Arthritis
Arthritis is a term that applies to any condition of an inflammatory nature leading to painful or stiffness of the joints.
Description
Arthritis is not just one condition, it is a category under which well over 100 actual conditions are listed. Some of the most commonly known and prevalent conditions include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Arthritis occurs when a part of the joint becomes inflamed and/or swollen, causing pain stiffness and difficulty in movement.
What happens to our joints?
A joint is the ‘junction’ where 2 or more bones meet. It is the point where they join together to form bendable parts of the skeleton. Examples are the hip, knee and elbow, knuckles and toes.These bone ‘junctions’ are covered by cartilage - a smooth, spongy material that protects the bones and allows flexible, pain-free movement.
The cartilage is covered by synovial fluid – produced by the synovium, a further outer covering that protects the joint. The synovial fluid transports nourishment to the joint and acts like oil in a car’s engine – easing friction and aiding movement.Symptoms of arthritis can vary depending on the type, but they all cause some degree of inflammation and pain to one or more of the joints and their surrounding area. The condition can be acute or chronic, but more usually becomes chronic when untreated or treated insufficiently.Some types of arthritis, e.g. infectious arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, not only affect the joints but also produce other symptoms such as skin rashes, aches, chills and fever, as well as having effects on major internal organs, such as on the heart by complicating already present heart conditions.
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Statistics
- Chronic joint symptoms affect around 70 million Americans.
- Musculoskeletal disease and osteoarthritis currently affect over 4.5 million Australians, where arthritis and related conditions are currently the 4th most common reasons for work absence.
Arthritic conditions are not limited to the western world however. They are widespread throughout Asia and the Middle East too.
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Causes
The prime cause of most forms of arthritis is usually nutritional. For example, excess free radicals, glycation, methylation and inflammation - all of which are impacted by nutrition and all contribute to causing arthritis. – work factors can also contribute – where repetitive movements and constant lifting has been shown to increase joint stress and potential injury leading to chronic weakness and vulnerability. Most importantly however are nutritional deficiencies and a generally insufficient diet.
Lack of essential fatty acids, fish oils, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals also increase the risk of infection and lessens your body’s ability to repair damage. Chronological age is of little consequence with arthritis but, lifestyles along with nutrition can have a significant impact on the development and severity of arthritis.
Obesity is another factor, adding undue stress and pressure to weight-bearing joints.
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Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually through physical examination and a symptomatic description. Confirmation is usually via techniques such as x-rays or an MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Further laboratory tests on blood, urine and synovial fluid can also help determine causes and rule out alternative diseases.
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Signs & Symptoms
For example, osteoarthritis only causes problems around the joint itself, whereas other forms of arthritis may cause general symptoms such as fatigue, fever and rashes.When arthritis affects your joints your tendons and the capsule around your joints become inflamed (red and hot to the touch).
You may notice:
- Difficulty moving your joint after being still for a period of time
- Pain on moving your joint
- Swelling and inflammation around the joint site
- Tenderness and warmth
These are all indications that you may have a problem requiring further investigation.
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Conventional Treatments
Under conventional medicine drug therapy and physiotherapy are usually recommended to try to retain levels of mobility in the joints. They all carry risks.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. Aspirin - Ibuprofen.
Oral steroids such as Prednisone and Hydrocortisone are also common, with powerful painkillers like Codeine and synthetic narcotics such as Vicodin also prescribed.
NSAIDs are the normal drugs of choice for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Side effects include possible kidney failure with prolonged use, as well as fluid retention, potential liver failure, ulcers and prolonged bleeding.
COX-2 inhibitors e.g. Vioxx - Celebrex - Bextra.
COX-2 inhibitors are improved NSAIDs that block the COX-2 enzyme at the site of inflammation.
The COX-2 enzyme however creates protective fatty acids in the body. By blocking this enzyme with a COX-2 inhibitor the patient is left without these protective fatty acids, increasing their risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
Important Note: Pharmaceuticals such as VIOXX, Bextra and Celebrex (arthritic painkillers), and other widely used COX-2 inhibitors, have been investigated following studies into their negative cardiovascular side effects. VIOXX alone has been linked to around 140,000 cases of coronary heart disease in the US since 1999, and reportedly 103 deaths from heart attack and stroke in the UK.
