendon Bowel Cancer Cramps Cysts Dental/Oral Depression Diabetes Drug Abuse Eating/Appetite Eye
Source: www.healthcentral.com


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