Arthritis Newsletter Number One-Natural Arthritis Solutions

Arthritis Newsletter Number One - from Bill Ziese

Hello everyone. This is our first edition of a newsletter devoted to Arthritis. I hope to educate and inform you about this problem which will eventually affect you or someone you love. There are many problems with prescription drugs and doctors who rely too much on the pharmaceutical companies for guidance; guidance which usually fills the pockets of the drug companies and their shareholders and prescription drugs which are approved by the FDA, which itself is “regulated” by the drug companies. We don’t presume to have all the answers and we don’t suggest you ignore your doctor. We just want you to be aware of what Arthritis is and what alternatives may be out there to help.

The many types of Arthritis include:

Osteoarthritis – a degenerative joint disease and the most common form of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis affects 121 people out of 1,000 between the ages of 18 and 79. 16 million Americans suffer from Osteoarthritis and it affects three women for each man. When cartilage degenerates, bone rubs against bone. This causes stiffness, occasional pain, and then constant pain. It usually affects the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees and spine.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – an inflammatory joint condition that may also affect the heart, lungs, and eyes

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 2 to 3 million Americans. It usually first appears between the ages of 25 and 50, but it can occur in children and in senior citizens. It commonly affects the joints of the fingers, wrists, arms, and legs with pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. It is thought to be caused by an autoimmune response by the body against itself. Sickness, fatigue, weight loss, and fever can result.

Osteoporosis – decrease in bone density, loss of calcium and fragile bones

25 million Americans, mostly women over 40, are affected by Osteoporosis. Risk factors include: being female, early menopause, being Caucasian, being underweight, family history of osteoporosis, and eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Osteoporosis affects about half of all women over the age of 45 and 90 percent over the age of 75. Approximately 1.3 million fractures occur yearly because of osteoporosis.

Fibromyalgia - a type of rheumatism of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or soft tissues
Fibromyalgia affects approximately five million Americans, mostly women between the ages of 35 and 60. Constant fatigue, deep muscle pain, sleeplessness and depression are widespread symptoms. of Fibromyalgia. Tender points under the skin have become a hallmark of this disease. For all patients, these tender points are painful when pressed.

Anklyosing Spondylitis - a chronic inflammatory type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine

AS affects about 2 million Americans and targets mostly young white men between 20 and 30 years old. This genetic disease will usually get worse with rest and better with movement. Lower back pain is dull and aching at first. Many people will also experience pain in the legs, shoulders, buttocks and the back of their knees. The ankle may be very tender in the spot where the tendon attaches to the bone. This is called Enthesopathy.

Cervical Arthritis - affects the upper spine causing pain in the neck

Symptoms of cervical arthritis occur between 40 and 50 years of age. Men are more likely than women to develop this type of arthritis. However, postmenopausal women have a higher incidence of this disease. Contributing factors include age, injury, and poor posture. Experts have shown that other types of arthritis such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis predispose some people to cervical arthritis.

Gout - chronic type of inflammatory arthritis that causes immediate attacks of pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling in some joints

About 500,000 people have gout in the United States , mostly men between 30 and 60 years old. Gout is caused by an over production of uric acid in the body. Gout can be brought on by drinking too much alcohol or eating too much seafood, beans, sweetbreads, gravies, and anchovies. Usually the joints in the big toe are affected, but the instep, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows can be affected.

Infectious or septic Arthritis - is caused by an infection and is usually curable if treated promptly and properly. It can affect any age group and is not contagious. Bacterial infections - gonococcus, tuberculosis, staphylococcus, and salmonella and spirochetes such as Lyme disease and syphilis can cause Septic Arthritis. Viruses such as infectious hepatitis, mumps, and infectious mononucleosis can also be a cause. Fungi found in soil, bird droppings, and certain plants especially roses can lead to this type of Arthritis.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis – most mysterious and perhaps the cruelest form of Arthritis

JRA affects nearly 300,000 children in the United States and may affect bone development as well as the child's growth. Systemic onset type begins with very high fevers, frequently as a skin rash and shows evidence of inflammation in many internal organ systems as well as the joints. About 10 percent of children with arthritis have this type.

Pauciarticular onset disease affects fewer than five joints. About half of all children with arthritis are in this category. Some of these are very young, from infancy to about age 5, and have a risk of developing inflammatory eye problems. Regular eye exams are essential.

Polyarticular disease affects more than five joints (often many more), and can begin at any age. Some of these children have adult-type rheumatoid arthritis that begins at an earlier age than usual.

Lumbosacral Arthritis – also known as lumbar arthritis affects the lower back and pelvic area

People with Lumbosacral Arthritis should learn how to properly care for their backs. Using proper lifting techniques, practicing a specific set of stretching and strengthening exercises, weight management, and modifying activities to protect the backbone can reduce low back pain.

Osteonecrosis – “death of bone” occurs when an area of bone loses its blood supply

90% of all Osteonecrosis cases affect the hip, but the knee and ankle joints can also be affected in adults. It affects mostly males between the ages of 20 and 40. Corticosteriods, severe injury or fracture, excessive alcohol use, kidney disease, lupus, and blood disorders are all risk factors for developing Osteonecrosis.

Paget's Disease – destruction of bone and regrowth resulting in deformity or enlarged bones

It is more commonly found in Europe , Australia and New Zealand , but it does affect people all over the world. It affects men and women equally and rarely under the age of 40. Experts consider it to be heredity.
Psoriatic Arthritis – a combination of Arthritis and Psoriasis

10 to 30 percent of people who have psoriasis will develop this type of arthritis. It is more common in people between the ages of 20 and 50. In about 15% of the cases, the Arthritis part occurs first. More than 80 percent of people with Psoriatic Arthritis will have problems with their fingernails and/or toenails.

Reiter's Syndrome – commonly affects the joint of the spine and the sacroiliac joint

The syndrome primarily affects young Caucasian men between the ages of 20 and 40. It causes pain, swelling, redness, and heat in the joints. It may also result in discharge from the urethra, urinary frequency, conjunctivitis of the eyes, weight loss, and a rash. Heredity and environmental factors are involved.

LUPUS - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE - an autoimmune disease of the body's connective tissues

Lupus affects 5 times as many women as men and usually develops between the ages of 15 and 40. It affects the kidneys, blood vessels, heart, skin, muscles, bones, nervous system, digestive system, and lungs. Lupus cannot be cured and will most likely be a lifelong disease that will require management and attention.


Tendonitis and Bursitis - inflammatory conditions arising in the tendons or bursae of the arms and legs

Excessive activity related to work or play, especially in people who are not accustomed to it, may result in these conditions. In rare cases, these problems may be due to infection, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, thyroid problems or diabetes. The most reliable treatment for tendonitis and bursitis, particularly in the early stages, is to rest the involved muscles, tendons and joints, and eliminate the stresses producing the problem.

Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis – a combination of Arthritis and Psoriasis in children

Psoriatic arthritis is a rheumatoid-like joint disease associated with psoriasis of the skin and nails. It is usually mild, with intermittent flare-ups, but in rare cases it may progress to crippling arthritis. Many children have no long-term consequences of having juvenile psoriatic arthritis.

*************************************************************************************

Our Arthritis newsletter will appear on our new web page <www.greenmusselfactor.com>. We will eventually be adding most of our other products to our new web page.

Our regular newsletter will appear on our other web page <www.flushitsolutions.com>.