RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Pain Is Not A Symptom Of Arthritis, Pain Causes Arthritis, Study Shows

2008-10-10T07:01:00.000-07:00

Pain is more than a symptom of osteoarthritis, it is an inherent and damaging part of the disease itself, according to a study just published in journal Arthritis and Rheumatism. More specifically, the study revealed that pain signals originating in arthritic joints, and the biochemical processing of those signals as they reach the spinal cord, worsen and expand arthritis.

In addition, researchers found that nerve pathways carrying pain signals transfer inflammation from arthritic joints to the spine and back again, causing disease at both ends.

Technically, pain is a patient's conscious realization of discomfort. Before that can happen, however, information must be carried along nerve cell pathways from say an injured knee to the pain processing centers in dorsal horns of the spinal cord, a process called nociception. The current study provides strong evidence that two-way, nociceptive "crosstalk" may first enable joint arthritis to transmit inflammation into the spinal cord and brain, and then to spread through the central nervous system (CNS) from one joint to another.

Furthermore, if joint arthritis can cause neuro-inflammation, it could have a role in conditions like Alzheimer's disease, dementia and multiple sclerosis. Armed with the results, researchers have identified likely drug targets that could interfere with key inflammatory receptors on sensory nerve cells as a new way to treat osteoarthritis (OA), which destroys joint cartilage in 21 million Americans. The most common form of arthritis, OA eventually brings deformity and severe pain as patients loose the protective cushion between bones in weight-bearing joints like knees and hips.

"Until relatively recently, osteoarthritis was believed to be due solely to wear and tear, and inevitable part of aging," said Stephanos Kyrkanides, D.D.S., Ph.D., associate professor of Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. "Recent studies have revealed, however, that specific biochemical changes contribute to the disease, changes that might be reversed by precision-designed drugs. Our study provides the first solid proof that some of those changes are related to pain processing, and suggests the mechanisms behind the effect," said Kyrkanides, whose work on genetics in dentistry led to broader applications. The common ground between arthritis and dentistry: the jaw joint is a common site of arthritic pain.

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Arthritsi?

2008-09-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Arthritis is an illness that can cause pain and swelling in your joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Some kinds of arthritis can cause problems in other organs, such as your eyes, or in your chest. It can affect your skin, too.

These problems may be caused by inflammation (in-flah-MAY-shun), a swelling that can include pain or redness. They are telling you that something is wrong.

Some people may worry that arthritis means they won't be able to work or take care of their children and their family. Others think that you just have to accept things like arthritis.

It's true that arthritis can be painful. But there are things you can do to feel better. This booklet tells you some facts about arthritis and gives you some ideas about what to do, so you can keep doing the things you want to do.

There are several kinds of arthritis. The two most common ones are rheumatoid (ROO-mah-toyd) arthritis and osteoarthritis (AH-stee-oh-ar-THRY-tis).

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. This is the form that usually comes with age and most often affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows an injury to a joint.

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Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

2008-09-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

Determining the cause of arthritis can be difficult, because often several factors contribute to an individual developing this common problem.

Genetics
Exactly how much heredity or genetics contributes to the cause of arthritis is not well understood. However, there are likely genetic variations that can contribute to the cause of arthritis.
Age
Cartilage becomes more brittle with age and has less of a capacity to repair itself. As people grow older they are more likely to develop arthritis.
Weight
Because joint damage is partly dependent on the load the joint has to support, excess body weight can lead to arthritis. This is especially true of the hips and knees that can be worn quickly in heavier patients.
Previous Injury
Joint damage can cause irregularities in the normal smooth joint surface. Previous major injuries can be part of the cause of arthritis. An example of an injury leading to arthritis is a tibial plateau fracture, where the broken area of bone enters the cartilage of the knee joint.
Some High-Level Sports
It is difficult to determine how much sports participation contributes to development of arthritis. Certainly, sports participation can lead to joint injury and subsequent arthritis. However, the benefits of activity likely outweigh any risk of arthritis.
Illness or Infection
People who experience a joint infection (septic joint), multiple episodes of gout, or other medical conditions, can develop arthritis of the joint.

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Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

2008-09-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

Self-help and Execise

There are things you can do to help ease the symptoms of RA.

Find a balance between exercise and rest. You need to keep active to prevent your joints from becoming weak and stiff but don't try to do too much. Swimming is an excellent activity because it strengthens your muscles and joints without putting any strain on them. A physiotherapist can give you information and advice.
Try to lose excess weight as this will reduce the pressure on your joints.
An occupational therapist can suggest ways of making everyday tasks easier and may be able to provide you with specialist equipment.
Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet and cut down on saturated fats.
A hot water bottle may help if your joints feel stiff and painful; try an ice pack if they are hot and irritated.

Medicines

There is a large range of medicines available that can help relieve the symptoms of RA, although no medicine can cure the condition.

Painkillers such as paracetamol may help to relieve pain and stiffness although they won't affect the progression of arthritis.
Anti-inflammatory medicines, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (eg Nurofen) reduce inflammation and so relieve pain and swelling.

ARALEN

Aralen Phosphate is an antimalarial drug. The exact way that Aralen Phosphate works is unknown. Aralen Phosphate is used to treat and to prevent malaria. Aralen Phosphate is also used to treat infections caused by amoebae.
NAPROSYN

Naprosyn is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Naprosyn works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Naprosyn is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps.

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