Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

I seem to be getting arthritis in the top joint of each of my little fingers. The area around the joints is swollen or has little knobs on the sides and occasionally has a stinging or burning sensation. I found this information about arthritis at ThirdAge.com. From the description I think I have osteoarthritis.

Usually, osteoarthritis comes on slowly. Early in the disease, joints may ache after physical work or exercise. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. Most often it occurs at the hands, hips, knees, or spine.

Hands: Osteoarthritis of the fingers is the one type of the disease that seems to be hereditary; that is, it runs in families. More women than men have it, especially after menopause. Small, bony knobs appear on the end joints of the fingers. They are called Heberden’s nodes. Similar knobs (called Bouchard’s [boo-SHARDZ] nodes) can appear on the middle joints of the fingers. Fingers can become enlarged and gnarled, and may ache or be stiff and numb. The base of the thumb joint is also commonly affected by osteoarthritis. This kind of osteoarthritis can be helped by medications, splints, or heat treatment.

Knees: The knees are the body’s primary weight-bearing joints. For this reason, they are among the joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. They may be stiff, swollen, and painful, making it hard to walk, climb, get in and out of chairs, and use bathtubs. If not treated, osteoarthritis in the knees can lead to disability. Medications, losing weight, exercise, and walking aids can reduce pain and disability. In severe cases, knee replacement surgery may be helpful.

Hips: Osteoarthritis in the hip can cause pain, stiffness, and severe disability. People may feel the pain in their hips, or in their groin, inner thigh, or knees. Walking aids such as canes or walkers can reduce stress on the hip. Osteoarthritis in the hip may limit moving and bending. This can make daily activities such as dressing and foot care a challenge. Walking aids, medication, and exercise can help relieve pain and improve motion. The doctor may recommend hip replacement if the pain is severe and not helped by other methods.

Spine: Stiffness and pain in the neck or in the lower back can result from osteoarthritis of the spine. Weakness or numbness of the arms or legs can also result. Some people feel better when they sleep on a firm mattress or sit using back support pillows. Others find help from heat treatment or an exercise program to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles. In severe cases, the doctor may suggest surgery to reduce pain and help restore function.

Cartilage: the Key to Healthy Joints

Cartilage is 65 to 80 percent water. Three other substances make up the rest of cartilage tissue: collagen, proteoglycans, and chondrocytes.

• Collagen (KAHL-uh-jen). A fibrous protein. Collagen is also the building block of skin, tendon, bone, and other connective tissues.
• Proteoglycans (PRO-tee-uh-GLY-kanz). A combination of proteins and sugars. Strands of proteoglycans and collagen weave together and form a mesh-like tissue. This allows cartilage to flex and absorb physical shock.
• Chondrocytes (KAHN-druh-sytz). Cells that grow all through the cartilage. They mainly help cartilage stay healthy and grow. Sometimes, however, they release substances called enzymes that destroy collagen and other proteins. Researchers are trying to learn more about chondrocytes.

The Warning Signs of Osteoarthritis

• Steady or intermittent pain in a joint
• Stiffness after getting out of bed
• Joint swelling or tenderness in one or more joints
• A crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone
• Hot, red, or tender? Probably not osteoarthritis. Check with your doctor about other causes, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Not always pain. Not everyone with osteoarthritis feels pain. In fact, only a third of people with osteoarthritis in their x rays report pain or other symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. RA usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body. It occurs most frequently in the:

• Fingers
• Wrists
• Elbows
• Shoulders
• Jaw
• Hips
• Knees
• Toes

Causes

Rheumatoid arthritis is likely to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger an abnormal immune response. Possible causes include:

• Genetic Factors–Certain genes that play a role in the immune system are associated with the development of RA.
• Defects in the immune system, which cause ongoing inflammation
• Environmental Factors–Certain infectious agents, such as some viruses or bacteria, may increase susceptibility to RA.
• Other Factors–Some evidence suggests that hormonal factors may promote the development of RA in combination with genetic factors and environmental exposure.

Symptoms

When RA first begins, symptoms may include:

• Joint pain and stiffness that is:
  • Symmetrical
  • Most prominent in the morning
  • Lasts for at least half an hour
• Red, warm or swollen joints
• Joint deformity
• Mild fever, tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Small lumps or nodules under the skin

As RA progresses, it may cause complications with the:

• Heart
• Lungs
• Eyes
• Skin
• Liver
• Kidneys
• Blood
• Nervous system

From ThirdAge.com

Spicy Ways to Fight Arthritis

For centuries, spices have been used to preserve food and enhance its flavor, and as remedies for a long list of ailments. With the rise of allopathic medicine, much of that folk wisdom fell out of favor, and spices were replaced with prescription drugs.

Today the pendulum is swinging back, and researchers are confirming what herbalists have known all along — the spice rack can be as potent as a medicine chest. Spices are rich sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals, both of which help our cells repair damage while easing symptoms of many common conditions. “They’re powerhouses of pleasure and health,” observes Victoria Zak, author of The Magic Teaspoon (Penguin Group, 2006).

There’s another advantage as well. Flavoring food with more spices and less butter, oil, cream and salt can help improve health and make weight management easier.

Science has not yet investigated all of the dozens of spices on store shelves. But here is the latest research on eight of the most familiar.

Cayenne: The pepper spice that puts the zing in chili and other dishes, cayenne’s claim to fame comes from its compound capsaicin, a popular ingredient in pain-relieving creams. But wait, there’s more: One study found that a diet rich in cayenne-spiced chili protected against the formation of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while another demonstrated that chili helped keep insulin levels low after meals. “Cayenne is the red-hot mama of healing spices,” says Zak. “It’s great for warming and as an all-around body tonic.”

Cinnamon: One of the most versatile spices, cinnamon can be used to flavor everything from cookies to soups. And that’s a wise choice because cinnamon has plenty to offer. Not only does it ease common tummy troubles like gas and bloating, but in a recent clinical trial, cinnamon significantly lowered fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol levels in diabetics. Worried about E. coli? New research shows that cinnamon can wipe out the bacteria. When a teaspoon of cinnamon was added to highly contaminated apple juice, the E. coli was reduced by 99.5 percent after three days.

Coriander: For hundreds of years, coriander has been a favorite remedy for anxiety and insomnia. Now research has confirmed its tension-taming properties. Like cinnamon, coriander aids digestion. And it has shown promise in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Zak recommends a simple method for getting a daily dose of coriander — adding it to honey. “Stir a teaspoon of coriander into one-half cup of honey for an uplifting afternoon treat, ” she explains. Or mix it with hot water, tea or hot cereal.

Ginger: A common ingredient in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicines, ginger boasts an antioxidant power equal to vitamin C. Among the spice’s reported health benefits; easing arthritis pains, improving digestion, and treating colds, coughs and flu. Plus, research has shown that ginger is more effective at combating motion sickness than Dramamine.

Oregano: Reducing inflammation and battling bacteria and viruses are good reasons to include oregano in favorite foods. And now scientists may have discovered why the spice is so effective. In a study examining the antioxidant activity of nearly 40 different herbs and spices, oregano won the highest scores, beating out apples, oranges and blueberries.

Rosemary: A staple in Mediterranean cuisine, rosemary fights the formation of blood clots and reduces inflammation, making it a powerful ally against heart disease. Even the fragrance of this powerful antioxidant has healing properties. Aromatherapy research has shown that inhaling essential oils of several spices, including rosemary, eased depression and pain in arthritis patients. A 2004 study found that rosemary’s phytochemicals may even be useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Saffron: Harvested from crocus blossoms, saffron is one of the world’s most cherished spices. It’s also a potent antioxidant, packing more punch than vitamin E. On the health front, saffron has been shown to protect against cancer and to treat depression as well as Prozac. “This spice is a great rejuvenator and circulatory tonic,” Zak says. “If your spirits need lifting, saffron is for you.”

Turmeric: A common ingredient in curries, turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer, lowers cholesterol and eases arthritis aches and pains by reducing inflammation. It has also been shown to increase insulin sensitivity by 300 percent.

More good news: Researchers at UCLA found that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, was more effective at preventing the development of brain-damaging plaques seen in Alzheimer’s disease than any drug being tested. It is probably no coincidence that India’s populace has the lowest rate of Alzheimer’s in the world — and a diet rich in turmeric.

Take a look at your store’s spice shelves, and you’ll see that we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s available. Even though research has a long way to go when it comes to unlocking the health secrets of spices, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy their abundant flavor and satisfying aromas in the meantime.

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