A study conducted by a team of researchers from Illinois found that poor sleep can increase the risk of disability due to rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The immune system is responsible for protecting the body from viruses and other pathogenic organisms. But a disorder in the immune system can cause it to confuse healthy tissues and cells as foreign materials. This results to an autoimmune disease which leads to the development of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. RA, or rheumatoid arthritis, is a condition that causes the inflammation of joints and the tissues surrounding it. It can also affect other organs in the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis can happen at any age.  However, women are more often affected compared to men. RA usually affects the joints of the ankles, feet, knees, fingers and wrists. The severity and course of the disease can vary on a case-to-case basis. The primary contributors of the disease are hormones, certain genetic markers and infection. Various studies also show that certain habits like the lack of sleep can contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Poor Sleep Can Increase the Likelihood of Disability from Rheumatoid Arthritis

A study published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine revealed that poor sleep is linked with higher risk of depressive symptoms, higher levels of pain and fatigue, and more functional disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers suggest treating sleeping problems through the help of behavioral and other forms of intervention to better overcome the painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The study aims to investigate the relationship between functional disability in more than 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their quality of sleep. The study participants had an average age of around 58 years and over 70 percent of them were women. All of the study participants were clinically diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis for no less than 2 years, and they all had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for 14 years on an average.

The researchers asked the study participants to complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory. The results provided much needed information regarding the study participants’ quality of sleep, pain severity, functional disability, fatigue, and their depression levels. The participants were also asked to give their medical history and socio-demographic information.

The results of the study showed that a person’s quality of sleep has an indirect effect on functional disability after removing other factors like age, number of co-morbidities and gender. The results of the PSQI showed that more than 61 percent of the patients had poor sleep and 33 percent reported sleeping disturbances caused by joint pain in most days of the week.

Lead researcher from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Nursing, Faith Luyster, said that the primary result of their study suggests that poor sleep was linked to worse cases of rheumatoid arthritis. She added that it is important to properly address the sleeping problems of rheumatoid arthritis patients through pharmacological and behavioral intervention.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects more than 1.3 million American adults and which causes stiffness, swelling, pain and loss of function in the joint area. People with rheumatoid arthritis normally complain about sleep disruptions and poor quality of sleep. Luyster added that not being able to sleep well at night can contribute to the severity of fatigue and pain which, in turn, bi-directionally affects their quality of sleep.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Risk Factors

It has been found that women are more at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than men. Adults aged 40 to 60 years are more likely to be infected with the condition. Genetic inclination and family history also plays a major role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Though medical experts say that the disease can’t be directly inherited, predispositions to rheumatoid arthritis can be passed on. Lastly, one of the adverse effects of smoking is a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural Ways to Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk

Though the real cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown, medical experts say that the key to preventing the disease is protecting the joints from damage. The joints are built to perform the stress of basic tasks but joints with arthritis cannot take the stress of twisting, pulling and pushing.

A tip to protecting the joints from too much strain is by moving the joint to its full range of motion. This can help maintain the active motion of your joints. But remember not to overdo the exercise and keep the movement to where it is pain-free and in the range of your flexibility. Keep the movements gentle and slow. Forcing the joints to make movements beyond its range of motion can only result to damage and injury.

Doing basic tasks will, more often than not, require the movement of the joints. Another tip to prevent the risk of rheumatoid arthritis is knowing which tasks cause joint pain and by finding a way to avoid it. Lifting heavy objects can cause sudden jolts of pain. And if this happens, try to find a better way of doing it without experiencing the same pain, especially with tasks that you do every day. Remember to observe proper body mechanics when doing things.  This will not only make the task easier to complete, but it helps you avoid injuries as well.

Rheumatoid arthritis pain is common in the hand area. The hands are full of joints and pain in this area can result to functional disability. Try to use your hands more carefully. Avoid tasks that will need prolonged pinching and gripping. The motion of the fingers needs to be in the direction of the thumb and not the little finger. Opening jars for example will direct the force to the palm instead of just in the fingers. Try to use jar openers rather than doing it barehanded. Using tools with ergonomically designed handles will help prevent the onset of pain.

Different joints can endure different levels of tasks. The joints in the fingers can only do so much but other joints can do so much more. When doing certain heavy tasks for example, try to use your strongest joints. Avoid keeping the joints in the same position for an extended period of time. When writing, try to give your hands some rest for 10 to 15 minutes. When driving long distances, try to stop for a few minutes. Move out and stretch your joints.

Sources
eurekalert.org
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
medicinenet.com
mayoclinic.com
mayoclinic.com
mayoclinic.com

A study showed that obesity can increase the risk of developing arthritis.

Obesity is a global problem and is thought to be second to smoking as one of the contributory cause of cancer. It is a medical condition associated with the excessive storage of body fat which can lead to serious health conditions and reduced life expectancy. A body mass index above 30 kilograms per square meter is considered obese. The list of common health conditions that are induced and intensified by obesity include some types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

There are several factors that cause obesity. In a nutshell, the consumption of a greater number of calories than what the body burns results to the disproportionate storage of fat. An unhealthy diet and an inactive lifestyle are two of the primary causes of obesity and obviously, the best recommended cure is the modification of one’s diet and increased physical activity. Among the chronic conditions caused by obesity is arthritis.

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published on October 8 stated that arthritis limits the physical activity of over 21 million people. Obesity is now being linked to arthritis and the study showed that an excess in weight serves as a hindrance to having healthy joints basically because it affects joint movement. And according to the report, unless Americans learn to control their weight, the prevalence of arthritis will remain on the rise. Just like obesity, arthritis is a major public health problem that can be effectively prevented through weight management which includes increased physical activities, diet modification, and proper education.

The Link between Obesity and Arthritis

The National Health Interview Survey for the year 2007 to 2009 indicated that more than 22 percent of adults aged 18 and above are diagnosed with arthritis. This is an equivalent of almost 50 million people. More than 21 million people in this group had reported limited body movements and decreased physical activities. In the population suffering from obesity, on the other hand, more than 33 percent of women and over 25 percent of men have arthritis. This is more than twice of the arthritis prevalence in people with normal or below normal weight, with almost 14 percent in men and about 19 percent in women.

Though the prevalence of arthritis is commonly linked to a person’s age, issues such as lifestyle, physical activity, weight, and even educational attainment are also some of the factors that can increase the risk. The report also showed that the limitations in physical activities that cause arthritis are caused by the ageing population and rising rates of obesity.

The ageing population and increasing prevalence of obesity are expected to increase the rates of developing arthritis in the next 20 years according to the report. The expected number of adults with arthritis can go up as much as 67 million by 2010. The other findings of the study showed that more than 24 percent of women and 18 percent of men were surveyed with doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Almost 22 percent of the survey participants whose educational attainment was less than a high school diploma had arthritis, comparatively higher than the 20 percent of people who spent a few years in college. In addition to this, almost 24 percent of people with sedentary lifestyle have arthritis, a lot lesser than the 19 percent who engaged in increased physical activities.

The survey participants were asked if they were diagnosed with any form of arthritis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, gout or fibromyalgia by a medical expert. According to the report, arthritis results to an annual cost of $128 billion on a national scale and the condition is one of the common causes of disability. The risk of getting knee osteoarthritis is more than 60 percent in obese individuals. The report also suggested that even an 11-pound reduction in weight can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis by 50 percent and mortality rate also by half.

Tips to Prevent Obesity

Obesity and arthritis can come hand in hand. This suggests that one of the best ways to prevent the development of obesity is by properly managing weight. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone: you are avoiding obesity and at the same time reducing the risk of developing arthritis.

It needs to be understood that obesity is caused by the over-consumption of calories while getting less than recommended physical activities. The best approach is by being aware of your calorie intake while increasing physical activity at the same time in order to burn any stored fat. Identifying any early indications of obesity is also key to preventing the condition from becoming a serious problem.

Remember to:

• Maintain an active lifestyle. Though going to the gym or jogging around the park may be more recommendable, having an active lifestyle can be achieved in the comforts of your own home like doing open backyard activities.
• Monitor weight regularly. It’s difficult to always count the calories. Though you may always need to think about the food you eat, counting calories down to the last piece of candy may become too obsessive and stressful. The better way of doing it is by monitoring your weight on a regular basis. This will tell you if you have been eating well and if you are getting enough physical activities to burn the extra pounds.
• Eat right. There’s no better way of managing your weight but by eating the right kind of foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables and foods rich in fiber, like whole grains, are best in flushing out saturated fats from the other foods you eat. Eating regularly and slowly will also help in the better digestion of food.

Tips to Prevent Arthritis

Food rich in bad cholesterol, saturated fats, sodium, and uric acid leads and worsens arthritis. The recommended diet to prevent and alleviate arthritic conditions consists of consuming healthy foods such as:

• Parsley
• Watercress
• Celery
• Carrots
• wheat grass products
• barley
• pecans
• avocados
• soy products
• whole grain products like oats, millet, barley, wheat
• cold water fishes like sardines, salmon and herring.

Foods rich in antioxidants like omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, bioflavonoids, carotenes and vitamin C has also been found to reduce the inflammation of the joints caused by free radicals.

Meanwhile, foods containing high amounts of calcium inhibitors have been found to increase the risk of arthritis. So try to avoid the following:

• red meat
• chicken
• eggs
• dairy products
• coffee
• alcohol

Foods with high contents of oxalic acid like plums, cranberries, rhubarb, spinach and chard can also cause and worsen arthritis.

Sources
arthritis.webmd.com
healthtree.com
today.msnbc.msn.com

Vitamin C supplement

Late last summer I wrote about gout.  For those unfamiliar with the condition, gout is a type of chronic arthritis that causes severe pain in and around the joints, all thanks to the overproduction of uric acid.  Uric acid is something that all bodies produce, but they primarily form when purines break down.  Purines come from foods – meats, in particular – but they are also the natural by-product of the body’s cells.

Anyway, last summer I wrote about a drink that increased one’s chances of getting gout – soda pop.  Today I’m doing just the opposite – writing about something that decreases one’s chances of getting gout.

What does this something happen to be?  Vitamin C.

According to researchers from the University of British Columbia, men who take 500 milligrams of vitamin C a day decrease their risk of getting gout by about 17 percent.

Published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers looked at approximately 47,000 men to see what health and disease traits they had in common based on their age and their lifestyle habits.  The 20-year study found that those men who consumed large doses of vitamin C daily decreased their risk of vitamin C precipitously.  For instance, those men who consumed over 1,500 mg of vitamin C daily were almost 50 percent less likely to develop gout than those men who consumed less than 250 mg per day! 

Researchers estimate the risk of developing gout drops by about 17 percent for every 500 milligrams consumed daily.    

Because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, large daily doses of vitamin C can be handled by the body without posing any short or long term risk.  However, you should always play it safe and consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your dietary regimen.

In the meantime, large doses of vitamin C are best acquired through supplementation.  I never discourage someone from getting their vitamins primarily from food, but to get 1,500 mg of vitamin C daily, you’d have to eat around 14 oranges (granted, oranges aren’t the world’s best source of vitamin C – peppers are – but you get my drift)!  And considering the fact that 1,500 mg really isn’t all that much, you’re better off supplementing with vitamin C to get its full array of benefits.

I don’t pretend to know what gout feels like, and quite frankly, I don’t want to know.  People compare the pain to giving childbirth (another thing I’ve never experienced, and happily, will never have to) or a bone fracture.  And from what I understand, the painful flare-ups can last anywhere from three to 10 days.

Ouch!

Do yourself and your joints a favor:  Eat more vegetables (most vegetables are low in purines), eat less meat (meats and cheeses are high in purines, especially organ meats) and start supplementing with vitamin C (a purine defeater). 

Sources:
MSNBC
gout.com
WHFoods

Each of these drugs tries to reduce the inflammation caused by arthritis through the same methods. The goal is to block the specific protein called tumour necrosis factor. These drugs are used not only for arthritis but for Crohn’s Disease as well. Known as TNF blockers, these drugs have been revolutionary for those suffering from arthritis and have made more then 13 billion dollars in sales last year alone. Since the release of these drugs just a decade ago, half a million patients have been treated through this method.

Because these drugs block part of the immune system, it has been known since their release that there might be a higher risk of infection and cancer in the patients using them. Each of the drug’s labels contains a warning to this effect that the potential for developing lymphomas is much higher. Lymphomas are cancer cells within the immune system and over half of the cancer cases in children reported to the FDA were exactly this. A study was conducted on adults taking Humira or Remicade to treat their arthritis. The results showed these adults had a 2.4 increase rate of developing cancer then those adults in the testing with only placebos.

For children and adults suffering from arthritis, it is important to realize that prescription medications are not the only form of treatment at your disposal. Natural supplementation is a great way to control and manage your symptoms as well as reduce the risk of cancer. Each of the natural supplements listed below are safe and risk free when used as directed so you do not have to worry about developing cancer, only fighting the symptoms of arthritis.

• Bromelain is an enzyme, which reduces the inflammation and helps with the digestion of proteins when taken with meals.

• Essential Fatty Acids can help increase the production and activity of anti-inflammatories within the body. Controls arthritis pain when taken as directed.

• Sea Cucumber is a natural form of lubrication for the joints and tissues. May take up to 6 weeks to see results.
   
• Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant, which can protect not only your organs from free radicals but your joints as well.
   
• Boron is the number one mineral required for healthy and strong bones.

• Glucosamine is a natural topical cream used to relieve the pain of arthritis. 

There are dozens more natural remedies and supplements, which can be taken on a daily basis to help reduce your arthritis pain and allow you to live your life the way you want to. Visit a professional naturopathic today for more information to help you create your natural supplement routine with success.