What Is the Significant Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two widely different forms of arthritis, which is a general term that features over 100 rheumatoid disorders.

Although the two forms can produce a lot of pain like upper knee pain, the biggest difference between them is the fact that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease whereas osteoarthritis is an organic results of aging. Osteoarthritis (OA) is often known as degenerative arthritis while rheumatoid arthritis is also degenerative.

An additional way to characterize the visible difference connecting RA and OA is that, rheumatoid arthritis is about inflammation of the tissue around the joints while osteoarthritis concerns degeneration of the cartilage involving the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is thrice prevalent in women than in men and exists in about 1% of the total population in the United States. Generally impacts the smaller joints of the hands, wrists, feet and generally takes place concurrently on both sides of the body. It is an inflammatory ailment that affects the synovial membrane surrounding joints, therefore thickening the membrane and consequently causing the joints to lose their normal capability to function.

This ailment can happen in children as well as older people, even though during periods of remission, there is no pain present like Knee Pain.

There is swollen knee pain indicating joint inflammation and may even be warm to touch, systemic symptoms which includes fever, general fatigue or body stiffness enduring more than one hour. Joints are affected on both sides. A positive blood test for RA auto-antibodies. The lungs, heart and kidney may also be affected.

Osteoarthritis is way more common and less incapacitating when compared with rheumatoid arthritis. It is regarded as a disease of aging and while it is common in people over 60 years of age, younger individuals are affected from it since bodies aged at a different rate.

The chief force behind OA is wear on joint cartilage, which work as shock absorbers that prevent bones from rubbing together. When cartilage is impaired caused by excessive use or injury, it results in OA, leading to joint inflammation and swelling in the joints. Whenever bones begin rubbing against each other, Knee Pain develops.

Avoid Foods That Create Inflammation and End Joint Pain

If you have swollen, inflamed joints you may have realized certain foods create inflammation. If you avoid them, you may be able to reduce your pain without harsh medications.

Now, there can be a lot of reasons for aching joints.

In the case of osteoarthritis, the degeneration of cartilage at the joints is the main culprit. Bursitis is another condition that causes joint pain, in which the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones at the joints become inflamed. There are also autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joint areas.

In autoimmune disorders, the body's immune system fails to tell the difference between healthy tissues and harmful substances in the body. This results to a hypersensitivity reaction that destroys even healthy body tissues.

One of the body's first responses to irritations of this sort is inflammation. This accounts for the swelling, redness, and pain in the joints felt by persons who suffer from autoimmune diseases. However, research has recently shown that swelling can be aggravated by foods that create inflammation.

Foods high in linoleic acid, a kind of omega-6 essential fatty acid, are known to increase have inflammatory effects. Examples of these are corn, peanut, and soy.

On the other hand, foods that are rich in omega-3 such as tuna and other coldwater fish, have a soothing effect on joint pains. Roughly 100 years ago, most Westerners had a well-balanced diet rich in both omega-6 and omega-3 food sources. However, now nutritionists agree that omega-6-rich foods that cause inflammation far outweigh omega-3 foods in the high-carbohydrates and low-protein diet that most Americans eat today.

Here is a list of some of the foods that can create inflammation and joint pains:

• Dairy products such as cow's milk and cheese contain lactose, a substance that can cause allergic reactions, which may trigger swelling of the bone junctions in the body.

• Refined sugars like white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, and confectioner's sugar are also best avoided if you suffer from joint pains. Opt for natural sweeteners like honey instead.

• Grains with gluten like wheat, oats and rye can quickly trigger an inflammatory reaction.

• Polyunsaturated oils like sunflower, corn, soy, safflower and peanut oils are high in linoleic acid, which can have an inflammatory effect on the body.

• Caffeine, which is present in coffee, soda, or tea, is known to increase inflammation in cases of people who suffer from joint pains.

• Red meat such as beef, lamb and pork too can increase aches and pains in your joints. If you eat more chicken and fish you may notice less pain.

There are surely many foods that can create inflammation and result to joint pains. However, this doesn't mean that you have to eliminate these foods entirely from your diet.

You can experiment by avoiding them all at once, then slowly reintroducing each one back into your diet, just to see which foods would really trigger the inflammation and joint pain reactions in your body. Or, you can cut back gradually. Doctors say adding omega-3 fish oil supplements to your diet can help balance your fatty acids and relieve inflammation too.

If you're interested in learning more about the role omega 3's play in foods that reduce inflammation, please visit my website, where I share what products I have personally been using daily for several years.

Living With Osteoartihritis

Osteoarthritis is a long-term disease that usually affects several different joints in the body. While any joint can be affected, the the knees, hips, hands and the upper and lower back are common sites. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in older people. It is sometimes known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) (or, in the back, degenerative disc disease (DDD). Arthritis patients often experience joint stiffness, swelling, discomfort and pain.

Osteoarthritis is caused by friction acting on joints over time. Prior injuries, a history of heavy physical labor or contact sports, and genetic factors all seem to contribute to the development of the disease. Osteoarthritis is the most frequent cause of disability in older adults. Osteoarthritis is not an auto-immune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Redness and heat generally don't accompany the joint pain and swelling.

Arthritis treatment is aimed at increasing comfort and flexibility. Low impact exercise programs keep joints flexible. Exercise needs to be done in moderation and with the advice of a physician. Exercise can also elevate mood, decrease pain (over time) and improve memory. It helps you maintain a healthy weight, and being overweight puts extra strain on arthritic joints. Flexibility exercises such as Tai chi and yoga can also be helpful in treating osteoarthritis.

Moist heat can relieve joint pain, but in some cases cold packs are preferred. Heat increases blood flow to the area, while cold decreases the blood flow to the area. Patients often try both approaches to see what works best for them. In some cases night time splinting is used to allow the joints and muscles to rest in a normal position while sleeping to help decrease the risk of the joint stiffening into a position that won't move.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to reduce pain and decrease swelling. NSAIDs include the over the counter drugs naproxen and ibuprofen and other drugs prescribed by a doctor. Some patients report that glucosamine and chondroitin (or MSM) (available over the counter) helps decrease pain and improve joint functioning over time. Some research supports this assertion.

Doctors may inject corticosteroids into joints to give several months of improved mobility and pain relief. These medications can have side effects, and cortisone injections are usually not recommended more frequently than once every few months.

Holistic treatments such as acupuncture and massage give relief to some. Acupuncture is thought by Eastern thinkers to unblock the flow of "chi" (energy) in the body. Western scientists have a different theory, but studies show that it can be effective in relieving pain. Massage has also been shown to relieve the pain of arthritis. Physical therapists have other treatment modalities that benefit some patients.

Joint replacement surgery is sometimes used when the joints have deteriorated to the point that the person has difficulty walking. The goal of surgery is to improve the patient's mobility and decrease pain. Less radical surgery is sometimes used to correct problems in arthritic joints.

Stronger pain medications, such as opiates, are sometimes used when there is severe pain accompanying the arthritis. Other pain management approaches can also be helpful, including relaxation, biofeedback, and hypnosis. As we get older most of us will develop some osteoarthritis. A patient with osteoarthritis will likely have some pain for the rest of his or her life. The goal is usually to help them have a good life even though they always have some pain.

Your Thyroid Can Make Your Ears Ring!

Tinnitus is a medical expression for "ringing in the ears" though a few hear other sounds. This kind of noise could be heard in one ear, both ears, the middle of the head or can just be difficult to pinpoint. The noise can be low, medium or high-pitched and it can be continuous or it may come and go. Tinnitus is common throughout all age groups, particularly after exposure to loud noise, however it is uncommon as a major issue except if it gets to be chronic.

There isn't any one cause of tinnitus. It's a symptom associated with an underlying condition. That condition could be age-related hearing loss, an injury to the ear or even trouble with your circulatory system. Some other conditions are Meniere's Disease, TMJ, high blood pressure, sinusitis, thyroid dysfunction and so on.

Tinnitus is actually a common effect of thyroid dysfunction. A lot of people with this condition get a ringing in their ears. Dysfunction of the thyroid causes various other issues which include lowered energy levels, increased sensitivity to pain, weight gain, and depression.

The thyroid is a small gland, shaped just like a butterfly, positioned in the lower part of your neck. It's among the major endocrine glands in the body. The thyroid controls how fast the body expends energy, creates proteins and just how sensitive the body would be to other hormones. The two most typical conditions with thyroid dysfunction are hormone overproduction (hyperthyroidism) and hormone underproduction (hypothyroidism).

Hyperthyroidism only affects 1% of people. It causes an increase to your metabolism. The symptoms consist of nervousness, irritability, weight loss, shaky hands, panic disorder, racing heart and tinnitus. The tinnitus brought on by hyperthyroidism is normally linked to heart rate and is pulsatile in nature.

Hypothyroidism is somewhat more common. It affects about 1% to 2% of women and less than one half of a % of men and happens more frequently as we grow old. It causes a decrease to the metabolism. The symptoms are fatigue, lethargy, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation as well as enlargement of the thyroid gland. Further conditions can include hearing impairment and tinnitus. With hypothyroidism tinnitus is usually present as a constant sound.

Tinnitus will most likely lessen or resolve as soon as the underlying condition is resolved. The use of supplements has proven to strengthen your thyroid health. They include things like:

Iodine - Iodine deficiency, which is a major cause of thyroid dysfunction, can be increased with diet and kelp supplementation. Foods that have iodine are yogurt, eggs, meat, fish and other seafood, radish, parsley, potatoes, oatmeal and bananas.

Selenium - Most people diagnosed with hypothyroidism had been selenium deficient. Selenium deficiency can lower the activity of the thyroid hormones.

Tyrosine - Tyrosine is an amino acid needed by the body to manufacture thyroid hormones from iodine.

Thyroid Glandular - Thyroid glandular supplements have been used since the beginning of thyroid treatment and remain effective.

Bladderwrack - Bladderwrack is seaweed that is a rich source of iodine. Traditionally it has been used for weight loss and hypothyroidism. It also contains the minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, etc.

Coconut Oil - Aside from benefiting the thyroid it also helps you lose weight.

Joint Pains Not Inevitable Due to Aging- Arthritis Care Advice for Indians

Creaky, achy joints, a twinge in the knee, a sharp shooting pain from the shoulder to the elbow, No big deal, right?

Wrong. All too often, we assume joint pain is a normal part of aging that we just have to learn to live with. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"Many people in India know very little about joint pain," Contrary to what many may think, joint pain is not an inevitable part of aging. Unless someone has suffered an injury such as breaking a leg, joint pain in the 50-plus age group usually means osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in which the joints' natural shock absorber -- Cartilage -- begins to break down. Without their protective layer, bones begin to scrape against one other, causing joint pain and thwarting movement.

But never make a diagnosis by yourself. "The average person may not be able tell if it's the joint, a torn tendon or ligament, or pain in the area of the joint. An orthopaedic surgeon needs to evaluate you to make sure you do in fact have joint pain and why."

X-rays can sometimes show changes that indicate cartilage breakdown, but often, the images are inconclusive. "Physical exam, MRI, and bone scans can all be helpful in establishing a diagnosis that is not evident on X-ray."

While there is no conservative cure for joint pain, you can find relief. Treatments range from lifestyle changes to medications to surgery -- and should usually be tried in that order.

Lifestyle Changes

If you are overweight, the first step is to loose weight. A recent study shows that losing as little as 11 pounds (5 kilos) can decrease the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee by 50%. The next step is to work with a physical therapist to develop an exercise program that's right for you. Walking, and other low-impact exercises that don't put pounding pressure on the joints are helpful but high impact exercises such as jogging should usually be avoided. "Exercise is a lifetime commitment," I recommend that patients work out for 40 minutes at a time, three or four days a week. Wearing the correct footwear is also important. A regular and brisk morning walk for one hour (recent recommendation) will usher in a feeling of well being and is excellent all-round exercise. Putting all your joints through a full range of movement will go a long way in preventing stiffness.

Medications

If lifestyle changes don't ease your pain, medication is often prescribed. For mild pain, a simple painkiller can often help. Heat or cold therapy can often provide temporary pain relief. For more prolonged pain which is not amenable to simple drugs, your orthopedician in India will write you up for an anti- inflammatory drug. Although this latest generation of drugs has come under fire recently in the US, their capacity to alleviate pain in the elderly for short durations is welcome. If Knee pain is due to osteoarthritis, Glucosamine could be useful in the early stages. An orthopedic surgeon may choose to supplement the fluid in your knee with a synthetic substance which improves the viscosity of the joint fluid and ameliorates pain.

Surgery including Joint Replacement-

Joint replacements are advised for the elderly person with severe knee or other joint pain. For the young person, I perform some form of cartilage surgery in which the focal damaged areas of cartilage are repaired by surgery. This is an alternative available for young patients as they need not wait to attain the senior citizen's age (> 70) to get a joint replacement. Meniscal suture and Ligament reconstruction in the knee help to restore the mechanical stability for those sportspersons with knee injuries. These will postpone the advent of osteoarthritis. In those unlucky to have had a complete Menisectomy (complete removal of the semi- lunar cartilage) of the knee, Meniscal transplant will be available in Chennai soon. At present this surgery is confined to a few centres in the US and Europe.

For senior citizens if all else fails to relieve your pain and disability, your doctor may recommend surgery in which an arthritic or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint called prosthesis.

The artificial joints, fashioned out of metal and plastic, can be as good as the real thing, restoring movement and function.
"Joint replacement is extremely successful, lasting over 20 years for more than 90% of patients," The procedure is becoming increasingly safer and less invasive.

In summary, prompt consultation with your orthopedic surgeon will lead to earlier diagnosis and effective treatment of joint pain and improve the quality of many lives affected by this common malady.

Understanding Arthritis in Dogs

One of the worst sicknesses that a dog can have in his years is dog arthritis, which is a degenerative disease that involves damage to the joints and cartilage and result in pain and having a hard time walking or running. This can strike on any dog, whether small or large, whatever the age and condition. As pet owners, you must have knowledge of the different types of dog arthritis so you can take care of your dog more:

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of dog arthritis where it is caused by a trauma to the joint, infection or age. It is a degenerative joint disease that is progressive and the cartilage breaks down. This results to the bones rubbing against each other, thus resulting to the joints being painful and stiff.

Another type is the hip dysplasia, which is a genetic joint disease. This is where hip sockets are deformed and there is inflammation of the joint and the tissues surrounding the area will begin to deteriorate and have a breakdown. Elbow Dysplasia is a degenerative hereditary disease where bones do not form well and chip. This is the common cause of lameness of the front legs and is usually seen on large breeds of dogs. There is also the knee dysplasia, which is the malformation of the leg bones and results the loosening of the kneecap bone.

Other types of dog arthritis are: hypertrophic dog arthritis where there is excessive bone growth and spurs in the joint; osteochondrosis, which is caused by poor diet and cartilage deterioration; and degeneration of the shoulders where a trauma or an unstable joint causes the breakdown of shoulder cartilage. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to watch out for the signs and symptoms of dog arthritis so you can prevent it from happening. Some of the symptoms are: loss of appetite has a hard time walking and running, sleeps more/inactivity, stiffness and limping, usual urinating in the house, always irritable, and depressed or withdrawn. If more than two of these symptoms, it's time to bring your dog to your trusted veterinarian. You need to know what kind of treatment is best for your dog so as you can help in relieving their pain. One of the common treatments is physical therapy where exercise is encouraged. This preserves join flexibility and maintains the dog's muscles. One exercise that improves the muscles without making it tired is swimming.

Then there are medications that can relive the dog's pain, and one recommended is Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammation Drugs or NSAIDS. This medicine will not repair the whole dog arthritis, but instead relieve the pain to, at least, make your dog's everyday life normal. It will actually depend on the vet what medicines he or she will give base on the tests done on your dog. Last, but not the least treatment is supplements that contain glucosamine. Glucosamine promotes new cartilage growth and relieves pain, since this ingredient is always present on animal bones. It also improves mobility of the joint and can be used a dietary supplement.

A pet owner will always be responsible for his or her pet and taking care of dog arthritis is a number one priority. One of the things you can do is prevent dog arthritis by giving your dog exercise and proper diet. Watch their diet and give them food that are rich in vitamins and minerals, plus exercise for their bones to be strong and healthy.

Bone and Joint Problems - Signs, Symptoms, Causes

Bone and joint problems were at one time thought to be a fact of life, things that simply accompanied the aging process. Now we know a little more about the problems. Here you will learn what we know about the symptoms and causes of bone and joint problems.

The early symptoms of bone and joint problems are aches, pains and stiffness. The later symptoms may include any of the following conditions:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Frequent bone fractures
• Osteomalacia

Bone fractures in the elderly can be deadly. Complications can arise from surgery. The fracture may fail to heal properly leading to permanent disability.

There are risk factors and causes of weak bones and joints. Age is one of the risk factors, but as mentioned above, the problems are not caused by normal aging. Something else is going on.

Other than frequent fractures, the most common symptom of osteoporosis is a hunched appearance. The spine starts to curve in as though the head is too heavy to be held up any longer. People may also seem to shrink as this curvature occurs and for other reasons associated with unhealthy bones and joints.

Osteomalacia is a painful condition that is often mistaken for arthritis, especially when it affects the elderly. Not only is there pain in the bones and joints, there is also pain in the muscles.

Who's At Risk?

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disorder among post-menopausal women. It has been estimated that fractures occur due to osteoporosis every three minutes in the United Kingdom.

Men are not immune to the risks of osteoporosis. Current figures show that 1 in every 8 men over the age of 50 will have a fracture related to osteoporosis at some point in his lifetime. Even more men have osteoporosis, but are lucky enough to avoid a fracture.

What are the Causes?

The underlying cause of osteoporosis and osteomalacia is reduced bone density. Fractures occur because the bones are thinner and more brittle. In the case of arthritis, the underlying cause is loss of protective cartilage between the joints.

What Causes Reduced Bone Density?

Researchers have learned that many things can interfere with the production of new bone, which is an ongoing process throughout a person's life. The process may be slower with age, as most bodily processes are, but it should not stop completely.

One thing not only interferes with the production of new bone. It actually causes the breakdown of bones to get at the calcium stored within them. As you might suspect, lack of calcium in the diet will cause the body to break down bone to direct the mineral to other bodily function. But, there are many minerals stored in bones. So any mineral deficiency can lead to bone loss.

Lack of vitamin D will also cause unhealthy bones. Osteomalacia is actually the adult equivalent of rickets, caused by inadequate vitamin D intake.

Other causes of reduced bone density include physical inactivity, smoking cigarettes, excessive alcohol consumption and diseases that interfere with nutrient absorption. Endocrine and rheumatic diseases are examples.

How to Protect Your Bones

Now that you know more about the risk factors and causes, you would probably like to know what you can do to protect your bones. That is the subject of my next article. Please click the Bones and Joint Problems link below in the resource author box.