What are the most effective treatments for Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?
338996
A good glucosamine supplement, I know a great one but that would be considered soliciting. Most take about 3 months to see results others as little a a month.
634654
Swimming is the best form of non-weight bearing exercise.  It can do no harm and it can do so much good for you.  Strengthening the supporting muscles around the affected joints helps to protect the joints from stress...let the muscle take the blow, protect the joint.  All exercise is good for OA...stay as active as you can...now is the time to realize that you MUST "use it or lose it"!!  If you do too much and particular joints flare...ice them and rest them for a while but keep on exercising or the joint will deteriorate.  Take NSAIDS if you must to control pain and inflammation and remember ice cools the flare...heat is for sore muscles...ice is for inflammation of joints.  If the heat feels best psychologically, follow it with ice to cool it down...trust me, it works!  If you haven't already, get to a good Rheumatologist who can help you control your disease and join the Arthritis Foundation to get their magazine "Arthritis Today" which will give you constant sources of help for living with Arthritis....membership is only $20 per year....a bargain!  Good luck....I'm 20 years into my OA and I'm healthier and more active now than I was 20 years ago....you can do it too!
527235
Rheumatoid arthritis \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nRheumatoid arthritis is due to an abnormal reaction of the body's immune system to the joints. It can also attack other parts of the body like the muscles, lungs, skin, blood vessels, nerves and eyes. It is most commonly seen in people between the ages of 40 and 60, especially in women. \n\n\nWhich joints are affected? \nRheumatoid arthritis often affects the small joints, especially of the wrists, hands and feet. It causes pain, stiffness and swelling which is worst in the morning. Later, other joints like the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles may also be involved. The affected person may find difficulty in gripping eating utensils, turning taps, dressing or writing.\n\n\nWhat is the Treatment? \nOccupational Therapy and Physiotherapy\nOccupational therapy and physiotherapy help to improve your ability to function independently. Your occupational therapist can teach you how to use specially designed tools like large-handled spoons to carry out your daily activities.\n\n\nHeat/Cold Treatment and Medication\nFor stiff joints, warm water or a heating pad can help. With a hot, painful joint, cold packs or water may be better. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis involves taking medicines which reduce the pain and swelling of the joints. Other medicines to slow down the progress of the disease may be added later.\n\n\nSurgery\nIn the later stages, surgery may be needed to repair and replace badly damaged joints. \n\n\nHi, Do visit my webpage to find out more.\nhttp://www.bonesnjoints.cjb.net\nMany patients took our solutions and felt better.\nGrow black hair again, nicer nails, firmer skin, younger look, lower sugar level, lower high blood...
38721
I hope this is a genuine question and not a joke.\n\nIf you're having pain in the knees then you may want to try Obsteo-Flex, the new product that's being advertised, or a generic brand.\n\nGlucosamine HCL, Chondroitin, and MSM are known supplements for improving joint health.\n\nHopefully, you're not suffering from arthiritis but that could be a possibility.
595408
•  Osteoarthritis  \n\nOsteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, and sometimes referred to as "arthrosis" or "osteoarthrosis"), 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. The word is derived from the Greek word "osteo", meaning "of the bone", "arthro", meaning "joint", and "itis", meaning inflammation, although many sufferers have little or no inflammation. \n\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteoarthritis\n------------------------------------\n \n\n-------------------------------------\n\nBrittanica\nA disorder of the joints, characterized by progressive deterioration of the articular cartilage. It is the most common joint disease, affecting more than 80 percent of those who reach the age of 70. Although its suffix indicates otherwise, osteoarthritis is not characterized by excessive joint inflammation.
661869
Hi, all of those questions are answered in the following journal article...\n\nhttp://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/510997\n\nThis is from the " Current Opinion in Rheumatology " journal, article titled... Exercise as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis. The article is written by the Professor of Pysiotherapy at the University of Melbourne.
691820
Endur Flex\nhttp://www.endur.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.displayproduct&id=42&OVRAW=arthritis%20medicines&OVKEY=arthritis%20medicine&OVMTC=standard
1116458
Yoga might help, but more than likely she has early signs of arthritis. Taking a dose of glucosamine every day can help her. It takes about 4-6 weeks to start working, as it helps build onto existing cartilage, but it is very worth the results in the end. :) I had arthritis in many of my joints by the time I was 17, when I learned at 22 about glucosamine, I took it right away, less than two months later most of my joint pains were gone, or barely noticeable, and I swear by it to this day. I'm only 28 now, but being on it for six years has changed my lifestyle. :)
644272
Arthritis refers to the more than 100 distinct diseases that cause pain and swelling, and limit movement in joints and connective tissue. Arthritis is the number one cause of severe pain and disability which limits physical activity. In the United States 40 million Americans have arthritis. Three million of these people are severely affected. It is usually chronic, meaning that it lasts a lifetime. The specific causes are not known for most types of the disease. But much is known about the symptoms, and how to treat them.\n\nPhysicians diagnose arthritis based upon the pattern of symptoms, medical history, physical exam, X-rays and lab tests. The main symptoms of arthritis are:\n* joint pain,\n* joint stiffness, \n* inability to move the joint freely, and\n* joint swelling.\n\nOther symptoms can include fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, lower extremity rash, and nodules. The key to effective treatment of symptoms is a personal plan devised by you and your health care provider. Symptom treatment usually includes:\n* medicine,\n* exercise,\n* rest,\n* use of heat and cold,\n* joint protection techniques, and \n* sometimes surgery.\n\nMany things can be done to reduce the impact of arthritis on everyday life. With proper diagnosis and design of a treatment plan, arthritis symptoms can be controlled. To learn more, call the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 283-7800.
361128
First off I would say weight control is first and foremost, next I would think that calcium plus vit d would help over long period of time. Knee exercises strengthen ligaments and muscles around the joint to keep it in place better and keep it stronger. and of course drink lots of water, take vitamins.....exercise regularly.
618145
Hi, I too have arthritis in both of my hips and my knees and my ankles and I am only almost 35. I was taking vioxx until they took it off the market. I know the pain that you are dealing with. I have tried every thing else that claims to aleviate the pain. I was only able to work 1 day on and one day off when i was working because when i did work 8 hours when I came home, I literally had to crawl on my knees I hurt so bad. I am so sorry that you are too in agony. I will tell you what I found that is the ONLY thing that has helped me. It is called Replenex. I get it through Melaleuca. It costs 9.99 for 90 tablets. You go to www.melaleuca.com or call 1-800-282-3000 and ask them for more information. This company has been around for 21 years so they are trust worthy and the products are good. Good luck, I hope you get this stuff, it is great.
959828
I am so sorry...I don't know what "AA" arthritis is, but I have had "post traumatic" arthritis for 25 years..that is just another name for osteoarthritis caused by a severe bone injury.  People don't understand, do they???  It becomes such an emotional and mental drain as well as physical because you don't want to do anything...because everything hurts.  \n\nI don't see a doctor regularly because I know there really isn't anything they can do, and certainly not a cure for it.  I take Celebrex when I can afford it...it is cost-prohibitive without insurance.  I take it in spite of the warning and negative press.  Maybe it does increase the risks of internal bleeding and heart disease....so what?  I need it to move around.  People I know with the same affliction who say Celebrex doesn't help them take Aleve.  I also take glucosamine sulfate...it doesn't help much with the pain, but it does retard further bone deterioiration.  \n\nLastly, no matter how much it hurts, try to get up and move.  the longer I remain immobile, the more it hurts.  \n\nI sincerely hope you find some relief!!!\n\nMD Lean
1027185
This is the correct answer. RA is a horrible disease and I have it. I have defeated it with glucosamine and fish oil. I also take 1 Aleve tablet every morning. 2000 mg glucosamine with chondroitin, and 3000 mg fish oil. It takes a while, but it works, and many doctors now recommend this proven cure. \n\nRichard E
463576
Fibromyalgia, Reflex sympathic dystrophy, chronic fatigue, cirvical spondelosis, myofacicia, osteo arthritis, and carpel tunnes SYNDROME. \nIf you find any real, true, successful, treatments, please let me know.
314111
Boy this one is right up my alley! LOL...I am a 44 yr old female and was diagnosed with junvenile arthritis,now I have osteoarthritis and its very painful. There is no cure for arthritis but if you can take them anti-inflammatories help alot of people. I have ulcers therefore I cant take them,if you have any kind of stomach problems like ulcers,GERD's,or nervous stomach they usually will make you very sick,check with your doctor.There are a few things that work with arthur as I lovingly (NOT) call it,it depends on how severely you have it. If you are in the first stages and dont have too serious of pain you can try massage,physical therapy,whirlpools and hot tubs,Water aerobics,there's alot you can try but like I said it depends on how far along and how much pain.I have to take pain meds for mine because Ive tried everything else and nothing works anymore when youve had it almost 30 years.Good luck to you and God bless.
39615
There are a few forms of arthritis.\nRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It is when the body's own defenses attack itself causing extreme pain, imflammation and disformity. While OTC meds liek Naproxen sodium can provide mild temporary relief, you will need to look into immune therapies and more powerful RX meds.\n\nOsteoarthritis is when the bone-jont interface just wears out. It could be due to age, injury, playing aports. It can happen to someone at almost any age. Here you have two solid bones that no longer rotate/glide/move smoothly over the joint capsule. Again, for temporary relife, Naproxen sodium, Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS will provide mild temporary relief. Taking a supplement with glucosomine and chondroitin helps some people, but not others. A warm bath, warm compress, or any of the ointments with analgesic will provide temporary relief.\nThere is no cure for arthritis. A joint replacement can cure osteoarthritis, but those are only available for certain areas of the body.\n\nKeep in mind that NSAIDs taken on a reglar basis can cause many stomach and GI problems. They are harsh on the stomach and may lead to ulcers and bleeding.\n\nSome websites to peruse:\n\nhttp://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/ra.asp\nhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rheumatoidarthritis.html\nhttp://www.arthritis.ca/types%20of%20arthritis/osteoarthritis/default.asp?s=1\nhttp://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/oahandout.htm\n\nYou should take the time to see a doctor to confim diagnosis, as the painful joints and swelling could be from another underlying problem.
1008216
There is no chance to get "cured" of it, you're stuck with it for all your life, but here are some treatments to controlll it.\n\nThe underlying process in psoriatic arthritis is inflammation, therefore treatments are directed at reducing and controlling inflammation. NSAIDs such as diclofenac and naproxen are usually the first line medication.\n\nOther treatment options for this disease include joint injections with corticosteroids - this is only practical if a few joints are affected.\n\nIf acceptable control is not achieved using NSAIDs or joint injections then second line treatments with immunosuppressants such as methotrexate are added to the treatment regimen. An advantage of immunosuppressive treatment is that it also treats the psoriasis in addition to the arthropathy.\n\nRecently, a new class of therapeutics developed using recombinant DNA technology called Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors have come available, for example, infliximab and etanercept. These are becomingly increasingly commonly used but are usually reserved for the most severe cases. As more is learned regarding the long-term safety of these biologic agents there is a trend toward earlier use to prevent irreversible joint destruction.\n\nRetrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriatic_arthritis"