Introduction

Arthritis is generally confusing to most suffers.When some people hear this word they envision a future with crippled and twisted joints.  However, many conditions from benign to severe are catalogued under the term, arthritis. For our purposes we will restrict this discussion to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the labels for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. Primarily, the condition is due to the deterioration of the cartilage that lines the joint surfaces, and it is found not only in humans, but also in all mammals. When joint cartilage is harmed, the sensitive bone tissue that is normally preserved by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are more commonly called bone spurs. These spurs can create painful irritation to other tissues surrounding the joint, in this way complicating the already painful condition. 

Degenerative joints most often occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Previous trauma, certain occupations and activities, weight, diet, and heredity all appear to influence both the onset and severity of DJD.

Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. As the condition progresses there can be loss of mobility, especially when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are implicated.  In some cases, if the joint is sufficiently worn and the person can no longer walk without severe pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should attempt to manage the condition early on in ones life to avoid the need for surgery.

The best management of DJD is, of course, prevention that involves taking care of ones joints at an early age.

• Making sure that all injuries to joints are properly treated will help to avoid future problems.
• People involved in occupations that demand standing or walking should wear suitable shoes that offer good support and shock absorption.
• Excess body weight can create increased stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body.

• Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces, such as when doing housework, as this can put strain and create knee pain.

• The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants included in fruits and vegetables are crucial for healthy joints and a healthy body.

Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but can possibly help to rebuild joint cartilage.

Chiropractic adjustments assist in restoring proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only a smart idea, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Chicago chiropractor is highly skilled when it comes to arthritic pain relief. Other forms of chiropractic care may include joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, cold laser, or electro-therapy, all of which may be helpful in the relief of painful and stiff joints. On occasion a brace is required to help stabilize the joint in order to alleviate pain. Movement is vital to the maintenance of arthritic joints. A chiropractor often suggests gentle, mobilizing activities such as stretching, yoga, and tai chi can be beneficial.

Gout

An elevated level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints produce gouty arthritis. Generally, gouty arthritis is characterized by acute pain and swelling of the joints in the big toes, knees, ankles and wrists. A large number of people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are more often than not brought on by binge eating of the wrong foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that must be avoided have a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Those with this condition cannot effectively metabolize uric acid, thus the buildup in the bloodstream and the ensuing joint problems. The foods most connected with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including refraining from drinking alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be produced by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, while other areas of the body can be affected as well. Morning stiffness aggravated by movement is usually associated with the disease. Often people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified through definitive blood tests. Though, currently, there is no cure, in addition to medication and vitamin and diet therapy, treatment should include chiropractic adjustments to mobilize joints and help to relieve the pain and stiffness associated with this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be valuable. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to assisting people in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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At first, we may think that we are just tired from the everyday hustle and bustle of our daily lives or that we just had a series of bad springs for our bed that when we woke up, the pain never stops.  Then we check it with our doctors and find that what is causing such is arthritis back pain but luckily, with the advancement in medicine, we get to have the latest and the fastest cure for it and of course, its pain management.

For those of you who are still clueless about what causes arthritis back pain, here are numerous reasons why you have such.  Also, here are some things you could do for arthritis back pain management to help you deal with it that to help minimize the “ouch” factor.

Possible Causes

They say that determining the real cause of arthritis back pain is difficult and it requires a rigorous medical research and tests as each patient is different from the other.  But, one of the possible causes of which is the genetics though they say that there may be some genetic variations that leads you to have arthritis back pain.  Another of the possible reasons is the age of a person since we all know that as we get older, our cartilage becomes more brittle and decreased its capacity to repair itself. 

Weight also is a contributing factor since other parts of the body relies so much on our joints, therefore, excess body weight could lead to arthritis.  Previous injury, occupational hazards, and certain illnesses or infections that affected your joints or multiple episodes of gout may lead to arthritis back pain and other arthritis in your body.

For Pain Management

Tylenol is the name that you have trusted for years now when you are experiencing headache, flu, or fever and right now, they have formulated a special kind of medicine to help you with managing your pain especially back pain.  But above all, what you may first want to do is call the right doctor and a rheumatologist to find out what kind of arthritis you have and at least, you have the help of the right people with the help of your family doctor.

And surely, if you are going to ask for something to help you manage your arthritis back pain, Tylenol for Arthritis is the number one brand if you want to manage your pain.  For more details or information, log on to tylenol.com for you to have an overview about the best in arthritis pain management.

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What is the very first sign/symptom of macular degeneration? What does a drastic change in vision in one eye mean?
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration? Can macular degeneration, caused by arthritis medication, be stooped?
If it can be detected early, and is caused by an arthritis medication, can it be reversed when the meds are discontinued, or will the degeneration continue once it starts?

Thanks!!

swollen testacles

Lately I've been worrying about my parents and life in general. They are in their mid and early 60s. My mom has mild asthma and dad has arthritis. But they are healthy in general and both retired. I visit them at least once a year since they live 6 hours away out of state. But I do speak to them once a week on the phone just to make sure they are ok. I love them very much and I really can't bear the fact that they will pass away one day in the future. I'm will turn 39 this year. I never really thought about this stuff when I was in my 20s or even early 30s. Is this a symptom of mid life crises with all this worries about my parents and life/death?

No, your parental worries are not symptoms of a midlife crisis. The love & deep concern for your parents has always been there, but as you get older, you begin to think about these things more. Your parents are very lucky to have you for a son. It's normal to worry about your parents but try not to let it get you down. Facing the fact that our parents will leave us someday isn't easy but it's a part of life. In the time being, just continue to love your parents, stay in touch with them, & let them know how you feel about them each time you're in touch with them. The older we get, we begin to think about our own mortality as well, which also gets us to worry more about our parents which is normal but don't let worrisome thoughts consume your mind 24/7…Relax & enjoy your life to the fullest!

When I sleep both my hands close automatically. I try sleeping with thick gloves on to prevent them from closing, but when I wake up my knuckles are stiff and painful. The pain subsides quickly as I start to wiggle my fingers, but I'm not sure what is happening or why. It doesn't sound like symptoms of carpal tunnel or arthritis, but could it be early stages of arthritis?

I've never heard of this as a symptom of arthritis….do you have any other symptoms like swelling, joint pain, fatigue, inflammation?

Here's a site that talks about arthritis, you may want to check it out..http://arthritis.about.com/cs/arthgen/ht/arthritissigns.htm